IP Politik

Political Cream via G+

2011-10-16T21:57:00.000-07:00

Occupy Wall Street information and links from Google+ (henceforth G+).

Here's what I've learned or seen about Occupy Wall Street and what has been happening. I wish I could easily grab all of the links to the videos I've seen in other streams on G+. I am working on a way to do this through Delicious possibly.

I learned what Kettling is. An ugly way to make people into cattle.

There's a semi-live stream up at www.livestream.com/globalrevolution and here's Alan Grayson summarizing what's up in just about a minute:

And some other links and hits that are noteworthy:
Wall Street Loses Its Immunity
Occupy Boston: After Demonstrators’ Property Is Destroyed By Police, Commissioner Calls It ‘Trash’
Geithner: Action against Wall St. coming - Tim Mak
Occupy Wall St. Prepares for Crackdown -- Will Bloomberg Try to Tear It All Down? | Activism & Vision | AlterNet
Dear Everyone at Occupy Events - 10 Rules for Dealing with the Police

And, finally, some bitchin' iPhone magic tricks.

We are All the 99%

2011-10-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this then you are part of the 99% too.

I came across We Are the 99% a couple of weeks ago, just as the OccupyWallSt crowd was beginning to plan and mass.

It is all too easy to glaze over when you hear statistics about joblessness, foreclosures and a general downward spiral across the nation. It is another thing altogether to look into the faces of these people who are barely hanging on or have lost their grip altogether and have been cast adrift.

These are Americans being shoved downward by the Republicans and the corporations who have bought and paid for them.

Let's be clear, America is no longer being ruled by the People, America is under the control of Big Corporations. They have bought our democracy and are gang banging it out behind the shed. But even the most willing victim eventually realizes that this isn't sex, this is rape, this is not wanted, this is not what America signed on for. This is not what America is and should be.

America is being taken away from the people, the middle class is being smashed down into the lower class and the upper class has tripled their holdings in the last 25 years. The top 1% controls more than 50% of the wealth in America. The bottom 50% has less than .5% of stocks on the market. The numbers go on and on and on.

The reality is that America is not theirs to take and do with what they want.

Family Values Indeed

2011-08-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

Anti-Gay Indiana State Rep Caught Exchanging Money For Gay Sex: "

Indiana state Rep. Phillip Hinkle (R) is in the media spotlight today under allegations he offered a young man money for sex Saturday night. Joe Jervis notes that Hinkle, who is married to a woman and has children, voted in favor of the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions in Indiana, which will require a second vote by the legislature to pass next year. Hinkle also prides himself on supporting a bill that required Indiana to offer “In God We Trust” license plates. Bil Browning adds that there are likely some other anti-gay Indiana legislators whose stories have not yet come to light.

"
I guess family values means he'd really value your NOT telling his family that he's banging dudes on the side. Maybe don't tell his party either though most of them are also publicly anti-gay sex while banging dudes after hours.

Republican, its just another word for hypocritical douchebag.

George Allen, Racist and Oil Industry Puppet

2011-01-25T11:55:00.000-08:00

After Losing Senate Seat, Oil Industry Funded George Allen’s Political Profile For Years: "

When George Allen served in Congress, he was a favorite of the oil industry. He was one of the largest recipients of oil industry campaign contributions, and a lead sponsor of efforts to expand offshore oil drilling, including off the east coast. He was even feted by oil billionaire Charles Koch at the 2005 secret planning meeting Koch Industries organizes to coordinate conservative and corporate influence.

Allen left the Senate after losing his reelection bid in 2006, started a lobbying business called “George Allen Strategies,” and joined the board of several companies, including an energy company called the Hillsdale Group. But Allen’s relationship with the oil industry didn’t end there. Given that Allen announced yesterday that he intends to run for Senate again in 2012, it’s worth taking note that of the role that oil and polluter industry fronts have had in propping up Allen:

– In 2009, Allen partnered with the “oil-industry-funded Institute for Energy Research” to found the American Energy Freedom Center, a group dedicated to attacking clean energy reforms. Although Allen’s American Energy Freedom Center does not disclose its donors, the Institute for Energy Research is funded largely with donations from ExxonMobil and Koch Industries. Tom Pyle, Institute for Energy Research President, is a former Koch Industries lobbyist, and the group is made up of former GOP Energy Committee staffers and industry representatives. Allen’s American Energy Freedom Center is registered to the same address as his lobbying firm at 717 Princess Street in Alexandria.

– Allen has given speeches and declared his support for a number of fossil fuel-funded front groups. In 2008, he became a signatory to an energy-related effort organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is funded by ExxonMobil, foreign oil companies, and Massey Energy. In 2010, he spoke at a global warming denier conference hosted by the Heartland Institute, another front funded by polluters.

– Allen has maintained a political profile by touring Virginia with Americans for Prosperity, a group founded and funded by Koch Industries. In October 2009, Allen did a ten city anti-health reform bus tour with Americans for Prosperity in Virginia. During the midterm election, Allen joined Americans for Prosperity’s “November is Coming” election bus tour promoting Republican candidates. Throughout 2009 and 2010, Allen spoke at Americans for Prosperity-organized Tea Party rallies — often spending much of his time talking about climate science and oil drilling. And throughout this month, Allen toured with Americans for Prosperity to build buzz around his new bid for Senate. Americans for Prosperity’s Virginia director, Ben Marchi, a former aide to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), is expected to join the Allen for Senate campaign.

Explaining his lust for offshore drilling, Allen has said, “Americans are not addicted to oil. Americans are addicted to freedom.” While members of the Tea Party movement may debate Allen’s views on freedom, there is no question that Allen is addicted to oil.

"
Any citizen dumb enough to give this bought and paid for oil industry puppet their vote should have their right to vote taken away. George Allen has no interest in making America better for Americans, his sole interest is in appeasing his oil industry masters (and being a douchebag racist).

Study Confirms That Fox News Makes You Stupid | | AlterNet

2010-12-16T09:15:00.000-08:00

Study Confirms That Fox News Makes You Stupid | | AlterNet:

Congratulations, Fox News, you have succeeded in stupiding down your audience to the point that they just swallow your appalling lies as gospel truth. You have intentionally dumbed down America for your own (and the Republican Party's) ends.

Fox News Viewers came in first in 8 of 9 questions. They should be so proud as they scoot around on their Rascals.
# 91 percent believe the stimulus legislation lost jobs
# 72 percent believe the health reform law will increase the deficit
# 72 percent believe the economy is getting worse
# 60 percent believe climate change is not occurring
# 49 percent believe income taxes have gone up
# 63 percent believe the stimulus legislation did not include any tax cuts
# 56 percent believe Obama initiated the GM/Chrysler bailout
# 38 percent believe that most Republicans opposed TARP
# 63 percent believe Obama was not born in the U.S. (or that it is unclear)

"The fact that Fox News is so blatantly dishonest, and the effects of that dishonesty have become ingrained in an electorate that has been been purposefully deceived, needs to be made known to every American. Our democracy cannot function if voters are making choices based on lies."

Fox News represents a clear and present danger to the health of the country. They are intentionally working to spread misinformation to keep the country divided and allow the Republicans to stay relevant despite their dogged insistence on getting more money for the richest people in the country, their desire to screw over the poor at nearly every turn and their hatred of having an intelligent, articulate and reasonable black man as the President of the United States of America.

If you watch Fox News and vote then you are part of the problem, you are being used as a pawn by these lying asshats and you are making America weaker by subscribing to haters, liars and jackholes.

Jobless Benefits = Bad, More Money for Rich People = Good

2010-11-29T08:28:00.000-08:00

Mark Kirk: Extending Jobless Benefits Is ‘Misguided,’ But Bush Tax Cuts Must Be Extended ‘No Matter What’: "

Unless Congress acts by tomorrow, 2.5 million Americans will lose their extended unemployment benefits, even though unemployment is still above nine percent and there are currently five unemployed workers for every job opening. In the last forty years, the U.S. has never allowed jobless benefits to expire with unemployment so high.

At the same time, Congress is also faced with the December 31st expiration of the Bush tax cuts. Today, in two separate interviews, Sen.-elect Mark Kirk (R-IL) tried to bolster his fiscal conservative credentials by saying that extending unemployment insurance without finding spending cuts to offset the extension would be “misguided” because of its effect on the deficit. However, Kirk also called for extending all of the Bush tax cuts, “no matter what” the effect on the nation’s budget:

KIRK: We should extend the Bush tax cuts and make sure we don’t have a double-dip recession. And I have the honor to be the first of ninety-five new Republicans, fiscal conservatives, to help right our ship of state. [...]

Q: The first thing you’re talking about is deficit reduction and spending. Does that mean that right now, as of today, you’d be against extending the unemployment insurance?

KIRK: That’s right. You could extend it if you found a way to pay for it. And I voted for that in the past. But these proposals to extend unemployment insurance by just adding it to the deficit are misguided.

Watch it:

Kirk actually claimed that extending benefits — which costs $60 billion for one year, or $12.5 billion for a three-month extension — would lead to a Irish-style debt crisis, while glossing over the $4 trillion cost of extending the Bush tax cuts for a decade ($830 billion of which goes to only the richest two percent of Americans). Even MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough saw through Kirk’s double-talk, asking, “if [the tax cuts] are not paid for though, do we not risk going the way, as you said, of Greece and Ireland?”

As the New York Times editorial board wrote, “opponents would have you believe that the nation cannot afford to keep paying unemployment benefits: a yearlong extension would cost about $60 billion. The truth is, we cannot afford not to…Without jobs, there is inadequate spending, and that means ever fewer jobs. A wide range of private and government studies show that unemployment benefits combat that vicious cycle by ensuring that families can buy the basics.” Of course, as The Wonk Room explained, Kirk is no stranger to fraudulent fiscal conservative rhetoric.

"
Okay, I get it, Mark Kirk is another asshat Republican who promised to move heaven and earth to secure those insane tax cuts for the richest Americans while trying to freeze out people who don't have enough money to buy food.

Where in the fuck do these assholes get off with this mentality? Rich people DO NOT NEED ANY FUCKING TAX BREAKS. If a rich asshole has to pay the same rate as I do then that's not going to force them to eat ramen noodles, they will still be rich. But there are millions of Americans who have lost their jobs and now are facing losing their unemployment benefits which means they can't eat, they can't pay their rent, they can't support their families while they try to get another shitty job working long hours for sub-standard pay for a douchebag boss.

It is beyond ridiculous that the Republicans are pushing so hard to permanentize the Bush tax cuts for the richest Americans while they are simultaneously trying to starve a huge segment of the nation by cutting off unemployment benefits. Seriously, these assholes should be forced to spend some time in real poverty to see what its like wondering where the hell your next meal is coming from, where in the hell you'll find clothes to keep your kids warm, where you will live after your house is repossessed.

The "argument" I've seen is that unemployment benefits are being used to support luxurious lifestyles while people don't work. How in the fuck is $1900 a month luxurious? How in the fuck is that paltry sum anything but a subsistence stipend?

Fucking Republican assholery is going to make me lose my fucking mind one of these days. The entire party is sold out to special interests (rich people who NEEEEEEEED more money) and engages in a political philosophy called "Let's just make sure that black guy in the WHITE HOUSE fails no matter what". The Republican party is a bunch of racist obstructionists bent on winning political points while Americans freeze and starve.

But oh yeah, let's add $830 BILLION to the debt so that a bunch of rich assholes can brag about how much money they have. That makes total sense, if you're a fucking crackhead.

Corporations Post Record Profits As Republicans Call For Eliminating The ‘Insidious’ Corporate Income Tax

2010-11-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

Corporations Post Record Profits As Republicans Call For Eliminating The ‘Insidious’ Corporate Income Tax: "

Last week, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) – a man ThinkProgress readers are familiar with – took to the House floor to bemoan the “insidious” tax on corporations. “We can compete with anybody,” Gohmert declared, “if you take off that insidious tax” on business. Watch it:

Gohmert’s defense of corporations are not the words of a single rogue congressman. Rather, sticking up for the big guy is an orthodoxy that pervades the Republican Party and the conservative movement. Newly-elected Gov. Scott Walker (R) of Wisconsin has pledged to repeal the state’s corporate income tax. Sen.-elect Marco Rubio (R-FL) wants to slash the federal corporate income tax. And Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) proposes completely eliminating the tax in his radical Roadmap for America.

Conservatives’ attempts to portray corporations as victims in this economy is dubious for two reasons. First, despite right-wing misinformation, American corporations actually already pay far less in taxes than those in other industrialized nations:

Source: OECD

In fact, because of tax havens and other loopholes, many mega-corporations actually pay little to no taxes. The most recent high-profile example is Google, which has used income shifting and other tactics to reduce its effective tax rate to 2.4 percent. General Electric went a step even further. The company not only avoided all corporate income taxes last year, but actually recorded a tax benefit of $1.1 billion.

