He's written an open letter to the community. This isn't a half way position, this is a full equal rights position. This is the kind of President and the kind of leadership we need.
Key points:
1. Calls equal rights for homosexuals "a moral imperative".
2. Wants a repeal of DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
3. Wants full family law equality for gay couples.
4. Supports stronger hate crime legislation.
5. Full equality. That's the most important point.
Here's the full letter:
I’m running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all – a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It’s wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans. Equality is a moral imperative. That’s why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBTAmericans. In Illinois, I co-sponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation.
In the U.S. Senate, I have co-sponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples — whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage.
Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system. The next president must also address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When it comes to prevention, we do not have to choose between values and science. While abstinence education should be part of any strategy, we also need to use common sense. We should have age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception. We should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And we should lift the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. In addition, local governments can protect public health by distributing contraceptives.
We also need a president who’s willing to confront the stigma – too often tied to homophobia – that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, and will continue to speak out as president. That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of LGBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones – and that’s what I’ve done throughout my career. I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention.
I talked about the need to fight homophobia when I announced my candidacy for President, and I have been talking about LGBT equality to a number of groups during this campaign – from local LGBT activists to rural farmers to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached. Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBTAmericans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary. Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit. Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Andrew Sullivan on Saint Hillary
Everyone's favorite gay Conservative has some thoughts on HRC's claim that the playing field is unfair:
Is she fucking kidding me? You think it was a level playing field for Nita Lowey as she was bigfooted out of a New York Senate seat for the carpet-bagging former president's wife? You think it was a level playing field when Clinton bullied and cajoled and intimidated every Democrat to back her a year ago? You think it's a level playing field when you deploy a former president to tear down your opponent?
Clinton has more privilege, more clout, more intrinsic unearned advantages in this race than any non-incumbent Democrat in living memory. And still she failed. And still she whines. There are moments when you almost feel pity; and then you realize what a petty shameless narcissist she is.
Is she fucking kidding me? You think it was a level playing field for Nita Lowey as she was bigfooted out of a New York Senate seat for the carpet-bagging former president's wife? You think it was a level playing field when Clinton bullied and cajoled and intimidated every Democrat to back her a year ago? You think it's a level playing field when you deploy a former president to tear down your opponent?
Clinton has more privilege, more clout, more intrinsic unearned advantages in this race than any non-incumbent Democrat in living memory. And still she failed. And still she whines. There are moments when you almost feel pity; and then you realize what a petty shameless narcissist she is.
Poor Hillary
Poor Senator Clinton. She's being discriminated against and losing because she's a woman, and the playing field is unfair.
Quoting Mother Teresa/Rosa Parks/Female Jesus:
"Every so often I just wish that it were a little more of an even playing field but, you know, I play on whatever field is out there."
So she's losing because the game is unfair. THE GAME IS UNFAIR FOR HILLARY CLINTON? Has the Earth stopped spinning on its axis?
HRC has benefited from:
1. Complete name recognition
2. Her husband's campaign staff
3. A huge financial war chest (its not Obama's fault she spent it all)
4. A 5 million dollar loan.
5. Constant media coverage for the past 15 years.
But apparently, the playing field isn't fair. And she acts like a saint for because she'll "play on whatever field is out there".
Does she realize that she's running against an AFRICAN AMERICAN? As though Obama is benefiting from our vast Patriarchy. The idea that SHE is the one at a disadvantage is complete nonsense.
How can anyone vote for HRC????
Quoting Mother Teresa/Rosa Parks/Female Jesus:
"Every so often I just wish that it were a little more of an even playing field but, you know, I play on whatever field is out there."
So she's losing because the game is unfair. THE GAME IS UNFAIR FOR HILLARY CLINTON? Has the Earth stopped spinning on its axis?
HRC has benefited from:
1. Complete name recognition
2. Her husband's campaign staff
3. A huge financial war chest (its not Obama's fault she spent it all)
4. A 5 million dollar loan.
5. Constant media coverage for the past 15 years.
But apparently, the playing field isn't fair. And she acts like a saint for because she'll "play on whatever field is out there".
Does she realize that she's running against an AFRICAN AMERICAN? As though Obama is benefiting from our vast Patriarchy. The idea that SHE is the one at a disadvantage is complete nonsense.
How can anyone vote for HRC????
Paging Dr. Freud
Oh John McCain! You so crazy! You need to lay off that purple drank, John! Wait until the elections over.
What did John McCain say?
"I'm a proud, conservative, liberal Republi-." And then time stood still, and McCain realized he had just called himself a liberal. I assume he then said that qwars are evil and Barack Hussein Uday Qusay Obama was behind the Bridge to Nowhere, but the clip from MSNBC was too short.
Poor McCain.
Is McCain a liberal? Um no. Is he a conservative? Only based on his voting record. There must be some sort of voodoo hex that Rush Limbaugh put on McCain. He's very confused.
Also, while eating Indian food with two professors today, Professor A called John McCain a "shit weasel" multiple times. So McCain should probably stop calling himself a liberal, because the Communists of Academia aren't going to vote for him.
What did John McCain say?
