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Call Off the Pit Bull
When Sarah Palin said she was taking off the gloves, she wasn't just whistling "Onward, Christian Soldiers."
Or was she?
In the wake of the vice presidential debate, Palin has trained her moose-hunting sights on bigger trophies -- Barack Obama and the media.
In Colorado a few days ago, she told fans that Obama pals around with terrorists. Later in Clearwater, Fla., resplendent in white against a backdrop of red, white and blue, she said, "This is not a man who sees America the way that you and I see America, as the greatest source for good in this world. I'm afraid this is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to work with a former domestic terrorist who had targeted his own country."
"Booooooooooooo."
On Monday, Bill Kristol wrote in his column that Palin thinks Obama's association with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright needs to be discussed more.
Because hardly anyone ever mentioned it?
When Sarah Palin said she was taking off the gloves, she wasn't just whistling "Onward, Christian Soldiers."
Or was she?
In the wake of the vice presidential debate, Palin has trained her moose-hunting sights on bigger trophies -- Barack Obama and the media.
In Colorado a few days ago, she told fans that Obama pals around with terrorists. Later in Clearwater, Fla., resplendent in white against a backdrop of red, white and blue, she said, "This is not a man who sees America the way that you and I see America, as the greatest source for good in this world. I'm afraid this is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to work with a former domestic terrorist who had targeted his own country."
"Booooooooooooo."
On Monday, Bill Kristol wrote in his column that Palin thinks Obama's association with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright needs to be discussed more.
Because hardly anyone ever mentioned it? When Sarah Palin said she was taking off the gloves, she wasn't just whistling "Onward, Christian Soldiers." ... more -
Three Canadian election candidates have declared bankruptcy
Three federal candidates in B.C. -- one Liberal, one Green and one Conservative -- have declared personal bankruptcy, The Vancouver Sun has learned. Three federal candidates in B.C. -- one Liberal, one Green and one Conservative -- have declared personal bankruptcy, The Vancouver Su... more
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Sarah Palin's Bridge to Somewhere
Tell us why this is interestingI mean the one who bases foreign policy experience on the proximity of Russia to Alaska and who speaks cutely about Vladimir Putin poking his little head into American airspace. Where did they put her?
The Palin who performed so miserably in one-on-one media interviews was nowhere to be seen during Thursday night's debate with Joe Biden. Instead, the affable, tough, determined pit-bull-hockey mom presented to the GOP convention was back with a jaw-jutting, happy-warrior vengeance.
So, yes, I am relieved. I had been concerned that she would stumble badly and humiliate herself. No fair-minded person wanted that. In fact, she managed to control the debate in many respects by bridging from the question asked to the talking point she wanted to hammer.
She was often too cute by half -- winking and gosh-darning her way through the debate -- but she did what she needed to do. Among other things, she declared a populist war of Us vs. Them -- everyday, honest, hardworking Americans against Wall Street, greed, corrupt politicians, liberals and, of course, the media.
Poor Gwen Ifill was irrelevant -- a second-tier actor in Palin's morality play. Over and over, Palin skipped past Ifill, as well as Biden, to speak directly to the American people. I am one of you, she told them. And these people -- Democrats and the media -- are neither of us, nor for us.
And she said it in the nicest, gosh-darn way, bless her little heart. The GOP loved it, but did anyone else? Did Palin change hearts and minds? Probably not. My suspicion, bolstered by early polls, is that people left the debate with their original impressions intact.
To Democrats, she's still a dangerous lightweight, though possibly more so than they suspected because she is also a charming and effective manipulator. To Republicans, she's a bright light, a change agent, a reformer and a maverick who identifies with real people around the kitchen table.
With the very first question about the bailout bill -- was this the worst of Washington or the best of Washington? -- Palin went straight to her hockey mom narrative, though she switched to the more mainstream soccer field.
"As we try to figure out has this been a good time or a bad time in America's economy, is go to a kid's soccer game on Saturday, and turn to any parent there on the sideline and ask them, 'How are you feeling about the economy?' And I'll betcha you're going to hear some fear in that parent's voice."
