ThinkFast: September 4, 2008
ThinkFast: September 4, 2008
The U.S. unemployment rate rose to a five-year high of 6.1% in August, “heightening the risk that the economic slowdown will worsen.” “Payrolls fell by 84,000 in August, and revisions added another 58,000 to job losses for the prior two months,” while “the number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits jumped by 15,000 last week.”
According to Army officials, “suicides among active-duty soldiers this year are on pace to exceed both last year’s all-time record and, for the first time since the Vietnam War, the rate among the general U.S. population.”
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) will brief Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) on foreign policy in preparation for the vice presidential debate on Oct. 2, along with other conservative experts. Lieberman has already “helped introduce Palin to officials of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the leading pro-Israel lobby,” on Tuesday.
Pentagon leaders have “recommended to President Bush that the United States make no further troop reductions in Iraq this year.” The plan “calls for extending a pause in drawdowns until late January or early February” when up to 7,500 troops will be redeployed to Afghanistan.
On the trail: Today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) will meet with voters in Cedarburg, WI, before holding a rally in Sterling Heights, MI. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will be meeting with voters in Duryea, PA.
In August, high energy and food prices led consumers to shop at retail stores in high numbers, “leaving department stores and other sectors struggling.” “Demand for necessities helped chains such as retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. perform above expectations.”
Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) “has earned more than $75,000 in rental income from a villa he has owned in the Dominican Republic since 1988, but never reported it on his federal or state tax returns.” Rangel will “most likely file amendments to his tax returns for the years in question,” pay back taxes in New York City and state but “will probably have no federal tax liability.”
The EPA announced new emissions standards for motors that run “pleasure boats, lawn mowers and weed trimmers,” to go into effect in 2011. The Administration said the standards would “yield annual emission reductions of 600,000 tons of hydrocarbons, 130,000 tons of nitrogen oxide,…and 1.5 million tons of carbon monoxide.”
“Aid to poor nations has slumped even as higher food and energy prices and slowing global economic growth have made such assistance more urgent,” the UN reported. Aid dropped 8.4 percent last year, and though the Group of 8 nations in 2005 pledged $25 billion to Africa by 2010, “just $4 billion has actually been delivered.”
And finally: MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell was almost buried by balloons on the floor of the RNC last night. Host Keith Olbermann advised her to “flee,” and ended her segment saying she had been “reporting from the political equivalent of a Chuck E. Cheese, apparently.”
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Olbermann: Sept. 11 tribute “not appropriate”
Keith Olbermann spoke out tonight against MSNBC for airing the Republican convention’s tribute to Sept. 11, which included jarring images of the attacks. Olbermann said it was “not appropriate.”
I Finally Saw the RNC 9/11 “Tribute” and I am Crying With Rage
As a New Yorker, I thought I was already numb to the political exploitation of 9/11 but this video “tribute” enraged me to the point of actual tears. Yes, I perfectly well remember when the planes hit, when the towers fell, when we heard that the Pentagon got hit too and the next day when the smoke was still visible for miles.
And this is what we get. It is nearly 7 years later and seeing the Republicans so visibly and crassly rip open our wounds. I am just trembling and weeping with the rage of it. To remind us of our impotence as Bush took advantage of our traumatized confusion in a world gone mad only to have us wake up from a world we don’t even recognize. It might not have been a perfect world before 9/11 but 9/11 should not be an excuse for why the world needs to be the way it is now.
Tastelessly Politicizing 9/11
The term is thrown around a lot, but never has the tragedy been so viscerally exploited as it was at the RNC tonight. This “Tribute to the Victims of 9/11″ was nothing of the sort. It was a blatant use of disturbing images to sell America on John McCain. Keith Olbermann spoke for many of us in his reaction. The video below contains both the “tribute” and KO’s response. Here is the link.
KO on the 9/11 exploitation at RNC
What struck me the most was what happened. At some point, after the tribute, Keith came back on and said something as follows, “I will have to detract from my collegaues here at MSNBC. If any of you weren’t expecting that video, then I apologize. To many and myself, 9/11 has very painful memories. I lost a few friends on that day and this just hurts.” I am paraphrasing since it was so quick, I apologize. However, Keith was so sadened that he almost broke down. His voice cracked a few times as he spoke.
Is this the final night of the RNC? They have no record to run and no positive agenda. So what do they do? They run on the greatest failure of the last eight years of the Bush administration. I saw this as a crass way of scaring people to vote for them since they cannot run on the issues. They chose to politicize this event again because it worked in the past. Do they have no shame of themselves? Can they not respect the dead? I am angry at this blatant exploitation of the dead. DailyKos
The anger in the blogosphere is palpable. These are just some examples of the outrage from people. Most couldn’t believe that the Republican Party, whose goal posts are now subterranean, managed to stoop even lower and politicize the worst attack on American soil for their own gain.
My Response to That:
September 5th, 2008 at 9:03 amWhen you have no platform, you use people’s fear of the unknown. When you have no morals, you attack other’s for having a conscience. When you have no ethics left, you attack community organizers and make it sound like a dirty word. My last parting thought to Palin: Jesus Christ was a community organizer; Pontius Pilate was a governor.
McCain in a nutshell: “The Republicans are coming to save you from the Republicans.”
September 5th, 2008 at 9:07 amTP you have the wrong date up there. Today is the 5th.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:07 amTo Freedom Rebel @ 9:03 a.m.:
Thank you for your eloquence, especially My last parting thought to Palin: Jesus Christ was a community organizer; Pontius Pilate was a governor.
If it’s ok, I’ll steal for the moment Spencer’s Mom’s sign-off: peace.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:10 amGeneral Palin’s Speech Energizes Dems
The Obama campaign confirms to First Read that it has raised $8 million from more than 130,000 donors since Sarah Palin’s speech last night — and that it’s on pace to raise a total of $10 million by the time McCain speaks.
