If the lies stick....

I don't get it.

The lies and distortions from the Republicans -- trying to get their own brand of "jello" to be nailed against the wall. What is it this week?

Believing that the basic fundamentals of the economy is strong... You'd think that John could get a better grasp on the situation. After this gaffe, he thought it was serious enough for him to suspend his campaign (even though he really didn't since most of the staff was still working, ads were being run, etc.) so that he can stay in Washington until a recovery plan was in place. When that little gambit didn't work -- he left Washington before any deal was hammered out -- only to resume his campaign -- and then the guys and gals in Washington secured the deal without him.

Well his latest gaffe simply put: "the economy has hurt us a little bit in the last week or two," ... Really John? How can a candidate for the single highest position in the land merely thinks we must've hit a speed bump in the road. No John ... 18% of the value of the stock market is GONE -- get it? World markets are collaborating their efforts to help thwart their own economies from systematically breaking down. So no - John - the economy hasn't hurt us a little bit it has hit us and the rest of the world like you would be hit by a speeding locomotive.

McCain has a big new plan for the economy that he would be introducing on Monday ... except that the rest of the McCain camp said there is no such policy.

Okay - so maybe there was just a little bit of mis-communication, no big deal, right?

McCain needs to check the "context" to see if there's any link between Obama and Bin Laden? Although John repudiates the the connection -- his spokeswoman came out and condemned the remarks as "not appropriate." But he still claims that Obama isn't being truthful with the Ayers situation. Yo John: "if you got something - say it -- enough drama...."

McCain thinks there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11?? This was a softball pitch -- merely asking to clarify:

"Asked by the host whether he agreed with Barack Obama that "the Iraq war had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks of 9/11," McCain replied:

"No. We invaded a country that every intelligence agency said was developing weapons of mass destruction. Think of Saddam Hussein in power with oil at 100 dollars a barrel, and all that entails with his commitment which when after he was captured, he stated categorically that he would acquire weapons of mass destruction, and he would use them wherever he could. Now, Iraq--"

"But he had nothing to do with 9/11," the hosted interjected.

"He had a lot to do with invading his neighbor Kuwait, and we had to go to war and fight there," McCain replied. "He had a lot to do with using weapons of mass destruction, he used them previously, so there's no doubt about his commitment to get them."

YOU'RE KIDDING ME!!

As if it's not bad enough that the desperate few WANT to believe the lies that Obama is a Muslim, Obama is a terrorist, Obama isn't patriotic -- but now we're going to dig in Bush's greatest hits and try to re-write history that Iraq was responsible for 9/11?!?

Even Bush *HIMSELF* said there was no connection YEARS AGO....

*sighs*

But when you look at the lies, distortions and mud -- I felt sorry for the lady who has been pulled into every sound-byte since last Friday -- believing that Obama is a Muslim -- because she represents the incredibly small minority of people who are still victim of the truth. She and the rest of the crowd doesn't know any better and they keep faithfully listening to Limbaugh, Faux News and the punditry that continually churns this meritless crap. But ultimately it speaks volumes for those who WANT to believe that it's true just so that they can somehow justify their support behind McCain.

Because at this point -- what else is there?!?

- There's no viable economic policy from John McCain.
- There's no McCain foreign policy that's any different than Bush's.
- There's no social agenda that is that un-different than the last 8 years of "moral superiority" which has done nothing for society except to make us more embolden against each other.

Look at the McCain stump speeches.

Even when he TRIES to say that he's going to fight for a new direction -- his RECORD proves otherwise. What new direction, John? What does it look like? Even when he gets TOP BILLING in a news story there's no "direction" except empty rhetoric. Oh he vows to fight for a new direction -- but it's Obama who is laying out specifics, calling for a 90 day moratorium on home foreclosures, two-year tax break on businesses, a $3k tax cut for businesses that hire full-time employees, and a $10k allowance for families to withdraw their from their retirement plans for the next two years.

It's called "specifics" John. But his campaign hasn't been about policy lately. It's either hearing for the 2 millionth time that he was a POW, followed by hallowed rhetoric that only serves as a placeholder - without specifics or his campaign has been about shelling out crap on your opponent.

