Long weekend. Took a bit out of me. Caught the debate, ate some chili, got absolutely savaged by some tick like creatures, and hung out at the most unlikely of places!
So I have been a little slow on the post-debate commentary. For what it is worth, I actually thought it was a pretty good debate. Devoid of most of the histrionics that have characterized past "good" debates. Not many consumable sound bites, but a decent amount of insight into the ideology of the men who seek to occupy the highest office in the land.
By and large I thought the evening was a draw at best. Depending on which parts you weighted more heavily, I could see a compelling argument for either having narrowly "won". If economics was your primary concern, I could see you pointing to Senator Obama as the victor, if your greatest concern was world instability, I could see how one might look at the concise pronouncements of Senator McCain on foreign powers and feel a sense of reassurance. That all being said, make no mistake. A draw on the "Foriegn Policy" debate with John McCain is a win for Obama. Senator McCain was obviously trying to show his opponent for the political neophyte that he thinks he is. Senator Obama did not come off as that at all. So in that regard, McCain's major message in the debate failed to find any purchase.
I was obviously watching the debate differently then most viewers. I was weighing each argument on its merits. The average voter was much more focused. They listened more intently to the economic sections, and by extension felt Obama did much better. When you couple that with the off putting demeanor of Senator McCain and you get a generally beneficial evening for Obama. To most of the audience watching he crossed the presidential threshold. He came off as knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics despite McCain's protesting to the contrary.
In that context the meeting between Gov. Palin and Sen. Binden, ought to be interesting. Seeing as this will be Gov. Palin's first "adversarial" engagement this campaign season. It should be at least informative on her thought process.
-cheers
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Diversions...
This video has been making the rounds. I have to say it is impressive. The concentration necessary is amazing....
Got me a beer and chili festival this afternoon, and I still need to digest the debate. I felt it was a draw. But considering it was supposed to be Senator McCain's strong suit, a draw is probably good for Senator Obama.
Got me a beer and chili festival this afternoon, and I still need to digest the debate. I felt it was a draw. But considering it was supposed to be Senator McCain's strong suit, a draw is probably good for Senator Obama.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Debate Night Part 1
Well tonight is the big debate. I have my bottle of vodka all ready to go. I think the words to watch this evening will be "Bailout", "change agent", and "surge". We shall see if I can walk after the debate ends.
On a serious note. Pay attention tone, and the candidates responses. I expect Senator McCain to be direct and forceful, and I expect Senator Obama to be thoughtful and circumspect in his answers. If the debate stays on issues, I think it is a win for Obama, because McCain will be forced into defending the positions of the last 8 years.
It is at 8 p.m Central time. See what the candidates have to say.
-cheers
On a serious note. Pay attention tone, and the candidates responses. I expect Senator McCain to be direct and forceful, and I expect Senator Obama to be thoughtful and circumspect in his answers. If the debate stays on issues, I think it is a win for Obama, because McCain will be forced into defending the positions of the last 8 years.
It is at 8 p.m Central time. See what the candidates have to say.
-cheers
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Ridiculous....
If you haven't seen Gov. Palin's interview with Katie Couric it is worth a look. At this point I am absolutely at a loss. It is no longer about "experience", I have railed about how that is not a true measure of a persons judgment nor their fitness to govern for about a year now, so honestly I think that point is moot. What I do have a problem with is someone who shows an absolutely no interest in matters outside of their own specialized arena. I give you Gov. Palin on her foriegn policy experience.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Suspension.....
For those that haven't heard, Senator John McCain has suspended his campaign this afternoon. I have been spend the day trying to get my head around. There are a lot of moving parts and the blogosphere is absolutely a twitter with commentary.
Just a couple of points first. Evidently Senator Obama, called Senator McCain this morning to work on a joint statement. While Obama was waiting for a response from team McCain, a press conference was called by the McCain campaign, and his decision to suspend his campaigning "during this immediate crisis" was made to the nation.
That being said, I do not understand this. This "crisis" has been well known and fairly diagnosis for over a week. And now, Senator McCain decides it is important enough to take a time out? Now on the eve of the first Presidential Debate? Some suspect it has more to do with the changing polling data, more so then conviction.
It just seems wrong. It seem too gimmicky. It seems crass and feckless.
It seems un-presidential.
If you are looking for more commentary, you can hit here, here and here.
What I really do not get, is this. The two presidential candidates should be kept as far away from this legislation as possible, because they are inherently partisan. This crisis is tense enough, adding a heated and divisive presidential
contest to the mix doesn't seem that wise.
-Cheers
Just a couple of points first. Evidently Senator Obama, called Senator McCain this morning to work on a joint statement. While Obama was waiting for a response from team McCain, a press conference was called by the McCain campaign, and his decision to suspend his campaigning "during this immediate crisis" was made to the nation.
