Whackos on parade: Fight to prove Obama is really foreign-born. Morons

Here's a story about pretext racism.

A group of whackos is attempting to derail Obama's presidency by having the Supreme Court declare him ineligible since he was born outside the U.S.

Every time someone points out the evidence showing Obama was born in the U.S., it is dismissed in favor of the conspiracy.

It's very difficult to respond to a conspiracy theory, not because the conspiracy is true, but because the conspiracy relies on faith, so any evidence to the contrary is dismissed, while evidence supporting the conspiracy takes on added importance.

Here's a problem for the conspiracy theorists: If they manage to win (which they won't) then John McCain has a similar citizenship problem, viz., he was born in Panama.

Between Obama and McCain, Obama has the stronger claim to U.S. citizenship since he was born in the U.S. to a native-born mother.

Republicans are killing themselves with their Faustian deal with the religious right and the ideologues

E.J. Dionne writes a rather compelling article about the Republican party's self-immolation.

He describes a party that sold it's soul to the religious right in exchange for political power, but is now having to pay for their Faustian deal with their soon to be visit to hell.

I wrote an essay about the same issues back in 2004 called: Charting a New Democratic Course. Published by the now defunct Democratic Policy Alliance.

I was quite pleased with myself at the time, unaware that I was a few years ahead of my time with the present situation.

Perhaps, if one waits long enough, all predictions and prophecies come true--in a sense.

Republicans and McCain are bankrupt of ideas, money, and sense.

Here's an excellent article from Forbes magazine . I don't normally read Forbes, but came across this article on a Right-leaning website and found it compelling.

Gerstein spells out the trouble with Republicans and why they've squandered their position by relying on McCarthyism to ensure votes through dependence on hatred and prejudice.

Scary stuff. It helps when someone gives name to a tragic turn of events.

Watch my nice segue...

Unmentioned in the article is how out of touch the McCain campaign is for relying on the base-ness of Nixonian style politics.

Another story popped up today indicating that Palin's clothing budget after joining the campaign topped $150,000.00. This is along the lines of the previous AIG issue where the company spent $450,000.00 on a spa visit for salespeople AFTER getting a taxpayer funded bailout.

How can we trust a man in the presidency when he allows his own party--you know, the one he's in charge of--to spend $150,000.00 in less than two months on clothes and makeup for Palin and her brood? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

So much for fiscal discipline. Reports are that the money spent on Palin's couture exceeds her yearly salary as governor. Wonder if she gets to keep the clothes? I bet she does.

So long Ronald Reagan. Say hello to the wilderness...

History is trying ot repeat itself. We must remain forever vigilant againt the loss of our soul

History should never be far from our minds when we examine the rumblings of masses.

When I see the federal government under the control of a right-wing president make a power grab in the form of nationalizing the banking system.

When I see the members of that same president's party resort to bigotry, hatred, and outright xenophobia to win an election, I cannot turn a blind eye to the rise of the Third Reich in Germany.

Hitler flamed the hatred and prejudices of Germans during bad economic times to seize the reins of power. What was the result? Millions dead, and a country further destroyed and embarrassed for its misdeeds.

We can ill-afford to march down that same path. We, as a nation, must fight the easy certainty of hatred, prejudice, and eventual decline that will follow such a choice.

R.I.P. the former John McCain

By using a largely over-used metaphor prevalent in today's world, John McCain has gone over to the dark side.

He uses personal attacks rather than substantive policy positions to compete. This indicates he's already lost but is unwilling to admit defeat. Why? Because if he was truly a man of honor, he'd have better arguments and policies instead of relying on the tactics of weakness. Mudslinging is only for wimps and pussies.

At one time, I respected John McCain. I respected him when he ran against George Bush and between the two, I would have chosen McCain.

Now? He's lost all semblance of rationality and honor. He's completely destroyed any integrity his service could have garnered in my mind.

It's a tragic end for a once fine American.

Goodbye John McCain.

Troopergate comes back to haunt McCain as previously predicted.

I warned awhile back that Troopergate would come back to rot the McCain campaign from within.

The report of the Alaska investigator into the matter has been released. The results are rather damning of Palin and her handling of the matter.

Of course, the Republicans will call it politics, but doing so ignores the following facts:

1. The probe began in July, a couple of months before Palin became the VEEP choice.

2. Governor Palin agreed to participate in the investigation until she became the VEEP choice. This indicates that the politics were coming from the Republican side.

