Friday, October 31, 2008

Have a Spooktacular Halloween

Be nice to the little ones tonight and provide them with candy. I hate the snot-nosed adolescents who come to the door without even wearing a costume. They say something they think is spry or witty, and I feel like slamming the door in their faces. I've buckled but haven't failed to ask, "Where's your costume?" If they really irritate me, I might say something like, "I see your dressed as a bumkin this year."

Here's a video of a band whose sound I dig but singer's voice can go. Like what Trent Reznor does before his shows, this has a little, let's just say, human masochism (probably spelled wrong) to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeZdIbIVZUg

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

One of my weaknesses and should Barack Obama use a 30 minute ad space for many networks tonight?

I have a soft spot for babies and domestic pets. Yes, every now and then, you get a runt or vicious one through its DNA -- i.e. Dobermans. They don't know how to create weapons of mass destruction. They're not Conservatives, although Bruce the Brawlin' Cat with his persistent kills on insects might be an exception. Many just provide you with unconditional love. People I loathe the most are those who are harmful or neglectful to children and animals. This is why I can't watch "Animal Precinct" on Animal Planet. Here is an amazing account of a dog who sacrificed himself in a life or death situation:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=10401517

The Conservative idealogy is an open book to me with its premise on one theme -- fear. So, Barack will speak tonight and more than likely, he'll hit it out of the park like he has done time and time again to this point. I can just predict how Conservatives will react before he even begins: "Oh, he thinks he's already won the election. Folks, he is ready to run a Socialist government. The financial mess we're in can all be attributed to the outrageous spending in Washington by Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid."

I saw a bumper sticker yesterday and just wanted to bash this car in with a sledgehammer. It read the following: Vote American. Vote McCain and Palin. I just posted a few entries ago what Keith Olbermann echoed about this you're pro-American or anti-American crap. I think this is the most unintelligible, backward-thinking mentality one can use for supporting two candidates over the other. I'll guarantee you these people can't engage in a debate over real issues.

The Obama ad tonight might be perceived as arrogant. Hey, I've got a show on, why the hell is he taking time away from my show? I'm just telling you now how the seemingly average goober out there thinks. Hopefully, people will come to their senses this time.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Don't be surprised for the first time in more than a century if people become hostile after the election. We live in a very divided country and must accept that. So, don't be surprised if nutcases begin coming out in droves.

On a much lighter note, I don't know why this song came to me today. It's off a great soundtrack, Tank Girl, and for some reason, it's my favorite off it. Here's the song for your listening pleasure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh63sh26E64


Monday, October 27, 2008

The end could be near for fulfilling a lifelong dream and Hardcore 'Hard Candy'

I tend to write my best when everything around me seems to be at its worst. This is one of those times. For seven years, I've abandoned a story I began writing. This was how long Robin and I dated before a string of breakups and inabilities to accept each other's flaws outweighed our commonalities. As usual, my adrenaline hit warp speed yesterday.

A new conclusion to this story came out of nowhere just like everything else that had been previously written. It's a laborious process at times. There are some days when ideas and words just easily flow, while there are others that test my patience. On a few occasions, I would stare at a blank screen for an hour or so. Suddenly, ideas began seeping into my collective conciousness. It's similar to an artist; you have a canvas in front of you and words fill the pages like the lines and figures on a painting.

Sure, it would be great if this reached a mass audience. Reality says it's highly unlikely. The publishing industry is a very precarious one. You either select a house that is small, or a large one that demands high sales in a very short time span. Here is a brief synopsis of my attempt to avoid literary snobbery and just present a story that people might find interesting. You can tell me if it doesn't float your boat. I'm long past the days when I used to get easily offended.

This is an existential story about two young adults journeying on roads for self-discovery and acceptance. Johnny McManus, a college student and full-time warehouse employee, is tired of his monotanous life and alienation. He has no friends in a new town he lives in and decides to finally risk taking a chance at becoming a full-time musician. Chasity Adams, a straight 'A' high school senior, continues to endure day to day ridicule by her peers. As a young woman who survives a brutal rape, she just wants to escape and photograph the struggles others face when looking through her lens. Her older sister is well liked and has a boyfriend Chasity has a crush on. He expresses no interest in Chasity, so she feels there's nothing left for her in this town. Johnny and Chasity embark on their journey to Los Angeles.

