The Neocon Mind

The lessons from 2004 - written about extensively by RFK, Jr., Mark Crispin Miller, Greg Palast, Bev Harris and Clint Curtis - is that we can't trust "black box" machines with proprietary code. As Thom Hartmann has said many times (with Kucinich agreeing yesterday), the idea of our civic vote being outsourced to for profit companies is absurd.

But what's our only evidence that counters the black box machines? - the exit polls. Yet, I'm disturbed to hear, last night on Countdown - from Nate Silver of all people - as well as today on Morning Joe, a repetition of the idea that exit polls are to be ignored, since they lean Democratic. If the exit polls are thrown out, how will we have any clue about those black box machines?

McCain Distorts Obama's Words

2008-11-01T14:20:00.001-04:00

Once again, McCain is distorting Obama's words. Obama said his faith in this country was "vindicated." McCain seized on this, saying that his country has never had to "prove" anything to him. But Obama didn't say his country needed to prove anything. The term "vindicated" expresses the fact that Obama has always had faith in his country, and that it was merely reaffirmed. Once again, McCain plays a cynical manipulative trick, that assumes the American people are stupid. How's that for faith in country?

McCain Campaign Tries to Scare Jews

2008-11-01T14:18:00.000-04:00

The efforts of the McCain campaign, and its supporters, to scare Jewish voters has gone way over the top, becoming really disgusting. Some of the worst: a talk show host saying that Obama want to "gas the Jews," as well as "Joe the (unlicensed) Plumber" agreeing with a supporter that an Obama presidency will be "death to Israel."

Besides the fact that these are wild accusations with no basis in fact, the use of the memory of the Holocaust as a political football is extremely offensive - particularly to those of us who have relatives who were victims or survivors.

A good reality check: the whole-hearted endorsement of Obama by Edgar Bronfman, former World Jewish Congress president.

Perhaps the McCain campaign would do well to stop treating the Jewish community as easily manipulated sheep.

Pot, Meet Kettle

2008-10-20T14:14:00.002-04:00

Since the infamous days of the “swift-boating” of John Kerry in 2004, it has become conventional wisdom that the Karl Rove playbook involves shooting down the opponent’s strengths. And while many have shaken their heads in disbelief, over the irony of Kerry’s decorated service as compared to Bush’s, the other side of the equation is rarely discussed: that the opponent’s targeted strength, is also the Republican candidate’s weakness. Rachel Maddow brought this up in a recent segment on the whole canard of ACORN somehow being a source of massive voter fraud. She starts the segment off by noting that Steve Schmidt, protégé of Karl Rove, has perfected the technique of attacking at your candidate’s own weakness. Maddow points out that:

1) McCain, whose operatives - especially campaign manager Rick Davis - are knee-deep in Fannie-Freddie connections, accuses Obama of Fannie-Freddie connections;

2) McCain, whose campaign is flush with lobbyists, declares war on the Washington lobbyist culture;

3) McCain and Palin are attacking Obama for his supposed ties to ACORN, and fretting about voter fraud and the downfall of Democracy, when:

1- It is the GOP that has engaged in voter suppression tactics;
2- Voter fraud and voter registration fraud are very different things; AND
3 - McCain himself was the keynote speaker at an ACORN event two years ago!

Since Maddow’s piece on ACORN, the latest canard has been the absurd accusation that the Obama campaign are secret socialists looking to redistribute wealth, stealing from hard-working Americans and giving to the unworthy ones. While AmericaBlog points out the irony of this one, in the face of the huge government takeover of the banking industry, it was especially gratifying to hear David Gergen - advisor to both Republican and Democratic presidents - make this point to Wolf Blitzer over the weekend:

“GERGEN: The former treasury secretary and a Democrat to be fair. But if you go back to the distribution of wealth in 1979, 30 years ago versus today, the people in the bottom 80 percent are losing, compared to back then, $600 billion a year. The top 1 percent of the population is gaining compared to back then. We have had a redistribution of wealth in this country, up. BLITZER: What the McCain people are suggesting and even Senator McCain yesterday in his radio address, suggested this is almost socialism.GERGEN: We just had a Republican government that put $150 billion into banks. They have injected the government more fully into the banking system, the financial system than any time in history. And so it's a hollow argument. I mean, I think the Democrats, if they want to join this argument, they can. This is their very strong argument to say you guys are socialism when you just spent $150 billion as a down payment?”

