Government Junk

BBC NEWS | Europe | Swiss approve prescription heroin: "Swiss voters have approved a change in health policy to offer prescription heroin to addicts on a permanent basis.

Final results from the national referendum showed 68% of voters supported the plan..."

Sexism Poll

There were so many sexist moments in Politics OhAte that it is hard to pick. Check the list and vote here: Take the Poll! « The Confluence

It's 2:45 A.M., Again

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Indian allegations alarm Pakistan: "Pakistan has expressed concern about rising tensions with India following allegations that gunmen who attacked Mumbai this week had Pakistani links.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari offered full co-operation with India and his government denied any involvement in the deadly attacks.

Wednesday's gun and bomb assault on India's commercial capital left at least 195 people dead and 295 injured..."

Another One Bites The Dust

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Taleban's ex-spokesman shot dead: "A former high-profile spokesman for the Taleban has been shot dead in eastern Afghanistan, officials have said.

Mohammad Hanif was killed at his home in the province of Nangarhar along with three other people who were believed to be his relatives.

Some reports said the assailants were wearing Afghan army uniforms..."

Black Friday Tragedy

Remember the commercial with the hordes of shoppers storming the doors when they opened? It happened, but with far less humorous results. Wal-Mart worker dies in rush; two killed at toy store - CNN.com: "(CNN) -- A temporary Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death Friday in a rush of thousands of early morning shoppers as he attempted to unlock the doors of a Valley Stream, New York, store at 5 a.m., police said..."

I hope the family receives some compensation for this, but I'm not holding my breath. After all, he was part-time.

It's 2:45 A.M.

Russian, Venezuelan leaders tour fleet - CNN.com: "CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) -- On the second day of his state visit to Venezuela, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev accompanied Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez on a tour Thursday of a Russian fleet anchored at a local port..."

Tunnel Light

Iraqi Parliament backs deal on status of U.S. forces - International Herald Tribune: "BAGHDAD: With a substantial majority, the Iraqi Parliament on Thursday ratified a sweeping security agreement with the United States that sets a course for the end of the war and marks the beginning of a new relationship between the two countries..."

Pelosi An Illmoderate?

Charlotte Front and Center: Nancy Pelosi is Never Neutral: "...Had the president-elect, with his strong mandate, indicated he needed Mr. Dingell to help govern as a moderate, he would have prevailed. Right now the president-elect has that kind of credibility. John Dingell became the first sacrificial lamb of the move to the left.'"

Saturn's Water

Plumes from Saturn moon may come from liquid water | Science | Reuters: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Huge plumes of water vapor and ice particles are spewing from Saturn's moon Enceladus at supersonic speeds in a way that strongly suggests they come from liquid water down below the icy surface, scientists said.

The research, published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, offers new evidence that the moon may harbor an underground ocean of water, meaning conditions might exist that could support life, even if only microbial organisms..."

MySpace Weapon Verdict

Verdict in MySpace Suicide Case - NYTimes.com: "LOS ANGELES — A federal jury here convicted a Missouri woman of three misdemeanor charges of computer fraud for her involvement in creating a phony account on MySpace to trick a teenager, who later committed suicide.

The defendant, Lori Drew, 49, faces up to three years in prison and $300,000 in fines, according to federal sentencing guidelines..."

I like the analogy of Drew giving the young girl a loaded gun then encouraging her to use it on herself. Another tough case to decide. I am glad I wasn't on the jury..."

Obama Attacks Waste!

Gollee! Call out the Sun Guards and the Marines. We have a president-elect who's against waste! Who woulda thunk it? After two hundred years of presidents all in favor of waste, suddenly a beam of light in the cold, dark void of government spending, a brilliant strobe of pure acetylene and incredible awe has shone into the morass of heartless bureaucracy and profligate waste. Obama The Waste Buster! Next, he will come out in favor of apple pie and against child abuse! Stop the presses! Get the wimmin and childrun off'n the streets! Change is a-coming!

Obama Vows to Cut Budget Waste - NYTimes.com: "President-elect Barack Obama vowed on Tuesday to cut waste in a federal budget that “bleeds billions,” to help offset the costs of the huge stimulus package his team is planning..."

Please. Whoopedydo.

