13 months & 1 day ago...

(being my first post in over 2 months, not much has gone on in D.C. other than wheel spinning on health care reform)

...I expressed my desire to have Obama be the next President.

Generally speaking, I have liked the results.

I think/thought he could have been much stronger in whipping some of those asshat Senate Dems to back a full public option; I think he took the wrong lesson from the Clinton fiasco. He took the lesson to be to not make a big public push against the drug companies, when the real lesson was, don't let your wife whom everyone hates run the operation.

However, he is completely failing a lesson from the JFK Presidential years; Or at least a pseudo-lesson.

JFK essentially learned the hard way not to trust the military industrial complex (*cough* Pentagon *cough*); The Bay of Pigs.

Obama is set to deliver an address where he will be sending troops to Afghanistan, but with some sort of strings attached, which includes a reportedly fairly vague endgame.

The problem is simple, once you given the Pentagon people the OK to go, they will create reasons to stay once there. As Keith Olbermann noted tonight in his Special Comment, these people are in the BUSINESS to keep war and/or occupations alive.

Make no mistake about it, WAR is big business. It's what they like to do, and they are like an excellent surgeon who thinks every medical solution to any medical problem is to operate. It's incredibly foolish.

Moreover, it puts troops in harms way for what? What will we really gain from this endeavor besides heartache and pain on many levels.

Finally, this may doom Obama in 2012. Unless something drastic happens, war (much like it wasn't in 2008) will NOT be the top concern of the body politic.

Election year, after election year, James Carville proves to be prophetic: "It's the economy stupid."

I don't know what this will do to any glimmer of an economic recovery, but I cannot imagine it would be good. And if this plans SOMEHOW manages to go on track as planned, it sounds like there is a soft date of 2011 to get out.

What generally happens after a war is over? The economy tanks. Ask Bush 41 what happened to his economy in 1992 after the Persian Gulf War.

No matter what happens tomorrow night at 8:00am, I will be disappointed with ANY troop increase/movement.

Obama & 2012

I steadfastly hate the Republicans and many of the social crap they spew. But, as I have consistently noted on this blog, they do what they do extremely well.

I remember watching my telly, post election day in the winter of 2008-2009 and laughing heartily at Matthews, Olbermann, Howard Fineman, Richard Wolfe (who has since whored himself out), et al. when they predicted the demise of the Republican Party.

I laughed at their baloney crap saying there were no serious potential Republican candidates left for President in 2012, and generally derided the future of the entire party.

What a bunch of fools. The Republicans know how to make a turn-around better than anyone. If I needed a firm to get me some attention, I'd hire the firm of the right-wing Republican party.

In 8? months they have successfully beaten down Obama's poll numbers, have put a serious national health care reform package on the ropes, and after recently holding their first straw poll for potential 2010 candidates, they have some serious people who could contend in 2012.

Simply put: Never underestimate the ability for the weasel Democrats to shoot themselves multiple times in multiple feet with not a handgun, but a freaking bazooka. This fantastic (*sarcasm*) ability to accomplish such a feat is exponentially compounded by the ability of the Republicans (particularly the far right) to throw any and all crap against the wall and make it stick and slime the opponent.

Hate them, but fear them. Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Beck, are all clowns in their own right and in their own ways. But, they get ratings for a reason.

One of the simple problems is the MSM's soft underbelly to the somewhat bogus implication that they lean to the left, so they overkill when given right-wing meat to sling. A right-winger speaks, the MSM is there to cover every facet, no matter how incredibly moronic that asshat appears (cue Rep. Wilson).

It doesn't help that just weeks after Sen. Kennedy dies from brain cancer, the Massachusetts legislature reverses itself from what they did in 2004, and passes a bill allowing the Governor (now Deval Patrick who is in serious trouble come November 2010) to appoint a temporary replacement to fill the vacant Senate seat, but requiring the Governor (whomever it may be) to appoint a Democrat.

This kind of foolishness makes Democrats around the country look bad, and any suggestion that folks in middle America don't hear and listen to this occurrence is moot. Right-wing radio was just given a giant bone with this one, and they know how to chew...

