A growing chorus -- including a top congressional Democrat -- labeled Senator Clinton's proposal for suspending the federal gasoline tax "ineffective and shortsighted" yesterday,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/30/AR2008043003575.html?hpid=topnews
Backing up Obama's position against Clinton's proposal to suspend the 18.4-cent-per-gallon tax for the summer is a slew of economists who argue that the proposal, first offered by John McCain, presumptive GOP nominee, would be counterproductive. They argue that cutting the tax would drive up demand for gas at a time when the supply is tight, which would mean that the price at the pump would drop by much less than 18 cents per gallon. The tax suspension would, as a result, cut into the highway trust fund that the tax supports, a loss of about $9 billion over the summer, but also result in fatter profit margins for oil companies.
Just what we need in the USA! Richer oil executives and more high way bridge collapses like this tragic event in Minnesota:
"Though Senator John McCain has promised to not raise taxes, his campaign acknowledged Wednesday that the health plan he outlined this week would have the effect of increasing tax payments for some workers, primarily those with high incomes and expensive health plans."
See New York Times article "McCain Health Plan Could Mean Higher Tax" here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/us/politics/01mccain.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
McCain says that a "free-market approach" to health care will "lower costs and maker health insurance affordable." We already have a free-market approach to health care. Around 700,000 Americans file for bankruptcy each year because of medical bills. And 50 million Americans have no health insurance. More of the same approach isn't going to work.
Don't Miss the new movie "DUMB AND DUMBER, Part Deux"
I do agree with John McCain 100% on the following topic. At a January 2008 meeting with the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal, John McCain admitted he "doesn't really understand economics." I agree! It is obvious that the GOP candidate doesn't really understand economics. Our economy and our health care system is a shambles. Do we really need a new president who doesn't understand economics to replace an old president who obviously doesn't understand economics? The Oval Office is a bad place for anyone to start learning about the economy.
See article by Sam Stein about McCain's economics shortcomings:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/21/short-on-economic-underst_n_82529.html
Familiarize yourself with Senator Obama's economic plan. We can't give Bush's failed economic polcies a third term!
Obama will cut income taxes by $1,000 for working families to offset the payroll tax they pay.
Obama believes that trade with foreign nations should strengthen the American economy and create more American jobs. He will stand firm against agreements that undermine our economic security.
Obama will encourage the deployment of the most modern communications infrastructure to reduce the costs of health care, help solve our energy crisis, create new jobs, and fuel our economic growth.
Obama will strengthen the ability of workers to organize unions. He will fight for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. Obama will ensure that his labor appointees support workers' rights and will work to ban the permanent replacement of striking workers. Obama will also increase the minimum wage and index it to inflation to ensure it rises every year.
Obama will crack down on fraudulent brokers and lenders. He will also make sure homebuyers have honest and complete information about their mortgage options, and he will give a tax credit to all middle-class homeowners.
Obama will establish a five-star rating system so that every consumer knows the risk involved in every credit card. He also will establish a Credit Card Bill of Rights to stop credit card companies from exploiting consumers with unfair practices.
Obama will reform our bankruptcy laws to protect working people, ban executive bonuses for bankrupt companies, and require disclosure of all pension investments.
Obama will double funding for after-school programs, expand the Family Medical Leave Act, provide low-income families with a refundable tax credit to help with their child-care expenses, and encourage flexible work schedules.
George Bush and John McCain say the "Surge" is working. And that we are winning in the Global War on Terrorism.
In fact, Bush declared "Mission Accomplished" way back in 2003, exactly five years ago tomorrow:
"My fellow Americans: Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed." George Bush, May 1, 2003, Remarks by the President from the USS Abraham Lincoln At Sea Off the Coast of San Diego, California
See: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/05/20030501-15.html
WHY ARE WE STILL TALKING ABOUT THE REV. WHITE ON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF BUSH'S "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED SPEECH"?
Senator Barack Obama says that "THE SURGE" hasn't been ALL that effective in the long run. And, he adds, there is no military solution to the political quagmire in Iraq. Senator Obama has said that the unnecessary war in Iraq (a war he did not support) has detracted from our pursuit of Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan.
The State Department, today, released their annual, congressionally mandated "Country Reports on Terrorism."
The assessments of Bush and McCain are inconsistent with the data provided by the State Department today!
The entire report is here: http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2007/
Here are a few talking points from this significant report:
The number of terror victims killed or injured is on the rise worldwide, according to the report, and al Qaeda's senior leadership has restored some of its control over the terror group's operations, and increased its mobility and ability to plan attacks.
Most dramatically, there was a 50 percent increase worldwide in suicide bombings last year. All told, 66,995 people were killed or wounded in terror attacks in 2007 (up from 59,327 in 2006 and 39,469 in 2005).
Some key figures:
- Iraq was the country most heavily hit by suicide bombings, accounting for 45 percent of the attacks and 60 percent of the victims.
- The number of attacks in Pakistan doubled, and injuries and fatalities in Pakistan quadrupled.
