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 10.13.08

On today's edition of Round The Bend…

• We discuss the utter failure of the Redskins yesterday
  
• SayHey's Birthday over the weekend and Dews' ability to speak in tongues
  
• Sarah Palin's complete lack of knowledge about the Philly Sports Fan aka the folks who booed Santa
  
• The new number one College Football team in the country, whose house runs house?!
  

JackGonzo: Good Morning Everyone and welcome to Round The Bend

JackGonzo: as attempt to be Switzerland between German Kitty and French Puppy

10:32 AM as I

Dews: Let be the first to Congratulate Gonzo on his #1 Rankings

Dews: Red River rivalry seemed to work out for ya

JackGonzo: EVERYTHING seemed to work out for us this weekend

JackGonzo: OK State beat Mizzo

PhillyFan: its there

10:33 AM JackGonzo: LSU was as bad as I told everyone they were

JackGonzo: but that's not the number one story of the weekend

Dews:so is this a "Holiday edition"?

of chat

10:38 AM JackGonzo: well lets make that topic number one....how bout them Skins?

Dews: ug

obviously a team looking to next week

finally was hyped as the favorite, and totally ignored how much parity there is in Football if you don't plan and play hard

10:39 AM JackGonzo: of all the scores I expected to see yesterday, losing to Jim Haslett? Not one of them

Someone give SayHey the electric shock

Dews: he may still be recovering

JackGonzo: well the seahawks always did find ways to lose to the Rams the last few years

10:40 AM Dews: we just looked like a team going through the motions and making obvious mental mistakes

we hadn't had an offensive turnover until that game afterall

10:41 AM JackGonzo: completely spent last week?

Dews: and looked positively "Romo-esque" all game with puttin the ball on the carpet

Speaking of, my heart goes out to "Boys" fans for Homo-Romo's broken Pinky...

Dews: Poor Romo...

I sure hope he heals quickly....

PhillyFan: hahaha

JackGonzo: Let's talk about "this year's super bowl champions" how bout dem cowboys?!

Dews: yes, clearly just as good as the 07 Patriots

as everyone was saying

JackGonzo: clearly

Hell, all Kurt Warner needs right now is Marshall Faulk

10:44 AM Dews: James and Hightower seem like passable options

you get a healthy Boldin back in there, thats a scary team

JackGonzo: Memo to Detroit, this is how you actually draft receivers

Dews: Detroit needs to never draft a receiver again

10:45 AM they should just admit they're cursed, and move on

JackGonzo: the only good one they drafted....to steal a line from prime time...where'd he go to school? Texas

Dews: yea exactly

10:46 AM JackGonzo: Topic number two, how totally trashed did Dews get at SayHey's birthday?

Dews: <----------------------> this much

MoDews: He stopped speaking English

10:47 AM Dews: I was speaking a Vermont dialect

known as "Granitevillian"

JackGonzo: You should have called the RNC if he was speaking in tounges

JackGonzo: he then could of given the benediction thing at the beginning of congress

10:48 AM Dews: good call, maybe I could still do that

I don't recall being that trashed

I do recall being ill though

JackGonzo: Yes, but it must have been pretty bad pretty early if MoDews remembers

10:50 AM Dews: MoDews was feelin that Pina Colada from the Caps game too

not like he was all innocent

PhillyFan: New window worked...finally in!

Dews: thats... what she said?

JackGonzo: I feel bad talking bout SayHey's birthday without him, but he's an old man now and shouldn't be sleeping at work

10:51 AM Dews: agreed

SayHey: Hey Hey

Dews: there he is

SayHey: FUnny, just checked my email

Punks

Working from home is exhausting

JackGonzo: Pay more attention grandpas

SayHey: =/

Noodle: hey sorry i gotta head into work gmail is blocked at work

JackGonzo: I know SayHey is in an interesting conundrum

SayHey: Soon, youll know my pain

Noodle: i can't believe the skins lost to the poo poo rams

Dews: agreed Noodle

10:52 AM SayHey: Yeh, Redskins lost that fight

Dews: was painful

Noodle: i'm already feeling it but hanging in there

PhillyFan: I missed the last two minutes of that game

although Morrison must have been happy I wasn't there to laugh at him

Dews: yea, it was probably best you left early Philly Fan

SayHey: Yeh, lots of drama in that one

PhillyFan: like he did to me last week

JackGonzo: Can't talk shit to PhillyFan about the game yesterday...and he can't talk shit about the Phillies cause then that gives good reviews to the Dodgers...good thing he's probably still hungover

SayHey: Philly fan...........grrrrrr so angry

10:53 AM PhillyFan: :)

Gooo Niners

SayHey: Yeh, Bridget, you win this battle =)

Dews: yea really, wha happen Niners???

