Campaigning with Osama, er, Obama

The truth hurts.

Shoot to Thrill

I spent the weekend in Sedona, AZ and didn't spend too much time on politics.  But, when I returned, I thought some of the threads being spun were terrific.  Specifically, the one that juxtaposes the killing of Bin Laden with the legitimacy of enhanced interogation techniques such as waterboarding.  Fox News" Chris Wallace had a White House security team member as his guest on Sunday and he posed the most interesting question of the past 10 years - "why is it legal to shoot an unarmed Bin Laden in the face twice, but we somehow cannot waterboard similar terrorists to unearth intelligence in the war on terror?" 

Of course, the confused official could not come up with an answer, because there is none.  In recent days some media types have rhetorically asked why Republicans can't give credit to Obama on this issue and it's precisely because of these antics - they won't ever own up to the fact that frankly being tough on our enemies actually yields results.  Even at this moment, Attorney General Holder would still like to imprison Bush officials who provided legal analysis regarding enhanced interrogation techniques - but in the same breadth want to give Obama full credit for taking Bin Laden down.  You can't have it both ways Barry.  And there's the rub.

Gitmo Hypocrisy Marches On

This podium ain't big enough for the two of us.

Here are two great threads that describe in detail the hypocrisy (as described in my May 2nd post below) surrounding the zealous over-celebration of Obama the great in "finally getting Bin Laden" in light of the fact that every George W. Bush anti-terror mechanism he left in place helped the US get him.  And these were the things that the left, and Obama, campaigned and managed against during his term. 
 First Rush Limbaugh's excellent take.  And then Dana Loesch even adds more to the fire with leaked internal Democratic party talking points that stress to the liberal faithful to not give any credit to Bush.  These are must reads if you care about the leftist media spin. Boy, I really liked that call to unity Obama was talking about.  Way to go, lefties.  And, additionally, political analyst Michael Barone lays to bare the real irony here - that the very policies Obama and the left decried help bring Bin Laden down - and now they want overriding political credit for it.

By the way, Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone.  You too, Barry.

Can't Gitmo Satisfaction

The Situation Room: What? "Red Eye" isn't on?

Congratulations goes out to President Obama, the country's national security team and our military in executing a strategic ground strike with brave Navy Seals to exterminate Osama Bin Laden.  It is another step in our continuing "war on terror" - but it is not the "most significant achievement" in this war (as the President claimed) and it does not bring an end to our conflict with radical Islam.  Personally, I was never obsessed with "getting" this guy as some in the media were (just as others in the media thought "we should finish the job in Iraq" after the first Gulf War - but, surprisingly, did not support the later war, where we did).  It is now proven that Bin Laden was isolated with only communication through trusted couriers and with no internet or TV at his compound (which by the way was not a "mansion").



The  OBL"mansion"

But credit should go to all who were involved with this and I look at it obviously as a victory for the country.  But it is interesting in Obama's overly self-congratulatory speech last night (his use of the words "I", "my", "me" and "mine" were on full display as usual) is that this event occured primarily by following the Bush anti-terror policies that he has kept in effect in his two-and-a-half year term.  It is quite clear that intelligence was gathered by the existence of detainees at Gitmo (something he ordered to have eliminated on his first day in office), by rendition (interrogation and detainage of prisoners abroad), and aggressive interrogation techniques (i.e. waterboarding) - all of these things he campaigned against and even tried to indict Bush staff over during his current term (and these were the most significant accomplishments on the war on terror - the things that have kept us safe).  Now he's out there showboating claiming it all occured "at his direction".  And wasn't the term "war on terror" outlawed in his first year? - not anymore; he rolled it out for the first time last night and even said Bin Laden wasn't a Muslim (then why did we bury him like one?")


"Party on, Garth"

Another reaction I had was to the seemingly spontaneous celebrations, mostly by young white college students studying for the final exams, in front of the White House and in Times Square - and the incessant, and to me, jingoistic chants of "U-S-A".  If people think the very existence of a jail-called-Gitmo outrages terrorists (which I don't believe) then what do you think a bunch of coed's yelling "U-S-A" while broadly "just partying on, Wayne" can do?  I never have really liked that chant whether its at an Olympic hockey game or in the streets.  I mean, keep it in your pants, man. Look like you've been there.

An Inconvenient Truth

I have writers for this, Seth.