"I'm a proud, conservative, liberal Republi-." And then time stood still, and McCain realized he had just called himself a liberal. I assume he then said that qwars are evil and Barack Hussein Uday Qusay Obama was behind the Bridge to Nowhere, but the clip from MSNBC was too short.
Poor McCain.
Is McCain a liberal? Um no. Is he a conservative? Only based on his voting record. There must be some sort of voodoo hex that Rush Limbaugh put on McCain. He's very confused.
Also, while eating Indian food with two professors today, Professor A called John McCain a "shit weasel" multiple times. So McCain should probably stop calling himself a liberal, because the Communists of Academia aren't going to vote for him.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Yeah! Inflation!
The Federal Reserve is cutting rates again. Hurray! Lets pump even more money into the economy! I wish gas and groceries cost more!
I can't hang with the dollar any more. I need a reliable currency, like Zimbabwae's. I wonder if I can get some 16th Century Spanish gold....
I can't hang with the dollar any more. I need a reliable currency, like Zimbabwae's. I wonder if I can get some 16th Century Spanish gold....
Sunday, February 24, 2008
In Exchange for not Eating Cows
I present Carrie Underwood, 2007's World's Sexiest Vegetarian. Would you still eat meat if she asked you not to?
Plus, that chick from Coldplay is a vegetarian. And she's kinda hot.
Plus, that chick from Coldplay is a vegetarian. And she's kinda hot.
Whoops
Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co issued a recall of 143 MILLION pounds of meat, mostly beef, because their employees forced unfit cattle into the slaughter house. Specifically, they used electric prods to force cattle that couldn't stand into the slaughter house.
And since Hallmark/Westland had to recall 143 million pounds of meat, they are now bankrupt and are going to close permanently. Apparently Adam Smith's hand spares no one!
Can we please stop eating beef? Can we just not eat cows? You can still have fish and chicken. Isn't that enough? Do we really have to torture these animals? Plus, beef ISN'T SAFE. From mad cow to prodding unfit cows, you carnivores are going to die from a hamburger. Just cows. Can't we start somewhere?
Plus, cows emit 5.5 million metric tons of methane every year, in the US alone. (Insert HRC joke here). Methane, the stuff that's warming the planet, making Al Gore and Bono seem reasonable and the stuff that may eventually kill us.
C'mon people. No more cows, please. Vegetables are delicious, and we still get to keep all our alcohol. And isn't that what's important?
And since Hallmark/Westland had to recall 143 million pounds of meat, they are now bankrupt and are going to close permanently. Apparently Adam Smith's hand spares no one!
Can we please stop eating beef? Can we just not eat cows? You can still have fish and chicken. Isn't that enough? Do we really have to torture these animals? Plus, beef ISN'T SAFE. From mad cow to prodding unfit cows, you carnivores are going to die from a hamburger. Just cows. Can't we start somewhere?
Plus, cows emit 5.5 million metric tons of methane every year, in the US alone. (Insert HRC joke here). Methane, the stuff that's warming the planet, making Al Gore and Bono seem reasonable and the stuff that may eventually kill us.
C'mon people. No more cows, please. Vegetables are delicious, and we still get to keep all our alcohol. And isn't that what's important?
Nader's Running
Ralph Nader is running for President again, as an independent. Some people will boo this and say he shouldn't run. The old Democratic complaint about Ralph Nader is that he costs votes and helped the War Criminal win the 2000 election.
A few reasons why this is the wrong way to look at things.
1. Al Gore lost the 2000 election. He couldn't carry his home state of Tennessee, which would have won the race. Al Gore, much like John Kerry, is/was a horrible candidate. Maybe if Al Gore had made the environment an issue in 2000, which he didn't, he could have won a couple hundred thousand more votes and the White House. But Al Gore didn't. And its not hard to see why people would vote for Ralph Nader instead of Al Gore.
Democrats, repeat this after me: Al Gore lost the 2000 election. (He ran Lieberman, who endorsed John McCain for Christ's sake). The War Criminal didn't steal the election any more than JFK stole the 1960 election. Ralph Nader didn't cost the election. Al Gore, Joe Lieberman and a unorganized, uninspired Democratic Party lost the 2000 election.
2. Nader got .3 percent of the national vote in 2004. Clearly people have moved on.
3. Third party candidates are good. They broaden the debate. They hold the main parties accountable. The truth is, sometimes there isn't a big difference between the two candidates. There should be more than two choices. We can chose between 100 different types of cereal, and there are 3,000 channels on TV, but we can only have two centrist candidates?
4. Obama might not win the nomination. A choice between HRC, McCain and Ralph Nader is an interesting choice. Would you rather vote for Ralph or Hillary? And if Obama wins the nomination, Nader's appeal will be very small.
5. Once again, other countries have multiple candidates. Other countries have multiple parties. We have two. Sometimes, like right now, there are huge differences between the parties. One party wants to stay in Iraq, one wants to leave. One party wants universal health care, the other doesn't. In 2000, what were the big differences between the Republicans and the Democrats? Remember, Al Gore was the Guy Who Invented the Internet, while the War Criminal was A Uniter, Not A Divider. Not exactly two inspiring options.
