"Got your King of Pop tees!"
 
"R.I.P. Michael tees, right chere ya'll!" 

"You don't wanna miss dis!"

"I got baby tees and wife beaters in every size, you want the R.I.P. or King Of Pop?"

"This is an original art work drawing of the King of Pop!"

"Dese are glow in de dark, wit miguel on dem, solamente ventedollares!"  

As I walked, along Hollywood Blvd Saturday night I could not believe the crass commercialism that has taken over since the announcement of Michael Jackson's death.  Hucksters of every race, creed and color crowded the sidewalks with their hastily made tees.  R.I.P. signs were taped on every business,with the added offer of Jackson tacos, burgers, visors, key chains and crotch-less panties.  They swarmed around like locusts in a feeding frenzy.

It may be cliche, but true, the man's body hadn't cooled before the street corner entrepreneurs began their hustle.  They call them tributes but at20 to 25 dollar a pop, it's a hustle.  

And then there are the has- rans and one hit wonders who run toward the kliegs, pouring their hearts out about the affection and respect they had for Michael.  The same people who ridiculed him and scandalized his name on Wednesday.  The same people who wrote him off as a "weirdo, pervert,freak, plastic surgery created nightmare, aging pop has been.  "WackoJacko," they called him behind snickers. 

FOX, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, E, VH-1, TV-LAND and every nit-Twit have scrambled to get any news out, be it real, false, ludicrous, incredible, or down right mendacious.  Reporters are camped at his "rented house" in Bel-Air, the family's home in Encino, the coroner's office in downtown L.A, Neverland Ranch in Santa Ynez and at his star in Hollywood.  Only place they haven't camped out is at his plastic surgeon's office in Beverly Hills.  No memorial there?

Michael's death may prove to be his greatest spectacle yet, if his father Joe has anything to say about it.  This morning the Jackson patriarch,accompanied by Rev. Al Sharpton, and some Motown revival acts, stood outsidethe Jackson family home and announced another of his schemes to glom off of his son.

"Me and one of da singers from da Stylisitics, one of Myka's favorite groups, we's gonna put together a record company.  It's gonna give young kids da chance ta get off da streets and use der talent da way Myka would want dem too."

"Nah, we aint got no plans on de funeral right 'bout now, we still waitin'on tings."

"His kidz dey in back dere.  We gots all kindz of little kids some close in dey age.  Debbie Rowe aint got nothin' to do 'bout dis."

If ever there were any doubts about why Michael distanced himself from his father, those doubts were laid to rest this morning. There he stood grinning and preening before the cameras.  The sparkly fedora cocked to the side,the shades, Mr. Demille he's ready for his close up.  His face illuminated by the headlights from the coroner's van added a nice ghoulish touch.  The only thing Papa Joe missed was the sequined glove.

How could any family member allow this morbid necrophilia?  Where were Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon, Randy, Janet, Rebi and even La Toya while this spectacle took place?  While mother Katherine was dealing with custody issues, Papa Joe stood before the world reveling in his recaptured fifteenminutes.  The only thing more tragic than that non-news news conference was Thursday's discovery.

It's heartbreaking to watch events unfold; the false coroner's report about the condition of the body, the fate of his non-biological kids, the resurrection of old press hags, Diane Diamond and Maureen Orth, the regurgitation of stories that are better off cremated.  Sensationalism and Michael Jackson have always gone together like a hand in a sequined glove; however, in death it appears it's not only good copy but good business. 

The death of Michael Jackson may prove to be the best boost our sagging economy could have, at least it seems that way as I sip my King of Pop latte and eat my Thriller salad.  I can't wait 'til one of Papa Joe's underprivileged youths serenades me to sleep as lie on the mattress purchased at the Michael Jackson blow out mattress sale.

        

In days of yore, when people had disputes they would knock on their neighbor's door and say, "Howdie ho neighbor, your Pussy ate my canary, or Tommy, that scamp, broke my car window with his baseball, or, your mother-in-law is so cute they way she wanders into my house, by the way she peed on my new Persian rug."  The neighbors would then share a laugh and quickly come to an amicable agreement to settle the matter.  Unfortunately, today's disputes are not so easily remedied.  Life has become more complicated than a stroll across the lawn.

The sluggish economy has produced a strain of litigants that haven't been seen since the first ambulance rolled off the assembly line.  Issues that were once overlooked or thought of as too much of a bother to pursue in court are not just pursued, but because unemployed litigants have a great deal of time on their hands, they are pursued vigorously.   No more looking the other way for the dog bite incurred medical bills or checks returned due to insufficient funds.

If you find you're at your wit's end, because your landlord refuses to remove carpet that smells like a petridish due to a constantly overflowing toilet, or you've exhausted yourself trying to get Mercury Insurance, to pay up after their insured rear ended you, or you just feel gypped, swindled, defrauded, hustled, screwed or taken advantage of in any way, do what thousands of people in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills due yearly, take the lying, cheating scoundrel to court.





One look at the bored and impatient judges, rambling litigants, petulant court clerks, trigger happy sheriff deputies and the lurking sense that anyone of them can go postal at a moments notice, reveals just how uncivil the Beverly Hills civil court is. 

"Don't call me Ma'am," the aging female Juris snaps at a litigant for the umpteenth time that day.  Commissioner Carol Hallowitz, presides over Department 4, the small claims division.  She's short on patience and long on reprimands.  "I didn't ask you that!  Don't interrupt!  You knew you were coming to court today why didn't you bring the receipt?  Look we're only going to 4:30, don't waste my time."  One can almost excuse Commissioner Hallowitz for her lack of charm, after all, her life revolves around listening to and deciding the same disputes with little variation, day in and day out.  It's not Roe v. Wade or Brown v. Board of Education.  It's a dissatisfied botox customer v. a plastic surgery center or a rambling Russian or Spanish interpreter's broken English version of a car accident v. Transit. 

Commissioner Hallowitz is assisted by an all female tag team, Ines Ponce, her court clerk who exhibits various mood swings, and then there's Sheriff deputy Nora Patockova, who has only two moods, nasty and mean.  She stands astride, moving her eyes across the small court room like search lights, "Hey I said no talkin'.  Sit down, the clerk don't want to talk to you.  Hey you, hand me the documents down here not way up there.  Hey I'm not gonna tell you again." Eye roll after glaring eye roll, Deputy Ptockova stands before the court perfecting her gum chewing gum eye squinting all while looking like a body double for Mickey Rourke in, "The Wrestler." 

The first cases heard are always the unopposed litigants.  The ones where the defendants don't show up because they claim they were not properly served or they're sick or out of town.  Anything to get out of being in court.  The judge explains she's almost obligated to grant a continuance and that's when the plantiff loses it.  "But Ma'am, I've taken off work."  "Don't call me Ma'am. Look,  this is first his continuance so we'll set it for three weeks from today, how's that for you?."  After repeated protestations to no avail, the plaintiff releases a loud sigh, sucks his teeth,shakes his head and agrees to three weeks. 

Since Commissioner Hallowitz can't possibly hear all the cases on the docket in two hours, the clerk busily calls around trying to find another judge who can take on some of the small claims cases.  After sitting an hour, the anxious litigants are handed yellow post-its and are told, "You're going to Judge Cole in dept X," or "Judge Stone will hear your case in Dept 6, his case is just wrapping up.  Go to the second floor."  The herd like litigants make their way to the elevator and in a confused haze look for their new venue.  They share a frustration that sits on their faces like a wilted party hat. 

"Can you believe this place?  Why do they say come at 1:30, if the judge doesn't show up until 2:30?"  "How about that sheriff, is she a dyke or what?"  "This is my third time; first they claim the guy wasn't served then they said he was sick now I bet he's going to try some other bullshit."  "I hope I'm heard today, this is getting expensive, and parking is not easy here."





The halls are littered with stories of frustration about how the justice is as slow as the elevator and how uncivil the defendants, judges, clerks and deputies are.  There's a lot of chatter but none center on a settlement among the principals.  The plaintiffs are determined to get what they feel they are entitled to and the defendants are not budging an inch.  Even when a case has been decided in the plaintiff's favor the case is not over.  The next step is collecting. 




Judgment debtor cases are swift and decisive in chief Judge Linda Hart Cole's courtroom.  Friends in High Places v. Rachel Pouri was decided in November 2008.  Plantiff was awarded $5000.00 plus costs.  On February 11, 2009, Ms. Pouri appeared before Judge Cole, after a bench warrant for her arrest was posted. 
"Ms. Pouri where are your financial records, bank account numbers...?"
"I don't  have them with me." 
"How much do you have in your wallet?" 
"Three hundred dollars."
"Hand it over to the plaintiff." 
The plaintiff's attorney expressed her displeasure at the judge's order, "Your honor that's for my fee."
"I didn't ask about your money, I asked about hers.  Call the bailiff."
At that point, three bailiffs entered the court room and one of them was instructed to empty the defendant's wallet and count the bills, not the change.  The bailiff determined the defendant had $373 in her wallet. 
"Bailiff hand $300.00 to the plaintiff.  I will deduct that from what you owe and you will return on February 23 at 8:30 A.M with your financial statements.  Court is adjourned."

At 4:30 the court promptly shuts down and everyone is hustled out with unceremonious haste. 

The proceedings at the Beverly Hills court house can be quite entertaining and at times amusing.  If the hodgepodge of litigants and jurors' kooky outfits, and goofy cases about doggy hair cuts gone awry or botched lipo jobs mixed in with fender benders and mold issues fail to amuse, then add in the scary automaton like deputies and peevish judges.  Where else can you see Courtney Love being bawled out by Judge Stone or JLO sitting on a jury? 