That being said, I do not understand this. This "crisis" has been well known and fairly diagnosis for over a week. And now, Senator McCain decides it is important enough to take a time out? Now on the eve of the first Presidential Debate? Some suspect it has more to do with the changing polling data, more so then conviction.
It just seems wrong. It seem too gimmicky. It seems crass and feckless.
It seems un-presidential.
If you are looking for more commentary, you can hit here, here and here.
What I really do not get, is this. The two presidential candidates should be kept as far away from this legislation as possible, because they are inherently partisan. This crisis is tense enough, adding a heated and divisive presidential
contest to the mix doesn't seem that wise.
-Cheers
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Markets in turmoil....
Thought I would take a break from my racial detour, to talk a bit about the financial crisis we seem to be embroiled in. To be honest, I do not have the economics background to really speak intelligently on the subject, all I can speak on are the things that more knowledgeable analysis say and the hearings I have watched. This stuff is complicated to be blunt. The way these loans were sliced and diced and shuffled around is simply mind-boggling.
But what is even more mind-boggling is that we (tax payers) are going to be put on the hook for the bail out. Yes it is true that, we can not allow these companies to fail, but that misses a very important point. If a company can not be allowed to fail, should we allow it to even exist?
If we can bust up AT&T, or Microsoft, or go after Google, then this sort of nonsense should not happen. There shouldn't be corporations that "can not fail".
But there are more reasoned minds that have more nuanced and intelligent takes on this. John Cole over at Balloon Juice has a couple of nice pieces on this, expletive laden! Or you could check with here or here for more civilized discussion.
But what is even more mind-boggling is that we (tax payers) are going to be put on the hook for the bail out. Yes it is true that, we can not allow these companies to fail, but that misses a very important point. If a company can not be allowed to fail, should we allow it to even exist?
If we can bust up AT&T, or Microsoft, or go after Google, then this sort of nonsense should not happen. There shouldn't be corporations that "can not fail".
But there are more reasoned minds that have more nuanced and intelligent takes on this. John Cole over at Balloon Juice has a couple of nice pieces on this, expletive laden! Or you could check with here or here for more civilized discussion.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Follow-up
Some follow up from the guys over at Fivethirtyeight.com they do a solid take down of the problems with the poll I referenced earlier. It's worth the read, these guys can churn through polling data extremely efficiently. Making the cross-tabs and variance numbers a lot easier to
swallow.
swallow.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Race for States...
This is a post I resisted writing for several days.
Race is always a delicate subject at best, filled with loaded and evocative terms, from Affirmative Action to White Resentment. It is a difficult subject because of the emotional responses that it generates in the people who attempt to talk about it, and the still grievous chasm in race relations in this country. But there is an aspect that has been troubling me for sometime.
There is a question commonly asked this election cycle, "Why isn't Obama up by more?".
Simple enough question to ask, and with all the head winds pointing democratic one would think it would be absolutely academic that a crushing tide of democratic electees would storm the capital and the White House. Obviously if Obama is not slaughtering McCain, then he is doing something fundamentally wrong? The list is legion, he does not connect with the voters, doesn't feel their pain, is inexperienced, etc. There is no lack of rationales for this, however, there is a topic that very rarely gets much mention. What effect does Senator Obama's race have on his relative standing in the polls.
That got me thinking about this in a more concrete way, perhaps there was some metric to look at that might shed some light on the subject? Well late last week a poll was released by AP/yahoo. some of its findings were fairly jarring. I wasn't able to track down the cross tabs for the poll, but here are some analysis by various news agencies:
The Page
Huffington Post
The Politico
A few of the interesting data points were:
This is a very real sentiment, I have heard it expressed to me, in both overt and subtle ways. There is an understandable aspect of it. That being said there is a flip side that is rarely if ever discussed, that would be thecorollary to "White Resentment" that would be "White Privilege". Tim Wise wrote a fairly instructive piece on the subject especially with regard to the presidential race. I highly recommend reading it. It vividly shows the difficulty any minority faces competing on that level in virtually any non-athletic field. One example listed would be.
Last week Mike wrote a touching post on marriage, its effects on our lives and the real emotion that should be expressed during those festive times, the end of one story and the beginning of a new one. He wrote a moving piece on an emotional issue. So it motivated me to write about something that draws a distinct emotional response from me. I don't posit any solutions to anything I mention here, I can only try to articulate the frustration it breeds. Upset about busing? Well try being "watched" and "followed" whenever you walk into a store.
So the next time you hear someone ask, "Why is Obama having such a hard time sealing the deal?", you will know what I am thinking.
