Main Street v. Wall Street

There are 120-hours to go until the 2008 Presidential Election. It's an election that has the potential to change the course of history in America and the world.

Last night Barack Obama spent 30-minutes speaking to people about who he is, what he values, how his vision for America values the middle-class, and how he plans to rescue Main Street from the greed and avarice of Wall Street during the Bush Administration.

It is against this back drop that this morning's profit report from Exxon Mobil turns my stomach:

HOUSTON - Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, says it shattered its own record for the biggest profit from operations by a U.S. corporation, earning $14.83 billion in the third quarter.

And McCain's economic recovery plan is to give more tax cuts to the largest corporations? HELL NO. VOTE OBAMA on November 4, 2008.

Amen.

There May Be No Way To Bridge The Divide

I have been thinking for the past 20 or so hours. I honestly did not know if I would (or should) post my thoughts, feelings, and beliefs -- and frankly I needed time to process.

This is the deal. I am one of the people that saw, in real time, Republican Congressional Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN) on Hardball with Chris Matthews.

It goes without saying that I was literally in SHOCK. Yes, my jaw had dropped open. My Pulse excelerated. I sat forward in my chair. Where typically I have the where-with-all to scream at the TV (like during debates) in this instance I was, and have remained, almost speechless.

What does it mean that an honest-to-god Congressperson actually BELIEVES the lies? It was so clear that this was not simply more election-year spin. Rest assured that John McCain does not believe his own lies - he's merely sold his soul to "WIN" and will say, and do, or approve anything to win.

At the end of the day, for me, the most important question that has emerged is this:

What kind of political ideological "indoctrination" (or brainwashing) must occur for an otherwise normal person to develop, hold and repeat (with pride) such an extremeist opinion? Do the republican's have their own version of the medrasa wherein gullible new politicians are schooled in the new American Fascism?

If Michelle Bachmann is NOT insane, just what in the hell are Republican leaders teaching folks? Where are people such as this Congressperson receiving what they believe to be correct information? Who are the issue and belief framers? And why don't Republicans who see what's happening stop it? Why don't they step forward and REPUDIATE wingnuts like this?



Regardless of who is elected President on November 4, 2008 -- I fear that there may be no way to become a "united" United States. Why?

If God forbid John McCain is elected, the Presidency will have (again) been "won" by a man I believe to be a lying criminal without an ounce of integrity. How am I (and tens upon tens of millions of other citizens) supposed to overcome the lies and heinous tactics McCain has approved and employed during his campaign? How are we now supposed to respect him? How on earth are we supposed to respect those people that voted for him and that have ruined America? How are we supposed to respect what American has become?

And if Barack Obama is elected, the Presidency will have been won by a great man and leader offering hope for a new day. However, he will be wrongfully dispised, mistrusted and openly reviled by the likes of the Michele Bachmann's and other racists who actually BELIEVE the politicians who villify him daily - not because its true - but because they're trying to "WIN" an election in such a dirty way.

And precisely because the Michelle Bachmann's, Sarah Palin's, Joe Plumber's, and other's you see on video in my posts are TOTALLY FUCKING CRAZY LEMMINGS WITHOUT AN OUNCE OF CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS they don't know they're being lied to. The are true believers. They are wingnuts. And they may do violence to an innocent man.

I don't know, it's all so horrifying. I still need to process this.

--Shella

McFear, McHate, McRacism, McIgnorance: McCain

McCain now reveals himself. His dark side comes wrapped in a flag, carrying a cross, and soiling every symbol of "America". It won't take much for you to google the frightening devolution of the McCain-Palin 2008 Presidential Campaign in these, the last weeks before the election.

McCain's last gasp is without dignity. Shameful.

As he falls head-first over the cliff, dragging his credibility with him, he revels in the frenetic embrace of frighteningly crazy, hateful, racist, and ignorant American Republicans. His smile is shark-like, encouraging the unmendable divide with silence and gesture that telegraphs his support.

The hateful feed on McCain-Palin lies. They hear the echo of it FOX and they believe. Innuendo is crafted in the sewer of spinmeister-minds, intentional, and it seeks to exploit their anger and prejudices. The cabal is given the microphone to vent, they inspire and feed off one anothers increasingly outrageous comments. They extract "promises" from McCain-Palin. "Promise us you'll name names, reveal secrets, hold those responsible accountable".... punctuated by wild applause.

The energy created by their love, and hate, is all he has left you see. He wants their approval - it is the only approval he is getting - and it sustains him. He doesn't want to give up the adoration.

