Can We Really Call It a Failure

Screwing up on health care reform (thus far - and by the way, this is a whole different debate and will not be covered at this time)

Failing to fully vet nominations

Confusing decisions on Afghanistan

The list could continue (I'm sure, I just have been overwhelmed with school and work lately and haven't been checking in-depth. Nor do I have the time or interest in keeping a running list. Also, I have a crappy memory and I'm tired), but seriously, can the Olympic Committee's choice of Rio de Janeiro really be viewed as Obama's failure?

I mean, last I checked, the committee has the ultimate decision. And when's the last time the Olympics were in South America? Last I checked, there are a lot more places on earth than just America. And American's had its fair share of times as Olympic host.

Also, he kind of had to show up to lobby for the Olympics. Basically every other major head of state was out lobbying for their country - it would look funny if he stayed at home.

Really, he may have failed in some other respects, but don't blame Obama because he couldn't convince the Olympic Committee that Chicago was the best choice.

What We Should Really Be Focusing On

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

President Carter believes Joe Wilson's comments were fueled by racist feelings. Not sure. But this is way more important than Kanye upstaging Taylor Swift at some inconsequential, invalid award show.

Michael Steele (lamewad that he is) accuses the Dems of throwing smoke to avoid the real issues - policy.

Hey, maybe Carter's right on a grand scale. Subconsciously we're not ready to accept a black president. But do I really think Joe Wilson is mad that Obama is the president or more upset with the policy implications? I'd bet money on the latter and I'd bet close to zero on the former.

Look, I'll say this...I was walking to work today (from the parking lot, not from home) and I noticed a group of black people walking from the criminal courthouse on the opposite side of the street. And then I saw a white woman. And it triggered a series of thoughts.

For instance, not only here, but in California as well, I've had white friends that have friends of all different races. But when something bad happens and it was the result of either confirmed or presumed activities at the hands of a black person, inevitably the words stupid "nigger!" inevitably comes lashing out. Now on any given day of the week, these are friends that are seemingly normal, tolerant people. What does it all mean? That maybe we haven't moved as far away from our racist past as we'd like to believe. And you apologists who are ready to come out of the woodwork saying these are isolated incidents, please, save your breath.

Anyway, I still don't think Wilson's comments were racially motivated. At least consciously. Food for though....

First Lady Goes to Craphole, CA

Somehow, UC Merced got Michelle Obama to speak at their graduation. Coming from Sticktown (#5 most violent, BABY!), I don't have much room to talk, but come on, Merced? That place is a dump. And it's UC Merced (no offense if you're reading this Lou, or any other graduate). It's a relatively new school, and...it's MERCED.

Apparently they bribed her to come there. By sending her 900 Valentines Day cards. Which, I mean, that would probably be a tell-tale sign that your city sucks really really bad and you're desperate. I mean, a place like L.A., they'd probably be like, "we're LA, we're too cool, you should have to send us 900 Valentines Day cards to get us to invite you." But this isn't the first time the city of Merced has annoyed someone into doing something. Apparently they bugged the University of California Board of Regents till they built a campus in the craphole city. So although you live in a dump, you apparently know how to get what you want Merced - annoy the living hell out of someone till they do what you want. That's kind of like torture.

So in summation, Merced is full of a bunch of torture advocates.

Source

P-I-G: Let's Hoop

Obama had the UConn women's team to the White House. You know the one that went undefeated, won the championship and never won a single game by less than double digits. Yeah that team.

Moments after congratulating the University of Connecticut's women’s team for winning the national championship, in front of the South Portico of the White House, President Obama hustled the team over to the outdoor half-court, away from reporters and cameras. The president prevailed in a brief, impromptu game of P-I-G with a few of the players.

“His shot’s a little unorthodox, but it goes in,” UConn Coach Geno Auriemma said. “He’s got a little bit of that swagger.”

In summation, Obama is dope.

thanks Dime

Source: NY Times

Kumar Goes to the White House

This is strange.

The White House has hired actor Kal Penn as a liaison between President Barack Obama's administration and Asian constituents. White House spokesman Shin Inouye said Tuesday that the actor who had a recurring role on Fox's TV show "House" and has starred in several movies would join the staff as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison.

His role will be to connect Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups.

