tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120119332024-03-12T20:46:28.233-07:00CaliBloggerA firm grasp of the obviousUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger650125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-81816366953727760712010-10-12T20:55:00.000-07:002010-10-13T13:17:56.720-07:00VOTE!I know, I know, it's been a depressing year for progressives. None-the-less, despite my well-earned scorn for Democratic leaders, the alternative is worse, much worse.<br /><br />So shake off that apathy and turn those pollsters "likely voter" numbers on their heads!<br /><br /><br /><object width="420" height="290"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3DRkUU-qhjk&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3DRkUU-qhjk&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="420" height="290"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-37382763279586722692010-07-22T20:47:00.000-07:002010-07-22T20:52:39.364-07:00Fight the RightNew video form the <a href="http://www.fighttheright2010.com/">Democratic Governor's Association</a> Amazing, something intentionally amusing from politicians, who'd a thunk it?<br /><br />Enjoy.<br /><br /><object width="320" height="172"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/y4Hm1QyypyE&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/y4Hm1QyypyE&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="320" height="172"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-51418778478115126442010-04-24T00:47:00.000-07:002010-04-25T14:01:01.248-07:00Matt and Trey ForeverI know, it's been awhile. And sure, there've been a few things I might have weighed in on. But <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/arts/television/22arts-MUSLIMGROUPW_BRF.html">threaten <span style="font-style: italic;">South Park</span></a>? Have you at last sir, no decency?<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qTsR820ofEQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qTsR820ofEQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-14881186587099215422009-01-14T20:07:00.000-08:002009-01-14T20:16:22.713-08:00Au revoir mes enfantsHowdy folks.<br /><br />After years of outrage and incredulity over BushCorp™'s many follies, I find myself outraged out.<br /><br />As our President-elect begins his new administration I find that I simply need a rest. And, given the current state of the economy (thanks George) I unfortunately find that I have to focus much, much more on merely keeping my family afloat.<br /><br />But not to worry, should need arise, and opportunity prevail, I hope to see you back here one day.<br /><br />Until then.<br /><br />Be well.<br /><br />Know hope.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-56148491629359146872008-12-17T13:24:00.000-08:002008-12-17T13:32:22.197-08:00Knock me down with a feather: Time names Obama Person of the Year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtI4gruSAGU5UTajOnwDLrhg5UYpkqCtt2lw74S3LLed08Mc7TPBUsrosi4swhS5CWNUZ0bmOWwOgycu47w13vAUwM4MQ5WS2lPW2-m3RmP2N7AWnGZpE69ufHAqrgEV7gN8c/s1600-h/obama_cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtI4gruSAGU5UTajOnwDLrhg5UYpkqCtt2lw74S3LLed08Mc7TPBUsrosi4swhS5CWNUZ0bmOWwOgycu47w13vAUwM4MQ5WS2lPW2-m3RmP2N7AWnGZpE69ufHAqrgEV7gN8c/s320/obama_cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280873091085611922" border="0" /></a>In an announcement that surprises absolutely no-one, Time magazine names Barack Obama as its <a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/personoftheyear/article/0,31682,1861543_1865068,00.html">Person of the Year</a>.<br /><br />The main surprise is their given reasoning:<br /><br /><blockquote>As Obama has moved with unprecedented speed to build an Administration that would bolster the confidence of a shaken world, his flash and dazzle have faded into the background. In the waning days of his extraordinary year and on the cusp of his presidency, what now seems most salient about Obama is the opposite of flashy, the antithesis of rhetoric: he gets things done. He is a man about his business — a Mr. Fix It going to Washington.</blockquote><br />OTOH I'm pretty sure that his inspirational and transformational election didn't hurt either.<br /><br />Congratulations Mr. President-Elect.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-17426151038962916662008-12-03T16:54:00.000-08:002008-12-03T16:56:31.104-08:00V is for ViralJust about the only thing about the whole Prop 8 fiasco that's ever made me smile.<br /><br />And it features Jack Black as Jesus!<br /><br /><object width="464" height="388" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="key=c0cf508ff8" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed width="464" height="388" flashvars="key=c0cf508ff8" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high" src="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div style="text-align:center;width: 464px;">See more <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/jackblack">Jack Black</a> videos at Funny or Die</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-24701160524485305932008-11-11T17:08:00.000-08:002008-11-11T17:09:37.271-08:00A funny thingSure, the world sucks.<br /><br />But for some reason I really don't feel that bad.<br /><br />I wonder why.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RHWByjoQrR8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RHWByjoQrR8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-24190647144040989552008-11-06T17:00:00.000-08:002008-11-06T17:09:54.655-08:00Rahm Emmanuel in a nutshell<a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/11/emanuel_accepts.html?hpid=topnews">Rahm Emmanuel</a> is Barack Obama's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luca_Brasi">Luca Brasi</a>.