aksjfd's Blog

With apologies to azbob:

All that the radical right racists have done over the last few weeks was show their godlessness, their disrespect for others choices opinions and vote, they presented themselves in a childish manner. And acted in a criminal way. They disgraced and degraded themselves with their actions and response. It was nothing more then a major setback for their cause, they displayed their true colors, their lack of control. It was all disgraceful and distasteful. It was handled in a malicious and vengeful way. A very poor vision of self control. You have once again earned your place in society as a low grade of people. And to think your movement was going forward maybe at a slow pace but never the less you all shamed yourselves in an unforgiving way. In my blog, I write about  racist issues and stated that the racists were not all crazy and/or violent people or proposed a harm to society, damn was I wrong or what. Your display has earned you what you got ...no respect. and more disrespect.

 

Now, enough about this idiotic concocted birth cert. story and discriminatory Muslim accusation already. You've made America look stupid enough over the past 8 years. Now, please, just zip your lips while we try to save our reputation if you haven't tarnished beyond repair already.

No more sex. That's right, the GOP don't want Americans to have sex anymore. Perhaps I should clarify this. Baby making is alright; sex for pleasure, even with your spouse, isn't.

 

Bush has gone on a rampage against contraceptives. The religious right does not believe in any sort of contraceptive. Therefore, a pharmacist, a religious right wing pharmacist, can refuse to fill an Rx for birth control pills. A sales clerk, a religious right sales clerk, can refuse to sell condoms. Perhaps this is why I gave up the Christian God. He isn't much fun.

 

Having said that...one has to wonder if this means that Walgreens, etc. can ask what the religious affiliation of someone applying to be a pharmacist at their store. If that pharmacist is a Christian, Walgreens should be permitted not to hire them. Therefore, it seems that religious discrimination is now acceptable (made even more obvious by the gay marriage ban).

 

What do you guys think? Is it time to have signs that say "Christians Only" in store fronts?

It's amazing to me that the Republican Party and News Media are ignoring a few very important 'accomplishments' of the Bush administration. Therefore, I thought that I would list them for you...

 

1. Bush helped raise HIV levels in Africa to what they were before Clinton, during his daddy's administration, by changing strategies from Clinton's safe sex campaign to Bush's abstinance program. Well done.

 

2. Bush helped raise unemployment levels to what they were before Clinton, during his daddy's admin, by reducing taxes of the rich rather than the middle class who are the consurmers in the USA.

 

3. Bush made a bunch of money for the rich CEOs by giving them a bones of $30,000 for every million they make.

 

4. Bush made a bunch of money for his oil buddies.

 

5. Bush helped Al Queda recruit many more sympathizers who would want to destroy America which is why AQ supported his presidency.

 

6. Bush raised the debt to unbelievable numbers fighting a war while lowering taxes.

 

7. Bush put our country up for sale making it possible for foreign interests (Arabs mostly) to buy America.

 

8. Bush made a bunch of money for his buddy, Cheney, by starting a war in Iraq.

 

9. Bush funded the 'renaissance' in the ME by choosing companies like Haliburton who have now decided to move their operations to the ME.

 

10. Bush lowered capital gains taxes making it less likely that companies would hire people and invest in machinery etc. rather than be hit by taxes at the end of the year.

 

11. Bush grew the govt. more than any other President in my lifetime.

 

So...I have to ask...why are there still Republicans?

While watching the election results, my bf asked me why it was such a big deal to have a 60-40 split in the Senate. Today, I read a post saying that Democrats have had 'control' of Congress and therefore should have already enacted change. Therefore, I thought it may be a good idea to review how they system of checks and balances work.

All branches, Executive, Lesgislative and Judicial are equal. None is more powerful than the other. To keep this balance in check, the forefather gave the Judicial branch lifelong appointments. This way they couldn't be voted out for upholding the Constitution. THey coulodn't be removed from office by the Pres for upholding the Constitution. The Legislative branch has the power to make laws and over rule the President. However, to keep that power in check, they must have a TWO THIRDS MAJORITY in favor of the override of all vetos. The Executive branch has the 'final review' on all bills and shapes foreign policy, to keep that in check, the Pres. vetos can be overruled and the other branches can declare things like the Patriot Act as unconstiutional, etc.

 

Since our focus is the Democratically controlled Congress, let's focus on their strenghts and weaknesses. The Democrats had a majority with 51 Senators beginning in JANUARY OF 2007. Unfortunately, in just 1 year and 10 months, they have not been able to get enough Republicans on their side to make up the 16 Senator deficit they have in order to overrule the President, a Republican, when he vetos their bills. The same is true in the House. Sure, the Democrats had a majority, but not enough Republicans are in favor of change, so they did not have the votes there either.

