I Tried to Ignore It, but I Can't...

In Honor of Veteran's Day

Election Officially Over

North Carolina went to President-Elect Obama

PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA

BARACK OBAMA IS THE 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27531033/

Palin Punk'd...Badly...Very, Very Badly

Have you ever encountered something that was so bad that you cringed in embarrassment as if it happened to you? Well, this is one of those moments.

Another SNL Funny

GOP Strategist: Obama's Visit to Ill Grandma Is WORSE than Palin's $150,000 Wardrobe

I thought that someone in the GOP might try to attack Obama for visiting his ill grandmother, but then I said, nah...no one would do that. That would be completely tasteless, inhuman and harmful to the campaign.

That is what I get for giving people the benefit of the doubt.

GOP strategist Brad Blakeman expressed his outrage over Obama using a chartered jet to go and see his gravely ill grandmother, saying that it was far worse than campaign funds being used to spring for a Neiman Marcus et al shopping spree for VP candidate Sarah Palin. Aside from being the stretch of all time, is this guy serious? Condemning someone for visiting their grandmother--their seriously ill grandmother--and saying it is worse than spending more than what some people make a year on CLOTHES? Are you freaking kidding me?

Visiting sick relatives--especially sick parents and grandparents--is a hallmark of virtue the human world. We tell children stories of good little girls and boys on noble visits to ill grandparents. It is the one thing that a person can do in this increasingly cold world without question or condemnation. We don't care how you do it or for how long...there is never anything wrong with going to see an ill grandma. But Brad Blakeman thinks that Obama should have sat down, thought about how horrific it would be to use a chartered jet and then opted for commercial flight--which, by the by, I cannot see being possible once you are under Secret Service protection--before rushing to his grandmother's side, because that is what matters most...how you get there?

While this is proof that the McCain campaign is on life support, it also shows just how dirty and lowdown supporters are willing to go to attack the opponent. If McCain or anyone in his campaign finds out about this and does not condemn it, it will only confirm that the McCain that everyone once loved is gone forever.

Just A Question

Now that I've thought about it, I must ask: why is Sarah Palin getting praise for being on SNL when she didn't do anything during the show other than sit or stand while others did the work? She may have spoken two minutes total the entire show. Is this what we are being reduced to accepting? She can't even do a show that is intended to be humorous?

Colin Powell Endorses Obama

Wow...just, wow.

Debate Pt. 3: The Final Conflict

It appears that Obama has won...again.

McCain was doing really well during the first half of the debate, but it seemed as the second half continued, he was weaving a rope to hang himself with. His mocking quip regarding the health of the mother in the case of will definitely lose points with the independents and he can kiss the Clinton supporters goodbye. I think the only people that will be happy with his performance are his alienated and angry base.

GUILTY...but not guilty?

Governor Sarah Palin, Republican candidate for the vice-presidency, according to the bi-partisan Alaska Legislature body investigating the issue of Troopergate have determined that she did in fact abuse her power and "the trust of her office" when she pressured Walter Monegan, commissioner of Public Safety, to fire her former brother-in-law, however, they also ruled that she is not guilty of committing any wrong-doing in firing him for that reason because as governor she has the right to fire public officials whenever it suits her.

Which makes no sense at all.

Obama's 30 Minute Spot

The Obama campaign has bought 30 minutes of airtime and are making one big ad out of it. I don't think this is a good idea. Now, if they broke that up to where every commercial break featured an Obama ad, I think that would be more clever. But I really do not see how this would appeal to anyone except his base. Joe Blow Voter has the attention span of a gnat which served as the motivating factor for 30-second news.

Ross Perot tried this tactic, and while I admit that he did draw a lot of viewers even though listening to his logic was sheer torture, I can't even see Obama's charismatic style holding people for 30 straight minutes. The debates were different, because they promised to be entertaining, but a 30-minute fireside chat is expecting a lot from a population of an increasingly lowered attention span.

"That One"

I am more interested in this comment from a tactical POV.

I must say that McCain couldn't have been thinking before he spoke when he made this comment. Had he said "that man" or "that guy" or preferably just "Senator Obama" it wouldn't have raised an eyebrow. But "that one?" Seriously, those two words can break open a floodgate of dissent from all but those who fervently support McCain. I usually don't make a big deal about gaffes unless they are completely ridiculous, but I have to call McCain out on this one because using "that one" in reference to a minority is bound to cause an uproar.

The Keating Five

Here It Is! SNL Does the VP Debate

WE'RE SAVED!

The House finally got its act together and passed the Bailout bill. Now let's hope that while the economy is recovering, that they will put regulations in place to prevent this from happening again.

UPDATE: Bush signed it the bill...it is official. Now we pray and wait.

