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MODERATOR: Okay, welcome back. We're going to continue our Election Day coverage. To my left here, we have Mr. John Fortier. He's a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and he also is a principal contributor to the AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project. So he's here to speak about the new Congress and the Obama Administration. So without further ado, let's welcome Mr. Fortier.
MR. FORTIER: Thank you for having me here. I'm going to spend a good amount of my time talking about the aftermath of the election. Of course, we haven't had the election yet, so I'm allowed to speculate a little bit. But I do want to spend a brief time at the beginning talking about the election itself and how it's going to shape the outcome of the next two years.
First, I want to take you back a little ways and think about our political parties and how, for a long time, we thought of the Democratic Party as the majority party, after World War Two, really, until the early '90s. And I think the Democratic Party had, by most measures, more voters, was higher in polls, controlled the presidency, controlled Congress, for many, many years. To give you one example, control of the House of Representatives from 1930 to 1994 for all but four years, or from 1954 to '94. So there was a long period of Democratic dominance.
It was also a time when the Democratic Party, while the majority party, was a strange type of party. It was a party that had a very strong right wing, a conservative wing in the South of America, and then it had a progressive wing in the rest of the country. So while it was the majority party, it didn't always agree on things. And there were Republicans sort of in the middle also, and often shifting coalitions between Republicans and Democrats. So we saw this mix of people all across the political spectrum, especially in the middle.
To over simplify what happened over the years was, as Republicans started to become a more significant force and come closer in parity to Democrats, they did so by taking the South and by making the parties much more significantly ideological. The Republican Party is more clearly on the right; the Democratic Party has lost a lot of that conservative wing and is more clearly the party on the right.
So by 1994, we found ourselves with two parties that were pretty much equal. Republicans had just taken the Congress by a little bit. Democrats had – were still controlling the presidency. We had lots of close elections in those 10 years afterwards, from 1994 to 2004. We had elections like the 2000 election which was very close, but also many, many times where the margin in Congress was just a few seats away from the other party having control. If Democrats were to have gained eight or 12 or 15 seats in certain given elections, they would have taken the majority. So we became a party – a country that was – we called ourselves a 50/50 nation, two parties very equal, left and right.
And that changed very significantly after George Bush's reelection. That was the high point of Republican fortunes. They increased their majorities. But not too long after, Republicans became somewhat unpopular. And that was partly due to the Iraq war, but certainly due to some other factors of Republicans being in control for a significant amount of time. What we saw then was the pendulum swinging dramatically to the Democratic side, with the Democrats taking, first in 2006 and then 2008, lots of seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate, ending up with more significant majorities than Republicans had in 2004 or 2002.
And who were the Republicans who lost in those elections? Well, a lot of the time, they were Republican moderates. There were some people in the Republican Party at that time who were representing Northeast states, who were a bit in the middle of the political process, who were often dealmakers on Capitol Hill. And 2006 and 2008 wiped out many of those Republicans, replacing them with Democrats, some of them more liberal, some of them with more conservative backgrounds.
What I think you're likely to see in this election, and this is why I want to bring this up to think about the aftermath of the election, what I think you're going to see this election is, yes, a very big swing back in the Republican direction and in some ways a return to where we were after 2004. At least in the House of Representatives, the numbers might not be so different. But in another way, I think that it will look even more different, or we'll continue this trend that I mentioned before of polarizing of the parties. Because if you want to look at who's going to lose on the Democratic side, you're going to find a lot of moderate and conservative Democrats will be losing. And this middle part of the Democratic Party, which is still there – not so much on the Republican side – is going to be wiped away. And I think you'll see similar numbers, but an even more clearly right and even more clearly left Democratic Party.
To give you one example, the – one key group that we look at in the Congress and the House of Representatives is the blue dogs, sort of moderately conservative Democrats who are typically both economically and socially conservative on matters more than their fellows in the – the rest of the fellows in the Democratic Party. And there are 54 blue dogs in Congress today. And looking at the numbers, anywhere from 20 to 35 of them could lose. So really, you're going to see a very significant chunk of the moderates on the Democratic side not with us anymore.
So what's – what might be the end result of this election? I think common wisdom is right. We're likely to have the House of Representatives in Republican hands. We're likely to have the Senate probably narrowly in Democratic hands. There's an outside chance Republicans could take the 10 seats they need to win the election, but more likely eight or nine, so a close Senate, and clearly lots of polarization, a Republican Party who will be winning seats not in – not winning back those moderate liberal seats that were held by some Northeast Republicans in – prior to 2004, but winning back conservative districts, conservative districts they've lost, or by winning some more in the South. There are still a fair number of Southern conservative blue dog Democrats that are – a lot of those seats are in danger for Republicans to take. So two parties very polarized, and that will drive what we will see after the election, which I expect will be a significant amount of gridlock.
I should step back a bit and say I'm a political scientist, and if you look at political science literature, you can find a lot of examples that divided government, Congress of one part or part of the Congress and a president of the other, is sometimes very productive. We have major pieces of legislation that are passed in that way. Sometimes, the parties need each other. And I'm going to spend some time talking about a similar case in 1995 after Republicans took the House of Representatives and Bill Clinton was still president. And that's one of the cases where at least there was some grounds for cooperation after a while. But I'm skeptical that there will be significant cooperation after this election. One reason is the polarization which I mentioned. There isn't a lot of middle ground between the two parties.
And as you know, our American elections are quite long and they will begin in earnest after this midterm election. You will see presidential candidates on the Republican side announcing they're running for president, and that will be another dynamic which is likely to pull the parties apart as the presidential candidates on the Republican side argue amongst themselves, probably appeal to a more conservative primary electorate, and are less likely to be voicing interest in cooperation with the President.
So what do we – what should we expect after an election? Well, we can look back to some earlier cases. And I mentioned, in particular, Clinton. It's not as bad as you – you don't realize how bad it is until you get there. I think that's one thing that the Obama Administration will find. Yes, I think they know that a bad result is coming. Even a slightly better than expected result will probably be the loss of the House of Representatives. A very bad result might be 60 seats or 65 seats, which I don't predict quite that much, but certainly, there will be a very, very large move in the Republican direction.
The largest number of seats in the last 50 years that's gone in a midterm election is 54 seats. That was 1994. Boy, we're looking like that's not a bad number to pick these days. Certainly, some forecasters have it higher. So it's tempting to think that here we have a Democratic majority. You can come back, for example, in the next month or two in the so-called lame duck session of Congress and do a lot of things with that majority. I think it's going to be very hard to do so. And I think the big headline, no matter what exactly the numbers are, is going to be the Democrats beaten, Obama Administration sent a message. Mr. President, what did you get out of this election? How do you view the results? How are you going to respond to what the American people are saying?
And it certainly doesn't mean that that's the last question that will be asked, but the Clinton Administration was ultimately successful in coming back from their loss in 1994, as other presidents have done. But it didn't happen overnight, and those first four or five months for the Clinton Administration were very tough. If you were here, you remember there was a frequent question asked: Is the president still relevant? Maybe Congress is the important body. Now, I don't think we'll quite have that level of questioning now. That was an extraordinary time where Republicans had been out for many years and Newt Gingrich was something of a more charismatic figure, and they had the Senate and the House. But it certainly will be a question, how much do we really want to follow the President, and what sort of agenda are we going to have? Is it going to be the President's agenda or someone else's? You'll remember also Newt Gingrich was Times' man of the year that year, and it wasn't President Clinton. So it certainly took quite a while for the Clinton Administration to get its feet back on – to get back on track.
How does the President react to the election result? Well, Clinton again – here are some examples. Clinton certainly indicated he got the election result. He famously, in the State of the Union address following that election, said the era of big government is over. He indicated he had a kind of more moderate or centrist side, brought back some of the themes that he had nurtured in this earlier life as the head and one of the founders of the Democratic Leadership Committee – Council, which is a more moderate, centrist, Southern-oriented, Democratic group. He changed personnel. He brought in people to say hey, look, I'm – these people indicate that I'm not moving in the direction I was before; I'm changing direction. He famously brought up the strategy of triangulation, focusing on sort of small initiatives which were common sense initiatives – school uniforms, things like this – which had a kind of general resonance with the American public; less about the big programs like healthcare, which he had talked about in the first two years.
And then ultimately he found some ways to fight Republicans, too, and that – but that didn't happen right away either. He kind of allowed Republicans to, they would say, overreach, to lose some of their momentum in this fight that we had over shutting down the government in 1995, where Republicans were arguing, hey, we need less spending. You might hear that again from Republicans this time. To do this, we really need to send the President a budget that is more frugal. It'll be his fault, the President's fault, if he vetoes it and shuts down the government. And yet, at the end of the day, Republicans found that was not a good strategy for them. They ended up – found that the American people started losing some confidence in them rather than the president on this. So he found this way to fight back. And I think you can also credit the unexpected Oklahoma City bombing, which the president reacted to. And we shouldn't discount that presidents, as players in emergencies, both foreign and domestic, often can change the debate by how they react to a natural disaster or a terrorist attack. A foreign policy crisis might be something that also brings you back. So there are a few things to think about of – as to how the President would respond to this.
What might be the big flashpoint between the Administration and Congress? Where are they going to disagree? Well, I think they're going to disagree on a lot of things, but the two big ones right off the bat will be the Bush tax cuts. The Bush tax cuts are 10-year tax cuts which are going to expire as of the first of the year. And we've had this political debate for a while on both sides as to what we will do with them. The position of the Obama Administration is that the tax cuts which are for those who are making less than $250,000 a year as a family will be kept and those for the higher income brackets will be let – allowed to expire. And Republicans essentially are not fans of this procedure. They'd like to see everything extended. But there's also the possibility of temporarily extending both sides of those tax cuts. And so I think we're going to have a significant battle about that. You may be hearing that we're going to do that in the lame duck session; we'll do that in the election in November, when Democrats still have a big majority. Again, I'm very skeptical that that happens. Right after a big election, a big message sent, and Democrats kind of come back into town and say, hey, we're going to pass some last-minute legislation to move in that direction. Both Republicans will oppose them but also you'll find that many of the moderate Democrats, I think, will not be excited about doing that right away. And that normally would be a – I think that's a normal situation that we put things off, but in this case the actual tax cuts will expire as of January 1st, so it will really be the first thing on the agenda between both parties come January.
And the most recent set of skirmishes is, well, maybe Democrats want a temporary extension of both or a temporary extension of the high-income tax cuts but a permanent one of the lower income ones. Will that fly or not? Republicans, I think, will be in some position of strength. We may end up seeing just a couple year extension of both of those. That's the other possibility. But I think we'll have a big fight about that in January.
We're also likely to have big fights about the budget. And here it won't look so different than 1994, although it will be important, for those of you especially who cover Congress, to think about the position of more experienced Republican leaders and of these new firebrand Tea Party members of the caucus. They may have slightly different tactics as to how they want to pursue this. John Boehner, interestingly enough, now a wise old leader, been through the revolution before in 1994, part of the leadership, and now – and then out of the leadership and back as leader in 2010, likely as speaker, might think, well, it didn't work out so well for us in 1995, shutting down the government. Maybe we should indicate our differences on spending in strong ways but not go to that extreme. But there may be many people, and there are some people in Congress today who say, hey, look, it's a good thing for the Republican Party to emphasize differences, to force another government shutdown, at least to force a very, very large conflict. So I think you'll see some maneuvering on the Republican side. Certainly, Speaker Boehner is not going to be timid about expressing the differences with President Obama, but I do think that he will be wary of what had happened to Republicans in 1995, looking for sort of less monumental conflicts that might serve their purposes.
Repealing healthcare, that's an issue that's mentioned by many Republicans on the campaign trail. And many Republicans would like to repeal it or some – repeal and replace with something else. I don't think that the possibility of that actually being enacted is very strong. It's almost certain that it won't happen that way, but it will be something you'll hear a lot from Republicans about. Speaker Boehner came to our institution, the American Enterprise Institute, and indicated that, for example, that he might put the individual mandate or pieces of healthcare reform up for vote. And there are parts of it – especially – the whole of it is slightly unpopular but there are parts of it that are very unpopular, and that they might try to unravel the whole thing by having votes on different pieces of it. I don't think those will do more than probably just get through the House of Representatives. It might get some Democratic votes in the Senate, possibly. If they were to get through the Congress, they'd have – the President would veto them, but they will serve as markers for future elections and campaign issues.
Are there ways of slowing down healthcare? Well, sort of. It's a plan that takes effect over many, many years, so a lot of it has not actually even come into effect. But certainly, governors have – an interesting phenomenon will be the Republicans will take many governorships in the – in these elections, as they will in the Senate and the House, and many governors will be dragging their feet implementing healthcare. Will some of them be slow or not at all set up the exchanges called for by the plan? That's a possibility. We certainly have a lot of attorneys general suing the federal government over things like the mandate in health insurance. Some of that will continue. So I think it'll be an issue. We'll talk about it. It'll be a frequent set of votes. Some small things might be pulled back, but ultimately it's meant to be a set of issues that will be there for another day to be fought, in the presidential election of 2012 or for a future president.
What about some of the other parts of the Obama agenda, the original agenda? I think you have to realize, in our politics, the time that President Obama had is something of a rare time. When you come in as a president and you win a good, significant victory and you bring in more people in the House of Representatives of your party, and you've also won in 2006 and there's kind of momentum for you and you have all the control, that's not typical for our politics. It's a rare moment. And the beginnings of presidencies are much more about the legislative agenda of the candidate. And often, the rest of the presidency is about some negotiation between the parties or a smaller agenda.
And I think things like cap-and-trade and immigration, which I think the President is still holding out some hope that there would be some work on, are going to be nearly impossible. And to the extent that there is some work on immigration, it probably will be just some relatively small additional border security measures. And if there's work on cap-and-trade – I know the Administration was trying to sort of step back and do something more energy related. And something like that is possible, but now the goalpost will have moved yet again, and so it will have to be something that's really quite favorable or amenable to Republicans on energy and not so much on environmental matters or climate change matters.
I do think we'll see some big fights again with Congress about the role of the EPA. The Obama Administration has often said, well, we don't need legislation to do everything we want to do; we can do a lot of climate change regulation. We can do that within the executive branch and not ask Congress for a law. But you already saw even in this Congress some significant pushback from Republicans but also some Democrats who are moderate or energy state Democrats on these issues, and I think there will be a lot of pushback in that direction. So while the Administration probably can do some things with that power, it probably can't do – I'm sure it can't do as much as it had promised. And you may see, actually, Congress trying to curtail that power a fair amount.
A couple other things. Trade, maybe. There's some talk that the President will be more favorable to trade. I'm a little skeptical of that. He has some competing pressures. Both on the one hand, I think he might be able to reach out to Republicans on some specific trade deals, but he does have an election coming up and he's going to have to balance some of the constituencies within the Democratic Party. Possibly early on, that's something that he could do something about.
Afghanistan. I think Afghanistan is a looming issue for the President. This is an area where the President actually has much better ratings on how he handles foreign policy than how he handles domestic policy. And the Republican – one of the reason is Republicans are more supportive of the President's foreign policy, and at least in areas like Afghanistan and to some extent Iraq, they are providing him with some votes and some support. It's his own party that's more skeptical of Afghanistan. And while they have been with him and I would say certainly in the campaign wholly with him early in the Administration when he wanted to add more troops to Afghanistan, with him but a little wary of being with him, they are still probably going to be with him for a little longer, but there are some looming deadlines. And certainly, the 2011 summer timetable mentioned by the President, where at least there is the thought that we will begin to draw down some troops in Afghanistan, there was a potential flashpoint for him within his own party. Is he able to maneuver that so that his own party is more or less okay with his actions on that, or is there a stronger reaction? Say, look, you really do need to be more forceful in pulling out, or in the other direction, that things aren't going well. Does the President really feel the need to drag his feet on that timeline? I think those are potential deadline – dangers for him.
