Today’s Sarah Palin Comment???

Surprisingly, this arrived in my Spam folder!  I had no idea Ms. Palin followed my blog.

“I’ve be mindful your stuff previous to and you are just too excellent. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the best way during which you assert it. You make it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay it wise. I can not wait to read far more from you.“

Wow!  I can hardly wait for what she has to say next!   —   YUR  😉

The Media’s Denial

Image via Wikipedia

Jared Loughner is a mentally disturbed individual.  There seems to be a consensus on that point.  But the questions of why Gabby Giffords, and why now, seem to be less important to our national corporate media.  To the extent that they’re bending over backwards trying to downplay, dismiss, and even deny that cause and effect might have come into play.

On the Today Show, Monday morning, after showing the clip of Pima County Sheriff  Clarence Dupnik voicing his opinion that “The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous”, Matt Lauer took exception to these words and said that he didn’t think there was any cause and effect here.  This saddened and angered me, because before even knowing what might have been Jared’s motivation we’re being told that there is no cause and effect.  He (Jared) was/is just a paranoid nut-job.  End of story.  And then, seconds later, the lovely and lanky Ann Curry is fawning all over Matt Lauer, agreeing with him.  Meredith and Al also nodding their heads in approval.  What was up with that?  Is Matt Lauer THAT powerful that he can’t be disagreed with?   Or . . . did this directive come down from the head honchos at GE, and were they all just playing their parts?  At least Charlie Rose raised his eyebrows and questioned the assertions of Ezra Klein, who also said that there was no cause and effect.  And, even Diane Sawyer asking Sheriff Dupnik, in disbelief, “That it is somehow linked???”  Why is there so much resistance to to a very plausible possibility?  Dupnik didn’t name any names, or cite any specific rhetoric.  But boy, was there ever swift condemnation of his words.  And where did this come from?  From the right-wing pundits, whose very bread and butter is vitriolic rhetoric.  Now, the sheriff is forced to respond to the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sara Palin, because they are threatened by his opinion.

The corporate media loves the tawdry, tragic and sensationalistic.  That’s what grabs the attention.  That’s what sells.  Careful contemplation, as to what are the underlying causes, is besides the point to them.  With the Jared Loughner case I’ve even heard some reporters say: We may never know.  Really?  Is the guy dead?  Did the police cut his tongue out?  Why deny cause and effect?  And why set up the premise that ‘we may never know’ what his motivation was?  They will milk the story for all that it’s worth, without really telling us anything new or substantive.  They need to be ready to jump onto the next shocker of the moment.  What seems to matter most to the corporate media is the hype, the sincerity (acting job) of its anchor people, and – bottom line – the ratings.

None of us live in a vacuum. To a large extent, we are all products of our environment.  This is true of the sane, and the not so sane. When the Glenn Becks of this country say that “Barack Obama has a deep-seated hatred for white people” and that he’s a “racist”, or the Bill O’Reillys and Sean Hannitys keep saying President Obama is a “socialist”, it resonates with all sorts of people.  When Sara Palin puts out her Congressional map with gun-sight cross-hairs on certain districts, and says things like “don’t retreat, reload” most people pick up on the shooting references . . . one way or another.  The sane, but gullible, eat it up and regurgitate it.  Who knows what kind of catalyst these words of violence and hatred might be to the not so sane!  We do know that this very kind of rhetoric has inspired some to kill abortion doctors over the years.  So, why be so dismissive, of the effects that words of hate might have, in this instance?

No one is saying there is a straight line, from any specific piece of vitriolic and hateful rhetoric, to the actions in Tucson last Saturday.  We don’t know, yet, why Jared Loughner did what he did, and why he targeted Gabby Giffords.  Even if his lawyers go with an insanity defense it’s very likely that we will, eventually, know those whys.  To completely rule out the possibility of some kind of cause and effect, at such an early stage of the story, by our corporate media, is more than irresponsible, it’s downright . . . reprehensible.

