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Archive for Call Bullshit
October 9, 2008 at 5:50 pm · Filed under Call Bullshit
John McCain talks about Washington like he hasn’t been there for nearly three decades. In the last debate, he said he knew how to solve all of these problems of economics and health care, win the wars and catch bin Laden - well, where has he been? Has he been holding back, saving all of his good ideas for his presidential campaign? Is that putting your country first?
I, and many others, would have a lot more respect for Senator McCain if he would just give us the straight talk. He supported deregulation, believing it was the best way to expand our economic markets, but didn’t account for - or simply underestimated - the opportunity for and impact of greed and corruption. Every economic policy is an experiment, and all we can do is learn from the results and keep trying to improve on the idea.
What’s wrong with that? It has the virtue of being thoughtful, honorable and true. Sure you may get called a “flip-flopper,” but to ignore new information that changes or contradicts your earlier notions is simply foolish. Could you imagine McCain standing in front of a crowd and telling them he’s not about to let fear of a fool calling him a name dissuade him doing what is the best thing for his country?
In 2000, you could.
Instead, now, we get all of this misrepresentation and false bravado. He distances himself from his family’s success to appear as something he isn’t.
We get comments taken out of context, like Michelle Obama’s $600 earrings, that purposely avoid the valid point that she was making: That the stimulus package was only an ultra-short-term approach that didn’t really have a significant impact on the challenges American families were facing.
Was she wrong? Did that check make everything all better for anyone? For us, it paid our rent for one month, and that was nice. But I’d be no better or worse off now without it.
Consider the cost of the rebate, plus the cost or processing and delivering it. Were those tax dollars well-spent?
But who cares, because Michelle Obama is an elitist, right?
We also get “who is Barack Obama really?” Really? The campaign has been going on for twenty months now. Barack Obama has to be the most completely vetted man in history, and you still don’t know who he is? Do you really believe he might be a terrorist?
If McCain and Palin really don’t know who Barack Obama is by now, they may be a little too slow on the uptake to really run this country. But we all know that isn’t true. They are simply trying to make Americans afraid of him, which speaks loudly to their character.
All of that being said, it’s difficult to believe Senator McCain when he says he knows what to do about the problems we face.
September 23, 2008 at 2:33 pm · Filed under Call Bullshit, Raise The Debate
There are few times in one’s life when Americans are asked to put aside our political and ideological differences and pull together as a country. I believe that this current financial crisis is one of those times.
I’m confused, though, about some of the things I’ve heard and read; and it raises for me a very important question: What’s a patriot to do?
I am a patriot and I love my country. Sure, there are plenty of ways it could be better and fairer, offer more opportunities, and shine brighter as the beacon of global leadership and innovation. Just as parents love and nurture their children and want them to reach their full potential, I feel it is my duty to try and help my country do the same.
Last week, though, when Joe Biden suggested that the wealthy should pay more in taxes because it was the patriotic thing to do, John McCain and Sarah Palin mocked and ridiculed him for it – while standing behind a lectern emblazoned with the words “Country First.”
When did it become unpatriotic to suggest sacrificing for your country, especially for those that have benefitted so greatly from the opportunities that America provides? Generations that have come before us have sacrificed so that we can thrive – and not just on some battlefield – but financially, practically and personally.
We’re at war on two fronts, our infrastructure is crumbling, our education system is an embarrassment, millions of fellow Americans don’t have access to healthcare, our friends and neighbors have had their jobs outsourced overseas, and our economic system teeters on the verge of collapse.
What does this “Country First” crowd do in response to all of this? Anything they can to give less back. Whether it’s hiding profits offshore to avoid paying taxes on them, deregulating markets to expose investors to even more risk (and themselves to more profit) or relentlessly lobbying for larger tax cuts; it looks less like patriotism and more like “Me First.”
