NATIONAL OVERALL IMPACT OF THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.
Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.
Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when
Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.
Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
It appears there is a new phase of the campaign taking the lead.
Rumors of Palin Camp Forcefully Denies Report Of Internal Discord
This is occurring in tandem with the rise of a new external effort.
Conservative activists escalate 'doom and gloom' rhetoric as Nov. 4 nears By Eric Gorski and Rachel Zoll AP Religion Writers
Terrorist strikes on four American cities. Russia rolling into Eastern Europe. Israel hit by a nuclear bomb. Gay marriage in every state.The end of the Boy Scouts.All are plausible scenarios if Democrat Barack Obama is elected president, according to a new addition to the campaign conversation called "Letter from 2012 in Obama's America," produced by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family Action.
Terrorist strikes on four American cities. Russia rolling into Eastern Europe. Israel hit by a nuclear bomb. Gay marriage in every state.
The end of the Boy Scouts.
All are plausible scenarios if Democrat Barack Obama is elected president, according to a new addition to the campaign conversation called "Letter from 2012 in Obama's America," produced by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family Action.
A second effort I've noticed coming on with a vengeance is http://www.ourcountrydeservesbetter.com/Come Support "The Stop Obama Tour" Oct. 15th - 29th
Welcome to the Our Country Deserves Better website. We are a national effort focused on defeating Barack Obama's presidential campaign because Obama would be a disastrous president.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVl_GioeNNU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW2iZ1pD2G4
~@~
An extremely vitriolic campaign @ http://www.ourcountrydeservesbetter.com/ads/index.html
Has Senator John McCain been sidelined by the Religious Conservative wing of the Republican Party? Rumors have it that Gov Sarah Palin's nomination was demanded of Sen McCain. If I remember, he wanted Joe Lieberman.
Palin plays Wright card, but Dems say she has her own pastor issues
Sarah Palin is saying more attention should be paid to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama's former pastor. Democrats counter that they are ready to fight back with their own barrage of guilt-by-association attacks.
ABC News: Palin's Religion Energizing GOP Faithful
How religion guides Palin -- chicagotribune.com
Newsweek Takes on Sarah Palin's Religion
Sarah Palin - Religion and Politics « End Times Prophetic ...
What is really going on?
Who is truly pulling the strings in the Republican Presidential campaign ?
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/
http://www.ourcountrydeservesbetter.com/
Sarah Palin blessed and protected by Thomas Muthee against all forms of witchcraft
The Politico reported that "stirrings of a Palin insurgency are complicating the campaign's already-tense internal dynamics." Reporter Ben Smith cited four sources close to the governor who said that Palin has "decided increasingly to disregard the advice of the former Bush aides tasked to handle her, creating occasionally tense situations as she travels the country with them."Though Palin kept her distance from the traveling press throughout most of the campaign, the dynamic suddenly shifted last weekend, when she took questions from the media on three separate occasions over the course of two days.
This dynamic shift coincides with the arrival of http://www.focusonthefamily.com/ and http://www.ourcountrydeservesbetter.com/
Along with rising tensions brought about by Conservative activists spreading fear of Armageddon as well as The end of the Boy Scouts.
Amazing what you can do in your first 20 months. So this is "executive experience":
After being found guilty of abusing her power as governor in the so-called "troopergate" scandal over the firing of her ex-brother-in-law, Palin now faces a second probe over whether she violated ethics rules in the affair.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081023/ts_alt_afp/usvoterepublicanpalin;_ylt=AjHwJaaTvU1BFlwxM6rTMFus0NUE
The Troopergate probe was launched after a unanimous vote by 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats.
What do the vice-presidential debate and a racist incident that same day in a middle school have in common? Not much, on the face of it, but on a deeper level, they are both indicative of the state of America today; the low expectations of value, the low expectations of leadership and the increasingly low acceptance of what counts as right and wrong.
First of all, the debate. There has been much comment, most of it hot air, around the anticipated gladiatorial battle between Joe Biden for the Democrats and Sarah Palin for the Republicans. In many other cases, this would have been a non-event: so completely predictable in outcome, so false and superficial and so patroniising to public intelligence as to be almost nonsensical. Yet, the outcome has been presented as some kind of victory for Biden and a 'did much better than expected' scorecard for Palin. Phew, relief all round. She can rest easily now! This assessment is despite the fact that Sarah Palin scored an average of only 32% favourability rating across all the main polls compared to57% for Joe Biden, a significant difference of 25% between them!
Under the Constitution, the Vice President is granted two powers: 1.) to vote in the Senate in the event that the other Senators are tied, and 2.) to certify the electoral college votes. That is the extent of the VP's power. Any additional assignments and duties are informal. VP candidate Sarah Palin mentioned in Thursday's debate that she, like Dick Cheney, believes that the Constitution is open for interpretation in outlining the Vice-President's power. Both believe the Vice-President is part of the legislative branch of the U.S. government.
The basis for this arguement is that one sentence in Article I, the article granting legislative powers, state's that the VP shall preside over the Senate. But, under the sections relating to the Senate and House, it is expressly stated that these members are ELECTED by the people in their respected consituencies. Clearly, the Palin-Cheney view is untrue, and any attempt to give legislative power to an UNELECTED official who is aligned with the Executive branch undermines the very system of checks and balances that our government is founded upon and has kept us free from the tyranny of dictatorship or monarchy.
