You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July 2008.

This has to be the best political ad I’ve ever seen. Why didn’t I think of this? You be the judge.

PLAYGROUND POLITICS (Commercial)

If you’re unable to view the commercial, please click here.

***SEND THIS PAGE AS A LINK TO SOMEONE SO THEY CAN SEE IT TOO***

The Justice Department concludes that Monica Goodling, senior counsel to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, wrongly considered political and ideological affiliations when hiring. Isn’t this called discrimination? I wonder what else went into the consideration.

The report concludes that Goodling, Sampson and others broke the law by considering political and ideological affiliations in selecting immigration judges, federal prosecutors and other candidates for jobs that are supposed to be free from politics.

Monica Goodling would regularly ask job applicants these questions:

MG: What is it about George W. Bush that makes you want to serve him?

TV: That would disqualify me right then, but I wouldn’t want to work with him anyway.

MG: Aside from the president, give us an example of someone currently or recently in public service who you admire.

TV: Again I would be disqualified right then, because I would only mention Democrats. According to Monica Goodling standards my answer would disqualify me.

MG: Why are you a Republican?

TV: Now cursing in an interview is a Big Disqualifier, but I would understand if you used a few in your response to this question. This should only be asked if you’re applying for a job with the RNC.

Monica Goodling knew that what she was doing was wrong.

When you can denied a job to Michael Battle, because his wife was a Democrat you know you’re out of control and essentially a sophisticated corporate gangsta. I give her some slack only because she’s a typical conservative Republican, it’s difficult to expect anything different. I’m just surprise that she was so gangster with it.

I can confidently make a BET that she (Monica Goodling) will either get what essentially is a “slap on the wrist” or allowed to walk free. Perhaps Bush will do a Scooter Libby move for her too.

***********************

Gangsta — a person who exhibits the traits or demeanor associated with the high risk lifestyle. You will find a gangster behind organized crime.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Additional Resources:

Well this is wonderful news. I’m very happy for them. Now the sleepless nights begin.

The first grandchild of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Mrs. Coretta Scott King was born Sunday, May 25, 2008 at Northside Hospital in Atlanta.

Parents, Martin III & Arndrea Waters King and new baby Yolanda Renee King named after her late Aunt, Yolanda Denise King.

http://www.wsbtv.com/video/16406641/index.html

So John McCain is always there for our troops?

You accuse Barack Obama of abandoning wounded troops in Germany because of Press Restrictions is ridiculous and does not support the insinuations of your latest attack ad.

These tactics may work for some people who are influenced by the ridiculous rambling rhetoric of the right, but how can you honestly make that claim with a straight face.

I can think of a few phrases that would best sum up a consensus response, although it’s not in my character to use these phrases. I know you shouldn’t say “N-Word Please”, but it seems to be appropriate in this occasion.

Since John McCain is always there for our troops maybe you can explain how he can account for only showing up for 4 of the past 14 senate votes on Iraq?

Since John McCain is always there for our troops maybe you can explain why he did not vote for a bill that would provide $1 Billion in supplies for our National Guard troops?

Since John McCain is always there for our troops maybe you can explain how in October 2003 he did not vote for a bill that would give $322 Million in safety equipment for our troops in Iraq?

Since John McCain is always there for our troops maybe you can explain how in March 2004 he voted against tax loop holes that would have increased veterans medical care by $1.8 Billion?

Hold up. Slow your roll playa I’m not finish yet.

Since John McCain is always there for our troops maybe you can explain how in March 2006 he voted against closing corporate tax loopholes that would increase veteran medical services by $1.2 Billion?

Since John McCain is always there for our troops maybe you can explain why ya boy John McCain in April 2006 voted against a bill that would have given an additional $430M to veteran patient out care? Isn’t he a veteran?

I’m not done.

Since John McCain is always there for our troops maybe you can explain why in May of 2006 he voted against $20M bill funding for veteran medical facilities?

Dude! Come on now.

Since John McCain is always there for our troops maybe you can explain why he didn’t even show up to vote for a resolution that would start redeploying troops from Iraq by March 2008?

Article: Military.com “Vets to McCain: Back New GI Bill” 04/10/08

Since John McCain is always there for our troops maybe you can explain why he spoke against an amendment by Senator Webb (D-VA) for minimum rest periods for troops between deployments, then didn’t bother to show up to vote against it. He didn’t have any problems against accepting praise from President Bush when the bill passed.

