On Obama/Biden, Political Ads and Text Messaging

The hostage crisis is almost over. Halfway anyway. It appeared each candidate was trying to hold out as long as they could from choosing a running mate hoping the other would make the decision first, but finally someone has chosen their VP. Turns out it was Senator Obama who veered first in this political game of chicken, but I believe he only made the choice due to the rapidly approaching Democratic National Convention in Denver. Due to his choice, now it seems that he may have rushed it just a little bit. It is possible he was feeling under the gun, caught between his campaign and the DNC, and made a rash decision.

His choice, which was also announced over cell text messaging, was the Illinois Senator Joseph Biden, who till about three weeks ago spoke very favorably of McCain, yet did the exact opposite concerning Barack Obama. Odd. For that reason alone, I really am not so sure that it was the right choice for Obama to make, though when it comes down to it, time will tell. I get the feeling someone isn't being completely honest. I know, in politics that is hard to believe, but its just the way I feel. I find it interesting that Biden who was singing the praises of McCain after being friends with him so many years, quickly turns on his heel to attack him without really revealing any reasoning behind it. McCain's views have been rather consistent throughout his career and he has had the support and friendship of Biden through it all, except for now. So I am left wondering what it was that induced Biden to so suddenly have a change of heart? There seems to be no corresponding radical change in policy from McCain that initiated Biden's turn around. One would logically expect to see this, but it is lacking and the reason for it has yet to be revealed to the media.

For instance, when McCain decided to back the expansion of oil drilling. If following that Biden came out against McCain and started to back Obama; that would make sense. This is not the case so what could be the reasoning behind Biden's decision and his attacks on McCain? Had a falling out? No, doesn't appear so with McCain calling Biden and congratulating him. A change in Biden's ideals? That may have something to do with it, but from what I understand Biden hasn't had any radical changes in his policies either. So that doesn't hold water. What I am left with is that this guy just got power hungry, possibly feeding off Obama like a hungry lamprey. If both are dishonest it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility that they could compliment each other completely in this regard. These are just my first impressions though and more could come to light within the coming weeks, which may discredit the statements I have made. Also, there is the distinct possibility it could be just a completely aesthetic choice; Obama/Biden sounding much better than any of the alternatives.

McCain was obviously prepared for, I believe, anyone who got picked. His release of an ad a few hours after the announcement, leads me to think he made attack ads on every possible VP pick, and the ad was just sitting there, much like the Big Mac's that rest under the heat lamp at McDonalds. Preapproved of course. You know, for once I would like to see the ads that the candidates do not endorse, but rather reject. Those might be quite a bit more interesting. Probably fraught full of the images that they are trying to portray, like McCain sitting in a old folks home, throwing his feces and grabbing the asses of the orderlies, or maybe Obama in Baghdad in the middle of a harem, bowing to Mecca and sending young impressionable teens off with bombs strapped to their chests. I wouldn't be too surprised, for the political attack ads just keep getting shallower and shallower. Before we know it they will both be resorting to attacking each other on who it is that likes Coke and who enjoys a tall frosty Pepsi. People, can't we all just get along?

On Butter and The Great Potato Rip-Off

If you have read any of my blogs than you know, above all else, there are two things I wish to accomplish. One, giving great advice on health and fitness. Two, giving great tips on how to conserve ones money. This blog entry will certainly be no exception.

You can ask any of my friends; I really - wait, never mind. I don't have any friends, but if I did, you could ask them about my feelings on baked potatoes; but you can't so I guess you will have to just take my word for it. I really love baked potatoes. I mean, they are so delicious and presented in such a tasty package as well. It is the most versatile veggie on the planet and can be used to make french fries, hash browns, salad, clog someone’s exhaust pipe, or with the help of PVC pipe and hairspray, a potato can quickly transform into a spud projectile capable of flying over 200 yards or more. Truly a wonder vegetable.

