siegen

I have been asking for details of BO's background throughout '08, as have untold others. Even here I have asked this predominantly Democratic-supporting body of members for details, yet no one bothered to answer even 1 inquiry.

What is so critical that you need to know about him that you can't find? If you can't find it on the Internet already, then it's probably something ridiculously irrelevant. It's not like we all have a big Obama handbook of information, we know as much as you do, and find most of that information on the web just like you. Perhaps the people who you are asking simply don't want to do research for you.

Just because many of us are going to vote for Obama, doesn't mean we're a "Democratic-supporting body of members". That's one heck of a blanket statement. I personally don't care for democrats over republicans or vice versa, and I am probably voting Republican for state governor.

They can air campaign ads depicting McCain successfully operating a computer.

*Zing!*

It's amazing how fast this story has spread, and onto non-car sites too.

So if you reckon that you don't want to blow it up, is it really more like a 4.9 or 5.1 car?

That's probably a fair guess. Without an aggressive launch, the GT-R probably bogs down a little bit off the line. You can't feather the clutch or spin the tires, so it will be launching off low RPM's.

Yup, sat in a grey base model about $14,000 on Tuesday afternoon after work when I went brochure banditing. It was so ugly I wanted to barf. It was like that in pictures beforehand too (even worse than the previous model), and the dashboard was absolutely huge, when it didn't work in the 1990-96 GM minivans (the Dustbusters, of course), and it sure doesn't work now. Couldn't see very well out front and of course the seats were not height adjustable. My 1989 Buick Century was a model for front visibility, this was terrible, and the hood must be a mechanic's nightmare-I hate these small car designs these days! I call this Cab TOO FAR Forward! And 35 MPG highway? That's it??? Didn't the Civic get into the 40's highway a decade or more ago?

The Civic got 40mpg HWY with the old EPA rating. The Fit gets 1mpg less hwy mileage than the Civic currently, likely because it is less aerodynamic.

McCain has stated in the first two debates that "Obama will meet with Iran without preconditions", emphasizing the "without preconditions" part as a very negative thing.

Obama said what he means by that is that we still need "objectives" for the negotiations, but we shouldn't require them to meet certain conditions before we talk to them.

Here is Petraeus, who McCain says would be the first person he turns to for advice, saying that we need to talk to our enemies and adversaries (as long as they are reconcilable) with objectives for those talks. Essentially the same as what Obama said.

>>"Yes, Obama has similar appeal for me---he is closer to my age than McCain, very articulate, intelligent, a well-educated professional, computer literate and modern. McCain is of a time long ago past...he's of my mother's generation, an age group where people are enjoying retirement. He seems like a short tempered, mean old man out of touch with the modern world."<<

Ironically, this criteria for chosing the leader of the free world (he's my age, can e-mail & I like his neckties) immediately reminds me of my 93-yr old grandmother's criteria for chosing Bill Clinton; 'He's so handsome'.

How does "very articulate, intelligent, a well-educated professional, computer literate and modern" translate into "can e-mail & I like his neckties"? That's a bit of a stretch don't you think?

Ideally, the President should be well educated in all areas that are important to the office. Law, economics, history, political science, foreign policy, war, speech, and others. McCain and Palin combined have none of these skills, so IMO they bring nothing to the white house other than more politics.

What reputation would that be ???

Didn't you & I already go over this: he went under that name growing up. Does anyone who supports him know anything about him personally ??

>>"McCain is not the man he claims to be. He wants to get into the white house so bad he's obviously willing to do anything to get in."<<

Do you think BO is just out for an evening stroll here ??????? If anyone is not who he claims to be, it's BO. Tho that's a side-step: he's revealed almost nothing about himself and has denied what has come out. Don't forget- his is an "historic" bid we whites are duty-bound to elect to amend for our races' sins.

Yes I know the origins of "Barry" and when he went by that nickname, hence why I said "Barry instead of Barack". My question is, why do you call him that? It is a bit of a rhetorical question.

Obama is not the man he claims to be, personally I could care less about Ayers but what scares me is he feels comfortable around people like him. Another reason I am very scared of him. His socialistic views scare me and I am a middle class person with a 3 bedroom home in town a 60,000. I am still voting republican because I feel that his (McCains) values most closely follow mine less goverment and taxes for all. I also believe in him and his record of reform. I had considered voting for Hillary (always liked her not Bill) but once she was taken out it made my choice easier. ALOT easier because Obama is not one quater of the person Hillary was or an 1/8 of the man McCain is.

McCain is not the man he claims to be. He wants to get into the white house so bad he's obviously willing to do anything to get in. That's one thing that scares me about him. The attitude coming from McCain and Palin isn't helping either.

Obama has a good education including a JD. Biden has a good education including a JD. Obama's wife even has a JD. None of them come from rich families, and have had to work to get where they are. They have a lot in common with me, and I respect them because of it. That's what is influencing my vote. I honestly don't see how anyone can vote for McCain/Palin. A naval academy underachiever and a news reporter.

>>"2. anyone disrespecting that flag. there is blood from family and friends that make that RED white and blue."<<

I'm with ya there, but it doesn't bother Barry O'bama one bit. Ayers is a scumbag radical dip&#036;h&#33;, but he's a good friend & (informal) advisor to BO ("no; just a guy from the neighborhood"), not to mention campaign contributor, fund raiser, co-board member, campaign organizer, etc. 'Doesn't matter' the dem lemmings will tell you, 'Ayers only contributed $200' they will protest, 'BO was only 8 when the bombs were tossed' they will cry, as if that explains ANYTHING, as if anything anyone ever did in the past means nothing today. Throw open the doors of the prisions; whatever anyone did is all in the past and everyone is reformed and above reproach !! "They're all good eggs in there, they're all my brothers, let them out!" -Obama

I could really admire the BO campaign's ability to misdirect, defuse and obscure (on an international level perhaps) , if what was behind that wasn't nearly so insidious.