Of course, if you go to a Starbucks today and ask the iPodder blogging on her Apple about Sarah Palin, you're gonna hear some fear in that person's voice, also. Betcha!
Palin's strategy throughout the evening was to avoid questions to which she didn't have answers and rely on the American people to like her so much they didn't care. Tell us why this is interestingI mean the one who bases foreign policy experience on the proximity of Russia to Alaska and who speaks ... more -
First Democrat Endorsement Since 1936 for Conservative Newspaper
The San Joaquin Record has endorsed its first Democrat for President since 1936.
The logic? Obama will change our politics and John McCain won't. Obama can inspire and McCain can't. McCain's most troubling trait is his judgment, as indicated by his choice of Sarah Palin. "The nation cannot go through four more years of literally and figuratively shooting now and asking questions later." Republican charges that Obama is an elitist and an empty suit are risible. The San Joaquin Record has endorsed its first Democrat for President since 1936. ... more -
Senate bailout vote puts pressure on House Republicans, aides say
Story Highlights:
Rep. Charles Rangel thinks "sweeteners" will smooth passage in House
Bailout package passed Senate 74-25 on Wednesday with bipartisan support
The bailout failed 228-205 on Monday in the House
President Bush urges the House to pass an "improved" bill Story Highlights: Rep. Charles Rangel thinks "sweeteners" will smooth passage in House ... more -
Senate Backs Far-Reaching Nuclear Trade Deal With India
Measure Goes to Bush, Giving The President a Rare Victory
The Senate last night approved a historic agreement that opens up nuclear trade with India for the first time since New Delhi conducted a nuclear test three decades ago, giving the Bush administration a significant foreign policy achievement in its final months. Measure Goes to Bush, Giving The President a Rare Victory ... more -
The Irish will be the death of the Euro?
Ireland’s decision to guarantee all bank deposits will contribute to the demise of the single European currency, because it will erode the euro’s credibility if it’s allowed to go ahead, Hugh Hendry, chief investment officer and Partner at Eclectica Fund, told CNBC on Thursday.
The plan pledges to guarantee the liabilities of six Irish-owned banks totaling some 400 billion euros ($565 billion), more than twice the country’s annual gross domestic product.
“The decision, if left to stand … my prophecy is it will bring down the currency. The euro is not a tenable currency if you have politicians making such decisions. The reality is there is no such thing as a free lunch,” Hendry told “Squawk Box Europe.”
“If I was German, I would say give me back my Deutschmarks,” he added.
On Thursday, Irish lawmakers backed the plan and the government said it may be extended to foreign banks with retail units in Ireland, but it has raised questions in Brussels and London about competition and state-aid rules.
Promises of lavish spending such as this and others being discussed in Europe will erode investors’ confidence, Hendry warned.
“McDonalds has got less chance of going bust than the British government,” he said. “When our government comes to issue this sea of money they’re going to pay through the nose … if we can’t constrain that behavior, we’re going to pay for it.” Ireland’s decision to guarantee all bank deposits will contribute to the demise of the single European currency, because it will erode... more -
hmmm hmm tast the pork in that bailout
DENVER (MyFOXColorado.com) - Pass it. Back it. Believe in it, they say. Just don't read the fine print of the 451 page, $700 billion bailout plan because, well, things get a little bit wooly.
Like Section 325 which provides essential tax breaks for the "wool research fund." Seriously.
Section 503 gives tax breaks for the manufacture of wooden arrows used in toys for children.
And Section 309, a tax credit for economic development, in America. Actually, American Samoa. Metro State Political Science professor Norm Provizer says putting in the goodies simply gets votes.
"As soon as they started discussing sweetening the bill to make it more attractive…in American politics the sweetener is often money," he said.
In Section 316: a tax break for railroad track maintenance.
And Section 317, a tax break for race tracks.
This was clearly not the bail-out bill most folks expected.
"I think it's wrong, it's wrong," one voter told us. "How does that affect us, where do we profit, what do we expect to gain from it?"