Over the last 8 years, we have witnessed the devastation that a consolidation of Executive Power can cause. President Bush has increased the power of Executive Order, and Dick Cheney has expanded the role of Vice-President to a level unimaginable prior to 2000. Recently, Cheney has claimed that he is immune from the scope of the Presidential Records Act because he is part of the legislative branch. This is absurd, and I fear is the reason McCain-Palin follows the Cheney view of VP power. Both plan to use this loophole (litigation pending against Cheney) to destroy key documents that would give the public some insight into the innerworkings of the Bush administration's foreign policy making. This abuse of power must stop, and the people must be allowed to have oversight of the government in order to restore trust in our elected officials.
Senator Biden proved himself a gentlemen by not 'attacking' Gov Palin with the strong facts behind her non-experience in the national decision making processes and addressing her as Governor wherein Sorry Palin kept refe3ring to this respected long time representative as "Joe' while making derogatory comments about 'Joes' and only once did he barely mention the well known 'Bridge to Nowhere'. I had hoped that some mention would be made especially of the well known fact that Mc'Con' had voted 90% of the time with the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld (Rove-driven) group; specifically in the Senator's closing statement---Presidential Politics are not high school debates. Governor Pain--oops Palin was given far too much leeway I have been a resident of Louisiana for the past 10 years (job-related) and know just how many Governors have been guilty of not just dishonorable acts but criminal acts as well and no I'm not saying that Alaska's Governor is guilty of these same tactics but would really like knowing why as gov. of one of the earth's last bastions of wildlife and natural scenic beauty she prefers more 'drilling'. I make mention of corrupt politicians (governors;here) due to the fact that misguided policies, especially when average citizens are the victims. I certainly hope and I feel most middle-class (whatever criteria the last 8 years has judged 'us; to be) citizens agree that Senator Obama WILL take the gloves off which I know he can do and still in a diplomatic methodology--just enough to greatly anger Sen. Mc'Clown' if Sen. John shows his true inner beast has he repeatedly has done on the floor of the Senate Americans will see that this HOTHEAD is no diplomat but rather still a warrior. This inner lover of war proclaims victory in Iraq I wish he would be asked if he thinks we should have sought victory in Vietnam. We were lied to about reasons for getting into both wars and if I understand the Iraq war 'incentives' were based on lies that were fed to our representatives--after the Rove/Cheney machine convinced or forced our own little Emperor "W" to attack Iraq without Congressional consent just another criminal act against our broken Constitution by these same criminals. Enough said at this point. I could write 100+ pages on these issues but would prefer brevity and allow others to add their opinions which I will peruse and add to my thoughts.
White House Looks For New Strategy In Afghanistan
Morning Edition, October 2, 2008 · The Bush administration is drawing up a new strategy for Afghanistan, an effort that comes as the top U.S. commander there, Gen. David McKiernan, issues another call for more troops to help stem the insurgency.
When the U.S. military first entered the country in late 2001, it made some quick and impressive gains, toppling the Taliban and driving them from their strongholds.
Since then, with the White House focused mainly on Iraq, the situation in Afghanistan has steadily deteriorated. McKiernan, the overall commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, says this past year has been particularly bad.
"I think we are in a very tough fight - a tough counterinsurgency fight," McKiernan says. "We're [at] a higher level of violence this year than we were this time last year. We are seeing a greater amount of insecurity in certain areas. The idea that it might get worse before it gets better is certainly a possibility."
continued . . .
Barack Obama's plan for AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN
Joe Biden interviews Gen. Petraeus on Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan (Part 1)
Joe Biden interviews Gen. Petraeus on Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan (Part 2)
Biden: Afghanistan Needs Two More Battalions
Biden and Graham On Afghanistan and Iraq
White House Looks For New Strategy In Afghanistan ~ October 2, 2008
John McCain: Speech 11/05/03
JOHN MCCAIN: "[...] There has been a rise in al Qaeda activity along the border. There has been some increase in U.S. casualties. I am concerned about it, but I'm not as concerned as I am about Iraq today, obviously, or I'd be talking about Afghanistan. But I believe that if Karzai can make the progress that he is making, that -- in the long term, we may muddle through in Afghanistan."
Yes John, the United States of America has indeed muddled through, so far.
Barack Obama Responds to John McCain ~ February 27, 2008
Folks, join me in the renewal of The American Promise
Sincerely, Richard Owl Mirror
Here's a sweet song for a scary candidate...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM1inuK-7lo
(Washingtonpost.com) This story was written by Karl Vick.
Gov. Sarah Palin maintained a private e-mail account that she used to communicate with a small circle of staff members outside the state government's secure official e-mail system, according to the Wasilla company that established the site.The account was separate from the Yahoo e-mail address that was abruptly abandoned by the John McCain campaign on Sept. 17, the day hackers penetrated the account and posted pages from it on the Internet. Palin had routinely used her Yahoo address for state business.
