Communism, Totalitarianism and Cool Rednecks

Gees, where should I start? This country is going backwards quickly. Our founders are rolling in their graves so fast, they have to think they're on a merry-go-round.

This whole "bail-out" thing is driving me crazy. The world's socialists are giddy because they believe that George W. Bush has joined their ranks. Wrong again!! He has become a communist, not a socialist. In communism, the government owns and controls everything. We don't have that here do we? In either case, we have some crazy stuff going on now-a-days.

AIG has already blown through the $87 billion of taxpayer money that was given to them by our federal government. Now, they are asking for an additional $38 billion. How many spa treatments can you get for that??? UPDATE: The feds just approved their request.

Some say that the bail-out isn't working because other companies are "holding out in hopes of getting a better deal from the Treasury than they can dream of from anywhere else".

This is just a follow-up on John McCain's bail-out remix. Estimates say it will cost around $300 billion. How's that complete spending freeze going Senator?

NATO troops in Afghanistan are upset because we are now asking them to actively engage Afghan drug lords. I guess they have a bit of a point since we were the ones that allowed these folks to operate, even with our protection.

Our government has been spying on its citizens. The spies at the NSA have been recording and getting a kick out of the pillow-talk between our soldiers and their loved ones.

BTW, North Korea is preparing to restart its nuclear activities.

Coolest rednecks I've ever seen. Maybe you can teach your bretheren a thing or two.

Depriving Americans of their ability to vote??? You don't say.

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????

Monday's Musings

All-white jury convicts O.J. Simpson on all charges. O.J. should have known better. You know those guys were dying to convict him. They even said they didn't need any witnesses to the crime. They would've convicted him anyway.

Given her answers to various questions, P. Diddy is scared of Sarah Palin and the possibility of someone with her I.Q. being next in line to be President. Given the fact that McCain is almost 80 years old and has already had about 4 bouts with cancer, it freaks me out too!!

Not news: Ultra conservative dress code enforcers in the middle east create situations where there's violence against women. News: It's happening in Israel.

Mumia Abu-Jamal is denied a new trial by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Lehman Brothers executives took home millions in compensation even while they sought a federal bail-out.

Obama goes after McCain over his involvement in the Keating 5 SNL scandel.

Today's Tidbits

Senate approves of the bail-out measure. It looks like it will be greater than the original $700 billion dollar plan. Great.

After our great success giving our defense technology to the Chinese, we are now giving India access to our nuclear secrets. I'm sure that's going to work out just nicely.

John McCain is getting out of Michigan now that it appears as if he has no shot in winning that state. According to the polls, he's sinking pretty quickly across the entire country. Sarah Palin not doing much better now-a-days. Couldn't have anything to do with her interview with Katie Couric?

National debt becoming so large that it soon would not be able to fit on the screen in NYC that tracks it. Sad and disappointing that nobody in our government cares. They are very willing to make our kids pay for their mismanagement of taxpayer funds.

China spying on its citizens' text messages. How long before this comes to the United States? Uh oh. The Patriot Act......I forgot.

Wednesday's Tidbits

This communist-style bail-out is driving me crazy. Never in the history of our country has anything like this happened. Of course, we've had other bailouts. But, nothing even close to this proportion.

Warren Buffet buys $5 Billion dollars of Goldman Sachs preferred stock. He just financed his own little private bailout.

I wish he could finance the rest of them instead of us having to do it. Of course, there's a tax increase heading our way because of the bail-out. Even after it's done, what are the chances that we'll ever see our money back?

BTW, what's the urgency in having this bill rushed through Congress without reviewing the details and fine print? Neil Cavuto also says that these companies should have known better than to loan money to minorities. WHAT???

McCain dropping quickly in the polls because of the recent financial crisis. Now, he wants to suspend his campaign and cancel the debates so he can concentrate on the economy. Yeah right. He's trying to prevent himself from drowning!! It can't help that his campaign manager, Rick Davis, has taken $15k a month from Freddie Mac up to last month! BTW, Obama says the debate is on. Can't weasel out that one so easily.

Obama making up ground in Indiana. I know one mother of a blogger that deserves some recognition for her leg-work.

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.

RIP W.D. Mohammed

Today, the Muslim community lost one of its great leaders. Warith Deen Mohammed, son of NOI founder Elijah Mohammed, died.

After his father relinquished control over the Nation of Islam to him, Warith Deen brought hundreds of thousands of Muslims away from the afro-centric, nationalistic and political NOI to orthodox Islam that is practiced worldwide.

May Allah bless you. My prayers go out to his family.

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.

Let Them Eat Cake!!

A few folks, most recently including Sarah Palin, have been questioning the "actual responsibilities" of a community organizer; which was Barack Obama's profession a couple of decades ago.

Now, it isn't surprising that the likes of McCain, Bush and others have no idea what someone like that does. They haven't lived the lives of the many who actually need some direction, guidance and assistance along with the increased influence that comes from being organized with others of similar thought and circumstances.

Being a son of a former community organizer, I can say very clearly that their role is important. In many cases, it's similar to collective bargaining; but many times deals with the government instead of an employer. These are very often people who have lost their jobs, homes or both because of downturns in local economies. Sometimes, they just need a bit of direction to get back on track.

Dismissing community organizers means that you are also dismissing the communities in which they serve.

Just today it was reported that our unemployment rate has jumped to a 5-year high of 6.1%. Mortgage defaults and foreclosures are now at the highest levels in 29 years!! More than half of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck and we are still sending thousands of American jobs overseas.

No need for community organizers? I guess they feel we should just ignore these people. Or, let them eat cake!!!

