Assange & The new Pentagon Papers?

I generally agree with Sen. Ron Paul, this Wikileaks an total overreaction. Yes, some people have been embarrassed, but that's it so far. It's easy to label his actions as treason. Far too easy really. We can all make fun of the silly TeaParty (which this person does), but there's a saying that a little revolution is good now & then. Me firmly believe this & it's clearly the far right who only has the stones at this point to make a revolution happen. Not saying what Assange? did was right, not saying what he did was wrong. However, take a step back before you snap to judge. Your getting one side of the story now, the side people with TREMENDOUS power want you to see/hear. They're laying it on thick. This may be a bad man, he may cause serious damage, but he may also cause some change to come. Change that could be for the better. Sometimes bad people cause change for good. Let's just calm down here. Take. A. Breath. If this turns into a bonafide Valerie Plame-like situation, then get back to me.

Frank Rich - Sunday Times

Rich nails it again this week in his Op-Ed for the Sunday Times.

My core disappointment with my fellow Americans is described perfectly by Rich. He talks of a body politic who continues to be out-to-lunch...not seeming to give a damn about the shit-loads of problems we are in.

Obama has a tough road to hoe here. He needs to shake up the American body politic who, since his election in November 2008 (and perhaps inauguration day), has been completely out of the picture.

As Rich notes, Obama has the tricky task of shaking up the body politic, describing the shit-storm he is in, while still sounding optimistic.

Obama's barnstorming around the country and press conferences and addresses must continue for him to do this effectively, and I agree he needs to bring back some of the poetry to his prose. That's how he will win American's over again, and keep them firmly on his side of the argument.

Leave it to the fucking morons like Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-Louisiana) to turn-down the stimulus money, while his state has continued to deteriorate after Katrina, and despite a double-digit unemployment rate. Obama needs to call him and the Republican frauds like him, out by name and mock their stupidity.

Scandal simmers

According to the great site by Nate Silver, Obama's favorability rating hasn't been hurt by the Gov. Blagojevich scandal...yet.

I think Obama is in the clear, but if he continues to play word games much like Bill Clinton did during Monica-gate, he'll find himself in deep trouble.

It seems clear SOMEONE on his staff contacted Blagojevich and had talks with him about the seat. My guess it was either Alexrod, or Rahm Emanuel who took over Blagojevich's seat in the House when he became Governor.

It is also clear that Jesse Jackson Jr. is fucked, and he either fucked himself or his dad did it to him.

In any case, this all stinks. And it annoys me that yet again, there's a Democrat getting into the White House and not having shit following him into the office. Let's hope this isn't a Clinton-Whitewater redux that goes on for years on end slowly eroding any effectiveness Obama can have and assassinating his approval rating.

To bail or not to bail...

I've been mulling over, silently listening to the debate from people around about this supposed bailout plan.

Being an economic populist, I tend to not support any bailout if the people who made their sweaty, bloody wads of cash on the backs of poor American middle-class workers are the ones being given the real life saver here.

I was always told we live in a capitalist society, the "market will police itself," none of which I have bought for years (see Alzheimer's President in Chief).

My heart and my liberal ego who wants to effectively push the shit into the face of the puppy who just shat all over the place, wants these firms to flat-out go belly up with the big CEOs taking home literally peanuts for their effort.

But, my brain, the logician part of me, knows better. He knows that despite the moment of victorious rejoice will be fun to watch, the aftermath will be so brutal on the people getting really screwed, my heart would ache.

Listening to the McLaughlin Group as I do most Friday nights on PBS, I couldn't help but sneer at Mort Zuckerman. While he knew better months ago and moved his holdings away from danger and into literally cash, he towed the line that we must give these companies a life boat. Bailing out the two F's was essential, as was AIG.

I sneered because ultimately, I am smart enough to know how stupid I am when it comes to understanding how an economy of our magnitude really works.

That said, he nor Paulson know either for sure. When Rep. Richard Shelby (Repo) cae out swinging his signed paper of over 200 economists from MIT, etc, etc that was the clearest evidence yet that no matter how smart an economist might be...NO ONE has a freakin' clue as to what will happen in this time of turmoil.

That alone should freak American's out. While Paulson seems to be an honorable, and truthful figure (one of a few in the Dubya years), I still am not sure he is right. Moreover, for them to suggest we hand them a $700 billion blank check without some ties to it, is frankly...moronic and preposterous.

