An e-mail I got from my Kool-aid drinking friend today

[Tesla]

"The Man of the People" returns

John Edwards Building Anything-But-Humble Home (From NEWSMAX.COM)

John Edwards tried to cozy up to America's poor by announcing his presidential candidacy Thursday in the Lower Ninth Ward of Hurricane Katrina-ravaged New Orleans.

It's doubtful that any on hand live in splendor comparable to the $3.1 million mansion the former senator and vice presidential candidate is building in North Carolina.

Edwards, worth upwards of $30 million thanks to a career as a personal injury lawyer, is building the home on a 100-acre estate outside Chapel Hill, the New York Post reported.

The 10,700-square-foot mansion boasts 10 rooms, 6 1/2 baths, two garages, and verandas with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

Edwards is also building two smaller homes on the estate — a two-story, 6,366-square-foot mini-mansion with a $570,000 price tag, and a 2,817-square-foot, $193,000 house.

One home is for Edwards' 22-year-old daughter Cate and the other is for visiting friends and family, according to the Post.

On top of all that, the White House hopeful is constructing a 1,180-square-foot pool house.

In the 2004 campaign, Edwards often spoke of "Two Americas," one wealthy and privileged and the other struggling to survive.

There's no doubt which America Edwards belongs to.

[meegbear]

1. "NewsMax" is basing it on this BS ...

http://mediamatters.org/items/200701190010?src=other

[Tellurian]

23. I like John Edwards..we knew the smears were coming..

Repukes try to turn our candidates inside out...to prove a negative!

[CrispyQ]

2. I googled "john edwards, million dollar mansion" & got this:

http://www.newshounds.us/2006/12/28/john_edwards_announces_bid_for_presidency_fox_commences_tearing_him_down.php

snip...
And so it goes: Edwards, a self-made millionaire who made his fortune representing individuals against corporations - and winning - announced his candidacy and his intentions to help the poorest Americans, is a villain on FOX and must be immediately weakened. Most of the footage of him was with African-Americans (repeated loops of him in a photo-op with a bunch of kids) and John Kerry - that connection of two years ago will be used against him repeatedly, no doubt. Some of the "talking point" banners that ran below the discussion:


John Edwards building $3.1 million dollar mansion
Report: new Edwards mansion being built on 100 acres
John Edwards lives in luxury: says he relates to poor
Edwards is reportedly worth more than $30 million

[Sweet Freedom]

3. There's no doubt which America Edwards belongs to.

Same one all the rich republican politicians belong to? :shrug:

Wonder how much their homes cost?

[unpossibles]

4. I love how the reichwing will defend millionaires if they are oil barons or

arms dealers or what have you, but god forbid that someone on the left has any money....

[zbdent]

5. How evil! I mean, you'd think he had gotten a baseball team on his

name alone and evicted a bunch of people using eminent domain, just so he could build a baseball stadium ... and then sold his share of a baseball team for an amazing profit ...

Or he had been on a bunch of businesses which fell into bankruptcy (despite being in league with the bin Laden family), and yet always managed to cash out just before the company made public the hole their finances sunk into ... and had his daddy keep the investigators from looking too closely into their finances ...

THE HORRORS!!!

[NanceGreggs]

6. That Edwards guy has some nerve!

John Edwards tried to cozy up to America's poor by announcing his presidential candidacy Thursday in the Lower Ninth Ward of Hurricane Katrina-ravaged New Orleans.

Yeah, he was obviously trying to cozy up. The last things we need is a presidential candidate who wants to bring attention to the fact that New Orleans has been abandoned by the government, and left to rot. People like Edwards shouldn't go there at all. Let the people who were devastated fend for themselves, and not rely on anyone powerful speaking up for them. Edwards should stick to things like cozying up with John McCain at his next birthday party - the same way Bush did when people in NOLA were drowning, and going without food and water.

It's doubtful that any on hand live in splendor comparable to the $3.1 million mansion the former senator and vice presidential candidate is building in North Carolina.

It is doubtful that tens of millions of people can afford this kind of home. People who have money shouldn't be allowed to spend it on nice homes. (Who's going to tell the Bushes about that policy? I don't think they're going to take it very well.)

Edwards, worth upwards of $30 million thanks to a career as a personal injury lawyer, is building the home on a 100-acre estate outside Chapel Hill, the New York Post reported.

Upwards of $30 million? Man, Edwards is an absolute pauper compared to Dick Cheney! Edwards made his money as a lawyer. Cheney simply handed exhorbitant no-bid government contracts to Halliburton, a company in which he owns stock. He would consider $30 million chump-change -- and actually working to earn it, instead of funneling taxpayers' dollars into your own pocket -- that Edwards is a fool!

The 10,700-square-foot mansion boasts 10 rooms, 6 1/2 baths, two garages, and verandas with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

Ten rooms and two garages? Where does he get the nerve? And NO ONE should be allowed to have verandas - no less a view!

