Jack & Jill Politics

McCain Calls Hillary Clinton For Economic Advice
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/15/mccain...

---really, why wouldn't he ask his illustrious running mate instead?

Remember James Harris from the McCain rally? He was the black guy begging McCain to go after Obama. Well today he got his a** handed to him from another conservative. In fact the beat down is to the point Harris walks off interview.

Black Conservative calla James Harris on CNN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPVJnyRPZ3k

He got on TV where he couldn't live out the attacks vicariously through somebody else and got to BEGGIN'... BEGGIN'... BEGGIN' for mercy.

Dude simply wasn't prepared because, without the conservative card (which Wynters took away from him), Harris had nothing there to defend his support of McCain besides "just cause."

Today's Polls

Colorado CNN/TimeObama 51, McCain 47 Obama +4
Florida InAdv/PollPosition Obama 48, McCain 44 Obama +4
Florida CNN/Time Obama 51, McCain 46 Obama +5
Georgia CNN/Time McCain 53, Obama 45 McCain +8
Kansas Rasmussen McCain 54, Obama 41 McCain +13
Missouri CNN/Time Obama 48, McCain 49 McCain +1
Nevada InAdv/PollPosition Obama 49, McCain 46 Obama +3
New Mexico Rasmussen Obama 55, McCain 42 Obama +13
New Mexico SurveyUSA Obama 52, McCain 45 Obama +7
North Carolina InAdv/PollPosition Obama 48, McCain 46 Obama +2
Pennsylvania Morning Call Tracking Obama 52, McCain 38 Obama +14
Virginia CNN/Time Obama 53, McCain 43 Obama +10
West Virginia InAdv/PollPosition McCain 49, Obama 47 McCain +2

National Rasmussen Tracking Obama 50, McCain 45 Obama +5
National Hotline/FD Tracking Obama 49, McCain 41 Obama +8
National Gallup Tracking Obama 50, McCain 43 Obama +7
National Ipsos/McClatchy Obama 48, McCain 39 Obama +9
National Pew Research Obama 49, McCain 42 Obama +7
National GW/Battleground Tracking Obama 51, McCain 43 Obama +8

Chris Matthews is interviewing Mitt Romney. Mitt mentioned Peolosi and Reid. I think McCain is going to go in broken record mode with those two and an Obama administration.

This was posted at the field...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1-BzaPF5wY

sorry if this has already been posted. thoughts?

Is Obama doing enough to get out the black vote? (title of article not a question from me)
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,859...

I don't know about other states, but here in VA I hear Obama ads on the radio all day every day, both black and white stations.

i think hearing ads on obama's policies is different from encouraging people to vote early and ensuring that black people get to the polls.

John McCain's Connection To ACORN
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=5aM0oIMUZKY

Rachel Maddow: David Sirota on McCain's Fake Populism
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt-rc9WKlN8

30 Days | 30 Reasons : His Books (#20)
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmq_Tu_vRjI

Is the Republican VP Candidate smarter than a 5th grader?? I'll let you decide. Here she is at a campaign stop in New Hampshire.

Palin In New Hampshire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1hN6DFQyDs

New Hampshire in the Northwest?? LMAO

Does anyone else get excited around debate time or is it just me???

Yes, I get amped.

Right now I am in a little dilemna that is causing me much distress. I signed up for a 6 week kickboxing class which began last week. I missed last week's class and tonight is the second. The series is already paid for. I want to stay home, but I need to get my a** in gear.

I will have to join you guys in the debate open forum when the debate is almost over. I know it is replayed but I like to watch it live.

Oh well, I guess that is what I get for being lazy all these months.


I am getting in a tizzy again thinking about McCain trying to step to Obama now that his bluff has been called......

I'm dying to know HOW Obama will smack down McCain. Will McCain go THERE? How much more civilized, intelligent, and Presidential will Obama look in response.

Fired up and ready to go!

Hah...it's not just you.

RNC pulling out of Wisconsin, Maine; focuses on red states
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5glxLRJGYXl2q...

The Republican National Committee is halting presidential ads in Wisconsin and Maine, turning much of its attention to usually Republican states where GOP nominee John McCain shows signs of faltering.

The party's independent ad operation is doubling its budget to about $10 million and focusing on crucial states such as Colorado, Missouri, Indiana and Virginia where Democrat Barack Obama has established a foothold, according to a Republican strategist familiar with presidential ad placements.

Florida and North Carolina have also been in the RNC ad mix. Pennsylvania is the only Democratic leaning swing state apparently left in the party's ad campaign.

The shift in advertising resources suggests that the RNC has decided to focus on defending reliably Republican-voting states against Obama's onslaught of advertising. Flush with money, Obama is outspending the joint efforts of the Republican Party and the McCain campaign by more than 2-1.

Donald Trump says that he doesn't know Obama. *rolling eyes*

He also referred to Fed Reserve Chmn Ben Bernake as "Ben B"... I guess they are boys like that

..He responded when asked if he trusted Palin to handle the economic crisis: "Do we have a choice?..." in his mind, nullifying Obama as a contender.

Well, actually yes you DO have a choice.

Donald is a dumbass....as Joe would say: "literally".

He essentially reveals himself by nullifying Obama as a possible choice. He offers a lame excuse that he doesn't "know" Obama. One wonders if he "knows" Palin. Does Donald Trump think the world is interested in his cliquish friendships, his "loyalty"??? He offers these as reasons why he supports McCain. He talks about McCain offering wonderful tax cuts.( for people like him).
He gloats about his 100 million dollar real estate deals with Russians. Donald is tone deaf and obtuse. Ever since the tiff with Rosie, I've been wondering about his mental health.

Donald Chump is the same dumb ass that thought the little white girl with a journalism degree fresh out of college was just as qualified to be THE APRRENTICE as Randall with his 5 degrees and years of work experience.

TruthSeeker, Aint that the truth, Ruth. Trump the troll can join Gayle (the geezer) Quinnell at the hairdresser

Trump, YOU'RE FIRED!

Maybe he knows Palin in the Biblical sense.

LOL....you got me there.

Why don't he just come out and say the real reason and stop with all the BS!

CNN Breaking News BreakingNews:
Recession fears help send Dow down more than 700 points at close for the second time ever.

John McFlame: The fundamentals of the economy are strong."

Colin Powell's getting his groove thing on. Ya think he's gonna shuffle on over to Barack?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/#cheat...

I could care less about a Colin Powell endorsement.
YAWWWWWWNNNNN!

Yes, but I'm more interested in him outwardly ripping Bush for the war than for his endorsement of Obama. I love would a Powell endorsement, but I would have preferred it 2 months ago.

Amazingly accurate.

ATTENTION!!

Those articles about Jesse Jackson's comments in France ARE NOT TRUE!

This morning, I was listening to George Curry being interviewed on Joe Madison's show and he said that he was there, and Jesse DID NOT say those things.

Here's Mr. Curry's article of what Jesse said:
Jesse Jackson Says Financial Crisis Threatens U.S. Superpower Status
Attends First World Policy Conference with Other Prominent Leaders

Joe Madison is trying to get Jesse on his show to set the record straight.

It should also be noted that the "journalist" who reported this, Amir Taheri, in the NY Post, has been proven to have smeared Obama in the past, as recently as Sept. . Think about it guys. Why would this suddenly come up?