JackGonzo: Let's get to topic number three real quick before we just dive into the playoffs

SayHey: I saw improvements, but it all boils down to a solid QB

PhillyFan: Next week you have giants, right?

SayHey: Which we dont have

10:54 AM JackGonzo: and PhillyFan should enjoy this one

As we all know Sarah Palin dropped the puck at the Flyers (booo hisss) home opener on Saturday

PhillyFan: I saw!

Jimmie posted it

hilarious...

10:55 AM JackGonzo: now, this tells you how little Ms Palin understands things outside of Alaska

Looks like Sarah brought her daughters along as a human shields:

The GOP Vice-Presidential nominee said at an earlier fundraiser that she would stop some of the booing from the rowdy Philadelphia fans by putting her seven year old daughter, Piper in a Flyers jersey. She said, "How dare they boo Piper!"

PhillyFan: :)

10:56 AM Dews: didn't they boo some really famous guy a while ago that gives stuff away to people?

<-- Promised not to joke about that anymore though...

SayHey: Bullshit Dews

JackGonzo: Now, does this show out of touch Govenbabe is if she doesn't understand or know about Philly's reputation?

SayHey: We will ALWAYS joke about that

PhillyFan:
Palin booed in Philly

SayHey: Ah, quick drop in.....Romo out for 4 weeks. YAY

PhillyFan: Yup!

10:57 AM heard that one... poor Romo... ;)

Dews: Ohhhhh Pooooooooor Roooomooooooo

Jessica must be heart broken

Noodle: i gotta run to work i will ttyl send me an e-mail transcript

JackGonzo: She must be thrilled

10:58 AM Dews: will do Noodle

Noodle: eric i want to hear how your bday went

SayHey: I havent seen that much booing since Santa

No joke

JackGonzo: this mean she gets to tend to his every need

and he will go absolutely insane having to listen to her talk

10:59 AM though then they will break up and if history tells us anything, as with Lachey, he will move up in the world with something smarter and hotter

SayHey: Noodle- Birthday went great

Played rockband 2 until I lost my voice

JackGonzo: Yes, let's hear birthday stories as when that was happening I was on my feet all day selling shit

11:00 AM SayHey: WIsh you and Jack were in town for the celebrations

Dews: it was a lot of fun

PhillyFan: I took a nap on Dews' bed

SayHey: Yeh, Friday night we had about 15 peeps (incuding my mom) goto Acadiana for a nice dinner

Then party at the house Saturday night

PhillyFan: Fun party...I think

SayHey: Think??

Dews: it was a lotta fun

11:01 AM JackGonzo: Strange women taking naps on strange beds, next on maury

SayHey: And that Rays win in the 11th wqas the perfect end to that night

Dews: PhillyFan was a lil sauced

PhillyFan: You remember me. haha I don't know details

I was tired :)

SayHey: Well........You dont remember because you, well, you know =)

Tired = something else

But yeh, Rachel made a Wii cake

JackGonzo: in the famous words of the original LT...totally trashed

SayHey: It was fricken awesome and tastey

11:02 AM JackGonzo: ah so that's what that picture is

SayHey: Well, Phillyfan was renamed Ricky Williams Sat night

Yeh

Dews: haha

PhillyFan: I didn't have any cake! But Dia made some really good apps too... and there were little Say Hey "Mii" things

haha wow thanks.

