IGLOOS DO NOT HAVE GLASS CEILINGS

Recently in the Politico, John Harris came out with a piece entitled "6 Things the Palin pick says about John McCain." (for the entire post, click here) Here are his 6 things....

1. He is desperate
2. He is willing to gamble--big time
3. He is worried about the political implications of his age
4. He's not worried about the actuarial implications of the age issue
5. He is worried about his conservative base
6. At the end of the day, McCain is still McCain

I would like to add my seventh thing this pick says about McCain, he has absolutely no respect for the office of the Vice President. His pick, Governor Palin has gone on record as asking what the duties of a VP are, and John McCain has offered his insight into the position.....he has been widely quoted as a VP "attends funerals, and checks in on the health of the President."

It is with this low opinion of what he needs in his VP pick that has driven him to pick Palin. Described by Karl Rove as a "gun packing, hockey playing woman," and by Rush Limbaugh as an under qualified "babe", this pick must have every other Vice President in American history spinning in their graves.

To say Governor Palin's resume is thin...paper thin, is almost a compliment. A graduate of the University of Idaho, she spent her early post-graduate time as a TV sports reporter. She went on to become Mayor of the all-important Alaska community of Wasilla, with its population of 9,000 residents. And that was less than three years ago. This is a joke, right, Senator?

Two years ago, she ran and won the Governorship of her state of Alaska with a majority of Alaskan votes...115,000 to be exact, or the size of the average Barack Obama stadium attendance.

Which leads me to "thing" number eight: They learned absolutely nothing from Dan Quayle. Do I have to illustrate, or somehow elaborate on this area? People who neglect to remember the past, are doomed to repeat it, and McCain certainly has forgotten the past.

Finally, let me throw out "thing" number nine: They believe that disgruntled Hillary Clinton supporters will vote for anyone with a vagina. Oh, they are saying, she isn't the best female choice, but the right choice. They will claim they aren't pandering towards the Clintonites, and point to the fact that Palin is pro-life, and thus it would be foolhardy to think they will get any major female liberal play out of this pick. But, the truth is, liberals, although certainly preferring a pro-choice stance, do not use this issue alone in choosing who to vote for. This is only a line drawn in the sand by the religious right base of the conservatives.

Not pandering to the Clinton supporters? Let me leave you with this Palin Quote, and you decide....."It was noted in Denver that Hillary made 18 million cracks in the highest ceiling in America....it turns out the women of America aren't through yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all."

John Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, Andrew Johnson, Harry Truman, Sarah Palin........what is wrong with this picture? The straight talk Express hasn't gotten off the tracks, they have blown a head gasket.

My speculation is this was a pick of absolute despiration. McCain, for all of the (his) talk of needing to be comfortable with his choice, met with Palin twice before selecting her. Not a choice of experience, not a choice of comfort levels, not a choice of knowledge in national security or of foreign affairs, this pick came out of the Republican hubris file. You see, they really think it doesn't matter who they nominate; McCain will serve his full term(s), and Palin can attend funerals, check in on McCain's health, and in general, be the administrations "cheerleader / babe." Personally, I think the job requires more than "nice Pom-Poms."

And that is the world...the "World According to Kimba."

Thanks for reading.

SKELETONS IN EACH PRESIDENTIAL TICKETS CLOSET

Sarah Palin: When Palin became governor in 2006, her sister was in a messy custody battle with her ex-husband, Michael Wooten. Palin put herself into the middle of the divorce and tried to have her sister's ex-husband fired from his job as a state trooper in Alaska. According to allegations, Palin pressured Walter Monegan, the Public Safety Commissioner she appointed, to fire Wooten. Monegan refused, and was promptly fired by Palin. It's turned into a scandal in Alaska, and Palin is under investigation by the state for potentially abusing her power.

John McCain: It all started in March 1987. Charles H Keating Jr., the flamboyant developer and anti-porn crusader, needed help. The government was poised to seize Lincoln Savings and Loan, a freewheeling subsidiary of Keating's American Continental Corp. As federal auditors examined Lincoln, Keating was not content to wait and hope for the best. He had spread a lot of money around Washington, and it was time to call in his chits. Charlie Keating always took care of his friends, especially those in politics. McCain was no exception. Keating assembled five Senators, including John McCain, to assist him and bring their considerable power upon the feds on behalf of his beleaguered bank. McCain, along with the four other senators complied. McCain stated publically that he was merely coming to the defense of a constituent, but records showed he was an investor as well. McCain's wife and her father had invested $359,100 in a Keating shopping center in April 1986, a year before McCain met with the regulators. McCain had also taken many vacations and private jet trips, which were un-reimbursed. Of the Keating five, McCain was found less culpable, and was only given a mild rebuke by the ethics committee. This was principally accomplished by what the committee called "numerous leaks by McCain, which aided them in their case against the other four."

Barack Obama: In 1995, Obama began campaigning for a seat in the Illinois Senate. Among his earliest supporters: Tony Rezko. Obama was elected in 1996 -- representing a district that included 11 of Rezko's 30 low-income housing projects. Rezko also held numerous lavish fund raisers for Obama's national senate race. The two became very close friends. In June 2005, Obama and Rezko purchased adjoining parcels in Kenwood. The state's junior senator paid $1.65 million for a Georgian revival mansion, while Rezko paid $625,000 for the adjacent, undeveloped lot. Both closed on their properties on the same day. In June 2005, Obama and Rezko purchased adjoining parcels in Kenwood. The state's junior senator paid $1.65 million for a Georgian revival mansion ($300,00 below market value), while Rezko paid $625,000 for the adjacent, undeveloped lot (at full market value). Both closed on their properties on the same day. Last January, aiming to increase the size of his side yard, Obama paid Rezko $104,500 for a strip of his land. The transaction occurred at a time when it was widely known Tony Rezko was under investigation by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and as other Illinois politicians befriended by Rezko distanced themselves from him. In the Sun-Times interview, Obama acknowledged approaching Rezko about the two properties being up for sale and that Rezko developed an immediate interest. Obama did not explain why he reached out to Rezko given the developer's growing problems. Rezko has since been found guilty of multiple felony counts involving influence peddling and bribery and is awaiting an appeal.

