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Who Won the Presidential Debate?
Visitors to Patch's debate viewing parties at Wehrenberg Theatres were divided in St. Charles and largely in
More than 160 people from throughout the St. Louis and St. Charles county areas attended debate viewing parties at two local movie theaters for Wednesday's showdown between GOP candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama.
The verdict: A split decision in St. Charles; Romney the winner in Des Peres. About 57 people attended the viewing party, sponsored by Patch and FOX2, at the Wehrenberg St. Charles Stadium 18 Cine; another 107 attended the party at Wehrenberg's Des Peres 14 Cine.
"Obama was more specific on loopholes and tax cuts and Medicare and Social Security," said one guest, in a written survey after the debate, while another countered with, "Romney was sharp and better prepared."
Of the surveys collected in St. Charles, 11 thought Romney won; 13 thought Obama did. Another six said neither one. In Des Peres, 32 respondents said Romney won; nine said Obama; five said neither.
With rare exception, according to the surveys collected by Patch, the debate served only to strengthen the resolve of voters who favored one candidate over the other. Most who came in supporting Romney said the debate had strengthened their support, and vice versa.
Visitors to St. Charles gave good reviews to the viewing party itself. Some of the guests said it helped them focus on the debate, the candidates and the issues to see it in a group, on the big screen. Patch partnered with FOX2 news, along with Wehrenberg, on this debate. FOX2 anchor Mandy Murphey greeted guests at the St. Charles theater, while anchor Tom O'Neal greeted visitors in Des Peres.
Patch plans to partner with Wehrenberg on the remaining three debates — the vice presidential debate Oct. 11 and the other presidential debates on Oct. 16 and 22.
Of the 107 attendees in Des Peres, 46 turned in surveys afterward. Words describing Romney positively (exact quotes except where noted):
- More articulate
- Reasonable
- On Facebook, Democratic friends were silent while Republican friends were celebratory (not exact quote)
- Very personable
- Romney was dominant in the debate
- Professional
- Confident
- Gov. Romney offered more concrete ideas and offered more proof that his plans will work
- Obama was flat
- Romney had 'control of topic'
- Are you kidding? It was a beat down.
- Obama seemed very unprepared.
- I felt Romney was direct and confident in his responses and explanations.
- He was more composed and Presidential. He knew the topics and went after Obama.
Words describing Obama positively (exact quotes except where noted):
- He stated facts and didn't cut Romney down like he could have
- He has more experience and composure
- "Romney just makes claims and will say anything people want to hear"
- Obama was able to give specific details regarding his plans
- Obama described in detail what he's done over the last four years and what he will do in the next four. Romney was passionate but not detailed.
- He generally respected Romney as a candidate, something ROmney didn't do.
Most important moment of the debate (exact quotes except where noted):
- Jim Lehrer trying to gain control.
- Closing
- Lack of Romney plan
- Romney's bank claims (person was Obama supporter)
- Obama was unsure, repetitive and uncredible
- The first topic because Romney set himself up for a clear advantage during the rest of the debate
- The "Obamacare" discussion
- Romney stayed on point about taxes and jobs!
- Jim Lehrer's facial expressions
- Obama was tired, boring.
Marc Perez
6:11 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Obama didn't have a teleprompter, he also doesn't have a realistic idea on how to "fix" our economy. You can't spend your way out of debt!
Jo Beck
10:18 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
You're absolutely right- without a teleprompter, Obama loses that magic oratory talent he has. He is a great reader!
6:33 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Romney handed Hussein his head on a platter !!!
Annemarie Conrod
7:15 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
If you love the way George Bush left this country in total devastation, then vote for Romney, I can garantee you'll have more and worse economy we won't be able to come out of!
8:03 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Sorry, but your delusional. As a businessman with a degree in finance and an MBA, I can assure you that quite the opposite is true. Please do more research. Barny Frank and Nancy Pelosi are at the root of the housing bust that caused the economic collapse. Obama has no clue. Bush's failure was being able to stop BF and NP.
Marc Perez
7:29 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
There is nothing in the Constitution that alow for "DICTATORSHIP" aka Obama. There is the 10th amendment (states rights) Mr. Obama skipped that class. As well as : List of enumerated powers - read them!
8:07 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Talk about a dictatorship,,the clsoest we evr came was with Bush and our own Ashcroft at the justice dept. Those two almost singleahandedley re-instituted the nuremberg laws (in effect) against anyone THEY disliked!
The Missourian
9:24 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Dictatorship? Please. The 10th amendment has been enforced twice. And didn't we put that issue to bed 147 years ago anyway? It was symbolic candy to entice the more reluctant states to ratify the Constitution.
Jo Beck
10:17 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Marc and Jim,
Well stated! How long can the current administration continue to blame George Bush for their failings to control the economy?
Roger Hughes
7:35 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
I agree, Romeny won the debate. Obama was flat and missed many opporttunities. but the fact remains the Republicans continue to seek shifting wealth out of the middle class to the ulra wealthy. If your not a one percenter, your voting against yourself by voting for Romney.
8:08 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
A agree that Obama was flat and either didn't prep, or is just not the camera ready photoshop that Romney is.
John Ellis
12:26 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Even you can't really believe what you wrote here! Republicans clearly are made up by many people other than the one percent you refer too. I suspect the majority of Republicans are of the middle class. The next time you post something, you should try being honest and not just repeat someone else's foolish comment. No one will seriously listen to anything you say when you repeat garbage such as this. It does not help your cause or promote your position in any way.
7:50 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Too bad that Mittens needs more than the vote of the angry old white man.
The Missourian
7:58 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Obama totally won. He was serious and on point. Romney smirked his way through like a prettyboy and pretty much acted like a douche.
Bill Johnson
8:36 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Mmmmmmmmm...you must have watched a different debate than I did.
Sonny Pondrom
9:53 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
I disagree. Romney was hot! He was like a 'Used Car Salesman'. He exaggerated the car's mileage, performance, and cost. But many of us would buy the old clunker from him because of the energy he showed.
Obama, on the other hand, showed us the modern car and let us decide for ourselves. My family is talking it over and now that we are out of the show room, Obama's vision of middleclass features, better mileage and lower cost seem to be the better choice.
The Missourian
5:00 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
If you say so. Obama has been exactly the President he promised he would be back in '08. He has remained dedicated to his core principles, and he wasted no time in addressing the most politically charged issue of the last 70 years - significant reform of the health insurance marketplace - something no President before him has been able to accomplish. To a large degree, his challenges, in particular after the midterms (that "grassroots" Tea Party nonsense that was bought and paid for by the insurance biz) have been the result of a Congress whose top priority has been to stand in the way of every policy initiative put forward by his administration. His claims were pretty accurate, well supported, and he continues to demonstrate a real commitment to the middle class. That is winning in my book. He also took the debate far more seriously than Romney. Personally, I do not understand the hate directed at Obama, considering his agenda and his accomplishments. If you oppose his signature piece of legislation, Affordable Healthcare Act, or "Obamacare", I am pretty sure you haven't actually looked at what the bill does, because it gives most of us a lot more leverage with our health insurers than we'd have without it. It's impact will be huge, and a net positive to most of us. Honestly, I don't get the hate. At all.
Jo Beck
10:17 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
This comment by "The Missourian" is really curious, because for the last four years, Mr. President Obama has been getting by really well as a pretty boy and a good talker. That guy is smooooth. He can dance, and even sing fairly well, as we saw on TV and also on U-Tube. Now, however, "The Missourian" is saying that Mitt Romney is doing the same thing and it really bugs him.
The Missourian
11:01 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Whatever, dude. Be a low information voter. Obama's record is stellar, given being saddled with a House whose explicit, stated goal was to make him fail. The Affordable Care Act kicks ass and takes names, and even with its flaws is still one of the best pieces of legislation of the past fifty years. Deal with it.
Devon Seddon
12:27 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
"Obama has been exactly the President he promised he would be..."
"significant reform of the health insurance marketplace - something no President before him has been able to accomplish" - See, every President before this buffoon knew it wasn't the Federal Government's job, and that government involvement couldn't "solve" it - and as always, left out was the fact that it's a larger tax-increase, by FAR, by any other President, and goes against his "no tax increase on families making less than $250,000/year." Here are more of those "promises"...
Cut the Deficit in Half by the end of his first term
$1.4 trillion in fiscal year 2009
$1.2 trillion this fiscal year
Fix the Economy in 3 years
Unemployment rate has remained above 8 percent for more than three years
Obama said it was "unpatriotic" to add $4 trillion to the national debt – he has amassed $5 trillion in additional debt and is responsible for the most rapid increase in debt by any President ever
Fix Unemployment
Took it from 5.5% to above 8% for the last 3 years - he got some good news today, but that 7.8% does not account for those whose benefits have run-out, or those people who got part-time or other full-time jobs after losing careers
Close Guantanamo Bay
2009 attempt to suspend military commissions in Cuba and transfer some prisoners to an Indiana
Televise Health Care Debate
Final health care talks, including the meetings between House & Senate conferees, were held behind closed doors
Devon Seddon
12:28 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Increase Transparency
Give 5 days for the people to give their input on "any bill that crosses his desk"
Lobbyists later told reporters they met with administration officials outside the White House in a possible effort to keep them off visitors' logs. News agencies and others have complained about the difficulty in getting information through Freedom of Information Act filings. Most recently, the president used executive privilege to keep congressional investigators from getting more Justice Department documents on the agency's failed Operation Fast and Furious gun-tracking effort.
