In his show, Jon Stewart has done it again.
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/faezep/mighty-morphin-position-changers
He poignantly explained the differences of how Fox News covers its new stories. It is a blind hypocrisy for decrying one side of an argument while remaining incredibly silent on the other side. (The video explains a better please click on it.)
But it raises an issue not just specific to Fox News. Every news agency has been doing this for years now. A slant, a bias, a derived message. They've become nothing more than an opinion machines more than news outlets. As I said this happens on both sides of the aisle so it would be improper to demonize one side without admitting that MSNBC does the exact same thing.
Even Rachel Maddow admits that her program and network does pretty much the same thing that Fox does. The only difference is that they tend to be closer routed to the facts than Fox. That's where the debate really lies because if I'm about to tell you story, you're assuming that I am presenting a balanced argument. Especially if you find that I am a news person who you are trusting to provide information to.
It's something that Stephen Colbert once referred to as "truthiness." Defined as:
"the quality of seeming or being felt to be true, even if not necessarily true."
Which is exactly what Fox and MSNBC does. It's what CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS does. That's why it's very disheartening that if you want to get completely unbiased information, you have to go out of the United States to do it where corporate interests may not necessarily interfere with the actual news content.
That's the state of media today.
That's the state of journalism today.
It's something that I have been incredibly passionate about for a long time. We simply cannot rely on any of our news sources for information. We want news that feels good to us and is crafted in a way that molds to our belief of truth.
We have to be willing to look at ourselves in the mirror honestly. We can't do that if we keep wrapping ourselves in red, white, blue. We have all become patriotic to a fault. If we are truly going to be cooperative partners in the future we have to be completely honest with ourselves.
That doesn't make me unpatriotic. I believe in the United States, I believe in our founding fathers belief that we can be a better country for the world. But if we start looking at Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, it's become a schoolyard of bullies and fights. It makes a lot of people become turned off and it is incredibly despicable to think that our electorate and our propaganda mechanism known as the media insists on lowering the bar instead of raising it.
We have lost accountability.
We have lost honesty.
We have lost integrity.
And before you turn on the radio, or pick up your newspaper, or look online to see how your favorite political hack looks of this - realize that you can make independent decisions based on your own morality and beliefs.
We all have a fundamental basis of what's right and wrong in this country. We can continually point fingers back-and-forth to no avail, but in the end the message gets lost in the truth diminishes.
Admittedly I have probably have grown very tired of politics. I have grown tired of the antics of some idiots that want to go ahead and to question my patriotism because I ask, I demand accountability and honesty when they report their "facts" for the general public.
We as a nation have no concept as to what these dividing forces have on our nation. We are more alike than we think if we were to sit down and have an honest discussion about morality and what should and shouldn't be done in this country. If we stop listening to these dividing forces we can come together and we can grow. I'm sick and tired of rewriting our history and our science to accommodate a religious theocracy that is heavily flawed.
We need to grow. We need to move forward.
Change needs to happen.
Showing posts with label Democrats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Democrats. Show all posts
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Saturday, April 27, 2013
The Message Problem ....
Republicans continue to scratch their heads in trying to figure out what happened last November. While the finger-pointing continued for several months ... they finally decided that they needed to look at themselves to figure out what went wrong.
Their conclusion?
It's a message problem.
Good, they finally realized ... wait - What?
Let me see if I get this straight. They think that they lost track of how to convey their message to the American people. They believed that Obama and the Democrats have a better reach, can articulate their message better and sold the American people on the Path we're on. The Republicans look to themselves as failing to deliver the message to the American people that would've swayed them to their side.
But there's a problem with that analysis ...
... it's not a message problem.
... it's a belief problem.
If you took a long line and called it the spectrum of politics, the Republicans are in full retreat to their side of the spectrum. Democrats have shifted more central and that's why a lot of libertarians and many progressive conservatives swung to the left this past election.
A message problem is: "you're confused with what I'm telling you, let me try to put it a different way."
A belief problem is: "you're not thinking along the same lines I am."
And Republicans are notoriously blind and deaf to that notion.
Take health care reform as your example. The majority of Americans want it. Majority - which means not just the Democrats or the left-leaners ... this also includes a lot of conservatives - the majority. Republicans have battered the process - not because they LISTENED to what their constituency said ... it's because they LISTENED to those who are lining their coffers handsomely.
The Republicans have become the advocate for big corporations - and they don't blink an eye at that or try to deny it ... they KNOW that's who they are advocates for because the majority of Americans are signing on with the Democrats. If you took campaign finance reform - and did away with rich corporate donations - I'm doubtful the Republicans could muster anything beyond a bake sale...
So how did this shift happen? Reagan won in the 1980's because he continually reached to the center ... and that won him two terms. It's the same basic formula that Obama has used ... and if the Democrats were smart (not saying they are - but if they were) - then they will keep working the formula they will inherit.
As for Republicans - my only advice is this: start listening to the American people and start paying less attention to those holding the bling at the end of the line. Remember who you represent - and who the founding fathers told you to represent. Corporations is not a word in the Constitution, nor is the word "business" or "capitalism." You guys keep waiving the Constitution like it's a flag - but you fail to administer your own responsibilities to our fabled document.
I dream of a day when our representatives start representing the people that pull the levers every election cycle. I realize it's a pipe dream - but you have to start somewhere, right?
Their conclusion?
It's a message problem.
Good, they finally realized ... wait - What?
Let me see if I get this straight. They think that they lost track of how to convey their message to the American people. They believed that Obama and the Democrats have a better reach, can articulate their message better and sold the American people on the Path we're on. The Republicans look to themselves as failing to deliver the message to the American people that would've swayed them to their side.
But there's a problem with that analysis ...
... it's not a message problem.
... it's a belief problem.
If you took a long line and called it the spectrum of politics, the Republicans are in full retreat to their side of the spectrum. Democrats have shifted more central and that's why a lot of libertarians and many progressive conservatives swung to the left this past election.
A message problem is: "you're confused with what I'm telling you, let me try to put it a different way."
A belief problem is: "you're not thinking along the same lines I am."
And Republicans are notoriously blind and deaf to that notion.
Take health care reform as your example. The majority of Americans want it. Majority - which means not just the Democrats or the left-leaners ... this also includes a lot of conservatives - the majority. Republicans have battered the process - not because they LISTENED to what their constituency said ... it's because they LISTENED to those who are lining their coffers handsomely.
The Republicans have become the advocate for big corporations - and they don't blink an eye at that or try to deny it ... they KNOW that's who they are advocates for because the majority of Americans are signing on with the Democrats. If you took campaign finance reform - and did away with rich corporate donations - I'm doubtful the Republicans could muster anything beyond a bake sale...
So how did this shift happen? Reagan won in the 1980's because he continually reached to the center ... and that won him two terms. It's the same basic formula that Obama has used ... and if the Democrats were smart (not saying they are - but if they were) - then they will keep working the formula they will inherit.
As for Republicans - my only advice is this: start listening to the American people and start paying less attention to those holding the bling at the end of the line. Remember who you represent - and who the founding fathers told you to represent. Corporations is not a word in the Constitution, nor is the word "business" or "capitalism." You guys keep waiving the Constitution like it's a flag - but you fail to administer your own responsibilities to our fabled document.
I dream of a day when our representatives start representing the people that pull the levers every election cycle. I realize it's a pipe dream - but you have to start somewhere, right?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Loss of Hope
My hiatus from SpoonsRant was something that I didn’t anticipate. I thought I would continue to blog about all things political. After all politics continues to happen regardless of what’s happening in our daily lives. But I found my frustrations growing with this administration. It had nothing to do with the weak tea party or the subsequent Republican floggings about why Obama is bad this week. My focus for the last three years has been squarely on our President and the Democratic party.
I was disappointed that there was an overemphasis placed on cooperative government. Obama reached far too often across the aisle … and ended up selling the store, the dog, the cat, the parakeet, grandma … and getting nothing in return. The Republicans managed to marginalize Obama’s political capital and they weren’t going to turn loose. Democrats remained too unfocused and scattered across the political spectrum (Landreu, Nelson and other conservative Democrats) that ultimately lacked cohesion.
It was thanks to these centralist Dems that awarded power back to the Republicans. It was thanks to Obama benching his platform because the job was too tough to pass it. The country ran with no steward. The helm just kept going with the ebb and flow of the sea current. The captain wasn’t on the bridge – leading – as much as he was trying to quiet the crew … with over half of them fighting him on every single solitary thing.
What got lost in the last two years – is the fact that Republicans refused, every morsel of their being, to work with Democrats or this President on the overwhelming majority of legislation coming out. That forced Obama and the Democrats to continually give up ground – and their fights were watered down and lost. Reid lost respectability. Pelosi fought inconsistently. Americans lost out.
Hope … was lost.
Now that we’re entering the last leg to determine who Obama’s opponent is going to be, I’m back to wondering what Obama is going to say next. I’m wondering how he’s going to be able to justify the stuff he has done over the last three years. Yes – he’s done plenty. He’s done big things … he’s done a lot of medium and little things. He had such high hopes. He had such a vision. He energized those that helped get him elected to fulfill those ambitions.
While the finger pointing can be squarely on the Republicans, the Democrats did their fair share of eating their young. Obama himself became a microcosm of being too idealistic and not being able to reach as far as he wanted. It hasn’t been until the last 3-4 months that we’re finally seeing a commander that’s commanding. Someone who has finally said “enough” and did something big, bold and bad … he called out the Republicans and put it on the line. He finally started calling the Republican’s bluff. Lines are drawn in the sand now … and that’s what Obama should’ve been doing when the R’s decided they were going to behave like insolent disrespectful children.
For as long as we have the likes of Fox and Rush continuing their epic distortions and incredibly self-serving biases … Obama doesn’t stand a chance. He was patient. He tried, kept trying, regardless of what it meant to him politically, this President kept his arm extended while the Republican party spat on him. There is no shame for Republicans and that’s why I can find no respect for them.
I was disappointed that there was an overemphasis placed on cooperative government. Obama reached far too often across the aisle … and ended up selling the store, the dog, the cat, the parakeet, grandma … and getting nothing in return. The Republicans managed to marginalize Obama’s political capital and they weren’t going to turn loose. Democrats remained too unfocused and scattered across the political spectrum (Landreu, Nelson and other conservative Democrats) that ultimately lacked cohesion.
It was thanks to these centralist Dems that awarded power back to the Republicans. It was thanks to Obama benching his platform because the job was too tough to pass it. The country ran with no steward. The helm just kept going with the ebb and flow of the sea current. The captain wasn’t on the bridge – leading – as much as he was trying to quiet the crew … with over half of them fighting him on every single solitary thing.
What got lost in the last two years – is the fact that Republicans refused, every morsel of their being, to work with Democrats or this President on the overwhelming majority of legislation coming out. That forced Obama and the Democrats to continually give up ground – and their fights were watered down and lost. Reid lost respectability. Pelosi fought inconsistently. Americans lost out.
Hope … was lost.
Now that we’re entering the last leg to determine who Obama’s opponent is going to be, I’m back to wondering what Obama is going to say next. I’m wondering how he’s going to be able to justify the stuff he has done over the last three years. Yes – he’s done plenty. He’s done big things … he’s done a lot of medium and little things. He had such high hopes. He had such a vision. He energized those that helped get him elected to fulfill those ambitions.
While the finger pointing can be squarely on the Republicans, the Democrats did their fair share of eating their young. Obama himself became a microcosm of being too idealistic and not being able to reach as far as he wanted. It hasn’t been until the last 3-4 months that we’re finally seeing a commander that’s commanding. Someone who has finally said “enough” and did something big, bold and bad … he called out the Republicans and put it on the line. He finally started calling the Republican’s bluff. Lines are drawn in the sand now … and that’s what Obama should’ve been doing when the R’s decided they were going to behave like insolent disrespectful children.
For as long as we have the likes of Fox and Rush continuing their epic distortions and incredibly self-serving biases … Obama doesn’t stand a chance. He was patient. He tried, kept trying, regardless of what it meant to him politically, this President kept his arm extended while the Republican party spat on him. There is no shame for Republicans and that’s why I can find no respect for them.
Friday, January 06, 2012
The Occupy, Tea Bag, 99% Problem
I just love how the Republicans and Tea Bag crowd continue to decry the Occupy Wall Street movement. Little do they know but at least when it comes to the Tea Bag party ... they are not unlike their Occupy breathren. Both groups vocally protest their dissatisfaction with the way things are being run. One group chooses to blame the government, the other group blames the fat cats.
Tea Baggers come out against Occupy Wall Street - OWS come out against the Baggers and there's a free for all somewhere in Central Park. It's not unusual to have these sprig parties sprout out every election cycle. There was the Green party, the Ross Perot party, the Gary Coleman party (okay - that was a typo..) But the prevailing two parties have remained relatively unscathed throughout history. That's not going to change anytime soon - but the reality is that as populist as some candidates have been (ahem, Obama) ... what matters is their service to the American people. Despite the Republican view on this, I subscribe to the belief that our electorate is there to represent the American people ... not American corporations and businesses.
