http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081203/ap_on_re_us/obama_holiday

Save the date: Ala. county passes Obama holiday

Wed Dec 3, 1:56 pm ET

MARION, Ala. – In central Alabama's Perry County, government workers already get a day off for President's Day, Martin Luther King Day, and Veterans Day. In 2009, they'll get one more: "Barack Obama Day."

The rural county, which overwhelmingly supported Obama in last month's presidential election, has approved the second Monday in November as "The Barack Obama Day." Commissioners passed a measure that would close county offices for the new annual holiday and its roughly 40 workers will get a paid day off.

Sponsoring commissioner Albert Turner Jr. said the holiday is meant to highlight the Democratic president-elect's victory as a way to give people faith that difficult goals can be achieved.

Perry County has 12,000 residents, most of them black. Voters there backed Obama by over 70 percent in a state that gave 60 percent of the overall vote to Republican John McCain based largely on strong support from white voters.

At the state level, Alabama observes the standard federal holidays as well as a handful of its own that include Confederate Memorial Day in April and the June birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. It observes Martin Luther King's birthday in January but the holiday is twinned with commemoration of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on the same day.

The Perry County Commission's three black members and one of its two white members voted for the Obama holiday.

Commissioner Brett Harrison said Wednesday he voted against the resolution because of the costs to the county, which has a $2.2 million annual payroll and is one of the poorest in the state. He said closing the courthouse would also idle some state employees.

"I'm a Democrat, but just in these financial times, it's not using the county's money wisely," Harrison told The Associated Press by phone Wednesday. "The recognition is certainly well-founded."

Turner said copies of the resolution, adopted at a Nov. 25 meeting, have been mailed to Obama and his transition team.

A Holiday?  Are you kidding me?  He's a president.  This is why I'm scared…he's becoming a messiah…and it's getting very worrysom.

I don't want to get all Godwin's Lawish…but I see the things of the past happining…

God…I really hope that I'm wrong.

Your spelling is what's worrysom.  *L*

The fact that they celebrate a Jefferson Davis day would scare me more, except that it's some podunk 'bama county that seems to be looking for any excuse to take another day off.  An Obama day is a decent trade-off, I suppose.

Maybe a little more participating (http://change.gov/page/content/discusseconomy) and a lot less reacting would lessen your fears, though.

Dude, we had a day named after a popular and successful high school student in my home town.

You know…I am not going to argue about why they get the day off, more over that really in these hard times, why are they paying government workers for not working?

I wonder how much the government would save by eliminating some of the federal holidays?

why are they paying government workers for not working?

They do that anyway.  Whether or not it's a holiday doesn't make a difference. ;)

They do that anyway.  Whether or not it's a holiday doesn't make a difference. ;)

OK, that was just funny right there.

It's not so much that it's a President that's getting a Holiday named after him.

It's more the way that this country is treating him…like this is the first President ever… 

It's a Pomp and Circumstance for everything..  He's proposed some scary stuff…as well as some things that might be pretty good.

But people just see this guy and go nuts.  He's just a guy…running for office.  No different than any other President…other than some Socialistic [as much as I hate to use that word] ideals.

But I'm not sure I'm far off when I say that he's treated like the next messiah.  He has people eating out of his hand…much like a leader of the past…with his "Citizin's Security Force." 

His Quote..

We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded.

I don't care who you are…that's very scary.  And very SS like.

*sigh*

Yes, Obama is a tyrannical dictator with plans for World Domination.  He is the Anti-Christ.  The Second Coming of Hitler.

Let's expand his quote a bit:

We will enlist our veterans to find jobs and support for other vets, and to be there for our military families. And we're going to grow our Foreign Service, open consulates that have been shuttered and double the size of the Peace Corps by 2011 to renew our diplomacy. We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set.

We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded. We need to use technology to connect people to service. We'll expand USA Freedom Corps to create online networks where American can browse opportunities to volunteer. You'll be able to search by category, time commitment and skill sets. You'll be able to rate service opportunities, build service networks, and create your own service pages to track your hours and activities.

Sounds more like he's supporting a citizen movement to strengthen the nation's economy and security from within.  He plans to get the people more involved with their government, not create a personal army.  FDR and JFK had similar approaches.  His message is that civil service is a much better show of support for your country than slapping a yellow ribbon magnet on your car before you head off to the mall.  I don't understand why people like you feel it necessary to shit on everyone's parade.  It's one thing if there was actually some substance behind what you were saying, but it's all just reactionary nonsense.  It's actually a good thing for people to be excited about the president.  At least wait for the guy to get into office first.

Again, it pays to think before reacting.

Whoa there buddy.  These people are reacting before he's into office.