My favorite starch-packed manifestation, however, needs to be the baked potato. Full of wholesome goodness, even with just this one form one can mold the potato into many different scrumptious treats representing a whole array of culinary delights. It is here though that we should guard our health and our wallets against the potato, for now the potato can grow into something dark and menacing with the addition of condiments. Butter is the number one culprit. I completely dislike butter, and cannot even have butter (or margarine; I already perceived of the question before you asked it smart-ass) on popcorn. With all the chives, bacon bits, sour cream and salt that people sprinkle on their potatoes; I say forgo the butter. You may find it doesn't make any difference, for all the crap that is usually piled on would cover up any butter flavoring anyway. What about Mrs. Dash you may ask? I encourage everyone to forsake that as well, for it will only pull you into the dark seedy world that is real butter. So beware.

I have noticed that supermarkets have now tried to capitalize on our love for the baked potato, with their Baked Potato Salad. As food gets more expensive and the boxes in which it comes in get smaller, I find it disgusting that they are still trying to rip-off middle America with this salad. The thing that irks me the most is that it is usually served cold. A cold baked potato is a travesty, you can ask any short order line cook. However, where it really hits your wallet is when you shell out the dough to pay for a pound of the stuff. If you just buy the ingredients yourself, you can save lots of money on your next picnic, social gathering or pot luck. Though it is true I find a BPS to be heretical, in an effort to be fair and balanced I have included a recipe that you may use to help your budget when indulging in a rather fine BPS.

Cold Baked - Potato Salad by cindy

Source: Gristmill Restaurant - Greune TX

Ingredients

1 2.5 lb. red potatoes
1/4 cup cooked bacon pieces
1 bunch of green onions - diced
1/2 cup (4oz.) of shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 Tabls. finely ground black pepper
1/4 Tabls. salt
1/4 Tabls. garlic powder
2.5 cups (20 oz.) of sour cream

Instructions

Boil potatoes until soft- do not overcook- potatoes will become mushy Drain water from potatoes Transfer immediately to refrigerator Allow to cool for at least 2 hours in fridge. Cut cooled potatoes into 1/2"quarters for larger bites - or 1/6"quarters Dice green onions Add green onions to potatoes Add cheese, pepper, salt, garlic, and sour cream Mix thoroughly Refrigerate until desired temp.

The best thing about this recipe is that it includes no butter. Stay away from the butter. Your arteries will thank me later. So what do you do with any butter you have left over at your house that you need to get rid of? Well, butter itself can be useful in many other ways as seen below. (Caution: May contain harsh language, well not "may" really. It does.)

Thank you for reading.

On The Worst Ads Vol. #148

The world is full of horrible advertisements and I have took it upon myself to enlighten the public to these atrocities. Here are truly a few of the worst.

Doesn't get any worse than this. Horrible product, horrible song, equals one horrible commercial. Though, I think it would have been more successful with Michael Phelps as their spokesman.

Just because it kind of relates:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Sometimes a commercial comes along that just doesn't rub you the right way yet, you don't know why. This is one of them. I find this, for some reason, grotesquely disturbing.

This is perhaps the worst product of all time. I am giving you the short commercial here, though they actually made a full length infomercial for the Hawaii Chair.

If I had to vote for the best, mine is with Crystal Gravy.

On The Questioning of Religion in Politics

The Pew Research center just came out with a poll stating that 52 percent of people think that in social and political matters, religion should just keep out. I am shocked that the number is so high, especially when living in an age of “tolerance.” I don’t care whether or not you believe or don’t believe in Jesus, Buddha, Allah or Ganesha, what this comes down to is the danger that our very freedoms, that this country was founded, on will be at stake. If these numbers grow any larger than there will truly be a push for this, but at the expense of sacrificing what it is that makes this country great.

When Americans push for freedom in the world, within our never ceasing campaign for democracy, what are the two principles are at the core of the freedoms that we represent? Above all else, we press onward for the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion. This is by no mere coincidence or accident, rather we see that it is from these two that democracy and all other principles we hold sacred are derived. Yet, despite this righteous effort, which nobody seems to have an issue with, the Pew study includes statements such as: “A narrow majority of the public says that churches and other houses of worship should keep out of political matters and not express their views on day-to-day social and political matters.” I really hope I am not the only one who sees the extreme danger in this type of thinking.

