and Super Delegates
It is interesting that one of the super delegates for Hillary feels that it should be up to the will of the people. He had endorsed her, because she called her and Barack did not. The point I make, I just made to a friend. (And not that this person is new to the process, but there was that 20 year old super delegate. But the super delegates are a representation of the party as much as the voters that have been newly inspired or cross-over. They are representations of people in general. And if I might add the media and politicians are often misrepresentations of people.) But the point I made is that even those that have been inspired by whatever is driving the large turn out, and many of course possess a feeling of scepticism of the process, often take to the process such as it is "like ducks to water" and others do their best to "work" the rules.
The super delegates were designed to make a "close race a landslide"? That seems as strange as criticizing them for taking a close race and being "the decider". Many fear the decision going to the convention. Hmmm. I would not fear that, for the sake of the process. So it is tough to get along. The Republicans apparently get along and look where it gets us.
BTW: if Bush can endorse McCain, and McCain can accept that, then whatever goes on between Hillary and Barack can be made nice for the fall, of McCain that is.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
QCON: TruthOut
Quick Comment On the News or Question Context:
The following pieces deserve a more careful read, but for me, not yet.[*] TruthOut does a filtering of sorts, and I notice rather heavy reliance on the NY Times. Not that that is a bad thing, just not necessarily a liberal thing. The left, right and the middle can characterize a source as from a different perspective, but that should be the mark of good journalism. Again, not that they have hit the right mark, from our own perspectives.
While Super Delegates are an example of a problem that voters wish they could fix without being a part of the process, so are the choices of primary, or caucus, and financing and electoral college procedures. These are all complicated by the nature of our goverment, its three branches, a bi-cameral legislature, and the individual composition of state governments and their rights in relation to the federal government. And have I thrown in partisanship? This is not a civics lesson, but it would be nice if it were in schools.
For me this is the first time in 24 years I have not come out of my precinct caucus a delegate for some candidate. This year it was by design or rather lack of design. I was for Edwards. I ran the caucus as a PCO and was a decimal point or voter or two shy of ending up an uncommitted delegate. This is more than I intended to say today, but I guess it ties in. Because even if civics were in schools, the media and the voters would still have a very big job to understand what mechanisms are operating in each state. Did I mention partisanship? Not to mention the constitution? I won't go there, but too many feel that there is a conspiracy, and there is, only if you are not part of it.
What is represented in the following articles may very well be best efforts to represent reliable pictures, but that is not to say that other perspectives and sources do so well. [*] While some of the tactics candidates use are not appreciated by many, they are apparently working on some. And it must be remembered that we filter as well or poorly as the media or format we use.
I would like to close this comment with the feeling that it is hard to unite when the leader is still unknown, but it is better than being party to having a leader who will unite without knowing who the enemy is. If there is any obtuseness in this, maybe it is a riddle to solve.
In Two Battlegrounds, Voters Say, Not Yet
By Patrick Healy
The New York Times
Ballot Shortages Plague Ohio Election Amid Unusually Heavy Primary Turnout By Ian Urbina
The New York Times
A Clean, Fair Fight
The New York Times | Editorial
McCain Clinches GOP Presidential Nomination By Michael D. Shear and Peter Slevin
The Washington Post
[Update: Just as I put the finishing links on this post, breaking news on Thom Hartmann Show, about the Texas crossovers that Rush Limbaugh encouraged. (Guest David Sirota) Where in the primary, voters got their ballots, and if they were Republican and wanted to vote for Hillary, found that there were no Rebulicans on their ballot. Hmm. Who needs a civics lesson? Well, of course it seems wrong, but parties should be able to decide their candidate not a talk show host who wants a circus. Republicans were disenfranchised, by trying to vote for Hillary while not intending to support her in the general election. They could not vote for Hillary, and hope to influence their own party on local elections too. This "monkey business" is why the parties and the process is so complicated. It is further complicated by the electoral college process not to mention the winner take all nature of that delivery system. Independents and third parties are so hard to fit into this picture without major changes that themselves are so hard to bring about, but I really don't want to go there.(the link not the idea). Oh and that ploy by Rush Limbaugh may have hurt some local candidates and I won't hurt our heads by figuring that out, but it is a way to sort out some math.]
[*] I have yet to fully digest the four links above, but apparently the press have nibbled on some ribs. (Links, sausage, democracy: get it?) But I did scarf this down and indeed have had my own beach party.
