FRANK CORNBREAD SPEAKS THE TRUTH

Mosque? What Mosque.

2010-08-22T14:44:00.002-04:00

Obama said this:
“Ground zero is, indeed, hallowed ground,” Obama said at a White House dinner celebrating the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. “But let me be clear: As a citizen and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.”

Kind of what I’ve always thought we were about as a nation, establish laws (The Constitution, Bill of Rights) and obey/enforce them.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41060.html#ixzz0xLsQ3SNa

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel01.html

“Many of the British North American colonies that eventually formed the United States of America were settled in the seventeenth century by men and women, who, in the face of European persecution, refused to compromise passionately held religious convictions and fled Europe. The New England colonies, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland were conceived and established "as plantations of religion." Some settlers who arrived in these areas came for secular motives--"to catch fish" as one New Englander put it--but the great majority left Europe to worship God in the way they believed to be correct.”

If you follow the link you’ll see that the Pilgrims (1620) and the Puritans (1630) sought refuge from religious persecution in the New World (America and later the USA.) I see a precedent here. They were followed later by Quakers(Pennsylvania,) Mennonites and Martin Luther’s Lutherans, among many smaller sects.

Another take on the situation courtesy of William Rivers Pitt

http://www.truth-out.org/mosques-muslims-and-america-darkness62409

“First of all, the Cordoba House is not a "Ground Zero Mosque." It is a Muslim community center, it is two blocks away from the site, and in a neighborhood that already has a mosque...and a strip club, and a lot of other stuff that makes talk about "desecrating hallowed ground" sound like the nonsense that it is.
Oh, and by the by, a lot of the people quacking about "hallowed ground" are the same cretins who refused to pony up funding for 9/11 rescue workers who desperately need health care when the bill came before Congress. I'm pretty used to broadband Republican hypocrisy - the core of their power in politics, after all, is their utter and complete lack of shame - but this just sends me over the moon. Money for continuing the Bush-era tax cuts for rich people? Sure. Money for people who charged into the fire and dust and smoke on that day, who are now dying by inches
because of their heroism? Not so much. And P.S., all Muslims are bad. Got that? It's the Republican way.”

What really steams me about all this mess is the lack of sensitivity offered by the GOP aided by the mainstream media that has turned this “hallowed ground” into a political football. It’s election season and more than any other time it seems that nothing is sacred. I didn’t get that sense from Obama’s speech. More an admonishment to remember who we are and where we came from.

PSYCHOBAMATRONICS

2008-11-03T13:29:00.006-05:00

If your as psycho as I have become, Xanax during the day, Wild Turkey at night, Ambian for sleep, espresso ALL the time, wake-up and repeat...AND you think you want to watch the returns tomorrow night with some semblance of sanity, I can't help. For those other, less than real Americans, here's a link to Intrade's realtime odds page. Just the thing to keep the evening lively. BTW, I think this map will update if you refresh the page periodically.

For what it's worth, Virginia, my dear purple turning blue home-state is looking pretty strong. Here's hoping that the O's coat tails are long enough to drag Sam Rassoul into the house and send Bob Goodlatte packing.

On the other hand, Kansas is looking grim. No surprise and I wouldn't care save for the fact that Miss W. and myself spend the better part of a day there twice a year on the east/west, west/east sojourns. I was just thinking that if they went blue they might learn how to brew coffee that could defend itself from the veal cutlet.

Throw a bearclaw in the radar-range, I'll be back.

Here's a link to the Dialy Kos tracker. Much prettier without the de rigueur RWB color scheme:

http://scoreboard.dailykos.com/map/electionMapBeta.swf?autoPlayOn=1&mapMode=President&mapView=election&colorScheme=manualSolid&currentElectionYear=2008&predictionMode=1&predictionString=2,2,2,2,1,2,1,1,1,2,2,1,2,1,2,2,2,2,2,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,2,2,2,1,1,2,1,2,2,2,2,1,1,1,2,2,2,2,2,1,2,1,2,1,2&splitPredictionString=1,1,2,2,2&rootDirectory=http://scoreboard.dailykos.com/map/&outsideEmbed=1

"Be good in your lifetime." Drew Breckenridge

Work hard, kiddies. The day is upon us.