 

So, you can see that the Democrats have not had the ABILITY to inflict change until 2009 when they have a much more commanding majority and a President who agrees with them (hence the 'blank check' charge by Republicans). Keep in mind, though, that the REPUBLICANS had the MAJORITY AND THE PRESIDENT FROM 2001--2006 which means they had complete control of the direction of the country. And, I'd like to know why you guys either 1. think they did such a great job or 2. why aren't you mad that your party did such a poop job?

What happened to the Republican party? I thought that Republicans were for less regulation and govt while protecting the people and more national security and autonomy. Am I wrong? I thought the Republicans were made mostly from the religious right meaning that they held themselves to standards given by their God and Jesus. Was I wrong about that, too? I thought Republicans were pro-life. Was this another misconception? I thought Republicans were conservatives. What are they conserving?

 

Ironically, democrats, by definition, are all of the things the Republican party is supposed to be. The Democrats would rather we had more freedoms and less regulation by the govt. thereby decreasing the size of the un-necessary govt. Let people smoke pot, but please regulate companies so they can't come up with cancer sticks that kill and cost us millions. Just think about how much govt. we waste on the drug war the Democrats are ready to end. Democrats would rather not go to wars that are unnecessary at all. In fact, when terrorists attack the US under a Democratic PRes., we bomb the terrorists instead of starting a war with another country. This protects our national security by keeping our good name and making friends instead of enemies. And, this also frees up money to invest in checking all boats importing goods to our country and other things that should have been done post 9-11. Democrats seem to be the party that agrees with Jesus/God that war is bad and that all people should do what they can to make sure all are fed and alive. Democrats want to feed and provide health care to the poor so obviously we are holding ourselves to the standards set forth by your Messiah. Democrats are against the death penalty, war, cheap guns and bullets, abortion and killing the mother when a baby is in distress which is the very definition of being pro-life. Finally, the Democrats balance budgets and look out for the environment by conserving so doesn't that make the Democrats the conservatives?

 

The Republican Party need to reform and return to their roots. It's time they quit discriminating against people and allowing big companies to screw the little guys over. They need to start representing the people of the USA so that taking campaign contributions is a reflection of how the people feel and not just big corporations. Republicans must conserve and limit the govt. Heck, just last month, Palin increased the size of the AK govt. and they only have 600,000 people. They need to quit being pro-war and start making pre-emptive strikes while lowering taxes so that they don't have to pay for it. Republicans need to quit selling this country and their companies to foreigners. Republicans need to start looking out for Americans and not just their pocketbooks. Republicans need to start a push to conserve resources rather than expoit them. REpublicans need to start acting like Christians and start caring about the poor. The Republicans need to look up what their charter says and become that party.

 

But, if I am wrong about who Republicans are supposed to be and what they need to make that happen, then I must just be a lifelong Democrat who has no idea what the Republicans stand for (other than hating gays and anti-abortion. But, hey, that may be all they stand for and there is just no negotiating that.).

 

If and when the Re

 

Well, well, well, it turns out that Palin is just as un-intelligent as we thought. According to a Fox News Reporter (you know, the ones who are fair and balanced and therefore reports only the truth), Palin had no idea that Africa was a continent made up of many nations. Yikes. She actually thought that South Africa was part of the bigger country of Africa. While I must admit that this once confused me too, I had it all straightened out by the end of high school.

 

How many of you know which countries participate in NAFTA? Here is a hint: NAFTA stands for the North Amererican Free Trade Agreement. Still confused? Just name the North Amercian countries. Although Palin lives in one of the three countries and next door to another one, she has no idea which countries make up North America. Seriously? It would be surprising, except it seems that almost everyone drops out of school in AK making it safe to assume Civics Class in Wassilla may not be all that important to a bunch of people who will just go on welfare once they turn 18 (they get at least $1,500 per year even though they can't afford programs to combat domestic violence which they suffer from more than any other state in the USA).  Therefore, I guess there just wasn't any motivation to learn.

 

This brings up my entire point. The GOP saw country second, not first. McCain and his advisors chose Palin for three reasons and neither of them involved the good of the country. He chose her to 1. electrify the base, Christian Jihadists (there is a diff btwn Xian Jihadists and Christians), 2. to capture the women who supported Clinton b.c they are sexist and 3. b.c she is a MILF. Choosing a VP who needs to catch up on what she should have learned in high school and college (or while she was a stay at home mom for 20 years) is irresponsible. WIth so much to learn, how would she be able to sharpen skills in order to negotiate with world leaders and make chioces that affect countries she doesn't even realize is a country?