YUR

Related Articles

• Heather Robinson: Mental Illness, Not Politics, Was Likely Cause of Loughner’s Rampage (huffingtonpost.com)
• “Comments from Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik via the AP:” and related posts (scaredmonkeys.com)
• Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik is not the anti-Joe Arpaio. (slate.com)
• Arizona Sheriff Slams Right-Wing Media and Gun Laws: “Arizona Victimized by Gun Lobby” … Conservative Media “Make Millions Inflaming Public” (alternet.org)
• ‘Back to basics’ sheriff stirs anger (cnn.com)

Sarah Palin 2012!

Are the Republicans already conceding the NEXT Presidential election???

Sarah Palin 2012 scares . . . no one.  Just as she didn’t scare anyone in this year’s election.  She’s an attractive, lightweight, ex-mayor of Wasilla and first-term governor of Alaska, who appealed only to the extreme right-wing faction of the Republican Party . . . and Republican frat-boys.  She got her 15 minutes of fame . . . and then some, but what of it?!  Just because she was heavily produced – and I mean heavily produced – doesn’t mean that she brought an actual story, that could really resonate with the American voters.  No doubt she sent some moderate Republicans to Obama.

She was hand picked by Karl Rove – despite the denials – to bring in that loyal (& gullible) Republican base, the evangelicals.  Karl’s thinking:  Hey!  She’s white, she’s Christian, she’s pro-traditional family values (No Gay marriage), she’s Pro-Life, and . . . she loves to shoot AND skin critters!  She’s one of us!  Hoo-boy.  Her gender and her Mom-ness was partly to woo the moderates – both Republican and Democrat – who had been in the Hillary camp (and grumpy that she wasn’t offered the #2 slot), and to show those elitist Democrats that Republicans were the more inclusive and fairer party.  First born going to Iraq.  Ding!  Last born having Down syndrome.  Ding, Ding!!  17 year old daughter being pregos (Karl knew).  Ding, Ding, Ding!!!  And, her political inexperience only served to play up the perception of Obama’s inexperience.  Fortunately, and wisely, Barack and Joe refused to take that bait.  She played the bad cop to McCain’s good cop.  John would be more statesman-like, and chastise a woman for calling Obama a “terrorist”, then Sarah would turn around and infer that Barack was a “terrorist” – because of an association – and question his patriotism and American-ness.  She would get all folksy and wink, play the outsider role, say maverick a LOT, and hoped that her youth would counter-balance John’s . . . lack of youthfulness.  But, ultimately, her lack of gravity on the issues, her Alaskan baggage, her $150,000.00 wardrobe and makeup (hard to be common-folk when yer wearin’ Saks/Neiman’s suits), and her overall negativity were her undoing.  It might have taken a while, but enough people wised up.

In 2012 the Republicans won’t have anybody with the qualifications of a Chuck Hagel, a Dick Lugar, a Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, or some rising star???  Is Sarah Palin really their best hope?  She should be more experienced in 4 years, but she’ll, undoubtedly, be less perky. (Sorry, frat-boys!)  Folksy might not be in fashion in ’12.  The Rovian negativity might be an unpleasant, distant memory, like McCarthyism, by then. (Hopefully)  No.  Sarah Palin 2012 is much more amusing, than scary.  She’ll likely be the answer to some political trivia questions, and a subject of Where Are They Now.  As long as she doesn’t carpetbag down to one of the lower 48, between now and 2012, I don’t think anyone has anything to fear from Sarah Palin.

YUR

Obama’s Economic Inheritance . . .

and some final(?) words on this campaign.

Barack Obama has certainly inherited what, in all likelihood, could be the country’s biggest economic mess, in all of U.S. history.  Perhaps even greater than when FDR had to deal with the Great Depression.  At least back then Americans were much more humble about the work they WOULD do, and the U.S. could compete industrially.  These days just about everything can be produced cheaper on foreign soil.  Much/most of the service industry has been outsourced to countries like India and the Philippines.  And, banking and other financial jobs are dwindling faster than Michael Bloomberg can renege on term limits!  We certainly can’t ALL join the Military, or mercenary firms like Evergreen, DynCorp, Blackwater, etc.  We can’t all be doctors, lawyers, teachers, or various civil servants, either.  We’re going to have to develop new industries, such as renewable/alternative energies.  Environmental and infrastructure projects are desperately needed, and . . . I don’t know what else, BUT it’s not going to be easy, and it’s NOT going to happen overnight. 

