" isn't this supposed to be a page for discussion and not slamming one another for their opinions? Isn't that what makes America great? My, my I used to like coming here and reading the views but now it is so personal... "

" How can you dislike someone intensely unless you know them? And you can not get to know someone on this website. But I can intensely dislike a person's opinion. Also, not everyone wants to know everything about their life here, just MY 2 cents! Thank you for not sharing! I personally don't care who a person is, but I respect their privacy to share what and where they want.

Obama's reverand was his spiritual advisor for over 20 years! Although Obama is distancing himself now, before everyone knew about this reverand, he was a close personal friend. Obama's kids take their religion classes from him, and they worship with him! Obama says he rediscovered Jesus because of this man! Obama also titled his book based on his sermon, I do believe. Hillary is the best choice, in my opinion! "

" I hear ya on the "INTENSLY dislike" BUT I have followed my own code/professionalism which is in line with cm - NEVER! I deal with very sensitive/personal info on a daily basis and am privy to much of what others arent, so that training just auto kicks in. I dont remember him giving quite all that info however, I am in no way defending him as its more than obvious he takes care of his own. We have handles so we can freely speak our minds regarding topics that w/n/b the best foder for a friendly cocktail or dinner party. The citizen has had quite a heavy hand censoring as of late and was surprised that was not deleted. "

" It seems everyone here is using a pseudonym. Just because you choose not to list your last name, doesn't mean someone knows who you are, so that is a pseudonym. Funny thing, yesterday I realized I was wearing a Manowar, Triumph of Steel shirt. My screen name I've used for about 10 yrs now. I don't give it much thought. But anyways, Karl with a K, I really didn't know you were such a political person. I know I don't really know you at all, other than meeting you in a bar with a hand shake. I do admire your guitar playing. The Earthshakers is a Great dvd. I guess I would rather know you as a musician, not a political debater. To me, politics and religion are topics that only bring anger. That's what starts wars. If you guys ever make it back to California, I will see you. "

" nature lover--I thought that too, but its between karl and FG..
If he disapproved he would have stated so instantly.

being a supervisor in this crazed world-I have a strong policy on employees giving out info on others! NEVER NEVER NEVER!
Never tell someones shift schedule-Never give out someones personal phone number-Unless you have their permission!

"

" Karl had "given up" his identity here before, so I wasn't "outing" him. I wouldn't do that to someone here who chose to be anonymous, even if it were someone I disliked intensely. "

" The President is slowly but surely eroding the power of Congress and paving the way for him to declare a "state of emergency" or purposes of "national security" so he can call the shots without having to fret about any silly "checks and balances."

We are already seeing publicly the attacks on our Constitution and on our legally guaranteed rights to privacy, with the "excuse" of "national security."

It's why I recommended the Wolf book -- she outlines exactly which rights have been circumvented which ways by whom to what purpose -- important things to know. It's the kind of information you cancross-check for yourself, and it hasn't got any mud-slinging, or rubbish about who slept with whom, though it does trace POLITICAL relationships with organizations like Blackwater.

There have been other countries, even in our lifetimes, which started out with some sort of Congress or Parliment or other law-making body which thought it had a balance to the power of one man -- and who were completely subverted before the day was over.

Our Congress has lost its teeth, not to mention its b*lls. They are so busy being namby-pamby, trying not to look bad to their constituents all the while they are making sure they vote in accordance with the dictates of their corporate sponsors who happily scr*w all of us for their profits that we're in trouble if we are counting on Congress to keep a rogue politician in line. "

" Perhaps you should have thought twice b4 YOU gave up Karl's identity. That was his choice not yours. Many of us havent divulged websites available regarding anyone else because this is a small community. Boo boo in my opinion. "

" quiveringthigh--you'll admit that the editor has edited "quite a few posts" of ours to me and YOU'RE calling ME "this person with such an angry side"?!?!
Methinks you have blinded yourself in hypocrisy...
Here's something to think about, qt; I AM true to myself--true enough to say what I mean, and to defend it and stand behind it. If I make an a$$ out of myself, so be it. I live, I learn, I improve, I grow. I leave that possibility open, and don't hide behind pseudonyms.
Ross is cool, his music rocks--hope you enjoy it as much as I. "

" I agree with the Bush and Cheney banking on the oil prices or SOMETHING would have been done by now! I don't give a crap about supply and demand - supply is NOT low. When is the last time you seen a station just run out? Most of our oil comes from Canada and Pedro. Gas just magically started creeping when Bush came into office - what a surprise! "

" Voters are factually silly to believe things will change due to 1 president-thru all the BS, mudslinging, he slept with 200yrs ago, blah blah blah there are another 500+ in CONGRESS that make the decisions too.

