Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts

Saturday, October 27, 2012

October Surprise - HuffPost Live

Well, this is interesting. I was on HuffPost Live again this week.

This time we were talking about politics, which if you read my blog a bit you'll know I'm pretty passionate about and, at times, quite active.

The topic was about the "October Surprise" theory. I'm not exactly sure it's just a theory because there always seems to be something that comes up right before an election. However, is it intentional spin?
There is such big money in American politics now that I have to say I think the spin is intentional.

For what it's worth though, I also hope that voters are just as cynical as I am and take surprises with a grain of salt. It would have to be a pretty significant one for me to go, "okay, I'm switching my vote". I think that's the same on both ends of the spectrum. Of course, those in the middle and those who've not decided are the ones they're trying to reach.

You can watch the video below. You can also find it here on the HuffPost Live site.


BTW, I really like the HuffPost Live segments I've seen and have been on. They've managed to get some pretty good hosts.

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Saturday, October 10, 2009

BTW, Congratulations Mr. President

You see I've been spending time arguing that the 2009 Nobel Peace Price recipient, President Barack Obama, is a good one. The gist of the counter argument seems to be that the award is simply premature. I'd say to a certain degree, yes, it is. However, President Obama has already fostered an amazing environment on the international political scene because he says that the USA is ready to work with the world again. (The only problem with that is the next president of the USA could be another idiot on the international politics front and mess it all up again.) Also, amongst Americans I saw some pretty amazing things that I thought I'd never see including a fair number of people crossing party lines to vote for him. Also, just having the energy of positivity and hope back to the USA was nice to see.

There are also practical things like Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the gradual drawing down of US troops in Iraq. We've still got plenty of challenges like how to handle the war in Afghanistan. However, all three of these things: Guantanamo Bay, the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan are things he didn't start. He inherited them. It takes time to make errors on a massive scale like this but it also takes time to fix.

My critique of the other side is that it's the same negative and cynical vision that the USA has had for the last 7 or so years. When you take a negative view of human nature and expect that worst, usually, that's what you get. The people on the other side of the debate, of course, are heartily offended that I've said that. I say it because that's how I see it.

When you don't look at the history of the Nobel Peace Prize in the context of previous winners, you can miss that other people in the midst of their incredible work got the prize. My belief is it's done in those context to give the people momentum and to encourage them to keep up the good fight. Sometimes they fail and, unfortunately, there is a big hateful group of people who want to see Obama fail.

Even if you aren't against Obama, you can still think that the award is premature. However, I'm noticing that there are people who really don't know the history of the award and don't know this has been done before. In fact, it's been done by the Nobel Prize committee many times before. For all of those saying that now the award has no value, then the award hasn't had value for a long time.

Rachel Maddow, whose got a great show but whose podcast I've stopped watching, summed it up nicely. I guess I resubscribe now too ;) (the link takes you to the iTunes page, so don't click it if it's not installed on your computer.)

Thanks Rachel.

More links:

Newsweek: Obama Not First Surprising Nobel Peace Prize Winner: Seven Controversial Recipients

(yes, the code, still buggy and me, still busy...the "Read More" link is just there for show and confusion)

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Jimmy Fallon and The Roots Make Healthcare Sexy With a SlowJam

Hilarious...



(coding sucks...ignore the "read more" link)

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Sunday, May 3, 2009

A real shift?


I saw this when I was shopping for clothes today. I had to buy it. Liberal left beliefs being associated with red, white and blue? Wow! So here it is on my desk on top of some of my notes.

With Obama in office, I do think the political tide has shifted significantly. I wouldn't say I'm a bleeding heart liberal, but I tend to land more often than not on the liberal side of the spectrum when it comes to politics.

I think Libertarianism, in theory, is ideal. However, I simply lack faith in a non-regulated system to do the right thing. I mean just look at the current economy, the health care system and the education systems in the US. The system is in shambles. The non-regulated system simply has failed people. Less government doesn't always yield the right result. I think that's simply because people are more out for themselves than for the greater good.

