They got my mailbox. Stole it. Because of the Obama logo, and in spite of the American flag I painted on it.

I admit, it pisses me off.

I built that mailbox out of spare cedar boards from the construction of our house on Wildwood Trail here in the Town of Delafield.

My wife helped me design it, and my lovely, soon-to-be-a-mother daughter, who was four-years-old at the time, sat in the sun on the fresh driveway and played with tiny scraps of wood and made little piles of sawdust while I built it.

It got demolished by the Town snowplow one hard winter morning, and the snowplow driver returned that afternoon and put it back together for me, before I could do it myself.

When replacing stolen political yard-signs got to be tedious, I painted the mailbox. I did like my mailbox.

But it was just a mailbox, and my life is not diminished without it. I still get my mail in the Chinese-made, vacuum-formed black plastic one I replaced it with. I won't be building another mailbox, and my wife convinced me not to put any political message on the new one, as she has become concerned for our safety.

My support for Barack Obama, the Democratic Party and radical change in America is stronger than ever.

The theft of the mailbox was annoying, but it doesn't anger me anything like being publicly accused of aiding and abetting terrorists. Of being called a threat to my own country.

Nowhere near as much as people trying with all their self-righteous might to convince the rest of us that if we don't share in their racism, then we are fools.

Not as much as people who smear lies and innuendo, and then climb up on their high horses and proclaim themselves to be the God-appointed guardians of all that is good and right. Who hold up a shield of "Christianity", yet while writing and speaking struggle to vomit the most vile and disgusting words possible on their fellow citizens.

Not as much as a child who keeps a "hit-list" of their middle-school classmates who support Barack Obama. Not as much as the parents who cultivated that kind of hatred and intolerance in their own child.

People like these do not see the light in the election of Barack Obama. They now become the ones who will feel free to exercise their right to criticize our new President, even though they deem it unpatriotic to criticize our current one.

They will continue to disparage the need for economic and social justice and discourage government support for the impoverished and diminished among us. They will continue to glorify the military and jump at the chance to confront other nations and people whom they know absolutely nothing about.

They will cheer every misstep by the new administration, seize every opportunity to allot blame to the new President for the troubles he will inherit. They are buying guns at a record pace.

And they will cling to those guns, and continue pointing to their God as the source and proof of their righteousness.

They will deny that our country has taken a step away from the cold-hearted vision of Ronald Reagan and towards the dream of Martin Luther King Jr., who preached not about race, but about social justice and then economic justice - which he was forced to pay for with his life.

With the election of Barack Obama, I have great confidence that this country will begin the long process of reversing the destruction wrought upon it in the last eight years, and begin to address those problems that George Bush left to fester until he put this country into toxic shock.

The election of Barack Obama was a great step forward, and I am proud of my support for him, and rejoice at his selection as our leader by the American people.

But, damn right, I'm angry. And I intend to stay that way.

I must confess, other than a few moments during Barack Obama's speech in Grant Park, I have not felt the glowing effects of euphoria from Barack's election that many have.

(Note: Those of us who worked on the campaign usually referred to Senator Obama by his first name. I don't mean to intimate any personal relationship with the man, I have never met him. It's just a habit, and feels right somehow.)

While there is no denying the historical significance of the popular election to the Presidency of a man who chooses - chooses - to identify himself as African-American, this mere fact does not change the nature of politics or our society.

As profoundly inspiring as it may be, this fact does not mean that this country has solved it's "race problem". Nor does it mean that anyone should trust Barack Obama to "do the right thing" merely because he a brother.

I'm sorry if you interpret this as cynical, but politics is not a game that is won or lost. It is not a popularity contest in which we decide who we would like to have as a best friend.

It is the means by which we allocate the combined assets of the citizens of this country. It is the means with which we decide who we will charge to steer this country away from conflict and the disease of war. There is no more serious business.

