He's Got More Waffles, Than a House of Pancakes...

(Line about John Kerry in 2004's JibJab's "This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land.)

Waterboarding. Torture or not? Well, originally, John McCain was AGAINST waterboarding. From the Huffington Post, February 18, 2008:

Today, the Senate brought the Intelligence Authorization Bill to the floor, containing a provision from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) that establishes one interrogation standard, requiring the intelligence community to abide by the same standards as articulated in the Army Field Manual and banning waterboarding.

Just hours ago, the Senate voted in favor of the bill, 51-45.

Earlier today, ThinkProgress noted that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), a former prisoner of war, has spoken strongly in favor of implementing the Army Field Manual standard. When confronted today with the decision of whether to stick with his conscience or cave to the right wing, McCain chose to ditch his principles and instead vote to preserve waterboarding:

Mr. McCain, a former prisoner of war, has consistently voiced opposition to waterboarding and other methods that critics say is a form torture. But the Republicans, confident of a White House veto, did not mount the challenge. Mr. McCain voted "no" on Wednesday afternoon.

So. He flip-flopped.

Today, he flip-flopped BACK:

ST LOUIS (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, on Sunday issued some of his harshest criticism to date of the use of torture against terrorism suspects during President George W. Bush's administration.

In an interview on Fox News, the Arizona senator laid out his differences with Bush on a number of issues, citing torture as a key sticking point between him and the current president.

"I obviously don't want to torture any prisoners. There is a long list of areas that we were in disagreement on," McCain said of Bush.

Fox interviewer Chris Wallace asked McCain if he was suggesting that Bush did want to torture prisoners.

"Well, waterboarding to me is torture, OK?" McCain responded. "And waterboarding was advocated by the administration, and according to a published report, was used."

Bush has said the United States does not practice torture. But the Central Intelligence Agency has admitted using waterboarding, a form of simulated drowning, and a recent Justice Department probe cited cases of sleep disruption, "short shackling" and other physical techniques against terrorism suspects captured after the September 11 attacks.

McCain suffered torture at the hands of his captors during more than five years in a Vietnam prison camp.

Though a strong advocate of the war in Iraq and Bush's "surge" policy that increased U.S. troop levels there, McCain has been a critic of harsh interrogation techniques against terrorism suspects, including those held at the U.S. military facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Um. Ok, John McFlip-Flop. Which one is it? Is it torture, or is it NOT torture? Of course the administration allowed the use of waterboarding. YOU VOTED TO AUTHORIZE IT!!!

McCain criticizes Bush on torture of prisoners - Reuters.

So, who's flip-flopping now?

Is Trig Bristol's Son, Not Sarah's?

Who? Well, apparently, Sarah Palin has five children, including a 17 year old daughter, Bristol and a several month old son with Downs Syndrome, Trig.

Now, so far these are only rumors. I don't know if there is any truth behind them. They're probably not. It IS just a little too farfetched. But a few progressive sites, iReport.com, 23/6 - News (from Huffington Post), and Daily Kos ARE reporting this. We'll have to wait and see what comes out.

If true, as this sites state, it is sad Bristol cannot embrace this child as her own son for the shame it would bring her family...

Further, if true, there are criminal liabilities here. First among them: falsifying medical records. That's a big no-no.

Well, good for the Democrats, bad for the Republicans. This is something from which McNaive will never be able to recover, if it proves true, and even if not, the stigma will be there, just as the stigma persists about Obama being a Muslim.

Chareidi Poverty in Israel (And in the US)

BW (Beloved Wife) wrote a great post about a recent Cross-Loving-Currents article by Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblum.

BW says it all, but I just wanted to add: The same solution goes for the Chareidis in the US. GET JOBS. And as for the Chareidis living in Israel and mooching off the government? How about you stop hating your government and start appreciating what it does for you. Talk about a lack of Hakaras Hatov...

Anyway, check out BW's post.

Plastic Barbie Cindy Speaks Her Mind

What mind?

From an AP article:

Asked about suggestions by some leading Democrats that the selection reflected desperation on the part of the McCain campaign and that Palin was unready to be commander in chief, Cindy McCain said: "No, no, no. I completely disagree, and I know my husband does, too. She is heavily experienced in what she has done..."

As to Palin's lack of national security experience, Cindy McCain said, "Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia. So, it's not as if she doesn't understand what's at stake here. It's also about making decisions and be targeted in what she thinks. She has a great mind. And she has a very serious direction in where she goes."

Is this REALLY the best they can come up with?! "She is heavily experienced in what she has done..." Um. Twenty months as governor of the nation's least populated state and before that mayor of a town with a population of nine thousand?! What's she going to draw upon? Her self admitted soccer mom or hockey mom experience? Whoo-hoo! Oh, and for someone who's got such strong family values, how do you go back to work three (yes, THREE) days after giving birth to a child with Downs Syndrome? Or to any child, for that matter? That's just awful. It means her job was more important than her family. THAT'S family values?!