That's why I haven't signed onto the OWS crowd as much as I've embraced the 99% movement. Because it's the 99% that continues to work hard everyday, see to their child's education, care and provide for their family while getting hammered by the lack of rise when it comes to salaries. That's why there's no single breadwinners in families these days. That's why both parents are needing to work to make ends meet and try to lay some sort of foundation for their family's future. Benefits are getting slashed, health care is out of reach for so many Americans, and there's a significant amount of the right side of the aisle that has NO PROBLEM with it. Our previous President once said that it's "uniquely American" to have such problems....
"Corporations are entitled to maximize their profits."
"Corporations have a duty and responsibility to their shareholders."
"It's not up businesses to take care of their employees..."
Really?
These are the folks you're protecting?
This is the philosophy you subscribe to?
The Tea Baggers and Republicans that continue to defend big business - they themselves fall well within the 99%, they continue to protect big industry, big banks, big pharma and big oil ... for reasons that simply don't make sense. The illusion that if you give the rich enough money - it'll trickle down to you - is a proven falsehood. The rate of salary increases have remain stagnant since Reagan's infamous boondoggle. The rich remain rich, while the poor remain poor and the middle class finds themselves on the endangered species list.
Even though they themselves are equally susceptible to the other 99%'ers out there in terms of job and benefit security. Sure - they have a nice paying job and can complain about others not doing enough to get their own damn job. Easy for them to say when unemployment has suffered mightily under the great recession. Easy for them .... until they find themselves on their own receiving end of it. Companies have no loyalty to their employees - as we've seen with the shift of jobs overseas. If you get a life-threatening condition - Sarah Palin's death panels will instantly be enacted to ensure that because you have become a liability of the company and you will lose your job and your benefits. It's all about profits, right Sarah?
Try treating cancer on unemployment after you've already emptied out your life's savings that you had HOPED was going to buoy your retirement ... and let's see if you still want to protect big pharma.
These folks are equally affected by the deregulation of food, water, air, and work conditions. Is profit really worth it if your water is laced with ignitable gas? Or the beef you get at the store tainted and contaminated? Or the factory you work in has asbestos in the walls and ceilings? Is the profit worth it to you then? The 99% seeks the balance against businesses and corporations from polluting and endangering employees lives for profit. A well known company that won't settle $300k in OSHA fines and making work condition improvements while guarding their CEO's $4 million salary (and $6 mil mansion) just doesn't resonate well with the 99%ers. It's not that we don't think a CEO is worth $4 million. "The market sets the rate" - and I'm okay with that, but if you're doing it at the EXPENSE of others - then I'm not going to be okay with that. Whether its petitioning to loosen pollution controls or having agencies turning a blind eye to their unfair business practices. "Everything in the name of profit" has become the new mantra for the 21st century, "damn the employees and the world we build it on, I want my 4th yacht because I've grown tired of the first 3."
Elizabeth Warren, who is now running for Senate in Massachusetts has it right. “There is nobody in this country who got rich on their own. Nobody. You built a factory out there - good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory... Now look. You built a factory and it turned into something terrific or a great idea - God bless! Keep a hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along.”
That's not socialism folks. That's being socially responsible. The false information of Rush, the banter of Beck and the mis-guided network known as Fox ... all do their part to press forward with the fear of socialism. Even though they casually neglect to point out that we already live in a pretty fair amount of socialism as it is ... not everything can or should be turned into a capitalized profit. Elizabeth's point is simple: everybody is responsible for paying back to society in order to get back from society the kinds of things we all enjoy. The problem is that with corporations going overseas and doing everything they can to avoid paying their taxes like G.E., then there is no investment happening back in the country that allowed them to flourish to begin with. Anyone who believes that's a form of socialism really needs to examine their history and look back at what socialism actually was back in the days of the Soviet Union - who was a Socialist Republic. The nation was impoverished and kept that way ... there was no 1%, there was no middle class, there were no SUV's or WalMarts where you could buy your flat screen TV using your Visa card. If you truly think you know what socialism is - then you can clearly see that this country is not even close to the big red scare like Fox continues to advertise.
If you're finding yourself protecting the 1%'ers ... then maybe you should begin to ask yourself why. When the majority of the 99%'ers make up folks on the Democrat and Republican side - it's no longer a political issue, but an ideological one. It's not that I want all of us to feel entitled to what they have. That's not my argument. But when these companies focus on profit over responsibility - then that's my argument. If you're not going to show much loyalty to the country that gives you the right to have your business, or to the employees that work hard for your company ... then you really need to sit down and examine why your loyalties are with businesses who conduct themselves as cowardly as they do.
Are you trying to protect your job? Your stock portfolio? Are you content being complicit as these companies lay off workers or break the laws - forcing them to work over 40 hours but not be entitled to the benefits of a full time employee? Are you sleeping well at night with your $100/quarter dividend check because the company you're invested in wants to lie and cheat to stay ahead? Is that the capitalism dream that you subscribe to?
Is that your definition of what America is about?
Then I challenge you to examine how you got to think about yourself over your country. Were you misguided by the man sitting behind the golden microphone who thinks pretty highly of himself? Or were you misguided by the network that claims to be fair and balanced - yet is anything BUT fair and balanced? If you're offended that I'm tackling your two big idols it's because I take great offense of those that seek to put the country behind its citizens and the companies that have enjoyed an incredibly open expanse when it comes to making profit hand over fist.
This country was founded with a unified, hand-in-hand approach that made us stronger than any nation around. While Rush and Fox are entitled to spew whatever opinions they care to - they're doing so irresponsibly and for the sake of themselves. I'm not espousing that we need to revert to a Soviet Socialist regime, but there has got to be a balance with this out of control "it's all about me" attitude that it's okay to disavow the principles of this country ... just so you have some spare change in the jar at the end of the day.
Morally - even Jesus would be mortified.
Tea Baggers come out against Occupy Wall Street - OWS come out against the Baggers and there's a free for all somewhere in Central Park. It's not unusual to have these sprig parties sprout out every election cycle. There was the Green party, the Ross Perot party, the Gary Coleman party (okay - that was a typo..) But the prevailing two parties have remained relatively unscathed throughout history. That's not going to change anytime soon - but the reality is that as populist as some candidates have been (ahem, Obama) ... what matters is their service to the American people. Despite the Republican view on this, I subscribe to the belief that our electorate is there to represent the American people ... not American corporations and businesses.
That's why I haven't signed onto the OWS crowd as much as I've embraced the 99% movement. Because it's the 99% that continues to work hard everyday, see to their child's education, care and provide for their family while getting hammered by the lack of rise when it comes to salaries. That's why there's no single breadwinners in families these days. That's why both parents are needing to work to make ends meet and try to lay some sort of foundation for their family's future. Benefits are getting slashed, health care is out of reach for so many Americans, and there's a significant amount of the right side of the aisle that has NO PROBLEM with it. Our previous President once said that it's "uniquely American" to have such problems....
"Corporations are entitled to maximize their profits."
"Corporations have a duty and responsibility to their shareholders."
"It's not up businesses to take care of their employees..."
Really?
These are the folks you're protecting?
This is the philosophy you subscribe to?
The Tea Baggers and Republicans that continue to defend big business - they themselves fall well within the 99%, they continue to protect big industry, big banks, big pharma and big oil ... for reasons that simply don't make sense. The illusion that if you give the rich enough money - it'll trickle down to you - is a proven falsehood. The rate of salary increases have remain stagnant since Reagan's infamous boondoggle. The rich remain rich, while the poor remain poor and the middle class finds themselves on the endangered species list.
Even though they themselves are equally susceptible to the other 99%'ers out there in terms of job and benefit security. Sure - they have a nice paying job and can complain about others not doing enough to get their own damn job. Easy for them to say when unemployment has suffered mightily under the great recession. Easy for them .... until they find themselves on their own receiving end of it. Companies have no loyalty to their employees - as we've seen with the shift of jobs overseas. If you get a life-threatening condition - Sarah Palin's death panels will instantly be enacted to ensure that because you have become a liability of the company and you will lose your job and your benefits. It's all about profits, right Sarah?
Try treating cancer on unemployment after you've already emptied out your life's savings that you had HOPED was going to buoy your retirement ... and let's see if you still want to protect big pharma.
These folks are equally affected by the deregulation of food, water, air, and work conditions. Is profit really worth it if your water is laced with ignitable gas? Or the beef you get at the store tainted and contaminated? Or the factory you work in has asbestos in the walls and ceilings? Is the profit worth it to you then? The 99% seeks the balance against businesses and corporations from polluting and endangering employees lives for profit. A well known company that won't settle $300k in OSHA fines and making work condition improvements while guarding their CEO's $4 million salary (and $6 mil mansion) just doesn't resonate well with the 99%ers. It's not that we don't think a CEO is worth $4 million. "The market sets the rate" - and I'm okay with that, but if you're doing it at the EXPENSE of others - then I'm not going to be okay with that. Whether its petitioning to loosen pollution controls or having agencies turning a blind eye to their unfair business practices. "Everything in the name of profit" has become the new mantra for the 21st century, "damn the employees and the world we build it on, I want my 4th yacht because I've grown tired of the first 3."
Elizabeth Warren, who is now running for Senate in Massachusetts has it right. “There is nobody in this country who got rich on their own. Nobody. You built a factory out there - good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory... Now look. You built a factory and it turned into something terrific or a great idea - God bless! Keep a hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along.”
That's not socialism folks. That's being socially responsible. The false information of Rush, the banter of Beck and the mis-guided network known as Fox ... all do their part to press forward with the fear of socialism. Even though they casually neglect to point out that we already live in a pretty fair amount of socialism as it is ... not everything can or should be turned into a capitalized profit. Elizabeth's point is simple: everybody is responsible for paying back to society in order to get back from society the kinds of things we all enjoy. The problem is that with corporations going overseas and doing everything they can to avoid paying their taxes like G.E., then there is no investment happening back in the country that allowed them to flourish to begin with. Anyone who believes that's a form of socialism really needs to examine their history and look back at what socialism actually was back in the days of the Soviet Union - who was a Socialist Republic. The nation was impoverished and kept that way ... there was no 1%, there was no middle class, there were no SUV's or WalMarts where you could buy your flat screen TV using your Visa card. If you truly think you know what socialism is - then you can clearly see that this country is not even close to the big red scare like Fox continues to advertise.
If you're finding yourself protecting the 1%'ers ... then maybe you should begin to ask yourself why. When the majority of the 99%'ers make up folks on the Democrat and Republican side - it's no longer a political issue, but an ideological one. It's not that I want all of us to feel entitled to what they have. That's not my argument. But when these companies focus on profit over responsibility - then that's my argument. If you're not going to show much loyalty to the country that gives you the right to have your business, or to the employees that work hard for your company ... then you really need to sit down and examine why your loyalties are with businesses who conduct themselves as cowardly as they do.
Are you trying to protect your job? Your stock portfolio? Are you content being complicit as these companies lay off workers or break the laws - forcing them to work over 40 hours but not be entitled to the benefits of a full time employee? Are you sleeping well at night with your $100/quarter dividend check because the company you're invested in wants to lie and cheat to stay ahead? Is that the capitalism dream that you subscribe to?
Is that your definition of what America is about?
Then I challenge you to examine how you got to think about yourself over your country. Were you misguided by the man sitting behind the golden microphone who thinks pretty highly of himself? Or were you misguided by the network that claims to be fair and balanced - yet is anything BUT fair and balanced? If you're offended that I'm tackling your two big idols it's because I take great offense of those that seek to put the country behind its citizens and the companies that have enjoyed an incredibly open expanse when it comes to making profit hand over fist.
This country was founded with a unified, hand-in-hand approach that made us stronger than any nation around. While Rush and Fox are entitled to spew whatever opinions they care to - they're doing so irresponsibly and for the sake of themselves. I'm not espousing that we need to revert to a Soviet Socialist regime, but there has got to be a balance with this out of control "it's all about me" attitude that it's okay to disavow the principles of this country ... just so you have some spare change in the jar at the end of the day.
Morally - even Jesus would be mortified.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
The Big Thaw....
It's been a painful three years to watch the goings on in Washington. Admittedly - I've went into hibernation. I deliberately distanced myself from the political hashing and rehashing because there simply was no point to get upset or angry with the political climate. Republicans don't care, Democrats don't care either. Americans care and I'm not sure that's something either party fully understands yet.
I've distanced myself from my familiar political haunts - mainly because they were proving themselves to be equally divisive spin-masters as the other side has been. There's so much political media pandering going on - that it's impossible to really gauge a politician's real view point without them pausing and thinking through the mind games of "what's best for me."
In Reflection... In 2008, many of us believed we had a candidate that would be our fiercest advocate. While I believe he was very well intentioned - the realities of the Washington culture transformed him into something completely unrecognizable. My posts diminished as it felt like many of us were abandoned by someone who was leading the charge to make a difference. In that span of time -- we watched someone who was constantly extending his hand - trying to rally both sides to adopt his vision.
