The 2016 Olympics went to Rio, Brazil……conservatives celebrate America's loss.

Consider the glee by America's new enemies…..

Beck: "Oh, it's so sweet" that Chicago's bid failed; "savor this moment."

Breitbart website: "It is kind of like the world community saying to President Obama, 'Not only no, but Hell No.' "

Limbaugh: For those "upset that I sound gleeful — I am. I don't deny it. I'm happy."

Drudge: "The ego has landed. World rejects Obama: Chicago out in first round."

RedState.com's Erickson: "World rejects Barack Obama. … Hahahahaha."

Soon after news broke that the International Olympic Committee had rejected Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympics, which President Obama had personally lobbied for, Weekly Standard blogger John McCormack published a celebratory post on the magazine's blog, titled "Chicago Loses! Chicago Loses!." McCormack wrote that "Cheers erupt at WEEKLY STANDARD world headquarters"

Malkin: "Goodbye, 'Yes We Can.' Hello, 'No, You Can't.' "

Honestly, I've never seen anything like this before. Cheering when America loses. Delighting in national defeat.

Take a moment to view the now-confirmed new enemies of America celebrating President Obama's failure to land the 2016 Olympic Games……share with me your feelings at what you see at the 1:20 mark…..

For those who would suggest that it's only the fake-news "entertainers", like the deranged Beck or the drug addict Rush who celebrated in America's loss……go read the Village's Jennifer Loven from the highly respected Associated Press.

Despite Obama's fabled charm and powers of persuasion, his in-person plea for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Games fell flat. It was a hugely embarrassing defeat. And taxpayers shelled out probably $1 million or more for the president, his wife and others to fly to Copenhagen and back to woo members of the International Olympic Committee.
…..

The defeat could soon be a distant memory, and may never be more than a quixotic-blip trip. But if, for whatever reason, bigger losses start piling up in Obama's corner, his performance in this case could be regarded as emblematic.

That is Village-speak for Beck's, "Oh, it's so sweet."

To make matters worse, the Knee Padded Loven ( I've written about her before) goes on in this morning's article to tell readers that losing out on this very legitimate attempt by an American president lobbying for what surely would be a jobs and income producer for the United States of America during a very stingy recession, "recalls a strain of criticism that has been gaining ground on him."

What "strain of criticism"?

Un-f*cking-believably…."He's trying to do too much at once." " He doesn't have what it takes to close a deal." "He is a celebrity, for sure, but is that always a good thing?…some perceive Obama as arrogantly relying too much on his celebrity status and not enough on the nitty-gritty work of winning votes." "He's too casual with the use of his own time." "He's junior varsity-league, still learning on the job. Will Obama do as poorly predicting how health-care votes are leaning in Congress, and make similarly ill-fated strategic decisions?"

Truly…..this bizarre rendering by wingnuts and Villagers alike is a national WTF moment. We've entered brand new bizarro territory. A media so corrupt and rotted, so challenged by an intelligent and articulate president who doesn't spend most of his time on vacation choking on pretzels while watching footall, or pretending to clear brush in pathetically staged photo-op sessions for the rubes……is now, just like Limbaugh and Beck and the TeaBagging nuts…..celebrating American losses.

As Glenn Greenwald pointed out the other day…..in one f*cking day Obama made more progress with the troubling national leaders of Iran than George W. Bush made in 8 years of "axis-of-evil" threats. But no celebrations by KneePadding KnobPolishers over such monumental feats in U.S.-Iranian relations. Hardly a mention.

About a third of voting America, those who are ardent fans of Bill-o, Sean, Rush, Glenny and the rest of America's modern-day Our Gang Comedy Clowns, have now been born-again into full-fledged enemies of America. Outrageously, these new American enemies have blurred the lines between Obama failing and America failing….and are now rooting openly for both.

It didn't have to be this way.

Those who are now celebrating America's loss, America's defeat, used to screech about wearing lapel flag pins and placing one's hand over one's heart when singing the National Anthem. These same moronically stupid screechers used to raise oh-so-serious questions whether or not a black man with an odd name was "patriotic enough."

