Imitation is the highest form of stealing

Oh, hell, I guess I should be flattered. After all, I'm practically Mr. Fair Use Doctrine anyway ... but it still came as a surprise this morning when I visited the front page of a local radio station's website.

Wow ... that Obama picture looks kind of familiar ... I think I know the photographer ...

Well, I guess it's cool to know that the local radio folks are reading this sucky blog, so: Hi, Real Radio!

UPDATE (8:39 am 5/27/08): I am having a hell of a time finding a stable image hosting site. Thumbsnap had been working okay, but it was having problems today, so I switched back to Webshots for this post, and now I'm having trouble there, too. If you don't see an image on this post, check back in a little bit. Sorry for the inconvenience ...

Flag waving

I just witnessed an interesting sight: while driving south on I-95 in southern Brevard County, near Palm Bay, several people were hanging out (for lack of a better term) on an overpass, and one was waving a large American flag at the northbound traffic passing beneath them. I'm assuming this was some kind of Memorial Day celebration or commemoration, and since it was in notoriously right-wing Brevard (longtime Blast Off! readers know very well my feelings about that county), it actually doesn't surprise me very much.

But then I got to thinking -- I mean, having just finished my Blast Off! Radio broadcast (also archived for your listening pleasure on the left sidebar), this sort of patriotic display was on my mind -- and I began to get a little angry at how the wingnuts in this country, and specifically the Republican Party, have co-opted patriotism as a means to rally support for their causes. They've made a mockery of patriotism and, I'm sad to say, they've made it difficult to believe that the flag-waving I saw this evening was true love of country, as opposed to superficial, artificial jingoism.

I'm so pissed off at the Right for trying to make dissent un-American ... for ruining the very values and principles that made this country great ... for wrapping themselves (sometimes literally) in the flag and using it as a weapon of ignorance and violence rather than a symbol of freedom and honor.

I'd like to think those folks on the overpass were there for more than just hating brown people and cheering for war and destruction and death. But I'm afraid my GOP-induced skepticism is just too strong. And that is a sickening, depressing feeling.

Blast Off! Radio: special holiday edition at 7:00 pm EDT tonight

To commemorate Memorial Day today, Blast Off! Radio will take a somewhat more serious tone, as we focus our attention on the ongoing illegal and unjustifiable war in Iraq. In particular, we'll take a look at the diametrically opposed approaches to ending the war (or not) taken by each of the remaining presidential candidates, and we'll examine some recent Congressional votes and presidential actions and statements to see which political party supports the troops with more than just lip service. (I think you can guess the answer to that one.)

You are invited, as always, to be a part of the show, and here's how you do it:

SPECIAL TIME: 7:00 pm Eastern TONIGHT

Click here to listen

Call in number: (646) 716-7543

AIM: blastoffradio

E-mail: blastoffradio-at-gmail-dot-com

I hope you'll plan to spend a small part of your Memorial Day with me on Blast Off! Radio at its special time tonight. The discussion we'll have is one every American should have, so please tell your friends. Talk to you tonight.

Today's Daily Schadenfreude: Huggy Bear and the Republicans

I love this. I mean, I love this. Huggy Bear long ago hitched his wagon to the Worst President Ever, and now he has to deal with the consequences of being dragged down with Drunky McStagger.

What if you gave a fundraiser and invited the president, and hardly anyone even wanted to be seen with either of you? That's Huggy's well-deserved problem now ... and the best part is, it happened in his own backyard:

A planned mega-fundraiser for the GOP, featuring President Bush and John McCain, has now been scaled back in the face of a daunting problem: Too few people actually wanted to buy tickets.

According to the Phoenix Business Journal, [a] fundraiser set for this Tuesday in the city's convention center failed to sell enough tickets, leading to fears that the anti-Bush protesters might end up outnumbering actual attendees.

The new plan is for the Bush-McCain fundraising effort, which will benefit both the McCain campaign and the RNC, to be held in private residences in the Phoenix area away from media coverage.

Are you fucking kidding me?! That's hilarious! I've said it before and I'll say it again: you just can't polish a turd. And if anyone knows how much of a turd Huggy Bear really is, it's his own constituents in Arizona. Now they're going to have to cut and run into private homes where they can avoid the unwanted attention focused on a failing, doomed campaign. BWAHAHAHAHA!!

Well, at least you'll have one good thing to talk about at those little house parties -- you can tell the folks about your latest award, because today's Blast Off! Daily Schadenfreude is for you!

