Obama Smear E-mail Update Part 2

The update at this point is that there is no update. The e-mails I've sent out in trying to reach Gary McDermott, the supposed originator of the "Obama dissed a wheelchair vet" story have garnered no response.

However, I did get this comment from Jim Davlin, a disabled Vietnam veteran who didn't take kindly to the receiving the same e-mail and apparently came across my blog trying to validate the story as well.

UNEDITED: I got the email today and like you I tried in Vain to valid it. And got no joy! Seems you can write anything you want and, people will believe it at least the right wing zealots.I find this truly disturbing because I am a disable Marine in a wheelchair, this makes us look like at best a bunch of winers at worst liars. Good luck on tracking this coward down, if he told half the truth he would stand up and be counted!Just so there is no questions my name is Jim Davlin, I was with Delta Company 1/5 , in 1966, My email is Jimdavlin@charter.net. I stand behind what I say, so if this coward has the stones email me!

Thanks, Jim. I hope you have better luck than I'm having. If you hear anything let me know.

Live From Vietnam

Oh, the irony.



The Miss Universe pageant took place over the weekend in Vietnam. The Miss Universe pageant, which was first concocted in California in 1952, was hosted in a country where we lost 58,000 soldiers by the end of the Vietnam War.

Ironically, thirty-odd years after the fall of Saigon, came the fall of Crystle Stewart, Miss USA, right on her ass as she was participating in the evening gown competition. The "universe" works in mysterious ways.

Oh, and Jerry Springer and Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown were the pageant's hosts. Talk about A-List!

The End Of Satire

Bush at the G8 Summit: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter."

I don't know if this story is 100% accurate, but how sad if it were factually correct.

Not only have we been screwed by this administration time and again but it also seems as though this may be the end of satire as we know it. How else can you explain that such a quote possibly coming from the leader of the free world would be plausible?

T Minus 189 Days

"One thing is clear, is relations between America and Russia are good, and they're important that they be good."

- Streina, Russia, July 15, 2006

New Yorker Obama Cover: "The Politics of Fear"

I only came upon this about a minute ago, but I can't decide how I feel about it yet.


I know it's supposed to be satirical, but I think The New Yorker swung and missed.

Notice that the Obamas are in the Oval Office, Bin Laden's portrait hangs on the wall, the American flag is burning in the fireplace and the "terrorist fist jab" is thrown in for a nice touch. I wonder why he didn't include the Obama daughters in burkas?

Artist Barry Blitt has yet to decide if this was a mistake or not, though he defends the cover.

"I think the idea that the Obamas are branded as unpatriotic [let alone as terrorists] in certain sectors is preposterous. It seemed to me that depicting the concept would show it as the fear-mongering ridiculousness that it is."

And in retrospect, given the outcry, is he glad he made the art?

"Retrospect? Outcry?" he wrote. "The magazine just came out ten minutes ago, at least give me a few days to decide whether to regret it or not..."

Yeah, I've decided. It's tasteless. I'm not just saying that because I'm an Obama guy, it's just that it's over the top and since the right wing is trying to portray Obama in this light already, the irony and satire will be lost on those to whom it was meant for.

And as Reef at Kos put it so succinctly, "They got the new McCain Manchurian Candidate cover lined up for next week right?"

UPDATE (7/15/08, 10:20pm): From the Rude Pundit:

"...the Rude Pundit's problem with the whole Barack-as-Muslim and Michelle-as-Black-Panther plus burning flag and bin Laden's picture in the Oval Office isn't that it's particularly offensive. It's that it's just not very funny. It's not even enough to make you go, "Hmmm." You glance at it once and think, "Yeah, some people think that, don't they? That's a shame." And there the whole joke ends. There's no more levels to it. It's like an Upper East Side version of South Park, an elitist attempt at crude humor, like an ironic fart at a wine tasting.

...Here's the thing: anyone who doesn't see the cover art as satire already believed that Obama was a terr'ist out to secretly destroy American and get rid of apple pie and porn. No one's gonna look at the cover and say, "Well, right there, it proves Obama hates this country."

Unfortunately, right after I read that last line, I saw this.

Ex-convict G. Gordon Liddy, who masterminded Watergate break-in of the DNC headquarters in 1972, and who for some reason people take seriously and give him a radio show, said the following to a caller:

"Yeah, I don't suppose you've, by any chance, have seen the cover of the latest issue of The New Yorker magazine, which is, you know, a huge thing. It's got Obama in his Muslim dress with a turban, and he's there with his wife. His wife has a "mad at the world" afro, circa 1968, she -- she's got bandoliers and an assault weapon, and there in their fireplace is burning the American flag. The New Yorker finally got it right."

Go read the rest of the Media Matters article if you're the least bit interested in increasing your blood pressure by seeing what kind of shit comes out of this toady's mouth as well as the mouths of all Republican water carriers on the airwaves.

I've also heard differing opinions on the New Yorker cover from, "It's offensive" to "It's brilliant satire." But is it brilliant if it has to be explained?

Bobby Murcer Dies at 62

NY Times: NEW YORK (AP) -- Bobby Murcer, a five-time All-Star outfielder who spent nearly four decades with the New York Yankees as a player, executive and announcer, has died. He was 62.
The Yankees said Murcer died Saturday due to complications from brain cancer.

I'm a Mets fan, but when I was younger, Murcer was one of the few Yankees I liked.

RIP.

Must Reads

David Corn: The Gramm Gaffe: The Real Problem for McCain


Rude Pundit: A Condemnation of Barack Obama Preceded by a Defense


John Avarosis: McCain was still married to his wife when he got married to his mistress


Bob Cesca: Killing Iranian Civilians Isn't Hilarious, Senator McCain


Steve Benen: McCain calls the Social Security system a ‘total disgrace’


Digby: The Liberal Village Speaks


Carol Kreck via HuffPo Blog: McCain=Bush

Tony Snow Dead at 53

NY TIMES: WASHINGTON — Tony Snow, the conservative columnist and television commentator who relished sparring with reporters during a 17-month stint as President Bush’s press secretary, died Saturday of colon cancer, the White House said. He was 53.