Once again, the Republicans ran this election right out of the playbook of the late Lee Atwater - racial fears and intolerance were lightly coded but absolutely central to the McCain/Palin campaign. Perhaps only the economic crisis overwhelmed that technique which has proven so successful in the past. Maybe the American people have seen through the techniques of artful bigotry as practiced by Atwaters' successor Karl Rove, maybe we have finally learned that playing the races against each other serves neither, but I wouldn't count on it. When the Republicans denounce this strategy of using African Americans as a weapon against ignorant, racist whites and refuse to deploy it, I may believe that. But the deep South remains deep red and we all know the reason for that. Draw your own conclusions about Waukesha County.

So, while Barack's election is a wonderful step forward in the progress of public racial relations in this country, it does not change the fact that our private society remains almost totally segregated. It does not change the plight of the African-American living on a fraction of the average white income. It does not mean a better day today for the child - black, white or any race - going to school in the ghetto of Milwaukee or any city in this economically and racially segregated country.

While the election of Senator Obama by white and black people alike is a great sign, it is, as he himself repeatedly said, a sign of "hope" for a better future for all Americans, not the achievement of that better day.

We who elected him, and especially those of us who worked for him, need to hold Barack Obama accountable for doing what he told us he would do; To work every day to make this country a more just and equitable society.

Barack has promised a high degree of transparency in his administration, which in itself would be a defining step in that process. In that light, Obama has set up a web site to keep us informed of the progress his administration is making in this transition to an open, accountable administration. (http://www.change.gov)

The right will stop sniping at each other eventually and begin seriously trying to subvert Obama's agenda, and that's not what I mean by holding him accountable. Personally, I hope that Jermiah Wright gets invited for dinner at the White House and I don't care if he sleeps in Lincoln's bedroom. Actually, that would be great.

What I am saying is; Don't trust Barack Obama because you voted for him, because he seems like a good father and a nice man, and certainly don't trust him because he is African-American.

The money and the sheer political power of Washington and the Presidency have lead many a decent man and woman to abandon their ideals. While compromise and bi-partisanship are all well and good, change comes when someone stops the ride and spoils the fun for a lot of wealthy and powerful people. Barack will need our help in staying on the line he has drawn.

The following sites are also ongoing sources of information about Barack Obama's transition to the most powerful office in the world. I cannot urge you strongly enough to stay informed. To pay attention. And to hold yourself, as well as Barack, accountable.

As happens with every change of administration, the tectonic plates of power in Washington D.C. are shifting. But this time our entire economic system is about to be rebuilt.

Now is the time to see that every American finally receives a full share of the American Dream - an equal opportunity.

----

Links:

Barack Obama's site of the Office of the President-Elect - http://www.change.gov

Public Citizen's "Becoming 44" - http://www.becoming44.org/

Politico's "Politico 44" - http://www.politico.com/politico44/

 

The smug, mocking remarks about grassroots American politics – community organizing - at the Republican National Convention by Rudolph Guliani and Sarah Palin now ring like music in the ears of the multitude of us who have organized an end to the era of Ronald Reagan and the divisive politics of Lee Atwater and Karl Rove.

The arrogance, and the mean spirit of those remarks established the tone of the McCain campaign, which spent tens of millions of taxpayer dollars trying to divide this country along economic, social and, yes, racial lines.

Sorry, but I’m not feeling very conciliatory yet.

John McCain’s concession speech was all very gracious, but it cannot erase the disgrace that was his campaign.

Yesterday, the Republicans would have had you believe that the next President of the United States is a supporter of terrorism, a racist, and hates the country that elected him.

They impugned, through innuendo, every person of the Islamic faith.

They mocked the American idea of a common good, and sought to turn the greedy and self-righteous against their less-affluent fellow Americans.
 
They challenged the right of many Americans - particularly African-Americans - to vote, suggesting that their rights, won through two centuries of struggle, were fraudulent.

They threw around racism in code, and then protested that there was no malice in their remarks.

Those of us who do not support the Republican Party were told that we are not “real Americans”.

My celebration of this historic moment for all Americans is tempered with the knowledge that so many were willing to bring down this fine American, Barack Hussein Obama, by promoting fear and hate.

