Comments by Panther309

Written on Economy to dominate crucial first debate for Obama, Romney:

What we need is a debate between the two people who illustrate perfectly the difference between the conservative and liberal visions of government: Joe the Plumber and the Obamaphone Woman.

Joe can make the case for why redistribution is wrong and how he wants to make it on his own, and the Obamaphone Woman can moo: "Obamaphooone. Keep Obama in President, he got us Obamaphoooone. He gonna do more. Romney s(*&ks bad."


Enough sanctimonious hypocrisy about taking over habitat.

Every single one of you lives in a place where animals have been driven out.

Or do you think your high rise or condo or gated community and all the multi-lane roads you drive on and strip malls you shop in existed from the beginning of time? No.

Animals were killed or driven out by the thousands at some point to make room for your home, where you weep tears now and type indignantly about "destruction" of "habitat" in newer developments.

Written on Republicans rally at Naples park Sunday :

"Obamaphooone! Keep Romney in President, he got me an Obmaphooone! He gonna get us more!"

Written on Voter registration problems widening in Florida:

in response to swflbud:

This is not the Republican party, they left myself and many others a long time ago, this is the new Conservative party trying to buy an election anyway they can!

"Trying to buy an election any way they can." That's rich.

Try mushrooming a program for free phones to $1.6 billion, giving 250 free minutes a month with it, and offering credits of more minutes for signing up other spongers.

I got a card here in Collier County that said I could get a free phone if I checked a box saying I got food stamps or Social Security - it never asked for proof either!

As if free stuff isn't about buying the election.

"Obamaphoone! I got an Obamaphnooone! Keep Obama in [sic] president, you know? He gonna get us more!"

Written on Letter: Flags tell the tale :

in response to Column18:

Shame on those who buy and drive foreign cars?

Shame on ignorance.

Ford and Government Motors use foreign made parts and have major manufacturing facilities in China, Europe, Canada etc.

Honda and many foreign owned companies have established manufacturing facilities in the US to turn out cars for this market employing thousands.

Chrysler is a multinational auto company with a majority ownership by the Italian Fiat Group.

When you know more, you make better decisions.

You are wasting your time, dear friend. The ostriches have no capacity to understand how a global economy works. They will never comprehend that buying a car that they see as "foreign" does not translate into hurting America. Your example about Honda is spot on, but this is over their heads.

Don't waste your time trying to explain. You might as well try to teach your dog Doppler theory or your cat how to appreciate fine art.

Written on Letter: Why not ... ? :

We have to think of all the diseases we have "cured" or can now control. And why overlook all the advances scientists have already made with cancer?

No, they haven't completely cured it. But neither has NASA sent a robot to Pluto either to my knowledge. Let's give credit where credit is due and not mix apples with oranges.

Written on Polls show Obama moving ahead of Romney in most competitive states:

in response to Righty-basher:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

The "sheeep"?

Written on Chick-fil-A to stop donating to anti-gay groups:

in response to Klaatu:

If it weren't true,
then they'd have no reason to be back peddling now would they !

Certainly they would, if people at the city level of government were making permitting, etc., difficult for them.

It's called "government repression of free speech." If Chick-fil-A is truly caving, shame on them.

Written on Who are Mitt Romney's 47 percent? A breakdown:

Well, we aren't ever going to know from that tape the full extent of Romney's thoughts or clarifications about that 47% since Mother Jones conveniently edited the tape - er, "lost two minutes of it" - just at the 47% part.

Link for Mother Jones admitting it did away with - er, "lost" - two minutes of the tape:

Here’s a story on the missing two minutes from CNN and Politico.


This restaurant, like any other, can do what it wants, but I can't understand why any business owner would drag his personal political preferences into his place of business and stick them in the face of his customers. And I say that as someone who supports Romney and loathes Obama.

Also, isn't it a little ironic to name a drink after a known teetotaler?