Vick Getting Rescrewed

We're in the animal rescue business, with our money replacing our mouths on this issue, so don't yell at me, but I think Vick has been and is getting the royal shaft on this issue. How many jocks are walking free after shooting or beating their fellow man and woman? I'd bet the number is at least in the dozens. But harm a dog and have money and suddenly the MSM, followed by their lapdog followers (dual pun insult intended) are suddenly right there yapping and nipping like a pack of rabid Jack Russells. Of course, Vick is a football player and therefore somewhat less than human according to the intelligentsia. More duplicitous nonsense from the mangled mind of the American public and its handlers, the MSM.

The Sports Network - National Football League: "Sussex, VA (Sports Network) - Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, already serving a prison sentence for federal dogfighting charges, pleaded guilty to a state dogfighting charge Tuesday..."

From The Bad News Department

Com'on Al. Call O. Steal some votes--just kidding!

Republican senator Norm Coleman leads challenger Al Franken by 210 votes as Minnesota recount continues | World news | guardian.co.uk

Pooh-Poohing Keeps Getting More Difficult

...about that refusing-to-die birth certificate "nonstory" story. The Monster has some new tidbits.

Loony Left List

...according to some bloggers. To me, just another list I'm not on. Conservative Bloggers' Least Favorite People on the Left | The Patriot Room

More Bailing Out

As I warned, this bailout seems to know no bounds. (I hear McDonald's is not making sufficient profit. Could we be bailing them out next? Don't laugh. Some of the giggling about the Big Three bailout seems ill conceived now but it apparently was fun then .)

CNNMoney.com Pre-Market Report - Nov. 24, 2008: "NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- U.S. stocks were poised for a higher start Monday after the federal government agreed to a massive rescue package for financial giant Citigroup..."

Hiding Is Harder

The Associated Press: Pakistan raid a sign of sharper US intelligence: "ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — A U.S. missile strike that killed a British militant linked to a jetliner bomb plot points to sharper American intelligence in Pakistan's borderlands, but is unlikely to lessen anger over the raid and others like it, analysts say.

Protesters Sunday urged Islamabad to sever ties with the United States over the strike — highlighting the risks for Washington as it seeks to eliminate extremists along the Afghan border yet also support Pakistan's democratically elected government.

Pakistani intelligence officials say British citizen Rashid Rauf and a Saudi militant named Abu Zubair al-Masri were among five people killed in Saturday's raid in North Waziristan..."

Storm Clouds Of A Different Sort

Tibetans back Dalai Lama's 'middle way,' despite impatience | csmonitor.com: "NEW DELHI - At the end of a conference called to consider the future of the Tibetan movement, the Dalai Lama and his delegates spoke of continuity – maintaining his 'middle way' policy of negotiations with China.

Yet the legacy of these six days in the Indian hill town of Dharamsala could well be one of change. For the first time, Tibetan leaders said there was a limit to their support of the nonconfrontational 'middle way.' Without progress soon, they said, they would abandon it.

This robust debate clearly demonstrated that even the most moderate Tibetans are growing impatient at China's apparent unwillingness to grant Tibet a greater degree of autonomy. The result is that the Dalai Lama now has a clear mandate to take a harder line on China, should he choose..."

Disappointments Pile High Unto The Sky

Copy Cat Obama rounds out his cabinet–Hillary has accepted Secretary of State : NO QUARTER: "...As we all know, the man who derided the Clinton years throughout his primary races has rounded out his Copy Cat Clinton Administration by offering Hillary Clinton the position of Secretary of State.

This is the same Barack Obama who, rather than admit his experience in foreign affairs amounted to living in Indonesia or Hawaii as a kid and taking a trip to Pakistan for God Knows What during his mysterious college years, poked fun of Hillary by declaring that she “served tea” to foreign dignitaries. This was right before he poked fun of his superior penis-less opponent by accusing her of “throwing the kitchen sink at me” including “the china“. This, of course, was after he noted her “Periodic” episodes. Brushing her from his shoulders: Indeed.

This is the same man who snorted repeatedly at the thought of “going backwards to the 90s” (when incidentally, everybody, save the the most lazy amongst us, was doing very well for himself or herself).
Now that he has duped the American public into thinking he is even remotely capable of the status quo much less “change,” Obama has arranged his cabinet to mimic the years during which most of us made the money that our Hopey Changey Generation -Y Entitlement-Oriented children are sucking down as quickly as possible whilst suddenly reviling Bill Clinton–an amazing feat considering they were all children at the time, paying full attention to acquiring bright shiney objects from their parents, thanks to BIll Clinton’s ecomony. Ironic, that..."

