Posts with the tag Republican Party

The Nobel Peace Prize and Hate

A. Karyadi — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:27:53 EDT

I wonder at what point the Republican Party will begin to see themselves as part of the solution to American's problems rather than a dedicated opposition to anything associated with Barack Obama. Michael Steele's statement on the Nobel Peace Prize is an excellent example of what a right-wing talking head thinks is a good idea when pitching this week's cable or radio show. It is not reflective of the values and tone I associate with the long-time, dedicated Republican Party members I know. Those Republicans have been increasing set loose to fend for themselves in a war of words.

The bitter, angry tone of criticism against the President has me, frankly, worried. At what point do the comments of Rush Limbaugh stop being "entertainment" or even "political commentary," and venture into "fighting words" prohibited by Supreme Court challenges in the past? If something, God forbid, were to ever happen to the President, will we be able to look back at the shrill tone of the right and say it incited violence? And if it does incite violence, who is responsible? Does that tone have its roots in criticism of George W. Bush or Bill Clinton? Or is there something more irrational at work here?

As I have listened to, watched, and read coverage of the award, one point seems to be lost: the President did not nominate himself for the award, campaign for it, or encourage the Nobel committee. In other words, if the Nobel Prize committee overlooked other worthy causes or hurt the feelings of some groups, the bad guy here is not Obama. He is as surprised as anyone that he was given it. He acknowledged that he feels humbled to be in the company of great people, who have done more than he has. His good sense in recognizing the obvious shows his instincts and read of the American people is still on target.

The right-wing racist insults (his award is part of an "affirmative action" quota?!) and associations of Obama with terrorist groups (simply because he exists) is dangerously out of step with most of America. But should a violent splinter group take the call to hate Obama to an extreme, I wonder if Morris Dees can file a lawsuit on behalf of the American people to silence the poisonous cheerleaders. Better yet, I wonder if we can do something ourselves, RIGHT NOW, to take away the cheerleaders' megaphones.

Don't the haters need internet service providers? Don't they depend on advertisers? Who books them to speak at public venues, built by tax-payer dollars (in many cases)? We all know that a huge number of Americans support Obama, which is why he was able to out-fundraise all previous Republican candidates. I think the real future of mobilizing these supporters, who responded in huge numbers through sites like this one, lies in on-line action, like digital boycotts, email campaigns to advertisers, and electronic protests to local officials about the use of public space to encourage hate, etc.

Obviously, as someone posting on the Organizing for America web site, I have supported Obama in the past and do now as well. But I really object to the idea that it is not possible to dislike the President without being irrationally angry at the same time. At the risk of helping the Republican Party recover from its 2008 defeat and strengthening it for 2012, I would like to be part of a campaign to restore rationality to political debate. I want my parents, life-long Republicans, to have some viable option in voting their beliefs in the future--and not to be at the mercy of the likes of Joe Wilson. I want to be able to say that I saw where this kind of "debate" was going and tried to prevent the bitterness from spinning out of control.

14 Things That Fascist Regimes Have In Common

Mike Kurtz — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:07:16 EDT

I had read this article a while ago. But given the current flurry of Limbaugh using the word fascism and Nazi, I thought it would be worthwhile to review these points. My only conclusion is that they really do speak to the Republican party, their mission and their methods and their Rudolf Hess (Rush Limbaugh)..

Stephen Views the News June 1, 2009

Stephen from Elkins Park, PA — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:02:34 EDT

Stephen Views the News June 1, 2009

http://stephenviewsthenews.blogspot.com/

A note to the graduating class of 2009

News shows this past week broadcast excerpts of speeches given by well-known individuals at college commencement ceremonies. The wisdom and insight of Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Laura Bush, Robert Gates, Colin Powell, Ellen DeGeneres, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton and others reigned down upon graduates as they are about to embark on life as adults. Below are some thoughts and observations that these esteemed speakers may not have noted in their addresses.

Graduates who have followed the news on CNN, MSNBC, FOX or Comedy Central have seen a very clear choice as to how to conduct one’s life. Regardless of whether one agrees with the policies of President Obama his embrace of civility and nobility is in marked contrast to the narrow sewer politics of Limbaugh, Gingrich and Cheney. Obama’s adherence to veracity is in marked contrast to the lies and twisted logic of these icons of failed leadership under the banner of conservatism. The college graduates of 2009 may have the clearest examples in American history of how poor leadership can weaken America, how greed on steroids can destroy an economy and how ignoring the environment and the health of its citizens can put our society and communities at great risk. Everyone we are exposed to in life is our teacher. Some people show us to what to do and some show us what not to do. Rarely have such choices for graduates been in sharper focus.

For decades the message to graduates has consistently been to make the world a better place as one seeks their place to pursue dreams, hopes and aspirations. Today’s graduates will begin careers and soon start families under the umbrella of a political system that is flawed – a system that in recent years has yielded more impediments than opportunities for individuals to participate in the American dream. It is a system where our elected officials must raise large sums of money to fund political campaigns that ensure re-election. Elected officials are lured into serving the needs of the special interests that provide campaign and other funds and the officials must devote an inordinate amount of time to fundraising, which reduces the time available to deal with issues important to citizens. This will only change with the public financing of elections because self-policing by elected officials is an American pipe dream. For the most part, today’s elected officials are owned by corporate interests of energy, finance and banking, pharmaceutical and healthcare corporations. The sellout led to de-regulation of financial markets, a reduction in product safety, a reduction in competition and blockage of sound energy policies that would have reduced dependence on foreign oil and more responsibly protected the environment.

Today’s graduates will have to bide their time until there is once again a viable two-party political system in America. The current version of the Republican Party (Conservatism) became the voice of corporate interests, the religious-right and the Neocons, also known as the warmongers. The GOP was embarrassed in the elections of 2006 and 2008. As the current version of conservative politics continues to lose support in almost every demographic, 2010 will likely be even more devastating to the Republican Party. Following repeated defeats I expect the GOP will seek candidates more moderate, more inclusive and more reflective of a society rejecting the narrow issues of abortion and gay marriage, more demanding that elected representatives actually represent their interests which include fair wages, intelligent broad-based healthcare, sound energy policy, verifiable voting apparatus, renewal of our infrastructure, reliable mass transit and improvements in education.

We can only trust that this year’s graduates will reject the lies that the conservative/GOP cabal continue to spew. Examples include: gay marriage will destroy traditional marriage and lead to pedophilia and bestiality; the U.S. will be endangered if prisoners at Guantanamo were housed in federal high security prisons on American soil; Obama is a Fascist and his policies will result in a socialist state; oversight of capitalism will result in a socialist state; evolution is not valid; the world was created a) 3000 years ago, b) 5000 years ago, c) 15000 years ago; torture is justifiable in our society and the use of torture made Americans safer; Saddam Hussein was an imminent threat to America.

Finally, this note to graduates should not be construed as an endorsement of the Democratic Party. Over the past decade its record is not seen as horrendous only because it is compared to the Republican Party. Democrats are also subject to the influence of special interests and their lobbyists, they participated in the reigning in of regulation and reduction of oversight and they were silent and impotent in opposing the invasion of Iraq and subsequent funding of the occupation. Both political parties governed out of fear and a cynicism in the American political system and the American people. You are the next generation and you can do better.

“Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”

Robert Louis Stevenson

The GOP doesn’t Give-up Turf Easily

Tom Awtry — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:38:07 EDT

Not to my knowledge dose any of our elected officials have me on their private contact list, nor have I requested such a privilege be extended to me; however, I do follow our country’s online political news very carefully and I don’t recall either President Obama or our Attorney General, Eric Holder mentioning candidates for Federal Judgeship. I could be wrong?

So, this bring to my mind; why would the Republican members in our Senate ever bring up the issue of rejecting our President’s selections for Federal Judges, “other” than those chosen by the Bush Administration. What a bunch of spoilt children!

I think these boys and girls should devote more of their concentration on solving the ever increasing and pressing problem of the economy than concerns that may happen on the horizon.

My foundation for this argument and posting comes from an article posted on Politico stating the following:

Federal Judges

Republicans warn Obama on judges
By MANU RAJU | 3/2/09 6:56 PM EST

President Barack Obama should fill vacant spots on the federal bench with former President Bush’s judicial nominees to help avoid another huge fight over the judiciary, all 41 Senate Republicans said Monday.

In a letter to the White House, the Republican senators said Obama would “change the tone in Washington” if he were to renominate Bush nominees like Peter Keisler, Glen Conrad and Paul Diamond. And they requested that Obama respect the Senate’s constitutional role in reviewing judicial nominees by seeking their consultation about potential nominees from their respective states.

“Regretfully, if we are not consulted on, and approve of, a nominee from our states, the Republican Conference will be unable to support moving forward on that nominee,” the letter warns. “And we will act to preserve this principle and the rights of our colleagues if it is not.”

In other words, Republicans are threatening a filibuster of judges if they’re not happy.

The letter is an opening salvo in what could be a partisan battle in the Obama years. Democrats regularly complained that Bush nominated conservative judges without consulting them, then the Republican-controlled Senate ran roughshod over them even if the nominees lacked support from homestate senators. Obama’s lawyer Gregory Craig has begun his outreach with senators about potential nominees, and several Republicans have warned Obama that the quickest way to squander bipartisan goodwill is to nominate far-left judges.

To complement the aforementioned posting the following YouTube video, which brings back many a memories regarding how bitter bipartisan fighting can become when Senators were in disagreement over the confirmation of Judge Leslie Southwick.

Judge Leslie Southwick

Sorry Mr. President, but We’ve Turned too Many Pages Already

Eric from Covina, CA — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 22:08:08 EST

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

Sorry Mr. President, but We’ve Turned too Many Pages Already

President Obama has suggested that we “turn the page” on Republican misdeeds and move the nation forward. The president is a good natured sort, but there is such a thing as being forgiving to a fault, and I think we’ve long since reached that point with the Republican Party. The GOP reminds me of a woman who's been caught committing adultery, then when her husband confronts her with it the next day, she tells him that he's going to destroy their marriage if he doesn't learn to stop dwelling in the past.

It’s time for America to take a long, hard, and objective look at the Republican Party. The American people have been played for fools long enough by these people. Once we begin to take a serious look at the GOP an unmistakable pattern is going to emerge. We’re going to notice the same arguments being put forth by the same names, who are engaging in the very same practices, leading to the same kind of corruption being recycled every generation.

The GOP: A 'Rush' to Obscurity

Eric from Covina, CA — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:29:14 EST

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE
The GOP: A 'Rush' to Obscurity

Those of us who pointed out that Michael Steele was elevated to Chairman of the Republican National Committee as both a token, and as attack-dog-in-chief against President Obama should feel completely vindicated. No further evidence need be presented than what recently took place when Mr. Steele had the audacity to say that he was the head of the Republican Party, not Rush Limbaugh. In response Limbaugh all but literally told him to stay in his place.

Limbaugh said, "Yes, said Michael Steele, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, I'm incendiary, and yes, it's ugly. Michael Steele, you are head of the RNC. You are not head of the Republican Party." Limbaugh went on to say, "Tens of millions of conservatives and Republicans have nothing to do with the RNC and right now they want nothing to do with it, and when you call them, asking them for money, they hang up on you."

The Republican Rape of America

Eric from Covina, CA — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:14:22 EST

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

The Republican Rape of America

The Republican leadership and their corporate cronies have systematically brutalized and raped America. Now they're insisting that we give them a bonus instead of treating our wounds. Those are literally the facts, but why are so many Americans blind to the assault? In short, we've been brainwashed.

The Republican Party has demonstrated repeatedly that they are lousy at governance but there are none better when it comes to marketing their philosophy-and they should be, because they have but one philosophy-to divide and conquer. It would be inaccurate to call them racist, however, because they don't care any more about poor and middle class White people than they do minorities, but neither do they have any qualms about using racism and division to advance their interests.

The Republican Party–a Threat to America

Eric from Covina, CA — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:16:18 EST

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

The Republican Party–a Threat to America

One of the Republican Party's most enduring talking points is that the Bush administration has kept America safe since 9-11, but what evidence do we have of that? Even as the Bush administration bragged about their security efforts, they left both our front and back doors wide open. The two primary entry points into the United States are all but short of a welcome sign.

In testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on September 27, 2007, Greg Kutz of the Government Accountability Office testified that GAO investigators were able to cross into the United States from Canada with a duffle bag filled with contents resembling radioactive material on three different occasions during the fall of 2006. He went on to testify that they did so without encountering even one law enforcement official. And as everyone knows, our Southern border is an absolute sieve. If Jose Garcia can simply walk across the Mexican border into the United States, what's to prevent Osama Abdul from doing exactly the same?

Reconciliation and Approval of Economic Recovery Plan

"Voice for Humanity" — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:05:39 EST

President Barack Obama’s candid appeal to Congress and Senate via press conference confirms the White House commitment to relieve severely hurting citizens from the agonizing pain of the ailing economy.

The legislators resisting compromise to the stimulus package obviously do not share the pain of their constituents. If they did, they would have no objection to essential and guaranteed investments specifically identified for job creation in President Obama’s plan.

It is frustrating that partisan politics remains a force to reckon with for the electorate in a democracy.

Tragically, ideology leads the way to oppose a bill designed to assist every taxpayer who is also the consumer and most importantly a voter from becoming a recipient of food stamps.

The excerpt from a recent article titled –

“Billions in aid to states cut amid struggle over stimulus”

By Associated Press, February 8, 2009.

“President Barack Obama and Senate Republicans bickered Saturday over his historically huge economic recovery plan after states and schools lost tens of billions of dollar in a late-night bargain to save it.

Forging compromise –

The compromise reached between a handful of GOP moderates led Susan Collins of Maine, the White House and its Senate allies stripped $108 billion in spending from Obama’s plan, including cutbacks in projects that likely would give the economy a quick lift, like $40 billion in aid to state governments for education and other programs.

Yet, it retained items that also probably won’t help the economy much, such as $650 million to help people without cable receive digital signals through their old-fashioned televisions or $1 billion to fix problems with the 2010 Census.

Among the most difficult cuts for the White House and its liberal allies to accept was the elimination of $40 billion in aid to states, money that economists say is a relatively efficient way to pump up the economy by preventing layoffs, cuts in services or tax increases.”
————————————————————————————————————————————–

Reality Check:

Now, any rational citizen regardless of party affiliation should ask the following questions to the GOP moderates seemingly endorsing the bill.

Where are the priorities?

Is helping people receive digital signals through their old-fashioned televisions and a staggering $1 billion to fix problems with the 2010 Census more important than investment in education, easing the burden on states to lift economy by preventing layoffs, cuts in services and tax increases?

Do GOP members realize the reason behind colossal defeat in the 2006 and 2008 election?

The American electorate is tired and bogged down with Washington’s immature revengeful tactics in the approval of legislative matters concerning the lives of every citizen.

Ironically, all those legislators against the approval of this bill targeting the future of our nation with respect to education, job creation and needful services forget that their jobs are also on the line in the process.

If they presume Capitol Hill to be a comfort zone for a specified period and expect immunity from the economic crises, they are being delusional as the electorate has choices to reject such representation in a democracy.

Where was the hype and concern when the previous administration committed the nation to a reckless war that has virtually bankrupted our economy?

Whatever happened to the various failed stimulus packages without any accountability to taxpayers or the oversight committee passed by the Bush administration and approved by the same legislators in opposition to the current one committed towards education and aid to states to revive the economy by preventing layoffs, cuts in services or tax increases?

The irresponsible conduct to block the bill simply suggests that come 2010 the democratic system would be better off with an alternative political party pledging support to the people and engage in constructive rather than destructive role in nation building.

Similar dilemma experienced in the State of California where the budget crisis has reached a point of no return due to political dogma upheld against pragmatic solutions.

The electorates are viewing the entire situation at both state and federal level and will deliver their decision in the ballot in less than eighteen months.

Despite presentation of this bill in the most cohesive manner, all those legislators on both sides prolonging the approval are not only jeopardizing the opportunity to help every constituent from economic failure but also their own career as an elected official to serve the people and the nation in crisis.

It is the duty of every public servant to recognize the plight of their population and heed to the call to oblige urgent needs by approving the stimulus bill particularly the aid to states that are broke along with education, jobs, services and tax modification.

There is no time for procrastination and all that is required is action. Unfortunately, the Presidency of Barack Obama with unprecedented transparency is subject to undue scrutiny for political strategies.

The campaign trail promises prior to election to office whether it is the House or Senate always remains a distant memory with "business as usual " demonstration upon becoming Senators or the House of Representatives.
——————————————————————————————————————–———————-
Decisive Action:

The economic recovery plan aimed at job creation, assistance to states sharing status quo of the nation, improvement of infrastructure and commitment to revival of education, energy, health care is the step in the right direction.

It is imperative for both Democrats and Republicans to get on board in a bipartisan effort and approve the bill without elimination of prudent investments mistaken for wasteful spending. The job losses in Indiana, near double-digit unemployment in California are real problems felt by hard working people across the nation.

The proposed bill with taxpayers’ dollars invested for taxpayers’ benefits is undergoing intensive criticism by lawmakers primarily responsible for allowing the previous administration to squander economic surplus along with exhaustion of national reserves and treasury in wild adventures as the signature mission of the Republican era.

