Tag: fair and balanced

If you do it yourself, you can’t complain when McCain does…

From Factcheck.org.

A new Obama-Biden ad includes misleading claims about McCain and education spending:

• It says McCain "voted to cut education funding" and lists five votes. But one was a vote for increased education funding, although for fewer dollars than what Democrats may have wanted. And three others were votes against additional funding, not votes for funding cuts. 
  

• The ad says that "McCain’s economic plan gives $200 billion more to special interests while taking money away from public schools." Not exactly. McCain has proposed a one-year freeze on discretionary spending in general. A freeze would mean that funds would not keep pace with inflation and population growth, but no dollars would be "taken away." The $200 billion for "special interests" refers to the cost of McCain’s proposal to reduce the tax rate for all business corporations, not just a few "special" ones.
  

• The ad says McCain proposed abolishing the Department of Education. He did once say in an interview that he "would certainly favor" abolishing both the departments of Education and Energy, but he hasn’t pushed for either.

Original Article: http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/columns/wickoct99.html

I’m a registered Libertarian. I believe in less government.
No, less than that.
No, less that that.

To be clear, I am neither a Liberal nor a Conservative. My political beliefs are not that simple. I’ve voted for both Republicans and Democrats based on what they promised me and whether or not they’ve kept those promises.

Last week, I watched the Democratic National Convention. I caught a few things that sounded wrong, checked with my suspicions over at Factcheck.org, and generally enjoyed the speeches. I disagreed with some of the stances, but otherwise found Obama and his supporters to be positive and trying to uphold a sense of dignity.

This week, I began watching the Republican National Convention. I nearly puked after the "USA! USA! USA!" chants. Sounded like a pro wrestling PPV.

(Fair notice: I’m a pro wrestling fan. That doesn’t mean I want my political discussions sounding like a smackdown between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.)

I listened to Republicans say things like, "The Democrats are scared of our VP choice!" Ugh. No, they aren’t. They’re laughing at you. The spin was making me sea sick.

After a while, I stopped watching. It’s just too sad. Watching the Republican party lie to itself and try to lie to me.

If you thought Obama’s pastor was scary, wait till you get a load of Palin’s.

critics of President Bush will be banished to hell;
questioned whether people who voted for Sen. John Kerry in 2004 would be accepted to heaven;
charged that the 9/11 terrorist attacks and war in Iraq were part of a war "contending for your faith;"
and said that Jesus "operated from that position of war mode."

Yikes.

Anybody else wanna justify breaking down the wall between Church and State?

The Republicans have fucked themselves. Nominating an old man with dubious political decisions and a rookie governor with no foreign experience, relying on the ultra-conservative base to push them through the electoral college with promises of pro-life judges and creationism in schools. I mean, what the fuck are the Republicans thinking?

An old man and a rookie governor? The American people would never go for that!!!!

Except they did. Twice.

Joke’s on you, America!

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
What does America get for getting fooled three times?

I notice little things. Watch this video, then tell me what’s wrong.

We know the Bush Administration used “code words” to speak to Christian groups. (You can check them out here.) Looks like McCain is doing the same thing in a new internet ad.

In short, he’s calling Obama the Anti-Christ.

Fundamentalist Christians are starting to talk about the idea seriously.

Here’s the ad. Watch for the “subtle (and not so subtle) codes.” (“Self-anointed,” “carry the burden” and “the one” are what you’re looking for.)

At the very least, the ad paints Obama as comparing himself to Jesus. Another great example of how McCain is keeping this race “clean.”

Way to go, Senator.

(from Crooks and Liars)

During a press availability in Panama City, Florida, John McCain said, “I have supported hundreds of pieces of legislation, which would help Americans obtain an equal opportunity in America. I am proud of that record, from fighting for the recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday in my state to sponsoring specific legislation that would prevent discrimination in any shape or form in America today.” [McCain Press Availability In Panama City, Florida, 8/1/08] 

• FACT: McCain Supported Republican AZ Governor’s Decision To Rescind MLK Holiday. ABC News reported, “In Arizona, a bill to recognize a holiday honoring MLK failed in the legislature, so then-Gov. Bruce Babbitt, a Democrat, declared one through executive order. In January 1987, the first act of Arizona’s new governor, Republican Evan Mecham, was to rescind the executive order by his predecessor to create an MLK holiday. Arizona’s stance became a national controversy. McCain backed the decision at the time.” [ABC News, 4/3/08]

• FACT: McCain Supported Gov. Evan Mecham’s Decision In 1987 To Rescind Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, “In a vote likely to haunt him for the rest of his public career, McCain voted against 1983 legislation establishing the third Monday in January as the federal holiday marking King’s birthday. Back home in Arizona, he supported Gov. Evan Mecham’s decision in 1987 to rescind an executive order creating a state holiday for King, but later reversed his position.” [Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/16/08]

• FACT: McCain Voted Against Creating Martin Luther King Holiday. In 1983, McCain voted against a motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill to designate the third Monday of every January as a federal holiday in honor of the late civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The motion passed 89-77. [HR 3706, Vote 289, 8/2/83; CQ 1983]

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Meanwhile, Obama states he may change his opinion on the stupid, stupid, stupid off-shore drilling thing. Of course, just saying that takes the quote out-of-context. For the full details, you have to read the prepositional phrase at the end of the sentence. You know, the phrase that begins with “if”…

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Friday he would be willing to support limited additional offshore oil drilling if that’s what it takes to enact a comprehensive policy to foster fuel-efficient autos and develop alternate energy sources.

Shifting from his previous opposition to expanded offshore drilling, the Illinois senator told a Florida newspaper he could get behind a compromise with Republicans and oil companies to prevent gridlock over energy.

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I have some advice for Obama; advice from a guy who studies game theory…

Hey dude… when you’re winning, you don’t have to compromise.

Yesterday, I stick up for the Mormons and this is how they repay me.

Orson Scott Card–who wrote Ender’s Game–just said this:

The first and greatest threat from court decisions in California and Massachusetts, giving legal recognition to “gay marriage,” is that it marks the end of democracy in America.

He said it in the Mormon Times.

EDIT: 

I’d like any Mormon/Catholic/Lutheran/Baptist/Christian to show me, exactly, where Jesus condemns homosexuality.

They can’t find it. Know why? It don’t exist.

But Paul condemns it. That makes them Paulines, not Christians.