Obama and The Joker posters/campaign

WOW! There is a campaign that has been exploding across the country, as I first heard about it a few weeks ago:

President Obama depicted as "The Joker" from the last Batman installment, played by the late Heath Ledger.

In this story it notes the radio personality pushing people to hang these posters up isn't of any particular political party. But, seriously?...this is the work of some Republican/Conservative type people.

I have always given credit for these bastards at being able to get nasty in a fight, and this is just another example of how it's being proved.

These people are really sick. Truly.

North Korea delivers a laugher

Perhaps I shouldn't find this story to be hysterically funny, but I do: "North Korea threatened Wednesday to wipe the United States off the map" - Puhlease! *walks away laughing his ass off*

Kim Jong Il is a funny guy...baaaaaaaahahahahahahahahaha. Funny guy, indeed!!

Obama is wrong again

A disappointing trend is showing up within the Obama Administration. For a man who ran on the campaign promise of being the most transparent in history, he is failing at this in one very simple area: The Obama Administration is continuing the Dubya policy of not releasing the visitor's logs.

Case law has struck down a Presidential privateer claim that these logs are protected, and are allowed to be kept hidden from the public. Obama has failed to follow the law like his predecessor, and that is a shame.

What is he hiding?

Why Conservatives should like the Obama "dates"

I'm tired of the right wing busting Obama's ass about these "dates" he and the First Lady are taking.

I think this is sweet. Moreover, I think it shows good "family values."

It's clear the president and the First Lady have a fantastic marriage and they know how to keep the sparks going that will keep their love affair going for a long time.

Isn't this the picture-perfect image of marriage that the right wing so often wants to project? Here's a couple, clearly in love, raising their two young daughters the appropriate way.

The Obama's are providing a terrific role model for all of America on how to cherish your spouse, and have a healthy marriage.

These little scheduled "dates," are a common solution that marriage counselors prescribe for a marriage that is in trouble and for a couple that needs to re-discover their intimacy.

It is a heartwarming and sweet thing to see them going out on the town together and it's so obvious that they adore and love each other. It's a treat really.

Calling the SC Sweepstakes

If you're paying attention to political events as I do, you are probably aware of the impending Supreme Court vacancy, and thus, nominee from President Obama.

The six names/people being considered are well known to political junkies: U.S. Appeals Court judges Sonia Sotomayor and Diane Wood, Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno.

The buzz in Washington is that Obama will announce his choice by Tuesday. Therefore, I feel it is my duty the blogosphere *chokes on his own self-importance* that I make my call for who I think Obama will take.

First, I hope it is NOT Napolitano. She hasn't much impressed me much, but even more so...Obama doesn't need the hassle of filling yet another Cabinet position. For that reason alone, I doubt she'll be picked.

My choice is simple: Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Why?

1. She's Canadian born, which means there is no chance for this terrific woman to be elected into the Presidency.

2. Her second term as Governor is almost up, and she is term-limited, as decided by Michigan voters in a 1992 referendum.

3. She's a consensus builder, and I think that is a trait important to have when deciding on a Supreme Court candidate. I firmly believe Chief Justice Roberts will do a ton of damage during his likely long tenure because he is known as a consensus builder who and an affable fellow. This is how you get your policy/worldview to be more accepted by others, not by being a Scalia/Thomas firebrand.

4. She's only 50. Chief Justice John Roberts is 54, and it behooves Obama to pick someone young who can hang in there year after year with Roberts and at least try to give some balance.

5. She's got the street cred: Harvard Law School (J.D.) & University of California, Berkeley (B.A.).

6. Finally, since her term is essentially over, she has nowhere to go. She's not going to run for the US House of Representatives, as that would be a step down from being Governor. She can't run for Senate. Both Democratic Michigan Senators are entrenched in their seats (even with old Carl Levin being re-elected just this past fall).

Gov. Granholm is a bright star in the Democratic party and it's going to be a damn shame to lose her when her term is up. Let's put her to good use and make her a star in a more subtle way.

