Stephen Views the News April 15, 2009
http://stephenviewsthenews.blogspot.com/
* Derriere Orifice of the Week - Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL) announced that he has compiled a secret list of 17 members of the House of Representatives who are SOCIALISTS. He would not reveal their names because, “they are a secret.” Responding to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request I admit that I also have compiled a secret list of members of Congress. It is made up of those legislators entitled to be called ASSHOLES. Through threat of waterboarding I have reluctantly agreed to admit that Mr. Bachus is on the list.
* Speaking of secrets – “The CIA no longer operates any secret overseas prisons, Director Leon Panetta said yesterday, and has not detained anyone since he became chief in February.” Under Bush the claim was made that the prisons or “black ops sites” as they were called, did not exist and even if they did exist the torture of detainees in these non-existent prisons did not take place. The apparent existential contradiction can be easily explained by, “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” It also makes a joke of any oversight Congress pretends to have over the spy agencies and the Executive branch of our government.
* Speaking of more secrets ~ The Hypocrite Oath - “Medical professionals working for the CIA played a central role in the "ill-treatment" of terror suspects in U.S. custody overseas, according to a previously confidential report by the International Committee of the Red Cross” (conducted in 2007). One may ask why a person trained and sworn to protect life would willingly participate in the torture of another human being. The Nazis were infamous for their medical experimentation on concentration camp prisoners and eventually answered for their despicable inhumanity at the Nuremberg trials. But here we are talking about Americans – the good guys in war movies, the standard for international behavior. We are accustomed to instances of having scumbag politicians, spies, businessmen, religious leaders, teachers, police and bloggers. Scumbag medical professionals assisting in torture breaks new ground in the demise of the American dream that has led to this American nightmare.
* No secret – To be a Republican politician requires having the common sense of overcooked white rice. Texas State Rep. Betty Brown (R) said that Asian-Americans should change their names because they’re too hard to pronounce. “Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?” I have an idea! Asian Americans males should begin changing their names to George Bush 1, George Bush 2, George Bush 3 and so on. Females can be Betty Brown 1, Betty Brown 2 and so on. I cannot wait to pick up my Chinese takeout tonight and greet the young lady behind the counter with “Hello Betty Brown 324,119.” I intend to convince Ms. Brown 324,119 to change the name of Chow Mein to Texas Chile and Sumei Dumplings to Turd Blossoms.
* Feel better about yourself ~ you are worth more than you think – The company Innovative Research’s website says it provides the research community with quality biomedical products. I was stunned at the breadth and price of their products. For example, 50 ml of Human Saliva is priced at $275, Human Breast Milk $275, Human Semen $375 and Human Urine $75. This will certainly bring about a change in my behavior. No more will I sell a pint of my blood for a mere $25 and a jelly donut.
* The wrong defense – On FOX News last Sunday Brit Hume attempted to defend former president George W. Bush. Hume said that Bush did indeed believe in Global Warming. If that is the truth, how much more egregious is the Bush administration’s complete lack of action relative to Global Warming? It opposed higher gas mileage standards, did little to nothing to encourage green technology and ignored the Kyoto agreement of world powers to address warming. I had concluded that President Bush just did not get it – remember, science was involved. If Hume is correct, Bush is even more culpable than previously thought. We lost eight years in addressing potential disasters that may result from the warming of our planet - world-wide flooding and famine that could lead to world-wide war.
* The wrong war ~ a time to mourn – James Dobson is stepping down as leader of the religious right organization Focus on the Family. “Dobson conceded that evangelical conservatives had lost most of the recent so-called “culture war” battles… Humanly speaking, we can say that we have lost… the nation is now “absolutely awash in evil.”
