Photo Hunt

Can you spot the edit?

Rules: You must clearly identify what I edited. It could be color, size, add-ons or anything, but it will only be one edit. I will keep a published tally and after six months, I will buy the winner a book of their choice or donate $25 bucks to the DNC. There is no deadline.

Weekend Clip Roundup

Even McCain thinks he's too old.



Lou Dobbs continues to be a douche.



Stewart is always on top of the bullsh*t.



Some tunes for those Hillary victims.

Veeps

Now that Obama has clinched the nomination and Hillary will suspend her candidacy on Friday, Obama has assembled his team to begin the VP search.

I have my ideas as to who he will pick, but the most important thing is how he deals with Hillary and her 18 million supporters. He needs to ask her and he needs to do it sincerely, publicly and very carefully. He needs to somehow appease a lot of these voters. Before BO reached the number, I had been on countless pro-Hillary blogs and read hundreds of pissed Hillary supporters who had stated that they would not vote for Obama no matter what. They felt cheated. They felt like something was stolen from them. And most of all, they felt like they are victims of another stolen election. Democrats have been the victims too many times and they tend to take their ball and go home when this happens. We can't allow this to happen again. We will not carry any purple states if they choose to stay home. We have to engage these people. On that note, I have seen a lot of changes in opinion since Obama won. Not drastic changes, but people seem to be realizing what would happen if McCain coasted in because they were angry that their team lost and stayed home. The Dems need to focus on this change of heart and need to appease its base. Giving Hillary the VP slot would turn some of those angered voters out, but would that be enough? No.

I used to think that she had to be on there, but she is much more useful in the Senate. As we know, the VP slot needs to balance the ticket. They need to have some experience that the Pres might not cover so well. Hillary does not have that solid experience which Obama lacks. They both are naive when it comes to foreign policy. They both have the same policies and a similar career path. They will not offer a balanced ticket. Hillary offers one thing and that is the possibility that she can help carry certain states (mostly OH and PA). That was why Edwards was called on in 2004. He was supposed to help carry some southern states. Of course, he didn't deliver any states and essentially made the ticket one-sided. Hillary would not be a balance either.

There are a lot of names that people are throwing around, but all of them are attempts at Electorate map changes, not balances. The map is important, but these map changers or solidifiers are never a solid bet.

What Obama needs is to take McCain's only strong point away from him. He needs to get somebody who not only is a foreign policy buff, but some who can trump McCain's years of "experience". That person is Wes Clark.

Clark would be the biggest slap in the face to McCain and would make McCain change his platform. McCain could not use the experience line anymore. Using Iraq would be a pitfall and that would leave him with nothing to discuss. He could offer nothing.

Clark would not only counter McCain and actually outweigh him, but he would also be an excellent guide and leader. He can logically look at what is going on and with years and years of military knowledge, navigate the country through the countless missteps that the GOP has made. He is untouchable by the GOP as well. They can not discount the years he has on McCain and they can not brand him as unpatriotic which seems to be the only attack they have on Dems.

Clark's military experience is huge, but there is another reason why he would be excellent. He is a huge Clinton backer. He loves the Clinton's and they love him. He could help heal the wounds that the Dem's need to close. I saw Clark speak in 2004 and this guy connects with the people. He stood in front of a group of white Democratic working-class Tennesseans wearing a UT orange sweatshirt and made these people go wild with his down-to-earth personality. He connected and he did it with intelligence and confidence.

The Dems need a win. He is the balance. He needs to be the Veep.

Image of the Week: The Johnson Treatment

In honor of Obama taking it to little GOPJoe, here is an image of the man who took it to everyone on his terms and by his rules.

Spineless Joe

It is a brand new day for the Democratic party. I feel awash with excitement and confidence. There are several stories that make me feel confident that the Obama will walk (not fight) into the White House, but this one is great.

