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Are Republicans Who Don't Vote For McCain Traitors?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:00:46 -0700

We (pronoun applied royally if you wish) have been wrestling with the concept of Republicans and known Conservatives turning away from McCain all week. Buckley, one of the more famous cases of the phenomenon, appeared on Hardball talking about his decision to go Obama and then quit the National Review. He told Matthews he was surprised by the ouster of sorts saying, "Be careful who you offer your resignation to, they may just accept it."Then New York magazine posted this list entitled, "Et Tu, GOP? The Conservative Betrayal Spectrum." Using Julius Caesar imagery this top 10 list of Republican "Brutuses," the countdown includes [my] David Brooks, Peggy Noonan (the whole reason I went to grad school) and winds up at #1: Andrew Sullivan. Of his "betrayal," they say: OK, OK, everybody knows Andrew Sullivan basically wants to be reincarnated as a beagle in the sinewy lap of Barack Obama, nestled comfortably under the Resolute Desk for the next eight years. But still, there was a time this dude had carved out his own steady brand of Republicanism — a maverick version, if you will. Remember when those were the people who were supposed to like McCain?

Wow. So is all the "traitor" and "betrayal" talk accurate? Source

Are Republicans Who Don't Vote For McCain Traitors?

Yes. You pick and represent a party, you vote for the candidate. That's how it's done.

It depends on who the person is and how he expressed it. A simple Obama vote? No.

No! That's the whole point of democracy. You get to make your own decisions.

Other. I'll "et tu" in the comments.

Sing for Changes Kids: How Long Did It Take You to Hit Stop?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:05 -0700

This video just made the wildfire rounds of the Internet, and the reviews. . . let's just say "scathing" would be a civil way of putting it. Featuring a group of grade school kids called "Sing for Change," (their YouTube page says, "Light, hope, courage and love shine through these non-voting children who believe that their very best contribution to the Obama campaign is to sing,") the video shows an original ditty sung by the kids.

Get Flash to see this player.

The DrudgeReport linked to the video with the headline "Obama Kids Sing for Dear Leader" a nod to North Korean propaganda. Wonkette was even less kind, and though Gawker called them "creepy kids" they added this visceral rant: The thought that an actual Obama supporter would round up a few dozen kids in the name of producing such nauseating vacuous reverse propaganda is too depressing, so let's just assume this is the diabolical work of some NRA-funded 527.

The video brings up a host of questions to be sure: Is it okay to use kids in a political campaign? Is this propaganda? Is the video even watchable? The comments on the YouTube page point to a strong distaste for seeing kids put in this position. Does it make you want to hit "stop"?

Sing for Changes Kids: How Long Did It Take You to Hit Stop?

0-:30 seconds. No offense to the kids but yikes, this is wrong on many levels.

:30-1:00. Not so terrible, but you get the idea quickly and the use of the kids is sketchy.

1:00-1:30. I like their spirit and I'm not convinced it's all that bad.

1:30-the end. What could be cuter than that? If they wanted to do it then "Yes we can."

Other. I'll tell you what I think in the comments.

Judge Throws Out Case Against "Ladies' Night": Right Call?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:15:54 -0700

A judge in New York City has thrown out a lawsuit alleging that "Ladies' Night" pricing at bars and nightclubs discriminates against men. The lawsuit was brought by an attorney known for his fight against gender-specific constructs like suing Columbia University for its Women's Studies department. (Have you heard the one about the Men's Studies department? It's called "History." But I digress.) Now the gender-equalizer is taking his fight to the $3 cosmo. The judge tossed the case saying that bars and nightclubs have a right to price their product any which way they'd like because they're not acting as representatives of the state. The attorney's case tried to prove that through the state-run liquor license program, it does just that. After losing, he called the judge a feminist and said that the toss-out was right on par with the deeply embedded gender discrimination in tons of American institutions. It makes one wonder if this crusading lawyer has ever gotten his hair cut or clothes dry-cleaned. I reckon he makes back the difference in "Ladies' Night" at the bar right there . . . Does any gender preference signify discrimination? Drinks aside, is the lawyer fundamentally wrong? Source

Judge Throws Out Case Against "Ladies' Night": Right Call?