Why do you always refer to Obama as Barry instead of Barack? Are you trying to somehow defame his reputation or name by doing so? I don't think it's working.

Yeah, the "that one" line I thought was completely unnecessary and immature. Whether it was scripted or just McCain's inability to think on his feet, it's hard to say.

Another one of my favorite parts is when McCain tries to quote Obama's nuclear policy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJlnwVCA2eY (1:18)

The "that one" gesture was a nice passive aggressive WTF moment.

Speaking of WTF moments, McCain started off with this gem directed at Obama: "It's good to be with you at a town hall meeting". It doesn't seem too odd, except McCain followed it immediately by the little sarcastic snicker he does all too often. I don't recall Obama taking any shots at McCain in the first debate because McCain tried to cancel it and then changed his mind at the last moment. But because Obama didn't agree to any of the debates McCain proposed (and vice versa), McCain felt like he had to make that little sarcastic comment. It's completely tasteless and unprofessional.

I watched the debate finally. It was rough trying to avoid any news about it so I could develop my own opinion.

I counted "my friends" 14 times, but I may have missed one or two. Obama used the term "fundamental" a lot, which is tiring, but at least he used it in at least 3 different ways this time. Still not nearly as annoying as the catch phrases of McCain/Palin.

With the exception of McCain getting grumpy a couple times, I'd say it was a pretty equal debate. I saw a little more substance from McCain than I have previously, but there wasn't a whole lot of substance to go around really. What was that little blip McCain said about Obama's nuclear policy that he started to say and then quickly interjected "well you know" and went on with his spiel? That and a couple times right when he finished a statement and turned to go sit down, he would have a very tasteless grin on his face, as if saying "take that!".

McCain's voice irritated me through most of the debate. He sounded almost whiny and came off with a very matter-of-fact tone. The way he drags out all his words perhaps.

However, it is a damned nice car for 14k.

Not quite 14k. The base MSRP is $14,550. With $670 destination fee that is $15,220 for the base model.

Searching AutoTrader nationwide, the average sticker price is $17,610. That's out of 1,654 listings. It's more indicative of what you would actually pay if you wanted to purchase one, unless you are willing to wait for the factory to build and ship you a base model.

For comparison.

2009 Aveo $15,269 average sticker price out of 4,693 listings.

2009 Yaris $16,090 average sticker price out of 2,216 listings.

2009 Fit $17,610 average sticker price out of 1,654 listings.

That says nothing about features though. The average Fit is probably equipped better than the average Aveo or Yaris. They are all quite expensive though since they are in high demand. And of course the fewer available, the more dealer mark up potential.

argh, I'm in class. Why don't they schedule the debates around MY schedule?!

It's recording though.

no the flex and traverse both have three row seating.

i didn't realize the edge only had seating for 5. so the Edge actually sits between the Escape and Flex, right?

Isn't the Flex Ford's replacement for the minivan? Isn't the Edge direct competition to the Traverse?

Will McCain acknowledge that Obama is in the same room with him this time?

I think McCain, in his condition, will try to stay out of any close hand-to-hand combat, and perhaps use ranged weapons on Obama. Obama can probably lob one hell of a grenade though, if his basketball abilities are any indication. McCain is in for some trouble.

I don't think McCain will go for a Halo match either, he probably doesn't have good finger stamina or hand-eye coordination.

McCain can probably aim a gun better than Obama, as long as his body can still take the impact. Perhaps a sharp shooting contest?

Cobalt is probably a better real world car if it is going to see highway use.

Cobalt also strikes me as safer if something happens. I've got two teens in the family that will both be driving soon (and a third not far behind).

If something bad is going to happen, I would much rather it happen in a Cobalt than a Fit.

Not that I would wish ill on a Cobalt, it is a fantastic car.

Chris

I doubt the Cobalt will perform any better than the Fit in a crash. In a frontal collision, the Fit should mitigate passenger injuries better, especially in collisions with larger vehicles, due to the ACE body structure. The Fit also has active head restraints, which are supposed to help when getting rear ended (that's what she said).

In a side impact, you are probably equally screwed in each vehicle.

I thought Afghanistan was in China..... the whole Ackmadinoshad thing and our troops off fighting the terrorists, who are hellll bent on taking down this democracy.

hmmmm.....demolition derby.....

In the US the way you have it rigged you don't fit in either party

This is a big gripe of many concerning our political system, including myself.

"A syndicate of talent"?

Huh?

Well, if there was a McCain station, it would probably talk about Obama the entire time.

I don't understand the idea of it though. Nobody will listen to these stations, and especially not the people who aren't already sided. (Preaching to the choir.)

The woman is a governor, for God's sake.

She has been a governor for 2 years. Prior to that she was a mayor of a town of 5,500 population.

the difference between BO and SP is, BO is running for the TOP job... he just ain't READY.

Palin has attended 4 different colleges, before finally earning a degree in communications-journalism, and working as a sports reporter. She started her "political career" in 1992, although in my opinion her real political career didn't start until 2002 when she first ran for governor. The difference between her and Obama, is that Obama has a solid education; a BA in political science, and a Juris Doctor from Harvard. Obama has been doing things far more politically relevant than news reporting and beauty pageants prior to being elected to the Illinois senate and then the US senate. Obama is far more qualified in any political position than Palin is, and is ready for the white house. Palin is not ready to be a VP.

lol @ toyota