We encourage these things in other countries, but when it comes to our own we try and hinder them? Doesn’t this seem a little schizophrenic on a national scale? Once we start controlling people from participating or interacting in social or political matters due to their religion, we take on a principle of Marxism and grow closer to a socialist/communistic government where those in authority control the minds of the people, their deeds and their capital.

Sure, we may not like what everyone says, and it may at times even really piss us off, but it doesn’t mean that a person doesn’t have a right to say or express such things. People need to suck it up if they get offended, because do you actually think that it will stop at religion? Absolutely not! Our freedoms in a lot of ways are a series of checks and balances that keep the government from going out of control. With the loss of our freedoms, there is a loss of control or influence over the government, and we will one day find ourselves under the watchful eye of an oppressive dictator. We will look back wishing we didn’t forsake what we had, yet we will have nobody to blame but ourselves.

On McCain’s Unfortunate Abode Utterance

On August 21, during an interview with Politico.com, John McCain hesitated when he received the question of how many homes he and his wife have. He told them he would have to talk to his staff and get back to them on it. I for one am eagerly awaiting the answer.

I was appalled that McCain didn’t know and that he would utter such a thing, but perhaps its more complicated than we realize. For one, the Obama camp, Politco and news organizations cannot even seem to agree on how many habitations McCain possesses. Figures range from four to eight, yet Obama himself says seven. I can only account for this discrepancy by saying that perhaps there are some questions with the term “ownership.” Me, being a complete simpleton, would think that when one owns a house, it also means they at times reside within it. However, this is not the case when you get into economic areas like real estate.

I do believe that it was irresponsible for McCain not to have an answer for such a simple question, but how can we, the media and Obama be so quick to judge when we can’t even figure it out. As President one would have to deal with many complex complicated issues and I would hope that McCain could, but I feel discouraged by his remarks, but my choice in who I will vote for in the end isn’t relative.

Perhaps more people will see it this way as well and it will, in the long run, not be such a big deal for McCain. McCain still has plenty of time to gain some ground on Obama, but I feel the comment may have negated any progress he had made in the minds of the voters at the Saddleback Forum. Obama’s response to the comments was predictable and shallow. His point may have stuck with me more if he hadn’t brought up the five-million dollars comment. Anyone using any basic reasoning could tell that the comment, within the context, was a joke. McCain even said afterwards that it would be distorted, and Obama continues to do so, out of what has to be complete desperation.

So instead of Obama really being able to derive some real compelling argument from it, which I would have done, instead he goes the junior high tantrum route and uses it as mud slinging fodder. These attack are so ridiculous I end up turning the channel. Obama and his camp seem to be implying that if you are rich and have more than one home you can’t connect with the people of this country and don’t know anything about the economy. This is an absurd attack against ones personal productivity. There is nothing wrong with the building of ones capital and property. In fact, I could make the argument that you need to know more about the economy the more successful you are, or at least hire someone who knows. You, also, become a larger asset to the economy by employing workers within the business which made you prosper.

Alas, these things are never really thought of in the context of a political attack. This is true on both sides. I feel McCain attacking Obama in front of the VFW was completely inappropriate. McCain out of anybody should have seen that. However, can you really blame them? Truth is, such campaigning continues to be effective. It is up to the people to make this kind of political hatred go away, and we must forsake any attack either candidate makes.

It tends to make me feel like my voting is completely based on a negative relativism amongst the candidates, instead of really focusing on the true merits of each. Yet, am I to say that there isn’t a place for negative information coming out about a would-be President? I wouldn’t dream of it! There needs to be some accountability with the misdeeds of ones past, if they do indeed arise, but ones campaign should be based on merit and not based on the slander of the opponent. So, though McCain has slipped a little in my mind due to his recent blunder, it did not boost Obama in my eyes, and both candidates will have to regain ground based on their own individual ideals and accomplishment.

On Recent Lapses in Judgment

The Bigfoot Conspirators


To call this a hoax, I think, is to give these guys too much credit. It was a lie plain and simple. A hoax would entail some sort of long term plan, perhaps some faked scientific evidence and some in depth thought behind the deception. This lacked all those things. Any reasonable person would have known beforehand the amount of scrutiny that they would endure at the hands of the media and internet and would have not gone through with it, for logically, it could only end badly.

