Best Quote from Obama Inauguration Day

This from my wife's sister's kindergarten student:

"WE'RE GONNA NEED MORE BROWN CRAYONS!"

I love it.

I love it.

Who is in charge at CNN tonight?

Can I just say that CNN's coverage of the inaugural activities is awful. I've been astounded by how horribly this thing has been run. The actual events are great, and Obama makes me smile at every turn... but so often the audio feed is dropped, or we're staring at three people on a stage for 10 minutes rather than where the action's happening.

What in the hell?

I guess that's me, always complaining, no matter what is going on... no matter how awesome the world is. Harumph.

A New Era Indeed

Obama just took the stage, and it is a glorious, wonderful thing.

Thank you, America.

WE DID IT!!!

We did it.

We did it! We did it! We did it!

It's amazing. I love this country.

And it wasn't just "kind of" a victory:
349-187

Now let's get to work!

VOTE... NOW. TODAY. DO IT.

Get out and vote today. There is no excuse. If you've gotta work, ask your boss if you can leave early. If he/she says no... poke her/him in the eye and go vote anyway.

It doesn't matter if it's raining.

It doesn't matter if you're tired.

GO VOTE.

And if you have ANY trouble during your voting process call this number to report it: 1-866-OUR-VOTE. They are a non-partisan group of people making sure Election 2000 doesn't happen again. Remember that? Don't let that happen again. Report ANY issues you encounter.

Now I leave you with this fun little video...

The Republican Party is Promoting Racism (don't believe me? read on)

Just so you don't think I'm simply making things up, let's start off with this:

My parents received the flier in question while I was visiting them last week at their home in Indiana.

Go ahead. Click on the images to the left. These are scans of a mailing being sent out by the Indiana Republican Party.

Yes, the Republican Party is promoting racism as a campaign tactic.

This is absolutely unacceptable.

I realize the gloves come off at election time. If you're on the ballot, expect them to go through your trash and closets with a fine-tooth comb.

However, making things up is way out of line. Furthermore, making things up that promote and inflame racial tension is not only irresponsible, but should be punishable by law (hate crime is illegal). Yes we've all heard about people shouting things like "terrorist" and "kill him" at McCain/Palin rallies. Obviously there are idiots everywhere, and not everyone has the benefit of education and an informed world view on their side.

However, when Government Officials start participating, we need to take a step back and re-examine what we're going to call "fair play."

Repute the claims however you want, but the fact of the matter is that Obama is certainly not a terrorist, he was 8 years old when Ayers was doing the things that have gotten him labeled a terrorist, and someone does not become a terrorist simply by proximity. Yes Obama lives in a neighborhood near Ayers' current location (Hyde Park in Chicago), and yes Obama served on a board that Ayers was also on. Obama has refuted any ties to Ayers (especially and emphatically the claims that they are "friends"), and unless there is any more "proof" of binding ties to bring to the table, that should be that.

Instead, The Republican Party, in what I would posit has become a "typical" method of preying on fear and hatred, is continuing to stretch any sort of truth far beyond breaking point.

The first page of this flyer puts an uncredited Ayers quote [10/28/08: looking at that quote again, I don't think it's even an Ayers quote --I think it might be from one of the 9/11 terrorists; wtf?!], poignantly dated 9/11, next to a photograph of Obama looking over his shoulder. Also in bold text: "Terrorist. Radical. Friend of Obama."

I'm not sure that there's any reason to further explore the mailing itself, but I think people need to be aware of what is being put into play, who is doing it, and what the repercussions are.

This behavior is simply disgusting. I'd like to say I can't even believe it, but I guess I need to come to terms with the fact that we live in a new era of fear-mongering and hate.

Let's change that.

Please get out there on November 4th and make your voice for truth, honesty, fairness, equality and love for your fellow citizens heard loud and clear. We simply can't take much more of this before the whole thing goes down the tubes.

PAY ATTENTION: this is NOT change

I thought it was funny when McCain simply stole Obama's "Change" slogan. Obama was using it long ago, but OK, if people want to look the other way while McCain proves he can't come up with his own slogan and has to just steal one from his opponent... whatever. I think it just emphasizes the fact that McCain is following Obama's lead (the "experienced" one stealing from the "inexperienced" one... that irony alone should raise a million red flags).