Secondly, despite the myths that corporate taxes are “strangling” business, and that President Obama is “anti-business,” a report released today from the Commerce Department shows that American companies actually brought in record profits during the last quarter. With an annual profit rate of $1.66 trillion, the third quarter of this year produced “the highest figure recorded since the government began keeping track over 60 years ago.”

Still record profits are likely not enough to convince conservatives that corporations have it just fine in the U.S.. Even apologizing to mega-corporations that just dumped millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico isn’t enough. Right-wingers like Gohmert and Ryan will not be satisfied until we give tax-free status to all corporations."

More backwards thinking douchery from the Republicans, what else is new?

Pity on the Pitiless

2010-10-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

I almost always enjoy reading the San Francisco Chronicle's Mark Morford, his style is ethereal, inflammatory with a side of rakish sexuality and topped with a dollop of indignation dusted with sarcasm.

His latest column, Sympathy for the wretched politician, is an excellent rundown on the utter insanity of so many politicians, top-ranked RNC deciders (like Glenn Beck) and aspiring politicos.

From Carl Paladino's "not a homophobic" but still doesn't want him, his kids or anyone he's ever spoken to or interacted with in any way to come anywhere near any gay person or any person who's been in the presence of a gay person. But no, he's totally not a gay bashing, day dream cock sucker. Oh no.

To Jim Demint who thinks gay people shouldn't be allowed to teach in schools. He also wants to bar sexually active single women from teaching as well. Yes, he's a fucking loon and an asshole (remember his stonewalling of unemployment benefits?, yeah, ass-hole).

To Rich Iott (which is shockingly close to Idiot) who likes to dress up like a Nazi.

Or Christine O'Donnell who thinks masturbating is the cause of all the world's problems. And she's probably right but her stance is 180 degrees wrong. The world isn't jacking (or jilling if you're one of them womyn types) off enough, there's so much unreleased stress due to unrelieved testicular and clitoral pressure that people just start hating other people who MIGHT have had sex in the last year. Don't worry, Christine, you'll be able to get back to your asexual cauldron soon enough and your time in the spotlight will be pointed to and laughed at repeatedly.

To Sharon Angle and her claims that Islamic religious law is taking over American cities. Which is, of course, so insane as to be funny, only she's serious.

These loony fuckheads think they are fit to lead. Jim Demint's even already been elected despite the patent fact that he's clearly a complete and utter douchebag devoid of even the most basic of human compassions. I'm guessing he sold it to his special interest masters.

Morford did not go after Meg Whitman who is a bored billionaire looking to do something interesting like, I don't know, run California even further into the ground with her discomforting shark smile, anger wrinkles, illegal alien employees, hypocrisy and blank checkbook campaign. Seriously, this mean old lady has spent nearly $150 million of her own dollars because (almost) nobody contributed to her campaign. Why? Because she's got zero qualifications to be a governor aside from her meanness and willingness to lie with a completely straight face.

Politics is a filthy, disgusting business. But there's also massive amounts of money and power to be had, the only cost is your soul and, eventually, every last crumb of your morality, ethics and honesty.

And yes, I think that clearly applies to both Democrats and Republicans.

However, the total wingnuttery being presented as candidates by the Tea Party/Republicans is just plain pathetic and a great indication of how far this wonderful nation of ours has slid when morons like Angle, O'Donnell and Iott have (semi)-legitimate chances at becoming elected representatives in America.

And yes, that makes me sad. Our leaders should be shining role models, not cautionary tales.

Perry’s ‘Favorite Paper’ Slams His Refusal To Debate In An Above-The-Fold, Above-The-Nameplate Editorial

2010-10-05T13:23:00.000-07:00

Perry’s ‘Favorite Paper’ Slams His Refusal To Debate In An Above-The-Fold, Above-The-Nameplate Editorial: "

Picking up the GOP’s new strategy, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has refused to debate his Democratic opponent Bill White because White would not release his personal income tax returns for three years in the 1990s. Despite the fact that White paid no personal income taxes in 1995 and did release some tax returns, Perry still refused unless White released additional returns by September 15. Because of this impasse, Texas may not see a general election gubernatorial debate “for the first time since 1990.”

To the consternation of newspapers across the state, Perry has also refused to meet with newspaper editorial boards, where political candidates answer questions from Texas editorial writers and editors in an effort to win the newspaper’s endorsement and inform voters of their positions. Yesterday, Texas newspaper Tyler Morning Telegraph — the paper he once described as his “favorite” in the state and “the most conservative” — lambasted Perry for his “unacceptable and undeserved” position of “silence.” In an unprecedented above-the-fold, above-the-nameplate editorial with an all caps headline, “TIME FOR RESPECT –GOVERNOR PERRY SHOULD END SILENCE,” the paper called on the Texas governor to meet with its board and debate White:

Your position to not visit with the editorial boards of Texas newspapers may be astute politically, but it demonstrates a disregard for newspaper readers and voters across the state, who deserve to hear substance rather than silence.

It is therefore with the greatest concern that we offer not only an editorial board meeting with us, but also an opportunity for a face-to-face debate between you and your opponent, former Houston Mayor Bill White, for the purposes of illustrating to Texas voters your positions on key issues.[...]

We are facing what’s rumored to be the largest budget deficit and crisis in the history of our state – informed estimates of the budget shortfall range from $18 billion to $20 billion. Newspaper readers, whether Republicans, Democrats or Independents – deserve to hear your solutions to the staggering problems we will be facing as the legislative session begins.

Instead, we’re confronted with an unacceptable and undeserved silence.

This newspaper, which you have repeatedly called “your favorite paper in the state,” has given you support in previous elections in the form of endorsements.[...]

You also have characterized this as one of the most conservative newspapers in the state. We guarantee a level playing field.

As the Texas paper Austin American-Statesman’s Jason Embry noted this morning, it is “very rare to see a newspaper put an editorial on the front page. (I can’t remember any paper I’ve worked for in my 12 years doing that.) Even more rare to put it above the fold. But above the paper’s nameplate?”

Trying to shift blame, Perry insisted in an August press release that it was White who was refusing to debate. But, as the White campaign pointed out, White had accepted five televised debates (six now) and called on the governor to join him in those debates, which Perry has refused to do. Perry’s debate defense was not only false, but made such a “ridiculous claim” that it earned Perry the “pants-on-fire” ruling from nonpartisan fact-checking organization Politifact.

The San Antonio Express-News and the Houston Chronicle, along with three other newspapers, have said they will host a debate on October 19 “even if White is the only one who shows up.” (HT: Burnt Orange)

"
That the Republican's new ideology appears to be one of silence or just saying No is kind of pathetic. Like someone replaced the entire RNC with a bunch of pissy 5th graders who were just told they weren't going on the end of the school year field trip to Six Flags. Grow up, you jackasses.

'Tis Nobler to be a Moron Than a Republican Apologist

2010-06-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

Conservative Pundits Rush To Defend Barton, Praise Him As Courageous

Yes, because someone's got to come to the rescue of a multi-billion dollar company doing almost nothing to put a stop to the environmental catastrophe they created by blindly checking off safety inspections.

How anyone can defend BP without massive financial incentives is incredible to me. Of course, most of these "representatives" are being compensated by Big Oil. Or they are total asshats. Or both.

If the people who elected these jackasses cannot clearly see that their reps don't give a fig about them by their words then there really is little hope for those sheeple.

How anyone can pay attention to the shit Newt Gingrich continually spews without pointing at him and laughing is beyond me. The guy wouldn't know an honest opinion if it started banging his daughter on the dining room table during Christmas dinner.

The entire Republican defense of BP is like a huge flashing neon sign demonstrating so clearly how little the GOP gives a damn about its base. They care about the big money from Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Lumber, Big Insurance and any other industry with deep pockets they can reach into and donate massive amounts of cash to get their people elected to shill for them.

America: The best false Democracy lobbying money can buy. Disgusting.

Hypocrisy? That's For Libruls and Schmucks!

2010-05-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

McCain Commented On AZ Anti-Immigrant Law While Admitting He Hadn’t Looked ‘At All The Aspects’ Of It even while attacking others for commenting about laws they haven't fully read either.

In the time since McCain's run for the Oval Office, he's basically sold out his limp little soul time and again. John McCain has absolutely ZERO credibility with many Americans because he speaks first and learns second, if at all.

Hypocrisy = Republican privilege.

Breaking News: The GOP Supports and Protects Rapists

2009-10-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

In yet another sign that the GOP has completely sold out its last vestiges of humanity, 30 Republican Senators voted against a legislative action brought by Senator Al Franken:

To prohibit the use of funds for any Federal contract with Halliburton Company, KBR, Inc., any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, or any other contracting party if such contractor or a subcontractor at any tier under such contract requires that employees or independent contractors sign mandatory arbitration clauses regarding certain claims.

Who are these 30 reprehensible special interest owned asshats?

NAYs ---30
Alexander (R-TN) Barrasso (R-WY) Bond (R-MO) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS) Corker (R-TN)	Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Gregg (R-NH) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE)	Kyl (R-AZ) McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Wicker (R-MS)

If any of these people represent you or your interests then please take a few minutes to register your outrage in their support of companies that want to get away with raping their employees and then preventing them from bringing legal action against them. This is beyond outrageous and ridiculousness.

At least one of this jackals has a daughter, John McCain, and I hope she raises hell and smacks her hate-based father square in his smarmy jowly face for working to support contractors like Halliburton. This legislation stems from an incredibly disgusting case where a Halliburton employee was gang-raped by her co-workers, locked in a container and forensic evidence destroyed.

Read that article and then compare it to the legislation voted against by those 30 Republican Senators and tell me there is any possible way they can defend their actions. There is no way to justify voting against this legislation. And these Senators deserve to be publicly humiliated by siding with rapists against common decency.

GoodGuide's Interactive Company Political Contributions

2009-10-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

Found this in my Google Reader feed last night and am fascinated by it. Want to see where the companies you spend money with are putting their money in politics? Load it up and fiddle around with it and you might just be surprised. And, in some cases, not surprised at all.

Democratic

Republican

GoodGuide.com political contribution data for over 100 companies

View data for other companies at GoodGuide.com

Never Let a Little Thing Like Reality Intrude on Your Politics

2009-07-13T08:10:00.000-07:00

GOP Rep. Introduces Bill To Deny U.S. Funding For Nobel Winning IPCC Because Of Its ‘Junk Science’ only it isn't junk science at all and his refutation of the warming of the earth comes from a freakin' economist.

Dear Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), you are a moron pretending to be a congressional representative. You are misrepresenting a huge number of good scientists with an economist. You are engaged in a demonstrably false campaign for political reasons. You are part of the problem in denying the reality of climate change being a human-based responsibility. Please shut your yap hole and get out of the way so that honest people can get to work trying to fix the harm we've done to our planet before our planet makes us all extinct. Jackass.

Snarly Backs Stupid Over Honest for GOP Future

2009-05-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

Cheney backs Limbaugh over Powell on GOP future which is to say, Dick Cheney is a narrow-minded dumbfucking idiot who prefers the company of other narrow-minded dumbfucking idiots over a thoughtful, honest and popular man.

The further afield that Cheney, Lord Rush, Joe the Asshole Plumber and Newt lead the GOP, the better. It makes it easier to get real work done while the GOP further marginalizes itself and displays what a thoroughly hate-based philosophy they are clinging to.

More Republican Rats Show Their True Colors

2009-03-03T07:06:00.000-08:00

Jonah Goldberg: I want Obama to fail just like Rush Limbaugh and numerous others despite the fact that failure means our country is in even worse shape than it already is.

Despite the fact that if a Democrat had said that they wanted Bush to fail, the GOP would have gone into hysterics, despite the fact that calling for a president to fail is akin to betraying the American trust.

Despite all of this, the GOP wants Barack Obama to fail in his quest to rebuild our country.

The GOP is the party of hypocrisy, stupidity, racism and fat white guys who already have a crapload of money and don't care about anyone but themselves.

Two-Thirds of Americans Support Investigations

2009-02-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

Jack Reed: ‘I don’t think we should be afraid’ of investigating Bush crimes. Neither do I. The people that are calling it a waste of time seem to not understand the message sweeping ShrubCo's myriad crimes, lies and misdeeds under the rug sends.

Bush lied and we are mired in a swamp of a war in the middle east, the terrorists have grown in number, power and reach and the reality is that we are far less safe than we were on 9/10/2001.

His position on torture, his inability to listen to far smarter advisers, his cowboy mentality, his photo-op presidency has left this nation in a very, very precarious place. He needs to be made to pay for his crimes like any other citizen.

George Bush is an accused war criminal and needs to be treated as such. By not prosecuting him, his actions are being implicitly condoned by the United States of America.

I apply the same lens to his actions as to my own. If I'd done what he has done then I'd expect to be in prison, he should be no different.