Maybe this week, I will try to write some lighter posts? Maybe tackling abortion rights, selling orphans on the black market, or buggering goats.
-cheers
Race is always a delicate subject at best, filled with loaded and evocative terms, from Affirmative Action to White Resentment. It is a difficult subject because of the emotional responses that it generates in the people who attempt to talk about it, and the still grievous chasm in race relations in this country. But there is an aspect that has been troubling me for sometime.
There is a question commonly asked this election cycle, "Why isn't Obama up by more?".
Simple enough question to ask, and with all the head winds pointing democratic one would think it would be absolutely academic that a crushing tide of democratic electees would storm the capital and the White House. Obviously if Obama is not slaughtering McCain, then he is doing something fundamentally wrong? The list is legion, he does not connect with the voters, doesn't feel their pain, is inexperienced, etc. There is no lack of rationales for this, however, there is a topic that very rarely gets much mention. What effect does Senator Obama's race have on his relative standing in the polls.
That got me thinking about this in a more concrete way, perhaps there was some metric to look at that might shed some light on the subject? Well late last week a poll was released by AP/yahoo. some of its findings were fairly jarring. I wasn't able to track down the cross tabs for the poll, but here are some analysis by various news agencies:
The Page
Huffington Post
The Politico
A few of the interesting data points were:
- 40 percent of all white Americans hold at least a partly negative view toward blacks, and that includes many Democrats and independents.
- One-third of white Democrats harbor negative views toward blacks — many calling them ‘lazy,’ ‘violent’ or responsible for their own troubles.
- Nearly four in 10 white independents agreed that blacks would be better off if they “try harder.”
This is a very real sentiment, I have heard it expressed to me, in both overt and subtle ways. There is an understandable aspect of it. That being said there is a flip side that is rarely if ever discussed, that would be thecorollary to "White Resentment" that would be "White Privilege". Tim Wise wrote a fairly instructive piece on the subject especially with regard to the presidential race. I highly recommend reading it. It vividly shows the difficulty any minority faces competing on that level in virtually any non-athletic field. One example listed would be.
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” partwasn ’t added until the 1950s--while if you're black and believe in reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school, requires it), you are a dangerous and mushy liberal who isn't fit to safeguard American institutions.I am not sure how I want to tie these two together. They are definitely part and parcel of the same cloth. I can not accurately say it is an artificially suppression of his numbers, because it is not artificial, it is absolutely ingrained in out society and culture. So I find it hard to discuss the situation as if it is a separate aspect. I know in my own life I have had such issues used to justify some of the successes I have experienced. Affirmative Action as the buzzword of choice, for this I will turn to Ta-Nehisi Coates when he says:
The idea that Affirmative Action justifies white resentment may be the greatest argument made for Reparations--like ever. Let's grant that white people have the right to resent black people because of 40 years of race preferences. But black people suffered through 300 years of race preferences which included, but weren't limited to--slavery, pogroms, wanton rape, land theft, and wealth transfer. Southern whites (the very people who perpetrated much of that sad history) can have their resentment, unashamed and public--right after they give us the deed to the entire Deep South. Sounds fair to me. What's that you say? Most whites didn't own slaves? And your grandfather hated the Klan? My sentiments exactly. Most black people don't benefit from Affirmative Action either. So what are we saying here?
Last week Mike wrote a touching post on marriage, its effects on our lives and the real emotion that should be expressed during those festive times, the end of one story and the beginning of a new one. He wrote a moving piece on an emotional issue. So it motivated me to write about something that draws a distinct emotional response from me. I don't posit any solutions to anything I mention here, I can only try to articulate the frustration it breeds. Upset about busing? Well try being "watched" and "followed" whenever you walk into a store.
So the next time you hear someone ask, "Why is Obama having such a hard time sealing the deal?", you will know what I am thinking.
Maybe this week, I will try to write some lighter posts? Maybe tackling abortion rights, selling orphans on the black market, or buggering goats.
-cheers
Friday, September 19, 2008
International Talk Like A Pirate Day!
Avast ye scurvy dog! Tis that time o' year to be merry makin' and let loose our inner pirate!
For you lily livered land lubbers, if'n you canny understand, off to Davy Jones' Locker with ye!
Also this PSA:
We all know the Earth is in the midst of a crisis of epic and dire proportions. That crisis is Climate Change. Yes I know it is monumental and I know you wonder, "Hey Roman! What is it I can do?!??". Well dear friends I shall tell you! Grab an eye patch, grab a bottle of rum and avast and sashay and pirate like your life depends on it. BECAUSE IT DOES!
A handy graph to show how serious the problem is:
The issue of Climate Change is a serious and endemic problem that not only risks our lives but that of our children, our children's children, our children's children's children, wombats, ferrets, otters, moose, three-toed sloths, caribou, a spider monkey named Steve, 4 polar bears, 7 interns, Mike "Shecky" Cation, and a goat I named Elijah.