Alaska is NEXT to Russia, so she understands what's "at stake?!" That's like saying Ohio borders Canada with lake Erie separating them. Therefore, anyone living in Ohio certainly knows lots about foreign policy...

Toward the end of the article, Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty chimes in:

As to Palin's lack of national security experience, the Minnesota governor said: "In fairness to Governor Palin let's do the same analysis for Senator Obama - What is it in his background that would give him the same sort of requisite wisdom and judgment on national security matters?"

"Palin is commander in chief of the Alaskan National Guard," Pawlenty added. He was interviewed on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Uh. Yeah. Ok. So, to shore up his credentials, now listen carefully, Tim, BARACK OBAMA CHOSE JOE BIDEN, WHO HAS TONS OF EXPERIENCE AT FOREIGN POLICY AND NATIONAL SECURITY!!!! Oh, AND, by serving as a senator in the NATIONAL government, even a senator not heavily involved IN foreign policy or national security will have gained some experience simply by being there and learning what's going on. Somehow, I don't think ALASKA'S governor of nowhere does...

Oh, wait, I forgot. Palin DOES have national security experience. After all, she's commander in chief of the Alaskan National Guard. That makes her VASTLY experienced. Sorry, Tim, talk about being completely unqualified. She doesn't even help to shore up McCain's weakness (well, one of them, anyway): the economy.

Talk about grasping at straws.

I'm getting lots of entertainment watching Republican officials and party members scramble to grasp at any straw to justify McCain's choice for VP.

Steven Colbert...

Funny!!!

Of COURSE Sarah Palin has Foreign Policy Experience!

After all, Alaska's right next to Russia. And It's near the North Pole, home of Santa Claus and his elves...

Some More Information About Sarah "Not Your Pal Or Mine" Palin

This comes from MoveOn.Org: 

Yesterday was John McCain's 72nd birthday. If elected, he'd be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for "inexperience," here's who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.

Huh?

Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background: 

She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.1 

Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.2 

She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3 

Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.4 

She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.5 

She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.6 

How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.7 

This is information the American people need to see. Please take a moment to forward this email to your friends and family.

We also asked Alaska MoveOn members what the rest of us should know about their governor. The response was striking. Here's a sample:

She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience. I shudder to think that she could be the person taking that 3AM call on the White House hotline, and the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today. —Rose M., Fairbanks, AK

She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She's a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. She has NO experience beyond Alaska. —Christine B., Denali Park, AK

As an Alaskan and a feminist, I am beyond words at this announcement. Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be. —Karen L., Anchorage, AK

Alaskans, collectively, are just as stunned as the rest of the nation. She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that. She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news. In our office of thirty employees (dems, republicans, and nonpartisans), not one person feels she is ready for the V.P. position.—Sherry C., Anchorage, AK

She's vehemently anti-choice and doesn't care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman. McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary. —Marina L., Juneau, AK

I think she's far too inexperienced to be in this position. I'm all for a woman in the White House, but not one who hasn't done anything to deserve it. There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain's part- and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he'll get our vote by putting "A Woman" in that position.—Jennifer M., Anchorage, AK

So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil. And she's dramatically inexperienced.

In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he's made a very dangerous decision for our country.

In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain's vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilyse, Noah, Justin, Karin and the rest of the team

Sources: 

1. "Sarah Palin," Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin

2. "McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate," NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008 

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-9390541-qvrwH4x&t=1

3. "Sarah Palin, Buchananite," The Nation, August 29, 2008 

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-9390541-qvrwH4x&t=2 

4. "'Creation science' enters the race," Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006 

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-9390541-qvrwH4x&t=3

5. "Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science," Huffington Post, August 29, 2008 

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-9390541-qvrwH4x&t=4

6. "McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy," Sierra Club, August 29, 2008 

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-9390541-qvrwH4x&t=5

"Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past," League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008 

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-9390541-qvrwH4x&t=6

"Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor," The Times of London, May 23, 2008 

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-9390541-qvrwH4x&t=7

7 "McCain met Palin once before yesterday," MSNBC, August 29, 2008 

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-9390541-qvrwH4x&t=8

Confirmation - Chareidi "Gedolim" Are Racist

Yes. That's correct. They're racist. Why? Well, I just spoke to a neighbor of mine who goes to one of the Lakewood yeshivas. He told me, very interestingly, that the Lakewood community at large, including their "Gedolim," were very much FOR Hillary Clinton. Which I found interesting for two reasons: First, she's a Democrat, not a Republican, and the Chareidi trend has been very much toward the Republicans. Second, she's a woman. But at least we know they're not completely sexist.

But they ARE racist. One of the interesting things of the primary season was that, in essence, Obama and Hillary agreed on about 95% of the issues. The only glaring one with which they did NOT agree was how to go about putting in place a universal healthcare plan.

Obama won. Hillary lost. Now the "Gedolim" and rabbonim of Lakewood are against Obama. It's either because they're stupid and believe he's a Muslim, or they're even dumber and are racists.

