Yes - that's what McCain is now, if it wasn't always this way . . . I don't know about you, Fair, if you are seeing the same political ads we see here in Michigan (I know we're a swing state - not so sure about Virginia - I think it is too). There's the ad that states Obama is single-handedly responsible for high gas prices. Ironically, the ad's imagery uses a very old fashioned gas pump that only McCain would be able to remember using. Another ad I've only seen on a Sunday morning news show - it says, on his overseas trip, Obama had time to shoot hoops, but NOT to visit wounded soldiers in Ramstuhl, Germany! Senator Hagel ruled this ad inappropriate on Face the Nation this morning. The truth is that Obama, with Hagel and Senator Reed, visited the troups, wounded and not, at Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq bases. But when Obama began the European leg of his trip it became a political trip and it was Ramstuhl that said, he couldn't come in - BEFORE the Pentagon made out like he wasn't denied at all. It's a no-win situation for Obama - I just wish the press would call the McCain campaign about it.
And a developing/on-going story - the press and the McCain campaign keep trying to get Obama to say, the "surge" has worked and Obama should say he made a mistake in voting against the surge. There's just no way to make even a slightly subtle argument - it was wrong to go to Iraq in the first place, the surge was only one element among three that contributed toward improved conditions in Iraq today (the Sunni Sheiks rising up against Al-queda, Al-Sadr having his ceasefires, being the other two).
McCain just gives his creepy, clenched-teeth smile and says, Obama should just say the surge worked. Again - simple wins with the American people as a whole. I hope Obama can pull this out - if Democrats can't beat that angry old man, who can we beat?
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
June 30 - July 25 exchanges
I haven't watched TV in about a week other than the Daily Show at 11pm. I hate that fact that we pay for cable for only one or two shows!!! Oh well. Maybe I'll catch the 10pm repeat of MSNBC one of these days.
- - Fair, July 25, 2008
Rest assured - plenty of media folks notice the inconsistencies of the Repubs - my favorite, of couse, being Keith Olbermann. His 8:00 pm nightly Countdown show probably comes when you are out and about, but MSNBC repeats the same show at 10 pm. Do you ever catch Keith? You know the phrase, preaching to the choir? Well, I'm in the choir that he preaches to, and it's fine with me - it's a comfort to know that prominent media figures think like me - and of course, have access to video and guests that back up the thoughts.
- - Ing, July 25, 2008
First the republicans say Obama cannot be President because he has no experience.
Obama goes overseas and acts Presidential.
The republicans criticize Obama for acting Presidential-like before even being elected - the nerve.
Is anyone but you and I paying attention!!!
Unfortunately, you are correct about simple in nature always being seen as better. I hope Obama's campaign can be both detailed and simple to cover all bases. I am guessing the "blue collar" workers are those that identify with "less taxes," "less government," etc..., the Reagan Democrat message, as the way to move forward.
- - Fair, July 25, 2008
So. So far so good with all of Barack's travels. The criticisms he is getting are pretty standard, other than the, Obama would rather lose a war so he could win an election. That was a low blow. Also, his speech in Berlin to 200,000 adoring fans was too vague? What's he supposed to do: outline a 10-pt proposal to fix social security to that audience?
I do have a bit of unease about the election - in that, I'm afraid it will be - simple will win. The simple messages - cut your taxes, cut your gas tax, win in Iraq - McCain seems to be better focused on those. I think this is something Obama can win on, but it needs work.
- - Ing, July 25, 2008
Puts Michigan back in to play too for McComplain - Romney being the native son!
- - Fair, July 24, 2008
I think our mail is very slow - no sticker as yet.
I heard a rumor (from TV talking head pundits, of course) that Obama might announce his pick soon after his TRIUMPHANT return from overseas. At any rate - Dem convention ends and like three days later, Repub convention begins.
I think McCain WILL pick Romney - and I think that would be his best choice against Obama, in the attack dog mode with a smile. Although, this week, McCain has been a pretty good attack dog himself!
- - Ing, July 24, 2008
I highly doubt McCain will announce Mitt Romney as his VP this week or next. I may be wrong. Is it not true that because of the convention schedules, Obama will have to announce his VP choice before McComplain? If so, if I were a republican, I'd wait until after the Dems for strategic reasons.
When you get the bumper sticker, see if you can figure out the "torch" symbol. It may simply be clip art with no meaning.
- - Fair, July 24, 2008
Shows how much I know – Fairness Doctrine ended in 1987
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6573406.html
- - Ing, July 23, 2008
Awwwhhh - you haven't been reading my blog posts - I've been complaining for some time about how the general election race is BOR-ing compared to the primary battle.
When Hillary was first in the phase of dropping out, I was glad Obama wanted to help retire her debt. But now I agree with those who say, of paramount importance is getting Barack elected - and besides, some of that debt was incurred by her continuing to battle for the nom past the point of making any difference. . .
Thanks for sending the sticker - I'll let you know when I get it – T. hardly ever opens any mail ahead of me.
- - Ing, July 22, 2008
Unfortunately, I seem to not find the race between Obama and McCain as interesting (entertaining) as the race between Hillary and Obama. The Obama/McCain race is a no-brainer - Obama all the way. Do you have similar thoughts?
Oh, by the way, the sticker is in today's mail. Do you think T. will confiscate it - ha-ha?
So far I'm at around $60 or 70 donation wise. I'm not done... Speaking of donations, I see Hillary is selling t-shirts and Obama continues to encourage 'his' donors to help retire her debt.
- - Fair, July 22, 2008
So, do you have in mind the max you would contribute to Obama? I think I will go past $100, but not sure . . .
- - Ing, July 22, 2008
That's so nice of you. Oooooohhh, the reporters make me mad - saying Barack is having a "picture perfect" trip and such code, as if he's doing nothing but photo-ops. On the McCain side, have you heard the latest rumor? That he will announce his veep this Friday to steal thunder from Obama (who, by the way, is single-handedly responsible for high gas prices, per McCain's latest ad) - and the pick very well may be - - - - Mitt-ney!