“Sarah Palin’s attacks have rallied our supporters in ways we never expected,” said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. “And we fully expect John McCain’s attacks tonight to help us make our grassroots organization even stronger.”
John McCain’s secret weapon Sarah Palin seems to have backfired on him. He under-estimated how intelligent and well informed most women are. Gloria Steinem put it this way. “So let’s be clear: The culprit is John McCain. He may have chosen Palin out of change-envy, or a belief that women can’t tell the difference between form and content, but the main motive was to please right-wing ideologues; the same ones who nixed anyone who is now or ever has been a supporter of reproductive freedom. Palin’s value to those patriarchs is clear: She opposes just about every issue that women support by a majority or plurality.”
Selecting Sarah Palin, who was touted all summer by Rush Limbaugh, is no way to attract most women, including die-hard Clinton supporters. Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Clinton. Her down-home, divisive and deceptive speech did nothing to cosmeticize a Republican convention that has more than twice as many male delegates as female, a presidential candidate who is owned and operated by the right wing and a platform that opposes pretty much everything Clinton’s candidacy stood for — and that Barack Obama’s still does. To vote in protest for McCain/Palin would be like saying, “Somebody stole my shoes, so I’ll amputate my legs.”….
The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, is reporting that the RNC raised $1 million after Palin’s speech. That has got it hurt…To bad, so sad….
September 5th, 2008 at 9:10 amThe RNC convention was the Randomized National Convention.
They presented every conceivable notion on how to govern, because they have no clue.
The part I caught on the radio was McSchizophrenic saying individuals, blah, blah.
The whole Republican meme of, society should empower individuals to better themselves for the sake of themselves even at the expense of society, can be refuted by nature.
If we look at life on earth, it started with unicellular orgnanisms. Eventually they clumped together and groupings of cells fared better in the environment so they were able to better survive, so they EVOLVED, this then gave rise to various forms of Multi-cellular organisms. This evolutionary advantage kept producing varied forms of multicellular organisms until we reach human.
For humans to now take the notion that they are better off NOT being part of the society that has concern for the weakest amongst us, is ludicrous on its face.
The unicellular organisms that now exist on its own is TOXIC to the human body, and is usually found in the form of a biological infection, viral infection or are parasitic in form.
So, here we see EXACTLY the Republican platform. They wish to foster PARACITISM on the body social. They wish to take without giving back, as they consider it their Gawd given right to exist on their own, except where they need the social fabric to exist. You know roads, water, public services, Medicare, etc, etc.
The Republicans are truly parasitic to humanity.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:10 amLieberman has already “helped introduce Palin to officials of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the leading pro-Israel lobby,” on Tuesday.
I’m wondering how Palin’s pastor’s Jews for Jesus “they get the terrorism they deserve because they’re non-believers” will play with Israel and, more specifically, Jews in America?
“Brickner talked about Jesus and his disciples were themselves Jewish and then says, “The Jewish community, in particular, has a difficult time understanding this reality,” then goes on to describe terrorist attacks on Israelis as God’s “judgment of unbelief” of Jews who haven’t embraced Christianity.”
Somehow, I don’t think this will play well in Florida.
PEACE
September 5th, 2008 at 9:12 amMaybe today the press will start covering the administration’s rabid desire — including venturing into Pakistan — to find Bin Ladin before the clock runs out on the president’s term.
seems verry scary, and Dana Perino is refusing to comment on the efforts (wish I could link; check yesterday’s press briefing at whitehouse.gov).
September 5th, 2008 at 9:12 amSo Lieberman is gonna tutor Palin on foriegn affairs. Kinda reminds me of the time a few years back in the Information Technology field, and even now, where they have the Boot Camps that drilled you on how to take the certification tests. Sure you passed but many didn’t even know squat. There were stories of certified IT folks that didn’t even know how to turn on the PC when they got a job.
That will be Palin. She may make thru the debate, but would she really know anthing?
September 5th, 2008 at 9:13 am#4 Patty Says:
To Freedom Rebel @ 9:03 a.m.:
Thank you for your eloquence, especially My last parting thought to Palin: Jesus Christ was a community organizer; Pontius Pilate was a governor.
If it’s ok, I’ll steal for the moment Spencer’s Mom’s sign-off: peace.
Good Morning Patty :) Your welcome. I myself was very upset to the point of tears. I had to say something about it.
You have a great day….
September 5th, 2008 at 9:15 amFreedom Rebel, you know I love you, but as was pointed out somewhere here yesterday, continuing the “Jesus was a community organizer” meme has the potential to backfire on Obama because it plays into the GOP’s attempt to paint him as “The Messiah”.
I know, I know, I posted it on a thread here yesterday, too, but I think that point is well taken, even it would make one hell of a bumper sticker!
PEACE
September 5th, 2008 at 9:17 amFreedom Rebel, The post with the “tribute” video says it all as to why the Republican are PARASITES on humanity.
http://www.hoffmania.com/blog/2008/09/tastelessly-pol.html
I just realized I spelled PARASITICM incorrectly above. Damn fingers.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:19 amSmoke, mirrors, hate, lies and bad memories = RNC Convention.
Did anyone else note how pissed McCain was after his speech? He shoved Cindy aside from his left to right, angrily saying something to her. But…Cindy was right. She should have been to his left so he was standing next to Palin. He continued to fume & snark at her as they went down to press palms with the masses.
Next, he went back up on stage. Cindy had to point out everyone had their back to him while mingling. He went down to the floor again, apparently looking for Palin. She was mesmerized by all the attention & apparently forgot the closing encore on stage.
Now he’s really pissed, & dismissively walked in front of his wife, showing no marital solidarity or respect.
America, this is John McCain. A hot headed old geezer who continues to think women, even his wife, should walk behind him.
His speech was robotic. He showed no leadership qualities, just the same, tired old military bravado that got this Country into an illegal invasion under the same attitude.
