Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Omaar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:45:44 GMT

Andrew...

McCain is Semi-Senile, if not Completely Senile or Conveniently Forgetful or Purposely and Deceptively Repeating this [EarMarks-Pork Barrell Spending Bull-Spit]...

Thinking that those who are Listening, Mainly those New Mis-Guided Females, Flocking Palin an Not McCain, simply because she's a Woman and are Blinded by this DECEPTION and simply DO NOT CARE whether or NOT Palin is [Alaska's EarMark Queen]

These Blinded, Mis-Guided Women, simply want a Female in the Oval Office !!!

-----------------------------

McCain and Palin are counting on these Mainly Women on being that Brainless an Clueless to his Running Mate's [EarMark Madness] or that these People listening have no Television, Internet, moreover Access to a Public Library, that gives them Free Access to Computer, to Wikipedia, Google or You Tube, to Highlight McCain's Contradiction in having Palin on his Ticket...

Being that Sarah Palin is [The EarMark Queen of the Frozen Tundra] Called.... ALASKA !!

How will Plain counter this Contradiction in a Joe Biden Debate or John McCain in a Debate with Barack Obama...

Simply saying I Don't Support it now will not Suffice,

Especially when Sarah Palin herself is Requesting [MORE EarMarks] for her state...The Forzen Tundra called...ALASKA !!!!

Andrew, I told you, Sarah Palin is the [EarMark Queen Of the Frozen Tundra] for a Reason...

Because, she Simply is !!!!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

jbowen4 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:28:39 GMT

YOU HAVE BEEN OBAMATIZED.....

Obama for president! I think that is the funniest tag line for a joke I have heard all year.

It is amazing that he still has fans that think he is a great guy... Eventhough he is a documented liar, has questionable relationships, wants to lessen our countries security, and has strong immoral beliefs. You would think that this wouldn't be an issue because of his obvious failings, but it appears that ignorance is at an all time high!

It sure is scary that people have the ability to smile while they contribute to the decline of America.

Get out your "I love China!" bumper stickers.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Omaar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:18:37 GMT

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/09/presidential.polls/index.html?section=cnn_latest

You Need to come to Your Senses and back to Reality !!!!

Obama has 240 of the Electoral Vote...

All Obama needs is [270] whoever gets to [270] Wins...

McCain is at [189]

-----------------------------------

Karl Rove's Road map says the Same thing, even Brit Hume Agreed with that...

Obama is a Smart Man, the Clinton Race made him Stronger !!!

-------------------------------------------

The Polls mean Nothing, McCain is the one whose Clearly Behind and trying to catch up [270 Electoral Votes]

John Kerry Won the Popular Vote and Lost to George W. Bush via the [Electoral College Vote] Dumb A!!!

I guess Dubya must've [Bushtized Us All] Huh !!!

--------------------------------------------------------

CNN) -- Sen. John McCain has inched ahead of Sen. Barack Obama in national polls, but the Democratic candidate holds a steady lead in the most recent Electoral College estimates.

In national surveys, McCain leads by 2 points, 47 percent to 45 percent, according to CNN's poll of polls released Monday night.

In the Electoral College standings, the most recent survey shows 243 electoral votes either safely in Obama's column or leaning his way. At this point, McCain can claim only 189.

Many of the state polls used to determine the Electoral College standings, however, were conducted before the conventions.

Monday marked the first time McCain passed Obama in CNN's poll of polls. Watch how the race has tightened »

On Saturday, Obama was up by 3 in the poll of polls. That lead shrank to just 1 point Sunday before disappearing Monday.

In the most recent survey, 8 percent of respondents said they were still unsure about who they were going to vote for.

The poll of polls is an average of five surveys: CNN (September 5-7), ABC/Washington Post (September 5-7), CBS (September 5-7), Gallup (September 5-7) and Diageo/Hotline (September 5-7). The poll of polls does not have a sampling error.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Monday shows McCain and Obama tied at 48 percent.

The poll, which was conducted Friday through Sunday, carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. It was based on 1,022 telephone interviews.

Republicans are hoping that if McCain can close the popular vote gap, he can also make gains in the electoral gap. The Electoral College will ultimately decide who takes over the White House.

Although polls across the country are open on one day, the election is not a national poll but a series of 51 state-level elections that decide the members of the Electoral College.

Technically, voters aren't choosing a candidate but a slate of electors who have pledged to vote for that candidate when the Electoral College meets.

With 538 electors up for grabs, the candidate with more than half -- 270 -- wins the presidency. The number of electors from each state equals the number of senators and representatives the state sends to Congress

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Omaar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:21:01 GMT

Russia and China hold Joint Military Exercise

The Associated PressPublished: (August 17, 2007)

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/17/europe/EU-GEN-Russia-China-Maneuvers.php

Note: We will get our A!! Kicked !!! Look at our 5 YEARS in Iraq & Afghanistan....

And you THINK we can Handle Russia & China ...WRONG!!!

Big Note: Obama is Right, we need to get Europe back on Our Side, oopsed to hating us or being Unconcerned with us, as a War Mongering Nation.

Europe will Not Support a John McCain Presidency and what it would bring to their Nations....Sorry

CHEBARKUL TESTING RANGE, Russia: President Vladimir Putin said Friday he had ordered strategic bombers to resume regular long-range patrols as Russian and Chinese forces held their first joint military exercise on Russian soil — a show of armed muscle aimed at sending a pointed message to the United States.

The resumption of bombing patrols, which analysts say signaled a significant change for Russian military policy, comes amid a growing chill in U.S.-Russian relations, strained over Washingtons criticism of Russias democracy record, Moscows objections to U.S. missile defense plans and differences over global crises.