Of course there are random acts of kindness by the judges and clerks, like when Judge Cole demonstrated genuine concern for a plaintiff who was "screwed over by a crooked doctor" and instructed the insurance agent for Mercury Insurance to, "see what you can do to make sure they are not being hounded by collections, since your client admitted liability, you should pay the medical." 

Or when Judge stone helps out an inexperienced lawyer on cross examination of a mendacious witness and even goes the extra mile and leaves the bench to visit an apartment to see for himself if the landlord is pursuing a unlawful detainer out of spite.

Then there's Commisioner Hallowitz who employs a great deal of patience when dealing with non-English speakers and also appears to have a great capacity to get the heart of matters even when the litigants are obfuscating the facts and raising issues that have nothing to do with the case at hand.

There is one thing all the judges at the Beverly Hills court have in common, they know the law very well.  Of course you may get a pro-tem, who may be a bit clueless and befuddled, but he is not representative of the legal minds who preside at the Beverly Hills Court house.  Even with all their quirks, moods, impatience and exasperation, litigants who come before the Beverly Hills judges can rest assured that they are going to adjudicate fairly.  It may not turn out as some like but if litigants follow a few simple rules they will be able navigate the court system with little turbulence.  

If you find yourself in civil court, here are a few suggestions for prevailing:  First ask yourself objectively and without emotion, Do I have a solid case or am I just angry and want to get back at the defendant?  If you answered yes to having a solid case, then sue his/her moles off.

1.  If you can't afford the court cost apply for a fee waiver.
2.  Call 10 days before your trial date to make sure the defendant is served.
3.  Stay civil.  Keep your cool. 
4.  Be brief and to the point.  Write everything out in bullet points before speaking to judge.
5.  Be prepared.  Bring the documents/receipts you need to prove your case.  Make a copy for judge.
6.  Don't ramble.  Speak clearly and coherently. 
7.  Don't interrupt other side.
8.  No lawyers in small claims.
9.  If you're facing eviction see a lawyer or Legal Aid for a referral
10. Leave emotion out of your presentation, stick to the facts.

Resources:
Beverly Hills Court 310-860-0070
Small Claims Court Advisors 213-974-9759
Legal Aid  213-640-3881
Los Angeles Bar Association Referrals  213-243-1525
Eviction Defense Network 213-385-8112
Coalition for Economic Survival 323-656-4410

 

        

I just did a spot on Leno, ya know the whole left coast thing, Kimmel, Jillian what's her name, blah, blah, blah


This book with Bush on the cover is a little gift for Keith Olbermann.


Hispanics are the new Black.


And the heavens opened up...


On Friday, January 16, The Los Angeles Journalists Association welcomed Chuck Todd, the newly appointed White House correspondent for NBC, who made his mark during the primary and general Presidential election by handicapping the candidates with detached and sterile analysis, to discuss his new book, "How Barack Obama Won." 

The viewers of MSNBC will remember Todd for his matter of fact delivery of the numbers, the numbers from the never ending polls that became breast milk to the hungry public weighing and measuring every inch and breadth of the ever eventful race.

At the reception, Todd was much like he is on the news, relaxed and unfazed by his new found celebrity.  He arrived at the event right after taping a segment for the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno.  When asked how he felt by some websites and web trolls who have dubbed him a sex symbol, he coyly waved off the suggestion and rubbed his red goatee.

How did Barack Obama win?  Todd offered no surprise answers, that is, not if you followed the ad nauseum political coverage and round table of pundits who spittled and spattled the same analysis and jargon.

Jill Stewart, Politcal Editor for the L.A. Weekly, hosted the hour long question and answer session.

Todd in his own words:

"Barack Obama ran a brilliant campaign but also benefited from Hillary Clinton and John McCain's screw ups.  The election was as it should have been for any Democrat.  Point is. it was a Democratic year, still you had to run a smart campaign."

"Hillary Clinton and John McCain never built an organization.  Hillary Clinton made a web video and John Mc cain went on the Tonight show.  They never told us why they wanted to be President.  It was as if they were owed it.  Barack Obama wrote down why he wanted to be President and made the case why he was the change from Bush."

"Barack Obama did a 48 state campaign, John McCain did a 4 state campaign.  There was denial in McCain's camp.  They kept saying if we lose Indiana we lose the election.  Then they said if we lose Montana we lose the election, and they just went on like that, if we lose North Dakota, if we lose North Carolina and so on...."

"if John McCain made an item pledge, like run for one term, he may have had a chance."

"The country did not re-align but a mild mannered Africa-American was just the way to go for the mid-West."

I asked Jill and Chuck if they thought there would be a milestone made in journalism, and more diversity will be reflected in the political news coverage and Todd was quite reflective.

"I think Obama's Presidency will force more news organizations reach out to Blacks but I think four years from now we'll be talking about Hispanics, they are a real force now."

Jill Stewart's outlook about diversity in the news room was not as bright. :

"I don't think you'll see many Blacks in print news rooms until the universities produce enough Blacks and Latinos with good writing and analytical skills.  The good ones are always snapped up by the big corporations.  We can't afford them."

On that note, I will hope for a realignment in the world of journalism, so that a mild mannered African American can one day break that glass ceiling.  If there can be a Black President of the United States, surely one of our universities can produce a writer skilled enough to helm an alternative paper, chock full of personal ads.

        

The Trouble Makers

Every year I marvel at how the masses rush around trying to snag this gift or that present, and for what?  Is that expensive tie you gave the boss really going to get you that promotion?  Are those expensive sneakers really going to make your child do better in school?  All the material things in the world can't match time. The gift of self and selflessness is better than any designer gee-gaw.

This past "Black Friday," a Wal-Mart worker was trampled to death by over-zealous shoppers and some patrons at a Toys R Us were injured by equally ravenous spenders.  Is this really the spirit of Christmas?  I've given up celebrating the holidays in what has become a tradition of feeding the corporate coffers and validating Madison Avenue's cynicism of the American consumer.

The concept behind spending until one is in debt and eating beyond gluttonous proportions is beyond me.  Those rituals are quite antediluvian and have been well documented in paintings by Pieter Bruegel and his contemporaries.  Scenes of the poor reveling in the streets in a drunken stupor causing mischief while the rich secret away counting their money, hang on the walls of the Kunsthistorisches and other great museums.  The Walmart incident is nothing new and have always been fodder for artist and the 11 O'clock news. 

Everyday for the past two months we've heard about the great recession.  Thousands upon thousands are jobless and homeless, yet somehow this doesn't translate to those waiting to trample defenseless minimum wage workers.  Why?  Because there may be a Tickle me Elmo on sale, or an Nintendo game at half price, for a child who can't conjugate a verb.  Isn't that what their beloved Christ, Jehovah, Allah, God or the principles of Kwanza and Hanukkah promote?  Must be, because year after year the same stories are flashed upon the news, with little variance.  The sad part is that the ones doing the injuring and the ones injured are the least among us with real purchasing power or health insurance to address their wounds.

Long ago I vowed never to get caught in the holiday trap.  I will not participate in the race for the hidden cheese in the maze with the other lab rats. I decided to give more of myself and less to the wealthy merchants.  Why fatten their bulging cash registers when they niggardly dispense goodwill and charity to the less fortunate?  I can not reconcile spending money on things that have little meaning beyond hoping they would translate into more things or favors for me.   I elect to  do something selfless and selfish at the same time. I spend it with people.

This year I was at the Kingsley Manor, which is a senior and assisted living home.  I didn't serve food or handout turkeys, I simply ate and chatted with seniors who didn't have family or out lived friends and family.  They didn't ask for much but my ear and attention.  I felt selfish because I received more than I gave.  I'm a single person in a city that can be unforgiving to single people and instead of being alone I was thankful to be useful and wanted by people who society has pushed to the side.  They were vibrant, opinionated and often feisty.

 "Where's that damn nurse, I'm ready to be taken back to my room."  That man is too old to be riding a bike at night."  "Hey where do you live?  Can you give me a lift to my condo?  My son lives there now but it's still mine?"  "My hair...it's all right but I have to get a tint next week, the roots are showing."

After I ate in their grand dining room I went into their lobby to listen to a senior who was not a resident but still made a living playing  classical piano.  I also wheeled a man to the hospital section of the residence and had an opportunity to visit with the non-ambulatory.  One man, Mohammed, was incontinent and in his eighties but still had an eye for the ladies.  While I tried to figure out why his TV remote was not working he took the opportunity to feel my bottom and try to and move my hand down his Depends.  Obviously he wasn't on his death bed.  The nurse said he had just returned from having dinner with his family.  Apparently Viagra was on the menu.  Down boy!

I was very grateful I was not in the crush of the shopping madness and was able to be around people who gave me a sense of history and purpose.  I shall return to the senior residence regularly, but I'll wear my sneakers so I can make a hasty retreat from the likes of Mohammed.

My new posse.

 
EX-BFF's


The Golden Girls- They've slept with every widower in the residence
Have walker will travel is there motto



The Wild Bunch- Must be chaperoned at all times


He's the cock of the walk because he has an off-site condo in Hollywood
She wears no Depends on the weekends



 

        

Who's pulling Obama's strings?

Change you can believe in, has suddenly turned into, change you can deceive with.  So far the Obama administration is looking and smelling like the Clinton Klan, and that's not change, that's the largest lobbying firm in the country.  Rahm, Podesta, the whole crew has moved in, with the White House furniture they stole their first go 'round, lock, stock a closet full of skeletons and hopefully, padded cells.  What happened to "no lobbyist will run my administration, no cronyism in my administration?"  Oh how quickly they forget.  

"They're gonna test this guy," Joe Biden warned.  Everyone assumed, especially on the right,  Biden was mouthing off about Iran or the Taliban, but it's worse, it's the Clintonistas.  So far no evidence of that "steel down his spine."  The news, "Hillary Clinton is under consideration for Secretary of State," sent a chill down my spine.