Arrgghhhh!
--edited the title the post no mention of pirates...I should take a long walk off a short pier!
For you lily livered land lubbers, if'n you canny understand, off to Davy Jones' Locker with ye!
Also this PSA:
We all know the Earth is in the midst of a crisis of epic and dire proportions. That crisis is Climate Change. Yes I know it is monumental and I know you wonder, "Hey Roman! What is it I can do?!??". Well dear friends I shall tell you! Grab an eye patch, grab a bottle of rum and avast and sashay and pirate like your life depends on it. BECAUSE IT DOES!
A handy graph to show how serious the problem is:
The issue of Climate Change is a serious and endemic problem that not only risks our lives but that of our children, our children's children, our children's children's children, wombats, ferrets, otters, moose, three-toed sloths, caribou, a spider monkey named Steve, 4 polar bears, 7 interns, Mike "Shecky" Cation, and a goat I named Elijah.
Arrgghhhh!
--edited the title the post no mention of pirates...I should take a long walk off a short pier!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Contrasts and grumblings.......
Still a bit under the weather, so my sleeping isn't quite going as planned. So while in a wakening period and some what lucid, I thought I would address something that has been weighing on my mind this whole campaign season, plus the combination of anti-histamines and "super-tylenol", have me a bit loopy so this ought to be a fun little exercise into why one should not type while on drugs.
Yes I know, another political post. I am sure, all three of you are tired of reading my rantings on this stuff, but the reason I am dwelling on it is two-fold: 1) For my own sanity. You hold all this stuff in and you might burst a blood vessel. 2) When I talk to people (friends, family even strangers), they all seem to say the same things. They are extremely concerned about their future and they don't like the way the country is headed.
Yet that being said, they don't seem to pay much attention to what those seeking to make decisions about those futures, actually think, where are what their policy positions are, nor what their voting record might be. They tend to use their franchise as a means of validating pre-existing prejudices. Meaning, if you tend to vote democratic, odds are you will vote democratic by default, same for republicans. This seems incredibly irresponsible to me.
I don't know how to put it any simpler than this. If you are not willing to take the time, to at least take a cursory glance at the candidates voting records and/or policy papers (where you can find them), then in my estimation you don't really deserve the awesome right of the franchise. We invest a lot of authority in these officials, separating what they say from what they have actually done is important. Also it helps evaluate their thought process.
If it seems like I am meandering around a bit, it highly likely that I am. The reason for such a long preamble has to do with the events of these past couple of weeks. The last couple weeks of the campaign have been exceedingly depressing. When the country is at, arguably, its most tumultuous point since 9/11, not due to some unexpected attack or catastrophic natural disaster (not to diminish Ike), but due to sheer incompetence, corporate malfeasance and poor governance. Yet we spent the last couple weeks dithering over "lipstick on a pig" and who is or is not a celebrity. I can't help but think of Nero fiddling away as Rome burns at times like this.
Wages are shrinking, jobs disappearing, health care costs are out of control, a spiraling deficit, unsustainable dependence on petroleum, a loss of stature and credibility on the world stage, and we are quibbling over the use of a common colloquialism? Seriously?
Case in point, it took the collapse of 5 of the 6 investment giants in order for people to focus on the economy again. Evidently their shrinking paychecks weren't enough, nor the increasing price of gas, but the country near financial collapse got everyone's attention. Now that I have lulled you into a pedantically induced haze, I will get to the point. Both candidates put up ads in response to the investment banking collapse. I will post them here for your perusal.
Senator Obama:
Yes I know, another political post. I am sure, all three of you are tired of reading my rantings on this stuff, but the reason I am dwelling on it is two-fold: 1) For my own sanity. You hold all this stuff in and you might burst a blood vessel. 2) When I talk to people (friends, family even strangers), they all seem to say the same things. They are extremely concerned about their future and they don't like the way the country is headed.
Yet that being said, they don't seem to pay much attention to what those seeking to make decisions about those futures, actually think, where are what their policy positions are, nor what their voting record might be. They tend to use their franchise as a means of validating pre-existing prejudices. Meaning, if you tend to vote democratic, odds are you will vote democratic by default, same for republicans. This seems incredibly irresponsible to me.
I don't know how to put it any simpler than this. If you are not willing to take the time, to at least take a cursory glance at the candidates voting records and/or policy papers (where you can find them), then in my estimation you don't really deserve the awesome right of the franchise. We invest a lot of authority in these officials, separating what they say from what they have actually done is important. Also it helps evaluate their thought process.