Both Moscow and Beijing share a heightening distrust of what they see as the United States oversized role and influence in global politics, and the two former Cold War rivals have forged a "strategic partnership" aimed at counterbalancing Washingtons policies.

The Russian-Chinese war games, which took place near the Urals Mountain city of Chelyabinsk, coincided with Russian air force maneuvers involving 20 strategic bombers which ranged far over the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans.

"We havent seen that kind of activity in a very long time," Asak told The Associated Press. "Not since the early 1990s. It was quite impressive to see."

------------------------------------------

-------------------------------

What does [Natural Resources] have to do with [National Security] ....

Nada, Nothing, Zilch, Zero..................... Not a Damn Thing !!!

The B!tch does not Know Anything about [Natural Resources] The Lower 48 States, Recieves only 3,5% of our Oil from ALASKA !!!! Not 20% !!!

We are More Dependent on Canada's Oil than we are the Saudi's !!!

The B!tch does not Know that either, unless she's Reading this Comment, This Morning !!!!

Big Note: Canada remained the Largest Exporter of total petroleum in April, exporting 2.476 million barrels per day to the United States, which is a decrease from last month (2.542 thousand barrels per day).

Note: The second largest exporter of total petroleum was Saudi Arabia with 1.462 million barrels per day.

Total Imports of Petroleum (Top 15 Countries)

(Thousand Barrels per Day)

------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------

Drill all You want, You can`t produce the Oil these Countries provide, nor will you see a drop in price at the gas pumps.

CANADA 1,952 1,795 1,902 1,909 1,846

SAUDI ARABIA 1,453 1,535 1,519 1,458 1,358

MEXICO 1,259 1,232 1,230 1,460 1,471

NIGERIA 1,115 1,154 1,105 891 1,089

VENEZUELA 1,019 858 990 1,182 1,070

IRAQ 679 773 693 562 488

ANGOLA 579 384 469 514 556

ALGERIA 393 247 300 530 495

BRAZIL 201 188 182 175 174

KUWAIT 176 199 218 126 187

ECUADOR 160 231 203 159 200

COLOMBIA 149 135 168 79 100

CHAD 133 101 110 80 76

RUSSIA 106 108 77 269 137

LIBYA 85 75 68 45 56

-------------------------------------

Crude Oil Imports (Top 15 Countries)

(Thousand Barrels per Day)

April 2008 Import Highlights: June 13, 2008

Preliminary monthly data on the origins of crude oil imports in April 2008 has been released and it shows that two countries exported more than 1.50 million barrels per day to the United States.

The top five exporting countries accounted for 69 percent of United States crude oil imports in April while the top ten sources accounted for approximately 89 percent of all U.S. crude oil imports.

The top sources of US crude oil imports for April were Canada (1.952 million barrels per day), Saudi Arabia (1.453 million barrels per day), Mexico (1.259 million barrels per day), Nigeria (1.115 million barrels per day), and Venezuela (1.019 million barrels per day).

The rest of the top ten sources, in order, were Iraq (0.679 million barrels per day), Angola (0.579 million barrels per day), Algeria (0.393 million barrels per day), Brazil (0.201 million barrels per day), and Kuwait (0.176 million barrels per day).

Total crude oil imports averaged 9.921 million barrels per day in April.

Canada remained the Largest Exporter of total petroleum in April, exporting 2.476 million barrels per day to the United States, which is a decrease from last month (2.542 thousand barrels per day).

Note: The second largest exporter of total petroleum was Saudi Arabia with 1.462 million barrels per day.

Total Imports of Petroleum (Top 15 Countries)

(Thousand Barrels per Day)

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Omaar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:22:47 GMT

[GEORGE W. MCCAIN,] HAS ANOTHER TOUGH TALKER IN HIS FEMALE VP NOMINEE...

THERE WOULD NEVER BE AN INVASION OF RUSSIA....NEVER

IT WOULD BE SUICIDE FOR US !!!

THE CHINESE FACTOR OR ELIMENT THAT IS BEING LEFT OUT OF THE EQUATION.

THERE COULD BE NO INVASION ONTO AMERICAN SOIL AS WELL BY THE RUSSIANS...

WELL, ONLY ALASKA !!!

AN IF PALIN KEEPS YACKING...THE RUSSIANS WILL CHALLENGE HER ON THAT CALL !!!

THE VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HAS ASKED THAT OUR USA AMBASSADOR TO LEAVE THEIR COUNTRY AND THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING TO CUBA AS WELL.

THAT B!TCH PALIN AN [GEORGE W. MCCAIN] ARE PROOF POSITIVE...

THAT THEY WOULD CAUSE... THE [1ST NUCLEAR WORLD WAR] !!!

WE ARE SPREAD OUT PAPER THIN AS IT IS, WITH IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN....

IMAGINE THE CASUALTIES...IMAGINE THE CASUALTIES !!!

I'M A NEOPHYTE AND REALIZE WITHOUT FULL SUPPORT BY OUR ONCE U.S. "DEVOTED" W. EUROPEAN PARTNERS, WE ARE DOOMED !!!

MAN OH MAN ...THAT SARAH PALIN AND [GEORGE W. MCCAIN] ARE PURE 100% NUTS !!!

