God Follows Up on Right Wing Prayers: Saves bad weather for GOP Convention!

When right wingers were told to pray for bad weather during Barack Obama's acceptance speech God answered with clear skies. The message was crystal clear. God controls the weather, God heard the prayers and God rejected those prayers. Now, He has a follow up message for the Conservative Movement leaders disguising themselves as Christians: A dangerous hurricane during the ENTIRE Republican coverage. Got the message Dobson? Got the message right wing? God listened to you and rejected you and your prayers in the most obvious and blatant way. Now it's time for the people to follow His lead.

Oh What A Night!

Last night's speech was so great it's hard to find the right words. Barack Obama, in one evening, managed to destroy all the arguments his opponents have used against him. He has substance as well as style and can be sharp in criticism as well as soothing in explaining common ground. He laid out the failures of today's politics and offered real solutions and change. The sights and sounds were simply amazing and came across as All American. I think it may have resonated with independents too. The ultimate judgement came from a real Conservative friend of mine (non-neocon), disaffected with the GOP but not yet sold on the Democrats who simply stated that Obama "hit a Grand Slam". I hope that Independents and even Conservatives gained the impression last night which we Obama supporters have felt for a long time. That Barack Obama is not a messiah nor an empty celebrity, but a serious, smart and determined patriot who will fight to restore the United States. Oh, what a night indeed.

UPDATE: Even long time right winger Pat Buchanan loved it! Unbelievable!!

Obama Tax Cuts

How much will you get?

Palin Pick: Desperate, Not Serious

"I don't think it's a wrong choice, I think it's an unserious -- even fairly offensive -- choice. McCain isn't even officially his party's nominee yet, and he's already treating his presumptive office with disdain, and making executive decisions that seem like they've been phoned in or made in a panic." Hunter

Right Wing Prayers Answered

with a resounding NO!

DENVER, CO
Aug 28 Today's weather
Sunny. High 76F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.

Aug 28 Tonight's weather
Clear. Low 59F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.

(what I am taking about)

Forgot it? or "Forget It!"

McCain Refuses To Define "Honor"

McCain's VP Pick

John McCain seems set to announce his Vice Presidential pick Friday morning. I got a couple lists for you.

Best Picks (for McCain)
1. Colin Powell - If McCain should convince Powell to join the ticket it would probably sink Obama's chances. There is very little chance of it though. First, Powell has rejected the Bush/McCain foreign policy doctrine. Second, I think and hope he has learned that being a "good solider" for the GOP means only that he is used as a symbol and not taken seriously. Third, he seems to support Barack Obama
2. Mike Huckabee - He could improve McCain's chances. As I have written many times, Huckabee can actually articulate "compassionate conservatism". I doubt that it would be enough to overcome McCain's same old same old, but it would definitely help.
3. Tom Ridge - A reasonable, mature person that doesn't appear to be crazy. His Pro-Choice stance might hurt with the GOP base, but Ridge would be attractive to moderates and independents.

Worst Picks (for McCain)
1. Joe Lieberman - Many conservatives dislike him and many others believe his allegiance is not to the United States. Also, the very real prospect of having Lieberman in the White House and Natenyahu in charge of Israel would certainly lead us into an unwinnable World War. People from all political spectrum's see these things and would turn away from the ticket in droves.
2. Lyndsey Graham - There is something very wrong with this guy. I am not certain what it is but I sense that he has a dark, deep, disturbing secret. He is an emotionally troubled man who's political views are an over compensating for something. Plus he's a freakin' simple minded idiot. This pick would implode fast!
3. Mitt Romney - It would reinforce all of McCain's weaknesses. First, that McCain knows little about the economy. Second, McCain sells out all the time. I can forgive him selling out to the captors in Vietnam but his embrace of George Bush and Karl Rove is just sickening. If he chooses Romney, a man he once hated - again just out of ambition - it would be severely damaging to his campaign. Three, The houses and fortunes of these two guys would certainly highlight the "support the rich / trickle down" policies they embrace.

