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Petroecuador Employees Fight Over Occidential Petroleum's Left Over Luxury
2008-09-09 21:19:00
If one needs any evidence of how divided Ecuador's class culture really is, and of how this still-poor country (even with its oil industry) has so little that its citizens scrap for everything, we have this report of Petroecuador employees actually coming to blows over luxury cars left behind after the state forced that American oil company out of the country. Now, the resulting "wake" has improved the oil sector, if not the messy politics that defines it in this country. Now, Petroecuador controls 50 percent of all oil export production in Ecuador. And while Occidental has approached the Bush Administration for help in re-acquiring the assets seized by Ecuador, the nation's representatives are taking a hard line stance, not allowing a "an arrogant, portentous transnational that doesn?t respect Ecuadoran laws to harm our country,? according to Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa.  
More About: Luxury , Employees , Fight , Left

Sen. Joe Biden Rips Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin in Landhorne, PA
2008-09-09 19:19:00
Barack Obama picked not only the most experienced person in the Senate to be his running mate, but perhaps the most passionate one as well. In this campaign stop at Landhorne, PA, Biden reminded all Americans of the problems we've faced over the last eight years of the Bush Administration: lost jobs and a lost self-esteem.
More About: Barack Obama , Cain , John , Joe Biden , Sarah

RACIST COLLEGE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT ADAM LADUCA STEPS DOWN - CALLED KING A
2008-09-09 13:14:00
You know, the more I see stories like this, the less faith I have in America.  What bothers me about this story of Adam LaDuca is that he's 21 years old and so this racist view is a reflection of his parents. ALLENTOWN, Pa. ? The leader of a statewide group of college Republican s has been forced to resign after posting racially insensitive comments about Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on the Internet.Adam LaDuca, 21, the former executive director of the Pennsylvania Federation of College Republicans, wrote on his Facebook page in late July that Obama has "a pair of lips so large he could float half of Cuba to the shores of Miami (and probably would.)"LaDuca, who previously had called Martin Luther King Jr. a "pariah" and a "fraud," also wrote: "And man, if sayin' someone has large lips is a racial slur, then we're ALL in trouble."The College Republicans asked LaDuca to resign after his remarks were publi...
More About: President

Palin Charged Rape Victims For Tests As Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska
2008-09-09 12:50:00
Palin Charged Rape Victims For Tests As Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska This Frontiersman article written while Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was Mayor of Wasilla has to be read to be believed: Published on Monday, May 22, 2000 9:00 PM  ANCHORAGE - Gov. Tony Knowles recently signed legislation protecting victims of sexual assault from being billed for tests to collect evidence of the crime, but one local police chief said the new law will further burden taxpayers.The governor signed House Bill 270, sponsored by Rep. Eric Croft, D-Anchorage, outside the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) exam room at Alaska Regional Hospital. In attendance at the signing were members of victims advocate groups, law enforcement agencies and legislators. The new law makes it illegal for any law enforcement agency to bill victims or victims insurance companies for the costs of examinations that take place to collect evidence of a sexual assault or determine if a sexual assault did occur. We wou...

Gov. Palin Requested Almost $1 BILLION in Earmarks: AP - No Kidding
2008-09-09 07:56:00
Folks, the lies and tall tales told by Alaska Governor and GOP VP Candidate Sarah Palin have grown bigger and bigger.  But this one's huge.  And I mean to the tune of nearly one billion dollars. According to the Associated Press, Palin has requested $750 million in earmarks during her short terms as Alaska's Governor.  For just 670,000 people in that state, that comes to $1,119 for each Alaska Resident. Earlier, I looked at this from a "per-day" perspective and came to the number of $853,623 per day.  But that was with just $576 million in requests.  This AP-estimate brings that number to $1,875,000 per day. That's almost $2 million per day.  In addition to this news, the Washington Post charges that Palin used state money simply for nights spent at home.  I suspect that money went to the care and feeding of her four kids and I don't write that to be funny at all.  The question is, is a $125,000 salary enough for a family of that size...
More About: Kidding , Earmarks , Billion