President Barack Obama’s administration did not create this economic catastrophe. They have inherited it upon election to the office on January 20, 2009. Nevertheless, the rhetoric in the Senate and the House mocking hope and change in a theatrical manner is reflective of the opposition role to make noise, create roadblocks and exacerbate the crisis with an adversarial action or inaction.

Only if such fervor and excitement displayed during the approval of mass financial bailout worth a whopping $700 billion and the unlimited commitment of resources in an unnecessary war in Iraq by the Bush administration there would be no debate or discussion for any economic stimulus package today.

It is apparent from those legislators’ reluctance to acknowledge the realities that they prioritize their own needs to remain in power over their constituents’ hardships and suffering in a debilitating economy.

The electorates have a clear choice in the next election to remember those who care and reject those who abandon them during harsh crises.

Political parties might survive on rhetoric and empty promises but people cannot wait until political factions make up their mind for decisive action required to avert Armageddon upon failure to approve the authentic economic recovery plan by President Barack Obama.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Economic Package

Melly — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:44:20 EST

A simple question? What do the Repuplicans have against education? How does it help America to have an undereducated populous? I was so happy that the economic package had provisions for college aid such as the Pell Grants. Think about it, if parents cannot send their children to college, RIGHT NOW, because of the economic times, etc; then we will lose a generation of sturdents that can enter the work force with qualifications for a good job in a few years. These students will be lost.

Also, why can't we build more elementary and high schools and help the deteriorating school system. What is wrong with that? I want an answer from the Republicans as to why they have forever been against the educating of America. Where is the logic?

I also am concerned about all the lay offs because I heard one man say on TV, did not get the name or title, but he said; if they don't do what we want, we will lay off all the workers until they do what we want. This is how the rich people feel that they are in control and can push America around.

The Republican party needs to reinvent itself and start looking out for more than just themselves.

I's Over and NOW WE BEGIN - AGAIN!

Llenar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:16:17 EST

This is a copy of the e-mail from Doug Middleton. A guy I admire who was in the forefront yeas ago to help people get out of credit card debt for literally PENNIES on the dollar. He Welcomes Your Comments. E-mail HIM!

It's over.

John McCain went down to defeat today in what was an obvious, predictable loss.

Claiming to be a "maverick" while in reality being anything but, Senator McCain came across instead as alternatively a petulant child and an apologist for bankers that have robbed America blind for the previous six years. As one of the "Aye" voters both for the $700 billion robbery of taxpayer bill (an affront that Barack Obama shares) and the "bankruptcy reform" bill that put a noose around American's necks, he finally "got his" on the national political stage.

America spoke, and said not just "no", but "hell no."

Unlike when we spoke to you Senator McCain when you were voting for the bailout, this time you're obligated to listen.

Unfortunately the McCain campaign turned out to be nothing more than apologists for the liars, cheats and frauds.

I called this back in July, and there are times I hate being right.

This is one of them.

In reality there is nothing to like here in this election season. America's economy is headed for the hole in the center of the bowl no matter what we do, and the imperative now must be to guarantee that the bankers and fraudsters don't make off with any more of our money, to claw back what we can, and to protect the funding capacity of our government, not to protect bankers and attempt to do what is mathematically impossible.

I have only faint hope that President-elect Obama will accomplish any of that in his time as President, and even less faith that he will be able to interdict the present idiocy prior to his inauguration.

It takes a strong man to stand up to the banking interests that bribe everyone up and down Washington DC. President Obama is only 10% likely to do the right thing, a President McCain was 0% likely to do so.

I do see, however, two possibilities and no middle ground, which gives me some hope. One possibility is that President Obama will proceed to play "pigman handout-a-thon", in which case our nation is headed for an economic collapse that will make The Depression look like a cakewalk.

Should President Obama listen to such idiots as Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson, this outcome is assured. Two years from now the Democratic Party will suffer the worst defeat in the history of the Republic, being mortally wounded and forever removed from American Politics. Four years from now President Obama will depart with his tail between his legs and head home to Chicago with a new middle name - "Hoover".

The depths to which American could sink under such a series of mistakes cannot be underestimated. It is entirely possible that a worst-case scenario could come to pass, including a political failure in our nation.

Barack Obama understands what this could mean, since he has ancestors who dealt with not being free men - and one hopes he is conscious of the risk that continuing down the "bailout path" brings in this regard. This risk cannot be overstated; it is REAL. Political and monetary failure, if it occurs, has an extremely high risk of leading to a form of government that is very different than our founding fathers intended, and none of us want to see.

The second possibility is that President Obama actually thinks on his own and comes to recognize that he's not a figurehead, nor is he a puppet of the bankers and fraudsters - that he was sent to Washington DC for a reason.

To imprison all the fraudsters both on Wall Street and Main Street, and recover every nickel possible from their ill-gotten gains for ordinary Americans.

To clean up American Finance and implement The Genesis Plan or something akin to it, forcing full transparency and limits on leverage throughout the financial system.

To tell The American People that no, you cannot have houses appreciate faster than incomes, that the maximum sustainable home price is 3.5x income, and that spending more than 36% of your pretax income on all your debt, housing included, is both unreasonable and unsafe, leaving you one minor household disaster away from bankruptcy.

This pronouncement, along with policies that encourage same, will lead to a rapid revaluation of home prices downward, and clear the market.

To tell The American People that "free trade" sounds fine in theory, but that as practiced over the last 20 years it has led to tremendous distortions in foreign exchange and interest rates, not to mention millions of Americans losing their jobs to overseas workers who aren't better at what they do - they are just cheaper, mostly because they are either coming from or still living in slave-like conditions. Perhaps President Obama will do something to correct that imbalance, although you can bet the "masters of American Capitalism" will scream loud and long about any such attempt.

To tell The American People that the age of bubblenomics is over - that one must earn enough money to buy what one wishes to purchase, and if you can't, then you're unable to afford it - and that this applies to government as well.

To tell The American People that an Obama Administation will not permit The Fed to print money, nor to monetize bad assets - whether they be fraudulent mortgages, bad credit card debt, upside down auto loans or anything else. That such bad debt must instead be forced to default, and those who wrote that paper must eat their loss, no matter how painful and whether or not it results in business failure.

Tough but necessary words - words that are exactly opposite that which President Bush uttered after 9/11.

This is the change that America voted for Senator, now President-Elect Obama.

Is this the change that we truly can believe in, or were those mere words in a Presidential campaign?

We shall soon find out.

Douglas Middleton

dmiddleton39@cox.net

Senator John McCain's National Security Failures and Moral Failures

Patriot for Obama — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:43:25 EST

Set aside for the moment the fact that more terrorists are being trained by fundamental and radical extremists than now ever before and that there is more support for terrorists among the growing population of fundamentalists and radicals than ever before.

Set aside for the moment the fact that Iran, who was labeled as an Axis of Evil, has greater influence in Iraq and the Middle East now than at any time prior to the War in Iraq.

Set aside for the moment the fact that U.S. foreign aide has been misappropriated and misused by those who received it for purposes of terrorism. The late Mujahideen Commander Nek Mohammed was bribed with U.S. foreign aide money that he requested to repay his loans from al Qaeda. It has been alleged that the attack on an Indian Embassy and perhaps the more recent attacks within India were financed by the Pakistani ISI with U.S. foreign aide.

Set aside for the moment the fact that the threat is greater now than ever that terrorist will acquire multiple nuclear weapons in Pakistan as opposed to just a dirty bomb.

How do the Republican Party and Senator John McCain justify heinous and reprehensible acts by fellow Republicans, which threatened National Security and may have influenced the actions of the White House in an international incident? Notwithstanding the issue of their age and gender, which is made all the more evident by testaments to that individuals frequenting an infamous child bordello in Thailand, how do the Republican Party and Senator John McCain justify a fellow Republican accepting enslaved Thai Prostitutes from the son of a now disgraced communist leader? Did their knowledge of his actions limit the response of his Republican family member during an international crisis? Did their knowledge of his actions limit the response of his Republican family member during a National Security threat? For those who have faith, each persons God's ultimate assesment of our lives occcurs on the day of reckoning. Your god may have had the first of many last laughs on the person who accepted the enslaved Thai Prostitutes, although one must sympathize with his former wife. That person became infected with an incurable sexually transmitted disease.

Indiscretions such as these are generally supposed to be considered a potential threat to National Security when considering others for security clearance, but this has not always been the case. The Department of Defense (DOD), including the military and other federal agencies has overlooked illegal and immoral indiscretions in the past. DOD helped an underage Philippine female immigrate to the United States to marry a former Marine Aviator, who was once employed by the contractor at USAF Plant No. 4 and once in the reserve. When she revealed at a Christmas Party that she was an underage bride, his security clearance was not revoked. DOD, including the USAF, and the Senate Armed Services Committee overlooked the access by employees of the contractor at USAF Plant No. 4 of child pornography on the World Wide Web. They destroyed evidence on individual computers, but they were so ignorant in their obstruction of justice that they forgot to destroy evidence on mainframes and servers. Their security clearances were not revoked. DOD, including the USAF, and the Senate Armed Services Committee ignored visits by defense contractor and some military personnel to child bordellos in South Korea and Thailand among other nations. Some employees openly bragged about their visits to the parlors, which were staffed with underage child prostitutes. Their security clearances were not revoked.

I would not feel safer with Senator John McCain in the White House at any level. He has already demonstrated for me his failure to lead at any level. He has already demonstrated his failure to lead morally. He has already demonstrated his failure to lead in matters of National Security. He has already demonstrated his ability to lead use into the most serious economic crisis of the last 100 years.

Stephen Views the News 11/01/08

Stephen from Elkins Park, PA — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:10:19 EDT

Stephen Views the News 11/1/08

http://stephenviewsthenews.blogspot.com/

Regardless of the outcome of the presidential election on Tuesday its close will be welcome. Presidential politics have been in the forefront for almost two years and in recent months the calls, the mailings, the emailings and the television and radio ads have become burdensome. At the same time, the number of voter registrations and anticipated voter turnout should be a high mark in our democratic tradition. There still are concerns about Republican attempts to disenfranchise voters not prone to the GOP and unreliable voting machines, but these potential disruptions can lead to systemic improvements if the activism seen in this election remains energized. Safeguards for voter rights and voting systems require an upgrade.

McCain and Obama continue to offer striking differences in content and demeanor. Obama concentrates on issues important to Americans. The McCain campaign concentrates on characterizing Obama as a Socialist, a Marxist and a supporter of terrorists. Perhaps Mr. McCain does not sufficiently believe in his own platform that he has to emphasize empty issues that lack gravitas. Obama’s tax plan, ideas for economic recovery, foreign policy strategies, energy solutions and prescriptions for health care inadequacies and inequities is what most of us care about. A poll on Thursday indicated that 59% of voters felt that Sarah Palin was not prepared to be Vice President. The Palin selection was emblematic of a McCain candidacy constructed to appeal to a narrow base and plagued by impetuous execution. The Palin nomination understandably brought into question McCain’s judgment and ability to make sound decisions. Questionable economic stances and neocon/myopic foreign policy have not added to his appeal or credibility. The John McCain candidacy has proven to be a disappointment for many Independents, Republicans and even Democrats who once admired the long-serving Arizona senator.

* Under the radar ~ Leadership and Organization – The polls indicate that McCain is still within striking distance to win this election. What the polls do not show is the comprehensive ground game that the Obama campaign has designed and implemented. The Obama campaign has established offices and built an army of volunteers across America that is beyond the scope of previous national campaigns. One aspect of this effort was registering voters and it did so in record numbers. The other aspect is directed toward voter turnout. This weekend millions of registered Democrats will be visited by Obama volunteers. They will be reminded to vote, provided with information about voting locations and hours of operation and offered rides to the polls where needed. On Election Day these same registered Democrats will again be reminded to vote and a huge number of legal experts will be deployed around the country to protect against voter intimidation and vote stealing. The Democratic Party will be far better prepared this year to deal with Republican shenanigans than it was in 2000 and 2004.

* McCain ~ Change you don’t want to believe in – The McCain-Palin campaign did not invent racism and hate in America. Evidence of these ugly facets of human behavior can be seen throughout American history. However, one would think that a national political party seeking election to the highest office would go way out of its way to avoid any taint of such negativity and divisiveness. John McCain proves this premise incorrect. A survey of news outlets and blogs provides numerous examples of increasing expressions of hate and meanness, racism and homophobia - a result of the pandering McCain/Republican political campaign. I lay responsibility for these cancerous expressions at the feet of Senator McCain and Governor Palin. Regardless of the outcome of this election their candidacy was a big step backward for American principles, a regression stained with shame that will not disappear like political lawn signs on November 5th.

* The Bush Effect ~ Lest we forget – President Bush is still in office and still intent on his damaging policies and reign of error. A Washington Post article on Friday provides the details. “The White House is working to enact a wide array of federal regulations, many of which would weaken government rules aimed at protecting consumers and the environment, before President Bush leaves office in January.” If there was not such a damaging track record by the Bush administration I would have thought the article was a Halloween trick. It reminds one of an April 1st fool: lift constraints on power plants, mines and farms; clear obstacles to some commercial ocean-fishing activities; ease controls on emissions of pollutants that contribute to global warming; relax drinking-water standards; and lift a key restriction on mountaintop coal mining – a type of mining that damages the environment and has destroyed communities.

* Karl Marx meets Grouch Marx – Representative Steve King (R-IA) tells an audience in Sioux City that Obama is even more extreme than a Socialist. With Obama America will wind up with a totalitarian dictatorship. And, bless his little heart, he informs the audience that only Republicans have a legitimate claim to representing freedom as America knows it. From the Farm Belt – it’s Saturday Nigh Live. If one does not laugh at this crap one would cry.

* Let freedom ring – My efforts and my vote support Barack Obama. A number of Republican/conservative friends have told me they will vote for John McCain. I am disappointed in their decision but understand that all of our votes are valid. When the election is over we will move forward together. One cannot ask for more in a democratic society.

* “Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote.”

William E. Simon (1927 – 2000) 63rd U.S. Secretary of Treasury

Yes We Have, Yes We Did, And Yes We Can Again!

Sophia — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:50:57 EDT

Let me start off by saying — this is about us.

This campaign is not about Senator Barack Obama. This campaign is not about Senator John McCain. This campaign is not even about Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Joe Biden, or even Governor Sarah Palin.

No, this campaign is, has always been, and always will be about US.

This campaign is about us because whoever is chosen to be the next President of the United States of America is direct reflection upon us as American citizens, as a nation.

I say all of this to remind people that we are all a part of this choice, whether or not we vote in November 2008.

I want people to remember that it is sooo important to talk but it is much more important to take action. Action bodes movement in the direction that may actually end up in change that leaves an impact upon other people’s lives.

In light of the first debate between the two presidential nominees, I want to stress how important it is to take action right now, each and every single one of us.

I am an avid supporter of Senator Barack Obama, so the list of action points that I have listed below are to support Senator Barack Obama.

If you support Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic Party, or just are against a McCain-Palin administration and you are looking for some way to feel a part of making something happen, please read below. Thanks!

Be sure that you are registered to vote: http://www.voteforchange.com/index_obama.php

10 ways to get involved: http://obama.3cdn.net/56d7862be8e614eef6_b6m6bndg2.pdf

Spread the word about these ways to get involved or any others you come up with - we did it and we can do it again!!! We really can!

"Just keep swimming...just keep swimming!" - Dory

http://oshunlife7.wordpress.com/2008/09/27/yes-we-didand-yes-we-can-again/

On the Republican Party - a Must Read

Steve Diamond — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:42:02 EDT

Everyone should read this thoughtful post on the history, present condition, and future of the Republican Party.

It details how a party that was once progressive has been taken over by a coalition of rabid right-wing evangelicals and greedy capitalists that would be unrecognizable to the party's founders, not to mention its leaders as recently as 30 years ago.

One unfortunate side effect is that millions of self-identified Republicans haven't yet realized how completely the current party has repudiated the principles it once espoused. So they continue to misinterpret the party's current talking points as if they were spoken in a context that is now obsolete, and they continue to vote Republican as if the party still represented what it once did. Tragic, really, especially if they somehow pull off a win on Nov. 4.

Let's make those calls and get out the vote!

Sarah Who?

Robin Z — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:39:20 EDT

It's beyond fascinating listening to the Republican Party turn in on itself, and somehow at the same time Sarah Palin is rising from the ashes as the self-annointed Republican candidate in 2012.

Huh?

This clueless speech-reader, who knows nothing about running anything, thinks she is going to be the next President of the United States? Well, kudos to her for having the ambition. My suspicion is that after this election she will sink like a stone back to her home state of Alaska to ponder how to make it happen, and she will come up empty.

Somehow in the hoopla of the past seven weeks, Palin has begun to believe her own press. She is, no doubt, the darling of the ultra-conservative right. But does she realize that she's not only turned off most of America, including women and independents, but a good chunk of the Republican Party itself?

How will she be perceived when she no longer has a multiple daily platform to make digs at Obama and Biden, the designer clothes are turned in, the jet goes away, the army of handlers go away, daddy McCain no longer gives her cover, and the press begin to look even more closely at the her breaches of gubernatorial power in Alaska?