I wish I could say I feel the least bit sorry for Snow, but I don't. I know that may sound callous but the only thing he did of any consequence relating to me personally, was to continue to lie and shill for the corrupt bastards in the White House.

He may have been personally likable, but I didn't know him personally. All I saw as a man who was so damned arrogant and disrespectful to a Washington press corps in his daily briefings, that I didn't want to know him personally.

I'm sure all "news" will stop for the next day or so as everyone remembers the Tony Snow that nobody knew. My respectful condolences go out to his family, but as far as I'm concerned, I am completely indifferent to Snow shuffling off this mortal coil.

Hey Nation Of Whiners, Whine About This

NY TIMES: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shares fell again Friday — and the broader stock market followed suit — as concern mounted that the government will be forced to take over the beleaguered mortgage finance companies, which some investors fear are at risk of default.

That's right, whiners. The government may have to take over the two largest mortgage finance banks and pass the cost on to us to the tune of a current $11 billion and perhaps into the trillions. But don't worry. What are you bitching and griping about? It's only in your head. This is imaginary. It's all psychological. Cry-babies. Why are you ruining it for the millionaires?

Maverick

Q: Who dresses him in the mornings?

A classic "deer in the headlights" moment for Mr. Straight Talk.

T Minus 193 Days

"I don't know all the facts. I want to know all the facts. The best place for the facts is to be done is by somebody who's spending time investigating it."

- Washington, DC, July 2006

Fox News: Support The Troops or Snake Bite Story? Go With The Snake Bite!

Another stellar move by Fox News!

Saddled with the decision of airing a pre-arranged interview with a person who has set up an amazing site for our troops to receive free books, games, DVD's, or other needs, and now having fundraising troubles due to corporations pulling out because of a tanking economy and a prolonged war (she never thought she would be doing this 5 ½ years later!) - OR - bumping the soldiers story and airing "Breaking News" of a man who was bitten by a pygmy snake in a WalMart - Fox News made it's choice.

Bump the soldiers and go with the snake story. Awesome...

I smelled a rat, hard to avoid with Fox News, and I wondered what story I got bumped for, so I switched on Fox News. Here is their line-up for the 10am hour of America’s Newsroom With Bill Hemmer and Megyn Kelly. Keep in mind, I was slated for 10:20am.

10:08 Running of the Bulls

10:13 Video of a car chase in Portland, Oregon

10:13 Oregon man flies in a lawn chair from oregon to idaho

10:20 MAN BITTEN BY SNAKE IN FLORIDA WALMART

10:22 Obama and McCain layout out economic plans

10:25 Baseball player, A-Rod might be involved with Madonna according to tabloids.

Books For Soldiers got bumped for a snakebite story! A bite where no one died!

Check out her website and maybe donate if you can.

A Korean Vet Visits My Blog

I received a comment today regarding last week's post, "The Obama Smear E-Mail Campaign Continues." Mr. Bert Kortegaard didn't seem to like the title of my post, found it offensive and biased. Unfortunately, his website (links included by Mr. Kortegaard) don't contain any contact information in order for me to respond.

Here's his comment and my response. I hope he decides to come back to read my response.

Bert said...

The title of this blog site is at least as offensive as any of its posts.Senator Obama doesn't need to be smeared,he's provided quite enough information to discredit him, himself. It's much like saying criticisms of Vietnam Protesters http://www.kmike.com/VietnamProtesters.htm
or Jane Fonda http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/hanoijan.htm
are smears. The origin of this particular complaint need to be tracked down, but the blog title is too biased, imo.

BertKortegaard
http://www.kmike.com/b606.htm
http://www.kmike.com/wantuck1.htm
http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/
July 9, 2008 2:18:00 PM EDT

My response:

Broadway Carl said...

Mr. Kortegaard,

You say that my post title is offensive, but you don't explain why. You say that Senator Obama has discredited himself, but you don't explain how.

I don't know if you've bothered to look up my previous posts regarding the e-mailed Obama smears that have been circulating for quite some time now, such as "Obama is a Muslim", or "Obama won't say the Pledge of Allegiance" or "Obama swore on the Koran" or "Obama will stand with the Muslims", ad infinitum, but if you had, you'd see that all those previous e-mails smears have been debunked.

When I received the latest of e-mails regarding Obama's alleged "dismissal" of a handicapped Vietnam Veteran and didn't immediately find a reputable source to debunk the e-mail, I decided to try and find out for myself.

As of this writing (July 9th, 2008 8:54pm EST) I have yet to receive a response to the e-mails I've sent to the supposed writer of said accusation; whether he wrote it or not or if the writer's name was used deceptively, whether the incident actually happened, specifically where and when this incident allegedly took place, and other factors to either prove or disprove the validity of the e-mail. My post has stated nothing but the fact that I am searching for the truth - the facts - of this supposed interaction.

I have tried to go about this as objectively as possible, including the e-mails that I sent to those who might be able to help with more information, being polite and respectful in my correspondence. Yet, there are those who may not agree with my political affiliation or Senator Obama (I am assuming you are one of those people) who will take offense to what I consider a very objective post, no matter how I may phrase it.

I come to this conclusion based on your inclusion of web addresses citing Vietnam War protesters and Jane Fonda as part of the reason for America's loss in the war and using that opinion in an attempt to compare what you consider to be facts regarding Obama, his background and his record. One thing has nothing to do with the other. (And on a side note, do you really believe that if there were no Jane Fonda and no war protesters that the end result in Vietnam would have been any different?)

You may be of the opinion that the title of my post is somewhat biased, but I will assume that the e-mail I am researching is a smear based on the fact that there was neither any information nor any reference material attached to the e-mail for verification. My opinion will remain that way until I can find proof otherwise. In my world, frame of mind, thought process or whatever you want to call it, one bases their accusations on facts, and the e-mail I received contained none. It was just a story.

My question to you, if you would be so kind to answer is: On what basis do you make your decision or judgement on Senator Obama? Is it something that you know about him that I don't? Or is it based on something you may have heard or read?