Yes. Private institutions can deal with gender as they see fit.

It's tricky because the case seems silly, but the argument really isn't. I don't know.

No, the lawyer's right. How is preferential gender treatment OK, but the reverse isn't?

Other. Is it "Ladies' Night" in the comments? I'll head in there.

Voting Starts Today in OH — What's Your Registration Status?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:51:05 -0700

While election day is still 35 days out (who's counting?) today marks the day Ohio residents can start casting their ballots. The opening of the flood gates comes just a day after Ohio courts ruled that new voters can register and cast an absentee ballot on the same day. Both candidates have been in the state, raising a little Buckeye and enthusiasm for their campaigns ahead of bringing on the vote. If you're holding a ballot in your hand and you're still not sure, Google has a rad (yep, I said it. Rad.) tool to help you search quotes from the candidates by subject. Go play and learn!Ohio isn't the only state allowing early voting. States like IA, VA, NV, NM, and NC, all allow early and absentee voting. For some, the question isn't when to vote, it's are they registered — for a bunch of reasons. In Houston, some groups are calling for an extended deadline following Hurricane Ike — lots of voters are more worried about where to sleep, than if they're registered.Are you similarly concerned about the deadline to register, and whether you are or not? You're in luck! The deadline is quickly approaching — check out the list from Rock the Vote to see when your state falls. Saturday, October 4 has deadlines for RI, SC, and WA. Put it on your list of things to do! Think you might be registered but want to check? VotePoke will tell you. Source

Voting Starts Today in OH — What's Your Registration Status?

I'm the voting equivalent of locked and loaded. I'm registered and ready to go!

I'm taking care of it today. I swear. Thank you for the gentle (?) reminder.

Not sure, but I'm figuring it out with these great tools.

Not registered, and not really into it.

Other. I'll vote in the comments.

I Hate to Ask But . . . Should Sarah Palin Step Aside?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:42:35 -0700

We are t-minus four days (including today) from the Vice Presidential Debate starring Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, and the anticipation is mounting like a bull moose in season. And stacked equally as high as that anticipation? Criticisms waged against Palin's performance thus far. From the skewering "Bono, King of Ireland" sketch on SNL ripping her Katie Couric interview to conservative columnist Kathleen Parker's call late last week for Palin to excuse herself from the race, the idea is in the wind. Here's Parker's reasoning: My cringe reflex is exhausted. . . Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves. She can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts her family first. Do it for your country.

Added to that view is the revelation this weekend that some would look askance at — the proximity Palin puts to humans and dinosaurs — then the noticeable absence of Palin post-debate, and the tour of moms and coffee shops the campaign has dispatched her on. Is the campaign having second thoughts as well?Whatever happens, Palin might have something exciting to look forward to on Nov. 4 — JC Penney has a registry for Bristol and Levi with their wedding date listed as that very day. Should that be the only big event for Palin that day? Source

I Hate to Ask But . . . Should Sarah Palin Step Aside?

Yes. She's had a month and aside from her convention speech, failed. Bow out Sarah.

No way! Her supposed failures are a matter of context and real Republicans love her.

I want her to stay because the worse she does, the better it is for Democrats.

She hasn't gotten to do enough yet to really make a decision. It's all a matter of media.

Other. I'll tell you what I'm thinking in the comments.

Cheers to That! Would You Pour a Glass of Palin?

CitizenSugar — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

What's organic, from northern Chile, rich, full-bodied, and listed on the McCain campaign stationery? Nope, it's not Sarah — it's Palin Syrah (no relation, of course.) The red wine carries the vintner's name and "describes a ball that was used in an ancient game played by the Mapuche, a group of people indigenous to central Chile."Not surprisingly in our all election attention span, the similarity is making it both a hot and drop-it-like-it's-hot commodity. Staunch Obama supporters won't swill a drop of it saying, "'Oh, I don't want to drink that. That's too close,'" according to one wine bar owner. But McCain/Palin fans are snapping up the $13 bottles for their GOP-themed parties. And what does a Palin taste like? According to the distributor, "The wines are outstanding. Very rich, full-bodied. There's nothing political about the wine in any way." Would the name stop you from indulging or encourage you to say cheers?

