The Ojai Post

Thankyou Tyler

The only obscenity I detect on the Ojai Post is the perverted mind of Claire Kennedy! (see Glenn, etc.)

It troubles me to think of how many Americans have given their lives for our basic freedoms, only to have them vilified, twisted and trampled by so called "Christians," under the guise of "protecting" our moral fiber.

I live for the day when our children can grow up without having to endure the oppressive tyranny of phoney moralists who hide behind a jingoism that masks itself as the "correct" expression of patriotism or religion.

Claire, though you too have a right to express yourself and your beliefs, your mean spiritied desire to impose them on everyone else would also take down the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, not to mention most of the Old and New Testaments.

Is that a fish swimming in the grass? Miracles never cease.

Claire, why are you so easily offended. Most of my Christian friends don't have your mind set of easily offended values. Christ himself was a forgiving and giving person, who must have walked among women breast feeding their babies. Indeed, he must have been Breast fed himself lying in the manger while all were about. When I see a woman out in public breast feeding, it makes me smile, to see the nurturing and love that are present in that moment.

Christ himself would have admonished you for your lack of etiquette. Discharging your values in the reckless manner as you do is not how Christ did his witness. He walked his talk. He taught by example. People came to him.

Those that point fingers at others are turning away those who might otherwise have gone your path had they seen a witness by example.

Just as many claim that the Muslim faith has been hijacked, I to believe, that Christianity has been hijacked by the far out right, who have shown intolerance, arrogance and disdain for the rest of the country, including fellow Christians while they ruin our country.

You will not find too many sympathizers here in Ojai for your outbursts, from fellow Christians, or others.

I couldn't agree more with FCR and Dana!

I've been away from the Ojai Post for a few months because I simply got worn out by a few posters who couldn't seem to let a thread go by without having to spew forth some incoherent diatribe. (Specifically, I got tired of MT's unchecked, all-sweeping attacks against every part of our society that he, for some reason, seems to feel superior to, especially Christians. (Part of my interpretation of Christianity - at its core - is it's tenets of charity, kindness, activism, compassion for those less fortunate, empathy for others' suffering, and yes, dare I say it , inclusiveness.)

And look what graces the presence of the OP now!! Among the many "attributes" of Claire Kennedy that we have already (unfortunately) been subjected to (inappropriateness, mean-spiritedness, simple-mindedness about certain complex issues, etc.) we can now add an utter lack of decency and good taste. To hijack the thread about Glenn is beyond what I would ever think possible for any decent human being (much less a self-proclaimed "Christian"). Shame on you, CK!! Or, better yet, aren't you woefully embarrassed??

Oh, and by the way, Claire, I have been visiting the OP for almost a year now and until you brought it up, I never even realized Leslie was breastfeeding her baby. I just thought it was an attractive, lovely picture of mother and child. That’s how completely INoffensive the photo is….

How about spending your time and energy in a more worthwhile fashion. How about scrutinizing all the photos out there representative of the hundreds of thousands of bodies that have been distinguished or mutilated by this illegal and immoral war. Or what about all the photos of the sick and hungry Iraqi children left without families, without dignity, without hope. Now that’s obscenity for you!!

Mike has it right. Claire Kennedy is a sock puppet. A troll. A figment of some right-wingers imagination. I doubt "she's" even a woman. Unless I miss my guess, I bet "(s)he" knows a little bit about crows.

Hi Claire,
It seems like you really like to stir things up. It'd be nice if you "upheld your commitment to modesty and respect" on this blog. Keep open thread posts where they belong. If you choose to criticize one of the Ojai Post authors, at least find a respectful area to do so. My apologies to Glenn's family, and to evan's thread, that opinions about my photo were taking up space there.

So Claire, you wrote: "When my children were infants I upheld my commitment to modesty and respect." Congratulations on upholding your commitment to modesty. I guess we don't share the same definition of modesty. We likely grew up in different generations.

As far as respect goes, as a mother I choose to respect my children by giving them the highest quality food on the planet. I also choose to teach them that nursing is a natural and ancient act of feeding and nurturing, not something that needs to be hidden, and especially not something that a mother be shamed for by hiding in a powder room or vehicle.

FYI - Almost every state in the US has laws protecting a mother's right to nurse her baby in public. Get used to it, Claire.

Check out my new photo... it'll be up soon...there'll be no question if I'm actually nursing or just holding a sleeping baby.

-Leslie

When we lived in Omaha ,there were regulations on "breast feeding in public". Im sorry I have different views than you and others on this blog. This is America right. Respect all opinion and stop the disseat.

So a ban on breastfeeding is part of this week's White House talking points? I guess the right wing will try anything to distract from the overwhelming groundswell for impeachment and almost daily revelations of their crimes now coming out.

I never cease to be amazed at what the "family values" crowd will push for when it is in need of distracting the public from their real agenda. My God. Anti-breastfeeding.

I wonder what else the nut jobs will deny their children in the name of psycho right wing talking points?

I guess they figure breastfeeding is not likely to make a Bush voter. I bet Karl Rove - he of the "100 year Republican reign" fantasy -has it all worked out. Synthetic formula, Cap'n Crunch and Spaghetti-os for infancy; Ritalin for pre-teen and adolescence; "No Child Left Behind" mind-numbing dumbed down "schooling", supported by video games and Fox TV, throughout; PTSD as a returning vet from a horrendous war for entry into adulthood. Voila! A generation of people so wrecked, mentally and physically, that they can be duped into listening to right wing hate radio and voting Republican.

I agree with Claire on the breast feeding issue. I just cant believe this blog treat others that have different opinion thant the norm is treat awful. Ive lived in Ojai for almost my whole life and this is not what we stand for. I think Leslie, Tyler and whomever is acting in such an elitist manner should apologize to Claire.

P.S. I have known Claire and Thomas since they have moved here from Nebraska and you have them all wrong. They are a good, wholesome family for whom im glad im friends with.......

I too wonder if Claire is in fact a real person, does anyone here know her personally?

I thought i made myself clear? Again, im friends with Claire and her husband. Her children go to the same school as mine. Would you like her social security number?

Dear Victoria,

Thanks for participating. I'm not sure if you are aware of what the "breast-feeding issue" actually is, but you can read more via the link below, where Claire expresses her desire for me to remove a photo that I felt was completely appropriate.
http://www.ojaipost.com/2007/07/glenn_was_here.shtml

I am comfortable with my response to her, and don't consider myself to be acting "elitist", however that term is being applied.