Anyway, in the post-9/11 environment the political environment regarding US politics was very much about attacking anyone who was critical of George W. Bush and the Executive branch. I was very critical and, even if you toughen yourself up, it's hurtful to have people imply that you're un-American because you disagree with government policy. They seem to forget that in a democracy, that's what happens. You get to solutions by discussing your differences, not by attacking those who disagree. Not everyone agrees and that's seen as a positive aspect of the system. I'm glad to see that it's more acceptable now to accept disagreement.

I'm just glad to see that the new attitude has made it into the market. Maybe all of us liberals will see this mug and help out the economy by actually buying something ;)

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Sunday, November 9, 2008

Time To Take The White People’s Guns!

Heh...hat tip to my college buddy Jeff, who is white, and to Ken Layne of Wonkette, who is white too ;) I'm disclosing their race so that you shell shocked "you're playing the race card" freaks don't invade my comment section. White guys shared the video and get the humor, so it's okay, right?

Anyway...

When you see over the top posts like this the day after such an historic election where the margin of victory was clear (a 7 point lead in the popular vote, one the hugest electoral victories ever, and a Congress that is now a nice dark blue) it really makes you wonder about some people.

BTW, I'm not saying this ill conceived response to the election was made because the president-elect is black.

I honestly have no idea why it was likened to Pearl Harbor by its title, but, whatever the reasoning, it's pure hyperbole. And hyperbole masked as free speech is an American right, so have at it.

To the creators of this video, thanks for making a funny short, and, since I've got a right to free speech too, I can reply by using it.

Because really, is the fact that he's black THAT serious? I'm glad Obama's race wasn't for 53% of the voters on November 4th.

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.


Original link: Get Your War On: New World Order

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Saturday, November 8, 2008

Obama and the Front Pages

It's Sunday morning here and I've got a bit of a post-party headache. That makes it a good time to reach back and get to some stuff I've been meaning to post.

The day after president-elect Obama's victory, I left my digital camera at home. Duh! Considering I always have it in my purse that was a brilliant move. So I had to snap photos of South Korean newspaper front pages with my cell phone camera.

Forgive the blurriness.



Here is another link called Obama Grabs Headlines. It has covers from all around the world and they're nice and clear ;)


If you keep clicking the next links at the bottom there is a great picture of two little boys sitting on their respective father's shoulders. It looks like they were in Chicago's Grant Park to hear Obama's victory speech.

One, a young white boy, has an Obama-Biden sign and the other, a young black boy, doesn't have a sign. The black boy looks back at him in the first shot and in the following shots you see the white boy hand his sign to the other. Then there is the last shot where they're both holding the sign with one hand and make the peace sign with their free hand.

The title, A New Hope, warms my geeky Star Wars dork heart.

It's very cute in that overly saccharin "this is a new hope for tomorrow" kind of way, but there is nothing wrong with being saccharin when the moment merits it. Someone was watching and snapped photos through the whole process and managed to capture a great moment. I'm intentionally silencing my impulse to make a sarcastic remark about any possible future interaction between these two boys. I'm not the only one trying to roll back the cynicism...well, he's not really, but that's what the title says ;)

Photobucket


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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Nerves and Anxiety...Finally

I've been so very cool during most of this campaign. At least, when it comes to the discussion of Obama winning because I believe he will. By this time tomorrow, we'll know.

It's morning in the States now. Polls are open on the east coast and I was watching news coverage of people lining up a couple of hours ago.

I'd decided to get some grading out of the way because tomorrow I will be an excited and distracted mess. I was plugging away when suddenly I felt overwhelmingly nauseous. I had something pretty plain for dinner, so I know it's not what I ate. It seems I've finally gotten a case of pre-election stress disorder ;)

So to feel like I'm helping in some way being so far away, for you folks in the US check out these steps from MoveOn.org for election day 2008.


