And the Pulitzer Prize for Bravery goes to: Matt Volz

Palin lawyer meets with investigator in probe
By MATT VOLZ

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Less than a week after balking at the Alaska Legislature's investigation into her alleged abuse of power, Gov. Sarah Palin on Monday indicated she will cooperate with a separate probe run by people she can fire.

Does anyone know where this guy lives, so the Snarkmeister can send him flowers and chocolates?

The real McCain

"Doesn't fall far from the tree" Category:

Two more banks have failed, in Nevada and Arizona. It turns out that Andrew McCain sat on the board and audit committee of the Silver State Bank. Apparently, papa John McCain isn't the only one in the family whose strongpoint isn't economics.

Born South of the Border, Still South of the Border

Busy Fingers in Detroit

14,000 text message! It is a wonder that Kwame Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty had time to have sex, let alone time to run the City of Detroit.

Admittedly, I'm not great at math, but I think this breaks down as follows...

14,000 messages
@30 seconds to type each message on those tiny little keyboards
= apx. 2 messages per minute (one message each way)
@120 messages per hour
=116 hours of typing time for 14,000 messages
@2,880 messages per day
= apx. 4.8 days of typing for all 14,000 messages

Presumably there wasn't much foreplay involved; their fingers would have been too tired.

News Flash! The Wayne County Prosecutor has just release a 12-point indictment against Kilpatrick and Beatty.

Clinton Mania

At the Democratic debate in Austin earlier this week, Hillary Clinton surprised even her supporters with her friendly and laudatory comments to Barack Obama. It was enough of a change in character that pundits were later buzzing with speculation that perhaps she had psychologically given up on the nomination.

What a difference four days can make.

Today in Cincinnati, Hillary was back in usual form, wagging her finger like a shrewish schoolmarm, all the while screaming, "Shame on you, Barack Obama." It was sort of reassuring, in an odd fashion.

Given such swings in behavior, it's not much of leap to wonder if Hillary was merely having a rare good day on Wednesday, or if there are perhaps other things we should know. Either way, America might be wise to ask itself, do we really need such mania in the Oval Office?

News from a Christian Nation

Senator John Sidney McCain III would have us believe that he would never betray America's trust to do anything like "that" (in reference to the New York Times (login required) and Washington Post allegations that he cheated on his wife with Washington lobbyist Vicki Iseman). To paraphrase another philanderer, that all depends on what your definition of "that" is.

If by "that" John McCain means "to cheat" on his wife, McCain has already admitted to doing "that." He not only cheated on his first wife, Carol Shepp McCain, he cheated on her promiscuously over a period of at least six years (1974-1980). It was during those years that he began his relationship with the heiress Cindy Lou Hensley (in 1978), who would eventually become the second Mrs. McCain. (Yes, that makes both the potential future Republican President and his most likely First Lady of the United States of America guilty of adultery.) This is a matter of public record and is mostly likely also covered in the sealed court recordings from John and Carol's April 1980 divorce proceeding. (John and Cindy Hensley were married only a month later in May 1980.)

One has to give John McCain some credit though, unlike Republican Newt Gingrich, who reputedly served divorce papers on his wife while she was still in the hospital undergoing treatment for cancer, McCain didn't divorce his once beautiful wife until she had had a few years to recover from the automobile accident that had reduced her from a statuesque former model to a somewhat shorter (she lost four inches in height), heavier, and scarred-up version of her earlier self. What a man. There is loyalty for you.

If, however, by "that" McCain means to "betray America's trust," one can't help but point out that Carol McCain is an American, and that John betrayed her trust when he broke his vow of "till death do us part." Now we hear that he has likely broken his vow to another American, Cindy Hensley McCain. And, where is the surprise? There shouldn't be any. Leopards rarely change their spots.

Did the New York Times play politics with their timing in the release of the story? Most probably. But where is the news in that? The media has been playing politics all year long with Ron Paul, and there has been nary a word of objection from neither the Left nor the Right. It is a little late to be expecting objective, political disassociation from journalistic institutions.

The New York Time's political motivations are entirely irrelevant to the validity of the assertions against John McCain. After that red herring has been moved aside, it is hardly a stretch to believe that that the leopard was cheating on his second wife, since we know for certain that he was cheating, repeatedly on his first one. What may be a stretch, is to believe that it hasn't been occurring repeatedly this time also.

La vengeance

The Christian Fundamentalists and their president have destroyed America's economy, civil liberties, and even ability to protect itself. The U.S. under Bush is different from South Africa under Apartheid only in the degree to which it has become pariah in the international community. In short, the GOP and the Fundies have a lot to answer for.

Would it not be great just desserts if this Presidential race turned out to be between a heretic Mormon and an apostate Muslim? It might be exactly what is needed to convince the world that America has regained some control of itself.