Joe Biden: As a freshman in law school back in 1965, he got an "F" in a class for writing a paper entirely based on one law review article. (He described the incident as "something very stupid 23 years ago." Biden repeated the class later and got a good grade.) He also used parts of old speeches by Robert Kennedy in his 1988 campaign (which he blamed on a speechwriter). Back in 1988, Biden ran for president but was forced to quit for a unique reason: he simply copied parts of a speech by a British politician, Neil Kinnock, and changed some parts to make it sound like it was about him.

WELL OIL BE, EXXON JOHN PICKS PALIN FROM ALASKA FOR HIS VP CHOICE

Let's see, John McCain, a gentleman of advancing years, who, if elected to two terms would be pushing against the door of the average life expectancies in this country, nominates Governor Palin from Alaska for his running mate. Honestly....does anyone truly believe she would be able, would be qualified to take over this country should it become necessary?

No, I didn't think so. That is why she has been little more than a footnote in the pundants eyes during the election season. What she does represent is someone who points a spotlight on the Roe V. Wade issue, and a desperate attempt to reach out to disgruntled Hillary supporters. Sometimes you have to think about who is the most qualified to do the job, rather than concentrating on who can get you the job.

For gawds sakes....the man is friggin' 72 years of age and has survived four cancers. FOUR CANCERS. And knowing that going so far as buying a green banana is a gamble, he picks a two year governor from Alaska. Friggin' Alaska? What is the maverick doing? Does he possibly think former Hillary supporters will vote for anybody with a vagina (AWAV)? This pick is nothing short of a public display of advanced year dementia. Ronald Reagan had more clarity at the end of his two terms than John McCain has now. He thinks Iraq and Afghanistan share a common border, he confuses the Shia and Sunni, and he thinks Governor Palin is ready to assume control of the world's only superpower?

As a McCain aide has been quoted as saying..."you want change, well look at us now!"

Palin, the former runner-up Miss Alaska is pictured above with another stalwart Alaska official, Ted Stevens. The picture would have looked much better off from Stevens new backyard deck....
Palin, like McCain is tied deeply into the oil industry, both in $$$, and her husbands profession. What a shock. He picks a "drill, drill, drill" candidate, who favors drilling pretty much anywhere you can, and this is prudent as a short term gap, but won't solve our energy problems alone. Now if we libs can only tie her to the sorry corrupt state of Alaskan politics, well, we will all be sittin' pretty. How McCain ever picked her over a quality candidate like Mitt Romney is beyond me......

OBAMA A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW IN DENVER

"With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for presidency of the United States. Let me express my thanks to the historic slate of candidates who accompanied me on this journey, and especially the one who traveled the farthest -- a champion for working Americans and an inspiration to my daughters and yours -- Hillary Rodham Clinton. To President Bill Clinton, who made last night the case for change as only he can make it...."

And with that opening, Barack Hussein Obama has concluded an improbable journey, a journey from a virtual unknown political neophyte (sans one speech at the last DNC convention), to the Democratic parties candidate for the Presidency of the United States.

With a deft touch he has maneuvered himself around a virtual political minefield of anticipated problems that might have unfolded this, the last night of the convention; a backlash of public opinion brought out from holding his acceptance speech in an arena designed more for a Super Bowl than political event (the crowd was impressive to say the very least), the M.I.A. status of John Edwards, his closest ally during the primaries, a political backlash / protest / insistence on counting the delegates from the Clinton supporters, who were once thought to be still in defeat hangover mode, and the speech of the man himself, the apparently less bitter former President William Jefferson Clinton, who knocked the ball out of the park.

And so, with the power speeches from the Democratic kingpins out of the way (Gore-Clinton-Clinton, and a surprising re-emergence of John Kerry back into the living), his VP candidate Joe Biden able to at least perk up the crowd, all that was left was for Obama to accept and electrify the crowd. What was to follow was oratory at its best. Obama was, at times, thoughtful and almost reserved, only to crescendo into highly energetic passages as he appeared almost angry at times. Obviously part of the plan was to throw down the gloves and fight back. For the most part, he was what he is, one of the great communicators of the modern times, only this time he spoke in specifics as he outlined his political platform in detail. I have extracted some of the passages which resonated most for me at the bottom of this post, but watch the speech in its entirety. "I have a dream" it ain't, but it was pretty damn good, I must say.....

Senator Obama, you pulled it off despite the odd assortment of characters you had to deal with, none the least of which was party Chairman Howard Dean, an odd man to say the very least. Well played, senator.

"We meet at one of those defining moments -- a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more.Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and even more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can't afford to drive, credit card bills you can't afford to pay, and tuition that's beyond your reach.These challenges are not all of government's making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush. America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this."

Tonight, I say to the people of America, to Democrats and Republicans and independents across this great land -- enough! This moment -- this election -- is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive. Because next week, in Minnesota, the same party that brought you two terms of George Bush and Dick Cheney will ask this country for a third. And we are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look just like the last eight. On November 4, we must stand up and say: "Eight is enough."

"I believe in the promise of America....what is that promise? It's a promise that says each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will, but that we also have the obligation to treat each other with dignity and respect.
It's a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth, but that businesses should live up to their responsibilities to create American jobs, to look out for American workers, and play by the rules of the road.
Ours is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves -- protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and science and technology.
Our government should work for us, not against us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who's willing to work.
That's the promise of America -- the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.
That's the promise we need to keep. That's the change we need right now. So let me spell out exactly what that change would mean if I am president."