Written on Obama tells Central Florida crowd: 'Choice between two different paths' :

in response to CarpeVeritas:

Me, me, me. It's all about me. Personal responsibility means I'm sick and tired of taking care of others; no one looks out after me.

If you can get past the "slavery and death versus freedom and happiness" bit, one can find the very big question that will be answered with this election:

Shall we be a society that believes personal responsibility involves the old fashioned American virtue of helping your neighbor, or shall we be a nation devoted only to selfish pursuits?

Do you honestly believe the old-fashioned American virtue of helping your neighbor is limited to paying higher taxes?

I, probably like many here, can't count the hours I've spent in my life visiting people in assisted living centers, making meals for the ill, working as a volunteer in a school library, and so forth, and I wouldn't want to tally up the money I have spent on charitable needs.

I'm sure that goes for many.

If you think paying more taxes is the only way to avoid being a "nation devoted only to selfish pursuits," I have to wonder how much time and money of your own you spend practicing "the old fashioned American virtue of helping your neighbor."


in response to romneygate:

Just what freedoms are you trying to protect besides the RIGHT to exploit?

What freedoms are we trying to protect?

To start with, religious freedom.

Written on Clinton boosts Obama in rousing convention speech :

Monica Lewinsky has led a life of near-ruin while this guy, twice her age when she was little more than a kid, who should have known better than to put a very young woman in harm's way like that, is getting the adulation of all those Democrats.

Monica Lewinsky has never been able to re-build her life; she remains disgraced as a national joke; without Clinton's connections and political history, she had no means of recovering as he did. The scandal he led her into has been a nearly insurmountable obstacle for her in terms of employment and marriage. I am sure it has blighted also to some extent the lives of her parents and any siblings she had.

In addition to ruining the life and prospects of this young woman, Clinton showed he wasn't worthy of being in the Oval Office, which he, quite literally, disgraced.

He is a terrible cad; he should be living a life of quiet penance and thoroughly anonymous good deeds. Failing that - which he is - he should be shunned by decent people, which, of course, explains why the lefties all fawn over him.

Written on Letter: Beware the boards :

I myself have always liked more diversity where I live. I know from experience you pay a price for that. In Massachusetts, we lived on a nice rural street, but of course, my neighbor across the street had to be the one with the junk, and the white washed tires filled with begonias and plastic butterflies. But I preferred that to living in a place where there are so many regulations.

There are all sorts of neighborhoods to buy into. If you want one that's uniform in almost every respect, buy into one with an association. If you like more individuality, even though it means everything may not be perfect,don't.

Written on Canine Corner: Survey of dog trainers contradicts conventional beliefs :

The easiest dog to train is one whose owner realizes how comprehensive dog-training is. People too often look at one or two things they want to teach their dog: not to jump up, or to sit on command or not pull on a leash. People ask me how much a day I train my dog - I want to say, "All day, or, every minute I'm with him." That training may include the five-seven minute intervals I may do once or twice a day to teach something new; but also includes reinforcing the following whenever the situation arises: waiting in the crate until I say out; waiting until I pass through the door first; walking down the stairs to get outside the condo right by my side; taking the vitamin pill quietly; listening to my commands as the hair is brushed (sit, stand, down, and "let me see your tummy") and so forth. All day long, on and off as required. It's the end of the day now - and when I say, "Crate" he is going to run in that crate as he does every night to get his treat. Training is not lessons or sessions, but it's something you do continuously through the day.

Written on Romney makes his case: 'Need jobs, lots of jobs' :

in response to naples759:

i love gop bashing...

reminds me of when i was constantly bashing bushie boy.

i learned a lot about bashing from the gop in the last four years. i plan to put to good use what i learned against the gop.

by the way ryan, didn't the janesville plant close before obama took office?

shame on you, you told a lie.

where's your good catholic upbring? and in front of your mother!

get your facts straight, liar.

