Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BREAKING: Sarah Palin Says Being Gay Is A Choice
Monday, September 29, 2008
How Much More Pathetic Can This Ticket Get?
Paul Krugman Hits The Nail On The Head
"...The real revelation of the last few weeks, however, has been just how erratic Mr. McCain’s views on economics are. At any given moment, he seems to have very strong opinions — but a few days later, he goes off in a completely different direction.
Thus on Sept. 15 he declared — for at least the 18th time this year — that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong.” This was the day after Lehman failed and Merrill Lynch was taken over, and the financial crisis entered a new, even more dangerous stage.
But three days later he declared that America’s financial markets have become a “casino,” and said that he’d fire the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission — which, by the way, isn’t in the president’s power.
And then he found a new set of villains — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored lenders. (Despite some real scandals at Fannie and Freddie, they played little role in causing the crisis: most of the really bad lending came from private loan originators.) And he moralistically accused other politicians, including Mr. Obama, of being under Fannie’s and Freddie’s financial influence; it turns out that a firm owned by his own campaign manager was being paid by Freddie until just last month.
Then Mr. Paulson released his plan, and Mr. McCain weighed vehemently into the debate. But he admitted, several days after the Paulson plan was released, that he hadn’t actually read the plan, which was only three pages long.
O.K., I think you get the picture.
The modern economy, it turns out, is a dangerous place — and it’s not the kind of danger you can deal with by talking tough and denouncing evildoers. Does Mr. McCain have the judgment and temperament to deal with that part of the job he seeks?"
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Sunday, September 28, 2008
Note To McCain Campaign: Your Wolves' Sheep Costumes Are See-Through
Pundits like to characterize the Palin pick as both "a gamble" and "a Hail Mary pass" for the McCain campaign but, given the more than logically obvious likelihood that picking such a clueless running mate would result in the current state of embarrassment for their campaign, isn't it more accurate to describe this choice as "a gamble...like hitting on a 20 in blackjack" and "a Hail Mary pass...into the stands"?
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Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Post-Presidential Debate Reaction
--> Regarding overall debate performance, McCain earned a B- and Obama earned an A- (I bumped up Obama's grade from a B+ to an A- after a repeat viewing of the debate emphasized just how solid and controlled Obama was throughout the night compared to a shaky, scattered McCain).
--> Obama clearly demonstrated his (heretofore underestimated, in my opinion) strength on foreign policy issues, which was basically his primary goal for this debate.
--> It's distinctly apparent that the McCain campaign has calculated they can only win by heavily dealing in misinformation and distortion regarding Obama's current plans and past statements.
--> Obama could have been tougher on McCain (I kept hoping we'd hear my favorite "...and if John McCain really believes XYZ, well, then I've got a 'Bridge to Nowhere' to sell you!", but I can settle for a 'Bomb, Bomb Iran' reference), but that was never really his debate style to begin with.
--> As the debate wore on, McCain came off as more and more aggravated and condescending, even a bit disrespectful so to Obama, which is likely to turn off many independent voters.
--> Jim Lehrer is MUCH less sharp than I remember him being in past election debates. The excessive overlap of many questions, the strange "talk to each other" comments, the poor time management...not very good at all.
*UPDATE* (12:41am): The results of this CNN poll conducted among tonight's debate watchers are staggering:
Regardless of which candidate you happen to support, who do you think did the best job in the debate -- Barack Obama or John McCain?
Obama 51%
McCain 38%Did _______ do a better or worse job than you expected?
Obama: Better 57%, Worse 20%, Same 23%
McCain: Better 60%, Worse 20%, Same 18%
Next, regardless of which presidential candidate you support, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or John McCain would better handle each of the following issues:
• The war in Iraq: Obama 52%, McCain 47%
• Terrorism: McCain 49%, Obama 45%
• The economy: Obama 58%, McCain 37%
• The current financial crisis: Obama 54%, McCain 36%
Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each one better described Barack Obama or John McCain during tonight's debate:
• Was more intelligent: Obama 55%, McCain 30%
• Expressed his views more clearly: Obama 53%, McCain 36%
• Spent more time attacking his opponent: McCain 60%, Obama 23%
• Was more sincere and authentic: Obama 46%, McCain 38%
• Seemed to be the stronger leader: Obama 49%, McCain 43%
• Was more likeable: Obama 61%, McCain 26%
• Was more in touch with the needs and problems of people like you: Obama 62%, McCain 32%
Based on what _______ said and did in tonight's debate, do you think he would be able to handle the job of president if he is elected?
Obama 69%-29%
McCain 68%-30%..
Obama Set To Debate McSchizo
Oh, the detriment brought upon our political process by this blatant double standard in media reporting, this foolish mainstream media charade pretending no matter what a candidate says or does there are always two sides to be argued, there is always a devil's advocate role to be played, no action or statement can be universally declared wrong.
Well, then I guess I'll take this opportunity to state what the mainstream media is incapable of stating: the actions of Senator McCain and his campaign over the past two weeks have done nothing but raise serious doubts over his capacity to serve as president of this country, period.
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Thursday, September 25, 2008
BREAKING: House Republicans Walk Out On Night Emergency Negotiation For Bailout Bill
THIS. IS. DISGRACEFUL.
Republican congressional politicians that are blocking this critical negotiation process deserve to lose their seats in the coming November election. And, yes, a potential explanation for such an unbelievable action as these House Republicans are taking is that they are working in concert with the McCain campaign to give him cover if and when he decides to fulfill his inexplicable promise to not attend the first presidential debate tomorrow night. I cannot believe the level of political discourse we are seeing from an American presidential candidate and his party.
