Madame Pumpkinseed's Blog

Day 6

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:21:53 EST

Obama is giving the green light for states to set their own auto-emmisions standards. This will push automakers to stop trying to sue the State of California. It will get the auto manufacturers to get their mess in gear and finally make cars with far less of a carbon footprint. High time, I say.

Another Bush policy bites the dust. God I love progress.

I've noticed the Sod Controversy postings...

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:07:46 EST

The grass isn't all that is wrong about the state of our National Mall. The grounds and monuments have been in a state of disrepair for years. CBS Sunday Morning has a segment on it not long ago, complete with images of disrepair more stark than these. There is already a grassroots organization devoted to saving the Mall.

Personally, I think a few hundred "shovel ready" jobs can be created just from getting our national mouments in DC in order.

www.savethemall.org

http://www.savethemall.org/pdf/080629cbs-sunday.pdf.

One of these things is not like the others...

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:40:35 EST

I'll give you three guesses to which one.

Impeached Gov. Blagojevich, on the first leg of his media blitz timed to the start of his impeachment trial, in an NBC interview broadcast on The Today Show Sunday compared himself to human rights heros Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.
On the press offensive, Blagojevich has lined up national interviews--NBC, ABC, "The View" to run as his impeachment trail starts Monday before the Illinois state senate in Springfield.
Blagojevich, wearing a blue ivy league shirt, told NBC's Amy Robach that he has not prepared mentally for possibly going to prison. The impeachment was triggered by Blagojevich's Dec. 9 arrest on criminal charges, including trying to auction off President Obama's vacant senate seat.
As Dec. 9 unfolded, Blagojevich told NBC, "I thought about Mandela, Dr. King and Gandhi and tried to put some perspective to all this and that is what I am doing now."
Blagojevich is not going to participate in his defense because he says the rules are rigged against him. He will not be in Springfield for his trial; instead he will be doing nationally televised interviews.
The governor told NBC that the state Senate trial will be so unfair, he could bring in "15 angels and 20 saints led by Mother Theresa" to testify on his behalf and "it wouldn't matter."

I'm Impressed

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:01:40 EST

I've loved her and I have hated her.

I don't always agree with her decisions. I loathed her during the primaries. I still refuse to help pay for her campaign debt.

However, her confirmation hearing for SOS brought out the best in her. Hillary struck me that day as one hell of a taskmaster. She did her homework and was absolutely thorough in her understanding of the job.

Then today, when I saw the footage of her at her first day on the job, I was impressed by the reaction the people of the State Dept. had to her walking into the lobby. I figure they know more about how Clinton will be as SOS than I do, and I was relieved to see their response.

It's still early. I still have my doubts. Only time will tell how this will play out. But for the sake of the bridges we have to repair to the rest of the world, I am hopeful that this appointment will work out.

Advice to the next Chief Justice

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:59:36 EST

Make sure you MEMORIZE the Oath of Office before you give it so the White House Council won't have to have you give it AGAIN to the President the next day.

Roberts: "Are you prepared to take the oath, senator?"
Obama: "I am"
Roberts: "I Barack Hussein Obama"
Obama: "I Barack"
Roberts: "do Solemnly swear"
Obama: "I Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear"
Roberts: "that I will execute the office of President to the United States faithfully [sic]"
Obama: "that I will execute"
Roberts: "the off...faithfully the Pres the office of President of the United States"
Obama: "the office of President of the United States faithfully"
Roberts: "and will to the best of my ability"
Obama: "and will to the best of my ability"
Roberts: "preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States"
Obama: "preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States"
Roberts: "So help you God"
Obama: "So help me God"
Roberts: "Congratulations, Mr. President"

Hey, aren't you in that movie I watch every Christmas?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:55:30 EST

Palin Speaks Again...

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:32:30 EST

From Taegan Goodards' Political Wire:

In an interview with Esquire magazine, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) suggests she would do a few things differently if running for vice president again.

Said Palin: "If I were giving advice to myself back on the day my candidacy was announced, I'd say, Tell the campaign that you'll be callin' some of the shots. Don't just assume that they know you well enough to make all your decisions for ya. Let them know that you're the CEO of a state, you're forty-four years old, you've got a lot of great life experience that can be put to good use as a candidate."

She also calls bloggers "pathetic."

Shouldn't they air this on Nickelodeon instead?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:12:55 EST

Bush Farewell Speech Thursday Night On Primetime

WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush will give a farewell address to the nation Thursday night, billed by the administration as a chance to reflect on his tenure and welcome Barack Obama without fighting old battles one last time.

Bush will deliver the speech, expected to run 10 to 15 minutes, from the ornate East Room of the White House. He will have a small audience of people in the room, chosen for their stories of personal courage.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said Monday that Bush will "uphold the tradition of presidents using farewell addresses to look forward _ by sharing his thoughts on greatest challenges facing the country, and on what it will take to meet them."

The president also will defend his record, Perino said, but will show graciousness toward Obama and not attempt to revisit the old battles of his presidency.

Bush will speak in prime time, although no specific time has been set. The White House has requested airtime from the major television networks.

Perino said the speech will be the last scheduled public event for Bush as president until he appears on the North Portico to greet Obama on Inauguration Day, which is Jan. 20. Bush held his final news conference on Monday.

The White House says the ritual of a farewell address dates to the time of George Washington. Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan delivered goodbye speeches from the White House; Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford gave a final State of the Union address on Capitol Hill, Perino said.

If you don't think we really need those "shovel ready" jobs in Obama's stimulus package... here is compelling evidence why.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:00:54 EST

"Joe the Faux Plumber" turned "Joe the Singer" turned "Joe the Rodeo Clown of War Correspondents" could use a real job for a change.

Then again, a steady paycheck from honest hard work at a job created by Obama's stimulus package would be undermining his "anti-communist" belief system.

Good luck in Nashville, buddy.

The Huff Po Has THe Coolest Pics...

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:45:14 EST

I have a question for Congressman Bobby Rush

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:03:23 EST

If Barack Obama was not "black enough" for your Congressional district when you were running against him for your House seat in 2000, then why are you so concerned about the racial identity of his sucessor in the Senate?

"With the resignation of President-elect Obama, we now have no African American in the United States Senate, and we believe it will be a national disgrace to not have this seat filled by one of the many capable African American Illinois politicians."

Bobby Rush, 2008

"Barack Obama went to Harvard and became an educated fool. Barack is a person who read about the civil-rights protests and thinks he knows all about it."

Bobby Rush, 2000

Dear Mr. Burris

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:08:58 EST

You are a very accomplished man and there is no doubt in my mind that you have what it takes to be a US Senator. However, Blago knew from the moment he appointed you that you would not be sworn into the Senate. He picked you precisely because you being prohibited from a Senate swearing-in would create racial tensions that would distract attention away from his own corruption scandal.