The thing that gets me is the so called innocence of Tom Biscardi. Though true the initial discovery was made by Matthew Whitton and Rick Dyer, I believe Biscardi certainly had a hand in it. Not only, is he a Vegas Promoter by profession, but he also admitted during the press conference that it was he who had to talk Whitton and Dyer into releasing a additional sasquatch photo to the press, showing a supposed walking Bigfoot in the area where the discovery was made. Also, this isn’t the first time Biscardi has got caught in a Bigfoot hoax. This includes a 2005 scam where another supposed bigfoot body was recovered. At that time he also set up a website with around the clock pay-per-view Bigfoot surveillance. When it came to light that it was all a lie, Biscardi claimed he was “hoodwinked” and didn’t bother giving anyone their money back. In the most recent occurrence he was charging 2 dollars to view photo’s of Bigfoot on his website searchingforbigfoot.com.

Now there is the possibility that the men may be charged with fraud. Certainly there has been other fallout. Matthew Whitton, who was a cop was fired over the incident and for good reason. I would have been outraged if he wasn’t. That’s all we need is another cop having a history of showing lapses in judgment and lying to be patrolling the streets. The other, Rick Dyer is a former corrections officer and I hope these guys never find work in the law enforcement field ever again. In fact, it might not hurt to go over these guys work history just to see if anything odd stands out.

As for Biscardi, how much money does someone have to take from the public using fraudulent claims before they get hung out to dry? Was it worth it guys? I wonder if they would do it all over again?


The Fay Kiteboarder

I don’t make a habit of speaking ill of the seriously injured, but the famous Fay Kiteboarder, had to have one of the biggest brain farts in history. I have nothing against extreme sports, but feel if they are done utilizing the effects of a tropical storm and trespass across the border of common sense into stupidity, than you deserve to be mentioned in the Darwin awards. At any rate, I do hope the man a full recovery, and perhaps you think I am being too harsh, but I bet the first thing even his family and friends asked him when he came to was, “what the hell were you thinking?” This is what I want to know as well.

I mean, lets look at the variables, shall we? We have a tropical storm spawning gusts of wind up to 60 miles an hour at the time, tornados and waterspouts(one account says that a waterspout formed at the time of this incident), torrential downpours, the inability to let go thanks to a harness, nearby buildings and an adjacent highway to the beach. Which, just happens to be “A1A Beachfront avenue!” On a little side note, I have had “Ice, Ice Baby” stuck in my head ever since I learned that little tidbit. I’m sure the man will be sitting on ice for some time to come. Damn, that’s clever. If anyone has actually found the man’s name, please let me know so I can include it in this blog post and appear more educated as I take complete credit for it. Thank you.

Russia

You would think that a world superpower such as Russia, would know what the rest of the civilized world does: that camera’s easily catch someone in a lie. This includes when your troops are supposed to be pulling out, but aren’t. You have to either be a egotistical moronic dictator or just completely off your rocker. Or both. Whatever the cause, and how stupid they may be acting, I am glad I am actually getting some information from American news organizations now instead of relying on the BBC or SKY news. As a new cold war sits at our doorstep and Russia threatening Georgia, the US, Poland, the Ukraine it may be nice to hear a little bit about it. Fox News has definitely done the best job in American news concerning what is going on, I must say. Though, it does concern me that Georgian forces opened fire on Fox News reporters, and I think our government should look into why exactly that happened.

Russia isn’t exactly innocent as they nearly killed a group of Turkish reporters covering the skirmish. I just want to know what it would have meant if any of these reporters were killed? Would anything have been done, and why isn’t anything now?

It appears its just up to the USA to stand up against Russia because Europe is too afraid, due to Russia supplying the vast majority of oil to the European nations. Perhaps another reason why WE should start to drill.

On John McCain, Barack Obama and Rick Warren

At Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California on August 16th, both Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain took questions from “The Purpose Driven Life,” author and pastor of Saddleback, Rick Warren. The questions were pre arranged and each candidate received the same ones, though Obama got one less due to the length of his answers. Obama was chosen to go first by a flip of a coin, and while he responded to the questions, McCain remained separated from the dialog. In fact, he did not arrive at the church till half an hour after the Obama interview started. The only information on the questions that the candidates had before hand was a very vague overview of what topics would be addressed.

