Contributors

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

A Quitter?

Of all of the things I have written about President George W. Bush, I never thought I would write the following line: He is a quitter.

I could always rely on W to be the "decider guy" out there making all the bonehead moves he has made over the years. But to give up? Nah, say it ain't so.

Well, it is. With two months left in his presidency and in the middle of the worst economic crisis this nation has seen since The Great Depression, George Bush has basically handed the keys to Barack Obama. Never mind the fact that, by law, he has to serve us until January 20th.

As we have seen for the last eight years, Bush has no clue what the fuck is going on. His incompetence in handling this crisis is monumental and so, rather than trot out his usual propaganda of "everything is fine, don't believe your eyes," he has elected to head on down the road to pasture.

Because he knows that everything is not fine and it is probably going to get worse. And, by and large, it is his fault for mainly doing nothing (due to the fact that he knows nothing) and partially thinking, erroneously, that the free market would take care of itself.

So, I guess his complete and utter failure is now complete....well, except for the 24 percent of the country (see the real "victim culture" on the right) who think it is all someone else's fault. I guess it's time for someone who is actually competent to clean up the mess. The cynic in me wonders if he can.

Monday, November 24, 2008

That Darned Commie!

Well, President Elect Obama has really done it this time. He went and nominated Timothy Gethiner to be the new Treasury Secretary. Gethiner is currently the President of the New York Federal Reserve. He is also the Vice Chariman of the Federal Open Market Committee. He started his career working for Henry Kissinger’s consulting firm, then moved on to work under George Bush Sr. in the treasury department. Geithner then moved on to work for the Council on Foreign Relations, a conservative foreign policy think tank.

Add all this up and what do you get? Our future president is looking for someone more pragmatic to run the Treasury. Someone who, perhaps, doesn't believe the government should fund business. Someone who will probably do a good job.

Sadly, though...

Add all this up in looney land and what do you get? Communist! Pinko! Stealer of my money! I want my money! Wah!!!

Well, at least those are just a few of the comments I have heard thus far since the announcement of Gethiner's appointment. Ah well, as long as they continue to make sense:)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

A Great Reason To Own An Arsenal

Recently, in comments, a debate sprang up on why anyone would "need" an assault rifle. After reading this article in the Monitor, I think the reason why I would want one makes itself quite clear.

Heck the photo of the D bag alone is reason enough.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Oh, So Sad...

This is bloody priceless.

I have a friend who was an election judge on November 4th. When they opened up the absentee ballots from military bases around the world, including Iraq, the Republican representatives went berserk. Apparently, President Elect Obama (something I try to say at least 10 times a day these days) received many more votes than Senator McCain. And the Republicans couldn't take it.

EEP! BLURP! QUARK! Military loves all Republicans. EEP! SPLAT! All soldiers love only conservatives. EEP! BLURP! SMACK! Poison gas...can't breathe...EEP! ZAP!

Something tells me there's going to be a lot more cognitive dissonance in the next few months. Imagine what will happen if (Gasp!) President Elect Obama actually succeeds at something.

EEP! BLURP! He actually failed. EEP! BLURP! He is evil. Don't believe your eyes. EEP! BLURP! Muslim terrorist EEP! BLURP!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Why Is She Still Around?

Sarah Palin seems to be everywhere. I realize she is the flavor of the month but the election is over and her side lost. Yet, she acts as if it is Dec 2011 and the Iowa caucuses are one month off. She has been giving interview after interview on all the major news networks. President Elect Obama hasn't even taken office yet!!!

Andy, over at Electoral-Vote.com, has a good take on this.

In an interview with Fox's Greta Van Susteren, Sarah Palin has said she is open to running for President in 2012 if God shows her the way. This remark demonstrates her inexperience. The protocol for running for President dictates that you do not express any interest in the job before the midterms. The correct answer (which she didn't give) was: "Greta, now that the election is over I am going back to Alaska and will be entirely focused on being the best possible governor that I can be for the great and wonderful people of Alaska. My term expires in 2010, and with God's help, I will make a decision about my future in 2010." The problem with announcing now is that her opponents (and she has plenty of them) will have ample time to carefully plot their strategy for making her look bad before the primaries even start.

Palin's exact quote, regarding God, was this.