This story chronicles the lives of Chasity and Johnny through their eyes and memories. They also find a shangri-la while working to establish their desired careers. It's a place where all their fears and anxieties subside. Surrealism and what is perceived as fantasy coexist. Will they find acceptance from others through their works or retreat to a place that seemingly offers infinite bliss?

Ellen Page delivers a powerful acting performance

I flipped through the channels Friday afternoon after getting off work. By this point, I'm tired of hearing pundits on the news forecast what will happen next week for the all important Presidential and Congressional elections. I turned on FearNet and saw a movie starring Ellen Page (star of Juno). Now, I know why she was cast for her critically acclaimed role in Juno. The character she portrays in this movie is much more intense, mirroring the story written for Hard Candy.

Hard Candy is a film about a highly intelligent, mature beyond her years teenager played by Page and a 30s-something photographer. The two of them have exchanged dialogues on an online chatroom and agree to finally meet each other. After they meet, get ready for an extremely intense psychological thriller. I recommend you don't eat anything while watching this. Personally, I thought Page's role in this film was much harder to pull off than the character she played in Juno. There are plenty of twists and turns this film will take you on.

Whenever I or someone else writes online, I have to be honest with myself and say it's done for self-centered reasons. There is this voyeuristic nature to it. Who is this person who has this blog, "Puritan Peddlers?" He could be some wacko. People spend a lot of time on the internet nowadays for various reasons. Unfortunately, some use it as a complete escape from their everyday lives. Many marriages end when a spouse is found to have an addiction to pornography or just wants to spend countless hours playing online games like "World of Warcraft." I admit I spend a few hours each Sunday playing Madden 'o9 on the Playstation 3 at my friend's house. But, I use the internet mainly to read up on my favorite blogs: crooksandliars, Thomas', and Stephanie's. I also like to catch up on latest sports news. Here is something interesting I found from a professor at Kansas State University. It's where my godfather, my dad's college roommate and best friend, and writer of a book on the history of baseball works as Vice President of the Registrar's Office. I know, it's that place on campus that always screws with your schedule. This professor has offered some unique and engaging points-of-view on the power of modern technology and its overwhelming effects it has on today's society. Tell me what you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o

Friday, October 24, 2008

This is what rational Americans are up against

Keith Olbermann delivered another engaging, well-thought commentary a few days ago on the McCain's campaign series of divisiveness. They've said at small towns that they don't see anywhere else where there are more patriotic Americans. Olbermann rips this mentality and Rush Limbaugh's ridiculous charges that Colin Powell's decision to endorse Obama was one of race. There are also a few more he rightfully counterattacks on issues that play little to no relevance in the real challenges we confront today. Here is Olbermann's special comment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGd5-d8dk_0&feature=related

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Is Sarah Palin dumber than a 3rd Grader

Sarah Palin is a woman who suburban middle-aged married women could invite over for a cup of tea and cookies. Her perky, fiery energy would liven up your average living room. They could all talk about how their kids are doing in school, clothes you can buy for the kids, what drapes would look best in a wing of the house, etc. She's also a great candidate for a reality T.V. show. When it comes to the thought she could be our next President, you would see a mass exodus.

Yesterday, she was interviewed by a producer on CNN. She was asked a question by a third grader: What does a Vice President do? She started her answer off well by saying the vice president is there to support the President's agenda. Then, she switched gears and said she would preside over the Senate. No, you wouldn't. It's illegal for one, and second, you're only there if there's a 50-50 split on a bill.

This whole talk of socialism is a joke. Even Colin Powell understands how taxation works. When you redistribute wealth which happens under every administration, that's not socialism. Socialism is any program or industry that is government controlled that we pay for -- public schools, police and fire departments, postal service, libraries, and 401K programs. So, McCain and Palin don't even understand what socialism means. Their message changes each day with this baffoon Joe the Plumber as an emerging American hero who is dumber than a box of rocks, Bill Ayers and linking Obama as a terrorist, race, lying that he will raise EVERYONE's taxes, etc. If this country elects McCain and Palin, it's mentally handicapped. I already said this back in 2004, but I forgive those at that time since conditions weren't nearly as bad as they are now.

