Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Obama and Al Aqsa

Since I was pointing out the relentless sexism of Obama supporters in last night's post I figure I can tie that in with tonight's brief post. When Herr Obama goes to the West Bank his security will be provided by the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. The picture is of Al Aqsa female fighters. Equality in terror...is a kind of equality.

Anyway, nice touch, Barry.

The target of Al Aqsa is Israeli civilians.

Linked here is a list of Al Aqsa Suicide attacks against Israeli civilians in the last 6 years. 130 Israelis have been murdered by "Obama's West Bank Security Force" since 2002.

The U.S. State department - that would be the "U.S." Obama wants to lead - lists Al Aqsa as a terrorist group.

The Palestinian Authority chose this group for his security. But this is not an out for Obama. A true leader would have refused to go to the West Bank under these circumstances. If for no other reason than in deference to the 130 recent dead. He is a U.S. Senator. The signal this sends to terror groups is...well... you decide. Coddling? Naive? Appalling?

I am not a Jew. But for the life of me I cannot understand how anyone in the Jewish community in America can support this man.

Every time I think I can't possibly be more disgusted with Obama - he hits a new low.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Wednesday, July 23, 2008 PERMALINK  

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Schedule.

So, According to Politico, Congregational insiders are griping about Obama. He has not been helpful. Or whatever. Duh. Christ all mighty, were any of these people paying attention during the primaries? It was about him and only him 24/7.

Frankly, I don't much blame him for ignoring congress. Neighborhood dogs who dump on other people's lawns and bark all night are more popular than the Pelosi/Reid Congress. If I wanted to win I would not go near these people either.

This kicker of the piece is this: Other Obama campaign sources repeatedly noted that the drawn-out fight with Clinton has "put the campaign behind schedule"

What schedule? Who's schedule?

Let's state this as clearly as possible because it is a place where the sexism of this campaign is deeply embedded:

1. Candidates running for President who are winning the largest, most important Democratic states consistently have no business quitting the race. After a weak start, Clinton ran an incredibly strong primary campaign that got more powerful with each passing day. Obama's stagnated after February. The schedule these people are referring to only exists in the mind of Axlerod, Brazile, and Dean.

2. The idea that she should "quit now" started right after Iowa with Jonathan Alter's asinine critique in Newsweek. It was amplified by the media after every Clinton victory. Notice the last word please. During Clinton's string of caucus losses in February the "she should quit now" meme actually died down. Then, on cue, and bizarrely, it ramped up again after her landslide win in Ohio and victory in Texas. It ramped up again after Clinton destroyed Obama in Pennsylvania. The only "schedule" for Clinton to exit was Obama's and the media's. Not Clinton's and certainly not the voters'.

3. The complaint that "they are behind schedule" because of Clinton is EXACTLY the kind of sexism that has gone unreported on this year. There was no reason for Clinton to drop out. She suspended her campaign at the point that it made sense.

I know I just said the same thing 3 times. But is needs repeating. There was no coordinated rush by the media to see Reagan drop out in 1976 or Kennedy in 1980, or McCain in 2000. All these men were in much weaker positions in those years than Clinton was in this one.

The difference is obvious. Gender.

Get the harpie off the stage. That's what was on the "schedule".

The subtext of all the "get out now" bile from Olbermann to Huffington, to the legions of numb skulls on Kos, to Cafferty, to Alter, to Dowd, to Frank Rich, to Randi Rhodes, to Dick Morris was bigotry toward a strong female candidate. BIGOTRY. If it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck... and yes, I am saying Maureen Dowd is a sexist bigot - whether she knows it or not. Nothing seems to rattle women of faux accomplisment like Dowd and Huffington as much as a woman of real accomplishment.

Finally - the compulsion by the Obama people is to blame Clinton. But it is not her fault Obama could not close the deal. It's his.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Wednesday, July 16, 2008 PERMALINK  

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Donna, Divas, Denver and Censoring Clinton at the Convention

Listen to what Donna the Brazilian said this week:

But the spectacle of a rapturous welcome for Sen. Clinton would be irresistible to television and could embarrass Sen. Obama.

could embarrass Sen. Obama. ????? WTF?

Does Donna rub his feet and fetch his cigs, too? Doubt it, I am sure they have a white woman do that - we would not want to upset Michelle while she's trying on her new $600 ear rings.

And now today's run on sentence: A rapturous welcome for a respected former first lady, sitting New York Senator, who got 18 million votes in the primaries, the most ever by a Dem, mainly from hard working blue collar voters- the former core of the party- this is a PROBLEM for Brazile because is could embarrass Little Lord Obama?

WTF WTF WTF WTF WTF???????

Who is Obama? Diana Ross at a Motown reunion afraid Mary Wells is going to get more attention? Now the Democratic party is in the business of protecting this man child's ego?

In 1980, President Carter allowed Ted Kennedy a speech and his delegates had a wild floor demonstration. Teddy had far few delegates then than Clinton has now. (That may be the real issue at hand. Delegates can switch at any moment.) It was referred to as the "big tent." Jimmy Carter was a weak President but was, and is, a thoughtful, decent, mature adult -unlike the mistake from Chicago. (I like that...let's refer to Obama as THE MISTAKE)

With his poll numbers way down, and his negatives higher than McCain's (See Rasmussen as of today) It is almost as if Obama knows he is a ship sinking. Looking back, the entire scope of the primaries appear more and more like a scripted, stage managed event to defeat Hillary - who, God bless her, refused to play along...

Is "Obama fades" the next part of the script? Sounds crazy - but what a crappy month Obama has had - caused entirely by his own campaign. The clumsy lurch to the right is some of the worst political maneuvering I've seen in a while - at least since John Kerry was the nominee.

Censoring Clinton at the convention is not only obnoxious - it is political suicide.

Women - and more than a few men - will never, ever vote for him if Clinton gets shafted in Denver. PUMAs raised millions to pay down Hillary's debt - a true show of strength, meanwhile the DNC and the BHO campaign flailed and yelped and begged for money all month.

