Republican Hooligans and Fools

Good Morning Papamoka Bloggers! What do you guys make of the latest Republican demonstrations at town halls across America, so reminiscent of the Spring "Tea Parties" featuring hundreds of America's finest citizens? I know I'm getting very tired of today's juvenile Republican antics. Their love of democracy is only surpassed by their love of shouting and drowning out our individual right to congregate and debate.

They are making a big splash in the media, but they still look like a bunch of FOOLS! To suggest they're coming across as a productive opposition to a serious debate is laughable. I'm pretty sure ordinary citizens observing the health care debate from the sidelines consider them distractions - since despite what Republicans are saying in the media, most Americans do consider health care a serious issue that needs repair.

In my opinion, which of course is what this blog is all about, I see them as loud-mouthed bullies, pure and simple. They are no different then children who scream to make their point, pouting if they don't get their way. They may see themselves as a determined opposition who will drown out those they disagree with, but the rest of us see them as fools who refuse to sit down and discuss a very serious issue.

I'm pretty sure most Americans see them as irrational. Most of us are smart enough to realize they didn't shout over the past eight years or so when the Republicans were spending more than at any other time in history.

Where were they when the Republicans passed the last health care bills? Where were they when their own political party funneled hundreds of billions of government tax money into the hands of the pharmaceuticals (prescription drug benefits) and private health insurance companies (Medicare Plus) under George W. Bush and the Republicans? Why didn't they shout about spending then?

They were SILENT! SHEEP! OBEDIENT MORONS! The damn hypocrites. They have no credibility when it comes to lecturing us on how to spend tax dollars.

They're trying to shout-down a debate about health care - insurance - reform when most Americans want and need to talk about the issue. Republicans may feel empowered by the demonstrations (if you listen to Pat Robertson and others), but the rest of us only see a bunch of loud-mouthed fools trying to take away our microphones, or whatever else we need to make ourselves heard in this very important debate.

The bottom-line is that Republicans want to spend-spend-spend when they're in power, doing everything they can to help their own constituencies such as corporations, the wealthy and the military-industrial crowd, but do everything they can to shut down ANY spending when not in power.

It doesn't even seem to matter if we're trying to reform a system that is threatening America's ability to pay down past Republican debt, guarantee our competitive place in the world (other countries have affordable health care, giving them a competitive edge), and much more. They don't seem to care about those points. They just ignore those very important national security considerations.

Oh yes, and they - incredibly - have the gall to treat all government money as though it were their own. The really disgusting part is that we're trying to spend American money to save American lives, and they still object.

They won't object when it comes to spending money on weaponry, but will fight tooth and nail to prevent children and poorer Americans from being able to purchase affordable - reformed - health insurance. It's clear from the "debates" so far they are prepared to lie and lie and lie. They keep telling INCREDIBLE LIES!

They keep saying that Democrats are trying to take away your health insurance as it exists today (LIE!), kill your grandmother by recommending euthanasia (LIE!), bring about socialized medicine (LIE!), fund abortions (LIE!), and my favorite, suggest that poor people will be shipped to better neighborhood hospitals reminiscent of the busing scares decades ago.

It's clear the Republicans and their industry allies will stop at nothing to shut-down debate about health insurance reform. They will do everything they can to muddy the waters and make Americans fear change. They may be more Rovian, but by and large they are using the same basic tactics they used when trying to kill Social Security, Medicare and every other major program that helped civilize our great country. It's time people wise-up when it comes to Republicans.

The simple truth is the rest of us need to stay focused. Just like when we were in school, we cannot allow a few bullies to derail education, evolution and advancement for the rest of us. We need to use whatever means at our disposal to continue debate and get our message across that we voted for change and health care/insurance reform is one of the most important parts of that change.

We need to fight against their hooliganism. We need to treat Republican bullies the same way we treat angry children - either ignore them, and if they don't listen to reason, send them away.

Their screaming didn't work during the campaign at the McCain and Palin rallies, so hopefully it won't work now. My recommendation is to stand-up to them. I know I will. Don't allow them to silence our debate. It would be a crime to allow ourselves to be cowered by people who have no place in a modern, civilized political debate.

Whether it's a "tea partier," a "birther," a "deather," or whatever comes next (how about throwing furniture like in the picture), today's Republicans are looking more and more like a party for both hooligans and fools.

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

The President Needs to Up His Game to Win

Hello Papamoka Bloggers! The president's prime-time news conference last night seemed okay on the surface, but most of the early feedback seems to suggest the president has fallen short.

There's no doubt he was informative and extremely competent (a far cry from the way the illiterate George Bush sold his expensive wars and half-ass legislation), but unfortunately that may not be enough when it comes to fighting the evil forces out to kill health care reform.

A billion dollars a year derived from 20% plus profits occupying one-sixth of our GDP can generate some pretty tough opposition - especially when you have greedy Republicans available for purchase.