It's going to be fascinating to watch.

It's A New Day

Patrice from Williamsburg, VA — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:22:03 EDT

The dawning of a new day is here, both for America as a whole and for those who call ourselves "compassionate conservatives," a code name for politically active Christians.

It's a time when our nation has the opportunity to break from the tradition of the past--from racial and class division, from partisan politics, from us against them--and to ride into a bright, new future of unified effort for the good of all Americans, truly non-partisan policy making and cooperation in Washington.

The undeclared but clearly evident leader of this new effort is Barack Obama, an American of mixed racial background (half white, and half black), and of mixed socio-economic background, a recent graduate from the struggling middle class to the echelons of upper class America. He is the leader we need right now not just because of superior intellect, highly effective communication skills, and his high level of educational attainment, but also because of the character and the temperament with which he has been divinely blessed. Character he has demonstrated in this election in quite distinct contrast to his Republican contender, John McCain.

It is for this reason that I, a social activist at heart for the poor and for the good of all men, and a Christian conservative as it relates to the two most pivotal moral issues of our time--abortion and homosexuality--have decided to vote for Senator Barack Obama to become the next president of the United States.

Though the Republican party may attempt to portray it--God is not the God of one political party. He is not more concerned about small government than he is about helping those in need. He did not only send His Son to die for upper class and upper middle class whites. He does not want us to lock-up first time, young non-violent offenders for most of their young adult lives and throw away the keys. He does not want us to ignore the social causes of crime. He does want his people involved with both parties so that both parties ultimately represent His interests, which are the best interests of us all.

This is our opportunity. In this election, we have the ability to show the rest of America that "conservative Christians" can make a balanced, intellectual, and still spiritual choice for President. We can choose to vote for Barack Obama, not because we agree with him on every issue, but because we agree with him on many. And we can make our voices heard during his administration to affect the way he governs on issues with which we do disagree.

Make the change. Take the leap. Make a new choice, and encourage other like minded people to make this choice as well--praying all the way for Christ to grant Sen. Obama the wisdom to make the right decisions at the right time, not swayed by what's popular, but based on the right foundation--God's Word--at "such a time as this" in our nation's and the world's history.

--Pat Perry

McCain Aide Acknowledges Voter Suppression Strategy

Charley James — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:56:35 EDT

Six days ago, I wrote about how a solid contact inside the McCain campaign explained to me what’s left for McCain (http://thepoliticalcurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2008/10/john-mccain-30-minute-man.html) in the remaining days of the election battle after his terrible performance in the third debate.

“Voter suppression and wonky Diebold machines,” my contact said then, adding “It’s our last hope.” He stuns me into a long silence. Breaking the awkward pause, he quickly added, “I’m just kidding.”

It turns out that, even though he did not know it at the time, my source was serious.

“There have been meetings and conference calls between people here (at McCain’s campaign headquarters), people at the RNC and groups out in Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania and maybe a few other states creating a strategy to harass voters and challenge ballots,” he tells me this morning in a call he makes to me on his cell phone from the safety of his car.

“This isn’t what I signed up for and I don’t want to be a part of it. I may resign in the next day or two.”

I sit in my office, dumbfounded. Here is a relatively important person inside a presidential campaign acknowledging that McCain and the Republican National Committee are conspiring secretly with outside groups to sabotage the presidential election.

Why, I ask, are they doing this?

“I think it’s because they know the election is lost in a fair fight so they want to cast doubts on the legitimacy of Obama’s victory,” he says. “Hell, we’re losing it in an unfair fight in spite of the bullshit about Ayers.

“Anyway, in the process they might just pull off a win if they can challenge enough voters or scare people away from voting,” my source adds. “With the polls against him, they need a distraction on election day.”

Just Like Zimbabwe

I reach a second contact in the McCain campaign, a woman I’ve known for decades who works in one of the dwindling number of swing states, to learn if she’s heard anything similar.

“Well, I don’t get a lot of the insider scuttlebutt ‘cause I’m not in McLean (Virginia, where McCain’s campaign office is located),” she reminds me. “But it fits with rumors I’ve heard and stuff floating around the office and on the web.”

I wonder whether she thinks it is a legitimate strategy for a presidential campaign to condone.

“Ask Steve Schmidt,” she shoots back with more than a tinge of bitterness in her voice. “It sounds like something straight from Rove’s playbook. If you can’t beat them, scare them. If you can’t scare them, make sure their votes don’t count.”

I hang up thinking this sounds like Zimbabwe. Or Haiti or some other backwater country ruled by a tin pot dictator. I wonder if the United States needs the Carter Center to monitor the US elections as it did in Gaza and some African nations.

Frightening Reality

The frightening reality is that GOP-backed groups are systematically looking for ways to prevent Democrats from casting a ballot Nov. 4.

As Robert F. Kennedy Jr., told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC Tuesday night, (www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27313887#27313887) Colorado has purged up to 12% of all voter registrations and, in a Rolling Stone article (www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23638322/block_the_vote) Kennedy details how the tactic is spreading to other states.

Not coincidentally, Pres. Bush put former Colorado Republican Secretary of State Donna Davidson in charge of showing voting officials how to “clean up” their registration lists. For “clean up” you can substitute “get rid of Democrats, especially minorities in urban areas.”

Even if your name isn’t purged and you aren’t challenged at your voting place, Kennedy notes your vote may still not count. The US Commission on Civil Rights investigated some of the 2000 returns from Florida and found that African-Americans were 10 times more likely than whites to have their ballots rejected, a ratio that holds nationwide, Kennedy reports in his Rolling Stone article.

Fighting First

Unlike the Democrats in 2000 and 2004, Barack Obama’s legal team and the DNC are not sitting passively for the vote to be stolen out from under the country.

I speak with two sources inside the Obama election effort and neither is totally surprised, adding that legal teams are active in every state to help ensure that voters can actually vote. In fact, several thousand volunteer lawyers will be ready to move into counties and precincts on Election Day or during the counting process if trouble is reported.

While there have been some problems with early voting, my friend Pete in Palm Beach County, Florida voted yesterday and said things went smoothly.

“I waited in line an hour because the place was packed. Being curious, I asked an elections official how things were going. And they noted every early place in (the county) was just like this one: Open at 10AM to long lines and it doesn't stop until after 7 PM.

“Like a lot of people voting, the couple in front of me were wearing Obama T-shirts and the guy behind me had an Alaska hat on but was voting for Obama. Why, I asked him? He said it’s because Palin has brought great shame on the state by her actions, greed, and outright fraudulent behaviour. He predicts that Palin will have a primary fight for sure if she loses with McCain. Why he is voting in Florida? He tells me winters are too damn cold in Alaska so he comes to Florida in September, returning in May. His son runs the business in Juneau during the winter.”

Hopefully, things will run as smoothly straight through Election Day. But the McCain campaign, the Republican National Committee and groups they’re supporting are trying to ensure nothing goes smoothly.

- I orginally wrote this for LA Progressive and it appeared at www.laprogressive.com on Oct. 22, 2008.

Other articles in this series appear at:

“We’re Going to ‘Willie Horton’ Omama.”

www.vadimuspost.com/%e2%80%9cwe%e2%80%99re-going-to-%e2%80%98willie-horton%e2%80%99-obama%e2%80%9d/

John McCain Has Become A Walking Disaster

www.laprogressive.com/2008/09/26/%e2%80%9cmccain-has-become-a-walking-disaster%e2%80%9d/

“McCain Can’t Afford To Drop Palin. They Won’t Let Him, Anyway.

www.vadimuspost.com/mccain-can%e2%80%99t-afford-to-drop-sarah-they-won%e2%80%99t-let-him-anyways/

Radio Ads To Smear Obama

http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/10/10/you-can%e2%80%99t-trust-a-black-man-how-can-you-vote-for-one-radio-spots-planned/

Second Presidential Debate

http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/10/08/the-debates-obama-biden-3-mccain-palin-0/

First Presidential Debate

www.laprogressive.com/2008/09/27/the-morning-after-the-night-before%e2%80%99s-debate/

Why We Need To Vote Democrat

Joshua Hudson — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:05:54 EDT

My workplace is as “red” as it comes. Being a Obama supporter in my office brings about as much love as a man in a white sheet walking through Harlem. But it is informative, to hear the reasons why so many in my office are McCain supporters.

“The cop, teacher, and fireman,” said one person, “didn’t study hard like lawyers and doctors. They didn’t give up weekends and parties. They didn’t ‘just get by’ with mediocre grades. So why should they be punished by having their hard earn money taken away? Why should we be a socialist state and redistribute the wealth like Obama wants?”

Grandiose Defections from the Grand Ol'Party

Stine — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:13:57 EDT

Add these to your list after the Eisenhowers (http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stine/gG5p2Y):

1. William F. Buckley Jr.

Son of the late U.S. conservative icon William F. Buckley says he's voting for Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama. A staunch Republican and columnist for the conservative National Review magazine, revealed that for the first time in his life he will vote for a Democrat for president next month.

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/10/10/buckley_bails/index.html?source=rss&aim=/politics/war_room

2. Republican Gov. William Millikin Backing Away from Scary McCain

Milliken, a lifelong Republican, is among some past leaders from the party's moderate wing voicing reservations and, in some cases, opposition to McCain's candidacy.

During a stop in Grand Rapids on Thursday, Lincoln Chafee, a former Republican U.S. senator from Rhode Island, said he's voting for Obama and urging others to do likewise.

http://www.mlive.com/grpress/news/index.ssf/2008/10/former_governor_milliken_backs.html

Republicans Trying to Inflame Racism in The Election

Holly — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:54:18 EDT

This is the text of an email that my husband received from my extremely right-wing father today (he has--at my request--stopped sending me this garbage). I think we all need to be aware of the hate that is being encouraged within the Republican Party. My father cannot think this stuff up, but he is more than happy to pass it around the internet. I suspect there are many, many more like him!

'It is all said here, read for yourself

CAN MUSLIMS BE GOOD AMERICANS?

This is very interesting and we all need to read it from start to finish and send it on to anyone who will read it. Maybe this is why our American Muslims are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities.
Can a good Muslim be a good American? This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years. The following is his reply:

Theologically - no. . . . Because his allegiance is To Allah, The moon God of Arabia

Religiously - no. . . Because no other religion is Accepted by His Allah except Islam (Quran, 2:256) (Koran)

Scripturally - no. . . Because his allegiance is to The five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.

Geographically - no . Because his allegiance is to Mecca , to which he turns in prayer five times a day.

Socially - no. . . Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews ..

Politically - no. . . Because he must submit to the Mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America , the great Satan.

Domestically - no. . . Because he is instructed to marry four women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Quran 4:34)

Intellectually - no. . Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical Principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.

Philosophically - no. . . Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist.
Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.

Spiritually - no. . . Because when we declare 'one nation under God,' the Christian's God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in The Quran's 99 excellent names.

Therefore, after much study and deliberation....

Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS In this country. - - - They obviously cannot be both 'good' Muslims and good Americans.

Call it what you wish it's still the truth. You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future. The Religious war is bigger than we know or understand. .. ....

And Barack Hussein Obama, a Muslim, wants to be our President? You have GOT to be kidding! Wake up America !

Obama even says if he wins the election, he will be sworn in on the Quran---not a Bible!

Footnote: He was sworn in on the Quran for his current office and he refuses to pledge allegiance to the United States or put his hand over his heart when the National Anthem is played!

The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within.
Hello! Having a Muslim president would seem to fit the bill! Will you trust this man with our national secrets?

SO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.

THE MARINES WANT THIS TO ROLL ALL OVER THE U.S.

Please don't delete this until you send it on.'

It's the Hypocrisy of the Right that Generates Distrust

Chuck — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:15:43 EDT

John McCain does not wear a flag pin, but there are no outcries as there were about Obama, who wears one now. It doesn't matter to me -- flag pin wearing is a silly issue. But this shows the hypocrisy of the right wing. Flag pins mattered when it was Obama, not when it's McCain. Having a rich heiress wife who hasn't released tax returns mattered when it was Kerry, not when it is McCain. Questionable military history is okay to attack when it's Kerry, not when it's McCain. Bill Clinton's marital indiscretions mattered, but McCain's affair does not. Being a strong Christian mattered for Bush over Kerry, but Obama's stronger Christianity than McCain's doesn't matter now. Experience matters when it's Obama, but not when it's Palin. See the pattern? This is why America does not trust the Republican Party anymore.

Re ACORN

George from Woodbridge, VA — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:06:12 EDT

Why do I feel as if I'm the only one who feels that the bogus ACORN registrations were too easy to find? I think that this is a SET-UP perpetrated by some Rebublican "splinter" group. I think that if these people were tracked down that you'd have an answer to your problem.

Incidentally, I'm having trouble posting to your site. The computer keeps freezing up.

Maybe it's just me. Maybe not.

McCampaign via lynching

Llysse Smith Wylle — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:05:31 EDT

Despite his earlier immensely positive review of Governor Palin's debate performance--calling it "vibrant and tactically clever"--conservative commentator David Brooks has called Palin "a fatal cancer to the Republican party." Perhaps he thought no one was recording his new comments, that no one would notice the discrepancy.

In any case, I disagree with his assessment. Governor Palin and her ilk are a cancer to the American people, not just to the Republican party. They are a gross malignancy too long ignored, a seething tumor.

If you have been following the political news recently, you will have seen the angry mobs to whom Governor Palin and Senator McCain have been on the campaign trail. Their attempts to paint Barack Obama as a domestic terrorist is a new low, and frankly it was my impression that inciting to riot was a crime. This is the cancer--this divisiveness, this creation of other Americans simply as "other." At some point, the mob will go mad, and they will be forced to confront helplessly the hydra they have created.

For shame.

Whether racially or ideologically motivated, McCain's referring to Senator Obama as "that one" is indicative of this divisiveness. His choosing Palin as a running mate was an attempt to appeal to his conservative base, to grow the cancer of divisiveness and "otherness." Interestingly, Barack Obama's stump speeches seem to be filled with hope and ideas, and with plans for the future. Make no mistake that he does clarify the way he differs from the alternative, but in a respectful way. But the stump speeches of the McCain-Palin ticket are filled with hate, as is the crowd... and while they cannot directly control what individuals in the mobs screech out--and whether they carry torches or pitchforks--neither do they stop their speeches to tell these individuals they have gone over the line.

Are they hoping to win the election via lynching?

Friday I will see Senator Obama speak in Chilicothe, Ohio. It is probably the closest he will come to my area, though it is several hours away and I may have to leave before the sun is properly up. I despise crowds, so I have some small concern that my nervousness, bordering on panic, from being among large crowds of people rather than small flocks of chickens will cause the secret service to shoot me.

I rather hope not. It seems as if that would put a further strain on an already full day for me.

Fight the Smears--but pay attention

Nanci — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:06:29 EDT

We are down to the wire, folks, and things are getting ugly out there.While Bush-McCain go on with their smears, enlisting the help of their 'girls', the US government is beginning to look at the powers they coerced Americans to give them to "rescue" (convenient change of terms from bailout, and no rescue in sight so far), the banking and financial industry.

Who was the first candidate to call out AIG for their junket after receiving their bailout? Obama. Who knows the middle class makes under $250,000/year? Obama. Who knows health care insurance costs more than $5000 per year, and who will avoid taxing employer sponsored health care plans? Obama.

Now the Bush/Republican administration is again expanding its powers by getting further involved in the private sector by proposing the takeover of the ownership of banks. This is the party famous for small government? Somehow Bush has engineered an expansion of government and ruin of the economic system that puts capitalism at jeoprady. How did that happen?

Pay attention. Your dollars, not just tax dollars, but your paycheck are at risk. Your health care is at risk. Your children are at risk. Your very system of government is at risk. And McCain's response is to ask for more, more bailout money for the bankers and CEOs. What? One junket is not enough? Are CEOs not happy with their $480,000,000 severance paychecks?

Pay attention. Obama must win this election or we'll be in a socialist economy and standing in food kitchen lines in another four years. Consider contributing to the Obama campaign in these last days.

Obama is too much of a gentleman to go on and on about the Keating Five. McCain is too much of a coward to smear him face to face (age changes people). But whatever you do, whichever side you are on--do Pay Attention!

VOTE FOR CHANGE!! VOTE FOR REAL CHANGE!! VOTE FOR AMERICA!! VOTE FOR OBAMA!!

A FALL POEM FOR YOU

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Robert Frost (1923)
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

VOTE FOR AMERICA!! VOTE FOR OBAMA!!

Trick or Treat: Fannie-Mae & Freddie Mac as Political Bogeymen for Senior Citizens

Brian M Ross — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:49:36 EDT

Out here in the political Wild East of Florida, you hear just about every nifty Republican rumor. There was the last summer there was the choice "Obama gets his money from a secret slush fund of Arab countries," myth that was popular amongst our elder Jewish neighbors. My current fave, though, is our Halloween special: Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac as the financial bogeymen.