If Obama's people want to expand PUMA POWER 8 fold overnight and ensure a loss to McCain they should keep doing what their doing.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Sunday, July 13, 2008 PERMALINK  

Saturday, July 12, 2008

A reading from the Obama Scriptures - wandering the money desert.

A reading from the Lost Gospel of Donna the Brazilian Chapter 66, Verse 6 -

Backstory:

This gospel which was rediscovered by a biker in a drug treatment center just south of Atlanta. It was wrapped tightly in a bong, that had been squirreled away beneath a sink in the basement. Sadly the Biker smoked most of this Gospel before long time counselor "Tiny" Gonzalez could taze and sit on him. The gospel, when smoked, is reported to have caused such incredible euphoria for the biker that he has never returned to sanity, and now sits bolt upright in his room all day - completly covered by a blanket he crocheted during an America's Next Top Model marathon. When anyone approaches he says in a spooky little person voice: "Do not go into the light Carol Anne." or, in the same spooky voice, "I'm not gay if I'm on top. booooooooo" and occasionally: "Mommy please don't make me play naked air hockey with your boyfriend again tonight."

Here is all that remains of the lost Obama gospel written by Donna the Brazillian:



In came to pass in those days that the Lord Obama's money lenders had accomplished their goal.

For they had given-eth all their cash-eth for to defeat-eth the "qualified one" named Hillary.

And now they no longer cared.

And The Lord Obama's Cash Cow was sent out to be slaughtered.

And the Lord went into the Lobby where the the People of the Money lingered and said:

Why? Why have you forsaken me, money people? It is my hour of need for I have just bought a new plane for myself. To bring-eth the message of Hopey changey to all the 57 states."


The People of the Money in the Lobby said to the Lord Obama:


Wow. Dude. You think we really cared about that hopey change schtick? That was crap for the potheads in Berkeley, stupid college kids, and the rich white liberal morons in Marin County. You did not think we actually LIKED you, did you? Come on. Take a look at yourself. You're pathetic. You're not even junior law partner material yet. And that shrew you married. Yikes! She makes the crazy cat lady on the Simpsons seem like Jackie Kennedy. Barry, dude, we just needed someone to defeat the Qualified One named Hillary. So thanks. Cheers!

And they raised their Scotches in salute. Which is a great honor from the Gaseous Money Men of the Lobby. And then went back to watching Tiger Woods on the Big Screen-eth at the Country Club-eth.

Then the money people laughed at the Lord, saying to him go ask David Geffen or Arianna Huffington for an advance on your allowance. The money people LOL-ed mightily at this. And then they hacked and coughed and turned away from the Lord.

But the Lord did not leave for he was confus-eth and said:

Money people, Money people, why have you forsaken me?

One Money Person said to the Lord Obama - Shush, freak.

For the money people were watching Tiger Woods Golf-eth and the Lord was being a Pest-eth.

Yet the Lord would not leave.

So one money person asked Barry for a light.

And another asked him if he would do one of those hopey changy speeches at his daughters sweet 16 party in the Hamptons, offering him 1,000 dollars cash and a car for to pick him up at the JFK. And possibly a free night at the La Quinta just over the line in Connecticut.

And another asked him to fix some drinks.

And Barry was upset. For Donna, the beast like Brazilian, had told him that he was actually beloved by the money people.

And the Lord went out back for a smoke-eth.

And while he smoked he decided to blame the "Qualified One" for his problems. Because she was a female. and White. and it was easy to blame her.

And the Lord decided to make-eth a speech about hope and change in a foreign land near a large gate.
And the Lord decided to have Rev. Jackson say something stupid to all the land to make the Lord Obama look less Black.
And the Lord decided to flip flop many times, for this will make them love me again, he thought.

And the Lord tooketh a deep drag on his Camel Wide.
And the lord was happy. So he went to Denny's for a late night waffle.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Saturday, July 12, 2008 PERMALINK  

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

christian VS. "Christian"

Jesus's Christianity:

Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?"
And Jesus said unto him, "I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:21-35


Michelle and Barrack Obama's Christianity:

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Wednesday, July 02, 2008 PERMALINK  

Saturday, June 28, 2008

The election between Fear and Fingers Crossed.

In a backassward way I am grateful for BHO. I would rather be spending my blog time defending Hillary from the cannon fire of the Right. But it did not work out that way.

Nevertheless, Obama is an interesting character. No, that's wrong - he's an interesting idea for a character.

There have been plenty of American Presidents that were were duds -Carter, Harding, Bucannon, Andrew Johnson. Plenty that have been serviceable, McKinley, Cleveland, Coolidge, and yes, Hoover. More than our fair share of greats - Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, FDR, Teddy Roosevelt and the oddly unsung Polk - who, in one term seized half of Mexico. For better or worse he made a hell of a difference.

We have also had a remarkable number that may not have been great Presidents - but had greatness in them. Either bad historical timing, and/or debilitating character defects overrode the potential for great administrations.

Eisenhower was a great man. He was a good President. Republicans would do well to revisit and rehabilitate him about now. JFK became one of our "greats" after being murdered. Still there was greatness in him while he lived. I would even argue that Nixon and Clinton had greatness in them - obscured and hampered by large personal flaws - though Nixon's were clearly more criminal in expression.

(The comparisons between JFK and Obama are false are wrongheaded. Even in his 30's and 40's JFK spoke with history at his back and a sense of his own ballast as a man. Obama's greatest speeches seem intent on obscuring his history and are temporal. They exist specifically to exact a change in one moment only. The "race" speech was an attempt to blot out 20 years of his life, not lead us any place new.)