My political disappointments have been so many this year that I will leave that part of Thanksgiving alone. I have nothing political to be thankful for, other than the never lamented end of Bush the Far Lesser.

Sigh.

Holding Out For Al

The Associated Press: Disputed Senate ballots hold key to Minn. win: "MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A recount watchdog for Norm Coleman flagged a ballot because the voter put a check next to Al Franken's name instead of blacking in the oval. A Franken monitor challenged an apparent vote for Coleman because Franken's name was also marked. And representatives of both men invoked challenges because of marks elsewhere on the ballot that could make them identifiable.

The pile of disputed ballots in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race is growing at a pace sure to dwarf the 215-vote margin prior to the recount, making it tough to tell whether Coleman, the Republican incumbent, or Franken, his Democratic challenger, is gaining an edge as the recount progresses..."

Birth Certificate Blues

Well, some denizens of The Confluence apparently find this issue beneath them, but it still begs the question doesn't it: where is that birth certificate? (And medical records and college transcript and mother's brother's second cousins nanny sitter report?) What will happen if the Supremes decide that O ain't qualified for the Preznitcy? Constitutional crisis or Joe Biden? Or the much promised rioting in the streets? Comments about Chinese curses and interesting times seem apropos. The Supreme Court Is Pushing The Envelope, OR, Are We Pissed Off Enough Yet? | Logistics Monster

Again from Logistics Monster, but worthy of a "Daily Uh-Oh" update: "...It seems the Kenyan ambassador is very excited about The One’s election, speaks enthusiastically about all of Kenya’s tourist attractions, and about how well known Obama’s birth place in Kenya is.." (link here)

Dissing Bill

My bold-- Political Punch: "...The view from Camp Clinton is that the Obama Team would too severely restrict what Bill Clinton is able to do to simply make a living. One source says the Obama Team seems to think it can demand that the former president abide by the restrictions put on a general government official, which just isn't tenable.

There has even been talk of the Obama White House wanting to approve every speech the former President Gives gives, or any new source of income.

And while the former President's team says he's willing to disclose that information ahead of time, they aren't willing to submit each speech opportunity for approval..."

Well, let's see. Set up conditions no one would be willing to meet, then when they reject the demand, blame them for rejecting the deal. Seems familiar...

Sen.Clinton's Back Itch

...is due to a premonition about what will happen if she takes the SOS job and the consequent knives sticking in her spine.

Clinton Said to Be Unsure About Cabinet Job - NYTimes.com
"WASHINGTON — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York has reservations about accepting an appointment as secretary of state in the Obama administration, an adviser to Mrs. Clinton who is familiar with her thinking said on Tuesday..."

Meanwhile, "...The Clinton camp on Tuesday sought to rebut reports that former President Bill Clinton’s finances and other interests could block Mrs. Clinton’s path to an appointment. Mr. Obama’s aides this week have been reviewing Mr. Clinton’s business dealings, focusing on the array of his post-presidential activities, some details of which have not been made public..." President Clinton could always say he'll release the financials when we see an O'Birth Certificate.

AMF, Ted

Sen. Ted Stevens Loses Reelection Bid - washingtonpost.com
" Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) defeated Sen. Ted Stevens, ending the tenure of the longest-serving Republican in Senate history, after the counting of more ballots yesterday gave him a larger lead than the number of votes still untallied, Alaska elections officials said...."

Weasel Ferreted Out

2 Democrats to Submit Compromise on Lieberman - washingtonpost.com
"A pair of Senate Democrats will offer a compromise plan today to sanction Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.)

for his support of the Republican presidential ticket but allow him to keep a key committee chairmanship and remain in the party caucus.

Senators and aides said yesterday that Sens. Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.) and Ken Salazar (Colo.) will present a plan at a caucus meeting that would strip Lieberman of a low-profile subcommittee chairmanship, possibly one on global warming. But Lieberman would retain the gavel of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee..."

One cannot help but wonder what the GOP would do about the Lieberweasel if all the roles were reversed. I suspect burning at the stake would be but the first step.

