Reaction to DNC Rules Committee Meeting

Damn.

That was AWESOME! They should televise all these political committee meetings. Especially so we voters can see first-hand when we’re getting screwed. This time, however, I thought the DNC Rules Committee did a good job with the task they were given. Hell, it was better than the Super bowl for us political junkies.

Michigan/New Hampshire Squabble

Let me say first I learned an extremely important historical fact that altered my opinion of the Michigan Primary leapfrog and I wish I had known it sooner. Senator Levin, speaking on behalf of Michigan explained that back in 2004, the DNC Rules Committee decided that New Hampshire would go third in the primary schedule and the second spot would rotate among the states. According to Levin, New Hampshire decided they would not abide by these rules, as you can view here, and scheduled their primary in the second primary position. From what I have researched, in 2006, the DNC Rules Committee recommended New Hampshire hold their primary January 22, 2008 and Nevada take the number 2 spot by holding their caucus January 19. Obviously, New Hampshire decided it did not have to follow DNC recommendations and did whatever their politically privileged little hearts desired.

This is extremely important. New Hampshire received a waiver from the DNC and was allowed to sidestep the “rules” - which angered Michigan who then opted to advance their primary anyway. Well, obviously, with the machine politics that somehow inserts itself into our system and poisons the well of sincere democracy, the DNC - probably not wanting to encourage primary scheduling chaos - refused an egalitarian solution to the issue and banished Michigan to the netherworld of irrelevancy whilst grabbing their ankles and giving spoiled little New Hampshire their second place lest Concord pitch a grand mal and thrust the party into primary warfare that could allow the Republicans to ride the wave back into the White House.

Got it? Didn’t think so. It’s all very tawdry and shameful and undemocratic - which is what you get when you refuse to support a viable multi-party system and cede our government to big-government Democrats or Corporatocracy-Republicans.

In any case, I found myself having much more sympathy with Michigan today than I did yesterday. However, I still agree with the punishments meted out by the DNC Rules Committee to Michigan and Florida because one simply cannot have states running around willy-nilly, flotsam-jetsam setting their primaries whenever they may.

Primary Scheduling

Obviously, someone needs to be the voice of reason in this whole clusterf*#k and I kindly offer myself up for such a position - even though I am not a Democrat (I research all candidates and tend to vote all over the place and am, therefore, Independent).

1. Move all primaries back to March. It is ridiculous to have the primaries sneaking up every election season, lengthening the campaign season and wasting hundreds of millions of dollars when people should be saving for their retirement or their children’s college educations rather than donating to lost-cause campaigns. Some of you may think the Democrat Party would do themselves a disservice by moving their primaries back and allowing the Republicans to hold their primaries first. I disagree. Without doubt, this prolonged Democratic primary season has kept John McCain largely on the second-page of the news cycle. This would continue to happen as coverage follows the Democratic primaries, the lone Republican candidate is forgotten. Yay.

2. Rotate the schedule among the states so that each year, states take a different place of influence on the calendar. To give Iowa and New Hampshire the position of privilege every year is at most undemocratic and at the least illogical and beyond reason.

3. All primaries must be primaries. None of the caucus bullscheiβe! Old people, people who are working, etc. cannot attend caucuses and cannot have their voices heard through their presence. Either have a mail-in vote (sketchy) or have an ID-required vote. That is the best way to ensure democracy is actual and we are not hypocritical in our claim of having the best electoral system (although, we are anyway because of the presence of the electoral college).

Basic Reaction to the DNC Rules Committee Meeting Itself

Allow me to preface this section by saying that due to the Saturday designation of the meeting, I missed all that happened before 11:30 a.m. and didn’t catch any of the debate regarding the Florida situation. I heard it was good, though. Also, because they came back so late from lunch and I ate a huge one myself, I missed a bit of the debate before the Florida vote. Whatever.

Best line of the day: Carl Levin quoting Will Rogers, “I belong to no organized party. I’m a Democrat.” Hear! Hear! Well said.

Former Michigan Governor Blanchard, when addressing the rules committee on behalf of Sen. Clinton, was way annoying in his intro. I mean, here they are trying to decide how naughty Michigan was and he has to take up all this time talking about how he was raised by a single mother. What???? Exit stage left, guv. jeez.

Michigan and Florida peeps keep claiming the voters have been punished enough. How have they been punished? By having national media attention heaped on the ineptitude of their states’ party leadership? Give me a break. Now, if they had each been tasered when they entered the voting booth, we could talk about how they’ve been punished. Politically, I would equate the last four months as a day at the spa for those leap-froggers.

Um…Can anyone tell me why there aren’t young people on the rules committee? Yeah, yeah, I saw a few members that were probably in their 40’s. But, I’m 30, so 40 is old and if they want to be appropriately representative of the U.S. demographic, there definitely needed to be more Hispanics, more Asians, and more young people, yo! I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to find a young, deserving sprite with an intelligent opinion. For real!