I hope I’ll feel more conciliatory tomorrow. Maybe this afternoon.

This morning, I would hope that all Republicans feel shame at the way they have questioned the character, loyalty and decency of their fellow Americans, especially Barack Obama.

If you're interested enough to read this, I am pretty certain that I don't need to remind you to vote today.

You probably already have.

SO, now you wait, like the rest of us to see how this will go down.

Will Obama's sweep be so overwhelming that the inevitable little skirmishes about ballots and registrations will be washed away in the deep blue tide?

Or will the results of entire states (Florida and Ohio come to mind) delay a full count way past midnight? Into next week?

Will the Republicans succeed in snarling this thing up so badly that they will appeal to their Supreme Court.

In my mind, that covers the spectrum of possible outcomes; Obama by proclamation, or Bush/McCain by litigation.

Actually, won't be waiting, that would drive me crazy. I am joining up with a hundred or so of my compatriots from right here in Lake Country - Delafield, Pewaukee, Merton, Hartland, Oconomowoc - all across our beautiful area, who will join up with thousands of residents of the great city of Milwaukee and hundreds more from the great city of Chicago, to march on the streets of Milwaukee from 8AM to 8PM knocking on doors and getting out the vote for Senator Barack Hussien Obama.

I can hardly wait to get on the bus and start walking. I feel so aware that I am witnessing history. That our nation is on the brink of a real change in direction, a new direction that will gradually take us very very, very far from the trajectory that we are on now.

The question, assuming that we are successful today, is whether we will have the cooperation of enough of the American people to bend the mighty forces of super-capitalists who will resist change with all of their resources, or whether the nearly half of the American public who resists change will be sufficient drag to prevent our lift off. We have to take both Houses as well.

Today will set the course for a new generation of leadership, or will chain us to the same leaky oil barge loaded with weapons on which we currently drift, with leaders who can't lead, masters who will not hear our calls, and forced to follow their dreams of ever-greater power and wealth until we all get sucked into the whirlpool of violence and drown in own insatiable consumption.

Not gonna let that happen. We shall overcome.

TODAY! NOW! THIS IS THE TIME!

Obama's half-hour infomercial was superbly done.

Even if you aren't a supporter, you have to admit it was masterful, as has been the entire Obama campaign. Textbooks will be written about this campaign.

There could not be more clearly defined examples of a great, and disastrous, political campaigns than we have seen this election.

If you want a demonstration of a candidate's leadership abilities, look no further than the campaigns of Barack Obama and John McCain.

Tonight, Obama's vignettes of middle class Americans were authentic, and spot on. (Unlike "Joe the Plumber" - who is not a plumber and whose name is Sam.)

People are worried. They blame the Republicans for turning the economy over to the Haliburtons, the Enrons and Bear-Sterns.

They are worried about their jobs, their savings, their kids - who have to get through college, and then pay back all this debt. Not to mention their own health care bills.

Obama laid out his policies and then talked about the need for all Americans to pull together to get our country back on track. A stark contrast from the desperate mud-flinging of the Republicans.

After his speech, Obama appeared on The Daily Show and looked relaxed and, again, conciliatory towards John McCain and Republicans. He was funny, but dignified - Presidential.

Finally, and ultimately, Stephen Colbert, if only mockingly, endorsed Barack Obama for President.

Holy crap. This is huge.

A great night.

I am savoring... ... in case the Republicans steal it.

I understand that you are at a loss.

Believe me, I have felt that way after most of the elections in my adult life.

Regarding your latest post; (trying very hard to overlook the insults and comparison of Barack Obama to Hitler) We agree that the United States is in a perilous position today.

How can you even conceive that Barack Obama is responsible for that?

"Conservatives" have dominated American politics for the last 40 years.

They have written virtually every federal law and policy. How can you not see that their ideas have failed under their own weight?

They have mushroomed the national debt. They have started wars that are inflaming religious zealots and dragging our country into disrepute around the world. They have legitimized torture and disregarded our Constitution. They have abandoned our great cities and denounced those who live in them. They have preached small government but spied on our own citizens. They have tried to divide our people into haves and have-nots, patriots and traitors, "real" Americans and - what? - fake Americans.

But, Ed, you really should take heart. If, in fact, Barack Obama is elected President, there will be no retribution. No one is going to confiscate your money, invite terrorists, "convert" your kids to homosexuality, denounce your God, take your guns, censor your speech, or try to prevent you from voting.

And let me say that no one is going to challenge your patriotism. There will be no more "pro-American" places and "anti-American" ones.

The Democrats will not try to create a permanent one-party state as the Republicans have. There will still be a place for your ideas in government.

Obama has a far different vision than Bush/Cheney/McCain/Palin, and it certainly looks as though the majority of Americans want to see if, working together - all Americans - that vision can be achieved.

There is no doubt that the road ahead of us is difficult and will require sacrifice from each of us.

Have no doubt that you and I and Joe the Plumber will each have to pay our fair share to bail us all out of this mess, Ed.

You can start blaming Obama before he takes office if you want to, but I don't how that helps anyone, Ed.

We all know who drove this country into the ditch.

The question is; Will you help us push it out, Ed?

What would you call it when the State of Alaska imposes a windfall profits tax on the businesses in that state, and redistributes that wealth to Alaskan citizens to the tune of $3,200 each.

These people did not earn this money.

In fact, they receive this money whether or not they pay income taxes to the State of Alaska.

In fact, Alaska confiscates so much money from the oil companies, that Alaskans pay no state income tax or sales tax of any kind.

SO, Alaska takes tens of millions in "excess" profit from businesses and gives that money to people who don't even pay taxes.

Isn't that called welfare?

The Republicans really think we're stupid.

Casting your vote is not enough.

In spite of the numbers you read in the polls, this election is not over.

The Bush/McCain forces that have led our country to this perilous point are extremely powerful, and a change in leadership is by no means assured. There is a lot of work still to be done.

We expect that there will be many Democratic votes that "go missing". We know that the Republicans are doing everything they can to tie certain polling places into knots to keep people from voting.

The only way to overcome this strategy is to create a massive turnout, and to achieve victory by a margin so large that even the Supreme Court dare not overturn it.

Without a doubt, the single largest and most important job ahead of us is to Get Out The Vote.

Specifically, GOTV in Milwaukee. We all know that Waukesha will not go for Barack, and we also know that virtually every eligible voter in Waukesha County will vote.

On the contrary, the city of Milwaukee is virtually 100% behind Obama, but for a variety of reasons, vote only sporadically.

On Election Day, the Waukesha Obama organization will be joining forces with the Milwaukee and Chicago Obama organizations, and flooding the streets of Milwaukee with volunteers, from the minute the polls open until the last voter gets in line at 8PM. Our goal is to knock every single door in the city of Milwaukee - three times - asking the simple question "Did you vote?".

That takes a lot people.

Specifically, you.

If you are serious about implementing new policies that work towards international cooperation on issues such as economic stability, free AND fair trade and climate change, as opposed to confrontation and war... if you favor stem cell research, reproductive choices for women, and affordable health care for people who are actually sick... if you are concerned about the abridgement of your Constitutional rights under the guise of national security... if you believe that a healthy and open society, with a strong middle class and compassion for the poor is inherently more secure... then you need to help us elect Senator Barack Obama as President.

This is it, folks. Please follow this link and sign up for as many shifts as you can to join us in Getting Out The Vote. Please.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/wigotvwhitford

Then, if you haven't done so already, go and vote for Barack Obama.

Apparently, between last July, when Sarah Palin asked "What is it that the VP does all day?" and yesterday, after six weeks of campaigning for that office, Sarah Palin has not had time to actually take a look at the job description for the Vice President.

Asked by a third grader the same question Palin herself asked back in July, Palin made it clear that she still has no idea what the hell she is supposed to do if she is elected. "They're in charge of the United States Senate, so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes", Palin speculated.