Why vote for Smedly?*

Many have conjectured that George Bush is motivated by a desire to complete what his father left undone (in the Middle East). Perhaps those observers have been hypermetropic. Bush's actions may instead be focused on completing the work of his grandfather (here in America).

Check out this article from the Wikipedia on the White House putsch of 1933. The article suggests there is some question regarding the existence of the plot amongst modern journalists (the same people who excluded select candidates from their debates), however Congress itself acknowledged the existence of the plot and established a congressional committee, called the McCormack-Dickstein Committee, to investigate it. The existence of a plot by wealthy bankers and industrialists to overthrow a democratically elected government is alarming, but pause for a moment and ask yourself: How was George Bush elected twice without this skeleton in his family's closet becoming an issue? How did the press miss it? A more pertinent question might be: Did the press miss it? The answers to those present-day questions may be much more alarming than the existence of the 70-year old plot.

Many have noted that, with the exception of Ron Paul, all of the Republican candidates seem to be political clones of George Bush. One can't help but wonder if the GOP has become the "Prescott Bush Party" or the "Corporate-State Party" (read, Fascist Party) in all but name. The Paul campaign, with it's demand for a return to the democratic ideals of the the American Revolution and strict enforcement of constitutional protections, thus represents what may be a last possible effort to prevent a complete takeover of the Republican Party -- before the Republican Party undertakes a takeover of their own. (As a side note supporting this concern, please consider reading through the many executive orders (available for reading on the White House website) that George Bush has signed to support the implementation of marshall law in America.) These issues, considered as a whole, suggest that a vote for Ron Paul is important. A vote for Paul sends a message to the fascists that America will not bend over and quietly tolerate the insertion of fascism into the American political landscape.

If you vote in an open primary, please consider requesting the Republican ballot and voting for Ron Paul. Ron Paul will not win today, but your vote will not be wasted. Every vote for Paul represents a bow shot over the heads of the corporate and political elite who believe that Americans no longer care about the Constitution or the freedoms it protects. Every vote for Paul warns the fascist that there remain Americans who will oppose them, who will fight back. A peaceful vote now though, is infinitely preferable to a violate confrontation in the future. With your help, we can drive the fascist and corporate-statist out of Washington, peacefully. However, we can only do it with a little sacrifice, and that starts with your vote, even if it means voting on the ballot of the GOP.

As Ron Paul repeats so optimistically, "Freedom is popular." Let's keep it that way.

Links:

• (Wikipedia article) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot
  
• (43 min. video: History Channel documentary) http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=628728631767818729&q=FDR&hl=en (Warning: explores the question of how America really supports its veterans and reveals Democratic Party complicity in the corporate state. Republican, Democrat, il n'y a aucune différence.)

* Smedly Butler was the U.S. Marine Corp Major General who revealed the White House putsch plot. In looks, and in politics, he was remarkably similar to Dr. Ron Paul. General Butler at the time of his death was the most highly decorated veteren in American history. Dr. Ron Paul was also in the military, serving as a flight surgeon for the U.S. Air Force in South Korea, Iran, Ethiopia and Turkey.

"the man is just too timid"

The New Republic has decided that Ron Paul is one of those "timid" racist, anti-Semetic, homophobes.

Does Marty Peretz even make sure these guys have taken Psychology 101 before he hires them, or does the TNR just not aim for consistency?

Happy MLK Day from the Clinton campaign!

It will be interesting to see how Hillary plans to celebrate Pride Day.

Minority? Average? This ones for you!

Racists, who have in the past supported Ron Paul because of his support for the restoration of constitutional freedoms, are now boycotting Paul because Paul has clarified that he is not a racist. Paul, in fact, supports civil rights and considers Martin Luther King, Jr. a personal hero.

The white nationalists, and similar groups, are boycotting today's Ron Paul - Martin Luther King Day fund raiser (FreeAtLast2008.com). They are actively blogging and posting comments to newsgroups telling whites to give their money to the racist group StormFront instead.

For those who oppose freedom, who oppose liberty, this would seem to be a good thing. Reports of it are going to send a profound message via the media, which is: there is little support for freedom in America if it includes freedom for minorities.

Minorities should therefore be very concerned about the outcome of today's Paul-MLK fundraiser and of Dr. Paul's campaign in general.

While Paul has clearly attracted supporters of all colors and opinions, he himself is a passionate libertarian: a person who believes that all people are created equal and should be treated equally, so long as they do not use force or fraud against other people.

This means, for instance, that Paul considers taxation to be theft. The government is taking money from you without your consent. During 20 years in Congress, Paul has never once voted for a tax increase. In fact, in 20 years in Congress, Paul has never voted for anything that was unconstitutional at all. All the other politicians in Washington despise him as "Dr. No" (well perhaps, expect for Dennis Kucinich).

What else does Dr. Paul support? He supports...