McTeleprompter…born to brag, not to lead.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:19 amFreedom Rebel,
‘Jesus Christ was a community organizer; Pontius Pilate was a governor.’
Is this an original, or was it gleaned from the internets? I ask because I intend to use it as much as possible and would like to give proper citation.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:22 amJeebus, I just tried watching the “9/11 Tribute’ and hand to quit after 15 seconds or so. Talk about repulsive and creepy. A little fear-mongering w/ your morning coffee, anyone? If you had any lingering doubts about the whether or not the GOOP would shamelessly try to capitalize on ANYTHING they think they can use to their advantage, you can certainly lay them to rest now.
Simply disgusting. I guess after 8 years of BotchCo running the place, they have to run on fear. They can’t point to a single, solitary success to be proud of.
But… ***drum roll***
THEY’RE FED UP… AND THEY’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!
September 5th, 2008 at 9:23 am“Senator” Joe Lieberman will brief a foreign affairs expert on foreign affairs? The hypocrisies are endless with this bevy.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:24 amThank heaven, Keith got Andrea away from those terrorist balloons.
“Help me fight!”
September 5th, 2008 at 9:24 am“Help me fight these G-d-damned ballons!”
From the Boston Globe blog (h/t TPM’s Josh Marshall)
One of the most enduring taboos in American politics, the airing of graphic images from the September 11 attacks in a partisan context, died today. It was nearly seven years old.
The informal prohibition, which had been occasionally threatened by political ads in recent years, was pronounced dead at approximately 7:40 CST, when a video aired before delegates at the Republican National Convention included slow-motion footage of a plane striking the World Trade Center, the towers’ subsequent collapse, and smoke emerging from the Pentagon.
The September 11 precedent was one of the few surviving campaign-season taboos. It is survived by direct comparisons of one’s opponents to Hitler.
Shame, thy name is McStain.
PEACE
September 5th, 2008 at 9:26 amSo Lieberman is gonna tutor Palin on foriegn affairs.
The rest of Failin’ Palin’s schedule for today:
Dick Cheney — “proper fire arms safety”
GDumbya — “fiscal conservatism in today’s weakening economy”
Condoleeeeeeeeeeeeeezza Rice — “how to find just the right shoes for you townhall outfits”
Donny RumsFailed — “known knowns; known unknowns; and unknown unknowns”
Colin Powell — “stooging for your boss”
Michael Brown/Michael Chertoff — “excellence in emergency response”
Tony SnowJob — “exit strategies”
September 5th, 2008 at 9:26 amSen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) will brief Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) on foreign policy in preparation for the vice presidential debate on Oct. 2, along with other conservative experts.
Finally, Holy Joe is getting the recognition he has earned.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:26 amSpoxLogic Says:
That will be Palin. She may make thru the debate, but would she really know anything?
___________
And what about Condi? Surely BotchCo’s own self-professed expert on Russia is tutoring Palin. Look at the shoes during the debate. If Sarah is wearing absolutely smashing shoes, we’ll know Condi was there too.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:27 amThe video of a soldier’s funeral was fake. Word is, hired actors played the part.
It’s somewhat fitting, I guess. Bush hasn’t allowed soldier’s funerals to be videotaped out of fear the public will ‘get it’.
Given the fact McCain never ‘gets it’, it was apropos to fake it, just like their faux support for disabled Vets.
Leadership cannot be fabricated. Look who’s in the WH right now.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:28 amWorld’s richest got even richer last year: report
The old saying holds true: The rich do get richer.
Even as world financial markets broke down last year, personal wealth around the world grew 5 percent to $109.5 trillion, according to a global wealth report released on Thursday by Boston Consulting Group.
It was the sixth consecutive year of expanding wealth. The fastest growth was among households in developing regions, such as China and the Gulf States and among families who were already rich.
That wealth also is increasingly concentrated among the richest.
The top 1 percent of all households owned 35 percent of the world’s wealth last year. Meanwhile, the top 0.001 percent, ultra-rich households holding at least $5 million in assets, commanded $21 trillion — a fifth of the world’s wealth.
The planet also continues to mint new millionaires rapidly. The biggest jumps in 2007 came from emerging countries in Asia and Latin America. Overall, the number of millionaire households grew 11 percent to 10.7 million last year.
BCG notes that, while the rich are still rich, they have been making some adjustments as a result of the financial crisis.
This year, assets are being shifted to more conservative investments, more money is being kept onshore in home markets and some individuals have curtailed new investment.
Yet BCG cautioned the outlook for wealth markets and the banks who serve them, is dimmed by the current financial crisis.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Worlds_richest_got_even_richer_last_0904.html
**McChange or McSame? I still think McInsane. The only class doing well during Dumbya’s administration are the extremely rich. Meanwhile, as a result of sharing our bad investments by bundling “paper” and selling our submprime crisis, internationally banks are in serious trouble. Yeah, lets all applaud (like the 37 people who were still awake at the end of McInsane’s speech last night) for grampy McInsane’s change.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:28 amThe U.S. unemployment rate rose to a five-year high of 6.1% in August, “heightening the risk that the economic slowdown will worsen.”
Wait a minute, I thought the fundamentals of our economy were strong. You know John Bush told us so. If it weren’t for that pesky problem of people being unemployed, that is.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:28 amThe U.S. unemployment rate rose to a five-year high of 6.1% in August, “heightening the risk that the economic slowdown will worsen.”
I still think 6.1% is too low, so I did some research.
there were no websites easily accessible that had a nice shart of new unemployment claims each month this year, so I had to google them individually.
According to valid news sources and the census bureau I was able to up with the following:
Approx. 154.5 million Americans over 16 work.
As of July, the unemployment rate was officially 5.7%, meaning 8.8 million people were considered unemployed.
