Across the globe, Americans gear up to vote

“To me, as a Jew, that’s like having diplomatic relations with Hitler,” she said. “As a result, he lost my vote.”

I want to say this as a Jew.

What if we had a better diplomatic relationship with Hitler? One that could have influenced him?

I bad could that have been?

Talking to the "enemy" is bad = bang head against concrete wall over and over and over and over and over

Moderator: Readers, please stay on topic. References to Hitler are not relevant.

America needs to change it's course. We all know the current policies have failed. There is no denying here. Obama/Biden '08

Across the globe, Americans gear up to vote

But their absentee ballots won't be counted this time either.

It is people who refuse to talk we need to be wary of, such as the United States before the Iraq invasion. In that situation, war is all but guaranteed.

In Israel, the main issue is the country’s security. In Mexico, it’s trade ties, and in Russia, the deteriorating relations with Washington.

Great, so all we need to do is keep everyone happy and everything will be OK.

“To me, as a Jew, that’s like having diplomatic relations with Hitler,” she said. “As a result, he lost my vote.”

What a crazy opinion!

I'm sorry, mods, but the comments has to be addressed. Improving relations with Iran is not at all like talking with Hitler. Why is the correlation so ludicrous? Well, anyone with ears know who Hitler was because of what he did; on the other hand, while Iran has thrown out quite a few threats, they have done NOTHING by way of trying to exterminate the Jewish people, and dialogue can help PREVENT Iran from becoming another... well... better not say his name again.

Anyway, kudos for all these people for going with their hearts. I don't agree with a lot of the fluff given in lieu of reason, but hey.

Do the Right Thing

Well, anyone with ears know who Hitler was because of what he did; on the other hand, while Iran has thrown out quite a few threats, they have done NOTHING by way of trying to exterminate the Jewish people,

maybe it's just me but modern day israel seems a tad bit better armed and organized than european jewry in the 1930's.

and dialogue can help PREVENT Iran from becoming another... well... better not say his name again.

yeah, cos it worked so well with hitler and stalin and mussolini and tojo and saddam hussein.

who gets to do the talking this time? words need force behind them. europe and the united nations can't provide it.

obama seems unwilling to.

76 percent of American jews in israel are voting mccain.

So did all of the Americans here vote? And did all of the obsessed foreigners fill out a mock ballot and mail it to Santa Claus?

Hey-ooooooooooo!

How can referencing Hitler not be relevant? The article leads with a story about a Jewish American living part-time in Israel and references her belief that voting for Obama is like voting for diplomatic relations with Hitler. It seems relevant to affirm or negate that belief.

I can understand that no one wants to invite a discussion of Hitler. In that case, however, it would seem better to eschew the running of articles that mention him.

Moderator: Readers, the point of the story is not Hitler. Earlier, two readers turned the whole discussion into Hitler and the West's negotiations with him in the 1930s. They made no reference to McCain or Obama. Posts that do not refer to Americans abroad and the election will be removed.

That being said, I think people should vote based on what they think is best for their country--not what they think is best for their adopted country. Now, if Weinberg thinks its best for American to continue to unreservedly take Israel's side, that's different. I'm not sure that our historic approach is even good for Israel but I don't think that should be the criteria that an American uses in voting. This is, conceivably, why we have always looked at dual citizenship somewhat skeptically.

I want to vote! I still have not recieved my over seas ballot in the mail!I will pray for Obama to win!!!

Contacts of Dick Morris told him , if Obama wins Israel will attack Iran, causing a possible WWIII. This is why decent freedom lovers are voting for McCain.

Of course we take Israel's side, like us tehy are good who are fighting terrorism.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Iran is in sort of a pickle right now with the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan = They are uncomfortable and now is the time for negotiations (I like Obama's position and dislike McCain's)

If this Iranian nuclear facility continues Israel will eventually attack it. -They will not mess around.

What can Iran do if Israel attacks? -Complain, and the world continues.

One good thing about the Iraq war I guess.

"She already mailed her absentee ballot, cast for Obama"

I already mailed my absentee ballot, cast for McCain.

McCain might be better for Israel, but he is clearly not better for America. Americans should NOT vote for McCain.

Someone should inform Ms. Weinberg that Iran is home to the second-largest (by far) Jewish population in the Middle-East. Tens of thousands of Jews live in Iran, and have for centuries.

If President Ahmadinejad were truly Hitler, I think it would have been evident by now among Iran's Jews.

"Americans should not vote for McCain"

Yet nearly half of them will. Incredible, isn't it?

Not only gearing up to vote.

Of the people who have voted so fvar, most votes have been for Barack Obama.

Unless John McCain get the vote soon, he's lost.

Then again, he has lost this election. < :-)

"he ( McCain ) has lost this election"

The main vote's not until Nov. 4. Stop lying, please.

Lying, where have I lied Sarge? < :-)

Come on Sarge, where did I lie?

Unless John McCain get the vote soon, he's lost. Then again, he has lost this election. < :-)

Truth/opinion.

What did I lie about Sarge? < :-)

adaydream: "Truth/opinion"

It's your opinon.

