Be afraid. Be very afraid. -BV
Thanks to starglider for sending me this.
...history shows there are certain steps that any would-be dictator must take to destroy constitutional freedoms. ...George Bush and his administration seem to be taking them all
Tuesday April 24 2007
"As difficult as this is to contemplate, it is clear, if you are willing to look, that each of these 10 steps has already been initiated today in the United States by the Bush administration."
Read the entire article at The Guardian (UK)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/apr/24/usa.comment
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Religion jabs lead to lawsuit in NC Senate race (Associated Press)
October 30, 2008
"RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who speaks often about prayer and faith, is gambling her re-election bid by raising religion in the campaign's final days"
Read the entire article at the Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5grF_AonJPtxFL7gdF1klm_wOdCqwD9453UIG0
"RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who speaks often about prayer and faith, is gambling her re-election bid by raising religion in the campaign's final days"
Read the entire article at the Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5grF_AonJPtxFL7gdF1klm_wOdCqwD9453UIG0
Voting machines could bring Election Day glitches (CNN)
October 30, 2008
"Eight years after Florida's hanging chads exasperated voters and helped usher in sweeping changes in voting technology, many election observers remain concerned about the accuracy of the electronic voting systems most Americans will use November 4."
Read the entire article at CNN.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/10/30/voting.machines/?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail
"Eight years after Florida's hanging chads exasperated voters and helped usher in sweeping changes in voting technology, many election observers remain concerned about the accuracy of the electronic voting systems most Americans will use November 4."
Read the entire article at CNN.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/10/30/voting.machines/?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail
Obama and McCain: Be wary of the final weekend (Reuters)
Thu Oct 30, 2008 3:41pm EDT
"The final days of the last two presidential races featured unexpected twists that appeared to have an impact on the outcome, shifting the allegiances of some undecided voters in what turned out to be very tight races."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE49T8RT20081030
"The final days of the last two presidential races featured unexpected twists that appeared to have an impact on the outcome, shifting the allegiances of some undecided voters in what turned out to be very tight races."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE49T8RT20081030
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Dole Ad Fabricates Audio Of Opponent Yelling "There Is No God" (Huffington Post)
This represents dirty politics art its dirtiest, but that's not why it's here. Anyone who didn't beleive me when I said that athiests were a repressed minority should read this then tell me the same. That the specter of possible athiesm is treated as something bad, evil, un-American, something that must be defended against, is to me appalling. Welcome to the Land of the Free.
October 29, 2008 11:49 AM
"The end of the ad features a picture of Hagan with a female voice yelling "there is no God!" -- the clear implication is that the voice is Hagan's. In fact, the Democratic candidate is a Sunday School teacher and an elder at her Presbyterian church."
Read the entire article at the Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/29/dole-ad-fabricates-audio_n_138874.html
(A while back I called, as an athiest, for tolerance from the religious. While I made one dumb mistake and one thoughtless comment, for which I have apologized, the rest of the article I stand behind. I also stand behind what I had to say to Starglider's comment. Read the article and the comments.)
October 29, 2008 11:49 AM
"The end of the ad features a picture of Hagan with a female voice yelling "there is no God!" -- the clear implication is that the voice is Hagan's. In fact, the Democratic candidate is a Sunday School teacher and an elder at her Presbyterian church."
Read the entire article at the Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/29/dole-ad-fabricates-audio_n_138874.html
(A while back I called, as an athiest, for tolerance from the religious. While I made one dumb mistake and one thoughtless comment, for which I have apologized, the rest of the article I stand behind. I also stand behind what I had to say to Starglider's comment. Read the article and the comments.)
How McCain, Obama health plans stack up (Detroit Free Press)
Health care is a topic near to my heart. Literally.
I found a page that sums up both candidates' plans, and present it here for you.
They disagree on the best solution, but both want a change
October 29, 2008
"Here's a look at the health care proposals of presidential candidates John McCain, a Republican, and Barack Obama, a Democrat."
Read the entire article at the Detroit Free Press
http://www.freep.com/article/20081029/NEWS15/810290351
I found a page that sums up both candidates' plans, and present it here for you.
They disagree on the best solution, but both want a change
October 29, 2008
"Here's a look at the health care proposals of presidential candidates John McCain, a Republican, and Barack Obama, a Democrat."
Read the entire article at the Detroit Free Press
http://www.freep.com/article/20081029/NEWS15/810290351
Olbermann on Palin: Socialist, fraud (MSNBC)
Thanks to madinmd for sending me this.