The "Respect" Factor...Republicans should be ashamed at how they have treated this President - if they actually knew and felt shame. Even with the incredible bumblings of George W., I respected his role as President. There was none of this: "He's not MY President" flatulence. I so desperately want to turn to those folks and have them arrested because if Obama is not your President then you are here illegally and you need to be deported. In all of my rants about the previous administration - as much as I hated what his policies were doing to this country - I never said he was "not MY President."
Grow up.
Race Is Still an Issue... The tragic thing is that this kind of disrespect is now acceptable because Obama is "lesser" somehow. I don't mean to play the race card - but I find those that hide behind their disrespect are being majorly disingenuous about how they really feel about a black President. If you're going to hate, then hate - the very least you can do is own it and expose it for who you really are. Don't hide - be proud of it. At least be honest without the Rush Limbaugh-esque "I have black friends" as an excuse for your hatred of the man.
If you don't like his politics - then say so. The problem is - most people who rail against Obama are the exact same ones that benefit from his policies.
Thaw or Hibernation... Does this mean there's a thaw coming for Spoon's Rant ... or will I sleep back in slumber? I really don't know the answer to that. I've seen things from Obama that have gotten my attention - but I've also seen things that still concern me. He has a lot of explaining to do and a lot of repair work with his base. He's lost the support of the left wing - but then I don't think many left wingers want another mistake to end up in the White House.
...I've been wrong on that before though... who would've thought Bush would be elected twice in a row?
I've distanced myself from my familiar political haunts - mainly because they were proving themselves to be equally divisive spin-masters as the other side has been. There's so much political media pandering going on - that it's impossible to really gauge a politician's real view point without them pausing and thinking through the mind games of "what's best for me."
In Reflection... In 2008, many of us believed we had a candidate that would be our fiercest advocate. While I believe he was very well intentioned - the realities of the Washington culture transformed him into something completely unrecognizable. My posts diminished as it felt like many of us were abandoned by someone who was leading the charge to make a difference. In that span of time -- we watched someone who was constantly extending his hand - trying to rally both sides to adopt his vision.
The "Respect" Factor...Republicans should be ashamed at how they have treated this President - if they actually knew and felt shame. Even with the incredible bumblings of George W., I respected his role as President. There was none of this: "He's not MY President" flatulence. I so desperately want to turn to those folks and have them arrested because if Obama is not your President then you are here illegally and you need to be deported. In all of my rants about the previous administration - as much as I hated what his policies were doing to this country - I never said he was "not MY President."
Grow up.
Race Is Still an Issue... The tragic thing is that this kind of disrespect is now acceptable because Obama is "lesser" somehow. I don't mean to play the race card - but I find those that hide behind their disrespect are being majorly disingenuous about how they really feel about a black President. If you're going to hate, then hate - the very least you can do is own it and expose it for who you really are. Don't hide - be proud of it. At least be honest without the Rush Limbaugh-esque "I have black friends" as an excuse for your hatred of the man.
If you don't like his politics - then say so. The problem is - most people who rail against Obama are the exact same ones that benefit from his policies.
Thaw or Hibernation... Does this mean there's a thaw coming for Spoon's Rant ... or will I sleep back in slumber? I really don't know the answer to that. I've seen things from Obama that have gotten my attention - but I've also seen things that still concern me. He has a lot of explaining to do and a lot of repair work with his base. He's lost the support of the left wing - but then I don't think many left wingers want another mistake to end up in the White House.
...I've been wrong on that before though... who would've thought Bush would be elected twice in a row?
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Restoring Sanity
Oh how I wish we could've been there.
What an event by all accounts - if anything, to tell our fabled leaders: "Enough."
America has had enough of the antics, of the obfuscation and we demanded real change. Yes, REAL change. We were sick with what the Republicans did during their 8 year stint that we voted for a radical shift. As we now face a mid-term election this coming Tuesday America isn't really happy with how the Democrats have played out either.
Until both parties try to reapply their pulse on America - we are going to keep seeing the revolving door in Washington.
That's why the recent Restoring Sanity rally on the National Mall in D.C. was so important. Take any picture from the event and SEE the demographics. Old, young, white, black, Hispanic, male, female -- proved that you can get over 200k folks coming together to tell Washington that they need to change their attitude. They need to change their approach with how they govern.
The problem is - they won't.
A very telling interview with President Obama took place on the the Daily Show with Jon Stewart last week - where Jon (to his credit) really laid it out there for the President to address the fundamental problem with the party and the direction of things in Washington. It was a great display of a leader doing this in secured measurements to ensure that change is at least moving forward. Progressives are never really going to like that it wasn't "everything" that Obama preached for and something even he admitted to.
"Obama: You know, there are folks, I'm sure, who don't think that we've achieved the ideal. And so, I guess, on all these issues, my attitude is, if we're makin' progress, step by step, inch by inch, day by day, that we are being true to the spirit of that campaign —
Stewart: You wouldn't say you'd run this time as a pragmatist — it wouldn't be, "Yes, we can — given certain conditions..."?
Obama: No, I think what I would say is, "Yes, we can, but — [audience laughs] — it is not gonna happen overnight.""
I think as a society - we really need to look at that reality. But when pressed about the frustration in Washington:
"Stewart: Do you believe government is nimble enough to handle these 21st-century crises? Is government agile enough — you said, "We want to build a 21st-century regulatory regime for business" — by the time government builds that, obviously it'll be the 22nd century, but won't they have already started trading molecules in some sort of weird — Does government still have the ability to be agile enough to handle these types of things?
Obama: I think it's a legitimate question. I will tell you that there are a couple of things that have changed in our politics that are gonna have to be fixed. One is the way the filibuster operates. As I said, that's just not in the Constitution. In fairness, Democrats used it when Bush was in office and felt very comfortable using it — although not to the extent that it's being used today. What we've been seeing is unprecedented. And that makes it very difficult for us to move forward in serious ways, and actually reduces compromise, because what ends up happening is that if Republicans know that they can block anything because we don't have 60 votes, then they feel no need to compromise. That means the Democrats, then, their attitude is, "Well, we're not gonna compromise; we can't get 60 votes," and everybody moves in opposite directions. The same thing is true, I think, when it comes to how our districts are drawn. You know, we've got a lot of districts that are so safe — 90% Democrat or 90% Republican — that that also helps to polarize the electorate, so there are a couple of things that are structural that are probably going to need to be changed, but, having said all that, we have made a lot of progress over the last 18 months that, from a historical perspective, ranks up there with any legislative session we've seen in history. And we're gonna have to continue to make some progress on things like energy (which didn't get done), on immigration reform (That did not get done.), and most importantly we've just got to do a lot more work in terms of generating the kind of jobs that ensure we've got a growing middle class and that people are able to live out the American Dream, because right now I think there are a lot of folks who are worried that if we don't make serious investments in education, in energy, in infrastructure, in research and development — that we're gonna start fallin' behind."
(see the video and full transcript at LincMad.blogspot)
......
Admittedly -- I was certainly caught up in the same frustrations. But I also see a party that is creating more hell and frustration upon themselves - than the other party. I'm patient as long as it feels like our representatives are moving in that direction, Mr. President. Unfortunately that's the problem so many of us see and that's why many of your candidates are in trouble this week.
That's why the likes of Restoring Sanity were important for you to see and understand that America is frustrated not necessarily with you, Mr. President. They are frustrated by the electorate that have a really hard time buying into your plan for the future or be bought out by special interest groups.
The GOP make absolutely no apologies that they are corporate hacks. They don't care that they're painted as unforgiving, uncaring, shills for industry so as long as their own personal tidings are taken care of.
It's time for real representatives to step up and to represent Americans. Not some corporation, not some shill for the insurance lobby or the oil lobby or the bank lobby or the military industrial complex lobby. We need representatives that know that a gallon of milk costs a shade under $4.00. We need representatives that know how hard it is for folks who ARE trying to work, who have spent a lot of their lives playing by the rules and who feel left out of the process. We need representatives who care about Americans first -- corporations and businesses second.
It's time to restore sanity in the process and to put people in power that want to make change - REAL change .... and not revert us back 10 years or believe some incredibly stupid notion of "trickle down economics."
Bring it on Tuesday America. Make your vote count.
What an event by all accounts - if anything, to tell our fabled leaders: "Enough."
America has had enough of the antics, of the obfuscation and we demanded real change. Yes, REAL change. We were sick with what the Republicans did during their 8 year stint that we voted for a radical shift. As we now face a mid-term election this coming Tuesday America isn't really happy with how the Democrats have played out either.
Until both parties try to reapply their pulse on America - we are going to keep seeing the revolving door in Washington.
That's why the recent Restoring Sanity rally on the National Mall in D.C. was so important. Take any picture from the event and SEE the demographics. Old, young, white, black, Hispanic, male, female -- proved that you can get over 200k folks coming together to tell Washington that they need to change their attitude. They need to change their approach with how they govern.
The problem is - they won't.
A very telling interview with President Obama took place on the the Daily Show with Jon Stewart last week - where Jon (to his credit) really laid it out there for the President to address the fundamental problem with the party and the direction of things in Washington. It was a great display of a leader doing this in secured measurements to ensure that change is at least moving forward. Progressives are never really going to like that it wasn't "everything" that Obama preached for and something even he admitted to.
"Obama: You know, there are folks, I'm sure, who don't think that we've achieved the ideal. And so, I guess, on all these issues, my attitude is, if we're makin' progress, step by step, inch by inch, day by day, that we are being true to the spirit of that campaign —
Stewart: You wouldn't say you'd run this time as a pragmatist — it wouldn't be, "Yes, we can — given certain conditions..."?
Obama: No, I think what I would say is, "Yes, we can, but — [audience laughs] — it is not gonna happen overnight.""
I think as a society - we really need to look at that reality. But when pressed about the frustration in Washington:
"Stewart: Do you believe government is nimble enough to handle these 21st-century crises? Is government agile enough — you said, "We want to build a 21st-century regulatory regime for business" — by the time government builds that, obviously it'll be the 22nd century, but won't they have already started trading molecules in some sort of weird — Does government still have the ability to be agile enough to handle these types of things?
Obama: I think it's a legitimate question. I will tell you that there are a couple of things that have changed in our politics that are gonna have to be fixed. One is the way the filibuster operates. As I said, that's just not in the Constitution. In fairness, Democrats used it when Bush was in office and felt very comfortable using it — although not to the extent that it's being used today. What we've been seeing is unprecedented. And that makes it very difficult for us to move forward in serious ways, and actually reduces compromise, because what ends up happening is that if Republicans know that they can block anything because we don't have 60 votes, then they feel no need to compromise. That means the Democrats, then, their attitude is, "Well, we're not gonna compromise; we can't get 60 votes," and everybody moves in opposite directions. The same thing is true, I think, when it comes to how our districts are drawn. You know, we've got a lot of districts that are so safe — 90% Democrat or 90% Republican — that that also helps to polarize the electorate, so there are a couple of things that are structural that are probably going to need to be changed, but, having said all that, we have made a lot of progress over the last 18 months that, from a historical perspective, ranks up there with any legislative session we've seen in history. And we're gonna have to continue to make some progress on things like energy (which didn't get done), on immigration reform (That did not get done.), and most importantly we've just got to do a lot more work in terms of generating the kind of jobs that ensure we've got a growing middle class and that people are able to live out the American Dream, because right now I think there are a lot of folks who are worried that if we don't make serious investments in education, in energy, in infrastructure, in research and development — that we're gonna start fallin' behind."
(see the video and full transcript at LincMad.blogspot)
......
Admittedly -- I was certainly caught up in the same frustrations. But I also see a party that is creating more hell and frustration upon themselves - than the other party. I'm patient as long as it feels like our representatives are moving in that direction, Mr. President. Unfortunately that's the problem so many of us see and that's why many of your candidates are in trouble this week.
That's why the likes of Restoring Sanity were important for you to see and understand that America is frustrated not necessarily with you, Mr. President. They are frustrated by the electorate that have a really hard time buying into your plan for the future or be bought out by special interest groups.
The GOP make absolutely no apologies that they are corporate hacks. They don't care that they're painted as unforgiving, uncaring, shills for industry so as long as their own personal tidings are taken care of.
It's time for real representatives to step up and to represent Americans. Not some corporation, not some shill for the insurance lobby or the oil lobby or the bank lobby or the military industrial complex lobby. We need representatives that know that a gallon of milk costs a shade under $4.00. We need representatives that know how hard it is for folks who ARE trying to work, who have spent a lot of their lives playing by the rules and who feel left out of the process. We need representatives who care about Americans first -- corporations and businesses second.
It's time to restore sanity in the process and to put people in power that want to make change - REAL change .... and not revert us back 10 years or believe some incredibly stupid notion of "trickle down economics."
Bring it on Tuesday America. Make your vote count.