Monday, October 20, 2008

The 'Joe the Plumber' I know, why he's referred to as 'Just Joe,' and Congrats to The Tampa Bay Rays

Yes, there is another Joe the Plumber out there. Shocker. Picture Chunk from one of my favorite '80s movies, The Goonies, and you get Joe. Sometimes, he'll do a spit take, because he talks so fast. It's a mouth moving with words coming out at warp speed.

Like the Joe the Plumber from Toledo, OH, bless his heart, he means well but just throws information out there at times. I visited Joe and his wife with my then-girlfriend a few months ago in Helen, Ga. At one point, Joe was just wrong about a point he addressed.

"Military cooks don't have to know how to use a gun when they go over to Iraq. I know a guy back in Augusta who just came back who told me that."

"Joe, they all have to successfully get through basic training. All of them have to prove they can proficiently use a gun," I retorted.

"No, they don't. Man, I'll prove it to you and call him right now. He'll tell you the same thing."

"Then, he's lying to you, Joe."

"Joe, if they come under fire, they're expected to defend themselves," my then-girlfriend added. Like Joe, she's also a military brat who lived in Germany.

I first met Joe 14 years ago, a year after I moved to Augusta. We worked together when I got my first job at Burger King. It was fun. We threw food at each other, took whoppers out of our bin, ate them behind the broiler or freezer, talked to customers on our headsets after sucking down some helium, and enjoyed working around some unique individuals. I quickly learned Joe liked to exagerrate for gaining acceptance. This was either a low self-esteem problem or lack of attention he felt he was receiving.

There was another time when another friend of ours joined us. Joe said his uncle worked at NASA and said the film Independence Day is close to the truth. He added his uncle works in a facility that houses alien lifeforms. Wow. A few minutes later, he said his uncle helped design the Nintendo game system. Oh, boy.

"Is this the same uncle who worked at NASA?"

"Yeah."

"Those are two different trades, Joe."

"O.k. So, my uncle doesn't work for NASA, but he did help program some of the games for Nintendo."

So, it went from his uncle working around aliens to creating Nintendo to helping design a few of the games. Joe is still a good friend today. Like the other Joe, he didn't have a license for a long time. He finally got it over a year ago and does make good money working near Atlanta. Albeit his tendencies to stretch the truth, he's a good guy with a great sense of humor and hard worker.

'Just Joe'

My friend and I conjured up the nickname Just Joe every time I've spoken to Joe. A former World Wrestling Entertainment character was dubbed Just Joe. His role wasn't really one of grappling in the ring but one that spread outrageous false rumors about a wrestler backstage. The rumors eventually were discovered by that wrestler and naturally his veins were about to burst. Just Joe would meet this wrestler and say, "Whoa. Don't shoot the messenger. This is just what I've heard from (any name can apply here)." So, Joe really personifies this WWE character. He's just the messenger who doesn't know better when he brings up some outrageous story and additionally, addresses a current or historical topic he is ill-informed on.

I've had serious talks with Joe after catching him tongue-tied at times in these fabrications. Each time, I tell him he doesn't have to say these things to impress me or anyone else. That's not why I'm friends with him. Unfortunately, old habits for some don't die.

Hard to swallow but Congrats to The Tampa Bay Rays

I wouldn't be writing this if my Boston Red Sox lost to The New York Yankees. The Sox lost a hard fought game last night that featured outstanding pitching and opportunities squandered. This Rays' team is resilient and appeared to be ready to pack it in. However, they seized upon the few opportunities given to them. This proved to be the difference.

The Rays are a team that just goes out and plays each day. Their manager stresses to his team they treat a playoff game just like a regular season one. His low-key, optimistic treatment of his players is reflective in their performances. They're great athletes who appear to be a contender for years to come. And what does America love the most -- an underdog. This has been the ultimate underdog story. Since 1976, the inception of free agency, this team has the lowest payroll of any other to make it to the World Series. I love what their manager said on how his team approaches overcoming adversity: "We seem to be at our best when everything seems to be at its worse."