Lastly, did anyone catch those Hillary protesters?! I’m embarrassed. I really am. Seriously, they were all white, female and over 50. It was ubiquitous jiggles as they raised their hands in the air and chanted “Denver! Denver!” First of all, yawn. Second of all, come up with a better slogan, like “The Committee Sucks!” or “Michigan Rules!” or, my personal favorite, “Your mother is a whore!” And, at the end, there were only about 25 of these menopausal renegades left standing at the base of the escalator shouting and watching as no one paid attention to them. Babes, you picked the wrong horse. You chose a candidate that matched your demographic rather than one with character and good judgement. Face the music and eat shit. Is that harsh? Hmmm. Somehow, I don’t care.

Really, though. Even if Clinton appeals the decision and takes it further, she will still lose. Even if hell freezes over and the DNC seats Michigan in full as the votes were cast in the primary - which they shouldn’t - she would still lose. But hey, way to divide the party and anger Democrat voters so they can’t rally around Obama the way they want. Way to distract Obama from his real task of kicking McCain’s ass. Way to place personal ambition over national progress. Way to go, Hillary. You’re hypocritical, dishonorable and, more than anything, you have a mullet. Go away. Really, just go.

Well, GREAT Saturday! One of the best Saturdays ever. They need to televise these meeting more often. It’s time for a margarita and, being from Texas, throwin some ribs on the grill! Yeeee-friggin-haw, people!

(and i don’t give a shit what my teacher-sister says, I am NOT checking my spelling on this blog. it’s party time)

I Am Not An Astrophysicist, But I Play One Online

In response to the piece by ABC news that 16 percent of American science teachers believe in Creationism, I posted this comment on The Huffington Post:

ME:

Creationism is in direct opposition of the Law of Conservation of Mass-Energy and is not founded scientifically, therefore should not be taught in science class.

Good source: Atheist Universe by David Mills

Shame on the rise of anti-intellectualism in America. As we allow these attacks on science, the U.S. will suffer economically, technologically, culturally and globally. It’s these conservative christian isolationists that are dooming America and causing America’s loss of hegemony that the isolationists so fervently believe in.

My comments led to the following debate:

Myshkin57: Eh… conservation of mass is not a good reason to reject it. A good reason to reject it is that there is no reason to accept it. Further, the problem with creationism being taught as science is not its inconsistency with other scientific theory; most scientific theories were inconsistent with the scientific theories at the time they were first proposed. The problem is that it is not science (i.e. not testable, falsifiable, verifiable, etc.)

Delvin McGee: by that notion so does the Big Bang Theory

TMAN: Except that those laws or better yet, the particular laws of the Universe we inhabit were a product of the particular vacumn fluctuation as part and parcel of the Big Bang. Should another fluctuation occur within our Universe the Laws of Physics we observe now would be gone as would we.

Many of the most important elements of the Big Bang are “theory” in name only and have been supported, verified by rigorous scientific research, experimentation and testing.

ME: Big Bang does not defy the Law of Conservation of Mass-Energy:
Currently, all matter in the universe is expanding and will continue to do so until it exceeds critical density, at which point gravitational forces will cause the universe to collapse on itself, called the Big Crunch (you can wiki it). As all matter returns to a single contiguous point, the theory suggests that our universe of mass energy will explode in yet another Big Bang.

Therefore, mass-energy was not created. It has always existed and has most likely always been expanding and contracting.

TMAN: The increased rate of expansion has nothing to do with the Universe “exceeding critical density”. In fact the exact opposite is proposed as one “hypothosis” where matter/energy continues to expand and cool thus dissipating, for “eternity” “the BIG FREEZE”

Visable Mass-energy and the laws pertaining to them (they are the same) are a product of this Universe only, initial conditions sets the “laws”

You are aware that the expansion of the Universe also includes (though not often mentioned) the creation of the “new” space it is expanding into, as it expands, arent you?

ME: ah, excellent debate.

let me proffer that as the universe expands, space stretches - which contradicts the idea that new space is created.

TMAN: “let me proffer that as the universe expands, space stretches”

-Into what?

When I used the term “space” into which the Universe expands, I mis-used the word. My bad. Outside the “boundry limit ” of the Universe is nothing. The Universe (which contains within itself all of “space” and time, expands into that nothing that the Universe has expanded its boundry limit to. This is next to impossible to visualize or comprehend but mathmatically thats what is said to be happening as we speak.

ME: i see what you are saying, but what about the multi-universe hypothesis?

outside our universe is simply another universe, perhaps contracting, and that our universe is not simply expanding into nothing. the number of universes could be indeterminate.

So far, I have yet to receive another response from TMAN. Seeing as how I pulled most of what I asserted out of my ass (aside from the information I picked up from David Mills), I’m curious if anyone out there has any thoughts or corrections or suggestions.

UPDATE: TMAN finally answered my last response: Yes, thats possible or even the latest rage, “vibrating, interacting Branes”. At that point it’s a little over my head.

