McCain's attacks fuel dangerous hatred

This is a wonderfully written op-ed to John McCain by lifelong Pub and someone who worked to get McCain elected in 2000.

McCain's attacks fuel dangerous hatred-Frank Schaeffer, Baltimore Sun

John McCain, you are no fool, and you understand the depths of hatred that surround the issue of race in this country. You also know that, post-9/11, to call someone a friend of a terrorist is a very serious matter. You also know we are a bitterly divided country on many other issues. You know that, sadly, in America, violence is always just a moment away. You know that there are plenty of crazy people out there.

Stop! Think! Your rallies are beginning to look, sound, feel and smell like lynch mobs.

John McCain, you're walking a perilous line. If you do not stand up for all that is good in America and declare that Senator Obama is a patriot, fit for office, and denounce your hate-filled supporters when they scream out "Terrorist" or "Kill him," history will hold you responsible for all that follows.

McCain plans to cut Medicaid and Medicare

So, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that McCain plans to cut Medicaid and Medicare to help fund his health care plan.

McCain plans to cut Medicaid and Medicare

John McCain would pay for his health plan with major reductions to Medicare and Medicaid, a top aide said, in a move that independent analysts estimate could result in cuts of $1.3 trillion over 10 years to the government programs.

The Republican presidential nominee has said little about the proposed cuts, but they are needed to keep his health-care plan "budget neutral," as he has promised. The McCain campaign hasn't given a specific figure for the cuts, but didn't dispute the analysts' estimate.

In the months since Sen. McCain introduced his health plan, statements made by his campaign have implied that the new tax credits he is proposing to help Americans buy health insurance would be paid for with other tax increases.

But Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Sen. McCain's senior policy adviser, said Sunday that the campaign has always planned to fund the tax credits, in part, with savings from Medicare and Medicaid. Those government health-care programs serve seniors, poor families and the disabled. Medicare spending for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30 is estimated at $457.5 billion.

While it may not be a surprise, it is October

Keating Economics

Something to think about donchakneaux ;)

Flirting with voting for McCain

Well here's a must read for you:

Make Believe Maverick - The Real John McCain

A crisis that could make the US election a cleaner contest by Johann Hari

It's not long and it is a must read. This article, IMO, tells one all they need to know to make their decision on November 4.

Ever heard of the Teapot Dome scandal? I'm banking that anyone reading this wasn't alive back then, and like me, might have been fuzzy on what exactly the Teapot Dome scandal entailed. Well, this article is a nice little refresher course as to what exactly this scandal was about.

A crisis that could make the US election a cleaner contest

Can the collapse of Lehman Brothers ram a rare taste of reality into the campaign? The facts are plain. John McCain enthusiastically backed every one of George Bush's moves to deregulate the banks and the mortgage industry that caused this collapse, while Barack Obama opposed them. This isn't just a credit crunch; it's a conservatism crunch. The right got their dream of a totally unregulated "shadow" banking sector –and it swiftly imploded, bringing the world economy down with it.

Yet McCain's indignant promises to "close this casino" are being reported straight, without even bothering to look at this record – or noticing that he is cashing cheques from Wall Street lobbyists as fast as they can be written. They know their man: McCain's mantra even after this collapse began was: "I am always for less regulation." Indeed, McCain's current adverts saying he will not let the "recklessness" that led to Lehman Brothers' demise happen again are in part funded by left-over donations from... Lehman Brothers.

McCain knows his stances on the economy and foreign policy are opposed by 80 percent of the population as barely-trimmed Bush. So he needs to toss up a confetti of distraction-issues instead – and Palin was the biggest distraction of all. This attempt to run down the clock was working with slick efficiency until the stock exchange's opening bell started to sound like a death-knell. He is gathering fistfuls more of confetti as we speak.

