Category Archives: politics

Craig Ferguson Nails it

I really have to start getting his show on our DVR. His monologue Wednesday night really nails Sen. McCain for “suspending” his campaign. In any case, the Debate will happen with or without Sen. McCain. On both sides of the aisle, they don’t want Sen. McCain interfering with negotiations so he might as well go.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

Sen. McCain wants to cancel Fridays Debate

Ok, this is different. The headlines makes for amusing reading:

In Sen. McCain’s statement:

“We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved. I am directing my campaign to work with the Obama campaign and the commission on presidential debates to delay Friday night’s debate until we have taken action to address this crisis… Following September 11th, our national leaders came together at a time of crisis. We must show that kind of patriotism now.

Nice how he worked 9/11 into it. Former Mayor Giuliani must be proud…
This is hardly a surprise Terrorist Attack; people with eyes saw the Economy tanking for months. Is it really appropriate for a Presidential Candidate to interfere with such Negotiations in the 11th hour? I think not, especially in light that the Election has not run it’s course.

In his statement, Sen. Obama said:

“It’s my belief that this is exactly the time when people need to hear from the person who in 140 days will be responsible for handling the economy.”

It will be part of the president’s job to deal with more than one thing at once.

“It’s more important than ever that we present ourselves to the American people.”

I think that says it best.

Suspending the campaign until the economic crisis is fixed? I really find it amusing considering that Sen. McCain’s Attendance Record is pretty bad this year. Not surprisingly, the McCain campaign wants to delay the VP Debate too. Now that is hardly a surprise since the  McCain campaign doesn’t trust Gov. Palin to spend any time taking questions.

This isn’t the actions of a responsible leader, it’s the panicked show boating of a politician. If Sen. McCain can’t handle Sen. Obama in a debate, How will he run the country as President?

Music I’m listening to know:
Nothing at the moment.

Sen. McCain takes the low road. Again.

Anyone really surprised? From the NY Times:

MEDIA, Pa. — Senator John McCain intensified his political attacks against Senator Barack Obama late today as he charged that his Democratic rival was frozen in the face of the financial turmoil gripping the country.

“The truth is, we don’t have time to wait for Senator Obama to recover from his paralysis in the face of this crisis,’’ Mr. McCain told a roaring crowd at a rally outside the flag-draped Delaware County Courthouse here. Mr. McCain added, shouting, that “one week after this crisis began, Senator Obama has still not offered a plan of any kind’’ and that “Senator Obama has been M.I.A., my friends. That means missing in action.’’

Mr. McCain, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, was reacting to what had been billed as a major speech by Mr. Obama on Monday afternoon in Green Bay, Wisc. Mr. Obama, who has said that he does not want his specific preferences to politicize the ongoing Congressional and White House negotiations over a bailout for the financial markets, did not offer any significant new proposals for the plan, although he urged both parties to reach an agreement quickly.

I Highlighted that particular text. Follow that carefully: Sen. Obama said that he does not want his specific preferences to politicize the ongoing Congressional and White House negotiations over a bailout for the financial markets.

So basically, of the two presidential candidates, Sen. McCain wants to politicize any solution to his advantage rather than put “Country First”. Did I mention Sen. McCain seems to be willing to say anything to get elected? I seem to recall Sen. McCain’s solution involving a “9/11 Type Commision”. I suppose that’s his idea “offering a plan”.

Of Course, IMO, he’s just offering 4 more Years of GOP/GW Bush style politics. I think the Nation has had more than enough of that.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

IMO: It’s just a bad idea

"Trust Me!"A little follow up to the “Bail Out” : Apparently, the Democratic Members of the House and Senate read the proposed Legislation (it’s not very long 3 Pages?).  Senator Dodd has proposed a version WITHOUT Section 8 (Seriously, it’s Section 8. Coincidence or do they just know it’s Crazy??).

Sec. 8. Review.

Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.

As I mentioned before, I have really a big problem with this part.

Here is how I bet the Administration attempts to frame it: “The Democrats are UN-American and Hate the Ecomony!!!” or “WE have a plan. the Democrats have NOTHING!“. What do you think?

In any case, I bet the Administration will attempt to ram this down Congress throats.  Call me skeptical but whenever this Administrations cries about a “Dire Imminent Emergency!“,  I grab my wallet with both hands and wonder. The Economy is in trouble and does need help. The problem is, this Administration ALWAYS takes the “My Way Or the Highway” approach to “negotiating”.

I *really* hope Congress does NOT roll over on this.

Slight update: The NY Times has an informative article on this topic.
Another update: Here is Sen. Dodd’s bill on Politico. Sen. Dodd’s version reads:

SEC. 8. LIMITS ON REVIEW.
(a) IN GENERAL.-Any determination of the Secretary with regard to any particular troubled asset pursuant to this Act shall be final, and shall not be set aside unless such determination is found to be arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or not in accordance with the law.

(b) EXCEPTION. -Notwithstanding subsection (a), the terms of a residential mortgage loan that is part of any purchase by the Secretary under this Act shall remain subject to all claims and defenses that would otherwise apply notwithstanding the exercise of authority by the Secretary or the Corporation under this Act.

