Invitation to All

Please join me at Joe The Voter to participate with others to help formulate proposals and guidelines for legislation.

We hope to find experts in various fields to help typical American's like us to work to formulate what we think should be the direction taken by the new administration.

The site is JoeTheVoter.org Costs nothing but some time.

Doing it with Care

I have an idea. LOTTO TIME in Illinois! Sell tickets and have a drawing.



Sound like an idea? Well, for a chuckle and for Toy for Tots etc. I decided to do that ( humor of course ) and make a 50% donation.



http://www.reelectnoone.com/buy-obamas-seat.php



This is intended to be entertainment only....you really cannot buy that seat any longer...at least I don't think you can? But Chicago politics being what it is, that seat may already have a high bidder!
About Celebs Talk Politics
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

The Republicans Want A Depression

It is typical of Republicans to worry about how much money a middle class worker is allowed to earn.



They did nothing to limit the multi-million dollar wages and bonus packages of the Wall Street tycoons when they passed the first bail out bill.



But then the bankers are not unionized and we know what Republicans think of organized labor when it eats into corporate profits and the dividends paid to share holders.



It is those very wage earners who's tax dollars are being tapped to support the bail outs.



I also wonder if they realize that reducing wages on families already strapped to live could lead to even more foreclosures when those wage cuts make it impossible to make mortgage payments.
About Auto Bailout
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Blagojevich: Character is Destiny

For what it's worth I decided to create a fictional auction with certificates on eBay to "sell" the vacant seat. Going to give the profits to Toys for Tots so at lease someone will get something out of this fiasco.


http://www.reelectnoone.com/buy-obamas-seat.php


Let's get a laugh and give some toys to kids !


I will also do this directly so fee free to email me.
About Rod Blagojevich
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Rod Blagojevich Arrested: The Damage He Could Do

First point is that no party has an exclusive on dirty politicians. Remember Ted Stevens, a republican from Alaska just convicted of numerous felonies? Remember Nixon who resigned to avoid impeachment? Greed is all too common in politics...sad fact.



As for republicans making a big stink, perhaps this is a signal that they plan to be uncooperative when it comes to getting anything done for Americans. I don't recall the Democrats jumping all over the Republicans over Ted Stevens.
About Rod Blagojevich
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Obama's Call to Service Meets the Economic Meltdown

For the first time I believed enough to be a campaign volunteer and to donate a little money. I like the idea of people participating. I have always been one to let my representatives know when I was concerned about issues. I applaud this new direction of providing ordinary citizens with ways to participate.



As a progressive though not FAR left web designer I decided I would try my own experiment and invite everyone to join. http://www.joethevoter.org is a site I am putting together with the idea of getting citizens working with experts to write some legislative ideas to present to Congress. We will try to create work groups for various areas of legislation. We want to cover such things as voter registration., election reforms, health, education, welfare, etc.



The idea of tapping all this momentum came to me as a direct result in being a new participant in the elections this year. We can have a voice if we use it all the time, not just when we are angry about a particular topic. It is best to let our elected officials know ahead of time what we want rather than wait until they do something stupid ( which they do ) and then try to fix it later.



I hope you will visit me. This is not about money or commercialism...it is my experiment in getting people working with government.
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Thanks to the People Who Worked on OffTheBus; Here's What Comes Next

I would also like to invite interested people to join me in keeping Congress and the Obama administration working on the things we need. http://www.joethevoter.org



I was a campaign volunteer and was impressed with the enthusiasm and energy. I don't want to see that go away and decided to create a site to try to tap that energy to guide the writing of proposed legislation and guidelines. I am seeking some experts in various fields to volunteer to work with ordinary citizens in this project. I would love to see some of Huffington's experts come on board to help. There is nothing commercial about this idea...just us people staying involved with our new government.



Please drop by to visit us and help spread the word.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

While Paulson Waffles, the White House Dawdles, and Congress Dithers, the Economy Continues to Burn.

Paulson's trick may doom more to lose homes and be evicted from rented apartments.



There is protection in the bail out for some mortgage holders and renters, as I understand it, based upon the government having paid out to buy up those troubled securities. By diverting this cash away, it appears Paulson is now helping banks take back more homes and evict more innocent renters.



Way to go Paulson...screw as many Americans as you possibly can but make sure the bankers get richer in the process.



Not to worry, Paulson's home is safe so what do we matter to him?
About Financial Crisis
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Voting Lines Stretch To Eight Hours

I think that one of the things Congress MUST do for federal elections is to either move election day to a weekend or make election day a federal holiday to give as many people as possible the day off.



That, of course, along with other changes to assure adequate voting facilities everywhere as a right !
About On The Ground 2008
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Obama and McCain Unlikely to Woo Hardcore Pa. Gun Rights Voters

I am a DEMOCRAT and an OBAMA supporter. I also grew up with guns and owned and shot and hunted from a young age. People seem to think that Democrat automatically means anti-gun. Not so !



I was at a rally for a local democratic candidate and, in talking to many of the groups, most owned guns and some of the "white haired ladies" there were packing with a concealed weapon permit!



You do see concern in inner city areas where crime is a major problem but D's & R's alike are politicians first and rights advocates second. Both sides will feel the direction of the wind and talk that line when it is to their political advantage.



Recent years have seen civil and constitutional erosion created by politicians under a republican president. ALL of our rights are or should be sacred but some less so according to the current congress. "We the People" have to keep our voices heard. The next batch to hit DC will be "gun shy" after the upset that is about to happen.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Tight Polls and Rumors of an Obama Visit Boost Momentum in Arizona

Nice! A dead heat in McCain's own turf ! And without Obama airing ads!



Imagine the look on McCain's face if his own state turns to Obama for Change. Who better though. AZ Citizens have had a front row seat while McCain helped the Bush administration for 8 years.



Is Arizona better off now than the rest of the nation? One might think that if McCain was all he claims, at least he could have done something to help spare his own state from this chaos.



I would love to see Obama take Arizona !!
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Scranton Catholics, Defying Bishop, Put Economy Before Religion.

There was a time, prior to Roe v Wade when abortions were illegal. Women still had them but the rich went abroad while the poor died in back-alley clinics. Apparently the "Church" has forgotten this. So the question is...pro which lives? Bad abortions often resulted in losing not just the fetus but also the mother.



Churches are anti-prostitution...but it is still there. Churches ( some ) are against contraception, but it is still there and contributes to abortions. If churches had their way we would be living in the "Christian" version of Iran where our elected officials no longer represented the average person and had to ask "permission" of the church to pass laws.



No one church can speak for me and not one has the right to assume they can or should.
About Joe Biden
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Is Al Qaeda Messing With Our Elections?

It is not al-Qaeda messing with elections...it is stooges like Drudge, O'Reilly, FOX and Limbaugh who are being used like puppets to mess with elections. These "news" outlets have no mind of their own and will gladly quote terrorists propaganda for them. Personally I would just refuse to grand al-Qaeda any air time at all because that just gives them "news credits" they don't deserve.