Granted, I'm truly upset that he chose to vote in favor of today's FISA compromise bill, in contradiction to the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution. Is he therefore discredited, or is he being a politician trying to win an election? After all, Senator Obama did say that he would vote against telecom immunity, but if amendments in opposition to immunity failed, he would vote in favor of the FISA bill. He didn't break his word.

I thank you for visiting my blog and for leaving your comment. I hope to hear from you again.

UPDATE (7/10/08 1:25am): I just realized that Kortegaard is actually offended at the title of my "blog site"! "Broadway Carl's Blog-O-Mania" is offensive! Wow! I never knew. I just scanned his comment over again and assumed he was offended at the "biased" post title, but according to him, the blog site title is "at least as offensive as any of its posts." Well, if you can't get past the title...

Regarding the title, it was always a working title until I found something more catchy, but nothing ever popped up and now it's been more than a year and a half, and some 1,000-odd posts later, so I guess I'm keeping it. But offensive? Let's see, "Broadway Carl"... that's me. I chose the "Broadway" part because I work on Broadway and the "Carl" part because... it's part of my name. "Broadway Carl's Blog" just didn't seem to pop. "Blog-O-Mania" sounded more fun. Maybe it's the "Mania" part. Or the "O".

I suppose it's "at least as offensive" as a terrorist fist jab. I thought it was pretty tame, as opposed to... oh, I don't know... "Hanoi Jane & The Dirty Fuckin' Hippies' Psychedelic Blog-O-Roonee." But I guess I can't tell anymore - I'm too biased.

Another Sad Day In The Life of a Capitulating Democratic Party

FISA capitulation passed. And you can hear the evil bastards in the White House laughing their asses off through the walls of the Oval Office.

From Glenn Greenwald:

UPDATE VI: Cloture on the bill just passed 72-26. Obama voted in favor of cloture along with all Republicans. Hillary Clinton voted against cloture.

After the cloture vote, the Senate just approved final passage of the FISA bill, by a vote of 69-28. Obama voted with all Republicans for the bill. Hillary Clinton voted against it.

Democrats voting in favor of final passage of the FISA bill: Bayh - Carper - Casey - Conrad - Dorgan - Feinstein - Innuoye - Kohl - Landrieu - Lincoln -McCaskill - Mukulski - Nelson (Neb.) - Nelson (Fla.) - Obama - Pryor - Rockefeller - Salazar - Webb - Whitehouse.

Democrats voting against final passage of the FISA bill: Akaka - Biden - Bingaman - Boxer - Brown - Cantwell - Cardin - Clinton - Dodd - Dorgan - Durbin - Feingold - Harkin - Kerry - Leahy - Levin - Lautenberg - Murray - Reed - Reid - Sanders - Schumer - Stabenow - Tester - Wyden.

Once again, in an effort not to appear weak on national defense, the Democrats capitulate and look weak, period.

And even though Senator Obama understandably (and hopefully begrudgingly) voted in favor of the bill for political reasons, as he said he would, it's disappointing nonetheless. There isn't one Democrat with the "fuck you" attitude (that liberals and progressives yearn for) in a position to make a statement on a vote like this. Sure, Hillary Clinton voted for it, but what does she have to lose? Her statement by voting against the bill now is basically, "Fuck you, Barack." Call me cynical, but I'd venture to guess that if Hillary had won the nomination, she would have voted in favor of the bill as well.

Yes, it's a very sad day indeed to be a Democrat. And we should have nothing to say when the right wing nutbags pile on in the "kick 'em while they're down" stompfest. Let them have their giddy few days. Just take it and remember it. Don't forget it... and think about November.

Brave New Films: Michelle Obama

Robert Greenwald calls out Fox yet again on their attacks and smears of Michelle Obama.



You can sign the petition here.

More Morning Joe Acumen

Andrea Mitchell, during the "News You Can't Use" segment on the Obama Family interview and finding out that Barack Obama doesn't like sweets:

"How can you trust a man that doesn't eat sweets?"

Awesome intellectual prowess on her part, don't you think?

T Minus 195 Days

"I believe what I said yesterday. I don't know what I said, but I know what I thnk, and, well, I assume it's what I said."

- Happy 76th Birthday Donald Rumsfeld

Jonah Goldberg Is A Moron

Does anyone know where Jonah Goldberg went to school so I can remind myself NEVER to send my kids there? This guy has to be one of the most idiotic "conservatives" to actually have a job writing for the Los Angeles Times, let alone ANY newspaper, even rivaling the likes of William Kristol.

I didn't think he could top his "Liberal Fascism" fiasco (which I'm sure you can find on the discount racks by now, and if not, for shame) but now he equates Barack Obama's proposal of volunteering service to slavery. Yeah, you heard me. Slavery.

Listen to this dolt:

There's a weird irony at work when Sen. Barack Obama, the black presidential candidate who will allegedly scrub the stain of racism from the nation, vows to run afoul of the constitutional amendment that abolished slavery.

For those who don't remember, the 13th Amendment says: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime ... shall exist within the United States."

I guess in Obama's mind it must be a crime to be born or to go to college. In his speech on national service Wednesday at the University of Colorado, Obama promised that as president he would "set a goal for all American middle and high school students to perform 50 hours of service a year, and for all college students to perform 100 hours of service a year."

He would see that these goals are met by, among other things, attaching strings to federal education dollars. If you don't make the kids report for duty, he's essentially telling schools and college kids, you'll lose money you can't afford to lose. In short, he'll make service compulsory by merely compelling schools to make it compulsory.

It goes on from there but I won't hurt your brain any further. You masochists can read the rest at the link above.

Apparently college didn't take for Goldberg and someone gots to learn him the definition of "slavery" and the definition of "volunteerism." Where in that tiny little brain of his does he get the idea that Obama is forcing those who would like to attend college into slavery in exchange? Fuckwad Goldeberg doesn't seem to understand that there's a difference between indentured servitude or slave labor and incentive.

There's a difference between making someone perform community service and asking them to serve 100 hours of community service per year as an incentive to receive a $4000 tax credit towards college tuition, as Goldberg so conveniently leaves out. In essence, you're paying the prospective student $40 per hour for a contribution of about 2 hours a week. I wonder how many slaves back in the day got paid and only worked two hours a week?

