Your request is being processed... Obama Makes Keith Olbermann's Worst Person List

You have to see this----

Senator Biden and My Cuz...!!!!

Senator Biden visited my birthplace today---Mansfield, Ohio----and here he is with my first first cousin....(my mom and her sister married two guys who were brothers)---I know it sounds weird----but it's not...thus Kathy is my first first cousin....she is a fantastic middle class mom, four kids, PTA goin', every sporting event her kids are involved in soccer mom---and she is NOT running for VP.....

The pic is from the local newspaper in Mansfield (Mansfield News Journal/Dave Polcyn) where my dad apprenticed as an offset pressman many years ago. If ever there was a town that needed CHANGE Mansfield is it----Westinghouse, several steel companies and many other manufacturing businesses vacated a long time ago and this town where my paternal grand parents immigrated from Austria to escape WWI is a desolation.

Kathy's daughter---Nicole---works for the Obama Campaign in Mansfield.

For some reason this is just so cool!

Arar v. Ashcroft

A survivor of Operation Rendition is Defended by the Center for Constitutional Rights

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Clearing Up the Fog on This Election

A recent post on Newsvine by littlereddog just blew me away with its clarity. It is a good synopsis so far on all that we are hearing and seeing---INFORMATION OVERLOAD!

Take a gander at this and see if it helps----The Editor


I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.....

* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different."

* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.

* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.

* Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, and you're a maverick.

* Graduate from Harvard law School and be President of the Law Review, and you are unstable.

* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.

* If you spend 3 years as a community organizer, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.

* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.

* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.

* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.

* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

* If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.

* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.

* If your husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DUI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

OK, much clearer now.

The Fear Monger's Reprise: Gary Bauer Says We are All Going to Die

I thought this recent presentation by Gary Bauer should be heard with your own ears. He uses the threat of a dirty bomb detonation in the "federal triangle" (is that related to the Bermuda Triangle?) is the reason he wants John McCain elected President.

He fails to mention that 9/11 occurred while Rudolph Guiliani was the mayor of New York and George Bush was the President---both Republicans.

The "smear of fear" tactic continues folks. Gary Bauer should be ashamed of himself.

NEW REPUBLICAN LOGO

A blogger over at Newvine designed this and I thought it was quite appropriate to describe how I feel about the Republican Party and their campaign of fear.

Feel free, per the designer, to copy and use this logo. Should make a good armband, Too!

Freedom To Vote

This episode focuses on legislative efforts in Georgia and Texas to require voters to present photo IDs, though such rules would create barriers for low-income, elderly and disabled people, and disenfranchise millions. While supporters of photo IDs say the goal is to eliminate voter impersonation, such fraud is extremely rare. "Freedom to Vote" also looks at the sacrifices that have been made in our nation's history to ensure that all have equal access to the ballot box.

Freedom From Spying

This episode reveals how the federal government is turning the U.S. into a nation under surveillance. From warrantless wiretapping of phone calls and monitoring of emails to the creation of a national identity card, the government is using "national security" as a justification for encroaching on our right to privacy and freedoms of speech and association. But the initiatives are stirring intense opposition from many groups across the political spectrum.

ADF's Actual Statement: You be the Judge

September 9, 2008
You may be aware of a special project we’re undertaking here at the Alliance Defense Fund, culminating in an event on Sunday, September 28 called Pulpit Freedom Sunday. We are excited about this opportunity that will, God-willing, give us the opportunity to restore now missing aspects of the First Amendment to our nation’s spiritual leaders. It’s no surprise that not everyone agrees and we have recently come under attack.

Many Americans’ attitudes and actions toward slavery, child labor, civil rights, and even the American Revolution itself started in the pews of our nation’s churches. As pastors preached and taught Biblical principles related to those issues and evaluated the politicians who promoted or decried them, their parishioners could decide their own stance in light of Scripture. Starting in 1954, that most basic right was ripped away from our pulpits.

The U.S. Congress amended IRS Code 501(c)3 without debate or analysis to restrict the speech of non-profit tax exempt entities, including churches. So, for the last 54 years, out of fear of losing their tax-exempt status, our nation’s pastors and priests have largely remained silent. Rather than risk confrontation, pastors have often self-censored their speech, ignoring blatant immorality in government and too often pronouncing their aversion from speaking about public policy. Those pastors who have longed to be relevant to society, to preach the Gospel in a way that has meaning in modern America, have studiously ignored much that has gone on in every tumultuous election season lest they drew wrath from the IRS.

