gdp's Comments

WOODTV.com : Tea Party Express brings out thousands | WOOD TV8

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:36:21 +0000

If the Tea Party was a group made up largely of people who merely wanted to limit taxes, limit government, and promote personal responsibility in America, I could understand your frustration. After all, I had a lot of respect for the tea party initially. Unfortunately, for a long time now that has not been true. The tea party has been co-opted by mainstream republicans and others whose goals really aren't to limit government, taxes, or increasing personal responsibility. Case in point: Sarah Palin as keynote speaker at the national tea party convention a few months ago. Under the latest republican leadership the size of the government has grown just as much, if not more than under democrats. And though Clinton was helped along by the dot com boom, he did at least have a balanced budget at the end of his 8 years. The problem is that many people see the tea party as a "conservative" movement, but their definition of conservative is one that means something more like "republican party follower." The tea party was started as a true conservative movement, but many people who have joined it have tacked on things like religious issues and bring illogical arguments (see "Keep the government out of my medicare!") that come from ignorance into the mix. Personally, that is the only reason why I don't like the tea party. People who are ignorant, people who feel that because something works for them or for their small town that it should also work for the federal government, people who feel that the government should force people to conform to christian or other religious values, people who hate the government just for the purposes of hating and who refuse to accept that there are certain roles that can only be fulfilled successfully by the government and people who think the tea party movement is something that should be used as a means to further the policies of the republican party are what turn others off of the tea party. (Look familiar?)

WOODTV.com : President Obama hails health care bill

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:47:31 +0000

If you don't want/need insurance - well I guess you "win" (I could not make those quotes big enough). Go get em tiger!

WOODTV.com : President Obama hails health care bill

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:35:32 +0000

This is a country that re-elected Bush in 2004. Obama just needs to be able to breath and say 'freedom' and 'terrorism' to win in 2012.

WOODTV.com : President Obama hails health care bill

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:32:54 +0000

So the GOP are NOW against Executive Orders!? Seriously, there must be an "Irony Gene", and these people lack it.

WOODTV.com : President Obama hails health care bill

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:31:27 +0000

Rewarding people would be buying them a new television. Giving people a yearly physical isn't a reward! It's a preventative measure that actually results in money saved by early detection of chronic preventable illnesses that tax dollars end up treating anyway. Those said illnesses often cost exponentially more the later they are finally diagnosed. Furthermore countries like Japan and the UK, not only prove it's plausible. They do so at less cost per capita with longer life expectancies and better results than we do! The new America, we settle for second best, or third or fourth and so on. It's a matter of national pride to try and do it better. Most can agree we are currently not doing it better. Just saying.

WOODTV.com : President Obama hails health care bill

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:28:30 +0000

The Republicans lost the health care fight because they made it about Obama and not doing the right thing. There were many times Obama was willing to cut a deal with the Republicans, willing to make health care reform basically a few minor changes, but the GOP simply refused any compromise. So the political cost to the Democrats was the same for passing a small bill as the big one. When the GOP stopped doing their job and started making obstructionism a means of attacking the president, that's when they lost. And make no mistake, it was a huge loss. And the Republicans were the architects of their own defeat. Arrogance and avarice that led to a fatal strategic blunder. Turning to the profane teabaggers for support was another big mistake, but that was just the icing on the cake.

WOODTV.com : President Obama hails health care bill

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:25:20 +0000

According to David Frum, former speechwriter to President George W. Bush: "Conservatives and Republicans today suffered their most crushing legislative defeat since the 1960s... This bill will not be repealed. Even if Republicans scored a 1994 style landslide in November, how many votes could we muster to re-open the “doughnut hole” and charge seniors more for prescription drugs? How many votes to re-allow insurers to rescind policies when they discover a pre-existing condition? How many votes to banish 25 year olds from their parents’ insurance coverage? ... We followed the most radical voices in the party and the movement, and they led us to abject and irreversible defeat... So today’s defeat for free-market economics and Republican values is a huge win for the conservative entertainment industry. Their listeners and viewers will now be even more enraged, even more frustrated, even more disappointed in everybody except the responsibility-free talkers on television and radio. For them, it’s mission accomplished. For the cause they purport to represent, it’s Waterloo all right: ours."

WOODTV.com : Coroner: Pneumonia, drugs killed Brittany Murphy

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 18:30:56 +0000

Brittany was really sick, didn't get treatment and by self-medicating it pushed her over the line. The late actress’ friends claim that she got hooked on the same prescription drugs that killed Michael Jackson — including Vicodin — after undergoing a series of cosmetic procedures. Just because it was prescription, does NOT mean she wasn't "abusing" them.

