Last of Our Kind

"Change has come to America,” President-Elect Obama said as he claimed victory and spoke to the nation. Victory was achieved. We did it. We have moved forward as a nation. We have now entered “Post Racial” America. Now to be fair, I know racism will not go away, but perhaps this is what some can call, and let’s hope, “The beginning of the end.” We have torn down the wall, smashed through the ceiling, and have allowed young black children everywhere to say, “Anything is possible.”

But somehow, we have not moved forward. Somehow while taking one step forward we took two giant leaps back. And by this I am speaking about California’s passage of Proposition 8.

It says that California voters believe animals should be treated better and have more rights than homosexuals.

Is this what America stands for? Is this what we want to represent to the rest of the world? A country that writes hate into their laws? A nation that treats people differently based on who they love and their want to express that love by spending the rest of their lives together? If this is the direction the country is headed, I fear that I will be ashamed for a long, long time.

“Change has come to America,” President-Elect Obama said as he claimed victory and spoke to the nation. Unfortunately for some, that change is not enough.

When I first watched Schindler’s List I remember having a discussion about why the Holocaust happened, or rather, why it was allowed to happen. We spoke about silence. While the Holocaust was happening the whole world was watching. They were watching in silence, and their silence gave consent. No one stood up and said “This is wrong. This must be stopped.” Once we did it was too late and millions of people had already been murdered. It is for this reason, the inability to act, that the whole world is ashamed of themselves for this moment in history.

Now, I always thought that there was a certain line in politics that was never crossed. There was the old ad from the 60’s with the nuclear bomb and the little girl, which went too far. People are (rightly so) scolded for using Osama bin Laden and references to 9/11 in ads. Now maybe I’m too naïve, but I always thought that Hitler and the Holocaust were also off limits.

Then I read this:

“A new e-mail making the rounds among Jewish voters in Pennsylvania this week...equated a vote for Senator Barack Obama with the “tragic mistake” of their Jewish ancestors, who ‘ignored the warning signs in the 1930’s and 1940’s.’”

There is so much at stake in this election. I think everyone has figured this out by now. This is the election of a lifetime. It presents us all with a choice between two very distinct candidates, and two very distinct ideas about the proper course for this country. I think everyone who is paying attention, and anyone reading this, probably knows the particulars of which candidate stands for what. And if they do not, I think most people are doing what must be done to learn the facts. At least I hope that is the case.



Unfortunately, I still see and hear from so many people out there that for some reason still think Barack Obama is a Muslim or a terrorist or both. Friends I thought I knew, TV personalities, radio personalities, pundits, bloggers, and even young people…people that I thought would not be taken in by the lies and distortions of the republican machine and the McCain Smear-Talk Express. I have some news for everyone…we have a little thing called freedom of religion in our country. That freedom covers everyone in our country, and any religion they care to practice, including no religion at all. You know what that means? It means our president is NOT REQUIRED to be a Christian. Now, I know Christianity is the major religion in the United States, and for that reason, people elect leaders who most closely reflect and embody their beliefs and values, but nowhere does it say it has to be this way. What “values voters” seem to forget is that there is much more at stake in this election than someone’s Christian beliefs. I am not advocating for any particular religion or non-religion here. I am not saying we should have a Muslim president, and I am not saying we should have an atheist president. I am, however, saying it should not matter. I am saying that I want a president that is going to address the major issues facing our country in both the foreseeable and unforeseeable future. I want a president that is going to address our strained relations abroad by communicating and using…uh…what is the word I am looking for…must have forgotten…oh yeah…DIPLOMACY. I want a leader that will recognize climate change and global warming for the problems that they are, and do something about them (because they are NOT a myth). I want a new president that is going to change our energy policy, take us off foreign oil, invest in clean renewable energy sources, and commit to increasing fuel efficiency standards. I want someone who will do something about the failed economic policies of the last eight years, someone who will cut taxes for the middle-class (the word middle-class does not exist in McCain’s lexicon). And I do not care if that president needs to ask himself, “What would Jesus do?” or “What would Allah do?” or Vishnu or Buddha or Confucius or logic or reason, before making a decision, I just care that he makes the right one. The right decision for you, for me, for your children, your grandchildren, and so on and so forth.