Now those same simple-minded, dumbasses are celebrating American defeat.

P.S. If you don't think the conservative rubes are being manipulated, take a look at how our nation's self-declared Enemy-in-Chief, Glenn Beck, produces all those crocodile tears….

The imaginative Steve King (R-IA) says that gay marriage is a "purely socialistic concept."

Have you noticed how conservatives and Republicans see socialistic threats, like, everywhere? Damn odd, if you ask me.

Here's Rep. King in the House explaining how President Barack Obama is the "star of ACORN, the lead, chief organizer."

King is a wild and crazy guy, huh?

_______________

Latest Times/CBS poll….

"Would you favor or oppose the government offering everyone a government administered health insurance plan — something like the Medicare coverage that people 65 and older get — that would compete with private health insurance plans?"

Favor 65%

Oppose 26%

Proving that facts still have a known liberal bias….OR….Americans want more socialism. Anybody want to break the news to Michelle Malkin and Sean Hannity?

Malkin yesterday on President Obama's UN speech….

"He (Obama) doesn't like this country very much." Obama is "the great Appeaser and the Groveler in Chief."

"..he (Obama) has solidified his place as the weakest of weak leaders of modern American history…..They laugh at us. He is a laughingstock."

That must be why, after Obama's appearance at the UN, that Russia is now considering new tougher sanctions on Iran. Russia's President Medvedev must have been laughing so hard over how weak Obama's leadership is that he couldn't help agreeing with America's New Weakling-in-Chief.

Later, Obama presided over the UN Security Council unanimously passing a resolution "that “urges” countries to put conditions on their nuclear exports, so that international inspectors would be authorized to continue monitoring the use of some nuclear materials even if a country withdrew from the nonproliferation pact."

Yep, Michelle and Sean,…..laughingstock.

________________

Next up….George W Bush's former speech writer Michael Gerson. Once again, the AB Journal insisted on printing Gerson's column. Gerson says that internet discourse in America is kind of like the Nazis using radio in the 1930's. Heil, Michael, you assh*le.

One sentence….

"The absolute freedom of the medium paradoxically encourages authoritarian impulses to intimidate and silence others."

As opposed, say, to the "absolute freedom" of Knee Pad Media members, like Gerson, whose neo-conservative "authoritarian impulses to intimidate and silence others"…..we witnessed in the main media's complicity in leading us into a war of The Dick's choosing. Extra smiley face stickers for blaming internet discourse for what his ex-boss did for 8 straight years…."intimidate and silence others"…resulting in 4400 U.S. dead soldiers. But it's the anonymous and dirty f*cking internet bloggers who possess those "authoritarian impulses."

_______________

Little known info….

The Fox Network did not cover President Barack Obama's speech before the joint session of Congress. The Fox cable outlet, I understand, did cover it….but not the broadcast network. It's the first time a major broadcaster, using public airwaves, refused to televise a presidential address before Congress.

So, according to another Beacon blurb from the Dallas Morning News today, President Obama should go on Fox and be interviewed by the blackout boyz.

"…what should concern the president more is that Fox delivers a devoted audience that doesn't always hear from the president unfiltered."

Is it me, or does that sound like a very naive statement? Nothing ever presented on Fox is "unfiltered." My suggestion to Obama? Keep flipping the bird to Fox offers…..they are unworthy to be considered a legitimate media participant.

______________

Just in case you have been confused by the flaming wingnuttery recently over the non-profit group ACORN, Rachel Maddow had an excellent piece on the whole thing last night. And the imaginative one I referred to at the top makes an appearance too. It's worth watching…..but look out for those pesky facts flying….

Finally…..Glenn Greenwald lays out the rotted landscape in the mainstream media and the halls of Washington.

The Villagers have a very ugly habit of chastising and punishing the weak and vulnerable while praising and rewarding the corrupt and the powerful. ACORN is simply the latest example.