Or, they were following Rush Limbaugh's (YUCK!!!) plan to vote for Hillary because they knew the Republicans could beat Hillary, but not Obama. Either way, they're racist and anti-American, because as far as I'm concerned BEING a Republican Right Wing Nut Job (not talking about normal conservatives, here, just RWNJ Republicans) IS anti-American...

Either way, good job, "Gedolim." You're full of BS. Respectfully, I'm going to have to disagree with "Da'as Torah" (as if there really IS such a thing) and vote for Obama anyway. Why? Read this blog and figure it out. I don't vote for fascists.

McHypocrite...

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention. For a candidate who's complaining how inexperienced his opponent is, McStupid made a really DUMB choice. Palin has NO national experience at all and very little experience in public office in general. Certainly less than Obama, who has a long track record. Oh, sure, she got some oil people in trouble. From our perspective, that's great. Except that big oil SUPPORTS AND FUNDS the Republicans. How are THEY going to feel about Palin? But if McCain want's to compare resumes, Obama's is far superior to Palin's, so if McDumbell tries to bring up how unready Obama is and how inexperienced he is, well, Palin is less ready than Obama and less experienced than Obama. How can she POSSIBLY be ready to be president if Obama is not.

And please don't take this to mean I think Obama's not ready to be president. Personally, I think he's ready and more than able and will bring incredibly good things to the people of this country.

It just goes to show, once again, that when a Democrat does something, it's no good, but when a Republican does the exact same thing, only worse, as McCain did by choosing the highly inexperienced Palin while claiming the far more experienced Obama isn't ready to be president, that's OK. No problem there. No hypocrisy. After all, a REPUBLICAN did it, so it must be the correct thing to do.

So, to recap: McCain says Obama's inexperienced and completely not ready to be president (and don't forget the Republicans said the same thing about Bill Clinton, who was about the same age in 1992 as Obama is now, and Clinton boosted the economy, we flourished, and he left office with a balanced budget and a surplus), yet McCain chooses as his Vice President someone who is even less experienced than Obama. How can SHE be ready if, according to the Republicans, Obama's NOT?!

What McCain has essentially done to himself is destroyed one of his main arguing points. And if he tries again to bring up how inexperienced Obama is, he will completely discredit himself, especially considering there's a better chance of McCain dying in office than Obama...

Oh yeah, one other thing. At the Vice Presidential debate? Biden is going to eat Palin for lunch and spit out the bones at McCain's feet. He's going to grind her to a pulp and completely destroy what little credibility she, and therefore McCain, might still have...

Breaking with Orthodoxy

As my readers, all three of you, know, I've been struggling with the idea of being orthodox for quite a while. Because to us, my wife and I, orthodox Judaism, being hijacked more and more every day by the Right Wing Chareidi/Yeshivish riffraff, is rapidly becoming unpalatable.

Does this mean we want to stop keeping Torah and Mitzvos? No. That's what the Chareidi/Yeshivish Right Wing Nut Job riffraff is doing. They conveniently ignore more and more of halacha in the name of keeping more and more chumrahs. Two prime examples rampant in the Chareidi/Yeshivish world: Not paying employees on time (to which I, personally, was a victim more than once), and completely ignoring the halacha of how to treat other people. Further, the trend of supporting an extreme Right Wing government is anathema to being a Torah observant Jew. And this trend may be found in nearly all walks of Jewish Orthodoxy, from Modern to Extreme Right.

No. My wife and I had a different, better idea. The idea is simply not IDENTIFYING ourselves as Orthodox any longer. Orthodoxy can go to the RWNJs, and the trend is quickly moving in that direction. We're not in that camp any more than we are Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, or Messianic.

We have not come up with an identifier, and I don't think we will. Nor do I think we want to come up with one. I think just Jewish does it. No niches, no cliques, no stupidity and nonsense. Just "Jewish." Or Israelite, if you wish. I don't know. But Orthodoxy just ISN'T it. Does it mean there are people who will stop eating at my 100% kosher home? Probably. Do I care? No. It just means they weren't my friends from the start.

Perhaps more later...

Quote of the Day

Regarding McStupid's pick for VP.

Now, watch carefully. The wording is important:

At a raucous rally in the swing state of Ohio, McCain said he made his pick after looking for a political partner "who can best help me shake up Washington and make it start working again for the people who are counting on us."

Note that McSly didn't say to make Washington work for the American people, but "for the people who are counting on us." In other words, not the American people, the middle and working class that make up 95% of the population of the United States. No. He meant making Washington work even harder for big business, special interest, and the oil companies.

This is a man we do NOT need as president. Not today, not ever. As Obama said last night, "EIGHT IS ENOUGH!!!"

A little background on Palin: She's EXTREME Right Wing who has done a few good, or seemingly good, things. But she's REALLY far Right Wing. Be very careful of voting for McCain now, because if, God Forbid, he wins, and then croaks while in office, this country goes fascist. Immediately.

What gets me is my Jewish brethren who have watched this happen again and again, to their great detriment, and still support, or at least don't oppose the fascist takeovers. You know, the "it can't happen here" syndrome. Stupid.