Election 2008 Voting Information

Today, November 4th, is Election Day! Remember to vote--not just for Barack Obama, but for Congressional, state and local candidates as well.

Where and when do I vote?

Find your polling place, voting times, and other important information by checking out these sites and the hotline below. These resources are good, but not perfect. To be doubly sure, you can also contact your local elections office.

What should I do before I go?

  • After you've entered your address on either Vote For Change or Vote411, read the voting instructions and special rules for your state.
  • Voting ID laws vary from state to state, but if you have ID, bring it.
  • Check out all the voting myths and misinformation to look out for: http://truth.voteforchange.com/

What if something goes wrong?

  • Not on the voter list? Make sure you're at the right polling place, then demand a provisional ballot.
  • If you're voting on an electronic machine with a paper record, verify that the record is accurate.
  • Need legal help? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
  • Try to get video of the problem and submit it to VideoTheVote.org

Want to do more?

  • Text all of your friends: "Vote Obama today! Pass it on!"
  • Volunteer at your local Obama office. Find an office here or here.
  • Make calls from home for Obama.

Now everybody go vote!!!


Barack the Vote ;)

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Friday, October 31, 2008

WTF? 6 Days in Customs?!!!

Update: November 2, 2008 @ 8:07pm

As I thought, it did get delivered. It just got delivered 5 days behind schedule after languishing in customs. My vote is in...yeah!

But I still don't like that it took so long to get through something that should take maybe a day.
____________

Uh oh.

I mailed my absentee ballot back to the States on October 23rd via EMS. The form said it would be delivered by the 27th, and I mailed it EMS so I could track its arrival. What's cool is I get text messages that update me on the status when something changes. I got a text days ago saying it was in the system and on its way. I expected to get something at the start of the week but I gotten nothin', nada, zlich.

I just checked it online and nearly fell over. Check it out.

  • Foreign Acceptance, October 23, 2008, 3:43 pm, KOREA
  • Foreign International Dispatch, October 24, 2008, 1:27 am, SEOUL INTERNATIONAL POST OFFICE, KOREA
  • Inbound International Arrival, October 24, 2008, 10:37 am, ISC SAN FRANCISCO (USPS)
  • Inbound Into Customs
  • Inbound Out of Customs, October 30, 2008, 2:26 pm
I'm wondering how many other ballots are languishing in customs for six days?!!! Is customs just swarmed with ballots from abroad? And, couldn't they have predicted this?

I mailed it early enough that it still will get there on time, but wow...that's scary.

Anyone else tracking their ballots? This worries me.

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Peru's shamans send US election vibes

This is great. I was up early this morning and saw a clip about Peruvian shamans performing rituals so that the US presidential candidate they believe will win will be successful.

Even among these 11 Peruvian shamans, Obama is in the lead: 9 to 2.

This also reminds me of the purifying rituals that Mayan priests died back in 2007 when George W. Bush visited Guatemala.

I couldn't find video, so I recorded it with my digital camera. Click here for the BBC link.


SANY0178
Uploaded by ExpatJane

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Thursday, October 30, 2008

Don't Vote 2

Thanks to Roboseyo for letting me know there is a Don't Vote 2. The first Don't Vote I posted here.

And this one has Neil Patrick "Bad Ass" Harris...(Dr. Horrible? Harold and Kumar? Come on, this guy is great...yes, I know he was Doogie Howser, M.D. too.)

Check it:



Please vote. Thanks.

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The HuffPo Strikes Again: "Hope" Is Not a Buzz Word by John Mayer

Another Huffington Post coup!

John Mayer speaks and, let me tell you, when it comes to politics he plays his hand pretty close. Outside of a some jokes exchanged about Ron Paul or Ru Paul with friends outside of a NYC hot spot last year and the inclusion of his hit single "Waiting on the World to Change" on Voices of a Grassroots Movement, which is the Obama campaign CD, John Mayer hasn't said much on the upcoming election.

