Pardon my lateness of this post, life has been a little hectic. Anyway, incase you haven’t been following this who Letterman vs. Palin fiasco I will bring you up to date. On “The Late Show w/ David Letterman” Letterman made a joke about A-Rod possibly impregnating Sarah Palin’s daughter while at a Yankee game. Here’s what he said…
“One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game: During the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez.”
Now most people that night I am sure heard that and thought that Letterman was refering to Palin’s 18-year-old daughter Bristol, who had a son out of wedlock. But Sarah Palin, realizing the amount of media coverage she could get by faking outrage quickly claimed otherwise, saying that her younger daughter…umm Billow? Willow? Whatever.
Letterman quickly apologized and made it clear that this was in reference to Bristol, however Sarah Palin will clamp on to the media spotlight for as long as possible, continued to press the issue. This led to Palinites leading a protest outside of Letterman’s studio. But as you can see in this video, the protests took a turn for the worst.
The protests were charged with hate. These people are shouting Letterman is a pedophile, and throwing rather brash insults to his wife and family. Never have I seen so many people so outraged over nothing in my life. The man made a joke that was misunderstood and now you are calling his son a bastard and his wife a slut.
Weigh in on this in the comment section, or drop me a tweet @jlv0628.
Up until a few days ago I was fairly against the idea of gun control. I held tightly to the mantra that “guns don’t kill people, people kill people”. I don’t really hunt or anything but that doesn’t mean that I couldn’t see myself doing it. Hell, I myself even own a gun and so does my grandfather. I was raised knowing that a gun is not a toy, that it was something to respect and in many ways even fear. I fired my first gun at 15, and bought my first at 21. I know most people own a gun for personal protection, and I’m fine with that, it is after all a person’s right.
The other day I was talking to someone about a recent purchase they made. “Well I got me and AR-15 with a red-dot sight, vertical fore grip with laser/flashlight mount, collapsable stock and extended mags.” Sounds impressive, I know. But as with every person who owns something so elaborate is this, when you ask them what they will use it for they will always respond the same: home protection and hunting. First of all, what are you going to hunt with that thing? A rancor?
Hunting with something like that kind of takes the sport out of everything you know? The deer or what have you isn’t some wild beast who lives in Jabba’s palace, it’s a f***ing deer.
But hey, if you want to be ready for the zombie invasion and be able to take down Tatooine monsters with Luke Skywalker-like ease then by all means. All I’d hope for is that they are responsible with their new toy and that it never gets stolen by someone who would appreciate it’s ability to penetrate body armor. This guy I know, however, is a pretty trust worthy guy and is some one who I think is competent and cool headed enough to respect something like that. Let’s move on to some one that isn’t…
I have known a man for quite a while now that really concerns me, and it practically an argument for gun control himself. Full of his own bullshit self-importance, the man is so pro-gun, pro-second amendment, pro-killing shit that it scares me to death. One of these people that has a gun to fight terrorists and, most recently, to fend off Obama’s “Firearm Removal Squads” of the future. This is the type of guy who ultimate aspiration is to own a magnum firearm, so as to not only kill the intruder (or terrorist, criminal, etc.), but also the five people behind them.
It’s because of this person that I can’t be so against gun control anymore. People like this tool are what really put the fear in me that perhaps most some people are just too stupid to own a weapon. People like this guy see guns as something that they can use to gain respect, and therefore don’t have any respect for it. They gloat and they show it off when the fact is they are probably as insecure as ever and probably in some cases don’t even know what kind of gun they have (which is this case, is very true).
I think as of late I have changed my stance a bit on the “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” statement. I do think people will always kill people, with or without guns. But the fact is that when you empower someone who who embraces the second amendment not for what it stands for, i.e. to be armed for protection, but sees it as a sign of power then we have a concern. When a man walks around and sees his firearm as something powerful, something to impose will, and something that elevates him above everything else, THAT is a man I fear.
The other day I was speaking to someone about politics. It wasn’t my choice, but this person is particularly submerged in their own [short] list of “political accomplishments”. Any conversation with them eventually leads to, of course, politics. Particularly their politics.
All throughout the discussion were various attacks on the opposite party. “Oh, so and so is such a dirty liberal, I could just kill her!”. I am sorry, I promise for the sake of non-partsianship I will find a douche bag democrat for my next anti-partisanship post. It’s not hard.
After a momentous election, and the inauguration of an African-American president, the world declared racism dead as a door nail. But assuming that is true (which it isn’t) then I think the next thing to replace it will be good ol’ fashion partisanship. Partisanship that extends beyond Washington and resides inside everyone.
Right now, all these political parties do is divide us as a nation, and empower close minded, ignorant people to form opinions based on party loyalty and not on logic, reason, sense of goodness, or self learning. They build walls between people, close them off from others. I ask you, is that any different from racism? When one person is insulted (or in this case threatened) based upon what they believe, how is that any different than insulting a person based on their race, gender, or religion?
