Happy Halloween everyone!

It's that time of year when the demons and ghouls, zombies and witches will be busy scaring schoolchildren seeking treats and giving the rest of us a reason to dress up in our costumes and get intoxicated.

It's fright night on the election trail and the politicians won't skip a beat. Everyday is Halloween in the world of American politics these days. You can tune into C-Span on any given day and there is a very real chance you could mistake it for a 1950's zombie film. Suddenly brought back to life for a presidential election that is just around the corner.

So this weekend as you take your children trick or treating, or head to an event, bar or house party you can rest assured these politicians are up to their usual tricks. Most frightening of all is the fact that thousands of people across the country are quietly being removed from the voter rolls.

No, the evil deeds and fear mongering being carried out this Halloween won't end until Tuesday night. But at least then, (sans another 2000 fiasco) we will have a better idea of what kind of fear lies ahead.

I get chills just comtemplating the scenarios. What's in store for us if John McCain were to be elected? Would it be legitimate? Would we even know the difference? Would there be rioting and widespread civil unrest? Or will he park the Straight Talk Express on the White House lawn and fix the corruption in Washington? Or would we just continue down this same sad road, dodging potholes and flood waters, hoping that someday we could get this country back on track?

And what if Obama wins? Will it be the apocalypse? Will he raise our taxes and 'spread the wealth? Will he convert us all to Islam and create a socialist society? Or will he rally a nation in need of the change he repeatedly promises?

We can never be certain of what's to come in the days ahead, but what scares me the most is what George Bush will do if his party loses its grip on the Washington power structure. After all the scandals, rhetoric and failures of the Bush Years, I wander what final insult he will attempt to massage down our throats before his final curtain call.

Think about that for a little while and the witches and evil spirits you encounter this Halloween shouldn't scare you one bit.

OBAMANIA UNLEASHED!

OBAMA'S 30 MINUTE INFORMERCIAL

The Bailout in Graph Form
Volunteered by Aaron Kinney at 1:00 AM

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR BALLOT INITIATIVES

There is only one week to go until the elections!
Most voters should have decided by now who they are voting for. If you are still undecided, I recommend looking at alternative candidates, such as Independent Ralph Nader or the Constitution Party's Chuck Baldwin. You can watch them debate the issues here.

Aside from the national race for President, there will be several improtant ballot measures up for consideration. Over the next couple of days, I will be weighing in with my opinion on these initiatives for the state of California, but for now, here are some videos to help you make sense of what they are all about.

Understanding California's Ballot Propositions

Pepperdine University School of Public Policy Professor Michael Shires explains these complex issues in detail and answers questions about the initiatives on this fall's ballot.

Introduction & Proposition 1a
Propositions 2 & 4
Propositions 3, 10, & 12
Propositions 5 & 9
Proposition 7
Propositions 8 & 6
Proposition 11

More info on these ballot measure are available online.
Secretary of State
LA Weekly
California Progress Report

Quiz: Are You a Real American?

Welcome to the Machine

With early voting now taking place in some states, I thought today I would highlight some of the problems going on with our current system. I am firm believer that without fair, open and verifiable elections, our democracy is only an illusion. With the massive amounts of money being given to each candidate from all corners, why is it that we can't set up a public system for collecting and verifying the most important elections in America?

Voting machines are obviously flawed. They do not always work as programmed, they can also be ineffective due to human error, and they are susceptible to rampant fraud. The companies which own these machines are run by staunch Republicans, which is ethically irresponsible at best, and treasonous at its worst. Those responsible for counting our votes should not be aligned with any political party; Democrat or Republican.

These same companies can make ATM machines with paper receipts, yet the voting machines mysteriously cannot? There is no paper trail on many of them to verify that your vote was read correctly, or in the case of computer malfunction, that it is recorded at all! Another problem with this current system is that many of these 'faulty' machines end up in poor, densely populated areas which typically vote Democratic. Doesn't this seem strange to anyone?

Perhaps worst of all, most of the errors reported involve votes switching from Democratic candidates to the Republican, through no fault of the voter. That to me should demand an immediate cease to using these machines until there is a verifiable system in place. This has happened in the last two elections, and look at the results. We've ended up with a President with lower approval ratings than Richard Nixon!

There is plenty of information available regarding the problems with our voting machines. I suggest you take some time today to get acquainted with what is really happening with our elections.