Yes, there was a White House Correspondant's Dinner and all of the "reporters" yucked it up.  Obama took shots at Trump, who was there, as did MC Seth Myers from Saturday Night Live.  A review of the events was covered at Nicki Finke's Deadline.com.   But if you are a conservative, you apparently cannot post there.  Most of the comments to her blog are straight liberal BS.  But if you post a conservative thought you are excommunicated.  This is a little know truth outside of the blogosphere - you generally have a tough time posting on liberal blogs.  Conservative blogs will take your krap all day long, but liberal ones won't.  There you have it America.  Liberals censor you.  Repubs won't.

And by the way - why did Barry finally release his real birth certificate this week?   To bury it in Donald Trump's face at this event.  Hmm, kept it a secret this long (2.5 yrs) just for that Barry?  Thin skinned?

The Royal Wedding: Let the Brit's Talk!

Lucky you weren't listening to Fox!

I am currently watching the ramp-up to the wedding royale out here late West Coast time.  Coverage started before midnight so its not that big of a deal.  I was quite thoroughly enjoying Fox News simulcast with Sky News (the prime British news network) listening to the locals describe the scene in fantastic scenic minutae and with details of the locations and persons arriving early for the wedding.  Then at 1 AM west coast time Fox News American anchors including the left-leaning Shepard Smith started their broadcast and basically ruined the whole royal vibe.  Shep mocked wedding goer's hats - basically sounded like a yankee southern hick - and the blonde gals (who I basically like)  kept bringing up how Princess Di got screwed around by big ears (what does that have to do with anything?).  Hey, its a nice event.  Describe the wedding and shut up.  I would have been very happy to have kept on the Sky News channel and not listen to Yanks screwing it up and sounding annoyingly like Katie Couric.  Oh, thank god we now have Brit analyst Imogean Lloyd Webber on the scene to save the day!  Shut up, Shep!  And by the way it's "Posh and Becks"!  No matter - I turned to KCET and got a lovely Brit feed there.  Where are my bangers and mash?

Obama's Debt Circus

Obama's much ballyhooed speech last week, setting his tone for deficit reduction,was nothing more than the same old hot wind coming from the Democrats for over 50 years now - but more importantly, even Obama added a more vacuous twist by insulting Rep. Paul Ryan's budget plan after he specifically invited him to a front row seat for the address.  It just wasn't mentioned - it was a full out attack against Ryan and any other Republican who actually thinks we might have to address our financial house.  Now I didn't expect Obama to really agree with Ryan's plan (and I might not agree with everything there as well) but to demagogue somebody who has actually put forth a plan to address our financial issues while Obama has absolutely punted on the issue is, uh er, comical.  Because, he wasn't really addressing the nation's issues, he was just addressing his 2010 re-election campaign.  And that's not leadership - and not what this country needs.  So what did he do this weekend?  He was off to Chicago to plan his re-election and talk about da' Bulls.  Now, that's a three-ring circus.

UPDATE (4/18/11):  After Obama's debt speech about doing nothing Standard & Poors downgrades US debt - hmm, how's that for a timely response?  Nice going, Barry.

Capt. Stimulus Sleeps at Obama Address

Say It Ain't So, Joe.

And do you remember that this was the guy who was supposed to be in charge of the $787 billion stimulus program?  And he can't even stay awake as Obama - three years later - tries to explain to people how he's going to pay for it?

Well, when you mention it - it seemed like alot of people there were sleeping through that dreadful, non-productive speech.

American Idol Sucks

Wow- what a terrible show.  Why is this non-talented guy in the show?  And as usual the judges said nothing about how BAD he is.  Are they on drugs?  My god - even after last week's debacle they still say "oh Paul you are so special?"  And I have seen no "stage presence" by anybody so far.  The only guy who "moved" was the rocker guy at the end.  But he really is just so and so.  He's no Adam Lambert.  So much for that "entertaiment value".  The show has died.  And the judges suck big time.  And it has obviously shown that Pia was head and shoulders above everyone (see post below).  Who will be the Amercian Idol?-nobody special - and no one that will sell records. So stick it tweeners.  And stick it haters. Shark. Jump.

UPDATE:  The jazz duet between Casey and Haley on the elimination show was just amazing.

The Incapable President

I reallydon't know what I'm saying.

