Crafting our Message

Confused Convention

Travis — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:36:07 EDT

The 2008 Republican National Convention was more confused and unfocused than any other convention of either party in recent memory. Sen. John McCain knows it.

In complete contrast, the GOP conventions of 2000 and 2004 both had a set goal, and they reached it. In 2000, it was the creation of the passionate conservative. Gov. Bush promised a satisfied America that he would continue the growth, prosperity, and peace of the 90's, but with the home grown moral compass of the average American to bring back integrety to the Oval Office. The convention of 2004 was much different. The goal was to remind Americans of the horrors and realities of the post 9-11 world, and the determination and success of Bush's leadership in keeping America safe. The passionate conservative phenomenon won two unwinnable elections for a party that unashamefuly took America back the Reaganomics of deficit spending. Democrats must not forget those lessons, even if the Republicans themselves have.

John McCain is a republican of another generation. He has never fully identified with the Reagan conservatives or the Bush elites. McCain is now the head of a party not yet willing to admit the wrong doings of a failed administration, so will find it difficult to give the power of full leadership to that of McCain. The Senator from Nevada is fully aware of this challenge. If he didnt before the convention, he sure knows it now.

Neither convention made an attempt to sway and rewrite the narrative of this election to focus on the issues. Things are still more about personalities,rather than the lives of struggeling Americans. It is shameful, and irresponsible.

What's right about Palin (far far right)

Matt Nisenoff — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:39:49 EDT

Joe Klein pointed out that "it is important for the public to know that Palin raised taxes as governor, supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, pursued pork-barrel projects as mayor, tried to ban books at the local library and thinks the war in Iraq is “a task from God.” "
which is all true but...

Todd Palin

Letitrip — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:57:12 EDT

City Hall http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Wasilla_City_Hall.jpg

In the town of Wasilla, Sarah had oversight of 25 Wasilla officers, and caused the city to go over budget on the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex, so she increased the city sales tax to pay for it, then it ended up in a eminent domain lawsuit. She’s your maverick McCain, a blazing executive idiot.

Palin hired the Anchorage-based lobbying firm of Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh to lobby for earmarks for Wasilla. The effort was led by Steven Silver, a former chief of staff for Senator Ted Stevens, to secure $27 MILLION EARMARKED funding.

$15 million was for ski resort project linking Wasilla and community of Girdwood. THESE EARMARKS WERE CRITICIZED BY GUESS? SENATOR MCCAIN!

In 2002, term limits prevented Palin from running for a third term as mayor. Her stepmother-in-law, Faye Palin, ran for the office but lost the election to Dianne Keller after Sarah Palin endorsed Keller, her cousin.Yeah, she RAILS against breakin up the good ole boy gang, with ethics of her own. She’s not shy! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin

For 18 years, Todd worked for BP Oil in the North Slope oil fields of Alaska. In 2007, there was a conflict of interest, he took a leave from his $92,790 paying job as production supervisor when his employer became involved in natural gas pipeline negotiations with his wife's administration and 7 months later the family needed more income, so Todd returned to BP, and again in order to avoid potential conflict of interest he accepted a non-management position as a production operator. This 2007 tax earnings apparently doesn't take Sarah's income in to account.

Todd Palin's name is mentioned on our news reports here, regarding the actions of Mike Wooten and the firing of Alaska State Trooper Walter Monegan. Todd Palin acted on behalf of Governor Sarah Palin and her extended family in discussing Wooten with Monegan. At one point, Todd took information he prepared and a private investigator to talk to the POLICE CHIEF Monegan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Palin

This family carves a really crooked path in the snowy mountains of Alaska.

Fred Thompson "Skewers" Himself

D. Tree — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:23:01 EDT

CNN's Political Ticker reported today on Fred Thompson's speech against Barack Obama at the Republican National Convention, calling it a Skewering of Barack Obama.

But being thoroughly wrong on History - even his own - the only person Thompson skewered was himself.

When have facts ever gotten in the way of a republican delivering their talking points?