These divisions form this sort of vernacular of…let’s face it, hatred amongst people. “Oh so and so is such a liberal I f**king hate them.” or “Oh so and so is a major conservative asshole.” How is this different from calling someone a spick, a cracker, or a nigger?
There are two types of people. People who like politics, who seek to understand it from both sides. Who read everything to stay educated, and who seek the opinions of others rather than push them away. Then there are those that gorge themselves on one side of everything. Who shun opinions and relaxed discourse for brash outbursts and personal attacks. Those who use their party loyalty as justification for not hearing another person out. For saying “No, I’m right. You’re wrong. Deal with it.”
People who are fiercely loyal to their party aren’t really helping anyone, least of all themselves. When one follows blindly, there is no one to call foul. No one to say “Hey guys, we’re doing this wrong why don’t we rethink this.” People will just continue to vote, learn, discuss, speak with party loyalty in mind.
In the 2008 elections, experts constantly reminded us that this election is going to come down to the swing voters, voters who don’t neccesarily ride on the party bandwagon. In a perfect world, we would all be swing voters.
“I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.” – George Washington
Seriously, who gave George Washington a crystal ball that let him see in to the future? Even Washington noticed the potential walls political parties can build between people. Though not as high or as thick are they as the walls of Racism now, they can be.
Racism has held us back, and divided us. It has hurt us, and it’s scars are visible on the face of American history. Though my argument is that this hard line party loyalty that resides in most people has that same potential, now more than ever. We have a president who seeks to end this partisanship and unite where there was once division. But is it too late? Can our nation deal a blow to partisanship, much like the swearing in of Barack Obama dealt a blow to racism? Who knows.
“I adore political parties. They are the only place left to us where people don’t talk politics.” – Oscar Wilde
According to the Associated Press, Joe The DouchebagPlumber is headed to Israel to cover the war as a correspondent for pjtv.com. Here is the article…
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Joe The Plumber is putting down his wrenches and picking up a reporter’s notebook.
The Ohio man who became a household name during the presidential campaign says he is heading to Israel as a war correspondent for the conservative Web site pjtv.com.
Samuel J. Wurzelbacher (WUR’-zuhl-bah-kur) says he’ll spend 10 days covering the fighting.
He tells WNWO-TV in Toledo that he wants to let Israel’s “‘Average Joes’ share their story.”
Wurzelbacher gained attention during the final weeks of the campaign when he asked Barack Obama about his tax plan.
He later joined Republican John McCain on the campaign trail. At one stop, he agreed with a McCain supporter who asked if he believed a vote for Obama was a vote for the death of Israel.
Yeah Sam Joe that’s exactly what the general population needs, your perspective on a conflict you learned about three days ago on Wikipedia. I am soglad that you “want to let Israel’s “‘Average Joes’ share their story.” Do us all a favor Joe, head down to the Gaza strip, hand out a couple of copies of your book and see if you can find some Average Joes there, and ask them to share their story.
I wish I can go back in time, and stop John McCain from mentioning this guy’s um…self given title? Joe The Plumber is not a plumber. He is not a politcal expert, a journalist, a country singer, and I would venture to say he didn’t write his own book so he is not even an author. Joe the Plumber is a man who was a poor choice to be an example of the working class. Sadly, he continues to cling to his already finished 15 minutes like a sinking ship. Now he thinks he is a journalist? I guess the whole plumber thing isn’t working out.
Wow, FOX News just reported that smokin’ hot conservative Elizabeth Hasselbeck has decided to support Barack Obama. I am mildly surprised, however I can see how she would eventually break after being yelled at by Joy Behar and Whoopie for so long. Anyway here is a full quote of the article, it’s brief. Peace Out.
The View’s conservative cutie Elizabeth Hasselbeck stunned viewers today by throwing her support behind president-elect Barack Obama.
Executive Producer Barbara Walters asked Hasselbeck, who campaigned with John McCain’s running mate Sarah Palin, how she felt after seeing McCain/Palin go down to defeat on election night.
Hasselbeck said her daughter Grace, 3, had asked her who won and who lost the election. “No one lost,” Hasselbeck said she told her child. “Seriously, today is a victory for this country.”
Hasselbeck said the massive voter turnout and the excitement of the presidential contest inspired her. “I will get in a long line of supporters … for this president,” she said.
Now that the election is over, regardless if your candidate won or lost, just take a deep breath and relax.
Whether or not you voted for Barack Obama, we all need to realize that he is OUR president. Now we are beyond liking or disliking him, as the nation has spoken and Barack Obama is our president elect. In the past eight years I have always voice my disagreements with George Bush, but I have never delegitimize him as a president. He was my leader, he was my president and he earned my respect because of that.
I think we need to put this bickering and complaining aside. I woke up this morning and checked my Facebook mini-feed and noticed all these people leaving comments. “Oh I am packing for Australia!” or “I am so disappointed in America!” are just a few of the messages posted, repeated over and over.