Biden/Palin Debate

I confess that Palin was not as bad as I expected, but given that my bar for her was so low that the mere fact that she didn't run off the stage gave her bonus points. Her response about the power of the VP being "expanded" was confusing and frightening at the same time. It immediately brought to mind Dick Cheney, the most powerful and downright scary VP of all time. Her refusal to answer questions was smart on her part because it saved her from looking like a total idiot. However, at the same time, it irritated me a great deal and was disrespectful. Her response about Biden was "looking backward" will probably be taken up as the sword and shield of her party, but it is not a real response. The point of any election is convey the idea that the candidate will serve the country better that his predecessor. Her party lead the charge in the country's current downfall, so her job is to prove that the American people should give that party a third chance. That argument was like an abusive husband wanting reconciliation and saying that any past abuse didn't count in the wife's considerations. She did a good rebound, but in my jaded glance, I would like to see her succeed at something that doesn't require days of rehearsal.

Biden was wrong on some of his facts: Article II of the Constitution deals with the Executive branch, not Article I, for example. However, I don't have much faith in Joe Blow Voter at this point so that unless Fox News specifically points that out, I doubt they will notice. I was really impressed by Biden's comment about how life was for him as a single father. It was a very, very human moment and I saw sincerity in that response. I thought he did a good job of restraining himself. Giving his reputation for not being good at sticking to the script, he did a great job of not being condescending to Palin.

Letterman's Top 10 List: Sarah Palin

Senate Passes Bailout Plan

Well, let us hope--no, pray--that the other half of Congress has its act together Friday.

WE'RE SCREWED!

The House has voted against the bailout bill.

And yet during this crisis, all I heard were spin doctors trying to blame House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the failure of the bill because of a speech she gave. Well, this voter is not that stupid. What I got out of this was that certain Congressional members--the vast majority being Republicans--decided to do against what is best for the country because their little feelings were hurt? Are you kidding me? And to add insult to injury, John McCain, whose unwelcomed presence on the Hill set the stage for this disaster, blames Barack Obama for the failure...but it's his party that voted overwhelming against it. Sure, there were Democrats that betrayed the American people by voting against it, but the vast majority of them did and the vast majority of Republicans did not. I think that is a show of just how great a leader he can be. He can't even rally his own party, how the hell is he supposed to run a country?

I realize that Joe Blow Voter doesn't get the bill, but the members of Congress do! You swore an allegiance to your constituents, but your allegiance to your country comes first! If that was too great of a leap for you, then stay out of national politics and run for a state office!

Legendary Paul Newman Dies at 83

1925-2008

Link to Article

PETA Suggests New Source for Ice Cream Milk...Humans

AP Article

I tried to give PETA the benefit of the doubt and went to their site to read the letter myself and see how serious they were about this suggestion. This is what I found:

The Breast Is Best! PETA Asks Ben & Jerry's to Dump Dairy and Go With Human Milk Instead

For Immediate Release:
September 23, 2008

Contact:
Ashley Byrne (phone number deleted)

Burlington, Vt. - This morning, PETA dispatched a letter to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, cofounders of ice cream icon Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc., urging them to replace the cow's milk in their products with human breast milk. PETA's request comes in the wake of news reports that a Swiss restaurant owner will begin purchasing breast milk from nursing mothers and substituting breast milk for 75 percent of the cow's milk in the food he serves. PETA points out to Cohen and Greenfield that such a move on their part would lessen the suffering of dairy cows and their babies on factory farms and benefit human health at the same time.

"The fact that human adults consume huge quantities of dairy products made from milk that was meant for a baby cow just doesn't make sense," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Everyone knows that 'the breast is best,' so Ben & Jerry's could do consumers and cows a big favor by making the switch to breast milk."

For more information, please visit PETA's Web site Blog.PETA.org or click here.

PETA's letter to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield follows.

September 23, 2008

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Cofounders
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc.

Dear Mr. Cohen and Mr. Greenfield,

On behalf of PETA and our more than 2 million members and supporters, I'd like to bring your attention to an innovative new idea from Switzerland that would bring a unique twist to Ben and Jerry's. Storchen restaurant is set to unveil a menu that includes soups, stews, and sauces made with at least 75 percent breast milk procured from human donors who are paid in exchange for their milk. If Ben and Jerry's replaced the cow's milk in its ice cream with breast milk, your customers--and cows--would reap the benefits.

Using cow's milk for your ice cream is a hazard to your customer's health. Dairy products have been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies, constipation, obesity, and prostate and ovarian cancer. The late Dr. Benjamin Spock, America's leading authority on child care, spoke out against feeding cow's milk to children, saying it may play a role in anemia, allergies, and juvenile diabetes and in the long term, will set kids up for obesity and heart disease--America's number one cause of death.

Animals will also benefit from the switch to breast milk. Like all mammals, cows only produce milk during and after pregnancy, so to be able to constantly milk them, cows are forcefully impregnated every nine months. After several years of living in filthy conditions and being forced to produce 10 times more milk than they would naturally, their exhausted bodies are turned into hamburgers or ground up for soup.

And of course, the veal industry could not survive without the dairy industry. Because male calves can't produce milk, dairy farmers take them from their mothers immediately after birth and sell them to veal farms, where they endure 14 to 17 weeks of torment chained inside a crate so small that they can't even turn around.