In January, the rate was 5%. So, the official difference between Jan. 2008 and July 2008 was an additional 1,081,500 unemployed.
Yet:
January new claims = 301,000
February new claims = 451,500
March new claims = 366,000
April new claims = 380,000
May new claims = 861,000
June new claims = 439,300
July new claims = 439,000
Total new claims Jan. – July = 3,287,800.
3,287,800 > 1,081,500 by more than three times.
Sure, some of those gained employment, but they probably offset those who weren’t even eligible for unemployment.
I think we can fairly say that our unemployment rate is more like 12-13%, not 6.1%.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:28 amtom Says:
Condoleeeeeeeeeeeeeezza Rice — “how to find just the right shoes for you townhall outfits”
____________
Hehe… great minds think alike, huh?
But you spelled Condoleeeeeeeeeeeeeezza wrong, tom. You left out the “s”.
It’s “Condossssleeeeeeeeeeeeeezza”…
September 5th, 2008 at 9:29 amTo paraphrase peggy noonan, mccain’s speech and the crowd’s responses reminded one a little of Nuremburg (if hitler abused ambien).
September 5th, 2008 at 9:32 amHe went down to the floor again, apparently looking for Palin.
That’s okay, he ran into Michelle Bimbo Bachmann who was waiting there to plant a wet one on him. He mistook her for Failin’ Palin — an easy thing to do. They were both happy so it worked out well in the end.
p.s. — late addition to Failin’ Palin’s schedule:
Lindsey Graham — “safety tips when shopping for rug bargains in a hostile foreign country”
September 5th, 2008 at 9:32 amSen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) will brief Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) on foreign policy in preparation for the vice presidential debate on Oct. 2, along with other conservative experts.
Do we really want a VP who has to study up on foreign affairs to take the test (the debates). This whole Sarah Palin thing is getting really scary.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:32 amBernanke refuses to connect the falling value of the dollar to the economic downturn. No gold standard?
September 5th, 2008 at 9:33 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Wait a minute, I thought the fundamentals of our economy were strong. You know John Bush told us so. If it weren’t for that pesky problem of people being unemployed, that is.
___________
It’s just a “mental recession”, Bilbo… it’s all in our heads. It’s like this. A lib’rul looks at half a glass of water and thinks, “It’s half empty”… a GOOPer looks at the same glass… and steals it. See? It’s all in yer head. The bill is in the mail.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:34 amPentagon leaders have “recommended to President Bush that the United States make no further troop reductions in Iraq this year.”
Well what do you expect. He has to let all those contractors and war profiteers eek out as much profit as they can before Obama pulls the plug on them in January.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:34 am#11 spencers mom Says:
Freedom Rebel, you know I love you, but as was pointed out somewhere here yesterday, continuing the “Jesus was a community organizer” meme has the potential to backfire on Obama because it plays into the GOP’s attempt to paint him as “The Messiah”.
I know, I know, I posted it on a thread here yesterday, too, but I think that point is well taken, even it would make one hell of a bumper sticker!
Good Morning spencers mom :) Love you too. I’m glad to see you in the morning. I usually don’t get a chance to post on the evening threads.
I agree it would make a great bumper sticker. The reason I used that particular line is because of Palin’s & McCain’s pandering to the christian conservatives. Plus, the one thing that bothers me really bad, is how nasty Palin was on her attack against Obama over that issue. When personally, I found it commendable that he did it for three years. But that is a very good point.
Have a great day….
September 5th, 2008 at 9:34 amThat 9-11 video had the audacity to state:
“We’ll have a President who will (protect us from terrorists)”
They reduced our national tragedy to a campaign slogan. As for those terrorists declaring war. There’s a long list of countries al Qaeda is fighting. It includes:
U.S.
Britain
Israel
India
Pakistan
Iraq
Afghanistan
Somalia
Egypt (Denounced)
Jordan (Denounced)
Saudi Arabia (Denounced)
Those 11 countries have 1.8 billion people. That means each terrorist must subdue millions of citizens.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:35 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Do we really want a VP who has to study up on foreign affairs to take the test (the debates). This whole Sarah Palin thing is getting really scary.
_____________
But she’ll mop up in the swimsuit competition.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:35 amBut she’ll mop up in the swimsuit competition.
After five kids?
Ugghhh!
September 5th, 2008 at 9:37 amBut she’ll mop up in the swimsuit competition.
That may be so but I think she’s given up an chance of snagging the “Miss Congeniality” award.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:39 am#12 Alecto Says:
Freedom Rebel, The post with the “tribute” video says it all as to why the Republican are PARASITES on humanity.
http://www.hoffmania.com/ blog/ 2008/ 09/ tastelessly-pol.html
I just realized I spelled PARASITICM incorrectly above. Damn fingers.
Good Morning Alecto:) I agree. That is why I had to post that particular one. Hat Tip to Hoffman for posting that.
Republicans are a blight on the American People. Hopefully, that problem will be rectified in November.
Have a good day Alecto!!
September 5th, 2008 at 9:40 amspencers mom Says:
“Brickner talked about Jesus and his disciples were themselves Jewish and then says, “The Jewish community, in particular, has a difficult time understanding this reality,” then goes on to describe terrorist attacks on Israelis as God’s “judgment of unbelief” of Jews who haven’t embraced Christianity.”
Somehow, I don’t think this will play well in Florida.
The only way it will “play” in Florida is if the Democrats tell them. Sarah Palin’s church and angry words from it’s pastor have been totally ignored by the MSM. The things that came out of that pastors mouth are much worse than anything Wright said, and yet…crickets…..
September 5th, 2008 at 9:41 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says: Do we really want a VP who has to study up on foreign affairs to take the test (the debates). This whole Sarah Palin thing is getting really scary.
Biden will still clean her clock. That’ll be the difference between someone who knows what he’s talking about versus someone who has KKKarl Rove write her speeches and Joe Liebermen force feed her Republican foreign policy lies….