Google every presidential election, they are all the same-promises, sex, lies,and now videotapes!

"

" Who are any of you to say AMERICA isn't ready for a woman or an African American in the White House? Since when do YOU speak for all America??? After this last president in office, I am READY for someone who will turn this country back around and get us on our feet, no matter what ethnicity or gender they are. White men aren't the only ones in this country that are qualified to do so!!!
I sure hope the people on this racist and chauvinist kick are not teaching your children the same. If so, we as a human race will never be able fully come together as ONE like we were meant to be. "

" So Karl with a K, is Manowar's guitar player. I did not need to google it to learn. Hmm kind of funny, I have met you and you were very quiet. I have been a Manowar fan since Donny Hamzik was the drummer. I have known Joey like forever. And Louie is very cool and indeed kind. I would've never known you were this person with such an angry side. Karl, I am shocked to know that you would be this person. I guess I will focus more on Shakin Street. Ross is more true to his heart. Sorry Karl, indeed I am NOT a pervert. Like Farmer's gal said it is just a screenname, never used for internet dating, but it at one time was the name of my metal band back in the late 80's. We were kids and never made it out of the garage. I may not be as famous as you, but I am a musician that works very hard. I am also well known in my town, as a person that is a productive and nice person. I didn't come to this board to start trouble, or attack other posters. Think about it, read my old posts. I will also not allow people to slam me. I am very strong when it comes to that. The editor has EDITED quite a few of my posts to you. Maybe for the better, I don't know, but am very disappointed with this person. I may not even bother with this anymore, like I said before, I didn't come here to get flamed, especially by someone that I did respect as a good musician. "

" I choose to mostly read biographies, or authors that have real value to add to this non-sense world.
Everyone has their would be/should be/could be views of the country.

The war wasnt for nothing-Saddam is gone! If we didnt follow the rules of NATO, Iraq would be a dust-hole like Japan. I think most Americans would have been happy with that.

If Nov. is black vs. war, instead of man vs. man, I disagree and think war will prevail. I also think if it is to be those choices there will be riots and such. This election will not be peaceful.

If Nov.is woman vs. war, she has a good shot of winning. She speaks in reality terms of ending the war, such as aiding the good iranian people, employees/US citizens placed in safer locations, then troops head home. The election will be alot of mud-slinging words, but not violent.

Iran war will be next for they are pushing the buttons.
China is also a possibility-slimmer due to exports & imports, Yet too many "poison" the Americans & now buddy-up with Cuba to drill in the Gulf is opening SOME eyes.

Terrorism will never end-but we cannot let that area hide or pass thru our borders again.
"

" For once I agree with you Karl L...

The Two Cents Column brain-tank is bone-dry with thoughts or worthy topcis as of late. I think you and Farmers Gal should take over the column! @ least you guys provide lots of insight and thoughts on various topics....

YES TO TURF! hahaha....having some fun :-) "

" excnyer -- I understand how you feel -- and did not vote for many years for similar reasons, or I'd write in my mother -- because I was so disgusted by the so-called "choices" on the ballot.

Mostly, I still feel that way, but I am making myself pick the candidate I find least offensive (still a lesser of multiple evils) just to vote AGAINST McCain/The War. But I respect completely your decision not to vote, not to participate in the charade.

BTW, Karl is(used to be?) in a heavy metal band known world-wide; he HAS traveled, since he didn't mention that himself. Google Manowar for yourself.

I think he said that you said that HE was a racist and chauvinist -- in that post the other day. I also think a relatively minor misunderstanding is getting blown up out of proportion between you two. Whether or not America is ready to elect a black man (or a woman) is a debatable topic. I take one view, you take the other, but I don't think either view makes either of us racist (or sexist). Ditto anyone else with an opinion on the subject.