FC

Change

2008-11-02T08:40:00.005-05:00

CHANGE

It's Obama's key message. Has been, all along. It's also Aron Leigh's message in his song, "Change," written in support of the O. From his website:

"Having gone through his own personal transformation in life, Aron Leigh, a Nashville recording artist, is a firm believer in the power of change. He wrote this impassioned song to encourage the American people to take responsibility for the hardships being endured by many in the nation today. Aron is a strong Barack Obama supporter, and he shares with Obama the fervent belief that it is not okay to let our nation continue at status quo. Change is possible and it must happen now. Aron’s song is a tribute to the power of people to come together in 2008 to make a change."

Aron Leigh is just one of thousands of Nashville musicians struggling to rise to the next level, get his head just a bit higher than the rest and move from the musicians pool to the "other' pool. That's the pool where dreams come true. Or at least one can start to dream that they will.
Mr. Leigh is a country rocker. That's "new" country. Electric guitars and high production values. Not your Daddy's country. Not even my country. It's the crossover country sound that could be rock and roll. It is also, like most country music, "white people" music. Mr. Leigh is white as well which should be a perfect fit. And would be, that is, until he penned a song in support of the Obama philosophy of Change. A song in support of a black man. Judging by some of the comments in his YouTube version of this video, he's in for a bit of status-quo white honkey backlash. I wish him well and have every confidence he will rise above the racism which is inherent in a small but significant portion of his music genre.

Link to Aron's website if you're interested in the higher def mp4 download of this video. It's worth the effort, IMHO:

http://aronleigh.com/

Here's your Sunday bonus. Not quite to the level of Mr. Leigh, but a worthy effort none the less:

A Sunday 3-fer from Alaska:

As Drew would say, "Be good in your lifetime."

FC

Inspiration Again

2008-10-31T14:55:00.002-04:00

When I was a young man, like in the days of whale oil lights and parchment, my friends and I would fantasize about the day when our people would rule this country. We would be enlightened. We would seek peace. We would commune with the earth.

Fast forward to Frank's side tracking.

Yeah, it happened. I aspired to own THINGS. My car, my stereo, my walkman, my bicycle, my fly-rod, my every damned thing I owned had to be the best and coolest and most illusive on earth. I wanted material wealth. I wanted sensual wealth. I wanted respect. I wanted the cool.

I got some of it.

Then I got something else. A slapdown from the one woman that could slap me down.

Fast forward to Frank's LIFECHANGE.

Self-Help is the key to salvation. I know this because I actually did it. I helped myself. I read all the books. I did all the exercises, I did all the work. I rooted out the demons of my self-centered soul and vanquished the vile ego. I wrote the journals, walked the walk and ate the placenta. I had a rebirth experience where I gave birth to my new self and I was me. Again. But better. Or at least different.

Fast forward to now.

NOW. Now,now. I am remembering the fantasy we used to have as pot-smoking hipster-wannabe adolescents. You know, the one where our people ruled. Guess what.

I. THINK. IT'S. HAPPENING.

OMFG

I'm 52 and I'm gonna get my wish.

Life is good.

"Be good in your lifetime." Drew Breckenridge

FC

O Speaks

2008-10-31T12:52:00.006-04:00

After eight years of mush mouthed mispronunciations and surreal reality constructs supported by soft-balling surrogates (good alliteration, FC,) it is a refreshing thought, dare I say hope or dream, that we may at last have intelligent discourse. Damn, I'm excited.

Tip: Don't miss the laugh-track finale.

Two clips from the Rachael Maddow interview on Wednesday:

The O and The Stewart:

The Laugh Track.
What if Sarah Palin were black. Really. What if...

Link to the site:

http://newsone.blackplanet.com/elections/black-sarah-palin-sketch/

Work hard, play hard. Happy Helloween.

BTW I'm going as Lester the Republican this year. Use your brain, vote McCain. Twelve more years. Obama's a scary, scary man. I'm voting for the chick.

FC

"Be good in your lifetime." Drew Breckenridge

Out of Many One

2008-10-29T14:27:00.022-04:00

"You see, the challenges we face will not be solved with one meeting in one night. It will not be resolved on even a Super Duper Tuesday. Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. We are the hope of those boys who have so little, who've been told that they cannot have what they dream, that they cannot be what they imagine. Yes, they can.

We are the hope of the father who goes to work before dawn and lies awake with doubt that tells him he cannot give his children the same opportunities that someone gave him. Yes, he can.

