VIA SONDRA THE PLUMBER:
WTWT.
DEDICATED TO EXPOSING DISINFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA AND TO PROMOTING UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS - WITH SHARP ANALYSIS AND BLUNT COMMENTARY. NO ADS. NO TIP-JAR. JUST THE TRUTH.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
AWESOME PIC'S OF A FEW RECENT PALIN CROWDS FROM AROUND THE USA
BIG CROWDS.
FUNNY: I DIDN'T SEE HER CROWDS COVERED IN THE MSM... THEY SEEM TO MENTION OBAMA'S CROWDS A LOT, THOUGH.... GEE: I WONDER WHY?
FUNNY: I DIDN'T SEE HER CROWDS COVERED IN THE MSM... THEY SEEM TO MENTION OBAMA'S CROWDS A LOT, THOUGH.... GEE: I WONDER WHY?
- FOR THE RECORD: I THINK PALIN IS THE BIGGEST DRAW OF THE ELECTION.
- REMEMBER: SHE HAD THE BIGGEST AUDIENCE EVER FOR A CONVENTION SPEECH;
- THE BIGGEST EVER DEBATE AUDIENCE;
- THE BIGGEST EVER SNL SHOW.
OBAMA WANTS TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE AMERICA
- OBAMA THINKS AMERICA SUCKS AND NEEDS TO BE FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED - AS IN REVOLUTION.
- I DISAGREE: I THINK THINK AMERICAN IS FUNDAMENTALLY GRRRRRREAT!
- IN CASE YOU FORE GOT WHAT SOCIALIST UTOPIAS ARE REALLY LIKE - (THINK USSR, KAMPUCHEA, ZIMBABWE, NORTH KOREA, RED CHINA, CUBA, JONESTOWN), HERE'S A REMINDER:
VOTE ACCORDINGLY.
JEREMIAH WRIGHT RIPPED-OFF HIS ACT FROM LORD BUCKLEY
NOT TOO LONG AGO, A WISE MAN POINTED OUT THE SIMILARITY BETWEEN THIS TWO PERFORMERS.
SEE WHAT YOU THINK....
LORD BUCKLEY:
REVEREND JEREMIAH WRIGHT:
THE RESEMBLANCE IN THEIR DELIVERY IS UNCANNY...
LORD BUCKLEY BONUS: SCROOGE (10 MINUTES):
SEE WHAT YOU THINK....
LORD BUCKLEY:
REVEREND JEREMIAH WRIGHT:
THE RESEMBLANCE IN THEIR DELIVERY IS UNCANNY...
LORD BUCKLEY BONUS: SCROOGE (10 MINUTES):
IS OBAMA NOW OR WAS HE EVER A MEMBER OF THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND?
I have felt for a long time that Obama is a hardcore Leftist who has for decades been part of a Leftist collective bent on turning the USA into a socialist nation.
Everything points that way: his first "mentor" (or biological father) Frank Marshall Davis, his ties to Columbia(Weather Underground Central)/Said/Ayers/Farrakhan/Wright, and so on.
GATEWAY has found more:
Everything points that way: his first "mentor" (or biological father) Frank Marshall Davis, his ties to Columbia(Weather Underground Central)/Said/Ayers/Farrakhan/Wright, and so on.
GATEWAY has found more:
Obama's terrorist pals wrote about the need to encourage "organizers" who will work in "communities" and use "audacity" to bring about "socialism" in America.ZOMBIETIOME also has evidence that puts Obama REAL REAL close to an 1980's Weather Underground attack.
Coincidence? The image on the left shows the Weather Underground Organization logo in 1975, and the Obama for President campaign logo in 2008. (Zomblog)
... while it is true that their bombings started when Obama was eight years old, they actually continued until he was twenty years old. And, incredibly, the life of Barack Obama and the terror campaign of the Weather Underground nearly intersected on the evening of September 26, 1981 at an anti-Apartheid protest which turned violent at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.RTWT.
I'm tempted to say they may have intersected, rather than just "nearly." But I don't know for sure.
What I do know is that Obama had the same political interests as the final remnants of the Weather Underground at the exact same time in the exact same place.
- IT ALL ADDS UP;
- Making Ayers and Obama collaborators since the 1980's CONNECTS ALL THE DOTS:
- OBAMA IS A MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE OF THE EXTREME LEFT -
- A TRUE BELIEVER IN EVERYTHING DAVIS AND AYERS BELIEVE IN WHO JUST THINKS HE CAN USE MACHINE POLITICS AND LYING TO ACHIEVE IT.
DID VERA BAKER ABORT OBAMA'S BABY? IS OBAMA BEING BLACKMAILED BY HER? BY OTHERS? DID OBAMA RIDE HER DIRTY?
Just asking...
AND ANOTHER THING: Monica saved that dress with Bill Clinton's sperm on it.
Did Vera do or save anything which might prove Obama was her lover?
I mean, maybe her presence in Martinique is voluntary, maybe she's wanted to live there for a long time and finally manged to find a way to "afford" it:
If Vera Baker really is on a Chicago municipal payroll for a no show job - as has been alleged elsewhere - is this (A) the result of OBAMA COVERING UP WITH THE HELP OF THE CHICAGO MACHINE, OR IS THIS (B) THE RESULT OF BLACKMAIL?
If I was Michelle, then I'd wanna know...
HECK: if i was inclined to vote for Obama, then I'd wanna know.
If I was a legitimate non-partisan objective investigative reporter, then I'd wanna know.
ALSO: DID OBAMA RIDE VERA BAKER DIRTY?
AND ANOTHER THING: Monica saved that dress with Bill Clinton's sperm on it.
Did Vera do or save anything which might prove Obama was her lover?
I mean, maybe her presence in Martinique is voluntary, maybe she's wanted to live there for a long time and finally manged to find a way to "afford" it:
If Vera Baker really is on a Chicago municipal payroll for a no show job - as has been alleged elsewhere - is this (A) the result of OBAMA COVERING UP WITH THE HELP OF THE CHICAGO MACHINE, OR IS THIS (B) THE RESULT OF BLACKMAIL?
If I was Michelle, then I'd wanna know...
HECK: if i was inclined to vote for Obama, then I'd wanna know.
If I was a legitimate non-partisan objective investigative reporter, then I'd wanna know.
ALSO: DID OBAMA RIDE VERA BAKER DIRTY?
OBAMA VERSUS MCCAIN IS A NO-BRAINER
Hillary versus McCain would have ALMOST been a "who cares" election: they're both libs; one is a much better hawk than the other, and much more trustworthy - MCCAIN.
Electing ANY left-of-center POTUS would be a set-back, but the country wouldn't have been in MORTAL danger if Hillary was elected. Sure: Hillary is to the left of Bill but not to the left of Saunders and Kucinich.
Obama is to the left of Saunders and Kucinich.
And a more dangerous liar than Hill'n Bill.
That's why this election is a no-brainer.
One candidate is qualified and not a threat to our nations economy and our national security, and the other candidate - OBAMA - is both a threat to our economy, our security, and the security of the free world.
Shackling our economy to higher taxes and redistribution schemes and anti-trade regimes and CUTTING the defense budget and attempting to APPEASE our self-professed enemies is a RECIPE FOR DISASTER.
Only people who think that our enemies aren't really a threat and that Europe's socialism is efficient and affordable can possibly vote for Obama.
AND THESE ARE FALSE.
Our enemies are real and socialism is crap. The NHS is crap - and shackling the government to MORE entitlements makes it imp[ossible to afford the military defenses we and the free world truly need.
Without a strong USA, all of Europe is as vulnerable as Georgia and Ukraine.
Obama's policies will make us weaker and embolden all of our enemies: Iran, Russia, China al Qaeda and so on.
I believe this is his goal.
I believe this because a weaker USA jibes with Reverend Wright's preaching.
Preaching Obama LOVED until this election cycle.
BOTTOM-LINE: Electing Obama is a clear and present danger to the USA and the free world.
There's Only one way we can stop him before he can do any damage.
VOTE ACCORDINGLY.
Electing ANY left-of-center POTUS would be a set-back, but the country wouldn't have been in MORTAL danger if Hillary was elected. Sure: Hillary is to the left of Bill but not to the left of Saunders and Kucinich.
Obama is to the left of Saunders and Kucinich.
And a more dangerous liar than Hill'n Bill.
That's why this election is a no-brainer.
One candidate is qualified and not a threat to our nations economy and our national security, and the other candidate - OBAMA - is both a threat to our economy, our security, and the security of the free world.
Shackling our economy to higher taxes and redistribution schemes and anti-trade regimes and CUTTING the defense budget and attempting to APPEASE our self-professed enemies is a RECIPE FOR DISASTER.
Only people who think that our enemies aren't really a threat and that Europe's socialism is efficient and affordable can possibly vote for Obama.
AND THESE ARE FALSE.
Our enemies are real and socialism is crap. The NHS is crap - and shackling the government to MORE entitlements makes it imp[ossible to afford the military defenses we and the free world truly need.
Without a strong USA, all of Europe is as vulnerable as Georgia and Ukraine.
Obama's policies will make us weaker and embolden all of our enemies: Iran, Russia, China al Qaeda and so on.
I believe this is his goal.
I believe this because a weaker USA jibes with Reverend Wright's preaching.
Preaching Obama LOVED until this election cycle.
BOTTOM-LINE: Electing Obama is a clear and present danger to the USA and the free world.
There's Only one way we can stop him before he can do any damage.
VOTE ACCORDINGLY.
THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LETTING EVERYONE KEEP MORE OF WHAT THEY EARN AND TAKING MORE AWAY FROM SOME PEOPLE TO GIVE IT TO OTHERS
- LETTING EVERYONE WHO EARNS MONEY KEEP MORE OF THEIR OWN MONEY IS ALWAYS GOOD -
- THAT'S WHY AN ACROSS THE BOARD TAX BREAK IS ALWAYS GOOD.
- RAISING TAXES ON SOME TO GIVE THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY TO OTHERS IS BAD, UNFAIR AND SOCIALISTIC;
- IT'S A REPRISE OF THE SO-CALLED "GREAT SOCIETY" OF LBJ;
- IT FAILED BEFORE AND IT WILL FAIL AGAIN.
- IT ALWAYS FAILS -
- IT ALWAYS HAS FAILED - EVERYWHERE IT'S EVER BEEN TRIED.
- IT'S BAD ECONOMICS AND IMMORAL.
HERE'S A LINK TO A HILARIOUS VIDEO PROVING THAT OBAMA AND HIS COMRADES REALLY INTEND ON RAISING TAXES ON THE MIDDLE-CLASS AS WELL AS THE WEALTHY IN ORDER TO CREATE A WELFARE STATE.
TRIPLE PLAY: 3 VIDEOS WHICH DEMOLISH OBAMA'S BULLSHIT
THESE VIDEOS EXPOSE OBAMA FOR WHO HE REALLY IS:
AN ANTI-ZIONIST, ANTI-WHITE RACIST AND SOCIALIST.
AN ANTI-ZIONIST, ANTI-WHITE RACIST AND SOCIALIST.
It took an oldster to set an example to a cowed British public
It reminds us of what Britain once was before the Leftist takeover of British law. If either of the robbers below were to complain, it would be the oldster who would be prosecuted -- for "assault
As he waited at the bus stop William Grove, 84, was anxious about his civic responsibilities. He was due to be opening a community hall for a lunchtime gathering of his fellow pensioners. But as he paced the pavement his attention was drawn to a commotion outside the nearby jeweller's. Along with dozens of shoppers, Mr Grove saw the two balaclava-clad men smashing sledgehammers against the toughened glass windows.
"At first I thought it was a prank and that there were hidden cameras," he said. "The sledgehammers were bright orange - but when I realised it was real I went over." As scores of more able-bodied passers-by looked on, Mr Grove, who served in the RAF and helped to train the Indian Air Force, made his way towards the Ernest Jones shop in Richmond, southwest London, as fast as his legs could carry him.
"My plan was to carry out a move I had been taught in the Forces and wait for others to help. I was going to grab his head and put my knee in the man's back before grabbing him round the chest, holding him until others intervened," he told The Times. "It's unarmed combat. You creep up behind somebody and grab them. One of them had his arm through the window and I knew then that he was partially disabled. There was no way he could swing the hammer and he had to be careful about getting a severe arterial wound. I was going for his head rather than his balaclava."
But the raider's balaclava came off in his hand and the would-be robber turned, preparing to attack his assailant, only to be shocked to find it was a grey-haired pensioner. The two men ran off, dropping their sledgehammers and leaving behind the balaclava. "As soon as this happened I think they were both so taken by surprise at what I did that they just ran off. I didn't have time to be scared, it was all over in about two minutes."
The hero of the hour then turned to the gathering crowd, smiled, ambled to the bus stop and stepped on board: his crime-fighting cameo on Thursday was over. Mr Grove, a former civil servant, said he had to rush off as he was late for a meeting and, as he had the only key, he did not want people to have to wait in the cold.
Nick Thompson, a 35-year-old IT technician who works opposite the store, watched the drama unfold. "It was a busy day on the high street and there were crowds of shoppers watching. But these days people don't want to have a go in case a robber has a weapon. Everyone was standing back when this old guy at the bus stop decided he was not just going to stand there and watch. He went over and started flapping at one of the robbers. "He grabbed him from behind around his shoulders and managed to pull his balaclava off his face. The robber turned around and saw the old guy and just could not believe his eyes. He could not believe that somebody that age had taken him on. If it had been somebody younger, he probably would have whacked him. "If he had hit the old man with the sledgehammer he could easily have killed him. The old man risked his life against someone much younger and bigger. He is a hero."
But Mr Grove insisted that he was no hero. "They were just incompetent," he said, before adding: "The bravery thing has been exaggerated, please play it down." And in what is probably the last straw for the robbers Mr Grove also walked away with a Rolex watch - courtesy of the jeweller. Mr Grove said: "Well, I will probably raffle it. I have a perfectly good clockwork watch I inherited from my father, and it keeps perfect time."
Police are looking for two black men aged between 18 and 20.
Source
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
As he waited at the bus stop William Grove, 84, was anxious about his civic responsibilities. He was due to be opening a community hall for a lunchtime gathering of his fellow pensioners. But as he paced the pavement his attention was drawn to a commotion outside the nearby jeweller's. Along with dozens of shoppers, Mr Grove saw the two balaclava-clad men smashing sledgehammers against the toughened glass windows.
"At first I thought it was a prank and that there were hidden cameras," he said. "The sledgehammers were bright orange - but when I realised it was real I went over." As scores of more able-bodied passers-by looked on, Mr Grove, who served in the RAF and helped to train the Indian Air Force, made his way towards the Ernest Jones shop in Richmond, southwest London, as fast as his legs could carry him.
"My plan was to carry out a move I had been taught in the Forces and wait for others to help. I was going to grab his head and put my knee in the man's back before grabbing him round the chest, holding him until others intervened," he told The Times. "It's unarmed combat. You creep up behind somebody and grab them. One of them had his arm through the window and I knew then that he was partially disabled. There was no way he could swing the hammer and he had to be careful about getting a severe arterial wound. I was going for his head rather than his balaclava."
But the raider's balaclava came off in his hand and the would-be robber turned, preparing to attack his assailant, only to be shocked to find it was a grey-haired pensioner. The two men ran off, dropping their sledgehammers and leaving behind the balaclava. "As soon as this happened I think they were both so taken by surprise at what I did that they just ran off. I didn't have time to be scared, it was all over in about two minutes."
The hero of the hour then turned to the gathering crowd, smiled, ambled to the bus stop and stepped on board: his crime-fighting cameo on Thursday was over. Mr Grove, a former civil servant, said he had to rush off as he was late for a meeting and, as he had the only key, he did not want people to have to wait in the cold.
Nick Thompson, a 35-year-old IT technician who works opposite the store, watched the drama unfold. "It was a busy day on the high street and there were crowds of shoppers watching. But these days people don't want to have a go in case a robber has a weapon. Everyone was standing back when this old guy at the bus stop decided he was not just going to stand there and watch. He went over and started flapping at one of the robbers. "He grabbed him from behind around his shoulders and managed to pull his balaclava off his face. The robber turned around and saw the old guy and just could not believe his eyes. He could not believe that somebody that age had taken him on. If it had been somebody younger, he probably would have whacked him. "If he had hit the old man with the sledgehammer he could easily have killed him. The old man risked his life against someone much younger and bigger. He is a hero."
But Mr Grove insisted that he was no hero. "They were just incompetent," he said, before adding: "The bravery thing has been exaggerated, please play it down." And in what is probably the last straw for the robbers Mr Grove also walked away with a Rolex watch - courtesy of the jeweller. Mr Grove said: "Well, I will probably raffle it. I have a perfectly good clockwork watch I inherited from my father, and it keeps perfect time."
Police are looking for two black men aged between 18 and 20.
Source
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
A Leftist lady is appalled at the attacks on Palin:
Excerpt:
Like her or loathe her, Palin has captured the hearts, minds and hairdos of millions of Americans and they will vote for her on Tuesday. To them, she is the perfect antidote to the financial meltdown ravaging their country because she has managed to turn her campaign into a reality TV show. And she makes sense to the millions who put Bush junior and senior and Ronald Reagan in the White House.
They don't care about the 170,000 entries you get when you Google "Sarah Palin gaffes". And they don't care that she has become the most mocked bird in American political history. But the longer the mocking goes on, the more I do care. Somehow I can't help being niggled by the fact that if she were a man, the hysteria being whipped up by comedy writers and the commentariat about her shortcomings just wouldn't be happening. Not to this degree, that's for sure. Palin is not the first ill-experienced or ill-equipped person to run for high political office. The big difference is that these people are usually men and they are never - repeat never - subjected to the same scrutiny or reduced to the same kind of personal attacks as women.
The hullaballoo over her $150,000 clothing allowance is a classic example. Has anyone writing this stuff actually been shopping for women's clothes? Do any of them know how much hair and make-up costs? The woman is running for vice-president of the United States. Not secretary of Wasilla hockey club. If I were Sarah Palin I'd have a personal hair and make-up person too. Can you imagine the carry-on if she appeared onstage or on the telly looking as if she'd been caught in a wind-tunnel? Or if she stepped out in something that looked a little too hokey?
Why aren't we similarly learning about the price of Barack Obama's suits? Or what it cost to deck out Michelle and the kids in those colour-toned matching outfits at the nomination acceptance? I'd estimate $25,000 for the four of them on that night alone - minimum. It is plainly absurd, but the stories of Palin's clothing extravagances squeezed her and Cindy McCain back into jeans this week as a counter-blow while Obama spent millions of dollars on a single ad.
And just why has Palin become such juicy fodder for comedians when comment on Obama's race and colour are completely off limits? Clearly it's OK to pillory women but it's not OK to pillory people of colour. Why? I'm not sure. America, after all, has a proud history of burning white women at the stake [Salem] so it's not as though discrimination and recrimination have been exclusive to colour.