Who knew we were electing an abuse victim who doesn't know how to break the ties to his abusers?  I guess telling everyone who would listen, "He can't win"  "He doesn't pass the commander and chief test,"  "He's naive and dangerous," "He's soft and a wimp, in fact he's a girl." I'm paraphrasing the last quote, aren't considered disqualifying factors for serving in an Obama administration but an off color email is.  

The suggestion that there are no qualified staffers and cabinet candidates, outside of the old Clinton administration is ludicrous.  Moreover, the notion that Obama is the only qualified Black in America is equally absurd.  It was amazing to see all the hopeful young, gifted and Black faces that wall papered every network's coverage of election night, and to listen to the all white anchors tripping over themselves to describe how "transformative" a moment Obama's win was.  I hadn't seen so many Black faces on TV since TV Land had a "Good Times" marathon.

The tears, the hugs, the smiles, the shouts of Joy and that was just from the ex-Clinton staffers at Broken Promises, the Clinton rehab center in Lynchberg, VA.  Obama is the first Black President and their last hope of getting back to a place they called Motel 1600.  We knew the Clintonistas were officially back in the tent when all of a sudden the well oiled Obama machine began to have leaks.  Rahm Emmanuel played coy when he pursued journalists down a street in Chicago, to "not confirm" that he's going to be Obama's chief of staff.  It was touching to see the shrinking violet describe how grateful he was that his "immigrant" father is still alive to see him on TV, talking about his career choices.  Only in America, because in Israel he wouldn't be serving a Black president.

In just over a week, we've seen bigger drips out of President-elect Obama's office than Joe the Plumber. Suddenly our newly elected President's once disciplined and taciturn operation who calls itself, "no drama Obama," has turned into Chatty Cathy.  They keep talking and talking and talking and talking... You know team Obama is in trouble when Keith Olberman sides with George Bush.  It was reported that W was furious when he learned Chatty Barry spilled the beans about their white house meeting.  I smell a Clintonista, who enjoys knishes  and klieg lights, behind these leaks.  

No more pussy footing around, I will get straight to the point.  I'm wondering if Obama is running the "oiky doke" on us.  Have we just been bamboozled and hoodwinked?  On the stump, he loved to use those terms, which are very popular in Black circles, to warn about flim-flam tricks of the Clinton camp during the primary, and shenanigans of McCain's dysfunctional team.  Were his admonishments for us not to fall for the Clinton-Rove tactics, a mere ruse to lull us in a false sense of confidence so he could run his own game?

Before the primaries, I voiced my wariness of Obama's candidacy mirroring another historic Black candidacy, David Dinkins.  Yes I'm talking about the Black mayor of NYC who was once described by Howard Stern as a fancy men's room attendant.  Mr. First Black Mayor of New York City, as he liked to be referred to, was abominable on every level of governance.  Mr. FBMNYC didn't realize that he not only had to dress up and cut ribbons and attend galas with his fur clad wife but was expected to have a working knowledge of civics and local politics.  When it was made clear that Dinkins was not the sharpest tack in the box, Guilliani was handed the office by the same Blacks who once celebrated Dinkins' victory over him.  

I believe Americans are very generous and forgiving, particularly Black Americans, but how many times must the rug be pulled from underneath them before they realize that nice rug salesman is David Blaine.   If Americans wanted a Clinton administration they would have given them a third term via Billary, so why is Obama handing off his presidency to the Clinton tribe?  

Recently a tape of Obama prepping for his early debates in the primaries surfaced and it evidenced an unsure and unsteady Obama.  My question is, has President-Elect Obama grown out of his insecurity or is he disguising his uncertainty by dressing up in the Clinton hand me downs?  Either way it looks as if we may have fallen for the shell game.  Say it aint so O!

The time has come for President-Elect Obama to decide whether he's "unbought and unbossed," as Shirley Chisolm described herself when she ran for the Presidency or just another puppet on a string.  I'm waiting for the President-Elect to cut the ties that bind him and stage a coup to remove the Clintonistas by any means necessary. 

        

Not just a history making moment, last night was one of those times when the history of the moment made us all bigger and better.  I know I was not alone in feeling a great deal of anxiety and angst in anticipation of the outcome of the presidential election.  We've all experienced a political roller coaster of emotions.  Today is a day that all of those who played a part in the election outcome can proudly claim not only were they a part of history but they let history make them into better, productive, engaged and inspired citizens.

Instead of being in the maddening crowds, I decided to stay home and absorb the moment in my solitude.  I flipped from one station to the next trying to gauge the mood of the coverage. I was especially curious about how FOX would cover this event.  It did not escape my notice that two of the most stentorian voices on the FOX line up and the President elect's loudest critics were absent, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly.  Perhaps the executives of FOX read the writing on the wall for McCain and made the decision not to mar the moment by having the joyous huzzah dampened by their resident hate mongers in chief.

All in all, I found the coverage was mostly celebratory, as it should have been.  Of course there were a few rain clouds, Tavis Smiley, still seeing the election through a lens that reflects only on his huge ego and Ralph Nader, "Will he be Uncle Sam or Uncle Tom?"  Fortunately, the massive umbrella of multicultural, racial and generational support shielded the moment.

It's hard to imagine after witnessing the euphoria of the crowds from every corner of the globe that there could be nay sayers but there are.  This morning I chatted with a lawyer I know who asked me if I was "happy this morning."  I replied, "I feel good," and asked him if he was pleased with the outcome.  He was definite when he said, "We lose with both of them."  He went on to explain he was from Canada and he didn't vote.  Later I emailed him what he meant by his statement and he said:

You can put my statement in your blog, but I would rather not have my name in there - I too (as I am sure you can relate) like my privacy and tend to stay out of politics.

As far as elaboration goes, I did not like McCain or Obama politically (not personally, as I am sure they are both fine and upstanding people).  I could elaborate further, but I gather my views steer right of yours. I agree with this quote from JFK and from this quote it should be obvious why I disagree with Obama's tax plan.
 
"It is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now ... Cutting taxes now is not to incur a budget deficit, but to achieve the more prosperous, expanding economy which can bring a budget surplus."

- John F. Kennedy, Nov. 20, 1962, president's news conference

Unfortunately, McCain I agree with rarely as well and I believe McCain would not be a great choice for this country either.  We'll just have to enjoy the ride and see where the next four years take us. 

I make it a rule not to mix business and politics and this relationship is no exception.  The only time we remotely discussed politics is when we shared that we were opposed to the bail out.  Moreover, since I knew he was a graduate of Brigham Young University, I surmised he may have been a Romney supporter, who switched his allegiance to John McCain, but like the exit polls and his email indicated, that was not case.  

It's interesting to note that a poll came out his morning asking Republicans who they would like to see as the new leader of their party and Romney was the top of the list with 20% and Palin at the bottom with 12%.

I did email the lawyer back and forwarded an article from Slate magazine which lent some context to the quote he offered.  That quote is often given by conservatives when countering "liberals" on taxes.

Another interesting reaction I received was a bit more startling in its bluntness.  Especially considering that this man owns a large communications firm and many TV stations all over the country.  When I approached him about doing coverage of the election on his station in Los Angeles, he responded:

I really do not think anyone gives a hoot about the two dorks we have running for president.  If I were to do anything, I would air the movie "Dumb and Dumber" as oir (sic) election coverage.


Record ratings for debates, record breaking turnout, coverage from around the globe, spontaneous crowds cheering from coast to coast and he doesn't think anyone gives "a hoot about the two dorks we have running for president."  Mmm?  

I guess when you're one of the top 5% income earners and your TV station falters due to a lack of revenue, you really don't have to care about  who's president, as long as you have a long enough snout to dip into that bail out trough.

For the rest of us, we're content to wallow in the knowledge that right won over the Right wing, and that truly is history making.

        

A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste

There are certain people you look at and recognize how slavery could have worked for them, and Missy Shepherd is one of those folks.  Back then she didn't have to do things like think, good ole massa did that for her.

I thought it was bad when she didn't know if the earth was flat or round, embarrassing when she mispronounced words, (See last week's show with Bill O'Reilly when she mispronounced "effete"), but today when she announced,"I'm still undecided, I'm weighing the issues."  I could be catty and point out she needs to weigh her food choices with the same amount of deliberation, but I wont, suffice it to say, she has once again proven that she is the most uninformed, least read, babbling brook of nonsense, and the best evidence that a staple of race movies, " the happy darky," still exist.

It's no wonder Bill O'Reilly dubbed her as "one of my favorites."  I'm sure she is.  She threatens no one.  Brings nothing to the table and reinforce stereotypes.

I put off writing about her for the longest time but after she stated she hadn't made up her mind about who to vote for in 5 days, and when pressed, brought up the "military and health care," then made no cogent point to buttress her indecision, I threw my hands up.

I now understand how Harriet Tubman felt when she led recalcitrant slaves to freedom and they complained about the cold and being hungry.  "At least at massa's we gets to sleep in the barn, and cook bring us corn pun.  I sho could go for some potliker rights 'bout now."  Poor Harriet had to remind herself freedom was more than a word it was a state of mind, and some had it and then there were those who were slowing her down, who didn't.

I know I face criticism for pointing out the obvious but someone has to say something.  It's apparent, as my aunt use to say, she doesn't have a friend in the world, or to be more exact a friend with some sense, because they would have pulled her coat tails by now and whispered in her ear, "it's better to remain silent and be thought of as dumb, than to speak and remove all doubt."

It angers me when I see products of a failed school system.  It also angers me that she had enough initiative to win roles of the dumb sassy Black girl, but not enough to get a library card.  Every time she opens her mouth I can hear the collective sucking in of breath from Black folks across the nation, "Oh lawd, what she gonna say now?"