Beyond this latest desperate move, the list of projections hurled by the McCain-Palin campaign is almost endless. For instance, while McCain has snarled that Obama doesn’t understand foreign affairs, it is McCain that has confused Sunni and Shia, Spain and Latin America, and the borders of Pakistan.

While McCain and his supporters accuse Obama of being un-American, it is Palin who addressed the secessionist Alaska Independence Party, of which her husband was a member for seven years.

And of course, while McCain and Palin pound Obama for his irrelevant contact with William Ayers forty years after the Weather Underground, McCain has a much closer relationship with G. Gordon Liddy, who - among other things - encouraged the killing of ATF agents on the air.

On the 10/19/08 special Sunday edition of Hardball, Joe Scarborough actually suggested that Obama would have been at a great disadvantage had he been white with a more familiar name. As Tom Hartmann pointed out the other day on his radio show: can you imagine if the Obama’s had had a pregnant teenage daughter, of if Michelle Obama had belonged to a secessionist political party, or if Obama had been a member of the Keating 5?

Pot, meet Kettle.

Blitzer Supports Republican Lies, Gergen Saves the Day

2008-10-19T11:51:00.000-04:00

On CNN's Late Edition, Wolf Blitzer is allowing the Republican guests to repeat - over and over again - the "redistribution of wealth" lie. To top it off, he also let Leslie Sanchez mouth the "voter fraud" lie, without correction. He's not letting Hillary Rosen in enough, but thank goodness David Gergen saved the day by saying (paraphrasing here): 1) yes, we have had distribution of wealth in this country: upward. He then cited statistics that the bottom has lost $600 billion every year, and the top has gained $600 billion every year; 2) it's the Republicans that just handed over a huge amout of money to the banks, and they accuse Obama of socialism?

Republicans: the masters of projection.

Barney Frank Nails It

2008-09-29T17:12:00.002-04:00

After the failure of the bailout bill, the House Republicans breathlessly ran out in front of the cameras, clutching a copy of Nancy Pelosi's speech, declaring that it was the speech that caused them to vote against the bailout.

Barney Frank quickly put them in their place, pointing out that they were whining that Pelosi hurt their feelings.

First, Paulson kneels in front of Pelosi, then the House Republicans say they can't follow through on the votes they promised, because Pelosi is being mean to them. What is it about a powerful woman that makes Republican men regress to age three?

Tom Brokaw Recycles Corporate Talking Points

2008-09-24T18:45:00.001-04:00

I hate when MSNBC puts Tom Brokaw on. He just recycles corporate media talking points.
True to form, he made the incredible "observation" - on Wednesday's Race to the Whitehouse - that the Obama camp will try to steer Friday's debate away from Iraq, because he was "forced" to admit that the surge was more successful than he had anticipated.

I personally think Obama should have continued to stress the other, more important reasons for the drop in violence, but on the larger point: McCain's party is responsible for the huge mess in Iraq, costing blood and treasure, not making us any safer, and hugely unpopular with the American people; McCain himself was calling for war with Iraq the day after 9/11; and it's Obama who has to be afraid of bringing up Iraq??!!!!

John McCain's Stunt

2008-09-24T16:25:00.001-04:00

Just when we thought we had enough shocks that prove Naomi Klein prescient in her brilliant tome, The Shock Doctrine, John McCain has come out with a shock of his own - that he will suspend his campaign, and call for a postponement of Friday's debate, because of the looming economic crisis. (Of course, his fall in the polls has nothing to do with it.)

This stunt has so many levels, it's hard to keep up. First, of course, he's again (as he did with his choice of Sarah Palin) trying to use the element of surprise to throw his opponent off guard.
But it's also a continuation of the media blackout of Sarah Plain - effectively shutting down one of the few chances that voters will have to be able to gather good information about the candidates, in order to make an informed choice.

But the stunt is one more thing: by insisting that the issue is "resolved" before campaigning resumes, he's holding his press availability over the American people's heads, lest they take time to examine the Bush Administration's outrageous bailout plan. He's been trying to convince us that he's a departure from the Bush Administration. He's just become their biggest ally.

Limbaugh's Latest Lie: Obama's "Arab"

2008-09-23T11:45:00.001-04:00

Limbaugh must be getting desperate; now he says Obama's Arab.