Which is quite different from the version the Administration wants.

Music I’m listening to now:
Mad World“, sung by Gary Jules from the Donnie Darko soundtrack album. You can see the video here.

Wow, Sen. McCain’s Campaign lies in multiple languages.

It’s just Shocking, I know. From the New York Times Blog the entry labeled “What’s Spanish for ‘Lies’?“:

Block immigration reform? The Democrats?

Mr. Obama opposing a path to citizenship?

Welcome to the night-is-day, down-is-up, world of the McCain campaign.

The NY Time Blog has the original video and a translation. I think the above video from “America’s Voice” says it all.  Being Hispanic, I sincerely hope the Hispanic Community doesn’t fall for this. Honestly, I used to have a lot of respect for Sen. McCain but I’m really approaching the point where I think he’ll approve and say anything to get elected as President.

Was Sen. McCain really the victim of dirty politics in the 2000 campaign? It would seem he learned the lessons well. He seems more than able to have his campaign use any dirty political trick, including a ‘Push Poll’ targeting Jewish voters. You might remember one particular ‘Push Poll’ from the 2000 campaign. Specifically:

South Carolina voters were asked. “Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for John McCain for president if you knew he had fathered an illegitimate black child?” They had no interest in the actual percentages in the poll, the goal was to spread misinformation about McCain. The claim was particularly vicious, since McCain was campaigning with his adopted Bangladeshi daughter. The sight of the little dark skinned girl made the seed planted earlier grow and John McCain lost South Carolina, effectively ending his run for the presidency.

BTW: In Spanish, ‘lies’ is ‘mentiras’. I imagine the McCain campaign is fully aware of this.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

GW Bush admistration still thinks it’s a Monarchy

Shocking, isn’t it? From the NY Times:

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration on Saturday formally proposed a vast bailout of financial institutions in the United States, requesting unfettered authority for the Treasury Department to buy up to $700 billion in distressed mortgage-related assets from the private firms.

Specifically, this part:

Sec. 8. Review: Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.

Let me ask: Is ANYONE (Other then Sen. McCain and the rest of the GOP) Dumb enough to think that this administration, A paragon of complete Incompetence, can be trusted? I mean, look at his record

At the least, we need oversight to prevent this administration from simply squandering MORE of the United States Taxpayer Money. Is the Democratic Party so foolish to actually PASS that provision? I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m calling the offices of my Representative and BOTH senators.

Music I’m listening to now:
“So What” by Pink. You can see the video on VH1.

Karma in Action?

Hotel Room: $120 a night
Drinks: $20
War Mongering GOP Delegate robbed by a Hot Thief: Priceless

Normally, I’m sorry to hear about Anyone getting robbed, but in the case of Mr. Gabriel Schwartz, 29, (That’s him above) I’m thinking he may have been tempting fate. From Pioneer Press TwinCities.com :

He met her in the bar of the swank hotel and invited her to his room. Once there, the woman fixed the drinks and told him to get undressed.

And that, the delegate to the Republican National Convention told police, was the last thing he remembered.

When he awoke, the woman was gone, as was more than $120,000 in money, jewelry and other belongings.

The thief’s take stunned cops.

I bet it did. The first sentence read like a cheap romance novel but that is exactly what happened.

I read about this the week it happened, but just came across his interview (I think the unbuttoned Cowboy shirt and the Prada Belt was a Nice touch!).

I just have to wonder: Is he an example of Small Town Family Values I hear the GOP represent? He’s for more War (shocking!) and just taking other peoples resources. Looks like a lovely lady helped herself to his “resources”.

He’s so gung ho about going to war, I wonder if he’s willing to sign up in the Army?  At 29, I bet he’s healthy enough and frankly, the Armed forces could use more volunteers. His resume is pretty impressive too.

Music I’m listening to now:
If I Never See Your Face Again“, by Maroon 5 with Rhianna from the It Won’t Be Soon Before Long album. You can see the video here.

Wow, Great Ad against Sen. John McCain

Saw this on Reddit.com. This was allegedly made by a private citizen and I have to say, it’s very good.

The best thing about it is that it uses Sen. McCain’s own words against him. As Sen. McCain himself said, he did everything he could to get GW Bush elected and re elected. He is hardly a “Maverick” in Washington,  but rather an experienced insider.

How on earth will he bring “Change” when he is part of the problem? He’ll “reform” Washington? What, by employing MORE even lobbyists? The very people he rails against?

I think not.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

Shocking: GOP,erm, FOX News up to the same old tricks

Anyone really surprised by this?? I mean, GOP Fox News has been nothing but a Parrot of GOP talking points for years. It’s like a script that Fox “News” people follow every four years. I’m sure they will continue to do this and people will continue to fall for these lies and innuendo.

Related: I’m still wondering what Lie the McCain campaign will use next.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

Sen. McCain lying yet again

The “Straight Talk Express” is continuing it’s downward spiral with yet another outright lieAgain. I suppose it’s true, Sen. McCain will say Anything to get elected. I wonder what he will lie about next?? Do we really need four more years of this??