Dcoffee's Journal
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04/17/2008 20:40 #44041
Confused or Furious, Last nights debateCategory: political
This video sums it up. Although the clip is a few years old, ok it's from 1976.
Seriously, 50 minutes before we could talk about anything besides gossip? War, Inflation, outsourcing jobs, the environment, corruption, waste, fraud, fear, gas prices, recession, healthcare, people losing their houses, bridges falling down, and cities destroyed by floods, the things that actually matter in people's lives! Not a Priority.
After the debate I was thinking about the news media, not the candidates. Why the hell would they dwell on gossip for so long? do they think the American people really give a shit? They think Pennsylvania voters would rather talk about gossip than inflation?
The media is so interested in gotcha politics, and I don't think the American people really give a crap right now. Maybe if they weren't so worried about affording food, and healthcare, and gas, and mortgage payments next week. Or preoccupied thinking about what kind of world is going to be left for their children because of this war, the environment, and the national debt. Maybe, just maybe, we'd really want to get to the bottom of what he said and she said, but right now, we have better things to talk about.
The debate was another great reason for why people become cynical, and tune out politics. They aren't talking about anything that matters. This kind of politics is an insult to the nation. We really deserve better, especially now.
Similar Opinions
Washington Post
Obama's Response
04/10/2008 11:05 #43970
Online Payment Suggestions?Category: web
Hey, I need help on a web development / geek question.
What service would you recommend for online credit card transactions?
Anybody set up online payment accounts? Were you satisfied with the service, reasonable fees? Also doesn't take hours of coding to implement?
I'm working with a non-profit group that wanted to switch to Authorize.net, but their subscription is expiring this month. I'm just finishing up their new website, and I don't like the looks of Authorize.net. The instillation guides and sample codes are mostly from 2004, and they require a bunch of coding and configuring to start up. And all of the sample code says "use at your own risk" which doesn't make me feel good.
Considering "Network for Good", and "Paypal", but my knowledge of this area is slim.
Suggestions are very much appreciated,
What service would you recommend for online credit card transactions?
Anybody set up online payment accounts? Were you satisfied with the service, reasonable fees? Also doesn't take hours of coding to implement?
I'm working with a non-profit group that wanted to switch to Authorize.net, but their subscription is expiring this month. I'm just finishing up their new website, and I don't like the looks of Authorize.net. The instillation guides and sample codes are mostly from 2004, and they require a bunch of coding and configuring to start up. And all of the sample code says "use at your own risk" which doesn't make me feel good.
Considering "Network for Good", and "Paypal", but my knowledge of this area is slim.
Suggestions are very much appreciated,
dcoffee - 04/10/08 22:58
Thanks everyone, very helpful stuff.
Thanks everyone, very helpful stuff.
tinypliny - 04/10/08 21:35
I have been happy with google check-out as well as paypal, as a customer. I haven't received any fake spamming/phishing with Google Check-Out as I have with paypal. It could be because the Google service is relatively newer compared to paypal.
I have been happy with google check-out as well as paypal, as a customer. I haven't received any fake spamming/phishing with Google Check-Out as I have with paypal. It could be because the Google service is relatively newer compared to paypal.
jenks - 04/10/08 19:15
fwiw, as a customer, I like paypal...
fwiw, as a customer, I like paypal...
jason - 04/10/08 11:30
Do you have experience with XML and Web Services? A friend of mine did a PayPal implementation for JetBlue, and I myself have done something similar from a technical standpoint.
Here is the API, if you haven't seen it already:
:::link:::
The way it worked for us, you generate a request through a secure connection, and receive a response back, which you can parse to find the information you are looking for, etc...
Do you have experience with XML and Web Services? A friend of mine did a PayPal implementation for JetBlue, and I myself have done something similar from a technical standpoint.
Here is the API, if you haven't seen it already:
:::link:::
The way it worked for us, you generate a request through a secure connection, and receive a response back, which you can parse to find the information you are looking for, etc...
04/07/2008 22:43 #43946
one of those daysCategory: life
Spring, you know what I'm talking about.
I worked outside with the laptop today. Looking forward to many more days of that.
yea, she's soft and fuzzy... I think I just heard Paul sneeze. Sorry Paul.
I worked outside with the laptop today. Looking forward to many more days of that.
yea, she's soft and fuzzy... I think I just heard Paul sneeze. Sorry Paul.
carolinian - 04/08/08 09:01
She looks very much like the cat I had growing up--long orange fur, bushy tail, slightly persian-esque features. Brings back memories.
