There is a commercial by the Foundation For Better Life on TV where children who are mentally disabled are participating in a race. It resembles the Special Olympics style competition. One of the boys runs ahead of the others, but falls down flat on his face. The crowd just sits there and gawks at what just happened. The camera zooms onto a man and woman, a couple that I would assume is the boy's parents.
Now call me crazy, but if I were the parent of a kid that just ate the pavement, my ass would run down to see if he was okay. Heck, if I were on the sidelines as a spectator or coach, I'd be running to help. Instead, we get to wait and watch the children running in the race come up to the boy, help him up, and finish the race together holding hands.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Barack Obama Has A Plan...
The number one complaint I have about Conservatives is that they try to convince everyone that the Democratic candidates don't have a plan. They ran the spin with Kerry. They did the same thing with Gore. Now they are doing the same thing with Obama. Visit any political forum where Conservatives frequent. I don't listen to Rush, but I guarantee that's the shit he's spewing too. Name your Conservative pundit and I bet dollars to donuts it's right up there with party line "Liberals raise your taxes" and "Liberals want to take away your guns."
Democrats will tell any idiot who has the audacity to claim Obama doesn't have a clear plan that they have NOT been paying attention. That's right. Conservatives who claim Obama is all talk have not listened to him talk one bit. Where have they been the last few months? Oh I know. Listening to McCain and Company.
If you have been listening, the specifics of his plan are there. Granted those specifics are going to have to change after this economic bail out package failed to get through Congress. Events on the ground in Iraq and Stan Land will obviously change, so the fluid situation that is war will alter the plans of either candidate. You cannot argue with that. New information requires a change in planning. Duh.
But let's say things don't change all that much...
Let me tell you where to start. Visit the official Barack Obama web site. Read through it. The specifics are there. Go to Factcheck.org and do some reading. You'll find your answers. Visit YouTube. You can listen to Obama tell you to your face. If you're still not happy, watch the freakin' debates! Record them if you have to. Take notes on what Obama says. Democrats understand the plan. Many Independents understand the plan. Why don't you?
Wait. I'll explain why you don't.
I know exactly what your problem is. You disagree with his plan. His plan is not a Conservative plan. In order for you to think of it as a plan, you have to agree with the principles behind the plan. I'm no cowboy, but I'd gladly wear a pair of boots just so I can put one right up your ass for being so obstinate.
Done and done.
Wait, there's one last thing. You'd like to throw this in my face and claim that I did not spoon feed you the plan. That, my dear children, is called being lazy. I thought handouts were frowned upon by you chucklehead Neocons. I could spend hours writing up the specifics Obama has proposed only to watch you wander off into space in disagreement. Like I said, if you disagree with Liberal (or even moderate) politics, you won't consider his ideas a plan.
Let me just say it one last time. You have not been listening. That is your problem. Open your eyes and ears, but more importantly, open your minds before you taste the toe of my new boots in the back of your throat.
These are the issues I view as important to all of us right now
Iraq & The (so called) War On Terror
Foreign Policy & National Security
The Economy
The Environment
Energy & Oil Dependency
Health Care Coverage
Education
Tax Cuts for the rest of us
Immigration
Poverty
Democrats will tell any idiot who has the audacity to claim Obama doesn't have a clear plan that they have NOT been paying attention. That's right. Conservatives who claim Obama is all talk have not listened to him talk one bit. Where have they been the last few months? Oh I know. Listening to McCain and Company.
If you have been listening, the specifics of his plan are there. Granted those specifics are going to have to change after this economic bail out package failed to get through Congress. Events on the ground in Iraq and Stan Land will obviously change, so the fluid situation that is war will alter the plans of either candidate. You cannot argue with that. New information requires a change in planning. Duh.
But let's say things don't change all that much...
Let me tell you where to start. Visit the official Barack Obama web site. Read through it. The specifics are there. Go to Factcheck.org and do some reading. You'll find your answers. Visit YouTube. You can listen to Obama tell you to your face. If you're still not happy, watch the freakin' debates! Record them if you have to. Take notes on what Obama says. Democrats understand the plan. Many Independents understand the plan. Why don't you?
Wait. I'll explain why you don't.
I know exactly what your problem is. You disagree with his plan. His plan is not a Conservative plan. In order for you to think of it as a plan, you have to agree with the principles behind the plan. I'm no cowboy, but I'd gladly wear a pair of boots just so I can put one right up your ass for being so obstinate.
Done and done.
Wait, there's one last thing. You'd like to throw this in my face and claim that I did not spoon feed you the plan. That, my dear children, is called being lazy. I thought handouts were frowned upon by you chucklehead Neocons. I could spend hours writing up the specifics Obama has proposed only to watch you wander off into space in disagreement. Like I said, if you disagree with Liberal (or even moderate) politics, you won't consider his ideas a plan.
Let me just say it one last time. You have not been listening. That is your problem. Open your eyes and ears, but more importantly, open your minds before you taste the toe of my new boots in the back of your throat.
These are the issues I view as important to all of us right now
Iraq & The (so called) War On Terror
Foreign Policy & National Security
The Economy
The Environment
Energy & Oil Dependency
Health Care Coverage
Education
Tax Cuts for the rest of us
Immigration
Poverty
Friday, September 12, 2008
How Do We Combat The Handout Myth?
How do we, as Liberals, combat what I am now calling the "Handout Myth" that Conservatives spew out on forums all across the net? Not familiar with it? Let me explain.
The post will usually start out calling Liberals a bunch of socialists and move into discussing why social programs are a financial drain on our society. At some point, they will try to make the case that millions of Americans are mooching off of the government instead of getting off their butts and getting jobs. They make the case that millions are lazy and we are giving them handouts. They try to make it seem like millions are not willing to work.
Let me shed some light on this subject by giving you a sample of my own personal experiences. I work in medicine. I get to see patients day in and day out who are struggling to make ends meet. Doctors are twisting and turning in search of options for these patients, especially with regard to affordable medications. I assume you cannot object to this reality and you are following along with me so far. Most of them, regardless of race or gender, are generally apathetic about their options. They don't see a way out. They feel stuck and they are stuck.
