Cracks in the Facade

I think we all saw this one coming. Our favorite GOP Governor, former beauty queen, sportscaster, airborne wolf hunter, and current GOP VP nominee Sarah Palin is going off-script as the McCain campaign lurches towards the finish line. Rumor is that she has a strong image within the Republican Party (even though she couldn't even get an Anchorage-based newspaper's endorsement), and will likely be the most-liked Republican after this election. She's evidently focused on distancing herself from McCain, simultaneously stabbing him in the back and fleeing for political safeground, like a rat fleeing a sinking ship. So much for "Country First," right Sarah? Especially when you're ambitious.

My first thought is that if you didn't think Obama had a strong chance to win on Nov. 4th before today, you should think so now. She's clearly pulling a John Edwards (in the political sense, not the sexual), and that's not a good sign for the McCain folks. My second thought is that if she's about to become the standard-bearer for the Republican Party, I feel very, very sorry for the GOP. As much as I can anyway. As Bill Maher said this weekend, the GOP used to be a bunch of old, white guys who were just interested in managing your money, and that was okay. I can be fine with patricians. Now, it's the party of anti-intellectualism, rightist evangelical Christianity, and hawkish global intervention. It's sad, really.

What this might me in the long run is rather interesting. US politics don't translate easily to a multi-party system. Third parties work short-term, but have never had long-term viability. What will happen to the GOP after this election? Will the various factions fight about the future of the party, or will they fragment into two distinct brand of American conservatism? I foresee one version modeled after the UK conservative party and another that is a wholly American social conservative-only brand.

What do you think? Does anyone care?

Round The Bend 10.09.08

Today's discussion will cover the following…

• The MLB LCS
  
• College Football really beginning
  
• What McCain's next blunder will be
  
• Birthdays and GI Joe The Movie
  

JackGonzo: Welcome to the lunchtime edition Round The Bend, not sure if it will just be Dews and myself as SayHey is busy atoning, but we shall see

Dews: Atone faster!

SayHey: I wouldnt exactly say im busy, just relaxing at home

Starving myself

7 more hours......

11:33 AM Dews: I have nothing to Atone for

JackGonzo: Puppy is not starving herself, though she is throwing up like an Olson twin

SayHey: Nah, you have lived a sin free year

Dews: haha, good call Gonzo

I have been totally sin free

JackGonzo: Sicilians believe in sin?

Dews: we're related to the folks that run that really big church in Rome

11:34 AM forget what its called now though

JackGonzo: I think Buffett bought that too

11:35 AM Anyways, as I pack and get everything ready for this weekend (while my head pounds since all I've done for 24 hours is sneeze and blow my nose) we should get to the first topic

Of course we're talking about the LCS

Dews: ahh yes

JackGonzo: Dodgers/Phillies in one of us must win

SayHey: Phillies

Dews: Dodgers

JackGonzo: Rays/Red Sox in every fan is hoping for a brawl

Dews: I can't believe a Philly team would be in the WS

that should be an excellent series

SayHey: I didnt think the Dodgers would, so its even

11:36 AM JackGonzo: I too am going Dodgers

Dews: Rays have dominated the regular season series, but who knows if the mystical playoff properties will help the Sox

SayHey: Dodgers have no lefties.........Howard and Utley will tear them up

Rays also

JackGonzo: I love Utley, Hamels and generally what the Phillies can do...they just don't have Manny or Joe

SayHey: So much momentum

Dews: Howard and Utley aren't doin anything though

JackGonzo: I'm not sure if the Dodgers need Lefties, they have experience

Dews: they're batting what, 200?

11:37 AM SayHey: Remember tho, i am biased

JackGonzo: They got youth and experience and Kuroda is the best pitcher no one is talking about

SayHey: Dodgers are the evil empire

Dews: I feel like I'm going to be the Tony Kornheiser of the group by saying this, but I"ll prolly be watching movies tonight instead of game one of NLCS anyway :)

JackGonzo: I should be too, lord knows I'd pull a Harding if I ever saw Kirk Gibson in person

11:38 AM Dews: Broxton is now officially closing now too

an he's untouchable

SayHey: Lidge was the best closer in the NL

Well........Lidge 41-41

Thats untouchable

Dews: I mean so far in playoffs

JackGonzo: Here's an interesting thought though...if it ends up Sox Dodgers, it's not just Sox vs Manny, it's Yankees Sox all over

Dews: he's been

oh yea

SayHey: Pretty much

11:39 AM Dews: except, Nomar gets a chance to stick it to em

and i Soooo want that

SayHey: Nomar, Lowe, and Manny

Dews: with Derek Lowe pitching a perfect game

JackGonzo: that or the sox and joe would both be making fun of the yankees for them being there and the yankees not

which is more likely to go seven?

11:40 AM SayHey: Rays v Sox

JackGonzo: agreed

Dews: yea

agree there too

that'll be the real world series

JackGonzo: yeah but we thought that two years ago too

SayHey: Or the series that will get all the ratings

11:41 AM Eh, Cardinals vs Tigers was kinda boring

Dews: I mean, it entirely possible that the Rays will just continue dominating them and sweep too

JackGonzo: Tigers still haven't recovered from losing that series

SayHey: No they havent

Im pulling for the Rays in the sweep

That will silence the nation

Dews: yea me too

11:42 AM SayHey: and perhaps, humble them

JackGonzo: Yes, I'd like to see the Rays win it all

SayHey: Agree

Dews: no, I'm already hearing from some of them that its "good" that the Rays are winnin and "we had our time"

the smugness is overwhelming

JackGonzo: jesus

Dews: its like an enormous cloud of smug coming from Boston

SayHey: The bubble is popping

JackGonzo: just like let the bills win, the pats had their time

11:43 AM Dews: yea exactly

JackGonzo: sorry SayHey, didn't mean to bring up the Pats

SayHey: Eh, at least we put up big numbers on them

Scared them alittle bit

We have the Eagles on Sun.....SO everyone is a Niner fan

Dews: hell yes

I'm a niner fan this week

JackGonzo: Topic two, the beginning of the real college football season, Red River Shootout...LSU Florida...Missroui OK State

11:44 AM SayHey: Westbrook is starting, but minus ribs

Dews: even I'm interested in the Red River shoot out, and I know nothing of college sports

SayHey: Florida is very weak this year.....im unimpressed

Dews: cept Purdue is really really good, I'm told...