Electronic Voting Machines Whistle Blower


Example of the 1 Minute E Voting Machine Hack


RECENT NEWS :
7 scariest problems with today's voting machines
Want To Know Just How Bad Security Is For E-Voting Machines?
How Hackable Are the Voting Machines in Your State?
Florida Voting Machines Break Down On First Day
Machine Problems Plague 1st Day Of Early Voting
Voting Machines Switch Votes; Officials Blame Voters
Paperless Electronic Voting Machines Flipping Votes from Obama to ...
Checking Complaints of Machines Switching Votes
Report finds New Jersey voting machines flawed
Allegheny Co. First In Nation To Test Voting Machine Software
Union County Clerk says voting machines are unreliable;
Voting concerns surfacing in key states
While flagging illegal practices, don't overlook machine error

CALIFORNIA VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE!

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, BE SURE TO SIGN UP TODAY!!!!

CLICK HERE

UNDECIDED FOCUS GROUP (THE DAILY SHOW)

Weekend Round-up

I spent the weekend away from my computer; a very pleasant, much needed break. But now we're back in action and ready for the week!

Here's some of the big stories that developed over the weekend:

Everyone's talking about Sarah Palin's appearance on SNL. I'm not really sure why. She didn't say or do much. But Amy Poehler's impromptu rap was priceless.

The $3 Trillion Shopping Spree


Some big names come out for the Jr. Senator; Google CEO to endorse Obama; so will Colin Powell.

Early voting has begun in several states and already it seems the machines favor McCain! Imagine my surprise.

Votes for Obama not being counted in NC!
Machines switching votes in WV

And the fingerpointing on election fraud continues. Each side claims the other is trying to steal it, but here's what's happening now.

GOP probes 'look like suppression'
Republican Voter Registration Chief Arrested for Fraud in California
GOP Tries To Cast Doubt On Vote
Are voter fraud fears overblown?
ACORN Accusations
Obama Campaign Worker Allegedly Attacked
Law firm to monitor election



All of these things beg the question: 'Could the US election be stolen?' AFP . If you don't think so, you haven't been paying attention.

Finally - Politics you can watch!

What a tremendous turnaround from just the other day. After suffering through the calamaties of the Presidential Debates, I was so elated when I found myself watching these videos from last nights annual Alfred E. Smith Dinner in New York City. Finally, a political forum for the average American. Ok, so standup comedy isn't going to replace real debate of the issues, and absolutely shouldn't, but this refreshing. It was good to see, especially after the negative tones that been dominating the campaigns the last several weeks. Sure, they took a few swings with some zingers, but it was all in good fun. Both of them did a fantastic job in my opinion. But enough about that, watch for yourselves!

McCain Part 1


McCain Part 2


Obama Part 1


Obama Part 2

DEBATE BACKWASH

The 2008 Presidential Debates are officially over. And the winner of this bitter grudge match is.......No one. We’ve all lost on my scorecard. And the end of this mess came not a moment too soon.

Being bombarded by the 24 hour news-cycle on television and the endless stream of headlines on the internet has given me a fairly high tolerance for this kind of political theatre, but about 85 of these 90 minutes last night made me want to plug my ears with cotton and run like hell from the TV screen.

Dodging questions is nothing new for our Presidential candidates. It happens all the time. In fact, one could say it's even become something of an art form. But avoiding question after question and instead focusing on tired campaign slogans and empty promises isn't something I need to watch, any more than I need a bridge to nowhere. Nor do I need to hear the candidates bicker about a hapless plumber from Ohio. McCain mentioned this fellow around two dozen times during the debate. Who knows, maybe he figured a plumber was needed, given the amount of bullshit being laid out on the table between the two.

Forget the fact that this ordinary Joe is most likely some Republican who wanted to catch Obama off-guard and get on television. Fox News just happened to be walking by, you can watch the video. I felt Obama answered the question better than any politician on the stage today, even if it wasn’t perfect. Who knows, maybe he really isn't a licensed plumber, or a registered voter, or a distant relative of a close family friend of John McCain's. Or maybe he is. Either way, the debate between the candidates should be focused on what their policies as president will be and how they will act on the issues that matter to us, the people of this great country.

It's a crazy world out there, and we're fighting two foreign wars, our economy is collapsing, health care and education are in ruins and our dependence on foreign oil has caused us incalculable suffering (just to name a few) and the best we can do is sit around and talk about some plumber who may have to endure a modest tax increase on profits more than $250,000 a year???

To make matters worse, as the evening wore on, McCain continued to sneer at Obama's answers, at times even interrupting him. The scene reminded me more of a playground argument amongst school children than an honest debate amongst elected officials. For this, McCain must accept the majority of blame. It seemed he has finally realized that he's been beaten on nearly every point when the two sit down and actually talk about the issues. So I guess this means his 'new' strategy is simply to try to tear Obama down, rather than elevate himself to the same level.

