Heeeeere's, Johnny!

If Senator McCain really needed to show his stuff, it should have been last night at Ol Miss. The military, foreign affairs…..that’s his shtick!

America gave him his chance. Did he deliver? Since a fellow blogger took offense to my “western showdown”, I will use a boxing analogy this time: when you are fighting the champ, you have to beat him, decisively, in order to take his title. Sure, the good senator from Arizona was strong in his foreign affairs arguments, but he was not decisive or convincing. As a matter of fact, Senator Obama scored highly in this area.

Senator McCain made references to how people thought and did things back in the 1900 and something. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love ancient history, too, but….. Back then, this country practiced gunboat diplomacy. But, microbrother, Senator McCain points-of-reference are off-kilter because he was a P.O.W. for five and a half years.

Sure, and there is a generational issue, too. Well, those are my points, exactly. If we are trying to reposition our world paradigm and our leaders are taking us backwards, how in hell do we progress as a society? Let’s not talk about the financial disaster we’re in!

Senator McCain, you have been on the Hill since Senator Obama was still trying to find his way, yet after all of these years, your foreign affairs mind-set sounds whacked, today. And this is supposed to be your strong suit? Will somebody, please, deal this man a better hand? Rrrrrr, matie!

Beware of deception

"All warfare is based on deception. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him." - Sun Tzu

This political cycle has been better than any Hollywood drama.

John McCain is wounded and weak. He finds the need to resort to other tactics, e.g. canceling the first day of the convention, choosing a "wild card" as a running matie rrrrrr, the first to use negative ads, misrepresenting the facts, the rush to suspend his campaign for photo-ops . Most military forces can not go against U.S. forces, man-to-man, because the U.S. is just too strong. Therefore, the smart thing to do is to use guerrilla warfare tactics which are very affective, as most recently seen in Viet Nam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

McCain’s “political” guerrilla warfare can not be taken lightly. His tactics may appear lame and weak, but they could be just enough to encourage those that feel lame and weak to come out and support him when they would not otherwise, do so.

Respect your opponent, people!

How much is that puppy in the window?

Joe, this is Keyes…Alan Keyes! Hey, man…I just read about what the Connecticut Dems did to ya.

Oh, hey Alan. Yeah, I thought that was pretty cold. Uh, I don’t know what to do, now. I guess I, sorta, know how you feel? Oh, btw, I loved your “absolute morality” shtick.

Yeah, I think we got something in common. Joe, I was thinking that, maybe, we need to start our own political party.

What?

Yeah Joe! There’s a lot of folk out there that’s got this political “identity” problem. Nah, let me re-phrase that: the “public” thinks we have a problem. We just have a different take on the political landscape….that’s all. Check it out: we can get Michael Steele and Armstrong Williams. Maybe we can get that ex-Steeler, Lynn Swann! We’ll be able to pull all of the disillusioned dems, repubs and indys.

Okay, Alan…that might work. Perhaps, in 2012, we can make a run for the White House!

Yeah, Joe…that’s the ticket!

Yeah, and I can become president!

Uh, Joe…I’m going to be the presidential candidate.

No, Alan. Obama will be the first black president. I think I should be the first Jewish president!

Whose idea is this? Mine! If you think you’re going to be president before me, you’re crazy! It’s my time! I’m tired of being everybody’s lap dog! This is just your first time!

You're going down, McCain!

You can run to Capitol Hill, but you can't hide. I' m calling you out, McCain....tomorrow, at Ole Miss at 9pm, sharp!

Obama '08!

Johnny & Phil part-2

Hello…Phil! I just called to say thanks for that “back hand” you gave me yesterday. I was just feeling so discombobulated over this financial @#$% we’re in that I don’t even know which of my seven houses I’m in right now.

Well, you’re calling from a 212 area code. I guess you’re in New York.

Hey, what do you think about that strategy Karl and Rick came up with? The media ate it up!.

Your polls should get a boost behind it.