Let the "Obama endorses stoners" comments by the pundits and bloggers begin!

source

Tomorrow the World Witnesses History

I've written enough on this within the last year. I need not write more, nor would I do this post proper justice given my time constraints at the moment. Tomorrow we witness history. Whether you share his ideals or not, this still is a monumental occasion. Where will you be?

Basketball > Bowling

Well, obviously, right? If you've hung out with me for a prolonged period of time, you know I love bowling. Not competitively. But there's nothing like having beers and throwing the ball at a bunch of pins. Some of my fondest memories from home were bowling with Sly, Moose, and Chad on our old team. Yeah, it was basically Chad and Sly killing it, while Moose and I were the epitome of inconsistency. But it was a blast.

However, if you read this blog, you know my true love is basketball. I read the blogs daily (even in the offseason). I keep up with news, stats, etc. basically daily. And I love to play pickup games in Houston when given the chance (no, I'm not very good, but it doesn't stop me).

There were rumors floating on the campaign trail that if Obama was elected, he was putting in an indoor basketball court. He wasn't lying.

But not everyone shares my excitement.

The bowling lobby is concerned that talk of removing the White House lane -- which was built under the north driveway -- will have a negative impact on their sport. In an effort to change the president's mind, top bowling associations have offered to refurbish the lane with a state-of-the-art scoring system, high-tech bowling balls designed to grip the lane and a digital surround-sound system.

However, Obama's cabinet is littered with individuals who have ties to basketball (mostly at the collegiate level or lower). And Obama loves playing games, particularly before major events.

Mr. Obama typically spends some time on the basketball court ahead of big events, including elections. He is expected to play a game of three-on-three with his Hyde Park friends before delivering his Inaugural Address Jan. 20.

So I say, don't listen to the lobbyists sir, put in the court. Cause basketball reigns supreme.

source: Wall Street Journal

Dope

via Brooke

Carmelo Might Get Fat

Melo's personal chef may be going to the House. The WHITE HOUSE

Currently, Daniel Young waits amongst three other chefs to possibly serve as the White House Chef. That must be awesome, regardless of who the president is. Apparently, he cooked for President-Elect Obama during the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Chef: Daniel Young

Young cooked for Obama at the Democratic National Convention.

Current Job: Personal chef to Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony.

Signature Style: Young is a fan of using spices to bring out the flavor in low-calorie dishes. His signature dish is seafood stew with crab-stuffed chicken breasts

The good news, he sounds like a good chef (seafood stew!? crab-stuffed chicken breasts!?). The bad news, Melo will probably put on more pounds. But then again, I don't care.

On a side-note, the other two in the running currently own and operate restaurants in the Chicago area. So if Obama really wants change, he goes for Young. Right?

source: Daily News

An Analysis of President-Elect Barack Obama....

's basketball game:

in response to the election results, and with all due respect, here's a non-partisan scouting report on President-elect Barack Obama's hoop game.

Who says Obama never goes to his right? ( / Getty Images)

He can jump, run, and shows adhesive hands. The future president also has good court-awareness and will unselfishly deliver passes to the right players in the right places at the right times. His on-court joy, exuberance and celebrity obviously enliven the games in which he plays and inspire his teammates.

However, his defense relies on ball-hawking and is therefore somewhat shoddy. Plus, he's not much of a banger.

Also, he's totally left-handed — so much so that he probably has to water his right hand three times every day just to keep it functional.

But the worst aspect of his game is his jump shot. There's a hitch in his shot preparation, which makes his ultimate release point much too low. The result being that he tends to front-rim too many shots.

Anyway, forget about all of that political stuff. It's wonderful to have a genuine hooper in the White House.

via Charley Rosen - link

Before We Argue.....

...that Obama is a socialist, please observe the reality we live in.

• Social security is a "socialist program" and a redistribution of wealth - with every paycheck I've made since the age of 16 or 17, there has been that portion that comes out of my check under the label "social security." I pay it. It's part of life. I've been conditioned to it. However, I pay into a system I will never be able to participate in. Alas, it's a redistribution of wealth, for the greater good. I don't hear too many people calling FDR a socialist
• Economic Stimulus Package, another "socialist program." Redistributing the wealth, but alas, that was for the greater good as well. (Side note: I didn't get a check...thanks government)
• The Federal Government's recent bailout, another "socialist action." If you believe in free-market capitalism, let the market crash. Let everyone lose everything. The market will recover on its own. Alas, we don't necessarily believe in that when it comes down to as individuals losing everything. We're not lazy. It's those lazy, freeloaders who don't deserve help. Me, I'm living the American dream.....so federal government, please protect me.
• We are still the only industrialized country that doesn't have a socialized health care program. And before you make the lame-duck argument citing Canadians having a poor health care system and that they'd rather have our system, my uncle, a Canadian, has specifically told me that he wouldn't trade his free health care for anything. Alas, people throughout the U.S. are forced to foreclose on their homes because they've taken out a second mortgage on their homes to fund their health care costs. But you know, that's part of the American dream right? Losing your home to pay for overly inflated medical costs. Awesome. I'm looking forward to that.