But, it’s magnificent isn’t it? And the thing is, it appears that it’s set up to give us exactly what we ask for. So it’s imperative that we learn and understand all that we can then take responsibility for our actions within the known and understood Universe. One doesn’t need fables if one is intellectually and physically engaged with it.
Thanks, TXpastafarian, for the dialogue.

To which I answered: I agree. It’s the discussion and quest for knowledge that matters. Anytime!

SHAMEFUL: 16 Percent of US Science Teachers Believe in Creationism

According to ABC news, 16 percent of U.S. science teachers believe human beings were created by a god in the last 10,000 years and one in eight teach creationism or intelligent design as a valid alternative to Darwin’s Origin of Species.

This correlates directly with my recent post of the rise of anti-intellectualism in the U.S.

What a ridiculous set of circumstances in which we have allowed fundamentalist religion to place our country. The lack of appreciation for math and science is largely due to the attack on science by christian leaders and churches across the U.S. It is shameful and is leading to the deterioration of the U.S. stronghold on technology and innovation. This, in turn, will lead to the further slowing of our economy and continued reduction in our influence globally. Can the rest of the world really take us seriously when so many Americans, including the president, take the bible so literally and as the irrefutable word of god and source on all relevant matters??

I reference Atheist Universe in which author David Mills asserts that creationism is in direct opposition to the scientific Law of Conservation of Mass-Energy. While there is no scientific evidence whatsoever to support creationism or intelligent design, there is in fact much evidence to dispute it.

There is also a mountain of historical and scientific evidence to refute the accuracy and truth of the bible. And yet, the ridiculous notion that it is a true text worthy of belief continues to permeate our society. Perhaps this can be attributed to the lack of reading, increase in video game play and television-watching by our children, or rise in the influence of religious leaders. We even had a serious presidential candidate this year who said we must bring the Constitution in line with the bible!

Make no mistake, unless we recognize that the privilege we have given christianity and other religions has led to the educational, and thus economic, downfall of this country, we will continue to see our global position deteriorate. Researches are scrambling to find out why our math and science scores are crumbling; until they look into the effect of religious fundamentalism on our educational system, I doubt they’ll find the true source of the corrosion.

Related articles:

U.S. Teens Trail Peers Around the World on Math-Science Test (Washpo, 12.5.07)

Study Compares States’ Math and Science Scores With Other Countries (NYT, 11.14.07)

Math/Science Education in a Global Age (InternationalED.org)

McCainpedia.org

Wow, the face of political campaigning is a-changin. The Democrat Party has established a Wiki (what an odd noun), McCainpedia.org, to offer their version of John McCain’s record. The site covers all major campaign issue categories and tries to present the latest news on the senator (I’m not sure they succeed in this capacity). They also bring their funny bone to the effort (surely to entice the young’uns out there who are drawn to the none-too-serious “The Daily Show” and “Colbert Report” and The Onion) with headlines such as, “No Lobbyists Were Harmed in the Drafting of This Blog Post”.

I absolutely encourage the research of any candidate seeking a vote in any election. But, beware that this website will bring you partisan information about McCain and thus should be viewed with a grain of salt. More like golf ball. However, McCain has flip-flopped on tax cuts, immigration, torture, the extreme religious right, speaking with Hamas, as well as much more, which lends credibility to the criticisms - subtly or not-so-subtly - by McCainpedia. If you’d like to view a fairly comprehensive list of McCain’s retractions and political 180’s, visit the Carpetbagger’s master list. It’s awesome and everything is well-sourced.

I do think McCainpedia.org is clever, however, and congratulate the Democratic Party on being the first out of the shoot to find a relevant way to reach the new younger voting bloc. The Internet is allowing all of us to be as educated a voter as we wish and it’s important to provide facts and information rather than just pop up a feel-good ad on Youtube (though, I really like that will.i.am one).

It’s going to be a good year.

And, speaking of flip-flopping:

And I can’t get enough of this - though that’s cause I always liked James Rubin when he worked under Madeleine Albright:

Appropriate Immigration Reform: Stop The Hate and Fear-Mongerring

A study, commissioned by the Americans for Immigration Reform Task Force (part of the Greater Houston Partnership), found that if 8.1 undocumented workers (otherwise knows as illegal immigrants) left overnight, the U.S. would lose $1.8 trillion in annual spending, according to today’s Houston Chronicle. While the task force has a vested interest in highlighting the detrimental effects of the absence of illegal immigrants, the study presents a merited discussion on the positive aspects of their inclusion in American society.

There has been much fear-mongering in the media over the ethics of allowing undocumented workers within our borders and workplaces. They’re taking jobs from American citizens! There are criminals among them! They don’t speak English and will marry our daughters! The lack of reasoning among those who cherry-pick statistics and facts and then use them as scare tactics for either political purposes or sensationalist media strategies is appalling.

