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McCain's Pandora's Box

attack dogs_a1d0b.jpg It's gone too far...

John McCain opened the Pandora's Box of hate and bigotry, of disenfranchisement and scapegoating, and there's no way for him to reel it in. Nor do I suspect that he truly realizes the power of it either. Not when he says things like:

"After I whip his you know what in this debate, we're going to be going out 24/7," McCain said of his upcoming debate with Obama, but seeming to consider recent criticism that his words have been too inflammatory, he quickly told supporters to be respectful.

Really? Telling supporters you're planning on whipping (no loaded imagery there) your opponent seems like a smart way to let them know that they must remain respectful? Frank Rich writes an excellent op-ed on how McCain's campaign has framed their battle against "The Terrorist Barack Hussein Obama":

(I)t’s not just the old Joe McCarthyesque guilt-by-association game, however spurious, that’s going on here. Don’t for an instant believe the many mindlessly “even-handed” journalists who keep saying that the McCain campaign’s use of Ayers is the moral or political equivalent of the Obama campaign’s hammering on Charles Keating.

What makes them different, and what has pumped up the Weimar-like rage at McCain-Palin rallies, is the violent escalation in rhetoric, especially (though not exclusively) by Palin. Obama “launched his political career in the living room of a domestic terrorist.” He is “palling around with terrorists” (note the plural noun). Obama is “not a man who sees America the way you and I see America.” Wielding a wildly out-of-context Obama quote, Palin slurs him as an enemy of American troops.

By the time McCain asks the crowd “Who is the real Barack Obama?” it’s no surprise that someone cries out “Terrorist!” The rhetorical conflation of Obama with terrorism is complete. It is stoked further by the repeated invocation of Obama’s middle name by surrogates introducing McCain and Palin at these rallies. This sleight of hand at once synchronizes with the poisonous Obama-is-a-Muslim e-mail blasts and shifts the brand of terrorism from Ayers’s Vietnam-era variety to the radical Islamic threats of today.

This is a dangerous game to play and it's snowballing out of control. Right wingers are openly comparing Obama to Bin Laden and then dismissing the concern as the fault of the media.

Mob mentality is a scary thing to watch. Anybody remember the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes social experiment? What these McCain supporters are doing is no less rational or frightening than those children ready to beat up their classmates because they had blue eyes. They are being taught to think of Obama as a terrorist, and the implications could be catastrophic.

About Nicole Belle
Nicole Belle's picture
Mom, Wife, Media Critic/Political Analyst, Blogger, Austen Fanatic, Unapologetic Liberal NicoleBelle@crooksandliars.com
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116 Comments
Van Dyke's picture

Agreed. Just read this nice commentary about this racist crap:

The entire world learned (and saw) that you are a racist. We all watched how, when you were caught on tape, you removed the Obama sticker and handed the monkey to that little boy. You tried to make it look like you were such a nice, friendly man giving a child a toy. Yet, the entire time you nervously looked around, looked for an escape. Had you suddenly grown a conscience? Or did your conscience arise from having gotten caught on tape? It was painfully obvious by your expressions and actions that you had done something wrong, something unacceptable. That fact came through loud and clear as you began to panic over what do I do now?

Full post here http://pixels2picture.typepad.com/pixels2pict...

Scott's picture

The guy in that video(and the people in the GOP) was happy to be as racist as the day is long until there was documentation of his racism. He's the sort of guy who probably wouldn't say a bad word about anyone until he'd known you for a while. These are the people who would never say "N****r" but they'll complain about "jiggaboos" at length because it's "not really racist." But guys like this know what they're doing is wrong, which is why they automatically try to hide it.

MacChick's picture

There is always the risk of the world finding out about a dirty little secret ... The Internet has now made this possible. ;-)

Tedster's picture

Yes, and it is our job, all of us, to shine a big light on all of these types, to embarrass the hell out of them, and to send a message that they can no longer hide. Pull that crap and we will make you infamous you racist.

MacChick's picture

Shine the light on them as they make fools of themselves. And they always do.

Guy Fawkes's picture

Yeah, he was pretty proud of himself when he was in line to see McShitstain, but he seemed to re-think his decision to carry a monkey with an Obama bumper sticker wrapped around its' head once he was inside. When he realized he was on camera inside, he passed the stuffed monkey off to a kid. What a POS...

Uncle Joe Mccarthy's picture

DESTROY HIS LIFE

Tedster's picture

No, just humiliate these guys like the blogger did. Eloquence wins.

MacChick's picture

And just how does that make us better than the little shit in the video?

dosido's picture

...destroying anything sounds very Rovian. I recall a story that I think Ron Suskind tells of waiting to interview Rove, but not until after Rove reams out an assistant after learning that a politician wasn't cooperating with his plan. Rove was screaming that he would "destroy him". The assistant left the office quite shaken.

TardBot's picture

We're progressives, we build. We make things better. Shine a light on the racists, humiliate them until they change their tune.

This is our time. It's our country.

YST's picture

Only God can, because racism comes from the heart.

All we've seen are unanswered questions and long rants and diatribes.

Abbybwood's picture

I'm still waiting for the main stream media to DEMAND an open ended press conference of at least one hour with Sarah Palin.

No scripts, no notecards, no hidden mic's/earpieces, no Joe Lieberman's or John McCain's whispering into her ear when she gets it wrong.

