The Goat Pen

I didn't either

I'm afraid I don't know who that is

I wondered how you knew him.

No, I am sorry to hear that. He could be curmudgeonly at times, but I enjoyed posting with him...

Are you a reader of The Sun magazine out of Chapel Hill?

no, I don't know of it

Is there some place where all those folks still post?

No. Most are posting on FB but not as a group. I do miss that place.

Their currents turned awry...

As for The Sun, you should pick up a copy, it's sold many places around Chapel Hill. Certainly at Weaver Street...

OK, thanks, I will check it out.

Did you read about Ryan Hoffman in the NYTimes today? http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/08/sport ... eless.html

Maybe it's Darren Wilson that should be filing a civil case.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/politics/ ... index.html

I don't think he wants any more digging and prodding into this case. I'm sure he wishes the country did not have his name so easily off their lips.

The republicans have a pretty big problem on their hands which I'm sure they realize but the democrats haven't jumped on yet

Unemployment is at 5.5% (whether you believe that is a real number or not, its what they are saying). The economy is cranking out jobs now at a pace equivalent to.....when the last Democrat was in office, Osama was killed on Obama's watch, we aren't at war (although many repubs would like to be), gas prices are tolerable if not desirable, inflation is nothing, interest rates are low and people with shitty credit can again buy houses and cars.

Who is going to want a return to the government of Bush?

Republicans are going to have to pull off a miracle makeover in the next 12 months, have a red flag event or Hillary Clinton is going to have to get caught putting babies on pikes in a KKK uniform.

I'm sure that the republicans will hit on the fact that unemployment is the lowest since 2008 - when Bush was in office. And, really, the "jobs created" stat has always been controversial voodoo. Lastly, the president, regardless of party, gets way too much blame when unemployment and "jobs creation" are bad and way too much credit when it's good.

The person who is elected will be the most likable person who lies to us all most effectively.

I agree - I just see the Democrats running on the "it took us 8 years to fix the mess Bush gave us, why do you want to take a chance giving it back to them now?"

And they'd be spot on.

The weak-minded are easily convinced, eCat; they are the majority, and the majority elects the president. That's why the most charismatic liar usually wins.


People who proudly and blindly proclaim their fealty to a particular party have a long tradition in this country. That won't change, either.

maybe but its a numbers game now

there are 3 hot button issues - Obamacare, Immigration and Terrorism

so the question is - are these issues enough to have the people that elected Obama turn to a republican who will tout the same economic and foreign policies of the Bush administration?

I'd have to answer with a resounding no. The perception of a strong economy (and assuming it stays strong into next year) even if there are record numbers of people not working or on income security, has traditionally been a huge driver in voting.

Even if a Cruz , Rubio, Paul or Walker came up with some amazing soundbite or platform for the masses, I don't see how they can overcome the built in momentum.

And this is coming from a guy who doesn't want a democratic president (albeit, I don't want a jackass republican either)

Do you really think hot-button topics make a difference? I'm not sure I do. Seems to me if you go up to an average person loyal to Obama and the Democrats and say, "Do you agree with President Obama's plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act?" the majority answer with a resounding, "Yea!"

"While we're at it, should we follow his lead and repeal women's suffrage?"

"ABSOLUTELY!"


Most vote for their party or they don't vote at all.

The repub will be happy if a non negro beats them.