Actually, you have fallen from a lie from the fact checkers. They were wrong. The plant closed in April 2009. Obama had promised the plant would be here for another hundred years if his policies were enacted. Also, Obama promised that the same plant that he would support the retooling of the Janesville plant if elected, but nope - he didn't do that either. So, I guess the point is, get YOUR facts straight!

Written on Romney nominated; wife Ann convention star speaker :

It's fun watching the reaction of the hard-core Obama groupies. It never occurred to them that their guy was going to lose. It is just beginning to dawn on them now how outclassed he is.

By the way, wasn't Ann Romney terrific?

Written on How does Hurricane Isaac compare to Katrina? :

I just came back to Naples from New Orleans yesterday (Monday). No one is worried there at all. Only the expected precautions are being taken, but no one is expected anything like the horror show of Katrina.

Written on Southern Poverty Law Center's report lists two hate groups in Lee:

The Southern Poverty Law Center list is a joke. Why doesn't the article mention that the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., is on their list of "hate groups," and the designation likely contributed to a guy walking in there with a gun to kill people. All the FRC does is support the definition of marriage as one man and one women - a position held by a majority of Americans. But to the Southern Poverty Law Center it's a "hate group."

Written on The Golden Era of Women's Soccer:

This was such an excellent article. It brought back to me how I just missed out on soccer becoming a woman's sport, which was the heartbreak of my junior high school years.

Just saying "junior high" rather than "middle school" tells you this happened long ago - probably in 1963 when I was in seventh grade. Suddenly, we girls got to play this amazingly wonderful game in our gym class - soccer! How I loved it, always playing fullback, what a joy, racing up the field, passing, chasing down a misdirected ball - I never had so much fun in my life.

So the following fall, I was thrilled to think of starting soccer in gym again, but no! Ladies of that day played field hockey, not soccer, which was for boys, and the gym teachers explained that all of the soccer in the previous year we had enjoyed was only done as a way to teach us some groundwork about positions and rules that we would use in field hockey.

Field hockey! What a ridiculous game. I hated the sticks, I hated the dull thunk of the stick on the s----- hard ball, I hated everything about it. Suddenly, there was all this s----- whacking and cracking of sticks instead of moving a ball properly - with your feet, kicking it or dribbling it.

They never let us play soccer again, even in high school - it was unsuitable for girls was the thinking.

I'm glad these girls nowadays know the joy of soccer, of getting out there, preferably on a very chilly day, and passing a ball - with your feet - as fast as you can run up the field.

Written on Dance delayed: Will 'Senior Prom' reality show go on?:

I think this is HORRIBLE and these people should be driven out of town. I was trying to talk a dear neighbor into auditioning for this show, since her zest for life and her charming personality and the fun she just radiates made her a natural to win a spot on the show, I thought. Thank God, she wasn't going to be in the area for the summer. I would have hate to have gotten her involved in this great big mess.

These instigators of the project are nothing but dreamers and operators, stacking a house of cards by making one party believe the other party is on board, and all is set to go.

I feel so sorry for the people who took part in this, who were doubtless excited to tell their friends about their big adventure, and who now are likely to be disappointed. As for borrowing $15,000 from a cast member, who I doubt will ever get it back, shame, shame, shame on him!

As for those of you making snide remarks about the contestants who were deceived, shame on you too.

Written on The race is on; Mack, Nelson cruise to expected victories:

in response to miamia:

Unfortunately Marielena Stuart who lost so dismally is the smartest, most qualified person for the job of United States Senator from Florida.

The Republican Party which I recently joined refused to even acknowledge her for political reasons along with the newsmedia who did likewise.

Can't wait to change my status back to "Independent". It would be a cold day in hell before I ever joined up with any of the Republican Womens Clubs here in Naples!

Marielena held it together during her campaign to present herself as a reasonable person.

Unfortunately for her, she had already developed for herself, of her own doing, quite a different reputation.

This is why she was not taken seriously by so many.