ENOUGH!!!

This was a fantastic, inspiring speech. He spelled out much of what he'll do as president. He spelled out on whom he would raise taxes and for whom he would lower. As expected, he said he would stop rewarding companies for sending jobs overseas and give tax breaks to those that create jobs in America, for Americans. He VERY EXPLICITLY said he will NOT raise taxes on the 95% of the nation that is middle and working class. Period. It was a wonderful speech, and, frankly, I can't WAIT for this man to be our next president.

Random Wednesday - 8/27/08 (And Yes, I KNOW It's Thursday...)

Sorry, but we TOTALLY forgot with the Democratic convention going on... But don't worry. Unless something comes up, we won't be late next week. We have absolutely NO interest in the GOP convention. Ick. Who wants to watch a bunch of fascists?

This week's topic: Three random Event Memories (be it politics, elections, war, whatever).

1. End of the Cold War. That was pretty big.

2. Watching SCUD Missiles flying overhead in Israel in 1991.

3. NOT voting for Bush in 2000 even though I would have had my California absentee ballot arrived (it didn't even show up late; it just NEVER showed). Thank God I can say I NEVER voted for Bush, and even if I had, my vote would not have made a difference since I would have voted as a California resident and CA, obviously, went heavily Democratic. AND not voting for Bush in 2004 because I just couldn't imagine another four years of the Idiot in power. Unfortunately, OH screwed up (and people ARE sitting in jail for it). Do you realize the Idiot was NEVER actually elected president. Hence, the title by which to address him is Mr. Governor, NOT Mr. President. But I like The Idiot in the White House instead. Has a better ring to it.

Here's BW's Random Wednesday.

Stupid Comment

A reader made the following idiotic comment this blog:

You are dreaming, this guy does not have a chance. His plan to tax the hell out of America and send us into a depression will cost him the election (why should someone go to work when the government is getting 65% of his salary?) Also, his radical left leaning policies are not inline with most of main stream America, not to mention his associations with the likes of Bill Ayers, the unrepentant terrorist, and Rev Wright.

My reply: 

And you are completely ignorant of the truth and prefer instead to believe the propaganda the Republicans feed you. Congratulations. You're a sheep following your Republican leaders to the slaughter. 

If you've read Obama's plan, you'd know he only plans to raise taxes on the wealthy; that is anyone who makes over $250,000 per year. If you're one of those, though luck. Also, all the Republican false promises to cut taxes are pure BS. They give breaks to the wealthy and to big businesses. There is less now going in than being spent. That's stupid and it's why there's such a huge deficit. A country needs to tax its citizens to run. That's the reality. I'd love to say there's a country out there that just doesn't tax its citizens, but that's just dumb. The question is who will the government tax? The middle and working class to death, leaving the few wealthy and the big businesses untouched? Or will the government tax those few wealthy and big businesses properly and relieve some of the burden from the middle and working class. That's the difference between a Republican, what's in it for us, big business and wealthy run government, through which we've suffered for the last eight years, and one that taxes fairly and helps the masses, as Clinton did (he did end his second term with a big surplus, you know).

Next, if you look at Obama's voting record, he's not in ANY way the radical left. Again, that's stupid Republican propaganda, and they are relying on people being too stupid to actually check the facts. Check here to see how's he's ranked as a liberal would rank (hint: He's 42nd down the list - that's pretty middle of the road), and here to see how interest groups (read: conservatives) rank him (hint - he's number 70 down the list - still pretty darned middle of the road). 

As for his associations - he's disentangled himself from Wright and the church, even though Wright's retired. Further, he condemned many of Wright's comments and stupid remarks. Finally, for Ayers, who cares? Ayers did what he did decades ago!! And yes, he may have been a radical, but he didn't cause the deaths of over 4000 American soldiers in an illegal war in Iraq or the deaths of over 58,000 soldiers and the wounding of another 304,000 during the Vietnam War, a war he was protesting, making him a radical left winger. See here for info about Ayers. He never actually killed anyone. And he never had any intention of killing anyone. And he's a currently a well-respected professor at a well-respected university.

Bottom line: Stop believing Right Wing Nut Job Republican propaganda and start using your brain. Otherwise, you're just another dupe of the Republicans who's rather be mindlessly shepherded than and independent thinker. That's how fascist states start.

Seriously, people out there who just believe what the Republican party says without question are just asking for a fascist state! Start using your brains and stop allowing a government that supposed to be "of the people, by the people, for the people" be of, by, and for the wealthy and big business and "special interests." It's destroying this country and its people.

Got Hope?

We can only pray it happens...

Obama By Acclamation - Thank You Hillary!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends and Foes, Democrats and Republicans, I'm proud to be one of the first Jewish bloggers, maybe even the first, to report this historic moment in history: Moments ago (about a minute, actually), Hillary Clinton, in a motion seconded unanimously by the entire Democratic Convention, nominated Barack Obama, by acclamation, as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States. I don't care to what party a person belongs, this a historic moment in the history of the United States of American.