~
The existence of additional private e-mail accounts may affect two state probes into whether Palin, her husband and her staff attempted to influence the job status of a state trooper who divorced Palin's sister.It also raises more questions about Palin's record of commingling the official and personal. The Yahoo inbox posted on the Internet contained family photos, notes from well-wishers and official state correspondence on pending legislation.
Awareness of the state and federal statutes and regulations pertaining to records management ensures compliance with applicable laws.
http://www.kshs.org/government/records/stategovt/recordslaw.htm
This section of the manual includes the state statutes and administrative regulations that agencies encounter most often during the course of business. Four major laws govern the creation, use, and disposition of state government records:
ALASKA GOVERNMENT RECORDS PRESERVATION ACT
AS 40.21: MANAGEMENT & PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC RECORDS.
AS 40.21 requires the orderly management of current local public records and preservation of noncurrent public records that have permanent historical value. AS 40.21.070 says "the governing body of each political subdivision of the state shall promote the principles of efficient records management for local public records..." Moreover, perAS 29.20.380(4) the municipal clerks shall "manage municipal records and develop retention schedules and procedures for inventory, storage and destruction of records." Local Government General Records RetentionSchedule #300 is a tool municipal clerks and other officials (AS 40.21.080) may utilize to assist in determining how long to retain records created or received in the conduct of their respective responsiblities.
AS 40.21 requires the orderly management of current local public records and preservation of noncurrent public records that have permanent historical value. AS 40.21.070 says "the governing body of each political subdivision of the state shall promote the principles of efficient records management for local public records..." Moreover, per
AS 29.20.380(4) the municipal clerks shall "manage municipal records and develop retention schedules and procedures for inventory, storage and destruction of records." Local Government General Records Retention
Schedule #300 is a tool municipal clerks and other officials (AS 40.21.080) may utilize to assist in determining how long to retain records created or received in the conduct of their respective responsiblities.
S. 3477: Presidential Historical Records Preservation Act of 2008
Historians: Stop Bush/Cheney From Destroying Presidential Records
- The White House is "missing as many as 225 days of e-mail dating back to 2003 and there is little if any likelihood a recovery effort will be completed by the time the Bush administration leaves office."
The Use of RNC E-Mail Accounts by White House Officials
The Oversight Committee has been investigating whether White House officials violated the Presidential Records Act by using e-mail accounts maintained by the Republican National Committee and the Bush Cheney ‘04 campaign for official White House communications.
Can America afford FOUR more Years of the same ?
In all our history, 14 vice presidents have become president. Thomas Jefferson was our vice president for one term and president for two. Five men got elected president after they were vice president - four inherited the office when the president died and another four got the job when the president was assassinated. I had forgotten that many presidents were killed. Gerald Ford got the job after Nixon resigned under fire of course.
List of Vice Presidents of the United States
This List of Vice Presidents of the United States includes those who have served since the first administration in 1789 and as recently as the current administration in 2008. It includes the home state of the officeholder as well as when he took office, left office and the political party that he belonged to.
There are 18 instances where the office of the Vice-president went vacant for a period of time.
25th Amendment to the United States Constitution
Section 1.In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.Section 2.Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.Section 3.Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.Section 4.Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
Each of the past ten Presidents of the United States has either had influence on, invoked, or been at least affected or influenced by, the 25th Amendment and its provisions?
DWIGHT EISENHOWER saw a need to have a plan for his Vice President (Richard Nixon) to act in his stead if he became disabled.
JOHN KENNEDY's tragic assassination on November 22, 1963 shook a nation, and paved the way for the amendment's passage.
LYNDON JOHNSON helped the effort to get the 25th Amendment ratified, making it Sen. Birch Bayh's bill among his legislative priorities.
RICHARD NIXON became the first to invoke Section 2's provisions following Spiro Agnew's resignation, and ultimately, those of Section 1 as well by submitting his own.
GERALD FORD is unquestionably the 25th Amendment's greatest beneficiary, rising from relative obscurity to the White House.
JIMMY CARTER wasn't directly affected by the 25th Amendment, but its been reported that in seeking his 1980 Vice Presidential running mate, some candidates were passed over in part due to health issues.
RONALD REAGAN became the first to invoke Section 3's provisions on July 13, 1985. Unfortunately, in the eyes of most scholars of the amendment, he did it four years too late.
GEORGE H.W. BUSH is our nation's first-ever Acting President, serving on July 13, 1985. A staunch opponent of the amendment, Bush would be elected President himself in 1988, and encounter a situation where he almost invoked it himself.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON was perhaps least affected by the 25th Amendment, but still had at least one situation where its invocation was discussed during his administration.
GEORGE W. BUSH became the most recent President to invoke the provisions of Section 3, doing so twice during his administration, transferring executive authority to Vice President Cheney.
Let us examine the two candidates who currently may be placed in this position as Vice-president of the United States.
Sarah Louise Heath Palin
Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr.
There are two obvious conditions with the Presidential candidates our nation has put forth, Senator Barack Obama is plagued by the question (animosity/bigotry) of Race. It is within the realm of possibility that some nut job could attempt to assassinate him. Senator John McCain has the unfortunate prospects brought about by being elderly as well as poor health, surviving cancer 4 times.
These two facts make the possibility of the invoking of the 25th Amendment more likely during this next Presidential term.