Blago does not give a hoot about you, the Democratic Party, Illinois, or the United States of America. If he did, he wouldn't have thought about auctioning off that Senate seat in the first place. Rod Blagojevich is all about Rod Blagojevich, and that is just the way it is.

You are being played. Your desire for that Senate seat has blinded you to the fact that everything you have achieved in your lifetime will forever be outweighed by Blagogate. If I were you I wouldn't even consider his appointment.

Rod Blagojevich has the obligation to surrender his post and turn himself in. You have the power to step aside and wait for his unavoidable impeachment. When the new Govenor is sworn in, then you can make it known that you would like to be Illinois' next Senator.

He's got the Presidential Seal on that plane and everything!

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:18:46 EST

My God, this is a beautiful sight to see.

You Look Fantastic, Mr. President-Elect!

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:11:40 EST

Hawaii, quality family time, and time to properly hold a funeral service for your grandmother has done you a world of good.

Only 16 More Days

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:56:14 EST

From Huff Po:

_ "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." _ September 2000, explaining his energy policies at an event in Michigan.

_ "Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?" _ January 2000, during a campaign event in South Carolina.

_ "They misunderestimated the compassion of our country. I think they misunderestimated the will and determination of the commander in chief, too." _ Sept. 26, 2001, in Langley, Va. Bush was referring to the terrorists who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks.

_ "There's no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that we will fail." _ Oct. 4, 2001, in Washington. Bush was remarking on a back-to-work plan after the terrorist attacks.

_ "It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber." _ April 10, 2002, at the White House, as Bush urged Senate passage of a broad ban on cloning.

_ "I want to thank the dozens of welfare-to-work stories, the actual examples of people who made the firm and solemn commitment to work hard to embetter themselves." _ April 18, 2002, at the White House.

_ "There's an old saying in Tennessee _ I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee _ that says, fool me once, shame on _ shame on you. Fool me _ you can't get fooled again." _ Sept. 17, 2002, in Nashville, Tenn.

_ "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." _ Aug. 5, 2004, at the signing ceremony for a defense spending bill.

_ "Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." _ Sept. 6, 2004, at a rally in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

_ "Our most abundant energy source is coal. We have enough coal to last for 250 years, yet coal also prevents an environmental challenge." _ April 20, 2005, in Washington.

_ "We look forward to hearing your vision, so we can more better do our job." _ Sept. 20, 2005, in Gulfport, Miss.

_ "I can't wait to join you in the joy of welcoming neighbors back into neighborhoods, and small businesses up and running, and cutting those ribbons that somebody is creating new jobs." _ Sept. 5, 2005, when Bush met with residents of Poplarville, Miss., in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

_ "It was not always a given that the United States and America would have a close relationship. After all, 60 years we were at war 60 years ago we were at war." _ June 29, 2006, at the White House, where Bush met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

_ "Make no mistake about it, I understand how tough it is, sir. I talk to families who die." _ Dec. 7, 2006, in a joint appearance with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

_ "These are big achievements for this country, and the people of Bulgaria ought to be proud of the achievements that they have achieved." _ June 11, 2007, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

_ "Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your introduction. Thank you for being such a fine host for the OPEC summit." _ September 2007, in Sydney, Australia, where Bush was attending an APEC summit.

_ "Thank you, Your Holiness. Awesome speech." April 16, 2008, at a ceremony welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the White House.

_ "The fact that they purchased the machine meant somebody had to make the machine. And when somebody makes a machine, it means there's jobs at the machine-making place." _ May 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.

_ "And they have no disregard for human life." _ July 15, 2008, at the White House. Bush was referring to enemy fighters in Afghanistan.

_ "I remember meeting a mother of a child who was abducted by the North Koreans right here in the Oval Office." _ June 26, 2008, during a Rose Garden news briefing.

_ "Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have helped transform 13 small colonies into a great and growing nation of more than 300 people." _ July 4, 2008 in Virginia.

_ "The people in Louisiana must know that all across our country there's a lot of prayer _ prayer for those whose lives have been turned upside down. And I'm one of them. It's good to come down here." _ Sept. 3, 2008, at an emergency operations center in Baton Rouge, La., after Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf Coast.

_ "This thaw _ took a while to thaw, it's going to take a while to unthaw." Oct. 20, 2008, in Alexandria, La., as he discussed the economy and frozen credit markets.

18 Days Left

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:21:40 EST

Dear Govenor Blago... here's another letter just for you

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:41:19 EST

Aren't you a slick little piece of work.

With less than a month to go until the inauguration of America's first black President, in an era increasingly described as "post-racial", you have thrown a wrench into the gears that are turning for your own impeachment by using identity politics for your own personal benefit.

Countless people (including myself) have observed that whoever you named to be Obama's successor in the Senate seat you were caught trying to auction off would forever be tainted with your corruption. I was hoping you would leave Obama's seat alone, but apparently that was too much to expect from a sleaze like you.

Now the person you have appointed, a former opponent in your own party and an African-American, is highly unlikely to ever be sworn into office by Harry Reid and company because you have your seal-of-approval all over him. Even members of your own legislature won't back your pick, and now you want the Illinois Supreme Court to back you.

What pisses me off is that you are stirring up a hornet's nest of racial politics because you know the black man you "want" for the job will never be confirmed for it. What you are doing is a stunt. In one swoop the focus is off of you and onto this appointee. In the process you are distracting us from the promise of a new era of a Presidency that is already trancending 400 years of oppression and disgracing the office once held by the man doing all that trancending.

I doubt you will realize even after you go to prison that you did this to yourself. We all know that. All you are doing now is interfering with our President-elect. He's got a big mess to handle very soon. We and Barack need a solid backing in the Senate so our Nation can finally move forward and Illinois just needs to have a leader it can trust.

Fess up, resign, and move on and out of the way. You were caught red-handed. Hand those keys over because you wrecked the car. Walk away before the bouncer kicks you out of the club. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

A Wish for the New Year

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:20:26 EST

In much of the rest of the world, religious differences, especially when they are compounded by theocracy and state-sponsored religion, mean strife and bloodshed.

Often these "differences" can be something as trivial as disagreeing on who leads the faith when your prophet dies.

Or how your ancestor from 5,000 years ago wanted his sons to worship.

Or if priests should be celibate or be allowed to marry.

The list goes on and on.

The church I grew up in once had members who were in an uproar because my elderly great aunt and uncle wanted, for health reasons, to be baptized by dripping the water on their foreheads instead of being immersed in a pool in the baptistry behind the pulpit. If those naysayers would have had their way, they would have rathered denied my grandfather's sister and her husband membership into the congregation (and in the faith, entrance into Heaven), than to break a Baptist tradition that probably spans no more than three centuries.

My wish for the New Year is that more people at home and across the globe figure out how to co-exist with one another and realize these "huge" schisms in faith mean nothing when they hurt people and destroy the world.

Now, in closing, an example of a religious schism. These two churches happen to beside one another.

Happy New Year

"Millions of Monkeys", a tale sent from my "Sister Pumpkinseed"

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:42:43 EST

Once upon a time, a man appeared in a village and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10 each.