What I do have a major problem with is the fact that it's a lie. McCain promises change, a move away from the current administration, but unless you were hit over the head and have been in a coma for the past month (or longer), it's impossible to ignore the fact that McCain is using the same tactics of fearmongering and hate promotion that the Bush administration has relied so heavily upon for the past 8 years.

Here is an open letter to John McCain that Frank Schaeffer published in the Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.mccain10oct10,0,7557571.story

It's very short and definitely worth reading, but if you're not going to follow the jump, at least read this excerpt:

John McCain, you're walking a perilous line. If you do not stand up for all that is good in America and declare that Senator Obama is a patriot, fit for office, and denounce your hate-filled supporters when they scream out "Terrorist" or "Kill him," history will hold you responsible for all that follows.

John McCain and Sarah Palin, you are playing with fire, and you know it. You are unleashing the monster of American hatred and prejudice, to the peril of all of us. You are doing this in wartime. You are doing this as our economy collapses. You are doing this in a country with a history of assassinations.

Change the atmosphere of your campaign. Talk about the issues at hand. Make your case. But stop stirring up the lunatic fringe of haters, or risk suffering the judgment of history and the loathing of the American people - forever.

We will hold you responsible.

Racism and Stupidity is Alive and Well in America

I guess I'm aware that it's out there, but did you realize there are people this... I hesitate to say it, but "stupid" is the only word that seems appropriate, living here in America in this day and age?

Please, please, please don't let this kind of hatred and bigotry represent our great country.

VOTE OBAMA

Don't Let Hate and Fear Win: Volunteer to Keep America Beautiful

Everywhere I go I hear people worried , nay terrified, about the serious detriment that would be caused by the unthinkable travesty of McCain and Pallin becoming the next "leaders" of this great country. More of the same. More of a few selfish individuals using their power by wealth to prevent equality and growth among so many wonderful people.

"But what can I do?" is the constant cry. Well, let me tell you. It's easy to volunteer for change in a great number of ways.

The easiest way I've found is by going to BarackObama.com and signing up to make phone calls. They will provide you with a call list and a script. You can select from registered Democrats, persuadable undecideds, etc... It's extremely easy, and it's actually pretty fun!

Everyone we've spoken with has been friendly (I expected more annoyed people worried about their privacy and free time, but everyone has seemed interested and definitely willing to talk).

You can also find out where your local Barack Obama headquarters are and simply walk in and volunteer. Whether it's making phone calls, stuffing envelopes, hanging signs, etc., you can do your part to make a huge difference, and make sure this country gets back on track as a beacon of hope for people around the world.

(click the two images to the left to see actual call sheet screen shots)

Whether you want to make phone calls for Barack, or go around to your neighbors knocking on doors, click here to get started!

(http://my.barackobama.com/page/votercontact/landing)

ROCK THE FREAKIN' VOTE!!!

Donate to Planned Parenthood in Sarah Palin's Name!

I just received an e-mail with this brilliant plan to show Sarah Palin how the majority feels about her stance on sex ed, etc...

Basically, go to http://www.plannedparenthood.org, mouse-over "donate" and select "honorary or memorial donations," fill in Sarah Palin for the name, then fill in the McCain headquarters address (shown in the e-mail quoted below) so the thank you card is sent there.

The minimum donation is $5, which I think is WELL worth the message (and laugh). You can spend $5 on a drink at a bar tonight, or you can join hopefully thousands of others who receive this message and send a very poignant message to Sarah Palin and the rest of the backward thinking fools at McCain headquarters (not to mention supporting a good cause)!

And on top of that, the joke is tax deductible!!

Awesome.

Below is the e-mail I received.

Dear Friends,

Many of us have wanted a woman on a national political ticket for
years, but the joke now seems to be on us. Sarah Palin not only
opposes reproductive rights, but is also against sex education in
schools and cut financial support for single mothers in Alaska.

Some of you may already be supporting the Obama campaign financially,
but if you are furious (and terrified) by the Republican party's
selection of Sarah Palin as the VP on McCain's ticket and want to do
more, may I pass along the following fiendishly brilliant idea?

