B'Man's Revolt
Archive for August 2008
Obama, Carter, Israel
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August 30, 2008 |
 Obama is such a man of principle. Take Israel/Palestine as an example. Tradition has it that former presidents get a speaking slot at the national conventions. Not at Obama’s convention. Not in Denver. President Jimmy Carter was scheduled to speak at the DNC in Denver. And then, at the last minute, his speech was cancelled. Why? Because Carter has spoken out about the plight of the Palestinian people? Because Carter has written a book with the descriptive title: Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid? Because Obama didn’t want to offend the militarist American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)? Apparently yes, according to this article from the Jewish Daily Forward. Denying Carter a speaking slot at the DNC “shows the party gets it and Barack Obama’s campaign gets it,” according to one Democratic party activist. Well, we get it too. While Obama and McCain take the hardline AIPAC militarist line. Nader/Gonzalez will stand with the millions of Americans, Israelis and Palestinians who want peace, with justice for all.  Stand with us now. Stand with a candidacy that will be on 45 ballots, that is bumping up against ten percent in key swing state polls, and that will push hard over the next two months to make it a viable three way race. Help us reach our goal of $100,000 by September 4th. We’re about a third of the way home. But we need to push hard this Labor Day weekend to make it. Give whatever you can — $10, $20, $50, $100 — for the peace candidacy. And remember, if you give $100 or more now, we’ll send you three DVDs — the Denver rally, the Minneapolis rally, and a special debate DVD. (Three DVD offer ends September 4 at 11:59 p.m.) The Nader Team
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A Mississippian Goes To The DNC… Guess What Happened?
B’Man: I have to admit that I am a fan of young Jeff Walter’s writing (down at CottonMouth), even though we come to a different conclusion who to support as president. Such is the way with the two party brainwashing that happened to America many years ago, but that is besides the point of this post.
I have been following the Police State in America and wanted to show you how a Mississippi boy experiences the DNC (and he is a delegate). Jeff writes it off as a loss for him, but what he doesn’t realize is that the entire bullshit show he has gone to see is pretty much represented by his first day’s activities. It may not get much better than his first day (even tho I do hope he improves his situation).
But what Jeff doesn’t really grasp is that he just witnessed the Police State in action. There are videos galore of cops attacking protesters (and I put a video up this morning where they arrested an ABC guy for what is apparently bullshit reasons).
Jeff (and everyone at CottonMouth): please understand what you are supporting by supporting that party. You are continuing the same old stuff… the same old military and corporate expansion of the American Empire and at the same time, supporting the Police State activities that Jeff witnessed first hand, but didn’t have the understanding to call it what it was.
I know there are some accolades and press from your venture, but in my opinion, you have ended up on the wrong side of what America needs. But in the case I am discussing there are more than 2 sides. I wish you could fully grasp this.
DNC Day 1 Report: Denver 1 – Jeff Walters 0
It was tough day for the home team here at Cotton Mouth. The day started for me at 6:00AM with the realization that I had lost my debit card the night before. My ride was to pick me up at 6:30 to take me to the airport for my 9:00 flight. I frantically had to make sure my room which was booked on the lost card would not be cancelled by my subsequent cancellation of the lost card.
For money, I had to write an enormous check to a friend of mine who went the extra mile that only a true friend would do, and spent a good hour of his work day attempting to, and finally succeeding to wire me some cash. I had to handle all of this from the Jackson and Houston airport terminals while still trying to make my flights on time with my stuff intact.
My stress level was pretty high to say the least. Finally I received word from the Hotel in Denver that as long as I paid cash up front, I would not have to put down a credit card. This was my first of a couple of victories today, stacked against a ton of losses.
I arrived in Denver around 1:30 local time. It took another 45 minutes for my shuttle to show up to take to the hotel. I had to stop at a Safeway to pick up my Western Union. The only problem was, was that they did not have enough cash to fill my transfer. I then had to call the shuttle again this time to take me to a Wal Mart who presumable had the money. The bank inside of the Wal Mart was able to do it for at 3:58 local time. The bank closed at 4:00. That was the second and last of my victories today.