If it seems like I am meandering around a bit, it highly likely that I am. The reason for such a long preamble has to do with the events of these past couple of weeks. The last couple weeks of the campaign have been exceedingly depressing. When the country is at, arguably, its most tumultuous point since 9/11, not due to some unexpected attack or catastrophic natural disaster (not to diminish Ike), but due to sheer incompetence, corporate malfeasance and poor governance. Yet we spent the last couple weeks dithering over "lipstick on a pig" and who is or is not a celebrity. I can't help but think of Nero fiddling away as Rome burns at times like this.
Wages are shrinking, jobs disappearing, health care costs are out of control, a spiraling deficit, unsustainable dependence on petroleum, a loss of stature and credibility on the world stage, and we are quibbling over the use of a common colloquialism? Seriously?
Case in point, it took the collapse of 5 of the 6 investment giants in order for people to focus on the economy again. Evidently their shrinking paychecks weren't enough, nor the increasing price of gas, but the country near financial collapse got everyone's attention. Now that I have lulled you into a pedantically induced haze, I will get to the point. Both candidates put up ads in response to the investment banking collapse. I will post them here for your perusal.
Senator Obama:
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Elitism is the new black?
Though down with the flu....somethings are so patently ridiculous, that even a fever of 101, won't stop me from commenting.
Yet another example of how irony is dead. Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild is throwing her support behind John McCain, because quote:
Some other takes on this. Seems I wasn't the only one who got caught up in this. Steve Benen over at Washington Monthly has much better written take down. I do think however, that d-day has the proper response.
So when you vote remember that it is about those who have, keeping it and leaving you behind.
--edit mischaracterized Lady Forester's company worth.
Yet another example of how irony is dead. Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild is throwing her support behind John McCain, because quote:
"If Barack Obama loses the presidential election, it may well be the result of a public perception that he is detached and elitist -- a politician whose expressions of empathy for hard-working Americans stem more from abstract solidarity than a real connection to the lives of millions of citizens."The lady was a long time democrat and a fervent supporter of Hillary Clinton, one of her top fundraisers in fact. But what I find ironic about this, is the woman who chooses to be referred to as "Lady", splits her time between London and New York, and is the CEO of a fortune 500 company (holding company) has the stones to call a skinny black guy, who was raised by a single mother, worked as a community organizer and lives on the South Side of Chicago, elitist. More to the point, she chose the man with 7 houses over the man with one, and then cries "Elitist!". His dad was a freaking goat herder. Herded goats, like with one of those long sticks with the curved end....
Some other takes on this. Seems I wasn't the only one who got caught up in this. Steve Benen over at Washington Monthly has much better written take down. I do think however, that d-day has the proper response.
So when you vote remember that it is about those who have, keeping it and leaving you behind.
--edit mischaracterized Lady Forester's company worth.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sick posts....
Feeling a bit under the weather today. So no ranting. Though it seems the mainstream media has caught on to Senator McCain's mendacity, which is good. This paean to objectivity that journalist try to maintain is laughable....but I digress.
Instead for your viewing pleasure, I present the best...fight...scene...ever....
Enjoy!
Instead for your viewing pleasure, I present the best...fight...scene...ever....
Enjoy!
Friday, September 12, 2008
L and L nuptials!
Off to Iowa to celebrate the union of my friends Leigh and Louis, so light posting this weekend.
However, your weekend homework is to watch Charlie Gibson give a fairly substantive interview with Gov. Sarah Palin.
I honestly must say, I was shocked by the absolute lack of knowledge she showed. It was eerily reminiscent of our current President circa 1999. Not knowing what the Bush Doctrine of preemptive war is unacceptable, for someone who wants be the leader of the free world or is within a heartbeat of that weighty postision.
Also you should be able to argue how it differs from the previous foreign policy stance of the United States, whether you agree with it or not. This is the bedrock that the Iraq war was prosecuted on. That is not something you can be ignorant of and want to be President. Yes I am talking to you "Wal-mart Moms".
-cheers
However, your weekend homework is to watch Charlie Gibson give a fairly substantive interview with Gov. Sarah Palin.
I honestly must say, I was shocked by the absolute lack of knowledge she showed. It was eerily reminiscent of our current President circa 1999. Not knowing what the Bush Doctrine of preemptive war is unacceptable, for someone who wants be the leader of the free world or is within a heartbeat of that weighty postision.
Also you should be able to argue how it differs from the previous foreign policy stance of the United States, whether you agree with it or not. This is the bedrock that the Iraq war was prosecuted on. That is not something you can be ignorant of and want to be President. Yes I am talking to you "Wal-mart Moms".
-cheers
Thursday, September 11, 2008
9/11
No vitriolic posts from me today. It's a day of reflection.