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Red Sox fan est. 2002

This is a tribute to the many great memories I have watching the Red Sox throughout their disappointing and triumphant seasons. I commend John Henry, Larry Lucchino, Tom Werner, and Theo Epstein for their outstanding business model. The organization has placed solar panels around the park and recycable waste bags inside to optimize its efforts for enviroment conservation. Most importantly, they host countless charities everywhere and stay involved with local schools. Kids have that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be introduced before the first pitch.

NESN, the area's designated Boston Red Sox T.V. channel, selects a kid to call out the starting lineups before games. Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy are a gas. I never thought I'd say in all my years they could call games better than Harry Carey and Steve Stone for the Cubs (my team growing up). Here's a sample of an exchange, not word for word, but darn close:

Remy: Don, have you ever had an operation?

Don: I've had my wisdom teeth taken out, does that count?

Remy: I was in the hospital the other day. You know how they give you these gowns to put on.

Don: I do.

Remy: Well, I wasn't sure how to put it on. I walked out of my room and a woman started screaming.

Don: Oh, no. Did you put it on backwards?

Remy: Yeah. I realized my whole front side was exposed.

I'm back on speaking terms with Robin. When living in Newport, R.I. where her father was stationed at one time, he took his mother to a Red Sox game. His mother sat in the stands knitting. She began carrying on a conversation with another elderly woman. They shared cooking recipes. At the end of the game, her father asked who it was her mother was talking to. It was MRS. YAWKEY, wife of founder and owner Mr. Yawkey. She said it in a very matter-of-fact way and continued by saying she was a very nice woman.

He went back to the stadium a short time later for another game with his son. Mrs. Yawkey asked him where his mother was. He said she went back home to Texas and Mrs. Yawkey seemed disappointed but thanked him for his mother's recipes.

I haven't had to wait 86 years for a championship like those living in New England. Yes, Robin turned me into a diehard fan. My favorite experience was sitting on top of the Red Sox dugout at Turner Field in Atlanta back in 2002. I was speechless when then player Brian Daubach decided to talk to some of the Red Sox faithful after the game. Despite what happens tonight, I love the Red Sox, but like the question posed to Jimmy Fallon's character in Fever Pitch, "Have the Red Sox ever loved you back?" Yes. They've provided the life lesson that when you fall down, you get back up. Here's my favorite fan tribute video to the 2004 World Series championship team. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUpuectC8ls

Friday, October 17, 2008

The Boston Red Sox' unbearable darkness and lightness

On October 17, 2003, at 12:16 a.m., New York Yankees' pinch-hitter, Aaron "Fucking" Boone, hit a walk-off home-run off Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield for an American League penant, adding to the Red Sox' long history of season-ending misfortunes. Flash forward five years later to 12:16 a.m. J.D. Drew hit a line drive over Tampa Bay Rays' outfielder Gabe Gross to drive home Kevin Youkilis and lead the Red Sox to an 8-7 win.

This was the second greatest comeback in postseason history. The script appeared to be the same at Fenway Park as the previous two games. Tampa's B.J. Upton hits a two-run homer in the first inning, and they continued piling on from there, while the Red Sox' hitting continued to struggle. Down 7-0 in the bottom of the 7th inning, fans began making their way to the exits and for good reason. Suddenly, the Red Sox' bats came to life. Coco Crisp was able to finally drive home a run. Then, David Ortiz proved why he's still one of the great clutch hitters in postseason history, driving a three-run homer deep into the right field stands. There was hope the rest of the way with the score 7-4 heading into the eighth inning.

