Stoopid Comments: think before you post

Not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character

2008-11-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

I know it's about 12 minutes away from the being projected, but Obama has this locked up.

CA, OR, WA will put Obama over the top.

USA! USA! USA!

Election Day

2008-11-04T12:29:00.000-08:00

I can't quite possibly express what it's been like these last few weeks. I believe I stopped blogging when Obama's numbers were at his highest. I didn't know what to say during the time. Were his poll numbers just exaggerated in light of the series of stock market crashes? I wasn't sure, and I didn't want to speak too soon.

And honestly, it's been difficult to step away from the big picture and examine all the forces at play: I just want Obama to win. I want a repudiation of the politics of division. I don't want another 16 year old (me, four years ago) feeling like their religious beliefs, or lack thereof, make them less of an American. Nor do I want another teenager catching bits of our political discourse and sensing that others think they're less of an American simply by virtue of their geographic location (I'm from the San Francisco-Bay Area, and I'm damn proud of where I come from, thank you).

And then, of course, I want competent government. And that's where I could be more objective in the way I view the candidates beyond their compelling life stories.

It's a simple fact that if McCain is elected president, the same rat-bastards that have been screwing us for the last eight years will still have a job in a McCain administration. The composition of the federal bureaucracy only changes -if- the party of the administration changes. Moreover, I honestly don't think McCain has the energy to make such sweeping reforms inside the bureaucracy. And Palin, no doubt, wouldn't be able to help him in this regard. That's why her appointment was so toxic to me.

At this juncture, I think we need a good house cleaning. Hell, fire the janitor.

I don't think Obama will be a perfect president, but I do think he is the best choice at this point in time. I don't think his candidacy means the end of the culture wars-- it just means the end of the culture wars in light of real problems facing the American people.

In four or eight years, I wonder where we'll be. But we'll be better off with Obama.

So I think I'll stop talking now: I've been awake since 4:30am, making calls in Ohio. We made 2000 calls in two hours.

YES WE CAN!

The Debate

2008-10-15T18:12:00.000-07:00

Thoughts off the the top of my head:

-Barack Obama keeps falling into the trap of explaning why tax increases on the wealthiest are okay. He just needs to keep hammering home that his plan will benefit MOST Americans, which stengthens our overall economy. He's right, but I'm already voting for him and don't buy into the nonsence that he's going to raise my taxes. Keep it simple, stupid.

-Maybe it's because I'm watching this in HD, but John McCain looks like he's crying.

-Joe the magical plumber: John McCain thinks you're an idiot.

-McCain would fight for line item veto? Uhh... wasn't that already found unconstitutional?

-"Senator Obama: I'm not President Bush." Glad McCain has decided to clear up the conclusion.

-Senator Obama: "Young people aren't an interest group: they're our future!" No wonder Obama is winning the youth vote.

Why Women Hate Sarah Palin

2008-10-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

Nice Try, Time.

Fortunately, those aren't the reasons why women hate Sarah.

Contrary to the article:

I don't hate Governor Palin because she's handsome. I'm less than half her age, and I haven't given birth to five children. Let's just say I wouldn't trade places with her. In fact, when she was first selected, I was sort of excited to see what it would be like to have a girly-girl run for potential commander-in-chief. I mean, there's a silly thing that happens to female politicians in this country-- a lot of them look like dykes. Sarah Palin, of course, does not. So I was curious how her appearance could factor in. On the bright side of her candidacy, now that I know I don't have to chop my hair off and wear pant suits should I want to run for office one day.

However, it is true: I dislike her confidence. As she says, she doesn't blink. She's so confident, she doesn't think things through. And I, of course, have a problem with someone who uses Stephen Colbert's method of decision-making, running this country.

Could she embarrass us? I'm not so sure. Americans have been exposed to different women in power, so she's not the be-all end-all for women.

In fact, it's not Gov. Palin that I hate. I hate Senator McCain's cynical and naked political calculation, gambling this country's future to achieve his personal ambition to be president. It's obvious that she doesn't know much, and I don't think that's her fault. I don't think she ever imagined she would be in this position, so she never prepared for it. This one is all John McCain's fault.

Drum Roll, Please

2008-10-06T02:10:00.000-07:00

Scooter says at 4:04 am, October 3rd, 2008
- ReplyListening to Caribou Barbie’s interminable ‘answers’, I think I finally figured out why she’s spent so much of her life pregnant: She hates periods!!

Badumpbump.

Sarah Palin is an idiot

2008-09-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

When Couric asked Palin what she thought about abortion in a situation in which a 15 year old was raped by her father, Palin responded by saying that she wants this country to have a culture of life.

Sarah Palin doesn't know what it's like to have her father rape her, so I'm sure it's very convenient for her to spout off this bullshit. Did this stupid retard ever think about what a 15 year old would go through, having to put her life on hold because someone decided to rape her? What it would be like for this teenage girl to go through school, being laughed at by friends, and forever ostracized for being in that horrific situation?

Sarah Palin: being raped may not be your fault, but it should ruin your entire life.

And by the way, if she doesn't want this country to have a culture of death (I suppose she thinks we do), it would go a long way if we weren't being scared to death by existential threats.

I wonder if her "culture of life" attitude holds when it comes to capital punishment?

Oh COME ON!

2008-09-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

Please, just name ONE fucking news publication!

Fareed Zakaria's Smackdown of Palin

2008-09-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

Debate

2008-09-26T22:07:00.001-07:00

Honestly, it was a very good debate. Not just because I believe Senator Obama did well, but because neither of them argued over trivial bullshit.

A lot of people are hot and bothered over the fact that John McCain didn't act deferentially to Obama-- he didn't look at him once. Who cares? It's a debate STRATEGY that Hillary Clinton used in order not lend any cache or gravitas by simply gazing in Obama's direction. Look how great that turned out for Hillary!

When John McCain mentioned Fannie and Freddie, I initially wished that Obama would have mentioned how McCain's senior advisor still gets a paycheck from them. After it was over, I'm glad it didn't get mentioned, because the whole debate what have devolved into a "you <3 lobbyists! But YOU <33333 Rev. Wright!"

Personally, I came away very impressed that Obama has such a clear understanding of foreign policy. When he was up against Hillary early on, it sometimes looked as though she took him to school.

John McCain made a good point when Barack Obama mentioned how right he was not to go in. It appears that McCain has conceded the point: WE SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE IN. But that, according to McCain, is all in the past: the next president has to worry about getting out of Iraq, not worry about why we went there in the first place.

However, in one of the most powerful exchanges of the debate, Obama pounded McCain on his past statements on Iraq. Obama told McCain how wrong he was when he told the American people that it would be to go in and achieve victory, and that we knew exactly where the WMD's were.

I'm upset that the MSM seems to have decided that nothing newsworthy came out of the debate, simply because neither of them cursed the other out, nor physically attacked each other. Just because the MSM can't seem to figure out who won, doesn't mean this was a forgettable debate. It wasn't.

It was an excellent debate, and I'm glad that no major gaffes were made on either side, as to take away from the substance of their points. I, of course, disagree with John McCain's neoconservative foreign policy objectives, but I can't say he didn't make the case for himself. That said, foreign policy is supposed to be Senator McCain's strength, and there was an expectation that Obama wouldn't look as presidential when speaking about foreign policy, vis-a-vis McCain.

Oh Magoo

2008-09-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

It seems as though YOU don't know the difference between a strategy and a tactic.

Bush is more coherent than Sarah Palin

2008-09-24T20:15:00.000-07:00

Honestly, this is really depressing. The Couric interview demonstrates why John McCain has kept Palin under lock and key. At first, I thought it was because they wanted to avoid questions about her family, but that news cycle has long passed.

