TOO LITTLE; TOO LATE OR HAS THE CAVALRY FINALLY ARRIVED?

At last, some Republicans care more for their fellow citizens than following the ideology of Grover Norquist to political oblivion.  Believe it or not, some are daring to speak out logic.

Unfortunately the public is conned into an erroneous assumption which is: 'vote for the 'other' person if you don't like the firs; it will improve your situation and the economy..The unemployment numbers haven't gone down fast enough but the media doesn't like to balance their numbers with the reality that states are dropping people off government jobs in large numbers and there is not a replacement for the jobs of teachers, fire fighters, police and those supporting them.

For more pf the nonsense going around, especially a bit about the third Koch brother, listen to Rachel Maddow on MSNBC by clicking here.  

It still boggles my mind how the Supreme Court can really feel they have done their job with the result of the Citizen's United decision and the billions of dollars thrown into campaigns while so many people remain jobless, families hungry, foreclosures and people devastated by lack of medical care.  Isn't that enough to tell us the people with the power are not caring for the welfare of the people.  They care only for more power.

PRO-LIFE HYPOCRISY

There might still be  few Christians who would ask, "What would Jesus do?' but there are others of us who are asking, "What would Mitt do?  The answer to this, with his views on anti-abortion, is very frightening to women who thought we had laws to protect us from religions to which we do not subscribe actually taking control of our lives.

Steve D of Daily Kos writes on what has been happening in Georgia lately.  It is beyond my comprehension why an American terrorist group is allowed to continue in the United States with such seeming immunity from justice.

How many women in America must be humiliated with vaginal probes, sickening routines to emotionally harass women before legal abortions can be accomplished, or suffer in areas where abortion clinics are forbidden to function even though abortion is legal by Federal law.

Most of us grew up with the belief that our government would prevent the 'bad' guy from winning for long. We do have an Attorney General, don't we?  Do local police just turn a blind eye to what is going on?  How many clinicians have to be wounded or killed before the hypocrisy of pro-life becomes evident to all?



If you did not watch the Rachel Maddow Show Friday evening 5-25-2012, please make sure to click here and watch the first segment of her show.
 

DISHONESTY AND NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING IS NOT PRESIDENTIAL

Mitt Romney

What is wrong with people that believe Mitt Romney in face of all the media replaying what he has said before.  He is now taking credit for saving the auto industry!  Of the many lies he keeps repeating, how is it that people don't see how our country would be totally destroyed by an incompetent to lead such as he.

Rachel Maddow does better at listing some of his lies than I ever could.  Watch the video here.

Jon Perr also has an interesting video worth watching.

Oh, dear!  Where does one begin to spout off without it ending up to be an offensive rant about the politically unwise people who cannot spot a scam because they have no ability to think logically for themselves.

Any man who affects the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood.  -H.L. Mencken  That statement seems to be true today as it was before he died in the 50s and spoke  it.  One of the disturbing facts of our times is that it differs when a man stood on a soap box in the village or city square and spoke without amplification.  In today's world, the word of men and women is tweeted, networked, and distorted in is being repeated by the massive media systems.  We have radio which can be heard everywhere, hand held technology that gives instant news, and even apps to inform us that raindrops are about to fall.

Ed Schultz

Rachel Maddow

Today we live in a world where we are subjected to the opinions of people who have no constructive ideas.  As one show pointed out, about three times as many Republicans, most from the Bush administration, while only three Democrats, not especially close to the the killing of Osama bin Laden. were brought in to comment.  Ed Schultz and Rachel Maddow both (MSNBC) questioned why the shows seem to be bringing on a lot of the Bush administration people.  This was unclear to them as it is to me. 

Christianne Amanpour

David Gregory

More importantly, I was a faithful viewer of This Week on ABC and admire Christianne Amanpour but whether by her choice or that of the producer of the show, the past few shows have lacked news and meaning for me as has Meet the Press, though I also don't believe it is the fault of David Gregory, either.  Who chooses the guests?  I'm afraid I have become a non-viewer on Sunday mornings though I cannot get desperate enough to think going to church would improve Sunday mornings.

Could we suggest better choices for guests and panelists in the future?