- - Ing, July 21, 2008
I will place one in the mail tonight or tomorrow. Interesting thing is... the stickers I "donated for" in the store do not appear on the website for purchase. The website stickers have a blue background, white sans-serif font - the common campaign design; the stickers I have are on a white background with what appears to be a Times New Roman-type all caps font. Perhaps they are 1) a special edition or 2) counterfeit! :)
- - Fair, July 21, 2008
I'll have to look for that CNN article . . .yeah - if you would like to mail a sticker, I would like that very much - but not if it is too much trouble.
I would like to get an Obama T-shirt online. . . .
I may have mentioned that I'm going through old (1980s, early 1990s) files of correspondence, memos, etc. for the purpose of sorting and purging. So many things are amazing to me from this exercise - if we are bureaucratic now we were way more so then; and how much e-mail has made a difference. Memo after memo of little things that nowadays would just be in an e-mail. . . .
- - Ing, July 21, 2008
T. is probably right, at least yard sign-wise. I never had a problem with my car. I put the sticker on my back window so it easily pulls off as opposed to my painted bumper.
Better to be safe than sorry - just your luck some idiot would smash your window or do other such things.
Would you like me to mail you one of the stickers, just to have? I was planning to give them to friends and then tell them to donate. The Obama "store" is pretty neat.
CNN.com recently added material about how the New York Times rejected a McCain editorial. Ha!
- - Fair, July 21, 2008
Sorry - I hadn't looked at the blog till you mentioned it below - that was a fine post and fine sentiments, too boot. T. won't "let" me put a bumper sticker on a car or a yard sign out for any Democrat - he thinks our area is too redneck-rural and it could lead to vandalism.
McCain is trying - without any success in my opinion - to have it both ways - 1) Obama hasn't gone to Iraq enough or ever to Afghanistan and 2) How could Obama announce his strategy before even going to these places? Why can't the interviewers ever call out these statements? The so-called "fact-finding" junkets are so brief and so scripted and so constrained that they can in no way provide meaningful facts about how to strategize in those countries. All physical visits can do is offer a tiny bit of local flavor and perhaps be helpful when meeting specific personages. But even the latter hasn't a whole lot to do with developing a strategy. So McCain is an idiot but the news reporters more so for not calling him on it.
- - Ing, July 21, 2008
Have you had a chance to follow any of the TV and/or internet coverage of Obama's travels? And McCain with all his desparate efforts to maintain some attention on his own campaign?
- - Ing, July 21, 2008
I knew you would get a kick out of Jib-Jab. When I first saw it on TV, I wanted to go to their website and see it again and they had a whole little application built in for adding a picture of yourself or a friend. I had digital pictures of you and a few others from when we went to the Nuthouse, before you left us :(
- - Ing, July 21, 2008
I like the post!
- - Fair, July 18, 2008
Morning post – “Pet Peeves”
- - Ing, July 18, 2008
Have you seen the new JibJab cartoon-video-thing for the current election? Pretty funny . . .
- - Ing, July 16, 2008
Wow - that is quite a rant! On quick read, it sounds pretty true. Unless you or a relative or friend is part of that huge gray bureaucratic middle management monster, I guess it's easy to be critical. I've thought for a long time that GM is just too big, but what do I know. . . . more and more, looks like our next car will be a Malibu . . .
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
What I heard was the focus being on Chevrolet and Cadillac. Pontiac, Buick and GMC are being consolidated in to "one" brand (that is why all the dealers are shuffling) because those three brands are only going to have two or three models each.
The other rumor was that Saturn and Buick would be the "other" brands outside of Cadillac and Chevy while GMC and Pontiac would be closed.
It cost GM a ton to phase out Oldsmobile - so what they may do (and I read this somewhere) is just let Pontiac and GMC have one or two vehicles and not market or spend any $$ on them. Not sure where that leaves Saturn.
www.autoextremist.com
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
Apparently Wall Street was underwhelmed by Mr. Wagoner's pitch - too many slices at the edges, not enough big, bold moves (what would that be? like, perhaps cutting out Pontiac, or taking every brand and saying only one or two models per each).
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
I want them to keep the jobs in St. Louis - they SAY they will...
I really am indifferent. I'm so used to mergers and closures from living in Michigan I just am conditioned to think nothing of this.
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
Any thoughts on !n-bev taking over Budweiser? I've read a bit in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about it - I want them to keep the Clydesdales - they SAY that they will . . . .
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
We can't set our sights that high or we will really be discouraged!
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
Well, if I ever step up my contributions it would be a bit thicker content-wise (although my comments may not be as complete or meaningful as those from say... Anderson Cooper or Candy Crowley or a Blogger from the Huffington Post).
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
I just checked the stats and it isn't quite as bad as I thought - no worse, anyway. There was something new to me in the report - Key Word searches - like, one was Racism Colbert, and another was blue state/red state/tim russert. So this must mean that the actual Google search engine is sending folks over. I imagine they may be disappointed because the content is thin right now. But we can slog forward!
I'll check out Time - do you check out http://thepage.time.com ? I just bring it up again because you mentioned Time. This is a sort of low-tech blog but it's good for keeping up on day to day events.
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
I always was just fine with the blog being for fun. The experience is nice too as it is my first. You just never know what can be picked up on the web these days - maybe an unexpected mention on CNN :)
While my grandparents are web-saavy, I think those in more rural areas unfortunately are not. But, as I mentioned, they are probably already McCain supporters anyway in that no computer/no Internets demographic - my guess at least.
There is a good article on John McCain and the republican party in the current Time issue.
