Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Gametime: NC and IN

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Welcome back to PNN (Political News Network)!

First, here are the numbers from Indiana and North Carolina. Next, here is Jason's take.

So, what happened?

Simply this: Senator Clinton would never have enough delegates to beat Senator Obama by hook. Even if she says that she is shutting down her campaign does not mean that she cannot take the fight to the floor of the convention in Denver.

Senator Clinton was not known for her positive ratings. In the beginning, Republicans hated her. As the campaign wore on past Super Tuesday, Senator Obama supporters aligned with the Republicans to understand why they hated the Clintons back in the '90's.

She never had enough early wins to propel her over the top. Senator Obama defined the Primary campaign. He defined it by announcing first, and allowing his issues to come forth. "Guilt by Association," a tactic Democrats frequently use on Republicans, was used on Senator Obama. He survived his association with Reverend Wright and Bill Ayers for the Primary.

In the General, those same factors might play out differently. It all depends on two factors:

A) Does Hillary drop out and allow Senator Obama to raise funds and support for the general? Or will he keep fighting her in Denver?

B) How well those associations play among the General public?

Now, the Clintons are defining the rules of how the Democrats will fight in the General. Can't say the republicans didn't warn you during the 90's or give you cover back then to stop this extended Primary from occurring. All it required to stop Hillary was a Goldwater to Nixon moment in Winter 1999. Now the Democrats are paying the price.




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Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Bi-Partisanship, the One Ring, the Uruk-hai -- Book 2

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Read this first.

Interestingly enough, Thom Hartmann discussed on Monday two things: How the Democrats can bring this country together, and David Horowitz. I laughed for a while at the first one. With David Horowitz, Hartmann followed the path laid forward by the crowd at the Los Angeles Book Festival-- any contradictory information to his World view, he chose to SHOUT DOWN. Continuously.

When I said in Part One is how Republicans and Democrats want to help America. Like Tolkien's Fellowship, both believe they are keeping Mordor at bay. While Conservatives and Republicans believe that to fight Mordor to the edge by spreading the idea of Democracy will change the battlefield in the Middle East and Central Asia, Democrats believe that stopping Global warming is a way of sending the One Ring towards Mount Doom.

And who are the Uruk-hai? All of us partisans, whether Talk radio Hosts, Consultants, candidates or Bloggers.

Hartmann's mistake is he is a policy guy who tries politics. By not allowing in differing views, he shows Blindness. Keith Olbermann is a man who would do well under a Totalitarian State. Why? He would be in charge of the Secret Police asking for papers. Robert Scheer is the old intellectual who believes that anyone who is not him is wrong.

Now with those people guiding the force that are Democrats, how the hell can they bring bi-partisanship?

First they call President Bush stupid and attack him for going into Iraq; Then, when explanations come forth on how Wilsonianism trumps Terrorism, the Democrats choose to ignore it. And how is the Left showing it's support to America's allies? Sonali Kolhatkar of Radio Uprising called for the elimination of Israel today.

The Left does not support America's allies; They don't support American Presidents who are not Democrats. Lets start from 2007, what actions have the Democrats done to create Bi-partisanship? [Ladies and Gentlemen, Bi-partisanship is simple, whichever party holds the Executive Branch, the opposite party must make deals. That is why Speaker Gingrich failed and why Speaker Pelosi is failing today]

Seven years of rhetoric on how all Conservatives and Republicans are criminals; Seven years of Rhetoric on how all Conservatives and Republicans must be silenced. Within two years, Charles Manson created a series of murderers and future assassins of President Ford -- what will the rhetoric of Hartmann, Olbermann, and Scheer begat?

It starts with a 10 year old kid threatening assassination of our current president. Not one of these three men find anything wrong with that scenario. I am disgusted if people want to hurt Senator Clinton or Obama (or McCain). Why aren't they?