Cheney can suck on it

There 33 international terrorists currently held in supermax prisons on US soil; no one's ever escaped from a supermax prison...

I hate to admit, however, that yesterday's speech duel between Obama and Darth Cheney...the heart attack waiting to happen won.

Only because he has the ease to speak his mind, and be was able to be very direct about his views while mixing in some dubious lies, false choices, and whopper beliefs/delusions.

Dick was also blunt about supposed CIA documents he can claim back up his position, while not having the ability to access them....err...wait, he does have people around who would gladly get them to him to leak or leak them for him...turns out he must be lying because if he wasn't those documents would be splattered all over FoxSnooze by now.

No terrorist attacks since 9/11 eh Dick? Well, thanks for not paying attention so there actually WAS a 9/11.

Moreover, as statistical analysts know, correlation does not mean causation.

Still, Obama better hope NOTHING squeaks through...

An Obama Disappointment?

I was wondering why the auto industry seemingly caved so quickly to the announced new fuel standards they must reach by the year 2016. I sort of assumed that the Administration was able to pin their collective arms behind their back and push them into it, but apparently...as things go in Washington...looks can be deceiving.

According to this car expert?...there are some devilish details in the bill just signed into law that makes me much less enthused about the passage of the law. It seemingly has no serious impact due to some loopholes...hate loopholes.

I admittedly do not understand the technical mumbo-jombo jargon, but it sounds like car manufacturers can simply improve the efficiency of air conditioning units in automobiles, and not have to improve the fuel-efficiency.

Although, as the MythBusters have shown, just running the AC in a car does impact how fast said car burns through a tank of fuel. So, I would take this finding as gospel, but it does make one think about things.

Proof positive Obama IS keeping us safe

SUCK IT REPUBLICANS...and especially you...DICK!

Per the Talking Points Memo blog from Mr. Marshall: "four African-American Muslims were arrested this evening in New York City and charged with a plot to bomb a series of sites in city, including several synagogues."

Here's link to updated NY Times story.

The Cheney confessions

It's annoying, and frankly, disappointing that this fat lard ass feels the need to blab his mouth all over the television.

However, the scary part is that I don't think he's doing this for kicks, for the hell of it, or just to throw dirt in the eyes of the Obama Administration, I think he is yapping his fat trap because he honestly and truly believes what he he has cooking in the pot of crap he is stirring.

This is the scariest aspect of this display by the former Vice President.

Finally, FoxSnooze made a big deal about taking on the criticism he's gotten by liberals and Gore specifically by highlighting how Gore came out against the Dubya's policies in late 2002.

Fine, Gore may have been overstating by a bit when he said he didn't criticize the new Dubya Administration publicly for two years...he was a few months off (Jan 2001 to late 2002 is damn near 2 years tho).

But, that is certainly much longer than 100 freaking days into the new administration.

My goodness this man is psychotic and perhaps clinically delusional!

Here comes the Loony Left!

One could predict this occurrence like one could predict the rising sun in the morn: The loony left has finally begun to squawk.

As they did to Bill Clinton, the loony left is making a big stink about an issue that most of America is not ready for...Transgenders, especially those in the military.

Clinton made a foolish, foolish mistake early on in his Presidency by giving these loony lefties the time of day and throwing them a bone, which turned out to be a colossal failure and was supported by no one: Don't ask, don't tell.

Whatever these loony lefties want, Obama will do wise to ignore them and use intermediaries to tell them to shut the fuck up.

I am a left leaning liberal myself, as I have often noted on these digital pages, and I completely support the rights of transgenders to marry, adopt, have coitus on the White House lawn, and generally exist without being harassed by the lesser of our beings. However, Obama has a historic chance here to ram home some serious democrat policy that has the potential to shape America for decades to come.

Policy that will show why Democrats should be in charge, and policy that shows that regulation is not a dirty word and it can often be a great thing for the Average Joe American.

Once we get these basics passed through the Congress, and once the economy turns completely around and Obama appears for an easy landslide re-election, THEN we can attack the soft underbelly of the social conservatives by putting forth policy that would give sweeping rights and privileges to our Transgendered friends and enacting other liberal social policies (legalizing marijuana, etc).