THERE IS MORE THAN ONE LAST WORD

Tonight Lawrence O'Donnell, on his MSNBC show, invited the leaders of five separate groups of the Teapartiers. None claimed leadership roles.  Each said that the Teaparty does not  need leaders, that as a leaderless group they have done very well.  They believe their goals are consistent with one another. They all said they wished for smaller, less intrusive government, and less socialism yet none could readily name a socialist program they would cut.  They all agreed, finally, that subsidies were socialistic but did not readily consider health care and social security as such.  For this observer, it was difficult to muster respect and comfort that these people knew enough to lead the country in a productive direction.

These group leaders were a contrast to the people the media has focused on as representative of the Teaparty's chosen candidates for office.  This group did not sound fanatical, rather confused, naive, and somewhat like a small child who, without any real knowledge,  thinks they can simply solve a problem...no hint of sequelae to their actions.

The questions asked by the interviewers. is often as useless as asking, :"What would Jesus do?"  This was not at all what O'Donnell did   It was a show run by a real pro.  He kept his focus and disallowed their spewing rhetoric instead of direct answers to what he asked of them.  Following Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann,
Rachel Maddow, his show, The Last Word, is aptly named.  Welcome to our world which is ready to be brought some reality, truth, balance, and integrity.

ONE SIZE FITS ALL DOES NOT DEFINE PEOPLE

There are many things in life to distress me. Among the worst are the pessimists, the paranoid, the slippery-slopers, those who can only see black and white, blamers but not responsibility takers, and people who think if one apple is rotten, it follows that all apples are rotten. When the Legislators and Media hot shots keep talking about all the people at AIG caused the destruction of the behemoth company, so none of them should get a promised bonus (even those who had nothing to do with trading and for whom the bonus serves in lieu of adequate salary). It should then follow that all Representatives and Senators are immoral, crooks, liars, greedy self-serving unconscionable people and worse, because the House and Senate have at times had some of all the above.

Why then does the media stir the pot of mob rage and fail to try to find out that the one-size-fits-all judgment is inaccurate? Even those in Media whom I trust the most, Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow have disappointed me because they have allowed themselves to be swept up by the angry, ill-informed mob. Should we then equate them, as Media people, and say they are ultra-conservatives like Fox News staff? Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are all entertainers who make comment on the news. Does anyone consider them all alike? I would hardly think an intelligent person could do this. Why then has the media been able to whip up a feeding frenzy that is endangering the careers, reputation, and safety of the many loyal employees within AIG, Bank of America, and some of the other places currently where guilty, as well as innocent, are being thrown under the bus?

The Media, as well as the Legislators have the power to search out the truth, analyze the total situation before presenting it to the people. Instead, they are revving up the populace for repeat acts like the massacre at Columbine, the Spanish Inquisition, or the French Revolution with its guillotines. The media ought to hire people who can work on curing the hopelessness that exists in so many who are eager to displace their anger onto innocents; too ready to believe if you work with bad executives you must also be evil. President Obama, in my opinion, did the right thing to go on the Tonight Show and reach 200,000 million people rather than the pitiful few he might reach being on the often-biased political shows, when they are attempting to be fair and balanced but end up giving credence to ridiculous, near-thought0-disordered zealots. The Chariot of Hope on which Obama rode into office is fast being eroded by the Media and others. People are too impatient. The time it will take to fix the mess we are in from the Bush Administration should be very clear to anyone whose eyes and mind are open.

Wikipedia: "Patience (pā-shəns) is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast."

What happened to the patience of the American people who were able to wait out the Cheney/Bush tenure to be able to vote for some people who might make a difference and begin to put into place a cure for our ailing country? Where are the voices of ideas and hope which are not to be found in Media circles?

BIDEN-PALIN DEBATE

Despite the apparent wish of the media to see more action or a TKO, the debate was somewhat benign and predictable. In my opinion, Biden won hands-down. However, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and those willing to assume charm is worth more than substance saw it differently than I did. Biden smiled a beautiful, white, toothful smile at some of Palins remarks and attacks but only spoke to correct the inaccuracy of some of Palin's reflections on the Obama positions.