Take some time to remember those who were lost. Pray for their families (if you are so inclined) and remember we are all in this together. It is easy to forget in this day and age that our fates are inextricably linked, right or left, red or blue. No matter the philosophical bent, we all love our country and all of us should mourn the loss of its sons and daughters.
There are times that as a nation we forget that, and it is times like this that we should remember our connections to our families, our communities and our country.
One Nation indivisible.
-cheers
-edit: premature postage....
Take some time to remember those who were lost. Pray for their families (if you are so inclined) and remember we are all in this together. It is easy to forget in this day and age that our fates are inextricably linked, right or left, red or blue. No matter the philosophical bent, we all love our country and all of us should mourn the loss of its sons and daughters.
There are times that as a nation we forget that, and it is times like this that we should remember our connections to our families, our communities and our country.
One Nation indivisible.
-cheers
-edit: premature postage....
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Outrage pegged....
Now I honestly thought we had seen the worst, as far as trivializing politics and the presidency this campaign cycle. But to be truthful, I did not think we would get to this point. I had hoped that McCain did still have some of that honor left. But I was wrong. When you blatantly lie, and then accuse your opponent of wanting to teach sex-ed to kindergarteners you have no honor left.
That is one of the most heinous ads I have ever seen. I rank it up there with the "Willie Horton" and Harold Ford "Call Me" ad. The republican strategy is "lie, lie, and lie more", and hope the American people are stupid enough to fall for it. They are, and they should be ashamed of it (the American people and the McCain for exploiting). I seriously challenge any conservative to defend these sorts of actions. This is the sort of country you wish to live in? Where we reward this sort of behavior? Where blatant lying is rewarded with the presidency? Where governance isn't discussed, because of a perverse attachment to ideology that refuses to allow any engagement with opposition except for derision or self-righteous belief that anyone who disagrees with them is somehow morally inferior. Yes after 8 years of conservative governing philosophy, we are all doing so well?
So yeah, I am tired of this. I am tired of the mendacity and out right prevarication. But most importantly I am tired of it working. That people fall for this, shows the true measure of our collective character. What we need is a new way of thinking, yet people are settling for the same old tired rhetoric and culture war bullshit. You tired of the mean old "elitist" looking down on you? Stop being a dumb ass. Democrats are coming to take your money. Republicans do not "shrink" the government, and your religion is not right with regards to how laws should be meted out.
That is one of the most heinous ads I have ever seen. I rank it up there with the "Willie Horton" and Harold Ford "Call Me" ad. The republican strategy is "lie, lie, and lie more", and hope the American people are stupid enough to fall for it. They are, and they should be ashamed of it (the American people and the McCain for exploiting). I seriously challenge any conservative to defend these sorts of actions. This is the sort of country you wish to live in? Where we reward this sort of behavior? Where blatant lying is rewarded with the presidency? Where governance isn't discussed, because of a perverse attachment to ideology that refuses to allow any engagement with opposition except for derision or self-righteous belief that anyone who disagrees with them is somehow morally inferior. Yes after 8 years of conservative governing philosophy, we are all doing so well?
So yeah, I am tired of this. I am tired of the mendacity and out right prevarication. But most importantly I am tired of it working. That people fall for this, shows the true measure of our collective character. What we need is a new way of thinking, yet people are settling for the same old tired rhetoric and culture war bullshit. You tired of the mean old "elitist" looking down on you? Stop being a dumb ass. Democrats are coming to take your money. Republicans do not "shrink" the government, and your religion is not right with regards to how laws should be meted out.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Excursions.....
Needed to post something non-politics related. I have written about 10 posts today filled with such vitriol that I could barely stand to read them. So instead in homage to Mike. A moment of Zen:
It's like a vortex of vacuity! Weave enhanced!
It's like a vortex of vacuity! Weave enhanced!
Monday, September 8, 2008
post-weekend
Whirlwind weekend. Did some tailgating. Too little sleep. But got to see some peeps I hadn't seen in ages. All in all a good time, with some good weather, can not really complain much about that.
Stuff I can complain about though, would be this. Glenn Greenwald did a good take down of the whole situation. The whole notion of the of the "liberal" media is so out dated that it is laughable. This is the strategy that has been employed by Republicans since Nixon; vilify the press and rally the "public" to your cause. Fake outrage is a beautiful thing and press seems to be cowed by it...
If there is nothing else we should have learned over the last 8 years, it isn't that the press has a liberal bias...it is that the press and media has an incompetence bias.
Also Rachel Maddow's show premiers tonight. Check it out, she is one of the better commentators out there.
Stuff I can complain about though, would be this. Glenn Greenwald did a good take down of the whole situation. The whole notion of the of the "liberal" media is so out dated that it is laughable. This is the strategy that has been employed by Republicans since Nixon; vilify the press and rally the "public" to your cause. Fake outrage is a beautiful thing and press seems to be cowed by it...