She looks very much like the cat I had growing up--long orange fur, bushy tail, slightly persian-esque features. Brings back memories.
theecarey - 04/08/08 00:02
I was just telling a friend today that I know its spring when the cats have relocated to bask in the 'sun spots' they haven't seen in 5 months or so.
yes, spring is in the air!
I was just telling a friend today that I know its spring when the cats have relocated to bask in the 'sun spots' they haven't seen in 5 months or so.
yes, spring is in the air!
03/28/2008 09:52 #43812
Iraq Going BadlyCategory: war
This has not turned into huge news yet for some reason. So in case you hadn't heard.
The Green Zone in Baghdad has been under rocket attack for the past 4 days. That's where the government and the US offices and Embassies are. It's a fortified city. US personnel have been advised to avoid traveling outside and sleep in reinforced structures.
The southern port city of Basra is basically occupied by Shi'ite militias. The government ordered them to hand over their weapons by today, I'm guessing that's not going to happen.
Bush thinks everything is swell, Sounds more like 1984 doublethink propaganda to me.
Chuck Hagel (R) Talks about Bush being Alice in Wonderland.
This doesn't sound good,
"Military: Troop Strains Putting US at Risk"
The Point, we can't solve other people's problems. If they can't work it out, we can't fix it for them. The Iraq war is now a completely political problem. We can't fix it, but we don't want embarrass ourselves. The Republicans in particular, have a lot riding on this flaming turd, especially with the election coming up.
The Surge brought a temporary lull in violence, but in the meantime we didn't get any progress in the government. All this time, and we haven't built anything that will last. 4,000 deaths, 40,000 wounded us soldiers and 5 years, and 500,000 billion so far.
The Green Zone in Baghdad has been under rocket attack for the past 4 days. That's where the government and the US offices and Embassies are. It's a fortified city. US personnel have been advised to avoid traveling outside and sleep in reinforced structures.
The southern port city of Basra is basically occupied by Shi'ite militias. The government ordered them to hand over their weapons by today, I'm guessing that's not going to happen.
Bush thinks everything is swell, Sounds more like 1984 doublethink propaganda to me.
Chuck Hagel (R) Talks about Bush being Alice in Wonderland.
This doesn't sound good,
"Military: Troop Strains Putting US at Risk"
The Point, we can't solve other people's problems. If they can't work it out, we can't fix it for them. The Iraq war is now a completely political problem. We can't fix it, but we don't want embarrass ourselves. The Republicans in particular, have a lot riding on this flaming turd, especially with the election coming up.
The Surge brought a temporary lull in violence, but in the meantime we didn't get any progress in the government. All this time, and we haven't built anything that will last. 4,000 deaths, 40,000 wounded us soldiers and 5 years, and 500,000 billion so far.
dcoffee - 03/29/08 00:26
Great points Peter, I like hearing different perspectives like that. You're right on a lot of points like having three separate countries, and the screwed up boundaries. You know Americans have gone through periods where we kill each other too, nobody worked it out for us. Imagine Britain comming over here and trying to break up the civil war, or solve slavery.
Thanks for the updates James, you rock.
Great points Peter, I like hearing different perspectives like that. You're right on a lot of points like having three separate countries, and the screwed up boundaries. You know Americans have gone through periods where we kill each other too, nobody worked it out for us. Imagine Britain comming over here and trying to break up the civil war, or solve slavery.
Thanks for the updates James, you rock.
metalpeter - 03/28/08 18:09
So I never watch the News but today I did catch some of this story before I went to work. The problem is that when you have people who hate each other and want to fight there is only one way to stop them and that is with a powerful leader like Sadam. You can't really have a country run by the people when certain groups want to kill each other. But yet we are the ones who took out the army and Sadam and now we have no way to fix the problem, oh and the one person who could maybe put things back together was hung. I know the Europeans fucked it up with how they have cut up countries and made the lines wrong. But I think that is really the only thing to do in Iraq and make it 3 seperate states with different laws and leaders that fit that areas view.
So I never watch the News but today I did catch some of this story before I went to work. The problem is that when you have people who hate each other and want to fight there is only one way to stop them and that is with a powerful leader like Sadam. You can't really have a country run by the people when certain groups want to kill each other. But yet we are the ones who took out the army and Sadam and now we have no way to fix the problem, oh and the one person who could maybe put things back together was hung. I know the Europeans fucked it up with how they have cut up countries and made the lines wrong. But I think that is really the only thing to do in Iraq and make it 3 seperate states with different laws and leaders that fit that areas view.
james - 03/28/08 13:51
I don't know what this isn't huge news.