Guess what? The Muslim religion is not synonymous with terrorism, and being a terrorist does not automatically mean you are a Muslim. I know…I know, that was a bit repetitive, but I have to think, no, hope that…maybe if we repeat things enough, it will get through the thick skulls of the ignorant bigots who actually believe it. Once more for those with small-minded proclivities: NOT ALL MUSLIMS ARE TERRORISTS and NOT ALL TERRORISTS ARE MUSLIMS! Anyone who is still clinging to the idea that Obama is either a Muslim or a terrorist or both, is either not paying attention, brainwashed by all of the Republican fear mongering paranoia, or just too ignorant to care.



I am sure some of those bigots out there will say, “Well he did associate with that terrorist Bill Ayers!” And to you I say what everyone already knows…Obama was EIGHT YEARS OLD when The Weather Underground was active. Which is kind of like saying, “You are a Christian, and therefore you are responsible for the Crusades of the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries.” I digress, perhaps that was a stretch, but you see my point. Obama served on a bipartisan education board with Ayers. It was a committee that was funded by Walter H. Annenberg, a well-known philanthropist and education advocate, and friend and advisor to Republican icon, President Ronald Reagan. Some people will say he was raised Muslim. So what if he was? It does not mean he is still a Muslim. Besides that…all of this is making me stray from my main argument: It should not matter one-way or the other. That is why we have a little thing called Separation of Church and State.

Now we are all entitled to our opinions, I will not deny that. However, a right to your own opinion does not make it a good opinion. I am sure everyone who still thinks Obama is a Muslim, still believes it, and thinks that my opinion is a bad one. That is fine. I do not expect to change your mind today or tomorrow or maybe even ever, but I have said what I believe to be true, and call it a hunch, but I think there are a few others out there who would agree with me.

I will let you all be the judge. Tell us your thoughts.

Until next time,
Your trusty neighborhood-misguided-idiot-liberal-nutjob-anti-American-socialist-communist-(insert Republican talking point insult here)
-LoOK

Post Script
Colin Powell on this issue from Meet the Press this last Sunday:

"I'm also troubled by - not what Senator McCain says - but what members of the Party say, and it is permitted to be said: such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is he is not a Muslim. He's a Christian; has always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, "What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?" The answer's "No, that's not America." Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim American kid believing that he or she could be President? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own Party drop the suggestion he's Muslim and he might be associated with terrorists. This is not the way we should be doing it in America.
I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery. And she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards - Purple Heart, Bronze Star; showed that he died in Iraq; gave his date of birth, date of death. He was twenty years old. And then at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross. It didn't have a Star of David. It had a crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Karim Rashad Sultan Kahn. And he was an American. He was born in New Jersey, he was fourteen years old at the time of 9/11 and he waited until he could go serve his country and he gave his life."

In our last post I talked about the endorsement of Barack Obama by General Colin Powell. I said somehow the right would find a way to spin this, and I hinted to it with rush Limbaugh’s reaction. Today he made himself even clearer on where he stands on this endorsement:



I know starting a feud with Rush Limbaugh is pointless. I know there are a million blogs out there in this world that bash him every day. I also know there are a million out there that praise him all the same. But today, after his latest remarks I have had enough.

However, I am perplexed at where I should start. Should it be with the “genital” comment or his blatant form of racism?

To call a true American war hero, a man who understands how to wage battle in times such as these more than anyone, a man who we need around to get advice from "Genital Powell" is disgusting. Tell me Rush, how is it that you sleep at night? Are you still popping those pills? Is that it? It must be.

Rush, I am sure you have supported Colin Powell in the past. I am sure he was one of your favorite guys when he was advising Reagan, or when he was George Bush’s Secretary of state. The truth is, when General Colin Powell saw how “his party” was evolving into a majority of nutcases he took a step back and said “Wait a minute, this isn’t the party I want to associate myself with.” When he said that, you sir, decided to throw him under the bus. You threw him to the dogs and I am sure your listeners ate him alive.

Now, to say that General Colin Powell chose to endorse Senator Barack Obama based only on the fact that he is black is disturbing. To say that implies that it had nothing to do with John McCain’s lack of leadership during this campaign, or his recent condoning of tactics such as calling Obama a terrorist and being proud of supporters who chant, "Kill him!" However, according to you these reasons have nothing to do with the endorsement because Powell and Obama are both black.