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Problem.....
I admit I'm in a political hangover ... actually ... I'm pretty damn disappointed in how things have been shaping up for the country. I know a lot of other liberals feel the same way because there was all the talk about change -- about making a difference and finally taking back the government while restoring some sense of sanity to it.
Well now I'm just trying to figure out what happened.
No. I'm not going to jump off the cliff like every conservative yip who thumbs up their nose going: "told ya', told ya', neener neener..." No need to address that kind of petulance ... but it has become the Republican way of doing things....
So what happened? Why did the Democrats just FOLD? Leaving the Republican juvenile antics aside ... is it possible that there are too many independent thinkers in the democratic party? Is it possible that the Dems have aligned themselves with too many conservative democrats that have conflicting points of view?
The Problem -- with the democratic party is its lack of cohesion and lack of a unified course for this country. They couldn't agree on health care reform, so we get a watered down thing that kinda resembles reform. They couldn't agree on controlling Wall Street ... so we get something that will still leave gaping holes and allow companies to continue to exploit the "rules" for the sake of their own personal greed.
The Problem -- is that this country have gotten SO INCREDIBLY DIVISIVE on the issue of money and power. There's a growing apathy of "saving your own ass" at the expense of what it's doing to the world around you. "Not my problem" is the running creed these days and that's seen from both parties. There's no common sense, common decency between our various segmented populations except for a great deal of resentment and animosity.
Look at what's happening in the Gulf right now. BP wants to settle for pennies for something that will affect OTHER industries along the gulf shores. Guess what folks: OIL ISN'T THE ONLY THING THAT COMES FROM THE GULF..... and yet there's a vocal segment of our population that thinks we need MORE drilling.... which makes absolutely no sense when those that continually RAPE the profit every quarter wants a free pass on their OWN cleanup.
The Problem -- is that we've gotten so used to blaming everybody ... and no one wants to try to take responsibility for their part. Politicians on both aisles are incredibly guilty of this -- and yet the teflon coating remains..... It would be sad and tragic if it weren't so immoral and criminal.
So while we could - for awhile - blame the Republican party for their egregious behavior ... now it's the Dems turn to shoulder the blame for their own inaction and reign in the party. If that means losing seats, fine.
Americans have demanded change for the last 4 years when they voted Democrats to be in power. Americans demanded change in November 2008 when they elected President Obama and unless they have turned off their hearing aids ... democrats should be listening once again to the cries and please for change in the upcoming 2010 election.
Rahm Emanuel recently said that the spirit of bipartisanship is over ... which really comes as a shock to most of us that thought that the spirit of bipartisanship ended when Dems were given the mandate to enact change.
What's it going to be dems?
Well now I'm just trying to figure out what happened.
No. I'm not going to jump off the cliff like every conservative yip who thumbs up their nose going: "told ya', told ya', neener neener..." No need to address that kind of petulance ... but it has become the Republican way of doing things....
So what happened? Why did the Democrats just FOLD? Leaving the Republican juvenile antics aside ... is it possible that there are too many independent thinkers in the democratic party? Is it possible that the Dems have aligned themselves with too many conservative democrats that have conflicting points of view?
The Problem -- with the democratic party is its lack of cohesion and lack of a unified course for this country. They couldn't agree on health care reform, so we get a watered down thing that kinda resembles reform. They couldn't agree on controlling Wall Street ... so we get something that will still leave gaping holes and allow companies to continue to exploit the "rules" for the sake of their own personal greed.
The Problem -- is that this country have gotten SO INCREDIBLY DIVISIVE on the issue of money and power. There's a growing apathy of "saving your own ass" at the expense of what it's doing to the world around you. "Not my problem" is the running creed these days and that's seen from both parties. There's no common sense, common decency between our various segmented populations except for a great deal of resentment and animosity.
Look at what's happening in the Gulf right now. BP wants to settle for pennies for something that will affect OTHER industries along the gulf shores. Guess what folks: OIL ISN'T THE ONLY THING THAT COMES FROM THE GULF..... and yet there's a vocal segment of our population that thinks we need MORE drilling.... which makes absolutely no sense when those that continually RAPE the profit every quarter wants a free pass on their OWN cleanup.
The Problem -- is that we've gotten so used to blaming everybody ... and no one wants to try to take responsibility for their part. Politicians on both aisles are incredibly guilty of this -- and yet the teflon coating remains..... It would be sad and tragic if it weren't so immoral and criminal.
So while we could - for awhile - blame the Republican party for their egregious behavior ... now it's the Dems turn to shoulder the blame for their own inaction and reign in the party. If that means losing seats, fine.
Americans have demanded change for the last 4 years when they voted Democrats to be in power. Americans demanded change in November 2008 when they elected President Obama and unless they have turned off their hearing aids ... democrats should be listening once again to the cries and please for change in the upcoming 2010 election.
Rahm Emanuel recently said that the spirit of bipartisanship is over ... which really comes as a shock to most of us that thought that the spirit of bipartisanship ended when Dems were given the mandate to enact change.
What's it going to be dems?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Blame Game #7,846
The fingers and thumbs and words have been all a flurry the last few days. Folks blaming Coakley for being on vacation, for not being aggressive enough, her campaign firing back saying that they didn't get the support they needed in Massachusetts ....
....but if anyone was really TRULY listening to the voters, you would've found the REAL reason why Coakley lost....
Folks stayed home and didn't vote.
Why?
Because they do not feel Obama has been aggressive enough on Wall Street and Health Care Reform ... imagine that!!! The populist rage still loves Obama -- would rather see him in office versus any Republican ... but it's the policies set forth by this party that has stymied reform in two central aspects that really matter to the American people.
Independents and Democrats didn't CARE if Coakley went on vacation ... they cared that the current political approach in Washington isn't working, despite having a fillibuster proof majority....
So what happened?
It rests on the President's shoulders I'm afraid. Because he did something so incredibly admirable that no one in Washington really truly understood: let's come together, let's make it right for everyone. But if not for the incredibly old and decrepit party of "NO!" ... they simply are resigned to say no that the sky is blue or that the earth is round. In fact, they will say anything contrary to this President - even if he's right.
As incredibly selfless and fantastic as it would've been if someone was brave enough to meet Obama halfway ... who could see that the real America is not represented by an ass or a pompous elephant ... but by people from all walks of life, all cultures, all backgrounds and experiences. The days of "can't we all just get along" has become something of a parody in these times.
As well intentioned as this President was in his gracious and tireless efforts to make this a middle of the road kind of deal ... the voters of Massachusetts sent out their warning: "we don't want the middle ground." Good or bad, positive or negative - President Obama now has to decide which course he's going to choose as a result of this special election of some incredibly suave doofus poised to sell off his daughters to the highest bidder.....
...because the folks of Kennedy's home state just may have lit the warning torches of all Democrats: Shape Up, or Ship Out....
Obama was awarded a mandate .... and the American people demanded change. Enough with this party of "no" - and start legislating like you mean it Democrats .... or suffer the same Republican defeat of 2006 and 2008.....
....but if anyone was really TRULY listening to the voters, you would've found the REAL reason why Coakley lost....
Folks stayed home and didn't vote.
Why?
Because they do not feel Obama has been aggressive enough on Wall Street and Health Care Reform ... imagine that!!! The populist rage still loves Obama -- would rather see him in office versus any Republican ... but it's the policies set forth by this party that has stymied reform in two central aspects that really matter to the American people.
Independents and Democrats didn't CARE if Coakley went on vacation ... they cared that the current political approach in Washington isn't working, despite having a fillibuster proof majority....
So what happened?
It rests on the President's shoulders I'm afraid. Because he did something so incredibly admirable that no one in Washington really truly understood: let's come together, let's make it right for everyone. But if not for the incredibly old and decrepit party of "NO!" ... they simply are resigned to say no that the sky is blue or that the earth is round. In fact, they will say anything contrary to this President - even if he's right.
As incredibly selfless and fantastic as it would've been if someone was brave enough to meet Obama halfway ... who could see that the real America is not represented by an ass or a pompous elephant ... but by people from all walks of life, all cultures, all backgrounds and experiences. The days of "can't we all just get along" has become something of a parody in these times.
As well intentioned as this President was in his gracious and tireless efforts to make this a middle of the road kind of deal ... the voters of Massachusetts sent out their warning: "we don't want the middle ground." Good or bad, positive or negative - President Obama now has to decide which course he's going to choose as a result of this special election of some incredibly suave doofus poised to sell off his daughters to the highest bidder.....
...because the folks of Kennedy's home state just may have lit the warning torches of all Democrats: Shape Up, or Ship Out....
Obama was awarded a mandate .... and the American people demanded change. Enough with this party of "no" - and start legislating like you mean it Democrats .... or suffer the same Republican defeat of 2006 and 2008.....
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Democrats deserve it....
Disappointment doesn't even come close to expressing how I feel about the Democratic Party right now. When I look at the headlines, hear the news accounts and wonder exactly what happened to the party that was supposed to LEAD us from the plight of the Ott years ... into a new decade.
This party has done EVERYTHING to take itself out of contention in 2010 and even 2012 because there's no unity. There's no consensus and the American people can sense this. So when this party faces its potential doom on Tuesday with the Brown v. Coakley race in Massachusetts -- I have to shake my head and say that the Democrats deserve it.
For 10 months they fought and rallied behind the man that would become their leader ... and everything this President wanted to do, every senator, every representative, every official was absolutely standing behind it ....
.... until they actually were confronted that this President was ACTUALLY going to do the things he set out to do. And then the floor began to fall out of this "super majority" which now looks like some sort of comical keystone cops convention....
It's been frustrating for this President, who thought he had every ally in alignment, in agreement, in forward thinking about health care ... only to find that he has a splintered party that supports (literally) both sides of the debate. HOW these elected representatives can side with the insurance industry is nothing short of shocking. It's unfathomable if not inherently against the ideals of the Democratic party.
That's why the Republican party is licking its lips come Tuesday. They can sense the door swinging harshly back in their favor at a time when it's surprising anyone would trust a Republican these days.
So what happened?
I do believe this President abandoned his vision for a better, stronger, more resilient America. I believe his party is a rag-tag bunch of individuals all vying for whatever political capital and cover they can get. The problem is - when they lose their majority, progress in this political climate will come to a standstill and Obama will fatefully be called a lame duck in his first term....
...thus making the Republicans look like prognosticators when all they did was muck and mire the entire process knowing full and well that the Democrats would only shoot themselves in the foot.
Well - the Republicans called that play right ... because it's pretty apparent that the Democratic majority has several self-inflicted gunshot wounds in their foot....
Independents see that weakness and they get less enthused for the President. I can't really blame them except to say that the alternative is NOT going to make this country better. But the Democratic party ultimately did this to themselves. The Republicans, in all their collective flailing about still had zero chance of overtaking the momentum.....
As he approaches his State of the Union address on the 27th - his party is in shambles. You can thank the likes of Grassley, Nelson, Landrieu, and others who completely let their blindness consume them for the greater good. What these idiots so truly don't understand is that they are NOT well liked by either party .... and hence the "once in a century" opportunity to improve a failing health care system falls squarely on these misinformed jackasses.
So I can't really say anymore except: "Good job Dems ... you got what you deserved..."
This party has done EVERYTHING to take itself out of contention in 2010 and even 2012 because there's no unity. There's no consensus and the American people can sense this. So when this party faces its potential doom on Tuesday with the Brown v. Coakley race in Massachusetts -- I have to shake my head and say that the Democrats deserve it.
For 10 months they fought and rallied behind the man that would become their leader ... and everything this President wanted to do, every senator, every representative, every official was absolutely standing behind it ....
.... until they actually were confronted that this President was ACTUALLY going to do the things he set out to do. And then the floor began to fall out of this "super majority" which now looks like some sort of comical keystone cops convention....
It's been frustrating for this President, who thought he had every ally in alignment, in agreement, in forward thinking about health care ... only to find that he has a splintered party that supports (literally) both sides of the debate. HOW these elected representatives can side with the insurance industry is nothing short of shocking. It's unfathomable if not inherently against the ideals of the Democratic party.
That's why the Republican party is licking its lips come Tuesday. They can sense the door swinging harshly back in their favor at a time when it's surprising anyone would trust a Republican these days.
So what happened?
I do believe this President abandoned his vision for a better, stronger, more resilient America. I believe his party is a rag-tag bunch of individuals all vying for whatever political capital and cover they can get. The problem is - when they lose their majority, progress in this political climate will come to a standstill and Obama will fatefully be called a lame duck in his first term....
...thus making the Republicans look like prognosticators when all they did was muck and mire the entire process knowing full and well that the Democrats would only shoot themselves in the foot.
Well - the Republicans called that play right ... because it's pretty apparent that the Democratic majority has several self-inflicted gunshot wounds in their foot....
Independents see that weakness and they get less enthused for the President. I can't really blame them except to say that the alternative is NOT going to make this country better. But the Democratic party ultimately did this to themselves. The Republicans, in all their collective flailing about still had zero chance of overtaking the momentum.....