Yeah, that was a stroke of genius! I know the O-man is calling me all kinds of S.O.B.s because he called me first this morning about a suspension of our campaigns, to return to Washington and to deal with this stuff we’ve ignored for so many years. I told him that I’d get back with him. So, I called Karl and Rick.

Swabbie, you just did what Republicans do. I know Lee is rolling over in his grave. Look, over those years, we just permitted our free enterprise system be a free enterprise….laisez faire! Remember John Wayne, Ronald Reagan. 'We can’t let those red-pinko communies dictate counter to what our founding fathers fought and died for!'

Phil, I wish you could have heard me this morning. I told the O-man that we could make a joint-statement declaring a suspension. I told him that I’ll have my people call him back to coordinate the statement….NOT! We didn’t return his call and I turned around and made a public statement about MY suspension.

That Karl and Rick are something else! And you really came off looking and sounding magnanimous, swabbie!

Yeah, I was pretty “magnanimous”. But, you know as well as I do, Phil, that I’m not ready for these debates and Sarah is, definitely, not ready.

John, I think Karl and Rick will agree with this: It’s all about image…. perception. Your actions today were presidential. Just go up to the Hill. Take a few photos and talk a li’l trash then get your butt down to Mississippi…..this is your presumptive Secretary of Treasury speaking! I’ll call ya.

BTW, there’s word on the street that “W” wants to get together with you and the O-man, tomorrow. Give’ em hell, Matie! Rrrrrrrrr

Johnny & Phil

A little birdy overheard this conversation between John McCain and Phil Graham while on the campaign trail:

Listen Phil, since this whole financial @#$% broke last week on Wall Street; I don’t know how we’re going to handle this. I know the O-man’s team is gonna rip a new one in me on Friday.

John, don’t worry about it. My good friend, how long have we’ve known each other, you big dumb swabbie? Look, I’ve been advising you all of these years. I ain’t going to leave you hangin’ like this. Repeat after me: We..are..going..to..the..White..House..together! I’m gonna get you through this one, too. Hank Paulson is a good man. I got a meeting with him, tomorrow….

I hope it’s a very private meeting ‘cause I don’t need to hear about it on MSNBC or CNN. Look, Phil, this country is in a mess and, for God’s sake, I’m not up to…….

Look, I don’t wanna hear it, John.

Did’ya hear George Will is pulling his support for me?

George is an intellectual jerk. Ahhh, your base don’t read anyway! I mean, they don't read him.

Judgment

The current turbulent financial crises, possibly amounting to the tune of one trillion dollars, and the equally disastrous middle-eastern wars must now be resolved in a non-partisan and even in a non-denominational manner more than ever.

As a result of this domino catastrophe, it is imperative for the best minds and those with the best intentions to roll-up their sleeves and tackle these problems with every citizen. For the purpose of full disclosure, I am a Democrat and a supporter of Senator Barack Obama, as well as a Christian.

Judgment/leadership is the preeminent dual nouns in developing the right solution to these problems. If the survival of my family depends on the administration that possesses these attributes, it is not important to me if there is a “D”, “R” or an “I” after their names. However, after what I have witnessed in this election cycle, it is pretty difficult for me to rely on John McCain, the senator who thought the economy was fundamentally strong and who, occasionally, gets confused about geography and the names of warring factions. In reality, regardless of who is in office, taxes must be raised and belt-tightening will be necessary. There maybe even a need to have the draft reinstated.

Can you imagine your financial future, the lives of your sons and daughters in the hands of someone whose judgment/leadership abilities are in question, someone who is still defining himself?

........not with my family, not with my money and not with my country!

There’s a new sheriff in town and he has big ……

Perhaps I am only stating the obvious here, but I will state it anyway. But first, let us dismiss with all of the perfunctory excuses (e.g. lack of experience, he’s unknown, elitism, exotic) for why Senator Barack Obama is deemed not acceptable by a greater percentage of the American electorate and state it like it truly is: Ears…okay…he has big ears!