Finally with cash in hand I was able to check in. The computers at my hotel were down when I arrived, and it took the nice lady at least 30 minutes to check me in. I quickly cleaned up and prepared to headed downstairs to find my way downtown. There was a free shuttle that would take you to the convention as long were credentialed. The only problem there was my credentials were downtown. This was a classic case of chicken or the egg. Without my credentials the was no shuttle for me, so I caught a ride with the hotel to the bus stop.
The bus I needed to be on to get downtown pulled away from the gate as we turned in. I had to wait another 30 minutes for the next bus. By this time it was 6:00 local time. It was supposed to be a 30 minute bus ride to downtown. Due to traffic, I did not arrive until 7:00 local time. Now I had to get my credentials. I was told repeatedly that I needed to go the Sheraton on Court street a few blocks down to pick up my credentials.
I made my way slowly through the crowd to the Sheraton. I was getting agitated because nobody could give me a straight answer on where to pick up my credentials. Finally I arrive, out of breath to the front door of the Sheraton. As I reached for the door, they slammed it in my face and locked it. Shouting through the glass a concierge yelled “We are under lock down, no one can come in or leave.”
Bewildered, I turned around and came to the realization I probably was not going to get in the convention tonight. About that time a group of 30 or 40 riot gear clad police trotted right by me. One of the police officers on the scene not dressed in riot gear told me that if he were me he would be moving along. I took his advice to heart and quickly started backtracking. I did not make it to the end of the Sheraton when another group of 30-40 riot gear clad police jogged right by me again.
Now I was really curious as to what was going on. I joined a group of 25 or so onlookers at the corner of the Sheraton and watched the riot police form a secure perimeter around the back side of the building. Before long they had their pepper spray dispensers pointed right at us and told us to get down the road or get sprayed. I don’t think I heard the end of this sentence.
Feeling defeated I found a little dive to get something to eat. Figuring my best bet was to call it day and recharge for a full day Tuesday, I headed back to the hotel. There I found other bloggers who informed me on where and when to pick up my credentials. As I lat down on the bed I chuckled to myself, Denver 1 Jeff Walters 0.
All Is Well At Last
Bruce Gagnon did it again at Organizing Notes.
I explained to a friend this morning that what happened last night was basically Obama showing the world that he is a fan of America’s Empire and has no purpose set to minimize the over-spending or any real means of bring respect back to America. he is missing the biggest issue facing us today and I don’t believe for a second that it is over-sight.
If you believe that our Military needs more, that we need to add anything, whatsoever, in funding or personnel, you haven’t a clue what is really driving the problems of this country.
Bruce lays it out perfectly for me. Read and understand:
I watched the Obama speech last night with three other people. Our consensus was that it was a corporate funded display of nationalism and militarism. One housemate remarked that Obama never once talked about our place in the world in a real and holistic way.
The first thing I noticed when Obama approached the podium was that he was wearing the controversial flag pin. Everyone in our small group kept asking, “What is that stage set supposed to be?” Throughout the speech this question kept emerging. I kept responding that it was designed by Hollywood with some purpose in mind, but I could not “pin” it down.
Obama started with the domestic issues. He mentioned in passing that he supported nuclear power and that everyone who does not have health care today (that would be me) would be getting “the same health care that Congress has.” I can see the long lines now at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington as those of us without health coverage stand at the locked doors saying, “Mr. Obama sent me.”
Obama went on to his foreign policy track and mentioned the obligatory opposition to the war in Iraq and then of course said that he had “Argued for more resources and troops to finish the fight” in Afghanistan. Finish the fight or expand the fight into Pakistan? Small detail – no need to worry.
Obama also said he would “Rebuild our military to meet future conflicts.” Just how much will that task cost us at a time when our nation is busted?
He took a rightward turn down the street called nationalism by declaring, “I got news for you John McCain, we all put America first. Our universities and culture are the envy of the world….We must always march ahead…..and never turn back.” Wild cheers, just what are those convention delegates and guests thinking?