And one thing to think about is it's unlikely but the President could face a challenger from his left, and that would be one issue which would ignite the Democratic base and might encourage somebody to run against him in a primary, which he would not want.
One other issue potentially they could work together on is education. Again, I'm a little skeptical of that. There are a lot of Republican education policy people who like the President's general approach to education, but much of the Republican base in Congress is actually very skeptical even of the Bush type of education policy, the idea of having standards in Washington, and would rather actually sort of be out of the business of education altogether. So I don't think that's a very good idea for them to work on either.
I guess one last question is will Republicans overreach? My answer is maybe they will. Certainly, in 2000 – in 1995, that was one of the things that Clinton was able to – one of the ways in which Clinton was able to rebound, by having this big battle with Republicans and portraying them as the ones who are more extreme, willing to shut down government to get their aims, and helped them claw back into the good graces of the American people and ultimately win in 1996. I'll note that that's true, but Republicans also won in 1996. So it – Clinton was helped by his clash with the Republicans and the Republicans weren't hurt that badly by it. They certainly didn't win the presidency, but their majorities in Congress were continued.
And it would – it's sort of a mixed case. You think about 2006. Democrats were in a similar position. They had a majority. Would they – would the American people be happy to just vote in Democrats in 2006 and then in 2008 everything would be back to a neutral political environment? No. Ultimately, even though Democrats were pushing pretty hard against President Bush, the atmosphere was still with Democrats in 2008. So I think it's a bit of a hard thing to tell whether Republicans will overreact or not. They will have a very enthusiastic and populist set of candidates who come in, not unlike 1994. Although I will say, even though they didn't have a Tea Party in 1994, I think many of them were more neophytes in politics, a lot more people who had never been in politics. This group is conservative and populist and appeals to the Tea Party, but many of them actually have experience in state legislatures or some other lower levels of government. So it's a bit of a mixed case. One can see it.
But ultimately, I think the biggest focus will be on the President. And as much as there will be some attempt to contrast how Republicans are versus the President, many, many more people still will follow the big office, the President's office. And how the President himself recovers from the election, I think, is much more important than exactly what Republicans do. And on that score, we have a big lesson that midterm elections, yes, they're important. Yes, they are going to affect the presidency. But they don't really determine what happens in that next presidential election. That next presidential election is two years away, and what can clearly change in that two years is the conditions on the ground. When Bill Clinton lost in 1994, or more clearly when Reagan lost in 1982, the economy was quite bad. For Reagan, in Reagan's case, by 1984, the economy was much better and he won all but one state in the reelection. So if things are better for the President, everything looks better for him – reelection prospects, regardless of how badly he loses tomorrow. Similarly, if those conditions are the same as they are today, it's a bad set of conditions for the President and we think his reelection prospects would not be good.
So I'm going to leave it there and look to your questions.
MODERATOR: Are there any questions? Okay, right here up front.
QUESTION: Thank you. Good to see you, John. Raghubir Goyal. I attended many of the AEI programs, including Mr. Gingrich and also Vice President.
Two quick questions: One, why the immigration issue is stalled, this while the Republican from President Bush and supported by the Democrats. And now this issue is from President Obama, why Republicans will not support this issue? Because it is going to affect both the parties This is such an issue. And finally, as the Tea Party is concerned, do you consider this is a third party? Because in many countries, like in India, you have a hundred fifty, 200 parties but then a government is formed with more than 20 parties. What is the future of the U.S. political system?
MR. FORTIER: Good questions. Immigration. Immigration is an issue, it's a complicated issue because there are some differences between the parties, but there is also some division within both parties and, I think, especially on the Republican side. Twenty years ago, I would have said that both parties were equally divided. I mean, the Democrats, with their union manufacturing base, was often a little bit skeptical of immigration. That's lessened some as especially the union side of Democratic politics is now much more of a mix. The service sectors, the government sectors, are not as hostile to immigration – in fact, have many Hispanic members in the hospitality business, and so they have moved, I think. That's not to say that there still isn't within the Democratic Party still some opposition to immigration. White working class voters tend to be worried about it, and some of them are still Democrats.
The Republican Party, too, has divisions. I mean, you could oversimplify and say that there's kind of a business wing of the Republican Party which is pro-immigration, and what I think is a majority of the Republican Party, which is skeptical of immigration today. Interestingly, we had a president, George Bush, and a presidential candidate, John McCain, who, at least earlier in their careers, had been more on the pro-immigration side of this. And I think that President Bush, perhaps had he brought this issue up earlier in his presidency, might have succeeded on this. It was considered late in his presidency, when he was weakened. And one way to see the dynamic of this issue is to think, if you had had the president even be able to pull a third of his own party for immigration reform and just the natural percentage of Democrats who would vote for it, you would have had a majority of people to vote for that bill in the last couple years of the Bush Administration. But Democrats did not want to be providing all the votes for that. They didn't want to be out there by themselves. And I think that shows, while they're generally a little more for immigration, comprehensive immigration reform, they still have their own worries within their own party. They weren't going to vote for it unless Republicans provided some cover for them.
So that may not have been the best moment to do it. I think today may be even a worse moment. And the feelings about immigration are not as strong today. They are more anti-immigration, partly because of the economy. You see John McCain and others in some ways having pulled back on this issue. People who went out and tried to do this issue on the Republican side felt like they went as far as they could go and they still couldn't get the deal. I look at John Kyl in Arizona, the other senator from Arizona, a Republican, who – more conservative than McCain, had spent some political capital trying to get that deal done and found that it just wasn't there. So I think right now the – I think there's a long-term worry. I think Bush was right to – Bush and Karl Rove were right to think about the future of the Republican Party and how Hispanics fit into that equation and that there would be a benefit to doing some sort of comprehensive immigration reform which would have some penalties but also would allow people who are here some path to normalization, whether it's citizenship or some other status. But that's probably a minority of the party, and we haven't really opened up that debate in the
Republican Party that much. We had a nominee in 2008 who – with similar views to President Obama. We had some voices in the primaries which have been more strongly anti-immigration but haven't come out. And I do think in the long run there is a concern for the Republican Party about losing Hispanic voters. In the short term, I think it's actually probably a winning issue for Republicans. And certainly, some Democrats in the West are worried about that issue this time.
One small, I suppose, bright spot for Republicans is they are going to an elect an interesting Hispanic candidate this time. Certainly, Marco Rubio is one I read that – maybe many of you will be covering him in Florida. He's been one of the most covered senatorial candidates, covered from around the world. But you'll also have elected a governor, the governor of New Mexico, and Nevada, and several representatives are – at least one but probably two or three interesting new representatives on the Hispanic – Hispanic Republicans. So Republicans do better among Hispanics than they do among African Americans, but it's a group that they probably should do better on in the longer term as it's a fast-growing demographic segment of our population.
QUESTION: The Tea Party.
Oh, the Tea Party, yeah. You had two questions. Good. Tea Party. I don't think there'll be a third party, or at least not in the near future. I do think there is – you did see the numbers of Republicans drop after 2004. And when people were asked in polls, are you a Republican or not, no, not as many people say they are Republican any more; a lot more independents. But they're still conservatives. And so there are a number of independents. You watch the polls, you'll see that they are former Republicans and in some way they're more conservative than some of the Republicans.
Republicans are not popular themselves now. They're likely to win a big election victory, but the are still a little bit – people are still a little bit skeptical of them, and especially Tea Party figures. This election, though, I think it's a very, very positive force for Republicans. Two reasons. One, the energy, the turnout, the – yes, in the primaries, there was a lot directed against some establishment Republicans, but it's basically going to be directed against Democrats. And then we'll try to figure out who the Tea Parties are, and there are all sorts of polls about their characteristics, but the big thing that they believe in, of course, is sort of smaller government and lower deficits and debt. And while they believe it in the sort of strongest say way, that's an issue that actually resonates pretty well across the middle of both the Republican Party and also independents. You have a kind of green eyeshade or people who really believe in just balancing the budget, you have people who believe in smaller government, who may not believe in – as strongly in smaller government as the Tea Party, but economic issues like that – lower taxes, lower debt, lower deficits – they unite the Republican Party much more than foreign policy or social issues. So in some ways, it's a big winning issue today. I think the longer-term question is, yeah, how will they interact with more traditional Republicans?
I do think in the next Congress, I mentioned one example, I think some of them will be pushing very hard for stronger measures against the President and wanting to have a bigger fight about spending. And a lot of them say, look, we are not Republicans. And if Republicans start to waver on their commitment to lower spending and lower cuts, then they're likely to go find their own way. I don't think that third party is likely to happen very soon. I think Republicans, in the primaries, will be – Presidential primaries – will be appealing to them. If for some reason we get to a case where Republicans couldn't win, if they have a candidate that just looks really weak and Obama is going to win anyway, and there is kind of a more conservative Tea Party alternative, you could imagine maybe somebody running as a third-party kind of Tea Party person.
But I think it would have to be that set of circumstances, at least for now, that you – the two-party, in many ways, is strong. And what tends to happen is the parties tend to take on the concerns of those other movements, like Ross Perot affected both the Republican and Democratic parties after 1992. The Tea Partiers certainly are going to affect Republicans. They're going to make sure to have the concerns of the Tea Partiers, you know, foremost in their minds for the next couple of years.
MODERATOR: Okay, we'll go up front here, and then we will go to you. Yes, right here. That's fine.
QUESTION: Thank you. Sonia Schott with Globovision, Venezuela. Everybody is talking about the – this will be a referendum for Obama. But I would like to know. Will it be a referendum for Obama or for the Democratic Party? Thank you.
MR. FORTIER: It's a good question, although I think some people think it's unfair – Democrats think it's unfair that it's a referendum, that Republicans should have to put up a strong program to kind of look at what – here is the Republican program, here is the Democratic program. It should be more of a choice, rather than a referendum.
And this is not meant to be a partisan point, but it's really sort of a political science point that our midterm elections do tend to be more referendum. And, in a way, it's odd because the President is not on the ballot. But he is the biggest figure. One of the biggest predictors as to how the midterm elections will go is what the President's job approval rating is, how he is doing, how he is seen as doing his job, not so much how Congress is doing the job, for example.
Right now everybody thinks Congress is doing a bad job, Republicans and Democrats. It's about the lowest level of approval you could imagine. But it's – the President's party, even in pretty good years for Presidents, President's tend to lose a little bit. But when Presidents aren't doing well, they lose a lot of seats. So I think it is a kind of referendum on him.
Now, is the Democratic Party easily separated from Obama? No. I mean our parties are not as membership-oriented, they're not as clearly separate entities from their President. It's actually stranger on the Republican side. The Republicans have no leader, right? There is no person who is the face of the Republican Party today. You could say it's Mitch McConnell or John Boehner, or Rush Limbaugh, or Sarah Palin. You could come up with a whole bunch of people who might be leaders, but there is on one person. Whereas, in the Democratic Party, there is a face of the party. That doesn't mean that there is not some dissention within the ranks about how we should have managed his presidency, but right at this – yes, there are individual factors and individual races. But the idea of the energy and the turnout and why people are either excited or not excited about voting has a lot to do with how they perceive the President, as how he's doing.
MODERATOR: Right here, and then we will go to New York next. Stand by, New York.
QUESTION: I am from the French Daily Liberation. Two questions. Is there any chance that President Obama could become, after this election, the bipartisan President many people wish?
And second question is the previous briefer told us if the Democrats lose no more than 54 seats today, actually this will not be such a defeat for them. Just they will lose what they gained earlier. In the historical context, can you comment on that?
MR. FORTIER: Let me take the second part first. Yes, it's true, I think everybody is trying to find a kind of level of expectation. What's a good night for Republicans, what's a bad night? And I think more or less almost any night is a good night for Republicans coming up. Any of the scenarios you're going to mention, it's still going to be pretty strongly in the Republican direction.
Yes, you're right. I mentioned – I wouldn't be surprised to see us back to a similar level of seats as 2005, after the 2004 election. So that's true. But, historically, if one thinks about the last 50 years of midterm elections, the most seats that any party gained in a midterm election is the Republicans in 1994, this big win of Gingrich. So 54 seats would be tied for the most in the last 50 years. That's a bad result. Even if they fall short of what we're thinking, and they won 42 seats, boy, that's a huge election victory. That's bigger than Democrats took in 2006. And they would have the majority.
So – and I think you can also look just – this is an election – most of these wave elections are like this – it will not just be the House – I mentioned the Senate, 8 or 9 seats, that's – the records are 8 and 9 in the last 50 years. That's a lot of seats. We're likely to see 500 or 600 state legislative seats go in the Republican direction, and between 5 and 8 governorships. Those are all big numbers.
So there is – occasionally a President is doing very well, they still tend to lose some seats and they lose little bits here and there. But this is not an election like this. This will be an election where Democrats are going to lose pretty big. And as much as there is an expectations game, I think the big story is, "Big Republican tide; what are you going to do next, President Obama?"
Your first question, or first part of the question, was about the bipartisan President. I express my doubt, and I don't lay that on him, necessarily, or Republicans. One, it's a very polarized era, right? We have parties that don't have a lot of middle to them, so there is different visions. And one thing you will see is any change in the House of Representatives means the chairman from the Democratic Party who was over here on the left, and now there is a chairman of the Republican Party who is over here, on the right. It's a big change in ideological outlook.
I also just – I – it's hard to know what President Obama will do. I do think he has some bipartisan instincts. Bill Clinton had, I think, maybe a different set of bipartisan instincts. He, as a southern governor, had been working in the party to find a way to bring the party back to the middle more clearly. He had worked as a Democrat in the more conservative part of the country, in Arkansas. So he had some bones in him that knew how to move around a bit.
And another thing to think about is both Reagan and Clinton, you look through their presidencies, you saw a lot of ups and downs, or times where both had some very low periods, but they found their way to come back. Look at the Bush Presidency. You found a high beginning and then a low end, and not a whole lot of ups and downs. We don't know about Obama. Will he be able to come back or not? We will just have to see. But I don't think that there is great room for being a bipartisan President.
I do think they will – both sides will say a lot of things that – try to do this, and maybe have some sincere efforts at it, but they're pretty far apart. And there is the potential of 2012, that next election, where maybe Democrats will take back the House of Representatives, or maybe Republicans will take the Senate and the Presidency. So they will both be looking at that prize of having everything in 2012. And I guess I am skeptical that we will do that much together.
MODERATOR: Okay, it looks like we have time for one more question. So go ahead, New York. You want to go ahead?
QUESTION: Hi. Can you hear me? Hi. My name is Kodaka from Nikkei News. Thank you very much today. Could you please elaborate on the impact to the business world if Democrats lose, especially business leaders are now quite anxious, saying that Obama's Administration is anti-business administration, and they are refraining from hiring, and it results in low, slow recovery of the economy.
So, do you think the situation will change after the election?
MR. FORTIER: That's a good question. I do think that there is a perception in some business circles that the Administration is anti-business. And the President is concerned with that. The President indicated in an interview over the weekend that he was – thinks he was unfairly seen as a sort of tax-and-spend liberal, and that he wanted to find a way to get back to a kind of sensible business-oriented set of policies.
So I don't think the President is going to come out with populist rhetoric and move against business. I mean just the opposite. He will probably be somewhat conciliatory. But is there a lot of room for Republicans and Democrats to work together on these things? Yes. There are some areas. I mean the President has talked about pushing some free trade agreements in the near term. I think the politics of that is not always perfect for the President. And I do think the big things we will be arguing will be the Bush tax cuts and the budget. And while not necessarily business concerns, that's going to take up a lot of our energy. It isn't going to be a great set of issues the Republicans and Democrats will be agreeing on.
So, it's a tougher question to think, well, what if Republicans and Democrats had to come together for a significant second downturn, and do something like they did in 2008 and 2009? That's a difficult question. Maybe both sides would be forced to come to the table. But I guess I think the President won't run as a populous, won't come out in that way – will be more conciliatory, but I don't think that there is a great agenda for Republicans and the President to work on together.
MODERATOR: Okay. Actually, that's time. So thank you for coming. Stand by and Mr. will be here in a few minutes.
# # #