Sure al-Qaeda want's to see Bush's administration humiliated.



Want to know something?



So do I !
About Terrorism
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

The Battle Over CA Prop 5: Special Interests Overwhelming the Public Interest

Our justice system itself is a crime. It is not currently interested in public safety or rehabilitation..it is geared toward profits.



Our "war on drugs" is really a war on the poor and minorities who are "treated" for abuse with prison time then find they can't get jobs when released.



The sad part is we let our politicians do this to us, the tax payers. We are the ones who pay for this reckless system. We are the ones who pay when we become crime victims.



I find it hard to believe that what we do now including the financial and social cost to society is somehow better than just allowing some people to use drugs. I am not advocating drug use but when we look at the fact that the "war on drugs" is causing more collateral damage and money than the drugs themselves would, the question is, are we protecting anything other than profits?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

A Mormon's Lament: Church Is On the Wrong Side of History Again With Proposition 8

I find it hard to take Mormon seriously as a Christian church. Any organization that supports wars and tries to use it's influence to demand that people of other faiths must abide by their belief system via government intervention, is not Christian. Their opposition to gay unions is an attempt to use the Church and our Government to divide rather than unite people.



I guess they forgot that they were among the persecuted at one time, hence their journey here in the first place. I guess they also forgot about the separation of Church and State put in place specifically to keep government out of the business of religion.



I suppose Mormon teaching now is based on the premise that "We have what we want, but now we don't want anyone else to have what they want."



Oh well...perhaps some other faith will push for an amendment making the Mormon church illegal.



Now that IS both un-American and un-Christian like behavior if you ask me. Shame on Mormons.



-
About Gay Marriage
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Jewish Seniors in South Florida Anxious About Obama But Still Support Him

Jewish voters are smart. Sure some are easily swayed by false statements but if those who know better speak the truth to them, they will understand. McCain is NOT GOOD for them or for America.



McCain = Bush = War. War is not good for anyone and war in the middle east is never good for Israel because it amplifies existing hate and tension in the entire region.



America's presence in so many places where we do not belong serves to increase tension and the threat to Israel, not reduce it.



Israel has always been and felt safer when all sides are talking and not dropping bombs. McCain does not want to talk...he wants to bomb, bomb,bomb Iran. Does anyone really think that if Iran is attacked they won't take that opportunity to aim bombs as Israel, thinking that the US will blow them up anyway so why not get in a few licks against Israel?



Obama is cool headed and knows how to talk to people. Diplomacy, not bombs is the key to a secure middle east.
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

McCain at Sunset

I still harbor fear that somehow McCain pulls it off. I don't see any way an intelligent or logical person can vote for him but many will so I guess logic and brains are not a prerequisite for voting...*sigh* Also honesty is not something we can count on when it comes to Republican dirty election tricks.



As bad as things are now in the world and in America I cannot imagine how much worse it will get if McCain enters office and worse, dies leaving the reigns of office to Palin. I am 62 and don't have as much to worry for my future as do the children of this nation. I fear that more right-wing radicalism in the Oval Office will so damage this nation that future generations might look to live elsewhere where they can believe the government actually gives a rat's a#% about the average person.



McCain is part of the old system that has allowed America to decline over the past years. We need new, well educated people dedicated to improving life for the average American rather than increasing the wealth of a privileged few.



We need Obama and more young, honest members of Congress of both parties.
About John McCain
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Ohio GOP Still Chasing Undecideds; Dems Making Sure Supporters Pull The Lever

The problem I see with people making up their minds is that they look to polls and debates for the answers. Polls are not answered by the candidates, they are the answers from the people being polled.



The debates are about a horse and pony show mandated by the media and each candidate's responses to the questions. It is never in any politician's interest to be too clear in a debate because that just leads to more off-topic replies by the opponent, further confusing the conversation.



People MUST learn the issues themselves and not rely on talking heads for the details. Both candidates have web sites where they publish their positions on just about everything. Obama's has far more details and facts than McCain does.



You want to make a decision? Take the time to learn yourself and become an informed voter. And stop listening to campaign ads...they are no better than toothpaste ads when it comes to understanding the content of the candidates.



Just imagine Colgate airing ads about Crest toothpaste. Colgate will tell you that if you use Crest your teeth will fall out. Crest will tell you that Colgate will turn your teeth green..we know that's not true but that is exactly what happens in a political ad. That is why God invented the MUTE button !



I am voting Obama. I just don't trust the "new" McCain and Palin is too scary to contemplate as a VP / President.
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

October Surprise Update: What McCain May Be Planning and What Obama Can Do to Ruin It

I fail to see the advantage to McCain if Bin Laden is captured. It is not as if McCain would have anything to do with the capture. The only signal I could see is that after 8 years of foot dragging the lame duck Bush administration finally got lucky.



If Bush used the method to get Bin Laden McCain claims to know...then we all need to ask why McCain with held such vital information from America for so long ! Did he intentionally allow Bin Laden to remain free to plot against us for his personal gain in this election?



No common sense answer seems to offer any "October surprise" advantage to McCain by capturing Bin Laden.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

For Some Extra Excitement, Try Visiting The Right-Wing Blogosphere

So what do you expect? If you ask the devil if he is the devil he will deny it of course.



In the right-wing sphere no one reads anything else but right-wing propaganda. I doubt one of those reptilian brained readers can understand the concept of checking the facts even if they were branded onto their flippers.



Some people actually bathe in their own ignorance and defy anyone to actually teach them anything. Sadly that is the state of too many people who claim to be patriots yet who refuse to understand anything about the real America.
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Thirty Lies Refuted About Ayers And Obama

Again I ask the question that no one ever seems to answer.



Who has, upon hearing outright lies on TV by news people, filed a formal complaint with the FCC?



Forget petitions to Fox and other news organizations for their lies, those lies may be violations of the FCC regulations that allow those "news" organizations to keep their license to broadcast.



The place to flood with written complaints is the FCC ! You can download the form online.



DO IT or stop complaining. I have !
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Gotcha? You Betcha!

I long ago stopped watching MSM either TV or print. I discovered that, being mostly owned by the same wealthy people who have devoted their lives to scamming America out of money, that what they broadcast is not news but diversionary tactics. As long as these big players could keep quietly lining their pockets at our expense they did not want anyone paying attention. ( Wizard of Oz, Pay no attention to that man behind the screen )



Notice how much attention they wanted when they were sticking their hands into our collective pockets to the tune of $700,000,000,000 for a bail out. Well at least the part about scaring everyone into agreeing.