The next thing that I notice is that these same people are very often receiving some sort of government benefit or "handout" if you will. Pick any "handout" you like and these people are getting it. Now let me introduce you to an interesting twist. Quite often, these same people vote Republican. Before you accuse me of making a sweeping broad statement, let me explain why I know how they vote. These people openly volunteer this sort of information to us in the midst of taking a history as some form of casual conversation. Sometimes they are rather rude in presenting themselves as staunch Republicans. Where does that put them in this grand scheme of handouts and laziness? Spend any amount of time in the inpatient Psych department and you will see numerous examples. These particular psych patients are very often obese white males and females with disheveled appearances. Are these the lazy folks the handouts are given to? It seems to me, they have very legitimate reasons for needing assistance. It seems to me the men and women I meet in Family Practice clinics across this country often have trouble making ends meet and have no options for upward mobility at this stage in their lives. Without assistance, they would be doomed.
Let me now read between the lines. The ones bitching about government handouts are typically hard working conservative white people. They are often simply blue collar workers, but the sentiment extends into the upper income brackets as well. What they won't openly say online is that the so called lazy impoverished moochers they speak of are blacks and hispanics and that their comments are racially motivated. Their frame of reference is rooted in stereotypes passed on by their friends and coworkers around the water cooler. I would wager large sums of money that they are not close friends with anyone who even could be mooching off of government handouts. Their evidence only goes as far as a story a buddy told them or maybe even as far as something they have seen on television. Where do you meet these handout seekers? Do you even understand the concept of upward mobility?
So how do we combat this myth? How is it that so many people can say the government is giving handouts to lazy people unwilling to work hard without any form of rebuke? Their concept of goverment handouts is often justification for their entire take on society and in turn motivates them to vote a certain way.
I'm not going to sit here and say there are not lots of bad apples scamming the welfare system, but to use the few to justify the condemnation of many is deplorable. What is equally deplorable is using examples of people not on welfare to support your argument against welfare recipients. Your argument is that people don't need or deserve handouts. If I can present the case that they do in fact need assistance, would you change your tune? Let's try, shall we? You'll probably come up with something like this. People are living beyond their means and mooching off of your hard earned money. They are living on welfare, but at the same time somehow miraculously also have cable television, cell phones, and internet access. No, as a matter of fact, they do not. People living in the vast middle class live that way. People who are not on welfare live that way. If you live below them and on welfare, the money is usually spent on children, food, and other necessities. Again, there are a few bad eggs and some welfare checks go towards substance abuse, alcoholism, and other vices. Then again, you don't know anyone on welfare, do you? You might know lazy white rednecks or lazy (apathetic & lacking upward mobility mind you) blacks and hispanics, but they are middle class and blue collar. Yep. Employed. Just like you as a matter of fact. You are criticizing your own kind and not the down and out who may or may not hold not one, but two or even three jobs. The fact still remains. You are talking about the wrong people to justify your take on taxes and Liberal policy decisions.
Let's talk about your hard earned money for a moment. I assume you mean the money that you feel was taken from you, "redistributed," and wasted in your opinion. Your first mistake is assuming a Democrat will raise your taxes. What tax bracket are you in again? If you are making less than $200k roughly speaking, you will get a tax cut under a Liberal administration, Federally speaking. State level taxes are confounded by a mess of multiple administrations battling it out. Hold your state officials responsible for state taxes, not Washington. If you vote in a Republican, the wealthy folks get tax cuts and you will not. Your hard earned money is going to people who need it. Period. Your hard earned money does not go to a lower middle class bum living beyond their means. They aren't drawing off of welfare or unemployment. Your money goes towards paying cops, education, and maintaining infrastructure. Heaven forbid we privatize those agencies. People who are on welfare need a leg up. It is not a handout, but a quick shot in the arm.
I would extend this argument to ask if because you are so hard working, does that grant you permission to be lazy? Are you exempt from the same level of criticism? Isn't laziness a growing problem in American culture at every level of socioeconomic status? Yes. Lazy behavior spans across all social levels.
Upward mobility is a concept you should research. It depends heavily on education, race, and gender. The ones that make it out of poverty are rare exceptions, but they are rewarded for their perseverance through adversity. Please understand that we are not generations away from slavery. The African Americans struggling in this world have parents and grandparents who lived during inequality. It will take decades before their offspring acquire the education and financial upward mobility to succeed in a world where racism is all but dead. Understanding the social aspects of upward mobility will open your mind to the reality we face in this nation.
Upward Mobility & Opportunity
The Claim: Everyone has an opportunity
-Had you received an education in the inner city at a school with substandard facilities, teachers, books, and other supplies, the doors of success would have been slammed in your face.
-Had you been born into poverty, at some point, you would have been faced with a decision to drop out of school to help support the family. This is true regardless of race.
-Hand me down educational inequality
Blacks living during the Civil Rights movement did not receive the same quality of education as whites. They could not sit down with their children and help with homework for subjects they themselves were never taught. Financially speaking, their starting point is well below any white child of the same age. Only now do we see young black college graduates in any significant numbers. Only until recently have we started to shift the balance of educational equality. The effects of slavery are far reaching and still have an impact on the lives of Americans today.
-Non-white immigrants did not endure racial inequality in their home country. They came to this country with a little bit of a head start. The dynamic is much different. The argument that Asians and other immigrants were able to succeed after coming to this country has no place in the debate over welfare because they have a different starting point.
Unless you have been personally exposed to the hardships these people face, you really have no idea what good a welfare check can provide. Understanding disparities in education, race, gender, and family support systems will open your eyes to the reality that justifies welfare. Until you attempt to understand that dynamic, consider yourself out of touch.
The post will usually start out calling Liberals a bunch of socialists and move into discussing why social programs are a financial drain on our society. At some point, they will try to make the case that millions of Americans are mooching off of the government instead of getting off their butts and getting jobs. They make the case that millions are lazy and we are giving them handouts. They try to make it seem like millions are not willing to work.