Let's hope the majority of this country is smart enough to elect him president on November fourth, 2008.

Yes, We WILL!!!

Money and Fat

So, I went to a bariatric seminar at one of the local hospitals on Monday. Good seminar, very informative, though not really anything I didn't know before. Unfortunately, because the F*****G insurance company won't pay for more than $10,000 for a $15,000-$30,000 surgery (depending and where I go, what kind of bariatric surgery I get), the trip to the hospital WAS kind of pointless. This hospital was the least expensive I've seen for the most common type of bariatric surgery, and it was still at least $5,000 over what the insurance will pay. Further, I'd have to go through six to nine months of medically supervised weight loss to make the insurance company happy and, guess what? All that is separately billable, and the insurance, of course, doesn't pay for medically supervised weight loss because they don't think obesity is a disease but a life choice. So I came back depressed.

Nice.

Well, anyway, I happened to do my periodic check of bariatric clinical trials in my city, and it turns out two of the major hospital systems here have new surgical trials for which I may qualify. For one, since I currently weigh about twelve pounds more than the upper limit the trial allows, I've got to work very hard at losing about fifteen to twenty pounds. Luckily, that's an amount I've never really had any trouble losing. It's always been MORE than that I've had trouble with after I initially lost close to one hundred pounds in 2004/2005 (all of which plus ten pounds I've gained back since then). They other one isn't quite ready to recruit yet, but they supposedly will be in the next couple of weeks, and that one for a no-incision surgery called Transoral Gastroplasty (you can Google it to check up on it).

Then there's the money issues again. I'm currently working on NINE projects, and I can't seem to get ANY of them closed. No exaggeration. Some are smaller deals, a couple are bigger ones, and not one damned one of them is closing! If I could even just close two or three of the smaller ones, some of the pressure would go away. But this economy SUCKS and potential buyers are wary of spending even the least bit of money. And so, I'm depressed about that, too. I've got a mortgage to pay, an overpriced school to pay (even WITH the scholarship), mouths to feed, bills, credit card statements, and no way to pay them and it's just insane.

At least both my kids start school next week, so I can start redoubling my efforts with my least favorite aspect of my business, cold-calling.

And on top of all that, if the American people are stupid enough to vote for McRepublican, things are only going to get worse. The United States Government - created of the wealthy, by the wealthy, for the wealthy. And fuck the rest of us.

Whoo-hoo.

Go Hil!!!

Wow! Hard as that must have been for her, GO HILLARY!!! That was a great speech last night. She called for unity, said we've not a moment to lose or a vote to spare, called McCain and his policies wrong and a continuation of Bush, and gave Obama and Biden a great ringing endorsement. I'm glad she's finally on board. Let's hope the Democrats win this election because, as Hillary said, the future of the country and our children are in the balance. If McCain wins, this country's done. It'll no longer be the United States we all need because the Republicans and the Right Wing fringe will destroy this country and everything for which it stands. It'll also become a fascist country because McCain will really be the Right's McPuppet.. And frankly, Jews have never really done very well under fascism.

Stupid and Insane People

Another headline:

Clinton Die-Hards Voice Anger in Convention Protest

A couple of people quoted said they'd rather vote for McCain than Obama. Idiots. Just because the candidate YOU didn't wanted didn't make it, the SAME candidate who is now imploring her followers to line up behind the nominee, you're going to boycott the elections or vote for the opponent, who is in COMPLETE opposition to everything in which you believe?! How stupid can you be? Some of them are citing that they don't trust Obama. Why? Because, unlike Hillary, he HASN'T lied to them? It's interesting to note that Obama and Hillary agreed on nearly all the issues, probably the reason they were so closely matched. Their only real difference was healthcare, and I just read today that the Obama campaign WILL adopt Hillary's plan to guarantee healthcare for ALL.

So why NOT vote for Obama? Just because your candidate didn't win is simply NOT a reason.

Topic of the Day - Headline

Democrats Bicker Over How Hard to Hit McCain

Um. As hard as possible? With everything they've got and with everything they can? No holds barred?

COME FREAKIN' ON!!!! What the hell does that mean?! Of course they need to go after McPutz with EVERYTHING!!! Throw it ALL at him, INCLUDING the kitchen sink!!!

What a dumb debate.

UPDATE = 5:15 ETD:

"My inclination is you have to be careful about attacking McCain" because his life's story buys him deference, Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen said in an Associated Press interview. The Republican presidential hopeful was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for more than five years.

Ah. Ok. So because the dude was a POW, we have to walk on eggshells and let him winning the election?! That's about the most ridiculous I've EVER heard! What a stupid concept! Further, Obama himself hasn't had that easy a life either and has pulled himself up. Doesn't that buy OBAMA some "deference?"

This "being careful" thing is a sure way to lose the election. Guaranteed. Someone needs to tell these Democratic "officials" to get their shit together and stop being idiots about this. That, or step aside and let a younger, stronger generation step up and take over...