In the end, the pork probably won't kill the bill. And there are tax credits for renewable energy, and tax relief that is popular.
Just makes you wonder about the other wolf-ish provisions, in sheep's clothing.
Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar said he wished the un-related provisions would come out of the bill. But said the renewable energy tax credits were important. Sen. Wayne Allard voted against the bill because it cost too much. DENVER (MyFOXColorado.com) - Pass it. Back it. Believe in it, they say. Just don't read the fine print of the 451 page, $700 bill... more -
Conservative Bay Buchanan Gives Palin Debate Advice - Funny
With friends like these...
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Conservative columnist: Palin should go
A conservative columnist who welcomed Sarah Palin's entry in national politics says she's proven to be a dud and should step aside as John McCain's running mate.
Kathleen Parker, writing in the National Review Online, says her "cringe reflex is exhausted" after watching the Alaska governor stumble through TV interviews and it's become clear to her that Palin is out of her league.
"No one hates saying that more than I do," Parker writes. "Like so many women, I've been pulling for Palin, wishing her the best, hoping she will perform brilliantly. I've also noticed that I watch her interviews with the held breath of an anxious parent, my finger poised over the mute button in case it gets too painful. Unfortunately, it often does." A conservative columnist who welcomed Sarah Palin's entry in national politics says she's proven to be a dud and should step... more -
Summary of 'Stabilization Act'
SUMMARY OF THE "EMERGENCY ECONOMIC STABILIZATION ACT OF 2008"
I. Stabilizing the Economy
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) provides up to $700 billion to the Secretary of the Treasury to buy mortgages and other assets that are clogging the balance sheets of financial institutions and making it difficult for working families, small businesses, and other companies to access credit, which is vital to a strong and stable economy. EESA also establishes a program that would allow companies to insure their troubled assets.
II. Homeownership Preservation
EESA requires the Treasury to modify troubled loans – many the result of predatorylending practices – wherever possible to help American families keep their homes. Italso directs other federal agencies to modify loans that they own or control. Finally, itimproves the HOPE for Homeowners program by expanding eligibility and increasingthe tools available to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help morefamilies keep their homes.
III. Taxpayer Protection
Taxpayers should not be expected to pay for Wall Street’s mistakes. The legislationrequires companies that sell some of their bad assets to the government to providewarrants so that taxpayers will benefit from any future growth these companies mayexperience as a result of participation in this program. The legislation also requires thePresident to submit legislation that would cover any losses to taxpayers resulting fromthis program from financial institutions.
IV. No Windfalls for Executives
Executives who made bad decisions should not be allowed to dump their bad assets onthe government, and then walk away with millions of dollars in bonuses. In order toparticipate in this program, companies will lose certain tax benefits and, in some cases,must limit executive pay. In addition, the bill limits “golden parachutes” and requiresthat unearned bonuses be returned.
V. Strong Oversight
Rather than giving the Treasury all the funds at once, the legislation gives the Treasury$250 billion immediately, then requires the President to certify that additional funds areneeded ($100 billion, then $350 billion subject to Congressional disapproval). TheTreasury must report on the use of the funds and the progress in addressing the crisis.
EESA also establishes an Oversight Board so that the Treasury cannot act in an arbitrary manner. It also establishes a special inspector general to protect against waste, fraud and abuse SUMMARY OF THE "EMERGENCY ECONOMIC STABILIZATION ACT OF 2008" I. Stabilizing the Economy ... more -
Former Palin supporter wants her out.
Palin Interviews Spark GOP Concerns
WASHINGTON (Sept. 27) - A conservative columnist who welcomed Sarah Palin's entry in national politics says she's proven to be a dud and should step aside as John McCain's running mate.
Kathleen Parker, writing in the National Review Online, says her "cringe reflex is exhausted" after watching the Alaska governor stumble through TV interviews and it's become clear to her that Palin is out of her league.