It's Time the MSM Asked Palin Her Position on Rape

2008-09-23T10:01:00.000-04:00

First, we heard that the Palin Administration in Alaska charged alleged rape victims for their own rape kits. Then we heard that Alaska has the highest rates of rape and incest in the nation. And, of course, we all knew that she opposes abortion, even in the case of rape and incest; and then there was the infamous McCain ad, actually going after Obama for supporting a bill that teaches kids how to protect themselves from sexual predators. Now, we learn that Palin cut funds for rape kits, and that she actually defended her firing of Walt Monegan in “trooper gate” by saying that he just went too far in asking for funds to go after rapists and child molesters!

At first I thought that McCain and Palin were merely insensitive towards victims of rape and abuse. Now, I’m beginning to wonder if Palin, in particular, is outright hostile towards the claims of those types of victims. Does she tend to be skeptical of rape claims? Does she tend to minimize the pain of victims of abuse? Does she understand the issues involved in trauma? I don’t claim to know the answers to these questions, but I think it’s time somebody asked.

She Must not Know What Proximity Means

2008-09-13T11:37:00.001-04:00

When Charlie Gibson asked Sarah Palin, what about the proximity of her state to Russia gives her insight into how to deal with that country, incredibly, she answered by just repeating the fact of Alaska's proximity - she can see them!

At first, I thought she must think we're stupid. He asked why being close to Russia mattered, and she responded with, we're really close!

But, on further reflection, I've concluded that she must not know what the word "proximity" means.

I can't wait 'til the Vice Presidential debate.

Why Does Obama Have to Prove He Bucked His Party?

2008-09-12T19:58:00.000-04:00

John McCain likes to say, as he did in the Candidates' Forum on Service in honor of the anniversary of 9/11, that he is a maverick because he went against his party. (Of course, that was then, and this is now.) But he then goes on to compare that to Barack Obama, who he claims has not challenged the Democratic Party enough. But that logic doesn't hold up when you realize that the appeal to McCain's supposed maverick ways, is based on the fact that Republicans and Bush are supremely unpopular right now. So, it doesn't really make sense to say that Obama needs to match McCain's (former) rebelliousness within his own party. If change is what's needed, then the party that has not been in power is the more likely origin of that change. In short, it is not Obama that needs to prove that he stands apart from his party. Just another example of illogic from the McCain/Palin campaign.

An Insensitivity to Victims of Abuse

2008-09-12T12:43:00.003-04:00

As the truth about the McCain/Palin campaign slowly drips out, I'm wondering if I'm the only one who's noticed a strange pattern surrounding the Republican ticket: an insensitivity to victims of abuse.

First, we learn that Sarah Palin was actually warned by a judge that her continual disparaging of her ex-brother-in-law's reputation constitutes a form of child abuse, and that she needs to cut it out.

We have also learned that Palin is opposed to abortion rights, even in the cases of rape and incest, saying that she would "choose life" even if her own daughter was a victim.

Adding cruel insult to injury, it turns out that Palin's mayoral administration - the only municipality in the state to do so - actually charged rape victims for the rape kits needed to collect forensic evidence!

Then there's the bizarre argument that has been used to defend Palin's behavior in "troopergate" - that she was protecting her sister and nephew from abuse. Regardless of whether her ex-brother-in-law was, in fact, abusive, it's an odd response to abuse. And it undercuts the appropriate response to suspected abuse, especially for those of us who don't happen to be governors.

Then, of course there's the bizarre ad that the McCain/Palin campaign put up, actually attacking Barack Obama for voting to educate kids to protect them from sexual predators. Planned Parenthood, thank goodness, asked the obvious question: what does McCain have against protecting kids from predators?

And finally, there is the fact that Alaska leads the nation in sexual assaults.

Anyone else disturbed by this pattern?

Obama Made Her Do It

2008-09-11T20:36:00.003-04:00

Amazing. John McCain on the Candidates' Forum on Service, just responded to questions about Sarah Palin disparaging Obama's community organizing experience, by saying - as he has before - that the campaign would be different if Obama had agreed to his town meetings proposal.

So, what is he saying? Even though she was not part of the campaign until a couple of weeks ago, somehow McCain not getting his way forced Palin to make the outrageous and insulting statement that community organizers have no responsibilities? What will happen if they get into office? Will they blame all their irresponsible actions on others?