The first four minutes sets the stage…

In the Village of the Goddamned, Republicans, no matter how far down they are in the minority, no matter how few Americans identify with their party, no matter how irrelevant or bizarre their clueless rhetoric is, no matter how badly their leadership has damaged our nation…..are still, and forevermore, the Very Serious People whose words always carry substantial gravitas.

That's why by a 2-1 margin over Democrats, Republicans appeared on teevee media before the stimulus bill was passed. That's why Dick and Liz Cheney appeared on teevee media 22 times in a two week period, to filibuster in favor of American torture.

That's why, despite the truth that Rachel Maddow pointed out last night about Obama being consistent from the beginning on what he has said about Iran, all the Big Name Villagers insist that the President changed course in his wording yesterday about that country.

It's all very dishonest, ignorant and embarassing…..but that's the state of America's corporate media today. I've seen piles of manure with more integrity than today's American media…..and much more valuable.

CBS' Chip Reid…."Were you influenced at all (on Iran) by John McCain or Lindsay Graham calling you timid and weak?"

NBC's Chuck Todd…"Why not spell out the consequences for Iran?"

FOX's Major (Assh*le) Garrett….."What took you so long?" ( Allegedly, to speak out about Iran.)

All those questions are a variation of the same question. The Republican question. Because, apparently, Knee Padders think Republicans, despite the lowest approval ratings ever, are seen as the Very Serious People…..and even though that one question is ignorant and dishonest, if Republicans keep saying it…..by definition, it must be taken Very Seriously.

See, it's not that Obama hasn't been consistent with his words from the beginning of the Iranian election crisis. He has, as Rachel clearly demonstrated. It's that the Knee Pad members have, by osmosis, absorbed the Republican talking points on Iran, as ragingly ignorant as they are, and accepted those ignorant talking points as coming from Very, Very Serious GOP'ers Who Should Still Be Running Things.

And that leads me to today's reprint in the AB Journal of the AP's Villager representative, Jennifer Loven. Under the entirely false headline, "Obama toughens rhetoric on Iran's violence", Ms. Loven says in her first sentence that Obama's words yesterday were….

"a clear toughening of his rhetoric as Republican critics at home pound him as being too passive.

His appearance came as his approval rating — while still high, and a little above average for new presidents — was slipping, according to recent polls. (WTF?…..65% approval is "slipping"?)

The president took the podium after a troublesome week for the new administration. (Which included) Republicans challenging him to be stronger in his response to the postelection turmoil in Iran."

No question as to whom Ms. Loven thinks should be taken seriously.

But the dishonesty is even worse. Nowhere in Loven's piece does she include quotes from Obama's previous and consistent message about Iran. Instead, because it's no longer the role of media members to inform us who's telling the truth, the AP writer simply, and only, says this….

"Obama said his message has been consistent,…..

Obama strongly countered the idea that he's been slow to forcefully respond to Iran's violent crackdown on dissent.

"I don't think that's accurate," Obama said. "Track what I've been saying."

The president said he quickly responded after the election results and after violence broke out in the streets of Tehran,….

"We've been entirely consistent," Obama said.

Ask yourself…..why wouldn't an Expert Professional take the 60 seconds or so it would take to look up the exact words previously stated by Obama about Iran? Wouldn't that have quickly cleared up who was telling the truth?

The reasons Jennifer Loven, and a host of likeminded Knee Pad Media members, refuse to inform readers and viewers about the truth are twofold….

One….today's he said-he said stenographers no longer believe that it's their job to tell us who's telling the truth.

Two….today's media stenographers, despite huge majorities by Democrats and last November's Republican ass-whooping, still believe that Republicans are the ones to be taken seriously, the ones who should still be running the country.

And that explains how Bush/Cheney got away with defrauding Congress and the American people into attacking and occupying the non-threatening nation of Iraq. That's how the numerous crimes and violations of the Constitution by Bush/Cheney went unaddressed…..and never will be addressed. That's why even "liberal" media outlets, like NPR, to this day, refuse to use the word "torture" to describe….well….torture.