On what is a rare occasion I agree with Mr. Dobson that the culture wars of the religious right are being lost and evil permeates our society. I would suggest, however, that the wrong battles were being fought and to some extent contributed to the greed that is at the core of our current economic travails. In an attempt to foist their “religious” agenda on our non-sectarian society the religious right forged an alliance with the Republican Party. In convincing their members to support Republicans, Dobson, Jerry Falwell and their brethren helped elect Republican legislators that were pro-business and anti-regulation, pro-deficit spending while reducing taxes for the wealthy. The Republican allies of the religious right, Bush and company, swept us into an unprovoked war leading to the loss of over 100,000 lives and the displacement of millions of Iraqis. Imagine if their broad influence had been directed to the business and political segments of our society to promote integrity, fairness, workers rights and protection of the environment. The religious right lost a generation of meaningful influence while being used as pawns by the GOP. It is indeed a sad eulogy.
* Love is a Many Splendored Thing – “A Saudi judge has refused for a second time to annul a marriage between an 8-year-old girl and a 47-year-old man.” Anyone in our culture would be appalled at this nuptial pedophilia. However, the judge was not as radical as it would appear on the surface. He granted that the child could apply for a divorce when she reaches puberty. And isn’t it almost always about money? “The girl's father, according to the attorney, arranged the marriage in order to settle his debts with the man, who is ‘a close friend’ of his.” On a social note, the wedding festivities will be held at Chucky Cheese and then the newlyweds will leave immediately for Disney World.
* On the lighter side ~ of heavy – All is “normal” in the land of Governor Sarah Palin. Her pick for Alaska Attorney General, Anthony Ross, is a racist, a writer of several manifestoes attacking Martin Luther King, Jr. as a communist subversive, a homophobe and anti-environmentalist. And to think that we almost had the opportunity to call her Madam Vice-President. The backlash to this nomination may result in Palin withdrawing the Ross nomination. As if Sarah did not have enough on her plate with the backbiting between her and former almost son-in-law Levi Johnston, her sister-in-law Diana Palin was arrested for twice burglarizing a house, during which she was accompanied by her 4-year old daughter. They will not be going to Disney World any time soon.
* Today is U.S. Tax Day – two views:
“I like to pay taxes. With them I buy civilization.” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
“What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue.” Thomas Paine
Dear Barack:
You have so admirably stated on a number of occaisions, that you will admit to mistakes when you make them. Well, you've just made your first huge blunder by selecting a right wing Christian Fundamentalist preacher Rick Warren, (who has no respect for Gays, women's rights to choose or science) to preside religiously over your innauguration. This is also a man who believes that the only way to obtain a ticket to heaven is through a belief in Jesus Christ. In otherwords many Americans that voted for you - according to this religious moron - are destined for Hell.
You have not only offended Gays with this choice. You have offended people like myself who supported you because I was fed up with the hijacking of the US by the religious right, their retrograde chauvinism and narrow xenophobic concept of God. This man may appearn more moderate on other issues such as poverty and climate change, but make no mistake, he is simply a "wolf in sheeps clothing". His views on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research and the "one true religion" (which is his brand of Christianity) are as retrograde as all of his ignorant predecessors.
With all due respect Barack, we, who were fed up with the right wing agenda for the past eight years, can't believe your lack of judgement on this one. This is, after all, "the Civil Rights Issue" of our day. If Rick Warren had the same attitudes about African American Rights as he does about Gay Rights, Women's Rights and the rights of sick people to benefit from stem cell research, there would be no way that he'd be allowed to share the podium on your innauguration.
If you want to reach out to that element of America, there will be plenty of opportunities to do so without giving him the prime spot at your inauguration and offending those who voted for you because of your liberalism and open mindedness.
Yes Barack, its time to admit your first enormous mistake and immediately do something to correct it.
Since the US is home to many religions, if you want to correct this blunder without alienating the Christian Right, I suggest that you consider inviting liberal clergy from all denominations of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddism, Hinduism and others to do a group invocation at your inauguration. That will send a message of American inclusivity to people all over the world. More importantly it will show all Americans that they have an equal spiritual voice in the United States.
It will also allow you to save face with Rick Warren and to let the American people know that you've both acknowledged and corrected your first enormous blunder.