The Nearing End

Murdoch to media: You dug yourself a huge hole | Coop's Corner - CNET News

'..."Mr. Rather and his defenders are not alone," he continued. "A recent American study reported that many editors and reporters simply do not trust their readers to make good decisions. Let's be clear about what this means. This is a polite way of saying that these editors and reporters think their readers are too stupid to think for themselves." Murdoch's comments come at a time when the media landscape looks increasingly bleak both for print-based and online news organizations. A recent report by Goldman Sachs predicted that advertising pressure will continue because of the declines in the auto and financial industries..."'

Yeah, and sloppy, biased reporting doesn't help any either.

More Secretary Clinton

Cannonfire--"Hillary As Secretary of State":

"...If Hillary takes the offer, Obama's supporters will blame her for any foreign policy stumbles. During the primary, quite a few Obots considered Hillary responsible for all the ills of humankind, up to and including poisoned dog food and the space shuttle disasters. I haven't checked Cheeto-land, but I suspect that the mouth-foamers are particularly foamy right now.

If she becomes the Secretary of State, she might as well put a sign on her desk reading "OFFICIAL SCAPEGOAT." Clinton-haters will constantly accuse her of sabotage. The accusation will make no sense, but they will make it nonetheless.

What if Obama decides to pursue an aggressive and unpopular stance against Iran? What if he stays in Iraq? What if he pulls out of Iraq and disaster ensues? (I see no good exit scenarios. Do you?) What if Obama wants to make good on his threat to take military action in (against?) Pakistan?

Hillary Clinton could find herself loyally defending and implementing foolish policies that she will not have set. And her name will be on those policies when they fail. Consider the cautionary tale of Colin Powell, who might be president right now if he hadn't hauled water for W.

How long would she keep the job? Maybe two years. Maybe three. Hell, maybe one. Obama could fire her at any time, using any setback (and setbacks are inevitable) as an excuse. Why would she give up her Senate seat for that?

Visualize this: Obama keeps her on the job for a mere six months, until Joe Biden's predicted disaster hits. She gets the blame and the boot. Obi will have ruined Hillary's political career, thereby taking her out of the running in 2012. Maybe that's the plan..."

Well, I am heartened that at least one person on Planet Earth agrees with me on this issue.

Sorry Justice Drags On

Howling Latina: Lethal Evidence Against Siegelman Prosecution: "...Finally, this is one case where kumbayas and can't we all get along won't do; it was willful misconduct of the highest order. And in cosmic justice, the judge, prosecutors and political hitmen who perpetuated this outrage need to be shackled and sent to the very same remote prison where Gov. Siegelman spent almost two years of his life beginning with Mr. Karl Rove."

So will Little O ride in and render justice across the Southlands? I doubt it. John Edwards would have Rove's head on a pike. Hillary Clinton would probably have gone after the case, too. Will Obama? Don't hold your breath. (Unless he gets a highly aggressive Attorney General.)

KO Calling For More Female Assault

The Daily Howler: "...OLBERMANN: Wow. I mean, to what degree is that the other prominent Republican governors who got some passing mention during this campaign, with an eye towards 2012—Jindal, Pawlenty, Crist? Is there any sense that any of them are forming a power base behind Palin? Or are they intending to, you know, cut her up like a Roman dictator and smuggle her out under their robes?

CARLSON: Ha, ha. Well, they only say that quietly, Keith.

Sorry, but that’s very strange. A few months ago, Olbermann apologized for picturing Hillary Clinton getting beaten up by a bunch of goons behind locked doors. This week, he was picturing Sarah Palin getting cut up into pieces..."

Rumor Renewal

Complete with an update and an explanation for the original post's disappearance. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State? - The Washington Note

Once again, stay in the Senate, Senator. Go into O'voidance behavior mode.

Help Pine Ridge

It's Worship The Terrorist Time On ABC

ABC News: Online news, breaking news, feature stories and more; Ayers here.

Misusing News

MSNBC Retracts False Palin Story; Others Duped - FOXNews.com Elections: "NEW YORK -- MSNBC was the victim of a hoax when it reported that an adviser to John McCain had identified himself as the source of an embarrassing story about former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, the network said Wednesday.

David Shuster, an anchor for the cable news network, said on air Monday that Martin Eisenstadt, a McCain policy adviser, had come forth and identified himself as the source of a FOX News Channel story saying Palin had mistakenly believed Africa was a country instead of a continent.