Willingly ignorant and deceptively dishonest.

America has been involved in imperialistic-minded interference in other nation's governments and elections for as long as I can remember. It's what we do. And I suppose that helps in understanding why America's leading neo-conservatives, senators like Lindsey "Huckleberry" Graham (R-SC), John McCain (R-AZ) and Joe Lieberman (ASSH*LE-CT) have been calling for U.S. interference in the Iranian election dispute. Old habits are difficult to break.

Watch Graham and McCain explain how it's our duty to interfere with other countries. First 2 minutes….

McCain…"America's position in the world is one of moral leadership. And that's what America's all about."

America's "moral leadership" in Iran, over oil, in the 1950's led directly to the dysfunctional Islamic government in Iran today. America's "moral leadership" in Iraq during the 1980's led directly to the rise of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, which led to more American "moral leadership" in the crime and quagmire of today's occupation of Iraq. America's "moral leadership" in Afghanistan during the 1980's led directly to the establishment and strengthening of Bin Laden's extremist group, al-Qaida.

If that's "moral leadership"…..what the hell would immoral leadership look like?

Set aside the 50's and the 80's "moral leadership" for a moment. How has that leadership been on display the last 8 years? America now admits to having savagely tortured detainees held in secret gulags around the world….and reserves the right to continue doing so. THAT'S what America is all about.

America attacked the nation of Iraq, without just cause, and still occupies it today with U.S. military troops and bases. Hundreds of thousands were killed, millions displaced. THAT'S what John McCain calls "moral leadership."

And don't forget that the shameless neo-conservative, John McCain, wanted to spread that American "moral leadership" to the country of Georgia when it was in a dispute with Russia. "We're all Georgians, now", McCain ridiculously insisted.

America's "moral leadership" has been on display in Latin and South America and southeast Asia, and many other places, as the U.S. attempted to mold the world in it's image against the wishes of the people being molded. It's what we do. Meddle in other countries affairs. THAT'S what America is all about.

This messianic mentality, this triumphalistic attitude, is hated by the people of other countries. This "moral leadership" is seen by others for what it actually is…..the mindset and actions of a bully always seeking to get it's own way.

There's an undercurrent throughout American political thought which sees the U.S. as the nation that god, himself, has raised up to do his bidding. Because of such thinking, many Americans deceive themselves into believing that all this "moral leadership" that McCain talks about, no matter how abhorrent, no matter how bloody, is god's will…..that no matter how we interfere or who we interfere with….it is always the right thing to do, because we are America, god's new chosen people….and as McCain said, "moral leadership is what America is all about."

Many of today's Republicans are just itching to spread that "moral leadership" to the streets of Iran.

Referring to American exceptionalism-believing neo-cons, Digby riffs….

These people really believe that the way to keep America on top is to behave like a crazed, hysterical bully lashing out at every slight and insisting that everyone acknowledge our moral superiority even though it is patently untrue. Exceptionalism means never having to say you're sorry.

Although Digby's context was the current Republican talking point which calls Obama's mentioning of American involvement in the overthrow of the democratically elected Iranian goverment in 1953….a continuation of his "apology" tour……I will apply her comment to the advice now being offered up to Obama by elected Republicans concerning the current Iranian election dispute.

First…Obama's explanation about his administration's stance on Iran's election and it's aftermath….

"The easiest way for reactionary forces inside Iran to crush reformers is to say it's the U.S. who is encouraging those reformers. So what I've said is this…it's up to the Iranian people to make a decision. We are not meddling…and ultimately the question that the leadership in Iran has to answer is their own credibility in the eyes of the Iranian people. And when you have 100,000 people who are out on the streets peacefully protesting and they're having to be scattered through violence and gunshots, that tells me the Iranian people are not convinced of the legitimacy of the election."

The 'America-is-right-about-everything' crowd in the Republican Party (including neo-con Joe Lieberman), using American exceptionalism "reasoning", launched their "We should meddle" meme beginning yesterday….

Mike Pence (R-IN), "The American cause is freedom, and in this cause the American people will not be silent, here or abroad. If the president of the U.S won't express the unqualified support of our nation for dissidents in the streets of Tehran, this Congress must. Today I'm introducing a resolution that will do just that. It will condemn the violence against demonstrators by pro-government militia in Tehran in the wake of the elections. It will affirm our belief in the universality of individual rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections. And lastly, and most importantly, it will express the support of the American people for all Iranian citizens who struggle for freedom, civil liberties and the protection of the rule of law."

Eric Cantor (R-VA), "We have a moral responsibility to lead the world in opposition to Iran's extreme response to peaceful protests."

Senator John McCain (R-AZ), "I think they (Iranian leaders) should be condemned, it's obvious this was a rigged election. Depriving people of their democratic rights is really a sham they pulled off and I hope that we will act."

"He (Obama) should speak out that this is a corrupt, flawed sham of an election. The Iranian people have been deprived of their rights. We support them in their struggle against a repressive oppressive regime."

To many Republicans, and to all neo-conservatives, everything that happens in the world is about America. In this tunnel visioned understanding of the world, America has not only the right to dictate the terms for the ultimate destiny of other nations, we are obligated to dictate those terms. The U.S, alone, is exceptional in all things…..and because we are…..we, alone, should instruct other countries on what they should do and how they should do it.

The American war crime in Iraq is a case study in that misguided national narcissistic thinking.

The Iranian election is not about America, and therefore it should go without saying that the U.S. has no right to instruct Iranian leaders on what to do about their nation's disputed election.

In 2000, when America was experiencing their own disputed election, was it any other nation's right to condemn the undemocratic decision by 9 black-robed men and women to decide who would be America's president? Absolutely not. And isn't it true that if any other nation's leaders would have condemned the 2000 election as undemocratic, flawed and corrupt, Americans would have been justified in telling those critics to go pound salt?

Why would that same basic rule not apply to the Iranian election?

American neo-conservatives, and most Republicans, have lost all self-awareness on international issues. They are hopelessly enamored with their own unrealistic view of American exceptionalism. Contrary to the views of these national narcissists, America doesn't have all the right answers. As Digby said, America is not morally superior to other countries…..no matter how many American-mirror-gazers stamp their feet insisting otherwise.

Obama's response to the Iranian election is the proper response. Republicans and neo-conservatives would have us side, loudly, with Iranian street-protestors, giving current Iranian leaders the justification they need to kill and imprison many more reformers in the name of protecting their country from outside influences.

Republicans and neo-conservatives don't much care about any of that. As they admire their reflections in the America-is-exceptional mirror, they tell themselves, over and over, that American exceptionalism means you never have to say you're sorry…..about anything.

Today I continue with Part 2 of my appraisal of President Obama's speech from Cairo, Egypt….

To those Muslims in Hamas, Hizbollah, al-Qaeda, or Iran,…Obama spoke honestly and directly about Israel…

Six million Jews were killed – more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction – or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews – is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.

And to Jews and Christians, Obama made it clear that the Palestinians' plight was "intolerable"…..

So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.

What Palestinians must do…

Palestinians must abandon violence.

What Israel must do…

Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's.

But take note of something new from an American president. Obama spoke directly to the "settlement" problem created by radical extremist Israelis. Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post and the typical cast of American radical extremist neo-cons began hyperventilating the moment these words left Obama's mouth….

The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.

America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs.

That's what true world leadership sounds like. A recognition of the problem from each side's perspective and an acknowlegment of wrongs from both sides. Community organizing…on a world stage.

I've never heard an American president own up to America's role in the overthrow of Iran's government in the 1950's. Obama's bold comments on Iran….

In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically-elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians.

And note that Obama did not avoid confronting Iran's wrongdoing.

The president denounces nuclear weapons in the hands of Iranians, but in so doing, he draws a new nuclear line in the sand for not only middle eastern countries, but all countries….

There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America's interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.

That is why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation – including Iran – should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

On Bush, cowboy-imposed democracy….