Inspiring

Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic national Convention, August 25, 2008. It was a really good speech, though she has not nearly the oratory powers of her husband. The last part, when Obama shows up on the webcam, was very cute...

Funny Saturday Night Live "Ad"

For Obama, Improbable Path to the Dem Nomination

Interesting chronology and analysis of Obama's rise to receiving the Democratic nomination.

Wasn't around to blog yesterday. Took the kiddies to the zoo in the morning and went to a seminar on bariatric surgery in the afternoon. Came back depressed. I'll write about that later...

Truly Amazing

It's really amazing that the Republicans, knowing they have no way of winning an issues-based campaign/election, are trying to sow discord in the Democratic Party. Today, the headline reads:

On convention eve, Republicans pick at Obama-Clinton scars

Why are they doing this? Because they're now running VERY scared. They know they have an extremely tough fight ahead of them, one the probably (and hopefully) won't win. And they know it. And they know their ONLY chance is to try to destroy the Democratic Party.

But I think, and hope, this time, the Democratic Party actually has its act together, and will have it together by the end of the convention. Especially since Hillary's set to release her delegates on Wednesday and try to finally unify a party that is now the US's only chance of fixing itself.

HOPE.

Obama-Biden Ticket

And yet, the Democrats STILL can't do it right, as far as the Republistupids are concerned. Here they are, criticizing Obama for not having any kind of Foreign Policy experience. So, Obama chooses Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his running mate. Then the Republi-Hypocrites start shouting how, "you see? He HAS no experience, so he HAD to choose someone who does! So DON'T vote for him because he's no good!!!"

Idiots. Personally, I think Biden is a GREAT choice, despite Biden's criticisms of Obama during the primaries. Remember, again, this is politics, and the First Rules of Politics is "you can't take the politics out of politics and." That was then, this is now. What he said then he said because he wanted the nomination. Same with Hillary, but now she IS stumping for Obama. When I saw Biden interviewed about seven months ago, I thought he'd make a wonderful candidate, not based on charisma but based on his policies and plans, especially about healthcare.

The point of picking an effective VP is to have someone who WILL shore up the presidential nominee's weaknesses and strengthen that nominee. One person cannot be an expert on EVERYTHING. And someone who will be ready to step in. Does anyone out there REALLY believe Cheney would have made a good replacement for The Idiot? That, more than anything, is why the Idiot was never in danger of being assassinated. No one wanted the alternative. At least the Idiot is dumb and evil. Cheney is SMART and evil. Gore was ready to step in. Does anyone out there think QUAYLE was?!

So with McHypocrite's ads coming out saying choosing Biden proves Obama is incapable, we all know McStupid is running scared now. Let's see who McRepublican chooses.

Can't Keep Track...

Obama Campaign's latest ad about McSenile being unable to keep track of his properties. Hard-hitting and well done:



Here's a speech Obama gave earlier yesterday addressing McDementia's inability to relate to the American people. Now, McCain retorted that Obama shouldn't bring up properties because Obama owns an over a million dollar home in Chicago and that Tony Rezko helped him acquire the home (not true, by the way - another convenient Republican misrepresentation of the facts). Except for one thing: Obama WORKED HIS WAY UP. McCain didn't. He was born privileged and will die privileged.

Goodnight Bush...

A very good friend of our (thanks, J!) just sent us a copy of a great new book. It's a parody of the classic children's bedtime story, Goodnight Moon.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.italic.gif It's called Goodnight Bush, and really VERY good. I wish I could just post the entire book here, but I obviously cannot. And while it seems funny, it very poignantly, and disturbingly, summarizes Bush and Cheney's eight year dictatorship.

Check out the website: GOODNIGHT BUSH book: Official site of the hilarious and poignant parody built around the coming end of the worst presidency ever.

And this book conveys very clearly why McCain CANNOT be allowed to become our next president.

Yes, We MUST

I've spoken to many people in the last few months about politics, the candidates, our choices. I've heard some people say they can't stand either candidate. I've heard some people, some of them my closest friends, parrot Republican one-liners about how evil the Democrats are and how evil Obama is, and how wonderful and pro-American the Right Wing fringe that has taken over the Republican party is. And some just have wrong information (taxes) or are afraid to veer from the current course because another course would be an unknown, though the logic doesn't hold, because the current course is DEFINITELY a course for disaster and there ARE no two ways about it.

But there is an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of history. With this election, we have a not-to-be-passed-up chance to revitalize this country and send it into a period of Renaissance, of rebirth. This country has declined terribly over the last thirty years, ever since Reagan's insane economic policies (trickle down - yeah, great - that REALLY worked well). Those policies led to big business controlling the government, even when Clinton was in the White House. Those policies led to the status of healthcare in the United States, where fifty MILLION people (including my own two children) aren't insure either because they simply can't afford it (like ourselves) or because they are denied insurance due to "pre-existing conditions." And when the Clintons tried to reform the healthcare in the US, big business insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies got together and ran a HUGE smear campaign against any reform. And they were quite successful.

