LDOTR: Are Obama Workers Jinxing McCain?

I heard Rush talk today about two anonymous female Obama campaign workers who blogged about how the polls are wrong, and that they've lost respect for Obama b/c of the "sexist" negative campaign against Palin.

Supposedly, 80% of people polled refuse to answer, which means there are more McCain supporters out there who don't want to admit it.

Now, Rush's gut feeling is that McCain can win and that people need to go vote.

"Whatevuh."

Rush has clearly fallen prey to some kind of parody/joke. Maybe these Obama campaign workers are trying to put the jinx on McCain by claiming he's doing better than expected. Who knows?

I do know that Rush needs to be more careful about what blog posts he chooses to read on the air. After Obama wins, Rush will be forced to be more careful with the Fairness Doctrine.

LDOTR: Vote!

I just dropped off my absentee ballot. It was quite busy there.

I'm sure a lot of the people waiting in line were inspired to vote after yesterday's 30 minute speech by President-elect Obama. He offered the message people want to hear; he's going to liberate us from high gas prices, expensive groceries, and costly medical bills.

Obama is.

Today, Rush echoed Damian's post about the speech, saying things like, "Yes, Americans do get arthritis," and to the Sanchez family, "Worried about milk prices? Lay off the Pepsi! Cut back on the Coca Cola!"

Rush - you can't stop the inevitable. The reason you have no gut feeling for this election is that you are in denial about Obama's impending victory.

How a Conspiracy Theory Could be Kept Secret

The fact that the LA Times is refusing to release the video tape where is was apparently caught on tape saying some pro-Palestinian things, along with the recent admission at Politico.com that the MSM has a blindspot to left-wing politics, made me wonder if there are cricumstances where a conspiracy can truly be kept secret.

Here are some random ideas on the subject:
- Soldiers, under orders and facing death all around, have the motivation to keep their mouths shut.
- Blind devotees to a religion or political figure are not aware of their blindness and do not view their devotion as conspiratorial in nature. So, a conspiracy that may be obvious to outside observers (such as the LA Times cover-up) will never be admitted to b/c there is no secret that was agreed upon by the devotees. It's simply a belief that motivates the devotees to act a certain way.
-This explains why devotees on the left, the right, and in religions, may all come to similar conclusions at the same time. There are no talking points for a particular issue; it is the belief that informs their opinions.

Of course, I still believe Obama will win, regardless of whether this video is released by the LA Times or not. I just wish they would release it - I'm sure it would prove harmless and not newsworthy.

Here's a great Obama line: "Next, [McCain] will accuse me of being a communist b/c I shared my toys in Kindergarten."
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

LDOTR: Rush playing Obama audio?

Rush is on the air again with that fake tape ... OBVIOUSLY one of Rush's fill-in hosts is playing the role of Obama.

I can't believe Rush is claiming this audio is real and not a bit!

Now he's claiming that there are no "uh's" and stuttering because he can freely speak the truth at that time.

Rush has sunk to a new low. Having a fake Obama speak in such an unamerican manner is flat out shocking and unbelievable.

I'll take guesses as to who is doing Obama"s voice in the comments. I think it's the guy who has filled in for Michael Savage recently ... Can't think of his name.

Glad Obama will wrap this all up in a week.

LDOTR: Beck is an Obama Hater

Glenn Beck interviewed "Bitter clinger" Andrew McCartney, who claims that the LA Times has a video where Obama is toasting a PLO terrorist-turn-Professor named Khalidi who was going to Columbia.

SUPPOSEDLY, Bill Ayers was there. SUPPOSEDLY, Ayers and Obama were both BEST FRIENDS with Khalidi, and Khalidi wife(who worked as an Arafat propaganda English translator) babysat Obama's kids.

Glenn Beck is such a hatemonger.

Oh, NOW he's bashing the skinheads who wanted to go after Obama, TRYING to be balanced.

Now he's talking about the Wymar Republic again, whatever that is.

Now he's claiming that FDR prolonged the Great Depression for seven years by giving Unions power. "Whatevuh."

When Obama wins, I hope all this fearmongering stops. That Fairness Doctrine is what we need.

36 Cents to go....

Forty More Cents...

Random Comments: AVP Requiem

• I love it when I have zero expectations and end up pleasantly surprised by a movie. To me, this is the secret to enjoying ... well, life.
• The directors definitely paid homage to Alien and Aliens, which was cool.
• Unfortunately, due to the familiarity with Aliens and Predators, along with the Director's quick pacing, there was very little actual suspense.
• Plenty of Alien-on-human and Predator-on-human gore.
• I'm glad the Aliens and Predator were both indifferent to humans. Neither were heroes.
• HOWEVER, they took forever to introduce the strong female lead (who did a great job with the Sigourney Weaver-style role, once her part got rolling).
• There was an article I read years back in some magazine about an Alien vs. Predator script that was never made. The story described in that article appears to have been the basis for this movie, which I thought was cool.
• So, the 30 people on the planet who read that article will thoroughly enjoy seeing a movie based on a script that defied the odds of ever being made and saw the light of day.
• AVP:R was better than AVP ... and yet, the masses appear to disagree with my opinion. I'll take homage over campy cheese any day.

Random Comments: Fool's Gold

• Guys -- if you HAVE to watch a "date movie" to satisfy your significant other, this is the one to rent. You'll be pleasantly surprised. It was not what I was expecting.
• The movie mocks rappers and rich heiresses.
• Humorous-yet-intense action sequences.
• Kate Hudson is started to remind me of her mother in this movie.
• Beautiful island scenery.
• Cool treasure hunt.
• Hudson's reaction when she sees her ex-husband on the boat -- priceless.