Marriage is am institution entered into between two consenting adults. That's it. Start adding anything else into it and it becomes too complicated to manage. I hear the arguements of the right. Lets examine them.
1) Can't change it becouse it is tradition. Okay, so lets go back to slavery, witch burning, husbands owning their wives. Fathers owning their children, indentured servitude, fuedalism, torture of heretics and the depressed. Lets go back to blood letting to cure illness. How about drilling holes in the heads of the insane to let the demons out? Not much of an arguement to me.
2) Marriage is to promote procreation. Is this why we get married, really? Okay Gramma now that Grandpa is dead and your past menopause you can't marry your new boyfriend. I'm sorry you are sterile, oh by the way that disqualifies you from getting married because you are defective. Do we really want to get into that kind of distinction. That is what we are saying to homosexuals. You are defective and therefore don't deserve the same rights. What is next, your IQ isn't high enough, your born with abirth defect so we can't allow you to marry? Besides, we have enough trouble caring for, feeding, and cleaning up after the population we have. This one fail, too.
3) A man and a woman make better parents. I am sorry Ms. Dunham, but you can not raise your child since you are a single mother. You just won't be able to do a good enough job. Ms. Yates you may marry because you and your husband will know how to raise your children. If heterosexual couples are so good at parenting, why do we have so much child abuse? Isn't it more important to have happy well adjusted parents or parent with a decent support system? A loving home doesn't know the difference between sexes or single and couple. They lose this argument just by looking at the newspapers.
4) Slippery slope to marrying pets. Like I said originally "two consenting adults". A petcan not be consenting, end of argument. Same goes for children. They are not adults and by law can not be consenting. Get serious.
5) Homosexuality is an abomination and banned according to the Bible. Everything in Leviticus was an abomination including eating shellfish. Should we ban the consumption of shellfish and pork? Catfish is a bottom feeder so no more catfish, if you are a TRUE Believer in the Bible. You can not support a war if you are christian, Christ taught turning the other cheek and love your enemy. So which is it, are you christian or a hypocrite. Beside the fact that your religion is not the religion of the US. The constitution DOES NOT specify freedom of CHRISTIAN religion. If you don't like the fact that the laws of this land are not controled by the belief in Jesus, start your own Christian Theocracy somewhere else. You can't have this one. Deal with it.
6) Devalues my heterosexual marriage. How????? How could two people swearing an oath of love and fidelity to each other possibley affect YOUR MARRIAGE unless you are married to one of them. How could it weaken yours in any stretch of the imagination? No one is telling you you have to marry someone of the same sex. You don't have to change ANYTHING you curreently do, except leave them alone, mind your own business, and butt out. Your argument is based on imposing your personal standards and tastes on others that are not doing anything to you. You lose on Constitutional grounds. You don't have that right as an individual oras the state.
If I missed any of their arguments, let me know. In the meantime let's stop treating our fellow Americans like second class citizens or carriers of a deadly disease. You CAN NOT catch gay!!!!! Every homosexual I know was raised by straight parents. Some straights I know were raised by homosexuals. No evidence to back this one up and we don't pass laws in this country based on F@!TH. (yes it is purposefully written as a curse, get yours out of my life.)
Hypocrites
This is to all those people that voted for Barack, fought for civil rights, fought discrimination based on sex, age, race, or religion, but voted against gay marriage. YOU ARE HYPOCRITES!!!!!!! How in the world can you justify denying another group of human beings the same rights you have. Isn’t that what we did with slavery, poll tax, bans on interracial marriage? Oh yeah, I am old enough to remember the uproar from the idiots, morons, and bigot scum on the religious right and social conservatives (KKK) about how interracial marriage would destroy the fabric of society and destroy the world. WRONG again. The world is not flat, the universe does not revolve around you or your precious earth. Get over yourselves!!!! None of us are that special, we are people and that is special enough.