Obama's speech today talking about his new plan to reduce the deficit - only a couple of months after he prouduced the largest budget in American history was one of the biggest swings with a "wiff" in political history.  He has clearly staked himself as the lamest President in history.  All we got was class warfare politics now 18 months away from the election.

It is somewhat laughable to read in some circles that Obama "won" the budget battle this past weekend - or even showed leadership in doing so.  Realistically, Obama had his hat handed to him.  But interestingly enough that hasn't prevented him from taking credit for something he didn't even want to happen.  Obama came into this budget fight wanting to "freeze" spending.  Well he got his budget reduced by $40 billion and it would have been more but he conceded to conditions or "riders" attached to the bill to accept a lower number and look like he beat back the Republican hordes.  But now he has agreed to allow a vote on repeal of Obamacare in the Senate and several studies into it eficacy.  It doesn't really matter that the Senate won't repeal it this go round - the publicity and talking points during the arguments leading up the vote are going to continue to point out how bad his "landmark legislative acheivement" really is - and that will take alot of air out of his re-election campaign.

Some new tea-partiers will hoot and hollar and say we didn't get the $100 billion budget cuts that were once talked about but we never were going to get those.  This is a step in the right direction, averts the "government shutdown" issue that Republicans would lose on no matter whose fault it is and keeps the fight going.  It also lays the path for Congressman's Ryan REAL budget plan.

American "Idiot"

Take that, Nigel Lythgoe.

Personally, I feel American Idol proverbially "jumped the shark" last Thursday when front runner Pia Toscano got voted off the show, theoretically in ninth place.  Since her departure there has been much written how possibly too much of the voting is controlled by young girls voting for their heart throbs and not model-attractive 26-year olds with a great voice.  And, inexplicably you have a vocal minority of folks who said she "didn't move" enough (in her gargantuan four full weeks on the show) or "connect" with an audience.  This being said of a women who in Week One received a standing ovation from the audience and judges after she slayed The Pretender's "I'll Stand by You".  In fact, what is somewhat more bothersome then her outster are the plethora of comments saying how "arrogant" she seemed and blah blah blah.  As one other commenter said - "now we know how Obama got elected" -(and/or as I say, how he continues to enjoy favoribility ratings of over 40% by doing nothing and getting us in even more wars).

At least we now have the news that Pia was signed to a record deal the very next morning by Interscope records - something that cannot be said by the majority of the remaining talentless contestents.  Regardless, I find the whole situation unsettling.  She was clearly the best and whether she ultimately won or not isn't the issue.  She unexplicably placed ninth, thus - the show is dead to me. 

Aggies in NCAA Women's Title Game

Take that, Mitch Albom.

As noted in several posts below, many sport prognosticators seem to just overlook "the other teams" involved in the NCAA Tournament.  On this morning's "Sports Reporter's" the ESPN crew was asked who could best beat returning champion UConn; was it Notre Dame who they are playing tonight in the semi-final or Stanford, who beat them earlier in the year?  To a man the "sports reporters" said Stanford.  As an aside, the moderator did mention that Texas A&M was the "other team" in the Final Four.  So what happened in the "other" seminfinal game tonight? 
Scoreboard.
Texas A&M 63, Stanford 62.  See the remarkable story here.
UPDATE:  Notre Dame 72, UConn 63.  Hmmprhh.
EVEN BIGGER UPDATE:  Texas A&M 76, Notre Dame 70 - Aggies National Champs

Dodger Gangsta Punks

All are welcome?

The Los Angeles Dodgers-San Francisco Giants rivlary is fairly historic in these parts.  As a transplanted Texan living in LA, I have no great love for the Dodgers, or for even going to Chavez Ravine to pay $10  for a Dodger dog.  However, one year I did enjoy going to the park just to loudly boo Barry Bonds. But what happened in the the parking lot on Opening Day on March 31st is basic thuggary.  A Giant fan, with two of his friends wearing Giant garb,was assaulted in the parking lot after the game by two Latino gang members.  He's in critical condition. The two thugs are at large.

Coma esta, Gigantes!

What was even worse was this evening's news item I just saw run on the local TV station - they interviewed several latino Dodger fans standing in the beer line at tonight's Giant game and almost to a "man" they said if the Giants fans come into their house they were going to put them down.  The nice demure female reporter kept asking "really, you are saying they can't come into the stadium or they face physical harm?" - and the guys sort of said "si".  ("The river runs red with Burgundy's blood!").