Who is more qualified to serve as President in case of vacancy in the office of the Presidency ? Sarah Louise Heath Palin Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr.
Who is more qualified to serve as President in case of vacancy in the office of the Presidency ?
Republicans Cry Foul Over Media Coverage of Palin
Majority say coverage of Palin, and of McCain, has been unfairly negative
The pundit-fueled firestorm around media coverage of John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin is evident in Americans' highly mixed views on the subject. About the same proportion of Americans say media coverage of Palin has been unfairly negative (33%) as say it has been about right (36%). An additional 21% say coverage of her has been unfairly positive.
Conservative bloggers are up in arms over the MSM's coverage of the Republican Convention:
Wolf Blitzer and the rest of the CNN team seized every possible opportunity to put down and criticize the Republican message and tonight's speakers - and to belittle Sarah Palin as much as possible, even though she didn't even speak tonight. Every single point and every element of the Republican message tonight was criticized, not just explained or reported, but criticized or totally framed to be negative.
Should the Media boycott coverage of McCain/Palin ?
Since the McCain/Palin campaign doesn't like the media, ridicules them for doing a fair and balanced job in reporting facts to the American people. And then the announcement today by the McCain/Palin campaign that Sarah Palin will be made available for public scrutiny when they are damn good and ready, not a moment before.
I believe with an attitude like that, the media should boycott all news and visuals of the McCain/Palin campaign until they allow a proper vetting of the candidate by the people of this country, whom they are asking for support.
Biden Challenges McCain Camp To Stop Sequestering Palin "She's a smart, tough politician," Biden told Tom Brokaw in a "Meet the Press" interview live from Wilmington, Del. "So I think she's going to be formidable. Eventually, she's going to have to sit in front of you like I'm doing and have done. Eventually, she's going to have to answer questions and not be sequestered. Eventually, she's going to have to answer on the record."
http://www.jedreport.com/2008/09/biden-challenges-mccain-to-sto.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdDqSvJ6aHc
Palin denies, then allows reporters at UN meetings
Gov. Sarah Palin initially denied reporters from being present during her visit to the United Nations, however, after much protest she reversed her position and allowed reporters in on the meetings.
NEW YORK (AP) - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who has not held a press conference in nearly four weeks of campaigning, initially barred reporters from her first meetings with world leaders Tuesday, but reversed course after they protested.At first, campaign aides told the TV producer, print and news agency reporters in the press pool that followed the Alaska governor that they would not be admitted along with still photographers and a video camera crew taken in to photograph her meetings with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who are here for the United Nations General Assembly this week. She also was to meet later with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.These sessions and meetings scheduled for Wednesday are part of the Republican campaign's effort to give Palin experience in foreign affairs. She has never met a foreign head of state and first traveled outside North America just last year.At least two news organizations, including The Associated Press, objected to the exclusion of reporters and were told that the decision was not subject to discussion. Presidents and members of Congress routinely allow reporters to attend photo opportunities along with photographers and the reporters sometimes are able to ask questions during the brief photo sessions, usually held at the beginning of private meetings.CNN, which was providing the television coverage for news organizations, decided to pull its TV crew from the first meeting, with Karzai, effectively denying Palin the high visibility she had sought. But after the campaign agreed to let CNN's producer in as well, the CNN camera crew joined the session.According to the CNN producer who was let into Karzai's hotel suite with the photographers just before noon, Karzai was talking about his son. Palin was nodding, and asked what his name is. Karzai replied his name was Mirwais and explained that it means light of the house.The media were escorted out after about 40 seconds.Campaign aides subsequently announced that reporters would be allowed to accompany photographers into the later sessions with Uribe and Kissinger.At that point, campaign spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said it was all just a "miscommunication." Earlier, she had said, "The decision was made for this to be a photo spray with still cameras and video cameras only."Palin has been criticized for avoiding taking questions from reporters or submitting to one-on-one interviews. She has had just two major interviews since Republican presidential candidate John McCain chose her as his running mate on Aug. 29. Report from the Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who has not held a press conference in nearly four weeks of campaigning, initially barred reporters from her first meetings with world leaders Tuesday, but reversed course after they protested.
At first, campaign aides told the TV producer, print and news agency reporters in the press pool that followed the Alaska governor that they would not be admitted along with still photographers and a video camera crew taken in to photograph her meetings with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who are here for the United Nations General Assembly this week. She also was to meet later with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
These sessions and meetings scheduled for Wednesday are part of the Republican campaign's effort to give Palin experience in foreign affairs. She has never met a foreign head of state and first traveled outside North America just last year.
At least two news organizations, including The Associated Press, objected to the exclusion of reporters and were told that the decision was not subject to discussion. Presidents and members of Congress routinely allow reporters to attend photo opportunities along with photographers and the reporters sometimes are able to ask questions during the brief photo sessions, usually held at the beginning of private meetings.
CNN, which was providing the television coverage for news organizations, decided to pull its TV crew from the first meeting, with Karzai, effectively denying Palin the high visibility she had sought. But after the campaign agreed to let CNN's producer in as well, the CNN camera crew joined the session.
