9 Things Can't Bring Up in McCain's Town Meetings

Economics ,Viagra ,Birth Control, Aids ,The New G.I Bill, His stand of Past Issues or Postion he took ,Pledges to run a civil campaign on the Real Issues, Why did he say Obama played the race card,What is his day job.

"The beauty of his words have attracted many people, especially among the young to his campaign," McCain told workers at Wagner Equipment, which rents and sells heavy farm machinery. "My concern with Sen. Obama is with issues big and small. What he says and what he does are often two different things"

What's attracted young people to his words is there not changing with who hes talking to.

McCain seems to be putting out that new young voters as well as the elderly and working people are not ably to see past pl0ys of ads that he has put out such as one of the current ones Bashes Obama for Not Visiting Troops Using Footage of Obama Visiting Troops among others. .

McCain's advisers said they do not intend to back down from the charge, believing it an effective way to create a "narrative" about what they say is Obama's indifference toward the military.

If theres any indifference to be pointed out its the fact that McCains not caring weather his ads our based on fact not .

Even though McCain Seems to think they are as out of touch with the current Technology as he is .

Their not .They are very much in step to the current events around them. They know about subjects like viagra birth control and even if they talked about it would remember their postion they took.

What may surprice McCain most of all is they know what youtube is.

Signing of the GI Bill: Now enthusiastically for it... after it passed. Previously attacked the Webb Bill. Didn't even bother to vote on it. http://bravenewfilms.org/...

Campaign reform: On political reform, McCain last January opposed a grassroots lobbying bill he once supported. In 2006, the "New York Sun" reported that his presidential ambitions led McCain to reverse his support of a campaign financial bill called McCain/Feingold. http://www.nysun.com/

Alien Minors Act/Immigration: Last October he said he would vote against the development, relief and education for Alien Miners Act that he co-sponsored, and then said he would vote against an immigration bill that he introduced. http://www.youtube.com/...

Gay Marriage: In 2006, he said on "HARDBALL," quote, I think that gay marriage should be allowed. Then after the commercial break he added, I do not believe that gay marriages should be legal. http://www.youtube.com/...

Abortion: On abortion, 1999, publicly supporting Roe v. Wade, privately opposing it in a letter to the National Right to Life Committee. In the 2000 debates, he would change the GOP platform to permit exceptions for rape, incest, the life of the mother. May 2007, "flipped", ABCNews.com reported. http://abcnews.go.com/...

Nuclear Waste: No Storing Nuclear waste at Yucca mountain earlier..now flipped http://www.lasvegassun.com/...

Negotiating with Kim Jong-Il: Negotiating with Kim Jong-Il not acceptable until President Bush did it last week. http://bondibox.newsvine.com/...

Negotiating with Cuba/Castro: With Fidel Castro acceptable in 2000, not 2008. http://vids.myspace.com/...

Negotiating with Hamas/Terrorists: ...with terrorists appropriate when Colin Powell went to Syria and in 2006 when McCain said sooner or later we‘ll talk to Hamas, but not appropriate now re: Obama's willingness to use diplomacy. http://bondibox.newsvine.com/...

Pakistan: Unilateral action against suspected terrorists in Pakistan; "Confused leadership" when Obama suggested it, not when Bush did it. http://www.crooksandliars.com/

My Comment: Is this not the same as wanting to open talks?

Warrantless Wire-taps: Six months ago, presidents had to obey the law, not anymore. http://www.nytimes.com/

My comment: One thing comes to mind here Water Gate.

Torture: Torture detainees, no way, except for the CIA. Hold them indefinitely, wrong in 2003, the right move in 2008. http://www.youtube.com/...

Iraq War: The Iraq war, the right course 2004, stay the course 2005. Today, McCain has always been a Rumsfeld critic. http://thinkprogress.org/...

My statement: The troop surge did not work all it did was move the issue from Iraq back to where it was to begain with Afgan. Where the threat was to start with.
This not saying the people of Iraq not being miss treated but if you looked at the numbers of people killed sense they called mission complete. The cure was woorse than the desease.

And it would seem from these current reports that didn't last long.

Baghdad Reporter Posts Youtube Video-Updated w/New



"I came to investigate the American military's report that violence is falling in Baghdad. That life in the city is improving. That the US surge has transformed the city...What I found contradicts all the official reports. Baghdad is a city where one street is at war with the next; where the people are more desparate than I've ever seen them."



Tax Cuts: In 2001, he could not in good conscious support them. Now he can. http://www.youtube.com/...

My comment: I guess he has no good conscious.

Estate Tax: 2006, "I agree with President Roosevelt who created it". In 2008, "most unfair". http://www.crooksandliars.com/...

Privatizing Social Security: This month not for privatizing Social Security, never has been. In 2004, he "didn‘t see how benefits will last without it". http://www.youtube.com/...

Balanced Budget: In February, promised a balanced budget in four years by April, make that eight years. http://www.perrspectives.com/...

Windfall Profits Tax: In May, glad to look at the windfall profits tax. By June, that was Jimmy Carter's big idea. http://flipfloptracker.blogspot.com/...

Offshore Drilling: In 2000, no new off shore drilling. Last month, it would take years to develop. This month, very helpful in the short term. http://thinkprogress.org/...

My comment: If one taking this stance that even a new well that would not be producing for several years would help in the short term. McCain must have ment “Psychological Impact” than taping our stores would make more sense.
Unless there where those who saw a need to save our stores in time of war.
Which brings two statements to mind from McCain "Knowing what we know today still would have gone to war" & "Those dam Gooks will always hate them"

Coyotes..Bush Big Time Fund Raisers: The Bush fund-raisers McCain called coyotes breaking the law in 2000. By 2006, they were co-chairing McCain fund-raisers. http://abcnews.go.com/...

"Agents of Intolerance": Buddy Jerry Falwell...an "agent of intolerance in 2000". Kissed Falwell's ass in 2007... The Reverend Hagee and Parsley in, then out this year alone. http://www.youtube.com/...

Martin Luther King Holiday: In 1983, opposed Martin Luther King Day. Today, all for it. http://www.boston.com/...
This was a current town hall meeting in Panama Fl. Aug. )1,2008



Confederate Flag: In 2000, defended South Carolina's confederate flag as a symbol of heritage. Two years later, McCain calling it, quote, an act of political cowardice not to say the flag should come down. Quote, "everybody said, look out. You can't win in South Carolina if you say that." http://www.youtube.com/...

Evolution in Public Schools: In 2005, McCain said alternatives to evolution should be taught in school. "Evolving" the opposite position he had taken in 2000. http://thinkprogress.org/...
Restoring the Everglades: On June 5, John McCain traveled to the Everglades to win over Floridians and environmentally-minded voters. There he proclaimed, "I am in favor of doing whatever’s necessary to save the Everglades." Sadly, as ThinkProgress documented, McCain not only opposed $2 billion in funding for the restoration of the Everglades national park, he backed President Bush’s veto of the legislation in 2007. "I believe," he said, "that we should be passing a bill that will authorize legitimate, needed projects without sacrificing fiscal responsibility." http://www.crooksandliars.com/...

Swiftboating: McCain's sudden embrace of Swiftboating --- which today is synonymous with a concerted effort to lie about an opponent's history --- is all the more deplorable because he has hired retired Col. George "Bud" Day, a proud member of the group that Swiftboated Kerry --- and someone McCain once described as having "tunnel vision" --- to lead what McCain is calling his "Truth Squad." http://digg.com/...

GITMO/Habeus Corpus:Despite John McCain's outrage last week that the Supreme Court ordered Gitmo detainees know why they were being held, or released -- Political Base has stumbled upon a McCain appearance on Meet the Press in 2005 where he argued they deserved trials, going so far as to say "if it means releasing some of them, you'll have to release them." Shameless. http://www.politicalbase.com/...