Moreover, the fact that she would expect to soar to victory as a U.S. Senate candidate with no experience or name recognition says something about her.

How many people have you EVER known that had no name recognition, and no political background that have ended up in the US Senate? Please name one.

For someone to think she is unique and it will be different for her says something.

However, one can only hope having developed a new persona, she will keep it up and not revert back to the way she was. If so, one could only wish her well, no matter what her endeavors.

Written on What's Up in Ave Maria: Saucy bear becomes stuff of legends :

Every human habitation is sitting on land that once belonged to an animal. Every place, no matter how populated for however long, was once "the middle of nowhere."

Written on Romney-Ryan 2012: That's the ticket:

Can't wait to see Ryan wipe the floor with Biden, who makes Quayle seem like a genius. Ryan has a quick mind, and Biden barely has a mind.

Written on Top Conservative College: Ave Maria University understands No. 1 ranking :

Ahh, another mindless Naples Daily News comment discussion where everyone tries to prove that he (or she) is the bigger moron. And nothing like a story about Ave Maria, or anything with a religious bent, to really bring out the truly brainless. Like baldygrandpa, for example, who spouts such drivel. Baldy, my challenge to you would be to go out to Ave Maria sometime and have a discussion with one professor -- pick any one at all -- and say the kind of things you say on this blog and see if you could hold your own in that discussion for longer than 10 seconds. You couldn't, but we'll never know because you're undoubtedly too cowardly to do it.

Didn't I see something from the Naples Daily News Editor that they were going to make people use real names in comments? Can't come soon enough. The discourse on these comment areas make Naples look so bush league.

Written on Letter: Ring a bell? :

This was a good topic but a lame letter.

The main thing that needs to be done when making a message recording is to give the caller some idea that he has dialed the right number.

Either say, "You have reached X phone number" or give a clue to the name, "You have reached the Smiths" or "Diane and Ted."

When you hear simply, "Please leave a message" or as this letter writer suggests, "What's up?" you may be left unsure that you've reached the right number, particularly if you're not familiar with the voice.

Then, if you want to be sure, you have to call a second time.


Yes, I think it was an omen - it was carrying a sign saying, "Vote Republican" (instead of for you).

Written on Chick-fil-A gets lunch crowd support:

Wow. Can the NDN's coverage be any lamer? All the other coverage of this "Appreciation Day" that I've been seeing has merited at least several good-size paragraphs. Anyway, my entire family is set to leave soon for an early dinner, in hopes of not fighting the crowd TOO much, since the word is being emailed to us that the Naples Chick-fil-A is inundated with people.

I think those lefties of the repressive stripe will think twice before trying to shut down a business any more because its views aren't p.c.

Written on Letter: How insulting :

Like you Romney critics actually care about our troops. What a riot you are!

Written on Naples reality TV show 'Senior Prom' takes a misstep :

I hope the Philharmonic and the musicians get paid up front.


Either the guy was paid with a check that was returned for "insufficient funds" or he wasn't. That's easily verified, for goodness sake, and I wish the reporter had done so. Is there any kind of time sheet? How about doing some fact checking, and telling us what is the case rather than a bunch of "he saids." Was the "disgruntled crew member"fired because he was complaining about treatment? How about finding this out? And maybe getting some quotes from the cast?

Written on Editorial Endorsement: Immokalee Master Plan amendments :

Well, I guess the response from Tim Nance means he would vote against the amendment, so I will apologize for saying otherwise. I hope the Immokalee residents realize how much a vote for Tim Nance will be a setback for their community. But if we're talking about facts, how about the mailer I received today from the Nance campaign stating that Jackson Labs was "$260 milion for embryonic stem cell research." That is an outright falsehood. Is this the type of "honesty" we can expect from Tim Nance?