She's not without her supporters, people who are just like her; they're Bible bred and little read.  They bask at the altar of mediocrity.  They feed off of celebrity gossip and reality shows: Cheaters, Cops and of course Judge Judy and Mathis.  I may be accused of being supercilious but I'm just fleshing out a profile.

It's not my goal to beat up on Ms. Shepherd but I would hope that she could serve as motivation to re-tool our broken education system.  An education system that matriculates adults with elementary reading skills and robs them of intellectual curiosity.  Ms. Shepherd is a perfect example of what becomes of someone when doesn't heed what my mother use to impress upon me, "Press your mind not your clothes."  Of course her defenders will say she's rich and successful.  Bobo the Clown was rich and successful too, Step N Fetchi It was one of the highest paid entertainers of his time but to what cost?

The other day I was querying why there were so few Black women pundits on T.V., and then I realized that Ms. Shepherd and Goldberg, without the benefit of book learnin' about political science or anything else for that matter, are serving those roles; and I find the casting of Ms. Shepherd, in particular, very troubling.

We're on the precipice of a seismic sea-change in our country's young history but every morning those who are not ready for this change can be comforted by an insipid bon mot from Ms. Shepherd, which serves to reassure them that their "View" of America is not completely slipping away.

        

They're not just excited, they're giddy.  They can see the finish line and almost touch the ribbon, buuuuuut, they're not quite over it yet and that old coot they counted out is gaining on his scooter.  Scooter?  Yes scooter.  You know, those senior mobiles, the ones they think are a real vehicles, and run you down in the supermarket and Staples.  The ones even the seniors who are ambulatory ride, just so they can get the babes on Bingo night.

Just when the Democrats thought they were beyond the reach of G.I. John and his "Whack Diva" running mate, here he comes inching up in the polls in his battery operated senior-mobile.

My point is thus, don't break out the Chablis and arugula, just yet.  I'm leery of these polls and I have a sinking suspicion that there's some plot within the Republican circles to lull Dems into a false sense of confidence, thus suppressing the vote.  You Californians and New Yorkers are especially vulnerable.  You go to the polls, see the long lines and say, ah the heck with it, he'll carry NY and LA, I wont bother to wait and vote.  The next morning, you see President elect addressing the nation on Blue Collar TV, John McCain died from the shock of the win.  From that day forward CMT (Country Music Television) is the preferred go to TV station for breaking stories like, recent unwed teen pregnancies within the first family, moose Fries on the lawn, Easter road kill hunt and the ever popular annual guttin' and cleanin' half dead fish from the Potomac with the first dude.

Remember when you were in high school and as a goof your class voted in the most inept dofus for class president, well....  I'm not saying we haven't matured since high school but when a third grader is more intellectually curious than your future Vice President, and possibly president, this should give us pause.  Who would support such a person you ask, well.....  I've heard terms like yahoos, nimrods, trailer trash, cast of "Deliverance," thrown around and who's to say which one best decribes the supporters of McPalin, but there's one thing for certain, there's alot of them.  They spit out children faster than tobacco and if they mobilize on a day there's no Nascar or tractor pull, next Tuesday could be the saddest Tuesday since 1929.

I don't want to belabor my point, I'll simply say vote early, then jump on one of those senior-mobiles and drag some other homosapiens to the polls.  Needn't bother with the neanderthals, we know who they're voting for (wink, wink).

        

I received a desperate plea from dear Gov Palin, for money:

"We're working day and night to win, and in the final days of the campaign we need the resources to reach every voter through mail, calls, advertisements and personal contact.

McCain-Palin Victory 2008 helps fund ad buys and get-out-the-vote activities in important races across the country and we need your support during our final push to Election Day.

Will you help our efforts by making a generous contribution today?

Consider what your contribution can help fund in the final days of the campaign; bumper stickers and yard signs for supporters, television and radio ads to get our message out to undecided voters, flyers and mail pieces for door knocking, and food for hungry volunteers.

These might seem like small things, but trust me they make a big impact on the ground to our staff and volunteers who work day and night to elect our ticket from top to bottom.

You know what we're up against- the Democrats have raised nearly $200 million in September alone and are spending it all on the largest advertising buy in political history to defeat our team.

Combined, the Obama-Biden Democrats' television advertising budget is larger than McDonald's and Diet Coke.

They're flooding media markets in every state with ads attacking our team with information intended to mislead voters. We need your immediate financial support to respond. Will you make a donation of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more to support our efforts?"

How much does Joe the plumber charge, a $1000.00 donation?  I know the woman who said, "I doe not trust Obama, he Arab,"  can't afford that kind of money.  

It sounds to me like McCain-Palin are encouraging socialism, they want their supporters to spread their wealth around, to them.  That's spreading it very thinly.

 At the very bottom is a P.S:

P.S. In these final days of the campaign, we need you to stick with our team of reformers to win on Election Day. Our advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts are in full swing, but we need your immediate financial support to fund our efforts in the home stretch. Will you follow this link to make a donation of any amount you can afford today? Your generosity is sincerely appreciated.

<strong>Because the McCain-Palin Campaign is participating in the presidential public funding system, it may not receive contributions for any candidate's election. However, federal law allows the McCain-Palin Campaign's Compliance Fund to defray legal and accounting compliance costs and preserve the Campaign's public grant for media, mail, phones, and get-out-the-vote programs. Contributions to McCain-Palin Victory 2008 will go to the Compliance Fund, and to participating party committees for Victory 2008 programs.</strong>

Isn't it ironic that the author of McCain-Feingold is being strangled by his own law?  This is a classic case of be careful what you wish for. McCain-Feingold states that he can't receive contributions for his election, since he accepted public finance, but now that he's going under, McCain is circumventing his own law.  I guess that's the "maverick" in him.

If I were Gov. Palin, I wouldn't hold my breathe on that donation,  I didn't fall for the subprime scam and I'm certainly not investing in this house on quick sand. 

        

About three weeks ago, I received an email invitation to drive to Nevada to canvas for Senator Obama.  Last week, I accepted the invitation and invited Kevin, a new friend, who expressed an interest in getting involved with the campaign, to join me.  We were asked to be in Vegas on Friday, so we could start canvassing early Saturday morning; however, we didn't receive notification as to the specifics of the trip until Thursday night, at 8:30 P.M.  Thus, we were left little time to book accommodations and since the campaign offered no suggestions regarding lodging, were left on our own.

Kevin and I decided to leave early to avoid the traffic and desert heat.  I looked online for a hotel and saw there were plenty of hotels available and we decided to select one when we arrived.  My bags were packed by the door so I would be ready when Kevin came to pick me up at 5:30 A.M.  

When I awoke it was 6:45 AM and I could see the sun coming up.  What happened?  Where was Kevin?  How come he didn't call me when he was on his way as I asked him to, I wondered.

I called Kevin, "What happened?  Where are you?"  "On my way to Vegas," he answered.  He went on to tell me that he called me many times and let the phone ring over and over again.  I was incredulous because I purposely sat the phone receiver by my ear, which were stuffed with ear plugs, but the receiver that close usually penetrates the plugs.  Kevin went on to recount how he drove to my house, even though he received no phone response, and proceeded to "pound' on my door until he roused my neighbors.  I never stirred, and as I listened to him, I still couldn't believe all that transpired, while I slept soundly.  

It was 7 A.M., at that point,and Kevin was in Barstow, California, the half way point to Vegas.  The question then, was how I was going to meet up with him.  Driving my own car, would've been a waste.  I thought it would've been helpful if the campaign provided a list of names of drivers to Vegas in my area, since they didn't I went online and checked out alternatives.  A plane ticket was expensive and impractical.  There is no Amtrak service from L.A. to Vegas  My last option was the bus.  Yup, the Greyhound bus.

I called another friend to drive me to the bus station.  Neither of us had been there before and were a little lost.  We spotted  two Hispanic male cops, who were not very amiable when they directed us in the wrong direction.  Quickly realizing that L.A's not so finest were wrong we corrected our course and arrived with a half hour to spare before the 11 AM bus departed.

A normal four hour trip took seven and a half hours on the bus.  It was rather uneventful, except for when the bus driver couldn't find the on ramp in San Bernadino and he got on the microphone and asked, "Hey, does anyone know where I can get back on the freeway at?"  

I asked some of my fellow passengers if they were going to vote, and a Caucasian woman who sat behind me volunteered, "I can't, I'm a convicted felon."  There was a Black man across from me, who I learned from overhearing his conversation with another passenger, was a truck driver from Michigan, who spent fifteen years in prison in California.  He responded to my inquiry, "I ain't votin', what for?"  He went on to say he didn't trust politicians and where he came from in Watts, CA, things have not changed.  He struck a chord of hopelessness and appeared contemptuous of the government.  

After I explained I was going to Vegas to get out the vote, he said, "My wife she gonna vote for Obama and my kids be tellin' me to vote but I don' think it will do no good."  I didn't launch into a sermon or try and persuade him otherwise, I just smiled and said, "That's your choice, but you may want to consider what you're teaching your children by doing nothing."   We drove along, and finally reached downtown Vegas, where Kevin and I finally met up.

The following morning, Kevin and I checked out of a Travelodge, and met up with the other Californian volunteers at the Obama headquarters.  We were an impressive size group who were replaced with an equally impressive group when our orientation was done.  



The orientation was lead by a good-natured fellow in thongs.  As he passed out neighborhood assignments he gave a brief description, "I have an urban neighborhood with a lot of transients and young people we need 15 cars, who wants this?  We also have a gated community with older people, this neighborhood tends to respond better when the canvassers are white, just stating the facts, not to discourage you if you're not white." 