And further, you, like Claire, attempt to speak for Ojai when you say "this is not what we stand for." As I have explained to Claire repeatedly, she does not speak for Ojai, nor do I, and nor do you. The community is vibrant and active because we have so many unique voices and differing opinions.

Regards,
Tyler

First, let me say, that if you will note that there is only a two minute split in our posts, in other words, as you were posting yours, I was nearing the end of mine, which posted immediately after yours.

Second, I don't know you, so I still have doubt. But don't let that offend you, I can't know everybody.

It doesnt matter if you know me or not. I was simply commenting on your and leslie's comments towards Claire. You seem to dislike Claire because she is a Republican, a strong opinionated soul and secondly, doesnt buy the liberal bias this blog engages in , yet she simply brings a different perspective. What's wrong with that? Didnt you or someone else state that Ojai is full of diverse opinions which make Ojai a unique yet fashionable community to be apart of? So why "Salem witch hunt behavior"?

Victoria and Clare are merely made up names. The author is having fun luring people into silly arguements as a way of boosting their own low, low self esteem. When they were a child, they tortured insects and soon moved on to various neighborhood cats and dogs. Victoria and Clare is actually a lonely pre adolescent male, who has a heavy addiction to internet porn sites. His favorite sites depict MILFs. Lets call him Jimmy.

One more comment before I start to prepare dinner , Iam uncomfortable with that picture also. No offense to Leslie , but its in my humble opinion that it should be taken off here immediately, its jsut my opinion, so dont burn me at the stake!

Dear Victoria -

I think you are confusing the comments here. "Dana and Alyeska" is one commenter, and I am another (and also the proprietor of this fine establishment).

Regarding Claire, yes she is opinionated, which is fine, but her "different perspective" is uniformed and quite frankly ignorant. You can read more in the following link, but basically, people that continue to blindly follow this administration in a war of lies, deceit and the death of nearly 4,000 Americans not to mention hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, is deserved of harsh criticism.
http://www.ojaipost.com/2007/07/it_is_time_for_impeachment.shtml

Opinions don't equal facts, and saying something is so doesn't make it so. You are welcome to join the discussion, and as long as you realize you are communicating with the "reality-based community" that tends to appreciate things like facts and documented sources, as opposed to Fox Opinion, then we can have an enlightened and reasonable discourse.

Cheers,
Tyler

I support our President ,therefore Im ignorant too?

Dr.Phil
What are you talking about ?
Im 45yrs old; a female and happily married. Try again.

Hello Victoria -

Yes, I think that anyone who STILL supports this President and Administration (all 26% of you), through a well-documented and sordid history of lies, torture, warrantless wiretapping, pre-emptive war, and an assault on the middle class and the environment, is, well ignorant.

That doesn't mean I am not willing to discuss politics, and in fact I welcome the opportunity.

Wow...I've been watching the posts here for a while. I loved Ojai in the 80's. People got along with each other then and we came from different backgrounds, why can't you guys do it now? I don't see anything wrong with Lisa's picture at all. I'm going Fishing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O3Plt8DyMk

Carroll - I removed your post because it is a violation of copyright - you posted the entire OVN article. We are not allowed to post the intellectual property of OVN or other publications without express written consent, except what is allowed under fair use, which is generally a 2-3 paragraph excerpt. Sorry, pal. If you want to resubmit your own personal correspondence as a comment, you are welcome to do so.

Getting back to breast feeding. I remember my first born being fed on the trollies of San Francisco. People were not weird about it, in fact some would just smile. Not once did I ever detect any sense of offense by anyone. The same for anywhere else we would go. At the O.P. we have one who's wife is about to have their first baby. I don't want them to be overly concerned in offending anyone so as to not breast feed their baby when the need arises. In fact, I don't think they should be concerned at all. I hate it when others take something that is so natural, so beautiful and heart warming, and turn into some sordid twisted thought. ?Is the sin in the feeding in public, or is the sin in the mind of those who twist this ever so natural biological function into something torrid?
--------------
As for speaking your opinions. We all have our opinions here. But there is a way to share your opinion without insulting others who disagree. To be bombastic airing your beliefs serves not your argument. Few of us are going to change someone else's beliefs, no matter how eloquent our thoughts are put to the keyboard. But to be belligerent, to grandstand, to proclaim your dogma absolute, will only turn off and turn away any who might have moved your direction.

That is not a witness by example, it's an example of non-enlightenment, or worse still, un-enlightenment.

It is this un-enlightenment that will destroy the Middle East, for the Muslim Faith for centuries has given into this breach of humanity, false morals, that subjugates all females to a life of hypocrisy, that can be taken away if she gives into temptation or is taken against her will, for, by her own family, she will be put to death.

It is that self righteous attitude, augmented by a minority of Christians that has taken over the right in American Politics. A sad thing in all this, is that many of those in the right who profess allegiance to this brand, could care less about those who really are of this brand. It's all about power. Bush only spoiled those he needed favours from to continue his reach and domain of power.

People such as you, Claire, and Victoria, are too caught up in this mind set, that has never been a part of the republican right, until the Reagan Democrats gave into the rhetoric, thus allowing for a take over of the republican party in whole.

I thank God that it is now being dismantled, too slow for me, but it is occurring.

So when others tout their absolutisms now, I'm less weary to counter, for our press didn't when we needed them to, and we see each day the body count: A wounded people are we.

Claire = Victoria = Jimmy = Sock Puppet = Troll,

It's pretty obvious that "these people" are not from Ojai and do not live here or "they" wouldn't have disgraced the thread about the memorial of a real Ojaian like Glenn E.

The red herring issue of breast feeding in public is, and has been been for a long while now, a settled issue in this and most other states. In fact, the only states that don't protect a mother's right to breast feed in public are Idaho(makes sense), North Dakota(Ditto), Pennsylvania(huh?), Massachusetts(what!?), and Nebraska(who cares). Who really cares what people in Nebraska think about the issue of breast feeding here in California. As for the liberal bias of this blog, so what. Like most liberal posts all over the internet, nothing I've stated here is inaccurate or untrue, and I still do not care what pent-up, right-wing freaks in or from Nebraska think about breast feeding in California.

