An Open Letter to Middle America

Dear Middle America,

It's time to wake up and smell the coffee, good citizens of the area derisively called "fly-over country". The Republican power-brokers hold you in contempt, and find you to be ignorant trolls who eat whatever is fed to you.

Evidence Item A

Apparently people from other countries being interested in an American presidential candidate is a downside to electability. Because everybody knows the only good leader is one who pisses off the Germans.

McCain's camp is putting this shit out there to make them seem all "man of the people". That should be a hard thing to do for a man who is the son and grandson of admirals and married into one of the richest families in Arizona. I'm sure all of you can relate to his bargain-basement shoe selections (only $500!).

Please wake up, and realize that the Republicans don't give a shit about you, unless you have a trust fund, are a CEO, or have thousands of faithful Christians at your command. It might be true that the Democrats don't give a shit either, but they certainly have an economic plan much friendlier to you. Think about this the next time some asshole CEO closes down a factory in your rust belt town so he can cash another bonus check, or your aunt is denied treatment for her chronic medical condition.

Sincerely,

Andrew C. Tate

Huzzah! It's a Bush Biopic!

Seriously, Why and WTF?

This movie looks like a steaming pile of buffalo dung. There is an impressive cast list for this piece of crap, yet it looks like it will be only entertaining in a "so bad it's good" kind of way. Basically it will be like the Bush Administration.

Good call on casting Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney. His first portrayal of our grouchy asshole of a vice-president under the thinly disguised name Bob Rumson in The American President was top-notch.

Brilliant Move, Senator McCain

Great move, Senator McCain. Challenging Senator Obama to make an international visit is working so well for you. It's not like the rest of the world loves the idea of President Obama.

Lovely move, scheduling that press conference on a oil rig, and canceling due to a freaking hurricane. You'll be such a wonderful President.

Seriously, why is this even close? McCain and his campaign is acting like they want to lose, and Obama is looking very Presidential on his trip. Yet the polls are still very close. This leads to a couple of possible theories.

1. We are a nation of ignorant morons.

2. Only die-hards and masochists pay attention to the campaigns prior to the conventions.

Although I won't discount theory #1, theory #2 is probably the biggest answer (and the less depressing). If this keeps up after Denver and St. Paul, McCain will likely go the way of Barry Goldwater.

Obama's Meager Haul

I must say that it doesn't feel very good when my $25 donation makes up about half of the candidates haul for a mon....

Oh, $52 Million, not $52?

Thanks, CNN. Really, you guys do a bang-up job with those headlines.

How a Bill Becomes Law, the Bush Administration Edition

1. President Bush outlays some absolutely ridiculous plan, using magic elves and giant favors to his buddies in Texas, to solve a problem his administration played a role in worsening. He explains it to us like we are all kindergartners, despite the fact that he clearly shows little understanding of what he is saying.

2. Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid stop their feet, say we won't stand for this, and we'll defend the public.

3. There is some debate on the bill in Congress, and the Democrats do come up with a mostly reasonable bill that won't be an extreme rollover to the President.

4. President Bush refuses to sign a bill that doesn't look almost exactly like the one he feels meets the necessity for his "reality". Unfortunately, the reality of the Bush Administration is in no shape the same as the real one.

5. "Democrats" in the House and Senate get nervous, worrying about being challenged by a 3G Republican in their district or state, and beg Pelosi and Reid to back down.

6. The two parties "compromise". In other words, the Democrats get one or two minor concessions, assent to everything else the President wants, and call the bill a win-win scenario.

7. The bill passes the house by mostly partisan lines, and moves to the Senate.

8. A few senators will try to amend the bill, but it will be for naught. Trusty "Democrats" such as Lieberman, Mikulski, Landrieu, etc... will make sure no filibuster or actual debate occurs, and the bill passes with maybe one additional concession to the left.

9. Bush bitches about the concessions, and threatens to veto.

10. One of the concessions is removed, so President Bush will sign the bill.

11. President Bush signs the bill, but invalidates whatever displeases him by using signing statements as legal text, allowing him to do whatever the hell he wants.

12. Any problems generated directly from the passage of the bill, or those not solved by the bill, are blamed on the Democrats, who just can't keep from limiting the power of the Republicans. After all, the Republican party has no power whatsoever.

13. Some Democrats celebrate the "victory", and start bitching about their presidential candidate who wants to change things. Because the Democratic party is in such great shape, and doesn't need a change in attitude.

I sure hope you've enjoyed your unsullied skylines along the coastlines of America. Because coming soon will be oil wells, brought to you by Dubya and the oh-so-loyal opposition.

Wise Words from the Field

If you haven't already, I recommend that you put Al Giordano's The Field on your daily blog rotation. His reporting on this momentous election has been both entertaining and informative. Without he reasoned and tempered words, I am pretty sure I would be one of the biggest Chicken Littles out there.

His latest post, regarding the whole blow up on the left about Obama's vote on the imperfect FISA bill, is yet again an excellent piece of advice for us panicky political newbies. I disagree with Obama, although I can understand his motives. I don't think he is abandoning his principles on the matter, I just think he is doing what most politicians tend to do. He is making the best of a bad situation, and trying to keep the eye on the big prize.