They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan Horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values. And that's to be expected. Because if you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters. If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from.You make a big election about small things. And you know what -- it's worked before. Because it feeds into the cynicism we all have about government. When Washington doesn't work, all its promises seem empty. If your hopes have been dashed again and again, then it's best to stop hoping, and settle for what you already know.I get it. I realize that I am not the likeliest candidate for this office. I don't fit the typical pedigree, and I haven't spent my career in the halls of Washington. But I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring. What the naysayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me. It's about you. It's about you."

AND NOW FOR THE NEXT CONVENTION SPEAKER....

Not that I would want it any other way, but am I the only one who finds it ironic that John Edwards has been barred from giving a speech at the convention for having an affair and lying about it, and Bill Clinton is exhalted as the greatest President of this century? Both parties do have a twisted sense of morality sometimes.

OBAMA SENDS OUT THE JUNKYARD DOG

WHEN POLITICAL WORLDS COLLIDE

As Hillary hugs Michelle Obama back stage at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, one has to see the irony of this meeting taking place in the kitchen, in front of an impressive display of freezers. Ahhh, politics bringing together some really strange bedfellows, I love it.

CLINTON BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE IN DENVER

One night after Hillary addressed the DNC convention to raves from friend and foe alike, Bill Clinton renewed his ownership of the Democratic party with a speech that brought the house down, and clearly registered with the crowd. His remarks were long on logic, and short of hyperbole, as he picked apart the performance of the Bush terms in office, and the tragic results that were sure to follow should we vote for a third term of King George II.

The only possible complaint I have is the selection of the music the DNC picked to play in following the former President. Are we supposed to believe that it was a coincidence that the convention band played a song like 'Victim of Love'......

CONSIDER THE LYRICS

THE LIGHTS ARE ON BUT YOU'RE NOT HOME
YOUR MIND IS NOT YOUR OWN
YOU SEE THE SIGNS, BUT YOU CAN'T READ
YOU'RE RUNNING AT A DIFFERENT SPEED
YOUR HEART BEATS AT DOUBLE TIME
ANOTHER KISS AND YOU'LL BE MIND
ONE TRACK MIND
YOU CAN'T BE SAVED
ANOTHER YOUNG LOVE IS ALL YOU CRAVE
AND IF THE SUN LEFT YOU
YOU DON'T MIND
IT FEELS BLUE
OH YOU LIKE
TO THINK THAT YOU'RE IMMUNE TO THE STUFF OH YEAH

10 REASONS WHY BIDEN IS A POOR CHOICE FOR OBAMA

He is not a huge fan of the Obama health care platform

He has a penchant for leaving no thoughts unspoken

He is forth in longevity of a Senate, and a government that is broken

Takes Obama farther away from his core message of change and hope

He voted for the war

He voted against (only one of four) against the 1998 Iran Missiles Proliferation Sanctions Act

His son is a major lobbyist

He is not exceptionally adept at pulling in Hispanic, or minority votes. In fact, his comments lead most people to believe he is a bigot. He once called Obama himself the first mainstream, clean, articulate African American to run for President. He has been quoted and recorded) as saying that you cannot go into a Dunkin Donuts or 7-11 without a slight Indian accent. And the death blow? He has often referred to his home state of Delaware as a "slave state." His exact quote was "Delaware was a slave state that fought beside the north. That's because we couldn't figure out how to get to the south...there were a couple of states in the way."

He will not help you carry a single state on his name alone.

Most intelligent people can't possibly conceive him being President...or did you see the voting in Iowa, just before he dropped out?

ONE LAST COMPETITION THAT REQUIRES NO STYLE POINTS

Athletes here may be going for the gold, but they're trying to score a lot less than in previous games. Olympic officials produced 10,000 condoms for use by athletes at the Olympic Village, but Chinese media are reporting that less than a third of the packs have been scooped up. Olympians have been given free condoms since Barcelona in 1992 to help promote safe sex .

"There are many young, strong, single people in the Athletes Village and, like everywhere, some will fall in love or other things so we need to make condoms available," Ole Hansen, spokesman for UNAIDS China, told the news media.
"A lot of these young people are not married or in relationships so we want to make sure they have the information and tools to protect themselves if they have sexual encounters." In Beijing, the condoms are placed into brochures about HIV, available at the medical centre at the village.

In 2002, around 100,000 condoms were handed out during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City against the backdrop of protests by religious groups. While they ran out of 70,000 condoms during the Sydney Games - 20,000 more had to be brought in - Athens doubled the number. Matthew Syed, a former english table tennis player explained it best: "I played my first Games in Barcelona in 1992 and got laid more often in those two and a half weeks than in the rest of my life up to that point . . . Barcelona was, for many of us Olympic virgins, as much about sex as it was about sport."
Needless to say, the official closing ceremony will mark the beginning of the official athlete party season, as the athletes seek to work off their pent up energy (and with the knowledge that they will not be required to be urine tested), and may seek to consummate any new acquaintances they may have developed over the two+ week Olympic season. While many will settle for a quiet departure from a grueling competition, we must remember that these are primarily young, attractive, and yes- spoiled, rich competitors who may wish to cap off their Olympics in style. And besides, four years is a long way away, more than enough time to forget one last encounter. If you think about it (and I obviously have), it actually makes perfect sense. They all have hot bodies, they have adrenaline pumping through their veins, and they are thrown together in the Olympic village so many of them take on the mindset of what happens at the Olympics, stays at the Olympics! In the 1988 Games in Seoul, there were so many used condoms found on the roofs of the British team's residences that the British Olympic Association banned outdoor sex. Since people didn't obey, organizers in Beijing thought it would be more effective to simply pass out thousands of free condoms to the athletes.So, all hail the Olympians, with officially sanctioned condoms at the ready.......let the champagne flow, and let them say their farewells in style. One can only imagine the exploits of our American athletes, as our "redeem team" evolves into the "everyone I have seen" team. Party on.

