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.

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...

John Edwards busted, yet again

Former Senator, and Democrat nominee for Vice President is apparently about to admit again to more details of his affair with campaign videographer, Rielle Hunter.

Not only is the grand jury in Raleigh, North Carolina continuing to meet on charges that Edwards may have illegally used campaign funds to pay this woman silent concerning the affair, Edwards will finally admit that the child she gave birth to shortly after their affair began is, in fact, his.

I was a big Edwards supporter, but this is not exactly a surprise.

Pathetic Palin Pontification

Ahhh, yes. The soon to be ex-Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is making news because of her quit job.

Speculation as to the cause for this sudden leaving of thy office has ensued. From: She's going to run for Resident. To she's leaving politics altogether.

Clearly, she got her ass kicked and beat up pretty harshly by the media, during and after her VP run. However, she asked for it by getting into that spotlight. I think the woman is seriously misguided in her views, and she's a bit of a lightweight, but I refuse to believe she was so obtuse to not be aware of what she was subjecting her family to when she accepted the Old Geezer's invite to be on the ticket. That said, no one can prepare for the glow of national Presidential politic spotlight.

She could pull a John Edwards after his 2004 run: He studied his ass of an boned up on issues for a solid two years, before fucking a campaign staffer and nearly becoming the next Gary Hart.

She no doubt will make the lecture circuit rounds, and her book will be coming out. This will allow her to get some cash.

She may be making this move in anticipation of a 2012 run, since she's really the only star in the Republican party at this point. Romney, Pawlenty, Jindal, Newt, none of those are sexy to a wide national population in my view. There are other lesser knows as well.

If she is going to make a run, which I don't think she knows yet, she's continuing to make mistakes in her public appearances/statements and/or official actions. Her personal attorney apparently has fired off a letter warning the press on printing 'defamatory material' related to the investigation into whether she embezzled funds during the building of a sports arena in her home town. This action, will undoubtedly call for coverage, which has been largely silent in MSM papers thus far.

Not to mention her "press conference" to make her quitting announcement appeared to be hastily put together, like the dress of the Argentine woman S. Carolina Gov. Sanford was screwing.

Moreover, her quitting because she had some rough patches, should come up if she so chooses to make a run. She wanted to be the VP behind an old geezer who was doomed to die from the stress of the job, and then assume the Presidency. The President of the United States has to make some tough calls, tough decisions, and they can't quit everytime they get some coverage in the press that *in my best whiny and babyish voice* "isn't fair!" She clearly doesn't have the stones, the grit necessary for the job. Quitting an Alaskan governorship that, like Bush's Texas gig, is a fairly simple state to Govern, shows tremendous weakness and a lack of professionalism, and fortitude needed to be a President. She thinks the coverage was tough this time when she was the VP, just wait til she announces her run for President, and the press has MONTHS to dig up all the dirty shit she must have stashed under a stack of mattresses somewhere.

Paling seems desperate in her attempts to keep her name in the news, when she should be doing exactly the opposite. The more Americans hear from her these next two year, the less they will like her. She can go campaign for other Republicans, which I am also sure she will do, in order to build up some cache, and more importantly, favors. But, no more of this national news crap. She needs to lay low if she has any chance.

For she can only play the poor baby I'm a woman card so many times. Too often, she'll look like the lightweight she is, but worse, she'll look overly emotional. And as much as the middle-aged American conservative male may have wet dreams about having their way with her hot ass, they will not vote for her if she is perceived as an emotional train-wreck waiting to happen.

I think she will test the waters and will run, and may even stay in it towards the very end in the 2012 Republican race to lose to Obama. But, there's no way she gets through the Republican gauntlet without doing some serious homework.

Three Convenient Arguments/Issues

1. Life really does start the minute the sperm enters and fertilizes the egg.

- As a pro-choice advocate, people of my ilk tend to argue that life doesn't begin until the child breaths after coming out of the birth canal. This is clearly balderdash, and anyone with a brain knows that life begins at fertilization. The argument goes that even though the egg is fertilized, it cannot have sustainable life outside of the womb. This is true, but it's still a VERY young human being.The proverbial bubble boy from a Seinfeld episode is a human being, he doesn't cease to be a human being simply because he can't live outside his bubble (much like a womb).

2. Violence on TV really does do damage to youngin's.

- As a massive free speech advocate, being the one issue I would be willing to die a fiery death for, I have always argued the position that television has no effect on young children when they are watching it. However, I have always believed this is false. My problem, and why I support those who argue this falsehood, is censoring television is NOT the right answer. Proper parenting is.

3. Whether or not being a homosexual is a choice really doesn't matter.

- Liberals and activists for homosexuals generally argue that being gay is not a choice. I happen to think this argument is moot. However, I support those who make the argument that being gay isn't a choice, it's ingrained at birth. This is the only clear way to battle the religious whack jobs in this country.

A Liberal's Affirmation

Since I started this humble blog, and ever since I've been talking politics smack...I have argued that as a bloke from the "Heartland," I knew the thinking behind right-wing wackos.

I have also argued that left wingers need to chill the fuck out when it comes to harassing Presidents we liberals are more similar to: Clinton & Obama.