I have no doubt that Senator Obama will be a much better President than Bush (or McCain) when it comes to obeying the Constitution. For the first time in a long time we might actually have a President who believes in and works to preserve the cherished balance of power that makes our system of government operate fully. Nothing he has done so far shows him to be anything but an intelligent, honorable person who will use reason and facts, instead of beliefs and dogma, to make decisions as our country's leader.

I wish he had still voted no yesterday on the FISA bill, but I can see some advantages in the political arithmetic for him to vote yes. It isn't as if he was the driving force behind this lackluster bill, he was just a high profile senator voting on it. Like it or not, there are a fair amount of Democrats who don't stand united with their left-leaning colleagues on this issue, and no amount of wrangling by Obama (or Feingold, Durbin, Dodd, etc...) on the issue was going to get those senators to change their mind. Most of the Democrats who voted for this bill in both houses of Congress will still be there in January, and it would be helpful to create some political capital. After all, the next President will have some tough battles to fight.

When you disagree with Senator Obama, the best way to enact change isn't to threaten to take your ball and go home. Its to get organized, and take it to the people. Make it as difficult as possible for Senator Obama to ignore your voice, without taking your eye of the big picture. Understand that Obama isn't a die-hard left-winger, and that sometimes he might listen to those who disagree with you as well. And above all, realize that Senator Obama is still a much better alternative to Senator McCain.

To paraphrase his famous 2004 convention speech, we are neither red states nor blue states, but the United States of America. We are a diverse nation, full of people who fall across the entire political spectrum. We shouldn't be so concerned about ideological purity as we should about figuring out what works, and what creates a society that is both free, prosperous, and effective.

Jesse Helms dead at 86

Former Senator Jesse Helms has died. As I am a firm believer of saying nothing ill of the dead, I will not say much about this man at this time. However, a couple of points:

1. Reverend Grahm, comparing Mr. Helms to intellectual greats such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, or even James Monroe is an insult to those men. 

2. I am very sorry that Mr. Helms won't see Barack Obama elected president in November. 

Obama on Patriotism

If you haven't already checked this out, here is Obama's speech on Patriotism that he gave on Monday. I'm sure its likely you haven't heard much about it, because the media seems far too concerned about kissing John McCain's ass and bitching about Wes Clark being such a jackass by telling the truth.

It's just as compelling speech as Obama's "More Perfect Union" speech he gave during the whole Wright BS storm. It once again shows why Obama is not the typical candidate, and why he should be our next President.

Also, check out this wonderful analysis by Al Giordano at The Field. It is a wonderful post, and truly brings up some good points for those on the left who are panicking about Obama's "perceived" move to the center (present company included).

An Open Letter to the Guy Sitting at the Next Table Over During Lunch

Dear Sir,

I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with your lunch companion yesterday. I could go on a long spiel about your crazy ramblings, but instead I'll keep it short and sweet.

Your xenophobic and racist rants are just one more reason I hope Senator Obama wins in November. I can't imagine how much trouble it will cause you to see Obama in the White House, but I'm sure it will be plenty.

I hope devoted Muslims move to your neighborhood. Heck, I hope your grandchildren marry a damn dirty "furner", just to piss you off. Change is the one constant in this world, and it is better to embrace it, rather than stick your feet in the mud and come off as some small-minded, hateful asshole.

Fundamentalist Islam is not going to topple the United States. The death of democracy in the United States, if it ever comes, will not be done by non-Christians, illegal immigrants, or them damn dirty Red Commie Pinkos. It will come about holding the Bible in its right hand, a stock report in its left hand, and the American flag draped around its neck. Its friend will be Xenophobia and Ignorance, and will mislead the justified desire for protecting heritage and tradition to betray its innocence and purity.

A change is gonna come, good sir, and I suggest you should learn to accept that. It will make your life much more enjoyable.

Best Wishes,

Andrew C. Tate

Vandalism for America's Future

After reading a recent story about vandels spray-painting anti-Obama messages on vehichles in Orlando my initial reaction was simply: "Seriously?"

When I found out these taggers were Clinton supporters, no doubt still bitter and delusional about her loss of the Democratic nomination, I nearly laughed (imagining angry baby boomers and grandmothers tagging everything within reach). Then I realized how sad of a situation it actually was. Not sad on the level of heart-breaking; rather, sad as in how the bystander can see blatent ignorance and downright stupidity. Pathetic acts that make you shake your head and say "man...those guys are stupid!"

I'm not going to preach about the evils of tagging, because frankly, I don't care. (While living in Orlando area myself for awhile, I was once invited to "go tag some stuff" which was an offer I did refuse)What gets me is the fact that this was childish political vandelism in a period where true supporters would be closing their wounds and shaking hands with fellow Democrats. Now, I realize that (regrettably) not everyone with the right to vote may have the brain capacity to do so wisely. I'm not saying that the die-hard Hillary supporters are all an ignorant mass. What I am saying is that these few individuals felt it necessary to lash out for no good reason.

In a campaign that is, even if its understated, expressing a more open-minded nation that would work to unite instead of divide, its little things like this that are just embarrassing. One is embarassed for them.

Now, on the other hand, I'm going to stop sensationalizing this one story. It's done with. I have one last thing to say:

Democrats of Orlando, unite in your beliefs, unite in your canidates, and share peace and good tidings over a hot plate of loaded fries at the Ale House in the name of brotherhood.