Make a donation to Planned Parenthood. In Sarah Palin's name.
Regardless of the amount you give, when you make a donation to PP in
her name, they'll send her a card telling her that a donation has
been made in her honor.  It might not change the election, but it will
support an important organization, as well as help make our voices
heard. (And even if this idea was cooked up by a PP person -- I don't
care!)

If you want to help, go to the Planned Parenthood website:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org.


During the process be sure to check "make honorary or memorial gift,"
and then fill in the name of the person you want to "honor." (Might I
suggest Sarah Palin?)  Then fill in the address to let Planned
Parenthood know where to send the Thank You card. If you use the
address for the McCain campaign headquarters, I think they'll get the
message.

McCain's headquarters address:

 McCain for President
 1235 S. Clark Street
 1st Floor
 Arlington, VA 22202

Please send this along to all your friends and urge them to do the same.

If you're not convinced this is a good idea, maybe follow this link and read the article there. It seems while Palin was mayor, "the city of Wasilla had the most egregious policy against victims of rape in the state of Alaska, possibly the entire country. The rape kit, a set of items used by medical personnel for gathering and preserving physical evidence following a sexual assault, was charged to the victim. (note: step 6)"

(http://alaskareport.com/news98/x61620_rape_palin.htm)

Are you freaking kidding me?!

[update from Steve, Sept. 29, 2008]

Hey! A friend of mine works at Planned Parenthood and I was talking
to her about the Palin donation plan that you'd forwarded to me.
Apparently it is working.

"So far, the scheme seems to be getting a strong response. As of
Friday, Planned Parenthood had taken in $802,678 in donations from
31,313 people, said a spokesman for the organization, Tait Sye. More
than two-thirds of the individuals are first-time donors to Planned
Parenthood, Mr. Sye said, and money came in from all 50 states."

--from today's New York Times

You're right, Matt Damon, this is INCREDIBLY absurd.

Matt Damon has a few words to say about Sarah Palin. I completely agree.

Blow by blow deconstruction of Palin's speech by Roni Deutch

http://ronideutch.blogspot.com/2008/09/palins-speech-filled-with-inaccuracies.html

The above link is a great fact checking blow-by-blow of Palin's speech at the RNC. Seems much of what she said, though perhaps exciting (for some) and applause garnering, was simply incorrect.

Way to go, Roni.

And thanks, Michael, for the link.

Palin: this is what the Republican Party thinks of women?

Screw the glass ceiling, this woman is going to set women's rights back a hundred years.

Yes, I know the photo is Photoshopped, but it's funny (and fairly accurate) nonetheless.

Erika is so furious about this lady, she can barely even speak (and that's saying something). The day McCain announced his running mate, was a dark, dark day for women across the globe.

This lady doesn't "believe" in evolution. While even I have been known to question some of the specifics and gaps of the chain, I'm not pushing to replace it with hocus pocus. Evolution is at least science, based on facts and evidence. She wants creationism taught in schools. What year is this?! Yeah, science is probably a foolish thing to be teaching our nation's children. We're plenty ahead of that whole education game anyway.

This is a woman who in May of this year announced she would sue to block Washington from listing polar bears as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act (NYPost.com). Are you freaking kidding me?! Just so we can ignore the fact that we are screwing the hell out of the flora and fauna on this rock we call home?

Don't even get me started on the whole pregnant daughter and this woman's burning desire to reverse Roe v. Wade. The debate is not about life; the debate is about privilege. The fact of the matter is that privileged white people don't have to worry about Roe v. Wade being over turned because they'll have access to clean and safe procedures whether it's legal or not, because they've got money.

Hilarious that McCain chose Palin to win over Hillary votes. Surely (please, god) Hillary voters can see right through this transparent puppet. Just because she's got boobs and could be VP doesn't mean she's advancing the position of women in the country and the world.

She will, in fact, do the opposite.

And what's up with the Republican party continually touting Palin's ability to kill moose (who in the f*ck cares?! ...other than Bullwinkle fans).