The Republican Party just loves to invoke history, but they almost never get it right.

RNC Party Builders - They're Magically Delicious

Letitrip — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:26:56 EDT

Joe Lieberman, who will magically transform himself into a "Democrat" and then a "Repuke".

Why use the tactic of attacking Barack Obama's patriotism? We're all patriotic. Anyone running for this messed up office, would be patriotic.

What they did in their convention so far, is build it up that only THEY are patriotic. We have heros, and it doesn't know skin color or party.

They are very transparent, we know where this is leading to, that they want to fear monger, is almost a complete mirror of what they did 4 years ago. They are saying they will WIN this war. It was a regime change, it occurred long ago and even BUSH said it, "MISSION A!" What do we win? I know what we're losing! Men, money, lots of money, jobs and houses.

They are going to say we haven't been attacked. Of course not and most our national guard are in Iraq and elsewhere. No Al Queda even want to get us and Bin Laden is still at large. If he hated us so much, why didn't he attack again? Because he hasn't recruited enough people, like we stopped recruiting.

Turn out the lights and go to bed. They aren't worth listening to. Anything comes out of their mouths. I can't stand to watch it, same ole guard and same ole rhetoric.

Barack was right all along, it was a mistake to go into Iraq and it'll be harder getting out. Biden will be the expert we need, he's already been privy of 9-11 documents, dossiers, meeting, and having the priviledge of meeting with foreign statesman. I can't wait until they change the course we're on! COUNT DOWN to vote!

This administration moved arms and foods to Georgia faster than they responded to phone calls about Katrina. They sent 3 battleships into the Georgian arena, while they pretend to be having a party at their convention. It's deja vu all over again.

Maybe they should all just retire to one of McCain houses for their after party?

Looks like BUSH and Lieberman should get a room?

Grinch - Cindy Lou - Reindeer Czar

Letitrip — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:27:57 EDT

See the resemblance? He IS

the embodiment of the Evil Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Cindy Lou - with Two More of the Same? Who's taking care of WHO? Boo Hoo.

Boo Hoo. Boo Hoo Hoo.

Don't worry lil Cindy Lou, I'll take Care of YOU!

For here comes Sarah Palin

The Reindeer Czar

After ONE HOUR, I thought she too was cute.

Then Queen of Ice will take you and I, Cindy Lou

Palin is NO Reformer

Letitrip — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:25:19 EDT

I've been meaning to post something about Palin's being a reformer...LOL, she KEPT the money appropriated for the Gravina Bridge! She did NOT give it back and she did NOT build the bridge. Has ANYONE even touched on that? Hell no.

Another point of many that disturbs me is: I believe it was a conflict of interest for Sarah to be on the board of Prudhoe Bay Ethics chair (Oil and Gas Conservation Commission) while her husband is a BP man. Which means, she is part of a quasi-judicial body which holds powers and delivers penalties to those that crossed her path and didn't believe like she does. This committee dictated how much oil was to be pumped. Anyone knowing economics, you withhold and it drives the cost upwards. Of course, she and her husband have stock in BP and this parallels what Bush is doing with our war. It makes the stockholder rich.

Then to top it off, her so called Ethics didn't take hold of her brain when she called a documented 24 times to the Police Chief in trying to get him motivated to fire her brother-in-law Trooper Wooten. What kind of ETHICS is that? No one ever questions her because she's either a pretty face or they fear her. Did you know she's fired 'other' people too, and no one talks about that? I guess the obvious one is relationship to her family feud.

My take on tonight's convention...where's Max Clelland when you need him? The Republicans are not the only party of hero's, how hypocritical. It seemed disjointed and confusing to talk both side of their mouths, what is that? Besides they speakem' forkem' tonguem. So far they haven't talked about fixing the economy or stopping the war. They're messaging PATRIOTISM. We're ALL patriotic. They dictate..."Either you're with us, or you're against us?" ~~lil Bush speak, more of the same! WAKE UP AMERICA!