Some crazy McCain-Palin supporter inspired by the hatefest (believing their lies and encourged to action by their peers) may go too far. I've told you of my fear before. When I see the video evidence of McCain-Palin supporters' irrational hate, it suspens my disbelief and turns me cold. They'll do anything. And McCain-Palin soak in the love.

While McCain will soon be one for the history books, Palin is another story. Those crazy separatist wackos will continue to embrace her. The years will go by, she may or may not survive Troopergate but she will forever be beloved by the crazy, hateful, racist, ignorant and foolish American Republicans who now get a semi at the sight of her 'do and heels. How foul.

That's all. I just needed to vent.

And by the way, the longer we talk of this mess, the less time we're examining and exposing his shitty policies, programs and politics.

I Am Concerned: Impact of Republican Hate Mongering

My gut is telling me that Republicans have irresponsibly ratcheted up the otherwise "typical" hate talk they're already so famous for. I am seeing signs in traditional and other media of people being incited to near-violence at McCain-Palin campaign events.

Their actions and words, in conjunction with the energy of the time, the stress of the economic crisis, the emotion of the election, the relentless negativity of the right-wing radio/TV personalities is building to a crescendo - that I fear may result in actual violence and harm against Barack Obama or his family or supporters.

Can they see the harm they do? Do they even care? Can they see how the less mentally stable among their herd might spinning beyond all reason? What will be their individual justifications, or defenses, be if the unthinkable should happen? Will they disclaim all responsibility? Will they own their hate, their racism, their sexism?

May there be PEACE in our time.

If you've not already done so, PLEASE watch the below, it addresses the issue of how and why Republicans incite fear and loathing, and who among their ilk are vulnerable to the visceral impact of their hateful speech, false words, and dispicable actions.

Bill Moyers Journal (PBS): http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09122008/watch.html

John McCain: Keating Economics Redux

Some of you will recall the post of last month that describes John McCain's role in the Keating Five scandal. Below is a link to a quick video (and longer documentary, if desired) to give you a taste of McCain's role, and why its pertinent to today's economic crisis.

http://www.keatingeconomics.com/

and

Addiional MUST SEE video is Rolling Stone Magazine's "Five Myths about John McCain". Rolling Stone has published an unflinching expose' and reality check on John McCain. Note that it has taken Rolling Stone and other less traditional media (such as Mother Jones) sources to perform and publish in-depth information so that Americans may make informed voting decisions.

10-6-08 UPDATE: The 13 minute Obama documentary of McCain's involvement in the Keating 5 scandal:


--Shella

Live Blogging the Debate: First Obama-McCain

5:30PM: There are about 30-minutes until the much-anticipated Obama-McCain debate. I hope I find myself shifting between ecstatic glee in watching Obama wipe the floor with McCain and (the usual, which is) screaming obsenities at the screen refuting the pathetic (but frusterating) talking points (lies) which spew forth from McCain like so much filth.

9:05 PM: Oh. My. God. I've just been in a fight. And the crochety old fuck McCain was so dismissive and paternalistic I could scream. And I HATE paternalistic old conservative men.

This is my take: This debate did not change anyone's mind.

Republicans (ideologues) must be thrilled that McCain's Alzheimer's did not leave him a babbling about pablum, however, he was completely disrespectful.

Democrats (patriots) are thrilled by Obama's competency and evident intellegence, however, he was too fucking polite. He should have NAILED McCain. Never again should he say "John is right" - my prediction is that it will haunt him to his grave;

For people who are undecided - I can't say. McCain will continue the philosophies of Bush. If you're sick of having a stupid, incompetent, fucking Republican administration, with a shallow President - you'll vote for change.

McCain: The Most Reprehensible of the Keating Five

I have chosen to reprint in whole an article by columnist Tom Fitzpatrick, first published November 29, 1989 in the Phoenix New Times Newspaper. One of the interesting things about this article is that it is written so personally. Mr. Fitzpatrick writes as though speaking directly to McCain's face.

McCain: The Most Reprehensible of the Keating Five
The story of "the Keating Five" has become a scandal rivaling Teapot Dome and Watergate

You're John McCain, a fallen hero who wanted to become president so desperately that you sold yourself to Charlie Keating, the wealthy con man who bears such an incredible resemblance to The Joker.

Obviously, Keating thought you could make it to the White House, too.