<br /><br />Without the mafia ties of course.<br /><br />Though he does have his own <a href="http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/10236">awkward relation ship with fish</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-12951148089122787402008-11-06T16:21:00.000-08:002008-11-06T16:29:55.646-08:00Joe must goJoe Lieberman must go, you know why. In this helpful video from last June <a href="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/243314.php">Josh Marshall</a> explains how:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W0HOKDIj5a8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W0HOKDIj5a8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />My letter to Senator Boxer:<br /><blockquote><br />Dear Senator Boxer,<br /><br />After his disgraceful behavior during this election cycle Senator Lieberman has no place in the Democratic caucus, and certainly has no place as a committee chair.<br /><br />As my Senator, and as a member of the <a href="http://democrats.senate.gov/steering/index.cfm">Democratic steering and outreach committee</a> I am counting on you to do the right thing.<br /><br />President-elect Obama has said that we need to reach out and listen to those who disagree with us, and I wholeheartedly agree.<br /><br />That does not mean, however, that we need to reward them with committee chairmanships.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Steven Kang<br />www.stevekangsblog.blogspot.com</blockquote><br /><br />If your Senator is <a href="http://democrats.senate.gov/steering/index.cfm?pg=6">on this committee</a> please take a moment to write.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-19031578972299315092008-11-06T15:37:00.000-08:002008-11-06T15:50:23.183-08:00What's right about being wrongOk.<br /><br />So I've given myself a day to just walk around smiling and reading as many newspapers I could get my hands on.<br /><br />Time, I suppose, to ever so gently start looking forward.<br /><br />One very preliminary thought inspired by TPM's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLpQsW2aYQI">David Kurtz</a> is this, never have I ever been so glad to be so frequently wrong.<br /><br />I'm not going through the full litany of lefty second guessings that Obama proved wrong, Kurtz does a fine job of that.<br /><br />But, just to point out the obvious, in every case, Cool Hand Barack's choices were consistently superior to the lefty blogosphere's recommendations (including my own).<br /><br />Turns out Barack Obama is smarter than the rest of us.<br /><br />Go figure.<br /><br />So does that mean that in the future I'll stop second-guessing the new administration?<br /><br />Surely (Shirley) you jest.<br /><br />It just means that I expect to find myself frequently, happily, wrong.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-76770291619120265452008-11-04T23:51:00.000-08:002008-11-05T00:18:49.305-08:00President Barack Hussein ObamaIn 2004 I heard about a speech given at the Democratic National Convention. After watching it my first thought was: my God, this man has a future in this party.<br /><br />My second thought was: why does he have to be named Barack Hussein Obama?<br /><br />But after today's historic events I understand.<br /><br />America has, for the past eight years, worked to destroy itself, its place in the world as a leader, not only militarily and finacially, but as a beacon of reason and sanity.<br /><br />Perhaps we could be forgiven the first four years of a Bush administration transformed by the disaster of 9/11 from merely blandly incompetent to actively evil.<br /><br />But then came 2004.<br /><br />We re-elected him.<br /><br />To the world, and to ourselves, that was a nearly unpardonable sin.<br /><br />And make no mistake, the blame then lay not only on the shoulders of Bush's supporters and voters, but on those of us on the left as well who failed to defeat him.<br /><br />Which is why it is so important that a black man named Barack Hussein Obama is now President-Elect.<br /><br />Because we on the left had to work that much harder to get him there. Because it forced the saner of Bush's former supporters to realize that they had to choose between the reason and sanity Obama represents, and the madness represented by their rabid far-right wing.<br /><br />Which is why I'm also (now) thankful for Sarah Palin who made the choice even more stark.<br /><br />And (while I'm feeling magnanimous) let me express my thought that we have done John McCain a great service by rejecting his presidential bid.<br /><br />The McCain I saw tonight reminded be of the McCain I admired not so many years ago, like his soul had been held prisoner to the worst elements of the GOP campaign machine, but had suddenly been released.<br /><br />So now the beginning is ended. Tomorrow (after sleeping late) we begin to face the many challenges that confront us, individually and as a nation. But now, as I never have before, I truly believe that we are up to the task.<br /><br />We can do it together.<br /><br />Yes, we can.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-4115069347864831472008-11-03T20:42:00.000-08:002008-11-03T20:51:52.035-08:00VOTE FOR HISTORY!