text:
Estranged allies
Jews have "unique witness to the importance of life," but most remain pro-abortion
Rabbi Chanoch Teller makes quite a spectacle when he travels with his family. The Orthodox Jewish scholar and author has 18 children-enough to fill three full rows in coach. Once, Teller was traveling with 16 of his offspring, the girls in matching dresses, the boys in matching suits. While changing planes in Frankfurt, Teller noticed a German woman gaping.
"Are all of these your children?" the woman asked. "From one wife?"
"Yes, God has blessed me with all these children," the rabbi replied.
"Haven't you heard about the population problem?" the woman sniffed. "How many more children do you want to have?"
Rabbi Teller paused and looked the woman in the eye: "About 6 million," he said.
The story illustrates a crucial point with respect to Jews and the abortion debate: Hitler's henchmen murdered 6 million Jews, including 1.8 million children, giving their survivors and descendants what conservative commentator and author Michael Medved calls "a unique witness to the importance of life."
Sadly, though, most American Jews are pro-abortion, mainly muting what could be a powerful voice in the fight to save the unborn.
"What's horrifying is the idea that we would voluntarily consign other Jewish children to nonexistence, particularly only one generation after the Holocaust," Medved said. The abortion debate "is an area where Jewish people must get involved."
Medved and Rabbi Daniel Lapin, president of Toward Tradition, an educational organization advocating traditional Judeo-Christian values, are among a number of Orthodox Jews who are taking that message forward. Both often speak to evangelical pro-life groups, to multi-faith groups, and to Jewish groups willing to hear them.
Only about 15 percent of America's 7 million Jews are Orthodox, meaning they believe God gave the Torah to Moses 3,300 years ago on Mt. Sinai as a binding message to humanity. "Those who believe that know that, according to Jewish law, abortion is completely prohibited" except to save the life of the mother, said Lapin.
But most Jews in the United States have adopted a new faith Lapin calls "secular fundamentalism," which holds as a key doctrine abortion-on-demand. Their sentiments play out politically, explaining presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani's popularity among Jews: He supports Israel, yes. But he is also "pro-choice."
Secularized Jews have proven very susceptible to the pro-abortion argument, Lapin said-that "it's only a short skip from denying women their 'reproductive rights' to denying Jews any rights at all."
Jewish opposition to the pro-life movement is also based in part on opposition to Christian conservatism. "The left has managed to convince Jews that evangelical Christians are a bigger threat to them than frenzied and fanatical Muslims," Lapin said. "If evangelicals oppose abortion, the thinking goes, then defending abortion must be the right Jewish thing to do."
In a May 2006 statement, the liberal American Jewish Congress (AJC) inched toward Christian conservatives, recognizing "increasing common ground" between evangelicals and Jews on issues such as support for Israel. But AJC also noted a "growing divergence" between the two groups on social issues and vowed emphatically to fight all attempts to outlaw abortion.
Lapin said evangelicals can have an effective pro-life dialogue with secular Jews if they can demonstrate the cultural collapse that follows when a civilization popularizes abortion. Evangelicals "have to go out with the message that whether you are religious or not, if you are an American, you have a stake in the future vitality of American society," he said. "Abortion undermines that, steering us toward a satanic abyss from which there is no escape for anyone."
Orthodox Jews like Lapin are making inroads by helping Jews examine the consequences of a secular fundamentalist America. "I tell them, you've really got to ask yourself, do you want an America in which young males are raised never knowing their fathers, never having been exposed to the phrase 'thou shalt not'? Or do you want an America that has returned to its founding vision of 20 centuries of Judeo-Christian law and morality?" Lapin said. "As soon as they see it in stark terms that have to do with their children's and grandchildren's futures, they see that saving the unborn is saving all our futures."

