Sunday, July 26, 2009

Jon Stewart Takes on the "Birther" Controversy

Jon Stewart is now the most trusted newsperson, and here is an example of why. Jon Stewart calls other supposed journalists on their utter and complete bullshit. Case in point: the birther controversy. Watch how he very easily debunks the whole thing while holding Lou Dobbs and CNN accountable for basically ignoring facts and airing extreme, fringe crap:

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The Born Identity
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Political HumorJoke of the Day

Friday, July 24, 2009

Letter I Wrote to CNN re: Lou Dobbs

I am disappointed that CNN's President has backed off on criticism of Lou Dobbs for giving legitimacy to the so-called "birther" movement, which questions President Obama's U.S. citizenship. These allegations have been thoroughly debunked, and this movement is a racist attempt to undermine the first Black president. To give it any airtime at all on what is considered a serious news channel gives it an air of legitimacy that is completely inappropriate. Lou Dobbs has no place in journalism.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Revisiting Ridiculous Rumors - The So-Called "Birther" Movement

Amazingly, the rumor that President Obama is not a U.S. citizen still persists. These people even have a moniker: "birthers" and supposedly respectable Republicans are working hard to legitimize these ridiculous rumors. In honor of the birthers, I am re-posting my (well-researched, I might add) rebuttal:


Remember during the campaign when Republicans were spreading those "Obama is not a U.S. citizen" rumors? I actually had a debate in my kitchen with a family member who bought into this crap. Well apparently, Alan Keyes and Senator Richard Shelby are still trying to cast doubt on President Obama with this tired, desperate story. According to Shelby:

"Well his father was Kenyan and they said he was born in Hawaii, but I haven’t seen any birth certificate,” Shelby said. “You have to be born in America to be president.”


Well, let's see. The Obama campaign posted his birth certificate on their website during the campaign. According to www.snopes.com, this rumor is categorically false. The State of Hawaii officially verified the validity of the birth certificate. There is even a birth announcement from the Hawaii paper in 1961! What I find hilarious when reading about some of these conspiracy theories, these conspiracy theorists act like this was some scam perpetrated starting back with his birth! Yes, I am sure that in 1961, President Obama's mother and grandmother knew that he would be running for president in 2008 and would need proof of his natural-born citizenship! It is absolutely ridiculous, barely worthy of response.

Another argument I have heard is that because President Obama's father was not a U.S. citizen, President Obama could not be one. These people need to just read the law. If you are born in the United States, you are a natural-born citizen, regardless of your parents' citizenship. And despite its "foreign", "exotic" feel according to Cokie Roberts, Hawaii is one of the fifty United States of America and has been since 1959. Case closed.

Give it up, people, and move on!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Palin's Resignation: The Edited Version: vanityfair.com

OK, this is just very amusing. Vanity Fair's editors take a red pen to Sarah Palin's resignation speech.

Palin's Resignation: The Edited Version: vanityfair.com

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Monday, July 20, 2009

The Anti-Health Care Reform Crowd and Their Contradictions

Health care reform has become a signature issue for President Obama and therefore, the Republicans (and the powerful insurance and pharma lobby) are doing all they can to make sure he fails. This includes lying, exaggerating and fear-mongering. So let's go through some of these arguments.

First, there is the line about putting a bureaucrat between you and your doctor. Um, hello? That is already taking place today in the form of the insurance company bureaucrats! And does anyone really believe the insurance companies are looking out for the best interest of patients? No, they are working to make a profit -- hence their for-profit status. This is why you hear horror stories about people being stripped of coverage just when they need it the most, and why medical care and benefits are denied and appeals processes are a futile effort. So, would I rather have a government bureaucrat or an insurance company bureaucrat between me and my doctor? This is not really a hard decision!

Second, there is the portrayal of the government as a bunch of nincompoops who can't get anything right, let alone your health care. And yet, somehow we entrust the government to manage our military, our postal service, our fire and police departments, and any other number of services. Why is it only health care at which the government will be totally incompetent? And in fact, Congress and Veterans and retirees are all on government health care and seem to do just fine!

Then, there is the argument that having a public option is anti-free market and will crush the private insurance industry. If the government is so incompetent (see above), how will they be able to crush the insurance companies so easily? And shouldn't free marketers be for all competition? Isn't that the whole argument for a free market? Competition makes everyone better?

Finally, there is the constant drumming of how our health care system is the best in the world, and this is going to screw it all up. Is it the best in the world for those who can't get health insurance or quality medical care? Is it the best in the world for those who are forced into bankruptcy due to the overwhelming medical bills that can come from a serious illness?

Bottom line, I am not willing to say that health care should only be there for those who are able to afford it. I am not willing to say that someone should die if they don't have the money for a life-saving treatment.

Health care reform has to happen, and the sixty Democratic Senators had better grow a pair and make it happen.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Jon Stewart Skewers Sarah Palin - You Know I Love That!

Jon Stewart was on vacation last week, which means the writing staff had a lot of time to think about how they were going to address Sarah Palin's resignation. The results? Hilarious and, as usual, laser-beam sharp. Clip number one is an examination of Palin's rambling, convoluted explanation for why she is resigning. Clip number two is a hilarious take on her tendency to play the victim, while ripping to shreds Palin's lame basketball analogy. "Maverick basketball", indeed. Check these two clips out:

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The Craziest Catch
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Daily Show
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Political HumorJoke of the Day


The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Half Baked Alaska
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Daily Show
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Political HumorJoke of the Day

Friday, July 3, 2009

Palin Going REALLY Rogue!

So Sarah Palin announced today that she will stepping down as Governor of Alaska by the end of the month. What exactly is she thinking? I guess there are numerous possibilities. Among them:

1. Is she stepping down in order to focus on a 2012 Presidential bid? If this is the case, it seems like it will backfire. One of the big criticisms of her during the 2008 campaign was her lack of experience. Now, without even a full term as Governor to her credit, this will remain a huge gap. Furthermore, no one wants a quitter! Seriously, I don't even think she would carry her own home state. If I were an Alaskan that voted her into office, I would be pretty pissed!

2. Is she really just tired of the political scene? Somehow, even though that is what I hope, I just don't think that's the case. She seems much too enamored of the power and the attention.

3. Is there some scandal about to break that she is trying to avoid? This may be plausible. Apparently, there are rumblings that she is being investigated for even more ethics issues.

4. Does she just want to cash in by writing her book, getting paid speaking engagements and not have to worry about, you know, governing and stuff? I think this may just be the answer. She may have decided she can have a lot more fun and make a lot more money if she has the freedom to do what she wants and not constantly be criticized for not doing her actual job that she was elected to do.

Whatever the reason, I think she has once again demonstrated herself not to be a serious candidate for any sort of national office. No matter how Bill Kristol or Mary Matalin attempt to spin this, it is not "shrewd", it is not "brilliant", it's irresponsible, selfish and fickle.