• ...stopping the drug war: the drug war is a war on minorities trying to make a living in what is often the only way available to them. And who is their market? Wealthy white kids and often their parents? However they don't go to jail do they? Ron Paul wants to let people function in a free market and to be responsible for their own bodies
• ...pardoning all those convicted of non-violent, victimless crimes (drugs, prostitution, etc.) If they haven't hurt anyone, there is no reason for your loved ones to be in prison. Ron Paul has advocated mass pardons
• ...stopping the war in Iraq, in which a hugely disproportionate number of minority servicemen are being killed to support an oil grab that mostly only benefits the white owners of wealthy corporations. Let the suburban, country-club folk pay for their own war, with the lives of their own kids, then we can talk. Until then, stop the war
• ...reforming the judicial system to address racial sentences disparities. Ron Paul believes everyone should be equal before the law, both before and after the verdict!
• ...reforming the monetary system so that the government cannot further tax you by deflating the value of your savings through inflating prices. At present, independent economists outside the U.S. (not on the Bush payroll) estimate U.S. inflation to be above 10%; for food, some suggest it may be as high as 30%! That means the same bottle of milk that you paid $2.00 for last year, is now costing you $2.60. That 60 cents is a hidden tax on you that the government is using to pay for their war. 60 cents that is being used to kill innocent Iraq women and children (over 100,000 civilian dead so far)

Now there is the issue of the newsletters. They were written by people who had licensed Paul's name after he left Congress in order to run a medical practice. Paul had 5 kids to put through college, 3 of them through medical school. He couldn't do that on a congressman's salary, so he quite and went back to medicine. He also licensed his name to some people who wanted to write an investment newsletter using his name (and reputation) as a monetary expert. Dr. Paul himself was too busy delivering babies to edit the newsletters. It was unfortunate that he didn't have more time. Some pretty horrible language was used in the columns under his name.

However, and this is the critical point, Paul didn't write those offensive words and he has officially condemned them, repeatedly.

The continuing hysteria surrounding the newsletters is being whipped up by Paul's political enemies, the enemies of equality and freedom for the common man: mostly amongst the wealthy East-coast liberal (white) elite, but also within the ultraconservative ranks of the Christian Coalition and the Fox News network. Politics does indeed make for strange bed fellows. And who is sleeping with whom is often quite revealing. (Ironically, Paul is a devout Christian, not one of those "only show up on Sunday when the cameras are around types.")

By contrast, average Americans, black and white, know, by listening with their own ears, that Ron Paul is not a racist. Common men and women, can see that Ron Paul is an equalitarian by his actions. They do not need a fancy magazine written by wealthy (white) Ivy League editors to tell them how to judge their political candidates.

So what can you do?

Donate today! It doesn't have to be much. Every little bit can help. Contributions can be made at FreeAtLast2008.com or at RonPaul2008.com.

Next, vote for Ron Paul in your primary. (Keep in mind you may have to temporarily change your party affiliation to Republican to do this -- and their are deadlines to change your affiliation.)

Yes, it is true, Ron Paul is not likely to win the Republican nomination, but a strong showing by Ron Paul will demonstrate clearly that the wealthy elite can no longer control the agenda. A vote for Paul sends a message. It tells the elite that the common man, regardless of color or ideology, will no longer be held down and ignored.

After the primary, you can change you party affiliation back to your first preference. Vote for Obama, if he's gains the Democratic nomination. If he doesn't. I'd suggest you not vote at all.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, scares a politician as much as someone not voting.

Happy MLK Day!

Surprising words of wisdom from a surprising source

Frank Luntz can't be trusted, but on this particular point he is absolute 100% correct. Both the mainstream media and Ron Paul's supporters should listen to him.

Why Adversity Quotient is important!

Sociologist have long known that the difficulties one has to overcome is somehow related to the likelihood of success. Some have posited that it is even a good predictor of the measure of success. They call this phenomena, "adversity quotient." The higher the quotient (the greater the adversity), the greater the likelihood of success.

Thus, when someone manages to overcome a great adversity, the odds of great success increase.

It looks like our good doctor's adversity quotient may well have just gone up, substantially. The tide of public opinion would seem to be turning in his favor in regard to the horrendous accusations made against him by The New Republic's Jamie Kirchick.

Even the talking heads in the mainstream media are starting to concede that Dr. Paul is not a racist:

"I gotta tell you Congressman, you and I have talked a lot over these last several months and when I saw these newsletters I didn't know anything about them until I saw that article in The New Republic. I was pretty shocked because it certainly didn't sound like the Ron Paul that I've come to know and our views have come to know all this time." -- Wolfe Blitzer, CNN, The Situation Room

At this point, it even seems possible that Paul's support amongst minorities might increase as a result of this kerfuffle.

Thank you, Mr. Kirchick.