Now, I’m sure someone will try and convince me of the wonders of the free market and trickle-down economics; but take a look around: The only thing trickling down is a pervasive anti-tax mentality and contempt for public servants. Americans love everything their country has to offer, but ask them to sacrifice an extra three percent for it and they’ll run you out on a rail. Is it any wonder that such a political system attracts the greedy and corrupt individuals that have run our great nation into the ground?
Is this what patriotism has evolved into? Blind support of anyone that promises to never ask you to sacrifice?
Over the next few weeks, we will have to take a sobering look at the consequences of the last two decades’ financial freewheeling. And yes, one way or another, we will be asked to pony up for it. When the time comes, I urge every American to resist the temptation to sling mud at one party or another, to point out some slanted example of abuse, or to focus on “what’s in it for me?” Instead, simply ask yourself one question: Are you a patriot?
What’s a patriot to do?
September 20, 2008 at 1:00 pm · Filed under Call Bullshit, Finish Ahead, Raise The Debate
Monday, Senator McCain said the fundamentals of our economy our strong. He later went on to say that by “fundamentals,” he meant the American workers that have seen their wages reduced and their jobs outsourced.
Tuesday, he said that bailing out AIG was a bad idea, despite the fact that letting it fail would have been economically devastating. The free market would sort it all out.
Wednesday, he said bailing out AIG was necessary. It was, but anyone with any understanding of the economy knew that long before.
Thursday, the Senator said he would fire the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Never mind that the President doesn’t have that authority, our current crisis can hardly be pinned on Christopher Cox. He is part of the problem, to be sure; but replacing him isn’t going to magically fix anything.
Friday, he said that we are definitely in a recession, and the fault is Barack Obama’s, because the Illinois senator has been part of the Washington system for the past two years.
My friends, this has been more than just a tumultuous week. This is a glimpse into the future of a McCain/Palin administration. Like the Bush administration, McCain’s policies will be driven by fake populism, incompetence and greed; and when it all goes to pot, he will blame a Democrat.
Over the past 26 years – the same 26 years that John McCain has been in congress – the public protections put into place by FDR to prevent a recurrence of the Great Depression have been systematically dismantled by the GOP. It wasn’t that these protections were preventing growth and prosperity, but there was just so much more money to be made if greater risks could be taken.
Over the past 26 years – the same 26 years that John McCain has been in congress – we have been told of the wonders of the free market and the wisdom of trickle-down economics. Those policies didn’t result in new jobs and higher wages during the 80’s, and they still don’t today. During both of those decades, wages went down, unemployment went up and the economy went in the tank.
Now, to prevent the Great Depression II, we the people must take on a trillion dollars in bad debt, while corporate and financial industry executives – including friends and relatives of President Bush and Senator McCain – walk away with billions.
We’ve seen where President McCain will take us. We’ve seen it because we’ve been there before. It’s time for us to stop reliving the past and embrace a new future – the future of President Barack Obama.
September 11, 2008 at 4:21 pm · Filed under Call Bullshit
This has been a difficult campaign season. There has been plenty on which to write, especially over the last few days. But with so many people so engaged by this presidential campaign, it’s been hard to find an angle that doesn’t amount to “piling on.”
Then again, perhaps piling on is what’s called for here. As Rome burns, we spend countless hours talking about lipstick, babies, Wasilla’s strip mall city hall and all manner of nonsense. Just as George W. Bush makes his father look like Winston Churchill, John McCain may prove to be the best thing to ever happen to Emperor Nero’s legacy.
Yet despite all of the issues we should be focusing on – our dwindling global leadership; ballooning deficits; rising unemployment; collapsing banks; increasing tensions with Russia; deteriorating conditions in Iraq & Afghanistan; the list goes on, and on, and on – at the end of the day, one issue and one issue only will decide which way millions of americans vote: Taxes.
Most reasonable people will agree that taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society. The military, roads, police and fire protection, public education, social security, etc. all cost money; and we really can’t go without any of them. It’s the “waste” that people want to do away with.