The villagers, seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort.

He next announced that he would now buy monkeys at $20 each. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.

Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer increased to $25 each and the supply of monkeys became so scarce it was an effort to even find a monkey, let alone catch it!

The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50 each! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would buy on his behalf.

In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: 'Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has already collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell them to him for $50 each.'

The villagers rounded up all their savings and bought all the monkeys for 700 billion dollars.

They never saw the man or his assistant again, only lots and lots of monkeys!

Now you have a better understanding of how the WALL STREET BAILOUT PLAN WILL WORK !!!!

Just a Friendly Little New Year's Eve Party Reminder fron the Ghost of Rev. Jerry Faldwell

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:44:52 EST

This is how people like me find the "gateway drug" to liberal progressive thinking.

This Shout Out Goes To "Hussein The Hope Monger": A Repost From My "Greatest Hits" Collection

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:07:40 EST

"Hi. I'm T. Boone Pickens."

By Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. - Oct 9th, 2008 at 6:30 pm EDT

I'm the guy who has been buying up a lot of TV ad time this year touting my "Pickens Plan" for American energy independence.

I am right when I say that the USA has only 3% of the world's oil reserves and uses 25% of the world's oil.

I am right when I say that our current addiction to foreign oil is the catalyst for the largest transfer of wealth in the history of humankind.

I'm also right when I say we need a diverse approach to breaking our energy addiction through alternative energy sources, like wind, solar, and natural gas.

But did you also know I have invested 10 billion dollars of my own money into the world's largest wind farm in the Texas panhandle?

http://www.newsweek.com/id/151727

Did you know I have invested 160 billion dollars to develop a natural gas vehicle like the ones that could be a third of all vehicles in the US?

http://earth2tech.com/2008/08/11/t-boone-pickens-and-perseus-investing-in-natural-gas-

Did you also know I own a company that's the largest supplier of natural gas for transportation in North America?

http://www.cleanenergyfuels.com/main.html

I guess that is a good start for repairing our enviroment and breaking our addiction cycle to foreign oil. I'm just your average ordinary reformed oilman who realized I needed to diversify and adapt to the emerging realities of peak oil, radical Islamic terrorism, a newly oil-rich Russia, and global warming and drowning polar bears. Maybe I can make this world a better place before I die and leave my companies in a position where they will thrive in the 21st century; after all, I am 80 years old.

Or maybe, just maybe, I somehow regret in my old age the things I used to stand for and what they have cost the world. I was once a heavy campaign contributer to G.W. Bush the 43rd and I even gave him a quarter of a million dollars just to help him throw a second inaugural celebration in 2005.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inaugural-donors_x.htm

I also gave 2 million dollars to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in 2004 so they could shit on John Kerry and his heroic Vietnam War record. I hate that I did that now, considering that under a Democratic Kerry administration, I could now be selling a crapload more of those natural gas cars I own a piece of that are fueled by the natural gas company I own.

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2004_3806652

Changing the world for the better while gaming the political field and making a killer fortune. After all, what would you expect from a "reformed oil man"?

"So what if the guy threw his shoe at me?" Bush told a reporter in response to a question about the incident

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:38:24 EST

"Let me talk about the guy throwing his shoe. It's one way to gain attention. It's like going to a political rally and having people yell at you. It's like driving down the street and having people not gesturing with all five fingers."

No, Mr. President... in Iraqi culture, someone hitting you with shoes means something a WEE little bit more...

This is an Iraqi beating an hanging effigy of Saddam before his execution.

How DID that "being greeted as liberators" thingy work out anyway?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:29:48 EST

Who Says Bush Never Learned Anything In School?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:47:55 EST

Just The Rim Of The Rabbit Hole

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 09:25:20 EST

Here is a little synthesis into the 100 Billion dollar taxpayer funded FUBARing of a "reconstruction" job we did in Iraq, courtesy of the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/world/middleeast/14reconstruct.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all

Dear Govenor Blago

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:57:21 EST

There's some serious trouble brewing these days.

With two wars, with terrorist threats looming, an unadmitted depression lurking, and a planet in jeopardy, we the human race are already over our heads in shit. Your greed and financial problems are a nuisance compared to what else is happening in the world.

When you decide to take your head out of your anus and look around you you'll discover that any one person you appoint to fill Obama's senate seat will have to do his or her job with your taint smeared all over them. Even if you handpick Mr. Smith the Boy Scout leader, in the end, your ghost will only haunt their every waking step on Capitol Hill.

You can't possibly do any more as Govenor. Your career is in the tank. Maybe you will go to jail. Any which way you turn, you won't be getting that 300 K government post and neither will your wife. Your million dollar fee for that coveted Senate seat now lives in the land of pipe dreams.

I've heard reports that on Monday the Illinois legislature will start impeachment proceedings. Then there are reports they might hold a special election to fill the post. Either way, the state of Illinois cannot be headed by a convicted felon. You only get one phone call a day in Joliet Prison, or wherever you are headed. When you go there, say hello to Jake and Elwood Blues for me.

Then there is Barack Obama. Don't you think he's got enough problems to deal with right now? Dubya won't even let him, Michelle, and the girls stay in the guest house across the street from the White House so his children can start school after New Years' Day. Hell, he hasn't been able to go to a funeral service for his Grandma yet because he's been busy being the real President since November 5th. You are a thorn in his side and you are hindering his ability to do his damn job.

My advice? Resign immediately. Plead guilty. Save the taxpayer the trouble of prosecuting you. You are a dumb ass for being so blatantly crooked, even when you knew the FBI might be tapping your lines. With a plea, you might get a reduced sentence. Anyway, the world will be better off without you and we can breathe easier knowing Barack's focus won't have to be on your dumb ass.

Thought for today

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:12:19 EST

First there was "I wanna chop Obama's nuts off".

Now Junior might be involved in Blagogate.

Where is the Reverend Jackson that marched with Dr. King?

Why Do I Get That Sinking Feeling That Jackson Jr. Would Have Paid To Play?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:07:23 EST

Don't attack me y'all. It's just something doesn't feel right about Jackson's denial...

Powell Tells It Like It Is, Round Two

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:44:35 EST

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell took aim at Sarah Palin and the Republican party's emphasis on small-town values during an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakharia that will air this Sunday.

Powell also says that we should rethink its "don't ask, don't tell" policy on homosexuals in the military.

As noted by Think Progress, Powell says:

Gov. Palin, to some extent, pushed the party more to the right, and I think she had something of a polarizing effect when she talked about how small town values are good. Well, most of us don't live in small towns. And I was raised in the South Bronx, and there's nothing wrong with my value system from the South Bronx.

And when they came to Virginia and said the southern part of Virginia is good and the northern part of Virginia is bad. The only problem with that is there are more votes in the northern part of Virginia than there are in the southern part of Virginia, so that doesn't work.