WOODTV.com : Trial starts for Howard City murders | WOOD TV8

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:06:51 +0000

I appreciate your view, but religion should not enter into this decision as nobody on earth can prove their religion as fact anymore than anyone can disprove it. Yes execution often costs more than a life sentence, however this statistic takes a lot for granted by factoring in the appeals of a death row inmate while failing to do the same for a similar life sentence inmate. The execution itself is actually cheaper, it the numerous appeals that eat up funds which is done in order to prevent one of your other concerns, wrongful conviction. There is a possibility for error, but that is a flaw of the justice system more than the punishment itself. In any financial crime restitution is sought equal to damages, why should murder be immune to the same philosophy. I take this view as someone who is very socially liberal. I am convinced the death penalty should be passed in cases like this and the Troy Bllake case in recent memory.

WOODTV.com : Trial starts for Howard City murders | WOOD TV8

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:31:55 +0000

Why do people oppose the death penalty? Clearly everyone should see a crime as heinous as this and agree that a fatal punishment is just.

WOODTV.com : NBC Chief: Leno return is right move

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:30:32 +0000

...don't just bury my comment, defend Jay if you think he is sooo funny. Even if you do, is this not really a tasteless act?

WOODTV.com : NBC Chief: Leno return is right move

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:11:34 +0000

Leno is awful, the king of mailing it in. What a disaster for NBC. They axe quality prime time programing (such as Kings) to make this big move, only to screw everyone over in the end, except Jay of course. Jay cannibalized the local news and his old program (The Tonight Show) with his awful 10pm lead-in and then they blame everyone but him. Don't forget that Conan also had to go against an invigorated Letterman show with a ratings boost from his sexual scandal. O'Brien never got a fair shake. I will watch Dave Letterman (another person screwed by NBC who should have held the Tonight Show) and Jimmy Kimmel. I am done with NBC programming though. Jay Leno just steals his bits from everyone and mails it in every night. Fake! Here, by the way, is Jay Leno five years ago, all set with the plan - http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/leno-conan-toni...

WOODTV.com : ER director at hospital dies in fall | WOOD TV8

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:03:37 +0000

Tragic and slightly ironic. Prayers and condolences.

WOODTV.com : 7th grader starts Teddy Bears for Haiti | WOOD TV8

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:02:31 +0000

Have you ever been around a child who has suffered a life changing tragedy. Often they don't even have an appetite, and a small toy like this can give them much needed comfort. YES, in some cases as much as a meal. Notice I said "CAN" be as important, and did not speak in absolutes. Quit nit picking, it's unbecoming.

WOODTV.com : 7th grader starts Teddy Bears for Haiti | WOOD TV8

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:05:20 +0000

Actually, for children a small item of comfort can be as important as a meal. What a lovely thought. Also of note from the article, "Monetary donations for shipment of the bears -- which won't be done until the crush of needed supplies is met -- can also be made at either location." Just to add to my point a simple google search shows hundreds of similar efforts. Organizations such as the Red Cross help to distribute items such as these in a timely and efficient matter. http://www.google.com/search?q=SENDING+RELIEF+ITE...

WOODTV.com : Van hits semi; trailer falls on driver | WOOD TV8

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:40:06 +0000

If the conditions are unnatural, such a semi trailer stuck in the middle of the road, then no. 1) A person operating a vehicle on a highway shall operate that vehicle at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other condition then existing. A person shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than that which will permit a stop within the assured, clear distance ahead.

WOODTV.com : Van hits semi; trailer falls on driver | WOOD TV8

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:35:01 +0000

Darwin, you are a failed forum troll, find a new hobby. Who would blame the driver of the van when it has been stated the semi trailer was stuck in the road. Do you know the terrain? Could this have been over a hill or with a similar obstructed view? Bah - who cares, let's just say something outlandish anyway to get a rise out pf people...right?

WOODTV.com : President Obama taps George W Bush and Bill Clinton for Haiti earthquake aid

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:45:18 +0000

The elder Bush and Clinton, and now the younger Bush and Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Reagan... ALL have stepped forward in time of international crisis to represent the United States of America. It's a way to show that we are indeed UNITED. People like you poison that notion with childish attacks and petty politics - and you sir, are what is WRONG with America. Literally sapping it of it's energy from within. I for one commend ALL of them. Also the $40 million that our citizens donated to the Red Cross by text message alone. You may wish to brush up on what being an American really means.

WOODTV.com : Driver dies in snowy road collision | WOOD TV8

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 18:57:33 +0000

Yes the guy has died, let's condemn him further. Brilliant! (sarcasm) For the record, whenever a car leaves the road they will always be written up for "Too fast for conditions". It's an easy and nearly mandatory ticket. Perhaps he misjudged the conditions. It must be nice being immune to that sort of error, good for you. I wish I were so perfect, you heartless being.

WOODTV.com : Driver dies in snowy road collision | WOOD TV8

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 16:36:38 +0000

Even the best of drivers can lose control in a Michigan winter storm. Is now really the time to be so judgmental?