It's because she knows very little about policy. She doesn't really know John McCain's record. Like I said before, she can spout Republican talking points well, but that's about where her confidence ends.

McCain: Can we postpone the debate? Pretty Please?

2008-09-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

Goodness. McCain wants to postpone Friday's debate, due to, according to McCain, the bailout.

According to an astute commenter at the HuffPo:

"Perhaps McCain can explain why he didn't postpone his birthday party when Katrina was bearing down on New Orleans? Or is the total destruction of a major American city not enough of a "crisis"?
--Kyuzo

My thoughts exactly.

Comment of the Century

2008-09-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

Who is "Ben Ladin"?

by The Termite on Tue Sep 23, 2008 at 10:57:44 AM PDT

[ Parent | Reply to This | RecommendHide ]

Some poor bastard who's doomed to riding the bus
across the country from now on.

by iconoclastic cat on Tue Sep 23, 2008 at 11:02:18 AM PDT

[ Parent | Reply to This | RecommendHide ]

Score! EPA Won't Remove Yummy Rocket Fuel from Water

2008-09-23T09:18:00.001-07:00

No, really.

This is fucking ridiculous. Even though rocket fuel is a PROVEN toxin (who'da thunk...), risking the health of fetuses and thyroid problems for the rest of us, it's perfectly okay.

What else can we expect from a country that allowed its citizens to mine uranium without telling them of the health risks?

The Politics of the Bailout

2008-09-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing the Republicans are good at, it's simplifying (read: dumbing down) very complex concepts in order to make their solutions seem as though they follow logically in the eyes of the average voter.

It doesn't take a genius to see that if the Democrats opposed the bailout, the John McCains and Sarah Palins of the world would talk about how the Democrats are playing partisan politics in a time of crisis.

Oh those Democrats, they want to surrender to the terrorists and want to make sure that the economy doesn't get better, so you have to pay higher gas prices, but we're not going to let them do that to you!

A lot of Democrats (especially the netroots) are taking the opportunity to point out the failure of Republican voo-doo economics, pointing out how this bailout betrays core conservative philosophies of government non-interference. Yes, it's true.

Here's the thing: calling Republicans hypocrites actually sort of works in their favor right about now. Republicans get to claim that they're putting their precious ideology on the back burner for the sake of the American people. Because, you know, they're such mavericks.

Politically, Democrats must support the bailout. Of course, I don't like the idea of giving Bush and Co. a blank check for a problem they helped create. However, explaining to the American people that the real underlying causes of this current crisis is due to deregulation and Alan Greenspan's reign, or that Iraq has weakened our capability (from a economic, political, and strategic standpoint) to fix our problems, isn't really a winning strategy.

It's not very forward looking, and the American people are looking for more leadership than a bunch of losers wagging their fingers, claiming "I told ya so."

Umm, Barack?

2008-09-22T02:27:00.000-07:00

Obama laid out his thoughts on the bailouts, laying out seven conditions in which he would support a bailout:

1) No blank check

Sounds good to me.

2) Tax money should not be used to provide golden parachutes to the CEOs who are partly responsible for this mess

Definitely.

3) Taxpayers should have the opportunity to recoup losses

Sure.

4) Plan must include a way to keep homeowners in their home

I'd like to know a little more about what he means by this. Is this a plan to put a moratorium on foreclosures? Or is going to give a free ride to the people who took out a bad loan? Just as I'm not okay with corporate welfare, I'm also not okay bailing out folks who got in over their heads. Think about it: I don't live in a mansion because I can't afford it. Should someone get to stay in their mansion because there's a gold mine being thrown somewhere in their direction? So, I'd like a clarification.

5) Other nations need to step in since this crisis is affecting their economic health, too

Seriously, good luck with that. On the surface, it's a very common sense proposal--I've thought of this before: why do we have to shoulder the burden and stabilize the global market? It is because the US is the epicenter of the mortgage crisis, so convincing a bunch of other countries-- who also got screwed into buying these bad loans-- to chip in and help, will be a huge waste of time. Unless Obama has a way of securing cooperation from other countries (because if this doesn't get solved, they're all screwed), this point is just wishful thinking on Obama's part.

6) Increasing regulation

While de-regulation is partly to blame for the mortgage crisis, I don't know if folks have enough faith in our government to regulate the financial sector--Republicans and Democrats alike are bedfellows with industry lobbyists.

7) A bailout has to benefit main street

Agreed.

Crooks

2008-09-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

The same people who campaign on the dangers of "socialized" healthcare and scare the electorate into believing that Democrats are a bunch of commies, are now planning to steal $700 billion from tax payers and give it the banks who fucked up.

"I don't want to pay for the bypass surgeries of people who eat McDonald's everyday, while I make the effort to be healthy. It's not fair." I hear that all the time. I hear that all the time from my friends and random people.

You know what? I don't want to pay for the bailouts of banks and predatory lenders who weren't careful with the loans they were giving out, while I worked hard for my money. I had no part in this mortgage crisis, and I shouldn't have to pay for it.

It's not fair.

I have no doubt that this plan is one last-ditch effort to fatten the coffers of some very powerful people, with very powerful friends in Washington. Is this bailout going to help the folks on mainstreet? I don't see how regular folk are going be better off, besides maybe providing some relief at the pump.

Andrew Sullivan needs to learn some manners

2008-09-20T23:27:00.000-07:00

Jeez, anyone catch Sully on Realtime with Bill Maher? It was pretty painful to watch, speaking as a fan of his.

I believe he Code Pink-ed himself (found some way to make people who agree with him, disagree with him because he was being obnoxious).

I mean, I love his blog and all, but did he have to be so domineering? Maher had to repeatedly scold him to stop ranting and cutting Wolf off.

Palin is going just to get Karzai's autograph

2008-09-20T23:05:00.000-07:00

Wow-- Palin is trying to bolster her foreign policy cred (anything multiplied by zero is still zero, dear) by having her ~~father~~ runningmate arrange a meeting for her with Afhghanistan's President, Hamid Karzai.

What is she going to talk about? Alaska? The Bush doctrine?

This is just embarassing. I'm sure Karzai has better things to do then tutor Palin in Afghanistan 101. She should start with Wikipedia instead.

Youth Cynicism, Youth Idealism and No Room for Pragmatism

2008-09-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a Peace and Conflict Studes (PACS) course, which is the first class I've taken outside my major (Political Science & Anthropology). Right now we're going over the differences between conflict resolution, conflict management, peacebuilding, and peacemaking using the theories of International Relations as frameworks.

Our professor mentioned how several researchers have found that civilians are expendable in intrastate conflicts, which shocked a whole lot of my fellow students. Essentially, they became really up and arms that intellectuals could even think that way, without even giving the slightest regard that the theory could be true. It's just wrong for someone to even propose that's the case.

And thus began the self-righteous behavior that makes me cringe. They have this attitude that if you propose a theory that is seemingly heartless, that certainly must mean you are heartless and don't give a shit about people dying.

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

2008-09-14T00:01:00.001-07:00

We've been lied to so many times as a nation under the Bush administration. We were even lied into a war in order to act in the interests of a select few. How many Americans are benefiting from the invasion in Iraq? Anyone?

I cannot fathom why we would elect John McCain, who is already proving to be as deceitful and dishonorable as Bush and Cheney. Sarah Palin is his little partner in crime who idiotically keeps repeating "I told Congress thanks, but no thanks, for that bridge to nowhere" even though we know it's not true. Let's call her for what she is: a fucking liar.

Sarah Palin is a puppet

2008-09-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

The wingnuts sure love Sarah Palin. She was a blank canvas, just waiting to be filled with talking points on neoconservative foreign policy (see: Bush, George W.). And that clearly came across in her interview with Charlie Gibson.