BTW, I thought quiveringthigh was a kinda cool handle. Back in the day when I did the online dating thing, I was "hotstockings" -- before my football injury, my vitamin D deficiency and some other weird health problems, I was quite trim with good legs, so I thought the moniker was cute. Alas, though I naively had not intended such, my "cute" handle brought all kinds of perverts and strange-Os out of the woodwork. Stick to it if you like it, but be prepared for "comments." "

" quiveringthigh---judging from your recent comments, you are BOTH racist and chauvinistic!
Pot, meet kettle!
And what the hell kind of name is "quiveringthigh" anyway? What are you, some kind of pervert? LOL! "

" karl
When did I say I was a racist or a chauvinist? I just said that I didn't think America is ready for a woman or non-white president. You can be sure that I will not be voting this November for any nominee: male, woman, black or white. I am glad that I moved out of NY. Maybe you should do some traveling so you can have a broader view of the USA instead of just looking out your window in Auburn. "

" Sharpton is a scumbag and a perpetrator of lies (and was characterized PERFECTLY by Tom Wolfe in the novel, Bonfire of the Vanities, in the character of Rev Bacon -- written BEFORE the Tawana Brawley fiasco. But skip the movie -- it stunk). The less we hear from him, the better.

As far as I am concerned, the Jena 6 stuff was a media event and a case of reverse racism as well. It was wrong to hang a noose in a tree as they did, but there is no way that is a worse act than beating another person almost to death.

Yes, I would agree that Jesse Jackson is racist, at least on some levels.

Believe me, I know about racists, and I know they are around, but overall, the momentum has built up enough I don't think they are any longer a big enough portion of the voters to stand against the majority's dislike of the war and the Republicans who stand for it. In the end, I think even many Americans will overcome their prejudices against blacks and women so they can cast a vote against the war-mongering Republicans.

You know, cm, I think this war is different than previous wars. Wars, if allowed to run their natural course, will indeed come to an end. That IS what happened in the past. But I don't think we can count on the past to predict the future this time.

This war has been orchestrated to last in perpetuity (because, after all, you really cannot wipe out terrorism, no matter how evil and destructive it is) for the personal advancement of a small elite group of persons and corporations - which makes it very different indeed. It will not be allowed to come to a natural end unless We the People do something about those who are orchestrating it.

Human nature being what it is, I daresay we'll see other wars. But we will just keep on seeing this one, spreading, growing, going on for generations, wiping out people, resources, and everything else to line the pockets of the powerful few who use their propaganda rhetoric to convince us of it's a "just cause" for as long as they can milk it.

Again, I have to recommend Naomi Wolf's book The End of America. I think some of her analogies are overdone, but the way she lays out what is happening right now today is a real eye-opener and necessary to understand what's going on.

I can think of lots of reasons why people might hate America -- or rather, they might think they hate America when what they really hate is how our government and corporations (practically the same thing) behave (and have behaved in the past) in the world. I think patriotic, red-blooded Americans SHOULD be disgusted with our government and with people who think the current government is OK.

BTW, Michelle Obama never said she hated America. She said she was proud of American for the first time in her life, which would SEEM TO IMPLY she was NOT proud of America before. There may be many reasons for that, or, more likely, it was just a poor choice of words to express how glad she is to be feeling a sea-change in current American attitudes towards an African-American candidate. But in no way did she ever say anything about hate -- that's how the media twists our perceptions and puts words in the mouths of public figures they never said. "

" Fire destroys Weedsport home where 5-year-old "Real Hero" lived

Karl maybe this family can't afford their child since they are financially in a rut, right now!

QUACK QUACK! "

" The war will eventually be over-as those were before my time.
The economy will always struggle -as it did before my time.
ALL of congress will never be punished--as it was before my time, has been thru my life, and will be long after I am gone!
"

" Racist and chauvinistic are two entirely different words. And remember, Jesse Jackson IS a RACIST. "

" Hey movedsouth--I don't particularly care if Obama, his wife, or his pastor hate America for the slave trade. If they do, they have their right to; they're black.
What I care about is getting out of this damned war, rescuing the economy, and the indictment and prosecution of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Wolfowitz for War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity. "

" Thank you excnyer. for moving out of New York State and taking your misogyny and bigotry with you. We don't need anymore bigots like you around here.
And hey--wasn't it YOU who was just accusing ME of being "racist" and "chauvinistic"?!?!?!
H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E ! ! ! ! ! ! ! "

" karl, have you heard Obama's wife's comment about being proud of America for the first time in her adult life, or his pastors views on life? I know his pastor may not reflect his view, but there is question whether he was in attendance when some of these comments were made. You vote for him and get somebody that hates America because of the slave history. "

" sorry FG,
maybe a woman pres might slide-but not a black one--not yet
racism exists, some places stronger than others.
Notice how quiet it is concerning the follow-ups on the Jena 6?
Notice sharpton and his alikes haven't been in the news?