Let me shed some light on this subject by giving you a sample of my own personal experiences. I work in medicine. I get to see patients day in and day out who are struggling to make ends meet. Doctors are twisting and turning in search of options for these patients, especially with regard to affordable medications. I assume you cannot object to this reality and you are following along with me so far. Most of them, regardless of race or gender, are generally apathetic about their options. They don't see a way out. They feel stuck and they are stuck.
The next thing that I notice is that these same people are very often receiving some sort of government benefit or "handout" if you will. Pick any "handout" you like and these people are getting it. Now let me introduce you to an interesting twist. Quite often, these same people vote Republican. Before you accuse me of making a sweeping broad statement, let me explain why I know how they vote. These people openly volunteer this sort of information to us in the midst of taking a history as some form of casual conversation. Sometimes they are rather rude in presenting themselves as staunch Republicans. Where does that put them in this grand scheme of handouts and laziness? Spend any amount of time in the inpatient Psych department and you will see numerous examples. These particular psych patients are very often obese white males and females with disheveled appearances. Are these the lazy folks the handouts are given to? It seems to me, they have very legitimate reasons for needing assistance. It seems to me the men and women I meet in Family Practice clinics across this country often have trouble making ends meet and have no options for upward mobility at this stage in their lives. Without assistance, they would be doomed.
Let me now read between the lines. The ones bitching about government handouts are typically hard working conservative white people. They are often simply blue collar workers, but the sentiment extends into the upper income brackets as well. What they won't openly say online is that the so called lazy impoverished moochers they speak of are blacks and hispanics and that their comments are racially motivated. Their frame of reference is rooted in stereotypes passed on by their friends and coworkers around the water cooler. I would wager large sums of money that they are not close friends with anyone who even could be mooching off of government handouts. Their evidence only goes as far as a story a buddy told them or maybe even as far as something they have seen on television. Where do you meet these handout seekers? Do you even understand the concept of upward mobility?
So how do we combat this myth? How is it that so many people can say the government is giving handouts to lazy people unwilling to work hard without any form of rebuke? Their concept of goverment handouts is often justification for their entire take on society and in turn motivates them to vote a certain way.
I'm not going to sit here and say there are not lots of bad apples scamming the welfare system, but to use the few to justify the condemnation of many is deplorable. What is equally deplorable is using examples of people not on welfare to support your argument against welfare recipients. Your argument is that people don't need or deserve handouts. If I can present the case that they do in fact need assistance, would you change your tune? Let's try, shall we? You'll probably come up with something like this. People are living beyond their means and mooching off of your hard earned money. They are living on welfare, but at the same time somehow miraculously also have cable television, cell phones, and internet access. No, as a matter of fact, they do not. People living in the vast middle class live that way. People who are not on welfare live that way. If you live below them and on welfare, the money is usually spent on children, food, and other necessities. Again, there are a few bad eggs and some welfare checks go towards substance abuse, alcoholism, and other vices. Then again, you don't know anyone on welfare, do you? You might know lazy white rednecks or lazy (apathetic & lacking upward mobility mind you) blacks and hispanics, but they are middle class and blue collar. Yep. Employed. Just like you as a matter of fact. You are criticizing your own kind and not the down and out who may or may not hold not one, but two or even three jobs. The fact still remains. You are talking about the wrong people to justify your take on taxes and Liberal policy decisions.
Let's talk about your hard earned money for a moment. I assume you mean the money that you feel was taken from you, "redistributed," and wasted in your opinion. Your first mistake is assuming a Democrat will raise your taxes. What tax bracket are you in again? If you are making less than $200k roughly speaking, you will get a tax cut under a Liberal administration, Federally speaking. State level taxes are confounded by a mess of multiple administrations battling it out. Hold your state officials responsible for state taxes, not Washington. If you vote in a Republican, the wealthy folks get tax cuts and you will not. Your hard earned money is going to people who need it. Period. Your hard earned money does not go to a lower middle class bum living beyond their means. They aren't drawing off of welfare or unemployment. Your money goes towards paying cops, education, and maintaining infrastructure. Heaven forbid we privatize those agencies. People who are on welfare need a leg up. It is not a handout, but a quick shot in the arm.
I would extend this argument to ask if because you are so hard working, does that grant you permission to be lazy? Are you exempt from the same level of criticism? Isn't laziness a growing problem in American culture at every level of socioeconomic status? Yes. Lazy behavior spans across all social levels.
Upward mobility is a concept you should research. It depends heavily on education, race, and gender. The ones that make it out of poverty are rare exceptions, but they are rewarded for their perseverance through adversity. Please understand that we are not generations away from slavery. The African Americans struggling in this world have parents and grandparents who lived during inequality. It will take decades before their offspring acquire the education and financial upward mobility to succeed in a world where racism is all but dead. Understanding the social aspects of upward mobility will open your mind to the reality we face in this nation.
Upward Mobility & Opportunity
The Claim: Everyone has an opportunity
-Had you received an education in the inner city at a school with substandard facilities, teachers, books, and other supplies, the doors of success would have been slammed in your face.
-Had you been born into poverty, at some point, you would have been faced with a decision to drop out of school to help support the family. This is true regardless of race.
-Hand me down educational inequality
Blacks living during the Civil Rights movement did not receive the same quality of education as whites. They could not sit down with their children and help with homework for subjects they themselves were never taught. Financially speaking, their starting point is well below any white child of the same age. Only now do we see young black college graduates in any significant numbers. Only until recently have we started to shift the balance of educational equality. The effects of slavery are far reaching and still have an impact on the lives of Americans today.
-Non-white immigrants did not endure racial inequality in their home country. They came to this country with a little bit of a head start. The dynamic is much different. The argument that Asians and other immigrants were able to succeed after coming to this country has no place in the debate over welfare because they have a different starting point.
