Politics

Super Delegates Aren't So Super

By now you should all be aware of the Democratic parties version of "fixing an election", it's called Super Delegates. This is where people like ex- President Bill Clinton gets to vote for Hilary with a whopping number of single delegates. Where back room deals, long time friendship and debts owed get called into favor by the candidate that holds the most entrenched political power. See, you thought your vote counted in the Democratic party didn't you? Those who screamed the loudest (and rightly so) over the 2000 election placement of George Bush, have their very own way of making sure the person they want in, gets in.

Instituted after Jimmy Carter, a man the people wanted but the entrenched on both sides of the aisle wanted no part of, was elected to the highest position in the country. After Jimmy Carter won, they decided they could no longer leave it in the hands of the American people. So if primaries and caucus's brought a candidate to the DNC convention floor, they nor the majority of DNC official wants running the party, party officials can cast their "SUPER DELEGATES" to the candidate of choice. It's all highly democratic.

In a rare moment of actually doing his job, Chris Matthews asked Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, who is supporting Hilary Clinton, "If your State votes overwhelmingly for Barack Obama, will you cast your Super Delegate vote for him?" He answered NO. Meaning personal candidate loyalty trumps the will of the people. And that folks, is how this whole dust up began.

A dust up that prompted Donna Brazile, CNN political commentator, to announce that if it comes down to Super Delegates deciding this process (of which she is one) she will quit the DNC. Donna Brazile is a longtime DNC supporter having worked for many Democratic Presidential hopefuls such as Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, and was appointed Chair of the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights Institute after the 2000 Presidential debacle. For her to make a statement like that on national television is huge.

The now DNC chair Howard Dean has come out in recent days saying that a broken convention would not be good. And a broken convention is exactly what you'll get if the candidate with the most "pledged" delegates enters the convention and loses because of the back room Super Delegate vote.

Let's imagine for the sake of scenario that Barack Obama wins 6 out of the next 7 states, netting him a 160 pledged delegate lead over Hilary and a 15 state lead over her when they both enter the convention floor. The big MO and the numbers are behind him so none of those pledged delegates change their vote.

But old Bill Clinton and Hilary Clinton favors get called in, and entrenched loyalist deal their way to an overwhelming Super Delegate vote in Hilary Clinton's favor and she is announced as the nominee. (This could happen in reverse, but seeing as the Clintons "ARE" the democratic party, it's easier to use this as a possible scenario). The Democratic party would crumble right then and there. The party already has enough of it's own angry with them for getting into power and backing down to Bush on each and every issue. Not even entertaining the ideal of impeachment, or fighting to reinstate Habius Corpus.

If this or anything similar happens, bye-bye Democratic party, hello Independent party. A place more and more Americans are wanting to be.

This election is so amazing this way. It has brought a lot of the unknown to the forefront. Who knew that a state like Utah would vote overwhelmingly for a Black man carrying the name Barack Hussien Obama. Who knew that women voters would be at odds with themselves over a woman candidate. Or that gender could be pit against race in an election for the highest seat in the land. And before this juicy primary, who knew that party officials where the ones actually naming democratic nominees. After all, in years before, after Iowa and New Hampshire the candidates are for the most part picked and on their way to the general.

This Super Delegate situation is much like the Electoral College discovery in 2000. Because so many Americans used Civics class as a time to catch a nap in high school, millions of Americans were shocked and dismayed to discover that their vote didn't make a single difference because they don't live in a state with an Electoral vote. While the cry was loud then, it's silent now for change in the system. So once again, come time to vote for the President of the United States, there are folks who will cast their vote for no reason at all. Because if their candidate doesn't when the Electoral vote, the popular vote won't mean a hill of beans, no matter how wide the margin. And the prospects are the same with the upcoming DNC. The potential for millions of disenfranchised voters is great. Seeing as how this thing is bound to go to the wire, a good portion of that floor is destined to be disappointed regardless. But immediate aid could be delivered by a unified party behind the actual victor. Not so if the victor is delivered from behind closed doors.

Shame on you DNC. Fix this before you destroy your selves and kill off the last remaining hope for democracy in a hopeful democratic country.

Any insurgent that is caught should be interrogated and then handed over to Iraqi citizens!!