While comprehensive immigration reform should undoubtedly be a priority of our legislative leaders, simply building a wall and kicking out “aliens” would not only NOT address our current problems, it would have a hugely negative impact on the farming, construction, restaurant, meatpacking and many other industries already under severe economic strain. Unfortunately, undocumented workers can be at a tremendous disadvantage in the workplace, receiving unfair wages and facing dangerous working conditions - a much more cogent motivation for reform than the “drain on our economy” argument used by the media crazies and right-wing politicians looking for that next leg up during election season.

The vast majority of our families were at one time undocumented and arrived in the U.S. without adhering to our strict immigration laws. Truth be told, the United States has a strong economy, capable of absorbing the millions of illegal immigrants - a large percentage of whom have been in here for years. Much of the media coverage and the shouting from the right wing is simply unfounded propaganda.

Anna Quindlen wrote in Newsweek last August that Mayor Bloomberg “testified before a Senate committee that they (undocumented workers) are the linchpin of his city’s economy.” She went on to write that new businesses are started by Latinos at a rate three times the national average.

Immigration reform cannot simply focus on kicking them out, having them pay a fine and then they can return. This is a very short-sighted non-solution that would do more harm than good. The path to becoming a citizen must be cheaper, shorter and less bureaucratic. Only then will immigrants opt for the legal route rather than the back alleys. This will also help separate the well-intentioned hard workers (that make up the vast majority of illegal immigrants) from the few bad eggs.

For any of us to claim that the U.S. and the possibilities available here are ours and ours alone is absurd. Numbers, studies and statistics are continually manipulated by all sides for ulterior motives, leaving us the individual duty of researching and judging for ourselves where the solutions lay. Talking heads are merely hurdles for the truth. Unreasonable fears implanted in today’s society prevent many from appreciating the enormous cultural and economic value undocumented workers present. For example, the contribution by these workers to Social Security annually is in the billions, yet they themselves will not benefit from these payments.

I live in Texas and think we should try to extend a helping hand rather than flout the ideals that once made our country great. Let’s be cool about this, people. Get of the ineffective Hate Train and stop yelling, “Off with their heads!” These tactics have been historical failures. Undocumented workers will not stop coming, wall or no. And if we offer a voice and protection and fairness in exchange for the meeting of reasonable, legal demands, only then will the situation benefit all parties involved.

Recommended: An Unreasonable Man

“An Unreasonable Man” is a documentary of Ralph Nader’s life and pursuits and a must-see for any informed voter this election season. The film captures a fairly objective history of Nader’s endeavors, still portraying the consumer activist in a positive light. I must say, I learned quite a bit - though I hit the pause button many times to discuss with my fiancé the merits of certain postulations, actions and opinions presented. The words from Pat Benatar’s “All Fired Up” give a fairly good description of our spirited debates. He had to tell me to stop “yelling” a few times, but the documentary made me want to strangle more than a few people at the upper echelons (past and present) of both America’s corporate and political universes.

Whether you agree with the man’s decisions or not, want to support the multi-party system in America, feel embittered by his inclusion in the 2000 Presidential race, are a head-up-your-ass staunch conservative or bleeding-heart liberal, this is an at-times riveting and interesting reflection of a controversial, controlling man with good intentions who has benefited American society in more than a few vastly significant ways.

You certainly won’t be a lesser person for having watched “An Unreasonable Man” and will probably learn quite a bit. I simply can’t recommend it enough.

Fun News On Friday

Former Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura is pondering a run as senator for the state, a race in which Al Franken is currently competing.

Ventura with Kinky:

If you’re bored, here are some interviews of the former governor as the former governor did his cable news rounds. I find myself agreeing with a few of his comments. Scary!

Did You Know Oregon Primary is by Mail??

How awesome! They’re expecting upwards of 75 percent participation. Let that be a lesson to all you caucus-holder states!

I leave you with an ad the Hillary camp is playing in currently playing in Oregon ahead of next Tuesday’s primary.

Anti-Intellectualism Syndrome and The Growing Smart Gap

The wealth gap in America isn’t the only growing dichotomy in our melting pot of various demographic slices. An intellectual gap is asserting itself in dangerous levels as these demographic slices form battling coalitions over differing priorities. While the Internet is a fascinating equalizer, providing information and education to those who seek it, the increasing vilification of education and intellectualism is alarming. And the 2008 Election, with its record-breaking participation, has brought illustrations of the growing smart gap to the forefront of mainstream media - even if the media doesn’t understand or acknowledge exactly what they’ve got their hands on.

The most recent example of the degradation of education in America is the difference in voter groups in the Democratic Primary. We are continuously reminded that educated Americans lean more toward Obama and blue-collar (they hardly ever say “uneducated”) voters side with Clinton. In an effort to celebrate these blue-collar Americans, the media and the candidates repeatedly refer to them as “hardworking Americans” - which should seem offensive to white-collar workers who undoubtedly work just as hard whether it’s in the operating room or on the trading floor.

Obama’s opponents readily reach for the “elitist” attack, however, simply because educated voters choose him more than any other candidate. How ridiculous. How backwards. How indicative of the anti-intellectualism that seems pervasive even in our most top levels of government.