Divestment from South Africa: During his June 2 speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), John McCain called for the international community to target Iran for the kind of worldwide sanctions regime applied to apartheid-era South Africa. Unfortunately, McCain’s lobbyist-advisers Charlie Black and Rick Davis each represented firms doing business with Tehran. Even more unfortunate, John McCain was frequently not among those offering "moral clarity and conviction" in backing "a divestment campaign against South Africa, helping to rid that nation of the evil of apartheid." http://thinkprogress.org/...

Opposing Hurricane Katrina Investigations: During a June 4th town hall meeting in Baton Rouge, John McCain answered a reporter’s question regarding Hurricane Katrina and the failure of the New Orleans levees by announcing:
"I’ve supported every investigation and ways of finding out what caused the tragedy. I’ve been here to New Orleans. I’ve met with people on the ground."
As it turns out, not so much. McCain’s revisionist history neglects to mention that in 2005 and 2006 he twice voted against a commission to study the government’s response to Katrina.

But I guess when you have the administraion raising campaign money for you. You would not want to point out their lack of leadership and orgainizational skills on Bush's part.

He also opposed three separate emergency funding measures providing relief to Katrina victims, including the extension of five months of Medicaid benefits. And as ThinkProgress pointed out, "until traveling there one month ago, McCain had made just one public tour of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina touched down in August 2005." http://thinkprogress.org/...

My Comment: The same thing McCain Accused Sen.Obama for not going to see any changes. Or what they being having issues with, Just small things like a roof ,food and water.

McCain On His Economic Abilities: "I have not. I have not. Actually, I have not." "I said that I am stronger on national security issues because of all the time I spent in the military and others. I am very strong on the economy. I understand it. I have a lot more experience than my opponent."
-- Sen. John McCain, in an interview on ABC News, when asked why he "admitted that you're not exactly an expert when it comes to the economy."
However, NBC News compiles past McCain quotes in which he said "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should" or "I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated." http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/...

On Criticizing Obama While "Overseas": Traveling in Colombia, he told reporters that he wouldn't criticize Obama while he was overseas, but on the plane, he blasted Obama’s opposition to the proposed Colombia free trade... http://blogs.abcnews.com/...

My comment: I guess until his feet hit the ground on the other end to McCain he was fair game??

UPDATES from KOSsacks:
Temperment and Temper: "My temper has often been both a matter of public speculation and personal concern," he wrote in a 2002 memoir. "I have a temper, to state the obvious, which I have tried to control with varying degrees of success because it does not always serve my interest or the public's." Not true and not under control, according to many of those on the "W"rong side of McCain's famous temper. http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Drilling For Oil and Automobile Efficiency: "Last week, Senator McCain reversed himself and said we need to drill more.

Today, he has reversed years of failing to support more efficient cars, new energy technologies and green jobs. http://www.speaker.gov/...
Offshore Drilling: Two weeks ago, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) offered "a bit of a capitulation to the oil companies" by announcing that he would end the federal ban on offshore oil drilling. Not only is McCain’s move a break with environmental activist, but it is also "a reversal of the position he took in his 2000 presidential campaign. http://thinkprogress.org/...

My Comment: That same temperant shows up in other issues.

Kind of like Sen. John McCain insisted that every candidate’s wife “should be treated with respect, and if there’s any disrespectful conduct on the part of anyone, those people should be rejected.
But his comments are more readily applied to his own marriage. You know, what with his vows to wife Cindy and all, one might think he always treats her with respect, and without any disrespectful conduct. If somebody could tell him where, exactly, on the Venn Diagram Of Respect that calling your wife a cunt falls

Payroll Taxes: "When he was asked in 2005 whether he could see himself lifting the cap on the payroll tax, (McCain) said, 'I could.' Two years later, during a May 13, 2007, appearance on "Meet the Press," Russert asked McCain if he was still open to lifting the Social Security tax cap as part of a compromise. "Am I opposed to tax increases?" said McCain.
"Yes. But we've got to sit down together and figure out what our options are, and tough decisions have to be made, Republicans and Democrats. And I know how to do that." Asked about the 2005 remark, a McCain spokesman acknowledged the tension with his current position while arguing that the Arizona senator's criticism of his Democratic rival is still valid because McCain has spoken out against higher Social Security taxes as a 2008 White House hopeful. http://blogs.abcnews.com/...

Ethics Reform and Abramoff: On the stump, Sen. John McCain often cites his work tackling the excesses of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff as evidence of his sturdy ethical compass. A little-known document, however, shows that McCain may have taken steps to protect his Republican colleagues from the scope of his investigation. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Here's a comment after some of the latested ads to appear in McCains campaign from some of his own peers . Joe Klein: I Said McCain Was "Honorable," But "I Was Wrong"
For McCain several aspects could be added to this what he says is not the same to all groups and the truth. "He backs the troops by promoting new G.I bill "


McCain leaves audiences thinking he won't raise taxes no matter what .
"I will not raise your taxes nor support a tax increase. ""I will not do it," at a fund-raiser in Kansas City, Mo., Sen. McCain said "options are on the table" he matter has to be worked out with both parties. Among these options are raising taxes.

McCain says same-sex marriage should be allowed. In the next breath , he says it should be illegal.

McCain's repeated pledges to run a civil campaign on the issues.
In an interview with Chris Matthews, John McCain promised to run a 'clean campaign', and not repeat the nasty Reublican smears of 2004.

Well thats out the window unless you missed the latested atack ad.

John McCain says Barack Obama is like Britney, Paris

Madonna's Song Like a virgin
I think would be more inline with McCain with a few changes.

Like a Like a politician caught in yet another lie .
Like a politician with his you tube so close to mine.


But the biggest point is the ad saying Sen. Obama ignoring the troops is the fact up date: McCain camp admits ad was false they are spending Donated money for campaign ads they know are not true.

After being in several town hall meetings where McCain seemed to spend most of his time avoiding questions the thought that kept coming back to me was his comunication skills coupled to his stance that he would not met with any one unless they agree to all his terms.

Kind of a strange way to go into Foreign affairs issues. Where the word compromise might come up in solving any issue. Opening lines of communication , Conducting himself as he's representing a nation compared to showing anger placing names on them such as Gooks or Cunts.
Saying they have an Mose's complex.

If McCain thinks little of spending money on lies one would have to wonder if he would have just as little thought about how our tax money is spent. Than again we could always just go to war against them.

If you happen to be one of those elusive and much courted evangelical voters, it appears McCain is making fun of their religious beliefs and getting it wrong to boot.
Saying Obama has a Mose's complex. Was he not a leader?



An update for those who see McCain with Family values.

Ah yes his family values, McCain Divorced His Wife for a Rich Hottie McCain,”. Don’t Wear So Much Make-up You C %$%

Presumptive GOP Presidential nominee John McCain's "do anything for a vote" strategy takes him today to the anything-goes town of Sturgis, South Dakota, where the candidate will court the biker vote amid naked beauty pageants, nude mud wrestling events, public nudity and drunken fights.
McCain will speak at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, a gathering of 400,000 or more motorcycle riders, hangers on and party girls. McCain's speech is sandwiched in between the "Ringing Wet & Wild" women's mud wrestling event and the Miss Buffalo Chip contest.
McCain but a candidate who also tries to cater to the self-righteous right-wing of the Republican Party may be courting disaster by mixing politics with naked women, drunken brawls and public debauchery.

You missed a lot of news Including the very unpresidential act commited by John McCain at the 68th annual Sturgis Rally at Buffalo Chip campground, when he exploited his wife, Cindy McCain in front of a ”tens of thousands” of cheering bikers:

The Buffalo Chip beauty contest, that McCain was referring to is an “infamously debauched event that’s been known to feature topless women.”
“I encouraged Cindy to compete,” McCain said to cheers. “I told her with a little luck she could be the only woman ever to serve as first lady and Miss Buffalo Chip

Ignoring The Troops

Welcome back John ,If I where you I would Give Obama #$%^* for Ignoring the troops.
How dare he go play basket ball with them in that war zone. By the way did you bring back my good clubs? I went to use them this weekend they may not improve my public rating but may help my score.