Sepia: WOW!! THIS IS A FIRST FOR ME - to see this kind of LYING- when Mr. Jackson could EASILY REBUT THIS!!

Guess it's time for a LAW SUIT from Mr. Jackson! Ya think!?

We'll see!

Good catch!!! Thanks!

http://mediatakeout.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/1223...

Piper Palin gives U the finger.

looks like a shopjob.

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/weblog/perma...

but... in this age, we don't know if the shop was done forward (adding a finger to the official Alaska web site) or backward (taking lil' boogers finger off.)

jury still out. in vegas, I'd still push a good chunk of my stack on the former, especially given that face. i feel for the kid. growing up in tx, i saw parents able to instill anger for the other way early, with kids as young as 2 hollering ni993r w/no possible idea what it meant other than black. man. bad.

don't think their parents weren't nuanced, though. (black. man. bad. ...cos i heard it somewheres.)

Is that really Piper?!?!!!! Is Gov. Palin okay with this?

Let's just IMAGINE the hell that would break loose if one of the weeMichelles did that. They caused a minor uproar for merely admitting they prefer "That's So Raven" to "Hannah Montana"...the radical hatemongerers they are.

The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

McCain's coming back to the People's Republic of Northern Virginia on Saturday.

McCain just wants to take a nap in his Crystal City condo.

ooh. lol.

Sacramento County Republican Party encourage waterboarding Obama and compares Obama to Osama....

http://www.sacbee.com/812/story/1314854.html

McCain, handle your people! This is getting insane

Not sure if this has been posted yet. Roland Martin calls out Sarah Palin.

Time for Palin to answer tough questions
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/14/mart...

Small portion:

Do you know what was so great about Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan? They were three of the biggest trash talkers in the history of the NBA, but they had the game to back it up.

Somebody should tell that to Gov. Sarah Palin.

She has stoked the crowds by saying, "This is not a man who sees America the way that you and I see America." We all know what that is designed to do: Portray Obama as a foreigner who isn't as American as she. Or you. Or Joe Six-pack, the hockey mom, soccer mom, Wal-Mart mom, NASCAR dad and the other coded words she uses regularly.

But what is truly pathetic is that Palin talks tough, but is really scared of facing her own issues.

Roland ought to know that Palin is a ventriloquist's dummy.

Does anyone believe these are her words? Oh, I don't doubt she has the capacity to be just as nasty...but do we believe they would let her have any power or control? McCain is hostile to women...I don't believe he would let Palin have any control in that campaign. They're using her.

You are correct, I am just wondering as to who is pulling the strings. I used to think she was doing the talking points of Cheney and the Neo-Cons, but recent reports coming from the White House is that they are not happy with her.
White House Officials Want Palin Off Ticket
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/14/watch-...

So to be honest I think she is being the mouthpiece of the Religious Right (James Dobson, and Pat Robertson and the rest of that crew). They are the ones who McCain has kissed their rings, and the one's that demanded her to placed on the ticket.

Last time I checked, Palin was not the only one stoking ignorance among the GOP. McCain was doing the same thing, "Who is the real Barack Obama?" he asked. Furthermore, until Friday, McCain stood among these people and tacitly encouraged the hatred. So, the media should stop shielding McCain. He is just as responsible as she is on those charges.

T.

rikyrah: DING, DONG - McAncient and the WICKED B$#@H are Dead!!:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/denise-dennis/oba...

60,000 Attend Philly Rally!

PHILADELPHIA, 11 October -- The community organizer came to the community. Obama barnstormed this city, taking his message directly to the people, speaking to more than 60,000 supporters at rallies in four different neighborhoods: Progress Plaza in North Philly, the Mayfair Diner in the northeast, Vernon Park in Germantown, and at the intersection of 52nd and Locust in West Philly. Supporters camped out at the first location, Progress Plaza, some arriving as early as 5:00 a.m. Obama arrived at 8:30 a.m. And so it was at each of the rallies, crowds waited for hours. Obama was joined by speakers that included Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Senator Bob Casey, Congressmen Chaka Fattah and Bob Brady, Mayor Michael Nutter and local politicians, each of them urging Philadelphians to vote in record numbers on November 4.

"The way to the White House," Fattah said, "comes through the row houses right here in West Philly." Sounding like a preacher talking to his congregation, Fattah said of Obama, "God raises up a person for times like these."

SKIP

Colin Kavanaugh, 20, a reporter from the Daily Pennsylvanian, the University of Pennsylvania's publication, recognized me from the morning Obama gave his race speech at the Constitution Center, and we began to talk. Kavanaugh, who is from Tulsa, Oklahoma, told me he's been working on elections since he was 15, but that this one is different. As a professional journalist, he wouldn't tell me who he is supporting, but was willing to be interviewed. I asked him one question -- whether he thinks young people will come out to vote on Election Day. "They will come out," Kavanaugh said. "Students are energized for this election. It's widespread because everyone understands the impact of their vote." He explained that the Obama campaign has contributed to this. "The Obama campaign is so well organized. We're on [Fall] break and people are still volunteering. The campaign has thrown out so many opportunities for young people. They will come out."

The night before the neighborhood rallies, Obama attended two fundraisers in Philadelphia where he raised several million dollars.

FIRED UP! READY TO GO!!

I'm gonna cut out 'til tomorrow. Enjoy the debate. WIll post my reaction tomorrow. Few things:

1) I hope that if they bring up John Lewis tonight, Senator Obama takes care of him. From the first reading of John Lewis' original statement, it was clear to me that he did not equate McCain/Palin to George Wallace, but that he was merely referring the anger and hate at the rallies that was clearly being stoked by their campaign's chosen line of attack.

2) In refuting the claim, by an elderly attendee to one of his rallies last week, about Senator Obama being a Arab, McCain's response seemed to suggest that Arabs/Arab American males are not decent, family men. It made me sad that they are being stereotyped that way. Not all of these people do bad things, ya know.

3) Back to the debate again. I hope if occasioned, Senator Obama will have the courage to tell the American people what "we need to hear and not what we want to hear..." A rebound in the stock market means very, very little. It will take time - a long time - for the ills of the financial system to be fixed, and even longer for the broader economic problems to be solved. Yes, the government is doing what it must, but we have a part to play as well. I'm not suggesting that he scare anyone but expectations must be managed, and truth-telling must start NOW.

T.

Anyone else think it an eerie coincidence that both Cheney and Nancy Reagan are in the hospital today?

rikyrah: Anti-Palin Protesting In Colorado:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mayhill-fowler/pr...

A Saturday morning encounter with some anti-Palineers enlivened my trek up and down the Front Range in search of the Colorado election story. Sarah Palin herself was speaking at a breakfast fundraiser in a jet hangar at the old Centennial Airport, just south of Denver. Perhaps because John McCain was a Navy pilot, his campaign has always had a thing for tarmac moments. But a thousand dollars seems like a lot to shell out for a cup of coffee. The loose coalition of Colorado Women Against Palin plotting strategy at the nearby Starbucks wasn't paying that much and was just as enthused, soon driving up the road to the airport location the county had given them for their protest. Of course, the location along the grassy verge outside the airport was nowhere near the Palin event. For the next three hours, only humble pick-up trucks passed that way, honking appreciatively though they were. The guests' cars and SUVs--and there had to have been a passel of SUVs, since this is Colorado--took a different route.