Sweet revenge for the Democrats

Daniel Baker — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:49:31 EDT

In 2004, George W. Bush did not run against John Kerry. He ran against Michael Moore. That would be the guy who looked at the pro-Saddam Iraqi insurgents who slaughter unemployed Iraqis and their children wholesale and saw Minutemen. The guy who openly entertained the idea that 9/11 was a U.S. government conspiracy, and who was and is unable to understand the U.S. economy in any other terms than a vast conspiracy of the rich, who somehow all work together harmoniously against the rest of us. John Kerry, who for all his faults was clearly the better candidate, didn't dare denounce Moore and his faction for fear of splitting the Democratic party, and that cost him the election.

The Democrats couldn't have dreamed up a better revenge scenario. For now, Barack Obama is not running against John McCain, but against that far weaker and more vulnerable candidate, George W. Bush. Obama's policy is complex and well thought-out, but his campaign is brutally simple: "McCain = Bush." Two nouns and one verb; that's as simple as it gets, and extremely effective when Bush has a 25% approval rating.

Parties matter

Daniel Baker — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:01:42 EDT

Many voters will tell you that they vote for the person, not the party. There are obvious, compelling reasons for thinking this way. Everybody except the most rabid partisan knows that there have been good and bad presidents from both parties. No thinking Democrat would say that President James Buchanan reflected any credit on the Democrats; every honest Republican will admit that Warren G. Harding was a black mark against the Republicans. Conversely, most Democrats admire Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, and all but the most fanatical Republicans concede the virtues of Democrat Harry Truman.

And yet, parties do matter. Tremendously. You can't predict what kind of president either John McCain or Barack Obama will be without considering the parties that nominate them, support them, and do 90% of the work to get them elected. Can you imagine John McCain picking Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential candidate if he were running on the Democratic side? Did Palin add any value to the McCain campaign at all besides invigorating the religious conservative base of McCain's party?

Here Comes The Smear

Charley James — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:44:57 EDT

My deep, sincere apologies to The Beatles for turning the title of their wonderfully hopeful song Here Comes The Sun on its head, especially to use it in describing the only tactics left to save the sinking Republican ship SS McCain with Cap’n Palin on the bridge.

But make no mistake: The last 30 days of the campaign will see McCain, Palin and their surrogates turn into an army of Dark Knights of Evil. In fact, the Republican campaign machine admits it.

''We're looking at a very aggressive last 30 days of turning the page on this financial crisis and getting back to discussing Mr. Obama's aggressively liberal record and how he will be too risky for Americans,'' senior adviser Greg Strimple told reporters on Thursday.

“Very aggressive” and “too risky” is politicode for mud slinging lies, half-truths, innuendo and surrogate-mounted smears, racial and other.

Freddie And Bill

It’s started already.

A few days ago I received an e-mail from a Deep South conservative Republican raising again the thoroughly discredited claim that the former heads of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are now working for the Obama campaign. Apparently, it’s not enough that both Fox News and The Washington Times – hardly liberal rags – debunked the smear weeks ago; die-hards will keep spreading the phoney news anyway.

And get this: The AP is reporting this morning that Sarah Palin accuses Barack Obama of "palling around with terrorists" for his association with a former 1960s radical.

Palin is referring to Bill Ayers, one of the founders of the group the Weather Underground in the 1960s. The group took credit for several bombings, including non-fatal explosions at the Pentagon and the Capitol four decades ago – when Obama was about eight years old.

In remarks Saturday to GOP donors in Englewood, Colorado, Palin said Obama seems to see the US as being so imperfect that, in her words, "he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country."

Her idiotic statements were triggered by a New York Times story on Saturday that traced Obama’s sporadic interactions with Ayers, now a respected education professor in Chicago where he worked on an education project with Obama when the candidate was a community organizer and then state senator. Palin never mentioned that Ayers denounced his past activities decades ago.

As Stephen Fox, contributing editor of the New Mexico Sun News, put it in a blog post here, “I remember meeting Mark Rudd, who either blew up a building or tried to, I don't remember which. I met Angela Davis, and golly, very early one Sunday morning after one of the famous San Francisco Peace Marches to end the Vietnam War in 1967, I even saw Janis Joplin driving a yellow Porsche Convertible about 60 miles an hour through Haight-Ashbury.

“Just because 20 years ago, you befriend someone and talk intelligently with them, what does that mean, anyway? That you are learning. Does that mean you are sitting at the feet of the 9/11 bombers? Of course not, but the Republicans will use this ludicrous and deranged line of reasoning to scare the elderly as they have already done in South Florida, the undecided, the apathetic … who don't read (a newspaper) everyday,” Fox concludes.

Shifting Undecided’s

Meanwhile, undecided voters – can there actually be any of these still around? – are trending Obama, along with the rest of the country.

Undecided voters who watched Thursday's vice presidential debate really like Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin but they're not certain she's ready to lead the country, according to the findings of a new Ipsos/McClatchy poll published Sunday morning.

If they had to vote immediately after watching the debate between Palin and Biden, 52% of the 456 undecided voters who were surveyed would vote the Obama/Biden ticket, the poll found.

It also found that Palin's performance in the debate did nothing to clinch undecided votes for her running mate. Before the debate, those same undecided voters were leaning 56% to 44% for McCain. The day after the debate, the numbers tilted 52% to 48% for Obama.

No wonder the McCain-Palin campaign is starting to throw mud. It’s all they have left.

Sean Hannity's works for the Republican Party!

Everett — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:07:19 EDT

I can not stand about 99% of what Sean Hannity says on the radio and on TV. He will say anything to protect his side, even if it means lying and misrepresenting the facts. One of his favorite tactics is to ask callers what accomplishments qualifies Obama to be president? Before they get a chance to respond he cuts them off and makes fun of Obama having been a Community Organizer. First, he got the idea for this question from Govenor Palin, it is not even his idea. Second, what Hannity is not telling anyone is what Obama did as a Community Organizer, that is because he organized failing communities so they could get jobs and social reform and Hannity does not want anyone to know that. He stood up for workers and their families that where betrayed by big company lay-offs and closures. Third, anytime an intellegent person comes on his show and opposes him, he cuts them off, talks over them or he ask some rediculus question, ,badgering them to ask it while they are trying to speak. I don't know if he is trying for better ratings, if he is working for the Repulican Party directly or both!

The Rain In Spain....

Robin Z — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:56:39 EDT

....falls mainly on McCain.

If John McCain is the standard bearer for knowledge of foreign policy in the Republican Party, no wonder Sarah Palin made the cut.

Any guesses on what country John McCain can see from his house? Or any of his seven houses, for that matter?

Bamboozle, baby, bamboozle.

Keith from Denver, CO — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:21:05 EDT

It is curious what sticks to a Presidency and a President.

To Abraham Lincoln is attributed the following:

"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time."

To George W. Bush is attributed the following:

"You can fool some of the people all the time, and those are the ones you want to concentrate on."

As we, the American people, try to wade through the mire that has become this season's election process, we must hope that Abraham Lincoln was right and George W. Bush was wrong.

'Throw the bums out!' -- say the bums

John From Cape Cod. Ma — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:36:37 EDT

'Throw the bums out!' -- say the bums

By Garrison Keillor

September 11, 2008

So the Republicans have decided to run against themselves. The bums have tiptoed out the back door and circled around to the front and started yelling, "Throw the bums out!" They've been running Washington like a well-oiled machine to the point of inviting lobbyists into the back rooms to write the legislation, and now they are anti-establishment reformers dedicated to delivering us from themselves. And Mayor Giuliani is an advocate for small-town America. Bravo.

They are coming out for Small Efficient Government the very week that the feds are taking over Fannie and Freddie, those old cash cows, and in the course of a weekend 20 or 50 or (pick a number) billion go floating out the Treasury door. Hello? Do you see us out here? We are not fruit flies, we are voters, we can read and write, we didn't just fall off the coal truck.

It is a bold move on the Republicans' part -- forget about the past, it's only history, so write a new narrative and be who you want to be -- and if they succeed, I think I might declare myself a 24-year-old virgin named Lance and see what that might lead to. Paste a new face on my Facebook page, maybe become the Dauphin Louie the Thirty-Second, the rightful heir to the Throne of France, put on silk tights and pantaloons and a plumed hat and go on the sawdust circuit and sell souvenir hankies imprinted with the royal fleur-de-lis. They will cure neuralgia and gout and restore marital vigor.

Mr. McCain has decided to run as a former POW and a maverick, a maverick's maverick, rather than Mr. Bush's best friend, and that's understandable, but how can he not address the $3 trillion that got burned up in Iraq so far? It's real money, it could've paid for a lot of windmills, a high-speed rail line in Ohio, some serious R&D. The Chinese, who have avoided foreign wars for 50 years, are taking enormous leaps forward, investing in their economy, and we are falling behind. We're wasting our chances. The Republican culture of corruption in Washington hasn't helped.

And a former mayor of a town of 7,000 who hired a lobbyist to get $26 million in federal earmarks is now running against the old-boy network in Washington who gave her that money to build the teen rec center and other good things so she could keep taxes low in Wasilla. Stunning. And if you question her qualifications to be the leader of the free world, you are an elitist.

This is a beautiful maneuver. I wish I had thought of it back in school when I was forced to subject myself to a final exam in higher algebra. I could have told Miss Mortenson, "I am a Christian and when you gave me a D, you only showed your contempt for the Lord and for the godly hard-working people from whom I have sprung, you elitist battleaxe you."

In school, you couldn't get away with that garbage because the taxpayers know that if we don't uphold scholastic standards, we will wind up driving on badly designed bridges and go in for a tonsillectomy and come out missing our left lung, so we flunk the losers lest they gain power and hurt us, but in politics we bring forth phonies and love them to death.

I must say, it was fun having the Republicans in St. Paul and to see it all up close and firsthand. Security was, as one might expect, thin-lipped and gimlet-eyed, but once you got through it, you found the folks you went to high school with -- farm kids, jocks, the townies who ran the student council, the cheerleaders, some of the bullies -- and they are as cohesive now as they were back then, dedicated to school spirit, intolerant of outsiders, able to jump up and down and holler for something they don't actually believe.

But oh Lord, what they brought forth this year. When you check the actuarial tables on a 72-year-old guy who's had three bouts with cancer, you guess you may be looking at the first woman president, a hustling evangelical with ethics issues and a chip on her shoulder who, not counting Canada, has set foot outside the country once -- a trip to Germany, Iraq and Kuwait in 2007 to visit Alaskans in the armed service. And who listed a refueling stop in Ireland as a fourth country visited. She's like the Current Occupant but with big hair. If you want inexperience, there were better choices.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.keillor11sep11,0,4084302,print.story

Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" can be heard Saturday nights on public radio stations across the country.

Race-Mongering in America

SRG_Legal — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:52:30 EDT

There are still some left-over old-school haunches relying on what's left of human indecency to jet-propel them forward based on old fears and national temperaments related directly to race. The Republican Party knows that we have a lot of uneducated and undereducated people still floating around this society who will see nothing more than Obama's heritage and who will use their stereotypical beliefs to guide their decisions.

That's why they keep that "Muslim" stuff on Obama front and center.

They keep attacking him on things and issues that we know are highly race-related just to make sure that that historically frightened and jaded bunch who doesn't do their homework and will subject themselves to the drama instead of making an informed decision STAY afraid. They hope those are the ones who will TILT the scale in their direction. In the meantime, the rest of us are swatting at the rumor mill flies that appear as swooping pre-historic pterodactyls to those who don't know any better. It's the Browning of America, in real time. The raw food is being cooked and seasoned and preparing a place at the table for all once and for all.

Race is perception, and some people's perception is still twisted and off base. I have to admit, to some extent even my own. I was raised in a different generation, one where I'd never have believed this day would come. When I was a child, Dr. King was still alive and I wasn't even old enough to know what was going on around me.

I found out by the time I was 12, and the point was driven home when I was in my early 20s. If someone had said this day would come, I'd have called them a liar. There are others out here who still don't believe and don't believe Obama will ever be "allowed" to preside over this nation. They are highly negative and hoping for the worst, and many of them are black folk. Me myself? I figured it might happen, but not until long after I was dead and gone.

This election has made me feel a sense of wonder and awe at the same time (? and .)

That America still has hope and possibility, and that maybe we can become sophisticated enough to judge a man by his merit and the content of his character. Yet, we're not so far past the "ruling powers" that founded and prospered America based on racism that the process [of fairness when the time is right] can be wholly trusted just yet.

Win or lose, Obama is the measuring stick with which America will prove once and for all that we have overcome the mental atrocities of the past and moved to higher ground. This election is not just political and social and moral and economical, it is also psychological and highly emotional and philosophical implications, and is absolutely one for the books.

Past elections have been all politics and diarrhea of the mouth, this one is involving the heart and soul and substance and matter of all that is and ever will be in the future and it's speaking to all people, not just races and clusters and sectors of people; but to everyone across the board who has to get up in the morning and just make it through another day. We are telling the ruling classes "we count too," and we're not going to sit back and take "sheite" off you any more.

I think our children and grandchildren are counting on us to end it once and for all; and to end it justly and fairly and with no regard as to which race is better than which; but according to which man or woman's character is more morally and ethically stable and sound and who can get the necessary job done.

I'm beginning to inch up to some faith that it is possible now when just four years ago, I didn't think it was or would be. Obama is simply the better candidate; and this time, it has nothing to do with his race, thank God.

Free at least.

Republican Party (US) No Friend to Animals

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:17:01 EDT

http://images.ocregister.com/newsimages/opinion/2008/09/08_0908web4_large.jpg

John McCain has just announced his choice for the Republican VP slot: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who is no friend to animals. In 2007, Palin announced a $150 bounty for wolves. Why? Because wolves prey on moose and caribou, two favorite targets for hunters in Alaska. So Palin instituted a program to encourage hunters to kill wolves so that there would be more moose and caribou for hunters to kill. A lawsuit by Defenders of Wildlife resulted in the Alaska Superior Court ruling that the state Department of Fish and Game did not have the authority to institute a bounty program. A state program to shoot wolves and bears from the air continues, and on August 26, 2008, Ballot Measure 2, which would have stopped the aerial gunning of predators, was defeated by state voters.

Palin is also a hunter and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

In addition, Palin has sued the Bush administration to delist polar bears under the Endangered Species Act because the protection of polar bears interferes with drilling for oil and gas. Palin even penned an op-ed for the New York Times, explaining her scientific arguments against protecting polar bears. Isn't it funny how her op-ed doesn't mention drilling for oil?

Needless to say, from an animal rights standpoint, Sarah Palin would be a disastrous VP.

More Reading:

http://animalrights.about.com/b/2008/08/29/mccains-vp-pick-sarah-palin-no-friend-to-animals.htm

Republican: The party that broke America

Kyle from Noblesville, IN — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:12:24 EDT

If John McCain wants to run against the Republican party (and he said so in his nomination speech), why not use that?

What is the best way to tie GWB with McCain? The Republicans. For example:

Ad:

Clip: George W. Bush saying that he will change Washington.

Voiceover: For eight years, the Republican party has been in the white house.

Newspaper clippings of Enron scandal, growing poverty, healthcare crisis, pork barrel projects and earmarks, foreclosure crise, energy crisis, soaring budget deficits, jobs shipped overseas.

Voiceover: John McCain says that the Republicans have lost their way.

Clip: John McCain at convention saying just that.

Voiceover: Barack Obama agrees, but John McCain agreed with George W. Bush 90% of the time.

Photo of McCain/Bush embrace.

Tagline: Republican: The party that broke America.

Big blue stamp across tagline "Enough!"

This same type of ad could be applied to Security, Global warming, individual liberties, fiscal responsibility, Karl Rove politics, and energy. Look, if John McCain is explaining how he's different than Bush, Obama is winning. The entire country is united in its rage against the Republican party, and the more that McCain/Palin are forced to run against their own party, the more the Republican base will fall back into their lassitude. Obama and the DNC should start a concerted ad campaign against the Republican party and keep reminding viewers of the past eight years. That should be quite sufficient to win.

McCain Disappoints Me

The Governor — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:19:08 EDT

McCain always claims to be against party politics; however, he chose Palin solely for political reasons. Republicans all over are smiling over this choice, not because they would love to see a women as VP, but because they know how smart this choice could be if a women nominee ends up giving McCain the support he needs from independents and moderate conservatives. I am very upset by this choice.

My own father said to me, "I don't think a woman belongs in that position, but what a smart move by McCain." If that is what conservatives are saying about the choice of Palin, then you know something is wrong. I thought McCain, even if I wasn't going to vote for him, was going to transform the Republican Party; however, he is playing party politics and doing anything but challenging the system.

I am pretty sure McCain has never supported any major women's initiatives while in congress, yet he chooses a female nominee. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a woman in the White House, just not Sarah Palin. I want a woman in the White House that knows what she is doing, knows what real family values are, and does not lie to the American people the first time she addresses the nation as the Republican VP nomination.

Most of all, I want a woman in the White House, that supports women! She is against abortion even in instances of rape and incest. That is sick. I am pretty conservative when it comes to abortion and she sickens me. To force a woman to carry the baby of her rapist and raise that child. Disgusting.

-Shawn VanWingerden (Republican for Obama)

Why Is the Pit Bull With Lipstick Off Limits?

