Mike Pouraryan
OV Week-End (8/28/2010): Almost Glad the Month Is Over!!!
:
Although..?!!?!?
It has been quite a month. America is about to enter the Mid-Term Elections. The latest primary results is bound to prove wonderful theatre based on all the pronoucements coming out of the Republican Candidates.
I fell off my chair when I read Politico's latest reporting on what the Republicans have in store. Darrell Issa has threatened, apparently, to begin a wave of investigations of the Obama Adminstration. I need to assess and realize what that will prove. Even this is not as "out there" as the latest pronoucements from Joe Miller, the apparent front runner for the Republican Nomination for Alaska's US Senate seat. Hiss latest comment has been that Unemployment Insurance is not constitutionally authorized. He also noted about the fact that he would have voted against the Fin Reg. Bill. Mr. MIller needs to wake up and realize that Alaska is a "one industry" state--Oil. What happens when the Oil Runs Out? What about all that is going on with Climate Change? Maybe Mr. Miller may want to listen to this bit of a clip from the West Wing:
It is curious how the current debate in the Country exactly resembles what folks like Joe Miller, Sharon Angle, Ken Buck and their sponsors are pushing. I also laughed when I heard Sharon Angle's latest comments about closet Communists currently in Washington who do not care about America. The Democrats have to fashion the debate in this fashion and make the country (including all the detractors) understand the true stakes in this debate.
As I assessed the Republican Attack Machine, I have been truly tried to figure out the Republicans (and their Tea Party allies) as they have continued to evolve. The new Politico Report underscores a very simple objective the Republicans have: they want Power and will sell their soul to get it. They have no interest in Governing. I have to wonder whether they understand what Governing is. I guess Governing means being a Constitutional Conservative. When someone like Ms. Palin throws this around, I hope she would tell us what this actually means. But, when she goes after Scott Brown, then I have to wonder who the Republicans truly actually like as this latest pearl of wisdom from her reflects:
"Well, you know, take the consideration, though, that's Massachusetts, and perhaps they're not going to look for such a hardcore constitutional conservative there, and they're gonna put up with Scott Brown and some of the antics there."
As the Economy grinds to a halt, Congress is in an election mode while the Republicans push their "vision", the dominant theme in Conservative Circles has been "the Mosque" and "restoring Honor". As for the "Mosque Hysteria", I have been amazed at how Fox has pushed the so-called "Mosque Hysteria" to new extremes. Fox is merely not satifised with just pushing the fiction through its' Cable Network. Now, the affiliates are in the game, too. I saw a report on LA's Fox Affilitate about the developer for Park 51 and his supposedly questionable tactics and how he rose from humble beginnings. How the anchor led into this supposed "expose" was quite extra ordinary. All the folks who are opposed have yet to answer a simple question that Mayor Bloomberg asked: How far back should the so-called exclusion area be? During that Iftar dinner, the Mayor also noted that the very nature of compromise itself means failure. For me, one of the most profound disappointing aspects of it has been pronoucements by Mike Huckabee. He is one of the current stars at Fox. He wants to run for President again. But, I figured that as a ordained Minister, he would preach tolerance and acceptance of all faiths. But, maybe I expected too much. I again was reminded of another "West Wing" clip about the Bible:
It speaks for itself.
Moving on to reflect upon our World, this has also been a month that we have seen tragedy continue to unfold in Pakistan. Pakistan is ruined because of the floods. The ineptitude of the Government has fueled the already terrible living conditions in the Country. The scenes are simply heart wrenching. Yet, Hannity chose to talk about the "Green Swindle". I have to wonder what would Hannity say to Jacques Costeau when he noted that ":.....Man Kind has probably done more damage to the earth in the 20 century than in all of previous human history". From the little I know of Jacques Costeau, I don't think he was a leftie radical Commie--but a man who dedicated his life to the preservation of our Mother Earth. He said this back in 1996 when things were not as terrible as they are now. There was of course Iran and the firing up of the Nuclear Reactor. That is bound to be center stage for a while yet. Iraq continues to be as volatile as ever and Afghanistan continues to be ever more challenging.