He poured $112,000 into your political campaigns. He became your friend. He threw fund raisers in your honor. He even made a sweet shopping-center investment deal for your wife, Cindy. Your father-in-law, Jim Hensley, was cut in on the deal, too.

Nothing was too good for you. Why not? Keating saw you as a prime investment that would pay off in the future.

So he flew you and your family around the country in his private jets. Time after time, he put you up for serene, private vacations at his vast, palatial spa in the Bahamas. All of this was so grand. You were protected from what Thomas Hardy refers to as "the maddening crowd." It was almost as though you were already staying at a presidential retreat.

Like the old song, that now seems "Long ago and far away."

Since Keating's collapse, you find yourself doing obscene things to save yourself from the Senate Ethics Committee's investigation. As a matter of course, you engage in backbiting behavior that will turn you into an outcast in the Senate if you do survive.

They say that if you put five lobsters into a pot and give them a chance to escape, none will be able to do so before you light the fire. Each time a lobster tries to climb over the top, his fellow lobsters will pull him back down. It is the way of lobsters and threatened United States senators.

And, of course, that's the way it is with the Keating Five. You are all battling to save your own hides. So you, McCain, leak to reporters about who did Keating's bidding in pressuring federal regulators to change the rules for Lincoln Savings and Loan.

When the reporters fail to print your tips quickly enough--as in the case of your tip on Michigan Senator Donald Riegle--you call them back and remind them how important it is to get that information in the newspapers.

The story of "the Keating Five" has become a scandal rivaling Teapot Dome and Watergate. The outcome will be decided, not in a courtroom, but probably on national television.

Those who survive will be the sociopaths who can tell a lie with the most sincere, straight face. You are especially adept at this.

Last Friday night, on The John McLaughlin Show, which features well-known Washington journalists, the subject of the Keating Five was discussed. Panelist Jack Germond suggested that three of the Keating Five were probably already through in politics.

So you spend your days desperately trying to make sure you will be one of the survivors. You keep volunteering to go on radio and television stations to protest your innocence. Last week you made ABC's Nightline.

Not long before that you somehow managed to get James Kilpatrick, the national columnist, to write a favorable paragraph about you. Last Sunday morning, you made it to national television again; this time on ABC's This Week With David Brinkley. You smiled at the panel with your usual studied insouciance. Sitting next to you was Senator John Glenn of Ohio.

Brinkley, Sam Donaldson, and George Will were the interrogators.

It was a sobering scene. There you sat with Glenn, both sweating before the cameras, waiting to answer questions: two badly tarnished American icons.

No one forgets that Glenn was the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth. You won't let anyone forget that you were a prisoner of war. But you have played that tune too long. By now your constant reminders about your war record make you seem like a modern version of Arthur Miller's tragic failure Willy Loman.

Clearly, both you and Glenn sold your fame for Charles Keating's money.

It was a Faustian bargain. It was also a bad joke on the rest of us and a disaster for many old people who lost their life's savings to Keating.

The money was never really Keating's to give. But he never would have got his hands on it if you and the rest of the Keating Five didn't halt the government takeover for two long years while Keating's people continued their looting.

And now, the tab for the Savings and Loan heist must be paid from taxpayer pockets.

On Sunday, Senators Dennis DeConcini, Alan Cranston, and Riegle refused offers to appear on the Brinkley show. What must we make of that?

You, the closest of them to Keating and the deepest in his debt, have chosen the path of the hard sell. You may even make it out of the pot, but to many, your protestations of innocence taste like gall.

You are determined to bluff your way. You will stick to your story that you were acting to help a constituent and intended to do nothing improper. The very fact you attended the meeting makes you guilty, just as every man who entered the Brinks vault went to prison.

You insist that an accounting firm Keating hired told you Lincoln was sound. Alan Greenspan, who Keating also hired, wrote a report saying it was sound. Why shouldn't you believe the people Keating hired? You were, after all, fellow employees.

Perhaps you might silence your own conscience about all this someday.

Just keep telling everyone that it was your wife's money invested in that shopping center with Keating and that you knew nothing about it.

Keep saying that cynical newspaper people don't understand that every move you make has always been for the enrichment of Arizona . . . the education of our Native Americans on the reservations . . . for the love of the elderly in Sun City and Green Valley.

Keep telling them that it wasn't that you were bought off but that Charlie Keating got special help only because he was one of the biggest employers in the state.

Just keep sitting there and staring into the camera and denying that Keating bought you for money and jet plane trips and vacations.