Eisenstadt identifies himself on a blog as a senior fellow at the Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy. Yet neither he nor the institute exist; each is part of a hoax dreamed up by a filmmaker named Eitan Gorlin and his partner, Dan Mirvish, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

The Eisenstadt claim had mistakenly been delivered to Shuster by a producer and was used in a political discussion Monday afternoon, MSNBC said.

'The story was not properly vetted and should not have made air,' said Jeremy Gaines, network spokesman. 'We recognized the error almost immediately and ran a correction on air within minutes...'"

So what if Palin misspoke? I don't believe she said any thing of the sort. Never have. But it was accepted as fact because that is the media narrative. Big O can claim the U.S. has 57 states and that is ok; move along; nothing to see here. He gets a pass on everything, but Palin is abused over a lie. But is all that the real problem?

U.S. libel and slander laws are so drafty concerning public figures that anybody can say anything about Obama or Bush or Palin or McCain and they have no recourse, other than complaining. I hate to be one of those "There outta be a law" kind of persons, but really. Where does all this end?

I have absolutely no sympathy whatsoever for any "news" organization that gets burned by this sort of crap. It is sloppy journalism at best and for the more paranoid, more evidence of evil plots to promote one candidate and demonize another. Will corrections help Palin's geographical integrity? No. The story is already out there and four years from now Charlie Gibson will be giving her a geography quiz, along with his world leaders quiz (who is the president of Ubsurdistan and what is his wife's cousin's brother-in-law doing driving a taxi in New Jersey?). Politicians need some weapon to hold the news media in check-- both KO and the Big Rush could use a legal leash. Perhaps, like private citizens, public figures should be able to sue news organizations for spreading lies about them. A few multimillion dollar settlements might just help put some accuracy and fairness back into journalism, which would certainly aid in public clarity on many issues. Otherwise, well, I hear Tonya Harding is looking for work.

Gay Marriage Spoofery

In case you missed it: "The Top Twelve Reason Homosexuals Shouldn't Marry" from Current Jam.

Health Care Horrors

Excellent post on the subject:
Why We Needed Hillary : NO QUARTER

Since I have The Sugar, this comment particularly struck me:

"Comment by Touchet | 2008-11-13 09:29:37

I have a degree in Molecular Biology and an associates in Biotechnology. The stem cell research scare is nothing more than propaganda by the pharmeceutical companies and their lobbist to persuade people to not allow the Biotech industry to seek out CURES. Their is no profit in cures. Unless someone is forced to take pills for the rest of their lives, there is no profit to be found. THAT is the real reason these companies don’t want the biotech industry to continue their research.

We would have had a cure in developement right now for diabetes, parkinson, and all kinds of degenerate diseases. Yes, even HIV can be cured with blood transfusion and a bone marrow transplant of biotech grown cells that have a mutant protien on their cell membrane that rejects HIV. Diabetes can be cures by a replacement of cells in the pancrease that are fully functional.

These cures have been known, but the biotech industry in America has been put on hold by politicans in the pockets of these pharmaceutical companies. But no, we don’t do that, because they would rather you take really expensive drugs the rest of your life."

Flogging Palin

Palin won't concede the spotlight - International Herald Tribune: "At least one of the more disconcerting leaks about Governor Sarah Palin turned out to be true..."

Really? What would that be? Another more-of-the-same attack piece disguised as fluff. Read it if you care to see one more example.

Two Going

The Washington Post says, 'A number of influential congressional Democrats oppose keeping Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell and CIA Director Michael V. Hayden in their posts because both have publicly supported controversial Bush administration policies on interrogation and telephone surveillance. One Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee said there is a "consensus" view on the matter...'

Changing The Rules

Democratic legislators ask state Supreme Court to void Prop. 8 - Los Angeles Times

While I am dead-set against Prop 8, I don't like the idea of using the courts to overturn votes. It smacks of the GOPer attempts to overturn Bill Clinton's election as President. I find it odd that no Democrat is championing a counterproposal and that the one public champion of the GLBT community is Ahnold. Curious, that. I think the courts might be used to establish gender preference as a minority issue, which seems less odious to me than just flat overturning the vote of the people. Once again, I am conflicted.

A Demotion For Clinton?

Like Colin Powell should have done, Hillary Clinton should do-- and that's stay far, far away from the toxic Obmaregime, lest that grime rub off. Besides, she can do more good in the Senate.

Charlotte Front and Center: Hillary Secretary Of State?