-------------------------------

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Stevedore — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:36:44 GMT

you say both sides are hypocritical. that is a sloppy attempt to sound balanced. in fact obama is not campaigning against earmarks. that would be mccain.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

ToadTreeHugger — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:42:22 GMT

Obama has requested $1 billion in earmarks, many of which can be linked back to people that have helped his career, like Frank Clark, the CEO of Exelon, and Emil Jones, Obama's mentor in the Illinois Senate. Obama even requested $1 million for his wife's hospital.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Omaar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:47:48 GMT

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/09/the_mccain_tax_increasescontin.html

McCain Top Economic Adviser: He Will Raise Taxes

"Whether you're a Republican, Democrat President or a Martian, Taxes will be Raised"

Though McCain has said Throughout his campaign "I will Not, Raise Your Taxes"

His Top Economic Adviser says that a LIE....Obama will Raise Taxes on those that make More than 250,000...

The under will have a Tax Break and Tax Cut.

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a former Director of the Congressional Budget Office and current chief McCain economic advisor, is an honest man--which means he's something of a liability on the Straight Talk Express. A few months ago, he admitted to my colleague, Michael Scherer, that Barack Obama's economic plan would reduce taxes for most people. And now, in a forthcoming book by Fortune columnist Matt Miller, he makes it clear that the next President is going to have to raise taxes.

"If you do nothing on the spending side, you're going to have to raise taxes whether you're a Republican, a Democrat or a Martian," he tells Miller...and then he immediately makes it clear that the "spending side" part of the argument is nothing more than a political fig-leaf.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

amycnote — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:50:32 GMT

Okay so both sides are guilty of requesting earmarks. I guess the only thing that makes Obama the lesser of the 2 evils is that at least he's not STOOPID enough to campaign against earmarks and then talk about them so frequently that he implicates not only himself, but his VP as well. I mean, WOW - that's pretty dumb!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Braes — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:52:14 GMT

The only reason any Repubican is against earmarks is they have already stolen all they want. Johnny MaCrazy got his in the Colorado River project a couple of decades ago. That water fueled the population boom in his state.

The fact that most of the yakkers don't remember this is because they weren't old enough to be aware.

McMaverick? Nope. McHyprcrite.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Omaar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:53:25 GMT

Posted By: Stevedore

you say both sides are hypocritical. that is a sloppy attempt to sound balanced. in fact obama is not campaigning against earmarks. that would be mccain.

-----------------

Steve, You are right ...

Though this Semi Senile Mccain person has [The earMark Queen of the Frozen Tundra] as his Runningmate..

Who just made a request for more Earmarks !!!!!.

Its McCain, that has made this an issue.

Obama Agreed with Mccain earlier this year and the Senate [BiPartisan] Voted Against Ridding the Government System of [EarMarks]

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

rbolend — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:55:46 GMT

While the liberal media would like to "change" the message that has turned the momentum around for this election cycle, this article is simply another attempt to confuse the voters. People need to stay in context concerning when Sarah Palin was for earmarks, as a mayor and a governer, and when she is against them, as a Vice President. This is called doing what the job requires. Nothing more, nothing less. So if you are electing an administration it is good to eliminate earmarks from the federal budget. If you are running a state or city you want all the federal money you can get. Simple understanding of how governemt works is all that is required to laugh at this article. Maybe the author is counting on your ignorance, but I like to inform, not fool, the people I deal with.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Libratine — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:55:55 GMT

Here is John McCain ON VIDEO saying, "I have had a strong and a long relationship on national security, I've been involved in every national crisis that this nation has faced since Beirut, I understand the issues, I understand and appreciate the enormity of the challenge we face from radical Islamic extremism. I am prepared. I am prepared. I need no on-the-job training. I wasn't a mayor for a short period of time. I wasn't a governor for a short period of time."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/mccain-last-year-mayors-a_n_125944.html

Check out Rob Caldwell’s McCain interview - it was priceless! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/11/mccain-interview-on-palin_n_125743.html

This new ad takes aim at Palins ACTIVE support of savage aerial wolf hunting. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/brutal-ad-targets-palins_n_125975.html

McCain/Palin: “Washington as Usual”

Obama/Biden: REAL CHANGE - Not just a Slogan

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

suzvoter47 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:00:57 GMT

McCain keeps pounding away at earmarks perhaps because. Well....He has policy and he and Palin have supported earmarks.

Additonally, from all the real Fact source McCain has been a major benefactor of these monies.

and many of his staff come from this background. So he does he listen too.

Both parties have benefited but McCain and his cronies act like angels and have a hard time admitting the thruth about most anything.

This campaign should be truly about reform and the other serious issues plauging out nation and I have yet to hear any concrete ides from the McCain team. Leading me to conclude he doesn't have any, doesn't care or is listening the the right wing nuts and bolts that are running his election

Suz47Voter

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Truindependent — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:11:31 GMT

It's true Obama might have requested millions in earmarks, but the difference is he isn't running around championing the anti-earmark crusade saying "he's gonna make them famous and you'll know their names" like McCain is and it is the McCain running mate who has requested millions of the very same ear marks McCain is so against, so who is really blowing smoke up America's ***!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

rossj — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:15:50 GMT

This is what scares me. I have a feeling if Jesus Christ himself came down and pointed out the ways Palin/McCain are lying, die hard Republicans still wouldn't believe it. As a Hillary supporter, I had to take a very long and hard look at John McCain and Sarah Palin (once she was nominated). I was able to say, honestly, the things I didn't like about Obama and even with Hillary ceded to points she made that didn't make sense to Republican friends. However, it seems to me that even with all of the documented misleading and out and out lies of Palin and McCain, the die hard Republicans wont acknowledge it. They scream for accountability for Obama, but are willing to give a free pass to McCain because he's a "Maverick". Common sense is being thrown out with the equation and pure political loyalty takes over seeing ghosts where there are none.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

careerdaytrader — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:22:44 GMT

Why does Andrew Romano ONLY write Pro Obama Anti McCain articles? Is he Keith Olbermann's gay lover?