The following pieces deserve a more careful read, but for me, not yet.[*] TruthOut does a filtering of sorts, and I notice rather heavy reliance on the NY Times. Not that that is a bad thing, just not necessarily a liberal thing. The left, right and the middle can characterize a source as from a different perspective, but that should be the mark of good journalism. Again, not that they have hit the right mark, from our own perspectives.
While Super Delegates are an example of a problem that voters wish they could fix without being a part of the process, so are the choices of primary, or caucus, and financing and electoral college procedures. These are all complicated by the nature of our goverment, its three branches, a bi-cameral legislature, and the individual composition of state governments and their rights in relation to the federal government. And have I thrown in partisanship? This is not a civics lesson, but it would be nice if it were in schools.
For me this is the first time in 24 years I have not come out of my precinct caucus a delegate for some candidate. This year it was by design or rather lack of design. I was for Edwards. I ran the caucus as a PCO and was a decimal point or voter or two shy of ending up an uncommitted delegate. This is more than I intended to say today, but I guess it ties in. Because even if civics were in schools, the media and the voters would still have a very big job to understand what mechanisms are operating in each state. Did I mention partisanship? Not to mention the constitution? I won't go there, but too many feel that there is a conspiracy, and there is, only if you are not part of it.
What is represented in the following articles may very well be best efforts to represent reliable pictures, but that is not to say that other perspectives and sources do so well. [*] While some of the tactics candidates use are not appreciated by many, they are apparently working on some. And it must be remembered that we filter as well or poorly as the media or format we use.
I would like to close this comment with the feeling that it is hard to unite when the leader is still unknown, but it is better than being party to having a leader who will unite without knowing who the enemy is. If there is any obtuseness in this, maybe it is a riddle to solve.
In Two Battlegrounds, Voters Say, Not Yet
By Patrick Healy
The New York Times
Ballot Shortages Plague Ohio Election Amid Unusually Heavy Primary Turnout By Ian Urbina
The New York Times
A Clean, Fair Fight
The New York Times | Editorial
McCain Clinches GOP Presidential Nomination By Michael D. Shear and Peter Slevin
The Washington Post
[Update: Just as I put the finishing links on this post, breaking news on Thom Hartmann Show, about the Texas crossovers that Rush Limbaugh encouraged. (Guest David Sirota) Where in the primary, voters got their ballots, and if they were Republican and wanted to vote for Hillary, found that there were no Rebulicans on their ballot. Hmm. Who needs a civics lesson? Well, of course it seems wrong, but parties should be able to decide their candidate not a talk show host who wants a circus. Republicans were disenfranchised, by trying to vote for Hillary while not intending to support her in the general election. They could not vote for Hillary, and hope to influence their own party on local elections too. This "monkey business" is why the parties and the process is so complicated. It is further complicated by the electoral college process not to mention the winner take all nature of that delivery system. Independents and third parties are so hard to fit into this picture without major changes that themselves are so hard to bring about, but I really don't want to go there.(the link not the idea). Oh and that ploy by Rush Limbaugh may have hurt some local candidates and I won't hurt our heads by figuring that out, but it is a way to sort out some math.]
[*] I have yet to fully digest the four links above, but apparently the press have nibbled on some ribs. (Links, sausage, democracy: get it?) But I did scarf this down and indeed have had my own beach party.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Math and the Super Delegate
Let me preface this first by saying that
Fuzzy Math + Fuzzy English = 1 heckuva Reality (By George)
Second, I won't do any more math here, let others do it. (But Newsweek?)
And Third, Super Delegates are not super mathematicians either, but that does not mean they don't have a job to do, and should have someone else do the math.
And I may be counting, but certainly don't just go by Slate of the Washington Post as a calculator.
BTW: GWB recently noted two uncertainties to fear, higher taxes and higher gas prices and then went on to say we will get through these just like we've made it through other uncertainties. Off course.
BTW Jr. or 2.0: the inverse of the above equation may have been proven. (By Godel.)
Fuzzy Math + Fuzzy English = 1 heckuva Reality (By George)
Second, I won't do any more math here, let others do it. (But Newsweek?)
And Third, Super Delegates are not super mathematicians either, but that does not mean they don't have a job to do, and should have someone else do the math.
And I may be counting, but certainly don't just go by Slate of the Washington Post as a calculator.
BTW: GWB recently noted two uncertainties to fear, higher taxes and higher gas prices and then went on to say we will get through these just like we've made it through other uncertainties. Off course.
BTW Jr. or 2.0: the inverse of the above equation may have been proven. (By Godel.)