He also went over the literature they wanted us to leave behind, which included info on "Early Voting" and a flier for Dina Titus, who's running for Congress, and embroiled in some "double-dipping" controversy.  She was not very popular on our route. 

The "Do's and Don'ts" list caught my attention.  "Hey guys, don't talk to the press, refer them to our comm. office.  The McCain camp is looking for anything to criticize," the leader cautioned.  Also on the list, "Don't blog about your experience in Nevada."  What?  Who's running this operation, Goebbels?  I guess I'm in danger of being blacklisted and slapped silly by Joe the enforcer, a kissin' cousin of Joe the Plumber.

I spoke to some of the volunteers who drove from all over California, but primarily southern California.  I was curious about an older woman in a back brace, Jennifer, from Palm Springs.  She didn't canvass, she stayed at the office and worked the phones.  Even though she could have made calls from home she still wanted to come.  "I will do anything to prevent that trailer trash from getting into office."  She was not shy about expressing her sentiments about Sarah Palin.  In fact, many of the volunteers cited Mrs. Palin as their motivating factor for driving to Vegas.  There was a large group of students from UCLA, seniors from Pasadena, and a varied and sundry of folks, all committed to turning Nevada blue.




The orientation concluded with them handing out tickets to see Senator Obama, at a get out the vote rally later that afternoon.  Kevin was very excited and was willing to forgo a good part of the day to get to the rally early.  I reminded him that we were there to recruit new supporters, so we had to finish canvassing, before heading to the rally. 

The campaign's ground organization is very efficient and well oiled.  We were sent to a house where we were given our assignment.  We left armed with a list of registered voters, mostly democrats, and a pack of literature.  The neighborhood we canvassed was middle income with white and Mexican residents.

The first house we went to was owned by an elderly couple. The woman, Rose was about to leave with her friend, Adrian, originally from South Africa.  When we told them who we were they both said, "Don't worry, he already has our vote.  My husband will vote for him or he wont live here."  They also gave us their blunt assessment of Sarah Palin.  They also gave us an earful about Dina Titus.


Kevin and I had not been out an hour out before we got on each others nerves.  I was annoyed he left the car windows down with all our luggage in the car, he was annoyed that I didn't rush people who wanted to share their thoughts on the race, I was annoyed he had to be right all the time, he was annoyed that I usually was.  I attribute most of our snappish behavior due to the oven like heat.  Note to self, next Vegas trip canvass alone, at night.  Not really.

After we handed out all our literature, and some door tags given to us by another worker who saw us and asked us to help him, we headed back to the house to return our list.  There was an older Black gentleman, Bruce, 72 years old, calling voters.  I asked him what this election meant to him and he said, tapping his heart, "Words can't express how I feel."  That seems to be the omni-sentiment among older Black people.  They really seem to have a special sense about this election, not that older people of other races don't, but they hold something very private and precious about this time in history and their role in it. 




Bruce revealed that the first President he voted for was Eisenhower, "He wasn't a real Republican," he noted.   Bruce also offered insight on Jesse Jackson, "He's struggling with his ego, he use to be the man in Chicago and now Barack is and he ran for President but he was too Black."  In regards to other Blacks, like the man who begged McCain to "take it to him," Bruce said, "That  man, and people like him, are simply misguided."

Kevin and Bruce made a touching tableau, two generations of Black men working to elect the first Black president.  The irony is that they were two of a handful of Black men at the orientation.  I noticed this odd phenomenon in Los Angeles and North Carolina.  I've seen older Black men and some black college students, but their numbers aren't equal to other races or Black women of every age who have thrown themselves into the campaign.  I've queried as to why this is, and it made me think about the man on the bus who expressed hopelessness about change for people like him.

The rally was at three o'clock and it was ten minute til when we started out for it.  When we arrived a half hour later, we were informed the rally was over.  Apparently, they started ten minutes early, and Barack spoke for just a few minutes.  Kevin was upset and blamed me for not quitting our canvassing earlier.  A man drove by and asked what was going on, and when we told him, he became upset as well, "I work for them all day handing out fliers and no one told me anything."  He and Kevin commiserated, "We paid to come here on our own and still didn't get to see him," Kevin countered the paid employees gripes.

We saw quite a few of the people from the orientation who also came too late for the rally.  An older couple from Pasadena, shared, "It was packed and we could only see his white shirt."  They were dedicated volunteers who had driven to Vegas most weekends.  After talking to them Kevin was assured that he would have had a better view from CNN.  We chatted about our experience going door to door that day and Prop 8 in California.  They were lovely people, a professor and museum guide. 

There's a real communal feeling in the Obama Campaign.  Whether it was in the deep south or out in the desert, the volunteers are happy to be there and part of history.  When we were leaving the rally, I saw a young black man in the parking lot and I went over and asked if he was volunteering with the campaign, he laughed and said, "Nah I'll vote for him but I aint gonna do no voluteerin'"  It made me think again, perhaps there is a stigma among young Black men that's it's not cool to volunteer or work without a pay off.  There seems to be little premium placed on alms giving, which, if true, is very disturbing.

Kevin and I drove back to L.A. and as the sun set and the temps cooled our moods mellowed.  We chatted freely about our experience and various issues, and I got some insight into perhaps why young Black men weren't as heavily represented as others in the volunteer corps.  When you grow up being a target for cops and your biggest accomplishment is escaping jail or a bullet, it's difficult to imagine that someone who looks like you could be making decisions that affect a nation and that you could help change strangers mind to see him and you as worth taking a chance on. 

Bill Clinton famously said electing Obama was like a roll of a dice, and like anyone running for President, he is, but compared to the alternative, he looks like a safe bet.  In Vegas he's the odds on favorite.  A postmen we met said, "Ya know, I haven't seen any McCain people, and ya can't win if you're not in the game."  You betcha!

READ ME AT HUFFINGTON POST "OFF THE BUS"

        

There's a saying, "pick your battles," which Campbell Brown may want to heed.  Ms. Brown went on a rant, on CNN, justifying Sarah Pallin's $18,000 a week wardrobe.  She even went as far as to call it a "double standard."  Get real!  

The fact is, if you're "Joe six pack" or "Joe the Plumber's" wife, you're not spending $18,000 a week on wardrobe, hair and make-up.  The self-described mavericks and reformers, have been on the stump claiming they're going to D.C. to reign in "pork" and wasteful spending; however, this recent revelation makes it clear that these "reformers" time would be better spent tightening their own designer belts.

As for Ms. Brown, when a journalist has a platform to speak out about wrongs or injustices, as the venerable Edward R. Murrow did, their sights are set on topics loftier than the inflated wardrobe cost  of some addled brained politician.  Good journalists, or citizen advocates, make a difference by speaking out about a stentorian senator who sows the seeds of hate and division or about how the people who harvest the food for our table can't afford to feed their own families.  Those are just a couple of worthy topics that in the past have made Americans stop, think, and react.  What part of Ms. Campbell's defense of Ms. Palin's wardrobe cost, fits into that template?  NONE.

Instead of spending time on a monologue predicated upon a feint that there is a "double standard" in regards to the criticism of Ms. Palin's wardrobe, Ms. Brown would have been more effective examining what $150,000 means to those Average Americans that McCain-Palin claim to champion?  That's 150,000 spent in two months.  I wonder how many of those rowdy supporters who cry for Senator Obama's head, can imagine spending $75,000 a month, on just clothes?  

Here was an opportunity for Ms. Brown to challenge Ms. Palin and pose the tough questions"  How can a reformer spend so recklessly?  Why didn't she go to discount stores?  In the midst of a financial breakdown, does it make fiscal sense to send the "Let them eat cake," message?   If she's a maverick/reformer why didn't  she put the breaks on the lavish spending?  Instead, Ms. Brown went on to share her own experience as a woman in the spotlight, "If Wolf comes on without make-up no one says anything, if I do, I get emails."  I swear I heard Edward R. Murrow and Cady Stanton rolling over in their graves simultaneously.  

I have two words for Ms. Cambell, Christiane Amanpour.  Yes Virginia, you can be a credible female journalist, without looking like Malibu Barbie.  I can't tell you how embarrassed I was by Ms. Brown's soliloquy or ode to having to look pretty to avoid those emails.  The more Ms. Cambbell spoke the more I saw the wisdom of  the "Today's Show" decision to pass her over.  Ms. Brown's defense of Ms. Palin was ludicrous, particularly when she tried to tie it into a sexist argument.  There isn't a woman alive, least of all Jane six pack, who hasn't heard of outlet malls, TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls...

Somehow Ms. Brown is of the mind, that women who are criticized because they spent too much on clothes are victims of sexism.  No, they're victims of stupidity.  Ms.  Palin could have purchased a wardrobe of equal style for a fraction of the cost and no one would have said a thing.

Here's an idea, next time have Ms. Palin spend $20 at Payless, buy a pair of ruby slippers, click her heels three times, skip down the yellow brick road, knock on the wizard's door and ask for a brain.  That would be money well spent.

As for Ms. Brown, I implore her to cease and desist crying fire at every smoke signal, or she risk having the fire department stop responding.

Good night and good luck.

        

Talk about being a POW, meet the Black McCains.  They were once owned by John McCain's family, bless their heart, back in Mississippi. 

How come they aren't standing behind on the stump?  John McCain talks about bring people together and crossing across the aisle, he may want to start by jumping across the broom to meet his Black kin.

Oh Johnny boy, what are all those "real Americans" gonna say when they find out about you know who (wink, wink)?

John McCain has stolen Obama's change mantra, why doesn't he just pull out all the stops.

New McCain Slogan: "JOHN McCAIN: THE OTHER DARK MEAT."

Commerical:  McCain photoshops himself into the family reunion pictures, that he refused to attend, but his brother went to. 

GOP if you're listening, I think I'm on to something.  You tried everything else, when in doubt bet on black.