I'm like, OK, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere, this is what I always pray, I'm like, don't let me miss the open door. And if there is an open door in '12 or four years later, and if it is something that is going to be good for my family, for my state, for my nation, an opportunity for me, then I'll plow through that door.

I'm like, OK...wondering why seemingly, like, intelligent people on the right, like, still think she is, like qualified and junk.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Whither The Republicans...

Tim Pawlenty, governor of my home state of Minnesota, delivered a speech yesterday at the Governor's Convention in Florida, in which he raised several key points regarding the future of the Republican Party. The essential jist of what he said was that Republicans must change or face irrelevancy. I couldn't agree with him more.

Unfortunately, when it comes to change, Republicans have an incredibly hard time. Their party's ideology has essentially become so set in deep granite that any kind of movement seems impossible. In fact, the center piece of their platform is to be as immovable as possible.

So, I would like to know, as does Governor Pawlenty, how exactly are the Republicans going to be far sighted on issues like energy, health care, and education? How, specifically, are they going to broaden their appeal to working class families and small business owners as Mr. Pawlenty suggested is vital?

When one looks at all of these issues, as I have said many times over the last few years, the Republicans completely and utterly lack any kind of forward thinking. In energy, it's "Drill Baby Drill" which is akin to a person, in 1988, saying "We must expand the use of the typewriter." With health care, it's "Fuck you, get your own damn health care" and "Let's make all of my pals in the industry more wealthy by ripping people off." With education, it's "let's censor all that commie pinko bullshit and tell the story of the 'real America.'"

The worst, by far, is their "appeal" to working class families. Essentially the only thing working class families have gotten from the GOP is a giant sucking sound of all their money going to pad the linings of the oil industry, the defense industry, pharmaceuticals, the insurance industry, and HMOs. The cost of living has gone up and wages haven't risen to meet the demand of these new prices. The largest transfer of wealth in the history of the world has occurred under the direction of the Republican Party. Why on earth would the middle class want to support them? More to the point, the Republican's raison d'etre is fuck the little guy over and make damn sure that they have all the toys.

I applaud Governor Pawlenty for at least taking a step towards admitting things must change for the elephants but I think he is incredibly naive to think that it is even possible.

When the only tool in your tool kit is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Really? Fox News?

Is Fox News jumping on the Obama bandwagon? Or are they center right like all of my conservative friends say they are?

I do know that Rush Limbaugh has called Karl Cameron a traitor now that this story has come out. So...a traitor is someone who calls out Sarah Palin for being ignorant?

Given this new information, I want to go on record here at Notes From the Front and say that I think that Sarah Palin should be the Republican nominee in 2012.

In fact, I am praying for it.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Cheese Slowly Slipping Off Cracker

My ol' buddy Matt used to have a phrase for people that were loony. He would say that "their cheese has slipped off their cracker." Well, folks, I think conservatives' cheese has slowly been slipping off their cracker after Barack Obama's victory last week. I have selected a few choice quotes from various emails and conversations over the course of the last week for your reading pleasure.

"Our country is now going to descend into communism."

This one was from my uncle. He is completely and utterly serious. He thinks that this is actually going to happen. He has also convinced his wife, my mom's younger sister, that this is true and she has been physically ill for the last week...unable to eat or sleep. She has also had a non stop headache. Both of them believe that Obama is going to destroy our country by installing a communist regime with himself as supreme leader.

"There go all of my guns. "
"I am going to buy as many guns as I can before HE is sworn in."
"I just bought ten guns and I am going to hide them so Barack Obama can't find them."


These were three emails I received on Wednesday morning after the election. While President Elect Obama has called to ban certain types of assault rifles, I have yet to see him express an interest in any bans on shotguns, rifles, hand guns, and many other weapons let alone going house to house and confiscating guns.

"He is going to hand the keys of the country to terrorists."

Beginning to sense a theme here? I had at least five emails with similar themes. Hmm...let's see....worst terrorist attack occurs on Bush's watch....bin Laden and Zawahari at large....Al Qaeda stronger than ever....Bush beholden to Saudi oil men which churns out terrorists like play doh...and they think Obama is going to be worse? Their paranoia knows no bounds.

"More babies are going to die."