Today, the whole world is laughing at the stupidity and earism of this symbol of freedom called America. After the meteoric blunder of the Bush Administration for the last eight years, for what other reason could this election cycle be so close?

Now, there it is: Big Ears.

America would rather shoot itself in the foot before it would elect one of the most intelligent and able men that this country has produced who seeks the highest office in the land. A recent poll stated that Americans between eighteen and thirty-nine years of age preferred Obama over McCain. That tells me that young people are beyond the “big ears” issue and accepting of Obama based on his character, intelligence and outlook for America. They are thinking about now and the future.

For those of you who are parents and are concerned about the future of your children, why stifle their future with more “Bush-think” because of your last century hang-ups? Most prudent parents want conditions better for their children than they had for themselves.

Some say the American electorate is stupid, prove them wrong and vote for the guy with big ears……this time!

I'm a little confused

Let me see if I have this straight.....

* If you grow up in Hawaii , raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic, different.'

* Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, yours is 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 and next in line behind a man in his eighth decade.
* 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 then left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a true 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 laywer 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 DWI 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, much clearer now....I think.

author unknown

A woman's perogative

Governor Sarah Palin, last night, seemed to have overcome the oncoming headlights from the night before. Not ideal, somewhat scripted, but she did come across more relaxed on her home turf of Wasilla.

However, I feel that her position on women’s reproductive rights is still going to be a point of contention for the campaign with “Hillary’s 1st Army,” on the march. I think acceptance of the lack-luster John McCain and a personable mommy-factor in Sarah Palin is not enough for this army to accept, contradicting their core beliefs.

Could Barack Obama who has two young daughters whom he loves so dearly and a wife whom is the rock his home-life is built on be so repugnant, so repulsive that American women will give up the values that they hold near and dear to just be thrown to the wind to have a woman be next in line for the presidency? If so, would be insane.

How many single moms/middle-class Americans can support weaker tax protection for their families and recalcitrant judicial appointments? How many more mothers will have to watch their children fight another war, initiated by poor judgment? How many rational Americans can continue to support those that condone the legalization of military assault weapons on our streets and the basic tenets of George W. Bush for four more years?

Moose caught in headlights

Confident to be prez? hmmmmm

Alaska Governor and Republican Vice-Presidential Nominee, Sarah Palin's, “maiden interview” last night with ABC reporter, Charles Gibson, left her looking uneasy with her new role.

I attribute this impression to being out solo and unscripted; discussing issues new and above her, proverbial, pay-grade. Perhaps with additional coaching from the Bush/McCain Lobbyist Team (BMLT), she will become more comfortable with promoting "McSame" of the Bush Doctrine and the gravity thereof. After all, this was only a dry-run for the nominee, albeit, she is competing in the major league, now.

Seven years ago....

I am certain that everyone with a pulse and of sound mind can remember where they were September 11, 2001. I was sitting in a continuing education class of two hundred people. When all of a sudden, a woman screamed and ran out of the room. Shortly afterwards, a man came into the room and walked up to the instructor and whispered something into his ear.

“I’m sorry ladies and gentlemen, due to circumstances beyond our control, we will end today’s class and I encourage you to leave the facility immediately and drive safely home”.

It was not until my friends and I got into the car and turned on the radio did we learn what had happened. “Two commercial airlines had struck the World Trade Center” The very first thing that came to my mind was al-Qaeda. I thought no one else was “meshuga” or bold enough to pull that off, but al-Qaeda! I live in D.C. and the class was in Baltimore and I thought of my family. Fortunately, I did not have any family or close friends in any of the three locations struck. I also remember, strangely, not having any fear, but feeling concerned about the future.

Perhaps, like you, I remained glued to CNN. I did not support George Bush, but it appeared that the administration was doing all that it could do to assess the situation and provide some national protection. I can also remember wondering if U.S. foreign policy had gotten so bad that it instigated fringe, anti-U.S. groups to action? With all of America’s wealth and technology, it could not surmise and prevent this disaster from happening? Or did someone just drop the ball as was done at Pearl Harbor?