And guess what, Goldberg? If you're well off and don't need that $16,000 break over the average four year span that you attend college, you don't have to serve. Dipshit.

Nevermind the fact that Goldberg forgets the draft, where the "greatest generation" was forced into slavery to fight in World War II or the generation of the 60's was forced into slavery during Vietnam.

And in remembering this, Goldberg calls it a "JFK cult":




Yes, Jonah Goldberg is truly a moron of epic proportions; one who doesn't even know the definition of "volunteer" yet doesn't worry about how our all-volunteer military is to survive at its current usage rate. But I suppose proposals such as expanding AmeriCorps and the Peace Corp are just too much for a feeble mind to handle.

(H/T Booman and Cesca)

Obama Smear E-mail Update

I've been away for the holiday weekend and obviously haven't done much blogging, but so far I haven't received a return e-mail in response to the one I sent to Mr. Brown. I did receive an anonymous comment that I hope will develop into something.

"I personally know THIS Gary McDermott. He was stationed with the 146th at Vung Tau, RVN as a crew chief on CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters based out of Vung Tau.

I'll be more than happy to forward your blog address to him and he can answer any questions you may have."

Stay tuned.

UPDATE (11:55pm): Another commenter

"#1CubsFanTX said...

Couldn't the Gary McDermott from this organization be one in the same?
http://www.vaughanpva.org/newsletters%202007/2006-2007%20Annual%20Report.pdf
I'm just tired people forwarding e-mails like this before they investigate if the are even true. Good Luck."

That led me to a site called Vaughan PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America) listing a Gary McDermott as it Chapter President with an e-mail address "gmac" as the name? Same Gary McDermott? Let's find out. I sent him an e-mail as well requesting more information.

From: Broadway Carl
To: Gary McDermott, Vaughan PVA
Subject: Regarding an E-Mail Using Your Name
July 8th, 2008 12:08am

Dear Mr. McDermott,

I am writing to you in regards to an e-mail I received entitled, “A Disabled Vet Speaks about Obama.”

In it, the writer speaks of having attended a local college to listen to Senator Obama speak, and after having asked a question regarding what the Senator plans to do in regards to veterans care, the writer claims that he was dismissed, was told to give contact information to an aide, and that he never heard from them again.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much pertinent information to verify this story except for the writer's name and unit. It was signed, "Gary McDermott, 147th ASH Hillclimbers, Vung Tau, RVN 68-69."

In a Google search using that information, I came across a comment posted in TampaBay.com(http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2008/06/sen-geller-supp.html#comment-118486902) which is an exact copy as the e-mail I received.

A quick Google search of the name and unit above also brought me to the 147th Hillclimbers website and a Gary McDermott is in fact listed as a member. An e-mail I sent to that site has yet to be answered.

If you are the same Gary McDermott, in an effort to verify the validity of this story I was hoping you could help with more specific information as to where and when your interaction with Senator Obama took place. There is so much happening with both campaigns that it’s hard to keep any story straight and completely factual. Both sides will spin to their advantage and I’m just trying to get to the truth.

As a matter of complete disclosure, I am an Obama supporter but I am not affiliated with the Obama campaign or the campaign website in any way. I'm just a concerned citizen who is trying to keep informed and search for the truth. I am also chronicling this exchange on my own personal blog and wanted to let you know that your correspondence to me would be public.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer.

I'm hoping for a response.

Happy Independence Day!

If you have a spare moment, maybe you can take some time to read the Declaration of Independence. Read it to yourself, to your family at your barbecue, read it to your kids. It's always good to remind ourselves what we are celebrating and why we are celebrating, and what we need to do to keep celebrating this day.

T Minus 200 Days

"Well, it's an unimaginable honor to be president during the Fourth of July of this country. It means what these words say, for starters. The great inalienable rights of our country. We're blessed with such values in America. And I - it's - I'm a proud man to be a nation based upon such wonderful values."

-Washington, DC, 2001

T Minus 201 Days

"Unfairly but truthfully, our party has been tagged as being against things. Anti-immigrant, for example. And we're not a party of anti-immigrants. Quite the opposite. We're a party that welcomes people."

- Cleveland, OH, July 2000

The Obama Smear E-Mail Campaign Continues

I found this in my inbox today. Yet another one.
************************

Subject: A disabled Vet speaks about Obama

For what may be to come......

I am a VHCM member, I spent 12 months in Vietnam (147th CH47-CE) as most of us did. I am also a disabled veteran; I have been a wheelchair user for 35 years now. A few months ago I went to listen to Barack Obama at a local college. When he was done with his speech I got in line to ask him a question.

When my time came, my question was: "Senator Obama; I work with disabled veterans throughout the VA Hospital system, what is your plan for our veterans, especially our disabled veterans who use the VA Hospitals for their care. I stated we need mandatory funding for our VA system to ensure the care is available when needed, especially in light of the current situation in Iraq and the numbers of troops who are coming home with severe disabilities."

He told one of his aide's to get my name, blew me off, did not answer my question and I never heard from him or the aide again. Is this who we want as our "Commander in Chief"? He wouldn't even answer a "veterans" question, regarding other veterans.

Take it for what it's worth...just thought I'd pass on my experience with Mr. Obama.

Gary McDermott
147th ASH Hillclimbers
Vung Tau, RVN 68-69

If you are wishing for hope and change, you better know what the salesman is selling.

*********END E-MAIL**************

This e-mail may be a fairly new one, for when I tried to look it up for debunking purposes, nothing immediately popped up. A Google search revealed that it was used in a recent comment section of Tampa Bay.com dated June 11, 2008.

Unfortunately, there is nothing to easily verify this comment. The writer doesn't specify the date or what college he supposedly attended listen to Senator Obama. Also, the story sounds incredibly similar to Mitt Romney's encounter with a medical marijuana patient and blowing him off during a rally while Romney was still campaigning.

The writer does provide his full name and unit which I'll track down and see if I can do any amateur investigating to locate the writer and verify the story.