I'll leave you with a list of books Palin wanted banned from the Wasilla city library (the list is from the city board meeting's minutes). Yes, that's a DICTIONARY at the end of the list.

[Sept. 7, 2008] Turns out the list was a fake, but the quote from Mayor John Stein about Palin wanting to ban books from the library is legit; here's the quote:

Stein says that as mayor, Palin continued to inject religious beliefs into her policy at times. "She asked the library how she could go about banning books," he says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them. "The librarian was aghast." That woman, Mary Ellen Baker, couldn't be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor. (Time)

Wake Up, America; Oil Is NOT the Answer

The recent negative ad campaigns run by McCain in Colorado (and I assume the rest of the United States) point out that Obama would prefer to keep "relying on foreign oil" rather than drill in Alaska and off the shore of California. They say that as if it's a bad thing, and people are buying into the idea because the McCain camp is emphasizing "foreign oil." The thing that should be stressed about the whole "oil argument" should be getting away from oil altogether. Obama doesn't feel we need to drill in Alaska and California (thank god), because he's willing to look at realistic and viable alternative energy sources for the near future.

We don't need more oil, people.

The problem is that until oil is completely unaffordable, no one will realistically start considering the alternatives. "Putting off until tomorrow" has become the American way! Until it's so bad that it actually causes people's lives to be disrupted (in a more drastic way than choosing a closer family vacation spot), the average American will not demand the change (regarding energy) that we so badly need.

Until people really can't fill up at the pump, nothing will change.

Yes gas is four times what it was ten years ago, but it's still not stopping people from buying and driving cars that only get 25 miles to the gallon (as if that's a great and efficient number) or less.

Another crazy thing to consider, and I don't understand why every single American isn't OUTRAGED by this, is that last week Exxon hit an all time profit high. They are making, get this, $90,000 a minute! (as reported this morning by The New York Times) For the second quarter, income rose 14%, to $11.68 billion.

The richest regime in the world is not going to let their empire dwindle and fade; they are going to do everything in their power to make America believe that we can't live without oil. They are going to fight for continued dependence upon the thing that is making them incredibly rich. Their massive amounts of money give them immense power, enough power to successfully deceive an entire nation! And the people are allowing it by buying into this incredibly nonsensical idea that we can't live without oil.

The people of the United States are being duped into the idea that it would be better to continue to find and use oil, all the while making a very few very rich, instead of simply moving to another (renewable) source (and *bonus* doing what's better for the planet in the process).

Why can't people see that even if we "got more oil," it's only postponing a major, major problem? It's still going to run out. Whether it's us or our kids, somebody's got to address the situation, and it's incredibly disappointing that the majority is willing to pawn this HUGE problem off on our children.

Even more disappointing is that there's a giant constituent out there (hopefully not the majority) that is willing to say, "Yes, this is how we believe and this is how we want the country run, by rich men who are willing to pawn these, admittedly rectifiable, major problems off on our children so we can have one more decade to rape the earth and be "rich."

Sadder still is that a large portion of those people think they are doing "what God wants" by voting for this regime... but that's another story.

It's Starting: McCain Shows Signs of Senility (or Stupidity?)

As McCain continues to try and convince America that Obama is inexperienced and ignorant when it comes to Iraq and foreign affairs, he proves in a live interview (sort of --and this part is even more appalling) that he is in fact the one who cannot recall, or does not know the time line of the Iraq war.

More appalling (and important, I suppose) is that CBS actually changed their interview with McCain and omitted his erroneous statements regarding the Iraq war.

As reported by MSNBC (edited for YouTube by the JedReport):



ps Is anyone else as sick as I am of McCain running on an energy platform?! Razing the forest and drilling in Alaska and off the coast of California is not an energy plan, it's a continuation of the Bush administration's rape of the ecosystem for personal gain and profit. Who is buying this crap?! (I know who they are, I am just baffled and angered by their ability to ignore reality).

John McCain, Self-Proclaimed Environmentalist, Calls for Off-Shore (California) Oil Drilling

what's playing: "Buddy Holly" by Weezer

They've started running these "John McCain stood up to the President for the environment five years ago" ads in Colorado. Maybe they're running them in your state too (since Republicans are now fighting for states they've never had to throw cash at --incidentally my favorite headline this week).