Rats Gnawing on a Powerless Bone(head)

2009-01-27T16:15:00.000-08:00

Its kind of sad and sort of awesome to watch how the Republicans are lining up to turn on their former leader, the now ex-President George Bush.

The latest is Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell: Bush was a ‘burden’ on my party.

Don't feel to bad, Mitch, he was a terrible burden on this nation and the world as well. But it sure is nice to see how quickly you turn on your own.

That and the blatantly racist idiotspeak coming out of some of your so-called pundits.

Barack Obama's been our President for a week and he's already done more to win my confidence and respect than George Bush did in eight stolen years.

Enjoy your marginality, Republican Party. The nation is moving on without you and your divisive rhetoric.

Rose-Tinted Ass Glasses: Bush Defends Katrina Response

2009-01-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

Bush On Katrina: ‘Don’t Tell Me The Federal Response Was Slow’ which is to say, he's misremembering reality, again.

From the article:
– National Guard troops did not arrive in the area until two full days after the levees were breached.

– Bush did not leave his vacation home or assemble a task force until Wednesday, two days after the hurricane made landfall and the levees were breached.

– By Thursday, three days after landfall, FEMA had yet to set up a command and control center.

– FEMA Director Michael Brown said he had not heard about the more than 3,000 evacuees stranded in the convention center until Thursday. Many evacuees had been there since Tuesday morning.

– On Friday morning, Bush praised Brown: “Brownie, you’re doing a heckuva job.” He also said he was “satisfied with the response.”

– FEMA did not finalize its request for evacuation buses until Sunday, six days after Katrina hit. The buses “trickled into New Orleans, with only a dozen or so arriving the first day,” noted the Wall Street Journal.

– The Superdome was finally evacuated on Sunday, a full seven days after 30,000 evacuees had arrived there.

Maybe we are differing on the interpretation of the word "slow", Georgie? Maybe a week is fast in your world but for people living in the hell that was the aftermath of Katrina, it was a lifetime and the blase way you went about dealing with it speaks volumes as to your character or lack thereof.

The revisionisticalism effort continues unabated and unfettered by reality.

Revisionisticalism

2009-01-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

Cheney: It’s Just An ‘Urban Legend’ That I ‘Exceeded My Authority’ As Vice President just as its a lie that he shot his hunting buddy in the face while drunk, lined Halliburton's pockets with billions and billions of dollars and publicly told Patrick Leahy to go fuck himself.

Dick Cheney is a deeply hateful and wrong human being who is, in large part, responsible for the state of our nation both internally and for the loss of respect around the world and for being a major recruiting tool for the terrorists because of his support for torture of prisoners.

History cannot and should not be kind to this miserable excuse for a human being. Long may he burn in the deepest pits of hell.

George W. Bush in a Word: Incompetent

2008-12-18T23:47:00.000-08:00

Fifty-six respondents of the people polled think Bush is incompetent. None think he's excellent. Heck, no one equates him with Christianity.

I don't get how the association with honor grew by 11 points in four years and his being equated with being strong dropped too.

I do find it rather interesting that the poll graph clearly says the numbers are not percentage of respondents and yet Think Progress and most of the commenters just go ahead and call the numbers percents. Interesting in we-should-be-better-than-this kind of way.

Political Objectives Test

2008-12-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Your result for The Political Objectives Test...

Progressive

You scored 64 Equality, 64 Liberty, and 29 Stability!

Your commitment to both liberty and equality makes you a blend of the Liberal and the Socialist. For you liberty and equality are two parts of the same condition. Everyone has to be free to pursue their own way-of-life but in order for that to happen everyone must start with a similar basic standard of living.

You value liberty particularly in cultural and personal life. You also value government intervention to promote equity in economic life while still supporting private enterprise. If this is too bland for you then try the Radical on for size.

Take The Political Objectives Test at HelloQuizzy

via Confessions of a Libertine.

How About We Call You Almost Innocent Then?

2008-11-13T11:43:00.000-08:00

Foley: I’m not a pedophile because the pages were almost 18.

Nice rationalization, Mr. Perv. How old are you? And you're perving on children?

What's the legal definition of a child? Someone who is under the age of 18. And yet you want to excuse your inexcusable behavior by saying they were almost legal? You're a scumbag.

And then saying it was a "momentary lapse of judgment" attempts to diminish the fact that you had numerous lurid and disgusting instant message conversations with these kids.

You're a pervert. Go get some help. And the first step is admitted that you're a pedophile no matter what bullshit rationalization you try to use.

Please Quit Your Day Job and Just Go Shove Your Head in an Oven

2008-11-12T21:18:00.000-08:00

Michael Barone of US News and World Report: Media trashed Palin because ‘she did not abort her Down syndrome baby.’

The room was full of some 500 academics and some got up and walked out as a result. To them I say, good on you for having some ethics. Michael Barone does not.

Barone tried to pretend he made a bad, bad joke. But he's a journalist, not a comedian and its a long stretch to think he wasn't at least partially serious.

Which is to say, Michael Barone is an absolute moron who deserves to be publicly ridiculed until such a time as another moron not only shoves his foot in his mouth but starts chewing and declaring it tastes yummy.

I Call Bull Dookie

2008-11-04T12:40:00.000-08:00

I just saw this ad for the Yes on 8 haters on one of my motorcycle blogs I read. Here's the thing, Barack Obama has publicly stated he is against Prop 8 to repeal same-sex marriage. This ad, in fact the entire Yes on 8 campaign, is predicated on lies, fear and religious zealotry.

Same-sex marriage does not threaten traditional marriage. In fact, it strengthens it by not discriminating against people.

The smear campaign by the Yes on 8 people has been pretty scummy with the lies about children being forced to learn about it in public schools and then refuting the commercial featuring the superintendent of schools in California saying it absolutely has nothing to do with school curriculums. And now this ad that implies both John McCain and Barack Obama support Yes on 8.

Which is a clear and undeniable lie.

Even if I felt strongly against same-sex marriage, I don't think I'd be able to support the Yes on 8 group. If your message isn't strong enough to pass without the lies and smears then it shouldn't be passed. But they've gone so far over the line that they can't even see it in their rear view mirrors anymore. Like my old Scottish soccer coach used to say, "If you have to cheat to win, lads, then you've already lost."

Heck, even Steve Young (a direct descendant of Brigham Young and Hall of Fame quarterback) is voting No on 8 in direct contradiction with the Mormon church and he and his wife have donated $50k to the cause. But why am I not surprised that Jeff "Redneck" Kent has donated $15k to the Yes on 8.

Election 2008 Voting Guide

2008-11-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd do my part to help out those of you out there who haven't quite been able to make up your mind for tomorrow's election. But there are also a whole bunch of other propositions on the ballot out here in California, some of them are confusing (on purpose) and the ads aren't helping.

So here we go. You probably won't agree with me on everything and that's alright. If you want to try and change my mind, leave a comment with why. Keep it civil though as this is not Free Republic or Talking Points Memo.

President: Obama/Biden vs. McCain/Palin
Vote: Obama/Biden
Reason: Have you been paying attention for the last eight years? McCain is nothing but more Bush. Palin is wholly unqualified to be on the ticket and has an inverse relationship to the truth. Obama is brilliant, has a plan and our country is desperate need for a change for the better.

Proposition 1A: Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act
Vote: Yes
Reason: If not now, when? High speed rail is a long term win and solution. Yes, money is tight now but a high speed rail system will save money and the environment in the long run.

Proposition 2: Standards for Confining Farm Animals
Vote: Yes
Reason: From what I can understand, this proposition will make life a little less awful for animals being raised for food. And I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

Proposition 3: Children's Hospital Bond Act
Vote: Yes
Reason: I'd rather build hospitals than prisons. The list of organizations and public officials endorsing this proposition makes it pretty clear to me that this is a good one.

Proposition 4: Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy
Vote: No
Reason: This is the third go-round for this proposition. It was defeated twice before for good reasons. None of those reasons have changed.

Proposition 5: Nonviolent Drug Offenses, Sentences, Parol and Rehabilitation
Vote: Yes
Reason: Our prisons are stuffed full of people convicted for non-violent crimes which makes truly dangerous felons more likely to serve reduced time which puts you and me at greater risk. I'm all for rehab for drug offenses and for longer sentences for the truly dangerous.

Proposition 6: Police and Law Enforcement Funding, Criminal Penalties and Laws
Vote: Yes
Reason: I live in a town being overrun by gang violence. I am sick and tired of having to constantly be on the watch for jackasses with doo-rags looking to make a name for themselves. Gang bangers should be punished more severely, they are, in my estimation, domestic terrorists and it is about damned time we took our streets back. Yes, I know the proposition is opposed by the Democratic Party and the California Teacher's Association. More info here.

Proposition 7: Renewable Energy Generation
Vote: No
Reason: If both the Democratic and Republican parties (as well as the Green Party and the Sierra Club) think this one is crap then its pretty well assured that its crap. Plus, the idea that one guy donated more than $7 million to this proposition smells like a big fat rat.

Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry
My vote: NO!
Reason: This isn't about gay rights, this is about legislating discrimination and I have no interest in bigoted religiously based intolerance.

Proposition 9: Criminal Justice System, Victims' Rights, Parole
Vote: No
Reason: Most of what Prop 9 offers is already in place. And the opposition endorsements are overwhelming. More info here.

Proposition 10: Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy
Vote: No
Reason: T. Boone Pickens is strongly in favor of it. T. Boone Pickens is the asshole who funded the Swift Boaters in 2004. If T. Boone Pickens is in favor of it then you can rest assured that its a polished up turd designed to make him a big pile of money.
Here's a quote: The SF Chronicle is opposed, writing, "The chief backer and bill payer for the measure is T. Boone Pickens, the folksy Texas oilman and apostle for energy independence who founded a firm that just happens to supply natural gas for cars and trucks".[19]

Proposition 11: Redistricting
Vote: No
Reason: I'm deeply skeptical of any redistricting and even more so when the proposition is endorsed by Schwarzenegger. Plus there's the whole non-accountability to the taxpayer angle. This isn't an easy decision though since many newspapers endorse the proposition including the Chronicle and our local Santa Cruz Sentinel. More info here.

Proposition 12: Veterans' Bond Act of 2008
Vote: Yes
Reason: The way our veterans have been mistreated is shameful. This should be the first step in treating them like the heroes they are. Yes, the proposition has loopholes that can be exploited but the bottom line is to try and help out our vets. A little more info here.

Stevens Still Thinks 9/11 and Iraq are Linked

2008-10-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

Stevens On Whether Saddam And Iraq Had 9/11 Role: ‘I Believe They Did’ despite the patent fact that they did not.

But hey, what's a little willful dishonesty from a guy who insists he hasn't been convicted of anything even though he was found guilty of seven counts of making false statements.

Ted Stevens is a crooked politician, now outed by a court, disgraced and still unable to even admit he's a crook. What does that tell you about the man's character? Nothing good, that's for sure.

If the World Could Vote

2008-10-30T13:22:00.000-07:00

Go vote here.

And We Care about Tom DeLay's Opinion Why?

2008-10-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

DeLay On Obama: ‘I Tagged Him As A Marxist Months Ago’

Tom DeLay has unsurprisingly come out against Barack Obama. The only thing is that Tom DeLay is a thoroughly disgraced, unethical blowhard (apparently like much of the GOP these days) with numerous scandals destroying pretty much every last shred of believability he had. He was forced to step down by his own party and still faces trial for his part in the Jack Abramoff scandal and other ethical breaches.

So yeah, DeLay calling out Obama is just more mud flung by the smear and fear crowd.

At least he's a consistent asshat and hasn't tried to cozy up to the Democrats like Chinless Joe is starting to try and do.

Comparing Apples and Lemons

2008-10-29T21:56:00.000-07:00

Lifted from Nutsy Fagan because this is exactly what I was looking for the other day. And it goes a very long way towards explaining why I believe that Barack Obama and Joe Biden are far better equipped to repair our severely battered nation.

Educational Background:
Barack Obama:
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

John McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester,
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study,
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism,
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester,
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

Education isn't everything, but this is about the two highest offices in the land as well as our standing in the world. You make the call.

Chinless Joe and the Idiot Nominee

2008-10-28T21:32:00.000-07:00

Lieberman: ‘Thank God’ Palin won’t have to ‘be president from day one’ because she's woefully unequipped to be president, has no idea what the vice president does, hasn't been outside the country much at all, knows little to nothing about energy policy and believes she already knows everything she needs to know about everything.

In short, Sarah Palin is a dangerously unqualified candidate and John McCain's selection of her will go down as one of the (many) super-sized screw ups he's made since the campaign got going. Not the least of which was publicly swearing to not engage in negative campaigning when he's been nothing but negative for months.

McCain is going to lose, Sarah Palin will head back to Alaska (hopefully) and the nation will start to move forward and upward again after resting in the GOP muck stew for all these years.