Although Obama managed to dodge a few direct questions himself, I felt he took the higher ground by not attacking Senator McCain in such an aggravated, negative tone. For he, unlike his opponent seemed to remember that the other is also a democratically elected representative of the people, and not some caricature of a teenage boy trying to undo Lady Liberty's bra. He went the other way. He didn't take the same condescending tone as the "Maverick". Although he earned some points in my book for that, I fear that some will have felt he was not 'strong' enough. That he didn't fight back hard enough. I know McCain supporters will certainly spin it that way. But in my opinion, John McCain showed absolutely zero class last night. ZERO.

In today's world, we cannot tolerate this kind of nonsense from those who seek to attain our highest office. Too much is at stake. Too many issues are ignored, while ample time is made for them to try and tear each other apart. Is this the best we can do? Do they think so little of us ordinary Americans that we do not deserve a more candid, honest discussion of the things that are important to us?

Sadly, this has become the norm in American politics. For far too long, we have allowed the two major parties to spar off against each other and shape the conversation into petty arguments between themselves; some kind of 'Twilight Zone' meets American Gladiators rerun. Only this time the grand prize isn't a bag of cash. It is our livelihoods. It is our families, our rights and our beliefs. The contestants are you and me. And these gladiators do not want us to win. And they have the most powerful companies and organizations in the country squarely behind them, funneling them cash to sway us with commercials and propaganda. They turn us into winners and losers by positioning themselves just far enough from each other on a few key issues to drag the swing voters one way or the other. With the rest of the ‘audience’ voting based on their perception of their respective party, is it any wonder that in the end, nobody wins. Every four years we collectively scratch our heads and choose the lesser of two evils. After all, we all want that grand prize!

So shouldn't we ask ourselves, who is responsible for this mess? The Commission on Presidential Debates puts on these side shows (like we witnessed last night) every four years. It was created at the tail end of the Reagan years to "ensure that debates...provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners". I would beg to argue with anyone that truly believes they've accomplished this mission even once. These people rigorously control the location, format, questions and moderators. Not only that, but they decide who is allowed to sit at that table and participate in the event itself.

With the commission consisting entirely of Democrats and Republicans, is it any wonder that we have no independent or third-party candidates taken seriously? These fine Americans are not even allowed to sit down and have these discussions with the 'mainstream' candidates. Therefore, the entire dialogue is controlled and managed by these few people. It begs the question: Why are partisan players in charge of handling quite possibly thee most important factor in an undecided voters' decision making process? If these people worked for me, they would've been fired years ago. And am I just crazy or shouldn't the people who put on a 'Presidential Debate' work for the people?

I've watched every one of these debacles since 1988, and every four years they become more and more absurd than the last. I was convinced that Presidential debates could not be any more outrageous after enduring the 2004 campaign, and yet I somehow find myself believing that this was somehow worse. Either way, I can tell you in no uncertain terms that it does a disservice to our country.

These 'events' have become nothing more than hollow campaign speeches and sound bites, sprinkled with an occasional gaffe. The candidates obviously must share some of the blame for this, as they are the ones who are supposed to be debating, but one has to consider if the system we have in place is not at fault. And should it be allowed to continue? It could easily be replaced, as it was when the Republicrat ‘Commission’ took over the reins from the League of Women Voters. Allowing an institution, run by the former chairmen of the Democratic AND Republican parties, to be responsible for choosing which candidates are represented, is not only morally unfair - it is outright un-American.

Since this commission has been unable, over the last 20 years, to provide us with anything even remotely close to a REAL debate on the issues, I say screw them. They had their chance. Let's move on to something that works. If we can all come together and agree on that, we might just be able to enjoy a real taste of the democratic process four years down the road. That is, unless we clog the pipes with all the mud being slung about.

Before we call in Joe the Plumber to fix this mess, why don't we all just pick up our plungers and do something about it.

Vote all these fuckers out of office.

Check out these great sites for more info:

http://opendebatecoalition.blogspot.com/

http://www.debatethis.org/

AN AMERICAN NIGHTMARE

Friday Roundup

At one point in the debate McCain said flatly that he will take Osama bin Laden out...That he knows how to do it. And he will do it...White House remains mum if McCain shared Osama-capturing tips.

After a steady decline in the polls and his paltry performance in the first two debates, McCain has decided there's no need to keep up the charade of running a 'clean' campaign..
Now it's on to incoherent attacks and smears! Check out his latest video.
Video: McCain Questions Obama's Honesty About Ayers

She may not know what the Bush Doctrine entails, but she's certainly got the 'pre-emptive strike' part of it down! Palin pre-empts state report, clears self in probe

Meanwhile, on the other side, Obama says McCain trying to stoke anger, division.