Our boy al-Maliki gave the Mahdi army a deadline to disarm. They ignored it. Then the government created a gun-buy-back program, in essence bribing the al-Sadr. Now they have pushed the deadline to April, 8th. Now members of the Iraqi army and police are flocking to al-Sadr.
Our president is handling this like he is the economy. Our goals in Iraq are in deep shit but we are getting a glowing report from president Bush despite all indications the opposite is true.
Excellent post. Thank you.
I don't know what this isn't huge news.
Our boy al-Maliki gave the Mahdi army a deadline to disarm. They ignored it. Then the government created a gun-buy-back program, in essence bribing the al-Sadr. Now they have pushed the deadline to April, 8th. Now members of the Iraqi army and police are flocking to al-Sadr.
Our president is handling this like he is the economy. Our goals in Iraq are in deep shit but we are getting a glowing report from president Bush despite all indications the opposite is true.
Excellent post. Thank you.
03/27/2008 12:39 #43806
My Superdelagate LetterCategory: political
We now know that it is almost imposable for Clinton to win the nomination through democratic means. She would have to get around 70% in all the remaining states. And asside from a "political meteor" hitting Obama, this is not going to happen. But she seems not to notice or care, and it's likely that her candidacy will just go more and more negative as this thing drags on. Her only hope is that the 800 superdelegates at the Convention will appoint her as the winner, and ignore the voters who worked so hard to make their opinions known. This undemocratic attitude really rubs me the wrong way. If votes don't matter there is no hope for this country.
More people are saying that the Clintons don't care how much they damage Obama or the party, Clinton wouldn't mind a McCain presidency cause she could run again in 2012. Not saying it's true, she's just making weird choices and statements.
Read an article yesterday, Clinton Donors write Scathing Letter to Pelosi
Kind of bothered me they were insisting the Superdelegates give Clinton the nomination, like they have the right.
Another good Article by David Brooks in the NY Times "The Long Defeat"
Not obeying the will of the voters really bothers me, so I decided to write a letter to Speaker Pelosi, Harry Reid, and the DNC. I faxed it to Reid and Pelosi, emailed to the DNC.
Speaker Pelosi, Harry Reid, Howard Dean, et all
If the Democratic Party overturns the vote of the public and chooses Hillary Clinton during the convention, at best you will alienate a generation and validate their cynicism about American Politics. But the damage will likely go well beyond that. Hundreds of thousands of Democrats and Independents will stay home, others like myself will vote for a third party, and many more will vote for John McCain.
The truth is, Americans believe in the principles of the Democratic Party, but they don't believe in the politicians or the political system. This is why we have horrible voter turnout, even in presidential elections. If you can inspire people to get off the couch and vote, Democrats will win elections year after year.
If you don't take the opinion of the voters seriously, they will not trust you, and they will not vote for you. To win an election you need votes more than anything else. If you begin the presidential election with the candidate who did not receive the most votes, you will be at an enormous disadvantage, and the mistrust of the voters will carry on for years to come.
The Democratic Party needs somebody who can champion our principles, and get results, someone who is more trustworthy and convincing than the right wing. An eloquent person who can speak in terms that Americans identify with. Someone from a working class background who we can relate to and respect.
A candidate who inspires people will always get results, because once you convince the public that something is the right thing to do, politicians have no choice but to go along or lose their seat. You need a better salesman at the bully pulpit, someone who believes deeply in the values of the party, and clearly puts the good of the country above themselves
My story. I switched my party affiliation to Democrat, just so I could vote in the primaries. This time in history, and this election are so important that I needed to make my opinion known. In New York State voters must switch a year in advance, I took that step and I voted for Barack Obama. I'm also a small business owner, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. I read the news, and have a BA in Political Science. I'm not quiet about my opinions, I vote every single year, even in local elections. There are lots of people like me, potential Democrats who need some reassurance that you will not let us down.
The people have voted, and we will continue to vote for the candidate we prefer. Do not ignore our votes in the primaries, or you will not get our vote in the general election, or in future elections.
Dcoffee
More people are saying that the Clintons don't care how much they damage Obama or the party, Clinton wouldn't mind a McCain presidency cause she could run again in 2012. Not saying it's true, she's just making weird choices and statements.
Read an article yesterday, Clinton Donors write Scathing Letter to Pelosi
Kind of bothered me they were insisting the Superdelegates give Clinton the nomination, like they have the right.
