John McCain.
John S. MCCain
President John S. McCain.

Learn it, love it, use it.

That's the way it's going to be in 2009, and we can't blame this one on voter fraud, rigged machines or Republican Dirty Tricks. We have no one but ourselves to blame for this one.

We were handed the White House in 2009. Economic troubles, endless war, disappearing Middle Class, job loss -- all issues understood by the people for a change, and all being blamed on the current President and his minions.

The people were even growing tired of Republic run government, the Republicans had a slate of weak candidates, and the base, unable to find a candidate conservative enough to suit them, was dissolving.

All the Democrats needed was a candidate. Somebody who could fire up the base while also being attractive to Independent and some disenfranchised, old school Republicans.

For the first time in a long time, the Democrats had a whole slate of viable candidates, representing the various schools of thought in the party, any of whom could be counted on to do a stellar job of governing.

Then everything fell apart. The candidates left are from the same wing of the party, both are the leaders of a cult of personality, each attractive to one-half of the party. They are locked in a battle that shows no sign of stopping before their fight inevitably grinds to a halt with a delegate vote in Denver in August.

By then it will be far to late. John McCain is doing everything right. Being cuddly on Letterman, slowly regaining conservative support, and campaigning against Democratic Party ideals and philosophies.

What are we doing? Behaving like fifth graders, throwing spitballs, throwing insults, throwing the election. The circular firing squad has got to disband and somebody has to cowboy up and concede.

The more time we spend throwing rocks at each other, the more comfortable the other side gets with McCain.

Unless Obama or Clinton takes one for the team, Democrats,at least in the White House, will be a story our grandchildren will find as quaint as horseless carriages and analog television.

Every time I show up for work here at the right-wing flamethrower, I am reminded why we have to continously look for Democrats with a spine to populate the Congress and the White House.

Talk Show hosts.

Today for example, in the span of just an hour, we were told Global Warming is a scam, Emissions testing is a waste of time, and bot are just the Government's way of stealing money that is rightfully ours.

Now, I realize that Dems in charge won't necessarily ratchet-down the vitriol and may in fact, even crank it up.

But voting Dems in charge will at least illustrate the point that these sad, hateful people and their listeners are in the minority.

And when you hear crap every day. that's a good thing to be reminded of

The senate recently passed a non-binding resolution giving the President permission to declare the Iranian army a terrorist organization.

So what you say, that's a non-binding resolution. It doesn't mean anything. Let's see ... the President has said we're in a global war on terror. We're fighting them there so we don't have to fight them here. Iran scares him. He now has what amounts to US Senate approval to declare the Iranian Army a terrorist group. You don't have to be Einstein to do the math.

It reminds me of the zookeeper who puts a sign in front of the tiger cage that says it's alright for tigers to eat zookeepers. It's OK, the zookeeper says. It's just a sign and tigers can't read. That's true, but when the tiger eventually makes a meal of the zookeeper, no one should be surprised.

"Emboldening The Enemy." Right-wing talk show hosts are all aflutter with this new phrase. Against the war? You're emboldening the enemy. Against the Patriot Act? You're emboldening the enemy. Think differently from the way the neo-conservatives think? You're emboldening the enemy.

There are many things wrong with this mindset, one of the most egregious being who the hell uses the word "emboldening" in everyday language? But the other thing that disturbs me is the implication that if your words are emboldening the enemy, then you probably better just shut up.

But there is a sick, twisted, part of my nature that is amused by the irony of this statement and those conservatives who are expressing it. Conservatives, self-professed lovers of the law and the Constitution, are saying the first amendment does not apply "in times of war." Funny. I must have missed that particular phrase in the amendment.

True, Congress has made no law prohibiting the free expression of ideas, but the neo-cons-in-charge are doing what they always do when one of their decisions proves to be unpopular with the American public: try to stop dissent by impugning the patriotism of anyone who disagrees with them.

I have no qualms expressing my love for this country. I am proud to be living in the United States of America. I care about this country and what happens to her. Which is exactly why I shall continue to speak out against what I believe are errors in judgment by our elected officials, and point out what I believe to be policies which can harm the God-given freedoms of American citizens. That was a right which was expressly given to me -- to all of us, by some very wise men three centuries ago.

Now if anybody wants to tell me to my face that that kind of behavior "emboldens" the enemy, meet me outside where my fist will embolden your nose.

Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of their party.

Here's the deal... a loaded voting machine is akin to a point-shaving scandal in sports. It can produce a little bit of an edge. Make it too obvious and people notice right away something is wrong. Nope, the problem with the elections of 2000 and 2004 is us -- not enough of us voted.