He's such a master of deflection. Why won't anyone call him on it?

Does Sarah Palin Represent American Women?

2008-09-11T19:44:00.000-04:00

Poll: Did You Receive an Unsolicited Absentee Ballot?

2008-09-11T15:28:00.000-04:00

Unsolicited Absentee Ballots

2008-09-11T15:14:00.003-04:00

Ray Leeburn, filling in for Thom Hartmann on Air America, is reporting of Democrats and some Independents, receiving unsolicited absentee ballots from the McCain campaign. There is concern that it might be part of a caging operation. Have you received one of these?

What Do You Do About an Abusive Relative?

2008-09-10T21:31:00.004-04:00

Pat Buchanan, apparently a regular contributor to the new Rachel Maddow Show (remember that the next time someone tells you that MSNBC is all liberal), just used the now well-worn excuse for Sarah Palin's alleged abuse of power in "troopergate" - that she was merely trying to protect her sister and nephew from her allegedly abusive ex-brother-in-law.

Unfortunately, ordinary people that face the horror of domestic and child abuse, don't have gubernatorial powers to wield. Luckily, there are mechanisms for dealing with that: there's child protective services, shelters for battered women, other social service agencies, and calling 911. The appropriate response, is not to use your power as governor to try to get the alleged offender fired. The appropriate response is to remove children from harm, and provide therapeutic and/or law enforcement services.

Don't Talk to Me about Lipstick, John McCain

2008-09-10T16:16:00.006-04:00

The chutzpah is stunning. John McCain is suddenly concerned about sexism. This, from the same man who reportedly told a joke about how women enjoy being brutally raped, even by primates. This is the man who called his wife the "c" word, in front of reporters. This is the man who offered up his wife as a contestant in a topless biker beauty pageant.

But more important, this is the ticket, and the party, that wants to force female victims of rape and incest to carry the pregnancy of their attackers to term. This is the vice presidential candidate who - as mayor - charged rape victims for their rape kits.

So, while the McCain/Palin campaign is talking to us about lipstick and pigs, they're trampling on our rights, and our dignity, as women.

McCain's Lipstick-Pig Comment Video

2008-09-10T16:14:00.000-04:00

McCain's Lipstick-Pig video courtesy of AmericaBlog

Disappointed in Sectarian Prayer Starting Convention

2008-08-25T18:46:00.000-04:00

I'm disappointed...

McCain on Energy

2008-08-19T12:21:00.001-04:00

As usual, the MSM turns reality on its head when it comes to McCain on Energy.

Framing the Occupation

2008-08-19T12:16:00.001-04:00

Note to MSM......

Polling as Smokescreen?

2008-08-19T12:12:00.002-04:00

While we agonize over polls, our broken election system is the 800 gorilla in the room.

Naomi Klein Helping Me UnLearn What I Learned in Business School

2008-07-23T14:44:00.002-04:00

From my piece on opednews.

McCain Surrogate: "The Muslims have said either we kneel or they're going to kill us."

2008-07-21T09:59:00.001-04:00

New Yorker Cover Poll

2008-07-15T10:04:00.001-04:00

McCain University at Center for American Progress

2008-07-09T16:47:00.001-04:00

On June 30, I attended the Center for American Progress' "McCain University."

Jeffrey Feldman's Latest Book

2008-07-08T12:06:00.000-04:00

Review of Jeffrey Feldman's latest book

2008-06-09T12:32:00.001-04:00

Once again, a vegan diet is being used as a scapegoat for health problems in children. A UK case of a child diagnosed with rickets, is being automatically assumed to be caused by a vegan diet in the media. Adding insult to injury, the Telegraph article ends with reference to a 2001 case of a vegan couple who actually admitted to starving their child to death, as if veganism and starvation were somehow equivalent.

As Neal Barnard of the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine points out, there are many sources of vitamin D in the diet, and many nondairy products are as fortified as milk is. Perhaps the most important “source” of vitamin D, however, is adequate sunlight.

In this most recent case, there is a whole host of issues that have not been adequately fleshed out. For instance, the child has several broken bones; it’s not clear how that happened. It’s also not clear how much sunlight the child has been getting. Finally, the details of the child’s diet - other than its lack of animal products - are not clear.

There are many vegan families and children in the world - they don’t all have rickets. We need to get all the facts, before we jump to the knee-jerk conclusion of blaming veganism.