Now is the Time's Blog

Get busy living or get busy dying....

2008-11-12T08:44:49Z

"That's god dammed right....I find I am so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement that only a free man can feel. A free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain....I hope...I hope....I hope." Thanks Barack.

Your win last week has me feeling like Red must have felt.

YouTube - The Shawshank Redemption - Final Scene - Movie Ending

F. Griffin

Sarah & Greta and the Surprise for the kids.

2008-11-12T03:16:53Z

Ok. I know the race is over and the best candidate won, but now Sarah Palin has "also" admitted that Todd put her kids on the plane to Ohio for her announcement of being the "VP pick" to surprise them. He suggested the same thing in an ealier interview with Greta.

That's fine. Surprise the kids. Mommy's going to run for Vice President. But let's not forget that this was more than a surprise for her 17 year old daughter who was pregnant. It had to be a shock to find yourself in the national spotlight only hours after stepping off an airplane trip that was supposed to be a surprise. It was a major imposition on her privacy. No wonder she looked so uncomfortable on that stage, holding her baby brother and a blanket, so as to shield her pregnancy. If Governor Palin did not inform her daughter of her intention to renter the national scene before she got on the aircraft, it is shameful. If this is the case, im my opinion, it was a selfish decision a mother and I wish someone would call her out on it.

The need for secrecy in some aspects of Presidential politics is understandable. But, to thrust your young, unwed teenage daughter into the spotlight for political reasons, without the decency of a warning is shameful.

Mc Cain's "Or."

2008-11-01T08:25:01Z

Olberman wonders what Mc Cain's "or" problem was from this mornings interview. The "Or" that Mc Cain can't bring himself to say is that Palin is ready to be President. He can say she is ready to be Vice-President, but when the sentence flows to "or President", he has some reaction and never says it. I don't think he has ever thought about the possibility that he may not live out the term of his Presidency and leave the country to Palin. Scary.

Mc Cain's "Or."

2008-11-01T08:25:01Z

$150K for some clothes vs. $3.5 million for a projector. Oh, the hypocrisy!

2008-10-24T01:46:42Z

Look. I'm a little pressed for time, but can someone write a piece on this double standard in "The Maverick's" views on wasteful spending. He's been trying to hammer Obama on the projector and when this Palin wardrobe thing pops up all he can say is, "she needed some clothes." I just can't statnd the hypocrisy. I'll write a piece later if no one takes me up on it. Thanks.

You will know their names and I'll make them famous.

2008-10-23T05:21:55Z

If there is one thing that John Mc Cain seems to pride himself in, it's his disdain for earmarks. You know those wasteful spending projects that congressional members insert into bills for their states and districts. Every chance he gets he whips out a pen to imitate the veto of the legislation that "literally" has "any pork" in it. Then he recites the phrase that has become his signature line. "You will know their names and I'll make them famous."

Well, there seems to be some waste going on in his campaign and he should be called out for not naming the name; Sarah Palin. Spending $150,000 for wardrobe expenses is obscene and Senator Mc Cain should be brought to the carpet for not signaling out the "waste." Granted it is not taxayer money that is being wasted, it is something more personal, money donated to a political campaign.

If Mc Cain wins the presidency, look for him to run the country like he has run his campaign. So, I woudn't hold my breath waiting for him to veto a bill that has been weighted down with pork. It seems that his hypocrisy will never end.

If Mc Cain is Maverick, Obama is Iceman.

2008-10-16T03:08:32Z

....and let's not forget what happened to Goose.

Maverick: "That's right Iceman, I am dangerous!"

Whew!! If Mc Cain wins, I fear this country will be his Goose.

I can't believe how cool Obama is. I couldn't do it.

Troopergate already?

2008-10-12T07:49:23Z

Governor Palin,

You've been in office less than two years and you get zinged by an investigation already? At least Ted Stevens waited a while to get caught.

Does Mc Cain even know that Palins baby has Downs Not Autism.

2008-10-09T01:28:40Z

Ok. I'm watching Fox- Insanity and Colmes - mostly because I want to see what Hannity excuse would be as to why he got blasted by Obamas communications director last night.

Of course, he mentions nothing, and goes to his "exclusive" interview with Governor Palin, oh and John Mc Cain.

Early in the interview Mc Cain talks about what he wants Palins role to be in his Administration and he finishes up his response by saying that at many of the town hall meetings they go to they are greeted by parents who have children with autism and how he wants to find whats causing autism and find the cure for it.

Autism? I thought Palins newborn son was a Down Syndrome child.