She can parrot standard Republican fare pretty well when she doesn't know the answer. My sense is that she's not going to know a lot of answers to a lot of questions. Her constant regurgitation of Republican talking points will make a lot of people question why she's running on the mantle of change when the stuff she's saying sounds a lot like the crap we've heard for the last eight (or even 20) years.

Clearly, when Sarah Palin was making foreign policy flashcards, she forgot to make one for "Bush Doctrine." It's actually kind of sad that Charlie Gibson obviously had more knowledge of foreign policy than the Republican nominee for Vice-President.

And oh, for goodness sake, the professor of my lower division International Relations class went over the Bush doctrine, too.

John McCain helps pedophiles

2008-09-09T21:22:00.000-07:00

Having a bit of a background in Anthropology, I've studied a little about American material culture. The "celebrity" attack ads, as well as this one, are laced with racial undertones. In the celebrity ad, the McCain campaign juxtaposed Obama's image with two women who are perceived to be damaged goods. During Jim Crow era, particular in Western Louisianna (that I know of) one of the primary reasons given for lynching black men were accuasations that they had raped white women. While these experiences may not be a part of my consciousness living in one of the most diverse regions in the world, they certainly exist where race relations are still contentious. These ads are subtle and egregious.

And you'll notice-- Obama once had a fighting chance in Mississippi, North Carolina and there was even chatter about Georgia being in play because of Bob Barr. McCain has now solidified his lead in these states, where Obama was once in striking distance.

I was hesitant to make such a statement at the time the celebrity ad was first released, since the charge of racism shouldn't be thrown around lightly. And frankly, I didn't think John McCain would engage in this type of campaigning, and it was personally difficult to acknowledge the low-road he has chosen to take. There were many like Andrew Sullivan or Jon Stewart (or even myself) that believed a race between John McCain and Barack Obama would be a "tonic" for this country.

Whatever semblance of civility the election had went out the window after McCain's "celebrity" ad.

This new "education" ad from McCain is pretty despicable. It was equally stomach-churning when craptastic douchebag Mitt Romney made the exact same charge of Obama wanting to teach sex-ed to Kindergarteners. The fact is, young children SHOULD be armed with the proper knowledge to understand what kind of touching is appropriate and what isn't. To say that children shouldn't have that knowledge (let's be honest, now) only helps pedophiles, who think they can get away with abuse because their victims don't know any better.

Thoughts on the GOP Convention

2008-09-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

-Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin's much hyped speech wasn't great. In fact, it wasn't good at all. She is being touted by her handlers as the future of the Republican Party, but nothing about her speech suggested a new direction for the GOP. And, I suppose, I should be grateful for this, but there was no reach to young people or women. So, "the future of the GOP" is not concerned with bringing any new people into the fold that may have felt or currently feel alienated from the Republican Party. To me, that was thorougly disappointing. This was her chance to break away from the Bush-Rove division politics-- but she only upped the ante with her cheap shots against Obama, community organizers, and people who live in big cities (what, we don't work hard?).

Governor Palin's references to fighting corruption were also underwhelming. This is the party that is characterized by no-bid Halliburton contracts, Harriet Miers cronyism, outing CIA agents for revenge, lying about WMD's, and the politically motivated firings of U.S. Attorneys. All we got was a milquetoast "I fought corruption in Alaska! Go me! Wooo Hoo!" instead of acknowledging the possible challenges of fighting corruption as a vice president, or specifically mentioning a plan for going after folks who engage in corruption. For a lot of the people who have been disaffected with the GOP, a strong stance against corruption would make some in-roads. But again, she chose the road that wouldn't upset her base.

One of her strongest lines was her pledge to be an advocate for people with special needs (to which the Republican delegation cheered loudly, presumably, because they are all special needs).

There were no policy proposals or plans. There was no acknowledgment of the failures of the Republican Party. In fact, her only unequivocal statement came about drilling for oil.

It amazes me how someone chosen to become the standard bearer of the Republican mantle had such a stale, and almost backward-looking speech.

-Rudy Giuliani

His speech was utterly demeaning and digusting, almost to the point where it was unbearable to watch. Why does a former mayor feel the need to belittle the accomplishments of an individual who has achieved so much more than Giuliani ever will? He came off as a jealous child, unable to see the irony in several of his jarring attacks against Obama.

How can a man who publicly humiliated his former wife, be in a position to preach about sexism?

How can a person whose sole rationale for running for office, being a big-city mayor, criticize people for being too "cosmopolitan"?

How can a big-city mayor, who arguably must have had to make deals with several local interests before becoming the mayor, accuse Obama of being a Chicago-machine politican?

Like Palin's, his speech was divisive and full of mockery. All I could do was thank our lucky stars that this douche turned out to be such an incompetent campaigner, and won't be our president. Really dodged a bullet there.

-John McCain

His speech, quite frankly, was boring, although it was more respectable than the speech attempting to restart the culture wars by his running mate. There was no mention of Pakistan, no mention of plans-- I guess we should take that his views are no different from the Bush administration. But oh, trust him: he KNOWS how to win wars because he says he does!

This is Family Business

2008-09-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

As someone who isn't much older than Bristol Palin, I definitely feel for her. The way her story is playing out is pretty upsetting. Sure, I can see why it can be a bit ironic that the darling of the Christian right's teenage daughter is knocked up. Ha Ha. Abstinence-only sex-ed doesn't work (we already knew that for a while).

Why are folks acting as if they're so outraged? Teenagers have sex all the time. Shocking, I know.

In all of this, there's a very pregnant (and unhappy) young woman who is making her primetime debut as the laughingstock of the day. It's pretty disgusting. I can't possibly understand what it's like to have my personal business addressed in a campaign statement being repeated on every news channel in America. And how devasting it must be that folks are talking about how her mother may lose because of her decision.

In all of this, Bristol is a politician's daughter. And because her mother was in the spotlight, she may have felt pressure to make decisions she might have not wanted to make. A lot of us don't know what that might feel like. But it isn't any of our business.

This should be a happy time in their family, even if it occured under unfortunate circumstances. Anyone who is making an issue out of this is making sure that Bristol is "punished with a baby." Let's stop the panty sniffing. The Republicans are better at it than we are.

Congratulations, Bristol Palin.

Wow, Republicans are so thoughful

2008-08-31T23:07:00.000-07:00

They're planning on scaling back on some of their festivities because of Hurricane Gustav. Such marytrs, those Republicans.

In fact, the Republicans are so concerned with the hurricane, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney are deciding to forgo their speaking roles at the convention. So thoughtful of them.

How ever will John McCain survive without the appearance of one of the worst presidents in US history?

I'm sure he's crying ~~tears of joy~~ right now.

Palin gets McCain all hot and bothered

2008-08-31T01:15:00.000-07:00

Sarah Plain and Todd

2008-08-30T00:18:00.000-07:00

John McCain met her twice before offering her the spot.

I guess figuring out whether governing styles are compatible or not doesn't matter if you are solely choosing the veep for electoral gain instead of good governance.

John McCain isn't taking his pick too seriously.

Neither should we.

Good Lord!

2008-08-29T18:09:00.001-07:00

I really like Karl Rove...lol
Liz007 | 08.29.2008 - 8:01 pm | #

Sarah Palin

2008-08-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

It's official: the Republican strategy is to go after Clinton deadenders.

The problem is that the media over-estimated the discord in the Democratic party, so it gave the sense that there was a whole slew of people waiting to be plucked from the old Clinton coalition. So I guess all those PUMA stories helped spotlight a problem that doesn't really quite exist, and McCain just picked a VP to capitalize on said non-existent problem.

There probably isn't too many constituencies Palin helps with that I can see. She's not a well known figure at all, she's under investigation (so perhaps the criminal demographic will totally dig her), and Joe Biden will clean her clock when he debates her.