It has nothing to do with the reality that John McCain chose an inexperienced running mate based solely on the fact that she was a woman. Forget the fact that General Colin Powell said Governor Palin is not ready to be president of the United States. Forget that General Powell is disgusted with the overall tone of McCain’s Campaign. General Colin Powell’s endorsement has nothing to do with the fact that John McCain’s campaign is being run by lobbyists or that John McCain thinks the "fundamentals of our economy are strong." According to you Rush Limbaugh, General Colin Powell chose Obama because he is black.

John McCain lost all three debates as determined by every poll I saw. He was not strong on issues both foreign and domestic. He does not have a plan to solve the healthcare crisis or a plan to help the middleclass at all. He wants to give tax breaks to the rich and raise taxes on the poor (he plans to tax benefits), but none of this had any bearing on General Colin Powell’s decision, because both he and Barack Obama are black.

And if you truly believe that then you are in fact still on drugs. You must be, it is the only reason I could even begin to comprehend your rationale or lack thereof. Of course who am I kidding. You are Rush Limbaugh, bloated talking head for all those who are too stupid to know better, or too ignorant to change. You spew hate because that’s your job. You are paid copious amounts of money to vomit over the airwaves because you have a following that will eat it up.

The truth is, this time Rush, you will not win. The American people will no longer be fooled by your words, or afraid of your tactics. John McCain is not going to win this election. I know part of you is excited. You will have high ratings for eight years declaring how horrible Obama is as President. But the truth is you are weak, and weakening. You and your faithful will fight against a leader who stands against everything you are, and I am sure that terrifies you. So enjoy this moment while it lasts, because it won’t be this way forever.

I won’t be directing a post to Rush very often, if ever again. I won't waste my time. I know he won’t listen. He’s paid not to.

I want to know if McBush actually believes the spin that emanates from his campaign on an hourly basis. In the last week we have seen McBush:

· “Put country first” with a faux suspension of his campaign
· Continue to run campaign ads despite his suspended campaign
· Refuse to debate until a deal had been reached on the bailout plan
· Debate when there was no deal on the bailout plan
· Inject presidential politics in a national crisis
· Put his political campaign above the American people
· Claim that his leadership convinced Republicans to vote for the bailout
· Fail to convince even his own Arizona republican colleagues to vote for the bailout
· Blame the democrats and Obama for the failure of the bailout
· Accuse Obama of “phoning it in” on the financial crisis
· Phone it in on the financial crisis
· Assert that this is not the time for blame
· Then blame Obama for the failure of the bailout
· Attempt to make us believe that he would ride into Washington and save the day
· Ride into Washington and watched the bailout fall apart
· Claim the fundamentals of our economy our strong
· Claim that this is the most significant financial crisis of our lives

Do I really need to go on? I could fill this post with pages and pages and pages and…well you get the idea. So my question is: Does McBush actually believe the assertions he is spewing forth? Or is he just hoping that all of us are stupid enough to fall for this ridiculous political spin factor?

In a previous post, I mentioned that it is my belief that McBush’s campaign is attempting to make us all just a little more unintelligent with their tactics. That if they shift positions and present enough contradictions we will all forget what they were talking about in the first place. If they talk politics enough, and attack Obama enough, we will forget that McCain rarely speaks about the issues. That if they lie enough, and with enough fervor, we will all forget what the truth actually looks and sounds like.

McBush’s tactics look incredibly un-presidential. In a time of crisis, the American people not only need, but also deserve a leader that does not panic and add to the chaos. The president cannot act erratic and unpredictable in times of crisis. I do not believe that the recent tactics of the McCain campaign have anything at all to do with our country and the American people. I do not believe any of the spin and lies spewing forth from the McCain campaign. How many times in the next week will McCain change his views? How many contradictions will come from his campaign before this election is over?

I just want to know…Does McCain really believe all of the lies, contradictions, and distortions coming from his campaign lately? If he does believe it, then he is even more out of touch than I ever thought possible. If he does not believe his own lies, then how can he continue to claim that he is here to “put country first?” I’ve said it before, and I will say it again…Congratulations McBush, you have officially made me stupider.