Cheers to That! Would You Pour a Glass of Palin?

Cheers! I'd say bottoms up to that. Cute (and great idea for an election party!)

No, thank you. I'd rather drink a tall boy of light beer out of a paper bag than a Palin.

Name-schmame. If it tastes good, I'd drink it.

Other. I'll give my toast in the comments.

Showing McCain's Cancer Scars in Ad on Health: Ugly Tactic?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:03:53 -0700

A 30-second spot airing on MSNBC and funded by two liberal PACs are choosing John McCain's historic bouts with skin cancer as the face of worries about the candidate's health. The ad shows his scars following skin cancer procedures with the text, "John McCain is 72 years old and had cancer 4 times. Why won't McCain release his medical records?" One of the PACs behind the spot is helmed by DNC Chairman Howard Dean's brother, a connection the RNC calls "despicable." The spot highlights the groups' efforts to gain more access to McCain's medical records. So far 2,500 doctors have signed a petition put forth by one of the PACs calling for the documents to be released. A total of 1,173 pages of medical records were made available to reporters in May.The records showed that the last bout with melanoma was six years ago, and described him as having a strong heart and good health. He receives a thorough cancer check every few months. Barack Obama's health records have not been similarly made available. With the black-and-white closeups of the aftermath of McCain's procedures and doctors intoning, "Another bout of cancer for John McCain while he's president of the United States would profoundly affect his ability to lead," combined with the tie to the DNC — is this ad fair? Where are Obama's records? Is it just an age thing or the ugliest of politics?

Showing McCain's Cancer Scars in Ad on Health: Ugly Tactic?

Ugly politics. Zooming in on his scars is a baseless scare tactic and irrelevant.

Fair argument! He's had cancer. All of his records should be public, now.

Both candidates health records should be equally accessible and open.

Other. I'll give you the reflection of my opinion in the comments.

California Considers Selling Space on Amber Alert Signs: OK?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:30:06 -0700

California is home to 674 roadside message boards allocated for Amber Alert messages, giving information to drivers on missing or abducted children, and since they're not always in use for actual emergencies, so what's the logical step? Selling the space to businesses for advertisements. The cash-poor state just got their new budget after an 85-day delay, and state officials see this idea as a way to supplement the highway fund with big ad bucks.But in a state that's even restricted cell-phone use by drivers, the safety implications of the added digital distractions are a concern. One safety advocate says, "The biggest issue with digital billboards is they are enormously distracting to motorists." Others point to the fact that filling up the space with non-emergency messages will reduce the system, which has saved 420 children nationwide, to just another message to ignore in our overstimulated lives. State Sen. George Runner, author of the bill that created the Amber Alert system in California as well as numerous public safety measures, is behind the idea, though he says, "Whenever you start talking about advertising, you have to be very careful about how you go down that path. But it has the potential to provide tens of millions of dollars for highway repair."Then there's the crossover of public and private funds — Clear Channel has contributed $1.2 million to state campaigns in the past five years, and could potentially stand to profit from the proposal. Source

California Considers Selling Space on Amber Alert Signs: OK?

Absolutely! What better way to match needs. They have space and need money. Sold.

It's interesting but there are tons of variables like safety and effectiveness to consider.

No way. The signs exist for one reason, saving kids. That has to come first over money.

Other. I'll tell you my opinion in the comments.

NE Town Bans Porch Couches: Should Lawmakers Relax?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Perhaps fearing scenes just like this dotting older neighborhoods, the town of Lincoln, NE, just passed a law banning indoor furniture from being used outside. The development could have big ramifications on the chillaxing abilities of the town's large population of college students, traditionally grand proponents of the "porch couch." The city council voted 5-2 in favor of the new measure, and no one testified against the proposal during the open public hearing. An aide close to the mayor says he intends to sign the ordinance into effect on Oct. 7. Other towns have similar aesthetic or quality of life bans on furniture outside, including Ames, IA, Boulder, CO, and East Lansing, MI, but some question whether the law unfairly targets the large population of students renting homes in older neighborhoods. Is it discriminatory? Should lawmakers have the ability to legislate what you can put on your own property? Source

NE Town Bans Porch Couches: Should Lawmakers Relax?