I have a confession. Watching the cheering crowd, waving their flags, some crying as they listen to Obama, my mind flashes to Hitler’s famous speeches before flag waving and cheering hoards. There Hitler told the masses that they were god’s chosen people. They were destined to liberate the world to bring them peace and prosperity – or as it is explained these days – freedom. When you are an American it is hard to see this similarity but if you can allow yourself to emotionally detach then you see that despite a few cultural differences, the end result is the same misplaced nationalistic frenzy. How else can you explain that self described “liberals” would cheer the declaration that we are going to send more troops and more military hardware to Afghanistan knowing that just this past week the U.S. military had killed 90 civilians, 50 of them children? “Yes, give me more,” they seem to cry to Obama! No reflection allowed, this is a corporate coronation, and you my dear citizen, are a willing victim.
As Obama concluded, a country western song rang out over the stadium sound system with a chorus that went, “Only in America.” Yes, I thought, only in America would we find such a corporate funded extravaganza of lights, fireworks, paper streamers, music, flags, color, totally scripted and choreographed. Even the ties of Biden and Obama were planned – Obama with red tie and Biden with blue. Bridging the red state-blue state divide I am sure. Nothing left to chance.
At the end the families of the two conquering candidates came onto the stage for hugs, kisses, and waves and then they moved toward the back of the stage and entered the subtly lit doorway that had a vague familiarity. Then it dawned on me.
The stage set was designed to remind one of the White House – the huge stone pillars of power on each end and in the center what appeared to be the Rose Garden where the president often holds news conferences. And after each news conference is over the president, and his guests, always move behind them to enter the French doors back into the halls of power.
The set was designed to emotionally connect us with the notion that Obama-Biden do indeed fit in the White House, and in our hearts and minds, are already there. They have attained the crest of the mountain. Peace and prosperity are restored in the land.
We can now return to life as normal. All is well at last.
Take A Crap… Lose Your Seat… The Hard Way
The Police State never ends, does it? I truly believe that down here (the deep south) that the police are much more attuned to hiring brawn over brains. Hire some big country asshole for hardly any money, who barely can spell his name and give him a gun and tell him how important and powerful he is… a recipe for disaster.
But it ain’t just the redneck rent-a-cops that act as if they have the brain the size of a hummingbird. Apparently, this is the recipe the entire country is cooking.
Jonathon Turley has another example of the Police State gone awry:
Potty Patriotism: Atheist Thrown Out of Yankee Stadium for Trying to Go to Bathroom During the Singing of God Bless America
A rather fluid first amendment controversy is brewing over police conduct at the Yankee stadium. Fan Brad Campeau-Laurion says that when he tried to go to the bathroom during the singing of “God Bless America,” he was roughed up a bit and then thrown out of the stadium. It appears that this has been a long complaint by fans over a sing-or-get-out policy by George Steinbrenner.
Campeau-Laurion recounts an encounter during the seventh inning stretch in the Yankees-Red Sox game. “God Bless America” was playing when nature called. An officer allegedly told him, however, that he could not leave even on such an urgent matter because he had to sing or at least listen to the song. When Campeau-Laurion said that he didn’t care about “God Bless America” right now, the officer allegedly twisted his arm behind him and eventually with the help of another officer tossed him out.
Here is his account:
As I attempted to walk down the aisle and exit my section into the tunnel, I was stopped by a police officer. He informed me that I had to wait until the song was over. I responded that I had to use the restroom and that I did not care about God Bless America.
“As soon as the latter came out of my mouth, my right arm was twisted violently behind my back and I was informed that I was being escorted out of the stadium. A second officer then joined in and twisted my left arm, also in an excessively forceful manner, behind my back. I informed them they were violating my First Amendment rights and that I had done nothing wrong, with no response from them.“I was sitting in the Tier Level, and of course this is the highest level of the stadium and I was escorted in this painful manner down the entire length of the stadium. About halfway down, I informed them that they were hurting me, repeated that I had done nothing wrong, and that I was not resisting nor talking back to them. One of them said something to the effect that if I continued to speak, he would find a way to hurt me more.
“When we reached the exit of the stadium, they confiscated my ticket and the first officer shoved me through the turnstiles, saying ‘Get the hell out of my country if you don’t like it.’”
This would appear facially ridiculous except for the fact that others have apparently objected to the same policy and treatment. The subject is an atheist who, for obvious reasons, is not a fan of the song.
The New York Times wrote about the policy which Steinbrenner said was the result of citizens complaining that people were moving about during the singing of “God Bless America, here. The security guards are off-duty police officers.