It would just be uncool to make fun of black people, so let the woman take the hit. Clearly. I don't like Palin and the thought of her in the White House terrifies me. But playing the woman - once again - as political sport is even less attractive to watch.
More here
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
Like her or loathe her, Palin has captured the hearts, minds and hairdos of millions of Americans and they will vote for her on Tuesday. To them, she is the perfect antidote to the financial meltdown ravaging their country because she has managed to turn her campaign into a reality TV show. And she makes sense to the millions who put Bush junior and senior and Ronald Reagan in the White House.
They don't care about the 170,000 entries you get when you Google "Sarah Palin gaffes". And they don't care that she has become the most mocked bird in American political history. But the longer the mocking goes on, the more I do care. Somehow I can't help being niggled by the fact that if she were a man, the hysteria being whipped up by comedy writers and the commentariat about her shortcomings just wouldn't be happening. Not to this degree, that's for sure. Palin is not the first ill-experienced or ill-equipped person to run for high political office. The big difference is that these people are usually men and they are never - repeat never - subjected to the same scrutiny or reduced to the same kind of personal attacks as women.
The hullaballoo over her $150,000 clothing allowance is a classic example. Has anyone writing this stuff actually been shopping for women's clothes? Do any of them know how much hair and make-up costs? The woman is running for vice-president of the United States. Not secretary of Wasilla hockey club. If I were Sarah Palin I'd have a personal hair and make-up person too. Can you imagine the carry-on if she appeared onstage or on the telly looking as if she'd been caught in a wind-tunnel? Or if she stepped out in something that looked a little too hokey?
Why aren't we similarly learning about the price of Barack Obama's suits? Or what it cost to deck out Michelle and the kids in those colour-toned matching outfits at the nomination acceptance? I'd estimate $25,000 for the four of them on that night alone - minimum. It is plainly absurd, but the stories of Palin's clothing extravagances squeezed her and Cindy McCain back into jeans this week as a counter-blow while Obama spent millions of dollars on a single ad.
And just why has Palin become such juicy fodder for comedians when comment on Obama's race and colour are completely off limits? Clearly it's OK to pillory women but it's not OK to pillory people of colour. Why? I'm not sure. America, after all, has a proud history of burning white women at the stake [Salem] so it's not as though discrimination and recrimination have been exclusive to colour.
It would just be uncool to make fun of black people, so let the woman take the hit. Clearly. I don't like Palin and the thought of her in the White House terrifies me. But playing the woman - once again - as political sport is even less attractive to watch.
More here
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
Friday, October 31, 2008
AWESOME NEWS: MCCAIN TAKES LEAD IN NEWEST POLL
ZOGBY: MCCAIN MOVES INTO LEAD 48-47 IN ONE DAY POLLING
THREE JOE'S: GI JOE, JOE COOK AND JOE THE PLUMBER
THIS ELECTION IS ALL ABOUT THREE JOE'S:
JOE COOK, AND HIS VIDEO - THE NUMBER ONE YOUTUBER OF THE ELECTION, SEEN BY NEARLY 12 MILLION PEOPLE - DEAR MR. OBAMA:
JOE THE PLUMBER:
AND GI JOE - JOHN MCCAIN.
ACCORDINGLY, OF COURSE.
JOE COOK, AND HIS VIDEO - THE NUMBER ONE YOUTUBER OF THE ELECTION, SEEN BY NEARLY 12 MILLION PEOPLE - DEAR MR. OBAMA:
JOE THE PLUMBER:
AND GI JOE - JOHN MCCAIN.
- THESE ARE THE TYPE OF MEN WHO ARE THE HEART AND SOUL IF AMERICA.
- WILL AMERICA CHOOSE A LEFT-WING CROOK FROM COOK COUNTY WHO HAS ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING AND IS WRONG ABOUT TAXES AND WAS WRONG ON THE SURGE!?
- I DON'T THINK SO.
- THE ONLY WAY OBAMA CAN WIN IS BY MASSIVE ACORN VOTER FRAUD.
ACCORDINGLY, OF COURSE.
NYTIMES: PALIN ACTUALLY LIKED BY MORE THAN HALF THE NATION
IHT/NYTIMES: Growing doubts on Palin take a toll, poll finds
THIS IS WHAT THE MSM DOES WITH PALIN, THE ECONOMY, THE IRAQ WAR, AGW ETC.
WITHOUT THE LYING SCUM OF THE MSM THERE WOULD BE NO LEFT.
AND NO CHANCE OF AN OBAMA VICTORY.
VOTE ACCORDINGLY.
By Michael Cooper and Dalia SussmanTHESE ARE OBVIOUSLY PHONY NUMBERS WHICH SIMPLY DON'T ADD UP:
The New York Times
Friday, October 31, 2008
A growing number of voters have concluded that Senator John McCain's running mate, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska, is not qualified to be vice president, weighing down the Republican ticket in the last days of the campaign, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.
Over all, views of Palin were apparently shaped more by ideology and party than by gender.
Palin was viewed as unprepared for the job by about 6 in 10 men and women alike.
But 8 in 10 Democrats viewed her as unprepared, as well as more than 6 in 10 independents and 3 in 10 Republicans.
- IF 80% OF THE DEMOCRATS DISLIKED PALIN
- AND OF 60% OF THE INDEPENDENTS DIDN'T LIKE PALIN,
- AND IF 30% OF THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T LIKE PALIN,
- THEN THE OVERALL % THOSE WHO DIDN'T LIKE PALIN CANNOT BE 60%;
- IT MUST BE LESS.
- IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE FAR LESS THAN 50% OF I'S AND R'S (AND D'S WHO MIGHT VOTE R.
- MEANING SHE IS LIKED BY MORE THAN HALF THE NATION.
- NOT A BAD % GIVEN THE RELENTLESSLY NEGATIVE SPIN OF ALL PALIN REPORTING SINCE SHE WAS NOMINATED.
THIS IS WHAT THE MSM DOES WITH PALIN, THE ECONOMY, THE IRAQ WAR, AGW ETC.
WITHOUT THE LYING SCUM OF THE MSM THERE WOULD BE NO LEFT.
AND NO CHANCE OF AN OBAMA VICTORY.
VOTE ACCORDINGLY.
A SUMMARY ARGUMENT: A REFERENDUM ON AMERICA'S FOUNDING PRINCIPLES
(click image to enlarge)
Anyone who knows me or who reads this blog is almost certainly aware that from time to time I can get a little carried away and emotional in my arguments. I have never pretended (as do most of the news networks and newspapers to this day) that I am not coming from a particular point of view. This is an opinion blog, which finds real-world examples to support those opinions.
Soon I am going to be taking a break for a while, because I simply must devote time to other things in my life that are more important, especially if the worst happens, namely:
- Spending much more time and energy devoted to trying to stay afloat in a country which could be pushed over the economic and even existential cliff by what is arguably the most power-mad, corrupt, partisan group of zealots to ever vie for power in the United States.
- Focusing on things that are important like my own personal growth and my family.
- Learn new skills and improve myself to prepare for other life and work choices I may be forced to make when the Socialists take over.
- (Even if we can stave off the Barbarians at the 'Gates of Vienna' this time...) I simply need some time off to recharge my batteries; fighing upstream against the Goebbels-like MSM and popular culture has taken a toll on my energy level, my appreciation of some of the simple things in my life, and my morale. I simply need to recharge the batteries.
- Highlight new information that has come to light in this campaign--most of it very recently--which I really feel is critical. If the media won't report it, someone has to;
- To revisit and stress a few common themes I have been hitting over and over, points that have already been covered, but which bear repeating in this moment of truth for the very idea of America You could call it a a set of "greatest hits" links which deserve one last look from anyone purporting to truly care about what happens to this place we love;
- And finally I will try to sum up all of my own feelings and beliefs about this magnificent country we live in, in my own words. Why it is worth fighting for. How we are in danger of losing it all. And (above all) that it is not too late for us to save it.
RECENT EVENTS (dark red emphasis mine):
1. The Khalidi Tape - There has been significant buzz in the media about a videotape that the LA Times admits it has in its possession, but is refusing to release. The tape is of Obama attending a farewell dinner for former PLO spokesperson Rashid Khalidi in 2003. Today we get a report (via Doug Ross) of just what is on that tape that the Times (and Obama) does not want to be seen before Tuesday:
You know the videotape that shows Barack Obama toasting PLO terrorist Rashid Khalidi? The one that the Los Angeles Times refuses to release?If Obama thinks this is hyperbole or incorrect, all he has to do is call on the LA Times to release the tape. Barack: if you truly have nothing to hide, then why not show us who you are--let us see this thing for ourselves... (but don't hold your breath: there are way too many Jewish voters that Obama is counting on in Pennsylvania and Florida...)"The Los Angeles Times did not publish the videotape because it was provided to us by a confidential source who did so on the condition that we not release it," said the newspaper's editor, Russ Stanton...How frickin' stupid do they think we are? Someone gave the Times a videotape so it wouldn't be released? And they can't publish a transcript?
I guess that's the kind of executive talent the newspaper business is attracting these days.
However, I received a tip from a person who has provided useful, accurate and unique data from LA before (e.g., "All six of CNN's 'undecided voters' were Democratic operatives"). Take it for what it's worth, but I believe this person is on target.Saw a clip from the tape. Reason we can't release it is because statements Obama said to rile audience up during toast. He congratulates Khalidi for his work saying "Israel has no God-given right to occupy Palestine" plus there's been "genocide against the Palestinian people by Israelis."Yep, I guess that would do it.