I have written before about how I have admired the Republican Media Blitz. It has simply been brilliant. Whether it has been the Fox News Operation, all the personalities and their own online operations, the Right Wing Amen Crowd (Including Mark Levin, Laura Ingram, Michael Savage, etc.etc.), it has been a focused, concerted campaign to change the tone from one of hope to fear and despair. Hannity's particular crusade has been just wonderful to follow and observe. The headline on his website is mocking Barack Obama while on Vacation with his family. I am not sure what his problem is with the President taking a vacation. It is true that there are many in America who can't take a vacation--because they simply can't afford it. But, more importantly, I have to wonder where he has been just over the past few months--or even the past few weeks. In visiting his website, I wanted to find out if he had anything to say about the Pakistan Floods. I wanted to find out if at least he had a link to some of the wonderful NGO's who are trying to make a difference. I saw nothing. I plan on having one as soon as I am able to figure out an available banner for it.
Hannity Comrade-in-Arms, Glenn Beck, continues to amaze me ever more. I do view his actions and pronoucements to be ever more bizzare by the day. It is tough to go up against a man that is a legend in his own brain. But, he's dominating the debate and he is the talk of the town. He has every right to say what he is saying. His crusade against the President and for small Government. That's also well within his right. But, what I have a problem is that Glenn Beck's misguided, misconceived and outright lies he has pushed that must be called out. If he wants to change things, run for office. I frankly doubt that conservative firebrands like the Koch Brothers and the US Chamber of Commerce will support his efforts, though. He sure is making a lot of money, though..!!!
There was, of course, other news this past week. Five years ago this month, Katrina happened. The region is yet to fully recover. Yet, from what I have seen, there seems to be quite a resilient attitude that amazes me. I have been following the good work of Brad Pitt, The St. Bernanrd Project and others who have been truly trying to revive the beautiful City of New Orleans. I have also continued to be amazed as to the ineptitude of the Bush Adminstration, though. The infamous FEMA trailers are a testament to what the country had to be faced with. The country seems to have learnt from it. I watched with interest as CNN, MSNBC and other more true "mainstream" US outlets focused on the State of the Region five years after the calamity. The Economy and its perlious state also continues to be center stage. The downward revision of GDP growth shows that the chance of a double-dip is increasing. Anxiety is growing and it is showing. The supposed consesus is that the Government is not able to move even more aggressively.
As the US Campaign Season begins next week, my only question remains: What are the folks on Main Street then to do? Do the politicos have answers? Let's see what this month brings. It is bound to be very, very interesting indeed.
I fell off my chair when I read Politico's latest reporting on what the Republicans have in store. Darrell Issa has threatened, apparently, to begin a wave of investigations of the Obama Adminstration. I need to assess and realize what that will prove. Even this is not as "out there" as the latest pronoucements from Joe Miller, the apparent front runner for the Republican Nomination for Alaska's US Senate seat. Hiss latest comment has been that Unemployment Insurance is not constitutionally authorized. He also noted about the fact that he would have voted against the Fin Reg. Bill. Mr. MIller needs to wake up and realize that Alaska is a "one industry" state--Oil. What happens when the Oil Runs Out? What about all that is going on with Climate Change? Maybe Mr. Miller may want to listen to this bit of a clip from the West Wing:
It is curious how the current debate in the Country exactly resembles what folks like Joe Miller, Sharon Angle, Ken Buck and their sponsors are pushing. I also laughed when I heard Sharon Angle's latest comments about closet Communists currently in Washington who do not care about America. The Democrats have to fashion the debate in this fashion and make the country (including all the detractors) understand the true stakes in this debate.
As I assessed the Republican Attack Machine, I have been truly tried to figure out the Republicans (and their Tea Party allies) as they have continued to evolve. The new Politico Report underscores a very simple objective the Republicans have: they want Power and will sell their soul to get it. They have no interest in Governing. I have to wonder whether they understand what Governing is. I guess Governing means being a Constitutional Conservative. When someone like Ms. Palin throws this around, I hope she would tell us what this actually means. But, when she goes after Scott Brown, then I have to wonder who the Republicans truly actually like as this latest pearl of wisdom from her reflects:
"Well, you know, take the consideration, though, that's Massachusetts, and perhaps they're not going to look for such a hardcore constitutional conservative there, and they're gonna put up with Scott Brown and some of the antics there."