Instead of a press conference Mr. President, perhaps you should have considered a speech, or a lecture? There is no doubt Americans want health care reform, but most of the current complaints (by reasonable people) are about how the plan will effect them personally, or about how it will add to deficit spending. Those answers would have been helped by more visuals.

We all understand show and tell. Powerpoint? You definitely needed a few visual aids sir.

I feel horrible criticizing a man who I consider one of the smartest and most competent, but tough times call for extreme measures. The only way health care reform will succeed is with the support of the vast majority of Americans - it's the only way to fight the riches of the industry and the greed of the Republicans.

Most Americans need to be hand-held into this reform. Unfortunately, the president didn't reach far enough last night.

Fighting the Republican lies is only possible by educating the people. Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) admitted on CNBC Wednesday that "a desire to prevent the Democratic president from scoring a historical victory with a public health plan accounts for at least 50 percent of the GOP opposition to the plan." Senator Demint called the health care struggle the president's possible "waterloo."

It's clear the Republican opposition is devious. They are the ultimate con artists. They sell expensive wars and legislation (benefiting big business) with barely any opposition, while we are forced to account for every word and every dime. They succeed by lying to their constituents, and to the American people. So, how do you fight that kind of opposition? You do whatever you have to do, that's how.

To the President and Congress

First of all, I think the president and congressional Democrats should do more to point out the Republican past. They should remind Americans who created the debt, who got us into war, who destroyed the economy, who passed expensive corporate legislation, and who has done little to help middle-class Americans over the past thirty years or so. It would remind people who to trust.

Destroying Republican credibility would help undermine their current opposition. We could simply tell the truth!

Second, this reform effort requires every man on deck, including celebrities, scholars, community leaders and activists, or anybody who can help. You're doing a lot Mr. President, but you need more help. Please don't try to go it alone.

Finally, unlike George Bush who encouraged us to "go shopping" during wartime, you should encourage us to hit the streets. We're willing and able to do whatever is necessary. We have your back sir, as long as we have your leadership. Explain until you cannot explain anymore, and use us as necessary. We are ready to do our part.

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

By Not Conceding, Norm Coleman is a Sad, Sore Loser!

Good Morning Papamoka Readers! So, it's official, a Minnesota court unanimously ruled in Al Franken's favor late yesterday. He should now be Senator Al Franken! He is now the official victor in the November election.

Of course, that means that Norm Coleman should concede, right? Well, of course, it seems they don't plan to. They have decided to continue down their path of being the worst SORE LOSERS in modern history!

Every one on my side of the aisle knows that if the shoe were on the other foot so to speak, the Republicans - and the corporate media - would be screaming SORE LOSER from every media orifice. Everyone knows they would have been doing it pretty steadily since last November.

BUT, the shoe isn't on their foot, it's on ours. So, what do we have? How about DEAD SILENCE! The media hardly even covered the official state victory announcement yesterday. All they reported is how Norm Coleman's expects to appeal. They didn't say anything about the fact that HE LOST and is dragging the Minnesota Senate race out in such a way that seriously harms the Democrats and the citizens of Minnesota. The whole thing is disgusting!

How many more months will the Republicans be allowed to delay the inevitable before the corporate media begin to apply some pressure on Coleman? The man is getting away with murder. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the three judge panel claims Senator Franken "soundly defeated" the crybaby incumbent Coleman.

The panel completely discarded Coleman's claims that "the election and its aftermath were fraught with systemic errors that made the results invalid." They saw it as a close, but fair election. "The overwhelming weight of the evidence indicates that the Nov. 4, 2008, election was conducted fairly, impartially and accurately," the panel wrote in its unanimous decision, which can be read here.

So, COLEMAN, shut the hell up and get the FREAK out of the race. Be a man, an honorable man, and call up Senator Franken to congratulate him on his win. Stop acting like the most pathetic political figure to ever run for the Senate. You are looking like a SAD JOKE!

Senator Franken has emerged from the statewide recount, which Coleman asked for, ahead by a greater number of votes (312) than before the recount. He is the winner. I say again, if you Republicans were enduring the same thing you would be screaming BLOODY MURDER over the idea that we would hold your senate seat hostage to a set of absurd and outrageous legal claims.

Why don't they do the honorable, dignified thing, which Norm Coleman himself said just after the November election, and accept defeat? As usual, it appears that the Republicans have no intention of doing the honorable thing. They love to see themselves as the party of honor, dignity, and character. It's amazing how their actions never seem to meet the dignity of their words. In truth, they are the party of dishonor, lack of dignity, and very small character.

To me, Norm Coleman has no honor. If he did, he would have lived by his own words and left the race long ago. Like so many Republicans, he has nothing left but disgrace. Perhaps that's why he doesn't seem to care what he looks like?