But Joe Liebermann doesn't care about any of that, he's sore because McCain wasn't allowed to select him as his running mate which would have completed his transformation to the dark side and he would have gotten that totally evil red light saber he's wanted for years.

McCain Hires Joe the Plumber to Lie for Him

2008-10-28T15:41:00.000-07:00

McCain Endorses Joe The Plumber’s View That Obama Victory Means ‘Death To Israel’ but is unable to articulate how or why he "believes" this. Why? Because he doesn't believe it, he was told to say it but the campaign.

Joe the Plumber is a joke. And the fact that McCain's campaign bought him is just another from the Desperation Express.

Can next Tuesday just get here so we can stop having to pay attention to Grumpa and his increasingly erratic and bizarre behavior (he's all but guaranteeing a victory next week because all of the polls are dead wrong).

Clearly Named Political Groups

2008-10-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

Submitted for your review, a list of political groups with honest names along with suggested spokespeople.

The Christian Coalition of Conservative Dumbfuckery
Spokesidiot: Elizabeth "I'll say any GOP talking point you want even if I have no idea what it means" Hasselbeck

Western Hemisphere Homophobic Knobgobblers
Spokesbottom: Larry "Toe-tapper in the crapper" Craig

Bible Thumping Ass Blaster Meth Master Pastors
Spokespastor: Ted "Gay is bad but feels so good, especially when you're high on meth" Haggard

Single Issue White Haters
Spokesdouche: Rudy "Grinning Goblin of 9/11 Repeatance" Guiliani

Rich White Fat Greedy Assholes
Spokesrectum: Dick "Go Fuck Yourself" Cheney

The Alliance to Gang Rape Mother Earth
Spokestwit: Sarah "Drill, baby, Drill" Palin

Patriots for Censorship, Intolerance and Bigotry
Spokescensor: Newt Gingrich

Little Old White Ladies Who Fear Everything Including Black People and Change - Spokestrembler: Cindy "Where's my pills?" McCain

Chinless Warhawk Senator Flip Floppers
Spokestraitor: Joe Lieberman

And there we go. Have you come up with any honestly named groups? Yes, you may have noticed that these are all Republican groups. The reason for that is because the Republican party has, far, far more regularly, than the Democrats, engaged in negative, untruthful smear style campaigning that lowers the debate for all.

I hope this list of groups is marginally humorous. I chuckled a couple of times while writing it, mostly at the first one which I wrote while watching that Parrotard (yes, new word) Hasselbeck become Sarah Palin's only adviser she'll listen to. Plus, I just like saying the word dumbfuckery.

If You Have to Cheat to Win, You've Already lost

2008-10-27T18:14:00.000-07:00

Think Progress � Phony board of elections flier tells Virginia Democrats to vote on November 5.

This is about the dumbest trick to try and pull because it doesn't work and smacks of extreme desperation. Like a McCain campaigner saying she was assaulted by an Obama supporter. Only dumber, if that's even possible.

The Presumed "Future" of the GOP is an Idiot

2008-10-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

McCain adviser: Palin ‘is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone.’

Look at the monster that John McCain has unleashed on his party. Sarah Palin is the worst kind of idiot diva, firm in her convictions, no matter how fundamentally false they are.

And she is playing for her future in the party on the national stage now. She knows this round is done and her side got the snot kicked out of it. She's looking forward and up.

Sadly though, the rest of the nation is aware of what a colossal nightmare an administration including her would be.

Sarah Palin, in large part, helped seal the loss for the GOP.

And soon, thankfully, Angry Johnny will get to return to his life of (to most of us) unimaginable wealth, privilege and comfort. Which seems somehow really unfair.

New Togs on a Pig and She's Still a Pig

2008-10-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

Pricey new duds aren't helping Palin in polls but then neither is her shockingly shallow pool of knowledge helping.

But far more importantly, the article goes on to say:
"The poll of 1,159 registered voters from Oct. 17 to 20 found that 47 percent viewed Palin negatively; 38 percent saw her in a positive light. The poll found that 55 percent felt she wasn't qualified to be president."

To which I'd ask, only 55%? What the hell is the other 45% of the country smoking that thinks she is qualified? What has she done that even begins to make her qualified? Mayor of a podunk town in Alaska, Governor of a podunk state (the rape capital of the nation, you betcha!).

And there's that inability to tell the truth that's more than a little troubling too. But you keep attacking Obama, Sarah, it is so becoming when a pretty lady lies through her teeth with a wink and a waggle of a finger.

Or just head for home now, Sarah. The GOP will probably let you keep your $150k new wardrobe as a parting gift.

Rove Blames Obama for Economic Crisis, Head Does Not Explode

2008-10-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

Rove Blames Market Volatility On Obama: It Reflects ‘People’s Concerns’ About An Obama Presidency

Which is to say, the guy who has no expertise in economics but is a master spinner and shit smearing campaign pig, is trying to let his masters Dubya and Dicky off the hook for their incredibly crappy economic policies.

Karl Rove is Rush Limbaugh is Bill O'Reilly is Michelle Malkin is Ann Coulter is Michael Savage is the entirety of Fox News. These are all GOP operatives working to smear Barack Obama in any way they can no matter how farcical their attempts.

If it is logical to blame the market volatility on Obama then it is equally valid to blame the market volatility on McCain and people's deep seated fears that he's going to raise taxes so he can give more money to rich dicks who don't need it.

Not only is Rove's claim ridiculous, the underlying facts that he's basing it on are wrong.

And McCain's desire to further cut corporate taxes is just idiocy. Trickle down economics are bullshit.

This is Ready to Lead?

2008-10-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

Palin stumped when asked to explain her preconditions for meeting foreign leaders.

The shallowness of Sarah Palin's knowledge is more than a little distressing. Was she unaware that people will want a little substance to go with their winks and lipstick?

She is the epitome of the empty suit (or dress). Or maybe she's the Mannikin Candidate?

Seriously, her "readiness to lead" is not confidence inspiring in any way. And her inability to admit she knows next to nothing about national politics is a good indicator of the character of her person and it isn't good.

And This is Constructive How?

2008-10-23T10:08:00.000-07:00

GOP lawmakers repeatedly call liberals ‘anti-American’ on House floor.

I'd opine that its decidedly more anti-American to try and stifle all discussion and dissent at every turn as the GOP seems inclined to do.

I'd say that its far more anti-American to try and smear a sitting Senator running for higher office in the name of politics.

I'd say that its far more anti-American to pretend that we're just one big happy Christian nation when the reality is that we are a plurality of belief systems.

I'd say that its far more anti-American to work to remove freedoms, to censor discussion, to wiretap normal Americans without warrants, to engage in torture, to fire DA's because they wouldn't play ball with your administration, to try and pick up men in airport bathroom stalls and to eagerly pursue earmarks one week and then deny ever asking for or accepting earmarked funds once public perception turned.

I'd say that its far more anti-American to add nothing to the discussion save veiled and unveiled insults.

I'd say that its far more anti-American to say one thing and then do the exact opposite AND THEN have the audacity to claim that you didn't do it in the first place.

I'd say that its far more anti-American to not just allow but to help push the debate on American politics into trivialities because your party can't withstand scrutiny on the issues.

The ones crying "anti-American" at every turn are the ones being most at odds with the fundamental tenets of the United States of America.

Oh, and Michele Bachmann should truly just shut the hell up and work harder on keeping her eyes from popping out of her head. She puts the idiot in bimbo.

Gallery of the Absurd: Get Your Barack Obama and John McCain Talking Dolls Today!

2008-10-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

Gallery of the Absurd: Get Your Barack Obama and John McCain Talking Dolls Today!

Created by my friend, 14, and most definitely worth a look.

As many others have noted, this election cannot come soon enough.

Sarah Palin Hasn't Even Read The Job Description

2008-10-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

Matthews Rips Palin: Somebody Needs To ‘Give Her A Copy Of The Constitution To Read’

Its pretty apparent, to anyone with even a mildly objective eye, that Sarah Palin isn't going to take home any prizes for brains. Yes, she speaks well, can parrot a talking point well and can lie with a perfectly straight face (probably because she believes God says its okay for her to lie) but you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that would say she's much of a thinker.

Her grasp of the job she's trying to get is non-existent. She doesn't even know what the vice president does and, as recently as July, dismissed the position as not being productive.

Truly, she is a candidate for the ages. The Dark Ages.

The Further Embarrassment of Sarah Palin

2008-10-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

Palin on whether she’s intellectual: ‘Yehhh-sss.’

Which is to say, she thinks she's very bright and articulate and knowledgeable about the universe. The only problem is that we all know better.

We know she chooses to not believe in global warming, we know she does not subscribe to evolutionary theory, we know she believes abstinence-only sex-ed works despite her own flippin' pregnant 17 year old daughter, we know she abused her power as governor, we know she is pathologically incapable of admitting she messed (a core Republican value if there ever was one) and we also know that she has zero problems in parroting thoroughly debunked lies about Barack Obama.

We also know she's dangerously incompetent and an outright boldfaced repeat offender liar.

It is nice to know she's already got her next gig lined up as a talking head/GOP spouter for Fox News after her ticket gets punched the fuck out on November 4.

That Was McCain 1.0, McCain 2.0 Says Its Socialistical!

2008-10-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

Flashback: In 2000, McCain said there is ‘nothing wrong’ with the wealthy paying ’somewhat more’ taxes but that doesn't mean he's a flip-flopping panderer. No, not at all.

Oh wait, yes it does.

Rallying Teh Hate!

2008-10-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

As of 2:15 today, 70 percent of respondents to the completely unscientific poll on SFGate indicated that Sarah Palin's rallies are nothing but hate fueled screamfests that do nothing to help the nation and actually go further in dividing us.

I've seen some of her rallies and they remind me more and more of old footage of Hitler's rallies. Sure, she's better looking but the words, the tenor and the actions are very similar just as the results are. Its easy to stir up idiots and pretty much anyone who supports Sarah Palin is, by definition, an idiot.

What Sarah Palin represents is a monumental step backwards to about the 1950's when McCarthyism reared its ugly head. She wants to root out the bad Americans, she wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, she wants to teach creationism in our schools.

I have no respect for someone with so little to add to the national debate and wants to take away so much.

Some Bailout Humor

2008-10-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

An email from Easy.....

Back in 1990, the Government seized the Mustang Ranch brothel in Nevada for tax evasion and, as required by law, tried to run it. They failed and it closed.

Now we are trusting the economy of our country to a pack of nit-wits who couldn't make money running a whore house and selling booze?

Who Lied, How Often and What's the Truth?

2008-10-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Curious about the relative truth of your favorite candidate's recent statements?

Check them at the Lies, Half-Truths and Contradictions website courtesy of the SF Chronicle.

And Yet They'll Still Yap about ACORN?

2008-10-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

GOP operative arrested for voter fraud in California after he duped people into joining the California Republican Party by lying to them.

And yet the McCain camp will likely still yap about ACORN and its voter fraud issues.

It seems that everytime the GOP complains about something, they've already been doing the exact same thing, to a greater degree and more intentionally. I.e. they know they are playing a crooked game and just want to make it appear that the other side is just as crooked as they are.

The GOP is the party of smear, fear and being unclear.

McCain: Obama Campaign Has ‘Savaged’ Joe The Plumber

2008-10-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

Think Progress � McCain: Obama Campaign Has ‘Savaged’ Joe The Plumber and this would be in what timeframe relation to your GOP usage of him despite the fact that his life doesn't fit your little smear?

Joe is Sam.
Sam is an unlicensed plumber.
Sam owes back taxes.

John McCain mentioned him 21 times during the debate.

And yet its the Obama camp's fault that his life is being publicly dissected?

Keep the Pressure On Until the Race is Done

2008-10-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Biden cautions Dems: Don't be too confident

The race isn't over, the election isn't won. There is no cause for celebration. Yet.

We need to finish this race strong, we need to keep fending off the low attacks from the smear and fear side. The very most important thing of all is for each and every one of us to vote. Vote like your vote is the deciding factor in changing the course of our nation.

If you don't vote then you open the door to the GOP to slip in and steal yet another election. Vote and tell everyone you know to vote.

You'd Think Grumpy Condescension is Precisely What Voters Want

2008-10-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Poll: Voters souring on McCain, Obama stays steady

John McCain's negativity, impatience and attack-style politics are the cause of his impending failure. Sure, he didn't help himself out at all but selecting Sarah Palin as his running mate but she has just accelerated his descent.

The people don't want allegations and smear as central campaign themes, they want to know how and when the economy will improve, they want to know when we can hold our heads up again as Americans, they want to know when the war in Iraq will be done, they want to know why in the hell Osama bin Laden is still breathing.

They don't want garbage distractions posing as issues.
They don't want your condescension and anger.
They don't want you.

He Has Become a Bit of a Joke

2008-10-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

Undecideds Laughing At, Not With, McCain

Say It Ain't So, Sarah

2008-10-15T15:46:00.000-07:00

Palin: ‘No Abuse Of Power There At All’ In Troopergate Report despite the rather patent fact that there is a clear paragraph detailing the abuse that Palin is claiming she's been exonerated of.