American's need to wake up to the fact that MSM is not about real news...it is about propaganda and if you keep watching and believing you will soon be as dumb as they want you to be.
About Sarah Palin
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Sarah Palin Answers What Newspapers, Magazines Inform Her Worldview: "Most Of 'Em...All Of 'Em...Any Of 'Em," "Alaska Is Like A Microcosm Of America"

I am sure she reads such noted publications as:



The Enquirer

The Globe

Micky Mouse Comics

McCain's web site.
About Sarah Palin
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Palin: Deep South Skeptical Too

Palin is to politics what gambling is to a poor person with a family to feed.



POISON !
About Sarah Palin
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

To Hell with Wall Street

What sickens me is that the politicians can't help themselves...they keep trying to insert totally unrelated pet projects into even this important issue. Aside from the fact that I think the Fortune 400 should pony up the cash to fix their own problems, I don't think adding some of the stupid "extras" makes sense.



The Senate bill also would:



* Make permanent authority for undercover operations.

* Make permanent authority for disclosure of information relating to terrorist activities.

* Exempt from excise tax certain wooden arrow shafts for use by children.

* Extend cost recovery period for motor racing tracks.

* Extend restaurant improvement credits.

* Extend and increase by 3 cents a barrel the oil spill liability tax.

* Allow fringe benefit reimbursement for qualified bicycle commuters.

* Give steelmakers tax credits for purchase of renewable fuels.

* Extend the tax credit for mine-rescue team training.

* Extend tax credit for investment in the District of Colombia.

* Clarify income averaging for settlement amounts received in connection with Exxon Valdez litigation.

* Creating parity for the insurance treatment of mental health problems



AND MORE !



Still nothing to protect the taxpayers or those about to lose their homes.



How stupid are they? Hopefully we will soon be rid of many of them...they do not deserve those positions of power because they just can't stop themselves from gifting the rich and sending the bill to the taxpayers.
About Wall Street Crisis
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

The Rising Tide Of Online Opposition To Paulson's Plunder

Hmmm... I just got off the phone AGAIN with my mortgage broker GREENPOINT as a result of the fact that I have stopped making payments and am filing bankruptcy. I should have asked them if they had their hand out for public assistance and who should I call for a personal bail out of my own.



Why not let the Wall Street Rich twist in the breeze and wait. Send money to homeowners to buy their mortgages out...that will put the cash back in the lending industry while at the same time bailing out the real victims with the same money...We the People.
About Wall Street Crisis
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

A Note to Bill Clinton

I donate to Obama and have joined his team here in Florida to register voters and provide transportation to the polls. Also provide a web site.



http://floridawantsobama.com/



( Web pages are what I do for a living, http://www.stuffdone.com )
About Bill Clinton
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

A Note to Bill Clinton

Bill has to come around. With McSame's pick for VP and the very likely chance that if elected, he would be too old to run again, Palin would be the female nominee for president next time around. VP's typically have the upper hand at election time.



It is in the Clinton's best interest to want Obama to win...not just because he is the Democrat but because I am sure Hillary does not want to see Palin steal her thunder in D.C. as the first female VP.



If Palin were to screw up...and I believe she would, it could ruin chances for Hillary and other women for generations.
About Bill Clinton
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

The Witch Hunter Anoints Sarah Palin

Is Sarah Palin's religion similar to Radical Islam in preaching violence against it's enemies?



"We come against the python spirits!" Then, a local pastor took the mic from Muthee and added, "We stomp on the heads of the enemy!"



My this sounds a lot like Muslim's talking to me? Isn't Kenya heavily Muslim?



Is Palin's religion preaching violence against people who don't believe as they do? VERY MUSLIM sounding to me. Radical, perhaps dangerous.
About Sarah Palin
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Deregulated Media And Our Endless Campaign "Silly Season"

On one hand we have a 1st Amendment right to free speech protecting candidates lies. Rules require broadcasters to publish political ads without censorship even if they know them to contain lies.



Then there is the media who make a killing selling these ads who don't want to "piss off" either golden egg by overly emphasizing the lies in their news broadcasts...as they should be doing.



A company cannot false advertise based on the "harm" principle. Personally I think electing a liar does great harm to America too and the "Truth in Advertising" should be enforced and that an out-right lie should not be protected speech when it is aimed at potential voters.



Campaign lies are an assault on the dignity of all Americans.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

With New Ads, Obama Pushes Back Against Ugly McCain Campaign

I am spreading the word.



http://floridawantsobama.com/obama_ads.php
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Seven Years Later, a Service Mandate

I think you have inhaled some republican fog and it has addled your mind. I don't know any fellow Dem's who bash military service as being dishonorable. Even Obama himself on last nights interview stated without hesitation that he thought it was a mistake for his own university, Columbia, to have banned ROTC from the campus. He made it clear that the military offered fine options for service and that by not allowing military to visit the campus, the universities are standing in the way of students being able to understand all of their service options.



As for Palin's "experience" it is just not there. No one can convince me that 18 months as a governor of a state with the smallest population, less by 1/2 than my home town in Ohio, suddenly makes her qualified to step into the shoes of the presidency.



I recently moved here from Miami-Dade. Nearly 4 million people and with a budget larger than most 3rd world nations. They deal with all of South America daily. A mayor of that sort of city is more qualified than a governor of Alaska any day.



I still want more from a VP than a nice figure and a sharp tongue.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Seven Years Later, a Service Mandate

Ok...was this the same McCain who's surrogates at the RNC belittled and made fun of community organizers?



Public Service? Community Outreach, Community organizers.... how is it that if McCain says it, it is ok, but if Obama actually did it, it was something to mock ?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Seven Years Post 9-11: Are We Safer?

Are we safer? In a few respects yes. Airline cockpit doors are secure...something the airlines and the FCC should have done long ago. Even the FCC admits to a "tombstone" mentality when it comes to fixing problems.



Are we safer over all, probably not. Are we safer from our own government? No. We have two threats to the US now, one is terrorist organizations and the other has been the Bush administration and Congress who took advantage of 9/11 for their own profit interests.



Of the many billions spent on war in Iraq, virtually none of that was spent to solve the terrorist problem, and now our treasury is getting pretty bare. McCain would probably start yet another war we can't afford to pay for.



Will we sell off more of America to the middle east and China to pay for all of these wars?
About Terrorism
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

We're Gonna Frickin' Lose this Thing

Donate, donate, donate. McCain's official campaign is limited to the public funding he chose over Obama taking to contributions. The media may own the news but they still run the Obama ads on all networks.



If Obama can outspend McCain and keep a consistent message out there in paid ads he can take the election. He has held the middle ground all this time with the same biased news media and has not really ran that many ads.



Obama just needs to learn from the Republicans and not pull any punches...they won't. If nasty works...use it. Much as I don't like nasty there is a reason the R's revert to nasty. People buy nasty politics...what can I say. As a race we are nasty people who enjoy a good train wreck with lots of bodies.
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Republicans Revive "Bittergate," Dems Flounder

This is where Democrats need to take some pages from the Republican's play book.