If Sarah Palin thinks that she is going to be in charge of the United States Senate I can tell her that there are 100 U.S. senators who will be happy to disabuse her of that notion post haste.

If Palin thinks the VP is in charge of the legislative branch, what is her understanding of Presidential powers? Seriously, this is frightening.

This is George Bush all over again. She apparently subscribes to the theory of the unitary executive, although I doubt that she knows it.

Palin is so not ready for national office that polls show that she is actually more of a drag on McCain's chances than the legacy of George Bush. That is remarkable.

If Palin's selection, which was obviously a political tactic and poorly thought through, reflects the priorities of Senator McCain, how in the world can he say he puts "Country First"

Once again avoiding the real issue of our economic security, the current line of attack against Barack Obama is that he's a socialist. I don't capitalise the term socialist because it really isn't the proper name of an economic philosophy any longer, any more than capitalism is, or socialism's evil cousin, communinism.

(Of course, that is the real message of the Republicans; Obama is not like us - he's a godless Communist. He's Huey Newton, Al Sharpton and Willie Horton, all rolled into a big, bad, black man who wants to steal your money.)

Various competing theories of organizing and conducting a nation's economy along some philosophical set of rules seems utterly quaint here in the 21st century.

The fact is that "natural" economic forces are so powerful - based on human needs and wants, abundance or shortages of resources, control of "capital" - that multinational corporations play national governments the way a large manufacturer plays off different states or regions; extorting tax breaks, avoiding protective laws for labor, the environment, and even basic human rights in exchange for bringing jobs and capital.

Is China "Communist?" China is a seething, hyper-competitive marketplace of firms and ideas, where the Communist concepts of collectivism and state-provided minimum living conditions were abandoned decades ago. What could be more capitalist than intellectual piracy?

After decades of fighting, and some 58,000 Americans killed - along with as many as six million Vietnamese and Laotians - to keep Vietnam from turning Communist, I only learned upon delivery that my new bed, which I bought at Crate and Barrel, was made there.

Is Europe "Capitalist"? Or "Socialist?" What difference does it make? Every country is constantly in a process of evolving their economy in ways that either push money up or down, those with large amounts of money trying to write laws that will help them continue to amass more, struggling with those who are concerned with providing a minimum, humane standard of life for the poorest citizens.

"Socialism"? What do you call it when the U.S. government uses taxpayer dollars to purchase stock and controlling interest in banks and insurance companies?

The Republican's current economic philosophy is "Privatization". Privatization means that legitimate government functions - in which every citizen has an interest - everything from armies to roads, bridges and schools, to Social Security should be sold off, or given away to corporations to run for profit. Corporations, of course, are nothing more than a groups of individuals who have been granted special rights - including, apparently, the right to "spread the debt" of their losses to the taxpayers.

Barack Obama mentioned, in a casual conversation with the enigmatic Joe the Plumber that if he, Joe, were fortunate enough to be making $280,000 a year, as Joe suggested, that Joe shouldn't expect to avoid paying taxes. That taxation is, as it always has been, a mechanism to spread the wealth around.

"Socialist?" Or just American?

It appears as though the nations of Iraq and the United States are very close to finalizing a Status of Forces Agreement that would take effect when the U.N. mandate authorizing the U.S. occupation of Iraq expires at the end of this year.

The agreement still needs to be approved by several parties in Iraq, but this is certainly good news. Now in it's sixth year, the war in Iraq has cost the U.S. 4183 military lives and nearly 30,000 wounded. The accumulated financial cost to support the estimated 140,000 troops in Iraq is estimated at close to three trillion dollars. The continuous rotations into combat there have severely strained our military and our reserves.

When to leave Iraq has been a furiously debated issue, with the administration and candidate John McCain rejecting the idea of setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. They have argued that to do so is tantamount to surrender.

Democrat Barack Obama, who opposed the invasion before it occurred, has argued that our military occupation of Iraq, which contains several of Islam's holiest cities, actually contributes to the currents of Islamic hostility towards the U.S., and proposed that our troops should be drawn down gradually and safely, leaving only a "residual" force in place by 2010.