SKIP

Dawn returns to her contemplation of Sarah Palin. "There's this conflict she doesn't even realize she's in," Dawn says, speaking from the perspective of experience about disability. Across the road from us, a local TV videographer is moving in a crouch along the row of protesters. "KYGO! Oh yeah!" a ten year-old girl crows as he approaches her. Mothers Against Sarah Palin wave signs hand-lettered "Incontinence and Incompetence," "Unstable and Unable," "Abort Palin." A veteran carrying a heavy flagstaff walks the long row of women and children. His large American flag ripples in the stiff morning breeze. Colorado is an exceptionally windy state, as I've found during my sojourn here. Such a small discovery is one of the pleasures of the trail. Even more satisfying is heading out to get one story and finding in its place another.

Loved the SIGNS: I've bolded some of them. Here's another one - Mothers Against Snarky Politicians; and VP Palin? - We'll get back ta you on that one!

Good ones!! :>)

Here's some anecdotal evidence that McCain's negative ads aren't quite working:

Voting for Obama anyway

Wow!

rikyrah: Mr. "O": Says "bring it!":

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/15/obama-...
He's Ready For Ayers

Honoring the pre-debate tradition, Barack Obama's campaign is out with a memo on Wednesday raising the expectations for John McCain to ungodly heights. But in addition to setting the stage for tonight's affair, the Illinois Democrat did something peculiar: he allowed a peek into internal strategy.

Spokesman Bill Burton lays out -- in no small measure -- how he believes the debate will proceed.

"Just this weekend, John McCain vowed to 'whip Obama's you-know-what' at the debate," he writes, "and he's indicated that he'll use Bill Ayers to attack Barack Obama... Senator Obama is going to use the debate to discuss his plan for the economy. That's what he's been doing this entire campaign."

Such a prediction may appear, at once, over-simplistic and optimistic. But the Obama campaign has seemingly been engineering this scenario for the past week. Indeed, if John McCain brings up Ayers in tonight it may be because he was goaded into doing so.

SKIP

And while McCain has promised to attack Obama in the debate, every minute that he ignores the economy and the middle class is not just a minute wasted but time spent on attacks that even some of those closest to him have said don't work.

IT'S ON!!" FIRED UP! READY TO GO!!

Psssst! KEATING 5!

"Psssst! KEATING 5!"

-Hmmm, where have I seen that before? ;-)

Admiral: Thursday, September 9, 2008. And WE loved it!! :>) :>)

Of course, Obama has nothing to hide. He met ayers while working on a board for schools and education for underprivileged children.

if McCain feels so strongly about Ayers then he needs to reject Leonore Annenburg's endorsement as well as returning any donations given.

Rhondacoca: Co-sign. Nice evidence! :>)

From Ambinder: In Georgia, despite long lines not a single black voter abandoned the line.

Proud.

T.

This is wonderful.

Perhaps there's a downside to privilege...

Privilege says you shouldn't have to stand in line for hours, in the hot sun. Privilege says you shouldn't experience any discomfort, whatsoever.

That is amazing to hear! I am so proud. we need to do that across the country. They will try to make us annoyed and disillusioned but we need to hang in there. Pack a lunch!

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/rush-limba...

Rush Limbaugh: Blacks are in a 30 year plot to teach black children to hate America and become militants, and Barack Obama and ACORN are in the middle of it.

Yeah, cuz that Malia and Sasha are gonna rise up after their daddy is inaugurated and declare damnation on all white people. First up, Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.

Dude needs to step away from the hillbilly heroin.

Yup, I expected this rhetoric. They are trying to create a climate of hate. Scapegoating, name-calling, "the traitors from within", they are trying to destroy our existence, anti-American.

Wow, truly dangerous. Human history has a litany of examples of what such rhetoric causes.

That fat, cigar-smoking, pill-poppin' child molester can kiss my black ass.

</ghetto fabulous rant>

Town: You mean that "SOUL MATE TO CINDY -DRUGGIE RUSH??" :>)

His mind [said loosely] has been "cracked out!"

Co-sign on the Hanna Montana. I'm glad that my children missed that! :>)

Rush Limbaugh has earned his place in hell!

More hilarious hijinks from the McCain campaign:

New Robocalls From McCain Campaign And RNC Slam Obama's Patriotism, Charge He Put "Hollywood Above America"

McCain is losing Independents because of his negative attacks, but he's moving forward with the slime anyway. Keep digging that hole for yourself, Gramps.

JESSE JACKSON...............STFU

Co-sign!!!

American Bar Association Journal 10-15-08
Bush Administration Issued Secret Memos Approving Waterboarding
By Debra Cassens Weiss

The Bush administration issued secret memos in 2003 and 2004 telling CIA officials that it approved waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques for al-Qaida suspects....
The Justice Department had previously approved the CIA’s practices, but CIA officials wanted a written endorsement from White House policymakers, according to the Post account. In meetings before the second administration memo was issued, some participants appeared uncomfortable with graphic descriptions of the interrogations, the story says. One of them was Attorney General John Ashcroft, who was quoted in the book The Dark Side as saying, “History will not judge us kindly.” No shit sherlock!!!


http://www.abajournal.com/news/bush_administrat...

My ballot is being mailed today, so hopefully I get it by tomorrow or Friday!!!! I only wish my county didn't have vote by mail, because I wanted to make a grand strut to the polling place.

Oh well ... the good thing is that I can have my kids next to me when I connect that arrow to Obama and they can see for themselves how important and obligatory their duty will be to vote, when they are older.

Noelani: CONGRATS!! ENJOY the FEELING!! :>) :>)

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/15/11...

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/15...

McCain camp targets Obama because Jesse Jackson said in France last week that under the Obama adminstration the Zionists would come to an end.

It's not true ya'll!

This morning, I was listening to George Curry being interviewed on Joe Madison's show and he said that he was there, and Jesse DID NOT say those things.

Here's Mr. Curry's article of what Jesse said:
Jesse Jackson Says Financial Crisis Threatens U.S. Superpower Status
Attends First World Policy Conference with Other Prominent Leaders

Joe Madison is trying to get Jesse on his show to set the record straight.

Amir Taheri, the "journalist" who reported this story in the NY Post has already been shown to be a liar. He smeared Obama and was caught in Sept.

ETA: Jackson was interviewed on Joe Madison's show and he denied saying those things.

Jackson denies 'Zionist' remarks, says report a 'Swift Boat' tactic

By Robert "Rob" Redding Jr.

Publisher

Oct. 15, 2008, 11:45 a.m. - The Rev. Jesse Jackson this morning vehemently denied saying that Jews living in Israel will lose power under Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

"That is not true," Jackson told XM radio talk show host Joe Madison. "That's a fabrication."

Amir Taheri, an Iranian columnist working at the New York Post, yesterday reported that Jackson told an audience at the World Policy Forum in France last week that the "Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades" will lose influence if Obama is elected.

Jackson said the author has no credibility - he pointed to inaccuracies in the writer's previous Obama-related reports.

"My sense is that to drop this article the day before the debate, to be the news of the debate, is a Swift Boat tactic and we refute it, we reject it," he said. "The writer choose to distort and fabricate and we are now pursing vigorously the guy."