New Orleans Hurricane

Frank Lynch — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:15:44 EDT

Yesterday, watching those poor people lining up for buses to yet again flee a hurricane, my heart broke.

With all our riches how can there still be people in America who are so obviously so impoverished and helpless?

Unfortunately, it is because our system of education is broken, failed, shameful.

How can any politician believe that property taxes from impoverished areas can pay for world class schools and world class teachers?

A factor in our broken system of education is that first, teachers are underpaid so that schools for teachers "sometimes" fail to attract the most talented people.

Second, the curricula are not teaching prospective teachers how to really teach.

I want every teacher in America to receive the same starting pay as computer programmers and engineeers.

I want better curicula for preparing teachers.

And I want 3,000,000 more, high paid, talented, dedicated teachers who are fully prepared to teach THE LOVE OF medicine, bioscience, math and engineering, starting in the first grade.

Let us all work for an America where everey child has absolutely equal and excellent education, so that in the future no American is so unprepared for life that they end up helplessly standing in line for buses to flee for their lives.

Please donate, tax deductible, to these goals at http://www.fluni.com

I cannot think of anything more consistent with the core values of our Democratic Party.

Can You Say Vetting Avalanche Meltdown?

Letitrip — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:59:21 EDT

The Alaska News is on right now and they said, "Governor dropped yet another bomb shell. Stay tuned." They showed a news clip and 'circled' Bristol. She's unmistakably expecting. Pretty sad what this family will go through just to take charge of the most troubling of times, when it sounds like they have their hands full of their own troubling times. A child that's pregnant, an upcoming marriage, a new infant with special needs, a criminal investigation for interfering with her sisters family, a couple firings,and her public record of abstinence and voicing opposition to sexual education. Timing? Why now? The storm would seem to grab the spotlight.

Fred Dyson, a prominent Alaskan was noted as being sympathetic.

Alaska has the highest rated transmitted diseases among teens.

The channel interviewed a couple and the elderly gentleman said, "We know the kids [Palin children] were having trouble in Juneau, so they moved...

(next page has Sarah's pageant picture.)

No Pressure! ~ ~ lil Sarah Palin

Letitrip — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:41:34 EDT

Ted VECO Steves and Sarah veco Palin is in the Governors Mansion in Juneau Alaska.

FIRST CALL: This is Governor Sarah Palin. I want to be connected to Wasilla Police Chief. Yes, I'm probing to find out the status of, my brother-in-law Trooper Wooten's, investigation about a tasing 2 years ago (child asked to be tased). Are you finished with the investigation, and what's the status on firing him? Have you done it?

2nd CALL: Hello, this is Todd, Gov. Palin's husband (First Lady). How are you coming along on the investigation of my ex-brother-in-law? Is he fired yet?

3rd CALL: Yes, this is Governator Palin's campaign manager and I need to find out the status of Trooper Wooten, since Sarah gave the scoop on the family feud and I'm calling in her behalf.

4th CALL: Hi again. It's me. VP, I mean Governor Palin. I really need for my brother-in-law to be fired for 2 reasons. One is, that my sister wants sole custody and secondly, I'm about to be announced as the Vice Presidential nominee and need to get this guy out of my life. You say, he's STILL THERE? Listen here copper...slam.

5th CALL:
next page...

RNC Postponed Because Gustav Causes Bad P/R

D. Tree — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:25:12 EDT

The GOP wants you to think they are canceling most of their major activities Monday night because - as John McCain said - it's time to "act as Americans, not Republicans."

But there's something else you won't hear from the GOP or read on CNN: The Republicans have big P/R problems with Gustav. At a time when possible disaster is imminent, the Republican National Convention will be low on the news reporting agenda.

The RNC must be thinking, what a terrible time to grab headlines, we can't compete with a hurricane.

But that's just part of the problem for the McCain campaign. The other part has to do with the candidate himself.

John McCain has a bad P/R image he needs to overcome, because while Katrina ravaged New Orleans in 2005, he chose to eat birthday cake with president Bush.

