http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080824/NEWS03/808240359 .

            However, he left out a lot of unspoken points and those are the ones I’ll address as only a true Independent can. His whole story is based on a couple of pivotal assumptions. Those assumptions are the following (in no particular order) Americas short term memory problem, Americas desire to remain in an Idealogic run political system, finally, that Republicans will respond negatively to Sen. Biden’s selection as running mate.

            I say this because Mr. Raasch seems to feel that Sen. Biden’s criticisms of the past will be a liability if he doesn’t answer the sure to come  questions that will undoubtedly attempted to over shadow the campaign. I can not see where the Republican Party can criticize this person. Sen. Biden much like Sen. McCain has made a name for himself among moderates by standing up to the Democratic Party in the past in the guise of “Maverick”. So in all honesty I really can’t see them condemning the very quality they are championing as proof that McCain is not an extension of Bushes policies. His assumptions that the American people will not recognize this as nothing more than hypocrisy is misplaced. Voters in 2006 sent a loud message to Republicans across this country that they would be held accountable for things they say and promise, that are later found out to have been misleading at best and out right lies at worst. They did this with every vote that was casted to oust incumbents. In that regard I don’t see with this close of a race the republicans doing anything that might blow up in their face.

            The biggest assumption though is that America suffers from short term memory loss. If this were any other election year I might agree. With the complete and utter failures of the current Administration in regards of whether we even had probable cause to even invade Iraq combined with the very hush-hush press release by the white house ending official WMD searches (don’t know about you but I found it buried in my local paper and even then was only about a paragraph long). He is also assuming that people will forget that only a few weeks ago Sen. Obama himself said that he wanted a vice president that would not be afraid to challenge him on issues, that he wanted people around him that would make him work to be an effective President.

            As an Independent voter I view Biden’s selection as Obama’s way of delivering on what he said. I also have not forgotten that there used to be a time, when effective leaders surrounded themselves with people who were more versed in certain areas than they were. It is safe to say this is a step in the right direction in returning to when cronyism was frowned upon

1.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080821/ap_on_el_pr/anti_obama_ad;_

2. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080821/ap_on_go_ot/attacks_collapse 

           These are the idiots that get me out of bed in the mornings. The 2.8 million dollar add questioning Sen. Obamas connection to the 60s “radical group” weather underground. The absurdity of  the innuendo of a terrorist connection is simply non provable the only connections that can be found are a two hundred dollar campaign contribution to the Obama re-election fund and that they served together on the Woods fund board, which I might add consist of six other members not just Obma and Ayers. Other than that they have nothing they make claims that files not available to the public at this time may hold more information. It is important to remember though that the operative word is “may”. My own personal research though has revealed that this might also be a page out of their playbook intend for Hillary had she been the nominee. Apparently they had an easier case for her connection since her husband actually pardoned members of Weather Underground.

            What bothers me the most though, is not the countless conservatives who will undoubtedly believe every unspoken innuendo. Their as well as liberals gullibility has become predictable. What bothers me is the attempt to hold an eight year old child accountable for the actions of an adult. That is ultimately what is going on here. As for Mr. Ayers, we tell convicts every day that if “you do the crime you do the time”. Then what? What happens when a person is released depends on two very important factors. The first is whether or not said inmate has learned the error of their ways. The second is if they have how does society treat them, I’ll answer that one, like crap and if everyone reading this looked deep in their heart they would see the truth in my assertion. Imagine yourselves in his position you have accepted that what you did was not the right way to go about things. You have done all you can do to avoid the same situations as before instead of jail house drugs and gangs you turned to books and education. Then when you think you are ready to be an example of how it is never too late to incite change and be a productive member of society. WHAM! Someone or group decides to use you publically to pound someone else over the media outlets. Swift boaters, moveon.org, and now these Idiots are the reasons Americans go to polls filled with half truths, innuendos, and misinformation.

            The second article I found extremely annoying because Mr. Berger once again found somewhere to say bologna. This individual is characteristic of your garden variety conspiracy theorists with a pinch of fanaticism for flavor he has repeatedly attempted in the past to shoot down research by wheeling out his own so-called experts and having them investigate areas that they have no expertise in. The sad thing is, is that a majority of his 9/11 truth organizations members are simply looking for a reason for the traumatic shifts that effected their families. To them it must seem like being stuck in the mud watching ping-pong. Because for every avenue investigators look at, Mr. Berger is there tearing said investigations apart long before any conclusions were ever considered. If I am indeed a true Independent that looks at both effort and result then the only conclusion I can come to is that he is a self absorbed individual who for what ever the reason has developed into a severe mistrust and in some cases even hatred for his government. That no matter how impartial the science involved, will still yell cover up. His kind is a dangerous element of our society in that history has shown that people who harbor these beliefs haven’t particularly cared who is injured or harmed with their rhetoric and or actions.