Governor doesn’t have a problem with Alaska’s socialistic collectivism
updated 8:22 p.m. ET, Tues., Oct. 28, 2008
"Finally tonight, the Campaign Comment, and the real danger when you run a presidential candidate who thinks he's Joe six-pack the Plumber, and a Vice Presidential candidate who thinks she's Huey Long."
Read the entire article at MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27424491/
Governor doesn’t have a problem with Alaska’s socialistic collectivism
updated 8:22 p.m. ET, Tues., Oct. 28, 2008
"Finally tonight, the Campaign Comment, and the real danger when you run a presidential candidate who thinks he's Joe six-pack the Plumber, and a Vice Presidential candidate who thinks she's Huey Long."
Read the entire article at MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27424491/
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Coverage of Election Now Lacks Suspense (New York Times)
Published: October 27, 2008
"News shows should probably come with a spoiler alert: the following program contains images and language that seem to jump to a foregone conclusion."
Read the entire column at the New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/arts/television/28watc.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=%2b%22Barack+Obama%22&st=nyt&oref=slogin
"News shows should probably come with a spoiler alert: the following program contains images and language that seem to jump to a foregone conclusion."
Read the entire column at the New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/arts/television/28watc.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=%2b%22Barack+Obama%22&st=nyt&oref=slogin
Olbermann to McCain: Speak up and lead! (MSNBC)
Thanks to madinmd for sending me this.
Olbermann to McCain: Speak up and lead!
updated 8:08 p.m. ET, Mon., Oct. 27, 2008
"Finally tonight, a Campaign Comment about the fraudulent race attack claim, since acknowledged and recanted, by a John McCain campaign volunteer in Pennsylvania. You know the story quite well by now."
Read the entire comment at MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27406602/
Olbermann to McCain: Speak up and lead!
updated 8:08 p.m. ET, Mon., Oct. 27, 2008
"Finally tonight, a Campaign Comment about the fraudulent race attack claim, since acknowledged and recanted, by a John McCain campaign volunteer in Pennsylvania. You know the story quite well by now."
Read the entire comment at MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27406602/
Monday, October 27, 2008
FACT CHECK: McCain persists in exaggerations (Associated Press)
October 27, 2008
"NEW YORK (AP) — A week from the presidential election, Republican John McCain is persisting in exaggerating and misrepresenting rival Barack Obama's tax and health-care plans."
Read the entire article at the Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5huxFz9UzzIQM5OrgZXnhWONwMp6wD94322H80
"NEW YORK (AP) — A week from the presidential election, Republican John McCain is persisting in exaggerating and misrepresenting rival Barack Obama's tax and health-care plans."
Read the entire article at the Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5huxFz9UzzIQM5OrgZXnhWONwMp6wD94322H80
Palin pushes McCain staff aside as blame game begins (Christian Science Monitor)
10.26.08
"Bill Clinton used Fleetwood Mac’s 'Don’t Stop' as his theme for the 1992 presidential campaign. If reports of strife between Sarah Palin and the McCain campaign hold water, then the Alaska Governor might want to tap into Fleetwood Mac’s library as well (assuming she wouldn’t get sued, which is a big assumption). Her campaign song? 'Go Your Own Way.'"
Read the entire article at the Christian Science Monitor
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2008/10/26/palin-pushes-mccain-staff-aside-as-blame-game-begins/
"Bill Clinton used Fleetwood Mac’s 'Don’t Stop' as his theme for the 1992 presidential campaign. If reports of strife between Sarah Palin and the McCain campaign hold water, then the Alaska Governor might want to tap into Fleetwood Mac’s library as well (assuming she wouldn’t get sued, which is a big assumption). Her campaign song? 'Go Your Own Way.'"
Read the entire article at the Christian Science Monitor
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2008/10/26/palin-pushes-mccain-staff-aside-as-blame-game-begins/
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Rifle Association's 'True Story' (FactCheck.org)
Thanks to madinmd for sending me this.
A misleading NRA ad claims Obama voted "to deny citizens the right of self-protection."
October 23, 2008
"The National Rifle Association continues to go after Sen. Barack Obama on the issue of gun control with a new 30-second TV spot called "Imagine," which it said would run in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. The ad takes liberties both with the facts of the "true story" it purports to tell, and the substance of Obama's vote."
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/the_rifle_associations_true_story.html
A misleading NRA ad claims Obama voted "to deny citizens the right of self-protection."