Someone please tell me how two people swearing to love and honor each other in front of friends and family is a threat. You can’t use religion, because I don’t believe in your perverse idea of religion. Give me real world reasons, not what your invisible friend is whispering in your ear. If you don’t like the idea of marrying another man or woman, then DON”T. No one is making you.
And just for the record though it really is none of your business, I am as straight as they come. I am just a human being that believes in the motto “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”.
The Audacity of Hypocrisy The Neo-conservative / Religious Right View of Regulation
According to the Bush / Palin right the problem with government is that it regulates business too much and you not enough. When was the last time that a gay marriage resulted in the collapse of our economic system? When was the last time an adult movie caused rolling blackouts throughout California? When was the last time an abortion poisoned a community to the point that the sick and dying residents had to be relocated and the land condemned for generations? Since when did an individual that doesn’t know if god exists or not cause the overthrow of a foreign government and replace it with one friendly to American business?
Listening to the right, one gets the impression that business can do no wrong. But you, oh you are the most dangerous threat to America since bin Laden. The collapse of our economy and the epidemic of foreclosures is not the fault of greedy conmen that created investment instruments that they knew were fraudulent. It wasn’t the fault of Newt Gingrich and Bush deregulating the banking industry. No it was the fault of gays and lesbians marrying and raising children. It is the fault of all of us that want companionship, love, and happiness in our lives. As Falwell, Robertson, and others said, the 9/11 attacks, Katrina, and Rita were God’s wrath for our decadent private lives. That implies that the activities of our public institutions are guilt free. If that were true, why didn’t they attack the Playboy mansion or the bathhouses in San Francisco or Planned Parenthood? No they attacked US military targets. Maybe you didn’t realize how we use economic power as a weapon of war, but the rest of the world is aware of it. That doesn’t make the attacks any less horrific and wrong, but it is not what the rabid right claimed it to be.
It is time we told them enough is enough. If you don’t want your children watching violence or adult situations on TV, turn it off or change the channel. Don’t try to deny me as an adult my choice. If you believe abortion is wrong work to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies. If you don’t want to marry another man or woman, then don’t. If the issue affects only those that consent to the activity, back off.
Over the past few weeks, I have become increasingly concerned about the prospect of Governor Sarah Palin becoming the next Vice President of the United States. Certainly, the idea of Sen. John McCain serving as commander-in-chief is indeed a frightening prospect, but with his advanced age and numerous bouts with melanoma, he is quite likely not to survive four years in office if elected, thus allowing Palin to become President.
The prospect of a Palin presidency (or vice presidency for that matter) is troubling for many reasons. Besides her obvious lack of experience, abuses of power as governor, and apparent ignorance concerning national and international issues, Palin also is a far-right extremist. I have decided to list my Top Ten Reasons why I am convinced that Palin is an ultra-conservative fanatic that makes Pat Robertson or maybe even David Duke look moderate.
1. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd are former associates and long-time supporters of the anti-American, secessionist-based, Alaskan Independence Party (AIP). Supporting a statewide “vote” for Alaskan secession from the U.S., the fringe AIP touts itself as a “states rights party.” As one AIP leader states, the party has "a plank that challenges the legality of the Alaskan statehood vote as illegal and in violation of United Nations charter and international law." AIP’s founder, Joe Vogler, has repeatedly professed his "hatred" for the American government. As reported by ABC News, AIP leaders have claimed that the Palins are former members of the party and attended statewide conferences in 1994 and 2000. Though official records indicate that Palin has been a registered Republican since 1982, nothing has disproved the AIP claim that Palin was an active supporter of this rabidly anti-American party. Besides, one can certainly be a “member” of more than one party simultaneously. More telling is the fact that Gov. Palin sent an official videotaped message to the AIP’s annual convention in early 2008, in which she endorsed their “party’s vision” and referred to AIP as “inspiring:”
2. Palin is a Christian fundamentalist extremist who endorses a church that condones modern-day witch-hunts. For years, she was a member of a Pentecostal church, the Wasilla Assembly of God, which not only speaks in tongues and conducts faith healing, but also believes in exorcisms and witch-hunts. In fact, her former preacher and spiritual mentor, Pastor Thomas Muthee, purposively incited violent mobs in Kenya that physically drove alleged “witches” from various towns and villages. Such activities are clearly sexist and are a centuries-old form of “spiritual warfare” directed against influential women living in traditional communities.