There does not seem to be anything great about Obama. It appears more and more that there is no there, there. The argument that "he will surround himself with great people" is no good either. He hasn't yet. He does the opposite - he attaches himself and detaches himself from people like a mosquito - just long enough to suck some blood and move on. Besides the idea that Lincoln or FDR were great because of who they chose to work for them is silly. Great leaders instinctively choose great subordinates. So far Obama's people are yes men and hatchet men - and women. Obama is, more than anything, a creation. He's an idea of what a post modern, post racial, 500 channel entertainment-industrial complex, post baby boomer President should be. This is why the media loves him. McCain is the opposite on all counts. He looks like a one term fill in President, circa 1880, who will spend his evenings as President sauntering down Pennsylvania Avenue to a local bar so he can throw darts with Jack Murtha. So far McCain is running a very good Senate campaign.

This year is interesting, I'll give you that. This will not be an election between hope and fear. Obama does not inspire hope - I don't care how many "Warhol Obama Hope" bumper stickers there are out there. With the convinced his inspires delusions and with the not yet convinced he inspires wariness - soon to be weariness.

This will be an election between Fear and Fingers Crossed.

Could 99% of what has been written on this blog about Obama be wrong? Sure. Could there be a great President in the making with Obama? I suppose. But all the sound and fury continues to signify nothing. Which seems to be the way Obama likes it.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Saturday, June 28, 2008 PERMALINK  

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Obama's control of the media.

It is all true. Obama has controlled the media in a way that would make Papa Stalin proud. Or, at the very least, Joe McCarthy. Roy Cohn is probably so impressed he'd is no doubt screaming "Yes, We Can!" in the deepest basement of hell.

Newsvine lays it out brutally here. Read it. But do so with the lights on as it is an American horror story. Everything from the absorption of the left wing blogs to the seizure of CNN is touched on. Not to mention the planned attacks on any one who voiced opposition - or even concern - about Obama. And, yes, the race card was played by Obama early, often and with abandon. I stated here months ago that Obama was running the most vicious Presidential campaign since Adams/Jefferson in 1800. It is clear now, I was wrong. Obama's primary campaign of 2008 is the most negative and mean spirited campaign in our history.

Thoughtful people who watch or read "news" in this country must come to terms with a simple fact sooner or later: There is no "news" media in the United States. There is a 24 hour show that feeds on the blogs - then itself - in cycles that last 36-74 hours. Like Phil Spectors Wall of Sound the media creates a Wall of Chatter. The only exceptions here are local stories and natural disasters but even in those cases the story is quickly molded into an event that avoids solid information. The financial model for reality TV is applicable here. Reality TV is, of course, not reality at all. If the perfunctory patterns of our day to day lives were put on television - no one would watch. Solid information costs money to gather. Journalists have to be journalists, go places, ask discerning questions, demand answers. 100 monkeys typing could have reported with more depth on Obama during the past 6 months. Sound bites and people chatting about the sound bites is much cheaper. This environment is just as conducive to P.R. agents and fads as Entertainment Tonight. Obama has proven both George Orwell and Paddy Chayefsky right.

For all that - the latest Gallup 3 day tracking poll has McCain and Obama tied. Who knows what will happen? I do know reality is often immune to P.R. Katrina taught us that. Reality may strike Obama from an odd angle no one sees coming. (Example: Israel is signalling there will be an attack on Iran - will security moms vote Hope/Change with the Middle East in flames?) Since BHO's campaign is based on FORCE not POWER it has inherent weaknesses and could collapse in an instant.

Regardless, most people can still discern the difference between an ad campaign for Love Guru and a Presidential campaign. The protection and promotion of Obama by the media may last past the election. But CNN is not in the business of news - it is in the business of weaving a narrative that keeps you and I tuned in. There will come a point with Obama, just like it did with Bush, when the media sees that the story has changed - the new narrative being "Who is this guy and can we trust him with the job?" It may happen after he has the job - but I pray it does not.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Wednesday, June 25, 2008 PERMALINK  

Monday, June 23, 2008

Ah - we are living a Clockwork Orange.

Obama could murder somebody at this point and I would still vote for him...in other words...go fuck yourself!!!
Aren't the Obamatons a delightful bunch?


I know, I know...I'm a racist, blahblahblahblahblahblah

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Monday, June 23, 2008 PERMALINK  

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Obama's Little Red Book

When will the Obama campaign start handing out Little Red Books?

In the United States, it is difficult to imagine a scenario as scary as the sudden defense of warrantless wiretapping by the Obama Pod Squad. Many of the Obama sheeple have turned on a dime in the past week - because Obama turned on a dime. Now they defend the indefensible because their Dear Leader told them it was - suddenly - okay.

We've always been at war with Eastasia... to allude to Orwell's Big Brother.

This is the point were the Reactionaries and the Radicals close the circle. The difference between the far Right and the foolish Left is this: The far Right rarely has to double back. They enter stating their intention to end civil liberties, usually wearing brown shirts and scowls. The DailyKos Left is another matter. They lavishly pave the road to perdition with high rhetoric, smiles, and good intentions.

Those who supported Bush while he chipped away at civil liberties are less alarming because, frankly, we know what they are up to and about. In fact, they are working from a value system.
They may not be values we agree with - but they are values - beliefs acted upon.

What "values" are the excuse making progressives embodying?

None.

The only thing in play is the protection of the leader of a personality cult. Imagine Olbermann's vicious "Special Comment" about the our rights being trampled by Bush if Obama had kept his promise and voted against the bill.It isn't hard.

If Obama had said the FISA bill is now good, and all men born in odd numbered years should wear kilts on Tuesdays - we would all see an astounding number of men in kilts at the local Whole Foods this week.

Principles do not matter to the Obama campaign or its followers.

To see so many alleged progressives suddenly making excuses for Obama's vote on FISA betrays something sinister: a deep need to erase all conviction - in fact - all thought - and a willingness to attack all those who refuse. This is not the healthy need to participate in a force for good that is bigger than the individual. It is the unhealthy need to annihilate individuality.

The operative phrase is not My Country, Right or Wrong - it is Obama, Right or Wrong. Donna Brazille said if Obama does not get the nomination "there will be blood."

