Saturday, August 23, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Finally! Fighting Words!
We've been waiting for some real fighting words from the Obama camp. Their new ad, "Seven" isn't on par with the McCain/Britney/Paris ad, but it does send a strong attack against McCain.
Right now, the economy is not just an issue. Its THE issue for many Americans.
Right now, the economy is not just an issue. Its THE issue for many Americans.
Hard Times for the Hard-Working
When I was six years old, Bill Clinton became president. At the time, little did I know about George H. W. Bush or the Gulf War. Apparently, public opinion of Bush Sr. was high because of his actions in the Gulf. So if everybody loved his performance, then why didn't he win reelection?
Clinton: "It's the economy, stupid."
A lot of people became more concerned about the economy and so his status during the Gulf War didn't matter at the voting booths.
Clinton had a concrete strategy and he admitted to growing up poor in one of the poorest states in America.
What does this mean for us today? Well, McCain, after forgetting how many houses he owns, is coming under more fire for being out of touch with the economic struggles of many Americans.
The typical Republican response (as I see it) is that every person or family is responsible for their own financial well-being. The government shouldn't help, because individual freedoms reign supreme...meaning the government can't impose restrictions on people's freedoms like social welfare or other economic programs to help people who need it the most.
The video below looks at McCain's houses and his economic policies AND what a normal American is going through right now in the current housing/economic troubles that is hurting a bunch of people:
Clinton: "It's the economy, stupid."
A lot of people became more concerned about the economy and so his status during the Gulf War didn't matter at the voting booths.
Clinton had a concrete strategy and he admitted to growing up poor in one of the poorest states in America.
What does this mean for us today? Well, McCain, after forgetting how many houses he owns, is coming under more fire for being out of touch with the economic struggles of many Americans.
The typical Republican response (as I see it) is that every person or family is responsible for their own financial well-being. The government shouldn't help, because individual freedoms reign supreme...meaning the government can't impose restrictions on people's freedoms like social welfare or other economic programs to help people who need it the most.
The video below looks at McCain's houses and his economic policies AND what a normal American is going through right now in the current housing/economic troubles that is hurting a bunch of people:
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Modern-day slavery or Good-will toward women/men?
There's an interesting article on BBC.com about immigration fraud concerning African refugees.
Apparently, African citizens claiming family reunification with someone in the U.S. turned out to be true only 20% of the time.
The article did a fairly good (objective) job in framing the issue here because the story led to me to conclude two opposing explanations:
I suppose only time will tell. (pardon the cliche)
Apparently, African citizens claiming family reunification with someone in the U.S. turned out to be true only 20% of the time.
The article did a fairly good (objective) job in framing the issue here because the story led to me to conclude two opposing explanations:
1] Altruistic people wanting to give African refugees to leave their homes for safety, food, or support in the U.S. Or close friends or distant relatives, while not blood-related, are eager to help friends they've left behind. Its not uncommon for friends or friends-of-friends to "marry" someone headed for deportation or a someone with a soon to be expired visa. So it is easy not to rule out the same strategies for African refugees.
2] Modern-day slave-traders/owners (yes, slavery still exists) taking advantage of desperate refugees. The media and non-profit orgs have made some effort in spreading awareness about human trafficking. The damning truth is that many American Joe Schmoes and others are oftentimes complicit in these human trafficking schemes.
I suppose only time will tell. (pardon the cliche)
NO GLITTERING
Ever heard of Gary Glitter?
No, he's not an adult film star or someone from South Park, but rather, a pop singer (from forever ago) convicted of pedophilia.
See the full article here.
No, he's not an adult film star or someone from South Park, but rather, a pop singer (from forever ago) convicted of pedophilia.
See the full article here.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Skid Road, Hospitals, Homeless people, and insurance fraud
Joan! This was the stuff I was telling you about earlier.
Apparently, there was this insane fraud involving major hospitals that "recruited" homeless people from Skid Row and brought them in to the hospital to receive treatment or just to "occupy beds." Its a crazy scam that hospitals used to milk money from government insurance programs.
The homeless people were compensated too: money, food, cigarettes.
One homeless person admitted to being constantly recruited and receiving unneeded treatment in return for cash to buy coke.
Check it for yourself in the New York Times article.
The LA Times has a page with news, editorials, and pictures on Skid Row.
Song on Repeat Assault
I'm so guilty for having this song on repeat for the past 48 hours on my iPod and on my iTunes.
Its Coldplay, "See You Soon."
Why?
Its a good song. Chris Martin's voice gets me every single time he opens his mouth. And yeah, I'm a tad smitten/sad at the moment.
Its Coldplay, "See You Soon."
Why?
Its a good song. Chris Martin's voice gets me every single time he opens his mouth. And yeah, I'm a tad smitten/sad at the moment.
McCain Family Photoshoot or Photoshop?
Doesn't this photo look TOTALLY photoshopped? I don't know if it means anything, but its from ABC News.
Check out more pictures of McCain and the rest of the bunch from the ABC News site here.
Check out more pictures of McCain and the rest of the bunch from the ABC News site here.
Saddleback Church
Saddleback Church is this ginormous church in Orange County. This popular mega-church invited Barack Obama and John McCain for a civil forum.
Both candidates were asked the same questions and both candidates had an hour. I haven't seen the McCain interview yet, but I just started watching the Obama one:
Is it just me, but does his stuttering remind you of a grandpa? Its generally pretty tolerable, but sometimes, you just want to shake the words out of him.
Both candidates were asked the same questions and both candidates had an hour. I haven't seen the McCain interview yet, but I just started watching the Obama one:
Is it just me, but does his stuttering remind you of a grandpa? Its generally pretty tolerable, but sometimes, you just want to shake the words out of him.
Who's your money on?
Mine? Joe Biden.
If you haven't already, you can be the 'first to know' who the chosen one will be by going to BarackObama.com
Sign up to get an e-mail or even a text (from Barack Obama himself!) to see who'll be the lucky(?) guy.
If you haven't already, you can be the 'first to know' who the chosen one will be by going to BarackObama.com
Sign up to get an e-mail or even a text (from Barack Obama himself!) to see who'll be the lucky(?) guy.
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