Was He Drinking Bong Water?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:14:04 EST

Your Dose Of Comedy From The Supreme Court

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:33:42 EST

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has turned down an emergency appeal from a New Jersey man who says President-elect Barack Obama is ineligible to be president because he was a British subject at birth. The court did not comment on its order Monday rejecting the call by Leo Donofrio of East Brunswick, N.J., to intervene in the presidential election. Donofrio says that since Obama had dual nationality at birth _ his mother was American and his Kenyan father at the time was a British subject _ he cannot possibly be a "natural born citizen," one of the requirements the Constitution lists for eligibility to be president. Donofrio also contends that two other candidates, Republican John McCain and Socialist Workers candidate Roger Calero, also are not natural-born citizens and thus ineligible to be president. At least one other appeal over Obama's citizenship remains at the court. Philip J. Berg of Lafayette Hill, Pa., argues that Obama was born in Kenya, not Hawaii as Obama says and Hawaii officials have confirmed. Berg says Obama also may be a citizen of Indonesia, where he lived as a boy. Federal courts in Pennsylvania have dismissed Berg's lawsuit. Federal courts in Ohio and Washington state have rejected similar lawsuits. Allegations raised on the Internet say the birth certificate, showing that Obama was born in Hawaii on Aug. 4, 1961, is a fake. But Hawaii Health Department Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino and the state's registrar of vital statistics, Alvin Onaka, say they checked health department records and have determined there's no doubt Obama was born in Hawaii. The nonpartisan Web site Factcheck.org examined the original document and said it does have a raised seal and the usual evidence of a genuine document. In addition, Factcheck.org reproduced an announcement of Obama's birth, including his parents' address in Honolulu, that was published in the Honolulu Advertiser on Aug. 13, 1961. (This version CORRECTS that Hawaii officials, not secretary of state, confirmed Obama birth certificate.)

Good Call!

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:50:33 EST

Being Smart and Lookin' Good!

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 08:53:42 EST

The Huff Post is reporting that Obama is BUYING his first tuxedo in FIFTEEN YEARS from an American unionized apparel manufactuer.

All this time he's been RENTING tuxedoes? God I love this incoming president!

Which One Of The Five Steps Are Rove and Kristol At Today?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:53:29 EST

George W. Bush is the worst United States president of the last fifty years.

In the liberal bastion of New York City's Upper West Side, this rendering of presidential disrepute is generally considered a ghastly understatement. The last fifty years? one resident asked the Huffington Post. How about our nation's history? Why limit it to the United States?

And yet, with this crowd as a backdrop, the proposition of Bush's terribleness was debated on Tuesday night. Spicing up matters: arguing the defense was none other than the architect of the Bush presidency, former adviser Karl Rove.

It promised to be a provocative if not potentially awkward scene -- Bush's so-called "brain" appearing before a crowd whose members considered him complicit in terrible political, if not criminal, misdeeds. And in this regard the affair -- an Oxford-style debate sponsored by the organization, Intelligence-squared -- didn't disappoint.

Over the course of nearly two hours, Rove and his co-defendant, the Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol, clawed with, argued against and often talked over Slate's Jacob Weisburg and The Guardian's Simon Jenkins -- who took up the motion in the affirmative.

OMG. Bush Has Admitted His Own Faults. Hell Hath Frozen Over.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:25:20 EST

From Huff Po:

President Bush let it all out today during an interview with ABC News' Charlie Gibson. Bush delivered a mea culpa on Iraq, the economic crisis and the 2008 election outcome for Republicans.

Below are three write-ups on different parts of the interview:

From ABC News: Bush on the Iraq War...

Looking back on his eight years in the White House, President George W. Bush said he was "unprepared" for war and pinpointed incorrect intelligence that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction as "biggest regret of all the presidency."

"I think I was unprepared for war," Bush told ABC News' Charlie Gibson in an interview airing today on "World News." "In other words, I didn't campaign and say, 'Please vote for me, I'll be able to handle an attack,'" he said. "In other words, I didn't anticipate war. Presidents -- one of the things about the modern presidency is that the unexpected will happen."

From AP: Bush on the economic crisis...

President George W. Bush expressed remorse that the global financial crisis has cost jobs and harmed retirement accounts and said he'll back more government intervention if needed to ease the recession.

"I'm sorry it's happening, of course," Bush said in a wide-ranging interview with ABC's "World News," which was airing Monday. "Obviously I don't like the idea of people losing jobs, or being worried about their 401(k)s. On the other hand, the American people got to know that we will safeguard the system. I mean, we're in. And if we need to be in more, we will."

From CNN: Bush on helping lose the election for McCain...

President Bush told an interviewer that his presidency may have helped Barack Obama win the White House.

"I think it was a repudiation of Republicans," he told Charlie Gibson of ABC News, according to a transcript released by the network Monday. "And I'm sure some people voted for Barack Obama because of me. I think most people voted for Barack Obama because they decided they wanted him to be in their living room for the next four years explaining policy."

I paid $1.72 per gallon for 87 octane this afternoon.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:19:51 EST

I think it is an ABSOLUTE MARVEL that so many new refineries have been built since September, especially considering how Big Oil was telling us the refinery shortage was part of the reason gasoline became so expensive to begin with. Golly gee whitakers, at these prices, Big Oil must also now be drilling EVERYWHERE their wells were capped ALL OVER our country by now.

Well, I Guess The Die Is Cast.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:43:01 EST

I'm at a loss for words.

Where Is Judge Wapner When We Need Him The Most?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:12:22 EST

He kept stupid and frivilous cases out of our other courts and entertained millions while doing it...

Just when we had heard enough from the wingnuts...

Duo take Obama birth challenge to Court

From NBC’s Pete Williams
When the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court meet on Dec. 5th, in their regular private conference to decide which cases to hear, two lawsuits that have captivated a segment of the blogosphere will be up for discussion.

Both urge the court to consider claims that President-elect Obama is not qualified to be president, because he is not a natural-born American citizen.

Persistent concerns about the qualifications of both major party candidates rank among the oddest aspects of 2008's historic campaign.

Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that "No person except a natural born citizen" is eligible to be president. John McCain's status was questioned because he was born in the Panama Canal Zone and various theories have been advanced to cast doubt on Obama's.

Lawsuits over the inclusion of their names on state general-election ballots popped up around the country and were quickly dispensed with by local courts. But two challengers have pursued their cases to the Supreme Court.

Pennsylvania lawyer Philip Berg claims that the circumstances of Obama's birth are vague and that he may have been born in Kenya. Obama's mother, Berg asserts, later flew to Hawaii to register the birth.

Leo Donofrio, a New Jersey lawyer, contends that election officials in his state failed to ensure that only legally qualified candidates were placed on the ballot. Obama may have been born in the United States, Donofrio argues, but "natural born" status depends on both parents being American citizens. Obama's father was Kenyan.