And if the latter is what Republicans stand for -- then it's a sign of illness comparable to the likes of a vintage Karl Rove campaign. It's poison to the core -- and as has been reported in many senate races right now, it's affecting all Republicans across the board. It's the stain that doesn't wipe clean.

- Republicans have no direction.
- Republicans have lost complete touch with the 89% of America.
- Republicans think they have a moral compass, but really -- what kind of moral compass comes from a party that apparently celebrates "killing" and "bombing" the other guy just because you think he's a terrorist while re-writing history in a feeble effort to try to bolster your inept standing in the world?
- Republicans spend incredibly too much time blaming everyone else for the mistakes THEIR party has made.
- Republicans drink the poison they've created by the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity and O'Reily. Yet if the Republican smear machine is nothing more than a from for "moral superiority" then when the overwhelming number of Americans believe that this country is heading in the wrong direction -- then it's the touted few that continue to eat, breathe and sleep this mantra until it totally consumes them to the point of obscurity.

"Real Republicans" should be ashamed of their party -- and I'm glad to read that so many are openly responding to the Republican party, their candidate of choice and saying: "I don't know who invited this guy, but I don't agree with what he's selling." Americans are finally coming back around that it's the issues that matter, not the mud-slinging or the hypocritical "guilt-by-association" game that the Republicans have been running with. I'm glad to see that the majority of Americans are finally fed up with the likes of the Republican base that it's okay to rally behind the idea of "terrorist" and "bomb Obama" or "kill him."

There's a lot of poison on the right side of the aisle -- and I'm very glad to see and hear that Americans are sick of it. Americans are better without this incarnation of the Republican Party and it's my hope that we can restore our standing in the world and come together -- than continually find ourselves supporting those that only seek to divide us as a nation.

News & Tidbits

No WMD connection to Syria
Hardly a shock really.. Seriously..

Iran?? Saudi Arabia perhaps??

Everyone is SO convinced that Saddam had WMD, if.... and this is again the fruitless attempt at TRYING to remain objective in this whole fucking mess...... *if* there were WMD, they aren't in Syria.. They aren't in Iran.. Anyone with a brain larger than a peanut (apologies to Jimmy Carter) realizes that those weapons are probably in some very distant nation, so far away from all eyes to see....

Which is a problem when you're dealing with such a myopic view of the world.......


Bolton facing issues
Anyone who isn't diplomatic, shouldn't be a diplomat... And if Colin Powell thinks you're going to be a fuck up -- damn, doesn't look good on your resume pal..


Social Security
War between the Dems and the Repubs starting up again.. *yawn* Wake me in 2006, will ya'??


Condi threatening Putin
Bush sent Condoleeza over to Russia to air concerns about how Putin and his party were alarming this administration into some sort of totalitarian regime??

Isn't that what DeLay and other conservatives are doing with their veiled threats about the Justices that need to be replaced and the subsequent threats about replacing the filibuster rules just to satisfy those that they want to seat ... well, we're sounding more communistic each day..


Freedom of Expression or Avoiding a potential conflict...
I heard an Air America story on the way home tonight about some people that were turned away at a Bush rally because they had signs that were not consistent with the majority: i.e. protestors.. The Majority Report was lambasting this administration and the Secret Service for intervening and removing these people who had signs of dissention about their respective point(s) of view.. (I have no idea what the signs said..)

Now..

I'm all in favor of Freedom of Expression, but I'm not in favor when that expression leads to a riot or altercation.. Differing opinions, fine.. Advertise them all you want.. Inciting, provoking or otherwise egging on a fight .... no.. When it may lead to arrests, damage or injury - at what point does Freedom of Expression become a threat to the security of the President?? Regardless if it's Clinton, Bush or someone else?? I think the Secret Service may act as they deem fit to insure a peaceful situation.. They are there to maintain order in whatever setting the President arrives.. That's their function.. I respect that because it's their lives on the line before Dubya's..