I personally thought that McCain would go for someone that would help strengthen his economic message, perhaps because he doesn't have one and it's the most important issue to American voters right now. Oh well.

Obama's Acceptance Speech

2008-08-29T00:09:00.000-07:00

I know I'm a little late to the party, but I wanted to wait a little to fully absorb the content of Obama's speech so that I could write something other than "it was t3h AWESOME!"

This speech was certainly different from ones he has given before-- actually, it seemed like an amalgamation of his previous speeches. I liked the fact that he came off as a wonk during a segment of the speech-- a side he rarely gets to show when speaking to that large of an audience. He was most successful, I think, in being able to portray himself as being in touch with the everyday life of the American people. This is crucial because he was able to substantively make the case that John McCain is fundamentally out of touch. As Obama put it-- McCain simply "doesn't know." Brilliant.

It was, however, a bit too long. I watched this speech with a friend who deeply understands the importance of this election and supports Obama. He began to get a bit fidgety as the speech was well in to 25 minutes, but he was drawn back in towards the last 10 minutes or so. The phrases that stuck with him the most was when Obama proclaimed that the Republicans need to own up to their failures of the last eight years, as well as the line about McCain willing to go to the gates of hell to find bin Laden, but not the cave in which he lives.

I personally think Obama could fight back against the McRove slime machine by continuing to make the case that McCain wants to win such an important election by making it about the smallest of matters. It'll work: people will begin to see that this honorable man in John McCain is stooping to such dishorable tactics.

Oh, and of course, the speech was t3h aw3som3.

Tammy Duckworth

2008-08-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

A surprisingly amazing speech by an Iraqi war veteran. Personally, Duckworth reignited the anger I have against this administration for the way our veterans are being treated. If I get hold of the speech, I'll post here.

John Kerry

2008-08-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

Where was this John Kerry in 2004?

"Before John McCain debates Barack Obama, he should finish the debate with himself."

Bill Clinton

2008-08-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

Whatever you may think about him, there's no doubt that he's our best attack dog when it comes to calling out the Republicans on their bullshit policies.

He finally recognized that the attacks against Obama are the same ones the Republicans leveled at him 16 years ago. Ironic that he led the charge on making those attacks against Obama.

Well done, Slick Willy!

Guam

2008-08-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

Trying to use the convention roll-call to secede from the union?

Hillary Deadenders? Take Note from Hillary

2008-08-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

-Gotta say, they did an excellent job on Hillary's biographical video.

-Chelsea looks stunning.

-I wore a canary yellow jacket in honor of Hillary today

-Slick Willy is thinking that Hillary has a chance to pull this out at tomorrow's roll call

-Hillary has to remind us she's "a proud Democrat"

-Hillary: No way, no how, no McCain. Zing!

-Hillary's stump speech ensues.

-Hillary: were you in this campaign for me? Or were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invsible?

-GOP convention in the twin cities? Yes, because John McCain and George Bush are twins!

I'm feeling unified!

Blogging the Convention

2008-08-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

I'm trying, but I can't seem to stay awake. Seriously... the president of Planned Parenthood was better than our keynote speaker.

And Sebelius! Sheesh. She works better than Ambien.

I'm waiting for someone besides Kucinich to remind us that the Republicans lied to get us into war.

But no! Let's have a panel on gas prices!

The Reason Why You Fools Couldn't Retire 20m Debt...

2008-08-23T01:59:00.000-07:00

lililam // August 23, 2008 at 2:03 am

Well, I’m relieved that it isn’t Hillary or someone who would help him win, but the idea of both of them just sickens me- there is nothing appealing about the combo. I had some respect for Biden wayyy back when, but that long ago was vanquished and will not re-emerge. Go away you two- we need a decent and true leader for once.

sunshine5573 // August 23, 2008 at 2:23 am

Now I wish Hillary and Bill would say a big fuck you to the Democratic party, turn their backs, walk away and don’t look back! They deserve so much better and have been treated like shit. I could care less who Obama picked, will not vote for him, but I’ve never liked Biden, there is something about him that I just don’t like!

Obama-Biden '08

2008-08-23T01:45:00.000-07:00

Here's to a coherent foreign policy.

Press Getting Annoyed

2008-08-22T18:58:00.001-07:00

WTF kind of headline is "Obama's striptease may be risky business"?

I don't think Obama's VP pick is keeping regular people up at night, but it's sure annoying the press to the point where they're writing stupid articles.

Well played, Barack.

This One Has Legs...

2008-08-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

Just Say No Deal Founder

2008-08-21T16:21:00.000-07:00

Diane Montouvalos-- "I think Senator McCain is a wonderful man."

Hmm... wonder why she stutters when Chris Matthews asks her who she voted for in 2000.

Let's play the associations game

2008-08-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

Since McMaverick told us that Reverend Wright/ Rezko/ Ayers are now "fair game" after getting butt-hurt about today's events, let's play their little game.

They attack Michelle Obama, we'll raise them a Carol McCain.

If they want to bring up Rezko, let's remind them about Charles Keating! And oh, heck, let's remind them about Jack Abramoff while we're at it.

Grasping at straws to tie Ayers the terrorist to Obama? Answer: Bush and Cheney!

Reverend Wright? Rod Parsley and John Hagee.

Thanks for playing, Magoo!

My Friends, This One Has Legs

2008-08-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

When I woke up this morning and clicked "refresh" on my e-mail client, the headline read "McCain unsure of how many houses he owns" or something along those lines.

Thanks, Mr. Magoo. Not only does it reinforce how old he is (jee, gramps can't remember how many million-dollar properties he owns...??), it also plays upon our most favorite political attack: John McCain is a rich elitist who has seven homes, while millions of Americans are struggling to keep the one they've got.

McCain's campaign came back with a pathetic response:

“Does a guy who worries about the price of arugula and thinks regular people 'cling' to guns and religion in the face of economic hardship really want to have a debate about who’s in touch with regular Americans?"

So that leaves one to ponder: What do Republicans have against arugula?

"Running for Bush's Third Term"= Stoopid Democratic Talking Point

2008-08-19T21:04:00.000-07:00

The Democratic Party was going to paint the Republican nominee as Bush III, regardless of who won the nomination. Thus, the Republican base did the smart thing and nominated McCain, who has a (undeserved) reputation for being an independent thinker.

Ever since we've known that McCain was going to be the nominee, the Democrats haven't been able to explain just how it is that John McCain is like Bush. I know there is substance to the argument because I've been paying attention to how little by little, McCain has sold his soul in return for the Republican nomination. But the Democrats haven't done a convincing job of equating John McCain to the failures of the Bush admininstration.

When we make the argument without speaking extensively of substantive issues suh as foreign policy debacles, or the general hands-off approach conservatives employ with respect to domestic problems, the Democratic narrative of painting McCain as another Bush is thoroughly unconvincing. Are we supposed to believe that McCain is responsible for our plight because he's old, and thus, by virtue, been in Washington longer than Obama? Or, are we supposed to believe that he's running for Bush' third term simply because they are of the same political party?

Academics know why it's intellectually appropriate to label John McCain as the bearer of the status quo, but middle America doesn't listen to these folks. The party has to make the Bush-McCain connection for us. After all, merely repeating "McCain is running for Bush's third term" doesn't make it so.

Housekeeping

2008-08-18T08:49:00.001-07:00

Will resume posts on Wednesday... on vacation at a place with no access to internet.

Boo hoo: Team USA Won Silver

2008-08-13T03:43:00.000-07:00

The Yahoo and AOL homepages are pretty disgraceful-- one shows Alicia Sacramone flat on her back, the other shows her making unflattering facial expression. Headlines like "How did she cost Team USA the gold?" aren't too subtle in blaming Sacramone for the loss. I'm pretty sure she's taking it pretty hard, and it was tough watching it, but there's no need for any of this. Winning the silver is a great accomplishment, too. Remind that to the AP writers who are too busy licking cheeto dust off of their fingers to recognize that.