Even if you're not on a date, go rent it. You might get inspired to leave your silicon princess at home and go interact with real human beings.

Random Comments: The Day the Earth Stood Still

I've decided to take a break from politics. What -- you want me to rip Sarah Palin's wardrobe or John McCain's make-up, the way the Daily News did? Yeah, right. There's no need -- Obama's got this thing in the bag. You may think I'm wrong ... I guess we'll find out the truth on November 5th, won't we?

This will bring new meaning, for Americans, to the phrase, "Remember, remember the 5th of November."

Anyway ... I rented The Day the Earth Stood Still from the library and watched it last night before going to sleep. Here are some random thoughts:

• The special effects were not over-the-top or cheesy. For that era, they were excellent.
• Klaatu is up there with Karellen from the novel Childhood's End in terms of intellect and coolness
• Glad Alan Moore paid homage to it in Watchmen. Can't wait to see if there will be a similar appearance of the movie poster in the upcoming Watchmen movie.
• I'm glad they're making a remake, if only to reintroduce the story to the masses
• The scenes were Klaatu is interacting with humans was very down to earth and realistic.
• A little boy running through the streets of Washington, D.C. in the middle of the night -- talk about a different era!
• The scene where the radio news reporter ask Klaatu his feelings was great. That reporter was representative of the Snapshot Joe mentality -- where the MSM just wants an answer and then moves on, without getting the full story. If the reporter had listened, Klaatu might have given him the exclusive of the century!

Drivers that "Grind My Gears"

:It just happened to me again. A driver accelerated right up to my bumper, zoomed past me as I changed lanes to the right, ONLY to come to a screeching halt as he drove his blue Mitsubishi Pseudo-sports car into a left turn lane.

It absolutely AMAZES me when drivers zip through traffic like a stunt driver, ONLY to make a quick left or right turn! And, keep in mind, as they make the turn, I'm passing them on the road. So, all that zipping and zagging gained that driver NOTHING! In fact, the driver has wasted precious gasoline in demonstrating his lack of common sense.

This is why I am so excited about the impending election of Barack Obama. While he has not addressed this specific issue, I am confident that whoever he appoints to be in charge of the DOT or whatever agency it is will find ways to encourage crazy drivers to slow down and drive sensibly. Perhaps they will pass a. rule where engines have to be tuned down, making it impossible to accelerate quickly. I don't know.

I just have the hope that Obama will take care of this issue, and help prevent stressful driving. That's the change I need.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Media's Scale of Importance

A McCain campaign worker had. A "B" carved into her cheek by an attacker who saw that she had a McCain sticker on her car. On the Media's Scale of Importance, this story is a zero.

In a similar story, a female TV news journalist who appeared in the movie W. was mugged. According to ABC GMA (the journalist works for a local ABC affiliate), she was not mugged due to her being in the movie, but the insinuation that a McCain supporter attacked her lingers in the report. On the Media's scale of importance, this tale is a 75.

I'm sure the fact that the lady is a beautiful blonde bombshell has nothing to do with the news coverage. All I can say is ... I'm glad the MSM is on Obama's side. His election would be in doubt if they weren't pulling for him.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

OPEC and Obama

A few weeks ago, I predicted $2.00/gallon gasoline. OPEC is now working to thwart that prediction and rip more money from our wallets.

This is further proof that we need a change towards energy independence from countries that don't have our best interests at heart.

Thank goodness Obama has adopted McCain's energy independence stance. I feel comfortable knowing that when Obama is elected, we'll be a step closer to drilling off the coast of Florida for oil. I'm glad that the Picken's Plan will be put into effect by forward thinking Democrats like Nancy Pelosi.

Our lives will be better with Obama. I'm looking forward to this new reality.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

LDOTR: We Will Miss Jay Santos

I hope that Senator from New Mexico will allow Jay Santos on the air after the Fairness Doctrine is reinstituted. I mean, I understand that Mr. Santos is over-the-top and completely unfair, but:



"Spread it."

LDOTR: More Proof Phil Hendrie Sucks Now

Here's more proof that Phil Hendrie is past his prime, as asserted at the Skew blog:




Obama will give us the hope of new talk show talent, and the change we need on the airwaves, and youtube.

LDOTR: Savage Interviews Phil Berg

As discussed by some right wing commenters on some earlier posts since my conversion, Phil Berg (an ACLU lawyer and Democrat) is suing Barack Obama.

Tonight, Michael Savage had him on the air in his first hour. The allegations are ... well, they are flat out amazing.

Of course, it's one thing to read the bathroom-style scrawls on this blog from Right Wing Spammers ... but to hear the guy suing Obama ... and hearing that he's a Democrat ... it gives the guy credibility. He's a former Attorney General in Pennsyvania. His experience is legit.

My faith in Obama is a bit shaken here. I need an explanation. The Constitution matters to me. Playing by the rules matters. IF this guy was not born here ... I have a SERIOUS problem with that.

And I know I'm not alone.

Basically, as Savage puts it, "He charges that Obama was born in Kenya. Not one major newspaper will touch this.

And then, Savage asked, "Why won't McCain touch this issue?"

I want answers to that question, as well as explanations as to why Phil Berg is wrong.

Here's a link to Phil Berg's website.

LDOTR: Rush banking on Bradley Effect

Fifteen years ago, an older adult whom I trust told me Rush is racist.