This woman appears to be incapable of telling the truth even when there's nothing gained by continued adherence to a thoroughly untrue story.

There's one person on the planet that thinks Sarah Palin didn't abuse her power in the Troopergate scandal and that's Sarah Palin.

She is guilty of a clear cut ethics violation in the misuse of her authority as governor of Alaska. Despite her repeated claims and triumphant statements to the contrary.

Just because you keep saying it is so, doesn't make it so, Sarah. You're a cheater, a liar and a bit of an idiot.

This is Your Nation on White Privilege

2008-10-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

***Forwarded to me by Easy***
by Tim Wise

For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.

White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar “challenges” are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.

White privilege is when you can call yourself a “fuckin’ redneck,” like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll “kick their fuckin' ass,” and talk about how you like to “shoot shit” for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.

White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.

White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don’t all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you’re “untested.” 

White privilege is being able to say that you support the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance because “if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it’s good enough for me,” and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the “under God” part wasn’t added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals. 

White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you. 

White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was “Alaska first,” and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she’s being disrespectful. 

White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you’re being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you’re somehow being mean, or even sexist. 

White privilege is being able to convince white women who don’t even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a “second look.” 

White privilege is being able to fire people who didn’t support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt. 

White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God’s punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you’re just a good church-going Christian, but if you’re black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you’re an extremist who probably hates America. 

White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a “trick question,” while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O’Reilly means you’re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced. 
White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a “light” burden. 

And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren’t sure about that whole “change” thing. Ya know, it’s just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain… 

White privilege is, in short, the problem.

(Written by Tim Wise http://www.timwise.org/ )

If Obama's an iPhone Then McCain's a Carrier Pigeon

2008-10-14T14:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, so let's see, Obama is FireFox and the iPhone, Biden is Internet Explorer and the Blackberry, check. McCain is a terminal program (i.e. predates GUI computing) and a carrier pigeon (check that, a lost carrier pigeon) while his laughingstock running mate, Sarah Palin is the useless AOL Desktop and a toy phone.

Yes, the article at Wired covers alot more ground than just a cute graphic but the messaging underlying the image is the same. Obama is cutting edge and cool, Biden is wise, McCain is obsolete and slow and Palin is a dingbat kid's toy that has a bell that rings.

Can't really argue with the breakdown, even if it was originally done in fun over at Fark.

Trickledown Tax Cuts are Like Pissing on the Middle Class

2008-10-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

McCain Unveils New Economic Stimulus Proposal: Tax Cut For Millionaires

Nothing new here, McCain keeps pandering to his deep pockets pals while pissing all over the middle class some more.

What galls me is when the McCain camp says they are working for the middle class when they are, rather obviously, doing nothing of the sort.

Trickledown economics where the rich get more money so that they can spend it and the middle class and poor get some money is like pissing on the poor and calling it a shower.

You want to help the middle class, Grumpa? Then cut out the middlemen and give the tax cuts directly to the middle class. Otherwise, you're just lining your rich friend's pockets with more unnecessary and unneeded loot.

Lie, Lie and Lie Some More, Sarah

2008-10-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

Media Rip Palin For Lying About Troopergate Report, But Campaign Keeps Lying

Did you see Sarah Palin excuse herself from the judgment of her unethical conduct? Yes, she has decided that, despite a clear paragraph concluding that she did, in fact and deed, abuse her power as Governor in the Troopergate scandal, she has decided that the report exonerates (I'm guessing she doesn't even know what the word means) her.

The reality is that Sarah Palin was and is an atrocious choice for McCain's running mate. It is becoming appallingly clear that she's a dimwit obsessive small-minded bitch with a chip on her shoulder and a grudge to bear.

Keep lying, Sarah, keep spreading your message of hate, keep being the anchor that's helping to drag your party to the very bottom. Thanks for making the election almost laughable.

Moving to a New URL

2008-10-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

It has become annoyingly apparent that my RSS feeds are pretty badly mangled up with three of my blogs all publishing to one feed. Which is nice if you like politics, anti-Wal-Mart news and my regular IP rants and reviews.

But, if you do not then perhaps you'll appreciate this pending change.

IP Politik will be getting its own URL, ippolitik.blogspot.com. If you're interested in keeping up, then head on over there.

SF Chronicle Election Fact Check Page

2008-10-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Campaign check: Lies and half-truths outed and surprise, surprise, most of them are attributed to statements made by the McCain/Palin ticket.

Of course, the GOP apologists are screaming about unfairly pointing out their sides lies while overlooking the vast sea of lies allegedly spoken by the Obama campaign.

Only there really isn't any vast sea of lies from the Obama/Biden camp. They've stayed pretty close to reality, stayed up above the mud slinging ridiculousness and stayed on the messaging this is actually important to the people of America to hear.

Here are some choice debunkings:
Statement: In speeches and elsewhere, McCain said: "I was the one who called at the time for tighter restrictions on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that could have helped prevent this crisis from happening in the first place."
Distortion: He signed onto GOP legislation in 2006 AFTER a federal oversight report ripped Fannie Mae. But Politifact.com said that for McCain to link his comments then to the current crisis "strikes us as quite a stretch."
Quite a stretch can be de-PC'ed to mean an outright, bold faced crock of shit lie.

Statement: Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin said Obama was "palling around with terrorists who would target their own country," a reference to Bill Ayers, a 1960s radical who is now a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Distortion: An Illinois state senator hosted an event at Ayers' home in 1995 to introduce Obama to the community. The two served together on an educational board, and Ayers donated $200 to Obama's state Senate run in 2001. Obama has condemned Ayers' actions as a member of the Weather Underground. "There's no evidence their relationship is more than the casual friendship of two men who occupy overlapping Chicago political circles," Politico said.
Translated: The smear and fear attempt is baseless but that won't stop Sarah Palin from her continual parroting of this lame diversion. Here's a hint, Sarah, the people won't solutions to their current problems not some ridiculous association smear from 13 years ago, most especially when you yourself have just last week been found to have breached the code of ethics in your Troopergate scandal.

Statement: In a McCain TV ad called "Dangerous," it is alleged that Obama said U.S. troops in Afghanistan are "just air-raiding villages and killing civilians" and that "congressional liberals voted repeatedly to cut off funding to our active troops."
Distortion: This quote is taken out of context and "recycles a misleading, 14-month-old charge that Sen. Barack Obama disrespected U.S. troops fighting in Afghanistan," according to FactCheck.org, which added that the votes "were in favor of bringing the troops home and ending combat."
Which is to say, the McCain/Palin camp has nothing to offer of their own so they will spend their campaign dollars trying to knock the other side down to their level in the gutter.

It is because of the instant factcheck-ability of the internet that McCain's smear and fear campaign is failing. Oh yeah, that and a competely tanked economy due in no small part to his and Bush's pet war in Iraq while allowing the true attackers of 9/11 to roam free and continue to plot against the US and our allies. But, being a hardline GOP supporter means never having to thing twice about past actions, inactions or lies.

Because Crooks Make Good Cops

2008-10-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

Palin says McCain will end ‘abuses of power’ in Washington but, apparently, not in Alaska.

The McCain/Palin campaign has lost the high moral ground (if it ever had it to begin with). They have lost the American people in their low-brow attacks and smears while the economy craters.

Sarah Palin needs to go back to her backwater rape state. McCain needs to go to one of his mansions and drink a few old fashioneds while listening to his Victrola music player machine. Maybe, eventually, he'll regain some of his sold out honor and dignity but it won't be happening this decade.

The only people stupid enough to believe drivel pronouncements like this have already bought the entire pack of lies and doublespeak that is the McCain/Palin ticket. Which, I'm pleased to say, is an ever-shrinking number of you everyday.

Obama Locks Up the 2 Year Old Vote

2008-10-13T07:09:00.001-07:00

We were having a heated political discussion around the dinner table and Sullivan wanted to weigh in with his thoughts about who we should support, since he's unable to vote for another 16 years or so.

Take that, Grumpa McCain! You don't get adorable little kids stumping for you, do you? That's because you're a great big fat doodyhead!

McCain Can't Count or Tell the Truth

2008-10-10T15:45:00.000-07:00

McCain’s list of ‘100 distinguished and experienced economists’ has only 90 names, 11 of those economist are on McCain's payroll including chief economic advisor, Douglas Holtz-Eakin.

John McCain wouldn't know honesty if it slapped him upside the head.

Teh Awesome is Strong!

2008-10-09T23:06:00.000-07:00

Rednecks for Obama

I'll Take Abuse of Power for $1000, Alex

2008-10-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

Lots of pressure from Palins, aides to remove trooper but its alright because Sarah Palin's campaign officials investigated the charges against her and the report her team came up with totally clears her (in fact, I think she was able to conclude that Barack Obama was the one who was actually trying to remove the trooper).

Seriously, this woman demonized, attacked and obsessed over a state trooper who'd been married to her sister. The divorce was ugly and the Palin clan wanted some payback.

The fact that she abused her power to do so is completely fine in Sarah Palin's playbook. She plays to win, no matter who's kneecap gets whacked with a lead pipe.

Desperation politics are an ugly, ugly thing. I hope John McCain is honorable enough to be ashamed at how low he's sunk.

I don't expect a Bibleheaded idiot like Palin would ever feel shame for anything, even if she just show a baby wolf from an airplane. (why yes, that is a new word, thanks for asking! It'll go up in my Fictionarium shortly).

Can You Relate to Sarah Palin?

2008-10-09T19:56:00.000-07:00

Jay sent me a link to a column on Anderson Cooper's site, Palin’s female fans: Why they can relate and the article is all puff but the comments are gold.

Have a read and get an idea of how appalled much of America is with her selection for this incredibly important and demanding possible position. Here, here's a taste of the well written dismissals that await you:

He could have chosen a competent woman, but instead chose this incompetent, dishonest, ignorant, narrowminded, religious fanatic. I have nothing against religion. What I am against are people like Sarah Palin that have the same exact views as terrorist leaders. They believe that the ENTIRE country should abide by their own religious rules. This is wrong and this is exactly why Religion and State must be kept separate.

or how about this one?

I find her calculating, cunning and ambitious but sorely lacking in basic intelligence and analytical skills and reasoning. She is ignorant, pure and simple. Her views on abortion are repugnant to me. The very idea that this woman thinks that abortion should be banned even in the case of rape or incest, shows her blatant insensitivity and callousness. Her belief in creationism and rejection of scientific fact is another reason for me to disrespect her.

Solid quality smackdowns of the worst vp candidate in the history of our country (and yes, that includes Dan Quayle).

Enjoy! And don't forget to check those poll numbers.

The GOP Playbook

2008-10-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

Palin: I have been ‘an open book’ and have had to answer questions ‘every day.’

There is a disturbing pattern of behavior from the GOP that goes back years now. It is the action of doing one thing and then claiming the exact opposite is what you actually did.

Sarah Palin continues to repeat the lie about her saying no to earmarks on the Bridge to Nowhere when the public record clearly shows she was all for it until public sentiment made it a losing proposition. And she still kept every red cent she had gotten to that point.

Cindy McCain did it the other day when she said the Obama campaign was running the dirtiest campaign in history. When reality pretty easily shows it is the McCain/Palin ticket that has sunk into the muck and is flinging anything they can at Obama to try and cut into his growing lead.

John McCain keeps saying he's a maverick when the record shows he's voted in lockstep with Bush 90% of the time. He talks about a calm and steady hand and this is the same guy who called his wife a C**T in front of staffers for joking about his thinning hair.

The GOP playbook is say one thing and do another but claim that you've always done the one thing you've said even if there's indisputable proof that its a lie.

Because, as every faithful GOP agenda pusher knows, truth ain't nothing but a word used by sore losers.

Obama: 63, McCain: 0

2008-10-09T14:04:00.000-07:00

2008 Chemistry Nobelist Endorses Obama bringing the number to 63!

And yet, the FUD troops in the GOP are going to try and make believe like Obama's a science hater (hint, dumbasses, its your own freakin' vp nominee that's no fan of science).

Don't believe me? Read this delightful smear at the National Review titled "Will Obama Kill Science?" The answer, by the way, is rather loud and incredulous "No."

When you have nothing of substance or solutions to add to the discussion, just smear and spread lies about your opponent. Sure, its a soul sucking disservice to America but we're talking about winning the White House so all's fair.

Or not. The desperation tactics would be laughable if the flood of them weren't so consistent and completely unfounded. This is how the GOP operates. They can't run against Obama on the issues so they try to smear his character with lies, distortions and idiotic statements that apply to both Obama and McCain (or, just shut your pie-hole, Cindy, your husband voted to not fund your son in Iraq too).

It is only going to get worse as the poll numbers continue to slide.