This is a statement that should be taken literally. They mean it. Your blood. Not theirs.

If you think that is hysterical - fine. Go read about Obama's history from some place other than his bestsellers. Go read history period. Then come back to 2008 and look at his campaign tactics.

It can happen here.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Sunday, June 22, 2008 PERMALINK  

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Obama shark jump watch: deconstructing the pretend Presidential seal

What else can be said about BHO's mock up of the Presidential seal at a conference with Democratic Governors? Since he is one of two major contenders for President one wants to look out across the landscape and find reasons to believe he is NOT a megalomaniac sociopath - and yet his campaign keeps telegraphing that he is - and they are on board. Like the "mission accomplished" banner behind Bush low those many years ago the image of Obama behind a pretend Presidential seal is so obnoxious it bends the mind. The man does not even have his party's nomination yet - that is still over 2 months off. One has to wonder what the state chief executives in the audience thought of this paper mache "seal". Even the most ardent Pro Obama Governors had to have a had a moment of "jeez, at least I've done something in my career." Obama is a prime example of the something for nothing society that we live in. Give me the job now. Emphasis on the word give.

So what were they thinking?

This "seal" was discussed in an Obama campaign meeting. Designing a seal as a rip off the Presidential Seal was approved. Further is was decided that it would be used at a meeting of actual chief executives - this is the job title Obama wants, but has never had.

One can easily conclude that the seal is meant to give the Governors a shove backward. What the fake seal says is: "Look, I know most of you in the room have accomplished more and are more qualified than me for the job I want. But I am the leader here, so don't push it."

As Patsy Stone, the glamorous drunk on BBC's Absolutely Fabulous, said whenever confronted: "Don't Question Me!" Or better, South Park's Cartman: "Respect my Autthori-tah!" - deliciously barked by an 8 year old who has no authority.

If the stakes weren't so high the whole Obama event would be interpreted as a joke. Or a silly play the neighborhood kids were putting on in a barn.

Since Obama choked on FISA yesterday my fear of him has lessened a small amount. (Not because I agree with his flip flop, I adamantly do NOT.) This could be foolish of me. Afterall, Obama has no track record and his history is pock marked with radicals and idiots. Nevertheless, what Obama told us by voting for the FISA bill is simple enough: There will be no real change. Those who run the show behind the scenes will continue unabated by me. I want to win, principles be damned. A few of those who feed at the trough will be switched out for others. But the trough will remain in place.

I'll take a new face at the head of the same old system for four more years over the studied psychosis of Black Liberation Theology and dime store socialism any day.

Still, what are we to make of this latest stunt with the Presidential seal? The mental atmospherics that went into Obama's willingness to affix the pretend seal to himself are disturbing. The analogies connecting the happily arrogant W. Bush and the petulant Obama are strengthened every day. But the seal stunt puts Obama in a league of his own. One cannot imagine W in 2000, or his father in 1988 being quite as arrogant and tacky.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Saturday, June 21, 2008 PERMALINK  

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Obama's Modern Times

Just in case you missed this great one from Flineo
here it is:

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Thursday, June 19, 2008 PERMALINK  

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

How McCain is losing the November election in June.

With each passing day I feel more and more detached from my Democratic roots. This is good. I can watch a bit more comfortably from the side lines. Obviously, I think Obama is a snake. But getting worked up for McCain is no small task.

Let me give my two cents about the general election so far. McCain is losing the election - right now. He is making one catastrophic misjudgement. The timing of the misjudgement is earlier in McCain's case (then again, everything happens earlier now). It is the same misjudgement that Kerry made in 04 and Dukakis made in 1988. And it is equally foolish.

Obama is quickly taking over the Democratic Party and quickly defining himself to the general electorate. Politics 101: You have to define your opponent before he A. Defines himself. and B. He defines you.

Kerry allowed the swift boat ads to sit in the water (as it were) for 3 weeks before he responded.
Dukakis toddled around for a month while Bush 1 hammered him with Willie Horton.
Both men were then embedded in the minds of many Americans as distrustful and weak and never recovered.

Obama is not going all out negative on McCain. He is going all out to project himself as a man of action. Meanwhile McCain, like Clinton before him, is holding fire, presumably waiting until after the Democratic convention to unload - under the misguided assumption that people do not pay attention until Labor Day. This is WRONG. People are paying attention now.

The desire to be done with the Bush years is so strong that people are already engaged. Maybe not deeply but enough to make some basic judgements and tell pollsters. The pollsters then cue the media, which gets all frothy, - and what a candidate has is called momentum.

The McCain campaign must realize that the next six weeks are as important as the last 2 this year. Unless McCain lands hard on all of Obama's soft spots now and throws him off his game it will be almost impossible to stop him come November.

The Wright tapes had a muted effect on Obama because they appeared in April after many victories and many months of media adulation. Had they appeared in January Clinton would have won.

If McCain believes holding back now and unloading in October is the right strategy he is mistaken. The risk is that he so sullies BHO before the actual nomination that delegates dash back to Clinton at the convention- an unbeatable candidate at this point. But the greater risk is that Obama has solidified a positive image in the public mind that will be hard, if not impossible, to shake.

Pundits claim that negative campaigns turn people off. They are correct. The game is to turn them off the other guy. Well, timed, negative campaigns work. Badly timed negative campaigns backfire.

McCain's main strength against Obama is his experience. Hillary talked about it a lot, but rarely hammered him with it. (the 3 AM ads being one exception). Unless McCain and the RNC define Obama now as too inexperienced and untrustworthy to be President - then it will be too late come the Fall. If Obama makes his acceptance speech unsullied he will be the President. He is too damn good at those events. His machine is too strong to overcome with "whitey tapes" and commercials about Wright. The tapes (if they exist) and ads need to be in circulation now.

Five dollar gas will make bozo the clown a strong candidate against anyone who is associated with Bush.

Having said all that, after watching the Democratic primaries I am not sure the whole thing is not just a scripted show. The winner being chosen a long time ago - in a smoke filled room faraway.