If it happens, I'll have to drag out my "Hell Freezing Over" pix.

On Voting Against Your Econ Id

Simply Left Behind: The Most Annoying Column This Week: The Non-Rapturist's Guide To The Galaxy: "...How condescending is it to claim that it's so wrong for the rich to vote against their interests, when the poor do it, and we don't bat an eye?

The answer to both questions is very simple: when the strengths of a party's message exceed the strengths of the other party's message, that's who usually wins. That encompasses not only the message itself, but how its delivered and more important, who is delivering it. Also, of course, how easily the other party can rebut or dismantle the argument.

McCain lost this election back in the conventions, I'm afraid. Goerge Bush had made the environment so toxic for any Republican that McCain was lucky to make as strong a showing as he did..."

The Future Is Coming Faster

MGM to Post Full Movies and TV Shows to YouTube - NYTimes.com: "...On Monday, YouTube will move forward a little, announcing an agreement to show some full-length television shows and films from MGM, the financially troubled 84-year-old film studio..."

Civil Service For AIG

AIG gets reworked bailout - Nov. 10, 2008: "NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Troubled insurer American International Group got a new, $152.5 billion deal from the federal government on Monday, as the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department made significant changes to the terms of the company's original bailout.

The Fed announced that it will reduce AIG's original $85 billion bridge loan to $60 billion, and it will cut the interest rate by 5.5 percentage points..."

By now we the taxpayers have put enough money into this turkey to own it, so therefore, since we own it and the employees are our employees, shouldn't they be under the civil service guidelines? So what GS rank are these people? Whatever rank the CEO gets, it will be far less compensated than the equivalent civil service or military rank. Sounds like a really good thing to me.

A Howl From Out There

The Gun To Our Heads…. | Logistics Monster: "...I may be the voice in the wilderness, but I will not congratulate the President Elect on winning the election and the White House because I still believe in the American philosophy of “It is not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game”, and I believe that the corrupt Democratic Party has FINALLY beaten the corrupt Republican Party at it’s own “Rovian Game”, and taken the buying of an American Presidency to new levels. I refuse to be gracious under these circumstances, and I would be a hypocrite if I did so..."

Two wrongs do not make a right.

Reversing Course

BBC NEWS | Americas | US Elections 2008 | Obama 'to use executive orders': "US President-elect Barack Obama will seek to reverse Bush administration policies when he enters office on 20 January, his transition chief said..."

Anxiety

Today my son trooped aboard a jet and disappeared into the sky, destinied for the war. I never wanted him anywhere near the fighting but he said "Dad, that's where the mission is."

And now that's where he is.

I never wanted any American in the Iraq war; I was deadset against it long before all the braying jackasses decided it was a bad idea. If the politicians all had "some skin in the game," then maybe they would give more careful consideration of American blood in foreign adventures.

Please give me and my boy a hopeful prayer and let him and all our sons and daughters return home safely, for they were not the cause of these wars and they should not have to bear the burdens for other people's flawed egos and poor judgment.

God save us all and bless the real patriots.

The Independent Voter

For now, I remain a very disgruntled liberal Democrat who is ashamed of his political party and will never again donate money or time to its causes until such time that women and gays are admitted back into the alleged big tent.

Charlotte Front and Center: Fighting through the Fog and Thicket of Obama’s Election:
"...Perhaps the basis for going Independent comes from finally realizing (after so many years) that voting and supporting a candidate along strict party lines can be simply dangerous. After all, we have witnessed an inexperienced man of questionable character attain the most powerful position in the free world. We have also seen the attempt by the MSM to destroy the character and careers of two wonderful, qualified women candidates.

Needless to say, I said “No Deal” (along with other PUMAS) when it came to voting along with my party for an unacceptable candidate. It was the year I learned more about myself, or to put it more clearly: I know that I really do love my Country first and foremost.

If for the rest of my life I have to “Just Say No Deal”…then I will. Hopefully, a better time will come soon, and a great leader for all Americans will emerge out of these dark days."

My second favorite Latina reminds us of another task we must face: defending the right of women to have fair treatment in the media, as well as in life.

The Dawning Of A New Acronymn

Might as well get it ready now-- "I Hate To Say I Told You So, But I Told You So" (IH2SITYSBITYS) [BITYS for even shorter]. I never could get why so many gays supported O when his homophobia was so clear cut-- even to my antique and dim eyes. Herewith a post on the subject: Tennessee Guerilla Women: Gays and Blacks (and Gay Blacks) Go to War.