During all of this, what was Obama doing? He was working behind the scenes, trying to prevent presidential politics from poisoning the financial crisis. He was steady and sure of himself. He did not make any rash decisions. He did not exhibit erratic behavior. He did not fall into the political trap McCain set for him by suspending his campaign. Now McCain has to eat crow. Now who looks inexperienced? Now who looks unprepared for the job?

Wake up Senator McCain…your actions actually do have consequences and no amount of spin is going to change that.

I will leave you with some random thoughts:

• Has McBush un-suspended his campaign?


• Will he re-suspend his campaign now that the bailout has failed?


• Or is it still suspended? I can’t tell the difference


• When did McCain decide that he is a political martyr?


• His antics make me feel like I am watching a Mel Gibson flick


• SNL’s parody of Palin’s Couric interview lifted, verbatim, so much from the actual interview that it’s scary


• Biden has debate experience dating to 1972…Palin was in 2nd grade


• Thursday night’s debate should be deliciously entertaining
  

How many lies does it take to get to the center of...?

-LoOK

Things that completely disgust me:

1. The manipulation of America’s need for instant gratification. The government and big oil want you all to the think that drilling is going to make a difference in the short term, that it is going to make gas prices fall the minute we start drilling. That is NOT going to happen. Guess what? Drilling will NOT affect gas prices until ten years from the start of drilling, and even so, it will not affect them by much. Drilling will not make a difference in the short term, and it will not make a difference in the long term. People advocate drilling without even stopping to think…what difference is this going to make? What it will do is make big oil companies more money. What it will do is destroy thousands of acres of untouched wilderness, which brings me to my next point…

Alaska National Wildlife Reserve:




"Clean" drilling and oil operations currently in Alaska (and the ANWR if we allow it):




2. Our willingness to destroy and devour the earth for our own selfish desires now, with little regard for the future of our planet. What more is there to say? But I am just an extreme liberal that believes in the myth of global warming, climate change, the greenhouse effect, melting glaciers, and the tooth fairy (sorry if I spoiled your belief in the tooth fairy).

3. The inability of our prestigious presidential candidates to discuss the issues. Last week we spent three days discussing lipstick on a pig. We spent time hearing a distortion that claimed Obama wanted to teach kindergarteners about sex. We have wasted precious time worrying about whether or not we are being sexist by questioning Palin’s qualifications, and not enough time actually examining her qualifications (Charlie Gibson has now vetted Palin more thoroughly than McBush…can you say Bush Doctrine?). We have WASTED time sifting through, and sorting out, the lies the McBush campaign have been spreading about Obama. As a result, Obama has spent the majority of his time responding to these outrageous lies.

4. People who attack Obama’s lack of experience and then attack him as the most liberal senator in the US. Which one is it? If he has no experience, then how can his record possibly show that he is the most liberal senator? If he is the most liberal senator, then he must have experience to have built that record right? Then you will attack me by saying he has no record at all, and no experience…to you I say, better than a record that reflects and supports the complete failure of the Bush policies of the last eight years.

5. Both McCain and Palin are against abortion but for the death penalty. Now I am not advocating either side, but isn’t that a contradiction? We are pro-life…but we’ll give you the electric chair? That makes sense.

6. The wall that has been put up around Palin. The media has been given one interview, and nothing more. If we question her qualifications, they cry sexism. If we say she is not qualified, we are sexists. If we talk about the failed policies of Bush and McCain, we are accused of calling Palin a pig and being…you guessed it…sexist. And the McBush campaign wants us to believe they picked her for her qualifications and not purely political purposes? If she was highly qualified, I think there would be no hesitation in allowing her to speak to the media.

7. McBush said he thinks, “The fundamentals of our economy are strong.” He said this on the same day that the DOW plummeted, and since then, it has continued to plummet, and only starting to rebound today…who knows about tomorrow. Remember when you told us the economy was not your strongest subject McBush? Thanks for not lying to us on that one.

8. McBush and Palin attempting to run as the change agents.

9. Palin’s ideas on the economy…oh wait…she doesn’t have any…nevermind. Palin's ideas on anything...oh wait...she doesn't have any. At least she knows what the Bush Doctrine is now (you can send a thank you card and chocolates to Charlie Gibson).