John McCain is always there for our troops? Whose troops are you talking about?

Video: Why Won’t McCain Sign the G.I. Bill?

You need to put your reading glasses back on, so you can see that our troops are the ones with the red, white and blue flag stitched to their shoulder.

You got to pay attention.

Video: McCain Clashes with Vietnam Vet

Since John McCain is always there for our troops maybe you can explain why the Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans for America gave John McCain a D on his voting record.

FYI: The same organization gave Barack Obama a B on his voting record.

Senator John McWar I mean McCain you can’t just continue sending our troops to war until they get killed. That’s not being there for our troops.

There’s more, but this newest claim by John McCain is almost more outrageous than his blaming of high gas prices on Barack. You can look at his recent voting record on Veteran related issues here.

As I was checking my email a story on Yahoo! News from AP Writer Christine Simmons titled “Iraq war’s total cost nearing Vietnam’s price tag”. What immediately enter my mind are the arguments we hear from the individuals who align themselves with George Bush & John McCain against why we can’t get better funding in education and healthcare just to mention the “tip of the iceberg”. Let me not begin with the lack of assistance for Hurricane Katrina and Rita survivors or the other fifty issues.

In the article the reports estimated costs of major wars, in 2008 dollars, and their costs as a percentage of GDP in each of their peak years:

  • American Revolution: $1.8 billion; GDP figure not available
  • War of 1812: $1.2 billion; 2.2%
  • Civil War, Union: $45.2 billion; 11.3%
  • Civil War, Confederacy: $15.2 billion; GDP figure not available
  • World War I: $253 billion; 13.6%
  • World War II: $4.1 trillion; 35.8%
  • Korean War: $320 billion; 4.2%
  • Vietnam War: $686 billion; 2.3%
  • Gulf War: $96 billion; 0.3%
  • Iraq war: $648 billion; 1%
  • Afghanistan/Global war on terror: $171 billion; 0.3%
  • Post 9/11 domestic security: $33 billion; 0.1%
  • Post 9/11 operations: $859 billion; 1.2%

Now I agree that security is vitally important, but I guess it’s more important than education, healthcare and levees for some individuals.

A few weeks ago your campaign came up with a cute little catch phrase in hopes to revamp your image. Since then you’ve been saying it as much as possible. “I rather loose an election, than loose a war”. I think it’s a cleaver catch phrase, but it has the same amount of substance than George W. Bush’s “Compassionate Conservative” or even “Mission Accomplish”.

I could go into both of these catch phrases that has been proven untrue, but rather focus on you for a moment.

In order to win the war you have to become the president. So how are you going to win the war? You’ve been asked that question multiple times now and still haven’t given an answer that differs from the policy and strategy of George W. Bush. I’m asking you (John McCain) the question, how is your strategy and policy different than that of George W. Bush?

Don’t worry about Senator Obama, what’s your plan?

Sen. McCain was invited to address the convention, but he said that he could not attend because of a scheduling conflict.Pamela Jones; CBS Chicago

Dude, I thought you learned from your mistakes during the primary by using the standby Republican excuse for not attending a convention or conference of color or diversity. The UNITY Conference is not another Black organization. Without sounding like an infomercial I’ll try to help you out by giving you a brief overview of Who & What makes up the Unity Conference, but recommend that you visit the organization’s website for more detail.

UNITY is an alliance advocating fair and accurate news coverage about people of color. They challenge the industry to embrace a true multicultural workplace in ALL levels of their business to reflect the diversity of our country.

How was that?

Now back to your “scheduling conflict”. You can’t be surprised that we don’t believe your excuse. I guess going to a small restaurant complaining about Barack or going to visit George H. Bush on the golf course, another one of your Town Hall Meetings were more important than speaking to the organization that I would hope members of your press entourage were members. Maybe that’s it, how many members of the press team or how you called it “The J.V. Squad” are members of color?

The “Scheduling Conflict” excuse is getting old. This is the reason why the Republican Party will continue to have difficulties attracting people of color, not just Black people, but Red, Yellow & Brown people. You’ve missed ANOTHER opportunity.

You’ve missed the following opportunities that could have benefited you due to “Scheduling Conflicts”. Who’s doing your schedule?