The Rise Of The Timid Triangulators

Anglachel can certainly turn a phrase. Check this one out: Anglachel's Journal: The Timid Triangulators.

Where The Tingles Never Stop

Chris Matthew’s Leg

Reeducation Camp?

"Ashville N.C. School teacher browbeats student over being a McCain supporter"

They got the school system wrong; the teacher used to work in Asheville, according to the local television station, but was working near Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville when this incident occurred.

The Convenient Crisis

Wall Street's crisis can take the credit for Obama's win - Nov. 5, 2008: "WASHINGTON (Fortune) -- In the end, it was the travails of Wall Street - which he scolded 14 months ago for too often going for the 'quick kill' - that enabled Barack Obama to seal the deal with America's voters last night and stand before 150,000 supporters in Chicago's Grant Park to declare that 'this is our moment.'

All summer long, Obama ran neck and neck with Republican opponent John McCain. But on Sept. 17, two days after the Dow Jones plummeted 300 on news that Lehman Brothers was declaring bankruptcy and insurance giant AIG was on the brink, the first-term senator from Illinois opened up a lead in the polls - one that widened as the financial crisis deepened..."

Testing...Testing...Testing

From Joe Biden's mouth to Putin's ears.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Russia to move missiles to Baltic: "Russia is to deploy new missiles in a Baltic enclave near Nato member Poland, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says.

Short-range Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region would 'neutralise' the planned US anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, he said..."

Indeceny Issues Percolates Up

High court conservatives favor indecency rule - Los Angeles Times: "Reporting from Washington -- For the first time in 30 years, the Supreme Court took up the issue of indecency on television and radio broadcasts Tuesday, and its leading conservatives made clear they would like to uphold an official crackdown on the use of expletives during daytime and early evening hours.

U.S. Solicitor General Gregory G. Garre said the strict regulation of broadcast TV preserved it as a 'safety zone' for families with children, particularly in an era of unrestrained free-speech rules on the Internet and on cable and satellite TV. 'Broadcast TV is the one place where Americans can turn on the TV at 8 o'clock and . . . not expected to be bombarded with indecent language,' he said..."

The Real Loss

What the hell do we do now? « The Confluence: "...One of the most disturbing things this past year (there are several) was the complete abandonment of principles, ethics and respect for the truth by so many members of Left Blogistan. If we PUMAs are to have any relevance in the future we must firmly adhere to liberal principles and ideals, including, but not limited to, honesty, objectivity, equality, fairness and logic..."

Amen, sister.

No Vote For G.I.s

Who Gets To Vote? : NO QUARTER

"Major H/T/ to McKatmoon, an alert reader at No Quarter, for this tip. This is disturbing. Here’s the story: John McCain filed a lawsuit in VA at this late date for a reason you are not going to believe. It turns out that the absentee ballots required by military personnel serving abroad were sent out LATE, thus nullifying their votes. I say again: our military personnel from VA are NOT GOING TO GET TO VOTE because of massive errors in 3 counties (Arlington, Chesterfield, and Fauquier), as well as in the cities of Virginia Beach and Richmond. It seems that it wasn’t until late September befoer they even received their absentee ballot forms. How did that happen? I guess that’s what Senator McCain wants to know, too:..."

O'Win

Barack Obama wins presidency, making history - Los Angeles Times: "Barack Obama, the son of a father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, was elected the nation's 44th president Tuesday, breaking the ultimate racial barrier to become the first African American to claim the country's highest office..."

Reagan Wins

The New York Times > Washington > Reagan Wins By a Landslide, Sweeping at Least 48 States; G.O.P. Gains Strength in House: "Ronald Wilson Reagan won a second term as President yesterday in an election that Republican leaders hailed as a sweeping personal triumph and a mandate for his policies.

Mr. Reagan secured clear landslide victories in both popular and electoral votes as he defeated Walter F. Mondale, the Democratic nominee, in at least 48 of the 50 states..."

Getting The Vote Right

Anglachel has some good ideas for voting reform. I do hope to see a discussion of various ideas in order to solve all the ridiculous problems that keep occurring with voting in the Banana Republic of America. Anglachel's Journal: "Voting Reform".

