Forget Literacy Tests For Voters. Require Constitutional Competency Tests For Candidates.

In February, former Colorado Congressman, Tom Tancredo, popped up at the national tea party gathering  (one of those rallies with a bunch of "It's the Constitution, stupid." signs.) and advocated requiring citizens to take/pass a civic literacy test before being allowed to vote.

Hey, Tom... I have a much better idea.

And, my idea would be of significant benefit to all Americans: We should begin to require that every candidate who wants to campaign for public office in the United States take a test on a single, supremely important subject: The U.S. Constitution and the Constitutional Amendments.

Duh... It's a no-brainer!

Every candidate wanting to run for City Council, Mayor, Governor, Congress, etc. up to the President should have to prove they are the proud possessors of an in-depth understanding of our nation's founding document... the basis of our Democracy: The U.S. Constitution.

No Exceptions Allowed

No Excuses.

And, simply put... Failure = A Candidate Is Utterly Unqualified to hold public office.

Let's give it a little practice run...

How about we test the knowledge of some of the 2010 mid-term candidates on an easy item:
The First Amendment Of The U.S. Constitution.

Here goes...

Enjoy! (I did.)

Truth In Political Advertising? There Ought To Be A Law - Or Not. (Meanwhile, may I suggest FactChecker.org)

From: The "Sad But True" File:

Believe It Or Not ~ Despite The Fact That The Federal Government Instituted/Enforces Laws Meant To Protect Consumers From Being Duped By False Advertising Of Products... There aren't any federal laws which protect Americans from being duped by false advertising about political candidates.

One might, reasonably, think that creating/enforcing laws meant to protect American citizens from from being duped - via political ads which are chock full o' lies, half-truths and misrepresentations - into voting for those candidates whom are far from the best man/woman for the job... would be more important than protecting them from self-proclaimed "psychics" or dolls that don't do what is claimed in ads.

The concept is a "no-brainer"... or is it?

Turns out, the single reason there aren't any federally-instituted laws against false political ads and the few state-issued ones have been difficult to enforce is the First Amendment To The U.S. Constitution: - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. -

As I discovered on the political fact-finding site, FactChecker.org: TV stations are permitted to refuse ads from political groups for any reason. The same is not true of candidates - unless stations refuse ads from all of the candidates for a specific office. Accepting an ad from one candidate means that, legally, they must accept the ads from that candidates opponents. The only exceptions: for technical issues (too long or too brief to fit into commercial break-slots, or unacceptable recording quality) or for content considered "obscene." That a candidate’s ad is false is simply not a legally-protected justification for rejecting it.

"The very idea of self-government rests on the idea that voters — given enough uncensored information — can best decide who should be in power and who should not. So, free speech applies first and foremost to candidates. So, states have found it hard to enact laws against false political advertising — and even harder to make them work."

What does this mean to you, me and every other American voter? That, at least legally, it’s up to each of us to figure out who’s lying and who’s telling the Truth in the 2010 campaign and in every political campaign.

"Nobody said Democracy was supposed to be easy."

Helping Americans with this task is one of the primary duties of trustworthy news organizations. (Thankfully, our First Amendment guarantees a Free Press as well as Free Speech.)

FactCheck.org is one of those news organizations that works hard to help.  They seek out, uncover and reveal for all to see what is True and what is False in political ads, emails and in statements made by politicians - irrespective of political party.

They take an in-depth look at the truth-in-political-advertising issue (including several court cases) in "False Ads: There Oughta Be A Law!... Or Maybe Not.".

Enjoy!

L.

Hello Readers! Ch-ch-changes...

Hello Readers!

Having just finished the latest Blog (Check it out, it's Great!) I made a point to update the page's entire look. Change is Good. I sincerely hope that you like the changes. Either way, please let me know whether or not you like the changes.
Thanks!
L.

Beltway Media Adopts GOP Narrative For 2010 Midterm Elections

When It Comes To The Question Of: Why Republicans Might Be Successful In Their Attempts To Take Both Congressional Seats And Other Political Offices From Democrats (Not that they actually will, mind you), The GOP Has Been Making Some Pretty Outrageous Claims:

The GOP has been and still is asking Americans to vote for Republican candidates for a multitude of reasons... And, not surprisingly, not one of these reasons is Truth- or Fact-based.