The breast is best! Won't you give cows and their babies a break and our health a boost by switching from cow's milk to breast milk in Ben and Jerry's ice cream? Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Tracy Reiman
Executive Vice President

Further investigation on the site suggests that apparently this is a publicity attempt along the lines of Jonathan's Swift's A Modest Proposal. Still, I think it would have been more sensible and less sensational to just ask Ben and Jerry's to offer soy milk ice cream or some other plant-based alternative, given that this suggestion would still involve animals being used as a product since human beings are animals, too.

Bailout Stalled

Just In Case You Missed It...

Rove At Work?

McCain has announced that he is suspending his campaign to deal with the debt crisis, and that he wants to postpone the presidential debate. I cannot help but to believe that Karl Rove suggested this. It is far to clever a move to be done by anyone in McCain's camp. Panic a country and it will rally behind the panicker...classic political strategy, and Joe Blow Voter is probably naive enough to fall for it.

My hat goes off to you again, Mr. Rove. You never cease to impress me.

Speed-Dating Foreign Policy: Palin Goes to the UN

The media finally got its wish to be present in a capacity other than just snapping pics of Palin sitting with foreign leaders that she will hopefully never meet again after CNN threatened to withdraw its entire crew and several other media outlets--including the AP--protested. Apparently, however, 40 seconds after Palin began chatting with Afghan president President Hamid Karzai they were escorted out of the room.

I am not worried. I have faith that their perceptions of her will be made known to the media outlets in their respective states.

Moby Dick Discovered

The Lies Will Finally Pay Off!

Angler by Barton Gellman

After I found out about this book, I wanted it so badly that I used my entire monthly "going out" fund (which isn't that much to begin with) to get it. VP Cheney is an interesting subject to me because my sentiments of him have been 1/3 curiosity and 2/3 scared ******** of him. I am only on p. 50 yet there is a sense of foreboding that I carry to this book in regards to his ascent and current role in the White House that I think I was more relaxed while reading The Exorcist. I keep expecting him to pop out of the book with a meat cleaver or something.

The Next Banks to Fall?

This article predicts which banks should be on the diving board soon...which is not comforting because this brings the economic crisis even closer to home.

John McCain and the Blackberry

I was going to just leave that one alone because John McCain didn't say he invented the Blackberry, his genius of a staffer did, and just like Barack Obama shouldn't have to pay for the sins of the people that surround him, in this case, McCain should be given the benefit of the doubt.

Seriously, people, this campaign is full of enough gaffes from the candidates themselves without putting words in their mouths.

I'm Just Putting This Here So It Will Be Easier to Find Later

Palin Not to Cooperate in Troopergate

This was announced yesterday while the world was going nuts as the stock market was getting historically worse.

First of all, that makes her look MORE guilty, and secondly, why is it that all of her major announcments take place during a disaster (Bristol Palin's pregnancy during Hurricane Fay, her interview debuted while everyone was freaking out about Hurricane Ike and now this one taking place at the end of what Greenspan referred to as the worst economic disaster of his career).

We are not stupid! The light will eventually fall back on you!

Economic Apocalypse!

Even Greenspan said yesterday that this is the worst he has seen in his entire career and that the crises being faced are a "once-in-a-century" event. Yet somehow, while economists are freaking out worldwide, presidential candidate Senator McCain still believes that the economy is still "fundamentally sound." What is he taking and where can I get some?

The One-Issue Voter

I have met many people that are voting for a candidate based solely on one issue--usually taxes or abortion--and I have mixed feelings about them because they are probably the most played voter group. They are voting on an issue that is near and dear to them but there is one important factor that candidates for office neglect to tell them: voting for that person won't end that issue. I am a little disgusted with candidates that pander to the feelings of voters in this respect because they are counting on the idea that the voter does not know that they have no or little power over the subject.

In the case of taxes, the president can only suggest a tax plan...Congress has to approve it. So unless you have been actively campaigning for Congressional candidates in enough states to back the tax plan, there is still a significant chance that said tax plan will never see the light of day, especially in the original form proposed by the candidate-elect.

The abortion issue is a bit more straight forward: having a pro-choice or pro-life president, vice-president, Senator, etc., doesn't mean a hill of beans because the only group that can overturn Roe v. Wade is the Supreme Court. Sure, the president can nominate a Supreme Court justice, but the nominee would still have to go under the magnifying glass of Congress and even then there is no guarantee that said nominee will uphold the beliefs of that president. Nothing can remove a justice except death so there is no incentive to cater to any issue. Case in point: President Eisenhower nominated Earl Warren in 1952 to be Chief Justice of SCOTUS. Chief Justice Warren played a very significant history-changing role in the case of Brown v. Board of Education, and Eisenhower was quoted as saying that the worst mistake he made in office was appointing Warren as Chief Justice. George W. Bush nominated two SCOTUS justices (John G. Roberts, Jr. in 2005 and Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr. in 2006) and even though SCOTUS upheld the partial-abortion ban law, it hardly made a dent in Roe v. Wade and the odds of Roe v. Wade being completely overturned are not very likely.

So there is your Government 101 for the day. The point I am trying to make is that when you vote for someone, the focus should be on things they can actually change--not slightly influence, CHANGE. What can the president change? Our status in the Iraq War (well, technically Congress can too but they don't have the cahones to do so) and foreign policy in general are the primary things that the president has the power to change.