Only now, on the precipice of the most historic U.S. election ever, have the scales have fallen from my eyes and I can see.

I just heard Rush basically say that he's counting on the Bradley Effect, which is where racist whites say they will vote for Obama but end up voting for McCain. He even tried to malign Jews in Florida while talking about this.

How despicable.

I'm so happy that my anonymous friend talked me into believing in Obama. Everything is clear now.

LDOTR: Rush Crush on Palin

I missed Rush's opening monologue, thank goodness. I had better things to do, like eat a tuna melt.

At the end of the opening hour, I heard Rush defending Palin. Damn. She grown, Rush. Let her fail in peace.

Maybe Rush wants to steal her away and marry her. He's got a crush on her. It's conservative Puppy Love.

No wonder conservative kids are prone to teenage pregnancies - they are hypocrites incapable of mature love.

Obama and Biden, on the other hand, have a normal number of kids (5 is WAY too much) who are not pregnant. That's a mature, reaponsible ticket.

Last days of Talk Radio: Beck Opines on Fairness Doctrine

That fearmonger Beck played audio of some Senator in New Mexico who supports the Fairness Doctrine.

Then he recounted the Rush success story (yawn) and claimed that Clear Channel supported Air America.

He repeated that freedom of speech and the right to bear arms would be gone under an Obama administration. Meanwhile, he refuses to support McCain, but we all know who he is voting for!

Oh, and he compared bringing back the fairness doctrine to bringing back slavery! What a jerk.

I can't wait until Obama wins and the right wingnut talkers are exposed as liars. That's the change I need.

Last Days of Talk Radio

Since an Obama victory is imminent, I thought I'd take the time now to share why I have had little talk radio blurbs on this blog.

I sense the end of talk radio is coming.

I began to feel it when the Golfer started his "Operation: Chaos." At the time, I could imagine that being used as a justification for bringing back the Fairness Doctrine after a Democrat victory in the White House and both Congresses.

Now that Obama is going to win in a landslide, I think we all know the last days are here for the talkers. I feel compelled interesting little blurbs, as a reminder of what was that we can look back on years from now.

To quote Savage from the other night: "Life will go on."

I guess I'll have to become an XM/Sirius customer soon. It's $8.99 a month on my phone to get XM -- I assume Sirius will be available as well, since they are now merged.

I'm sure everything will be okay. Don't worry about it. "That's fine."

YouTube - YES WE CAN - Music Video Barack Obama
by dav1

Millionaire Hedge Fund Manager Confirms Vahl's Thoughts on Wall Street Executives

In an article posted today on Drudge, Hedge Fund Manager Andrew Lahde announced his retirement in a letter, and was quoted as saying the following:

"The low-hanging fruit, ie idiots whose parents paid for prep school, Yale and then the Harvard MBA, was there for the taking," he wrote. "These people who were (often) truly not worthy of the education they received (or supposedly received) rose to the top of companies such as AIG, Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers and all levels of our government," he said.

And now, from a March 24, 2008 post ... here is what Tony Vahl wrote:

... executives for Bear Stearns selling their shares a couple of months before the ultimate collapse, the iceberg clearly in site as the U.S.S. Titanic rode full steam ahead, the hopes and dreams of the American homeowner riding in the hull.

The geniuses on Wall Street have played the system like a fiddle. Their MBA served them well. The ethics training they received at school was nodded and winked at.

The business schools will take the lessons learned and indoctrinate future MBAs with the political wisdom imparted by Henry Paulson and J.P. Morgan ... they will learn that the former head of Goldman Sachs can drive the Treasury to give taxpayer dollars to risk-taking banks in exchange for worthless paper ... they will learn that the link between government and Wall Street will protect them when they make mistakes ... "So, go ahead," the professor will say. "Take a risk. You won't pay if you fail."

Such a corrupt system, where ethics is replaced by a mix of laziness and fortune at all costs, leaves our nation open to outside influence.

So, while this Lahde character made millions off of MBA-powered executives and their greed, the government (led by King Paulson) swept in and bailed out those same execs.

"Save us all from arrogant men, and all the causes their for...."
-- Billy Joel

Request for Comments on Biden's Remarks

I want to get everyone's take on Joe Biden guaranteeing there would be an engineered international crisis to test Obama within six months of his inauguration. I'm on my mobile phone, so I cannot provide links to the ABC news story.

My take: highly irresponsible. More proof that Obama made a poor choice for VP. Biden is using scare tactics that Democrats derides Bush about. This is worse than Palin bombing on the Couric News Program. "Loose lips sink ships."

Let the apologies for Biden begin!

Random Favorite Lyrics

After an intense off-line political discussion, I thought I would share some favorite lyrics from songs that played on my mp3 player today as I drove back and forth across Florida:

"I must be an acrobat to talk like this and act like that."
-U2

"Time is a train, makes the future the past, leaves you standing at the station, your face pressed up against the glass."
-U2

"All troubles slow fade away ... I hold your hand inside my hand... Through fields of joy."
-Lenny Kravitz

"Words are very unnecessary. They can only do harm."
-Depeche Mode

"Does this voice the wounds in your soul?"
-Dream Theater

"When am I going to take control, get a hold of my emotions?"
-Billy Joel

"She cuts you once, she cuts you twice, but still you believe."
-Billy Joel

"And the only people I fear are those who never have doubts. Save us all from arrogant men and all the causes they're for."
-Billy Joel

Vahl comments on Noonan article

Here's the article, with comments from Vahl in brackets:

"Sometimes the leak is so bad that even a plumber can't fix it." This was the
concise summation of a cable political strategist the other day, after the third
and final presidential debate. That sounds about right, and yet the race in its
final days retains a feeling of dynamism. I think it is going to burst open or
tighten, not just mosey along. I can well imagine hearing, the day after
Election Day, a lot of "You won't believe it but I was literally in line at the
polling station when I decided."