For Example:

This is:

The World According to the GOP Narrative and $GOP-Sponsored Media:

"Vote For Republicans, Because Republicans will Cut The Federal Deficit!"

No, Republicans will NOT do any such thing.
The Truth:
Extending All of the Bush Tax Cuts is A Goal Of The Republican Party. Extending the Bush Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest Of Uber-Wealthy Americans Will ADD $4 TRILLION$ To The Federal Deficit.

Or...
"Republicans Are Against Big Government!"

No, they aren't.
The Truth:
If Elected To Public Office, A Frightening Number of GOP Candidates Will FORCE Female Victims of RAPE and INCEST To Carry To Term and then Give Birth To The Offspring Of Their RAPISTS!

Or...
"The Republicans Strongly Opposed The Stimulus, Saying It Wouldn't Help The Economy!"

Yes, they did oppose it on those grounds, but...
The Truth:
If The GOP Was So Utterly Convinced That Stimulus Money Wouldn't Create Jobs Or Help The Economy...
Then, Why Did GOP Politicos Then Turn Around -Doing A Complete 180-Degree Turn - And Ask For Their Share Of Stimulus Funds... Stating In Their Requests That "... Funds Will Create Jobs/Stimulate Their Economy"?

Or...

"Republicans Opposed Health Reform/Obamacare!"

Yep, they screamed about it... on camera. And, sure, some GOP Showboats have even brought about a lawsuit try and to stop it.
The Truth:
Virginia's conservative Attorney General is one of those whom have brought a Lawsuit to attempt to stop National Health Reform...
So, Why is it that Virginia's Republican Governor is - simultaneously - trying to take credit for all the new Funding Virginia just received as a result of that same National Health Reform/Obamacare?

Or...

"Republican Candidates Represent Economic Populism/Republicans Are Against Wall St. Fat Cats!"

A Big, Fat Lie.
The Truth:
Pennsylvania's Republican Senate Candidate is Pat Toomey. Mr. Toomey's last job was as a WALL ST. DERIVATIVES TRADER.
Indiana's Republican Senate Candidate Dan Coats. Mr. Coats previously worked as a DC LOBBYIST.

Or...
"Republican Candidates Are Political Outsiders/Are People Just Like You & Me!"

Ahem... Bull Pucky.
The Truth:
GOP Candidates Sharron Angle, Ken Buck, Christine O'Donnell, Joe Miller, etc... Have all been Perennial Crank Republican Candidates.

In all honesty:
The Republican Candidate Line-Up is hilarious! In fact, they deserve their own "Reality Show". I'm sure that Fox would do it (Fox will do anything.) All they'd have to do is drop the current national crop of GOP candidates onto a deserted, tropical island and let them have at it... and each other.
I've even picked out the Perfect Title for the show...
Call the show "Survive This!"

They'd be a Laugh Riot...
If they weren't so freaky, frightening and financed to run for political office.

Sheeesh!

Enjoy this clip from TRMS (I did)!

L.

We All Vote. Whether Actively Or Passively. We All Vote. Please Be Active. Vote On Nov. 2, 2010

My Fellow Americans...

As Americans, we All Vote.

You might not realize it or even think so... but, even if you don't actually register to vote... even if you don't go to your local polling place and choose where to mark your ballot... You are voting...

In spite of your apparent apathy, discouragement or lack of active participation.

Whether or not to Vote Is Your Choice, of course...

But, honestly, wouldn't you prefer to participate in actively steering the ship... rather than simply being a buoy on the ocean?

Considering the Unenlightened, Democracy-Damaging and Utterly Stupid (J.Robert's) Supreme Court "Citizens United" Decision (which has - as predicted - opened the floodgates to allow Unlimited and Un-Traceable political ad campaign contributions)...

And, considering the significant number of crack-pots, kooks, wing-nut extremists & just plain utterly unqualified candidates who've thrown their hats into the political ring...

And, considering the fact that many of those sizable corporate "Citizens United" Decision benefactors - er, I mean anonymous Republican Big-Money Donors - see Nothing Wrong with throwing their considerable financial support behind the aforementioned extremists and unqualified candidates...

It Is Supremely Important That You Vote On November 2, 2010.

If You Are Registered To Vote - Bless You.

If Not, Please Get Registered (Deadlines may vary).

And Vote On Nov. 2nd.

*Here, in California, the deadline to Register is MONDAY, Oct. 18th.*

Thank You.