So make your vote based on what they can do for us.

I Weep for the Future of Our Country...

She doesn't even have knowledge of the current administration's policies...she could have learned about that just from watching the news.

Sheri's Random Rant: The Typical American Voter

Every time there is an election season, I thank God for sending me into the field of political science because it taught me how to pick candidates using research and logic, not emotion. This post has several sections so please bear with me. Some will find this post offensive and frankly my dear, I don't give a damn. At this point I feel like some people DESERVE to get their feelings hurt. I would also like to point out that I am not and will not endorse any of the candidates.

I am often asked about my thoughts on political issues but I try not to answer them because the inquirer isn't looking for my opinion, they are looking for someone to agree with them. If I do participate in the conversation, I am forced to endure a speech that is just loyalty-based emotion on a subject. I realize that maybe I should speak up more, and stop worrying about other people's feelings.

The first thing that bothers me about the typical American voter is that every election voters complain about campaign mud slinging. Well, guess who you should blame for it America? YOU! Whenever you as a voter go around quoting the mud and voting based on the mud you are giving candidates a reason to continue slinging mud. If someone sells you spoiled meat and you know its spoiled but you continue to buy it instead of the fresh food, you are to blame because YOU are the one that continues to buy it. This "lipstick on a pig" nonsense is a good example of how voters run the mud-slinging machine. It is just as senseless as when Clinton was accused of being a racist because of a comment he made about Obama. Guess what, America? If you turned off the news every time crap like this would come on the media ratings would go down and they might actually talk about something else!

One of my relatives is constantly trying to get into political debates with me because I refuse to blindly follow Obama. This person argues that this candidate is the perfect president because they give great speeches. I don't even watch the speeches. A speech is not a reflection of a candidate, but the talent of their speech writers, and in the event that said candidate wrote their speech, it only proves that they would have had a great career in journalism, not running a world power. When Palin gave her intro speech (let's be honest: Palin is the one running for president; McCain is 72 years old and his health is less-than-desirable so there is a notable chance that he could die in office), America cheered and that confused the hell out of me. Given that they coached her to death I am not surprised that she read it without screwing up. And since when is the ability to give a great speech evidence of sound leadership? Need I remind you that Hitler gave rousing speeches, too?

I do plan on watching the VP debates, not because it will affect my opinion on either potential VP but because it promises to be entertaining.

I was going to write more, but I think I will stop here. America, if you are going to vote for a candidate, don't do it from speeches or watching the news, do it from researching their domestic and foreign policies plans. Picture them talking to a foreign leader and ask yourself do they have what it takes to secure America's place in the international system. Don't vote because of race or because you like how someone looks or because they seem "normal" to you. Looks do not run a successful country. Abraham Lincoln wasn't aesthetically pleasing at all and he is remembered as one of our greatest presidents. And as for voting for someone because they seem like a "normal" American with "normal" problems, go outside and look around: the country is crawling with "normal" people with problems...would you want any of them to be your president?

History holds the leaders of nations responsible for the failings of their countries. I think that the people that put them in power play a great role in those shortcomings as well.

Any unstructured and/or irrational replies will be deleted. I don't have the patience for it anymore.

In Memory of 9/11

"Big Bang" Machine Switched On

There was some speculation that this machine could possibly destroy Earth. That idea used to bother me, but then it occurred to me that it would probably be a pretty quick disintegration so there is a good chance that we wouldn't feel any pain when the world imploded.

Weird Stories: Bear Takes Up War on Drugs

I guess he either was pushing out the competition or he had the munchies.

Fannie and Freddie Get Bigger Gov't Bailout

Link to article

Mother Microwaves Baby

China Arnold's defense team contends that she was not in her right mind when she microwaved her infant daughter to death because she was drunk.

What the hell kind of alcohol induces homicidal urges like that? Killing a baby in a microwave? Did the jury realize that the time it must have taken in the torturous death of this child? That the child had not only enough time to feel pain, but to cry out to her mother about it?

If someone drinks and drives, they are lambasted, but if someone drinks and microwaves their child, that makes sense?

Introducing Sarah Palin...

I watched her speech...why, I don't know. A speech is not a reflection of a candidate, but the talent of their speech writers, and given that they coached her to death I am not surprised that she gave it without screwing up.

However, you can teach a monkey how to play the piano, but that doesn't make it Mozart.

Palin's Little Secret

I originally was going to leave this story alone since I usually think it is unnecessary to go after a candidate's family. Then it dawned on me that Gov. Palin decided to make this announcement when America was conveniently distracted by two hurricanes. That ticked me off so I decided to do a post on it.

By the by, Gov. Palin: John Edwards made his career-killing announcement about his affair during the opening ceremony of the Olympics and all that did was tick people off. How do you think people are going to respond to you hiding behind a hurricane?

And let's be honest: if this was the daughter of Biden, the Republicans would tear that child alive.

McCain Picks VP

I have got to give McCain credit, choosing Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate was a pretty shrewd move. Well, either way, this is going to be a very historic election.

Obama Picks Biden for VP

I am not too fond of the choice, but then, I also have a problem with the fact that Obama decided he was presidential material so early in his career.