If there is nothing else we should have learned over the last 8 years, it isn't that the press has a liberal bias...it is that the press and media has an incompetence bias.
Also Rachel Maddow's show premiers tonight. Check it out, she is one of the better commentators out there.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Convention Round-up 3.....
Got to watch Senator McCain's speech last night. It was interesting. He just really is not a good public speaker. He seems uncomfortable up there and his pacing and timing are off. That all being said, it was a serviceable speech. Not good, not completely horrible, pretty much the same sort of thing we hear from Republicans time and time again (government bad, tax-cuts good).
I am not going to post his speech instead I will give you this gem from his running mate, Mrs. Palin.
and
Religious or not, we have the separation of church and state, for a reason. We should all be concerned by this sort of rhetoric. Painting every struggle in Manichean terms and the homeland as divinely conceived and ratified is a dangerous path. It sets our leaders up as individuals serving under divine providence, with an air of infallibility that is not to be questioned.
-cheers
I am not going to post his speech instead I will give you this gem from his running mate, Mrs. Palin.
and
Religious or not, we have the separation of church and state, for a reason. We should all be concerned by this sort of rhetoric. Painting every struggle in Manichean terms and the homeland as divinely conceived and ratified is a dangerous path. It sets our leaders up as individuals serving under divine providence, with an air of infallibility that is not to be questioned.
-cheers
Thursday, September 4, 2008
.........!
I was working on a post about Gov. Palin's speech. But I got waylaid by this news tidbit. Go here to read the article: Westmoreland calls Obama ‘uppity'
And things were going reasonably well.....
And things were going reasonably well.....
Convention Round-up 2.....
So I would feel remiss if I did not offer some commentary of the RNC speeches from last night. TPM and Josh Marshall's staff have done an excellent job of putting together pieces on the convention, so I recommend checking out their coverage. Of the speeches given, I have to point to Rudy's it is a sight to behold. So I have dragged that over for you all.
This is a quintessentially republican speech. You can almost see the spittle flying. It is an angry speech, a divisive speech, a speech designed to attack differences not to unite. That is the plan. Obama is effete and intellectual. He hasn't bled for his country! He is different! Sarah over there is just like you! She has a whole mess of kids and watches Survivor and does Tupperware parties!!!!
I seriously thought lasers were going to come blasting out of Rudy's eyes toward the end of the speech....he was genuinely angry. But that is what the Republican party has come to offer, false bravado and misplaced self-righteousness. No policy solutions, all vitriol and bile; that is there governing solution, treat your opponents as enemy combatants, vilify them however you can and hope the American people don't notice. That is their plan.
Earlier in the evening Mitt Romney bashed eastern elites, the same former Massachusetts Governor Romney, and also stated with out a hint of irony that Washington needed to be rescued from the liberals who control it. Yes after 8 years of a republican president, who had 6 years ( I might say 8 myself, but I digress) of a compliant republican congress. Yes those wacky liberals are the problem again.
People need to wake up. The RNC thinks you are idiots.
This is a quintessentially republican speech. You can almost see the spittle flying. It is an angry speech, a divisive speech, a speech designed to attack differences not to unite. That is the plan. Obama is effete and intellectual. He hasn't bled for his country! He is different! Sarah over there is just like you! She has a whole mess of kids and watches Survivor and does Tupperware parties!!!!
I seriously thought lasers were going to come blasting out of Rudy's eyes toward the end of the speech....he was genuinely angry. But that is what the Republican party has come to offer, false bravado and misplaced self-righteousness. No policy solutions, all vitriol and bile; that is there governing solution, treat your opponents as enemy combatants, vilify them however you can and hope the American people don't notice. That is their plan.
Earlier in the evening Mitt Romney bashed eastern elites, the same former Massachusetts Governor Romney, and also stated with out a hint of irony that Washington needed to be rescued from the liberals who control it. Yes after 8 years of a republican president, who had 6 years ( I might say 8 myself, but I digress) of a compliant republican congress. Yes those wacky liberals are the problem again.
People need to wake up. The RNC thinks you are idiots.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Quote of the day....
Rick Davis, Senator McCain's campaign manager was quoted during an interview with the Washington Post (the link to the original article seems to have vanished so here is a write up about it by Steve Benen I will try to find the primary source again if I can)as saying:
If nothing else this shows the state we are in. Even when things are going horribly wrong, the inability to admit errors still drags people down. Yet the electorate still hasn't figured out, that this is what the Republican party does. As a party they will smear, obfuscate and dissemble anything to hide issues and use tribal politics (us against them) to when. They have done a horrible job as stewards of the country. Yet they will do everything they can to argue that they still are the best hope for change. Remember that when you wonder where we have gone wrong, and when you are told how scary the other is and how they don't have any plans or solutions.