APJohn McCain won the debate, and
he did it by making the case more effectively than he has in the past that
Barack Obama will raise taxes, when "now, of all times in America, we need to
cut people's taxes." He also scored Mr. Obama on his eloquence, using it against
him more effectively than Hillary Clinton ever did. When she said he was "just
words," it sounded like a bitter complaint. Mr. McCain made it a charge: Young
man, you attempt to obscure truth with the mellifluous power of your words. From
Mrs. Clinton it sounded jealous, but when Mr. McCain said it, you looked at Mr.
Obama and wondered if you'd just heard something that was true. For the first
time, Mr. Obama's unruffled demeanor didn't really work for him. His cool made
him seem hidden. [Good points. No problem so far.]

There is now
something infantilizing about this election. Mr. Obama continued to claim he
will remove wasteful spending by sitting down with the federal budget and going
through it "line by line." This is absurd, and he must know it. [Agreed] Mr. McCain continued to vow he will "balance the budget" in the next four
years. Who believes that? Does even he? [Who believed Clinton could do
it?]

More than ever on the campaign trail, the candidates are
dropping their G's. Hardworkin' families are strainin' and tryin'a get ahead.
It's not only Sarah Palin but Mr. McCain, too, occasionally Mr. Obama, and, of
course, George W. Bush when he darts out like the bird in a cuckoo clock to tell
us we are in crisis. [LOL] All of the candidates say "mom and dad":
"our moms and dads who are struggling." This is Mr. Bush's former communications
adviser Karen Hughes's contribution to our democratic life, that you cannot
speak like an adult in politics now, that's too austere and detached, snobby. No
one can say mothers and fathers, it's all now the faux down-home,
patronizing—and infantilizing—moms and dads. [So true] Do politicians
ever remember that in a nation obsessed with politics, our children—sorry, our
kids—look to political figures for a model as to how adults sound? [It's
true. It's true.]

There has never been a second's debate among
liberals, to use an old-fashioned word that may yet return to vogue, over Mrs.
Palin: She was a dope and unqualified from the start. [Not a surprise.
Republicans baaaaaaad, according to the left.] Conservatives and
Republicans, on the other hand, continue to battle it out: Was her choice a
success or a disaster? And if one holds negative views, should one say so? For
conservatives in general, but certainly for writers, the answer is a variation
on Edmund Burke: You owe your readers not your industry only but your judgment,
and you betray instead of serve them if you sacrifice it to what may or may not
be their opinion. [Yes, but one must also consider whether your readers read
and understood your message. A clear simple message that people understand is
better than these opinion pieces that serve to confuse the public ... and are
used by the political opponent to serve their purposes.]

Here is a
fact of life that is also a fact of politics: You have to hold open the
possibility of magic. [Really. Tell us more, Gandalf.] People can come
from nowhere, with modest backgrounds and short résumés, and yet be individuals
of real gifts, gifts that had previously been unseen, that had been gleaming
quietly under a bushel, and are suddenly revealed. Mrs. Palin came, essentially,
from nowhere. But there was a man who came from nowhere, the seeming tool of a
political machine, a tidy, narrow, unsophisticated senator appointed to high
office and then thrust into power by a careless Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose
vanity told him he would live forever. And yet that limited little man was Harry
S. Truman. Of the Marshall Plan, of containment. Little Harry was big. He had
magic. [He came from an era where magic was still possible. Now, with
Youtube and Freedom of Speech finding new voice every day, there is no place for
a Truman-like figure to hide and then rise to power. Truman could not be Truman
today. Truman's anti-semiticism would have been exposed for all the world to see
before he became VP, let alone Prez.] You have to give people time to show
what they have. ["Time is a luxury you don't have," says the opponents] Because maybe they have magic too.

But we have seen Mrs. Palin on
the national stage for seven weeks now, and there is little sign that she has
the tools, the equipment, the knowledge or the philosophical grounding one hopes
for, and expects, in a holder of high office. [And now, let the bashing of
Mrs. Palin's personality type begin.] She is a person of great ambition,
but the question remains: What is the purpose of the ambition? [Perhaps, as
the Loyalist she is, she is merely exhibiting the following personality traits:
"Dedicated to individuals and movements in which they deeply believe ... feel
secure when systems and procedures are clearly defined ... Internal confusion
causes them to react unpredictably. Sarcastic."] She wants to rise, but
what for? [She's dedicated to her cause. I know that's a weird concept
in the cynical era we now live ... which again proves my point about Truman.] For seven weeks I've listened to her, trying to understand if she is
Bushian or Reaganite [Bush is a Reformer, Reagan
was a Challenger. That is why she seems different ... her personality type that she exhibits
IS different!]—a spender, to speak briefly, whose political decisions seem
untethered to a political philosophy, and whose foreign policy is shaped by a
certain emotionalism, or a conservative whose principles are rooted in
philosophy, and whose foreign policy leans more toward what might be called
romantic realism, and that is speak truth, know America, be America, move
diplomatically, respect public opinion, and move within an awareness and
appreciation of reality.

