Saturday, August 23, 2008

Obama opts for experience

Looks like Sen.Barack Obama is going for experience as he has selected Joe Biden to be his running mate. I have to say I'm glad he didn't go with Sen.Hillary Clinton. Some pundits thought he might go with someone else who represents change, but in the end Biden is the boy!

                                                             TODAY'S THREAD:

Will Biden's help be enough to overcome the critic's claims that Obama is going to be weak on foreign affairs if elected?

Friday, August 22, 2008

Today's As It Stands with Nolan Chart

If you haven't had the opportunity to look at the warehouse turned jail for protestors you ought to check out YouTube. It was a secret, this 'Gitmo on the Platte' ,as activists are calling the temporary jail for protesters at the Denver Democratic National Convention this weekend.

It's a clear message of intimidation for anyone seeking to exercise their first amendment rights of free speech.

Another THREAD for the Day:

How do you feel about the idea of building large temporary jails every time there is a party national convention?

PTSD article highlighted in New Mexico

I got an email from Bernard Schaer who has started a political blog called "The Daily Crock." Mr Schaer asked permission (which was granted) to re-run my column - A President with PTSD? He also wanted to add me to his radio show's guest list (which I agreed to).

I noticed in the Times-Standard Blogs& Forums sections that this PTSD column got 50 comments online. Most agreed it would be risky to have someone running the country with PTSD. McCain's temper is legendary, and also heavily documented. Sure sounds like PTSD to me.

TODAY'S THREAD:

Some people think that my column on PTSD was negative because it pointed out the challenges a person faces and even gives the suggestion that they might now be able to work a regular job. Do you think the column puts down those who suffer with PTSD?

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Farnsworth's Folly & Futureshock

My latest column with Nolan Chart is about television and it's place in Americana, yesterday and today.

What happened to the issue of health care?

Sen.McCain and Sen.Obama aren't talking health care lately. What's the deal? How did the issue that almost got Sen.Hillary Clinton elected disappear?

Do the presidential candidates think Americans are no longer interested in the issue? If so, their making a big mistake.

Health care affects the majority of American's, and continues to get more expensive and less available to the poor and middle class. This issue can't be ignored. To do so, would be a disservice to the entire country.

                                      TODAY'S THREAD:

Where do you rank health care among the other issues of the day that the candidates should be addressing?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Foxes Guarding hen houses?

What's up?

I just published my 2nd As It Stands column with Nolan Chart, and it's a topic that fits under the first amendment to the United States Constitution.

Curious? I go after those hoary lawmakers with facts and things that hold them to the light of day.

Is the media narrowing our choices for president?

In my first article for the Rational Review, which is actually Nolan Chart, I ask this question. What do you think?

See Forums & Blogs in the T-S

I'll start off by eating crow for not knowing all of the T-S outlets for reader comment. When Nick Anderson called and wanted to know if I was going to respond to some reader's comments regarding my recent column - Presidential libraries, charities, corruption - I wasn't sure who, or where, to respond too!

If you weren't already familiar with the T-S Online Blogs & Forums, then allow me to say they are another great way to comment on stories that you like, or don't like. Today a PR guy for a millionaire, left a comment regarding the above story. He challenged me and claimed that his master was just a globe-trotting guy who would never make covert deals with our past president.

Guess what? I asked for a list proving what I said wasn't true, and offered to give him a list supporting my claims that a lot of professional people thought that it was. Stay tuned. We'll see what happens next. Meanwhile check out the T-S Blogs & Forums everyday for some interesting reading.

Onward and Upward.

As It Stands says goodbye to a veteran

This Sunday's As It Stands will be talking about a local veteran who just suddenly died. His name was Bob Porter and he was a man who loved God, and his fellow veterans. He was a volunteer for the last two veteran stand downs here in Humboldt County. and a volunteer worker for the American Red Cross.

Bob wasn't famous, but he did make a positive impact on the people who knew him. Like many veterans, Bob had his problems, both physical and mental, and lived with pain. He still managed a smile however, and that's how I'll remember him.

If you haven't seen this week's McKinleyville Press make sure to pick one up. Especially if you'd like to know about an economical pet for the times!

There's no thread today. I don't have anything to say!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

As It Stands debuts with Nolan Chart

I've been accepted as a guest columnist for Nolan chart, a national Libertarian Online Magazine. My first article with them deals with the fact that the media narrows our choices in a Presidential campaigns. I give the reader a list of EVERYONE who is running for President this year.

I hope this column gives everyone pause for thought. Let me know what you think about it.

Things are tough in today's economy

Wholesale prices are rising at the fastest pace since 1981, according to an article in the Washington Post today.

The reasons are varied, but the cost of materials used by businesses increased by 1.2 percent in July, and the cost has risen 9.8 percent during the last year.

Basically wholesale inflation translates into higher consumer costs. So far the Fed has not reacted to recent inflation reports for fear that higher borrowing costs would further slow the economy.

                                                                          TODAY'S THREAD

       Should the Fed keep watching the inflation figures in the hope that things will turn around soon?

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FOR THOSE READERS WHO MISSED MY SUNDAY COLUMN REGARDING CORRUPTION IN PRESIDENTIAL

FOUNDATIONS AND CHARITIES RECENTLY, HERE'S THE LINK.

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Monday, August 18, 2008

Monday Meanderings

I've signed up to be a guest columnist for The Rational Review, a Libertarian blog. The blogger and editor of the Online Magazine is Thomas L. Knapp of Missouri, who is the Vice-Presidential candidate for the BOSTON TEA PARTY.

Interestingly enough I took an Online test to see what type of political animal I am, and it said I was a Libertarian. But, just to confirm that I took another Online test and it said I was a Centrist. So I guess it's how someone forms the questions that decides what you are. An imperfect science at best.

Pakistanis are celebrating today as President Pervez Musharraf resigned. Many Pakistanis are happy to see the strongman go because they believe he was responsible for Minister Benazir Bhutto's death. In his resignation speech Musharraf blammed his political foes of conducting a vendetta against him.

TODAY'S THREAD:

The question now is whose going to step up and lead the country? To take it one step further, is the new leader going to help the US go after Osama Bin Laden who has been living in the Pakistan border region by Afghanistan?       

Sunday, August 17, 2008

McCain Obama debate is revealing

The debate between Obama and McCain last night surprised some people, like me, that Mccain actually came across better than Obama. It was obvious that McCain knew how to push the right buttons(in this case Jingoism and patriotism). He proved that most Americans are into the short and sweet rhetoric.

Obama's mistake was in being too thoughtful about his replies. The white-dominated wealthy Republican audience heard the buzz words that make them happy and cheered when they were thrown out like tasty tidbits. After viewing the so-called debate (it really turned out to be a forum for McCain's blatherings with his handpicked audience), I came to the conclusion that Obama is in trouble.

I also came to a very troubling conclusion regarding McCain. He is probably going to be the next president and we can expect four more years of the Bush legacy, new enemies to attack, and no end to the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. The economy will continue to stagger and the rich will get richer.

The badly needed change in leadership isn't going to happen unless people recognize that McCain means four more years of the hell that we've been going through under the current Republican regime. If your a CEO or other wealthy-type, why would you vote for someone that is going to clean up your act and make the corporations pay taxes too?

Hell no...unless a miracle happens, Obama's race will keep the majority of white males from voting for him. That and his proposed changes to make things fair in this country, will assure that the power elite will refrain from voting for him.

                                                                               TODAY'S THREAD:

                                               Do you think Obama even has a chance in this election?  

Universal Music Power

In a delightful description of the power of music William Congreve wrote "Music hath charms to sooth a savage beast..." in his 16...