Bait and Switch, anybody?

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Henry Paulson came forward to Congress, demanding $700 Billion Dollars to purchase "toxic mortgage debt".

His first try in the House failed, so Paulson started trying to scare the American Public half to death, with visions of everybody being out of work at once and a large percentage of our homes being foreclosed on, due to the lack of money to lend. So it passed. [I'll let you people go for those stories, thank you].

But now, this week, Henry Paulson comes back, telling us, in effect, "about those toxic mortgages we were going to purchase. Funny story there. You see, we changed the rules on you and put money directly into the banks, so they could give dividends to their shareholders, bonuses to their top executives, and buy up other banks. And, by the way, if they have nothing else to do with their money, maybe there might be a mortgage loan somewhere". I'm paraphrasing, of course. But I believe everything I've said checks out.

Remember that this was originally a 3 page plan which literally forbid any oversight! (Fortunately, that was nipped in the bud).

So I go all the way back to the scare words from the second paragraph. If we aren't buying a single "toxic mortgage", can't we at least prevent "millions of layoffs", if our automotive manufacturers go bankrupt? Paulson says no!

What in the world are they up to? Looting the last dollar in our Treasury before Obama gets inaugurated?

I am happy for now, but plan to do more later.

Hello folks,

I have been too busy to update my BLOG for a while. Part of this was that I was doing everything in my power to elect Barack Obama, with the idea that he is the closest thing to my own platform ideas. (Goodness gracious me, I even was paying money to both the Democratic Party and the Barack Obama campaign, as well as knocking on doors to remind people of how important it is to vote). A whole lot of us have been busy, and I fully and freely offer my congratulations on a job well done!

I now express my wholehearted approbations, as well as a pledge of support from the Green Libertarian Party to the Barack Obama presidency. Congratulations, Barack Obama! You ran a wonderful campaign and you deserve this victory.

This is a rather new political party, one that I am only slowly putting out in the limelight. I am not ready to put up a candidate of my own yet. Until then, I will be working with both the Democrats and Republicans to find the common ground that nobody ever thought could have existed. I like to work behind the scenes, being part of the Infrastructure. However, I have my limits. I found one recently during the election season that I had forgotten for much of my life. As a child of 13 in 1966, I had a school friend who had relatives near Detroit, Michigan, at least one of which worked at the Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant. In October 5 of that year, there began a major panic relating to the this power plant that turned rather traumatic, especially when it almost melted down.

Even a few years later, in May, 1970, when I was in High School, there was a sodium explosion at that plant!

I expect to get into the debates, mainly on the green side of my party for now, regarding nuclear power. (For example, I was riled up by some republican "talking points" about "safe, clean nuclear power". Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way because there is way too much evidence of where Nuclear Power has been both Dirty and Dangerous. I am sure that everybody knows that, besides the "event" at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania on March 28, 1979, there was an earlier meltdown in Detroit on October 5, 1966, where we almost lost Detroit.

Comments? Where do we store this stuff forever? How do we deal with shoddy workmanship when the plants are built? What will our great grandchildren look like?

Daily Show's Jon Stewart takes on "Real American" Question

The Monday, October 20, 2008 edition of Comedy Central's "Daily Show with Jon Stewart" directly takes on the question of who is a "Real American" or a "Fake American".

This is not the first show, today, to do so: See also today's episode of MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann".

Back to Daily Show, its second segment has Jason Jones looking at Wasilla, Alaska's "small town values", in a most uncomplimentary way. (This was after showing a clip of Governor Palin telling us that we can learn from Wasilla's "main street"). We learn, all right!

BREAKING NEWS!

I'm right now watching CNN (12:30 pm, PDT, 10/21/2008), where the Alaskan Independence Party is being addressed. (You may or may not have seen a YouTube video where Sarah Palin gave a short speech before a Party function, fully encouraging them.