No one likes nasty...but the reality is that the GOP is the king of nasty and the Dems need to learn to fight back with equal force.



The Dems have the advantage of truth on their side so they can be forceful with the truth to counter the GOP lies.



Treat Palin as a nobody. Don't pay attention to her unless necessary, than only as McCains poor choice.



Part of a sign of a good president is the people he chooses him/her to help him govern. If Palin is any sign of his process of choosing we will soon have a a back-woods boy scout as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.



Too scarry !
About Sarah Palin
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

McCain is Running on the Amnesia Platform, But It's Democrats Who Need to Forget Sarah Palin

I agree. It is wise to just pretend that Palin does not exist. Make her the invisible woman. If you need to respond to something specific, always make the point that she has no experience that qualifies her to be president.



Keep reminding voters of this definition of insanity:



"Insanity is when you continue to do the same thing over and over while expecting different results"



McCain is the same thing...over and over. If you put him, and by extension, most of Congress back in office, nothing will change.



I would like to offer a smile by what of a Photoshop creation I made yesterday.



http://www.reelectnoone.com/queen_sarah_palin.php



GOP = Change NO ONE can believe in...
About John McCain
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Is America ready for Queen Palin?

Sarah Palin. She may be a nice person but Americans don't need "nice" they need qualified.


Let's consider McCains age and the very real possibility that, if elected, Queen Sarah could become our president.

Do you want someone in the Oval Office, responsible for our national security, foreign affairs, our economy, health care, social security etc. who has no ( ZERO ) experience in any of these vital areas?


John McCain's campaign is older than Sarah's term as governor and already there are investigations into possible wrong-doing. Her former job as mayor of a very small town of about 9,000 is her only other governmental claim to fame. The university I attended has nearly 10 times as many students!


Homestead Florida has about 8 times more people...we are talking SMALL town here.

She claimed "foreign policy" experience because Alaska shares a border with Russia.

She is FAR RIGHT wing...perhaps more so than Bush and certainly farther to the right than McCain is.

Don't think of her as Vice President Palin...think of her as if she could become "President Palin"

We already have "King George" ... is America ready for "Queen Sarah"?

Is this a person to whom you want to hand the reigns of this country?

Press: Back Off Bristol Palin!

Palin's daughter should be left alone. She is not running for office and has enough to deal with.



As far as Palin's "abilities" however, the pregnant teen daughter is representative of the failures to teach our youth the facts about sex and contraception.



This is an "I told you so" moment she should wake up to.



On the other hand Palin is willing to exploit her son's being in the military for political gain. Double standard?
About Sarah Palin
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

GOP Strategist Defends Palin: At Least She's Not Playing Golf Or Having Affairs

Palin may not be having affairs...yet! But she is a young beauty queen and McCain's wife, a former beauty queen, is getting older. McCain would not need her money any longer.



If McCain were to win, could Palin hit another historic first by becoming the first ever VP/First Lady ?
About Sarah Palin
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

The Hollywood Candidate Is Not Obama

What is coming out about Palin makes me think she is not the sweet beauty contest winner she appears. It seems she is hard headed, vindictive ( firing people who disagree with her, a la Bush ). Hunting ( which I really have no problem with ) etc.



When you look at her "attributes" as a person I see a man trapped in a woman's body ! The sort of "woman" who would cut your balls off at the turn of a hat if you don't agree with her 100%.



This does not sound like someone open to discussion...she sounds like someone who, like Bush, believes in the old "My way or the highway" mentality. This type of mind set precludes negotiations and any foreign policy designed around diplomacy .



I think she shares McCains hair trigger response and would be dangerous.
About John McCain
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Why Palin? McCain v. Rove

I read an interesting article in Time magazine that suggests that a McCain victory could be a big blow to the GOP. Their reasoning sort of make sense. The though is that a Democratic take over of Congress would make McCain almost powerless and would spend most of his time trying to veto bills left and right, making the republican presidency hollow and in effective.



This would then result in another bigger back lash against republicans for not having done anything for the country for his entire presidency ,further diminishing the GOP as a viable party. You might want to read the full article if you can because they did a much better job of explaining the logic.



They also stated that a win for Obama could backlash and increase the popularity of the GOP if the Democrats become as "activist to the left" as the GOP was to the right for the past terms, causing a public tired of politics to push back to the center again...bringing back more republicans to Congress.



It would be a good policy for Dems to do what must to restore our Constitution but otherwise to keep a balance and to avoid too much activism. I just want to see some better judges on the benches for awhile.
About John McCain
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Can you name things McCain is older than?

I decided to let people send suggestons of things John McCain is older than.

For starters he is older than the State of Alaska by 23 years. Visit my main site to send your "McCain is older than..." suggestions.

http://www.reelectnoone.com

The Ridge/Lieberman Fake-Out

He is faking us out on more than one count...read why:



A fellow POW who was in Vietnam with McCain says why he won't vote for McCain.



"I can verify that John has an infamous reputation for being a hot head. He has a quick and explosive temper that many have experienced first hand. Folks, quite honestly that is not the finger I want next to that red button. "



http://floridawantsobama.com/butler_article.php
About John McCain
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

I thought this should be distributed far and wide.

As published on AlterNet.com
====================================
I Spent Years as a POW with John McCain, and His Finger Should Not Be Near the Red Button
By Phillip Butler, Military.com

Posted on August 21, 2008, Printed on August 21, 2008
http://www.alternet.org/story/95825/

John McCain is a long-time acquaintance of mine that goes way back to our time together at the U.S. Naval Academy and as Prisoners of War in Vietnam. He is a man I respect and admire in some ways. But there are a number of reasons why I will not vote for him for President of the United States.

When I was a Plebe (4th classman, or freshman) at the Naval Academy in 1957-58, I was assigned to the 17th Company for my four years there. In those days we had about 3,600 midshipmen spread among 24 companies, thus about 150 midshipmen to a company. As fortune would have it, John, a First Classman (senior) and his room mate lived directly across the hall from me and my two room mates. Believe me when I say that back then I would never in a million or more years have dreamed that the crazy guy across the hall would someday be a Senator and candidate for President!

John was a wild man. He was funny, with a quick wit and he was intelligent. But he was intent on breaking every USNA regulation in our 4 inch thick USNA Regulations book. And I believe he must have come as close to his goal as any midshipman who ever attended the Academy. John had me "coming around" to his room frequently during my plebe year. And on one occasion he took me with him to escape "over the wall" in the dead of night. He had a taxi cab waiting for us that took us to a bar some 7 miles away. John had a few beers, but forbid me to drink (watching out for me I guess) and made me drink cokes. I could tell many other midshipman stories about John that year and he unbelievably managed to graduate though he spent the majority of his first class year on restriction for the stuff he did get caught doing. In fact he barely managed to graduate, standing 5th from the bottom of his 800 man graduating class. I and many others have speculated that the main reason he did graduate was because his father was an Admiral, and also his grandfather, both U.S. Naval Academy graduates.