- Well over 50 percent of those killed or injured in terror attacks were Muslims.
- 2,400 children were killed or injured in 2007 by suicide attacks, an increase of 25 percent
This grim assessment must also be considered in light of the never-ending casualites in Iraq:
http://www.antiwar.com/casualties/ 28,829 wounded & 4,059 killed in action as of April 30, 2008.
And consider the financial cost to American taxpayers (many of whom have no health insurance) who are contending with high rates of inflation, home foreclosures, and crumbling infrastructure.
http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home To date, the cost of the war is estimated at $515,675,550,000.
"2,400 children died in 2007 from terror attacks, attacks which have increased exponentially since the U.S. invasion of Iraq." April 30, 2008 U.S. State Department data.
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“But conventional thinking in Washington lined up for war. The pundits judged the political winds to be blowing in the direction of the President. Despite - or perhaps because of how much experience they had in Washington, too many politicians feared looking weak and failed to ask hard questions. Too many took the President at his word instead of reading the intelligence for themselves. Congress gave the President the authority to go to war. Our only opportunity to stop the war was lost.I made a different judgment. I thought our priority had to be finishing the fight in Afghanistan. I spoke out against what I called 'a rash war' in Iraq. I worried about, ‘an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.’ The full accounting of those costs and consequences will only be known to history. But the picture is beginning to come into focus.”—Barack Obama, Clinton, Iowa, September 12, 2007
“But conventional thinking in Washington lined up for war. The pundits judged the political winds to be blowing in the direction of the President. Despite - or perhaps because of how much experience they had in Washington, too many politicians feared looking weak and failed to ask hard questions. Too many took the President at his word instead of reading the intelligence for themselves. Congress gave the President the authority to go to war. Our only opportunity to stop the war was lost.
I made a different judgment. I thought our priority had to be finishing the fight in Afghanistan. I spoke out against what I called 'a rash war' in Iraq. I worried about, ‘an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.’ The full accounting of those costs and consequences will only be known to history. But the picture is beginning to come into focus.”
—Barack Obama, Clinton, Iowa, September 12, 2007
I am a gay man. I served in the United States Army. I served our country honorably.
The Bush administration, facing decreasing numbers of military enlistees, is granting enlistment waivers to people with misdemeanor and felony criminal records (some were barred from enlistment previously). Apparently, the lessons of failure from the Vietnam-era "Project 100,000" were lost on the incompetent Bush administration. Recent research shows these bad conduct enlistees:
Had a higher desertion rate (4.26 percent vs. 3.59 percent).
Had a higher misconduct rate (5.95 percent vs. 3.55 percent).
Had a higher rate of appearances before courts-martial (1 percent vs. 0.71 percent).
Had a higher dropout rate for alcohol rehabilitation failure (0.27 percent vs. 0.12 percent).
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/30/military.waivers.ap/index.html
In spite of all of that, Commander in Chief Bush is giving these criminals a second chance.
However, an openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual American with no criminal convictions is not even given a first chance to serve in uniform. Marine Sergeant Eric Alva was the first troop wounded in the Iraq War. Alva lost his leg in combat. Alva is a gay man. According to Bush and McCain, Alva wasn't even worthy enough to lose his leg in the war because of his sexual orientation. Compare Sergeant Alva's honorable, brave, and sacrificial service to our nation with the problems and decreased morale caused by enlisting convicted felons into the armed forces. Compare Sergeant Alva's military record with the cowardice and desertion of George Bush during his National Guard service:
http://www.awolbush.com/
http://www.hrc.org/alva/
If you are gay, you are not good enough to even die for your country. John McCain, at the expense of our national security, wants to perpetuate bigotry against lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans. I guess we shouldn't be surprised. John McCain states he is proud to have the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee, a bigot who blames gay people for causing Hurricane Katrina. Hagee is much more nutty than the Rev. Wright. Barack has denounced the Rev. Wright's comments. McCain still accepts Hagee's endorsement. Yet the media jumps Barack Obama because of the Rev. Wright!
Under Don't Ask Don't Tell the military has discharged 20 Arabic and six Farsi speakers (Farsi is spoken in Iran).
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6824206
Bigotry is more important than our national security and the effectiveness of our military to Republicans.
Senator Obama, when elected president, will work to overturn the failed Don't Ask Don't Tell policy (to change the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the president needs to make changes with Congressional oversight and consent).
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/10/obama.gay.ap/
I salute all lesbian, gay, and bisexual troops and veterans who willingly and sacrifically serve a bigoted, dishonorable, and cowardly Commander in Chief (Bush's own military record has lots of unexplained gaps, in my opinion Bush's over 30-day absence from his National Guard Unit was desertion) .
In the 232 year history of our republic, four African-American men and one African-American woman have served as U.S. Senators. Until the ratification of the 17th amendment to the U.S. Constitution 95 years ago, each state legislature selected their senators. Since 1913 senators are directly elected by statewide popular vote.