 

Funny that so many are chanting Palin 2012. Just goes to show that some don't think that intelligence is a necessity when dealing with world and domestic problems that can lead to the growth or destruction of the USA. Let's hope that those people are the minority once again in 2012. Here's to hope. Oh, and Yeah Pres. Obama!!!!!!

I remember saying to a good friend of mine of Sept. 12, 2001 that Al Qaeda may have just elevated blacks from the bottom of the totem pole. Thanks to Al Qaeda and the atrocities of 9-11, blacks would no longer be considered the 'drudges' of society, Arabs would slide into their place. Though not in support of this disgusting behavior that would inevitably follow, unconditionally loving America meant that I love her despite the faults I know she has. And, I see America as having a huge fault; prejudice.

 

For some reason, I hesitated to believe that the majority of Americans no longer treat those who are different from them as less than. Many on here brought attention to the possibility (and it was a colossal stretch) that Barack Obama is Arab. Obviously this made no sense as ironically the color of his skin and the skin (and other features that are traits) of his African family proved how ridiculous this statement was. But, it proved my point, Al Qaeda helped elevate blacks in this society to Americans and possibly made it 'acceptable' to hate Arabs.

 

Al Qaeda nailed the coffin on silly comments like "Obama is going to black up the govt. and make us all participate in tribal Pagan rituals." Imagine if your neighbor said something as ridiculous as that. 95% of Americans would think their neighbor is a nut job and have a good laugh about it around the dinner table with their families. However, thanks to Al Qaeda, we read these laughable comments about Arabs/Muslims on Myfoxphoenix.

 

It astounds me how many people find it completely acceptable to hammer down on his "Arab/Muslim" roots  for two reasons. Why do these people think that his father's heritage would matter more to him than the heritage of the people in his life that he loved and respected b.c they RAISED him? And, why does anyone think being a Arab/Muslim is any different than being a white, black, Asian, Latin, Catholic, Jew, Christian, Scientologist, Mormon? Obviously, it means that racism/prejudice/ethonocentric/whateveryouwanttocallit still exists in the hearts of so many.

 

With that in my mind, I watched the votes get counted and to my astonishment, I learned that the vast majority of Americans are against racism in all forms against all people. It turned out the racists could not convince the majority of Americans that his race mattered whether it was African or Arab. The racists couldn't convince the majority of Americans that due to his race he must be Muslim and not Christian like his decades long weekly worship would have us believe. The racists couldn't convince the majority of Americans that it would matter even if he is Mulim. Turns out the vast majority of Americans recognize hatred for a group of people due to their religion and birthplace as nothing more than racism.

 

Today, I am prouder than I ever have been to be an American. We still have a long way to go (gays), but we took a giant step in the right direction yesterday. Americans let the world know that racism no longer rules America. Obviously, it still exists, but it is on its way out. The 'hold outs' are getting older and most in their family don't subscribe to their hatred making it possible to rid our country of the virus we know as racism. Racists are no longer in control. Thank God.

Last night, I went to bed knowing that the first place to count their votes, Dixville Notch, NH, would most likely cast more votes for the Republican candidate, McCain. I told myself not to get upset when the first posted resutls were in favor of McCain as the first votes would be from Republicans. You can imagine my exctiement this morning when I learned that soon to be President Elect Obama won the small town of 'real Americans' by a score of 15 to 6. Let's all hope that this is a sign of things to come today.

My dad has finally sent out a family email regarding his choice for President and how he is voting on all of the propositions as well as his reasons for making that choice.

 

I am please to announce that my dad is not going to make a point by voting yes on 102; he is voting NO ON 102 b.c he realizes he should not have the ability to decide someone else's fate when it doesn't affect him one way or the other.

 

Also, after months of deliberation and his strong tendency to vote Republican, my dad has finally made his decision. I would love to just post his email, but in a nutshell, the following his rationale for his vote.

1. He thinks some form of health insurance must be mandated. If you show up at the hospital without insurance, it should be illegal and you should get a fine. He understands that we need to get creative to make health care accessible to all and he believes Obama is offering solutions while McCain shows no creativity with his $5,000 cash back proposal.

2. While my dad is COMPLETELY OPPOSED to a 39% tax rate as he feels this is 'class warfare' he is extremely annoyed that McCain wants to drop capital gains tax to 7.5% as he feels this is, in his words, 'class favoritism'.