Unless you have been personally exposed to the hardships these people face, you really have no idea what good a welfare check can provide. Understanding disparities in education, race, gender, and family support systems will open your eyes to the reality that justifies welfare. Until you attempt to understand that dynamic, consider yourself out of touch.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wow...Craig Ferguson Rocks Politics
Wow
The Grumpy Political Edition
Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson just gave one heck of an intro monologue. He peppered humor throughout the bit. He is, after all, late night entertainment and not news. Still, he gave a serious and somewhat scathing take on voting and the campaigns for President. It's sad when someone from another country who recently became a citizen has to smack us around like that. Very powerful stuff Craig. You never fail to keep me interested.
Can someone get me a transcript of that monologue? Video? It's great stuff. Someone please put that one up on YouTube. I'm going to watch for it and try to post a link.
After returning from the commercial break, he went on to talk about voting stats that surprised himself. People who did not vote were asked why. The two common answers were that they either were not following the elections or they were not interested in politics.
Then he talked about his voter registration card and wrapped up by saying the following.
Bravo!
Partial transcript:
http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2008/09/my-fellow-ameri.html
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1good-Ifdg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdRVQ4xwwmQ
The Grumpy Political Edition
Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson just gave one heck of an intro monologue. He peppered humor throughout the bit. He is, after all, late night entertainment and not news. Still, he gave a serious and somewhat scathing take on voting and the campaigns for President. It's sad when someone from another country who recently became a citizen has to smack us around like that. Very powerful stuff Craig. You never fail to keep me interested.
Can someone get me a transcript of that monologue? Video? It's great stuff. Someone please put that one up on YouTube. I'm going to watch for it and try to post a link.
After returning from the commercial break, he went on to talk about voting stats that surprised himself. People who did not vote were asked why. The two common answers were that they either were not following the elections or they were not interested in politics.
"How could you not be interested in politics? You've got to have an opinion about something!"
Then he talked about his voter registration card and wrapped up by saying the following.
"Please do me the honor of being my fellow Americans and vote."
Bravo!
Partial transcript:
http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2008/09/my-fellow-ameri.html
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1good-Ifdg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdRVQ4xwwmQ
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Lipstick on a pig
Barack Obama used the Lipstick on a pig analogy yesterday when talking about how the McCain campaign is trying to look like the party of change when they're just more of the same. The McCain response tried to claim Obama's comment was "disgraceful" because they thought Obama was referring to that bitch Sarah Palin. If he were referring to Palin, he would have called her something much worse than a pig. I have and I always will from this point forward.
According to the late night/early morning ABC News, McCain has used the same analogy in response to the Hillary Clinton Health Care Plan. You can bet rednecks ate that pig slop up when McCain said it. They probably forgot he said it. Their attention span is limited, you know. How else can so many watch Nascar where cars go around in circles?
Sorry soldier boy. It's open season on pigs wearing lipstick. Get used to it. By the way, I think Sarah Palin is ugly.
I used the analogy shortly after the Palin speech as did many other bloggers. It was the logical next step in my opinion. Somebody in the McCain campaign should have expected this analogy when Palin cracked the lipstick joke. As I said before, she did come across as a dog, but it wasn't a pit bull wearing lipstick. It was just your run of the mill bitch.
Yes, I'm throwing some vicious punches to groups who flat out deserve a beating.
According to the late night/early morning ABC News, McCain has used the same analogy in response to the Hillary Clinton Health Care Plan. You can bet rednecks ate that pig slop up when McCain said it. They probably forgot he said it. Their attention span is limited, you know. How else can so many watch Nascar where cars go around in circles?
Sorry soldier boy. It's open season on pigs wearing lipstick. Get used to it. By the way, I think Sarah Palin is ugly.
I used the analogy shortly after the Palin speech as did many other bloggers. It was the logical next step in my opinion. Somebody in the McCain campaign should have expected this analogy when Palin cracked the lipstick joke. As I said before, she did come across as a dog, but it wasn't a pit bull wearing lipstick. It was just your run of the mill bitch.
Yes, I'm throwing some vicious punches to groups who flat out deserve a beating.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Bouncy Polls...Fixed?
The media has been posting poll numbers lately that either put Obama and McCain neck and neck or give McCain a slight advantage. These numbers of course, come after both conventions. Online articles are suggesting that Obama did not get a post-convention bounce and somehow McCain did.
I don't get it.
Obama gave a speech to, from what I understand, about 38 million viewers right? How can a speech that moved so many people to tears not give the man a bounce in the polls? The speech was moving and inspirational. Specific plans were set and for many, the idea that someone will get this country back on the right path seemed within reach.
McCains VP pick gave a speech to almost as many viewers from what I read, but her speech was riddled with insults, juvenile comments, and flat out lies. Her political stance is that of an extreme right winger even though she tries to portray herself as some sort of rebel. She was also able to show off her Jesus Freak side. None of the aforementioned qualities play well to independent voters. Somehow McCain got a bounce.
The mismatch makes me wonder if the numbers are fixed. I haven't been polled by anyone over the course of the entire campaign season. Who are they polling? Where are the young voters who supported Obama in the primary?
You do realize that the impression of a close race between these two opponents will generate ratings, don't you? I am one person who chooses to raise an eyebrow when something smells fishy. Well folks, this stinks to high heaven. If the powers that be are able to introduce just enough apathy in voters about the campaign, several will be discouraged and won't show up to the voting booth. The impression that the race is close has also left pundits suggesting that mud slinging is Obama's only option to gain a lead. Americans need TV drama in their lives and they are going to eat it up should Obama's gloves really come off. Obama has always said he isn't going to really campaign using the dirty tricks of the past. The media is left scrambling to fabricate anything they possibly can to heat things up and give off a sense of real live strife.
I am not convinced the current polls are correct. I have a feeling Obama really has a good 8 to 10 point lead, if not more. I will be interested in seeing how Rove and Company are planning to steal this one. The current numbers are suspect.
I don't get it.
Obama gave a speech to, from what I understand, about 38 million viewers right? How can a speech that moved so many people to tears not give the man a bounce in the polls? The speech was moving and inspirational. Specific plans were set and for many, the idea that someone will get this country back on the right path seemed within reach.