On Pulpit Freedom Sunday, pastors from 20 states will reclaim their constitutional right. From the pulpit, they will advise their congregation what scripture says about today’s issues apply those issues to the candidates standing for election just like their forefathers did for 150 years. This week, the Washington Post reported opposition to Pulpit Freedom Sunday spearheaded by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. You can read that article by clicking here. (You can read a response to that article from ADF Attorney Erik Stanley by clicking here.) Those who oppose us publicly demand “separation of church and state” when it suits their agenda. They claim to defend “free speech,” when, actually, they want the government to monitor, censor, and control what happens in our churches and punish those whose speech violates their dark vision for America’s future.

At ADF, we do not welcome attacks but understand they will come as we humbly seek to do God’s will to defend these pastors who love God and want to serve Him. We expect complaints will be made to the IRS. We will pray and stand firm. We will represent these pastors should they come under fire and we will fight this battle all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary. It is just that important. As theologian Dr. John Frame notes, initiatives of this type are part and parcel of our constitutional legal system:

“In some systems of law, including the United States, the only way to establish the unconstitutionality of a law is by means of a test case. Someone must break that law, undergo trial, and then use as a defense that the law is unconstitutional. Such test-case lawbreaking is not a violation of the overall system of law… but rather attempts to purify the system by eliminating inappropriate legislation.”

We will fight this battle because it is the right thing to do. Our pastors and priests should be able to use their knowledge of Scripture to advise us in all areas of life, even in politics. By God’s grace, we will win this battle, but we cannot do it alone. We need your prayers, your support and the Lord’s blessing and protection. John 15:5.

One thing the ADF has forgotten apparently----the tax exempt status is derived from the IRS Code---I have one piece of advise for them myself:

OBEY THE LAW!

Alliance Defense Fund Incites Lawlessness

The Alliance Defense Fund, founded by James Dobson, D. James Kennedy, Bill Bright, Marlin Maddoux, and Larry Burkett, (all very well known leaders in the evangelical/fundamentalist community), are encouraging pastors and preachers to violate federal tax laws by engaging in political activities that are now prohibited by the tax code.

The 501(c)(3) status of almost all evangelical and fundamentalist churches requires them to adhere to and obey the regulations of the IRS Code as they derive their very existence from the IRS Code.

The Alliance Defense Fund apparently believes that the IRS Code is unconstitutional...yet is setting people up as guinea pigs much like the Christian Patriot movement has in years past. Remember? I warned you.

Now we have a national "christian" organization promoting this type of lawlessness and inciting others to be its guinea pigs.

So much for "christian ethics..." One wonders what will happen to the people prosecuted for violating the law pursuant to the advise of the ADF? Will the ADF defend them for free??? I think not but will probably offer to defends such people....for a small fee.

I guess this is ADF's attempt at guaranteeing their existance and adding a bunch of new clients' money to their coffers...just my opinion.

The Editor

Bob Woodward: The War Within

Bob Woodward's new book provides ample reason to fear the fear mongerers themselves....

John McCain's Lies-----so far......

This is a video compilation of McCain's ads and the truth of the matter. Gutter politics is here to stay apparently. If we allow this man to sit in the Whitehouse we deserve everything we get in return.

McCain's Top Advisors ARE Special Interest Lobbyists

John McCain said that he would put an end to special interest Lobbyists running things in Washington....but guess who his top advisers are....? Lobbyists. Click the title to see the video.

Equal Time---re Mayors and Governors of Small Towns

Change----

VP Cheney Was Right About Iraq War: Once Upon a Time

VP Cheney here (in 1994) predicts what would happen if the US were to invade Iraq and take Baghdad....hmmmmmm.....I think we now know the definition of "quagmire..."

Olbermann: Republicans hijacked 9/11

Sept. 10: In a Special Comment, Keith Olbermann talks about the politicization of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, especially by the Bush administration and the GOP who use the event to terrify Americans into thinking the only safe option is to vote Republican “or this will happen again and you will die.”

Transcript of the video:

As promised, a Special Comment about our sad anniversary tomorrow.

Or, more correctly, what our sad anniversary tomorrow has been turned into by the presidential administration, and the current Republican candidates for President and Vice President.

This is supposed to be a day of remembrance. Remembrance of the attack, remembrance of the national unity which followed it.

Most important of all, remembrance of the dead.