Edwards is also building two smaller homes on the estate. One home is for Edwards' 22-year-old daughter Cate and the other is for visiting friends and family, according to the Post.

Building a home for his own daughter? He obviously has NO family values whatsoever. His daughter should have been thrown out of the family home the minute she turned eighteen, and forced to live on her own dime without help from her father -- you know, the same way the Bush twins did.

On top of all that, the White House hopeful is constructing a 1,180-square-foot pool house.

A pool house? SHOCKING! I am speechless!

In the 2004 campaign, Edwards often spoke of "Two Americas," one wealthy and privileged and the other struggling to survive.

Yeah, he should keep his mouth shut, like all people who have worked for a living and made their own fortune. And if they run for president, they should NEVER think about their fellow citizens, or what's good for the country's economy. They should stick with people in their own income bracket, and totally ignore everyone else.

There's no doubt which America Edwards belongs to.

The NERVE of this guy, huh? He should have given all of his money away the minute he earned it. You'd NEVER see a wealthy Republican, especially in public office. They always give their money to the poor, so they don't wind up belonging to that 'wealthy and privileged America'. Besides, no one wants to hear about people struggling to survive - it's better to just pretend they don't exist - especially if you're the president.

[mnhtnbb]

9. Nice response, Nance!

[NanceGreggs]

10. Thanks!

:hi:

[Brotherjohn]

7. So you have to give up everything you have to be able to speak, and work, for the poor?

He's trying to become president, not a monk.

Maybe he should just call it a "ranch" and clear brush every few weeks. Wait, I forgot. He can't do that. He works for a living.

And let's look at Kennebunkport, shall we?

[Zodiak]

8. It is the "wisdom of CNN" speaking again

They did this to John Kerry. He's too rich to champion the poor, you know.

It is simply the Catch 22 media frames do to Democrats over and over and over again.

In the meantime, it is a great way to ensure NO ONE speaks for the poor....ever.

[Tesla]

11. I sent them your take on this Nanc.. this was the answer!!

Still not my job to pay for everyone else - that is why I live in a
democratic society instead of communism or socialism where the economy and
health care are failing. These people have the same chance as I do to work
hard and earn money to better themselves, yet they choose not to, so I
continue to contribute to their cause out of my paycheck whether I like it
or not. I donated to the American Red Cross and helped assemble care
packages at work. I listened to Kanye West's bullshit, yet I still gave so
someone might be helped. The people in New Orleans knew days in advance
they should leave, yet they chose not too. Pretty sure I could scrape up
$45.00 to get out of the city. Or pool money with other families who are in
the same situation. Odd... The people who wouldn't leave were the same ones
looting, stealing, and raping. Also the same ones complaining about the
food, clothing and shelter they were given (FOR FREE) by groups such as the
Red Cross. The government told them to "take what you need" from stores.
Somehow I doubt they needed TV's, and beer to survive the crisis. Why start
directly with the president when we can and should talk about the Mayor of
New Orleans and the governor of LA. State and local governments have primary
responsibility in dealing with local disasters. Is a Washington political
figure better suited to prepare for an earthquake in CA, a hurricane in
Florida, or a terrorist act in New York? Focus has been placed on the first
48 hours of federal response, not mentioning a word about the fact that New
Orleans had 48 hours of warning that a major Category 4 or 5 would make
landfall near the city, yet local officials apparently did little to
prepare. You can read the City of New Orleans Emergency plan here:
http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=46&tabid=26

The Bush family won't claim not to be rich, but they also won't hide it and
pretend they are the same people as those who are poor. I highly doubt John
Edwards is planning to live in a less substantial home and donate most of
his money to the cause. Remember... He worked hard for his money, why SHOULD
he give it up to help those "struggling to survive" in another America?
Perhaps if we'd stop sending all of our money all over the world, we could
really prove ourselves as the wealthiest country in the world with no hunger
here, we cannot have everything. As long as someone is unwilling to help
themselves, they cannot better their lives with just a hand out. The truth
remains that the vicious cycle in urban areas can be broken only by the very
people trapped inside of it. There is no glass ceiling in America, and for
that I am thankful to live here...



I almost wrote back and said "What would Jesus do", but that would have started the other thing your never supposed to discuss.....

[snowbear]

12. Wow.. with friends like that.... who needs enemies?

Luna-freakin-tic.

[Parche]

18. Tax dollars?

Sounds like the same person that doesnt mind $400 billion of our tax dollars going to Iraq instead??
But craps on New Orleans

[Dr Fate]

13. I'll bite- which Republican got Bush's Katrina victims back on TV again?

Oh-that's right- too scared to even bring it up.

I for one like having some rich folks on my side- GO JOHN!!!!

[Tigress DEM]

14. People who have money but realize the plight of the poor:

Ted Kennedy & his family in general who have had 2 sons assinated for their attempts to bring equality to this nation.

Bill Clinton who came out against the tax rebates for the rich and speaking out eloquently about how much damage they cause to the economy.