Update/FAQ on this postIs there really a tape? Yes. The Times has acknowledged that the tape exists.
Why won't the Times release the tape? They've now come up with four reasons over the past few days for suppressing the video. None of the answers make sense. As for their most recent excuse (they promised not to release it) Ed Morrissey asks the critical question."'The Los Angeles Times did not publish the videotape because it was provided to us by a confidential source who did so on the condition that we not release it,' said the newspaper’s editor, Russ Stanton. 'The Times keeps its promises to sources.'"Do you know who sent the tip? No.
That explanation raises more questions than it answers. If the Times promised to keep the videotape under wraps, then it must contain content other than their “detailed account of the events”. What exactly did the LA Times leave out of its reporting in April? If it left nothing out, then what good was the promise not to release the tape itself?
Why believe the tip? While I receive a lot of tips and links, I seldom publish them. This particular email address has provided accurate and unique information in the past, as I noted above. No one else reported the information and I found it to be accurate in the past. As I said, take it for what it's worth.
Why doesn't the Times just publish a transcript? Why indeed.
Update II: Debbie, who apparently broke the original tape story, has a suspected source for the video. Charles Johnson and Gateway Pundit have excellent summaries.
2. Other videos unearthed showing Obama's true colors - (also via Doug Ross):
In the 2001 NPR interview that was unearthed this week, Barack Obama complained that the U.S. Constitution "reflected the fundamental flaw of this country that continues to this day."3. Massive--and I mean massive--voter fraud in progress - These are numerous and all equally disturbing, but they indicate an unprecedented scale of fraud and corruption, funded by BIG money:
Obama also laments that the Supreme Court under Warren didn't mandate a redistribution of wealth as a component of its civil rights decision.
So not only is the U.S. Constitution egregiously flawed, but a thinly disguised form of reparations (or simply Marxism) is on the agenda.
Charles Johnson adds this tidbit from the same transcript:The audio recording of Barack Obama espousing his socialist philosophy of “redistribution of wealth” is all over the internet and Fox News today (although the other media outlets are ignoring it), but there’s another disturbing section on that tape that has so far escaped notice.The doctrines of Nazism look uncomfortably similar to life in the United States?
The link to the audio is here: Chicago Public Radio - Audio Library: Odyssey. At about 15:30, Obama compares what was going on in the United States during the time of Brown vs. the Board of Education to ... Nazi Germany. Yes, really. Here’s the quote:
“...just to take a, sort of a realist perspective...there’s a lot of change going on outside of the Court, um, that, that judges essentially have to take judicial notice of. I mean you’ve got World War II, you’ve got uh, uh, uh, the doctrines of Nazism, that, that we are fighting against, that start looking uncomfortably similar to what we have going on, back here at home.”
There you have it. America is close to electing a President that compares his own country to Nazi Germany.
And this man wants us to call him Commander-in-Chief Obama?
- The partisan Democrat Secretary of State in Ohio gets a ruling that she does not have to match some 200,000 "questionable" ACORN applications to real people, social security numbers, addresses, or other evidence of citizenship or even State residence. What this means in practical terms? Only this: once the hordes of ACORN voters get done voting in Illinois, all they need do now is to hop on buses, cross the border and vote as Ohio citizens--with no proof required whatsoever. If this wasn't bad enough, it has been coupled with;
- A Ohio Democrat Federal judge's ruling that voters do not have to provide a street address (presumptively to address the "voting rights" of the homeless). The ruling states that they only need to list a "park bench" as a permanent address. Now let's get real here: how many homeless people do you know who would normally turn out in big numbers to vote in ANY election? But the real treachery here is that Ohio, which went to the Republicans by about 100,000 votes in 2004, appears to have been bought and paid for. The Fix is in...
- While all this was going on in Ohio, Democrats election officials in Norfolk, Virginia are attempting to throw out thousands of ballots of overseas military voters (you know--the people putting their lives on the line to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution--and Citizens' right to vote...). Fortunately the Virginia Attorney General intervened in this case and overruled the Norfolk Democrat official. But the irony is pretty heavy: if you are laying your life on the line for our country, the Dems want your vote tossed out; but if you are homeless and live in a park bench in Ohio (or Illinois or some other neighboring state...), step right on up...
- An ACORN Whistleblower has testified in open court in Pennsylvania (under oath, under penalty of perjury) to extensive ties between ACORN the Obama campaign, refuting previous claims by the Obama campaign of no involvement:
The Obama campaign denies it "has any ties" to Acorn, but Mr. Obama's ties are extensive. In 1992 he headed a registration effort for Project Vote, an Acorn partner at the time. He did so well that he was made a top trainer for Acorn's Chicago conferences. In 1995, he represented Acorn in a key case upholding the constitutionality of the new Motor Voter Act -- the first law passed by the Clinton administration -- which created the mandated, nationwide postcard voter registration system that Acorn workers are using to flood election offices with bogus registrations.
Ms. MonCrief testified that in November 2007 Project Vote development director Karyn Gillette told her she had direct contact with the Obama campaign and had obtained their donor lists. Ms. MonCrief also testified she was given a spreadsheet to use in cultivating Obama donors who had maxed out on donations to the candidate, but who could contribute to voter registration efforts. Project Vote calls the allegation "absolutely false."
She says that when she had trouble with what appeared to be duplicate names on the list, Ms. Gillette told her she would talk with the Obama campaign and get a better version. Ms. MonCrief has given me copies of the donor lists she says were obtained from other Democratic campaigns, as well as the 2004 DNC donor lists.
In her testimony, Ms. MonCrief says she was upset by Acorn's "Muscle for Money" program, which she said intimidated businesses Acorn opposed into paying "protection" money in the form of grants. ..."
- LOTS more Ohio voter fraud news here.
- ACORN fraud, State by State.
- Obama campaign caught red-handed accepting 100% UNVERIFIED credit card transactions on its official campaign website, reportedly accounting for some $200 Million of the over $400 million the campaign has raised.
These are but a few of the stories which have come out just in the past week. No wonder the race is tightening.Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, disclosed today that computer inquiries on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher were not restricted to a child-support system. The agency also checked Wurzelbacher in its computer systems to determine whether he was receiving welfare assistance or owed unemployment compensation taxes, she wrote.
Jones-Kelley made the revelations in a letter to Ohio Senate President Bill M. Harris, R-Ashland, who demanded answers on why state officials checked out Wurzelbacher.
[...]
Wurzelbacher became a household name when Republican presidential hopeful John McCain frequently referred to "Joe the Plumber" during his Oct. 15 debate with Democrat nominee Barack Obama. The checks began the next day.
Wurzelbacher, who has endorsed and campaigned for McCain, had been caught on videotape challenging Obama about his tax proposals during a campaign visit to "Joe's" neighborhood in the Toledo suburb of Holland.
Republicans have painted the checks on Wurzelbacher as a politically motivated bid by Democrats to dig up dirt and discredit the McCain ally. The Obama campaign has said it has no ties to the checks and supports investigations.
The administration of Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland has said the information was not improperly shared and that there were no political motives behind the checks.
The Dispatch has uncovered four uses of state computer systems to access personal information on Wurzelbacher, including the child-support check authorized by Jones-Kelley.
She said on Monday that her department frequently runs checks for any unpaid child support obligations "when someone is thrust quickly into the public spotlight."
Republican legislators have challenged Jones-Kelley's reason for checking on Wurzelbacher as "frightening" and flimsy.
Jones-Kelly also has denied any connections between the computer checks on Wurzelbacher and her support for Obama. She donated the maximum $2,500 this year to the Obama campaign.
EXHIBITS FOR THE DEFENSE
OK, well let's go through some links that lay out the overall case before I finish my own summation:
Summation Exhibit A: Three links of the BEST. AUDIO. EVER. Mark Levin is a true patriot, and I will say it again: this is the BEST work Mark Levin has ever done, and that is saying one hell of a lot.
The first link is probably as effective an argument against Obama as I have ever heard.
The second link is a thorough, detailed, annotated, history of why our financial troubles have come about, including newspaper articles, sound bytes and above all, the TRUTH. We are not in trouble because of too little government; it is because of too much government. And never has the case been clearer.
The last link contains an example of who Barack Obama really is--his judgment in associating with monsters. But listen beyond the actual Ayers material (as shocking as it is). Listen to the commentary, and think about it very, very carefully. Think about what this association says about Obama's choices; not only Ayers, but the others he has associated with along the way.
These links are to me analagous to "movements" in the Beethoven's 9th Symphony of Talk Radio. Trust me. Listen to all three in their entireity. Ponder them carefully.
Some may find it hard to get past the passion and intensity of the Great Mark Levin as he lays it all out, he speaks with candor and (at times) even anger and sarcasm, because he CARES about this country. These audio broadcasts together are is as powerful and epic an argument--for throwing Obama and the entire Democrat party out on their collectivist asses--that I have ever heard. All together it is quite simply STUNNING.
Summation Exhibit B - Obama's Associations and what it says about his Judgment to be President:
- Obama's choice of friends, Part 1: Genocide--An Ayers Reprise.
- Obama's choice of friends, Part 2: Anti-Israel Enemies of the US.
- Obama's choice of friends, Part 3: 20 years of attending a race-bating hate-mongers church "twice per month"--yet he had "no idea"... .
- Obama's choice of friends, Part 4: The Fixer.
Summation Exhibit C - The video evidence: Why Obama should not be President--in his OWN words. This is very very powerful. Watch it all.
CLOSING ARGUMENT:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the electoral "jury", we have tried to show you here that the United States of America--and in particular, the Constitution of the United States of America (you know, that document at the National Archives which every President since George Washington--and every American who has ever served in the military since 1865--has sworn to "preserve, protect and defend"...) is now in grave danger. Existential danger.