People often ask if I was a Prisoner of War with John McCain. My answer is always "No - John McCain was a POW with me." The reason is I was there for 8 years and John got there 2 1/2 years later, so he was a POW for 5 1/2 years. And we have our own seniority system, based on time as a POW.

John's treatment as a POW:

1) Was he tortured for 5 years? No. He was subjected to torture and maltreatment during his first 2 years, from September of 1967 to September of 1969. After September of 1969 the Vietnamese stopped the torture and gave us increased food and rudimentary health care. Several hundred of us were captured much earlier. I got there April 20, 1965 so my bad treatment period lasted 4 1/2 years. President Ho Chi Minh died on September 9, 1969, and the new regime that replaced him and his policies was more pragmatic. They realized we were worth a lot as bargaining chips if we were alive. And they were right because eventually Americans gave up on the war and agreed to trade our POW's for their country. A damn good trade in my opinion! But my point here is that John allows the media to make him out to be THE hero POW, which he knows is absolutely not true, to further his political goals.

2) John was badly injured when he was shot down. Both arms were broken and he had other wounds from his ejection. Unfortunately this was often the case -- new POW's arriving with broken bones and serious combat injuries. Many died from their wounds. Medical care was non-existent to rudimentary. Relief from pain was almost never given and often the wounds were used as an available way to torture the POW. Because John's father was the Naval Commander in the Pacific theater, he was exploited with TV interviews while wounded. These film clips have now been widely seen. But it must be known that many POW's suffered similarly, not just John. And many were similarly exploited for political propaganda.

3) John was offered, and refused, "early release." Many of us were given this offer. It meant speaking out against your country and lying about your treatment to the press. You had to "admit" that the U.S. was criminal and that our treatment was "lenient and humane." So I, like numerous others, refused the offer. This was obviously something none of us could accept. Besides, we were bound by our service regulations, Geneva Conventions and loyalties to refuse early release until all the POW's were released, with the sick and wounded going first.

4) John was awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart for heroism and wounds in combat. This heroism has been played up in the press and in his various political campaigns. But it should be known that there were approximately 600 military POW's in Vietnam. Among all of us, decorations awarded have recently been totaled to the following: Medals of Honor -- 8, Service Crosses -- 42, Silver Stars -- 590, Bronze Stars -- 958 and Purple Hearts -- 1,249. John certainly performed courageously and well. But it must be remembered that he was one hero among many -- not uniquely so as his campaigns would have people believe.

John McCain served his time as a POW with great courage, loyalty and tenacity. More that 600 of us did the same. After our repatriation a census showed that 95% of us had been tortured at least once. The Vietnamese were quite democratic about it. There were many heroes in North Vietnam. I saw heroism every day there. And we motivated each other to endure and succeed far beyond what any of us thought we had in ourselves. Succeeding as a POW is a group sport, not an individual one. We all supported and encouraged each other to survive and succeed. John knows that. He was not an individual POW hero. He was a POW who surmounted the odds with the help of many comrades, as all of us did.

I furthermore believe that having been a POW is no special qualification for being President of the United States. The two jobs are not the same, and POW experience is not, in my opinion, something I would look for in a presidential candidate.

Most of us who survived that experience are now in our late 60's and 70's. Sadly, we have died and are dying off at a greater rate than our non-POW contemporaries. We experienced injuries and malnutrition that are coming home to roost. So I believe John's age (73) and survival expectation are not good for being elected to serve as our President for 4 or more years.

I can verify that John has an infamous reputation for being a hot head. He has a quick and explosive temper that many have experienced first hand. Folks, quite honestly that is not the finger I want next to that red button.

It is also disappointing to see him take on and support Bush's war in Iraq, even stating we might be there for another 100 years. For me John represents the entrenched and bankrupt policies of Washington-as-usual. The past 7 years have proven to be disastrous for our country. And I believe John's views on war, foreign policy, economics, environment, health care, education, national infrastructure and other important areas are much the same as those of the Bush administration.

I'm disappointed to see John represent himself politically in ways that are not accurate. He is not a moderate Republican. On some issues he is a maverick. But his voting record is far to the right. I fear for his nominations to our Supreme Court, and the consequent continuing loss of individual freedoms, especially regarding moral and religious issues. John is not a religious person, but he has taken every opportunity to ally himself with some really obnoxious and crazy fundamentalist ministers lately. I was also disappointed to see him cozy up to Bush because I know he hates that man. He disingenuously and famously put his arm around the guy, even after Bush had intensely disrespected him with lies and slander. So on these and many other instances, I don't see that John is the "straight talk express" he markets himself to be.

Senator John Sidney McCain, III is a remarkable man who has made enormous personal achievements. And he is a man that I am proud to call a fellow POW who "Returned With Honor." That's our POW motto. But since many of you keep asking what I think of him, I've decided to write it out. In short, I think John Sidney McCain, III is a good man, but not someone I will vote for in the upcoming election to be our President of the United States.

--------- Credits ------------
Doctor Phillip Butler is a 1961 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former light-attack carrier pilot. In 1965 he was shot down over North Vietnam where he spent eight years as a prisoner of war. He is a highly decorated combat veteran who was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Heart medals. After his repatriation in 1973 he earned a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at San Diego and became a Navy Organizational Effectiveness consultant. He completed his Navy career in 1981 as a professor of management at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He is now a peace and justice activist with Veterans for Peace.

Deployed Troops Donate to Obama 6-1 Over McCain

Photocopy your ballot and send a copy home ! Send a copy to any organization in your home town that monitors elections. Create your own paper trail and compare !
About Barack Obama
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Brain Dead Bureaucrat Watch: VA Blocks Voter Registration at Vets' Hospitals

Not sure what it will do but I just logged in to the VA website and sent an online complaint to them about this issue. I requested their response via US Mail so I have a hard copy.



I suggest everyone, vet or not, to bombard them with a complaint requesting a response via US Mail. You will receive a complaint tracking number so you can keep on them until a response is received.



Instead of waiting for some movement to collect petitions or something, put the burden of response directly on the VA.



Here is the on line form:

https://iris.va.gov/Scripts/iris.cfg/php.exe/enduser/cci/ask_1.php



Pass it on in an email to everyone you know and ask them to do the same. Our vets deserve better than this from the VA.
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Will the Real Pro-life Party Please Stand Up?

There are as many liberals out helping children if not more. Certainly when it comes to politics it is the liberals who want to help the poor, provide for health care etc. Republicans almost always vote against anything except tax breaks for those who hold most of the wealth.



There is nothing wrong with being religious right. There is something wrong when you say you have an exclusive on wanting to help children. Denying contraception as some right wing people advocate is just a disaster waiting to happen in the form of unwanted children who will then need your help somewhere.