Reconstruction-era African-American senators were:
Hiram Rhodes Revels Republican Mississippi 1870-1871
Blanche Kelso Bruce Republican Mississippi 1875-1881
One can only imagine the racism Senators Revels and Bruce encountered in Washington D.C. a very segregated place in post-Civil War America. And I have no illusions about the imperfect status of racial equality in modern America. I wonder what Senators Revels and Bruce would think of the modern-day "Party of Lincoln" (especially the infamous racist "Republican Southern Strategy" embraced by Ronald Reagan: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,399921,00.html). When modern-day Republican enthusiasts (like Governor Frist of Florida did today) say that John McCain is a "Reagan Republican" I wonder if this is a not-so-coded message that McCain (who voted against the creation of the MLK federal holiday) will embrace the racism and race-baiting employed by Reagan and the modern GOP. Reagan was a dishonest man and a racist. Do you remember Reagan's race-baiting lie about an African-American welfare queen: "She has 80 names, 30 addresses, 12 Social Security cards and is collecting veteran's benefits on four non-existing deceased husbands. And she is collecting Social Security Social on her cards. She's got Medicaid, getting food stamps, and she is collecting welfare under each of her names." Reagan repeated this lie, but he never named this woman whom he repeatedly claimed was arrested for fraud. Truth is, she never existed. Perhaps history will best remember Reagan as a deceitful, racist hack who promoted ugly stereotypes about African Americans. I fear any candidate for office who wants to claim the mantle and legacy of Reagan.
I never voted for Reagan and I reject efforts to canonize Reagan as a "great president." Do you ever see any non-whites standing behind John McCain when he makes campaign speeches? Watch C-Span and see for yourself. Compare the pale nature of John McCain's campaign crowds versus the diversity and enthusiasm of Senator Obama's campaign gatherings. I am sick and tired of the focus on the antics of the Rev. Wright when the racism of John McCain and the Republican Party get a free pass by the media.
Modern-era African-American Senators are:
Edward Brooke Republican Massachusetts 1967-1979
Carol Moseley Braun Democrat Illinois 1993-1999
Barack Obama Democrat Illinois 2005-present
When Senator Obama leaves the Senate for the White House (Obama's mother was white and his father African) the U.S. Senate will no longer have the voice and vote of an African American or a senator of partial African-American descent. Senator Obama's vacated senate seat will be filled by a Senator selected by Illinois Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich. In a country as diverse as the U.S.A., something is very wrong when the upper house of Congress is mostly white (and mostly male) and totally devoid of the presence of African Americans. The U.S. Constitution did not create the Senate as a exclusive club for white males.
I lived in Tennessee in 2006 and I supported Harold Ford's bid for the open Tennessee Senate seat. The immoral, race-baiting campaign of Bob Corker against Harold Ford was a disgrace and an international embarassment. I hope there is a place for Harold Ford in Senator Obama's cabinet. Ford is an intelligent human being and we all would benefit from having him in our government's executive branch.
There are seven states who have not conducted their caucuses and primaries yet. So we do not have a full slate of all party nominees for U.S. Senate. As of today, there are no African-American candidates for the U.S. Senate.
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2007/Senate/senate_races.html
Perhaps Senator Obama's ascent to the White House will encourage the presence of more African-American candidates (and will encourage more states to send African Americans to the U.S. Senate).
Senator Obama rejects politicians and the politics of racial division. I am still inspired by Senator Obama's 2007 "Dream Speech":
"If you spend time in Washington, you hear a lot about the divisions in our country. About how we're becoming more separated by geography and ideology; race and religion; wealth and opportunity. And we've had plenty of politicians who try to take advantage of these divisions - pitting Americans against one another, or targeting different messages to different audiences. But as I've traveled around Iowa and the rest of the country these last nine months, I haven't been struck by our differences - I've been impressed by the values and hopes that we share. In big cities and small towns; among men and women; young and old; black, white, and brown - Americans share a faith in simple dreams. A job with wages that can support a family. Health care that we can count on and afford. A retirement that is dignified and secure. Education and opportunity for our kids. Common hopes. American dreams."
The intense media focus on the Rev. Wright is sickening. It would be better if the media held up a mirror to the racism of McCain and the GOP. And why doesn't the media say anything about McCain's bigoted, anti-catholic, gay-bashing supporter Pastor Hagee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qNi7tPanUA
In fact, Hagee is uncomfortable without about anything that isn't a white, heterosexual, Protestant-fundamentalist male.
I hear the mantra "Support Our Troops" all the time from this failed commander in chief, Bush, and McCain, a 25+ year member of Congress. What do we have to show for the GOP's version of support for American troops? We have wounded warriors living in squalor and filth at Walter Reed Hospital (within eyeshot of the White House) and now we find that active duty troops are living in filth in barracks within the USA. Don't you think our troops deserve better? People in prison in the USA have better accomodations than these Ft. Bragg soldiers.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/28/barracks.bragg/index.html?iref=newssearch
A soldier battles overflowing sewage in the Fort Bragg barracks shortly after coming home from Afghanistan.