But 9/11 has become a brand name. A Republican campaign slogan. Propaganda of the lowest form. 9/11 has become 9/11 with a trademark logo.

9/11 (TM) has sustained a president who long ago should have been dismissed, or impeached. It has kept him and his gang of financial and constitutional crooks in office without — literally — any visible means of support.

9/11 (TM) has made possible the greatest sleight-of-hand in our nation’s history.

The political party in office at the time of the attacks, at the local, state and national levels, the party which uniformly ignored the warnings and the presidential administration already through twenty percent of its first term and no longer wet behind the ears, have not only thus far escaped any blame for the malfeasance and criminal neglect that allowed the attacks to occur, but that presidency and that party, have managed to make it seem as if the other political party would be solely and irredeemably responsible for any similar catastrophe in the future.

Thus, Sen. McCain, were you able to accomplish a further inversion of reality at your party’s nominating convention last week.

There was the former Mayor of the City of New York, the one who took no counter-terrorism measure in his seven years in office between the first attack on the World Trade Center, and the second attack.

Nothing, except to insist, despite all advice and warning, that his Emergency Command Center be moved directly into the World Trade Center.

Yet there was this man, Sir, Rudolph Giuliani, quite succinctly dismissed as “A Noun, a Verb, and 9/11,” and repudiated even by Republican voters, transformed into the keynote speaker, Sen. McCain at your convention.

And his childish, squealing, braying, Tourette’s-like repetition of 9/11 (TM), was greeted not as conclusive evidence that he is consumed by massive guilt - hard-earned guilt, in fact but rather as some kind of political tour-de-force, an endorsement of your Vice Presidential nominee, a rookie governor , a facile and slick con artist.

The blind endorsing the bland, to a chorus of 9/11 (TM), 9/11 (TM), 9/11 (TM.)

Your ringing mindless cheer of “We’ve Kept You Safe Since Then.”While nobody asks “doesn’t then count?”

All of this, sadistically disrespecting the dead of New York, and Washington, and Shanksville. Endorsed, Sen. McCain. Exploited, Sen. McCain. Trademarked, Sen. McCain by you.

And yet of course the exact moment in which Sen. McCain’s Republicans showed the nation exactly how far they have fallen from the Better Angels of Mr. Lincoln’s Nature, came the next night.

The television networks were told that the Convention would pause, early in the evening, when children could still be watching, for a 9/11 Tribute, and they were encouraged to broadcast it.

What we got was not a tribute to the dead of 9/11, nor even a tribute to the responders, or the singularity of purpose we all felt. The Republicans gave us sociological pornography, a virtual snuff film.

Years ago, responsible television networks, to the applause of the nation, and the relief of its mental health authorities, voluntarily stopped showing the most graphic of the images of the World Trade Center, except with the strongest of warnings.

And yet, the Republicans, at their convention, having virtually seized control of the cable news operations, showed the worst of it.

This is all anyone with a conscience can show you of what the Republicans showed you. The actual collapse of the smoking towers.

A fleeting image of what might have been a victim leaping to his death from a thousand feet up. And something new. From this angle, ground-level, perfectly framed, images, of the fireball created when the second plane hit the second tower.

It was terrifying. After all its object was to terrify. Not to commemorate, not to call for unity, not to remember the dead. But to terrify.

To open again the horrible wounds, to brand the skin of this nation with the message — as hateful as the terrorists’ own, that you must vote Republican or this will happen again and you will die.

And just in case that was not enough, to also dishonestly and profanely conflate 9/11 with the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis, to stoke the flames of paranoia about another Middle Eastern Nation.

This was a 9/11 Tribute. Not to the dead, nor to the unity. But a tribute to how valuable 9/11 has been as a political tool for the Republican Party. 9/11... (TM.)

Sen. McCain, you had promised us a clean campaign. You could be Snow-White the rest of the way, Sir, yet that manipulative videotape from your convention should tar you always in the minds of decent Americans.

And still, as this seventh 9/11 (TM) approaches that, Sir, is not the worst of your contributions to the utter politicizing of a day that should be sacrosanct to all of us.

Hard to believe, but the Senator has done worse with 9/11 and the evil behind it.

We heard it last week in Minnesota, we’ve heard it off and on since January but Senator McCain said it most concisely in June.

“Look,” he said. “I know the area, I’ve been there, I know wars, I know how to win wars, and I know how to improve our capabilities so that we will capture Osama bin Laden — or put it this way, bring him to justice. We will do it. I know how to do it.”

