In response to my criticism of a blogger for their part in making a post on Heirloom tomatoes into a personal attack thread he posted this:

By Nostra-Dum-Dum

You're quite welcome, Brian. I often turn some of your more boring threads into more germaine political discussions. "Waiting for Superman," "Rebecca Black," and "Which Political Candidate Has the Cutest Dog?" are just a few recent ones that come to mind.

I'll defend the second as funny enough to share. The third topic was among my most popular series of posts. But the criticism of the first was really odd. An entry that brought together liberals and conservatives to discuss school reforms was included in a list of cute animal pictures?

Enjoy your award.

You don't need to register or use your real name to post a comment, but keep it classy.

I normally give out the comment of the week award to someone that posts a comment on my blog that raises the level of political debate. Most times it is someone that keeps the debate classy and sometimes it is because of the comedic value. This time it is an exception because the comment was actually on Audra Strickland's Facebook Fanpage.

I have given pundit Scott Harris a hard time because he often represents himself as an independent and a moderate but he obviously leans more to the right on many issues on his Facebook discussion page. His post on Audra Strickland's fanpage though shows me he is willing to push politicians to elevate the dialogue:

I understand his concerns that the campaign between Audra Strickland and Linda Parks should focus on the issues instead of personalities. But with these two polarizing candidates I don't see that happening. Scott, pushing for a cleaner campaign has earned you comment of the week.

His Facebook Discussion page is called Golden Again.

I will post a Fanbox for Audra Strickland when her team sends it to me.

( Did you hear President Obama called Kanye West a jackass? Kanye West might have the most memorable line from last week but the President said what much of America was thinking.Is this the real video of his comments?)

I am scheduling interviews for Thursday nights with local elected officials, candidates, and activists. If you are interested send me an email and let's schedule it quickly.

Here are some of my favorite comments from the last week ( and from the recent past):

While so many comments are the same personal arguments over and over again on a different entry Scott Blough focused his thoughts and questions on specific policies that don't have an easy liberal or conservative answer:

Andy and GS: It is my understanding that many teachers, who worked in the private sector prior to being public school teachers, paid FICA taxes into social security and lose out on social security benefits once they become public school teachers. Some have even fulfilled their full "quarters of credit" obligations under the program indicating they would be eligible for full benefits if they were disabled or reached the age requirements to draw on the program. Many teachers also may work side jobs during the summer or in the evenings and pay social security taxes. If they met the contribution metrics, should they be eligible for social security or not? I would think they should be.
Scott Blough

Nobody wrote the funniest comment of the week while plugging another blog:

"Yo Brian, I'm really happy for you, I'll let you finish, but Marie Lakin has one of the best blogs of all time. One of the best blogs of all time!"
Nobody West

Owen and I see many issues differently but we both agree on the merits of this painting:

That is one of the greatest paintings in world history.
Owen

After his comment there are a few funny barbs back and fourth that are memorable. Check it out here.

The picture form Norman Rockwell takes place a town hall meeting. Rep. Capps had a town hall forum on healthcare and Rep. McKeon has scheduled an event. Rep. Gallegly hasn't announced any plans to hold a town hall meeting on healthcare.

Eric Ingemunson and GS had an interesting discussion that showed their commonalities were greater then their differences but the policies are so arcane most people aren't going to read through their discussion. This blog is for people that are really interested in politics so go check it out.

Thanks for reading my blog.I would appreciate your input on my recent interviews. You don't need to register to comment but keep it classy.

Here is the full video that had people comparing the President of the United States to Hitler:

Nathan Sweet of Moorpark posted the comment of the week on Facebook:

Did you watch the speech? I plan to watch it tonight.

UPDATE:

NASCAR made an ad to promote the speech to students. They wouldn't have helped out if they thought it was a partisan speech.

I don't post a comment of the week every week, but this comment stands out because it is from former mayor and school board member Greg Stratton defending the local Republican club and blaming Sarah Palin's staff for the confusion over the event at The Reagan Library she didn't attend:

This comment came from former Mayor and former School Board Member Greg Stratton:

This is not the fault of the Simi Valley Republican Women. They have been 'stood up'. And worse, Palin's staff is not taking responsibility. Yes, elected officials do sometimes have to cancel, so all acceptances have some exit words attached. Peggy Sadler knows how that works. Palin's people know that too, and acted very unprofessionally when they used that out to claim she had never accepted. Hogwash.

Palin was on national TV for a week when she quit, and the reporters continuously spoke about the event at the Reagan Library. No denial at that time. Now all of a sudden they never were planning to be there?

Perhaps Sarah or her staff didn't understand the difference between the a Republican Women event at the Reagan Library and the Reagan Foundation. This event obviously wasn't important enough for her, so she finked out.

BTW, the 4th was the last day for refunds. Don't stiff the caterer, he has to order food on the 5th.

I think it is great that a Greg stands up for the local club, even though they won't state publically is Sarah Palin's staff really did send a request several weeks before the event asking for her name to be removed.

I trust the local club more than the former governor.

I am going to be posting the comment of the week often on Sunday Nights. If you see a comment that made you laugh, was charitable towards someone that the writer disagrees with, elevated the conversation, or added to your understanding of politics nominate them for comment of the week either by emailing me or by posting a comment.

You don't need to register or use your real name to post. But keep it classy or your comments might get deleted.

Many times I see a comment that is thought provoking, witty, or memorable that should have more attention drawn to it. With that as a though I am going to start posting a top comment of the week most weeks on Sunday nights. If you see a comment that you like please leave a comment after it recommending it for comment of the week.

There is a blogger that has posted comments here for years that goes by the name "Nobody". Over the years Nobody has both humored me and frustrated me. For a long time I deleted their comments because of a lack of civility. But sometimes Nobody leaves a memorable comment.

This is such a comment:

Brian,

There is an old man I see walking everyday. He looks about 80 something. He lives alone and always seems to be wearing the same clothes. He walks with a cane and has to go up these long cracked cement stairs everyday. I see him through my kitchen window. I always hear him coming a long time before I can see him. I have offered to help him but he gets angry and says no. Otherwise he's pretty cool. It takes him about ten minutes to make the trip down the hill of two flights of stairs. I try not to worry but I always do. Today I heard his door shut. He likes to shut the door hard and wiggle all the locks. Then the familiar thump of the cane. I can't see him until he gets by my kitchen window. As he slowly came into view today he was wearing a military uniform with medals shining. That was my Memorial day parade and it was very moving.

One of the ways a person can honor people in the military is to read the Dennert Blog. Being informed helps people make better decisions on what propositions and candidates to choose. That way we can avoid things like the Iraq War, Walter Reed and Cher having to buy the soldiers helmets.

Nobody,

Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog. I will take your compliment but the reason I chose your comment is because of the story of your neighbor. Tell him thank you for his service from all of us. The Star hosted a blog by Elias Banales for a few years. Click here to read his archives. I agreed with him sometimes and not others but I concur that we honor our military members by using our constitutional rights that they have fought to preserve. But to do so we should all stay informed.

What suggestions do all of you have to better follow the wars America is fighting and to better understand the needs of our service members before voting?