Work Across the Aisle – Bipartisanship
Forced through Obamacare without a single vote from the other side of the aisle (check)
Promised to Bring Down Healthcare Premiums
Promised savings of $2500 dollars per typical family – Premiums rose 9% last year
Affordable College
College Tuition and Average Student Loan Debt – Both at all time highs
"No family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes."
Raised taxes on tanning, cigarettes, and those who do not purchase health insurance (regardless of income) and mandates the regulations that cause the likes of Prop P in St Peters
Devon Seddon
12:28 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Obama signed PAYGO legislation which demanded that all expenditures be paid for unless they are part of an emergency. Democrats in Congress started using loopholes to bypass the legislation almost immediately. (Loophole: is a Dem buzz-word right now – the President used it repeatedly in the debate – it's also what allows the rich (& politicians) to pay a lower tax rate than you & I, and the reason they squalk at a flat-tax suggestion, because these "loopholes" would be eliminated)
Spending Freezes
In 2008, Obama derided spending freezes as "using a hatchet where you need a scalpel" and "unfair burden-sharing". He said that, although it's "proposed periodically", a spending freeze "doesn't happen". Then in 2010, Obama announced support for a three-year federal spending freeze on discretionary spending not related to national security. Not only did he flip-flop, but hasn't frozen spending
In 2008, Obama's campaign said that, as President, he would reduce earmarks "to less than $7.8 billion a year, the level they were at before 1994″. Earmarks for fiscal year 2010 were more than $15 billion.
Note: Claire's husband's company received $1 million in Bailout earmarks – yet she says she's against them
Competitive Bidding on Earmarks
In 2008, Obama said that, as President, he would "ensure that federal contracts over $25,000 are competitively bid". He has not done so.
Devon Seddon
12:29 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Tax Credits for Child Care
In 2008, Obama said that, as president, he would increase the tax credits for child care and dependent care, and make such credits refundable. He has not done so.
Killing NASA Program
In August 2008, Obama announced "a detailed comprehensive space plan that includes $2 billion in new funding to reinvigorate NASA".
In March 2010, President Obama made a decision "to kill NASA's Constellation program, crafted during the Bush administration with an ambitious goal of putting astronauts back on the moon by 2020."
Want me to get into Foreign Policy?
Devon Seddon
12:55 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
PS - You can't play the victim-blame card, blaming the House for being "uncooperative" (or like Claire, keep repeating the buzzword, "gridlock"), while the Senate floor (where she works) has 250+ bills that have passed through the House just sitting dormant upon it. Some of those bills are budgets. The Senate has outright refused to pass a Budget in how long? It's simply an admission that they have no intention of being fiscally responsible with your money or working across the aisle like they claim.
The Missourian
1:20 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Done huffing and puffing? As I said before, he has been exactly the President I voted for. I cared about three things: The Healthcare law, stimulus, and green energy. All things this administration focused on, fortunately early. Let's be real. We ALL KNOW the healthcare act was an extremely difficult piece of legislation to pass - due to a combination of particularly intense lobbying, and pressure from more conservative states - and it took the majority of the first year. Every states rights group and major insurer fought it tooth and nail - especially after the Citizens United decision, and you couldn't turn on the TV without hearing ad after ad about how "Obamacare" was going to be some sort of Armageddon. As soon as it passed, every conservative group, now unencumbered from having to disclose its donor list, went on the attack - both for healthcare and the stimulus, and the opportunity for incumbent Democrats to champion further legislation was effectively killed by the need to campaign in a completely new, no-accountability campaign season. And then we get to the Congress class of 2010. To say that having a House that is openly hostile to the President, and as a rule unwilling to cooperate with him is not a significant factor in Obama's Presidency is sheer willful ignorance. I think he did a remarkable job standing his, my, ground. And he has my vote.
And those 250 bills from the House to the Senate? aka Defense of Marriage Act? HR 2 healthcare repeal? etc.
John Ellis
12:55 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Thank you Devon Seddon for the precise recount of President Obama's record. However, I must agree with the Missourian, President Obama has achieved everything I expected and even more. You see I expected he would be a dismal failure, but to his credit he was even worse than I ever imagined he could be. No I did not think he'd be able to sell the garbage in Obamacare but he did it. Clearly people such as the Missourian will never get it, but thank you Devon Seddon you spelled it out correctly.
Earl Higgins
7:58 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Romney definitely seemed like more the seasoned politician, kind of ironic given his limited political experience. Definitely, Obama seemed on the defensive. The problem is, you can't trust anything Romney says. He'll say whatever people want to hear, and then a few hours later his campaign issues a "clarification" that actually he didn't mean what he said. Go ahead, look it up. Does Romney favor allowing abortions to protect the health of the mother? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, depends on who's asking. Does Romney favor requiring health insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, depends on who's asking.
We need a president who doesn't throw 47% of the electorate under the bus and imply that they are helpless victims who can't look after themselves. We need a uniter, not a divider. We need Barack Obama for four more years.
8:13 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Well Romey is a more seasoned politicker, he's beeb a governor, which means he has been in WAY more debates, however, the right faulted Kerry for his Fil-Flops recently and now they're doing the same thing,, I couldn't stand Bush with his Bush Doctrine,, and the "contract with america", but I applaud their staid stance, I think if they have any chance, they need to quit floppin like a fishout of water, or they'll appear that way to the voters who will turn away from someone who can't make a promise and stick to it.
Obama said he was gonna push through Obama care and he did, whether you like it or not, you knew what his agenda was.
Obivuosly I lean toward the left, but I respect anyone who sticks to his guns where I like them or not, it show integrity,and that is NOT what I'm seeing in the GOP these days!
8:17 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
All Romney did was talk in circles......wants to fix everything with the twinkle of his nose. He has NO plan people. I repeat.....NO PLAN!!!!!!! I know I'm in a much better place now than i was 4 years ago. OBAMA has my vote!
Valerie Evans
8:23 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Romney talked around in circles - if you give a person enough rope, he will hang himself. Romney did just that! President Obama was fantastic last night, just wait until the next round. Obama all the way!
8:29 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
I feel the left, while giving away most of it's favors to minorities and the ones who dion't work, but rely on entitlements, as opposed to the hardworking middle class guy, ( Blue collar) tax payer, and small home owner,(2 cars in the driveway) you get the picture.
I feel they should return to the core of it's power base, the unions, the working class, and stop buying votes with entitlements.
Now for the right,
They're buying vote with the whole culture of "you must live in fear" and they profit from it at every turn!
I believe they have becoame frightened of their own radical zealots, known as the tea-party, and have become a mouthpice for the moral maojority, ( Which is neither). They bash the left for it's taking of "Rich Hollywood Money" but at the same time take millions form the religious right who politics form the bullypulpit, all at a tax free status!
I say that if the churches want to do good works for the poor, then so be it, and remain tax free, but when making political contirbutions that money should be transferred to a PAC and taxed, and open for accountability!
The abortion issue has to be taken off the table,, you CANNOT legislate morality, and every "generation" who has tried, has found it to backlash, ( It's none of my business what a woman decides,)I just don't want my tax dollars funding it!
That openely allows for religious views in government which is strictly forbidden in the constitution!
Jo Beck
10:29 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Bill, I'm so glad that you mentioned the Constitution, because I feel that in our country we are getting so far away from what the founding fathers intended when they set up our democracy.
8:29 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
( We left England to escape the Church of England and to worship any way we see fit!!!) You want a theocracy, go to the middle east!
From the left, leave the gay prides parades at home and be glad you are not criminalized for your lifestyle! there was a time when that was the case. We don't have a straight pride parade!
I'll step down from my soapbox for a moment.
Michael Zimmerman
8:40 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
This was a clear butt whuppin and beat down...Obama was takin to the woodshed and got what he had comin.
8:42 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Romney is a seasoned executive. We are trying to "hire" a chief executive officer for our country. His ability to comprehend and implement the solutions needed to redirect us from the precipice Obama is heading us towards is exactly what we need. Partisan politics from left leaning dependents are trying to cloud the issue. Deficits do matter! Vote for Romney.
Becca Christensen
3:19 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
I wonder if you are the same Jim I just replied to on stltoday.com?
I'll repeat my response here for the benefit of a different audience:
A government is NOT a corporation and should not be run like one. The role of government is to provide common defense, preserve the rule of law and promote the social welfare. The role of a corporation is to turn a profit. These two goals are incompatible. That does not mean that corporations are evil. We need capitalism to run our economy, but we also need government to keep the greed of capitalism in check (see robber barons of the 19th century). That being said, being successful in the business world is not necessarily a qualification for heading up the executive branch of our country.
John Ellis
1:08 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Romney took a took a Democratically controlled state, Massachusetts, turned it's deficit around and instituted a statewide healthcare plan, while not taking a salary as Governor. Now that's my kind of politician.
Earl Higgins
8:47 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
You may say you lean left Bill but I can't let bigotry stand unchallenged. You had me up to the point where you say (about gays) "be glad you are not criminalized for your lifestyle! there was a time when that was the case". What's your point?