subset: commoncrawl


text: Hello, has anyone installed a integrated BB/crank such as the FSA SLK MegaEXO and have bearing binding/roughness? I had a local shop install a set and when he tightens it the problem occurs. The only way to get it to move smoothly is to back off a tad, but he says that's not normal. I've never installed this type so, I'm not sure. I also noticed he had to hammer the drive side through the BB in order to get it through...don't know if that's normal either. Any help would be appreciated.


text: Republican leaders of the General Assembly are planning a late September session to debate whether to expand the Medicaid rolls. The start date for the extra session would begin the week of September 22nd. House Speaker Bill Howell (R- Stafford County) and State Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment (R- James City County) say they committed themselves earlier this year to have a full and fair debate on Medicaid expansion. Both Howell (pictured) and Norment are personally opposed to expanding Medicaid, which Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe has made one of his top priorities.


text:
Gary Shteyngart
James Franco Makes a Cameo in Gary Shteyngart's Book Trailer Spoof
The author of Absurdistan and The Russian Debutante's Handbook is known as a great satirist, so it's no surprise that the promo for his third novel Super Sad True Love Story is a complete joke. Starring as himself—complete with fake Russian accent—and claiming he can't even read, the ridiculous trailer also features such seasoned writers as Jeffrey Eugenides and Mary Gaitskill. But perhaps the best clip is of James Franco as one of Shteyngart's Columbia students. If you like his brand of funny, get tickets to City Arts & Lectures' conversation on Wednesday (May 11) at Herbst Theatre.
DAWN 2010 is Coming...
Get your party pants on, because DAWN 2010 is throwing one helluva celebration in honor of the Jewish holiday Shavuot. On May 15th you can lounge with libations in-hand, and party with the penguins at the California Academy of Sciences. Have a few laughs with Sandra Bernhard, chill with Gary Shteyngart, and Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket), and dance those party pants right off at a live performance from Fool's Gold.