Conservatives and Republicans think that spreading Democracy (originally a Democratic party ideal) is a way of spreading Peace. Democrats and Liberals support stopping Global Warming as a way of helping Life on Earth. What would it have gained Frodo and sam if they said that Aragorn's "so-called" War on Mordor is imaginary, just get the One Ring to Mount Doom?

On the Conservative side, we have two Bloggers trying to stop the "Scouring of the Shire" in America and Europe. They are Aurora and Pamela Atlas.

If something happens to President Bush, I will spread Hartmann's, Olbermann's and Scheer's home address' and phone numbers on here. A simple Sword of Damocles that should not be sheathed. But, I also believe in Redemption too. That will be in the concluding post.

The question for this post is: What have you done for Bi-partisanship?

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Sunday, May 04, 2008

Bi-partisanship, the One Ring and the Uruk-hai

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In an earlier post, I wrote why Conservatives and Republicans are not keen on the Global Warming issue. In that post, I mentioned if the Liberals and Democrats help us with our causes (War on terror and democracy in the Middle East), there would be some GOP'ers and Conservatives finding our way to help with Global warming.

Rather then hearing, "Great solution, it's worth a try," I heard doubt.

Let's start with the concept of bi-partisanship. Bi-partisanship is a unified front of members of both parties. How do you get there? Well, first thing is watch your rhetoric. Don't let Hate Speech dealers like Robert Scheer or Thom Hartmann control the conversation. They, like Keith Olbermann, believe all Conservatives and Republicans should be jailed or silenced (Remember Arianna Huffington's article?).

Again, how does wishing an American president harm or illness open the way to bi-partisanship?

How about this rhetoric?

I re-read the Lord of the Rings over the past week and realized Democrats and Republicans are fighting for the same purpose, to help America. It is just they are fighting on different fronts. Bet Hate speech purveyor Thom Hartmann won't say that.

President Bush outlined the theory that "Democracy beats Terrorism in the Middle East," In the past seven years, the only countermanding theory the Democrats proposed is the "Neville Chamberlain option,"

As a Jew, I realized Hitler gave peace from 1936 to 1940 with England. But there was no Peace if you were a Jew in Germany, Poland or Czechoslovakia. As evidenced by President Carter's trip to Hamas, Democrats would support terrorists and terrorist states if they hated President Bush. In fact, Democrats are decrying the "Concert of Democracies," because Republicans support the idea. Great showing of bi-partisanship, huh?

Conservatives and Republicans believe the fight against Mordor should go right up to the Black Gates. Surrounding Mordor with Democracy leaves it little breathing room to spread.

Liberals and Democrats belive they are carrying the One Ring to Mount Doom. But they have habitually cursed at the Commanders trying to bring the fight to Mordor's Gates.

Continued in the next post.

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Coming back with the 1-2-3 Meme

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Sorry if I've been gone for a while, real life does intrude on the Virtual life. While I was away, Professor Douglas of American Power hit me up with a meme.

This is what the 123 meme is:

*Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
* Open the book to page 123.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post the next three sentences.
* Tag five people

The book I am reading now is Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy by Donald Kagan. I am reading Pericles to explore Wilsonianism to it's core beginning. Now the Meme:

"The most novel and interesting clause required both sides to submit any future grievances to binding arbitration. This seems to be the first appearance in history of an attempt to maintain perpetual peace through such a device. We are not told who proposed the idea, but it is tempting to attribute it to Pericles, the originator of many political and diplomatic innovations.
"Not all treaties are the same."


Whom do I tag?

Aurora, Chessnovice, Jason, Malcot and Allyn.

Have at it.

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Sunday, April 27, 2008

A Tale of Censorship from the Los Angeles Book Festival

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For a Bibliophile like me, the Los Angeles Times Book festival saves this town from intellectual shallowness. As a writer, I was able to get some advice on the writing and submitting of the non-fiction and fiction material. As a Political Junkie (and hopefully, future staffer), I go to the panels to learn something new.

That also requires listening to people I do not like.