Well what is the waste exactly? Ah, well now we wade into the murky waters. Many argue that the $10 billion per month we’re spending in Iraq is a waste. Others believe that money spent on welfare and medicaid should go by the wayside. Some claim we’re spending too much on public schools. And there are even some that want to see Social Security killed. And of course, there are all of those evil earmarks.
It’s certainly a lot to get one’s arms around; and it’s made even more difficult by the fact that, despite all of the furor, most Americans can’t tell you how much tax they pay. Moreover, if you ask how much tax they’ll pay under each presidential candidate’s plan, the answer will almost surely be one of two words: “More,” or “Less.” Read the rest of this entry »
August 21, 2008 at 12:12 am · Filed under Call Bullshit
Last Saturday’s presidential candidate forum at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Superchurch no doubt fueled the belief of Christian Americans that ours is truly a Christian nation.
Nary a week goes by without letters being printed in editorial sections nationwide declaring that the time has come to declare our legacy, that we must acknowledge the intent of the founding fathers and embrace the Christian heritage upon which our whole society is based.
I’ve always had some issues with these sort of the claims, ranging from the factual accuracy of many of them – such as the fact that most of the founding fathers were in fact Deists, not Christian; or that really only two of the ten commandments are actually laws – to the broader question of “who cares what the founders wanted?” After all, the founders also supported the atrocities of slavery as a vital economic interest; and believed that only rich, white men should be able to vote.
Let’s put all of that aside for the moment, though, and take a moment to examine what people really mean when they say they want the United States to be acknowledged as a Christian nation.
Read the rest of this entry »
August 19, 2007 at 11:44 pm · Filed under Call Bullshit, Confound Authority
It’s time to impeach Bush and Cheney.
Personally, I believed they should have been impeached after the whole secret torture prisons episode. Not only was it itself a travesty, but its execution further illustrated tis administration’s incompetence.
The first real “enough is enough” moment for me, though, has been the whole executive-branch/legislative-branch/just-go-fuck-yourself 3-card monty game being played by the white house, followed by the back-door pardon of Scooter Libby.
The last one was Cheney’s office explaining away his 1994 arguments for not invading Iraq: “He wasn’t the vice-president then.”
3,706 dead Americans.
On a more emotional level, I’m upset because I have always referred to them as President Bush and Vice-President Cheney, capitalized words like White House, Congress and Capitol; always believing that the office is above the man.
But this administration has done what Nixon and Clinton never did – brought the office low. They decimated the Justice Dept., FEMA, the FBI and other federal agencies in ways that reach down into our day-to-day lives. They go to extraordinary lengths to vigorously promote, defend and cover up torture. They have abandoned the rule of law. They consider me to be a traitor.
It’s time.
What we really need is a leader with a mandate – a landslide election. Currently, the only person that has a chance to give us that is Al Gore, and he won’t throw his hat in (yet). I thought we could wait for that, but these guys see the Visigoths coming over the seventh hill and have already started scorching the earth.
Congress wants to get rid of them, even the GOP members; but they are scared that they’ll pay for it next November. If enough people back them, they’ll do the electoral math and either do the right thing, or at least know the consequences of maintaining the status quo.
We can hope, anyway.
Either way, call your congressmen and tell them: It’s time.
June 14, 2007 at 12:08 pm · Filed under Call Bullshit, Confound Authority
The President met with GOP Senators Tuesday to try and salvage his Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 (the name seems to be as important as any particular provision with the GOP, doesn’t it?).
In fact, as the day went on, the President went from ‘courting,’ to ‘imploring,’ and finally to ‘pleading‘ with the GOP for their support on the bi-partisan compromise.
As delicious as it is to watch Bush grovel to his own party – and ironically frustrating that the GOP manages to be better at cowing him than the Democartic majority is – I actually find myself behind him on this issue.
The immigration compromise isn’t perfect, but it also isn’t terrible; and it’s far better than doing nothing.