I say if McCain won't allow the media to ask her any questions they choose in an open press conference prior to the election then the American People should disqualify her as a legitimate candidate to be a heartbeat away from being President of the United States of America, and as such, the leader of the "free" world.

I say, if the McCain camp continues to treat her as "off limits" to an open press conference one week prior to the election, we should hold demonstrations at The New York Times office in New York City, at CNN headquarters in Atlanta etc., etc., etc. until they hold a press conference or are shamed into giving some lame ass excuse as to why she's "not ready" to field questions from the people's main stream press corp.

Comments?


"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn

MacChick's picture

I agree. She should not be off limits. This election is too important and everyone else who's in the game has been interviewed, multiple times. Why should Palin not have to play by the same rules?

GonzoD's picture

Joe Biden has been on Meet the Press 42 times, she should have to go on every Sunday from now til election day.

JAB's picture

She came into late, now they are rushing from State to State. I hope she has not turned down an offer. It appears the liberal are one with the Press. People open your eyes, never did I think we would ever elect a President with that name, has best (8 yrs old so what)friend as a terrorist, a racist paster, and that recent ad that Obama asks why we would elect a government that would let our banks take down our country - Propaganda (Ah, wasn't he a senator, a democrat). Are not most of Congress Democrat. Don't blame everything on Bush. This was happening just before Clinton left office. Remember the picture of Clinton bringing the terrorist and Israel leader together as they playfully entered the door for a meeting. Did not work. Can't trust terrorist. Haven't had another 911 since Bush been Office. But if Obama gets in, get ready for it. It will happen. He's is inexperienced, gulible. It's real people you just have not experienced yet. But if he gets in you will. I'm a Demo again voting Rep. and praying we get a leader that fights for the greater good for all, even in the 3rd World countries who need freedom, protection, aide. He has more money, he has the crooks registering dead, or unelligible voters. Looks bad. God Help Us. He should have picked Hilary, he's a jerk,and ah oh yea, Middle east men don't respect woman's opinions, she would have to have worn a Berka.

Born American's picture

Listen, how about you stop spewing the stump lines and actually start using the brain I'm sure you have. Break away from the herd little sheep and READ something, anything that isn't Republican junk. You're a Demo voting Repub, uh, that's stupid (obviously you've never been a Democrat.) So let me put this in a way you can understand....McCain BAD, Barak GOOD. Now shut up Stupid.

MacChick's picture

Dude, look up the word, "leader" in the dictionary. I'm sure you won't see McCain's or Palin's pictures in there, nor associated to any term resembling leadership. It's been a long time since we've had true leadership in this country. I would advise you to get your facts straight before you spew what you don't know all over this board.

YST's picture

this baracuda's trap. She has said more than enough already. Now it is up for us to do the talking by going to the polls.

I can hardly wait for early voting to start in Texas.

Martymefurst's picture

Is the Foo Fighters

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_pictu...

The author has an interesting game of picking a new theme song for McCain, my vote goes for S.O.S. by ABBA but a lot of posters seem to like "Loser" by Beck.

Abbybwood's picture

(Okay, some of the lyrics may have to be re-worked a little, but here it is):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsYJyVEUaC4


"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn

Karen's picture

GOP Overlord: John, what the hell are you doing out there?

Gone InSane: What? What are you talking about?

Overlord: John, Jesus Christ on a pogo stick, man, you're obviously trying to win the election based on fear and division.

InSane: I'm not supposed to do that? What have you been teaching me all these years? We always win based on fear and division! I mean, I have it right here. Here, look.

Overlord: John, let me explain.

InSane: Wait, I have it right here in the Gluttons Of Privilege welcoming package. You give it to all of us when we sign up. It's right here! "Win on fear and division." It's in the damned instruction book!

Overlord: John, I said you were obviously trying to win on fear and division.

InSane: Exactly! So, what's wrong?

Overlord: What's wrong is that you're doing it obviously. It's too damned obvious, man! We've been teaching you to be subtle about it.

InSane: Yeah, well, I'm a maverick.

Overlord: Jesus, John, you haven't actually convinced yourself of that, have you? That's a marketing gimmick. And frankly, you've diluted its impact by being less than subtle about that too.

InSane: I have? The people love my mavericky side.

Overlord: The people think you're crazy.

InSane: They do not! They love me! Fuck you, Overlord!

Overlord: John, take a deep breath. Now think. Remember when we allowed George to start the bastard black baby rumors about you?

InSane:
Yes, I fucking remember that, you pricks!

Overlord: It worked, didn't it?

InSane: Yes, damn it!

Overlord: Because it was a push poll, John. Because we just hinted at it. We let the people quietly run with it in their heads. That's what we do, John. Push polls, wedge issues, quiet fears. But you're just beating everyone over the head with this "Obama is palling around with terrorists" line. You guys didn't have to say that out loud to let that idea sink in. You gave license to our base of bigots to be open about their bigotry. That's not going to help us, John.

InSane: Hey, that was Sarah, not me!

Overlord: John, you're not seriously telling me you can't control your woman, are you?

InSane: No, sir, nothing like that. I'm sorry.

Overlord: I didn't think so.

InSane: Oh, this isn't fair. The presidency was supposed to be mine! Mine, damn it! Not this little Illinois upstart guy's, mine!

Overlord: Well, John, you let your emotions get the better of you. You're going to have to live with that.