And just for the record, Barack Obama has a very specific policy regarding veterans as President of the United States. Here is a list of bullet points - specifics can be accessed via his website.

A Sacred Trust
Barack Obama believes America has a sacred trust with our veterans. He is committed to creating a 21st Century Department of Veterans' Affairs that provides the care and benefits our nation's veterans deserve.

~Allow All Veterans Back into the VA
~Strengthen VA Care
~Combat Homelessness among Our Nation's Veterans
~Fight Veterans Employment Discrimination

Help for Returning Service Members
Obama will improve the quality of health care for veterans, rebuild the VA's broken benefits system, and combat homelessness among veterans.

~Ensure a Seamless Transition
~Fully Fund VA Medical Care
~Fix the Benefits Bureaucracy

Improved Mental Health Treatment
Obama will improve mental health treatment for troops and veterans suffering from combat-related psychological injuries.

~Improve Mental Health Treatment
~Improve Care for Traumatic Brain Injury
~Expand Vet Centers

UPDATE (7:35pm): A Google search of "Gary McDermott" and his unit name brought me to this website. The "Crew Roster" does indeed have McDermott's name listed among it's members. I have written an e-mail to a Rodney Brown of the 147th Veterans Association in an attempt to find out more information or hopefully get in contact with McDermott. Below is my e-mail.

Dear Mr. Brown,

Recently, I received an e-mail forward with the subject header, "A Disabled Vet Speaks About Obama."

In it, the writer speaks of having attended a local college to listen to Senator Obama speak, and after having asked a question regarding what the Senator plans to do in regards to veterans care, the writer claims that he was dismissed, was told to give contact information to an aide, and that he never heard from them again.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much pertinent information to verify this story except for the writer's name and unit. It was signed, "Gary McDermott, 147th ASH Hillclimbers, Vung Tau, RVN 68-69."

A quick Google search of the name and unit above brought me to your website and Mr. McDermott's name is in fact on your member list.

In an effort to verify the validity of this story, I was hoping you could help me contact Mr. McDermott or at least forward this information to him in hopes of making contact to get more specific information as to where and when his interaction with Senator Obama took place.

As a matter of complete disclosure, I am an Obama supporter but I am not affiliated with the Obama campaign or the campaign website in any way. I'm just a concerned citizen who is trying to keep informed and search for the truth.

I will include the body of the original e-mail I received for reference.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer.

Global Warming: Mass Neuroses?!

This is why I don't watch "Morning Joe." Listen to this list of substitute hosts sitting with Mika Brzezinski: Mike Barnicle, Pat Buchanan and guest GE CEO Jack Welch! And he's asking people to read an article in yesterday's Wall Street Journal which "makes an interesting case" that global warming is really just mass neuroses and is more of a movement than anything else. Mika states that at some point this is going to come back to haunt us if it is ignored, to which Welch responds, "We'll see." What does he care? He's got one foot in the grave anyway.

And now Pat Buchanan is dumbfounded as to why Barack Obama isn't 20 points ahead in the polls. The ol' "why can't he seal the deal?" argument again. Now Tucker Carlson is shrieking about it as well. This is an awful, awful show.

My wife just called across the room and said he sounded like Bill O'Reilly. I said, "No, O'Reilly has a lower voice. Tucker Carlson is a little girl."

"Calm Down" - The Canonization of St. McCain

Well, it looks like the last two days are only the beginning of what we are to expect this general election campaign season. The guard dogs are all out and in attack mode on anyone who dare speak the truth of St. McCain.

The ridiculousness of it all began on Sunday with Gen. Wesley Clark's appearance on Face The Nation and continued on Monday night with Senator Jim Webb's appearance on Countdown and his opinion that St. McCain "calm down" his military rhetoric and not conflate it with political experience.

Well you'd think they took a bat and beat St. McCain about that bulbous head of his. The McCainstream Media has gone ballistic with Clark and now the McCain campaign has accused the Obama campaign of not being able to control his surrogates due to Webb's comments.

As Paul Waldman writes:

"...what happened with Gen. Clark reveals the McCain Rules, as he and the press would have us understand them. Here's how things are supposed to work: It's fine for the McCain campaign to run ads touting his time as a POW, create web videos touting his time as a POW, have him mention his time as a POW in speeches, and have him bring it up in debates (remember "I was tied up at the time"?). In other words, it's fine to have John McCain's entire presidential run be presented through the filter of his POW experience. Should, however, someone even ask the question of whether the fact that McCain was a POW really qualifies him to be president, that would be a deeply offensive affront to all that is right and good, and must not be tolerated. Talk about having it both ways."

Here's how disjointed this all is. Emphasize your military record for political gain, not the part where you graduated 894th out of a class of 899 at the Naval Academy and your father and grandfather were both Admirals, just the part about being shot down over North Vietnam and a prisoner of war for five years.

But if say, oh I don't know, a valedictorian at West Point who is a Rhodes Scholar and former Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO should wonder what being shot down has anything to do with running for president, or if say a former Secretary of the Navy would ask that you tone down trying to equate military experience to political qualifications, then criticize those who would dare to speak ill of such a war hero and make sure you pound the falsehood that they're belittling your war record as a POW.

Don't worry about the McCainstream Media, they'll gladly shill for you and fail to mention that both these commenters repeatedly praised McCain for his sacrifice and bravery. And when you have weasels like Lindsey Graham repeating the same talking points, you know it's just a bunch of bullshit.

“I do think Gen Clark has made a huge mistake here,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham. “No matter how he sugar coats it, he is attacking John McCain’s military service. … Yesterday, [the Obama campaign said it’s inappropriate. Today they’re pretty quiet when he reiterates that attack.”

Once again I ask, "What attack?" I'm still waiting for someone to name one thing that Clark said that was incorrect or disingenuous. The way they've got his back covered, the last thing the watchdogs in the press should be doing is worrying about St. McCain.


UPDATE (7/2/08 3:55pm): Read DDay - Off Stride

An ABC reporter gave John McCain the opportunity to discuss Wes Clark's comment - the ACTUAL remarks - and McCain went apeshit.

Music Break! Bela Fleck (and Aaron Copland!)

