In President Bush’s remarks at Monticello, on the 4th of July, Bush made some remarks, going so far as to quote the writer of our Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson. Those are Holy words, are Jefferson’s, but Mr. Bush, in his arrogance, decided to edit them so as not to insult the Holy Roller Christian clerics who are his last remaining supporters. There may be many occurances where Mr. Bush has shamed America, has deformed and abused our constitution. This might be the worst, where he eidted Thomas Jefferson. Our principles in this country are from Jefferson, not from Bush. How totally ugly. Here’s what Bush said, from BSAlert.com, followed by the actual quote from Thomas Jefferson, a real American:

Thomas Jefferson understood that these rights do not belong to Americans alone. They belong to all mankind. And he looked to the day when all people could secure them. On the 50th anniversary of America’s independence, Thomas Jefferson passed away. But before leaving this world, he explained that the principles of the Declaration of Independence were universal. In one of the final letters of his life, he wrote, “May it be to the world, what I believe it will be — to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all — the Signal of arousing men to burst the chains, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government.”

And now the Jefferson quote, from the same source:

May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government.

It was the 4th of July. The aim for most of America is to revere our founding fathers. For Bush, it seems his goal is to demean our founding fathers by editing them. Hasn’t he done enough, by abusing habeas corpus, by spying on citizens, by using false data to go into war? Surely Bush has abused the principles of our Founding Fathers enough without having to resort to editing their words.

No, there is no shame on Bush’s part. And the mainstream media likely won’t catch up with this one. It is at once too rigorously academic for them to pursue, while also showing Bush to be the slimeball and anti-patriot that he is.

Sure, Barack Obama’s turn at the Democratic Convention will be amazing. He will give his acceptance speech in front of 76,000 people at Invesco Field in Denver, and I’m sure the speech will be one for the ages. It’s going to be a Rock Concert, a show to end all shows. I imagine he’ll even get a bump in the polls. I might even tune into the Republican Convention.

I won’t turn in to watch the GOP Convention in order to watch John McCain give a speech where the teleprompter has its way with him. While it might be humorous to watch, McCain’s acceptance speech won’t be the defining venue of the GOP Convention.

I also won’t be tuning in to watch the floor fights sure to erupt over the McCain platform. Sure, it might be fun to watch whiney social conservatives have their way with John McCain and his platform, and watch as McCain transforms even more into McBush. Heck, enough people are suggesting McCain go that direction and embrace the tired divisive issues Republicans are known for. No, the floor of the convention hall, nor the backrooms in Minneapolis, are not going to be the defining venues of the GOP Convention.

I won’t even tune in to watch George Bush on the first night of the GOP Convention, though there will be some humor watching the outgoing President sandwiched between whatever old-timers and wet behind the ears politicians, relegated to a time slot usually reserved for some State Fair Queen. Lots of humor, that, but Bush at the podium of the GOP Convention will also not be the hot happenin’ venue for the Republicans.

That defining venue for this year’s Republican Convention will be at the airport. It will be a certain restroom stall, and there’s going to be tons of reporters speaking about it, mentioning the words “wide stance” and quoting Senator Larry Craig. I wonder if they’re even letting Craig attend the convention. Based on his actions in the past, he surely won’t stay home in hopes of saving his party from further embarrassment. I love the tag line to the article about Larry Craig’s trysting place, so here’s the final word on this piece, revealing the essence of Mr. Craig at his shameless worst, from the Chicago Sun-Times:

Craig, a married father of three, signed on as a co-sponsor last month to the Marriage Protection Amendment against gay marriage.

Yes, the airport.

I go to the beach every weekend, and the kids are wearing these shoes. Molded plastic, they are about as fashion-forward as those big rimless sunglasses you see on really old people. They’re Crocs. But they’re made in the USA, and in a speech in Colorado John McCain says he’s all for Crocs and making sure we can sell them all over the world! Here it is from ABCNews:

“Five years ago, the outdoor footwear company, Crocs, was started by a couple of entrepreneurs with a great idea, ingenuity and drive,” McCain said. “This former small business now employs 600 people in Colorado alone, and sells over 50 percent of its products in 90 countries around the world. Building barriers to Crocs or any American company’s access to foreign markets will have a devastating effect on our economy and jobs, and the prosperity of American families.”

John McCain may not know anything about economics, but he sure knows his Crocs.

I know everyone is on the edge of their seats, breathlessly waiting for the latest in fall fascism fashions to hit the runways and E! Channel, just in time for presidential election season! So, what’s the forecast for accessorizing the latest haute couture designer brownshirt? Why, the EMD Safety Bracelet, of course!