Debate Number 2 Wrap & Notes

2008-10-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

I watched the debate from the start to the end, I listened to each candidate's answers, I watched each candidate's body language, comfort level, knowledge and candor. And, in McCain's case, I watched for signs of barely contained rage.

I don't think McCain is aware of how much he speaks down to people. His can't-possibly-be-wrong attitude fails to impress given reality, fact checks and my own memory. Combined with his awful and annoying "My friends" schtick (he doesn't do folksy well, at all) and the incredibly, incredibly bad jokes that flew about as well as a wet waffle and you have an uninspired performance.

Not terrible but nothing close to what he needed to start to close the gap. The post debate polls gave a decisive victory to Obama on the economy and presence and McCain won out slightly on terrorism and foreign policy.

What alot of it comes down to is which candidate would you want representing you? The young idealist with a head full of good ideas and plans to repair the harm done to our nation by 8 years of Republican idiocy or the old grumpy condescender who appears ready and willing to say anything to get a vote.

I find it bizarre that McCain/Palin keep bringing up accusations against Obama but they are the real perpetrators of the "crimes". Palin keeps bringing up past associations of Obama when her own history is full of far more relevant and far, far more questionable associations and beliefs. McCain keeps talking about straight talk while he flip flops around on economy issues and what we need to do to fix our ailing nation.

McCain is more of the same policies that have gotten us here.
Obama is a change, he will remove the stranglehold that the special interests have on our country, he will root out the corruption in Washington, he will hold golden parachute CEO's to task, he will not give billions of dollars to big business in the hope that some of it will trickle down to the middle class.

McCain's trickle down theory essentially involves the rich pissing change on the poor. It is a failed economic concept that has been demonstrated again and again to not work in practice. The middle class needs direct assistance and not once did I hear John McCain say he had any interest in helping the middle class (no wait, that's not entirely correct, he did have the decently good idea of renegotiating mortgages at the lower assessed value of the house, not sure how the economics of that work out but it appears to be a good idea).

Obama was presidential, gracious, articulate and engaging. McCain was testy, condescending, factually wrong and stilted though he did get better as the debate went on.

In the end, Obama won again. McCain's numbers will continue to sink and Sarah Palin will increase her increasingly hateful and racist attacks. And Obama will continue to act presidential and rise above the pathetic personal attacks because he knows it serves nobody but the GOP to get down into the muck with them.

Nicolle Wallace Doesn't Know the Difference Between a Nightmare and a Wet Dream

2008-10-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

Nicolle Wallace: John McCain Is A Corporation’s ‘Worst Nightmare’

Yes, because I have nightmares about grumpy old men giving me billions of dollars.

Nicolle Wallace is a senior campaign adviser for McCain so it makes sense that she'd have just a passing understanding of reality and the "hutzpah" to rewrite it to suit her candidate better despite her statements being ridiculous lies.

John McCain is Corporate America's darling. He wants to not only continue the decidedly awful policies of Bush but to expand on them and give more money to corporations. Why? He says that is how economies come back despite 8 years of recent evidence and history to exact contrary.

John McCain and his whole pack of douchebag liars campaign suck. I'm thoroughly sick and tired of their bullshit lies.

UnPresidented: Press Conferences are for Suckers

2008-10-07T16:28:00.000-07:00

Palin will sit for two more Fox News interviews; campaign scoffs at idea of a press conference with, you know, actual journalists on the payroll of media companies and not virtual extensions of the Republican Party.

I'm sure the soft ball interviews will be rehearsed and scripted and Palin won't be asked any tough questions like what newspapers she reads or any other Supreme Court cases aside from Roe v. Wade.

That Sarah Palin has yet to hold a real press conference and has no plans to is shameful and does nothing but diminish the institution of our electoral process.

They are keeping her under wraps because the GOP knows that she's crazy and a really awful choice for VP. And she wants MORE power for the Vice President?

Sarah Palin is a sham in a skirt.

If You're Happy with the US Then You're Probably Lonely

2008-10-07T12:49:00.000-07:00

Americans’ satisfaction drops to all-time low of 9 percent.

Sixty-nine percent of Americans named the economy as the top issue affecting their outlook, far ahead of the second most important issue — the war in Iraq (11 percent).

But that's not going to stop John McCain from turning the page and refocusing his campaign on the evil that is Barack Obama and how he consorted with a domestic terrorist when he was 8 years old.

The policies espoused by McShame/Phalin are the same ones that have led us to this point. Electing them is tacit condonation of the course we've been on and has nearly bankrupted our country.

And no, the attacks on Obama will not stop, they will intensify, they will become more outrageous, more stupid, more lowest common denominator. They will show more and more of John McCain's character as an angry enemy of the middle class. And his idiot running mate and her fundamentalist agenda, false perkiness and utterly ridiculous "qualifications".

One Week After McCain Claims Vets ‘Know I’ll Take Care Of Them,’ IAVA Gives Him A ‘D’

2008-10-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

Another McCain Claim Debunked By Reality

Today, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America released its congressional scorecard for the 110th Congress, and awarded McCain a grade of “D” for his votes against veterans’ priorities. The grade makes McCain one of only four Senators to fall on IAVA’s “D List” — and marks a repeat performance for him, after receiving a “D” for his 109th congressional voting record as well.

IAVA hammered McCain for refusing to co-sponsor Sen. Jim Webb’s (D-VA) 21st Century G.I. Bill. In fact, the IAVA highlighted the weaker alternative proposed by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) — and endorsed by McCain — as “an effort to derail the popular and bipartisan” GI Bill proposed by Webb. “Thankfully,” the IAVA writes, “the Senate voted forcefully, 55-42, to kill” the Graham-McCain proposal.

IAVA’s score adds to other groups who have criticized McCain’s abysmal record on veterans’ issues. McCain has received a 20 percent vote rating from the Disabled Veterans of America, while the Vietnam Veterans of America noted McCain had “voted against us” in 15 “key votes.”

But McCain will keep claiming that he's a veterans affairs superstar despite reality. It is part and parcel of the McCain/Palin ticket to start a lie and keep repeating it until the populance just accepts it as truth.

The only thing is that those darned peoples are not automatically just accepting the lies. Darn that reality intruding on John McCain's Perfect Little Angry World.

A vote for McCain is a vote against our vets, humanity and the fabric of the universe.

More McCain Smackdowns

2008-10-07T06:57:00.000-07:00

Maverick family to McCain: No way are you one of us!

But the New York Times reported on Sunday that the real Mavericks - a storied south Texas family with a long tradition in progressive politics - are not too happy about what they say is the misappropriation of their family name.

Its a puff piece but another piece of the greater puzzle that is McCain and Sarah Palin. They are running one of the most underhanded, dirty and negative campaigns ever and it is failing them. But will they change tactics and try something actually relevant to the country's current crisis? Doubtful.

Using a Bailout to Take Millions and More

2008-10-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

Lehman board recommended $20 million in executive ‘special payments’ while filing for bailout because they knew they'd messed things up so badly that a few more million wouldn't make a bit of difference.

My recommendation and hope is that they are made into grim and long prison term cautionary tales of these types of craven corporate raiders and the punishment for such wanton greed. Massive payouts to executives while companies crater is just plain flippin' wrong.

McCain calls Obama a liar because he should know

2008-10-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

McCain calls Obama a liar, faults his Chicago ties.

This is ridiculous, pathetic and desperate. The McCain campaign, which has done virtually nothing but lie, is accusing Obama of lying.

Here's the thing, Johnboy. You've sold every last shred of dignity and honor and truthfulness. You are, in every essence of the word, a turd.

But you keep right up with your politics of obfuscation and hate. Watch those poll numbers continue to sink because America is ready for a real change, a positive change and, hint, hint, it AIN'T you and your dimwit pitbull in a skirt.

McCain Campaign: Brace Yourself for Teh Uglee!

2008-10-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

McCain campaign finally agrees to send spokeswoman to Rachel Maddow Show but, rather than, you know, answering questions, they used the appearance to prep the base about the wave of attack ads they've got loaded and ready.

Why are they attacking? Because McCain's campaign can't defend itself against the rather pointed and truthful facts aligned against them.

So they attack. And smear. And denigrate. And hate. And pretend they are the voice of change when they are really the voice of 4 More Years of the Same.

Voting for McCain is the same as another vote for George W. Bush. Only this time with a nastier Dick(less) Cheney by his side.

Nonsense Posing as Logic: The Sarah Palin Interview Generator

2008-10-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

Need to get a handle on how off-the-handle Sarah Palin and her bizarre combination of lack of knowledge and eagerness to disprove that lack of knowledge and the ability to parrot talking points almost as well Elizabeth "Forehead as big as an aircraft carrier" Hasselbeck on The View.

Go and Interview Palin to get some penetrating insight into just how shallow her knowledge runs.

Found via the ever-entertaining Oliver Willis.

Debate Rundown with Corrections

2008-10-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

Think Progress has an excellent live-blogged rundown of the debate as it happened including debunking falsehoods.

Give it a read if you're interested in learning how much of Sarah Palin's obviously rehearsed talking points were factual and which were based in fantasyland.

The important information is right near the top:
11:14: Yglesias points to the CBS instapoll showing that undecided voters watching the debate thought Biden won by 46 percent, compared to 21 percent for Palin. (UPDATE: CNN poll on “Who Did the Best Job In the Debate?” Biden 51% Palin 36%)

Joe Biden made an honest effort to answer the questions he was asked, Sarah Palin did nothing even remotely close to engaging the questions. She had her talking points and stuck to them regardless of how little they had to do with the questions. She didn't debate, she recited.

Either way, the debate won't be the turning point of the campaign. Palin did well enough to not get skewered, Biden didn't insult or demean her, there were no really nasty gotcha moments. There were some heated exchanges where Palin was factually incorrect but kept parroting her talking points anyway. And Joe wasn't absolutely spot on in every case but he was far, far, far more knowledgable and vice presidential.

And, if I'd been playing the Maverick drinking game, I would have been drunk pretty quickly. I loved when Joe Biden verbally rebutted one of the many times Palin claimed McCain is a maverick with specifics. There were some good moments but no meltdown and no explosions.

Palin lost but not by the crushing annihilation that some (myself included) were expecting. It doesn't really matter in any case, the McCain/Palin Smoke and Mirrors Express is having a harder time convincing Americans that they are anything but another Bush administration with one angry face and one deer in the headlights.

Chinless Joe Fellates McCain Some More

2008-10-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

Lieberman: We Need To Pass The Bailout Because ‘It Will Be Good For John McCain’

My feelings about Chinless Joe Lieberman should be reasonably well established by now. I think the guy is a pathetic pussy warhawk traitor. Pretty much anything he has to say I am going to disagree with out of hand.

Truly, my disgust for him can't be measured in words. If he fell down a well, I'd piss in it.

Like Asking a Beggar for Investment Advice

2008-10-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

McCain: I routinely turn to Palin for foreign policy advice even though she rather pointedly has none that is in any way relevant.

If John McCain actually does seek her input then he's a bigger fool than I thought. However, he's very likely just trying to play up her "importance" and to defend her selection as his running mate when there is no defense. She was and is an absolutely awful selection and would be the worst vice president of all time (yes, Dan Quayle, you would finally be able to give up your dumbass crown).

But with the poll numbers spiraling ever downward the chances of McCain/Palin actually winning are getting slimmer and slimmer every minute.

And that's a good thing for all of us. Except maybe the rich and, honestly, fuck them!

Funny, She Doesn't Strike Me as a Prolific Reader

2008-09-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

Palin on which newspapers she reads: ‘Um, all of them.’

More from the soft Katie Couric interview. Apparently Sarah Palin reads every newspaper in America but can't actually name one specific one that she reads.

Which is to say, of course, that she doesn't read any papers at all but doesn't want to come off like an (even bigger) idiot so she lies, again.

Still proud of your choice for the VP nomination, John boy? I doubt it.

Because Crazy is as Crazy Does

2008-09-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

Palin On Rape Kit Accusations: ‘The Entire Notion Of Making A Victim Of A Crime Pay For Anything Is Crazy’ yet the public record clearly shows that this is exactly what she did while serving as mayor of Wasilla.

It is not known how many rape victims in Wasilla were required to pay for some or all of the medical exams, but a legislative staffer who worked on the bill for [state legislator Eric] Croft said it happened. “It was more than a couple of cases, and it was standard practice in Wasilla,” Peggy Wilcox said, who now works for the Alaska Public Employees Association. “If you were raped in Wasilla, this was going to happen to you.”

To be truthful, legislation has since passed to prevent charging victims any further but Sarah Palin knew and approved of the charges.

Plus, I learned that Alaska has a rape epidemic. Nice.

Who Said What When?

2008-09-29T16:06:00.000-07:00

The internets are a wonderful place, particularly when information is mashed up and converted into delicious bite-sized proportions.

If you're wondering what Obama or McCain has said recently about something then head over to In Quotes and see who said what when. Hit the spin button and the quotes rotate like a slot machine settling on two new quotes.