I know we Democrats have our ideological differences and that's cool. We are a diverse party, and unlike they-who-shall-not be named, we welcome and give voice to our diversity. In primary season we rage, shout, and beat the crap out of each other to get our philosophies and candidates the exposure they deserve. Great. Keep it up, and the last man or woman left standing gets the nomination. That's how it works.

But after primary season is over, our strength becomes our weakness, while for the other side the vice is very versa. Their exclusiveness, myopia, and blind party loyalty will cause them to vote for any monkey in a suit that gets the nomination (the winner of the last two presidential elections should illustrate the analogy quite nicely).

We, on the other hand, tend to hold onto our grudges and our philosophies, and rather than go against our own personal interests will withhold our vote, refusing to push the button, pull the lever, or make the "x" next to the name of a candidate from our own party.

I guess what I'm saying is this: Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of their party. My Mother used to type a slightly more sexist version of that to hone her typing skills. Next November, whoever our nominee is, I pledge to give him and her my vote. Will you? I'm not asking you to like, agree with, campaign for, raise funds on behalf of, or even speak the name of that candidate out loud. Just pull the lever, punch the button, make the mark. Then go right on screaming until he or she comes around to your point of view.

If you don't vote you may wake up November 5, 2008 to find that the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy, sleeping dog. Don't say I didn't warn you.

I did a couple of things over the weekend which I feel I need to comment about. First I did some shopping and purchased a new flame-retardant suit. I have a feeling I’m going to need it in a few minutes. I also saw Al Gore presenting an Oscar with Leo DiCaprio and indulging in a little self-mocking with a joke about his running for President.

But then a curious thing happened. Here on DU speculation ran rampant about his not making that joke unless he was running, and to make that joke and not be running would be fucking with the people who love and support him. Yes they seem to making something out of nothing, but let me add fuel to this fire (hence the flame-proof clothing) by saying I sincerely hope he DOESN’T run.

What this country needs is Al Gore focusing all of his attention, 100%, on solving the Global Warming crisis. As president he would have to divide his time… have too many fingers in too many pies. Iraq, the economy, immigration, minimum wage, Congressional obstructions, the list is endless.
Also Presidents have a limited amount of time to get anything done, at most 18 months. Then it’s stumping for the party in the mid-terms, and concentrating on their own re-election. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want Gore spending that much time off message.
Nope, Al’s just fine doing what he’s doing, as a civilian. This country, this planet needs somebody working to save it fulltime. Leave Al alone and let him do his thing.

I await your blowtorches.

A couple thoughts... A new Zogby poll(http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=... ) shows that a lot of us are offended by clerks who wish us a happy holidays. I realize that most likely doesn't apply here at this forum, still it is worthy of note.

What we seem to have an abundance of in this country is people who want a selective enforcement of the Constitution. They seem to be against all the Amendments (with the possible exception of Amendment two, but they only want that enforced in the most narrow of ways).

What we really have is a group of people who seem to enjoy being victims. "Their" religion is being picked on; "their" way of life is being threatened; etc.

Here's the bottom line: If your enjoyment of Christmas depends on what others say and what others do, then you must not be comfortable with your own traditions. My Christmas season is rich and worshipful whether you say "Happy Holidays" to me or not.

Oh, and as Columbo would say, "just one more thing." My wife and were married in a church before God and witnesses. We promised to stay together, for better worse until death parted us. So far with the help of God and friends we have managed to keep that promise for over thirty years. There have been many threats to that union over the past three decades, and unfortunately, I suspect there will be many more. But none of those threats -- not one-- involve any potential union of Adam and Steve.

We just hope they're as happy as we are.

I listened to your rant about how Christmas is being stolen. About how there would be no "Happy Holidays" around your house... how it would be Merry Christmas, and you'd have a Christmas Tree and sing Christmas Carols and send out Christmas cards. After hearing that, I'm offended. Because by saying Merry Christmas only I assume you don't wish me a Happy New Year.

Let me tell you something, buddy, me and mine like to celebrate the New Year. At my house, on New Year's Eve, we're gonna take down the tree, we're gonna get hammered,and we're gonna throw up in the sink. Just like we've done for countless generations, and I resent the righteous right-wing attempt to take the joy out of my holiday.

The next time I see you, don't come at me with any of that "Merry Christmas" crap. You WILL wish me a Happy New Year. I am sick and tired of the constant attacks of the ridiculous right to declare war on a holiday I hold sacred.

Not wishing me a happy new year in this land of the free is denying me my right to celebrate, and I ask you, sir, WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA!!!???