In regards to the UNITY Conference you (McCain) was invited, but declined.

Who’s doing your schedule?

If you want to be the president you have to be willing to speak to the concerns of the people you would represent, White Conservative Christians, African Americans and even journalist of color.

After thinking about this I’ve discovered a new grassroots slogan for the Obama Campaign can use. The copyrights are held by God. If you have any version of the Holy Bible you can find it in Isaiah 54:17.

For those who may not have one on them or too lazy to just click the link here it is.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which raises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me, says the LORD.” – Isaiah 54:17

What do you think?

Does anyone have the campaign email address?

One of the Republican talking points is that Senator Obama hasn’t signed anything into law. Well I’m personally tired of hearing this crap from them, so I’ve compiled a list of all the bills that are now law I could find.

ADDITION: A senator can not actually sign anything into law unless he/she becomes the President. Only the President can actually sign a bill into law or veto. This is for the right-wingers who search for something to talk about when things are not going well for them. It’s amazing how they seem to overlook the list of bills McCain didn’t vote or voted no for veterans and the blue-collar workers. They tend to forget that. Just do a search on this blog.

The following are a list of legislations that were written or co-sponsored by the next President of the United States, Barack Obama.

  • Lugar-Obama Nonproliferation Legislation
  • Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (S. 2180)
  • Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission Act (S. 2259)
  • Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act (S. 2261)
  • Curtailing Lobbyist Effectiveness through Advance Notification, Updates, and Posting Act (S. 2179)
  • Medicare Informed Choice Act (S. 1841)
  • National MEDiC Act (S. 1784)
  • Hospital Quality Report Card Act (S. 2359)
  • Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Efficiency Act (S. 2247)
  • Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act (S. 969)
  • Healthy Communities Act (S. 2047)
  • Healthy Places Act (S. 2506)
  • Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act of 2006 (S. 3822)
  • Lead-Free Toys Act (S. 2048)
  • Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act (S. 2053)
  • Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Act (S. 508)
  • Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act (S. 1151)
  • Mercury Market Minimization Act (S. 3627)
  • Missing Mercury in Manufacturing Monitoring and Mitigation Act (S. 3631)
  • Combat Meth Act (S. 103)
  • Community Oriented Policing Services (PL 109-162)
  • Dru’s Law (S. 792)
  • Violence Against Women Act (S. 1197)
  • Chemical Safety and Security Act (S. 2486)
  • Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (which became Public Law 109-144)
  • Spent Nuclear Fuel Tracking and Accountability Act (S. 1194)
  • Innovation Districts for School Improvement Act (S. 2441)
  • Summer Term Education Programs for Upward Progress Act (STEP UP) (S. 2149)
  • HOPE Act (Higher Education Opportunity Through Pell Grant Expansion Act) (S.697)
  • Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act (S. 3988)
  • Sheltering All Veterans Everywhere Act (SAVE Act) (S. 1180)
  • Homes for Heroes Act (S. 3475)
  • Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act (S. 3988)

*See All Sponsored Bills and See All Co-Sponsored Bills (Multiple Pages)

I know some skeptics and followers of the right will look to discredit his record by looking for some legislation from his STATE Senate days or some bias news article. I would ask if you did the same when it came to your king, George W. Bush or any of the other of his court gestures.

Now for the surrogates of the GOP that continue to use these recycled primary talking points I hope you will now “Shut the Hell Up” with this argument. It’s hard to dispute the path the Republican leadership has put us on the past 8 years. Your relevance is obsolete and come November 4, 2008 your time is up.

Don’t blame the media for the lack of enthusiasm of the McCain Campaign and the ever growing distrust of the examples given by the Republican leadership that the American people are paying the tab on. Get mad at me if you like. I’m sure some of you will, but I don’t care.

AMENDMENT: I guess the individuals looking for something to criticize Barack Obama with you can begin to look for a list of bills President Obama has signed into law now. :) This article is closed.

You’re not going to believe who I got this idea from, but it just fell inline with something that I said I was going to do this year and have done years ago.

As I was listening to “Tell Me More” on NPR Monday, July 21, 2008 I heard this idea of making a Love List from Richard Simmons. It’s a different type of Bucket List or Resolutions.

This is my personal agenda (A Love List) on my 36th year of life that I want to share with anyone who may care.

