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Obama tried to sway Iraqis on Bush deal
At the same time the Bush administration was negotiating a still elusive agreement to keep the U.S. military in Iraq, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama tried to convince Iraqi leaders in private conversations that the president shouldn't be allowed to enact the deal without congressional approval.
Mr. Obama's conversations with the Iraqi leaders, confirmed to The Washington Times by his campaign aides, began just two weeks after he clinched the Democratic presidential nomination in June and stirred controversy over the appropriateness of a White House candidate's contacts with foreign governments while the sitting president is conducting a war.
Some of the specifics of the conversations remain the subject of dispute. Iraqi leaders purported to The Times that Mr. Obama urged Baghdad to delay an agreement with Mr. Bush until next year when a new president will be in office - a charge the Democratic campaign denies.
Mr. Obama spoke June 16 to Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari when he was in Washington, according to both the Iraqi Embassy in Washington and the Obama campaign. Both said the conversation was at Mr. Zebari's request and took place on the phone because Mr. Obama was traveling.
However, the two sides differ over what Mr. Obama said.
"In the conversation, the senator urged Iraq to delay the [memorandum of understanding] between Iraq and the United States until the new administration was in place," said Samir Sumaidaie, Iraq's ambassador to the United States.
He said Mr. Zebari replied that any such agreement would not bind a new administration. "The new administration will have a free hand to opt out," he said the foreign minister told Mr. Obama.
Mr. Sumaidaie did not participate in the call, he said, but stood next to Mr. Zebari during the conversation and was briefed by him immediately afterward.
The call was not recorded by either side, and Mr. Zebari did not respond to repeated telephone and e-mail messages requesting direct comment.
This is treasonous and he should be thrown in jail for this. At the same time the Bush administration was negotiating a still elusive agreement to keep the U.S. military in Iraq, Democratic presi... more -
Aliens Rock The Vote
One in ten people in America are silently screaming right now. They’re surrounded by election fever but cannot vote for our next president. They care about our country –– passionately enough to leave their own behind –– but are frozen out of the electoral process.
Aliensvote.net is giving this massive minority a voice. It’s a site where the estimated 29.1 million aliens residing in America can cast a vote. Their votes won’t count in the election, but at least their wishes can be heard. After all, they pay taxes, have homes, businesses, children, and futures here, and contribute to our society in a myriad of ways. One in ten people in America are silently screaming right now. They’re surrounded by election fever but cannot vote for our next presi... more -
Is This Photo Sexist? YOU DECIDE: Fair or Unfair photo of Governor Palin?
This is yet another example of pure sexism. Why is it acceptable to photograph Sarah Palin in this manner? Imagine if this were to happen to Hillary Clinton? This is yet another example of pure sexism. Why is it acceptable to photograph Sarah Palin in this manner? Imagine if this were to hap... more
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Palin embarrasses the US some more...
Sarah Palin winks during the vice-presidential debate on Thursday in St Louis, Missouri. Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/AP
At least three times last night, Sarah Palin, the adorable, preposterous vice-presidential candidate, winked at the audience. Had a male candidate with a similar reputation for attractive vapidity made such a brazen attempt to flirt his way into the good graces of the voting public, it would have universally noted, discussed and mocked. Palin, however, has single-handedly so lowered the standards both for female candidates and American political discourse that, with her newfound ability to speak in more-or-less full sentences, she is now deemed to have performed acceptably last night.
By any normal standard, including the ones applied to male presidential candidates of either party, she did not. Early on, she made the astonishing announcement that she had no intentions of actually answering the queries put to her. "I may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I'm going to talk straight to the American people and let them know my track record also," she said.
And so she preceded, with an almost surreal disregard for the subjects she was supposed to be discussing, to unleash fusillades of scripted attack lines, platitudes, lies, gibberish and grating references to her own pseudo-folksy authenticity.
[even more and better via the link...] Sarah Palin winks during the vice-presidential debate on Thursday in St Louis, Missouri. Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/AP ... more -
Paris Hilton still running for president (Martin Sheen says she'll be a good ...
We've got some bad news for John McCain: Paris Hilton is still running for president. Oh wait, it's *fake* president. And she's got some great ideas about FoPo (that's foreign policy). Not to mention the economy. Seriously. We've got some bad news for John McCain: Paris Hilton is still running for president. Oh wait, it's *fake* president. And sh... more
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Republican Scumbaggery & Voting Schinanigans
In what may be the most pathetic villain campaign since the War on Christmas, Republicans have picked a new bad guy: the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. You may know them as ACORN. As you can see in the name, they are community organizers, those horrible people Sarah Palin mocks for trying to help the poor. I’m sure Jesus would hate them, too. ACORN has been busy signing up new voters, which means they are largely poor, minority voters. That means Democrats. That means Republicans have to portray another group working to better our country via democracy as evil.
This recent hate barrage against ACORN started when the press began writing about the huge number of people the group was registering.
"Since the last federal election in 2006, volunteers like Graham combined with the enthusiasm generated by the Obama-Clinton struggle to add more than 2 million Democrats to voter rolls in the 28 states that register voters according to party affiliation. The Republicans have lost nearly 344,000 voters in the same states."