"the lesser of two evils" In Perspective.
It is disturbing, the exchange that is going on within the Democratic race. It is good that there is still a choice. And it is good that they are being testy in preparation for the general. But it must be remembered that the choice that is important will be in November. Of course the choice now is still important and it's a shame that there is still not more choice. But no matter the choice now, the November choice is the one that is really "the lesser of two evils".
I say this from an independent perspective in NOT that I call them both evil, but from a Democratic and American perspective, they are less good and more evil.[*] The Democrats get diluted by the independent vote, and the Republicans get deluded by their departure. While the Democrats have lost some of their good by the wayside, and it is now the lesser of two goods, the Republicans have lost the lesser of their evils if it remains McCain.
Now Huckabee may be the compassionate conservative that has no chance, but his rhetoric and revelations may be relevant. Unless a viable alternative is in the race, it is a choice between the major parties. Even an un-viable candidate, Nader, will be a vote that is not against the greater evil and for a lesser good. But a more balanced un-viable ticket, Nader / Paul might be the too good and the least evil, but at least represent the "hard work" of dialogue needed, and if these efforts are not attempts to broker the issues, would still be likely spoilers for the balance of good and evil.
It would be an interesting independent ticket if Bloomberg/Nader or Bloomberg/Paul or even Bloomberg/Huckabee could work on their issues. But that is a dream and what needs to be worked on is preventing the nightmare, and in that case a dangerous Republican ticket might be McCain/Huckabee.
[*] 6-3-08 UPDATE inserted NOT and it must be further clarified I am talking about the November choice.
I say this from an independent perspective in NOT that I call them both evil, but from a Democratic and American perspective, they are less good and more evil.[*] The Democrats get diluted by the independent vote, and the Republicans get deluded by their departure. While the Democrats have lost some of their good by the wayside, and it is now the lesser of two goods, the Republicans have lost the lesser of their evils if it remains McCain.
Now Huckabee may be the compassionate conservative that has no chance, but his rhetoric and revelations may be relevant. Unless a viable alternative is in the race, it is a choice between the major parties. Even an un-viable candidate, Nader, will be a vote that is not against the greater evil and for a lesser good. But a more balanced un-viable ticket, Nader / Paul might be the too good and the least evil, but at least represent the "hard work" of dialogue needed, and if these efforts are not attempts to broker the issues, would still be likely spoilers for the balance of good and evil.
It would be an interesting independent ticket if Bloomberg/Nader or Bloomberg/Paul or even Bloomberg/Huckabee could work on their issues. But that is a dream and what needs to be worked on is preventing the nightmare, and in that case a dangerous Republican ticket might be McCain/Huckabee.
[*] 6-3-08 UPDATE inserted NOT and it must be further clarified I am talking about the November choice.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
The Magic of Ground Hog Day?
Put this in your MP3 and play it over and over.
Indexing later.
Sen. Bernie Sanders etc.
Author of answer to above question;
Heck, just remove the mark.
Question that is, & by George too.
Indexing later.
Sen. Bernie Sanders etc.
Author of answer to above question;
Heck, just remove the mark.
Question that is, & by George too.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Update:Hightower puts it better.
This was quite an embedded ramble which needed the summary and update on the charge to keep for comparison.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Is it just too much?
Maybe it is just me, but sometimes the stridency and wry humor of some are just too much. But it is not just me, it is not just Bush. Or rather unjust Bush
and those who have not stood in his way.
This rhetoric just flashed through my mind, just before and after I watched Mike Papantonio’s GoLeft.Tv titled R.I.P -- G.O.P. Or rather it started before and fell onto my keyboard after having viewed it and finding it not so harsh but true.
An apropos link in this manner is to even wryer and wrier takes:
Headzup: John McCain's Oscar Speech
Diebold Leak
[More subtle approaches: Thomas Friedman was on the Late Show the other night. I have yet to find a link to it, but have yet to read what I did find. But they seem to fit into my world view that everything is round. From Third World Traveler - - Norman Solomon - - Brewer/Lakoff not that they need to be right or come from my perspective. The hinge point is communicating over disciplines, disciplines over just discipline, and maybe WholeEness in conjunction with "the devil in the details".]
[even later with sadness: William F. Buckley - - may he truly R.I.P. I could not concur more with 7 of the first 8 sentences of Rick Perlstein's piece. I did not know him, nor follow him that closely. But the title does not apply, that I know of and I did not see it, until I clicked on the link to read later. So I may comment more later.]
and those who have not stood in his way.