"No one hates saying that more than I do," Parker writes. "Like so many women, I've been pulling for Palin, wishing her the best, hoping she will perform brilliantly. I've also noticed that I watch her interviews with the held breath of an anxious parent, my finger poised over the mute button in case it gets too painful. Unfortunately, it often does."
Palin, new to national politics, boosted Republican presidential nominee John McCain in polls and excited the party's core conservatives when he chose the first-term governor for his ticket. Some of that shine has since worn off in polls.
Tony Fabrizio, a GOP strategist, told Politico.com that Palin’s recent CBS appearance with Katie Couric was alarming, though not disqualifying. “You can’t continue to have interviews like that and not take on water.”
“I have not been blown away by the interviews from her, but at the same time, I haven’t come away from them thinking she doesn’t know s—t,” Chris Lacivita, a GOP strategist, told Politico.com. “But she ain’t Dick Cheney, nor Joe Biden and definitely not Hillary Clinton.”
But all that said, Palin still draws huge crowds on the campaign trail and remains a hit among rank-and-file Republicans. GOP insiders, however, fear that her shaky performance on CBS and other limited media appearances, may lead to a disastrous debate against Sen. Joe Biden next week, hurting McCain's chances of winning the election.
Writing in her column, Parker said she thought Palin was a "refreshing feminist of a different order" when she joined the ticket, but it's become clear she doesn't know enough about economics or foreign policy to be president should that become necessary in a McCain administration.
"Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves," Parker writes. "She can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts her family first."
Kathryn Jean Lopez, writing for the conservative National Review, says Parker's suggestion is "not a crazy suggestion" and that "something's gotta change." Palin Interviews Spark GOP Concerns ... more -
Comedy Done Right
In a world full of "liberal" news media and "liberal" news satire, Republicans want to laugh too! In a way that is both funny and conservative! And that's pretty hard to find!
infoMania is a half-hour satirical news show that airs on Current TV. The show puts a comedic spin on the 24-hour chaos and information overload brought about by the constant bombardment of the media. Hosted by Conor Knighton and co-starring Brett Erlich, Sarah Haskins, Ben Hoffman, and Sergio Cilli, the show airs on Thursdays at 10 pm Eastern and Pacific Times and can be found online at current.com/infomania. In a world full of "liberal" news media and "liberal" news satire, Republicans want to laugh too! In a way that is... more -
Outspoken Catholic Conservative Elected Japanese PM
TOKYO — Outspoken conservative Taro Aso took power as Japan's prime minister Wednesday, promising "emergency measures" to revive the ailing economy and vowing to keep Tokyo in the fight against global terrorism.
Aso, 68, swept into office after his predecessor, Yasuo Fukuda, abruptly resigned. The former foreign minister is tasked with rejuvenating the failing ruling party ahead of snap elections he could call before the end of the year.
The straight-talking former Olympic skeetshooter gave no hints about when he would call such a ballot, but he stocked his Cabinet with familiar ruling party faces to bolster the image of stability.
Aso, elected earlier in the day by parliament, took a populist stance that could resonate with financially troubled voters in his first news conference after his election.
"We must take care of the economy, including emergency economic measures," Aso said. "The economy has declined over the past year, and we have to think about how to support the people, including small and medium size businesses."
Aso announced no details, but he has backed using fiscal spending to stave off a deep recession, and said he would not consider raising the 5 percent consumption tax for at least three years.
The right-leaning political blueblood — his grandfather was a prominent postwar prime minister — also said he would push to extend Japan's maritime anti-terror mission in the Indian Ocean, despite the opposition's attempts to block it.
"The mission is not for Afghanistan, the U.S. or for Pakistan, but it's a responsibility as a member of the international community to fight against terrorism," Aso said. "We must continue the mission by all means."
Aso, Japan's first Catholic leader, will lead a country wracked by political divisions and spiking concerns over the economy, which has stalled amid the ballooning financial crisis in the United States.
He will soon have to decide whether to call early elections for the lower house to prove his party — which has governed for nearly all the past 53 years — still has a mandate to rule. The LDP controls the powerful lower house, but the opposition rules the upper house.