But onward we must push. If we do just have a faux democracy at this point - the only way to get a real one back is to act as if we are empowered.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Wednesday, June 18, 2008 PERMALINK  

Booing Senator Clinton and the Obama Politics of Hate














"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary...These procedures are an archaic bourgeois detail. This is a revolution! And a revolutionary must become a cold killing machine motivated by pure hate." Che Guevara

Hatred as an element of struggle; unbending hatred for the enemy, which pushes a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him into an effective, violent, selective, and cold-blooded killing machine. This is what our soldiers must become...Che Guevara

The pic on the right is of a pro Obama judge James Burge's office, a Lourain County,Ohio. Yes, that's right - he's a judge. The other is of Obama's Houston Office.

Between 1959-1962 Che Guevara ordered 4,000 executions without trial. He often tortured his victims himself. The case of 16 year old Ariel Lima is particularly sad. More info here. Warning: some of the pics are gruesome.

Also, thanks to DamonMi for sending the clip below along. There is a sickness in this country that emanates from Barrack Hussein Obama. In the clip the Democratic Governor of Michigan is booed when she mentions Senator Clinton.

(At least some of the adults in the older Pro-Obama Democratic Establishment must be thinking about now -My God, what have we done? Note: it is time for you to exhibit courage, step forward, and admit your mistake. Look at it this way - you'll be ahead of the curve historically. )

This event, like most Obama spectacles, was a cross between a Menudo concert and a Nuremberg Rally.

Am I stretching by connecting the dots between the Obama phenomenon and murderous personality cults in the recent past? Yes. But not by much. One economic shock and the rally tips from Menudo to Nuremberg rather quickly. BHO's fans base their support almost exclusively on personality. Not facts, not policy, not accomplishment, not merit. This makes them particularly malleable. And Obama is nothing if not ruthless.



and yes, i know since this post is not adoring of the baby Jesus obama i am a racist. blah blah blah.... ya know what i don't friggin care anymore. Obama Pods have made the word racist meaningless. Saying "You're a racist!" is now akin to saying "You drink coffee!"

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Wednesday, June 18, 2008 PERMALINK  

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Obama adviser demonstrates severe lack of knowledge

In a stunning case of stupidity and historical illiteracy Obama policy adviser, Susan Rice, stated on CNN in regards to the Kennedy/Krushchev meeting in June 1961: "Thank God he did because if he hadn't we would have not been able to resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis".

Whaaaat?

This statement is moronic, and false. Coming from a senior adviser to Obama it qualifies as absolutely scary. From the NY Times:
he embarked on a summit meeting with Khrushchev in Vienna in June 1961, a move that would be recorded as one of the more self-destructive American actions of the cold war, and one that contributed to the most dangerous crisis of the nuclear age.
Senior American statesmen like George Kennan advised Kennedy not to rush into a high-level meeting

The historical evidence suggests the opposite of Rice's statement is the case. Krushchev came away from the meeting believing Kennedy was weak and inexperienced. Even Kennedy knew he had blundered:

Kennedy's assessment of his own performance was no less severe. Only a few minutes after parting with Khrushchev, Kennedy, a World War II veteran, told James Reston of The New York Times that the summit meeting had been the "roughest thing in my life." Kennedy went on: "He just beat the hell out of me."
For two days he was pummeled by the Soviet leader. Despite his eloquence, Kennedy was no match as a sparring partner

If anything the meeting resulted in Krushchev believing he could put missiles in Cuba since the new, young President appeared weak.

Obama is now in a general election campaign for the most powerful office in the world. He and his advisers continue to demonstrate a severe deficit of experience and knowledge.

This should give all thinking voters pause.

I know despite the historical consensus about this meeting in 1961 - the fact that I am pointing out a flaw in an Obama adviser makes me a racist.

blah, blah, blah...

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Sunday, June 15, 2008 PERMALINK  

Obama was out golfing during Hillary's concession speech...

Obama brats - listen up. One candidate is working for votes. The other thinks he's entitled to them. Check it out. ...Obama was out golfing during Hillary's concession speech... your man seems to nuture an image as asshole. Don't like McCain that much but he didn't throw the finger to a former first lady...

Either he doesn't need a bunch of Clinton voters or he's got to get his act together.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Sunday, June 15, 2008 PERMALINK  

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Legitimate and illegitimate comparisons and the danger of demagogues.

There are a few clips up at Savage Politics tonight. I reccomned a trip over there. They are fierce and have their reasons. One that I will not post here compares Obama with Hitler. The comparison is unfair because we always reference Hitler with the end in mind - not the beginning. Additionally, America in 2008 is not Germany in the 30's, yet. There are increasing signals that we are in very deep trouble economically. And as any one who comes around here knows, I believe the crisis surrounding energy is going to tear this nation apart if people do not wake up and wake up swiftly. The canary in the coalmine is dead and displayed on a pike at every gas station in the land. This country, its economy, its social structure, the health of its citizens, its food supply and anything else you can think of is connected to and centered on access to relatively cheap oil. The era of cheap oil is over. Forever. There are alternatives - but none of them will stop the unravelling of our assumptions. None of them will get food to the markets in our "last minute" supply system. None of them will allow the amount of food production we assume is the norm. None of them will generate the energy that power our cities and towns. None of them will replace the oil used in pharmaceutical production. None of them can fly a plane. None of them can save the suburbs and exurbs.

And none of this should be news to anyone. It's been coming since America peaked in oil production in 1970.

But it is news to nearly everyone. Or will be shortly.

Many good blogs are yelling at the top of their electronic lungs about what is coming regarding peak oil. Find them . Educate yourselves. Begin to think differently - RIGHT NOW. Something drastic is shifting beneath our feet. It is in the beginning of this shifting that the Obama phenomenon was born.