GOP campaign says Democrat shortchanged 'injured American heroes'

Republican John McCain's campaign on Saturday sharply criticized Democratic rival Barack Obama for canceling a visit to wounded troops in Germany, contending Obama chose foreign leaders and cheering Europeans over "injured American heroes."

A new McCain ad that began airing Saturday in selected markets also chides Obama as disrespectful for making "time to go to the gym" during his European visit while at the same time canceling the visit with wounded troops.

Heres segment done on fox news




McCain's new ad uses footage of Barack Obama playing basketball with the troops, to argue that he has been ignoring them. Ops

" Seemed the Pentagon wouldn't allow him to bring cameras," according to the ad, which is being televised in Colorado, Pennsylvania and the Washington D.C. area. "John McCain is always there for our troops."

Dr. Katherine Scheirman, who was Chief of Medical Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom, said in a statement:

McCain's own words Discount his own ad.

Saying in an interview to be aired Sunday by ABC's "This Week" that "if I had been told by the Pentagon that I couldn't visit those troops, and I was there and wanted to be there, I guarantee you, there would have been a seismic event."
This coming from ABC by the way.

up date: McCain camp admits ad was false

Than theres this little point:
"John McCain is always there for our troops."

How about opposing the new GI Bill, a bill that was supported overwhelmingly by Democrats and Republicans alike, and meant to give our returning men and women all the benefits they deserve. John McCain said it was "too generous".

"What I do know is that John McCain never misses an opportunity to thank our troops for the work they are doing in the field.”

While taking credit for a bill he voted against.

That would be the New G.I bill

That is until they return home.

Maybe McCain should look to see who's watch the Va hospitals went to $#%&* on and what part he played.

Family Upset Over Soldier's Body Arriving As Freight

http://www.10news.com/news/5504608/detail.html

In following Bush's policies I wonder if McCain will maintain the practice of not being around when our fallen troops return home?

To give our returning men and women all the honor they deserve that's not only ignoring them but showing disrespect the least he could have done being they give their life's for Country in a war based on lies.

One McCain has stated even knowing the truth and the facts now would still have gone to war.

To RECAP. McCain's support for the troops that being McCains not ignoring them.

Well McCain should attack Obama the one time he didn't go see the troops (even though he did call them later in Germany) because behind close doors McCain doesn't seek the welfare of the troops himself.

In mid 2007, Senator Reid noted that McCain missed 10 of the past 14 votes on Iraq. However, here is a summary of a dozen votes (two that he missed and ten that he voted against) with respect to Iraq, funding for veterans or for troops, including equipment and armor.

I have also included other snippets related to the time period when the vote occurred. September 2007: McCain voted against the Webb amendment calling for adequate troop rest between deployments.

At the time, nearly 65% of people polled in a CNN poll indicted that "things are going either moderately badly or very badly in Iraq. July 2007: McCain voted against a plan to drawdown troop levels in Iraq. At the time, an ABC poll found that 63% thought the invasion was not worth it, and a CBS News poll found that 72% of respondents wanted troops out within 2 years.

March 2007: McCain was too busy to vote on a bill that would require the start of a drawdown in troop levels within 120 days with a goal of withdrawing nearly all combat troops within one year. Around this time, an NBC News poll found that 55% of respondents indicated that the US goal of achieving victory in Iraq is not possible. This number has not moved significantly since then.

February 2007: For such a strong supporter of the escalation, McCain didn’t even bother to show up and vote against a resolution condemning it. However, at the time a CNN poll found that only 16% of respondents wanted to send more troops to Iraq (that number has since declined to around 10%), while 60% said that some or all should be withdrawn. This number has since gone up to around 70%. June 2006: McCain voted against a resolution that Bush start withdrawing troops but with no timeline to do so.

May 2006: McCain voted against an amendment that would provide $20 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for health care facilities. April 2006: McCain was one of only 13 Senators to vote against $430,000,000 for the Department of Veteran Affairs for Medical Services for outpatient care and treatment for veterans.

March 2006: McCain voted against increasing Veterans medical services funding by $1.5 billion in FY 2007 to be paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. March 2004: McCain once again voted for abusive tax loopholes over veterans when he voted against creating a reserve fund to allow for an increase in Veterans' medical care by $1.8 billion by eliminating abusive tax loopholes. Jeez, McCain really loves those tax loopholes for corporations, since he voted for them over our veterans' needs. October 2003: McCain voted to table an amendment by Senator Dodd that called for an additional $322,000,000 for safety equipment for United States forces in Iraq and to reduce the amount provided for reconstruction in Iraq by $322,000,000.

April 2003: McCain urged other Senate members to table a vote (which never passed) to provide more than $1 billion for National Guard and Reserve equipment in Iraq related to a shortage of helmets, tents, bullet-proof inserts, and tactical vests. August 2001: McCain voted against increasing the amount available for medical care for veterans by $650,000,000.

To his credit, he also voted against the 2001 Bush tax cuts, which he now supports making permanent, despite the dire financial condition this country is in, and despite the fact that he indicated in 2001 that these tax cuts unfairly benefited the very wealthy at the expense of the middle class. So there it is. McCain I have always been for the troops.....but he seems to forget (as usual) to vote in favor of supporting them. Ya know, I hate research because it helps produce FACTS of the matter.

Who's in bed with the media ?

If you liked him in McCain in the Mist

Your going to Love him in the

Tanker of Doom

This scene was taped live yesterday

Sly Fox Productions trying to present McCain with younger Image. I think there timing is off as well as their editing.

Mr McCain's campaign said: "It's pretty obvious that the media has a bizarre fascination with Barack Obama. Some may even say it's a love affair.

I find this comment kind of funny coming from one with comments like these I’m not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I’m sure I’ve taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was.

On subjects like support the distribution of taxpayer-subsidized condoms .Grants for sex education in the United States? Should they include instructions about using contraceptives?

Or should it be Bush’s policy, which is just abstinence.Or women frustration over the fact many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won’t cover birth control medication.

Anybody who has been a ninth grade boy understands this species of love,"

I guess McCain don,t.

It also shows MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews saying he gets a thrill running up his leg when he thinks about the Illinois senator.It might have been more to the point if they had asked do you feel a chill up your spine from thinking about McCain?"

I have never seen networks, magazines, newspapers, just throw aside any pretence of objectivity." Not to mention the truth.

This might explain a little.

Huckabee in talks for own Fox show

Less than one month after signing on as a Fox News commentator,

Mike Huckabee is working aggressively to expand his media presence. This week, Huckabee is meeting with Fox officials about plans to host his own show on the network.

Plus, he’s subbing for Paul Harvey on ABC Radio Network and appearing on a number of existing Fox shows.
A former Arkansas governor who upended the Republican presidential race with his upset victory in the Iowa caucuses, Huckabee continued campaigning for the nomination after it became mathematically impossible for him to catch John McCain in the delegate race.

That prompted speculation that Huckabee was more interested in boosting his profile than in a future in politics, though his name is still bandied about as a possible running mate for McCain. Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, worked in local radio as a teenager.

And, on the campaign trail, he won raves for his quick wit and folksy delivery. After an appearance as a political analyst on one of MSNBC’s election-night broadcasts, Huckabee last month inked a one-year deal with Fox to provide commentary on a variety of the networks shows.

A source with knowledge of Huckabee’s contract said it included tentative plans for him to host his own show. Fox declined to comment about plans for the show, while a Huckabee advisor did not immediately have information about the discussions.

But, in a Monday e-mail, Huckabee told supporters he’s looking to expand his media footprint on Fox and elsewhere. “I’m in New York for a few days to meet with Fox News officials and discuss a show I would host, as well as appear on numerous Fox programs in the next few days,” reads his email.

“On Tuesday and Wednesday, a really special opportunity for me — I’ll be subbing for the legendary and immortal Paul Harvey on the ABC Radio Network.” Huckabee called the Harvey gig “truly a special honor” and asked his supporters to pray for him to have “clarity when substituting for Paul Harvey” as well as “wisdom in being on shows like Hannity and Colmes and O’Reilly.”