So, it's OK if you support him to react before he's in office…

But if I have concerns…I'm not allowed to have those.

Yes, Obama is a tyrannical dictator with plans for World Domination.  He is the Anti-Christ.  The Second Coming of Hitler.

And again, where did I ever say that.  You really do like putting words in my mouth.  I just said that I have concerns..and his statements have some scary undertones.  That's all I was saying.

This blind following is a little scary to me.  I'm sorry, If it was people doing this to Bush, I would think the same thing.

My other question…where are we going to get this money??  That sounds very expensive.  Forgive me for worrying.  But if we're already in dept, where are we going to pay for a "civilian national security force" that's larger or as large as our military?  IF the military is over spending now…it would ration that if they are going to be as large..that it would double spending.

I'm seeing more taxes…and that's not what I want. 

And again, where did I ever say that.  You really do like putting words in my mouth.  I just said that I have concerns..and his statements have some scary undertones.  That's all I was saying.

He has people eating out of his hand…much like a leader of the past…with his "Citizin's Security Force."

If you can read between the lines, so can I.  Seems pretty ridiculous, huh?  Seems pretty shitty for people to misinterpret your words, huh?  Hmm…I wonder if there's a lesson in there somewhere.  I'm going to spell it out because no one seems to understand my motives when I do things like this.  I'm using your own words and your own tactics against you to illustrate how ridiculous it is.

Forgive me for worrying.  But if we're already in dept, where are we going to pay for a "civilian national security force" that's larger or as large as our military?  IF the military is over spending now…it would ration that if they are going to be as large..that it would double spending.

Actually, in the same speech he mentioned cutting funding from the DoD budget to pay for this.  Throughout his campaign and the days since the election, Obama has been very open in his plans to balance the budget.  If you were paying attention instead of reacting, you'd know that it does not mean more taxes. 

Cut DoD Spending and you can expect another 9/11.  Hell, we're already on a heightened alert because there's worry of a nuclear or bio attack in the near future.

And telling me that he's not going to raise taxes, when that's been his whole platform is assine.  That's what he wants to do…tax and spend.  He's been preaching that all along.

And I didn't say he was like that…I said it almost sounds like that.  That's not saying that he's evil.  Although sometimes I feel that he might be…but then everyone says that about Bush.  But hell, that's OK.  Bush caused the Hurricane in New Orleans.  Bush caused the Tsunami that wiped out all those people.  Bush turned on the Weather Machine and dumped all that snow in Buffalo last year.

I mean, we all know that he's the REAL root of all evil.

Cut DoD Spending and you can expect another 9/11.  Hell, we're already on a heightened alert because there's worry of a nuclear or bio attack in the near future.

That's just disturbingly uneducated.  Please inform us of how Obama's planned spending cuts for defense will usher in another 9/11.  You're just spitting out more baseless fear-mongering.

And telling me that he's not going to raise taxes, when that's been his whole platform is assine.  That's what he wants to do…tax and spend.  He's been preaching that all along.

Everyone concentrates on the taxes he wants to raise and not the taxes and spending he wants to cut.

And I didn't say he was like that…I said it almost sounds like that.

So if I were to say you're almost an idiot, what would you take from that?  It's very juvenile to just hint at something and then backpedal when called out. 

Although sometimes I feel that he might be…but then everyone says that about Bush.  But hell, that's OK.  Bush caused the Hurricane in New Orleans.  Bush caused the Tsunami that wiped out all those people.  Bush turned on the Weather Machine and dumped all that snow in Buffalo last year.

[facepalm]

I'm not backpeddaling.  I'm just saying that there's things that worry me. 

If you said that I'm almost an idiot…I would say…at least I'm not a COMPLETE idiot. 

And I'm sorry…but as soon as the word that he's in Office…we've already been threatend.  Knowing that we're not going to have the means to protect ourselves as we're going to have less in our Military.  It's not fearmongering.  It's being realistic.

Explain why we're on a hightened alert?  Explain how not having the technology and people to support a hightened alert will keep us safe?

On Sunday, Washington raised the national security level from yellow to orange, which is "high" alert….

When asked at a press conference to elaborate on the seriousness of the situation, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said only that U.S. government officials had "good reason" to increase the national security level.

"Is it serious? You bet your life it is," he said.

Sunday's announcement by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge marks the fifth time the U.S. has raised its security level to Code Orange since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

SO, if we're this worried…then how can cuting spending to the very people that keep us safe help?

That's right…we'll have his Civilian Security Force….They will keep us safe.

I'm not backpeddaling.  I'm just saying that there's things that worry me.

You hinted at Obama being like Hitler, but then said "Oh but I didn't SAY he was Hitler."  How is anyone supposed to react to that?