So, Sarah Palin? Is the Alaskan Independence Party, who wants Alaska to secede from the United States, part of the "Real Americans", or the "Fake Americans"?

Examples of possible Election Fraud.

Since I changed the Title when adding part 2, I need to state that this post originally had to do with a burglary of an ACORN office in Burien, Washington, close to Seattle.

Excuse me, NBC, but this is WAY too major of an issue to just "brush aside"!

What I heard, on KING 5 News here in Seattle, Washington, was an amazing example of something EXTREMELY important, nationwide, being brushed aside, as if it were a fly.

I had to hunt around for a link to this story, but I'm happy I took the time, because KING 5 News's website didn't help me one bit.

The linked story claims that the breakin wasn't politically motivated, just a simple theft. My big question: How the heck do they know????

BREAKING NEWS!

Speaking of Election Fraud, I'm watching CNN's Situation Room, about 3:50 pm PDT, 10/21/2008, where Voting Machines are addressed, that "have a mind of their own". It seems pretty strange to me that the machine in West Virginia would change a person's vote from a Obama to McCain! (And yes, some wouldn't be observant enough to notice...)

The point, in both parts of this BLOG post, is how our voting process MUST be fair, in a democratic society (or a representative, republican society, if you please).

House passes 700 Billion "rescue". Now, will Bush sign it?

The house passed the bill, with the changes put in by the Senate (including a few bones to the Middle class).

Now, the next question is, "Will Bush Sign This Bill?"

The reason I asked is that I heard a rumor that John McCain told Morning Joe [MSNBC], on Thursday, that he wanted George Bush to VETO this bill, because "IT HAS EARMARKS IN IT!"

Can anybody confirm this rumor? If anybody has a link to a U-Tube video (or on another site), please send a comment with the link.

Thank you and best regards,

Ken Parker in Seattle, Washington, BLOG Owner.

Palin disses McCain policies on regulation. Film at 11!

I'm only 13 minutes into the Debate, and I'm already seeing serious policy differences between McCain and Palin!

Does this mean that McCain will be running against Palin?

Obama hit this Debate out of the Ballpark, folks!

Hello,

Obama laid out the olive branch, suggesting that we all cooperate. McCain repeatedly attacked, telling Obama that he didn't understand.

McCain repeated, over and over, the Republican talking points, having to do with tax cuts for businesses. Obama stressed the need to take care of the Middle Class; the ordinary person.

McCain kept on harping on "the Surge in Iraq", trying to force Obama to agree that he was right. Obama said, straight out, that we need to deploy our Military wisely, and treat our soldiars well.

Need I go on?

This is looking like the Lemmings, folks...

Hello,

Before I get to a great line I just heard on MSNBC this morning, I'll paraphrase something I vaguely heard yesterday, while I was trying to get some housekeeping work done. I think they were discussing one of the amendments that the Republicans wanted to put in the Bailout plan -- something along the lines that the affected homeowners would be forced to purchase Mortgage Insurance to guarantee their ability to pay off their adjustable Mortgage loans! Please, can somebody dredge this up for me and respond as a Comment? Thanks in advance.

As I started writing this BLOG post, I was watching Senator Harry Reid and Senator and Senator Chris Dodd holding a press conference, which was covered, at least on CNN and MSNBC. But the line of the day goes to MSNBC newscaster Mike Viqueira: "It is essential that democrats have at least the leadership of the House Republicans and a significant number of House Republicans to come along and join hands and jump off this cliff - that's the only way this is going to get done as the world anxiously watches these behind the scenes machinations on Capitol Hill".

I'm sorry, but this is fun to watch. I probably "shouldn't feel happy while the country is going down the tubes", but I do! This is funnier than the story line at the beginning of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, where the Earth is demolished to make way for a Hyperspace Byway.

Best regards,

Ken Parker in Seattle, Washington

Nail in the Coffin for the John McCain Campaign?