It is not far-fetched to assume that educated voters are more informed, know more about current events, and are more familiar with the global effects of our national decisions and, thus, can apply critical analysis - even in the voting booth - better than their uneducated counterparts. This is not to say that a college-educated voter will always make a better decision than an uneducated voter. Intellectualism has more to do with the seeking of knowledge than the attaining of a piece of paper in the form of a degree. Smarter, more educated decisions, however, lead to a better - even longer - life and benefit not just the educated, but society as a whole.

Hillary Clinton began to solidify a political base as she began to pander to the uneducated, as Republicans do in most of their campaigns. In a fantastic blog entitled “In Defense of Being Educated” on The Huffington Post, Robert J. Elisberg writes that Hillary Clinton thinks she should be president because her voters are less educated than those of her opponent. He’s simplifying for effect, but the message is clear. The uneducated, potentially poorer-decision making voters who have always been courted by Republicans, are being celebrated and lauded. Yes, this may just be a political tool to get ahead, but the message it sends to America is a very dangerous one indeed.

I’m reminded of the 60 Minutes Report “All Eyes On Ohio” during which Kenny Schoenholtz, a worker at the Glatfelter paper factory (which was shutting down) told Steve Kroft about Obama, “Well, I’m hearin’ he doesn’t even know the National Anthem, you know. He wouldn’t use the Holy Bible. He’s got his own beliefs, got the Muslim beliefs. Couple issues that bothers me at heart.” Now, I don’t know anyone who saw that report and were not - too put it lightly- gobsmacked by the stupidity of such a person.

Now, that may seem a harsh judgment, but it is difficult to watch as voters just like Schoenholtz are routinely courted as the Holy Grail among voting blocs. He is the perfect constituent for Republicans or Clintons, who salivate at the opportunity to use unreasoned and illogical attacks. He is the audience for Willey Horton ads and Swiftboat campaigns. He is the voter to whom it will matter that Barack Obama’s middle name is Hussein. He is the voter who most likely voted for Bush a second time.

Why is he this type of voter? Because he is uneducated.

The pat-on-the-back for those who opted out of higher education or choose not to seek information and enlightenment will have grievous results beyond the quality of our elected leaders. With the diminishing appreciation of education - specifically science and math (largely due to religious fundamentalism) - the U.S. will continue to lose its stronghold as hegemonic power and falter economically, technologically and culturally. I recommend reading Susan Jacoby’s “The Dumbing of America” on The Washington Post for further statistics and examples of our rapid intellectual back-sliding. Jacoby has also recently written published “The Age of American Unreason“.

As the media and political parties request audience with uneducated voters using sugar-coated labels of importance, one must remember that lack of education and information encourage crime, teenage pregnancy, poverty, obesity, disease and more. Autocratic regimes and dictatorships prevent instruments of knowledge from reaching the masses as a tool with which to construct their oppressive governments.

I know many people who have not had access to a college education, yet are still very much intellectuals. The seeking of information, arming oneself with the ability to make enlightened decisions and the understanding of the importance of knowledge are all that is required to be intellectual.

As a nation, however, we glorify the rejecting of education to our own detriment.

There a fewer shames I can think of that the anti-intellectualism movement has produced than those presented by Nicholas D. Kristoff of The New York Times in his Op-Ed “With a Few More Brains…“:

“A 34-nation study found Americans less likely to believe in evolution than citizens of any of the countries polled except Turkey.

President Bush is also the only Western leader I know of who doesn’t believe in evolution, saying “the jury is still out.” No word on whether he believes in little green men.”

VETO: Hillary Has To Stop Saying, “If this were the Republican Primary…”

Very soon, Clinton’s role on the national political stage will diminish and we bloggers will turn our focus to the general election. How wonderful. I’ll start very, very soon.

In the meantime, while Clinton carries out her denouement, I am issuing her a MEREDITH VETO.

She must immediately stops saying, “If this were the Republican Primary, I would be the nominee.”

First of all, honey, this ain’t the Republican Primary and secondly, that’s probably one of the more asinine arguments you have used to justify your remaining presence in the Democratic contest.

Many states in the Republican Primary are winner-take-all states in which the candidate who wins the most votes in the state’s contest is awarded all the state’s delegates at the Republican Convention.

This system seems less democratic than proportional delegate allotment and reeks of back-room political machine negotiation so common at the state level. It’s as undemocratic as awarding all electoral college votes to the winner of the state instead of either awarding them proportionally or simply nominating the president based on - wait for it…wait for it… - popular vote. What a concept!! So novel! So original!

In any case, Hillary. The Democratic Primary is not set on winner-take-all system, nor should it be. And, for that reason, I suggest you halt your childish nanny-nanny-boo-boo, “If this were the Republican Primary” bullshit. It gives you no credibility, makes democrat voters think you prefer the Republican way, and adds to your air of bitterness and desperation. Just like that letter you wrote to Obama’s campaign about Florida and Michigan. Cheezus, what were you thinking? Somebody needs to send Ed Rendell and Rahm Emanuel and Larry King and Nelson Mandela to go have a come-to-jesus with that woman and her rascally husband.