SayHey: LSU shou.ld beat them

Dews: Texas and Oklahoma sounds like a helluva game though

SayHey: I think Texas will win the RRS, Colt is finally looking confortable and is making good plays

11:45 AM JackGonzo: LSU is HIGHLY overrated

they have not dominated a single team this year and they've played the sisters of the poor

hell, they struggled against overrated Auburn

SayHey: True, but Florida has looked mediocre at best

11:46 AM JackGonzo: But they look like can at least put up points, LSU hasn't

I think the most impressive team in the country so far has been Missouri

SayHey: I havent paid to much attention to Missouri

JackGonzo: Had a Rams like game to open the season against Illinois

11:47 AM and They have one of if not the toughest schedule in the country

Missouri Schedulehttp://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/teams/mms/schedule

11:48 AM scratch that, thought they had OU on the schedule too

still a tough schedule

SayHey: Well, they do have a Heisman QB who only throws tds

True

FSU v NC State?

11:49 AM JackGonzo: What about it? It no longer interests me since Napolean RedShoes is no longer there

SayHey: Bah

11:50 AM JackGonzo: FSU should win easily

SayHey: NC Stste always has our number, but yeh, we should win

I think we lost Dews

JackGonzo: Ok, number three...what is the next big blunder McPOW is going to make after calling all of us prisoners?

Dews: I LIKE HOOTERS

11:51 AM hmm

JackGonzo: dynamite drop in monty

Dews: anytime

SayHey: Ohhh i missed that one

Dews: I think he's going too negative

SayHey: I am sick of McCants attacks

THey are mertiless

Dews: the attention he's getting for his underlings screaming out rascist crap during speeches is getting awful

11:52 AM JackGonzo: McCain: Across this country, this is the agenda I set before my fellow prisoners.

SayHey: Yeh, if I were a McCant fan id be annoyed just as much

Yikes

Dews: having speakers continually drop the "Hussein" name

JackGonzo: and didn't stutter or anything, never really realized he said it

Dews: he's only putting a half-ass effort to reign that in

JackGonzo: Hussein which means Handsome

11:53 AM SayHey: I find it ironic that Obamas lead grows the more McCant speaks

Dews: the more negative, the lower the numbers

SayHey: People are sick of it

Dews: McCain just doesn't have the speaking ability to make it look like constructive criticism

SayHey: 8 years of Dubya fear mongering and now McCant

11:54 AM JackGonzo: well people remember what he said at the beginning, that he won't run a negative campaign

and realize, well he lied to us

SayHey: Yeh

JackGonzo: and this is for Dews

Jay Schroederhttp://straightcashhomey.net/post/53463988/jay-schroeder-washington-redskins-if-aging

SayHey: He is showing us all that he will always be a grumpy, angey, bitter old man

11:55 AM Dews: haha, thank you Gonzo

SayHey: I forgot he was a Skin

JackGonzo: First, it was sounding like The Penguin, now he's walking around like him

Dews: thats the cheney battery keeping him alive

its wedged in there pretty tight

11:56 AM SayHey: I wish Obama would go on the offensive alittle bit

JackGonzo: Though this is the best thing Jon Voight has been in in a long time

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2008/10/10142_sign_palin_end_of_career.htmlhttp://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2008/10/10142_sign_palin_end_of_career.html

SayHey: He doesnt need to run an attack campaign, but show he has a pair

11:57 AM Dews: This just in, Dow down again

115 so far

SayHey: Nice

Everytime Paulson speaks, the dow plummets

11:58 AM Dews: special on CNN about female kickers on a High school team

visions of Kathy Ireland come to mind

JackGonzo: and, I NEED this on a shirt

http://www.cinematical.com/2008/10/08/fan-made-star-wars-barack-obama-poster-mash-up/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/10/08/fan-made-star-wars-barack-obama-poster-mash-up/

SayHey: lol nice

Speaking of shirts, we need to market those, Kneel Before Zorn shirts

11:59 AM JackGonzo: oh, did you hear the uproar about a cheerleading team in the dallas area who did an execution of the other team?

Dews: whoa, no?

SayHey: Nah

12:00 PM JackGonzo:
http://skattershooting.blogspot.com/2008/10/mock-execution-fun.html

SayHey: WOW

Dews: damn

12:01 PM JackGonzo: I personally can't wait until they waterboard the other team's mascot

SayHey: That would be......messed up

Dews: awesomeness

I like Texas

12:02 PM SayHey: Hey, dont mess with em

JackGonzo: lol I keep trying to tell you all to come on down

Dews: I wouldn't

SayHey: Once I have some money, im there

Dews: oh I still want to get down there

SayHey: I was very close to going for work next week

JackGonzo: hell, I saw a sign yesterday on the road...Don't Mess With Texas $1000 fine for littering

not to visit, but you all need to move to Texas

12:03 PM SayHey: But FEMA only needed one person, and it wasnt my task

12:04 PM JackGonzo: Final topic...fuck I'm out of ideas, I have a head cold and need to get shit ready for tomorrow. Since it is the big time birthday week with Dews early this week, SayHey's later, and Stefan's today, I guess I should wish anyone and everyone a happy birthday

It's good to know you were all conceived on Valentines Day

SayHey: Yeh, im tomorrow

Dews: Thank ya kindly Gonzo

SayHey: Yikes, 30

Dews: oh wow

I never really thought about Valentines..