YODA TAKES THE GOLD

I am not exactly sure why you have to be 16 to compete in women's gymnastics, but as long as it is a rule, do you really want us to believe some of the Chinese girls are 16? I don't think they are, hell, I don't think they are even human. The gold medalist in the middle is some kind of 14 year old love child of a Star wars creature. What kind of freak show are they running over there? Obviously, they know how to put on a show, the Opening Ceremonies were the absolute best. But when you look at the picture above, it is painfully obvious they are leading in human cloning as well. I just don't know what two organisms you would have to split off to produce the Chinese gymnastic team (harsh I know). Pictured to the left is gold medalist Nastia Liukin, the Russian native born American all around champion. I guess as an American I should be proud, but I can't stand that cold, bony bitch. But then again I am bitter, I have drawn my wagons around two runners-up this year, first it was Hillary, who lost by a hair. And now, it is Shawn Johnson, pictured below.
Now, there is an American champion. Iowa corn fed, she is 57 inches of charisma, and 95 pounds of smile. Losing the gold multiple times despite owning the sport for the past two years, when interviewed, she was nothing but classy. Praised the winners and showed pride in the silver medals she unfortunately won (despite a scoring system so incredibly stupid, and an organized effort to reward style points for dance, and limit the scoring on power and tumbling tricks, which hurt Johnson tremendously). I don't want to say the scoring was incredibly biased towards the host country, but in totalling out the scores this year, the judges actually used abacuses. But, Shawn? She continued to smile, she kept her head up and she finally persevered, definitely All American traits to be sure. For me, this is the true winner of the Olympic games, an athelete who exemplified the true spirit of the Olympics. Despite adversity, no one greeted and congratulated her fellow competitors more, or more genuinely than her. No wonder when Wheaties decided on their Olympics box super star, they called on Shawn Johnson.

OBAMAS JUST BEEN BIDEN HIS TIME

It's official folks, Obama has thrown caution to the wind, admitted he doesn't know shit about foreign relations and defense, and will nominate 65 year old cantankerous old fuck, Joe Biden. Known to throw out some truly wild quotes from time to time, the circus which was threatening to close up their tents, has decided to leave em' up a while.

Why Biden? For one thing they have plagiarism charges in common (Biden was caught in an 88 stump speech). He is what Obama isn't...mature, experienced and knowledgeable in foreign affairs. Want to know something else they have in common?.....SSHHH.....they are both severely pro-Palestinian. Here is an example of a Biden quote: "I support immediate financial assistance to the newly elected Palestinian president. Now, I don't know what those numbers will be, and I don't know how it's going to be framed. "
And he will give you the occasional George Bush quotation..."The Middle East is hopeful. There's hope there." And this:“One thing is clear: These weapons must be must be dislodged from Saddam, or Saddam must be dislodged from power.” Voted for the war....YUMMY.
But my all time classic: “And I think Hillary Clinton is able to be elected president of the United States.” “Let's just be smart this time. I'm looking for smart.”

Obama / Biden : a ticket similar to a push me / pull you." And he thought Bill Clinton had a screw loose, Biden has more luggage than a Samsonite factory.

OK, here is the major downside....Biden was right with Clinton on Obama's inexperience. Here is a quote from the primary season

....."You know he’s a very smart guy. I can’t speak for me. But I know for me that it was a learning experience. I worked very hard. I’m sure he’s working very hard too. I’ve watched seven presidents, and I’ve watched presidents who have come to office who haven’t thought through some of the areas that theyt’ve never worked in, for example foreign policy. I watched several presidents come in and they’re smart as the devil and they get here and unless you already know when you get here exactly what your foreign policy is, it’s awful hard to hit the ground running and not to make serious mistakes the first couple of years. I’m not saying that senator Obama is where I was [when elected to the senate at age 29]. I was younger than he was when he got to the Senate. But I do think, I acknowledge that experience is not the issue, it’s whether your experience has been good or bad. Somebody with 34 years of bad experience isn’t perfectly qualified to be president,
someone with 34 years of good experience that makes a big difference. So, again,
I know it’s kind of difficult to master, it’s kind of difficult to feel sure-footed in a lot of areas that you haven’t spent a long of time dealing with."

And of course, there is this......"I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."

THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIE?

As reported all across the blogosphere, when Rick Warren from the Saddle back Church asked John McCain about the "cone of silence," it was a lie, pure and simple. And McCain went right along and supporting the lie (typical). The fact is the McCain motorcade was racing along to the church (if you can believe that), and not sequestered where he could not hear the questions as we were led to believe. Wireless Internet connection logged onto CNN anyone? No wonder everyone said he was so "well prepared" ("yes, yes, and help the poorer teachers to find a new job" how astute....).

I am so sick of the religious right and the so called righteous party (GOP) I could puke. Projectile vomiting aimed at Karl Rove and any other smug, self righteous lying conservative hiding behind his "faith" I can find. Oh, there are plenty of devout followers in the GOP, its just that none of them are running for anything, just running to cast their votes for the next pro-life sinner to come along.

LET'S BRING THE "AMATEUR" BACK TO THE OLYMPICS

I have a confession. I love the Olympics...I love the Olympics solely for two reasons. Oh, I watch all the sports, especially the oddball ones. I especially liked the badminton, volleyball, ping pong(table tennis if you must), and even handball. But ever since I was a kid I have loved women's figure skating in the winter, and women's gymnastics in the summer. There, I have said it.