First of all it’s kind of stupid saying you are going to Australia…cause man, THATS socialism. But look, this isn’t the first time our nation has had a president that is not a Republican. In fact some of the presidents history considers great were Democrats. So don’t be disappointed in your nation, just because your side didn’t win. You win some, you lose some. Accept it, and place all your support behind Barack Obama, after all, he is going to be working for you too. Rejoice in the fact that WE can vote. That this man was elected by the majority
Last night, Barack Obama delivered a speech that did a good job to unite a country that has been divided by a long, bitter election. Here is a excerpt from the speech (full transcript here):
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we cant, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
We are all in this together. Support this president, regardless of what you think, earned his post. When it comes to a president, we have a duty as voters, and as Americans to support him. We can praise him for his triumphs, and we can hold him accountable for their mistakes. This situation is no different. We need to set aside this partisan bickering once and for all. Peace Out.
Frankly, I am fairly confident that Barack Obama will snag this election up by a fair majority and he really doesn’t need that half hour spot on all the major networks on Wednesday, but hey…thats just me. However, I do see a problem that Barack Obama could have in this election. One that maybe might even hand it over to John McCain.
Last week, I decided to go vote early. To my surprise I waited about an 1 hour, 45 minutes before I could vote. Since then the lines in my favorite battleground state (Florida) have only gotten bigger. Barack Obama, in my opinion, needs the youth vote in order to be able to lock this state up. I just don’t see the youth vote waiting outside for upwards of 3 hours to vote.
If Barack Obama wants to ensure that those voters who compromise a group I like to call “convenience voters” (voters who will only vote if it doesn’t screw up their day) he needs to start pushing alternative methods, i.e. the gloriously underrated Absentee Ballot.
So I pose the question to you guys. What do you think could be a wrench in the Obama campaign’s machine? Does John McCain still have hope? Comment below, Peace Out!
It seems as though when John McCain isn’t discussing what Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbacher discussed with him during their morning conference call, he is calling Obama a socialist. Now, trying my hardest to spare you a lecture on the tenets of modern day socialism, I am going to explain why Barack Obama’s tax plan isn’t socialist, and why technically this nation isn’t capitalist.
First of all. Barack Obama’s tax plan isn’t socialist at all. In fact, when either Sen. Obama or Sen. McCain refer to is as a “distribution of wealth” or “spreadin’ the wealth around” thats just a dramatic over simplification, and in some respects even a misconception. Barack Obama is basically eliminating the Bush Tax Cuts, and raising the higher tax brackets to the same levels set during the Clinton Administration, which is remembered for it’s economic success (see a great stat sheet here in PDF form).
Barack Obama’s tax plan though more progressive, is no where near as Socialist as the GOP or John McCain make it sound. If you think a progressive, fair share tax plan is Socialism, then we have been a socialist nation for 100 years now. What Barack Obama’s plan is doing is basically closing these unfair loopholes that higher tax brackets take advantage of in order to pay the least amount possible. If you and I are paying our fair share, so should everyone else, right?
This idea of Socialism and “redistribution of wealth” is like a horse with blinders on, focused on one purpose but ignoring the facts around it. Every time the Government builds a road, makes a social security or welfare payment, or pays for an elderly persons medical care, that by definition IS a redistribution of wealth. People argue that the bailout bill is the “downfall of capitalism in America.” But are we all that capitalistic?
In reality the government involves itself in the economy all the time. The Pentagon procurements that keep defense contractors operating, creating defense technology and weapons is an example of government intervention in the military economy. The FDA is an example of government intervention in business, as it is the gateway for foods and medicines to the open market. No approval, no sale. Pre-college education, AMTRAK, and the USPS are all provided and controlled by the government. And our Bailout plan doesn’t really scream laissez faire either. In reality, we are a mixed economy, and I don’t think this has crept up on us out of no where.
Barack Obama’s tax plan & healthcare system may be progressive, but it is far from a radical shift to socialism. As I am flipping through the pages, I really don’t see any ideal that isn’t already in place. I don’t see Barack Obama’s plan to buy up the means of production, set production quotas, or abolish private property and capital. He is not buying up factories and forming “The Bureau of Wages” either. Have a great Friday.
Ok, before I delve in, I want to state a couple of things outright.
First, I want to repudiate the fact that my friends think I am a dirty, partisan liberal. I am not, I am a Republican, who saw what his party was becoming, and what it started to stand for, and decided to jump ship before it sucked me in to the abyss. I am an independent. Been one for quite a while now.
Lastly, I want to clearly communicate my beliefs, and show you that I am neither brain washed nor misinformed. I am an educated individual, capable of making my own decisions. It’s kind of insulting that some would think that.