Robin Z — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:13:28 EDT

This McCain media wave needs to be infused with a dose of reality! I'm not impressed with the post-convention war cries. With due respect to McCain and Palin, anyone can get in front of a microphone and holler a Republican Party-scripted speech.

I'd like to know what on earth makes Sarah Palin qualified for one of the two highest offices in our land, with little to no experience beyond Alaska, and a HUGE littany of questions about her past and current tactics and decisions, from her church philosophies bleeding into her politics, to flip-flopping on the Bridge to Nowhere, to her husband's big oil race sponsors (Tesoro and Citgo), to the complete, abject lack of foreign policy experience. Let alone the wisdom of toting her infant child onto the national stage during the convention. We can see how well her plan of promoting abstinence in lieu of sex education in school has worked. And, of course, no hard-hitting interviews allowed. Oh, and there's the Wasilla Library book censorship story, and I forgot to mention she's so Pro-Life, she'd abolish Roe v. Wade if she could get her hands on the Supreme Court, sending women's rights back to the dark ages.

I am sickened that they think this is what the American people deserve. There's not one iota of difference between McCain/Palin and Bush/Cheney, including the slimy campaign tactics.

I'm sick of it. Really, truly sick of it.

Why Libertarians would be willing to support Obama

Libertarians for Obama — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:18:19 EDT

Perhaps the best reason... to strike back at the Republican Party who have been a real thorn in the Libertarian Party's side since the 2000 elections.

For years Republicans have made thing more difficult for third parties and have even stolen our votes. Remember all those hanging chads in Florida, many Libertarians believed those votes were likely stolen by the Republican Party.

But it didn't stop there, many of the leading Libertarian activists across the US saw themselves being kicked out of their own state and county affiliates by neo-conservative right wing Republicans claiming to be Libertarians, we call them "LINO's" Libertarians in name only, because they buy a party membership and do more harm than good.

Their agenda was a kind of hostile takeover of the Libertarian Party, but also the Greens and the Reform Party were attacked hard also. So as you can imagine, the diehard Libertarians are no friends of the Republican Party and vice versa.

On the other hand, the Democratic Party does NOT act hostile against Libertarians. Democrats have been fair and friendly even working with us on common ground issues.

Don't buy the media myth, many Libertarians such as myself will vote for Obama.

On Walking a Dangerously Thin Line...

Christina Marlowe — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:25:11 EDT

On Walking a Dangerously Thin Line...

If Republicans hold themselves to be somehow superior with respect to issues of so-called morality and so-called family values--and they unquestionably do hold themselves as such--I would like to know just what Sara Palin was doing when her seventeen year old daughter was getting KNOCKED UP ... These people are unbelievably despicable and hypocritical in each and every sanctimonious, self-righteous and self-serving way possible.

The more that I hear and learn about this woman, the more that that I come to realize that this woman, Palin, scares me to death!! And just think...all of the Jewish people in this country and alas, in this world, will certainly appreciate the fact that Palin's plainly Fascist church has hosted "JEWS FOR JESUS" functions. How lovely...
This entire "episode" in recent US history has depicted the absolute ruinationand utter desecration of one of the most important, most fundamentally NECESSARY laws of all: the unquestionable necessity of SEPARATION between church and state!!!! If we don't keep that notion as the most fundamental underpinnings of the LAW and the CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES, our hard-fought freedoms will no longer exist. This ultra-right-wing-conservative movement is the scariest thing that I have witnessed in my entire adult life. It has reared it's head in the most horrible of ways since the rise of that old bastard Ronald Reagan, and now the ugliest head of all, Sarah Palin.
These people will stop at nothing at all to force their very rigid and very rabid beliefs, all in the name of GOD; they are dangerously fixated on and obsessed with their very narrowly confined, fundamentally ferocious, and undeniably lunatic beliefs. The mere presence of ANY religion co-mingled with the legislation of law in our country, is an outright sacrilege; NO ONE shall force ANY belief upon me, in THIS country ESPECIALLY!!!!!! Cheers

Bob Barr on the Republican Party

Ron Williams — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:45:53 EDT

While we've heard innumerous critiques of the Bush administration and the Republican Party, I thought it might be instructive to hear what Bob Barr, former Republican congressman and presidential nominee of the Libertarian Party, had to say about his one-time party in a recent interview by Amy Goodman on the “Democracy Now” radio program.

Why he left the Republican Party: "The Republican Party of this early twenty-first century ... has no regard for individual liberty ... [and] is focused dramatically on increasing the size, the scope, the power of the federal government, particularly in the executive branch. We have an administration and a party that supports it, that believes that habeas corpus is no longer important, that the government can spy on its citizenry without going to a court and really without any cause whatsoever. We have a government that is utterly spendthrift, yet which still calls itself conservative. This is a party that bears no relationship to the Republican Party of ages past."

Granting of immunity to the telecoms that spied on Americans: "It didn't surprise me that the Republicans went along with it. They’ve been absolutely feckless in standing up to ... the dramatic erosion of civil liberties, including the right to privacy, by this administration."

Iraq war: "The resolution initially that the administration presented to the Congress, of course, was based on information that was provided to us that turned out not to be the case. There were no weapons of mass destruction; therefore, there was no imminent threat and no capability to use them, since there weren't any weapons of mass destruction. Also, the resolution was presented as an authorization to allow a specific military action. There was never a consideration or a rationale that this would provide for a multi-year occupation at the cost of hundreds of billions of dollars. So it was sort of a bait and switch by the administration."

Power of government: "What we've seen since 9/11 with the Bush administration and a compliant, if not complicit, Congress is an administration that believes that it is, as an institution, above the law and separate from the law."

Arrest of protestors in St. Paul during the RNC: "What disturbs me ... is the preemptive use of police force to try and identify those that might be demonstrating, might be pushing a particular point of view, and using the powers of the government to stop them in advance, sort of this notion of preemptive war applied to preemptive law enforcement."

Lack of impeachment investigations of the Bush administration: "There are very serious questions about violations of law by this administration. But the Congress hasn't done its homework to answer that question."

You couldn't find a more powerful indictment of the Bush administration and the Republican Party. Maybe Barr should be allowed in the presidential debates!

_______________

For a complete transcript of the interview, see Libertarian Presidential Candidate and Ex-Republican Rep. Bob Barr on Impeachment, Opening Up the Debates, and Why He Left the GOP.

A Message To The Republican Party

Robin Z — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:50:28 EDT

You're fired.

Pathetic

Kevin from Cincinnati, OH — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:26:59 EDT

I have seen my share of pathetic excuses for politics, but this year is taking the cake! The "liberal media" is always targeted for exposing the dirty laundry of the Republican party, but Fox News rambles on 24-7 with their diatribe of slams on the liberals, the Democratic tax and spend philosophy, and the weak America that concern for your fellow man seems to evoke for these idiots. I have had enough. I have seen it in my own family, with some brainwashed to the point where they can't live a single day without watching the incessant babble for hours on end. I say GET A LIFE! Come down from your Ivory Towers and look around you!!! They walk around professing their Christian beliefs, but shun those very people they should be comforting, beating down the broken masses so that they can own multiple houses, luxuries, and spending more money in a month than most middle class Americans see in a year!

It is very simple, really. If you don't fund education, you wind up with uneducated people. These are the very people who are susceptible to the Republican brainwashing that goes on Fox News. They scream and yell, repeating things ad nauseum to drown out the voice of reason. This seems more like a Communist Psych Ops job than a respectable discussion of issues. Heck, if you listen to the Republican party, the campaign isn't about issues. This is exactly what we have seen from the White House for the past 8 years!! Ignorance is bliss, especially when all of their cronies are fattening their bank accounts at the expense of you, the taxpayers!

Enough is enough. Get these bums out of the White House, and KEEP THEM OUT!!!! Let's focus on fiscal responsibility for a CHANGE, and community building for a CHANGE, and PEACE for a CHANGE!!!!! VOTE OBAMA!!!!

A concerned and fed-up Ohioan

Do Not Be Hypnotized, Do Not Be Swayed

Robin Z — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:30:12 EDT

It's happening again. The Republican Party is woefully behind in the polls and so they are stepping up their twisted rhetoric in order to confuse the American people.

A week ago most of us had never heard of Governor Sarah Palin. Should John McCain win the presidency and something happen to him, Sarah Palin would become leader of our nation, commander-in-chief of our military, and leader of the free world. Sarah who?

So we ask questions. Kudos to all the print and broadcast journalists who are working quadruple-time to find out more information about Sarah Palin to share with us. And they are rightfully asking a LOT of questions. And so, today, in response to the media barrage, the Republican Party has apparently accused the media --- of sexism. It's wrong, they say, to ask questions about Sarah Palin's work ethic just because she is a mother of five. They remind us that the subject of her pregnant daughter is off limits. They have told us flat out that any further questions about how long they, themselves, have vetted Sarah Palin's background is now also forbidden ground.

Is the Republican Party telling both the media and the American people that because THEY have selected Sarah Palin, WE must accept her based solely upon what they have chosen to tell us? Her STORY, whatever that means, should be enough for us?

Well, that's not good enough for me.

One wonders if the Republicans don't want any more questions about Sarah Palin because they can't HANDLE the answers.

And that's it in a nutshell. The Republican Party are not able to play straight politics, so they try to make us believe their failings, in not vetting Sarah Palin well enough, are OUR failings. And it's just not true. We have every right to ask every question we need to have answered, about who Sarah Palin is, how and why John McCain identified her as his Vice Presidential choice, and whether or not she is capable of governing our country, should that eventuality take place. Can she, for example, negotiate a peace accord between between Israel and the Palestinians? Deal with nuclear disarmament in North Korea? Bring home our troops from Iraq?

The Republicans have deceived the American people in the past. Let's stand firm this time and continue to ask the tough questions of the Republicans. Do not be hypnotized. Do not be swayed.

Enough!

Hope — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:28:53 EDT

When Barack Obama shouted "Enough!" during his acceptance speech on Thursday night, he echoed my soul. When he said, "So I've got news for you John McCain, we all put our country first," he spoke for me again.

Since I heard of Senator McCain’s vice-presidential pick, I've had the thought of a giant red stop sign on the platform of the Republican National Convention hoisted between two elephants and their chairman coming out with the following news release:

"We the members of the Republican Party - the party of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan - do hereby apologize to the American people for our unpatriotic deeds, acts of terror, breach of promise, and malfeasance in office. We, at this moment, suspend our run for the White House, and move by acclamation to elect Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. We shall not return to the scene until we have curbed our arrogance and conceded to truth, justice, and the American way. We also agree to pay down five trillion dollars of our national debt from our personal and corporate fortunes gained through misconduct and to provide for the families of the dead and wounded soldiers of the Iraq War, as though they were our own.”

Now that's a category 5 fantasy.

I have just had enough.

Now that you've had 8 years to see how Republiscams work

SRG_Legal — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:50:13 EDT

A Shooting Liberal Star
August 29, 2008

Americans last night got their closest look yet at Barack Obama, the shooting star bidding to be our next President. His speech before 85,000 at Invesco Field was as much coronation as nomination. Yet for someone who is so close to being the most powerful man in the world, the remarkable fact is that Americans still know very little about either his political philosophy or what he wants to accomplish.

This is not unusual for the modern Democratic Party. As we've often noted, the party has tended to nominate relative unknowns ever since its animating liberalism fell out of public favor in the 1970s. Sometimes the voters have gone along with the leap of faith (Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton) and sometimes they haven't (Michael Dukakis). But in either case the voters learned sooner or later that they were sold something more than the "change" they imagined.

From the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121997396071782159.html?mod=opinion_main_review_and_outlooks

Well ... we all know who owns that rich Republican ragdoll of a news outlet; their news would be slanted in favor of the worst thing they can find about Obama.

However, those who don't know about "Obama's political philosophies" really don't know what Republicans think they should give a #### about, which is the extremist goals of Republicans that the poor should continue to take care of them like sandal-clad minions and slaves for the rest of their own lives and never see the light of day when it comes to their own lives and children and futures.

This is a fight to the death between rich and poor, not black and white, or even Republicans and Democrats, or blues and reds, or even men and women ...

This is a fight about who's going to continue to eat up the resources of the middle class -- the poor who are lazy and unmotivated, the poor who can't help themselves no matter how much they want to, or the rich who have gotten so accustomed to riding the backs of the middle class (upper and lower), that they not only expect us to slave away at their corporate desks or in their mills and factories until we are drained of life, but who also take OUR money by getting themselves write-offs and tax shelters AT OUR EXPENSE.

I don't mind helping the poor who can't help themselves, but I know what I DO mind: MY tax money being used to take care of the totally lazy and to support the ultra-rich.

And the rich have been playing both sides of the fence (the American workforce on one side and tax subsidies and breaks on the other side) for far too long, from where I am standing.

Preventing Abortion

Barbara Rademacher — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:52:57 EDT

I like to think that our Northwest Arkansas Platform Meeting had an influence on the national Democratic Party.

I was delighted and surprised to discover that the national 2008 Democratic Party Platform will call for programs that reduce the need for abortion. That was a plank we recommended at our Platform Meeting held at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, AR on July 24. I had thought at the time we might be the only group in the nation recommending such an idea, but there must have been other groups who also believed that, while the Democratic Party supports a woman's right to choose, that does not mean it supports abortion. In fact, Barack made that clear at the Saddleback interviews.

Many southerners believe abortion is murder, as do many Republicans and Christians. The new abortion plank in the 2008 Democratic Party Platform should make members of those groups feel more comfortable voting for a Democrat.

Another reason not to believe Jerome Corsi: In March, he linked John McCain to Al Qaeda!

ificandream — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:49:22 EDT

First, let me say up front I am no fan of World Net Daily. It's a vehicle for continual Republican lies and smears of Democrats.

Well, WND may have just come up with the best reason to discredit Jerome Corsi's books of lies about Barack Obama.

It's here: http://wnd.com/index.php?pageId=57678

The headline reads: WND Exclusive ELECTION 2008
Group tied to al-Qaida backs McCain for prez.

Now I'm not going to feature any of it here. But is there any reason not to think this guy's book is not worth the paper it's printed on? I hope Republicans take a good look at what they've done.

UPDATE: One More Obama Vote!

Charley James — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:31:47 EDT

After reading my post this morning, a friend from high school sent an e-mail commenting that she suspects more of this is happening this year than in previous elections:

I think younger voters are influencing their parents more effectively than in the past. I have seen this with some of our staff who are decidedly more middle age campaigning in their Republican dominated families and being pretty effective in changing the GOP parents,
Joyce

Let's hope she's correct.

One more time...

RevSkull — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:04:31 EDT

Even the Republicans who have joined this site are making the mistake or "reading and reacting" to what John McCain and the GOP are doing.

Why wait when you can know what will happen before it happens?

Here's your gateway to the Grand Old Party: http://revskull.gop.com/

I've been a Republican for nearly 30 years and nothing we do surprises me anymore.

Go to my page and you can see what they are saying about this campaign and even see previews of upcoming politcal ads before they air or the ones that only air in a few states.

It is time that people here woke up and took notice of what is going on.

Spread this around and make sure everyone here gets to take a peek at the site...it will be an instant education in politics.

QuickPoll

SRG_Legal — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:01:08 EDT

Who is listening to the Republican Smear Machine (RSM) on Obama besides uneducated racists and people who just generally don't like Democrats and whose minds won't be changed regardless?

It seems to me that more and more people are listening to facts and issues about their candidates and what they stand for, and that all of that racist ranting by the Republicans is going to backfire on them in the end.

If they keep it up, they're only hurting themselves in the long run because it's childish and juvenile, to say the least.

Splitting Hairs with Republicans

SRG_Legal — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:49:27 EDT

Hi all,

A video has popped up on Google Video I think everyone with a fast connection should see. Here is the link:

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3340274697167011147&hl=ja

The ramifications are, to say the least, disturbing.

HH, from Take Back Our Country on Delphi

Who controls the world? YouTube Video

Next Steps: Buyer's Remorse or something new?

SRG_Legal — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:11:29 EDT

Saturday, June 07, 2008
RNC Statement on Democrat Party Disunity

WASHINGTON – RNC Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan released the following statement today:

“Even as Senator Clinton concedes her candidacy and endorses Barack Obama today, it’s clear the Democrat Party is struggling desperately to unify. Senator Clinton was correct to question Obama’s naïveté and inexperience, and those concerns remain for all voters nationwide. As Senator Clinton and other Democrats have clearly stated, their Party will struggle to coalesce behind Barack Obama.

“I am confident voters across America will reject Barack Obama on Election Day, just as half of his Party already has – and with good reason. Barack Obama’s inexperience, poor judgment, and fundamental lack of understanding of issues that matter most to Americans [which Americans?] are becoming more visible every day. As voters become more familiar with Barack Obama’s record in the coming months, they too will see why he is not qualified to be Commander in Chief.