I'm not voting for Obama because I can. I'm voting for him because I MUST. I don't know what kind of change he will bring or if he will be successful. I do believe he will do his best to empower the people of this country to have a hand in government, something that hasn't happened in a very long time. I do believe he WILL do his best to bring about the change he's promised, to reform healthcare, to DIS-empower big business, to bring jobs BACK to the United States, to stop rewarding big business for taking its jobs overseas and putting millions of people out of work, to get us out of the illegal war in Iraq, to help rid us of oil dependence, thus breaking the power of the Arab world over the United States.

I'm voting for him because this speech embodies what this country needs so desperately:



I'm voting for him because I'm inspired in a way no politician has EVER before inspired me.



Ad finally, I think these little video pretty much embodies what I've been trying to say here, that the Republicans simply MUST not be allowed to retain their power, for doing so would break this country.





And of course, this little gem:

Totally Awesome Ad!

This ad by the Obama campaign is fantastic, and, I say, it's about damned time! Hattip to DovBear. As DB said, Obama totally NAILS McCain on this one! Let's hope the Obama campaign continues putting out quality ads like this. It'll DEFINITELY help! :-)

McElitist

Funny how the Republicans love calling Barack Obama an elitist, out of touch rich dude. Except he's more in touch with the people than McSame could ever be. Here's a headline from the AP today:

McCain Not Sure How Many Houses He and Wife Own

WASHINGTON - Days after he cracked that being rich in the U.S. meant earning at least $5 million a year, Republican presidential candidate John McCain acknowledged that he wasn't sure how many houses he and his wealthy wife actually own.

"I think — I'll have my staff get to you," McCain responded to a question posed by Politico, according to a story Thursday on the publication's Web site. "It's condominiums where — I'll have them get to you."

And let's not forget his "rich is making over $5,000,000" remark:

In a forum last week with the Rev. Rick Warren, McCain was asked to define the word "rich" and to give a figure. After promoting his tax policies, McCain said: "I think if you are just talking about income, how about $5 million?" The audience laughed, and he added: "But seriously, I don't think you can — I don't think seriously that — the point is that I'm trying to make here, seriously — and I'm sure that comment will be distorted — but the point is that we want to keep people's taxes low and increase revenues."

The problem is there's nothing to distort. He never ACTUALLY named a sum, unlike his rival, who DID, and a much more reasonable sum.

Hm. Obama owns ONE home, the one in which his family actually LIVES. He comes from a very modest background. And the only reason he's rich now isn't because he married a beer heiress or took a job on Wall Street (and he had plenty of job opportunities). He's rich because he worked hard and is an inspirational person.

McElite, on the other hand DUMPED his first wife, married a beer heiress, and pretends to be a people person. Except the man is SO F*****G rich he doesn't even KNOW HOW MANY PROPERTIES HE OWNS!!! How is that NOT elitist?! He's so out of touch with reality that he DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO MAKE LESS THAN $5,000,000 a year and thinks THAT'S being middle class!!!

And people out there actually think he'll be able to CONNECT with them and help them and better the economy?!

Fools.

More Evidence Republicans SUCK!!!

We just can't win. McSchmuck goes slimy in his campaign, and that's Ok. But Obama responds, in a MUCH more honorable way, and it's just SO awful! Headline:

McCain Chides a Newly Feisty Obama as 'Testy'

C'mon, McHypocrite! Make up your mind!

Oh, I know. How about you stop mud-slinging and actually discuss the issues!!

Oh, wait, I forgot. That wouldn't work. If the election were about the issues, McPutz wouldn't have a chance. He has no choice BUT to mud-sling.

Asshole.

Wednesday Random 8/30/08!!!

Ok. BW (Beloved Wife) and I have decided to (at least try to) have a random Wednesday list. It'll be about pretty much anything.

For my premiere, it'll be random places I've visited.

1. I lained Torah on Rosh Chodesh Sivan in, of all random places, Omaha, Nebraska, on our way to our new midwest city.

2. I spent a bit of time at an all White Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa.

3. I was born in San Jose, CA (if you know anything about CA, you'll know why that's random).

Be sure to check out her BW's post at here. And please feel free to peruse her blog once your there.

Oh, and the weekly challenge (I know it's not much of one, but what the hell), is to list your three random factoids that are the random subject of the week...

I Know They Say Polls Don't Necessarily Mean Anything, But

Oy Vey. McDishonorable's taken the lead. Now, again, it doesn't necessarily mean anything. And historically, most times a candidate led in the summer didn't win in November, but McLiar's disgusting, smearing, discrediting (and in my eyes, therefore, discredited) campaign is working as more and more idiots out there believe him.

As I said earlier, it's REALLY time for Obama to go on the offensive rather than stay on the defensive. Best would be a mix of both, but being on the offensive NEEDS to be a priority at this point. It doesn't mean BEING offensive, as McOffensive is. It DOES, however, mean showing the public why McUnqualified is just that: unqualified...

Let's hope. And pray. Otherwise, this country is down the tubes.