Congrats to Team USA, and props to the Chinese team.

Humble Pie

2008-08-12T04:02:00.000-07:00

I've noticed a bit of a trend among us young folk: the lot of us are self-aggrandizing fools. I stumbled on an old co-worker's social networking page, which included a list of accomplishments, concluding with "yeah, I'm kind of a big deal." As I recall from working alongside this person for a fairly good amount of time, he was more of a show pony than a work horse, who had a knack for hitching his star to hard-working people and brown-nosing the more influential members of the group.

Being that this is around the time when local campaign offices are opening and we're increasingly becoming a part of the scene and volunteering, it's important that young people remember that we're NOT the greatest thing since sliced bread. Young people in campaign offices have been somewhat of novelties in years past, and it's fun to get all the attention from people telling us what good things we're doing, but the novelty wears off. And when the praise starts to dissipate, remember why you're putting in the long hours-- at the end of the day, it's about your community, and the more you help your community, the better your resume looks.

You're not "kind of a big deal."

Grassroots campaigns are not glamourous.

Conterfactuals are Fun!

2008-08-12T02:56:00.001-07:00

Shorter Howard Wolfson during the primary:

If we count Florida and Michigan, and don't count the caucus states, Clinton wins.

If we count the big states and not the small states, Clinton wins.

If we count the states Clinton won, Clinton wins.

And Wolfson, doing the only thing he knows how to, introduces yet another stupid counterfactual:

So the argument is: If Edwards' affair would have been revealed earlier, Clinton would have won Iowa, and thus, she would have won the nomination.

I thought about this a little earlier, and I imagined a scenario in which Edwards' affair could have affected the race: what if the affair came out right after he dropped out? Say it did. Is there a contingent of women out there who considered voting for Obama, but the Edwards' affair reminded them too much of their painful personal circumstances with their unfaithful husbands, and that convinced them to vote for Hillary to "stick it" to their philandering husbands?

I'm sure it's plausible, but it all seems so far-fetched. But then again-- most of what Wolfson had to say during the primary had an alice-in-wonderland quality to it.

It's August

2008-08-12T02:14:00.000-07:00

Obama finally hits back against the ludicrous series of advertisments from the McCain camp that knock on how popular Obama is:

I know campaign 101 teaches that if a candidate is responding to negative attacks, the candidate is spending time reinforcing the attack and getting off-message (the kiss of death).

But it's only August. The only people paying attention are political junkies who have already made up their minds. This ad does more in terms of quelling the chorus of Democrats who regularly complain that our candidates are terrible at responding to smears.

At least, I only hope it's just a base-rallying maneuver. These back-and-forth attack ads are truly becoming something of a farce.

Hey Republicans-- thanks again for dumbing down our discourse while we're in the midst of two wars. But hey! Someone forgot to tell John McCain that being president means more than just having the opportunity to slap Misty May-Treanor's ass while Russia invades Georgia.

Absolutely Chilling

2008-08-11T00:07:00.000-07:00

The fact that John McCain has shown a bloodlust for war is the reason why we absolutely cannot afford a McCain presidency. He sees war as the primary instrument of statescraft, rather than a means of last resort.

John Edwards

2008-08-09T03:01:00.000-07:00

It's quite a shame. I really, really wished the story about his affair wasn't true.

I think the most upsetting fact is that he was a serious contender for the Democratic nomination for president. What if he had won? Why was he willing to put this nation at risk for another four years of Republican rule at this critical juncture in our history?

Watching his interview with ABC was pretty nauseating.

It's not that I think that candidate's personal lives should concern the public, but we cannot ignore the fact that it does matter. And this holds especially true for the president, who serves as the chief citizen. No one wants a sleazebag as the chief representative of the American people-- so it's understandable why personal integrity is so important.

But, it's important to put this in a little perspective-- Bush just may be the most faithful motherfucker on this planet. Where the hell did that get us?

The Olympics

2008-08-09T02:51:00.000-07:00

NBC (stupidly) decided to blackout live coverage of the opening games in the US. As much as I hate watching things after they happen, it was worth it: China did an amazing job. I have no doubt that the citizens of China and the millions of Chinese-Americans are feeling pretty proud.

The first memory I have of watching the Olympics was back in '96, when I was eight. I loved watching the opening ceremonies to see the parade of nations and to hear a little bit of their histories.

Personally, it was a moment of pride to hear the cheers for the US. I have to admit, I was afraid we'd be heckled.

Well Played, Barack

2008-08-06T00:03:00.000-07:00

It's not so much that "they" take pride in being ignorant-- it's that the Republican playbook puts so much stock in the ignorance of the body politic. I can't come to a different conclusion when their latest campaign tactics consist of comparing Barack Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears in an advertisment, and handing out tire pressure gauges with "Obama's energy plan" written on them.

They count on us being uninformed. They hope that we don't know any better.

Slick Willy is bitter

2008-08-05T00:42:00.000-07:00

On the bright side, he makes the reporter look like an idiot.

Insanity Back at Taylor Marsh

2008-07-31T15:19:00.000-07:00

Is Taylor running out of money?

Well-- she's obviously wooing the maniacs back to her site. They pay to read her bullshit.

Obama's supporters on the other hand don't like having to pay the bills of someone who welcomes birth certificate rumors to gain traction.

Stoopid ad

2008-07-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

Is it stoopid because it is attacking my candidate? No, that alone isn't grounds for thinking it's pretty repugnant. It's ridiculous because it juxtaposes Britney and Paris with Obama. It's dumb because it implies that people like Obama too much. Perhaps, then, we should vote for McCain because we should always have a president that is milquetoast and universally disliked?

It's also pretty desperate. This ad reminds me of the Sam Graves ad, which attacks his opponent for having San Francisco values.

Advice

2008-07-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

“When God was giving out brains…you thought he said trains…and you missed yours. Who gives a croc what you do, its your business fool.” — from Ben Johnson, member of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee, to Sherry, a Democratic voter from Michigan, July 7, 2008.

“Man, you have to chill. Try tennis!” — from Dwight Pelz, WA State Democratic Party Chair and Super Delegate, to a Democratic voter in Maryland in response to an email she sent requesting an open convention and roll call vote, on July 18, 2008.

“Get over it, loser. I am NOT a Hillary delegate.” from Amy Everhart, an Austin, Texas delegate pledged to Obama, to Thomas a Democratic voter, July 11, 2008.

--What happens when you try to bother important people with stupid bullshit

McCain ad links Ahmedinejad to Obama

2008-07-26T20:46:00.001-07:00

Reactions of the Unhinged

2008-07-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

tvlcrazy // July 24, 2008 at 1:07 pm

You have to remember that many Germans are there only out of curiosity, not because they support BO. He is a spectacle, and so people watch - just like a train wreck!

iamnotastepfordwife // July 24, 2008 at 1:37 pm

Is the speech really bad, or is it just because we hate him.? I hoping that it is really bad.

iamnotastepfordwife // July 24, 2008 at 1:40 pm

"true partnership and true progress requires constant work and sustained sacrafice"

++What the fuck? I’ve worked for 30 years, raised my family, worked my way through college…..Don’t tell me to sacrifice, you commie asshole.

ginaswo // July 24, 2008 at 1:51 pm

See the faux polls show 50+ believe Uhhbama will win
and only 20+ beliebe MAc wil win

this is the Secret

it is working , he is making ti so

everyone beelieve please

HILLARY IS POTUS

die Sprache im Berlin

2008-07-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

I'm thorougly looking forward to Obama's speech in Germany (Geh Deutschland!). But apparently, it's not cool that Obama has so much appeal abroad, because we have to have a president that everyone else in the world hates. This is a great way to pick our presidents (see: George Bush)! It has obviously totally worked out so well for us.