A soldier fixed his broken toilet seat with cardboard and tape in his living quarters at Fort Bragg.
Ft. Bragg, NC (along with Ft. Campbell, KY) makes up the XVIII Airborne Corps. These two installations are home to America's rapid-deployment airborne and air-assault units. Soldiers from these bases can and are on the ground around the world within 18 hours of receiving a go order. Our president sends these troops on repeated deployments, yet he can't provide them with sanitary housing with working plumbing. This is a disgrace and morally wrong.
As a veteran, I am angry about this maltreatment of my sister and brother warriors by a Republican administration!
Senator Obama is right, supporting our troops involves more than wearing an American flag pin on your lapel and just saying the hollow phrase "Support Our Troops." Senator Obama said:
"Keeping faith with those who serve must always be a core American value and a cornerstone of American patriotism. Because America's commitment to its servicemen and women begins at enlistment, and it must never end."
— Barack Obama, Speech in Kansas City, MO, August 21, 2007
Maybe this disgust at GOP neglect of our troops is why so many troops are supporting Obama:
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=4244798&page=1
1 Million New Voters For Last 7 Primaries
This is very good new for Senator Obama!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/04/27/ST2008042702368.html?hpid=topnews
The Nevada GOP recessed without selecting delegates to the GOP National Convention. Ron Paul would have been the candidate from Nevada with the most GOP delegates if a vote had been taken:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/27/ron-paul-campaign-dominates-convention/
And with McCain being presumptive nominee of the GOP, the Pennsylvania GOP primary (ignored by the mainstream media) had these surprising results with bad news for John McCain:
"27 percent of Republican primary voters didn’t just tell pollsters they would defect from their party’s standard-bearer; they went to the polls, gas prices be damned, to vote against Mr. McCain. Though ignored by every channel I surfed, there actually was a G.O.P. primary on Tuesday, open only to registered Republicans. And while it was superfluous in determining that party’s nominee, 220,000 Pennsylvania Republicans (out of their total turnout of 807,000) were moved to cast ballots for Mike Huckabee or, more numerously, Ron Paul. That’s more voters than the margin (215,000) that separated Hillary Clinton and Mr. Obama."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/opinion/27rich.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=McCain%20lost%20PA&st=cse&oref=slogin
The party with a messy and very divided national convention may well turn out to be the Republican Party.
John McCain has been silent about a GOP Congressional candidate's presence at Adolph Hitler's Birthday Party. Pictured in front of portrait of Adolph Hitler at Chicago gathering, Tony Zirkle (R) endorses John McCain. Like the endorsement of McCain by bigot John Hagee, is this an endorsement McCain is "thrilled" to have? Does the Republican association with Hitler and the Swastika represent American values?
Indiana 2nd Congressional District candidate Tony Zirkle addresses a gathering of the Nationalist Socialist Workers Party on Sunday in Chicago. The group was celebrating Adolf Hitler’s birthday while Zirkle spoke of ridding society of prostitution, pornography and the trafficking of “young, white women.”
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=12532
Sen. Barack Obama offers the possibility of racial healing. Some Republican strategists will try not to let that happen. They hope to win in November by playing on racial divisiveness.
It’s one of the only issues they have left.
Read this important article by James Thindwa in The Progressive:
http://www.progressive.org/mp_thindwa042208
McCain's embrace of the support of Pastor John Hagee is so antithetical to Senator Obama's values.
McCain's connection with Hagee doesn't get any of the bad press the Senator Obama got from the Rev. Wright.
McCain should denounce Hagee's anti-Catholic and anti-gay speech and should reject Hagee's endorsement:
Watch and listen to what Hagee says about Catholic and gay Americans. Do you see the Mainstream Media playing this over and over again like the whole Rev. Wright soundbyte?
Does this picture look like McCain is uncomfortable with anti-gay, anti-Catholic bigot Pastor John Hagee?
McCain says, "All I can tell you is I am proud to have Pastor Hagee's support!"
Do you support John McCain's pandering to the lunatic fringe of the right wing and his embrace of Hagee with his anti-Catholic and anti-gay bigotry?
Another member of McCain's party, Tony Zirkle, Republican candidate for 2nd District congressman in Indiana just gave a speech at a birthday party for Adolph Hitler a weekend gathering in Chicago of the American National Socialist Workers Party:
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/17972444.html
And these Republicans claim to be the part of Abraham Lincoln!
Senator Obama's vision for America is a more just and more inclusive society. After almost 8 years of human and civil rights regression under Bush-Cheney, let's reject Republican bigotry!
Vote for Obama!
HAPPY EARTH DAY 2008 !
Bush/GOP policies on the environment have been regressive. It is difficult to find any point on the environment where John McCain differs from the Bush regime.
Senator Obama has said that he wants a cleaner and safer environment for people like his daughter, Malia, who suffers from chronic asthma.