We know the recent history of Boston's fortunes. Down 3-0 to the Yankees, the Red Sox staged the greatest comeback in sports history and won the 2004 World Series. In 2007, they were written off again, trailing the Cleveland Indians 3-1; another comeback and World Championship. This time, they face a young, resilient Rays' team and still have to win two in a row in Tampa. Who knows what will happen, but one can unequivocally say that last night was magical under a harvest moon with its blazen orange glow and clouds hovering just below.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

My favorite Fox Noise Smackdown

This silly exchange happened about a year ago. It features Christopher Hitchens and Abrahamoff and Tom Delay crony, Ralph Reed. I disagree with Hitchens on many levels, mainly his newfound appreciation for many neoconservative positions and for praising the Bush administration, specifically another crook, Paul Wolfowitz. Hitchens, however, does have the most compelling argument for why invading Iraq was in our best interest. His book God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything does take a very insightful and critical view of organized religion and its stranglehold over our everyday lives. I don't agree with everything he says, including his atheist beliefs which is a religion in itself, but found the book to really stand out as far as attacking radical factions. The social conservative movement led during the Reagan years bankrupt some people. What? Yes, some people were suckered into donating all of their money to hacks like Pat Robertson and others. These people were and still are wolves in sheep clothing. Here is this exchange after the death of Jerry Falwell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doKkOSMaTk4

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

What I'll be missing next Tuesday and Rachel Maddow slams former Bush speech writer

I haven't been to a concert in ages. There aren't a lot of bands who have come out into the mainstream these past eight years who I feel are talented. The indie scene is much different. Like one of my favorite bands Live, this band offers a unique sound; one that really doesn't sound like anyone else. Led by frontman Ronan Harris who writes the majority of their music, one can't pinpoint a specific genre this group falls into. Some of their stuff has an industrial sound, while others infuse more electronic and classical ballad based melodies. I can confidently say next Tuesday in San Diego, I would have the time of my life while seeing VNV Nation perform at the House of Blues. Their only stop in North America is in the Los Angeles area and unfortunately, I haven't accrued any vacation time for my birthday next Tuesday. This won't happen until early next year. Here is a sample of what I'll miss and judge for yourselves if you think you'd enjoy seeing them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht7zFlO9LvA&feature=related

Rachel Maddow set the record straight for former Bush speech writer David Frum last night on her MSNBC show. Frum's desperate attempt was to somehow compare Maddow's playful sarcasm to how McCain's supporters have recently acted at his rallies shouting: "Bomb Obama" at Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss' rally (ran the most underhanded campaigns against Max Clelland in modern political history), "Kill Him," "Off with his head..." crooksandliars.com features this video on its website under the headline The Rachel Maddow Show: David Frum's False Equivalencies and Foolishness.

Friday, October 10, 2008

One of Augusta's Dark Secrets is Revealed

This story was first brought to my attention yesterday by Conservative Cook talk radio host Austin Rhodes. Fort Gordon is our military base here in this area. I had no idea it housed the largest NSA operating center in the world. If you've read my previous posts, I don't have to provide you with examples on why Rhodes condones domestic terrorism and spews bigotry over the airwaves. Here was the laugher yesterday. He stole RNC talking points when saying this is an example of "gotcha journalism." Moving on, he said that ABC's aerial shot of the Fort Gordon campus breached national security and terrorists will now be provoked to attack it. That's just dumb. Where did the terrorists from 9/11 train? That's right. It was on our soil. I also won't get into why we're still not safe i.e. Transportation Security Administration. Rhodes further called one of the whistle blowers, David Murfee Faulk, someone who should be tried and convicted of treason. Treason is defined as posing any imminent threat to government. At no time did Faulk mention anything remote to posing a threat to our government's safety. Here are video clips done by ABC News' interviewer Brian Ross and judge for yourselves:

http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=Brian%20Ross%20and%20David%20Murfee%20Faulk&type=

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

How I would moderate an independent focus group

This is just a pretend skit I wanted to introduce. Yes, I can be a real sum' bitch sometimes. I just can't get over how people in these focus groups on CNN take themselves seriously and are that indecisive. There's such a barage of information out there that by this point, these people clearly must not invest too much into. Here's how it would unfold:

Wolf Blitzer: Alright, I see we have P.J. standing by with a group of undecided, independent voters in Columbus, OH. We're all interested to hear what they thought of the candidates' performances at the debate tonight.

P.J.: Wolfman, I'll take it from here. When are you going to have a makeover from that Grizzly Adams appearance? And what's with this dull tone in your voice? Come on, Wolfman. This is another historic moment in our history. (yell) Get jacked up!