It wasn't a big deal when I was a kid. But as I grew older, I felt the need to keep it quiet. Now that I am over fifty, I feel dirty and disgusting for even writing it. I don't quite agree with the following from a blog named "Stolen Lunch Money" (I would link it, which I usually do when stealing copy, but this site is a bit crude, even for my tastes).......anyway here is his quote.....

"It’s an Olympic year. A summer Olympic year. In the winter, you shit on figure skating and watch it anyway. In the summer, you’re gonna be watching women’s gymnastics, and thinking things you shouldn’t. That’s because you’re normal."

Now, I only bring this up because, unlike my fellow blogger, I actually marvel at the power and the artistry of these teenagers at the incredible athletic feats they deliver. And, outside of the slight "man crush" I occasionally experience (this year is Shawn Johnson), I can keep it in perspective, after all, I / we are watching little girls.

And that is just it. We are watching little girls parading around in skimpy outfits, and this just isn't right. And in doing so, they pander to the worst carnal lust temptations of man, and ultimately, shouldn't they shed some sort of responsibility in this crazy "Nightline" world we live in today? And gymnastics are not the worst. Check out the women's volleyball teams some time, especially the beach volleyball girls. OK, they are skanks with stretch marks on top of their stretch marks, but what is the Olympic committee thinking? What are they selling, athletics, or sex?

Really, couldn't they be wearing leotards, or sweats and appeal to the masses for all the right reasons, instead of the reasons tormenting whoever blogs under "Stolen Lunch Money?" And do they really have to wear so much makeup? OK the girls from China and the Slavic countries need all they can put on, with a texture sprayer if necessary. But, women's gymnastics is a wholesome sport that doesn't need the glitz and glamour.

SADDLEBACK CHURCH: McCAIN'S ALAMO?

Rick Warren: Senator, don't give me your stump speech, but give me a number. Define rich for me. Is it $100,000.00, $200,000.00, what is it?

McCain: "You know, some of the richest people I know are the most unhappiest.....he completely goes Alzheimer's and answers another question entirely. He then regains consciousness, and answers the question this way....it doesn't matter what I define rich is because I don't want to raise any ones taxes..... and then he goes on and gives his stump speech about not wanting to redistribute wealth, give everyone 7 grand, blah, blah, blah.

And, of course, he prefaces EVERY RESPONSE with the stolen line From Ronald Reagan...My friends...." Not to mention his undying love for General Petrayus, my God Senator, at least use a condom when you make love to him. Better yet, move here to California, you and the good General could get hitched here.

Barack was natural, he spoke his mind, he spoke his heart and he appeared like a human being capable of rational thought. When Rick asked him a question, nothing fazed him, and it did not appear like he was pre-programmed or scripted, much unlike Senator McStiff, who is a few strands of DNA away from appearing like a human being.

Even the affluent, glazed over born again eyes of the congregation of the Saddleback Church warmed up to Obama. And the last time the congregation voted for a Democrat? Trick question, they have never voted for a liberal, but you could almost see them thinking in the audience.

THE SCORE: OBAMA GETS THE GOLD. MCCAIN GETS THE BRONZE

JUST IN TIME FOR THE PRIMARIES

AD ESPOUSES A RELIGIOUS VALUE JUDGEMENT

New advertisement from an organisation called the Matthew 25 network (mission statement below). A religious organisation strongly endorsing Barack Obama. Watch the ad.

"The Matthew 25 Network is a community of Christians – Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, and Evangelical – inspired by the Gospel mandate to put our faith into action to care for our neighbor, especially the most vulnerable. The election of our public officials, and the politics they stand for, are a reflection of our core values. We believe that those elected to public office carry an important trust, as their decisions have a profound impact on our nation and our world. We believe that people of faith should actively participate in the political process as an important avenue for social change. We are called by our faith to engage in the world as it is, while we seek after and hope for God’s Kingdom. Therefore, while no elected official will be without flaw, we come together as individuals to support candidates for public office who share the values of the Matthew 25 Network: promoting life with dignity, caring for the least of these, strengthening and supporting families, stewardship of God’s Creation, working for peace and justice at home and abroad, and promoting the common good. "

Notice anything missing amongst their mission statement and "core values." Although they speak about helping the most vulnerable, caring for the least of these, and promoting life with dignity, they doing not talk about the core issue of abortion, and the rights of the unknown. Is it possible for a religious group to overlook a candidate who does not oppose abortion and have amongst his/her platform a pro-life stand?

I suppose they sum this up with the disclaimer, "while no elected official will be without flaw." Being a pro-choice liberal, I would love to think this is a religious movement to escape the notion that they cannot ever vote for a pro-choice candidate, the one issue that separates them from the bonds of the Republican party, and the dysfunctional leadership they offer. I personally believe it is time for a pro-life liberal to come forward. Obama has made whispers about having serious misgivings over the issue, however he is intelligent to know that coming forward with a pro-life stand would be a death blow to any political aspirations he may have with the Democratic party, and its electorate.

Having said that, I must be nervous about an organisation who states....the values of the Matthew 25 Network: promoting life with dignity, caring for the least of these, strengthening and supporting families, stewardship of God’s Creation....and turning around and endorsing a pro-choice liberal. While conservatives may think they are settling for a candidate, personally I think they are TIRED of settling, on the wrong candidates who happen to stand on their side on one issue alone, as crucial as that one issue is to any religious belief and mores.

THE WIT AND WISDOM OF JOHN E. WEASEL

First two John Edwards quotes courtesy of a fellow local blogger, Religio-Political Talk.

“…I think every single candidate for president, Republican and Democratic have lives, personal lives, that indicate something about what kind of human being they are. And I think it is a fair evaluation for America to engage in to look at what kind of human beings each of us are, and what kind of president we’d make.”