So lets appreciate Ralph Nader, who at 73 might not be with us forever. And lets hope Michael Bloomberg or someone else will also run. We need to embrace new ideas and different viewpoints. There are forty different phone companies; can we have four different Presidential candidates?
A few reasons why this is the wrong way to look at things.
1. Al Gore lost the 2000 election. He couldn't carry his home state of Tennessee, which would have won the race. Al Gore, much like John Kerry, is/was a horrible candidate. Maybe if Al Gore had made the environment an issue in 2000, which he didn't, he could have won a couple hundred thousand more votes and the White House. But Al Gore didn't. And its not hard to see why people would vote for Ralph Nader instead of Al Gore.
Democrats, repeat this after me: Al Gore lost the 2000 election. (He ran Lieberman, who endorsed John McCain for Christ's sake). The War Criminal didn't steal the election any more than JFK stole the 1960 election. Ralph Nader didn't cost the election. Al Gore, Joe Lieberman and a unorganized, uninspired Democratic Party lost the 2000 election.
2. Nader got .3 percent of the national vote in 2004. Clearly people have moved on.
3. Third party candidates are good. They broaden the debate. They hold the main parties accountable. The truth is, sometimes there isn't a big difference between the two candidates. There should be more than two choices. We can chose between 100 different types of cereal, and there are 3,000 channels on TV, but we can only have two centrist candidates?
4. Obama might not win the nomination. A choice between HRC, McCain and Ralph Nader is an interesting choice. Would you rather vote for Ralph or Hillary? And if Obama wins the nomination, Nader's appeal will be very small.
5. Once again, other countries have multiple candidates. Other countries have multiple parties. We have two. Sometimes, like right now, there are huge differences between the parties. One party wants to stay in Iraq, one wants to leave. One party wants universal health care, the other doesn't. In 2000, what were the big differences between the Republicans and the Democrats? Remember, Al Gore was the Guy Who Invented the Internet, while the War Criminal was A Uniter, Not A Divider. Not exactly two inspiring options.
So lets appreciate Ralph Nader, who at 73 might not be with us forever. And lets hope Michael Bloomberg or someone else will also run. We need to embrace new ideas and different viewpoints. There are forty different phone companies; can we have four different Presidential candidates?
Saturday, February 23, 2008
New Vegetarian
Well, another pinko commie has become a vegetarian. So now its me, Carrie Underwood and Milwaukee Brewer's slugger Prince Fielder. I think its helpful when a 260 pound baseball player converts to vegetarianism.
The reason for his change? His wife gave him a book on how animals are treated and slaughtered.
Via the pinko Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
It wasn't always this way. Fielder used to enjoy a stacked burger or a juicy steak as much as any carnivore, but a few weeks ago he received a book from his wife, Chanel, that changed his outlook on what he puts in his massive frame. The book described how certain animals are treated and slaughtered for food.
"After reading that, (meat) just didn't sound good to me anymore," Fielder said. "It grossed me out a little bit. It's not a diet thing or anything like that. I don't miss it at all."
I think this is pretty cool. When you quit eating meat for ethical reasons, it is easy to quit fully and permanently. When there's an ethical reason, there is no temptation.
Also, Bill Maher said that eating meat causes more pollution and global warming then cars, trains and planes. This is, scientifically, true. Just something to think about.
The reason for his change? His wife gave him a book on how animals are treated and slaughtered.
Via the pinko Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
It wasn't always this way. Fielder used to enjoy a stacked burger or a juicy steak as much as any carnivore, but a few weeks ago he received a book from his wife, Chanel, that changed his outlook on what he puts in his massive frame. The book described how certain animals are treated and slaughtered for food.
"After reading that, (meat) just didn't sound good to me anymore," Fielder said. "It grossed me out a little bit. It's not a diet thing or anything like that. I don't miss it at all."
I think this is pretty cool. When you quit eating meat for ethical reasons, it is easy to quit fully and permanently. When there's an ethical reason, there is no temptation.
Also, Bill Maher said that eating meat causes more pollution and global warming then cars, trains and planes. This is, scientifically, true. Just something to think about.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Obama for the Heisman
Apparently Mack Brown, the coach of the Texas Longhorns offered both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton a tour of the facilities and to meet with some of their players. Barack accepted. So now there are pictures of Barack on ESPN and interviews with Colt McCoy, the Longhorns quarterback, talking about what a nice and down to earth guy Obama is. I'm pretty sure this earned him some votes in Texas.
HRC didn't want to go. I guess she didn't realize that people in Texas like college football.
Here are some other events that HRC may want to avoid.
Don't go to a NASCAR race for the North Carolina primary. A couple hundred thousand people isn't worth it.
Don't go to a Cavaliers game for the Ohio primary. People in Cleveland HATE Lebron James.
Make sure and go to a gay pride rally for the Mississippi primary. Trent Lott's people love them qwars!
Talk about the importance of not marrying your cousin for the West Virginia primary. Oh, and say coal sucks and Rich Rodriguez is awesome.
For the Oregon primary, pump your own gas.
For the Puerto Rico primary, ask loudly why no one will speak English. When someone tries to address you in Spanish, don't respond in kind. Just speak louder, they'll understand.