Let's hope Congress finally takes one of its duties seriously! They are convening a Panel to Study Military Eavesdropping.

Election officials are saying that 'Thousands of voter registrations were faked'. Interesting how they only bring this up when the forms are from Democrats. What about this problem? 10,000+ illegally purged from vote rolls. This is truly frightening : "For every voter added to the rolls in the past two months in some states, election officials have removed two," the newspaper reported.

States' Purges of Voter Rolls Appear Illegal

excerpt from : http://www.truthout.org/100908J

Ian Urbina, The New York Times: "Tens of thousands of eligible voters in at least six swing states have been removed from the rolls or have been blocked from registering in ways that appear to violate federal law, according to a review of state records and Social Security data by The New York Times. The actions do not seem to be coordinated by one party or the other, nor do they appear to be the result of election officials intentionally breaking rules, but are apparently the result of mistakes in the handling of the registrations and voter files as the states tried to comply with a 2002 federal law, intended to overhaul the way elections are run. Still, because Democrats have been more aggressive at registering new voters this year, according to state election officials, any heightened screening of new applications may affect their party's supporters disproportionately."

Check out this video from the Daily Show on 'Stupid Voters'.....aaaahhh, it would be even funnier if it weren't so true.


This is priceless...(literally)..
NYC National Debt Clock runs out of digits

Employees at the NSA listening to phone sex and pillow talk?
Exclusive: Inside Account of US Eavesdropping on Americans

A not so undecided voter gets himself in hot water....
Gun-toting voter: '...keep the n***** out of office'

Hmmmm...Usually when you hear news like this, someone kicks off another war.....
US defense budget could face cuts

The GOP continues its quest to make sure if you don't vote for them, you don't vote!
Judge blasts GOP voter challenges

Does he really believe the shit coming out of his mouth?

John McCain interview with Sean Hannity 10.8.08

HANNITY: No pressure — but while I have you both together, I want to talk about — Governor, we discussed that you two had discussed the role that Governor Palin would play in the McCain administration.

Between the two of you, Senator let's start with you, tell us what do you envision for the governor, as her role?

MCCAIN: Well, first of all she's probably one of the foremost experts in this nation on energy issues. She was responsible for — to make a long story short — a pipeline, the $40 billion pipeline bringing natural gas from Alaska down to the lower 48. She has been involved in these issues of energy in many unique ways, including being on the board that oversights (sic) the natural gas and oil resources, and other resources in the state of Alaska. And so I think that there's nobody more qualified to take on our mission of becoming energy independent.

- simply amazing

Some light humor might help the financial crisis!

A Real Debacle: Debate Recap

Catch the debates last night? It was chock full of all the usual cliches and calls for change, with a few notable moments.

I was surprised at how nasty McCain came off at times, especially his reference to his opponent as 'that one'. I doubt he intended any racial connotations, but I imagine there will be those who draw the connection. On several occasions, he had trouble hiding his contempt for Obama, and it made him seem more like a brooding teenager than an aged Senator.

Despite McCain's preference for the town-hall forums, I felt Obama was clearly more comfortable and concise in his remarks. He was clear for the most part in his answers and scored some extra credit with a few quick witted remarks. Most notably " I need to correct a little bit of John's history, not surprisingly". If McCain is going to twist and distort Obama's positions on the issues, that was a masterful way of throwing it back in his face.

I thought his reference to Kennedy's commitment to landing on the moon, while referring to committing the U.S to energy independence from oil was a possible high note for Obama.

And he got a few laughs when noting that 'the Straight-Talk Express lost a wheel on that one".

McCain didn't fare as well with the jokes. When he happened to make an off the wall comment about his need for hair plugs, it seemed he was the only person in the hall to laugh. That along with his bizarre reference to throwing jell-o at the wall are all you need to determine that McCain is completely out of touch with the 'normal' folks.

He did manage a few good answers to some soft-ball questions, mostly involving the war in Iraq and the threat of Terrorism. Good ol tried and true Republican banter!

All things considered, I doubt this debate will have much affect on many voters. I think by now most would know the candidates and where they stand on the issues. But, if any votes were won on this October night, 30 days before the election, it's clear to me that Obama was the victor.

WELCOME TO THE BLOG!

Today I'm starting out my daily blog. There won't be much activity here until later in the week, but I'll be posting a little bit every day.

Don't forget to watch the 2nd round of the Debates tonight!

Today I'm going to be trying out the features for this thing. Hopefully tomorrow I can begin with actual posts.


Please be patient!