John McCain, following the failed Bush-Cheney-GOP policies, advocates a big-corporation-interests-first approach to the environment and our nation's ecological policies. We can't tolerate another four (or eight) years of having our country's environmental policies set by big business interests. And Dick Cheney still doesn't want the American people who he met in the White House to develop our nation's energy policies:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701987.html?hpid=topnews
Do you really think that greedy oil companies and mining corporations really have the the health and welfare of people like Malia Obama in mind
Senator Obama didn't "become green" to dress up his political campaign for president and make himself more acceptable to environmental interests. This is a four-year-old article which describes, in great detail, Senator Obama's long-term commitment in his life of public service to sound and just environmental policy:
http://www.grist.org/news/muck/2004/08/04/griscom-obama/index.html
Here are some excellent talking points about Senator Obama's ecological/conservation vision for the USA:
The New York Times reports the contrast between Senator John McCain's vociferous criticism of the influence of special interests versus the revelation that his biggest fund raisers includes a list of "106 elite fund raisers who have each brought in more than $100,000 for Mr. McCain."
Full New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/us/politics/21bundlers.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
See: "Amid McCain's new status, old scandals stir" Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/02/28/amid_mccains_new_status_old_scandals_stir/
The Republicans, historically, yell the loudest about corruption in government and they preach familiy values. Ironically, the ones that yell and preach the loudest turn out to be the worst offenders.
Senator Clinton has the same credibiltiy gap between her stated opinion against the inordinate influence of special interests versus the type of people gathering donations for her presidential bid.
Of all candidates, McCain's hypocrisy is the most breathtaking.
Already in the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama has butted heads with special interests:
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/07/27/obama_says_lobbyists_and_speci.php
"Obama Says Lobbyists and Special Interest Groups Are Blocking Key Rural Reforms"
The Washington Post reports that Senator Obama is determined to renew America from the grassroots level and that he will be "bypassng special interests."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/20/AR2008042001824.html
From "The Talk: Washington Post"
Influence peddling has long been a large part of the "Republican Culture of Corruption"
Some prominent examples of GOP corruption include:
Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R) being indicted by the SEC
Congressman Duke Cunningham (R) Pled guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Duke is now in prison. The Duke-Stir was also know to order Filet Mignon "Very Well Done." Eating an overcooked Filet Mignon ought to be a felony: http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2007/05/metaphor_alert_duke_cunningham.html
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R) Indicted and arrested for money laundering, awaiting trial.
Former Congressman Mark Siljander (R) charged in connection with his work for an Islamic charity, accused of funneling money to a terrorist Afghan warlord.
Congressman Rick Renzi (R) Indicted for extortion, wire fraud, money laundering and other charges related to a shady land deal in Arizona.
Former Congressman Bob Ney (R) Pleaded guilty in the Jack Abramoff political corruption investigation. Went straight from the House of Representatives to the Big House.
Former Congressman "Wild Bill" Janklow (R) Convicted of felony manslaughter
Former Congressman Mark Foley (R) Moralizing Chair of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Childrens Caucus, Admitted ephebophile, Internet Sex Predator with a penchant for male congressional pages, under investigation by Florida Department of Law Enforcement for Internet sexual solicitation of a minor.
Senator David "Diaper Dave " Vitter (R) Promotes the sanctity of everyone else's marriage except his own, admitted client of D.C. Madam. Solicitation of prostitution is a crime in D.C.
Senator Larry "Wide-Stance" Craig (R) Pled Guilty after being busted while looking cruising for sex in an airport bathroom sex sting: http://www.slate.com/id/2172982/. Larry Craig, the toe-tapping senator from America's Potato State, tried to use his status as U.S. Senator to avoid prosecution. He was rebuked by the bi-partisan Senate Ethics committee. Senator Craig was arrested for disorderly conduct while he was seeking some hot, man-on-man action in a public toilet stall with this adorable blonde cop:
Police SGT Dave Karsnia
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The contrast between McCain and Barack Obama could not be clearer:
“I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over. I have done more than any other candidate in this race to take on lobbyists — and won. They have not funded my campaign, they will not run my White House, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am president.”
— Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA, November 10, 2007
I love Amtrak!
In the horrible days after 911, Amtrak kept running when all the passeneger airplanes were grounded. I have never worried about a highjacking when I have been a train passenger. And Amtrak doesn't have the increasingly bad customer service record of the airline industry. Trains, by the way, are much more economical and green than airplanes. The U.S. Dep't of Energy consider Amtrak the most fuel-efficient mode of transportation available to Americans. Sure, I am all for commercial aviation. I believe that Americans are entitled to choose to pay for overpriced plane tickets to experience the horrible customer service unique to passenger air travel. I just want the option to take a passenger train.
If you are an American, Amtrak is your train. You and other Americans own it. Read more about your train service here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amtrak
and here:
http://www.amtrak.com/
John McCain, presumptive GOP presidential nominee, has a long history of being hostile in Congress to Amtrak in Congress. But McCain's disdain for Amtrak didn't prevent him from taking Amtrak from D.C. to Philadelphia on March 14:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/14/politics/main3938928.shtml?source=RSSattr=Politics_3938928
What a big hypocrite!