I happen to know Leslie, and this troll/Claire/Victoria couldn't have chosen a nicer person to pick on. Leslie can easily stand up for herself, but to pretend to be from Ojai and to hijack a thread about Glenn's memorial is beyond the pale. Why don't you go find a nice, right-wing blog and discuss the good old days of impeaching Clinton; that is if you can stand the poor grammar, misspelling and blatant misinformation. Leave us elitists alone to our old, infernal ways of working together to make this city/state/country a better place.

Dear Mayor,

Paulette told me your city manager has refused to place my presentation
on the agenda for the first meeting in August, 2007. She told me two
councilmembers MUST approve my request. My request is to present
information on HWY 33.

I am asking you to place my HWY 33 presentation on the first meeting
of August, 2007.

On July 24, 2007 when I attended your city council meeting, I did not
observe the council's conduct in accordance with Robert's Rules of
Order. "Shall" is mandatory.

Ojai Municipal Code
Sec. 2-1.202. Parliamentary procedure.
Subject to applicable statutes, meetings of the Council shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, latest Revised Edition.
(§ 2, Ord. 212)

Carroll Dean Williams

Hi Carroll - so, in referring back to a few of your previous comments, why are you instigating a citizen's arrest against City Clerk Carlon Strobel?

Your above comment doesn't appear to have anything to do with her.

Hi Tyler - On June 28, 2007, I called Ms. Strobel about me delivering papers for the city council. She said she was too busy counting votes so she referred me to Paulette.

I spoke with Paulette on the phone for about 45 minutes.

I went to city hall and met with Paulette.

My papers were completed and Ms. Strobel came from nowhere and said I owed $1.50 a page. I brought my OWN copy to be stamped received.

She then turned and had the police called on me.

She reported a false crime in violation of CA Penal Code section 148.5(a).

Thanks for asking.

Hi Carroll - OK, thanks for clarifying your position on the matter. Regards, Tyler

For those of you who happen to be using Firefox & Greasemonkey, I'd like to offer that it's possible to download and install a script called "killfile" that will allow you to block comments from anyone whose comments you're tired of reading. (killfile is an old script left over from the days of usenet, but it has been updated for several of the newer blogging/commenting programs -- I use it successfully with Haloscan at several blogs.)

Trolls can continue to comment all they want, but they usually give up and go away when they realize that all of the regular visitors to the blog have chosen to block the trolls' comments on their browsers.

If you'd rather not read "claire" or "victoria" anymore, and simply ignoring them isn't quite good enough for you, check out killfile; here's where you can get the script that works for Haloscan and Typepad:
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/4107

Victoria,
you ask, So why "Salem witch hunt behavior"? Ask that question to your friend Claire. She's the one who posted that my photo was inappropriate, on a thread not written by me, about me, or commented on by me. If she had made that comment on a related blog entry it may have sparked a healthy debate about nursing in public.

Of course you both have the right to dislike my photo and displays of public breastfeeding -- but it's pretty ridiculous to ask the publisher to remove the photo because you think it's inappropriate. It's my profile, not yours. Don't look at it if it offends you.

Signing off and getting back to more important matters, like writing to the planning commission.

Leslie

Victoria's secret is that she is a Stepford wife. Her husband can no longer stand the sight of her and has been having an affair with one of the other attendees at his AA meetings. Lucky for Victoria, she is happily unaware of his infideltiy and misinterprets his happiness as having to do with her speedy cooking. I hate to be the one to break this to you but he actually stopped eating your Ramen Noodle surprise dinners the day he picked up his dog Spot from the pound. You see, he has been feeding Spot his meals. This is why Spot now appears to have the Mange (a canine skin disorder).

Breastfeeding in public is enpowering and cutting edge, anyone who cannot accept it is a damm idiot !

God forbid people have different views on here. You all are no better than our City Council and Mayor!

Dear Anonymous -

I may be wrong in differing with a number of regular commenters here, but I personally think Claire Kennedy and Victoria both exist and both live in Ventura County. ClaireK is an occasional participant over at fillmoreblog.com, stirring the pot over there as well.

And I like them participating here, and wish that some wouldn't try to run them out of town on a rail.

My preference is that people who have different viewpoints on hot-button and controversial issues such as national politics would come armed with facts and reason, however it is increasingly rare these these days to find people who would label themselves Republican or conservative actually bring facts and reason to a debate.

Instead, these people tend to speak from a place of fear and repression. Why the continued allegiance to and belief in "daddy-figure" Bush when he says "if we don't fight them there, we'll fight them here"? Why the continued paralyzing fear of Islamfascisterrorism? Why the blind ignorance of and continued belief in a government that alternates between gross incompetence such as Katrina, and gross malfeasance such as torture, illegal wiretapping of Americans and an illegal war that has killed thousands?

So I prefer to engage them, and when Victoria asks if I consider her ignorant because she supports the President, I have no problem saying yes and here's why. To me, that's more fun than calling her a troll and running her off, which only tends to homogenize the Post.

My two cents.

Tyler,

You are right Claire Kennedy used to post at the Fillmore Blog. If you look in depth at Claire's posts, you would see that is against City corruption. If you know anything about Fillmore politics, then you would know exactly what Im speaking about. Claire exposed alot of lies of an incumbant, challengers . However I DONT agree with Claire in regards to breast feeding issue, the commander of thieves, or other social issues. ButI must give her credit for doing her research.

Speaking of unthinking right wing canards and refrains: Anyone else tired of this constant admonition from the right wing that we somehow should "thank our troops" "thank the vets" for our ability to speak out and voice an opinion on the crimes going on? As if the troops are responsible for our rights.

Invariably this canard is hoisted to respond to and dismiss an airing of some true and indisputable facts regarding the incompetence, corruption, hypocrisy or crimes of this administration. The right wing can't deal with reality and actually answer the arguments or defend their indefensible heroes. So they trot it out: "I hope so-and-so thanks the troops for being able to say that." "I'm proud to have fought for so-and-sos right to say that." And then they pat themselves on the back for their "tolerance."

Hello? If they mean Revolutionary War troops, well OK. But wars of aggression like Iraq, Panama, Granada, Vietnam, Korea, even WWII, had nothing to do with protecting our civil liberties. Give me a break. It is just the opposite - wars of aggression have invariably diminished our rights.