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbR5MVHUfRhJybJC5pzTIdnexRu5NnY1EwPtqyLiH6XcsZaCNMKz4y8tSSGd_q-_EsvcAmwfTxvgYIk_PGOZ7j9hFNC-gKozr_Qfu0HI07NMeMzGNy0MJeKxF46UeYCN2oIf-/s1600-h/barack_obama_journaltimes_photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbR5MVHUfRhJybJC5pzTIdnexRu5NnY1EwPtqyLiH6XcsZaCNMKz4y8tSSGd_q-_EsvcAmwfTxvgYIk_PGOZ7j9hFNC-gKozr_Qfu0HI07NMeMzGNy0MJeKxF46UeYCN2oIf-/s320/barack_obama_journaltimes_photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264660461873538850" border="0" /></a><br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">[I]n no other country on earth, is my story even possible.</span></blockquote> - <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2004/demconvention/speeches/obama.html">Barack Obama</a>, 2004 keynote speech to the Democratic National Convention.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-48468651766068075662008-10-27T15:47:00.000-07:002008-10-27T15:57:36.055-07:00Helpful time (and sanity) saving hintLet's say your a left-leaning political junkie who likes to keep an eye on what the wingnuttiest wingnut right is up to. Like me, however, you find it difficult, nay painful to wade through that much garbage and still keep down your breakfast. And further, like me, you don't want to give those bastards any clicks.<br /><br />Here's the solution: read <a href="http://community.nytimes.com/article/comments/2008/10/27/opinion/27kristol.html">Bill Kristol's comments</a>.<br /><br />You're not clicking on his main article so you won't get counted as a reader, plus you don't have to steel your nerve (or risk your blood pressure) by reading his inane drivel. But, through the good services of the NYT readership, you not only get a good feel for Kristol's garbage du jour, but you also get to enjoy his skewering by said readership.<br /><br />It's a win/win.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-11064626434272104452008-10-27T14:01:00.000-07:002008-10-27T14:11:35.817-07:00Stevens (R-Alaska) Guilty of CorruptionDo get the feeling that, increasingly, the term "<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/27/AR2008102700289_pf.html">corrupt Republican</a>" is a redundancy?<br /><blockquote><br />Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted today of lying on financial disclosure forms to hide tens of thousands of dollars in gifts and renovations to his Alaska home that were financed mostly by a powerful business executive and his oil services company.</blockquote><br /><br />Schadenfreude reigns as Mr. Bridge-to-Nowhere is found to be as venal in his personal life as he was in his public.<br /><br />But, happy giggles by liberals aside, Stevens' conviction has <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/10/ak-senate_stevens_guilty_on_al.html#more">important implications</a> for the upcoming election.<br /><blockquote><br />The news that Ted Stevens has been found guilty on all charges in his federal corruption trial badly imperils any lingering chance that the long-time Alaska Republican Senator had at winning reelection in eight days time.<br /><br />It's hard to imagine worse timing for the Stevens' conviction to be announced -- roughly one week before he faces Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich in a race long targeted by national Democrats as a takeover opportunity.</blockquote><br /><br />This was one of the races Dems need in order to achieve that magic filibuster-proof 60 seats in the Senate. So far, so good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-92081933806797522742008-10-22T20:41:00.000-07:002008-10-22T20:46:10.574-07:00Know HopeFrom Obama's speech today in Richmond:<br /><br /><blockquote>At a defining moment like this, we don't have the luxury of relying on the same political games, the same political tactics, that we've become accustomed to. This slash-and-burn politics that divides us from one another... which the challenges and crises we face right now, we can't afford to divide this country. By race, by class, by region, by who we are, by what policies we support. Let me tell you something, because I know you've been hearing a lot of stuff lately. There are no real parts of the country and fake parts of the country. There are no pro-America parts of the country and anti-America parts of the country. We all love this country. No matter where we live. Or where we come from. </blockquote><br /><br />Two things. Not only are these points self-evident (or at least they should be), but this is the sort of speech that, 8 years ago, John McCain might well have endorsed.<br /><br />That he now could not is a tragedy for both McCain 2.0, as well as the country.<br /><br />Watch the video:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_9OhVMHIuO4&border=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_9OhVMHIuO4&border=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-41537559396613192862008-10-22T13:44:00.000-07:002008-10-22T13:50:53.385-07:00Some endorsements matter more than others.I understand, and frankly agree, that endorsements don't make all that much difference, especially this late in the game.<br /><br />But still you have to believe the optics on the last round of endorsements might be telling.<br /><br />Sure Barack Obama racks up endorsements from Colin Powell, and even neo-con Ken Adelman, but hey, McCain just got a high=profile endorsement of his own:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/21/AR2008102102477.html">Al Qaeda</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>"Al-Qaeda will have to support McCain in the coming election," said a commentary posted Monday on the extremist Web site al-Hesbah, which is closely linked to the terrorist group. It said the Arizona Republican would continue the "failing march of his predecessor," <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/George+W.