If Hillary follows these helpful tips, she will definitely win.
HRC didn't want to go. I guess she didn't realize that people in Texas like college football.
Here are some other events that HRC may want to avoid.
Don't go to a NASCAR race for the North Carolina primary. A couple hundred thousand people isn't worth it.
Don't go to a Cavaliers game for the Ohio primary. People in Cleveland HATE Lebron James.
Make sure and go to a gay pride rally for the Mississippi primary. Trent Lott's people love them qwars!
Talk about the importance of not marrying your cousin for the West Virginia primary. Oh, and say coal sucks and Rich Rodriguez is awesome.
For the Oregon primary, pump your own gas.
For the Puerto Rico primary, ask loudly why no one will speak English. When someone tries to address you in Spanish, don't respond in kind. Just speak louder, they'll understand.
If Hillary follows these helpful tips, she will definitely win.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
My God
Lisa Schiffren, who writes for the New Republic, is curious about Obama's background. Basically, she says that since he is the product of an inter-racial marriage, he's the child of Communists. Seriously.
"...all of my mixed race, black/white classmates throughout my youth, some of whom I am still in contact with, were the product of very culturally specific unions. They were always the offspring of a white mother, (in my circles, she was usually Jewish, but elsewhere not necessarily) and usually a highly educated black father. And how had these two come together at a time when it was neither natural nor easy for such relationships to flourish? Always through politics. No, not the young Republicans. Usually the Communist Youth League. Or maybe a different arm of the CPUSA. But, for a white woman to marry a black man in 1958, or 60, there was almost inevitably a connection to explicit Communist politics...Time for some investigative journalism about the Obama family's background, now that his chances of being president have increased so much,"
I have no idea what to write first. Doesn't the New Republic have an editor?
I'm going to go throw up now.
"...all of my mixed race, black/white classmates throughout my youth, some of whom I am still in contact with, were the product of very culturally specific unions. They were always the offspring of a white mother, (in my circles, she was usually Jewish, but elsewhere not necessarily) and usually a highly educated black father. And how had these two come together at a time when it was neither natural nor easy for such relationships to flourish? Always through politics. No, not the young Republicans. Usually the Communist Youth League. Or maybe a different arm of the CPUSA. But, for a white woman to marry a black man in 1958, or 60, there was almost inevitably a connection to explicit Communist politics...Time for some investigative journalism about the Obama family's background, now that his chances of being president have increased so much,"
I have no idea what to write first. Doesn't the New Republic have an editor?
I'm going to go throw up now.
10 in a row
Barack Obama has now won ten primaries in a row. I just hope he can win a white, working class state like Wisconsin. What? He just did. Oh.
Here are some highlights from HRC's spin machine:
1. Clinton supporter talking about how good it was that they ONLY got beat by 17 points in Wisconsin. "We're closing the gap!"
2. Clinton supporter, seriously, talking about Puerto Rico. Like they're going to rally because of Puerto Rico. Are you kidding me?
3. Clinton supporter, Some Union Dude, attacking Obama supporters. This is literally what he said. "I've got news for all the latte-drinking, Prius-driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies crowding in to hear him speak! This guy won't last a round against the Republican attack machine. He's a poet, not a fighter.”
Trust funds and Birkenstocks aside, there is a very large portion of the Democratic party that loves Starbucks and feels guilty if they don't drive a Prius. I can't imagine a Huckabee supporter attacking such a huge portion of the Republican electorate. "I've got news for all the Budweiser-drinking, F-150 driving, NASCAR watching....."
Here are some highlights from HRC's spin machine:
1. Clinton supporter talking about how good it was that they ONLY got beat by 17 points in Wisconsin. "We're closing the gap!"
2. Clinton supporter, seriously, talking about Puerto Rico. Like they're going to rally because of Puerto Rico. Are you kidding me?
3. Clinton supporter, Some Union Dude, attacking Obama supporters. This is literally what he said. "I've got news for all the latte-drinking, Prius-driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies crowding in to hear him speak! This guy won't last a round against the Republican attack machine. He's a poet, not a fighter.”
Trust funds and Birkenstocks aside, there is a very large portion of the Democratic party that loves Starbucks and feels guilty if they don't drive a Prius. I can't imagine a Huckabee supporter attacking such a huge portion of the Republican electorate. "I've got news for all the Budweiser-drinking, F-150 driving, NASCAR watching....."
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Clinton Aide Wants Michigan, Florida Delegates
WASHINGTON - Harold Ickes, a top adviser to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign who voted for Democratic Party rules that stripped Michigan and Florida of their delegates, now is arguing against the very penalty he helped pass.
In a conference call Saturday, the longtime Democratic Party member contended the DNC should reconsider its tough sanctions on the two states, which held early contests in violation of party rules. He said millions of voters in Michigan and Florida would be otherwise disenfranchised — before acknowledging moments later that he had favored the sanctions.
In other news, the UNC Charlotte football team is undefeated, Jay Z thinks that Jay Z is the greatest rapper of all time, and I am the best looking white guy in my apartment.