10:47 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
The point is, we've made HUGE strides in social and personal freedoms,, there were times when people were criminals for religiuos beliefs(and still are in other countries) (ask Romney and the Mormons) and for sexual preferences, and other, what, at the time were considered "immoral, and un-normal behavior" what's normal? what's norma to one may not be to another,, and to say be glad we;ve made these strides, to where it is truly a personal matter now. It is something to be "proud of" but I don't bleieve in a "Straight Pride Parade" so why would I beleive in a "gay pride parade? Like I said be "proud" but it is a "personal"matter, so leave it there!!!!!
10:52 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Meaning, "leave it as a personal one, ( you won!) be proud, be gladd, but no need to pronounce it in the streets,, all I've seen that do is to galvanize some people who otherwise "could care less"waht someone's persoanl prefernce is> (I'm one of those, I say live and let live, I don't need anyones "lifestyle" or "Life" paraded in front of me, "It's personal"
Earl Higgins
1:14 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Ok Bill I see where you're coming from. I misinterpreted your comments as lamenting the days when things like that were criminalized.
Susan B
8:59 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Obama went through a debate cycle to become a Senator from Illinois, he went through a debate cycle in the 2008 primaries and last night was his 4th presidential debate - so oh yes, he has a lack of experience and knowledge of how to prep for a debate which is why Romney looked more focused while he looked lost and bumbling. Hardly, he was lost because he didn't have a TelePrompTer and he had someone actively challenging what he was spewing forth from his mouth.
Next, Romney gave details, you just didn't want to hear them. And for probably the first time ever for some of you, you were faced with Romney's actual plan, his actual views and his actual thoughts rather than the campaign-trail spin and schewed version you get from democrat stump speeches and Rachel Maddow et al. If you want even more details, go to Romney-Ryan and read the plan!
And why are Obama supporters suddenly so concerned with details and experience anyway? Obama had platitudes and soaring rhetoric with little to no details in 2008 and his experience prior to taking office was as a community organizer who created zero jobs, two years as a Senator from Illinois and then the campaign trail. A stellar resume of extensive personal and professional achievement and experience that was not in 2008.
Btw, why do you hate and mistrust Romney? Is it because he's a wealthy white guy, bc that's what jumps out at me.
The Missourian
11:57 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
People mistrust Romney because he has no actual stance and because his policy record as MA Gov appears to have little relationship to the statements he makes on the campaign trail. Just who is he? It isn't clear.
George Lenard
9:20 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Right now, until Romney's lies and flip-flops (and Obama's, if any) have been thoroughly analyzed, any discussion of who "won" is purely style over substance. Yes, though I support Obama, I thought Romney came across better audio-visually. I also thought he moved severely to the center policy-wise, in a clear bid for the independent votes he needs. Those may in fact be his preferences and "plans," but they are not those of most Republicans, especially those whose votes in Congress he will need. His repeal-Obamacare plan is a joke. Keeping all the good parts, but not making healthy people jump into the risk pool is a formula for even-more-rapidly rising premiums than before.
Thomas Gibson
9:34 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
They are both a couple of goofballs. Does anyone really want either one as our leader? If so, you are up there with them. We need someone good. Where are they?
9:46 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Actually standing on the viewers left is a power position. Male news anchors always are on the left, women anchors on right, viewers right. Interviewers are always on left, guests on the right. Romney did have more control...but I already voted absentee as military...nice that Romney finally acknowledged we have a military...but we don't want him as CinC...make him CEO, but not CinC, his admin would be horrifying and my husband would finally retire after 28 years if he gets it....oh, maybe I should have voted Romney so we can finally retire, been serving since Reagan, and Romney, Ryan, Bush, no Reagan....
Thomas Gibson
11:17 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
I retired after 34 years in. It is all that it is cracked up to be. Get to goof off a much as I want and no punks telling me what to do.
Artichoke Annie
10:15 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
I wasn't happy at all with Obama in the debate - win goes to Romney - but Obama will still get my vote. I guess that's what get counted in the end. My message to the President: "Wake up and get in the game!"
Becca Christensen
3:26 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Rich - Winning the debate does not directly equate to winning any votes. As someone here already pointed out. It seems that winning is being judged on style over substance. Annie is just saying that she's looking past the style and judging on substance, and what Obama actually said resonates more with her than what Romney said.
Mike S
1:57 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
To me there really wasn't a winner in the fact that Romney doesn't seem to have a specific plan other than, "Well it's not Obama's plan" and Obama not defending anything. I would say both had at one point or another had that confused looks on there faces.
1:59 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
I dont understand where you people say Romney won the debate. All he did was squirm, smirk and jitter the whole time. That tells me that he is not CONFIDENT enough to be our president. He wasn't even comfortable talking last night which is why he had NO ANSWERS to the issues he was asked about.
D Johnson
2:43 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Romney won. If you did not see it go to
or read the transcript at
Roger Hughes
2:46 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Reference: Matt Taibbi, Rolling Stones Magazine
.....what most voters don't know is the way Mitt Romney actually made his fortune: by borrowing vast sums of money that other people were forced to pay back. This is the plain, stark reality that has somehow eluded America's top political journalists for two consecutive presidential campaigns: Mitt Romney is one of the greatest and most irresponsible debt creators of all time. In the past few decades, in fact, Romney has piled more debt onto more unsuspecting companies, written more gigantic checks that other people have to cover, than perhaps all but a handful of people on planet Earth.
5:27 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Rolling Stone ? That's where I go for information about Entertainers.
Jo Beck
10:50 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Did you know that Romney inherited money from his wealthy father, George Romney? Yes, he inherited weath, but did you know that instead of keeping it, he donated all of that money to charity and then went on to earn his own living in his own right. I admire Romney tremendously for this. Today in our country I see a real climate of hatred towards anyone who has accumulated wealth or achieved success. Throughout American history, it is individuals like these who created corporations, made new products, invented new things and most importantly, EMPLOYED other Americans in the process. Think about it. Jobs do not come out of thin air. Someone has to create jobs.
The Missourian
11:25 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Let me tell you something else. When you are as well connected as the Romneys were/are, giving away your inheritance isn't quite the same thing as it is for the rest of us. Why? Because you have dad's Rolodex, and it is full of contacts that have already been vetted, cultivated, and monetized. If you are from the right social strata, rebuilding that nest egg is almost a given. That's a long way of saying it's an irrelevant datapoint.
Devon Seddon
12:40 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
It's just funny that it's more of a "datapoint" than it is when someone is backed by George Soros, David Geffen, Warren Buffet, AIG, Goldmann-Sachs, Hollywood, National Media, and a rolodex that does NOT pale-by-comparison like you like to pretend it does.
The Missourian
12:40 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012
We're not talking about now, we're talking about at the age Romney inherited the money he gave away. For young Romney, his success was assurred by the powerful web of business and political connections amassed by his father, George Romney. For the young Obama, there was no source of familial wealth and no political influence. If we were talking about both of them today, that is a completely different matter. Today they both have excellent connections.
3:43 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Mitten's has the plutocrat vote locked up.
Factcheck.org says "Romney sometimes came off as a serial exaggerator."
When not encumbered by the truth, it's easy to balance budgets, increase defense spending, cut taxes for the weatlhy and have it all miraculously cure the markets.
Someone above says Mitt reminded them of an overagressive used car salesman. That nails it.
Joseph Mansker
4:28 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Heeeyy I like to dance the little side step, now they see me now they don't I come and go and Heeey, I like to do the little wide step! Obama was flat no doubt, but the facts are the facts. Romney needs a few more degrees to keep up.
5:01 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Romney was the sharpest pencil in the box last night.
Sonny Pondrom
5:05 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Yes, Steve, but the message written with that sharp pencil had some falsehoods. :-)
Roger Hughes
8:33 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
We know what to expect from Romney with his pick for VP, Paul Ryan. Actions speak louder than words.
12:29 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Did you know Romney saved the 2002 Olympics?
Why don't all you Obama die-hards go look up that olympics fiasco.
It was a corruption in process of ruining the whole Image of the USA. It was actually going to be cancelled. It was after 9-11-01 and this country was already in distress.
USA needed a Leader to quell the in-fighting and stealing.
Who was that Leader????
Romney was asked to fix the financial mess and gave this COuntry one of the best Olympics ever held--Anywhere. Thousands of Athletes have given testament to the Greatness and LEADERSHIP abilities of Romney in Bringing opposite sides together for a goal.
Romney has this achievement that Obama could only dream of.
Yes! Romney has already SAVED AMERICA ONCE. Vote him in to SAVE it again.
Roger Hughes
1:17 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Romoney did a good achvievement in straighting out the 2002 Olympics. But this hardly qualifies him to be elected President. Republican Romney is simply an extention of Republican George W Bush. We don't need another Republican with the same ideology trashing us all over again.
Billy Frank Thornton
8:22 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Forgive me...but did anyone notice the President wasn't wearing any clothes.
8:31 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Those who look to "factcheck.org" for truth are fools or charlatans. That organization is from the Annenberg Foundation. Guess who was on the foundation's board--OBAMA and his communist ally Bill Ayers. Find a valid place to check your facts. Using "factcheck.org" is equivalent to LYING.
9:19 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
I have been wondering lately why Mitten's was banging the war drum about Russia, and now I am seeing why. Going to a cold-war style defense system seems like the worst thing for our nation now- economically, and security-wise.
However, it has to be done -to tap into all this communist! socialist!Marxist! narrative. It's like the Island of San Lorenzo - got to give people an evil foe to hate. One would think that our nation has enough true challenges and foes, without a new round of McCarthyism.
