Comments on: Encouraged http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/ Exposing the ugly truths about the Bush Administration. Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:48:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1.3 by: Bonnie http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537426 Fri, 09 May 2008 01:15:20 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537426 Glad to hear "Israel in Egypt" was a triumph. Some of my fondest memories are singing in a very large college choir and doing two big pieces--Mendelsohnn's "Elijah" and Faure's "Requiem." Even now, I get thrilled thinking about those two works of art. Since I am already way off topic, just wanted to say I retire on May 30. I can hardly wait. I will also be moving back to my home in the great Pacific Northwest, Tacoma, Washington, on June 30. While I vow to sleep for six months, I promise to check the Mahablog during my moments of consciousness. Glad to hear “Israel in Egypt” was a triumph. Some of my fondest memories are singing in a very large college choir and doing two big pieces–Mendelsohnn’s “Elijah” and Faure’s “Requiem.” Even now, I get thrilled thinking about those two works of art. Since I am already way off topic, just wanted to say I retire on May 30. I can hardly wait. I will also be moving back to my home in the great Pacific Northwest, Tacoma, Washington, on June 30. While I vow to sleep for six months, I promise to check the Mahablog during my moments of consciousness.

]]> by: Jonathan Versen http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537407 Thu, 08 May 2008 08:19:24 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537407 hi Maha, re the superdelegates-- did you hear about McGovern? He'd previously endorsed HRC, but today(Weds) he said he's backing Obama. That has to hurt her, possibly influencing others. I also heard she just announced she's lending her campaign another 6 million-- I'm curious what the election laws say about something like that-- is it a bad-faith loan if it's demonstrable that she knows she can't win at this point, as per the "reasonable person" test? If so, and she writes it off on her income taxes, would that be illegal? hi Maha,
re the superdelegates– did you hear about McGovern? He’d previously endorsed HRC, but today(Weds) he said he’s backing Obama. That has to hurt her, possibly influencing others.

I also heard she just announced she’s lending her campaign another 6 million– I’m curious what the election laws say about something like that– is it a bad-faith loan if it’s demonstrable that she knows she can’t win at this point, as per the “reasonable person” test?

If so, and she writes it off on her income taxes, would that be illegal?

]]> by: Swami http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537403 Thu, 08 May 2008 02:06:46 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537403 I don't think Hillary is unglued. She knows it's over, and she's just dragging it out to maximize her political advantage and future earnings. Hillary is all about Hillary and how she can best feather her nest. Why move aside for the good of the party or the nation when there's plenty to still be grabbed for the self? The poor little dear and her hubby were only able to scrape together a measly 105 million bucks over the past 7 years. How's a girl to live on such a paltry income in these difficult economic times if she doesn't lookout for her self? The bottom line is that Hillary is a cunning and vicious political animal who is engrossed in her own ambitions, and she's not capable of getting outside of herself to serve the American people. I'm glad so many people can recognize that truth and cast their vote to Obama. I don’t think Hillary is unglued. She knows it’s over, and she’s just dragging it out to maximize her political advantage and future earnings. Hillary is all about Hillary and how she can best feather her nest. Why move aside for the good of the party or the nation when there’s plenty to still be grabbed for the self? The poor little dear and her hubby were only able to scrape together a measly 105 million bucks over the past 7 years. How’s a girl to live on such a paltry income in these difficult economic times if she doesn’t lookout for her self?

The bottom line is that Hillary is a cunning and vicious political animal who is engrossed in her own ambitions, and she’s not capable of getting outside of herself to serve the American people. I’m glad so many people can recognize that truth and cast their vote to Obama.

]]> by: Doug Hughes http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537391 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:08:05 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537391 I fail to see how Clinton can lay any claim to understanding economics if she can't count. Heres the numbers as I read them from CNN. First Indiana: She won by 13,000 votes and picked up 4 more delegates North Carolina: He won by 223,000 votes and picked up 16 more delegates. Today Obama picked up 3 superdelegates; Clinton picked up 1. Overall, he won more states, more elections, more caucuses,more delegates. His lead in the popular vote is insurmountable. His lead in the delegate count is also beyond her wildest hope to catch up. Even if you give her FL & MI, she does not catch up in delegate or popular vote. Hellooooooo? Her 'claim' to the nomination rests in the argument she might do better against McCain. That suggests that superdelegates (most of who are elected officials - and will have to run again someday - )can give the finger to their constituants, go against the primary process entirely - and rip the nomination from the man who earned the prize - and give it to the candidate with better connections. The argument also presumes that black voters, who make up the largest, most reliable block of the democratic party, will line up behind Hilary after this travesty with no resentment or hurt feelings. True, there is a block of 'bubba' voters in the party who will not vote for a black man, but there's a much BIGGER block of black voters who will sit out this election entirely if they feel Obama is diched by the party elders after he earned the nod fair & square. IMO, most of those black folks would line up behind Clinton if she earns it - but not if she steals it. I fail to see how Clinton can lay any claim to understanding economics if she can’t count. Heres the numbers as I read them from CNN. First Indiana:

She won by 13,000 votes and picked up 4 more delegates

North Carolina:

He won by 223,000 votes and picked up 16 more delegates.

Today Obama picked up 3 superdelegates; Clinton picked up 1.

Overall, he won more states, more elections, more caucuses,more delegates. His lead in the popular vote is insurmountable. His lead in the delegate count is also beyond her wildest hope to catch up. Even if you give her FL & MI, she does not catch up in delegate or popular vote. Hellooooooo?

Her ‘claim’ to the nomination rests in the argument she might do better against McCain. That suggests that superdelegates (most of who are elected officials - and will have to run again someday - )can give the finger to their constituants, go against the primary process entirely - and rip the nomination from the man who earned the prize - and give it to the candidate with better connections.