What's especially offensive is when you hear it from one of these vets, or the parent of a soldier. One never wants to pop someone's bubble to harshly, but as dear as it may be to them to believe they fought for some noble cause, I'm sorry: Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Iraq were not noble. Even WWII loses some nobility when you consider the inexcusable stain on our nation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. WWI noble? Please. The Spanish-American War? The War on Mexico?

As a member of the reality-based community, let me suggest to these proud vets that war by and large is not an endeavor to be proud of. Sorry to burst the bubble.

Instead, let me suggest to the right wing: Next time you want to celebrate the defense of our rights, put the credit where it belongs. How about the Supreme Court, back in its better days? The ACLU? The leaders of the civil rights movement? And all the others you people dismiss as the "left". Its them - not your precious troops - who have defended your right to speak your mind, such as it is.

And while we wait in vain for members of the right wing to acknowledge the real heroes responsible for their rights, let me ask: Can anyone offer a theory as to exactly how it is that a supporter of the Iraq war, or God forbid, a soldier in it, can convince themselves that they are "defending freedom"?

Your obviously missing the big picture with respect to Mission Iraqi Freedom. We are fighting the terrorists over in Iraqi and Afghanistan to prevent these suicide bombers and suicide hijackers from coming here. Would you rather have them here? If so , will you defend our Country or will you continue to blame the Republicans and Christians?

Claire, I guess you missed the most recent intelligence estimate, in which the consensus of our nation's top intelligence agencies is that the war in Iraq has increased the danger that we will have another terrorist attack here.

Oops.

Your juxtaposition of fighting the "terrorists" over there vs. "defending our Country" if we are attacked here is particularly rich. What do you think the "terrorists over in Iraq" are doing?

Since it obviously has not dawned on you, I'll give a hint: "They" are defending their Country.

I love you Republican so-called patriots. If the Chinese invaded and occupied the United States to liberate us from George Bush, undoubtedly they would proclaim that those of us who resist are terrorists. Undoubtedly in that case, I guess you would join the Chinese "liberators" - you and your right wing brown shirts.

So, to answer your question: Yes, if the United States were invaded, I would defend our Country, AND I would continue to blame the traitorous Republicans and "Christians" who would be collaborating with and enabling the real terrorists, just as they do now.

The awareness of your atheistic views are quite troubling. But what's even more troubling is that you equate that "Christians who would collaborate with real terrorist,just as they do now". Thats sick.
A real American supports our commander an chief, they support our troops not just words but actions and they attend a church ,synagogue etc. I will always support and defend our Country from these radical extremists that crave to demolish our system of government. You state that " you would join the Chinese liberators" , that sounds just like a Howard Dean statement. Again not only are your statements wrong and hurtful , but you are a typical liberal blatherskite that thrives on the extinction of democracy AKA Socialist Agenda.

There were no terrorists in Iraq until we invaded them, dismantled their army, leaving a power vacuum, allowing all the terrorists to come on over to pick on our woefully inadequate troops.

Our incredibly stupid president sent too few troops, without a plan, save to remove His Daddy's arch enemy. This war was never about terrorism, it was/is about oil and revenge, and to prepare for war with Iran, which is exactly what is taking place.

Saddam kept the terrorists out of Iraq, and actually was the only country in the region poised politically to do something about terrorism in the middle east. Now thats gone. He was no hero, but facts are facts.

We need to get out now, let those people continue to kill themselves until they are tired of it. There are already signs that the Iraqi terrorists are going after the Al Qaeda terrorists. As soon as we leave Iraq, Al Qaeda will be destroyed by Iraqis. The sooner we get out the better for the people. I want the U.S. to fight terrorists where they are in strength, destroying their sanctuaries, in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Claire, you sound just like the propaganda machines of the Far Out Right. Look beyond their slogans, and dissect their arguments. Watch something other than Rupert Murdoch's Fox Noise Pro right wing. If you continue to watch the All Lies and No Truth Channel, you won't be getting any truth about what's going on.

I rarely watch Fox news , but when we do, I enjoy Sheperd Smith. No bias, just the hard cold facts. I would also recommend that you listen to talk radio AM640 or satelite radio is notorious for some thought provoking discussion. Expand your horizons, read and listen to all view points, I do .....

"Expand your horizons, read and listen to all view points, I do" Claire Kennedy

This is a joke, right? All you have demon strated is that you are a puppet for the war machine, have a provincial belief system and marginalize all who disagree with you as being unpatriotic and athieists. This is an extemely indolent way of constructing an arguelment. Thanks for repeatedly revealing that you have the inability to 'think'. This represents the warmonger mentality perfectly and can only lead others, with any clue whatsoever, to distance themselves from your idiotic parroting of obviously outdated and laughable rhertoric. Try truthdig dot com out for starters. You may need a tutor though. Atrophy has quite obviously settled into what is left of your neural capacity.

Claire, These people hate America, it would bring them great joy if our troops were defeated in Iraq. Let me remind you, America-haters, that it was not the Supreme Court, nor the polititians, and certainly not the ACLU who have kept this country from being taken over by the communists, or the Nazis, it was the American soldier. We are probably going to be in Iraq for years to come, to enable that nation to defend itself and be a free nation, which it wasn't before we went in. Also try listening to Larry Elder on 790 KABC !

Claire,

Your uninformed blatter does a real disservice to Republicans everywhere. Nowhere in any doctrine of any of our political parties, Constitution, or Bill of Rights does it call for blind obediance to a President.

The President is akin to the CEO of a Corporation. He serves at the pleasure of the shareholders, (ie: we, the citizens). there is a system of checks and balances written into the Constitution to to stop a President who exceeds the limits of his power. Remember, he reports to us, not the other way around.

When you surrender all your rights to a CEO, you are in essence asking for fascism and throwing away your rights.

When you insist as a "Christian" (boy oh boy are you an insult to the rest of us) that your beliefs are superior to the rest of us, you walk the same path as Osama Ben Laden. You probably think you are a saint, but in fact you are in fact nothing more than a screaming, hysterical, anti-American social terorist.

Please, go back to "Nebraska" and take your anti-patriotic sentiments elsewhere.

http://www.radio-locator.com/

I too like Shepherd Smith, he puts a human face on the news. I do think he is a little bias, but nothing like many others on the network. I too watch several other sources, but they are limited on the air waves. Online is a crushing amount of sources to choose from.