InSane: ***sigh***

Overlord: John? Are you okay?

InSane: I guess. Say, can you still rig the election?

Overlord:
I can try, but, you know, there are limits to even my power.


Everyone is equally entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Wasn't that once self evident?

Bangkok Bob's picture

A few more of her terror alerts and traitor comments will cinch it for that upstart kid from Chicago South Side.

skippy's picture

all aboard the hate talk express!

cam's picture

went on blog(Moms for Sarah Palin)these are supposedly christian women and the vile that comes from these people is scarry! Its complete racism and Obama must be ready for a nasty 3rd debate. McCain and Palin are going for the jugular, truth and decency be damned! Some of us wanted to stick with the issues but they are desperate so look out. Wish this was last week, its hard to maintain your temper when you read and hear all this from americans. One guy going to a rally had a stuffed monkey with Obama"s name and was flashing it to crowd and saying really awful racial things and laughing.i have no respect for McCain or Palin for condoning and not speaking out agianst this behavior, is condoning it. These republicans are completely without scrupels and nuts!

Karla's picture

I agree! McCain/Palin are grasping for anything now to help them win. I was glad to see McCain correct that crazy lady for calling Obama an arab and not an American; however, it's too late for me to respect him. Palin, on the otherhand, seems to get off on uniting the racism and hate. Look closely at her while the crowd cheers...she loves it! McCain said he saw KGB in Putin's eyes...I see hatred, narrow-mindedness, intolerance, and bigotry in Palins. I've watched several documentaries about Hilter, on the the History Channel, and Palin is eerily similar when she speaks. She is beyond dangerous!

Marc's picture

Now that is some seriously funny stuff. Frighteningly reminiscent of the truth, but seriously funny.

MountainMan23's picture

From LA Times - John McCain and Sarah Palin try new tactics:

JOHNSTOWN, PA. -- After a week of increasingly nasty rallies in which John McCain and Sarah Palin hammered Democratic rival Barack Obama over his "association" with a 1960s-era radical, the Republican candidates changed tactics Saturday during campaign swings through two presidential battleground states. Palin launched a new front in the culture wars here, attacking Obama on abortion, while in Iowa, McCain concentrated on a critique of Obama's spending proposals.
..

Before McCain spoke, a Christian pastor offered a prayer that seemed to ask for divine intervention on his behalf. "There are millions of people around this world praying to their God -- whether it's Hindu, Buddha, Allah -- that [McCain's] opponent wins for a variety of reasons," Pastor Arnold Conrad said. "And, Lord, I pray that you would guard your own reputation, because they're going to think that their god is bigger than you, if that happens."

The McCain campaign said it did not condone the prayer.

"While we understand the important role that faith plays in informing the votes of Iowans, questions about the religious background of the candidates only serve to distract from the real questions in this race about Barack Obama's judgment, policies and readiness to lead as commander in chief," Wendy Riemann, McCain's Iowa spokeswoman, said.
...

"We just want to make sure that OUR God whips THEIR God's Ass.."

.. or something like that ..


When will government of the people, by the politicians, for the corporations perish from this Earth?

Not soon enough!

Their gods and rabbits feet and potions and laying on of the hands.

The World Watches in Amusement.

Uncle Joe Mccarthy's picture

did he condemn the words right there??? did he end the rally right there???

SO ITS OK TO ALLOW THIS HATE SPEECH...BUT THEY ARE ABOUT TO UNLEASH ADS ABOUT WRIGHT???

FUCK EM

THIS IS WAR

Obama's Rev. Wright is a freakin' SAINT!!!!


"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn

Anonymous's picture

Obama is not supporting the pastor....but Palin is running for VP. VP! Stop the hate. Fine, don't approve of Obama/Biden but stop the hate. I can't believe that people are so easily whipped in to a mob mentality - is that helping? I do not think so - I don't want my children growing up in a America so full of mean spirited people like you...maybe you can change and see that hatred and mean spiritedness is just wrong. I hope you don't call yourself a religious man.

Hill's picture

From the article:

McCain: "After I whip his you know what in this debate,"

Excuse me while I engage in some much needed relief here.

BWAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHA!

:)

moniker's picture

Did you have an affair with your husband's business partner?
Did you knowingly endanger Trig's life when you flew back to Alaska to give birth?
Is Trig really your baby?

YST's picture

Would you be willing to go on Maury and take a paternity test?

Why aren't your kids in school like everybody else?

What does your Bible say about liars? (Rev. 21:8)

Who wears the pants in your house?

Do you think your daughter would be pregnant if you would have spent more time being a real mom to her? By the way, where is she now? She must be showing pretty good now?

How does your husband feel about you pimping (submitting) to your new soulmate John McCain? (Eph. 5:22)

JAB's picture

Oh, really hope your not a woman. I'm a single parent. Went to all the school events, sports practice, games, school trips, talked about what was right/wrong, made sure did homework. With my son all the time. Prayed. He got in trouble. You idiot,we do the best we can. At least she is keeping the child. We all sin, and u don't know that for sure. Have u committed any? Doesn't mean she can't lead the country. Look at Clinton. But oh yea, that's ok,hes a man.

Born American's picture

Please, please, please shut up I'll be your bff if you do....and you can look in my purse.

Now, take your little mind and big mouth back to the trailer park with the rest of the crazy people.

Leadership's picture

I am glad they are being so openly racist.