The best key to unlocking these tactics may lie in a story that might seem at first glance a yellowing old scandal, but it is actually as fresh as tomorrow's Google News. By 1920, the oil age had revved into first gear. Cars were being bought all over America, so the petrol price was at an all-time high. The bosses of Big Oil were desperate for new oilfields – and there was one in particular they coveted. In Wyoming, there was a vast oilfield called the Teapot Dome reserve, shaped like a teapot and containing more oil than the whole of California. But the oilmen were shut out: it had been set aside to supply the navy with oil if there was ever a national emergency.

So Big Oil thought of a solution. They decided to buy the presidency. A consortium led by Jake Hamon – a JR Ewing for the Jazz Age – started to buy the delegates to the 1920 Republican Convention with brown-envelope bribes, one by one. Once they owned a hefty block, they approached the initial front-runner – General Leonard Wood – and said they would make him the Republican nominee if in return he promised to make Hamon Secretary of the Interior – and therefore boss of Teapot Dome. Wood yelled: "I am an American soldier. I'll be damned if I'll betray my country! Get the hell out of here."

So Big Oil picked a different candidate instead: an obscure, bumbling Senator called Warren G Harding, who had been a 40-1 shot at the start of the convention. He had barely been out of Ohio and had only fuzzy ideas about politics – but he could be marketed as Mr Normal, the 1920s equivalent of a hockey mom. Big Oil lavishly funded a PR campaign selling him to ordinary Americans as One of You. He was pictured at baseball games eating hot dogs with his sweet family – while his opponent was presented as arid and "elitist".

good grief

If someone has truly made an informed decision and they honestly feel that McCain is the guy, these are not the people I'm speaking of. I may not understand your reason, like you don't understand mine, but I can certainly respect that like I would hope you would my choice.

Ya know, if someone uses Obama's skin color as their reason to not vote for him, I feel sad for them. Something as important as electing arguably one of the most, if not the most powerful person(s) in the world and they are letting petty insecurities get in their way of sitting down and truly taking a look at the issues, it is just incomprehensible to me. It says a lot about our nation as well. We place so much importance on fame, athletes, celebs, whatever instead of where that importance should be placed. Teachers, firefighters, policeman, military, nurses, doctors, and the list goes on- get far less of our attention as a whole. It is no wonder we (myself included) voted George Bush in for 2 terms and are now seriously considering voting for John McCain.

No wonder the rest of the world laughs at us and mocks us. We are chock full of idiots.

The web is full of articles from reputable sources. Instead of reading some fluff for 2 hours online, read something that informs for one of those hours.

What more is there to say

Jon Stewart, really, really, really phukin rocks


http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=184111

Jon Stewart - I love that man

I don't need to say a thing. The buffons that Jon is highlighting do it all

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=184086

Just freakin weird

Now yesterday, I was shocked. Today, while still shocked, my mind is in a complete whirl. Waiting for the punch line. My lack of trust in this current administration, McDuh included, makes me wonder what the ulterior motive is. I mean, they faked a letter to give them a reason to go to war in Iraq. Why wouldn't they do something like this. They've gotten away with every other damn thing. Or did McCain pull a maverick outta his hat and come up with this doozy on his own. If he did, it had to have been a last minute, knee-jerk reaction with absolutely ZERO thought. I mean, if reports are correct, he didn't even vet her!!!!! I can't find the link right now, but I'll find it and come back and post it.

makes the mind want to EXPLODE!

An Alaskan's view on Palin

John McCain is 72. While not a single one of us is guaranteed tomorrow, let's face it, it is a very real possibility that he will not be around to finish out his term if (God forbid) he is elected. He has a responsibility to the country to choose someone who can step in and lead. Many had the argument that Obama doesn't have enough experience, so he shored that up with Biden. There is no question that Biden would be able to step in and run this country if need be.