But it's unclear whether she is Bushian or
Reaganite. She doesn't think aloud. She just . . . says things. [Loyalists
like Palin are skilled at saying things. See Joe Torre, another Loyalist
who is known for being a great manager -- not because of his strategies, but
because of his people skills and how he handles a clubhouse of athletes.
Saying things that are genuine and inspiring are what Loyalists do ... like it
or not. Again, in this era, such traits are under-appreciated and thought
not to exist. This is where Noonan is missing the boat on
Palin.]

Her supporters accuse her critics of snobbery: Maybe she's
not a big "egghead" but she has brilliant instincts and inner toughness. [Loyalists are all about instincts and emotions -- those are there
strengths. They, when they are average to unhealthy, are also the
most disconnected with their thoughts of any personality type.] But what
instincts? "I'm Joe Six-Pack"? [It's a catchy line, especially coming from a
woman. Those are instincts that match our current era. It seems Noonan
wants the golden age '50's-style decorum, while also wanting to the Republicans
to win. Sorry -- it's not the '50's. You can't have both.] She
does not speak seriously but attempts to excite sensation—"palling around with
terrorists." [Attempts? She does not "Attempt." She DOES
it. Loyalists are experts at inspiring others to their cause when speaking
to a crowd. If anyone in this race shares the Messiah's personality type
(a healthy Loyalist), it's Palin, not Obama.] If the Ayers case is a
serious issue, treat it seriously [Loyalists use levity and humor.
That's just how it goes.]. She is not as thoughtful or persuasive as Joe
the Plumber, who in an extended cable interview Thursday made a better case for
the Republican ticket than the Republican ticket has made. [Clearly, Noonan
does not like the qualities of the Loyalist Personality Type.] In the past
two weeks she has spent her time throwing out tinny lines to crowds she doesn't,
really, understand. This is not a leader, this is a follower [The Loyalist
is part of the Compliant Triad on the Enneagram circle. They tend to be
passive-aggressive (which explains why sixes like Palin use humor when talking
about serious stuff). Loyalists are not leaders. They are
inspirational.], and she follows what she imagines is the base, which is in
fact a vast and broken-hearted thing whose pain she cannot, actually, imagine [A Loyalist like Palin believes the base can overcome, rise above their pain
... she is attempting to inspire them to greatness. She does not do this
like Reagan, because she's not a Challenger type. This is classic bias
against Personality Type Six.]. She could reinspire and reinspirit; she
chooses merely to excite [That's what sixes do! That's her brand of
inspiration]. She doesn't seem to understand the implications of her own
thoughts. [Loyalists, being disconnected from their thoughts, are not
chess players.]

No news conferences? Interviews now only with
friendly journalists? [More from the description of the Loyalist: "Invest their
time into whatever they deem to be safe and stable. Look to make alliances ...
Make many commitments to others, hoping they well reciprocate. Constantly
anticipating problems. Seek clear guidelines from others, and feel secure when
systems and procedures are clearly defined."] You can't be president or
vice president and govern in that style, as a sequestered figure [Ask
Richard Nixon]. This has been Mr. Bush's style the past few years, and see
where it got us [Noonan wants the President to talk to Keith Olbermann and
be more in touch with the left? Is that what I'm reading here? He
and Cheney have talked to the right-leaning media, and that didn't help
matters.]. You must address America in its entirety, not as a sliver or a
series of slivers but as a full and whole entity, a great nation trying to hold
together [MEANWHILE ... the left can attack the right without
reprisal? Sorry, but this is defeatist at this point. Bush is a
bizarro liberal anyway, so who expects him to address conservative views?
And who would expect a liberal to embrace a politician with an R next to his
name? That was McCain's mistake from the beginning of this campaign].
When you don't, when you play only to your little piece, you contribute to its
fracturing. [Democracies SHOULD be divided, politically.]

In the
end the Palin candidacy is a symptom and expression of a new vulgarization in
American politics. It's no good, not for conservatism and not for the country.
And yes, it is a mark against John McCain, against his judgment and idealism. [Noonan is living in the past ... if Obama can get away with being
inexperienced and gaffs on the campaign trail, why can't Palin? Answer:
Loyalists do not get a free pass when they make mistakes, where Enthusiasts like
Obama do.]

I gather this week from conservative publications that
those whose thoughts lead them to criticism in this area are to be shunned, and
accused of the lowest motives. [Look, it's not about motives.
Loyalists just don't do well in the spotlight. Look at Nixon ... Look at
Kerry. They were both Loyalists, and one had a tremendous fall from grace,
while the other failed to overcome attacks from his fellow swift-boat mates.] In one now-famous case, Christopher Buckley was shooed from the great
magazine his father invented. In all this, the conservative intelligentsia are
doing what they have done for five years. They bitterly attacked those who came
to stand against the Bush administration. This was destructive. If they had
stood for conservative principle [I wonder if Noonan defines conservatism by
the traits governed by personality type eight, the Challenger. IF she
does, she is barking up the wrong tree. That's not conservatism.
That's aggressiveness. That's George Steinbrenner. That's Gene
Roddenberry. That's the road to totalitarianism -- as exhibited by Saddam
Hussein and Slobodan Milosevic (both Challengers).] and the full expression
of views, instead of attempting to silence those who opposed mere party, their
movement, and the party, would be in a better, and healthier, position.

At any rate, come and get me, copper. [You did yourself
in. I suspect Noonan is a Loyalist herself. A strange irony,
indeed. I guess we really do hate the personality traits in others that
reflect our own weaknesses.]

Peter Barker and J. Janah Jameson discuss politics

Setting: Driving on US 41 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Peter and his mother Janah discuss politics.