It makes it very clear who the haters and bigots are.

It is pushing people our way. It is making on the fence voters turn away

in disgust. It is showing the world that a country founded on racism

and genocide has changed, but not completely. Let them yell and curse.

We have known these people are our lives.

Mike C's picture

McRacist is desperate, and his evil plot to use hate against his opponent has backfired. That's why he disingenuously said he is a decent man, he's giving up on the bullshit.

highway to hell's picture

McCain is such an unstable psycho. I'm waiting for the day he goes totally apoplectic while he addresses the country and just strokes the fuck out.

This guy is the type to go postal.

And Sarah Palin is the type of gal to turn Armageddon into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

For the sake of mankind, lock 'em up.

If there actually was some kind of civil war/unrest, it will be the disciples of these lunatics who lead it and guess who has the most guns.

Karen's picture

highway to hell (not verified)

If there actually was some kind of civil war/unrest, it will be the disciples of these lunatics who lead it and guess who has the most guns.

Heh, now just watch. Watch some of these loonies try to kill Obama. Maybe one of them succeeds.

And that's Bush's excuse to declare martial law and send in the Northern Command.


Everyone is equally entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Wasn't that once self evident?

highway to hell's picture

Right on, girl.

I'm wondering how these racist mo-fos are getting away with basically threatening a presidential candidate with no interference from the secret security.

It's pathetic.

It's disturbing.

And I have no doubt that martial law is in the plan. If there is an election, I'll be happily surprised.

Ollie North wrote the clause allowing for martial law and the suspension of elections in the case of civil unrest in the 80's.

Good ol' Ollie and the gang. They've never really left.

Karen's picture

highway to hell (not verified)

And I have no doubt that martial law is in the plan. If there is an election, I'll be happily surprised.

You know, I never thought I'd be seriously considering such notions. I only kept it in the back of my mind, knowing that the only thing that really would make it possible would be for us to be so complacent that we believe it's not possible.

But as the Busheviks proceeded, my ears perked up more and more. I didn't want to sound alarm bells, but so much has happened just this year, that I think it's worth being prepared. I'll not live in a Cabaret.

They've attacked and arrested journalists. They've spied on us. And now, they violate Posse Comitatus by stationing troops in the United States just in case there is civil unrest.

Scary. I think there will be an election, but Obama needs to be really careful. And we all have to be prepared.


Everyone is equally entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Wasn't that once self evident?

Sierra Matt's picture

I agree, Karen. It's scary how close we are to martial law while few Americans realize it. And I won't breathe any easier until Obama's INAUGURATION - Bush will still have almost 3 months to scrap our democracy.

highway to hell's picture

Karen, for the lawyer in ya, I had to to copy and paste. This might be too long of a quote from an article but I think it's so relevent that people really need to grasp it. I'm going to include two links in addition:

"With a few exceptions, the media ignored what well could have been the most startling revelation to have come out of the Iran/Contra affair, namely that high officials of the US government were planning a possible coup. First among the exceptions was the Miami Herald, which on July 5, 1987, ran the story to which Jack Brooks referred. The article by Alfonzo Chardy revealed Oliver North's involvement in plans for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to take over federal, state and local functions during an ill-defined national emergency. According to Chardy, the plan called for 'suspension of the Constitution, turning control of the government over to the Federal Management Agency, emergency appointment of military commanders to run state and local governments and declaration of martial law.' The proposal ignored that Congress, legislatures and the judiciary even existed.

In a November 18, 1991 story, the New York Times elaborated:

"Acting outside the Constitution in the early 1980s, a secret federal agency established a line of succession to the presidency to assure continued government in the event of a devastating nuclear attack, current and former United States officials said today." The program was called "Continuity of Government." In the words of a report by the Fund for Constitutional Government, "succession or succession- by-designation would be implemented by unknown and perhaps unelected persons who would pick three potential successor presidents in advance of an emergency. These potential successors to the Oval Office may not be elected, and they are not confirmed by Congress. According to CNN, the list eventually grew to 17 names and included Howard Baker, Richard Helms, Jeanne Kirkpatrick James Schlesinger, Richard Thornberg, Edwin Meese, Tip O'Neil, and Richard Cheney."

The plan was not even limited to a nuclear attack but included any "national security emergency" which was defined as, "any occurrence, including natural disaster, military attack, technological or other emergency, that seriously degrades or seriously threatens the national security of the United States."

That was ten years before September 11. And how did the liberal and centrist media respond to those who tried to raise warning flags: with an explosion in the use of the term "conspiracy theorist" to describe anyone who questioned the stability of American democracy and the righteousness of those leading it."

http://www.counterpunch.org/smith05052003.html

http://www.counterpunch.org/madsen0514.html

Regarding Martial Law....

Here ya' go:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=UgMx2F41XD0

(This video has the original scene of Oliver North refusing to answer a question during the Iran-Contra hearings regarding plans to suspend the Constitution (which is obviously un-Constitutional under ANY circumstances!!!!)


"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn

Leadership's picture

Remember the original 12 Angry Men?

Remember Ed Begley Sr. character? How he ranted and raved about "those

people" and how the jurors turned away from him one by one.

Leadership's picture
Uncle Joe Mccarthy's picture

they were all confronted with their own inner racism...he gave it voice and it disgusted them

but that aint happening here

the base loves that shit

the independents are moving away from it

but will that change on election day???

dont know

oncall's picture

.