I am willing to admit that in modern U.S. Politics we will never have a “perfect candidate”. That one candidate that will make everyone happy, and will make everything perfect. I think that the political state of this nation is choosing ”the lesser of two evils”, and this election is by no means different. Both candidates have their obvious flaws, they have had their ups and downs. But without a doubt, this campaign became an ugly one, a long time ago, and John McCain’s true colors bled out.
I think the McCain/Palin campaign has been launching accusations and attacks far more than they have been discussing issues. Look, I understand attacking Obama, it’s all part of the game. But these attacks are just baseless and borderline lunatic. I understand the Jeremiah Wright incident. However, I will give Obama the benefit of the doubt on this. I think a man should be judged by his actions and by his words. Barack Obama condemned Wright’s obviously insane comments. I have sat in front of many pastors that I have disagreed with in my life, I don’t think it’s fair to hold that against me. I have discussed ad-nauseam the Bill Ayers link so I’ll spare you, as I will also spare you the ignorant supporters that shout death threats. You all know what I have to say about that.
John McCain tends to hover over yet another misconception, this idea of “Barack the Socialist”. I’ll keep this brief. The GOP tends to blur the lines between Socialism and Communism, and people tend to forget what socialism is. Google Socialism, do some research, find out what Socialism TRULY is, and then if you still think Barack Obama is a Socialist, come back and talk to me.
On the subject of taxes, I do agree that raising the corporate gains tax does tend to affect what businesses do best…business. But at the same time, I think we are at a point in our economy where we can justify making any of the Bush tax cuts permanent. It just doesn’t make sense to me how cutting the government’s income is going to be a benefit to our current situation or the actions we intend to take about it. Here’s Sarah Palin on Biden’s stance on taxes:
“You said recently that higher taxes or asking for higher taxes or paying higher taxes is patriotic. In the middle class of America, which is where Todd and I have been all of our lives, that’s not patriotic.”
That is such a terrible, stupid thing to say. First of all, Obama has stressed that his tax cuts are for the middle class. But lets forget I said that. Governor Palin loves to make taxes seem like a major drag. I want to quote Thomas Friedman’s great article on this issue. Here is an excerpt, but read it all, it really is good.
I only wish she had been asked: “Gov. Palin, if paying taxes is not considered patriotic in your neighborhood, who is going to pay for the body armor that will protect your son in Iraq? Who is going to pay for the bailout you endorsed? If it isn’t from tax revenues, there are only two ways to pay for those big projects — printing more money or borrowing more money. Do you think borrowing money from China is more patriotic than raising it in taxes from Americans?” That is not putting America first. That is selling America first.
Is paying taxes patriotic? You are God damned right it is. Much like Friedman I was raised in a middle class family, where my single mother supported a family of four and always paid her share of taxes. Taxes are the life blood of this nation. Friedman went on to quote Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. “I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization.” Great quote.
While on the subject of Sarah Palin, I don’t think she can run this nation. Anybody got a nicer word than “inept”? I won’t even go to her links to secessionists (all lies right?) and the whack job Joe Vogler, because well, you already know that. I guess won’t bring up the entire Katie Couric interview, cause well, you know that too. But I want to bring up yet another “epic” quote.
“We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation.”
Wow. Let that soak in a bit and then please tell me why you want this woman as the back-up to a 72 year old man with a not-so-hot track record for health. Sure, I have given her credit where it was due, but come on. The notion that some areas of the country are “better” or “real Americans” as opposed to others is the most narrow-minded dribble I have heard in a long time. Way to persuade voters guys!
Look in closing. I want to say that this isn’t some sort of radical overnight shift in my behavior. This is me, seeing the facts, looking at both sides of the issue, and making the choice I think is right. In the end, for these reasons, and many others, I cannot give my vote to John McCain. Barack Obama isn’t the greatest choice either, but in the end, John McCain is worse. If you can’t take my word for it, ask Colin Powell, or any of the other prominent Republicans who has given him their support. Peace out, thanks for listening.
P.S.
Notice, I didn’t once mention Joe The Plumber. Thats because he is insignificant.
Last night on Meet the Press (R.I.P Tim Russert) Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama. If you sit quietly, you can still hear McCain cursing. Colin Powell is without a doubt one of my favorite, if not my most favorite Republicans. The man is one of the most effective and intelligent generals that has ever served this nation, he is a statesman, and in my opinion a true patriot, and someday even a great president. I even did my first book report in the sixth grade on his biography. However, what struck me the most is why he endorsed Barack Obama.
Powell sees Obama as a “transformational figure” and a “new generation coming onto the world stage…”. I couldn’t agree more. But most importantly of all, he addressed my major concern (and one of my major reasons) for not voting for John McCain. Here is a quick excerpt from the CNN article I found.
Powell said he was concerned about what he characterized as a recent negative turn of Republican candidate Sen. John McCain’s campaign, such as the campaign’s attempts to tie Obama to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers.