I support a bailout of limited proportions and with some serious strings attached, because it sadly, only appears to be the rational thing to do at this juncture.

Finally, a side note. Do not let the right-wing talking points fool you: The lending of money to people who were/are poor for buying a house is NOT why we are in this crisis. Historically, since that policy was instituted in the Clinton years, the lower income people have been the most reliable re-payers of loans in America.

It was not these low income people who sunk this economy...it was those middle class Americans who had the more than adequate ranch house for their family, who just couldn't help themselves but reach above their heads for a house they really couldn't afford because why?...THEY SIMPLY WANTED IT. It was those people who had a good sized house for their family, who got greedy and took out a 2nd mortgage to "buy" a beach/summer house.

These are the greedy bastards to blame...it's clear that low income people know who they are and are willing to live with that, it's that upper belt of the middle class who can't stand living within their means because of their greed. These are the people who should also pay. Let them keep their main house, but they should forfeit that 2nd house outright. And they should be ashamed of themselves.

The attack dog cometh?!

That's all she wrote folks! Great pic, much better than Bayh, Kaine, or that guy from Texas who apparently was vetted. Only possible better pick would have been Hill herself who came with some serious baggage.

Still think Obama bungled this a bit. This should have been introduced at 3pm-ish yesterday, but what can ya do eh?

Clearly it will be interesting to see what McCain does.

A love/hate relationship is ending

Well, the Dubya Dumbass Administration may have dun itself a doozy yet again! First, we leave Osama in Afghanistan. Then, we pursue a ridiculous "war" in Iraq. We turn away from Iran who proceeds to go ape-shit. Then they ignore Russian and not worry about Putin who becomes the colossal jackass anyone with a brain knew he was (I say again, once a KGB member, always a KGB member even when it no long exists *wink, wink*).

Now comes word that Musharraf has had it. He's quitting. I don't blame the man, he was in a tough, tough position. Hounded by the West to allow us to hunt Osama, hounded by his former friends and party allies to take a hard line against the U.S., he literally was in a vice.

Frankly, I never cared much for Musharraf, but I understood his problem and his mistrust of the Dubya Stupidocracy...Musharraf was smart enough to know that even if he did exactly what the Administration and others in the "coalition" wanted, he would be left for dead (see Georgia getting pummeled unnecessarily by Russia).

Musharraf didn't have the balls to do what the late Muhammad Anwar Al Sadat did following the Camp David Accord of 1978: Resulting in The Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty, and Sadat's assassination in October of 1981 by angry Islamic groups who despised him for signing the treaty. So much so, Egypt was expelled from the Arab League. Sadat had his flaws, for sure, but at the end of the day he saw the larger perspective...he was able to see the benefits of such a move in the long run for his nation, and he made the move to what he must have known, would be his detriment.

Musharraf could have been a larger-than-life figure in history if he had the cojones to go against his people and allow Osama to be detained. Moreover, allowed the West to take action in his country against the people we have been fighting.

We (loved) needed him for some access, but we also hated him because he wouldn't let us go all in. Now, he will be gone and he will no doubt about it, be replaced by a someone who will ultimately take a much harder line against the US and not be willing to work with us when the next President gets elected.

It says in the NY Times story he wants to stay in Afghanistan, but I would urge him, for his safety, to move elsewhere. No way he has a good life there, assuming he doesn't get shot. Like Sadat, Musharraf knows after several attempts on his life, he is a target. I believe he will remain a symbolic target for those very same groups, and he likely won't have nearly the protection he has now...he will surely be shot, and perhaps mortally wounded.

Autism Spectrum Disorder & the Public

An interesting article popped up on MSNBC.com today about Autism.

Adam Race, a teen who weighs over 200 pounds, was recently banned from his families' church (I cannot pass at taking a free jab at those damned Christians who continue to not practice what they preach). A judge upheld the ban on Adam, citing the Priest's claims of some behaviors that would most people would consider to be very disruptive.

I'm not here to argue Adam should be allowed back in the church; His mother, Carol, says the claims were exaggerated, but who knows really?

I will, however, continue to be amazed by the sheer stupidity of parents in this country. There are clearly some Autistic students who should NOT be taken into general public areas by the parents, but there are some who can handle such things.