Here were the four panelists:

Robert Scheer, former LA Times writer, demagogue and lover of Dictators;
Garrett M. Graff, former Governor Dean staffer and Georgetown Professor;
David Frum, former Speechwriter to President George W. Bush; and,
Hugh Hewitt, Blogger, Talk Radio Host and former staffer to President Nixon.

Now, a majority of this crowd were Democrats, and a majority of those were Senator Obama supporters. The week started with Arianna Huffington in the LA Times calling for censorship of Republican staffers moving into mainstream media.

So, this audience, of Liberals (I saw no one from the Valley, everyone within a three row radius were from the Westside), saw fit to shout down those who opinions that they did not agree with. A lady in front of me always rolled her eyes and refused to listen when Frum or Hewitt spoke.

I didn't know Graff; I despised Scheer, but I wanted to hear what they would have to say. Graff was civil and had some good insights. Scheer waved the red flag of "Bush Bad," to the crowd of Liberals -- someone should remind both Scheer and crowd that President Bush is not on the ballot this year. Again, if this is a "Guilt by Association," issue, than Ayers and Reverend Wright is then fair game.

Here is what offends me:

When I was a Liberal Democrat, one of the most important philosophical statements was Democrats stands for free speech. Looking at the crowds reaction to Hewitt and Frum, and Huffington's article, modern Democrats (and Liberals) have forgotten Voltaire's words.

I've done a post describing how I defended President Clinton overseas because he was the President of the United States at the time. How can Liberals and Democrats expect to get Conservative and Republican support by shouting us down and continually being derogatory to Our Presidents?

My question is this: Have Liberals and Democrats abandoned Free Speech? Why?

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Thursday, April 24, 2008

Remember the Armenians!

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How did Hitler get his inspiration for the Genocide of my people, the Jews?

At the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, the Young Turks deported and killed Armenians throughout Turkey. They did it for the same reason for the same reasons that the Pharaoh's in Egypt enslaved the Jews: Even though we lived within the borders, we were not considered "true" Egyptians. The Young Turks tried to eradicate the Armenians for the same reasons.

I am happy to say the Young Turks failed.

Every April 24th is Armenian Remembrance Day. Since I was in High School I have had an interest in the Armenians and the return of their most sacred place, Mount Ararat.

Since I have always known Armenians (and occasionally they have been my muses), this is my way of saying, "I remember and I will not forget,"

This post is for Margarit, who is helping me with my fiction book and Talar, who was my Muse.


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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Gametime: Pennsylvania!

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Welcome back to the Political News Network! First, here is Jason's take on the Pennsylvania Primary.

Here are the numbers. With Senator McCain having the GOP race locked up, it falls to the Democrats. In that side, Senator Clinton defeated Senator Obama by 10 points.

How did this happen? Here are the factors to consider:

1) "Operation Chaos" With Republican voters looking to intervene in the Democratic Primary, they are going to keep Senator Clinton in the race to keep the Democrats from locking up their nomination.

2) "Guilt by Association" attacks -- It is something every GOP candidate has had to deal with, now Karma sees fit to allow the Democrats to suffer from it. Senator Obama had to deal with his associations with: Reverend Wright and Bill Ayres. If Republicans do not get redemption from their pasts, neither should these two men. Word to the Democrats: If you don't like this attack on your candidate, don't start it.

3) "Bitter-gate" -- There is a great New Yorker cartoon with a Politician giving a speech to an angry crowd. One of his staffers says (behind the stage) "Oh my God! He's giving the White Collar Speech to the Blue Collar Crowd!" That is what happened in San Francisco in the lead up to the Pennsylvania campaign. No matter how "smart" or "rich" our Presidential candidates are, Americans want to believe that we are respected. What Senator Obama did in San Francisco was disrespect the White, Blue Collar voters.

4) Family Ties -- having family or growing up in a contested State always helps.

What happens next? Indiana.

To understand the consequences of the race, read this post on game Theory.