Many people have either already made the biggest mistake of their lives--or their minds are so closed there is no hope. These are people like friends of mine who won't even read what I send them. Some of this is just obstinacy and contrarianism--but some of it is a symptom of the sickness that pervades our whole country. People don't care enough to find out for themselves, so they buy--hook, line, and sinker--every bit of garbage they are spoon fed by our dying mainstream media. Some of these people who rationalize Obama don't even want to know the truth--like those who elected Hitler in Germany in the 1930's they just want to believe in something, no matter how horrifying that something might turn out to be. And so there may be no hope for people who are closed minded to anything else.
But there are others out there: be you undecided, be you leaning Obama but not quite sure, being upset at Bush and hearing nothing but the incessant media cheerleading. This post is mostly for you. I promise you this: if you will read this entire post, if you will follow every link, listen to every bit of audio, watch every bit of video in this entire argument, I think it would open your eyes. Sometimes "ignorance is bliss" but in this case ignorance can be deadly. So I hope you will give this concerned citizen a bit of your time, because the choice you are about to make could not be more crucial to your future.
Fellow voters, let me begin with this: I would LOVE nothing more to see a qualified, intelligent African-American as our President. I would like to see a Mexican-American as President, a Jewish-American, an Asian-American, whatever. I am not a racist, misogynist, nor a homophope. There are only a few criteria that really matter for me in a leader: Character. Experience. Leadership. Courage. Honesty. And above all, a belief that we have been fortunate enough to be a part of the greatest experiment in human history--and that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are worth defending Someone who knows that along will allowing the individual to strive for excellence (and the government to get out of the way)--is what has LED to excellence, and to our being the greatest, kindest, most prosperous nation on Earth.
I could frankly give a damn about all the PC, which-protected-or-even-historically "oppressed"-group-are-you-a-member-of crap. I could care less whether you are wealthy or not. Lincoln was a poor man, and one of our greatest Presidents. For me, the only thing that will continue to guarantee the greatness of this country and to raise the standard of living of all its citizens is to continue to care enough about substance over form--about the ideas that made this country exceptional. Cheap platitudes are for tyrants to use on fools.
History has shown that all of the great cultures and empires of the past have come and gone. Very few were destroyed from without--almost all were destroyed from complacency within. So I don't want to hear all this "racist" stuff: I could elect a man like Michael Steele or Clarence Thomas or Thomas Sowell to the Presidency without blinking an eye. I would work for them tomorrow.
To paraphrase Carville it isn't racism, "it's the ideology, Stupid."
To keep our country from being destroyed from the corruption and internal forces which threaten her, we need leaders who fully understand that greatness and wealth and power did not just drop into our collective laps as an accident of history. America is the greatest, most prosperous country, most egalitarian, most moral country that has EVER EXISTED because of the vision of the founders. These men: Jefferson, Hamilton, Franklin, Adams, Jay, Adam Smith--all were products of the Great Enlightenment. There has never, ever been a document as magnificent drawn up to govern people as our Constitution, and has never been a government as successful as that one created by the founders in 1787. The fact that these men came up with these grand ideas over 200 years ago is still mind-boggling to me. Because many have tried, but no one has since come up with anything that works better than freedom and individual initiative.
The danger is that we now have a man running for office, and an angry Hard-Left power base in this country that wants to throw ALL of that out--the baby out with the bathwater; they are systematically working to destroy bit by bit the greatest experiment in human history. And for what??? Mindless, empty, class-warfare rhetoric that has been used over and over again throughout the 20th century to seize power, to persecute and kill dissent and dissenters. This is a philosophy that has murdered over 100 million people in the name of "equality." It is an economic philosophy that has never led to prosperity anywhere it has been tried; in fact it has universally led to economic ruin. It is a failed philosophy, parroted by slick, identity-politics mouthpieces. How can the American people be so stupid as not to see this. The Democrats are not even pretending anymore: they want nothing less than complete control over your entire existence. They want to take your individuality away, destroy your freedoms, and to make you a ward of the State. They hate the Constitution and the Liberty it provides for. This is the reality
So you really think Obama would defend the Constitution? Just listen to Obama's own words: "the Constitution represents a Fundamental Flaw..."
He is telling you what he thinks of our country's social contract with its Government. He is telling you that his real intent is to do anything but "preserve, protect and defend" that document. His grand idea: you will no longer own the government--the government will own you.
Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Hamilton, Jay -- these men are rolling over in their graves.
THIS is what Obama wants to throw away. Read the whole thing, one more time--that is what you are throwing away if you allow the Democrats to steal this thing. (And while you are reading Whittle, you might as well read this too...)
A week or so ago I put it this way, and I don't think I can really put it any more clearly:
If the seditious news media actually cared more about its role in ensuring the proper function of American democracy; if the media had not so disastrously dropped the ball; if it had provided to the electorate all the information it needed, rather than to decide that IT (not the American people) should influence and determine the results of elections--well then, even a telegenic and "cool" character like Obama would not stand a snowball's chance in hell, given his predisposition to lie on demand.Ladies and Gentlemen of the "jury", in this "case" I bring before you today this humble Defense of the Greatest Country that has ever existed, rests.
In my view, Barack Obama is a greater danger to America and to what made us great--to what made us the most wealthy, generous, self-sacrificing and egalitarian society in human history; to the Constitution that men died for that gave us the freedoms we take for granted; to the jobs we take for granted; to the LIFE we take for granted--than Al Qaeda ever will be. If we elect this man, I am convinced that history will bear me out on this.
But here is the good news: It is not too late to prevent an unimaginable catastrophe, not only for Americans, but for the hopes of freedom, the poor, and the oppressed throughout the world.
Here is my plea--If you are even thinking about voting for Obama, first do just this:
Read the whole thing, watch every video. Then go read this and this again. ... And then sit there and try and tell me with a straight face why anyone who is not insane should cast a vote for this man.
And yes: I am saying exactly what I think and exactly how I feel about this man and how dangerous a Democrat sweep would be to everything we care about. Because if I don't say it now, I may very well lose the right to even speak up at all after the election.
I truly do not believe this to be hyperbole or an exaggeration; you need only look at the lengths Obama's campaign and his willing sycophants in Big Media have gone to in order to smear and destroy the lives of decent average Americans like Joe the Plumber to get a clear and disturbing premonition of at what Obama and the hard-Lefites in Congress might try actually try to do about any dissent with the full powers of the Presidency and Congress behind them. Hell, I think Stalin probably took criticism better than this guy does.
The thought of this man as Commander and Chief is more horrifying to me than was watching those planes hit the WTC. We are under attack. Only it is the worst kind of attack, it is like HIV: a hidden, virulent, insidious betrayal of our core principles from within. The previously healthy "white blood cells" of our society have been tricked by a corrupt, decrepit, monstrous philosophy--disguised as an easy way out for the terminally lazy.
We might as well be living Christmas Eve, 1776. And like Washington's Army, camped across the Delaware River in the cold and fog, about to embark on a raid that would change history--we still have a glimmer of hope today. But mere hope is not enough. It is time to ACT.
No matter how hard it is to do, no matter how it may turn your stomach, go cast your vote TODAY for John McCain, Sarah Palin, and every Republican Senator, Congressman, Judge, and City Council member on your ballot. It is time for those who love this country to again cross the Delaware. Otherwise the very idea of preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution the United States of America could all be gone, poof, just like that. And the sequence of events that initiated the downfall of this magnificent country will have reached critical mass on YOUR watch. The shame will not be mine--it will be YOURS, and it will be triggered by the blind "obedience" to the suggestions of the self-important, corrupted media you so foolishly followed off the cliff like sheep.
If you vote for Barack Obama; if you actually took the trouble read and view and listen and watch all this information I have laid out here; if you followed all the links and watched all the videos and yet can still somehow in your twisted mind justify voting for this man, then you will have to live for the rest of your life with the consequences of your choice. If you have any conscience at all, if there is such a thing as Justice or Karma: the decision to help this man to steal our country out from under us will haunt you for the rest of your natural lives. And it will be punishment well deserved.
It doesn't have to be this way. Please don't kill our country. There is still time.
Our fate is now in your hands. The fate of our Constitution, the determination of whether the US becomes a Socialist economy, and possibly even your lives are at stake. If you do not want to see an American city go up in a mushroom cloud, then do not elect a man who will not raise a finger to defend her. Do not elect a man who will cut the military by a reported 25%. Even his own Vice Presidential pick could not help himself:
If you want to be able to retire and not be destitute, do not elect a man who will let the Government take over your 401K, and to ruin it as they did Social Security and Medicare. Do not elect a man who promises to "cover" every American with insurance--and who in so doing would not only bankrupt this country, but would destroy the finest medical system on Earth and would ensure that every American would have to wait months to get medical care. Do not elect a President who helped cause the very housing loan problem that has brought our economy to its knees.
Do not put a Marxist into the White House. It is not too late... but if you do not act soon, it may be.
Our lives, our great country, the blood shed by our forefathers, and the fate our sacred Constitution are now in your hands. Right now, as of today we still own this country. But that could all change depending on what you do right now. Don't allow the polls and the media mouthpieces--who are simultaneously conducting those polls as they cheerlead for the Socialists--to dictate your actions. This is your country. Keep in mind the polls were dead wrong in both 2000 AND 2004.
So do not allow complacency to enable Obama and his media surrogates to steal our country from under our noses. Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, use your vote wisely. Our very civilization may depend on how many of you exercise that responsibility. Vote. And make sure everyone you know has voted too. This may be our last chance to save the American dream.