The justices are unlikely to take up these cases for a host of reasons, not the least of which is the invitation to overturn the results of an election in which more than 66 million Americans voted for Obama. An equally high hurdle is the issue of whether Berg or Donofrio have the legal right to sue claiming a violation of the Constitution.

In dismissing Berg's complaint, a federal judge in Pennsylvania found that he failed to meet the basic test required for sustaining a lawsuit, because he couldn't show how the inclusion of Obama's name on the ballot would cause him -- apart from others -- some particular harm. Berg's stake, the judge said, "is no greater and his status no more differentiated than that of millions of other voters."

Other courts presented with similar challenges have reached the same conclusion, ruling that there is no general legal right to sue over the Constitution's eligibility requirements. Federal courts typically reject claims of legal standing based simply on a litigant's status as a voter or taxpayer.

The Obama campaign had hoped to end the controversy last spring by releasing his actual Hawaii birth certificate. But that prompted further questions about its authenticity, which were compounded when state authorities in Hawaii said they could not vouch for it, because they were constrained by the privacy laws.

Then, on Oct. 31st, the director of Hawaii's Department of Health issued a statement, proclaiming that he had personally seen and verified that the state has "Sen. Obama's original birth certificate on record," which shows that he was born there.

"I looked into his soul..."

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:00:15 EST

Who Was More Presidential Today?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:57:59 EST

"Don't worry, Mr. Turkey. You're safe now. I won't let her get you."

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:48:05 EST

Happy Thanksgiving y'all.

Did He Drink Any "Pisco Sours" At The Olympics?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:35:48 EST

Hey, isn't that Henry Kissinger seated in front of Laura Bush?

Have You Heard The Latest Opera? "Sarah and the Magic Fish"

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:28:21 EST

This Is Not Eggnog

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:36:55 EST

This is a Pisco Sour, a regional drink from Peru, that Bush #43 is drinking at the recent APEC summit.

From The Huff Post:

Pisco Sour is a cocktail containing Pisco (a Peruvian brandy), lemon juice, egg whites, simple syrup, and regional bitters.

"You mean to tell me there is no Santa Claus?!?!"

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:37:16 EST

The Old School Whistleblower Reunion

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:22:46 EST

The good Americans who uncovered Watergate had a get-together last weekend.

Seated from left to right: Carl Bernstein, 95 year old Mark "Deep Throat" Felt, and Bob Woodward.

I don't know who the guy in the back is.

I wonder who will be in the next generation of whisleblowers after Jan. 20?

The Forty-Five Thousand Dollar Question.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:20:57 EST

No, I don't have that kind of cash on me; i just want to pose this question to get the brain juices flowing:

Why did Cheney just get indicted by a state grand jury and not in a federal one?

Obama brings a dozen cupcakes to Biden today.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:53:12 EST

Happy 66th Birthday, Joe Biden!

What Are You Most Thankful For This Thanksgiving?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:43:42 EST

Bobby Jindal, Sarah Palin, and Linda Blair were all in a rowboat...

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:12:54 EST

... Linda Blair stands up and says, "This joke won't work because I was in a pretend exorcism".

Bobby Jindal Trivia Time

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:26:59 EST

Now that Bobby Jindal is making a tour of Iowa, I thought this would be an appropriate time to bring this up...

Did you know that Bobby Jindal wrote an essay that claims he once participated in an exorcism?

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/bobby_jindals_dance_with_the_d.php

Happy 85th Birthday, Sen. Ted Stevens, Convicted Felon!

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:57:07 EST

And what a day it has been!

It was confirmed tonight you have LOST your bid for re-election to the US Senate, which if you had won, the Senate would have expelled you anyway, thereby giving Sarah Palin a shot at running in your place against your opponent Mark Begich.

Have You Heard About The New Jerome Corsi Book?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:50:56 EST

It's called Madonna: The Last Virgin On Earth.

And Now A Few Choice Words And Phrases From Sen. Chuck Hagel

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:12:46 EST

Sen. Chuck Hagel, Nov. 18, 2008

"We are educated by the great entertainers like Rush Limbaugh. You know, I wish Rush Limbaugh and others like that would run for office. They have so much to contribute and so much leadership and they have an answer for everything. And they would be elected overwhelmingly. [The truth is] they try to rip everyone down and make fools of everybody but they don't have any answers."

"Eighty-seven percent of the American people said America is going in the wrong direction. You don't need to know another number about anything, and so the election was pretty predictable: the American people don't like what is going on... they want us to start doing what leaders are expected to do, address the problems, find some consensus to governing. Get along. There will be disagreements, sure... but in the end we can't hold ourselves captives to this raw, partisan, political paralysis."

"Yes, there have been some differences and some pretty significant ones in [the Republican Party]. But when you ask the question: 'Has [our approach] worked? I don't think many people will say it has worked."

"Engagement is not appeasement. Diplomacy is not retreat. Somehow too many in this town and in this country have disconnected all of that."

"There is always going to be a certain know-nothing element to democracy. That is their choice. But in a world that is so vitally interconnected, it does help if you try to understand the other side... Ask them: 'What is it that scares you about the French so much?'"

"Team Of Rivals"

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:18:41 EST

The Musings Of A Tarheel Fan About Reggie Love

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:11:28 EST

Reggie Love sounds like a pretty cool dude...

But look out Barack! Reggie DID after all play basketball at Duke, ooooops, Dook.

Seriously, Reggie is alright. Just as long as this dude didn't rub off on him too much...

In the last year, Barack Obama has learned a thing or two about running for president, and Reggie Love has learned a thing or two about Barack Obama

Mr. Love now knows that when it comes to food, Senator Obama “eats pretty much anything, from chicken wings and barbecue and ribs to grilled fish and steamed broccoli.” But when he is campaigning in a small town with limited options, a cheeseburger is always a good bet. (“Cheddar is the cheese of choice,” Mr. Love added.)

He knows that “the boss,” as he calls Mr. Obama, likes MET-Rx chocolate roasted-peanut protein bars and bottles of a hard-to-find organic brew — Black Forest Berry Honest Tea. He keeps a supply of both on hand.

And he has learned that all campaigns have their superstitions — Senator John McCain has a penchant for heads-up coins — and that Mr. Obama is no exception. That means that Mr. Love and Mr. Obama, for luck, play basketball every primary day.

Mr. Love, 26, is Mr. Obama’s body man, the personal aide who shadows the senator and anticipates everything he needs — and everything he does not need. He is not a bodyguard (security is provided by the Secret Service), but rather the ultimate assistant, rarely more than a body length away from the candidate.

Young, eager campaign aides are stock characters in movies and on television, but few have quite the élan of Mr. Love, who, at 6-foot-5, is about three inches taller than the tall candidate, fitter than the fit candidate (he can bench press more than 350 pounds) and cooler than the cool candidate.

“There’s no doubt that Reggie is cooler than I am,” Mr. Obama said, laughing, in a phone interview. “I am living vicariously through Reggie.”