What is McCain thinking? One Alaskans Perspective

An excerpt regarding "TrooperGate"

Here it is…what we in Alaska call “TrooperGate”.
Sarah Palin’s sister Molly married a guy named Mike Wooten who is an Alaska State Trooper. Mike and Molly had a rocky marriage. When the marriage broke up, there was a bitter custody fight that is still ongoing. During the custody investigation, all sorts of things were brought up about Wooten including the fact that he had illegally shot a moose (yes folks this is Alaska), driven drunk, and used a taser (on the test setting, he reminds us) on his 11-year old stepson, who supposedly had asked to see what it felt like. While Wooten has turned out to be a less than stellar figure, the fact that Palin’s father accompanied him on the infamous moose hunt, and that many of the dozens of charges brought up by the Palin family happened long before they were ever reported smacked of desperate custody fight. Wooten’s story is that he was basically stalked by the family.

After all this, Wooten was investigated and disciplined on two counts and allowed to kept his position with the troopers. Enter Walt Monegan, Palin’s appointed new chief of the Department of Public Safety and head of the troopers. Monegan was beloved by the troopers, did a bang-up job with minimal funding and suddenly got axed. Palin was out of town and Monegan got “offered another job” (aka fired) with no explanation to Alaskans. Pressure was put on the governor to give details, because rumors started to swirl around the fact that the highly respected Monegan was fired because he refused to fire the aforementioned Mike Wooten. Palin vehemently denied ever talking to Monegan or pressuring Monegan in any way to fire Wooten, or that anyone on her staff did. Over the weeks it has come out that not only was pressure applied, there were literally dozens of conversations in which pressure was applied to fire him. Monegan has testified to this fact, spurring an ongoing investigation by the Alaska state legislature. But, before this investigation got underway, Palin sent the Alaska State Attorney General out to do some investigative work of his own so she could find out in advance what the real investigation was going to find. (No, I’m not making this up). The AG interviewed several people, unbeknownst to the actual appointed investigator or the Legislature! Palin’s investigation of herself uncovered a recorded phone call retained by the Alaska State Troopers from Frank Bailey, a Palin underling, putting pressure on a trooper about the Wooten non-firing. Todd Palin (governor’s husband) even talked to Monegan himself in Palin’s office while she was away. Bailey is now on paid administrative leave.

As if this weren’t enough, Monegan’s appointed replacement Chuck Kopp, turns out to have been the center of his own little scandal. He received a letter of reprimand and was reassigned after sexual harrassment allegations by a former coworker who didn’t like all the unwanted kissing and hugging in the office. Was he vetted? Obviously not. When he was questioned about all this, his comment was that no one had asked him and he thought they all knew. Kopp, defiant, still claimed to have done nothing wrong and said to the press that there was no way he was stepping down from his new position. Twenty four hours later, he stepped down. Later it was uncovered that he received a $10,000 severance package for his two weeks on the job from Palin. Monegan got nothing.

Beware my fellow Obama-Biden supporters

Scott Shrake has a good point people. We cannot take for granted that our country will pay enough attention to know this chick is not ready for this position. Complacency is the enemy 'my friends'

Palin '08 = Bush '00

Some time ago someone wrote this elegy for the last eight years (I'm paraphrasing): "Do you remember how you felt that first time you ever encountered George W. Bush, early in the 2000 campaign? Remember that feeling?"

I do. First, stunned. Then, my head cocked to one side, one eyebrow arched, I chuckle at the absurdity...

This can't be. THIS is who they're putting up to run? Have they heard him try to speak in public? It's so insulting to suggest that the country would elect this person.

Comparing the records of the presidential candidates and the one known VP

Alright, what's your issue? Compare the voting records of Obama, Biden, and McCain. All this information came from Project Vote Smart. All figures are interest group ratings from 2007, except when those figures were not available, in those cases the ratings are from 2006 or 2005-2006.

Look at records, don't vote blindly. Inform yourself so you make a smart choice.

Here are the links to Project Vote Smart:

Senator Obama

Senator Biden

Senator McCain







Abortion Issues.

In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator Obama a grade of 100.

In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator Biden a grade of 75.

In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator McCain a grade of 0


Animal Welfare

Senator Obama supported the interests of the The Humane Society of the United States 75 percent in 2007.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the The Humane Society of the United States 75 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the The Humane Society of the United States 25 percent in 2007.