This rhetoric just flashed through my mind, just before and after I watched Mike Papantonio’s GoLeft.Tv titled R.I.P -- G.O.P. Or rather it started before and fell onto my keyboard after having viewed it and finding it not so harsh but true.
An apropos link in this manner is to even wryer and wrier takes:
Headzup: John McCain's Oscar Speech
Diebold Leak
[More subtle approaches: Thomas Friedman was on the Late Show the other night. I have yet to find a link to it, but have yet to read what I did find. But they seem to fit into my world view that everything is round. From Third World Traveler - - Norman Solomon - - Brewer/Lakoff not that they need to be right or come from my perspective. The hinge point is communicating over disciplines, disciplines over just discipline, and maybe WholeEness in conjunction with "the devil in the details".]
[even later with sadness: William F. Buckley - - may he truly R.I.P. I could not concur more with 7 of the first 8 sentences of Rick Perlstein's piece. I did not know him, nor follow him that closely. But the title does not apply, that I know of and I did not see it, until I clicked on the link to read later. So I may comment more later.]
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Update and Kudos
To Rachel Maddow, who somewhere between this update (2-18-08 QCON) and this post (after Go Filter!) I filed a mental note or actually ran past my screen what now needs updating. DNC to File Complaint Against McCain Campaign for Ignoring FEC Law / The Complaint
My follow up filtering was forwarded to the DNC but they really deserve the kudos with Rachel's for the filtering.
My follow up filtering was forwarded to the DNC but they really deserve the kudos with Rachel's for the filtering.
Hard Work? Sludge this!
Was it Buzzflash?
Was it a Bush speech?
Or this sludge* from The Drudge Report? Of course, it may not link, but it got the ball rolling. And Obama's reaction. Lost or not found yet, in this is where the story came from or rather how it came to the Drudge Report, apparently a Clinton volunteer.
The "volunteer":
All I can say is, "Lame!" to both of them.
AND RESORTING TO THIS:
[moments after the "moments later": Is this better context "Obamba in Muslim Garb" or is this a redress "The Meaning of Obama's Robes.", as in the real addressing of the issue?. And to "the volunteer" from me: Apparently your question is as hard to address as the Health care issue, since it would be in so many places if HRC were to dress as a nomadic man, but not so many apparently as a "Muslim" woman? Again more hard work may be needed to flesh this out, but that is a horrid choice of words, yet not intended to be indelicate on my part. In this case more research as to whether there are apples and oranges being compared and whether reliable sources can tell a Muslim from a nomad.]
[moments later: Not read yet! Is Nader any better at the hard work that should be sorting the issues out? I will tackle Nader after the issues are settle about the Democratic candidate, I have before.]
* It just rhymes, but the muck is in the follow through, which if you look at the images which along with the difficulty in finding the Drudge that started this, were apparently added later, may have put better original context to the irony, and which I did not sort out in an even manner either.
Was it a Bush speech?
Or this sludge* from The Drudge Report? Of course, it may not link, but it got the ball rolling. And Obama's reaction. Lost or not found yet, in this is where the story came from or rather how it came to the Drudge Report, apparently a Clinton volunteer.
The "volunteer":
"Wouldn't we be seeing this on the cover of every magazine if it were HRC?" questioned one campaign staffer, in an email obtained by the DRUDGE REPORT.The "manager":
Clinton campaign manager Maggie Williams responds: "If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed."
All I can say is, "Lame!" to both of them.
AND RESORTING TO THIS:
[moments after the "moments later": Is this better context "Obamba in Muslim Garb" or is this a redress "The Meaning of Obama's Robes.", as in the real addressing of the issue?. And to "the volunteer" from me: Apparently your question is as hard to address as the Health care issue, since it would be in so many places if HRC were to dress as a nomadic man, but not so many apparently as a "Muslim" woman? Again more hard work may be needed to flesh this out, but that is a horrid choice of words, yet not intended to be indelicate on my part. In this case more research as to whether there are apples and oranges being compared and whether reliable sources can tell a Muslim from a nomad.]
[moments later: Not read yet! Is Nader any better at the hard work that should be sorting the issues out? I will tackle Nader after the issues are settle about the Democratic candidate, I have before.]
* It just rhymes, but the muck is in the follow through, which if you look at the images which along with the difficulty in finding the Drudge that started this, were apparently added later, may have put better original context to the irony, and which I did not sort out in an even manner either.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Cherry Picking The Raw Story.