Missing the McCain of 2000, and other ruminations about the Republican Party

David C. — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:13:59 EDT

So people have surprised and flattered me by responding to my posts, and replying to one of those comments set off an equally surprising for a fairly old childhood nostalgia of mine: the longing for a right-of-center Republican party that wasn't ruled by neoconservatives: of passionate mavericks, pragmatic moderates, and strongly-principled yet open-minded conservatives who served as a valuable balance for the Democratic Party and a guard against entrenched establishments and the resulting creep of corruption that being the establishment party entails. Having lived through eight years of President Bush, I'm not sure that Republican Party ever existed any more, but I can tell you one thing: just as I would've voted for Wesley Clark on the Democratic side, not John Kerry, I sure as hell wouldn't have voted for then-Governor Bush - but I would've been more than open to voting for John McCain. No longer. I see very little relation of the Senator McCain of 2008 to the Senator McCain of 2000.

What'll you have, "sex or oil?" (Or tripple serving of Barack Obama)

Stephen — Tue, 27 May 2008 10:42:15 EDT

This was a question and thread I authored on the "Physics Forum" in September of 2005, just weeks after the Bush White House's horrendous response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. I pose it here today because I believe through this symbolic perspective on where the two major political parties had been for some 15 years, it helps us "move on" with the kind of change needed today - and one that Barack Obama clearly has brought to bear.

In September 2005, Bill Clinton still stood for the successful image of the Democratic party in the 1990's, something to emulate, and George W. Bush represented the image of a successful Republican leader. The Democratic party had no new front runner, though rumors were tossed about as to Hillary Clinton being the party successor. At that time, Al Gore had yet to return to popularity with his movie on global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth." And it was also right before the country began seriously questioning Bush on the war, and around the time music artist Neil Young introduced his big anti-war song. The country and parties were lost and clinging to the past in what they only knew: "sex and oil."

Bill Clinton stood for anything and all things related to "sex" and people, whereas, George Bush stood for all things related to "oil." But, today in late May 2008, everything has changed. What we thought to be true then, as for party leaders to emulate, has been proven false, and new leadership has arisen. The leadership of Senator Barack Obama.

I believe our country and party needs to move forward and away from the old and failed leadership of the Clintons and Bush's. So, What'll you have, sex or oil? Or a tripple serving of better times and new leadership through Barack Obama?

Below, is my original discussion from back in September 2005.

http://www.physicsforums.com/archive/index.php/t-90991.html

McCain pressed on 'Islamic' terror label

funkfresh01 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:28:53 EDT

http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080421/NATION/438135169/1001

By Rowan Scarborough

A coalition of American Muslim groups is demanding that Sen. John McCain stop using the adjective "Islamic" to describe terrorists and extremist enemies of the United States.

Muneer Fareed, who heads the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), told The Washington Times that his group is beginning a campaign to persuade Mr. McCain to rephrase his descriptions of the enemy.

"We've tried to contact his office, contact his spokesperson to have them rethink word usage that is more acceptable to the Muslim community," Mr. Fareed said. "If it's not our intent to paint everyone with the same brush, then certainly we should think seriously about just characterizing them as criminals, because that is what they are."

An aide to Mr. McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee who is counting on his pro-Iraq war stance to attract conservative voters, said the senator from Arizona will not drop the word.

The Muslim myth still dogging Obama

funkfresh01 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:24:38 EDT

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19501048&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=6

BY ROJA HEYDARPOUR, STAFF WRITER

Source: Times Tribune

It’s been said many times: this is an election year of firsts. The first viable woman presidential candidate. The first viable black presidential candidate.

But the first Muslim presidential candidate?

One in 10 Americans believes that Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is a Muslim, according to a Pew Research Center News Interest Index survey taken in March.

Mr. Obama is, in fact, a practicing Christian, as underscored by the debate over the controversial sermon delivered by his pastor after Sept. 11, 2001.

The same survey found that 79 percent of the general public had heard rumors that Mr. Obama is Muslim, while 38 percent had heard “a lot” about it.

Indeed, rumors have circulated on blogs and comment boards since the fall, spurred by pictures of Mr. Obama in a turban, by talk of childhood time spent in Indonesia — a Muslim country — and by his middle name, Hussein, among other things.

Kansas Muslim Attacked with 'Molotov Cocktail'

funkfresh01 — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:38:06 EDT

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/17/08) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today asked local and national law enforcement authorities to bring appropriate hate crime charges against the alleged perpetrator of a March "Molotov cocktail" attack on a Kansas Muslim.

A clerk at a Lenexa, Kan., gas station told police that a man came into the store and asked the clerk if he was Muslim. When the clerk replied in the affirmative, the man reportedly started harassing him.

Soon after the man left the store, a Molotov cocktail incendiary device was thrown through the front window of the store. A similar incident occurred at another store in area. A 26-year-old man was later charged with two counts of criminal use of explosives and one count of criminal damage.

SEE: Molotov Cocktail Hurled At Gas Station (KCTV)

http://www.kctv5.com/news/15721008/detail.html

"We ask that local authorities and the FBI file any appropriate hate crime charges against the alleged perpetrator in this case," said CAIR Civil Rights Manager Khadija Athman. "The additional charges would send a clear message that bias-related attacks will not be tolerated in Kansas or anywhere in America."

Earlier this week, CAIR's Minnesota chapter asked the FBI to investigate reported threats against the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy charter school in that state as possible hate crimes.

SEE: Muslim Civil Liberties Group Seeks FBI Probe of School Threats (Star Tribune)

http://www.startribune.com/local/17673284.html

The Kansas assault and the threats to the Minnesota school came following other recent incidents such as a fire-bomb attack on a Minnesota Muslim-owned business and an arson attack on a Tennessee mosque by three members of the white-supremacist "Christian Identity" movement.

SEE: MN: Investigators Say Fire Could Be Hate Crime

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleID=24208&&name=n&&currPage=1&&Active=1

SEE ALSO: CAIR Applauds Arrests in TN Mosque Arson

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleID=24197&&name=n&&currPage=1&&Active=1

CAIR is urging Muslim individuals and institutions nationwide to review security procedures using advice contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit

http://www.cair.com/ActionCenter/CommunityToolKit.aspx

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Strategic Communications Director Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, E-Mail: arehab@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

IRAQ AWAITS CRITICAL FATWA

funkfresh01 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:04:00 EDT

Date Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Posted By The Media Line Staff

IRAQ (The Media Line) April 8, 2008 — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki announced on Monday he would ban a powerful Shi'ite parliamentary bloc from running in the next local elections unless it disarmed its 60,000-strong armed force.

The 'Sadri parliamentary bloc, led by Muqtada A-'Sadr, responded by saying it would disarm its armed force, known as the Mahdi Army, only if the Shi'ite religious authorities ordered them to do so.

"The Mahdi Army does not accept its orders from anyone except A-'Sadr and the religious authorities with whom he consults. If the religious authorities would ask him to disarm the Mahdi Army, he will definitely execute their demand," spokesman for the 'Sadri bloc, 'Salah A-'Ubeidi told reporters.

Ten things to know about Senator John McCain

funkfresh01 — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:54:51 EDT

For all the coverage this week of Senator John McCain's background, you will not learn some important things about him from the TV networks. His carefully crafted positive image relies on people not knowing this stuff—and some of it might surprise you.

Please check out the list below, and then forward it to your friends, family, and coworkers. We cannot rely on the media to tell folks about the real John McCain—but if we all pass this along, we can reach as many people as CNN Headline News does on a good night.

Click here to tell us how many people you can pass it on to—and to see our progress nationally:

http://pol.moveon.org/mccain10/?id=12407-5077189-XKR_ot&t=231

Ten things you should know about John McCain.

1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he has continued to oppose key civil rights laws.1

2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."2

3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban Waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.3

4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."4

5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.5

6. He is one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.6

7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he is too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."7

8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than McCain has any of the other presidential candidates.8

9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."9

10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a zero—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.10

John McCain is not who the Washington press corps make him out to be. Please help get the word out—forward this email to your personal network. And if you want us to keep you posted on MoveOn's work to get the truth out about John McCain, sign up here:

http://pol.moveon.org/mccaintruth/?id=12407-5077189-XKR_ot&t=232

Thank you for all you do.

–Eli, Justin, Noah, Laura, and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team

Saturday, April 5th, 2008

Sources:

1. "The Complicated History of John McCain and MLK Day," ABC News, April 3, 2008

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04/the-complicated.html

"McCain Facts," ColorOfChange.org, April 4, 2008

http://colorofchange.org/mccain_facts/

2. "McCain More Hawkish Than Bush on Russia, China, Iraq," Bloomberg News, March 12, 2008

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aF28rSCtk0ZM&refer=us

"Buchanan: John McCain 'Will Make Cheney Look Like Gandhi,'" ThinkProgress, February 6, 2008

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/06/buchanan-gandhi-mccain/

3. "McCain Sides with Bush on Torture Again, Supports Veto of Anti-Waterboarding Bill," ThinkProgress, February 20, 2008

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/20/mccain-torture-veto/

4. "McCain says Roe v. Wade should be overturned," MSNBC, February 18, 2007

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17222147/

5. "2007 Children's Defense Fund Action Council® Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard," February 2008

http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=act_learn_scorecard2007

"McCain: Bush right to veto kids health insurance expansion," CNN, October 3, 2007

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/03/mccain.interview/

6. "Beer Executive Could Be Next First Lady," Associated Press, April 3, 2008

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-S1sWHm0tchtdMP5LcLywg5ZtMgD8VQ86M80

"McCain Says Bank Bailout Should End `Systemic Risk,'" Bloomberg News, March 25, 2008

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aHMiDVYaXZFM&refer=home

7. "Will McCain's Temper Be a Liability?," Associated Press, February 16, 2008

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=4301022

"Famed McCain temper is tamed," Boston Globe, January 27, 2008

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/famed_mccain_temper_is_tamed/

8. "Black Claims McCain's Campaign Is Above Lobbyist Influence: 'I Don't Know What the Criticism Is,'" ThinkProgress, April 2, 2008

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/02/mccain-black-lobbyist/

"McCain's Lobbyist Friends Rally 'Round Their Man," ABC News, January 29, 2008

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4210251

9. "McCain's Spiritual Guide: Destroy Islam," Mother Jones Magazine, March 12, 2008

http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/03/john-mccain-rod-parsley-spiritual-guide.html

"Will McCain Specifically 'Repudiate' Hagee's Anti-Gay Comments?," ThinkProgress, March 12, 2008

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/12/mccain-hagee-anti-gay/

"McCain 'Very Honored' By Support Of Pastor Preaching 'End-Time Confrontation With Iran,'" ThinkProgress, February 28, 2008

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/28/hagee-mccain-endorsement/

10. "John McCain Gets a Zero Rating for His Environmental Record," Sierra Club, February 28, 2008

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/environment/77913/

Support our member-driven organization: MoveOn.org Political Action is entirely funded by our 3.2 million members. We have no corporate contributors, no foundation grants, and no money from unions. Our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. If you would like to support our work, you can give now at:

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Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

US ELECTION DIARY - THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT

funkfresh01 — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:07:56 EDT

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E4C51233-2D21-4FBB-85FD-7D7F5AF173D9.htm

By Rob Reynolds in Columbus, Ohio

On the road to clinching the Republican Party nomination for president, John McCain worked hard for the endorsement of influential Evangelical Christian ministers.

The ministers are helping shore up McCain's support on the party's right wing, which has always been skeptical about whether the Arizona senator is a true-blue conservative.

But one of those minister's beliefs about Islam and Muslims raise disturbing questions.

Rod Parsley, the pastor of a large and profitable Ohio mega-church, calls Islam a false religion. He says Allah is a demon spirit and that Muslims are bent on world conquest.

Parsley endorsed McCain in February, praising him as a "strong, true, consistent conservative".

Sharing a Cincinnati, Ohio, stage with Parsley, McCain said: "I am very honored today to have one of the truly great leaders in America, a moral compass, a spiritual guide, Pastor Rod Parsley. Thank you for your leadership and your guidance. I am very grateful you are here."

He certainly had reason for gratitude - a week later, Parsley's support helped McCain win the important Ohio primary.

Evangelist

Reverend Parsley, who often holds services in which people are supposedly cured of disease by divine intervention, runs the sprawling World Harvest church near Columbus, Ohio.

World Harvest has a 12,000 member congregation, a bible college, and a television studio, which broadcasts his sermons.

A frequent theme of those homilies is the threat to Christian values posed by gays, liberals, and Muslims.

In his book, Silent no More, Parsley says the United States was ordained by God to defeat Islam.

In one chapter, titled The Deception of Allah he writes: "I cannot tell you how important it is that we understand the true nature of Islam, that we see it for what it really is. In fact, I will tell you this: I do not believe our country can truly fulfil its divine purpose until we understand our historical conflict with Islam. I know that this statement sounds extreme, but I do not shrink from its implications. The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed, and I believe September 11, 2001, was a generational call to arms that we can no longer ignore."

We asked Parsley for an interview, but through a church spokesman, he declined. We also sent him written questions, but he did not respond to those either.

Dividing communities

Abukar Arman, a Muslim community leader, says Parsley's remarks are threatening.

"It has a psychological toll on Muslims in central Ohio and beyond, that you are not part of the society that America was founded, in his words, to obliterate Islam," says Arman, president of the Central Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

McCain and other politicians should "distance themselves from the politics of hate and polarization", Arman said, noting that rhetoric that marginalizes American Muslims only contributes to poor relations between communities.

"In the grand scale of things," he says, "it hurts even the national security of this country because it fuels anti-Americanism."

Media interest

Interestingly enough, Parsley has been largely ignored by the US media, in sharp contrast to the intensive scrutiny given to sermons by Jeremiah Wright, Democrat Barack Obama's pastor.

Wright's homilies were widely criticized as unpatriotic and racially inflammatory, and have been replayed over and over on cable TV news channels.

Obama rejected Wright's remarks, but McCain has not denounced Parsley's comments about Islam, nor has he sought to distance himself from the minister.

In fact, some of McCain's campaign rhetoric virtually echoes Parsley's sermons. McCain, too, talks about a threat - although he focuses on extremism in Islam, not the religion as a whole.

"I'd like to talk to you for a minute about why I'm running, primarily," McCain told a Wisconsin rally on February 19.

"We face the transcendent challenge of the 21st century. That is the threat of radical Islamic extremism. My friends, I know you know that this is an evil of transcendent and unbelievable magnitude. You can see other times when our nation and our way of life were threatened, but this ranks among the greatest."

McCain's campaign told Al Jazeera that "... he [McCain] rejects politics that degrade our civics, and will be running a respectful campaign".

However, in seeking a path to the White House, it seems McCain is counting on the politics of fear and relying on a disturbingly belligerent spiritual guide.

Oklahoma Conference to Examine Islamic Perspective on Terrorism

funkfresh01 — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:42:03 EDT

(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 3/25/08) - On Saturday, April 5th, the Institute of Interfaith Dialog will host a day-long conference, "Denouncing Violence in the Name of God: The Case of Islam." Participants at the event will have an opportunity to hear Islamic scholars, academics, law enforcement officials, and journalists discuss the "Islamic perspectives on terror, especially terror that is associated with Islam."

WHAT: Institute of Interfaith Dialog's "Denouncing Violence in the Name of God: The Case of Islam"

WHEN: Saturday April 5, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Oklahoma City University, The Henry Freede Center (Southwest corner of 27th and Florida)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr. Cherif Bassiouni - Professor of Law at DePaul University College of Law and President Emeritus of the International Human Rights Law Institute

ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS: Robert Pape - University of Chicago; Muhammad Abu Laylah - Al-Azhar University, Egypt; Fred Von Der Mehden - Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University; Greg Barton - Monash University, Australia; Dr. Robin Myers - Oklahoma City University; Ekrem Dumanli - Editor of Zaman newspaper, Turkey; John Coyle - Special Agent of FBI, Oklahoma; Andrew Tevington - Daily Oklahoman; and Dr. Imad Enchassi – Imam of Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City (ISGOC)

CONTACT: Orhan Kucukosman, Phone: (405) 426 5425, E-Mail: osmanokc@gmail.com

The conference is free of charge and open to the public. Lunch will be provided.

Orhan Kucukosman, from the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, stated the reason for holding the conference in Oklahoma: "In the early days of Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995, there were speculations on individuals associated with a religion who might be responsible for the bombing.

As the truth was revealed, the bombing had no connection with any religion, but was a consequence of mentally challenged personality."

Sponsors include Wimberly School of Religion at Oklahoma City University, OU Religious Studies, Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism Texas, Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City and Mainstream Baptists, and the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK).

For more information goto:

http://www.interfaithdialog.org/

Why Conservative is the New Liberal

""""Jeff C."""" — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:42:14 EDT

In a sprawling economic address today in New York City, Barack Obama broadly outlined his approach to to solving our current economic crisis. The speech was relatively nuanced and addressed the current housing debacle, a better economic regulatory approach, and providing an economic stimulus package to help jump-start the economy.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGBNsq

You might think that, considering the very real economic peril with which the country is faced, that there might be a deliberative debate over what happened to place us in this barely tenable economic position; and, what needs to be done to pull ourselves out of it.

Of course--if you thought that, you would be wrong.