UPDATE: I also posted this on dailyKos and there are many comments from those readers which you can read here.

Democratic Convention: Day 3

I have to admit that work and fatigue prevented me from seeing much of last night's festivities. I did watch Bill Clinton who beautifully articulated the difference between the parties and gave a resounding endorsement of Barack Obama. The rest I will have to catch up on. Tonight should be a remarkable evening. Barack Obama will speak to 80,000 Americans on the 45th anniversary of the "I Have A Dream" speech by Martin Luther King. I know that he will be more high minded than myself, but I hope he reminds people that while he is a product of MLK and progressives of a generation ago, John McCain did not even support the MLK holiday and comes from a party that only achieved power after absorbing the racists that once populated the Democrats. What a long way we have come and what a stark difference there still is in these United States.

Democratic Convention: Day 2

Hillary Clinton's speech was just about perfect! I was very critical of her during the Primary season, that's for sure. But ever since the "Unity" speech after Obama clinched, I have seen her rally around Barack. While the mainstream media have been trying to play up a division between the two candidates, I never really saw it. Sure she articulated the discontent of her strongest supporters and yes, she was terribly disappointed, but Hillary is a team player and she personally seemed to make the effort to unite the party. Last night she seem to have struck the right tone and said the right words to bring even her most hardcore followers into the fold. The line "No way, No how, No McCain" was a sure winner and left little doubt as to her thoughts on the matter. Overall, it was a huge success and sets the stage wonderfully for Joe Biden's speech tonight.

Underappreciated

Last night, at day 1 of the Democratic Convention, REPUBLICAN Jim Leach spoke for a few minutes about why he is supporting Barack Obama. This guy has a funny voice and looks a little odd, but his integrity is unquestioned and his thoughtfulness nearly gone from today's GOP. If you missed this speech (chances are you did because only CSPAN had it) then listen to it now. Leach gives a compelling case why Republicans should cross the aisle to vote for Barack Obama.

Democratic Convention: Day 1

Unfortunately, I am working crazy hours this week, unable to watch every moment of the convention as I love to do. I saw a replay of the Kennedy speech and watched Michelle Obama live when I got home from work. So, from this limited perspective I would say that it was a terrific night.

Teddy Kennedy looked surprisingly healthy and vibrant in his passing of the torch speech. Michelle's speech was just terrific too and the part where the kids and Barack chatted was priceless. It's a shame, but Monday had to be set aside to undo the damage of the lies spread by the Right. Last night was an attempt to show the country that Barack Obama is just a regular guy who has lived the American dream. Not a Muslim and not the anti-Christ. Now, I'm sure all the pill popping, impotent, right wing talking heads will jump all over it today, but they will only succeed in making the ignorant less knowledgeable, the confused more baffled and the hateful more violent.

The Democrats will never reach into those dark corners of American society. But to anyone watching this week with an open mind, a clear difference between the parties and ideologies will be made clear. If that occurs, the Convention will be a success and the American people can begin to have the type of campaign and election we deserve.

Our Loyal Opposition Is Back

As I predicted, more and more of this sort of thing will be happening now that Democrats are beginning to be elected. It has happened every time Progressives start to make gains in American history - domestic terrorists from the right step in to violently oppose the wishes of the American people. It's what they do. It's who they are.

"CBS4 has now learned at least four people are under arrest in connection with a possible plot to kill Barack Obama at his Thursday night acceptance speech in Denver. All are being held on either drug or weapons charges. CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass reported one of the suspects told authorities they were 'going to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a ... rifle ... sighted at 750 yards.' "Law enforcement sources tell Maass that one of the suspects "was directly asked if they had come to Denver to kill Obama. He responded in the affirmative."

Cartoon Commentary

Joe Biden

I got the text at 3:19 this morning. It's a very good choice. They will appear together at 3pm this afternoon. Time to make the coffee and go to work.