Above is a valuable tool to keep informed. When the terrorists crashed their car into the Glasgow Airport in Scotland a few weeks ago, I used this tool to find a Glasgow station to listen live to the reports as they came in, from eye witnesses and the authorities. Of course I've used it for events in the States as well. It's great to listen to news stations from your old local so you can keep up home.

Below is another great source for searching out stations, with a more detailed info for the station. Tip. When using this one, save the page that takes you to the local that you will be listening to often. For example, I have a page of Ventura County Stations saved so it is quick to get to the local stuff.

Also, you can find plenty of entertainment searching all over the world for music and some olde tyme radio.

http://www.ontheradio.net/

Oh, I see, "Let Freedom Ring", we went into Iraq, because it wasn't a free nation.

And all this time, I thought that Iraq was the result of the government stovepiping intelligence, threatening that the proof would be a mushroom cloud over an American city, and that WMD's were to be found "east, west, south and north somewhat" of Baghdad.

My bad. Your shifting rationale for this horror of a war makes much more sense. Despite all of the voices that warned that (1) Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and (2) conducting a war on the cheap would be disastrous foreign policy. Voices that were drowned out by charges of "America hating" and "treason".

Fear and ignorance is rather unbecoming, LFR.

"These people hate America"

Another fine example of indolent thinking. Let freemdom ring: Your above statement shows us all that you have no room for facts or discourse. You run on inflamatory statements and that only exist in your brain stem: fight or flight. Fox News is a net for idiots and parrots. You are a bug with no wings, trapped inside a skull made of glass, unable to comprehend the simplest of realities, you lash out at all who are actually capable of discerning fact from fiction. Fear is your water, fear is your air and fear is your only vehicle of expression.

Well, I thought the Democratic Party was supposedly the party of "Diverse Opinions" according to OSAMA OBAMA

I do declare, Claire, this has been a Turing Test. We have determined that you do not have an ounce of human intelligence. You are a machine. Part of an experiment from a right wing think tank located at the University of Nebraska. Keep trying, students, its been loads of fun, good luck with your thesis.

Given the overwhelming evidence that Dick Cheney is in fact the devil and Bush and cronies his henchmen, it offends my Sunday School sensibilities to see this Claire person calling herself a Christian while worshipping the dark angel. Claire, didn't they teach you in Sunday School that devil-worship is no way to get to the kingdom of Heaven?

Why do left/right arguments, no matter where you find them on the 'net, always sound as if they were written by the same writers?

"Despite all of the voices that warned that (1) Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11"
Tyler, here are some of those voice you are talking about:

"(W)e need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal,
murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime. We
all know the litany of his offenses. He presents a
particularly grievous threat because he is so
consistently prone to miscalculation. ...And now he is
miscalculating America’s response to his continued
deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass
destruction. That is why the world, through the United
Nations Security Council, has spoken with one voice,
demanding that Iraq disclose its weapons programs and
disarm. So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons
of mass destruction is real, but it is not new. It has
been with us since the end of the Persian Gulf War."
John F. Kerry (D) Jan 23, 2003.

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is
seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction."
Ted Kennedy (D) September 27, 2002.

"There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein's regime is a
serious danger, that he is a tyrant, and that his
pursuit of lethal weapons of mass destruction cannot
be tolerated. He must be disarmed." Ted Kennedy (D)
Sept 27, 2002.

"Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of
the Persian Gulf and we should organize an
international coalition to eliminate his access to
weapons of mass destruction. Iraq's search for weapons
of mass destruction has proven impossible to
completely deter and we should assume that it will
continue for as long as Saddam is in power." Al Gore
(D) 2002

"Saddam Hussein's regime represents a grave threat to
America and our allies, including our vital ally,
Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has
sought weapons of mass destruction through every
available means. We know that he has chemical and
biological weapons. He has already used them against
his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to
build more. We know that he is doing everything he can
to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he
gets closer to achieving that goal." John Edwards (D)
Oct 10, 2002

"The debate over Iraq is not about politics. It is
about national security. It should be clear that our
national security requires Congress to send a clear
message to Iraq and the world: America is united in
its determination to eliminate forever the threat of
Iraq's weapons of mass destruction." John Edwards (D)
Oct 10, 2002.

"In the four years since the inspectors left,
intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has
worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons
stock, his missile delivery capability, and his
nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and
sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members,
though there is apparently no evidence of his
involvement in the terrible events of September 11,
2001. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked,
Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity
to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep
trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed
in that endeavor, he could alter the political and
security landscape of the Middle East, which as we
know all too well affects American security." Hillary
Clinton (D) October 10, 2002.

"As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am
keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and
biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to
all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the
development of weapons of mass destruction technology
which is a threat to countries in the region and he
has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process."
Nancy Pelosi (D) December 16, 1998.

Need I go on?

My dear little sock puppet:
We simply do not have free market capitalism (it is a pluralized oligachy), This 'free market' crap is just another one of the obvious lies which have entranced insulated folks (such as your self) and led us to the dead end of war. America's #1 corporation (that we know of) is Exxon. Exxon keeps breaking profit margin records, yet continues to accept subsidies from the 'government' like a greedy dog named Chocolate. Do they redistribute their wealth in any kind of way that serves anyone but their selves? No. They don't even 'serve' them selves. In fact, they are blowing up like tics and blowing the world up as if they are Beavus and Butthead blowing up frogs or shooting a hunting buddy in the face because he cracked a joke about the monster's daughter's sexual orientation. Oops too much for ya? Here's more: These tics (tic, tic, tic, tic...) are drowning in the blood of innocent children, mothers and fathers and the guilt that comes with continually breaking the social contract. If Exxon were an individual in this particular nation, they'd have been executed a long time ago as a sociopathic mass murderer. Subway means down (see: hell) and is another example of poisonous corporate policy. Go pour Gatoraid on your flowers (oh, you don't have any, I wonder why...) and see what happens. A billion commercials cannot change the truth but can fool the naive every day. Peace begins in your heart. Pierce (Dr. Joeseph Chilton Pearce did) the veil. The time has come. All is for giving

I had not waded through all this when I posted my previous Post...maybe I will go back to my cave!

LFR, you must have had too much of that No Child Left Behind schooling - you seem to be having trouble with elementary school level reading comprehension. Tyler was talking about all the voices who pointed out that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. You list quotes (misleadingly - Ted Kennedy? Al Gore? I don't think so) of early supporters of the war. They were the minority of world opinion, mostly duped by Bush lies, most of whom by now have repudiated their early support.