October 23, 2008
"The National Rifle Association continues to go after Sen. Barack Obama on the issue of gun control with a new 30-second TV spot called "Imagine," which it said would run in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. The ad takes liberties both with the facts of the "true story" it purports to tell, and the substance of Obama's vote."
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/the_rifle_associations_true_story.html
Republicans behaving badly
Two stories.
1: McCain blames Bush for the mess McCain is in.
2: Republican bigwig (speculationon on MSNBC says it's Rove) chastises McCain for not blaming the Democrats.
I'm gonna pop me some popcorn and settle in to watch... -BV
1: EXCLUSIVE: McCain lambastes Bush years (Washington Times)
"'We just let things get completely out of hand'"
Thursday, October 23, 2008
"ABOARD THE STRAIGHT TALK AIR — Sen. John McCain on Wednesday blasted President Bush for building a mountain of debt for future generations, failing to pay for expanding Medicare and abusing executive powers, leveling his strongest criticism to date of an administration whose unpopularity may be dragging the Republican Party to the brink of a massive electoral defeat."
Read the entire article at the Washington Times
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/23/mccain-lambastes-bush-years/
2: Perino defends Bush against McCain (Politico.com)
10/23/08 1:26 PM EDT
"White House spokeswoman Dana Perino defended President Bush on Thursday from attacks leveled by his party's presidential candidate, John McCain."
Read the entire article at Politico.com
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14875.html
1: McCain blames Bush for the mess McCain is in.
2: Republican bigwig (speculationon on MSNBC says it's Rove) chastises McCain for not blaming the Democrats.
I'm gonna pop me some popcorn and settle in to watch... -BV
1: EXCLUSIVE: McCain lambastes Bush years (Washington Times)
"'We just let things get completely out of hand'"
Thursday, October 23, 2008
"ABOARD THE STRAIGHT TALK AIR — Sen. John McCain on Wednesday blasted President Bush for building a mountain of debt for future generations, failing to pay for expanding Medicare and abusing executive powers, leveling his strongest criticism to date of an administration whose unpopularity may be dragging the Republican Party to the brink of a massive electoral defeat."
Read the entire article at the Washington Times
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/23/mccain-lambastes-bush-years/
2: Perino defends Bush against McCain (Politico.com)
10/23/08 1:26 PM EDT
"White House spokeswoman Dana Perino defended President Bush on Thursday from attacks leveled by his party's presidential candidate, John McCain."
Read the entire article at Politico.com
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14875.html
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
ANALYSIS-McCain can't make attacks stick to Obama (Reuters)
Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:02pm EDT
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican accusations against Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama have come fast and thick, from palling around with terrorists to being a tax-loving socialist.
"But Obama has proven surprisingly adept at shrugging off rival John McCain's attacks and opinion polls show McCain is the one whose image has suffered from the negativity."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2236804220081022
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican accusations against Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama have come fast and thick, from palling around with terrorists to being a tax-loving socialist.
"But Obama has proven surprisingly adept at shrugging off rival John McCain's attacks and opinion polls show McCain is the one whose image has suffered from the negativity."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2236804220081022
Ugly election incidents show lingering U.S. racism (Reuters)
Oct 22, 2008 6:40pm EDT
"KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - Two weeks before an election that could install the first black U.S. president, scattered ugly incidents have reflected a deep residue of racism among some segments of white America."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE49L7D020081022
"KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - Two weeks before an election that could install the first black U.S. president, scattered ugly incidents have reflected a deep residue of racism among some segments of white America."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE49L7D020081022
Iraqi Cabinet Wants Security Agreement Altered (New York Times)
October 21, 2008
"Several senior members of Parliament said there were worries that the agreement left too much leeway for the Americans to stay in Iraq beyond the scheduled deadline for withdrawal in 2011."
Read the entire article at the New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/world/middleeast/22iraq.html?em
"Several senior members of Parliament said there were worries that the agreement left too much leeway for the Americans to stay in Iraq beyond the scheduled deadline for withdrawal in 2011."
Read the entire article at the New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/world/middleeast/22iraq.html?em
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Where the GOP could get dirty (Salon.com)
From Ohio to Florida to Montana, here's where Republicans may be using voter suppression tactics to tilt the presidential election.
Oct. 22, 2008
"With the end of another hotly contested presidential race now in sight, both political parties are once again mobilizing legions of lawyers. In every swing state -- and even in a number of not-so-swing states -- there are already public-relations and legal battles in motion that could help determine whether thousands of ballots will be counted. It's been another campaign in which the Republican Party has whipped up a media frenzy over the mostly nonexistent problem of voter fraud -- a much-hyped concern that, in reality, could abet a far more serious threat: Republican dirty tricks aimed at suppressing voter turnout in heavily Democratic areas."