Town: I was 'bout to post the HuffPost article. But, I'll refrain because it's sooo SICKENING! So he had ta "run" to France to "continue his Obama-SLAM"? DANG!!

You LOST JESSIE!! Get Over it!!

Was Tavis Smiley with him?
Just curious.

Admiral: Sepia found evidence that the journalist LIED!!

BPOTW had this article of support:

http://blackpoliticsontheweb.com/2008/10/15/oba...
Obama, Jackson Disavow Column About Israel

October 15, 2008 · Print This Article

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s campaign sharply rejected on Wednesday a conservative columnist’s report that civil rights leader Jesse Jackson expects Obama to reduce Israel’s clout at the White House.

Jackson himself denounced New York Post columnist Amir Taheri for “selectively imposing his own point of view and distorting mine” in the column that appeared Tuesday.

SKIP

In a separate written statement, Jackson said the column was slanted “to incite fear and division.”

“I stand forthrightly for the security and stability of Israel, its protection from any form of hostility and a peaceful, nonviolent resolution to coexisting with its Palestinian neighbors,” Jackson said. The statement added that he “has never had a conversation with Sen. Obama about Israel or the Middle East.”

I stated up thread - guess Mr. Jackson is poised for a law suit?? Huh??

or Cornell West?

That's the problem in the nutshell, Jesse can't get over it. Looking at this strictly from the MSM's perspective he was the "leader" of Black America for decades, and if Obama is elected then that status is gone forever. So he's trying to keep himself relevant in the eyes of the media, though to the rest of us he's coming across as petty and jealous.

MsKitty: He a HATA!! ENOUGH!! :>) :>)

But who does HE[JJ] think is supporting him?? Curious?

WTF is wrong with Jessie! I wish he'd stfu already!

Justice58: HATA!!! Co-signing!! :>)

The same Jackson that stated he wanted to "Cut Obama's Nuts out"? Well really ... it's been proven that Jesse and Obama are not "pals" so all it takes is people using their commonsense.

Use your commonsense people (not JJP folks ... you all get it).

Obama is not an Israel hater. However, my opinion is this ... we do need to consider how we go about our foreign policy decisions more carefully. We are the United States of America ... and we are not beholden to Israel. They're issues and policies should not be the main factor in how we make decisions that concern our national interests.

We should support them, but I also wonder, why when it's African Nations at risk and we have a full on Genocide going on ... our foreign policy stance is rather ... luke warm?

I'm just saying ... if we are for "Freedom" and helping to secure the world ... why does it not apply to our African brothers and sisters?

The US wrote off any sort of military intervention in Africa after Somalia in '93. Clinton wasn't about to put a force in Rwanda, and-at one point-Bush wasn't interested in peacekeeping operations (or, as he called it, "nation building").

Even the new Africa Command is expected to be more of a coordinator for NGOs than a force projector (which is odd, because it really wouldn't-I don't think-fit the definition of a "combatant command").

You'd think the US would be all up in Africa, since Nigeria has a bunch of OIL and I'm pretty sure the oil is up underneath other countries as well.

Smells like colonization, or just taking resources from black folk who can't really do anything about it.

How'd that play on CNN?

They're taking resources away from Iraqis, what's the difference?

That would be a war for the express purpose of taking resources.

Which-contrary to popular (liberal?) opinion-Iraq isn't.

D, do I have to remind you of all those secret "energy taskforce" meetings that Cheney held in 2001, discussing Iraqi oil.....in which to this day, he is still withholding secret documents and claiming "executive privilege.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=...

An article from 2004--
Last year, a lower court ruled against Cheney and instructed him to turn over documents providing these details.

On Dec. 15 (2003), the Supreme Court announced it would hear Cheney's appeal. Three weeks later, Cheney and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spent a weekend together duck hunting at a private resort in southern Louisiana, giving rise to calls for Scalia to recuse himself. So far, he has refused.

Why has the administration gone to such lengths to avoid disclosing how it developed its new energy policy?

Significant evidence points to the possibility that much more could be revealed than mere corporate cronyism: The national energy policy proceedings could open a window onto the Bush administration's decision-making process and motives for going to war on Iraq.

In July 2003, after two years of legal action through the Freedom of Information Act (and after the end of the war), Judicial Watch was finally able to obtain some documents from the Cheney-led National Energy Policy Development Group.

They included maps of Middle East and Iraqi oilfields, pipelines, refineries and terminals, two charts detailing various Iraqi oil and gas projects, and a March 2001 list of "Foreign Suitors for Iraqi Oilfield Contracts," detailing the status of their efforts. The documents are available at www.judicialwatch.org.
An April 2001 report by the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations and the Baker Institute for Public Policy -- commissioned by Cheney to help shape the new energy policy -- also devoted serious attention to Iraq.

The report, "Strategic Energy Policy Challenges for the 21st Century," complained about Hussein's oil leverage:

"Tight markets have increased U.S. and global vulnerability to disruption and provided adversaries undue potential influence over the price of oil. Iraq has become a key 'swing' producer, posing a difficult situation for the U.S. government. ... Iraq remains a destabilizing influence to ... the flow of oil to international markets from the Middle East.
Significantly, the report concluded that the United States should immediately review its Iraq policy, including its military options.

There are many other indications that, despite the Bush administration's repeated and insistent denials, petroleum politics may have played a crucial role in the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

For instance, both the State Department and the Pentagon had pre-war planning groups that included a focus on Iraq's oil industry; protecting the industry was an early U.S. objective in the war.

In October 2002, Oil and Gas International reported that U.S. planning was already under way to reorganize Iraq's oil and business relationships.

In January 2003, the Wall Street Journal reported that representatives from Exxon Mobil Corp., ChevronTexaco Corp., ConocoPhillips and Halliburton, among others, were meeting with Vice President Cheney's staff to plan the post- war revival of Iraq's oil industry.

Cheney is said to have once remarked that the country that controls Middle East oil can exercise a "stranglehold" over the global economy.

I don't dispute that. I think any planning-rather, any competent planning-for post-war Iraq would include a look at their oil resources and infrastructure.

But even that doesn't get to the conclusion that we went to Iraq for the oil.

C'mon D.

The thing is, the focus on Iraqi oil---and possibly U.S. efforts to take control of it---predated even September 11th, years before the so-called War on Terror that we waged in Iraq. Cheney and Bush--both oil men--had a vested interest in dominating Middle East oil.

And of course, you know your favorite neo-con thugs, PNAC had been fantasizing about overthrowing Saddam since the late 90's. We know it was PNAC who were ultimately the architects of this war. And of course they used what they now call "faulty-intelligence" to wage war in a country that 2 years prior to, they had mapped out their oil resources.

This so-called post-war planning that you claimed they needed to do, was simply planning for U.S. domination of it.

And that is why if the Iraqi Oil Law passes, which Cheney and 'em hope will happen, Iraq will only have control of about one-thirds of their OWN oil supply----guess who hopes the get first dibs to the rest?




I

Ok I'll concede that point and raise the point that Iraq was nothing but trillions of dollars and thousands of lives wasted all so Dubya could avenge his daddy, who didn't need avenging since he abided by what the UN said which was they could only push Iraq out of Kuwait, not go all up in Iraq and get in Saddam's grill.

Town: U R WAAAAAAAAA 2 CORRECT!!

Without any documentation, I'm believin' that even Repugs agree! THEY KNOW!