However today, I woke to see an RSS link on my iGoogle page to a Huffington Post blog that John had written.

Here is is, in full:

"Hope" Is Not a Buzz Word

I was 23 years old when the nation was attacked on September 11, 2001. I can remember hearing pundits say "this changes everything" and "things will never be the same." Obviously it was a tragic and traumatic event, but that sentiment has carried on through the better part of my twenties. If you were 43 years old on that day, I would imagine it was a difficult concept to get your head around as well, but if you were a young adult just entering his or her individual life, there was an added twist; how can you process the idea of everything changing and things never being the same when you have no point of reference for what "everything" and "the same" is? I was just beginning to put my hands on the world around me, to interact and engage with it, and to actualize the dream of being an adult in a free society. To wait in line for 23 years only to have the "sorry, future canceled" sign flipped in my face was depressing, to say the least.

The social and political narrative of the last eight years, if you're a young adult, has been "you are the first generation of the second half of the rest of human existence." That's a huge psychological undertaking, and I believe it's one that will someday be diagnosed on a massive scale as having led to a kind of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (Something has to explain away our premature obsession with 1980s nostalgia.) My generation has come to know itself as the generation that should have seen the good days, my, were they spectacular, now take off your shoes and place them on the belt.

What Barack Obama says to me is these days are good for something. Just when I'd thought my only role as an adult was to help shoulder the nation through its darkest days (known to us as "the rest of them"), Obama gives me the feeling that I could be alive to witness one of the most brilliant upturns in a country's history. Imagine that -- a young adult in this day and age being given something to someday brag to his children about having being alive to witness. What a concept.

That's why hope is a worthwhile commodity. To those who question whether hope is a tangible product worth building a campaign around, I'd say take a look at despair and how powerful that has been in reshaping how people think and live. I believe the definition of the "hope" that Barack Obama enthuses operates on the unspoken thesis that there has to be a polar opposite to the despair of 9/11. Because if we accept that there's not, the will to live becomes forever altered. To adults who will vote for him, Barack Obama represents a return to prosperity. To the youth, he represents an introduction to it.

So, John, for what it's worth, thanks for letting people know it's okay to have hope.

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Saturday, October 25, 2008

Wassup 2008

This has got to be one of the best pro-Obama commercials out there.

However, you've got to go back to get the full impact of why it's so good.

So check out this Budweiser commercial that was a hit and was doing the rounds about 8 years ago first:



Now check out the wassup guys in 2008:



Tru, tru...it's time for change. Seriously.

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Thursday, October 23, 2008

Voting is Sexy, so Vote Y'all ;)

I voted on Monday because that's when I got my replacement absentee ballot. However, due to Seoul Fashion Week, I've literally been leaving my office as soon as I'm done with work and rushing back to the city for shows, interviews or other events.

However, Thursday is my best work day because I'm off at 3pm. I walked over to the local post office and mailed my ballot back. It's guaranteed to be delivered on or before October 27th, so yeah! I just feel good that my vote is en route to be counted.

Make sure yours is too. US citizens who are registered to vote please make sure you do.

Here is a reminder. Remember there are voter help sessions in Itaewon tomorrow and on Sunday if you're in or near Seoul.

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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Need Help Voting? Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot Assistance in Seoul This Weekend - Oct. 24th and Oct 26th

I'm spreading the word. Democrats Abroad Korea will have Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot Assistance Sessions to help those who need it.

Here is the information:

If you need help with your absentee ballot, or have not yet received your absentee ballot and need a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB), then please come to one of our help sessions:

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot Assistance

Itaewon, Starbucks (closest to the station, line 6, exit 3), 2nd floor

*Friday, Oct. 24, 7:00pm-10:00pm

*Sunday, Oct. 26, 4:00pm-7:00pm


We'll have FWABs available for those whose official absentee ballots have not arrived yet and will answer questions you have about the absentee voting process. We will also have on hand a complete list of all Congressional and Gubernatorial candidates running for election to help you fill out your FWAB.