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Lee Holmes — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:28:25 GMT

Uhh,Rossj. 740 million in earmarks including tens of millions to campaign contributors by Obama makes for a pretty subtantial ''ghost''. The London Times had it right today. Obama cannot be a harbinger of change because he was molded in the most corrupt political system of any democratic industrialized nation,that of Chicago,and it was succesful enough to rub off on him to ensure one of the largest state political corruption cases[ Operation BOARD GAMES] in Illinois history,a state long known for its problems in this area and curiously,every single last major defendant is tied to Obama. This,is what should be scaring people....

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

blackcourt — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:28:28 GMT

rossj... with all of the negative things that have been documented about Obama you are still going to vote for him... yet you criticize others of giving the same free pass for McCain and Palin. Look up the hypocrisy.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

dave_t_hines — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:30:00 GMT

Sorry, rbolend, but your argument drives home the author's point. All the talk about earmarks at this point is just that - talk. Both campaigns have stated they will work to end earmarks. I say, good luck. As long as there are more people paid to get earmarks than fight them, it will be an uphill battle.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

dmihailescu — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:31:36 GMT

What turned me off the republican ticket was the hypocrisy cultivated as a virtue.

You can’t be a maverick and a liar at the same time!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

blackcourt — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:32:07 GMT

"Obama/Biden: REAL CHANGE - Not just a Slogan"

Real change... handing the country over to those same Islamic extremists we are currently at war with... thats not just a slogan.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

bushisgod — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:33:52 GMT

YOur title is wrong, it should say memo to McCain. Where does it talk about Obama opposition to earmarks in the story? Obama doesn't talk about his earmarks.

Ahh, the bias is wonderful.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

blackcourt — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:38:53 GMT

"What turned me off the republican ticket was the hypocrisy cultivated as a virtue."

There isn't a more hypocritical party than the Democratic party. Obama sings a different tune at every stop that he makes. Telling everyone that he doesn't work for lobbyists after he has generated millions of dollars in earmarks for Joe Biden's lobbyist son. Who is the hypocrite again?

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

shanetrain — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:39:38 GMT

Excellent article!

Earmarks are the last thing I want to hear about. Both McCain and Obama have said that they'd end them once in the White House.

The stupid part of this is that Earmarks are great on one level: they help fund needed projects.

However, the use of lobbyist to secure funding for something like the ridiculous Bridge to Nowhere is the problem.

As a registered Independat I'm looking for hippocracy. I detest corupt people in power who say one thing and do another. Bush said he'd reduce spending, and unite republicans and democrats. That all seems like a lie now. I want my vote back. I'm so sorry America.

How am I suppose to take McCain/Palin seriously when they say they're the champions of ending earmarks. She was fiercely pro earmarks a short while ago.

I don't want to hear about earmarks anymore when both candidates support ending it. I'd really like to see McCain fire all those lobbyist helping him run his campaign: that would be Reform!

Please tell us more about how were going to break our addiction to oil and aggressively pursue renewable energy resources to create new industries and rejuvenate our children's imaginations and science classes! Please tell me how you're going create more jobs and how you're going to prevent us from spending ourselves into debt in unnecessary wars where diplomacy can work too.

Please talk about differences that matter! America's media needs to guide this process.

I want to hear about Energy and Jobs! Save our Sinking Ship!!!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

thehappyamerican — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:48:07 GMT

Price of fuel....border security.. crime and violence....economy.. ear marks and pork....abortion..gun rights... and Obama is going to flop on all of them!

He'll continue to talk chuckeling as if one one be absurdly stupid to question his positions soundness to find he said something stupid he has no next clearify or distance himself from...fast!

A pattern of his campaign made worse now by Biden!

Palin should go after Obama on earmarks! and she just may!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

russianmaksim — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:48:22 GMT

blackcourt,

please shut up, he is not islamic, if you going to attack obama attack on facts that you can actually comfirm by doing research, start with issues. Rumors about that he is islamic or he is going to tax you higher everybody(except if you make $250000 or more). Get facts, then come back. let me know when mccain going to talk about issues, not attacks on obama that actually lies.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

blackcourt — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:50:52 GMT

Shanetrain... exactly what form of diplomacy was working with the tyrants in Iraq? Was it the sanctions that Clinton ignored? Was it the genocide that Hussein was directing at the Kurds? I guess you missed the diplomacy that did work in Desert Storm when Iraq attempted to take over Kuwait. Sometimes you have to fight for what you believe in. If you detest corruption you like you say that you do... perhaps you'll take a look at the corruption that "community organizers" like Obama use to support their candidates in the Chicago area. I can't speak for you but I've never met Mary Poppins, Dick Tracy or Jive Turkey... but apparently they are friends of Obama's and will be voting for him this year.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Evax — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:53:36 GMT

As described in the article, some earmarks fund meaningful projects such as renovation of schools and hospitals. When earmarks are no longer allowed, a new funding mechanism, hopefully a fair system supported by rationale, has to kick in. All the candidates are talking about elimination of the earmark system, but none of them talked about the new mechanism. To remove a sick heart without implanting a new heart during heart transplantion = suicide.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

blackcourt — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:55:12 GMT

"please shut up, he is not islamic, if you going to attack obama attack on facts that you can actually comfirm by doing research, start with issues. Rumors about that he is islamic or he is going to tax you higher everybody(except if you make $250000 or more). Get facts, then come back. let me know when mccain going to talk about issues, not attacks on obama that actually lies."