...and you know I disagree with that.

Wait a .....Never mind lol

.....and on H&C last night, Rick Santorum tried to link Jackson with Wright and Farrakhan because of that.

At which point, the satellite radio went off.

***Gasp***! Oh My! Dat you, D? lol

D, you turned off H&C? Wow! Baby steps. Is it possible in three weeks you may vote for Obama?

LOL!!!! I wasn't big on H&C to begin with.

If I did vote Obama, it would be less a vote for him than one again McCain
(or, more accurately, the McCain campaign). Which isn't a good thing to base
a vote on.

We'll see what happens tonight. It's put up or shut up for McCain. If he
talks issues, then maybe I'll be more confident pulling the lever for him.
If it becomes an Ayers-fest, fuck him. At which point, who knows what I'll
do.

You go D!

D: . . who knows what I'll do. . . . .

And WHEN will we know? :>) :>)

I know - SECRET BALLOT!! :>)

For once, I just want Farrakhan to jump up and bitch slap somebody so all the fear of him could finally be justified.

First up: Bill O'Reilly.

Sean Hannity

ROTFLMAO!!!!!

Town,

There is not a day gone by where you didn't make someone laugh with your humor or wow us with your intellect!

I love JJP!

I mean, really. You've never heard of Farrakhan getting up and slapping or beating down any white person, or rounding up posses to "get" white people, but Sean Hannity and his ilk are SOOOO terrified of Farrakhan because of what he said 20 years ago.

So I really want Farrakhan to just stroll up a Hannity or Limbaugh, punch him dead in the face, knock him down and leave a FINAL CALL on his stomach. Geez.

You are sooo right Town! So true!

And a bean pie for fatty mcbutter pants

lol

LOL

Did you have to include the Final Call? Really?

You seriously need help.

The FINAL CALL is an extra special touch.

Smashing a bean pie in his face while he's laying on the ground would be cool too.

Limbaugh would be cool with it...because of that creamy oxycontin center...;-)

lol

That was great. I cracked up when I saw Rog and Dwayne.

"What's Happening" was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid, so seeing them made the video for me (but Rerun should have been in there too LOL).

LOL! Nice.

Going WAY off subject here (and for the mods, if this is inappropriate, please pull it).

Pregnancy question: why is my one year old gving my now pregnant wife a hard time?

D, is your wife voting for McCain?

HELL NO.

No one else in either family is voting for McCain. Which made for more than a few awkward moments at the family reunion when I still had the McCain stickers on the car.

RAOTFLMAO

D: You MARRIED WELL! :>) :>)

Because the one year old can't BELIEVE Y'ALL DID THIS TO HIM!!
one year old: Its MY world and now I bet you think I'm gonna share it!! Well Guess WHAT! NOT!

But this behavior will only last for......oh.....wait....as soon as I get over my younger twin sisters I'll let you know.

It depends on what you mean by "hard time". I don't think that your 1-year old is at the age where he or she feels threatened by the new addition to the family.

At that age, babies are sometimes frustrated because they can't quite walk and they can't quite communicate their wants, needs, etc. And that frustration can manifest in anger and acting out.

We have four kids; and with our youngest--now 2--we started using sign language when she was around a year old. This helps them communicate with you non-verbally, and lowers the frustration level big time.

You know, that's very clever that you taught your daughter sign language. My son was delayed in verbal communication and at about, 2 and a half years old, he was diagnosed with Autism. We were encouraged to use PECS to help him communicate. He's seven now and constantly talks ... although he's quite the grump. *lol*

He probably senses the other baby's presence. My daughter did

Case in point: she picked him up from daycare yesterday, and he immediately slapped her.

That's cause for me to-um, discipline him, but by the time I get home, he's already sleeping.

Not to mention he's reverted back to being clingy/whiny all over again, which annoys me (course, that's probably just something I gotta deal with.....).

He might be modeling behavior he sees the other children doing. Your WIFE needs to discipline on the spot D, and create a boundary for him. After the moment has passed, he does not have the capacity to think critically about what he did in the past. She needs to get at him with a stern voice and furrowed brow. Put him down in his car seat and allow him no toys. Let him cry. The next time, same thing. You also can't allow yourself to serve as the "heavy" in your parenting. Boys need to be shown affection and love from their dads and moms. If he sees you as the muscle, you can't also be the nurturer etc. Ya'll need a united front.

If you wife isn't feeling well and is doing less (like picking him up etc,) she needs to lower herself to the ground so he can feel her closely without troubling her back. Kids thrive on predictability so if things have changed, he could be feeling the stress of it.

That's something I know I need to work on; he has his moments where he won't come near me because he thinks he's in trouble. That's proving a little hard to break.

He's 1! You have lots of time to transform his opinion of you but like I said he's going to get the big picture based on the habits (schedules, behavioral consistency, etc) you form for him. So all of this is more about you and your wife than about him. GOOD LUCK!

Didn't you take him to the McCain/Palin rally on Monday?

I did; got a good pic of him sleeping on my shoulder.

He started crying when McCain/Palin came out, though.....

Poor thing...he's still mad.

He's probably mad about being left in the daycare with all those other kids. LOL

Because your one year old is not the center of attention anymore, mommy is.

The News From Red State Oklahoma

One of our local bakeries launched an Obama v. McCain cookie vote. Folks were urged to drop by and buy a cookie for their candidate.

In the words of the Tulsa, Oklahoma Merritt's bakery staff, "Obama is kicking the shit out of McCain."

Gobama!

I live in Oklahoma and in my town of Muskogee you see more Obama signs than McCain that being said ,no way, no how they will vote for Obama.

Digby's got a frightening post up about the growing racist unrest of the far right wing loonies, led by Rush Limbaugh.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/lizard-b...

There is some seriously scary shit going on in this country. I'm ancient, and well remember the riots in the '60s and the fear and unrest and the naked hatred directed toward blacks.

We HAVE TO do something about the propaganda machine that is right wing radio and fox news. It's not free speech, it's public poison.

OBAMA - BIDEN 2008

I cannot wait to vote here in PA

Hello my people, what's up? About the poll that shows Obama 14 points ahead. Whatever. I feel no elation. We should not get too comfortable or overconfident. Complacency could very well amount to a loss, or a very small win.

We should not even think of pulling an Usain Bolt right now. Recall how he started celebrating his victory in the 100m race some 20m out. Sure, he crossed the line with a World Record that was much smaller than if he had gone straight through the tape. Like I wrote, 2 weeks or so ago, I want the GOP obliterated, figuratively speaking. I want their political carcasses littering the streets of America on the night of Nov. 4.

I trust that Senator Obama and his campaign will hammer this simple notion home in the coming days: Don't be dazzled by the polls, get your asses out to vote.

We need EVERY. SINGLE. SOLITARY vote on Nov. 4th.

T.

T: On POINT!! KEEP FIGHTING for OBAMA-BIDEN '08!!!

Damn straight!

Leonard Pitts, Jr., So Much For Experience And Honor:

"My 401(k) is down $21,000 since the end of September. And John McCain thinks I should be worried about William Ayers."

MsKitty: PRIORITIES for SOME people[McAncient/The. Gov + their mini-minded minions] - soooo QUESTIONABLE!!

O.K. They are DUMB!!

Obama-Biden '08!!