Let’s take a titillating look at this latest proposed addition to the Department of Homeland Security’s fall fashion line, possibly just in time for Halloween. The following must-see video, YouTube’d from Lamperd Firearms Training Systems website (you’ll have to look it up; I’m not linking to that fascist scrap of the web), describes the imperative for this fashion faux pas:

Sadly, all is not well in the niche field of fascist fashion. The normally conservative garment district rag, the Washington Times, is already panning the bracelet (”You want some torture with those peanuts?”):

The Electronic ID Bracelet, as it’s referred to as, would be worn by every traveler “until they disembark the flight at their destination.” Yes, you read that correctly. Every airline passenger would be tracked by a government-funded GPS, containing personal, private and confidential information, and that it would shock the customer worse than an electronic dog collar if he/she got out of line?…

So is the government really that interested in this bracelet? Yes!

According to a letter from DHS official, Paul S. Ruwaldt of the Science and Technology Directorate, office of Research and Development, to the inventor whom he had previously met with, he wrote, “To make it clear, we [the federal government] are interested in…the immobilizing security bracelet, and look forward to receiving a written proposal.”…

Would every paying airline passenger flying on a commercial airplane be mandated to wear one of these devices? I cringe at the thought. Not only could it be used as a physical restraining device, but also as a method of interrogation, according to the same aforementioned letter from Mr. Ruwaldt. Would you let them put one of those on your wrist? Would you allow the airline employees, which would be mandated by the government, to place such a bracelet on any member of your family? …

As a fairly frequent flier, I can confirm that I would sooner crawl to my destination over 800 miles of broken glass than wear one of these contraptions while on board an airplane. I hate flying to begin with, and I’m just not a fashion trend setter. Call me a fashion disaster, if you must.

And I’m not sure about the marketability of “EMD Safety Bracelet”, but I’m guessing that “Freedom Bracelet” was already trademarked. Maybe you can come up with a better name for this piece of tres chic bling? I’m sure there’s a commission in it for you…

This is almost unbelievable. We’re all quite used to George Bush’s cloistered public appearances, which have, in recent years, been mostly limited to military bases. When he’s actually at a public function, it’s all GOP sycophants & supporters. On the campaign trail in 2004, his public appearances were accompanied by the need for signing “GOP loyalty oaths”, although a few dissenters managed to sneak in under the radar.

It looks like John McCain is taking the same approach - only on public property. A 61 year old librarian was cited in Denver today for carrying a sign into a McCain town hall discussion that said merely “McCain = Bush”. After McCain’s campaign team complained to the Secret Service, she was apparently asked to leave. When she refused, the Denver police cited her for trespassing, and issued her a court summons. Even more amazingly, the whole thing was captured on video (courtesy of Progress Action Now):

Keep in mind, this “town hall” was being held in a public forum, owned by the City of Denver.

As Carol Kreck said: “All I did was carry a sign that said McCain = Bush, and for everyone who voted for Bush, I don’t see why it’s offensive to say McCain = Bush.” Apparently, it’s offensive to McCain, who has done everything possible to avoid being associated with George W. Bush.

Maybe so, but it would seem as if McCain’s campaign staff has recently leased George Bush’s bubble from its owner, Dick Cheney.

When it’s all said and done, very little in life changes…and the changes that are made are often painfully slow. All too often we get lost in our efforts to change (direct) others when what we really need to do is change (redirect) ourselves. This years election, more so than any in recent history, seems to be about change.

Unfortunately, prior to each election cycle, optimistic pundits suggest that the voting public has lost it’s hunger for the typically tried and true red meat issues. These serendipitous proclamations suggest a new civility and a changing construct may be dawning. Unfortunately, as each election draws nearer, the painful reality of recidivism seems to rear its ugly head.

I’ve come to expect the worst and I rarely find myself pleasantly surprised by a better outcome. Returning to elections, in many ways, we’ve grown conditioned to the typical framing of the issues. We’ve also come to accept that voters will invariably fall into their logical constituent blocks by the time they reach the ballot box. The question is why?

This morning, as I read about the intention of the Christian Defense Coalition to launch their first salvo against Barack Obama…determined to characterize him as “The Abortion President”, I recalled the thoughts that crossed my mind last evening as I watched the acclaimed German movie, The Lives Of Others, wishing more of us had the wherewithal to make the heroic choices that are frequently facilitated by adversity…choices for change that are almost always daring displays of individual courage. Following a brief synopsis of the movie, I’ll attempt to connect the dots.