"I think this President has shown a remarkable disrespect for his office, for the moral dimensions of leadership, for his friends, for his wife, for his precious daughter. It is breathtaking to me the level to which that disrespect has risen."

"I have myself `co-chaired` the Senate Prayer Breakfast for a couple of years. And it played an important part for me because we were able to bring members of the Senate who come from different faith traditions and different faith beliefs together to sort of share our beliefs and outside the partisan atmosphere that sometimes exists in the Senate, in a very healthy way. To talk about our personal life and how important our lives have been—our faith has been in our life. "

"My personal faith guides and affects my personal decisions in my personal life."

WITH APOLOGIES TO ALL THOSE THAT "GOOGLED" AND WOUND UP HERE

Like all bloggers, I have an ego. I absolutely love to go onto my Site meter and see how many people have gone onto my blog, where they hail from (the farther away the better), as well as what referral got them here, on my humble blog; the inept ramblings of a dysfunctional political junkie who, if asked about syntax, would no doubt refuse to pay it.

But it must be brought out that of all those who have honored me by reading this blog (and there have been many), especially those who continue to read my blog as part of their obviously boring and uneventful lives, I thank you, but do not feel the need to apologize. Not like I do to one special segment of society, who, continue to this day to wind up on this blog in error. To these poor bastards, these unfortunate victims using Google in an attempt to seek knowledge and comfort for their primary woes, I most heartily apologize. What am I talking about? Let me give you the second most popular of my postings that has been googled, and then you can take it from there....It is a posting about former Bush cabinet member Powell, entitled.....wait for it....."The Agonizing Pain Of A Spastic Colin." OOOPS. Sorry, everyone. Please google WebMD instead. And, thanks for reading, (and eat more fiber).

PERSONALLY, I THINK THERE IS ONE MORE LITTLE WEASEL IN THE WORLD

I am not prone to predictions, but my feelings are that John Edwards IS the father of the "love child," and as part of a financial agreement with the mother, the fatherhood issue will not be announced until after the death of the present Mrs. John Edwards. Take it for what it is worth, obviously I do not know, but this is one of a thousand things I think John Edwards has lied about, some of which has already come to light, a short week after he was busted with her again in L.A. in the wee hours of the morning.

DUBUQUE-ING THE IOWA PRIMARY RESULTS

Former Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson told ABC News Monday that he believes John Edwards’ decisions may have cost Hillary Clinton the Democratic nomination. His premise: had John Edwards dropped out of the Presidential race in October, 2007, when allegations of his affair with campaign aide Rielle Hunter first surfaced, it is likely Hillary would have won Iowa and ultimately become the nominee.

HERE ARE THE NUMBERS, MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND....

BARACK OBAMA 37.58%

JOHN EDWARDS 29.75%

HILLARY 29.47%

Obviously, we will never know; however, it can be inferred that a vote for Edwards was a vote for white males everywhere. Wouldn't vote for a black man or a woman of any race. Couldn't possibly be for the Edwards platform, which was weak, or his character, which you now know was even weaker (although my blogging clearly defined him as a slimy little $400 haircut getting, vain weasel).

One point in Obama's favor is that there was a strong anti-Clinton sentiment running through Iowa, as over two-thirds of the electorate voted, in essence, against her (not to completely discredit the effects of Obama's oratory skills, however, he purposely made his platform identical to Clinton's, and thus, all things being equal, you might as well vote for Mr. Peace and Hope). Obviously, they wanted to make a clear cut statement against the political insider, which was Hillary. And thus, the Obama phenomenon was born.

Could Obama have lost Iowa and New Hampshire, then mounted the same charge? I say no. Not a chance. He would have absolutely no momentum, and the nation would have assumed a black man could not, or at least would not be elected for our highest office in the land.

So for all intents and purposes, John Edwards was 2008's Ralph Traitor. And now we have to settle on two complete idiots as they choke and gaffe their way to their respective conventions.

McCAIN; LOWERING THE BAR

MASSIVE SPECTACLE OF OLYMPICS MARRED ONLY BY THE MASSIVE SPECTACLE OF THE TWO MOST DANGEROUS MEN IN THE WORLD

The spectacle of the opening ceremonies as each host city tries to out do the last. Arguably the most photographed structure in quite sometime, this is the Beijing stadium known as the "birds nest."It has been estimated that China spent over $40 billion in preparation for that moment, the opening day (night) ceremonies, and the two weeks to follow.

The pageantry, the sheer magnitude and total precision of the Chinese drum corps.

The color and costumes of the opening ceremonies

Watching sports, and athletes you can only witness every four years

Unfortunately the saber rattling was not limited to the American women's fencing team (who took the gold, bronze and silver in a complete domination of the event).

At a time and at an event practically as old as civilization itself, designed solely to showcase the youth of the world coming together in a competitive, but civil and gracious atmosphere, these two lunkheads held their own Olympics event, the International "screw up the world" contest.

Putin (at left) won the armored tank division contest for his efforts in Georgia, and Bush (at right) won the inappropriate comment at the wrong time award for his criticizing and harping on Tibet and other issues in the press. Comments worth stating, yes. China has deep and troubling issues, both environmentally, and in human rights. But this was not the venue. The Olympics are a coming together of all worldly peoples in peace and sport. Not an ugly American contest meant more to humiliate the host country rather than effect change. Not very bright as usual for our Commander in Chief. Honorable mention went to the Chinese government for their response to President Bush and his untimely comments, stating "mind your own flucking business." Worry about the internal goings on in your own country, which aren't so hot I am told.