text:
Frankie Laine Time (August 24, 1955)Variety series. Frankie Laine starts off by singing "Mule Train", complete with whip. His guests include singer Sheila Bond, comedienne Jean Carroll, and singer Polly Bergen.
To Download or Embed this video, go to this link.
Back to the Frankie Laine Time Library | Back to the Polly Bergen Library
back to Uncle Earl's Classic TV Channel


text:
Have Some Spare Time?
I was watching an old episode of The Secret Millionaire over the weekend. In each episode of this reality series, a multi-millionaire lives in a poverty-stricken community for a week pretending to be working on a documentary. At the end of the week, the true identity of the millionaire is revealed as he/she gives a total of $100,000 of his/her own monies to one or more of the worthy individuals the millionaire has met during that week.
There are hundreds of non-profit organizations all over the Raleigh area. You don't need to go "undercover" to find them. And though most of us don't have tens of thousands of dollars to give to worthy causes, we can give our time.
There are hundreds of organizations out there that could benefit from the time and effort of volunteers. For me, I choose to use my professional knowledge and experience to help organizations with their marketing and communications needs. Though I enjoy helping my clients achieve their goals and objectives, I find it truly rewarding to help some local non-profits with promoting their admirable efforts.
If you are not volunteering already, give it a try. I'd highly recommend it.


text:
For the record, June 28, 2013
Marriage licenses
Jared D. Snyder, Schuylkill Haven, and Joy L. Orr, Schuyl-kill Haven.
Daniel R. Newswanger, Schuylkill Haven, and Annette Burkholder, Kutztown.
Steven E. Deibert, Orwigsburg, and Kristine A. Kelly, Orwigsburg.
Michael Valentin, Shenandoah, and Dana Sweet, Shenandoah.
Thomas M. Moses, Minersville, and Trista L. Kennedy, Minersville.
Timothy L. Hunsinger, McAdoo, Shannon M. Minnig, McAdoo.
David M. Reeves, Orwigsburg, Joni E. Bair, Orwigsburg.
David J. Macknis, New Tripoli, and Marianne Smeltzer, New Tripoli.
Timothy J. Welker, Tamaqua, and Judi L. Miller, Tamaqua.
Jamie Correll, Kaska, and Jennifer H. Reeves, Kaska.
Matthew A. Barrett, Pottsville, and Kaytlynn A. Penkauski, Pottsville.
Isni Gjuraj, Minersville, and Johanny A. Martinez, Stamford, Conn.
Raymond Watts, Minersville, and Devona L. Cole, Silver, Md.
John C. Fong, Minersville, and Dalia M. Rivera, Middletown, N.Y.
Deshawn Winston, Minersville, and Tracey D. Valentine, Newark, N.J.
Irving Brockman, Minersville, and Lenore R. St. Clair, Lancaster.
Lamar W. Lehman, Pine Grove, and Denise A. Sedesse, Pine Grove.
Damian Joyner, Frackville, and Natasha R. Melofchik, Pittston.
Caleb Thomas Moorhead, Holbrook, Ariz., and Crystal S. Smith, Auburn.
Clifford W. Williams, Frackville, and Crystal W. Wyatt, Philadelphia.
Clair M. Harman, Valley View, and Aleesha A. Krimmel, Valley View.
Joseph N. Biel, Pottsville, and Megan L. Zimmerman, Pottsville.
William M. Flyzik, Andreas, and Mary Ann Pfeiffer, Andreas.
To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.
Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.