According to the CNN producer who was let into Karzai's hotel suite with the photographers just before noon, Karzai was talking about his son. Palin was nodding, and asked what his name is. Karzai replied his name was Mirwais and explained that it means light of the house.
The media were escorted out after about 40 seconds.
Campaign aides subsequently announced that reporters would be allowed to accompany photographers into the later sessions with Uribe and Kissinger.
At that point, campaign spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said it was all just a "miscommunication." Earlier, she had said, "The decision was made for this to be a photo spray with still cameras and video cameras only."
Palin has been criticized for avoiding taking questions from reporters or submitting to one-on-one interviews. She has had just two major interviews since Republican presidential candidate John McCain chose her as his running mate on Aug. 29. Report from the Associated Press
Apparently the McCain-Palin campaign's initial attempts to block the media from covering Palin's meeting at the UN meetings and then subsequent brief allowance, which was under a minute and only for photographers, has caused many in the media to ban any use of photography or camera for the events.
Today, the McCain campaign had said it would allow only one editorial person inside. Now, the campaign is saying it wants only the camera inside with no editorial presence. All of the networks are objecting. Stay tuned.11:30 AM Update: The networks have voted to BAN any use of the photographs/video in protest.12 Noon: Word has come in that a CNN producer WILL be allowed to accompany the camera at these meetings. This issue appears to be resolved.
Today, the McCain campaign had said it would allow only one editorial person inside. Now, the campaign is saying it wants only the camera inside with no editorial presence. All of the networks are objecting. Stay tuned.
11:30 AM Update: The networks have voted to BAN any use of the photographs/video in protest.12 Noon: Word has come in that a CNN producer WILL be allowed to accompany the camera at these meetings. This issue appears to be resolved.
Palin Still Behind Closed Doors
Since her VP nomination, Sarah Palin has avoided any non-scripted appearances with the media, save the September issue of People Magazine. While Biden, Obama, and McCain all appeared on Sunday policy-driven interviews, Sarah Palin remained behind closed doors.
"There's no doubt in my mind that the McCain campaign would like to run out on the clock on this," said David Chalian, ABC News.
According to Katharine Zaleski of the Huffington Post, September 2, 2008:
The Intrade prediction market has opened trading on whether "Sarah Palin [is] to be withdrawn as Republican VP nominee before 2008 presidential election." At 8:55 am, Tuesday morning, the market is selling the prediction at 18 a share and rising. That means 18 percent of traders think there is a chance that Palin will be removed from the ticket.Intrade predicted Joe Biden would be Barack Obama's running mate in August and its traders were also correct about every Senate race in 2006. It fell flat in predicting a Democratic majority.
The Intrade prediction market has opened trading on whether "Sarah Palin [is] to be withdrawn as Republican VP nominee before 2008 presidential election." At 8:55 am, Tuesday morning, the market is selling the prediction at 18 a share and rising. That means 18 percent of traders think there is a chance that Palin will be removed from the ticket.
Intrade predicted Joe Biden would be Barack Obama's running mate in August and its traders were also correct about every Senate race in 2006. It fell flat in predicting a Democratic majority.
Has the McCain/Palin campaign made a drastic mistake in Sequestering Palin ?
~@~ National Security Debate ~@~
There are many facets which make up National Security and Immigration, I would like to focus on the E-Verify program @ the U.S. Dept of Homeland Security and it's effects on immigrants and refugees.
E-Verify (formerly the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program) is an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). Participating employers can check the work status of new hires online by comparing information from an employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases. More than 69,000 employers are enrolled in the program, with over 4 million queries run so far in fiscal year 2008.
E-Verify is free and voluntary, and is the best means available for determining employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
Employment Eligibility Verification and Antidiscrimination Protections
NILC Advocacy and ServicesSince 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) has been dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of low income immigrants and their family members. In the past 20 years, NILC has earned a national reputation as a leading expert on immigration, public benefits, and employment laws affecting immigrants and refugees. Our extensive knowledge of the complex interplay between immigrants' legal status and their rights under U.S. laws is an essential resource for legal aid programs, community groups, and social service agencies across the country.
WHAT WE DOPolicy Analysis & Advocacy.Impact Litigation.Building Coalitions & Capacity.Technical Assistance.Trainings and Conferences.Publications.
NILC's Website.Our website contains NILC memos and analyses, articles from our newsletters indexed by topic, community education materials, and links to key organizational and government web sites.
http://www.nilc.org/immsemplymnt/ircaempverif/
http://www.cato.org/videohighlights/index.php?highlight_id=84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10X7BO6uvPoFact-checking Glenn Beck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10X7BO6uvPo
Fact-checking Glenn Beck
Immigration of individual human-beings across imaginary borders has occurred throughout mankind's existence. Hunters and Gatherers crosses into competitors fields and farms. Industrious human-beings create commerce opportunities, which in turn demands the employ of a workforce. I believe my description is an example of a basic human right.
This function within any society should not be impeded yet, it must be managed due to National Security concerns. It is obvious that the one requirement necessary to manage such a function is the ability to identify all individuals who are within our National borders. With the advent of technology, this task has become easier. The core problem with implementing such a program so it functions efficiently is cooperation by all parties.