Now, desperate not to have images of McCain eating cake with Bush as another hurricane hits the Gulf Coast, the RNC has no choice but to tone down the political rhetoric, and to trot McCain out in front of the press with talking points about a selfless "call to action."

So while the Mainstream Media might be slow to pick up on the underlying reasons the RNC has a problem with Gustav, we all know its not just because "America needs us now no matter whether we are Republican or Democrat," it's because - as usual - for the Republican Party everything is about P/R and branding... and right now Mother Nature is raining on both big time.

Best,
D. Tree

McCain VP: Attack Dog with Nothing to Lose?

D. Tree — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:02:05 EDT

Conventional wisdom holds that Joe Biden's job as Obama's VP pick will be twofold: to appeal to voters in the base who have not signed on to Obama's candidacy, and to attack John McCain as only another senior member of the Senate can.

In my last post, I looked at the pitfalls of the GOP's choice for McCain. One of the observations I made was that if they are willing to throw out the "too young and inexperienced" line of attack, they must have something else in store. Perhaps they have given up on that angle, and will revert to the dirty character attacks of Republican campaigns past.

That's where Sarah Palin comes in.

Clearly, the GOP still has some fight left in them after Bush destroyed their party. The advantages of having Sarah Palin on the campaign trail are obvious: she's a champion for big oil, and radical right wing base will love her (Gov. Palin opposes choice, even in instances of rape or incest).

By selecting Governor Palin as McCain's VP, the Republican Party is able to suck up to their two most important constituents: Oil companies, and right wing culture warriors.

Looking at Sarah Palin, signs of a dirty general election are ominously clear: The 2 year governor of Alaska, whose only other leadership experience was as mayor of a small town of 8,000, has nothing to lose in attacking Obama at the throat.

If the campaign is going to get personal and dirty, then it makes complete sense for the GOP to select a VP candidate who shamelessly sued the Bush Administration for putting the Polar Bear on the Endangered Species List because it might hinder oil drilling. (BTW, this is an area the Obama campaign should expand upon: Sarah Palin is so far to the right, she thought the Bush/Cheney administration too soft on the environment).

Sarah Palin, a relatively young and obscure political figure literally from out of nowhere, has nothing to lose in attacking Obama at the throat.

Perhaps that is why the GOP did not select an older more experienced candidate for the job: no one is willing to risk their political career playing dirty against the inspiring candidate that Obama is.

Not so with Palin. She has a long political career ahead of her if this works out, and nothing to lose if it doesn't. She appears willing to take the risk to further her personal political fortunes. If she loses, people will just forget about her for a few years, and she will fade in to the background again.

If this politician has no shame in putting oil companies before endangered polar bears, I have a feeling she'll have no reservations about hitting Obama below the belt on character and patriotism.

Watch out. The far-right cabal that has taken over our country knows they will lose it all if we elect Barack Obama president. There is no low they won't stoop to. We've already seen a Swift Boat book and commercial and the general election has not even begun.

If you thought Bush / Kerry in 2004 was ugly, this election is going to make it look like a honeymoon.

Best,
D. Tree

McCain Campaign: the Greedy Dog of Aesop's Fables

D. Tree — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:45:49 EDT

Like the fable of old, the GOP decision to select Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate reminds me of The Dog and his Reflection:

A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow footbridge, he happened to look down and saw himself reflected in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own.

If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a stupid Dog he had been.

SALUTE JOHN MCQUEEN's Side Car MAVERICK - SARAH PALIN

Letitrip — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:44:26 EDT

Hold the applause!

I woke early this morning because family members irritated me with their whispering. I yelled, "What’s going on deer flies?" If ONLY I had a remote control, I would have thrown it at those pests.

They burst into laughter and yelled, "Sarah Palin is the VP nominee! SARAH PALIN! Sarah Palin is McCain’s VP! You were right mom!"

Instant headache! You see, I live in Alaska and know this woman and all the political juice.