Welcome to LA.  It's not Chinatown anymore.

Ram Jam - VCU in the Final Four

Take that, Jay Bilas.



I was not surprised last night when the ESPN panel of experts all predicted No. 1 seeded Kansas to knock of No. 11 Cinderella Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).  VCU - which in some quarters was criticized for even making the tournament - had knocked off several teams to get to this point but the highest seeded team was a not so great No. 3 Purdue.  This was Kansas - a Jayhawk team that many were picking to win the whole thing.  Surely the VCU parade, while impressive, could not possibly continue against their inside strength, pedigree and notorious well travelled fans in San Antonio.

But I was suprised when not one of the ESPN analysts (Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas, Dickie V) couldn't even say that VCU might have a chance if they got hot and/or Kansas had foul trouble, or something like that. This was the same bunch who are on record for saying that VCU shouldn't have even got in the tournament.  To be fair, much of their criticism was directed at the NCAA selection committee and UAB, a team that got in and flamed out in their first game.  Jay Bilas actually said VCU could play and that their point guard Rodriguez was good (and VCU didn't even think they were going - they didn't even watch the selection show that Sunday). But nevertheless, for this game  the ESPN guys just said it was an open and shut case.  You think after a bit of this VCU rush they would give them a prop or two.

Meanwhile over at CBS, after Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley all picked Kansas to win, Anthony admitted, after some prodding from Greg Gumbell, that VCU could win if everything went their way - which Barkley supported.  But I tell you what - they must have all had Kansas in their brackets because when they cut to them after VCU's monstrous upset of Kansas, that panel looked like a library club.  They even cut away from VCU trophy celebration to show some superfluous, and nonsensical for the time, Butler footage. 

Great job Rams and great job head coach Shaka Smart.  And as Whitney Houston used to sing - Shaka-can!

The Obama Doctrine

Do As I Say, No - As I Do, No - Aaagh.  Time to hit the links.

During the last Presidential election, Sarah Palin got blistered by ABC's Charlie Gibson for not knowing the Bush Doctrine.  Well I wonder what Charlie would think about Obama not even knowing what his own Doctrine is!?  Below I labeled Obama the Vacuous President - but now I want to call him the Ambivalent President.  I don't share all of the recent assorted conservative dogma that clamors for Obama to immediately explain his position on Libya while abroad (mainly because I'm relatively happy he's done something) - and, yes its vague and you can tell he was coaxed into it and he's trying to put his toes in the water before he totally alienates his base.  But if he doesn't come clean by this weekend (and fully addresses the nation) after he gets back from his romp in Rio - then it is a sad case indeed.

George W. Bush took over a year and a half to lobby for the war on Iraq, going before the UN, talking to the American people and getting Congressional approval - and was still roundly criticized for it - and by Obama himself!  Granted the Libya situation was something for the US and the international community to immediately take advantage of and move quickly - but he even did not do that.  He dithered and "Hope" withered.  Eventually Hillary made him do it a month later.  She definitely has more balls then him.

Barry - you got till the weekend to explain what the mission in Libya really is.  And maybe, for the very first time, you can "be clear".

The Vacuous President - Part II

Obama Announces His NCAA Bracket

Like we said in our previous post below - he's probably spent more time on his NCAA basketball bracket than on the federal budget.

UPDATE: Today, March 18, 31 days after Obama said Khadafi "must go" he announced the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya....probably 30 days too late (and only after the UK, France, the Libyan rebels and the Arab League - and Hillary - begged his involvement). Then he met with Congress and said we were really only going to be in for a couple of days and then promptly got on a plane and jetted off for Rio.  That's pretty much how my week went as well.

This snail's pace in leadership is not impressing anybody, least of all these guys.

The Vacuous President

He's on the case, uh, I mean, course.

So, this is leadership?



The Middle East is undergoing a grand transformation. We may have let Gadaffi off the hook in Libya because we have sat on our hands. Oil is going through the roof. Wisconsin in making history with long awaited rollbacks to public unions - aliong with Indiana and Ohio. The US budget (that didn't even pass last year) is still not approved - and it didn't even address what we need it to. The deficit is still growing at unprecedented levels. And what is the President talking about.

Bullying.