12:05 PM JackGonzo: Yeah, have fun celebrating that from now on lol

Dews: haha, thats twisted, thank you sir

SayHey: Who else, but Clint

JackGonzo: What, I'm not wrong

Dews: I'll be relaxin one more night to recover, but SayHey's big weekend is coming up...

12:06 PM SayHey: Yeh, im holding on to my last day as a 20's fellow

Tomorrow, im 30

Sigh

Dews: yup

JackGonzo: Yes, the first one of the three of us to hit 30, and probably the first one to have a legitimate child....still no word on Dews latest DNA test

SayHey: LOL

Dews: Rabbit didn't die!

12:07 PM har har

12:08 PM JackGonzo: not to say that this webcomic is based on anyone we know

http://www.leasticoulddo.comhttp://www.leasticoulddo.com/

we're just saying

SayHey: Nasty

12:09 PM Dews: wow

12:10 PM JackGonzo: The similarities are just coincidence

Dews: his hair is totally wrong

12:11 PM JackGonzo: technically it's made in canada, so that would be alter-american Dews

SayHey: Well, Vermont is Canada Jr

Dews: if anything, Canada is Vermont Jr

SayHey: Ahhh interesting

JackGonzo: Final thoughts on the weekend? Best game to watch?

12:12 PM Dews: most fun I'll have watching a game is Skins vs Rams :)

we are 14.5 point favs

SayHey: Niners v Eagles

Well, your playing the Rams

Dews: exactly

JackGonzo: I'm going with whatever Rays/Sox game that has the bench clearing brawl. Hopefully that is tomorrow night on pitch one

12:13 PM Dews: ah yea

James Shields is on the mound

JackGonzo: Start the series with a theme, high and tight

SayHey: Agreed

12:14 PM Oh, final though.........

Bull Durham 2

Its being made

Dews: utter crap

just like GI Joe will be

SayHey: With the origional cast

JackGonzo: I'll believe it when I see it

SayHey: GI Joe will be garbage, just like BD 2

JackGonzo: I mean, do any of us count Major League 3 part of the Major League series?

12:15 PM SayHey: Nahhhh

Dews: hell no

JackGonzo: I'm holding out opinion of GIJoe until I see a trailer or something

Dews: two words..... Brendan Frasier....

JackGonzo: Snake Eyes vs Storm Shawdow could make up for everything

SayHey: Its like Alien 4 of the Alien series

Dews: crap

12:16 PM JackGonzo: I mean come on, Darth Maul is Snake Eyes

SayHey: I dont even think that could save it

Dews: there are Wayan brothers in it

SayHey: Yep

JackGonzo: they don't ruin EVERY movie

Dews: Brendan Frasier + Wayans = ?

SayHey: Requim for a Dream

Dews: crap man :)

SayHey: Great, with a Wayan

12:17 PM JackGonzo: Fraiser isn't in GI Joe

SayHey: He is in it

JackGonzo: now I am gonna be sick

Dews: yea man

JackGonzo: Gung Ho?

SayHey: Yep

12:18 PM JackGonzo: but Doctor Who is playing Destro, could counter the suckfest

SayHey: And no Shipwreck

Again, i dont think that can save it

JackGonzo: wait...Brendan Fraiser is playing Gung Ho and The Mummy is playing Zartan

12:19 PM SayHey: Yeh, I noticed that to

JackGonzo: And Mr. Eko is playing Roadblock

which is awesome if he's rhyming every line

12:21 PM now, wouldn't it be worth it to see Fraiser look ridiculous like this?

12:22 PM Dews: part of me believes (having seen Frasier movies) that he gets far more enjoyment from looking ridiculous then I will in seeing it

JackGonzo: lol

12:24 PM we're done, go off and enjoy Clemson Wake Forest or Dodgers Phillies...we are out

A Call To Arms

A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.-Thomas Jefferson

One of the great things about young people is that they do question, that they do care deeply about justice, and they have open minds.-Zack de la Rocha

As we head into the final stretch of this election season I found myself perplexed and literally sick to my stomach. After seven years of this so called administration you would think that this country would wake up and realize the road we have been put upon. You would like to believe that folks could open their eyes, see the lies and manipulation, and know in their heart of hearts that we must change course if we wish to prosper once again. Yet ever since the Governor Palin was announced as John McCain’s running mate people across this great country have forgotten facts and wish to continue this tomfoolery and continue this course that George W. Bush and the rest of the neocons have set us on.

I understand why folks like Sarah Palin; she’s very charismatic, acts tough, lives on top of the world, and seems to be a strong powerful woman. She seems so different than the usual Washington DC politician so it seems believable that she is not a part of the “old boys’ network”. She’s an attractive woman who doesn’t seem to take guff from anyone. Yet as much as she likes to pretend that she’s something different, she’s made in the exact same mold as George W. Bush.

Palin uses religion for her reasoning for many things, such as asking folks to pray for a natural gas pipeline that she wants passed. She may not be a part of the DC circle, but she acts the same way. She hires he friends for jobs they are not nearly qualified for. She fires someone because they cross her, don’t obey her, and requires loyalty above all else. The biggest thing that is glaring about this woman is that runs things just as this administration has, straight out lies with the hopes that the majority of the people aren’t paying attention.