First of all, Obama used his Unity theme to get him where he was and that was an excellent strategy. While he can not abandon that message, this story tickled me. Obama goes after the biggest Dem trader there is: Joe Liberman.

[D]uring a Senate vote Wednesday, Obama dragged Lieberman by the hand to a far corner of the Senate chamber and engaged in what appeared to reporters in the gallery as an intense, three-minute conversation.

"While it was unclear what the two were discussing, the body language suggested that Obama was trying to convince Lieberman of something and his stance appeared slightly intimidating.

Using forceful, but not angry, hand gestures, Obama literally backed up Lieberman against the wall, leaned in very close at times, and appeared to be trying to dominate the conversation, as the two talked over each other in a few instances.

Still, Obama and Lieberman seemed to be trying to keep the back-and-forth congenial as they both patted each other on the back during and after the exchange."

Kos found this gem, but only mentioned it to rail into Liberman. I like it because it shows the power that Obama will have. The fact that he dragged Joe into the corner and in a posture that rivals the famed "Johnson Treatment", let him know the authority that he tends to use just makes me feel great. That is the fighting Dem that we have been looking for.

Where do they get the balls?

Is this what we're to expect? Are we supposed to listen to this garbage? I'm already to sick of this media that worships St. McCain to the point that they would have the balls to write:

"Democrats in South Dakota and Montana cast the final votes in a grueling battle for the right to facee Republican John McCain in November's presidential election, with 31 delegates to the August convention in Denver at stake."

For the f*cking right? I'm sorry, but f*ck this guy and f*ck the absurd mess of media we're about to witness.

The Thing About SD's

With only a day until the final primaries where Obama is expected to win both, Hillary is up to yet another scheme to remain relevant. Now, she is going after Obama's super delegates.

"The former first lady enters this week with an insurgent strategy not only to win over undecided super delegates but to peel away Obama's support from those party leaders and elected officials who already have committed to back him for the nomination."

She is hoping that these SD's are a little scared of her at this point and just don't want to say "no".

"One thing about super delegates is that they can change their minds," she told reporters aboard her campaign plane Sunday night."

She's right. They can, but at this point they will not.

Another classic example of how many times TH has changed their mind.

"We have not, are not, and will not pursue the pledged delegates of Barack Obama," Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson told reporters in a conference call.

February 19, 2008

RIP BO

It seems that I am getting to the age when all of my favorites are going to start passing away. The musicians seem to be going first, but the actors, actresses, writers and politicians are not too off. It's going to be strange seeing these guys reach the end.



Can someone enlighten me as to what the hair parting was about?

The Top is Key!

The ever-changing metric that HRC has been using is finally coming to a close as they foolishly fought over four delegates in Michigan and left Florida alone. That being said, I think that the Democratic party is slowly blowing its only chance in November. They have taken perhaps the easiest chance of winning the White House back in recent history and made it absurdly close.

In retrospect, it's quite simple to see where they have gone wrong. Punishing FL and MI by giving each delegate half a vote is out of the 1787 playbook that counted slaves as 3/5 of a person. Secondly and I am guilty as well, but counting Hillary out of the race as early as they(we) did sent an awful message to the Clinton wing of the party. The Dem party again strayed from its moral working class roots and started dancing with the elites that took over the party in the 1960s.

There is one option: Unity ticket. Hillary has to be on that ticket and if the Dems want a sure win then...(deep breath)...Hillary must be at the top.

I know it's awful to hear and it hurts me to say it because I know Obama would be the better President, Hillary's supporters will not vote for Obama on the top. They will stay home and hope for McCain to win, so HRC can run in 2012. They will sabotage Obama.

This could not be worse for the world. Yet again, we will show everybody just how short our memory is and what really is important to us.

Korea is asking for it!

In its ninth straight day of protests, the anti-US beef Korean protesters have only intensified their unfounded protests.

On Sunday night, more than 20,000 citizens, undaunted by the large-scale roundups by riot police, took to the streets in central Seoul for the ninth straight day. Riot police blocked the central Gwanghwamun area, keeping them from marching toward Cheong Wa Dae.