We are the hope of the woman who hears that her city will not be rebuilt, that she cannot somehow claim the life that was swept away in a terrible storm. Yes, she can.

We are the hope of the future, the answer to the cynics who tell us our house must stand divided, that we cannot come together, that we cannot remake this world as it should be.

We know that we have seen something happen over the last several weeks, over the past several months. We know that what began as a whisper has now swelled to a chorus that cannot be ignored — that will not be deterred, that will ring out across this land as a hymn that will heal this nation — repair this world, make this time different than all the rest. Yes, we can.

Let's go to work."

Barack Obama speaking after Super Tuesday, 2008

We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.

Emphasis on We.

"Be good in your lifetime." Drew Breckenridge

The Real Deal

2008-10-28T22:00:00.005-04:00

That's who Charles Alexander is. That's also who his peeps are. And that is why we will win this thing.
I'm very, very cautious about the prediction jinx. I've been burned before. But I'm starting to feel the love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW-6DpC-mj8

I've got a lot more to report tonight, but the bed is calling. I've got a short day tomorrow and I make you a promise that I will catch you up with the low low down.

"Be good in your lifetime"

FC

Obama Drives the Bus

2008-10-27T21:37:00.012-04:00

Look at the rock steady gaze as he delivers this speech, imagine the fatigue that he must feel at this point and dare to say he is not the man you want driving the bus through the night's darkest hour while you catch a catnap in the back seats. Go ahead, I dare you. If you don't get it by now, you're just not going to.

This is the bulk of the speech in Canton, OH today. It's been called his "Closing Argument." I'm guessing we're all about ready to close the deal on this election. I know that I am.

Work hard friends, only 8 days and a wake-up.

FC

"Be good in your lifetime." Drew Breckenridge

Who We Are

2008-10-25T13:54:00.003-04:00

This is a piece from McClatchy, forwarded to me by my really good friend Dennis, that speaks volumes on who we are. Assuming, of course, that you want to be who you are.

Commentary: Republicans summon ugly old ghosts

By Joseph L. Galloway | McClatchy Newspapers

This is an autumn of great discontent as not just the United States, but the entire world trembles on the brink of an economic recession that may bring the kind of pain that's known only to the oldest among us.

With days to go before Election Day, the nation watches as a presidential candidate and his political party unravel, frantically dragging every ugly ghost out of the closet in an attempt not only to fool everyone, but also to scare everyone.

They appeal to the worst remnants of racism that cling like kudzu to a dying magnolia. Their robot phone dialers intrude on millions of uneasy citizens with messages of hate and fear and envy and greed.

They try to paper their opponent with guilt by association: He associated with a man who, decades before they ever met, belonged to a group of wild-eyed student revolutionaries.

They and their forces of darkness falsely claim that he's a Muslim at the same time they attack him for belonging to a Christian church whose black minister aimed angry sermons at white America.

They have presided for the last eight years over a stunning redistribution of wealth: They've turned Robin Hood upside down, taking from the poor and the middle class and giving to the very rich.

Yet they tar their opponent for daring to suggest that it's time to turn the tables and redirect some of that wealth to those who are jobless, homeless and hopeless, and to the millions of other hard-working Americans who are likely to join those growing ranks in the months and years to come.

They call him a socialist for embracing a principle that's rooted deeply in the teachings of the Christianity that they wear on their sleeves but cannot find room for in their hearts.

They promise to "correct the mistakes" of their own president, their own members of Congress, their own appointed overseers and regulators, if only we give them another chance.

They promise to punish the Wall Street tycoons and the big bankers who in their greed built this house of cards that's crashing down onto Main Street. Yes they will. Surely they will smite the robber barons who brushed a few crumbs from their groaning tables of riches into the laps of the very people who now vow to punish their benefactors of great wealth.

They say this even as the barons, fat with bonuses and commissions, pick over the carcass of a fallen economy, carving out another tasty morsel or two for themselves.

Is it any wonder that Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin and the Republican Party are sinking like the Titanic? Do they take us all for complete morons?

Granted, they may have reason to think that. After all, not only did we (with some help from the Supreme Court) elect George W. Bush our president, we also re-elected him to a second term. Fooled us twice, they think, so maybe the third time is charmed.

That, however, doesn't seem likely as a cold, hard winter looms this November. Not likely at all.