So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.

Backhanding American exceptionalism, again, Obama criticizes, indirectly, the previous administrations willingness to promote elections in Gaza, when the outcome was "presumed" to be favorable to anti-extremist forces. Instead Hamas won that election…

America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.

Obama shreds the childish notion that elections alone make a democracy…

…you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.

An American president calls for Muslim reform, something Amerian evangelicals could take to heart, as well…..

Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of another's. ….fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.

But without denying all people freedom of religion…

Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together.

Human rights, women's rights….

…it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit – for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.

I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.

Americans can choose to be "bound by the past". Americans can choose to be afraid all the time. Americans can easily be swayed, if we choose to be, encouraged to be afraid by radical extremist opportunists from the conservative movement in America.

And so can Muslims…

There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.

Obama's speech was historic and monumental….and that's why American media, for the most part, will ignore its content.

Finally, a postscript on something I blogged about this week.

Note today's AB Journal opinion page. Michael Gerson, former Bush, the Younger speechwriter, bashes Obama for his health care proposals. Jim Hoagland, Washington Post Villager, bashes Obama on American automakers…..AND….without any sense of irony, E.J. Dionne's column about how the corporate media's conservative bias shuts out any liberal policy discussions.

Setting aside for now the far right Supreme judges a president John McCain would pick…..the Arizona senator's most disturbing quality is his neo-conservatism. The phony ambivalence we've seen and heard when McCain addresses the issue of George W. Bush should be a red flag to voters. Without doubt, the evidence demonstrates that McCain supported virtually everything George W. Bush placed on the table. Nowhere is this as transparently clear as it is with the Decider's war of choice. John McCain has always been in favor of attacking Iraq…..as well as other middle eastern countries….

[A]fter Mr. Bush declared he would hold responsible any country condoning terrorism, Mr. McCain called his leadership “magnificent” and his national security team the strongest “that has ever been assembled.” A few weeks later, Larry King of CNN asked whether he would have named Mr. Rumsfeld and Colin L. Powell to a McCain cabinet. “Oh, yes, and Cheney,” Mr. McCain answered, saying he, too, would have offered Mr. Cheney the vice presidency.

Even during the heat of the war in Afghanistan, Mr. McCain kept an eye on Iraq. To Jay Leno in mid-September, Mr. McCain said he believed “some other countries” had assisted Osama bin Laden, going on to suggest Iraq, Syria and Iran as potential suspects. In October 2001, when an Op-Ed page column in The New York Times speculated that Iraq, Russia or some other country might bear responsibility for that month’s anthrax mailings, Mr. McCain interrupted a question about Afghanistan from David Letterman on that night’s “Late Show.” “The second phase is Iraq,” Mr. McCain said, adding, “Some of this anthrax may — and I emphasize may — have come from Iraq.” […] Link

Calling the embarassingly weak Condi Rice, and the burnt-out, cynical, maniac, Donald Rumsfeld, part of the strongest national security team "that has ever been assembled"……and stating that Lucifer's own spawn, the traitor Richard Cheney, would have been a president McCain's VP as well….tells you almost everything you need to know to conclude that a John Sydney McCain III presidency….would indeed, be a third W. term.

It would appear that only about 28% of American voters would re-elect W. this November, you know, if given the opportunity. That 28% will be given just such an opportunity with the neo-conservative candidate, John McCain. Johnny Mac has made it perfectly clear that he would have not done anything differently from what George W. Bush's "magnificent" team did, when it came to the middle east and Iraq.

"The second phase is Iraq", McCain told Letterman. I ask,….the second phase of what? The answer, sadly, is….. the second phase of establishing permanent American military bases in the middle east through regime change. What McCain didn't tell Letterman about that night was the third phase….Iran and Syria. A president McCain will almost certainly follow through with the treasonous neo-conservative plan to attack Iran.

Hey, if endless wars of American imperialism are, you know, your thing…..then a third term of W. is made to order in the person of John McCain. If, however, you are one of the 70% who disapprove of W's presidency and think that unilaterally attacking countries which pose no threat to America is….umm….unhelpful…..then a third term of the Crawford Counterfeit Cowboy isn't what you're looking for.

Vote Obama this November. At least TRY to save the country.

It's good every now and then to review where we are and how we arrived here.

Reviewing always helps in gaining, or regaining, one's perspective.

I've chosen a former Reagan Republican to help with today's review. And not just any old Reagan Republican either…but instead, one who has survived the usually fatal virus of conservative brainstamping.

Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan administration. He was Associate Editor of the Wall Street Journal editorial page and Contributing Editor of National Review.

Part of the Reagan administration, AND former editor of those liberal print bastions, National Review and the Wall Street Journal.

Reviewing….

Republicans have us at war in two countries as a result of Republican lies and deceptions, and we might be in two more wars–Iran and Pakistan–by November. We have alienated the entire Muslim world and most of the rest.

Naturally, the Republican response to this is to deny that Republican "lies and deceptions" ever existed in the bumper sticker "war on terror" or the even more egregious deception that Iraq posed a "threat" to America. These same Republicans argue that alienating the Muslim world and those Euoprean "surrender monkeys" is, in fact, a good thing.

The dollar has lost 60% of its value against the euro, and the once mighty dollar is losing its reserve currency role.

From sending out Ponzi scheme checks in 2001, to cutting taxes while we mounted a military attack and occupation, to borrowing endlessly from China to finance our wars of imperialism….the Republican ideology of fighting for others' cake while eating Americans' cake too has resulted in total economic failure. No cake at all.

The Republicans’ policies have driven up the price of both oil and gold by 400%.

Republicans who speak the words 'supply and demand' and 'free market fundamentals' without ceasing not only have no credible answer to why oil has risen in price four fold,….but in addition, claim that more drilling in America is the way forward…..despite the truth that drilling in America would be akin to hoping the ocean will rise by pissing into it.

Inflation is in double digits. Employment is falling.

Despite the fact that in the last 7 years America has gone through the biggest tax cutting period in history…..Republicans today still want to argue for more tax cuts…..even though cutting taxes so radically during the last 7 years has resulted in total failure.

Republican deregulation brought about fraud in mortgage lending and dangerous financial instruments which have collapsed the housing market, leaving a million or more homeowners facing foreclosure.

Thanks to one of NeoCon John's bestest buddy couples, Mr and Mrs Phil Gramm, not only were lending institutions catalyzed to run risky paper and money schemes for their own benefit…..but also the current oil price scam by speculators is the direct result of the Gramm's influence.

Republicans have made it perfectly clear that they believe that our civil liberties make us unsafe–precisely the opposite view of our Founding Fathers. Yet, Republicans regard themselves as the Patriotic Party.

Mind boggling is not a strong enough way to describe how a political party self-claimed to be the "national security" party has systematically dismantled the very rights that make us a nation.

Republicans view the Constitution as a coddling device for criminals and terrorists. Republicans think the Constitution can be set aside for evil-doers and kept in place for everyone else. But without the Constitution we only have the government’s word as to who is an evil-doer.

The Constitution, declare Republicans, is not a "suicide compact". This glib retort is meant to scare Americans into believing that their country is under such a threat from a looseknit group of stateless, radicals……that everything is on the table….including the setting aside of our founding document. The same document that all federal employees, even the executive branch, pledge an oath of loyalty to.

Which brings me full circle back to the point where The Reverend began blogging….

The neoconned Republican Party is the greatest threat America has ever faced. Link

Not long after George and the Dick took over America in 2001, (and specifically after 9-11), I was shocked by what I was witnessing. Nixon had been bad, no question. Reagan and Bush Sr. had their moments of illegality with their covert wars. But I had never felt the sense of total danger like I did in late 2001 and 2002. Our America was, indeed, in the midst of a coup.