3. Palin is a theocratic extremist who believes that God actively supported the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and even the construction of oil pipelines in Alaska. As she told the Wasilla Assembly of God in June 2008, the Iraq war and the Alaskan pipeline were part of "God's Plan." She also takes pride in the fact that her minister, the witch-hunting Pastor Thomas Muthee, beseeched God to help get her elected governor.
4. Palin is an apocalyptic survivalist who currently attends a church whose main tenet is the belief that Alaska has a “special role” in God’s divine plan for the “last days.” The Wasilla Bible Church, of which she and her family have been members since 2002, actively promotes the radical survivalist view that Alaska will provide a “shelter” as a “refuge state” in the aftermath of the impending apocalypse.
5. Governor Palin has an extreme position on abortion rights. For years, she has advocated the nationwide criminalization of abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. Going beyond the primary conservative approach of calling for the overturn of Roe v. Wade (which would return the issue back to the states), Palin favors national legislation and a constitutional amendment that would criminalize abortion in all states, with only one exception: If the mother’s life is in imminent obvious danger. In fact, she stated as a gubernatorial candidate in 2006 that she would oppose abortion “even if her own daughter was raped.” So if Palin has her way, she would legally force a 16-year old girl who was raped by her uncle to carry the fetus to term.
6. Palin is a rabid homophobic extremist. For starters, her current church clearly advocates the “conversion” of gay men and lesbians into “heterosexual Christians.” As reported by the AP, one of her church’s major theological tenets is known as “pray away the gay,” which Palin apparently supports, judging from her active support of Wasilla Bible Church’s programs and philosophy. More importantly, at the beginning of her administration, Palin actively supported a bill that would have denied state benefits for gay partners of public employees. As governor, she also sought to remove books from public libraries that were gay-tolerant. Like other far-right extremists, she supports a constitutional amendment that would ban same sex marriage nationwide. She also opposes hate crime legislation that includes provisions for sexual orientation. So, this supposedly “Christian church lady” apparently does not think that the law should offer any legal protection to the victims of hate crimes whose attackers were motivated by anti-gay bigotry.
7. Palin is an anti-environmental extremist. She not only constantly demeans science, but also decries mainstream scientific theories of climate change. Disagreeing with her running mate on this position, Palin has repeatedly argued that global warming is not man-made, but rather a “natural” phenomenon. Moreover, she favors opening up Alaska’s entire protected wilderness areas (including ANWAR) to oil exploration and development. In a recent interview, as reported on ABC News, Palin stated, “A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made.”
8. Palin is a jingoistic bellicose extremist in foreign policy. Like Bush and McCain, she favors rash military action as a substitute for genuine diplomacy and careful negotiations with other countries. Though her ignorance about the Bush Doctrine was revealed in a recent ABC News interview with Charlie Gibson, she nonetheless reaffirmed her belief in American unilateralism and preemptive military attacks on sovereign nations. Moreover, when asked about her response to alleged Russian aggression in Georgia, she indicated that the U.S should consider going to war with Russia if further “unprovoked” incursions occur. If Palin indeed welcomes Alaska’s role in the Apocalypse, then she may get her wish if a U.S.-Russian war is ignited over a small obscure former member of the Soviet Union.
9. Palin is a major “gun nut” who believes that the Second Amendment is absolutely sacrosanct. Like the most extreme members of the NRA, Palin is opposed to virtually all forms of gun control – including waiting periods for gun purchases and bans on assault weapons. As a gubernatorial candidate, she even argued that gun control was “as much of a threat to families as drugs and gangs.” Talk about right-wing erroneous hyperbole. No wonder Palin received the NRA’s “highest possible rating” while running for governor in Alaska. Palin recently claimed that she would be one of the most pro-gun vice-presidents in American history.”