text:
« Are Robert Pattinson And Katy Perry Dating? | Home | Adam Levine: 'I Hate This Country' Comment Angers Fans »
LeAnn Rimes Admits She Was 'Depressed' After Eddie Cibrian Affair
May 29, 2013 05:41 AM by Lisa Princ
It's not always easy
wrecking someone else's marriage being the other woman, and LeAnn Rimes is living proof of that. In fact, the X Factor guest star opened up recently about her affair with her now husband, Eddie Cibrian, and admitted that she was 'depressed' after breaking up his marriage to Brandi Glanville!
So, let's get this straight…LeAnn Rimes had an affair with Brandi Glanville's husband, but Rimes was the one who ended up depressed? Yep, according to LeAnn, she suffered from depression after her affair with Cibrian, which led her to check into a facility for help.
Speaking to US Weekly recently, Rimes revealed: "I was feeling all these crazy emotions and feeling terrible about myself and was disgusted by myself and thought I was pathetic." Yeah, pathetic is definitely one way to describe getting involved with a married man, don't you think?
Checking herself into therapy last year appeared to do the trick for Rimes, who no longer feels depressed or disgusted with herself. Instead, LeAnn has made a complete turnaround in how she views herself. "I'm the strongest I've ever been. I'm the most honest with myself that I've ever been, I'm the most secure I've ever been about myself and my family, and I'm the most confident I've been in a really long time," Rimes concluded.
Seriously? Does anyone else not feel the least bit sorry for LeAnn Rimes? What do you think about LeAnn Rimes admitting to being depressed after the affair? We know you have an opinion and we want to hear from you! Sound off in the comments and let us know.
Want more? Follow our tweets on Twitter and like us on Facebook! Click here for more information about The X Factor. For other great reality TV news, please feel free to check out SirLinksALot: TheXFactor.
Photo Credit: WENN
Topics: Bravo Reality TV Shows, FOX Reality TV Shows, The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, The X Factor |
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71 Responses to "LeAnn Rimes Admits She Was 'Depressed' After Eddie Cibrian Affair"
Diana Binkowski Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 6:03 am
If he will cheat with you, he will certainly cheat on you. You don't know depression until he finds someone else better than you. Your time will come. Once a cheater, always a cheater.
Sandy Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 6:05 am
OMG let it go already you media horror. Nobody likes you and you are doing anything to get attention – its been how many years now just stop talking about it.
Bob DeLacy Jr Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 6:09 am
At least she confessed and admitted to being wrong.She has a conscience unlike some people who write here.LeAnn Rimes was wrong,but it's over now MOVE ON.I enjoy her singing.I bought her inspirational cd the other day and her version of Bridge over Troubled Waters was awesome.And I know what your gonna say DON'T!
Shellye Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 6:22 am
I think this is only to "show" the public she feels remorse for what she did because so many people hate her for breaking up a family. Why did she not also feel depressed about cheating on HER husband with Eddie? I'll tell you why – because she thinks getting the public to believe that SHE believes what she did is as disgusting as we all think it is will get us to like her again. I can only speak for myself, but I see through this. Leann, did your publicist dream this up? I'm sorry you're no longer the darling child that everyone loves. My advice? Stay out of the media for awhile and stop desperately trying tactic after tactic to fool the public! It is what it is Leann, you did what you did, shut up about it already and go away for now! Maybe it will be a slightly distant memory…years from now!
Sasha Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 6:31 am
Oh Please, Leann saying you are depressed after starting an affair, knowing Eddie Cibrian was a married man, then breaking up that marriage, and not to mention, breaking up your own marriage, then saying you are depressed after the incident and disgusted by yourself and your actions? Well You should have been disgusted by yourself and your actions and attempted to turn around things in your own life instead of going into rehab to treat your own self inflicted depression. If you had worked through you problems and found some creative solutions that would have made you a much stronger and better person without the heavy expense of rehab.
Meredith Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 7:09 am
LeAnn is pathetic. She knew what she was doing was wrong and she did anyway. And why is she not sorry for hurting her then husband. She hurt innocent children with her selfish actionsand so did Eddie. It was all about what THEY wanted. Eddie is a cheat too,so sounds like she will get hers very soon, if she doesn't cheat on him first. They deserve each better.
Deborah Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 7:48 am
Realistically If you are not that type of person and this was your first time doing what Leann Rimes did, when all the dust settled and reality sets in about what you have done,it would be natural to have some type of guilt. Don't knock her for feeling quilty; criticize her if she did it and not felt nothing. This tells me that she has a conscious. Did Eddie ever say he felt bad about cheating on his wife? I don't agree with what she did, however I can see how she got caught up. At the time I feel that she did not really think it all out. She saw how fine he was and probably said all the right things. We don't know what he told Leanne about his marriage. Most men tell prospective women that there marriage is over just to draw them in and before you know it you're involved. I just hope that the tables don't ever turn on her and he cheats on her. If he does, I hope she is able to handle it.
Kim Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 7:58 am
My gosh. We know. She's told us all a million times. It sounds like she is trying everything in the world to justify her actions–not to the world but to herself. If you say something enough it becomes true, right? The alarm bells went off that what she did was wrong but she chose not to listen. Ole Eddie sure as heck appears not to lose sleep over it. What irritates me is there are people who really are depressed, bipolar, etc from brain disorders–not because they allow themselves to cheat on their spouses and ruin marriages. Oh, and they go to rehab because their meds are out of balance or they've attempted/thought about suicide, not because they are tired of it all. Grow up dear.
EVA Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 8:52 am
So she went to therapy so she could feel better and it would be ok for her to take a man away from his wife and children, wish I could afford that therapy, doesn't matter what you do they say it's ok. She is such a media whore, you got that thing you call a man but I've been where you are only I wasn't the one cheating and he's cheated on every woman he's been with, just like Eddie will do. How do you sleep at night?
doug Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 8:55 am
It seems everybody here commenting has never sinned or thought about it in any way. It seems to me that we are all human and have made mistakes. Tell us about some of your sins and let us judge you as well. Then we will let you feel the pain and shame that comes with your comments. My guess is we wont find any takers. Leann will be fine and her life will continue to be successful. God Bless Le…..doug
Elaine Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 9:02 am
LeAnn is pathetic – so true!
sylvie Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 9:05 am
So she cheats on HER husband, and HIS wife, and we're supposed to care that she was fake-depressed?? WHAT A SKANK!!!
LisaB Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 9:22 am
The real skank is the hubby that cheated on HIS WIFE, not LeAnn Rhimes. People in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones. Depression is nothing to be toyed with. Doesn't matter, if she was right or wrong. Must be nice to sit behind a PC, and call someone you do not know names? Keep in mind Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, did the same to Jennifer Anniston. Yet, Jolie didn't feel squat for Jennifer. There is always two-sides to every story. He he cheated on his wife, WITH LEANN what makes you think he's the saint in this picture?
Carol Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 9:40 am
I read somewhere recently that when we dislike qualities about ourselves, it is easier to attribute/dislike these qualities in another person. When we have little tolerance for others, we are likely to attribute the sense of our own inferiority to them. It's called projection. In reading most of these comments, it appears there is a LOT of projection going on…perhaps we should all take a good look in the mirror!
Beverly Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 9:40 am
OMG!!! She had an affair, big hairy deal. She couldn't steal a man unless he wanted to be stolen. Clearly, they were both unhappy or an affair never would have started. The way their divorves palyed out was not ideal, but it is much worse on the kids if the parents are miserable. She does have at least one redeeming quality and that is her volunteer work with Pitbulls and Parolees. Her heart is kind, otherwise, she would donate her time and energy to a much less worthy cause.
Lori Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 9:46 am
I don't like her and I don't feel one bit sorry for her. She's a homewrecker, no matter how she feels about herself. However, isn't it past time to move on?
Kellee Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 9:48 am
Love how so many feel free to pass judgment….guess none of you every did anything wrong….go ahead you sinless people…throw that first stone…..Somehow it seems that LeAnn isn't the pathetic one…she made a huge mistake. She felt bad. She has apologized over and over and is trying to be real….amazing how some people just judge and judge, but NEVER look in the mirror…so very sad.
Laura Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 9:58 am
Eddie Cibrian is not exactly innocent in all of this. Why is it just Leann's fault? I am tired of men getting off without any backlash when they do this crap.
OraLee Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:18 am
I think it is sad that everyone is down on her when it takes two. EDDIE is a grown man and knew he was wrong to cheat on his wife with LeAnn. Yes, she has taken the world of haters on, but nothing is said about this married father that indulged in the affair as well. He could have stopped it and said he can't or that he first needs to end the marriage before they continue. I don't like home-wreckers either, but I hate to see all of it a one sided blame. They both hurt their spouses and they both are cheaters. I have had been married to a womanizing cheater and I would have gladdly let him go instead of getting a broken heart and finding out about an affair the entire time thinking our marriage was fine. All I have to say to both of them, what comes around, goes around. They are BOTH untrustworthy when it comes to relationships/marriages.!!
Brenda Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:28 am
People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. We have all made mistakes and time to get over it. This is no different than any other mistake. FORGIVENESS is the key and Im glad she has forgiven herself and stronger for it. Judging is for God, not us unknowing low vibrational beings. Love her and forgave long ago..
What we wish for someone else… good and bad.. comes to us first.. so we really hurt ourselves by sending someone negative energy. THink about it
Willy Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:31 am
LeAnn is a good woman and all of you need to
MYOB…….if you've watched Brandi G on RHOBH, you should know by now just why Eddie cheated. BG is so scummy, evil minded,poop-stirring and mean that it would be tough for any man to hang around her for long.
Andi Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:41 am
I agree with the others. If he got bored with Brandi and cheated, he will get bored with Leann too. Trouble is, Brandi is a hell of a lot stronger a woman than Leann, and I imagine when it happens to Leann, she will be totally broken by it.
Nina Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:47 am
Why Brandi Glanville didn't put one of them long legs knee deep in Leann's behind, I'll never know. Because she cheated with Brandi's hubby as well as on her own, we're supposed to feel sorry for her now?! She KEPT seeing Eddie. I don't feel sorry for her, not then not now no way no how. Whoever called Leann a skank was right!
Kymberli Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:49 am
Grow up. What LeAnn did is never going to be OK no matter how depressed she says she was. Too bad her depression didn't make her do the right thing and break it off – at least until Eddie handled his business.
Deseraye Dunn Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:50 am
I think that LeAnn Rimes will do anything to remain in the public eye. She hasn't really been a relative force in country music for years. She is important primarily to herself. She had a beautiful voice when she first started, but all of her recent music has been horrible.
Dean Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:54 am
I think she should write a "bad" country song about the whole deal! Pathetic, she is….I don't know how either one of them can trust each other. I hope we don't hear about them again….we almost get where it is a memory and then she opens her mouth again.
tammy rusk Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:57 am
selfish bitch, awww. people don;t like you because you ruined 2 marriages. What did you think would happen?
Susie Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:21 am
Why all the bitching about her? HE CHEATED TOO!!! I think he's worse than she is because HE HAS KIDS! If you are going to blame one, you have to blame BOTH of them. They were both wrong, but good God people, this happens every day. Let's move on to something else now. I am BORED with them.
LEILA Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:23 am
Pat Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:30 am
So…..did she THINK that she would be the only
one that he would not cheat on? Serves her right
after wrecking Brandi"s marriage and hurting their children as well. She probably didnt think about that at all. Le Ann really SHOULD be depressed because she is in for a life of infidelity being married to Eddie Cibrian. Good luck. you are getting what you deserve.
Squirrellygirl Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:31 am
I agree with the majority of comments here. You cheated with Edie, both of you are cheaters, and you will both cheat on eachother.
Torturing the exwife will certaining get you satanic points and increase your displeasure for eternity.
Faith Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:32 am
What make her think that she shouldn't feel depressed, pathetic,and cheap because that's exactly what she is. Why would a woman think she could/should be able to take a man from his wife and family and live happily ever after. Thank God, life doesn't work that way. What goes around comes around. Perhaps her depression will stop if she leaves him and move on to someone unattached.
Squirrellygirl Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:32 am
If she was so sorry for what she did, then why does she try to torture the exwife? I think Leann will get what she deserves someday.
Squirrellygirl Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:35 am
Deborah, LeAnn cheated on her husband, Dean, as well.
Squirrellygirl Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:37 am
I quit listening to your music, LeAnn. I switch the radio stations when you come on. You lost some fans by doing this. And if you really were sorry, you would stop trying to start arguments with the exwife. Freak.
Luch Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:53 am
Can she please quit trying to get attention? Next week, she'll photographed in a bathing suit again grocery shopping like she did last year. This girl loves attention!!
Janelle Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:54 am
It's so funny how woman can give her so much crap, but Eddie isn't feeling depressed because he's with the person he wants to be with. He doesn't get harassed or called a homewrecker like Leann does, but he's the one that betrayed his wife.
diana Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:58 am
come on let a sleeping dog ly, it's not as if every star hasn't done the same thing. she has been able to deal with it, leave her alone already!
susan Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:08 pm
if you're married and feel the need to stray,get a divorce.first!!!!
Patty Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
I don't feel sorry for her because she ALWAYS has something wrong with her to complain about. She was one of my favorite singers at one time until she started whining about everything. LeAnn – you are NOT a baby anymore…..GROW UP!
Linda Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Brandi is PATHETIC…. Leann and Eddie were at the right time in their lives to meet and be together. Leann was married to the wrong person and Eddie was obviously married to a crazy mental woman who he has children with. Like really do you think he should be with her?? He is no angel but he certainly should not be with Brandi. I feel sorry for Leann that she got involved with this mess, but they did a movie together cheesy as it was they had chemistry that was more than a fling and now they are married. I know girls like Brandi and they are pure poison I also know Leann"s and they are just stupid.
I also am tired of hearing how ugly, anorexic, untalented Leann is. I think she is young, dumb, and vulnerable but she is extremely cute, has a rockin hot bod and can sing her ass off. Eddie is lucky. Oh I guess everyone who hates her is perfect.
Melanie Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:24 pm
This is all just pathetic and a totally fabricated and staged attempt to win our sympathy, but for me, it just solidified my contempt for both Leann and Eddie. I want to know WHAT HAPPENED TO LEANN'S FACE? She looks freaky now, and I can't believe Eddie traded BRANDI for LeAnn…! Any bets on how long before either of they cheat?
vicki Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I thik she is beautiful and talented and sensitive and who of us hasnt done things we are ashamed of. I do not think once a cheater always a cheater.. There are many men or women for that matter who have cheated but then find their true soul mate and the love was real and lasting and they never felt the urge to stray again. Judge not lest ye be judged is what I say. I say stay strong Leann and Eddie and show everyone that they are SO WRONG..
Liza Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
She needs to shut up – to have to state that you are strong and confident…imo – means she is not!
Deb Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Two words Angelina Jolie! Not only did she not feel guilty, she flaunted it for the world!
gmlala Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
LeAnn is a media whore. Are we supposed to feel sorry for you now because you were depressed for ruining a family and cheating on your husband? No, I do not feel sorry for you, you get what you deserve and much more. You are pathetic to think that people would condone what you did and then feel sorry for you?
If you were truly remorseful, you would have stopped seeing Eddie and allowed him to fix his marriage.
You are a horrible excuse for a human being.
Kathleen Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
How long is this skank going to talk about this move on already!!!! My god in heaven get a life and lay off on the tweeting!
Alisha Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
She's only saying this now to drum up more publicity. She's only happy when she's in the limelight (good, bad, or indifferent).
mindy Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
You can't make a man cheat, so it was both of them. It happened to me, and I thank the girl now. Thank you, J. Boozell for thinking you had to have my husband and ending up with a big booby prize and childless. Kharma really is a bitch!!
Lena Marie Cardinale Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 1:01 pm
I Just Love these judgmental people out there,(As well as YOU the Media) Saying how Eddie's gonna cheat on LeAnn, what about her ex husband, calling her a Home wrecker Blah Blah Blah. Why don't We all look at ourselves, take care of our Business, leave it alone, and Move on,…They did!
P Calef Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Why do people insist she was in rehab? She went to meetings to a therapist. She did not stay overnight not even once. This was out patient therapy. NOT REHAB!
maria Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 1:20 pm
I don't know why now it comes to light that she got depressed over sleeping with someone else's husband, happens every day, you don't see Angelina Jolie getting depressed over her part in Brad and Jennifer 's marriage.
Best way to keep from getting depressed about it, is not do it at all.
Jessica Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
I don't think she "took" her husband away from his wife. He played a role too. Sometimes things happen that we don't expect. Not too many people out there live a completely perfect life. Unfortunately, we just have to hear way too much of what goes on in celebrities lives.
Abigail Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
He cheats with you he WILL cheat ON YOU!!! Duh, I'd be depressed too!
Her telling us all this……again……. reminds me of a line from Gone with the Wind.
"Scarlett felt it was just Melanie's way of parading her conquest and
getting credit for being sweet at the same time." ROFLMBO!
Pilar Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
1) who is Eddie Sibrian?
2) how long is she going to talk about this?
3) Gave up singing for Adultress?
4) when is she gonna shut up about Eddie already?
5) when is this gonna stop being news?
6) Is there going to be another season of "Meerkat Manor?"
Riann Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 5:14 pm
Please give this story a rest already. She is clearly lonely to continue to stir a pot that has already boiled over moons ago. Something is not right with her. If she was happy in her marriage she would not need to keep re-kindling this pathetic story.
Lethi Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
Leann stop already, you broke up a marriages and neither you or Eddie have no remorse over your actions. Hope both are happy with each other for now because that's all it will be for now!!!!
Diane Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Who cares…………….
Linda Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 6:36 pm
Get over it Leann is there not enough single men for you so you don't have to be a home wrecker.
cpatra Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
I read some postings about others being judgemental,we are only offering an opinion on a subject that Leann and Eddie keep tryng to make relevant,sure others have done the exact same thing but they went on about their merry way and did not care what was said, Leann keeps stiring the pot every chance she gets, Eddie is not saying anything but he is just as guilty as she is ,no one really cares about this, if they ever did,for me I know the reason I am so disgusted with the whole affair is ,It is bad enough that they cheated and destroyed two marriages but she wants to argue with the kids mom,she wants to dictate rules and changes for another womans kids,and to just take over as the kids mom,this to me is disgusting, Just be quiet already Leann, you got what you wanted,be happy with it , time will tell how strong you really are,because Karma is unrelenting,be with your husband ,have his kids, and hope that you never have to go through what you put another woman through.If you thought you went in a depressed state after your affair,try being a married mom and find out your husband is pursuing and eventually marrying the "other woman". Now that can and will make for some heavy depression.I think you can now see why so many of your fans are not sympathetic to you.
Higgins Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 6:42 pm
LeAnn is really pathetic. She has an affair with a married man who has a beautiful wife and sons – at some level she had to know that this was wrong. If Cibrian wasn't happy he should have gotten a divorce first, then started up with LeAnn instead of being selfish (both of them being selfish)!
I hate to say this but LeAnn's day will come when Eddie finds someone he deems better. He is not a faithful person and either is she. For now they deserve each other.
Whocars Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 6:50 pm
It's not my relationship, and not my business. I don't understand why people give a crap about other peoples private lives. None of us know how either of their marriages really were, couldn't have been too wonderful if it was that easy to move on from them.
Susie Que Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 7:46 pm
Lee Anne should be depressed but not for being the other woman. She wasn't the other woman she was the next one. As far as her being responsible she fell for a story from a lying man who was married to a "pig with a dirty mouth who whines all the time about how she was done wrong". Leave her alone and trash the man who knew he'd married the wrong woman.
DHB Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Guessing that Leann is most likely and undiagnosed bipolar person vs just being depressed. She needs to get off the drama train and visit a specialist.
tera Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:16 pm
this is not the first nor will it be the last time that a woman or man broke up a marriage…such as:
Angie N Brad
Tom and Rita
Tori and Dean
Nancy Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:34 pm
I think LeAnn and Eddie are both SKANKS!~!!
I hope the same happens to them. No matter what a marriage is going through, you either work it out, get a divorce, and then move on, you DO NOT interfere with a current marriage. I think they need to divorce and feel what it is like to do so.
LeAnn complains too much and Eddie is not apologetic at alL. ANGELINA AND BRAD PITT all over again. Both sets of redos are SKANKS, and I do not listen to her music anymore NOR do I go to the movies starring them. Eddie WHO!!!!
Nancy Says:
May 29th, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Carol G. Says:
May 30th, 2013 at 5:19 am
In response to Doug – obviously you think that anyone that has "sinned" shouldn't be talking about other people – it's the old "stones and glass houses" situation. However, if people want to air their dirty laundry to the public then they have opened themselves up to the comments.
Kelly Says:
May 31st, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Poor Leann, really disgusting and pathetic? Why is she still with him them.
Cynthia M Says:
June 5th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
I personally love Brandi as she is a tell it like it is kind of person who won't take crap from anyone. I also Love Leanne's music. The main problem here is Eddie Cibrian. He led Brandi to believe everything was wonderful with their marriage whilst all the time he was cheating on her and her Children. Apparently his marriage vows and family meant nothing to him. As for Leanne cheating on her husband, I feel horrible for him as I am sure he never deserved any of this. Quit name calling people have any of you thought about how the children will feel reading your so called opinions on their parents and their spouses. I think everyone needs to grow up and leave all involved alone. Brandi and Leanne's husband did not deserve what was done to them in any way shape or form. Thankfully they can move on to better futures with people who deserve and respect them. Hopefully all will start getting along for the children so they will have a stable upbringing.
ann Says:
June 14th, 2013 at 2:08 pm
LeAnn doesn't feel guilty,when she cheated with Eddie she kept trying to keep in touch with him calling and texting.She never shuts up about this,she trying to play the victim.She has Eddie,but she is obessesed with Brandi.I do believe Brandi when she said Eddie didn't want a divorce,and that he thought LeAnn was ugly