The Obama-Biden plan provides affordable, accessible health care for all Americans, builds on the existing healthcare system, and uses existing providers, doctors and plans to implement the plan. (link)


Regardless, neither candidate is all they are cracked up to be. I find myself being less and less excited about either one, and more and more disgusted with the current state of Democrat vs. Republican politics. Particularly the supporters of either side who wish to impose their will and their thoughts upon me. We are a society founded on discourse, and to some extent it's a great thing to talk about politics. But please: Everyone stop using fear tactics. During Bush's tenure I consistently heard about him "rewriting the Constitution." Then, most recently, my dad said he's worried about Obama rewriting the Constitution. So let's talk about fear tactics

I've seen the emails and other publications roaming around about Obama being a Muslim or dressed in Muslim attire. So if someone wears a Japanese robe while visiting Japan, do we now claim they are Japanese? While the notion seems utterly ridiculous, it's analogous to the photos circulating and the notions that ignorant Americans continue to circulate. If you don't like a candidate, talk about the political reasons you don't like the candidate. But don't use fear tactics and falsehoods to attack them. Most recently, a poll revealed that TWENTY-THREE PERCENT of Texans think Obama is Muslim. Gee, that's a real head-scratcher....

Second, Obama isn't going to re-write the Constitution. Only Congress has that power. And it takes 2/3 of them. Now, others are going to cite that having a Democratic controlled Congress AND Presidency is a dangerous thing. First of all, we have a system of checks and balances. And because politics are truly local, unanimity isn't something that will consistently occur. Why? Because every House member and Senator has to count on their constituency for reelection. So although Obama may layout his policies, it still takes a Congress to pass the legislation. Thus, if their constituents don't support the policy, a House member or Senator will not vote for that issue because it could jeopardize their political aspirations. And lets not forget how many times the Republican controlled Congress bucked Bush's policies when it was a Republican Congress and a Republican presidency. The Constitution reflects the brilliance of the Founding Fathers. Checks and Balances and the electoral process are here to protect us. If you think the Constitution is eroding, I encourage you to go and study it yourself rather than repeating the notions you hear from political pundits. It will make a lot more sense and will make you feel a new-found respect for the Constitution and what it is to be an American.

I'll leave you with this:

Overall, the Obama plan would lower effective marginal tax rates for the majority of households. In 2009, only about 1 in 7 households would see an increase in their marginal rate. Only at the top of the income distribution—households making at least $500,000 a year—would a majority of taxpayers face higher rates. Obama’s plan would leave the average marginal rate on wages and salaries for the economy as a whole unchanged at 24 percent in 2009. In that same year, close to 80 percent of the population would see no change in their marginal rates under Senator McCain’s plan and most other tax units would face lower rates; only about 1 percent of households would experience a marginal rate increase under the fully phased in McCain plan. Overall, Senator McCain’s plan would reduce the average marginal tax rate on wages and salaries by about 1 percentage point, to 23 percent in 2009.
Senator Obama’s proposal would result in an average marginal tax rate of 25 percent on wages and salaries in 2012, lower than under current law but higher than if the tax cuts are extended. Because Obama would leave the top two statutory rates at 36 and 39.6 percent and reinstate PEP and Pease, taxpayers with more than $1 million in income would face an average marginal rate of 40 percent, 6 percentage points higher than under the McCain plan. Overall, because it would extend all of the individual income tax components of the 2001–06 cuts and increase the dependent exemption, the McCain plan would lower the average EMTR for all households slightly relative to a tax cuts extended baseline and significantly compared with current law.

Tax Center

AND, as a bonus, in light of the seriousness of this entry, please see this for a laugh. It's my new shirt.