“I think that’s inappropriate. I understand what politics is about — I know how you can go after one another, and that’s good. But I think this goes too far, and I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It’s not what the American people are looking for,” he said.
100% spot on.
Could this be the final nail in the coffin for the McCain/Palin campaign? Who knows? There is still plenty of time left, and frankly anything can happen. All I know is that the amount of respect I have for Colin Powell, and the fact that he has endorsed Barack Obama for the correct reasons will serve to reinforce the decision some have made to support him, and will cause others to re-think their decisions to support John McCain.
With the third presidential debate drawing near, I have been noticing the media has been hinting that John McCain is going to be addressing Barack Obama’s link with domestic terrorism Bill Ayers during the debate itself. Frankly, if John McCain wants to go down this road, he needs to do one of two things. Either prepare to bring evidence showing an 8 year old Barack Obama lighting the fuses along side Bill Ayers, or prepare to be torn apart by Barack Obama for trying to assign him guilt by association and taking the focus off the issues like our current economic crisis during a debate. This debate is all or nothing for John McCain. He needs to leave these ignorant, baseless attacks to the stump speeches and start addressing issues. All this “Who is Barack Obama, and where did he come from?” nonsense needs to end. Are the two autobiographies, senate experience, and the two and a half years of media scrutiny not enough? Oh that’s right, Sarah Palin doesn’t read…my bad. Either way, John McCain better bring his A game tonight if he wants a hope of closing the gap in the polls a bit. I’ll definitely be back to give me post debate summary so stay tuned. Peace Out.
I am notorious for not liking Sarah Palin. But being non-partisan, like I have said before, gives me the luxury of listening to both sides before making a judgement, something I wish more people would do. A lot of my freinds practice this and that is why no matter what stance they take I respect them for it. So here is my “pro Sarah Palin” post so to speak.
Being a Christian, I do lean socially to the right, especially when it comes to Abortion. I think Sarah Palin totally out did herself at a Pennsylvania rally this week when she discussed a bit of her own personal life with regards to her son Trig. I thought it was spot on, and definitely represents what Pro-Lifers are all about.
“In this same spirit, as defenders of the culture of life, John McCain and I believe in the goodness and potential of every innocent life. I believe the truest measure of any society is how it treats those who are least able to defend and speak for themselves. And who is more vulnerable, or more innocent, than a child?
When I learned that my son Trig would have special needs, I had to prepare my heart for the challenges to come. At first I was scared, and Todd and I had to ask for strength and understanding. But I can tell you a few things I’ve learned already.
Yes, every innocent life matters. Everyone belongs in the circle of protection. Every child has something to contribute to the world, if we give them that chance. There are the world’s standards of perfection … and then there are God’s, and these are the final measure. Every child is beautiful before God, and dear to Him for their own sake.
As for our beautiful baby boy, for Todd and me, he is only more precious because he is vulnerable. In some ways, I think we stand to learn more from him than he does from us. When we hold Trig and care for him, we don’t feel scared anymore. We feel blessed.
Knowing people, some in my own family, who have special needs children, this rings very true. I thought it was a nice thought to post up. A nice change of pace as well.
P.S.
I have a great post coming up I have been working on for a couple of weeks about religion and politics so stay tuned for that. I wanted to talk about how religion plays a role in politics, both personally and over all. I also wanted to jump in to the question of whether should it play a role or not. Also I will be posting a post-game blog for the Apple Event on the 14th. Peace Out!
I have been saying this until I was blue in the face, and it has finally come true. I caught this story on CNN this morning before I left for Jiu Jitsu. Here is a video though I urge you to read the article:
There is nothing like getting booed by your own supporters. After this entire week, the McCain/Palin campaign has been jumping through hoops to try to connect Barack Obama to a “domestic terrorist” (while Obama was 8 years old) and who is currently reformed English professor and community activist. I responded to that link, I won’t go in to it again. But what I want people to notice is that now, these attacks have completely exploded in McCain’s face. His supporters are blathering the ignorant dribble that Sarah Palin has been pushing all week (like if she has known it her whole life) and simply taking it to the next level. ”I don’t trust Obama. I have read about him and he’s an Arab.” said one lady at that rally in Minnesota. Now John McCain has to back pedal because this level of ignorance, that was fueled like a furnace on Monday, stands to drag John McCain down today, much farther down that he already is at.