I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator.
Adolf Hitler

calgarylady's picture

They spew hatred and disgusting lies at their rallies and then they have the unmitigated gall to demand an apology from Obama.

McCain-Palin have unleashed a vile maelstrom from their little Pandora's Box of tricks.

I truly fear for Obama's safety.

Leadership's picture
JAB's picture

and Obama is gulible. God help us. He's got the money and Talk. Oh, yea get ready. Don't look for a turn around to soon, maybe look for a great fall.

oncall's picture

"Whip his hide."


I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator.
Adolf Hitler

Uncle Joe Mccarthy's picture

with the woman who asked "how do we beat the bitch"?

which, if hillary was running, wouldve been her main campaign ad

mccrazyoldman never wanted to stop the rhetoric...its the only thing that gives him a hard on

he knew exactly what he was doing and so do his advisors

why the fuck else would he have turned to the dark side and hired the guys who created the push polls about his illegitimate black baby

btw, where is brigette? she showed up at the convention and has been gone since

afraid to show off your indian child???? you fucking racist pos

JAB's picture

You've got problems, hatred and a filthy mouth.

highway to hell's picture

Check out this racist nut

(notice the imaginary privileged old white man cackle)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04B3Wl2qouw

Uncle Joe Mccarthy's picture

paul didnt say anything that others werent saying...including me

so why dont you vote for me for president

i can hang with trufers too

FUCK RON PAUL

FUCK RALPH NADER

FUCK ALL SHIT DISTURBERS

highway to hell's picture

So sorry Joe. (not really because you are such a super cool abrasive nice guy)

That was an honest mistake. I didn't realize I copied the wrong link.

Here's the racist old fuck link. Kosher?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKUovpF9LWU

girldujour's picture

An old story that has already been debunked months is now resurfacing about Obama's place of birth. So while hate, angerand fear mongering appear to not be working for them, the McCain campaign is still banking on lies:

http://girldujour.wordpress.com/2008/10/13/ba...

Abbybwood's picture

It is also questionable about McCain being born in the Panama Canal Zone...eh?


"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn

Dutton Peabody's picture

The shift has been dramatic. A state that for years had about equal numbers of registered Republicans and Democrats now has more than 93,000 more Democrats, according to data compiled last week by the secretary of state's office.

In 2004, when President Bush carried Nevada by 20,000 votes, there were 5,000 more Republicans than Democrats registered here.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/30860579.htm

Uncle Joe Mccarthy's picture

and every investigation will find nothing

Joe O.'s picture

Not only does McCain and Palin's racist rhetoric resemble what occured during that class study in the 60s but we see another form of it occuring with the military. Many may not realize it but by putting the military on such a pedistal the same result can occur. Active military and veterans will or could after a time see themselves as being superior to those that never served.

S. Guyette's picture

When you consider that 99.44% of the graduating class at the Naval Academy was smarter than McCain, I wouldn't worry about him whipping anybody's anything.

gogetem's picture

and yet he's obviously much smarter than Palin. So, what does that tell you about her?

Karen's picture

gogetem:

and yet he's obviously much smarter than Palin. So, what does that tell you about her?

I'm not entirely convinced that Palin is stupid. I don't think she's highly intelligent, but stupid, I'm not sure. And I'm not sure McCain is smarter than she is.

I tent to think she's a person of average intelligence who has the audacity to think that moxy, faith and charm are sufficient substitutes for knowledge, intellect and training.

She's woefully ignorant of everything she would need to know to take over the presidency, and she knows it. She just doesn't think it matters, since god is on her side, and she has the bravado and confidence not to blink.

She's not stupid. She's deranged. And dangerous.


Everyone is equally entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Wasn't that once self evident?

Abbybwood's picture

http://www.mediatakeout.com/2008/27277-lmao_s...

(I'm sure she just wasn't really "applying herself"....)


"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn

Karen's picture

Abbywood,

Heh, well, Palin is certainly not smart enough to be president. Or vice president. Or a lot of other jobs, for that matter.

But her SAT scores, low as they are, are not necessarily indicative of her overall intelligence. The smartest people I know/knew were bad students. Some even had learning disabilities to overcome. Standardized tests measure little but the test taker's ability to take standardized tests. There are highly intelligent people who do poorly on them, and people who are of average intelligence that do a little better.

In any case, Palin's not smart. But I don't think she's as stupid as her caricature.


Everyone is equally entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Wasn't that once self evident?

katy's picture

GOP Says Vandalism at Offices Prompts Beefed-Up Security

The Republican National Committee said it will spend $2 million to beef up security at campaign offices around the country in response to recent incidents of vandalism.

RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan said in a statement over the weekend that "violent intimidation tactics" have been adopted by some supporters of Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama.

Mr. Duncan cited a break-in at a McCain-Palin campaign office in Missouri and alleged harassment of campaign workers by members of Acorn, an advocacy group that promotes housing opportunities and voting rights for low- and moderate-income groups. Acorn staged a rally outside a McCain-Palin campaign office in Pennsylvania. "It was a peaceful rally," said Acorn spokesman Brian Kettering.

[...]
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1223845816866...

1 million per incident... must be flush with cash...

No Angry Old Men for President's picture

What has this nation come down to? ... oh right... for those of you who KNOW your US history, nothing much has changed at all. We are still by & large a nation of bigots.