Ashley Todd Sucks

Earlier this week, Ashley Todd was attacked by a 6'4" black man who robbed Todd for her money after she was leaving the ATM, and then he saw McCain support bumper sticker and decided to attack her, sexually assault her, and carve a 'B' into her face. The nerve of that guy! We should find him and bring him to justice. The only problem is....he doesn't exist!


That's right, little Ms. Todd made the whole thing up. The police aren't sure if she carved the 'B' into her own face or had someone else do it, but she has admitted to making the WHOLE THING UP. I have a few questions for this woman.

1) How was it carving a letter into your face? In retrospect, don't you think that was kind of silly? I mean, what were you going to gain? You couldn't have the fake attacker arrested and then sue him for your injuries....but then again, who knows what's going on in your head.
2) Why a "B" and not an "O" in your made-up story. I think an "O" would have made more sense. But then again, making up this story didn't make a whole lot of sense, so I doubt we'll see eye-to-eye anytime soon on your "strategy."
3) Why did the fake attacker have to be black?
4) Why did he not only rob you, but sexually assault you? This kind of goes along with the "why was he black" question. I'm not going to jump to conclusions, but I'm pretty sure you're a racist You're racist.

In summation, this woman sucks. What does doing this accomplish for you? Or even this: what did you hope to accomplish for the candidate whom you support? To imply that Obama supporters are ravenous criminals? Does that really reflect on the candidate? Regardless, get help lady.

It's About Time

McCain steps up and cleans up his campaign somewhat. The misleading commercials, the misleading rhetoric has got to stop. OBAMA isn't an Arab. Whether or not you believe in his political agenda is one thing. But he's an American. He's not a terrorist...this backwoods, ignorant mentality needs to stop. American politics are so polluted at times by uneducated voters. And that's not elitism. That's more of a shot at how our educational systems are failing us.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Thanks to Joey at Straightbangin'

Summing Up What's Happened So Far

I did not write this. But I agree with a lot of it. Although the blind right-wingers will put some spin on this.

It's important to say that I am not a certified left winger. I consider myself a centrist. Which is the purpose of much of my writings is to show that there is bias. That there are a million ways that the media and the right or left spins things. For a long time though, I've been overwhelmed by the right wing. Let's take an example of what I've seen first-hand.

My friend Jayson likes to tell me to watch FoxNews since they're so fair and balanced. But in watching this morning with Jim, I see "Hurricane Ike will be a category 4 storm by the time it hits land." Umm, really? Cause EVERY other news station, nationally and locally is saying category 2 or category 3. So where did this information come from. Then there's the photo they showed of what Houston will look like-post storm....half of it gone. Again, they're the only one predicting eminent disaster...Strange isn't it. The FoxNews hype train doesn't just end with politics, but all facets of society. Go ahead and try and explain it my friend....but really, when you're sitting here, waiting for the storm to hit, and FoxNews is blasting falsities while EVERY OTHER MEDIA OUTLET IS NOT....it really discredits anything that they report.

Anyway, without further ado, (quasi) objective views vs. Right-Wing Spin.

If you are a Democratic male candidate who is popular with millions of people you are an “arrogant celebrity”. If you are a popular Republican female candidate you are “energizing the base”.

If you’re a minority and you’re selected for a job over more qualified candidates you’re a “token hire.” If you’re a conservative and you’re selected for a job over more qualified candidates you’re a “game changer.”

Black teen pregnancies? A “crisis” in black America . White teen pregnancies? A “blessed event.”

If you grow up in Hawaii you’re “exotic.” Grow up in Alaska eating moose-burgers, you’re the quintessential “American story.”

Similarly, if you name you kid Barack you’re “unpatriotic.” Name your kid Track, you’re “colorful.”

If you’re a Democrat and you make a VP pick without fully vetting the individual you’re “reckless.” A Republican who doesn’t fully vet is a “maverick.”
If you spend 3 years as a community organizer growing your organization from a staff of 1 to 13 and your budget from $70,000 to $400,000, then become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new African American voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, then spend nearly 8 more years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, becoming chairman of the state Senate’s Health and Human Services committee, then spend nearly 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of nearly 13 million people, sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran’s Affairs committees, you are woefully inexperienced.

If you spend 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, then spend 20 months as the governor of a state with 650,000 people, then you’ve got the most executive experience of anyone on either ticket, are the Commander in Chief of the Alaska military and are well qualified to lead the nation should you be called upon to do so because your state is the closest state to Russia.