Link to Article

Sex Toys...for Dogs

Only the French could come up with this.

No, this is not a toy in the "go fetch" sense, this is a sex toy...for dogs. I wasn't sure what this was until I saw the "demonstration" ad for this, which I have decided to spare you from seeing. French designer Clement Eloy felt it was time for dogs with AHS (Acute Humping Syndrome) to have an outlet for their, um, frustrations.

I tried to think of something to say in response to this device, but I am still in shock.

Is Bush Opening the Gateway to the Death of Birth Control?

I am going to call this act what it is: a last minute attempt for brownie points from the only people that will give Bush the time of day now: religious conservatives.

This act, which essentially claims that it will protect health care workers from dispensing prescriptions or providing services that they find morally reprehensible. My first question was this: who are these geniuses getting jobs at abortion clinics and becoming pharmacists when they have moral objections about the profession? I am against organized crime, so I won't work for the mafia. I dislike cancer, so I do not work for nuclear plants. I dislike pain, so I chose not to become a boxer. If the job description violates your moral code, common sense says, "DON'T WORK THERE."

I consider myself to be pretty faithful to my religion, but I consider myself to be logical, too. This proposal can be the gateway to allowing many professionals to get away with not doing their job and getting paid for it, too, therefore it should be scrapped. How would you feel if your child could not get a blood transfusion because the doctor was a Jehovah's Witness (their faith is against the passing of one person's blood to another)?

I have always had problems with the types of people that would support proposals like this because their tactics are so brutally flawed. Picketing abortion clinics will not stop it from happening. Forcing legislation to prevent someone from doing something to themselves will not stop it. There are other more rational ways to approach it. Personally, I am convinced that these people are not addicted to their cause, they are addicted to their sense of self-righteousness...and personally, I resent how these people who fight so hard to save unborn children are the same ones that resent the government aid their caregivers receive to take care of them after they are born.

Link to Conscience Clause Proposal

Florida Law Strikes Again...

I have monitored many criminal cases in Florida because their legal system simply boggles the mind. They are notorious for convicting people with the flimisiest evidence and giving them harsh sentences, but when it comes to "slam dunk" cases, they seem to fall by the wayside.

Case in point: Aaron Mohanlal (pictured above) was recently convicted and sentenced to 43 years for repeatedly raping a child while he was a teacher at a Broward County Middle school. He was also in the process of grooming other children to take the place of the victim and passed out dozens of fliers to other students with the victim's photo, name and phone number stating that the victim had sex with animals after charges were filed. However, it has been two years and he has yet to serve a day in prison. Why? Just ask his savior, elected Broward Circuit Judge Marc Gold who allowed Mohanlal to be out on bond until his appeal process has been exhausted. Mohanlal not only is not only allowed to be free, but the judge did not think it was pertinent to make a clause forbidding Mohanlal to have contact with other children. The authorities are "confident" that the child rapist is not a flight risk.

Mohanlal bought a house 15 miles from the victim.

I Didn't Know S.C. Was Gay!

This is funny as hell.

I thought this may have been a mistake when I spotted it, but no, this was an actual ad posted in London among many other ads swearing that their sponsor is the gayest state in the union. Along with Civil War plantations, this South Carolina ad promises that the lovely state also has "gay beaches" and variously nightlife to accommodate potential tourists.

What makes this ad so incredibly hilarious is that now the citizens of S.C. are aware that their tax dollars went to encouraging homosexual people to come to their state. Given that the state is still adjusting to blacks and Mexicans, the citizens of S.C. (surprise!) are in an uproar. The ad was pulled, but I am going to contact the S.C. Department of Tourism to see if I can get that ad on a T-Shirt.

More Obama Drama

The New Yorker, a bastion of satire for years, decided to push the envelope by doing a cover depicting all of the rumors associated with Senator Barack Obama. While I personally get that it was to make fun of the rumors, for every one person that thinks like me, a few hundred thousand are going to used that as gospel proof that the rumors about Sen. Obama are indeed fact.

Silly, silly New Yorker...you should know better by now.

My Comments on the Clark Comment

There is a brutal double standard when it comes to Election Season: attacking the records and qualifications of Democrats is perfectly acceptable. Attacking the records and qualifications of Republicans? BLASPHEMY!

General Clark made a comment a bit ago along the thread that Sen. McCain's experience as a POW did not necessarily make him presidential material. Clark was blacklisted for saying that, yet no one seemed to have a problem when it was done to John Kerry in 2004. McCain--who said himself that it takes no talent to be shot down--made it clear that he was staying in Iraq until the bitter end and who was against reforms to enhance the G.I. Bill (which is a pain to cash in on when you get out of the service and doesn't last more than two years...even though colleges tend to take four years to complete) is untouchable.

Are the voters of this country REALLY that gullible? Clark was telling the truth! It doesn't make anyone qualified to be a President, and I don't care what any of you gun-totin' pick-up truck drivers have to say about it, the ONLY thing that can be used to gage McCain's qualifications is his record in politics. I am a veteran...if I become Republican, does that mean I have what it takes to be President? No!