Read the entire article at Salon.com
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/22/voter_supression_guide/
Oct. 22, 2008
"With the end of another hotly contested presidential race now in sight, both political parties are once again mobilizing legions of lawyers. In every swing state -- and even in a number of not-so-swing states -- there are already public-relations and legal battles in motion that could help determine whether thousands of ballots will be counted. It's been another campaign in which the Republican Party has whipped up a media frenzy over the mostly nonexistent problem of voter fraud -- a much-hyped concern that, in reality, could abet a far more serious threat: Republican dirty tricks aimed at suppressing voter turnout in heavily Democratic areas."
Read the entire article at Salon.com
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/22/voter_supression_guide/
A Critical Stage in Iraq (Washington Post)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
"Iraq hasn't gotten much attention recently in the American presidential campaign, thanks to the reduction in violence there, but U.S. policymakers are increasingly worried about what's ahead."
Read the entire article at the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/21/AR2008102102256.html
"Iraq hasn't gotten much attention recently in the American presidential campaign, thanks to the reduction in violence there, but U.S. policymakers are increasingly worried about what's ahead."
Read the entire article at the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/21/AR2008102102256.html
"Under water" mortgages are growing threat to U.S. (Reuters)
Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:49pm EDT
"About 12 million U.S. homeowners owe more than their homes are worth, compared with 6.6 million at the end of last year and slightly more than 3 million at the close of 2006, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/gc03/idUSTRE49L01S20081022
"About 12 million U.S. homeowners owe more than their homes are worth, compared with 6.6 million at the end of last year and slightly more than 3 million at the close of 2006, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/gc03/idUSTRE49L01S20081022
TUESDAY: Updated Endorsement Tally -- Obama Leads 121-42 (Editor & Publisher)
Published: October 21, 2008 11:50 AM ET updated Tuesday
"NEW YORK (Updated Tuesday The Obama-Biden ticket maintains its strong lead in the race for daily newspaper endorsements, by 121 to 42, an almost 3-1 margin and an even wider spread in the circulation of those papers (see full tally below)."
Read the entire article at Editor & Publisher
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003875230
"NEW YORK (Updated Tuesday The Obama-Biden ticket maintains its strong lead in the race for daily newspaper endorsements, by 121 to 42, an almost 3-1 margin and an even wider spread in the circulation of those papers (see full tally below)."
Read the entire article at Editor & Publisher
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003875230
Monday, October 20, 2008
Analysts: Powell endorsement more a rejection of GOP, McCain (CNN)
Monday October 20
"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Colin Powell's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama was as much a rejection of the Republican Party and Sen. John McCain's campaign as an embrace of the Democratic presidential nominee, political analysts said Monday,"
Read the entire article at CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/20/powell.endorsement/?iref=mpstoryview
"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Colin Powell's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama was as much a rejection of the Republican Party and Sen. John McCain's campaign as an embrace of the Democratic presidential nominee, political analysts said Monday,"
Read the entire article at CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/20/powell.endorsement/?iref=mpstoryview
Deflation fears surface, putting Fed on alert (Reuters)
As if the specter of runaway inflation weren't enough to worry about...Now It seems we need to be worried about deflation. We just can't win. -BV
Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:03am EDT
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Plunging commodity prices could drag U.S. inflation below zero next year and the Federal Reserve will have to stay alert to the risk of a damaging deflation that could erode the economy even if it worries that low interest rates could spark inflation over the longer term."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/gc04/idUSTRE49I1ZN20081020
Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:03am EDT
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Plunging commodity prices could drag U.S. inflation below zero next year and the Federal Reserve will have to stay alert to the risk of a damaging deflation that could erode the economy even if it worries that low interest rates could spark inflation over the longer term."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/gc04/idUSTRE49I1ZN20081020
ACORN Accusations (FactCheck.org)
Thanks to madinmd for sending me this.
McCain makes exaggerated claims of "voter fraud." Obama soft-pedals his connections.
October 18, 2008
"The McCain-Palin campaign accuses ACORN, a community activist group that operates nationwide, of perpetrating 'massive voter fraud.' It says Obama has 'long and deep' ties to the group. We find both claims to be exaggerated. But we also find Obama has understated the extent of his work with the group."
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/acorn_accusations.html
McCain makes exaggerated claims of "voter fraud." Obama soft-pedals his connections.