Did you see the David Letterman Show for Wednesday Night, 9/25/2008? If not, go buy it. (I don't know. Does iTunes provide the David Letterman show?)

It seems that John McCain "Dissed" David Letterman, telling him that he couldn't appear on his show, due to the Economic meltdown.

So what does he do during the time that Letterman is being filmed? Shows up at CBS News with with Katie Couric instead!

Why do I want you to see this episode? Because Letterman does not let McCain get away with this rude behavior at all!

An analysis of our Mortgage mess that I like

Hello folks,

I found a BLOG entry that, in my opinion, explains our Mortgage mess in an easy-to-understand manner. It is called Economic Disasters and Stupid Evil People.

Based on this, I'm wondering if we should just let the Wall Street crowd wallow in their own excrement and not even pass a "bailout" bill? In other words, why should we "lowly taxpayers" have to pay for their stupidity?

What do you think?

Ken Parker

Government disease: electile dysfunction

Hello,

On an email list, the moderator wanted to take politics off of the list and said, "I suffer from electile dysfunction".

But doesn't that seems to be an actual disease of this government? With our confusing caucus and primary system, and the Electoral College, couldn't a bacteria have slipped in somewhere?

How long will it take to develop a vaccine?

Everything is going to be fine!

I had a dream last night. I was deposited into Iraq; the real Iraq, not what the Media tries to describe. What did I find? The opposing armies looking at each other and saying, "You're just another human being. I can't fight you!" People there are looking at each other, a bit puzzled. The conversation might go something like this: "I'm Sunni, you're Shi'ite. But behind all of this is the common ground of Abraham. Somewhere in there [Leviticus 19:18], they say, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself'. Why not start now?"

Anyway, you don't have to believe anything I say. Just watch the news. We already see how the Democrats and Republicans are being forced to cooperate with each other to bail out our Financial system. It's either that or total collapse: The United States could declare bankruptcy. Do we want that? (I'm a computer troubleshooter. What I heard was actually pretty funny. Why is short selling a company illegal now? Simple. Somebody shorted a profitable company and became infinitely wealthy. [Divide one by zero and you get infinity]. If they were to pay this one person for this one transaction, it would have been more than our complete [9 trillion dollar?] National Debt. It would be funny if it weren't sad).

Which Presidential candidtate is ready to lead?

Today, we have this financial catastrophe. Congress is scurrying around to do what is required. Bush agrees. However...

McCain flails around, blaming Obama, and changing his story at least 2 or 3 times.

Obama is calm and collected. He agrees with the emergency measures, and adds another: Let's create a bunch of jobs and rebuild the Infrastructure of this country.

Who makes sense? Who would you rather have as your new President?

Barack Obama keeping on the high road on family issues

I like Obama already, but am liking him better and better as I continue to see him in the news.

The example today had to do with some potential upcoming mudslinging, relating to Sarah Palin's children. (I do not not wish to even link to the original article, but will link to Obama's response).

Political Earthquake

Wolf Blitzer came up with an interesting side effect of Hurricane Gustav: Political Earthquake indeed!

It is interesting how the RNC is coming across like they have a high regard for individuals. It sounds great, of course, but I wonder! My prior post points out their "high regard" for the rights of individual people, as well as their "high regard" for the First Amendment.

I guess time will tell.

(Once again, I must emphasize my compassion for those who are, or may be adversely affected by Hurricane Gustav, as well as Tropical Storm Hanna).

Is there a Police State forming prior to RCN Convention?

I'm starting to see disturbing articles, having to do with police raids, prior to next Monday's RNC Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Read these for yourselves with an open mind (there are links within that article). This particular article hit me because I remember Food Not Bombs in San Francisco, back around 2002 or so, where their only "crime" was passing sandwiches out to the homeless population in San Francisco, which, at that time, was severe enough to get some of them arrested. (See inside Wikipedia article for details on prior confrontations between them and the police).

Instant Karma for the extremist "Social Conservatives"?