  1. Write a random letter of my love or appreciation to someone that wouldn’t expect it.
  2. Don’t accept any gifts on your birthday or special occasion, but give someone a gift.
  3. Take a moment to give someone a compliment.
  4. Evaluate your failures and accomplishments over the past year and renew your efforts and focus and try again.
  5. Take a few moments for yourself and quietly celebrate achieving another year of life

There’s more, but I’ve bored you enough.

I’m thankful to see not just another year, but another day. For the past few years I haven’t wanted gifts. I’m honestly more concern in the gift that I can give to others. A gift doesn’t need to be expensive or even material. It can be kind words or a friendly gesture. Just find a creative way to express your appreciation.

Do something for yourself that you enjoy. I’m going to go to Baskin-Robbins and order a large Mocha Cappuccino Blast with Peanut-Butter & Chocolate Ice Cream, then if it’s nice outside I’m heading to my favorite park (Centennial Park) and listen to some Old School Hip Hop while sippin’ on my shake.

I know you not understand that and I’m sure I got some confused looks right now, but this is a simple piece of happiness for me. I don’t need the party or gifts, unless someone wants to buy me a BMW.

As each year goes by I gain a greater understanding of what real love and happiness truly is.

This is what makes my birthday happy.

Here’s one of the songs I’m sure I’ll play. Enjoy.

Link: Electric Relaxation

As the McCain Campaign, The White House and Republicans was praying for Barack to slip while oversees they quickly realize that it was going very well. So what do they do? Complain like a… Quit acting like a child in timeout. You point the finger at anyone to blame. You’ve blamed Barack for High Gas prices, which is absurd. You’ve accused Barack of sedition. You’ve made another juvenile remark by giving me a “left behind to report in America” press badge. You’ve made sarcastic comments that you rather be talking to the German people as president and not a candidate. Well John how you’ve been acting this week that is not going to happen. What the Hell is your probably? You need to stop listening to the people who claim to be your friends. If you don’t know who I’m talking about let me spell it out for you.

§ The little fat kid on the radio named Rush is not helping you at all.

§ The other bad ass kid named Karl is just going to get you in more trouble.

§ And don’t let me get started on your newest buddy, George. If he told you to jump off a bridge I bet you’ll do it.

Listen John, I’m trying to give you some friendly advice. Your antics this week and the people who say that they’re your friends are not. You use to be Mr. Independent, where is he now?

Some of these guys are only trying to get something, not because they really support you. Watch yourself.

You got to stop acting like a little kid, because your associations, antics and outright absurdities are going to send you to your room, not the White House.

What amazes me with some of the critics on the right is there amnesia. They seem to forget the foreign policy experience of George W. Bush when he was running for president in 2000. It’s interesting to see how they tend to overlook the experience of Bush when they critize Obama’s oversees trip.

Let’s look at ya boy George’s foreign policy record when he was running for president.

§ http://www.fas.org/nuke/control/abmt/news/0430-103.htm

§ http://www.pbs.org/newshour/election2000/candidates/bush_4-27d.html

§ http://ontheissues.org/2004/George_W__Bush_Foreign_Policy.htm

§ http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/06/24/president.2000/foreign.policy/

§ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9805E2DE1F3EF935A25755C0A9669C8B63

§ http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itps/0900/ijpe/pj52benn.htm

§ http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/11/05/bush/

Sounds like the same things the Republicans are now accusing Barack of. How things change in 8 years.

John: I’ve tried everything and nothing is sticking?

GOP: OK, let’s try something else. How about pointing out that he’s Black?

“All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words. Ich bin ein Berliner.” These words were rendered on June 26, 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.

Today we must work together in our efforts to tear down this wall of hate towards new ideas, tear down the wall of fear in American politics, tear down the wall of racial politics, and tear down this wall of negative perceptions of America in the world.

This campaign is not about Barack Obama the man, but it’s about what and who the man represents. Hope.

He would not be here if it wasn’t for hope and the ambition of countless individuals who said to the purveyors of the status quo, “Open This Gate”. Open this gate of freedom is essentially what President Abraham Lincoln said in 1862 with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Open this gate of opportunity as Frederick Douglass essentially was saying by the example of his life. Open the gates of justice and equality to all as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. essentially said to them. Essentially we’re telling the American people who sides with John McCain to end their quest for the status quo and the continuation of America’s depression and embrace of the schizophrenic policies of the Bush Administration. It’s time to open the gate.