Obama is a bland centrist
Earl Higgins
10:03 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Jim, you are either lazy, intellectually lazy, or are attempting to distort the truth. 30 seconds of Google work would have debunked your stupid theory that factcheck.org is somehow in bed with Communists and Obama.
Your statement "That organization is from the Annenberg Foundation" is downright laughable. You do know that Walter Annenberg was a prominent Conservative REPUBLICAN politician don't you? Here is the truth, which seriously I found in like 9 seconds:
"(FactCheck.org, which is nonpartisan, also receives funding from the Annenberg Foundation. But we are in no way connected to the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, which finished its work long before we came into being in late 2003.)"
Obama and Ayers had a very indirect connection to the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, which predated factcheck.org by a long time and are in no way related.
Now, where's your retraction?
10:14 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Earl -all tea party patriots know that anybody that calls the republican on all their misinformation and lies has to be a commie pig. Never mind that they also call the democrats on it too.
The Missourian
10:31 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
You know what would be funny? A compendium of tea partier vocabulary. Words you only see tea partiers use: like charlatans, "soaring speeches," etc. What are other cliches of their "grassroots" movement?
Earl Higgins
11:13 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
"liberal elite", "traditional marriage", "Christian nation", "socialist government programs", one could go on and on.
1:25 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
"marxist" "lamestream media" "government takeover of healthcare" "death panels"
"the Founding Fathers!" "Big guvmint!"
Common Sense
9:07 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Amazing. I love how all the liberals posting like to point out the fact that Romney had no experience to be the president. I must have missed all of Obamas passed experience??? Obama had accomplished absolutely nothing previous of bring voted into office. Do you just close your eyes and cover your ears and humm obaammmmaaa. Actually DO SOME RESEARCH.
Romney will become a modern day Reagan, Romney actually cares about this country and people getting jobs. All the liberals pretend to care about people when in fact the care about their teachers job or their government union position. It's selfish greed, take care of me mentality.
All they have to do is say "the horrible rich" which is minute into comparison of the rest of us. Obama wants a full government take over and doesn't care about anything but votes. The liberals are sheep and are not intelligent to realize it.
Earl Higgins
10:39 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
So... what is Romney's experience (outside of Wall Street)? Running one Winter Olympics and being a mildly successful but increasingly unpopular governor. Unemployed since 2007; am I missing something?
Earl Higgins
12:12 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Jim, did you even read what I wrote? Or do you not know what "Wall Street" means in American English?
12:56 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Wall Street is the financial district of New York City. It usually refers to the major banks and stock markets. Bain Capital is in Boston and his involvement there was turning around businesses that were trouble. They were an asset management company with a "sterling" business record. He founded the company and today it manages $65 billion. I count that much better than "community organizer".
12:58 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Romney Did not "Run" the olympics--HE SAVED IT. It was in a "depression"
It was Bankrupt. He Saved America's image.
Romney's company "Bain Capital" today is one of the largest Corporate Problem solvers in the "WORLD". You know that.
If that is Wall street to you , may I suggest you cancel every 401k or pension plan you are currently participating in.
Because anything you make for retirement would label you "A HYPOCRITE".
Sensible? I think so
1:24 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
"Romney's company 'Bain Capital' today is one of the largest Corporate Problem solvers in the 'WORLD'. You know that."
I don't know that. How do you know that?
They call themselves "leading", you must be confusing that with "largest".
And if they wanted to call themselves a "Corporate Problem solver", they would. They're a private investment firm.
Wrong again, Mr. Revere.
9:31 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
As an independent voter, I was on the fence on who to vote for Pres. Now the choice is clear - Obama.
Ok, admittedly Mitten's (aka GWB revisited -at best) wasn't getting my vote. Just following Mitten's lead of flip-flopping and not being truthful.
Common Sense
10:57 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
My wife works at one of the largest organizations for accounting, insurance, 401k and HR management. And you have a lot of hard core democrats that handle small and large company healthcare etc. They say this healthcare plan will shutdown this economy, there are so many bad things in it that it cannot be stopped.
For all the liberals crying Mitt Romney had no plans!!! No specifics!!' Let's step back and look at a health care plan that will collapse the economy that NO ONE READ!!!' Even the people that pushed it had no idea what was in it!!!!
That's responsible and proper management?! Your nuts!
The Missourian
11:16 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
So the people who benefit from there being no cap on admin expenses are worried that by capping admin expenses...riiiiiiiiiight.
Earl Higgins
11:27 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
What was that last bit about my nuts? Were you talking to me?
1:10 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
I have a deal for you. ---yr 2012, Ins co. charges you $1,000 for Insurance Premiums.
Ins co. pays zero in medical , so It returns 80% ($800) back to you. It keeps $200.
Year 2013 It charges you $2,000 for insurance Premiums.
It pays Zero in medical , so It returns 80% back to you . It keeps $400.
YOU KEEP PAYING MORE AND MORE, even tho The insurance company overall has not paid out more than 80% for medical.
What a Racket. Obamacare will eventually make all insurance companies have guaranteed 20% returns as they could care less about watching Doctors and Hospitals charges. Their incentive to cut Medical below 80% IS GONE.
You will be charged more each year while they get to keep at least 20% of that. SUCKER!!!!!
The Missourian
12:34 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Here is how it works:
Year 1 I pay my insurer $5k in premiums. Lets say I am their only policy holder to keep things simple. They spend $3k on direct healthcare expenses. By law, the $3k they spent on healthcare expenses must be at least 80% of my premium (or 85% if I were in a group). That means the total premium I am on the hook for is $3750 - meaning they are legally required to refund me $1250.
Year 2, they anticipate increased expenses, so they charge me $5500 in premiums. However, healthcare expenses are still only $3000. Because that $3000 can still only represent 80% of the allowable premium, the maximum allowable premium would still be $3750, and my refund in year 2 would be $1750.
That is how the math works. The only difference is in real life, it is based on the overall expenditures of the insurer across all policies. The insurer is always required to spend at least 80% of all policyholders' premiums on medical expenses, or to refund the difference to policyholders.
Common Sense
11:00 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
I can sum it up for you real quick. MITT ROMNEY will win by an absolute landslide, the country is tired of Obamas lies and his lying media and socialist ideas.
In the end your communist dream comes to an end. I can also tell you after Obama the country will not allow this to happen for a very long time maybe never.
Nurse Ratchet
11:12 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Romney bounded off the stage on Wednesday night with a wide grin from cheek to cheek, proud of himself for delivering all the 'zingers' his staff wrote up for him.
But here's the problem: he just made stuff up. By one count, he lied 27 times in 38 minutes! On Medicare, on Obamacare, on taxes, on Wall Street Reform, on you name it... Mitt said whatever came to his mind just to to score political points.
Without the folks from Fact Check at your side...you can't trust what Romney says. That's not the kind of President I want. Bush was like that and then he got his ass kicked on foreign policy and again on the domestic economy. Two wars and the worst recession since the Great Depression.
We can't afford Bush and we can't afford Romney either. Worst of all; neither can be trusted again.
Obama won my vote again.
11:45 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Sorry, no apologies. I'm right and you're wrong.
Just because you shout and scream doesn't change the facts. Check your google skills on this.
If you look behind the scenes at these phony "fact check" sites, you find that they are funded by organizations with political biases. You must always ask yourself. Who is writing about this so-called "truth." Who funds the site and pays their expenses. What are the origins and history of the funders and who are they associated with. In the case of factcheck.org they receive their funding from the liberal Annenberg Foundation.
The Annenberg Foundation was originally founded by Walter J. Annenberg, a conservative who supported Ronald Reagan. However, when Walter Annenberg died, his family took over the management of the foundation and it took a turn to the far left and has ties to radical left individuals such as Bill Ayers and his friend and fellow left wing radical collegue Barack Obama.
This history is settled and why would you, a lefty liberal want to hide your illustrious leaders lefty liberal backgroud by shouting McCarthyism.
BTW as for Obama's "very indirect connection to the Chicago Annenberg " in 1995, Obama was appointed Board Chairman and President of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge.
Apparently, your google searches should take more than 30 sec. and should avoid the phony factcheck.org.
Any retractions?
Roger Hughes
1:09 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Will Republicans listen to one of their very own? Not likely, but lets give it a try.
David Stockman, Ronald Reagan's budget director, cites a remarkable statistic: "In 1985, the top five percent of the households, the wealthiest five percent , had net worth of $8 trillion. Which is a lot. Today, after serial bubble after serial bubble, the top five per cent have net worth of $40 trillion. (2011). The top five per cent have gained more wealth than the whole human race had created prior to 1980." Stockman suggests a onetime 15% luxury tax. This would instantly cut our national deficit almost in half. Yikes! This a Republican telling us this.
2:38 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Wow. If I would rob a bank I could make a nice multiplier on my net worth too. But the damn bank would be upset and call the police. I could explain to the police that it's OK because the damn bank had more money than me. samo-samo.
Really, I don't care if the bank has more money. Think I will stick to the straight and narrow.
Sonny Pondrom
7:50 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
The 47% speech error that Obama did not bring up during the debate was just covered on Fox News. Romney told Hannity he did not mean what he said. He did not lie, he just misspoke. He is representing 100% of Americans. It seems that he does not do this all at the same time though. He has served the Right wing conservatives about 18 months. Although he is only giving the Middle class 5 weeks, it is the time closest to the election - i.e. "Prime Time".