Please sign Amnesty International's Online Petition to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider hearing Troy Davis' case. Get information on the case and sign petition at the link below:

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advoc...

JJai: Will do. Thanks for bringin' this!!! :>)

JOHN MCCAIN’S WIFE HIDING WAR PROFITS, UNTAXED OFF-SHORE ACCOUNTS?

Federal agents: Cindy McCain’s full tax returns will show war profits, pre-9/11 insider trading, secret off-shore accounts linked to 1241 Class C Nevada corporation payoffs and bribes

by Tom Flocco




Washington—June 18, 2008—TomFlocco.com—According to a high-placed federal agent actively based in Washington, DC who spoke with federal whistleblower Stewart Webb, Republican presidential candidate and Senate Armed Services Ranking Member John McCain’s wife Cindy Hensley McCain’s multiple undisclosed federal income tax returns will reveal millions in Iraq War military procurement contract profits involving Hensley & Co. (Hensley Beer), Mrs. McCain’s large Anheuser-Busch beer distribution firm.

In more shocking allegations which media and Democratic congressional leaders have failed to investigate, Thomas Heneghan, a U.S. intelligence authority with scores of federal contacts, said federal agents also know that Mrs. McCain made millions in insider short-sale profits involving Swiss re-insurance put option stock orders placed prior to the September 11 attacks—profits of death which have remained untaxed by the U.S. government and raise questions as to her 9/11 tip-off.


Heneghan alleges Cindy McCain’s complete 2001 tax return would also reveal that she has a secret offshore 1241 corporation set up with “private trust accounts established by Senator McCain’s late ‘Keating Five’ scandal and Bush 41 money launderer Leonard Millman who was also Stewart Webb’s father-in-law—all of which screams for a federal probe before the November 4 election.

Heneghan also alleged that Mrs. McCain has made millions from a joint business enterprise with both Hillary and Bill Clinton and Fox News billionaire Ruppert Murdoch which involves a pornographic website with its 1241 corporate headquarters in the Cayman Islands.

Using an arm’s length distance from his wife’s assets to shield himself from conflict of interest problems, McCain released only a two-page summary from his wife’s separate 2006 federal income taxes which were filed six months late via an IRS-approved extension, after which Mrs. McCain received a 2007 tax extension until October 15, 2008—just 19 days before the November 4 presidential election—unless she files for an additional extension to hide the profits until after the election.

HIDING WAR PROFITEERING CONFLICTS?


Heneghan told TomFlocco.com last week that Anheuser-Busch is one of a number of companies under a widespread federal investigation over the last few months into bid-rigging, bribery and kickbacks by members of the military and civilians connected to the Pentagon purchasing system involving Iraq War profiteering.

Webb, who said he was illegally imprisoned by President George H.W. Bush just prior to the Bush-Clinton election from 1992-1993 as a political dissident in order to obstruct justice and suppress his knowledge of Bush 41 Iran Contra drugs-for-weapons evidence, alleged to us that last week’s offer by a European company to purchase Anheuser-Busch could be a pre-arranged attempt to hide evidence of wartime beer company profits tied to Mrs. McCain’s reported $100 million-plus financial empire and untaxed off-shore income linked to 9/11profits—all of which could expose conflicts of interest and threaten the viability of John McCain’s presidential candidacy.

While complete income tax transparency would reassure the public that the McCains and their family members have not profited either directly or indirectly by the sale of Anheuser-Busch nonalcoholic beer and bottled water products in war zones, Democratic party leader acquiescence and U.S. media recalcitrance in exerting enough pressure on Senator McCain and his wife has resulted in the release of incomplete data regarding Cindy McCain’s vast beer fortune and alleged untaxed off-shore finances.

According to reports, Senator McCain began an extramarital relationship after meeting Cindy Hensley in 1979, after which he divorced his first wife Carol in April, 1980 and married Hensley the next month in May, 1980 after signing her prenuptial agreement which allowed Mrs. McCain to file separate taxes for 27 years which effectively helped avoid continued public financial scrutiny while her husband sought elective office.

The heiress originally said she would never make her tax return public but decided to disclose her $6 million total income from 2006 via the top two summary pages which included $4.5 million from rental real estate, royalties, partnerships and trusts, $300,000 in salary income, $280,000+ in dividends and $740,000+ in capital gains—part of her reportedly vast personal holdings which include Arizona’s Hensley Beer and a total $100+ million net worth.

The McCain presidential campaign took advantage of the Memorial Day weekend to make Mrs. McCain’s incomplete tax disclosure, also waiting to make the two pages public after releasing Senator McCain’s medical records—making the tax issue almost a complete afterthought.

GENERAL SHELTON AND ANHEUSER ‘BUSH’

Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser beer is sold on military bases throughout the world and its nonalcoholic beer and bottled water products are contracted to the Afghanistan and Iraq war zones.

Military beer sales leave Cindy Hensley-McCain open to questions about war profiteering since Hensley Beer is the third largest Anheuser-Busch distributor in the U.S. while Senator John McCain sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee with war oversight and Democrats look the other way.

While the military has tried to discourage heavy drinking among the troops, beer and wine distributors have lobbied the House of Representatives to increase the number of military stores that sell beer and wine.

“Military personnel should be able to purchase beer in the most convenient way possible,” said Terry McAuley, military sales director for Anheuser-Busch—even though the Pentagon opposes the lobby while attempting to deglamorize the use of alcohol, claiming it disrupts discipline and could hurt military readiness and safety.

Just prior to the September 11, 2001 attacks, President Bush’s then top military advisor and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Hugh Shelton met in California for eight hours with his successor General Richard B. Myers—“Black-Jack” Myers, according to intelligence insiders—and Air Force Chief of Staff General Michael E. Ryan to discuss how to obtain seats on corporate boards, pay packages, perks, stock options, approaching future employers and landing lucrative consulting contracts according to June 2005 news reports.

In late 2001 August A. Busch III, Chairman of Anheuser-Busch and his son August A. Busch IV met with Shelton in Manassas, Virginia to finalize Shelton’s seat on the company board of directors, his salary of $181,518 and 10,000 stock options on Anheuser-Busch shares currently worth $565,100 dollars according to the Corporate Library research organization.

Shelton’s responsibilities reportedly include advising the company and its distributorships like Hensley Beer regarding which senators, congressmen and military procurement officers to call to facilitate the distribution of hundreds of thousands of Anheuser-Busch bottles of water and nonalcoholic beer products to troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

WEAK DEMOCRAT OVERSIGHT = MORE HENSLEY WAR PROFITS?

As a member of the company’s corporate governance and nominating committees, Shelton participates in key decisions involving current reports that foreign entities are seeking to buy Anheuser-Busch outright or acquire it via a hostile takeover—but Democrats are not questioning whether there is an attempt to gain influence with a possible McCain presidency and/or potentially adjusting records involving Hensley Beer.

Nine months ago military officials said $6 billion in procurement contracts providing for essential supplies such as food, water and shelter to U.S. soldiers in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan were under review by criminal investigators regarding bid-rigging, bribery and kickbacks—a figure more than double what the Defense Department had previously disclosed.


A study by the Defense Department’s inspector general found that the Pentagon couldn’t properly account for more than a trillion dollars in monies spent; and a Government Accounting Office report found Defense inventory systems so lax that the U.S. Army lost track of 56 airplanes, 32 tanks and 36 Javelin missile command launch-units.