Such an election would be a major gamble for the party, which is bleeding public support and suffering widespread anger over mismanagement of pension funds and a general dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Elections can be called by the prime minister at any time, but must be held by next September. Aso, however, said he first wanted to pass a supplemental budget in parliament.
Opposition leaders immediately attacked the new government.
"Aso is on the opposite end of the spectrum from regular people, who are making ends meet and face difficulties in their daily lives," said Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima. "He is totally ignoring them and doing his own politics."
Aso's initial Cabinet choices showed he was sticking with like-minded conservatives and allies, rather than trying to strike a new policy direction.
Shoichi Nakagawa, a former economic minister considered to be in the right-wing of the LDP, was named minister of finance. Two years ago, Aso and Nakagawa caused a stir by suggesting Japan should have a debate on whether to acquire nuclear weapons. At the same time, Nakagawa called the U.S. atomic attack on Nagasaki "a crime."
Kaoru Yosano, who lost to Aso in the LDP presidential race, kept his post in charge of economic and fiscal policy. It was unclear how Aso would square his stated policy of boosting fiscal spending with Yosano's concerns about the country's burgeoning budget deficit. TOKYO — Outspoken conservative Taro Aso took power as Japan's prime minister Wednesday, promising "emergency measures"... more -
Are you a born conservative (or liberal)?
A new study suggests that your political attitudes are wired in from the beginning.
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Die-hard liberals and conservatives aren't made; they're born. It's literally in their DNA.
That's the implication of a study by a group of researchers who wanted to see if there was a biological basis for people's political attitudes.
They found to their surprise that opinions on such contentious subjects as gun control, pacifism and capital punishment are strongly associated with physiological traits that are probably present at birth.
The key is the differing levels of fear that people naturally feel.
"What is revolutionary about this paper is that it shows the path from genes to physiology to behavior," said James H. Fowler, a political science professor at UC San Diego who was not involved in the research.
The researchers, whose findings were published today in the journal Science, looked at 46 people who fell into two camps -- liberals who supported foreign aid, immigration, pacifism and gun control; and conservatives who advocated defense spending, capital punishment, patriotism and the Iraq war.
In an initial experiment, subjects were shown a series of images that included a bloody face, maggots in a wound and a spider on a frightened face. A device measured the electrical conductance of their skin, a physiological reaction that indicates fear.
In a second experiment, researchers measured eye blinks -- another indicator of fear -- as subjects responded to sudden blasts of noise.
People with strongly conservative views were three times more fearful than staunch liberals after the effects of gender, age, income and education were factored out.
Kevin B. Smith, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a study author, said conservatives were more vigilant to environmental threats, and he speculated that this innate tendency led them to support policies that protect the social order.
Fowler said the study added to the growing research suggesting that over millions of years, humans have developed two cognitive styles -- conservative and liberal. Cautious conservatives prevented societies from taking undue risks, while more flexible liberals fostered cooperation.
"For the species to survive, you need both," he said.
But Jon Krosnick, a political science professor at Stanford University, said it was impossible to draw any conclusions from a study with so few people, all from a small Midwestern town. What's more, he said, it's just too squishy interpreting people's reactions.
"I don't believe any of this," he said. "The people who are most scared are less in favor of gun control. Why wouldn't they be more in favor? Because they need guns to fight the bad guys? You can make up a story in either direction."
The study is the latest to challenge the long-standing dogma that upbringing and environmental factors determine political attitudes. Recent studies have found that identical twins -- who share the same genetic inheritance -- think alike on political issues more often than other siblings.
Last year, researchers reported that the brains of conservatives and liberals process information differently.
None of this, however, suggests that people are slaves to their biology, researchers agree.
The latest study "does not mean that people can't sit down and think about the issues and come to some logical compromise," Smith said. "What it does mean is that it is going to be hard work." A new study suggests that your political attitudes are wired in from the beginning. ------------------ ... more -
A conservative for Obama
THE MORE I LISTEN TO AND READ ABOUT “the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate,” the more I like him. Barack Obama strikes a chord with me like no political figure since Ronald Reagan. To explain why, I need to explain why I am a conservative and what it means to me.