I do not believe the millions of people who cross over our border, under extremely dangerous conditions are all criminals. It's simply the method of least resistance due to the rules for application of entry to our country is impossible for most to comply.
I have advocated that using technology such as an Identification card which can be produced as easily as we obtain our drivers licenses, preferably one-day service which would be valid for a 6-month employment stay could relieve this problem.
This identification card could also be used as the holders Employment ID card at their place of employment. As easily as an ATM card, the user slides it when they are clocking in and again when clocking out at the end of the day. This way, the government can verify constant employment and be alerted if the individual is not complying with the agreement for obtaining the entry card.
Most immigrants come to America to work as seasonal workers, therefore I believe a 6 month time-frame would be an agreement those seeking entry would voluntarily comply with. Cooperation is the key to success.
I believe granting honest, hard-working people the opportunity to purchase this entry card for $183 plus a background check, would relieve much of the problem of illegal immigration. Employers would be more able to be in 100% compliance with the Immigration laws because they need only opt-in to using the Immigration Time Clock system. Naturally there would be penalties for non-compliance yet, I believe companies would welcome such a solution as a safeguard against improperly being accused for hiring illegal workers. Perhaps we could also collect $1.00 for every hour worked by a migrant worker rather than them paying into Social Security. This money could be designated towards a specified program or budgetary need.
What have the candidates said about resolving the National Security implications of Immigration ?
http://www.barackobama.com/ vs. http://www.johnmccain.com
Senator Obama will strive to provide tax cuts for the middle class, affordable health care, and a new energy economy that creates millions of jobs. He will seek to end the war in Iraq responsibly, focus on defeating al Qaeda and the Taliban, and restore America's standing in the world.
Senator John McCain offered no solutions for the challenges Americans are facing in their daily lives. Nothing but more of the same failed Bush policies at home and abroad that he has supported more than 90% of the time in the Senate.
An example of how failed a Leadership role John McCain would bring to the Presidency is Obama's assertion that McCain "said the other day that he would not meet potentially with the prime minister of Spain, because he -- you know, he wasn't sure whether they were aligned with us," a reference to McCain's repeated refusal -- during an interview with Radio Caracol WSUA 1260 AM in Miami -- to say that as president, he would refuse to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. As evidence of the truth for this claim, McCain foreign policy adviser Randy Scheunemann reportedly wrote that "there is no doubt Senator McCain knew exactly to whom the question referred" and that McCain in fact "refused to commit to a White House meeting with President Zapatero in this interview." Indeed, during the debate, McCain did not assert that he "misspoke" during the Radio Caracol interview, but rather responded to Obama by saying, "I'm not going to set the White House visitors schedule before I'm president of the United States."
Questions exist, whether McCain forgot which country Zapatero leads, got confused about Spain's geographic relationship to Latin America, or confused Zapatero with the Zapatista rebels from Mexico. In either instance, this incident reveals a danger of possible confrontation could explode due to his complete lack of understanding World Leaders and events.
During the debate Obama said, "Senator McCain mentioned Henry Kissinger, who's one of his advisers, who, along with five recent secretaries of state, just said that we should meet with Iran -- guess what -- without precondition. This is one of your own advisers," and, "When we talk about preconditions -- and Henry Kissinger did say we should have contacts without preconditions -- the idea is that we do not expect to solve every problem before we initiate talks." During the debate, McCain repeatedly purported to correct Obama by saying Kissinger would not support presidential-level talks with Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Each time, Obama made clear that was not his contention -- that, instead, he was accurately saying Kissenger supported talks between the United States and Iran at levels below the president.
Was John McCain simply confused or was he attempting to provide a misdirection because Senator Obama clearly showed how Senator McCain doesn't even understand what his own Advisors are advising ?
Obama's comments during the debate accurately reflected Kissinger's comments during a September 15 forum. Kissinger said, "Well, I am in favor of negotiating with Iran. And one utility of negotiation is to put before Iran our vision of a Middle East, of a stable Middle East, and our notion on nuclear proliferation at a high enough level so that they have to study it. And, therefore, I actually preferred doing it at the secretary of state level so that we -- we know we're dealing with authentic -- with authentic proposals." Asked by CNN's Frank Sesno, "To put at a very high level right out of the box?" Kissinger responded:
Initially, yes. And I always believed that the best way to begin a negotiation is to tell the other side exactly what you have in mind and what you are -- what the outcome is that you're trying to achieve so that they have something that they can react to.Now, the permanent members of the Security Council, plus Japan and Germany, have all said nuclear weapons in Iran are unacceptable. They've never explained what they mean by this. So if we go into a negotiation, we ought to have a clear understanding of what is it we're trying to prevent. What is it going to do if we can't achieve what we're talking about?But I do not believe that we can make conditions for the opening of negotiations. We ought, however, to be very clear about the content of negotiations and work it out with other countries and with our own government.
Initially, yes. And I always believed that the best way to begin a negotiation is to tell the other side exactly what you have in mind and what you are -- what the outcome is that you're trying to achieve so that they have something that they can react to.
Now, the permanent members of the Security Council, plus Japan and Germany, have all said nuclear weapons in Iran are unacceptable. They've never explained what they mean by this. So if we go into a negotiation, we ought to have a clear understanding of what is it we're trying to prevent. What is it going to do if we can't achieve what we're talking about?