Another good Article by David Brooks in the NY Times "The Long Defeat"
Not obeying the will of the voters really bothers me, so I decided to write a letter to Speaker Pelosi, Harry Reid, and the DNC. I faxed it to Reid and Pelosi, emailed to the DNC.
Speaker Pelosi, Harry Reid, Howard Dean, et all
If the Democratic Party overturns the vote of the public and chooses Hillary Clinton during the convention, at best you will alienate a generation and validate their cynicism about American Politics. But the damage will likely go well beyond that. Hundreds of thousands of Democrats and Independents will stay home, others like myself will vote for a third party, and many more will vote for John McCain.
The truth is, Americans believe in the principles of the Democratic Party, but they don't believe in the politicians or the political system. This is why we have horrible voter turnout, even in presidential elections. If you can inspire people to get off the couch and vote, Democrats will win elections year after year.
If you don't take the opinion of the voters seriously, they will not trust you, and they will not vote for you. To win an election you need votes more than anything else. If you begin the presidential election with the candidate who did not receive the most votes, you will be at an enormous disadvantage, and the mistrust of the voters will carry on for years to come.
The Democratic Party needs somebody who can champion our principles, and get results, someone who is more trustworthy and convincing than the right wing. An eloquent person who can speak in terms that Americans identify with. Someone from a working class background who we can relate to and respect.
A candidate who inspires people will always get results, because once you convince the public that something is the right thing to do, politicians have no choice but to go along or lose their seat. You need a better salesman at the bully pulpit, someone who believes deeply in the values of the party, and clearly puts the good of the country above themselves
My story. I switched my party affiliation to Democrat, just so I could vote in the primaries. This time in history, and this election are so important that I needed to make my opinion known. In New York State voters must switch a year in advance, I took that step and I voted for Barack Obama. I'm also a small business owner, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. I read the news, and have a BA in Political Science. I'm not quiet about my opinions, I vote every single year, even in local elections. There are lots of people like me, potential Democrats who need some reassurance that you will not let us down.
The people have voted, and we will continue to vote for the candidate we prefer. Do not ignore our votes in the primaries, or you will not get our vote in the general election, or in future elections.
Dcoffee
dcoffee - 03/27/08 20:18
Funny I just checked my email and MoveOn.org got pissed off about the same thing today. The letter from Clinton Donors to Nancy Pelosi. They put it this way;
"Clinton-supporting big Democratic donors are Threatening to stop supporting Democrats in Congress because Nancy Pelosi said that the people, not the superdelegates, should decide the Presidential nomination.
It's the worst kind of insider politicsâ€" billionaires bullying our elected leaders into ignoring the will of the voters."
Funny I just checked my email and MoveOn.org got pissed off about the same thing today. The letter from Clinton Donors to Nancy Pelosi. They put it this way;
"Clinton-supporting big Democratic donors are Threatening to stop supporting Democrats in Congress because Nancy Pelosi said that the people, not the superdelegates, should decide the Presidential nomination.
It's the worst kind of insider politicsâ€" billionaires bullying our elected leaders into ignoring the will of the voters."
joshua - 03/27/08 15:24
Nah - Ron Paul is finished.
Nah - Ron Paul is finished.
dcoffee - 03/27/08 14:31
Sitting out! whoa not a good term. voting third party is one of the most bad-ass things you can do! I always vote third party, even if I vote for a Democrat it's usually on the Working Families line.
Anyone else wondering if Ron Paul is going to make a Libertarian run?
Sitting out! whoa not a good term. voting third party is one of the most bad-ass things you can do! I always vote third party, even if I vote for a Democrat it's usually on the Working Families line.
Anyone else wondering if Ron Paul is going to make a Libertarian run?
janelle - 03/27/08 14:08
Cynthia McKinney??? Really? I need to start following my own party more closely. If she gets the nomination, looks like I'll be one of those people sitting out on this election.
Cynthia McKinney??? Really? I need to start following my own party more closely. If she gets the nomination, looks like I'll be one of those people sitting out on this election.
mrmike - 03/27/08 14:08
I agree with you Josh. Hillary has been almost "Sybil-esque" in taking on whatever personality to get the night's soundbite. Lying about the Bosnian trip repeatedly is just the latest tidbit.
It's interesting watching them run out of things to talk about. After almost a year of campaigning before the primary season began, both are grasping at straws and Hillary especially is saying whatever (Witness yesterday's hopping on the Rev Wright bandwagon) happens to suit that day.
I agree with you Josh. Hillary has been almost "Sybil-esque" in taking on whatever personality to get the night's soundbite. Lying about the Bosnian trip repeatedly is just the latest tidbit.