October 18, 2008
"The McCain-Palin campaign accuses ACORN, a community activist group that operates nationwide, of perpetrating 'massive voter fraud.' It says Obama has 'long and deep' ties to the group. We find both claims to be exaggerated. But we also find Obama has understated the extent of his work with the group."
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/acorn_accusations.html
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Michigan politicians fret over GM, Chrysler's future (Reuters)
I suppose that this is only important if you live in Michigan. Which I do. -BV
Sun Oct 19, 2008 3:10pm EDT
"DETROIT (Reuters) - Merger talks between automakers Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corp leaves Michigan politicians stuck with conflicting feelings: hopeful a combined entity would prosper but fearful it would mean job losses and tax revenue, plus a huge real estate headache."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1947441320081019?sp=true
Sun Oct 19, 2008 3:10pm EDT
"DETROIT (Reuters) - Merger talks between automakers Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corp leaves Michigan politicians stuck with conflicting feelings: hopeful a combined entity would prosper but fearful it would mean job losses and tax revenue, plus a huge real estate headache."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1947441320081019?sp=true
OUR FULL ENDORSEMENT TALLY: Obama Widens Lead to 94-28 (Editor and Publisher)
October 19, 2008 11:50 AM ET updated Sunday
"NEW YORK (Updated Sunday) The Obama-Biden ticket maintains its strong lead in the race for daily newspaper endorsements, by 94 to 28, a better than 3-1 margin, picking up 50 or more papers in the past day, including (see separate stories), the Detroit Free Press, Buffalo News, Cleveland's Plain Dealer, Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, New York's Daily News, Miami Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer, Portland's The Oregonian, Denver Post, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Salt Lake Tribune, Kansas City Star, and Chicago Sun-Times.
In a real shocker, two solid Bush papers in 2004, the Houston Chronicle and Austin American-Statesman, also came out for Obama today. So did the more traditionally Democratic the News & Obsever in Raleigh and the Orlando Sentinel, both in key battleground states."
Read the entire article at Editor and Publisher's site
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003875230
"NEW YORK (Updated Sunday) The Obama-Biden ticket maintains its strong lead in the race for daily newspaper endorsements, by 94 to 28, a better than 3-1 margin, picking up 50 or more papers in the past day, including (see separate stories), the Detroit Free Press, Buffalo News, Cleveland's Plain Dealer, Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, New York's Daily News, Miami Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer, Portland's The Oregonian, Denver Post, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Salt Lake Tribune, Kansas City Star, and Chicago Sun-Times.
In a real shocker, two solid Bush papers in 2004, the Houston Chronicle and Austin American-Statesman, also came out for Obama today. So did the more traditionally Democratic the News & Obsever in Raleigh and the Orlando Sentinel, both in key battleground states."
Read the entire article at Editor and Publisher's site
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003875230
Obama supporters fear race may bring candidate down (Reuters)
Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:01pm EDT
"ATLANTA (Reuters) - For supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama it is a nightmare scenario -- his apparent lead in the battle for the White House suddenly evaporates on Election Day. The cause? Race."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE49D69I20081015
"ATLANTA (Reuters) - For supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama it is a nightmare scenario -- his apparent lead in the battle for the White House suddenly evaporates on Election Day. The cause? Race."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE49D69I20081015
Colin Powell backs Barack Obama (Reuters)
Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:19pm EDT
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Retired U.S. Gen. Colin Powell, a former secretary of state in the Bush administration, on Sunday endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
"In an appearance on NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Powell backed Obama over fellow Republican John McCain, calling the Democratic nominee a 'transformational figure' who could be an 'exceptional president.'"
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49I1PX20081019
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Retired U.S. Gen. Colin Powell, a former secretary of state in the Bush administration, on Sunday endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
"In an appearance on NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Powell backed Obama over fellow Republican John McCain, calling the Democratic nominee a 'transformational figure' who could be an 'exceptional president.'"
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49I1PX20081019
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Economy has fared better under Dem presidents (San Francisco Chronicle)
Saturday, October 18, 2008
"Most Americans have one eye on the nation's financial crises and the other on the presidential election. And they are asking themselves, 'Is John McCain or Barack Obama, the Democrats or the Republicans, better for the economic health of the country as well as for my own financial well-being?' That is the defining question of this election."
