An Endorsement is an Endorsement is an Endorsement

Well, with the brilliance of the internet, it has been made known that The Anchorage Daily News endorsed Obama for President on the 25th. Now for most Americans, endorsement do not dictate their votes, and really any endorsement should be taken with a grain of salt. But the significance in terms of atsmosphere which endorsement can create cannot be over stated. One such case was the craze following the endorsement of Obama by Colin Powell (which can be evidenced here or here or here or here or...well you get the picture) which showed how the endorsement of a candidate can, if nothing else, prompt much free publicity in a generally positivity light.

Now the endorsement by The Anchorage Daily shows that at the very least there isn't unanimous support for Gov. Palin and on the contrary of the much publicized 80% rating has recently taken a dive as early as the beginning of this month. The endorsement shows a clear resolution by the newspaper which will be back to reporting to Gov. Palin as governor after her stint as the Veep candidate is over. The paper asserts such ideas that Obama "brings far more promise to the office" and Gov. Palin. The point is also raised that to find which candidates are or are not going to bring change one needs to

look no further than the guilt-by-association lies and sound-bite distortions of the degenerating McCain campaign to see how readily he embraces the divisive, fear-mongering tactics of Karl Rove.

When you are trying to figure out who to vote for, the one consideration which must be an overriding influence is what you believe and think is best. But take account for why these people and respectable media groups make endorsements, so you can at least educate yourself, if not on the side you wish to vote, at least the reasons others are not voting the same way as you are.

Just remember "Like picking Sen. McCain for president, putting [Palin] one 72-year-old heartbeat from the leadership of the free world is just too risky at this time."

Vote Yes

Socialist! Oh No Not Me!

Socialist. A word which Americans are very, very afraid of taking over this country. Yet we don't have a major party candidate who is a socialist, although McCain would like the people of this country to think there is. McCain recently stated that Obama's policies on taxes is a version of socialism and that Americans find this an unwelcome proposal. But is McCain really one to be accusing others of government socialism???

It is a fact, in record, that McCain voted for (as well as Obama) the recent 700 billion dollar rescue package. Now, this package WAS needed, but trying to argue that this isn't some idea (small or not) of socialism is just, well, wrong. This bill which is giving billions of dollars to banks in a way to save them, uses taxpayers dollars and the government is then taking a stake in the banks through their actions; which is nationalizing of banks. This idea is of a socialist twinge, so when McCain then tries to accuse only Obama of being socialist is clearly hypocritical and it shows McCain's true colors. If you are going to take an action, at least own up to it and don't deny what is in the public knowledge, all a denial does it causes a loss of faith in your principles.

McCain attempted to claim that this package was needed and that America had not choice, thus he was justified in voting for it. Which means he is saying that this part socialist idea is good when the economy is bad but only free market should be advocated for in the 'good times.' But it is exactly that lack of regulation which put this country into this tailspin which increasingly socialist ideas are saving. You cannot have it both ways Mr. McCain; pick a side and stay with it.

---

In other news, good job to the 98% of Michigan residents of voting age being registered to vote! Now go to the polls on November 4 or vote absentee!

Disaster Relief Through The Red Cross

Click Here To Visit The American Red Cross Website!

Michigan Prop 2

Michigan has two propositions on the ballot for this November's election. Prop 1 deals with medical marijuana and Prop 2 is on the ability to create new stem cell lines in Michigan. There is no reason not to support these two propositions.

As for Prop 2, there is a great group which has formed to promote its passage, Cure Michigan. There is also the opposition, 2 Goes 2 Far. Prop 2 not only should be passed but really needs to be passed, and this has gained the support and attention of Bill Clinton, with his recent visit this week to Michigan to promote Prop 2. This allows for much more research in Michigan and expanding what limited research is already being perused. The abilities of what new stem cell research is astounding and can help out millions. And if Michigan, with one of the worst economic situations in the nation, can spur growth in the sciences, Michigan can do not only much needed research, but bring funding and jobs to people at Universities and science labs the state over.

Inasmuch, the Univeristy of Michigan has a list of "Five things you should know about stem cell research" published just this week. At least inform yourself on the issues, from both sides, and make a decision based on the facts and not what you want to be true or what misinformed people might have told you; you never know, your opinion might change to either side of this issue from where you stand now! If a person makes an informed decision than no one can blame that voter for their vote. The worst thing to do is not get involved at some level!

1984 Appears 2008; But At Least It's Vindicated

There is a great editorial which was published in the Anchorage Daily News yesterday, a paper in GOVERNOR Palin's home state. The editorial claimed that Palin's response to the report of her ethics violations "is either astoundingly ignorant or downright Orwellian." This piece goes on to talk about Palin's abuse of power and her clear unethical behavior directed towards those serving under her. To read the entire editorial, which everyone should, you can find it here.

Election 2008

With just a matter of weeks left before the election it is important for everyone to vote. As the Oct 2008 volume of the BORDC's "Dissent Is Patriotic" says:

Those we elect on November 4 will determine whether or not we reverse seven years of affronts to our Constitution. We urge you to vote, and to make constitutional issues a priority in your choice of candidates. Although few of us are ever fully satisfied with the candidates available to us, not voting at all presents the greatest danger of preserving the status quo.

I would also like to draw your attention to the issues of civil liberties and the presidential candidates. BOTH John McCain and Barack Obama have a very concerning stand on the many issues which encompass all that is civil liberties. But Cynthia McKinney again is a great choice as she opposes all the civil liberties violations of the President and does not compromise like Obama has, and reflects that in her votes. All taken in Obama is the better of the two large party candidates but Obama is far from a level which is needed for this country in this new age in which violations of our basic civil liberties is all too easy. We need real leadership, and we CAN find that in Cynthia McKinney and the Green Party.

"Dissent Is Patriotic" is a Bill Of Rights Defense Committee e-mail newsletter. For the Oct 2008 Vol. 7, No. 9 edition click here!
To subscribe to the e-mail newsletter click here!
For the "Where Do The Presidential Candidates Stand On Civil Liberties?" report from the BORDC, click here! (PDF)

Vote McKinney

McCain-A-Michigan...Or Not

"McCain will go off TV in Michigan, stop dropping mail there and send most of his staff to more competitive states."

And such a loss it is to us here in Michigan. The idea that McCain has given up on a full press on getting the vote out of Michigan shows the ever growing power not just for Obama, but against McCain and his running mate. In the debate tonight between Palin and Biden can continue to highlight the differences which people are finding between what the McCain camp wants Americans to think about Palin and what Americans actually think.

The blame for the current economic crisis, which is hitting Michigan extremely hard, is hitting the Republican party (which John McCain AND President Bush are members of, which McCain for some reason doesn't really accecpt) in a 2 to 1 margin.

We can see that McCain shifting away from Michigan shows that a larger problem of McCain's that the American people are rallying not just for Obama (which negativeads could try to counter) but against McCain, for which a pro-McCain ad would help but he refuses to tout his qualifications in ads and only wants to stress Obama's lack of qualifications.

---

On another note on tonight's Veep debate, the expectations for Palin have been woefully low even though she was praised in the debates for governor. This can clearly be seen to save Palin from the mega-disaster of her Katie interview, and by setting her skills as low, if she even just manages to avoid another "mega-disaster" then she can be billed as the 'winner' of the debates by consertatives, even if Biden does make a better impression overall at the debate. Media Matters has a good post on their site on this exact issue.

Sarah Palin...Or Tina!!!!