So what if he gave you $112,000? Just keep smiling at the cameras and saying you did nothing wrong.

Maybe the voters will understand you took those tiring trips to Charlie's place in the Bahamas in their behalf. Certainly, they can understand you wanted to take your family along. A senator deserves to travel on private jets, removed from the awful crush of public transportation.

You sought out a master criminal like Keating and became his friend. Now you've discarded him. It shouldn't be surprising that you are now in the process of selling out your senatorial accomplices.

You're John McCain, clearly the guiltiest, most culpable and reprehensible of the Keating Five. But you know the power of television and you realize this is the only way you can possibly save your political career.

Matt Damon: Holy Shit Matt, I Agree With You!

This is so honest I just had to post it.

McCAIN: Chauvanist Pig Wearing Lipstick

You. Go. Girl.

Self-Inflicted Torture: Oh My God - Watching Palin

It's heinous. I've been SCREAMING at the TV since she came on. Waving flag graphic in the background and all.

I wasn't aware, until now, that I am capable of refuting every single point she attempted to make. I am quite tempted to create a sentence-by-sentence refutation of her speech.

It's so wonderful seeing a baby with Downs on stage. They've finally given up having the eldest (pregnant) daughter Bristol from holding baby Trig in front of her stomach. Now dad is finally holding s youngest child.

Fucking McCain has such a weird look on his face, and Palin has a sour expression as well. Not very friendly. SOMETHING IS UP. FUCKING HELL, SOMETHING IS UP!

Okay, you've heard it here first - something is up between these two. My radar has picked up something and I don't know what it is. Luckily I'll be able to review the video footage later and give you guys a glimps as well.

I survived the torture of watching the lies and screaming the truth to the TV.

--Shella

PS - Tell George Stephenopolous to shut the fuck up. SHUT THE FUCK YOU (you turn-coat)

McCain is an Ass.... man

heh.



Apparently, Palin's ass is sooo fabulous that it's elevated her to "soulmate" status. McCain met Palin on Thursday 8/28 and offered her the VP spot that day (announcing her selection in less than 12 hours, on Friday 8/29.)

McCain's VP Pick: So Fucking What

Okay. I have been fielding calls all day from family, friends, colleagues, fellow advocates and parents who want to know how I feel about McCain choosing Sarah Palin as VP.

And it says everything – that the reason they're curious is because we both have kids with Downs. So, let me just make sure that everyone understands this.

The fact that our kids both have an extra 21st chromosome does not, in any way, impact my opinion of the harm caused families and people with disabilities during the Bush/Cheney Administration. Unless Ms. Palin can magically change the history of McCain's support of the Bush/Cheney Administration, I don't give a flying fuck if both our kids have Downs.

McCain must take full responsibility for the votes he cast harming affordable and accessible housing; education; heath care; the ADA; IDEA; NCLB; Medicare; privatization of social security; fair tax policy; the American economy; energy policy; the environment; funding for veteran benefits (all the while supporting a war of lies that is resulting in bringing home young men and women with devastating disabilities.)

And no VP choice or diagnosis negates the years of harm John McCain has done. As a matter of fact, I have always been perplexed as to why on earth folks with disabilities would vote Republican. It's like someone volunteering to sharpen the knife that will be used to cut their own throat.

It says something important to me that folks are focusing on a particular diagnosis. Michelle Obama was raised by a man with MS, who died early of the complications of his disability. Barrack Obama spoke eloquently of his mother's struggle with insurance companies as she lay dying of her medical disability, cancer. Senator Joe Biden's wife and daughter died in an automobile accident, the one that injured his sons. And of course, John McCain is a disabled vet (for which he collects $58,000/yr.)

Read More Here: 6/8/08 AmericaBlog

Palin has only been the parent of someone with a disability since April. She probably doesn't even "get" how fortunate she and her son and family are that he will live during the Obama Administration, where our loved ones are valued and their human rights respected. Under Obama and Biden that value will be reflected in enhanced program and services funding and rebuilding the social systems our vulnerable family members will rely on for the rest of their lives.

--Shella

McCain: Grassroots Video

This says it all.

(Hat tip to DailyKos)

McCAIN: Liar

Check out this video of a segment on Keith Olbermann's Countdown on MSNBC. Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow discuss the truth about whether John McCain supports our Troops here at home and oversea. Now, whether the rest of traditional media will actually help American's see through the spin and lies by doing their job (which they failed so spectacularly at during the Bush Administration's reign) remains a question.