Sunday, February 24, 2008

American Idol Meets Politics

I write this morning with both fury and hope. I'm really, really disgusted with how the media has handled this election. It has been odd to me from the start the way Edwards was ignored, because covering Hillary against Obama was a better "story," but that's over and done now. And even as the media worked on erasing Edwards from the race, they were hammering away at Clinton, calling her names, calling Chelsea a hooker and basically making Bill and Hillary her pimps. SHAME on MSNBC and SHAME on Chris Matthews for other hateful comments which revealed his hate for women and then ditto for Shuster. I hope that nitwit is gone for good.

And now that we are very close to see the Paris Hilton of politics as the Democratic nominee, oh and I mean Barack Obama, I am officially disgusted with both the media and the stupidity of some American voters.

Rather than looking beyond speeches, they have bought into the con job sold by Obama and the media, and the worthy candidate, Hillary Clinton, is being written off once again, just like after Ohio.

No matter how ugly this has gotten there is one thing I share with Hillary, I'm a fighter. And it ain't over till the fat lady sings. Therefore, I will use every ounce of my energy to get voters in Ohio to vote smart and to vote for Hillary, the same for Texas., and everywhere else voters will vote on March 4th. I don't think I stand alone in my resolve, and I hope that all of you out there use your energy to fight back against the American Idol style election. This isn't a popularity contest where fools get to pick a winner, it is about the future of this country which I love. So, in the words of Hillary, let's "get real," and get serious about March 4th. We can do it.

Monday, January 14, 2008

I'm Mad As Hell And I'm Not Gonna Take It Anymore

Of course, this is a line from a movie, but it applies to what I'm about to talk to discuss. That being the candidacy of Barack Obama. I've heard a lot about "change" from him, and I heard it so much that finally it hit me - how is he really about "change" when all he's doing is copying others that came before him? To me, that's not change. It's being a copycat, it's being unoriginal, and it reminds me of the way too many remakes Hollywood has given us in the way of "new" releases. They weren't at all "new," they were just movies based on other movies that came before them. Very much like Barack Obama.

To me, to be a force in politics, one must have their own original voice, their own original ideas, to be considered an agent of "change." But that is not the case with Barack.

Obama is no different than any other candidate out there. Except that he's bi-racial and except that he thinks he that he is entitled to legacy of people like MLK, or Bobby Kennedy. Well, that's not so. This is not something any of us are entitled to. These great men lived and died because they had a cause, a purpose, and a vision. Obama has none of that. All he seems to be preaching is that we should vote for him because he's half-black, and somehow this "change" is all America needs and poof! Just like magic, all of our ills will be gone!

It's childish, it egotistical and it's stupid. It is an illogical message that makes no sense and is not rooted in reality.

We need a president that knows the ropes and won't require on-the-job teaching. What we don't need is a guy who thinks he's entitled to be our president and wants to exploit the real and passionate dream of MLK.

Martin Luther King was great because he fought for what he believed in. Running for president does not make anyone great. Martin Luther King moved us with his speeches because it was what he lived and saw with his own eyes, which inspired him to desire change, and then he inspired everyone else.

There is nothing in Obama's history close to this. Nothing in his speeches that told me he led a life of disadvantage because of racism. So, Obama owes someone like MLK a lot for the life he's lived, because MLK fought and died and made those changes that helped future generations.

And all I have to say is, I think that Obama should show a little more respect to the great men that came before him, and he needs to realize that these men EARNED their place in the hearts of Americans for the sacrifices they made, and not for just repeating the words the others. They were original. They were visionaries. They were mavericks, the real deal.

Talk is cheap and Obama needs to walk the walk before he can talk the talk.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

New Hampsire Comeback!

Way to go, Hillary Clinton! What an awesome night for Clinton supporters and for America! This night was nothing short of amazing!

As you may already know, the Iowa results drove me slightly mad. I was upset over the defeat the Clinton camp suffered, and so I ranted and raved and bitched for days in between making calls to New Hampsire voters on behalf of Senator Clinton.

Of course, during the course of each day, the news was on TV. Cable news to be exact. Non-stop coverage of Hillary's loss in Iowa, coverage that predicted Obama as the winner in New Hampshire; coverage that was basically making it look like Hillary was toast. Of course, this only motivated me MORE to push for Hillary in New Hampshire, so I did. But, I was worried. Very worried.

The curious thing was the disconnect between the media and the voters in NH that I was speaking to on the phone. Voters were gracious and happy to get my call, happy to share with me that they intended to or already had voted for Senator Clinton. Of course, there were some assholes that hung up on me.

Anyway, I did call other NH volunteers, the ones that were working the GOTV effort to share with them this news that was not being reported on the news. Instead, the media showed Clinton being rejected by Obama supporters in NH. The other volunteers were pleased to hear what I was telling them, that the voters wanted to see a Clinton victory in New Hampshire.

At the end of the day, it looks like the extensive coverage that was hostile to Hillary helped her, the people were pissed that was media was prematurely calling it for Obama. What can I say but thank you, New Hampsire. Thank you!