3. The investigator was a former Republican prosecutor, so the allegations of politics seem a little unfounded.

With the above, I think this mess will turn out to destroy Palin's positive influence on the campaign unless McCain's supporters are so willfully ignorant of the facts that they choose partisanship over integrity.

Considering past behavior, I suspect that McCain will maintain his loyal base and Governor Palin will be viewed as a victim by that base, despite the evidence to the contrary.

Such a sad state of affairs when partisanship trumps honesty and integrity.

McCain has lost his credibility and his honor...if he ever realy had any to begin with

Here's a good story about McCain from the right-wing REALCLEARPOLITICS.com

I didn't realize that John McCain was a member of the fascist group World Anti-Communist League. Has a nice sounding name, but is really a haven for war criminals and drug smugglers who just so happen to sport an ultra-right wing ideology.

McCain is nothing more than a politician. He's lost all credibility as a man of honor and integrity with his smears.

Fortunately, American has awoken from its slumber of ideology.

Notes on the VP Debate

Notes on the VP debate:

Biden knows his stuff. Palin can't speak English nor can she answer a direct question.

Palin doesn't seem to know what an "Achilles Heel" is. Rather than answer that question, she talked about her strengths. So now when they say she's well-read, I know they only mean Redbook and not history.

Bushisms from Palin: She said nucular three times instead of nuclear.

If I ever hear the word maverick again, I'm gonna puke. The way that word gets thrown around by McCain and his campaign makes me think the candidate longs for the days of high school so he could have a gang. I mean it sounds like McCain is the leader of a gang of bad boys with greasy hair, leather jackets, and girlfriends in poodle skirts. (Guess Palin kinda fits the image of a girl in poodle skirt...)

Is is a coincidence that Tom Cruise's character in TOP GUN was called maverick and was also a Naval Pilot? I think not. I bet John McCain hears Kenny Loggins singing in his head whenever he walks into a room...

Palin said that John McCain "knows how to win a war." How is that?

Let's go through a little John McCain history: He was shot down, captured, and spent five years as a POW and that qualifies him for "knowing how to win a war"?

I'll tell you what that qualifies him for: Getting shot down, getting captured by the enemy, and surviving a p.o.w. camp. These things have no relation to winning a war; they are the results of failing at war. John McCain screwed up and now he claims it as experience enough for winning a war? That's like claiming to be a master thief after you've been caught shoplifting a few time. Come on.

John McCain is trying to win Iraq to make up for the U.S. losing in Vietnam. Let it go John, let it go.

Also, what's with the shout out to an elementary school in Alaska? This is an important event. It isn't some award show where you thank your peeps and give shout outs. Let's just diminish the whole process please. Thanks Sarah.

Biden did well. He kept his mouth in check and spoke authoritatively about every issue. He knows his stuff when it comes to foreign affairs.

There's a reason Palin makes people nervous: She follows a script too closely because she lacks depth and knowledge. We can't have 8 more years of idiots in the White House.

Oh, and she's real pretty. And as we know, looks are all that matter when deciding on a presidential ticket.

No one should be surprised by this load of ideological crap

Well the Republicans are so afraid of Sarah Palin actually having to debate issues, that they are pulling out all the stops to, and get this: DELAY THE VP DEBATE!

The McCain campaign are picking on the proposed moderator of the debate. They are alleging that her book about black politicians is in support of Obama and therefore she's biased.

What a load of shit. In their minds, everyone in the media that doesn't push the Republican agenda is biased and incapable of being fair. What a load of ideological crap.

If that were the case, we'd never come to any truth because everything would just be agenda without veracity.

"Troopergate" will cause the McCain camp to rot from within

Here's a story from the Right-leaning realclearpolitics about the "Troopergate" scandal.

Apparently, the Governor Palin was all in favor of the investigation into the State Trooper matter. The State legislature voted to investigate.

Now, Palin has chosen not to cooperate.

This is a familiar story a la "The Bridge to Nowhere" that Palin was for before she was against it. Palin was in favor of the investigation before she was against it.

Stonewalling is troubling from a politician who bills herself as a paragon of openness and reform.

This won't turn out well. McCain should have looked into this before choosing Palin, but now it's too late.

I'm reminded of what my uncle Floyd always said: " You can't take back a screw."

In this case, McCain can't take back his screw up, even though it may tar and feather his campaign with hypocrisy's mantle and recall to voters' minds Bushco and the stonewalling they were ever-so prone to use.