Among the early voices warning the Iraq invasion would be a disaster, just off the top of my head: Dubya's Dad's national security advisor Brent Scowcroft - remember him?; General Anthony Zinni; Richard Clark, chief counter-terrorism advisor for Clinton and Bush; Senators Russ Feingold, Paul Wellstone, Robert Byrd, Lincoln Chafee, and, yes, Ted Kennedy, among others, who all voted against authorizing Bush to go to war; 6 Republicans joined 126 Democrats in the House to vote NOT to authorize Bush to go to war; Mohammed El Baradei, head of weapons inspection; weapons inspector Scott Ritter; heck, the Pope!

The largest demonstrations in history occurred February 15, 2003, as millions of citizens worldwide took to the streets to condemn what anyone reading a newspaper or paying the slightest attention knew was a fabricated and unnecessary case for war.

U.N. Secretary General said the invasion was an illegal violation of the U.N. Charter.

The U.S. Chief Prosecutor of Nazi War Crimes at Nuremberg, Benjamin Ferencz, has called the Iraq invasion an aggressive war - the "supreme international crime" - and stated that George W. Bush should be tried for war crimes.

The fact is, the list of prominent and not-so-prominent people who saw Bush's case for war as a sham before it happened is an extraordinarily long one. I could not hope to credit them here. These voices were never answered, just ignored.

But more important, it was obvious to anyone paying attention that there was no legitimate basis for the war. You didn't need secret intelligence from Bush or Cheney or the CIA - Saddam was locked in a box after 12 years of sanctions, no threat to anyone, least of all us. The idea that even if he had nuclear weapons, he would attack the U.S., was always ludicrous. And the idea that if he had nuclear weapons and other nasty WMD, what we should do is bomb him to smithereens is simply insane - if Saddam actually had WMD, the worst possible strategy to deal with it was what Bush did. Not in hindsight, in obvious foresight, as millions clearly saw at the time.

So go on, LFR, try to justify yourself after the fact. But if 15 MILLION ordinary people all over the world who had no more access to news than you could tell this was a sham and illegitimate, the more important question is, why couldn't you?

Even more dumbfounding, why can't you even now?

In the early days of the war, when it was clear there were in fact no WMD, no 9/11 connection, no "welcoming-as-liberators," and no rational justification for going in nor goal to accomplish that could constitute a victory, I remember the debate was: Are Bush and Cheney lying, corrupt, or incompetent? There was no other possibility, but which of those three was the correct analysis?

What I think few imagined back then was that Bush and Cheney were all three at the same time - lying, corrupt and incompetent. It's a terrible combination.

So, LFR, since you still cling to support of this crime, please enlighten us: What exactly would your vaunted "victory" be? Please define victory in Iraq for us.

Yes, LFR, Anonymous is spot on. The people you list allowed themselves to (1) be duped by the stovepiped intelligence and/or (2) be bullied and coerced into taking a position of "strength" lest people like yourselves, not to mention the cowardly "so-called-liberal" press, call them treasonous and un-American.

The people who spoke out against the war have been vindicated and proven right. And that's not the Right. right?

Dear intellectual hemorrhoid,

Oil companies make an average profit of nine cents a gallon on gasoline. Government takes average taxes of forty-four cents a gallon. And you think reducing the profits of the companies who are finding, refining and marketing the gas is going to help gas customers? How will the government use the money from that tax increase to help anyone but itself? How about reducing the "windfall taxes" of the government that does nothing to find, refine or market gasoline, but imposes drastic regulatory and liability barriers on the industry that far outweigh any tax breaks it may afford? I’m sure a bed-wetter like yourself would love to have some of the oil companies “redistributed wealth” but you really need to pull your own weight here in America. The oil that is produced is what is putting food on your table and keeping your cozy ass warm in the winter and feeding millions of people world wide through food subsidies that go other countries. The United States, the most generous country in the world, feeds millions of people all over the world and it’s because of our uninterrupted supply of oil that we are able to do it.

I can hear the violins playing for you and your big oil buddies, LFR, to the tune of more than $11 billion in quarterly profits, the most profitable quarter in history.

Your other buddies, Bush and Cheney, have been more than happy to waive the $7 billion in royalties that the oil companies OWE the American people.

I would use the money on an alternative energy Manhattan project, to once and for all wean the US from Mideast oil, which is at the core of this stupid f'ing war.

Dear intellectual hemorrhoid,
Oil companies make an average profit of nine cents a gallon on gasoline. Government takes..... ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........

George Tenet, Clinton's own CIA director, assured Bush that the case was "a slam dunk." Tenet had the backing of all 15 agencies involved in gathering intelligence for the United States. In the National Intelligence Estimate of 2002, where their collective views were summarized, one of the conclusions offered with "high confidence" was that "Iraq is continuing, and in some areas expanding its chemical, biological, nuclear, and missile programs contrary to UN resolutions."

The intelligence agencies of Britain, Germany, Russia, China, Israel and--yes--France all agreed with this judgment. And even Hans Blix--who headed the U.N. team of inspectors trying to determine whether Saddam had complied with the demands of the Security Council that he get rid of the weapons of mass destruction he was known to have had in the past--lent further credibility to the case in a report he issued only a few months before the invasion:

“The discovery of a number of 122-mm chemical rocket warheads in a bunker at a storage depot 170 km [105 miles] southwest of Baghdad was much publicized. This was a relatively new bunker, and therefore the rockets must have been moved there in the past few years, at a time when Iraq should not have had such munitions. . . . They could also be the tip of a submerged iceberg. The discovery of a few rockets does not resolve but rather points to the issue of several thousands of chemical rockets that are unaccounted for.”

This Democratic drumbeat continued and even intensified when Mr. Bush succeeded Mr. Clinton in 2001, and it featured many who would later pretend to have been deceived by the Bush White House. In a letter to the new president, a group of senators led by Bob Graham declared:

“There is no doubt that . . . Saddam Hussein has invigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical, and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf war status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies.”

Robert KKK Byrd:
"The last U.N. weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical- and biological-warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons."