MEET SARAH PALIN (pronounced pay-lynn NOT the way MSM pundits are pronouncing her as pal-inn), she the pro-lifer. She really wants you to know she had a baby and well, she didn't have an abortion. :D

All women should announce it that way. Right? Hi honey, went to the doctor and just as we suspected, we're having a baby and I'm not having an abortion. :D

On July 4, 2008. Saran with her newborn. I took more pix as she passed by a second time, when they almost ran over my foot, so the pix turned out blurry. I posted the least blurry ones from their first pass. They went around the block and I moved curb side. Look up and check out the chick that was flipping her the bird, for a really long time, it's why I captured the photo, I thought the same. more pix...

Republican VP Picks: Dick Cheney, Dan Quayle & ...

Grassroots Democrat Bruce — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:44:10 EDT

now Sarah Palin. In case they win, let's hope she doesn't turn out to be a "Daniella" Quayle! McCain's pick looks like an effort to get more of the women's vote from people who think it's more important to vote for a woman than a Democrat.
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2944356420080829?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=10112

Palin, The Picture of Pandering

Tonya — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:12:40 EDT

With McCain's advanced age, never has a VP choice been so important. Let’s see if the Republican voters will wage their persistent question at their own VP nominee. Is Sarah Palin, the self-proclaimed “hockey mom” ready to lead after being Alaska’s governor for two years? What do you think his decision says about his judgment? Will voters risk more pocket breaking policies, in a Republican attempt to create their own groundbreaking candidate to pander to Hillary‘s stanch supports?

We understand that change is contagious and that the Republican choice for VP was in response to the inspirational narratives of several of the candidates our party produced. We are pleased that we have motivated inclusiveness; something that doesn’t come naturally to the party of the status quo. While the Republicans are artful at painting a scene, it doesn’t make the picture of value or substantive.

Michelle's First Date

Frank Lynch — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:57:41 EDT

This vignette touched my heart, because it has such relevant symbolism.

In the clips last night, Michelle Obama spoke of finally giving in to Barack's request for a date. She had been refusing his advances because she was very proper in the top law firm of Sidley & Austin, where she was a full fledged attorney and Barack was just a summer intern. Barack surprised Michelle when he took her, not to a fancy restaurant, but to a church basement where he gave a speech to steelworkers who were laid off when the local steel mill closed.

Michelle said Barack riveted everyone in the basement with a magnificent speech about how America actually was, and how America should be.

The clip showed a picture of the burly white steelworkers raptly listening to the young African American orator, demonstrating that the races were cooperating even back then.

I grew up in the same neighborhood as Michelle Robinson Obama, actually in between her house and Rev. Wright's church. I personally knew many of the steelworkers who forever lost high paying jobs to the slave labor wages of Indian and Chinese steelmills, and feel quite strongly about fair trade instead of free trade.

Those hard working men never, ever got jobs with pay remotely near what they earned in the mill, for very hard work.

Micehlle felt the same thing I did, and said that speech in the church basement made it all over, the end! She was in love with Barack.

A symbolic lesson for us all, united.

VP BUZZ Palin & Buildn Up In Georgia

Letitrip — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:02:39 EDT

Just a few minutes until McCain's VP is announced. Are you palenty ready? Sarah Palin! The abuser of power!
She makes a great fit with McCain, they abuse their power. She orders a Police CHIEF to fire her sisters husband over child support and visitation issues. This police chief refused to fire his deputy, so she FIRED the Police Chief and said she was making an overhaul of the police department because she didn't like it. Hum. Her executive experience allows her to fire another executive that protects our freedom of threats of harassment? She's under a investigation for her incredible actions of abusing power. Not only is SHE under investigation, but so is her husband! I'll write a post and add pictures of the 4th of July parade. She took off work to have her baby, she is unavailable to serve Alaska, due to the pregnancy, but she's available to run as a VP? McCain certainly is rolling the dice on this catty woman! I'll elaborate later...I'm thoroughly disgusted.
Also, our great Commander in Regime Change announced Thursday he'd provide a 5.75 MILLION dollars to war-torn Georgia. In a memorandum for Secretary of State Condi, Bush said the aid was meant to help Georgia meet "the humanitarian needs of conflict victims and those displaced by recent violence in Georgia." "It is important to the national interest to furnish assistance under the Act, in an amount not to exceed 5.75 Million from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund, for the purpose of meeting unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs," Bush said.

