outside the United States and raised in a different culture with it's unique customs, history, and people. I love the music, the food, but most of all I love the language. It has a poetry, sensuousness and humor that does not translate well. I still speak my native tongue, mainly with with my my elder relatives.

America is my home now, and English is my second language. I love the Blues, Jazz and baseball. I love kielbasa and beer, I don't like sushi. I love the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and eating in Greektown on any Friday night. The Chinese New Year celebration is wild and colorful, and you better be careful in Little Italy. I dig watching world cup soccer in a German bar then salsa dancing to finish the night.

I could never do this in my native land. This is why I love this country.

This Medicare prescription drug fiasco did not happen by accident. They intended for the sick and poor seniors to be unable to either understand the scheme or pay the increase.

If the weakest among us die, there will be less money "wasted" on them and their benefits. This is the repug "cost-cutting" attitude. It was premeditated.

I had to help my mom navigate this plan and it was a nightmare. I can only imagine what those elderly who don't have families to help them must be going thru.

The economic policies of this chimp have already caused enormous damage to the shrinking middle class. The stated objective of these policies is to enrich his monied friends (corporate sponsors like big oil, big pharma, defense contractors, insurance industry) at the expense of the rest of us.

His medicare prescription drug scheme has physically endangered the weakest among us. It is tantamount to economic genocide.

The chimp and his minions have so much as said the equivalent of "Let them eat cake." We know what happened to the last person who said that.

The first part captures all the apprehension and love and affection of the families for whom this war is immediate. They cling to hope and use prayer in hopes of keeping their loved one safe. The teary faces reveal the insecurity and fear that envelops them.

The second part shows the devastation when those prayers go unanswered and the apprehension turns to grief. When a loved one dies, so does hope. Death is the final insult to these people.

This war is a mockery and its perpetrators have the blood and suffering of the world on their hands. They must be held accountable.

K&R

the same status and value as street gangs. You are assigning the negativity. Patriotism is the same type of feeling as gang loyalty. Your countrymen are your "homies"

When you "swear allegiance" that means you will support to the death. You only swear that deathly allegiance to a country, a religion, or gangs like the mafia, Crips, or Bloods.

My point is that all nations and street gangs serve the exact same functions for its members, the only difference is the size of the group and the scale of the weapons.

In the rarefied air of altruism, or in the stench of political spin, your points are valid. In our current political world, I'm afraid my points are true. Today, we are the baddest gang of all not because of our high ideals, but because of our weaponry.

The chimp and his minions have forfeited our moral high ground. It's going to be very hard regaining it.

international gang symbols/colors. Most countries are nothing but your average street gang on steroids. They protect their turf, eliminate rival businesses, protect it's members, demand allegiance and dues from them (taxes), make their own unique set of laws and traditions, and establish their own hierarchy, etc.

The US is the most powerful street gang on earth.

Once you get past the early frustration, the guitar can take you away. Learn a few basic chords and you can sing every song known to man. Or you can write your own songs!

Singing is such an intimate activity. You guys can then learn to harmonize with each other and see how THAT feels.

Most people think they can't sing when their main obstacle is only self-consciousness.

Anyway your post made me happy tonight and I'm so grateful for music..... and musicians





PS: I expect occasional musical progress reports from both of you.

The people who actually order our soldiers into combat should be experienced enough about the realities of war to make informed decisions. The chimp and most of his advisors never served or knew the realities of war. To them war is a game using our soldiers and the Iraqi people as pawns to achieve a political goal. War is suffering, death, and destruction, not an ideological chess match.

Having this chickenhawk as commander in chief allowed him to play out his macho fighter pilot fantasies, put on a flight suit, and play soldier for the naive and easily manipulated repugs.

Our troops are dying needlessly because of this ignorance. I strongly object to that and I question our current leader's personal courage and intelligence. He is not qualified to send our troops into harm's way.

is the real threat terrorists pose to this country.

Can they take away our civil liberties? can they bankrupt our economy? can they neglect and ignore our poor and elderly? can they export our jobs overseas? can they lie us into an unjust and immoral war? can they steal our tax dollars and put us and our children into debt for the next 50 years?

can they fucking emasculate americans to be so afraid that we'll give up our long cherished bill of rights and accept a lying lawbreaking administration?

WTF can the terrorists do to hurt us!?!?

demand an answer from this brave cop.

I think I can hang out with someone for a couple of hours, not talk any politics, and still be pretty confident I can spot the conservative. Something about their demeanor and bearing usually give them away.

Here are some of the "tells"

1. If they are funny and generally good-natured - Liberal
If their jokes are racist or mean-spirited - conservative

2. If they can speak about the arts, music, aesthetics - Liberal
If they mainly bring up the subjects of their career or their possessions - conservative

3. When at a restaurant, if they ask for service - Liberal
If they order the waitstaff around - conservative

4. If they listen to what others are saying then respond - Liberal
if they try to dominate the conversation - conservative

5. If they enjoy intelligent, thought provoking movies - Liberal
if they can name the current WWF championship tag team - conservative

These are just a few items I've used that underwrite what the article is saying. People who are insecure tend to overcompensate by acting out being in control. When someone tries to always be in control, there are many "awkward" social moments. I know there are exceptions, but these have been pretty reliable indicators for me.

Anyone else have any repug "tells"? .... aside from the hood and sheet wardrobe?

In public statements, Hugo Chavez is starting to reflect my views more precisely. He is saying what we've known for a long time about the chimp. The chimp is worse than a proven liar and chickenhawk. These things need to be said, because the truth shall set you free!