Things will get very heated in NOV. "

" On the contrary, I think we are indeed ready for a female or non-white President. The American public may just surprise you, excnyer, but we'll both have to wait until November to know for sure. "

"
I have too agree with CM posting
Think OBAMA is better suited to
be Oprah's CO-Host than President.
"

" The Democrats will lose in November no matter which candidate gets the Democratic nomination for the following reason: The US voting public is not ready for a woman or non-white president. "

" todays Obamas BS in the paper:
1. In Indiana--blah blah blah JFK--he is not and JFK wasnt that great!

2. He had NOT heard those kinds of sermons from Rev. Wright while attending services!
A. what did he hear during NON-SERVICE hours? 23yr relationship--lets not LIE or pretend it's NOT A DUCK!

3."Before Obama took the stage, a prayer was said, a RARITY for his events but a good nod to the conservative tradition of Indiana."
A. again-be who you ARE, not a fake & phony, or for show for the "conservative Indiana voters"

can't be anymore plainer:
IT's A DUCK!!!
"

" Why were the third and fifth comments left up with the new comments? "

" Karl, forget Obama, his popularity may be up right now--but after NOV it will take a dive!
I too want change, but saying and doing it are 2 different actions!
Nothing will be accomplished in Congress when the 2 sides are way off target on too many issues.
I support our troops, Yet agree we must bring war to a close. Only to be ready physically & mentally for the next set of 9/11'ers!
for they will come!

"

" My guess is a combo of #1 and #2, Karl. We have seen a real dearth of decent Two Cents starter comments since it was pulled from the print. When I am out and about around Auburn, I hear complaints about the loss of Two Cents from the paper regularly, and, of course, we see it here too.

We know that this can be a rich forum for discussion, not just sniping. We've seen this portion really evolve.

But the top portion, the Two Cents part, the "starter comments" are really drying up since the print version was pulled. These comments come primarily from people who DO NOT READ THE ONLINE version -- and without the "reward" of occasionally seeing their comments in print, a lot of them seem to not be commenting any more.

I still think the print version was pulled because some politician didn't like taking flak from unhappy constituents and put pressure on the paper, made them afraid the politician might take action or something.

Well, kids, "public figures" are open to being criticized in ways that private individuals are not, and either way, the paper isn't responsible for what letter-writers say.

Citizen, you can still decline to publish things you think are defamatory in a legal way -- but bring back the print version of Two Cents -- for us here, and esp. for folks who don't or won't read the online version. "

" Have you ever thought we as a people are foolish. We happily pay extra for a trade name item vs. no name items. We let Auto Dealers put their name on OUR car, and we do not charge them for advertizing. I think we all should start charging the dealers for this or have them remove their names. Afterall it's not like they built the car, they just sold it. We go to Boat, RV, other shows and places and give our time, gas and money to go spend more money, they should pay us! We pay extra for white letter tires to again advertize a company for free and pay extra for it. We as a consumer should start demanding more from the businesses who think they are the only ones out there. We have a choice of where to spend our money and the business need to start learning what the customers want or close up shop. "

" Well so the "new" Two Cents comments are up.
Citizen, I have a serious question.
Is this REALLY the bulk of the "thoughts" posted to Two Cents"?
As I see it, this shows that the Two Cents forum is either A. dying, because you took it out of print, B dominated by one pathetic Obama-hater who has nothing better to do, or C. being used as a de facto political opinion page against the best candidate and brightest hope for America.
If the latter is true, then this is nothing but irresponsible journalism.
If "A" is true, then I will offer you that without "Two Cents", your traffic here on the cyber site will dwindle to next-to-nothing, based upon the lack of commentary that you see in those pathetic blogs and on most articles.
If "B" is true, well, then this person is gonna be dead of a heart attack anyway after PRESIDENT OBAMA is elected, so I guess the question is, can "Two Cents" hold on until November??? "

" Hey Citizen Webitor--OK now, you've had your fun for the day, now howzabout getting on with fixing that crrrrAPPPY "Search" feature? =(
You can't find a damned thing with it!
BTW; I am voting for Obama...;) "