I also saw that she’s energized most Clinton supporters to get Obama elected!
September 5th, 2008 at 9:43 amWhat’s really weird here, folks, is the way this is being framed as an “Obama Vs Palin” contest at this point. McStain is still the presumptive GOOP candidate for POTUS. Have the GOOPers given up trying to run Johnny against Obama?
September 5th, 2008 at 9:43 amPrediction for the VP debate: Palin will wear her hair down, losing the bun. The ostensible excuse will be this is to feminize her, but it will also conveniently cover her ears.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:44 amI don’t know… Biden in a thong….. nevermind… I can’t even go there sarcastically without feeling queasy.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:44 amSome things are indeed better off left unsaid, raynman…
September 5th, 2008 at 9:46 amI run on a platform of integrity despite my role as one of the Keating Five.
I run against the special interests despite the number of lobbyists on my campaign payroll.
I call my running mate a reformer despite her record of soliciting earmarks.
I promise bipartisan government despite a convention featuring nonstop attacks by nearly every prior speaker.
I promise change despite literally embracing the failed policies of the incumbent Republican.
And did I mention I was a POW for five and a half years?
I am John McCain and I approve this message — because it’s all I’ve got left.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:46 am#14 deebaser Says:
Freedom Rebel,
‘Jesus Christ was a community organizer; Pontius Pilate was a governor.’
Is this an original, or was it gleaned from the internets? I ask because I intend to use it as much as possible and would like to give proper citation.
I like the site Reality-Based Community. It was sent to Michael by email yesterday.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:46 amJohn McCain’s send-off was a good war story. That’s about it.
No surprise from the Republicans: 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11
After all the damage they’ve done, and even after realizing the extent to which they’ve thinned themselves out, they believe they’re qualified to give us the History lesson. Well, thanks for the history of your failures, Republicans.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:47 amunbelievable Says:
——————————————————————————–
The U.S. unemployment rate rose to a five-year high of 6.1% in August, “heightening the risk that the economic slowdown will worsen.”
I still think 6.1% is too low, so I did some research.
**Very true. I am waiting for (hopefully) disability and am officially now unemployed. The (Christian) school I taught at for 16 years did not renew my contract — and hired a former student of mine to teach computer science (he was a MATH major) and by his own admission really doesn’t like computer ed. Anyway, I can’t file for unemployment until I hear about my disability. The adjuster told me it will probably take up to 2 more months…I guess I am going to have to join the ranks and start using credit cards for food. I hate this…
September 5th, 2008 at 9:48 amI think we can fairly say that our unemployment rate is more like 12-13%, not 6.1%.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Kapitalism requires a pool of unemployed workers to enforce the “discipline” of job insecurity upon those who have jobs. Unemployment is deliberately demeaning and humiliating because if it weren’t there’d be no reason to remain ‘employed’ in ‘willing’ servitude to the fascist cock-suckers who own the whole damned country. Making ‘unemployment’ as unbearable as possible is also a reason why the biggest corporations continue to oppose universal health care, since if you didn’t have to worry about your company health insurance, the cock-sucker Bosses would lose that lever to compel their workers to accept lower wages (if they don’t rise against the cost of living, then it’s effectively a pay cut), worse conditions, more intrusions, and less autonomy.
St. Barry the Tan does NOT threaten these arrangements, and McShitstain actively promotes ‘em…Some choice, eh?
September 5th, 2008 at 9:50 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says: Have the GOOPers given up trying to run Johnny against Obama?
Obama beats McCain, even without Bob Barr. I think they are so desperate now that they are trying to use Palin vs. Obama to see if anything changes. And it has. Obama beats Palin MORE than he beats McCain, and Obama-Biden beat McCain-Palin in a landslide.
Unless they steal this one too, it’s over for the Republicans this year.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:50 amThe Repugnicants are using Palin as a leech on Obama. Every time her inexperience is brought up, their red talking heads shift to Obama’s.
They’re purposefully saying Palin = Obama. What happens when her past personal life blows her out of the water? How would that damage Obama by association?
The Repugs are desperate, as evidenced by the tasteless 9-11 video last night. America’s political pep rallies already look fake to the rest of the world. We remain a country governed by junior high like representatives. Last night’s event only lowered the bar further…
September 5th, 2008 at 9:55 am“Biden will still clean her clock. That’ll be the difference between someone who knows what he’s talking about versus someone who has KKKarl Rove write her speeches and Joe Liebermen force feed her Republican foreign policy lies….
I also saw that she’s energized most Clinton supporters to get Obama elected!
September 5th, 2008 at 9:43 am”
No he won’t. He’ll be decorous, polite, and obsequious. He won’t/can’t take the chance that he’ll be accused of ‘bullying’ her…He won’t disturb her make-up. And she’ll get the same free-pass the so-called “press” always accords their favorites.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:55 amAnd the beat goes on Says: **Very true. I am waiting for (hopefully) disability and am officially now unemployed. The (Christian) school I taught at for 16 years did not renew my contract — and hired a former student of mine to teach computer science (he was a MATH major) and by his own admission really doesn’t like computer ed. Anyway, I can’t file for unemployment until I hear about my disability. The adjuster told me it will probably take up to 2 more months…I guess I am going to have to join the ranks and start using credit cards for food. I hate this…
I am sooooo sorry to hear that.
The Republicans have been such a bad role model for leadership that employers have not only been cutting jobs, but are taking advantage of those they do employ with crappy wages, crappy hours, and crappy benefits. I’d say that makes millions more of Americans under-employed.
If Obama doesn’t win in November, I will be relocating to Canada in the near future.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:55 amunbelievable Says:
Unless they steal this one too, it’s over for the Republicans this year.
___________
Well, Shi’ite… I’d like to think it’s over for the next decade, at least…
September 5th, 2008 at 9:57 amWhat about the 1.85 million medical bankruptcies in a year, reps? What are you going to do about that?