Cable news networks have expanded their political coverage in response to intense viewer interest in the 2008 presidential campaign. And in recent months,

Fox has inked a number of big political names to provide analysis, from former Bush political guruKarl Rove to Howard Wolfson, the top spokesman for New York Sen. Hillary Clinton’s bid for the Democratic nomination. Huckabee also has started a political action committee to raise money for Republicans who support “tax reform, a strong national defense, real border security, life, the family, less government, and individual liberty.”

Foolish me all this time I thought one who works for the news has the job of reporting it not raising money.

Mike Huckabee Joining Fox News As Political Commentator

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Mike Huckabee, a former Republican presidential hopeful, has been hired by Fox News Channel as a political commentator.
"Gov. Huckabee's campaign experience and knowledge of politics makes him a great addition to our ongoing election coverage," Bill Shine, senior vice president of programming, said in a statement Thursday.
Huckabee, who served as governor of Arkansas for 10 1/2 years, dropped out of the race in March, after John McCain won enough delegates to clinch the Republican nomination. Despite a financially strapped campaign, Huckabee won the leadoff caucuses in Iowa and seven other states.
"I hope to bring the unique perspective from `inside the dragon's belly' as well as to try and speak for the millions of hardworking middle-class Americans who really do feel that their voices are not being heard," Huckabee said in a statement released by his daughter, Sarah. "I saw that on the campaign trail and continue to see as I speak to groups of all kinds around the country as well as campaign for other candidates."
Financial terms of the agreement weren't released.
Huckabee, an ordained Baptist preacher, has been mentioned as a potential running mate for McCain. Since leaving the race, Huckabee has formed a political action committee that he says will help raise money for McCain and other Republicans.

Older posting Well worth reviewing.



I'm surpriced after being caught in this type of subversion thats theres no charges and talk of their License being pulled.

A press conference was held today at offices of Fox News in New York. The purpose of the gathering was to deliver a petition with over 600,000 names to network executives calling for an end to the racist attacks against black Americans including Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle. The petition is the work of Color of Change and MoveOn and asks Fox News CEO Roger Ailes to respond to the allegation that...

"Fox has developed a pattern of airing not only racially offensive attacks but lies to miss lead the public, then apologizing only after controversy erupts. Forced, half-hearted apologies do not demonstrate good faith when the larger pattern of offensive rhetoric continues."

Examples of Fox's intolerance abound, but for a brief recap of a few that occurred just this year:
Obama’s Baby Mama
Terrorist Fist Jab
Knock Off Osama ...uh... Obama ... Well, Both If We could
Lynching Party Against Michelle Obama

Fox News did not accept the petitions.

Other Examples.Different sources . From another pulling the same thing.

http://meanrachel.blogspot.com/2008/07/mccauls-mcexploitation-of-americas.html

http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=C204F36FFB7B9D5FC80C44213C8F64EE?diaryId=6375

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/28/31221/3432/313/558030

But I guess the biggest reply would be to watch this latested attack ad by McCain.

McCAIN TRIES, FAILS, TO CHANNEL

007 IN HILARIOUS NEW OBAMA ATTACK AD

Make McCain Disavow His Dishonest Obama Ad

Off Shore Drilling Safe

Another one of McCain's Staff got canned for calling the public whinners, I wonder if his senior energy advicer will get the boot?

Environmental Disaster in Louisiana

Thu Jul 24, 2008
The fuel spill in the Mississippi River now stretches 100 miles, almost to the Gulf of Mexico, and a sickly oil smell hangs over the city.
According to a WWL TV news report, an SPCA group from Houston has set up a wildlife recovery effort. I don't want to pass judgement yet, but it is somewhat shocking to me, given the size of the spill and its potential impact on fragile wetlands, that there isn't more help coming to help wildlife, and to help with cleanup.

Again, according to news reports, 500 people are working on clean-up efforts, but this is a slick over 100 miles long.
The tugboat towing the barge before Wednesday morning's crash did not have a properly licensed pilot, the Coast Guard said.

The person operating the boat had an apprentice mate's license and there was no one else on the vessel properly documented to guide it, said Lt. Cmdr. Cheri Ben-Iesau from the Coast Guard in New Orleans.

The operator's name was not released and the Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board were investigating.
The barge held more than 419,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil in three tanks. Investigators don't know whether all three tanks broke but "are assuming the worst-case discharge of all 9,980 barrels," said Capt. Lincoln Stroh, Coast Guard captain of the port of New Orleans.

Communities along the river get their drinking water from the river. Mayor Nagin says the water is safe to drink, but many communities along the river turned off their intake valves, including New Orleans, and had been relying on reserves.

The city of Plaquemines, to my knowledge, is the only community with its intake valve still turned off, according to WWL TV tonight.

Local businesses that rely on the river for tourism are feeling the impact. It is a slow time of year, and shutting the river down is adding to the pain small businesses are feeling, particularly those that rely on tours on the river for their business.
The impact on the fragile wetlands is frightening. It was heartbreaking to watch egrets on the evening news wading through the slick, hunting for fish.

Exposure to high levels of petroleum products, such as the fuel oil released during the Mississippi River oil spill, can cause health effects, primarily on the nervous and respiratory systems.

People who inhaled elevated air levels of fuel oil vapors for short periods of time have experienced nausea, increased blood pressure, eye irritation, headaches, light-headedness, and poor coordination.

Longer term exposure to elevated levels of fuel oil vapors can cause similar effects on the nervous and respiratory systems and may also affect the blood, liver and kidneys.
Oil or other petroleum products that come in contact with the skin may cause irritation and blistering in some people.

The elderly, the very young, and people with respiratory diseases may be especially sensitive to the effects of inhaling petroleum vapors. Long-term exposure to petroleum product vapors should be minimized to the extent practical. If petroleum odors are present, measures to reduce long-term exposures should be considered.

http://alobar.livejournal.com/2907239.html

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/24/22299/1413/708/556610

Up date on oil spill

Back in Review

McCain Lies About Hurricane Environmental Damage, Oil Spills

THE LIE: Bush, McCain and other rabid Republican stalwarts have been telling us recently that lifting the ban on offshore drilling would be a good idea in part because offshore drilling poses little to no environmental risks because Hurricanes Katrina and Rita didn't cause oil spills.

Well, as it turns out, this is an ENORMOUS steaming lie! (Surprise!)THE TRUTH: In a nutshell, Hurricanes Rita and Katrina caused the spillage of over 9 million gallons of oil, just shy of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska that released 10.8 million gallons!

The catastrophic release of crude oil into the environment was called by some: “among the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.”

In fact, the clear satellite evidence of major spills was borne out by final reports. In May 2006, the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) published their offshore damage assessment: “113 platforms totally destroyed, and 457 pipelines damaged, 101 of those major lines with 10″ or larger diameter.”

Unsurprisingly, this devastation caused significant spillage, according to the official report prepared for the MMS by a Norwegian firm.

In addition, the hurricanes caused disastrous spills onshore throughout southeast Louisiana and the rest of the Gulf Coast as tanks, pipelines, refineries and other industrial facilities were destroyed, for a total of 595 different oil spills.

The 9 million gallons reported spilled were comparable with the Exxon Valdez’s 10.8 million gallons, but unlike the Exxon Valdez, were distributed throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and other Gulf Coast states, many in residential areas.
I understand that politicians sometimes put a spin on things but this is LYING! Bald-faced lying!

Listen to this interview with Nancy Pfotenhauer, John McCain’s senior energy adviser (!!), who says that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita "DIDN'T SPILL A DROP [OF OIL]":



Pipeline damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (MMS 2007).

http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/pipeline_damage_chart.PNG

In fact, the clear satellite evidence of major spills was borne out by final reports. In May 2006, the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) published their offshore damage assessment: “113 platforms totally destroyed, and 457 pipelines damaged, 101 of those major lines with 10″ or larger diameter.”