As he approaches his State of the Union address on the 27th - his party is in shambles. You can thank the likes of Grassley, Nelson, Landrieu, and others who completely let their blindness consume them for the greater good. What these idiots so truly don't understand is that they are NOT well liked by either party .... and hence the "once in a century" opportunity to improve a failing health care system falls squarely on these misinformed jackasses.
So I can't really say anymore except: "Good job Dems ... you got what you deserved..."
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
"Mr Burris, party of one, your seat is ready..."
What in the hell are Democrats thinking?!?
They put on one theatrical showing at the Capitol by denying Burris the Illinois seat -- and then the next DAY they say now they're going to seat him. The overreaching argument made by Diane Feinstein is nothing short of laughable. Believing that the Burris situation would underscore every other gubernatorial appointment is incredibly out of the context of the charges and possible impeachment facing Blagojevich and the "highest bidder" scheme he allegedly was focused on. Diane -- to the best of my knowledge, no other governor is under such scrutiny linked to a Senate seat -- so your argument falls flatly in the face of reason.
This is crazy!!
Admittedly - I haven't done my homework on Mr. Burris' background, but from my twitter friend @verucablue's impressionable statement Roland simply isn't fit the bill and doesn't sound like the best person for the vacant Senate seat. So I had to ask "why him?" and the answer came back to me lightning fast: because no one else wanted a tainted seat like this.
It's the equivalent of playing political Russian Roulette -- because the likelihood of Blagojevich being removed from office is incredibly great. Thus anyone who accepted the appointment is also going to be tainted.
The defense of Mr. Burris relies in the "letter of the law" which is accurate. There are no current mechanisms to deny the likes of Blagojevich (or any other governor by the sounds of it) to appoint someone while under criminal investigation for selling a U.S. Senate seat. The "letter of the law" doesn't have any immediate remedy to stop Blagojevich from appointing anyone he saw fit. The only remedy would be weeks or months away as the Illinois state house and senate are proceeding with their impeachment proceedings for the embattled governor.
It's a gaping hole in the Illinois Constitution that I suspect will be remedied at some point in the coming year. Because if there's no mechanism in place to stop a Governor from invoking some very wild ideas while looking at his political death-clock.
I do believe that Blagojevich will be removed from office and any recognizable form of his political career will effectively be over ... but the repercussions of his actions will remain in place. If in fact Mr. Burris was pulled from the mid-to-lower deck of qualified applicants to serve the people of Illinois -- then it's the people of Illinois who have every reason to be upset.
The issue isn't about race, but whether or not the best qualified person is in the position to do the best possible job for the people of Illinois. It's a stain that will remain on him for the rest of his political career. Mr. Burris doesn't seem like the best option for Illinois as much as he was possibly their only option with the tainted mess Blagojevich has made here.
They put on one theatrical showing at the Capitol by denying Burris the Illinois seat -- and then the next DAY they say now they're going to seat him. The overreaching argument made by Diane Feinstein is nothing short of laughable. Believing that the Burris situation would underscore every other gubernatorial appointment is incredibly out of the context of the charges and possible impeachment facing Blagojevich and the "highest bidder" scheme he allegedly was focused on. Diane -- to the best of my knowledge, no other governor is under such scrutiny linked to a Senate seat -- so your argument falls flatly in the face of reason.
This is crazy!!
Admittedly - I haven't done my homework on Mr. Burris' background, but from my twitter friend @verucablue's impressionable statement Roland simply isn't fit the bill and doesn't sound like the best person for the vacant Senate seat. So I had to ask "why him?" and the answer came back to me lightning fast: because no one else wanted a tainted seat like this.
It's the equivalent of playing political Russian Roulette -- because the likelihood of Blagojevich being removed from office is incredibly great. Thus anyone who accepted the appointment is also going to be tainted.
The defense of Mr. Burris relies in the "letter of the law" which is accurate. There are no current mechanisms to deny the likes of Blagojevich (or any other governor by the sounds of it) to appoint someone while under criminal investigation for selling a U.S. Senate seat. The "letter of the law" doesn't have any immediate remedy to stop Blagojevich from appointing anyone he saw fit. The only remedy would be weeks or months away as the Illinois state house and senate are proceeding with their impeachment proceedings for the embattled governor.
It's a gaping hole in the Illinois Constitution that I suspect will be remedied at some point in the coming year. Because if there's no mechanism in place to stop a Governor from invoking some very wild ideas while looking at his political death-clock.
I do believe that Blagojevich will be removed from office and any recognizable form of his political career will effectively be over ... but the repercussions of his actions will remain in place. If in fact Mr. Burris was pulled from the mid-to-lower deck of qualified applicants to serve the people of Illinois -- then it's the people of Illinois who have every reason to be upset.
The issue isn't about race, but whether or not the best qualified person is in the position to do the best possible job for the people of Illinois. It's a stain that will remain on him for the rest of his political career. Mr. Burris doesn't seem like the best option for Illinois as much as he was possibly their only option with the tainted mess Blagojevich has made here.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The Impossible Situation
As Blagojevich continues to shrug and disavow any potential wrong-doing ... he named a successor to President elect Obama's Illinois Senate seat: Roland Burris.
Let's keep in mind that Democrats and Republicans have been very animate towards Blago to resign and to relinquish any possibility he has to naming Barack's successor for the U.S. Senate -- which he refuses to even acknowledge. So while I can continue to blog about Blago -- I'm really feeling sorry for Roland Burris in this process.
We don't know much about Roland.
He was the Attorney General for Illinois and like so many people -- he gave Blago money when he was making his gubernatorial run. Roland and others clearly wouldn't have given Blago the time of day - much less invest in his future run for the Senate had they known how much of a crook he was going to be.
Hindsight is always 20/20.
But Roland is in the most impossible situation right now. He has come out against Blagojevich - publicly condemning the "seat for sale" approach to politics. And he now finds himself named for the seat any rational person would want in Mr. Burris' position. The seat has been tainted by Blago's antics and now Roland has to quietly walk away from the possibility of becoming the next Illinois Senator -- or he can choose to fight to keep what has been given to him on a heavily stained platter.
I have no doubt that Mr. Burris is a man of integrity - and that's why he has my most sincere condolences for being put in the position he's in. As Harry Reid pointed out -- this has nothing to do with Roland -- because it's entirely possible that Mr. Burris would have been the best possible choice to succeed the President Elect.
Blago has done everything he can to screw the Democrats in his state -- and the most likely scenario is that there would be a special runoff election being held -- and if that happens, the Democrats may find themselves in big trouble if they can't retain the seat because of one person's mired self-absorbed dreams of this mad man ... the effects could be felt nationally as well.
Instead of doing the right thing -- Blago continues to thumb his nose at the system while even self-admitting it was him in the recordings. This isn't what the democratic party stands for -- and Blago should be ousted as quickly as humanly possible. While I would expect this kind of nonchalant attitude from the Republicans ... I'm not afraid to call out the members on this side and telling them they need to step down.
And to Mr. Burris -- I'm deeply sorry for the situation you find yourself in. I do hope that it corrects itself and you can be the voice of reason for the people of Illinois.
Let's keep in mind that Democrats and Republicans have been very animate towards Blago to resign and to relinquish any possibility he has to naming Barack's successor for the U.S. Senate -- which he refuses to even acknowledge. So while I can continue to blog about Blago -- I'm really feeling sorry for Roland Burris in this process.
We don't know much about Roland.
He was the Attorney General for Illinois and like so many people -- he gave Blago money when he was making his gubernatorial run. Roland and others clearly wouldn't have given Blago the time of day - much less invest in his future run for the Senate had they known how much of a crook he was going to be.
Hindsight is always 20/20.
But Roland is in the most impossible situation right now. He has come out against Blagojevich - publicly condemning the "seat for sale" approach to politics. And he now finds himself named for the seat any rational person would want in Mr. Burris' position. The seat has been tainted by Blago's antics and now Roland has to quietly walk away from the possibility of becoming the next Illinois Senator -- or he can choose to fight to keep what has been given to him on a heavily stained platter.
I have no doubt that Mr. Burris is a man of integrity - and that's why he has my most sincere condolences for being put in the position he's in. As Harry Reid pointed out -- this has nothing to do with Roland -- because it's entirely possible that Mr. Burris would have been the best possible choice to succeed the President Elect.
Blago has done everything he can to screw the Democrats in his state -- and the most likely scenario is that there would be a special runoff election being held -- and if that happens, the Democrats may find themselves in big trouble if they can't retain the seat because of one person's mired self-absorbed dreams of this mad man ... the effects could be felt nationally as well.
Instead of doing the right thing -- Blago continues to thumb his nose at the system while even self-admitting it was him in the recordings. This isn't what the democratic party stands for -- and Blago should be ousted as quickly as humanly possible. While I would expect this kind of nonchalant attitude from the Republicans ... I'm not afraid to call out the members on this side and telling them they need to step down.
And to Mr. Burris -- I'm deeply sorry for the situation you find yourself in. I do hope that it corrects itself and you can be the voice of reason for the people of Illinois.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The GOP continue to disintegrate
The lull in posting here doesn't mean that I haven't been keeping up with the political pot stirring that has been going on. However, there hasn't been much stirring of the pot -- even with all of the news. How come? Because over 70% of Americans think that Obama is doing a great job and he's NOT even President yet!!!
When you cycle those numbers next to the current President dodging shoes in Iraq -- well, let's just say that the Republican Party continues its downward spiral.
Palin continues to try to take the headlines -- but when you read the quotes from other Republicans BESIDE HER and they really don't take her seriously. That's rather astounding when you consider that she almost became the Vice President -- "a heartbeat away" from the Presidency. Even McCain has been quoted recently as to saying that he's not going to automatically fall in line in support of her potential bid in 2012. It speaks volumes in a way - because while she may have been seen by some on the right as being their "savior" - she's proven that she doesn't have a lot of substance. Charisma gets you in the door, but if you can't make the pitch strong and clear -- people are still going to shut you out. She has 3 years to craft that -- and it would be very foolish to write her off.
The delusions by this administration continues to impress. The past couple of weeks have been marked by certain quotations that are supposed to be designed to solidify the legacy left by this Presidency. What makes this delusional is how both Bush and Cheney have declared that Obama has inherited a safer country and he will appreciate what we've done here ... all completely absent of reality. Unless there is some gigantic encyclopedia of classified info that we don't know about regarding the "successes" of this administration, I don't think their resumes are particularly strong. In fact, I think history is going to judge them extremely harsh in the coming years.
The last nail in this "legacy" talk has to be about the economy Bush let sour on his watch. It's convenient that he was one of the leading advocates that we need to further deregulate certain industries and businesses -- and yet we're witnessing a catastrophic collapse of our economy that enjoyed incredibly lax regulations and oversight. Even when the fabled "bailout" of the banks was approved -- the administration and the GOP balked at the idea of providing any sort of oversight into these bailout programs....
Well now it would appear that Bush actually sought to preserve the CEO spending sprees -- while thousands of workers are being forced from their jobs. Where does it make sense that CEO salaries should continue unabated, without oversight -- when hundreds of thousands of Americans are unemployed and businesses are having a tough time pulling it together.
It's ironic that the GOP casually blindly ignored that oversight over $700 billion, but are making such grand overtures about bailing out the auto industry for a paltry 3.5% of the total bank bailout -- where the banks are hoarding the cash instead of making loans like was intended to do in the first place.
Way to go GOP.... As if the sugar sprinkles weren't enough -- you should be ashamed of yourselves and exposed for the frauds you've become. If Americans are going to bailout anyone then sufficient oversight and FOLLOW-THROUGH isn't unreasonable. It's MY money and if they aren't going to be using it wisely -- then I want it back -- thankyouverymuch.
The hypocrisy of the GOP will be its eventual undoing. Obama's crest is just starting to emerge and he has a lot of momentum following him .... is this something you're really ready for, Republicans?
When you cycle those numbers next to the current President dodging shoes in Iraq -- well, let's just say that the Republican Party continues its downward spiral.
Palin continues to try to take the headlines -- but when you read the quotes from other Republicans BESIDE HER and they really don't take her seriously. That's rather astounding when you consider that she almost became the Vice President -- "a heartbeat away" from the Presidency. Even McCain has been quoted recently as to saying that he's not going to automatically fall in line in support of her potential bid in 2012. It speaks volumes in a way - because while she may have been seen by some on the right as being their "savior" - she's proven that she doesn't have a lot of substance. Charisma gets you in the door, but if you can't make the pitch strong and clear -- people are still going to shut you out. She has 3 years to craft that -- and it would be very foolish to write her off.
The delusions by this administration continues to impress. The past couple of weeks have been marked by certain quotations that are supposed to be designed to solidify the legacy left by this Presidency. What makes this delusional is how both Bush and Cheney have declared that Obama has inherited a safer country and he will appreciate what we've done here ... all completely absent of reality. Unless there is some gigantic encyclopedia of classified info that we don't know about regarding the "successes" of this administration, I don't think their resumes are particularly strong. In fact, I think history is going to judge them extremely harsh in the coming years.