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Monday, April 21, 2008

The Earth does not need a Day

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Jason wrote a post asking, "Why is the Right opposed to Global warming/Climate Change/whatever they call it tomorrow?"

Here are a few reasons why:

1) The same people who yell "Climate Change/Global warming" also yelled (during my lifetime), "Overpopulation!" (which begat China's One Child Policy), yelled "Global Cooling!" (now defunct due to Global warming), "Recycle!" (now made moot by the idea of Plastic or paper bags) and "Acid rain!" (Last time I saw Acid rain was in a William Gibson short story, and that was the first time as well).

If your going to say "The Sky is falling!" every decade, choose an Apocalyptic scenario and stick with it. When the Apocalypse does not happen (as it did with all of the above), it makes it hard to believe in it the next time.

2) Liberals who want us to believe in their cause, don't make the effort to support Conservative Causes. The oldest law on the Political books -- I help you, you help me. I bet if the Democrats had stayed their tongue on Iraq, Conservatives would have joined the Global warming cause. No support for our Windmills, why should we fight for yours?

3) Forgetting the history of Galileo. During Galileo's time, the establishment (i.e. the Church) believed in Copernican theory and called everyone who didn't follow the Theory was called "Heretic" or burned at the Stake. Look at this Blog Post by Dr. Heidi Cullen of the Weather Channel. The New establishment (i.e. Hollywood, the Media, Academia) act as though Copernicus' views are still relevant.
Mankind has only been Industrially active for 200 years. Did the dinosaurs go extinct because they built factories? Those debating the issue of Global warming are playing the role of Galileo, not the Global warming supporters.

4) We are between Ice Ages. The Earth has frozen more then it has melted. And to believe that Global warming will destroy humanity means that you don't believe in Evolution. Man has adapted to Cold and Heat. If you believe in Global warming, do you believe that Man cannot evolve?

And remember, Happy Earth day! (created by a murderer who ran to France).


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Living within the Pathos

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It's been a long three weeks -- Was I missed? Like Richard III, I am still dealing with my "Winter of my discontent," However, this winter started five years ago with my father's death, and only now am I dealing with some internal issues I've never had a chance to focus on.

Is it hard? Yes. But Pathos is not the seat of Logic or Reason, but emotion. In the Land of pathos I entered, empty, but now I travel with a new car (2007 Kia Spectra, thank you Glendale Kia). Also in the Land of pathos, my reason for going to Las Vegas Memorial Day weekend has been abandoned. The only thing I can say, is that I wish good Blessings on my sister and her former fiancee. They are both good people.

During the time in the Land of Pathos, I caught this video on You Tube:



The concept of helping someone "Achieve their dreams, " is important to me. I would like to be able to do that for my friends and family. Hopefully, I will someday be able to do that. Just the concept of "head fake," scares me. I don't like spinning my wheels for a lost cause. Also, I would like the help towards my own dreams.

I want to thank everyone who called or emailed during these three weeks. There is still more work to do. I am still in the Land of Pathos, but within eyesight of the border crossing.

The first step to returning was coming back to the Valley. The next step will be to return to my books.

New posts are ahead. Thank you for reading and visiting the Valley.



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Friday, April 04, 2008

Incommunicado -- for a little while

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People who know me felt a "disturbance in the force," two days ago. It was felt by Malcot in Michigan and a friend in New York.

I touched on the issue briefly on this post. So, here I go, dropping the fourth wall again.

However, there were two triggers for the low-level depression (now upped a notch), I am going through:

1) Going to the Leadership Institute Broadcast Journalism Class -- I realize I don't want to be a TV reporter, but then I realize, I should be more than what I am right now.

2) I bought Southland Tales. Somehow in all the mess is a trigger for something about me. What? I don't know.

I am the type of person who believes in trade. I help, you help me. Oldest Political law in the book. (And learned from both the Tammany and Queens Political Machines, and also among the National Republicans) If I step up in a situation, I would like help getting to my goals. If that is not the case, I believe that I should be able to Help me Help myself towards the goal. Either way, makes me a better person. But neither is happening.