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
Well - I agree more with what you said earlier about your grandparents' web-saavy. No matter how much aides can feed McCain stuff, he HAS to be computer literate. If he ends up being elected, I shudder to think that we could have another "stupid" president like W . . .
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
Ahhh, the Internets. The Dems need to be careful with this. They could end up 'offending' (or having republican operatives let them know they should have been offended) older, reliable voters who may be in a similar situation as McCain... as long as they aren't already for McCain already because of his age.
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
Let me know if this link works: - McCain can't use "a google"
http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/07/14/mccain-can-t-use-a-google-so-what.aspx
More on a topic we have discussed previously - here's a "young person" who thinks it doesn't matter that McCain is computer-illiterate.
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
From www.Detnews.com : Cuts announced this morning by Wagoner:
[begin quote]
• A 20 percent reduction in salaried worker costs through a variety of means including normal attrition, early retirement and voluntary separation programs. GM's salaried workforce has declined by about 12,000 to 32,000 since 2000, when Wagoner became CEO.
• Cutting health-care coverage for Medicare-eligible salaried retirees, offset by increased pension payments.
• No pay raises for salaried workers through the end of 2009.
• No discretionary bonuses for executives.
• Reducing truck capacity and related component capacity. GM expects to cut 300,000 units by the end of 2009, about half by already announced actions and half by new steps, Wagoner said. Last month, GM said it would cut 170,000 trucks from its production plan later this year.
• Cutting and consolidating sales and marketing budgets, including motorsports activity.
• Holding engineering spending to 2006-07 levels through the end of 2009.
• Reducing capital spending.
• Suspending the dividend on common stock, to save $800 million through 2009.
Wagoner also said GM would defer until 2010 its payments to the UAW-run health-care trust agreed upon in last fall's contract negotiations, saving $1.7 billion.
"These measures will provide us with ample liquidity," Wagoner said.
[end quote]
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
What is going on at GM? I heard about a news conference today.
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
How ridiculous is our news media/political culture? Obama can't even say he will "refine" his policy based on information he gets from the military on the ground when he visits Iraq and subsequently. FLIP-FLOP. He can't diverge in any regard from - troops out within 16 months. He gets it from the left and the right both. IT MAKES ME SICK!
So, on another note, I was happy to see Nadal win Wimbledon yesterday, because I think he's cute ;->
- - Ing, July 7, 2008
I will be watching DC style - from the top of an apt. building roof :)
- - Fair, July 3, 2008
No problem - maybe you can catch up on your rest this weekend. Will you be seeing the Capital Fireworks show?
- - Ing, July 3, 2008
Favor...
I can't remember what I wrote (I was tired). Can you cut and paste and send it to me? I think it is silly I have no access.
- - Fair, July 3, 2008
Great posts! I'll post back to the blog later on today.
This latest brouhaha with Clark illustrates what I read about him earlier on - that he doesn't get along well with others, not a great team player, pretty well set on his own views, opinions, analysis. Probably not the best qualities for a veep. Of all the mentioned contenders, I'd like to see Daschle - he is so personable - almost ingratiating at times! ;-> - but he's no softy.
Yes, Obama is moving to the center - he has to, to win - and winning is most important. Nothing out of his shifts strike me as cynical and insincere, as some are saying . . .
Have a great 4th - I've watched it many times on PBS out of Washington DC - they put on a spectacular show and a pretty good concert.
- - Ing, July 3, 2008
I added two brief posts last night - one about the campaign, the other about the latest re: the city of Detroit.
- - Fair, July 3, 2008
Romney is the current odds-on favorite for McCain's number two spot.
- - Ing, July 2, 2008
Thanks for the reports. I will comment "on blog" directly via the blog tonight. I would like to get on the blog more often. You are correct; I think Wes Clark just *blew* his chances. Wouldn't be too smart for Obama to select him now. Oh well...
- - Fair, July 2, 2008
"Your guy" Wesley Clark messed up a bit. He said on Face the Nation that, yes, McCain was a hero for being shot down and becoming a POW - BUT, that wasn't really specific experience for becoming Commander and Chief - something like that. On the anti-Obama side, there's a Swift Boater out there defending McCain, as if Obama is attacking McCain - which Obama himself is not. But everyone has to be responsible for every statement by every surrogate, no matter how much disavowal comes from the candidate himself.
- - Ing, June 30, 2008
- - Fair, July 25, 2008
Rest assured - plenty of media folks notice the inconsistencies of the Repubs - my favorite, of couse, being Keith Olbermann. His 8:00 pm nightly Countdown show probably comes when you are out and about, but MSNBC repeats the same show at 10 pm. Do you ever catch Keith? You know the phrase, preaching to the choir? Well, I'm in the choir that he preaches to, and it's fine with me - it's a comfort to know that prominent media figures think like me - and of course, have access to video and guests that back up the thoughts.
- - Ing, July 25, 2008
First the republicans say Obama cannot be President because he has no experience.
Obama goes overseas and acts Presidential.
The republicans criticize Obama for acting Presidential-like before even being elected - the nerve.
Is anyone but you and I paying attention!!!
Unfortunately, you are correct about simple in nature always being seen as better. I hope Obama's campaign can be both detailed and simple to cover all bases. I am guessing the "blue collar" workers are those that identify with "less taxes," "less government," etc..., the Reagan Democrat message, as the way to move forward.
- - Fair, July 25, 2008
So. So far so good with all of Barack's travels. The criticisms he is getting are pretty standard, other than the, Obama would rather lose a war so he could win an election. That was a low blow. Also, his speech in Berlin to 200,000 adoring fans was too vague? What's he supposed to do: outline a 10-pt proposal to fix social security to that audience?
I do have a bit of unease about the election - in that, I'm afraid it will be - simple will win. The simple messages - cut your taxes, cut your gas tax, win in Iraq - McCain seems to be better focused on those. I think this is something Obama can win on, but it needs work.