When the church asks government to legislate it's particular views on everyone that is a sign the church is weak and cannot teach it's own flock. Why else ask someone outside in the form of the "devil politician" to help do what you cannot. Politicians always have an ulterior motive, typically greed. A preacher that beds with politicians is also suspect by association.



There are many churches...each with good work done and more to do. They don't all agree on the same things so must agree to disagree and continue with what each things best fits their teaching. It is impossible to expect government to satisfy each religion as well as each person who chooses not to follow any particular belief. All are equal in America, not just the religious right.
About Democratic Convention
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Deployed Troops Donate to Obama 6-1 Over McCain

Bless the troops. I always support them even if they have a criminal tyrant as a commander-in-chief.



Those on the front lines know we are wasting human lives and destroying a country that was not and certainly is not now a threat to the US.



With the expose of the string of Bush lies, troops have realized now that Bush and Cheney have willingly sacrificed their lives, limbs and futures to support oil profits for the wealthy families who own those companies. It was never about terrorists.



When McCain says it is OK to remain there for perhaps 100 years they can easily imagine their own sons and daughters, and grand children being killed and maimed for Bush's Oil Barons. They want no part of it.



Soldiers signed on to protect American and its Constitution. Bush took a similar oath but has been trampling the same Constitution at home even as our soldiers die to protect it.



They are right to kick McCain's butt by donating to the one person who seems to have understood the truth long ago. Obama.
About Barack Obama
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Will the Real Pro-life Party Please Stand Up?

You cannot speak of abortions without speaking of unwanted pregnancies.



It is narrow minded to take the issue of abortion rights out of context as if those abortions can exist without a pregnancy.



Many of the same people who want to ban abortions also want to block sex education and contraception. This is totally at odds with reducing unwanted pregnancies which are the ONLY cause leading to abortions.



No where is this more critical than teens and lower social-economic communities. To reduce pregnancies, thus abortions, requires that those at risk understand the options and the risks. Then those options must actually be available.



It is not the government's job to regulate sex or education or morals. Those who have an audience in their churches who want their government to just ban what they don't like are foolish. Families and churches have their own obligation separate from the state to educate their members about the facts and alternatives. Teaching "no to contraception ) while also saying "no" to abortions is a useless tactic doomed to fail.



To Church Leaders...don't wine to Congress to do your job for you. Teach your flock well and with reason that understands human nature.
About Democratic Convention
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McCain: "In The 21st Century Nations Don't Invade Other Nations"

Bush basically said the same thing. Any wonder now if McCain is just a Bush clone? They even spout the same lies and absurd statements.



What they should have both said is that ,



" ..other countries don't invade...but we do because we are Special and the rules don't apply to us!"
About John McCain
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Oil: Supply vs. Demand

Taxing corporations is pointless. They just include that in the price of goods and we pay them in the end. Only people pay taxes.



You have to tax the owners of the corporations and make sure they pay their fair share on their personal incomes. The more the corporation makes the more the taxes collected from those who actually receive the profits.



A fair taxation would not tax a business at all because those are always passed along to us, hidden in the cost of goods...so we pay them anyway. Tax the incomes of the owners only, but tax them so they have to actually pay them.



Same goes for trucking...don't tax their fuel. Don't charge road taxes. We pay those for them when we buy the goods. Tax the incomes only as that is the only way to tax profits of wealthy big business.
About Oil
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Oil: Supply vs. Demand

Could it also be part of Big Oils reaction to the new demands for off-shore drilling? Something to tease us into thinking that if they get to take public property ( oil under public land ) and sell it back to us for huge profits, suddenly our gas prices will drop even more?



Big Oil bought McCain for a cool million recently, not because McCain is a "nice guy" but because they see it as an investment in future profits. The expect McCain to tell us what the oil companies want us to hear.



So far no one has suggested that the Oil Companies should pay citizens a royalty check for taking their oil for personal and corporate profits . Alaskans receive a royalty check for oil...shouldn't anyone who's state sits on public owned oil receive a check each year?
About Oil
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Clintons Still Want To Kill Caucuses: The Latest Round

I'm not happy with the system either. But now is not the time to try to muddle things up because it appears that the Clinton's are bitter and non-supportive of their party's candidate.



Hillary may have to ride this one out. She put up a fight and lost. That is what it is about. Only one can win and it wasn't her this time.



I believe there should never be anything other than a popular vote...period. What is the purpose of all this game-playing and conventions anyway...other than an excuse for a party.



Let the people pick their candidates then let them campaign until the election...put away the party hats and get to work.
About Barack Obama
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Why Voters Say they Don't Really Know Barack Obama (and Why They Don't Really Know Much about John McCain, Either)

Never start a fight...but when the other guy throws the first punch...go back swinging.



McCain has plenty of dirty laundry to air without resorting to lies. It would not be a dirty campaign to promote McCain's lies and his past record in Congress etc.



I wonder what McCain's idea of a "patriot" is? There is a whole generation that did not have to fight a war to "prove" themselves a patriot because prior to Bush we have not had a war since Viet Nam. The military of recent years was mostly a good place for poor youth to get a leg up...until they found out their own military did not support their futures.
About Barack Obama
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Senator McCain, Troops and Security Are No Joke

We all know McCain him self IS a joke. We can only hope most smart people know this and won't vote for him. Pass this around. Post a link to this article on your blogs as well.
About John McCain
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The Not-So-Great Energy Debate

Let them lease...but with strings attached.

1) Time limits. Produce withing x months or lose the lease.

2) Pay Royalties to citizens in the states where oil is pumped as they do in Alaska. After all it is under public domain so why should private oil companies be allowed to take public property for private profite without paying us for the oil? They have to pay OPEC for oil don't they? Are we equally entitled ?

3) Require that fuel prices will factor in local cost per barrel, not the OPEC price.

4) Establish a fixed "profit margin" over cost for the fuel they sell.
About Oil
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Obama Delivers a Real Energy Plan for America: Efficiency Now, 10% Renewables by 2012, One Million Plug-ins by 2015

We also need 100% electric cars. Most daily driving can be done with today's electric vehicle technology and batteries. Detroit made them once then quit when the pressure was off..destroying all the demo vehicles they had on the road in California.



I have more info here: http://www.reelectnoone.com/electric_car.php



In any case, while it is great to provide incentives to auto makers, if people can't afford to buy them there is a road block. For instance, with the rising cost of gas, how much trade in can someone expect when trading for an electric? Can people even get back what they may owe on their current vehicle? Will people start "walking away" from car loans the way they are being forced to do with mortgages today?



There needs to be incentives to allow people to obtain new vehicles, not just for Detroit to build them, and I am NOT talking tax credit, because many people's incomes are so low that a tax credit is useless to them. There needs to be, instead of a "credit" an actual government trade allowance that can be taken at dealers at time of purchase.
About Barack Obama
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Make McCain Disavow His Dishonest Obama Ad

Senator McCain,The Washington Post, The New York Times and your friend, Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, agree that your latest ad was a distortion of fact.We demand that you disavow your dishonest ad and pledge never to run it again.