She has so many flaws as a politician the only way she’s made it is the fact she’s in Alaska and the state is so red it looks like a stop sign. The McCain campaign was very smart, it chose someone who would energize their base and interest the American public. Choosing Palin accomplished just that, and now McCain is leading in the polls and this scares the living hell out of me as it should you.

I have almost given up the fight, one we have been fighting since 2000. If the people of America would rather vote, once again, with their “gut” instead of their head then they deserve what they get. They deserve what they vote for since apparently they don’t really see the big picture. They don’t see that the Republican’s policy is what has lead to the crashes of Lehman, AIG, and Lynch. It’s what causes Morgan Stanley to sell almost half their stock to China. Their policies are what lead to lead poisoning from China. They still operate under flawed thinking when it comes to economics, and perhaps even more flawed when it comes to foreign policy.

The reason the RNC gives for Palin’s foreign policy experience is that she lives across from Russia. Never mind that portion of Russia is about as populated as the North Pole. The Republicans have never given up the notion since 9/11 of the “us versus them” mentality. Make no doubt about it, a good number of them see this as a crusade against the infidel Muslims; a constant war between Christians and Muslims that has existed for more than a millennia. As my wife has constantly pointed out, we must now see things on a global scale and attempt to follow in the footsteps of Ghandi and King. We should strive to achieve a world-wide peace and let go of past transgressions and move boldly into a bright and peaceful future.

Now no doubt there will be those that say, what about 9/11 and extreme Islamo-fascism? War begets more war. If 9/11 was the real reason we are over there, why have we not tried with our earnest to find those behind it since we invaded Iraq? Our presence in the Middle East does not help reducing those who would join terrorists, if anything it increases it and increases the hatred folks have towards America. If we wish to be a world power, we must be the ones to set the example.

My apologies, I began to go off on a rant. The reason this election is frightening me is the simple fact that we appear to be losing once again. Too many of the population is easily swayed by fear. Too many are impressed with something new and shiny. Sadly, too many are prejudice and will never vote for a black man. These folks will be voting for McCain, no amount of facts and mistakes can change that. Then it comes to be that is upon us, the youth of America, to guarantee that OUR future is not destroyed by short sighted fools.

The youth of America must come out, in force, and change this election. We must prevent the Republicans from taking another election and setting this country back yet again. If you do not think that the election of McCain and Palin would not lead us even closer to a Theocracy then you must wake up and see the writing on the wall. This would be an administration that would love to put us back fifty years in progress. This would be an administration that would continue to degrading of our rights, or as the founding fathers said (since they love bringing them up) our in unalienable rights.

We must get the youth registered to vote, and on Election Day they must go out and vote. This message needs to spread far and wide. The youth must be convinced that yes, they can make a difference. They can prevent this country from becoming more of a police state then you say in St Paul. If we can galvanize the youth of this country we can overcome the obstacle of those who vote with their gut over their head. Of course not all the youth in this country will vote for Obama, I’m sure many will vote for many of the independents. Normally I would not be opposed to this, as I’m an independent myself, but all I can say is doing so is at all of our peril. The bottom line is we cannot afford to lose this election.

Vote who you think is best suited to be President, but remember this, this country cannot survive another four years of Republican domination. What are the odds that McCain lasts all four years? How willing are you to allow Sarah Palin the opportunity to be President? Are you willing to let a bible thumping beauty queen run this country into ruin? Call out to your friends, talk to them. Hell make a bet with them if need be. Get those who normally don’t get out, get them to vote for Barack Obama. Help right the boat, get this country back on track and don’t let it fall again into the hands of those who would no doubt lead us to peril. If we cannot, if we fail to win back this country, then what we see today is just the tip of the iceberg that this Titanic could be headed towards.

If by the mere force of numbers a majority should deprive a minority of any clearly written constitutional right, it might, in a moral point of view, justify revolution-Abraham Lincoln

Every generation needs a new revolution.-Thomas Jefferson

Five for Friday

Dustin Pedroia eats thunder, pukes lightening, is the "Gandalf of Ping Pong," gave Ian Kinsler that hernia with an intimdating text message, and is soon to be the first repeat Rooke of the Year.

You'd think that when a church admits negligence in a priest abuse case getting a damage award would be a lay-up. But, as we recently found out in the Rev. Edward Paquette case, which recently ended in a mistrial when jurors could not agree on the amount of damages, that's not always the case. I think it may have something to do with asking for anywhere from $800,000 to $14 million in damages. Narrow the range, fellas, narrow the range.

Not long ago, we brought you the story of poor Anthony Pollina, who couldn't figure out campaign finance rules, despite being "Mr. Campaign Finance." He's been told to give some illegal donations back, but he refuses. Now, some of his donors are suing to allow Pollina to keep the money. For a candidate whose slogan is "We Can Do Better," seems like the same old money grubbing politics.

We're still waiting on the announcement, but it looks like McCain will choose Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his VP candidate. Sounds like a desparate attempt to swoop in and grab some of Hilary's supporters, ride on her coattails. Do pantsuits have coattails?

Lastly, your Friday Fail.

McCain leading Obama on the economy as common sense lights itself on fire

Sorry, Sports Guy, I had to borrow your catchphrase, because things have really gotten that silly.

Today's news brings us word that John McCain (McBush, McPow, McDouche) has opened a lead in polls asking Americans who they think would be a better steward of our economy. As NYT columnist Paul Krugman points out, this is mainly Obama's doing. It's hard to get folks on your side when you vacation in Hawai'i during the election and if your economy speechs are so riddled with statistics that the average person gets lost in the numbers. To Obama's credit, however, he's hitting back with some solid ads in battleground states (saw one last night - it was very good).