If you are a younger male candidate who thinks for himself and makes his own decisions you are “presumptuous.” If you are an older male candidate who makes last minute decisions you refuse to explain, you are a “shoot from the hip” maverick.

If you are a candidate with a Harvard law degree you are “an elitist-out of touch” with the real America. If you are a legacy (dad and grand dad were admirals) graduate of Annapolis, with multiple disciplinary infractions, you are a hero.

If you manage a multi-million dollar nationwide campaign, you are an “empty suit”. If you are a part time mayor of a town of 7000 people, you are an “experienced executive”.

If you go to a south side Chicago church, your beliefs are “extremist”. If you believe in creationism and don’t believe global warming is man-made, you are “strongly principled”.

If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you’re a Christian. If you have been married to the same woman whom you’ve been wed to for 19 years and raising 2 beautiful daughters with, you’re “risky”.

If you’re a black single mother of 4 who waits for 22 hours after her water breaks to seek medical attention, you’re an irresponsible parent, endangering the life of your unborn child. But if you’re a white married mother who waits 22 hours, you’re spunky.

If you’re a 13-year-old Chelsea Clinton, the right-wing press calls you
“First Dog.” If you’re a 17-year-old pregnant unwed daughter of a Republican, the right-wing press calls you “beautiful” and “courageous.”

Uhmmmm, What?!

I awoke this morning to a g-chat message from Zach, talking about McCain's VP choice. I was confused. Low and behold, McCain had in fact picked his running mate.....

The Pros for McCain - it's hard for Obama to attack Palin too much without hurting his chances with female voters on the fence. Appeals to Hillary supporters who are on the fence (and are bitter Hillary didn't get the nomination....)

The Cons for McCain - this women is hardly qualified to be VP, she is already being investigated for ethics, and she pretty much embodies everything McCain claims Obama is: a politician with minimal experience.....

I'd write more, but I don't feel like reading up to get all of the facts, and then re-typing them on here. It's an interesting election. I'm sure (MC) Karl Rove has something up his dirty sleeve. Let's hope it doesn't work. This is just bad news bears all day.

Retrospective

A personal retrospective is on the way. But for now, a yahoo! retrospective will have to suffice.

Obama '08. I never thought I'd be writing these words, but he essentially sealed the deal. Now Clinton has few options left. But, she seems unwilling to concede. I guess time will tell. In talking amongst friends, there has been a myriad of feelings. Some think it's just a matter of time, I think she's trying to leverage something. I also tend to agree with my friend James, who thinks that she (and Bill) will attempt to undermine Obama, but she sees it as her only viable way to get into the White House in '12 or '16 (that would be CRAZY if he wins this year, and is re-elected, but lets not get too far ahead). It does far more for her than it likely does for him.

Regardless, this will be an interesting election season. I think McCain will come out swinging for the fences. Has anyone noticed his voice makes him sound like the guy selling Smuckers' Jam back in the day? But McCain has experience, and a ton of it, so that's a pretty sound platform. Thankfully their respective platforms are night and day. In 2008, America will decide where it will go for the long-term. Lets hope we make the right decision.

...Before I See a Black Man as President

The ultra-nice flat screen TV at work is tuned to Foxnews. Fine by me, it's not like I'm sitting there at work. Ironically I watched CNN this morning while eating breakfast. Then in the bathroom, someone left some printout about the biased liberal media. I think it's funny since both liberal and conservatives have their platforms, CNN and Foxnews respectively. But both sides love to moan and complain. I figure people pick their sides more or less and chose to turn into whichever media outlet they ideologically ally with. Whatever, the media, to me, is more business than service. Half of the stuff we watch isn't news. But I digress. It was meant to be a political day, with my evening based on the decision of Brown v. Board of Education. So I was walking by the work after grabbing a pack of paperclips from storage, and what do I hear, but the inflammatory comment this "lovely" woman made.



The title is what she forgot to say at the end of the sentence. And now, you tell me racism doesn't still exist. Go ahead, tell me. Please....I'm waiting.

I anticipate the Republican Apologist will interject sooner rather than later, via comment. Sometimes it takes something like this to motivate you into finding the time to write on things.

The Evil Empire

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Thanks Straightbangin.

Possible Convention Notions

I've never watched the West Wing, but NY Magazine has an interesting, West Wingish take on what could happen at the Democratic National Convention. An interesting entertaining read.

http://nymag.com/news/politics/45786/