The coming rewrite of our assumptions does not scare me much any longer. It did when I first began to read about Peak Oil. I am not a survivalist - I am a conscious observer, who tries to form opinions based on what I believe to be reliable information. It often is - and sometimes it is not. When I started informing myself on peak oil 4 years ago I was shocked - but compelled to keep going. Here is what the wiser commentators, mostly geologists, oil men, and the US Government itself - google and read the Hirsch Report - were predicting in the late 1990s and early 21st century.

1. The housing market would crater and a mortgage crisis would occur.
Check.
2. Gasoline would experience inflation rates of 50-100%.
Check.
3. Commodities would sky rocket in price.
Check
4. The dollar would either collapse of have a steady decline.
Check.
5. The Airline industry would contract.
Check.
6. Suburbia would become unworkable.
This is now occurring, sometimes brutally.
7. Oil Wars.
Call Iraq what ever kind of war you want - we simply would not be there if the primary Iraqi export was figs or Gameboys - regardless of the brutality of the government. Arguments can be made about the reasons for the invasion, but it is misguided to believe that oil was not a major factor. U.S. troops protected 2 things in the immediate aftermath: The oil ministry in Baghdad and oil fields. The rest of Iraq fell into chaos.
8. Food inflation here. Followed by scarcity in some sections. Food riots. The First World has been immune thus far. But food riots have occured throughout the world this year.
9. Social dislocation. Again - in the US this is now in the "anecdotal" stage. It is not anecdotal in Europe, which is in an even more precarious position than us. Strikes have erupted throughout Britain and the Continent. Banks have failed. Here people are changing habits- and griping. One supply disruption and the taut rope will snap. Griping will become something else entirely.

The predictions get more dire from here and mostly lie ahead. Whether I or anyone likes it, the "Peak Oil" doomsayers have been spot on thus far.

More drilling may occur here. So be it. Anyone who thinks we will find enough oil to run things as we are now is an ostrich. The American way of life is on the block.

So what does scare me? The fact that almost everyone seems to be in a state of paralysis about the end of cheap oil and what it means.

We are ripe for a demagogue to emerge. We have grown one just in time.

One should not compare the Obama phenomenon with the last 6 years of Hilter's reign. It is gross, unfair to Obama, and dishonors the millions who died.

However, - and I have been hesitant to make this leap in electronic print before - a comparison between Germany in 1933 and America in 2008 is increasingly legitimate.

The massive and mindless out pouring of support for an unknown, charismatic leader by those who do not seem to think and are unwilling to rationally debate the pros and cons this leader, the cult like adoration, the stage managing of the rallies, the sloganeering that insists on intellectual nullification, the refusal to question, the scapegoating and attack on those who do, the control of the limited, but effective, message by a compliant press...

The list could probably go on.

I admit freely that the comparison is not entirely fair. Americans are not Germans. We are messier and value individuals over the group instinctively. The scapegoating of Jews was so massive in Germany it still stands alone historically.

But there has been a real attack from the Left on poorer whites. This is at times gleeful. "We don't need them" they are "bitter racists" etc. The empowerment of the "What's the Matter with Kansas" wing of the Left that casually dismisses entire populations should alarm true progressives. Whatever social biases exist in West Virginia, we've never seen such an overt assault on those who labor by the pseudo laborers in the "creative class".

The catalysts for a social meltdown are evident and ready for a trigger event. What scares me about BHO is that he seems to be ahead of the curve. He also is apparently about nothing. His opinions shift with the wind - yet his empty message of change goes on. No one has a solid notion - even now - of what the change will be. It will be "better". That's all we are told.

I've said it before - there is little difference between a happy mob and an angry mob. This is demonstrated every day on blogs with the Obama fanatics. Rational reasons for his candidacy, based on his actual history and accomplishments, are never stated. Attacks on others' characters or polices and adulation of Obama supposed character are the Alpha and Omega. We are to take him as presented, or we are wrong.

Given Obama's new power and the coming social disruptions - and attendant anxiety - this is a recipe for catastrophe. But not of the sort seen in Germany. People are consciously or unconsciously picking sides already. Both sides are strong.

Should Obama win, and proceed to become a transformative, progressive President I will admit on this blog that I was dead wrong. Nothing would please me more than a truly -and traditionally - liberal administration. We have not had one since FDR.

We shall see.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Saturday, June 14, 2008 PERMALINK  

Sunday, June 08, 2008

The Democratic Socialists of America

Here is what has been missing in the debate on Obama. The DSA: Democratic Socialists of America. The DSA is the American affiliate of the Socialist International. The DSA is supporting the Obama campaign.

I won't scream with horror Communist! But this group is the misguided, far Left end of the American political spectrum. They are quieter than the misguided far Right end of the American political spectrum. And, being a mainstream liberal, I agree with some of what they expose. They work within the Democratic Party and view the Evangelicals recent power in the GOP as a template for their own "take over" of the Democratic.

This is the ideological engine of the Obama campaign. I am not bothered by who these people are. I am bothered by who these types always become once they attain power. What with the purges and cultural revolutions and all. Look at the current purging of the DNC as foreshadowing.

I wonder when will the Latte Democrats wake up and realize - they are next.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Sunday, June 08, 2008 PERMALINK  

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Breaking News: L.R. has copy of Obama's acceptance speech in Denver.

Senator Obama has been caught plagiarizing. Most recently, on Tuesday, he gave a speech lifted in large part from Governor Cuomo's address to the 1984 Democratic Convention. In light of Obama's problem with stealing other's words there is much speculation about his upcoming convention acceptance speech.

Lynne and I have received a copy of the speech Senator Obama will make at the convention from an anonymous source in the Obama camp.

(Okay, actually we got David Geffen drunk and told him if he got us the speech Jake Gyllenhaal and Prince Harry would dress up like Vikings and "raid" his yacht. To our surprise a copy of the speech came via Fed Ex the next day.)

We print the first draft here to see if any intrepid bloggers can ferret out potential plagiarism.