I haven't had one of these in a while. Cool version of "Hoedown" composed by Aaron Copland.

Obama On Patriotism

By the way, in case you missed it on the McCainstream Media due to phony outrage over Gen. Clark's comments, Barack Obama gave a pretty good speech today on patriotism.





Also, I'm a little bit disappointed in Obama's "rejection" of Clark's comments. Although we all know it was necessary for political purposes, can anyone explain to me what Clark said that was so wrong? He praised McCain's service and sacrifice while questioning what it had to do with his qualifications to be Commander-in-Chief.

And speaking of "Commander-in-Chief", how noble of him to take credit for the new G.I. Bill as well as thanking McCain when both of them were opposed to the bill from the outset and McCain didn't even bother to vote on it. What a putz.

Gen. Clark Tells It Like It Is

It's a shame so many others are backing away from this type of talk.

On Face The Nation this past Sunday, Bob Scheiffer was in mid-interview with Gen. Wesley Clark and challenged Clark on the issue of experience. Clark didn't hold back, nor should he have.



And he's absolutely right. Since when does having served in the military, let alone getting shot down and being a prisoner of war, a qualification for the presidency. And let's not forget, Clark's answer was in response to Scheiffer challenging him on comparing McCain's experience to Obama's with the qualifier "...nor has [Obama] ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down." But I suppose it's a quality Republicans like in their leaders since George H.W. Bush has also been shot down.

Of course, the McCainstream Media flips out about the whole thing and equates Clark's statements with swiftboating. This even after he prefaced his "controversial" remarks by calling McCain a war hero to millions. Here's the exact quote:

"...I certainly honor his service as a prisoner of war. He was a hero to me and to hundreds of thousands and millions of others in Armed Forces as a prisoner of war. He has been a voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and he has traveled all over the world. But he hasn't held executive responsibility. .."

And Scheiffer is flummoxed sounding like Jack Benny with an incredulous, "Really!" after hearing Clark's response to an idiotic statement such as qualifying being shot down as experience to be president.

I challenge anyone out there to prove one thing Clark said during the interview that was incorrect, disingenuous or akin to swiftboating. I'm not holding my breath. We need to stop giving McCain the benefit of the doubt and sweeping everything under the rug on the basis of his military service.

Also read - Jon Soltz: Right On, General Clark. Do Not Back Down. and sign his petition.

(H/T C&L)

Bill Clinton Can "Kiss My Ass"

Time's up, Bill. You've had your run and it's time to step aside and fade into that good night. If this "kiss my ass" comment is true, then that's how I feel about Bill Clinton. For all he has done for, and in some cases to the detriment of, the Democratic Party, it's better off that he stay as far away from the Obama campaign as possible.

A senior Democrat who worked for Mr Clinton has revealed that he recently told friends Mr Obama could "kiss my ass" in return for his support.

A second source said that the former president has kept his distance because he still does not believe Mr Obama can win the election.

..."He's saying he's not going to reach out, that Obama has to come to him. One person told me that Bill said Obama would have to quote kiss my ass close quote, if he wants his support.

"You can't talk like that about Obama - he's the nominee of your party, not some house boy you can order around.

Now of course Bubba is upset over perceived racial comments made while on the campaign stump for Hillary. But the "house boy" line by the unnamed aide really gives one pause, doesn't it?

Stop Solar But Keep Drilling

This is the ultimate slap in the face.

From David Sirota:

A few weeks back, I wrote a New York Times magazine article about the populist uprising against unbridled oil and gas drilling in the Mountain West. The article highlighted a major theme in my new book, THE UPRISING. In the article, I discussed how the Bush Bureau of Land Management has thrown the principle of environmental caution overboard by opening up a huge amount of federal land to drilling. So it is with more than a little bit absurd to read this New York Times story today:

"Faced with a surge in the number of proposed solar power plants, the federal government has placed a moratorium on new solar projects on public land until it studies their environmental impact, which is expected to take about two years. The Bureau of Land Management says an extensive environmental study is needed to determine how large solar plants might affect millions of acres it oversees in six Western states."

Look - I agree that we need to do a better job of measuring environmental impacts of all proposed energy development - whether that development is solar, oil or gas. But what's so incredible about this story is that the BLM is working to curtail solar development in Western states by citing environmental concerns while at the same actively accelerating oil and gas drilling in Western states - drilling that is way, way worse for the environment than solar energy, from both an emissions perspective and a land-use perspective.

This kind of government fealty to the rapacious fossil fuel industry is precisely what the energy-related populist uprising in West is revolting against.

How ridiculous do these Bush "policies" have to become in order for the McCainstream Media to report the truth of this administration's inanity? Only two years ago, the top criminal in the White House stated the US was "addicted to oil" and that we had to do something about it. Curbing solar energy while advocating offshore drilling doesn't sound like a step in the right direction.

A Great Way To Save Gas!

Not safe for work.

Feingold On SCOTUS 2nd Amendment Ruling

Senator Russ Feingold: I am very pleased the Supreme Court finally recognized that the 2nd Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms. This is an important decision for millions of law-abiding gun owners. Public safety must be ensured without depriving our citizens of their constitutional rights."

This is the perfect quote, especially in light of the FISA "compromise" bill currently in the Senate.

Do I believe in an individual's right to own a gun? Absolutely, but I also believe that government has a role to regulate who has that right. Anyone convicted of a crime should have their right forfeited and a mandatory five day waiting period for background checks is a must for everyone. Sometimes people wait longer when they buy a new car than when they purchase a firearm.

This ruling also takes the NRA's "they wanna take yer guns" argument off the table when critizing pro-gun control politicians. There is no excuse any reasonable person would give to oppose a short mandatory waiting period.

T Minus 207 Days

"I am determined to keep the process on the road to peace."

- Washington, DC, June 2003

Chris Matthews and Mastering the Language

Did you ever have an embarrassing slip of the tongue and were so traumatized by it you vowed never to say it again, only now it's in the back of your mind and dangerously close to the tip of your tongue seemingly at all times? Welcome to Chris Matthews' hell... and the Democrats' hell as well.