Is this really happening in our country right now?
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John McCain For U.S. Dictator
I exagerate, but even the fact that these charges can be semi-legitimately levied against the McCain-Palin campaign shows just how frightening this ticket has become over the past several months. Republicans need to take a hard, long look at themseves and contemplate if these are truly the best candidates they had to offer for arguably the most important elected office of the world, and if so, then the rest of America should feel pity for the current state of the Republican Party.
Quite frankly, the McCain-Palin campaign needs to be put out of its misery. I'm looking forward to the Obama-Biden campaign doing just that in 40 days.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
In Fairness, They Were Probably Counting One Campaign Supporter For Each Of Palin's Faces
"Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki said on stage that 10,000 people were in the crowd [of an event Saturday], but parks officials said the pavilion held only 3,500 people."
It's time to start referring to the entire Republican Party election effort as a dangerous, dishonest propaganda campaign that is nothing short of antithetical to our American democracy.
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'McCain-Palin Size Crowd-Size Estimates Not Backed By Officials'
"Sept. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Senator John McCain has drawn some of the biggest crowds of his presidential campaign since adding Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to his ticket on Aug. 29. Now officials say they can't substantiate the figures McCain's aides are claiming.
McCain aide Kimmie Lipscomb told reporters on Sept. 10 that an outdoor rally in Fairfax City, Virginia, drew 23,000 people, attributing the crowd estimate to a fire marshal.
Fairfax City Fire Marshal Andrew Wilson said his office did not supply that number to the campaign and could not confirm it. Wilson, in an interview, said the fire department does not monitor attendance at outdoor events.
In recent days, journalists attending the rallies have been raising questions about the crowd estimates with the campaign. In a story on Sept. 11 about Palin's attraction for some Virginia women voters, Washington Post reporter Marc Fisher estimated the crowd to be 8,000, not the 23,000 cited by the campaign."
Friday, September 12, 2008
Your New Clothes, Empress Palin
Hey 'pitbull', or 'barracuda', or 'mighty moose', or whatever the hell you call yourself today...I think your lipstick just got smeared. And now, the real Sarah Palin everyone!
I'd actually feel pity for Palin, considering the unthinkable position she's been put in by a hyper-politically-calculating John McCain, if she wasn't so overtly dangerous to our country in her own right. No, instead I feel just a bit of pity for a public that doesn't immediately laugh off the stage the nonsensical creation that is the current Republican Party platform.
It is blatantly obvious to all those that have been following his career and his campaigns that John McCain powered the 'Straight Talk Express directly into a ditch at the start of this election season. The day McCain announced Palin as his running mate, I claimed that the proverbial bus just burst into flames, and I stand by that claim. With each passing day between now and November 4th, I expect it will become more and more apparent that this election boils down to a simple, yet vital, choice between a genuine, galvanizing opportunity for American progress on the one hand, and a smoldering political wreckage on the other.
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Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Exploring The Internets
--> Yearbook Yourself.....think Elf Yourself but with yearbook photo templates from the past fifty years of fashion styles. Very groovy, baby.
--> Cake Wrecks.....pretty self explanatory. It's a blog of cakes, very horribly crafted cakes. And it's hilarious.
--> The Answer.....amazingly so, this website provides an existential answer for all mankind. Just give it a roll, and you'll see what I mean.
Monday, September 08, 2008
'The Rachel Maddow Show'
And, by the way, I recognize just how weird it is to be using the phrase "my wife and I". Next thing you know my wife and I (there it is again!) will be worrying about utility bills and spending our Saturday nights at Home Depot...oh my god, we've done both of these things!
Friday, September 05, 2008
Fired Up, Ready To Go
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Partisan-Charged Republican Party, Meet Obama-Biden Grassroots Fundraising
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
An Unprecedented New Low For American Politics
Tonight, the country and world witnessed Sarah Palin deliver one of the most disgusting, disrespectful, dishonest, divisive political performances of any generation's time.
Sarah Palin, John McCain, and the Republican Party should be ashamed, and the American people outraged.
[UPDATE: The American people respond strongly, at least in a focus group panel of Independent Michigan voters...
The Detroit Free Press invited a panel of Michigan voters to weigh in on Gov. Sarah Palin's speech last night. Their reactions run the gamut, but the independents didn't seem to care for her very much.
Ilene Beninson, 52, Berkley independent: "Her speech contained few statements about policy or the party platform. … I am not convinced that Palin's experience as a mayor or governor in Alaska meet the qualifications to be vice president much less one stroke or heart attack away from being commander in chief.”
Mike Kosh, 38, West Bloomfield independent: “The way it looks to me, she's the Republican vice presidential nominee for one reason: Because Hillary wasn't selected.”
George Lentz, 66, Southfield independent: “I was completely underwhelmed. She was a Republican novelty act with a sophomoric script. It was not even a speech I would expect for someone running for the local PTA, much less for vice president.”
Diane Murphy, 42, Sterling Heights independent: “It appears that once she makes up her mind, that is the end of it. We live in a gray world, not every answer is black and white.”
Jan Wheelock, 58, Royal Oak independent: “Nothing worked for me. I found her barrage of snide remarks and distortions to be a major turnoff. She is not a class act. The most important point she made is that she will be an effective attack dog.”]