This is a non-partisan, voting assistance service, and people of all political affiliations are welcome.


For more information, please write to democratsabroadrok@yahoo.com. Democrats Abroad ROK is dedicated to Getting Out The Vote, and we are here to help make sure you have all the necessary information and resources to vote absentee from Korea.

PLEASE don’t hesitate to contact us with ANY questions you might have.

Democrats Abroad ROK:
www.democratsabroad.org
www.votefromabroad.org/9

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Sunday, October 12, 2008

Hey Sarah Palin - a funny song courtesy of YouTube

This is so worth going viral, so I'm spreading it like a virus baby.


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Update 1: October 13, 2008 @ 7:34am

Heh...they're at it again.

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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

"Terrorist"? "Kill him"? This is an outrage!


Update 3: October 11, 2008 @ 1:14am

Rolling Stone: Make-Believe Maverick
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Update 2: October 8, 2008 @ 10:55am

CNN.com Political Ticker Blog: Fact Check: Is Obama 'palling around with terrorists'?: the verdict - false.
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Update 1: October 8, 2008 @ 2:04am (yeah, can't sleep)...

Huffington Post: McCain's Desperate Claim: Obama is Dangerous. Vote for Me If You Want to Live!

What!!!???

Okay, I really have no words and, if you read my blog, you know how rare that is.
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I heard about this maybe 30 minutes ago: Obama Hatred At McCain-Palin Rallies: "Terrorist!" "Kill Him!" (VIDEO) from the Huffington Post. It's almost midnight here and I should be asleep. However, I can't sleep in good conscience and let this simmer without writing about it.

McCain and Palin have taken this game of demonizing for political gain too far. This happened at a McCain-Palin rally in New Mexico. McCain asks "who is Obama?" Someone in the crowd yells "terrorist" and someone yells "kill him"???

McCain says NOTHING to censor this?!!!

People in the crowd laugh?

This is a short clip and I'd rather see more, but come on. Now one interpretation is they're yelling "kill him!" in reference to William Ayers. Possible, very possible, but who thinks whipping a crowd into a frenzy where anyone's life is threatened is okay? This is, however, the reason I want a longer slice of the video.

If you continue to support a man that will stand and say nothing while his supporters say this then you're just as evil as he is. And I'm someone who in 2000 thought McCain wouldn't be so bad. Clearly, he's learned all the bad and dirty tricks that kept him from the nomination in 2000.

Letting people yell "kill him" is simply dangerous and unnecessary. I also have to say if you don't support him but you sit back and don't tell others about this video and what's in it, you're complicit too.

Can you imagine how much worse this makes the USA and its citizens look? Like Obama or not he's a husband and father of two young girls. I don't like McCain or Palin but I don't wish death on either one of them. This is an outrage!



Another link with another "kill him" yelled from the crowd.

More links:

The HuffPo story is from the Americablog.com blog: McCain does nothing as support calls Obama a "terrorist"
NPR.com - News & Views: Palin Supporter Shouts At Black TV Sound Man: 'Sit Down, Boy!'
Race Wire - The Colorlines Blog: Racist Republican Strategy Attracts Violent Supporters
Jack&Jill Politics: Palin Supporters Hurl Obscenities At Media. Tell Black Sound Man, “Sit down, boy!” McCain-Palin, Unfit To Lead
The Seminal - Independent Media and Politics: McCain Has Already Lost
Raising Kaine - The Voice of Progressive Virginia: McCain Allows Audience Member to Call Obama a "Terrorist"
Deus Ex Malcontent: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
Shop for Truth: Obama Hatred At McCain-Palin Rallies: “Terrorist!” “Kill Him!”

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Glass Houses

Update: October 11, 2008 @1:07am

Salon.com is in the fray now. Check it out.

Salon.com: Meet Sarah Palin’s radical right-wing pals

The Palins’ un-American activities

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Ohmygod.