So, what to do? Accept that your party is quickly becoming the second fiddle of American politics and adapt to the situation by changing your platform, or attack the people taking part in democracy? Well, if you’re a Republican, the answer is obvious........ In what may be the most pathetic villain campaign since the War on Christmas, Republicans have picked a new bad guy: the Association o... more -
Obama rejects McCain's plan to buy bad mortgages
Democrat Barack Obama 's campaign criticized John McCain's mortgage bailout plan Wednesday, saying it would cause the government to lose money by paying too much for bad loans.
McCain's proposal to spend $300 billion in federal funds to buy distressed mortgages was a highlight of Tuesday's presidential debate, and it seemed to catch Obama off guard. At first, Obama's campaign said he had made similar proposals and there was nothing new in McCain's remarks.
But after McCain aides offered more details Wednesday, Obama's campaign shifted gears.
The plan would cause the government "to massively overpay for mortgages in a plan that would guarantee taxpayers lose money, and put them at risk of losing even more if home values don't recover," Obama economic adviser Jason Furman said in a statement. "The biggest beneficiaries of this plan will be the same financial institutions that got us into this mess, some of whom even committed fraud."
McCain's proposal would devote nearly half the $700 billion from the recent financial rescue package to buying troubled mortgages directly, rather than indirectly aiding the nation's financial markets. The government would buy distressed home loans at their face value, said campaign spokesman Brian Rogers. Then it would pay the difference between a mortgage's original value and its renegotiated, lower value.
[Credit: Charles Babington, AP] Democrat Barack Obama 's campaign criticized John McCain's mortgage bailout plan Wednesday, saying it would cause the govern... more -
Nader's Message Brings Maine Voters To Their Feet | CommonDreams.org
The presidential candidate blasts the powers in Washington for the recent financial crisis
Nader said he's running for president again because the United States is drowning in debt and Americans have surrendered control of their lives to corporations that are running the country.
Regarding corporate influence in government, Nader said the biggest difference between Republicans and Democrats is "the speed at which their knees hit the floor" when corporations knock on the door. The presidential candidate blasts the powers in Washington for the recent financial crisis ... more -
YouTube - Coco Tea - Barack Obama
Looks like Barak is getting love from Jamaica.
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VIDEO: Hitchens on Afghanistan and Palin
Following is a clip of Morning Joe on MSNBC, wherein Joe Scarborough has on two of my favorite political commentators: Christopher Hitchens and Pat Buchanan. Hitchens takes apart the idiotic US anti-drug policy... Following is a clip of Morning Joe on MSNBC, wherein Joe Scarborough has on two of my favorite political commentators: Christopher Hit... more
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The View From Over There
Has America's image been tarnished by the last eight years? Democrats seem to think so, and increasingly so do some Republicans. Collective Journalism contributors around the world work to gauge America's image abroad, as US policymakers struggle to maintain positive feeling in spite of ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The View From Over There" takes in an depth look at American foreign policy and how it affects America's image abroad. In this show, we feature a look at how other countries view the US, especially in the wake of Sept 11, the War on Terror, and the War in Iraq. We also hear from citizens of other countries about who they prefer in this year's US election. And finally, we show a unique perspective on the issue of how to handle Iran - an Iranian perspective.
Collective Journalism, Current's citizen journalism program, works by combining perspectives from contributors like you around the world. All month until Election Day, CJ will be airing special investigations into the most important issues of this election. Has America's image been tarnished by the last eight years? Democrats seem to think so, and increasingly so do some Republicans. ... more -
The Frankenliberal
For years I have listened to right wing lunatics, like Rush Limbaugh, describe a liberal who does not exist. Right wing radio is full of non-stop blathering about what Liberals think and say, usually without documentation of any sort. Basically, the right wing has created a Frankenstein type monster, made of up liberal parts. It is the Frankenliberal and it serves one function: To keep the right wing hordes afraid and active, always working against their common enemy.
The Frankenliberal wants to abort all babies three days before they are born, and then toss them in dumpsters. He wants to lose the war because he hates the troops and loves the Iraqis. He wants to hug and talk to al Qaeda, instead of fight them. He hates America. He lives to slander America. He will do anything to make sure the Palestinians destroy Israel. He wants to teach sex education to children. He wants gays to be able to have sex anywhere, anytime and probably in front of children. He believes that most people are stupid and should be cared for at all times. He wants the government to do everything, except go to war. He thinks illegal immigrants should be able to do whatever they want. His taxes can’t be high enough. He has no morality. He is a socialist. He hates all religion, but especially Christianity. He wants to take away everyone’s guns. He wants to discriminate against whites to help minorities. He hates all rich people and wealth.
On and on the list goes. If you are a liberal, think of the most insane position you can, and Limbaugh has probably told his audience that's what you believe. That's all they do on AM radio.......Click on link above for full story. For years I have listened to right wing lunatics, like Rush Limbaugh, describe a liberal who does not exist. Right wing radio is full ... more -
Wall St. crisis should be for Neoliberalism what fall of Berlin Wall was for Commu...