Yes! There's no harm in the couches, it's just neighborly — and it unfairly hits students.

Well, it's their choice to make the law, but it does seem like a crazy waste of time.

No way. Small things make a big difference and couches outside bring everyone down.

Other. I'll pull up a seat in the comments.

Should Politicians' Personal Email Accounts Be Off-Limits?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:00:37 -0700

Sarah Palin's Great Yahoo Purge of '08 has left a few dangling questions, and not just the identity of the "Anonymous" who cracked her inbox. Now that we've seen the screenshots, it appears as though Palin might have been using her personal account for crossover business-type communication. But most people have more than one email account, right? And sometimes depending on what's handiest or easily web-accessible, you might switch back and forth. Do the rules on personal email accounts change if you're a public official?Though the emails weren't found to contain anything too damaging (or interesting really) critics are now locking sites on the fact that she was using a Yahoo account to begin with, saying that the move is somewhat Rovian (as in Karl) in nature. In 2007 the White House admitted that Rove and some of the higher ups used RNC email addresses for their correspondence, and because of this, some emails were hard to find when needed for various inquiries. Apparently right after Palin took office, her aides discussed the benefit of private email accounts, noting that messages sent to Palin's Blackberry "would be confidential and not subject to subpoena." With the confidential nature of the missives coupled with the notoriously hackable platform, should public officials shun private email altogether — or do they have a right to offers from Nigerian businessmen offering them great financial gains in private, too? Source

Should Politicians' Personal Email Accounts Be Off-Limits?

Yes! They might be public officials, but they're entitled to private email conversations.

No way. Anything a public official says should be a matter of public record. All of it.

As long as they're not using their private email to talk shop at all, it's fine.

Other. I'll leave my private message in the comments.

Student Punished for Wearing American Flag Shirt: Right Call?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:00:06 -0700

Students protested by wearing red, white, and blue duds to school after a fellow student was punished for wearing an American flag shirt. The sophomore wore the tee, which featured a tie-dyed flag motif and the words, "United States of America, Washington, DC" on the school's "hippie day," part of their homecoming festivities. The school's assistant principle deemed the shirt a violation of the school's dress code which forbids, "shirts/blouses that promote specific races, cultures, or ethnicities." For wearing the flag shirt, the student was forced to remove it and wear a bright yellow tee in its place that read, "DCV: Dress Code Violator." His sister said the punishment shirt was pretty traumatic, "It was really embarrassing and humiliating to have to wear that all day — and just for supporting your country." The school has since reversed its decision amid the protest and publicity. The superintendent says that the assistant principle felt it was in violation of the dress code, but they've now changed their interpretation of the clause. He says, "Certainly we are taking responsibility for it and it will not happen again. A shirt that has an American flag, a shirt that has a Chinese flag or a Mexican flag, is certainly not a violation of that part of the dress code." District officials have apologized to the student, and the student body turned out fully clad in red, white, and blue the following day.Was the administrator right to interpret the clause as she did? Source

Student Punished for Wearing American Flag Shirt: Right Call?

Yes, and they should've stuck by it. The dress code prevents divisive clothing.

No! Red, white, and ridiculous! The apology was necessary and the rule is insulting.

The rule was properly enforced, but should have been clearer to prevent confusion.

Other. I've got a "DCV: Dress Code Violator" shirt to wear in the comments.

Berkeley Moves to Finance Home Solar Panels: Bright Idea?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:00:42 -0700

Berkeley, CA, has grabbed attention again — this time for starting a pioneering new program to provide city-backed loans for home solar-electric systems. This week the city council approved a new tax district that allows residents to finance solar energy systems through their property taxes.Here's how the program works: the city provides the money for the installation and materials, and homeowners are able to pay back the loan at a fixed rate over 20 years. The cost amounts to about $180 per month to be added to property tax bills to eventually pay for the $22,000 system. Officials say those who choose to stick the panels where the sun do shine will recoup that cost through lowered energy bills. Is this a perfect way for cities to make greener technologies a reality for homeowners? Source

Berkeley Moves to Finance Home Solar Panels: Bright Idea?