The touchbacks and penalty fines are harsh, although Senator Kennedy’s provision to add back taxes to the tab would have been even more financially regressive, yet was striken from the bill.
But what the Congressional Republicans really oppose is the “amnesty” aspect, and want more focus put on “border security.” But the amnesty isn’t really amnesty, is it? And when they talk about border security, they’re only talking about the Mexican border.
This morning, on MSNBC, Pat Buchanan said “Support for this in Congress is collapsing. If this is such a popular bill, why is that?”
It’s about racism, that’s why – and any other explanation offered is simply bullshit. To say that it has nothing to do with race is like saying the Iraq war has nothing to do with oil.
Read the rest of this entry »
June 10, 2007 at 11:07 pm · Filed under Call Bullshit, Raise The Debate
A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine emailed me an article from WorldNetDaily, wondering if anyone was talking about it.
No one was. No one from the MSM, anyway.
The article concerned the new and improved National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive, which grants the President extraordinary powers in a catastrophic emergency.
The idea seems practical enough on the surface: In the event of a crisis, we need to make sure the government keeps running, so a position is created to ensure national continuity. Sounds good, right?
Don’t be so sure. It turns out that there was already a National Emergency Act intended to keep the trains running and maintain our system of checks and balances. This one cuts Congress out of the equation, making the responsibility for maintaining government the exclusive purview of the executive branch. Sound familiar?
Also “catastrophic emergency” is rather broadly defined as “any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions.”
Let that sink in for just a moment.
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May 29, 2007 at 9:36 am · Filed under Call Bullshit, Raise The Debate
Last March, I travelled to DC to march on the Pentagon in protest of the war. While there, I met Cindy Sheehan, who is a true American patriot if ever there was one.
Cindy has tirelessly opposed the illegal and immoral war in Iraq for three years, ever since her son Casey was killed attempting to rescue some of his fellow soldiers in Sadr City.
Like many of us, when the Democrats took control of Congress in January, Cindy breathed a sigh of relief. The rubber-stamp approvals of reckless spending and abuse of power would stop, the President would be reigned in and the war would finally come to a close.
Last week, however, the Democrats reminded us why the right portrays them as being weak – because they are.
Among the many pieces of legislation put forth by this newly empowered congress, was a bill to make further funding of the war contigent upon troop withdrawal. It was something to be proud of – so long as you didn’t look at it too closely.
To the embarrassment of progressives everywhere, the bill also contained funding for more than $3.7 billion in farm subsidies, $2.9 billion in additional Gulf Coast hurricane relief and $2.4 billion for social programs such as money for rural Northwest school districts, health insurance for poor children, energy assistance for poor families and others.
To the surprise of…, well…, no one, the President pounced on them for it: “They have a responsibility to pass a clean bill that does not use funding for our troops as leverage to get special-interest spending for their districts…”
Then he vetoed it, telling them “They have a responsibility to get this bill to my desk without strings and without delay.”
So, after much blustering about the consequences of elections, Reid and Pelosi did what they have always done: They caved.
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May 23, 2007 at 9:15 am · Filed under Call Bullshit, Raise The Debate
Orlando Weekly columnist Billy Manes – who I generally like and even supported for Mayor of Orlando – disappointed me with his story on gasification, A Convenient Truth.
The story comes on the heels of recent revelations that – to the gleeful delight of neocons everywhere – the production of the electric motors used in the Toyota Prius is so energy intensive, that it effectively negates whatever carbon/energy savings its use provides.
The two stories are related in that they both point to unhealthy attitudes towards new technologies.
Somewhere in the past forty years, we as Americans became intolerant of the trial and error aspects of technological development (read: pathetic cry-babies). Were Thomas Edison alive today, he would be regarded as total loser for failing to produce a working light bulb the first 300 times he tried.
Don’t believe me? Let’s turn back 40 years to 1967, and the Apollo One mission.
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