Hillary Is The New Huckabee

Doesn’t it seem like eons ago that we were (perhaps I should say “I was”) thinking what a tool Huckabee was for staying in the Republican Primary when it was clear McCain was going to bring it home? Speculative theories were tossed around among those of us without television careers as to what could possibly motivate such a political buffoon to stay in a race he had so handily lost. My Republican associates (ahem, family members) conjectured that a continued Republican contest would keep them in the news and relevant as the battle between Obama and Hillary threatened to eclipse their party’s attempt to retain The White House.

Personally, I felt Huckabee was simply a media whore trying to ensure he had a post-election spotlight to bask in once his ridiculous run for leader of the free world (can we even call the president that anymore?) was over. I still think this is the case.

Moving on. We now have another candidate who has cement ear plugs and is shouting inanity about electability to drown out the fat lady’s aria, “Reality.” Granted, I suspect Hillary is staying in the race until May 20, when Oregon and Kentucky hold their primaries. She’ll have won West Virginia (May 13), satiating her political ego enough to leave while declaring victory. It’s still fun to see her practice one of her best skills, lying, as she continues to claim her intentions to be the president. Eating crow is certainly not her strong suit and I doubt she’ll sidle up to the table and order a serving. It’s all very delicious to watch.

As the superdelegates slowly meander over to Obama’s side, I’m reminded of the childhood game Kick the Can (was this only played in the South? If you don’t know what it is, you can visit the Wiki entry on it). The supers don’t want to get too much attention and risk maddening their electorate or alienating their colleagues, so they bide their time, hide in the shadows and - just when it’s safe, when no one’s watching - BAM! They sprint to the Obama can, giving it a swift punt and saving themselves from the evil nighttime troll of political regret.

The next two weeks will be fun. More fun than if she just packed up after Indiana/North Carolina. I’ll relish watching the charade, hearing criticisms of her continued candidacy and punditry ponderings of her campaign loans and losing the primary just as she had begun to truly resonate as a candidate (by mimicking George Bush). It’s almost a reward for those of us who feel an almost-desperation to have the Republicans banished, ending their ruinous rule, and yet have to sit powerless in front of the spectacle of Democratic cannibalism.

I will repeat, potentially for the last time, I never took issue with Hillary remaining in the race. I took issue with her praising McCain over Obama and the unwarranted attacks she and her husband lobbed for the sake of ambition. Well, the stakes are too high this year to put up with such divisive tactics. And political karma, for once in a long while, is rearing its necessary head and decapitating the deserving. So now, that’s all Hillary is. A chicken with its head cut off. Just like Huckabee was a couple months ago. Ain’t life grand?

What A Great Primary Night!

Did you stay up? I stayed up! It was difficult, though, and I was really battling in those last few moments before Obama was unable to squeeze out twenty-some-odd-thousand votes he needed from Gary to clinch the Indiana primary.

But, I have to say, Indiana and North Carolina gave us a show and BRAVO. The whole evening was like a big present to all of us junkies who have been growing discouraged with increasing anxiety as the Democratic Primary grew uglier and nastier. Every minute, watching those Indiana numbers (which started out: Clinton 61%, Obama 39%) get smaller and smaller and smaller, was juicy and gratifying. It was clear voters chose not to reward Clinton for jumping on the Wrightwagon and feeding them some baloney about a mythical gas tax holiday. It was the first primary night in a while I ended without sighing, “Oh well.”

Did anyone see Bill standing behind Hillary during her speech (which was so long and boring and fake, I repeatedly zoned out - and, no, it was because I was a few beers into a sixpack at that point)? It’s obvious he didn’t wear sunscreen during his North Carolina Front Porch Tour and looked like a big tomato during his wife’s “I’m a loser and I know it” speech. It just pains me to think about how Obama will have to approach our narcissistic former president for his valuable support leading up to the general election. Obama’s going to be all conciliatory and humble. I’m glad it won’t be televised. I’d probably throw up a little in my mouth.

The best part about last night’s results, for me, is that even if you allowed Hillary her hypocritical moment in the sun and counted Michigan and Florida, she’d still be a few pantsuits shy of a victory. And that, to me, people, is pure gold. Icing.

Now I must get another cup of coffee.

Hillary Trying To Win By Channeling Her Inner-Bush

Has anyone else noticed it? Hillary is morphing more and more into George W. Bush as this Democratic Primary comes to a close. In more ways than one, she’s turning into the very man she relishes replacing and “cleaning up” after. Of all the grotesque political displays aimed purely at winning an election rather than presenting a cogent argument for votes, this one must truly top them all.