Oh — make bankruptcy even tougher to file, I get it. That way the numbers look better on paper, and those who tend to look the other way can draw from such “improved” figures that people are doing well financially, when, in fact, they are being saddled with debt they’re unable to have discharged.
The older population is going to explode, repubs, and few will be able to afford “free market” rates. So either you get your act together or watch your industry implode.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:58 amf Obama doesn’t win in November, I will be relocating to Canada in the near future.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:55 am
if you can go, go anyway, no matter who is the ostensible winner. Cuz it’s not really gonna make much difference, especially in the short run…
Btw: Good morrow, all
September 5th, 2008 at 9:59 amtokin librul Says: No he won’t. He’ll be decorous, polite, and obsequious. He won’t/can’t take the chance that he’ll be accused of ‘bullying’ her…He won’t disturb her make-up. And she’ll get the same free-pass the so-called “press” always accords their favorites.
You can win a debate without being a bully. You just state the facts after your opponent mistates them, without making it personal.
On second thought, Sarah Palin may end up cleaning her own clock…
September 5th, 2008 at 10:00 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Wait a minute, I thought the fundamentals of our economy were strong. You know John Bush told us so. If it weren’t for that pesky problem of people being unemployed, that is.
___________
It’s just a “mental recession”, Bilbo… it’s all in our heads. It’s like this. A lib’rul looks at half a glass of water and thinks, “It’s half empty”… a GOOPer looks at the same glass… and steals it. See? It’s all in yer head. The bill is in the mail.
STOP THE “WHINING”!!!!!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:00 am#48 And the beat goes on Says:
**Very true. I am waiting for (hopefully) disability and am officially now unemployed. The (Christian) school I taught at for 16 years did not renew my contract — and hired a former student of mine to teach computer science (he was a MATH major) and by his own admission really doesn’t like computer ed. Anyway, I can’t file for unemployment until I hear about my disability. The adjuster told me it will probably take up to 2 more months…I guess I am going to have to join the ranks and start using credit cards for food. I hate this…
Good Morning and the beat goes on :) That is really rotten they didn’t renew your contract. I’m sorry to hear you have to wait for disability. They did the same thing to one of my high-school friends who went into Nurses-Aide almost an LPN position. She is small and messed up three discs in her back from moving patients without help. (They were suppose to help her when it came to moving patients to different beds, but didn’t) You are in my thoughts, I hope the disability comes through soon for you…
September 5th, 2008 at 10:05 amunbelievable Says:
——————————————————————————–
If Obama doesn’t win in November, I will be relocating to Canada in the near future.
**I wish I could. My friends have actually discussed setting up a home site on some property they own in the Sierra foothills. I will be there if it gets that far. Dear God, I feel like a survivalist but I suspect that’s what living under McInsane will be all about. By the way, we are all middle-aged, middle class liberals, not wild eyed paranoids.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:05 amstateofthedivision Says:
They’re purposefully saying Palin = Obama.
____________
That’s EXACTLY what they’re trying to do. At the very least, it diminishes Obama by equating him w/ their VEEP candidate, as opposed to comparing him to their POTUS candidate, a comparision they’ve been losing on for weeks.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:06 amThe first night, the RNC fakes its soldier’s funeral video – it was all staged, all employed actors, all designed to show the sanitized version of a military funeral, because to show real video of an actual funeral would be too emotionally stressful at a party-hat convention.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:07 amThen to top it all off, on the last night, the RNC uses footage of the worst tragedy to strike America, 9/11/01, as a political tool.
It’s true — they have no shame, no respect, no moral code, no integrity — for them, all’s fair in political elections.
Did they really call it a “tribute to 9/11?” One definition of the word tribute I found was: “an acknowlegement of gratitude, respect or admiration, an accompanying gift, a payment made by one nation to another in submission; extortion; protection money.” Gratitude to whom? The attackers? Could be, George got to be a war president and his his approval rating soared to 90%. Or was the respect and admiration to Saudi Arabia for providing the manpower? September 11 as I remember happened on George W. Bush’s watch and they twist the day to make it a good thing for them. Republicans are a totally and completely despicable bunch and might I just add – stupid.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:07 amAnd the beat goes on Says: By the way, we are all middle-aged, middle class liberals, not wild eyed paranoids.
Me too. And I don’t want to grow older/old in McCain’s America, where medicare and social security will be privitized by the same type of greedy corporate pigs who brought us our current health care crisis.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:09 amLieberman has already “helped introduce Palin to officials of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the leading pro-Israel lobby,” on Tuesday.
Does this woman really need any help being a militaristic, fascistic, war monger?
September 5th, 2008 at 10:13 amFreedom Rebel Says:
Most couldn’t believe that the Republican Party, whose goal posts are now subterranean, managed to stoop even lower and politicize the worst attack on American soil for their own gain.
They’ve been politicizing it since day one….
Good morning Freb. How are you today?
September 5th, 2008 at 10:15 am#55 McWars Says:
What about the 1.85 million medical bankruptcies in a year, reps? What are you going to do about that?
Good Morning McWars :) I heard the other day a very alarming statistic that 7,000 homes a day are being repossessed. When you multiply that by 30 days in a month it becomes a staggering 210,000 homes. That is the population of three average size communities in Ohio. That is a monumental figure. Part of those I’m sure have to do with all the medical bankruptcies we are seeing also.
There is no relief for the average american worker on any homefront. They have to hope that, they never have a serious illness, they never get a cut in pay (which is happening everywhere already), and that their children stay completely healthy til they are out on their own. A truly sad reality for far too many people. A broken system that has needed fixing for a very long time.
Good to see you as always :)
September 5th, 2008 at 10:16 amSen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) will brief Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) on foreign policy in preparation for the vice presidential debate on Oct. 2, along with other conservative experts. Lieberman has already “helped introduce Palin to officials of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the leading pro-Israel lobby,” on Tuesday.