Psst... May I Interest You In Some Truly Bloody True Blood Clothing You Can Win!

Are You A True Blood Fan?

I Mean... A Real, Blood & Guts True Blood Fan?

Really?

No way - Me Too!

But ~ Are You Fan Enough To Wear A Bloody Gen-u-yne Article Of True Blood Clothing (& I do mean "Bloody") - Something Worn By One Of Our Favorite Living, Dead &/Or Undead This All Hallow's Eve?

Or... Whenever.

Well, Then... Here's The Link: http://store.hbo.com

Peep the pics, check off the items u like (for men & women) and then just Sign-up (email and a name) at HBO's True Blood Shop for a chance to win it.

And... What if you're (gasp!)... Not A Fan Of True Blood?

Well, Then... Just Bite Me. :P

GOP Conservatives: "They're Afraid To Debate Us!" TRMS: "Let's Debate." GOP: "Er... Um, No."

There are numerous Conservative GOP candidates have gone to great extents to make their unhappiness with how they are covered on MSNBC, TRMS and Countdown known.

They complain, profusely, in fund-raising emails; they use them as a 'laugh line' in their stump speeches; they make the ludicrous claims: (courtesy of a Liz Cheney ad) "They (msnbc, et al) Are Afraid To Debate Us.".

These conservatives' cries of "foul" are utterly ludicrous for a very simple fact:

As an example: Despite having been repeatedly invited to appear in-person on TRMS and to have the opportunity to say, in their own words, what it is exactly that Rachel had (in their minds) gotten wrong about them - they've resolutely refused to do so.

And, to this day, they continue to refuse an open invitation.

So, I ask you, "Who, Exactly, Is Afraid Of Whom?".

Here's a brief yet fact-filled clip of Rachel explaining the blatant hypocrisy of their claims when one considers that they are the ones refusing to appear on the show. It also includes yet another warm, friendly, cheerful and open invitation from Rachel for any one of them to please come on the show to debate her.

Enjoy!

AMC's "The Walking Dead" 2nd Official Trailer (Premieres Oct. 31st)

Vampires... Shmampires... (cont'd)

Umm... Well... Er... Yeah... OK, fine.

In the spirit of complete disclosure, I'll admit that I'm a bit (no pun intended) of a Vampire Junkie - If it's an engrossing tale/show/movie that you can effortlessly sink your teeth into (I'm sorry... Couldn't resist).

That said...

I simply can't wait to see the highly-anticipated premiere of "The Walking Dead" on AMC.

*You can watch the newly-released second Official Trailer in this post.

Remember To Make A Note In Your Calendar/Add To Your "To Do" List:

*Sunday, October 31st.*

All Hallow's Eve (a.k.a. Halloween), of course!

Enjoy!

L.

GOP Leadership: "How are the mighty fallen..." Or: From Integrity To LCD

Oh, GOP Leadership...

What sad, regretful events we find ourselves witnesses to...

"How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle"

And, with each passing day, it is ever more surprising how much farther the (once) mighty fall/are willing to fling themselves.

The Congressional GOP Leadership - those select individuals who consistently showed themselves to be exceptional examples of "rising above" and whose words and actions showed the considerable amount of wisdom they'd cultivated and valued - even if it wasn't popular with those with... ah, flexible/pliable morals/character.

Those respected leaders whom the GOP membership looked to as Standard Bearers.

(Heck, even I had a great deal of respect for them.)

Those individuals who not only refused to participate in infantile mud-slinging and lame, low-down & dirty politics, but who condemned such petty behavior...

Those few who never "waffled"...

Have now, sadly, themselves crumbled, collapsed & caved...

Falling phenomenally fast from those hard-won and well-deserved positions of respect and trust...

Appearing to have now abandoned entirely, their life-long moral high-ground...

Only to join the rank and file of lost and misled...

The ones who - because they are suffering under the manipulations of petty politicians of questionable character for whom being low-down, dirty and mud-slinging is a celebratory achievement - are most in need of their formerly invaluable, experience-rich guidance...

They've now taken up the very same undignified behaviors which they themselves had recently and rightfully condemned: inappropriate and completely-off-the-point assertions and already-refuted innuendos... ones previously-acknowledged as laughable; ludicrous; ridiculous; desperate and utterly undignified...

In other words... the LCD.

Here's a brief clip from TRMS... which illustrates this unhappy transformation perfectly...

Enjoy (?)