A Closer Look Here, There and Everywhere
by Trish Purcell… why Sarah Palin isn’t just being ignored by the media – no photos, no commentary, no attention at all. If she is not available to answer reporters’ questions why in the world do media continue to give her photo ops coverage? It is astounding that a “public” figure can run for “public” office all the while refusing to allow “the public” the right to hear what she thinks and what she will do if elected. Phooey lady! If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
…why John McCain would not only suggest deregulating health insurance companies, but use “as we have done over the last decade in banking” as an example of why it should be done. We can see how well deregulation worked in banking so is this man stupid or just unaware of what is going on around him?
…why the McCain campaign would think that announcing Sarah Palin’s agreement to cooperate with the “troopergate” investigation by the Personnel Board would impress anyone. Palin refuses to cooperate with the investigation being done by the Alaska legislature claiming IT is biased but the Personnel Board appointed by and accountable to Palin, is the perfect choice to be in charge of an investigation of her. Right! I’m under whelmed by this obviously phony show of “honesty” on the part of the governor.
… why people continue to accept the GOP technique of not answering questions by rattling off a long string of words that amount to a mini “speech” of talking points that do not answer the question asked. Do they give training classes in doing this? It seems like they must, because all the Republican Stepford Wives do it with the same expression on their faces and pretty much the same words pouring rapidly out of their mouths. As an example of lock-step performance, it can’t be beat. As a source of real information it rates a minus ten.
…how John McCain can claim to be a reformer and agent of change when he supported Bush policies 90% of the time. Most people believe that actions speak louder than words. Why then are so many oblivious to the disconnect between McCain’s actions over the past eight years and his words now? Getting angry and lashing out when questioned about the inconsistencies does not prove McCain’s words are true. It proves he is temperamentally unsuited to lead our country.
…what is going on in the financial world right now but there is an article in the New York Times that explains more clearly than most, what has happened. It is a fairly long article but worth the read. Taking the time to follow some of the links makes it that much more informative. Diamond and Kashyap on the Recent Financial Upheavals
Trish, past and present Republican actions, techniques and circus theatrics have many of us totally puzzled. Not because they employ them, but because ANYONE actually believes in them, and there seem to be many that do. From time to time I run into someone on the street whose politics consist in blathering off a bunch of Fox Noise talking points. They have no essence, they can't back them or explain them, but they sure have them memorized. We also see our share of the same type of people who write letters or comments in the 49er in the Post. You'll notice that when someone else writes in with the "real" facts, they usually have no response.
I was amused after watching the first presidential debate last night to see how the various cable news show's polls rated it. MSNBC had undecided voters voting 40+ percent in favor of Obama, 38 percent no change, and 20 percent for McCain. Fox Noise actually came up with the following figures: McCain 82%, Obama 15%, and undecided 1%. You really have to wonder what debate they actually watched, or if they were just paid to call in with the "right" answer?
Both CNN and MSNBC had Joe Biden on to comment on the debate, but, and I know this will surprise you, neither station was able to get Sarah Palin to come on to comment.
I imagine the Republicans have added a new technique to those you mentioned. They call it the "do not look at your opponent, scowl a lot, and sneer and giggle when your opponent mentions a fact you can't refute" technique. I couldn't believe that while Lehrer was desperately trying to get the two candidates to talk to each other, Obama did his best to comply, and McCain never showed enough respect to look at Obama even once during the whole 90+ minutes. I guess a "maverick" is someone that doesn't follow any rules, even when they are for the benefit of 100 million people watching on TV? Some of the pundits thought this made him look tough, I thought it made him resemble a disrespectful buffoon, not a person I'd trust in the White House. Pat Buchanan actually had the audacity to say that a lot of people like a tough guy that looks his opponent straight in the eye and gives him an earful. I guess Pat forgot that McCain was incapable of looking the opposition in the eye!?!
Personally I wish McCain would keep his disdain for others, and his lousy temperament to himself. Imagine McCain and Palin winning. We'd end up with a nasty old man who believes its wrong to talk with our enemies, unless they agree with him first, and he'd be backed by a moose killing Barbie doll from Alaska, who even on the few occasions we DO get to hear her opinions, ends up with both feet in her mouth. Not a pretty picture. But as I said, there are sure a lot of people out there believing this is the pair to get this nation out of the worst trouble it has been in since the Great Depression. Go figure!?!
While watching McCain’s persistent refusal to look at Obama during the debate an explanation occurred to me. Could it be that, even with his obvious loss of honor and integrity in the past few months, McCain could not stand face to face and look Barack in the eye while lying about him? Once can hope that he still has that much conscience left.
Of course it is just as possible that his lack of eye contact is yet another indication of a man unable to control his temper who resorts to rudness and childish facial expressions when confronted with unpleasant truths about himself.