Janah: Did you hear? McCain is going to cut Social Security benefits in HALF!

Peter: Mom....

Janah: Yes. Yes. In HALF. I heard on the radio.

Peter: Mom ... there's no way. That doesn't make any sense. McCain isn't
crazy.

Janah: I heard it.

Peter: Yes, they were probably talking about benefits for my generation. That won't affect your generation ... people who are already retired.

Janah: Oh. Yes, well, if he cuts benefits in HALF, I will pack my things and move back to Argentina.

Later on ... listening to the Golfbag radio show.

Golfbag: And I guarantee that Social Security will be next ... Obama's going to try to scare seniors and say that McCain's going to cut Social Security benefits in HALF!

Janah: See? I told you.

Peter: Mom ... he's....

Janah: You hear what our friend McCain is going to do?

Peter: Mom ... Rush is saying that Obama WILL attack McCain on Social Security.

Janah: Yep. He's going to cut it.

Peter: Mom ... Rush is saying that Obama will say that to scare seniors like you, and that Democrats always do that during Presidential elections.

Janah: Oh, yes. That's true. That's true.

Peter: Nobody is crazy enough to cut senior's benefits, mom.

Janah: Well. We'll see what happen. If McCain cuts those benefits....

I'd like to thank the Golfbag for confusing seniors with his supposedly brilliant rhetoric and scaring them into voting for Obama. I'd also like to thank him for yet another example of how the game of telephone works in real life. I and maybe 10% of the audience may have heard what the Golfbag said and ACTUALLY understood it, but I suspect 90% of the people are confused by his sarcasm and stream-of-conscious commentary.

Of course, we here at the DailySkew are also constantly misunderstood....

WSJ: "Felons will gain the right to Vote under Obama"

The Wall Street Journal had an article today chronicling the likely bills to pass with a Democrat President and supermajority in Congress. I'd like to focus on one particular item likey to pass -- felons regaining the right to vote.

Thanks to groups like Acorn, we have learned that Felons are ALREADY voting ... that's not what I'm addressing here. I'm talking about having the legal right to vote ... not breaking the law.
I support felons regaining their voting rights after serving their time. Once they have paid their debt to society (jailtime, fines, parole, etc.), a felons' rights as a citizen should be FULLY restored.

That being said ... I highly doubt Obama or McCain would have the courage to sign that into law. I wouldn't expect Congress to pass such a bill. Right wing talk radio and Republicans would have a FIELD day with that. I can imagine in two years hearing commercials like, "Congressman Smith voted for a bill that allows convicted pedophiles to vote in elections...."

While I would support it wholeheartedly, I have zero faith in politicians to have courage and pass such a law.

Greetings from Obama Country

Downtown, Miami. Near 35th street and 10th Ave. I saw an Obama "Progress" murial on a grafitti-laden wall. Someone had spray-painted horns (white horns, of course) and written "Socialist," underneath.

"It was obviously a McCain supporter," said a local.

As I drove north on 441, I saw more Obama murials that were not defaced, looking up in that iconic way, some over 8 feet tall. At the run-down Democrat headquarters, I saw a sign in the window that read: Obama. Biden. Unity.

You could feel the hope that Obama has brought the people here. It reminded me of Harlem back in the day, with MLK and Malcolm X depicted on buildings and sidewalks.

I felt like I was back home in Queens, circa 1984 ... there was a black kid walking down the street carrying a boombox. He'll lookeed at my meek ten year old self and yelled, "That's black people's music," as if he was part of something I wasn't invited to.

I smile at the memory.

Later, I interviewed an Obama supporter who said, "John Lewis didn't go far enough. McCain and Palin have whipped out that old wooden spoon and stirred up the racism in this country.

"Obama is giving people hope! You are voting in November, right? Bush has ruined the economy."

Later, I spoke with someone else who said, "I've watched my 401k that I've been saving for twenty YEARS dwindle to nothing. And my company is in trouble because of the Real Estate."

I love AND respect these people. I dare not argue with them. They have always been liberal politically, and are strong proponents of equality, fairness, and JUSTICE.

In the interests of fairness and in honor of R.A.W. (Who took the time to address my points in a previous post), I decided to share my experiences from today.

McCain vs. Obama Debate III Coverage

10:57pm:
I'm calling this one for McCain. Goodnight.

I'll be curious to see if the Ayers/Acorn stuff actually sticks. I would guess no, based on the Clinton experience.



10:47pm:

NBC: Williams asks Clinton how she felt sitting there -- what a LaME softball question. He grilled Romney like a burger over coals, and suddenly goes soft on Hillary.

Hillary tosses around platitudes about closing the book on Bush.

Williams asks about one-party rule and worries about that.

Hillary references 1993 -- says they had to repair the damage then and now (what a load of bull). More crap about gridlock. Americans yearning for decisions.

Williams asks about Palin: Hillary gives the same answer as Obama did. Avoids ripping Sarah. Says Obama-Biden ticket -- "No comparison."

Brings up 401k, jobs ... offering Obama as the answer, the savior, the messiah, 'da man, etc., etc..

Williams thanks Hillary and subliminally promises to vote for her in two years.


ABC: Stepanopolous says McCain rallied Republican voters. Torie Clark Rep Analyst says Obama ground game is too strong. Stepanopolous says Obama's money is too much for McCain.

I thought rich politicians were EVIL. I always heard how Republicans had more money in the 1980's and 1990's and how EVIL they were for spending more than the poor Democrats.