Professional courtesy

I guess it's something that legislators do for each other, like vote for each other's bills or set up dates with pages or campaign on their behalf, but it still seems a little weird to find Sens. Obama and Clinton as co-sponsors of this resolution, which I somehow managed to miss last month:

Recognizing that John Sidney McCain, III, is a natural born citizen.

Whereas the Constitution of the United States requires that, to be eligible for the Office of the President, a person must be a 'natural born Citizen' of the United States;

Whereas the term 'natural born Citizen', as that term appears in Article II, Section 1, is not defined in the Constitution of the United States;

Whereas there is no evidence of the intention of the Framers or any Congress to limit the constitutional rights of children born to Americans serving in the military nor to prevent those children from serving as their country's President;

Whereas such limitations would be inconsistent with the purpose and intent of the `natural born Citizen' clause of the Constitution of the United States, as evidenced by the First Congress's own statute defining the term 'natural born Citizen';

Whereas the well-being of all citizens of the United States is preserved and enhanced by the men and women who are assigned to serve our country outside of our national borders;

Whereas previous presidential candidates were born outside of the United States of America and were understood to be eligible to be President; and

Whereas John Sidney McCain, III, was born to American citizens on an American military base in the Panama Canal Zone in 1936: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That John Sidney McCain, III, is a 'natural born Citizen' under Article II, Section 1, of the Constitution of the United States.

Yeah, I know, privilege and courtesy and all that ... and I never honestly believed the issue of Huggy Bear having been born in Panama was going to go anywhere as a matter of constitutional law.

[snark]

Still, isn't it great that the issue's off the table now?

[/snark]

(h/t NTodd)

Crist and McCain: bosom buddies

Interesting article in the Miami Herald today, musing whether Gov. Charlie Crist can deliver Florida for Huggy Bear in the presidential election this fall. Among a number of others, Crist has been Huggy's guest at his Arizona ranch this weekend, as the Republicans formulate strategy and try to figure out the best way to polish a massive turd.

McCain needs Crist because McCain needs Florida.

Republicans say they can't win the White House in November without Florida's 27 Electoral College votes -- exactly 10 percent of the total needed for victory. And no Florida Republican can help like Crist, who already helped McCain seal the party nomination in the Sunshine State's winter primary.

"There's tremendous pressure on Crist," said Ed Rollins, a top Republican strategist. "Crist has to deliver Florida. He gets tarnished if he doesn't. He needs to prove he has the same organization and ability to deliver the state that Jeb [Bush] had."

It's unlikely the affable and sunny Crist is feeling the heat. He always stays cool. Indeed, he's so conscious about the image that aides set up mini-fans for him at press-conference podiums so he doesn't perspire on camera.

But Republicans elsewhere are sweating it.

They're nervous that McCain doesn't have the cash or organization of the Bush-Cheney '04 juggernaut. They know McCain could wilt in this toxic political atmosphere of a bad economy, high gas prices and an unpopular Iraq war.

And whether Crist is on the ticket or not -- a topic he avoids talking about -- they know he can only do so much for McCain.

I don't really believe Crist has all the responsibility for Huggy winning Florida, nor do I think he will deserve all the blame if Huggy loses it. But you know the Republicans will be searching for scapegoats, so Charlie really has his balls in a sling on this one; it's win or go home, in a very real sense, for the Confirmed Bachelor.

As for the running mate talk, I think it's just that: talk. Sure, Huggy's a warmongering, dessicated near-corpse, but even he's not dumb enough to put another moderate on the ticket with him and thereby earn even more enmity from the wingnut side of the GOP, no matter how smooth-talking -- and tan -- that moderate might be.

A CNBC reporter cornered him at the Friday barbecue, but Crist downplayed his presence as merely a chance to spend "social time" with McCain. The exchange underscored his national media reach -- from cable news talk shows to CBS' Face the Nation, where he appeared last week with Rollins, who managed Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign.

Asked what he thought of his co-guest, Rollins chuckled: "I thought he was very tan, very Floridian. He's articulate. He's carrying the party line about bipartisanship but some people think that means give the Democrats everything they want. Every day, he's auditioning to be the running mate."

Crist is in Arizona because he's a player, if for no other reason than his office. And if he has Washington in his sights, fine ... but I wouldn't be making any long-term plans if I were him.

Long-term fans, on the other hand ... well, whatever keeps you cool, Charlie.