What's most troubling about this turn of events is what seems to at the core of McCain's bump - offshore drilling and gas prices. We've damn near hit stagflation (stagnant job growth + inflation) on account of rising gas prices and a U.S. economy that's struggling to readjust. To an economic layperson like myself, the root of our economic problems appears geared to our dependence on oil. Our economy is built around cheap oil, and it so thoroughly infused in our daily lives that when the price of oil jumps, not only does the cost of everything jump, but also our business stop growing.

The solution, one would think, is simple. To borrow a term from conservative economist and former Fed Chairman Allen Greenspan, we need a little creative destruction (I know, he didn't figure this one out, but his book explains it well). Our nation needs to restructure the economy not just to ween itself off oil, but to also to make itself generally more efficient. We've seen what happens when we tie our economic fortunes to one type of energy: we fail. It's like all those Red Sox teams that were built on power hitting alone - great on paper, but utterly decimated by good pitching. The rising price of oil, to make a terrible analogy, is like good pitching.

And this is why it's utterly mystifying why John McCain should be considered stronger on the economy. The sum total of his economic and energy policy lately has been off-shore drilling, which equates to continuing dependency on oil (to be clear, he's also a tax-cut-aholic, but energy is the main concern now). Are we merely so frightened by the price at the pump that we're willing to do anything to pay less for gas, or are we Americans truly ignorant regarding the economy? To borrow from Simmons again, common sense is about to light itself on fire, and probably jump out the window to make sure. This is absurd.

Here's to hoping that Obama gets the message and clears up his act. He's a gifted orator, he knows the problems with the economy, and he has a better way to fix them (or at least a credible one). We can't afford four years of McCain.

Java & Fish Wrap 07.31.08

I woke up this morning at 5:45 central, that's 6:45 eastern for you DC folks. Now this may not seem like a big deal, but try to remember that those of us supporting those who are engaging the bar exam have averaged just as little sleep as the future lawyers of America. Mainly because our home has become Alpha base, I've become a taller Bobby Flay and have been mainlining coffee like a troglodyte in a Jersey diner. You may think the madness is over but I say nay, Texas is three days and today is the final day. Tomorrow morning we all may be say yeah, this is my new fucking hangover, all my friends got the same fucking hangover so what?! A cool thing for me though was last night getting to sit behind a legend, Ken Griffey Jr, and see him hit a monstrous shot out of the park. Then again every home run, and there were plenty last night, was a fucking bomb last night.

That being said tomorrow's edition will either be really early and under the extreme influence of alcohol or very late and subject to hangover.

If there is no sign worse then John McCain is floundering, despite bs polls, is that some Republicans appear to be voting for Obama in November.

I'm almost not in favor of this plea deal as I think it should be treated as if he was drunk when he hit the constable. Wanting him to talk to kids about the dangers of driving while talking on the cell is nice, but they'll be to busy texting on their cells to really pay attention.

Rumors of a possible change of the face of Alaskan politics continue to circulate but this reporter likes to hold on to that age ole saying, I'll believe it when I see it.

McCain's new ad attacks Obama's celebrity by likening him to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, which makes no sense unless he's trying to call Obama spoiled, rich, white trash on a path of self destruction...which could have worked during McCain's primary of 2000 but likely not now.

Obama's camp calls Ludacris' lyrics offensive in regards to certain things he calls Dubya, Hillary and McPOW in the song. I however think it's a brilliant song and don't actually see anything offensive in the song.

McCain attempts to call Obama out of touch while still believing that we should be in Iraq, mistaking countries almost DAILY, and thinking that Dubya has a good approval rating.

Though the Pudge deal to NY surprised many, and put Farnsworth in the perfect city for him, this rumor has me scratching my head even more so. Though, in the past, any trade these teams work together on works out phenomenally for both teams.

As if there wasn't enough fighting in the West Bank, apparently now they're fighting amongst themselves.

The only thing I really care about in this story is the kava, described as a mildly narcotic drink. I think Dews and I may have to take a vacation in Tonga in the future.

Stop the presses, the champ is here in Houston some time today. Of course it's nothing public, but hey I don't get to see politicians all the time anymore.

Watching the game last night was a bit surreal. At one point in the bottom of the first some heckler screamed at JR, "When are you gonna retire?!" I can report that Griffey responded with three fingers.

Well, never say I never said Dubya never did anything right during his Presidency.

Metered Broadband sounds almost as disgusting to me as a Furry Shieza video.

Dear christ, just when you thought the Astros bullpen couldn't get worse they went and traded for LaTroy Hawkins.

Sony may bite with a spin-off of Spidey with a Venom movie, which would be fine, if they didn't completely fuck up Venom in Spiderman 3 and all.

Finally, Cheech and Chong have put their fighting to side, made up and will go on tour for the first time in over 25 years.

Today's Flickr

by Rod Lewis

As if you needed a reason not to vote for him

First there was the debacle on the night Obama wrapped up the Democratic nomination. Now, John McBush has sealed his defeat. He has promised to veto beer. Every single one. Vetoing beer is proof the Republican Party hates you and doesn't want you to be happy.

It ain't over....

Screw it, it's over HRC...

I'm not impressed with your winning Puerto Rico, I'm not impressed with your dogged persistence at seeing this "thing" all the way to the end...

That being said, I am only grudgingly supporting Obama at this point purely for Mr. Edwards support, but even that is tenuous at best.

Does anyone not believe at this point that this entire campaign of Mrs. Rodham isn't just for her "triumphant return" to politics to "save" us all from the 4 years of McCain that is undoubtedly in our future given the continued ineptitude of the Democratic party to unite their yuppie elitist base, academic douchebag section, or the lower middle class minorities to pick one candidate and stick with it...

