As far as I can tell, the real teaching moment in this whole fiasco is how utterly horrid the average American continues to be treated by the political machines operating behind the 3 presidental wannabes.

As near as I can tell, the basics are thus: from 2 of the candidates, we are being offered the overwhelming sum of saving about $50 +/- on average on our gas expenditures over the summer. The remaining candidate says it's a cheap political trick, and wise up, America.

And that is what has been the point of contention in this ever unfolding scenario. Should we see it for the cheap stunt it is, or should we get off our high horse & be grateful for even this modest gesture?

An attempt to crack that nut occupies many these past few days, the conversation unfolds, engaging everyone from the so-called pundits, or political commentators, and their expert guests we see on our TV every night, to John & Jane Q Citizen in attendence at many various assorted websites & water coolers across the land.

But...hold up, here--is this the debate we really want our presidental contenders to be having? I mean...am I the only one that's deeply insulted by this cheap scam? Good grief, people, we are relentlessly weighing the minutae of these few bucks, while just a few feet away from us sits an ginormus, obscenely obese, spirit crushing $40,000,000,000 elephant we called Exxon or British Petroleum or Mobil.

Why aren't our leaders having that debate instead of insulting our intelligence & cheapening our existence with this continuous barrage of empty distractions & nonsensical non-solutions to our very real problems?

I dunno..I realize I'm over-simplifying, and not being very realistic probably..there are nuances & sophisticated ideoligies being hammered out...but I think the real teaching moment in this is that our politicians would rather play us for chumps than grab the bull by the horns and do what it takes to represent us, the average citizen.

Posted at May 6, 2008 7:54 PM in response to The Gas Tax Holiday: A Rare Teaching Moment in American Politics

No one questions the amazing personal courage of John McCain during the Vietnam War.

Outside of his supporters (and the spineless, sub-human MSM, of course) I've witnessed his "amazing personel courage" being questioned plenty.

Amazing generalization, though...nice bit of spin, too. All in all, a fairly decent example of the kind of sly deceptions & sweeping fabrications that are rampant throughout politics.

There are a whole bunch of vietnam vets that are very concerned about Mr.McCain & they'd like to know exactly what happened during those 5-1/2 POW years. John absolutely refuses to allow any scrutiny of his file during those years whatsoever...by anyone. I find that very odd...and when added to the nearly one-man gutting of the POW/MIA program he ramrodded back in '91..or '92, I become highly suspect of just what motivates this man.

He's got some very big secrets, imo. It's a safe bet to assume that he was subject to a wide array of "experimentation/interrogation" sessions, including hynotism & mind-control...maybe drug induced, maybe not...we'll never know, just as we'll never know about many other possibly highly relevent events in Mr McCain's life.

The Manchurian President?

Posted at May 6, 2008 12:16 PM in response to The Real McCain (National Security Edition)

Exjournalist, did you ever hit the nail smack-dab center with that post--nicely done.

And also, it's always refreshing to be reminded not everyone out there has lost that precious last tether to a sane reality--our lifeline may be frayed & tatter'd, looking a little worse for wear & tear, but by golly, it's still functional.

Although, whenever I (accidently) catch a glimpse of the cute new couple, those 2 new BFF's, McCain & Lieberman, or if I again hear some media squat, in a voice, aquiver & breathy, extolling the saintly virtues of that rather modest war hero, John McCain--I start checking for signs that I've somehow ended up on Superman's Bizzarro World!

And just a few days ago, the gushing girlie-lads were being scrutinized because it was thought that they, & their networks, were maybe giving Barack too much of a pass, in general...I recall all the outlets spent alot of time discussing if that was really going on. I'm still waiting for someone to mention that "untainted by money, real stand up guy' image they're slapping on McCain doesn't exactly jibe with what's actually on the ground, so to speak.