Fay To Spend Saturday in Tallahassee

Comment of the Day

It's kind of nice to be able to beat up on John McCain for a while. His nasty campaigning and recent gaffes have opened the door to some harsh criticism. So if he wants to LIE about Obama's tax proposals, encourage a slanderous book of LIES and mock Obama for being popular and intelligent, then we can certainly point out some painful FACTS about McCain. Today's comment of the day is courtesy of clammyc (with links).

+ How can John McCain solve our economic problems when he doesn’t admit they exist?
+ How can John McCain even begin to understand the housing crisis when he can’t even count how many houses he owns?
+ How can someone who pays his household employees over $250,000 per year to (literally) put food on his table understand the problems Americans have putting food on their own tables? (bonus factoid - this is more than the average home IS WORTH)

+ How can someone who pays more in alimony to the wife he cheated on than millions of households earn in a year understand the choices that millions of Americans have to make every day regarding money?
+ How can someone who gambles thousands of dollars at a time understand how far those thousands of dollars would go to helping most Americans pay for gas, mortgages, medicine or food?

Happy Friday! (Japanese Pranks)

Fay For Friday

My preferences for VP

In this order...
Check back... I may add to this later. I expect my text message from Barack in the morning.

1. Dick Gephardt - I wish he had won the nomination in 2004. From middle America, smart, experienced and mentally mature.

2. Al Gore - very long shot but I would be pleased.

3. Mark Warner - Already took himself out but would prove my very early prediction right. I always love to be proved right.

4. Tom Daschle - Another Washington insider but a really thoughtful and intelligent man.

5. George Mitchell - Why not? He has as much experience and talent as any Democrat out there.

6. Joe Biden - One of the presumptive front runners. Has the mouth for this campaign and the brains to govern.

7. Robert Rubin - An unorthodox choice but he is an economic whiz and would make a capable President if necessary.

Comment of the day

I saw this comment on one of the stories I posted below. It really gives us something completely different - the truth! Since the mainstream media (forever pandering to the right wing whining about media bias) has decided only to be critical of Barack Obama, here is a comment that sums up the unimpressive resume of John McCain.

With all due respect to a true American hero, it appears to me that the bulk of the much vaunted experience of which McCain is so proud has been in losing:

1. Graduated fifth from the bottom in his Naval Academy class;

2. Got himself shot down and captured in the war;

3. Served a full career in the Navy but never matched either his grandfather or father who both achieved the rank of admiral;

4. survived a failed marriage cause by his own cheating;

5. According to his official congressional listing has had only one private sector job, that of “beer distributor;

6. Lost to George Bush in the Republican primaries during which, when asked why he wanted to be president, could only respond, “It’s always been my ambition.”

My guess is that this list could easily be extend to a much longer one. But already, I think it is longer than his list of achievements. In 26 years,one can have two kinds of experiences. One is 26 years of learning and achieving. The other is one year, repeated 26 times. It seems to me, Mr. McCain has had the latter career path and that it has been one of achieving failure.

The Frontrunner: John McCain

Doesn't know how many houses he owns
Has a wife that lies about Mother Theresa
Was not really tortured in VietNam*
Has some (very) frightening similarities to our current POTUS

*according to the Bush/Cheney Administration

Back In The Day

Some blogger found an old interview of Barack Obama from 1995 when he was promoting his first book, "Dreams From My Father". I was struck at how composed and thoughtful he was even at a young age and how much of what he says today is consistent with his feelings back then. See the entire 3 part interview here. This is the final segment from it.

Fay Today (and the next few days)

John McCain: The Last American President?

AMERICA (hearts) HATEFUL LIARS!!!

Poll shows McCain in 5-point lead over Obama.

This country will surely get what it deserves in this election. If McCain wins through the smears and falsehoods he has now embraced, then he will be getting a country destined to decline into the dustbins of history. I know few people believe this right now but democracy can only work if people have faith in the system. For the past generation Republicans have had great success wining elections through spreading lies and fanning hatred. John McCain may well win this election in the same way, but it will be at great expense.