The last nail in this "legacy" talk has to be about the economy Bush let sour on his watch. It's convenient that he was one of the leading advocates that we need to further deregulate certain industries and businesses -- and yet we're witnessing a catastrophic collapse of our economy that enjoyed incredibly lax regulations and oversight. Even when the fabled "bailout" of the banks was approved -- the administration and the GOP balked at the idea of providing any sort of oversight into these bailout programs....
Well now it would appear that Bush actually sought to preserve the CEO spending sprees -- while thousands of workers are being forced from their jobs. Where does it make sense that CEO salaries should continue unabated, without oversight -- when hundreds of thousands of Americans are unemployed and businesses are having a tough time pulling it together.
It's ironic that the GOP casually blindly ignored that oversight over $700 billion, but are making such grand overtures about bailing out the auto industry for a paltry 3.5% of the total bank bailout -- where the banks are hoarding the cash instead of making loans like was intended to do in the first place.
Way to go GOP.... As if the sugar sprinkles weren't enough -- you should be ashamed of yourselves and exposed for the frauds you've become. If Americans are going to bailout anyone then sufficient oversight and FOLLOW-THROUGH isn't unreasonable. It's MY money and if they aren't going to be using it wisely -- then I want it back -- thankyouverymuch.
The hypocrisy of the GOP will be its eventual undoing. Obama's crest is just starting to emerge and he has a lot of momentum following him .... is this something you're really ready for, Republicans?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
The issue no one wants to talk about....
Even though nearly every Obama opponent denies it -- it would appear that race is going to be a determining factor in the 2008 election. Now before anyone gets all huffy puffy about it, let me make something perfectly clear: if you're finding yourself in support of McCain after being misled on the facts about Obama and/or his policies -- then you haven't been truthful about the reasons why you don't support Obama or you're not being truthful with yourself.
I say that because the most idiotic reason people have been saying why they aren't voting for Obama is the obliquitous thought that he's Muslim. It's false. An all out lie. An utter distortion and malfeasance by the right-wing designed to do but one thing: to smear, to capitalize on the fact that his last name happens to be close to our malicious evil foe: Osama..... Bin Laden. So for those that want to believe that Obama is a Muslim -- then you're merely looking for a reason why you don't want to vote for him.
At the very core of your honor -- you should at least pick a rational explanation why you don't support him instead of hiding behind the lie and making that your self-anointed justification for not supporting the man.
The Muslim shtick is just one in a long line of Karl Rovian political tactics that are approved by John Sydney McCain III. Which is exactly what happened most recently when he touted that Obama was advocating for sex education to be taught to kindergartners -- a bold face lie. For anyone with partial brain function can figure out that Obama's plan was set forth to educate school children who might not KNOW they had been sexually assaulted or touched inappropriately. That's why Obama's plan is to set out guidelines for teachers to conduct AGE APPROPRIATE education in the matter of sexual assault.
It's utterly and completely morally reprehensible that we even NEED to teach our very young children the dangers of sexual predators -- but this is the REALITY we live in. But "this message is approved by John McCain" was sent out instead to the fear-laden parents, scaring them into thinking that Obama wants to teach your kindergartner what contraceptives are for. It worked in 2000 and worked again in 2004. You'd hope that America was smarter than that. Oh -- they are smarter than that, but it's clear some need an Oprah moment to clear away their conscience a bit and start healing from whatever racial wrongs they think they've endured.
The Karl Rovian tactics are designed to do one thing: to put rocks in your shoes. In your mind, all you need is a single reason why you don't want to support Obama. That's why when you're asked why you don't support him, your reason settles on the Muslim tactic -- then you were merely looking for a reason, ANY REASON that would satisfy your little universe. It's unfortunate really. Because whatever malformed opinion you have of the Democratic nominee for President - the tragedy here is it's the basis of the color of his skin that matters most of all. The fact he's black supersedes any concern you must have about our standing the world, the economy and the growing problems we face. It's tragic that it's the hue of his skin - not the man, the soul behind the policies and causes of hope sought to inspire Americans to step up and do something about the tragic mess the Republicans have made for us.
I only ask that you at least have the guts to show up and stand up to say THAT is your real reason. Then that way the discussion can end because it would be overly apparent that someone who can't look beyond the color of one's skin -- doesn't deserve anymore dialogue to be had. Because no matter what counter-sources I can find to deflate your little Muslim antics -- it's never going to matter because at the end of the debate ... Obama is still a black man.
If only I could get you to look beyond your inner racism ...
....deep down, I think you want change.
Because deep down I don't think America wants another 4 years of the last 8 years. Deep down, I don't think America is really satisfied with the"progress" failures of this administration. Deep down, I don't think you feel John McCain is the "best" the Republican Party could offer. Deep down, I don't think you support the incessant flip-flopping, throwing every sail in the wind to catch a break - McCain - because this is what you're going to get when you vote for him.
Look at the headlines in just the last week alone....
- He was against regulations before he was for it despite having a rather illustrious history in his 26 years in the government adamantly opposing any regulation measure that crossed his desk (see: The Keating Five for more information)
- He was against bailouts before being for it, then against it again.
- Now he wants to make health care to be as de-regulated as our banking market right now -- despite the fact we're going to have to suck up and pay $1 TRILLION to clean up the mess that his trusted adviser Phil Gramm crafted in the early 1990's.
- But let's trust that the "economy is fundamentally sound" before retracting it under a heavy spray of water that "oh, what he really meant was...."
So while I will continue to hear your every bone-head excuse from "uppity" to questioning his patriotism ... then at least have the guts to come out with your real reasons and stop continuing to spread the lies just to hide your layers inner prejudice.
And if you're willing to find some REAL reasons why you can't support Barack Obama -- let me know. I want to hear what you have to say.
I say that because the most idiotic reason people have been saying why they aren't voting for Obama is the obliquitous thought that he's Muslim. It's false. An all out lie. An utter distortion and malfeasance by the right-wing designed to do but one thing: to smear, to capitalize on the fact that his last name happens to be close to our malicious evil foe: Osama..... Bin Laden. So for those that want to believe that Obama is a Muslim -- then you're merely looking for a reason why you don't want to vote for him.
At the very core of your honor -- you should at least pick a rational explanation why you don't support him instead of hiding behind the lie and making that your self-anointed justification for not supporting the man.
The Muslim shtick is just one in a long line of Karl Rovian political tactics that are approved by John Sydney McCain III. Which is exactly what happened most recently when he touted that Obama was advocating for sex education to be taught to kindergartners -- a bold face lie. For anyone with partial brain function can figure out that Obama's plan was set forth to educate school children who might not KNOW they had been sexually assaulted or touched inappropriately. That's why Obama's plan is to set out guidelines for teachers to conduct AGE APPROPRIATE education in the matter of sexual assault.
It's utterly and completely morally reprehensible that we even NEED to teach our very young children the dangers of sexual predators -- but this is the REALITY we live in. But "this message is approved by John McCain" was sent out instead to the fear-laden parents, scaring them into thinking that Obama wants to teach your kindergartner what contraceptives are for. It worked in 2000 and worked again in 2004. You'd hope that America was smarter than that. Oh -- they are smarter than that, but it's clear some need an Oprah moment to clear away their conscience a bit and start healing from whatever racial wrongs they think they've endured.
The Karl Rovian tactics are designed to do one thing: to put rocks in your shoes. In your mind, all you need is a single reason why you don't want to support Obama. That's why when you're asked why you don't support him, your reason settles on the Muslim tactic -- then you were merely looking for a reason, ANY REASON that would satisfy your little universe. It's unfortunate really. Because whatever malformed opinion you have of the Democratic nominee for President - the tragedy here is it's the basis of the color of his skin that matters most of all. The fact he's black supersedes any concern you must have about our standing the world, the economy and the growing problems we face. It's tragic that it's the hue of his skin - not the man, the soul behind the policies and causes of hope sought to inspire Americans to step up and do something about the tragic mess the Republicans have made for us.
I only ask that you at least have the guts to show up and stand up to say THAT is your real reason. Then that way the discussion can end because it would be overly apparent that someone who can't look beyond the color of one's skin -- doesn't deserve anymore dialogue to be had. Because no matter what counter-sources I can find to deflate your little Muslim antics -- it's never going to matter because at the end of the debate ... Obama is still a black man.
If only I could get you to look beyond your inner racism ...
....deep down, I think you want change.
Because deep down I don't think America wants another 4 years of the last 8 years. Deep down, I don't think America is really satisfied with the
Look at the headlines in just the last week alone....
- He was against regulations before he was for it despite having a rather illustrious history in his 26 years in the government adamantly opposing any regulation measure that crossed his desk (see: The Keating Five for more information)
- He was against bailouts before being for it, then against it again.
- Now he wants to make health care to be as de-regulated as our banking market right now -- despite the fact we're going to have to suck up and pay $1 TRILLION to clean up the mess that his trusted adviser Phil Gramm crafted in the early 1990's.
- But let's trust that the "economy is fundamentally sound" before retracting it under a heavy spray of water that "oh, what he really meant was...."
So while I will continue to hear your every bone-head excuse from "uppity" to questioning his patriotism ... then at least have the guts to come out with your real reasons and stop continuing to spread the lies just to hide your layers inner prejudice.
And if you're willing to find some REAL reasons why you can't support Barack Obama -- let me know. I want to hear what you have to say.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Hillary again....
I remarked back in March that Hillary has lost my respect, now she's starting to lose what little credibility she has left.. She recently invoked the "RFK" assassination quip as though she's hanging around in case something happens to Obama..
Excuse me??
Hanging around for someone to be assassinated so that you can become the Democrat contender in November??
This was really the last gaffe she has left her in bag of tricks.. Even the non-apology she gave wasn't much of one -- especially in light of the incredibly difficult prognosis for Ted Kennedy and his brain tumor..
It proves to me once and for all that she lacks the fortitude and respect to earn the position of being President of the United States.. Right, wrong, accidental or not -- how can you invoke the assassination quip as the BASIS for staying in the race?? That's inconceivable and utterly reprehensible..
At a time when we should be focusing on enacting real change for the direction of the country, we're left with this incredibly horrific insight that Obama will be assassinated before he wins the nomination on behalf of the Democratic party..
I don't see how she can sleep at night -- having this much negativity in her soul to actually have the audacity to invoke the "RFK" history as a basis for her to stay in the race.. It goes beyond poor sportsmanship, it transcends into the depths of being forever the stain in our humanity..
Shame on you Hillary..
Excuse me??
Hanging around for someone to be assassinated so that you can become the Democrat contender in November??
This was really the last gaffe she has left her in bag of tricks.. Even the non-apology she gave wasn't much of one -- especially in light of the incredibly difficult prognosis for Ted Kennedy and his brain tumor..
It proves to me once and for all that she lacks the fortitude and respect to earn the position of being President of the United States.. Right, wrong, accidental or not -- how can you invoke the assassination quip as the BASIS for staying in the race?? That's inconceivable and utterly reprehensible..
At a time when we should be focusing on enacting real change for the direction of the country, we're left with this incredibly horrific insight that Obama will be assassinated before he wins the nomination on behalf of the Democratic party..
I don't see how she can sleep at night -- having this much negativity in her soul to actually have the audacity to invoke the "RFK" history as a basis for her to stay in the race.. It goes beyond poor sportsmanship, it transcends into the depths of being forever the stain in our humanity..
Shame on you Hillary..
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Imagine That: Americans want change....
It's a really bad indication for George Bush and his "legacy" when seventy-four percent (74%) of Americans think the nation needs a new direction.. Oh wow.. I thought the argument by every conservative out there is that America is just fine, we don't need any changes to the way things are ... those folks fall into the 24 percentile of those polled..
So the argument that things are just fine under Bush is gently floating away like a gentle feather on the wind.....
....a trend that I've been seeing for a very long time because Bush's incredibly thick-headed ambitions for his administration..
Now the conservatives are already rounding up the wagons (seeing that they have HUGE problems in 2008) and shaking out the same scare tactics that the Democrats want "bigger government" and "more tax money" -- which is very ironic considering we have a REPUBLICAN sitting President, supported by the very same conservatives who has expanded government, devalued the dollar while sustaining an endless overseas conflict while cutting taxes that continues to expand the national debt that continually out-paces the INTEREST on the money we've borrowed..
So - the scare tactic doesn't work anymore.. The Republicans can't even use the infamous "terrorism" monikers anymore because Americans are slow to learn -- but they are learning..
We're learning that Bush's "head in the sand" approach to the environment is much more detrimental than the "it's debatable" approach conservatives want us to believe.. I make mention of this - because NBC is starting a "Green Is Universal" awareness project that highlights the major environmental problems.. Fmr. Vice President and current Nobel laureate Al Gore will be starring on the Today show this week while the anchors report from the Arctic, the Equator and Antarctica this week..