Here's a prediction for you, for them: McCain and Palin will go down to defeat by 15 to 20 points, and they'll take a heap of Republicans down with them.

The financial collapse and the painful fallout that's stalking the nation won't be righted overnight, however. Putting Barack Obama in the White House and giving the Democrats a veto-proof majority in Congress won't mean that happy days are here again.

Hard work, sacrifice and suffering lie ahead. It could take a decade or more to repair all the damage that Bush, Dick Cheney and all their henchmen in prison, out of prison and on their way to prison have done to our economy, our military, our standing in the world, our Constitution and to civil discourse, common decency and competent governance.

In the meantime, we Americans would do well to try to remember all those things that our grandmothers told us about how to get by in hard times.

How to get by on a lot less.

How to grow a vegetable garden.

How to squeeze a nickel till the buffalo bellows.

How to appreciate the small joys of family and friends.

How to share what you have, no matter how little you have, with those who have nothing.

Someday we may be able to tell our grandchildren about the Election of '08 when we, the people, turned away from anger, hate and greed and once again embraced the better angels of our nature.

"Be good in your lifetime." Drew Breckenridge

Be good, indeed. And work hard.

FC

OBAMA

2008-10-23T12:47:00.004-04:00

Todays post starts with an album cover for all you audiophile vinylmaniac Obama fans. I saw the original image yesterday without the "album" artwork. (I don't know the photograhers name so I can't give credit.) The backstory is that Obama was giving an interview in an empty conference room during some downtime before a rally speech. The photographer was shooting candids. After Obama hung up he asked the photgrapher if he had been taking pictures of his shoes. When the photographer replied in the affirmative, Obama said that they had been resoled once already, Providence RI in March, since the campaign started.

That's MY man.

Image courtesy digno dave @ daily kos

Quoted from the comments section of a Daily Kos diary this morning:

"The man has impeccable delivery and timing in his speeches, if you have ever seen him in person it's electrifying. I think it comes to him with such ease because it isn't just rhetoric for him, he truly believes what he is saying, its authentic.Besides the fact that he is just plain one cool cat, has an amazing intellect, and a boatload of natural charisma. It is going to be fun having him for a president, especially after 8 years of the sociopath mama's boy doofus assclown Bush. I can hardly wait."

by FireCrow on Wed Oct 22, 2008 at 07:07:45 PM PDT

full diary link:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/22/202519/82/506/639197

This diary, by dday, begins with a video clip of Obama at the Richmond, VA rally yesterday. (Gotta love living in the age of the "intertubes" and YouTube.) The video is a must see, in my opinion, as it shows yet again his chess match approach to this campaign. Give the opposition a bit of rope, enough to make a noose, let them place it around their skinny little chicken necks, then pull it very tight. Give the horse a slap on the ass and off we go. This section of his speech addresses the "real America" vs. the "fake America" distinction which Gov. Sarah Sixpack has has so eloquently defined in the past week. Like I said, just give them enough rope...

Next up, a post by Joe Klein from Time Magazine entitled "Why Obama Is Winning.". It's a "feel good" and it feels really good.

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1853025,00.html

Work hard, and as Kos says, "Leave everything on the road."

"Be good in your lifetime." Drew Breckenridge

FC

FINAL STAGES

2008-10-20T21:11:00.008-04:00

Open the blinkers tomorrow morning and it will be two weeks and and a wake-up 'till the day when all has been decided. In the interim expect every play in the GOP dirty tricks play-book to be thrown at us. I'm sending along some links to help you on your way.

First, a Rolling Stone article detailing the dirty tricks we may expect:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23638322/block_the_vote

Second, a feel-good piece about the O, researched about two weeks ago. So, it's fresh. It's also a magazine piece, a bit long by web standards but well written. A must read if you're feeling a bit sketchy just now:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/magazine/19obama-t.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=obama%20magazine&st=cse&oref=slogin

Finally, a page sent to me by J. Strictly for our amusement. Be sure to move your cursor around and click on any live bits:

http://www.palinaspresident.us/

'Till later, be good in your lifetime and work hard.

FC

Post Script:

In case you haven't watched this video in a few days take another look just in case. There's a lot of hope in the end. I think we'll need it:

Who Is Sarah Palin

2008-10-12T13:25:00.002-04:00

The favorite Republican meme, just substitute Barak Obama. Well, here's some of "Who" she is...