International public opinion does matter. Heads of state all over the world have lost power in large part BECAUSE of their alliances with President Bush. Case in point: Australia, Great Britain, Spain, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in India barely squeaked by a vote of confidence a couple of days ago, being accused of being too close to the United States. Currently, in order to hold on to power, the popular thing to do is to take the position completely opposite to President Bush. Domestic pressure necessitates this.

Imagine having a president that people everywhere actually like. What would that mean for us? Heads of state could actually take positions that are in America's interest without having to incurr such massive political costs.

I, personally, would like to have a president that not everyone completely hated.

Dear Jay-Z,

2008-07-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

I've loved your music since I first discovered hip-hop in the third grade. I've bought every single one of your CD's since The Dynasty. I loved you so much, I used a Jay-Z folder to store my eighth grade math homework. Most importantly, I supported you throughout your feud with Nas. I know you two kissed and made up, but I must confess, there are still hard feelings there (especially after Ether), so I've been really slow to warm up to your former foe.

But now, Nas has this new song, "Sly Fox," which is a stunning and accurate characterization of Fox News. And he's even delivering a petition to Fox News with over 600,000 signatures, calling on Fox to stop spreading misinformation.
The idea that Nas is educating his devoted listeners about the media's hold on reality is really warming me up to him. In fact, I think I'm starting to like him better than you! I couldn't imagine myself saying that only a few years ago. Right now, he's doing a better job of being a role model and a leader to his community.

In the end, this is what Rap/hip-hop is all about. Rap/hip-hop has always had this great potential for influencing the younger generation, but it has been universally chastized because rappers have used their positions to glorify socially and morally irresponsible lifestyles (no, not the sex or partying, but the whole gangsta bullshit). I don't know how many times during the primaries older adults came up to me to tell me that they hope I don't listen to t3h rap music.

I know you're off cavorting with Beyonce, but come on! Show Nas up!

Sorry, Neocons

2008-07-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

...I think your quest to bleed the United States of its treasury and soft power is indeed, nearly over. The McCain campaign is one step closer to its inevitable death.

I've been trying to digest the news from the last 36 hours, and I'm not quite sure what to make of the turn of events. Iraq and Afghanistan have regained their rightful importance in the news. Obama has had resoundingly successful meetings with commanders, heads of state, and most importantly, our troops. Our brave men and women obviously adore him (what, are they Muslim-loving terrorist-sympathizers, too?). Contrast this with Bush, who often seems as though he's doing our troops a huge favor by showing up whenever he goes. Obama definitely looks the part of Commander-in-Chief.

And, judging by the photos, foreign leaders appear happy to meet with Obama. After all, who would you rather negotiate with? Someone who comports himself in the most egotistical manner like Bush, complete with a swagger, or someone like Obama, who appears humble and deferential? It's clear that the Bush administration was always so ready for war because they never truly understood the art of diplomacy.

Okay, I'll stop drooling. But it feels so strange to see these pictures with Obama, talking to these foreign leaders, with the realization that they're probably not thinking "what a fucking idiot" when they're speaking to him.

Awful

2008-07-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

I'm horrified. These people may be illegal, but they're still human beings.

Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama

2008-07-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

Keep in mind that while Obama was overseas, meeting with our troops, commanders, and heads of state, McCain was attending a Yankees game.

There's no doubt in my mind that the McCain campaign is imploding. They don't quite know what to make of Senator Obama's trip to Afghanistan and Iraq, along with Nouri al-Maliki's apparent endorsement of Obama's plan for troop withdrawal.

Obama with our troops

2008-07-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

I remember someone commenting at MSNBC that the greatest thing Obama could get out of the world tour is an image of the troops giving him a standing ovation.

It's going to be a little difficult for right-wing intelligence insulters to argue that Obama is a terrorist sympathizer for a while.

Now THIS is straight talk

2008-07-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

"The McCain campaign should stop worrying about Barack Obama’s travel plans and start focusing on addressing the pressing challenges that the Bush-McCain foreign policy has made worse."

Yelp Commenters: you are on notice!

2008-07-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Dwight:

Went here for the lunch buffet. Food was ok, but overpriced. Why one star? Because if you don't finish your food, they will not give you a box. I realize it's a buffet and they don't want people taking a bunch of food with them, but come on! At least have a tiny togo box ready for buffeters. It doesn't have to be big, but it's such a waste. When I asked the waiter what they were going to do with the leftover food, he said that they throw it away.So let me get this straight... Instead of supplying a small togo box, you would rather waste perfectly good food? Well, not in SF, we don't roll that way. In fact, SF is so hardcore against wasting food, it was here where people starting leaving their leftovers on top of garbage cans for the homeless....Leftover Love for the Needy.

I think I laughed for ten minutes after reading that. Seriously? You want restaurants with all-you-can-eat buffets to provide take-out boxes?

Errr...really?

2008-07-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

July 17th,20088:51 am

If you want her off-limits then keep her off the campaign trail. She can’t be going on talk shows like The View, and giving campaign speaches then complaining that she should eb off-limits. If she can’t handle the heat then she and or her husband should not be in public office. Look at the things which were said of Hillary Clinton when she was the first lady — sweetie if you can’t handle a little criticism then you are in the wrong job.That was my biggest concern when the footage of Obama’s kids were all over the news — my thought was “how can Barack risk exposing his kids to the type of scrutiny his wife is getting, what kind of father is he” seems he at least learned that lesson. Compared to the things I have seen in the blogs regarding Cindy McCain I think that Michelle is getting off easy.
— Posted by RayV

"Know Hope"

2008-07-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

I've read Andrew Sullivan's blog off and on ever since I was 16, and read his columns from way back when he was at Time. I must have been 14 at the time, I believe. For the past two years, I'm someone that probably clicks "refresh" around 20 times a day.

I don't quite remember when it was that I discovered he wasn't a citizen of the United States. It may have been one night that I remember looking through his archived posts when I couldn't sleep. But I certainly do remember the shock I felt-- that not only was he not a citizen, but it was because of a disease.

I know I'm only one of his hundreds of thousands of regular readers, but I believe he has shaped my political views and helped me understand American political culture in ways I have yet to realize.

The HIV travel ban is now lifted, and this man that has taught me so much about my own country gets to become a fellow citizen.

Cheers!

You could eat somewhere cheaper...

2008-07-16T15:19:00.001-07:00

I would just like to share this little encounter I had today.

I was walking and talking with a co-worker on our way to one of our favorite lunch desitinations. She is originally from a small town in Idaho, grew up as a Republican, and is now a self-professed liberal who isn't really engaged and rarely votes.

Randomly, she mentioned how as of late, certain restaurants have been adding surcharges to her bills, and that she finds the practice abhorrent. I mentioned to her that restaurants are trying to find a way to cope with a down-trodden economy in conjunction with rising minimum wage costs, and the rising cost of food staples, while also having to almost unilaterally bear the burden of Healthy San Francisco, the city's attempt to provide universal healthcare, which forces small business owners to pony up an extra $200,000-$400,000. She quickly replies, "well, I'm going through the same economic downturn, and businesses shouldn't pass the cost on to customers even if they aren't making a profit."

I mentioned how the citizens of San Francisco voted for the measure to provide universal healthcare, with the risk that the costs associated with such a policy could be passed on to the consumer. Nonetheless, she proceeded to blame the businesses, growing impatient with my claim that these surcharges are a result of bad public policy.

After all, businesses exist for the sole purpose of operating at a profit, or the whole enterprise wouldn't be worthwhile. Some businesses are better able to weather recessions and crappy public policy decisions than others (read: mom and pop stores).