Before, with Obama, I thought they might be making a bit more of it than it actually warranted...now, however, with McCain, it is really quite the major put-up job they've got going on. What I hear being said about him...the nod to great integrity, or the off hand comment reminding us of his brave sacrifice during time of war, is, in the least, tremendously aggrandized..and in the worst, blatantly UN-accurate. A very great deception. Those characteristics being attributed to him are truly far, far afield of the kind of man John McCain really is.

Don't forget, his brain was given the "Manchurian Man" brainwashing treatment...that's sposed to be some serious mind fu*k, who knows how many times during his stay there. He could very well be a real Koo-Koo...just below that creepily disturbing veneer, lives a real, bonafide stuttering spaz of a nutter. He has neither the mental capacity, nor the moral certitude, nor the strength of character, to either protect our interests, or rule over the free world.

Posted at March 29, 2008 6:22 AM in response to Condition under which I support both Democratic candidates staying in the race until convention

How did I come up with that scenario?

You know, I think it sprung, born pure & untaint'd, from out of my very own grey matter--it's been known to happen.

However, because I'm not 100% positive that the seed of the notion did not actually imprint onto my subcon. as a result of something I might've come across somewhere, tuck'd away amongst the reams of text I ingest daily, I'm going to include this caveat: To the best of my recollection, the idea was mine.

But doesn't that make perfect sense out of what has been, at least to me, an illogical & potentially disasterous strategy? I mean, why else would she so jeapordize the Dems chances this year?

The thought of McCain as our Commander-in-Chief causes me much distress. Not only is he at least as dangerous as Dick Cheney or Don Rumsfeld, he has absolutely no ethical standards. His despotic tendencies runs to the very core of his thinking. I think it may have something to do with the 6 years of Manchurian-esque brainwashing techniques he was subjigated to. Combine that with an already well developed sociopathic bent, and who knows what he might do if he were suddenly the most powerful person on the entire planet. I fear he'd be much, much worse than Bush.

He's shown no signs of remorse for past dastardly deeds, such as freely consorting with the enemy, recording over 30 pro-communist film shorts denouncing America or almost singlehandedly ram-roding the stoppage of all funding for locating MIA's & POW's back in '92--

I think he's a monster, myself--and yet--MSM promote him as a gallent war hero & square shooter. Outrageous!

Posted at March 28, 2008 3:38 PM in response to The Politics of Patriotism

I see rising high into the sky a reeking, festering mountain, all built of the remnants of the amoral filth & malignancies the Republican party has spewed forth these last 8 years, and there, on high & quasi modo-like, stands John McCain, claiming his rightful place as Lord Liege over his parties scumbags, King of the Liars, the Morally Corrupt & Ethically Bankrupt.

Not only is he so totally corrupt that he's aquired the morals of a sociopath, but I consider him to be a traitor to this country, and I use that term traitor quite literally--it's my opinion that if ever his military records were to somehow become available..I mean those covering that period of time he spent as a POW, if those were revealed, they'd make him look so very bad, that, by comparison, Hanoi Jane would look like Betsy Ross. Of course, he made sure back in '92 that those records would NEVER see the light of day. Then there's the Keating 5 debacle..(which was a huge fraud, btw...and his role in it should not be overlook'd) and his infamous weekly soiree's after his appt as the Navy's Senate liaison officer. I've heard the friday afternoon get togethers he'd have there in his office usually took on the appearance of a Roman orgy..often lasting well into Saturday. It was those events that allowed McCain to quickly get on the inside of many Senaters & Congressmen. McCain always made sure there were lots of girls at his do's...so, before he even ever got elected to a seat, he was in. His military record is less than stellar, shall we say--he graduated from the Naval Acad. 5th from the bottom of his class--then proceded to destroy a total of 5 Navy Fighter Jets over the next few years...

There's lots more...the guy is a scumbag to the Nth degree. I shudder to think what will become of us if he's elect'd to be our President.

Naturally, the MSM is giving him one heluva skate--and we think Obama get's treated with kid gloves? Ha! McCain is present'd in the very best light--yet his background is a study in depravity.