I thought the debate went really well, and I was extremely impressed by Sarah Palin. That being said, the reason I was extremely impressed is because I really wasn’t expecting much, but hey it’s something right? Since the beginning, I think Sarah Palin was looking to give off an impression to the viewers. She was definitely going for the impression that she was just a “hockey mom” (sorry I am sick that that too) who just got sucked into the male driven world of Washington politics. The “Hey, can I call you Joe?” and all the similar talk showed that Plain was trying hard to make herself look unpolitical, so to speak. No doubt that it was her goal to dial down her status and try to relate to the average person, but after a while it just seemed like pandering. The idea of this “lady taking on the Washington establishment” is pretty transparent, in my opinion. She seems to hammer that point frequently, and the more she does, the more I don’t care. You were offered the job, and you know what it requires. And frankly, on a side note, the little winks and shrugs, don’t work. That is not something a president does. I keep having this reoccurring dream that she is negotiating a nuclear treaty with Iran and when they start pressuring her she will get all cutesy and wink at Ahmadinejad, “Ohh Mahmūd, say it ain’t so!!” If that doesn’t scare you, you’ve got problems. Sarah Palin did, however meet her goal, which was to repair her image and in a way, earn the viability as a vice-presidential candidate. The CBS interview with Katie Couric was starting to nudge at some Republicans a bit as to whether or not she was fit to step in if something happened to John McCain in office. I definitely think she accomplished that. But whether she won the debate or not is…well, debatable.
The debate winner, is definitely Joe Biden. He debated John McCain and his issues, and not Sarah Palin which is ideal, because in the end that’s what it’s all about. He didn’t ramble, he wasn’t biting either. He won this debate not because of anything having to do with Sarah Palin, like I said she represented John McCain VERY well. He won because he argued the points and showed his vast experience in all areas, especially in Foreign Policy. He connected with the Middle-Class extremely well, even more so than Sarah Palin (sorry Sarah, but darn it I just didn’t care for ya! *wink*). He delivered excellent replies and brought in to question various McCain policies on Foreign Policy, Taxes, and most notably the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. What also helped him out was in the instances where Sarah Palin called him out on how he disagreed with Barack Obama on certain issues. He handled those questions very well and it showed that he wasn’t a yes man, that he wasn’t afraid to give his input which I think is valuable to any president. And lastly, his words about his personal experiences with his family and the experience of loss, showed his human side and I am sure was very effective in relating to the average voter. I think Joe Biden both stated, and defended Barack Obama’s policies well, while calling out John McCain on his. All in all a good debate, with a clear winner, but a close second for Palin.
I did cut this blog down, the length was way too long. I will post the rest of it later, it still needs some tweaking. Stay Tuned!
Hey Sarah, nice zinger today! I am glad to see the guy who writes for you threw you yet another “great” one liner. Say did you notice how old your running mate is? Yeah…didn’t realize that did you? Instead of delivering lines like that you should maybe Wikipedia the Bush Doctrine? Dunno, just a thought.
First of all, I am glad to see the markets are bouncing back a bit. But I really wanted to communicate my thoughts about the Bill itself and what I think it means for this nation.
A lot of people I know have asked me if I support this bill and what it means for the financial system of this country. And I usually reply with “Well, what do you mean by support?” I believe that this bill is not intended to bailout wall street fat cats and keep the golden parachutes falling. I believe this bill is intended to keep people in their homes, keep student, home, and car loans flowing, and to make sure small-businesses have the credit they need to ensure they maintain their operations and make sure they keep their employees paid, and their product shelves stocked. This bill takes those bad mortgages off the balance sheets, frees up capital, and makes this stuff happen.
On the tail end, this piece of legislature has the propensity to change our financial system forever. This bill is most assuredly going to blur the “free” in free market a bit. The second Government becomes involved in a free market system, it becomes unfree. This bill is a hard, nasty pill for this country to swallow, but it is imperative to the stabilization and survival of this nation’s economy. Bankruptcy for problems like this on the small scale is the final option. However, this is on such a LARGE scale that we have to realize that letting all these institutions, and in the end home and business owner crumble would be a massive hit to our weakened economy. And if we faced a bitter recession, or even a Second Great Depression, it would slam this nation hard. Call this bill Socialist, call it Marxist, or call it what ever you want. In the end, it’s a necessary evil. It is something that must be passed in order to spare more hardship, and to begin healing the economy.
It seems to me that Barack Obama is loosing the boost he had. Ever since his fiery, historic Denver DNC speech, Barack Obama has seemed a bit boring. He used to have these really swift, well delivered responses to everything. But now, when he isn’t going on and on about something, he gets that look on his face like the Republicans are getting to him. The Democrats are epically well known for loosing elections. Barack Obama needs to do what Bill Clinton did and start going to the mattresses. Go out there and win it, the stage for a Democratic victory in this election is set. The country is reeling from the disaster of the Bush Administration and the “Bush Congress”.
I am not saying that McCain is getting a boost where Barack is faltering. John McCain is seemingly doing well because most of the Republican party drank the Sarah Palin Kool-Aid and are now making her look like the next best thing since The Beatles. There is a perfect reason why John McCain is not campaigning without her for very long. She brings crowds, she riles up the base. Something that he can’t do by himself. Let me not talk about Sarah Palin anymore, I don’t want to be accused of sexism and then forced to apologize by John McCain.
Barack Obama needs to seize this election once more. Hopefully he will find his second wind quickly, other wise, this will be a red election once again.