So much for de-coupling from Bush....

Love the new look: John McCain -- Flip Flopper

The Republicans used the "flip flopper" label to great effect last presidential election.

Now, it seems that John McCain sees some value in dramatically changing his policy positions.

It's a good thing that John McCain has decided that the best way to win his election is to be more---Democratic.

Welcome John McCain. We'll send you your Donkey Button.

Winston Churchill said it best...

After watching all the bloviating by the typical press opinion-istas and watching the Democrats fall victim to the out and out bald-faced lying coming from the McCain camp, I worry about the results of the election.

If we, as a nation, allow another Republican deceiver into the White House all because he and his campaign manage to say what people want to hear, even if it's not true, then we probably deserve what we get.

I'm reminded of a quote from Winston Churchill when I think of the possible consequences of electing a lying Senator, too old to live out a term without dementia, along with his ideologue running mate.

Winston summed it up about Americans when he said of us:

"You can always count on Americans to do the right thing...after they've exhausted all other possibilities."

I don't know what's more stunning: The fact that so many willingly give up any notion of good sense and reason just to elect some party willing to lie, cheat, and obfuscate? Or, whether people are really such ignoramuses.

If McCain wins with the sort of campaign he's running, then we've sacrificed our collective intelligence upon the alter of our shallow foolishness. The results will be dire...more dire than they've already been.

I know that since Bush was elected I've seen my personal wealth disappear. I've seen my career prospects dry up and my income fall dramatically, even though I should be in the prime years of my earning potential. It can't all be my fault like the Republicans will try to argue.

Democrats are reverting to their spineless selves again. Enough is enough.

Here's the problem facing the Democrats now that McCain is riding the Palin wave.

The Republicans are masters at saying exactly what people want to hear--even if it's not true. Those who support the Republicans are dedicated loyalists to their party and just stick their fingers in their ears when legitimate questions about their candidate are posed.

The Democrats have fallen for the bait. By not attacking McCain and Palin BECAUSE Palin's a woman.

This is flawed and nothing but Karl Rove bull. Spare me the faux outrage please.

Palin is first and foremost a politician and she should be treated as such. Screw the fact that she's a woman. The Republicans are exploiting her gender to their advantage with the press.

The Republicans are running a campaign that consists of "taking offense" at everything. This is a load of crap. I take offense at their deceit and continual lies on the economy and energy policy.

The best approach is to turn the tactic on its head and pummel Palin and McCain. There may be an initial backlash, but eventually things will begin to stick. The Republicans can only take offense for so long before they start looking weak.

The press will eventually get over their shiny new bauble that is Governor Palin.

The Democrats need to give them something to latch onto, viz., the weaknesses Governor Palin brings to the ticket and possibly the country.

Palin surpise is not without its costs to McCain

E.J. Dione points out the obvious hypocrisy of the McCain camp.

McCain obviously gained a credible advantage by waiting until the last possible moment to choose his VEEP. He also got the added benefit of claiming, once again, his maverick status by choosing Palin, a comparatively unknown.

We must give him his props.

However, by choosing an unknown, he opened the floodgates of scrutiny. This is to be expected because in our political system, scrutiny by the press is part of the vetting process for the entire country. We haven't had months to learn about Palin. So, with the short amount of time we do have, the press is fitting in all the scrutiny it can. What would have been stretched out over months if he had chosen earlier is being forced into a few short weeks. That's the price to be paid for the benefit of the surprise choice.

Now the McCain campaign cries foul hoping to blunt press interest. They want the benefits of the surprise, but not the accompanying negatives that may go with it. Too bad. We can't afford another Dan Quayle and for the Republicans to all fall in line with the Palin choice shows their utter lack of depth and intellectual honesty.

I personally think Palin won't have too much in her background. Her real problems will be rookie problems and a dearth of gravitas. We'll see though.

As to the maverick title so often self-applied by McCain's folks: John McCain is no maverick. Hell, he's worked in Washington since the 1970s. He's the epitome of a Washington insider.

Calling oneself a maverick and taking a couple of principled stands against one's party doesn't a maverick make. It's called politics.

Don't forget John McCan't's participation in the S & L scandal where the taxpayers had to bail out an industry

Here's a little bit of history that should be dredged up.

It's about the Keating Five.

For those of you unfamiliar with the S & L Scandal from the 1980's, John McCain was implicated for exercising poor judgment for helping a large campaign contributor with bank regulators. Charles Keating's bank subsequently failed and cost investors billions. (This is the problem with de-regulation ideologues--some regulation is good).