If the claims were true about the peeing his pants, I can see the church's case. However, kicking a student out of church because he occasionally makes loud noises and may bolt for the doors as soon as church is over...these are lame excuses. It's called compassion you Christian asshats!! It must have been widely known within the church that Adam had some problems, and people who attend said church would know to ignore his flare-ups when they occurred. Moreover, they could have dismissed church for Adam and his family first before everyone else, that way he didn't "run people over."

If his mother/family didn't let the church know about Adam's diagnosis, then they made a serious mistake. Parents with children identified with Autism MUST take some responsibility here both for their children, and for the public to be aware.

Finally, as noted earlier in this post, there are some students who are so afflicted with the disorder that they become untenable to take into public (I worked with a little girl who I would never take into public without some strong adult reinforcements). But, the comments of Jason Goldtrap, who has a brother identified with Autism, is a total duchebag.

He's right that there is a place for institutional supports/centers, but when he talks about his brother who seems reasonably self-sufficient and able to identify that he wants to stay out and about...there's a disconnect in his brain where I don't think he "gets" the difference between functional Autism and non-functional Autism (not real words, but my made up type of diagnosis). Also, it is clear that some changes need to be made when it concerns Goldtrap's older nephew (who he says is 21), saying that there are times the police need to be called because he gets so violent.

This is another facet of how the health care insurance and general industry are screwing Americans. There should be some insurance funding there to get this 21 year old some help.

Bottom Line: As always, parents need to have some freaking discretion and take some responsibility for the health and well-being of their children. Socialization is an important goal for Autistic students, but not when it becomes violent and overly disruptive.

Bush will fail this test too...AGAIN!

As Russian forces obliterate the independent state of Georgia, they wonder where the West is at.

Ironically, Georgia was one of the real members of the "Coalition to Liberate Iraq," being the country to come in 3rd place when providing resources when the US Government called.

So, guess what? Now it's our turn to help them. I predict Dubya will wave buh-bye to the Georgians, and watch them go down in flames...literally. I'd hate to get into a pissing match with Russia (another "Cold War"), but we should help these people with whatever we can, as soon as we can.

So Long Bernie

Just learned comedian Bernie Mac passed away earlier today, he was 50, funny, and will be missed.

Putin's soul

This non-intrepid, intrepid blogger is curious.

7 years ago or so when Dubya met Putin and "looked into his soul," I wonder if he saw tanks invading Georgia during the start of the freaking Olympics 7 years later?

I'm just sayin...

Update 8/10/2008: Per MSNBC...brilliant. Ugh!

Onto stage 2? of grief

After quickly digesting the news of the day about my boy Edwards (the ONLY candidate I've given money too), I moved onto Stage 2 of the grieving process: Anger.

Full-boar rage has set in. Rage at Edwards to knowingly ran for President, knowing he had fucked another woman, and SERIOUSLY putting the party in danger, perilous danger if in fact he had become the nominee.

Worse yet, he succeeded enough in this the primaries to have possibly determined the outcome of the race. He stayed in the race for quite a while drawing votes from Hillary (and some for Obama, but he largely stole from Hill's base) and allowing Obama to look formidable.

But, it not just this rage, it is also a larger rage. He has damaged the brand of the Democrat, JUST when we have been resurrected due to the complete ineptitude of the Dumbass Administration. This will continue to stain the Democratic party and make the people herein irrelevant.

Why? The MSM, who stayed away from this story, and who ran with the Vitter & Craig story and eventually dropped after the humor value was gone, will now turn to this story and they will hammer it for two reasons:

1. The liberal-leaning MSM has this sickness where they put the Democrat up on the pedestal and they continually do not hold both parties' members' to the same ethical standards because they believe and they have a silent image of what the Democrat should look like. And when the Democrat doesn't, they will punish him.

2. The MSM is hyper-sensitive to appear not liberal, thus they will go waaaay out of the norm to hammer this to assuage any attacks that may come their way bitching that they didn't jump on the story fast enough.

This story could have far-reaching damaging effects in the immediate future prospects of the party. Whereas Craig and Vitter was laughed off and laughed at (they have largely been able to skate away and maintain their balance), this story will be cited by the moralists in the Republican party to beat Democrats over the proverbial head with the bible-thumpers.

This hurts in far-reaching ways, who knows how long. I am DISAPPOINTED in Edwards, but now I am more mad that he possibly could have caused such damage in the future.