I grew up in the South, specifically Florida and Georgia in the 1980s. The cement shoes to fit on any political candidate at that time was the moniker "liberal." In the 1988 Florida Senate race between Republican Connie Mack and Democrat Buddy McKay. Fairly even throughout, Mack's campaign ran advertisements late in the race that ticked off McKay's positions on issues and ended with the tag-line, "Hey Buddy, you're a liberal." You could almost here the collective gasp of twelve million Floridians.

http://www.nationalreview.com/miller/miller200406010943.asp

It was an epithet; a dark family secret best left unspoken, and the immediate end to any candidacy on which it could be hung. It was more than a word - it was all the baggage that came with the word, especially the notion of "tax and spend" and "big government." The term "liberal" denoted a dearth of ideas and imagination, relying instead on tired and worn liberal practices. The play-book was always the same: A liberal wanted to raise your taxes and spend your hard earned money. The liberal's political solution was always the same no matter what the problem entailed. Almost twenty years later, "conservative" is the new liberal.

I note this because we are living in an inverse 1988. No matter the country's problems or the evidence at hand the solution is always the same - more tax cuts. If the data shows that tax revenues have been lower every year than they were before the first round of tax cuts in 2001 - no worries, make `em permanent. "Tax cuts & free markets" are to conservatives today what "big government" was to liberals in 1988.

The RNC sent along this beaut today in response to recent economic addresses of both Sen. Obama & Sen. Clinton: “Obama and Clinton’s economic plans are what you expect from two senators who think that big government is the solution for just about every problem."

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/27/828014.aspx

And Sen. McCain stated today that: "There is a tendency for liberals to seek big government programs that sock it to American taxpayers while failing to solve the very real problems we face."

http://thepage.time.com/mccain-statement-on-housing-crisis/

I think we've been getting "socked" plenty good these past seven years, with all due respect to Mr. Make-the-Tax-Cuts-Permanent Express.

The fact is, the conservative play-book is old, tired, and worn. It's as if they have three or four talking points that are stuck in an endless mind-numbing loop: "big government," "liberal," "tax & spend," and "socialized medicine;" to name a few. It's the same response every single time. And no matter how often conservatives robotically recite their tired creed, Americans are ready to move on.

I, for one, am ready to discard the traditional labels and get behind someone that actually considers ideas--even if they aren't his own. Someone willing to have an honest discussion about what is needed to pull ourselves out of this economic and foreign policy hole.

Maybe that's just me, although I have a sneaky suspicion that there are many others.

Yes We Can!

Jeff Cronin

The conservative case for Barack Obama - The American Conservative

Mary from Vermont — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:13:04 EDT

The Right Choice?

The conservative case for Barack Obama

by Andrew J. Bacevich

Barack Obama is no conservative. Yet if he wins the Democratic nomination, come November principled conservatives may well find themselves voting for the senator from Illinois. Given the alternatives—and the state of the conservative movement—they could do worse.

Granted, when it comes to defining exactly what authentic conservatism entails, considerable disagreement exists even (or especially) among conservatives themselves. My own definition emphasizes the following:

a commitment to individual liberty, tempered by the conviction that genuine freedom entails more than simply an absence of restraint;
a belief in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the rule of law;
veneration for our cultural inheritance combined with a sense of stewardship for Creation;
a reluctance to discard or tamper with traditional social arrangements;
respect for the market as the generator of wealth combined with a wariness of the market’s corrosive impact on humane values;
a deep suspicion of utopian promises, rooted in an appreciation of the sinfulness of man and the recalcitrance of history.

Accept that definition and it quickly becomes apparent that the Republican Party does not represent conservative principles. The conservative ascendancy that began with the election of Ronald Reagan has been largely an illusion. During the period since 1980, certain faux conservatives—especially those in the service of Big Business and Big Empire—have prospered. But conservatism as such has not.

The presidency of George W. Bush illustrates the point. In 2001, President Bush took command of a massive, inefficient federal bureaucracy. Since then, he has substantially increased the size of that apparatus, which during his tenure has displayed breathtaking ineptitude both at home and abroad. Over the course of Bush’s two terms in office, federal spending has increased 50 percent to $3 trillion per year. Disregarding any obligation to balance the budget, Bush has allowed the national debt to balloon from $5.7 to $9.4 trillion. Worse, under the guise of keeping Americans “safe,” he has arrogated to the executive branch unprecedented powers, thereby subverting the Constitution. Whatever else may be said about this record of achievement, it does not accord with conservative principles.

As with every Republican leader since Reagan, President Bush has routinely expressed his support for traditional values. He portrays himself as pro-life and pro-family. He offers testimonials to old-fashioned civic virtues. Yet apart from sporting an American flag lapel-pin, he has done little to promote these values. If anything, the reverse is true. In the defining moment of his presidency, rather than summoning Americans to rally to their country, he validated conspicuous consumption as the core function of 21st-century citizenship.

Should conservatives hold President Bush accountable for the nation’s cultural crisis? Of course not. The pursuit of instant gratification, the compulsion to accumulate, and the exaltation of celebrity that have become central to the American way of life predate this administration and derive from forces that lie far beyond the control of any president. Yet conservatives should fault the president and his party for pretending that they are seriously committed to curbing or reversing such tendencies. They might also blame themselves for failing to see the GOP’s cultural agenda as contrived and cynical.

Finally, there is President Bush’s misguided approach to foreign policy, based on expectations of deploying American military might to eliminate tyranny, transform the Greater Middle East, and expunge evil from the face of the earth. The result has been the very inverse of conservatism. For Bush, in the wake of 9/11, ideology supplanted statecraft. As a result, his administration has squandered American lives and treasure in the pursuit of objectives that make little strategic sense.

For conservatives to hope the election of yet another Republican will set things right is surely in vain. To believe that President John McCain will reduce the scope and intrusiveness of federal authority, cut the imperial presidency down to size, and put the government on a pay-as-you-go basis is to succumb to a great delusion. The Republican establishment may maintain the pretense of opposing Big Government, but pretense it is.

Social conservatives counting on McCain to return the nation to the path of righteousness are kidding themselves. Within this camp, abortion has long been the flagship issue. Yet only a naïf would believe that today’s Republican Party has any real interest in overturning Roe v. Wade or that doing so now would contribute in any meaningful way to the restoration of “family values.” GOP support for such values is akin to the Democratic Party’s professed devotion to the “working poor”: each is a ploy to get votes, trotted out seasonally, quickly forgotten once the polls close.

Above all, conservatives who think that a McCain presidency would restore a sense of realism and prudence to U.S. foreign policy are setting themselves up for disappointment. On this score, we should take the senator at his word: his commitment to continuing the most disastrous of President Bush’s misadventures is irrevocable. McCain is determined to remain in Iraq as long as it takes. He is the candidate of the War Party. The election of John McCain would provide a new lease on life to American militarism, while perpetuating the U.S. penchant for global interventionism marketed under the guise of liberation.

The essential point is this: conservatives intent on voting in November for a candidate who shares their views might as well plan on spending Election Day at home. The Republican Party of Bush, Cheney, and McCain no longer accommodates such a candidate.

So why consider Obama? For one reason only: because this liberal Democrat has promised to end the U.S. combat role in Iraq. Contained within that promise, if fulfilled, lies some modest prospect of a conservative revival.

To appreciate that possibility requires seeing the Iraq War in perspective. As an episode in modern military history, Iraq qualifies at best as a very small war. Yet the ripples from this small war will extend far into the future, with remembrance of the event likely to have greater significance than the event itself. How Americans choose to incorporate Iraq into the nation’s historical narrative will either affirm our post-Cold War trajectory toward empire or create opportunities to set a saner course.

The neoconservatives understand this. If history renders a negative verdict on Iraq, that judgment will discredit the doctrine of preventive war. The “freedom agenda” will command as much authority as the domino theory. Advocates of “World War IV” will be treated with the derision they deserve. The claim that open-ended “global war” offers the proper antidote to Islamic radicalism will become subject to long overdue reconsideration.

Give the neocons this much: they appreciate the stakes. This explains the intensity with which they proclaim that, even with the fighting in Iraq entering its sixth year, we are now “winning”—as if war were an athletic contest in which nothing matters except the final score. The neoconservatives brazenly ignore or minimize all that we have flung away in lives, dollars, political influence, moral standing, and lost opportunities. They have to: once acknowledged, those costs make the folly of the entire neoconservative project apparent. All those confident manifestos calling for the United States to liberate the world’s oppressed, exercise benign global hegemony, and extend forever the “unipolar moment” end up getting filed under dumb ideas.

Yet history’s judgment of the Iraq War will affect matters well beyond the realm of foreign policy. As was true over 40 years ago when the issue was Vietnam, how we remember Iraq will have large political and even cultural implications.

As part of the larger global war on terrorism, Iraq has provided a pretext for expanding further the already bloated prerogatives of the presidency. To see the Iraq War as anything but misguided, unnecessary, and an abject failure is to play into the hands of the fear-mongers who insist that when it comes to national security all Americans (members of Congress included) should defer to the judgment of the executive branch. Only the president, we are told, can “keep us safe.” Seeing the war as the debacle it has become refutes that notion and provides a first step toward restoring a semblance of balance among the three branches of government.

Above all, there is this: the Iraq War represents the ultimate manifestation of the American expectation that the exercise of power abroad offers a corrective to whatever ailments afflict us at home. Rather than setting our own house in order, we insist on the world accommodating itself to our requirements. The problem is not that we are profligate or self-absorbed; it is that others are obstinate and bigoted. Therefore, they must change so that our own habits will remain beyond scrutiny.

Of all the obstacles to a revival of genuine conservatism, this absence of self-awareness constitutes the greatest. As long as we refuse to see ourselves as we really are, the status quo will persist, and conservative values will continue to be marginalized. Here, too, recognition that the Iraq War has been a fool’s errand—that cheap oil, the essential lubricant of the American way of life, is gone for good—may have a salutary effect. Acknowledging failure just might open the door to self-reflection.

None of these concerns number among those that inspired Barack Obama’s run for the White House. When it comes to foreign policy, Obama’s habit of spouting internationalist bromides suggests little affinity for serious realism. His views are those of a conventional liberal. Nor has Obama expressed any interest in shrinking the presidency to its pre-imperial proportions. He does not cite Calvin Coolidge among his role models. And however inspiring, Obama’s speeches are unlikely to make much of a dent in the culture. The next generation will continue to take its cues from Hollywood rather than from the Oval Office.

Yet if Obama does become the nation’s 44th president, his election will constitute something approaching a definitive judgment of the Iraq War. As such, his ascent to the presidency will implicitly call into question the habits and expectations that propelled the United States into that war in the first place. Matters hitherto consigned to the political margin will become subject to close examination. Here, rather than in Obama’s age or race, lies the possibility of his being a truly transformative presidency.

Whether conservatives will be able to seize the opportunities created by his ascent remains to be seen. Theirs will not be the only ideas on offer. A repudiation of the Iraq War and all that it signifies will rejuvenate the far Left as well. In the ensuing clash of visions, there is no guaranteeing that the conservative critique will prevail.

But this much we can say for certain: electing John McCain guarantees the perpetuation of war. The nation’s heedless march toward empire will continue. So, too, inevitably, will its embrace of Leviathan. Whether snoozing in front of their TVs or cheering on the troops, the American people will remain oblivious to the fate that awaits them.

For conservatives, Obama represents a sliver of hope. McCain represents none at all. The choice turns out to be an easy one.
_________________________________

Andrew J. Bacevich is professor of history and international relations at Boston University. His next book, The Limits of Power, will be published in August.

US deaths in Iraq approach 4,000

funkfresh01 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:40:48 EDT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080322/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb killed three American soldiers north of Baghdad on Saturday, pushing the U.S. death toll in the five-year conflict to nearly 4,000.

Also Saturday, Iraqi authorities reported that a U.S. airstrike north of the capital killed six members of a U.S.-backed Sunni group — straining relations with America's new allies in the fight against al-Qaida.

Two Iraqi civilians also died in the roadside bombing, which occurred as the Americans were patrolling an area northwest of the capital, the U.S. military said in a statement.

Two of the soldiers were killed in the blast and the third died of wounds, the statement said. The soldiers were assigned to Multinational Division-Baghdad, the statement said, but gave no further details.

The latest deaths brought to 3,996 the number of U.S. service members and Pentagon civilians who have died since the war began on March 20, 2003, according to an Associated Press count. Rocket or mortar fire killed one U.S. soldier and wounded four others Friday south of Baghdad, the military said.

Army Vet Speaks Against Mistreatment of Guantanamo Bay Detainees

funkfresh01 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:52:54 EDT

http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2008/03/21/University/Army-Vet.Speaks.Against.Mistreatment.Of.Detainees-3278241.shtml

Author: Lee Ann Holman

James Yee went from being a decorated U.S. Army soldier serving in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to being accused of espionage, spying and aiding the facility's detainees.

He spoke to students about his experiences Thursday night at the UT Law School Auditorium.

When returning to the U.S. for vacation after serving 10 months as chaplain, Yee was arrested in secret and accused of having classified documents in his backpack. While being transferred to prison Yee was subject to sensory deprivation, a torture tactic. He was held in solitary confinement for 76 days without being charged.

He was exonerated and honorably discharged after deciding to quit the army.

Yee converted to Islam shortly after graduating from West Point. He said it was a way to solidify his monotheistic faith in one God. Yee was hand-picked to serve as a Muslim minister to facility detainees.

While ministering detainees, Yee said he advised commanders on proper religious practices. He made suggestions on treatment of the detainees and spoke out against soldiers violating prisoners' human rights. Yee said that though he never participated in interrogation tactics, he counseled prisoners on their treatment.

Yee said he witnessed the desecration of the Quran. Prisoners also spoke of sexual harassment by female interferometers and being put in a pentagram while being forced to renounce Allah.

This treatment will not win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world, he said.

"People in the military have a gross lack of misunderstanding of the Muslim culture, which is counterproductive," Yee said.

Kristine Huskey, a clinical law professor, has been representing Guantanamo detainees since 2002. She said she believes any new presidential administration will shut down Guantanamo Bay, because it is not helping the U.S. fight terrorism and is breeding more people who hate America.

Muslim Leader Has Opposed War

funkfresh01 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:31:54 EDT

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/sblow/stories/032008dnmetblowcolumn.6a03f9a.html

Author: Steve Blow

We first sat and talked in those numb days right after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.We mourned together, and Mohamed Elmougy helped me understand a little more about what had befallen us.

I returned several times over the years to visit with the local Muslim community leader. And this week's fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq seemed a good time to once again glimpse the world through his eyes.

Mohamed, 49, owns the Pyramids Hotel in Allen. He's Egyptian by birth and American by choice.

He opposed the war from the start. "You will remember that I said getting out won't be nearly as easy as going in," he said.

I remembered, particularly since I had bought the argument that Iraqis would welcome us.

"We were fools to think we were going to be seen as liberators," Mohamed said. "We are seen as occupiers, and we always will be."

Mohamed agreed that Saddam Hussein needed to go but says he should have been captured in a surgical strike and put on trial in an international court, like Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic.

Of course, hindsight is of little help at this point. I was most eager to hear his thoughts on what we should do now. And since the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates offer such divergent strategies, I asked the question in that context.

"Six months ago I had every intention of voting for John McCain," he said. "I felt he was very sincere, that he was speaking his mind, and I respected him as someone who really understands war.

"But after seeing how he has changed his tone to cater to the evangelical right, I just can't support him anymore. It would just be more of the same," he said.

He believes Hillary Rodham Clinton would be seen overseas as simply the return of the Bill Clinton administration, with whatever lingering baggage that involves.

After 5 Years, the Tragedy Continues

funkfresh01 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:29:49 EDT

http://www.masnet.org/views.asp?id=4959

From the Desk of Ibrahim-Abdil-Mu'id Ramey, MAS Freedom Civil and Human Rights Directo

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MASNET) March 18, 2008 — The conundrum of American primary politics, American Idol worship, and the fall from grace of the former Governor of New York, may have shifted the market-based media focus from the story, but for those who may otherwise be unaware, March 19, 2008 marks the fifth anniversary of the most recent U.S. invasion of Iraq - yet another tragic date in U.S. history that will live in infamy.

What, exactly, has been the cost of the U.S. adventure in Iraq? We are now careening to the number of 4,000 American combat deaths and 40,000 seriously wounded troops. Many of the wounded have been abandoned by their government to a fate of permanent disability and mental distress from the psychological wounds of combat. But this number is dwarfed by the devastation suffered by the Iraqis themselves: 650,000 to one million dead; 400,000 persons displaced from their homes; and the bitter reality of a raging sectarian civil war that has left the nation terrorized and divided.

The recent U.S. troop "surge" has been a useful diversion for the proponents of the war, who now claim some hollow "victory" because of ephemeral military gains in the combat operations against Al-Qaeda and other assorted armed insurgents. But the fundamental contradictions and divisions in the country remain. And Iraq, for all the horrors of it's own history of dictatorship and war, is a far more dangerous and oppressive place that it was under the rule of Saddam.

In the meanwhile, the Iraq war has not only divided U.S. citizens, it has also consolidated world opinion against this nation in a way that no one could have anticipated five years ago. Blatant torture of Iraqi captives, attacks on the civil liberties of Muslim individuals, institutions, and charities in America, and countless violations of both domestic and international law have become the hallmark of the arrogant and recalcitrant regime in Washington that continues the prosecution of the war.

