SodaHead - Gramma Lil's Answers & Comments

President Bush Refused NY Times Requests For Interviews

2009-10-23T22:18:47Z

President Bush Refused NY Times Requests For Interviews
(US)

5 answers, +2 raves

Published by Fred Soto• November 12th, 2008 RSS News Feed An interesting article in the LA Times suggests that President Bush tried to control the media from his inauguration to the bitter end. There have been numerous articles about talking points that the White House would send over to Fox News and Bush has given exclusives to the people at Fox and calls to Rush Limbaugh. The New York Times, for instance, has had a standing request to interview President Bush since well before I came on this beat in May 2006. So far, no interview — and the reason why is hardly a secret. White House officials are quite open about the fact that we have not gotten an interview because they don’t like our coverage. Think Progress emphasized the fact that the Bush Administration simply doesn’t like the NY Times coverage. More favorable coverage might be a good start, but from what I understand it is the NY Times Opinion pieces (editorials) that are political in nature. The layout may lean towards the sensational, but what news paper doesn’t? In fairness, all presidential administrations probably play favorites with the media and will always be more inclined to include sources that are reputable and “not out to get you”. Maybe I haven’t been paying attention, but it seems that this problem is getting worse. Is Fox News in line to get “censored”, as some right-wing pundits claim, or will it simply receive the same kind of treatment that the NY Times did for 9 years?

Gramma Lil answered

and said : They are condeming President Obama for doing something that all politicians have done for years. Give me a break!

Ever pooped your pants as an adult?

2009-10-23T22:15:13Z

Ever pooped your pants as an adult?
(SodaHead)

29 answers, +14 raves

Gramma Lil answered
Hell no
and said : LMAO!!

Do you believe anything Obama the barker says?

2009-10-23T22:05:39Z

Do you believe anything Obama the barker says?
(US)

23 answers, +6 raves

Obama is like the barker at a fair or a circus that lures people in to see a side show on the pretense of seeing something outstanding, like the man with two brains, the alligator man or the fat lady, who isn't as fat as your cousin. Bill Maher said the majority of Americans are stupid. Since the majority of Americans voted for Obama, it appears Maher was right. W. C. Fields said it best, "There's a sucker born every minute." Obama duped the ignorant in America with his flowery speeches of change and he was to be the man of all people. I'll give the devil his due. Obama is a vile little creature with a tainted background who has associated with communists, anti-Americans, racists and the dregs of society; But he was still able to sell his circus side show to over 50 million ignorant Americans. With his excellent speech writers and his trusty teleprompter he has mesmerized the ignorant like the infamous Adolf Hitler did. There is a vast difference between Hitler and Obama. Hitler was intelligent, didn't need a script and didn't need a teleprompter. If historians are correct, we saw what atrocities Hitler committed and he, Hitler, loved all the German people and believed in what he was doing. Obama believes only in Obama, his socialist agenda and the minority causes. This is why Obama is more dangerous than Hitler.

Gramma Lil answered
Other
and said : Why do you right wing whackos do these same polls over and over again. Being sore losers is all you know how to be lately. Get over it!

Conservatives vs. Republicans: Is this fight between them going to help or hurt them?

2009-10-23T21:38:02Z

Conservatives vs. Republicans: Is this fight between them going to help or hurt them?
(US)

23 answers, +4 raves

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28641.html

Gramma Lil answered
It's going to hurt them both and this is why......
and said : Their party is already getting smaller by the day. Trying to push out moderate Republicans is only going to make them smaller. It's their own fault because the keep trying to purify their party.

Is street crime more dangerous than Wall Street crime?

2009-10-23T21:00:59Z

Is street crime more dangerous than Wall Street crime?
(Entertainment)

7 answers, +5 raves

I read thisarticle and then the comments that followed and it raised a number of interesting questions. I thought I'd throw it out for anybody who wants to read it, and I've posted one of those questions, but you're also welcome to post any other comments you have about the issue of class, race, or gender, and double standards. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010113369_pr...