And that's something to think about regarding universal healthcare. Would you mind paying more for your meals?

I would rather something be instituted on the federal level and put our existing tax dollars to better use.

Loserman misses being a Democrat

2008-07-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

“I’ll miss it,” he said of not attending the Democratic convention, in Denver. “I feel badly about this turn of events.”

All together now: awww.

The SAT

2008-07-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Should we permanently stain the records of stressed out kids who engage in some funny business on the SAT? I don't think so, but this LA Times columnist does.

Imagine one silly proctor who erroneously concludes that a student is cheating. That kid, then, doesn't get to go to college.

But I completely love this comment on the subject:

You gotta love these so-called "ethicists" and "educators" who rain judgement down on teenagers for something they call "cheating." They never talk about the real cheating going on -- that is, the fact that high school kids are cheated out of a genuine education by the unreasonable demands of a multi-billion dollar standardized testing industry. Is it unethical to cheat a system that cheats you? That's the real question, but it never gets asked. People would rather villify stressed-out teenagers, who are everyone's favorite punching bag nowadays.

Submitted by: Matt
1:16 PM PDT, July 14, 2008

Coherent Ideology, Please?

2008-07-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

News of the Freddie Mac and Fannie May bailouts is coming at a really bad time for the GOP. Last week, Phil Gramm talked about how we're a nation of whiners and that this recession is all in our heads, and now this fucking prick, Sean Hannity, is telling us to pick ourselves up by our bootstraps because we shouldn't expect the government to solve our problems.

There are millions of folks who are thinking that if the government can help some greedy motherfuckers who screwed their neighbors and made them homeless, why can't it help the average American?

I guess we should all shut up and say "thank you" because things aren't as bad as they could be.

The Cartoon

2008-07-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

Sure, I thought it was pretty funny. But of course, I completely understand the outrage.

The reason why perhaps a lot of us find it funny is because we know it's not true. Michelle Obama isn't a militant African-American woman, but is an incredibly accomplished wife and mother who has experienced racism in the secluded corners of academia (*gasp!*). Barack Obama isn't a terrorist-sympathizer just because he may have spent four years of his young childhood in a predominantly Muslim country. We get it. Ha ha.

I understand that the cartoon intends to prove something along the lines of "you retards really think this is going to happen if Obama is president?" But some people really do feel that the cartoon is an accurate portrayal, and in that sense, the cartoon may give credence to these awful memes. It isn't going to change the minds of people who really think it's true.

But what it will do is allow right-wingers with less than good intentions to further emblazon that image in the minds of American voters. And if they ever get called out for their bullshit, they will only have to wave the cover of the New Yorker and mention how no one was upset when they did it and how we're all a bunch of hypocrites.

The outrage is completely warranted.

Here Here Democrats!!!

2008-07-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today, our brave Democratic public servants voted alongside a lame-duck president and a losing Republican party to tear up the constitution.

And no, it's not Barack Obama's fault. If he would have publicly opposed it, and this bill passed despite Obama's efforts, he would look weak and ineffective. And I think it's clear that this Congress seemed hell bent on giving immunity to the telecoms, so it was going to pass whether Obama liked it or not.

The incredibly sad thing about FISA is that the proponents of the bill could not answer that fact that if the bill was so damn important to our national security, why would President Bush veto it and put our "national security" at risk if the bill didn't include immunity for the telecoms?

And that, my friends, is why lobbyists are so damaging to the political process. Tele-communication companies employ a powerful force of lobbyists that not only have a strangle hold on Washington, but state legislatures, too. They bankroll campaigns (yes, EVEN Democrats) and make our legislators vote against their constituents' interests.

On another note, the California Democratic Party is going to dish out $250,000 in attorneys fees to aid Don Perata, who is battling corruption charges. That's right: the CDP is throwing away a quarter of a mil on a corrupt, lame-duck legislator. In an election year. It's not as if CDP has an overflow of cash, either.

If we're going to keep at it like this, we might as well go home. We don't deserve to win.

A Shining Example of a Deadender

2008-07-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

DakiniKat:

Inevitability: Finding WPMs in Iraq and Obama as the DNC Nominee

Perhaps the meaning of inevitability should be couched in a post 9-11 definition. Inevitability now means “because the Press and the Political Elite make it so.” Some things are not inevitable due to underlying facts. We are no longer in a one person one vote world. It is time to tell the DNC to stop its War on Democracy.

STFU. Around this time, last year, Clinton had this thing in the bag. And while you prematurely held victory parties instead of helping your candidate, Barack Obama and his supporters went to work. Stop blaming your laziness on the DNC!

Reality Check

2008-07-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

John Cole dumps cold water on the heads of the "We're winnin' the war on Terra!" crowd:

While it is true that violence rates are down in Iraq, it is worth remembering that on an almost daily basis, shitty, awful, terrible, horrible things are still happening in Iraq, years after we invaded, years after we pronounced mission accomplished, and almost a year and a half after the surge. Keep that in mind during the next round of blogger triumphalism about our impending victory in Iraq and how Obama wants to squander it.

The GOP's Strategy

2008-07-07T01:13:00.000-07:00

The Republican Party is in a bit of a pickle. They support the continuation of a war the majority of the American people are tired of, and they also seem to have the corner of their collective eyes on Iran.

So how does the GOP convince the American people to vote for them anyhow?

Easy! By trying to dupe us into thinking their Iraq policy has been successful.

GWB: High School Government Teacher?

2008-07-06T01:57:00.000-07:00

"A totally crazy Saturday-morning thought: Wouldn't George W. Bush make an awesome high-school government teacher? Wouldn't it be something if his post-presidential life would up being that kind of post-service service? How's that for a model? Who needs Harvard visiting chairs and high-end lectures? How about Crawford High? (Or wherever?) Reach out and touch the young before they are jaded, or break them of the cynicism pop culture and possibly their parents have passed down to them. Whatever you think of President Bush, he's a likable guy in love with his country with some history and experience to share," - Kathryn-Jean Lopez, NRO.

Great idea-- let's introduce complex concepts of government and civic engagement from someone who seemingly never opened a history textbook and stole a couple of elections to boot!

It's interesting that she brings up the subject of high school government class, since it's something I've thought a lot about. I've had the opportunity to vote in 5 elections since I turned 18 (one special election, three primaries, and one general), and I've thought about what I wish I would have learned in Government class during each of these election cycles. I've come to the conclusion that Government class sucks, and no one really gives a shit.

Sure, it's important that we learn that there are 100 senators, 435 congressional representatives, and that there are 3 branches of government, and etc. But I believe it's problematic that what I learned in Government class had little to no relevance to the current political discourse.

The most important aspect of introducing American Government and Politics is to encourage the importance of civic participation, and create a nexus between government and the lives of the students. Is it too much to ask that students who complete the course have the ability to turn on the news and have some knowledge of what's going on? And a little introduction to state and local politics would have been helpful, too. It's gotten to the point where most students have a greater grasp of national political events than the goings on in their own backyards (ever wonder why local elites and machines are so prevalent?).

In short, I guess I attribute low voter turnout among youth because of their crappy Goverment classes.

The Bush Administration's Strategy

2008-07-05T04:27:00.000-07:00

Hoping and praying more shit like this happens.

HELP! I can't out-smart a 22 year old!

2008-07-05T03:18:00.001-07:00

Mr. Unlimited is 22 years old. Would you talk to a 22 year old about politics in person?
JAYnLA Homepage 07.04.2008 - 10:47 pm #

Stoopid.

Independence day

2008-07-05T02:28:00.000-07:00

It's supposed to be a day to feel proud of our accomplishments and think about what it means to be an American. In reality, of course, the holiday provides an opportunity to kick it with friends and get wasted.

Hope you had a good one.