UPDATE (12:54 am 5/25/08): Speaking of tans, say what you will about Our Charlie, but remember that it could be worse.

In Florida, Supreme Court appointments mirror issue on national level

With yesterday's resignation of Florida Supreme Court Justice Kenneth B. Bell, Gov. Charlie Crist will have an unprecedented opportunity to appoint a majority of high court judges all by himself, in a single gubernatorial term.

Crist is now poised to stamp his imprint on the court -- aside from the two resignations [Bell and Justice Raoul Cantero, who resigned in April], Justices Harry Anstead and Charles Wells will be forced to retire next year due to constitutional age restrictions.

That means Crist will have to appoint a majority on the court -- four of the seven state high court judges.

As a result, Crist can have an impact on Florida government and the judiciary for decades, well beyond his own term as governor ends ... which reminds us how important the upcoming presidential election is, as it is likely the next president will appoint at least two Justices to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Gov. Crist, a Republican, has shown a tendency to be less doctrinaire than his predecessor, Jeb! Bush, which gives me a little bit of relief as I consider what a majority Crist-appointed court might look like. Certainly it can be no worse than the judicial Neanderthals whom Jeb! undoubtedly would have selected.

But the Supreme Court issue in Florida is a microcosm of what we face as a country if Huggy Bear becomes president. We cannot afford to have Huggy appointing justices whom he already has said would be in the mold of Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito, seeking to roll back every civil liberty and personal freedom that exists in America. That, more than anything else, is why it is so vitally important to set aside the rancor of the intra-party squabbling among Democrats and unite behind the presidential nominee, whether it be Obama or Clinton. Either one will appoint justices who will preserve the Constitution, unlike Huggy's Heroes Roberts, Alito, and Scalia.

Florida likely will survive, if not thrive, after Gov. Crist makes his high court choices. Sadly and crucially, the same cannot be said if Crist's pal Huggy Bear wins the White House.

More Obama video

Here's another video I took on Thursday in Boca Raton. It's a good bit shorter (2:35), but it comes from his prepared remarks, which you may have seen on television. In this excerpt, Sen. Obama describes his commitment to Israel and his appreciation for and understanding of the Jewish community. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.), who introduced Sen. Obama at the event, can be seen seated behind the Senator.

Hopefully this will shut up idiots like Michael Gerson, who don't know what the hell they're talking about.



UPDATE (9:56 am 5/25/08): In light of his appearance this morning on ABC's "This Week," I should post this picture from Thursday that I forgot to add, of Obama senior adviser David Axelrod. As noted during the liveblogging, I met him before the event and chatted with him for a minute ... even told him that I was a member of the Florida Progressive Coalition. Hey, anything for a plug, right?

A Blast Off! puppy?

Okay, so I'm thinking of getting a puppy. I've been offered one of these (specifically the puppy on the right), who were born a week ago yesterday.

They're Shih-Tzus, which is cool because it's the same breed my mother has, and it's similar to the Tibetan Terriers I had when I was growing up.

Am I insane to even consider this? And, more importantly, what would I name the little bitch? (Suggestions are welcome in Comments.)

UPDATE (4:01 pm 5/23/08): While I do appreciate any and all name suggestions, I feel compelled to add that my kids probably will have quite a bit of say in choosing a name. But then, I imagine you knew that already ...

Why is Michael Gerson stupid?

Did you happen to catch Michael Gerson's latest tripe in The Washington Post? Well, I have. And he repeats the same tired old talking points against Barack Obama that Obama himself cautioned us just yesterday not to believe. Wrote Gerson:

Over the months, Obama's claim to be a post-partisan moderate has also frayed, especially on foreign policy. Even the most vigorous advocates of global diplomacy would not suggest unconditional, head-of-state talks with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea -- exactly what Obama has promised. His foreign policy staff now admits that a series of lower-level meetings would be necessary to prepare for these summits -- hotel accommodations in Pyongyang are doubtless a challenge. But the problem is not with the preparation, it is with the pledge, which is not only wrong but ridiculous.

A simultaneous withdrawal from Iraq and an unconditional summit with Iranian leaders would be a capitulation to Iranian nuclear ambitions and terror sponsorship, a signal to our Sunni Arab allies that they will face the Iranian threat alone, and an unprecedented betrayal of Israel.