As the Economy grinds to a halt, Congress is in an election mode while the Republicans push their "vision", the dominant theme in Conservative Circles has been "the Mosque" and "restoring Honor". As for the "Mosque Hysteria", I have been amazed at how Fox has pushed the so-called "Mosque Hysteria" to new extremes. Fox is merely not satifised with just pushing the fiction through its' Cable Network. Now, the affiliates are in the game, too. I saw a report on LA's Fox Affilitate about the developer for Park 51 and his supposedly questionable tactics and how he rose from humble beginnings. How the anchor led into this supposed "expose" was quite extra ordinary. All the folks who are opposed have yet to answer a simple question that Mayor Bloomberg asked: How far back should the so-called exclusion area be? During that Iftar dinner, the Mayor also noted that the very nature of compromise itself means failure. For me, one of the most profound disappointing aspects of it has been pronoucements by Mike Huckabee. He is one of the current stars at Fox. He wants to run for President again. But, I figured that as a ordained Minister, he would preach tolerance and acceptance of all faiths. But, maybe I expected too much. I again was reminded of another "West Wing" clip about the Bible:
It speaks for itself.
Moving on to reflect upon our World, this has also been a month that we have seen tragedy continue to unfold in Pakistan. Pakistan is ruined because of the floods. The ineptitude of the Government has fueled the already terrible living conditions in the Country. The scenes are simply heart wrenching. Yet, Hannity chose to talk about the "Green Swindle". I have to wonder what would Hannity say to Jacques Costeau when he noted that ":.....Man Kind has probably done more damage to the earth in the 20 century than in all of previous human history". From the little I know of Jacques Costeau, I don't think he was a leftie radical Commie--but a man who dedicated his life to the preservation of our Mother Earth. He said this back in 1996 when things were not as terrible as they are now. There was of course Iran and the firing up of the Nuclear Reactor. That is bound to be center stage for a while yet. Iraq continues to be as volatile as ever and Afghanistan continues to be ever more challenging.
I have written before about how I have admired the Republican Media Blitz. It has simply been brilliant. Whether it has been the Fox News Operation, all the personalities and their own online operations, the Right Wing Amen Crowd (Including Mark Levin, Laura Ingram, Michael Savage, etc.etc.), it has been a focused, concerted campaign to change the tone from one of hope to fear and despair. Hannity's particular crusade has been just wonderful to follow and observe. The headline on his website is mocking Barack Obama while on Vacation with his family. I am not sure what his problem is with the President taking a vacation. It is true that there are many in America who can't take a vacation--because they simply can't afford it. But, more importantly, I have to wonder where he has been just over the past few months--or even the past few weeks. In visiting his website, I wanted to find out if he had anything to say about the Pakistan Floods. I wanted to find out if at least he had a link to some of the wonderful NGO's who are trying to make a difference. I saw nothing. I plan on having one as soon as I am able to figure out an available banner for it.
Hannity Comrade-in-Arms, Glenn Beck, continues to amaze me ever more. I do view his actions and pronoucements to be ever more bizzare by the day. It is tough to go up against a man that is a legend in his own brain. But, he's dominating the debate and he is the talk of the town. He has every right to say what he is saying. His crusade against the President and for small Government. That's also well within his right. But, what I have a problem is that Glenn Beck's misguided, misconceived and outright lies he has pushed that must be called out. If he wants to change things, run for office. I frankly doubt that conservative firebrands like the Koch Brothers and the US Chamber of Commerce will support his efforts, though. He sure is making a lot of money, though..!!!
There was, of course, other news this past week. Five years ago this month, Katrina happened. The region is yet to fully recover. Yet, from what I have seen, there seems to be quite a resilient attitude that amazes me. I have been following the good work of Brad Pitt, The St. Bernanrd Project and others who have been truly trying to revive the beautiful City of New Orleans. I have also continued to be amazed as to the ineptitude of the Bush Adminstration, though. The infamous FEMA trailers are a testament to what the country had to be faced with. The country seems to have learnt from it. I watched with interest as CNN, MSNBC and other more true "mainstream" US outlets focused on the State of the Region five years after the calamity. The Economy and its perlious state also continues to be center stage. The downward revision of GDP growth shows that the chance of a double-dip is increasing. Anxiety is growing and it is showing. The supposed consesus is that the Government is not able to move even more aggressively.
As the US Campaign Season begins next week, my only question remains: What are the folks on Main Street then to do? Do the politicos have answers? Let's see what this month brings. It is bound to be very, very interesting indeed.
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