But what really got me thinking about the whole Freedom of Expression angle came from a newstory I saw today about how ABC is being threatened by Roger Murdoch and Fox for their portrayal of the smash hit: "American Idol".. Murdoch also owns the Fox News Channel - a seemingly conservative network destined to slant their biases as they see fit.....

Now that their credibility is being put to the fire - *yawns* - but seriously.. When we live at a time when there's the threat of potential lawsuits over the slanted bias of a slanted bias competition -- exactly what in the hell is going on?? I don't watch American Idol because I don't care who sings "My heart will go on" the prettiest.. A talent show; rather a slanted, biased talent show - will always be scandalous in nature..

It's the reality-show phenomenon that no one really understands..

It's the fact that networks are trying to score ratings.. To do so, they will put shows out there that will garner the best ratings for them.. Is it any wonder that there's so much grief after one of the finalists is "robbed" of their potential winnings??

Puh-leeeze....

What's really scary..

What really bothers me more than the "news story" of the "apparent threat from Fox" is the fact that American Idol is produced by the same folks that puts on Fox News.. Hannity and O'Reily all under the same umbrella.. What Murdoch has done with Fox is to be able to control programming - so as to continue to further his causes.. Fox News is the voice, American Idol would be the soul..

But when you look at the programming under Fox - there's a myriad of shows, all interwoven, cut from the same cookie cutter dough pattern that emerges.. It's a completely deceptive machine all controlled by the strings in the hierarchy of the Fox regime.. When that kind of bias is so prevalent, so under the radar, so seemingly invisible, it's remarkable, even a bit impressive that such manipulation was not only controlled, but planned to such a minute degree..

From it's news, it's programs, probably down to the products they endorse -- if it fits the agenda, it's rolled out for our consumption..

Scary isn't a word that doesn't penetrate the surface..

Horrifying..
Terrifying..
Unnerving..

Kinda reminds you of a certain administration's tactics, doesn't it??

The Passing...

I remember back in 1993 all of the fuss about his arrival to Denver.. The preparations that went into the week-long conference were *intense*.. The security.. The venues.. The excitement.. The fear.. The energy..

I didn't go..

But I marveled in the seemingly gentle nature of a man that minded no clock, touched whoever's hand he wanted, and be as carefree and easy going as a gentle whisper of a breeze..

The poise.. The grandeur.. The careful nature of his being.. The vulnerability.. The sage.. The intensity of what he represented..

The leader of one of the largest religions today..

In reflecting on what to say in this entry -- I considered a number of avenues.. I see a man who almost single handedly guided mankind to the dedicated Path - true to the Bible.. I also see a man who was so heavily rooted in his beliefs that anything that created one inconsistent doctrine after another..

I respect the man who lived for the common good and did everything in his power to spread that common good.. Even if I disagreed with many of his views, I admire the man who endured several hardships, scandals and unpopular opinions that would be a divisive wedge in many communities and across the world..

I realize that many look to the Bible and to the Pope as centers of reason.. A moralistic compass in the chaos of the world.. He may have been that - but most of his followers are not.. As what was brought out during the Bill Maher show recently - I find it problematic that followers can "pick and choose" what they want, when it suits their purpose.. O'Reily's attachment of the Christian Dogmas only reinforced the problem with religion today - that we can arbitrarily pick and choose -- for the convenience of what will apply to our lives..

I believe the Pope did what he thought was right.. He stood by his convictions.. Relied upon his understanding of the religious tenets that guided him for the 84 years of his life..

Those who looked up to him as their spiritual leader - will feel his loss.. We'll discover in the coming years, exactly how well he threaded the various religious segments together as one continuous quilt..

I cannot jump on the bandwagon that points fingers at the Pope's political/social beliefs.. His job is an incredibly demanding one.. While it's my ultimate choice to subscribe to those beliefs, it shouldn't be reflective of the man who fought valiantly on the side of man.. He treated every soul as sacred.. He was adamant about the death penalty as much as he was impassioned about the right to life..

I may not subscribe to all of his beliefs or ways of thinking, but I can admire the morality this guy had inside -- and how articulate, how persuasive and how passionate he was about humanity..

Pope John Paul II will be missed..