I wouldn’t begin to blame this entire mess on George W. Bush, because this has been a long time coming (Asian countries becoming industrialized, de-regulation going back as far as the Reagan years, NAFTA, etc, etc.).  But, unfortunately for Duh-bya, it has all come to a head under his watch.  I definitely DON’T like just about ANY of his policies (foreign or domestic), but he really didn’t do much to remedy the growing situation, either.  He’ll very likely be remembered as a 21^st Century version of Herbert Hoover, in this regard.
 
John McCain’s “time” was back in 2000, when he was still a (real) maverick.  He was cheated by the Neocons, who had hijacked the Republican Party, back then.  And, I feel he was very likely set up to fail this time, by those very same people.  It definitely didn’t help that his campaign was centered on essentially continuing the Bush doctrine.  Staying the course in Iraq, and favoring Big Business and the rich, over the middle and poorer classes, was clearly a recipe for failure.  And, no matter how gracious and deferential he’s been to her, I refuse to believe that Sarah Palin was actually John McCain’s choice.  Maybe Karl Rove thought he really could manipulate the masses – one more time – with this bizarre, unknown, extreme right, storybook character . . . or maybe he knew there was no way John could possibly win with her.  We might never know . . . unless Karl writes a tell all book some day.  And, I kinda doubt that.
 
The vast majority of Americans desperately wanted a clean break from the failures of nearly 8 years of the Bush/Cheney administration’s lying and bullying mentality.  They longed for a return to diplomacy and civility, and a departure from the politics of fear.  Barack Obama best expressed/represented those ideals.  We’re just going to have to be realistic in our expectations with Mr. Obama.  He’s just a man . . . not a messiah.  No one should expect miracles.  It’s going to take a lot of hard work and patience to turn things around.  I think we’re going to see greater international cooperation with President Obama, and I think that will be the key to righting this ship.  I think this time we really need, and we finally got, an actual “Uniter“.  Only time will tell, but (renewed) hope springs eternal!  (How audacious of US!)

YUR

“Palin was the choice that they GAVE me.”

If youse guys remember my:  Sarah Palin (The Magilla from Wasilla!)- A Perspective (look it up!)  you should get a kick out of this video.  It’s not suitable for young children, but there’s no nudity or violence.  Just some strong (rap-appropriate) language. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_rOCDG_btk

Watch it, and then maybe re-read the above referenced piece.  The rovian puppet-masters really gave poor, old John no choice, whatsoever.  Ol’ Karl’s string of victory plans might seem to be coming to an end, but that certainly does NOT mean we can afford to take this election for granted!  If this thing is allowed to get anywhere near close then it will just be an open invitation for them to steal a 3rd presidential election.  We all MUST make it to the polls on election day, come Hell or high water.  And, we owe it to ourselves to make sure that (our) others make it as well.

If you want 4 more years of the Bush doctrine . . . just let the other guy go out and vote.

YUR

“Post Turtle” (More Sarah Palin E-mail)

This just in . . . from the dearest of friends.  I think it’s an appropriate way to end THE worst week in Wall Street history, at least that yer ol’ uncle can remember.  It totally sucks (Wall Street), but life goes on.  And as long as you’re living . . . you might as well be laughing.  YUR

The Post Turtle

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year old Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Sarah Palin and her bid to be a heartbeat away from being President .

  

The old rancher said, ‘Well, ya know, Sarah Palin is a post turtle.’

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.  

The old rancher said, ‘When you’re driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a post turtle.’  

The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor’s face, so he continued to explain.

 

 

 

 ‘You know she didn’t get up there by herself,

she doesn’t belong up there,

she doesn’t know what to do while she is up there, and

you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put her up there to begin with.’

This week is done.  It’s passed.  Don’t bother looking back.  Let’s just focus on family, friends, and the future.  Have a great weekend, folks!

YUR

Who are you calling an elitist, “my friend”?

Ya know how the FOX (faux) News gang, and some of the ultra-conservative pols & preachers LOVE to go out of there way – and heavily stress – Barack Obama’s middle name?  You know.  To make us think that he’s not “one of us”!?!  To make us think he’s “with the terrorists”!?!  And, remember how they LOVE to call Barack an “elitist”? (Mainly, because he went to Columbia and Harvard)  Well, with Johnny not quite sure how many homes he owned, I thought it was exta amusing to find out that this “man of the people” regular guy’s full name is John SIDNEY McCain III (the 3rd)!  Sidney???  Maybe Democrats should frequently stress McCain’s middle name.