Skip over The Raw Story about the Obama Healthcare Flyer. Obama accused of demagoguing for anti-Clinton mailer
The cherry is Paul Krugman's Obama does Harry and Louise, again which seems sour till you get to the bitter pit which is Ezra Klein's DO INDIVIDUAL MANDATES MATTER?. For the whole tree: OBAMA'S "HARRY AND LOUISE" AD. leaves exposed the roots of the Obama Healthcare plan.
[I am ambarassed to note that the above links are all over 3 weeks old, what's Hillary's excuse? Maybe there is substance to her lack of substance charge, but there seems a lack of substance in her defense. Meaning there are detailed arguments above for her Healthcare over Obama's, it is just difficult to boil down.]
The cherry is Paul Krugman's Obama does Harry and Louise, again which seems sour till you get to the bitter pit which is Ezra Klein's DO INDIVIDUAL MANDATES MATTER?. For the whole tree: OBAMA'S "HARRY AND LOUISE" AD. leaves exposed the roots of the Obama Healthcare plan.
[I am ambarassed to note that the above links are all over 3 weeks old, what's Hillary's excuse? Maybe there is substance to her lack of substance charge, but there seems a lack of substance in her defense. Meaning there are detailed arguments above for her Healthcare over Obama's, it is just difficult to boil down.]
And yet they vote!
Ring of Fire host Mike Papantonio interviews Susan Jacoby on her book "The Age of American Unreason"(excerpt below: I will read later.) It comments on the laziness of many in the area of reading, but then it is video. What I would like to point out is that while many have lowered expectations of others on being informed, they do expect them to know their job. While it would be wonderful if some were smart enough to know that they should not vote, unfortunately it might be the ones that are smart enough that don't. How about it folks?
Friday, February 22, 2008
Convoluting, but Bush
Keith Olbermann has a very convoluted analysis of the Bush argument, which is right on target for fighting terrorism.
It reminds me of a dance.
It reminds me of a dance.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Swiftboating of McCain?
As I pointed out the term needs adjustment.
And I "really" dislike the headline US News and World Report uses:
New York Times Drops Bomb On McCain and forgotten?
MEDIA FIREWORKS: MCCAIN PLEADS WITH NY TIMES TO SPIKE STORY by The Drudge Report.
Not that I have fully read these, but this:
For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk is worth the read and fits in with the image management that needs exposure.
Hence the term Swiftboating should not be used as that was a campaign of misinformation, while FlipFlopperKrafting provides double exposure.
[O'Reilly "Lynching Party" is really a Fox Hunt. Media Matters is Hard Work]
[2-22-08 Flip-Flopper-Crafting? I still like the "K". But I will amend the comment to note that often headlines are sensational, yet The New York Times understated the issues "For McCain..."
And I "really" dislike the headline US News and World Report uses:
New York Times Drops Bomb On McCain and forgotten?
MEDIA FIREWORKS: MCCAIN PLEADS WITH NY TIMES TO SPIKE STORY by The Drudge Report.
Not that I have fully read these, but this:
For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk is worth the read and fits in with the image management that needs exposure.
Hence the term Swiftboating should not be used as that was a campaign of misinformation, while FlipFlopperKrafting provides double exposure.
[O'Reilly "Lynching Party" is really a Fox Hunt. Media Matters is Hard Work]
[2-22-08 Flip-Flopper-Crafting? I still like the "K". But I will amend the comment to note that often headlines are sensational, yet The New York Times understated the issues "For McCain..."
“Unless he gives you special treatment or takes legislative action against his own views, I don’t think his personal and social relationships matter," said Charles Black, a friend and campaign adviser who has previously lobbied the senator for aviation, broadcasting and tobacco concerns.and a more direct headline "No Public Funds for McCain" from Politico has an interesting bottom line that is well summarized in the last few paragraphs.
But even if the commission were meeting, one must wonder if the panel -- an organization that decided the cost of field organizers doesn’t need to be added to the overall cost of winning a state primary -- would tell the Republican Party that its nominee can’t slip through a newly carved loophole and arm himself for battle against a significantly better funded and unrestricted Democratic nominee.]
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Speaking of tuning...
The Ed Schultz Show and the Rachel Maddow Show seemed to be operating on the same wave length, but with a bit of a backwash on the issue of who the Democratic candidate will be.[*] I will try to bracket the Fine Tuning with the tangents it led to, but here are some other points: The Process? [**] and A Source
And the guest on The Ed Schultz Show: Jonathan Alter
Scoping Out Obama vs. McCain
To be bracketed...
maybe but my point is: Go filter!