A German Lady Remembers and Speaks
In Germany, when Hitler came to power, it was a time of terrible financial depression. Money was worth nothing. In Germany people lost homes and jobs, just like in the American Depression in the 1930s, which we have read about in Thoene's Shiloh books.
In those days, in my homeland, Adolph Hitler was elected to power by promising "Change." He blamed the "Zionists" around the world for all our problems. He told everyone it was greedy Zionist Bankers who had caused every problem we had. He promised when he was leader, the greedy Zionist bankers would be punished. The Zionists, he promised, would be wiped off the face of the earth. So Hitler was elected to power by only 1/3 the popular vote. A coalition of other political parties in parliament made him supreme leader.
Then, when he was leader, he disgraced and expelled everyone in parliament who did not go along with him. Yes. Change came to my homeland as the new leader promised it would. The teachers in German schools began to teach the children to sing songs in praise of Hitler. This was the beginning of the Hitler Youth movement.
It began with praise of the Fuhrer's programs on the lips of innocent children. Hymns in praise of Hitler and his programs were being sung in the schoolrooms and in the playyard. Little girls and boys joined hands and sang these songs as they walked home from school. My brother came home and told Papa what was happening at school. The political hymns of children proclaimed Change was coming to our homeland and the Fuhrer was a leader we could trust.
I will never forget my father's face. Grief and fear. He knew that the best propaganda of the Nazis was song on the lips of little children. That evening before he said grace at the dinner table, he placed his hands upon the heads of my brothers and me and prayed the Living Word upon us from Jeremiah 1:4-5.
'Now the Word of the Lord came to me, saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to The nations."
Soon the children's songs praising the Fuhrer were heard everywhere on the streets and over the radio. "With our Fuhrer to lead us, we can do it! We can change the world!"
Soon after that Papa, a pastor, was turned away from visiting elderly parishioners in hospitals. The people he had come to bring comfort of God's Word, were "no longer there." Where had they vanished to while under nationalized health care? It became an open secret. The elderly and sick began to disappear from hospitals feet first as "mercy killing" became the policy. Children with disabilities and those who had Down syndrome were euthanized.
People whispered, "Maybe it is better for them now. Put them out of misery. They are no longer suffering.And, of course, their death is better for the treasury of our nation. Our taxes no longer must be spent to care for such a burden." And so murder was called mercy.
The government took over private business. Industry and health care were "nationalized." (NA-ZI means National Socialist Party) The businesses of all Jews were seized. (Perhaps you remember our story in Berlin on Kristalnacht in the book Munich Signature)
The world and God's word were turned upside down. Hitler promised the people economic Change? Not change. It was, rather, Lucifer's very ancient Delusion leading to Destruction. What began with the propaganda of children singing a catchy tune ended in the deaths of millions of children.
The reality of what came upon us is so horrible that you in this present generation cannot imagine it. Our suffering is too great to ever tell in a book or show in a black and white newsreel.
When I spoke to Bodie about some of these things, she wept and said she could not bear to write them. Perhaps one day she will, but I asked her, "who could bear to read our suffering?" Yet with my last breaths I warn every Christian and Jew now in the name of the Lord, Unless your course of the church in America is spiritually changed now, returning to the Lord, there are new horrors yet to come.
I trembled last night when I heard the voices of American children raised in song, praising the name of Obama, the charismatic fellow who claims he is the American Messiah. Yet I have heard what this man Obama says about abortion and the "mercy killing" of tiny babies who are not wanted.
There are so few of us left to warn you. I have heard that there are 69 million Catholics in America and 70 million Evangelical Christians. Where are your voices? Where is your outrage? Where is passion and your vote? Do you vote based on an abortionist's empty promises and economics? Or do you vote according to the Bible? Thus says the Lord about every living child still in the womb.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you."
I have experienced the signs of the politics of Death in my youth. I see them again now. Christians! Unless you stand up now, you will lose your freedom of religion. In America priests and preachers have already lost their freedom to speak openly from their pulpits of moral danger in political candidates. They cannot legally instruct you of which candidate holds fast to the precepts of scripture! American law forbids this freedom of speech to conservative pastors or they will lose their "tax exempt" status.
And yet I have heard the words of Obama's pastor Damning America! I have heard the words of Obama damning and mocking all of you in small towns because you "Cling to your religion." But I am a woman whose name is unknown. My life is recorded as a work of fiction. I have no fear of reprisal when I speak truth to you from the pages of a book.
I have no fear for myself, but for all of you and for your children, I tremble. I tremble at the hymns to a political leaders which your children will sing at school.. (Though even now a hymn or a prayer to God and our Lord Jesus is against the law in public school!)
Your vote must put a stop to what will come upon America if Barack Obama is elected. I pray you will personally heed this warning for the sake of your children and your grandchildren. Do not be deceived. The Lord in Jeremiah 1:7-8 commands every believer to speak up!
"Do not say, 'I am only a youth,' for to all whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them for I am with you, declares the Lord!"
Source
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
In those days, in my homeland, Adolph Hitler was elected to power by promising "Change." He blamed the "Zionists" around the world for all our problems. He told everyone it was greedy Zionist Bankers who had caused every problem we had. He promised when he was leader, the greedy Zionist bankers would be punished. The Zionists, he promised, would be wiped off the face of the earth. So Hitler was elected to power by only 1/3 the popular vote. A coalition of other political parties in parliament made him supreme leader.
Then, when he was leader, he disgraced and expelled everyone in parliament who did not go along with him. Yes. Change came to my homeland as the new leader promised it would. The teachers in German schools began to teach the children to sing songs in praise of Hitler. This was the beginning of the Hitler Youth movement.
It began with praise of the Fuhrer's programs on the lips of innocent children. Hymns in praise of Hitler and his programs were being sung in the schoolrooms and in the playyard. Little girls and boys joined hands and sang these songs as they walked home from school. My brother came home and told Papa what was happening at school. The political hymns of children proclaimed Change was coming to our homeland and the Fuhrer was a leader we could trust.
I will never forget my father's face. Grief and fear. He knew that the best propaganda of the Nazis was song on the lips of little children. That evening before he said grace at the dinner table, he placed his hands upon the heads of my brothers and me and prayed the Living Word upon us from Jeremiah 1:4-5.
'Now the Word of the Lord came to me, saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to The nations."
Soon the children's songs praising the Fuhrer were heard everywhere on the streets and over the radio. "With our Fuhrer to lead us, we can do it! We can change the world!"
Soon after that Papa, a pastor, was turned away from visiting elderly parishioners in hospitals. The people he had come to bring comfort of God's Word, were "no longer there." Where had they vanished to while under nationalized health care? It became an open secret. The elderly and sick began to disappear from hospitals feet first as "mercy killing" became the policy. Children with disabilities and those who had Down syndrome were euthanized.
People whispered, "Maybe it is better for them now. Put them out of misery. They are no longer suffering.And, of course, their death is better for the treasury of our nation. Our taxes no longer must be spent to care for such a burden." And so murder was called mercy.
The government took over private business. Industry and health care were "nationalized." (NA-ZI means National Socialist Party) The businesses of all Jews were seized. (Perhaps you remember our story in Berlin on Kristalnacht in the book Munich Signature)
The world and God's word were turned upside down. Hitler promised the people economic Change? Not change. It was, rather, Lucifer's very ancient Delusion leading to Destruction. What began with the propaganda of children singing a catchy tune ended in the deaths of millions of children.
The reality of what came upon us is so horrible that you in this present generation cannot imagine it. Our suffering is too great to ever tell in a book or show in a black and white newsreel.
When I spoke to Bodie about some of these things, she wept and said she could not bear to write them. Perhaps one day she will, but I asked her, "who could bear to read our suffering?" Yet with my last breaths I warn every Christian and Jew now in the name of the Lord, Unless your course of the church in America is spiritually changed now, returning to the Lord, there are new horrors yet to come.
I trembled last night when I heard the voices of American children raised in song, praising the name of Obama, the charismatic fellow who claims he is the American Messiah. Yet I have heard what this man Obama says about abortion and the "mercy killing" of tiny babies who are not wanted.
There are so few of us left to warn you. I have heard that there are 69 million Catholics in America and 70 million Evangelical Christians. Where are your voices? Where is your outrage? Where is passion and your vote? Do you vote based on an abortionist's empty promises and economics? Or do you vote according to the Bible? Thus says the Lord about every living child still in the womb.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you."
I have experienced the signs of the politics of Death in my youth. I see them again now. Christians! Unless you stand up now, you will lose your freedom of religion. In America priests and preachers have already lost their freedom to speak openly from their pulpits of moral danger in political candidates. They cannot legally instruct you of which candidate holds fast to the precepts of scripture! American law forbids this freedom of speech to conservative pastors or they will lose their "tax exempt" status.
And yet I have heard the words of Obama's pastor Damning America! I have heard the words of Obama damning and mocking all of you in small towns because you "Cling to your religion." But I am a woman whose name is unknown. My life is recorded as a work of fiction. I have no fear of reprisal when I speak truth to you from the pages of a book.
I have no fear for myself, but for all of you and for your children, I tremble. I tremble at the hymns to a political leaders which your children will sing at school.. (Though even now a hymn or a prayer to God and our Lord Jesus is against the law in public school!)
Your vote must put a stop to what will come upon America if Barack Obama is elected. I pray you will personally heed this warning for the sake of your children and your grandchildren. Do not be deceived. The Lord in Jeremiah 1:7-8 commands every believer to speak up!