In Baghdad, Iraq we all know that the war that is going on is extremely nasty, and very little is surprising when it comes to insurgent tactics. However, the story about how they strapped bombs to two mentally handicapped women and detonated them by remote control killing 98 people and wounding more than 200, brings the unGodly sadistic beast out of me! One of the main problems is that these insurgents have very little fear of anyone as these and sectarian killings continue, Saddam Hussein didn't have these problems, although he was in-human. The best way to handle insurgents that are caught is to have them interrogated/tortured to get any all information from them and then we strap their bodies with dead chickens and pieces of pork and we throw them into a pool of alligators. Or we strap them down with the dead carcasses and we release pitbulls on them. Yes, the people of Iraq deserve a democracy, how they choose to express that is not our business, but if you show these insurgents, most are from other countries, that they will die an excruciating death and are not martyrs for coming into another country to kill and maim innocent people of varying religious beliefs. American troops only get a fraction of the violence that Iraqi citizens face, and with each passing day every life that is lost, man, woman, and child pains me and shows me that a heavy unrelenting approach is the only thing that will have promise. I don't believe that the essence of man is evil, but our capacity to commit such atrocities leaves me numb, scared, tired, angry, and weary. Read

Fidel Castro, has a body doubles like President Bush!!

Generally, when the topic of Cuban leader Fidel Castro would arise I would really care, but a few months ago when Mario Lavanderia aka Perez Hilton reported the death of Castro, I had my reasons in believing that this may be true. However, it wasn't until my meeting with an ex-patriot a couple of weeks ago that led me to further confirm my beliefs that if Castro wasn't dead, he was at least gravely ill. He had told me that back in the seventies, there was an attempt on Castro's life and he was believed to have been killed, but when he was seen walking around a week later something wrong. Actually it was a double of Castro that had been killed and Fidel has had body doubles for a very long time, even presently. Mr. Morales also told me that what he was told by his friends back in Cuba was that Castro was gravely ill and anything to the contrary of this was a lie. So when that liar, Hugo Chavez says he has spoken to him, I would believe that like the moon being made of cheese. Keep in mind, Fidel hasn't been seen in sixteen months and if anything, you can't fool the citizens of Cuba, they know how he looks, walks, and talks; with word coming out of Cuba that he is going to give up his power this should seem fishy to everyone. Supposedly he has been writing letters or dictating them, but when you are gravely ill, that is not possible. But if he is in decent health, he should have a farewell and have him walk through the streets of Cuba to say goodbye to his people, yeah right. Read

Why Hilary Clinton? Because The Media Wants Ratings!

I don't get Hilary Clinton. As a voter and an American who lived through the 90's, I think I can honestly say, I knew Bill Clinton, and you're no Bill Clinton Mrs. Clinton.

This administrations death sentence on the morale of the American psyche has most of us desperate for those days of yore. The 90's. So much so that it seems enough folks are ready to run out and elect Hilary Clinton right now. I blame it on the media who has anointed her the next President. Every thing she says or does makes it to the Television and the print news. Every chance they get they tell us that she is leading in the national polls and she the lock. Why do they want her to win so bad?

Maybe it's because they know that for four years they will have a hot and heavy sound bite and congressional fight every single day. And that means ratings. Does anyone remember the constant, everyday barrage of attacks on the Clintons by the Republican party? For eight years the Republican party built a dynasty out of attacking them, daily. FoxNews was born, Rush Limbaugh was born and the religious right took flight all from the Clinton administration. This is something I think everyone has forgotten. If you think America will get through a single day without highly publicized public attacks from the right side of the aisle on a Hilary Presidency, you are out of your mind.

We need change in this country. We need a ton of things to get fixed and fast. The Republican party will not rest one single day while she is in office, making it hard for anything "real" to get accomplished.

Is this a good enough reason to not vote for her? Yes! Is there someone better in my eyes from either side of the aisle? Yes, all of them. In particular Ron Paul but except Mitt Romney and Rudy 9-11 Guiliani, but that's another story. I firmly believe that anyone else would be far better to get in and effect a move forward. Hilary is a step back in the wrong direction that's headed straight for constant bickering. Not like the name calling we have now. No, we'll get calls of impeachment, whitewater, Hsu and campaign financing, any and everything you can imagine to keep her from moving in any perceived positive direction, and that's not what this country needs right now, or ever again.

Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton. Enough already, no more of either of them! I know we've all had this reality thrown at us before, but look at it again. Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton. Does that sound like change to you?

Yes, it would be great to have a woman run this country for a term. But Hilary Clinton is not the right woman in my eyes because she does NOT REPRESENT CHANGE!!!!

Okay, I had to get that out of my system. The last week and a half of Hilary Clinton crowning has driven me crazy.