All right, I'll give you that one. "he has lost" in this case means "he will lose."

Have you ever heard the phrase "Don't count your chickens before they hatch?

"Americans should not vote for McCain"

sarge -

Yet nearly half of them will. Incredible, isn't it?

Meaning that more than half will vote for Obama. Thank God!

A series of global polls in recent months have shown that foreigners overwhelmingly favor Obama

Good. They can have him.

Sarge - You ever hear the phrase? "The race is over before it got started."

george bu ...er.. I mean John McCain has lost this election already.

Obama's vote are pouring in.

John McCain's are trickling in.

My opinion... maybe. Wait till next Tuesday night and see. < :-)

on this thread, like so many, i have to say, wow.

if only we in America could somehow harness the power of the intense emotional energy that non-Americans are so predictably susceptible to expending in election years.

if only we in America could somehow harness the power of the intense emotional energy that non-Americans are so predictably susceptible to expending in election years.

It comes from years of talking down about other countries and their "socialist", only to turn into one the most expensive(corporate welfare) countries in the world. No worries now that America is well on it's way to being social democracy(Obama or No Obama), true capitalist countries will look down on the United States and the same amount energy will grow.

My family is divided half and half on this election, I will vote for Obama, but 1 of my little sisters will go for McCain, so here's to democracy!

One of my good friends is a staunch McCain supporter, which is fine. I must say I know more people (American and non American) who are for Obama - overwhelmingly so.

What disappoints me though was that my McCain friend got lulled into the tabloid sensationlist tirades against Obama "He's a socialist/Marxist, He will surrender to Iran, The founding fathers would be against him (how the hell can ANYONE know that?), etc." whereas up until a few months ago, discussions were about policies and solutions.

That to me is what has coloured the last few weeks of the campaign - the tabloid nature of it - the trashy attacks on Obama and on Palin and on a side note - there was a good Opinion piece about the attacks on Palin in Today's Melbourne Age (1/11):

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/men-dont-cop-this-abuse-so-why-palin-20081031-5fjs.html

I personally support Obama, as I feel that he has presented a much more pro-active and inclusive platform, but that's just one denizen of downunder's opinion.

This election has electrified and mobilised more people than any in recent history - and whatever the outcome, that can only be a good thing.

KN

Dude - No, not meaning that more than half of voters will vote for Obama. Presidents are often elected with less than 50% of the vote, including Bush and Bill Clinton.

"the ( Founding Fathers ) would be against him ( Obama ) ( how the hell can ANYONE know that? )"

From Obama's comments on the Constitution. Check it out.

Have you ever heard the phrase "Don't count your chickens before they hatch?" I hope neither of you are at my mom's age. If you are, you shouldn't be allowed to vote.

What disappoints me though was that my McCain friend got lulled into the tabloid sensationlist tirades against Obama "He's a socialist/Marxist," That is really Obama's own fault. Him having a poster of Che hanging in his office has upset a lot of my family member from Cuba. And its ironic to buy a poster of a communist/Marxist, who did that money go to?

We have nice sweet Luren of Democrats abroad, a solid speaker. We have a republicans abroad - never attended an event. Why don't we have another party abroad? Face it, there is no change until we get rid of dems and repubs. The only change we are going to see is a president who hasn't looked like any in the past. Same thing, different color.

"It comes from years of talking down about other countries and their "socialist"," No, we didn't talk down socialists, we talked down the socialist who jumped the governments of those countries who made sure there were only one party. only to turn into one the most expensive(corporate welfare) countries in the world." Corporate Welfare is an oxymoron. Anyone who has believed that is a moron. Many of these companies who are getting help have paid taxes, kept workers when they shouldn't have, provided what they could in terms of health care, kid care, and what not. I too am against them getting money, but not for the same reasons as you. No worries now that America is well on it's way to being social democracy(Obama or No Obama)," And that will be spear headed by rich-white-liberals who have lived their entire lives in nice white gated communities. true capitalist countries will look down on the United States and the same amount energy will grow." like who?

Sarge -

How do you know the founding fathers, two centuries later, wouldn't find bits of the constitution that needed revising/updating? If it were intended to be taken as written in stone, how did it manage to get so many amendments attached to it? Is everyone who proposed/voted in favour of an amendment somehow un-American?

Cleo - Oh, I'm sure the Founding Fathers would find bits of the Constitution that needed revising/updating. We've done that - ( Bill of Rights ). But Obama's comments indicate he despises the Constitution.

Check it out ( "Obama rips U.S. Constitution" )

And please don't bring up Bush's "It's just a goddamed piece of paper" - that was taken out of context.

skipthesong,

I don't think Obama has a poster of Che hanging in his office, does he? Aren't you referring to the following?

http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/charliesykes/15583592.html

I'm sure you can find more balance coverage of this elsewhere. However, the office in question is in Houston--an odd place for an Illionis Senator to have his office. It is not an official campaign office. It is a volunteer headquarters. And Obama has said that he though it was inappropriate.