That being said, my initial beef with Obama was his utter lack of experience in politics, and I still bristle at the geniuses that insisted that little discrepancy was irrelevant. The only reason I support him now is because he is the lesser of two evils. I just hope he isn't too arrogant to realize which person he needs to choose for the VP spot.

Diet Diaries Help Weight Loss

They will also drive you insane, which will lead to taking happy pills that make you gain more weight. I do not normally condone the burning of books, but if it is a diet book or journal not only do I recommend it, I think you should make a party of it and invite friends over to do the same. There is something soothing about watching a diet book burn while drinking margaritas.

Conservatives to Battle McCain

McCain's "radical" ideas--such as the belief in global warming and the support of stem cell research--are ruffling the feathers of die-hard conservatives and they are vowing to take action. So...since they are against McCain wouldn't that suggest that they are probably not going to vote since they have no other option...which would help a Democrat get into office?

Happy Independence Day!

Former Bush Aide: President Misled Country about War

My response: And you are just figuring this out?

Link to article

Kennedy Diagnosed with Tumor

The whole world probably knows by now that Senator Kennedy has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Whether or not there is even the slightest bit of hope for Sen. Kennedy is still out for discussion, but his colleagues are already discussing him in the past tense. The way the media and such are carrying on about him, one would think that he had already passed away. He has not even resigned yet...I am willing to be money that his first inclination is to end his days in office.

Soldier Uses Quran for Target Practice

A bullet-riddled Quran was found at a target shooting station on a U.S. military post. After punishing the soldier and sending him home, President Bush expressed sorrow and in an elaborate ceremony presented a new Quran to tribal leaders.

Iraqi leaders are insisting that the soldier be court martialed.

$4.00 and Up for Gas

Gas prices have climbed above the $4.00 mark in some cities and are expected to be even higher during Memorial Day weekend and afterwards. Strangely enough wages for Americans have either remained stagnant or decreased over the years.

Sheri's Random Rant: AAFES

The Army and Air Force Exchange Store has got to be the worst invention ever. It was designed to help soldiers build credit, but what they don't tell you is that once you sign up for them, you are never allowed to be free of them. I closed my account with them 8 years ago and they are still charging me fees for having a "closed account." Apparently there is nothing I can do about this other than file a lawsuit since no one has challenged them before.

Damn you, AAFES! I gave up the best years of my life to this country and this is the treatment I get? There is a special place in Hell for you!

Monster Quake Ravages China

A 7.8 quake destroyed parts of the Sichuan Province of China, killing thousands.

Sheri's Random Rant: Trespassers

Stay on your side of the fence!

I just needed to get that off my chest.

Nuns Denied Chance to Vote

Nuns in their 80s and 90s with dated passports were denied the right to vote yesterday. According to a new Indiana law, voters must have recent IDs. The convent of the nuns plans to help the sisters get new IDs by the general election.

This really ticked me off because I am quite fond of nuns, but it raised the issue of this push to not allow people to vote without recent ID. There is no evidence of there being any problems prior to this push, so why do it now, especially since it will affect people such as the elderly, who--unless they are in excellent physical condition--have to pick and choose where they go because of their age?

Doctor's appointment or go get a new ID...hmmm...

Iran Ends Talks with U.S.

Iran suspended talks with the United States over the security situation in Iraq until the United States "agreed to end hostilities towards Shiite militias." Given that I did not expect these talks to make much progress from the start, I am not surprised.

Sheri's Random Rant: Mental Illness Stigma

I have never been much of a pill person myself, but I do not understand why society has such a terror over the idea of treating mental illness with medication. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain and no amount of forced positive thinking will change that. I am sick of watching people I know suffer (two committed suicide) because they did not get the treatment they needed due to stigma surrounding it.

I resent the term "mental illness" because it is a physical disease. It can be actually be seen with certain medical devices. This field has a long way to go, but the progress it has made can alleviate the suffering of countless numbers of people. We should not deny them this by encouraging and forcing prejudices.

Democrats Divided

As the election is coming closer and closer to fruition, the Democratic Party is divided between their loyalty to Senator Clinton and the optimism that Senator Obama promises. While this is going on, the GOP is licking its wounds, and if McCain is lucky, President Bush will stop endorsing him so that his polls will go up.

What's Wrong with Rev. Wright?

I had originally decided to ignore the issue surrounding Rev. Wright and Sen. Obama, however, the world will no longer allow me to do so. I felt that the initial controversy was overblown by the media but now I am wondering if Rev. Wright is secretly working for Hillary Clinton. Surely one would think that he would have some understanding of how the election season works! There is a bigger picture here that he is grossly overlooking, and that is that his candidate is guilty by his association, no matter how mild that association may be. With that in mind, it is his responsibility to look at the bigger picture, namely the election, and put his vanities on hold.

But I guess ego trumps reason.

Australian Accused of Imprisoning Daughter Goes to Court Today

The Australian that had imprisoned his daughter in a sound-proof basement for 24 years while raping her and fathering 7 children by her is going to court today. My faith teaches against the death penalty, but given the horrendous nature of this crime, sometimes I wonder if it isn't such a bad idea.