- - Ing, July 25, 2008
Puts Michigan back in to play too for McComplain - Romney being the native son!
- - Fair, July 24, 2008
I think our mail is very slow - no sticker as yet.
I heard a rumor (from TV talking head pundits, of course) that Obama might announce his pick soon after his TRIUMPHANT return from overseas. At any rate - Dem convention ends and like three days later, Repub convention begins.
I think McCain WILL pick Romney - and I think that would be his best choice against Obama, in the attack dog mode with a smile. Although, this week, McCain has been a pretty good attack dog himself!
- - Ing, July 24, 2008
I highly doubt McCain will announce Mitt Romney as his VP this week or next. I may be wrong. Is it not true that because of the convention schedules, Obama will have to announce his VP choice before McComplain? If so, if I were a republican, I'd wait until after the Dems for strategic reasons.
When you get the bumper sticker, see if you can figure out the "torch" symbol. It may simply be clip art with no meaning.
- - Fair, July 24, 2008
Shows how much I know – Fairness Doctrine ended in 1987
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6573406.html
- - Ing, July 23, 2008
Awwwhhh - you haven't been reading my blog posts - I've been complaining for some time about how the general election race is BOR-ing compared to the primary battle.
When Hillary was first in the phase of dropping out, I was glad Obama wanted to help retire her debt. But now I agree with those who say, of paramount importance is getting Barack elected - and besides, some of that debt was incurred by her continuing to battle for the nom past the point of making any difference. . .
Thanks for sending the sticker - I'll let you know when I get it – T. hardly ever opens any mail ahead of me.
- - Ing, July 22, 2008
Unfortunately, I seem to not find the race between Obama and McCain as interesting (entertaining) as the race between Hillary and Obama. The Obama/McCain race is a no-brainer - Obama all the way. Do you have similar thoughts?
Oh, by the way, the sticker is in today's mail. Do you think T. will confiscate it - ha-ha?
So far I'm at around $60 or 70 donation wise. I'm not done... Speaking of donations, I see Hillary is selling t-shirts and Obama continues to encourage 'his' donors to help retire her debt.
- - Fair, July 22, 2008
So, do you have in mind the max you would contribute to Obama? I think I will go past $100, but not sure . . .
- - Ing, July 22, 2008
That's so nice of you. Oooooohhh, the reporters make me mad - saying Barack is having a "picture perfect" trip and such code, as if he's doing nothing but photo-ops. On the McCain side, have you heard the latest rumor? That he will announce his veep this Friday to steal thunder from Obama (who, by the way, is single-handedly responsible for high gas prices, per McCain's latest ad) - and the pick very well may be - - - - Mitt-ney!
- - Ing, July 21, 2008
I will place one in the mail tonight or tomorrow. Interesting thing is... the stickers I "donated for" in the store do not appear on the website for purchase. The website stickers have a blue background, white sans-serif font - the common campaign design; the stickers I have are on a white background with what appears to be a Times New Roman-type all caps font. Perhaps they are 1) a special edition or 2) counterfeit! :)
- - Fair, July 21, 2008
I'll have to look for that CNN article . . .yeah - if you would like to mail a sticker, I would like that very much - but not if it is too much trouble.
I would like to get an Obama T-shirt online. . . .
I may have mentioned that I'm going through old (1980s, early 1990s) files of correspondence, memos, etc. for the purpose of sorting and purging. So many things are amazing to me from this exercise - if we are bureaucratic now we were way more so then; and how much e-mail has made a difference. Memo after memo of little things that nowadays would just be in an e-mail. . . .
- - Ing, July 21, 2008
T. is probably right, at least yard sign-wise. I never had a problem with my car. I put the sticker on my back window so it easily pulls off as opposed to my painted bumper.
Better to be safe than sorry - just your luck some idiot would smash your window or do other such things.
Would you like me to mail you one of the stickers, just to have? I was planning to give them to friends and then tell them to donate. The Obama "store" is pretty neat.
CNN.com recently added material about how the New York Times rejected a McCain editorial. Ha!
- - Fair, July 21, 2008
Sorry - I hadn't looked at the blog till you mentioned it below - that was a fine post and fine sentiments, too boot. T. won't "let" me put a bumper sticker on a car or a yard sign out for any Democrat - he thinks our area is too redneck-rural and it could lead to vandalism.
McCain is trying - without any success in my opinion - to have it both ways - 1) Obama hasn't gone to Iraq enough or ever to Afghanistan and 2) How could Obama announce his strategy before even going to these places? Why can't the interviewers ever call out these statements? The so-called "fact-finding" junkets are so brief and so scripted and so constrained that they can in no way provide meaningful facts about how to strategize in those countries. All physical visits can do is offer a tiny bit of local flavor and perhaps be helpful when meeting specific personages. But even the latter hasn't a whole lot to do with developing a strategy. So McCain is an idiot but the news reporters more so for not calling him on it.
- - Ing, July 21, 2008
Have you had a chance to follow any of the TV and/or internet coverage of Obama's travels? And McCain with all his desparate efforts to maintain some attention on his own campaign?
- - Ing, July 21, 2008
I knew you would get a kick out of Jib-Jab. When I first saw it on TV, I wanted to go to their website and see it again and they had a whole little application built in for adding a picture of yourself or a friend. I had digital pictures of you and a few others from when we went to the Nuthouse, before you left us :(
- - Ing, July 21, 2008
I like the post!
- - Fair, July 18, 2008
Morning post – “Pet Peeves”
- - Ing, July 18, 2008
Have you seen the new JibJab cartoon-video-thing for the current election? Pretty funny . . .
- - Ing, July 16, 2008
Wow - that is quite a rant! On quick read, it sounds pretty true. Unless you or a relative or friend is part of that huge gray bureaucratic middle management monster, I guess it's easy to be critical. I've thought for a long time that GM is just too big, but what do I know. . . . more and more, looks like our next car will be a Malibu . . .