Let’s count the ways Hillary R. Clinton is turning into Hillary W-wannabe Clinton:

1. She’s in touch with her inner illogical macho guy by using words like “obliterate” in reference to Iran and then refuses to admit her mistake. Wow, that will really help America’s reputation regain its humble dignity abroad.
2. She makes false campaign promises, specifically that the gas tax holiday would benefit Americans. The gas tax holiday would cost thousands of jobs, cost Washington state alone $126 million in federal funding that has already been spent for highways, cost “potentially 300,000 jobs” , and require a non-existent law forcing the oil companies to replace the tax with their profits. Remember during the campaign in 2000 when he said he didn’t think the U.S. should be the world’s police? Gotta love those pre-election, meaningless proposals.
3. When almost all experts decry the gas tax holiday, Hillary says she isn’t going to “put her lot in with economists.” Refusing to listen to knowledgeable, experienced experts in are area in which your authority is questionable… hmmm, sound familiar?
4. The upper-class, former first lady found in Pennsylvania that pretending to be a gun-totin‘ factory worker will bring in those white working-class votes by the thousands! You know, it just reminds me of someone. Hmmm, who can it be? Oh yeah! The last presidential victor who duped voters into forgetting he was born into an upper class family and had everyone convinced he was a good ol’ boy, everyman’s guy from Texas who’d like to have a beer with ya if I hadn’t dun givin’ up drinkin when I found Christ again.
5. Her aides use the Right Wing media as political hit men. Paging Karl Rove.
6. She backtracks, in this case, on the Michigan primary. You can listen to the audio here, in which Clinton says in October, “It is clear this election is not going to count for anything.” Then, in January, Clinton says, “But I hope to be president of all 50 states and U.S. territories, and that we have all 50 states represented and counted at the Democratic convention.” Bush’s backtracking is legendary, from refusing to fire members of his staff who were involved in the Valerie Plame case to the various reasons for invading Iraq to the environment.
7. Probably the most significant likeness to George W. is Hillary Clinton’s disregard for the popular vote. Hillary’s camp has repeatedly made clear that it is focused on requiring delegates, rather than voters, which indicates Hillary would be satisfied if superdelegates handed her the election over the will of the voters. It is well known that George W. lost the popular vote in 2000 to Al Gore by 543,895 votes.

And you know what? This strategy is working. For all the democrats passionate about replacing this administration, many sure do seem to be rewarding behavior that is increasingly similar to those currently in power. In fact, Obama is far more dislike Bush and yet, he is struggling to convince working class Americans - those who suffer the most under the Bush/Cheney reign - of this. While I’ve never been one to claim that the American electorate always make the best decisions, these votes of late for Hillary seem to defy political common sense and are instead self-defeating.

I almost need no other reason than Coulter and Limbaugh and Rove support Hillary over Obama AND her recent behavior has Joe Scarborough and Pat Buchanan simply gushing, to rest assured that my vote for Obama in the primary was the right one.

Until Obama regains that “fire-in-the-belly” voters favor in their candidates, he’ll struggle against Hillary’s successful strategy of characterizing herself in the same vein of the most unpopular president in modern U.S. history.  Boggles the mind, I tell you.

Top Ten Anti-McCain Slogans

I haven’t decided who will get my vote in November, but one thing’s fer sure: it ain’t McCain. So, since there are no pro-candidate bumper-stickers I can put on my car, I’ve considered giving the anti-McCain movement a boost on my rockin’ Mercury Tracer. Stampandshout.com only has a few anti-McCain bumper-stickers:

and

and

With such a short supply, I’ve decided to come up with my own Top Ten List of Anti-McCain Slogans and potential bumper-stickers (probably too long, though). Here goes:

10. Vote for McCain? I’d rather be waterboarded.

9. McCain: Because Romney wasn’t flip-flopper enough.

8. McCain: Don’t worry, Falwell left specific instructions.

7. John & Cindy McCain: Let’s bring S&M to The White House.

6. I’m voting for McCain because I don’t want poor people to be happy.

5. Vote for McCain? on it!

4. McCain McTotally Sucks.

3. Jesus hates Hagee cause he’s fat. (oops, that doesn’t have anything to do with McCain!)

2. Why McCain? Because Republicans haven’t fucked it up enough!

1. Karl Rove’s the pitcher. McCain’s the catcher.

Bonus: Yeah. Let’s elect the guy who came in second to BUSH.

Wow - TX Professors Give to Dems over Repubs 3-to-1

This article in the Houston Chronicle has quite a few interesting tidbits, a couple of which surprised me.

Unsurprising: “Faculty members have contributed $406,384 to Democratic candidates or committees in the 2008 campaign season — 71 percent of their political donations. Republicans have received $135,216, or 24 percent, of donations through the end of March. University personnel gave $27,915 to nonpartisan political action committees or third party candidates.”

Surprising: HRC received $129,721 in donations, while BO received only $104,911. I would have thought the academia, even TX academia, would have leaned toward Obama. McCain only received $25,130.