Awareness.. Wow.. I would imagine that the Bush administration is leading the charge on this, right??
Um... No...
Because it's SCIENCE and SCIENCE needs to be thought about... Let's dismiss the fact that most scientists say: "it's a problem.." Let's dismiss the facts outlined in An Inconvenient Truth.. Let's dismiss science because it happens to disagree with your personally held belief of how the earth was created...
“In order to avoid offending religious fundamentalists, our National Park Service is under orders to suspend its belief in geology,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch. “It is disconcerting that the official position of a national park as to the geologic age of the Grand Canyon is ‘no comment.’”
I kid you not...
So while it's convenient not to "offend religious fundamentalists" by opining the approximate age of the Grand Canyon we should remain scientifically illiterate because it's better to explain the forces of the universe by way of the Bible -- while completely dismissing the complete compilation of science in general.. Consider what we'd be missing out on:
- The light bulb
- The electric motor
- Computers
- TV
- Telephones
- Medical Centers
- Preventive medicine
- The automobile
....just to name a few inventions that began with a single scientific principle.. To dismiss the science of our existence is an extreme hypocritical stance given the historical reference of such inventions to begin with..
Change is *definitely* good when one does not self-identify as being in the 21st century.. I'm just glad Americans are slowly realizing that we're better off than the days of the pony and cart.. Bush was a mistake in the making, but he was electable because Americans wanted change following Clinton's mishaps in the White House.. Blame the Democrats for being unable to effectively challenge Bush in 2004 and for continuing to lead us down this very weary path...
And to the 24% that believe we're on the right road -- I urge you to relocate to some third-world country to understand what it means to "go back in time.." Maybe then you can truly appreciate the "path" of the "right road" from your experiences..
So the argument that things are just fine under Bush is gently floating away like a gentle feather on the wind.....
....a trend that I've been seeing for a very long time because Bush's incredibly thick-headed ambitions for his administration..
Now the conservatives are already rounding up the wagons (seeing that they have HUGE problems in 2008) and shaking out the same scare tactics that the Democrats want "bigger government" and "more tax money" -- which is very ironic considering we have a REPUBLICAN sitting President, supported by the very same conservatives who has expanded government, devalued the dollar while sustaining an endless overseas conflict while cutting taxes that continues to expand the national debt that continually out-paces the INTEREST on the money we've borrowed..
So - the scare tactic doesn't work anymore.. The Republicans can't even use the infamous "terrorism" monikers anymore because Americans are slow to learn -- but they are learning..
We're learning that Bush's "head in the sand" approach to the environment is much more detrimental than the "it's debatable" approach conservatives want us to believe.. I make mention of this - because NBC is starting a "Green Is Universal" awareness project that highlights the major environmental problems.. Fmr. Vice President and current Nobel laureate Al Gore will be starring on the Today show this week while the anchors report from the Arctic, the Equator and Antarctica this week..
Awareness.. Wow.. I would imagine that the Bush administration is leading the charge on this, right??
Um... No...
Because it's SCIENCE and SCIENCE needs to be thought about... Let's dismiss the fact that most scientists say: "it's a problem.." Let's dismiss the facts outlined in An Inconvenient Truth.. Let's dismiss science because it happens to disagree with your personally held belief of how the earth was created...
“In order to avoid offending religious fundamentalists, our National Park Service is under orders to suspend its belief in geology,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch. “It is disconcerting that the official position of a national park as to the geologic age of the Grand Canyon is ‘no comment.’”
I kid you not...
So while it's convenient not to "offend religious fundamentalists" by opining the approximate age of the Grand Canyon we should remain scientifically illiterate because it's better to explain the forces of the universe by way of the Bible -- while completely dismissing the complete compilation of science in general.. Consider what we'd be missing out on:
- The light bulb
- The electric motor
- Computers
- TV
- Telephones
- Medical Centers
- Preventive medicine
- The automobile
....just to name a few inventions that began with a single scientific principle.. To dismiss the science of our existence is an extreme hypocritical stance given the historical reference of such inventions to begin with..
Change is *definitely* good when one does not self-identify as being in the 21st century.. I'm just glad Americans are slowly realizing that we're better off than the days of the pony and cart.. Bush was a mistake in the making, but he was electable because Americans wanted change following Clinton's mishaps in the White House.. Blame the Democrats for being unable to effectively challenge Bush in 2004 and for continuing to lead us down this very weary path...
And to the 24% that believe we're on the right road -- I urge you to relocate to some third-world country to understand what it means to "go back in time.." Maybe then you can truly appreciate the "path" of the "right road" from your experiences..
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Hiatus is over....
I took a rather long break from Spoons Rant -- for a multitude of reasons, but for the most part, I needed a different venue to vent my political frustrations.. I participated in an online forums group -- and for what it's worth, very rarely did I find anyone who could challenge the facts and supposition of the arguments I presented..
In fact, one of my most favorite replies were from the folks that continued to "elevate" the debate by saying: "your logic defies intelligence, therefore no response is necessary.." This is your typical diabolical response when the said person doesn't have a viable argument on the contrary of what you've just posted.. But I continued to play with the unfortunate on a variety of issues ranging from the death penalty to the economy to the debacle in Iraq.. I've concluded that there is a very dangerous myopic condition with a selected few in the country that continues to protect its conservative base to absolutely no end..
In their eyes, the administration and the GOP can do no wrong when in reality - much of what this administration and the GOP have done absolutely wrong.. Iraq is but one example.. Our FEMA protection is all but impotent in comparison to the Clinton tenure when it was at its most effective.. Conservatives simply cannot understand and/or realize that there is a necessary investment in the society around them -- or you get what's happening in San Diego: a rather chaotic assessment of a department's recommendation for at least 150 firetrucks since the 2003 autumnal blazes -- and only 19 have been ordered .... ....to be delivered sometime next year..
So it's no surprise when I left the forum group several weeks ago that I felt a tremendous sense of relief.. I had made substantial investments of time and effort to help turn the tide for those to see exactly what it's like being on a sinking ship.. Unfortunately for those few who remain adamant that the Titanic is not sinking -- they remain destined to cling onto whatever life saving tactic to preserve the party..
...nevermind the fact that the "party" of the GOP is ultimately responsible for the events of the last 6+ years...
But a glimmer of hope remains for the Democratic party - to awaken from its slumber and begin to take charge of the parts of government it currently controls.. I'm very disappointed in the Democrats this year - as I had honestly felt that the elections of 2006 finally woke their collective rear-ends so as to finally do something about terrorism, about the environment, about education, about our failing infrastructure and the ability to protect our borders..
Unfortunately our elected populace continues to squander its opportunities and we are now faced with an equally impotent government who is unwilling and unable to make a meaningful impact for all of us..
Bush sealed off the steering room a long time ago -- and our ship continues to drift towards the iceberg which has already ripped open several lower compartments like a hot knife slicing through butter.. Bush is unwilling to admit his failures or see that the design of a new course is essential to the livelihood of America.. It's this stamp which will plague his legacy and something that will follow him through the history books..
....and that's very unfortunate for all of us....
In fact, one of my most favorite replies were from the folks that continued to "elevate" the debate by saying: "your logic defies intelligence, therefore no response is necessary.." This is your typical diabolical response when the said person doesn't have a viable argument on the contrary of what you've just posted.. But I continued to play with the unfortunate on a variety of issues ranging from the death penalty to the economy to the debacle in Iraq.. I've concluded that there is a very dangerous myopic condition with a selected few in the country that continues to protect its conservative base to absolutely no end..
In their eyes, the administration and the GOP can do no wrong when in reality - much of what this administration and the GOP have done absolutely wrong.. Iraq is but one example.. Our FEMA protection is all but impotent in comparison to the Clinton tenure when it was at its most effective.. Conservatives simply cannot understand and/or realize that there is a necessary investment in the society around them -- or you get what's happening in San Diego: a rather chaotic assessment of a department's recommendation for at least 150 firetrucks since the 2003 autumnal blazes -- and only 19 have been ordered .... ....to be delivered sometime next year..
So it's no surprise when I left the forum group several weeks ago that I felt a tremendous sense of relief.. I had made substantial investments of time and effort to help turn the tide for those to see exactly what it's like being on a sinking ship.. Unfortunately for those few who remain adamant that the Titanic is not sinking -- they remain destined to cling onto whatever life saving tactic to preserve the party..
...nevermind the fact that the "party" of the GOP is ultimately responsible for the events of the last 6+ years...
But a glimmer of hope remains for the Democratic party - to awaken from its slumber and begin to take charge of the parts of government it currently controls.. I'm very disappointed in the Democrats this year - as I had honestly felt that the elections of 2006 finally woke their collective rear-ends so as to finally do something about terrorism, about the environment, about education, about our failing infrastructure and the ability to protect our borders..
Unfortunately our elected populace continues to squander its opportunities and we are now faced with an equally impotent government who is unwilling and unable to make a meaningful impact for all of us..
Bush sealed off the steering room a long time ago -- and our ship continues to drift towards the iceberg which has already ripped open several lower compartments like a hot knife slicing through butter.. Bush is unwilling to admit his failures or see that the design of a new course is essential to the livelihood of America.. It's this stamp which will plague his legacy and something that will follow him through the history books..
....and that's very unfortunate for all of us....
Sunday, May 07, 2006
The Report...
I really get a kick out of the Drudge Report.. It's part of my daily routine because I just get a kick out of reading how someone like the Drudge Report can spin any given story..
They have some of the most incredulous headlines including: "Dems Plot House Takeover.."
Well, DUH...
Of course the Democrats are plotting a House takeover because it's the exact same thing Republicans did in 1998 and 2000.. Plotting to take the House over?? Would Matt Drudge rest easier knowing that the Democrats had NO intention of taking the House back?? *laughs*
But moreover, anytime there is anything negative happening to any Republican or Conservative, Matt Drudge puts out a "FLASHBACK" that exposes what some Democrat or Liberal has done in their past......
It's laughable because it's tragic..
It's tragic because the Republicans had a GENUINE opportunity to improve things for Americans and they have failed miserably.. Even with all of the control - there is more corruption, a divisive wedge between the social strata and the erosion of the middle class.. The church controls the White House and if they had their way, we'd truly be reaching the End of Days as it is written in the Bible..
So when there's reports of how bad things are - I tune into Drudge because I know there will be some different light, some different spin to the story that I hadn't considered.. Because *FLASHBACK* FDR may have experienced something similar to what Bush is going through today and it's always self-evident when they always want to move forward by focusing on the rear view mirror..
Good job Matt - keep the spin cycle on medium!!
They have some of the most incredulous headlines including: "Dems Plot House Takeover.."
Well, DUH...
Of course the Democrats are plotting a House takeover because it's the exact same thing Republicans did in 1998 and 2000.. Plotting to take the House over?? Would Matt Drudge rest easier knowing that the Democrats had NO intention of taking the House back?? *laughs*
But moreover, anytime there is anything negative happening to any Republican or Conservative, Matt Drudge puts out a "FLASHBACK" that exposes what some Democrat or Liberal has done in their past......
It's laughable because it's tragic..
It's tragic because the Republicans had a GENUINE opportunity to improve things for Americans and they have failed miserably.. Even with all of the control - there is more corruption, a divisive wedge between the social strata and the erosion of the middle class.. The church controls the White House and if they had their way, we'd truly be reaching the End of Days as it is written in the Bible..
So when there's reports of how bad things are - I tune into Drudge because I know there will be some different light, some different spin to the story that I hadn't considered.. Because *FLASHBACK* FDR may have experienced something similar to what Bush is going through today and it's always self-evident when they always want to move forward by focusing on the rear view mirror..
Good job Matt - keep the spin cycle on medium!!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
It's not just the Republicans
Democratic Congresswoman Rep. Cynthia McKinney has been in the news recently after allegedly striking a Capitol Hill Policeman after she failed to produce adequate identification after going through security at the Hill.. She claims she was inappropriately touched and that security "should've known better.."
Well - I'm not siding with Rep. McKinney in this matter because it was HER fault that she forgot the magical pin to begin with.. If it's her FAULT that she forgot her pin, she should KNOW that she would be inconvenienced at the security gate..
This isn't a race thing..
It's a security thing..
There are security things all the time at the capitol and other places.. Security is one of those things you just don't mess with.. If security is approaching you - there's a reason; especially at the nation's Capitol..
So my message to Rep. McKinney is to apologize and admit you made a mistake.. If the police can accept that - then the charges should be dropped (assuming she didn't become overly disrespectful and belligerent to the officers) and life should go on.. If she was disrespectful and what not - then I'm sorry, I don't care if you're Tom DeLay, Hillary Clinton or Dick Cheney: you're responsible for your actions - period..
Well - I'm not siding with Rep. McKinney in this matter because it was HER fault that she forgot the magical pin to begin with.. If it's her FAULT that she forgot her pin, she should KNOW that she would be inconvenienced at the security gate..
