SAY IT AIN'T SO, JOE

Like most of America, the Propeller community spent much of last week wrangling over Joe the Plumber. This symbolic figure (and actual guy), invoked repeatedly by John McCain during the final presidential debate, became a lightning rod for partisans from both camps. "Joe the Plumber: Obama Tax Plan 'Infuriates me,'" for example, rang up 106 props and 536 comments. Klarissa, who posted the story, summed up the argument in this way: "Obama is saying that he will repeat the acts of Herbert Hoover, raising taxes and trade restrictions, that led America into the Great Depression." But GWHayduke was suspicious of Joe's bonafides: "He doesn't even have a plumber's license, or a clue [as] how he would ever buy the company." Replied cloud15: "GW, I don't know why you're trying to attack this guy you know nothing about. He asked Obama a legitimate question and got a response. He didn't go yelling and screaming about it, trying to make some political stunt out of it." To which Candida responded: "You are right; he didn't. McCain did." Another story, "'Joe the plumber' isn't licensed," with 127 props and 331 comments, prompted a similar conversation. Goppy suggested that Joe had been a GOP plant from the very start: "McCain latched onto Joe the Plumber like a lamprey onto a shark... and proceeded to bring him up twenty-two times! My wife and I thought McCain was going to burst a blood vessel in his brain the way he was huffing, puffing, and being just generally provocative. " RedRiverJ responded by invoking the S word: "Joe the Plumber is the problem here? It's Obama's answer that was troubling. Spread the wealth around--[that's] kind of like socialism, is it not?" Meanwhile, tschrnywolf cast some doubt on Joe's modest lifestyle, at least as depicted on TV: "The house was very large. It does not seem like Joe is poor at all, or even middle class!" To which DeauxNut replied: "If you call that a large house you must live in a tent."

POWELL BREAKS RANKS

Another hot topic was Colin Powell's endorsement of the Democratic candidate. "In Endorsing Obama, Powell Rejects McCain and the GOP" generated 117 props and 189 comments. "I heard Powell speak at [National Submarine Base] Kings Bay around 15 years ago," said alakazam. "The man is a Great American. This says more to me about McCain than anything I have seen or heard." Added salir: "Powell hasn't abandoned his party, his party has abandoned him and all of the rest of us that used to believe in the GOP.... The GOP no longer stands for anything their party was founded on. Abe Lincoln is rolling over in his grave!" Meanwhile, amervtrn, who served with Powell, vouched for his judgment, regardless of party affiliation: "I feel very sorry that anyone could possibly think that the element of race would ever enter into General Powell's decisions. As per the order of the day, Duty Bound." But protoham was reluctant to let the whole conversation turn into a GOP slapdown: "On the same note, the Democrats have gone to total socialism, away from the centralist ideas that they once had. I am not sure if this is how parties evolve, thinking they have to move further towards their extremes. Maybe so." And dandt1612 was also less than enthusiastic about the Powell's choice: "I am surprised that he would choose someone with no (and I repeat NO) executive experience. It makes one wonder for sure." A related story, "Powell move a bitter blow to McCain," rang up 114 props and 141 comments. Said Engnr: "Looks to me he put the color of his skin ahead of his loyalty to his fellow soldier." Replied greenmac: "No, I don't think so. He put his country ahead of his loyalty to a fellow soldier." Meanwhile, leftylemn brought up an apparent fly in the ointment: "Didn't Powell start the Iraq war along with Bush? How is this helpful to Mr. Anti-War Obama?" Answered tchef: "Powell didn't want to go to war. He favored diplomacy. Bush and Cheney pushed him into it."

THE DOCTOR IS OUT

There's often one story that kindles a special outrage the collective bosom of the community. This week, it was "Hospital Bills Woman After 19-Hour Wait, Never Saw Doctor," with 53 props, 137 comments, and 34,792 page views. "Welcome to the world of socialized medicine," said wymswyfe. If Obama gets elected, these kinds of stories will be the norm. You will also wait months for heart surgery... if you live long enough to get it." To which ccimbob replied: "Wake up, our government officials have 'socialized medicine.' They are all covered under the same great policy paid for by guess who, YOU, the person who cannot afford coverage for your family." Added Marock, speaking from painful experience: "As of this morning, my daughter-in-law has been in ER for 40 hours, mostly spent in the waiting room. She went because her doctor told her to check in through the ER for gallbladder surgery." Another horror story came from mspski: "We pulled off the road into Richmond, VA to a downtown emergency room on a Sunday night. My wife had a terrible infection from a cat bite. It became quickly apparent we would never be seen.... We left the hospital and found another one in the suburbs, where she was immediately seen." But klfdoit put in a powerful pitch for Wataugh Hospital in Boone, NC, which should set off a stampede of southerly migration: her husband, who showed up at the hospital with a broken foot, was "seen by a doctor, x-rayed, fitted for a walking boot and crutches, given a prescription for pain management, and was out in two hours." (Do they accept my insurance, by the way?)

AND DON'T OVERLOOK....

"Voting Machines Flipping Votes From Democrat To Republican" notched 130 props and 331 comments (sorry, folks, no paper trail on these numbers). "Where is Jimmy Carter when we need him?" said Klarissa, surely with her tongue in cheek. Replied Candida: "Do you mean he should serve as an election observer with an international team? Not a bad idea. Even Cuba offered some observers last time." There was also "22 kids a day kicked out of Australian school," with 41 props and 29 comments, including this tough-love endorsement from Teech: "Keep throwing the bums out in the street. When only those who want to learn and are willing to do what is necessary to do so are left, watch that school soar!" Propeller members sounded off about the Supreme Court, computer keyboards, and (as usual) Rush Limbaugh. And finally, which story got the most page views during the last week? That honor goes to "Kinky German couple creates cop chaos on Bavarian highway," with 20 props, 42 comments, and 143,602 page views. There was a surprising level of support for the naughty Teutons (whose frisky behavior on the highway led to the rapid arrival of eleven squad cars and a helicopter). Said 244888: "Naked people running down the highway! Sounds like my hometown on a Saturday night!" Added klah9: "Thank god this happened in Germany and not in the USA. In America, they would each probably weigh 350 pounds." For better or worse, there is no video footage available of the incident. But for some of that classic Autobahn vibe, you can always hit the play button below.