I'm wondering what exactly he did --scold George W. for not recycling his Dr. Pepper can?

These ads only make me realize that John McCain is even more of a shady liar than I thought.

Just last week McCain called for a lift of the 27 year old moratorium on US off-shore oil drilling. Yes, he thinks the solution to our oil problem is drilling for more oil off California. Not only is it wildly irresponsible, it's point blank stupid. The solution is creating an alternative, not trying to find more oil. Any third grader could tell you that. And if you just want to make trucks go (without much regard to environmental impact) we have the technology NOW. You can make diesel from just about ANYTHING.

Unbefreakinglievable.

Here are just a few credible sources on the subject:

• San Francisco Gate
• CNN
• The Washington Post
  

Why I'm Voting Republican

Beautiful...

Hillary Clinton reclaims her sanity

We just watched Hillary's (real) concession speech. It was actually quite good.

I was surprised by how gracious she was, and by how she said what she did. She was finally able to talk about the glass ceiling, and how much she has done to advance women's rights in the past year (a topic that would have likely made her look weak had she addressed it too much during her campaign).

It will be interesting to see how she focuses her energy in the wake of such a devastating loss. She has an incredible opportunity to continue to do good.

Hillary Clinton is Officially Insane

Tonight Obama clinched the number of delegates required to claim the Democratic nomination.

However, Hillary Clinton addressed her fans in New York to state that she would not make her "decision" tonight, that instead she would consult with her people to decide what to do next.

How about letting your party get on with winning the Presidency, you nut?

I would urge you to watch her speech to realize how conniving this person is. While I admit that this might be considered "typical" presidential behaviour, it is exactly the type of thing that Obama is speaking out against (crap politics instead of doing what is right for the people of America).

ps I'm still trying to figure out how she thinks she won a state (MI) that Obama did not even run in. A state that officially was not even authorized to hold a freaking election. Hilarious.

...

Hillary's new video (with lyrics)...

So the "viral video" thing is being capitalized on by presidential candidates for the first time (in any real sense) during the 2008 campaign. It would seem that so many people see any number of fantastic YouTube videos featuring Barack, and can't help but climb on board.

I don't think Hillary's had any material to compete... until now!

I have no idea if this is "officially" approved by the Hillary camp. I assume it's not (but the picture to the left does show that she's getting pretty desperate). The video could have been made by anyone. I kind of hope it has been made by someone clever enough to make it this bad on purpose --sneaky like. Sabotage. Not to tear down a democratic candidate, but because that would be brilliant!

Anyway, here is the worst song you've ever heard, being sung and danced by the squarest group of dorks ever collected in one place (the flute player happens to be my personal favorite). The people in this video put Comicon to shame (those guys at least have flava --these people are the most melba toast humans I've ever seen!). It's kind of like a mix of Kenny G, Free to Be You and Me (not in a good way), and Vanilla Ice.

Hillaryous (woo-hoo, I joist coined a word that will now sweep the nation!!). Don't forget to pay attention to the words (I had a hard time hearing as I was laughing and crying way too hard --so I've spent the time to actually type them up for you).

I love that the credits at the end (who wrote it, where it was recorded, who mixed it, video, producer, etc...) ends with (all script caps): SHARE THIS WITH OTHERS! Yeah, I'm sure Hillary is gonna love that.




LYRICS (no kidding):

Hillary for you and me
Bring back our Democracy
Make this country proud and free
Let's stand up for Hillary

Hillary for you and me
Bring back our Democracy
Hope from sea to shining sea
Everyone for Hillary

Fighting in a war
But we don't know what we're fighting for
In school we're testing minds
But we're leaving our children all behind

The world is getting hot
But our global warming plan is not
Our goals are out of range
So we know it's time for a change

CHORUS

Now Hillary will fight
For what we all know is right
Her experience is great
Instead of war we can negotiate

Education health and world affairs
Hillary is the one who cares
This sleigh knows how to lead
In this President's race he will succeed

[[who in the hell came up with that last gem?]]

CHORUS



Thanks to Amy (phnx0221) from Digg for pointing out this post on the Viral Politics website.