Is Mc Cain so out of touch or so nuts that he doesn't know the condition of his running mates youngest child?  It is scary to think that someone who is so out of it in so many ways is so close to the office of the Presidency. (That goes for both of them)

My fear was only briefly interrupted with a bit of amusement when I watched it again and saw the look on Palin face when he was saying Autism. It was like she was thinking, "Wow. And they think I'm dumb."

Someone. Please help me out. Downs and Autism are two different things, right?

If it is what I think it is this is just another indicator of why Mc Nuts is unfit for the office he seeks. His side kick, too.

F. Griffin

Senator Mc Cain, at the risk of being too presumptuous.....

2008-10-08T23:28:25Z

.... "That One" in four months is to be called, "Mr. President."

Thanks for playing (dirty).

Will someone in the media please report on how Mc Cains irrational actions might be screwing up my 401K.

2008-09-25T05:07:02Z

Please.

This guy is all over the place.

Obama has done exactly the right thing in trying to assure the American people that while the economy is facing some problems, he is aware of it AND he has it under control.

On the other hand, Mc Nuts has wildly said and done the first thing that came to his feeble mind since the "crisis" began.

The problem with this is that with the economy being so fragile, the stock market participants are taking their clues from our leaders. Unfortunately, Mc Nuts is one of those leaders and if I were looking for indicators for what I should invest in, Mc Nuts is presenting that there is a 50% chance I should pull my money out and invest in gold/yen/euro/pesos/moon rocks/whatever.

My point is that Mc Nuts has been a destabilizing effect on my 401K and I want him to stop. Those disjointed and spastic interviews Sarah Palin have been giving haven't helped either.

So, I am asking anyone in the media to pick up on this story so I can have something to fall back on when I get old and senile. My 401K is all I have and if I lose it, I might have to run for President.

Ok, Senator, let's go to D.C., but....

2008-09-24T21:21:57Z

So, you say we have to go to Washington to grab the bull by the horns and save the nation from certain economic doom? Ok, I'll bite.

But, since we are running for President of the United States, let's do what we would do if we really were President.

When the President is called away for an emergency, the Vice-President steps in. So,in this case, let the two Vice-Presidental candidates step in to debate foreign policy or economics on Friday.

So now, because of the suddenly important economic crisis, you should be willing to allow your second to take your place.

So there you have it:

SARAH PALIN AND JOE BIDEN SHOULD DEBATE IN THEIR PLACE ON FRIDAY!

Once again.

SARAH PALIN AND JOE BIDEN SHOULD DEBATE IN THEIR PLACE ON FRIDAY!

What's the matter, Senator. You got kind of quiet.

Recommend this so maybe the press (Hopefully, MSNBC) will pick up on this theme. Thanks.

Did anyone catch the FOX "First Dude" Interview Last Night?

2008-09-18T07:33:55Z

Last night, as I was perusing thru the channels, I came across Veta Van Whatshername, and she was interviewing Alaska's First Dude-- Sarah Palins husband. I could only stand a few minuets of her drooling before I had to turn to something else, but I did catch the circumstances of how the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee's childern got the news that her mother was going to be running with John Mc Cain. Or, at least I think I did.

I thought I heard him (First Dude) say that he hustled them on a plane/private jet and told them there was going to be a big surprise at the end of the flight. After which, they met John Mc Cain in Ohio and figured it right there on the tarmac of the airport. I thought, great, kind of stupid and totally taking the secrecy thing too far, but whatever. Maybe that's how Alaskans roll.

But then-- after I turned the channel -- I thought of what it really meant. That Sarah Palins 17 year old, unwed, pregnant daughter didn't know her mother was going to run for Vice-President until hours before she was on the stage, forced to hold her brother and that goofey blanket in a poor attempt to hide the pregnancy.

If the part of the story I heard the First Dude tell is right, she didn't even talk to her mother about her decision to run until it was too late (Somewhere and sometime in Ohio).

Now, I am really doubting that I really heard the story right. I did only see a few minuets, so maybe he corrected himself later or expanded his answer at some point in the interview to include the part where his daughter told his wife that it was ok with her to be thrust onto the national scene like that. That she could handle it and all would be ok.

Believe me, I am not trying to stir up trouble for Mrs. Palin/Super Hockey Mom, but come on, if it's true, that sounds like poor and selfish parenting. So, what gives? Was I wrong? Did I miss the part of the interview that explained this? Was the First Dude lying? Or, does Sarah Palin suck as a hockey mom?