Well, I had to come back here after reading a breaking news to increase the 5.75 to 1 BILLION. Over the past several days, two American military ships have docked in the Black Sea port of Batumi, a few dozen kilometers down the coast from Russian peacekeeper posts and Russian military ships anchored off the west coast of Georgia. The USS McFaul, a navy destroyer, along with the Coast Guard cutter Dallas, brought nearly 100 tons of humanitarian assistance to help feed and clothe an estimated 128,000 people and a third ship is expected to arrive in a couple days.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov assailed the US mission as an act of destabilization. "Battleships do not normally deliver aid, and this is gunboat diplomacy - it does not make the situation more stable," the RIA-Novosti news agency quoted him as saying.

4 September visit to Tbilisi by US Vice President Dick Cheney is meant to further underline that message of support for Georgia.

Georgia, which has been engaged in military conflicts with Russia, has a close ally, US.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/6489173.html

If this doesn't sound like a friggon build up, I don't know what does!!

http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19363

A Nurse Couldn't Even Make It!!

Letitrip — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:54:59 EDT

A well spoken nurse couldn't even make it in George Bush Country! That's INSANE! (crying)

Pam had two incomes, she and her husband pooled. They both lived the American dream, but someone pulled the rugs, the electric, the water, the pillar, the front porch, right our from under them. Doesn't it sound like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas story?

She spoke like poor little Cindy Lou. Powerful! Only GWB ain't gonna put the toys and the tree back. Forget about the house!

We CAN have a happy ending to this story...keep going, keep texting, keep talking, keep groovin', keep recruiting!

Ain't no stopping us now - we got the groove.

Rome CAN Too Be Built in A Day!

Letitrip — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:46:51 EDT

It happened in Denver!

Yes. Barack Obama's team built Rome in a day! Don't believe it, watch it on the tube in time lapse-fast speed. Amazing!

Language started in Greece. The oldest living language was found in Crete 1,400 BC. Greece built an empire of language. Do not be afraid to speak out against war. Do not be afraid to construct an peaceful world. We can build it, yes we can. He built it and we're going to keep going; we'll survive, like language.

In early U.S. history, people acquired large holdings and maintained wealth and handed it down to several generations-purveyors of snobbery. The seeds we sowed, the fruits of our labor, is a plutocracy - ruled by "the wealthy."

I'll have to check with my staff on how many houses I own. ~~John McCain

WEALTH: In early United States history, people acquired large holdings and maintained wealth and handed it down to several generations - purveyors of snobbery.

We have a plutocracy - "rule by the wealthy". We need to pull down the pillars.

PILLAR of Obama: Reminds us of the Greek pillars. Traditional. Classy. Solid. Builds the base, then moves to the capitol. He's the Temple of Hercules. The sundial says it's time to kick the Lion out of it's Den.

HIJACK THE LAW OF EQUILIBRIUM:

We’re no longer in the middle ages. Build an Peaceful Empire, not a Bully Empire.

Democracy - IS the "rule by the majority". Build a Democracy, not a Plutocracy the Snobbery Empire. The rows of columns underwent constant change throughout Greek antiquity. Just as the pillars fall, a better one replaces it and builds better strength. Time to pull down George's pillars. Plato's ideal state is an aristocracy. Aristocracy is a hereditary form of government, where rule is established through an internal struggle over who has the most status and influence over society and internal relations. Power is maintained by an hereditary elite, from a caste, class, family (dynasty or even some individuals). Pull down the Bush Dynasty and his global regime changing. Time to ring the bell of liberty and build a new glorious government on a hill.