Imagery and Politics

Ever since the Kennedy-Nixon debates back in the 1960 Presidential Campaign, images have become the hallmark of electoral politics.

I don't applaud this reality, I just accept it.

But, for any serious Democrat today, seeing the imagery coming from Obama's tour in Berlin, Germany, is powerful stuff. He looks Presidential, he looks like a leader who intends to bring not just American's together, but the world. Slight haunts of Kennedy here...powerful stuff.

Compared to McCain and Pres. Bush 41 getting out of a golf cart where Bush 41 looks younger than McCain...that's damning.

Intriguing

News from Drudge is interesting when combined with the news from Al-Malahki this week that they now want a time table for American's to leave.

Dubya's considering pushing up the withdrawal of troops before the end of the calendar year apparently. This is interesting on a few fronts:

1. Is Cheney pulling some last, final strings to get his war against Iran?

2. How is McCain going to swing this one? He wants to stay in Iraq for the next hundred years, so this makes him look soo foolish that Dubya could be sweeping the rug out from under him. Watch out for a big, whopper of a flip-flop here.

3. Iraq says they are ready, but I for one, don't believe they are ready. But again, I don't really give two shits if they're ready or if their government will fall faster than the guillotine on Marie Antoinette's head. I think Malakhi is bluffing here just like Iran apparently was. There's no way he wants us out, because if we are out...his head will surely become detached from those shoulders.

FISA Shame

Moments ago the U.S. Senate unbuckled their belt, dropped their pants, got their collective penis nice and hard...and fucked the 4th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America in the ass without lubrication.

This is only one of many examples of how special interests have fucked up Washington, and it also shows how Obama is just like any other pol.

Dubya, and his "administration," committed several dozen felonies with their warrantless wiretaps, and they got the Senate to take a giant sheet and cover their ass.

By giving immunity to the telecoms, they have raped the 4th Amendment. The companies shouldn't get this. They don't deserve any benefit of the doubt. And it's only getting worse. Recently a federal judge forced Google and You Tube to release all the data they had saved that tells who watched what on You Tube.

The noose is tightening, and the internets are becoming less free by the millisecond. You can go on any street corner and say "fuck you and your religion," but do it on the internets and suddenly the shit hits the fan. Employers get to fire you, companies can take away you "priviledged" access to a public forum like the internets.

I don't like the prospect of the Internets 2. These companies who are setting up and funding this new venture are the very same people who will buy and sell my ass in five milliseconds flat if it suits their purpose.

In short, SHAME on all members of the Senate that voted for this phony compromise that is no compromise.

Unfortunate After-effect but...

Local Boston TV affiliates are currently reporting on a story that the Boston PD has had to have a presser about;

David Woodman, a 22 year old young man, died yesterday. This came 11 days after he was stopped and arrested for having an open container of alcohol during the celebration after the Celtics won their 17th NBA Championship.

Woodman was clearly intoxicated according to officers, and when they approached him, he attempted to flee. After a "short pursuit" the police caught up with Woodman, and subdued him, and after already having called for an EMS because he was intoxicated, Woodman showed signs of duress and they re-radioed the EMS when it became evident there was a bigger problem.

Woodman, who had a pre-existing heart condition, was drunk, ran from police, and was properly put to the ground by police. It's a sad occurrence, but baring a longer, more in-depth investigation, the parents suit which seemingly will be field for wrongful death (they've already hired a lawyer) should be immediately thrown out.

There is a basic rule, anyone and everyone knows: You don't run from the police. You will be caught, you will be physically hurt because they will TACKLE you to the ground, and in the wrong situation you could be shot.

It's sad, but Woodman had it coming. I have little sympathy for jackasses who drink themselves into a stupor and get busted for it. I take a very hard line against alcohol people...a very hard line. My position is simple, get busted for drinking a driving once, get your license suspended for 30 days. Get busted twice...license is gone for a year. Three times, gone for five. Fourth time...say bye bye to license for 30 years mo fo.

American's fascination with escape and drinking to excess has to stop, and it's not just young people who are to blame. It's the advertising companies, it's tv, it's movie, but more damning, it's parents themselves who glamorize and make it OK to drink to excess. Pathetic.

Imus - Redux

Quick note on Imus again spewing his mouth...and again, he is in the right here.