10. People who use fear mongering to attack Obama. Referring to him by his middle name only to prey on the fear of the American people. Haven’t the American people endured enough? So his middle name is Hussein…big deal (or do Americans now have something against anyone with a middle-eastern sounding name?). My middle name is George Bush…scared yet? You should be.

Pissed off because I'm paying attention,
-LoOK

I am officially disgusted with Congressional Democrats.

Recently, in case you didn’t hear, congress passed legislation that allows offshore drilling. That’s right, the majority crumbled to the minority. To the crazy people who chant "DRILL BABY DRILL.” The party in power succumbed to the powerless. When they should have showed strength and stood for something they believe in, they buckled at the knees and showed how weak they are.

I'm mad because they tried to sugar coat this legislation with rules surrounding the drilling. One rule states that all drilling has to be beyond 50 miles of the shore. I suppose this won’t harm the ocean and sea life and everything else in the water because after 50 miles, there is nothing to harm…?

Another rule says the each state has to approve their want to drill. This sounds like a great idea. Suppose a drill project, let’s say done by Florida causes pollution and/or damage to the environment around Florida. What happens when that damage and or pollution moves towards Georgia, who doesn’t want offshore drilling? Who fixes that problem?

Congress also included in this bill the repealing of oil companies’ tax breaks, in order to use that money for renewable energy resources. That’s great, but couldn’t this have been the focus of the law without allowing off shore drilling?

I am angry because I truly believe that drilling is not the answer. It is the problem. For years now we (including President Bush) have talked about our addiction to oil. I know Bush doesn’t care about this (since he in fact wants more drilling) but I thought that the Democrats (including Obama, who is even for drilling now) were against drilling as a part of their platform. I thought they truly wanted to break our addiction and FOCUS on more important, renewable energies.

And are we supposed to just forget the fact that the oil companies already have acres and acres of land both offshore and on land that they are free to drill, but don’t. They want MORE because they truly believe they will be able to get enough out of our shores to make a difference.

They won’t.

Drilling will not lower the price of gas. Drilling will not lower the cost of a barrel of oil, and everyone knows that. Not using oil will lower the price of gas and the price of a barrel of oil. What drilling does do is affect the environment. Offshore drilling will also waste money that (if the oil companies are right in their commercials I see) should be spent on solar, wind, and other renewable energies.

If we want to build energy rigs in the ocean why not use the power of the waves. Where is that in this legislation? Where is the opposition against a party that is in the pocket of big oil? Where is the stand that opposes the raping of the earth, the stand that I thought my party stood for?

Remember this day as the day the crazies started winning.

Somehow the leaders I have rooted for have let me down.

Since September 11th 2001, I’ve learned that freedom isn’t free. It costs $12.3 billion a month in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I’ve learned that we must never forget that day. The easiest way to remember of course is to, as President Bush said, “Shop.” We can never forget if we buy 9/11 t-shirts and bumper stickers and of course the yearly commemorative coin.

I’ve learned that Iraq has no weapons of mass destruction.

I’ve learned that Osama Bin Laden is living in a cave in Pakistan and we don’t seem to care.

I've learned that Osama bin Laden is good for business.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that these colors don’t run, unless of course you count the blood of the 4,155 servicemen dead in Iraq, and the 584 dead in Afghanistan.

I’ve learned that these numbers will not stop rising.

I’ve learned that George W. Bush has done such a good job as President that we elected him again.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that 9/11 can be used for political gains during political conventions.

I’ve learned that the Taliban are regaining strength in Afghanistan.

I’ve learned that in Iraq, if we pay the insurgents enough, they will stop attacking us.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that the Iraqis want us to leave.

I’ve learned that President Bush wants to stay.

I’ve learned that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that my government can detain people without any rhyme or reason.

I’ve learned that torture is okay.

I’ve learned that spreading democracy is the American way, and that the best way to spread said democracy is at the end of a rifle.

I’ve learned that spreading democracy apparently, is our mission from God.

I’ve learned that democracy cannot be forced on people whose government must be ruled by religion.

I’ve learned that people still think 9/11 was an inside job.

I’ve learned that Americans don’t care about energy independence.

I’ve learned that America is no longer respected in the world as it once was.

I’ve learned that there is a candidate standing for change and half the country stands against him.