Hensley Beer executives Robert Delgado—president and chief executive officer, Andrew McCain—Hensley chief financial officer and John McCain’s step-son from his first marriage to Carol Shepp, and August Busch III—chairman of Anheuser-Busch’s executive committee, are among Senator McCain’s top career givers.

In 2000 McCain voted against the fiscal 2001 transportation appropriations bill which set a national standard of .08 % blood alcohol level for drunken driving while the National Beer Wholesalers Association also opposed the legislation, telling members it had succeeded in “delaying and diluting the version of the bill.”

McCain recently courted NASCAR voters and internet video fans this spring, serving as honorary starter at a North Carolina speedway race with his wife Cindy and Dale Earnhardt Jr. who drove the Budweiser car which was painted military camouflage rather than its trademark red as NASCAR’s official beer brewed by Anheuser-Busch—whose products have helped to create the McCain family fortune.


According to reports, Anheuser-Busch has also been signing contracts and investing hundreds of millions in brewery operations in China and Vietnam; and controversial Clinton administration figure James Riady’s Lippo Group is the holder of a license for a Sea World attraction in Indonesia while Anheuser-Busch owns all the Sea World theme parks in the U.S. and some overseas operations.

The Senate Armed Services Committee and its Ranking Member McCain in particular have not assured voters that Anheuser-Busch’s military beer, water and non-alcoholic beverage contracts are not linked to the Pentagon bid-rigging and bribery scandal being probed, raising questions as to why McCain has not referred publicly to the scandal.

Minnesota Republican Representative John Kline, a retired Marine colonel was “appalled” at the “clear breakdown in leadership” that allowed some Army contracting officers to corrupt the procurement system.

American voters may have a problem regarding weak oversight by the Democratic Party leaders who have thus far ignored Cindy McCain’s finances and possible war-profiteering, her complete lack of income tax transparency and untaxed off-shore corporate profits.

http://www.tomflocco.com/fs/McCainsHidingWarPro...

I love the pic, Rikyrah! So beautiful!

Justice58: Double co-sign! :>)

co-sign that!

I am in the city (Chicago) tonight and scanned the BO site to peruse the debate watching parties. There are over 20 choices: all kinds of venues, all kinds of crowds, all kinds of menus. It's a beautiful thing, this country called America, when folks come together...Who knew?

This whole nonsense about Rep. Lewis, George Wallace that Joe Scar is sqwaking about is ridiculous. This double standard is wearing me out frankly. Does Nicole Wallace believe what she says? Please. And Pat Buchanan????!??!?!?! They really want McCain to win don't they???

John Lewis' domestic beatdown way back when apparently taught him more about how to operate honorably than John McCain's POW experience.

This whole John Lewis episode shows how much of a punk ass bitch John McCain is. If he's so offended by what John Lewis had to say, don't go to Barack Obama. Man up and go to John Lewis and air your concerns man to man. He knows how to get in touch with John Lewis, all he has to do is look him up in the congressional phone directory or go to his office.

But he's not going to go to "one of the 3 wise men" because he knows John Lewis would air him out in person and blast that ass.

Town: Man up. . . .

THAT'S the POINT!!! Where's da man? Hiding between 2 "Pageant-Has beens!!":>) :>) How's THAT for the "company" he keeps!! HAH!

Have you noticed that Cindy McCain has started to wear her hair in that Amy Winehouse beehive like Sarah Palin?

Ease up my friend. Halloween isn't for another 16 days. On that note who is scarier looking?

Town: Yes. The COMPETITION GENE is always ACTIVE!! :>)

Annnnnnd, this morning showed The Gov.'s hair "creeping back into half-up sweep mode!" :>) :>) I'm watchin'!! :>) :>)

"But he's not going to go to "one of the 3 wise men" because he knows John Lewis would air him out in person and blast that ass".


Oh Yeah!

http://www.dailykos.com/

Joe Scarborough (On air, MSNBC): I am so upset that issues are predominating. The rules have been changed and character attacks don't work any more. My God. People want to talk about issues. And Republicans can't win in this environment. It's not fair.

White skin privilege means that an equal playing field is unfair if whites aren't winning.

White skin privilege means that an equal playing field is unfair if whites aren't winning.

evita: That is a very accurate observation, IMO.

That there is even a double standard in this instance is outrageous. Rep. Lewis knows better than anyone about what happens when you incite people to violence and has the scars to prove it. And McCain playing the victim in this? Give me a friggin break.

This is starting to feel like watching Tiger Woods on the back nine with a two shot lead. He doesn't have the trophy yet, but you can see it in his eyes when he steps up to address the ball that he wants it.

I think you will see that tonight - the only reason I really have to watch the debate.

"This Is Not A Horse Race"

http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2008/10...

The longest three weeks in the history of America lie ahead.

The picture is gorgeous (and I don't even like the U.S. hardly different from the Confederate flag).

rikyrah: Mr. Obama is doing "virtual ads!" I'm through!!! :>) :>) Go -Mr. "O!"!!!

"virtual 'DAP'" for him!! :>)

http://gigaom.com/2008/10/13/confirmed-obama-is...
Confirmed: Obama Is Campaigning On Xbox-360

Last week we noted unconfirmed sightings of an “Obama for President” billboard in the Xbox 360 racing game Burnout Paradise. Today we’re able to report that it is, in fact, an official advertisement placed by the senator’s campaign team.

“I can confirm that the Obama campaign has paid for in-game advertising in Burnout,” Holly Rockwood, director of corporate communications at Electronic Arts, the game’s publisher, told me via email, noting that EA regularly allows ad placements in their online games. “Like most television, radio and print outlets, we accept advertising from credible political candidates,” she continued. “Like political spots on the television networks, these ads do not reflect the political policies of EA or the opinions of its development teams.”

To my knowledge, this Burnout ad is far and away the most prominent use of a major online game to promote a presidential candidate’s campaign. There have been near-misses, of course: In 2006, for example, when he was seriously considering a run for the Democratic nomination, ex-Virginia Gov. Mark Warner made an avatar-based appearance at a press conference in Second Life.

Up! Up! And Away! into major cyber space!! :>) Whooo! Hoo! :>)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Bxb3oYzHY
UP! UP! And Away!


ENJOY! :>)



Gotta bounce! C U 2-morrow! :>)

His own sponsored channel on Dish Network, the Obama iPhone app, and 'billboard placement' in video games. I seriously hope Obama is paying his media strategists well, because they are making the Republicans look old and slow...which is even more appropriate, considering John McCain doesn't do his own computing.

I think that so cool and creative! I love it that we have a potential President who understands how to harness the power of young ingenuity!

BeeJayGee: Hey! :>) ABSOLUTELY! :>) :>)

rikyrah: Obama is "SHOWIN' THE REPUGS HIS BENJAMINS":

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...
With Huge Money Advantage, Obama Ramps Up Ads

By Matthew Mosk
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 15, 2008; Page A05

Sen. John McCain stepped into a ballroom at the Grand Hyatt in New York last night for what was likely to be his last fundraiser of the 2008 presidential campaign.
This Story

But while the event, which was expected to net $8 million to $10 million for the Republican National Committee, will provide a much-needed infusion for the GOP nominee, it will do little to whittle down the massive financial advantage that Sen. Barack Obama is using to dominate the electoral landscape.