Sen. McCain seems to be quite serious, that he and he alone, not the CIA, nor the U.S. Military, nor the current President can capture bin Laden.

Thus we must take him at his word, that this is no mere ludicrous campaign boast.

We must assume Sen. McCain truly believes he is capable of doing this, and has been capable of doing this, since last January. “We will capture Osama bin Laden… we will do it. I know how to do it.”

Well then, Senator, you’d better go and do it hadn’t you?

Because, Sir, if a man or woman in this nation, Democrat or Republican, had a clear and effective means of capturing or killing Osama bin Laden…

If that person had been advertising his claim, Senator for eight months.

But if that person not only refused to go to responsible authorities in government and advise them of this plan to catch bin Laden, but further announced he would not even begin to enact this secret plan to corral the world’s most hated man until the end of next January.

What would be your description of such an individual, Senator? Charlatan? Do-nothing? Opportunist? Sen. McCain, if you have, if you have had a means of capturing Osama bin Laden, and you do not immediately inform some responsible authority of the full scope of that plan, you are to some degree great or small aiding and abetting Osama bin Laden.

If you could assist in capturing him now, Sen. McCain, but you have chosen not to you, Sir, have helped Osama bin Laden stay free.

Free to inspire and supervise the terrorists. Free to plan or execute attacks here.

You, Sir, are blackmailing some portion of the American electorate into voting for your party, by promising to help in the capture of bin Laden only if you are made president!

I’d rather win an election than catch bin Laden! No more cynical calculation has ever been made in this nation’s history, Sir. If you lose the election, Senator, are you not going to tell the President-Elect?

Are you intending to keep this a secret until the next election and your party’s next nominee? Senator, as you and your Republicans shed your phony, crocodile, opportunistic tears tomorrow on 9/11 TM, in front of the utterly disingenuous banner “Country First,” the fact is, you have shown that it is John McCain first, and the country last.

The fact is, Sir, by holding out on your secret plan to catch bin Laden by searing those images into our collective wounded American psyche at your nomination last week, terrorists are not what you, John McCain, fight. Terrorists are what you, John McCain, use.

Olbermann's words should shake us all into reality. (The Editor)

Arianna Huffington: Enough!: Why Obama Should Release His Righteous Anger

An Op-ed telling Obama to go get mad.

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Sarah Palin's Demon-Haunted Churches

A complete documentation of the church that has formed Palin's world view with a video that will leave you praying to God she doesn't get elected.

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Sarah Palin's Churches and the Third Wave

Sarah Palin's Churches and The Third Wave from Bruce Wilson on Vimeo.

...And you really want this happening in the Whitehouse?

Palin and Pentecostalism: An Altered State of Consciousness

I would suggest that the altered state of consciousness that is taught, peddled and required by the Assemblies Of God and like minded charismatic/pentecostal/dominionist groups is a very important issue that is being ignored by the press largely due to their ignorance of understanding of this form of brainwashing technique and the affects it has on its adherents.

The experience has a deep and profound affect on those who undergo this form of brainwashing. The experience provides, according to its adherents, the means of “hearing God’s voice” and a disconnect from reality. I really cannot imagine someone in or near the Oval Office who regularly, as a part of their spirituality, disconnects from reality and hears voices that tell her for example that the war in Iraq is "God’s task." What else will "God's voice" tell her? Who might be next on "God's Hit List" when God speaks to sister Sarah? I have some ideas about who based on the teaching and doctrine of Pentecostals and Dominionists....and in the end, anyone who opposes these folks could be candidates for public cursing and imprecatory prayers offered to God to bring about their death and demise. As the Dominionists constantly say, "There is NO neutrality." Someone's worldview and beliefs are imposed on others every day. Deciding what is right and what is wrong is the assertion of some set of beliefs.

If these type of people had access to the Oval Office or Vice President's ear, do you really doubt what might happen? Ms. Palin can deny all she wants that she would impose her religious views on others----that is what stealth is all about.

Don't believe that? I have been the object of those kinds of prayers myself. Dominionist theology is quite lethal to a number of people if enforced.

If you want a bird's eye view of what this experience produces, take a look at the Trinity Broadcasting Network, possibly the largest Dominionist/Pentecostal media outlet in the world. These people mean business and the common altered state of consciousness which they share with one another transcends all boundaries and doctrinal teaching.