John Edwards deserves to build his home which will probably be used as a base for his campaign. He may understandably realize that he is blessed and lives in prosperity, but has the conscience to go with it that most rethugs lack.

My house is supposedly worth $179 thou and we are in a semi-crappy neighborhood. No view. No veranda. Sounds like Edwards knows how to spend his money wisely.

[MasonJar]

15. So what? He came by his money with honest hard work and

helped many unfortunates along the way. He is very grounded with his need to help the poor, having grown up without means himself. I think he is an honest advocate for the people in need in the US.

[July]

16. Send back a description of Bush's pig farm.

Don't forget to include information about the sweet assessment deal he got, how many acres it includes, and descriptions all the latest enviromentally friendly features he's got in place.

[Tesla]

17. I need more info on the pig farm!!

[NMDemDist2]

19. here ya go....

http://archive.democrats.com/view.cfm?id=6687

[Tesla]

20. Thanks for the link!!

Here was my reply and theirs.....

The last paragraph of this email should be what we all are fighting for...
freedom to make these opinions... and still love one another.....

No more fighting DU!!!

if a hardliner can still love a lib like me.... over John Edwards house.... we should be able to do it!!





I don't want to argue with you, everyone has a different opinion about
helping the poor and what causes them to be and stay that way.
I have tried to never send you emails about my opinions, especially politics
and religion. That is not our relationship.
I saw the article that Newsmax was sending out about John Edwards,I still
can't figure out what he did wrong? I don't think he was trying to say he
was one of them, he was just trying to bring a forgotton situation to light!

Here are his words... http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2005/9/2/14749/71454



You are right, "Perhaps if we'd stop sending all of our money all over the
world, we could really prove ourselves as the wealthiest country in the
world with no hunger here, we cannot have everything."

http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=182

Let's change what we can, not argue about what we can't do anything
about.....





And their reply.....


Now... Come on. You have sent me plenty of "bush jabs" - LOL. He isn't my
favorite and never has been, just hard to choose between such a bunch of
schmucks. The mere fact Billary is running is a joke, yet really scares the
crap out of me. Obama (educated in a Muslim school) is scary too. I'd much
rather see John Edwards in office than either one of those two.
I have to choose those who err on the side of conservative views, less
taxes, less hand outs, more values.
And of course I was being facetious when I said. "Perhaps if we'd stop
sending all of our money all over the world, we
> could really prove ourselves as the wealthiest country in the world
> with no hunger here, we cannot have everything." What this means is that
people criticize the government for "policing the world" and we should do
more right here in America, then all of the sudden the government is
criticized for protecting it's people and we should do more for Sudan and
other such countries in peril. No one truly supports our government (you and
I included) no matter who is in office. When Harry Truman (a democrat)
dropped an A-bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (right or wrong), America went
to war together. People were being the president. People were behind JFK
when he was in office. I don't think there has been a great president since
Ronald Reagan. Seems he ended and era of presidents who weren't afraid to
speak their mind and were backed by their people. They are all men, not
super humans, which is hard for everyone to understand. One more reason why
checks and balances is such a great system... No one becomes a dictator. The
government must hide things from us in order to keep us safe. I cannot
imagine knowing all of the possible things which might have occurred if we
didn't have super intelligence. It is very scary more lives were lost on
9/11 than in Pearl Harbor, people don't seem to remember that when we battle
the terrorists. It is a shame morals and values are not a part of our
society today.
The best part of all is that you and I are free to say and think as we
please because this is America, because people have fought and died for our
rights. No other country on earth is as great as this one, but I think you
know that!

You know I love ya -- Democrat and all :o)




There is still love that can see us through our hard times



edited for spelling

[Tesla]

21. Nice weekend house........

"The 1,600 acres on which the "ranch" sits was purchased in 1999 for an undisclosed price, but it was a helluva lot less than the current real estate agents' appraisal of $1.2 million. Yep, worth $1.2 million, but G.W. has a sweet deal at the tax appraiser's office, where the property is valued at about $988,000. Oh, and that "homey ole ranch house?" It's actually a 10,000-square-foot single level mansion/compound that won't even be 2 years old until this November! The compound features a swimming pool for daughters Jenna and Barbara, who apparently loudly demanded it - the Bushes call it the girls' "Whining pool." Btw - we hear Bush got a sweet deal on the house construction, (the cost, of course remains undisclosed): the builders came from a religious community in El Mott, Texas. The original completion date of the house was November 7 - election day 2000. In other words, the curtain went up on the set on schedule for "show time." The very timing of this event indicates that Bush was absolutely confident that the election would be successfully engineered in his favor."


Wonder what their vacation home is like .... anybody??

[mitchum]

22. Why be friends with a right wing idiot?

Life is just too damn short to waste with fools

[SemperEadem]

24. since when is a vow of poverty part of declaring oneself a

candidate to run for president?

Edwards made $30mil as a personal injury lawyer? Cheney made billions off of an illegal war.