If McCain had his way, he wouldn't have had a train to ride on in March. And you wouldn't have train travel as an option. And you certainly can't check you car in as baggage on an airplane (like you can on the AutoTrain).
As David Gunn, former Chief Executive of Amtrak pointed out to Congress:
No form of mass passenger transportation in the United States is self-sufficient as the economy is currently structured. All highways, airports, and air traffic control all require large government expenditures to build and maintain, although some of those taxpayer dollars are gained for other modes under the guise of user fees and highway fuel and road taxes. Before a Congressional hearing, David Gunn answered a demand by leading Amtrak critic Senator McCain to eliminate all operating subsidies by asking the Senator if he would also demand the same of the commuter airlines, upon whom the citizens of Arizona are much more dependent. McCain, usually not at a loss for words when debating Amtrak funding, did not reply
We could have one of the best rail systems in the world if we took what we spend (waste) for just three months on the unnecessary war in Iraq and invested it in rail service.
As Senator, Barack Obama has supported increased funding for Amtrak. He has also supported increasing the number of routes for passenger train service. As president, Barack Obama will be committed to offering Americans another option for passenger travel (in addition to automobile or airplane). Trains are the most fuel efficient way to travel (something we should all be concerned about in a world with diminishing natural resources and increasing fuel costs). And train travel is a more green way to travel in comparison with aviation (or in comparison with a train load of people all driving their own cars to a destination).
Senator Obama uses Amtrak for some of his campaign travels. And he has been touring Pennsylvania via train on his whistle stop tour. It's hypocritical for McCain to want to shut Amtrak down (and then decide that Amtrak is the best and most convenient way for him to get to his next campaign stop).
The preservation and enhancement of Amtrak is another reason I support Senator Barack Obama for president.
The Acela, America's high-speed train.
_______________________________________________
There has to be a good political rhyme in all of this:
McCain has nothing but disdain for the train except when he needs it for his campaign.
If it's Sunday, it must be the Senator Obama Leisure Suit Tribute.
OK, I'll admit that I had not one, but two polyester leisure suits (one was brown and one was green) with imitation silk, floral print shirts (with HUGE lapels).
Hey, it was 1978 and I felt really cool and trendy.
If you owned and wore a leisure suit in the 1970s, please consider paying a $5.00 fashion fine (a contribution to my Obama campaign fundraiser). If you wore platform shoes with your leisure suit, you will be assessed an additional $2.00 fashion fine fee (another donation to the Obama Campaign!).
If you didn't own or wear a leisure suit in the 1970s, please consider paying Senator Obama's $5 fashion fine.
Leisure Suit Liberals of America UNITE!
Support Senator Obama for President!
Now I have the song, "Disco Inferno" playing over and over in my head!
The Federal Communications Commission requires that licensed stations serve the public interest. The debate (last Wednesday) hosted by Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos was, in the words of the Washington Post's Tom Shales, "shoddy, despicable."
I would have expected a bad performance out of Fox (e.g., Chris Wallace or Bill O'Reilly). Charlie Gibson is a graduate of Princeton University and he has been in broadcasting since 1966. George Stephanopoulos, a Rhodes Scholar, has a Master's Degree in Theology and Ethics from Balliol College. Simply put, these two men should have known better. I think ABC should fire both of these men. This isn't a partisan issue. I would have found a GOP debate conducted this way equally inappropriate and disgraceful. Once I got over being shocked by their sleazy line of questioning, I was appalled. During an election year, this debate was a tremendous disservice to the American people.
The American people own the air waves. The airwaves are not the property of Big Media. Each station and media outlet is required by statute to serve the public interest. The camera shot of Janet Jackson's breast during a wardrobe malfunction was much more edifying than the way these two men shamefully conducted a debate between Senators Obama and Clinton.
Check out the FCC website:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/decdoc/public_and_broadcasting.html
I strongly suggest that you make a complaint about your local ABC affiliate station and your cable company to the FCC:
Fax: (202)-418-2810Telephone number: (202) 418-7450Related information at http://www.fcc.gov/eb/bccomplaints/
I believe that Gibson and Stephanopoulos should be held accountable as should the ABC stations who broadcast that debate. I believe they violated Broadcast Law in terms of their poorly veiled personal attacks on Clinton and Obama and their criticism and ridicule of these two senators.
If you are not happy with the way the debates were conducted, complain to your LOCAL ABC station and complain ABOUT YOUR LOCAL ABC AFFILIATE to the FCC. Also, if possible, contact businesses advertising on ABC.
This is Raske. He is a Golden Retriever. He's been with me for three years. I literally found him as a puppy, wandering my street, very dirty, and hungry. This handsome fellow (one of my friends calls Raske "The Tom Brady of Dogs") is now about 100 pounds. This guy has a wonderful disposition and is a bit of a show-off. In the last 18 months we've had problems with pet food (not to mention human food and human medication) being adulterated with some of the same chemicals found in rat poisoning:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10771943/
Did you know that almost two years after this crisis began killing dogs and cats, there are still dog foods (and other products) being recalled! Here are two new additions to the recall list as of April 16, 2008:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petFoodRecall/brand_list.cfm?brand=Mighty%20Dog&pet=Dog
This is NOT a problem in the past that the Bush administration has "fixed." It is still a problem. President Bush's administration has, like in so many other situations, dropped the ball (in terms of a proper response by the FDA). If your dog eats certain types of "Mighty Dog," according to the FDA, it might be yor pet's last meal. This has to stop!