For two straight days now, Matthews has blurted out "Osama" instead of "Obama" while hosting his show. Can someone please give this guy a dribble cup and drill into his head that he should learn to use "Bin Laden" and "Bin Laden" only when speaking of the terrorist and use "Senator Obama" when speaking of the politician?

I wish I could say that this is a bit of a slip up and nothing to worry about with Matthews, but it isn't the 1st and/or 2nd time he's done this.

So the question is, "What the hell is going on at 'Hardball'?" I think it's time to start being a lot more careful when you use the Senator's name in your broadcasts, Chris, and it's best not to speak of the two different issues back to back. It might make things a bit easier for you. And please, wipe your bottom lip.

U.S. Taking North Korea Off Terror List

NY TIMES: TOKYO — North Korea submitted a long-delayed declaration of its nuclear program on Thursday, as the Bush administration said it would remove the country it once described as part of the “axis of evil” from the State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Now if Georgie would put Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on the list, we might be getting somewhere.

Them Filipinos Sure Can Cook

You can't make this shit up.

Here's our intrepid leader meeting with Filipino President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo this past Tuesday at the White House. President Arroyo was there to discuss aide in the recent typhoon disaster that capsized a ferry killing approximately 800 people.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam President, it is a pleasure to welcome you back to the Oval Office. We have just had a very constructive dialogue. First, I want to tell you how proud I am to be the President of a nation that -- in which there's a lot of Philippine-Americans. They love America and they love their heritage. And I reminded the President that I am reminded of the great talent of the -- of our Philippine-Americans when I eat dinner at the White House. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Yes.

PRESIDENT BUSH: And the chef is a great person and a really good cook, by the way, Madam President.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Thank you.

The schmuck-in-chief referred to Filipino-Americans as "Philippine-Americans." That's the equivalent of a Germany-American or an Italy-American. Then he tries to make small talk (that's when he always seems to get in trouble) by letting everyone know how "Philippine-Americans" must all be talented cooks because his White House chef is a "Philippine-American" and she sure can cook up some good grub. He didn't have the decency to mention her name, probably because he forgot or doesn't even know it.

UPDATE: Here's the video. It's even worse when you hear Bush actually saying this shit, as opposed to reading the transcript. What a dolt.

Vogue McCain

Awesome!

T Minus 209 Days

"I'm also not very analytical. You know I don't spend a lot of time thinking about myself, about why I do things."

-Aboard Air Force One, June, 2003

Dodd and Feingold To The Rescue?

Shhh... don't tell anyone, but it looks like Chris Dodd and Russ Feingold are going to filibuster the FISA compromise bill. But they're not using that word. Must be bad juju.

Initially there were reports that Feingold would not filibuster the bill. But in an interview with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now, Feingold explained procedure:

AMY GOODMAN: Senator Feingold, will you filibuster this bill?

SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD: We are going to resist this bill. We are going to make sure that the procedural votes are gone through. In other words, a filibuster is requiring sixty votes to proceed to the bill, sixty votes to get cloture on the legislation. We will also—Senator Dodd and I and others will be taking some time to talk about this on the floor. We’re not just going to let it be rubberstamped.

AMY GOODMAN: Would you filibuster, though?

SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD: That’s what I just described.

A joint statement released by Dodd and Feingold explains that "they will oppose efforts to end debate on this bill as long as it provides retroactive immunity for the telecommunications companies that may have participated in the President's warrantless wiretapping program, and as long as it fails to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans."

Hmmm... so basically, they're going to filibuster without using the word "filibuster"... maybe it's bad luck to use the word "filibuster" on the Senate floor. Sort of like using the word "Macbeth" in a theatre.

Shhh... don't tell anyone, but it looks like Chris Dodd and Russ Feingold are going to "Scottish play" the FISA compromise bill!

David Brooks: Hack Of The Worst Kind

Dear Mr. Brooks,

Do I smell a bit of hypocrisy in your latest column, "The Two Obamas"?

Let's take each issue that you take offense with one at a time, and explain it so that even you can understand.

In your "column", you rail frantically against Senator Obama voting "present" while a member of the Illinois State Senate 130 times according to your count. I won't waste time looking for the actual number because it is irrelevant. Anyone bothering to look for an explanation can easily find one, such as this Republican State House leader coming to Obama's defense.

...Obama's former colleagues who still serve in the Illinois Capitol say that the attacks are off-base and that either Obama's opponents don't understand how things work in Springfield or they are deliberately distorting his record.

"To insinuate the 'present' vote means you're indecisive, that you don't have the courage to hold public office, that's a stretch. But, it's good politics," said state Rep. Bill Black (R), a 22-year veteran of the House and his party's floor leader.

In fact, he said, Illinois legislators get attacked for their "present" votes nearly every campaign season. "It's always been a campaign gimmick, really. If you vote 'present' once in 23 years, somebody will bring it up."

The "present" vote in Illinois is sometimes cast by state lawmakers with a conflict of interest who would rather not weigh in on an issue. Other times, members use the option to object to certain parts of a bill, even though they may agree with its overall purpose.

"The 'present' vote is used, especially by more thoughtful legislators, not as a means of avoiding taking a position on an issue, but as a means of signaling concerns about an issue," said state Rep. John Fritchey (D), an Obama supporter.

And since we're on the subject of not committing to vote for a bill, I'll be awaiting your article on why John McCain didn't bother show up to vote on the new GI Bill, one of the most important bills to come to the floor this year. You'd think that a former POW and veteran hero like McCain would do all he can to help our soldiers, I mean besides voting against a ban on waterboarding.

In your next statement, you claim that Barack Obama first stood by Rev. Wright and then later "threw [him] under the truck" only when it was politically convenient. Nowhere in your article does it state that he originally stood by him but denounced his inflammatory remarks. Nowhere in your article does it state that because of the controversy that the media perpetuated, he daringly gave a speech considered a third rail in politics, discussing the issue of race and racism in our country that was widely hailed as one of the most important political speeches in the last 40 years.