So, please loony left...tone down your pressure on Obama. He is but one man. A man who has a ton of shit to clean up after, and you giving him crap is NOT going to help him be as successful as he can be as our President.

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.

What the Heck?!?!?!

This stimulus bill was SO important, the economy needs it SO bad that after full passage in the House and the Senate, President Barack Obama is signing the bill on...errr...Tuesday?!?!?!

Pardon' my French...that's bullshit!

No Lookin' Back

Tonight, MSNBC is touting this USA Today/Gallup poll that says somewhere around 38% of Americans want the Dems to investigate the Dubya Admin's dealings as far as the torturing stuff at Abu Ghraib goes. Another 40% or so want an independent panel.

Therefore, MSNBC has their panties in a bunch and all hot n bothered suggesting Obaama should indeed investigate.

Simple problem: Obama needs some Repos to do what he wants with serious hassle, and either of those would shit-can that prospect.

Another problem: Americans, I contend, THINK they want an investigation, when they really don't. These things are often, long, messy, tangled, hard to grasp, and they tend to spend a boat load of cash or wasting valuable time.

They would quickly turn on the Obama Administration if this occurred. This could lead to a one-term President, which is not what we've fought so hard for these many dark years for.

I am a normal liberal would would love to turn the guns ablaze on Dubya, but by doing so we Dems would accomplish little.

The House Reps show true colors - shocker, not!

Per a Nate Silver post on his fantastic website (www.fivethirtyeight.com): "Stimulus Passes House With NO Republican Support -- Zip, Zilch, Nada"

So, all that bullshit Boner...errr...Boehner was smoking about contraceptives...I think the Obama Administration needs to send a message next time that either play ball or don't because we can shove whatever we want down your throat.

The House Republicans got some concessions, and what did Obama get for his trouble...Jack Squat. Well...fuck them!

Nearing the 12th hour

As we slowly move towards 12 hour until Obama takes the oath of office and becomes the next President of the United State...all extremities are getting tingly.

Gonna be a tough night to go to sleep...

Bill Richardson is a big, fat fuck

This is EXACTLY why you FULLY vet people when considering them for the VP nod. It appears Obama has dodged a few bullets here by staying away from Edwards and now Richardson.

It's likely Bill will be found guilty of nothing tremendously serious, but his withdrawal as Commerce Sec. is warranted.

ENOUGH with this crap. No more bad press is needed. Obama needs all the good news he can get right now considering he is inheriting a shitty economy, and a totally FUBAR foreign policy thanks to Dubya and his dorks.

Shame on you Bill for taking this post when you had to know you had stink on you.

Obama MUST be fleet-a-foot

For Obama to get the most out of his Presidency, he needs to move decisively and quickly in his first 6 months in office, and set up priorities beforehand.

I believe he can and will do this, but if he doesn't...his Presidency will be doomed to accomplish very little.

For what seems like a potentially long time, 8 years, is really scant little to get shit done on your terms as President.

A good 6-8 months after your inauguration is the key period.

Too much longer after that, people in the Congress are looking to the next 2 year election cycle. Then you end up in the 4 year Presidential re-election mode, where Presidents often become too cautious and propose anything that can be seen as a radical change.

Once elected, you have maybe another year and then your a lame duck. If defeated, your fubar.

Obama, and his oratory, his history-making moment here may be able to squeak out more valuable "get shit done time" than your average US President.

But, he can ill afford (nor do I think he will get caught up by anything this stupefying) what happened to the ill-disciplined Clinton who got trapped into gays in the military issue within moments of taking office, effectively killing his honeymoon period.

Obama has "no mandate"...???

Gotta love them Repos. A man of color, who is also a Democrat wins the popular vote by 6% and the Selectoral College vote by a margin of more than 2:1, and they come up with this gem.

Obama has "no mandate" they say. I agree. Obama doesn't have a mandate.

He does, however, have a: "Roll-the-bus-back-over-your-dead-ass-SUPER MANDATE!!"

Not to get technical or anything...