But I do not believe that we can make conditions for the opening of negotiations. We ought, however, to be very clear about the content of negotiations and work it out with other countries and with our own government.
One final observation I have regarding John McCain
McCain Suspends Campaign to Work on Wall St Plan
The Arizona senator announced he would suspend his campaign, pull television advertising, halt fundraising and return to Washington on Thursday to try to help negotiations over a stalled $700 billion bailout plan for Wall Street."We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved," McCain said, urging Obama to join him.
I believe Senator John McCain made a strategic blunder in his forcefully and public move in going to Washington DC for discussions on the Financial crisis. John McCain used Bluster to place his actions into the limelight and boxed himself in to a retraction. I believe if he had true concerns as a servant of the people, he could have silently traveled of his own accord to Washington DC and offer his assistance toward solving a problem, then not having acheived his objective, simply call and cancel his participation in the debate at the last moment.
This shows me a lack of thoughtful planning and leads me to view his actions as reckless. It's akin to someone going out publically and making sure their neighbors see them praying to God or announcing they have performed good works, all the while seeking the approval of those witnesses alone.
A senior McCain adviser made clear McCain would not attend a Friday debate unless a congressional rescue deal was sealed."If the package is reached and the country is saved, there will be a debate," the aide said. "But if there's no deal, how can you get on a plane . . . for a debate?"
Is this the type of Leadership America wants or deserves ? I think not !
Let's be clear: John McCain is offering nothing of substance in his political rhetoric, same as his running to Washington even though he had nothing of substance to add in resolving the crisis.
He is what my Grandfather would call a Flim-Flam Man
LEHRER: Afghanistan, Senator McCain?MCCAIN: First of all, I won't repeat the mistake that I regret enormously, and that is, after we were able to help the Afghan freedom fighters and drive the Russians out of Afghanistan, we basically washed our hands of the region.And the result over time was the Taliban, al Qaeda, and a lot of the difficulties we are facing today. So we can't ignore those lessons of history.The Geneva accords of 1988, which ultimately led to the withdrawal of the Soviet forces in early 1989, left the Afghan government in ruins.Senator John McCain said he would not repeat the mistake made by Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush ? I thought both of these Leaders were his Hero's and mentors ?
Have you folks heard the latest news out of Alaska ?September 26, 2008Palin should step down, conservative commentator says(CNN) – Prominent conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, an early supporter of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, said Friday recent interviews have shown the Alaska governor is "out of her league" and should leave the GOP presidential ticket for the good of the party.The criticism in Parker's Friday column is the latest in a recent string of negative assessments toward the McCain-Palin candidacy from prominent conservatives.It was fun while it lasted," Parker writes. "Palin’s recent interviews with Charles Gibson, Sean Hannity, and now Katie Couric have all revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate. Who is clearly out of her league."
McCains claim of taking out Bin Ladin**Senator McCain said it most concisely in June.*** "Look," he said. "I know the area. I've been there. I know wars. I know how to win wars. And I know how to improve our capabilities so that we will capture Osama bin Laden. Or put it this way, bring him to justice. We will do it. I know how to do it." Sen. McCain seems to be quite serious, that he and he alone, not the CIA, nor the U.S. Military, nor the current President can capture bin Laden. Thus we must take him at his word that this is no mere ludicrous campaign boast. We must assume Sen. McCain truly believes he is capable of doing this, and has been capable of doing this, since last January. "We will capture Osama bin Laden. We will do it. I know how to do it."If John McCain knows how to accomplish this task, why hasn't he told anyone how to implement his plan of action NOW rather than waiting until he is elected Commander in Chief ?Does he simply want all the Glory and Praise for himself ?
Lawrence Lessig, a Stanford Law Professor who writes extensively on technology law, challenges Palin’s claim that her experience is similar to other vice presidents in history. In a 12 minute video, he reviews the experience of each of the nation’s 46 vice presidents, and can find only two who have the same or less.
He points out that about 20% of vice presidents, have become presidents through the death, resignation or incapacitation of the President. (You may remember Barack’s convention speech, in which he pointed out that since McCain has voted with President Bush 90% of the time, the country has only a 10% chance of getting change of it elects McCain. History tells us we have a better chance of McCain being succeeded in office by Palin, than we have of getting change from McCain/Palin.) At 72, John McCain will be the oldest man ever to assume a first-term as President. He spent five-and-a-half years in captivity, was deprived of food, and was horribly tortured. In addition, he has suffered several episodes of recurrent malignant melanoma, the most deadly skin cancer. Despite his good genetic heritage, his age and this toxic combination of factors may make it even more likely his vice president would succeed him.
At a time when our nation teeters on the edge of a financial abyss, is certain to face a recession, is fighting two wars and is faced with a warming planet, this is no time to take on even more risk with Palin.
Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hnrZrlxjI0
When John McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his vice-presidential running mate, I wondered if he had taken leave of his senses. Here was a woman who did not even own a passport until a year ago being chosen for the Republican vice-presidential slot at the very time the McCain camp was shouting about Barack Obama’s lack of foreign policy credentials.