And I'm sorry…but as soon as the word that he's in Office…we've already been threatend.  Knowing that we're not going to have the means to protect ourselves as we're going to have less in our Military.  It's not fearmongering.  It's being realistic.

1. Obama said he would increase the size of our military, not decrease it.

2. Do you really believe the size of our military is going to determine whether or not we can prevent another 9/11?  I've said it before and I'll say it again…you cannot have a war on terror.  This isn't something you can wipe out with brute force.  Terrorism is equivalent to inner-city gangs on a global level.  It's bred through poverty and culture and you can't kill it with weapons.

Explain why we're on a hightened alert?  Explain how not having the technology and people to support a hightened alert will keep us safe?

Your reaction is irrational.  You hear "spending cut" or "tax increase" and all of the sudden the sky is falling.  The cuts planned for defense are mostly from the fuckton of tax dollars being funneled into Bush's mess in Iraq.  The amount of money spent on canceled proposals alone is mind-blowing.  Plus, every tax dollar spent on defense does not always correlate to a soldier or a technology.  I'm very intimate with what the Armed Forces spends on technology and most of it goes to waste.

Oh…and here's a pro tip:

If you're going to quote an article on the current threat level, make sure it's not 5 years old.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2003/12/23/orange_alert031223.html

It's not Bush's war.  That's getting old.

Bush can't start a war…that has to be done by Congress congress.  Many of whom are Democrat. 

Sorry….it was an old articlal doesn't mean that we're still not on a high alert.

December 8, 2008

U.S. threat level is High, or Orange.

...we are closely assessing potential threats and response planning leading into and following the electoral process in 2008 to 2009. Heightened coordination and planning among intelligence community and law enforcement partners is being undertaken solely out of an abundance of caution, and focuses on preventive and preparedness measures for the transition period between administrations.

WTF, man?  You obviously went to the DHS site, read the warning, and then selectively chose what you wanted to quote to make it seem worse.  The US threat level is yellow.

Current Threat Level

December 8, 2008 - The United States government's national threat level is Elevated, or Yellow.

For all domestic and international flights, the U.S. threat level is High, or Orange. Only small amounts of liquids, aerosols and gels are allowed in carry-on baggage. See the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Web site for up-to-date information on items permitted and prohibited on airlines.

There is no credible, specific intelligence suggesting an imminent threat to the homeland at this time. Still, we are closely assessing potential threats and response planning leading into and following the electoral process in 2008 to 2009. Heightened coordination and planning among intelligence community and law enforcement partners is being undertaken solely out of an abundance of caution, and focuses on preventive and preparedness measures for the transition period between administrations.

I just caught you TWICE in a row posting modified information to make the situation look worse than it is and you say you're not fear-mongering?

This is too much fun.

When it's done for the purpose for the Dems to make a point.  It's OK.

When I do it to make the the above point…it's fear mongering.  I wasn't "Caught" at anything…

I love the double standards.  Still, I didn't post anything that was incorrect. 

And it's not the size of our military that worries me…it's the lack of intelligence that we'll lose due to the fact that we're spending less.  But, I forgot that you were the Head of Military Intelligence.  So you know…because you work there.

I work for EDS…doesn't mean that I know what we're doing in our .mil Intelligence divisions…even if I am on the Federal Account.

I'm not questioning you know that we're wasting…I wouldn't even disagree that we are…but you think that they are the only ones doing that?  I think that it's a thing of every company. 

Anyway, it doesn't really matter…

As President Lincoln said.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside.
If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

Oh, and you can have the last word…because I'm pretty much done with all this.

Obama is the best thing that has ever happened to the US.  He's going to save us from ourselves…just like England.  We're going to be living on Koolaid, puppydogs, cotton candy and rainbows.

I can't wait…as soon as the 20th gets here…the US will be a new place.

CHANGE!

and the snozberries will taste like snozberries!

yahoo!

Still, I didn't post anything that was incorrect.

No, you simply supplied out of date and/or heavily edited data.  But whatever works for you.  Your message was that we are on high alert and we're not, except for air travel…which has been that way since 9/11.

And it's not the size of our military that worries me…it's the lack of intelligence that we'll lose due to the fact that we're spending less.  But, I forgot that you were the Head of Military Intelligence.  So you know…because you work there.

I know enough to know that funding cuts anywhere in the DoD will not affect intelligence.  Totally different pot of money.  You don't even have to work in defense to know that.

I work for EDS…doesn't mean that I know what we're doing in our .mil Intelligence divisions…even if I am on the Federal Account.

You work IT, I work Business Development.  We interact with different people.

Anyway, it doesn't really matter…

As President Lincoln said.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside.
If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

Hah…couldn't agree with you more.