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On Joe Klein and the Jewish Neoconservatives

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John McCain Plays the Race Card

About John McCain
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Toby Keith's Pro-Lynching Publicity Tour Hits Colbert, CBS and More

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The Suicide Solution

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Veterans Respond to McCain's "Obama Wants to Lose" Remark

About Iraq
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The Barbeque Media Wants Senator Obama To Win? That's Rich.

About Barack Obama
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Introducing HuffPost's Big News Pages: One Stop Shopping for Obamaniacs, Apple Junkies, Brangelina Freaks, and News Obsessives of Every Ilk

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Home Economics

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Bush Bans State Department Officials From Obama Rally

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McCain Camp "Frustrated" With Obama's Trip: Reports

About John McCain
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The Media, Obama, Iraq

About Barack Obama
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So, Did You Find Any Facts, Obama?

About Iraq
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Why Karl Rove Should Go To Jail

About Karl Rove
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Scary Thought: Is Condi Rice Our Last, Best Chance for Peace?

About Dick Cheney
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Like Vagueness? Elect McCain Commander In Chief

About Afghanistan
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Like Vagueness? Elect McCain Commander In Chief

About Afghanistan
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As Bush Lifts Restrictions on Offshore Drilling, We Need a TVA for Oil/Gas Production

About Oil
As if it was not already clear who bought and paid for the Bush presidency. Yet another gift to big oil has been added to the gift of Iraq...at what cost?



If Bush does not mind killing over a million people to assure his oil buddies get richer by the day why would anyone think he cares what anyone thinks about more drilling.



Money trumps morals at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave every time.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Obama for President

About Barack Obama
Despite recent disappointment in Obama's support of FISA, and even in a "lesser of two evils" election I will still choose Obama over McBush 100:1



The election is not all about the president however. We have a LOT of people in Congress who have fallen all over themselves to "obey" Bush's commands like the stray dogs they are. Democrat and Republican alike. Those people need to be voted out of office as well.



Read More... http://www.opednews.com/articles/Pass-The-Word--Our-voice-i-by-Paul-Kruger-080710-954.html
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Killing Iranian Civilians Isn't Hilarious, Senator McCain

About John McCain
First WMD's Now send chemical weapons to poison Iraq's citizens...for profit !



First Oil. Now the Tobacco industry invades. Is there really any doubt who Bush and Congress really support? It sure as h&ll is not the American Citizens.



Remember Bush openly committed multiple felonies in office ( at least 30 known ) and Congress is helping him get away with it. Yesterday Congress voted to wipe out part of our Constitution ( 1st & 4th amendments ) by allowing illegal wire taps to continue without providing any oversight or allowing it's victims ( all of us ) any legal recourse. A new provision in the senate's foreclosure bill will require that every credit card transaction we make be reported to the Federal Government.



STUPID AMERICAN VOTERS will sit silently by until even their right to vote is gone and we are left with what? Certainly not a free society or democracy.



Before Congress finds a way to eliminate voting so they can stay there forever we MUST vote them all out of office. This may be our last chance to save America.
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Clinton: Why I Voted No On FISA

About Hillary Clinton
As soon as the vote is published...it will be on t-shirts to protest and help vote those senators and members of the house who voted for immunity out of office.



The do not deserve their seats in Congress.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

For those who missed the news...

Three Mistakes the Democrats Shouldn't Make Again

About Barack Obama
The DNC and Obama need to consider one more thing. Many of their fellow Democrats were turn-coats in that they often voted to let Bush trample the Constitution.



Hopefully most of those members of Congress, Republican and Democrat alike can be voted out of office and replaced by ethical people who will consider their oath a sacred vow to protect the constitution, not help destroy it.



With a stable of untrustworthy dems in Congress DON"T point to them to support change because they have proven to be the first to destroy any chance of change. As a democrat myself I am ashamed of most of today's democrats and will write in Mickey Mouse before I will give them my vote again.



Obama needs to go it alone with a few notable exceptions to the rule and not rely upon those "soiled" members of congress as shining examples of the future.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Obama, Stay the Course!

I agree and am dissapointed in Obama for not upholding his own oath of office.

He is honor bound to uphold the constitution as a seated senator. Immunity flies in the face of the first amendment right to petition the courts. I have made this clear in my own articles in OpEdNews and sent faxes to my reps, senators and to Obama.



What is sad is he is now lowering his standards and compromising his ethics for votes. I once trusted Obama to be "different" and above politics as usual. He is reducing the campaign choices to picking the lesser of two evils.



McBush scares me more than Obama does. I can still hope that Obama is doing what he is doing to improve chances at election and will then do the right thing. But I can't read his mind and his tactics don't make me like him better.
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Opponents of Retroactive Immunity Live To Fight Another Day

You have to remember that the law forbids telcos from giving this info to the feds unless a specific procedure is followed in writing that necessitate a warrant or a document attested to by specific people in the AG's office. Most of these people refused to do so. The request was signed by the President and he is not authorized to do so by law.



The telco's had a legal and moral obligation to refuse the request. Only Qwest had the guts to say no. The rest caved to an illegal request, now they want immunity.



Why would they want immunity? Only one reason, they know they broke the law and want a get out of jail free card from congress...and the spineless House has signed off on it despite the fact that such a provision violates our First Amendment.



Sure Bush started it...but telcos in their greed for government contracts went along, placing profits ahead of their moral, ethical and legal obligations to their customers.



Hang them..and then go vote congress out of office.
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Opponents of Retroactive Immunity Live To Fight Another Day

Senator Dodd.



While I have your attention there is another matter that troubles me and gives me pause to trust your own actions. It was pointed out that you added a provision to the foreclosure bill to REQUIRE spying on American's credit card purchases.



I have posted in blogs and sent faxes to my reps to refuse to pass that bill with that provision included.

We have you on board against one spy bill yet you introduce another of your own in it's place. It has no limitations, no controls, no consumer protections about what the feds can use transaction information for, noting to protect against self incrimination short of a person canceling all of there credit cards. Applying for a new card amounts to requiring a person to waive their 5th amendment rights.



It is full of legal holes that favor government abuses with no sign of even one protection for consumers or merchants.



It is BAD LAW that could stall good law. It is a shame the way unrelated law gets inserted into other-wise good bills as a way to try to "sneak" one past the American people.



http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/diarymanage.php?submit=view&did=8032

http://www.opednews.com/Poll/Should-the-Feds-be-handed--by-Paul-Kruger-080704-3.html



Please REMOVE this from the bill !
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Opponents of Retroactive Immunity Live To Fight Another Day

I have said this before and will repeat until I am blue in the face. Any Senator or Representative who has or will vote for immunity is in violation of their oath of office because such a vote is illegal.