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
What I heard was the focus being on Chevrolet and Cadillac. Pontiac, Buick and GMC are being consolidated in to "one" brand (that is why all the dealers are shuffling) because those three brands are only going to have two or three models each.
The other rumor was that Saturn and Buick would be the "other" brands outside of Cadillac and Chevy while GMC and Pontiac would be closed.
It cost GM a ton to phase out Oldsmobile - so what they may do (and I read this somewhere) is just let Pontiac and GMC have one or two vehicles and not market or spend any $$ on them. Not sure where that leaves Saturn.
www.autoextremist.com
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
Apparently Wall Street was underwhelmed by Mr. Wagoner's pitch - too many slices at the edges, not enough big, bold moves (what would that be? like, perhaps cutting out Pontiac, or taking every brand and saying only one or two models per each).
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
I want them to keep the jobs in St. Louis - they SAY they will...
I really am indifferent. I'm so used to mergers and closures from living in Michigan I just am conditioned to think nothing of this.
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
Any thoughts on !n-bev taking over Budweiser? I've read a bit in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about it - I want them to keep the Clydesdales - they SAY that they will . . . .
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
We can't set our sights that high or we will really be discouraged!
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
Well, if I ever step up my contributions it would be a bit thicker content-wise (although my comments may not be as complete or meaningful as those from say... Anderson Cooper or Candy Crowley or a Blogger from the Huffington Post).
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
I just checked the stats and it isn't quite as bad as I thought - no worse, anyway. There was something new to me in the report - Key Word searches - like, one was Racism Colbert, and another was blue state/red state/tim russert. So this must mean that the actual Google search engine is sending folks over. I imagine they may be disappointed because the content is thin right now. But we can slog forward!
I'll check out Time - do you check out http://thepage.time.com ? I just bring it up again because you mentioned Time. This is a sort of low-tech blog but it's good for keeping up on day to day events.
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
I always was just fine with the blog being for fun. The experience is nice too as it is my first. You just never know what can be picked up on the web these days - maybe an unexpected mention on CNN :)
While my grandparents are web-saavy, I think those in more rural areas unfortunately are not. But, as I mentioned, they are probably already McCain supporters anyway in that no computer/no Internets demographic - my guess at least.
There is a good article on John McCain and the republican party in the current Time issue.
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
Well - I agree more with what you said earlier about your grandparents' web-saavy. No matter how much aides can feed McCain stuff, he HAS to be computer literate. If he ends up being elected, I shudder to think that we could have another "stupid" president like W . . .
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
Ahhh, the Internets. The Dems need to be careful with this. They could end up 'offending' (or having republican operatives let them know they should have been offended) older, reliable voters who may be in a similar situation as McCain... as long as they aren't already for McCain already because of his age.
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
Let me know if this link works: - McCain can't use "a google"
http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/07/14/mccain-can-t-use-a-google-so-what.aspx
More on a topic we have discussed previously - here's a "young person" who thinks it doesn't matter that McCain is computer-illiterate.
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
From www.Detnews.com : Cuts announced this morning by Wagoner:
[begin quote]
• A 20 percent reduction in salaried worker costs through a variety of means including normal attrition, early retirement and voluntary separation programs. GM's salaried workforce has declined by about 12,000 to 32,000 since 2000, when Wagoner became CEO.
• Cutting health-care coverage for Medicare-eligible salaried retirees, offset by increased pension payments.
• No pay raises for salaried workers through the end of 2009.
• No discretionary bonuses for executives.
• Reducing truck capacity and related component capacity. GM expects to cut 300,000 units by the end of 2009, about half by already announced actions and half by new steps, Wagoner said. Last month, GM said it would cut 170,000 trucks from its production plan later this year.
• Cutting and consolidating sales and marketing budgets, including motorsports activity.
• Holding engineering spending to 2006-07 levels through the end of 2009.
• Reducing capital spending.
• Suspending the dividend on common stock, to save $800 million through 2009.
Wagoner also said GM would defer until 2010 its payments to the UAW-run health-care trust agreed upon in last fall's contract negotiations, saving $1.7 billion.
"These measures will provide us with ample liquidity," Wagoner said.
[end quote]
- - Ing, July 15, 2008
What is going on at GM? I heard about a news conference today.
- - Fair, July 15, 2008
How ridiculous is our news media/political culture? Obama can't even say he will "refine" his policy based on information he gets from the military on the ground when he visits Iraq and subsequently. FLIP-FLOP. He can't diverge in any regard from - troops out within 16 months. He gets it from the left and the right both. IT MAKES ME SICK!
So, on another note, I was happy to see Nadal win Wimbledon yesterday, because I think he's cute ;->
- - Ing, July 7, 2008
I will be watching DC style - from the top of an apt. building roof :)
- - Fair, July 3, 2008
No problem - maybe you can catch up on your rest this weekend. Will you be seeing the Capital Fireworks show?
- - Ing, July 3, 2008
Favor...
I can't remember what I wrote (I was tired). Can you cut and paste and send it to me? I think it is silly I have no access.
- - Fair, July 3, 2008
Great posts! I'll post back to the blog later on today.
This latest brouhaha with Clark illustrates what I read about him earlier on - that he doesn't get along well with others, not a great team player, pretty well set on his own views, opinions, analysis. Probably not the best qualities for a veep. Of all the mentioned contenders, I'd like to see Daschle - he is so personable - almost ingratiating at times! ;-> - but he's no softy.
Yes, Obama is moving to the center - he has to, to win - and winning is most important. Nothing out of his shifts strike me as cynical and insincere, as some are saying . . .
Have a great 4th - I've watched it many times on PBS out of Washington DC - they put on a spectacular show and a pretty good concert.