Friday, January 4, 2008

How I Really Feel About This Obama Win in Iowa

While I may have been born is Seattle, I was raised in New York. Throughout this post, you will hear New York talking. I really don't think this is the time for being polite. I don't care who I offend, because if I don't get this all out of me, chances are I'll explode.

I was excited yesterday because it was time for Iowa to get out there and vote. I thought the polls were so close and I really, truly expected a tie, and that's what we almost had really. I had CNN on TV and sometimes MSNBC and even Fox to see what the numbers were as they were coming in. I also had CNN's website on my laptop because they were giving us live action from inside the caucus rooms.

Then it happened. The media projected Obama as the winner.

I was stunned. I kept waiting for more results. I kept hoping as other precients reported, Hillary and Edwards would take it. Nope. That never happened.

And there was his face, all over the news, annoying the shit out of me, making me want to throw something at my own TV so it would all stop. I was not happy with Obama's lead.

How do I explain about how I feel about Obama? I've never liked him. I've watched this race with both eyes as each candidate announced they were in. I have listened to each and every one of them at the debates, read their websites, listened to the news, etc. And here we are, at a crucial time in our history, when America desperately needs a good, experienced president, and what did Iowa give us? Obama.

Unfuckingreal.

Unfuckingreal.

You can't be serious?

Are you fucking kidding?

Over Clinton? Over Edwards? Over Biden? Over all the others....?

No fucking way.

I can't take this. I'm pissed. In fact, someone could've set me on fire and I would have been less pissed off at that then I was at this.

In case you don't understand why I'm angry, please realize that we Democrats have eaten too much shit from Bush over the last 7 years, let's not even talk about what was done to Gore, or Kerry; forget about Iraq, the economy, Valerie Plame, Monica Lewinsky, the Clinton witch hunt; the complete disregard for our Consitution, and everything else, all I wanted was for us to seize the moment and choose a qualified Democrat to bring us victory this November. Did I ask for too much? Apparently I did.

And look at us now. Going into New Hampshire, with idiots standing behind Obama. With Obama saying he can win the White House if he wins in NH. Excuse me, but stop lying, pal. YOU CAN'T WIN THE WHITE HOUSE NO MATTER HOW MANY STATES YOU TAKE NOW. And therein lies my problem. I know that Obama is NOT the person to deliver a Democratic victory in '08. I am furious because others CAN win, like Clinton, or Edwards, two very fine candidates with qualifications and experience that would remedy the ills of America.

But no, now this. Now it's possible that Obama may win the nomination someday, and then he'll have to fight against Republicans. And I don't care much he dreams of uniting people and all this crap about "change" and "hope" which at the end of the day mean nothing because he's never told me anything memorable. The only point he drive home was that nonsense about him not voting for the Iraq war. Someone please give him a cookie and tell him to get lost. Obama can't and won't defeat Republicans. At least, I sure don't think so. This is a disaster. It's not what America needs right now.

So, here and now, I have to wonder what is wrong with some of the people voting in this country? Do we want to become irrelevant? Do we want to sink in status around the world? Do we want Republicans to win again? Well, it sure seems like it.

I don't know about you, but I sure hope voters all across America wake up and smell the damn coffee. This is not the time to gamble on some newbie like Obama, because if we do, we're going to lose, and we'll more than just the election, we'll lose all hope of ever recovering from the politices and errors of George W. Bush. And what should have been a temporary disaster will (most likely) become a permanent one. Tonight, I'm praying that voters in New Hampshire are smarter than the ones in Iowa.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

What Voters Really Need To Be Thinking About Now.

I know that we have many serious matters on our plate. As a country, we are burdened by war. The Middle-class has disappeared, gasoline prices are outrageous; the mortgage crisis is spreading faster than a wildfire, our dollar has weakened. Yes, we are in serious trouble. No doubt about it.

No matter, the Republicans will run just like the Democrats will. And we all need to sit back and go over what was done to Al Gore in 2000 and what was done to John Kerry in 2004. These two elections tell us just how dirty the Republicans are willing to play so they can win. Have voters of the Democratic party gotten it that our nominee needs to play dirty too?

I don't think so. My "I don't think so" stems from the placing of Barack Obama in the polls. There are some pretty naive voters out there that are missing the big picture. And while I understand their right to support the candidate of their choice (are you listening, Oprah?) I must remind them what we're up against - crooks and liars who will stop at nothing for victory.

Barack seems like a nice enough guy. I'd love to hang out with him someday. I'd love for him to have some slot on an international stage where he can contribute ideas to make America better. But sorry folks. Metaphorically speaking, Barack lacks the teeth to eat the Republican alive. He's too soft, too friendly, too new, not ready for prime time. Not ready to take on a machine that steals elections and corrupts true war heroes.

I have always admired and respected Bill Clinton. The same goes for Hillary, but all the nonsense about this issue and that issue don't matter, we have one issue that we need to focus on - beating the Republicans.