Technical report on oilspills from Katrina and Rita

http://www.mms.gov/%20tarprojects/%20581/%2044814183_MMS_Katrina_Rita_PL_Final%20Report%20Rev1.pdf

Update report on drilling platform damage after Katrina and RitaMay 2006

http://www.mms.gov/ooc/press/2006/press0501.htm

Still another is New Evidence from another event.

New evidence suggests that oil from the Exxon Valdez may still causing damage to Alaska's Prince William Sound, 17 years after the ship ran a ground.

The study, by chemist Jeffrey Short and colleagues at the National Marine Fisheries Service in Juneau, Alaska, appears today on the Web site of the American Chemical Society's journal, Environmental Science & Technology, and is also scheduled to appear in the June 15 print issue of the journal.

"This study shows that it is very plausible that exposure to Exxon Valdez oil is having a material impact on many shore-dwelling animals and is contributing to their slow recovery in some parts of Prince William Sound," Short said. "Sea otters, for instance, have yet to re-inhabit Herring Bay, the most oiled bay we studied, and the population of otters elsewhere around northern Knight Island continues to decline.

Unfortunately, because much of this oil is buried in beach sediments and not exposed to weathering and other elements that might degrade it, it could remain hazardous to wildlife for decades." On March 24, 1989, the tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Within six hours of the accident, the Exxon Valdez has spilled roughly 10.9 million gallons of its 53 million gallons of crude, making it the largest oil spill in U.S. history.

The oil would eventually impact over 1,100 miles of non-continuous coastline in Alaska and at the height of the response, more than 11,000 personnel, 1,400 vessels and 85 aircraft were involved in the cleanup according to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.

While the cleanup effort began in April of 1989 and continued until September of 1989, Short and his colleagues found "significant amounts of Exxon Valdez oil buried in sand and silt that only becomes dry during the lowest tides."

The researchers say that this biologically diverse tidal zone is an important feeding ground for sea otters, ducks and other wildlife. The findings are based on a survey of 662 pits randomly dug along 32 stretches of shoreline on northern Knight Island, one of the first affected areas during the spill. The researchers found Exxon Valdez oil at 14 of the 32 sites.

The researchers conclude that sea otters would be most affected by oil when they dig pits in search of clams and other prey. Short estimates that in a given year, a sea otter would probably come into contact with Exxon Valdez oil at least once every two months. This suggests that the Exxon Valdez oil spill could still be taking a toll on wildlife Overall, in the immediate aftermath of the spill, scientists estimate that thousands of animals died.

According to Wikipedia, some 250,000 sea birds, 2,800 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, up to 22 orcas, and billions of salmon and herring eggs perished immediately.

Guess who voted with Breaux and Big Oil? That's right: Straight Talkin', Special Interest Hatin', Enviro-Maverick John McCain!

Four months after the biggest environmental disaster in U.S. history, McCain voted against requiring double hulled tankers.

To this day, Exxon is the only oil company that doesn't use double-hulled tankers to ship oil in and out of Alaska.

This article is based on a press release from the American Chemical Society.

http://news.mongabay.com/2006/0516-exxon.html

But we can go back further to compare past events.

From Enron to Exxon

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/2/13152/24931

“Psychological Impact”

Honest officer this guy just pulls up in this here bus .Points a gun at this other fellow , starts laughing and saying its all you fault

McCain ad blames Obama for rising gas prices



WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential candidate John McCain is launching a new television ad that blames Democratic rival Barack Obama for rising gasoline prices.
The ad, airing on national cable and in 11 battleground states, argues that the cost of fuel is rising because of opposition to oil drilling in the United States.

"Some" are indeed opposed to lifting the moratorium on new drilling in the waters of the Outer Continental Shelf, and they include Obama.

What's not true, however, is that current opposition to lifting the moratorium has anything to do with today's gas prices. They aren't high because any one individual is against ending the ban. As we have pointed out previously, the Energy Information Administration estimates that if the go-ahead were given right now for such drilling, it would be 2030 before there would be enough oil flowing to have a "significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices." Is there "no end in sight" because of opposition to ending the moratorium? No more so than because of opposition to hastening the development of alternative sources of energy and new kinds of cars.

McCain even acknowledged as much in late June when, after saying that drilling would have a positive effect on prices in the short term, he backtracked and said he believed it would have a beneficial "psychological impact."

That seems to have slipped his mind.– by Viveca NovakUpdate, July 23:

The McCain campaign's Brian Rogers contacted us to complain that we had failed to note that the campaign had released a long list of "ad facts" in support of its new spot. "

But most of McCain's "ad facts" don't actually address whether opening new drilling areas "can reduce prices today."
We find just three statements on that point:

CNN special correspondent Frank Sesno is quoted saying, "Expectations of more production can send prices down."

Harvard economist Martin Feldstein, former chief economic adviser to President Ronald Reagan, is quoted saying that "[a]ny policy that causes the expected future oil price to fall can cause the current price to fall, or to rise less than it would otherwise do."

The Fox Business Network's Eric Bolling is quoted as writing in TheStreet.com: "It would take anywhere from one to six years to produce a barrel from the Outer Continental Shelf. That's right, we could realize oil in as little as a year and as far into the future as six years for those really remote reservoirs."
We found that these fell far short of justifying the McCain ad's claim that voters have Obama to thank for rising gasoline prices.

You can aways depend on FoxNetwok

But since the campaign seems to rest its case on the notion that lifting a federal ban on offshore drilling would have an immediate and perceptible effect on gasoline prices, we will address them here. Sesno and Feldstein are of course correct:

An expectation of an increase in supply in the future can have an effect on prices today. But not necessarily. It depends on how big an increase, and how soon.

News Flash

McCain Cancels LA Oil Rig Visit Due to OIL SPILLBy Jacquie(David) John McCain was supposed to hold a press event on a LA oil rig today in support of offshore drilling. The event was called off because of a oil spill in the gulf, basically undercutting McCain's argument of how safe offshore drilling is .

Bolling's statement that some oil could begin flowing within a year is at odds with the assessment of the Energy Information Administration that it will be 2030 before we'll be pulling any appreciable oil out of the OCS from new drilling.

Twenty-two years in the future is an awfully distant horizon when it comes to affecting prices today. And another portion of the same EIA analysis we've already quoted says that even then, we won't see much of a bump down in costs: "Because oil prices are determined on the international market, however, any impact on average wellhead prices is expected to be insignificant."

The Feldstein quote, by the way, is from an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal that never mentions drilling, offshore or elsewhere. And the economist also notes that an expectation of lowered demand would have the same impact on today's prices as an equivalent increase in supply:

Feldstein, July 1: For example, increases in government subsidies to develop technology that will make future cars more efficient, or tighter standards that gradually improve the gas mileage of the stock of cars, would lower the future demand for oil and therefore the price of oil today.As we've noted before, Obama is proposing to spend $150 billion over 10 years on energy research. And Obama – and not McCain – proposes tightening corporate average fuel economy standards.


McCain's new ad accuses Obama of keeping gas prices high, all by himself. That's absurd, and McCain knows it – he has said repeatedly that our current problems were "30 years in the making."

The notion that Obama is singlehandedly, or to any significant degree, or more than most other senators, to blame for the high cost of gas is absurd in too many ways to count here. Okay, we'll give you a couple: Obama has been in the Senate only since 2005. McCain himself said earlier this month that the problem has been decades in the making.

McCain, July 7: Our dangerous dependence on foreign oil has been 30 years in the making, and was caused by the failure of politicians in Washington to think long-term about the future of the country.

The announcer in the ad says, "Gas prices — $4, $5, no end in sight, because some in Washington are still saying no to drilling in America. No to independence from foreign oil. Who can you thank for rising prices at the pump?"

ExxonMobil made $40 billion last year

JOHN McCAIN'S PLANS TO CONTINUE BUSH'S GIVEAWAYS TO BIG OIL
Working families are feeling the squeeze—record high gas prices, record home foreclosure rates and skyrocketing health care costs.