The dKos diary referencing the story:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/12/13228/301/977/627523

The story itself, courtesy of firedoglake.com:

http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/22/sarah-palins-wasilla-base-a-unhealthy-dose-of-far-right-extremism/

A Village Voice story that details the typical cronyism that is rampant in Alaska. Not that Alaska is any different than the other states, just that Sarah Palin dares to point the finger when there are "three more" pointing back at her.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-10-08/news/the-book-of-sarah/5

"Be good in your lifetime." Drew Breckenridge

FC

HOPE OR HATE

2008-10-12T12:56:00.003-04:00

HATE is what the new Republican party does best. It's their strongest suit. Sow the seeds of hate and stand back, hands on pot-bellied hips, chew the fat and watch them grow. A little chuckle, a nod and knowing wink. This is how they get things done. This is how they win.

Not this time. This time hate loses. Hope wins. Make damn sure of it. Work hard.

FC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rUAFUoz3jc

4 Days in Denver

2008-10-11T14:13:00.005-04:00

PD, Wendy and I were there, as some of you know. This is about as good as the actual experience. Most likely better because of the candid moments. I love these people and I love my party. I'd better leave it at that because I'm gonna' go maverick otherwise. Be sure to stick around for the out-takes at the very end, and thanks to Amy for this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCeNPAaGVVY&feature=user

"Be good in your lifetime." Drew Breckenridge

FC

Saturday YouTube

2008-10-11T12:51:00.000-04:00

Here's some feelgood for your weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpDTvlSd0x4&NR=1

I'm having a hard time with the buffering of this next one so I suggest you let it play out with the sound muted than replay. The point, either way, is that even a 3 year old gets it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obhSUj_tmtU&feature=related

This last one is by far the most powerful piece I've seen to date. If you can watch with a dry eye than you're just too far gone. Or maybe I'm just a sap. Dunno.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPQHNX05VtM&feature=related

Be well, work hard, enjoy your weekend.

FC

Serious Man-Love

2008-10-11T12:50:00.000-04:00

Some serious manlove

"You can call me anything, write anything or do anything. I'm yours till death do us part":

http://video1.washingtontimes.com/video/Keating-Letter.jpg

I was aware of McCains "pally" kind of friendship with Charles Keating, but I just didn't realize it went this far. "I'm yours till death do us part" ?????? That sounds kind of cultish...or...my... God....worse. Not to mention that he signed the note "Charlie". You tell me.

Just sayin'

FC

Brooks' Truth?

2008-10-11T12:48:00.000-04:00

I often grate teeth and spew an expletive, or many, when reading Brooks. Just as often, after I calm down and wipe down the monitor, I end up somewhat agreeing with him. Only somewhat but that speaks volumes. He's very perceptive and I believe he's reasonably honest. Rare qualities in a journalist, these days. This piece, therefore, is a bit of a surprise. I agree in TOTAL with his assessments. Also very timely, coming just one day before the BIG NO. 2 DEBATE. Where goes the world?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/08/david-brooks-sarah-palin_n_133001.html

Work very hard, friends. Don't be fooled.

FC

Good and Evil

2008-10-11T12:47:00.000-04:00

This, the Good, thanks to Dennis.

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2008/10/13/081013taco_talk_editors

And the Bad, thanks to Peter.

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/the-palins-imperfect-union/

Two aspects of the "American" vision.

Admittedly this is not the best apples to apples comparison. One is a glowing endorsement from a major national publication and the other is a damning critique from one of the candidate's local bloggers. To my ear, they both ring true. Sometimes you just have to trust your ears.

Be well and work hard.

FC

Class, Class, Class

2008-10-11T12:45:00.000-04:00

Michelle Obama is pure class. That's all I've got to say. All. No more.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/8/212059/820

Don't miss the second video in this post. Quiz tomorrow morning.

FC

Lest We Forget

2008-10-11T12:43:00.000-04:00

The most preeminent domestic terrorist still roaming "the street" today.

http://losangeles.injuryboard.com/miscellaneous/the-subprime-mess-and-phil-gramm-an-experiment-in-deregulation.aspx?googleid=242468

This is the evil weasel that could be the next Secretary of the Treasury. Our Treasury, ladies and gentleman. Our money. Our hopes . Our dreams.
A truly evil and self-serving bastard if ever there was.