3. Obama has been the only one to stand up to unfair trade practices in foreign countries like China. China doesn't trade fair in regards to their currency, labor and environmental laws and my dad is upset that McCain has never uttered a word about this. It appears that McCain is too soft on this issue and obviously won't stand up to these 'rogue' countries benefiting from the laws the US adheres to. In his words, "I can't believe that Obama and not McCain has the guts to say we have to make other countries comply with the same type rules we do on those points".

4. He is worried that the Arabs will test Obama by attacking Israel. He hopes that Obama makes it clear this won't be tolerated. This is a gamble, however, the flip side is that Obama will be much more able to negotiate with Arab countries and get them on our side thereby reducing the liklihood of them doing something stupid. Obama has the leadership qualities it takes to get people to believe in him.

5. McCain has shown time and again that he reacts without thought.

6. Obama has a vision for this country. He can't seem to figure out if McCain has that vision and what that vision is.

7. Finally, while talking to my stepmom about his indecision, she had this to say, "You like to go to Vegas and gamble so why can't you gamble on someone new."

Therefore, I am pleased to announce, that my dad, a staunch Republican who would have voted for McCain of 2000, has just endorse Obama. Let's hope there are many more just like him in the state of AZ that will permit this state to go Blue for the first time in years.

Dear Red States,
 
If you manage to steal this election too we've decided we're leaving. We
intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States
with us. In case you aren't aware, that includes California , Hawaii ,
Oregon, Washington , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , Illinois and all the
Northeast. We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and
especially to the people of the new country of New California.
 
To sum up briefly: You get Texas , Oklahoma and all the slave states. We
get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get the Statue of
Liberty. You get Dollywood.
We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom.
We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss.
We get 85% of America 's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You get Alabama .
We get two-thirds of the tax revenue, you get to make the red states pay
their fair share.
 
Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22% lower than the
Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch
of single moms. Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice
and anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at
once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have
kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose,
and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their children's
caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq , and hope that the
WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our resources in
Bush's Quagmire.
 
With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80% of
the country's fresh water, more than 90% of the pineapple and lettuce,
92% of the nation's fresh fruit, 95% of America 's quality wines, 90%
of all cheese, 90% of the high tech industry, 95% of the corn
and soybeans (thanks Iowa !), most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all
living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister
schools plus Stanford , Cal Tech and MIT.
 
With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with
88% of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92%
of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100% of the tornadoes, 90% of
the hurricanes, 99% of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100% of
all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University , Clemson and
the University of Georgia . We get Hollywood and Yosemite , thank you.
 
Additionally, 38% of those in the Red states believe Jonah was actually
swallowed by a whale, 62% believe life is sacred unless we're discussing
the war, the death penalty or gun laws, 44% say that evolution is only a
theory, 53% that Saddam was involved in 9/11 and 61% of you crazy
bastards believe you are people with higher morals than we
lefties. Finally, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt
weed they grow in Mexico .
 
Peace out,
Blue States Something funny during the last week.

As one grows older, they learn things about their parents that shatters their image of their infallible parent. THe other night, I experienced one of these realizations I wish I hadn't.

 

My dad is a Republican considering voting for Obama. I appreciate that as it is a huge step in th eright direction in my opinion. My sisters and I keep hammering his belief in universal health care, closing loop holes for big companies/rich and providing a filled out tax form for us to sign and hand in if we choose at the end of the year as these are the hot buttons that may lead him to vote team Blue this year. Obviously, that wasn't the bomb shell.

 

After a few minutes, we got on the subject of different props. My father is voting (gasp) Yes on the anti-gay marriage measure. My jaw dropped as I never thought of my dad as a prejudice person against anyone and he has never really attended church in his adult life (however he did grad. from a Catholic school in AZ). He said he wants to send a message to the courts that they can't legislate from the bench. Gently I let him know how dismayed I am by his choice and that I would rather he voted Republican down the line and no on this one prop as it is so important to say no to discrimination.

 

Unfortunately, I think that the prop is going to pass. It's a sad indicator of where we are as a society when places considered less free and more homophobic have laws against discriminating against gays (see Mexico). Perhaps next election cycle someone introduces a prop that forbids blacks and whites to marry. Perhaps then people would realize how wrong it is to tell anyone who they can and can't marry. Marriage should be the choice of the person, not the choice of the govt.

 

I can only hope that over the coming week my dad sees the light. Everyday I will remind him that making choices for others is wrong. Forcing gays to either not marry or marry straight is just as bad as forcing a woman to die if something goes wrong with their pregnancy. It isn't right. If only there was a choice that straight white males had that we could take away so thta they would understand what it is they are doing. Perhaps we should make religion illegal.