Of course for an atheist at the limit of his bladder, singing about “To the oceans, white with foam” can be excruciating. It does present in interesting legal issue. While these are police officer, they are off-duty. This is, therefore, a private action and not governmental action under the first amendment. Without state action, the constitutional question is difficult to raise. There remains tort and statutory options, however.
For more on the story, click here.
Cindy McCain’s Half Sister: I’m Voting for Barack Obama
My friend, Blog Queen, at Sagacious Rambling has an interesting post up this morning explaining that US Magazine has an article with some very interesting news about Cindy McCain’s half sister voting for Obama:
Cindy McCain‘s half sister is planning on voting for Barack Obama, she tells Usmagazine.com.
“I’m not voting for McCain,” Kathleen Hensley Portalski tells Us. “I have a different political standpoint.
“I’m voting for Obama,” the Phoenix resident says. “I think his proposals to improve the country are more positive and I’m not a big war believer.”
Read more at UsMagazine.com….
That’s Not Change… It’s More Of The Same
Joe Biden kept saying this over and over last night and all I could think of was, “Man, that’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
When it comes to ‘change’ in American politics, neither McCain or Biden will ever allow “change” to happen to their power grab and the American Empire’s continued take over of the world. When Obama chose Biden, that was the most evidence of his lack of “change”.
I have thought about it this morning several times and then I saw this from Bruce Gagnon at Organizing Notes (you should check out his blog) and he basically spoke for me here:
If you click on the Will Park artwork above you will see Sen. Joe Biden’s name near the bottom of the “boys in the band.” Will created this one in 2002. Talk about calling it right. You should remember that Biden, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, supported Bush’s illegal and immoral attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq.
Last night I watched the Joe Biden speech at the Denver Democratic party convention. Throughout his speech Biden would use one line when referring to John McCain, “That’s not change, it’s more of the same.”
Biden’s offer of change included the statement that Bush had “failed to face the biggest force facing the 21st century, the emergence of Russia, China, and India as great powers.”
Again contrasting Obama from McCain, he boasted that the Obama-Biden team would make Afghanistan a priority – “We need to send two more combat battalions to Afghanistan.” The crowd cheered.
Biden accused the Bush team of neglecting Georgia after their attack on the break-a-way provinces South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Biden warned that “We will end that neglect. We will hold Russia accountable for its actions and we will help the people of Georgia rebuild [their military].”
After hearing the Biden speech I can only come to the conclusion that what he offered last night was not real change but more of the same hardball U.S. militarism and empire building. Confronting Russia and China over the world’s declining resources is exactly the wrong “strategy”.
Biden said nothing about cutting our trillion dollar military budget or converting the military industrial complex so we can deal with the looming effects of global climate change.
That would be real change – just the kind of change we need.
QUIZ!
The Power of Observation
ENTER QUIZ HERE> thinktst.htm
Post Your Score…… I only got 20 correct!
Drug Policies Are WAYYY Outta Hand
Hundreds Of Musicians Removed From Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame For Drug Use
Automakers seek increase to government loan program
B’Man: My, how convenient that the government will bail another Big Money entity out. Amazing how they are asking for even MORE money. But let me ask the most obvious question: why loan money or bail these asshats out when they have made so damn much profit all these years and made a conscious decision NOT to upgrade their plants with their own money, enabling even more profits and preparing for what they knew was coming but decided not to pursue (for monetary reasons, I am sure)?
Same for any military contractor.
As a matter of fact, the same for ANY corporation. Why hasve we, as citizens, allowed the corporations more power and influence than we, The Citizens, have ourselves?
On the front page of its Business Day section, the New York Times (8/23, C1, Bunkley, Vlasic) reported that General Motors (GM), Ford Motor, and Chrysler are seeking “a significant increase in the $25 billion government loan program authorized last year to help them build more fuel-efficient vehicles.” According to the automakers, “the loans would allow them to overhaul their plants more quickly than they can otherwise afford to in a dismal time for the United States auto industry.
The Wall Street Journal (8/23, A3, Terlep, Mitchell) quoted GM spokesman Greg Martin as saying, “There’s a real urgency in that all of the progress we have made on these new vehicles could come to a standstill if we can’t get capital at reasonable rates.” According to some reports, “the domestic auto industry now seeks between $40 billion and $50 billion. The automaker’s would like to have a funded plan in place by the end of 2008.