He asked his sports guy Warner Wolf during a telling about Adam "Pacman" Jones and his NUMEROUS problems since he'd been drafted into the NFL by the Titans..."What color is he?"

Then Wolf noted he was an African American.

Imus then replied, "Ha, well, then we know..."

Here's the thing, this maybe a stereotype that is not fair...but how many white athletes have had the LOOOONG rap sheet like black athletes...very few. This was fair for Imus to say, and ethical.

His lame excuse to get himself out of this situation, like his last excuse, is so unbelievable it's hilarious.

NOTE: I saw/read two other articles today that I intend to blog about later.

McCain Borderline

At this juncture, McCain is borderlining on the delusional. He is confused about Sunni and Shia. He's talking about Germany being like Iran or some crap.

He already has problems sounding reasonably intelligent when speaking on economic matters, something he admitted was not his forte many a moon ago.

But, his supposed "experience" on military questions is looking ever more questionable. Dems like my friend Heartlandish, Rachel Maddow, Johnathon Alter, whined and moaned about how Hill was tearing up the party allowing McCain to secure his support.

Well, the whole time I argued it wouldn't matter, and apparently, McCain has been sitting on his ass eating donuts since he got the nomination because he is seemingly so far out of touch, it's laughable. He not only didn't get much fundraising done beyond the "OOPS" moment of being photoged with Dubya, but he also has accomplished squat with the neocons. They aren't buying his lines, his tough talk, and now he's beginning to look very bad with any independent voters he could have possibly stole from Obama.

Wonder how much mental capacity he has left. Are we in a Reagan situation here where the man had/hid freakin Alzheimer's from the public while sitting in the most powerful seat in the world? Are we a few years into his potential administration from that happening?

He's either having a really bad month, or he's losing it...literally.

Shortlist

Leaked? tonight were some potential candidates on Obama's shortlist of VP possibilities. Included in the list of 16 are names like: Bayh, Kerry, Edwards, Biden. All four of those names, I surely hope, are a joke. Bayh is a boring-ass fuck, who WILL NOT carry Indiana. Kerry doesn't do squat either. Edwards has publicly said he doesn't want it, and my boy had his chance in '04; You can't pick either of the '04 losers. Finally, Biden? Seriously? I like Biden, but the man is notorious for having diarrhea of the mouth, NOT someone you want on a ticket.

Despite my annoyance, I'd be willing to bet that the Kerry, Edwards additions are both kiss-ass additions and are token.

Call me cruel if ye wish, but...

(part deux)

Ed McMahon is apparently in danger of losing his home, becoming like the other 1 million homeowners who have been foreclosed on.

He's defaulted on his $4.8 million mansion in Beverly Hills, California. I feel sorry for million plus homeowners who are getting screwed (foreclosed on) to the wall by these home mortgage companies who clearly have the ethics of a gnat.

However, I don't feel sorry for Ed. I like Ed. I wish Ed well in his neck recovery. But, your expecting me to help YOU save your mansion?...brother...please!!!

Even some of those million plus homeowners had it coming. I've read stories where people were CLEARLY and blatantly buying beyond their means, to the tune of buying a second house that they really couldn't afford.

A house and real estate is supposed to be an investment, via building equity. This is true. But, there comes a point when one gets too greedy in trying to build "wealth" and not lockup money they could put in a solid mutual fund to protect their ass when the shit hits the proverbial fan.

The whole "wealth" concept makes me want to puke anyways. All these scams on television claiming you can build "wealth." You know what "wealth" is? It's a number on a peice of paper...it's not cold, harsh, cash.

IT'S OVER!

Breaking News from MSNBC! On the night Olbermann gets the cable-first interview with McLelland, there's late breaking news that supersedes that "news."

House Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate leader Harry Reid had issued a statement saying the Democrat nominee will be known this time next week "give or take a few days."

This tell me, this sucker is over. There will be TREMENDOUS pressure on Clinton to finally capitulate. Smart move considering Harrold Ickes' resume.

Ickes has been to a few DNC conventions and ruined the convention through some crafty procedural moves, this is possibly why Clinton has kept him on.

This is a strong move by party leadership to end this thing. They may not have the muscle to make it happen, but they are finally beginning to speak up.

Love the flawed Clinton's, but the best my girl Hill can do now is jam herself into the number 2 spot. Here's hoping it doesn't get fugly.