Abbybwood's picture

With the wholesale slaughter of the North American Indigenous Indian population, eh?

Oh! And speaking of mass murder, how are ya'll planning on "celebrating" Columbus Day tomorrow?

He was a really swell guy! Ordering the mass murder of thousands of Arowak Indians because they wouldn't bring him all the gold he demanded and all. Wow. What a guy!

I often wondered why on Earth California named the 10 Freeway "The Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway"? Perhaps a better name would have been, "The Christopher Columbus Dripping With Blood Freeway"...eh?


"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn

YST's picture

I don't care for CC either, but I am still not giving this holiday back. I am sleeping in late and then going to a conference.

rlpete2's picture

Obama is “not a man who sees America the way you and I see America.”

He sees an America that can rise above its fears and pettiness.

McCain and Palin may be in the process of absolutely destroying the Republican Party. Quite a turnaround in a little over two years, from Rove's vision of "a permanent Republican majority."

If there were an attack on Obama, successful or not, the GOP would be stained forever. I hope the Secret Service is up to the challenge.

katy's picture

In other incidents, a New Jersey school library removed a book on Sen. Obama from an election display after it was defaced with a drawing of a noose. Campaign officials took down an Obama billboard in Michigan after someone painted Ku Klux Klan and swastika symbols on it. In August, police said vandals broke glass windows and a door to an Obama campaign office in St. Paul, Minn.
[...]

Mr. Duncan said the RNC is setting up 24-hour security at campaign offices around the country, using money budgeted for get-out-the-vote efforts.

oh darn... maybe ACORN will help...

Anonymous's picture

Read the entire interview here:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtri...

it is really amazing how ignorant this person is...

About how being a woman would affect her approach to vice presidential duties and decision-making:

Palin: "I believe we, perhaps, have less patience for some of the baloney that goes on and some of the time that is wasted, that I think as moms, as women, we don't have the patience in terms of allowing time to be wasted. There's just too much to do. So how that would relate to politics is -- I'm not going to let and I've never let -- obsessive partisanship get in the way of just doing what's right for the people whom I'm serving, that's forced me to take on my own party time and again, and you know I've ruffled feathers along the way, too, but it always comes back to, come on, we've got work to do, let's go, don't have any time to waste."

Anonymous (not verified),

Yeah, Palin lives in a universe created entirely in her own imagination.

In response to the boos she receive on the hockey ice, she actually condemned the fans for booing her daughter, Piper!

And in response to being found guilty by the Alaska legislature, she said she was happy to be cleared of all charges, showing that there was not even a hint that she did anything wrong.


Everyone is equally entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Wasn't that once self evident?

Nowonmai's picture

She should have known better than to use children for a purely political media stunt, in a northern state that has not truck with the lies and hatred she spews. She damned well knew the crowd was booing at her, not her child.

Anonymous's picture

the first thing obama should do when he gets into office...

capture bin laden.

then the headlines will say, 'OBAMA CATCHES OSAMA'

case effin' CLOSED mutherf**kers!

trankhussein's picture

this crap don't fly w/out uncontested talk radio. talk radio is what enables and encourages these tactics more than anything. heard limbaugh and hannity and co lately? they reach 60MIL or more from 1000 stations and make it acceptable. until democracy loving americans call complain boycott and protest their local talk stations and their sponsors it willl continue.

Cramthra's picture

Media is too powerful to be critiqued by each and every listener. Too much information, too many tricks, too many skillz from Madison Ave. It is like a single person up against the entire legal system, right? That is the reason for attorney's, experts in the know. How can each individual have the skillz to deal with the media onslaught since the entire corporate landscape is media dominant? Some nostalgic genre of existence? Not likely. trankhussein you are exactly right. It is not much different than Kim Jung Illin being piped into every home in North Korea 24/7. Pig Hogtrough is too much. Did you read the NYT magazine profile on him? Hog is an understatement. Elite is said without irony.

Billy Shears's picture

There's a lot to be learned from these hateful people.

Study them -- their faces, physiques, and posture. It literally and figuratively twists them, body and soul.

But hatred has a payoff. Otherwise people wouldn't do it.

The payoff for these folks is that their hatred makes them feel like they have a very important purpose in life -- a mighty and righteous calling -- which fills up their empty souls.

Hatred is like a pet. It requires a lot of attention. You have to give it food and water, and brush it, and clean up after it. And sometimes you put it on a leash and take it outside for a walk. And this goes on for a while, without too much problem.

And then one day, without really realizing what's been happening, your hate has grown up into a big strong vicious dog -- so big and mean that instead of taking your hate out on a walk, your hate now has you on the leash, telling you when to sit, when to speak, when to roll over, when to beg, and when to attack.

By now your hate is eating you out of house and home -- and usually by this point you are too far gone to realize that what your hate is feeding on is your soul. Your nasty little pet has grown up, and it owns you now, body and soul.

Go back and look at those people in the video. Their arrogance makes them think they are doing something very important, but in truth there are miserable slaves, chained for the rest of their lives to their hatred. and each other.

I reckon it can happen to any of us.

jimbo92107's picture

Not that he ever really had any, but John McCain has lost whatever small scrap of honor he had left in his wizened soul with his race baiting campaign against a good man, Barack Obama.