Blame CowboysFan: for that...I do :)

11:03 AM SayHey: CowboysFan was Cheech

JackGonzo: we always blame CowboyFan for that

no, CowboyFan is Chong

SayHey: LOL true

11:04 AM But it was good times never the less. Again, it would have been even better had Jack and Noodle been in VA

You were both missed

Dews: truly

but yea, was a great time

JackGonzo: My feet still haven't recovered from standing for ten hours at a time in ren boots on Saturday and Sunday, though I did make some good cash

11:05 AM it would have been awesome to have been there, and I tried, but at least I'm somewhat working now

SayHey: Oh, most understandable

We have the bachelor party in March

So plenty of party time

Oh, I may have missed this, but congrats on Texas being #1

JackGonzo: in the words of Paul Bearer ohhhhh yessssssss

11:06 AM SayHey: lol

I think we will book the flight this weekend, and pass on whatever information to you afterwards

JackGonzo: For Nawlins?

Cause I'm driving

Dews: yepper

11:07 AM JackGonzo: Cause...I can

SayHey: Well, more definite time and dates

Go and drive, its cheaper and quicker for you

PhillyFan: How long is that drive?

11:08 AM JackGonzo: google maps says 5.5 hours

so about 4

SayHey: All Gonzo needs is some Henry Rollins to cut the drive time

Get him fired up = Lead foot

JackGonzo: hell during that time I'll just be listening to the tournament

11:09 AM PhillyFan: Nice... That city was great....loved it once I finally made it there

Dews: tournament?

SayHey: NCAA

Dews: ahh right

March...

JackGonzo: Now there's an important question we have for SayHey...does this change your vote?

Dean Smith Endorses Obama

SayHey: Nah, I was never a real UNC hater

Just Duke

11:10 AM If it were coach K, id have to vote for Mickey Mouse

Dews: I swear they put something into the water in the DC area to hate Duke, cause I do too for no reason at all

hell, they even won me some money

JackGonzo: you know if we got Jordan, Woods and Gretzkey to come out for Obama it would be over

SayHey: lol, well, VCU knocked em out in the tourney 2 years ago

11:11 AM I feel complete ownership over them

Oh, Gonzo

Dews: well, Catamounts lost to them 4 years ago after beating Syracuse, so I guess that could be a reason

SayHey: Take on Butch Davis and UNC football?

He is red hot

11:12 AM JackGonzo: Why? Cause he beat Notre Dame? I could get a bunch of local kids together and beat Notre Dame right now

SayHey: Well, UNC was shit for many years

JackGonzo: Well ever since Mack Brown left...

SayHey: Turned atound the entire program

JackGonzo: of course, he's a great college guy

11:13 AM SayHey: Shitty pro coach

JackGonzo: we saw the talent he produced at the U...half the NFL are former U players

11:15 AM So 538's latest projection has Obama with almost a 94% win percentage

McCain's numbers are below that of Bush right now

11:16 AM Dews: last polls I was seeing averaged a 8-10 point advantage for Obama

nationally that is

PhillyFan: Wow...someone won't be happy when he gets back from Easter Island

to civilization

11:17 AM Dews: serves him rght

gallavanting with some random exotic culture

JackGonzo: lol

11:18 AM he's supposed to be America Gawd damnit

Dews: Fuck Ya!

JackGonzo: now, this is an interesting theory

Drudge Predicting Reboot

11:19 AM Dews: actually, I'm really surprised that Drudge would be pimping McCain

as McCain overall is not a "Drudge" type candidate

11:20 AM I think a lotta these right wingers are just swallowing hard and saying "screw it", I'll TRY to support him

or at least look like I am to keep my street cred

PhillyFan: That might be true

JackGonzo: Well there is the theory that the Republican Party is just saying fuck it, giving the democrats this election, and hoping to hell that they hang themselves with the rope they've been given

11:21 AM Dews: they really should just concentrate on House and senate races, since the Obama factor is having the most influence on those at the moment

Dems stand to gain significant seats in both

gonna be a rubber stamp congress it looks

just to bad they won't have any money to do anything

and a shit-ton of things to resolve

11:22 AM JackGonzo: This the Republicans know...they know everything is fucked up, like a 16 year old who had a party and the parents are coming home early

11:23 AM Dews: the Palins?

ohhhh, that didn't result in a pregnancy, got it

JackGonzo: what are you talking about? She works from home remember? She'd be the mom supplying the liquor, cause Jesus told her to

11:24 AM Dews: my bad Gonzo

JackGonzo: but this is encouraging news

In the latest Gallup tracking poll, Mr. Obama leads Mr. McCain 50 percent to 43 percent among registered voters. Mr. McCain's deficit in that survey has remained seven percentage points or more for most of the last two weeks.