And they say that Obama is the elitist.

Friday's Tidbits

More than 98% of the delegates attending the Republican convention were white. That's the highest rate for a major party convention in 40 years. Obviously, the Republicans have failed in getting their message to other communities. It's a shame.

We've lost more Americans to violence in Chicago than to war in Iraq.

"Whites only" drinking fountains in 2008? Oh, the guy was only joking. Honest mistake I guess. Same deal with the guy who had a black doll tied to a cross hanging in front of his house. He also has a dog named Hitler. Sounds like a nice enough guy.

RNC staff was tasked to get a picture of Walter Reed Veterans Hospital to be used as a backdrop for McCain's speech. However, they find a picture of Walter Reed Middle School. I would classify that one as "FAIL".

$300,000 outfit? Who's the elitist?

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.

Historic Thursday

Today is a big day. Obama will accept his historic nomination today at the Democratic convention. Meanwhile, McCain is announcing his Vice-Presidential nominee today. It looks like he's trying to coordinate it to coincide with the Obama speech in an attempt to upstage him a bit.

The latest Gallup poll has Obama up by 6 points. This includes Cindy McCain's sister!

This election is very important. It seems to me like we're going to have to decide between peace and World War III. Did you hear Bill O'reilly last night? I've missed his show recently. I didn't realize he was on there clamoring for us to "confront" Putin. Does he really want us to go to war with Russia? Well, since we're moving our battle ships to the region, I guess somebody is listening. At least China isn't backing Russia on this issue.

Our top Marine says we need to pull all of our troops to Afghanistan now. Yeah, going to war with Russia looks very appealing right now.

Politico reports that Karl Rove called Leibermann and asked him to withdraw his name from VP consideration. Rove disputes the report in a way that only Karl Rove can.

Clayton County-Georgia has lost its accreditation. This is the first time this has happened in 40 years. The education of 50,000 students in now of jeopardy. No school choice?

The largest mosque in Europe is being built in Chechnya. It will hold 10,000 worshippers.

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.

Thursday's Tastings

Looks like Condi Rice and the Iraqis have agreed on a timetable for troop withdrawls. The State Department says that there is no real date set. The Iraqis disagree.

The Bush Administration continues its mad quest for unconstitutional government spying and oversight abilities.

Russia plans to stay a while in Georgia.

McCain not really sure how many houses he owns. He also walks around in $500 shoes and belongs to one of the richest families in Arizona. Obama just finished paying student loans three years ago and he's the one that's the elitist.

Israeli Deputy Premier wants a unity government. Tzipi Livni is the frontrunner to replace Olmert, who resigned because of his bribery scandel.

FEMA phone system hacked. Hacker makes $12,000 worth of calls to the Middle-East and Asia.

Texas set to execute a mentally retarded man for a murder committed while he was outside in the car. That's Texas justice for ya!!

Joe Leibermann set to speak at the GOP convention. I'm sure the Dems love to hear this.

Hall of Fame guard and NFL Players Association President Gene Upshaw dies.

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.

Thursday's Tastings

The conflict in Georgia is not over. Although a public "cease-fire" has been announced, Russian tanks are still pressing further into Georgia. All of this is causing this administration to re-think its relationship with Russia. Ya think??? Oh, by the way, John McCain sends his diplomats to Georgia. Somebody should tell him that he isn't President just yet.

On a related note, the United States have reached a missle deal with Poland. This is basically to protect the Polish from what's happening now to the Georgians.

Iraqi Foreign Minister says U.S. will begin troop withdraws beginning next summer.

New government projections show that whites will no longer be in the majority by 2042. The U.S. population is expected to increase from 305M people to 439M by 2050.

A pound of cyanide was found in a hotel room in Denver that was being used by a now-dead foreign national.

Julia Child, well-known for being T.V's greatest food personality, was also doing a bit of spying in her day.

Latest polls show Obama with a steady lead in the Presidential race, including an 8-point lead in Pennsylvania.

Wednesday's Musings

Wow!! The U.S. has denied Israel's request for new weapons in order to attack Iran. We say that it wouldn't be in our strategic interest. Very good. We all know that gas prices will skyrocket if Iran was attacked. They're right. This does no good for our country.

Russia continues to penetrate into Georgia, irrespective of their announced cease-fire.

About a third of U.S. homeowners are upside-down on their mortgages.

Not everyone is buying the man-made global warming nonsense.

What the heck were these guys thinking???

At least the price of milk is coming down.

More Proof that We're Being Ripped Off

Yesterday, the EIA announced that oil consumption for the first half of 2008 dropped by the largest percentage in 26 years. Demand for oil decreased by an average of 800,000 barrels per day compared to this time last year.

Also according to the EIA, oil supplies increased by over 100,000 barrels. However, the price of gasoline went from $3.07/gallon to $4.11/gallon.

Supplies are up. Demand is WAY down. But, the price increases by over 33%?? What gives?

The speculators control the market. They are allowed to ignore supply/demand and charge whatever they want.

Until we get them out of the market, it doesn't matter how much we drill.

Monday's Musings

The United States spends $51M to fly illegals back to Mexico. All of this money and they still will not use an American carrier.

R.I.P. Isaac Hayes. Man, the musical world will not be the same without you. Also, R.I.P to Bernie Mac. You represented Chicago well. This one really hurts. The world and the 'hood just lost one of its favorite funny men.

OPEC income hits record. Who would've guessed???

China overcomes the U.S. as the world's largest manufacturer. Given our obsession with outsourcing American jobs, this comes as no surprise. We're becoming a consumer nation that produces little.