Read the entire article at the San Francisco Chronicle
Polls give Obama a clear lead (Financial Times)
What was it Yogi Berra said? "It ain't over till it's over." -BV (with help from YB)
October 17 2008 03:00 Last updated: October 17 2008 03:00
"Pollsters and analysts say Mr Obama is now so well ahead of his Republican rival that it would take an exceptional event for him to lose. In the battleground states that will decide the race for the White House, he has a lead even greater than in the national polls.
"Mr Obama, however, sounded a note of caution. 'I've been in these positions before when we were favoured and the press starts getting carried away and we end up getting spanked,' he told a fundraising breakfast in New York."
Read the entire article at the Financial Times
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/780514ce-9be3-11dd-ae76-000077b07658.html
October 17 2008 03:00 Last updated: October 17 2008 03:00
"Pollsters and analysts say Mr Obama is now so well ahead of his Republican rival that it would take an exceptional event for him to lose. In the battleground states that will decide the race for the White House, he has a lead even greater than in the national polls.
"Mr Obama, however, sounded a note of caution. 'I've been in these positions before when we were favoured and the press starts getting carried away and we end up getting spanked,' he told a fundraising breakfast in New York."
Read the entire article at the Financial Times
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/780514ce-9be3-11dd-ae76-000077b07658.html
Who Caused the Economic Crisis? (FactCheck.org)
Step right up, folks; get yer hot steaming cup of blame right here. Plenty for everyone. -BV
Thanks to madinmd for sending me this.
MoveOn.org blames McCain advisers. He blames Obama and Democrats in Congress. Both are wrong.
October 1, 2008
"A MoveOn.org Political Action ad plays the partisan blame game with the economic crisis, charging that John McCain’s friend and former economic adviser Phil Gramm 'stripped safeguards that would have protected us.' The claim is bogus. Gramm’s legislation had broad bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Clinton. Moreover, the bill had nothing to do with causing the crisis, and economists – not to mention President Clinton – praise it for having softened the crisis.
"A McCain-Palin ad, in turn, blames Democrats for the mess. The ad says that the crisis 'didn’t have to happen,' because legislation McCain cosponsored would have tightened regulations on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But, the ad says, Obama 'was notably silent' while Democrats killed the bill. That’s oversimplified. Republicans, who controlled the Senate at the time, did not bring the bill forward for a vote. And it’s unclear how much the legislation would have helped, as McCain signed on just two months before the housing bubble popped.
"In fact, there’s ample blame to go around. Experts have cited everyone from home buyers to Wall Street, mortgage brokers to Alan Greenspan."
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/who_caused_the_economic_crisis.html
Thanks to madinmd for sending me this.
MoveOn.org blames McCain advisers. He blames Obama and Democrats in Congress. Both are wrong.
October 1, 2008
"A MoveOn.org Political Action ad plays the partisan blame game with the economic crisis, charging that John McCain’s friend and former economic adviser Phil Gramm 'stripped safeguards that would have protected us.' The claim is bogus. Gramm’s legislation had broad bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Clinton. Moreover, the bill had nothing to do with causing the crisis, and economists – not to mention President Clinton – praise it for having softened the crisis.
"A McCain-Palin ad, in turn, blames Democrats for the mess. The ad says that the crisis 'didn’t have to happen,' because legislation McCain cosponsored would have tightened regulations on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But, the ad says, Obama 'was notably silent' while Democrats killed the bill. That’s oversimplified. Republicans, who controlled the Senate at the time, did not bring the bill forward for a vote. And it’s unclear how much the legislation would have helped, as McCain signed on just two months before the housing bubble popped.
"In fact, there’s ample blame to go around. Experts have cited everyone from home buyers to Wall Street, mortgage brokers to Alan Greenspan."
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/who_caused_the_economic_crisis.html
Obama camp calls for special prosecutor in fraud investigation (CNN)
Finally; the Democrats have learned to stand up for thenselves. At least one of them has, anyway... -BV
Updated 2:38 a.m. EDT, Sat October 18, 2008
"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Obama campaign announced Friday that it is asking Attorney General Michael Mukasey to turn over any investigations of voter fraud or voter suppression to Special Prosecutor Nora Dannehy."
Read the entire article at CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/17/obama.acorn/?iref=hpmostpop
Updated 2:38 a.m. EDT, Sat October 18, 2008
"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Obama campaign announced Friday that it is asking Attorney General Michael Mukasey to turn over any investigations of voter fraud or voter suppression to Special Prosecutor Nora Dannehy."