Read a statement below from Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition:

“Senator Obama talks about bringing hope, faith and change to American politics. We now see this is all just political ‘doublespeak.’ One of his top priorities as President would be protecting abortion rights and even expanding them. If elected, Senator Obama would become ‘The Abortion President,’ with the most extremist policies on abortion of any President in history.

“Senator Obama’s views on abortion are so radical that he even wants American citizens to pay for them. This would include Catholics, Evangelicals and all people of faith. He would also expand abortion rights through his passionate support of The Freedom of Choice Act.

Obama campaign spokesman Hari Sevugan sent out the following statement:

“Barack Obama understands that the best way to reduce the need for abortions is to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. He is committed to commonsense solutions to achieve that objective and to changing the tone of the discourse which for too long has devolved into false and negative attacks such as this that do nothing to accomplish that goal”

(more…)

The Democratic convention is held in a venue with maybe 20,000 capacity. That’s not enough capacity to hold all who want to hear Barack Obama. Obama’s campaign has engaged Invesco Field, with a capacity of 75,000+, for the event. From Time Magazine:

DENVER - Breaking the mold of traditional political Conventions, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced that Senator Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for President of the United States at Denver’s INVESCO Field at Mile High. INVESCO Field can accommodate more than 75,000 people and will be the site of the 2008 Democratic Convention’s final day of programming on Thursday, August 28, 2008.

“The Democratic Party is nominating a true change candidate this August, and it is only fitting that we make some big changes in how we put on the Convention,” said Governor Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). “Senator Obama’s candidacy has generated an enormous amount of excitement and interest, not only in the Democratic Party but also in the 2008 Convention. By bringing the last night of the Convention out to the people, we will be able to showcase Barack Obama’s positive, people-centered vision for our country in a big way.”

“Barack Obama’s campaign for change has inspired millions of Americans and brought people into the political process who might never have been involved,” said Convention Co-Chair Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. “This change in the Convention program will allow thousands of first-time participants a chance to take part. I can’t think of a better Convention finale for our nominee who has made reaching out to voters a hallmark of his campaign.”

Yes, he’s a rock star. There’s not been a bigger crowd to see a candidate make such a speech in history. I’m betting they create a few more venues where people can see it, too, like a video wall in Red Rock, or something like that.

It isn’t just the fact that Bush may show up and speak at the GOP Convention. It isn’t just that Ron Paul, representing some fierce fiscally conservative supporters, will run a convention competing with the GOP. No, John McCain has more problems in Minneapolis than that. According to an article this morning in the Washington Post, there’s going to be a bit of a floor fight over the GOP platform led by conservatives who don’t favor John McCain. Chaos in Minneapolis, all caused by Republicans. This is not the smooth party where everyone marches in lockstep, not anymore. And John McCain looks to have a few more brush fires to put out. From the Washington Post this morning:

Conservative activists are preparing to do battle with allies of Sen. John McCain in advance of September’s Republican National Convention, hoping to prevent his views on global warming, immigration, stem cell research and campaign finance from becoming enshrined in the party’s official declaration of principles.

McCain has not yet signaled the changes he plans to make in the GOP platform, but many conservatives say they fear wholesale revisions could emerge as candidate McCain seeks to put his stamp on a document that currently reflects the policies and principles of President Bush.

“There is just no way that you can avoid anticipating what is going to come. Everyone is aware that McCain is different on these issues,” said Jessica Echard, executive director of the conservative Eagle Forum. “We’re all kind of waiting with anticipation because we just don’t know how he’s going to thread this needle.”

McCain has spent the past year and a half trying to straddle the philosophical schism in the modern Republican Party. In primaries, he stressed his conservative credentials, but since clinching the nomination he has often reminded voters of his more moderate stances while professing his fealty to conservative positions.

A platform fight at the convention could disrupt that carefully choreographed effort by highlighting the stark differences in vision for the party separating McCain from some of the GOP’s most dedicated activists.

Oh, this is going to be something. when wes the last time someone from Phyllis Schlafly’s Eagle Forum flexed some muscles. No, the wingers meeting and coalescing around John McCain in Denver this week doesn’t mean much, does it? Not with some rogues out there who are going to fight McCain’s stances on immigration, stem cell research, global warming and campaign finance. Heck, McCain has flip flopped on some of these issues, so he might be able to finesse something here and there for a compromise at the convention, but he’s not going to be able to flip flop like a Circ de Soliel acrobat, as he’s too old for that. And that kind of Olympian flip flopping is what’s going to be needed for John McCain to satisfy the extremists on his religious whack job right wing.