The administration has been relying on the businesses themselves to fix this problem. I have news for you! The businesses involved in selling poison and calling it petfood are only interested in cutting corners and making a profit. They don't care about you or your pets.
Senator Obama has already began work as a senator to improve our product safety:
http://obama.senate.gov/press/080306-obama_secures_p/
As president, Barack Obama will double funding for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Bush administration, again relying on the self-regulation of greedy business interests, has cut the budget for the U.S.C.P.S.C. every year.
I have been harping on this issue every Friday with my Friday Dog Blogging. Again I remind you, this is NOT a problem in the past. Pet food (and other consumer product) recalls continue as of April 2008. Your dog could pay the price for Bush's negligence. Or a loved one could pay the price because of adulterated medication.
This is the 21st century and America is the richest and most powerful nation in earth. You'd think that by now we should be able to count on our food and medication supplies as being safe. Under GOP rule, we can't. Obama, as president, will bring solid change to ensure that all consumer products are safe.
The German-language quote by Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer (on my profile) has really informed my spiritual and political beliefs. I have been asked via email to provide a full translation. Pastor Bonhoeffer (a man from a wealthier and more prominent German family) was arrested for his participation in a conspiracy against Hitler. While in jail, Bonhoeffer learned what he called "der blick von unten" ("the view from below" -- what life is like for people who are poor, maltreated, lonely, marginalized, in the criminal justice system, and genrally on the underbelly of society). We must never leave other Americans behind (who may or may not be as fortunate as we are). This dog-eat-dog social Darwinism seems to be at the root of the GOPs philosophy. We must reject this mentality! The Bush-Cheney-McCain types totally lack compassion and empathy. Senator Obama has been the victim of racism as a child. He knows what it is like to not be from a wealthy or poweful family dynasty. He knows what it is like to feel like an outsider. He knows what it is like to have a terminally ill mother, weakened by cancer, worried about her health insurance coverage. We, more than ever, need a president with this life experience and this compassionate perspective. We have lacked this for the last eight years. And the Republicans seem to be the ones who, even when they are in power, have a culture and an attitude of perpetual resentment and constant, malicious anger (have you listened to Rush Limbaugh and other hate radio types since the Bush coup d'etat in 2000?). Obama's life experiences didn't make him bitter. They made him better! This quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer really resonates with the life experiences and the (compassion-empathy) attitude of Barack Obama. This good man, as president, won't neglect anyone and won't leave anyone behind.
The Bonhoeffer quote in English is:"There remains an experience of incomparable value. We have for once learnt to see the great events of world history from below, from the perspective of the outcast, the suspects, the maltreated, the powerless, the oppressed, the reviled -- in short from the perspective of those who suffer. The important thing is that neither bitterness nor envy should have gnawed at the heart during this time, that we should come to look with new eyes at matters great and small, sorrow and joy, strength and weakness, that our perception of generosity, humanity, justice and mercy should have become clearer, freer, less corruptible. We have to learn that personal suffering is a more effective key, a more rewarding principle for exploring the world in thought and action than personal good fortune. This perspective from below must not become the partisan possession of those who are eternally disastisfied; rather we must do justice to life in all its dimensions from a higher satisfaction, whose foundation is beyond any talk of 'from below' or 'from above.' This is the way in which we may affirm it."
If you do some quick research you'll find that there are many groups of non-American citizens who are supportive of Senator Obama's race for the White House. There are Germans, Dutch, Russian, Bulgarians, French, Belgians, Italians, Spaniards, Africans -- literally people from all over the planet - blogging for Obama and taking part in dialogue with American voters! They are in groups on this Obama website. I think it is important to have dialogue with them (in their own language if possible -- which is why I sometimes post in languages other than English and I encourage others to post in other languages, too) to demonstrate that Americans are actually better than the eight-year nightmare of Bush-Cheney. Bush-Cheney do not represent "how we are" as a people. Bush-Cheney were not first elected by a majority of the popular vote! They are a fluke and in no way are characteristic of decent American people. I believe Senator Obama, as president, will renew America's positive image and our friendships around the globe. It seems like many non-U.S. guests are participating in this dialogue out of a sense of hope that the dark days of the Bush-Cheney-GOP regime are almost over. A new era of truth, decency, mutuality, and goodwill will begin when Senator Obama s sworn in as our 44th president.