Both professional and non-professional people are saying to stay away from writing both books and the Blog. I want to change the world, but I need a leg up on changing myself.

Unfortunately, I am in a bad place right now. Talking about politics is a distraction, for now. I hope to be back up by next week. As long as the medium-level stays at that point.

I live, but right now, I don't feel alive. My goals (and my endgame) seem too far away. My situation is unenviable, and I'm feeling very lonely in my quest. As I said, not a good place.

I am available for incoming comments and calls, just there is very few outgoing right now. Here is song I'm humming right now:



Remember the first rule of politics (which is unused by the California Republicans and other Californians), I help you, you help me. That is a founding principle, and seems to have been long ago forgotten.

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Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Breaking News! Senator Clinton leaving campaign before PA!

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I got this through a source back in Queens. This article will be published on Thursday by the Queens Tribune, and submitted to the Assosciated Press:

April 3, 2008. Harold Ickes will announce tomorrow that Senator Clinton (D-Chappaqua) will leave the race because of efforts of Gov. Howard Dean, head of the Democratic National Committee, and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-Brooklyn).

"We are trying to unify the party any way we can," said Governor Dean, "I am happy that Senator Clinton took the first step," After a lifetime in Politics, many question what Senator Clinton's next step will be. Will she try to run for Governor? Or is she angling for a position in a future Senator Obama (D-IL) administration?

Senator Schumer said, "Whatever she wants to do, New York City and State is available to her and her husband,"

There are others who are not so forgiving. Lloyd Chavis, of Forest Hills, an African-American, says, "Senator Clinton always tried to put us on the back of the bus. First she didn't support [State Comptroller Carl] McCall, then she didn't support [Mayor Wellington Webb of Denver, Colorado] for head of the Democrats. This is the first thing she has done for us since she became a Senator,"

The Tribune was unable to get any statement from the Senator Obama or McCain campaigns at this time.




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Monday, March 31, 2008

Stay for a laugh

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There will be a serious post later.

First, take this fun survey.

Now watch this:



And this:



My only question, who's funnier?

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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Newspapers and Hollywood: Losing Money together

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This weekend I am taking a Broadcast Journalism Course offered by the Leadership Institute. It is at beautiful Pepperdine University in Malibu. After this course, I might have to re-write my Media chapter in my Non-fiction book.

But, two things to note:

1) Stop-Loss, highlighted as a non-partisan Anti-Iraq war movie, failed at the Box office. It follows a slew of Anti-Iraq war movies losing money domestically.

2) Newspapers, which a majority always find fault with the Right side of the Political spectrum, are having a hard time finding Ad revenue.

There are ways to fix this. It's simple, it's easy and everybody gains.

I) Content is King. If you make Entertaining Content (in Hollywood) and shoe leather Reporting on Democrats and Republicans, people will pay money for your product.

II) Most of the Comments on Nikki Finke's Blog by Hollywood Partisans insult the Conservative and Republicans and Military who are up in arms against Stop Loss. Can someone explain how insulting your audience helps brings in more money?

III) Speaking of not insulting, would it kill your advertising rates in Newspapers to write about good things Republicans do? And in Hollywood, how hard would it be to write a movie where a Conservative and his or her beliefs are portrayed in a heroic light? Let New Line take it up, after all they need a financial winner.

IV) If you must do a funny, Anti-Republican movie, let Independent directors like this guy make the films with a budget. Until then Hollywood, stop sucking down Lattes on the Westside and get out and meet people who don't share your beliefs. It might make better movies.

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Thursday, March 27, 2008

Peace, Personified in DC

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Because so many organizations watch and listen to Conservative Talk radio, I make it a point to hear Liberal (Hate) Talk radio. After I listen, I report. Not unlike Media Matters. Hey, Liberals, you don't want me writing on your guys. Here is the deal: Stop calling our guys and gals: Racists, Fascists, Uncle Toms, and Nazi's and I'll focus on Policy issues.