Roger Hughes
8:50 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Its just another etch-sketch moment for Mitt "George W" Romney, resetting his actions to fit the situation.
Jim Aspen
8:48 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
The magazine's Oct. 15 cover features Mitt Romney debating an empty chair instead of President Barack Obama, just as Clint Eastwood did at the Republican National Convention.
"This image seemed like a proper response to the first Presidential debate, but I'm not sure I realized how hard it is to caricature furniture," Barry Blitt told The New Yorker about his cover, "One on One.
Jim Aspen
5:07 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Jay Leno goes after the President again.
Early in his opening monologue, the NBC Tonight Show host said of the stellar television ratings for Wednesday night's debate, "The only person who didn't tune in, I think, was President Obama"
What a crowd! Man! Yeah! You sound like Republicans watching last night's debate. Oh, my gosh. Well, the consensus is Mitt Romney won the presidential debate last night. The only people that thought Obama won - the replacement refs. Those are the only ones.
They're saying close to 60 million people may have watched the debate. In fact, the only person who didn't tune in, I think, was President Obama. What happened? [Laughter] Even Tony Romo was going, "What happened?"
Sonny Pondrom
7:10 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012
"Cookie Monster Goes Carnivore"
Just like the Cookie Monster has a lust for cookies, the owner of Bain Capital has a lust for dollars. You may have seen the Bain owner and employees holding up their prize dollar bills in the news. Well this Bain monster no longer seeks sweet deals on vulnerable companies where he sucks out all the equity. He is now seeking the presidency and his monstrous appetite is killing Big Bird. That's right - Wall street is no longer a challenge - now it's Sesame street.
You would think that the Romney Trust, which I understand deducts millions for tax purposes, would include the NPR charity. Maybe after the presidential campaign is over and paying a lower tax rate is not important, he will claim all of his 2011 charitable tax deductions and donate his savings to food stamps for Big Bird.
7:59 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Big Bird and Sesame Street are a huge cash cow for PBS and would be just as successful without government subsidy. Even if the gov. $$ was yanked today, Sesame Street would be privatized and continue to crank out shows and highly profitable merchandise. Tickle Me Elmo, anyone?
So what I hear you saying is that the fact that he give millions of dollars to charity is is offensive to you, because he doesn't give his money to the groups you want him to. Well, how about you give your money to whom you see fit, and he gives his money to whom he sees fit. The result is a win win for all the charities that receive money. Just out of curiosity, which level did you pledge to PBS?
Roger Hughes
8:42 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Here's a real Republican conservative, Govenor of New Mexico Gary Johnson.
Johnson, who has been referred to as the 'most fiscally conservative Governor' in the country, was the Republican Governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003. Governor Johnson brings a distinctly business-like mentality to governing, believing that decisions should be made based on cost-benefit analysis rather than strict ideology.
History & Family
Governor Johnson, who has been referred to as the 'most fiscally conservative Governor' in the country, was the Republican Governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003.
A successful businessman before running for office in 1994, Gov. Johnson started a door-to-door handyman business to help pay his way through college. Twenty years later, he had grown the firm into one of the largest construction companies in New Mexico with over 1,000 employees. Not surprisingly, Governor Johnson brings a distinctly business-like mentality to governing, believing that decisions should be made based on cost-benefit analysis rather than strict ideology.
Johnson is best known for his veto record, which includes over 750 vetoes during his time in office, more than all other governors combined and his use of the veto pen has since earned him the nickname "Governor Veto." He cut taxes 14 times while never raising them. When he left office, New Mexico was one of only four states in the country with a balanced budget.
Earl Higgins
1:13 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
I'm confused; how does this answer the question "Who won the presidential debate?"?
Or has the Patch comments section now become a hosting ground for every fringe political commentator out there?
Roger Hughes
4:10 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Or has the Patch comments section now become a hosting ground for every fringe political commentator out there?
I Guess that depends on how many answers you need.
1:08 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Inherited the worst recession since the Depression? Hardly.
Anyway, it's back to the same Inherited Unemployment rate of 2008.
Now want to talk about Inheriting 2012 Wors(er) than 2008 recession:
1) Gasoline prices up over 100%
2) People on food stamps up over 17million more than 2008
3) Over 24 million people on the No longer looking for work or underemployed rolls.
4) A 14% real unemployment rate.
5) a 9-11-12 Terrorist Attack on US embassy.
6) Mideast burning the "Phony Corpse" of Obama" Oh yea! they really love this president.
7) An Afghanastan War That is totally OWNED by Obama. Remember it was the "Right War" according to Obama
8) Syria, and Turkey and Iran and Egypt in MAJOR turmoil because This President cannot even get them to Listen.
9) Ficticious Interest rates (about zero) keeping back any upcoming "economic" demise of USA
10) A Debt that would dwarf any household budget. Only Zero Interest rates keep All Americans from seeing the "Fiscal crisis" coming on Jan 1st 2013.
11) A falsly elevated stock market because of Hold back on Interesyt rates.
Yep! , Whoever becomes President on Nov 6th will "INHERIT A WORS(ER) recession than When Obama took office.
The work force could be 3% unemployment, But all those jobs will be 3% of what those people should be earning. "New Math unemployment" "A dumbed down America" That's the Obama Legacy.
That is what All you Obama supporters want. Even a rotten Apple can have one good bite, if you could find it.
11:28 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
1. The president sets gas prices? Really?
2. With more people unemployed, of course more are on food stamps, duhh.
3. Yes, a tragedy.
4. Real according to you. Uhh huh.
5. That is why the president must be able to read minds.
6. Um, now you care what they think? Really?
8. Sounds like a regional dispute, maybe the US should stick their nose in, right?
9. The president doesn't set interest rates. Duhh.
10. Congress spends the money, Duhhhh
11. Falsely, got any evidence, no didn't think so.
The economy as bad as it is, is getting better slowly, The same cannot be said of 3.5 years ago.
I'll take the Obama rotten apple over the Romney apple up my #$#@$$
Sonny Pondrom
1:31 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Earl - I think the answer to the question "Who won the presidential debate?" was a draw. Romney got the most votes for entertainment. Obama got the most votes for telling the truth.
Marc Perez
1:38 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Sonny, Obama looked lost in space. Jimmy Carter no longer has to fear he was the worse President of the United States. You cannot spend your way out of debt, unless you file for bankrupt. If spending is not cut the U.S. will default. If Obama is re-elected better start learning Chineese.
Sonny Pondrom
1:56 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Marc Perez - As far as learning Chineese, I think Obama went to China once. But I think my best bet for learning would come from Romney. He knows Chineese from all his out-sourcing ventures, foreign investments and tax shelters.
Marc Perez
2:04 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
I believe it is called foreign trade (exporting), diversification, and investing. Is foreign trade, diversification or off shore investement against the US tax code? I think not. Is abuse or power, violating the oath of office and desroying the country from within legal? I think not. Leftist, socialist, communist ideology will make the country collapse from within, then his work here will be done. Any more questions commrad?
Roger Hughes
8:52 am on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Referring to Marc: More Americans need to realize "Free Trade" is a misnomer. It would make more sense to call it "Vulture Trade", for "Free Trade" has been a race to the bottom for our country. No other country in the world has given away whole industries, given away their best production technology to Communist countries the way we have. Further, these communists countries whole their labor forces in bondage creating among the lowest wages for workers in the world. We spent 15 triilions dollars fighting the cold war and now the Communist countries are getting richer at the expense of us Americans getting poorer.
I noticed you connected the term socialist to Communism. Socialism is not Communism. All free democratic goverments in the world have a degree of socialism. Whats killing our country now is a excessive power of control by the capitalist system of our country. (Think Wall Street and huge internatioal conglomerates.)
Joseph Robert
11:01 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
I would love to have asked Mr. Romney:
In your first debate, you said you didn't plan a huge tax cut for all Americans, including millionaires and billionaires. However, this is contrary to your own videotaped comments a few months ago when you said:
"We are going to cut taxes on everyone across the country by 20 percent, including the top 1 percent. " http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJzUQwJFW7k
Which is the truth, Mr. Romney, and why did you lie?
Mr. Romney, you said that your healthcare plan will cover pre-existing conditions, while leading news media and your own campaign have said this is FALSE. Why did you LIE?
Mr. Romney, you own or have owned several bank accounts in Switzerland, the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, and you have control over where those funds go, as you have admitted. Why are you betting against America with those foreign funds? And, are you receiving any funds, directly or indirectly, from Communist China in support of your election?
Sonny Pondrom
12:35 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
These are some of the questions that our President should have asked during the debate. The one about investing in foreign countries was asked and Romney said he was not doing that to avoid paying higher taxes. However, it has been pointed out that he does pay a smaller tax rate this way.
He is also now talking about "trickle-down" government theory to defend his economy fix. We accepted the Bush tax cuts in the trickle-down economy theory. You got to give him credit for his cunning vocabulary. He appears to be a cross between Gordon Gecko and a used car salesman [sorry used car salesmen].
12:54 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
Mittens had $3.5 million in foreign investment income for 2011... it is surprising he isn't calling out the 47% / takers in the Caymans.