Their all-night march towards Cheong Wa Dae, Lee Myung-bak's home, is just the latest in ridiculus attempts to feel like they are a part of something important. By the time that these jokers have calmed down and realized that burning American flags and putting stickers on riot police shields does nothing, they will wake up to a few things.

They will have lost their chances of a visa waiver to the United States. The US and other nations will limit its imports of cars, technology, phones, TV's and everything else. Without US beef, Korea will have to pay higher prices for Australian beef which will not be enough, so a shortage is imminent.

So, continue protesting. Continue your anti-American garbage because this will only hurt Korea.

Then Stop Buying!

Korean President Lee Myung-bak who took office earlier this year coasted to victory with a 60-40 split. Now, he is facing approval ratings that are right there with George W. Bush. Both men are enjoying their time at the top, while 71% of the electorate disapproves of the job they are doing.

"Supporters of Lee Myung-bak in the presidential race last December have now turned their back on the President primarily over controversial negotiations with the United States on beef imports, according to the latest survey."

The interesting part is why Koreans disapprove: American beef. This xenophobic or national sensationalistic issue is the most ridiculous trends I have seen in Korea. I'm tired of reading and writing about it, but the street protests continue. Rather than protesting to lift your ego, why not try really protesting and boycott the meat. These protesters go out into the streets, get all worked up and angry, but then come home and eat American beef. Try sending a message: Don't buy or eat American beef.

It think the greater issue is how easily and susceptable to trends Korean voters are. Think for yourself, don't buy into Cyworld Talking Points and don't blame the government for something that you can avoid yourself.

Stop buying the meat and stop buying trendy political issues!

**Australian beef tastes better anyways.**

Grow Up

Rather than buying the Cyworld talking points and holding trendy vigils and staging pseudo protests over low-quality American beef (which is still safer than Korean beef), it seems that these high school kids have finally found a cause that is worthy. It is one that I have seen and one that I would happily protest with them.

The overly strict and abusive (orally and physically) Korean education system is finally seeing a little reaction to their years of socially accepted disciplinary abuse. One would think that it would be from the parents. I would be irate if some teacher was hitting my child, but no, it's the kids that are saying enough is enough.

Students at a high school in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, stood in the pouring rain on the playground. They refused to attend class and called for an apology from a teacher, after one of their female schoolmates attempted suicide following corporal punishment and an insult from the teacher.

It is becoming apparent that the students are starting to realize that they can have a say in how their education is carried out.

Some have even gotten physical with the teachers.

"On May 22, a 12-year-old student at Sinjeong Elementary School in western Seoul punched his teacher in the face with his fist several times in front of a group of classmates, according to witnesses and parents. The teacher, 32, received injuries around her mouth and had to have several stitches."

Hitting a teacher is never okay either, but can you blame them?

Education in all country's has experienced this. In America, it was totally acceptable SIXTY YEARS AGO. It's time to grow up. It's time to move all facets of society forward with the times. These students are told they need to learn English, think globally and study abroad so they can compete in a flat world. They understand and live that reality everyday.

It's time that the teachers wake up and realize what their students have: It's the 21st century, grow up...

Junk Food Bans

Banning junk food? Looks like American food to me (which is a little junky, but I liked the choice of junk.)

This is another misguided attempt by some Korean citizens to change behavior. Rather than education or taking responsibilty for how they act or eat, they blame television commercials and other people for their fat kids. This problem is not a Korean one, but one that all people try to do. I understand it's easier to blame other people for your problems, but eating too much unhealthy food is your fault.

"A new law protecting children's health ― set to be effective March 22 ― will ban food firms from promoting free toys and add-ins on television, radio and online advertisements. This means, don't expect to see what the latest happy meal toy is on McDonald's adverts."