Anyone out there in there in the TPM family see the interview?

Please don't make me have to Google Gretta Van Whats hername. Her voice kills me.

I don't want to be strong!!!

2008-09-17T04:05:23Z

Even in light of the the obvious financial crisis the nation is going thru, Senator Mc Cain has said the fundamentals of the economy is strong. When pressed for the obvious blunder he made, he retreated and said he meant the American worker was the strength that he was talking about.

Well, Senator, I am one of those workers, and Iv'e got news for you. I DON"T WANT TO BE STRONG!!!

The strength you are refering to is the American workers productivity, and while that sounds good, it's not.

This strength/productivity you laude, for me and most American workers means:
1. Longer hours of work.
2. Less pay
3. Higher Health Care Costs
4. Less job security
5. Less Retirement benefits
6. Less Health Care Benefits
7. Higher Transportation costs to commute to work (ie. gas)
8. Less vacation time
9, Less time at home
10. More stress

Senator Mc Cain, Barack Obama is right, you don't get it. Because the productivity you are so proud of, for me means I am getting paid what I got paid in 1998, and that's not with any adjustments for inflation or any of the above factors. (Seriously)

Unlike Senator Obama, I really think that you don't care because you have always been posistioned against the American worker. You have always been anti-union. You have always protected the big corporations that are responsible for my "productivity." You, my friend, are no friend of mine.

So, Senator Mc Cain, you can shove that productivity where the sun don't shine. Like other workers, I need a vacation and a raise. Then maybe we can pay our mortgages.

Hey! Leave that (Cough) VP Pick Alone!

2008-09-02T16:33:03Z

Ok, I am the first to admit that Sarah Palin is possibly the worst VP Selection in the history of the United States. But a bad VP pick for Mc Cain is a good VP Pick for Obama. While I hate to politicize the office of the Vice-President, it is after all political. It is true that if Mc Cain wins the Presidency, Palin would be a heart beat away from the Oval Office- a scary thought indeed. But, this awful pick only solidifies to the voters what a horrible President Mc Cain would be.

In my opinion, the Palin pick is a gift that we should never give back. (Ok, maybe we could after the Vice-Presidential debate) My worry is that we are pushing too hard, too soon and the gift will be taken away. The fact that she may withdraw her name from consideration -- ala Harriet Meyers -- is not what worries me. How she would withdraw her name from consideration is what could be a strategic disaster for Democrats.

Why? Because the Republicans would never allow it to be about John Mc Cains judgment, or lack thereof. The Republicans would make it all about the unfairness of the media and the horrible "liberals." Both groups would be demonized for being to harsh in their thoughts, words and deeds regarding Palin. Of course, the ultra-conservative groups would agree. Also, many women would agree. Let's fact it, Governor Palin would become a martyr. Her name would forever be the rallying cry for the injustice leveled against hockey moms and it would all be the liberal media and the Democrats fault.

As for the media, their credibility would be shot for the remainder of the election cycle. As for the Democrats, theri message of change would be overshadowed by the cry that they are playing the same old politics that they have been playing for the last eight years, obstructing judges, justices, ambassadors and now Vice-Presidential candidates. In short, it would be a stroke of good luck for the Republicans that Mc Cain's pick was so bad. He would get a do-over -- Joe Lieberman -- and still reap the benefits of the Palin pick; a galvanized base. In a sense, he would get two Vice-Presidential picks for the price of one.

Strategically, you couldn't make a better plan. It would indeed pick off women, Evangelical Christians, Jews and independants for the election. If I didn't know any better, I would say this horrible pick was intentionally orchestrated by one Karl Rove. After all, I did see him on Fox News yesterday, gleefully proclaiming the brilliance of the Palin pick. In fact, he was down right giddy. Now ask yourself, as a political mastermind, if your party had just given up its best argument against Obama-- experience -- by picking a running mate with far less experience than your opponent, would you be giddy?

Any time Karl Rove is happy, I am nervous. This could be his masterful, strategic move. Analogized by a strategy in chess where you purposefully give up your queen to get another queen in a stronger position. I feel that we as Democrats should remember that the goal is to take the king and let Mc Cain keep his weak queen. Don't push Palin too hard, at least not yet. This game is not over until the votes are cast and allowing Mc Cain off the hook for his bad choice is dangerous. While the majority of us would see through the Republican smoke and mirrors and see that this selection was a bad one, the problem is that a lot of voters just might fall for it. In an election this close, it doesn't take a lot to make a difference.

Frederick Griffin