Yes, that's right. Barack Obama kills babies. Really? Seriously think about fucking stupid that sounds. Talk about hyper overreaction and, in no way, anything close to reality as Obama has done more to bring down the abortion rate through his support of sex education programs.

"There goes all of my money."

As opposed to all of the money you have now as a result of the stellar management of the economy by the Bush Administration. Let me see if I can be clear on this one...THEY TOOK ALL OF YOUR MONEY YOU FUCKING MORON! WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO VOTE FOR THEM?!?

Perhaps the me of a few years ago would've gloated and enjoyed watching these people descend into madness. Instead, I find it to be extremely frustrating, and somewhat sickening, that they are so bloody brainwashed that they can't think clearly. Even sadder is that there is no reasoning with them. They don't want to calm down. They want to remain in a constant state of fear and pants soiling. They are beyond reasoning.

So, what do we do?

Thursday, November 06, 2008

From the Notes From The Front Middle East Bureau....

Our Girl Friday posted this in comments. I wanted to bring it out front.

May God Bless America, and you Mr new President . . who are the peoples' choice and with your new team, their hope for a reality, truth & humanity based, better future.

Amen, soul sister.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

The Dream Realized

I don't think there are many words to say today.

It's still sinking in. I can't believe it.

It took 45 years and much pain and heartache but Dr. King's dream has been fulfilled.

In the 41 years I have lived on this planet, I have never been more proud of our country.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Predictions and Prognostications

What is going to happen tomorrow? I'm sure all of you are waiting with bated breath as to who I think is going to win.

Baring any Republican election tomfoolery, I think Barack Obama is going to win the US Presidential Election tomorrow. I predict he will win 311 electoral votes to McCain's 191. He will win all the states Kerry won in 2004 and take Virginia, Ohio, Iowa, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada-all states that Bush won in 2004. McCain will eke out Florida, North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Montana, North Dakota but not by much. Many of those states will have Democratic victories in the Senate and the House as a result of the turnout for him.

In the Senate, I predict the Dems will have 59 and the Repubs will have 41. The 59 includes Liebermann. So, which state put the Dems to 59? Minnesota or Georgia. I have to admit I am torn. I would love to see Saxby Chambliss, last seen accusing Max Clelland (wheel chair bound Vietnam vet) of being best buds with Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, kicked out on his fat fucking ass. But I do live in Minnesota and have had just about enough of Norm "swing with the wind" Coleman. Both races are too tight for me to call but I do predict that one of them will go Dem.

The House will get to 250 for the Dems. I predict that El Tinklenberg is going to beat Michelle Bachmann (thank God!) in the Sixth. The race in the Third is just too damn close for me to call for my guy, Aswhin Madia. If you want him to win, get out and vote. The turnout for Obama may help him over the top.

Remember, people died for your right to vote. Regardless of who you vote for, to not vote at all because you are a lazy douche bag is completely unacceptable.

Go Vote!

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Sunday Reflection

At church today, I scanned the news and notes section of the program and found something interesting. Every week, our pastor writes a column called "Pastor's Pen." This week, he brought up the election and some things to consider as we all went out and voted on Tuesday. Here was his first item.

Helping the poor and disenfranchised. With over 2000 specific passages in the Bible that address our responsibility to care for and empower those on the margins of society, we must put this at the top of the list. It's pretty clear Jesus did.

I find this statement to be quite interesting considering the latest attack on Obama, from the right, regarding how he wants to spread the wealth. I thought the conservative base followed the teachings of Christ? Based on their comments regarding Senator Obama, I guess they don't.

I realize that their stock answer is that they don't want the government to be the entity to re-distribute wealth. Alright, who then? Who has the power to help people as much as the US government? President Bush, for all of this many faults and bullshit, has made a difference in Africa with his AIDS and malaria program. On some small level, he understands what Christ really meant by caring for and empowering those in need.

To be honest, I don't even hear conservatives wanting to help anyone at all...even through private organizations. They lament helping anyone at all as if doing so somehow continues to degrade our culture. I find many of the things that have been said to me and to Senator Obama over the last few weeks to be insulting and morally reprehensible.

How could they miss over 2000 references to what all of us need to do to improve our country and the world? More to the point, what the fuck is the matter with them?