McCains VP pick gave a speech to almost as many viewers from what I read, but her speech was riddled with insults, juvenile comments, and flat out lies. Her political stance is that of an extreme right winger even though she tries to portray herself as some sort of rebel. She was also able to show off her Jesus Freak side. None of the aforementioned qualities play well to independent voters. Somehow McCain got a bounce.
The mismatch makes me wonder if the numbers are fixed. I haven't been polled by anyone over the course of the entire campaign season. Who are they polling? Where are the young voters who supported Obama in the primary?
You do realize that the impression of a close race between these two opponents will generate ratings, don't you? I am one person who chooses to raise an eyebrow when something smells fishy. Well folks, this stinks to high heaven. If the powers that be are able to introduce just enough apathy in voters about the campaign, several will be discouraged and won't show up to the voting booth. The impression that the race is close has also left pundits suggesting that mud slinging is Obama's only option to gain a lead. Americans need TV drama in their lives and they are going to eat it up should Obama's gloves really come off. Obama has always said he isn't going to really campaign using the dirty tricks of the past. The media is left scrambling to fabricate anything they possibly can to heat things up and give off a sense of real live strife.
I am not convinced the current polls are correct. I have a feeling Obama really has a good 8 to 10 point lead, if not more. I will be interested in seeing how Rove and Company are planning to steal this one. The current numbers are suspect.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
McCain's Speech - Not Enough To Sway
This is going to be a brief play by play while I watch his speech.
McCain's speech so far is nothing but cliché lines and anecdotes about his service. I'm at the part where he's talking about who he fights for and I'm left asking what he's going to do to help those people. You're going to change Washington, are you? How? Reform government? How? How are you going to change the lives of the people you mentioned?
Lots of what's, but no solutions. Lots of stories about what he's done, but not what he will do. "We're going to change that" is not specific.
Ho Hum...
Did I mention Cindy McCain's speech was both boring and pathetic? The teleprompter was her friend. That sigh/subtle laugh got old really quick too.
How long until I start hearing plans?
Okay. Plans.
Mine vs His became party line fodder, most of which can be debunked by multiple sources. I have a feeling listeners are not hearing what they need to know. Seems anticlimactic. Not a strong economic plan, but I don't think we were expecting him to give one to begin with. When in doubt, say your opponent is going to raise taxes.
Now I suppose these next few small ideas are going to bring about that change you mentioned earlier. School vouchers? More cliché lines?
He said we'll drill off shore, but what about Alaska? Didn't Palin say she was going to help bring drilling to Alaska? Didn't she say they had plenty? So which is it? Are we having a policy difference between the President-elect and the VP-elect? Obama's energy plan will bring the same kinds of jobs and bolster the economy. One keeps us on oil and the other moves us away. The question is, which one are you ready to do?
Now comes the fear. "They'll strike us again if they can." He might have also hinted at attacking Iran by saying he'll stand up to certain evils. Great. That's what our stretched military needs.
Now it sounds like we'll have his closing remarks. He played up his military service and POW experience again because that's all he's running on. Let me remind you guys out there that if you support McCain for his outstanding service that he was the guy that got captured. That's skill? Hmm.
Sharing ideas? According to Palin, Liberals don't have good ideas. According to Romney, Liberals need to be removed from Washington. Who does that leave to extend your arm to Mr. McCain?
More POW stories...we get it dude. You were a prisoner of war and it was hell. That's not a qualification for President and although you don't feel you've been anointed, your supporters seem to feel that it makes you fully qualified to lead the country.
I'm not sure how this speech sways undecided voters unless they have a special place in their heart for POWs. Your closing remarks were uneventful and drab. Wow. PBS just had a commercial interruption in there. Somebody hit the wrong button. I'm sure it woke up viewers that fell asleep.
Boring speech. I'm done. That was 49 minutes? Ugh...Not more country music.
The Conservative spin on the speech will be that of less talk and more action instead of talking less about action he will take.
McCain's speech so far is nothing but cliché lines and anecdotes about his service. I'm at the part where he's talking about who he fights for and I'm left asking what he's going to do to help those people. You're going to change Washington, are you? How? Reform government? How? How are you going to change the lives of the people you mentioned?
Lots of what's, but no solutions. Lots of stories about what he's done, but not what he will do. "We're going to change that" is not specific.
Ho Hum...
Did I mention Cindy McCain's speech was both boring and pathetic? The teleprompter was her friend. That sigh/subtle laugh got old really quick too.
How long until I start hearing plans?
Okay. Plans.
Mine vs His became party line fodder, most of which can be debunked by multiple sources. I have a feeling listeners are not hearing what they need to know. Seems anticlimactic. Not a strong economic plan, but I don't think we were expecting him to give one to begin with. When in doubt, say your opponent is going to raise taxes.
Now I suppose these next few small ideas are going to bring about that change you mentioned earlier. School vouchers? More cliché lines?
He said we'll drill off shore, but what about Alaska? Didn't Palin say she was going to help bring drilling to Alaska? Didn't she say they had plenty? So which is it? Are we having a policy difference between the President-elect and the VP-elect? Obama's energy plan will bring the same kinds of jobs and bolster the economy. One keeps us on oil and the other moves us away. The question is, which one are you ready to do?
Now comes the fear. "They'll strike us again if they can." He might have also hinted at attacking Iran by saying he'll stand up to certain evils. Great. That's what our stretched military needs.
Now it sounds like we'll have his closing remarks. He played up his military service and POW experience again because that's all he's running on. Let me remind you guys out there that if you support McCain for his outstanding service that he was the guy that got captured. That's skill? Hmm.
Sharing ideas? According to Palin, Liberals don't have good ideas. According to Romney, Liberals need to be removed from Washington. Who does that leave to extend your arm to Mr. McCain?
More POW stories...we get it dude. You were a prisoner of war and it was hell. That's not a qualification for President and although you don't feel you've been anointed, your supporters seem to feel that it makes you fully qualified to lead the country.