SKIP

Exactly how much money the Democrat has raised will not be clear until next week, when the two campaigns are required to report their September fundraising totals to the Federal Election Commission, although some strategists are openly speculating that he could approach $100 million for the month. That would shatter a record Obama set in August, when he brought in $67 million.
ad_icon

As the first presidential candidate to run a general-election campaign entirely with private donations, Obama is building a significant fundraising advantage and is now using that imbalance to swamp McCain on the airwaves and in building turnout operations coast to coast.

Voters in large swaths of Florida will see Obama television commercials dozens of times before catching sight of a McCain ad. A drive across Virginia will wend past 51 Obama field offices, compared with 19 for McCain. "It's given them resources to compete in multiple battlegrounds in all dimensions -- on the ground, through the mail, with media, everything," Chris Kofinis, a Democratic political strategist, said of Obama's fundraising success. "I think people will look back and say this was one of the most pivotal decisions in his campaign."

THERE IS MORE.

SHOW THEM THE MONEY!! Mr. Obama!! HAH!! :>)

rikyrah: I started to bring this down from "Alaska"! But TPM has it 2! :>)

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/...
Second Troopergate Probe Expanding

There's further evidence that the investigation into Trooper-Gate being conducted by the state Personnel Board could have real teeth.

The Anchorage Daily News reports that the probe has broadened to include other ethics complaints against Sarah Palin, and actions by other state employees.

That's according to the investigator hired by the board, Timothy Petumenos, who conveyed the information in two recent letters sent to an Anchorage attorney who had threated a lawsuit over Palin's effort to waive confidentiality in the matter.

Petumenos, a Democrat with a reputation for aggressive prosecutions, plans to sit down with the governor, who is cooperating with his investigation, next week.

It's not clear which other ethics complaints about the governor Petumenos is now looking into, but two have been previously reported. One relates somewhat to Trooper-Gate: the state troopers' union alleges that state officials illegally examined the personnel file of Mike Wooten, seeking damaging information on him. Wooten's feud with the Palin family was at the center of Trooper-Gate.

In addition, a good-government activist has alleged that Palin circumvented state hiring practices in giving a job to a supporter.

Petumenos has also requested a copy of the Branchflower report, released Friday.

I hope that all of this is creating the environment such that The Gov. cain't "go home" AFTER HER LOSS!! :>) :>)


Obama-Biden '08!!!

Town has it right...

the hounds are at the gates in Alaska...and they're just counting down to November 5th...once they're unleased...


You go get the popcorn, GreenLady. I'll bring the drinks. And, we'll just sit, and watch what happens...

rikyrah: You got it!! :>) :>)


Obama-Biden '08!!!

............

rikyrah: Eugene Robinson is on a realistic rant:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...
Time To Be Outward Bound

Since George W. Bush became president, the Republican Party has presided over massive, out-of-control government spending, converted a federal budget surplus into a half-trillion-dollar deficit, and looked the other way while Wall Street's greed and stupidity turned the hallowed free market into scorched earth. Now the party has to watch as a Republican president orchestrates the biggest government intervention in the workings of the private sector since the New Deal.

Can any Republican candidate claim with a straight face to represent the party of small government? For that matter, can any Republican candidate plausibly explain what the party is supposed to stand for these days?

It's pathetic to hear right-wing talk radio blowhards try to associate Barack Obama with "radical" or "socialist" views when a Republican administration is tossing aside "Atlas Shrugged" and speed-reading "Das Kapital."

SKIP

When a political party reaches the point of lurching incoherence, the most effective cure is a good, long spell in the wilderness. Americans should help Republicans out by sending them home to get their act together.

He used the most recent L-word: LURCHING!! :>)

Smack it down, Eugene.

SMACK.IT.DOWN.

rikyrah: Real Clear Politics: ELECTORAL MAP

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/ob...
ELECTORAL COLLEGE - 270 Electoral Votes Needed To Win


Obama/Biden 313

238 Solid 75 Leaning

McCain/Palin 158

140 Solid 18 Leaning

Toss Up 67

67 Toss Up

Mr. Obama is LOOKIN' GOOD! ::>) :>)

Chris Buckley said Obama has a first-class mind and I absolutely agree with him!

As my dear old Aunt Sweet used to say:

I have to say something, or the rocks will cry out.

I said from the beginning, that ANYONE, who took politics, SERIOUSLY..who thought about it...SERIOUSLY...whether right, left, or center..

HAD to be offended by her.

Had to be.

Buckley and others just can't help themselves.....they would rather poke their eyes out than spend an evening at dinner with this woman.


And yeah, I'm being elitist.

I've told y'all. She couldn't last an hour with the posters on ANY blog that I read.

It's about the intellect. Fareed Zakaria had it right:

It wasn't just that she didn't know the answers to the questions..

It was that she didn't even KNOW THE QUESTIONS.....

Not only that, it's that people defend and uphold her in her ignorance. It would be like us defending the nomination of Flavor Flav for president. They would be like, "You're kidding, right?" But if he had enough supporters to keep in going, they would sit back and shake their heads like we are doing now. Ok, maybe not Flavor Flav. How about Alan Keys?

thanks for talking to the STANDARD here. these folks didn't just lower the bar. they dropped it on the ground. the trick they're playing on the media now (unwittingly or not) is to keep the writers railing on Palin and not as much as the standard she violates.

well, i'm not even trying to put palin in the same sentence as obama. obama strives for the ideal, not to just be better than the people in his face. he's outrunning both his neighbor AND the bear that's chasing them.

easy to be better than mccain/palin ticket, but what's it worth to the country simply to be better than that. not much... and I think people are seeing that, finally. I hope they vote it, though.

"well, i'm not even trying to put palin in the same sentence as obama. obama strives for the ideal, not to just be better than the people in his face. he's outrunning both his neighbor AND the bear that's chasing them.



That's a good one! I like it!

George W opened the door of "character" and the importance of the regular guy and eventually led to profound anti intellectualism. This, my friends, is a DIRECT assault on working class people. We are not all dumb.

Your Aunt Sweet should be quoted everywhere for all to hear - I love it.

I honestly thought Palin's lack of intelligence was a trick to lower expectations. The fact that it wasn't a trick and McCain has offered this woman and her uneducated husband to the American public as their possible president is frightening and takes mediocrity to a whole new level (low).

I must admit though that I am relieved and restored by the Fareed Zakaria and Christopher Buckley's of the world and conservatives who probably feel the same way as Aunt Sweet.

rikyrah: Nice summary!! Glad to see that more people are letting their "INSULTED FEELINGS" loose!

Now, I'm going ta get my Choir Robe so I can sang with these chil'ren:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laUjNqXYTmc&feat...
I Came To Magnify The Lord

Listen for "YOUR LINE"!! :>)

I am singing with you.

rorysmomma: You just betta!! Ain't no Choir until You do.

Annnnnnd, JJai: Where you at?? Sangin' Time! :>) :>)

oh Lord, today has been rough I am singing now!!!

a rope of 3 cords not easily broken =-)

JJai: U R waaaaay 2 crazee! THANK YOU for "SWT" [Sangin' While Tired]! :>) :>)

Nice "SOLO"! :>) :>)

Michelle Obama did an interview with this month's Sister2Sister Magazine.