10. Palin has taken numerous other extremist positions on a whole range of issues. For example, she actively supports and promotes “abstinence only” sex education in public schools. She favors the teaching of religious-based creationism in biology classrooms, including the “young earth” theory that promotes the ardently unscientific idea that dinosaurs coexisted with mankind literally thousands of years ago. As one commentator noted recently: “It is quite scary that someone who rejects the fundamentals of basic science, and who shows such a shocking inability to engage in rational thought, could wind up being a heartbeat away from the presidency.”
Sadly these days, many of our financial journalists and analysts have the depth of introspection of a Miss America Pageant. Degrees aside, they respond to the surface of news events and drool like Pavlov's dogs when the appropriate bell is sounded. It would appear, beneath the surface that two events suggest that the actual power structure behind the Republican Party, in spite of the Sarah Palin love fest following the Republican convention, does not see John McCain winning the White House. Here is why.
As if we didn't see too much of him these last 8 years as the master of sleeze-spin for the Bush White House, and their evil agenda.
I've read at least one report claiming Carl Rove is very involved with Sarah Palin. Does anyone know just how involved Rove is with Palin and the McCain/Palin ticket. If voters knew the extent of this, and that radical wing of the republican party's involvement, I doubt they would support McCain/Palin no matter how CUTE she looks and sounds as the fresh face from Alaska.
Like we used to do in soccer, you assign people who's sole role is to stick to a specific player like GLUE. It makes it a lot more difficult for that person to cause a raukus. "Casper the friendly ghost," as I refer to him, is ONE EVIL MAN. He weilds more power in the lives of republicans than God! In fact, I think he believes he is God!
This 2008 election is all about where we believe the U.S. should be in the 21st Century. Do we want to prosper into the 21st Century using the best of what we know of science & technology? Or do we want to cower down and be sentimental of what we knew of the 20th Century and fall back on guns & religion? Do we move forward, or backwards?
Which will best move us forward: "science & technology," or "guns & religion?"
Substance or story?
In light of questions (or the lack of) about Sarah Palin's faith, comes this very impressive article on apocalypticism by Chip Berlet. Some highlights:
Many evangelical Christians believe in a rapidly approaching End Time confrontation between good and evil. Many liberals and progressives glibly dismiss these beliefs as whacko, but the believers number in the millions, are just as smart and sane as the rest of us, and act out these beliefs in the public square--shaping policies in the domestic and foreign policy arenas.
[Berlet highlights continue after the flip...]
OK, I have to admit that I just don't get the hype and excitement surrounding Sarah Palin. Sure, I get that she's young, attractive, and doesn't fit the Washington stereotype, but does she really bring anything else to the table as a potential Vice President, and quite possibly, President? Let's face it, McCain isn't exactly a spring chicken!
The religious right is foaming at the mouth because she represents and upholds their extreme conservative viewpoints. Many women who supported Hillary during her campaign are now supporting McCain simply because Palin is on the ticket, simply because they want to see a woman in office. Can't they see past her gender and recognize that Palin and Clinton share almost no common ground on values, political viewpoints, or experience?
When I envision the ideal presidential candidate, I see someone that is confident, poised, knowledgeable, articulate, diplomatic, and demonstrates strong leadership. Do I see this in Palin? Maybe from a small town perspective whee expectations can be quite different from the world's spotlight. I don't think she's qualified for the role she's been selected to fulfill, period. Oh sure, she has "executive" experience as Alaska's governor...but then again...so did George Bush! And look how well that's done for us!
And her voice...my GOD...who would want to have to listen to her speak for the next four years?? I find her tone to be condescending, negative, and just downright annoying.