"Do not say, 'I am only a youth,' for to all whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them for I am with you, declares the Lord!"
Source
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
Obama campaign tries to bribe African Press International
API apparently have a tape of Michelle Obama making racist comments
Six hours after the release of information by API on the planned broadcast by Fox News Network of the Michelle Obama tape, in accordance with an agreement that has been reached between API and Fox News Network, API was contacted by Obama's Campaign Manager.
Those who are close to the democratic presidential candidate must be desperate to win the elections no matter what, otherwise they would not have taken such bold step to contact API with an offer of a bribe in order to stop the airing of the tape. Obama's campaign manager contacted API by telephone and email offering 3 million US dollars followed with a request to API to cancel the deal with Fox News Network.
Ten days ago API received the first request to accept 2 million US dollars by Mr Ed Hale, President of Plains Radio, Texas - USA, in an effort to suppress the information from reaching the public before the coming US Presidential elections.
API has now taken a decision to contact the American Embassy in Oslo, Norway as soon as possible in order to report the matter and hand over the evidence for investigative purposes. API's Canadian lawyer is expected to fly to Oslo shortly in order to assist in the legal matters that arise from the bribery attempt.
API's Chief editor is expected to travel to New York, together with the Canadian lawyer, where he will appear live in one of the shows that will air the Michelle Obama tape.
Source
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
Six hours after the release of information by API on the planned broadcast by Fox News Network of the Michelle Obama tape, in accordance with an agreement that has been reached between API and Fox News Network, API was contacted by Obama's Campaign Manager.
Those who are close to the democratic presidential candidate must be desperate to win the elections no matter what, otherwise they would not have taken such bold step to contact API with an offer of a bribe in order to stop the airing of the tape. Obama's campaign manager contacted API by telephone and email offering 3 million US dollars followed with a request to API to cancel the deal with Fox News Network.
Ten days ago API received the first request to accept 2 million US dollars by Mr Ed Hale, President of Plains Radio, Texas - USA, in an effort to suppress the information from reaching the public before the coming US Presidential elections.
API has now taken a decision to contact the American Embassy in Oslo, Norway as soon as possible in order to report the matter and hand over the evidence for investigative purposes. API's Canadian lawyer is expected to fly to Oslo shortly in order to assist in the legal matters that arise from the bribery attempt.
API's Chief editor is expected to travel to New York, together with the Canadian lawyer, where he will appear live in one of the shows that will air the Michelle Obama tape.
Source
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
ANTI-TANK MISSILES FIRED
Another act of Islamic aggression against Israeli forces:
Two anti-tank missiles were fired at IDF soldiers near the Kissufim crossing, in the southern Gaza Strip, early Friday morning in the first incident of its kind since the cease-fire between Israel and Gaza factions took effect some five months ago, the army said.Good riddance to the Hamas "policeman".
No one was wounded in the attack.
The IDF reported that the troops were investigating suspicious movements along the Gaza fence when they came under fire.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from any Palestinian terror group.
Following the missile fire, soldiers searched the scene out of concern that bombs were planted in the area.
Since the inception of the truce agreement in June, Palestinians have fired over 20 rockets and 20 mortars at western Negev communities, but until Friday, no anti-tank missiles had been fired.
On Thursday night, a Hamas policeman was killed and three others were wounded when a bomb exploded as they tried to safely detonated it in a Gaza City police station, the group said.
Hamas said its forces found the bomb, but would not say where, or why it was taken to the police station.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
OLDEST HEBREW TEXT DISCOVERED, FROM KING DAVID ERA
New historical discovery has been made:
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Archaeologists in Israel said on Thursday they had unearthed the oldest Hebrew text ever found, while excavating a fortress city overlooking a valley where the Bible says David slew Goliath.Now that's something great to learn about.
Experts have not yet been able to decipher fully the five lines of text written in black ink on a shard of pottery dug up at a five-acre (two-hectare) archaeological site called Elah Fortress, or Khirbet Qeiyafa.
The Bible says David, later to become the famed Jewish king, killed Goliath, a Philistine warrior, in a battle in the Valley of Elah, now the site of wineries and an Israeli satellite station.
Archaeologists at Hebrew University said carbon dating of artifacts found at the fortress site, about 20 km (12 miles) southwest of Jerusalem, indicate the Hebrew inscription was written some 3,000 years ago, predating the Dead Sea Scrolls by 1,000 years.
They have been able to make out some of its words, including "judge," "slave" and "king."
Yosef Garfinkel, the lead archaeologist at the site, said the findings could shed significant light on the period of King David's rule over the Israelites.
"The chronology and geography of Khirbet Qeiyafa create a unique meeting point between the mythology, history, historiography and archaeology of King David," Garfinkel said.
FREE THE TAPE!
There's going to be a protest today at the LA Times building over the suppressed Obama/Khalidi tape. Michelle Malkin has the details:
Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic has a very good view of this:
I just got word that there is a planned protest to try and force the LATimes to release the video of Obama/Rashid Khalidi. If people cannot physically attend the protest at the LATimes Headquarters building in downtown Los Angeles, they are encouraged to call the offices at (213) 237-5000, fax a request to release the video or complaint against their current stance to (213) 237-7679.There's also a petition here.
Your participation in this is of the highest priority to provide information to the voters in time to present a clear picture of the Democratic candidate’s coziness with individuals possessing extreme views in direct opposition to US foreign policies.
For more information, please go to the website of the organization leading the protest effort -
www.freedommarch.org
LA Times Headquarters
202 W. First St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
main phone 213-237-5000
fax 213-237-7679
Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic has a very good view of this:
I understand that the tape was leaked to the Times by a source or sources unknown, and that an agreement was struck with that source to keep the tape hidden, but the tape has been described in a Times story already, and it quite obviously contains no state secrets. I also suspect that the tape could be posted in such a way as to obscure its origins. The Times, however, won’t discuss in detail why it’s keeping the tape from its readers, and the newspaper’s “readers’ representative,” Jamie Gold, has lined up against the readers, and argued against the release of the tape.Smart thinking. I fully agree.
There is another reason why the tape should be posted: It might actually create interest in the L.A. Times. From what I understand, the mainstream media is in a bit of trouble these days. Perhaps — this is just a thought here — the L.A. Times could better its position in the world by drawing readers to its website.
The scriptures speak
You cannot be a Christian and vote for Obama
Excerpt:
To all those who name the name of Christ who plan to willfully disobey Him by voting for Obama, take warning. Not only is our nation in grave danger, according to the Word of God, so are you. First, the facts on life: On July 17, 2007, Barack Obama spoke to Planned Parenthood and said:
And what is the "Freedom of Choice Act"? It would completely federalize the abortion issue and strike down all state laws from parental notification to the Woman's Right to Know Laws to bans on partial-birth abortion, declaring them null and void with the stroke of an Obama pen.
In one week, America will make a choice. And to those who call themselves "Christian" who are planning on voting for Barack Obama, put down the Obama talking points and read God's voter guide before you go to the polls:
But you think this issue doesn't matter? God felt so strongly about it that he carved it in stone:
Think you can love God and still vote against life? In John 14:15, Jesus said:
Yes, and "Thou shall not murder" made the top 10.
Barack Obama and many of his followers claim to be Christian. But Isaiah 29:13 says:
And Matthew 7:20:
Knowing that, here's another command from Proverbs 31:8:
To you who are pretending that you don't know this, Proverbs 24:11 speaks directly to you:
It's not just about "hope" and "change." Proverbs 6:16-22 states there are some things God hates.
Obama-Biden are pro-death. McCain-Palin are pro-life.
More here
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
Excerpt:
To all those who name the name of Christ who plan to willfully disobey Him by voting for Obama, take warning. Not only is our nation in grave danger, according to the Word of God, so are you. First, the facts on life: On July 17, 2007, Barack Obama spoke to Planned Parenthood and said:
On this fundamental issue of [abortion rights], I will not yield and Planned Parenthood will not yield. ... The first thing I'll do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do. ...
And what is the "Freedom of Choice Act"? It would completely federalize the abortion issue and strike down all state laws from parental notification to the Woman's Right to Know Laws to bans on partial-birth abortion, declaring them null and void with the stroke of an Obama pen.
In one week, America will make a choice. And to those who call themselves "Christian" who are planning on voting for Barack Obama, put down the Obama talking points and read God's voter guide before you go to the polls:
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live (Deuteronomy 30:19).
But you think this issue doesn't matter? God felt so strongly about it that he carved it in stone:
You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).
Think you can love God and still vote against life? In John 14:15, Jesus said:
If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Yes, and "Thou shall not murder" made the top 10.
Barack Obama and many of his followers claim to be Christian. But Isaiah 29:13 says:
Therefore the Lord said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men" (Isaiah 29:13).
And Matthew 7:20:
Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions (Matthew 7:20).
Knowing that, here's another command from Proverbs 31:8:
Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.
To you who are pretending that you don't know this, Proverbs 24:11 speaks directly to you:
Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;
Save them as they stagger to their death.
Don't excuse yourself by saying, "Look, we didn't know."
For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.
He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
It's not just about "hope" and "change." Proverbs 6:16-22 states there are some things God hates.
These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
Obama-Biden are pro-death. McCain-Palin are pro-life.
More here
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
Don't Let the Polls Affect Your Vote: They were wrong in 2000 and 2004
By Karl Rove
There has been an explosion of polls this presidential election. Through yesterday, there have been 728 national polls with head-to-head matchups of the candidates, 215 in October alone. In 2004, there were just 239 matchup polls, with 67 of those in October. At this rate, there may be almost as many national polls in October of 2008 as there were during the entire year in 2004.