This isn't a race thing..
It's a security thing..
There are security things all the time at the capitol and other places.. Security is one of those things you just don't mess with.. If security is approaching you - there's a reason; especially at the nation's Capitol..
So my message to Rep. McKinney is to apologize and admit you made a mistake.. If the police can accept that - then the charges should be dropped (assuming she didn't become overly disrespectful and belligerent to the officers) and life should go on.. If she was disrespectful and what not - then I'm sorry, I don't care if you're Tom DeLay, Hillary Clinton or Dick Cheney: you're responsible for your actions - period..
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Losing Face...
Bush is losing his political standing regarding the Iraq war..
As if this is suddenly *astonishing* news, but it's not..
Democratic Congressman John Murtha's statements have sent a rippling effect through both parties which has stirred up the controversy surrounding the course and action for the Iraq war.. While I may or may not agree with some of his assertions, it was another blow to Bush's attempt to keep his Iraqi project afloat..
But then Bush did something earlier in the week that was just astounding.. He gave a 35 page account for his strategy to win the Iraq war.. I haven't seen this document - I have better things to do with my time, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, 2 years later, two thousand military lives lost, tens of thousands of Iraq people, a fragile government -- and our President, the one who sold the American people that Saddam had WMD and was harboring terrorists and the incontrovertible link between Iraq and Al Qaeda -- the President that has admitted failures in his abilities to handle this war and respond to disasters .... contrived the equivalent of a thesis paper on exactly what it would take to win the war in Iraq..
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE the idea that our President is actually formulating a plan - but two years after the fact does not seem to be an entirely good way to govern a country, or to run a company..
Apparently others are equally concerned:
"Two of America's allies in Iraq are withdrawing forces this month and a half-dozen others are debating possible pullouts or reductions, increasing pressure on Washington as calls mount to bring home U.S. troops."
The story continues to report that Bulgaria and the Ukraine will begin to pull out their troops by mid-December.. Australia, Britain, Italy, Japan, Poland and South Korea are all looking into plans of their own that would scale back their involvement in the region.. All of this is announced on the heels of Bush's 35-page plan where he calls upon Americans to be "patient.."
Patience..
Amazing how we didn't exercise this so called patience when attempting to determine Iraq's involvement, or (the lack therein) with the events of 9/11, the link to terrorism or even Saddam had possessed WMD.. It comes to find out, if we had been focused and patient 3 years ago - we would not be in the situation we're in today..
Patience..
Saddam's trial is being delayed again - as Saddam himself is saying that there is no jurisdiction over presiding over his alleged crimes.. He disavows the government and maintains that he's still the President of Iraq.. Reports have been circulating that in the likelihood that Saddam is found innocent - the American advisors overseeing the trial are going to make sure Saddam is charged with everything down to jaywalking.... Wow.. "How's that democracy working in Iraq, Dubya??"
Patience..
The Military has admitted to paying off news stories printed in Iraq to give coalition forces a much better slant with the people of Iraq.. We have the same phenomenon happening over here as well - people just don't recognize it because it's called Fox News.. I applaud the military for at least admitting that they are deliberately trying to slant the news -- because they are courageous enough to admit it.. Do we think Murdoch will ever do anything like this?? Eh, not so much..
Patience..
Then there are two stories which have been particularly unnerving: our government has vehemently denied the deliberate bombing of Al Jazzera -- yet, arrests have been made against those that leaked the story because the information was contained in classified material.. Wait.. Arrests were made because someone leaked information contained in classified files - that would make it true, wouldn't it??
The slippery slopes continue with the allegations of torture prisons in Europe.. As the investigations mount, our President is steadfast to say: "we don't torture.." Abu Ghraib is merely a resort in comparison from the other torture prisons that have been circulating in various news rooms.. If in fact the allegations are true - and our prisoners have been sent to these prisons -- then we have yet another lie from this President.. The nerve has been sliced with Condoleeza Rice's warning to our European allies: back off..
The battle cry is slipping, George..
Nations are not rushing to your aid, George..
Allies are backing away, George..
If anything, Bin Laden is probably smiling right now.. America is now very isolated from our allies, several of which that have spanned several decades.. Friendships and cooperation has been fractured by this administration.. With a cavalier approach to politics, foreign relations and this "war on terrorism" George Bush is simply losing ground -- quickly.. Even though we continue to sink deeper and deeper into this abyss this administration is quite comfortable and content to allow it to happen..
We're exposing ourselves to a greater threat - an invisible threat which this administration is blind to: leadership.. He can't effectively govern a country or a war like he's a Monday morning quarterback.. It's ineffective, it's negligent and it's very scary..
The United States of America needs leadership and we need it now..
As if this is suddenly *astonishing* news, but it's not..
Democratic Congressman John Murtha's statements have sent a rippling effect through both parties which has stirred up the controversy surrounding the course and action for the Iraq war.. While I may or may not agree with some of his assertions, it was another blow to Bush's attempt to keep his Iraqi project afloat..
But then Bush did something earlier in the week that was just astounding.. He gave a 35 page account for his strategy to win the Iraq war.. I haven't seen this document - I have better things to do with my time, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, 2 years later, two thousand military lives lost, tens of thousands of Iraq people, a fragile government -- and our President, the one who sold the American people that Saddam had WMD and was harboring terrorists and the incontrovertible link between Iraq and Al Qaeda -- the President that has admitted failures in his abilities to handle this war and respond to disasters .... contrived the equivalent of a thesis paper on exactly what it would take to win the war in Iraq..
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE the idea that our President is actually formulating a plan - but two years after the fact does not seem to be an entirely good way to govern a country, or to run a company..
Apparently others are equally concerned:
"Two of America's allies in Iraq are withdrawing forces this month and a half-dozen others are debating possible pullouts or reductions, increasing pressure on Washington as calls mount to bring home U.S. troops."
The story continues to report that Bulgaria and the Ukraine will begin to pull out their troops by mid-December.. Australia, Britain, Italy, Japan, Poland and South Korea are all looking into plans of their own that would scale back their involvement in the region.. All of this is announced on the heels of Bush's 35-page plan where he calls upon Americans to be "patient.."
Patience..
Amazing how we didn't exercise this so called patience when attempting to determine Iraq's involvement, or (the lack therein) with the events of 9/11, the link to terrorism or even Saddam had possessed WMD.. It comes to find out, if we had been focused and patient 3 years ago - we would not be in the situation we're in today..
Patience..
Saddam's trial is being delayed again - as Saddam himself is saying that there is no jurisdiction over presiding over his alleged crimes.. He disavows the government and maintains that he's still the President of Iraq.. Reports have been circulating that in the likelihood that Saddam is found innocent - the American advisors overseeing the trial are going to make sure Saddam is charged with everything down to jaywalking.... Wow.. "How's that democracy working in Iraq, Dubya??"
Patience..
The Military has admitted to paying off news stories printed in Iraq to give coalition forces a much better slant with the people of Iraq.. We have the same phenomenon happening over here as well - people just don't recognize it because it's called Fox News.. I applaud the military for at least admitting that they are deliberately trying to slant the news -- because they are courageous enough to admit it.. Do we think Murdoch will ever do anything like this?? Eh, not so much..
Patience..
Then there are two stories which have been particularly unnerving: our government has vehemently denied the deliberate bombing of Al Jazzera -- yet, arrests have been made against those that leaked the story because the information was contained in classified material.. Wait.. Arrests were made because someone leaked information contained in classified files - that would make it true, wouldn't it??
The slippery slopes continue with the allegations of torture prisons in Europe.. As the investigations mount, our President is steadfast to say: "we don't torture.." Abu Ghraib is merely a resort in comparison from the other torture prisons that have been circulating in various news rooms.. If in fact the allegations are true - and our prisoners have been sent to these prisons -- then we have yet another lie from this President.. The nerve has been sliced with Condoleeza Rice's warning to our European allies: back off..
The battle cry is slipping, George..
Nations are not rushing to your aid, George..
Allies are backing away, George..
If anything, Bin Laden is probably smiling right now.. America is now very isolated from our allies, several of which that have spanned several decades.. Friendships and cooperation has been fractured by this administration.. With a cavalier approach to politics, foreign relations and this "war on terrorism" George Bush is simply losing ground -- quickly.. Even though we continue to sink deeper and deeper into this abyss this administration is quite comfortable and content to allow it to happen..
We're exposing ourselves to a greater threat - an invisible threat which this administration is blind to: leadership.. He can't effectively govern a country or a war like he's a Monday morning quarterback.. It's ineffective, it's negligent and it's very scary..
The United States of America needs leadership and we need it now..
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Impeach!! Impeach!! Impeach what??
I came across a website this morning that called for the impeachment of President Bush.. Well - all of this is fine and dandy until we start looking at the chain of command here: Impeach Bush we get Cheney... Not exactly the best #2 position one would hope for -- but even if we removed the top two ... then we get into the Republican leadership..
So - let's not get too saucy with the whole impeachment movement because it would take several cycles before finding someone both sides would be agreeable towards....
Therefore, I can't agree that Bush needs to be impeached -- why not??
Because if you're really serious about changing the leadership of this country, you have to move the barometer -- which is a lot harder than merely replacing the guy who's HOLDING the barometer.. Just like the weather: the constant shift of barometric pressure happens over a span of time, measured in microsteps, thousand's of an inch -- and this is how we can effectively shift the public's opinion about how this administration is guiding us..
Having said this, the Republicans are doing a fine job imploding on their own without any real help here.. So while the radio heads at Air America and other shows continually apply pressure on their listeners to be angry about it - I'm erring on the side of caution on this one.. Because we're still a deeply divided country and that carries a substantial problem when you're trying to sway public opinion..
I read a flurry of posts regarding something that was said in a forum awhile back -- that illustrates the wanton blindness that the Republican followers have when confronted toe-to-toe with a Democrat ranter.. It's scary and it accomplishes nothing.. The Blindman continues to push blindly into the thorny bush while the Ranter yells and screams at him..
It ... accomplishes ... nothing ...
And here's where I get off the Democrat train - because up until now there hasn't been any sort of push to further any sort of tangible agenda that people could latch on to.. The Democrats are so involved with attack, attack attack -- it's really no question when they don't garner any support..
So another lesson for the Democratic Party: if you're going to scream, then don't expect to win a lot of support from the other side.. You've got to assume that there's very little middle ground here and you've got to start winning the public image war.. This is where the Republicans beat you in 2000 and in 2004..
Improve the image.. Hammer the message and quit the yak yak attacks.. Persuade with intelligent, sound opinions.. The Republicans will continue to implode because they have nothing else better to do.. Their time has come and it's happening now..
The Democrats are missing out on an opportunity - and that's why I don't always sign on to what they are doing because they don't get it.. But until someone steps forward and says: "hey, we gotta change" then the Dems are always going to be in the child seat in the car.....
Drop the impeachment talk - and let's start giving the American people a logical argument for the real life problems that are happening today....
So - let's not get too saucy with the whole impeachment movement because it would take several cycles before finding someone both sides would be agreeable towards....
Therefore, I can't agree that Bush needs to be impeached -- why not??
Because if you're really serious about changing the leadership of this country, you have to move the barometer -- which is a lot harder than merely replacing the guy who's HOLDING the barometer.. Just like the weather: the constant shift of barometric pressure happens over a span of time, measured in microsteps, thousand's of an inch -- and this is how we can effectively shift the public's opinion about how this administration is guiding us..
Having said this, the Republicans are doing a fine job imploding on their own without any real help here.. So while the radio heads at Air America and other shows continually apply pressure on their listeners to be angry about it - I'm erring on the side of caution on this one.. Because we're still a deeply divided country and that carries a substantial problem when you're trying to sway public opinion..
I read a flurry of posts regarding something that was said in a forum awhile back -- that illustrates the wanton blindness that the Republican followers have when confronted toe-to-toe with a Democrat ranter.. It's scary and it accomplishes nothing.. The Blindman continues to push blindly into the thorny bush while the Ranter yells and screams at him..
It ... accomplishes ... nothing ...
And here's where I get off the Democrat train - because up until now there hasn't been any sort of push to further any sort of tangible agenda that people could latch on to.. The Democrats are so involved with attack, attack attack -- it's really no question when they don't garner any support..
So another lesson for the Democratic Party: if you're going to scream, then don't expect to win a lot of support from the other side.. You've got to assume that there's very little middle ground here and you've got to start winning the public image war.. This is where the Republicans beat you in 2000 and in 2004..
Improve the image.. Hammer the message and quit the yak yak attacks.. Persuade with intelligent, sound opinions.. The Republicans will continue to implode because they have nothing else better to do.. Their time has come and it's happening now..
The Democrats are missing out on an opportunity - and that's why I don't always sign on to what they are doing because they don't get it.. But until someone steps forward and says: "hey, we gotta change" then the Dems are always going to be in the child seat in the car.....
Drop the impeachment talk - and let's start giving the American people a logical argument for the real life problems that are happening today....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