Then there were rumblings from white women who would not vote for McCain because he was pandering to them. He picked an inexperienced woman to be his running mate because he assumed that women, white Democratic women that is, would come running in the aftermath of Hillary Clinton’s losing the Democratic nomination for president. Then there were those white women who felt vindicated and decided to jump on the McCain bandwagon because there she was—a woman on a major party’s political ticket.
As the economy has taken a nose dive and Americans of all persuasions are anxious about their jobs, homes, and retirements, the allure of Palin is slowly fading. But we who support Obama need not rejoice so soon. We need to remember McCain and the Republican Party’s psychological, if not political, motivation for having chosen her for the V-P slot in the first place. It has to do with a little something called “privilege.”
The one thing at stake in this country right now is the "American Dream.” The other thing at stake is “white privilege.” White Americans do not like to hear that they escape a good deal of discrimination, annoyances, slights, and real dangers, by virtue of being white. “White privilege” is always a sore subject because to acknowledge it is to acknowledge that your problems and particular disadvantages might pale in comparison to other peoples of color. What does this have to do with Sarah Palin? Everything!!
As a woman I know that sexism does exist. Sexism is ugly, painful, ridiculous, and downright counterproductive. As a Black woman, however, I know that when most of the pundits on CNN or any other network say the word “women” or “women voters,” they are not talking about me or any other woman of color. “Woman” and “women” are synonyms for “white women.” Just like Obama being labeled by some political nitwits as an “elitist” is simply their way of calling him an “uppity n****r” without their being accused of using a racial slur against him.
Palin was chosen to fill a psychological void for many white women who feel that they have been cheated out of something—namely a potential woman president or vice-president. What they have not fully sorted out is whether they feel cheated because they are women or because they are white women. I rather suspect the latter, and so does McCain. We need only consider that back in 1972, Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first black woman elected to the U. S. Congress, lost her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. I was a young girl back then, and no one expected Congresswoman Chisholm to win the Democratic Party’s nomination for president. But it was Chisholm who always insisted that she was “unbought and unbossed,” that she encountered more discrimination due to her gender than her race.
Is it not strange that Chisholm was never mentioned or even acknowledged by Hillary Clinton or any other woman during the primary season? She certainly will not be mentioned by Palin or any of her supporters. Chisholm spoke out against the Vietnam War, spoke out and up for Native Americans, Spanish-speaking Americans, Black Americans and yes, women. Her bold assertions about sexism—often in the face of opposition from some segments of her own black community—should have earned her a place among all women who believe that sexism is a stain on our nation’s character. Yet why has she been reduced to a footnote? If you can answer this question honestly, then you know that the battle to win the Whitehouse is not over until it is over.
We need not delude ourselves into believing that race doesn’t play a real factor for white women voters anymore than we need not acknowledge that the pundits often forget that some of us black folks are women.
Copyright © 2008 by Leslye J Allen
Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Senator Joe Biden will return to the Buckeye State on Wednesday to kick off a two-day bus trip across northern Ohio. The tour includes Change We Need Rallies in Maumee and Wooster on Wednesday, and in Canton on Thursday, with details of additional events in the Akron and Youngstown areas to be announced later.
Click the events below to RSVP online!
Wednesday, September 17
CHANGE WE NEED RALLY WITH JOE BIDENUptown Maumee at the 100 Block of West Wayne StreetBetween Conant and Allen StreetsMaumee, OHDoors Open: 7:30 AMEvent Begins: 9:30 AMTickets NOT required, but RSVP is strongly encouraged.
CHANGE WE NEED RALLY WITH JOE BIDENCollege of WoosterKauke Hall, South LawnPublic Entrance: Corner of East University and Beall Ave.Wooster, OHGates Open: 4:00 PMTickets ARE required--RSVP here and pick up tickets at the locations below:
Ticket Distribution Locations
Farmer Boy Restaurant2558 Cleveland RdWooster, OH 44691
Available: Tuesday from 7:00am - 9:00pm, and Wednesday from 7:00am - 3:00pm
Kropf, Wagner, Hohenberger & Lutz, L.L.P.100 N Vine StreetOrrville, OH 44667Available: Wednesday from 9:00am-3:00pm
Further details to be announced as they become available.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18CHANGE WE NEED RALLY WITH JOE BIDENPro Football Hall of Fame2121 George Halas Drive NWDoors Open: 8:00 AM Program Begins: 9:30 AMThe event is free and open to the public. There is no RSVP, but members of the public are invited to pick up their free tickets at the locations and times listed below.(For more information call the Canton Campaign for Change Office: 330-452-4746)
***Free tickets are available Tuesday, September 16, and Wednesday, September 17, between 9:00AM and 9:00PM on a first-come, first-serve basis ***
Canton Campaign for Change Office111 2nd St NWCanton, OH 44702
Canton Democratic Party Office(Corner of 2nd and Market - Enter on Market)4220 12th St. NWCanton, OH 44708
Massillon Campaign for Change Office35 Erie St NorthMassillon, OH 44646
Alliance Campaign for Change Office15 S. Arch Ave.Alliance, OH 44601
Minerva Campaign for Change Office 215 N. Market St.Minerva, OH 44657