Sarah Palin The Anti-Christ According To Deepak Chopra
2008-09-09 07:31:00
From: Deepak Chopra | In The Elephant Journal Posted: Friday, September 5th, 2008  Sometimes politics has the uncanny effect of mirroring the national psyche even when nobody intended to do that. This is perfectly illustrated by the rousing effect that Gov. Sarah Palin had on the Republican convention in Minneapolis this week. On the surface, she outdoes former Vice President Dan Quayle as an unlikely choice, given her negligent parochial expertise in the complex affairs of governing. Her state of Alaska has less than 700,000 residents, which reduces the job of governor to the scale of running one-tenth of New York City. By comparison, Rudy Giuliani is a towering international figure. Palin's pluck has been admired, and her forthrightness, but her real appeal goes deeper.  She is the reverse of Barack Obama, in essence his shadow, deriding his idealism and exhorting people to obey their worst impulses. In psychological terms the shadow is that part of the psyche that h...
More About: Cain , Christ , Anti

Open letter to John McCain: Bureaucrats and Health Care
2008-09-09 05:24:00
What would you advise, my friend? You say you?re in favor of changing everything that?s wrong in Washington, you?re trying to reclaim your old label as a maverick, and distance yourself as far as you can from Bush after voting with him about 90% of the time - but leaving health care the way it is because Obama thought up changing it first? That's toadying up to the lobbyists from big insurance companies, that's politics as usual, and believe me, maverick, our health care system ISN'T working for everybody.Here's a story of how insurance-based health care decisions worked against a woman who suffered nerve damage during the birth of her second child. Health Partners changed her medication/treatment without consulting her records, or her doctor... no medical professionals were involved, just a clerk delivering news that her treatment was no longer eligible for coverage because nobody at Health Partners took the time to even read her diagnosis, let alone get a proper medical eval...
More About: Health Care , Open , John , Letter

Maverick my ass
2008-09-09 03:19:00
Once I learned just how much pork Sarah Palin got via earmarks I could barely believe the commerical media were glossing over it. But for McCain to try to reclaim the maverick personna after how he toadied up to Bush since 2000, and trying to paint his ticket as conservatives that can bring change? That's the epitome of unbelievable Rovian tactics.We may not know much about Palin yet, but we do know votes for John McCain are votes for more of the same.

Black Voter Registration Purged by Florida Republicans
2008-09-08 21:19:00
While the media focuses on the antics of McCain's chosen VP battleground states are purging their voter rolls.In Colorado, one fifth of all voter registrations were dropped. Florida is refusing to accept 85,000 new registrants -- overwhelmingly blacks. Ohio & Nevada are scrubbing tens of 1000s of voters who lost their homes.read more | digg story
More About: Republicans , Black , Registration

Headline News Robin Meade Used My Jesse Jackson Interview
2008-09-08 08:52:00
I happened upon this cached page of the August 30th 2008 presentation of CNN Headline News Anchor Robin Meade's coverage of the DNC Convention, which featured my Jesse Jackson Interview . Thanks Robin! I also happened on CNN's presentation of my "Clinton argument" video, which is here, too.

Zennie Abraham - CNN iReporter Interviewed After Obama Speech At Invesco Fi
2008-09-08 08:40:00
iReporters inside the stadium 2:51 iReporter Zennie Abraham describes what it was like inside Invesco Field. This was my interview that I gave from inside the "Blogger Lounge" on the 4th floor level at Invesco Field.  What CNN did not know is that I had to talk loud over the din from the bloggers still in the room at the time.   But still I thank CNN for giving me the chance to share my experience with the nation and the World.  
More About: Barack Obama , Obama , Speech

John McCain Gets BarackRoll'd - Sarah Palin Next?
2008-09-08 07:34:00
I love this. It's as if John McCain really did get BarackRoll'd at the Republican National Convention.  It stands to reason that Sarah Palin's next.
More About: John McCain

Palin Won't Do Interviews Until Treated with "Deference"
2008-09-08 07:20:00
Rick Davis, campaign manager for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., just told Fox News Channel's Chris Wallace that McCain running mate Gov. Sarah Palin won't subject herself to any tough questions from reporters "until the point in time when she'll be treated with respect and deference."read more | digg story
More About: Interviews