Look at it this way:

William Ayers advocated bombing the Pentagon 40 years ago. For arguably altruistic reasons.

Phil Gramm advocates bombing our economic future NOW. For his own fanancial enrichment and for the betterment of the sloppers of his trough.

Work Hard.

FC

Gee Whiz and Gosh Darn

2008-10-11T12:42:00.000-04:00

Gee whiz, MORNIN' all you little mavericks out there. The pundits said that Jolene Sixpack did so well in the debate that Tina Fey would have trouble with the requisite lampoon. Guessin' they underestimated Ms. Fey, the SNL writers and the depth of Ms. Sixpacks shallowness, there. For Those who didn't see it last night, the link follows.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/04/tina-fey-as-sarah-palin-i_n_131964.html

Happy Sunday all.

FC

THIS is the Enemy

2008-10-11T12:39:00.001-04:00

OK, look. I'm not trying to beat the "Impeach Palin" drum. That's a dead horse. McCain and the GOP are the real enemy. I know that. But looking at this clip gave me a scare. Just imagine this potential VP leading our little world. Work hard, friends. Very hard.

FC

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/1/114211/666/741/616580

A Bit of Insight

2008-10-11T12:34:00.000-04:00

Hi all.

I'm back online, with a faster connection and and a mostly clear calender between now and the election. I'll try to do a better job of ferreting the skinny between now and then. Some of you are recent additions so if you don't want to be a part of this group just reply accordingly, and off you go. For the rest, today's "Cornbread's Crumbs."

Be well and work hard.

LB

This piece really puts a human head on the "bailout" frankenstein.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/1/114211/666/741/616580

For those who are not aware of fivethirtyeight.com, here's a link. This is far and away the most accurate polling site due to Nate Silver's astute methodology. Watch the video to meet him, and get misty over the good old days of journalism courtesy of Dan Rather. (I really DO miss him.) Then check out the various polling charts and data. The blog entries are thought provoking as well. Good site to bookmark.

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/10/nate-with-dan-rather-and-keith.html

Finally, although it's early and there may be a two-fer, for those like myself who don't own a television device here's a juicy Jon Stewart segment on the bah bah bah bailout.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=186754&title=Kill-Bill:-Volume-1

Forward

Debate Defined

2008-10-11T12:33:00.000-04:00

Once again, a link from PD. He's doing my work for me, I guess. An insightful analysis of the first debate for those who don't read Huff Post.
More later.

LB

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amb-richard-c-holbrooke/calm-methodical-obama-vs_b_130343.html

Johhny Boy Saves the Country

2008-10-11T12:31:00.001-04:00

Well...

Your 2-fer and you're due a fourteen-fer, by my calculations.

John McCain wants to postpone the Friday debate so he can rush back to DC. Mr "Looking Presidential" wants to look, um ...presidential. Bear in mind that this decidedly unpresidential toad has not been able to find time to be in DC and actually vote on a bill since April 8, 08. Take a look at this link to see the bills he's been too busy being a MAVERICK ( Greed and corruption bustin' son of a gun) to vote on. Veteran's bennies and alt energy subsidies caught my eye.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m000303/votes/

FC

What the Hell IS a Credit Default Swap

2008-10-11T12:26:00.002-04:00

Hi All.

Sorry to be away. I was busy learning about economics. Now I am a certified lay master possessing just enough knowledge to hurt myself. Luckily, my friend Devilstower from Kos has a bit more knowledge than moi and I'm turning it over to him. Thanks to PD for this link. It's a bit long but not at all laborious reading, even for art majors, so if you really want a lay version of the skinny on the current mess we're in take the time to read it.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/21/9322/74248/245/602838

I'm working on a new internet connection, due to be up and running on 10/01 with my more robust computer so I will open the blog then.

Hope to see all those local to Staunton at the Meet and Greet with Sam Rasoul tonite. If you don't already know, Mill Street upstairs at 5:00.

FC

More comic Relief...because we need it

2008-10-11T12:25:00.000-04:00

FROM JIBJAB TO PUT A SMILE ON YOUR DAY. ENJOY. FC

http://www.jibjab.com/view/251692

Comedy Redux

2008-10-11T12:24:00.000-04:00

Hi All.