The Washington Post, which greeted the inauguration of George W. Bush in January 2001 with this admonition:
Of all the booby traps left behind by the Clinton administration, none is more dangerous--or more urgent--than the situation in Iraq. Over the last year, Mr. Clinton and his team quietly avoided dealing with, or calling attention to, the almost complete unraveling of a decade's efforts to isolate the regime of Saddam Hussein and prevent it from rebuilding its weapons of mass destruction. That leaves President Bush to confront a dismaying panorama in the Persian Gulf [where] intelligence photos . . . show the reconstruction of factories long suspected of producing chemical and biological weapons.
Yet in its report of 2004, the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, while criticizing the CIA for relying on what in hindsight looked like weak or faulty intelligence, stated that it "did not find any evidence that administration officials attempted to coerce, influence, or pressure analysts to change their judgments related to Iraq's weapons-of-mass-destruction capabilities

What of the related charge that it was still another "lie" to suggest, as Mr. Bush and his people did, that a connection could be traced between Saddam Hussein and the al Qaeda terrorists who had attacked us on 9/11? This charge was also rejected by the Senate Intelligence Committee. Contrary to how its findings were summarized in the mainstream media, the committee's report explicitly concluded that al Qaeda did in fact have a cooperative, if informal, relationship with Iraqi agents working under Saddam. The report of the bipartisan 9/11 commission came to the same conclusion, as did a comparably independent British investigation conducted by Lord Butler, which pointed to "meetings . . . between senior Iraqi representatives and senior al-Qaeda operatives."

Let freedumb ring: I suggest you read up on Rockefeller and Standard oil. Our dependence on oil has been completely maufactured as a way to coralle, exploit and harvest human cattle such as yourself. Your defence of the soul-less corporate oligarchy, simply holds no water. What is your response to Anonymous 11:05?

BTW, I do not use energy for heat in the winter - Southern California does not have a winter and my own body heat suffices. Nice insult, that was funny. Was it for me? Have I inspired your first creative thought? You are welcome.

Do I get that right? LFR is saying the war in Iraq is for oil.

At least that's some progress for the backwards right. (Of course, Iraq is far more than just for oil.)

That still does not answer the question: What would a victory in Iraq be?

Seems like if you can't define what a victory would be, it would be hard to recognize it in the event it arrived. Might as well just declare it now and come on home.

"The U.S. Chief Prosecutor of Nazi War Crimes at Nuremberg, Benjamin Ferencz, has called the Iraq invasion an aggressive war - the "supreme international crime" - and stated that George W. Bush should be tried for war crimes."

Hmm, between Scooter Libbey and the defense of Bush, it seems like there have never been criminal coddlers like today's Republicans. I guess the new crime plank for the Republican Party platform is "soft-as-an-imported-Chinese-goosedown-pillow" on crime.

Has a certain comfy ring to it.

Karl Rove better stop trying to disenfranchise felons. That's his base!

False Minutes prepared by City Clerk:

Ojai City Council minutes of the Regular meeting of July 24, 2007, 7:30 pm

ROLL CALL
On a call of the roll the following Council Members reported present: Steve Olsen, Rae Hanstad,
Sue Horgan and Joe DeVito. Also present were: City Manager, Jere Kersnar; City Attorney,
Monte Widders; Ojai Chief of Police, Capt. Bruce Norris; Finance Director, Susie Mears;
Interim Public Works and Recreation Director, Ed McCombs; Transportation Manager, Mike
Culver; and City Clerk, Carlon Strobel.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Olsen

INVOCATION Moment of Silence

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Carroll Dean Williams announced that he was present to arrest the City Clerk under authority of
Penal Code 834, 837, 840, 841 and 148.5a.
[NOTE: I MADE A CITIZEN'S ARREST OF CARLON STROBEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW].

Ojai Chief of Police, Capt. Bruce Norris, stated that there was no cause for arrest and Penal Code Section 142.3 granted the right to refuse to make an arrest.
[NOTE: FALSE. I MADE THE CITIZEN'S ARREST.
THE PENAL CODE SECTION
142. (a) Any peace officer who has the authority to receive or
arrest a person charged with a criminal offense and willfully refuses
to receive or arrest that person shall be punished by a fine not
exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment in the
state prison, or in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both
that fine and imprisonment.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the sheriff may determine
whether any jail, institution, or facility under his or her direction
shall be designated as a reception, holding, or confinement
facility, or shall be used for several of those purposes, and may
designate the class of prisoners for which any facility shall be
used.
(c) This section shall not apply to arrests made pursuant to
Section 837.

“To announce there must be no criticism of the President, and to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, it is morally treasonous to the American public.”
– President Theodore Roosevelt

Romney 08

MittRomney.com

"Let Freedom Ring" sounds more link a cover for Looselips Hammerhead who used to frequent these pages with his O'Reilly imitation earlier this year.

Anyone who believed that there were weapons of mass destruction back in '03 was simply naive; anyone one who believes it now is simply a fool.

"Let Freedom Ring" is yet another extremist blogger determined to ultimately bring down the Republican party by allowing its worst and most extreme elements to undermine its fundamental principles and party platform.

It is a shame that these extremists are destroying the two party system by undermining the credibility of all Republicans who happened to believe in the Constitution and the Rule of Law. And who also detests liars, war-mongerers, dirty congressman, bullies, and those who repeatedly put themselves above the law...

...Or who believe that propaganda(ie:Fox) should be entitled to be called "News" simply because it favors the right.

Rupert Murdock studied the technique of the "Big Lie" all too well by reading "Mein Kampf."

Just because a modern day fascist wants to control all our news input, doesn't mean we have to accept or tolerate it or even give it credence.

Mitt Romney has some insightful ideas for America, however I have grave concerns with Mormonism. America is was founded on Christianity and values that we adhere too. That's my main gripe with Romney.
Our family is leaning towards McCain .

Dear university students pretending to be claire 'cannotsee' kennedy:

We have determined that you are a machine. Please put in some more interesting programming. You have passed the point of boredom. McCain is beneath contempt with his shallow blowhard cardboard stance. He has giant squirrel like cheeks which makes nice fodder for political cartoonists so he has some value. otherwise he is beyond hope and will not stand a snowballs chance in Iraq of having an impact in any real election. Exit polls will determine that he recieved 000 votes and thus any data that goes contrary to this will expose the election for what it is: a rigged farce. Time to go back to the drawing board. I suggest you model the movie 'Weird Science" and present a holograph with giant mammary glands. Then you might get our vote.