And not the rampant and potentially violent "bullying" that you see by the deranged union protesters outside and inside the capital in Madison - but by high school kids on the internet (and that's before he shuts it down anyway). Yes, he had a event in DC this last Thursday where he actually had represented by over 20 branches of government. Bullying. And this from a guy who told Republicans during the health care debate "elections have consequences" and during the mid-term elections he exorted followers to "get in the face" of people you disagree with, and "if they bring a knife we will bring a gun"- amongst a host of rather "bullying" type language from this non-commander in chief.

And besides this oddly timed event, Obama just seems not to want to really get involved in anything. It seems his M.O. is to just stay above the fray and not be caught on the wrong side of any issue. This is why everyone thinks he's a socialist - because, in reality, he just wants the rest of the government to solve the issues so he doesn't have to. Actually the President really isn't socialist - he's just European. That may even be worse.

What is also puzzling is his total lack of knowledge about energy policy (which goes to his bad cabinet choices in this area). The reality is he would love gasoline to go to $5/gallon so somehow we can all automatically somehow drive solar-wind-powered electric hybrid cars or something. Or just work from home. His response to energy related questions at his snorefest press conference on Friday belied an overwhelming lack of knowledge, urgency and frankly thought. And what's more so he's lying about oil production under his helm. He doesn't even have his facts straight. He's counting oil rigs (that are not producing) not actually barrels pumped.

Maybe he's just the whiniest President we've ever had.

Next: What really is happening in Badger Country.

Sign, Sign...Everywhere a Sign

State of the Union 2011

I'm just half way through this morose monotone speech. Obama had a moment to really leap forward here - and he has landed with a thud. Seriously - did this guy look presidential? He has a tin ear to what happened in November. What a hollow shell he is.

High speed rail? Sheesh!!!

Here's a good analysis.

Tucson Blame Game

The liberal media blame game that immediately commenced after Saturday's shootings of up to 20 people in a Tucson Safeway parking lot that centered around Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords has taken such a strataspheric tangent to reality that it has fueled a counter argument that has generated even more heat. The tragic gunning down of six lives at a politcal meeting in a shopping center by a 22-year old leftist communist nut-job has now spurred calls for a reduction in the "heat of rhetoric" that has apparently just "recently permeated our politics". Democrats and the mainstream media have blamed the Tea Party, Republicans, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck and others in creating an atmosphere which somehow spawned these attacks.

This, of course, is just pure rubbish. But it also goes to the intellectual honesty of the left - find the quickest knee-jerk explanation and that is the cause. It is laughable - but also sad. While many criticized Sarah Palin for having certain Democratic legislators in her "sites" for the mid-terms (over a year ago) they neglect that the very left wing "Daily Kos" website did the same thing.

What is even worse is the mainstream media jumping to conclusions - or let's just call it like it is - MAKING conclusions based on non-fact and their ideological view. This Newsbusters article sums it up very nicely. But shame on the media and their absolutely disgusting display of bias. In the end the shooter was a head case, pure and simple.

A Man for All Seasons

Isn't amazing how the press has already turned on Stanford Coach Jim Harbaugh? Read this trash. The guy has only been tough as nails in both his college and pro career ("Captain Comeback" when he was with the Colts as QB) to now a successful college football coach at less than a football factory like Stanford (that comes with excessive admission hurdles as well). What he has done at in Palo Alto is phenomenal. Now he has both the pros and his alma mater Michigan calling.

So what does he do? He talks to them, of course. All in individual meetings. He keeps this Monday's victorious post-Orange Bowl press conference on point about the game and dodges other questions (as does his QB Andrew Luck) . So what's a guy-in-play to do? And here we have internet reporters searching for a story making stuff up.

It appears that Harbaugh doesn't want to go "back" to Michigan (too much headache and problems there). He entertained the Dolphins because the owner is a major Michigan benefactor (and he was on the sideline at the Orange Bowl) - and he had an extensive five-hour talk with San Francisco - well because its the 49'ers, and its right up the street from Palo Alto.

What is clear to me is that Jim is now a California guy - once it gets in your blood its hard to get out. He can now stay at Stanford (now that his 2010 draft rated number 1 QB is coming back for his junior year) and make a run for a national championship - or have a great year, nonetheless (and get a handsome raise). Or go to the 49'ers - but now that Luck is staying at QB, and he's tired of all of the blah blah pro pitches, I bet he stays.