I've spent most of my afternoon working on other pursuits but did receive a heads-up from Wendy that there was a new Sarah P. video about. File this under "Comic Relief" as this is an alternative view of the Charlie Gibson interview. If you haven't seen the real thing, YouTube it first then watch this . It's a bit more esoteric than the first Sarah P. takeoff but really good, maybe even better, about halfway through. IMHO. I'm working on a new Cornbread blog which will put all of these emails in one place and provide a locus to direct your friends toward. Next up is healthcare, so stay tuned. Be good in your lifetime.

FC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfz6QGmuvp4&feature=user

Let's Talk Taxes

2008-10-11T12:22:00.000-04:00

Let's talk taxes. The Republicans will tell you that Barack Obama is going to increase your taxes. As in "everyman's" taxes. Like...ALL TAXES. Below is a link to the Alchemytoday Obama Tax Calculator. This calculator is based on numbers supplied by the Tax Policy Institute. The TPI is a non-partisan tax think tank which analyzes tax policy and net effects thereof. Also, I'm attaching a link to the TPI Homepage. The calculator is an easy tool to determine the real tax burden Obama's tax plan would impose.

Calculator:

http://alchemytoday.com/obamataxcut/

TPI Homepage:

http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/

I see this as very good method to dispel the myth that Obama will increase "everyman's" taxes.

Of course, if your annual gross is over $250,00.00 you pay. Sorry about that. Just remember that the motor in that luxury sedan that you're speeding gloriously down life's highway is fueled in part by the day to day toil of the true middle class, those that will be buoyed by Obama's tax plan and those same that will keep shopping so you can keep driving.

The Republicans like to talk trash about "tax and spend" democrats. As my good friend John Hooe says, "Both parties tax and spend. It's more a matter of where they spend it." I suspect that you can fill in the blanks.

Be good in your lifetime,

FC

Your Saturday Night TwoFer

2008-10-11T12:20:00.001-04:00

Here's your Saturday night twofer. Just saw this on the NYT late edition front page. Guessing it will still be up tomorrow morning, but just in case. A good piece that puts some flesh of the bones of McCains VP choice. A bit scary in that context, I must admit. Frankly, scary in any context.

LB

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14palin.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Wolves vs. Predators

2008-10-11T12:18:00.000-04:00

Hello friends.

Today's nugget of intel is the new ad put out by an Obama 527. Some of you may already know that BHO shut down all 527's in June in an attempt to run a positive message campaign. He has, as of this past Wednesday, authorized their participation in the campaign. I don't perceive this move as desperate as much as a calculating one. I think BHO is a chess player and as such is always several moves ahead of his opponent. I believe he was waiting for McCain to go very negative before allowing his surrogate 527's to act likewise. BHO himself will no doubt stay on message and stay positive with the occasional lipsiticked pig and dead fish reference but the 527's can now be the snarling dog in the fight. Risky politicking to wait so long, but brilliant timing if it works. As many of you may have seen, the MSM is only now starting to call out the McCain campaign on it's distortions, half truths and outright lies. Because of this, the 527's attack ads should be perceived as reinforcement to the gradual negative perception of McCain/Palin by the media and not as the prime movers. Politics is a dirty business. So far our candidate is not. That's why he is my man.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/brutal-ad-targets-palins_n_125975.html

Listen up now, this ad is very graphic and unsettling, so bear that in mind.

BTW, I grew up in a family that has hunted wild game for generations. What is depicted in this ad should not be confused with that tradition. What you will see is wanton killing. For the sake and satisfaction of killing. Nothing more or less than that.

Today's Thought

2008-10-11T12:15:00.001-04:00

Hi, my friends. I realized recently that I have a lot more time on my hands than most of you. As well, I spend a lot of that time researching politics online. It's become an obsession of sorts and sometimes annoying to my evening barroom companions. Be that as it may, these are rare and dangerous times. Almost every day I run across something that I think may not get noticed but deserves to. To that end, I have put together a group of contacts that I can send the daily link and occasional commentary to. If you don't want this daily annoyance from me just reply with a note to that effect and I'll take you off the list. No hard feelings as not everyone is as psychopathic as me regarding the impending election. Thanks for reading to those that do, and thanks for being friends to all of you.

LB

Today's link is a Huffington Post Op-Ed that I thought really described the bizarre reality construct that the Republicans are serving up as of late. Also an attachment of the poster that Wendy drew and is trying to sell to generate funds for the campaign. Enjoy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-reiser/yeah----you-and-whose-arm_b_125929.html