Friday Morning Fix - October 17th, 2008
The largest government bailout ever – currently being presided over by George “the small government candidate” W. Bush – has not gone unnoticed by the “Mouth of the South” Hugo Chavez. He recently commented on “Comrade Bush”:
Chavez, who calls capitalism an evil and ex-Cuban leader Fidel Castro his mentor, ridiculed Bush for his plan for the federal government to take equity in American banks despite the U.S. right-wing’s criticism of Venezuelan nationalizations.
“Bush is to the left of me now,” Chavez told an audience of international intellectuals debating the benefits of socialism. “Comrade Bush announced he will buy shares in private banks.”
Chavez, who has insulted Bush in the past as a drunkard or the devil, called him clueless on Wednesday. He accused him of simply parroting the words of his aides without understanding the new policies that rely on heavy state intervention.
“I am convinced he has got no idea what’s going on,” said Chavez, who has nationalized swaths of the OPEC nation’s economy in recent years and is in negotiations to take over a Spanish bank in Venezuela.
So far no comments from Castro.
If you’re upset that the debates are over you can always watch the “Third Party Debate” this Sunday:
Free and Equal.Org, a group formed to encourage third-party candidacies, is promoting a debate at the Columbia Political Union at Columbia University in New York for all six candidates seeking the presidency. The group is pretty much resigned to the fact that neither Senator John McCain nor Senator Barack Obama will be there.
And amazingly:
The only question mark is Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party candidate. Mr. Barr has made it clear that he will only debate Mr. Nader and no one else. Christina M. Tobin, an event organizer and a Nader campaign staffer, said that she “challenges” Mr. Barr to show up.
What else would Barr possibly have to do? He’s been a major disappointment to the Libertarian Party by failing to make even the slightest ripple in this election. There are several other Libertarian presidential candidates who would have been much more inspiring.
There’s only two and a half more weeks until the election. Personally, I don’t think this will be close at all. As a result, the GOP party faithful will retreat into a cocoon of fundamentalism and reemerge ten times scarier at some point in the future. Any true reformers within the party will have to contain these wackos before even thinking about getting anything accomplished.
A once inclusive GOP (remember Reagan Democrats?) now has a litmus test for their candidates. They must be anti-choice, anti-gay, creationist, climate change deniers. Thankfully, that narrows the candidate pool down to a psychotic few - but what they lack in numbers they make up for with their fundamentalist zealotry. I’d speculate only 10%-15% of Republicans fall into this category. What about you?
The reality of the map above from Electoral-Vote.com shows the reality of where we are today. The Democrats are poised to win the White House as well as majorities in the U.S. House or Representatives and Senate. It’ll be interesting to see what they do with it. Remember, congress is already controlled by democrats and they have a lower approval rating than President Bush. This may turn out to be a classic case of “be careful what you wish for.”
In spite of this reality – or perhaps because of it – McCain’s campaign has gone completely negative. Just listen to this Robo-Call the McCain/Palin camp is spending money on.
Can you get much lower? Dishonest? Un-American? We’ll find out in the next 20 days. Personally, I think it’s going to get even nastier. What about you?
Popularity: 69% [?]
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a Master of Arts in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism). Use the form on the right to sign up for the "Friday Morning Fix” and other timely updates.
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RHM
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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A read asks:
So what was untruthful about the Ayers statement?
Quick Answer:
Questioning his past relations with Ayers is perfectly legitimate. However, to conflate it (and allow others to do so) with Osama Bin Laden and the war on terror is completely dishonest. Palin keeps repeating he “pals around with terrorists” - notice the plural. This is usually done in conjunction with saying his full name - Barack Hussein Obama. Perhaps they’re just being formal.
Last week McCain released a press statement beaming with pride that he was endorsed by Leonore Annenberg - a conservative who donated 50 million to Ayers. In addition, he has several lobbyists working on his campaign who free-lanced for Saddam Hussien in the past trying to get sanctions eased against him.
But Obama has bad judgement and “pals” around with bad people.
I will dance a jig when McCain loses.
RHM
JR Mirador
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Randy, thanks for passing around the Friday morning bong. Is it the rush, or are you really becoming more coherent?
dickmill
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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On the chance that McPalin is elected, just remember, the electorate gets the officials it deserves. You betcha! Gotcha!
DJS
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Trying to get out early for the day to head to the lake. That being said, here is a quick response to everything said above.
Chavez - That was actually a funny quote from him saying he was convinced that Bush has no idea what is going on. Kind of hard to argue that point with Chavez…
There is a Libertarian Party?
Dems controlling the White House, the Senate and the House. I am usually for checks and balances. But, having the control to make changes quickly is important right now. Lets just hope the changes that will be made will be the correct ones.
I didn’t listen to the audio file. I am officially over hating and even responding to it. The debates are over and everyone should have an idea of how they are going to vote for. I have no need or desire to listen or discuss any more ridiculous allegations, distortions of the facts and/or blatant misguided attacks on two people that obliviously are not the monsters they portray each other as. McCain and Obama are of solid character and are great Americans. Their views on the direction of this country could not be any more different and that is what I want to read and discuss for the next 18 days.
Unless one of them gets caught with their pants down with an intern… Then I am so back on the shit talking train!
Have a great weekend everyone!
DJS
DJS
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Only 3 stars? You kidding me?
DJS
RHM
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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@DJS
So, you’ve noticed the stars.
They are based on the number of comments a person has on the blog. 10 comments = 1 star.
More features to come.
RHM
A. Taveras
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Barr snuffed out all the momentum Ron Paul had built up for his libertarian positions. I would have voted for him in any case, but what a sorry waste of ‘political capital’. It would have been interesting to have a distinct libertarian voice around amidst all the capital markets trouble.
A. Taveras
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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correction; would NOT have voted for… (either Barr or Paul).
RHM
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Here’s McCain roasting Obama last night. He did a great job. I am watching Obama’s now. Definitely not as good as McCain.
Porsche Cars, Products and LifeStyle
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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I just wanted to see how many stars I have…
RHM
| Oct 17, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Here’s the embedded video of Obama’s roast of McCain. Pretty good.
DJS
| Oct 19, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Porsche… 1 star? Your one pathetic loser! Just kidding.
DJS