Tuesday, November 4th we will have that opportunity to open these gates. We will have the opportunity to open these gates and to be apart of a movement towards a new day.

This will not be easy and the battle has yet to be won.

Just like that wall that was erected in Berlin in 1952, America has erected a psychological wall. This wall is made not of stone, but of a resistance to change. Change seems to be a foreign policy to those who has followed and embrace polices of the Bush Administration such as John McCain. The policies that has lead America down a path to a failing economy, record breaking levels of home foreclosures and raising fuel prices to name a few.

Just as Ronald Reagan stood at the Brandenburg Gate demanding Mr. Gorbachev, “Open This Gate”. Come Tuesday, November 4th Americans of goodwill and who knows that we must fix what George W. Bush has destroyed will have the opportunity to do as Germany did in October 1990, reunite America back to its place in the world, the beacon of democracy.

We must because the world is watching.

……………………

Now I’m just a regular Black guy in America. Regular not in the sense of how Black men are portrayed in the media, but just a regular voter. I love my country in light of her sins, because I my vision and impression of her is keen enough to see beneath the rough exterior of her surface. I only want the best for the country and we can’t afford to miss the mark again. This is why I am passionate about the judgment and leadership of Barack Obama. We will not always agree on every issue, but I believe he is more than capable to bring back that shine that America once gleamed in the eyes of the world.

Source:

Yahoo News “Obama and German leader discuss war and economics

Watch Barack speak from Berlin, Germany at approx 1pm ET. The speech will be live on CNN & streamed at http://barackobama.com/live Please fwd this msg.

Anyone who knows me or has read this blog for any length of time can quickly assume that I would have something harsh to say about this one. You would know that I’m not a fan of FOX News or Bill O’Reilly. I don’t trust the party they claim to represent, but I will lend respect to the Republicans when the few do what the party claims it’s about.

So where’s John McCain? Where’s George Bush? Where’s Howard Kurtz? Where are the FOX employees on this one? Where are the people who claim to be true Republicans on this outrageous remark?

Silent!

Can I borrow the catch phrase from Boost Mobile? “Where Ya At?”

Bill was essentially using the Verizon catch phrase, “Can You Here Me Now?”

If you don’t believe me or need to hear and see it for yourself.

*************************************************************

O’Reilly: I have no respect for the woman. I think that she is hurting the country…

O’Reilly: What’s the difference between the KKK and Arianna Huffington? What’s the difference?

Ham: I think there is a difference.

O’Reilly: I don’t see any difference between Huffington and the Nazis. It’s her, It’s her, It’s her…I didn’t say she’s a Nazi.

Ham: Alright.

O’Reilly: There’s no difference between what the two do.

*************************************************************

What amazes me the most about Bill O’Reilly is watching how well the Devil does his work.

“A Rattlesnake, if Cornered will become so angry it will bite itself. That is exactly what the harboring of hate and resentment against others is – a biting of oneself. We think we are harming others in holding these spites and hates, but the deeper harm is to ourselves.” E. Stanley Jones

I’m trying to take the advice found in Melissa Cole’s “A Vaccination for Your Spirit”. In her blog she writes…

“It’s not always so easy to deal with untruths and bad energy coming from others, but it can be a lot easier. I am as close as it gets to immunity from being affected by the negative thoughts of others, but I cannot say that I arrived at this place alone.” Melissa Cole

It’s difficult for me not to get upset when I hear the name Bill O’Reilly, but this “liberal blogger” will continue to expose the absurdities of the devotees of hate.

Article Sources:

§ Media Matters “O’Reilly accused liberal bloggers of being blackmailers

§ News Hounds “O’Reilly can compare DailyKos to KKK and Nazi, but Congressman Ellison better watch what he says

§ Crooks & Liars “Bill O’Reilly calls Arrianna Huffington a Nazi and a KKK’er”

§ Think Progress “Blogosphere Responds To O’Reilly’s Baseless Attack on the Netroots

§ Huffington Post “Bill O’Reilly: No Difference Between Huffington, Nazis & KKK

Passing Thoughts

twitter.com/timvalentine

SocialVibe


 

July 2008
S M T W T F S
« Jun   Aug »
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031