-cheers
Much like Mr. Benen, I have to concur, that in a practical sense there is a certain veracity to this statement. By and large the electorate is relatively uninformed on most policy and issues being discussed. So judgments are formed on far more superficial basis.Rick Davis, campaign manager for John McCain's presidential bid, insisted that the presidential race will be decided more over personalities than issues during an interview with Post editors this morning.
"This election is not about issues," said Davis. "This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates."
If nothing else this shows the state we are in. Even when things are going horribly wrong, the inability to admit errors still drags people down. Yet the electorate still hasn't figured out, that this is what the Republican party does. As a party they will smear, obfuscate and dissemble anything to hide issues and use tribal politics (us against them) to when. They have done a horrible job as stewards of the country. Yet they will do everything they can to argue that they still are the best hope for change. Remember that when you wonder where we have gone wrong, and when you are told how scary the other is and how they don't have any plans or solutions.
-cheers
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Kimbo'd
I can be pretty harsh on the media. I have a very specific view on the sort of relationship the fourth estate has with government in particular. In fact I can sum it up with one word: adversarial.
That is how talking points should be handled. That is how the White house should have been questioned pre-Iraq, that is how the questioning should have been during the U. S Attorney purge. I do not care what political bent you are, if you are going to shovel crap like that, you deserve to get smacked down with a wet noodle. I am not pleased with this because I am contra McCain campaign, but because I hate when people do not answer questions. I hate it, especially when they dissemble and evade. Answer the question or say you are not going to answer the question. I think that is good journalism. Not just stenography.
Also I have decided not to comment on the whole Palin pregnancy flap. I do care about it. It is a family issue and that is what it should remain. I am more concerned with the complete dismantling of federal institutions that server the public good over the last 8 years. FEMA is a joke compared to what it used to be, and that is largely due to some serious ideological differences between Republicans and Democrats and their views on serving the public good.
-cheers
That is how talking points should be handled. That is how the White house should have been questioned pre-Iraq, that is how the questioning should have been during the U. S Attorney purge. I do not care what political bent you are, if you are going to shovel crap like that, you deserve to get smacked down with a wet noodle. I am not pleased with this because I am contra McCain campaign, but because I hate when people do not answer questions. I hate it, especially when they dissemble and evade. Answer the question or say you are not going to answer the question. I think that is good journalism. Not just stenography.
Also I have decided not to comment on the whole Palin pregnancy flap. I do care about it. It is a family issue and that is what it should remain. I am more concerned with the complete dismantling of federal institutions that server the public good over the last 8 years. FEMA is a joke compared to what it used to be, and that is largely due to some serious ideological differences between Republicans and Democrats and their views on serving the public good.
-cheers
Monday, September 1, 2008
Back from Wisconsin...
Whew....I am back. I am exhausted. Only a little banged up. I managed to hurt my arm and chest somehow. I haven't the foggiest idea how it happened. It probably involved me doing something stupid on a boat......
Didn't watch any teevee all weekend. So I am slowly getting back up to speed. Seems a lot of stuff happened the weekend worth commenting on! But till I get a chance to sort through it (get some sleep) and form something reasonable coherent, I will leave the commentary on "she soon to be a grandmother-who shall not be named", till tomorrow. That being said, I did get catch part of a Senator Obama appearance in Milwaukee on the radio. I can't find the audio, but here is a post on it. Reading it really doesn't do it justice. I only got to hear the last little bit of it, cause I didn't really know the stations up there so when I finally got home I had to try to get a transcript. Anyway, I am going to get some more sleep.
Thanks to Stephanie and the rest of the crew, for an entertaining weekend!
--edited: Found the video of the event. I want this man to win so that I can listen to this instead of our current President.
-Cheers
Didn't watch any teevee all weekend. So I am slowly getting back up to speed. Seems a lot of stuff happened the weekend worth commenting on! But till I get a chance to sort through it (get some sleep) and form something reasonable coherent, I will leave the commentary on "she soon to be a grandmother-who shall not be named", till tomorrow. That being said, I did get catch part of a Senator Obama appearance in Milwaukee on the radio. I can't find the audio, but here is a post on it. Reading it really doesn't do it justice. I only got to hear the last little bit of it, cause I didn't really know the stations up there so when I finally got home I had to try to get a transcript. Anyway, I am going to get some more sleep.
Thanks to Stephanie and the rest of the crew, for an entertaining weekend!
--edited: Found the video of the event. I want this man to win so that I can listen to this instead of our current President.
-Cheers
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