Charles Keating was the poster child for the S & L scandal. He gave McCain hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions and flew McCain around on a private jet. (So much for McCain understanding the common man...I know I fly around on a private jet all the time too.)

Many blame the whole mess on the de-regulation that occurred when Reagan came into office. Many who worship at the Church of Reaganism dismiss the impact of de-regulation, but it shouldn't be ignored so handily.

John McCain's good buddy, Phil Gramm, is a big proponent of de-regulation and McCain still advocates many of the same policies that Phil Gramm (who said recently that "the nation is a bunch of whiners" ). As a side note: Since the Republicans came to power, my personal wealth has fallen and my income stream has dried up. So, yes, I'm a whiner, but with good reason.

The problem with the Reagan de-regulation dogma comes down to this: Absolutist de-regulation results in debacles like the S & L scandal and the banking and credit crunches we're experiencing now. The short-term benefits of high profits are more than offset by the economic bubbles that inevitably burst afterwards. Regulation, is like a spice: just the right amount improves the dish, while too little keeps it unpalatable, whereas too much ruins it. Balance is key and to take the ideologues overly simplistic, absolutist view is to ignore the real complexity of modern economics.

McCain has adopted the Reaganomics view of Phil Gramm, much to the detriment of America. He cannot claim to put country first when policies he advocates harm more than they help. McCain's history of siding with the wealthy aristocracy is long. For him to paint himself as an everyman doesn't pass the smell test.

Look to the past and you'll see who gets McCain's help: Those with money.

Ask yourself: Do I have money? If you don't, then McCain's not you man.

Only a fool votes for someone who pays lip-service to values, while pushing policies that harm those stupid enough to believe the words over the result.

Welcome to the Feeble Fogy and Fascist Fembot show

I've finally figured out what the McCan't - Palin ticket represents.

It represents the old stodgy married to the young ideologue.

We can't afford the easy certainty represented by the Republican ticket.

Drilling for oil is not the answer..It's a big fat lie to pretend that it is

I'm reminded of that old political chestnut when I hear politicians give grand speeches.

"Who Benefits?"

If you can answer that question when you hear a politician's speeches, then you can easily figure out whose backpocket that politician is in.

Take for instance the Republican refrain to Drill, Drill, Drill.

Who benefits from drilling for oil? The oil companies. Citizens of Alaska do because they get a paycheck from the state from oil revenues.

Getting lost in the grand speeches though is the fact that (And this is a commonly accepted fact and not some liberal scare tactic) even if we did all the drilling possible, the oil would not amount to a hill of beans with our current levels of consumption.

Furthermore, even if enough oil was found, it would take years (not months as it's implied by the Republicans) for it to impact our fuel prices and our economy.

Additionally, even the oil we do have is not enough to make us energy independent.

So, why do the Republicans keep perpetuating this farce?

Go back to the political chestnut: Who Benefits?

I'll tell you. The Republicans benefit from campaign contributions from the oil companies.

In the end, we have a choice between who best deserves to benefit from our coffers.

Do we want oil companies to benefit? Or, do we want the people to benefit?

Watch Out John McCan't...

Interesting video.

Makes you think about John McCan't in a whole new light.


Old, Grizzled Third Party Candidate May Steal Support From McCain

McCain's VEEP choice just keeps getting better and better...At least her values are strong,

This just keeps getting better and better.

It seems that Governor Palin's teenage daughter is pregnant.

The problem is that the Republicans are making threats if this issue is brought up.

What a load of crap. If the same issue occurred on the Democratic side, Rove and his ilk would start a whisper campaign to exploit it while denying their involvement.

Now, I know how teenagers behave and I personally don't think this is much of an issue. However, it becomes a values issue when the VP choice is touted as a family values paragon. Why does a conservative family-values candidate get a pass on the very issues that become ammunition against the other party?

McCan't has really screwed the pooch. There's so much baggage. The inexperience and obvious cynical choice of a female running mate to draw off Hillary voters won't stand up once the real vetting occurs in the general election.

Palin is bringing trouble to McCan't already

Well, it looks like McCan't's VP choice is a Republican through and through.

She's already under investigation by a special prosecutor in Alaska for using her office for a personal family feud.

The Republicans are so rife with corrupt practices and so forth, that it underscores the need for the change Obama advocates.

It's house-cleaning time.