Does this wrinkly old dooshbag care about what happens here in the good ol’ U.S. of A.?
September 5th, 2008 at 10:18 amGood morning FR!!! ;-) As usual, thanks for your thoughts and posts. Yeah, my “offer” was half days, hourly for an unspecified amout of pay. Oh, and my additional duties (onsite tech–I set up and networked and supported the entire school for half my time) would continue BUT THEY COULDN’T PAY ME. He buy me lunch once in a while. Let me think about that–do you think I am f’ing CRAZY??? I have discovered that this is not uncommon in CHRISTIAN school. They assume they can treat people this way and expect their employees to feel guilty and agree. BTW, shortly after this the church’s stewardship committee called and wanted to meet with me about tithing. For the first time in my life (I have been a life-long Lutheran) I told them to take my name off church membership. Sorry for the rant but I am still pissed off and very hurt by all this. I do have to say, though, I was one of the few Lutherans on staff. Most are fundamentalists. Yeah, I SURVIVED 16 years of working with rabid fundamentalists!!! I deserve disability for that!!!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:19 am#66 Exit Stage Left Says:
Freedom Rebel Says:
Most couldn’t believe that the Republican Party, whose goal posts are now subterranean, managed to stoop even lower and politicize the worst attack on American soil for their own gain.
They’ve been politicizing it since day one….
Good morning Freb. How are you today?
Missing you ESL :) How is everything going down there? In your part of the state did you feel any affects from the Hurricane?
I doing fine and raising a little hell…
September 5th, 2008 at 10:22 amRe: Unemployment Have to tell you friend of mine has small business, office work, parttime during summer, well employees were asked to set their own hours, less than 30 hours a week,paid $400.00. She can’t even get the employees to come in on the hours the employee set ! This was a management type position.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:27 amWhat is happening that people would rather sit at home than learn and earn ?
Freedom Rebel Says:
Missing you ESL :) How is everything going down there? In your part of the state did you feel any affects from the Hurricane?
Awww. Thanks Freb….I’ve missed you too. I finally have both the time and the energy to catch up here at TP.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:29 am#69 And the beat goes on Says:
Let me think about that–do you think I am f’ing CRAZY??? I have discovered that this is not uncommon in CHRISTIAN school. They assume they can treat people this way and expect their employees to feel guilty and agree. BTW, shortly after this the church’s stewardship committee called and wanted to meet with me about tithing. For the first time in my life (I have been a life-long Lutheran) I told them to take my name off church membership. Sorry for the rant but I am still pissed off and very hurt by all this. I do have to say, though, I was one of the few Lutherans on staff. Most are fundamentalists. Yeah, I SURVIVED 16 years of working with rabid fundamentalists!!! I deserve disability for that!!!
You have a right to vent. I would also. I agree you definitely derserve disability after 16 years of that. Have a great day :)
September 5th, 2008 at 10:30 amOnly one thing touching last night, and that was the montage of Cindy McCain’s humanitarian work. Domestically, however, she comes across as extremely out of touch — Vanity Fair has the earrings she wore at the convention pegged at $290,000 — and carries this notion that random acts of kindness w/o federal intervention will be enough to pull this society, this economy out of the doldrums.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:30 amFreedom Rebel Says:
In your part of the state did you feel any affects from the Hurricane?
I’m inland near Orlando. We’ve gotten tons of rain the last month or so, but nothing more. Although this Ike dude could be a problem if it stays on the current (as of last night) path.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:31 am#72 Exit Stage Left Says:
Freedom Rebel Says:
Missing you ESL :) How is everything going down there? In your part of the state did you feel any affects from the Hurricane?
Awww. Thanks Freb….I’ve missed you too. I finally have both the time and the energy to catch up here at TP.
See you also at the Zoo :) They made me an Official Critter, I’m very honored. What a fantastic group of people…
September 5th, 2008 at 10:33 amOf course. They wanted to pay tribute to the one event that opened the door for the PNAC agenda to be implemented, a failed president to maneuver for a second failed term, and a whole generation of boogiemen to be conjured up to nourish the Right-wing Fear Machine.
I’d say they have lot to be grateful for.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:42 amFreedom Rebel Says:
I heard the other day a very alarming statistic that 7,000 homes a day are being repossessed. When you multiply that by 30 days in a month it becomes a staggering 210,000 homes. That is the population of three average size communities in Ohio.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:16 am
_________
And since the subprime mortgage crisis disproportionately affected African-Americans and Latinos, we can bet that these average size communities in Ohio are largely African-American and Latino communities. And since they’re losing their home addresses, these African-Americans and Latinos will no longer be eligible to vote.
And that’s why John McCain has already won the election.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:43 amFreedom Rebel Says:
#55 McWars Says:
Good Morning McWars :) I heard the other day a very alarming statistic that 7,000 homes a day are being repossessed. When you multiply that by 30 days in a month it becomes a staggering 210,000 homes. That is the population of three average size communities in Ohio. That is a monumental figure. Part of those I’m sure have to do with all the medical bankruptcies we are seeing also.
There is no relief for the average american worker on any homefront. They have to hope that, they never have a serious illness, they never get a cut in pay (which is happening everywhere already), and that their children stay completely healthy til they are out on their own. A truly sad reality for far too many people. A broken system that has needed fixing for a very long time.
Good to see you as always :)
September 5th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Thanks so much for all you do, Freb. Good morning.
That is where all of those community organizers come into the fray — all of them scrambling to keep people in their homes and food on their tables. Nobody can actually win with the reich-wing; they give the illusion of being challenging with their catch-22 mindset toward their opponents as way to make themselves look important, when they’re stubborn and ignorant – and nothing more. This is recently exemplified when they say they don’t want the government intervening in national affairs but knock on non-governmental organizations (i.e., community organizers).