- - Ing, July 3, 2008
I added two brief posts last night - one about the campaign, the other about the latest re: the city of Detroit.
- - Fair, July 3, 2008
Romney is the current odds-on favorite for McCain's number two spot.
- - Ing, July 2, 2008
Thanks for the reports. I will comment "on blog" directly via the blog tonight. I would like to get on the blog more often. You are correct; I think Wes Clark just *blew* his chances. Wouldn't be too smart for Obama to select him now. Oh well...
- - Fair, July 2, 2008
"Your guy" Wesley Clark messed up a bit. He said on Face the Nation that, yes, McCain was a hero for being shot down and becoming a POW - BUT, that wasn't really specific experience for becoming Commander and Chief - something like that. On the anti-Obama side, there's a Swift Boater out there defending McCain, as if Obama is attacking McCain - which Obama himself is not. But everyone has to be responsible for every statement by every surrogate, no matter how much disavowal comes from the candidate himself.
- - Ing, June 30, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Have they no shame. . .
Repubs are really grasping at straws, desparately trying to attack Barack Obama while he is on foreign soil. McCain's new refrain - because Obama will not "admit" that the surge was a success, that means Obama would rather lose a war to win an election (!) And because Obama signs the Holocaust Memorial book in Jeruselem with the phrase, "Never again!" the Mc-Campaign comes out and says that Obama has flip-flopped - he USED to be against efforts to end genocide! (they are equating Obama's vote against the surge with a vote to allow genocide in Iraq and thus comparing that to the Holocaust! - wow. Have they no shame?)
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Old-school donations
Well, I did it - I placed an 'Obama for President' campaign sticker on my Chevy Malibu! In the Washington area, there are many people involved in the campaign - no surprise there. It was, however, sort of interesting to see an Obama campaign "store" mixed in along the main strip in the District's Dupont Circle neighborhood. Like a drive-thru, I asked for a stack of bumper stickers, paid [donated], and was on my way (Ing seems to have supporting the Obama campaign via the Web down more than I). While I will of course still support the campaign via the web site, I did enjoy my trip back in time this morning... to boot, I paid with cash! Ha-ha :)
Friday, July 18, 2008
Pet Peeves
As Obama prepares for his overseas travels, one of my main pet peeves is awakened - in this day and age of ubiquitous electronic communications - comprising voice, video, and data - why do folks persist in seeing things through a 19th or early 20th century model? Why is so much emphasis placed on physical visits to the dirt of Iraq, on face-to-face, in-person discussions with General Prateaus, and other world leaders? Certainly it's important to get the sense of a person important to deal with, a sense that can perhaps only come across in-person. But for all the analytical points and details? McCain says - Obama had to go to Iraq to "see that the surge is working" - why? On one of McCain's recent visits to Baghdad, he walked around a market surrounded by military security, wearing a flak-jacket. How does such a microscopic view of a huge, complicated tapestry assist McCain in knowing how the surge is working? A briefing and/or reports from the military would tell him more - and he would not need to be in Bagdad itself to comprehend this information.
This peeve is related to another - why do folks need an in-person visit from a candidate in order to make up their minds to vote for him or her? A candidate for president can't go door to door in the entire country. Perhaps he can't even drop into every state, but so what? Can't people watch TV, surf the web, read newspapers and magazines and find out everything they need to know? It's nice to be in the physical presence of the candidate, I'm sure, but to have your vote depend upon that???
Best case scenario for Obama's travels - he is a hit wherever he goes, and no one in his campaign says anything untoward - the Repubs will be scrutinizing everything like hawks for any sign of gaffes or flip-flops (ANOTHER pet peeve - the views and policies of a candidate SHOULD evolve, become refined, shade, etc. etc. - as knowledge increases, as circumstances change. Do people want another "W" who would stubbornly "stay the course" no matter what?)
This peeve is related to another - why do folks need an in-person visit from a candidate in order to make up their minds to vote for him or her? A candidate for president can't go door to door in the entire country. Perhaps he can't even drop into every state, but so what? Can't people watch TV, surf the web, read newspapers and magazines and find out everything they need to know? It's nice to be in the physical presence of the candidate, I'm sure, but to have your vote depend upon that???
Best case scenario for Obama's travels - he is a hit wherever he goes, and no one in his campaign says anything untoward - the Repubs will be scrutinizing everything like hawks for any sign of gaffes or flip-flops (ANOTHER pet peeve - the views and policies of a candidate SHOULD evolve, become refined, shade, etc. etc. - as knowledge increases, as circumstances change. Do people want another "W" who would stubbornly "stay the course" no matter what?)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Waiting for Veep Selection
It's worrisome that the tracking polls show Obama and McCain so close right now. I guess Barack needs to have a sparring partner like Hillary and/or big rallies to really show off his stuff. But if the race truly remains close, Barack's veep choice will be more important than ever. At this point, it sort of seems as though the only "exciting" choice - as in, would fire up the electorate and the base, which has been stung of late by Obama's centrist moves - would be - sigh - - - Hillary. If only Bill had been different in his behaviors . . . I like what Dodd is trying to do right now with the mortgage crisis; the pundits are discussing guys I haven't even heard of before . . .
On your travels, Fair, did you even hear about what Jesse Jackson said when he thought his mic was off during a taping of something on FoxNews? Jesse was upset that Barack took off on absent black fathers, on Fathers Day, and he said, words to the effect - I'd like to remove his manhood! Jesse's son, Junior, had very harsh words for Dad, Barack accepted Jesse's apology and the talk shows had a field day (Jon and Stephen have been off for two weeks - they will probably come back to this story). I liked Jay Leno's bit the best - he said, it seems that Jesse has gotten to Barack, take a look at this - then they showed Obama giving some speech, but with the voice in a high falsetto!