I'm not sure how this speech sways undecided voters unless they have a special place in their heart for POWs. Your closing remarks were uneventful and drab. Wow. PBS just had a commercial interruption in there. Somebody hit the wrong button. I'm sure it woke up viewers that fell asleep.
Boring speech. I'm done. That was 49 minutes? Ugh...Not more country music.
The Conservative spin on the speech will be that of less talk and more action instead of talking less about action he will take.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sarah Palin Speech, The Verdict: Bitchy Liar
I tuned in to the RNC earlier this evening and caught Romney's bit. He was so full of himself I felt the need to vomit. He spewed out party line nonsense and his only solution was to rid government of Liberals and replace it with Conservatives so that we would not rely on government. Don't quit your day job man. Oh wait...
So I switched channels and watched The Daily Show. Had lots of laughs. I'm glad people are out there with some sense.
Now why would I care to tune in to her speech? Like everyone else, I wanted to know who in the world this nobody of a woman was. My only frame of reference is that of a frizzy haired woman granting Craig Ferguson honorary citizenship. I also wanted to see how much party line bs she was going to feed the crowd.
I tuned back in to catch the beginning of Palin's speech, but came in on Giuliani. Nothing but a rebuttal to the DNC. No plans and awful jokes at the Dems expense. Is that all you've got to run on? Horrible speech.
Then Palin finally came up. I could only listen for about ten minutes or so. She came across as a bitch. The comparison to a pit bull might be fitting, but there is no difference between that hockey mom and any breed of dog. The Republicans probably hoped she would come across as strong, but she came across as smug and bitchy. Joe Biden now has a welcome mat set out on the front porch so he can tear Sarah Palin limb from limb. That's not really the bad part about her speech though. She lied on multiple occasions. Most of the lies had to do with Obama's policy plans. He's not going to raise everybody's taxes. FactCheck.org actually has info on tax plans from both sides and under Obama, about 80 something percent of Americans are going to have it good. Then Palin said Obama's energy plan was a do nothing strategy. I beg your pardon? He has clearly set out plans involving nuclear power, clean coal, natural gas, in addition to investing in many other alternatives for our future. Her "Bridge To Nowhere" stance is going to be at the center of controversy now because she is flip flopping about it. Obama's legislative record is readily available, so anyone who thinks he's had his thumb up his butt in Congress can pull the their own thumb out of their own ass to look it up. I couldn't take all the lies, so I tuned out and changed over to the 10pm version of The Daily Show and had even more laughs.
Jon Stewart had a lot of good clips showing Karl Rove, Bill O'Reilly, some McCain advisor, and even Sarah Palin contradicting themselves. I was actually going to write a post about how the younger Spears daughter was chastised by Conservatives for getting knocked up in light of the handling of "babygate" and Sarah Palin's daughter. The Daily Show covered that one and I hope they keep playing it. Sexism is out the window now. Sarah Palin's executive experience is out too thanks to Karl Rove's own contradicting statements related to Richmond's mayor. Great show Jon! Hold the bastards to the flame!
If you enjoyed her speech, then you fit in the Conservative base that will likely take her words as gospel. The Bush administration already fooled you twice. Evangelicals bought their manure and got nothing in return. The things they said they would do for you never happened. The Republican Party is doing it to you again. Maybe getting used and abused is your thing. In that case, lube up before you vote. I think we've found two things Christian Conservatives do on their knees.
---
Edit
If the media is Liberal, they sure have me fooled. Late night news is declaring that she "hit it out of the park" and that she "wowed the crowd." No questions asked. No facts checked. Piss poor job. The net is buzzing with her bitchy rapport and juvenile demeanor. Perhaps the lack of criticism shows some smarts. Let me explain. Should the media go after Palin for her snarky remarks and blatant lies, the media will be called sexist. The RNC wants Sarah Palin to be untouchable. She's off limits as far as Conservatives are concerned. Any open media criticism will be met with sympathy and not logical disgust for a vindictive liar and may sway the vote in McCain's favor. That being said, Biden still needs to gut her wide open unless the Dems want to be called pussies one more time.
Many comments stand out in my mind, but one is especially funny given the lipstick comment Palin made. Essentially, they said you can put as much lipstick on a hog as they want, but it won't change the fact that she's a pig in the mud.
---
If you aren't fed up with this vindictive woman yet and are still salivating for more info on her, check out the following link. After reading, any salivation that remains might be a sign that you need to run to the toilet and vomit.
Palin Makes Me Puke
So I switched channels and watched The Daily Show. Had lots of laughs. I'm glad people are out there with some sense.
Now why would I care to tune in to her speech? Like everyone else, I wanted to know who in the world this nobody of a woman was. My only frame of reference is that of a frizzy haired woman granting Craig Ferguson honorary citizenship. I also wanted to see how much party line bs she was going to feed the crowd.
I tuned back in to catch the beginning of Palin's speech, but came in on Giuliani. Nothing but a rebuttal to the DNC. No plans and awful jokes at the Dems expense. Is that all you've got to run on? Horrible speech.
Then Palin finally came up. I could only listen for about ten minutes or so. She came across as a bitch. The comparison to a pit bull might be fitting, but there is no difference between that hockey mom and any breed of dog. The Republicans probably hoped she would come across as strong, but she came across as smug and bitchy. Joe Biden now has a welcome mat set out on the front porch so he can tear Sarah Palin limb from limb. That's not really the bad part about her speech though. She lied on multiple occasions. Most of the lies had to do with Obama's policy plans. He's not going to raise everybody's taxes. FactCheck.org actually has info on tax plans from both sides and under Obama, about 80 something percent of Americans are going to have it good. Then Palin said Obama's energy plan was a do nothing strategy. I beg your pardon? He has clearly set out plans involving nuclear power, clean coal, natural gas, in addition to investing in many other alternatives for our future. Her "Bridge To Nowhere" stance is going to be at the center of controversy now because she is flip flopping about it. Obama's legislative record is readily available, so anyone who thinks he's had his thumb up his butt in Congress can pull the their own thumb out of their own ass to look it up. I couldn't take all the lies, so I tuned out and changed over to the 10pm version of The Daily Show and had even more laughs.