Since Gallup began presidential polling in 1936, only one candidate has overcome a deficit that large, and this late, to win the White House: Ronald Reagan, who trailed President Jimmy Carter 47 percent to 39 percent in a survey completed on Oct. 26, 1980.

11:25 AM Dews: kind of ominous to use Carter as a reference

11:26 AM JackGonzo: a lil

but it is pleasing to see the VA is a solid Obama state now

though SayHey and Dews need to work on their women and get Indiana on the Obamagon

Dews: yes, all because of us Commnists in NoVa

11:27 AM thats a reach there Jack

other then Bayh, I don't see many folks having success as a "terrorist sympathizer" in Indiana

JackGonzo: right now Indiana looks split

11:28 AM Dews: it has some very progressive parts to it, but overall....

not so much

11:29 AM and I believe SayHey's fiancee is a DC voter

so, don't think that'll help

JackGonzo: DC has voters?

Dews: they don't count, but ya

11:30 AM JackGonzo: and with that, we'll end today, with the only person having a good weekend out of this group was me.

Dews: oh no, I had a great weekend

just not sports wise

JackGonzo: Not only did my team win, we are now number...just win baby

Dews: congrats again man

11:31 AM JackGonzo: Memo to Sooner Nation...suck it, suck it long suck it hard...good night now!

Five Card Draw 9.23.08

Because of McSame and his jackals have set us onto this road with the economy and the amount we're gonna spend on bailouts, Obama may have to delay his proposed spending plans if/when he gets elected. You gotta love those who believe we should be a totally free market...until things crash and then become welfare creatures themselves.

Governor Palin is in New York City to "improve her foreign credentials". Apparently talking to US appointed leaders and Bono will help her accomplish this. Actually I would love to be in the room when Bono questions Palin, or is that going to be preset as well?

Looks like we're gonna have an exciting new Supreme Court case in the coming months. Let's see if this gets any mainstream attention before the election.

While the FBI was searching a Volunteers dorm room, hackers striked back and hack Papa Bear O'Reilly, who had been furious over Palin's hack for days now.

Finally, we know a certain song was being played repeatedly last night at the LSWTF house, but here are a few reasons that Brett Favre came back.

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 Card Draw 9.9.08

Just in time for Christmas, piss off those who came and fought before by buying the exclusive Big Red One All American Brand, only at Sears.

Here's one glaring difference between Governor Palin and Ssenator Clinton, Clinton would never charge a woman for her own rape kit.

What do you get when you take the best comedy ensemble from yesteryear and mix them with today's best comedy ensemble? Well, I guess what I should say is, who ya gonna call?

In a move I'm highly against NBC has told MSNBC to take KO and Tweety from anchoring the major political events this fall. It would have been a problem is KO wasn't surrounded by a big mouthed blow hards who had to be constantly told they were a.) talking out their ass b.) completely wrong factually about what they just said and c.) trying to make something where there was nothing.

Finally the UN is no longer taking the US' word on matters anymore and plans to investigate the air strike when a video pops up refuting what the US military has claimed.

BOUNS ROUND

Breaking news, apparently lil miss goody two shoes billed her taxpayers for nights spent at home as governor. Change and reform indeed.

Five Card Draw 9.3.08

McCain says vetting search was thorough, but it is appearing more and more likely the he used some pictures and a dart board.

The good news for Sarah Palin is that broadcast news in Alaska is just as bad as in Montana, the bad news is that may be just the first unlawful firing we know about right now. Though she did at least buzz the fire a bit with the AIP story.

The good news is we busted a top official for mishandling classified material. The bad news is it was Fredo and naturally nothing will happen to him.

Obama bitch slaps 60 Minutes for attempting to continue untruths about him. Just because a man sipped his beer doesn't mean he doesn't like beer. It could have been some crappy ass beer like Heineken or Coors Light.

Finally, this whole who is Trig's real mommy is hilarious as it is sad. On one side you have a VP candidate taking ideas from Desperate Housewives and the other, a woman who wears a snow vest in a family photo and am I the only on who gets an evil Al Borlan feeling from her husband?

One extra one today, on Nov 15th, the fight I predicted is taking place in Vegas. I'm telling you right now, Brock Lesnar will win.

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.