As I was doing my morning blog sweep, I noticed a few stories where it seems all the McCain campaign is doing is just, as Stephen Colbert puts it, wagging the finger at the Democrats. First off, here is Barack Obama addressing the Republicans new “campaign for change” from the CNN article:
Obama made the remarks at a Virginia campaign stop late Tuesday afternoon. “John McCain says he’s about change too, and so I guess his whole angle is, ‘Watch out George Bush – except for economic policy, health care policy, tax policy, education policy, foreign policy and Karl Rove-style politics – we’re really gonna shake things up in Washington,’” Obama said.
“That’s not change. That’s just calling something the same thing something different. You know you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. You know you can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change, it’s still going to stink after eight years. We’ve had enough of the same old thing.”
Apparently John McCain didn’t like this, saying it was an attack against Sarah Palin, who said in her acceptance speech that:
“You know the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick.”
Oh boo friggin’ hoo. If you want to strech Obama’s remarks completely out of context and say that it was an attack against Sarah Palin, then she deserved it. Cause that’s a stupid Sarah Palin quote and I am sick of hearing it. It’s up there with the Bridge to Nowhere quote and her dumb crack at community organizers. But alas, his comment is merely referring to the fact that the Republicans can call their policies whatever they want, but in the end it’s the same. It’s a pretty popular phrase… you know put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig. It’s pretty obvious that when the Republicans dish out the attacks, that’s fine. But if you retaliate…you better watch out, cause they’ll run crying to the media calling foul.
Now, here comes Joe Biden, his argument is that if you support helping children with disabilities then, logically, you should support Stem Cell research. I mean, it’s a fair argument, seeing as not only do the Democrats support Stem Cell research, so does John McCain. Joe Biden said:
”I hear all this talk about how the Republicans are going to work in dealing with parents who have both the joy … and the difficulty of raising a child who has a developmental disability, who were born with a birth defect.” He went on to say: ”Well, guess what, folks? If you care about it, why don’t you support stem cell research?”
Uh Oh. He is just arguing the issues right? Apparently McCain/Palin doesn’t agree. His campaign said Joe Biden “sunk to a new low”. David Wade, a spokesman for Joe Biden put it this way…
“This is a clash of policies, not a clash of personalities,” Wade said. “We’ve heard not a dime’s worth of difference between the McCain-Palin ticket and the Bush administration on medical breakthroughs that millions of parents and doctors believe could save lives and transform the quality of life for countless Americans.”
The McCain/Palin ticket is being the whiny kid on the playground who punches you in the face when the teacher is not looking. You are fighting the political battle for the highest position in the United States government. Strap on a helmet, and grow a shell. Speak about the issues, and stop making up controversy.
We are now about to begin the final day of the Republican National Convention. Last night, Sarah Palin delivered a very well received speech, heavy with attacks against Obama. Post-speech, The GOP is singing this woman’s praises. This falls in line with that shiny new Republican message of bipartisanship and hugs & kisses. “We are the Republican Party, we care…want a hug?” The RNC has done a pretty good job so far at uniting the base, and the Palin speech was by far the most poignant. Here is a sort of highlight reel, I can’t find the full version in one video. If anyone else has it, post it as a comment below and I’ll update it.
I have been taking a few shots at Governor Palin lately so I am going to go ahead and say some nice things, take notice it may not happen again. I think she speaks very well and did a fantastic job getting a large group of her voters in the mood for some votin’. Her speech, though heavy on the attacks against Obama and Biden, was still nicely delivered. Though I do think it lacked on key issues and focused more on her being a “hockey mom”, trying to relate to the people on their level. I think Joe Biden made a great point in his response.
“…I was also impressed by what I didn’t hear in the speech. I didn’t hear the word-the phrase-”middle class” mentioned. I didn’t hear about health care. I didn’t hear a single word about what we’re going to do about the housing crisis-college education-all the things that the middle class is being burdened with right now.”
Another thing I am not hearing from the RNC speeches as a whole is “Bush”. The RNC is doing the right thing in setting Bush out as an island unto himself. There is no doubt that George Bush will go down in history as a very disliked president. And if John McCain, who has a 90% voting record in favor of Bush policies, wants to win this election, he is going to need to make clear that what he wants to do, and what he stands for is contrary to the last 8 years. Who knows, it may be too little too late. The damage the Bush Administration caused to the GOP’s favor and reputation may be irreparable. McCain maybe swimming up stream in a hurricane on this one and with Sarah Palin, a woman who some think is unfit for the position, who is surrounded in controversy, is just an additional weight holding him down. The Republican party I think was a bit blind sided by this choice. The Republicans are uniting together under this woman, as if they keep telling themselves that she is qualified over and over again, it might actually come true. ”What she advocates abstinence an no sex education and her daughter got pregnant at 17? No, No, No, she’s qualified!” Sarah Palin can do no wrong. No matter what she does or says the Republicans will spin it as a plus. All I know is if Obama or Biden had a 17 year old daughter who was pregnant out of wedlock, the GOP would have skewered them. Obama showed class for not coming down on Sarah Palin for all of this, knowing full well he would have never been extended the same courtesy. The new Republican message is more a double standard than everything else. So far the message at RNC has been littered with partisan bickering and insults. The Dems are holding back, but I don’t know how much longer Biden can go without fighting back in his own way. It will be an interesting election, lets see how this goes.