Obama fronted his questions very articulately and I have to say I was impressed with him as he answered queries ranging from Christ, the existence of evil, and abortion. Through it all I do have a clearer understanding of where Obama does stand on issues that are important to me, though I still do have a lot of questions, which I hope Obama will address in the near future. However, in full disclosure, I have a few for McCain as well.

McCain was also very good, though less articulate then Obama and giving shorter answers, though he still gave plenty of anecdotes concerning his past and present life. Before this event, I have thought Barack Obama has been able to out inspire John McCain by his speech and demeanor. However, this wasn’t the case on the evening of the 16th and I found it to be John McCain’s night. He gave me a sense of hope, pride and of inspiration in America to the degree I haven’t felt in a long time when I watched him speak. One of McCain’s main points is found in “The Purpose Driven Life,” and he, rather eloquently, told the audience that in this current time, that there are causes that far surpass the individual and we need to see that there are greater issues at stake then just you, me, our comfort and are worth fighting for. He also added that this ideal was something this country has lost, which it once had in the past, though he makes it clear that he believes another golden age of the USA is still yet to come.

Now, of course, the controversy comes, which I find so ridiculous that I just wind up shaking my head. The first controversy, thus far, is that McCain was supposed to be in a sound proof booth, or as Warren said, referencing a device in “Get Smart”, a “cone of silence.” Now, I was disappointed that this, in fact did not turn out to be the case at all, but rather, as mentioned before, John McCain showed up a half hour after Obama started. So now people are arguing that McCain heard the questions to begin with, but this is a completely irrelevant argument that really gives credit to John McCain; that he did so good that they have to bring up stuff like this.

The irrelevancy comes into focus when you take a couple factors into account. First, the issues that would be covered were both given to McCain and Obama before either of them arrived at the church. So, even Obama knew to some degree as well; they just weren’t aware of the questions direct wording. Secondly, McCain didn’t say anything he hasn’t already said, and did not alter what his known views. He did not contradict himself, nor did he copy answers of Senator Obama. Even with a worse case scenario, that he did hear the questions, it’s not like the SAT. This is even something you see often in the debates, people not only overhearing questions, but the answers as well, but it never seems to be an issue there. It doesn’t logically hold up because what John McCain said, has already been stated during his time as a senator and during his bid for the White House.

The other controversy concerns a statement where he said that 5 Million dollars makes you rich. I agree, yes, you are rich if you have 5 million dollars, but to be fair the question was at what level are you rich? He made the joke that you aren’t rich unless you have 5 Million, which he immediately retracted. Even CNN’s ticker admitted it was a joke and right after McCain made the comment, he added, “I’m sure that comment will be distorted.” Sure enough he was right and it was jumped on right away by the media, who, oddly enough in some shows, decided to omit his comment following the statement. This is when I lose patience with Cable News, when information is omitted, so essentially it becomes not journalism anymore, but propaganda. Who am I to say what a network airs and don’t? It is up to them, but I feel if you put on the responsibility of being a news channel or program, you need to treat it as such and give the whole story no matter what.

I really hope people will see through this; it was McCain’s night and some people can’t even admit that he did very well and have to bring up superficial things like this to put him in a bad light. On a lighter note though, there was a brief moment during the evening where both Senators were on stage with each other and were very civil, shaking and clapping each other on the back in a way that looked completely sincere on both sides. That greatly impressed me, with both Obama and McCain. Also, both in their answers pushed the merits of politicians swallowing a little of their pride and going on both sides of the fence, moving past partisan politics for the good of the country and I couldn’t agree with the two more.

Truly, it was the prefect venue for such a message, even Warren himself being known for hosting a picnic at his church, which was attended by both Muslims and Christians. Warren did a great job, and by him reading off the questions and moderating, I feel he was more successful then even some of the current news journalists. There were times that were very moving when the candidates spoke, and also times that were rather funny. I am impressed at both men for agreeing to this venue to have such dialog, and in my eyes both are painted in a more positive light within my mind. Yet, much to my surprise, I believe that McCain did come out ahead at the end.