David Corn

Good piece.

Heck if we can just keep the voting open and honest in Ohio . . . .

Let's compare, would Ohians rather vote for someone endorsed by a preacher that hates Islam or vote for someone who's preacher/uncle hates America?

Boy that's a tough one~~~

Mr Corn,

It's obvious why you would try to discredit McCain anyway possible in Ohio since your guy Obama lost big time to Hillary. Obama got crushed by the white voters of Ohio and you know that he will need Ohio to win. Good strategy on your part but easy to see through.

McCain Aide Suspended For Pushing Racially-Charged Obama-Wright Video

A McCain campaign aide actively pushed an incendiary, racially-charged video that uses the controversial words of Barack Obama's pastor to tar Obama as unpatriotic -- despite the fact that McCain himself has suggested that Obama shouldn't be held accountable for Wright's views.

The aide, Soren Dayton, who works in McCain's political department, has been suspended from the campaign, a McCain spokesperson, Jill Hazelbaker, confimed to me.

The move by McCain's aide could create controversy for the McCain camp, because the video itself is thoroughly reprehensible -- it interweaves footage of Obama explaining why he won't wear the American flag pin, Wright saying "God damn America," Malcolm X, and Obama's wife saying that his candidacy has made her proud of America for the "first time."

That McCain's campaign aide spread this runs directly counter to what McCain himself has said about the Wright controversy. He suggested in a recent interview that Obama shouldn't be held liable for his pastor's views, and a top aide to McCain, Charlie Black, also recently suggested that McCain didn't believe in trafficking in such stuff.

*****

Racism is alive and well in the McSame camp.

I’m sure this will give grandpa some street cred with some people.

Hillary Clinton is a joke that's not so funny

[…]

For Clinton and McCain to emphasize that they're ready to take over the office of commander in chief is equivalent to the captain of the Exxon Valdez volunteering to steer your supertanker, or the Rev. Jim Jones announcing he's ready to run the neighborhood Kool-Aid stand.

In a healthy political culture, anyone who had anything to do with bringing about the Iraq fiasco would have had his or her presidential aspirations destroyed by that fact alone.

But in Washington, denial about Iraq runs deep. If it didn't, then Clinton's suggestion that she and McCain are especially well-qualified to decide whether to send this country to war would evoke nothing but incredulous and horrified laughter.

*****

Not a laughter kind of funny to me.

NAFTA -- and Clinton, Obama and Ohio -- rise again

[…]

"Her remarks were totally pro-NAFTA and what a good thing it would be for the economy," said one attendee, according to ABC News. "There was no equivocation for her support for NAFTA at the time. Folks were pleased that she came by. If this is a still a question about what Hillary's position when she was First Lady, she was totally supportive of NAFTA."

That attendee said people who worked hard to pass NAFTA and saw it as positive for the American economy "are very upset" at Hillary Clinton's recent position. "You need to have some integrity in your position. The Clintons when Bill Clinton was president took a moderate
position on trade for Democrats. For her to repudiate that now seems pretty phony."

A second attendee said people who were there are incredulous to see Clinton distance herself now from the trade agreement. "They're all saying, 'What's this all about? We all heard it firsthand.'"

What's it all about? "It's about trust," says a memo from the Obama campaign today, which pounced on the issue.

Clinton "wasn't telling the truth to Ohio voters," the memo says. "Misrepresenting your position and carefully parsing your words when you don't think you'll get caught are the hallmarks of the kind of politics that Barack Obama is running to change."

*****

Chchchch-Changes!

Obama’s Passport file was breached! Two firings at the State Dept.

MSNBC is reporting that there was a breach of Barack Obama’s passport file that led to two firings at the State Department and a suspension…we’ll have video shortly.

Two contract employees of the State Department were fired and a third person was disciplined for accessing passport records of Sen. Barack Obama “without a need to do so,” State Department officials confirmed to NBC News…

A monitoring system was tripped when an employee accessed the records of a high-profile individual,” a department official told NBC News. “When the monitoring system is tripped, we immediately seek an explanation for the records access. If the explanation is not satisfactory, the supervisor is notified.”

GOP Sees Rev. Wright As Pathway To Victory

GOP insiders acknowledge the only way to beat Barack Obama in November is to exploit the crap out of Reverend Wright -

Maybe it will work.

A war of utter folly

Responsibility for this spectacular tragedy must lie with those who ignored the facts five years ago

The invasion of Iraq in 2003 was a tragedy - for Iraq, for the US, for the UN, for truth and human dignity. I can only see one gain: the end of Saddam Hussein, a murderous tyrant. Had the war not finished him he would, in all likelihood, have become another Gadafy or Castro; an oppressor of his own people but no longer a threat to the world. Iraq was on its knees after a decade of sanctions.