This issue is a little different here though. There are not tons of fast food chains on every corner here. There are not vending machines backed with junk in the schools. Just like US did with cigarettes and booze, Koreans are blaming commercials for making their kids fat.

Parents needs to take the blame and stop feeding their kids crap. And if they're worried about the health of their kids, then stop forcing your kids into hagwons all day and night and keep them home with a book and a nice meal.

A Breath of Fresh Beijing

The problems go well beyond Tibet. The Chinese government is warning citizens with respiratory problems to "stay indoors". Rather than admitting that there is a serious smog problem, the Chinese instead blame it on the Gobi desert.

"Air quality in the capital was rated as "heavily polluted" due to a sandstorm from Mongolia, the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau said on its website."

Sandstorms do not count as pollution. It counts as a sandstorm. Even though countless athletes have dropped out of the Olympics citing potential long-term health problems that could result from competing in Beijing, China has been busy coming up with solutions to calm those worries.

"Attempts to counter the threat by weather manipulation are also reliant on accurate forecasts. Beijing authorities have claimed some success in stopping rain over limited areas by firing chemicals into clouds."

Really? So, they're shooting chemicals into the clouds to clean up the air quality and that makes sense to them. Okay, China...

They walk alike, they talk alike...

They certainly do and while this branding works for now, Moveon needs to dig deeper...

McCain, Bush and the GI Bill

Both Bush and McCain love to say that they support the troops. I'd be willing to bet that nearly ninety percent of people would agree with that assessment. The way that they reached that conclusion is what is flawed.

Which one suggests support: Continuing to "honor" the troops who have lost their life by staying in Iraq OR making sure that when they come home or leave the military (and they will Mr. President and Mr. Senator), that they are given the benefits neccessary to be competitive.

Apparently, but not suprisingly, they have both their dangerous shortsightedness by callously voting against the GI Bill of Rights. The bipartisan bill "would pay full tuition and other expenses at a four-year public university for veterans who served in the military for at least three years since 9/11". It seems totally reasonable, but we are discussing the two most unreasonable men in our government, so "reason" is thrown out the window.

Their problem with the bill is so self-serving that I can't wait for the GE so the Dems can brand McCain as the unethical, immoral, scum bag that he has become.

"Mr. Bush — and, to his great discredit, Senator John McCain — have argued against a better G.I. Bill, for the worst reasons. They would prefer that college benefits for service members remain just mediocre enough that people in uniform are more likely to stay put. They have seized on a prediction by the Congressional Budget Office that new, better benefits would decrease re-enlistments by 16 percent, which sounds ominous if you are trying — as Mr. Bush and Mr. McCain are — to defend a never-ending war at a time when extended tours of duty have sapped morale and strained recruiting to the breaking point."

So they are worried about keeping the active duty numbers high? And they believe an education would dissuade some from joining or reenlisting (interesting)? Maybe this makes sense then, right?

"Their reasoning is flawed since the C.B.O. has also predicted that the bill would offset the re-enlistment decline by increasing new recruits — by 16 percent. The chance of a real shot at a college education turns out to be as strong a lure as ever. This is good news for our punishingly overburdened volunteer army, which needs all the smart, ambitious strivers it can get."

Ignore the facts, go with your gut. Does McCain really think that this will work...again?

Indy 550

Yet another "Chess equals Checkers" comparison for the current HRC campaign. Obviously, this commentor at Kos was a little more creative than I was.

"Today at the Indianapolis 500 Danica Patrick, IndyCar's premiere Female Driver, insisted that she would keep driving around the track affectionately known as the Brickyard even if she lost today's race.

"You can't win it unless you are in it," she said. When questioned on what was the point of driving around a track after you've lost the race Danica responded, "Well, see the race isn't over until all the cars cross the track at 550 miles." Then she insisted that the Indianapolis 500 was actually the Indy 550 according to crew chief, Terry McAuliffe's own map of the racetrack.

"You know a lot of people want me to get out of the race," Danica Patrick said, "I can't really figure it out. I don't know why...In 1995 Jacques Villeneuve didn't win until the last lap of the race and in 1974 Swede Savage died before he could finish the race. So I couldn't answer -- Couldn't tell you why people want me to get out."

Danica Patrick refused to answer speculation that she would be joining Team Alegre - MYDD Racing next year."

It's when we read these excellent and hilarious comparisons that we realize just how silly her position has become.

Images of Korea

This famed image is from the Gwangju Uprising in late May of 1980. Students and citizens rose up in protest to the Chun military dictatorship and took control of the city, only to be crushed by the South Korean Army soon after they took up arms. This uprising to widely accepted as one of the most violent, but successful democratic movements of post-occupation Korea.

From GOPF,

"The photo is of real estate agent Choi Yang-min, now 54, who lives in Kwangju. On May 10, 1980, at the age of 26, he got married in Mokpo. On May 16 he came to Kwangju to visit his wife’s family, and met relatives there the next day. He was staying at a motel near Geumnamro, the street that would be central to the uprising. His sister, Yang-mi, then 24, was also visiting.

On May 18 he was resting in his motel when he heard slogans calling for the end of martial law being shouted outside. He saw people breaking apart sidewalk blocks and carrying them away, and thinking something must be happening, helped them. Then he went to a restaurant, which was surrounded by paratroopers. He finished his lunch quickly and went outside, where four soldiers attacked him with their clubs. He was bleeding from his head and his sister rushed out to help him and try to stop the bleeding. He was taken by the 31st Division but with the help of a friend was set free. He needed 27 stitches"

Hillary's Dean Scream

I love to be proven wrong and yet again the media has illustrated that they have no journalistic integrity or loyalty to the word "objective" or "investigative". They have turned Hillary's poorly formulated historic reference into Howard Dean's Scream and John Kerry's "I voted against it before I voted for it". This will be the end of her campaign.

Why? Why will this obviously benign political gaffe turn into the end of her campaign? One word: Perception. Selling anything, whether it's a product, idea or position, the focus is not on the product, but how the product should be thought of or perceived. We have seen this for decades and we are certainly seeing it as they frame St. John McCain as an ethical "straight-talker".

This is the kind of moment that the corporate media has been waiting for in order to bury either hers or Obama’s campaign. And they now have something that will be the "defining moment" of the final phase for the campaign. Oh sure, she has been built up time and time again (New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and whatever else I forgot), only to be gleefully torn apart as she faltered (or was even perceived to falter) by people like Chris Matthews and his talking meatstick counterparts.

It doesn’t matter if this was more callous, more calculating or more thoughtless than anything else that she or her surrogates may have said or hinted over the course of the campaign.

It doesn’t matter that Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with cancer this week, or that the comment was about RFK, JFK or MLK.

It doesn’t matter if she was truly trying to invoke history and picked a very poor example.

It doesn’t matter if she admitted that she was very tired and that it was an incredibly stupid or insensitive thing to say.

It doesn’t matter, at this point, if her supporters will be alienated by what she said - especially since most of those supporters have already voted and/or donated to her campaign.

What matters, sadly but true, is that she has now been officially declared "done" with the one moment that can be played over and over and over and over.

And over.

Obama will not focus on her. McCain will not focus on her. And the media will not focus on her. And yes, Obama has started to focus on McCain at her expense, just as the media has started to focus on the fact that she can’t win enough delegates to get the nomination. The difference now is that they don’t have to focus on her anymore and no one will think twice about it.

Right, wrong or other - this is what will ultimately end her campaign - whether it be a slow, painful end that will never really result in her conceding to Obama or an announcement over the next few days due to internal pressure. She is very resilient and has come back from what may be worse gaffes, worse positions or worse actions by her or her husband or her top aides.

But that is because she was also given the leeway and was allowed to continue for the benefit of her campaign, to the benefit of the media narrative (so they have something to talk amongst themselves about) and to the campaign of the Republicans who have a 20 year dossier on her.