One must only read the First Amendment right to petition our government to know that. Immunity does just that, illegally attempts to block access to the courts. That amendment FORBIDS Congress from doing so. Period. There is no fine print.



I have already told my representative Corinne Brown that because of her vote to grant immunity I will not vote for her next election. I made it clear in faxes to my two senators, Nelson and Mel Martinez the same. Vote against our Constitution and the rule of law and lose my vote forever.



Martinez's response indicates he does not support our Bill of Rights and deserves to be voted out of office as does EVERY member of Congress who voted contrary to their oath of office to defend the constitution of the United States. I suspect most members no longer deserve their seats.
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My Position On FISA

About Barack Obama
I posted my response again on Mr. Obama's site in my blog.



http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/paulkruger



While I still believe Obama to be the best option for America now, I want him to clearly understand that he should consider, as his first priority, not only protecting the integrity of our Bill of Rights and Constitution, but the reversing of prior transgressions made by the Bush administration and restoring us to a fully functional Constitution.



He can start by stating publicly that he will NOT allow warrantless wire taps, FISA not-with-standing. That he will honor habeas corpus. That he will not condone torture and will hold accountable, anyone found to have used torture in the name of America.



I realize withdrawal from the mess we made in Iraq will not be as easy as it was for Bush to get us into that mess, but that must also be a priority. Someone said of Iraq, "We broke it...we bought it" That leaves us with a moral obligation to fix the damage we caused and apologize for Mr. Bush.



We have a bad reputation that needs polished before we can again hold our heads high. Obama can fix it if he will do so.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

My Position On FISA

About Barack Obama
One thing about this immunity issue. The first amendment to our bill of rights specifically denies Congress the power to prohibit citizens from petitioning our government for a redress of grievances.



Law or no law - it is illegal because Congress simply does not have the power to grant immunity that would prohibit people to access the courts to challenge an illegal activity.



Additionally, since is is VERY CLEAR in the bill of rights and Constitution that what they did or may have done would be illegal. Our right to petition for a redress of grievance is guaranteed, a vote for immunity is a vote contrary to the oath of office. http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Oath_Office.htm



Of all Senators, Mr. Obama is a scholar of the Constitution and knows better. Perhaps this is a political rather than logical vote. I still support him but he is losing his luster by helping Bush tear down our constitutional protections.



I want to see how he responds to Dodd's amendment to foreclosure bill to require that all American's credit card transactions be reported to the feds.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

McCain Comes Ashore In Pennsylvania

About John McCain
As is always the case at these rallies, people who are mostly convinced show up to offer support. McCain and Obama are mostly addressing their people.



Other than to encourage the already faithful to give in a few more dollars, I don't see the point of being concerned with any such rally.



Some candidates go so far as to invite only their faithful, doing their best to omit any real worry about being hit with a tough question.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Contra Krugman: President Obama Won't be Another Clinton or another Reagan -- He Won't be Another Anybody

About Barack Obama
WATCH OUT ! The waters are aswarm with pundits and opinions.



All of these comments from Krugman et al are opinions. Each has it's value even if not always factual. They do encourage people to think. ( Ouch, what's that pain in my head? )



While I am disappointed by Omaba's abandonment, so far, of his promise to fight to remove immunity for telcos from the FISA bill, I still support him as being head and shoulders above McCain in over-all trustworthiness as a president.



Never forget everyone's right to express their opinions even if you don't agree. So far neither Congress nor Bush has proposed limiting our opinions to state sanctioned versions. But if they get away with allowing illegal wire taps, can the first amendment be far behind?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

History is Made: New GI Bill Signed into Law

About Iraq War
I love it when Bush is forced to do something right for a change. Too bad Congress did not force him to do more things right in the past.



At least each gets one vote in their favor. Now if Congress would just impeach Bush they could go to sleep with a clear conscience for once.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Memo to Obama: Moving to the Middle is for Losers

About Barack Obama
Today I posted this letter by fax to my Florida Senators and to Mr. Obama.



http://www.reelectnoone.com/no_immunity.php ( it would not fit here )



The main reason Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain need to stop immunity has nothing to do with their campaign for president.



Right now neither of them are president, however both of them are sitting Senators. Both of these senators need to stand up and state, not as candidates but as current senators, that they believe in and will stand up for the Rule of Law in this nation. The issue is the same, it is illegal to wiretap without a warrant. The FISA bill does not change that fact, it just says we know it's illegal but we will look the other way while you ( Bush and Telcos ) violate our constitutional protections and disrespect every American's rights to privacy.



As senators they both took an oath of office to uphold our Constitution. To deliberately allow Bush and others to break the law and violate the constitution is a violation of their oaths. If they don't respect the oath they ALREADY took to become senators, why would we believe either of them when they swear an oath again as president?



Being a candidate for president does not confer upon either of them the option of ignoring their present oaths of office to vote to allow the breaking of our laws in defiance of our Constitution.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Understanding Obama's Recent Right Turn

About Barack Obama
He is a scholar of the Constitution and a former law professor teaching constitutional law.



Why has he not made the point that congress does not have the power to write any law that is contrary to provisions of the Constitution. Illegal wiretapping is called that for a reason.



The Constitution forbids it...period. If Congress is passing laws to by-pass, those are unconstitutional laws and those who vote for them have violated their oath of office by so voting.



I long ago gave up on Bush respecting the Constitution...
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Right On, General Clark. Do Not Back Down.

About John McCain
McCain's experience do qualify him to speak about being an abused prisoner.



How is it he went along with Bush's torture policies?



Seems he is able to forget even the most "permanent" of experiences if it suits his ambitions.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Republicans Taunt Obama As Spineless Over FISA Reversal

About Iraq
I posted in the mail list for Obama that I was also disappointed. I still will vote for him because the alternative is far far worse. But what this means for me as a supporter is that I may not donate again.



A Constitutional principle such as freedom from unreasonable search ( FISA and immunity ) should never be a bargaining chip. Obama and most politicians seem to forget a few basics here.



1) They swore an oath of office to uphold the Constitution

2) The rights they are willing to bargain away for votes don't belong to just them, they belong to every American. I don't appreciate having MY freedoms used as political chess pieces.



Any one else feel the same?



Read this POLL:

http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/pollvoting.php?show=votes&pid=54&frompage=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reelectnoone.com%2F

and call your Senator and call the Obama campaign. If the link above does not work it is also on http://www.reelectnoone.com
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Nader, Unsafe at Any Speed, Says Obama Wants to "Talk White"

About Barack Obama
Nader has done great things for consumers in the past. He is likely a decent person, concerned about the future of America.



Nader is not president material however. In fact one could make the argument that he caused the Iraq war by helping draw votes from Al Gore, Thus insuring Bush's election.



Nader is best at promoting sound ideas and discussion. He should work for McCain or Obama but not try to get elected. He knows he can't win and only draws votes away from more electable candidates.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost