In case you've been pondering the weird reality that even in this world where Bush and the Republicans have screwed up almost everything they've touched -- and intentionally so most of the time -- that there are still 40% or so of Americans who would vote them in again. There's clearly one big reason, and this AlterNet article says it all: "The Triumph of Ignorance: How Morons Succeeded in U.S. Politics". 
I've read several articles the past few months on this fascinating topic -- that people may be genetically hard-wired to certain reactions that impact what kind of politics they are drawn to. In a generalized nutshell, if you're easily scared, you might gravitate toward authority figures who make you feel safer, and tend to support Republicans. That's a huge over-simplification, but do read this great article on Alternet -- "Can You Guess a Person's Politics By Their Personality? Psychologist Team Says Yes" -- for some intriguing findings.
You will want to take a look at this article from AlterNet highlighting some of the remarks he made during his appearance on CNN's Larry King last week. Not that LK is necessarily the place to go for cogent political thought, but Michael Moore got it right: "No More Socialism for the Rich!" One of my strongest criticisms of McCain is his insistence on continuing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and Moore really goes into this, plus the Wall Street bailout as the ultimate handout to the upper 5%. 
The amazing little channel Link TV has been running the documentary Senator Obama Goes to Africa, about Obama's visit to his father's birthplace
in Kenya. It's a fascinating look into Obama's committment to his African roots, and gives us another glimpse into this gifted politican who is also an empathetic individual with strong connections to the world at large.
As our candidate takes a couple of days off to visit his ailing grandmother in Hawaii, we wish them both all the best.
no mistake about it. The people are just her stepping stones.
Another excellent resource for the latest in voter information and for reporting any irregularities that you may encounter is the non-partisan organization ELECTION PROTECTION, and their excellent website.
You KNOW I don't trust the Republicans at all, and you shouldn't give them an inch, and I'm not the only one. Here are MoveOn.org's --
I caught a tremendous speech by filmmaker Michael Moore on C-SPAN2 "Book TV" yesterday, and I recommend that you also take a look at it. It's over an hour, so just maybe open it up and keep it running as you do other things on the computer, but it's so worth it to hear his passionate words. They are even more 
relevant than they were a month ago, coming just after the financial crisis hit, and he will inspire you and make you proud to be an Obama supporter.
Please read this excellent article from AlterNet -- "McCain Mocks Women's Health", written by Peggy Simpson -- expanding on the issues I brought up yesterday regarding McCain's views on choice for women.
Barack Obama:Joseph Biden: University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science. Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)
vs.
John McCain:
"Mud Pies for 'That One'" -- about the degradation of McCain and Palin's campaign. In examining McCain's descent into a steamy cesspool of lies and vicious attacks, she makes this point about Republican tactics, specifically the philosophy espoused by the late Lee Atwater, the Republican strategist who inspired Karl Rove (and who died of a brain tumor at 40 years of age, not before apologizing for some of his most egregious campaign smears):
like me" and that Sarah Palin could keep America safe and sound until the Armageddon -- and who are certainly not economically benefitting from Republican rule are simply being fleeced like the rubes at a slick traveling carnival. The McCain-Palin ticket is a perfect representation of the two sides of the Republicans: the over-stuffed, extremely well-off rich white men, who will sell their souls to keep what they've got, country and honor and everything else be damned -- the "I've Got Mine, Fuck You" contingent -- and the overly-religious, scared-to-death, non-thinkers who are willing to exchange superstition for cogent thinking. That the latter half of the party can't understand what the former half is doing to them is mind-boggling. 
High praise is due to Rolling Stone magazine for their insistent and excellent coverage of this election. Those of us who don't manage to get our hands on a copy of the print version can catch up online on RS's terrific website, and there are several recent do-not-miss articles that must be read, immediately:
Please read this piece on Open Salon by author Thom Rutledge. It's another incisive and scathing take on Sarah Palin's targeted image, and it's also quite funny. But don't think there isn't a message here; Rutledge is ultimately taking to task the American voters who are being cajoled by this sub-par candidate into submission and approval. Don't let it happen!
There's an amazing and 100% blood-chilling article on AlterNet by Jill Hussein about Sarah Palin's particular brand of personal ambition, and it's horrifying and undeniable. It's a corollary to Bill Maher's excellent rant from my previous post here, so be sure you watch that for yet another view on SP's disqualifications, which are many.
Check out this excellent blog by Alec Baldwin reflecting on his appearance this past Friday on HBO's always entertaining and engaging Real Time with Bill Maher. Baldwin was excellent on the show, but gives great credit to co-guest Garry Shandling for the best line of the night. I wanted to hear more from Baldwin, frankly; he's strong and unsparing when he speaks and writes, and absolutely compelling. Smart, passionate, serious -- he really is somebody to be proud of as an example as an involved artist.