The person that can do this is Hillary Clinton. If Hillary Clinton is our nominee, then we have a good shot at the White House, and a good shot at saving America. So, voters, listen up, we have some great people on our side running for office, but if we underestimate the enemy again, we'll be in even bigger trouble.

If you want 4 more years of what the Republicans have given us, then go ahead and support Barack Obama, but if you want us to win, you'll make the smart choice, you'll support Hillary Clinton.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Barack Obama - you can't be serious.

Having watched this race from Day One, I have to admit that the popularity of Barack Obama amazes me, and not in a good way.

From the start, I do think the media picked him as their darling, and so he's been front and center daily. But the more they focus on him, the less I like him.

Don't misunderstand, I like Obama. I think that he does have a bright future, and I think that he means well for America, but -

After 6 years of massive corruption, incompetence and stupidity in the White House, are we ready to take a gamble on an inexperienced man like Obama?

Not me.

And who among us cannot see through the packaging of Obama, the "new" politics he speaks of but the old politics that he engages in? This kind of hypocrisy so early on turns me off.

Rather than try to make his inexperience a positive by spinning it into "new politics" is pretty silly in my book.

Inexperienced is inexperienced, period. It is not a positive. No matter how his team tries to sell it.

Can I go and apply for a job and get it because I have "new politics" over my competition that has REAL experience? Of course not. Are the American people THAT stupid to buy into this nonsense?

I'm afraid so, but then again, I think that no matter the hype and the media coverage, the American people will do the right thing.

During our darkest hour, we need more than hope, we need more than spin, we need an EXPERIENCED leader to clean this mess, and Barack Obama is not the person for the job.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

"Hell Hath No Fury..."

You reap what your sow. What goes around comes around. Old sayings don't die for a reason.

I got to thinking last night about W. I got to thinking about how unloved he's become and how unloved he has been for a really long time. Then it hit me, what goes around, comes around.

I know that Republicans like to label us as unpatriotic traitors when we bash Bush and his policies. But let's go beyond the smokescreen, wipe away that lie, and expose the truth.

As Americans, Democrats are no less patriotic today than ever before. It is the culture of spin that the Republicans have created that attempts to label us. Nothing else.

I can speak for myself and I can explain why it is that I do not support Bush. We'll start with the year 2000, and we'll look at how he manipulated his way into office. While it is difficult to kill that old wound when Gore was robbed and the country was swindled, let me say that I am not over it. It was dishonest. It was unfair. It was unpatriotic. It made me angry.

But, it happened. I knew that I was not going to be a big Bush fan from that point on.

Then, 9/11 happened.

Suddenly, I understood that we were a country at war, and that I wanted to support my president.

Bush rose to the occasion and many said that he had found his voice during that time. I put my faith in him, and I trusted that he would protect America and get back at those people that did so much horror and harm. He had both of my ears when he spoke.

Many others were like me, ready to bury the hatchet over the 2000 election.

We went to Afghanistan and kicked ass. I was proud of that. It was what needed to be done.

Out of nowhere, there was some talk about Saddam Hussein and Iraq. You know what follows, fabricated intelligence, leaking of CIA agents, innocent dying in an illegitmate war, Bin laden never found - Bush and his team made us look like a joke around the world - the biggest, richest, most powerful country could not find/capture this one person! In fact, they let him get away at Tora Bora. So much for "Wanted Dead or Alive."

Katrina. More outrage, more lies, more excuses. More death. More destruction.

The list goes on. Simply put, Bush crushed my support and my faith. As many have said, from having our love and support after 9/11, somehow Bush managed to squander the good will of the people in favor of pleasing his elite pals.

I got the message -

My president did not love me.

My president did not love America.

My president did not honor our traditions and our laws.

My president was not patriotic.

My presdient was a liar.

My trust has been misued and abused. I had been lied to. My fellow Americans had been lied too. Our troops were dying side by side with Iraqi's. There was no apology for all this wrong. There was, instead, a stubborn demand sent out, mandating me to support lies, corruption, incompetence and disrespect. I could not do that. I cannot do that. I will not do that. No matter how many names you call me, it does not change that I am American. I am an American with the will and desire to love my president, but it's a two-way street, and you cannot have my love and support when you refuse to admit the ways in which you have hurt my country.

The polls show Bush's approval ratings being very low. I am not the only one feeling that my president has abandoned me. I am not the only one feeling that the president didn't want my love and support all along. He never cared, not then and not now.

Perhaps many think the relationship we have with our president is a public matter, but not really. If any person disregards you in the manner that he has disregarded the entire country, the end result would be the same. When you do your best to alienate many, you will have the support of a few.

In life, when we want to win someone back, we apologize for our mistakes. We apologize for our wrongs and try to make them right. At this point, I am realistic enough to know that this is NOT going to happen. My president does love me or this country enough to help us heal.

You know that other old saying, Hell hath no fury...

And I can't forgive you if you won't apologize.