+Bush?tid=informline" target="">President Bush</a>. </blockquote><br /><br />Maybe that's their reasoning. Personally I think bin Laden just has the hots for Sarah Palin.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-87960008401432799982008-10-19T14:24:00.000-07:002008-10-19T15:43:55.092-07:00So, how was your weekend?<h1>weekend</h1> (<span class="pointer" onclick="pw = window.open('http://content.answers.com/main/content/pronkey-answers.html', 'PronunciationKey', 'height=650,width=520,resizable,scrollbars');if(pw){pw.focus();}" onmouseout="status='';return true;" onmouseover="status='Click for pronunciation key';return true;" style="color:blue;"><span class="pron">wēk<b>'</b>ĕnd<span style="font-weight: normal;">'</span></span></span>) n. - A time period usually extending from Friday night through Sunday.<br /><br />Once upon a time (last month) weekends were used to rest up from a busy week's activities and recharge yourself for the week ahead. A time when the most pressing news events happened on ESPN and the Golf Channel.<br /><br />So much for that.<br /><br />First, late Friday, Minnesota Representative and McCain supporter Michelle Bachmann got into a heated exchange with Chris Matthew's on Hardball were she not only questioned the patriotism of Barack Obama and the Democratic party, but also suggested the media should conduct a witch hunt on capitol hill to expose unpatriotic congressmen as well.<br /><br />The effect of all this right-wing blather?: Nearly <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/18/2550/3286/381/634245">$500,000 was donated to her Democratic opponent in the next 24 hours</a> and the DCCC has decided to put resources into this suddenly competitive district! (BTW, if you'd like to donate follow the links from the <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/18/2550/3286/381/634245">dkos article</a> on the affair from Ms. Bachmann's Democratic rival, Elwyn Tinklenberg.)<br /><br />Then came Sunday with two huge announcements, Obama's stupefying $150,000,000 haul in September donations, and his long-anticipated endorsement by General Colin Powell.<br /><br />Oh, and also, Mrs. CaliBlogger and I saw <span style="font-style: italic;">W</span> yesterday. Almost made me feel sorry for the guy.<br /><br />Well, almost.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-41056990242823543222008-10-15T20:33:00.000-07:002008-10-15T20:46:06.687-07:00Obama v. McCain: the last (thank God) debateWinner: Bob Scheiffer. Not only a good questioner, he actually got the candidates to engage in what, mostly, sounded like an actual debate.<br /><br />Winner: Barack Obama. Given the fundamentals, Obama's challenge throughout these debates was much like Reagan's in 1980, to make people in whose interest it would be to vote for him comfortable enough to do so. I.e. to look and act presidential.<br /><br />Mission accomplished!<br /><br />Loser: McCain (what did you think I was going to say?). Faced with Mission Impossible: to revitalize his campaign without going negative (which has only hurt him with independents), McCain has shown he's no Tom Cruise, or even Peter Graves.<br /><br />And he forgot that it's the message that's supposed to self-destruct.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-73419534104366475792008-10-12T00:55:00.000-07:002008-10-12T01:00:38.534-07:00Prescient ObamaBarack Obama said in the most recent debate (I paraphrase) that we need a president who can not only see what's right in front of him, but see around the corner.<br /><br />He's both correct in that observation, and capable of such vision:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jH2iufUU1f4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jH2iufUU1f4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />[H/t <a href="http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/prescience.html#trackback">Andrew Sullivan</a>]Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-35533898731312062422008-10-09T19:08:00.000-07:002008-10-09T19:16:31.071-07:00No complacency: just a win is not enoughAnd since the O-man is high-minded enough for the both of us, I have no qualms about agreeing with what kos says about today's GOP:<br /><br /><style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/9/11055/1670/758/624699"><span class="diaryTitle">Break their back, crush their spirits</span></a></style><br /><br />Frankly, the only divide I want to see Obama bridge is between progressive and Bluedog Democrats. I just don't think Republicans in their current state are salvageable, with the ones surviving the coming firestorm being the hardest of the hard right.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-19755015436857408652008-10-09T17:25:00.000-07:002008-10-09T17:52:42.377-07:00Obama: the right leader for our timeAccording to the oft cited quote from Winston Churchill: “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else.”<br /><br />And certainly it seems that, by design, by luck, or by divine providence, whenever the US has been faced with a major crisis it has eventually brought forth a leader to deal with that crisis. FDR saw the country through both the great depression and World War II, Abraham Lincoln successfully defended the union and ended slavery during the civil war, and at the nation's most critical moment, its birth, George Washington set an unmatched example of how to lead, and transfer leadership for the new republic.