(pause)

P.J.: O.k. How many of you have just crawled out from under a rock or used a hose to wash out all the gunk you had on you from camping out deep in a forest? O.k. I see several hands raised. That's not surprising with all the blank expressions I'm seeing on your faces. Let me turn over to this woman I see here to get her reaction. What's your name?

Woman: Jane.

P.J.: Jane, we're all waiting. What issues grabbed your attention the most and who do you feel delivered the best on those issues for you?

Jane: I was real impressed when McCain said we have to send our troops home after they've achieved victory in Iraq.

(long pause as I scratch my head)

P.J.: That's it, Jane?

Jane: That's what struck me the most tonight, yes.

P.J.: Well, Jane you haven't been paying much attention, have you?

Jane: Yes, I've been reading the newspapers each day.

P.J.: That's not what my team of investigators have revealed to me. With surveillance cameras, you spend several hours a day looking out your living room window. So, this tells me you haven't been paying attention.

Jane: So, I wait for the UPS man to arrive. I love his smile, his physique...

P.J.: Well, Jane. Maybe, you should spend a little more time brushing up on your current events and a little less time thinking about boning your UPS man.

(She presses her hands to her face and begins sobbing)

P.J.: O.k. I see another hand raised. What's your name, sir?

Man: Frank.

P.J.: Frank, what did you think about tonight's debate.

Frank: I think Obama did a good job explaining how he'll lower taxes for 95 percent of Americans.

P.J.: And you're just now learning about this Frank?

Frank: Yes.

P.J.: Frank, perhaps if you spent a little less time at Burger King stuffing your face with Whoppers and a little more time reading up on these candidates, you'd learn this is something Obama has talked about for months. (Frank tries to interject). Before you go any further and I cut your mic off, I want you to do the truffle shuffle for us.

Frank: I don't know what that is.

P.J.: Of course you don't Frank. You don't know about a lot of things. Let me demonstrate for you. (Lift my shirt up, juggle what cellulite I might have, and complement it with gurgling sounds). Now, do it.

(Frank could be heard at a much higher pitch).

P.J.: Alright. I've had enough of this. Can anyone tell me a fundamental difference in policy positions between Obama and McCain?

Unidentified woman: Obama will raise our taxes.

P.J.: You crawled out from under a rock before you came here, didn't you? Let me shake some sense into you madam. (place the woman in a headlock and apply a noogie to her forehead). Alright. I think these voters have spoken. Back to you Wolf.

(Speechless Wolf for a few moments)

Wolf: Alright, let's now hear from the best political team on television....

My CD player still isn't working, but there were a few good songs played in a row today before Three Days Grace who are given less than three seconds by me. This is a song by arguably the greatest rock vocalist of all-time. His pitch is so high that he has been known to blow out microphones when performing live. Here's one of my favorites from this guy out of all the groups he's played in or his solo projects. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsPZpUQJc0M&feature=related

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

John McCain carries a small stick and talks loud

John McCain quoted one of his heroes tonight, Theodore Roosevelt, in the debate at Belmont University saying, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." This couldn't be further from the truth amid his many misleading policy positions and boldface lies on Obama's voting record. McCain reminds me of that jacked up truck you see driving down the road with your girlfriend in the car. "Oooh, another one with a small penis," she would say. I know Republicans love the pharmaceutical companies and as I mentioned earlier, those male enhancement pills are on the rise when they see Sarah Palin.

Obama talked about fixing a corrupt, broken health care system that has bankrupt many American families. His proposal allows Americans to choose top-notch plans without worrying whether pre-existing conditions will be covered. Part of this will come from prioritizing our spending. The other will come from generating revenue by providing tax cuts to 95% of Americans. The top 5% easily own more than half this country's wealth. Americans will then be provided choices. And McCain's plan is more of the same with one gimmick attached: I'll throw out for you a $5000 tax credit. Gee, thanks. It's about as stimulating as that economic stimulus check that was spent on paying for gas.