Think about what will happen to your daughter if:

She turns 25 and/or graduates from college and you can no longer provide insurance for her. While searching for her career working random jobs that didn't offer health insurance, she finds out that she has cancer. Which President would be best for her, Obama or McCain?

Obama would have allowed you to assist her in purchasing the same insurance that your tax dollars provide for Sen. Obama, Biden and McCain. Obama would give her insurance DESPITE a pre-existing condition. Obama would make sure that your daughter's country does not let her down. Obama will make sure that your contribution to the prosperity of the USA will be rewarded with assistance in your daughter's pursuit to life.

McCain would have given your daughter $4,800 (after taxes). McCain would have expected her to pay the $4,000 difference to get a moderate insurance plan that she can 'afford'. McCain, against regulation, would allow the insurance companies to claim that she had a pre-existing condition and therefore, they weren't responsible for her care. McCain would have allowed you to go bankrupt trying to save the life of your daughter. And McCain would have let your daughter die.

I ask you, which candidate is better for your daughter, Obama or McCain?

"One week.

After decades of broken politics in Washington, eight years of failed policies from George Bush, and twenty-one months of a campaign that has taken us from the rocky coast of Maine to the sunshine of California, we are one week away from change in America.

In one week, you can turn the page on policies that have put the greed and irresponsibility of Wall Street before the hard work and sacrifice of folks on Main Street.

In one week, you can choose policies that invest in our middle-class, create new jobs, and grow this economy from the bottom-up so that everyone has a chance to succeed; from the CEO to the secretary and the janitor; from the factory owner to the men and women who work on its floor.

In one week, you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election; that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat; that asks us to fear at a time when we need hope.

In one week, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need.

We began this journey in the depths of winter nearly two years ago, on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. Back then, we didn’t have much money or many endorsements. We weren’t given much of a chance by the polls or the pundits, and we knew how steep our climb would be.

But I also knew this. I knew that the size of our challenges had outgrown the smallness of our politics. I believed that Democrats and Republicans and Americans of every political stripe were hungry for new ideas, new leadership, and a new kind of politics – one that favors common sense over ideology; one that focuses on those values and ideals we hold in common as Americans.

Most of all, I believed in your ability to make change happen. I knew that the American people were a decent, generous people who are willing to work hard and sacrifice for future generations. And I was convinced that when we come together, our voices are more powerful than the most entrenched lobbyists, or the most vicious political attacks, or the full force of a status quo in Washington that wants to keep things just the way they are.

Twenty-one months later, my faith in the American people has been vindicated. That’s how we’ve come so far and so close – because of you. That’s how we’ll change this country – with your help. And that’s why we can’t afford to slow down, sit back, or let up for one day, one minute, or one second in this last week. Not now. Not when so much is at stake.

We are in the middle of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. 760,000 workers have lost their jobs this year. Businesses and families can’t get credit. Home values are falling. Pensions are disappearing. Wages are lower than they’ve been in a decade, at a time when the cost of health care and college have never been higher. It’s getting harder and harder to make the mortgage, or fill up your gas tank, or even keep the electricity on at the end of the month.

At a moment like this, the last thing we can afford is four more years of the tired, old theory that says we should give more to billionaires and big corporations and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. The last thing we can afford is four more years where no one in Washington is watching anyone on Wall Street because politicians and lobbyists killed common-sense regulations. Those are the theories that got us into this mess. They haven’t worked, and it’s time for change. That’s why I’m running for President of the United States."

 

Thoughts?

Judge tosses lawsuit challenging Obama citizenship

7 hours ago

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Barack Obama's qualifications to be president.

U.S. District Judge R. Barclay Surrick on Friday night rejected the suit by attorney Philip J. Berg, who alleged that Obama was not a U.S. citizen and therefore ineligible for the presidency. Berg claimed that Obama is either a citizen of his father's native Kenya or became a citizen of Indonesia after he moved there as a boy.

Obama was born in Hawaii to an American mother and a Kenyan father. His parents divorced and his mother married an Indonesian man.

Internet-fueled conspiracy theories question whether Obama is a "natural-born citizen" as required by the Constitution for a presidential candidate and whether he lost his citizenship while living abroad.

Surrick ruled that Berg lacked standing to bring the case, saying any harm from an allegedly ineligible candidate was "too vague and its effects too attenuated to confer standing on any and all voters."

That's right, folks. The guy who invented trickle down economics during the Reagan administration was on Bill Maher's show on HBO last night. Guess what? He said that he made a mistake and trickle down economics doesn' t work.

 

Well, there goes the Republican platform, just like that.

 

If you want to watch it, go here : http://www.hbo.com/billmaher and then click on last night's show. The guy comes in towards the last 15-20 minutes.