I’ve learned that this country can be controlled by fear.

I’ve learned that Muslims are evil because they wear turbans and have beards.

I’ve learned that all of the hijackers were clean shaven and turbanless.

I’ve learned that Iran and North Korea, like Iraq are evil.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that Republicans know what is right because they haven’t been wrong in seven (make that eight) years.

I’ve learned that we have the best military in the world. There is nothing they cannot do.

I’ve learned that our military cannot force a country to create a stable government.

I’ve learned that the global war on terror will be fought forever.

I’ve learned that we can claim “mission accomplished” without achieving victory.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that our military is not built by a draft, and because of that, no one cares about the consequences of war.

Since September 11th 2001, I’ve learned that this country has reached a new boiling point. I have learned that we have been waiting for the moment that we can turn the page and attempt to reclaim our place in the world. To return our nation to a place that is looked up to and not down at. I have learned that Americans are tired of failed policies and hawkish administrations.

I have learned that our nation must become stronger, smarter, and better.

Because if we do not, we have learned nothing at all.

Always learning,
LoOK

Sources:
http://www.armscontrolcenter.org/policy/securityspending/articles/gwot_spending_burn_rate/
http://www.antiwar.com/casualties/

As you can probably imagine, the viewpoints we express at Last of Our Kind do not sit will with everyone (can't please them all I suppose). We are a fairly new blog, and we are proud to present to you our first two articles of "hate mail" or "anger mail" or "fan mail" or whatever you choose to call it.

The first was a response to our post about Palin's nod for VP:

I agree, pal. Bring on the VP debate. Obama has been preaching "change" from day one and he picks a multi-term, east coast, establishment insider for his VP. Change ? ! ?

Yeah right.

You libs went to bed early this morning thinking a slam dunk victory was all set for Nov. You woke up later this morning, saw McCain's bold choice for his VP, sobered up a bit, and thought, "Oh shit. . .We have a fight on our hands ! ! !"

I live in a very liberal city, work with a bunch of libs. A lot of bluster from them this week during the convention. They were very quiet today.

Bring on the debates, pal. The American public may shock you with their decision in November.

The second was a response to the same I think:

U survive off of people who have nothing. No ideas, no productiveness; people who support Obama have nothing. Palin was brought on the ticket to bring forth the real conservatives, the conservatives that founded this country
You all again, bring forth the issue of experience. seriously..........Governor of he the greatest state of the nation trumps a couple years of doing nothing in the Senate. All u libs come up with NON issues or completely just don't understand how a prosperous economy works.

All Palin supporters know what she is running for and all those that don't know still have a hell of a lot of learning to do.

Again.........GOVT WILL NOT SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS!!!!!!

WE DO NOT WANT TO BE A SOCIALIST SOCIETY!!!!

Don't U just luv the arguments presented here? I know I do. I'm pretty sure the "conservatives" that founded our country were the so-called "libs" of their time...breaking away from the rule of another country, refusing to be governed by leaders that showed little concern for their interests, and creating a nation by rebelling against another. Sounds REAL conservative. REALLY conservative. Excuse me a moment while I drink up the irony of that argument, it is too delicious not to savor.

I present these bits of fan mail to you all so that you can see for yourselves that it is not only the McBush campaign that makes absolutely no sense, but it is also their supporters that make no sense.

I am very sorry...but when U must use the letter "U" instead of typing two more letters to form the simple word "you," you have already damaged your credibility beyong repair. I have my doubts that you even have an understanding of what a socialist society really is. And I have a lot of trouble believing that you have any real understanding of how any economy might work (much less a prosperous one). You are right...I do not know how a prosperous economy works because I forgot...I have not experienced one in eight long years, and if your candidate wins, (a candidate that admits he knows very little about economics) I think I may spend four more years not knowing how a prosperous economy works.

It is very simple...McCain just does not get it, and neither do his supporters. They have little to say about issues, and very few actual facts or quotes to back up their claims. Just like McCain's campaign ads. Claiming that your dear Sarah Palin is a reformer and against the Bridge to Nowhere, when she actually supported it to get elected to office. That lobbyists are bad despite the fact that several of their top campaign advisors are former lobbyists themselves.