The difference this time is that Barack Obama has brought in a whole new generation of people into the process. These folks, mostly young, see right through this strategy and will either give up, rebel or revolt. No matter what they do, McCain would inherent a country divided into two camps: One no longer interesting in working to restore our once great nation and another so misinformed that they will (continue to be) sheep walking us over the same old cliff. It's a lose-lose proposition.

Also, unlike the present, I believe there will be very little interest by non Republicans in trying to change things. Why bother if American can't distinguish facts from fiction and choose hatred over unity? I predict a mentality of "If they want to ruin the country let them... Maybe we will pick up the pieces afterwards... or maybe we won't".

Yes, it does matter how you win. If John McCain succeeds by his current campaign strategy he would be a very lonely President with half the country no longer willing to work with people uninterested in serious debate. He would be a leader without followers. And then a leader without a country. John McCain would be The last American President.

Tuesday Afternoon Fay

The Warren Disappointment

UPDATE: In this video Pastor Warren contradicts himself saying both that that he thought McCain was in the cone of silence when he flatly stated it as fact - then Warren says he could not talk to McCain because he wasn't there to talk to. Huh?



I really thought Rick Warren was an independent moderator and generally wanted the Presidential forum for good rather than partisan purposes. I'm not so sure now. First, he allowed John McCain to break the rules concerning the "cone of silence". Now he gives us this hyperbolic quote slamming Obama:

For many evangelicals, of course, if they believe that life begins at conception, that's a deal breaker for a lot of people. If they think that life begins at conception, then that means that there are 40 million Americans who are not here [because they were aborted] that could have voted. They would call that a holocaust and for them it would like if I'm Jewish and a Holocaust denier is running for office. I don't care how right he is on everything else, it's a deal breaker for me. I'm not going to vote for a Holocaust denier...

Dad was right

I sometimes wonder if I get over sceptical about politics. Then I talk to my parents. Saturday, at the close of the Forum for Presidential candidates, I talked with my dad about it. He agreed that Obama did pretty good but then expressed a suspicion that John McCain was not in the "cone of silence" as promised by the programs' host. I confess, I poo poo'ed the idea at the time, chalking it up to his 25 additional years as a political observor to become extra over cynical. But, I was wrong. John McCain was not in the cone of silence when Warren said he was after all. Did he hear the questions in advance? We will never know. Were we lied to by the programs host? It sure looks that way. Was the Republican following the predetermined rules - well, c'mon he's a Republican, of course not!

But at 8 p.m. ET, as Warren said that [the GOP candidate was inside a cone of silence], McCain was actually not in the building. He was just leaving his hotel, with his motorcade arriving at the church nearly a half hour into the event. Yesterday on CNN, Warren confirmed that McCain was not in the building when the forum began. So how do we know if McCain listened or watched any of the discussion beforehand? Warren told CNN Sunday evening, “we flat out asked him” if he heard any of the questions.

Fay is on theWay

Cartoon Commentary

! & ?

C'MON NOW! Can we have even a little accountability here?

SAD THAT IT NEEDS TO BE SAID! But will it be believed?

I LOVE THIS STUFF! What else would I watch this Saturday evening?

MAC DON'T KNOW JACK! Does he have a memory at all?

THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE CRONIES! You didn't get any of it did you?

HAY OHHHH! But will he have to rename his home?

BIKERS, WEAR YOUR HELMETS! But you want to look cool?

Happy Friday! Good and Cheesy

Good song. Cheesy video.

The Contrarian

Double Standard: Part 43,398

If giving a speech in Germany is "presumptuous", just how "presumptuous" is it for a candidate to send his own diplomatic team into a foreign conflict?

Hold on.... Let me listen for the outrage from the presumptuous police ...

*crickets chirping*

Oh really?

Yes, John McCain really said this yesterday...

‘In the 21st century, nations don’t invade other nations.»

.