Rolling on the floor laughing! and then crying.

Post:

"So the media has found the chink (can I use that word, or is it’s other meaning too offensive for people…) in Ron Paul’s armor? It’s been said before, no candidate is perfect. At least Paul’s clearly admitted that more than once. Even if the man is flawed, like we all are, the message of liberty and personal responsibility still rings true." -- posted by James Moore on thirdpartywatch.com

Reply:

"The chink (can I use that word, or is it’s other meaning too offensive for people…)"

You should chew on such turns of phrase thoroughly, be niggardly in their use, and keep your speech spic and span, lest you get a wop on the head. -- posted by paulie on thirdpartywatch.com

At least there are three adults with a sense of humor left in America.

Come on folks, let's have a little perspective. The country is going to hell in a hand basket, and we are apoplectic about some 15 year-old words that probably weren't even written by the only man in America who is pushing forward on a platfom that could save us. What are we thinking?

Megan McArdle held to a higher standard

"So Megan, what you are say(ing) is, you and your friends are tolerant of diversity, as long as it is from a pre-approved list. I'm sorry, but that isn't a very good credential for a civil libertarian. Avram Grumer got it right instead, when he said, "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to mis-attribute this quote to Voltaire." Any true civil libertarian would be out in front on this, defending Dr. Paul's right to any wacky opinion whatsoever; (i)nstead they are all ducking and running for cover. For shame." Posted by Chillie B. | January 10, 2008 7:25 PM (on the New Atlantic webpage)

Why you can't trust anything from the media - Part I.

"The Iranian "provocation" in the straits of Hormuz has set the stage for a new "crisis" manufactured wholly by the War Party, the rationale for which is uncritically accepted by our passive "mainstream" media. We are expected to believe that five minuscule speedboats "menaced" the USS Hopper, a destroyer armed with missiles; the cruiser USS Port Royal; and the USS Ingraham, a frigate. That's rather like five gnats "menacing" a trio of elephants. Oh, but that's not all. In addition to intercepting the American flotilla, CNN reports the Iranians supposedly issued explicit threats:

"In one radio transmission, the Iranians told the U.S. Navy: 'I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes,' the U.S. military officials told CNN."

The Iranians, for their part, say nothing untoward occurred that doesn't happen all the time in the Gulf: they simply asked the ships to identify themselves, and it was all very routine.

I challenge anyone to look at the following video and tell me honestly they hear or see anything that looks like an Iranian "provocation." It's all very murky and dubious:"

--AntiWar.com (Justin Raimondo)

What do we know?

The Reverend has refused to release the contents of the 600 sermons he preached to fundamentalist Southern Baptist congregations, and no copies or recordings have become public so far. However we can guess the contents.

Even after Huckabee entered politics and presumably started to watch his mouth, he still couldn't keep from spouting off about interning AIDS victims. It is easy to imagine that what he was saying before he went into politics was a lot scarier -- especially given that, as recently as November, he was personally hanging out with homophobes, and even personally attending a Christian Reconstruction fundraiser held in his name.

The Reconstructionist, also sometimes called Dominionists, are the Christian "Taliban." Their aim? To overthrow of the Constitution, and implement Mosaic law in America. The movement first came to light under the leadership of the now fortunately deceased Rousas John Rushdoony. Unfortunately his followers continue on, lead and supported by Rushdoony's son-in-law, home-school activist Gary North, along TV preachers such as James Kennedy,Huckabee fundraiser, Steven Hotz, and even international groups like Watchmen on the Walls.

Just to be clear, the Reconstuctionist playbook would allow for the stoning of homosexuals (along with adulterers, heretics and a long list of others.). Why put the little buggers in pens when you can just kill them? It's a lot cheaper if you don't have to feed them. Hmmmm, where have we seen that line of thinking before? You'd think that someone would be alarmed.

So where is the (supposedly liberal) media's effort to dig up copies or recordings of those old Huckabee sermons?

You would think that to gay journalists, such as Jamie Kirchick, that Huckabee's association with fag killers would be of a lot more interest than Ron Paul's supposed association with fag name callers. But you'd be wrong.

Instead the Reconstructions are given a hall pass, even though they are infinately more racist and homophobic. The media even let Huckabee keep his pass after he refused to recant his homophobic AIDS comment months ago. It is easy to guess that this is because both the Reconstructionists and Huckabee are devout defenders of an interventionist U.S. foreign policy formed around the best interests of particular other country. Paul, however, speak the ultimate heresy by suggesting that American tax dollars and America's military should be tasked with defending America.

Ron Paul has at least taken responsibility and apologized for the nasty language that a contractor printed, without his knowledge, in a newsletter that was apparently licensed to print under Paul's name. Huckabee however, is sticking by his homophobic positions, and keeping his old papers safely tucked away.

And no one seems to care, not even Jamie Kirchick.