Voter Intimidation, 1

Voting Intimidation By Black Panthers In Philadelphia

From The Go Figure Department

Study: Counties with more rainfall have higher autism rates - USATODAY.com: "An analysis of data from three states suggests that counties with higher precipitation levels also have higher autism rates, researchers report today..."

To God's Eyes

marstonchronicles.info - The McCain-Palin Landslide: "...That article pointed out that, at the time I wrote it, it required only a total of 493,636 PUMA voters in North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, and Colorado to produce a tie in the electoral votes. Add a mere 35,935 more in Nevada and McCain-Palin wins. At the time, I was almost ready to bet the ranch that there were 529,571 PUMA voters in those six states, but I waited another 24 hours to make sure. Now the trend is so clear that it is obvious to me that a McCain-Palin landslide is in the works. It is amazing how few people in politics never apply some fairly simple mathematics to see what is going to happen in the next election..."

Return Of The Finger

Another Bob On The Election

Watch CBS Videos Online

Ckt Cty Prblms

Calculated Risk: "We discussed this yesterday, and here is the announcement from Circuit City: Circuit City Stores, Inc. Provides Update on Liquidity and Announces Store Closing Plan

Due in part to its deteriorating liquidity position and the continued weak macroeconomic environment, the company has decided to take certain restructuring actions immediately, including closing 155 domestic segment stores, reducing future store openings and aggressively renegotiating certain leases..."

I guess firing all those overpaid workers didn't help too much. Chuck where are you?

Comment of the Day

OPEN THREAD: Democratic Women Respond to Obama’s Latest Sexist Gambit : NO QUARTER: "Comment by lightacandle | 2008-11-02 20:14:59

I have “had” it and am starting a new effort — for now, I am calling it

“Stop Humiliation And Disparagement Of Women”

The short version is “SHADOW”

I don’t care how others may feel about Hillary Clinton or Sarah Palin, this campaign season has turned my stomach and saddened my soul. Seemingly “nice” people have mocked both Clinton and Palin in the most disgusting and evidence-free ways — and for reasons unrelated to their effectiveness as public officials.

As Craig Crawford noted earlier in the campaign season, with regard to both President Clinton and Senator Clinton, “I really think the evidence-free bias against the Clintons in the media borders on mental illness.”

Crawford was right then, and his words apply even now to Senator Hillary Clinton and Gov. Sarah Palin.

Both of these women hold high and important political offices, yet they are treated daily to degrading and humiliating slurs and insults related to the fact they are women.

Just very recently, some man in West Hollywood got his jollies from hanging an effigy of Sarah Palin by a noose. Many people (both men and women) thought it was amusing and, so, the effigy remained in place for a week until the West Hollywood mayor persuaded the man to take it down.

On the other hand, an effigy of Barack Obama hung by a noose resulted in the arrest of the two young men who had put it up.

It was correct to arrest the men who put up the Obama effigy, but WHY was the hanging Sarah Palin considered humorous?

As a woman, I will tell you I was NOT amused — I was horrified and enraged.

As the Nazis learned and honed to perfection: first you humiliate some group, then you blame them for society’s woes, and then you can do anything you please to them — even beat or kill them — and no one will come to their aid.

Well, other disparaged groups have fought back and I am bewildered that no women (or very few women) have fought back against the organized and free-lance disparagement of Senator Clinton and Gov. Palin.

Well, every movement starts with a first step, and this will be my first step to

“Stop Humiliation And Disparagement Of Women”

“SHADOW” now . . . and “SHADOW” forever!"

Burn That Coal (Industry)

Palin Goes After Obama on Coal Comments « FOX Embeds « FOXNews.com: "MARIETTA, OH –-Sarah Palin unleashed a new attack today after an audio file of an interview Barack Obama did in January 2008 was reported on conservative blogs and linked on the Drudge Report. Palin accused the Democratic nominee of wanting to bankrupt the coal industry.

“Barack Obama explained his plan to the San Francisco Chronicle this year, early this year. And he said that, sure, if the industry wants to build coal fired power plants, then they can go ahead and try, he says, but they can do it only in a way that will bankrupt the coal industry, and he’s comfortable letting that happen. And you gotta listen to the tape..."

That'll teach 'em to vote for Hillary!

On The Puma Effect

Politics Make for Strange Bedfellows! « The Confluence

When Will This Election Be Over?

Obama Mob Attacks Elderly FL Man -- 10.31.08