McCain and his supporters are so confused and baffled, that they have actually managed to step on their own feet and eat crow more often than I ever thought possible. Everyday, more and more claims from the McCain campaign are debunked and fact checked to show they are false. Confusion has officially set in. Like I said in the last post...Deceived into Delerium.

Happy to add salt to your bitter tasting crow,
-LoOK

Over the last week or so, something happened. During and after the Republican National Convention the McCain campaign has deliriously decided that they are the change ticket. McCain is campaigning as an independent, and someone who has battled even his own party (never mind that little bit about voting with President Bush 90% of the time). Sarah Palin is campaigning as someone who has always been against pork barrel spending despite having campaigned for the Bridge to Nowhere in order to get elected as the governor of Alaska. They are claiming they are the mavericks, and the change agents. I just want to know…

Do you think we are that mindless?

McBush as the change agent? Give me a break. I see right through these deceptive tactics. The fact is, McCain has flip flopped and spun his campaign every which way possible in the past few months. First he was touting his support of Bush, now he is touting his taking the fight to his own party. He was slamming Obama for his lack of experience, and then selected a completely inexperienced running mate. He was criticizing Obama for running as a change agent with no plans, and has now decided that his ticket is the ticket of change and failed to present any real policy plans during the convention. He is claiming he represents change, and he picked a hard line conservative that agrees with Bush more than he does.

McBush is succeeding in convoluting this election to the point where the issues simply cannot compete with the idiocy spewing forth. I am baffled by the republicans approach, but I suppose this is where experience comes in. McCain is experienced at running an old politics as usual campaign. This leaves us all concerned with who can sling more mud, and less concerned with who will actually be better for our country.

Obama keeps using the line: McCain just doesn’t get it. The more I hear and see and read about McCain and his campaign, the more I feel that this is very true.

McCain really does not get it.

I hope America will see through these deceptive campaign strategies, and start demanding more from its presidential candidates.

Refusing to be deceived,
-LoOK

So here we are, the Democratic National Convention. We are in the second day of this post-rational (thanks Rachel Maddow) gathering of political nonsense. And all I can possibly think of is:

What did you honestly think was going to happen Clintons?

Now I know the last thing we need is more divisive talk about the Democratic Party, but seriously? Every single pundit, news anchor, elected official, and so called expert that receives airtime, is working as hard as possible to cover up the huge rift Clinton’s protracted campaign has caused.

And I see right through it. They all seem like that one socially awkward individual that tries just a little too hard to fit in. They are trying their absolute damndest to convince you and I, and the rest of the nation, that the primary has not left the party divided. There is a complete façade of everything being just peachy, and it is so completely faked. The Democratic Party is as nervous as all get out right now because of the situation the Clintons have created. Is this façade of unity really supposed to fool everyone?

Clinton’s refusal to cede the democratic nomination to Obama when it was clear that she would not gain enough delegates was detrimental. That choice has created this dismal situation. That choice has created the PUMA’s (one of the most ridiculously rabid and irrational groups since PETA). That choice has created attack ads that use Hillary’s words against her. That choice has created a situation that could conceivably break Obama’s presidency and place a permanent asterisk next to the Clinton legacy. Think about it, if Obama loses:

-We get another Bush term
-Gas prices continue to soar (off-shore drilling is not going to bring relief for at least 10 years)
-Our soldiers stay in Iraq
-We will continue to be less than respected abroad
-At least some of the blame will be placed on the failure of the Democratic Party to unify
-The Clintons’ will be seen as political leaders that refused to serve a cause greater than their own
-And I could go on for days and days and days…and well you get the idea

So what did you expect to happen Clintons? Did you honestly think that, had you wrested the nomination from Obama, things would be any different right now? Did you honestly think that the millions of people that voted for Obama would happily vote for the candidate that forced her will upon an entire nation?

I hope, for your sake, that your speeches at the DNC make reparations for the wrongs you have done. I hope your speeches prove that you are more interested in the advancement of our nation rather than the advancement of your own political careers. I hope you can set aside your egos, and fully embrace and endorse a candidate that won the primary race fair and square. I hope that you can do something to get your rabid and irrational supporters to start listening to you again. I hope you realize that you have created a monster that is so blinded; it would rather elect an out of touch republican who shares none of your beliefs or policies. I hope you realize that all of this is your doing, and if you cannot repair it…you will forever be known as the political leaders who felt so entitled to the presidency, they could not see the forest for the trees. The political leaders who could not set aside their personal egos for the greater good. The political leaders who would not serve a cause greater than their own.