You see, I've actually been busy. At my job, midterms are next week and my thyroid is all a flutter again, which means a medication change but, until it takes effect, I'm much more tired and sleepy than usual (maybe it's this election and the growing anticipation that comes with it.)

Anyway, starting this past weekend, Dumb Dumb Palin is on a new project. She's basically trying to tie Obama to a 1960s radical William Ayers. It's a last minute attempt at character assassination.

Let me just say it's not working.

She's also associated with "terrorists" too and, according to general wisdom, she associates with fringe characters. However, clearly blind to her own associations, someone has convinced this silly woman that it's time. It's time for the inevitable mud slinging that starts in the October before a US presidential election. However, what's great is with so many pundits, bloggers and (gosh darnit!!!) Google searches, people can fact check a lie in a heartbeat.

This stuff does not appeal to people who are either 1) already supporting Obama and 2) undecided. The only people I can imagine who buy this malarkey are people who are already entrenched in the McSame camp who have a bad habit of only turning critical eye to people with whom they disagree.

I was going to write on it, but Keith Olbermann, in his awesome way, hit her hard. It spares me the trouble of writing about it and, damn, he's also very entertaining while doing it.

Riddle me this?

She's a complete idiot. Go get her Keith!



The transcript of Olbermann's rant: It's Palin doing the pallin' ;)

More links:

Huffington Post:Olbermann "Special Comment" On Sarah Palin (VIDEO)
LA Times: McCain, Obama introduce newly sharp tone amid major news events

Link to the video of Thomas Muthee and the laying of hands.

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Sunday, October 5, 2008

AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka on Racism and Obama

AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka on Racism and Obama:



So please go ahead and accuse this white man of "playing the race card".

Goodnight ;)

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Friday, October 3, 2008

The VP Debate - a wee bit of a rant

Update 4: October 5, 2008 @ 7:15pm

This definitely goes up top! You know Saturday Night Live had to do a Biden/Palin VP debate spoof and they did complete with Queen Latifah as Gwen Iffil ;)

Enjoy.



_______________________________________

A nice debate flow chart from the HuffPo.

Yes, I watched the VP debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin live on Friday morning with a group of Obama supporters at a local restaurant near my apartment. (Remember, Seoul is across the dateline.)

All I have to say is "you betcha!" I'm going to rant here for a bit, so be warned.

Biden won hands down and the polls show that others agree. (Forbes, CNN, CBS and Chicago Tribune)

He countered her spin with facts. He countered her attempts to relate to the American voter with vivid examples of how he, too, understands the average American. Unlike his opponent, he did not blatantly disrespect Gwen Ifill by saying he'd answer questions how he wanted to answer questions nor did he shamelessly flirt with the viewing audience. ~wink~


This is the thing. If Michelle Obama chose at any point to lace a speech with any trace of Ebonics or throw a little wiggle in her walk and a hair flip or two, the media would have a field day and the backlash would be incredible. Michelle would be attacked for not being enough like a First Lady and she'd certainly be accused of not being classy. However, Palin can be "folksy" and wink at the camera and simpletons give her a high five for it. Sure, many say that she's just "being herself", but that's the antithesis of a formal setting. I'm sure I can't be the only person who sees how off-kilter that is.

This was a debate and debates have rules. You answer the questions and if you're unresponsive then that's a problem. Palin said she would not be "answering the questions the way the moderator would like." If she wants to talk to the American people then she ought to get out there and talk to both the "liberal media" and more conservative press. If she wants to talk to the American people then add tons more public appearances onto her schedule. However, a debate is not the place to say what you want when you want.

People are saying that Palin did well. Okay, but realize the bar was set so low that all she had to do was show up, look presentable and hold her own. She did that. By that appallingly low standard, she did well!

It's truly amazing how things are spun in her case: low standards is now the standard!