Sen. Obama said yesterday -- I heard him say it with my own ears -- that he will not negotiate with Hamas and Hezbollah. I don't think he can say it any more clearly than he said it yesterday. So why is one of the nation's leading newspapers publishing something that blatantly, obviously isn't true?

And how can a columnist with a national forum write such utter, unadulterated bullshit like that last quoted paragraph? Here's what Obama actually said yesterday (paraphrased except where quotation marks are used):

First, I would never do anything to jeopardize the security of Israel. But I would introduce direct diplomacy with Iran, because the policy of not talking with our enemies has not worked. Over the last eight years, Iran has gotten stronger. If you think about it, when Bush took office, Iran was weakened, Iraq was a buffer, Hamas and Hezbollah were threats but not like they are now. Over the last eight years, Iran has become more powerful and has pursued nuclear weapons even more ... Hamas and Hezbollah are stronger, too. "How is it that the Bush-Cheney-McCain policy been good for Israel? I don't see it."

How can Gerson get away with writing total bullshit?

Do I really have to answer that question for you?

2008 Florida Netroots Awards: nominations open through Sunday

It's time once again for the Florida Netroots Awards -- if it seems quick this year, well, it is. Last year the awards were made at the state Democratic Party convention in October, but this year the Awards are being moved to Jefferson-Jackson Weekend June 14.

I was pleased and proud to win the first "Best National Blog" award on Blast Off!'s behalf last year. This sucky blog was in good company with many worthy nominees and awardees, and it's great to see the netroots really, um, taking root in America's Wang.

Details on nominations are available at the Florida Progressive Coalition Blog, among other places. Most important for your purposes, I think, are two rules: first, nominations may come from anyone, whether or not you are in Florida, but obviously the nominees must be Florida-based; and second, last year's winners are ineligible to receive the same award this year.

Kenneth Quinnell, our fearless leader in the Florida Netroots, reminds us that nominations will end this Sunday:

As for the nominations for awards, here are the latest totals in each category. Please weigh in on those categories that are lacking in nominations (and others) so we have a fair contest. You can check out a full description of each category here and e-mail me at quinnelk@hotmail.com with your nominations. (Categories that have a * have enough nominees for a fair race. Other categories need more nominations).

So far a total of 55 people have made nominations. Remember, these are not votes, just nominations and nobody needs to be nominated more than once. If you know that someone else has already nominated the person/blog you had in mind, please don’t nominate them again. Nominations will close Sunday night at midnight. Voting will begin on Monday, May 26 and run through the following Sunday.

1. Best National Blog: 7 nominees*
2. Best State Blog: 4 nominees*
3. Best Local Blog: 6 nominees*
4. Best Media Blog: 5 nominees*
5. Best Professional Blog: 2 nominees
6. Best Party Website: 2 nominees
7. Best Candidate Website: 12 nominees*
8. Best Local Party Website: 11 nominees*
9. Best Interest Group Website (Amateur) (merged with 19. Best Grassroots Website): 2 nominees
10. Best Interest Group Website (Pro): 4 nominees*
11. Best Writer: 7 nominees*
12. Netroots Candidate of the Year: 4 nominees*
13. Netroots Activist of the Year: 7 nominees*
14. Netroots Organization of the Year: 1 nominee
15. Best New Blogger: 4 nominees*
16. Best Online Campaign: 4 nominees*
17. Best Post: 4 nominees
18. Best Ongoing Series: 5 nominees
20. Florida Progressive Coalition Progressive Hall of Fame: 4 nominees

Florida's blogosphere is growing by leaps and bounds, and the Netroots Awards are proof positive of that. Please be a part of it by submitting as many nominees as you wish. Please note that nominees must be submitted via e-mail directly to Kenneth Quinnell, not in comments here or at the FPC Blog.

Thanks for doing your part to support the netroots in Florida.

Obamarama: postscript #2 VIDEO

Here is a video I made (it's strictly amateur, so sorry for the shakiness) from Sen. Obama's "town hall" meeting yesterday in Boca Raton. In it, the senator responds to an audience member's question about getting American troops out of Iraq and reducing Iranian influence in the Middle East. He then concludes his remarks by addressing some of the attacks on his character (e.g., e-mails going around about him being a Muslim) and on his support for Israel.

It's 9:12 in length, but I believe it's worth seeing, or at least hearing, in its entirety. It gives you an idea of the man's vision but also his sense of humor and his humanity. Enjoy.