Thankfully my country protects my rights to freedom of speech, as opposed to the Socialist state that Obama wants to turn this country into. It begins with these promises of redistribution of wealth that he call an economic plan. As for him being Islamic... I'm just using the words he spoke when he call them his brothers and sisters I believe it was. As far as McCain talking about the issues... what issues do you want to talk about? I can tell you what his stance on them is. McCain hasn't avoided talking about any issues... in fact he asked Obama to join him in 10 town hall style debates... your leader on the issues declined because he can't speak unless he has two or three days to have his people prepare the speech. I mean really... a guy who starts his name with "russian" talking to us about American politics? Please son.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

bloopfish — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:56:42 GMT

On an interview this morning on CBS The Early Show with Gov. Bill Richardson and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Anyway I was really impressed with the anchor that had the balls to confront Rudy when rudy was telling lies about Obama. "Now you know that's a flat out lie, what your sayin!" The CBS anchor told Rudy. I wish more news reporters would have the balls to put these lieying politicians on the spot like that, when they flat out know that the politician is feeding lies to America! Want to see more responsible political news go to http://www.chilitoz.com

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

j1ggy — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:57:02 GMT

When in Rome do as the Romans do...don't cut off your nose to spite your face...get yours while the gettings good...you know just because a person used to smoke doesn't mean you can't kick the habit...change comes when you fully recognize and call issues what they are...if any ticket before us would attempt to change the status quo, it is the McCain/Palin ticket. You don't hear the other side talking about doing away with earmarks. The Obama/Biden just want to point fingers...Obama has a history of earmarks prior to running for President and the closet are full of Biden pork barrell. The only change Obama/Biden want to change is the citizens acceptance of big brother government. Don't think for a second a majority D.C. will change...it's funny how the two parties can work across the aisle to preserve the good old politician club.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

martyduffy — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:07:25 GMT

What do you expect, McCain met with cocky wacko for 1 hour before choosing her. How do expect McCain to know her after one hour. So much for America First. This whole VP pick issue is yet another example of McCain's poor judgment. America can't afford 4 more years of poor judgment.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

blindhowlin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:13:12 GMT

Truthiness, it's the Republican way!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

camcfarlane — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:15:39 GMT

Yes, he's lying. McCain has gone from being a flip-flopper to an out and out liar. He's playing the great campaign strategy 'game' while having NO PLAN for the PEOPLE once in the White House. His only plan is an immediate one, how to gain the White House. So anything goes, any means to the end. If he ever gets there, God help us.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

nodave — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:20:02 GMT

WRONG

earmarks is what prez candidates should have been talking about for the past couple of decades, ever since spending took off during Reagan's term & deficit has now topped out at a $9,500,000,000,000 (eh, that's $9.5 *trillion*)

W. is, incredibly, responsible for $4 trillion of this deficit. earmarks have everything to do with this elephant in the living room. Bush Sr. & Reagan for about $3 trillion. again, thank earmarks, to a very large degree

then again, you don't look old enough to be infuriated by our tax rate. i'm only 48, but one day you'll look back & go "holy f***ing sh*t!!! i can't believe they were spending that much money of my tax money on earmarks all that time!!!"

it is a HUGE problem - institutionalized, contractualized corporate welfare. your article is blusterously nieve

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

rashinal@gmail.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:20:12 GMT

My God, you republicans are SOOO stupid,

Earmarks .. aren't the problem, ABUSE of earmarks is "a" problem. But even with that, it's TRIVIAL compared to the other problems.

Once again, FACTS please. Pay attention to the FACTS.

When you elect a senator, his (or her) JOB is to represent your state. Part of that means bringing jobs, or industries or MONEY that would benefit the residents of the states.

"In fiscal year 2008, there were 11,524 earmarks totaling $16,501,833,000" .. from the Office of Budget and Management ( http://earmarks.omb.gov/2008_appropriations_home.html )

OR what we spend in about six weeks in IRAQ. And that's ALL the earmarks. MOST of them are legitimate and are fully disclosed by responsible representatives.

About HALF of that was for MILITARY and DEFENSE.

The "questionable" (undisclosed) appropriations amount to less than the cost of 5 DAYS of what we spend in IRAQ.

YES, it should be dealt with and the ALL earmarks should be DISCLOSED, but getting back those moneys isn't going to make any difference at all in solving the REAL problems.

Republicans complain about silly little 1 million dollar expenditures to A HOSPITAL when gwb spent 52-million (of TAXPAYER money) on his last inauguration party !! GIVE ME A BREAK.

Obama secured 740 million for his state.. of 13 million people.. over FOUR years ..ALL of it disclosed.

Again, we spend that in less than TWO DAYS in IRAQ.

GET REAL FOLKS !

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

jefflz — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:24:51 GMT

McCain has launched the DoubleTalk Express and Sarah Palin is at the wheel of this bus. Fuel provided by Karl Rove and Co. What McCain says every day now is so unreal that at first it seems like a joke. But it has become increasingly clear that what the McCain campaign is putting forth is no joke, they are deadly serious. McCain has recruited the graduates of the Karl Rove school to manage his campaign. He has sold his soul to win this election at any cost. Lets not have any more nonsense about McCain the straight-talking Maverick. He is just a down and dirty political hack trying to coast into office on his past glory laced with lies..