Some polls are sponsored by reputable news organizations, others by publicity-eager universities or polling firms on the make. None have the scientific precision we imagine. For example, academics gathered by the American Political Science Association at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington on Aug. 31, 2000, to make forecasts declared that Al Gore would be the winner. Their models told them so. Mr. Gore would receive between 53% and 60% of the two-party vote; Gov. George W. Bush would get between just 40% and 47%. Impersonal demographic and economic forces had settled the contest, they said. They were wrong.
Right now, all the polls show Barack Obama ahead of John McCain, but the margins vary widely (in part because some polls use an "expanded" definition of a likely voter, while others use a "traditional" polling model, which assumes turnout will mirror historical trends but with a higher turnout among African-Americans and young voters).
On Monday, there were seven nationwide polls, with the candidates as close as three points in the Investors Business Daily/TIPP poll and as far apart as 10 points in Gallup's "expanded" model. On Tuesday, the Gallup "traditional" model poll had the candidates separated by two points and the Pew poll had them separated by 15. On Wednesday, Battleground, Rasmussen and Gallup "traditional" model polls had the candidates separated by three points while Diageo/Hotline and Gallup "expanded" model polls had the spread at seven points.
Polls can reveal underlying or emerging trends and help campaigns decide where to focus. The danger is that commentators use them to declare a race over before the votes are in. This can demoralize the underdog's supporters, depressing turnout. I know that from experience.
On election night in 2000 Al Hunt -- then a columnist for this newspaper and a commentator on CNN -- was the first TV talking head to erroneously declare that Florida's polls had closed, when those in the Panhandle were open for another hour. Shortly before 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Judy Woodruff said: "A big call to make. CNN announces that we call Florida in the Al Gore column."
Mr. Hunt and Ms. Woodruff were not only wrong. What they did was harmful. We know, for example, that turnout in 2000 compared to 1996 improved more in states whose polls had closed by the time Ms. Woodruff all but declared the contest over. The data suggests that as many as 500,000 people in the Midwest and West didn't bother to vote after the networks indicated Florida cinched the race for Mr. Gore.
I recall, too, the media's screwup in 2004, when exit-polling data leaked in the afternoon. It showed President Bush losing Pennsylvania by 17 points, New Hampshire by 18, behind among white males in Florida, and projected South Carolina and Colorado too close to call. It looked like the GOP would be wiped out. Bob Shrum famously became the first to congratulate Sen. John Kerry by addressing him as "President Kerry." Commentators let the exit polls color their coverage for hours until their certainty was undone by actual vote tallies.
Polls have proliferated this year in part because it is much easier for journalists to devote the limited space in their papers or on TV to the horse-race aspect of the election rather than its substance. And I admit, I've aided and abetted this process.
In the campaign's final week, though, the candidates can offer little new substance, so attention turns to the political landscape, and there's no question Mr. McCain is in a difficult place. The last national poll that showed Mr. McCain ahead came out Sept. 25 and the 232 polls since then have all shown Mr. Obama leading. Only one time in the past 14 presidential elections has a candidate won the popular vote and the Electoral College after trailing in the Gallup Poll the week before the election: Ronald Reagan in 1980.
But the question that matters is the margin. If Mr. McCain is down by 3%, his task is doable, if difficult. If he's down by 9%, his task is essentially impossible. In truth, however, no one knows for sure what kind of polling deficit is insurmountable or even which poll is correct. All of us should act with the proper understanding that nothing is yet decided.
As for me, I've already cast my absentee ballot in Kerr County, Texas -- joyfully, enthusiastically marking the straight Republican column. I would like to have joined the line Tuesday outside the polling place in Ingram, where I've been registered the past few years. But I will be in New York, part of the vast horde analyzing exit polls, dissecting returns, and pontificating on consequences. I'll thoroughly enjoy myself that night, and probably feel guilty the next morning. But this year's 728 national polls and the thousands of state polls made me do it.
Source
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
There has been an explosion of polls this presidential election. Through yesterday, there have been 728 national polls with head-to-head matchups of the candidates, 215 in October alone. In 2004, there were just 239 matchup polls, with 67 of those in October. At this rate, there may be almost as many national polls in October of 2008 as there were during the entire year in 2004.
Some polls are sponsored by reputable news organizations, others by publicity-eager universities or polling firms on the make. None have the scientific precision we imagine. For example, academics gathered by the American Political Science Association at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington on Aug. 31, 2000, to make forecasts declared that Al Gore would be the winner. Their models told them so. Mr. Gore would receive between 53% and 60% of the two-party vote; Gov. George W. Bush would get between just 40% and 47%. Impersonal demographic and economic forces had settled the contest, they said. They were wrong.
Right now, all the polls show Barack Obama ahead of John McCain, but the margins vary widely (in part because some polls use an "expanded" definition of a likely voter, while others use a "traditional" polling model, which assumes turnout will mirror historical trends but with a higher turnout among African-Americans and young voters).
On Monday, there were seven nationwide polls, with the candidates as close as three points in the Investors Business Daily/TIPP poll and as far apart as 10 points in Gallup's "expanded" model. On Tuesday, the Gallup "traditional" model poll had the candidates separated by two points and the Pew poll had them separated by 15. On Wednesday, Battleground, Rasmussen and Gallup "traditional" model polls had the candidates separated by three points while Diageo/Hotline and Gallup "expanded" model polls had the spread at seven points.
Polls can reveal underlying or emerging trends and help campaigns decide where to focus. The danger is that commentators use them to declare a race over before the votes are in. This can demoralize the underdog's supporters, depressing turnout. I know that from experience.
On election night in 2000 Al Hunt -- then a columnist for this newspaper and a commentator on CNN -- was the first TV talking head to erroneously declare that Florida's polls had closed, when those in the Panhandle were open for another hour. Shortly before 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Judy Woodruff said: "A big call to make. CNN announces that we call Florida in the Al Gore column."
Mr. Hunt and Ms. Woodruff were not only wrong. What they did was harmful. We know, for example, that turnout in 2000 compared to 1996 improved more in states whose polls had closed by the time Ms. Woodruff all but declared the contest over. The data suggests that as many as 500,000 people in the Midwest and West didn't bother to vote after the networks indicated Florida cinched the race for Mr. Gore.
I recall, too, the media's screwup in 2004, when exit-polling data leaked in the afternoon. It showed President Bush losing Pennsylvania by 17 points, New Hampshire by 18, behind among white males in Florida, and projected South Carolina and Colorado too close to call. It looked like the GOP would be wiped out. Bob Shrum famously became the first to congratulate Sen. John Kerry by addressing him as "President Kerry." Commentators let the exit polls color their coverage for hours until their certainty was undone by actual vote tallies.
Polls have proliferated this year in part because it is much easier for journalists to devote the limited space in their papers or on TV to the horse-race aspect of the election rather than its substance. And I admit, I've aided and abetted this process.
In the campaign's final week, though, the candidates can offer little new substance, so attention turns to the political landscape, and there's no question Mr. McCain is in a difficult place. The last national poll that showed Mr. McCain ahead came out Sept. 25 and the 232 polls since then have all shown Mr. Obama leading. Only one time in the past 14 presidential elections has a candidate won the popular vote and the Electoral College after trailing in the Gallup Poll the week before the election: Ronald Reagan in 1980.
But the question that matters is the margin. If Mr. McCain is down by 3%, his task is doable, if difficult. If he's down by 9%, his task is essentially impossible. In truth, however, no one knows for sure what kind of polling deficit is insurmountable or even which poll is correct. All of us should act with the proper understanding that nothing is yet decided.
As for me, I've already cast my absentee ballot in Kerr County, Texas -- joyfully, enthusiastically marking the straight Republican column. I would like to have joined the line Tuesday outside the polling place in Ingram, where I've been registered the past few years. But I will be in New York, part of the vast horde analyzing exit polls, dissecting returns, and pontificating on consequences. I'll thoroughly enjoy myself that night, and probably feel guilty the next morning. But this year's 728 national polls and the thousands of state polls made me do it.
Source
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your roundup of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH (2). Email me (John Ray) here
TONIGHT ON KFNX TALK-RADIO
[Image courtesy of Stogie]
Tonight, October 30, at 8:00 P.M. Phoenix time, Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs will host "Voices of Freedom," a one-hour weekly show on KFNX 1100. See this time-zone chart (Refresh the page!) if you are in a different time zone than Phoenix, Arizona; click directly on the word "PHOENIX" to get a world map of time zones.
Tonight's show is the last one before the election. Guests include some of the GOP candidates for the upcoming election, including Allen West, candidate for Florida's 22nd Congressional District.
Tune in if you can! In addition to AM air time at the scheduled hour, KFNX offers live streaming at the station's web site.
VOICES OF FREEDOM: THE SHOW THAT MAKES JIHADISTS CRY.
Web site for VOICES OF FREEDOM
Tonight, October 30, at 8:00 P.M. Phoenix time, Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs will host "Voices of Freedom," a one-hour weekly show on KFNX 1100. See this time-zone chart (Refresh the page!) if you are in a different time zone than Phoenix, Arizona; click directly on the word "PHOENIX" to get a world map of time zones.Tonight's show is the last one before the election. Guests include some of the GOP candidates for the upcoming election, including Allen West, candidate for Florida's 22nd Congressional District.
Tune in if you can! In addition to AM air time at the scheduled hour, KFNX offers live streaming at the station's web site.
VOICES OF FREEDOM: THE SHOW THAT MAKES JIHADISTS CRY.
Web site for VOICES OF FREEDOM
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