             So if you are reading this and are a member of the 9/11 Truth group then use your own judgment when it comes to respecting answers that are given. Because ultimately,  it was your family affected and not his and it does not get anymore personal then that.

As of late I have not been able to stop reading the newspaper or listen to the news. As a card carrying Independent, I have been busy constantly reminding myself to view the upcoming presidential election with unbiased analysis of the Fine senators vying for the job. With that being said I can’t help but to comment on the apparent race to see which party will torpedo their candidate first. For those of you keeping score at home it is 2-1, Democrats. The Democrats took the lead with a go ahead goal, when it was revealed that former Clinton campaign strategist Mark Penn made some less than scrupulous suggestions regarding Sen. Obama and America.

Two sounds were heard in homes across America. The first was the audible gasp from those Liberal-Democrats who hold their favorite politicians in an almost God like reverence (perfect, and can do no wrong). The second was the equally loud roars of laughter from the conservative right over the discovery of the Democrats very own “Karl Rove”. To be honest it does not surprise me, as most Independents, I subscribe to the “for every ying there must be a yang” theory. But if one looks at the article and really sees the underlying meaning then obvious questions concerning the decision making of Hillary Clinton come to light. And considering that at the very least she will end up in a prominent cabinet position, it is only fair that we consider this as it pertains to the numerous names that will be thrown about in the following months.

So let us look at what we already have as prior facts concerning Mark Penn. We know he is presumptuous (he is a strategist folks that’s what they do presume to know what is on the publics mind and then act). We also know he is boastful (on more than one occasion has hinted Hillary would have won with him). Most importantly though, this was not his first rodeo! He had a resume’ apparently an impressive one. For it landed him a job as the strategist of someone in the position of possibly becoming the president. So why did someone not discover that what was being preached on cable political shows was not what Mr. Penn represented?

Another question should be does Hillary share his obvious philosophy of win at all cost? On one hand he was let go, but on the other, it was not over this memo. I guess an argument could be made that in this case she lost, so no harm no foul and if this were an isolated incident then it could be made. But it is not an isolated incident, this revelation is but the latest in what is turning out to be a bad week to be a Democrat. With this along with the John Edwards soap opera it would be enough to force average democrats on the local levels to ask “who is watching the store”. We have seen over the past six years that faith of party has been on a decline among average Republicans, but they have not shaken their base much if any.

I do agree with a couple of things that the article reports on the first being the importance in swaying the undecided and Independents. And I do believe his is going to strain an already strained relationship between the two camps even more. Republicans drew first blood with the Stevens indictments. John Edwards tied the score at one all and now the Democrats have pulled ahead with this. Yep! I wonder who will win the race to torpedo their candidate. The ball is in your court Republicans

To read the complete article :http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/12/atlantic.clinton.staff/index.html

In 2006 the National Enquirer first started reporting and looking into the allegations that Sen. Edwards was having an affair with a campaign aide. But none within the ” excepted ” media tried to explore it further. They asked Sen. Edwards he denied it end of story, besides it was the Enquirer right ? In 2007 while campaigning during the Democratic nominee race, the story surfaced again. This time though two other newspaper from the senators own state reported it too. Once again the ” excepted ” media asked and was told that it was all just ” tabloid garbage ” and that was that, I mean after all it is just the Enquirer, right ?

Now, was it just the Enquirer, or were other forces at work here ? If the producers and editors of all the more ” excepted ” media outlets  want to get angry because someone somewhere is calling them biased in their reporting. Just maybe they will look back on this and understand why. They had every opportunity to break this story but not a one of them did, and they can only blame themselves for the self imposed scotomas that caused them to not go with the story when it originally surfaced in 2006.

Now I do not want anyone walking away from this opinion thinking he is standing up for the Enquirer. Nothing could be further from the truth, I still firmly believe that they and others like them that pray on the emotions and stupidity of the un-educated among us, as still being garbage reporting. This is intended to be a lesson I think, One that teaches us the dangers of blind loyalty to one’s party and or readers, or networks. Democrat refusal to  believe was because from the word go they held firm to their belief that it was a republican attempt at negative attacks. Republicans didn’t believe it because no one within the GOP never even considered it, probably out of respect for his wife’s battle with cancer. But the media as we have come to know it, has no excuse for at least not scratching the surface because given the apparent ease in which the reporters for the Enquirer were able to catch sen.Edwards. The ” excepted ” media would not have had to scratch to far. Who knows though,maybe this will serve as a wake up call for the press in regards to simply repeating what any particular candidate or candidate’s representative says. But,I also must realize that it is an industry that lives and dies by the ratings so I’ll not be surprised if it doesn’t because after all it was only the Enquirer, Right ?

I then turned to all the Radio screwballs, you guys know, LimBaugh, Rhodes, Franken and all the numerous local blow hards on stations across our country. I then thought “Newspapers”. I checked all the big ones, the Times, Post, Wallstreet Journal, Tribune, nothing zilch zero. Then I heard it an interview with an Editor of a nationally known publication,but when I heard who it was I started laughing and I continue to laugh.