But anyway you look at it I don't think he's leaving Cali.

Read the Constitution? Bah! Humbug. Happy New Year!

As the uber liberal MSNBC cable news program channel gets ready for the new year they are discussing the ramifications of the new Republican majority in the House and how they are going to start off reiterating the benefits of the U. S. Constitution - a document that was critical to the governance and development of this nation. In this video, Washington Post writer Ezra Klein claims this founding document hard to understand "because it was written over 100 years ago". Of course that would be 1910 - not 1787 - but what's a century or two?

This is what passes as political discourse on MSNBC - note the contempt in the anchor's voice as she describes that the House may actually read the Consititution (an act that may take less time then Charley Rangel's elongated pleas for leniency in his censure hearings) aloud at the start of its first session. Read the Constitution!?? Hrmmph!

Meanwhile, enjoy this post from our friends at the much more interactive Red Eye. Happy New Year!!!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Changewecanbelievein....

Pretty soon he's going to look like GWB. On Monday he said that "most economists" believe keeping the "tax cuts" (meaning keeping the tax rates of the past 10 years the same) was a disaster to the economy. Two days later he's now saying "most economists say this will help the economy"! And he's attacking his own base.

Talk about flip-flops.

Calling Dr. Love

It seems everyone is starting to turn on Barry. Here is Kiss bassist and rock icon Gene Simmons wishing he had his Obama vote back.

Shout it, shout it out loud....

Drip, drip, drip....

As for the great WikiLeaks scandal, I'm not surprised by some of the name calling and other "sausage-making" eye rollers that go into our international diplomacy. Any one who thinks this is all some high brow affair has another thing coming. But the entire affair with Assange is pathetic from a national superpower perspective. And, leakwise, what is remarkable is how the entire Arab world wants us to take out Iran - and here is Obama playing pussyfoot with them. If that does not show you how powerless he is both domestically and internationally, nothing else will. And this was the guy who was going to improve our standing in the world?

And let's look at this tasty Wikileaks morsel on how the US tried to influence global warming accords. I'm not surprised - but why don't we use these tactics to stymie Iran?

HillBuzz.org

The wonderfully conservative website HillBuzz.org has now, it appears, barred me from its website since it no longer accepts any post I attempt to make there. They can talk about freedom and conservative principles all they want but don't exhibit it. And why would a site that expouses free discourse prohibit it?

The Real Buzz

There is a website named HillBuzz (HillBuzz.org) that was purportedly set up to promote Hillary Clinton's presidential run in 2008. The website owners say they are two openly gay men who live in Chicago and frequent "Boystown"- not that there's anything wrong with that. When it became clear that Hillary was going to lose the primary to Obama they became virulent anti-Obama people and labeled themselves as "Puma's" ("Party Unity My Ass") and had many people convinced that there would be groundswell of Hillary supporters who would vote for McCain instead of Obama. I blogged about it here.

But that didn't happen - or happen enough. And their website went silent for a while. Then it came back with conservative musings and developed a following of "conservative" housewives and, it seems, right-leaning folks who don't get out much (many who participated in the recent totally- politically-motivated vote for Bristol Palin on Dancing With The Stars had never even seen the program, now just completing its 11th successful season).

Then the website did something interesting - it all of a sudden embraced Sarah Palin as something as an heir to Hillary's message and program and started becoming one of her biggest cheerleaders. This seemed odd to me - these two women are hemisphere's apart in ideology and pedigree - but the gay guys from Boystown now embraced both as their own. And so did the housewives that followed them. A handful of Sarah followers are now devoted posters to this site and I imagine even pay to keep it running.

Meanwhile the main organizer of the site has just managed a get-out-the-vote during Dancing With the Stars to keep Bristol Palin on the show -even though she can't dance, nor exudes any type of personality (to even want to root for her even if she can't dance). Kelly Osbourne filled that roll admirably two seasons ago as someone who started unsure but blossomed during the show and more importantly let her infectious enthusiasm fill the ballroom. This was not the case with Bristol. While giving it all she had, she simply does not possess one one-hundreth of the personality of her mother. The only reason people voted en masse for her was because suspect websites convinced unthinking followers to waste time voting multiple times with multiple e-mail addressses because of vague political ideals such as voter fraud. (And that's okay - I really have no problem with the method - but what's the motive?). Because, now, Sarah Palin is even more connected with a sibling, and notion, of "hey you're not qualifed but a bunch of kooks vote like hell for you". That's not a good thing to base a presidential election on. But the site seemed hellbent on purveying it.