        

Tell me it aint so Joe!

We all knew it was just a matter of time, well the time has come.  Two weeks before the election and the green eyed monster, that lives within the weeds of Biden's hair plugs, has reared its ugly head.  Joe Biden is like an ugly step child who sets fires just to get his real parent's attention.  He ran for President twice and got nowhere, and just when he finally has one foot in the oval office, and not for a bipartisan photo op, he undermines the navigation of the ship he's riding on. Not once, but twice, over the weekend, Joe Biden brought up his suspicion about Obama's readiness.  "Mark my words...They're going to test him...He's going to need help."

One would think the Obama campaign would've learn something about fundraiser slip ups, from the top of the ticket's, "bitter" comments. The GOP has jumped all over Biden's chest pounding speech, like a virgin at Sing Sing.  Even Sarah Palin, whos obvious shortcomings would be no match for any "crisis" has weighed in with her usual snarky zeal.  Where were the Obama operatives when Biden was channeling Nostradamus?

The weekend started out with an attention grabbing tour; he did Leno, then Ellen, where he re-iterated how much he didn't want to be VP, "The VP doesn't do much," he said.  Then it was off to Oregon, where in an effort to convince himself  more than anyone else that he will be an integral component to an Obama presidency, he went on to extol his qualifications, "I know these guys since they were young Parliamentarians..."   He then recited his quatrain which describes how Obama will be tested in the first six months of his presidency, but we needn't worry because Biden, the older wiser more experienced hand, would be there to guide the "young man."

Haven't we seen this kind of selfish egocentric spotlight hungry cry for help confront Obama before?  I believe it was in Philadelphia when Obama spoke so movingly about not being able to disavow the first man who who nearly derailed his campaign.  Fortunately, he'd banked enough electoral votes at that point that Clinton couldn't surpass his lead.  Senator Obama is now at a juncture where he's faced with another test, does he look like a wimp as he did when he couldn't kick Rev. Wright to curb, or does he "gird his loins" as "Joe the clairvoyant" suggests and give him his marching orders.  Of course he can't kick him off the ticket now but he can tell him STFU. 

Joe Biden was a bad choice from the beginning.  The man is "bitter and angry."  He, like his "good friend" John McCain, can't believe he was usurped by a "clean cut" Black guy.  I'm curious what kind of vetting Obama did of Biden.  How many times did they have a heart to heart to see where Biden's allegiance lies.  Biden spoke his mind during the primary, when he stated that Barack was not ready to be President and that the Presidency was no place for on the job training.  If that didn't tip Obama off what will? 

Once Biden was on the ticket he started second guessing and criticizing his running mate, like when said, "If I knew about the commercial on McCain being out of touch," it wouldn't have run.  Who's running this campaign?  More importantly, whose team is Joe Biden cheer leading for?  It appears that he's a teammate of his fellow grumpy old man.

After the Shite hit the fan, the Obama team seem ill-equipped to handle inquiries.  I said it before, I guess I'll have to say it again, the Obama campaign needs attractive fluid speakers not these sweaty bald brow spokesmen and trembling unsteady spokeswoman who stumble over themselves with the same talking points.  This morning Stephanie Cutter, appeared on FOX to address this recent Biden foot in mouthitis, and her voice quivered and quaked as if she was caught stealing from the collection plate, she did the same thing on "Hardball" with Chris Matthews yesterday.  Robert Gibbs didn't fair any better on "Morning Joe," this morning.

For a campaign that has been disciplined about guarding against leaks and dissension in the ranks and has run a superb campaign tactically, they come up short when it comes to effective spokespeople.  When things go wrong,  like when Hillary Clinton came out swinging and produced Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers during the primary, they appear unsteady and deer in headlights-ish.  For all the praise Obama has received for his eloquence, why can't he find spokespeople to his equal?

Two weeks out and there's not one advocate for Obama who can simply say, "Joe Biden's wild prognistications was just conjecture and in no way reflects the reality of what may happen, but rest assured if "tested," President Obama is prepared to address it in the same manner he's addressed and triumphed over all the challenges he has faced in his 47 years."

Note to Obama, don't take as long to snuff out this smoldering blaze as you did with Rev. Wright.  Nearly a billion dollars of other people's money and dreams are at stake.

        

Guess which prominent woman in the GOP said the following:

"God then called me to run for the United States Congress, and I thought 'What in the world will that be for?' and my husband said 'You need to do this,' and I wasn't so sure, and we took 3 days and we fasted and we prayed and ...he made that calling sure And its been now 22 months that I've been running for United States Congress. Who in their right mind would spend 2 years to run for a job that lasts 2 years? You'd have to be absolutely a fool to do that. You are now looking at a fool for Christ. This is a fool for Christ. ... you may have seen how God has in his own will, and his own plan, has focused like a laser beam after this scandal [involving Mark Foley] that came up about a week or so ago. He has focused like a laser beam in his reasoning on this race. We could talk more about what that means for this nation, what this means for defeating radical Islam..."

If you guessed Sarah Palin, you're wrong but close. It was the first version of Palin. The above quote is from the self-described "fool," Michele Bachmann, Minnesota's 6th congressional district Republican representative. Ms. Bachmann caught my attention when she began popping up on various news shows offering often daft and puerile"reasoning" for the McCain/Palin ticket.

On Friday's edition of "Hardball" with Chris Matthews, Ms. Bachmann challenged Chris and the media, whom she and her cronies have decried as biased elitist, to investigate and root out Anti-American congress members, like Barack Obama.


The last time that kind of charge was made was in Wheeling, West Virginia, when a little known Republican senator from Wisconsin held up a sheet of paper to a woman's group and claimed it contained a list of known Communists working for the State Department. The assertion led to the House Committee on Un-American Activities and a long dark period in American history that succeeded in doing what no communist leader or radical Islamist could do; turn neighbor against neighbor and make every American suspect of being not American enough.

Over fifty years ago, Senator McCarthy's assertions were investigated by the Tydings Committee, a subcommittee of the Senate foreign relations committee, who concluded his charges were a "fraud and a hoax," which motive was to "confuse and divide the American people...to a degree far beyond the hopes of the Communists themselves." Sound familiar?

As the presidential race draws to a conclusion, it is becoming increasingly clear that the McCain campaign is going old school and leafing through Joseph McCarthy's play book, "confuse and divide the American people." The McCain campaign chieftains have issued their marching orders; paint your opponent and his supporters as the enemy. "He/They are not like us," "He/They don't love America like us," "He/They pal around with terrorists," "He/They are not from pro-American parts of the nation." Code name, "Mein Kampf," this divide and conquer strategy is McCain's most potent final hail Mary, and has proven successful in the past; thus, he/they should not take it lightly.

Before he/they can conquer their opponents they should know them better. After Ms. Bachmann's disturbing performance on "Hardball," I had to find out more about this wild eyed neocon. After a little research I discovered that these "small towns" that Sarah Palin often commends for growing "good people," also grow xenophobic coco for coa coa puffs, hate filled Jesus freaks.

Let me share a few things I learned about Ms. Bachmann:

In October 2003, Ms. Bachmann was a featured speaker at a "Ten Commandments Rally" at the State Capitol [Minnesota]. During the rally, about a dozen speakers call for a return to biblical and Christian principles and for posting the commandments in public schools and buildings. The event was broadcast live on evangelical radio station KKKMS.

Who knew there was an evangelical radio station with the call letters KKK, followed by the initials for Mississippi, a Jim Crow stronghold? But wait there's more.

The first time Bachmann's political activism gained media notice was at an abortion protest in 1991. Bachmann attended the meeting to protest public tax dollars going to the hospital; speaking to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, she said that "in effect, since 1973, I have been a landlord of an abortion clinic, and I don't like that distinction."

In 1993, Bachmann joined with other parents to open New Heights Charter School, the first K-12 charter school in the nation. The oversight of New Heights soon encountered problems. Conflicts arose when many parents and the school district questioned if money from public tax dollars was going towards injecting Christianity into the curriculum.

Parents charged Bachmann with trying to set up classes on Creationism and advocating "something called '12 Christian principles' be taught, very much like the 10 Commandments." Bachmann and the board of directors also refused to allow the in-school screening of the Disney film Aladdin, feeling that it endorsed magic/witchcraft and promoted paganism. It gets better.

Ms. Bachmann has five children and has also taken in 23 foster children, all teenage girls. Her husband runs a Christian counseling center, like Todd Palin he lives in the shadow of his wife. So while Ms. Bachmann is fulfilling "God's will," her wife/ Mr. Mom is home "counseling" teenage foster girls. Hmm....

The Bachmann's biological children were home schooled, while their foster girls attended public school. Ms. Bachmann attributed behavior problems in her foster children to the public school system. "I began to realize as I studied aspects of their assignments that these attitudes and behaviors could be traced to their curriculum," Bachmann stated. Perhaps, but there may be other reasons, like being shuttled from foster homes to state homes, feeling abandoned and often being victims of sexual and physical abuse from their foster families; particularly when left alone with emasculated foster fathers.

While their foster children were attending public schools, Ms. Bachmann spearheaded a movement to have intelligent design be given equal time with evolution in Science classes. However, in her quest to advance her political fortunes, Ms. Bachmann dropped this idea in the next stage of her political career, the run for a seat on the Stillwater School Board. She "denies that she spoke of creationism in the campaign."

Want to know more? Here's a tasty morsel, Bachmann is a member of a church that is part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, whose doctrine teaches that the Roman Catholic papacy is the Anti-Christ identified in Scripture. When she was asked about this in a debate, she flat out lied and said her, "church does not believe that the Pope is the Anti-Christ, that's absolutely false... I'm very grateful that my pastor has come out and been very clear on this matter, and I think it's patently absurd and it's a false statement." You betcha.