Bright idea! It's a perfect way to offset the start-up costs of solar energy.

Dim. Why would I sign up to pay more taxes instead of buying the system myself?

It's an interesting concept, but I'd rather not borrow money against my property taxes.

Other. I'll shine on in the comments.

Italian Supermodel Offers Her Virginity For a Million: Why?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:15:38 -0700

I guess hard times call for desperate measures? Italian supermodel and reality show star Raffella Fico, 20, is planning to sell her most precious of treasures — her virginity. How much does something like that fetch in the marketplace? One million euros. Rico told an Italian magazine of her plan, "I can't wait to see who's going to pull out the money to have me." Swearing she's never had sex before, she was unfazed by the idea of a less-than-attractive . . . patron. "If I don't like him I'll just have a glass of wine and forget about it," she said. Would that Rico was the first person to hatch such a scheme, but others have cashed in on their "charms" before. Last week an 18-year-old San Diego student offered her first time for a million bucks to fund her education, saying, "We live in a capitalist society. Why shouldn't I be allowed to capitalize on my virginity?" Similarly, in 2005 a Peruvian model considered selling her first time for $1.5 million to pay family medical bills before reconsidering. Whether a tougher economy, a new tough brand of feminism, or a more permissive culture, what's behind this selling of self?

Italian Supermodel Offers Her Virginity For a Million: Why?

Why not? It's her decision and if she can make a million more power to her.

This is a devastating effect of a tough economy. Maybe she has no other choice?

Our culture is entirely too permissive. Girls think stunts like this are cute. It's so sad.

Publicity. We're reading about her now, right? It's a stunt for attention.

Other. I'll tell you what I make of this in the comments.

Abortion Survivor Sets Sights on Obama: Too Far or Fair Fight?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:00:45 -0700

The 527, BornAliveTruth has unleashed a very pointed attack on Obama's abortion record, specific to the Illinois Born Alive Protection Act. In the ad, abortion survivor Giana Jensen looks straight at the camera and after outlining that Obama failed to oppose a law leaving babies to die after failed abortions, makes an appeal to the Senator saying, "Senator Obama, please support born alive infant protections. I’m living proof these babies have a right to live.” Obama's campaign issued a firm and immediate response to the ad, saying: The recent attacks on Senator Obama that allege he would allow babies born alive to die are outrageous lies. The suggestion that Obama -- the proud father of two little girls -- and others who opposed these bills supported infanticide is deeply offensive and insulting. There is no room for these kinds of distortions and lies in this campaign.

The campaign says Obama voted the way he did because the votes were attempts to undermine Roe v. Wade. The ad will be running in New Mexico and Ohio next week and it's apparently only the first phase of the campaign. Is this a fair criticism of Obama's record made by a strong spokesperson, or misleading politics?

Abortion Survivor Sets Sights on Obama: Too Far or Fair Fight?

Too Far. The "facts" are misleading and the appeal is emotionally manipulative.

Fair fight! What better person to speak out against the direct result of Obama's record!

Other. I'll tell you what I think in the comments.

Doctored McCain Atlantic Cover Shots: Who's to Blame?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:00:35 -0700

John McCain's turn as cover model for this month's issue of the Atlantic has raised hackles, eyebrows, and now the necessity for apology from the editor of the magazine, which ran the pic. The editor says he's sending an apology to the Senator after outtake pictures by the photographer Jill Greenberg wound up on her personal website, edited for horrific effect. As of this writing, Greenberg was still featuring the doctored photos on her blog, including one backlit image showing a sinister McCain with the words, "I'll have my girl kill Roe v. Wade" printed atop.The Atlantic editor's apology for the subsequent fallout says: When we contract with photographers for portraits, we don't vet them for their politics—instead, we assess their professional track records. We had never worked with Jill Greenberg before (and, obviously, we will not work with her again). Based on the portraits she had done of politicians like Arnold Schwarzenegger and her work for publications like Time, Wired, and Portfolio, we expected her, like the other photographers we work with, to behave professionally. Jill Greenberg has obviously not done that. She has, in fact, disgraced herself, and we are appalled by the manipulated images she has created for her Web site of John McCain.