Now, the question is is Hillary going to play the role of spoiler next year by insuring a win for McCain?

As horrific a thought as that is, I'm afraid that is precisely what she has in mind to do. In fact, she's already well underway in carrying out her evil scheme. And the longer she remains in the race, the more damage she is doing to the American people.

If she loves her country even 1/10 as much as she repeatedly tells us, then she'll withdraw...today. With grace and goodwill and good sportsmanship and CLASS. If she doesn't, then she's signing the death warrant on these United States of America.

I don't think we need to wait for that 3:00 A.M. call to find out who's gonna do the right thing for America--that phone is ringing NOW. Don't let us down, Hill...please.

Posted at March 28, 2008 10:49 AM in response to A Kinder, Gentler McCain?

Actually, I think that Bill n'Hill are up to no good.

More than once, I've heard one, or the other, of the Clintons sneak in one of those not-so-subtle negatism's meant to raise questions regarding BO's character, then, after we are told how Presidental Hillary is, it's McCain's readiness that is very deliberately trumpet'd.

What's up w/that? Bill slags Obama, then gives McCain a lift. It's too close to consorting w/the enemy for my tastes--so why would they slam Barrack while praising McCain?

Not because Bill is embittered. It's cuz Bill decided that if Hillary can't beat Barack (for the nod) in '08, she'd be able to beat McCain (for the Presidency)in 2012.

Posted at March 27, 2008 5:46 AM in response to The Politics of Patriotism

What's really sleazy is how easily the MSM manipulates the vast majority of us in this country.

The debate (in this particular instance) is whether or not this schmuck Shuster should be fired & if so, for how long...when the debate should really be about what an absolute vermin filled cesspool our (corporate-backed & MSM packaged) entire political system has become and how much longer are we going to put up with it?

Posted at February 9, 2008 9:54 PM in response to Missing the Forest for the Tree

Word indeed,workerbee--you ROCK!!

These vile, loathesomely repugnant & grotesquely despicable despots have infested our hallowed halls far too long--'tis high time to break out the disinfectant & sanitize both Houses.

Rumour has it that the unfolding Foley sex scandel has only just begun to ooze it's filth--there are sick & sordid details just beginning to surface involving the pedophillic perversions of none other than that grotesque blob of Jabba-the-Hutt-like festering flesh that is Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert--involving trips to the North Mariana Islands...(where child prostitution is legal)--these neo-cons really are filthy pigs.

You've heard the same thing, maybee?

Posted at October 9, 2006 3:51 PM in response to At 0135 GMT A Seismic Event Consistent with an Atomic Test Was Registered

...but I increasingly find myself dubious of the idea of the fully public wiki.

I see your point, Howard--in essence, wiki allows any member of society, regardless of accuracy, motivation, credentials or pre-existing bias, to contribute whatever to the public record.

In that sense, I suppose it truly is a living document.

In light of the potential for any sort of skullduggery or sinister intent, I'd add "verifiable information" to your "expert information"--bearing in mind, of course, that throughout history (up until now?), it's always been the winner that writes the history...and, in the process, usually skewing the public record to show the victor in the best possible light and the vanquished in the worst.

Posted at September 17, 2006 11:07 AM in response to Not So Radical

Highly disappointing that so many members on this thread don't appear to have ever heard that oldie but goodie: "don't feed the troll."

Your extremely valid point has been noted, artappraiser, and, speaking for myself, I will heed that point.

Apologies to all that have been disappointed highly.

Now, for some truly wonderful music to accompany you through an hour (or so) of this gorgeous Sunday, please cut & paste the following link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/noscript.shtml?/radio/aod/jazz.shtml?radio2/laycock/

Once there, you need to search out "The Malcom Laycock Show"*

:-)

*for some reason, I can't link right directly to it...

Posted at September 17, 2006 7:20 AM in response to Not So Radical