If you want to judge who Obama is based on the opinion of an individual supporter, why not judge him on the basis of what Colin Powell says?

sez: I am not judeging him! And I don't care what Colin Powell says. I look at him and McCain the same way - politicians!

Have you ever heard the phrase "Don't count your chickens before they hatch?"

Or as some would have it, "Don't count your chickens before they come home to roost."

How do you know the founding fathers, two centuries later, wouldn't find bits of the constitution that needed revising/updating?

i think they'd be astonished to see the unimaginable success their glorious experiment became.

and i think they'd chuckle in scoffing disbelief if you told them that in the last one hundred years it has three times saved the monarchies and democracies of old europe from themselves and from russia.

and i think they'd be horrorified at the knowledge that obama's campaign has accepted millions in illegal foreign contributions.

"the ( Founding Fathers ) would be against him ( Obama ) ( how the hell can ANYONE know that? )"

From Obama's comments on the Constitution. Check it out.

The Founding Fathers and Obama were/are smart enough to realize that times change. I suspect that the Founding Fathers were not so attached to the Constitution as to think it was perfect for all time. In fact, the Founding Fathers clearly recognized the need for change, and so does Obama.

Anyway, I link would really help us know what we are talking about, rather than this vague accusation of Obama being against the constitution.

And please don't bring up Bush's "It's just a goddamed piece of paper" - that was taken out of context.

Is it actually possible to take that out of context? Was he referring to an electric bill?

As always, you are long on accusation and very very short on explanation.

Anyway, I link would really help us know what we are talking about, rather than this vague accusation of Obama being against the constitution.

how about rassmussen polls:

While 82% of voters who support McCain believe the justices should rule on what is in the Constitution, just 29% of Barack Obama’s supporters agree. Just 11% of McCain supporters say judges should rule based on the judge’s sense of fairness, while nearly half (49%) of Obama supporters agree.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/supreme_court_ratings/supreme_court_update

Obama being against the constitution." Even if he were, I don't think that should be a bad thing. There are so many reason why I feel the constitution needs to be re-vamped!

While 82% of voters who support McCain believe the justices should rule on what is in the Constitution, just 29% of Barack Obama’s supporters agree. Just 11% of McCain supporters say judges should rule based on the judge’s sense of fairness, while nearly half (49%) of Obama supporters agree.

This just in: 75 percent of McCain supporters prefer to judge a man by those standing near him than the man himself. Only 15 percent of Obama supporters agree. /fake poll

This election has been great for the country up to this point because of the level of participation - even before the actual election date. In my home state, more than 2 million have already voted by absentee (including overseas and military) and by early voting. That's nearly 3 times higher then in any past election. By the looks of it, I probably won't like the results. Democrats make up 52% of the voters; Republicans just 30%, and Unaffiliated voters are 18%. Nationally, there will likely be a turnout like has not been seen since the 50's or 60's. That's a great thing even for those supporting the loser; it gives them more legitimacy when complaining about the winner. I am still hopeful that McCain can somehow turn things around and that Americans will remember that Socialism isn't what has made the country rich and powerful. I voted early yesterday and it feels great to vote for a man of such character as John McCain. The main really has fought for America - it's not just some politicians rhetorical flourish.

It is a bit too far for me to vote early when I can vote right around the corner on Tuesday. I will be voting for Barack Hussein Obama. I hope when he is sworn in they say his full name like I have heard in other inaugural ceremonies. I am not afraid of those who are different.

I have tried hard not to be petty in the last few days although I do have fun with sarge. I think he can take it just fine and I did not like someone saying/implying that he had no stones. I do hope it devastates all of those folks who try to equate Barack with socialism.

Maybe when you capitalize Socialism it is a proper noun and not a noun that is a political system. Maybe it is like a brand name that McCain came up with. I wonder if he got a trademark. It must be one of those brand names that have a name that is opposite of what they really are. You know like Equal. They try to say that it is equal to sugar. But it does not taste like sugar. It is just another gimmick.

Bush came the closest to an act of socialism above any president in any poster's lifetime. He turned a private enterprise into government ownership. That is the most socialistic act there is.

I don't count the days until the election I count the time until the winner will be known. That will be right around 3 days and 6.5 hours. I suspect the moment will be a hullabaloo for some and a lollapalooza for others.

Ah yes the shameful rhetoric continues. I do understand all that frustration. I don't think most Republicans would expect Barack to be ashamed of his name. Those on the fringe who will never give up in their desperation will eventually be outcasts by a Republican party that seeks renewal. The Democrats had to do it. The current Democratic record has our last president holding down spending while balancing the budget. We increased trade at an astounding rate. We took the economy to new heights. Yes those who make vile comments to smear Obama's name will be shunned at some point in an effort to increase appeal toward a wider American electorate. That does not mean the vitriolic venom will cease on JT. However, there is already a segment of conservatives on JT that are repelled by those who have engaged in lies and deceit.

I feel great to be able to have the freedom to talk openly about politics, I have friends from Cuba, China etc...and in those socialist countries, talking against the government is a quick ticket to a re-education camp. Long live freedom and democracy!