Liberals are at a voting disadvantage of people who identify themselves as such. The data proves it via a new press release on some poll data.

Now, this could be a reflection of the word "liberal" being considered a dirty word by a large chunk of Americans due to the fantastic branding of the word by the Republican party and some people who actually hold a large portion of liberals views, but they can't bring themselves to face the reality that they are in fact liberals.

Tangent: I hate republicans, but they do know how to use language to brand something in such a way that liberals/democrats have never been able to match...we don't have quite the stomach for the cheap distortions the right is so willing to participate in...despite my pleas.

However, despite this effective branding, I think that this the poll shows a largely accurate picture of the political leanings and views of America's body politic. This country continues to lean right, although those days are numbered as the baby boomers go down the death trail of religious-wacko-tears.

You Should Dump Your Health Insurance Immediately

Yes...seriously. Why?

According to a recent study by Harvard: Families who encounter medical problems with private insurance reported average out-of pocket medical bills of $17,749, while the uninsured's bills averaged $26,971. Of the families who started out with insurance but lost it during the course of their illness, medical bills averaged $22,658.

These people were forced to file for bankruptcy as a middle-to-lower class households. So, what's $9 grand more when filing for bankruptcy?

Sounds like an argument to save the cash from the monthly health insurance premium and spend it on jelly donuts.

Ohhh, the many reasons we need health insurance reform in a major way!

Transgendered law takes a hit

The Calif. State Supreme Court = douchebags.

The California voters said they didn't want gay marriage, so you went with it eh? If they voted to re-enslave all African Americans, would that be okay too? This ruling is sloppy, lazy, and bad law that will likely be used as precedent in some other ruling.

This totally lame ruling has set back transgendered rights in this country...

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!

Newt the nominee?

Quietly, ever so quietly, Newt Gringrich has positioned himself as perhaps the leader of the Republican party when that fat fuck Limberger shuts his hole and lets the party move on closer to the 2012 Presidential election cycle.

Don't look now, but 365 days from now, the 2012 Republican race for the nominee will have started.

Likely players at this juncture include: Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul (their version of Ralph Nader), and I'd even say...Haley Barbour.

The only one of those who has been keeping his name in the papers/news, but doing so quietly is Newt. Newt came to popularity in 1994 with his "Contract with America," sweeping the Democrats out of the Congress after they rammed the gay/lesbian issues down Clinton's throat (sound familiar lefty loonies?).

He fell out of favour when he couldn't control his party and he was exposed for being a tremendous schmuck of a husband.

But look out for him making his triumphant return tour. He is constantly on FoxSnooze (I know because I see him every time I fly by that shithole) making what is most likely a sound, rational, reasonable argument for policy X, Y, and/or Z. He is a clever guy, do not discount him or demean him. He's crafty.

I don't think he'd be crafty enough to make it to the nominee status because of his past history. That is probably remembered by most American voters who were around back in the late 90s, but when the glare of the Presidential Campaign hits his dirty, ugly spots...he will hopefully be pushed aside by the Christian people in middle America who found his behavior towards both of his first two wives to be unforgivable.

No matter, however, as he can still prove to be dangerous. He may not be the nominee, but he could be a solid VP pick, and if not that, he can shape the debate in a clever way that can catch people's attention and cause them to vote Republican come 2012.

I'm just sayin'...

The Pelosi-Panetta Problem

The Repos are seemingly thinking that they are smelling blood in the water. I think it's possible there may be blood shed in this little dust-up, but I still think the Repos better be careful for they may reap what they sow. A few thoughts on this development:

1. Pelosi had better be telling the truth. I initially thought she was caught lying like a sailor, but after former Sen. Bob Graham came out and backed up her assertion that they were not told about water-boarding during the first briefing from the CIA, I tend to give her more credibility. However, if she's lying, she's toast, and she'll deserve to be toast.

2. New CIA Chief Leon Panetta says that the CIA did not mislead Pelosi and others during that initial briefing back in 2002. Okay, what else would he say...really?! He just got into the job, he has to back up his men publicly even if he believes they screwed the pooch here. Moreover, this is the case because Cheney still has some people who he has influence with in the inner-workings of that agency, and Panetta needs to win them over. Bashing the former administration and stabbing your people in the back isn't a way for a new Director to win friends, and curry favor for things he may need later down the line. So, what Panetta says is no surprise to me.

3. According to the documents I've seen/heard about, the CIA put out the notes they had from the briefing. A couple easy points here to combat these notes which seem to damn Pelosi:

a. There is that possibility that the CIA has falsified these "notes." I find it particularly appalling and pathetic that Repos are going around saying the CIA would NEVER lie to them during a briefing, or even mislead them. Hello! They are the C-I-fucking-A...that's what they do! They are in the business of lies and deception. Goodness, how obtuse!

b. From what I recall, the documents say something fairly vague about the mention of enhanced interrogation techniques being used and the mention of that during the briefing. Okay, this could be anything, and the CIA briefers could have just not mentioned water-boarding as one of those "techniques." There was nothing in those documents that specifically stated that water-boarding was discussed, so to assume that it was discussed is patently unfair to Pelosi and those who were given the briefing.