The amount of support and wishes of goodwill this country received after these attacks were unprecedented. America had the world in its hands! However, the Bush Administration squandered this opportunity in favor of narrow interests and, perhaps, self-interest. As a result, we are now paying dearly. Economic conditions are cyclical. The wars in the middle-east and the mortgage crises have exacerbated this down cycle for America. Much of the ups and downs in the economy are market driven. However, policies could have been put in place to counter the repercussions of market errors, but this administration chose to abrogate oversight responsibilities in the spirit of “less government”. The money that is lost in these wars could have been used to shore up our fragile infrastructure and our recession only compounds our economic condition.

After our experience of the last seven years, I now place judgment over all other criteria in selecting the next president. I support Barack Obama because he is not married to the narrow, self-interest thinking of the current administration. War, inherently, should be an option of last resort. After diplomacy has been exhausted and military action is necessary, we should proceed with clear objectives. Our president, after receiving the best counsel possible should then take military action.

Senator Obama will bring a team together based on sound judgment that will lead us through this mine field left by the greed and disinterest of the past.

I am a community organizer!

First: Giving honor to the community organizer of all community organizers.......Jesus!

***********

I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities.
- Sarah Palin, 2008

I was appalled to hear that statement by the Republican Vice Presidential Nominee last week. The first thing that came to my mind was to wonder how the very people in Wasilla, Alaska, who helped her in her rise to political office, must feel.

Community organizers have been the building blocks for everything we enjoy in this society since its inception. Every social/political movement has its base in community organizing: When colonists of old decided that taxation without representation was not a just way to govern. When black slaves, Nat Turner and Joseph Cinquez, said enough is enough! When women, deprived of the right to vote, stood their ground and deprived their husbands the pleasure of marriage. When Dr. Martin Luther King and Minister Malcolm X juxtaposed civil disobedience and the threat of the ballot or the bullet. When Mrs. Jones deemed that her intersection was a safety hazard and organized her neighbors to petition the city for a stop sign. When neighbors organize with other neighbors to save schools, hospitals, jobs and homes from foreclosure.

Yes, the community organizers, who work diligently and often voluntarily or for very little money at all, make a difference in our communities. Madam Governor, to denigrate their worth is to sabotage your chances for success. As a one-time community organizer, I understand how an organizer connects with the neighbor, the beautician, the grocer, the postman, the local politician. I am sure you understand this principle, but you chose to abrogate this knowledge in order to bring down your opponent. We realize that principles and respect are not natural characteristics of a Republican political campaign, but your indiscretion will come back to bite you because we are people, too.

Madam Governor, the next time you need to reach out to the community for support, just remember that the community organizer is the one who can make that happen for you, if they so choose.

Dear John......

I just want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on winning the Republican Presidential Nomination. I want to reassure you that Dick and me don’t have any hard feelings toward you for not wanting us at your big party in St. Paul last week. Little people don’t think much of me right about now and my poll numbers are down. So, I understand how you feel.

I know you and me haven’t seen eye-to-eye over the years, but Dick and me think you’re still a good old boy and we want you to continue the Republican tradition. As you know, we are putting all of our resources at your disposal. I still can’t believe I served two terms. All I can say is that our people are really good. So, don’t you worry about a thing. The 169 lobbyists we have on your team know what to do. Hell, look at the ideal selection our guys made with Sarah Palin. During Viet Nam, I was enjoying running women and having a goodtime and daddy told me to get involved with the armed forces because it would look good. The swift boat guys were hesitant to work with my campaign, but daddy talked to T. Boone and the rest is history. And if you think the swift boat fellas were affective for me, wait until you see what our people are going to come up with for you!

