The best political writing I've encountered in quite a while

Below is the introductory paragraph from an article called When Atheists Attack, by Sam Harris of Newsweek. Even though Sarah Palin is old news (please,dear god, let that be true), I had to share at least this intro. The article is long, and well researched, and worth a read if folks feel they need a primer on the subject. This intro, though, is some seriously spot-on writing.

Let me confess that I was genuinely unnerved by Sarah Palin's performance at the Republican convention. Given her audience and the needs of the moment, I believe Governor Palin's speech was the most effective political communication I have ever witnessed. Here, finally, was a performer who—being maternal, wounded, righteous and sexy—could stride past the frontal cortex of every American and plant a three-inch heel directly on that limbic circuit that ceaselessly intones "God and country." If anyone could make Christian theocracy smell like apple pie, Sarah Palin could.

Enjoy watching a ball being hit out of the park, even if it is a couple months late,

Bp

[image credit in linked article]

Make Believe Maverick

Here is an exhaustive (10 page -- exhaustive for Rolling Stone at least) investigation into the temperament and history of McCain by Rolling Stone Magazine. It's worth a read if anyone on this blog is undecided, or needs some information that could shine a light on the psychological motivations of this candidate.

Click the quote below for a link to the article:

This is the story of the real John McCain, the one who has been hiding in plain sight. It is the story of a man who has consistently put his own advancement above all else, a man willing to say and do anything to achieve his ultimate ambition: to become commander in chief, ascending to the one position that would finally enable him to outrank his four-star father and grandfather.

In its broad strokes, McCain's life story is oddly similar to that of the current occupant of the White House.

Enjoy getting better educated about a problematic candidate,

Bp

[via Uncle Ted, illustration credit in linked article]

W. and McSame similarities clarified in The Nation via movie review

My friend Babs sent me a link to this Nation article talking about Oliver Stone's W. Biopic, but using it to talk about McSame as well.

Here is the most-stellar, scathing, and on-point closing paragraph:

McCain evidences the underlying motivator attributed to Bush in Stone's movie: the distorted priorities of a son of privilege doing battle with the legacy of more gifted and responsible family ancestors. Both grew up as spoiled screw-ups repeatedly bailed out of trouble by their highly accomplished fathers, in McCain's case an admiral. Both assume, as a matter of legacy, that they have a right to rule. What they ignored in their legacy was a Christian's obligation to make the economic system that handsomely rewarded their kin at least minimally responsive to the needs of ordinary folk.

And here's the trailer for W.'s Biopic:



Enjoy the truth laid bare,

Bp

[thanks Babs]

McCain sucks: McCain and the Keating Five

Here is a fantastically scathing 13-minute movie about McCain and his connection with the infamous Keating Five, and thus his connection with the enormous S & L failures of the late 80's.

And this guy is STILL pushing for de-regulation, despite the precedent of doom -- McCain sucks.

Here is a trailer if you want a taste of that longer video linked above.



Enjoy learning more ways to rebuff arguments supporting McSame for President,

Bp

[via cousin Andrea]

Obama kicking some butt

Here is a nicely edited video highlight of Obama picking apart some of the absurdity of the McCain camp. Not hard to do, the tiniest bit of research exposes McCain's absolute lack of regard for the reality of working folks in America, and absolute iron-clad "business as usual" stance on nearly every issue. Obama doesn't have to make anything up to beat the crap out of his campaign statements.

I'm not saying there isn't absurdity and hypocrisy in the Obama camp. I'm not an "Obamaniac." I'm disappointed in the whole system here.

But McCain truly sucks, his people suck, his policies suck, and his choice of Veep sucks. I'll take Obama ANY DAY.



Enjoy the tiniest bit of sense in politics, even a little bit,

Bp

[via Idea Whiplash, thanks for this]

McCain sucks: Ron Paul soundly refuses to support him

Mr. Paul is an extremist, I'll give you that. But he is the real straight-talk express, and I hold quite a bit of affection for the guy. His sound refusal to endorse McCain just solidifies my feelings.

Here is the video:



And here is a good Jed Report post on the subject.

Enjoy the real straight talk express,

Bp

[via Yuri, of course]

Why so serious about Sarah?

The Chumslick is one of my favorite blogs. The guy is irreverent, and even crass, but for all the right reasons. When he's onto his pro-shark (even pro shark-bite) stance, he's both hilarious and heart-breaking. He often says the things that I was thinking but hadn't gotten the guts up to post myself.

Here is his post about Sarah Palin and her stance on wildlife and wildlife protections. He links to some great posts and articles and videos in the blog, but let me give you an excerpt of the author's own words that I especially appreciate:

She stands for the thing we might despise most: the hurbristic belief in mankind's divinely-sanctioned exploitative dominance over nature and wildlife--an extension of Manifest Destiny.