In 1964, at the age of 16, I organized the Dallas County Youth for Goldwater. My senior thesis at the University of Texas was on the conservative intellectual revival in America. Twenty years later, I was invited by William F. Buckley Jr. to join the board of National Review. I later became its publisher.
Conservatism to me is less a political philosophy than a stance, a recognition of the fallibility of man and of man’s institutions. Conservatives respect the past not for its antiquity but because it represents, as G.K. Chesterton said, the democracy of the dead; it gives the benefit of the doubt to customs and laws tried and tested in the crucible of time. Conservatives are skeptical of abstract theories and utopian schemes, doubtful that government is wiser than its citizens, and always ready to test any political program against actual results.
Liberalism always seemed to me to be a system of “oughts.” We ought to do this or that because it’s the right thing to do, regardless of whether it works or not. It is a doctrine based on intentions, not results, on feeling good rather than doing good.
But today it is so-called conservatives who are cemented to political programs when they clearly don’t work. The Bush tax cuts—a solution for which there was no real problem and which he refused to end even when the nation went to war—led to huge deficit spending and a $3 trillion growth in the federal debt. Facing this, John McCain pumps his “conservative” credentials by proposing even bigger tax cuts. Meanwhile, a movement that once fought for limited government has presided over the greatest growth of government in our history. That is not conservatism; it is profligacy using conservatism as a mask.
Today it is conservatives, not liberals, who talk with alarming bellicosity about making the world “safe for democracy.” It is John McCain who says America’s job is to “defeat evil,” a theological expansion of the nation’s mission that would make George Washington cough out his wooden teeth.
This kind of conservatism, which is not conservative at all, has produced financial mismanagement, the waste of human lives, the loss of moral authority, and the wreckage of our economy that McCain now threatens to make worse.
Barack Obama is not my ideal candidate for president. (In fact, I made the maximum donation to John McCain during the primaries, when there was still hope he might come to his senses.) But I now see that Obama is almost the ideal candidate for this moment in American history. I disagree with him on many issues. But those don’t matter as much as what Obama offers, which is a deeply conservative view of the world. Nobody can read Obama’s books (which, it is worth noting, he wrote himself) or listen to him speak without realizing that this is a thoughtful, pragmatic, and prudent man. It gives me comfort just to think that after eight years of George W. Bush we will have a president who has actually read the Federalist Papers.
Most important, Obama will be a realist. I doubt he will taunt Russia, as McCain has, at the very moment when our national interest requires it as an ally. The crucial distinction in my mind is that, unlike John McCain, I am convinced he will not impulsively take us into another war unless American national interests are directly threatened.
“Every great cause,” Eric Hoffer wrote, “begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.” As a cause, conservatism may be dead. But as a stance, as a way of making judgments in a complex and difficult world, I believe it is very much alive in the instincts and predispositions of a liberal named Barack Obama. THE MORE I LISTEN TO AND READ ABOUT “the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate,” the more I like him. Barack Obama strikes a chord wi... more -
The real difference between liberals and conservatives.
Jonathan Haidt on the moral roots of liberals and conservatives | Video on TED.com
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Lipstick on a pig
Uses a clip from a Noam Chomsky interview to ask whether the whole "lipstick on a pig" debate a distraction from the real issues that need to be discussed? And if so, whose fault is it - the candidates for saying it, the media for spreading it, or the electorate for not demanding better? Uses a clip from a Noam Chomsky interview to ask whether the whole "lipstick on a pig" debate a distraction from the real is... more
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Obama inspires a meditation on Red and Blue America
This holds the idea of "red states" and "blue states" in a new light.
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2 presidents from Texas justify their wars
Interesting similarities between a "liberal" from Texas and a "conservative" from Texas in their justifications for war. Interesting similarities between a "liberal" from Texas and a "conservative" from Texas in their justifications fo... more
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