Two hours of hate-mongering...

Fighting "Islamofacism" and deporting brown people were the two issues that produced the most energy at the GOP debate last night. These candidates are truly scary. Romney seems to have transformed himself into a genuine bona fide hate-monger. Interestingly, there was no talk of the crashing economy or the health care crisis in this two-hour debate.

The good news is that none of these guys are likely to end up in the White House. News that New York taxpayers helped finance Rudy's adultery is not likely to go over big with conservative voters.

The GOP debate tonight...

For the past few days CNN has been hyping the fact that the public will be heard in tonight's You Tube GOP debate. They have been encouraging viewers to send in their videos. What CNN is not telling viewers is that THEY DECIDE what questions will be asked. It's just a matter of using You Tube to create the impression that the public has some kind of input into the election process.

The corporations who control the MSM are not about to loose any kind of control over what issues will be discussed in the debate. Just like the presidential debates next fall will be controlled by the corporate interests who pick up the tab on expenses.

Update:

I just realized the debate in not tonight (Tuesday) but tomorrow night (Wednesday). I've obviously been spending too much time on the beaches of Sarasota.

Obama leads Clinton...

On a flight down from Boston to Tampa this morning I had the opportunity to leisurely read the New York Times. I was surprised to find that Obama leads Clinton by four points in the latest Iowa poll.

The pundits keep insisting that the election of inevitable...that she could only be stopped by "an act of God." What if Clinton comes in third in Iowa...a real possibility. The best argument of Team Clinton would loose its power to influence the outcome of the election.

It seems like we have a real horse race at this time. Stay tuned.

Katrina money goes to affluent residents...

The Edgewood Manor housing project (above) has not had any repairs since it was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Mississippi was required by Congress to spend half of its federal grant money to help low-income citizens trying to recover from the storm. But so far, the state has spent its money on programs that have mostly benefited affluent residents and big businesses.

(Photo: Lee Celano / The New York Times)

Norman Mailer dies at 84..

Here is the link for the story in today's Guardian (UK). A larger-than-life personality. What an extraordinary career.

Obama is keeping good company!!

My cousin Bernie Walsh who lives in Long Boat Key in Florida sent me this photo. It shows his daughter Christine photographed with Barach Obama.

As I indicated recently on this blog, the more I see of Obama the more I like him. I also like John Edwards because of his pro-labor views.

Who is your favorite candidate at this time?

Helping out our friends...

Neocon Michael O'Hanlon was on TV this morning insisting that we have to continue to provide billions in aid to Pakistan. I guess we've reached a point where we can be open about our support of dictators. So much for all that talk about promoting democracy.

Obama versus Hillary...

Barack Obama was interviewed by Matt Lauer on the Today show this morning. I was struck by his eloquence and spontaneity. His style contrasts with Hillary Clinton who always seems programed. With Hillary you get the impression that every statement has been tested in focus groups. Hopefully, she will be pressured into stating where she really stands on important issues.