Anyway, today, I heard on Pacifica radio, an interview with Representative Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) discussing the creation of a "United States Department of Peace" After the discussion, I had to pull over and laugh for a few minutes. Why?

Already in Washington, DC, there is the United States Institute for Peace. The USIP is working on pragmatic ways, between Governments, between warring factions, working with the US Military, to get to a Peaceful solution.

There is "Soft Power" as personified by Trade, Culture the State Department and the USIP; Then there is "Hard Power" as shown by the force of our Military, Economic and Executive power decisions. According to the NIE, the Hard Power used against Iraq, caused Iran to shut down it's Nuclear Program in 2003.

The best definition of "Soft Power"? Four words: Peace for Our Time. Should I repeat the History lesson from those words?

I admit I need some Enlightenment here. But please explain why there is a so-called need for a US Department of Peace when the Collective Security of the United Nations has not stopped any wars or massacres? Will the US Department of Peace have the authority to go into a massacre in a war torn country and get people to stop?

And here is the $1,000,000 question that has yet to be answered: How?


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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Seven Words not spoken by Democrats in Five Years

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When I was a Democrat, I protested President George H.W. Bush because he did not support Democracy in the Middle East. I am still trying to understand why this current crop of Democrats are protesting today. Why?

If they hate war, why no protest over Clinton's Bombing in 1998? or his war in Bosnia?

If they hate Dictatorships, why allow Saddam Hussain to fund three Democratic Congressmen to visit Iraq before the war to say, "Peace for our time,"?

If I read my history books correctly, "Peace for our time," gave the German National Socialist Leader free reign to invade other countries and kill Jews.

Wilsonianism was founded by President Woodrow Wilson. Freedom House was created by Eleanor Roosevelt. Why have Democrats turn their back on both these ideals? Conservatives picked them up instead.

If Democrats want to save the world (i.e. Tibet, Darfur), but they oppose any use of the military, what should America use to stop these massacres from occurring? Harsh language?

Thomas P. M. Barnett, author and blogger of The Pentagon's New Map is a Green Bay Packer fan, a military strategist and a Democrat. Yet, he cites this post, about the benefits of opening up the Middle East to Democracy. Why do no other Democrats cite it?

And finally, why during these past Five years, if Democrats wanted to end the War in Iraq quickly, did they not ask President Bush, "What can we do to help?"

Democrats, I await your answers. Points if you get a Code Pinker to answer.



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Game Plan for 2008

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In my Non-fiction book, I finished my Blogging chapter. If I've linked to your Blog, and you've linked back to me, odds are there are some good words written. Other Blogs, (and if you're a loyal visitor to the Valley, you know who these are) suffice it to say that they are held up as Examples. Want more info? Hit me up in the comments or by E-mail.

By the way, the next Chapter in Non-fiction is about Hollywood. From the Below the Line people, to the Studios, to the Agents. They are being discussed with a Political Bent. I'm halfway through. Only three more Chapters in Part II.

On to more supercilious stuff:

Here is what the rest of the year looks like:

Before Memorial Day: Raise Funds for Apartment and/or Car.

Memorial Day Weekend: Sister's wedding (woo-hoo!)

Summer: Car, then Apartment or Apartment, then Car.

First week in September: Republican National Convention. I'm looking for a Corporate Sponsor. If I can't find one, I will not go. Or if I get invited there by the Republican National Convention, California Republican Party, the McCain Campaign or the Republican National Committee, I'll go.

September 20-21: Blog World Expo. Need I say more?

Mid to late October: Week in Washington, DC. Catch up with friends, Countrymen, and Mentors. Show book around and get advice. Also do the tourist bit on my down time. Nothing is better then sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Monument and watching the world go by.

November 2 and 3: Election Night in San Diego. Why? Because Los Angeles Republicans can't even win a City Council seat; How the hell can they throw a Victory party?

December 16: Birthday.