Palin Confuses Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae and Government Role - First Gaffe
2008-09-08 02:52:00
Well, McCain campaign advisor Todd Harris said they didn't want Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to make a mistake early on, and that's exactly what happened today.  Palin, commenting on the news that the Federal Goverment was going to take over the poortly performing loan organizations Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae, apparently did not know that the firms were privately owned and held.  Palin said this, as written by the McClatchy Washington Bureau: McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, speaking in Colorado Springs, Colo., said Fannie and Freddie had "gotten too big and too expensive to the taxpayers." The companies, however, aren't taxpayer funded but operate as private companies. The takeover may result in a taxpayer bailout during reorganization.It's this basic lack of knoweldge of Federal Government operation that both Obama / Biden supporters and GOP backers who questioned McCain's logic in selecting Palin are concerned with.  Palin has no experience in t...
More About: Freddie Mac , Role , Fannie Mae

John McCain Reportedly Shoved Woman In Wheelchair in 1996
2008-09-08 00:15:00
We still get report after report on examples of Senator John McCain's temper. Here's another one: In 1992, McCain sparred with Dolores Alfond, the chairwoman of the National Alliance of Families for the Return of America's Missing Servicemen and Women, at a Senate hearing. McCain's prosecutor-like questioning of Alfond ? available on YouTube ? left her in tears. Four years later, at her group's Washington conference, about 25 members went to a Senate office building, hoping to meet with McCain. As they stood in the hall, McCain and an aide walked by. Six people present have written statements describing what they saw. According to the accounts, McCain waved his hand to shoo away Jeannette Jenkins, whose cousin was last seen in South Vietnam in 1970, causing her to hit a wall. As McCain continued walking, Jane Duke Gaylor, the mother of another missing serviceman, approached the senator. Gaylor, in a wheelchair equipped with portable oxygen, stretched her arms toward McCain. "M...
More About: Woman , John McCain , Wheelchair

McCain Now Leads Obama In Gallup 48 to 45 Points Today
2008-09-08 00:10:00
After the Republican Convention Senator John McCain now leads Senator Obama in the Gallup Daily Tracking Poll for the weekend, 48 percent to 45 percent and mostly due to the newly-engaged conservative base excited over McCain's running mate, Governor Sarah Palin.  But since this poll was conducted during the weekend days (today is the 7th), I think it reflects that more older people were at home to answer the phone. By Tuesday, Senator Obama will recover his lead.  
More About: Barack Obama , Leads , Today

Sarah Palin Asked For $853,623 In Earmark Money Per Day As Governor
2008-09-07 21:04:00
This video of an interview grilling by Fox News' Chris Wallace of McCain Campaign Manager Rick Davis reveals that Alaska Governor and GOP VP Candidate Sarah Palin hired a Washington Lobbyist to get $27 million in earmarks for Wasilla, Alaska when she was mayor (and left that town with a $20 million deficit) and as governor she asked for $589 Million in Pork Barrel Projects. That comes to $853,623 per day for a state of just 670,000 people!
More About: Money

Sarah Palin's Church (Wasilla Bible Church) Hosts Anti-Gay Conversion Confe
2008-09-07 20:41:00
Sarah Palin's Church (Wasilla Bible Church) Hosts Anti -Gay Conversion Conference According to this Associated Press story, the church of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is hosting a kind of conference devoted to the "conversion of Gays" -- no kidding. Here's the AP text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) ? Gov. Sarah Palin's church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer. "You'll be encouraged by the power of God's love and His desire to transform the lives of those impacted by homosexuality," according to the insert in the bulletin of the Wasilla Bible Church, where Palin has prayed since she was a child. Palin's conservative Christian views have energized that part of the GOP electorate, which was lukewarm to John McCain's candidacy before he named her as his vice presidential choice. She is staunchly anti-abortion, opposing exceptions for rape and incest, and opposes gay marriage and spousal rights for gay couples. As I...
More About: Sarah

Sarah Palin, To Be Interviewed By ABC In Alaska
2008-09-07 20:31:00
AP - Republican vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin is offering her first televised interview to ABC News in the coming week in Alaska . Remember, these guys did such a lousy debate in the primary season they were excluded from the PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES. Go Figure. read more | digg story

Obama Suppoters Talk About Obama, McCain, Palin - VIDEO
2008-09-07 20:02:00
This video was created at a rally for Barack Obama in Berkeley Thursday that drew 1,000 people. I asked Obama supporters why they backed Obama and what they thought about the GOP VP Candidate Sarah Palin.
More About: Video , Talk