UPDATE (7:59 am 5/23/08): As the full coverage already is scrolling off the front page, readers might miss the earlier parts of the liveblogging. So, if you're interested and for future reference, here's a link to the full Blast Off! coverage from yesterday's event.

UPDATE (9:12 am 5/24/08): I've added another video, a shorter one that comes from Sen. Obama's prepared remarks preceding the Q&A session shown in the video on this post.

Obamarama: postscript #1

I have quite a few pictures to go through, and even a video or two to post. So please bear with me.

But for now, please enjoy this Happy Obama:


I shook his hand. It was cool. (The experience, not his hand.)

More to come ...

UPDATE (8:04 am 5/23/08): Yes, that's a flag pin Sen. Obama is wearing -- with flags of the U.S. and Israel.

UPDATE (10:19 am 5/23/08): If you like the picture, you'll love the video.

Obamarama: additional questions

Question:
We have to bring back the gleam to America. A vote for Barack Obama is a vote for America and Israel.

I'll let another question go ... since that wasn't really a question.

Question (from an "ultra-Republican," my friend says):
Iranians can't wait for another president as good as Jimmy Carter ... because they want to be able to do whatever they want. So what would you tell Ahmedinejad about that, and what about the meeting at Teheran University to discuss the elimination of Israel?

First, I would never do anything to jeopardize the security of Israel. But I would introduce direct diplomacy with Iran, because the policy of not talking with our enemies has not worked. Over the last eight years, Iran has gotten stronger. If you think about it, when Bush took office, Iran was weakened, Iraq was a buffer, Hamas and Hezbollah were threats but not like they are now. Over the last eight years, Iran has become more powerful and has pursued nuclear weapons even more ... Hamas and Hezbollah are stronger, too. "How is it that the Bush-Cheney-McCain policy been good for Israel? I don't see it."

What I would say to any Iranian leader is to have them stop funding nuclear weapons and threatening Israel, and in turn we can help you economically -- there are things we can do ... Iran has to import gasoline ... they are not members of the WTO or in the international economy that would allow them to prosper like, say, India and China have. But if we've initiated direct diplomacy, we have the moral high ground and can enforce sanctions among our allies.

Appeasers?! Israel is talking with Turkey, Egypt, etc ... are they appeasing? No, they are making practical decisions on how to be most secure. The notion that we would operate differently is part of the fear-mongering that has been taking place for the last eight years. If we keep going, we will be isolated and unable to help Israel.

"I've been in a contest with Bill -- with Hillary Clinton ..." [laughter] But the good thing is how Bill Clinton used diplomacy to protect Israel and our other allies. I intend to do the same thing as president of the United States.

---

At this point I must stop -- I regret having to do so, but I am nearly out of battery power and am nowhere near a convenient outlet. I will continue to take pictures and notes and complete the posting later today. Thanks for being here ...

Obamarama: even more questions

Question:
Regarding energy policy, how can you get the oil companies to fall in line -- what will make them do essentially what their competitors want?

"We've got to change our energy policy for economic reasons and national security reasons.

"Let's face global warming and collect money from polluters which we can use to increase fuel efficiency in cars ... the fact that we have not increased fuel efficiency is ridiculous. Yes, oil companies' business is oil. But they are benefitting with record profits, not because of investments but because of speculation. They are making money because production is not keeping pace with demand. So we ought to consider a modest windfall profits tax, which they are in a position to pay. But if we don't get our energy policy fixed, we will continue to be in the thrall of autocrats. Look at Bush going to Saudi Arabia -- he couldn't get them to increase production ... we ought to be looking at alternative energy sources right here."

Question:
What should we do about Putin?

"More than Russia, we need to pay attention to China. They are going to be even more of a powerhouse in years to come. Having said that, with Putin, here's what I won't do: I won't look into his eyes and see his soul. [laughter, applause] Russia is not our enemy, but there is an adversarial relationship ... still, we can find common ground. They have an interest in preventing terrorism, as do we ... and they have an interest in making sure Iran doesn't have nuclear weapons (although they like Iran giving us a hard time).

"We have to focus on human rights and political freedom, and a practical relationship that has no illusions on how Putin operates. He has cracked down on democracy and enriched himself and his cronies with unimaginable wealth -- there are more billionaires in Moscow than in any other city in the world. So it's going to be a difficult relationship, but what we have to do is choose the few non-negotiable things -- probably preventing terrorism and keeping Iran -- and other countries -- from getting nuclear weapons."