McCain brought up again Obama's unwillingness to acknowledge the "surge is working." Once again, why not ask McCain what victory means to him. I'm so sick of hearing our troops will come home in defeat if they leave now. What have they not accomplished by this point? The violence is down, but political reconciliation isn't set. The Iraqi government has set our timetable. Why not abide by it? Survey after survey reveals about the same number of Iraqis as Americans want us out.

Obama spoke about hunting down bin Laden if he is in our sights. He didn't say we'll have a full-out strike on Pakistan. Immediately, McCain stood up and said Obama is willing to attack Pakistan. Ah, Senator McCain, the people aren't turning senile like yourself.

McCain continued his desperate attempts to distort Obama's voting record. It didn't work. Unlike Kerry, Obama doesn't let these baseless attempts slide. He held up a testy and impatient Tom Brokaw to interject with what his record is and where McCain was wrong. This is why Obama should win this election. If he doesn't, this is a failure on us.
Did you see this coming?

Dating back to Richard Nixon's administration, the middle and lower class have continued feeling the financial burdens under a Republican administration. Home sales plummeted during Nixon's administration, and a high inflation was the catalyst for lowering the average person's purchasing power. So, what's changed?

Mr. Champion Conservative Ronald Reagan entered as a very popular statesman. His infamous trickle down economic philosophy opened up the wound again. Something many might not realize is Reagan introduced and passed into law the largest tax increase in U.S. history (adjusted for inflation). Americans spent money on an overbloated military -- i.e. Star Wars. His neglect for urban development sent shockwaves through these communities. Drugs were smuggled into this country and introduced by the wealthy elite. Eventually, it hit the inner city streets. Small-time drug dealers were given outrageous prison sentences, while our enforcement agencies dropped the ball on those who shipped and received these massive quantities of crack and cocaine.

Bush's father raised taxes, we suffered a recession, and he was justly defeated by Bill Clinton. The Clinton years created more than 25 million new jobs (not piddly service industry crap jobs that are minimal pay) mainly in the technology sector. There was no pandering to giving tax cuts to the wealthy when raising the minimum wage. My biggest problems with Clinton were as follows: his neglect to hastily act with the genocide in Rwanda (he admitted he regretted that decision), introducing NAFTA despite its origin that was written to toughen labor and environmental standards that has now been abused, and avoiding tougher stances on companies who began shipping jobs overseas.

When Bush was re-elected in '04, I recall a conversation I had with my best friend. I was fuming when he told he decided to vote for Bush. He said Bush wouldn't take away his second amendment rights but Kerry would. He loves to hunt deer, although he knows my take on it; I don't want to kill Bambi. It would be a sport if the deer can fire back at the hunters. I told him this country will get what it deserves and that's going to be a huge recession. Little did I know, conditions are much worse than my knee-jerk reaction back then. We've seen our oil futures market completely unregualted, outing a CIA agent, continuing to spend $10 billion in Iraq when they misled us into believing the conflict was in its "final throes," and allowing private military contractors to act like Wild West bandits and avoid any consequences for their psychopathic actions. Privatize, privatize, privatize. We now see the results. No one entity or person should be granted extroadinary powers without checks and balances. Unfortunately, this trend more than likely would continue under a McCain/Palin administration. Wake up.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Keith Olbermann delivers one of the Best 'Worst Persons'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY7Sm-qyhJ0&feature=related

Friday, October 3, 2008

The 'Donnie Darko' Effect

I highly recommend any of you who haven't seen Donnie Darko to check this film out. It's a highly imaginative, deeply layered story. I had to watch it a second time for anything I might've missed. Without a snob film critic's review, I'll address one of the themes this story addresses, a societal disconnect.

While growing up in high school, I lived in suburbia. I grew increasingly bitter watching cliques. It showed a sign of weakness when people felt secure in numbers. I had a few friends, and all of them couldn't be together in the same setting. They couldn't resolve their differences, despite my many attempts to intervene. Over a period of time, I lost some of these friends to the cliques. My senior year was spent with just a few remaining, but those few couldn't resist hanging out with the cliques. I didn't belong. The cliques comprise of a superficial mindset that focuses on belittling those not in the group who they knew little or nothing about. It's a very wicked time period and microcosm of what our society really teaches us -- conform. Conform to buying the latest hip clothing line like GAP. Conform to dumbing yourself down opposed to rising up with creativity and innovation. Conform to mean-spiritedness for supremacy to all the other groups around you. Conform to listening to what's considered hip music at the time. It was a very small vehicle these people decided to ride in. I decided to travel with something bigger that carried more luggage on an endless stretch of road.