Obama Just Says No

Obama has refused to have another debate with Clinton. Given that I am sick of watching them, I can't imagine how much worse it is to participate in one.

NYPD Cops Aquitted of Groom Slaying

Four cops accused of killing a groom on the night of his bachelor party were acquitted of all charges. I am too disgusted to make full commentary.

Obesity Shortens Lives

There's a shocker...

Clinton Takes Pennsylvania

Hillary Clinton won Pennsylvania by a ten percent lead last night and reaffirmed that this bid for the Democratic nomination is far from over. Given the number of delegates that she currently holds, there is a possibility that we will have a presidential candidate that hardly anyone likes.

The "Smear Ads" Issue

Like it or not, it's an American tradition, and despite the fact that people complain about it, deep down in places they don't want to talk about, I don't think they would be happy without them. I hear so much negative press about negative ads, and all I can think is, "What did you expect?" You are running for the most powerful position in the world...no, it's not going to be nice.

There. I finally said my piece on that subject.

Study Shows High Number of Mental Health Injuries

As the article states, I am sure it is higher. There is a stigma in the military (just like in most of society) that views mental illness as a weakness and treats anyone that tries to seek assistance for it like a pariah. These soldiers also have the risk of losing security clearances that are vital to not only maintaining their current jobs, but needed to pursue jobs in the civilian sector supporting their expertise.

Supreme Court Upholds Lethal Injection

SCOTUS just declared that lethal injection is not a violation of the Constitution's policy against cruel and unusual punishment, which was obviously a letdown to all the prisoners on death row that want more mercy than they gave to their victims. While my faith teaches that one should not judge and that the death penalty is wrong, I cannot help but find it interesting that prisoners on death row expect more justice than what they allowed the people they killed, and the lives that were destroyed as a result of those actions.

Pope Calls Clergy Scandal "Shameful"

One of Pope Benedict XVI's comments on his way to the U.S. was an expression of shame over the clergy abuse scandals. It's about time Rome responded!

Pope Debuts in U.S.

Pope Benedict XVI will be touring the U.S. starting today. His stops include the White House and a synagogue.

Suspect in Slain Pregnant Marine Case Caught

Marine Corporal Cesar Laurean was arrested in Mexico. He escaped and stayed at large by using the same skills taught to him in the Marine Corps...put that in your hookah and smoke it.

More Torch Protests

Another problem with the passing of the torch because of demonstrations in San Francisco. I am starting to wonder is China getting the hint...

Petraeus Pushes for Patience

Gen. Petraeus asks the government for more time, because six years just isn't enough. Well, he's got until next November...well, technically next January.

Anniversary of King's Death: 1929-1968

Obama the Divider?

I have my concerns, and I feel my concerns are justified.

One of my red flag occurred when I watched a Democrat get-together where Obama made undisguised efforts to avoid shaking Clinton's hand. That might seem as him "being honest," but given that as president he will have no choice but to work for people that are not "on his bandwagon," the fact that he couldn't even pull off a handshake disturbed me greatly. There were several red flags between and before this one, my first flag being how could such a political novice decide that he is ready to become president without having the ego of an Antichrist?

Today an article mentioned a partnership between him and McCain falling apart. I will confess, that I believe that much of it is party-based nonsense and the fact that McCain is running for president is undoubtedly playing a significant role in his comments, but I do not completely dismiss the idea that Obama isn't a uniter, either.

I know Obama promises change, but then, doesn't every politician? Shouldn't we watch his actions on and off the field before we hand him the role as the most powerful person on the planet?

Unrest with Tibet

I confess that I have not devoted most of my time to the problems that Tibet is facing in the shadow of its big brother China, but given the history of the Chinese in dealing with unrest, I can just assume the worst. What I don't understand is why China didn't decide to use "quieter" methods to deal with the situation, instead of confirming to the world what we already knew, which is that China will not be up for humanitarian of the year any millenium soon.

And right before the Olympics, too. Talk about bad timing.

Fuzzy Math: Banks and Their Interesting Practices

I thought I had my checking account down pat. Little did I know that forces were abound that were much more keen on making money than I was on saving it. Wachovia just put $70.00 in fees on me out of nowhere and gave me a long-winded explanation of past purchases to "explain" it. Even the customer sales rep admitted that other customers had been calling with the same problem, but the best that the bank can offer is to return a percentage of the fees.

Public: BANK ANYWHERE BUT WACHOVIA!

Ode to Paper Season - A Limerick

The time of Paper Season is here
Six weeks of quivering in fear
The concept of this season
Is absent of reason
Bring on the tequila and/or beer

4,000 American Soldier Died Yesterday

On a day of resurrection, the 4,000 American soldier was killed. Our president assures us that the outcome will warrant the sacrifice. Forgive me if I don't share his optimism.

Military Recruitment Office Bombed!

Apparently some fledgling domestic (there is reason to suspect that these geniuses are home-grown) terrorists decided to forgo the normal route of expressing discontent over the Iraqi War (little things they could do like...vote) and decided to take their fight to the streets by bombing a military recruitment office.