And that's what I think HillBuzz was trying to do. Wreck Sarah with her own constituents by tricking them into zealous ventures that will ultimately just damage her brand. I don't trust that site. In 2008 they told browsers that they were convinced that "they" had the votes to beat Obama - but they didn't. I have long viewed this as an example of internet voter suppression. I smell a rat.

Even now when you go to the site and post an opposing view they will not post your post. Do the frequent posters at Hill Buzz understand this? That the entire site is censored? You probably think everyone that goes there agrees 100% with you - they are censoring the entire site!! As a conservative and Republican it pains me to see fairly good souls reduced to blind lemmings, who in their zeal for Bristol, crafted some of the most hateful speech directed at Jennifer Grey and others - and for what? This is what conservatives should aspire to? Hateful spiteful people? I've been to many far left websites but I fear the "conservative" HillBuzz may top many of them in deranged and misplaced anger. I'm afraid the boys at Boystown are playing you big time. Go look that up if you don't understand it buzzers. And if that's not it - then its just a bad website with misguided goals that is not helping the conservative cause.

Whatever the reason, its shameful and ultimately dishonest.

Don't Back Baby in a Corner (or, Bristol, the Pistol, Should Shoot Herself in the Foot)

Let's make a few things clear for the record. I am a big fan of the ABC hit show Dancing with the Stars. And as noted to the right I am a rock 'n roll Republican. And I'm an admirer of Sarah Palin.

But I hate her daughter. And I always thought it was a bad, bad idea that she was put on this show. Why? Because of exactly the situation we are in. Dancing with the Stars is a great show - it combines reality show concepts, competition, celebrities (not necessarily stars) from all walks of life, has a good bit of good humored schmaltz and has almost singlehandedly (along with American Idol a bit) brought back the one-hour variety show back to U.S. TV. We even attended last season's finale and had a wonderful time (hmm, something that I even forgot to blog about so far).

But by bringing Bristol on the show - and even during the national mid-term elections no less - ABC has left themselves open to some second guessing and blow back that I hope the show can survive from. Because what is obvious to me is that certain parts of the right-wing (of where I definitely reside) have decided that voting for Bristol will show America "something" - what that will show I have no idea - and, for the record, I am steadfast against it.

Please America - stop voting for this woman? She CANNOT dance! I could possible see her get by some of the early folks on "Sarah power" and all of that but now it is ridiculous. I even lost a bet A MONTH AGO that she would be gone, but a coworker told me he was sure she would be there through the mid-term elections. Being politically astute (and a fan of the show) I naturaly scoffed at this notion, but I now owe him $20.

This abuse, yes abuse, of a very entertaining and fun show by certain folks and bloggers on the right who think this if funny - is not very funny to me. And also for the record, there have been other abuses in these reality shows. I for one don't know how this Lee guy won American Idol last year - but apparently all of Chicago voted for him. And besides this get out the vote business, there is nothing else really funny going on here as noted here by a former contestant. Please don't give me this nonsense that somehow the Tea Party jammed the lines for Brandy. Blame the judges - they're the ones that have given her inexplicably high scores given her performances.

And that's why she should have never gone on the show. The Republicans, Sarah and everyone else trying to improve the nation's governance going forward doesn't need this noise. If Bristol wins it will just foist more hysterical anti -Tea Party hate and will paint the right in a bad light. We don't need this, guys - this is not a way to prove a political point. And, of course, I'm very sorry Brandy had to go but let's face it - she couldn't even beat the kid from Disney - so she's got some other issues going on there. But please America, and Hill Buzz and Free Republic and the rest of you - cut it out. Vote for Jennifer. Don't back Baby in a corner!

Seoul Brother

Seriously...anybody listening to the President tonight as he gives a press conference in Seoul, Korea cannot give this guy glowing remarks. He can't even answer a question. Why is the President holding a press conference over there (when he has only give a few over here) when he has no answers and is clearly flummoxed by the questions.

And after he has flooded the market with cheap dollars!!!?????

Paint It Red

Yes, a call to sanity indeed. And an interesting roll call on election coverage can be seen here.