I couldn’t say this around the guys, but if you do the right thing while you’re at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you will be taken care of, in spite of Cindy’s money. And for the first time, you’ll be your own man. Dick’s people made a killing in Iraq. Right now, the vice president is not worried about a thing, except his ticker.

I truly believe America is the greatest country in the world and the only way we can remain number one is to insure the dominance of the top tier. We finance technology and foster innovation. We state the course for success and the little people carry out our plan.

Dick and me want to thank you for all of your support and we wish you and Sarah much success. Always remember that we take care of our own.

God bless America!

Sincerely,
George W. Bush

p.s. You, Sarah, Dick and me must get together and go moose hunting after the campaign. Don't worry, I'll make sure Dick's gun has blanks.

Swan Song

The Republican Presidential Nominee, John McCain, a historically boring speaker, went deeper than I have ever seen him go to present himself as the man he wants us to choose as the next President of the United States.

Inspirationally, the senator never had the ability to move me and perhaps never will. But, I did come away with a better understanding of his POW experience in Viet Nam. He stated, again, that he was self-centered and did not really have a sense of patriotism until he was at his lowest and then received assistance from fellow POWs. Hmmm, how dare other folks confess such sentiments?

Obviously, Viet Nam is the senator’s strongest life experience. But, o.k. how many more times are we going to have to endure this experience with him? The sign of true humility is to hush about life-altering episodes and allow others to sing your praises. If you are blessed to live long enough, you too, will experience tough times.

Senator McCain did bash the abuses of the Bush Administration, but did not offer substantive solutions. Drill, drill, drill should not be the mantra for energy independence. Bomb Iran, bomb Iran should not be a McCain Administration theme song because these slogans suggest the continuation of the Bush legacy. After twenty five years of being entrenched in the political system in Washington, surrounding yourself with lobbyist/handlers and bear-hugging George W. Bush is not the best way to extricate yourself as the change agent you want to be. Is that why the "Maverick" leans on Governor Palin so much?

Yesterday evening, in St. Paul, was Senator John Sidney McCain’s attempt at giving a most passionate swan song.

Let's get ready to rumbllllllllle!

Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska, stuck it to my guy last night in St. Paul. She was well prepared, mixing her “lipsticked-pit bull” aggression and her “ah shucks” small town charm to lambaste Senator Obama. She is positioning herself to be a formidable opponent. It’s too bad that her running mate, Senator McCain, can’t match her oratory skills or charisma. o.k., can't expect too much, we’re talking about John McCain here.

Now that the governor is moving up to the big league from the “pick-up game” behind the schoolhouse in Wasilla, she needs to prepare for the whipping she and the senator are going to get down the road. The McCain campaign needed a trump card, stat! They simply wanted to go after Senator Clinton’s army of women and the governor does not even support women’s reproductive rights, not to mention the governor's support for McCain's taxing of employers who provide health benefits to their employees…hence, families!

When it comes down to economic issues where McCain is only offering the top 1% a tax break and international issues where he is reluctant to talk with countries that don’t agree with U.S. policies, the Republican nominees will have their lunch eaten…. unless Governor Palin brings a brown-bagged Bullwinkle moose burger.

In a family way

The Sarah Palin drama has brought American family life out of today’s reality shows on to the political scene.

I am reminded of the Godfather philosophy that dictates while competing gang factions are warring, spouses and children are off limits. I commend Senators Obama and McCain wanting to take the focus off of the young Palin family member and turn their attention to the needs of the Gulf States. Senator Obama, the offspring of a teenaged mom, was the most strident in his comments in support of the Palin family regarding this sensitive issue. The senator has set the example for the rest of us on how to wage a successful campaign without the god-awful tactics and slurs of the Republican mean-machine. There is honor among gangsters and some politicians.

However, what I am more concern with and think is fair game is Governor Palin's questionable affiliation with the Alaskan Independence Party (AIP) which at some point promoted Alaska's secession from the United States.

BTW, didn't those southern states try the samething 147 years ago? hmmmm