Think about the possible ramifications on a host of very important issues let alone that we could be involved in all kinds of “holy wars…”

Couple this altered state experience with the Dominionist worldview and doctrine and you have what is quite possibly the entryway into a full blown "Inquisition" type fiasco. At the very least, Palin in the Whitehouse given her background and "brainwashing" is a very bad idea.

Sarah Palin used AK tax dollars to fund dominionist churches

Here is an article that provides information regarding Sarah Palin and her proclivities.

There is a real danger here folks...

What Were the Republicans REALLY Doing During Gustav?

It's about the money, guys......

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5711160

Watch Senator McCain's Eyes---------

Palin On Pledge Of Allegiance: "If It Was Good Enough For The Founding Fathers, It's Good Enough…

I should not even have to comment on this one---The Editor.

In a 2006 questionnaire for Alaska's gubernatorial race, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin seemed to muddle her American history.

Question: Are you offended by the phrase "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance? Why or why not?

Palin: Not on your life. If it was good enough for the founding fathers, its good enough for me and I'll fight in defense of our Pledge of Allegiance.…


The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931), a Baptist minister, a Christian Socialist, and the cousin of Socialist Utopian novelist Edward Bellamy (1850-1898). Bellamy's original "Pledge of Allegiance" was published in the September 8th issue of the popular children's magazine The Youth's Companion as part of the National Public-School Celebration of Columbus Day, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's discovery of America, conceived by James B. Upham.

...

The Knights of Columbus in New York City felt that the pledge was incomplete without any reference to a deity. Appealing to the authority of Abraham Lincoln, the Knights felt that the words "under God" which were from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address were most appropriate to add to the Pledge. In New York City on April 22, 1951, the Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus adopted a resolution to amend their recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of each of the meetings of the 800 Fourth Degree Assemblies of the Knights of Columbus by addition of the words "under God" after the words "one nation."

...

Senator Homer Ferguson, in his report to the Congress on March 10, 1954, said, "The introduction of this joint resolution was suggested to me by a sermon given recently by the Rev. George M. Docherty, of Washington, D.C., who is pastor of the church at which Lincoln worshipped." This time Congress concurred with the Oakman-Ferguson resolution, and Eisenhower opted to sign the bill into law on Flag Day (June 14, 1954).

See if you can hear McCain spokseman Tucker Bounds answer one of Campbell Brown's questions in this interview....

Sometimes, you just need a break.....

Newt Gingrich on The Daily Show...Admits that John McCain has no Executive Branch decision making experience....REALLY? Well, he didn't mean to....doh

Ya have to watch this.....

Republican Spin Doctors Karl Rove, Bill O'Reilly, Dick Morris and Nancy Pfotenhauer (McCain's Senior Policy Advisor) do what they do best....and get caught!!!

Women Leaders---God's Judgment?

The really ironic thing about Sarah Palin and the conservative/evangelical/fundamentalists is that fundamentalists believe and teach that women leaders are God's judgment on weak men and apostate society....and take it from the mouth of one of the most fundamental fundamentalists on earth today...(click the title)

Quite a conundrum----wouldn't you say?----for the messengers of "the truth," that the Republican party is the "means of God's judgment..."

Who will the fundies vote for? The "lesser of two evils?" Oh, dear, which one is more evil? Evidence of "god's judgment,"--- (Palin)--- or a man named Obama????

I think God does have a sense of humor....mixed with a little sarcasm.

I wonder if any christian broadcasters in the country will have a radio or television program on this issue?-----I think not----or is there a brave talk show host somewhere in between San Francisco and New York----or between Miami and Milwaukee who would dare broach this subject????

Palin's Church May Have Shaped Her Worldview

You can see Sarah Palin talking about this "task from God" at the Huffington Post website. Click on the title. The Editor

Palin: Iraq war 'a task that is from God'

All pandering aside, (which is really what Senator McCain and the RNC are doing by selecting Sarah Palin for the vice presidential position in our upcoming election), this kind of mindset is very typical of fundamentalism/evangelicalism, and should truly frighten all of us---the belief that something like the war in Iraq, (I have still not seen the act of Congress which started this "war"), is a "task from God" begins with a certain worldview and theology,(aka brainwashing), and a mindset that rivals the so called Islamic fundamentalists in its presumptuousness.