You'll find this hard to believe, but I'm a bit of a Rafa Fan (as in, Rafael Nadal). I watched the Wimbleton Final, TiVo-ed and watched it again, and even finally figured out the arcane way tennis matches are scored! Off topic, I know, but what the hell -our audience is quite "specialized."
On your travels, Fair, did you even hear about what Jesse Jackson said when he thought his mic was off during a taping of something on FoxNews? Jesse was upset that Barack took off on absent black fathers, on Fathers Day, and he said, words to the effect - I'd like to remove his manhood! Jesse's son, Junior, had very harsh words for Dad, Barack accepted Jesse's apology and the talk shows had a field day (Jon and Stephen have been off for two weeks - they will probably come back to this story). I liked Jay Leno's bit the best - he said, it seems that Jesse has gotten to Barack, take a look at this - then they showed Obama giving some speech, but with the voice in a high falsetto!
You'll find this hard to believe, but I'm a bit of a Rafa Fan (as in, Rafael Nadal). I watched the Wimbleton Final, TiVo-ed and watched it again, and even finally figured out the arcane way tennis matches are scored! Off topic, I know, but what the hell -our audience is quite "specialized."
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Primary was Exciting. But now . . .
It's been a common theme of mine, that I just can't get as excited about the election now that the Primary is over, and I don't have Hillary to kick around anymore. Apparently this sentiment is widespread among Obama supporters and has carried over into their campaign contribution decisions - that is, to not make any, or not at the same pace as during the Primary. Since I first contributed to Obama, I've gotten frequent, sometimes daily, e-mails from the campaign, some with a specific point about something, all ending in a request for donations. I have tended to be swayed by the "it's the last day to contribute for this month's tally" pitch - my total contribution has gotten to $75 and I'm not sure when I'll stop.
All the continuing angst over Obama's moves to the center - I just want to say - get over it. It's way more important that we have a Democratic president then someone with an ideologogy as pure (and consistent) as the driven snow (who would not be electable). I still can't imagine Barack coming out with any statement or position that would sway me toward McCain or not voting. He's not going to be George Bush - he's not going to be a Republican - that's ALL that really matters to me. The fact that he is young, a phenomenal speaker, good-looking, constitutional-law-professor smart - all that is a bonus.
While it won't sway me at all, for others' sake, I hope he makes a good, if not great, veep pick.
All the continuing angst over Obama's moves to the center - I just want to say - get over it. It's way more important that we have a Democratic president then someone with an ideologogy as pure (and consistent) as the driven snow (who would not be electable). I still can't imagine Barack coming out with any statement or position that would sway me toward McCain or not voting. He's not going to be George Bush - he's not going to be a Republican - that's ALL that really matters to me. The fact that he is young, a phenomenal speaker, good-looking, constitutional-law-professor smart - all that is a bonus.
While it won't sway me at all, for others' sake, I hope he makes a good, if not great, veep pick.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Have a Happy Capitol Fourth!
I'm so glad Fair will get to see the wonderful fireworks show put on in Washington D.C. this year! Hopefully I'll get to a great, if not spectacular show, closer to home. Meanwhile, on the campaign trail - my fave, Howard Kurtz and Media Notes ( at www.washingtonpost.com) has this to say today:
[begin quote]
You may have blinked and missed it, but John McCain has been in Colombia and Mexico the last two days, not that the mainstream media much cares (at least compared to his latest staff shake-up).
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Barack Obama's upcoming trip to Europe and the Middle East will draw 100 times more coverage, and that may prove to be an understatement.
While few will admit it, most journalists just think Obama is a better story, and a story that sells in terms of circulation and ratings. And in a political sense, Obama is also the story. Much of the debate swirls around who he is, what he believes and whether he has what it takes to be president. McCain is a familiar figure who many view as a default choice for the White House, an experienced hand running a not very exciting campaign. Obama is seen as an inspiring figure who still has something to prove, with his race providing an added layer of complexity for his candidacy.
That is why the Great Flip-Flop Debate matters--for both candidates. Obama has changed his position on the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, public financing, government wiretapping and the D.C. gun ban, opening himself up to attacks that he is abandoning his principles (known, more benignly, as moving to the center). McCain has changed his positions on the Bush tax cuts, offshore oil drilling, veterans' educational benefits and other issues.
But Obama seems to be taking the greater battering on the matter, maybe because the GOP is attacking more effectively, or he's the relative newcomer, or, as I said, because he's the story.
Most voters aren't following every twist and turn of the FISA debate. But they want to get a general sense of what a candidate stands for, and whether he bends with the wind. Flip-flopping makes sense sometimes, if you can offer a convincing rationale. But the game seems to be denying that you're doing any such thing and dismissing past explanations as "inartful."
[end quote]
In my own opinion, Obama may need to polish his rationalization skills a bit more, but he can bend toward the center all he wants. He's not going to bend all the way to being a Bush or McCain on the Iraq war, on Supreme Court justices, the environment, or health care. And he's going to remain more inspiring than anyone out there, by a long shot.
Sorry about your Veep preference, Fair. If Tom Daschle isn't selected for the spot, he'd make a great Chief of Staff - he sure knows his way around Congress and how Washington really works. I guess I don't have a real strong preference myself - I'd like to think, once the selection is announced - great choice, the right choice, the right fit for Obama and the ticket.
As for Detroit? It's gettin beyond dismal, isn't it.
[begin quote]
You may have blinked and missed it, but John McCain has been in Colombia and Mexico the last two days, not that the mainstream media much cares (at least compared to his latest staff shake-up).
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Barack Obama's upcoming trip to Europe and the Middle East will draw 100 times more coverage, and that may prove to be an understatement.
While few will admit it, most journalists just think Obama is a better story, and a story that sells in terms of circulation and ratings. And in a political sense, Obama is also the story. Much of the debate swirls around who he is, what he believes and whether he has what it takes to be president. McCain is a familiar figure who many view as a default choice for the White House, an experienced hand running a not very exciting campaign. Obama is seen as an inspiring figure who still has something to prove, with his race providing an added layer of complexity for his candidacy.