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Omnius — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:29:56 GMT

So funny that the old Hypocrite now has an Earmark Queen as his running mate. How did he make such a big mistake bringing on the Earmark Queen when he's been railing against them now that he's running for president? He didn't properly vet her ofcourse and now he's going to pay the price. The grumpy old man has proven that he'll lie about anything and everything in order to fulfill his ambition. The only one he's ever served is himself!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Beginnings — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:31:48 GMT

blackcourt,

Obama calling Islamists "brothers and sisters" is a Christian thing to say...Are you Christian? If you believe in God then you know that we are all God's children. Whether we are Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Budist or Non-believer; we ARE all brothers and sisters...

McCain hasn't said anything different from what I've been hearing the past 8 years from Bush in terms of policy.

Regarding the 10 town hall debates...If you can remember that far back you will remember that McCain was trying to do anything possible to get an audience larger than him, his campaign people, the 2 or 3 media personel and the town strays! Now he's raising this as an excuse for puting out lies about Obama wanting to teach kindergardeners sex and calling Palin a pig...Shameful!

Obama has laid out his financial, domestic, international and social plans. All of which are a complete new direction than where we've been heading the past 8 years. I've yet to hear what "change" McCain is selling....'cause it sure sounds like a heck of a lot of the same of the past 8 years...

Re-distribution of wealth...HMM...Isn't that what has been happening over the past 8 years? The middle class gets eaten alive while the fat cats get all the money...Yeah..I agree...we absolutely need some "re-distribution" of wealth...let's send some to the middle class.

I know I won't change your mind, but I just want to make sure that your nonsense didn't go unanswered.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

betsyera — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:33:20 GMT

I don't understand why we are talking about earmarks in this country when there are so many more important things to discuss like out of control unemployment, 40 million people without health insurance, 2 wars-neither of which we are coming to successful end any time soon, the soaring price of food, gas and higher education. And we are actually spending precious time talking about earmarks? Is this a Karl Rove? It is a manipulation of the American people to get them off of the things that are truly important in this election. It makes me sad.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

wilderness — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:33:29 GMT

I just don't understand. John McCain was in the enemy's hands for five and one-half years. He acknowledged that they broke him, just how much we don't know. The enemy was, at the time, Vietnam, North Korea, China, Romania, Bulgaria, East Germany and the Soviet Union, plus a multitude of smaller communist countries. Mr. McCain was in their hands and was tortured by them, not for information you understand. Did they make him a MOLE? The CIA was researching and experimenting with "brain-washing" techniques at the time, so was the ENEMY, all of them. The Russians, Cubans and the Chinese routinely assisted the North Vietnamese in "questioning" the POWs that were in their hands. They used drugs in their interrogations. I have known many X-POWs from Vietnam and I even had one as a business partner for over five years that spent 7 1/2 years as a POW. I heard the stories about "quiz time" from him, read that as "torture time". They weren't tortured for information, it is well known that any information was worthless 24 hours after their capture. They were tortured for "other" reasons. We (military personnel) were all trained for what to do after being taken prisoner. McCain has his choice to come home, but he had Stockholm syndrome and chose to stay and be tortured some more. One thing I noticed, all of the X-POWs that I knew were obsessed with the fact of their imprisonment. Stories were repeated daily. Some feel "special" like McCain, some don't. All X-POWs were affected with PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Like most Vietnam Vets, PTSD and other emotional difficulties were hidden or not discussed at discharge and most never got treated for their disability. Can anyone tell me that McCain was unaffected? We all know he was affected. A temper is a good indicator, so I have been told by doctors at the Veteran's Affairs Hospital in Richmond. Believe me, I thank Mr. McCain for his service. But we shouldn't trust him just because of his obsession with being president, it might be some kind of order his torturers made during his torture sessions. A sort of Hanoi Candidate. Has anyone else thought of this? I am a registered republican in case anyone is wondering.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Beginnings — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:43:04 GMT

wilderness,

OK...I'm for Obama and I think you're nutz!

I'm not voting for Obama because I think McCain is "brainwashed" by the Vietcon to become prez...that's just looney!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

lulu9999 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:45:03 GMT

To the person who said the electoral vote was 240-189. as of today according to realclearpolitics.com it is 217-216. Obama loses ground daily. The media does not want to talk about earmarks because McCain has none. Quit being part of the problem and part of the solution. I agree get out your I love china bumper stickers if obama wins. I am an American before I am a republican. You want to solve the economy take a look in the mirror. The government who you all slam on these sights is not responsible for your spending habits. No one told you to buy a house you really could not afford put two new cars that are probably imports in your driveway and max out your credit cards to keep up with jones's down the street. Clinton allowed freed trade and now we buy everyone else's products because we do not make any anymore. China is getting rich off of us as is Japan since they are the number one auto maker in the US now and they are not even an American company. Do they build cars here. Yes. But where do all the profits go. The democratic finally decides to pass a bill to drill oil because they have hedged on this for so long now they are afraid to get voted out of office. Obama flipped on that issue last week as well. As for me I believe it is up to us to fix what we have so terribly messed up. And I mean us the American people. I have to say though I am fighting with John McCain I will fight for this country. At the rate we are going there will not be a country to fight for.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

stvmcclure — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:51:27 GMT

Let's really be honest about "earmarks" -- what are they but Congressionally directed specific federal projects? Let's go back to basics!

Is the federal government ever ever ever going to spend money on regionally identified projects? How about a bridge? A college-managed research project? A road" An abused spouse safehouse? All of these projects are local, regional and specific. Some of them are smart (what if the college research project is about AIDS?). Some of them are stupid or seemingly so (I imagine DNA studies of bears sounds stupid, although I have not heard the scientific reason for it, if there is one -- easily mockable, but just maybe worthwhile -- we just don't know.