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Candeo Hotels Shimada
Candeo Hotels Shimada is a budget boutique hotel in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
This hotel in Shimada is located within access to Tomei express way and a new airport will be opening soon. (Google Map)
Shimada is surrounded by nature and famous for tea harvesting and you can enjoy fresh green tea. You can visit Shimada Rose Hill Park, where you can observe 350 species of roses all the seasons.
Also you can enjoy preserved steam locomotives, named Oigawa Railway. Candeo Hotel Shimada is the best choice for both business use and leisure use in Shimada. We look forward to your visit to our hotel.


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We are providing the premium access to all file hosting and other accounts for which you are looking for and can't find any good and reliable seller. Our prices are the most reliable and lowest in all over the world. Now you can get the premium access to all file hosting accounts for high speed downloading and uploading.
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provide you.
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Or Pay with other Mode of payments


text:
ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- KMK Media Group announces a new addition to its staff: Shaun Kehoe, a lifetime Poplar Grove resident, joins KMK as its new Web Developer. Kehoe will be responsible for developing website programming, maintenance and assisting clients.
"I'm really looking forward to working on so many exciting web projects at KMK," pointed out Kehoe. "I'll get the chance to help all kinds of clients and many different kinds of companies develop effective websites that will allow them to reach their goals. I'm looking forward to the chance to learn a great deal about what all these companies do in our region as part of the KMK team."
Kehoe graduated from North Boone High School and Rock Valley College. He's currently enrolled at Northern Illinois University and will finish his Bachelor's Degree in computer science in 2015.