Ed and Rachel have valid assessments and processing of information which the campaigns could aspire to and hopefully run with. If only I could pull more from them.
[*] is it over or is there hope?
[**] It is a valid point that primaries reflect more "moderates and independents" than caucuses, but that is by intention that parties should have a right to pick their own candidates, of course with due consideration of other issues, but as for Washington, there is an added question of whether those that showed up for caucuses bothered to also vote in the primary which for Democrats, will not count in the process.
And the guest on The Ed Schultz Show: Jonathan Alter
Scoping Out Obama vs. McCain
To be bracketed...
maybe but my point is: Go filter!
Ed and Rachel have valid assessments and processing of information which the campaigns could aspire to and hopefully run with. If only I could pull more from them.
[*] is it over or is there hope?
[**] It is a valid point that primaries reflect more "moderates and independents" than caucuses, but that is by intention that parties should have a right to pick their own candidates, of course with due consideration of other issues, but as for Washington, there is an added question of whether those that showed up for caucuses bothered to also vote in the primary which for Democrats, will not count in the process.
Fine Tuning.
THE GAME (Slightly updated: bold Stay the Course - job->search) The topic is our job which is to help navigate embedded with a link to help you navigate. Not to mention bottom links that brings some news to light if you go there, or sometimes just a previous connection as below.
In this case, The New Wave is a switch in focus from the battle for the Democratic Candidate to the Republican potential candidate and the media who is filtering it all. The issue of negative campaigning and super delegates are an example of what may make for a rocky boat. They are not easy to explain away, but there are so many perspectives that it is not just a matter of declaring what is the will of the people. There is a process that people are a part of and parties are a part of. It is unfortunate there are not alternatives in some cases, but playing like they are part of the process is no better. What I am alluding to is that without something such as Instant Run-off Voting any wish that things should go smoothly is a pipe dream. Not that things won't turn out to be much smoother than anticipated, but each voter must accept that they have a part that is no bigger than the next voter, but that involvement does matter. Finally, (obtuse as I am) 1. charges of lack of substance must have substance themselves 2. charges with substance are not negative campaigning, but the voter is the decider 3. super delegates are not super nor necessarily committed.
In this case, The New Wave is a switch in focus from the battle for the Democratic Candidate to the Republican potential candidate and the media who is filtering it all. The issue of negative campaigning and super delegates are an example of what may make for a rocky boat. They are not easy to explain away, but there are so many perspectives that it is not just a matter of declaring what is the will of the people. There is a process that people are a part of and parties are a part of. It is unfortunate there are not alternatives in some cases, but playing like they are part of the process is no better. What I am alluding to is that without something such as Instant Run-off Voting any wish that things should go smoothly is a pipe dream. Not that things won't turn out to be much smoother than anticipated, but each voter must accept that they have a part that is no bigger than the next voter, but that involvement does matter. Finally, (obtuse as I am) 1. charges of lack of substance must have substance themselves 2. charges with substance are not negative campaigning, but the voter is the decider 3. super delegates are not super nor necessarily committed.
Monday, February 18, 2008
President's Day!
What better way to honor the presidents than to go out and do our duty and shop?
I am not being serious, but I am not in the business of honor, unless it is the hard work of people. Past presidents deserve their honors, but here is a way to honor the hard working and take a holiday as well.
Full Disclosure: I have never Ebayed!
But apparently there is a strike against them.
This just seems apropos in this consumer culture, the timing anyway.
I will state the irony that this president wished to fight terrorism by suggesting we go shopping, and to be honest, I did. But it was just the timing thing.
I am not being serious, but I am not in the business of honor, unless it is the hard work of people. Past presidents deserve their honors, but here is a way to honor the hard working and take a holiday as well.
Full Disclosure: I have never Ebayed!
But apparently there is a strike against them.
This just seems apropos in this consumer culture, the timing anyway.
I will state the irony that this president wished to fight terrorism by suggesting we go shopping, and to be honest, I did. But it was just the timing thing.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The New Wave
Having survived the tide of the caucuses I turn to the next matters.
For now I simply post two links, only the latter has been fully read.
X*Y ... *
and John McCain's qualifications to be President?
here are some I hope to follow up on:
Let the Swiftboating Begin.
and Deadly Invitation
They look forward to the next opponent
and the magic * of the media.
Meanwhile to keep that top burner: I will note that my precinct with 86 voters elected 6 Obama and 3 Clinton delegates. And I may provide further comment in that regard.