As the world reels from the financial crisis on Wall Street and the taxpayer-funded $700 billion bailout, we spend the hour with Naomi Klein on the economy, politics and “disaster capitalism.” The Shock Doctrine author recently spoke at the University of Chicago to oppose the creation of an economic research center named after the University’s most famous economist, Milton Friedman. Klein says Friedman’s economic philosophy championed the kind of deregulation that led to the current crisis.
See the full show at the website. As the world reels from the financial crisis on Wall Street and the taxpayer-funded $700 billion bailout, we spend the hour with Naomi... more -
18,000 gather for Obama Rally in Newport News, Virginia
Senator Obama visits Virginia for the sixth time since the end of the primaries. He is greeted by 18,000 supporters. Barack's speech focused heavily on the current state of America's health care system. Senator Obama visits Virginia for the sixth time since the end of the primaries. He is greeted by 18,000 supporters. Barack's spe... more
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Naomi Wolf - Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries
Naomi Wolf discusses the bailout and what to do in face of encroaching tyranny.
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Vatican labels Democrats ‘party of death’
The Prefect of the Vatican's Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature has accused the US Democratic party of "transforming itself into a party of death”. Raymond Burke, former Archbishop of St. Louis, lashed out at high profile Catholics — vice presidential candidate Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — for misrepresenting Church teaching on abortion. The Prefect of the Vatican's Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature has accused the US Democratic party of "transforming i... more
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Nader attacks Democrats on bailout bill
From Wikinews:
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Ralph Nader had harsh words for the Democrats who engineered yesterday's passage of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, a bailout of the U.S. financial system. At a campaign stop in Waterbury, CT on Saturday, Nader said that Democrats passed up a chance to enact re-regulation of the financial system and instead gave Wall St. everything it wanted. From Wikinews: ... more -
Suddenly, Welcome to The World of 'Moral Hazard'
Excerpt....
"Now, with big banks dropping like flies and Wall Street vaporizing amid a mortgage meltdown, every corner bar and hair salon is filled with experts on the perils of moral hazard. Everyone gets it: Cut risk down to next to nothing and some people do crazy things.
Borrowers across America took a dive for low- or no-down-payment mortgages buoyed by the Federal Reserve's low-risk interest rates. Wall Street sliced the mortgages thinner than prosciutto ham, "spreading risk," and sold pieces all over the world, where, like magic, they seemed to fatten balance sheets. The deal was so win-win that Bear Stearns, Lehman, Merrill and the rest of the world's mega-banks engorged on their own product. It was as if foie gras geese forced corn and fat down their own throats. The risk of exploding seemed to be nil.
For behind it all sat Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, running mortgage liquidity into the nation's neighborhoods like an open fire hydrant. Several years ago, when the Journal's editorial board met with Fannie Mae's top executives and pressed the issue of financial risks, we were told by way of ending the conversation that Fannie was merely fulfilling the "mandate of Congress" to spread home ownership across the land. Congress, of course, is a temple to moral hazard."
Congress got us here; back door dealings and stupid ideas have been presented to get us out of here....
When the solutions come from the same folks who created the problems, beware! Excerpt.... ... more -
ASK Sarah Palin - VIA Interactive Billboard
This is an absolute first and frankly it's f---ing brilliant. The California Democratic Party has a giant electronic billboard up somewhere near a Los Angeles-area rally that Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin is doing today that is displaying live text-message questions people are sending in. On top of that, the whole thing is streaming live back onto the web using UStream.tv. Check it out:
"To submit a question for our electronic billboard, text the keyword ASK then the question to the number 69866.
For example, send to 69866: ASK You said you'd run a respectful campaign on the issues, what happened?
Keep your questions under 160 characters including spaces and remember to keep them family friendly since we're showing them in public."
Questions are streaming in: "How is your plan to lower taxes any different from what Bush has advocated for the last 8 years?"..."What would be your first plan of action in the event that John McCain is unable to continue his duties as President?"
This is cool, every city where a candidate visits needs one. Don't cha think? This is an absolute first and frankly it's f---ing brilliant. The California Democratic Party has a giant electronic billboard up... more -
Oh, $700 Billion Was Not Enough…
So, much to my chagrin the House of Representatives voted to pass the bailout bill yesterday, after it was made into a mashup of the proposed bailout, the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, and the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008. In addition to the EIEA to woo Democrats, and the TEAMTRA to woo Republicans, many specifically targeted pork projects were added to entice lawmakers to vote for it.
If all that pork was not enough to enrage you, CNET News is reporting that the bill grants permanent privacy invasion by the IRS to conduct undercover operations where they run businesses to ensnare individuals by posing as accountants to ask questions like “I am not 100% sure this deduction is legal, but it will save you a couple grand. Do you want to take it anyway?” Not only does this give the IRS the ability for entrapment, it also allows the IRS to give information from individual tax returns to whatever federal law enforcement agency requests it as part of their investigation of suspected terrorist activity. So, much to my chagrin the House of Representatives voted to pass the bailout bill yesterday, after it was made into a mashup of the p... more
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