Yeah, he kicked ass. He started off a bit weak but ended very strong. You gotta hand it to the guy, he knows how to draw a crowd. Barack Obama has successfully out campaigned McCain and the GOP over and over again. A, 70,000+ crowd is proof that the GOP is failing badly in communicating a message. The new Democratic catch phrase is that “John McCain is more the same.” If I were John McCain I would go all out argueing the opposite. The GOP is in a delicate position right now that I am not sure they can get out of. George W. Bush has single handedly run the GOP straight in to the ground. There is a great article in most recent issue of Rolling Stone that details the “downfall”. I found the article online here. Whether you’re a democrat, republican or neither, those are facts that at this point and time, you can’t refute. Either way, Obama is taking advantage of the MASSIVE public disappointment in the GOP, and if he keeps going the way he is going, he’ll be sleeping in the White House in no time. Anyway here is the speech…
I was at Jiu-Jitsu for most of the night, but I made it home just in time to catch the rear end of Bill’s speech, and of course all of Joe’s. I did catch the highlights of Bill’s speech though. It was nice to see Bill finally bury the hatchet and try to unite the party. He had to eat some words sure, but in the end I think he learned a valuable lesson. Bill needs to deal with the fact Hillary lost, deal with the fact that Obama didn’t ask him for advice, and try to unite a party he effectively divided. Of course, he did an excellent job.
But I think the star of the night was Joe Biden. He delivered a poigniant speech, and went after John McCain like a hungry dog haha. But all in all, it shows that Joe Biden is damn good guy. Here is his speech in it’s entirety I believe. I can’t verify it now, I am in the FIU Library. If I play this I will get dirty looks. Here is Joe’s Speech…
And here is Bill’s
All in all I think it was an important night for the Dems. The GOP is still reeling from the mess George Bush has created, and they are absolutely, 100% at their most vulnerable.
You know Hillary Clinton has always bothered me. She always came off as snobby and self righteous. “Oh look at me I am a woman running for president.”But I have to admit she rocked it last night. Maybe it was her finally coming to terms with defeat, or maybe it was the DNC telling her to “shut up and be nice” but I think she finally calmed her constituency and got them all behind Obama. I think one of two things is happening as we speak. Either the Dems are realizing that they need to cut this drama out and unite because the GOP is weak and the time is right, OR, the GOP is SO weak that it doesn’t matter what the Dems do, they’ll win anyway. I guess we’ll see. Anyway good for you Hill! I am glad to see you are using your attitude and sass for good instead of evil.
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Now that the election is over, regardless if your candidate won or lost, just take a deep breath and relax. 
Last night on Meet the Press (R.I.P Tim Russert) Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama. If you sit quietly, you can still hear McCain cursing. Colin Powell is without a doubt one of my favorite, if not my most favorite Republicans. The man is one of the most effective and intelligent generals that has ever served this nation, he is a statesman, and in my opinion a true patriot, and someday even a great president. I even did my first book report in the sixth grade on his biography. However, what struck me the most is why he endorsed Barack Obama. 
With the third presidential debate drawing near, I have been noticing the media has been hinting that John McCain is going to be addressing Barack Obama’s link with 
I have been saying this until I was blue in the face, and it has finally come true. I caught 
First of all, I am glad to see the markets are bouncing back a bit. But I really wanted to communicate my thoughts about the Bill itself and what I think it means for this nation. 
It seems to me that Barack Obama is loosing the boost he had. Ever since his fiery, historic Denver DNC speech, Barack Obama has seemed a bit boring. He used to have these really swift, well delivered responses to everything. But now, when he isn’t going on and on about something, he gets that look on his face like the Republicans are getting to him. The Democrats are epically well known for loosing elections. Barack Obama needs to do what Bill Clinton did and start going to the mattresses. Go out there and win it, the stage for a Democratic victory in this election is set. The country is reeling from the disaster of the Bush Administration and the “Bush Congress”.
We are now about to begin the final day of the Republican National Convention. Last night, Sarah Palin delivered a very well received speech, heavy with attacks against Obama. Post-speech, The GOP is singing this woman’s praises. This falls in line with that shiny new Republican message of bipartisanship and hugs & kisses. “We are the Republican Party, we care…want a hug?” The RNC has done a pretty good job so far at uniting the base, and the Palin speech was by far the most poignant. Here is a sort of highlight reel, I can’t find the full version in one video. If anyone else has it, post it as a comment below and I’ll update it. 