My point is this: IF, IF, IF the federal government is going to fund any of these kinds of projects, then the next big question is this: WHO IS GOING TO CHOOSE WHAT GETS FUNDED?

One answer is: the bureaucrats in the Executive Branch decide them all. All Congress can do is give, say, "research money" to the Executive Branch and then the bureaucrats set up all sorts of rules and forms and processes -- or maybe they use NO BID CONTRACTS and grants to someone's favorite corporation! But under this scenario, it is bureaucrats and bureaucrats alone who make the decision which project gets funded and which does not.

Here is the kicker: "Earmarks" are just the way our ACTUALLY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES have some direct say over which projects are funded and which are not. Rather than let the Executive Branch bureaucrats make all the decisions, our ELECTED Representatives in the House and Senate actually decide on this or that project. What's wrong with that? It sounds like governing to me!

Take one favorite whipping boy: Who makes more sense in deciding roads: ONLY unelected bureaucrats or maybe in some cases there is some direct say by those elected to make decisions? Now, it seems to me, that there is ROOM FOR SOME LEGISLATIVE INPUT even into roads and bridges.

In other words, the problem with the Bridge to Nowhere was that it was a stupid project, not that an actually elected member of Congress decided to do it.

The other option is NO SPECIAL PROJECTS AT ALL -- neither the elected members of Congress nor the bureaucrats in the Executive Branch chose which special regional or local projects are going to be funded, BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT GOING TO FUND ANY BRIDGES, ROADS, RESEARCH PROJECTS, DOMESTIC ABUSE CENTERS, AT ALL. None! Nada. And we mean it.

This is a credible political position to take -- but McCAIN AND PALIN OUGHT TO BE HONEST ABOUT IT.

Saying no federal money for anything of this nature at all -- well, that would be "straight talk" -- but we are not getting straight talk on this at all.

In conclusion, IF (and that is a genuine IF) the feds are going to fund roads and bridges and research and buildings and post offices and safehouses and anything like that at all, then THERE HAS TO BE A WAY FOR THOSE WE THOUGHT WE ELECTED TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS to make them -- and, friends, they are called "earmarks" -- where our elected representatives say "this money is earmarked for that federal project."

I myself think the problem is not earmarks as such, but how to get (a) common sense, (b) a little bit of wisdom, and most of all (c) TRANSPARENCY in the system -- coupled with far more Congressional oversight on earmarks. How about HEARINGS ON EARMARKS, maybe abbreviated, maybe quick, but a Congressional record of actually having the body as a whole consider them.

We would call this legislatitng.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

mshap — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:52:01 GMT

I guess this article is similiar to all the ones that try to profess that they are even handed in their media coverage. At least look at the pork barrel or earmark spending by Obama. Obama has professed change however their is not intelligent analysis in this article about that. It is disturbing to see an article that tries to shape a voter's viewpoint to one side. It's called manipulation not analysis. Let's look into the Reszko case how Obama bought a house for $500,000 under the market price. CAN YOU SAY BRIBE.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

First Dude in Training — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:52:34 GMT

McCain, without minders, goes off the reservation again. He has no defense, really, for why he picked Palin. Or for someone actually laying out how he's changed. Finally, love it when they call his ads lies and he looks like he wants to kill Joy Behar, only to have Barbara Walters pile on with his ridiculous double standard about using "lipstick on a pig."

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

GregHere — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:59:45 GMT

...............................Earmarks, this seems to be a topic that John McCain thinks is to his advantage to be talking about. John seems to relish playing like he has been some type of Angel during his many years in public office when this is not always so. Lets return the discussion to the Republican George Bush Administration, all of the misdeeds, blunders and deceptions that has been visible to us all and that McCain has supported the Bush Team's involvement in. We can not just forget these disasterous things that have happened under the Bush Watch, it is not like Water Under The Dam where it can be forgotten and blanked out of our memories. McCain had his July Campaign Reorganization where re-designed his campaign to where he is now saying "He Is The Change Guy" and has new ideas after his long time of being "The Establishment Republican Guy". Lets have McCain and the Republicans answer to the American People on how they tampered with our civil liberties, economy and so many other things since January 2001. McCain can not Slip and Slide on his efforts and involvements during this time frame......Do not hide, John!!!!!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

millerm84 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:04:29 GMT

wilderness, I understand that you've read or heard about this information somewhere, and it seemed real to you, but please either cite credible sources or shut up. I'll not be voting for McCain, but having someone say a candidate was brain washed some 40 years ago to become president is as stupid as the crap Holyroller spouts.

The problem with this county isn't sexual/violent video games, tv and movies, its not the drugs, or the alcohol, homosexuality or any of that; the problem with this county is the majority of people in this country will believe any thing they can hear or see produced by the mass media.

I guess it will never cease to amaze me that people were duped by the "War of the Worlds" broadcast, and then started believing every thing they saw on TV, and now can't see through the lies on the internet.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Sane in Utah — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:14:56 GMT

Wow a Republican that lies -- big surprise. There is no honor left in McCain -- he will do and say anything to get elected, but all I can say is that he'd better watch what he wishes for. He has no plans (other than starting about 5 more wars) so he could maybe replace GW as the worst President ever to have graced these shores.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

rossj — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:39:26 GMT

The ghosts I was referring to was "lipstick on a pig", "comprehensive sex education to kindergarten kids", voting against the Bridge to Nowhere but keeping the funds, etc, etc, etc. Earmarks weren't brought up by Obama, they were brought up by McCain. And if you are going to call Obama to the carpet for something, then you and your running mate are fair game. I don't think Obama is going to bring sunshine and lollipops to the country while riding a white horse. He is flawed. However, the Republicans are finding whatever they can to distract voters by using offensive and completely false advertising to create a version of truth out of lies. ie, Obama is a muslim, Obama wants kindergarten kids to know how to have sex, etc.