Bachmann, like Palin, doesn't have an ounce of compunction about flaunting rules, On March 14, 2007, Bachmann's press secretary, Heidi Frederickson, sent out an email from her government account urging supporters to "take just a moment of your time to write 50-100 words about why you support Michele," and that Bachmann "would appreciate seeing that in the paper." The e-mails ran afoul of House rules regarding the use of congressional resources for campaigning. The e-mails asked constituents to send letters to local newspapers that praised Bachmann's record. Like Palin, she's no shrinking violet.

On July 11, 2007, Bachmann voted against a bill that would raise the maximum Pell grant for college students. Supporters of the bill said "it would allow more students to attend college." Bachmann countered, "... it favors the costly, government-run direct lending program over nonprofit and commercial lenders." I wonder how many of those teen foster girls went on to higher education?

Ms. Bachmann, like Palin, is not allergic to lying even when it's publicly proven that she is. In February 2008, Bachmann voted against an extension of the Protect America Act. Later in March, she submitted an op-ed to the Star Tribune arguing that the PAA ought to have been passed and faulting House Democrats for its failure to do so. The extension had been proposed and overwhelmingly supported by Democrats.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, in fact, the titanic was grounded by an ice cube in comparison. It's incumbent upon all "pro-Americans" to delve into the backgrounds of the McCainiacs and Palinuts, no matter how unpleasant the task. We must be as assiduous in our investigation as they are virulent in their attacks. Let's face it, political assaults are not uncommon but when political opponents gin up crowds to the point of inciting violence and they make unsubstantiated charges of treason, it is time for all Americans to ask the question that was finally posed to Mr. McCarthy, "Have you no sense of decency?"

Am I alone in wondering whether Mr. McCain, who loves to wave the banner of heroism because he experienced something that thousands of soldiers did, has any sense of decency? Mr. McCain is asking the American people to let him lead them through challenging times, yet, hasn't shown much leadership throughout his campaign. A strong leader is respected and obeyed.

McCain claims he doesn't approve of the hate directed toward Obama, so why can't he direct his running mate and campaign flacks to cease it? McCain's campaign is so random and unfocused, it makes one wonder who's steering his sinking ship? I suspect its either those "fools for Christ on a mission from God," as his running mate and her older clone, Ms. Bachmann asserts or just plain fools, and Christ has no idea about this mission their always talking about.

Bless their hearts.

        

So let me get this straight, we're suppose to believe a woman who can't cite one periodical or tell us if she's even read a self help breast exam pamphlet, has read the Constitution.  Moreover, we're to believe this quasi journalism/communications major, who finally received a four year degree, after attending five community colleges, has greater sagacity about the interpretation of the constitution, than the authors?  Gotcha! (Wink, Wink)

Gosh darnit, I'm thankful the founding fathers, those old guys who lived back when Alaska belong to Mexico said, hey  guys lets be "allowing to the constitution much flexibility,"  so the vice president can have more power than the President, especially if it turns out to be a moose hunting, deer wrastling, filly, with a snappy turn of a cracker barrel phrase and guts prey without smearing her greasy lip gloss.  To which I'm certain they all bellied up to the tavern bar, downed six tankers of ale, belched a hearty yip, yip,yap, yap, yop,yop,anyone who reads and believes this is a dope, dope.

All right folks, let's get real here, last night's performance by Ms. Palin was truly a testament to what happens when mediocrity meets obstinate ignorance.  Good night nurse, is it me or does Ms. Palin have the demeanor of a roadside diner waitress named Trixie?  I can just see her first audience with the Queen,"Hey Doll, whatcha got in dat bag?  Got any Tums, I'm about to heave from all this elitist  food, don't yall know nuttin' about no road kill pie?"

Where do I begin?

I'll begin with Ms. Palin's, Eve Carrington revelation that she wants more power than the current V.P. Note to John McCain, stand behind Cindy, who tends to favor those neon colored reflective outfits.  That way there is one less excuse for Ms. Palin, when they inquire about the gun shot.  I have  no doubt that her marksmanship will be more accurate than her predecessor's, for the prize is much greater than a weasly lawyer, it's the Presidency. 

Ms. Palin may not have won Miss Alaska, or received an honorable mention for her flute playing but the Baracuda will be doggoned if she aint gonna go to the lower 48 and show those political muckety mucks how a real politican gets things done, with a gun in one hand, six pack in the other and a baby at each breast.  Pill baby pill!  Take a pill baby!  Take a pill!  Ortho Novum.

Last night's debate was a study in the sublime and the patootyful.  That's patooty full of do-do (That's folksy talk for you elitist pansy intellectuals).  First there was Joe Biden, who was a sublime and exemplary advocate for his principle.  He was sober, thoughtful, human, compassionate, articulate, cogent and Presidential.  In fact, he should be coaching Obama before his debates.

Then there was Ms. Palin.  (Long audible sigh)  One can tell she was once a female jock, from the way she barreled into the hall.  What did Don Imus call those female student basketball players?  The sad aspect of Ms. Palin's performance is, because the bar was subterranean, all she had to do was stand upright to be judged exceeding expectations. 

I'm not certain if she asked Sen. Biden, "Can I call ya Joe or can I getcha a cup o' Joe?"  From the winkin', blinkin', nose scrunching, lip smacking I figured out she asked the latter.  "You betcha, darn skippy, zippity dippity yeah, Joe Six pack and rippity pippity poo."  Just when I was getting used to Bush's pig Latin, here come's Yukon Sara with Hillbilly bonics.  I guess I owe my friend  five dollars.  I bet him the professional standards for the Presidency couldn't get any lower after Bush.  Another reason to hate Ms. Palin, five bucks doesn't come easy these days, since "Deregulator" McCain.

I'm not going to go through the litany of inaccuracies and lies of Ms. Palin, I'll leave that to Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow.  I was struck by how smug and complacent she was about her ignorance.  She parroted all her talking points from crib notes   She was proud of her achievement of being able to limbo under the bar of just getting by.  It's a sad statement when America purports to be the leader of the free world; yet, we have another dullard, a wink a way from the Presidency, who can't pronounce the word nuclear and has no idea what the heck Gwen Ifill was asking her.

I'm appalled that not once during her caricature of a good ole girl, who can shake, shimmy and fake her way to the top, did Ms. Palin demonstrate an ounce of empathy for people who weren't Joe six pack.  There wasn't an iota of authenticity to her performance.  It was canned corn, straight out of the bomb shelter supply kit. (Palin asked Biden's permission to call him Joe so she could say it in one of her canned lines, "Say it aint so Joe.")

More pathetic than sister Sarah's scenery chewing skit are all the apologist and enablers who pass themselves off as conservative pundits.  "She was great, what a smile, what a feisty personality, she knows how to slice and dice these boys down to size."  They jockey for face time in front of any camera lens, CNN, FOX, 7-11 Surveillance, anyone who will listen to their banal prattle about their narcissistic ambitious harpee.

There was one real moment of emotion and paternal pride last night,  which didn't come from the "hockey mom" but the one time single dad.  It came when Sen. Biden recalled when he lost his wife and daughter in a car accident and worried whether his sons would survive.  It was very real and touching.  What was Sister Sarah's response?  Nothing.  Yup, dats right folks. Nothing, nada, zip.  She stood at her lectern with a plastered on cheesy smile and continued reading from her crib notes.  Bush may not be the sharpest tack in the box but at least he has demonstrated compassion.

Last night Ms. Palin exhibited the depth of her lack of knowledge and curiosity about things outside of Wassila.  Her automotron, halting speech and non blinking stare reveals a portrait which is more gruesome than  Dorian Grey.  Ms. Palin is a self centered, myopic, addle brained frighteningly dangerous dumb bell.  The fact that there are people in this country who will vote for her because, "She's just like me," demonstrates that the Europeans and Bill Maher are right, Americans (at least Palin supporters) are morons.

One wink does not a competent candidate make.  If Sister Sarah is successful in cutsey wootsing her way to the white house, then women's days of being judged on merit and intellect will be gone with the wind.

        

Thirteen years to the day of his first not guilty verdict, O.J. Simpson has just been found guilty on all 12 counts in a Las Vegas court room.  Was the swift verdict, justice or jury nullification?  Was the all white jury, 9 women and 3 men, really a jury of his peers?  

More importantly, has the McCain campaign found their game changer?  Will the guilty OJ being led out in handcuffs be this election's Willie Horton?  I may be cynical but I have a feeling a very distressed McCain campaign strategist just exhaled.  They found their scary black man link.  

The ad will not so subtly remind voters of how rived the nation was when that big black scary man got away with killing one of America's fair maidens.  Then it will put the fear of God in America about placing the reins of the nation into the hands of one of them. It will more likely star the GOP's sweat heart, Immaculate Palin, fleeing from the scary specter.  The Tag line:  Country First (wink,wink)

        

If ever there was a Carpe diem moment, this is it.  You don't have to be chicken little to see the sky is falling.  Let's go down the list; Bear Stearns, Indy Mac, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and now AIG.  The only institution untouched is the reliable Ozarks Bank, also known as Uncle Bubba's left boot.   With all this economic failure and a GOP candidate, who calls his running mate the "cats meow," why is Barack and Biden having a difficult time connecting the dots with Joe and Jane six pack?

Let's begin with Biden.  You may have heard he's from Scranton, PA and he was the first in his blue collar family to graduate from college, well since then he's been a fixture in D.C.  He also has a reputation for being a loose canon and at times more mouth than head.  That would explain why he publicly questioned Obama's decision to choose him as a running mate over HIllary Clinton.