Mr. Love, who played football and basketball at Duke, usually starts the day with Mr. Obama with a dawn workout in the hotel gym. They end the day more than 15 hours later, often unwinding before bed by watching ESPN’s “SportsCenter” or that night’s big game. (Mr. Obama sometimes flosses his teeth to ESPN while lying down.)

What a body man does depends on the politician. Senator John Kerry’s aide for his presidential race in 2004 was dubbed “part butler, part buddy.” Bill Clinton’s aide when he was president said their relationship sometimes felt more like that of an old married couple. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has a body woman, the efficient and glamorous Huma Abedin. On NBC’s “The West Wing,” President Josiah Bartlet treated his body man, Charlie Young, like a son.

Mr. Obama said he regarded “my guy, Reggie,” as the kid brother he never had. “But maybe I’m saying that just because he technically could be my son,” the Illinois senator said. “I don’t want to admit my age.”

Mr. Love said he had been hired with “no job description whatsoever.”

“It was just like, ‘You just go out there and — Take. Care. Of. Stuff,’ ” Mr. Love said, taking his time with each word.

Some of the “stuff” Mr. Love takes care of: When Mr. Obama makes calls to woo superdelegates, Mr. Love is at his side with a briefing book, dialing the numbers. When an outdoor speech ended on a windy day in Noblesville, Ind., he appeared behind Mr. Obama as he shook hands on the rope line. “Jacket?” he asked, a coat draped at the ready over his arm.

When Mr. Obama dropped food on his tie while eating in the car between stops, Mr. Love was ready with a Tide pen. He always carries one, along with ballpoint pens, and has turned himself into a walking dispensary of Sharpies, stationery, protein bars, throat lozenges, water, tea, Advil, Tylenol, Purell and emergency Nicorette, not to mention his ever-present iPhone, BlackBerry and Canon Rebel XT digital camera. (Mr. Love keeps a photo journal of the campaign, and has more than 10,000 pictures so far.)

Compared with the even-tempered and self-controlled Mr. Obama, Mr. Love is raffish, always joking with the Secret Service, offering closed-fist high-fives to members of the news media and making frequent appearances in the daily pool reports. At a V.F.W. hall in Indiana, he helped out when the senator did not want a second Budweiser, taking it off Mr. Obama’s hands.

Mr. Obama often mentions that Mr. Love was a wide receiver on a football scholarship at Duke who also walked onto the basketball team. At a rally a few weeks ago in Mr. Love’s hometown, Charlotte, N.C., the candidate led the crowd in a chant of “Reggie, Reggie, Reggie!”

After the Democratic presidential debate in Philadelphia in April, Mr. Obama borrowed a move from the rapper Jay-Z and mimed brushing off his shoulders, but it was Mr. Love who had uploaded his music to the senator’s iPod in the first place — a silver Nano that he bought the senator for his 46th birthday.

“So I’ve gotten pretty fond of Jay-Z,” Mr. Obama said. “He’s broadened my horizons in the hip-hop world.”

In turn, Mr. Obama said he had gotten Mr. Love into “everything from John Coltrane to Frank Sinatra.”

“I think he’s got the most eclectic music of any 26-year-old,” the senator said.

Have You Seen The New James Bond Film?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:00:25 EST

I Guess He's Not Kidding With This "Team Of Rivals" Thing.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:39:09 EST

From Taegan Goodard's Political Wire:

Obama's Favorite Book Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin is clearly the book of the day.

With Sen. Barack Obama considering former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton for a post in his administration, it's useful to remember that President-elect Obama told CBS News during the campaign that Goodwin's book was the one "essential" book other than the Bible he would want to guide him in his administration.

Said Obama: "It was a biography of Lincoln. And she talks about Lincoln's capacity to bring opponents of his and people who have run against him in his cabinet. And he was confident enough to be willing to have these dissenting voices and confident enough to listen to the American people and push them outside of their comfort zone. And I think that part of what I want to do as president is push Americans a little bit outside of their comfort zone. It's a remarkable study in leadership."

January 20 Is Fast Approaching. Your Next Mission In Life After Your "Heckava" Presidency...

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:33:58 EST

...how about switching that suit you've got on for a different one with black and white horizontal stripes?

"I'm sorry to tell you this Mr. President, but you were possessed by the ghost of JACOB Marley, not BOB Marley."

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:18:59 EST

"You mean to tell me a quarterback isn't a refund?"

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:15:49 EST

Moving Day is in 68 Days.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:11:56 EST

UHaul Is Ready Whenever You Are, Mr. President.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:04:30 EST

Are You Packed And Ready For Moving Day?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:48:09 EST

Two Words That Don't Go Good Together: Senator Palin

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:34:48 EST

Oh Lordy.

Senator Palin?

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: February 20, 2007 - 3:06 pm

Sabra Ayres from Juneau reports -

1. Gov. Palin signed off on some bills today, but ended up getting pressed about whether or not she could see a scenario in which she would be in the race for a Sen. Ted Stevens’ seat in 2008. Despite political murmurings that she is shaping into a popular candidate who could challenge Stevens, she said she was keen to stick to her office on the third floor of the Capitol.

“In 2008? That seems like an awfully long way away,” she said. “I have four years to serve the state of Alaska as governor, and I intend to keep to that.”

So what about running for governor again in four years, Sarah?

“Four years from now? That seems like a long way off.”

And if you do decide to run again, will you let the Republican Governors Association get involved with your campaign, as they did last year, by paying for campaign ads again?

“As I’ve said before, I’m not sure if they did more harm than good to my campaign. There are some campaign reform measures being debated in the Legislature now, so the rules could change by then anyhow.”

Blog readers will remember that the DC-based republican governor’s group paid for a series of ads for Palin’s campaign, but ended up paying a fine for violating a law that restricts out-of-state participate in Alaska campaigns in the 30 days before elections.

2. Gov. Palin is heading to Washington, D.C., at the end of this week to attend a National Governors Association meeting. When she’s not comparing notes with her colleagues, Palin says she’ll be working on reassuring the Feds that Alaska is serious about making progress on the gas pipeline and explain her upcoming pipeline legislation.

On her DC schedule are meetings with the Alaska delegation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - which would regulate an Alaska gas pipeline -- and the secretary of Energy, to name a few.

After Sen. Ted Stevens said earlier this week that he wasn’t happy with the progress on the Alaska gas pipeline, Palin said that her visit will be well-timed, because “there is a need to get there and explain the progress we are making.”

-- Sabra Ayres

Do I detect a resemblance here?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:16:02 EST

Someone else made this comparison and I thought it was rather uncanny...

Which is which?

Senator-Chancellor-Emperor Palpatine of the Star Wars saga...

...or Conneticut Senator Joe Lieberman?

Bush Invites Obama To The White House To Meet Cheney

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:58:05 EST

Thank You, Council of Elders, for the new suffix!

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:45:28 EST

Question; What Does V.O.B. Stand For?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:51:49 EST

I've noticed a few of my friends here have added that suffix to thier aliases here.