I wonder if it's possible that a CIA puppet briefing controlled largely by the strings attached in the then Vice President's office could have been essentially a sham....hmmmmmm...tough call there. NOT!

We know the country was lied into a war against Saddam and Iraq, centering on WMD. If they would lie their way into an unjust, unfounded war for kicks, what would stop the Dubya administration from either lying/misleading during a CIA briefing and/or falsifying documents/notes from said briefing?

Pelosi is now calling for a clearing of the air, and I hope she gets the Repos to bite. If they bite, this will get ugly, but not for Dems...it will get ugly for the Repos and it will cause the Cheney story to dominate the political landscape for months, if not years. This would be helpful to an Obama re-election, but also to the President getting his agenda passed through without much fuss.

More on Cheney in a moment.

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.

Once a weasel...

Arlen "Abraham" Specter has always been a weasel. Leave it to him to do something completely self-aggrandizing and something that will inevitably save his own arse.

However, this weasel didn't show such humility when Sen. Jim Jefford's switched from the Republican party to the Independent party in 2001.

The real story today should have been simply: Why has Al Franken NOT been seated yet?!?!?!?! This is fucking ridiculous.

In this case, Olbermann is dead wrong

In his Friday, March 27, 2009 edition of Countdown on MSNBC, Keith takes on frequent punching bag (as of late), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota).

She's a total whack job and nearly lost her seat in a primary challenge because of some incendiary comments she made...so that tells you how whacko this woman is.

However, Keith fell into stupidity this time.

Bachmann has recently made comments on FoxSnooze about revolution, citing the esteemed Thomas Jefferson and suggested people should take arms up against the government.

Keith seemed to be suggesting she should be prosecuted via the threat to the government laws in this nation that aren't really enforced because we have this thing called free speech.

Problem is Keith, we liberals said the same sort of things about Dubya and Darth Vader when they took over and started pushing us to an unjust, unnecessary war...not to mention their policies on prisoner abuses that are only getting more sick as the light continues to shine on history.

I was among those who called for the nation to show some revolution and upheaval to overthrow these two nitwits, as were you for years Keith. We cannot turn our back on our principles just because this twit, bat-shit crazy of a woman is suggesting there should be an overthrowing of the Obama Administration.

This is America. She is entitled to her views, and entitled to speak her views. I'd prefer it this way, actually. I'd rather face a deadly cobra out who is out in the open than one who lies in the weeds.

Your better than this Keith. I'm disappointed you went this way. Clearly, the Republicans should speak up and denounce her, but she shouldn't be prosecuted for trying to incite a revolution. Let this whacko continue to speak her mind and open her stupid, ignorant mouth....she'll manage to talk her way out of her seat.

Jefferson was correct; A little revolution is good now and then.

Damned If You Do...

...Damned If You Don't.

I smell a stink bomb. Something tells me that if President Obama let all these banks fail as the Repos suggest he SHOULD do, they'd then be bitching, whining, and complaining on how the little man got screwed out of his investment money.

President Obama is in a classic lose-lose proposition. This bites...hard.

Beware the Newt

After Gov. Jindal butchered his response to President Obama last Tuesday night, there smelled of an opening in the Republican party for someone to step up and take the spotlight.

Over the weekend, the Conservative Whackjob Conference straw poll yesterday, nominated one former Gov. Mitt Romney.

I think that's a hilarious joke on Romney, and he will flirt with that party, spends tons of his own money, to yet again, be a sideline watcher come August 2012.

However, the man who has a chance to make some noise, and who could be the kingmaker in none other than: Newt Gingrich.

While I think the country would have to seriously tank for him to be elected, considering his past behavior, he is the man who developed "The Contract with America."

Laugh, if you will. But, with a lost party, struggling for a message, he may be the politician who comes forth with a coherent, cogent, plan for taking on the Obama Administration.

Oh, Roland

Back in January, I believe it was, I was arguing that Roland Burris should be allowed to be seated in the Senate.

I stood by that then, and I still do today because, again, we live under a rule of law and Blago, at the time, had the legal right/authority to choose anyone he wished.

Now, however, the Senate needs to either do the dirty deed of expelling Mr. Burris, or convince the man to quit effective immediately. His admission of fund raising for Blago is, de facto, pay to play and that is highly unacceptable. Off with his head I say.

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.

Obama pulling a Dubya??

I am HIGHLY concerned about the direction this stimulus bill &/or bailout has taken. I don't wish Obama to cave into the Reps, because as noted in my earlier post...they have shown no serious willingness to play ball.

However, I am for doing some due diligence here on this buyout to ensure things are watched, and so 6 months from now we don't hear about companies we bailed out giving bonuses to leaving executives, hosting million dollar Superbowl Parties, etc, etc.

Without targeted and meaningful oversight, these people will fleece America again. Obama is trying to push through these bills SO fast, and I a fear he is avoiding answering some tough questions and avoid having to fully explain his plan.

That's been the Dubya Admin's game for 8 years, and frankly, Mr. President...I expected better out of you.