The argument also presumes that black voters, who make up the largest, most reliable block of the democratic party, will line up behind Hilary after this travesty with no resentment or hurt feelings. True, there is a block of ‘bubba’ voters in the party who will not vote for a black man, but there’s a much BIGGER block of black voters who will sit out this election entirely if they feel Obama is diched by the party elders after he earned the nod fair & square. IMO, most of those black folks would line up behind Clinton if she earns it - but not if she steals it.

]]> by: maha http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537390 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:06:42 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537390 Bonnie -- Thank you for asking about <i>Israel in Egypt</i>. I thought it was a triumph, although I might be biased. I regret there haven't been any reviews, but we did get <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/27spotwe.html?_r=1&ref=music&oref=slogin">some pre-concert publicity</a> in the <i>New York Times</i>. Bonnie — Thank you for asking about Israel in Egypt. I thought it was a triumph, although I might be biased. I regret there haven’t been any reviews, but we did get some pre-concert publicity in the New York Times.

]]> by: DoubleCinco http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537389 Wed, 07 May 2008 22:34:24 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537389 This morning during Washington Journal a woman from Montana called and said that it was very important to her to once before she died to get to vote for a woman for President of the United States. I was touched by this and imagined that the symbolism of such a vote would be a very important validation for her. It is unfortunate that Hillary is the woman candidate this time, but I surely do hope that a woman is elected in my lifetime. This morning during Washington Journal a woman from Montana called and said that it was very important to her to once before she died to get to vote for a woman for President of the United States. I was touched by this and imagined that the symbolism of such a vote would be a very important validation for her.

It is unfortunate that Hillary is the woman candidate this time, but I surely do hope that a woman is elected in my lifetime.

]]> by: Bonnie http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537388 Wed, 07 May 2008 21:47:37 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537388 BTW, how was Israel in Egypt? BTW, how was Israel in Egypt?

]]> by: Richard Stearns http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537387 Wed, 07 May 2008 20:53:21 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537387 Although it would have been better for Mrs. Clinton to retire gracefully into the past First Lady role it is not too late. The children still need a village and she could lead a significant world wide attempt to alleviate the suffering and even stimulate healthy growth of millions of world children. She has not added qualitatively to world culture in the political role she chose, but has vast potential for contributing to a better world by leading an NGO for children. Although it would have been better for Mrs. Clinton to retire gracefully into the past First Lady role it is not too late. The children still need a village and she could lead a significant world wide attempt to alleviate the suffering and even stimulate healthy growth of millions of world children. She has not added qualitatively to world culture in the political role she chose, but has vast potential for contributing to a better world by leading an NGO for children.

]]> by: PW http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537386 Wed, 07 May 2008 20:39:04 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537386 I think she is indeed somewhat unglued. But I've been listening around this morning to what party insiders are (allegedly!) saying and what emerges is a narrative that makes sense, the one put forth by Todd Beeton, Larry O'Donnell, and others. The party doesn't want Hillary to get tossed out right after she's been behaving so badly, thus ruining a potentially useful political career. They also don't want her out right now and then win in WVa (which she almost certainly will), leaving Obama politically somewhat weakened. They want her to play nice for a week or so, emphasize unity, and then skedaddle as gracefully as possible after Obama's Oregon etc. wins, after graciously declaring him a winner, etc. Others are saying she will be more tenacious, hold on to hope that she could persuade the super d's to move her way. That's beginning to look extremely unlikely, being as how four have already moved to Obama since last night and up to a dozen are expected to follow shortly. Or she and Bill will try to corrupt the Rules Committee into doing their bidding. Others are adding that it's very difficult to suddenly put an end to a huge campaign organization full of loyalists many of whom are having a hard time facing reality. Therefore, stringing it out a bit gives her chance to dismantle the thing in a slow and kindly way. I think she is indeed somewhat unglued. But I’ve been listening around this morning to what party insiders are (allegedly!) saying and what emerges is a narrative that makes sense, the one put forth by Todd Beeton, Larry O’Donnell, and others. The party doesn’t want Hillary to get tossed out right after she’s been behaving so badly, thus ruining a potentially useful political career. They also don’t want her out right now and then win in WVa (which she almost certainly will), leaving Obama politically somewhat weakened. They want her to play nice for a week or so, emphasize unity, and then skedaddle as gracefully as possible after Obama’s Oregon etc. wins, after graciously declaring him a winner, etc.

Others are saying she will be more tenacious, hold on to hope that she could persuade the super d’s to move her way. That’s beginning to look extremely unlikely, being as how four have already moved to Obama since last night and up to a dozen are expected to follow shortly.

Or she and Bill will try to corrupt the Rules Committee into doing their bidding.

Others are adding that it’s very difficult to suddenly put an end to a huge campaign organization full of loyalists many of whom are having a hard time facing reality. Therefore, stringing it out a bit gives her chance to dismantle the thing in a slow and kindly way.

]]> by: felicity http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537370 Wed, 07 May 2008 18:02:22 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2008/05/07/encouraged/#comment-537370 Hillary may be unglued - her behavior would indicate such - but I suspect she'll stick out her campaigning in hopes of recouping some of the roughly $12 million of her own money she's sunk into it. Off the stage, the already diminshing donations to her campaign by her supporters will come to a dead stop. Hillary may be unglued - her behavior would indicate such - but I suspect she’ll stick out her campaigning in hopes of recouping some of the roughly $12 million of her own money she’s sunk into it. Off the stage, the already diminshing donations to her campaign by her supporters will come to a dead stop.

]]>