For your sake, and ours…I hope that does not happen.

Don't chop down the forest,
-LoOK

To the block of voters that associate themselves with the phrase “Party Unity My Ass”:

Do you really want to do this?

Are you really ready to stand in front of the Democratic convention and talk to any camera that is in your face and denounce Senator Obama as a terrible person unfit to lead this country just because your candidate (Hillary Clinton) did not get the nomination?

Are you really going to vote for John McCain and allow this country to enter a third Bush term?

Will you please think about how your actions will turn into, and already are turning into more campaign commercials for McCain and more fuel for the Republican attack machine.

There is a great new article in the latest edition of NEWSWEEK that talks about the country and what may happen to it if Obama loses. (http://www.newsweek.com/id/155117)

It mentions the fact that America has the perfect opportunity to turn the page on one of the most ineffective Presidents and make a statement to the rest of the world that we do in fact stand for change and want to live in a better world, not just for ourselves but for our children.

Hillary Clinton lost fair and square. It was over well before she conceded. So to the PUMA movement out there, please rethink what you are doing.

Your actions will have consequences.

Remember…

The whole world is watching.

The definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior over and over again, and expecting different results.

John McCain released two attack ads against Barack Obama this weekend. One of those ads criticized him for choosing Joe Biden as his vice presidential candidate. The other ad criticized Obama for not picking Hillary Clinton as his running mate. Now, on the surface these ads seem completely different, but

BOTH ADS USE THE SAME LINE OF ATTACK!!

The Biden ad attacks Obama for choosing a running mate that was a very harsh critic. The Clinton ad attacks Obama for not choosing Hillary because she was a very harsh critic.

Congratulations Senator McBush and campaign…you have officially made me stupider again. At this rate I will have no brain cells left come November. WAIT A MINUTE…that must be your plan…kill all of intelligent America’s brain cells by election time so that we will forget why we were going to vote for a candidate courageous and intelligent enough to choose a non-lapdog as his running mate, and vote for a joker like you. Dumb down America. Ingenious, I must say.

I hope for your sake, your vice presidential nominee is not Mitt Romney. I hope for my sake, it is. The irony and sheer and utter stupidity of that choice, in light of these ads, will be so sweet, that when I taste it, I will spit it out because it will be too rich. It will be as if someone pre-packaged hypocrisy and delivered it to my doorstep with instructions that read, “Just add McCain…uh…I mean water.”

So let us recap…Obama is unfit for the presidency because he picked a running mate that will make his opinions known and not simply act as a yes man. He is unfit because his running mate criticized him as being unprepared for the job. Obama is also unfit for the presidency because he did not pick someone who leveled the exact same criticisms against him. Drink it up folks; it doesn’t get any more real than this.

I will take these McCain attack ads as a direct assault on my intellect, and you should too. Otherwise we will elect a president that will bring a third Bush term, and we aren’t insane…

Are we?

Refusing to repeat the same behavior,
-LoOK

It just happened. Our presidential candidates have officially destroyed some of our brain cells without our permission. Apparently we have been deemed too unintelligent to hear what they have to say about real issues. Apparently the only thing we can relate to is who is the bigger celebrity. McCain lowered himself so far that even Paris Hilton was able to relate, understand, and respond. Then the Obama campaign decided to jump right on that wagon for a happy little joyride. (Granted, Obama did manage to get in a dig about McCain being nothing more than a 3rd Bush term, and kudos to him for that.)

Now, is the celebrity status of our candidates really the most important issue facing the US this election year? Why should we care? Why does it matter? In all seriousness…Paris Hilton got involved!! And managed to read a teleprompter long enough to spew out an actual energy policy that made more sense than either of the celebrity ads approved by our illustrious candidates.

I really feel there is nothing more to say about this issue. The fact that Paris Hilton took the time to respond to the first celebrity ad says all that needs to be said.

Thank you presidential candidates…I am officially stupider.

Here’s to hoping we still have brain cells left after this election is over…

-LoOK