Violence is the certain result of what John McCain and Sarah Palin are unleashing on a still unsuspecting America. These two fools are fanning the embers of racial and religious hatred that Obama's candidacy promised to further diminish, perhaps almost to snuff out in our lifetimes.

Instead, John McCain and Sarah Palin are purposely manipulating the ignorant paranoia of a base whose stubborn, nonsensical world view has been shaped by cynical propagandists working for shadowy right wing masters.

History will show that when John McCain had a choice to make, he chose the path of racial hatred and religious bigotry. The repercussions of John McCain's choice will be bloody and tragic.

History's picture

History books will show that one of the most hateful Presidential campaigns in US history will be the John McCain/Sarah Palin campaign. Students will read this for years and years.

Tree's picture

We've all seen the pictures of pure hate on the white faces when some southern schools were integrated. I believe this is not so far from what is happening to the Obama's now. Given that McCain didn't have enough respect for MLK to want a national holiday in his honor, I am not surprised he is playing to the basest elements of our society. And here is why I think he is personally responsible: we didn't see this reaction to C Powell or C Rice in their positions of power. I wonder what it feels like to be in their shoes right now. Pinched?

Anonymous's picture

What happened to the John McCain I used to respect? I was once excited about supporting McCain. Then, as I learned more about Obama I found myslef torn and feeling like I could also get behind his message of hope. For the past two months I've been undecided. But, now McCain's insane attempts of trying to convince naive voters that Obama is a terrorist have moved me off the fence and squarely into the Obama camp. Thanks for making this a much easier decision John!!

me_over_here (trust me, I registered!)'s picture

You may have been late for the party, but you can still come in and there's plenty of time to enjoy yourself.

It is a shame to see anyone sell their integrity to be president. I'm not sure how much integrity John McCain had in the first place, seeing as how happy he was to let go of it to engage in the nastiest campaign I have ecer seen.

JMarra's picture

Wow, as I was reading this an image came into my head.

Angelic child at prayer, soft golden bedtime light, mommy's head bent over her little curly-haired one nestled in the quilts.

"Mommy, why don't we like Obama?"

"Well, honey, he's a terrorist. Sweet dreams!"

MacChick's picture

Do you even know what you're talking about? Sounds like the McCain supporters sound bytes, which is what their campaign is mostly made up of.

constituent's picture

i'm a proud democrat. my vote will be for senator obama. senator mccain's campaign is dominated by
deception. it's interesting to listen to people find fault with obama as if he is above fault. obama never
claimed perfection and/or idealism. this was the doing of the republicans or should i say the GOP, which
they seem to favor right now. obama has been as clear as he can be about his intentions. i hope people
have been listening to the truth and NOT the lies. this is about us.

Sergio's picture

The radio guy who doesn't understand why he is get called a Sambo.

When you see the full picture of the McCain/Palin rallies racism pops up all over the place.

The lady calling him a Arab because she can't used the other word.

The word terrorist being used in the same manner.

Then you stand up and say the stuff you said.

Looks like your defending all the racist remarks.

I beg of you attack him.

You could have said McCain you need to do a better job with the issues your getting you you know what kicked.

This is why people are mad at you.

Let me ask you this How many people in that crowd saw you as a republican first? How many people saw you as that black guy first?

the meaning of being an American is that you or someone in your family came from another country somewhere along the line.

Don from Canada's picture

As I see it, the problem is that Americans have an appetite for this crap. Two partys, with very little difference between them, have America whipped into a frenzy. People on both sides believe that the rapture will begin if the other party wins and are using all the venom they can muster to ensure their opponents demise.

Until the average vote is educated and enlightened,you will only get the government you deserve. Right now the powerful who hold all the sway over both partys and are simply conquering by dividing the masses.

Indeed the Democrats are the lesser of two evils. But until the people take back the power of their vote, the choice is still between two evils.

Anonymous's picture

"Mob mentality is a scary thing to watch."

Right. Lemme guess. It's, like, totally ok, though, when it happens on the Left.
Partisanship is the definition of laziness.

Karen's picture

You guess wrong. Thank you for playing.


Everyone is equally entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Wasn't that once self evident?

Nowonmai's picture

Intentionally being thick, or do you work for Palin?

Im a Maverick too's picture

Obama's a terrorist and Iraq has weapons of mass destruction... Whatever, Im so tired of these fools that believe this crap. Why can't they see they're being lied to? I think some people enjoy being frightened. Why anyone would want to hear about fear and not hope is beyond me. Like many have said, if McPalin get the Whitehouse then we deserve what is to come, more fear and wars based on that fear.

because hate makes lies believable. 4

Tyler's picture

Nicole, I luv ya, but this is stretching it. Sure the McCain campaign is guilty of race baiting, but this is like making a pie out of crap; it may look appealing but it's still going to taste like shit. I support Obama to the ends of the earth, but they could play the same game you are trying to just by showing the photo of Barack shaking hands with McCain where Barack is pulling a fist. "Oh this shows what a malevolent shadow figure he is!" I got it for you right here: http://dailyrepublic.typepad.com/photos/uncat...

McCain is in no way absolved for how his campaign has been conducted, but this... this is just lowering yourself to their level. You're better than grasping at straws.

Oct. 10: While the McCain campaign continued it's personal attacks and smears against Barack Obama on Friday, John McCain was forced to defend his opponent against the fears and misconceptions of his own supporters who have been misguided by McCain's own campaign. Newsweek's Jonathan Alter discusses McCain's campaign nightmare.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/271246...