NFL What lies ahead : Ten questions to answer in NFL 2008
2008-09-07 19:38:00
One thing is pretty certain: The NFL's next champion will be crowned on Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, site of Super Bowl XLIII. Beyond that, there are plenty of unanswered possibilities to ponder as the NFL's 89th season begins. USA TODAY tackles 10 questions ? albeit without the help of a crystal ball. read more | digg story
More About: Questions , Answer , Lies , Ahead , 2008

NFL Opening Day 08 - NFL Kicoff Weekend
2008-09-07 19:37:00
Who is the new NFL powerhouse for the 08/09 season?read more | digg story
More About: Opening , Weekend

ESPN - Cowboys emerge as Super Bowl favorites - NFL
2008-09-07 19:35:00
ESPN.com's NFL experts predict the division winners, wild cards, award winners and the Super Bowl winner. read more | digg story
More About: Cowboys , Favorites , Emerge

Jon Stewart Obliterates McCain's Acceptance Speech
2008-09-07 18:57:00
This clip clearly illustrates that Candidate McCain is absolutely, undeniably no different than the asshat currently sitting near the red phone waiting to push the button.read more | digg story
More About: Jon Stewart , Stewart , Acceptance , Speech

Palin's Speech Didn't Move Undecided or Democratic Women
2008-09-07 18:56:00
McCain's pandering to women improved her standing to women in focus groups in Nevada, but polling data suggests that there is no movement in national polling data, showing women are not stupid like John McCain and Karl Rove think they are. read more | digg story
More About: Women , Democratic , Move , Speech

Feds Warn Climate Change Could Harm Giant Sequoias
2008-09-07 18:52:00
Federal researchers are warning that warming temperatures could soon cause California's giant sequoia trees to die off more quickly unless forest managers plan with an eye toward climate change and the impact of a longer, harsher wildfire season.read more | digg story
More About: Climate Change , Climate , Change , Giant , Harm

Man Kicked Out Of California Bar Comes Back And Shoots 11
2008-09-07 18:50:00
The gunman opened fire early Friday morning after being kicked out, Riverside sheriff's officials say. The incident began after the gunman, along with four friends, was kicked out of Las Copas bar in Mira Loma for causing a disturbance. On his way out, he threatened a security guard, sheriff's officials said.read more | digg story
More About: California , Back , Shoots

Sarah Palin and John McCain?s Shotgun Marriage
2008-09-07 18:49:00
John McCain?s speed-dating of Sarah Palin reaffirmed that his decision-making process is impetuous and, in its Bush-like preference for gut instinct over facts, potentially reckless.read more | digg story
More About: Marriage , John , John McCain , Shotgun

Post Convention Thoughts
2008-09-01 07:04:00
So I've had a few days to consider my overall impression of the Democratic National Convention . While it was certainly a fantastic experience (excellent networking, exceptional star gazing, fantastic speeches, interesting panels and round tables), I think, for me, it boils down to an almost catastrophic waste of resources. Let me say at the outset that I recognize the need to rile up the base for the election season. I understand that without an energized, hardcore set of volunteers, the party would be sunk. I'm not sure, however, that the party needs to spend the millions of dollars it did to achieve that effect. I sat in the Pepsi Center on Wednesday night watching the multi video screens scrolling text and flashing stars wondering if we really needed all of that? The party spends four years raising money from major donors just so they can spend a chunk of that money to throw lavish parties for said donors at the Convention. It seems a little nuts.Yes, it all looks great o...
More About: Post , Thoughts

Hurricane Gustav: Twitter "Tweets" of New Orleans Residents Show They're Le
2008-08-31 20:54:00
I just happened to check out the Twitter "tweets" -- messages -- left by New Orleans residents, or at least those who listed as living in that city which seems to be the target of yet another Hurricane , this one called Gustof.  How I did it was by simply typing "New Orleans" in a search on Twitter. Some of the messages are from people who have already departed, like aliciammyers, who reports that she's "Driving towards Nashville. Want eggs so badly. Traffic is non-".  Then sarahmparks writes that she's "keeping an eye on Gustav".   Emmaleigh3 reports that she's "Watching pirates of the carribean and waiting for the storm".   She'd better get out of there!! Twitter's a good way to determine the mood and place of people in a region during a disaster like Gustav.  I'm going to follow the New Orleans people via Twitter in the days to come.  
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