Jon Stewart had a lot of good clips showing Karl Rove, Bill O'Reilly, some McCain advisor, and even Sarah Palin contradicting themselves. I was actually going to write a post about how the younger Spears daughter was chastised by Conservatives for getting knocked up in light of the handling of "babygate" and Sarah Palin's daughter. The Daily Show covered that one and I hope they keep playing it. Sexism is out the window now. Sarah Palin's executive experience is out too thanks to Karl Rove's own contradicting statements related to Richmond's mayor. Great show Jon! Hold the bastards to the flame!
If you enjoyed her speech, then you fit in the Conservative base that will likely take her words as gospel. The Bush administration already fooled you twice. Evangelicals bought their manure and got nothing in return. The things they said they would do for you never happened. The Republican Party is doing it to you again. Maybe getting used and abused is your thing. In that case, lube up before you vote. I think we've found two things Christian Conservatives do on their knees.
---
Edit
If the media is Liberal, they sure have me fooled. Late night news is declaring that she "hit it out of the park" and that she "wowed the crowd." No questions asked. No facts checked. Piss poor job. The net is buzzing with her bitchy rapport and juvenile demeanor. Perhaps the lack of criticism shows some smarts. Let me explain. Should the media go after Palin for her snarky remarks and blatant lies, the media will be called sexist. The RNC wants Sarah Palin to be untouchable. She's off limits as far as Conservatives are concerned. Any open media criticism will be met with sympathy and not logical disgust for a vindictive liar and may sway the vote in McCain's favor. That being said, Biden still needs to gut her wide open unless the Dems want to be called pussies one more time.
Many comments stand out in my mind, but one is especially funny given the lipstick comment Palin made. Essentially, they said you can put as much lipstick on a hog as they want, but it won't change the fact that she's a pig in the mud.
---
If you aren't fed up with this vindictive woman yet and are still salivating for more info on her, check out the following link. After reading, any salivation that remains might be a sign that you need to run to the toilet and vomit.
Palin Makes Me Puke
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
You Supported Hillary, Now McCain?
How can you go from a Hillary Clinton supporter to a John McCain supporter overnight? Just because Hillary didn't get the nomination you're going to sacrifice your political stance? Policies are completely different when comparing Hillary Clinton to John McCain. You are doing a complete 180 degree turn. What the hell is wrong with you?
Vote based on policy, not on gender. Don't vote based on resentment or because you lost and now choose to protest. Protest by writing in her name, not by voting for someone who will lead the country in the opposite direction Hillary was planning on taking it. Compared to McCain, Barack Obama has more in common with Clinton. You want universal health care, you won't get it with McCain. Want out of Iraq? Can't get that with McCain. Want independence from foreign oil? Won't get that with POW soldier boy. I have to ask...are you on drugs?
I don't see how someone can go from supporting a Democrat one day and a Republican the next like that when political stances between the two are so very different.
You are indeed an idiot.
I just saw a woman on BBC News America that said she was going to write in Hillary's name, but now with McCain's VP pick, she's going to vote for McCain. The thing is, this crazy fat dolt of a woman couldn't remember Sarah Palin's name.
Hillary, if you are listening, your message to back Barack Obama was not received by your supporters. SAY IT LOUDER so these deaf morons can hear you.
Vote based on policy, not on gender. Don't vote based on resentment or because you lost and now choose to protest. Protest by writing in her name, not by voting for someone who will lead the country in the opposite direction Hillary was planning on taking it. Compared to McCain, Barack Obama has more in common with Clinton. You want universal health care, you won't get it with McCain. Want out of Iraq? Can't get that with McCain. Want independence from foreign oil? Won't get that with POW soldier boy. I have to ask...are you on drugs?
I don't see how someone can go from supporting a Democrat one day and a Republican the next like that when political stances between the two are so very different.
You are indeed an idiot.
I just saw a woman on BBC News America that said she was going to write in Hillary's name, but now with McCain's VP pick, she's going to vote for McCain. The thing is, this crazy fat dolt of a woman couldn't remember Sarah Palin's name.
Hillary, if you are listening, your message to back Barack Obama was not received by your supporters. SAY IT LOUDER so these deaf morons can hear you.
Monday, September 1, 2008
"Pro-Gun" slogan appeals to the simple minded
What the hell is pro-gun anyway?
All gun and no brain? For men, that means all gun and no penis.
If you are pro-gun, here's your sign. Rednecks will get that joke.
Seriously, though...
Does it mean that no matter the circumstance, you are in favor of guns? Does it tell me that your constituents flock to simplistic slogans? Remind you of the term pro-life? God forbid someone is anti-life, right? Another way to look at the pro/anti dialogue is to phrase it in a different light. Take abortion for example. The current lines are drawn between pro-life and pro-choice. The pro-lifers would have you believe that pro-choice folks are anti-life. I never hear pro-lifers called anti-choice in political slogans. The term isn't even part of the main stream pro-choice crowd. "Anti-life," however, is part of the main-stream Right Wing campaign vernacular. When you put it that way, it should start turning those gears inside your head. It doesn't make any sense when you phrase gun politics in that format, but you fell for the simple slogan anyway.
I am seeing this term used more and more in campaign ads. Sarah Palin states she is pro-gun. I understand that in Alaska, everybody and their grandma has a gun to fend off threatening wild animals. I get it. Still, you don't have to go so far as to say you are pro-gun. A local doctor running for Congress says he's pro-gun. A doctor that is using the term pro-gun? Didn't he do a rotation in emergency medicine as a resident or in med school? So you're telling me that no matter what, Dr. Fleming, you are in favor of guns used for any reason? You have likely personally seen the end result of gun violence in your own medical career. Has that not affected your opinion at all?
Politicians love this slogan because it appeals to a very specific population of voters, yet it has nothing to do with the real issue. They love this slogan because it means they don't have to do anything besides sit on their asses. It's a non-committal pledge, if there is even such a thing. It's meaningless, until you begin asking questions. Responsible voters ask questions. Irresponsible voters simply nod and smile. Guess which ones politicians like most.