The elimination of weapons of mass destruction was the declared main aim of the war. It is improbable that the governments of the alliance could have sold the war to their parliaments on any other grounds. That they believed in the weapons' existence in the autumn of 2002 is understandable. Why had the Iraqis stopped UN inspectors during the 90s if they had nothing to hide? Responsibility for the war must rest, though, on what those launching it knew by March 2003.

By then, Unmovic inspectors had carried out some 700 inspections at 500 sites without finding prohibited weapons. The contract that George Bush held up before Congress to show that Iraq was purchasing uranium oxide was proved to be a forgery. The allied powers were on thin ice, but they preferred to replace question marks with exclamation marks.

They could not succeed in eliminating WMDs because they did not exist. Nor could they succeed in the declared aim to eliminate al-Qaida operators, because they were not in Iraq. They came later, attracted by the occupants. A third declared aim was to bring democracy to Iraq, hopefully becoming an example for the region. Let us hope for the future; but five years of occupation has clearly brought more anarchy than democracy.

Increased safety for Israel might have been an undeclared US aim. If so, it is hard to see that anything was gained by a war which has strengthened Iran.

There are other troubling legacies of the Iraq war. It is a setback in the world's efforts to develop legal restraints on the use of armed force between states. In 1945 the US helped to write into the UN charter a prohibition of the use of armed force against states. Exceptions were made only for self-defence against armed attacks and for armed force authorised by the security council. In 2003, Iraq was not a real or imminent threat to anybody. Instead, the invasion reflects a claim made in the 2002 US national security strategy that the charter was too restrictive, and that the US was ready to use armed force to meet threats that were uncertain as to time and place - a doctrine of preventive war.

In the 2004 presidential election campaign, Bush ridiculed any idea that the US would need to ask for a "permission slip" before taking military action against a "growing threat". True, the 2003 Iraq invasion is not the only case in which armed force has been used in disregard of the charter. However, from the most powerful member of the UN it is a dangerous signal. If preventive war is accepted for one, it is accepted for all.

One fear is that the UN rules ignored in the attack on Iraq will prove similarly insignificant in the case of Iran. But it may be that the spectacular failure of ensuring disarmament by force, and of introducing democracy by occupation, will work in favour of a greater use of diplomacy and "soft power". Justified concerns about North Korea and Iran have led the US, as well as China, Russia and European states, to examine what economic and other non-military inducements they may use to ensure that these two states do not procure nuclear weapons. Washington and Moscow must begin nuclear disarmament. So long as these nuclear states maintain that these weapons are indispensable to their security, it is not surprising that others may think they are useful. What, really, is the alternative: invasion and occupation, as in Iraq?

· Hans Blix was head of UN inspections in Iraq in 2003 secretariat@wmdcommission.org

Thursday Nite Funnies on Thursday. What a concept. S.H.I.T. everybody

"I've been watching that John Adams miniseries on HBO. You seen this? Boy, it's really good. You know, it's fun to see all the Founding Fathers. They're all in it. John Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John McCain"
--Jay Leno

"Are you all ready for March Madness? Well, you know how it works. You start with 64. That goes down to 32, then 16, then 8, then 4, then 2, until there's just one left. You know, not teams of the NCAA. You know, brokerage houses on Wall Street."
--Jay Leno

"How about Bear Stearns? ... A year ago, it was trading at $160 a share. Yesterday, $2 a share. Collapsed faster than the Roger Clemens Hall of Fame chances."
--Jay Leno

"Even President Bush starting to get worried about this economy being out of control, you know. I mean, gold is over $1,000 an ounce. Oil, $100 a barrel. Hookers, $5,000 an hour."
--Jay Leno

"Vice President Dick Cheney, you know where he is right now? He's in Baghdad. He visited there. While he was in Iraq, he said that it's a successful endeavor. At least I think that's what he said. It was hard to hear over the explosions."
--David Letterman

"How about the economy? You folks jittery about the economy? And the stock market? ... George Bush, earlier today, reassured the country about the economy. He said, 'I'm on top of it.' George W. Bush, our president, said I'm on top it. I said to myself, well, that's good enough for me."
--David Letterman

"There was one bit of good news for the economy earlier today. At the last minute, a large investment bank was rescued at the last minute. It was adopted by Angelina Jolie."
--David Letterman

"John McCain's daughter is in the news. John McCain's daughter says that a lot of guys don't want to date her because her dad makes her too high-profile. Yeah. That's part of the reason. It's also because McCain's daughter is 63 years old. ... Her name is Mable. She was a nurse in the Korean War. Lovely girl."
--Conan O'Brien

"So the last governor was going to hookers. The new governor admits to having an affair. Do you think New York is longing for the good old days when Rudy Giuliani would just run around in women's clothes?"
--Jay Leno