4:22 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
Joesph, you don't listen very well. Romney did not say he would not have tax cut, he said he would "not increase the deficit with his tax cut". There will be a tax cuts and there will be INCREASED REVENUE because of it. It's because people like you and Obama don't understand economics that we are in this never ending recession. More people working as a result of the tax cuts=more revenue. It worked when Kennedy did it, It worked when Reagan did it. Under Reagan, marginal tax rates were cut from a top of 70% to 28%. Revenues (from all taxes) to the U.S. Treasury nearly doubled. According to the Budget of the U.S. Government, FY 1997, Office of Management and Budget. Revenues increased from roughly $500 billion in 1980 to $1.1 trillion in 1990. . What didn't work was Barney Frank and Pelosi messing with the mortgage markets which lead to it's collapse. Enter Obama with upside down economics that didn't work.
7:38 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
Let me have a go at it.
He has set up a plan that will destroy the best healthcare system in the world and turn it into a 3rd rate govt run disaster.
He has turned our efforts to control terrorists into a world where jehad is ruling the Mideast and has allowed the terrorists to near access to nuclear weapons.
Unemployment is at its worst if you look at the true facts-% of workforce employed instead of % on unemployment insur.
The stock market is up probably in anticipation of an Obama replacement.
Dodd/Frank is more regulation that adds to all the other regulation that don't work because they are written by people who don't understand what they are doing.
He has set up a world situation that will have us in war sooner than you think.
He has set up a student loan program that pours cash into bloated universities, saddled students with unbearable obligations that will eventually land on us taxpayers.-- Just like the mortgage disaster
Yup, nothing positive.
Sonny Pondrom
9:00 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
Well Jim:
do you realize that Romney set up the best healthcare system in the world when the other 49 state systems exist for only those citizens who can afford the raising premiums.
do you realize that he eliminated the 911terrorists.
do you realize that the workforce is bigger now than when he took office.
do you realize the stock market is up because the economy is getting better.
do you realize Dodd/Frank requires big banks to hold more assets and have a step by step plan on what to do if they get caught taking too much risk instead of relying of your taxes to bail them out.
do you realize that he is not giving one side or the other the confidence to start World War 3.
do you realize he has prohibited student loan lenders from gouging young students with higher interest rates on loans backed by the government and not subject to bankruptcy.
Yup, everything positive.
8:14 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
My guess is this must be satire, otherwise you have a very fuzzy mind :-)
5:15 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
BTW David Brooks is a flaming liberal Democrat who counts only as a conservative on the NY Times because the rest of NY Times are all on his left. Don't use the NY Times as a reference.
10:11 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
Romney doesn't understand what it is like to work for a living. If he really did donate his inheritance it was to get something bigger and better out of the deal. The Republicans only way to ever win every election is their stance on abortion- against it. Yes, have all the kids you want but we won't help you feed them or have any decent paying jobs for them to make a decent living. His wife had to have two nannies cause she had five kids, oh boy, poor Mrs. Romney! I hope and pray we don't get stuck with this arrogant, egotistical maniac. Our country has had enough after the brainiac Bush and Cheney fiasco. Romney reminds me of Cheney, the most dishonest and thieving politician ever. My vote is for Obama, very smart man!
8:43 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Groan! next time you get an inheritance donate to charity. Think about that. You are obviously a racist since you think black people can't take care of their children. Yes, abortion is the agent of genocide for the black race.
He is wealthy because he is a very smart man who has made his millions working in the business world. He is also confident, honest, kind and clever. He was my second choice for president. Obama doesn't even make my top 1000. Go Romney.
Earl Higgins
10:57 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Jim, why did you bring the race card? I see no reason for that. You brought it up, not Karen. Being a bully in these forms does not do you any favors.
Also, I'm curious what evidence you have that Mitt Romney is "a very smart man" (again, your words, no one else's). Honest question. Evidence only please not opinion.
12:56 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
well, how would you describe a top of his class Harvard graduate who formed his own company and thus became a self made millionaire. I wish I could be that smart. What other criteria would you require? If I had to pick a person to run a company he would be on top. Also if I had to pick a president--Romney
Race--a black baby is 4 time more likely to be aborted than a white baby. It's an outrage. I hate abortionists and racists.
1:19 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
"I hate abortionists and racists."
Sure you do, Jim. You're all about racial equality and social justice, right?
1:39 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Racial Equality for sure. "Social Justice" has too much baggage for me to jump on with both feet but Equal Justice for sure.
2:23 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Mittens the self-made millionaire. Very creative Jim. Obama can make that claim too, by the way.
3:03 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Lol. Thanks for that stat Jim.
You might enjoy this conservative columnist, David Brooks satire.
"Mitt grew up in a modest family. His father had an auto body shop called the American Motors Corporation, and his mother owned a small piece of land, Brazil. He had several boyhood friends, many of whom owned Nascar franchises, and excelled at school, where his fourth-grade project, "Inspiring Actuaries I Have Known," was widely admired. "
3:14 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Using that financial worth measuring stick, I suppose the corporate raider, Carl Icahn, (worth $14.8Billion) is your dream candidate.
3:41 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Hmmm, I didn't even know he was running. I guess you can say he is very smart too.
I don't know much about his political ideals but I'd put him above Obama whom I do know a lot about. LOL
Sonny Pondrom
8:52 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Karen is right on. However, there are many good things about Romney. Here is a few: He places is his dog in high esteem. He loves Big Bird almost as much. You can count on him. He loves everyone (even the 47%). And everything that will get him into the white house. He is also writing a book. Can you guess the title?
Sonny Pondrom
2:20 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Social Justice was one of the bridges connecting the parties that was discussed today at:
2:47 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
"Social justice either equals justice or it equals injustice". (its been said)
I believe in justice. Some believe in fuzzy social justice.
Roger Hughes
5:20 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Hey, the Democrats have their faults thats for sure. But why would you want to vote for someone who has the exact same ideology as George W Bush, with the same ideology of the Republican party? There has be a misguided thought process. Why would anyone deferr to failed ideology?
To be fair, 2 out of those 8 years Democrats did in fact control congress. So the Democrats do get 1/3 of the blame. This makes Obama is the lesser of two evils.
5:48 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Funny, the problems really started with the Democratic win in 2006. Before that we we had a great gross domestic product growth. Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barney Frank using the current failed economic ideals sent us into collapse. Go Romney! He'll not follow the borrow, spend and borrow again Obama failed plan.
6:31 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Not many patriots stand up for ole GWB. Back when he was prez you all were defending him and ready to put him on Rushmore.
6:47 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
No, most conservatives hated the way he caved into the spending mentality of the Democrats. We hated a $400 billion deficits. Now we hate the $1000 billion deficits even more.
Go Romney
7:21 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
So Senate Candidate Claire McCaskills hubby received $40 million in federal subsidies (your tax dollars). hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Anything butthe Elephant
10:24 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
"We left him a total mess. He hasn't cleaned it up fast enough, so fire him and put us back in charge." We promise to rewind reproductive rights by 40 years, and improve the economy with the same policies that tanked it. Oh and screw the gays and their families. Also, more war in the Middle East, tax cuts for the wealthy, tax hikes for the middle class and increased military spending. If you want to attend college, borrow money from your parents. You don't need to see my tax returns. 47% of the country are dead beats. My daddy was a politician, just like ol' Dubya. Did I mention I love coal?
5:56 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The sad part is you believe that nonsense. Lay off MSNBC, they are warping your mind.
Earl Higgins
8:19 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Jim, what does AbE say that isn't factually correct? Seriously.
Sonny Pondrom
1:25 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Kirt out? Out of your mind. :-) Bye. see you all after the VP debate.
1:46 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Earl: You too?? Pretty much all of it, seriously. Demo congress and Demo community organizers caused the mess. BO said he new how to fix it and he can't. Not reproductive rights--Abortion rights. Gays don't have families. BO's foriegn policy has heated up the world that we can only hope MR can scale it back. Tax cuts for everyone. No DECREASED defense spending. Fix the outragous student ripoff by the govt/univ con job. He did show his tax returns. Not paying taxes does not necessarily make you a deadbeat it only means the cost of govt is carried by the rest of the citizens. Hey this part is true his dad was a governor--is that a disqualifier? Recognizing that coal is necessary right now doesn't imply love.
Look, Romney is a serious person with credentials to right whats wrong with this country. Forget politics and care for your country. If you can't see the need there is no hope for you.
2:05 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Wow, literally nothing you just stated is true. I imagine you walking around in an American Flag shirt. Please tell me you don't have a mullet and live in St. Charles...
Earl Higgins
2:17 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
I stopped at, "BO's foriegn (sic) policy has heated up the world that we can only hope MR can scale it back". I thought MR said "Hope is not a strategy". So which is it? You guys flip-flop more than a fish in the Arizona desert!
No sir, "hope" doesn't get my vote. Stick with the proven leader. Don't switch horses in mid stream!
Another choice quote, "Gays don't have families." Wow, just wow. Don't get out much do we?
2:39 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
You tea partiers are easy. Sarah Palin, now Mittens Romney. Lol.
2:59 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
@Earl Higgins "No sir, "hope" doesn't get my vote."
You don't think that's just a little ironic coming from a person whose undying, nay unquestionable support is for a man whose entire campaign and subsequent Presidency is based on "hope"?
6:38 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
"Your wrong and I'm right. "
That would be "You're wrong and I'm right" and no... you're clearly not.