In a conference call Saturday, the longtime Democratic Party member contended the DNC should reconsider its tough sanctions on the two states, which held early contests in violation of party rules. He said millions of voters in Michigan and Florida would be otherwise disenfranchised — before acknowledging moments later that he had favored the sanctions.
In other news, the UNC Charlotte football team is undefeated, Jay Z thinks that Jay Z is the greatest rapper of all time, and I am the best looking white guy in my apartment.
Project Implicit
Its a test on positive associations from Harvard. You click on either a candidate's picture or words like friend, enemy, etc. Somehow it figures out how your brain views a candidate before all those pesky "thoughts" get involved.
Cut and paste the link. It takes a little while but its amusing.
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/featuredtask.html
I scored very high on positive associations for Barack Obama. I was neutral for Huckabee and Clinton, very negative for John McCain. I thought I liked McCain more than Hil Dawg or Huck, but apparently not. That'll teach me to think.
Cut and paste the link. It takes a little while but its amusing.
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/featuredtask.html
I scored very high on positive associations for Barack Obama. I was neutral for Huckabee and Clinton, very negative for John McCain. I thought I liked McCain more than Hil Dawg or Huck, but apparently not. That'll teach me to think.
This Couldn't Possibly Go Wrong
Apparently President Bush okayed the Navy to shoot down one of our satellites. We're going to shoot a missile at it........
Is anyone else afraid of this? This is a guy who attacked the wrong country. This is a guy who almost choked to death on a pretzel. This is a guy who, well I think you get the point.
I swear to God, they're going to hit the wrong satellite and its going to screw up my radio. At least our little exercise is making the Russians angry. Because we need ANOTHER enemy.
Is anyone else afraid of this? This is a guy who attacked the wrong country. This is a guy who almost choked to death on a pretzel. This is a guy who, well I think you get the point.
I swear to God, they're going to hit the wrong satellite and its going to screw up my radio. At least our little exercise is making the Russians angry. Because we need ANOTHER enemy.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Delegate Count as of Feb. 16
Obama- 1,284
Clinton- 1,208
Superdelegates:
Obama- 160
Clinton- 224
This is still ridiculously close. But hey, we might know something by March!
Clinton- 1,208
Superdelegates:
Obama- 160
Clinton- 224
This is still ridiculously close. But hey, we might know something by March!
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Ohio and Texas Myth
HRC doesn't care about all the states and delegates that she's losing now, because Texas and Ohio, which hold their primaries in March, are more "representative of the electorate". Remember, she also claimed victory in the non primary of Florida. As a God-fearing Democrat, the idea of the Demon Triumvirate that is Ohio, Texas and Florida is enough to make me want to move to Canada. Remember that Florida cost us the 2000 election, that Ohio cost us 2004 and that the War Criminal is from Texas (via New England).
Anyway, the New Republic has weighed in.....
Texas and Ohio Won't Decide the Democratic Race
Floating around coverage of the Democratic primary is this notion that nothing really matters until Texas and Ohio. Or, at least, to the extent that Barack Obama's victories in the primaries that precede Ohio and Texas matter, it's only to help him build momentum for Ohio and Texas, when all the real delegates are at stake. Here's an entirely typical passage from today's Washington Post:
Hillary Clinton, effectively tied with Obama in delegates and facing difficult races the rest of this month, is looking to gain any possible advantage to slow her rival's momentum until March 4, when the campaign reaches what her aides believe will be friendlier territory in the Ohio and Texas primaries.
What you'd never get from reading this coverage is that Ohio and Texas aren't that much more important than other states.The states that Obama won over the weekend had a total of 185 pledged delegates. Tomorrow's primary states have 168. That's a total of 353 delegates. Ohio and Texas, meanwhile, combine for 334 delegates. (That's my back of the envelope calculation from the numbers at wikipedia.)
And Obama won enormous blowout victories over the weekend, and is up by double digits Tuesday. So even if Clinton wins Texas and Ohio, it will be impossible for her to make up just the delegate advantage Obama has won and should win over these few days.
Anyway, the New Republic has weighed in.....
Texas and Ohio Won't Decide the Democratic Race
Floating around coverage of the Democratic primary is this notion that nothing really matters until Texas and Ohio. Or, at least, to the extent that Barack Obama's victories in the primaries that precede Ohio and Texas matter, it's only to help him build momentum for Ohio and Texas, when all the real delegates are at stake. Here's an entirely typical passage from today's Washington Post:
Hillary Clinton, effectively tied with Obama in delegates and facing difficult races the rest of this month, is looking to gain any possible advantage to slow her rival's momentum until March 4, when the campaign reaches what her aides believe will be friendlier territory in the Ohio and Texas primaries.
What you'd never get from reading this coverage is that Ohio and Texas aren't that much more important than other states.The states that Obama won over the weekend had a total of 185 pledged delegates. Tomorrow's primary states have 168. That's a total of 353 delegates. Ohio and Texas, meanwhile, combine for 334 delegates. (That's my back of the envelope calculation from the numbers at wikipedia.)
And Obama won enormous blowout victories over the weekend, and is up by double digits Tuesday. So even if Clinton wins Texas and Ohio, it will be impossible for her to make up just the delegate advantage Obama has won and should win over these few days.