The rest of us have grown accustomed to the pathetic behavior of many Republicans. We pretty much listen to them talk about honor and laugh these days. It's evident by the fact that we rarely see their behavior as surprising. To most of us, they go beyond bad sportsman-like conduct. They just seem pathetic. They're like the old drunk who won't leave the bar - nobody wants to confront the sad, messy, aweful scene.

I'm convinced they don't see their own bad behavior at all. They seem to live in a strange, ostrich-in-the-sand kind of world. Oh well, perhaps they'll figure it all out over time. It's unfortunate, because in the meantime we have to put up with their CRAP! Their very ugly, sad, pathetic CRAP!

Michael Boh

Papamoka's Left Coast Contributor

from Our Rants & Raves Blog

Biden Introduction Message

In the old email box tonight was a message from the Obama campaign for President from Senator Joe Biden. If you have been living under a rock this weekend, Obama tapped Joe Biden of Delaware as his Vice Presidential candidate. Anywho, here is part of the message in the form of an attached video…

Video Link



It’s looking like Barack Obama’s pick of Joe Biden is scaring the pants off of the Republican’s and I have come to that deduction by all the piss and vinegar being spat out in the comments of many left leaning blogs. Just the lack of credible facts and just pure hate makes you wonder what has them so afraid? To me, that shows that Obama made one hell of a pick for his Vice President and the run up to election day should be very interesting as they try and declare Obama a Muslim and the Anti-Christ, Biden a racist, Obama an elitist, Biden not credible on foreign affairs and the list goes on and on.

Here are just a few talking points to refute terrified terrorist Republican’s out to poison the waters of truth.

Attack: Barack Obama is a Muslim and the Anti-Christ

Counter Facts: Obama is not a Muslim, never practiced that proud faith, never embraced it but his father was a Muslim. If that is the bar the Republican's want to set then you too are responsible for the life for your biological father's religion and damned for life! Never mind the fact that you may have found your own path to God and your religion or lack there of. Barack Obama has his own personal Christian commitment to Jesus Christ and has had that personal relationship that he was raised in since he was a toddler. Don’t ever question a mans religion as one Christian to another, each Christian’s love and faith in God is a private personal matter and nobody else’s business. As far as being an Anti-Christ, Hitler was Godless, Napolean was Godless, both according to most religious historians searched for personal wealth, power and glory, and not truly for their fellow man. I’m sure the Anti-Christ would not be backing health insurance for all Americans, for that matter ending what can be an endless war in Iraq. Isn’t the Anti-Christ supposed to be pro disease, famine, plague and war? What is shameful is the fact that John McCain is not stepping forward to defend a fellow Christian, a fellow Senator, from this accusation but in fact promoting it.

Attack: Joe Biden is a Racist

Counter Facts: This accusation comes from a conversation Joe Biden was having in regards to his then political opponent in the primaries. A conversation meant in all context as a compliment to Barack Obama as clean and articulate. Obama himself was not offended as an African American and stated so. If you asked who did more for Civil Rights in the last thirty years, the author or co-author of many of the changes people have in todays society were started or worked feverishly for and by Senator Joe Biden. While your checking those facts out then you can also check and see how many of those laws that John McCain voted against.

Attack: Obama/Biden is an elitist

Counter Facts: Um, it takes serious money to be an elitist and last time I checked Barack Obama’s and Joe Biden’s net worth combined is less than $2 million dollars. On the other side of the aisle is John McCain and his wifes net worth set at over $110 million alone. Add Mitt Romney to the Republican ticket come their convention and you have roughly another $175 million dollars in net worth. Is Obama well educated, Harvard likes to think so and he EARNED his high placement in his graduating class while in college. That is not being an elitist, it’s called getting the best out of your education! As for Joe Biden being an elitist, find a union in America that is not supporting Joe Biden and I will show you a Wall Street investment firm. Oh wait a second, they don't have unions on Wall Street. Biden is as middle class as you get as a Senator in Washington.

Attack: Joe Biden is not credible in foreign policy

Counter Facts: ROFLMAO!!! He heads the Foreign Relations Committee in the freaking Senate… LOL, ROFL. Who do you think could name the leaders of most of the nations around the world instantly and correctly? Then tell you the form of government they have, who our Ambassador to that nation is, and tell you a little history of that nation? Joe Biden could! McCain could not even remember the number of houses he has? ROFLOL!!! I’m laughing to hard at this one…

Enough said for now…

Papamoka

Cross posted at Bring It On!

Technorati Tags:
Obama, Joe Biden, Attacks on Biden, Attacks on Obama, Politics, Dirty Politics, Obama the Antichrist, Biden Credibility around the World, Republican Attacks, Presidential Election, Obama-Biden 08, White House, McCain Attacks, McCain Houses, Blog Politics, Republican Hate Machine, Change, Yes We Can, Hope