UPDATE: It's pretty rare that I agree with John McCain, and the above statement is clearly ridiculous and illustrates one of his many blind spots when it comes to reality, but there is something he has said recently that I agree with. The link above also directs you to a story where McCain says that Russia is trying to "Restore their Empire". He clarifies that they do not want to reconstruct the U.S.S.R., but the actual Russian Empire. I happen to agree with McCain about this. The Russians, Putin to be even more specific, have already made this pretty clear and has actually staked claims to Alaska and the Antarctic. The Russians are dangerous. I also want to be clear that I believe Obama understands this but has wisely chosen not to scream, yell and rattle sabers about it.

Just another coincidence I'm sure

That the Democratic Party Chairman in Arkansas was shot and killed yesterday.

Happy Humpday

When I was in Florida I joined the YMCA for a month. In addition to some cardio and weight machines I also went swimming in the pool. I enjoyed that a lot. There was no high diving board there either, which suited me just fine too.

`

Not Every Violation a Crime? Mukasey Won't Prosecute in Hiring Scandal

And he won't remove the partisan Judges that were inappropriately appointed either. But really, who cares? Our system of Justice is only the glue that holds the United States together. If the Republicans want to appoint partisans in these crucial position where impartiality should rule - suck it up. Quit complaining. And for sure don't sell any weed to your friends.

Get it? Got it? Good!

UPDATE:
As a bonus here is a quick list of some of the other laws that don't apply to the home team.
source: clammyc

• We know that violating the fourth amendment (which is of higher authority that "a law") is not a crime;
• We know that ignoring subpoenas by Congress is not a crime (disclaimer: IOKIYAR);
• We know that politicizing the internship program at the Justice Department is not a crime;
• We know that waterboarding another individual isn’t a crime (unless it is done to him);
• We know that destroying taped evidence of torture, after being ordered not to), is not a crime;
• We know that top Executive Branch officials ordering torture isn’t a crime;
• We know that suppressing people’s right to vote is not a crime;
• We will probably soon find out that violating FEC campaign finance rules is not a crime (again, IOKIYAR);
• We also know that violating the habeas corpus rules is also not a crime;
• We know that lying to Congress is not a crime; and
• For good measure, covering for the President himself over potential crimes, er, "violations of law" that the President may have committed is most certainly not a crime.

John McCain - also Very Newty

While McCain was married to his first wife, who was disabled from a car accident, he was "aggressively courting a 25-year-old woman who was as beautiful as she was rich," according to a New York Times colunmist's account of the 1970s incident that predated McCain's election to the Senate. ABC News

Be the First to Know

Barack Obama is about to choose a running mate, and he wants you to know first. You have helped build this movement from the bottom up, and Barack wants you to be part of this important moment. Just text VP to 62262 to receive a text message on your mobile phone.

Because God has soooo much free time on his hands

James Dobson, one of the most influential leaders of the "conservative movement" has called on his followers to pray for rain at the outdoor Obama acceptance speech later this month. Dobson, a man of God and steward of good conservative values is THE person every Republican politician panders to. My goodness, doesn't he perfectly represents what is wrong with Republicans today and why our nation has declined in so many ways? I wonder how many dirt poor, God fearing, talk radio listening people will now drop to their knees in obedience. Jesus Christ better hurry back because all these self proclaimed Christians are ruining His name!

Yes - Phone

I got my replacement phone today and am back among the talkers and texters. As easy as it is to beat up on Sprint - I have to admit the cancellation of the old phone and getting the new one was much easier and painless than I anticipated!

More "Conservative" Arrogance

President Bush wants to amend the Endangered Species act and give the power to decide their fate on individual government agencies who, in a conservative administration, work for the health and survival of big business. This is just another clear example of the arrogance of conservative political policies. The strong over the weak. Those with money over those without. What's conservative about that? How does that follow any religious or spiritual guidelines? I curse the day "conservatives" took over in this country and generations to come will look back and wonder how in the world these horrible people were ever elected to office.