Can anyone else tell I'm tired of this party and the continued talking heads it runs out there every 4 years?

Work on the "Jeffersonian Party" has begun in earnest though, so we here at LSWTF will be sharing the details of that platform once it has been fleshed out a bit more.

Monday's Malignant Truthiness

Finals are over for CityCat, as we celebrate our one month anniversary by shipping her happy ass to Texas on Thursday to set up the Texas based Hall of Justice before my arrival. In other news Dews almost had his man-card removed when certain things were discovered camping this weekend, to rally from behind and come away with a win. It's raining today, allegedly all day, so no kickball for LSWTF, but still drinking with some of the biggest drunks in DC. After all, it is Cop Week here in the Nation's capital. Stayed tuned in the coming weeks for more information on my final What The Fuckers Nationals game and the first annual What The Fuckers Party at some currently unknown location in DC, onto the news!

Professor Picula of Ravenclaw performs a magic trick for his junior high class. This of course results in being accused of wizardry. No word yet on whether Hermione Granger or Merlin have taken up his case.

Carly Fiorina doesn't believe what economists say about recession. This be no shock to anyone who has payed attention the last ten years, these are the same geniuses who would rather believe the two scientists who don't believe in global warming over the millions who do.

Doug Goodyear, a porn name if I ever heard it, was selected by John McPOW to run the Republican Convention. Sadly Mr. Goodyear had to resign when it became apparent that he had ties to lobbying on the half of Myanmar. Yes, the man who is so anti-lobbyist he sleeps with them (allegedly) and hires them to run his party has another shot across this bow. Of course those crickets you hear chirping is the reaction from McPOW's best friends, the MSM.

In the world today it's nice to see Creekstone Farms a company that WANTS to do extra testing to make sure their beef is healthy. Naturally this has pissed off the bigger companies who have no gone to court to stop this company from doing the extra testing. Naturally you can guess who is on the side of the big business and trying to use their leverage and tell the courts what it should and shouldn't do.

I know our teachers are paid like babysitters on a Friday night, but at least they have not resorted to these methods.

The Valerie Plame case is still ongoing in a sense, and it still involves "missing" emails from the administration. Now someone is trying to educate the judge as to the bullshit many of us in the IT World have thought from the outset. Sadly the judge sees himself as "tech-savy", which means he's boughten some old porn on eBay and knows the basic usage of The Google on the Interwebz.

Here's a suggestion, if you're going to be juror in a drug case don't get doing said drug outside the courthouse while you're on break, they kind of frown on that.

Nothing frustrates Dews and myself more then folks who try to pass themselves off as Libertarian who are no where near it. Bob Barr, the walking hypocrisy, is attempting to become the Libertarian candidate for President. Needless to say, if he somehow achieves this Dews and I will be starting our own political party.

The hypocrisy of teacher and student sex continues, this time in Arizona. I'm a feminist in the sense that everything should be equal, including equal time for the same crime.

Obama prepares to embarrass the hell out of McPOW by holding joint town hall type of events. Who in the McPOW camp actually thought this was a good idea? The man can't get the day of the week right, how's he gonna look going up against Obama?

Harry Reid has promised hearings about the Pentagon Puppet Program. I promise to still not get my hopes up of any REAL action coming the Senate or Congress, I mean why would their balls drop now?

Mike Gravel has been without a doubt the most refreshing thing this election cycle.

Finally, I leave you with a lil word from Hillary...

Bad Ideas by Hillary Clinton

Maybe it's all the whiskey and beer she swilled with the common people of Pennsylvania. Maybe it's the fatty foods she's been eating with people like us common folk impairing her judgment. Maybe it's good old pandering. But something has turned otherwise bright and intelligent Hillary Clinton into a damned fool.

Clinton has joined with John McCain in endorsing a gas tax holiday that would stretch through the summer travel months, an idea that Barack Obama appears to have rejected out of hand. Yes, Barack and a number of leading economists.

The idea is simple enough: during the summer months, you would pay no federal gas tax on your gasoline. The tax works out to a little more than 18 cents per gallon, so, if you pump nearly 11 gallons at a time like me, you'd save a whole two bucks. That two bucks makes a world of difference to Senator Clinton, who touts the plan as a way to cut the burden on us, the underclass. Nevermind the fact that the increased demand on gasoline would, probably, hugely increase already massive oil company profits.

Senator Clinton's idea is dumb, and there seems to be no serious support for it. I'd be mildly shocked if it ever came to fruition, and I say mildly because we do actually live in an era of zero responsible leadership. My problem is what it represents. First, in my mind, it shows no reflection or serious thought on Clinton's part. You endorse this kind of idea when you are thinking of getting votes only, and avoid considering the long-term ramifications of an plan like this. She is a bright person, and when bright people make terrible decisions, you must question their motivation. She's desperate to paint herself as the people's candidate, so desperate that she's willing to eschew reason to get a vote. Poor show, Senator.

Second, this "fix" demonstrates our national ignorance to the energy problem. We're dumb, writes Thomas Friedman. There is no leadership on national energy policy. No one is willing to go out on a limb and explain how we'll reduce our dependence on oil, how we'll reform our industry to address the rising cost of energy, and (inexplicably) no one is touting the benefits that naturally occur when an economy jettisons old tech for cutting-edge tech. Some people, like Vermont Law School's Energy Institute, understand the problem, though it is questionable whether they see the totality of the problem, or whether they only grasp the environmental aspect of it. We clearly need some ideas.

So, I have one. If our government doesn't want the two bucks for each fill-up, instead of cutting the tax, let's redirect it. Take the two bucks from every fill-up and create a giant investment fund. Some non-partisan, government group will administer it. We'll send use the money to figure out what the hell is wrong with us, how to fix it, and to invest in smart companies that can, well, save our world.

