The Far Right is Choosing Lies Over Unity

Hello Papamoka Bloggers - The far right has grown even more vocal than usual over the past two months. I realize they're sore losers, but they seem to be accusing Obama and the Democrats of whatever pops into their minds. They're even more illogical and tiresome than usual.

My theory is they smell blood. What blood? A weakness in voter logic. The Clinton and McCain campaign's limited success at harming Obama by linking him to perceived radicals has obviously tweaked their interest. Guilt by association resonates with voters! They see it as a new way to harm Democrats.

In the same way Karl Rove and George Bush drove their fanatics over the past eight years using wedge issues like gay rights and stem cell research, younger Republican strategists are using innuendo to drive scandals using that great American icon - the ROLODEX.

They're using random relationships and speculation as chum to brew new scandals daily. Facts are irrelevant. Since the election they have "chummed-up" the "OBAMA RECESSION," "ELECTION FRAUD" in Minnesota, and numerous other "OBAMA SCANDALS" involving people like Blagojevich and Richardson. Again, facts be damned. It's insanity, but then again it is the far right.

Oh well, I thought they might learn from their defeat, but if the past two months are any indication of their intentions, it appears there will be no coming together as a nation. They will probably continue to use the strategy, and the media will continue to feed from the Republican trough, for as long as it gets them attention.

It's incredible! The election is over, they were beaten very badly, but they still keep fighting. They're like junkyard dogs! Not the funny kind, but the sad kind.

They have decided not to cooperate. Instead, they are determined to paint Obama and his team as corrupt. The corporate media is cooperating by giving their wild speculation air time. The heresay and speculation has grown beyond FOX. The far right is determined to deny the Democrats any respite. They are determined to play dirty to the end.

Republicans get away with war crimes while Democrats are criticized because they associate with one another. The media ignores real scandal while responding to the smallest perception of scandal encouraged by Republicans who seek to prey on weak-minded voters. Unless things improve, the world today seems ass-backward, illogical and dark.

No matter how low they go, it doesn't change the fact that the country voted for Barack Obama to fix the problems caused by the Republicans. That is undeniable. The people want CHANGE! The rantings and the lies of the far right will not change that fact. However, it DISTRACTS from the mission. It HARMS Obama's ability to get things done. It can slow or prevent progress.

I continue to support Obama's desire to unite us, but I bet against it. They are a dishonest and dishonorable opposition. They want us to fail. They are biding their time, hoping to once again lie their way back into power. I grow tired of their deceit, and will not fall for it again.

Michael Boh
Papamoka's Left Coast Contributor
from Our Rants & Raves Blog

Silda Wall Spitzer, L.I.P.

BY MICHAEL LINN JONES

Ever since the "affaire de Spitzer" hit the headlines, much speculation has surrounded Eliot Spitzer's wife, Silda Wall Spitzer. A Charlotte talk show host asked for callers to decide if Mrs. Spitzer was a "chump" for showing up at her husband's press conferences. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is a scent of sexism in that.

No one would ever accuse me of being an ardent feminist, but I adhere to certain beliefs about women that might run contrary to other men's. Or women's, even. A wise man in Ireland once commented to me that "anyone who thinks men and women are the same is a fool. And anyone who thinks men and women are not equal is a fool also. Men and women are different; while enjoying the difference we should never lose sight of the fact that we are equal."

As I told a friend recently, I have a mother, two sisters, a wife, and a daughter. Never in my life have I consider them or any other female as less (or more) of a person. If you want to talk about weight-lifting, sure, I probably have it over them. But life-lifting? No. What is life-lifting you say? It is the long and arduous task of not only giving life to other human beings, but providing that which allows those humans to grow and prosper. Very few women will stop short of death itself for their children. And then most also offer that life-lifting to their partners; in most cases to men whom they marry.

I don't know much about Silda Wall Spitzer. The photo I found shows her smiling, which she may do again someday. Right now, though, she ain't happy. Neither are the three children she bore with her husband.

What do I know about Governor Spitzer? In short, he's an egomanical, egocentric, hypocritical, lying son of a bitch. When I read that his "tryst" involves something north of $80,000, my first thought was: that's roughly the same amount of money someone on disability receives in a DECADE.

He's resigning as of March 17th. I'm sure that will be one happy St. Patrick's Day for his family. It isn't the betrayal of the citizens of New York that bothers me so much. After all, North Carolina or any other state always has plenty of volunteers to doubletalk their way into our hearts and wallets.

No, what bothers me is the perception that Mrs. Spitzer is some kind of putz for standing there next to her husband, humilating herself in order to provide support that is not warranted. That is for her to decide, not us. Rightly or wrongly Silda Wall Spitzer is carrying on a tradition that is as old as human society. She is providing that life-lifting that will carry her family through this mess, no matter the costs to herself. She's not "standing by her man".....not really. She's standing there displaying courage and a silent message to her children. And, to what friends she has who have enough perception to know her strengths.