The Atlantic might go further than the strongly worded indictment of the photographer, and sue. Is that the appropriate response?

Doctored McCain Atlantic Cover Shots: Who's to Blame?

The Atlantic. They should have more closely vetted the photographer, ensuring ethics.

The photographer. This is 100 percent her own doing and she should be sued.

I don't know if there's blame to assign here? It's just one more blip on the media scene.

Other. I'll tell you what I think in the comments.

6 in 10 Evangelicals Say Torture Is OK: The Golden Rule?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:00:46 -0700

The age-old question, "WWJD?" might have a hand in people's perception of the war on terror — or at least how information is gathered. A new poll shows that 57 percent of Southern evangelicals believe that torture is justified as a means of gaining important information from suspected terrorists. The tune changes however when presented with the Golden Rule.

When asked first to consider this statement: "the US government should not use methods against our enemies that we would not want used on American soldiers," the percent of respondents who said torture was rarely or never justified rose from 38 percent to 52 percent.

A spokesman for the research said of the shift, "Presenting people with this argument and identifying with the golden rule really does engage a different part of people's psyche and a part of their heart, their soul, and really does shift their views on torture."

To see the "why" behind the shift,

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin: Last Frontier of Funny or Fizzled Out?

CitizenSugar — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:27:59 -0700

In case your bedtime is earlier than SNL or you were out doing something more fun last night, here's the Tina Fey as Sarah Palin sketch. She certainly looks the part and it was fun to see her back on the show. . . but was her appearance worth the hype? What do you think of the accent? I did get a kick of the way she delivered the line about the Bush Doctrine, but all in all, how did she do? Is she the Will Ferrell as George Bush of Sarah Palin? Is Piper going to think that's her mommy?

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin: Last Frontier of Funny or Fizzled Out?

Last frontier of funny! That was so good. She's the perfect Palin, don't change a thing.

Fizzled out. Eh, she looks like Palin but she didn't master the whole part. I was bored.

Other. I'll point my remote at the comments.

Boo, I'm Osama bin Laden? Are Certain Costumes Off-Limits?

CitizenSugar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:00:12 -0700

While it may be a bit until Halloween, all those "Spirit Stores" are popping up selling costumes already, and they made this story jump out at me. This week a senior British police officer found himself in hot water over his choice of costume for the local carnival parade. He's been advising the Afghan government on counter-terrorism, so I suppose he thought his costume was true to the theme: he showed up dressed as Osama bin Laden. Despite the fact that the officer works to fight terrorism and has attended 9/11 memorial services in New York, his superiors were not amused by the flowing robes and turban. A spokesman for the officer's unit released a statement condemning the costume: “While we believe that his actions were misguided rather than malicious, they were clearly inappropriate, and we would condemn any such actions by any police officer as unacceptable.”Even though Halloween is more and more (it seems to me anyway) about dressing as sexy and shocking as possible, was this beyond the boundaries of taste? It's certainly a scary enough costume — and they sell Osama masks online — but are certain costumes automatically off-limits?

Boo, I'm Osama bin Laden? Are Certain Costumes Off-Limits?

Absolutely. Some costumes are by nature in very poor taste and shouldn't be worn.

Where you're wearing it is a consideration, but in the end, it's just a costume.

Nope. They're all fair game. Osama, Hitler . . . after all, the point is to be scary, right?

Other. I'll say "boo" in the comments.