"Today, Barack Obama addressed some of the more controversial comments made by his long-time minister, Jeremiah Wright. The guy said some crazy stuff, like, gays caused 9/11, Hurricane Katrina was God's revenge for our sins. Oh, I'm sorry. That's Pat Robertson. That's the other side's nutball minister. I'm sorry. You know, there's so many nutball ministers in this thing, I'm confused as to which one is on which side."
--Jay Leno

"No, Barack Obama admitted he wasn't aware of some of the more radical rhetoric because, like most Americans, he falls asleep in church."
--Jay Leno

Stephen Colbert: Now, for days, the media has been endlessly playing footage of Obama's former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, who has said some very offensive things that I will not repeat here. He will.
Wright on screen: Goddamn America for treating our citizens as less than human. Goddamn America as long as she tries to act like she is God and she is supreme.
Colbert: Wait a second, did he just call America 'she'? Reverend Wright, have you seen Florida? If America is a 'she,' I would hate to see her Adam's apple."

"In the wake of Governor Eliot Spitzer's call girl scandal ... New York swore in its new governor yesterday, David Paterson. His first day was somewhat, I guess, typical. He swore into the office. He moved his stuff into the governor's mansion. And announced that he had engaged in multiple extramarital affairs during a troubled time in his marriage. What the fuck? Honestly. What's going on? God forbid the electorate in this state has one day that doesn't seem like an episode of 'Maury.'"
--Jon Stewart

"Today in Philadelphia, Barack Obama gave a major speech on race in America. I'm sorry, but I believe we solved racism in America when Rosa Parks drove that bus to Congress. Okay, have we forgotten so soon? Come on, it's been hundreds of years. At this point, who even remembers who owned who?"
--Stephen Colbert

The bottom line for McCain and the evangelical right:

Can't live with em, can't live without em

Between a rock and hard place

(insert the cliche' of your choice)

Let's compare, would Ohians rather vote for someone endorsed by a preacher that hates Islam or vote for someone who's preacher/uncle hates America? Boy that's a tough one~~~
Posted by: LBH | March 20, 2008 3:04 PM

There are Catholics in Ohio too and anyone with TV knows McSame loves Hagee and Hagee hates Catholics.

Hagee, leader of a San Antonio megachurch, has referred to the Roman Catholic Church as “the great whore” and called it a “false cult system” and “the apostate church” — “apostate” means someone who has forsaken his religion.

Hates Islam... hates America... hates what the Republicans have done to this country. Yea, that's the one, hates what Repubilcans have done to this country.

Same on the war. Same on taxes. Same on torture. If you think things are working out pretty well now under Bush, vote McSame.

"GOP insiders acknowledge the only way to beat Barack Obama in November is to exploit the crap out of Reverend Wright."

...be very afraid of the black man. He's not what he pretends to be.

Just like Willy Horton.

Who's worse, those who expolit the fear and know better or the racist bigots who believe it? I'm reminded that's its early in this campaign season and there's a lot of time left. Both parties have October surprises tucked away. It's enough to make a patriot cynical.

OHIO
Hillary Clinton, 74 delegates, 1,203,924 votes, 54%
Barack Obama, 65 delegates, 976,368 votes, 44%
John Edwards, 0 delegates , 37,882 votes, 2%

Of course these numbers do not inform how Hillary or Barack would do against McCain in OHIO. You need to go to recent polls in those head to heads to get that.

Off topic--I'm currently listening to Lou Reed's "Dime Store Mystery", off his "New York" album. [1989] I try to listen to that album, or at least "DSM", every Good Friday. It starts as a meditation on the death of Jesus Christ, goes to a bridge, and then takes up the then-recent death of Reed's old friend Andy Warhol.

I recall reading an article about Warhol shortly after his death, and I was somewhat surprised to learn that he had been a devout Catholic, since he had spent much of his life hanging around with people who behaved in ways that official Christianity has traditionally deplored.

I guess Andy thought it was his job to offer friendship to everyone, and leave any judgments to God. I would call that the REAL Christian attitude. :)

Off topic--I'm listening to Lou Reed's "Dime Store Mystery", off his 1989 album "New York". I try to listen to this song every Good Friday. It begins as a meditation on the death of Jesus Christ, goes through a musical bridge, and then becomes a dirge for Reed's late friend Andy Warhol, at that time not long dead.

I recall reading in an obituary article about Warhol that he had been a devout Catholic throughout his life. I was somewhat surprised to learn that, since he had spent much of his life hanging out with people who behaved in ways that official Christianity has traditionally deplored.