But President Bush and John McCain both have Big Oil’s interests at heart.
Despite record profi ts and executive pay in the oil industry, neither Bush nor McCain is willing to cut back on Big Oil’s windfall profits and tax breaks.

McCain already has proposed giving $3.8 billion more in tax breaks to Big Oil and has voted to protect their profi ts.
Tell John McCain it’s time to Turn Around America by putting working families’ needs over Big Oil’s greed.
BIG OIL HAS DONE WELL UNDER THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
Working Families Are Hit Hard With Extreme Gas Prices
Average Price of Gas Has Hit $4 a Gallon, Up from $1.47 the Week Bush Took Office. The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline reached $4 in May. This is up from only $1.47 per gallon the week President Bush took office in January 2001. (Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Navigator).
Nearly 80 Percent of What We Pay Goes to Big Oil. The executive director of the Gasoline and Automotive Service Dealers of America, Michael J. Fox, explained that “79.9 percent of the money a consumer spends on a gallon of gas goes to ‘Big Oil,’ the term used to describe companies like ExxonMobil, Shell and Sunoco.” (Connecticut Post Online, 5/7/08)
BIG OIL IS MAKING RECORD PROFITS UNDER THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION

ExxonMob Reported the Highest Profi ts for a U.S. Company Ever, Making $40 Billion in 2007. ExxonMobil Corp. broke the record for profits made in a year by a U.S. company, reporting $40 billion in profits in 2007. (Associated Press, 4/10/08)

OIL INDUSTRY EXECS TAKING HOME MILLIONS (Associated Press, 4/10/08)

ExxonMobil gave chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson a raise to $21.7 million.
Occidental Petroleum Corp. paid chief executive Ray Irani $34.2 million in 2007. Anadarko Petroleum Corp. Chairman and CEO James Hackett received $26.7 million.
ConocoPhillips gave Jim Mulva a $15.1 million package in 2007.
The Top Five Oil Companies Have Made $525 Billion in Profits Under the Bush Administration. The five largest oil companies have made $525.3 billion in profits under the Bush administration and $123.3 billion in 2007 alone. (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 financial reports for ExxonMobil, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, ConocoPhillips and ChevronTexaco)
Bush Administration Has Repeatedly Slashed Funding for Renewable Energy and Protected Big Oil’s Profits. Daniel Weis and Nick Kong, in an article for the Center for American Progress, outlined Bush’s policies throughout his tenure as president. Despite repeated calls for more investment in energy independence and renewable energy,

Bush has slashed funding for these programs while protecting Big Oil’s tax breaks. (Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 5/31/08)

BECAUSE McCAIN WILL CONTINUE BUSH’S GIVEAWAYS TO BIG OIL
McCain’s Tax Plan Gives $3.8 Billion in Tax Cuts to the Top Five Oil Companies. McCain’s current plan would deliver $3.8 billion in tax cuts to the five largest American oil companies. (“The McCain Plan to Cut Oil Company Taxes by Nearly $4 Billion,” Center for American Progress Action Fund, 3/27/08)

McCAIN VOTES TO PROTECT BIG OIL’S PROFITS McCain Skipped a Vote to Repeal Tax Breaks for Oil Companies. In 2007,

McCain was the only senator to miss a vote on the energy bill repealing tax subsidies for oil companies. (H.R. 6, Vote 425, 12/13/07)

McCain Voted Against Curtailing Oil Companies’ Windfall Profits to Give a Tax Rebate to Working Families. In 2005, McCain voted against imposing a temporary windfall profits tax on oil companies and using the proceeds to provide nonrefundable tax credits to working families. (S.Amdt. 2635, Vote 341, 11/17/05; S.Amdt. 2587, Vote 331, 11/17/05)

McCain Voted to Protect Tax Breaks for Big Oil. Earlier, McCain opposed eliminating tax breaks for oil and natural gas companies related to depletion and drilling costs. (S.Amdt. 2782/H.R. 776, Vote 159,


http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain_gasprices.cfm

In Politics Looks Are Every Thing

Don't worry about it. Its the Fox news net work they will even make us look younger.

Senator McCain's pastor John Hagee talks with Kenneth Copeland

More & more links are popping up that would tend to explain past events.

Meanwhile, Hagee endorses an attack on Iran, says the President doesn't need congressional authority to do so:

So you think we need a declaration of war to expand this war to Iran?

[over four minutes of Hagee hemming and hawing deleted]

HAGEE: We do not have a war declaration for Iraq, and neither does the president need one to expand it into Iran.

With No declaration of war there would be no need for Bush or McCain to put an control on gas prices .

With no need of congressional approval would be no voice of the people.

You would think that would be more inline with a dictatorship .

If there was no real reason for going to war why are they trying to expand to Iran ?

In McCain's second weekly "radio address he states the surge of troops has worked.


To view a more direct way .One should ask how it worked when we should not have been there in the first place?

Couple this with Lieberman: "Obama's Iraq Trip Only Possible Because of McCain"

Again he should not have had to.

Are focus should have been in Afghanistan.

McCain rather lose an election than lose a undeclared war that we should not have started in the first place .

The reason the Afghanistan "situation is precarious and urgent there" is because troops that should have been going to the real focus Afghanistan.

So the surge has made things worse.

Afghanistan must become the "central front in our battle against terrorism it should have been all along.

McCain is saying the same thing Sen. Obama's has been saying.

McCain talks of having a plan is that the one they did not have going in or getting back out of a war we should not have started in the first place.

He talks of the war in Afghanistan would that be yet another undeclared war where the price of gas was not frozen hummm?

Bush lost focus as the real objective of security of our nation.

McCain talks of experience is this the same that he gained with comments like he would have gone to war even now knowing there where no weapons of mass destruction ?

Which just by chance Fox news put out info that was not true.

FOXNews.com - Report: Hundreds of WMDs Found in Iraq - U.S. Senate
Jun 22, 2006 ... "We have found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, chemical weapons," Sen. ... Offering the official administration response to FOX News, www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200499,00.html

I wonder if this event plays into things and is not the first time ?
This time they got caught.
Fox News airs altered photos

Interview with Jonh Hagee

CHARLES GOYETTE: Okay, that's the answer I was looking for. He can do it on his own authority.

HAGEE: He certainly can. We're in Iraq on his authority. He also says things like this:

"In an interview this month with the San Antonio Express-News,

Hagee all but scoffed at Jews opposed to his domestic agenda:

I think if I could put a dividing line, the Orthodox and Conservatives who have a Torah appreciation give us wholehearted support. The rest who are not driven by the Word of God have a liberal agenda. And the liberal agenda is they are pro-abortion.

They're pro-homosexual. They're pro-gay marriage — they want men to marry men and women to marry women — and their difference with me is not really what I'm doing with Israel. Their hostility to me is poisoned by their liberalism.

They take a liberal position that poisons their view of what we could be doing for Israel. "

In the video, near the end, Hagee suggests that Hurricane Katrina was sent to the US in response to the US support for removing settlers from the Gaza Strip. He has also advocated attacking Iran which he perceives to be a threat to Israel.

I wonder if this may have played as part in getting aid to the victims of Hurrican Katrina ??

This is the same KennthCopeland Currenly under investigation by Senator Charles E. Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is investigating six prominent evangelistic ministries to determine whether they have illegally used donations to finance opulent lifestyles.

The same Kennth Copeland That gave a large donation to Mike Huckabee while he was running.
Copeland Ministries accused of 'shady' Huckabee donation ...
Jan 31, 2008 ... "I support Huck and Ken copeland. "I am disappointed that Mike Huckabee would associate with the health-and-wealth ...

Huckabee solicits funds from embattled televangelist - Deep ...

A little information on Copeland.

Copeland’s nonprofit agency rakes in untold millions of dollars.
Because it is classified as a church, it does not have to release key financial data like other nonprofits do. MinistryWatch, an organization that monitors Christian ministries, gives Kenneth Copeland Ministries an “F” grade for transparency, saying it has not released a detailed budget.