Michigan Asks: Does Foreclosure Take Away Right to Vote?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:15:45 -0700

The housing crisis suddenly has a whole new address: voting rights. Yesterday the chairman of the Macomb County Republican Party was quoted in the Michigan Messenger as saying he's set to assign election challengers with "a list of foreclosed homes and [we] will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses." The statement voting laws, which require an address and a desire to make sure proper election procedures were followed. Furor erupted immediately, with Project Vote issuing the following statement: The Macomb County GOP's plan is a cynical partisan attempt to suppress the vote of thousands of low-income and African-American voters. . . . Just because you're behind on your mortgage doesn't mean you lose the right to vote. . . the challengers will still achieve nothing but to slow down voting and create an intimidating atmosphere at strategically chosen polls.

The chairman has since announced to the Detroit News, "I never said anything even close to that. We won't be doing voter challenges on foreclosures, and we've never had a plan to do it." Challenges are allowed at the polls if the challenger "knows or has good reason to suspect" a voter isn't eligible, a rule the Secretary of State has clarified to need "reliable sources or means." There's also a new state law requiring voters to produce photo identification.Outdated addresses could be a very real problem this election. Ohio earlier this summer said that 3,700 people are registered to vote at vacant addresses, and another 27,000 have filled out change-of-address notices without updating their registration. Will foreclosures and outdated voter lists affect the accuracy of the results? Source

Michigan Asks: Does Foreclosure Take Away Right to Vote?

If you don't live at your registered address, it's voter fraud. Challenging that is good!

Nonsense! As long as you only cast one vote, your address is irrelevant. Scare tactics!

I can see how using foreclosure lists isn't fair, but voting accuracy has to be protected.

Other. Give me the address and I'll tell you in the comments.

The "Lipstick on a Pig" Riff: Pretty Funny or Ugly Politics?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:27:24 -0700

Dare I ask? The second the quote hit, the media machine and political fans everywhere blew a collective gasket. "Oh Mybama! Did you hear what he just said?" Is the outrage justified? The McCain campaign thinks so and has responded in full-force to this comment by Obama yesterday: You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change. It's still going to stink after eight years.

The McCain campaign immediately released an ad condemning the remark which CBS has since pulled over footage of Katie Couric contained within. The ad is still available on his website. In addition, the McCain camp called the comment "offensive and disgraceful," while the Obama campaign says it wasn't referring directly to Gov. Sarah Palin in the comment. The audience present laughed at the line, perhaps tying the cosmetic chuckler to Palin's own joke about the difference between a Pit bull and a hockey mom being the aforementioned. Is this a newsworthy event? According to the reaction to it, yes. Everyone has Google working overtime to see just who else besides your grandma has used the pig-in-lipstick cliché. Apparently, McCain used it to describe Hillary's health care plan and Dick Cheney can't stop using it. What do you make of it?

The "Lipstick on a Pig" Riff: Pretty Funny or Ugly Politics?

Ugly politics. It can't get any lower. Obama knew exactly what he was saying. Gross.

Pretty funny. He was probably referring to the Pit bull joke, and big deal. It's a saying.

This is not news! The campaign has gone on way too long if this is what it's reduced to.

Other. Oh, I've got a big "other" for the comments.

The Key to Safe Roads? Should the Driving Age Be Raised?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:34:45 -0700

First the drinking age gets a hard look, and now this? An influential auto safety group is calling for states to raise the legal driving age to 18. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety president says the move would be for everyone's own good — car crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. He's presenting the plan at the Governors Highway Safety Association conference today — if states adopt the measure, the ol' 16th birthday might not be as sweet anymore. Not surprisingly, kids and lots of parents want brakes put on the idea — the loss of freedom for both parties is huge. One mom says, "Do we really want our kids dependent upon parents for virtually everything until they go to college, can vote and serve their country?"Here are the numbers: more than 5,000 teens die in crashes every year. Those crashes, per mile driven by a 16-year-old is almost 10 times the rate for drivers their parent's ages. Should the US follow Europe (and New Jersey) on this one? Most other industrialized countries in have a driving age of 17 or 18. Is safety (and potentially saving gas or fewer drivers on the road) worth delaying that big key hand-off another year or two? Source

The Key to Safe Roads? Should the Driving Age Be Raised?

Pedal to the Metal. This is a great idea with all kinds of benefits. Keep kids off the road!