Civil Rights and Human Rights Issues

2007 American Civil Liberties Union gave Senator Obama a grade of 80.

2007 American Civil Liberties Union gave Senator Biden a grade of 75.

2007 American Civil Liberties Union gave Senator McCain a grade of 50.


Senator Obama supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 85 percent in 2007

Senator Biden supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 85 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 15 percent in 2007.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 89 percent in 2005-2006

Senator Biden supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 78 percent in 2005-2006.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 33 percent in 2005-2006

Conservative Issues

Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 7 percent in 2007

Senator Biden supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 0 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 80 percent in 2007.


Education Issues

2007 National Education Association gave Senator Obama a grade of A.

In 2007 National Education Association gave Senator Biden a grade of A.

2997 National Education Association gave Senator McCain a grade of F.


Senator Obama supported the interests of the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 100 percent in 2007

Senator Biden supported the interests of the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 100 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 0 percent in 2007.


Energy Issues

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Campaign for America's Future 100 percent in 2005-2006 on energy legislation.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the Campaign for America's Future 83 percent in 2005-2006 on energy legislation.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Campaign for America's Future 17 percent in 2005-2006 on energy legislation.


Environmental Issues

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to League of Conservation Voters's position, Senator Obama received a rating of 67.

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to League of Conservation Voters's position, Senator Biden received a rating of 67.

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to League of Conservation Voters's position, Senator McCain received a rating of 0.


Family and Children Issues

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Children's Defense Fund's position, Senator Obama received a rating of 60.

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Children's Defense Fund's position, Senator Biden received a rating of 50.

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Children's Defense Fund's position, Senator McCain received a rating of 10.

(The Family Research Council is an extremely right-wing organization founded and lead by Dr. James Dobson)

In 2007 Family Research Council gave Senator Obama a grade of 0.

In 2007 Family Research Council gave Senator Biden a grade of 0.

In 2007 Family Research Council gave Senator McCain a grade of 42.


Foreign Aid and Policy Issues

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Council for a Livable World 81 percent in 2007

Senator Biden supported the interests of the Council for a Livable World 77 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Council for a Livable World 0 percent in 2007.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Peace Action West 100 percent in 2007.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the Peace Action West 86 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Peace Action West 0 percent in 2007.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 83 percent in 2005-2006.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 75 percent in 2005-2006.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 25 percent in 2005-2006


Health Issues

Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Academy of Family Physicians 100 percent in 2007.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the American Academy of Family Physicians 100 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Academy of Family Physicians 0 percent in 2007.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Nurses Association 100 percent in 2005-2006.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the American Nurses Association 100 percent in 2005-2006.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Nurses Association 20 percent in 2005-2006.


Labor

Senator Obama supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 100 percent in 2007.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 100 percent in 2007

Senator McCain supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 0 percent in 2007.


Senator Obama supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 75 percent in 2007.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 83 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 8 percent in 2007.


Liberal

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 75 percent in 2007

Senator Biden supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 75 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 10 percent in 2007.


Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Journal - Composite Liberal Score 95.5 percent in 2007.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the National Journal - Composite Liberal Score 94.2 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy 40 percent in 2007


Veterans Issues

2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 80 percent in 2006.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 75 percent in 2006.

2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 20 percent in 2006.

2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Obama a grade of B+.

In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Biden a grade of B+.

2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator McCain a grade of D.



Welfare and Poverty

"RESULTS is a nonprofit grassroots advocacy organization committed to creating the political will to end hunger and the worst aspects of poverty.”

Senator Obama supported the interests of the RESULTS 100 percent in 2005-2006

Senator Biden supported the interests of the RESULTS 100 percent in 2005-2006.

2Senator McCain supported the interests of the RESULTS 23 percent in 2005-2006



Women's Issues

Sen. Obama supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 91 percent in 2005-2006.

Senator Biden supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 91 percent in 2005-2006.

2005-2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 13 percent in 2005-2006