Here's a link to a YouTube video where she's addressing a missionary group. I understand that this is a relatively informal audience she's speaking to, however since she was introduced as the state's governor, I would expect a certain level of professionalism and public presence. I see neither here. Her vocabulary and speaking style is barely above what I might expect from a high school student. And speaking as the state's governor, the content of her message is inappropriate, even given the church setting.
I can say without a doubt that I would not ever want to see Palin, or McCain for that matter, in an executive leadership role.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9tJX-e24iQ
(if this link doesn't get you to the video, just search "Sarah Palin Church Video" and you'll get a bunch of results!)
Matters of science, technology, and related economic growth favor the democrat philosophy and Senator Obama, and he should attack McCain/Palin on this clear weakness. McCain/Palin are handicapped on science and technology progress by virtue of their religious beliefs.
Matters of science and technology are very critical in the 2008 election, probably more than in any election in history. Sure, small town people who value guns and religion don't understand science and technology, but they must know how critical it is to survival in the 21st centure. It is the religious right views held by republicans, particularly that of "creationism v. evolution (science), and life," and the roles that humans and the planet are thought to play in the big picture, that handicap the republicans in foreign policy and domestic progress on matters involving science and technology. The religious right time and again continues to discount science and the planet, and want us to place their beliefs front and center to determine broader policy. It is down right scarry, if not incompetence and a failure of one's duty to lead! Fairy tales are not policy!Discussions on energy and science are leading this 2008 election, with energy emerging as the No. 1 issue, and doubling as economic and adverse environmental impact. Health care is next as it relates to R&D, costs, and efficacy of care and treatment - again about science. Thirdly, it is our advances in technology today that drive much of our economy. I believe all three science sectors favor the Obama/Biden platform and should be excellent theatre debate! We must also demand more scientifically accurate discussion of science topics in debate and coverage. Such debate should favor Senator Obama over McCain due to his more recent schooling, whereas the GOP VP Palin's younger age and environmental interests could balance out any McCain objections. Note I only include the environmental sciences as it relates to energy, as many still challenge the reports, and it is best to avoid having a "debate within a debate." Clearly, the pinacle of all science debates is that of creationism v evolution. And based upon the GOP's vice-presidential pick of Governor Palin as a creationist, the GOP would likely try to kill discussion on this topic. But as voters, we cannot give McCain/Palin a free pass on a sciences debate. Obama should engage the GOP. The creationists view is a liability as to embracing 21st century economic development fueled by new products and discoveries in the field of science. Truly science's best marketing will come by way of featuring new products and discoveries. Television ads and programming could play a major role in the campaign, and later in promoting new science discoveries, as it did in the late 1950's, when then actor Ronald Reagan hosted "GE Theatre." As a voter and scientist, I am offended when a candidate is unable to grasp key science concepts and data when discussing a key science or technology issue. We should DEMAND more factual coverage of science topics when they impact a candidates understanding of such things as energy, health policy, military perogatives, economic growth, and so on.
CHICAGO -- Declaring that clergy have a constitutional right to endorse political candidates from their pulpits, the socially conservative Alliance Defense Fund is recruiting several dozen pastors to do just that on Sept. 28, in defiance of Internal Revenue Service rules.
Hearing that Senator McCain really wanted to choose Senator Lieberman as his running mate and was only urged in the last seconds to decide on Gov. Palin, I started thinking ... can these two options be any further apart ...and why?
What if Senator McCain thinks two ways: If he wins, he will have a grasshopper at his side he doesn't have to pay too much attention to. He can pursuit his policies ...
BUT: In case he looses, and considering that he never was a friend of how his party became hostage to the religious right, he could provide the death blow to this religious right wing. Arguing that he tried them but they weren't able to deliver...
Ok, just some far fetched idea ... I know... But sure it would be the ultimate political sacrifice for his country.
To revert to oversimplification, slander, misrepresentation and, finally, tokenism to sway public opinion is reprehensible in itself. Such tactics, however, are effective only to the extent the public remains ready and willing to accept them.