Good Question

How can someone being portrayed as "the biggest celebrity in the world" also be painted as radical and out of the mainstream? Either Obama is like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton: a fluffy, substanceless, mass-consumed but empty celebrity-for-celebrity’s sake, or he is an unfamiliar and dangerous other with a hidden anti-American agenda. It’s hard to reconcile the two. By trumpeting Obama's popularity, McCain is calling him – by definition – a safe, easily digestible consumer product, broadly acceptable in the mainstream. Thus, McCain boxes himself into a corner when he wants to make the argument not to elect Obama because he’s so far outside the mainstream.

No Phone

I lost my phone Friday night and will get the replacement by Wednesday. In the meantime you will not be able to reach me by telephone.

Olympic Opening Ceremony

Wow! Despite the imperfect camera work, rambling commentary and frequent commercial interruptions, the Opening Ceremony at the Beijing Olympics yesterday was simply amazing. I have a feeling one of the main lesson we will take away from the Olympics is that we have fallen behind the rest of the world in technology, imagination and organization. A much needed wake up call.

John Edwards - Very Newty

Long time readers know that I have never been a fan of John Edwards. I could never pinpoint what it was but something just didn't sit right. I think I have it figured out now! Of course it's bad that he had the affair but it's much worse that he ran a campaign for President while lying bout it. Thank goodness he did not win the nomination. Furthermore, after watching the whole Nightline interview I am convinced that he is still lying and that the baby might indeed be his.

This affair does not rise to the level of hypocrisy that we see so frequently from those boasting of family values. It is the hypocrisy of the right wing that has always gotten my goat. They want to force so-called family values issues while living a secret life. But while Edwards has never tried to be the arbiter of morality, his decision to run for President with this secret (not to mention his wife having cancer) is very Gingrich-ian, sickening and I'm glad that it will effectively kill his future in politics.

Well Said

Todays must read opinion piece by Paul Krugman echos what I have been trying to say for the past couple weeks. Since that is his full time job and he is a better writer than me, I urge you to read this beautifully constructed commentary. Here are some choice exerpts:

[T]he debate on energy policy has helped me find the words for something I’ve been thinking about for a while. Republicans, once hailed as the “party of ideas,” have become the party of stupid. Now, I don’t mean that G.O.P. politicians are, on average, any dumber than their Democratic counterparts. And I certainly don’t mean to question the often frightening smarts of Republican political operatives. What I mean, instead, is that know-nothingism — the insistence that there are simple, brute-force, instant-gratification answers to every problem, and that there’s something effeminate and weak about anyone who suggests otherwise — has become the core of Republican policy and political strategy. The party’s de facto slogan has become: “Real men don’t think things through.”

Is this political pitch too dumb to succeed? Don’t count on it. ...let’s also not forget that for years President Bush was the center of a cult of personality that lionized him as a real-world Forrest Gump, a simple man who prevails through his gut instincts and moral superiority. “Mr. Bush is the triumph of the seemingly average American man,” declared Peggy Noonan, writing in The Wall Street Journal in 2004. “He’s not an intellectual. Intellectuals start all the trouble in the world.”

In any case, remember this the next time someone calls for an end to partisanship, for working together to solve the country’s problems. It’s not going to happen — not as long as one of America’s two great parties believes that when it comes to politics, stupidity is the best policy.

The Hot Oil Treatment

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

By the way - my position on drilling is to only drill using the safest technology available and only use that oil as additional reserves for United States consumption. Unfortunately, we are going to pay high gas prices from now on. But we need to prepared for something even worse. Any day, because of any number of reasons (supply, war, transportation breakdown), our imports could stop on a dime. So while we quickly embrace alternative energy sources, we should carefully drill domestically only to increase our reserves in the event we are left with only our own natural resources. Think of it as insurance rather than relief.

Thank You!

It was very satisfying to hear that Barack Obama echoed my sentiment from this morning's blog where I wrote:

He [McCain] should address these issues seriously, he should take the process seriously, he should take the voters seriously and stop this deadly attempt to deepen the division and ignorance that has dominated American political discourse for the past generation.