Denver, August 2008

After the crowd settles Obama will look the teleprompter in the eye and begin:

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend me your ears. But neither a borrower or a lender be. For I am the eggman. You are the walrus. The buck stops here. Respect my authori-tah. Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask "Romeo, Romeo where for art thou, Romeo? Workers of the world unite and come on and vogue.

(pause as the Obama delegates strike a pose.)

There is nothing to fear because love means never having to say you're sorry. For the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country. Show me the money! I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.

(the crowd erupts in a planned demonstration. Halle Berry will run on stage with flowers for Barack, turn to the crowd, suffer a "wardrobe malfunction" exposing her breasts, swoon and faint. Obama will say: Does anyone have some water? Can we get some Peligrino for Halle? before continuing...)


We few, we happy few, we band of brothers-can't we all just get along? You ask: Where's the beef? I say: The cow jumped over the moon.

The crowd erupts: OH Bom Ah! Ob Bom Ah!.

You like me, you really like me.


We have big plans for the first 100 days:

My first act as President will be to rename the White House:

The Richard M. Daley White House,

Camp David will become Camp David Geffen,

Air Force One will be called Air Force One, presented by George Soros,

and finally Washington D.C. itself will be renamed Obamington, D.C.

Free Leg tinglers for ALL!

Cut to Chris Matthews having an actual orgasm on the set of Hardball.

Though, I speak softly and carry a big stick I did not have sex with that woman. If you have an erection for more than 4 hours, come sit next to me.

As your humble servant I come before you tonight to say: LEAVE BRITTNEY ALONE! Leave her ALONE!

(Planned uncontrollable sobbing erupts from the Obama delegates. Bruce Springsteen will run on stage with flowers for Barack, turn his back to the crowd, suffer a "wardrobe malfunction" exposing his buttocks, swoon and faint. Obama will say: Does anyone have some water? Can we get some Peligrino for The Boss? - before continuing...)

It is a long and winding road but the truth is out there! Four score and seven years ago you asked Got Milk? Now we enter the land of milk and honey, sweetie. Let's Dance!
America is a city on a hill! There's no place like home! There's no place like home! There's no place like home! I have a dream! Green Acres is the place to be! Jesus Saves! Stay tuned for a very special Blossom! Just say no! Hakuna Matata!

I'm here all week!
Thank you Denver! And good night!


With that Donna Brazile and Howard Dean will place crowns on the heads of Barack and Michelle. The couple will climb in a 1968 Chrysler Convertible which will "fly" over the convention hall. The Obamas will shower the crowd with tiny copies of "The Audacity of Hope" and half price coupons to Red Lobster.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Saturday, June 07, 2008 PERMALINK  

Friday, June 06, 2008

Obama Pod Encounters of the Third Kind

Many of us having creepy stories to tell about Obama Pod Encounters. Scientists have now divided these encounters into three kinds defined as below:

Obama Pod Encounter of the First Kind (OPE1): The witness goes to a website run by a pod, sees a pod on television. This is classified as a safe encounter. Though many doctors now believe that repeated exposure may lead an otherwise sane person to have some mental distress. Limit time exposed to less than a few minutes a week.

Obama Pod Encounter of the Second Kind (OPE2): Indirect contact is made by a Pod. Places like this site often experience OPE2. Most are easy to spot and pose little danger. A comment is made that includes the words or phrases: "She's a bitch", "You're a Republican", "Baby boomers need to die!" "Clinton is a racist!" or just plain, "racist!"
However, some are more subtle. One recent comment here started out sane and, if not well reasoned, was at least calm but by the second paragraph this was dropped in "God has ordained that Obama be President." Beware of these weasels. They intend to draw you into a fight. Take up the fight - but always start on offense. Demand explanations of Obama's past and voting record. This often acts like Raid on roaches. Befuddled the Pod may try to avoid the assault by saying "But Hillary did..." Do not take the bait. Demand a real accounting of their candidate. Usually the Pod becomes confused, spins for a minute like a small dog about to take a shit, and then retreats. It may take some practice to stay on the offensive. But stay there you must.

Obama Pod Encounters of the Third Kind (OPE3): Face to face interaction. Many of us have unwittingly had these in our day to day lives. A pleasant greeting on the street turns into a crazy scene. I suggest something like this as a way to defend yourself:

Regular person: Hey - how are you? Nice to see you

Pod: Great. The election is crazy this year isn't it?

RP: Yes. Hard to believe what's going on.

Pod: I know. Isn't Obama great, though?

Pause to asses. Check for escape routes.

RP: Well, actually I support Clinton.

The Pod's face will visibly tighten. You have now been branded a racist in the Pod's mind.

P: (said with condescension - as to a child with the gimp leg) Oh. Really. You know the Clinton's are racist.

RP: That's not true. Where did you get an idea like that?

P: (Now becoming angry) Obama said so!

RP: Well, I think otherwise.

(the phrase "I think" will confuse the pod. This is a foreign concept to them - the moment of befuddlement gives an opening)

RP: Tell me - Why do you support Obama?

P: He gives me hope. I feel good when I see him and think about him. Don't you want hope?


RP: I have lots of hope already. Plenty of things inspire me. My kids, beautiful art, great writing, people helping in Darfur and New Orleans. All sorts of things are hopeful. Hillary is quite inspirational, too.

The Pod may exhibit manic behavior at this point. The ears pull back and the jaw becomes tight. The mind of the Pod races now - becoming somewhat reptilian. They may blurt out:

P: No you hate black people!

RP: That's absurd.

P: Nothing is hopeful except Barrack!

RP: He is not hopeful. He's scary.

P: What, what, what?? You evil racist dog! Change! We must change! You must be for Obama now or or

RP: Or what?

P: Supreme Court! McCain!

RP: I am not afraid of those things. Speak in sentences, please.


P: No! you bad! Barrack good! You most stupid! Iraq! They don't have maps! Such as! Hillary Bad! Bitch! Bosnia! Bad!

The pod may go on like this for a while. If you are feeling brave you may pursue with:

RP: But WHY do you support him other than he gives you hope?