I think we can expect fireworks at the Republican Convention, maybe even some sniping and smoke-filled skullduggery. Remember, that famous cigar smoker, who will likely have influence in those smoke-filled rooms, Rush Limbaugh, is not a John McCain fan. Just check out the big NY Times article about Rush — he’s not a McCain fan, though he’ll try to smack Obama at every turn. He’d join those Eagle Forum whack jobs in an instant, and don’t forget James Dobson and Focus on the Family, who famously distrust Mr. McCain.

The GOP coalition, like its brand, is severely broken. They’re not going to need any help in making a mess of their convention this year, and I say that Democrat protestors should keep a two state distance from them so as to let all the blame for a GOP Convention debacle to be aimed at Republicans alone.

As the New York Times reports, the folks who run the Republican Convention have a tough task. How do they project an image of change and still provide a send-off to their leader, who represents everything from which America wants to change. This decision is set against a backdrop where Bush is again slapped by the courts over his abuse of FISA, where a former Bush Appointee is donating money and time to the Obama campaign, and where Bush is appeasing the Chinese, despite human rights abuses coming to light. Yeah, the GOP is in trouble, trying to distance themselves from Bush while also honoring him at that convention. Here’s a bit of the NYTimes article:

Convention planners, the White House and the McCain campaign are wrestling with how to choreograph a proper send-off for Mr. Bush — sure, his poll numbers are in the tank, but he is still the party leader and president of the United States — while hustling him out the door in time for Mr. McCain to look like his own man.

“It’s a very delicate situation,” said Brian Jones, a former communications director for Mr. McCain’s campaign who also was a top communications strategist during Mr. Bush’s 2004 run for re-election. “Even though the president is the president, this is going to be John McCain’s convention, and you want it to be about John McCain and what his presidency would be.”

. . .

“The president’s approval rating among Republicans’ base voters who are needed for a successful McCain campaign is relatively high,” Mr. Portman said.

That is the crux of the Republicans’ 2008 convention quandary. If the imagery coming out of St. Paul looks like a McCain-Bush hug fest, the Arizona senator will turn off voters who are through with Mr. Bush and want to move past him. If the imagery looks like Mr. McCain is trying to file for some kind of Republican divorce, it will turn off party conservatives who are already skeptical of Mr. McCain.

So Republicans may just have to grit their teeth.

“The assumption would be that there will be some kind of physical handoff,” said Mr. Jones, the former spokesman for both Mr. Bush and Mr. McCain. “I think there is a sense that they would appear together. He is the sitting president; he’s still popular among hard-core Republicans; McCain has some issues with hard-core Republicans. Some people will say this was a bad way to play it, but I think it’s one of those things where you have to run through it, and do it, and embrace it.”

I’m betting that every moment that Mr. Bush spends onstage at the GOP Comvention is a moment where the GOP Senate candidates are going to grit their teeth, wishing fervently they were in their own states denying they were ever associated with Bush. Indeed, Gordon Smith of Oregon might not show for the convention, if he follows his pattern of allying with Barack Obama. Alas, Norm Coleman of Minnesota doesn’t have the option to bail from the convention, given that it is being held in his home state. All Coleman’s successful efforts to distance himself from Bush and the GOP may come to naught as Al Franken takes advantage by tying Coleman to Bush during the GOP convention. For more on the Senate problem for the Republicans, see this article in the Los Angeles Times.

So, what does John McCain decide to do in light of all these electoral problems posed by the Bush failures of the last eight years? He decides to focus on Bush’s biggest failures, or so it seems by McCain’s hiring of Rudy Guiliani’s Campaign Manager. Steve Schmidt is the former Guiliani Campaign Manager, and he exited that campaign having painted Rudy as someone who could only speak on 9/11. Let’s hope he brings the same kind of astute skills that resulted in Rudy winning ONE delegate to the GOP convention — that delegate sure is going to be lonely in Minneapolis, isn’t he? Maybe he could go to the Ron Paul convention instead.

And he hates Daniel and he hates Rick, too. Heck, McCain hates all bloggers. Read it here, and also listen to McCain say it. My goodness!

Why would he hate me? Well, I didn’t go all gooey when Rudy Guiliani mentioned 9/11 in every other sentence. I’m not about to do so when John McCain does the same. Well, the story is that McCain is hiring Guiliani’s Campaign Manager. How many milions did Guiliani spend for one electoral vote? How effective was that 9/11 all the time campaign strategy? Not very, and it ain’t going to be pretty. I’m thinking this is a case of McCain incompetence that rivals that of President Bush hiring and praising Brownie.