But the conflict in Iraq has also resulted in countless casualties at home, measured in increased domestic violence, family disintegration, alcoholism, and drug abuse suffered by returning U.S. combatants.

War, in every case, results in the massive transfer of wealth from one social class to another. The war in Iraq is no different.

But what is different is the reality of the naked ambition of the global energy and arms oligarchies that have feasted on the $1.2 trillion dollars spent by American taxpayers on the war to date. This violence continues, despite the deepening economic crisis in the nation and the devastation of the national social infrastructure.

In Washington, DC, activists from 40 states plan to gather to mark this tragic anniversary, and in some cases, to engage in non-violent direct action in opposition of the war in Iraq. We must continue to press for the demand to end the war, even if the Democratic Congress lacks the will to oppose the Bush regime's war machine.

The popular tide of resistance to the war will—and must—continue, until the war is ended, and the massive damage to both the United States and to the people of Iraq is fully repaired.

For more information about upcoming events and gatherings, please visit:

www.5YearsTooMany.org

McCain's ‘Spiritual Guide’ Says Destroy Islam

funkfresh01 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:19:31 EDT

McCain's ‘Spiritual Guide’ Says Destroy Islam

http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/03/john-mccain-rod-parsley-spiritual-guide.html

Author: David Corn

Senator John McCain hailed as a spiritual adviser an Ohio megachurch pastor who has called upon Christians to wage a "war" against the "false religion" of Islam with the aim of destroying it.

On February 26, McCain appeared at a campaign rally in Cincinnati with the Reverend Rod Parsley of the World Harvest Church of Columbus, a supersize Pentecostal institution that features a 5,200-seat sanctuary, a television studio (where Parsley tapes a weekly show), and a 122,000-square-foot Ministry Activity Center. That day, a week before the Ohio primary, Parsley praised the Republican presidential front-runner as a "strong, true, consistent conservative."

The endorsement was important for McCain, who at the time was trying to put an end to the lingering challenge from former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, a favorite among Christian evangelicals. A politically influential figure in Ohio, Parsley could also play a key role in McCain's effort to win this bellwether state in the general election. McCain, with Parsley by his side at the Cincinnati rally, called the evangelical minister a "spiritual guide."

Students Stage Die-In to Protest War

funkfresh01 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:15:21 EDT

Students Stage Die-In to Protest War

http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2008/03/14/News/Students.Stage.DieIn.On.Quad-3269402.shtml

Author: Paolo Cisneros

Thursday morning was an unusual one for Karen Medina, graduate student in library and information sciences. Instead of studying for exams or sitting in class, she was chalking body outlines on the Quad.

Medina and dozens of other anti-war activists took to the streets Thursday morning to stage a march and "die-in" protest as a way of demonstrating their discontent with the upcoming fifth anniversary of the Iraq war.

"We're calling it a 'condemoration' because we're both condemning and commemorating the war," Medina said.

The two-hour event was organized primarily by the Campus Greens and University chapter of the Campus Antiwar Network.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Students for Justice in Palestine, Champaign-Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice and the College Democrats co-sponsored the event.

The cooperation of the groups was a large part of the morning's success, said Jeremy Polacek, senior in LAS. "We (Campus Antiwar Network) don't have a monopoly on the anti-war effort by any means," he said. "The collaboration of these groups was really important."

The demonstration began at roughly 11 a.m. Activists gathered to chant anti-war slogans before marching down Green Street to Fifth Street and then back around the Quad.

Many held signs condemning the war as others provided vocal support for the cause.

"This war has been going on for five years now, and, at this point, most people are against it," said Mark Mallon, junior in LAS. "We need to stop spending billions of dollars on this illegal and immoral war."

War's Costs Will Be Felt for Years

funkfresh01 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:10:50 EDT

War's Costs Will Be Felt for Years

http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_8620269

Author: George Watson

The cost of five years of the war in Iraq can be seen in almost any community in the United States.

Families whose loved ones were killed or wounded struggle to put their lives back together. The economy teeters, thanks partly to what a renowned economist projects will ultimately be a $3trillion war bill. Gas prices soar. A political landscape that cost many Republicans their seats in Congress continues to fuel anti-American sentiment outside the nation's borders.

Despite substantial political and infrastructure improvements directly attributable to U.S. involvement in Iraq, few observers believe that as of today - the fifth anniversary of U.S. bombs first falling on Baghdad - an end to America's presence there is in sight.

The consequences of a continued stay, they say, will be felt in Americans' bank accounts and in politicians' ability to govern. . .

From the perspective of Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Los Angeles chapter, the war's cost has been multifaceted.

Ayloush is an American with school-age children, and he worries about the state of their education, given California's budget crisis, cuts to education funding and teacher layoffs.

He, too, worries about the economy, the cost of gasoline, and the future of health care.

The war has other, less tangible costs, he noted.

"The biggest nonfinancial, nonmaterial casualty is the damage to our credibility and moral standing in the world today," Ayloush said. "When we issue reports on human rights, which the State Department does, people laugh at it now. They say, `Be quiet."'

Ayloush, who visited Syria and Jordan recently, said he was struck by how angry people are at the United States. The war in Iraq has displaced 2.4million people and induced another 2million to live abroad, primarily in the two countries he visited. Before the war, 500,000 Iraqis lived outside the nation's borders.

"We have caused misery to thousands of their lives and we haven't accepted responsibility," Ayloush said. "We expect neighboring countries to carry that burden without any financial help."

CAIR-LA Rep Speaks at Anti-War Protest

funkfresh01 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:05:55 EDT

CAIR-LA Rep Speaks at Anti-War Protest

Author: Mike O'Sullivan

Protesters in several US cities held anti-war rallies Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, March 20th. More rallies are planned in coming days in other U.S. cities. Mike O'Sullivan reports, several thousand joined an anti-war protest in Los Angeles.

Marchers chanted and some carried flag-draped coffins as speakers demanded that U.S. troops come home.

Sharaf Mowjood of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says the continued presence of American troops is worsening conditions in Iraq, and diverting attention from domestic U.S. problems, including rebuilding New Orleans. The city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“We need to pull out immediately. That's the main thing right now we need to do. It's a conundrum as it is," he said. "So it's in a situation where the best viable option is to pull out because you have a lot of these internal problems you have to deal with, health care, sub-prime mortgage crisis, Katrina, all that. We need to work on those issues first."

Members of religious, labor and community groups joined the Los Angeles demonstration. Madelyn MacKay, a Quaker, says the protests are sending a message to the candidates in the November 4 presidential election.

United States Mosque Used by Iraqi Refugees Vandalized

funkfresh01 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:58:46 EDT

United States Mosque Used by Iraqi Refugees Vandalized

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080318/NEWS01/803180345

Author: Cheryl Wittenauer

Neighbors in the tidy, middle-class Southampton neighborhood in south St. Louis said Monday they barely noticed the comings and goings of one of their enclave's newest arrivals.

Nothing out of the ordinary anyway, aside from a steady stream of Iraqi cab drivers and other workers, and women and children, arriving for evening prayer services at the Islamic mosque.

The Islamic religious and community center, housed in a nondescript storefront building, was vandalized over the weekend. It was the second such incident since the Imam Hussin Foundation building opened last April.

"If someone is trying to send us a message," with this act, "we receive it," said Salah Ajmi, the mosque's imam and a businessman. "But we do everything right and legal. This is wrong."

Vandals damaged seven large glass windows with a blunt object sometime between midnight and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, police said. Vandals struck the first time last summer, and Ajmi said he suspected teenagers. This time the damage was more extensive.

Police took fingerprints and are investigating. They wouldn't say whether they consider it a hate crime. The FBI declined to comment.

CAIR Co-Sponsors Letter to Congress on Wiretapping

funkfresh01 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:02:26 EST

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/6/08) - On March 5, 2008, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) joined other individuals and institutions who work to preserve civil liberties in sponsoring a letter to members of Congress commending them for refusing to pass the FISA Amendments Act of 2007 and urging them to allow it to expire.

The letter is as follows:

March 5, 2008

Dear Representative,

We the undersigned organizations commend the House for refusing to yield to administration fearmongering by passing the worst possible surveillance legislation - S. 2248, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act of 2007. This bill would grant the administration unfettered access to all communications coming into or out of the United States without any meaningful court review or finding of wrongdoing and grant complete immunity to companies that cooperated with illegal wiretapping over the last several years.

As you go forward with negotiations, we ask that you leave the Protect America Act exactly as it is -- sunsetted. As House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and the Cato Institute noted, America is in no danger from the expiration of this unconstitutional law. Orders issued since last August remain in effect until their internal cease date, up to a year after issuance, ensuring that current surveillance programs will continue, in some cases, into 2009. These programmatic orders are not limited to individuals or facilities so that new targets can be tapped under existing orders. Of course, the government always has the option of tapping targets immediately and returning to court within 72 hours to obtain a court order under the FISA procedures that have served our intelligence community for nearly 30 years.

What Do Smears Against Obama Say About Society?

funkfresh01 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:31:18 EST

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-obamamuslim_thinkfeb24,0,6345949.story

Author: Ahmed M. Rehab

OK, we get the point. Barack Obama is not a Muslim. He has made that clear, time and again.

As well he should: The rumors are baseless, maliciously spun by political adversaries with the intention of taking votes away from Obama's promising presidential campaign run.

Obama is entitled to set the record straight. But that's not the end of the story.

The broader issue is: What does this attempt to smear Obama say about our society?

More personally, what does it say about my newborn nephew's standing in society? Is he entitled to the dreams of his Muslim father that the boy could grow up to be president if he works as hard as Obama and is as ambitious?

Obama has not gone far enough to challenge the notion that religious affiliation could disqualify Americans from serving their nation. Nor has Mitt Romney, a Mormon, Mike Huckabee, a Baptist, or any other candidate.

It's time for all of them to be quizzed on the meaning of citizenship as preached and practiced in this great democracy. As a voter, I would much rather know their stance on equal employment policies than which church they attend.

Whenever I address young Muslim audiences that may be struggling with identity issues, I remind them that this is their country, too. I tell them they should observe their civic duties, vote and, if it behooves them, run for public office and help bring about the positive reform they often passively expect of others.

Urge Congress to Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza

funkfresh01 — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:37:38 EST

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 01/21/08) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on American Muslims and other people of conscience to urge their elected officials to immediately intervene to put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The crisis was triggered by an Israeli-imposed blockade Sunday evening, which forced the closure of the only electric plant that serves Gaza City's 400,000 residents and one third of the Gaza Strip's 1.5 millions residents. The blockade prevents the entry of fuel that is essential to the operation of the plant.

SEE: Gaza Dark Amid Israeli Blockade (LA times)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-gaza21jan21,1,576321.story?track=crosspromo&coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=2&cset=true

Gaza is already suffering from economic hardship, which according to the World Bank, is primarily a result of being cut off from the rest of the world by Israel. Without power, hospitals, water facilities and other crucial lifelines may completely shut off and homes may be left without heat, plunging Gaza into disarray.

Should Superdelegates matter?

Military Officer for Obama — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:10:06 EST

As we find out more about the Democratic Primary process. We realize the potential for rigging of the time honored tradition of Democracy. We as Americans must start taking back the system that was ours by birth. Superdelegates are a concept of the power holders of the past. People who want to continue to be part of the power block/party control is what it comes down to...the same thing that destoryed the Republican party over the last 8 years. These people, simply put, are part of the greed that infects America. The same ideological belief that the American people can't speak for themselves. That our voices on election day are not what matters.

Stand up against these powers and potect the Democrtic Party from the same sickness that destoryed the Republican party. Superdelegates matter, they certainly do matter, but that should not be the case!!

Enquirer: Ohio GOP roots for Hillary

Chip Roberson in Sonoma, CA — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:46:43 EST

“'There is nobody who can consolidate and energize the Republican party like Hillary Clinton. It will get the people out and the money will flow'... said John Becker, a Clermont County Republican who represents much of southern Ohio on the Ohio Republican Party Central Committee." This is from a February 13, 2008, article in the Cincinnati Enquirer:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/NEWS01/302130097

Do You Know How Bad it is for the GOP?

Shellee — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:21:42 EST

No? So, you might ask…”HOW BAD IS IT?”

It’s so bad that Alberto Gonzales has actually resigned.

It’s so bad that the GOP is completely lost on message:

A fairly decent response: For Bush, an Opportunity in a Loss

One Rove would have never let happen: Republicans Accuse Democrats of “Hounding” Gonzales Out of Office

They’re so lost on message that one Republican Senator from Idaho decided this was the perfect time for his story: “I’m Not Gay, says Toilet Arrest Senator.”

And, the GOP knows how bad it is. They’re working on a new strategy for controlling the message in those very scripted town hall meetings in 2008: Computers Programmed to Get the Joke

(OK, so the last story wasn’t exactly pointing back to the GOP and may not have been complete fair…but it was funny!)

***originally posted at www.sharpskirts.com in August 2007***

Vote Revolution

Joe Garcia — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:39:19 EST

We are in an election cycle where I hope the wonders never cease. Susan Eisenhower, Caroline Kennedy, Tom Hayden and Joan Baez agree on the same thing. All four want Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States.

Who does this scare? It severely frightens the establishment of both the Democratic and Republican parties. The recent purpose of our two party system has been to ferment screams of ear popping loudest and conjure the best scare tactics to cause panic among the American people.

Rudy Giuliani’s failed candidacy should illustrate that Americans do not want a catastrophe candidate. We want a candidate who offers hope, growth and opportunity. It seems more and more Americans have come to the decision that Barack Obama is that candidate.

Are Republicans Stealing America’s Soul?

New York for Obama — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:09:18 EST

What do Republicans really stand for? Listening to last Thursday’s debate you would think they stand for semi-automatic weapons, war and disdain for the Clintons. Pick up any paper and you will see hot button topics like anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, and anti-immigration associated with republicans. Is this really what Republicans are all about?

Does U.S. Tolerate Anti-Muslim Speech?

funkfresh01 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:12:21 EST

Author: Omar Sacirbey

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1204/p02s02-usgn.html?page=1

Lu Gronseth listens regularly to WWTC, a conservative talk-radio station in Minneapolis, and even advertises his mortgage-loan business on the station. But when he learned that a nationally syndicated radio show host had told WWTC listeners that Muslims should be deported and made rude comments about what they could do with their religion, Mr. Gronseth pulled his ads from the station.

So have at least two other Minnesota businesses, at the urging of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, D.C., as have a handful of national companies, including OfficeMax, JCPenney, Wal-Mart, and AT&T. But the comments by host Michael Savage in October – and previous anti-Muslim speech – have not created the furor that knocked radio icon Don Imus off of MSNBC and CBS Radio after he denigrated a black women's basketball team. That leaves many Muslims-Americans – and non-Muslims like Mr. Gronseth – suspicious that Americans have a double standard when it comes to Islam.

NORTH CAROLINA CHURCH SAYS ‘NO” TO MUSLIMS

funkfresh01 — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:30:15 EST

Source: Oriental Harbor

http://www.orientalharbor.net/hotoffthepress.html

Oriental's Episcopal Church has 'un-invited' a Muslim group that was to speak at the church to quell a parishoner revolt against '"non-Christians" and keep peace in the parish.

"Concern was expressed that non-Christians should not be given a voice in our church," Senior Warden George Robinson wrote in the church's October newsletter, The Moorings. "Others felt that to gain understanding, particularly about 'the enemy' was important."

The Muslim group was invited after a local Methodist congregation had them speak and thought it added to understanding between faiths, according to the newsletter. The Muslim group was invited to St. Thomas Episcopal Church as part of its "One God" series of seminars.

But some members objected, and at a September meeting at the church where both sides presented their cases, the church's Rev. Jeremiah C. Day apparently stepped in to quell controversy, saying the group would be un-invited, based on the newsletter.

The Muslim group was the idea of the church's Christian Education Committee.

"So what was the result of all the discussion? Father Day suggested that ministers in the community might have a forum for the whole community. Pat Webster, of the Christian Education Committee – the group suggesting a Muslim speaker – suggested we could spend some time together trying to develop a tolerance for diversity," Webster wrote on Page 5 of the October newsletter.

"Consequently, the Muslim speaker is not coming to St. Thomas, as Father Day noted, to keep peace in the parish.

Greenspan Memoir Democratic Gift, Republican Grenade

Lisa Beyer — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:18:04 EDT

Greenspan Memoir Democratic Gift, Republican Grenade, September 17, 2007

_________________________________________________________________________

Lisa Beyer

Precinct Deputy Captain in Las Vegas Precinct 6475

Why I Support Barack Obama for President
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On January 19, 2008, Nevada will be the 2nd state in the nation to caucus for a presidential nominee!

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Yes to 4 More Years in Iraq?

Lisa Beyer — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 23:23:18 EDT

Yes to 4 More Years in Iraq?

Utah Important to the Republican Party?

Misty F — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 14:36:06 EST

According to the Salt Lake Tribune's political writers' blog, Utah is very important to the Republicans:

One week after former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney announced he's officially running for president, he flew to Utah for a fundraiser. Arizona Sen. John McCain is even topping that. McCain said on the Late Show with David Letterman last night that he's a candidate for president of the United States -- confirming what we already knew. McCain then hopped on a plane and headed for Utah.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will be in Utah on March 30.