The Republican speakers last evening which preceded Ms. Palin all had the continued fear mongering content in their speeches which Republican rhetoric cannot seem to escape. It makes me think that the marketing of fear is an integral plank in the Republican agenda.

Marketing fear is the only way it appears that the R's will stay in power as there is no new substance to John McCain or Sarah Palin----they even may be worse for us than George Bush. President Bush won his terms in office using the same fear mongering techniques: using fear as a means of manipulation, and he used it again himself the other night as well when he addressed the RNC.

This is nothing new among conservatives and particularly among conservative christian broadcasters: fear and hate of anyone pro-choice, the "liberals," "the homosexuals," or whatever boogey man increases their bank accounts through donations is standard operating procedure. I used to be part of all that and it is a fact: when donations were down or we were attempting to raise money, christian broadcasters always resorted (and continue to resort) to at least the two "fears" which enables them to empty the wallets of some pretty gullible evangelical/fundamentalist followers: abortion and the "threat of the homosexuals."

Fear of "terrorism" is also a favorite topic for conservatives and christian broadcasters----and I hope people finally see that this type of misdirection and fear mongering has a purpose: to keep people's eyes off of the real problem---the fear mongerers themselves----who will resort to most any tactic that enables them to keep their elected office including but not limited to using apocalyptic imagery and the word "crisis" used over and over again. Enough, already!

Huckabee, Romney, Guiliani and Palin all were guilty of fear mongering last night in their speeches. The shrill, ascorbic and mocking words which Palin engaged in last night were truly reprehensible and indicative of many things I will discuss in the days ahead: namely, what and who we really need to fear in my opinion...

Some of the journalists (from CNN surprisingly) covering Palin's speech last night described it as a "great speech...very effective..." Please-----I have heard better presentations during high school debate competitions.

Just because Palin can read a teleprompter and deliver a very crafted set of words does not make this young woman adequate or qualified for potentially becoming the president of the United States.

Her church's theology (and very likely her own as well) makes her even less qualified for such a position----anyone that believes and teaches that "God" bypasses your mind to speak to you and requires that you undergo an altered state of consciousness to prove you know God (aka "baptism of the Holy Spirit") is not qualified to be a dog catcher let alone a leader of the United States of America in my opinion.

The pandering to an obviously ignorant conservative /evangelical/fundamentalist community who would vote for Idi Amin if he was wrapped in a flag and said, "God bless America," enough times is truly amazing. (I know---I used to be part of this community and even when I was part of them criticized the evangelicals and fundies for this mindless, ignorant approach to many things especially politics...)

Anyone who would even suggest, let alone state dogmatically during a sunday school class, that the current war in Iraq is a "task from God" needs to be scrutinized very carefully and feared. Such statements bespeak a much more serious problem and danger.

I would be very interested in hearing the basis for such a statement by Ms. Palin. How does she know that the war in Iraq is a "task from God?"

I already know the answer-----and it has to do with her "christian experience," and is not based on any factual, rational, logical, informed decision but on a "feeling." God wanted her to build the Alaskan pipeline too, remember?....."Drill baby drill...." (I cannot even imagine sentient beings opening up their mouths and repeating something like that at a political convention---childish, ignorant and unworthy of being called adult activity...but I may be asking too much of the Republican delegates who uttered such nonsense...certainly their intellect is in question anyway.)

The Nazis also believed they were acting on a "mission from God." Most every tyrant and mass murderer that has graced the earth with their presence did as well....More on this tomorrow.

When someone starts talking about a political agenda being "the will of God," look out-----any action from that point on can be justified as the "will of God"----especially for a political pragmatist like Sarah Palin....we used to call this species "chameleons..."

All I have to say at this point about Sarah Palin is: BEWARE---there is more to the "hottest vp" candidate than initially appears. (People actually have political buttons on that say this at the Republican convention.)

Until later....

And here Ladies and Gentlemen........

....is the Republican vice presidential candidate.....feelin' it...apparently....let's see---she IS a member of an Assemblies of God church, IS anti abortion, IS a member of Feminists for Life, IS a Republican, IS endorsed publicly by the Liberty Counsel and Mat Staver (whom I assume received permission from his Board of Directors for such an endorsement) and probably will be endorsed by christian broadcasters around the country---right?

I bet, however, there are some fundies out there who are choking on their blind endorsement and support of John McCain right now, however, and to you I just want to say: eventually, everything "comes out in the wash," and in the case of Ms. Palin in this picture, that load of laundry won't take long to dry, either...