Tyler's picture

....and? The McCain campaign not being reined in by McCain himself is not entirely breaking news

Paul's picture

In the meantime, inciting to public violence is a terrorist act uner the Patriot Acts. McCain andhis handlers need to remember what happened to the people who incited the genocide in Rwanda....the were convicted as war criminals.

ronhohn's picture

The media - especially Fox - continually have hate-mongering guest spew their garbage ad infinitum. MSNBC and CNN are not much better. Fox has Gingrich, Morris, Crowley, Ingraham, and a slew of others who are the most dishonest and hateful people in this country. MSNBC seems to have Pat Buchanan on 24/7 - seems like that creep never sleeps - just last week he comes up with - (paraphrasing) the charges against Obama are legitimate to be brought up, and let the people decide. Does Buchanan realize that almost half of the people (the repugs who listen to this hate on talk radio and TV) are being 'educated' to believe this crap and then expect them to make a rational decision? Just listen to Beck and Dobbs (CNN) and Scarborough (MSNBC) and see if it doesn't turn your stomach.


If you need funds to pay for essentials, you have a revenue problem
If you need funds to pay for frivolity, you have a spending problem

ysbaddaden's picture

I'm sure mcgramps is more into sarah's box.

)O(


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

Rollo Tomassi's picture

The Genie is out of the bottle John, and he's not going back in. The train is off the tracks and the ignorant troglodytes show their true faces nakedly and unabashedly in public because they're scared of the "other" now. They've always been there; that white haired guy you tolerated at the water cooler popping off about how only terrorists had something to hide and wire taps should be legal anyway. That somewhat vigilant lady in your church home group who spit on those peaceniks protesting Bush's justified war in 2004 to protect us from Saddam's WMDs. Now they're stripping off the veneer. Now the very real prospect of losing what passed as a tenuous hold on executive power into the hands of those socialist "librulz" Hannity and O] Reiley and Rush and Malkin and Coulter and all the rest who've warned them for so long about may actually hold power - they're scared and fear makes these types fidgety, violent, restless and scratching themselves until they bleed.

Sorry John, it's too late, the whirlwind is come. They don't want your mealy mouthed apologetics, they want a fiery charisma that can only feed an ego-investment they've harbored under the surface for years - they want to burn, they want to kill so long as it makes their team the right team. They want the reality to go away and the only way to do that is by force. They want Palin to be unleashed and unabashed; she's one of them - Joe Sixpack with a gun, a voice and a vengence unclouded by conscience, but with convenient agreeing morality. No one's listening John, they're doing the talking for you now. You're not the mouthpiece anymore, you're just the placeholder - and they want you dead just as badly as they want Obama dead all so their ignorant stuffed effigy Palin - the one you chose as a running mate - can fill the role of presidential placeholder, just like Bush, their dying carrion Caligula fiddling away until a new useful idiot can take his place.

me's picture

no less irrational?

ysbaddaden's picture

Oh for the good ol' days of electioneering

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NawhWb8Uu5E

)O(


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

Anonymous's picture

[Deleted. Off topic and flamebait. Site Monitor]

ysbaddaden's picture

With the new It's Not Sarah Palin Blow-Up Doll, wouldn't it just lay there and make you do all the work, not unlike the real thing?

)O(


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

MacChick's picture

Not much more to say on that note.

Anonymous's picture

The comment from the old lady at the rally for McCain says it all. America is blind and stupid. They only see what they want and only believe what they want. No one cares about the truth. This is 2008 and the race wars are still on. McCain and Palin are not totally to blame for the course his campaign has taken but they definitely have fueled the fire. Do they really want to win an election based on lies and ignorance. Is that how they want people to vote. Give me a break. So Obama has a funny name so do Palin's children but no one says anything about that. Come on America, don't believe what the next door neighbor tells you, do some research and actually read about the candidates. This is America and we do have the right to choose so choose based on your beliefs and not what the gossip around town is saying and for goodness sakes--DO NOT base your vote on race or religious beliefs!!!!

Wake Up's picture

I heartily encourage people to read this book: "American Fascists The Christian Right and the War on America" by Chris Hedges. The man knows his stuff and the little I've read so far is so totally Palin's antics it's very creepy. I mean totally what's going on even beyond her hysterical carrying on (economically, wars, etc). This is a MUST read for anyone who doesn't get it yet what's going on in this country and what has been going on in this country since at least the 1980's. Do yourself a favor and read up so you know what you are up against before it's too late. By the way, I don't personally know this author but I know an intelligent book when I read one.

mjULTRA's picture

McCain is clearly a douchebag, but grasping for straws like this just looks bad on the Obama camp. Is it possible that maybe he was referring to 'whipping his butt' as in 'kicking' his butt, and not really 'whipping his african-american cotton picking slave backside.." as you have inferred... i never thought i'd be playing devils advocate for McCain, but really, this seems like a reach.. nice new site design BTW.. a lot neater... kudos.

Tyler's picture

THANK you! This obviously wasn't a racial incitement, and trying to stretch it as if it was just makes us look like the idiots we know they already are. If he said something like "I'll whip his ass back to the fields!," fair game, but "whip his ass/butt/behind/ youknowwhat /whateverwordoldpeoplearetoochristiantosay" is just low hanging fruit that tastes like oranges when you want lemons, and we're better than that

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