Here is the quote in the original German:
"Es bleibt ein Erlebnis von unvergleichlichem Wert, daß wir die großen Ereignisse der Weltgeshicte einmal von unten, aus der Perspektive der Ausgeschaltenen, Beargwöhnten, Schlechtbehandelten, Machtlosen, Unterdrückten und Verhöhnten, kurz der Leidenden sehen gelernt haben. Wenn nur in dieser Zeit nicht Bitterkeit oder Neid das Herz zerfressen hat, daß wir Großes und Kleines, Glück und Unglück, Stärke und Schwäche mit neuen Augen ansehen, daß unser Blick für Großs, Menschlichkeit, Recht und Barmherzigkeit klarer, freier, unbestechlicher geworden ist ja, daß das persönliche Leiden ein tauglicherer Schlüssel, ein fruchtbareres Prinzip zur betrachtenden und tätigen Erschließung der Welt ist als persönliches Glück. Es kommt nur darauf an, daß diese Perspektive von unten nicht zur Parteinahme für die ewig Unzufriedenen wird, sondern daß wir aus einer höheren Zufriedenheit, die eigentlich jenseits von unten und oben begründer ist, dem Leben in allen seinen Dimensionen gerecht werden, und es so bejahen."
What spiritual values or spiritual teachers inform your political philosophy? How has this led youto support Senator Obama for president ?
“We now face an opportunity — and an obligation — to turn the page on the failed politics of yesterday's health care debates… My plan begins by covering every American. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change for you under this plan is the amount of money you will spend on premiums. That will be less. If you are one of the 45 million Americans who don't have health insurance, you will have it after this plan becomes law. No one will be turned away because of a preexisting condition or illness.”
— Senator Barack Obama, Speech in Iowa City, IA, May 29, 2007
Tonight, PBS Frontline broadcasted "Sick Around The World" a comparison of the greed-based, racist, inhumane, exclusive American health care system compared to the more humane and inclusive healthcare programs in other nations. America, the richest and most powerful nation on earth, ranks 37th in comparison with other nations in terms of the quality and accessibility of our health care.
You can watch the PBS broadcast here and read the program transcript: http://tinyurl.com/6psyu6
Around 700,000 Americans go bankrupt each year because of debt from medical care! This doesn't happen in other modern democracies! We deserve better!
Here is a PDF file with specific information about Senator Obama's health care proposals:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/pdf/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf
Health care should be a real issue for "values voters" and even the "pro-life" community. As a modern, developed nation the United States has an unacceptably high infant mortality rate:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_infant_mortality_rate_(2005)
Did you know that states with GOP majority legislatures and GOP governors generally have higher infant mortality rates! Here are the facts:
http://www.unitedhealthfoundation.com/shr2005/components/infantmortality.html
What does that tell you about so-called "pro-life Republicans" and their attitude toward the most vulnerable members of our society (children under age 1)?
I respect the differences of opinion among Obama supporters about abortion. I merely want to point out the Republican-style inconsistency of being an advocate of respect for pre-natal life and (even advocating that human embryos be spared from stem cell research) and then essentially abandoning the welbeing of babies under one-year old. This is not a coherent or consistent pro-life position.
I am not trying to stir up a conflict over abortion (Obama supporters have different positions on this issue). Again, I am trying to point out the inconsistency of the Republicans on this issue. Republicans seem only to be concerned with pre-natal human life. Once you are born (under the Bush-Cheney-McCain healthcare policy) you are on your own.
Infant Mortality Rates Among Black Women More than Twice that of White Women:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/PRESSROOM/07newsreleases/infantmortality.htm
Voters, is this acceptable to you? Are certain Americans somehow less worthy of healthcare than other Americans?
A vote for Senator Obama for President is a vote against our inhumane, greed-based, racist healthcare sysem in the United States!
Can we do better?
YES WE CAN!
I believe that Senator Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States. Maybe some will say it is premature to think about celebrating Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009. But after the doom, gloom, waste, corruption, hostility, odium, and negativity of the Bush-Cheney regime, I really need something to look forward to with hopeful anticipation.
Of course there will be inaugural balls for the 44th president. But most of us ordinary voters will watch the swearing in ceremony and see news coverage of the various parties and balls on television.
In terms of a gift for our new president, I think it would be awesome if we think about pledging volunteer time in what I will call "Barack Brigades." What better way to honor and celebrate a grassroots community activist become president than by engaging in our own community renewal beginning on Inauguration Day! I think it would be awesome if we (spread out through the United States) begin the new administration by joining together in partnership with our new president and doing some hands-on volunteer work projects in our own communities. Senator Obama as president will help renew America from the top down. We can partner with him and begin America's renewal from the grassroots level.
It would be awesome, as we approach Inauguration Day, if someone could start a website where citizens could pledge community service hours, coordinate and inform potential volunteers and donors about specific projects, and then submit pictures and stories about their Barack Brigades Community Service.
America needs much renewal. We can't expect Senator Obama (as president) to do all the work. What better way to celebrate the beginning of a new day in America than gathering to do volunteer work in our communites. Maybe this sort of positive energy will help our new president turn things around beginning in 2009.
What are your thoughts about this? Again, I know it is a little early to plan something like this, but I wanted to float the idea around and see what people think about it.