"Activists" and African Americans
At least HRC isn't a sore loser.....
WHITE MARSH, Maryland (CNN) — Hillary Clinton on Monday explained away Barack Obama's clean sweep of the weekend's caucuses and primaries as a product of a caucus system that favors "activists" and, in the case of the Louisiana primary, an energized African-American community.
She told reporters who had gathered to watch her tour a General Motors plant here that "everybody knew, you all knew, what the likely outcome of these recent contests were."
"These are caucus states by and large, or in the case of Louisiana, you know, a very strong and very proud African-American electorate, which I totally respect and understand."
Clinton has publicly dismissed the caucus voting system since before Super Tuesday, seeking to lower expectations heading into a series of contests that played to Obama's advantage. His campaign features what many consider to be a stronger and more dedicated grassroots organization than Clinton's.
Noting that "my husband never did well in caucus states either," Clinton argued that caucuses are "primarily dominated by activists" and that "they don't represent the electorate, we know that."
The New York senator went out of her way to say she was "absolutely" looking forward to the Ohio and Texas primaries in March, where she believes voters are more receptive to her bread-and-butter message.
She also downplayed many of Obama's Super Tuesday victories, describing them as states that Democrats should not expect to win in November.
"It is highly unlikely we will win Alaska or North Dakota or Idaho or Nebraska," she said, naming several of Obama's red state wins. "But we have to win Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Michigan … And we've got to be competitive in places like Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma."
I'm not going to delve to deeply for fear that my brain will explode. However, I'm pretty sure that Texas and Oklahoma are just as red as Idaho or Nebraska. You know, 'cause Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska are all in the Big 12.
I just don't see how her red states are valid but Barack's aren't.
WHITE MARSH, Maryland (CNN) — Hillary Clinton on Monday explained away Barack Obama's clean sweep of the weekend's caucuses and primaries as a product of a caucus system that favors "activists" and, in the case of the Louisiana primary, an energized African-American community.
She told reporters who had gathered to watch her tour a General Motors plant here that "everybody knew, you all knew, what the likely outcome of these recent contests were."
"These are caucus states by and large, or in the case of Louisiana, you know, a very strong and very proud African-American electorate, which I totally respect and understand."
Clinton has publicly dismissed the caucus voting system since before Super Tuesday, seeking to lower expectations heading into a series of contests that played to Obama's advantage. His campaign features what many consider to be a stronger and more dedicated grassroots organization than Clinton's.
Noting that "my husband never did well in caucus states either," Clinton argued that caucuses are "primarily dominated by activists" and that "they don't represent the electorate, we know that."
The New York senator went out of her way to say she was "absolutely" looking forward to the Ohio and Texas primaries in March, where she believes voters are more receptive to her bread-and-butter message.
She also downplayed many of Obama's Super Tuesday victories, describing them as states that Democrats should not expect to win in November.
"It is highly unlikely we will win Alaska or North Dakota or Idaho or Nebraska," she said, naming several of Obama's red state wins. "But we have to win Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Michigan … And we've got to be competitive in places like Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma."
I'm not going to delve to deeply for fear that my brain will explode. However, I'm pretty sure that Texas and Oklahoma are just as red as Idaho or Nebraska. You know, 'cause Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska are all in the Big 12.
I just don't see how her red states are valid but Barack's aren't.
Delegate Count- Feb 11th
Barack is officially ahead.
HRC- 1,132
Obama- 1,139
Number of Superdelegates
HRC- 210
Obama- 140
So even with the edge in superdelegates, Barack has a slim lead. Keep in mind that he was behind, and that he lost California and New York.
Next up, there are three primaries tomorrow; Maryland, Virginia and DC.
HRC- 1,132
Obama- 1,139
Number of Superdelegates
HRC- 210
Obama- 140
So even with the edge in superdelegates, Barack has a slim lead. Keep in mind that he was behind, and that he lost California and New York.
Next up, there are three primaries tomorrow; Maryland, Virginia and DC.
Spin Cycle Broken
The most obnoxious thing Bill Clinton has said, was when he said that of course Obama won South Carolina, 'cause, you know, "even Jesse Jackson won South Carolina." Set aside the fact that Jesse Jackson was a Civil Rights hero before he became something of a caricature, the blatant racism of Bill's comment was too much for me. The reason I won't vote for HRC? Because I honestly believe they're calling Barack a horrible word in private.
Unproven racial slurs aside, the Clintons do have an annoying habit of trying to spin everything. Bill Clinton, after all, is a man that asked for the definition of "is". As in, "is" she blowing me right now? No, so its not perjury. The Clinton's have been spinning every loss and even spinning non-victory's like Florida and Michigan where every Democrat agreed not to campaign.
Matthew Yglesias, over at The Atlantic Monthly, isn't impressed:
Back in October 2007, Clinton was beating Obama in Maine by a hilarious 47 to 10 margin, but it seems he's carried the state today, once again by a large margin. My understanding, though, is that this doesn't really count because it's a small state, much as Utah doesn't count because there aren't many Democrats there, DC doesn't count because there are too many black people, Washington doesn't count because it's a caucus, Illinois doesn't count because Obama represents it in the Senate even though Hillary was born there, Hawaii won't count because Obama was born there. I'm not sure why Delaware and Connecticut don't count, but they definitely don't.