So I say to Ms. Wall-Spitzer, and her children....L.I.P. Live in Peace. Whether you decide to continue your marriage is up to you, not us. You don't need three guesses to figure out what I'd recommend......or many others. But it is a life decision, a personal fork in the road that only she can make.

My grandmother bore five sons. Two died as children. The other three went off to war. One was killed in combat while the other two were P.O.W.'s of the Japanese for over three years. To her dying day she mourned the loss of her children and their suffering. But she was no wimp, no "chump." She was just one tough, compassionate lady.

Perhaps Silda Wall Spitzer is, too. Let's hope so.
****************************
Cross-posted at Michaellinnjones.com

*****Time with Shelby has linked to this post...

Bush Commerce Department General is Gambling Too?

Picture courtesy of Bally's Atlantic City

Is it bad enough that the President is overseas gambling with America’s future and throwing the political dice of what he thinks our nation is all about but then again back at home he has many other folks rolling the dice as well? Toss the dice and see what the latest Bush administration scandal is and you cant make this stuff up!


Suffice to say that the good old boy network in Washington D.C. is still up to its old games. There seems to be a non stop mentality that anyone in the service to the people in the United States Government can do no wrong even if it breaks all the rules you learned in first grade, second grade, and all the way up the ladder of your public education. Doing something wrong is no longer questioned by anyone in the Bush administration because they are learning from the best at it.


Take a few of your closest buds and subordinates for an all expense paid junket to Atlantic City to attend a conference (winky, wink). There is some really serious government business in the city of slots and gambling institutions. Seminars with one armed bandits to discuss military commerce and how to expand the ventures of American business owners in the ways of … umm separating the government employees on the clock from their money.


Somebody has to defend the slot playing politicos and defend the rights of subordinates to loan cash to their boss when he runs out when it comes time to hitting the old slot machines… umm I mean when his expense account runs low for the lectures.


If you ever thought that the Republican run government has hit the very bottom of the barrel then this article from the Washington Post says it all…


Commerce Dept. Inspector General's Casino Trip Probed
Lawmaker Claims It Was on Federal Time
By John SolomonWashington Post Staff Writer Saturday, June 9, 2007

Commerce Department Inspector General Johnnie E. Frazier, whose retirement was announced Thursday, took five subordinates attending a government conference last spring gambling with him in Atlantic City on federal time, a lawmaker alleged yesterday.


When Frazier returned to the conference in Philadelphia, he asked subordinates if he could borrow $100 and one assistant obliged, according to a congressional committee and an eyewitness.

Frazier retired while several congressional and executive branch investigations of his activities are pending. A report by the Office of Special Counsel last month recommended that President Bush punish him for violating the federal whistle-blower law by demoting two witnesses involved in the investigations.


(Snippet-a-roo)


The committee's staff also has interviewed an assistant in Frazier's office who gave her boss $100 after he asked subordinates if he could borrow money. An eyewitness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of concerns about reprisal, said Frazier asked subordinates for money the morning after returning from the gambling jaunt. One obliged, the witness said.


The House panel also is investigating whether Frazier and others altered or deleted government records after the investigations began. One manager has told the committee he helped Frazier delete approximately 4,000 e-mails from his government account last October, the committee said.


"Mr. Frazier's decision to resign was a wise one," said Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. "This investigation, however, is far from over." - Washington Post


Where does serving your nation in our government go from performing a task that is to find corruption within commerce become being corrupt yourself? I tend to think that it is a learned acceptance of government and we as the taxpayers are at the mercy of a check book that will never have a zero balance.


Corruption in our government is popping up everywhere and investigations are one thing but changing the ideology of what public service is all about will be a long road to travel. For the average person the word politician or public servant is now a very dirty word synonymous with a common street walker in the so called red light district. If a dollar is to be made then the risk of being caught is worth the chance of pulling the one armed bandit of public service.


What bothers me about this story in the Washington Post is that the Whistle Blowers that broke this latest scandal of the Bush administration are considered bastards amongst members of prominent public servants. In place of praise, they were demoted for serving the people. This gives the old saying “You can’t fight City Hall” a whole new meaning.


The United States Government payroll is the largest employer in the nation or a close second. Our nation supposedly encourages “Whistle Blowers” in one breath and yet time and time again in the next breath the people blowing that same whistle become the story and the ones to blame.


This leads me to believe that our nation is ruled by the select few for the purpose of serving just the select few and if you cross them then you will be subject to scorn and ridicule. Any skeletons in your closet become your excuse for ratting out corruption at any level and you become the bait and switch target. That is not right and it never should be acceptable to anyone if you call yourself an American.


If City Hall is asking you to loan them a hundred bucks due to a personal gambling problem and if you point it out as a “Whistle Blower” then I as an American appreciate your service to your nation. That it is not wrong.


Asking for the cash loan from subordinates is wrong! Taking your employees on a gambling adventure on government time is wrong no matter how you spin it.


Papamoka

Cross posted at Bring It On!

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