“The industry is urging Congress to appropriate the funds before the November 4 election and asking the energy department to complete the necessary regulations before the end of the year,” the Financial Times (8/23, Simon) added. “The scheme, known as the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, would be available to all vehicle manufacturers with operations in North America, as well as parts suppliers.” Yet, GM, Ford, and Chrysler “would be by far the biggest beneficiaries. They see the loans as a way of bridging a cash shortage that is likely to continue for at least the next 18 months.”
According to the AP (8/23, Thomas), “the auto industry’s future has been a top issue in Midwest battleground states key to the presidential race.” Even though Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) “had opposed the retooling efforts, arguing that his $5,000 tax credits for consumers who buy fuel-efficient vehicles and a $300 million battery prize would accomplish the same goal,” he said on Friday that “Congress should fund the loan program in the energy bill.” Sen. McCain’s Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) “previously outlined support for the loans, and a 10-year, $150 billion program for green manufacturing. Obama’s campaign said Friday they would support the $50 billion loan program.” Auto industry officials maintain “that the loan program would not represent a bailout, but would be similar to aid lawmakers have given to Wall Street investment banks and struggling mortgage firms.
The Detroit Free Press (8/23, Hyde) added that “Detroit automakers, the UAW (United Auto Workers union), and their allies on Capitol Hill will launch an all-out blitz over the next few weeks for up to $50 billion in government loans over the next three years.
B’Man: How nice it must be to have the government bail out all these rich bastards when they could have helped themselves. I think I’m going to shit a brick the next time I hear a McCain supporter talk about welfare cadillacs when it is the business sector that gets more help than ANY citizen alive.
ICE Raids Coming To Mississippi
From World Prout:
Saturday, August 23, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 22, 2008
Contact:
Patricia Ice-office 601-354-9355
Bill Chandler-office 601-968-5182
JACKSON, MS – A series of preparations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the Gulf Coast has local advocates on edge about the possibility of yet another worksite raid, and yet another devastating blow to businesses, families and communities in the name of immigration enforcement.
“The preparations we are seeing ICE make are alarmingly similar to what occurred immediately prior to the raid on the Agriprocessors, Inc. Kosher meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, a few months ago, ” said Patricia Ice, an immigration attorney and spokesperson for MIRA. ICE has reportedly booked dozens of rooms in hotels on the Gulf Coast. They may be checking in as early as tonight.
Perhaps even more worrisome are the reports that the federal court in Hattiesburg is being readied for a response similar to the response to the raid in Postville, when nearly 400 plant workers were arrested on trumped up identity theft charges, and slammed through criminal prosecution and judicial removal (being forced to waive all their criminal defense and immigration claims) within just days of the raid.
“What happened in Postville was an absolute travesty of justice that must never happen again,” said Ms. Ice. “ICE must assure that any future enforcement actions are conducted in a humane manner and that detainees are permitted their constitutional rights to due process and to legal counsel.”
With all the signs pointing to an impending raid, Ms Ice, other staff and local leaders are working quickly to identify possible targets, educate workers and assemble a team of attorneys to offset the burden on public defenders and provide immigration advice.
____________________
The Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance (MIRA) is a membership-based alliance which guarantees the human rights of immigrants and all workers in Mississippi. MIRA works to support immigrants in the exercise of their rights through providing services, organizing, advocacy and public education.
Nelson at 90 & his inner circle
Buyi SishubaThe woman who opens Mandela’s letters reveals what people ask from the man, and how many birthday cards he has received so far. In the run up to Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday Outlook’s Siobhann Tighe spoke to the people in the revered statesman’s inner circle.
Exclusively on the website hear two additional interviews recorded for Outlook
One of the laywers who defended Nelson Mandela at the trial that saw him committed to life imprisonment in 1963.
audio>
I can not wrap my brain around the amount of time this man sat in solitary confinement– and drew strength off of his personal resolve, ethics and humanity.
080721_outlook_lawyer_au_nb.asx
A laughing morning of simple reflections
Anyway– I met a wonderful woman from Scotland, and I have enjoyed our talks of politics and world woes. She sends me funny cartoons to make my days start with a smile. Today was one of those days!