Unproven racial slurs aside, the Clintons do have an annoying habit of trying to spin everything. Bill Clinton, after all, is a man that asked for the definition of "is". As in, "is" she blowing me right now? No, so its not perjury. The Clinton's have been spinning every loss and even spinning non-victory's like Florida and Michigan where every Democrat agreed not to campaign.
Matthew Yglesias, over at The Atlantic Monthly, isn't impressed:
Back in October 2007, Clinton was beating Obama in Maine by a hilarious 47 to 10 margin, but it seems he's carried the state today, once again by a large margin. My understanding, though, is that this doesn't really count because it's a small state, much as Utah doesn't count because there aren't many Democrats there, DC doesn't count because there are too many black people, Washington doesn't count because it's a caucus, Illinois doesn't count because Obama represents it in the Senate even though Hillary was born there, Hawaii won't count because Obama was born there. I'm not sure why Delaware and Connecticut don't count, but they definitely don't.
Undervalued at only 45 Billion
Microsoft recently made a bid to buy Yahoo. The idea is for the old evil soul- crushing Internet firm (Microsoft) to buy Yahoo in order to take on the new evil soul-crushing Internet firm (Google). Microsoft offered 44.6 BILLION dollars to buy Yahoo, which is a 62 percent premium. Yahoo's shares are worth 20 dollars a piece, and Microsoft offered 31 dollars per share, which apparently isn't enough. Yahoo wants 40 dollars per share.
I have seen the future, and I now realize that I will die from an anuerysm.
In other news, someone offered me 40,000 dollars for my Taurus but I won't take it. I need at least 80,000 dollars for it.
I have seen the future, and I now realize that I will die from an anuerysm.
In other news, someone offered me 40,000 dollars for my Taurus but I won't take it. I need at least 80,000 dollars for it.
Growing Up
I was listening to an interview with Charles Barkely today. They were discussing how Charles used to be angry, asking how he changed his attitude. This is what Charles said (paraphrasing):
"When I was younger, I used to be mad at everybody. I was mad at my high school, mad at my family, mad at everyone I thought was holding me back. And I used that to fuel me and to make me sucessful. But I realized I can't just go around being angry with everyone. I can use the past to fuel myself, but I can't be mad all the time, its not healthy.
Basically, I had to grow up."
Amen, Sir Charles, amen.
"When I was younger, I used to be mad at everybody. I was mad at my high school, mad at my family, mad at everyone I thought was holding me back. And I used that to fuel me and to make me sucessful. But I realized I can't just go around being angry with everyone. I can use the past to fuel myself, but I can't be mad all the time, its not healthy.
Basically, I had to grow up."
Amen, Sir Charles, amen.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Huckabee is the White Snoop Dogg
I say this with all the love and respect possible.
Huckabee is the white version of Snoop. Why? Because they're both inappropriate but loveable, crazy but entertaining. Mike says insane stuff about replacing the Constitution with the Ten Commandments, but he doesn't come off as that threatening. Snoop says disgusting things but he's got such a smooth delivery that no one cares. Yes, you are Snoop D O double G and you are here to put this dick on us. Fair enough.
I wish there was a version of "I wanna love you" with Mike Huckabee instead of Akon.
Huckabee is the white version of Snoop. Why? Because they're both inappropriate but loveable, crazy but entertaining. Mike says insane stuff about replacing the Constitution with the Ten Commandments, but he doesn't come off as that threatening. Snoop says disgusting things but he's got such a smooth delivery that no one cares. Yes, you are Snoop D O double G and you are here to put this dick on us. Fair enough.
I wish there was a version of "I wanna love you" with Mike Huckabee instead of Akon.
I Heart Huckabee
I freakin' love this guy. I always have CNN or MSNBC on, but I always turn it up to hear the Huckster. He's great. He's not pretentious. He's just a regular, albiet slightly insane guy. He's so much fun to listen to. I always turn it up whenever Mike is on.
I think that if Huck went into the general election, it would be great. He can't possibly poll over thirty percent. He can't even get most Republicans to agree with him. But how awesome would it be to see him debate Obama on qwars and Dinosaurs.
Mike: You see, Barack, the whole world is only nine thousand years old. And God didn't want to kill all the Dinosaurs but somehow two qwar Pteridactyls got onto the Ark!
Barack: You know you're insane right?
Mike: Watch me play this here guitar! Sweet home Arkansasbama!
Huckabee is so much more entertaining then anyone else. He's like every crazy redneck I've ever met. You know they're insane, but you have to listen. Really Mike? You put an alligator in your pond? You think they're are black helicopters? You think ever Mexican is hiding a lead paint coated Chinese man in his truck?
I love this guy!
I think that if Huck went into the general election, it would be great. He can't possibly poll over thirty percent. He can't even get most Republicans to agree with him. But how awesome would it be to see him debate Obama on qwars and Dinosaurs.