Let me know if you're interested in meeting me at any of these events (save for the Memorial Day and moves, those are Private). Oh, and sometime before my Birthday, I will finish and go through the first Edit of the Non-fiction book.





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Sunday, March 23, 2008

Are We in a Post-racial America?

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Here is the transcript of Senator Obama's Philidelphia speech on race. And here is the speech:



So, can the discussion move beyond skin color?

First, let me say that Democrats are discovering in Primary 2008 on how to be treated like a Republican. There is the cries of "sexism" from the Clinton camp, and "racism" from the Obama camp. And, of course, the old standby, "Guilt by Association,"

These are charges that Republicans and Conservatives face every campaign season and sometimes during Policy debates. As I posted before, I was a Democrat. If I tar the Democratic Party as Anti-Semitic, it is because as a Republican, I have been called a Nazi. It isn't nice, but it is a tactic.

Democrats, the way to stop these attacks is not to start them. How does this tie to Senator Obama's speech? Keep reading.

In my past, we lived in Queens during the late 70's. In 1975, my family was the only white family in the building. We lived there for a year. And how many families lived in the building? 12 floors of 18 Apartments each. Do the math. I know friends of all hues. I have travelled from Grover Norquist's Wednesday Morning meetings (where there are also differing hues to be seen too) to working in an industry that prides itself in being "diverse and Liberal,"

The truest form of Diversity in the Political battlefield is to debate someones ideas, irregardless of color. Take for instance, Justice Clarence Thomas. It wasn't a Conservative magazine that put him on the cover as a Lawn Jockey (disgusting, no matter who is represented).

It was Senator Reid who attacked the only Black Supreme Court Justice an "Embarrassment," Did he cite Justice Thomas' ideas? No.

Senator Obama's speech is a great first step. He appealed to the 60% inactive public who visits the Political realm once every Four Years. But for the 40% (that include most Bloggers), to move the conversation beyond "White guilt" and "Black Liberation Theology," requires acknowledgement and forgiveness. And out of all this, Redemption.

To move past the first step requires hard work and understanding every one's flaws and ideals. Here is my proposal:

Democrats stop calling Black Conservatives and Republicans "Uncle Toms" and we won't focus on all the Democrats elected in areas such as Anacostia, Jamaica, Queens and South central, Los Angeles and show how poverty still reigns in those areas.

If Senator McCain can run an honorable campaign against Senator Obama, then Democrats (as of last Tuesday) owe Justice Thomas and Secretary Rice an apology. Then we can talk about a post-racial America.


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Three Campaign Models and Game Theory

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Happy Easter! This is going to be one of two posts today (the other will be tonight).

First, one immutable law of politics is to follow Precedent unless there is no precedent. Each campaign has a model to follow:

1) Senator Obama is following the Clinton 1992 model.

2) Senator Clinton is following Christina Fernandez de Kirchner 2007 model.

3) Senator McCain is following the Nicholas Sarkozy 2007 model.

Now let's break it down:

1) Senator Obama is doing things within the Democratic Primary and caucuses that are new. No one tells him that "It's been done before," or he doesn't listen. Like Clinton 1992, he cited "Change," as part of his campaign. And by being "new" he won the most Delegates. If he wins the nomination, the Feminist and Clinton partisans sit out.

2) Senator Clinton has not released her Tax Returns, her husband's donors to the Clinton Library or been open about her campaign as to who released damaging tools against Obama. (You can blame the Right Wing all you want, but Senator McCain has not allowed the Right to go personal; Only the partisans off the Structure do not follow. And think logically, who gains from Race issues during a Primary campaign?). For Senator Clinton to win, she has to overturn the popular votes in a majority of States using the Super Delegates at the Denver Convention. If she wins the nomination, the African American and Youth vote sits out. That's less than the Feminist and Clinton partisans.