2:47 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Thank God for the Tea Party--They are the salvation of our country. When you grow up you'll understand. See ya'll later on some other fight.
BTW Romney won the debate. :-D
7:46 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
It is hard to take seriously ye ole men who believe in a no govt/no tax utopia and in the policies of Bush/Cheney, even without the townhall.com regurgitations, tricornered hats, breeches, and american flag shirts.
Roger Hughes
7:36 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Just because both parties put "party" and special interests before country doesn't mean we, as voters, have to do the same. Tea partiers are driven by the Koch bothers. The Koch bothers paid for the organizational costs, buses and hotels costs too. We voters are now at disadvanage with corporations and billionaires winning Citizen's United.
We all know of the 40 years of "the race to the bottom" starting with Reganomics. The Democrats adapted mosted of it during the Clinton years. There are many on this board that put personal biase before ideology. For both parties are now driven, not by loyality or devotion to country, but personal gain for themselves. What we the voters are positioned with now is the lessers of two evils. All which means, the Democrats seem to be the better choice for they are more willing to side with the "greater" good for the American people.
Sonny Pondrom
11:03 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Very well said. I would be willing to pay a higher Federal tax rate 1) if everyone in my income bracket would do the same rate, 2) all the tax shelters were permanently closed down and subsidies were only given to make the world market fair.
Marc Perez
11:15 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Sonny get real, there arel obby folks to keep anything this sane from happening. Realism and sanity don't go along with politics and influence buying.


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Police say the suspect forced a man out of the SUV Sunday night in Riverdale, just south of Atlanta, as he told the gunman that his step-daughters were inside.
WSB Radio reports that 6-year-old Jatura Sweeting and her sister, 5-year-old Jayla, were found safe in the abandoned SUV about an hour later on a street in College Park.
The girls' aunt, Marina Grant, tells CBS Atlanta that the girl's stepfather, told her that he was screaming at the gunman that the children were inside.
The girls were found a few hours later after a neighbor spotted the vehicle with its engine running and doors open. No arrests have been made.

subset: commoncrawl


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Saturday, October 15, 2011
Clayton Grey Inspired Nailhead Side Table
Materials: Lack Side Table
Description: I bought two Lack tables. I assembled one fully and used the top of the second glued it and used it as a base which created the form I needed to replicate the nail head side table from Clayton Grey. I used strip nail heads and followed the lines in the picture!
Total Project:
14.00 2-tables
18.00 for strip of nail heads.
Clayton Grey's $445.00
See more of the nailhead trim sidetable.
~ erin corcoran, Tacoma, WA
15 comments:
- AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 7:12 PM
Looks so elegant! Would you be able to tell us what size that nailhead trim is?? The size is perfect!
ReplyDelete - AnonymousNovember 29, 2011 1:01 AM
This is fantastic! This is the best ikea hack I have seen yet. Bravo!
ReplyDelete - AnonymousJanuary 04, 2012 1:10 PM
Looks awesome! I've never been on this blog before. I need to make this for my bedroom. How tall is this table?
Everyone is free to comment but IKEAHackers.net reserves the right to remove comments that do not contribute constructively to the discussion, contain profanity, personal attacks or seek to promote a personal or unrelated business. SPAM will be deleted.
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So do political parties in parties in multi-party systems use attack ads? This is another post in the series based on a Facebook conversation with my neighbor M that started here. Continue reading
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Great choice of subject & excecution Simon. Works really well.
Congratulations. I must get back into entering these projects.
ALwin wrote:Congratulations Simon, from the looks of the photos entered for this weekend, it was obvious who had 100% chance of winning and who had absolutely ZERO.
After all, half the entries looked like they were taken by tourists with their hobby cams, bad exposure and all. As I've said to some friends on the forum, if people are going to enter competitions they should do their best and make sure their entry has the best chance of winning. These monthly and weekly challenges are not blind competitions where you can't see what others have entered. By looking what your competition has entered you can easily try to plan your entry to have the best chance of success.
ALwin wrote:Rosie, criticism doesn't have to be constructive. It can be simple laconic phrases that directly points out what is wrong.
ALwin wrote:Honestly tell me, when you or anyone else were looking at the entries that no one thought in their mind like "oh this looks nice but has bad composition" or "this photo has bad exposure" or "the colors are nice on this one" or "this looks boring/interesting" etc. People may not have voiced those thoughts but they certainly thought them in their heads.
ALwin wrote: Also they can sometimes seem like insults (when they're not) if you let emotions and ego get in the way.
Troy wrote:Criticism doesn't have to be constructive, but what good is it like that?
Troy wrote:The thing is Aung, your reply wasn't helpful anyway, and you certainly did not voice any of these thoughts either. You simply put out an insulting reply in a condescending tone, which I'm sure many would take offence to.
Troy wrote:Who are you to say that these photos are not the best some people can do? Maybe they are putting in 100% effort. I'm always happy to see this many participants, as it pushes the more active members to go that one step further in their photos.
Troy wrote:Maybe you should try keeping your ego out of the way and treat everyone and their photos with a little tact.
ALwin wrote: Should I instead be babying them and pointing out every tiny detail?
ALwin wrote:I really don't think that people have already reached the limits of their photography nor have they put in 100% of the effort.
If you really think that they have already entered photos which are 'the best some people can do' or with '100% effort', then I am not the one underestimating their abilities. I am only disappointed in not seeing their best work.
ALwin wrote:As for 'tact', I'm sorry to say but sometimes I feel the need to act like an elitist and say it is reserved only for those I consider my equal, not for those beneath me.
Troy wrote:I know when i first picked up a camera i could barely focus on what i wanted. I'm not much better a few years down the line.
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Become Specialized and Advanced Specialized. Be Recognized by Oracle and Preferred by Customers.
Oracle's Specialization Program is a trusted status and brand, which allows our most experienced and committed partners to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and gain a competitive edge by spotlighting their strengths and special skills.
Partners can choose where they want to specialize from a wide range of Specializations from Oracle's growing product portfolio.Four Key Reasons to Become Specialized
1. Be Preferred by Customers
Specialized status provides customers with proof that they will be engaging with an insightful, knowledgeable partner who is expert in the defined product or industry area, and able to work with them to develop and implement specific solutions.2. Differentiate your business in the marketplace
Each Specialized status provides a powerful Oracle branding that can help you to- Differentiate from the competition through your proven in-depth expertise in Oracle solutions
- Find new opportunities through the power of your proven capability
- Extend your market reach and expand your revenue opportunities with audiences of hundreds of thousands of Oracle customers
3. Get Recognized by Oracle
Oracle sales teams recognize who have invested time and resources to develop significant expertise in Oracle's products and solutions and have proven their capabilities by gaining the Specialized status in specific products or industry areas.4. Access to additional benefits
Oracle partners who achieve qualifying Specialization also gain access to the specialization benefits pack, which includes tools and resources to help them build more business and capability in their chosen Specialization area.Advanced Specialization
Advanced Specialization is a program element where specialized partners at the Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels can showcase the depth and breadth of their global implementation resources. To qualify for an advanced specialization, eligible partners must meet standard OPN Specialized business and competency criteria for specialization plus have 50 or more Oracle certified implementation specialists on staff.
OPN Specialization Thresholds by Membership Level
Gold level partners offer a depth of focused expertise to end customers and therefore must not exceed four (4) current qualifying specializations. Platinum level partners are required to demonstrate a depth and breadth of expertise across the Oracle portfolio and must achieve a minimum of five (5) qualifying specializations.OPN Specialized Gold level partners achieving five (5) qualifying specializations or more will be expected to upgrade their membership to the Platinum level at their Oracle PartnerNetwork Membership renewal.
To be a "qualifying" version of a Specialization, a Specialization must be either in the most recent product version or, during the one-year period during which you must meet the criteria for the newest version of a Specialization, the version being "phased out" will continue to qualify you to receive Benefits for Specialization and meet the criteria for Platinum or Diamond status. If you have two versions of the same Specialization, only the most recently available Specialization will count as the qualifying Specialization.
Requirements SilverGoldPlatinumDiamondQualifying Specializations No Requirements Maximum of 4 Minimum of 5 Minimum of 20 Qualifying Advanced Specializations No Requirements No Requirements No Requirements Minimum of 5 -
Which Specialization is Right for Your Business?
Oracle's extensive product portfolio is categorized into five main pillars:
Each pillar is further sub-divided into "Knowledge Zones," which provide information about the product or solution you are interested in, including the business and competency criteria required for Partners to achieve Specialization.
To select which Specializations are right for your business:
- Click on a pillar above and find out more about the Knowledge Zones where you can Specialize.
- Click on a Knowledge Zone and look for a 'Specialize' tab, this indicates that a Specialization option is available.
- Click on "Business and Competency Criteria" for details of what you need to meet to achieve Specialization.
If the Specialization is right for your business, then it's time to get started on your path to Specialization.
- To see a listing of all launched and planned Specializations, view the Specialization Catalog (PDF)
- View the OPN Specialized and Specialization FAQ
- View Detailed Information on Criteria Validation to understand how to meet business and competency criteria, as well as on how your Worldwide and Associate entities can pool resources to meet the criteria.
Key Steps to Gaining a "Specialized" Status
Once you have selected the Specializations that are right for your business, you need to follow the first 3 key steps described below. The fourth step outlines the additional process to follow if you meet the criteria to be Advanced Specialized. Note that Step 4 may not be done without first following Steps 1-3.