:::ExpatJane - disgusted - drops the mic and walks off stage:::

More stuff:

HuffPo - As Palin Refused To Answer Questions, Ifill Should Have Pushed Back
LATimes - Sarah Palin's in Carson tomorrow -- will she answer your questions?
SF Weekly - The Real Loser of Palin vs. Biden: Gwen Ifill
Undercover Black Man: Gwen Ifill becomes the story
boiling mad:Biden K.O.'d Palin


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Update 1 - @ 9:17am

Like with McSame's first debate, the McCain/Palin campaign jumped the gun with their ads.

Check this one out: Famous Person loves Palin:


"Famous person", eh? It looks like they jumped the gun again and couldn't wait for the end of the debate and the inevitable discussion that follows for a famous person to say something good before releasing the ad.

~wink~
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Update 3 - 10:28pm - Some Video from MSNBC







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Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Checklist for Overseas or Absentee Voters

I'll add this up top 'cause it's deserving of being immediately noticed:


Click on this link: 2008 US Voter Info, enter your address and it will pull up voter registration information for you. By the way, some states have deadlines later than October 4th, so just check. Okay?

If you're abroad, like me, register using Vote From Abroad or the Overseas Vote Foundation. Either one does the trick.

If you're in Korea and have questions about your absentee ballot, contact Democrats Abroad Korea: democratsabroadrok@yahoo.com

Okay, done.
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I got this in my email from Democrats Abroad this morning. It applies to all Americans voting from overseas though, so go through the checklist and make sure your vote counts.

I got my absentee ballot a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, the mail carrier left it out in the rain and it got soaked. I returned it as a spoiled ballot per my election authority's instructions and got an email today that they'll be sending a new ballot to me today. Remember should something happen to yours in transit or you make a mistake, you can use a Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot. You can get step-by-step information on how to use that here at the Federal Voting Assistance Program website.

Click to read more...

Time to Vote! A Checklist for Overseas Voters

Request Your Ballot: Make sure that you have requested your absentee ballot. Go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org if you have not.

Be Aware: Let your American friends who may not know - that voting in the Democrats Abroad Primary this past February will not get you a ballot to vote in November. Help us spread the word.

Source for State Deadlines: Deadlines are fast approaching. Send in your ballot today to ensure you have sufficient time to meet this deadline. Note that most states allow the deadline to be met by faxing the original signed FPCA (Federal Post Card Application) as long as the original hardcopy is mailed and received before the ballots are counted.

Here is an up-to-date list of registration and ballot return deadlines.

Confirm Your Registration with Your State On-line: The following states allow you to find your registration status on-line: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Go to the following and click on the link for your state.

Confirm Your Registration with Your State via Other Means (i.e., if not available online): Contact information for your local election officials is available at the following website. Select your state and then the local jurisdiction from the drop-down menus. Email or call your election official directly to find out if you are on the voter registration and absentee ballot rolls.

Use the Federal Write In Absentee Ballot (FWAB), as needed: Along with your ballot request, www.VoteFromAbroad.org will provide a backup ballot called the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Keep it in a safe place. If you do not receive your official state ballot by October 15, then go ahead and send in the FWAB. If your state ballot arrives later, complete and mail that one, too. This is not double voting - your election official will count only one. Provided you requested your ballot early enough.

If you are not on the electoral roll or if you cannot contact your local election official, please let us know and we will provide additional help and guidance.

Questions? Email with your state and as much information as feasible: help@votefromabroad.org.

Don't forget the postage!! Expect to receive your absentee ballots in early October, although dates depend on each state. Every state ballot is different since some may have pages of referendums. We recommend posting your absentee ballot at a post office and getting this post marked. Return your ballots as soon as feasible to ensure sufficient time to be returned to your County's election office.

Note that even if the envelope says postage paid, this is NOT the case from mailing outside of the US. Ensure you add sufficient postage! Take your ballot to the post office. They can give you proof of posting for free, weigh the ballot to assure correct postage and stamp it with a post mark which is required in some states.


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