There is no longer a need for her campaign in this narrative. She is no longer viewed as a serious and credible candidate at this point in the primary process by those who kept her candidacy alive and pumped up for the past few weeks.

She can realize this and bow out with whatever dignity she has left, or she can continue on and become a caricature of the serious candidate and groundbreaking campaign she set out to run.

No one knows that the media is going to pick up on and run with, but Hillary just found out and you can't run from a "Dean Scream".

Traffic Signals are for Foreigners

Disclaimer: In no way do I think that even a small percentage of Koreans share the view of the Korean that is discussed below.

ROK Drop reported that the Korean government was planning on implementing more traffic enforcement and safety policies in the face of an embarrassingly high number of traffic related fatalities. I was not going to post on this subject because I did not think that increased enforcement of traffic safety would cause a stir. I should have realized that some Koreans do not deal with criticism very well and they tend to wave their flag in defense.

Nothing in the post was offensive, but one commenter (who I hope comes by and visits) decided that they should make this an issue.

To give you the whole picture, here is the commentary from ROK Drop.

"For those that don’t know, Korea by far leads the OECD in pedestrian fatalities caused by traffic accidents and is second in vehicle fatalities caused by traffic accidents. It is good to see the Korean government highlighting the traffic accident problem, but I suspect little will be done judging by the past track record.

You would think after 2002 traffic safety would be taken seriously in Korea and it wasn’t. In 2006 the Korean government vowed to crackdown on traffic accident and did nothing. Now in 2008 they once again are vowing to do something.

If the government wants to do something having policemen waving flags at intersections will have no effect because cars just run the red lights anyway. If the police want to improve safety start writing tickets, especially for people parking illegally causing additional congestion in the already crowded streets. Than expand from there and write tickets for the mopeds driving on the sidewalks. I could go on and on with suggestions but waving flags will change nothing."

And here is the first rant from this highly intelligent commenter.

"hey Its the Korean System. Just because its not like the Americans does not make it wrong. You must learn to convert to the way of your host nation and realize everything American is not the best way."

The Korean system? If the "Korean System" means ignoring traffic laws and causing avoidable deaths and injury, then yes, it is wrong. They continued...

Your American elitism is coming to light. Certainly from the outside onlookers the Korean lead the world in deaths and such but you know Korean Drivers are faced everyday with special situations that foreigners cannot understand. Many of those deaths recorded each year are infact foreigners not knowing the roads. Koreans make a small amount of those yearly deaths.

Look at the way Koreans drive in the US…hailed by US drivers as the most careful and professional around.

What are those "special situations" that I can't understand? And I'm not sure about the reputation Korean drivers have in the US, but I know it is not "hailed". No one "hails" an entire race of people based on there driving skills. Here is their response to my comment "Korean drivers have no patience and that leads to accidents. Do not blame anybody but the bad KOREAN drivers!".

"Your views are obviously strewed by your hatred of the Korean peoples. I think you should clear your mind first before we can have a productive dialog.The fact Koreans run lights or park a way which is not acceptable to those on this site is not relevant. Korean people are clearly in the know of when and when not to obey traffic signals. Traffic signals are for foreigners who are very dangerous drivers. We all seen example of foreigners blowing horns or running over people in Korea. I think all foreigner’s should be banned from driving in Korea. All military car need to be driven by Korean driver and not careless foreigner."

And therein lies the problem. Because someone was critical about something Korean, this man equates that to hatred.

What I learned from this man:

1) Koreans are the best drivers in the America.

2) Foreigners cause more traffic deaths in Korea than in their home nation.

3) "Special situations" are more important than safety.

4) All Koreans know when it is appropriate to ignore traffic laws.

5) Traffic signals are for foreigners

I feel so much smarter.

***Update: After I asked the guy to provide some stats, he admitted his exaggeration and exited the deabte.