Written on Editorial Endorsement: Immokalee Master Plan amendments :

in response to TheyPavedParadise2:

The information in the article is the "facts" that Coletta has been spewing. They are incorrect as usual. He must really believe what he is saying now. NDN did no investigation on this. I challenge them to reveal the names of Immokalee residents they interviewed before the decision.

The article specifically says the NDN tried to talk to people opposing the plan and they refused to meet. One has to ask why. Nance refuses to say whether he'd vote as a commissioner for or against it. If I'm wrong on that, refer me to anyplace where he has specifically said how he'd vote and I'll apologize to him and you. And exactly what in what you call an "article" (actually it was an editorial, but perhaps you don't know the difference) was incorrect?

Written on Editorial Endorsement: Immokalee Master Plan amendments :

in response to TheyPavedParadise2:

Nance has answered it in every public event. I'm not going to speak for him. Maybe you should watch the youtube videos of the forums.

You can't speak for Nance because he doesn't simply answer it. If he did, you'd be able to quote him as saying he was either for it or against it. How hard is that?

Written on Editorial Endorsement: Immokalee Master Plan amendments :

in response to endtimes:

Supervisor of elections office claims they were 11,000 absentee ballots sent out, why if there is only 3,335 voters, this article can't be relied on,
This has Jim Coletta all over it, again one sided article NDN ask Friday for an interview sorry not enough time :(

Are you a moron, endtimes, or just pretending to be one? The article says that only voters in the area affected by the Immokalee Master Plan will be voting on it, not everyone in Collier County. The article clearly states that the question is being put only to the voters in the area affected by the plan, not all of Collier County.

Written on Editorial Endorsement: Immokalee Master Plan amendments :

Good question on why there's nothing in the article about Tim Nance's position, who is actually running for the district that includes Immokalee. The answer is that he won't take a position. Seriously. There is not a word on his website about it. In his "Where I Stand" section it's just a bunch of vague generalities. He's been asked the question directly. He doesn't answer it. So, if you're reading this, Tim, what IS your position on this?

Written on Five TSA employees fired from Southwest Florida International :

in response to crazyjoedivola1:

They got fired for NOT groping people enough. Personally, that's what I liked about RSW, not being treated like a terrorist.

Yes, when I read the headline, I thought, "Yippee - fired for groping!" But it turns out they were not groping enough. These are my kind of TSA people.

Written on Higher grades means more cash for teachers, employees at Collier's A schools :

Okay, can we expect grade inflation now?

One of the dirty little secrets in high schools now is that struggling students get pressured to leave, all in the name of higher test scores. Sad.

Written on Letter: Towey rebuttal :

"Denying" birth control and not providing it are two different things. Anyone can go to the store and buy birth control, including those who work for Catholic institutions: indeed people have for scores and scores of years, right up until now, bought their own birth control without demanding that insurance programs provide it for them. Not providing birth control is obviously not the same as forcing someone to accept your religious views. As for following "our laws," pmz, we intend to change this unjust law,as is our right under the Constitution to do.

Written on Batman movie massacre: 12 dead, 59 injured:

I wonder if there might be 24 hours before posters here reduce these victims - real people - to mere fodder for their political diatribes.

Written on District to teachers union: We can't afford salary increases :

in response to 7654321:

Heaven forbid that our teachers expect to be paid a living wage. They only have our future in their hands every school day. I can't understand the hate most people around here point towards those who chose public service over quick enrichment.

Look, I'm a former public school teacher with seven years experience. I've heard lots of teachers talk about why they chose teaching. Very, very often it centers on the school year and the hours. They aren't necessarily lazy, many of them, particularly the women, find this a fit with being a mother.

In fact, I became a teacher because my parents insisted that's what I should be (it was the sixties, and feminism hadn't really caught on), because they said it would allow me to care for my family. It turned out I really liked teaching itself, at least for some years. But the hours were a big draw, not the "service." Don't tell me that's unusual, it's not.

The fact is, "service" isn't what it's always about. Many teachers I know to this day tell me that don't even like the kids or teaching.