Obama, commenting on the tire gauge mindlessness being spewed by the Right wing, said:

The other thing is, they are making fun of a step that every expert says would absolutely reduce our oil consumption by three to four percent,” Obama said. “It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant. They think it’s funny that they’re making fun of something that is actually true.”

[I can hear the right wing media now: "Obama is calling all of you stupid". Just to be clear, stupid is more akin to lacking the ability to learn or understand. Ignorant is to be uniformed. The right wing have worked tirelessly over the years to keep the American people away from facts. John McCain knows he needs to keep enough Americans distracted and uninformed (ignorant) if he is to have any chance of winning the election. Even if it cost us the nation. Here are the definitions for your convenience.]

IGNORANT: destitute of knowledge or education

STUPID: slow of mind; given to unintelligent decisions or acts; acting in an unintelligent or careless manner; lacking intelligence or reason

Tuesday Roundup

Back to work and it looks like I will be non stop busy for the next 8 months!

So much to write about: each topic worth of a long article. But it would take me days to do that so I will have to be brief.

First of all, the Presidential Campaign has taken a disappointing turn for the worst. John McCain has evolved into the typical Karl Rove candidate, mocking his opponent, over-simplifying the issues and pandering to the ignorant and hateful. Like I said the other day, if this strategy proves to be a success, it will end this experiment in Democracy. This isn't an overstatement. People of my generation have seen this our whole lives and the younger folks coming in, I believe, will not have the patience to "wait until next time" that we have. If ignorance and hatred wins the day then I think Americans will start looking for another way. John McCain has some serious policy issues differences with Barack Obama. He should address these issues seriously, he should take the process seriously, he should take the voters seriously and stop this deadly attempt to deepen the division and ignorance that has dominated American political discourse for the past generation.

Next, it's the Anthrax case. Why in the world would they close this case just because a scientist they say they suspected is dead? The investigation should continue. It should also be expanded to determine why and how the Anthrax attacks were used to push the war in Iraq. Something here smells and the fact that they want to close this case now just makes it reek even more.

I am disappointed that the mainstream media has not reminded the public that the Anthrax attacks were a case of domestic terrorism by the Right Wing. If you look at the people who were sent the Anthrax it is the hate list of Rush Limbaugh and his flock. We all remember Oklahoma City and the militia movement of the 1990's. Let’s not pretty this up - let's tell the truth: the voices of the right setting the debate encourage hatred which has consistently leads to domestic terrorism by these same conservatives. Just last week there was that church shooting by a guy echoing what is heard in the right wing media. Coincidence after coincidence after coincidence? Absolutely not.

Seymour Hersh, one of the most accurate and respected journalist in America history, reported the other day that Dick Cheney wanted to dress up Americans as Iranian soldiers to instigate military action against that country. In a place once known as The United States of America, that would have been an outrage and criminal. In what we have now it’s an afterthought at best. That's what happens when long term ignorance and hatred breeds deep cynicism.

Cartoon Commentary

Respect

I have been wanting to comment on how quickly I am losing respect for John McCain. His campaign lately has sunk far below what I expected from this once honorable man. (On top of that, he appears to have a lack of a detailed understanding of most issues. On ABC's "This Week" last Sunday George Stephanopolis had to correct, remind or cover for McCain so often it was embarrassing.) If McCain keeps up this same old divisive politics and wins - he and others will be in for a rude surprise. The division won't heal this time. Faith in democracy will be gone. That's no joke. Is John McCain really willing to lose this country to win an election. I certainly hope not.

Old Timers Day

Gates will open to the public at 12:30 p.m. ET and introductions are scheduled to begin at 1:45 p.m. ET with the traditional Old-Timers' game to follow. Of course it is raining.

Hoffman Update: TPD Negligent

Rachel Hoffman is forever gone, but her family and friends took some solace Friday from a grand jury's judgment that Tallahassee police were negligent in her death. more

Happy Friday! (New iPhone Edition)