Put on the Brakes! There are so many drawbacks to delaying the right to drive. No way.

Hmm. Keys are in my hand, I'll tell you what route I'm taking in the comments.

Too many driving puns! Too early for that! You may need a tune up. . .

VMA Host Calls Bush a "Retarded Cowboy" — Over the Line?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:09:44 -0700

British comedian Russell Brand hosted the MTV Video Music Awards last night and proved in the current climate, not even handing out trophies for music videos is immune from a healthy dose of politicization. Brand's assessment of President George Bush was more than pointed. He said: Some people, I think they're called racists, say America is not ready for a black president. But I know America to be a forward thinking country because otherwise why would you have let that retard and cowboy fella be president for eight years? We were very impressed. We thought it was nice of you to let him have a go, because, in England, he wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors.

Shots of the audience, including Britney Spears and not-of-voting-age-yet Miley Cyrus, looked stricken by the riff. Brand went on to appeal “on behalf of the world," that people vote for Barack Obama. Reviews of the performance have been mixed, with the LA Times saying, "The 2008 VMAs were poised to mark the return of Britney Spears. Instead, they will go down in history as the night when that English guy from Forgetting Sarah Marshall almost made the Jonas Brothers cry." One MTV fan said, "Russell WHO? I didn't realize this show was an Osama [sic] campaign rally. This British nobody looks like he was pulled from the ranks of the homeless — with his unshaved look, rats' nest hair-do and foul mouth." The New York Times was more appreciative of the "manic, intelligent English comedian." Were you?Source

VMA Host Calls Bush a "Retarded Cowboy" — Over the Line?

Way over. Opinions are fine but calling a world leader (or anyone) a "retard?" Not OK.

Get over it. He's a comedian. Since when have they been politically correct? It's funny.

It might be more appropriate in his own show, but on MTV? Maybe not.

Other. I'll cowboy up in the comments.

Would You Get a Tattoo of Your Favorite Candidate?

CitizenSugar — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:00:49 -0700

Holy commitment to the cause, Batman! A tattoo shop in Moore, Oklahoma is giving away free tattoos— of Barack Obama's face. The tattoo artist is an Obama supporter and says while he doesn't have money to give to the cause, he can donate his talent to help Obama-maniacs wear the Senators face — forever. The artist says, "I'm a tattoo artist and a lot of people that are into the tattoo thing like free tattoos." He's done about 100 of those free tattoos, a black and white likeness of the Senator with the words Obama 2008 in red. Is this wildly creative campaigning and a testimony to the fervor the 2008 campaign has inspired? Would you transfer your ballot to your back?

Would You Get a Tattoo of Your Favorite Candidate?

Why not? It's free, and what better way to remember a historic election?

Heaven's no. This is absurd! Candidates come and go, ink is forever.

Maybe? People get tattoos of less meaningful things all the time, right?

Other. I'll ink it up in the comments.

UK Environment Minister: Green Activism Hysterical Religion

LibertySugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Officials in Britain and California seem to take a different approach to extreme weather. Britain's Environment Minister Sammy Wilson thinks environmentalists have adopted a "hysterical pseudo-religion," making him the enemy to some who look to him to help solve environmental problems.

In an article just published, the minister argued:

Resources should be used to adapt to the consequences of climate change, rather than King Canute-style vainly trying to stop it. . . . The tactic used by the "green gang" is to label anyone who dares disagree with their view of climate change as some kind of nutcase who denies scientific fact. Reasoned debate must replace the scaremongering of the green climate alarmists.

UK green activists compare Wilson, who denies that climate change is man-made, to a cigarette salesman denying that smoking causes cancer. Meanwhile, faraway in California, officials avoid picking a fight; instead they're trying to adapt to harsh climate by creating a "water bank" to address the state's drought. The 2009 Drought Water Bank will buy excess water from local water agencies and farmers, and then sell it to public and private water systems if they run out next year. The catch: Whoever buys the bank's water must commit to a 20 percent cut in water use.

Do you think it's time to stop arguing about science and start solving problems, or does responsible and effective policy depend on knowing the cause of climate change?

Source