Bush+Osama BinLadenXx-factor=Lies

There once was a time when I vote along party lines, I was a democrat, a republican, a moderate, and now I vote based on issues. Today on CNN Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, President Bush's National Security Advisor, Frances Townsend called Osama BinLaden, "Virtually Impotent". WTF?! WTF?! WTF?! W...T...F?!! Excuse me, do we have him really cornered in cave, which one assclown? I am soo tired of this administration ala President Bush's outlaw cowboy bullshit, does anyone remember Teddy Roosevelt's motto, "speak softly and carry a big stick." Those who hate throughout the world secretly or vocally, do so either for our freedoms or our imperialist history or both. We don't provoke terrorists by daring them to strike us, we keep the cooperation of the world in hunting them down and bringing them to justice. Who authorized this idiot, Frances Townsend, to say such a thing. When BinLaden's latest Top40 tape was released talking about the failure of the Iraqi war, the U.S. converting to Islam, and the ineffectiveness of the Democrats, I kept thinking what if Osama and Bush were in cahoots? Bush gets a chance to say, "See See See, this is why we are fighting the war on terror!" Ok, but why the hell are we in Iraq? If memory serves me, Saddam Hussein not only hated Osama BinLaden but he also despise Al-Zaqarwi(maybe misspelled), we could have used him to track down and kill the both of them, WMD's and bringing democracy to Iraq my ass! So presently we wait for the other shoe to drop as Osama has handed the United States of Infidels an half-ass olive branch to us to convert as well as baiting our leader's cronies to once again show their ignorance as BinLaden says, "See See See, this is why we must do all we can do destroy them and all who oppose us." BinLaden and all who are like him are bullies, powerful and violent bullies, and to handle them you don't play a game of "chestin"( when you walk in a circle bumping chests), you either get a stick or a rock and you pop them dead in the face. Then you proceed to whisper some choice words in their ear that no one can hear, and the next time you see them you rush/run at them. You have to convince them that not only are you dangerous, but that you are crazy. It will be so nice when one day our leaders, world leaders will be mature enough to know how to handle those who intend to do harm to citizens, oh well we shall see. Read

BREAKING!!! Bin Laden Is A Rock Star

Since about 3:00PM yesterday, the 24 hour news stations have been Bin Laden, Bin Laden, Bin Laden. They're talking about the color of his beard, his website crashing and the fact that this is the "annual Bin Laden" tape to coincide with the anniversary of 9-11.

No one is talking about the fact that this guy is STILL ALIVE! HAS NOT BEEN CAUGHT! and isn't even BEING HUNTED by the US.

I cannot believe what I am hearing, they are actually talking about the color of his beard. It's so good that we're in Iraq, man was that a great idea. This gives us a chance to "Charles Manson" the person who did this to America. Who know, make a killer a ROCK STAR. There was a reporter who actually said, before reading a portion of the transcript "he makes some interesting points".

WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!

---There were indications that the tape was made during the summer, said the official, who had seen only a transcript of the 30-minute video.

But there were other references in the tape that were dated, such as a mention of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the official said.

Officials are analyzing the tape to determine whether it is really bin Laden and if the tape is old or new, according to two sources.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Friday would not confirm that a new tape had been received, saying only that the United States follows a standard procedure to analyze any tapes it receives.---CNN

Democrats Want liberal bloggers

The Democrats went to the Daily Koz convention hoping to court more liberal bloggers into their corner. I would have to consider myself a liberal blogger and although I was not in attendance, from my spot in front of my computer I can tell any Democratic Politician reading this, I am not in your corner!

The Democratic Party are nothing but weak wimps. They were voted in to bring the two party system back to government. To bring back the idea of "Checks and Balances". So far they have done nothing but cave in to whatever Bush says and then stand there and make excuses for it.

The Adminstration got what it wanted by bulling the House. He wanted his illegal wire tapping, he got his illegal wire tapping. He wants more money to fund the his war, he gets more money to fund his war. He doesn't want someone to tell the truth before the Senate, they don't go to the Senate. Then the Senate votes to have more hearings on why.

None of you weak wimpy Politicians deserve a bloggers help. Just go bac and kneel before your master and leaves us alone. We're actively trying to find someone who has the "American People" the "Rule Of Law" and the "United States Constitution" as the reasons for why they are seeking to "SERVE" America in public office.

Democrats are serving the Bush Administration just like Republicans. There is absolutely no difference between the two parties, these past two votes have punctuated that long held belief.

It's time for a change from both of these power hungry Liars. Yes liars! Bush lied to get us into the war and the Democrats lied about getting us out.

Obama Says No Nukes And Takes Heat?

Presidential candidate Barack Obama has stepped up his "tough on terror" position in recent days. A few days ago, the Democratic junior United States Senator from Illinois stated that if actionable intelligence was had by Pakistan and the United States on the whereabouts Bin Laden and his terror network, and Pakistan did not act, he would.

Then, in an interview Thursday the Senator said "I think it would be a profound mistake for us to use nuclear weapons in any circumstance ... involving civilians." "let me scratch that. There's been no discussion of nuclear weapons. That's not on the table."