Obama hasn't brought up these issues, McCain has. You can't critize someone, no matter how right you are, and not be willing to have the same criticizm *sp* brought back to your own house. I give a lot of respect for Obama for going on O'Riley. When will McCain and Palin go on Countdown or Rachel Maddaux's show? And I know what you will say, it's because Bill O is a good journalist with no bias stance and represents truth and light whereas Olberman and Maddaux are too busy filling their horns down and having their tails removed.

I have been a big supporter of Palin's rights as a candidate to say what she believes. That her family and personal life should be out of bounds. I will fight for Palin's and McCain's right to their own lives and beliefs. I take exception at their actions, not them as individuals. But I suppose you will have a hard time understanding that!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

ButteM — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:42:29 GMT

You know, I don't really have a problem with earmarks - if someone or someplace really needs cash to do something for the common good that it can't pay for through a bond process or a loan, then the government should lend - I said lend - them the money to get the job done. It will of course be paid back - with interest! The government made a hansom profit from lending money to build the transcontinental railway back in the 1860s and oh by the way the country got the fastest coast to coast transportation of the day as part of the deal. Lately the government has been - lending? - your cash to crashing banks and investment institutions so why not an earmark or two with the expectation that Hoboken will repay the cash they need to build that new Taco Bell.....

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

pastafar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:44:58 GMT

The problem with comparing the earmarks of Palin vs. Obama is that Obama is not using the elimination of earmarks (the effect of which is negligible as Mr. Romano points out) as a campaign platform. It is absolutely the only one McCain has left. His campaign has run dry. He doesn't have it in him the run the normal neocon hate messages and while he is able to lie about specific incidents, he was beaten down by Bush's dirty campaign.

The problem with the Republlicans is not one single crime, but this horrible pervading hypocrisy. McCain sold out everything that was good about his character so that the Republican slime machine would back him instead of fighting him. All he has left are worthless stunts (like appointing Palin). He doesn't believe half the crap he is spewing now, he just wants to be president and is willing to do anything to get there. It is truly sad.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

mrzoid — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:02:05 GMT

Check out the damn budget; earmarks are a drop in the bucket. Not to mention, they're not all bad. Lets say you want some funds for your state, you put it into a bill; the only thing vetoing it does is create a seperate piece of legislation! John McCain is proposing a quadrupling of congressional bills. Its a joke, and the bottom line is that nothing will change. Are any of you out there believing that McCain or Obama wil change anything in terms of Washington structure? If you do, you are, pardon me special ed people, re-tard-ed!!!

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

jgmissouri — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:20:52 GMT

It amazes me how many of you actually believe what any of these candidates say. How many times do you need to see this process before you understand that the only thing you can believe is that all of them will lie, cheat, and steal to get elected. They are POLITICIANS, not the average joe at the coffee shop, POLITICIANS. They will all say whatever they think you want to hear - truth or not. Every election we go through this, and every election the media acts like what they are saying actually means something. They are POLITICIANS - get it ?!? We are forced to pick between two people who are already part of the process that got us in to the mess we are in now. From the comments I have read so far, it appears our next president will be chosen based upon who tells the fewest lies. Open your eyes people - they are POLITICIANS.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

vstillwell — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:39:13 GMT

You don't understand. When John and Sarah get elected, they'll cut all those just nasty pork barrels out of the budget. It'll save the tax payers at leat a couple of billion. I mean how much is the budget anyways a trillion or two? That's a whole one percent. And they'll drill baby drill and that will make gas prices go down in ten or twenty years by at least a nickel or two. And when Sarah gets her little pipeline done in Alaska in ten years that will be just great. You can't underestimate this girl. She's commander and chief of the Alaska national guard for crying out loud. So what if she doesn't know anything about anything really. It doesn't matter. She has all those kiddos. And John. That great Mr. McCain. So what he's old and grouchy. It doesn't matter. It's just our future that hangs in the balance. I get all the information I need from those great informational television ads. I mean Mr. Obamas trying to teach kindergartners how to have sex and he wears lipstick and he hangs out with flirty whores like Britney and Paris. How can anyone vote for that I don't know. And he'll raise our taxes. I love my country, but don't make me pay for anything of it. You jerk democrats. I need to go to church now and pray someones gay away. Go Republicans. We are so much more moral than any of you and we keep the country safe. We go to other countries and start wars there for no reason. And maybe just maybe Sarah can go to war with Russia and we'll finally have our rarmageddon. toodles.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

MAZees — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:12:34 GMT

The issue as it relates to the McCain campaign is about continuing the lies and fabrications in the face of clear, hard evidence to the contrary. Of course every campaign pads its resume. Of course campaigns are full of exaggeration and hyperbole. And of course every politician tries to get some federal funds for their constituency. It's what they do and every constituent expects them to do that.

What is distressing is the extent to which this campaign does not back off their untruths in the face of video of their own words, or evidence of their own past deeds. Such blatancy is reckless, and a terrifying picture of what a McCain administration would do. In this way, they are following the current administration's playbook to the letter.

re: Memo to the Candidates: Stop Talking About Earmarks. Please.

Omaar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:45:51 GMT