P: You don't understand shit, you racist bitch! I am going to call...someone... on you...and then...you suck. You Republican troll!

Probably best to walk away at this point. If you continue on the offensive they can do no harm to you. But most are now beyond help from a lay person. If you truly care for the Pod call an Obama Pod Intervention Team. If not, let it go.

In the coming months we should all prepare for Obama Pod encounters.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Friday, June 06, 2008 PERMALINK  

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Today's Obama reading: The Apocryphal Book Of Olbermann:

A reading from the apocryphal Book Of Olbermann:


So it came to pass in those days
that the land of the Patriots chose a new leader whose name was Patrick.
Patrick's words had given hope to many.

The apostle Axlerod knew Patrick's words
and he went to the Lord Obama and gave him the same words
for to sooth the Arugula Tribe
and make them like Sheep

But Axlerod worried that the Lord would be accused of word theft.
And then Lord Obama was accused of word thievery
by a two bit tobacco chewing racist
named Cracker McHick

But the Lord said:
Be not afraid of the racists.
I have not stolen Patrick's words.
I riff with my brothers.

And many at a gathering asked
what is 'riff ' Lord?

 And the Lord said: Listen to this allegory.
And while the gathered Arugulas sipped
upon their Lattes and Carmel Macchiatos
and nibbled Tofurky Weiners a top the hoods of their Priuses
the Lord said:

"The Lord must be allowed to steal words.
I am a busy Lord and can't be expected to come up with new speeches all the time.
Obey me and do not question."

A curious disciple said -
But Lord that is not an allegory.
It is merely 3 sentences.

Then the Lord's eyes became like slits and he said:
Respect my AuthoraTAY! Hope! Change!
I am the Alpha and the Beta.
Hope! Change! Changey Hopey Change!
Change-o- Hope- o- Rama!
Hopeish! Change a lish us!
Hopetastic!

The Lord went on repeating variations of Hope and Change
until the apostles rolled a blunt
and became Fade-eth.


Then the Lord left the gathering for to smoketh.



The Word of the Lord.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Thursday, May 29, 2008 PERMALINK  

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

There are real leaders and then there is the toastmaster from Illinois

It is disturbing to be a liberal now. I make no excuses when I say this - 2008 has made me feel old. Watching the political party you've been a member of for 28 years self immolate in order to ensure the election of a Republican will do that to a man. I make no bones about calling the neo-liberal Obama Democrats what I truly believe they are: delusional corportatists who don't care a bit about the disempowered in this society. When someone finally analyzes all the money that has changed hands in the Obama campaign the truth will finally be known. "Change" to the Obama cultists means wholesale dismissal of two thirds of the working class. When working class African- Americans realize they have voted for a New Aristocracy that is in essence the same as the Old Aristocracy, and against there own best interests - they, too, will bolt Obama's fragile coalition. It is Hillary Clinton who represents true change this year. Those with the least of everything - power, money, a voice in the process, have been represented by her not the toastmaster from Illinois. Obama has polluted the core and essence of Democratic Party values. Oh what fools these Arugulas be.

When I call myself a liberal I mean - for lack of a better term on Wednesday night - a New Deal liberal. My co blogger Lynne distilled it perfectly in a post a while ago: We believe that everyone must take responsibility for themselves, and that we are responsible for each other. What makes me a liberal still is the second half of Lynne's phrase. In an industrial and post industrial capitalist democracy the government on all levels has a limited obligation to try to level the playing field. When Obama has had the chance to improve the lives of people he has often balked. When Obama has had the chance in the U.S. Senate to stand up against the war - he has cowered. Obama is not a liberal. He is not a progressive. He is a fraud.
Exhibit A:


Rise Hillary, Rise.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Wednesday, May 28, 2008 PERMALINK  

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Maybe they'll open a Whole Foods in Appalachia.

The intellectual rational for tradition liberals and policy oriented progressives to work FOR the defeat of Barrack Obama in November are put forth beautifully here- by Bud White. ( A name I admit to being unable to resist noting - as his piece is about the Kos-Co wing of the Democratic Party's attempt to cleanse the party of lower class whites.) Please read it. The Arugulas are now all but admitting that an "ethnic cleansing" of the party is under way. Working class whites and Latinos are no longer wanted or welcome.

My on going derision of the Latte Wing of the party gets a big boost from Obama cultist Chris Bowers:

There should be a major cultural shift in the party, where the southern Dems and Liebercrat elite will be largely replaced by rising creative class types. Obama has all the markers of a creative class background, from his community organizing, to his Unitarianism, to being an academic, to living in Hyde Park to shopping at Whole Foods and drinking PBR. These will be the type of people running the Democratic Party now, and it will be a big cultural shift from the white working class focus of earlier decades.

Good God. Can you imagine? DNC meetings with Starbucks breaks to watch The Actors Studio on Bravo, and thumb through latest Vanity Fair.

Bowers is such a stereotype that he even uses shopping at Whole Foods as a marker for what the party should be. Pathetic. Any unreconstructed liberal who believes that progressives should be at the vanguard of ensuring a fair shake for the middle and lower classes has what amounts to a moral duty to oppose Obama. What Ducky at Kos-Co and Howard Dean want is nothing less than for the Democrats to be an Information Age Corporatist party. Rather like the GOP but based in the Hamptons and Brentwood - instead of Dallas and Kennebunkport.

The weakest members of our society are officially being thrown to the wolves by the Obama cabal. Voters in state after state have woken up to this fact and run from Obama. Nevertheless, the "creative class" wants its man. In order to salvage the Democratic Party thoughtful liberals are left no choice but to vote for McCain in November. With an Obama loss we can flush the wretched interlopers from our midst.

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posted by John: south of Melrose at Tuesday, May 27, 2008 PERMALINK  

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Dead Enders

Checking out the internets this morning on on my first day off in two weeks and I find that we (non Obama supporters) are now called Dead Enders.

Ca