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Home : Brands : Pur Minerals : Pur Minerals Eye Liner :
Different styles of makeup application allow us to look older, younger, sweeter, or perhaps even bolder and sassier. Eye liner is one product in particular that allows us to accentuate our eyes, defining them for a more seductive look that shows up well in person and also in photos. Think of eye liner products as a surefire way to dress up your eyes to be more noticeable. Different eye liner colors can achieve a variety of results, from making the eyes "pop" to making them appear larger or even more glamorous.
The collection of Pur Minerals Eye Liner Products includes eye liner pencils in a variety of shades, designed for easy application and longtime wear. These eye liners also feature self-sharpening for convenience and the pür-fect smudge-tip applicator to allow for easy blending and the creation of the smoky eye look. The Pur Minerals Eye Liner Products lineup features colors like Onyx, Black Amethyst, and Chocolate Mica for a fine variety in eye makeup color schemes. Tracing your upper and lower lash lines with makeup like the pencils in the Pur Minerals Eye Liner Products collection can transform your entire look to appear more alluring than ever.
To add one or more items to your bag, check the box to the left of each desired
item and then click the "Add to Bag" button at the top or bottom of the page. Items
are listed in SKU number order.
The eyes carry a reputation of being the windows to the soul, so keeping our eyes looking lovely can do wonders for our outward appearance as well as our inner mystique. Whether using a traditional brown or black eye liner or a more modern and colorful eye liner, the added definition creates a new look that makes a great and lasting impression. The complete line of Pur Minerals Eye Liner Products features beneficial cosmetics that redefine a look while also offering convenience through self-sharpening and precision application.
Pur Minerals Eye Pencil Onyx defines eyes for a long-lasting look that can be crisp or smudged to create your desired style. This mechanical eye pencil self sharpens for convenience and offers hours of wear. This black mineral eye pencil also features the pür-fect smudge-tip applicator, which works well to blend products or to create a dramatic and daring smoky eye look. This cosmetic is gentle and non-irritating and offers continuous wear during the day and at night.
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Pur Minerals Eye Pencil Chocolate Mica offers a gorgeous brown hue to enhance your eyes. The warm brown tone is a lovely accent for earth tones and other makeup palettes.


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Each year the Gaston County Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) honors our community servants. These exceptional people have gone above and beyond their call of duty.
These recipients will be recognized at the 65th Annual Distinguished Service Awards at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Gaston Country Club.
If you are interested in attending, tickets are available on the Gaston County Jaycees website at www.gastoncojaycees.org until Monday for $50.
CaroMont Health is the presenting sponsor.
Location, ST | website.com


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Negotiating Strategies for Outsourcing
March 17, 1999
As companies continue to outsource many of their HR functions, it's important to know how to negotiate contracts with the right vendor. Keep the following in mind:
- Know your needs and goals.
- Institute a detailed RFP (request for proposal) process.
- Specify company/vendor responsibilities.
- Set detailed performance standards.
- Determine growth rates.
- Don't use a vendor's standard contract.
- Don't sign incomplete contracts.
- Don't set a reporting system for convenience.
- Don't neglect your employees.
- Don't ignore the vendor's motives.
SOURCE: Winning Strategies for Outsourcing Contracts, Personnel Journal (now Workforce), Jennifer J. Laabs and Brenda Paik Sunoo, March 1994.


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Chicken Osso Buco Style
Chicken so special, you'll swear it was prepared by a restaurant.
- 4 chicken breasts, skin and fat removed
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 large carrot
- 1/2 cup celery
- 1- 8 oz. Italian-style stewed tomatoes
- 1 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
- Spray skillet with cooking spray
- Over medium-high heat, add chicken and salt
- Cook until golden brown on both sides
- Transfer to bowl
- Meanwhile, cut onion and dice carrots and celery
- Add to skillet and cook on medium 10 minutes until lightly browned
- Return chicken to skillet; add tomatoes
- Heat to boiling over high heat
- Reduce heat to low
- Cover and simmer 25 minutes or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced
User Feedback(Page 1 of 1, 1 total comments)
This dish actually had a lot of flavor. I will definitely make this again.


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Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld wants his colleagues to approve a police recruit class for next year, the first since June 2008.
There currently are 1,022 sworn officers in the Cincinnati Police Department, along with 115 non-sworn staff. The high-mark during the past decade occurred in 2008, when there was a total of 1,148 sworn officers and 229 non-sworn staff.
By November 2013, based on department retirement projections and without the addition of a new recruit class, the Police Department's complement will be down to 964 sworn officers — 184 fewer sworn officers than in 2008.
"By the end of 2014, without the addition of a recruit class, our police force will be 197 officers below the authorized complement level," Sittenfeld wrote in a memo to his colleagues.
"The Police Department has communicated the importance of a recruit class as a simple reflection of the numbers," he added.
Other council members haven't yet weighed in on the issue, which is a topic that likely will be brought up during budget hearings later this year.


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Respond to Review of Gelarmony - Marcantonio Colonna
by SnuggleBear
Review: We had visited about five gelaterias from Happy Cow during our stay in Italy. This was the final one and the best. You have to go to the back to get the soy options, but they are plentiful and hard to choose. It is a bit further removed from the tourist zones and about 2 miles north of the Vatican. The whipped cream on top (something we saw at no other gelateria) was so light and wonderful. I think I had caffe, choco-hazlenut, and coconut. Definitely worth the out-of-the-way walk!
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This week marked the beginning of Lent – a period of soul preparation before Easter. While many are giving up chocolate or Facebook or something they love during these weeks, I'm refraining from fasting something specific in an effort to use this time to more intentionally examine my life and reorient my schedule/priorities.
I'll explain more about my personal goals for Lent later, but for now I want to share what has emerged as the overarching theme of this season of introspection:
It's me, isn't it?
Things that I've been reminded of…
- Thinking that I am entitled not to respond to someone's entitlement complex indicates that I have a problem with entitlement.
- Comparing how humble I am with how prideful others are is a form of pride.
- Withholding love from those who refuse to be loved reveals my inability to love.
- Being reluctant to point out that others are reluctant is a display of my own reluctance.
- [This list could go on for awhile... ]
Even armed with the best excuses and rationalizations, I'm still always the root of the problem. When I critique the lives of others, I shouldn't be looking for a list of ways they can change because my criticism isn't nearly as indicative of their character as it is of mine. My problem is my entitlement complex, my pride, my inability to love, my reluctance, my ______
The only one responsible for my actions and my character is me. Yes, circumstances and relationships and events may influence my life for better or worse. But, I am the one who decides how I respond.
I can choose to justify finding faults in others, or I can choose to examine my own heart. I can wallow in my circumstances, or I can allow the joy of the Lord to be my strength. I can complain, or I can be grateful for the experience. I can remain anxious, or I can offer every worry, concern, and dream up in prayer.
Yes, things are sometimes more complex than making a simple choice, but even then - I'm the only one who can live my life. And more importantly, I'm the only one who can decide to give over my attempts to control my life in exchange for the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.
It's definitely not about me, but it is certainly up to me.
Chi Alpha used the tagline "It's not about me" for its first World Mission Summit and then "It's up to me" for its second. It was easy to mock the seemingly contradicting statements, but now I think I understand.
It's really not about me. I mean it can be if I choose to make it about me, but what is the benefit in that? I'm boring, incapable, and immortal. Why wouldn't I want my life to be about an exciting, perfect, infinite God?
I'll quickly caveat that the phrase "it's up to me" is deceiving. It's only up to me to choose to seek and obey God, and it really has more to do with who He is than who I am. Even my choice to seek Him is empowered by Him in some way. So while I don't quite understand how the whole free will thing works, I do know that it is up to me to determine how I live my life and what sort of person I become.
Lent is reminding me that no matter what I see in the world or people around me…. at the end of the day, my problem is always me.
It's me who avoids awakening…
Jesus asks me to tarry with Him, and I fall asleep. It's not my exhausting day to blame. It's not the fact that the garden is a comfy place to rest. It's not because the other people following him fell asleep too. It's not even a strategic plan designed to conserve my energy for greater things ahead. It's because I am too weak to make the choice to tarry.
Are you asleep too? If so, perhaps you should stop waiting for the world to awaken, and realize it's you whose to fault for your slumber…
As Jesus says: "Get up, let's get going" (Matt. 26:46).


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Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Manhood Therapy
This is a therapy based on ancient Malay massage technique aimed at maintaining and improving men's virility. The lower body parts such as the abdominal area, inner thigh, perineum and inguinal area related to male sexual function are treated and not just limited to the sexual organ. The principle behind this therapy is to stimulate the nerves and clear the blood circulatory path to the groin area, thereby enhancing the blood flow to the genital and its related organ. This brings nourishment and maintains the sexual health in general subsequently. The therapy is essentially an energy work aims towards enhanced blood circulation and chi (sexual energy) flow. In the Tao of Sexology, sexual energy plays important role in supporting our physical and mental functions and improving health.With regular sessions and practising 'holdback' technique, one would cultivate his sexual energy which in turn re-energises the body, enhances the immune system and promotes cells regeneration to slow down the aging process. Thus, this therapy is a holistic approach in maintaining one's sexual health and general well-being.The technique works on the whole body and not limited to the groin only. Thus, it entails a body massage when done as a standalone. Acupressure points related to sexual vitality and the lower four chakras (energy centers) of the body are manipulated to stimulate the energy flow. When one's chi(flow of energy) are well opened and connected, this would facilitate the free flow of the sexual energy emanated from the sexual glands (testes and prostate). The sexual glands and organ would thus be massaged to promote the production of this sexual energy. Besides, sexual glands also produce hormones that help rejuvenate cells and tissues. These sexual glands are so important that Taoists regard them as a stove, which produce the fire (energy, hormone). Without a stove, nothing can be cooked. Thus if the sexual glands become dysfunctional, our body will deteriorate concomitantly.Massaging the sexual organ (penis) has on purpose. One is a form of reflexology targeting the kidneys, liver, spleen-pancreas, lungs and heart. The other is to ensure smooth blood circulation at area around of penis.The overall massage on the lower abdomen, inner thigh and groin area would effectively promote the blood circulation, which brings nourishment to the sexual glands and organ. At the same time activating the numerous nerves ends surrounding the areas and organ. Ancient exercise technique to maintain one's virility, prevent and overcome sexual related problems is also incorporated in the therapy and will be taught to further sustain the benefits of this therapy.
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