3) Tell any Republican or Conservative that McCain is a continuation of President Bush and you will be laughed in your face. Most Washington Reporters don't get that. Yes, he supports the war on Iraq, but throughout the aughts (the '00's), he has opposed, blocked or made life tougher for President Bush. If it weren't for Rush going off the reservation with "Operation Chaos" the Democrats still would not be battling. can he win? If the Democrats spend Primary money until August, he has a good chance.

Now let's do Game Theory:

Senator Clinton wins the nomination -- African Americans and Youth votes sit out. African American voters cheated out of one of their own, looks to do "Operation Chaos" within the GOP too. Clinton's negatives + Democrats feeling betrayed = President McCain

Senator Obama wins the nomination - Clinton partisans and Feminists sit out. If he wins it early, it becomes a fight; If it lasts to August, Senator McCain wins.

Senator McCain can raise money and travel to our International allies until the Democrats figure out what game their playing. Unlike the Democrats, Republicans are not playing a zero sum game.




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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

You don't want to read this post if you live in the DC Beltway

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If you live in the DC area, I would not recommend doing anything below. I would also not recommend linking to this post.

Now, I wouldn't recommend contacting the Capitol Police at 202-224-5151 and telling them that Code Pink, based at 712 5th St., Northeast is planning to disrupt Congressional work.

And I wouldn't call the DC Fire Department at 202-673-3206 and tell them there are too many people staying at 712 5th St., Northeast and how dangerous it is for children living there. And I would especially not make this call at 3:00AM.

And I would not call the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] at 1-866-347-2423 about finding a list of people who gave $600,000 in 2006 within Fallujah for "insurgents", that originated at Code Pink's discretion. I would not tell DHS that Code Pink raised money against the United States and should be investigated.

Of course I would not endorse anything above, unless, say, Code Pink stops interrupting work on Capitol Hill.

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Lessons from the Conversion

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Here is Part One.
Here is Part Two.

I hope you enjoyed reading them. The technical knowledge is going into the book, Messages from the Valley, that I'm writing now.

But there were some lessons that I learned, from both the Right and the Left that should be carried by all Americans:

1) We have one President at a time. Disagree and dispute with the President, that is fine. But if a president you do not like is in office, you still respect the office and never give outside enemies tools to hit our President. This was learned in NYC, from the Left. They didn't like President Reagan, but America voted for him, and they know that America does right in the long term. Even when I was in DC, and I disputed with President Clinton (whom I liked less when I was a Republican), I still saluted if I saw the Presidential Motorcade. Today's Left forgot that lesson.

2) The smart, elitist folk who laugh at your guy, be it Speaker or President, will look back and defend them when the next guy of yours comes along. Remember Truman. This came from the Right. Every Republican since Eisenhower has been called, "Stupid," or "Warmonger," When the next Republican comes along, the folks that opposed the last Republican, say, "The last republican wasn't as [Fill in the Blank]" Look at how the Left treated Reagan. And Truman was laughed at by the NY Press, and was never given his due when in office. Not until Nixon's Administration was he remembered fondly. It happens every time. Except for Franklin Pierce.

3) Have fun protesting. For work to get done, it requires people to sit in a room and hash out an agreement. If you want your views listened to, don't protest people who go to that room. Talk to them. This, ironically, comes from the Left. In 1991, it was important to Protest before the Gulf war. After it started, why protest on why it started? I learned about the art of Lobbying and Logrolling again. Surprisingly, this works better than yelling at people and calling them "Evil," "Stupid," or "Warmonger,"

4) Congress is a place of work. People from all over the country come here to see their National Legislature do their jobs. This is the people's House. Anyone who comes in to harm it should not be listened too. Only Congress can shut up Congress. This is from the Right. As I mentioned in an earlier post on where to protest, I repeat: Let Congress work. When the "Bloody 8th" occurred, Karma responded within the rules and regulations within Congress. Rebel all you want, but if you shout down Congress (or their visitors from the Executive Branch), you are shutting down my First Amendment rights.

Do you have any rules that can work for Right and Left activists that you learned?



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