Gramma Lil answered
None of the above
and said : Street crimes the people usually get caught and go to jail! The Wall street criminals hardly ever get caught or go to jail. I say the Wall street a-holes are more dangerous to this country!

Would you rather be a horse, a cow or Speaker of the House?

2009-10-23T20:59:22Z

Would you rather be a horse, a cow or Speaker of the House?
(Business)

20 answers, +6 raves

Gramma Lil answered
Speaker of the House
and said : Speaker of the house of course!!

Alan Grayson, First Democrat with a Spine in Years or Blue Meanie?

2009-10-23T20:58:40Z

Alan Grayson, First Democrat with a Spine in Years or Blue Meanie?
(US)

11 answers, +3 raves

Like Grayson, I'm not going to hide where I'm coming from. Watching this video makes me smile every single time. It's about damn time somebody took some of these Republicans to task. But I am interested to hear the responses of anybody who wants to answer my question...provided you actually watch the video. And watch yourself, it it looks to me like you didn't bother to watch the video before responding to my question...I will call you on it, much the same way Grayson calls Broun out in the video.

Gramma Lil answered
Bout TIME!!!
and said : I'm a fan of his now!! Ya just gotta love his spunkiness!!

Don't Let Dick Cheney's Buddies Silence Rape Survivors ref: Jamie Leigh Jones was drugged and gang-raped, vaginally and anally, while working for defense contractor KBR

2009-10-23T20:57:13Z

Don't Let Dick Cheney's Buddies Silence Rape Survivors ref: Jamie Leigh Jones was drugged and gang-raped, vaginally and anally, while working for defense contractor KBR
(Living)

12 answers, +4 raves

Four years ago, Jamie Leigh Jones was drugged and gang-raped, vaginally and anally, while working for defense contractor KBR (a subsidiary of Halliburton at the time) in Iraq. She then was locked in a shipping container without food, water or medical treatment in an attempt to keep the story quiet. She was unable to sue KBR for sex discrimination in open court because KBR was one of many companies with government contracts that require employees to sign individual contracts barring lawsuits and forcing mandatory binding arbitration, where the company almost always wins. Sen. Al Franken's (D-Minn.) amendment to a defense appropriations bill pending in Congress restores women's rights to jury trials when employed by a company with a government contract. This amendment is in jeopardy, thanks to the lobbying of Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Daniel Inouye (D -Hawaii) by deep-pocketed defense contractors. Action Needed: Please take time now to call the Appropriations Committee office to demand that Sen. Inouye keep the Franken Amendment in the defense appropriations bill. Background: Sen. Franken's recent amendment to the 2010 defense appropriations bill will deny defense contracts to companies that "restrict their employees from taking workplace sexual assault, battery and discrimination cases to court." These business policies deny women the right to seek justice, and the results of such practices are devastating. Franken's efforts and Jones' testimony before the Senate paid off, and the bill passed 68-30. Jones commented with the following: "It means the world to me. It means that every tear shed to go public and repeat my story over and over again to make a difference for other women was worth it." The Huffington Post reports: "Multiple sources" both inside the beltway and in defense-contracting circles reveal that Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Daniel Inouye (D -Hawaii) may water down or remove the provision, due to pressure from defense-industry contractors who fear they will be susceptible to lawsuits. "The defense contractors have been storming his office," said a source with knowledge of the situation. "Inouye either will get the amendment taken out altogether, or water it down significantly. If they water it down, they will take out the Title VII claims. This means that in discrimination cases, they will still force you into a secret forced arbitration on KBR's (or other contractors') own terms -- with your chances of prevailing practically zero. The House seems to be very supportive of the original Franken amendment and all in line, but their hands are tied since it originated in the Senate. And since Inouye runs the show on this bill, he can easily take it out to get Republicans and the defense contractors off his back, which looks increasingly likely." Earlier this week, the Defense Department noted its concerns, stating, "Enforcement would be problematic, especially in cases where privity of contract does not exist between parties within the supply chain that supports a contract. It may be more effective to seek a statutory prohibition of all such arrangements in any business transaction entered into within the jurisdiction of the United States, if these arrangements are deemed to pose an unacceptable method of recourse." Your Message Please call the office of the Defense Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee NOW before it's too late. The staff member who is handling this issue is Nicole DiResta, and her direct line is 202-224-3506. Make sure to leave a message if you reach voice mail. If Ms. DiResta's voice mail fills up, the main number is 202-224-6688. Please note: Sen. Inouye's name is pronounced "In-uh-way." Sample talking points for your call: I am calling because I am a supporter of equal rights for women, including the right to be free from violence and to seek justice through the courts. I am concerned that Senator Al Franken's amendment to the defense appropriations bill may be taken out or watered down. Right now, government contractors are denying workers the right to sue in public court if they are sexually assaulted while on the job. This amendment restores that right. Jamie Leigh Jones' story demonstrates what happens to women when they are denied worker's rights. Jones worked for defense contractor KBR in Iraq, where she reportedly was drugged and gang-raped by her male co-workers. In an attempt to cover up the activities of its employees, KBR had Jones locked in a shipping container without food, water or medical treatment. When Jones tried to sue KBR, she was told that due to a clause in her contract she was only allowed private arbitration, with no public transcript of the proceedings. Therefore, no judge or jury would ever hear her case. I am shocked by media reports that claim Appropriations Chair Senator Inouye is planning to water down or eliminate this critically important amendment. Please tell Senator Inouye to stand up to big defense contractors who want to change this bill so that they can continue to avoid responsibility for the violation of women's rights. Tell Sen. Inouye: You voted for this amendment because you know it's right. Please don't take it out of the bill. Women are counting on you. Thank you for your time.