A few of these examples of conformity are what the protagonist confronts in this film as a high school student. I'm sure at some point in your life you've felt a sense of disconnect with what surrounded you. How did you cope? Did it spark any creativity? Does this cycle really change when we're adults? Personally, this cycle continues today. Some might wear a mask, while others reveal who they really are. This is why I will persistently challenge the status quo and one great line from this film I'll part you all with: "Every living creature dies alone."
Palin: 'We're mavericks.' Get your costumes and wardrobe ready and What's your reaction to last night's VP Debate

Last night's debate went as expected for me. There really weren't any gaffes made by Joe Biden or Sarah Palin. Biden laid out specific, concrete policy examples, while Palin played the role of Harper Valley PTA mom. She was upbeat and charismatic with little to no substantive responses to direct questions and rebuttals. She did carry out McCain's message by completely mischaracterizing how Obama and Biden plan to carry out their tax cuts for 95 percent of Americans; yes, this includes you and me.

I continued hearing "mavericks" over and over and over. Now, I visualize just what they mean when they infer they're reformers but have a long rap sheet (prefer this over record) that says otherwise. John McCain and Sarah Palin will ride to Congress on horses, donned in tight black pants, vests, pairs of boots with spurs, holsters carrying six shooters, and will shoot at the bad guys (those who support helping the poor and middle class for example). It will turn into a "Last Person Standing in D.C." event.

Palin said massive oversight is needed for Wall St. It's ironic that she and McCain are now supporting the same policy position Biden and Obama have supported for years. Politics as usual? It's convenient to support it now when average Americans are hurting by unscrupulous decisions made by top executives and a hands-off approach by our supposed regulators. I was glad to hear Biden mention a few times that McCain has voted for deregulation 20 different times and Bush's disastrous budget each fiscal year.

The last character Palin played last night was one of executive who knows how to work with both parties. Nope. "We're Alaskans and we work to see at the end of the day what's best for Alaska." Little media coverage has been made of this, but political opponents have said she becomes very irritable and even has her husband Todd in the room when she vehemently disagrees. I guess McCain and Palin are made for each other. McCain also has had a long history of becoming physically confrontational and walking out of meetings when he doesn't get his way.

Historically, the VP debate doesn't play a big role in the outcome of an election. Besides, we're a microwave age society. I think many of those undecideds will swing one way or another after the final two Presidential debates. I'm still skeptical about those swing voters. With all the information available to them today, many of them lean to a particular party's idealogies more than the other. You also had those interviewed during the primaries, on election day, who said they still hadn't made up their minds yet. Morons!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Poor Played Palin

Get Sarah Palin a sixth grade History teacher. When recently interviewed by Katie Couric, Palin was asked two questions that are no-brainers. First, she was asked to name a Supreme Court case other than Roe v. Wade. She was prodded and still couldn't give an answer: Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, Gore v. Bush, Loving v. Virginia, Sullivan v. New York Times...

Couric's second question pertained to how Palin stays abreast on current events. Palin was asked what she reads. Her pat answer was anything that's thrown in front of her. Yes, I'm also a journalism grad and realize I'm not the brightest bulb, but she was asked three separate times specifically what publications she reads. No answer.

Let's be honest with ourselves, Palin is a prop for John McCain and nothing more. He wanted someone who obviously was younger than him and could attract women voters. In tomorrow's debate, I'm going to closely look to see if there is a bulge anywhere in Palin's dress attire or a wire near her head. I'm sure she might craft a few witty one-liners with that spunky spirit of hers, but there's little doubt at this point it will be anything substantive. Here's one of my favorite tunes from 1998 and off one damn good album. It's about a guy who literally or figuratively is a player. For Sarah Palin, it's one devoted to her that says anyone paying attention to her nonsense hasn't been played.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcfEB5PKKUU&feature=related