An investigator with a Dallas-based televangelist watchdog group, says Copeland preys on desperate people.

“It’s extremely sad and heartbreaking that these people are giving their last dollars and expecting to get either a financial or a physical healing,” said Pete Evans of the Trinity Foundation.

“He’s certainly a snake-oil salesman. He’s promising healings that he can’t deliver.”

Education Reform or This is Their Education

Ya but what does "tired rhetoric" in education mean ?

McCain Calls for Education Reform

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is calling for reform in the public education system, saying there have been decades of big promises by the public education establishment but the same poor results.

McCain spoke Wednesday in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a leading civil rights group representing the interests of black Americans - the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.The veteran Arizona lawmaker said Americans have heard a lot of "tired rhetoric" about education.

My comment:

Such as The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110),

A number of federal programs aiming to improve the performance of U.S. primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, school districts, and schools, as well as providing parents more flexibility in choosing which schools their children will attend.

The Act requires states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students in certain grades, if those states are to receive federal funding for schools.

The Act also requires that the schools distribute the name, home phone number and address of every student enrolled to military recruiters, unless the student (or the student's parent) specifically opts out.

Kind of makes one wonder why there are those that see us fighting a war for the next 40 to 100 years.

He pledged that, as president, education reform would include a choice of schools for students, alternative certification for teachers, and an expansion of a federally-funded scholarship program for low income families.

My Comment Here:

So how is this new from the same "tired rhetoric" about education we have been hearing from Bush ??

Barack Obama He praised his opponent, Democrat Barack Obama, as an "impressive" man who has inspired many Americans, but criticized the Illinois senator for opposing vouchers that allow students from low income families to move from public schools to private ones.

This same act was to provide benefits to private school.

Would you wonder why the push for private schools? Maybe this will supply some answers.

Mrs. Bush's Character and Community Initiative
Mrs. Bush's Character Education Initiative encourages schools & school districts to develop ... Family is the first place these values are learned.

Children who are prepared for reading & learning when they enter school are more likely to succeed and stay in school.

Tragically, children who do drop out of school are more than twice as likely as successful students to be unemployed, arrested, or to engage in substance abuse.

Mind you I've not seen any facts or figures to back this up.

Mrs. Bush also recognizes that schools & educators must teach more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic.

They must teach character.

Character education provides children with the tools to develop moral and ethical strength, and it plays a vital role in helping ensure that all children are prepared to succeed throughout their schooling, & in life.

Now if you will let me take a moment to introduce the one behind character first " Bill Gothard"

Some points you might want to note.

Children: Is an advocate of no birth control & strongly encourages sterilization reversals .

Heres an add for you of interest: Might even go to explain's McCain's flip in Gay adoption.or at least his views on did he support the distribution of taxpayer-subsidized condoms in Africa to fight the transmission of H.I.V.?

“Should U.S. taxpayer money go to places like Africa to fund contraception to prevent AIDS ?

First priority is on abstinence

Reproductive Health Reality Check reported today that Department of Health and Human Services is playing fast and loose with the "abortion" word. In what many consider a stunning move, the DHHS is trying to re-frame the discussion in such a way that contraception is considered abortion. I won't wax lyrical about the religio-political implications contained herein.

In a spectacular act of complicity with the religious right, the Department of Health and Human Services Monday released a proposal that allows any federal grant recipient to obstruct a woman's access to contraception.

In order to do this, the Department is attempting to redefine many forms of contraception, the birth control 40% of Americans use, as abortion. Doing so protects extremists under the Weldon & Church amendments.

Women on to submit to their husband & not work out side the home.
be totally submissive.

This comes to mind.

An off-message topic was raised from a member of McCain’s own team: national co-chairwoman Carly Fiorina, who had said earlier women often express frustration over the fact many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won’t cover birth control medication. Those women would like a choice,” she said .

Women on to submit to their husband & not work out side the home.be totally submissive.

McCain's stand on or not enough info to be informed on. Or could not remember the last postion he took on the subject.

Bill Gothard believes mental illness is the result of people not taking personal responsibility for their actions.

But here’s the real show stopper: he actually includes schizophrenia in his list of illnesses that are the result of people not taking responsibility for themselves.


I guess this maybe why we are viewed as whiners to certain staff of McCain's campaign team.

Why he might not want to have answered the question about did he support the distribution of taxpayer-subsidized condoms in Africa to fight the transmission of H.I.V.?

What about grants for sex education in the United States? Should they include instructions about using contraceptives? Or should it be Bush’s policy, which is just abstinence?”

This program has been allowed into our school system.

http://billgotharddiscussion.com/

McCains stand on adoption has changed maybe this played a part in his first stand.

http://www.pfo.org/evol-fad.htm

DIRECT CONSEQUENCES OF OUR FOREFATHERS’ SINS

Causes of Conflicts — Adopted children are affected by the sins of their natural parents, and these sins are usually very severe.”

Then he goes on to say that if the adopted child is old enough, “Explain that just as physical weaknesses are passed down through parents, so are spiritual weaknesses such as pride, lust and rejection .

As if adopted kids do not have enough hung on them as to why they where given up.

On this not Huckabee is against gays adopting so does this put him out of the running for a Vp slot?

But another question my be to explain this link.

Daily Kos: BREAKING: Mike Huckabee member of Bill Gothard cult
A responder to the thread has noted a dedicated website detailing links between Mike Huckabee & Bill Gothard which provides further evidence including ...

Daily Kos: BREAKING: G.W. Bush and Ken Blackwell Gothard cultists, too
Jan 30, 2008 ... In this recent story, we showed you the connections between the secular front of the Bill Gothard movement and President George W. Bush.

Bush’s plan for the inner cities « Thomason Tracts
Mar 30, 2008 ... I have a friend who worked at an inner-city program for kids. .... encouraging inner-city youth to play sports because it builds character, ...

Guess who that friend was ???

This must be the "tired rhetoric" about education he's referring to.

City of Obedient Character

For all its secular posturing, the Character City program is based on authoritarian, fundamentalist Christianity with ties to an evangelical organization.

And it’s seeping into government, law enforcement, public schools, businesses, and nearly every facet of Burleson civic life.

“If there are religious aspects, that’s OK. Governor Bush stressed character in the schools, and he can’t be wrong.”


The IACC was established in 1998 as a division of the Character Training Institute, a subsidiary of the Institute of Basic Life Principles, a religious organization with $80 million in assets led by evangelist Bill Gothard. The IACC generates about $1.7 million in revenue annually from the sales of training materials, and conference and speaking fees.

Although it is now legally and fiscally separate from the Illinois-based institute, IACC founder Tom Hill, CEO of oil and gas company Kimray Inc., sits on the institute’s advisory board, as does San Antonio millionaire & ultraconservative James Leininger, who spreads his considerable financial largesse among right-wing political candidates.

District, is the chairman of the board of directors; he twice recognized Gothard and the institute on the House floor and entered his hallelujahs into the Congressional Record.

Arizona State Treasurer David Petersen, a Republican, went under criminal investigation for allegedly receiving $4,000 in commissions for selling Character First! curricula to public schools & misusing state property to push the Character program. (File under Generosity: “carefully managing my resources so I can freely give to those in need.”)

http://www.texasobserver.org/article.php?aid=2258

Sen .McCain has a new book out, Character Is Destiny .

Real Faces of America Terror

Don't Worry Boys Just Some More of Those 'Whiners' -

If fear & staying the course is what to drive your vote than maybe you should look from within to see where that course is going.

In past wars our nation's been involved in. The public has had the facts as to why its needed not twisted to bring about the result those in power what they want to take place.

With each war after world war II these reasons begain to become less clear.
Several things seemed to happen, one Communications was pushed aside for the use of force being the only thing they will listen to.

People stopped asking questions looked to the goverenment to have the solutions to the current issues. In which there where those who would gladly take advantage of those not wishing to think for them selves .