McCain: Drill here, drill now

EXPECTATIONS AND THE AMERICAN CANDIDATE

I guess we all know now, don't we....we got played. John and Elizabeth Edwards, who made faith and the family unit the absolute cornerstone of his campaign, lied. Bill and Hillary Clinton, well, we didn't actually get played there......not even global warming could raise the temperature in their bedroom...as if they actually shared one. Barack Obama? Don't tell me he doesn't have a slight case of buyers remorse. There is no doubt in my mind that given the right (or slight) circumstances, Ms. Obama can be an absolute bitch on toast, as they say in my neighborhood.

But it does lead to an interesting talking point doesn't it? Should we insist that before we consider any candidate for public office, they at least act the part of strong family members, even when it means they remain in an unhappy marriage, a marriage of convenience, especially when it is painfully obvious that the bonds of marriage are somewhat akin to shackles?

Next point. What is this high and mighty expectation of ours that all viable candidates have "found the Lord" and lead spiritual lives, including engaging in frequent prayer? Don't tell me that anyone could somehow believe all public officials since the beginning of the republic were spiritually devout?

We need to stop asking them to lie to us, it is stupid and naive. It seems to me if we really wanted a spiritual man in the election, wouldn't Romney and Huckabee have kicked McCain's ass in the primary? My God, even Teddy Kennedy proclaims faith, for heavens sake. Obama and Clinton claim to be religious, obviously feel comfortable attending church, and do hold at least a cursory knowledge of scripture. But, lets face it folks, both of them used faith and their member churches to gain connections and substantiate a spiritual lifestyle neither of them truly lives.

Reagan was divorced. He admitted it and it didn't hurt his candidacy at all. He wasn't especially keen on church goin' either. Didn't hurt him.

Many Presidents cheated on their wives. It just wasn't reported in the press years ago, that would have been considered low class. But when Clinton was caught with his hands in the piggy jar (an unfortunate expression, to be sure), he went so far as to lie under oath in order to deny it to the grave. Was it really so important that he would commit perjury over it?

We somehow hold these candidates to unbelievable standards (lying and cheating aside) where one slip of the tongue, or misstep knocks them out of consideration, and it is costing us in the long run. We need to let these men and woman be real. Real, actual carbon based life forms capable of minor mistakes and slight mis-speaks. Otherwise you'll be placing your order for more of the same. Candidates who can't be trusted to say anything not already prepared for them, material gone over time and time again, then feed through monitors so they can just stand there and read.

Look at Obama for heavens sakes. He can't put three words together without a slight hesitation, in fear he might slip, and this is a very intelligent man. When you look at the big picture, part of the problem, as usual, is us. We make the rules, they just play the game. And that is the world...."The World According to Kimba." Thanks for reading.

CAMPAIGN FINANCING MAKES FOR SOME STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

As researched through various venues, including the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times.

Rep. Henry Waxman has initiated a review of a defense contract for the transportation of fuel to the U.S. military in Iraq. The review will not only target billing "irregularities," but also how the firm involved, International Oil Trading Co. won the contract despite not being the low bidder. IOTC holds many lucrative defense contracts with the Defense department, which could total to a cool billion dollars. In response, the defense department has stated "IOTC won the contract because it was the only company with a "letter of authorization" from the Jordanian government to move fuel across Jordan and into Iraq."

Not interesting? Guess again. IOTC's principal owner is one Mr. Harry Sargeant III, a prolific bundler of campaign funds for Florida Governor Charlie Christ (as well as a former Christ fraternity brother and close friend), and John McCain. Sargeant has even gone so far as fly McCain in his private plane, and hold a lavish fundraiser for McCain at his palatial mansion in Delray Beach, Florida, in the Boca Raton area.

Not only has his IOTC been called on the carpet for over billing the military and listing questionable donors in his bundles of campaign cash to McCain and the Republican National Committee (one such questionable donation was $60,000.00 from an office manager of the Hess Oil company and her husband, an Amtrak foreman), he has come under fire for collecting very large donations from people who are so uninterested in politics that they haven't even bothered to register to vote. Curious indeed.

When asked about Sargeant, Governor Crist was quoted as saying, "I am not surprised, but am certainly grateful for his, and his family's efforts. I anticipate Sargeant assisting McCain, not only in additional fundraising, but as an advisor on military affairs and the economy." Another such "advisor" is another employee of IOTC, the former terrorism expert and former chief of the CIA's Bin Ladin investigation unit. Sargeant has gone on record as saying this person has been invaluable in the creation of a vast network of donors, many of which are either in the oil industry, or have ties to the Middle East.

In fairness, it should be pointed out that Mr. Sargeant has not only served as a fundraiser to McCain and Crist, but also to New York's Rudy Guiliani and Hillary Clinton, although to a much smaller extent.

OBAMA GOES TO MAUI WHILE HILLARY GOES TO WORK

“I think it’s fair to say that if you look at recent history, I have moved more quickly and done more on behalf of my opponent than comparable candidates have,” Clinton said at a fundraiser videotaped in Los Altos, California . Most Democratic candidates have not offered endorsements of their former rivals until the convention, said Clinton, who listed Sen. Edward Kennedy (Mass.), former Colorado senator Gary Hart, and former California Governor Jerry Brown.
“A lot of people held out until the convention, kept their delegates, and often waged platform or rules or credential fights,” the New York Democrat said at the event, held to help her retire debt from her primary campaign. “I have made it very clear that I’m supporting Sen. Obama, and that we’re working cooperatively on a lot of different matters.”

Barack Obama has nothing to bitch about when it comes to the support of Hillary Clinton and his campaign. She endorsed him, she actively campaigns for him, she has kept herself on the "down low" for him.

Does Obama have something to bitch about with Bill Clinton? The man he arguably painted a bigot, or at least did not even break a nail to dispel that perception in the media, and with black leaders? The man you called a liar on many different occasions, someone you said failed to reach the bar which should be set for the conduct of former Presidents? No, he has not come out against you. He has made it very clear he is hurt and bitter, and will only show you lukewarm support when asked.