Kind of an interesting way to get to know more about each candidate and where they stand on issues that are important to you.

No, Its His Style to Fake It

2008-09-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

McCain: ‘It’s not my style to simply phone it in.’ even though that is, in reality, precisely what he did do.

McCain's input into the budget crisis wasn't wanted, he said he had to be there in person and barely showed up at all.

McCain is grasping at straws, trying to find something to arrest his campaign's speedy auger into the ground. Obama's margin looks to be growing by about a percentage point a day right now.

The more McCain says one thing and then goes and does another, the more of an erratic and angry "leader" he appears to be. And his idiot VP nomination is doing nothing but helping pull the rest of the campaign down now.

Thanks, John boy, you're making your defeat easier everytime you open your grumpy old yap.

The Straight Talk Express Stops by the Lobbyist ATM

2008-09-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

Lobbyists in McCain’s inner circle cashed in on Senate Abramoff investigation by getting Abramoff fired and then taking over lobbying for those Indian tribes.

The article finishes with the wonderful bit of hypocrisy that 40 members of McCain's campaign have lobbied or worked for gambling interests despite McCain's repeated crowing of his involvement in bringing Abramoff to justice. What kind of justice is it to remove one crook and replace him with another who happens to be a friend of yours? I'd call that Republican Justice (or maybe that's Republican Just US?).

McCain and Straight Talk and Honesty had lunch together once, about twenty years ago and they haven't been in touch since. McCain would mug preemies if he thought it'd win him the White House.

Erratic is Not a Term You Want to Describe Your President

2008-09-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

Risky moves could define McCain's leadership

With 38 days left in the presidential race, McCain's unorthodox moves in the last week have created a sobering political story line: What did his roll of the dice do to his political profile?

"A president has to be steady on course. And the hallmark of presidents is that, in the 21st century, we've got to believe in their leadership skills - that they know how to take advice, make reasonable decisions," said Michael Semler, professor of politics at California State University Sacramento. "They are not individual flyboys. They have to work with people."

"Maverickdom," he said, may be a label that political consultants like to tout - but voters may view with skepticism.

So This is What He Meant by Help?

2008-09-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

Rep. Blunt: McCain ‘stopped a deal’ from happening

I do think that John McCain was very helpful in what he did. I saw him this morning, we’ve been talking with his staff. Clearly, yesterday, his position in that discussion yesterday was one that stopped a deal from, uh, finalizing that no House Republican, in my view, would’ve been for. Which means it probably wouldn’t have passed the House.

So, by saying he was urgently needed in Washington and by suspending parts of his campaign, John McCain "helped" the process by stopping it altogether? Wow, that's the sort of leadership we really don't need, misguided economic derailments by uninformed election poll laggers. Solid work, John-boy, now get your drum ready for tonight's debate where I'm sure you'll tout your POW experiences again and that's why you're the better candidate. Or not.

The Smoke and Mirrors Express appears to enjoy going around in rather large hypocritical circles.

Hearts Rips McCain a Gaping New One

2008-09-26T10:32:00.001-07:00

Found over at What Would Jack Do and it does a great job of ripping McCain a gaping fresh one, just like most everyone else who's been following the campaign.

While the use of the song, Barracuda, may not violate fair use guidelines, being specifically requested to stop using it and not doing so constitutes douchebaggery behavior, of which the McCain campaign is well familiar already. But its another indication of what little regard they have for, well, anyone not themselves.

Not to mention that its a total farce when applied to Sarah Palin because the only thing barracuda-like about her is the stench.

How Would You Fare Under McCain or Obama's Tax Plan?

2008-09-26T10:14:00.001-07:00

Plug in your numbers at ElectionTaxes.com and see who's tax plan keeps more money in your pocket.

In my own instance, I save around $150 a year under Obama's plan than under McCain which is pretty much what I expected.

Who's plan is better for you? I'm guessing Obama's plan will be a better solution for you as well.

Proximity Is Not Experience

2008-09-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Palin: Alaska’s proximity to Russia ‘certainly does’ give me foreign policy experience.» Just as window shopping isn't the same thing as buying stuff. Just as seeing someone do something on TV isn't the same as doing it yourself.

Sarah Palin's foreign policy experience is overshadowed by my 8 year old nephew's foreign policy experience (granted he's been all over the world and wasn't raised by wolves in a cave in Alaska but still).

That Sarah Palin is defending her utterly ridiculous statements just helps demonstrate ever more often how deeply out of her league she is and what an awful selection she has been.

Lawmakers to McCain: Thanks but No Thanks

2008-09-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

Lawmakers Would Prefer McCain Butt Out Of Their Bailout Negotiations

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA), who is one of the chief negotiators of the bailout proposal, derided McCain’s “late entry into the negotiations“:

“McCain is Andy Kaufman in his Mighty Mouse costume - ‘Here I Come to Save the Day,’” Frank said as he left a Thursday morning caucus meeting with House Democrats, saying the Republican presidential candidate’s decision to enter the mix “is not helpful.”

“He hasn’t been involved,” Frank said. “He doesn’t know anything about it.”

But that won't stop him from waxing on and on about it. Nor will it stop him from suspending his runaway freight train of a campaign to deal with this current crisis.

John McCain wants to back out of the debates because of the crisis (and because it'll delay his outing as a do-nothing legislator with a long, long history of voting in perfect lockstep with his party and George Bush). He would rather weasel his way into the White House than actually win it by debating policy.

John McCain isn't the solution, he is the continuation of the problem we've been toiling under for the last eight years and look where it has gotten us?

McCain wants to suspend his campaign to "help" out on the economic crisis despite his admissions to having almost no credibility to begin (reading Greenspan's book to learn about it is a first step, heeding Greenspan's advice on the current crisis would be a better step).

The McCain campaign is concerned with smoke and mirrors not an open and honest debate on the issues. Electing McCain/Palin will do nothing but continue the problems we've already been dealing with. We need real solutions, not obfuscation and the same policies we've got now repackaged anew.

Obama has a real plan, he has a vision for a better America. Voting for McCain is a vote to continue our downward spiral. Let's lift America back up, let's vote Obama

About Sarah Palin, an Email from Wasilla, Alaska

2008-09-04T16:09:00.000-07:00

Emailed to me earlier today. I cleaned up the formatting and removed the name attributions to protect the vulnerable (and because she asked this to not be posted to sites with her information attached). Actually, she asked it to not be posted at all and for people to use email to send it around. But what she writes is important, revealing and needs to be distributed. I hope she isn't too upset about it.

ABOUT SARAH PALIN
I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992. Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her father was my child's favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the residents of the city.

She is enormously popular; in every way she's like the most popular girl in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and won't vote for her can't quit smiling when talking about her because she is a "babe".

It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She kept her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents for seven months.

She is "pro-life". She recently gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby. There is no cover-up involved, here; Trig is her baby.

She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym.

She is savvy. She doesn't take positions; she just "puts things out there" and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit. Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a champion snowmobile racer. Todd Palin's kind of job is highly sought-after because of the schedule and high pay. He arranges his work schedule so he can fish for salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or so in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination is fishing their major source of income. Nor has her life-style ever been anything like that of native Alaskans.

Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters.

She's smart.

Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000 (at the time), and less than 2 years as governor of a state with about 670,000 residents.

During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running this small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been pushed to hire this administrator by party power-brokers after she had gotten herself into some trouble over precipitous firings which had given rise to a recall campaign.

Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a "fiscal conservative". During her 6 years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation (1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they benefited residents.

The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration weren't enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? or a new library? No. $1m for a park. $15m-plus for construction of a multi-use sports complex which she rushed through to build on a piece of property that the City didn't even have clear title to, that was still in litigation 7 yrs later--to the delight of the lawyers involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the community but a huge money pit, not the profit-generator she claimed it would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5m for road projects that could have been done in 5-7 yrs without any borrowing.

While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office redecorated more than once.

These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.

As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus in Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will make us energy independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she proposed distribution of this surplus to every individual in the state. In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend today's surplus, borrow for needs.

She's not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren't generated by her or her staff. Ideas weren't evaluated on their merits, but on the basis of who proposed them.

While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin's attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the Librarian are on her enemies list to this day.

Sarah complained about the "old boy's club" when she first ran for Mayor, so what did she bring Wasilla? A new set of "old boys". Palin fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as Governor she hired or elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people, creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally grateful and fiercely loyal--loyal to the point of abusing their power to further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the case of pressuring the State's top cop (see below).

As Mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla's Police Chief because he "intimidated" her, she told the press. As Governor, her recent firing of Alaska's top cop has the ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure and she had every legal right to fire him, but it's pretty clear that an important factor in her decision to fire him was because he wouldn't fire her sister's ex-husband, a State Trooper. Under investigation for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than 2 dozen contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that she later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She tried to replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew her support.

She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn't like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness.

Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything publicly about her.

When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one of the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no background in oil & gas issues. Within months of scoring this great job which paid $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the high salary. I was told that she hated that job: the commute, the structured hours, the work. Sarah became aware that a member of this Commission (who was also the State Chair of the Republican Party) engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy move which some undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah solved all her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a gutsy fighter against the "old boys' club" when she dramatically quit, exposing this man's ethics violations (for which he was fined).

As Mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from Senator Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel politics and publicly humiliated him. She only opposed the "bridge to nowhere" after it became clear that it would be unwise not to.

As Governor, she gave the Legislature no direction and budget guidelines, then made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing projects, calling them pork. Public outcry and further legislative action restored most of these projects--which had been vetoed simply because she was not aware of their importance--but with the unobservant he had gained a reputation as "anti-pork".

She is solidly Republican: no political maverick. The State party leaders hate her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated them. Other members of the party object to her self-description as a fiscal conservative.

Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah. They call her "Sarah Barracuda" because of her unbridled ambition and predatory ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly stories circulated around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made point guard on the high school basketball team.

When Sarah's mother-in-law, a highly respected member of the community and experienced manager, ran for Mayor, Sarah refused to endorse her.

As Governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package of legislation known as "AGIA" that forced the oil companies to march to the beat of her drum.

Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to global warming. She campaigned "as a private citizen" against a state initiative that would have either a) protected salmon streams from pollution from mines, or b) tied up in the courts all mining in the state (depending on who you listen to). She has pushed the State's lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior's decision to list polar bears as threatened species.

McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President; Sarah will be a heartbeat away from being President. There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more knowledgeable and experienced than she.

However, there's a lot of people who have underestimated her and are regretting it.

CLAIM VS FACT
- "Hockey mom": true for a few years
- "PTA mom": true years ago when her first-born was in elementary school, not since
- "NRA supporter": absolutely true
- social conservative: mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships (said she did this because it was unconstitutional).
- pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to promote it.
- "Pro-life": mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby BUT declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life legislation
- "Experienced": Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska. No legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city administrator to run town of about 5,000.
- political maverick: not at all
- gutsy: absolutely!
- open & transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at explaining actions.
- has a developed philosophy of public policy: no
-"a Greenie": no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores and disconnected parking lots. Is pro-drilling off-shore and in ANWR.
- fiscal conservative: not by my definition!
- pro-infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built streets to early 20th century standards.
- pro-tax relief: Lowered taxes for businesses, increased tax burden on residents
- pro-small government: No. Oversaw greatest expansion of city government in Wasilla's history.
- pro-labor/pro-union. No. Just because her husband works union doesn't make her pro-labor. I have seen nothing to support any claim that she is pro-labor/pro-union.

WHY AM I WRITING THIS?
First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed voter. I am a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting programs in the schools. If you google my name (Xxxx Xxxxxxxx + Alaska), you will find references to my participation in local government, education, and PTA/parent organizations.

Secondly, I've always operated in the belief that "Bad things happen when good people stay silent". Few people know as much as I do because few have gone to as many City Council meetings.

Third, I am just a housewife. I don't have a job she can bump me out of. I don't belong to any organization that she can hurt. But, I am no fool; she is immensely popular here, and it is likely that this will cost me somehow in the future: that's life.

Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100 or so people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah's attempt at censorship.

Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to say anything because they were somehow vulnerable.

CAVEATS
I am not a statistician. I developed the numbers for the increase in spending & taxation 2 years ago (when Palin was running for Governor) from information supplied to me by the Finance Director of the City of Wasilla, and I can't recall exactly what I adjusted for: did I adjust for inflation? for population increases? Right now, it is impossible for a private person to get any info out of City Hall—they are swamped. So I can't verify my numbers.

You may have noticed that there are various numbers circulating for the population of Wasilla, ranging from my "about 5,000", up to 9,000. The day Palin's selection was announced a city official told me that the current population is about 7,000. The
Official 2000 census count was 5,460. I have used about 5,000 because Palin was Mayor from 1996 to 2002, and the city was growing rapidly in the mid-90's.