I assume that they are fledgling terrorists because there are a couple of things that they clearly overlooked which gives me the impression that they are just starting out:

1.) The military has no control over this war. This government is set up to let civilians run wars.

2.) The best way to fuel the War on Terror machine is by committing acts of terrorism, which I am guessing goes against the objective of this bombing. These guys seem to forget that this War on Terror was the reason given to justify going into Iraq in the first place.

I had to edit this post three times because it was laced with so much profanity. Aside from just being disgusted over the idea of a bombing, this particular one was just dumb as hell. I get that they wanted to be symbolic, but somehow I think that if someone in that area really wanted to join the military, this bombing would be more likely to increase their sense of patriotic duty instead of destroying it.

Bush Endorsed McCain

President Bush tipped his hat in favor of McCain for president. Given the president's approval ratings nationally and internationally, I think McCain would have been better off with an endorsement from Satan.

War in South America?

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez deployed troops to the border of Colombia after Colombian troops crossed over to kill rebel leader Raul Reyes. Chavez, who is a supporter of the FARC, warned the Colombian government that any border crossings would be considered an act of war. President Bush condemned Venezuela and stated that U.S. support would be towards Colombia.

Nader to Screw Up Another Election

He is the thing that won't die.

Ralph Nader, leader of the Green Party, has just decided to screw up another election by jumping into the race. I think the fact that he has been able to do this is evidence that we need some reform on the rules of how people can decide to run for president. We have a golden opportunity to bring our beloved country out of darkness, and here is this jackass jumping back into the ring to ruin that once again.

Personally, I think he was hired by the Republicans.

Rape Ain't What It Used to Be...

Apparently Senator Henry Douglas from TN has nostalgic views on what rape was back when he was growing up:

"Rape, ladies and gentlemen, is not today what rape was. Rape, when I was learning these things, was the violation of a chaste woman, against her will, by some party not her spouse. Today it’s simply, 'Let’s don’t go forward with this act.'"

Send this genius a letter or email if you are offended (if you are not offended, please refrain from reproducing in the future; the world has enough fools):

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/letterslist/?id=8129

CASTRO STEPS DOWN

After ruling Cuba and dodging over 600 assassination attempts by the United States and surviving 10 U.S. administrations, Castro is calling it quits.

His brother Raul, who is only five years younger than he, is to assume the role of president and Commander-in-Chief. Raul Castro has been running the country for quite some time already, and still there are no signs that Cuba's government will make any changes any time soon. Exiles and descendents of exiles and refugees are salivating, but the odds of them ever reclaiming the property that was taken from them is a very slim chance at best. It is because of their voting power in Florida that no U.S. president has been able to try to make amends with Cuba.

Cuba is one of the last surviving communist countries after the fall of the former USSR.

The U.S. Creates New Al Qaeda Martyr

I was very dismayed to read that the United States bombed parts of Pakistan--without permission--to kill Abu Laith al-Libia, a senior Al Qaeda commander. Al Qaeda is set up so that it does not fall should one of its leaders die, much like our military is designed to survive the death of leaders through a line of automatic succession.

What really disturbs me about this--other than the fact that once again my country has violated another state's sovereignty--is that this "War on Terror" is fought with Cold War mentality. Death to the Westerner and death to an eastern terrorist are not the same. They don't mind dying for their cause. We talk a good game about dying for a cause, but the truth is that while we are willing to risk our lives, few walk into a situation fully prepared to die. Once more, the only thing that comes out of the deaths of these operatives is that they become martyrs, only serving to reinvigorate their cause.

So thanks a lot, CIA, you just made the world a bit more unsafe.

New Threats from DHS

There is evidence that suggests that female suicide bombers are using prosthetics to mimic pregnancy with bombs inside of the would-be wombs.

This bothers me on a personal level because I pitched this idea months ago to someone that works for the government and they told me that it was "highly unlikely." The question that should be brought to the table now is what will happen to the women that are actually pregnant? DHS' hypervigilance already has us walking barefoot through airport terminals, are they going to have doctors on standby to examine pregnant women to see if they are actually with child? I also said that I would not be surprised if they used children and now there is evidence that training camps are being opened to kids as young as 10 years old.

This may be considered to be a crazy idea, but I have always believed in the practice of hide-in-plain-sight. Our increased, visible security efforts are only going to push terrorist to become more creative. Perhaps if we gave off the illusion that our guard was down and had a bunch of plain-clothes walking the airports and subways, then maybe the terrorist would make spotting them a lot easier.

The Election

I know I have not been blogging about the election as I should. The truth is that I have been too busy biting my nails while my eyes were fixated on the television. I promise to come to my senses soon.

Violence in Kenya Escalates

Today in Kenya a church was burned by a mob, who deliberately sought to murder members of the Kikuyu tribe, killing 50 people including children. They attacked people with machetes and then set them on fire and beat anyone that tried to save lives. The violence is the result of the questionable election of President Mwai Kibaki. Kibaki tried to meet with opposition leaders to try to address the violence but the opposition refused to meet with him unless he stepped down from power. The U.S. and the EU have refused to acknowledge the election.

It is now estimated that almost 300 people have been killed as a result of the election of Kibaki.