It's interesting watching them run out of things to talk about. After almost a year of campaigning before the primary season began, both are grasping at straws and Hillary especially is saying whatever (Witness yesterday's hopping on the Rev Wright bandwagon) happens to suit that day.
dcoffee - 03/27/08 13:51
I'm toying with the idea that the Clintons want revenge on the Republicans for how they tortured and impeached Bill when he was in office.
I think once we got to the general debates Clinton supporters would end up voting for Obama, when him and McCain are next to each other, they'll see the difference.
Some of Limbaugh's republicans might have voted for Clinton instead of McCain, but they can stay home instead, not sure.
A lot of Obama supporters on the other hand, especially if there's an undemocratic convention upset, they will stay home or vote third party. We're talking about a couple hundred thousand refusing to vote for the lesser of two evils in every state, I'm just making that number up, but there would be a huge turnout difference. Watch, if Obama is the nominee, record breaking turnout numbers.
Cynthia McKinney is probably going to be the Green Party nominee too, she would definitely take a chunk of the vote against Hillary.
I'm toying with the idea that the Clintons want revenge on the Republicans for how they tortured and impeached Bill when he was in office.
I think once we got to the general debates Clinton supporters would end up voting for Obama, when him and McCain are next to each other, they'll see the difference.
Some of Limbaugh's republicans might have voted for Clinton instead of McCain, but they can stay home instead, not sure.
A lot of Obama supporters on the other hand, especially if there's an undemocratic convention upset, they will stay home or vote third party. We're talking about a couple hundred thousand refusing to vote for the lesser of two evils in every state, I'm just making that number up, but there would be a huge turnout difference. Watch, if Obama is the nominee, record breaking turnout numbers.
Cynthia McKinney is probably going to be the Green Party nominee too, she would definitely take a chunk of the vote against Hillary.
joshua - 03/27/08 13:19
What is said about Hillary Clinton is true. She is willing to do whatever it takes, and if that means fracturing the party even more than it already is and making the Convention unworkable, then so be it. She and Bill think they have a divine right to be back in the White House, are watching a dream slip away right before their eyes - bottom line, they are pissed off. Even the surrogate Clintonoids are angry - Carville is a disgrace for calling Richardson "Judas."
More and more information is coming out suggesting that if Obama wins, Clinton supporters will vote McCain, and if Clinton wins, Obama supporters will either stay home or vote third party. Based on the Democrat on Democrat vitriol I've read and heard over the past few months I am not surprised if this would turn out to be the case. All partisanship aside, I'm astonished at the infighting the Democrats are doing.
Honestly, if I were a betting man I would put my dough on this ending a tad ugly.
What is said about Hillary Clinton is true. She is willing to do whatever it takes, and if that means fracturing the party even more than it already is and making the Convention unworkable, then so be it. She and Bill think they have a divine right to be back in the White House, are watching a dream slip away right before their eyes - bottom line, they are pissed off. Even the surrogate Clintonoids are angry - Carville is a disgrace for calling Richardson "Judas."
More and more information is coming out suggesting that if Obama wins, Clinton supporters will vote McCain, and if Clinton wins, Obama supporters will either stay home or vote third party. Based on the Democrat on Democrat vitriol I've read and heard over the past few months I am not surprised if this would turn out to be the case. All partisanship aside, I'm astonished at the infighting the Democrats are doing.
Honestly, if I were a betting man I would put my dough on this ending a tad ugly.
Ramble on brother.
One of the big problems with our politics is that winning is more important then anything. Even now, when we're stuck in a shithole of disaster, and we need a serious leader to turn things around. This kind of crap doesn't help the country, and I thought that was the president's main job. We really deserve better.
About a month ago it was said that Hillary was throwing the "kitchen sink" at Obama. A month later they are prattling on about minutia. That whole 'Obama is elitist because he called Pennsylvanians bitter' thing was pathetic. The lapel pin flag thing is pathetic. And HRC says that she can hammer away on non-issues because that is just what McCain will do in the general, it is just a rhetorical device to allow for mud slinging politics.
HRC has a few ads circulating in PA. In one major market, they are all negative. In another they are split. If the mud slinging tactic didn't work in SC, where it is infamous (remember John McCain's black baby?) I don't see how it is going to work in PA. And the polls have only been showing the race tightening these past two weeks. She was ahead 20+ and now she is under ten in almost every poll that has come out in this time.
GHA! I am hijacking your thread with ramblings.