Gramma Lil answered
Yes, I will call or Email Sen Inouye's (D/HI) office - American women need protection from Cheney's Corporate-Fascist Buddies
and said : Great poll Sarge!! Keep up the great work!

Would you like to be president of the United States?

2009-10-23T20:55:24Z

Would you like to be president of the United States?
(SodaHead)

31 answers, +16 raves

Gramma Lil answered
Hell yes
and said : I'm already a queen at home so I think I could do the job!

Would you rather be smart or dumb?

2009-10-23T20:36:29Z

Would you rather be smart or dumb?
(SodaHead)

43 answers, +16 raves

Gramma Lil answered
smart
and said : It would be dumb to choose dumb!

When it comes to kids, would you rather have boys or girls?

2009-10-23T20:17:33Z

When it comes to kids, would you rather have boys or girls?
(Living)

79 answers, +24 raves

Gramma Lil answered
None of the above
and said : I have both and I am forever greatful for having 3 girls and one son!

Would you rather be a snake or a bulldog?

2009-10-23T19:57:23Z

Would you rather be a snake or a bulldog?
(Living)

30 answers, +10 raves

Gramma Lil answered
bulldog
and said : I hung up my rattlers in the closet along time ago...so bulldog it is!

Grayson's questionable tactic: justified or underhanded?

2009-10-23T16:29:08Z

Grayson's questionable tactic: justified or underhanded?
(US)

42 answers, +12 raves

In launching a website that posts the names of those who died due to insufficient healthcare, Grayson hopes to rally support for healthcare reform. He claims that his site, namesofthedead.com, will honor the memory of those lost by bringing about change -- but is this just an excuse to use their memory for political gain? Personally, I'm in favor of healthcare reform. Still, after reading about Alan Grayson's (D-FL) namesofthedead.com project, I can't help but wonder -- does using the names of those killed by poor healthcare coverage for political ends truly honor them, or is this an unforgivable political stunt? "Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), who launched himself into the heat of the health care debate by arguing that Republican-styled health care reform encouraged the sick to die quickly, once again is using the specter of death to push for legislative action. The Florida Democrat announced, while on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, that he was launching a new website to list the names of the nearly 45,000 Americans who die every year because they lack health insurance. The site, called namesofthedead.com, would honor the memories of the deceased, compel Congress to act on health care reform and, ultimately, serve as a "historical artifact" of the days when there was no universal coverage, Grayson said..." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/grayson-launches-sit...