This has drawn fire from other Democratic candidates, right wing talking heads and of course Hilary Clinton. The man said nuclear weapons would be a mistake. How exactly is this a bad or a wrong statement? Where have we gone in our thought process that when an elected official and Presidential hopeful expresses a desire to "not" use nuclear weapons, he/she is a source for fire.

Somehow I thought we were a collective that understood nuclear weaponry is a source of ultimate destruction. Is it not plausible that a leader speaking like this may bring about peaceful aspirations in others? Isn't it time that our "leaders" say the things that we all know to be true. If we drop one bomb, that will be the end of everything, and everyone knows this to be true. Threat by intimidation is only furthering the nuclear aspirations of other nations. Isn't it time we put an end to this?

America has enough nuclear power to finish off a few planets. If driven to the point of necessity, any U.S President will push the button. But should we use nuclear weapons on a group of people? A weapon that will kill millions of individuals that had nothing to do with the intended target. Millions would die for years afterward from the fall out alone. I was always under the impression that Americans thought America was the "Home of the Brave" We were a bunch of bad asses! Are we so afraid of Bin Laden that we are willing to believe and buy into the political hype that Obama's statment was wrong? Are we to believe that if we threaten to use nuclear arms, that will be the end of it? Are you kidding me!

I am not throwing my support behind anyone at the moment. But I say shame on Hilary and the rest for condemning a would be world leader for saying nuclear isn't the way to solve things. This to me is much like Ron Paul and Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani stands up and says more bumper sticker bullcrap and everyone cheers. Ron Paul tells the truth and everyone jeers.

When will this fake crap stop? Are foreign policies by getting involved with terrorist in the 80's got us where we are today. And dropping nuclear bombs won't solve a damn thing!

It's not as easy as it looks South Korea!!!

Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan has formally and publicly blasted the Taliban for violating the Holy Qur'an by taking hostages, especially women for their own interests. These are terrorists, like Al-Qaida, both being militant Sunni muslim organizations, that use the Holy Qu'ran only when it suits their purpose. Fellow muslims that don't agree with their beliefs are infidels and deserve death according to them, so trying to negotiate is ridiculous! I applaud the efforts of the Christian missionaries in Afghanistan to try to bring peace and love to that turbulent region, much like the many districts of Iraq, but the fault lies with South Korea not the U.S. The government should have shown a greater level of awareness by denying any group passage to any area considered unsafe without credible safety measures, especially Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. They are hotbeds of militant activity and the best civic intentions become an afterthought in the face of a brutal reality! "To live is Christ and to die is gain" anytime you have given your life up for the Word, you should be equally willing to lay it down and the missionaries should be actively ministering to the Taliban and not cowering in fear. South Korea is looking to us for help, understanding that they have had troops deployed in Iraq, but the best thing to do is to allow the Afghani government use their power and influence to quell the situation. I am just sick of the whole world blaming us as if we have created terrorism, imperialism yes, terrorism hell no! We are not using gas trucks to blow up civilians in Iraq, Pakistan, or Afghanistan, these were innocent men, women, and children who had a voice, but it was at the hands of their own people that ultimately caused their demise. It pains me to hear of all these senseless deaths, because I truly don't believe that regardless of religion, ethnicity, or race, people want this kind of life for themselves, their families, and children. What would China or S.Korea do if they were faced with terrorist attacks? We are globally facing some serious hostile threats and diplomacy is not always going to be an option, but who is willing to pull the trigger? Also, the picture to the left is the body of a Shi'te man murdered by the Taliban.

The hatred within is absolutely mindboggliing!!

After a stunning and highly charged semi-final soccer match in which Iraq defeated South Korea, the celebration turned to violence as suicide car bombers killed a reported 50 people and wounded well over a 100. WTF? WTF? WTF? No doubt there were Sunni, Shia, and Kurds alike, screaming for their country with nationalistic fervor, this is not sectarian violence, this is pure pre-meditated evil. We have seen the tit for tat violence pretty regularly over the past two years, and the deep seeded hatred has been around longer than our occupation. Somehow, this smells of a foreign terrorist element purporting these acts of violence against these Iraqi citizens, although I could be wrong. I understand that this entire war was created because of personal agendas masked in Democratic rederick, and as an American, I am ashamed of our President for not listening to his advisors. We are definitely in a complicated position, and just leaving will make the situation worse. However, with all of this being said, as citizens of this planet, we all want the same things: To have suitable employment, enjoy some of the pleasures of life, enjoy our families, and raise our children in safety. For every person that is committing such deplorable acts against the Iraqi people, I pray that one day the wrath of God will be turned upon them!