* note: there are two *'s beyond the one in the X*Y context and note the watery links as well. They say "a rising tide lifts all boats" unless there is a hole in it or others trickle down in yours, but "hope floats" someone said I think and the tide still runs from the man with hope and the woman from hope or back again. I just tide that in with what I hope to get back to here. (spelling hopefully intentional, but I'll check later, I ran it by spell check [Y] )
[2-18-08: QCON: The term "Swiftboating" does not do justice to the task, given its history. It would seem to imply a campaign of disinformation, rather than some clarity. Maybe Clearwater would work, in retribution for Whitewater, Blackwater, and Swiftboating. Maybe Ironycladding would work? And one more for me to read. If McCain's a Moderate, I'm the Easter Bunny*. seems that some doth protest too much. Yet he is the best they can come up with. Oh, unless the original was a flip-flop? Meaning I have to reread the earlier to see if a skilled editor is implying that the swiftboating will be coming from the right. Duh! i.e. sacrificial goat. Bingo. No ageism intended. Meaning who better to swiftboat than a veteran of swiftboating. But I think that the editor was not as swift as I imply, and the writer implies what I wish to flip-flop.**
* No holiday connection, but this article (I did read) is a twofer on the McCain and the Media front. ** Howbout: FlipFlopperKrafting.]
[3-24-08: Wave LABEL added ]
For now I simply post two links, only the latter has been fully read.
X*Y ... *
and John McCain's qualifications to be President?
here are some I hope to follow up on:
Let the Swiftboating Begin.
and Deadly Invitation
They look forward to the next opponent
and the magic * of the media.
Meanwhile to keep that top burner: I will note that my precinct with 86 voters elected 6 Obama and 3 Clinton delegates. And I may provide further comment in that regard.
* note: there are two *'s beyond the one in the X*Y context and note the watery links as well. They say "a rising tide lifts all boats" unless there is a hole in it or others trickle down in yours, but "hope floats" someone said I think and the tide still runs from the man with hope and the woman from hope or back again. I just tide that in with what I hope to get back to here. (spelling hopefully intentional, but I'll check later, I ran it by spell check [Y] )
[2-18-08: QCON: The term "Swiftboating" does not do justice to the task, given its history. It would seem to imply a campaign of disinformation, rather than some clarity. Maybe Clearwater would work, in retribution for Whitewater, Blackwater, and Swiftboating. Maybe Ironycladding would work? And one more for me to read. If McCain's a Moderate, I'm the Easter Bunny*. seems that some doth protest too much. Yet he is the best they can come up with. Oh, unless the original was a flip-flop? Meaning I have to reread the earlier to see if a skilled editor is implying that the swiftboating will be coming from the right. Duh! i.e. sacrificial goat. Bingo. No ageism intended. Meaning who better to swiftboat than a veteran of swiftboating. But I think that the editor was not as swift as I imply, and the writer implies what I wish to flip-flop.**
* No holiday connection, but this article (I did read) is a twofer on the McCain and the Media front. ** Howbout: FlipFlopperKrafting.]
[3-24-08: Wave LABEL added ]
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Yesterday was a nice round number: 02-04-08
Today is the day for the tide to turn.
For Change!
The day before was a Super Bowl,
today is a Super Tuesday!
The Giants beat the Patriots. Hmmm.
Post Prophetic? Or just luck?
It was "hard work", but they play by rules,
a season ends and another begins.
But today we can take this ground swell for change,
for the underdog, and for hard work
and work the force for change.
Freedom is not a force.
History does not blaze a trail.
People and leaders do,
by passing laws and making sure they are followed.
I knew I was going somewhere, I hope you can see now.
Let impeachment process begin
RICHARD W. BEHAN GUEST COLUMNIST
Seattle PI
The above link supports much of what I have noted in this blog in the last 7 years, and a few I missed. It follows a pattern of preemption that if leaked, actually caused a preemption cycle of its own. An important question is, how long has this been the policy of this ship of state, and how long has it been leaking. These are not mountains out of mole hills, but trickle down by passing the buck. Investigations must begin, while shoring up the process of accountability. It is not too early to begin the work of transition. But never too late to join a tide of change. And if this metophor seems to imply a washing away, or just another cycle... true. Things will wash a away, but people will still be the point, not the boats and the driftwood.
See link below, in particular.
For Change!
The day before was a Super Bowl,
today is a Super Tuesday!
The Giants beat the Patriots. Hmmm.
Post Prophetic? Or just luck?