Now– as I scrolled through the cartoons… I came across one that not only made me laugh, but I laughed out loud from personal experience! !
The ‘I’ll have what he’s having’ actually happened to me when I first met Gishelle Diva Gish. I was working alone one morning almost a year ago. In walks a 6′ 7″ fuzzy wig wearing, white go-go- boot wearing, tight hot pink mini dress wearing — huge breast leading the way ‘woman’. Of course I knew at first sight this person was different [dah] and special. I introduced myself and so did Gishelle. Being the person I am, [Social Worker til' death]– I ended up in a deep conversation and then out of seemingly no where, Gishelle rips open the hot pink top and announced…” I just had these babies put in!”. And there they were, no bra, nothing… just huge, and I mean huge breasts on a hairy chest.[Gishelle has since had electrolysis]. I just stood there amazed. Since then we have become friends at my job, and Gishelle knows I struggle with the words ” he and she” when it comes to speaking with “her/him”. Not out of anything negative, but just being old. lol. I have learned much in speaking with Gishelle… especially about the effects of Agent Orange, medical struggles… and emotional pain being unique to individuals. I like the fact that Gishelle is comfortable enough with me to flip her/his voice from Gishelle to Clay when we speak. Anyway– this is where my head went this morning just from a cartoon from a Scotish friend. Isn’t life a trip?!! lol lol. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/sep/02/life-after-brother-clay/
“…….Sitting with Gishelle Gish, there’s a sense of what is and what has been. In the dining room of her West Knoxville home, Gish is surrounded by gold records, signed plaques and posters from Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand and other music stars, all thanking her for her help with their careers and the success of certain records. Yet all of the thanks are for “Brother Clay” Gish. Brother Clay Gish was an athlete, a Vietnam veteran, a father who married four times and a star in the radio world. He was known in Atlanta, Houston, Miami and Knoxville as a popular radio personality, a programmer who could help take a station to the top and could always tell a future hit.Clay Gish began living as Gishelle Diva Gish in January and has since undergone breast augmentation surgery and a legal name change. She hopes to have sex-reassignment surgery in the near future. “People who knew me didn’t really know me,” says Gish. “Now my skin is reflecting who I am inside.”…….”
It’s Official: I Live Among The Brainwashed and Ultra-Racists
McCain has big lead in South, poll of 11 states shows
By Roddie Burris | The State (linked by McClatchy)
Read a question-by-question analysis of the poll.
Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain enjoys a 16-point lead — 51 percent to 35 percent — among Southern voters over rival Democratic U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, a new poll by Winthrop University and ETV shows.
And, the further into the South you go, the larger McCain’s lead grows, the poll of likely voters in 11 Southern states shows.
Likely voters in the Deep South — those in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina — preferred McCain by a 25-point margin, 56 percent to 31 percent.
Southern voters said what they want most in a president is honesty, experience and shared values. Southern voters rated McCain ahead of Obama in each of those categories.
B’Man: Jesus Christ, rednecks. Are you shitting me? I am no Obama fan and won’t vote for him, but this is insane. Have you no sense about you, whatsoever? There is no way that ‘thinking’ people could ever come to this conclusion.
McCain’s strongest support comes from white working-class Southerners — who favor him by a 34-point margin — and white evangelicals — who favor the Arizonan by 54 percentage points.
The poll, which was conducted Aug. 1-17, has a margin of error of (plus or minus) 2.97 percentage points…
…On the issues, McCain trumped Obama nearly across the board in the poll.
The economy easily was the most important issue to Southern voters in the upcoming presidential election. McCain bested Obama on which candidate would handle energy and gas prices better, and who would do the better job on taxes.
McCain also far out-distanced Obama on who would do a better job of handling the Iraq war and terrorism.
None of that surprised Jeanette Smith of Chapin, who described McCain as honest and decisive, strong on national security and unlikely to be manipulated by a foreign government.