My Good (Blogger) Friend DovBear Has Self-Published a Parsha Book

Click here for the post and here to buy the book. And no, I get no commissions for this. I just REALLY like DovBear's stuff.

So Much for McCain Running an Honorable Election...

Barack Obama's image suffers amid John McCain attacks, poll finds.

STILL no Recession/Depression...

Risk of recession rising as stimulus fades.

Hmm. That's a surprise.

One difficulty is that policymakers have little ammunition left to aggressively warding off a slowdown, with government deficits soaring and interest rates already are well below the rate of inflation.

Gee. I don't know. Maybe end the illegal war in Iraq? Bring jobs back to the United States? Stop SHIPPING jobs overseas? Create clean energy jobs?

No recession. Yeah. And the sky is plaid with purple, yellow, and green polka dots.

Election a study in U.S. patriotism

Interesting article about patriotism. It touches on McCain, but mostly discusses Obama. It also mentions that one's war service should not be what gets one elected.

Unfair Fight: Two McCains, One Obama...

Great article from The Huffington Post:

It's a Three-Man Race: Obama vs The Two McCains

by Arianna Huffington

"How honest are we if we tell the truth most of the time & stay silent only when telling the truth might get us fired or earn us a broken nose? We need moral courage to be honest all the time."

Those words were written by John McCain in his 2004 book Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life.

I couldn't agree with them more. I just wish John McCain did. Not the John McCain who wrote them in 2004; the John McCain running for president in 2008. There's a big difference.

When Barack Obama finally secured the Democratic nomination over Hillary Clinton, we all thought it was down to a two-man field. Obama vs. McCain. But it's turned out to be a three-man race: Obama vs the Old, Honorable McCain and his political doppelganger the New, Unprincipled McCain.

After a month dominated by the new-but-definitely-not-improved McCain, it was actually a bit of a shock to see the John McCain so many of us fell in love with in 2000 make a rare appearance at the Rick Warren forum the other night. Engaging, easy-going, able to connect his incredible life story to his view of the world. Hearing him tell the story of how he and Cindy came to adopt their youngest daughter Bridget, you could almost forget this was the same man who for much of the summer has been running a disgraceful, dishonorable campaign.

And even this rare appearance by the old McCain was tainted a bit by the "cone of silence" dust-up (particularly his campaign's ridiculous use of the former-POWs-never-lie defense), and the question of whether McCain lifted his moving "cross in the dirt story" from Solzhenitsyn.

Sightings of the old McCain are becoming more and infrequent. He was there at the beginning of the race, when he pledged to run a "respectful campaign" -- and when his campaign manager, Rick Davis, penned a memo vowing, "Throughout the primary election we saw John McCain reject the type of politics that degrade our civics, and this will not change as he prepares to run head-to-head against the Democratic nominee."

But it did change. And so did those steering McCain's campaign. In July, Davis was replaced with Steve Schmidt, a protégé of Karl Rove. Schmidt's nickname is "the bullet," and it's not just because of his bald head -- he practices the kind of politics that shoots for the head. You bring in guys like Steve Schmidt for a reason. And McCain has gotten exactly what he's paying for -- what Joe Klein (a great admirer of the old McCain) calls the "quadrennial Republican scum festival that begins in August of every presidential election year."

So what acts are on the Scum Festival lineup this year? Ads comparing Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, the claim that Obama "would rather lose a war that we are winning than lose an election," and the claim that Obama hasn't "put his country first."

As Klein asks: "We've got two wars, an energy crisis, an economy teetering on the edge of real serious trouble -- and this is the campaign John McCain wants to run?"

Apparently. And those were just the opening acts on the Schmidt-apalooza scum-fest. Witness McCain's response to the Swiftboat-inspired The Obama Nation. A few years ago it would have been almost impossible to imagine John McCain being the sort who would "stay silent" about something as sleazy, sordid and dishonorable as Jerome Corsi's pack of lies.

In fact, McCain did worse than stay silent; he laughed it off as a big joke, suggesting you "gotta keep your sense of humor." (HuffPost's Seth Colter Walls has more on McCain's increasing use of the "it was only a joke" excuse.) After it was pointed out that this was, perhaps, a less than honorable response, McCain sent out his spokeswoman to clarify that her boss had misheard the question.

Sure he did.

Well here's another question (and I'll type as clearly as I can so McCain doesn't misread it): what would the John McCain of 2000 -- a man who was viciously smeared by the same gang now doing his bidding -- think about the John McCain of today? Back then, John McCain didn't think libelous smears were such knee-slappers.

That McCain would want the media to stop pretending that the old McCain is still around and tell the American people the truth: that the John McCain of 2008 is willing to countenance dishonorable slurs, lies, smears and slanders to make it to the Oval Office.

And DO be sure to follow some the links in the article, especially the one about how McLiar quite likely lifted his moving "cross in the dirt story" from Solzhenitsyn. But if Obama makes a mistake about which camp his uncle helped liberate, there's a HUGE ruckus about what a fake a liar Obama is. But not McHypocrite. Uh uh. Not at all. After all, HE'S an ex POW. He NEVER lies...