A short while back, a group of right wing kooks -- sorry -- a "family friendly" socially conservative agency came up with a publicity stunt they thought would "divinely" disrupt Obama's acceptance speech in Denver last Thursday.

First off, I want to stress that my heart is with those who might be adversely affected by Hurricane Gustav. However, it occurs to me that, if there is divine intervention, it might be more interested in what those who are behind that previously mentioned "social agency" are up to.

There's a phrase that's heard so often, it may have gone to cliche status: As ye sow, so shall ye reap. If so, it's a shame, because it makes so much sense.

There's a variation I've also heard: "Be careful what you ask for, it might come your way in ways you never could have dreamed of".

More Insight into the Green Libertarian Party

At this point, I'm content with "going in the right direction". If Obama/Biden wins this election, I believe we are at least on the right track.

What really irked me in 2000 was the suggestion by Ralph Nader that "the Democrats and the Republicans were the same". Not in the least, as the last 8 years should have taught us.

Yes, both of these parties are tarnished by special interests and it's sometimes hard to find their core. But that core is certainly there! I believe I'd remembered Nader chiding Gore because he wasn't going fast enough on environmental issues. But, if he had been elected in 2000, at least the environmental controls we had in place would have likely stayed, rather than being chipped at, whittled down, and otherwise torn apart by the Bush/Cheney team.

The turning point that got me active now in Politics was when Bush vetoed the SCHIP bill at the same time he was demanding (yes, almost like a child) the funds for the Iraq war without any strings attached to them.

I jumped into action at that point, getting active with MoveOn and calling my representatives.

The problem actually came out in the "talking points" on the "conservative" side: They stated that they did not want a new tax, even one on cigarettes. (I believe I heard rhetoric like, "a tax on the weak", or some such). But I had a great answer to that, which didn't get to congress fast enough for them to reconsider overriding the veto: Couldn't we start looking at, say a tax on cigarettes as a "user fee"? Who clogs up the hospitals? Don't people who voluntarily harm their own body by smoking make up a good portion of those who need the health care services? So why are they complaining about an increase in the tax rate on those Cigarettes, to be used for health care in general (or, in this case, for health care for children that fall through other cracks)?

So the idea is that people who are likely to be harming their own body, which would then need health care, would pay a higher tax on what it is that they are doing.

This could also start the conversation going on the Libertarian side of the equation. Allow, but tax, with the idea that those who are wishing to undertake risky behavior are mainly the ones who are paying for the services they would need when things go wrong.

Comments, anybody?

Anybody can comment, by the way, but I moderate what gets onto this BLOG due to the huge issue of irrelevant, off topic, abusive, and/or commercial advertising garbage that I see in so many otherwise intelligent BLOG sites.

I Completely Support Barack Obama and Joe Biden

The Democratic convention is now over. Absolutely rousing speech by Barrack Obama.

The next step is to elect this team.

Democratic Convention, first night

I know that "every good BLOG'er" attends these conventions, even to the point of there being a special place for them. But I am quite new to this, and am thus happy to "attend" this convention in the comfort of my own apartment via mainly MSNBC.

So far, I've seen good speaches by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Ted Kennedy (a surprisingly good speach, based on the medical challenges he is going through right now).

My position, based on this new Political Party I am starting: I see a lot more potential for "Green" shining through Barack Obama as president than I do with John McCain. (In fact, I would consider a McCain presidency to be a disaster, from the point of view of the Green party). I also see potential for influencing the democratic party to get greener.

As for the Libertarian part of this party, I'm content to take my time and develop that part. (As well as to watch the John Paul contingent at the Republican convention, giving him my moral support).

The next highlight of the Democratic convention is, of course, Michelle Obama.

I guess I was too late after all.

Joe Biden it is. Not a bad pick, in my opinion.

Dream Ticket?

I don't suppose it's too late to put Ron Paul in as a Vice Presidential pick for Obama, right?