Does it stand for Veterans Of Barack? Help me. I'm somewhat out of the loop.

I have a Special Comment for Olbermann.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:15:54 EST

Keith. Dude.

Are you friggin kidding me? You went on The View today and said that you don't friggin VOTE?!?!

After we all were COUNTING on you to neutralize Elizabeth Hasselbeck's vote?

Let me know when you change your mind about this BASIC right we've shed so much blood over!!!! All that passion for our democracy and YOU don't participate in it???????? WTF?!??!?!?!

Keith Olbermann, who just signed a 4-year contract extension with MSNBC, visited the ladies of "The View" Monday morning, where he discussed, among other things, Sarah Palin's future and why he doesn't vote.

"For my political point of view, I hope she stays exactly where she is," Olbermann said of Palin. "Because she's an unending font of material."

Olbermann also said that the former Alaska sportscaster has a future in the TV business.

"I think she's gonna wind up in television, and she's gonna kick all of our butts," he said.

The ladies also pressed Olbermann on his decision not to vote.

"I don't vote," Olbermann said, saying it is the only thing he can do to suggest journalistic objectivity. "It's a symbolic gesture."

Watch as Joy calls him a bad role model for not voting, while Barbara says, "Forgive me, master...I just don't want to be the Worst Person this week."

Now that the election is over and Barack has won, it is now time to fill the void in our lives left from all this campaigning.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:14:10 EST

UNC Tarheel Men's Basketball starts the pre-season Nov. 15. I am so Jonesing for it.

"So Barney, how has your master been feeling since Tuesday Night?"

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:40:08 EST

YES WE DID!!!!!!! Now On To Set Up For The BUSH RETIREMENT PARTY!!!!!!

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:46:19 EST

In Memoriam: Madelyn "Toot" Dunham

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:26:18 EST

October 26, 1922 - November 3, 2008

Thank You, Toot. You did good.

Barack and half-sister Maya

Madelyn's grandchildren, their spouses, and her great-grandchildren.

I Am A Patriot, NOT A "Socialist".

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:27:32 EDT

And I feel a lot like Molly Pitcher, stark raving mad and ready to fight.

The Republican Party apparently thinks I am a "socialist". Being a Democrat these days, according to their slander, puts me in the same league as Vladimir Lenin and Karl Marx.

It blows my mind to think that what are considered common sense centrist views in the rest of the free world are called "leftist" in America. When the GOP attacks the top of our ticket and calls our leaders "Marxist", they are calling virtually all Democrats the same thing.

My husband and I own our own home. My family owns land that has been passed down for at least five generations. We like to comparison shop and get the best deals on auto and home loans. I don't think we exactly call each other "comrade".

I am a teacher. My measly salary is funded with government tax dollars. If that makes me a "socialist", than I guess that also makes my Republican collegues "socialists" too. One fellow teacher I know is a conservative whose husband works for the state department of transportation. Does that put their family on the government dole?

What about the social workers, the garbage collectors, the cops, the firefighters, the EMT's, the public librarians, and the soldiers? We all do the jobs no one else seems to want to do themselves, we are paid by the government, and we are not making the kind of pay we deserve, so does that make us "pissed off radicals" ready to overturn a constitution that has worked since 1789?

Come to think of it, John McCain and Sarah Palin might be talking about themselves because they both have salaries and campaigns paid with taxpayer money. Say what you will about Obama For America, but Barack and Joe's campaign is funded from PRIVATE sources. Not to mention McCain voted for something as "socialist" as banks partially owned by the government.

The End.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:52:17 EDT

A former "Survivor" contestant and a faux plumber are now the "experts" Palin and McCain are using to campaign nationally for them.

After two years of running for POTUS, after resurrecting his primary campaign from the dead in the summer of '07, after all the primary and general election debates, and after all that has been spent, raised, said, or done in between by John McCain, this is what the end of the road looks like for probably his last bid for the Presidency.

Looking Forward to November 5th - Reason #40

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:26:05 EDT

Because these two people don't need to live in government housing when they already have seven homes.

Looking Forward to November 5th - Reason #41

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:23:46 EDT

Because there are four people that have overstayed their welcome in government housing.

Looking Forward to November 5th - Reason #22

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:01:17 EDT

Because somewhere in Texas some overgrown brush on a ranch needs to be BUSH-hogged.

Looking Forward to November 5th - Reason #57

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:53:47 EDT

Because no sitting President should have the turkey he or she pardons at Thanksgiving appear smarter than he or she is.

The GOP: Falling Like A House Of Cards

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:40:12 EDT

Anyone else out there hoping for a Dem 60 seat majority in the Senate? Maybe we are getting closer...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens has been convicted of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor.

The Senate's longest-serving Republican, Stevens was found guilty on all seven counts of making false statements on Senate financial documents.

The verdict throws the upcoming election into disarray. Stevens is fighting off a challenge from Democrat Mark Begich and must now either drop out or continue campaigning as a convicted felon.

The trial hinged on the testimony of Stevens' longtime friend, who testified that his employees dramatically remodeled the senator's home.

Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count but, under federal sentencing guidelines, will likely receive much less prison time, if any.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jurors in Sen. Ted Stevens' corruption trial passed a note with "a potential verdict" to a federal judge Monday, a courthouse spokesman said.

The jury has been beset by problems since deliberations began Wednesday. Courthouse spokesman Sheldon Snook said the panel sent a note Monday. Attorneys for both sides were called back to court Monday for a reading of the note.

Court officials were also testing the jury microphone, which is normally reserved for the reading of verdicts.

The ambiguity of the note's description, though, apparently leaves open the possibility that jurors have been unable to reach a unanimous verdict. If so, the judge likely would send them back to continue deliberating.

In a tight election year, the verdict has the potential to alter the nation's political landscape. The Senate's longest-serving Republican is fending off an aggressive Democratic challenger. If Stevens is convicted, it would hurt his chance of keeping a seat he's held for generations. And it could push Democrats toward a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

Stevens is charged with lying on Senate financial forms about $250,000 in home renovations and other gifts he received from an oil contractor.

Stevens spent three days on the witness stand, vehemently denying that allegation. He said his wife, Catherine, paid every bill they received.

Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count, but under federal sentencing guidelines, he would likely receive much less prison time, if any.

Stevens' trial hinged on the testimony of Bill Allen, the senator's longtime drinking and fishing buddy. Allen, the founder of VECO, testified that he never billed his friend for the extensive work on the house and that Stevens knew he was getting a deal.

Stevens is a legendary figure in Alaska, where he has wielded political influence since before statehood. His knack for steering billions of dollars in federal money to his home state has drawn praise from his constituents and consternation from budget hawks.

Thank You North Carolinian Junior Johnson!

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:55:34 EDT

Junior Johnson, legendary retired NASCAR driver and pardoned moonshine maker, has officialy endorsed Barack Obama for President. According to Wikipedia, Johnson is a lifelong Democrat.