In response to Tyler's point that Claire Kennedy must be ignorant, Victoria 7/31 says: "I support our President ,therefore Im ignorant too?" (errors are hers)

Tyler, while ignorance is one possible explanation for the blathering right wing that still supports the regime, there are two more: stupidity, and corruption.

We don't know for sure that Victoria/Claire/Jimmy/Sock Puppet is ignorant. She/it could just be stupid, or, as suggested above, corrupt - just a paid right wing hate blogger troll.

Ignorant, stupid or corrupt? Or some combination of the three? Let's not rush to judgment. We must keep open minds until the facts are in.

Claire, I read that none of the Republican candidates would rule out using nuclear weapons preemptively on Iran, except Ron Paul. This was in response to a direct question at their debate last month. As reported, all except Ron Paul made clear that their position ranged from "won't rule it out" to "will do it ASAP". (If memory serves, Ron Paul said he would rule it out, and all the others were insane.)

Since you seem to be following the Republican race, perhaps you could outline the Republican candidates' positions on using nuclear weapons in a first strike against weak countries that don't have them?

What's the Christian position on that by the way? Would Jesus nuke Iran?

IMO, the sock-puppets aren't locals. They have no interest in local issues, and probably could not name 20 people in Ojai whose names have never been mentioned on the Ojai Post. They're most likely just members of the 101st Keyboard Kommandos, and are probably some of the same trolls who comment at sites like Eschaton and Daily Kos. They're just here to start and engage in left/right arguments, and they know nothing about Ojai.

Hey, claire/victoria: how many tennis courts are in Lower Libbey Park?

There's a barista in town named Lorraine; what's her last name?

What does Jeff Furchtenicht sell at the Farmer's Market?

Where can you board your cat in Ojai? Who owns the place?

Who is Tyler's associate in this volunteer enterprise: Local Computer _______ (you fill in the blank word, too.)

Lenny K's wife's last name begins with the letter __ ?

Why is Lee Fitzgerald limping?

20 years ago, what existed where Jersey Mike's is today?

What kind of toilet exists for the volunteers at the Community Demonstration Garden. (If you say "none", you
lose.)

Come on -- prove that you actually know something about Ojai.

Undecided,
Yeh, Nukes are on the table baby ! Whether it's Hillary or Giuliani.

in response to the post by phalarope - I've lived here for 40 years and I only know the answer to 2 questions. I'm afraid to ask you.... what does that make me?

an ostrich

how so?

Well I see the name calling sure hasnt stopped. And to think our community take pide in being "Inclusive".

Ha, I only got 4 1/2. Including one about me. :)

Hey Tyler - I got the one about you correct!! I hope whoever posted it gives us the answers.

the names have been links... can lead an ostrich to water but you can't make them pull their head out of the sand... )...:

Q: How many tennis courts are in Lower Libbey Park?

A: Six

-------

Q: There's a barista in town named Lorraine; what's her last name?

A: Mariz. (This is Lorraine at Java & Joe's.)

-------

Q: What does Jeff Furchtenicht sell at the Farmer's Market?

A: Remy Sol Coffee

-------

Q: Where can you board your cat in Ojai? Who owns the place?

A: Grand Feline Resort in the Firebird Plaza; Lori.

-------

Q: Who is Tyler's associate in this volunteer enterprise: Local Computer _______ (you fill in the blank word, too.)

A: David Lawrence; Heroes.

-------

Q: Lenny K's wife's last name begins with the letter __ ?

A: H.

-------

Q: Why is Lee Fitzgerald limping?

A: I have no idea. I was just being a punk. I saw him hobbling across Matilija St. on Wednesday, though, using a cane.

-------

Q: 20 years ago, what existed where Jersey Mike's is today?

A: Goodyear Tires.

-------

Q: What kind of toilet exists for the volunteers at the Community Demonstration Garden. (If you say "none", you
lose.)

A: A composting toilet. Since the vent pipe is still visible, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the toilet is still there.

-------

Don't feel bad if you only got two answers correct, Donna; my point was that the suspected trolls wouldn't get any, and I suspected that they wouldn't even answer.

Hmm. The other proof that "Claire"/"Victoria"/LFR/etc. are trolls is that they won't actually even engage the non-Ojai-specific questions aimed at their side. For example, the Republican candidate positions on using nukes in a first strike. Or some definition of what a "victory" in Iraq would be.

As Comandante Rove says, engagement of the issues or defense of their positions is the job of the leadership, when it chooses to take it on - not the paid ground troop trolls whose role is simply to distract, disengage and debase debate to the level of name-calling and false facts so that people are left unable to maintain a discourse that might lead to truth.

They might actually be a machine. For those familiar with algorithmics, which is the science behind computer code, it seems like a fairly simple algorithm could result in the canned silly responses of these trolls, triggered from certain keywords.

Wouldn't that be a hoot.

To follow up on "Judgment Reserved" above, which says that ignorance, stupidity or corruption are the only possibilities to explain continued support for Bush et al.

Well, maybe. But in some of these fundamentalist "Christian" communities, more than 30% of the mothers are diagnosed with depression and other maladies (including ADHD these days), and prescribed powerful mind-numbing drugs like Prozac.

Isn't it possible that "Victoria" and "Claire" are not necessarily ignorant, stupid or corrupt, but just have severe cases of ADHD compounded by a daily Prozac habit? This would render them unable to process the events in the world around them into any kind of cohesive whole. Which would explain their responses on this thread.

On Thursday August, 2nd I lost my small green flash drive somewhere on the Sulphur Mountain Trail, returning the following Friday to look for it. It was about 8:45 when I took up post at the lock boxes, asking hikers one by one if they had seen the drive with Goddard College embossed on it.
There was a man in a white car that was just leaving his parking spot below the display when I arrived. I was not able to question him but would like to for he may have the missing piece. It turns out each one of the hikers I spoke with had seen my flash drive sitting atop the lock boxes just an hour prior to my arrival. Apparently it had been found and left there for me just hours before by some conscientious person.

A few more jovial and inquisitive regulars from the mountain began meandering down and soon an investigative team had formed all eagerly offering potential clues to the developing story. The natural camaraderie that occurred provided me with ample opportunity to remember how terrific our community is and to appreciate all the people who took the time to become involved. It was a delight and an honor to have met such good people who truly care about both the earth and each other. I have certainly gained much more than I have lost.

Thanx for posting the answers. I love trivia - this was kinda fun to play!