But, that'll never happen.

Strangeness

It seems to occur everywhere at all times, but it almost seems like it happens in bunches on rare occasions...

These last few days are probably a great example of just that happening around here and within the national scope...

Take for example the supposed "Unbeatable Obama campaign" machine barreling through each primary taking control of big name endorsements, huge fundraising opportunities and basically making Hillary's (HRC) campaign look like a whiny "hanger-on" that just can't seem to admit when she's lost...

Well, going into Pennsylvania, this perception has the chance to be radically changed, as a source through Drudge has leaked numbers indicating an 11-point lead by the Hillary Campaign in Pennsylvania!

This all coming on the heels of yet another new round of negative campaign ads from both sides in the state, as well as rumors of a push by Democratic Party Chiefs to end this primary before things get too ridiculously destructive:

The party leaders' aim: To thwart the Clinton campaign's vow to fight all summer long to a final, nationally televised round at the Denver convention, so the party can get on with the battle against the likely Republican candidate, Arizona Sen. John McCain. Convention fights in past decades -- notably in 1968, 1972 and 1980 - left deep divisions that contributed to the nominees' losses and hurt lesser candidates on the ballots.

All of this of discourse happening within a party known for disorganization, poor planning and absolutely horrendous nominees of course...

While all of this is going on, McCain has been able to tour the country, speaking often of economic woes, the war, kissing babies, etc, but in addition to all this he now has a new attack vehicle. Connecting Obama to Radicalists:

William Ayers — a former member of the Weather Underground, which embraced bombing in its effort to end the Vietnam War — became an issue in the Democratic nominating race at last week’s debate. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) said Obama’s past meetings with Ayers are part of a “larger set of concerns about how we are going to run against John McCain.” Republican sources said McCain plans to make a major issue of the connection in the months ahead.

Asked by host George Stephanopoulos whether he has any doubt that Obama shares his sense
of patriotism, McCain brought the subject up.

“I'm sure he's very patriotic. But his relationship with Mr. Ayers is open to question,” McCain
said.

“He became friends with him and spent time with him while the guy was unrepentant over his activities as a member of a terrorist organization, the Weathermen,” McCain said. “Does he condemn them? Would he condemn someone who says they're unrepentant and wished that they had bombed more?”

Look, the "Weathermen" were a radical organization in a time when there were thousands of desperate radicals trying to find a way to end what they viewed as an incredible waste of human life brought on by ideals they did not support. It was a different time period altogether...

That being said, we are going to have a lot of political leaders for the next 10-20 years that could have been connected to some radical idea or another. Obviously the Weathermen used bombs and terror as part of their "message", but are we going to automatically rule out future leaders because of a possible connection to a group that may have had some strange ideas while said leader was probably getting high in college?

C'mon people, we just elected someone that had a history of chemical abuse and now that leader's own party is using the past to sink another candidate? Its a tired line guys, you need new material...

Dews early mornin Friday!

Ahh, its good to have everyone back again...

I didn't have as good an excuse as Mr. Jack Gonzo, but I have been orchestrating a massive office move for the firm I work for (I am in charge of everything with a button, ie IT, so anything that entails me needing to be on top of...), so I feel like I have at least a decent excuse for ignoring my duties as one of the top writers...

All excuses aside though...

Gonzo's wedding was flat-out amazing...

Keep in mind I have been to some swanky, high priced, politico, house near Annapolis on the Chesapeake (yea, think "Wedding Crashers") type weddings. I can easily say that Gonzo and CityCat's wedding was EASILY the most fun I've ever had at a wedding ever, without any contest...

Thank you both again so much for including me (still love my outfit :) )!

Moving on to the important business at hand though, I must cover what it is I have the most experience with... The total incompetency/lack of "Balls" within the Democratic party!

I must admit, that this primary season had seemed like it would decide itself almost any week, but consistently Hillary (or HRC as she's more colorfully known) has continued to maintain her strong position with the party faithful, while running a consistently aggressive/negative and (quite honestly) similar type campaign to that of her good buddy Karl Rove (from me, that is a compliment).

Thus calling upon the wrath of the diminutive New Yorker that once fancied himself a Vermonter. Albeit he had some sort of transformation between being the Governor of a "Gun toting", conservatively socialist state and becoming the head of the DNC...

An increasingly firm Howard Dean told CNN again Thursday that he needs superdelegates to say who they’re for – and “I need them to say who they’re for starting now.”

(Before you ask, yes Dean was the governor of my home state of Vermont, but I think my Grandfather (who has always been deeply involved in VT politics and news), summed it up perfectly when a local reporter asked how he felt about Dean retiring from local office:

"Well, I'm just glad that now Vermont has a chance at getting a Democrat in the Governor's office".

The person running the DNC currently is NOT the Howard Dean that was our Governor...

That being said though, this is a primary which requires a united (Ball-less) Democratic Party in order to consolidate power and act upon the "threat" posed to them by someone that (bless his heart, I know he tries, but still...) quite honestly looks like he could be dead before November anyway.

Most importantly, the Dems need to step up and make sure they can balance out the courts before we have an even more serious issue on our hands... (Hint: McCain's record on anything non-abstinence, non-choice, and non-"common sense sex-ed" is worse then our current President).

In closing, I just want to remind everyone how much I do NOT want a little Dews running around in this world just yet (and if you knew what I was capable of as a child in my bad-ass big-wheels "General Lee", you would agree), so a McCain Presidency at this point, runs counter to what I feel this country needs at the moment...