Here is most of the e-mail I got this morning declaring this:

My family and I have given this election a lot of thought.

Our country is in a rough spot, and we're going to need some serious change. There's only one candidate ready to deliver it -- and that's Barack Obama.

Every day I talk to someone else who's never voted for a Democrat, but now they're voting for Barack Obama. They realize that Barack understands what we're going through here in North Carolina. And they're ready for change.

So I've made up my mind, and I'm ready to get involved. I know that I could never have won a race without my pit crew, and I know Barack can't win this one without us.

When I talk to folks about why I support Barack, I just tell it like I see it.

There's been a lot thrown at him this election, and he's stayed calm, positive, and focused. I know a little something about how important it is to stay cool under pressure.

And with all the dangers in our world today, that's the kind of rock-solid leadership our country needs.

These days, I run a small country ham and pork skins business. Barack Obama will fight for a fair economy where small businesses like mine have the freedom to grow, and he'll defend the Second Amendment to protect the hunter's way of life.

But the most important reasons I'm speaking out for Barack Obama are named Robert and Meredith, my two children. My wife Lisa and I talked it over, and honestly, we know in our gut that their future is more secure if Barack Obama is president.

At the end of the day, there's just nothing more important than that.

Two Situations Gone Out Of Control.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:39:33 EDT

The Reason Why The McCain Camp Gets Weirder By The Day.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:31:01 EDT

"In order to -- in order for McCain to win, he's got a very steep hill to climb."

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:53:12 EDT

"He's got to win all of the toss-up states, 64 electoral votes, all the yellow-shaded states on the map.

Then he needs to strip away Ohio and Indiana with 31 electoral votes to get him to 252. And then he needs to either win Colorado and Virginia, which gets him to 274, or win one of them plus Pennsylvania, which would get him to 282 or 286. It's a steep uphill climb."

-Karl Rove on Fox News Sunday, October 26, 2008

Do you smell the blood in the water yet?

Early voting. Door-to-door canvassing. Driving voters to the polls. Let's bring this home.

Our time is NOW.

Looking Forward to November 5th - Reason #55

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:39:38 EDT

Because no U.S. President should ever brush his teeth with butter.

Looking Forward to November 5th - Reason #8

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:36:24 EDT

No explanation needed here.

Looking Forward to November 5th - Reason #127

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:26:37 EDT

Because Mario the Plumber knows more about the plumbing trade than Joe the Plumber.

Looking Forward to November 5th - Reason #72

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:18:29 EDT

Because maybe a certain someone on a certain talkshow might quit ABC and send her resume to Fox News so she can be their next cue card holder.

Pray For Madeline "Toot" Dunham

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:10:35 EDT

She is Barack's maternal grandmother. Barack's grandfather Stanley passed away in 1992 and Barack's mother passed away in 1995.

According to the latest reports, she has a broken hip and is under hospice care in her Honolulu apartment.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Obama and the Soetoro-Ng families.

What Do These Two Men Have In Common?

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:55:18 EDT

Both of them were Born In The USA. Thank you, (non-partisan) FactCheck.org

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html

The Ultimate Troll Repellant for My.BO - version 2.012

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:02:15 EDT

I wanted to share my idea with you all and to the folks running the site in Chicago.

I have no doubt in 2012 there will be a re-election bid for the O-Man. This site will by that time be up and running again, complete with a My.BO section (version 2.012) and a blog.

Obama supporters will pay for it as we do now: with our campaign contributions. Trolls freeload on here posting their crap on a site we pay for. Why not make the trolls pay for their blog pollution?

If people want to blog here in 2012, let them make a modest campaign contribution, maybe 10 or 15 dollars. With their contribution they will get an access code that allows that blogger to post on My.BO. Anyone will still be able to read what is posted here, but in order to blog, you will have to be a member blogger.

Anyone who wants to troll on My.BO would have to pay to do so and would be likewise be financial donors to the 2012 Obama campaign. That alone will deter the vast majority of them, and the stubborn "shapeshifter" trolls would have to repay the fee everytime they are booted off by the site administrator.

How does this sound?

"Boatpooling" to the Early Voting Site

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:37:09 EDT

If your state allows early voting, PLEASE use it!

The GOP can't discourage and disinfranchise us at the polls like they did in Ohio in 2004 if we are voting in a steady stream for days on end. We don't know what the weather will be like on Nov. 4th, nor do we know what shenanigans the Republicans will pull this time that day. Don't procrastinate. Our future depends on it.

(Thank You, Hussein the Hope Monger for your idea!)

If There Is Any More of a Searing Indictment of the Last Eight Years...

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:38:54 EDT

Thank you, General Powell.

I have always respected you and I believe you were used and played by Rumsfeld and Cheney.

Welcome Aboard!

Apparently There Is A "Real" Virginia And An "Imaginary" One

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:25:22 EDT

I wonder if the "imaginary" Virginia is "pro-America" or not...

McCain Still Leads in "Real Virginia"On MSNBC, a top aide to John McCain said the Republican presidential nominee "still has a strong chance of winning the state because of his support in 'real Virginia,' the downstate areas far removed in distance and political philosophy from the more liberal areas of the northern part of the state," the AP reports.

The host asked Nancy Pfotenhauer "if she wanted to retract the comment" but she declined.

Politico notes that Northern VIrginia "is home to a third of the state's voters."

This North Carolinian Has Another Question For The Govenor Of Alaska.

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:08:52 EDT

Gov.Sarah Palin, in North Carolina, October, 16, 2008

"We believe that the best of America is not all in Washington, D.C. We believe" -- here the audience interrupted Palin with applause and cheers -- "We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation. This is where we find the kindness and the goodness and the courage of everyday Americans. Those who are running our factories and teaching our kids and growing our food and are fighting our wars for us. Those who are protecting us in uniform. Those who are protecting the virtues of freedom."

Let me get this straight.

Since North Carolina has a strong chance of flipping blue this November, and if it does it will be the first time since 1976, does that mean my state won't be "pro-American" anymore? Will that mean my state would then seceed from the union (again) and become a part of Russia? By the way, who are you to talk about "other" states not being "pro-American" when people like your husband want(ed) Alaska to leave the Union and be a seperate country?

How Refreshing!

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 10:57:41 EDT

350 Dollars

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:52:53 EDT

This is how much money I believe every troll on this site should donate to the Obama-Biden campaign for the right to post on our blog.

350 is the approximate number of electoral college votes Obama currently has according to the latest polling.

www.electoral-vote.com

www.fivethirtyeight.com

We only need 270 to win on Nov. 4th.

Cough up the dough, trolls. Thay means you have to actually get a job instead of changing your identity 5 or 6 times in a week so you can keep blabbing your crap here after we report you to the site administrator.

"When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:03:23 EDT

A quote from American author Sinclair Lewis, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The next season of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars"

Madame Pumpkinseed, V.O.B. — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:31:55 EDT

It was just too much. I just HAD to post this.

Coming to your TV sets Nov. 5th...