Unsurprising: “University of Texas [my alma mater] faculty sent the most money to candidates and political committees. UT personnel donated $227,645 — 74 percent to Democrats, 19 percent to Republicans and 7 percent to nonpartisan causes.”

Surprising: Even TX A&M faculty gave more to Democrats! Do I need to remind anyone that Bush I chose A&M to host his presidential library and Def. Secretary was president of the university before leaving to join Bush II’s administration. The current president is a Hispanic female, Dr. Elsa Murano - which is pretty effing fantastic.

Unsurprising and Surprising: Rice (unsurprising) and Texas Christian University (surprising!!) were at the forefront of Democratic donations, with 97% of the faculty of both schools giving to Democrats. The TCU numbers really surprised me. I live in Fort Worth, near TCU and most of the students I come into contact with drive Range Rovers, Audis, monster trucks, many a lexus, and the odd Toyota. These kids have more spending money than the GNP of Cameroon. In Texas, big money generally translates into Republican devotion, so it’s good to see that the students aren’t necessarily a reflection of the faculty. In fact, I wonder if being around so much wealthy spawn have pushed faculty members away from the wealth-gap-encouraging politics of Republicans.

Kudos: Saudi Arabia Holds First Gender-Mixed, Public Concert

Saudi Arabia, a country in which women have few, if any, rights, held a concert of classical music, presented by a German Quartet. What’s amazing is that the concert is the first-ever public gathering of a mixed-gender audience for musical enjoyment. You can read more about the event at MSNBC.

While the audience was mostly an expatriate audience, I’m always pleased to see progress in a country dominated by religious law that contravenes a vast majority of civil liberties.

“I would rather stand with Obama in defeat, than stand with Clinton in victory”

I don’t know if I fully agree with the above statement, from a blog by Bud McClure on CommonDreams.org, however his opinion piece expresses views I find echoing in my mind as Hillary puts on this working-class ridiculous “I’ll take care of you” front. Titled “Atonement,” the piece states,

“Hillary will get in bed with anybody. She has no internal moral compass. Her only choice is what is politically expedient. Her recent gas tax holiday proposal, an idea borrowed from fellow conservative McCain, is so stupid that I am surprised she can defend it with a straight face. Then I consider that it has no substance, it is just another means to an end for her. There are countless other examples that have made her appear harsh and arrogant, bullying in tone, threatening and menacing, pandering to our fears instead of inspiring our hopes.”

He then goes on to present a white-washed, ideal image of Obama, whom I think deserves a bit more scrutiny:

“He resists the temptation to get in the mud with Clinton when it would be the politically expedient and the expected thing to do. He resists her taunts. He does not infantilize voters. He does not pander to fear and he remains unwavering in his determination to win by the means that he believes will be necessary to govern this country.”

McClure finished by saying an election of Obama will atone for many of the political wrongs perpetrated by political leaders over the past few decades:

“But the most important reason to stand with him is that his election in the fall would give us a chance for atonement, to get back what we have lost over the past 25 years through a politics of division and hatred, where our government has been corrupted for the benefit of the very few; where the common good has been denigrated by a narcissistic worship of individualism and the wealth of our nation has been measured only in economic terms…We could talk to our enemies, find common ground, share the world’s resources, promote the general welfare, and regain our place as a country with a basic regard for the well being of all human beings.”

This may be one of those instances where “the good ol’ days” are remembered better than they actually were. While Dems and Repubs may have gone to church together and had each other over for dinner, public scrapping that go over the rails has always been an ingredient in elected leadership.

Now, I might rather lose with Nader, rather than win Clinton - but I agree with the unspoken premise that Hillary is tricking voters by presenting herself as a candidate that she is not and has never been. Rather being the candidate of the blue-collar, which she is not, she is resorting to duping and pretending and pandering. She’s telling voters what they want to hear rather than presenting appropriate solutions for problems we are facing. And it’s working.

MUST SEE VIDEO: Clinton Aide Calls Indianans “shit” in ‘92

The video also claims he says, “How would you like to be a worthless white ni**er?” Now, I’ve listened to it a few times and can’t tell if he actually says that, but he does call Indianans “shit.” If this had happened in the Obama camp, it would be all over the news.

Now, an aide calling names does not a bad candidate make. However, this guilt-by-association game the Hillary people are hurling at Obama over Wright and Ayers and more is reprehensible. If you need to read more about it, check out this post (by clicking on the link below) on the HUFFPO about Sidney Blumenthal using his former enemy, the right wing media, to attack Obama. Karma’s a bitch and remember, Sid was caught Driving Under the Influence a few months back (wasn’t it in New Hampshire). What a rotten apple.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-dreier/sidney-blumenthal-uses-fo_b_99695.html

Lovely how the mainstream media is ignoring this video and the Indiana primary is fast approaching. The longer this democratic fight goes on, the better their ratings. After Bittergate, they practically owe it to the Obama camp to give Hillary the same treatment.

UPDATE: The HuffPo says they’ve spoken to Mickey Kantor and he claims the video is doctored and is contacting a lawyer.