George Will -- "Too late!" I agree that McCain should have been against the bailout bill. Debates are bad occasions to change campaign.

Stepanopoulos defends McCain's decision b/c McCain would have been blamed for bringing bill down and economy down.

Donna Brazile -- do Democrats really think she helps their cause? She's so clearly partisan it's ridiculous!

Looks like the network anchors are waiting for the polling data -- they're not willing to call the debate one way or the other without the polls.



10:31pm:
Charlie Gibson: "Third time's the charm."

Brokaw: "They turned their backs on each other."

Both talked about Joe the Plumber -- Brokaw declared Joe the winner.

Brokaw: McCain MOCKED Obama.

Sawyer: McCain had a "Battlecry." Obama stuck to issues.

Gibson: McCain failed to make contrast on experience at end.

Stepanapolous: Tactical error bringing up Bill Ayers. Mistake in the debate. (So far, the MSM has not repudiated what McCain said).

Gibson: McCain got ANGRY about John Lewis. Took it PERSONAL. EVIL.

Sawyer: DEFENDS (!) Obama ripping McCain for "Hurt feelings." WOW.

If I get compared to a segregationist ... I'd have to be DEAD to not show passionate disagreements!

Couric: Asking her focus group about McCain taking the gloves off.

CBS shows clip of Obama punting foreign policy to Biden and Luger. McCain talking about Acorn and Ayers. "Facts are facts. Records are records."

Couric asking if this is important? One brother saying Obama didn't look presidential in his response. Brother leaning towards McCain.

White dude with glasses was impressed with McCain, cutting subsidies for Ethanol.


NBC focus group: 4 ind, 1 dem, 1 rep.

1 person thought McCain stronger on Economy; 3 thought Obama stronger on Economy. 2 undecided.


ABC: Playing "I'm not President Bush." Stepanopoulos RIPS McCain for not using it in the first debate. WHO CARES? Stepanopoulos is upset that he said it!

ABC Fact Check: McCain said Joe's last name wrong. William Ayers living room -- campaign was not launched out of living room, but "There were several coffees held that summer. One was held at William Ayers." DAMN. IT'S TRUE.

Obama had more associations with Acorn than he admited to in debate.

I think the MSM will get the facts out tonight, and then cover it up over the next three weeks ... apologize for Obama the way only a sick loyalist can.


NBC: Mitt Romney interviewed by Brian Williams.

Williams pitching that Virginia is going for Obama and 19 days left.

Romney predicting bounce, and turnaround.

NBC panel -- three out of six people switched to McCain!

Romney -- Obama having to explain abortion, spending on campaign ... game-changer for McCain.

William -- battle for soul of McCain?

Romney -- no. Ebb and flow of campaign. He brings it back to McCain positively. Rips Obama for being in extreme wing of Democrat party. Brings up Robin Hood Obama. Brings up Vouchers. Obama -- "Smooth. Quick. But left wanting. Out of the mainstream."



10:27pm:
McCain calls discussion with Obama "Healthy." Yeah, right. Poison is more like it.

Blah, blah, blah. Trying to look into that camera. At least he's making the effort, but he keeps tripping over words. He's going for the win, entering an uncomfortable space.

Long line of McCains ... sheesh. Nobody wants to hear about that, after Bush Sr. and Jr.

Obama thanks McCain and Bob both for moderating. Obama successfully debated himself and won.

Same failed politics line ... change line ...

Whoa -- I didn't invite you. You're on my TV. Let's keep this relationship platonic, buddy.

Economy of future. Lifting wages, as opposed to weights.

Bringing weights to White House ... something like that....

Convinced we can do it (pump us up) ... tirelessly ...

Scheffer -- "Go vote now. It'll make you feel big and strong."

Great job moderating.

And now ... the pun'dits!



10:23pm:
McCain rips Obama for not paying attention to D.C. voucher system.

McCain wants to reform stuff, and rips Democrats for defending programs that don't work.

McCain promises to cure Autism -- damn. He's going for that Messianic Hope vote. Good for him.

McCain -- vouchers are proven system. Yay!

Obama -- uh, oh. He's about to rip vouchers. D.C. school system sucks. G. loves McCain's smile when disagreeing with Obama. Rips McCains plan.

McCain rips Obama, "Because we don't have enough vouchers, even though it's working, we shouldn't use it? I got it." McCain seems more relaxed.


10:15pm: Scheffer asks question about education. Spend more than everybody and trail most countries. What do they intend to do about it?

Obama -- hire William Ayers. Just kidding. Hahaha.

Need more money (?). Invest (?). Huge benefits (?).

Army of new teachers, with General Ayers leading them into battle. Just kidding. Bwahaha.

People take on debt to go into college? Gee, what a shock.

$4,000 tuition credit, in exchange for service. Well, that covers a semester or two, barely. I guess Obama wants to give people another option besides the National Guard.

McCain -- believes in choice and competition for schools. I agree. Charter Schools, vouchers ... enough politics on this subject already. Give parents choice!

"Throwing money at the problem is not the answer." G. just said, "Sure it is. Throw some money this way!" She was kidding. Hahaha.

McCain offering student loan program that already exists. Yikes.

Obama -- Tradition of multiple something or other in schools. Local schools? What did he say?

"Bush left the money behind for No Child Left Behind." I guess that's how the Dems get around the Kennedy connection to that program.

Obama agrees with McCain about Charter Schools. Yay! When he gets elected, I can at least know my kids will have options.

Disagrees with McCain on vouchers. Boo! Oh, well. The voucher system would probably be too complicated anyway.