Anyway, the whole Sidney thing made me remember the dopey sitcom, from the early ’80s, starring Tony Randall and Swoosie Kurtz: Love, Sidney.  It too dealt with an older man and a much younger woman that comes into his life.  Kind of like McCain and Palin.  Oh, and the Kurtz character had a kid, and she happened to be an unwed mother.  Eerie, huh?  So, I decided to look up the theme song.  And, wouldn’t you know it, the words to the song actually fit the McCain/Palin relationship, pretty darn well.  (If I can borrow a folksy-talk phrase from the Winky one.)  It even ends with the trite John McCain’s “my friend”.

Check out the two links below.  One is of the lyrics to the theme song, and the other is an actual wave-file of the song. (Beware diabetics!  It’s syruppy sweet!)

http://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/lovesidneylyrics.html

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/sounds/lovesidney.wav

 

The wave file might take a while to load, so be patient.

YUR

 

 

 

The Anchorage Palin Protest

Of course, this is far from being current, but this is one of the photos that I found to be particularly representative of the cross-section of Alaskans who KNOW that Sarah Palin is NOT ready, NOR qualified, to be John McCain’s running mate.  Men, women, a little old, a little young . . . and even a guy who could – kinda sorta – pass for your dear old Uncle Rave!

The Palin Kool-Aid Crowd

The similarities between those who actually (want to?) believe that Sarah Palin is qualified to be a heartbeat from the Presidency, and those who willingly (mainly) drank the grape Kool-Aid (technically, it was “Flavor Aid”) in Jonestown Guyana, back in 1978, are more than a little scary.  Both involve(d) a level of brainwashing that boggles the mind!  The folks in the “Peoples Temple Agricultural Project” were made to believe that Jim Jones was the Messiah, and that he was leading them to the promised land.  The people who support Ms. Palin do so with the same kind of religious fervor, and a general lack of rationality.  The people in Jonestown were willing to sacrifice their lives, and the lives of their children, in order to reach their brand of Nirvana.  I don’t think that most of the Palin-ites have seriously thought through where She might take them.  Saradise?    But, I do hope that they have considered their children.

Like with cyanide, and most other poisons, there is an antidote for the Palin-ites.  You really can’t afford to wait too long to take it.  But, first you have to realize that you’ve been poisoned.

YUR

Related link:

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/09/saradise-lost-chapter-eighty-nine.html

Paulson’s Phishing Expedition (NOT Sarah Palin E-mail)

I get SO much great stuff in my e-mail!  This isn’t Sarah Palin related, but it certainly IS topical.  I have no idea who actually wrote it, but it deserves *publishing*.  If I find out the author, and they don’t mind taking credit, I’ll give them their due.   YUR

I call this:  Paulson’s Phishing Expedition

“Dear American:

I need to ask you to support an urgent secret business relationship with a transfer of funds of great magnitude.

I am Ministry of the Treasury of the Republic of America. My country has had crisis that has caused the need for large transfer of funds of $800,000,000,000 US. If you would assist me in this transfer, it would be most profitable to you.

I am working with Mr. Phil Gramm, vice-chairman for UBS investment bank, who will be my replacement as Ministry of the Treasury in January. As Senator, you may know Mr. Gramm as the gracious leader of the American banking deregulation movement in the 1990s and the great creator of the Enron loophole in 2000, which deregulated energy resources. Understand that Mr. Gramm is an honorable man and this transaction you make is 100% safe.

This is a matter of great urgency. We need a blank check. We need the funds as quickly as possible. We cannot directly transfer these funds in the names of our close friends because we are constantly under surveillance. My family lawyer advised me that I should look for a reliable and trustworthy person who will act as a next of kin so the funds can be transferred.

Please reply with all of your bank account, IRA and college fund account numbers and those of your children and grandchildren to wallstreetbailout@ustreas.gov so that we may transfer your commission for this transaction. After I receive that information, I will respond with detailed information about safeguards that will be used to protect the funds.

Yours Faithfully,

Minister of Treasury Paulson”