“The economy and national security are neck-and-neck for me,” said Smith, a 54-year-old bookkeeper and mother of four. “In fact, I’m not even sure they are separate issues.”…
B’Man: I read this shit and I scratch my head wondering how in the fuck someone could be so out of touch with reality and then I remember that these ignorant morons only listen to Rush and the other radical freaks mimicking anything and everything the neocon asshats want remembered. I am working to wake you rednecks up, but it is becoming apparent that some are simply too far gone from reality to ever wake up. Normally I would be sad for you, but your idiocy is fucking up my world. Hence, I have nothing but disdain and anger towards those who continue to spread false and dumbass commentaries about McCain, as if he could or WOULD do any of that.
Fools.
However, Deep South and working-class white voters disagreed, saying McCain understands them best.
“Senator Obama has a great deal of work to do if he plans to turn the Southern states in his favor,” said Adolphus Belk Jr., who helped design the poll and teaches political science and African-American Studies at Winthrop.
Belk said Obama has to do a better job at defining himself for voters, moving beyond simply being a new face on the national stage. Obama also has to overcome religious and ethnic misinformation that continues to plague his candidacy, Belk said.
That’s no short order in the South, either, said Obama supporter John Hines Jr. of Effingham, S.C. “For older Americans, I think color is still an issue,” said the 53-year-old paper maker.
Of those polled, 86 percent said race would not be an important factor in how they choose to vote. However, a quarter of all likely Southern voters surveyed said that if a candidate had a Muslim parent, it would impact their votes. Obama, who is a Christian, had a Muslim father.
Hines said he thinks race matters despite the poll results.
“I hate to knock on the color thing, I really do,” said Hines, a native South Carolinian. “But I think it’s a factor.”
Still, Hines also had kind words for McCain. “I really think whoever is elected, it will be good for America,” he said.
Obama supporter Willie Greene, 50, of Patrick, S.C., said the Democrat has to focus on pocketbook issues, and be more assertive and less contemplative in responding to questions.
“Right now, they’re seeing color,” said Greene, a treatment plant operator. “It’s a big hurdle he would have to overcome, and I hate to say it, but he is at a big disadvantage in the South.”
B’Man: Idiots. Neither of these power mongers are going to be ‘good’ for this country. McCain sure as hell will be the very worst that we could ever even consider at this point in time of our history. How people can even think it baffles me.
I am at wit’s end. Logic disallows the computation of this bullshit.
B’Man’s Redneck Watch: $13 Barbie rod lands record catfish (no charters, no guides)
McClatchy reports on a cool grandpa redneck who seems to have done the impossible: catch a 21# catfish on a Barbee fishing rod.
$13 Barbie rod lands record catfish (no charters, no guides)
By Bruce Henderson
David Hayes knew from earlier catches that lunker catfish patrolled the acre pond a few feet behind his rural Wilkes County home.
But he never suspected it held a state-record channel cat. Or that he would land it with a hot-pink Barbie rod and reel 2 inches shorter than the fish.
How that happened is a whale of a fish story, which says something about a 3-year-old girl’s bond with her grandpa.
Hayes told it this way:
It was 7:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, Aug. 5. Hayes was home in the Shoaly Branch community after work running the dye house for a local textile-maker. Granddaughter Alyssa Hayes, who lives nearby, helped Hayes pick tomatoes. Then she decided she wanted to go fishing.
Fishing and riding four-wheelers together are what Alyssa loves best with her Papa.
Hayes, who’s 56, caught a few crickets and baited the hook on her 2 1/2-foot Barbie rod and reel combo — $13 at Wal Mart. Alyssa caught a couple of bluegills.
Then she had to go to the bathroom and thrust the tackle in Hayes’ hands as she turned for the house.
“They hadn’t no more than closed the door than the cat hit the cricket and took off,” he said. “He turned the water over and I saw his tail was about as wide as my two hands.
“I knew I was in trouble.
“By the time she got back out there, she said, ‘Papa, you’re going to break my rod,’ because it was bent double.”
After 25 minutes, pink plastic and 6-pound-test line prevailed.
Hayes netted the exhausted fish. Alyssa “squealed and her eyes got as big as silver dollars.”
Scales at a local grocery said the 32-inch fish weighed 21 pounds, 1 ounce. A state fisheries biologist certified the record, nearly three pounds over the previous mark.
The fish will go on the wall, along with Alyssa’s Barbie rod.
“It looks like a toy,” Hayes said, “but it’s a functioning toy.”