I can't wait to see what he says in his convention speech the night after Hillary gives her speech. Possibly not a good move. Clinton and Carter should be seen, and definitely not heard at the convention. Oh, and by the way, giving Duval Patrick the keynote speech slot will reek of cronyism, and the GOP will have a field day with you if you do, my friend.

"I WAS 99% HONEST ALL ALONG" AND OTHER BEDTIME STORIES BY JOHN E. WEASEL

The National Enquirer first reported on Edwards having an affair in October 2007, and followed up in December with a report that Hunter was pregnant with his child. At the time, former Edwards aide Andrew Young said he was the father."The story is false, it's completely untrue, it's ridiculous," Edwards told reporters in October.

But it was a July 22 report, detailing a confrontation with Enquirer reporters at 2:40 a.m. in the Beverly Hilton, that raised more questions about the Senator's involvement. The confrontation ended up with Edwards locking himself into a public bathroom until hotel security could come to the recue and escort him out.

And now for the years-late mea culpa, and hold onto your seat for this load of absolute crap....

In 2006, I made a serious error in judgment and conducted myself in a way that was disloyal to my family and to my core beliefs. I recognized my mistake and I told my wife that I had a liaison with another woman, and I asked for her forgiveness. Although I was honest in every painful detail with my family, I did not tell the public. When a supermarket tabloid told a version of the story, I used the fact that the story contained many falsities to deny it. But being 99 percent honest is no longer enough.
I was and am ashamed of my conduct and choices, and I had hoped that it would never become public. With my family, I took responsibility for my actions in 2006 and today I take full responsibility publicly. But that misconduct took place for a short period in 2006. It ended then. I am and have been willing to take any test necessary to establish the fact that I am not the father of any baby, and I am truly hopeful that a test will be done so this fact can be definitively established. I only know that the apparent father has said publicly that he is the father of the baby. I also have not been engaged in any activity of any description that requested, agreed to or supported payments of any kind to the woman or to the apparent father of the baby.
It is inadequate to say to the people who believed in me that I am sorry, as it is inadequate to say to the people who love me that I am sorry. In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic. If you want to beat me up -- feel free. You cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself. I have been stripped bare and will now work with everything I have to help my family and others who need my help. I have given a complete interview (set to air on ABC on a Friday night, opposite the opening ceremony of the China Olympics) on this matter and having done so, will have nothing more to say.

ME, ME, ME......typical response from a slimy little weasel (as I have written all along the campaign trail). While his wife is fighting a deadly form of cancer, he somehow found the hubris to think he was "special", at least special enough to have an adulterous affair while his wife ponders life and death. Where was your so called "morals", your so called "faith", your so called "love" of your wife, as you stand before your girlfriend with your knickers around your ankles, knowing full well your place was to bew bedside....no, not with your girlfriend, but with your dying wife and family as they are being torn apart daily as your wife, yes, your wife, Senator, your wife and the mother of your children, is slowly being eaten away from the inside out from cancer?

How about the people sucker enough to believe your candidacy was anything other than one last ego trip; the ones who volunteered for you, quit their jobs and campaigned for you, spent their hard earned money on you and the campaign you knew was doomed as the press vetted you, the same people who gave up the most valuable thing any American has in this country, their vote on you.? AND LOOK WHAT YOU THREW IT ALL AWAY ON? Nice campaign staff, the candidate and a senior aide taking turns making "stump speeches on the road."

McCLASSICS

"We have a lot of work to do. It's a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq-Pakistan border." --referring to a border that does not exist, ABC News interview, July 21, 2008 (Watch video clip)

"I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia." --referring to a country that no longer exists, Phoenix, Arizona, July 14, 2008

"I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don't expect to be a great communicator, I don't expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need." --New York Times interview, July 13, 2008

"Well, basically, it's a Google." --on how he's conducting his VP search, Richmond, Virginia, June 9, 2008
I am a illiterate that has to rely on my wife for all of the assistance I can get." -after being asked whether us uses a Mac or a PC (Watch video clip)

"That's not too important. What's important is the casualties." --on when U.S. troops will return from Iraq, "Today," NBC, June 11, 2008

"Make it a hundred...That would be fine with me." -to a questioner who asked if he supported President Bush's vision for keeping U.S. troops in Iraq for 50 years

"I'm glad to have his endorsement. I condemn remarks that are, in any way, viewed as anti-anything. And thanks for asking." --after being asked by George Stephanopoulos about receiving the endorsement of Evangelical pastor Rev. John Hagee, who has made a number of controversial remarks, including calling Catholicism "The Great Whore" and blaming Hurricane Katrina on gays

"I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated."

"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got to get Greenspan's book."

"It's not social issues I care about."

"Fuck you! I know more about this than anyone else in the room." --to Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), during a testy exchange about immigration legislation

"There are neighborhoods in Baghdad where you and I could walk through those neighborhoods today." --prior to visiting a Baghdad market while being flanked by 22 soldiers, 10 armored Humvees, and two Apache attack helicopters

"No, I'm calling you a fucking jerk." --to fellow Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, when Grassley asked "Are you calling me stupid?""Only an asshole would put together a budget like this ... I wouldn't call you an asshole unless you really were an asshole." --to Budget Committee Chairman and fellow Repulican Sen. Pete Domenici, during a Senate budget hearing

"At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt." -to his wife, Cindy, after she playfully twirled his hair and said "You're getting a little thin up there," as reported in the book The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter (Watch spoof video)

"Do you know why Chelsea Clinton is so ugly? Because Janet Reno is her father." --at a 1998 Republican fundraiser

THE BIDDING STARTS AT $22 MILLION.....

OBAMA ANSWERS McCAIN ON HIS IGNORANT TV ADS