AP Headline: McCain's staff shakeup is natural evolution

2008-07-03T16:11:00.000-07:00

But I thought these bible thumpers believed in intelligent design?

Conniption Fits Watch

2008-07-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

Reading t3h internets for the past few days, the critcism of Obama is pretty disconcerting. Folks like Kos and Arianna Huffington are shitting bricks over Obama's position on FISA, Heller, faith-based initiatves, and capital punishment because they *gasp* reveal a more conservative side to Obama. Yes, I say reveal because he's always held these stated positions, but these issues never quite came up during the Democratic primary. His views have been consistent, and it sucks that these "political analysts" weren't able to recognize that. Read his books. Watch his speeches. He has especially talked about his stances on guns and religion a lot.

Obama has also consistently called the Democratic Party a big tent of ideas, and that he doesn't necessarily agree with every position. Everytime Obama has said this, Democrats waved it off and said "yeah, yeah, he has to say that..." or overlooked it in general. It's not Senator Obama's fault that people haven't been paying attention. If you wanted a nominee who accepted the party line for every vote, you should have gone for Kucinich.

For some reason, it feels as if Senator Obama is excited to reveal his more conservative views. It hasn't occured to me until this week, why so many Republicans like and respect him. When Obama talks about bipartisanship, he means it. You don't accrue a record of bringing people together if you are a puppet of MoveOn.

Obama was an attractive candidate because he has always been unapologetic about his positions, a trait that liberals often lack. So don't expect him to walk back and change his stances in order to mollify the likes of Kos and Ezra Klein.

I'm sure Tiger will be just fine

2008-07-01T14:54:00.001-07:00

...Andrew Sullivan, fickle in his love for Obama.

Seriously, though. Sullivan has gone on and on about how the Bush administration has racked up the national debt, making the dollar worth little more than Monopoly money. How else does he suppose we pay for it? Until he has offered up some alternative, everything Sullivan says about taxes is nothing more than an obligatory knee-jerk to prove he's still conservative.

We get it, dear.

Conniption Fits

2008-07-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

Kos:

And, of late, he's been doing a lot of unecessary stabbing, betraying his claims of being a new kind of politician. Not that I ever bought it, but Obama is now clearly not looking much different than every other Democratic politician who has ever turned his or her back on the base in order to prove centrist bona fides.

Say it with me now: Obama.Has.To.Win.The.General.Election.

Shocking: PUMA PAC Founder is a McCain Supporter

2008-07-01T10:02:00.001-07:00

No shit.

Romanticizing the 90's

2008-07-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

Diamond 07.01.2008 - 7:10 pm -You know what isn't traditional to Democratic Party values?

Winning. I know, it'll take a little time getting used to.
###
On the contrary, I enjoyed it very much when Bill Clinton did it twice. Without selling out. Didn't take any getting used to at all.
vanessa2 07.01.2008 - 7:13 pm #

Meet PUMA

2008-06-27T16:25:00.000-07:00

Finally, I found a picture of the puma protest today: http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/Degreeless/0001p1bh.gif
justlen 06.27.2008 - 7:06 pm #

No one sell this asshole tickets, please

2008-06-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

HEWITT:

By the way, I -- I'm still trying to find two tickets to the Ohio State-USC game. And none of the USC people will give up their tickets to me. I'd pay fair price. They -- they know Ohio State's gonna slaughter the Trojans. They know that they're gonna slaughter the Trojans, and therefore they do not want me there at the bloodbath, since it's probably the last football game we'll ever get to see before the United States gets blown up by the Islamists under Obama. I -- I would like to see Ohio State slaughter USC. This is what I'm living for right now. I'm keeping -- all the bad news, I just focus on the Ohio State upcoming slaughter of USC. So if you are a USC fan willing to sell me two or perhaps even three USC tickets to the Ohio State game, hugh@hughhewitt.com, or if you're a Buckeye fan with those tickets back in Ohio, I'll trade you some Browns tickets. New York Giants, Monday night game? Think about it."

How Hillary Does It

2008-06-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

John Cole: "I simply still do not know how Hillary does it. I really don’t. She is standing there, nodding, clapping, looking like she is actually enjoying herself, and I simply wish I had 1/10th her drive and toughness. Whatever you think about Hillary, and I have had some harsh words, her drive is just amazing.

Well that's easy. She tells herself that the rally is for her.

Paging Freud: "Democratic" Unity Edition

2008-06-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

hillis44 // June 27, 2008 at 2:45 pm

i was listening to ElRushBo a few mins ago, his “analysis” of the speech was: this is the “worst day of Hillary’s life” and that the only reason she’s doing this is to retire her 22 million debt that he noticed that when *61 finished his speech, *61 reached to touch Hillary and she kinda flinched and moved away, he says he knows that she didnt even realize what she did, that it was some sub-conscious reaction to him[.]

[T]hat while *61 was basking in his glory after his part of the speech, Hillary quickly moved out of camera-range and *61 was left on stage like a fool, and quickly the camera zoomed to find Hillary talking to some supporter signing an autograph. RushBo concluded that segment by saying that there’s no unity, that after this rally, these two ran to opposite directions like “an A/C current meeting a D/C current”

Uncle Limbaugh is quite the body language expert.

Democratic Unity Day

2008-06-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

Die 4 Hillary // June 27, 2008 at 1:56 pm

I am crying , today i know that I HATE OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Interesting.

There is no Great Lake in Oregon // June 27, 2008 at 1:59 pm

“Reward work, not just wealth.”
When has he ever worked? When
has he ever MADE anything, produced anything, given anything, done anything
except sing his own praises?????????

You're right. Obama hasn't made anything of himself. It was all handed to him on a silver platter.

Political Dynasties Aren't Just for Southeast Asia

2008-06-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

I can’t wait till you run again, and I’m also looking forward to when Chelsea runs. She has my vote!
There is no Great Lake in Oregon // June 26, 2008 at 5:01 pm

Barf.

Losing the Democratic Primary is akin to gang rape

2008-06-26T12:08:00.000-07:00

Hillary Clinton was gang raped during the primary. Hillary maybe can forgive and forget .. but not this ole gal.
dot48 Says: June 25th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

Heads up on Friday's Unity Protest

2008-06-26T12:00:00.001-07:00

Really: these assholes are protesting unity.

Keep an eye out for bitter hags during Friday's rally.

Update: Keep some projectiles handy (preferrably rocks, tomatoes, eggs) on Friday

corage // June 26, 2008 at 5:30 pm
ATTENTION - additional information from PUMA
FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT ATTEND THE PROTEST RALLY TOMORROW:• Wear black• Dedicate part of your lunchtime to: Spend part of your lunch time holding a sign in a public place that says: “The Democratic Party Is A House Divided” Hand out Puma PAC flyers at a public place

Bill Clinton's Full-Throated Endorsement of Obama

2008-06-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

“President Clinton is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next President of the United States.”

*Yawn*

But it's okay, he might be busy catching up with all the mistresses he neglected while out on the campaign trail. I know, I know, he's just holding her hand and there's absolutely no reason to think anything of it. It's not like he has a track record or anything.

I'm shocked, shocked that Liz feels this way

2008-06-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't care if they did overturn Roe V Wade......anyone but Obama.
Liz007 06.25.2008 - 9:28 pm #

Delusion, thy name is Ann

2008-06-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

Now, right now, that will look like they are campaigning for BO…but, after the convention all of her campaign stops will have helped her make her own case against McCain. PLEASE REMEMBER — the ultimate goal is for HRC to be the next President. She can’t do that unless she beats John McCain in November, and she can’t do that unless she campaigns against him from now through November. But, she can’t campaign against him for herself because she’s not the presumptive nominee… so she’s going to campaign for a Democratic victory.
Ann // June 24, 2008 at 7:52 pm