Gramma Lil answered
I'm in favor of healthcare reform, and agree with Grayson's tactics.
and said : I agree with him. Someone needed to make that list.

Taking a stand for or against health care reform and the public option: Are you for or against?

2009-10-23T16:08:45Z

Taking a stand for or against health care reform and the public option: Are you for or against?
(US)

51 answers, +15 raves

I just want to know if you are for or against health care reform and the public option. I'd also like to know why you are for or against it. Explain your reasons and please include links to your reason. I would really appreciate some input from both sides of this issue. I am trying to explain it to my 18 year old granddaughter and I want to give her the pros and cons of both sides of this issue so she can choose for herself which side she wants to be on. Also could you please share this question with your other sodahead friends so I can get as much input as possible.

Gramma Lil answered
I am for health care reform w/public option because.......

Where's the safest place during a tornado?

2009-10-22T18:09:08Z

Where's the safest place during a tornado?
(SodaHead)

7 answers, +3 raves

Gramma Lil answered
None of the above
and said : The bathtub!

Who Needs Health Insurance?

2009-10-22T16:52:05Z

Who Needs Health Insurance?
(US)

16 answers, +9 raves

I just love the way the neo-cons and pseudo-Christians on this site and on Fixed "News" continue to hypothosize that the free market is the only way to go as regards to health insurance coverage. This is a great example of how the major insurance companies are f*cking over their enrollees. Got Blue Cross? Hope you never get ill. Here is the latest story on the news in my neck of the woods: Oct 20, 2009 12:58 am US/Pacific Lawyer: Nurse Assistant Denied Care After Attack LOS ANGELES (AP) ―A nurse assistant who is in a vegetative state after being attacked at a Pasadena hospital has been unfairly denied care by workers compensation and her health insurance, her attorney alleges. Amelia Mendoza, 52, was attacked twice in April by a violent patient at Huntington Hospital, sustaining blows to her face, head and neck, attorney Russell Glauber said. Days later, she had a hemorrhagic stroke, and her claims for subsequent health care have been denied by her insurer, Blue Cross, and by workers compensation, he said. Glauber is appealing Mendoza's workers compensation denial and is holding a press conference Tuesday to call on the state board to expedite its response. Mendoza isn't expected to recover, Glauber said, and her husband has been forced to quit his job and care for her in their home. "Both breadwinners are gone," Glauber said. "If Blue Cross refuses to pay because they say it's (a) workers compensation case, and compensation care is not paying, then who's left?" Huntington Hospital spokeswoman Andrea Stradling confirmed Mendoza's employment at the hospital but said in a statement, "We do not believe that her current condition is related to any work-related injury." Stradling said she could provide no further comment because Mendoza's case is an ongoing workers compensation matter. Blue Cross spokeswoman Peggy Hinz declined to comment, saying she first needed to confirm whether Mendoza was a policyholder. Glauber said Mendoza was attacked on April 14 and 16, but was told to make an appointment at an in-house workers compensation clinic at Huntington Hospital on April 20. For unknown reasons, the clinic turned Mendoza away that day, he said. She collapsed while having dinner with her husband at a restaurant that night and has never recovered. An April 20 note in Mendoza's medical records says she was "in her usual state of health until about a week ago when she was bitten at work and had increased anxiety about her work injury." The records also note that Mendoza had become hypertensive since the incidents. Dr. Arthur E. Lipper, who was hired by Glauber, has examined Mendoza's medical records and said he believes the stroke was a result of Mendoza's workplace injury. "Whatever conspired to cause her to have her stroke, clearly at least in part transpired after and because she was bitten, hit in the head and neck," Lipper said. "She was agitated because of it, and then she stroked." "When somebody who has no known previous history of high blood pressure gets attacked on several occasions and it becomes high, the assumption is it's caused by the attacks," he said.