YOU GUYS JUST GOT PUNKED BY THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER………you can’t make this up. I guess it just goes to show why it’s the silly season.

http://www.lamaralexander.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Articles.View&Article_id=3bff2f11-09d1-4187-8530-8b185715129a

Now,what do you think? Tell you what, why don’t everyone check out what your respective official had to say. Because I know I am.

         Couple this with Nancy Pelosi’s bunch a long with the Republican defectors refusal to even discuss it  or set a date to vote on it prior to them hauling there butts to the Bahamas or where ever politicians go to spend our money. What these elected officials did was a out right example of Washingtons willingness to pander to lobbyist and their respective party fanatics and saddly their overwhelming indifference to the struggles that all Americans face.

           This is buisness as usual my friends every election year our officials become scared it is only every 4 years that this happens Ms.Pelosi will run to nearest camera berate Republicans but when it comes time to stand her ground and instruct a body of officials that she is in charge of to adhere to the American people demands and wishes her choice was to do what every other person before chose and that was to turn off the lights and tuck tail.

            Both sides have stated how important the independent voters are to their prospective parties in order to win the presidency. Yet they are treating us like we’re one of their loyal if not blind conservative and liberal sheep. Both sides are smoke screening the real problems that face America today with attacks on each other that have absolutely no bearing on whether or not the the person can make effective decissions(I don’t buy into the whole lack of experience thing because even the most experienced can screw up). What was demonstrated to me these past few days was that Although I admire Obama for realizing  his mistake and taking a step back to re-evaluate his stance and move on. Pelosi’s action have showed me that the rest of the DNC aren’t yet willing to do what is right for today.

           It’s not just about the cost of a tank of gas to get to work. It’s about the cost of a tank of gas to do anything! In case the good folks of Washington haven’t heard the cost of everything is going up and it can be directly linked  to the cost of oil. Until the DNC fully understands this and understands that the American dream is getting tougher to achieve for all Americans not just minorities. They will appear to be just as out of touch with mainstream America as their Republican Counter parts and if they allow themselves to become that  then they’ll not see favorable voting results from Independants and that is how the Democrats can lose this election.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080801/ap_on_bi_ge/earns_gm

How can this be according to congressional Dem’s and thier supporters as well as those republicans that are posturing for thier folks The Oil companies are raking in obscene profits. Upon deeper thought it doesn’t seem possible if GM lost this much how could Exxon make that much,don’t gas and automobiles go hand in hand? No they don’t. Personally the only problem I have is that noone is being fully honest in this debate. So lets take a look at what is being said then we’ll look at ugly truths niether side wants you to fully comprehend espeacially during an election year.

Lets start with GM,it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that given the current cost for a gallon of gas that Suberbanites would start abandoning thier status symbols(and that was really all the SUV’s and Large trucks were). But 15.5 billion? This should searve as examples of how short sighted the auto industry (or at least the American part of it) really is. They are playing catch-up with a demand to get with the program when it comes to Alternatives to compustable engines. In fairness I personally believe they were getting torpedoed on the lobbying end of things by big oil,but that doesn’t excuse them from at least striking research deals with overseas manufacturers when it comes to the whole electric car thing,but they didn’t (probably were scared of the UAW). This should serve as a wake up call for corporate America in that you are at the mercy of tempermental global markets when you allow decissions to be made based on short term financial gains instead of financial longevity and security.

As for Oil profits,Stop blaming the oil companies only in America do we punnish someone for being successful when everyone else is miserable. If they haven’t broken any laws to get it then we should be begging them to share thier secret. The secret is no secret at all by the way,it’s called diversification and every major corporation does it.I still am waiting for a breakdown in those numbers by the way,I’m curious to see just how much of those profits were derived from gas sold in the U.S. .  I will start questioning big oil when the decline of all the summertime travel,and the decline in gas guzzling vehicles is figured in to the big picture. If they’re still making huge profits in the American market,then start looking at them real closely.

Now for the real secrets that corporate America prays that Democrats and republican don’t either find out or remember. As long as dem’s keeping trying to punish successful companies they’ll never remember.By that I’mean it wasn’t all that long ago everyone(espeacially Democrats) were calling for the heads of some of the companies on a pike for drawing obnoxious saleries while thier respective companies were conducting layoffs. Somewhere in that fight a little tid-bit of information was ignored by those championing these CEO’s.That was because it was discovered that some of those who were screaming “OFF WITH THIER HEADS” didn’t even know that thier very own 401k’s were invested with companies who’s parent companies were TA-DA led by those very ones they were condemning. They hope you don’t remember this and start comming through your 401k’s and discover the same thing in regards to Exxon,Mobil etc…

As for you Republicans they simply hope you don’t discover that corporate greed is alive and well and is only discussed at clubs so exclusive that not even your most estemed politician can get in. But what they really hope is that you good folks don’t wake up one day and realize they’re screwing you too.