Rips McCain for calling kids "Interest groups." Ouch. Another great zinger by Obama.




10:06pm:
McCain opposes litmus test. LaME answer. Using doublespeak. Loser argument.

Obama agrees with McCain about litmus test -- I guess since McCain was LaME first, it doesn't hurt to follow him down the LaME road!

"Fairness and justice." Amen, brother. Justice!

A women named Louie Ledbetter -- was that a Pearl Jam song? Supreme Court was EVIL in this case, according to the big O. Woman treated unFAIRly. Justice!

McCain -- now we're changing the culture of America? Who wouldn't show compassion to a woman?

McCain attacks Obama on abortions -- Obama is EVIL late-term abortionist. Voted present -- classic LaME move.

Obama responds -- "It's not true." Stammers. Voted against some law that was already on the books.

Obama supports ban on late-term abortions as long as there is an exception for the mother's life. That's why he voted Present!

HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE VOTED PRESENT! WOW. Great Political Geek Theater.

Work against unintended pregnancy, options for adoption ... for the first time in Democratic platform? "No one is pro-abortion." WOW. BULLS###. That's pure, unadulterated, 100%, grade-A bulls###.



10:05pm:

U.S. Chamber of Commerce calls McCain's Insurance plan EVIL. Another Obama Zinger, "Even for you, John."



9:59pm:
McCain -- supports physical fitness for kids and employees. Maybe Arnold can go back to being the Health Czar.

Joe the Plumber is back! I wish Joe the Scanner was being referred to.

Gary Allen -- very funny twitter comments! LOL

Obama -- "Zero."

McCain -- "Zero?"

Obama brushes off McCain like a piece of dandruff of his shoulder and talks directly to Joe the Plumber again.

I no longer understand what he's talking about while typing ... which imitates the attention rate of the average American.

Just heard something about a 50% credit. 50% of what? Is it more than $5,000?

Millions of people lose employer-based coverage because of EVIL JOHN MCCAIN.

Average policy = $12,000.

Obama is ripping McCain up like a piece of JP Deskjet Off-white 90 weight paper.

McCain -- "Joe -- congratulations! You're rich!" Rips Obama for wanting to pull a Robin Hood and spread his "wealth" around like butter scraped on bread.

McCain adopts the 95% number!

Gary Allen -- he didn't even talk to that voter -- Obama did!

Pulled away from debate temporarily.




9:56pm:

Expand healthcare AND lower costs? Sorry, Obama -- any person who works for a living KNOWS you can't do both.

Obama sounds like a Tashman executive, demanding low error rates AND high productivity.

Cut premium by $2,500 per year -- HOW?!?

Prices will go down b/c of the larger pool of people. Sorry -- it's pie in the sky. If THAT was true, then insurance companies would GLADLY insure homes in Florida against flood and wind damage. INSTEAD, they run for the hills and pull out of the state, leaving citizens with Citizens, the state-run insurance company.



9:55pm: Hugo Chavez = EVIL

That should score well in Hialeah for McCain.

Restrict trade, raise taxes. Last President who tried that was Hoover -- OBVIOUSLY, McCain is a reader of the DailySkew blog comments!



9:46pm: Scheffer referencing Nixon and importing oil. Asks for specific number to reduce oil imports.

McCain -- eliminate Middle Eastern and Venezuelan oil. Rips Obama for wanting to renegotiate NAFTA due to Canadian reaction (good political geek point, but does the common man care).

McCain believes in Nuclear and Clean Coal tech for the heartland -- "Easily" eliminate dependence.

Obama -- "In ten years," can "Reduce" dependence. "Realistic timeframe."

"Nothing's more important" ... everything is a final-double-sized-issue CRISIS with this guy.

Rips oil companies for not drilling in lands with no oil ... yet again. Boring.

More crap about how EVIL we are for using 25% of the world's oil.

References Henry Ford.

Obama talks about NAFTA. Believes in free trade. Rips NAFTA. Good luck negotiating that with Canada and Mexico, Mr. Sim City.

"That's all good." Need free trade with South Korea.

McCain -- pay attention to Obama's words. "Look at." Score it. Two points. Hit that doublespeak!

Rips Clinton for some free trade. That reminds me, NAFTA was signed by Clinton!

Obama opposed Columbia Free Trade ... and, therefore, opposes stopping the flow of drugs. I love the leaps of logic. Rips Obama for not visiting Columbia.

Obama -- "Actually, I understand it pretty well." Damn, he's adroit at rebounding. Wants unions in Columbia. Supports Peruvian Free Trade ... I think people are going, "What? Who?" right about now. I've never heard of either of these trade agreements.

Bounces back to Automakers -- I guess this free trade stuff is not his strong suit.

Obama announces himself as the new CEO of GM; they WILL ... make hybrid cars with wind turbines and solar panels to be the driver of the economey ... or something like that.



9:44pm: Obama punts on the direct question from Scheffer. Applauds her special needs advocacy. Obama attempts to steal special needs advocacy -- says McCain's freeze will kill autistic babies (something like that).

McCain -- Biden had cockamamy (spellcheck that) idea about dividing up Iraq. Interesting -- I didn't know Biden agreed with Michael Savage. Strange bedfellows.

Brings up raising taxes by Obama again, a tried and true strategy.



9:42pm: McCain tells us that Palin is a reformer. Goes down the talking points, telling the story of Palin.

Brings up special needs families.

I wonder who is embarrassed more -- Republicans or Democrats.

Palin's hubby is tough guy