Gramma Lil answered
That's despicable!!!!
and said : Blue Cross sucks!!

Republicans For Rape!.... so much for women rights in the work place.

2009-10-22T16:49:08Z

Republicans For Rape!.... so much for women rights in the work place.
(US)

50 answers, +20 raves

In 2005, Jamie Leigh Jones was gang-raped by her Halliburton/KBR co-workers while working in Iraq and locked in a shipping container for over a day to prevent her from reporting her attack. The rape occurred outside of U.S. criminal jurisdiction, but to add serious insult to serious injury she was not allowed to sue KBR because her employment contract said that sexual assault allegations would only be heard in private arbitration--a process that overwhelmingly favors corporations. This year, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) proposed an amendment that would deny defense contracts to companies that ask employees to sign away the right to sue. It passed, but it wasn't the slam dunk Jon Stewart expected. Instead the amendment received 30 nay votes all from Republicans. "I understand we're a divided country, some disagreements on health care. How is ANYONE against this?" He asked. He went on to show video of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) arguing that it's not the government's place to decide who the government does business with and juxtaposed that with Republican sentiment on how the government should deal with ACORN. "I guess it's an efficiency thing. You don't want to waste tax-payer money giving it to someone who advises fake prostitutes how to commit imaginary crimes, you want to give it to Halliburton because they're committing real gang rape." Feel Free to join Pro-Rape movement at http://www.republicansforrape.org/

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Rape-Nuts

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
> Full Episodes<a>

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

Gramma Lil answered
The party of family values? More like the party of Filthy Hypocrits!
and said : All the Republicans who voted against this should be asked to resign.

Which one has damage America more ,Republicans or Democrats ?

2009-10-22T16:46:24Z

Which one has damage America more ,Republicans or Democrats ?
(US)

22 answers, +4 raves

Gramma Lil answered
Republicans
and said : The Rethugs of course!

Who in the WORLD would vote against this amendment?

2009-10-22T16:39:21Z

Who in the WORLD would vote against this amendment?
(US)

52 answers, +20 raves

This young woman, Jamie Leigh Jones, was serving her country by working for KBR in Iraq. She was drugged and gang raped on her 4th day in country by her co-workers. KBR's response to her report was to have her imprisoned UNDER GUARD and told to forget it! One of her guards took pity and released her so she could make a phone call... and eventually Senator Poe from her state was able to secure her release. It seems that there is a clause in the contract that MUST be signed by potential contractors that they can only use BINDING ARBITRATION to solve disputes and are NOT allowed to bring criminal charges against co-workers! Senator Al Franken introduced an amendment that would allow similarly assaulted people to have their "day in court". The bill passed by a margin of 68-30. That's right... 30 US Senators voted AGAINST protecting the rights of the PEOPLE in order to protect BIG BUSINESS. Can anyone guess which party ALL of these Senators represent? Well... here is a list of who they are. The question is... HOW CAN THEY DEFEND THEIR VOTE??? Alexander (R-TN) Barrasso (R-WY) Bond (R-MO) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS) Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Gregg (R-NH) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE) Kyl (R-AZ) McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Wicker (R-MS) Here's the actual amendment... Sec. 8104. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any existing or new Federal contract if the contractor or a subcontractor at any tier requires that an employee or independent contractor, as a condition of employment, sign a contract that mandates that the employee or independent contractor performing work under the contract or subcontract resolve through arbitration any claim under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or any tort related to or arising out of sexual assault or harassment, including assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, or negligent hiring, supervision, or retention.

Gramma Lil answered
Same old party... they ONLY care about BIG BUSINESS.
and said : The Republicans make me sick!

Big congrats to Astro Boy for passing 75, 000 raves

2009-10-22T16:36:15Z

Big congrats to Astro Boy for passing 75, 000 raves
(SodaHead)

57 answers, +27 raves

Gramma Lil answered
All of the above
and said : Hello Duckie!! http://mtownsendwdesigns.com/...