During a hot economy, the rich get richer. During a slumping economy, the rich get richer. This is a terrible precedent in our country, and we cannot survive much longer at this rate. I thought we were supposed to rise and fall together as a nation. They have the system rigged to their benefit at all times as the rest suffer in so many different ways.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:44 ami made it through mcGRAMPY’s speech last night till 10 – when the DAILY SHOW came on…
would like to see the described post speech hissy fit…
September 5th, 2008 at 10:49 amanyone have a link? preferably just that ending…
I keep asking myself whether a restoration to the 90% tax rate for the wealthiest would work the same way it did when all of those anti-tax nuts were growing up.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:49 amtom Says:
p.s. — late addition to Failin’ Palin’s schedule:
Lindsey Graham — “safety tips when shopping for rug bargains in a hostile foreign country”
Followed by: Lindsay Graham’s closet decorating tips.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:51 amFreedom Rebel Says:
See you also at the Zoo :) They made me an Official Critter, I’m very honored. What a fantastic group of people…
I’m just an unofficial wallflower there ;)
September 5th, 2008 at 11:13 amAccording to Army officials, “suicides among active-duty soldiers this year are on pace to exceed both last year’s all-time record and, for the first time since the Vietnam War, the rate among the general U.S. population.”
_________________________________________________________
…but…but…but they’re VOLUNTEERS! They WANT to be where they are, doing what they’re doing — don’t they?
I believe this is the meme put forth ad nauseum by the war apologists. I haven’t heard a single one of them voice any concern about suicides, PTSD, or other mental injuries caused by the war to these “volunteers”.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:14 amwould like to see the described post speech hissy fit…
anyone have a link? preferably just that ending…
Katy, he looked like he was barely holding it together as he wandered around shaking hands. A forced smile would appear every now and then. The CSPAN video link does not include his post speech crowd interaction. Darn, I wanted to see if that was Rev. Moon he shook hands with…
September 5th, 2008 at 11:19 amSpeaking of unemployment numbers. Back in July I recall listening to Thomm Hartman on Air America Radio and he quoted the name of a conservative economist (name since forgotten)
September 5th, 2008 at 11:25 amwho stated that nation wide he believed that unemploymemt was between 9-12% and inflation between 7-10%. Take those figures and fast forward them to September and I’m sure one could safely say that unemployment is between 11-14% and inflation has risen to 9-12%. Our government is very good at manipulating the true numbers and hiding reality from we the people.
Country first in republican speak = Corporations first.
Prosperity in republican speak = Tax breaks for the wealthy and continues corporate socialism.
Security in republican speak = More draconian laws, continued dismantling of the constitution, more data mining and surveillance of American citizens. Perpetual war.
Freedom in republican speak = More deregulation. Government telling women what they can or cannot do with their bodies.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:31 amIraq and Afgan vets rate them very low. Only 4 republicans receive a c grade, all other republicans including mccain receive a d or below. All democratic senators received a B or above. Why is this not common knowledge?
September 5th, 2008 at 11:33 am#78 hussein toasterhead Says:
And since the subprime mortgage crisis disproportionately affected African-Americans and Latinos, we can bet that these average size communities in Ohio are largely African-American and Latino communities. And since they’re losing their home addresses, these African-Americans and Latinos will no longer be eligible to vote.
And that’s why John McCain has already won the election.
Good to see you HT :) Good Point… That is very true, especially who was affect most by this Sub-Prime Fiasco. The 7,000 though was nation-wide, my bad that I didn’t say that. But I was using that number to represent what that would look like in Ohio. We have seriously been hit hard here though. I’m not sure what Ohio’s stats are.
I’m very saddened that so many people have lost not only their main asset but a place that they called home. Which is irreplaceable.
I’m looking for such a landslide victory for Obama, so that the Republicans can’t claim they won the election. Even in the event of cheating. I know I am being optimistic on this. I think there will be a cry across the nation if it goes to McCain. I don’t believe that Obama would not challenge the results. And rightly so. But I understand exactly why you feel that way. The FBI has alot of work to do in Ohio cleaning up the Republican Criminals in the county governments. They have a good start so far with the raid in Cleveland. I know of a couple other counties that need to have officials arrested.
Have a good day hussein toasterhead!!
September 5th, 2008 at 12:12 pmLieberman has already “helped introduce Palin to officials of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the leading pro-Israel lobby,” on Tuesday.
Well whadya know the anti-American Lieberman is giving her lessons on (a) state terrorism as practiced by the zionist entity and (b) how the lecherous zionist entity has kidnapped american foreign policy to the detriment of american citizens
September 5th, 2008 at 12:36 pmUncle Fester Lurks Says:
Country first in republican speak = Corporations first.
and satirev -
randi surmised yesterday and i agree, that it’s all about alaska keeping the oil money all to itself, not having to share with the rest of the country… greed.
also, uncle, i’m guessing the economist on thom hartmann was Ravi Batra – http://airamerica.com/thomhartmannpage/node/86
i like to take notes when he’s on…
September 5th, 2008 at 12:42 pmhttp://www.ravibatra.com/
God help me, but I LOATHE these despicable monsters!!
September 5th, 2008 at 1:52 pmWell at least the RNC/McCain organizers didn’t run their tasteless “9/11 Tribute” with a split screen of President George W. Bush reading My Pet Goat.
Oh, wait, that would have never happened.
The RNC/McCain organizers only grudgingly gave Bush, the worst U.S. president ever, eight minutes early in the week and spent the rest of the time trying to sweep Bush under the carpet, designating Bush as He Who Must Not Be Named…which he wasn’t…except sparingly…very, very sparingly…otherwise, VolderBush would have heard and probably wanted to show up at the RNC, in person. Nooooooooooo, the RNC/McCain organizers shuddered.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:17 pm