I guess Andy thought it was his job to offer friendship to everyone and leave any judgements to God. That strikes me as the authentic Christian attitude. :)

Richardson to Endorse Obama, Race Speech Influenced the Choice

This statement from Bill Richardson just landed in my inbox and it's huge, coming at the right time -- when we all need to discuss the impact of race -- all of us. It is apparent that Obama's speech on race and reconciliation had an impact on his decision, which had to be difficult. The AP story is here.

New Mexico Governor and former Democratic presidential contender Bill Richardson could have easily endorsed Hillary Clinton -- he served as Secretary of Energy and UN Ambassador in the Clinton Administration and he is a long-time friend of the Clintons. His mainstream candidacy touted his impressive long resume of experience in federal and state government -- it makes both Clinton's and Obama's current bickering about who is more "3AM-ready" look ludicrous.

This is a tremendous loss for the Clinton team because they publicly worked so hard for Richardson's endorsement -- don't you remember Bill showing up to watch the Super Bowl with the governor? And what makes it even more stinging is that Richardson's statement is extremely enthusiastic, calling attention to bridging the racial divides and healing the schisms rather than politically capitalizing on them.

*****

Did I mention BHO has already won?

" October surprises "

My money is on a mixed race baby . .

Gay sex and drugs (already run up the liar flagpole)

Some people are dumb enough to buy into the slimeball smears. I hope there are more thinkers than stinkers.

My money is on a mixed race baby . .
Nah, that wouldn't do anything considering Obama is mixed race. Wait for the photoshop picture of him buying cocaine from a suicide bomber while wearing a shirt that says "Death to America".

Clinton friend may be involved in passport breach

A State Department official in charge of the department during two of the three breaches into the passport files of Sen. Barack Obama occurred has a direct tie to Bill and Hillary Clinton and department officials are investigating whether she furnished information to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

Maura Harty was in charge of the Bureau Of Consular Affairs during the first two breaches of Obama's passport. Former President Bill Clinton appointed her to an ambassadorship during his Presidency.

Harty retired last month from the State Department. She joined the State Department in 2002 after serving as ambassador to Paraguay for two years of Bill Clinton's Presidential term. Sources within the State Department told Capitol Hill Blue this morning that revelations of the first two passport breaches surfaced only after Harty left her State Department job.

*****

Wowser?

Clinton friend may be involved in passport breach

A State Department official in charge of the department during two of the three breaches into the passport files of Sen. Barack Obama occurred has a direct tie to Bill and Hillary Clinton and department officials are investigating whether she furnished information to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

Maura Harty was in charge of the Bureau Of Consular Affairs during the first two breaches of Obama's passport. Former President Bill Clinton appointed her to an ambassadorship during his Presidency.

Harty retired last month from the State Department. She joined the State Department in 2002 after serving as ambassador to Paraguay for two years of Bill Clinton's Presidential term. Sources within the State Department told Capitol Hill Blue this morning that revelations of the first two passport breaches surfaced only after Harty left her State Department job.

*****

Wowser?

Kudos to Gov. Richardson for stepping up to the plate at time when it would have been very easy to sit back and do nothing!

Here in NM we love us some Richardson.

He is a good man.

Hillary Clinton Questioned Obama Travel on March 12 2008

This is what Hillary CLinton campagin said in a memo they released on March 12:

johndeebo's diary :: ::

"As voters evaluate you as a potential Commander-in-Chief, do you think it’s legitimate for people to be concerned that you have traveled to only one NATO country, on a brief stopover trip in 2005, and have never traveled to Latin America?"

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/...

Now the question is, how did Hillary Clinton campaign know about the countries that Obama visited?

In the aftermath of the Obama passport breach something stinks in the Clinton camp.

*****

Curiouser and curiouser, eh?

Many things stink within HillCo.

So far nothing HRC has done of said has helped me to like her.

Still a million times better than four more years but my original choice of Kucinich was always more a notion - I really like Edwards and like Barack in much the same way.

I have a few issues with which I do not agree with BHO. What candidate would get 100% agreement from supporters? (some but . . )

I could listen to BHO speak even if I disagree - I have never been able to listen to Bush for more than a few minutes.

"My money is on a mixed race baby ."

I am not serious (of course) - I just try to imagine what kinds of bat-sh*t crazy the Reich-wingnuttia will come up with.

So far, Barack is a secret Muslim? He was a street corner crack dealer, etc.

I would put nothing past these crazy people.

Faux Spews has transformed into the Wright channel.

This will help BHO more than it hurts him. Such BS exposes their insanity into inanity.

Apologies for the double post; for some reason, the first one did not appear after I submitted it and reloaded the thread, so I thought the first one had been lost.

David, watch you on Fox. Before you make comments re. economic issues do a little homework. The government did NOT bailout Bear Stearns. The share holder's "bailed" them out by suffering a near total loss of valuse when they were bought out by a competing firm.