Why Are Republicans Operatives Lying So Profusely?

I think most Americans are sick and tired of the sort of extreme dishonesty that has dominated political rhetoric during the Bush era. It may be ok with a propaganda machine like Fox News (Berlusconi would be proud, as would Joseph Goebbels and the radio talking heads in Rwanda who promoted genocide) but I think people are not that gullible any more. What am I specifically referring to? The way the GOP has stretched credulity in their attacks on Senators Obama and Biden and the bizarre arguments being made about Sarah Palin. Who actually believes the argument that being mayor of a town of 6,000 in remote Alaska and then governor for 18 months is the sort of experience that McCain considers suitable to be president? Doesn't that call into question McCain's own "experience" (wouldn't it have been better for him to be a mayor or governor of any place than sitting in the U.S. senate for 26 years?). I just want honesty, people. Stop this b.s. We need a government that is at least moderately trustworthy. Run the campaign on the basis of different public policies, not frat boy political games. If you lie this profoundly and easily (a sure sign of being sociopaths), then you shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the U.S. treasury or the U.S. military. It's amazing how these people can turn a person off in less than 48 hours. I was actually excited by McCain's choice until I was subjected to these jerks.

McCain Selects Palin as Running Mate

When I first heard about this possibility on CNBC I was sure it was a hoax. I said to my wife, "The only way that's true, and I certainly don't think it is true, is if McCain was turned down by his first, second, third, and maybe more choices." I thought it would be Mitt Romney. I was certain the McCain strategists knew better than to pick Lieberman, because such a choice would have immediately threatened to push the South to Obama (and would certainly have lost Tennessee and Arkansas). And if McCain was to select a woman as his running mate, I was certain it would be someone with stature in the party and the country. On the other hand, the little that I know about Sarah Palin is positive and I remain, in my heart, a Westerner with a fondness for Alaska and the independent spirit that prevails there (albeit tempered by a dependence on the oil companies). But it is, nevertheless, a strange choice, particularly given McCain's age and struggle with skin cancer, the fact that Obama has to overcome racism to have any chance of getting 270 electoral votes (no mean task in Fox News America, even given that very powerful speech last night), and the fact that there are so many more experienced women and men in leadership positions. In other words, even if McCain wanted to win a large chunk of the Hillary vote, he could have done so by selecting a more experienced woman. Nevertheless, I have to admit that I do like Sarah Palin, so I'm personally happy with this choice.

No matter what, this is going to be one of the most interesting and exciting elections in this country's history.

Obama as Elitist

Obama as Elitist

Thank Putin for the Strength in the Stock Market and the Dollar

Vlad the new czar (proof positive that it was Russian tradition and not Marx that was to blame for Soviet behavior) has asserted Russian authority in Georgia, and placed a big question mark on the future flag that will fly over Ossetia and Abkhazia. The military intervention/invasion has rattled investors and led to capital flight into the U.S., resulting in strength in the U.S. stock market and the dollar, despite economic news that should have resulted in another of those big sell-offs.