Pro-gun is a blanket statement and when you use the term, you get rid of any form of nuance. Any opposition automatically acquires the label "anti-gun." Being pro-gun is far different than supporting the right to bear arms. Being pro-gun doesn't tell me where you stand on gun rights while at the same time gives trigger happy idiots solace in their paranoia that scary Liberals are gonna take away their gun/replacement penis. No line is drawn when you are pro-gun. Anyone that uses a gun for any reason is acceptable under a pro-gun mentality. If that isn't the case, then you are not pro-gun and your stance requires some clarification. That clarification comes in the form of regulation and responsibility for your toys.
Let me put it this way. In essence, the individual who believes a gun is going to get them what they want from the guy across the store counter is pro-gun. The young man who feels getting even by shooting whoever gets in his way is pro-gun. The gun gets him what he wants. When Bill Heavey writes his articles for Field & Stream, he cracks rather inappropriate jokes about shooting things, including people. Anyone that trigger happy does not need to own a gun. They are mentally unstable. When Ted Nugent puts a gun to his head, maybe I'll jump on the pro-gun bandwagon. Until then, you'll have to forgive me when I laugh at your pathetic excuse for a slogan and cross my fingers you shoot your own head off one day. Darwinism still works on some level you know.
I've said it once and I'll say it again. Conservatives are simple minded. They have to use slogans which appeal to simpletons. You know, local yokels. Either you have a small penis and like to shoot stuff like a big man or you're a pussy, right? There's no in between on this issue then.
If you are a politician using this term, you are intentionally appealing to the simple minded. If you vote for someone who is pro-gun, it's likely that you are a simpleton. Demand more from your elected officials!
Research has shown Conservatives do in fact tend to think more in terms of black and white and have difficulty dealing with change. You cannot break down issues into purely pro and anti categories because there are important subtleties that seriously need to be taken into consideration, unless the slogan itself uses wording which recognizes some nuance, ie. pro-choice.
(Although the above quote has mysterious roots and I've added my own adaptation, the substance of the quote mirrors that of the current state of America)
All gun and no brain? For men, that means all gun and no penis.
If you are pro-gun, here's your sign. Rednecks will get that joke.
Seriously, though...
Does it mean that no matter the circumstance, you are in favor of guns? Does it tell me that your constituents flock to simplistic slogans? Remind you of the term pro-life? God forbid someone is anti-life, right? Another way to look at the pro/anti dialogue is to phrase it in a different light. Take abortion for example. The current lines are drawn between pro-life and pro-choice. The pro-lifers would have you believe that pro-choice folks are anti-life. I never hear pro-lifers called anti-choice in political slogans. The term isn't even part of the main stream pro-choice crowd. "Anti-life," however, is part of the main-stream Right Wing campaign vernacular. When you put it that way, it should start turning those gears inside your head. It doesn't make any sense when you phrase gun politics in that format, but you fell for the simple slogan anyway.
I am seeing this term used more and more in campaign ads. Sarah Palin states she is pro-gun. I understand that in Alaska, everybody and their grandma has a gun to fend off threatening wild animals. I get it. Still, you don't have to go so far as to say you are pro-gun. A local doctor running for Congress says he's pro-gun. A doctor that is using the term pro-gun? Didn't he do a rotation in emergency medicine as a resident or in med school? So you're telling me that no matter what, Dr. Fleming, you are in favor of guns used for any reason? You have likely personally seen the end result of gun violence in your own medical career. Has that not affected your opinion at all?
Politicians love this slogan because it appeals to a very specific population of voters, yet it has nothing to do with the real issue. They love this slogan because it means they don't have to do anything besides sit on their asses. It's a non-committal pledge, if there is even such a thing. It's meaningless, until you begin asking questions. Responsible voters ask questions. Irresponsible voters simply nod and smile. Guess which ones politicians like most.
Pro-gun is a blanket statement and when you use the term, you get rid of any form of nuance. Any opposition automatically acquires the label "anti-gun." Being pro-gun is far different than supporting the right to bear arms. Being pro-gun doesn't tell me where you stand on gun rights while at the same time gives trigger happy idiots solace in their paranoia that scary Liberals are gonna take away their gun/replacement penis. No line is drawn when you are pro-gun. Anyone that uses a gun for any reason is acceptable under a pro-gun mentality. If that isn't the case, then you are not pro-gun and your stance requires some clarification. That clarification comes in the form of regulation and responsibility for your toys.
Let me put it this way. In essence, the individual who believes a gun is going to get them what they want from the guy across the store counter is pro-gun. The young man who feels getting even by shooting whoever gets in his way is pro-gun. The gun gets him what he wants. When Bill Heavey writes his articles for Field & Stream, he cracks rather inappropriate jokes about shooting things, including people. Anyone that trigger happy does not need to own a gun. They are mentally unstable. When Ted Nugent puts a gun to his head, maybe I'll jump on the pro-gun bandwagon. Until then, you'll have to forgive me when I laugh at your pathetic excuse for a slogan and cross my fingers you shoot your own head off one day. Darwinism still works on some level you know.
I've said it once and I'll say it again. Conservatives are simple minded. They have to use slogans which appeal to simpletons. You know, local yokels. Either you have a small penis and like to shoot stuff like a big man or you're a pussy, right? There's no in between on this issue then.
If you are a politician using this term, you are intentionally appealing to the simple minded. If you vote for someone who is pro-gun, it's likely that you are a simpleton. Demand more from your elected officials!
Research has shown Conservatives do in fact tend to think more in terms of black and white and have difficulty dealing with change. You cannot break down issues into purely pro and anti categories because there are important subtleties that seriously need to be taken into consideration, unless the slogan itself uses wording which recognizes some nuance, ie. pro-choice.
When Fascism comes to the United States, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a gun.
(Although the above quote has mysterious roots and I've added my own adaptation, the substance of the quote mirrors that of the current state of America)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)