<br /><br />As the US stares down the worst economic crisis since the great depression, as it finds itself embroiled in two land wars, as it sees its military, political, and economic leadership at new lows, will we be again so fortunate as to choose a man who historians will rank with Washington, with FDR, with Lincoln?<br /><br />Reformed religious right leader, author, and Obama supporter <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/obama-will-be-one-of-the_b_132843.html">Frank Schaeffer certainly thinks so</a>:<br /><blockquote><br />Great presidents are made great by horrible circumstances combined with character, temperament and intelligence. Like firemen, cops, doctors or soldiers, presidents need a crisis to shine.<br /><br />Obama is one of the most intelligent presidential aspirants to ever step forward in American history. The likes of his intellectual capabilities have not been surpassed in public life since the Founding Fathers put pen to paper. His personal character is also solid gold. Take heart, America: we have the leader for our times.</blockquote><br /><br />As a skeptic and cynic by inclination, as well as training, I have a hard time buying into the totality of Schaeffer's paean.<br /><br />And certainly such belief would be mocked incessantly by the right (despite, of course, some of the rather silly things they've said about W over the years).<br /><br />The thing is though, I really want to believe.<br /><br />And, even as an agnostic, even I might be inclined to say a word or two in prayer to whatever gods there may be, that Obama become the man we so desperately need him to be.<br /><br />You can read <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/obama-will-be-one-of-the_b_132843.html">Schaeffer's whole post</a> over at <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/">Huffingtonpost.com</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-10478612471062361612008-10-08T20:46:00.000-07:002008-10-08T20:50:37.415-07:00Paris for prezAnd why not? Her policies make more sense than McCain's, and she can talk in complete sentences unlike Sixpack Sarah. Plus she's getting the advise from one of the greatest fake president's of all time.<br /><br /><object width="464" height="388" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://www2.funnyordie.com/public/flash/fodplayer.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="key=06ae3d8563" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed width="464" height="388" flashvars="key=06ae3d8563" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high" src="http://www2.funnyordie.com/public/flash/fodplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div style="text-align:center;width: 464px;">See more <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/paris_hilton">Paris Hilton</a> videos at Funny or Die</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-31224239583844850242008-10-07T20:15:00.000-07:002008-10-07T20:23:24.875-07:00Obama v. McCain Part III'm a terrible judge of how these things are viewed through non-partisan eyes. <br /><br />I thought Obama was his usual calm, certain self on economics.<br />On foreign policy I liked his "crush al qaeda" fire, Also I frankly think Obama's position towards going after them with or without Pakistan's help is very main street. McCain loses points every time he goes after Obama on this.<br /><br />McCain was much better composed for this one than the first, though I wonder if the "that one" comment about Obama is going to be a sound bite that ends up biting McCain.<br /><br />Those are my first thoughts, for an Obama rave from an experienced debater I suggest <a href="http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/live-blogging-n.html">Andrew Sullivan</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-59831835758407979372008-10-06T20:38:00.000-07:002008-10-06T20:47:24.917-07:00McCain plans to cut Medicaid/MedicareMcCain plans to cut Medicaid/Medicare by 1.3 <span style="font-weight:bold;">T</span>rillion!<br />What's this? <br />Some left-wing scare tactic?<br />Is the Obama campaign getting desperate?<br />Um, no.<br />From that bastion of pinko sympathizers, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122315505846605217.html">the Wall Street Journal</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>John McCain would pay for his health plan with major reductions to Medicare and Medicaid, a top aide said, in a move that independent analysts estimate could result in cuts of $1.3 trillion over 10 years to the government programs.<br /><br />The Republican presidential nominee has said little about the proposed cuts, but they are needed to keep his health-care plan "budget neutral," as he has promised. The McCain campaign hasn't given a specific figure for the cuts, but didn't dispute the analysts' estimate.</blockquote><br /><br />Brilliant.<br /><br />The only people the McCain camp hasn't entirely managed to scare off are seniors who largely depend on these medical insurance programs. And now he's trying to scare them off too?<br /><br />As an Obama supporter all I can say is thank you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12011933.post-127474359571104462008-10-06T13:32:00.000-07:002008-10-06T13:35:19.273-07:00Gloves officially offFor those of you out there who were afraid the O-man couldn't throw a punch, well, that's not much of a question anymore is it?<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qsI_0bV2CZo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qsI_0bV2CZo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Devastating doesn't nearly say it.<br /><br />Wow.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0