Read the entire article at CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/17/obama.acorn/?iref=hpmostpop
Obama is the choice (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
(I know, that's tomorrow's date; but that's the date on the article at their site. -BV)
"The 44th president of the United States will take office in an uncertain and dangerous time for this country. The challenges we face both overseas and here at home are complex and unfamiliar, and the road ahead is likely to be very different from the road we have traveled to get here.
"Leading the country in such a time will require someone of intellect, creativity, honesty and passion for those traits that have made America great. That person is U.S. Sen. Barack Obama."
Read the entire story at the Atlanta Jouirnal-Constitution's site
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/opinion/stories/2008/10/19/prezed_1019.html
(I know, that's tomorrow's date; but that's the date on the article at their site. -BV)
"The 44th president of the United States will take office in an uncertain and dangerous time for this country. The challenges we face both overseas and here at home are complex and unfamiliar, and the road ahead is likely to be very different from the road we have traveled to get here.
"Leading the country in such a time will require someone of intellect, creativity, honesty and passion for those traits that have made America great. That person is U.S. Sen. Barack Obama."
Read the entire story at the Atlanta Jouirnal-Constitution's site
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/opinion/stories/2008/10/19/prezed_1019.html
Analysis: McCain jumps around in bid to stop Obama (Associated Press)
If you aren't already sick of hearing about the semimythical "Joe the Plumber," this oughta do it. -BV
October 18, 2008
"Joe Wurzelbacher was supposed to be the Republican presidential candidate's ace in the hole — an average, working-class Joe whose dreams of something better might be thwarted by Obama's plans. The Ohio plumber challenged Obama's tax policies and got the Democratic presidential nominee to say he wanted to 'spread the wealth around.' McCain told Wurzelbacher's story at the final debate Wednesday in a bid to paint Obama as a tax-raiser out of touch with regular Americans.
"But Wurzelbacher's story didn't quite hold up under inspection..."
Read the entire story at the Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hevgMEB4X2XNT3umP8t2lFh36NlQD93SP9B80
October 18, 2008
"Joe Wurzelbacher was supposed to be the Republican presidential candidate's ace in the hole — an average, working-class Joe whose dreams of something better might be thwarted by Obama's plans. The Ohio plumber challenged Obama's tax policies and got the Democratic presidential nominee to say he wanted to 'spread the wealth around.' McCain told Wurzelbacher's story at the final debate Wednesday in a bid to paint Obama as a tax-raiser out of touch with regular Americans.
"But Wurzelbacher's story didn't quite hold up under inspection..."
Read the entire story at the Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hevgMEB4X2XNT3umP8t2lFh36NlQD93SP9B80
Friday, October 17, 2008
Republicans Rain Negative Automated Calls on Voters in Swing States (The New York Times)
October 17, 2008
"Voters in at least 10 swing states are receiving hundreds of thousands of automated telephone calls — uniformly negative and sometimes misleading — that the Republican Party and the McCain campaign are financing this week as they struggle to keep more states from drifting into the Democratic column."
Read the entire article at The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/us/politics/18robo.html
"Voters in at least 10 swing states are receiving hundreds of thousands of automated telephone calls — uniformly negative and sometimes misleading — that the Republican Party and the McCain campaign are financing this week as they struggle to keep more states from drifting into the Democratic column."
Read the entire article at The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/us/politics/18robo.html
Report says Medicaid spending "unsustainable" (Reuters)
Medicaid concerns me, since I depend on it to keep myself alive. I can offer no solutions to the problem, I can only point out that we'd damn well better find one. -BV
Fri Oct 17, 2008 6:15pm EDT
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Spending on the Medicaid health program for the poor is on a path to grow at a much higher rate than the overall U.S. economy in the next 10 years, officials said on Friday."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49G7FG20081017
Fri Oct 17, 2008 6:15pm EDT
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Spending on the Medicaid health program for the poor is on a path to grow at a much higher rate than the overall U.S. economy in the next 10 years, officials said on Friday."
Read the entire article at Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49G7FG20081017
FactChecking Debate No. 2 (FactCheck.org)
I realize that the first casualty was the truth, but oh my god how the bodies are piling up.
Thanks to madinmd for sending me this.
Nonsense in Nashville
October 8, 2008 Updated: October 13, 2008
"McCain and Obama debated for the second time, in Nashville. We noted some misleading statements and mangled facts:"
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_debate_no_2.html
Thanks to madinmd for sending me this.
Nonsense in Nashville
October 8, 2008 Updated: October 13, 2008
"McCain and Obama debated for the second time, in Nashville. We noted some misleading statements and mangled facts:"
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_debate_no_2.html
Sadly, Mostly True (FactCheck.org)
All politicians lie; "honest" politicians don't get caught. -BV
Thanks to madinmd for sending this.