It was "hard work", but they play by rules,
a season ends and another begins.
But today we can take this ground swell for change,
for the underdog, and for hard work
and work the force for change.
Freedom is not a force.
History does not blaze a trail.
People and leaders do,
by passing laws and making sure they are followed.
I knew I was going somewhere, I hope you can see now.
Let impeachment process begin
RICHARD W. BEHAN GUEST COLUMNIST
Seattle PI
The above link supports much of what I have noted in this blog in the last 7 years, and a few I missed. It follows a pattern of preemption that if leaked, actually caused a preemption cycle of its own. An important question is, how long has this been the policy of this ship of state, and how long has it been leaking. These are not mountains out of mole hills, but trickle down by passing the buck. Investigations must begin, while shoring up the process of accountability. It is not too early to begin the work of transition. But never too late to join a tide of change. And if this metophor seems to imply a washing away, or just another cycle... true. Things will wash a away, but people will still be the point, not the boats and the driftwood.
See link below, in particular.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Can we change?
Yes We Can!
Will they? Leaders need followers,
but we all need follow up.
"inevitably" ?
It needs more than just a tune and inspiring words.
[Is this so far afield? Academically?.]
Will they? Leaders need followers,
but we all need follow up.
"inevitably" ?
It needs more than just a tune and inspiring words.
[Is this so far afield? Academically?.]
Sunday, February 03, 2008
"if I were dictator"
Blair loses job. But as far as President of Europe, Blair
"...is increasingly willing to put himself forward for the job if it comes with real powers to intervene in defence and trade affairs."
As far as U.S. and a third party?
"The lesser of two evils...is still evil."
Yeah but, if the lesser is the loser, the greater evil wins. Therefore does it make sense that with Edwards out, and Nader supported Edwards, and with McCain in(?) and Ron Paul is against the war, that there be a Paul/Nader ticket?
Is there another kind of politics or reality?
I'll have to check and get back to you.
[Let me just say that having read 3 of the links here and part of the fourth, I am back to you. My reliance was mostly on the gist I presumed from a quick glance at the articles and maybe where I already wanted to go. I'm not disappointed in where it took me but the pieces are a bit heavy for my fare. In fact the last is a little bit romantic in a horror sort of way, which draws me back to another intersecting thought. The roots of Romanticism in literature being the French Revolution and its libertarianism and egalitarianism. I must also note the hope for goodness in humanity and the scepticism of rationality. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus, comes to mind. A more balanced approach is what I would suggest. Meanwhile I finished another loose end or article not even in this loop. "We are the World" in The Nation takes a look at two books on our place in the world. How ironic that realism was offered as an opposite to the Zeitgist of ideas.]
[2-4-08: undated brackets are same day updates, here I footnote the two books that "We are the World" reviews. A Case for Goliath and A New Deal for the World. What a deal! And harkening back to Huntington's Clash of Civilizations. A word comes to mind: academic. Some are less than academic, but all can become academic, if we don't make the connections of the varied fields.]
"...is increasingly willing to put himself forward for the job if it comes with real powers to intervene in defence and trade affairs."
As far as U.S. and a third party?
"The lesser of two evils...is still evil."
Yeah but, if the lesser is the loser, the greater evil wins. Therefore does it make sense that with Edwards out, and Nader supported Edwards, and with McCain in(?) and Ron Paul is against the war, that there be a Paul/Nader ticket?
Is there another kind of politics or reality?
I'll have to check and get back to you.
[Let me just say that having read 3 of the links here and part of the fourth, I am back to you. My reliance was mostly on the gist I presumed from a quick glance at the articles and maybe where I already wanted to go. I'm not disappointed in where it took me but the pieces are a bit heavy for my fare. In fact the last is a little bit romantic in a horror sort of way, which draws me back to another intersecting thought. The roots of Romanticism in literature being the French Revolution and its libertarianism and egalitarianism. I must also note the hope for goodness in humanity and the scepticism of rationality. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus, comes to mind. A more balanced approach is what I would suggest. Meanwhile I finished another loose end or article not even in this loop. "We are the World" in The Nation takes a look at two books on our place in the world. How ironic that realism was offered as an opposite to the Zeitgist of ideas.]
[2-4-08: undated brackets are same day updates, here I footnote the two books that "We are the World" reviews. A Case for Goliath and A New Deal for the World. What a deal! And harkening back to Huntington's Clash of Civilizations. A word comes to mind: academic. Some are less than academic, but all can become academic, if we don't make the connections of the varied fields.]
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