Mike: You see, Barack, the whole world is only nine thousand years old. And God didn't want to kill all the Dinosaurs but somehow two qwar Pteridactyls got onto the Ark!
Barack: You know you're insane right?
Mike: Watch me play this here guitar! Sweet home Arkansasbama!
Huckabee is so much more entertaining then anyone else. He's like every crazy redneck I've ever met. You know they're insane, but you have to listen. Really Mike? You put an alligator in your pond? You think they're are black helicopters? You think ever Mexican is hiding a lead paint coated Chinese man in his truck?
I love this guy!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Inside the Implosion
Its prety amazing that the Republican party has gone to war with itself. If you look at the Democrats, you can see the difference. I personally think the differences between HRC and Barack are very large, but at least they aren't philosophically opposed to each other.
The Republicans, on the other hand........
You have John McCain who is a foreign policy conservative, possibly an economic conservative, possibly a social conservative. He has major legislation with fun names like McCain/Feingold, McCain/Kennedy and McCain/Lieberman. Lieberman aside, I can understand the frustration for Republicans to have someone who voted with Russ Feingold or Teddy Kennedy. Its the equivalant of HRC cosponsoring with Trent Lott. Or Barack cosponsoring with the Devil.
Then there's Huckabee. He's a social conservative (scured of qwars) but an economic and foreign policy liberal. He's criticized the War Criminal on foreign policy, and he's a tax raising, benefits providing fiscal liberal. This is a guy who's not nearly as Conservative as people want to make him out to be. He's a Baptist preacher and according to Zachary he's crazy, but that doesn't make him a Conservative. One out of three is 33%. That's a big, fat F for Mike.
Finally, the recently departed Mitt Romney. Mitt is a fiscal, foreign policy and social Conservative with a capital C. Apparently the Republicans didn't vote for him because he's a Mormon or because he doesn't look like he's insane.
The equivalent on the Democratic side would be if a black guy, a trade unionist and a Starbucks liberal shanked each other publicly. Of course Starbucks liberals don't agree with trade unionists, but its not like we're going to war with each other. But the Republicans are, which is beautiful.
Thank God politics is cyclical. I can't wait until 2028, when we implode!
The Republicans, on the other hand........
You have John McCain who is a foreign policy conservative, possibly an economic conservative, possibly a social conservative. He has major legislation with fun names like McCain/Feingold, McCain/Kennedy and McCain/Lieberman. Lieberman aside, I can understand the frustration for Republicans to have someone who voted with Russ Feingold or Teddy Kennedy. Its the equivalant of HRC cosponsoring with Trent Lott. Or Barack cosponsoring with the Devil.
Then there's Huckabee. He's a social conservative (scured of qwars) but an economic and foreign policy liberal. He's criticized the War Criminal on foreign policy, and he's a tax raising, benefits providing fiscal liberal. This is a guy who's not nearly as Conservative as people want to make him out to be. He's a Baptist preacher and according to Zachary he's crazy, but that doesn't make him a Conservative. One out of three is 33%. That's a big, fat F for Mike.
Finally, the recently departed Mitt Romney. Mitt is a fiscal, foreign policy and social Conservative with a capital C. Apparently the Republicans didn't vote for him because he's a Mormon or because he doesn't look like he's insane.
The equivalent on the Democratic side would be if a black guy, a trade unionist and a Starbucks liberal shanked each other publicly. Of course Starbucks liberals don't agree with trade unionists, but its not like we're going to war with each other. But the Republicans are, which is beautiful.
Thank God politics is cyclical. I can't wait until 2028, when we implode!
And then there were four.....
With all apologies to Ron Paul and his blimp, there are now only four candidates: HRC, Obama, McCain and Mike Huckabee.
Clearly, I want Obama to win, but on the Republican side, I would love it if Huckabee would win. Or at the very least, Huckabee needs to land a few broadsides on John McCain. McCain is too liberal to be a Republican and too Conservative. I don't think this makes him a moderate, I think it makes him a man without a party. So please, Mike, hammer away.
The best thing about Mitt Romney dropping out, is that the two poor Republican candidates in the race. Romney could have minted money, but both McCain and Huckabee are broke. Contrast this with Barack Obama who is bringing in on average ONE MILLION DOLLARS EVERY DAY. HRC has her own war chest. I'm really not intimidated by these broke, marginalized Republicans.
So lets hope for Obama versus Huckabee. Obama will win every state but Arkansas. Huckabee can be their McGovern.
Clearly, I want Obama to win, but on the Republican side, I would love it if Huckabee would win. Or at the very least, Huckabee needs to land a few broadsides on John McCain. McCain is too liberal to be a Republican and too Conservative. I don't think this makes him a moderate, I think it makes him a man without a party. So please, Mike, hammer away.
The best thing about Mitt Romney dropping out, is that the two poor Republican candidates in the race. Romney could have minted money, but both McCain and Huckabee are broke. Contrast this with Barack Obama who is bringing in on average ONE MILLION DOLLARS EVERY DAY. HRC has her own war chest. I'm really not intimidated by these broke, marginalized Republicans.
So lets hope for Obama versus Huckabee. Obama will win every state but Arkansas. Huckabee can be their McGovern.
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