That's all I have to offer on my soap box for the evening/morning, so "that is all"! :)

Tomorrow at the Supreme Court; John McCain in Iraq

Tomorrow, March 18, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in District of Columbia v. Heller, the DC guns case. There's a lot to write about here, but instead of offering my own analysis, I thought I'd throw out a few resources and kick things down to the comment thread.

First, there's been some dissention in the Republican ranks regarding Solicitor General Paul Clement's handling and argument in the case so far. The reason is that he's strayed from the Administration line on the reasons that the DC gun law might be unconstitutional. Seems that the Administration wants to jump straight from the idea that there is an inviolate right to guns, and the Solicitor General has taken a more circuitous route, arguing that the DC gun law is unconstitutional on other grounds and that the per se unconstitutionality of gun laws plainly ignores the history of the Second Amendment.

Second, there will be a 75 minute tomorrow. The New York Times tends to put up audio arguments soon after the arguments conclude. SCOTUS Blog will provide thorough analysis, good for both the casual reader and those who want a starting point for a more substantial inquiry. Also be sure to check out Above the Law, the legal tabloid. I find it annoying, but its fun to watch the "big law" types try and show off, which usually fails. But, ATL is usually good for a laugh as it doesn't take itself all that seriously. It also links to a number of other law blogs of note. And last, but not least, the Supreme Court itself will be making transcripts available soon after the arguments for those of you (like me) that don't have speakers on your work computer.

Now, on to some other things.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain made a stop in Iraq as part of Congressional tour, but, let's face it, this was more of a picture opportunity and campaign stop than anything (even included a fundraising dinner in London). So, there went McCain, confidently striding through Iraq in a flak jacket, getting his picture taken. Meanwhile, the Iraqis weren't exactly lining up to get McCain's autograph.

Another Samarra shop owner, 52-year-old Hamid Saleh, said he wanted the Republicans to lose the election. “All I want is someone who works to fix my country, and not destroy it,” he said.

Well said, Hamid, well said.

Thursday Throw Down

Yep, it's early in the morning and I've been at work for an hour and a half already, it's time for Thursday Throw Down!

I know a lot of folks don't like the ACLU, but what you can no longer say is that they're paranoid. CityCat and I have talked about this for months now, and it looks like I may have been the one who was right. Big Brother is apparently out there and the Hate Hour is close at hand.


McCain apparently is going to slither his way next to any Christian leader, no matter how deplorable they are, as long as they bring votes.


In what has to be shocking news to all, and something that will get ZERO air time on Faux Noise, the Pentagon and the White House are doing all they can to squash the Pentagon report that concludes that Sadaam Hussein had ZERO connections to A.Q. I wonder if folks in the military are not just lying down anymore for this administration, perhaps they see a light at the end of the tunnel as well.


You can head on over and vote for the music to be played at Nationals Park this year after certain events. My only question is how do they not include Chocolate City by Parliament Funkadelic?

More Problems for McCain

As if John McCain's alleged affair with a lobbyist weren't enough, it turns out the man may or many not be even eligible to be President. Why? Well, he was born on an overseas military base, that's why. Remember that Constitution thing that the Bushies have been telling you to ignore? Well, turns out that Article II, section 1, clause 4 says "No Person except a natural born citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of the Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President...." You also have to be 35 and have been a resident of the U.S. for 14 years.

Admittedly, this is a really, really obscure legal issue, but it's one that hasn't been resolved yet. McCain is actually a bit concerned about this, and has retained some very expensive counsel to help him sort this out.

But, it opens up an interesting question for discussion. What do you think the qualifications for the Office of President ought to be?

Dews Tuesday Rundown...

Ok, just came across this from a LSWTF.com fan and had to share:

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com

I can't tell you how much this screams Bethesda/Potomac/Kensington Maryland to me, but to those of you that have not been to our richest, most elite suburb of Washington DC, I can imagine you at least have an idea of the type of money and influence the area has...

Can't tell you how many cocktail/bbq parties I have attended there where someone gave me a drink order... But thats a whole 'nother story.

I'd like to add to the list something like "Fascination with small supposedly liberal states" too. We have tons of these damn suburbanites coming up north to go to UVM and smoke themselves stupid all the time.

I think Dewey said it best to me via chat "Judging by this blog, I'm not very white". Neither am I Dewey, neither am I!

Anyway... On to the other news of the day...
>>>>

Things are getting ugly for the election, as well as the party's loyal followers:

According to cops, Ortiz, 28, stabbed Sean Shurelds last Thursday night in the kitchen of an Upper Providence Township home. According to a criminal complaint, a copy of which you'll find here, the 41-year-old Shurelds, an Obama supporter, told Ortiz that the Illinois senator was "trashing" Clinton (apparently in regard to recent primary and caucus results). Ortiz, a Clinton supporter, replied that "Obama was not a realist." While not exactly fighting words, the verbal political tiff led to some mutual choking and punching. And, allegedly, a stabbing in the abdomen.

Hey, at least they're getting into this election... Haven't seen this kind of "Election Fever" in a while!
>>>>

Huckabee is quoted as saying the McCain story is "best thing that could happen" for McCain as a candidate.

He's no fool though, the Huckster is totally right on this. By finally running this story, the New York Times has given people like Rush Limbaugh an easy out on their stance against McCain for being "too liberal", since its a paper like the New York Times running it (aka Liberal War Machine to the Right Wing).

Not like it wasn't going to happen anyway, but this speeds up McCain's nomination and the Hucksters dropping out I'm guessing.

>>>>

And finally to finish off, a new study on the effectiveness of anti-depressants was released pointing to little or no noticeable difference between clinical improvement over non-chemical options.

In a related story, pets are now being prescribed Anti-depressants...

No, this is strictly a coincidence I'm sure. Nothing at all to do with profit margins...