If teachers are hated (probably more accurate to say disliked) it's often because they feel entitled to raises and benefits that those of us paying them don't have for ourselves. If teachers want to label that "jealousy" - instead of what it is, the common sense reaction to the absurdity where the hired are better off than those hiring them - fine. Let's see how insulting the people who pay them helps the teachers' case.

Written on FWC: Boy loses arm in gator attack:

in response to swampbuggy:

In 2011 there were 11 shark attacks and 11 alligator attacks. Do you allow yourself or your kids to swim at the beach?

That's a little simplistic in that it shows nothing of ratio. How many people go to our beaches vs. how many people are crazy enough to swim in a river or lake here? I see relatively few people in the rivers and thousands at the beach. One's chances are far, far lower of being attacked by shark. There's a difference between accepting low risk, accepting high risk, or, insisting on no risk.

Written on Ciao: Yes, you can go back again :

Well, get ready for a VERY different Provincetown than you remember from 50 years ago.

Written on Letter: The point is ... :

No, he didn't have it wrong. "Something there is that doesn't love a wall" is Frost's reflection on how nature tends to undermine walls. His observation can be extended to mean that all barriers and regulations tend to erode if not maintained. But that's it. He's not against walls in and of themselves, for goodness sake.

Frost acknowledges such in the poem, when he says he can see the need for fences if you have cows.

In that case, a fence does make a good neighbor. Imagine how you would feel if the neighbor's cows were constantly in your yard. "Before I built a wall, I'd ask what I was walling in and walling out," says the speaker. He doesn't say there never is anything you should wall in or wall out. That would be ridiculous. He says you should think if you really need the wall.

Frost is talking about useless walls, and by extension, good rules applied unthinkingly to wrong situations - like what's going on in the poem: going through a lot of work to wall in separate orchards. What Frost is really talking about is following rules and regulations for their own sake, as if they were magic charms, not for how they were meant to be applied. There is a real need for good fences if you have cows, but it may not be a worth the work if what you have are apples, as the neighbor does.

The neighbor values the rule simply because it's a rule - that's what Frost is gently criticizing in his poem.

Written on SPIN METER: Meet the health care tax:

in response to BobinNaples:

But it is NOT a tax. Even Mitt Romney says so:

Well - if it's not a tax, than the Supreme Court says there is no other legal basis for Barry to require it.

Sounds like he loses if it is a tax or if it isn't.


Right on, Governor Scott!


It is a well-written piece, but what have we learned, really? Millions of children are having their lives taken from them each year, not "just because they are Jews," but just because they are pre-born. As is true of those Jewish children who were deemed expendable during World War II, we don't know what "scientists, writers, and musicians," we have lost through abortion. Even more important, though, than the fact that Jewish children murdered under Hitler or children being destroyed by abortion today might have become "scientists, writers and musicians" - yes, far more important - is that they were human beings.

No, if we can mourn for the children of the Holocaust, and weep for them as we contemplate their photographs on a museum wall - and remain blind to the horror of what we are doing to our children this very day with abortion - we haven't learned anything.

Written on Letter: Where is the freedom and liberty ... :

It's amusing to me how New Yorkers delude themselves that they are so tough and street-smart, when they repeatedly vote in Super Nanny as their mayor, who tells them what they can't eat and when beddy-bye time is. All those no-nonsense cops on the New York City detective shows would be more realistically portrayed with little pink frills on the back of their trouser the better to reflect the kind of population they serve and protect.


in response to Write_Thinker:

I come from a family with a great gene pool. Why should I have to pay for a family, like the Gerali's, who have a low gene pool, and are subject to sickness, disease, early death and costly medical trips. Why even promote poor gene pools. Just let them die out, and refuse any medical treatment whatsoever to them, so only the strong gene pools survive? Right, Gerali?

From your post, Whiteman, your gene pool certainly must tend toward the low forehead, pronounced jaw type.