McCain and Obama accuse each other of falsehoods, and both have good reason.
October 7, 2008
"On the eve of their second presidential debate, McCain and Obama released TV ads accusing one another of untruthful attacks. Both are essentially accurate, though each tells only half the story."
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sadly_mostly_true.html
Thanks to madinmd for sending this.
McCain and Obama accuse each other of falsehoods, and both have good reason.
October 7, 2008
"On the eve of their second presidential debate, McCain and Obama released TV ads accusing one another of untruthful attacks. Both are essentially accurate, though each tells only half the story."
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sadly_mostly_true.html
Olbermann: McCain, suspend your campaign (MSNBC)
Thanks to madinmd for sending me this.
The GOP ticket is inciting supporters to violence against Barack Obama .
October 14, 2008
"Obviously, Senator, you haven’t heard your own speeches, and Gov. Palin’s, and what people shout during them."
Read Keith Olbermann's whole Special Comment at MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27188346/
I like Keith Olbermann, and I like his "Special Comments." You can read more of them here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/
The GOP ticket is inciting supporters to violence against Barack Obama .
October 14, 2008
"Obviously, Senator, you haven’t heard your own speeches, and Gov. Palin’s, and what people shout during them."
Read Keith Olbermann's whole Special Comment at MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27188346/
I like Keith Olbermann, and I like his "Special Comments." You can read more of them here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/
EFF Sues NSA, President Bush, and Vice President Cheney to Stop Illegal Surveillance (Electronic Frontier Foundation)
Thanks to starglider for sending me this.
New Legal Challenge to Unconstitutional Domestic Spying .
September 18th, 2008
"The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed a lawsuit against the National Security Agency (NSA) and other government agencies today on behalf of AT&T customers to stop the illegal, unconstitutional, and ongoing dragnet surveillance of their communications and communications records. The five individual plaintiffs are also suing President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Cheney's chief of staff David Addington, former Attorney General and White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales and other individuals who ordered or participated in the warrantless domestic surveillance."
Read the entire article at the Electronic Frontier Foundation's site:
http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2008/09/17-0
New Legal Challenge to Unconstitutional Domestic Spying .
September 18th, 2008
"The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed a lawsuit against the National Security Agency (NSA) and other government agencies today on behalf of AT&T customers to stop the illegal, unconstitutional, and ongoing dragnet surveillance of their communications and communications records. The five individual plaintiffs are also suing President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Cheney's chief of staff David Addington, former Attorney General and White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales and other individuals who ordered or participated in the warrantless domestic surveillance."
Read the entire article at the Electronic Frontier Foundation's site:
http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2008/09/17-0
Thursday, October 16, 2008
'Lying' About Being Liberal? (FactCheck.org)
While I have been unable to go online, my friend madinmd has been sending me a lot of links to interesting tidbits on FactCheck.org. This is the most recent. Thanks, dude.
A McCain-Palin ad twists Obama's words.
October 13, 2008
"A McCain-Palin ad claims Obama was rated the "most liberal" U.S. senator, which was true only for 2007 but not for his entire Senate career. He was rated 10th and 16th in his two previous years.
"The ad also misquotes Obama. It says he defended himself against the "most liberal" rating by saying 'they're not telling the truth' and 'folks are lying.' Actually, Obama said McCain and Palin weren't truthful about the 'Bridge to Nowhere,' and he was correct. And his 'folks are lying' remark referred to anti-abortion groups that accuse him of favoring 'infanticide' because of votes he cast in the Illinois state Senate.
"After twisting Obama's words, the ad accuses him of being 'not presidential.'"
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/lying_about_being_liberal.html
A McCain-Palin ad twists Obama's words.
October 13, 2008
"A McCain-Palin ad claims Obama was rated the "most liberal" U.S. senator, which was true only for 2007 but not for his entire Senate career. He was rated 10th and 16th in his two previous years.
"The ad also misquotes Obama. It says he defended himself against the "most liberal" rating by saying 'they're not telling the truth' and 'folks are lying.' Actually, Obama said McCain and Palin weren't truthful about the 'Bridge to Nowhere,' and he was correct. And his 'folks are lying' remark referred to anti-abortion groups that accuse him of favoring 'infanticide' because of votes he cast in the Illinois state Senate.
"After twisting Obama's words, the ad accuses him of being 'not presidential.'"
Read the entire article at FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/lying_about_being_liberal.html
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