Those that did were called part of the problem. "If your not with us your a Terrorist "

In reviewing your history we did not jump into world war II we took the time to prepare build up our forces as well as our defenses.

One might look to see the forces sent to war where largely from the reserve. Also one might look at the money being spent at habor security .

Plans where developed for both in and out . Clear goals where mapped out.

There are those that are pushing to get your vote based on fear of the next terrorist attack. If we do not take the time to fix the issues at hand than they will be nothing left to defend. We will not have to worry about terror attacks being we " will destroy our seleves.

To review if there where no weapons of mass destruction as we now know than what where the really reasons to start the war?

Has there been any clear answer to this question from Bush ?

Bush Gave Taliban $43 Million Four Months before 9/11

By ciaran g(ciaran g) "Sadly, the Bush Administration is cozying up to the Taliban regime at a time when the United Nations, at US insistence, imposes sanctions on Afghanistan because the Kabul government will not turn over Bin Laden."

8% of the soldiers who have died in Afghanistan died in the past six weeks. In the past six weeks, 64 American soldiers have died in the war George W. Bush has starved for five years to fight his war of lies in Iraq.

Buried in the 50-page report on Pat Tillman and Jessica Lynch released today by the House Oversight Committee, is a priceless quote from none other than the new head of the AP's Washington Bureau, Ron Fournier

Karl Rove exchanged e-mails about Pat Tillman with Associated Press reporter Ron Fournier, under the subject line "H-E-R-O." In response to Mr. Fournier's e-mail, Mr. Rove asked, "How does our country continue to produce men and women like this," to which Mr. Fournier replied, "The Lord creates men and women like this all over the world. But only the great and free countries allow them to flourish. Keep up the fight."

There are those who think by age & Experience for forign policy McCain's the better chooice .

Iraqi leaders call for a timetable for U.S. withdrawal, McCain gets caught in a bizarre denial and flip flop. The Iraqis now want us to begin planning our withdrawal - McCain however wants to stay foooorrreeevvveerrrr. So what does McCain say - First, he refuses to accept Maliki's statement as being true. Then he concedes that it was an accurate statement, but was probably just a political ploy to curry favor with his own people and WOULD NOT influence his determination to keep US troops in Iraq indefinitely.

Yet, McCain in 2004 at the Council on Foreign Relations said that if the Iraqis asked us to leave, we would have to go. No matter what.

But that was apparently a younger and less experienced John McCain.

But let's just look at his comment that Maliki's statement is "just politics." If that is true, then it must also be true that the American military presence in Iraq is so unpopular with Iraqis that the government is forced to push for a timetable in order to survive at the ballot box. That's a reason to stay for 100 years.

McCain demonstrates he knows nothing about Afghanistan and Pakistan. McCain said "I think if there is some good news, I think that there is a glimmer of improving relationship between Karzai and the Pakistanis."

Pat Barry notes how crazy this comment is..."Just what "glimmer" is McCain talking about?? Maybe he's referring to President Karzai's remarks last month, which threatened military action in Pakistan if cross-border attacks persisted? Or maybe McCain is talking about Afghanistan's allegations that Pakistan's ISI was involved in a recent assassination attempt on Karzai?

Those reasons get more out of focus with this info.

What have we gained?

More debt, Which generations behind us will still be paying off,

Higher gas, higher food and less chance of owning our own home.

How about our schools not leaving any student behind by just teaching how to take a test. What to teach character in our schools instead of the needed skills to function in the world.

What is the message are we putting out?

Talking does no good force the only thing they understand.

The numbers of shootings at schools around the nation seems to be confirming they are learning that leason.
Or how about one desiring to lead our nation holding on to old hate.
such as using term gooks. But wondering why our gang problems has not gotton better.

Not wanting to address issues such as aids birth control or Viagra not being informed a.k.a Educated on theses subjects.

“Should U.S. taxpayer money go to places like Africa to fund contraception to prevent AIDS?”

Should encourage abstinence where there is going to be sexual activity. Where that doesn’t succeed, McCain sides with another of Bush's policy than he thinks that we should employ contraceptives as well.

“What about grants for sex education in the United States? Should they include instructions about using contraceptives? Or should it be Bush’s policy, which is just abstinence?”

Not including instruction for sex education in the U.S is that not the same as not being informed?

In our present health care system Seniors facing a choice between food and medicine's they need to live. To me not much of choice dye now with out food or suffer a little longer to dye of the aliment with out the medicine they need .

McCain unambiguously called Social Security "an absolute disgrace."
This is not a quote taken out of context. John McCain called one of the most successful and popular government programs, which uses the tax revenues of current workers to support retirement benefits for the elderly "an absolute disgrace." This is shocking - and if uttered from Obama's mouth would dominate the news coverage and the Sunday shows, as pundits would speculate about the massive damage the statement would cause him among retirees in Florida.

I guess the sweeping health care system overhaul aimed at giving people more control and more choices out of the picture.

I was working on this post when I was sent this in my e-mail which I think covers it better than I could.
So please read on.

Remember Lee Iacocca, the man who rescued Chrysler Corporation from it's death throes?

He has a new book, and here are some excerpts. Lee Iacocca Says: 'Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening?

Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car.

But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, 'Stay the course' Stay the course? You've got to be kidding This is America , not the damned 'Titanic'.

I'll give you a sound bite: 'Throw all the bums out!' You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I have.

But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore. The most famous business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs. While we're fiddling in Iraq , the Middle East is burning and nobody seems to know what to do.

And the press is waving 'pom-poms' instead of asking hard questions.

That's not the promise of the ' America ' my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for. I've had enough. How about you? I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have.

The Biggest 'C' is Crisis ! Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It's easy to sit there with your feet up on the desk and talk theory. Or send someone else's kids off to war when you've never seen a battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down.

On September 11, 2001, we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our history. We needed a steady hand to guide us out of the ashes. A Hell of a Mess. So here's where we stand.

We're immersed in a bloody war with no plan for winning and no plan for leaving. We're running the biggest deficit in the history of the country. We're losing the manufacturing edge to Asia , while our once-great companies are getting slaughtered by health care costs.

Gas prices are skyrocketing, and nobody in power has a coherent energy policy. Our schools are in trouble. Our borders are like sieves

The middle class is being squeezed every which way. These are times that cry out for leadership. But when you look around, you've got to ask: 'Where have all the leaders gone?'

Where are the curious, creative communicators? Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, omnipotence, and common sense? I may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think you get the point.

Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo? We've spent billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and all we know how to do is react to things that have already happened.

Name me one leader who emerged from the crisis of Hurricane Katrina. Congress has yet to spend a single day evaluating the response to the hurricane, or demanding accountability for the decisions that were made in the crucial hours after the storm.

Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping it doesn't happen again. Now, that's just crazy. Storms happen. Deal with it. Make a plan. Figure out what you're going to do the next time.

Name me an industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we can restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have believed that there could ever be a time when 'The Big Three' referred to Japanese car companies?

How did this happen, and more important, what are we going to do about it? Name me a government leader who can articulate a plan for paying down the debt, or solving the energy crisis, or managing the health care problem. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises that are eating away at our country and milking the middle class dry.

I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on your asses and do nothing and remain silent while our democracy is being hijacked and our greatness is being replaced with mediocrity. What is everybody so afraid of?

That some bonehead on Fox News will call them a name? Give me a break. Why don't you guys show some spine for a change? Had Enough? Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here.

I'm trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I have hope; I believe in America In my lifetime I've had the privilege of living through some of America 's greatest moments. I've also experienced some of our worst crises: the 'Great Depression', 'World War II', the 'Korean War', the 'Kennedy Assassination', the 'Vietnam War', the 1970s oil crisis, and the struggles of recent yearsc ulminating with 9/11.

If I've learned one thing, it's this: 'You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action.

Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm raising in this book. It's a call to 'Action' for people who, like me, believe in America It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the crap and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had 'enough.'