Rachel Maddow, MSNBC, saw Palin realistically while Pat Buchanan, MSNBC, thought Palin did a wonderful job and won the debate. He could hardly stop raving about it. Rachel Maddow seemed to get it right when she said you could choose Biden (boring and right) or Palin (exciting and wrong). Catty Kay on the BBC thought that McCain needed more tonight from Palin than charm. She added that, because of the way the poll numbers are running currently, this might not have gone well for McCain. The woman rarely answered the question that was asked, often changed the subject to refer back to something she was more comfortable answering, usually to say what she had done as Mayor of that tiny town or as Governor of the 600,00+ people of that 'big state' of Alaska. She totally lacked substance in her answers. David Gregory, MSNBC, thought Palin had a game plan to which she stuck but did not add that she was particularly successful. Chris Matthews took issue with her saying she thought the powers of the Vice President should be expanded and read her as not planning to play by the rules. CNN offered focus group's responses which seemed to be a strong preference for Obama. One woman, who I had understood to be an independent going in, decided she liked what Palin had to say. The woman looked like a deer caught in the headlights, spoke slowly and seemed to have difficulty getting out her thoughts, so I was not clear on what part of Palin's responses she was using to change or solidy her vote.

Biden offered much historical data and did not bite at Palin's attempts to unseat him with her homespun darts. Her cutesy, raised voice at the beginning, asking if she could call Biden Joe, started her attempt to convince everyone that she, more than Biden, would be for six-pack Joe and middle America. However, on the substantive issues, she follows McCain who follows Bush.
Biden defined the job of the VP as one in which he follows the lead of the President and acts as an adviser, influencing the Legislature only when a tie needs to be broken. Palin expressed that she would be more engaged with the Legislature, seeming not to understand the Constitution on this matter any more than Cheney had, with Bush allowing himself to be led by the nose by 'Big Dick'.

Palin, at one point, said she did not have to compromise much and did not care who got credit in her state. (She is obviously able to speak constantly of all she has done as Mayor and, later, Governor). Biden quoted Mike Mansfield, an early mentor to him. Mansfield taught him to never question motive, only judgments. Biden matched Palin emotionally about single parenting, sadness, and losses which Palin glossed over with no hint of empathy then tried to make her own unrelated point.

To me, Biden answered questions quickly, concisely, and did not play games. Palin skirted answering the questions, chose to make her own political speech instead, and never answered a question as to how McCain would effect change. She only expressed where she thought change was needed. She spouted the Bush/McCain party line throughout and I saw eight more years of Bush policym if she and MCain get to the White House, with panic in my heart.

PALIN SEEMS TO WORRY A LOT OF PEOPLE

"If ever I've seen a Trojan Horse in American politics, it's the showy but hollow package named Sarah Palin." (Joanne Draus Klein, Sun News, Cleveland Ohio) She adds: "Palin's image as a tough, modern woman vanishes in light of her outmoded beliefs. She favors teaching creationism; doubts global warming; has considered book banning; is anti-choice, -stem-cell-research and -gay-rights; and she opposes gun control. Ultimately, this lifelong NRA member keeps the incongruity of the Old Boys' Club agenda intact: Respect for life is a great notion to maximize when controlling women's reproductive rights, but should be minimized when it comes to the Iraq war (which she calls "a task that is from God") or killing animals for fun."

Biden on Palin: "So, after Joe Biden said, awesomely, that paying taxes is patriotic, Sarah Palin retorted, mendaciously, that raising taxes is "about killing jobs and hurting small businesses and making things worse." Biden's reply through Katie Couric: "How many small businessmen are making one million, four hundred thousand -- average in the top 1 percent. Give me a break. I remind my friend, John McCain, what he said -- when Bush called for war and tax cuts -- he said, it was immoral, immoral, to take a nation to war and not have anybody pay for it. I am so sick and tired of this phoniness. The truth of the matter is that we are in trouble. And the people who do not need a new tax cut should be willing, as patriotic Americans, to understand the way to get this economy back up on their feet is to give middle class taxpayers a break. We take the tax cut they're getting and we give it to the middle class." This said to Palin's ridiculing Obama in a fashion that makes one wonder just how far she can twist meaning.

Rachel Maddow looks at the numbers and finds that Palin really inspires women -- to vote for Obama. Maddow looked at some actual polls.

Based on the numbers, Maddow concluded that the "Palin effect" -- the idea that Palin's addition to the Republican ticket was a stroke of genius that would pull women, en masse, away from Democrats -- is " ... an interesting storyline ... If by interesting, you mean not at all true."

Tonight, I sat at a dinner table with a couple of staunch Republicans who think she is wonderful. I was warned by others at the table and was able to avoid that particular dialogue which I find as fruitful and productive as repeatedly bashing my head into a brick wall.

I can only hope the polls are missing the absentee ballots, the cell users, and the young independents who are always at work when the pollsters call, who are less apt to be brainwashed by the 'honest' Republicans.