That is why the Great Flip-Flop Debate matters--for both candidates. Obama has changed his position on the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, public financing, government wiretapping and the D.C. gun ban, opening himself up to attacks that he is abandoning his principles (known, more benignly, as moving to the center). McCain has changed his positions on the Bush tax cuts, offshore oil drilling, veterans' educational benefits and other issues.
But Obama seems to be taking the greater battering on the matter, maybe because the GOP is attacking more effectively, or he's the relative newcomer, or, as I said, because he's the story.
Most voters aren't following every twist and turn of the FISA debate. But they want to get a general sense of what a candidate stands for, and whether he bends with the wind. Flip-flopping makes sense sometimes, if you can offer a convincing rationale. But the game seems to be denying that you're doing any such thing and dismissing past explanations as "inartful."
[end quote]
In my own opinion, Obama may need to polish his rationalization skills a bit more, but he can bend toward the center all he wants. He's not going to bend all the way to being a Bush or McCain on the Iraq war, on Supreme Court justices, the environment, or health care. And he's going to remain more inspiring than anyone out there, by a long shot.
Sorry about your Veep preference, Fair. If Tom Daschle isn't selected for the spot, he'd make a great Chief of Staff - he sure knows his way around Congress and how Washington really works. I guess I don't have a real strong preference myself - I'd like to think, once the selection is announced - great choice, the right choice, the right fit for Obama and the ticket.
As for Detroit? It's gettin beyond dismal, isn't it.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Give us a break!
It is rather disheartening to read about my “hometown” Detroit these days (for the past few months, in fact). I thought the text message scandal with which Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was involved was enough. Then a double hit – national headlines about alleged corruption on the City Council AND more budget deficits and continued declining enrollment in the Detroit Public Schools.
No news is much better than this news. I can’t help but wonder how low the ball will have to fall before the city and state gets another shot at a run.
Not good for Detroit; not good for Michigan.
No news is much better than this news. I can’t help but wonder how low the ball will have to fall before the city and state gets another shot at a run.
Not good for Detroit; not good for Michigan.
Say It Ain't So...
... Say nothing at all, in fact. Ing's recent post hits a soft spot with me. To me, the addition of Gen. Wes Clark to the Obama ticket would have been 'Fair.' You see, I liked Gen. Clark during the then-2004 Democratic primary when he was a contender for the top of the ticket. When Clark showed up within the Hillary Clinton campaign, it made me stay neutral in the Clinton-Obama contest for a much longer period of time (much to Ing's annoyance!) before I fully supported Obama. Unfortunately, based on a statement with which I happen to agree, it seems as if it would be best for Obama to avoid the most recent controversy surrounding Wes Clark.
I have a feeling the republicans were just waiting to jump on Gen. Clark, fearful that if he joined Obama as VP, McCain would fall further behind. While I am still confident in Sen. Obama - I was just hoping... Obama/Clark was my "dream team" ticket. So does that leave me hoping for an Obama/Clinton ticket?
The recent pouncing on Clark creates an interesting scenario - - will everyone associated with a campaign stay "on message" - that is, with pre-scripted, focus-grouped vanilla statements or will we be able to hear true thoughts. I am fearful that this campaign will become a race to the researched middle... whether I like it or not.
I have a feeling the republicans were just waiting to jump on Gen. Clark, fearful that if he joined Obama as VP, McCain would fall further behind. While I am still confident in Sen. Obama - I was just hoping... Obama/Clark was my "dream team" ticket. So does that leave me hoping for an Obama/Clinton ticket?
The recent pouncing on Clark creates an interesting scenario - - will everyone associated with a campaign stay "on message" - that is, with pre-scripted, focus-grouped vanilla statements or will we be able to hear true thoughts. I am fearful that this campaign will become a race to the researched middle... whether I like it or not.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wesley Clark Gaffe?
I'm wondering, Fair, if you have been following the coverage of ret. General Wesley Clark's statement this past Sunday on Face the Nation. He said, paraphrasing, that when McCain was flying a fighter jet over Viet Nam and got shot down, that didn't automatically qualify him to become President. Most of the coverage is that Clark shouldn't have said this, even if it's true (like Charlie Black's statements last week that another terrorist attack on U.S. soil before the election would help his candidate, John McCain) - you just don't even give the appearance of dissing the experience of McCain in this regard, given that he was subsequently held and tortured in a POW camp for years.
Watching Clark last night on the Dan Abrams show, Verdict, on MSNBC, I was reminded of Geraldine Ferraro. In that, Clark would not back down from his statements. He repeatedly said that on Sunday and last night, he was not speaking as an Obama surrogate, but that is a point that will be lost. At the time of Ferraro's comments, it wouldn't have mattered to me if she said she was just a supporter of Hillary, not speaking for the campaign - she still made me angry and I directed that anger also at Hillary. I'm afraid it's the same now with Clark - I agree with his statements, in this case, but he's off message and distracting from what Obama is trying to do this week (Patriotism and all that). His days being considered a Veep possibility appear to be over. . .
Watching Clark last night on the Dan Abrams show, Verdict, on MSNBC, I was reminded of Geraldine Ferraro. In that, Clark would not back down from his statements. He repeatedly said that on Sunday and last night, he was not speaking as an Obama surrogate, but that is a point that will be lost. At the time of Ferraro's comments, it wouldn't have mattered to me if she said she was just a supporter of Hillary, not speaking for the campaign - she still made me angry and I directed that anger also at Hillary. I'm afraid it's the same now with Clark - I agree with his statements, in this case, but he's off message and distracting from what Obama is trying to do this week (Patriotism and all that). His days being considered a Veep possibility appear to be over. . .
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