Debate Night, Financial Crisis and War Drums

The election is getting closer. The second Presidential debate is tonight. It could be the last time John McCain has to get the momentum back into his campaign. From the recent polls, it looks like it will an uphill fight.

Bringing up McCain's role in the Keating 5 scandal doesn't help his case at all. Neither does his past affiliations with groups like the Council of World Freedom.

Russia is sending nuclear warships to Venezuela for joint military exercises. I guess this isn't very important. Meanwhile, Iran forces down Western plane flying over its airpace. Of course the Pentagon denies.

More sad stories from the recent American financial crisis. Man in upscale neighborhood kills his family, then himself over financial difficulties and not being able to find a job.

CEO of Lehman Bros punched out at health club after testifying before Congress. Everybody isn't buying his bullshit.This administration continues to play cronyism with our government. As the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, Paulson now surrounds himself with all Goldman people to handle the bailout.

Speaking of the bailout; will we now need to bail-out our retirement and pension funds that have lost $2 trillion??

Barney Frank says the Republicans are using racial overtones while blaming the housing crisis on blacks and the poor. Yeah, like those churches, fitness centers and those with good credit getting screwed by bad deals don't count. Not to mention people like Ed McMahon and White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.

Negotiations continue between the U.S. and the Iraqis over our troop presence in their country. We're pushing for more bases. They are pushing to get us out of there. Why they have to "negotiate" foreign presence in their country is beyond me.

Virginians focus on race in the upcoming election. They say you can't be for an African-American "if you believe in the Bible". What????

Thursday's Tastings

It looks like that $35 billion European tanker deal has been put on hold for now. Given the current state of our economy, it's a no-brainer to keep this money in our country.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates apologizes to the Afghans for the civilian deaths caused by our airstrikes. He should probably hold his "sorries" for a while. We are sending 10,000 more troops to Afghanistan next year to combat the increase in violence over there. Gates is in deep thought as he re-thinks the strategy. Things aren't going so well.

Alan Greenspan calls today's economy "the worse economy that I've ever seen".

Speaking of the economy, GWB says that he's working hard on the economic turmoil. I think that he needs to start right there in the White House. Press Secretary Dana Perino's house was scheduled to be auctioned this week before they made a last-minute payment......BTW, the Dems don't know what to do either.

I'm not the only person who believes that today's Republicans are far from conservative. Say what you want about the Democrats. But, our government's size, scope and power has increased far more during this administration than at ANY other time in our country's history; including the New Deal.

Tzipi Livni won yesterday's election in Israel. She is slated to be the next Prime Minister; the first woman to lead Israel in 34 years. Hopefully, she won't bring us a new Iranian war and will help bring peace to the region. Congrats.

Wednesday's Musings

Klansman gets convicted for killing three black teens 40 years ago. However, the decision is overturned because the statute of limitations expired for the kidnapping portion. Now, how this relates to the fact that he is still getting away with murder is a question that the judge needs to answer. I guess he has his own robe and funny hat stored away in his closet.

The Pentagon admits that we are in deep trouble in Afghanistan.

Seven years later, Osama bin Laden is still on the loose. The Bush Administration yawns. Meanwhile the rest of the world isn't convinced that al-Queda is responsible for the attacks.

NY Governor David Patterson calls the McCain campaign out for its veiled racism in its attacks against Obama's past as a community organizer.

Israelis make an Alvin Ailey dancer shuffle in order to get into the country.

It's no surprise that the oil companies are screwing us at the pump. As far as the government officials who have allowed them to get away with it, they're screwing them too; literally.

Tuesday's Tastings

Man, I would love to stay at home and get paid per-diem for "travel expenses".

Good news!! The troops are leaving Iraq. Bad news; they're going back to Afghanistan.

Desparate for people to convert; Dothan, AL offers $50,000 to each Jewish family that moves there to live for at least 5 years. On a related note, people are paying $100,000 just to get out of town.

Oil prices have fallen below $100 for the first time in 5 months. The dollar is at its highest point since July. You would think that gas prices would drop. However, no such luck for the masses.
The Justice Department is now going after Google for having too much advertising. Why they are going after Google instead of the oil industry reeks of cronyism.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has endorsed Barack Obama. Like many others in the world, he supports the "O"-man. However, this doesn't matter to most Americans. John McCain just blew by him in the polls.

The World in Chaos

Are we in the early stages of WWIII?
We just sent our third Navy ship to the Georgia coast. Russia has already warned us against intervening in that region. We say that our intentions are completely humanitarian. However, as Putin said "why is humanitarian aid being delivered on naval vessels armed with the newest rocket systems?"

Meanwhile, North Korea has restarted its nuclear program after temporarily suspending the activity. I guess they are evil again.

Well, there's some good news today. General Petraeus says that our troops may be able to leave Baghdad soon because of the reduced violence. However, they may end up in Afghanistan because of the increased violence over there.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan survived an assassination attempt. While most people are concerned about the Iranians attempts to obtain nuclear weapons, it's somehow forgotten that Pakistan already has about 60 nuclear warheads and the ability to deliver them. If a crazy regime gains control of Pakistan (where Bin Laden is though to be hiding), then we're all in trouble.

Like many other Palestinians, Tony Blair's sister-in-law is trapped in Gaza, not allowed to leave.

Occupiers or Liberators?

Nouri Al-Maliki- the Prime Minister of Iraq has now demanded a timetable for the departure of American troops from his country. It looks like he got what he wanted. Reuters reports that an agreement has been reached to have all foreign troops out by 2011.

Meanwhile, the folks in Afghanistan are not too pleased about the 76 people killed by U.S. airstrikes.

Condi Rice says that the U.S. has been forced to do a mass review of its relationship with Russia. In the meantime, Russia votes to recognize rouge provinces. I guess Bush and Putin are no longer best friends.

Jesse Jackson Jr. calls Obama the Jackie Robinson of politics.

Republicans are pissed that Obama didn't choose Hillary to be his VP. HUH?? Meanwhile, Bill Clinton is not too pleased about his role at the convention.

Bill Kristol is campaigning for Joe Leibermann as McCain's VP choice. Hmm, what connection do they have??

The rumors of Dolly Parton's demise have been greatly exxagerated.

Feeling Safer Today?

A few things have been going on lately to make me realize a few things. Regardless of who wins the presidency, they'll have their work cut out for them. The world is a mess. Most of the stuff was created, caused or promoted directly by the Bush Administration.


Even though a "cease-fire" is in place, the Georgian government sees no sign of the Russian troops leaving. This is not going to end easily. It looks like they are trying to go back to the old ways of the Soviet Union and create a new Iron Curtain.

Pakistani President has resigned.

Iran says that it will help other Muslim nations launch satellites into outer space. They also announced that its warplanes have the capability to reach Israel. Looks like this is going to work out nicely as well.

Iraq's government cracking down on U.S. backed Sunni forces.