These people are quick to say that the Bible sanctions man's dominance over the world and all things in it, but then they forget that for every Bible passage that asserts man's dominance, there are 20 that condemn greed and waste.

I'll let his post stand on its own, it's worth your read.

And here is a cartoon that slams the general idea home:


Enjoy folks who are on your side, and really put it out there,

Bp

Some serious McCain ugliness -- his actions against POW/MIA disclosure

Alright folks, time to put the rubber on the road.

Here is a video laying out some seriously ugly assertions about McCain and his need to keep POW/MIA files out of public hands. He opposed the declassification of military records that would make it easier for the families of POWs and MIAs to research their family member's status. This we do know. The bill which passed the house without a single dissenting vote -- this bill he opposed.

As for why he opposed the bill, this video put out by the Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain proposes some motivations that are not in any way pretty.

Is this Swiftboating? I don't know. I know that Bob Dornan is not exactly a Democratic Mole, and he is making some of the most serious accusations of a fellow Republican.

Something to contemplate and investigate:



Enjoy firming up the very reasonable arguments against McCain for President,

Bp

McCain Sucks -- bomb Iran?

To be clear about the whole McCain Sucks series of posts -- I understand that the grand majority of folks who read this blog are not voting for McCain. Some may be undecided, but most are anti. So, it would seem to be preaching to the choir to make these posts. However, I want folks to have specifics to mention should anyone challenge their stance regarding McSame. That way we can be educated and intelligent in our responses. Also, for the undecided folks, these should be good food for thought.

Just in case you missed this particular McCain Sucks tidbit, here is a video of him singing the jaunty "bomb bomb Iran" song.
bo

And here is Grampy defending himself -- completely asinine. Yeah, "lighten up" about bombing other countries, sheesh.



Enjoy Grampy McSame shooting himself in the foot repeatedly, and with vigor,

Bp

[via Muse]

McCain sucks: Campaign advisor a friend of dictators

It was hard to write the headline for this post, because everything I came up with was either too long winded or too showboaty. I went with showboaty, because it is true -- Charles Black is a friend of dictators, both Jonas Savimbi, the ever-popular Ferdinand Marcos, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, and President Mohamed Siad Barre of Somali. O.K., maybe it's inaccurate to say "friend" -- client is more accurate -- tho possibly even less comforting. According to this Guardian article on Black, he also has impeccable far-right credentials.

This guy isn't some social or religious acquaintance of McSame's, he is a key member of the campaign staff. This is an entirely different level of association than the whole "pastor war" that went on a while back, and reflects darkly on McSame's intended policies, should he (God forbid) become president.

Here's a capper from the Guardian article:

Black's remarks to Fortune magazine that a terrorist attack on US soil would be a "big advantage" to McCain's election campaign may seem a no-brainer behind closed doors among hard-nosed political strategists. Out in the open, they seem a tad insensitive, even for McCain himself, who had to distance himself from the remarks.

So lets not forget about the upcoming election entirely (as I almost did). I mean, it would be nice, but its too important to let go.

Enjoy coming back into society,

Bp

[article via Babs, photo credit in linked article]

Dueling pastors

OK, enough humor -- here's some surrealist, apocalyptic nutbagness. Truly epic nutbagness. And it's in the McCain Camp, which makes it important to be aware of.

Now, I keep hesitating to hear this guy's message as it's being described all over the net -- basically that the holocaust was God's Good Work. Outside of epistemological and/or ontological arguments that are beyond the scope of what I'm willing to engage 20 minutes before class -- the simple interpretation of this guy's sermon does lead one down this road, doesn't it?

As for pastors that one would need to distance oneself from in a presidential campaign -- I'd say Hagee trumps Wright any day. But then again I'm just a left-coast independent, what do I know.

Apparently, McCain has moved on this and distanced himself from the crazy pastor -- although in a thoroughly half-assed way.



Enjoy keeping things in perspective,

Bp

Oh and by the way McCain truly sucks

Just in case folks are too caught up in the Blue side politics at the moment, a quick reminder of why McCain is just not fit to be President.



Enjoy pre-emptive netroots activism,

Bp

John McCain as Dr. Strangelove

I think I'll just have to keep posting these Brave New Films. Their work is great.

Here is their latest -- showing the war mongering of John McCain. If all the wars the U.S. are in right now are voluntary -- promising more war means promising more willful invasions, right? Someone tell me my math is wrong here.



Ps/Addendum: When the video is over, scroll around and find the "McCain Vs. McCain" video -- it's amazing.

Enjoy effective action,

Bp