Kicking Over the Generators, Dusting Off the Machines and Starting up the Politik

2008-09-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

It has become increasingly apparent that I need to start making use of this Politics oriented offshoot of my main blog for fear of Intellectual Poison becoming overwhelmed by political posts.

So I'm going to start getting things into shape, clearing off the old 2004 election cycle links and replacing them with new ones. Ones like Think Progress' Sarah Palin Digest that capably exposes her for the extreme right wing nutter she is.

I don't expect this blog will get much traffic but it'll make me feel better about venting my political rage at the misappropriation of reality and truth by the Republican asshats.

Coulter Loses Advertising on Latest Idiot Remarks

2007-03-06T07:45:00.000-08:00

Companies to pull ads from Coulter's Web site in the wake of her most recent hateful bile she spewed about John Edwards.

Verizon, Sallie Mae and NetBank have all responded to emailed complaints about supporting the agenda of hate and stupidity that Coulter appears to champion. They've had their ads pulled from her site and I'm sure more will follow.

Now, I don't write about Ann Coulter anymore, there's just no point. She says what she says because she wants a reaction, she wants to piss people off and she wants to upset any potential political discourse. What she brings to any discussion is nothing but unsubstantiated and unsupported idiocy. The sole reason she gets airtime is because the GOP knows how much the rest of the universe reviles her (and because the GOP secretly laughs when she gets everyone in a tizzy about another stupid thing she's said).

But it appears that she's paying some small price for her ugliness. I'm sure plenty of hardcore supporters will step in and fill the breach with ads for Little Green Footballs, Powerline and Free Republic but that's fine. Those ads make it easier to recognize what a hate-spewing harlot she really is.

Oh yeah, nice photo up there too, Ann. Were you going for a scrawny goth look because that's what you got. Bleh, she's just nasty all the way around.

Breaking News: McCain Panders Some More

2007-02-18T23:38:00.000-08:00

McCain: Roe V. Wade Should Be Overturned

Not like it's much of a surprise coming from McCain, the jowliest candidate ever. Also a guy who seems like he's happy to bend over for just about anyone.

It must be presidential candidate season, all the old favorites are being trotted out to tart up the GOP powerbase. But this time around they've got two new fears to capitalize on.

A black(ish) man and a woman are actually running for the Democratic nomination.

The race is already old and I'm already very tired of wooden McCain and his perma-pander-politics. This will likely be an especially unpleasant election season. But at least it signals the end of Dubya, the biggest jackass we've ever put in the White House.

They Really Don't Like Us, They Really Don't Like Us

2007-01-22T22:24:00.000-08:00

U.S. image around world sharply worsens

The proportion of people believing the United States has a mainly positive influence in world affairs dropped seven points from a year ago -- to 29 percent from 36, the results from 18 countries that were also polled the previous year showed.

Fifty-two percent thought U.S. influence was mainly negative, up from 47 percent a year ago, the poll found.

The survey, released on the day President George W. Bush gives his State of the Union speech to Congress, found sharp disagreement with U.S. policy on Iraq which is ravaged by violence nearly four years after the U.S.-led invasion.

In all, 26,381 people were questioned in 25 countries. Almost three in four people disapproved of U.S. policy on Iraq, while two-thirds disapproved of U.S. handling of terrorism suspects held at the Guantanamo Bay camp in Cuba.

Well done, Mr. Bush. That's some legacy you're putting together.

Tags: poll, opinion, image, bush, failure, negative

Bush Lied and Ten Times the Reported Number of People Died

2006-12-07T16:10:00.000-08:00

Panel: U.S. underreported Iraq violence.

BushCo has a long history of lying, deception and fabrications. And they have a long history of pushing those lies as absolute truth until they are forced to admit they are lies. And then they try to gloss them over and move on, quickly.

The panel pointed to one day last July when U.S. officials reported 93 attacks or significant acts of violence. "Yet a careful review of the reports for that single day brought to light 1,100 acts of violence," it said.

Still happy you Bush supporters support these crooks? If they lied about the number of attacks then it stands to reason that they have lied their asses off about the number of dead, wounded, the costs involved and damned near every other aspect of their incredibly poorly thought out war in Iraq.

Tags: lies, damned lies, iraq, violence, Bush, Cheney, war, false, failure

Reposting Political Comments

2006-11-08T22:11:00.000-08:00

This is a long, long comment left on the Mint 400 in response to this post.

seed, you know I like you guys but you are being intellectually dishonest in your explanation. Pelosi's comment was made three years before 9/11 when it was entirely plausible that Saddam was still stockpiling WMDs. And Clinton did not start with, Let's attack those Iraqi's so I can prove I'm a better man than my daddy (who told Dubya not to invade because it was a fucking swamp that would be damned near impossible to get out of, just like all of the military leaders).

The reality of the Iraq War II, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, is that it was predicated on lies and outright deceit. George Bush went on national television and said Iraq posed an imminent threat to the continued existence of the USA. An imminent threat that never materialized, so he tried several other tactics to try and justify his invasion of Iraq. From the lies about Saddam trying to acquire yellowcake (for which his team destroyed not just Valerie Plame's cover but pretty much our entire intelligence gathering operation in much of the Middle East) to Saddam being a brutal dictator.

All of this overlooking the irrefutable fact that Saddam Hussein had absolutely nothing to do with the attacks on 9/11. Nothing. Bush pushed the war in the wake of 9/11 knowing America was hungry for revenge and blood to avenge our lost citizens and the brutal attack on our nation. He used national mourning to push his own agenda and launch a war in Iraq.

And you're saying Clinton was the terrorist recruiting lightning rod? That's utter bullshit. Clinton is not and cannot be responsible for all of the colossal fucking screw ups George Bush has done. Its Clinton's fault that Bush's team didn't read the memos and plans about dealing with Al Qaeda, its Clinton's fault that Bush attacked another country without a plan to extract our troops, its Clinton's fault that Dick Cheney shot his hunting buddy in the face. Blaming everything on Clinton is a lame ass bullshit cop out.

North Korea posed and continues to pose a hundred times more dangerous threat to the US and the rest of the world. And Bush ignored them for years. While they worked on their weapons of mass destruction we absolutely knew they had.

And yes, the short period of time to get buy-in does, in fact, hold water. Once troops are committed to a course of action, it is all but impossible to stop them. Once the truth of the Bush's lies about Iraq became known, and they are widely known and understood, it was too late to stop the invasion and toppling of the Iraqi government.

The election yesterday is a tacit demonstration that America is fed up with the war, the lies and the corruption amply demonstrated by the Republicans in power. Numerous Republican "strongholds" voted Democrat because they are sick of the bullshit.

You're not sure Clinton could have gotten support from other nations to engage in a stupid war based on lies? Good. He wouldn't have done so in the first place. But keep in mind that the entire damned world (aside from the terrorists) wanted to bend over backwards to help us out after 9/11 and Bush squandered every bit of good will with his pathetic ego-stroking swaggering. France and Russia and everyone else would have done anything to help us capture and punish the ones responsible for attacking us. Only that wasn't on Bush's agenda and bin Laden stills runs free to this day, more than 5 years later. Ask someone who lost their dad or mom on 9/11 if they think justice has been served by Saddam being sentenced to death. Ask them if they feel vindicated by his capture and puppet show trial. Bush gave up on capturing bin Laden because it was too fucking hard to capture him and Iraq was just sitting there like a big fucking goose, ready to get shot to hell and paraded around town.

Your dismissal of Bush's wildfire spending on the tech bubble bursting is, also, utter bullshit. The Iraq war has been spectacularly poorly run and managed with billions and billions lost. The war was also sold on the premise that it would be paying for itself in short order due to the oil production, funny how that gets overlooked these days. Regardless of how you spin it, Clinton oversaw the growth of a budget surplus of epic proportions and Bush oversaw the inversion of that surplus into the worst deficit in history. Spin it all you like but the party of "fiscal responsibility" is anything but. And Bush, just a few weeks ago, accused the Democrats of not having a plan to fix his own fucking budgetary masturbation.

Same sex marriage, he's basing his decisions on his religious beliefs when he's supposed to be basing his decisions on the Constitution of the US, the document he swore not once but twice to uphold. Instead, he holds up the Bible and says that it is his rulebook.

Torture - let me see if I can distill that long-winded partisan bullshit. Terrorists don't wear uniforms and don't fight fair so its okay to torture them. Is that about it? I didn't read it overly closely, not when he started peppering it with insults about the Democrats. What's the fucking point? Rationalizing torture is rationalizing torture. I don't give a damn how you do it, its still wrong. The US had the higher moral ground and lost it because of torture. The US has no credibility in the world now because of torture. Torture is what the enemy does. Torture is not what America is about and its despicable to try and rationalize it by saying the enemy doesn't fight fair so we don't have to. That's crap. Torture is wrong, justifying torture is an inherently flawed perspective. We have no moral authority now because we have been dragged into the muck along with the scumbags who want to exterminate us. We have become no better than them and, in doing so, they have won a victory because they have changed our moral backbone to suit their own. You may think torture is justified but I do not and will not, no matter what.

FEMA - Bush gutted FEMA before Katrina, he underfunded it to a frightening degree and castrated its capabilities. There were plenty of hurricanes that beat the holy shit out of the US during Clinton's terms but FEMA was able to and did respond quickly and capably. Did people still die during Clinton's terms because of natural disasters? Sure. But a hell of a lot less died needlessly because of bureaucratic assholery and underfunding. Your metaphor about healthcare is crap. FEMA works well when it has the funds, equipment and staff to run. It has in the past but Bush didn't think it was important and there's the shocking mess that was Katrina (New Orleans is still fucked all to hell now, more than a year later).

Terrorist recruitment. Clinton was used to recruit terrorists, sure. But Clinton hasn't been in power in six years and Bush has accelerated the recruitment. Blaming the current recruitment on Clinton is baseless and, as I said earlier, intellectually dishonest. Here, don't believe me? Read this from the LA Times, an analysis by 16 US Intelligence units. Here's a quote: "It paints a fairly stark picture of what we all know, and that this is a movement that is spreading and gaining momentum around the world," said the official familiar with the document. "Things like the Iraq war have given the terrorists recruiting tools and places to ply their trade and a training ground."

And back to Pelosi, she's the bad guy here? She's the one that will cause the trouble? I suppose you'll start blaming her for all the fuckups from BushCo next. She hasn't even begun to lead in the House and yet she's already been demonized. But you are still more than willing to give Bush the benefit of the doubt, you're still willing to believe his lies about the war. You are engaging in a double standard of intellectual dishonesty in assuming the worst about Pelosi and not recognizing Bush's legions of mistakes in judgment and outright deceptions perpetrated against our country.

The 10% swing you dismiss pushed the seat of power in the House and, very likely, the Senate back to the Democrats so that Bush cannot do as he pleases with both of them no longer in his pocket. Maybe things won't be different but I don't buy it and neither do every single political pundit I've seen interviewed since the elections last night. The balance of power has been restored and Bush is already demonstrating a much more reconciliatory tone.

And Rumsfeld has fallen on his sword already.

The facts are not supporting your line of reasoning. The facts do not fit your Clinton-is-the-devil rhetoric. Clinton was a pretty good president who worked hard to avoid war whereas Bush leapt into war as quickly as he could. Clinton may have had his faults but they are miniscule in the face of Bush's ego and religious zealotry over-riding his advisors and military leaders best advice.

But you go right on and demonize Nancy Pelosi for using her being lied to about Iraq as political traction. Its wrong but you go on thinking it. She has begun on the right foot by calling for honest, integrity and transparency. If she doesn't deliver then I will call for her head just as loudly as those who are already calling for it. But I will give her the opportunity to deliver on her promises before presuming she's lying. Especially in light of your willful ignorance of Bush's bold-faced and absolutely shameless lies and deceit.

Tags: politics, Pelosi, election, Iraq, lies

NYTimes Snubs the Repubs

2006-11-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

NY Times endorses no Republicans for U.S. Congress

'Nuff said.

In Case You Missed It The First Five Times

2006-10-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

Techdirt: Diebold Source Code Leaked Again -- Is That Such A Bad Thing?

Diebold = Voter fraud either waiting to happen or has already happened.

If your precinct uses Diebold machines then exercise your right and demand a paper ballot instead. Your vote on a Diebold machine is about as valuable as voting on your washing machine and probably even less secure.

Same Old Bush, "Heckuva Job, Denny!"

2006-10-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

I have had a hard time believing anything from George Bush and his latest public support for embattled brusher-under-the-rugger Dennis Hastert is pretty much just par for the course.

Bush Joins Hastert at Rally, and Lavishes the Praise because, as we all know, its really hard to look the other way when one of your colleagues is soliciting sex from minors on government computers.

And its even harder to pretend that you didn't know about this bullshit years ago when it was first brought to your attention.

But its okay, Denny. A big, fat, corrupt fuck like you is gonna just drop dead one of these days anyway.