Biden is also known for his scrappy nature which can be an asset, especially when talking to folks who have lost their jobs, pensions and are struggling day to day to make ends meet, but his pedestrian appeal is diluted when he shows up to rallies dressed to the nines, in French cuffs.  It's a little off putting to hear the woes of the middle class coming from a politician, who looks like the guy who bankrupt your company and left with a 20 million dollar golden parachute.

Then there's the top of the ticket.  Barack is the most genial looking fellow, aye there's the rub.  Whether he's flanked by a mine field of flags or at a staged bar-b-q,  Barack is always the black guy in the Brooks Brothers' catalog, while the rest of the crowd is comprised of burly, hairy teamsters; women teamsters.  For the life of me I can not understand why someone in the Obama camp has not figured out that Adlai Stevenson speeches and Mitt Romney attire, is not a winning combination to win over local 527 or any other local for that matter. 

When is Barack and Biden going to take off the suit and tie and put on the gloves?  Now is the perfect opportunity for B&B to stop talking about being regular guys and act and look like one.  Instead of those long winded tongue twisters of Barack's, what if he comes out in a pair of jeans, not khakis, union tee shirt, not Izod, and ask, "How's the last eight years been treating you?"  Instead of that stiff upper lip posture with the chin thrust, what if he shows some real anger and indignation over the crumbling economy and nursery rhyme solutions offered by McPalin?

Now is the time to put on the gloves and hit McPalin where it hurts.  Why isn't Barack and Biden asking who's on first, is what on second and I don't give a damn on...because the GOP line up resembles an Abbott and Costello skit?  It's hard to tell who's the top of the ticket, with McCain riding Palin's pantyhose. 

Today is the day the Obama campaign should be asking voters if they want the fragile economy stewarded by a member of the Keating Five.  The Obama campaign should be asking voters do they want the bellicose and naive foreign policy of a septuagenarian and a running mate who cites proximity to Russia as her qualification as commander and chief? The Obama camp should be asking voters do they want another administration rife with cronyism and secrecy?  The Obama camp should be asking voters how confident they are with McCain and Palin when their top surrogate, admits they are not competent to be a CEO of a company, but should be entrusted to run the country?  The Obama campaign should be asking voters how secure they are entrusting the foreclosure crisis to a dilettante with nine houses and a rogue governor who bills the state $17,000 in per diem to live in her own home? 

Those are the questions that Barack and Biden should be posing to the electorate, in simple and direct language.  They should be asking these questions, not in stadiums and rah rah rallies but in union locals, on shop floors, grocery markets, malls and yes, town hall forums.

Barack and Biden need to leave the Saville Row suits home and mirror the crowds they're addressing and the people whose vote they're courting.  The suit may not make the man, but the lack of one may make the man and woman pay attention. 

For the past 18 months, the foremost questions about Barack Obama have been, does he have any fight in him?  Can he throw a punch?  Can he accept a punch?  And can he go the distance?  Well, the jury is still out and that's not a good sign.  The man has failed to demonstrate that he has an ounce of passion.  On the day Wall Street dropped more than 500 points, it would have been a perfect day for him to pound his fist on the podium and say, "DAMN IT, I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE," in response, instead he stood stiff as board and read a wordy speech in a deliberate manner off a teleprompter. Not exactly what the Scranton bowling league wants to hear.

There are less than 50 days left, and I HOPE Obama seizes the day.  Today is the day for him to take off the kidd gloves and put on some hip boots and act like he's a man who's not afraid to get his nails dirty, as oppose to a professor who files for workman's compensation for a paper cut. 

        

I received this in my inbox.  I think she makes her point quite well.  Those of you who have asked why Sarah Palin, who goes to a church that speaks in tongues, has an unwed teen daughter, a husband who never went to college and has a DUI- represents American Values; and Barack Obama and  his wife, who are Harvard grads, faithful and committed to marriage and community, are scary outsiders, will appreciate the following:

I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight....

* If you grow up in Hawaii, are raised by your grandparents, you're
"exotic, different."
* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American
story.

* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
* Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well
grounded.

* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the
first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter
registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as
a Constitutional Law professor,  spend 8 years as a State Senator
representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the
state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the
United States Senate representing a state of  13 million people while
sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and
Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real
leadership experience.
* If your total resume is: local weather girl,  4 years on the city
council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people,
20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then
you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking
executive.

* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising
2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real
Christian.
* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your
disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a
Christian.

* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the
proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
* If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no
other option in sex education in your state's school system while your
unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.

* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a
prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city
community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values
don't represent America's.
 * If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude",  with at least one DUI
conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until
age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of
Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

OK, I'm much clearer now.

Thanks Kevin

        

McPALIN'S STRATEGY FOR VICTORY!

We all knew it was coming, the only question was when?  When would the ad about the uppity nigger sassing Miss Sara air. Well, today is the day.  "Disrespected," made its debut today after the not so quiet whisper campaign about how Barack Obama hasn't shown the proper "deference" to the GOP's Yukon maiden.  How dare he not know his place?  How dare that boy question a good Christian woman like Miss Sara?  How dare he look her straight in the eye?  How dare he raise his voice to her?  

John McCain's campaign will never be accused of subtlety.   He's moved on from Rove tactics to Harper Lee plots. His new Dixiecrat strategy is catnip to the the demographic that was loathe to embrace him, prior to Palin.  McCain has proved with the Palin decision, persistent lies and smarmy ads that he will do anything to be President.  Beware America, that is one dangerous person.

The same person who produced the ads about McCain having an out of wedlock "Black baby," produced the ad "Disrespected."  He's also one of McCain's top advisers.  For those of you who missed the irony, The person who destroyed McCain's first bid for the Presidency was sought out by McCain to destroy Obama's candidacy.  McCain represents Change for sure, as long as it benefits him.  How is that putting his country first?

Where's McCains deference to his wife, who he calls a cunt.  Talk about biting the hand that feeds, shelters, clothes, jets you around.  Where's McCain's deference to Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, who he joked was the love child of Janet Reno and Hillary?  Where's McCain's deference for his first wife, who he dumped once she became a crippled?  It's clear all white womanhood is not created equal.  Only white women who can help him drive his scooter into the oval office deserves "deference."

After reading some of the responses on various blogs which demonstrate support for McCain's cynical and backward tactic, I'm feeling less hopeful about this election; and frankly very frightened.  What about Black, Hispanic, Poor Whites and Asian women, don't we deserve "deference" too.  Don't we deserve the same affirmative action and breaks Sara Palin is afforded.  Not that I would want to advance in life, on 'spunkiness' and being "awesome."

America wake up!  These people are trying to pull the hood over your eyes.  Regardless of your regional background or religious beliefs you should not allow this country to return to the past.  Learn from the past, don't repeat it.  Remember what the confederate soldiers had to learn after thousands of lives were lost.  Once the war between the states was waged, the rich sat out the war by paying "poor white trash" to go in their place.  Realizing what fools they had been for waging a war they were doomed to lose, they concluded, "This a rich man's war and a poor man's fight."  Sound familiar.

McCain is no friend of the working man, how can he be when he admits he's "divorced from the day to day struggles of average Americans."  McCain isn't even a friend of veterans, how can he be when he opposes benefits for veterans.  So why would he really care about women, the disadvantaged, health care, the environment, education...?  He doesn't.  John McCain cares about John McCain.

My friends, John McCain is not concerned about your day to day struggle or  whether Sara Palin is disrespected, John McCain wants to be president at any cost.  If he has to lie, or lay down with dogs with fleas, he has demonstrated that he will do it.  The question you must ask yourself is, are you willing to fight this rich man's war, so he can sit comfortably in the oval office?

        

Palin wants a cracker.  Parroting pat lines in inappropriate places, clueless on the Bush Doctrine, repeating "We must not second guess Israel" for the benefit of Florida, instead of answering what the U.S.'s obligation to Israel is, looking like she wandered in the wrong room with a tray of pigs in the blanket, all I can say about Sara Palin's debut is, Governor I know Dan Quale and you Governor Palin are no Dan Quale.

This woman is not ready for prime time, let alone run a country.  I have just lost respect for the electorate of Alaska.  Perhaps the below freezing temps and the long dark winters is there excuse for the lapse of good judgment in electing this hockey mom.

I'm dumbstruck by how little this woman knows.  The scary part is that the majority of the electorate wont recognize how vapid she is because they aren't as astute on world affairs as their European counterpart.  Even if you don't read the "Financial TImes" or watch "BBC World News," you should be able to see that Ms. Palin is an empty banana clip.  The interview consisted of her vaccilating between being the confident pit bull with lipstick and playing statesmen.  It was uncomfortably obvious that she was searching for lines that were crammed into her in preparation for the interview.

This interview should give even the most zealous Palin-nut pause about her capabilities.  She's not ready; and frankly I don't think she'll ever be.  Cheerleader-in-Chief, yes, Commander-in Chief, get real! I will give her credit for learning to pronounce the names of the leaders of Iran and Georgia, something Bush never did, but if that is her primary qualification, then the kid who won the Spelling Bee is far more qualified than Ms. Palin.

The best part of the interview was when Charlie Gibson, who sought to redeem himself for the "flag pin" questions during one of the 21 democratic debates, rolled his eyes and exasperatedly said he was lost in her obfuscation.  He looked as if he wanted to slap her, but it dawned on him if he did, he risk the wrath of the cult she leads.  I wonder what the Palin-tology equivalent to a fatwa is? 

NEWS FLASH: JOHN MCCAIN ADMITS HE'S DIVORCED FROM THE DAY TO DAY STRUGGLES OF AVERAGE AMERICANS

This evening there was a forum on service in which both Obama and McCain participated.  The most significant admission was from John McCain, admitting that since his wife is worth millions, nine houses and private jets he's clueless about what the average joe and joanna goes through day to day.

John McCain tell us something we don't know.