Without doubt, Paul Craig Roberts is correct in saying that the "neoconned Republican Party is the greatest threat America has ever faced." The greatest danger to America is not from the middle east….it's right here in our own backyard. The "neoconned Republican Party"…represented in this years' election by John McCain….must not only be stopped from again gaining executive power this year…..they should never again gain power….ever.

Thanks to the former Reagan footsoldier, Paul Craig Roberts, for helping out in today's review.

Interesting to note that president Bush has flip-flopped on talking to Iran….

In a break with past Bush administration policy, a top U.S. diplomat will for the first time join colleagues from other world powers at a meeting with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, The Associated Press has learned.

Official contacts between Iran and the United States are extremely rare and although Washington is part of a six-nation effort to get Iran to stop enriching and reprocessing uranium, the administration has shunned contacts with Tehran on the matter. Link

I know it's naive for Barack Obama to say he would engage Iran in direct talks. However, when the Great GOP Warrior Leader does so, it can only be understood as being resolute and….let me think…yeah…patriotic too.
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Much more interesting to note….(I'm not going to waste my time on the absolute bat-sh*t crazy talk about foreign policy and war and stuff yesterday by the Speaking in Tongues candidate John..I'll say anything…McCain.) This will have to suffice for now….

John McCain likes to paint Barack Obama as a naive follower on key national security issues. But by moving up his planned Afghanistan speech by two days to follow Obama's, and by agreeing that more U.S. troops are needed there, McCain appears to be following the Illinois Democrat on a major proposed shift for U.S. foreign policy. Link

First W. follows Obama's lead….then McNasty….now there's some f*cking leadership you can believe in, huh? This actually fits the black is white, up is down, communication pattern of the those who have all that, you know, "common sense". McSame's and the Chimp's following Obama's lead can't be "following", you know, by definition….so it has to be leadership…it just HAS to be.

I particularly enjoyed the money sentence by McCain yesterday, "I know how to win wars". What?..get shot down, captured and held prisoner for 5 years….then get released, divorce your wife and marry a rich beer heiress? Pardon me for ridiculing the total nonsense. Laughs all around…..or sobs….you decide.
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Barack Obama has an average 8% lead in national polls over John McCain….but the interesting developments are coming out of …..yep…..red states. North and South Carolina….yeah, you read that correctly…..are within the margin of error in latest polling. Link

Rachel Maddow, on Olbermann's "Countdown" last night, put up a poll from Arizona, you know, McStupid's home state. Did anyone see it? It couldn't possibly be correct….I realize that….but interesting, nevertheless. Arizona presidential polling shows Obama LEADING in Arizona by 3%, while Bob Barr captures 7% of the vote there.

McCain isn't even popular in his own backyard. And Barr, just like I warned, is doing well with all those crazy Constitution believers on the right who liked Ron Paul.
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I saved the worst for last.

I thought it appropriate…..because of the Beacon's lead story today on the collapse of the economy….to make mention of what the Resolute, Codpiece, Commander Guy, Decider, CEO President….had to say about market "fundamentals". Bush, without any hint of irony, actually said yesterday that, "the fundamentals of our economy are strong".

The dollar is so low we can't get under it, the stock market has lost about 25% of it's value in less than a year, there are even MORE foreclosures up ahead, consumer confidence numbers are dragging ass, fuel costs are crippingly outrageous, inflation is gaining full stride, and unemployment numbers are moving upward…..BUT….."the fundamentals are strong".

And people wonder in amazement at why The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are popular programs.

One of the contentions of the blinded right is that America's president should be hesitant to sit down with world leaders with whom we disagree. Those labeled by this neo-conservative position as America's "enemies". Here, in a clip from John McCain's senior advisor, Mark Salter, this blindness is fleshed out a bit…..

In his victory speech this week, Senator Obama stated that ‘wisdom’ is meeting with our enemies, including Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, North Korea’s Kim Jong Il, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Cuba’s Raul Castro. John McCain couldn’t disagree more. Rather than giving tyrants and dictators the prestige of meeting with an American president, John McCain will instead meet with the champions of human freedom around the world and opposition leaders fighting for liberty. Link