1. Join the Knowledge Zone(s) where you want to achieve Specialized status
- Go to the Knowledge Zone
- Click on the "Why Partner" tab
- Click on the "Join Knowledge Zone" link
2. Meet the Specialization criteria - Define and implement plans in your organization to achieve the competency and business criteria targets of the Specialization. (Note: Worldwide OPN members at the Gold, Platinum, or Diamond level and their Associates at the Gold, Platinum, or Diamond level may count their collective resources to meet the business and competency criteria required for specialization in this area.)
3. Apply for Specialization - when you have met the business and competency criteria required, inform Oracle by completing the following steps:
- Click on the "Specialize" tab in the Knowledge Zone
- Click on the "Apply Now" button
- Complete the online application form
Oracle will validate the information provided, and once approved, you will receive notification from Oracle of your awarded Specialized status.
Only qualifying specializations will apply towards specialization benefits. If you have existing specializations on previous product versions, these will remain valid specializations until the product version reaches its end of service live (EOSL); however, if there is a more recent version available, and therefore a new qualifying specialization, only the current qualifying specialization will qualify for specialization benefits.
Need more information? Access our Step by Step Guide (PDF)
4. Apply for Advanced Specialization – If your company has on staff 50 unique Certified Implementation Specialists in your company's approved Specialization's product set, let Oracle know by following these steps:
- Ensure that you have 50 or more unique individuals that are Certified Implementation Specialists in the specific Specialization awarded to your company
- If you are pooling resources from another Associate or Worldwide entity, ensure you know that company's name and country
- Have your Oracle PRM Administrator complete the online Advanced Specialization Application
Oracle will validate the information provided, and once approved, you will receive notification from Oracle of your awarded Advanced Specialized status.
Oracle's Specialization Program is a trusted status and brand, which allows our most experienced and committed partners to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and gain a competitive edge by spotlighting their strengths and special skills.
And now, with the new Advanced Specialization program element, specialized partners can further extend their capacity of skilled implementation resources on Oracle's products and technology.


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Archives > Flower Mound Leader > News
Mayor addresses town manager situation
By Chris Roark, email@example.com
During Monday night's Flower Mound Town Council meeting, Mayor Tom Hayden addressed the ongoing situation involving Town Manager Harlan Jefferson.
Jefferson was placed on paid administrative leave on Sept. 22. Chuck Springer, the town's assistant town manager and chief financial officer, was named interim town manager that day.
Rumors have circulated about the reason for the move, including the problems various developers have had over the years in doing business in Flower Mound. Surveys filled out by area developers indicate a series of problems they have had with the town.
Monday, however, Hayden gave some insight to why Jefferson is on leave and what the mayor sees in the town's future.
"The council wants to make sure that we feel like we're in the situation where we can move forward and put FLower Mound in the best place to achieve our goals and objectives," Hayden said. "It's nothing personal about Mr. Jefferson. It's about looking at where we are. Nothing has been finalized. We are taking our time and the due process to go through everything to make sure we're addressing the issues."
Hayden addressed concerns he said several people have raised about what type of financial impact parting ways with Jefferson would have. Jefferson's contract is set to expire in 2015.
"I'm not sure what the financial impact will be," Hayden said. "Nothing has been decided. But if you look at the town's reserves today, which is over $9 million, I feel very confident in saying that a year from now, the town's reserves will be higher than they are today."
Jefferson became Flower Mound's town manager in 2006 after serving as chief financial officer.
During the public hearing portion of the Sept. 22 meeting, Jefferson�s attorney, Don Colleluori, said Jefferson understands that it is the council�s right to terminate his contract, but he said Jefferson had not been given the opportunity to address any concerns the council had of him.
Since then, sources have refuted that claim, citing several instances when Jefferson was aware of concerns. Among those were discussions at the town council strategic planning session and a council work session following the election in which the council outlined goals and discussed a desire to change the town�s direction in certain areas.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
weirtalking wrote on Oct 4, 2012 12:39 PM:
" Area developers have had a problem with the town because we have a Master Plan and A SmartGrowth Program in place that was voted on by several past Councils. If the current Council wants to change those programs, they should be up front with residents and tell them that they want major changes in the programs that have made Flower Mound one of the most desirable places in the country to live. When national and regional magazines have us rated near the top of the list of towns in which residents are most satisfied, why is this council so determined to change things? The Town Manager's job is to enforce the rules that were put in place by the Council. It appears that Mr. Jefferson has been doing exactly that!! It also appears that the Council expects him to violate the rules and he has refused. However, as the latest legislative body in the town, the Council could simply change those rules. Then, Jefferson would enforce the new rules. Instead, they want to fire him for doing his job, and possibly cost taxpayers close to a million dollars. Is this what they call prudent fiscal management? Mr. Hayden says the town's reserves will be higher next year than they are today. Well, isn't it just possible that the reserves are as high as they are because we've had a Town Manager with the experience to budget wisely? Is this his reward for being a very able administrator? If this is nothing personal, as the mayor says, then it certainly is a bizarre type of reasoning. "
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2nd Annual Secret Santa Workshop and GIVEAWAYS!!!
We loved the 1st Annual Secret Santa Workshop so much that we decided to do it again this year!! We loved showing off our Ju-Ju-Be's, we loved meeting the celebrities and their families, and we loved knowing the event benefited LA Family Housing! THANK YOU to Bill and Scout for inviting us back!!
Check out the fun pics below (don't forget page two)! If you love to read then check out more coverage of the event HERE and HERE and HERE!
Also, there are THREE giveaways that we want to share with you!!!
1-Click HERE to find out more about the People.com giveaway (or click on picture)!!
2-Click HERE to find out more about the SheKnows.com giveaway (or click on the picture)!!!
3-And of course, don't forget about our "12 Days of Christmas" Giveaways!! You can enter HERE!!
Good luck!
(Images taken by Meagan Reidinger)


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Tour des Chutes registration available — Registration is now open for this year's Tour des Chutes, scheduled for July 13. The ninth annual cycling tour ride will include distance options of 7, 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles, and all rides will start and finish in northwest Bend. The event is a fundraiser for cancer awareness organizations. In 2012, the Tour des Chutes donated $75,000 to the St. Charles Cancer Survivorship Programs and $20,000 to Livestrong. Participants may register for the 2013 event as individuals or families (two adults and up to four children younger than 15). Registration is available at tourdeschutes.org and at Sunnyside Sports, 930 N.W. Newport Ave., Bend. A total of 1,400 participants took part in the 2012 ride, and 1,500 spots are available this year.
Nonprofit fundraiser on tap — The nonprofit organization Kids in the Game is staging a fundraising event called "Courage for Kids" on Feb. 21 at Bend's Tower Theatre, featuring the stories of two Bend men who undertook challenging athletic feats to raise awareness and funds for children in need. Brian Grossman, one of the founders of the Kids in the Game, participated in the 2012 Marathon des Sables, a seven-day ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert. Eric Plantenberg climbed Mount Everest in 2011. Both men will share their stories at the event, for which admission is $45. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., the program at 7 p.m. Benefits will go to Kids in the Game, which provides financial assistance so that children in need can access sports programs. To purchase tickets, go to towertheatre.org.
Kid's Mini PPP logo contest now under way — Entries are now being accepted for this year's Kid's Mini Pole Pedal Paddle multisport event. The contest is open to kids in grades one through six. Entries should be submitted on white paper with a colored design and may represent the race's activities: rafting, running, obstacle course and biking. Entries should include the elements U.S. Bank Kid's Mini Pole Pedal Paddle; Bend, Oregon; 2013; MBSEF and the artist's signature. On the back of the entry, write name, age, grade level, teacher, school, home phone number and email. Mail and delivery deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on Feb. 15. Entries may be delivered to the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation office at 563 S.W. 13th Suite, 201, Bend. This year's race is May 19. For more information, contact Molly Cogswell-Kelley at 541-388-0002 or at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Central Oregonians fare well in Utah — Emily Hyde of the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation posted a second-place finish in the women's OJ/J1 (ages 16-19) 10-kilometer classic race on Saturday in the Soldier Hollow Super Junior National Qualifier in Midway, Utah. The event, which began on Friday, brought together competitors from five of the nine U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association geographic divisions attempting to qualify for the USSA Junior National Cross Country Ski Championships, scheduled for March 11-16 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Hyde was also 13th in the skate-ski sprint on Friday. Another MBSEF skier, Leo Lukens, took seventh place in the J2 boys (ages 14-15) 5K classic race and 13th in the skate-ski sprint. The Bend Endurance Academy's Ryan St. Clair finished sixth in the OJ boys sprint and ninth in the 10K classic race. Results of Central Oregon participants are available in Community Sports Scoreboard, below.
Registration under way for park and rec program — The Bend Park & Recreation District is accepting registrations for its upcoming girls softball program. Central Oregon girls ages 6-14 as of Jan. 1, 2013, and who are not playing for their high school program are eligible to participate in the program, which begins April 1 and concludes June 3. Games take place on softball diamonds in Bend, and most contests and practices will be staged on weekdays. Registration is $70 for park district residents, $95 otherwise. Fee includes visor, uniform top, shorts and socks. Deadline is March 12. Registration is available at bendparksandrec.org.
—Bulletin staff reports