Only after Rev. Wright continued to fly off the handle, giving a speech at the National Press Club to promote his upcoming book, did Obama finally cut Wright loose; only after another controversial appearance by guest speaker Father Pfleger at Trinity United Church, did Obama decide to leave the church itself not only for his own sake, but to avoid further distraction that it was causing the congregation.

It was a lose-lose-lose situation for Obama. Either he defends Wright and gets lambasted by the right wing, or he denounces Wright's comments which isn't considered good enough by the wingnut pundits, or he disavows him altogether and is accused of throwing him "under the truck." Either he stays with his church and is ridiculed by the likes of you, or he leaves the church is accused of doing it for political convenience.

Next you throw in some stupid line about Obama not being a "workhorse senator" and throwing his duties "under the truck" (always with the truck). Yet you give no examples of what you may be talking about. As for me, I'll refer you to the example above regarding McCain's non GI Bill vote and I'll throw this little tidbit of information your way: Senator John McCain, as of this past May 17th had missed 43 straight votes in the Senate just this year alone. At that point, that equated to missing approximately 50% of the roll calls. Before you try and defend the fact that he's been on the campaign trail, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton had only missed just 6.4 percent and 1.8 percent of votes this year, respectively. What a "workhorse" that John McCain, huh? Perhaps he was napping.

As for town hall meetings? Maybe Obama would accept if he knew that the audience was impartial and not vetted or invited by the McCain campaign.

Fox News: The McCain campaign said it was taking random questions from the audience of about 200 people. But the questions and mood were decidedly favorable, as his jabs at Obama were frequently interrupted by applause.

One questioner praised his military service; another called him a “hero.”

The campaign later issued a statement saying it distributed tickets to “supporters, Mayor Bloomberg, and other independent groups.”

What a maverick that McCain is!

But then, Mr. Brooks, you save the best for last: Accusing Barack Obama of flip-flopping and backing out of public financing. Oh no! The evil Obama deciding not to accept any taxpayer money (a "small government" conservative's dream by the way). Weak, David. Weak. Let's slow this down so you can see how ridiculous this argument is.

First, let's talk about what Senator Obama actually did say he would participate in. In his Midwest Democracy Network questionnaire, question 1-B asked: "If you are nominated for President in 2008 and your major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign, will you participate in the presidential public financing
system?"

So the operative phrase here is "if... your major opponents agree to forgo public financing..." Here is his full answer after checking the "yes" box:

"I have been a long-time advocate for public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests. I introduced public financing legislation in the Illinois State Senate, and am the only 2008 candidate to have sponsored Senator Russ Feingold’s (D-WI) bill to reform the presidential public financing system. In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."

You got that, Dave? "Senator McCain has already agreed to accept this fundraising pledge." The only problem is that Senator McCain has been raising and spending unlimited monies in violation of Federal Election Commission laws after opting in for public campaign funds through the primaries (which end with the convention), used that pledge to secure a bank loan, and then opted out of public financing. Something that the Republican Chairman of the Federal Elections Commission calls ILLEGAL.

...McCain's maneuvering seemed to irritate FEC Chairman David Mason, a Republican, who wrote a letter to McCain in February saying McCain could only withdraw from public financing if he received the permission of the FEC and answered questions about the loan.

"The Commission made clear that a candidate enters into a binding contract with the Commission when he executes the Candidate Agreements and Certification," Mason wrote. "The Commission stated that it would withdraw a candidate's certifications upon written request, thus agreeing to rescind the contract, so long as the candidate: 1) had not received Matching Payment Program funds, and 2) had not pledged the certification of Matching Payment Program funds as 'security for private financing.'"

By the way, McCain was asked the same public financing question that Obama answered from the same organization and didn't bother to respond. Perhaps he was napping.

The fact is that McCain is gaming the system - first planning to opt out of public financing during the primaries. Then when fundraising got rough and he was out of cash, on August 10 McCain asked the Federal Election Commission for the authority to receive matching funds, and the FEC said he was eligible for $5.8 million. Although he never collected the money, he secured a $4 million line of credit with the agreement to reapply for federal matching funds if he withdrew from public financing and lost early primary contests. The agreement also held as collateral his list of contributors and a pledge by McCain to seek further cash from those donors to pay of the loan.

So cry all you want about Senator Obama opting out of public financing, or in actuality creating his own system of public financing without using one single dollar of taxpayer money. If the roles were reversed, no one would be batting an eye at the advantage of GOP coffers, but since the shoe is on the other foot, all we hear is whining from "pundits" with agendas.

I suppose that's why your columns are op-eds, Mr. Brooks. You may be entitled you your opinion, but you are certainly not entitled to your own facts.
*************************

I know the public financing fiasco is convoluted - here is Keith Olbermann and Howard Fineman explaining it a lot better than I probably did.

Addict-In-Chief

I guess Thomas Friedman has finally stopped defending Bush. Here's what he has to say about our awesome leader.

NY Times: Two years ago, President Bush declared that America was “addicted to oil,” and, by gosh, he was going to do something about it. Well, now he has. Now we have the new Bush energy plan: “Get more addicted to oil.”

...It’s as if our addict-in-chief is saying to us: “C’mon guys, you know you want a little more of the good stuff. One more hit, baby. Just one more toke on the ole oil pipe. I promise, next year, we’ll all go straight. I’ll even put a wind turbine on my presidential library. But for now, give me one more pop from that drill, please, baby. Just one more transfusion of that sweet offshore crude.”

It is hard for me to find the words to express what a massive, fraudulent, pathetic excuse for an energy policy this is.

How incredibly bad is it when Thomas Friedman is ripping you to shreds?

George Carlin Deat At 71

NY Times: George Carlin, the Grammy-Award winning standup comedian and actor who was hailed for his irreverent social commentary, poignant observations of the absurdities of everyday life and language, and groundbreaking routines like “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” died in Santa Monica, Calif., on Sunday, according to his publicist, Jeff Abraham. He was 71.

I'm really going to miss Carlin. Learning the seven words you could never say on television as a 12 year old was a coup for me (my uncle had his comedy LPs). His latest HBO special showed that he still had that acerbic wit and good timing. The video below isn't from that latest special, but it's a classic nonetheless.