When Senator Obama traveled to Iraq last summer, and met with Prime Minister Noori al-Maliki, the Prime Minister embraced Obama's timeline, saying that it reflected a solid understanding of the complex issues involved. Senator McCain still maintains that a timeline for withdrawal represents a defeat. It's not clear how he will respond to an Iraqi-imposed timetable.

The timeline about to be agreed upon is a few months longer than Obama's proposal. But the point is, there will be a timely withdrawal of most U.S. forces over the next 1-2 years.

Senator Obama's understanding of the situation not just in Iraq, but the Middle East, and his leadership on this issue have been a very significant force in bringing this costly and unnecessary war to an end.

Obama offers precisely the kind of rational and insightful thinking needed in a President, along with the courage to stand independently when necessary. He deserves great credit for his role in working to get our troops out of Iraq.

What will become of Iraq?

Frankly, it seems that further violent struggle for power and resources between the Shia, the Sunnis and the Kurds is inevitable. And, certainly, the fact that we installed the Shia into power will increase Iranian influence not just in Iraq, but in the region.

These are some of the many unfortunate effects of our ill-conceived invasion. Along with hundreds of thousands of lives lost.

But ultimately, what becomes of Iraq is up to the Iraqis. As it should be.

The code-language of politics evolves and mutates in every election, and can be challenging for the undecided voter to decipher.

As a public service, I present this handy reference guide to the code words that you are likely to hear (in some cases, ad nauseum) during tonight's final Presidential Debate between Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Barack Obama.

In almost all cases, these words have two, very different, meanings specific to the political party affiliation of the speaker/listeners, so both definitions are provided.

"My Opponent"

"My Running Mate"

"My Friends"

"That One"

"William Ayers"

"Middle Class"

"The Current Mess" or "The Current Administration"

"Victory in Iraq"

"Patriots"

"ACORN"

"Voter Fraud"

"Chicago-Style Politics"

"Chicago-Style Hot Dog"

When I came down the driveway, I had a feeling that last night might have been the last night on earth for my Obama yard sign, being Friday.

I glanced toward the spot, to the left of my driveway, where the sign had stood. Sure enough, it was gone. I walked over, pulled out the wire frame, and turned to get my newspaper of my mailbox.

Squinting into the brilliant morning sun, it appeared for a minute that my mailbox had been stolen too.

Actually, according to Waukesha County Sheriff's Deputy Elfton, someone had driven up to it and pushed it over with their vehicle. He saw the tire track on the grass that I had missed.

Then they picked it up and threw it down, apparently trying to smash it. (I built it to last.)

They bent up the flag and then, to make sure I understood why they had come, they stomped on the Obama logo.

"This is just terrible", he said "What is wrong with people?

I pointed out the footprint on the Obama logo. "I guess they were trying to send me a message," I said.

"They did", replied Deputy Elfton. "They're stupid."

I asked the Deputy if he thought I should feel threatened. He said "They were probably drunk. I wouldn't worry about it. But, I'll tell you what. If you notice anything else... I mean anything... I don't care if it's an egg on your car or toilet paper in your trees, you call us right away, all right?"

As we walked up the driveway, Deputy Elfton lamented the loss of respect for individuals and sense of community over the last 30 years.

"Everyone's in it for themselves. All they care about are money and things."

"What ever happened to civil political discussion?" he asked. "Where you argue, and then shake hands?"

I had an answer, but just thanked him and apologized for taking up his time.

"I hope this is the worst thing you have to deal with today," I said.

"You too," Deputy Elfton replied. "This is just shameful."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ADDED]

A shout out to my next-door neighbor who just stopped over to offer to help me set up the mailbox. Very nice guy. Thanks, Pat!

 

I still believe that Senator John McCain is a decent and honorable man, and I am betting that he will do what needs to be done.

I think he's the same man that I contributed $25 to back in 2000 when he was being smeared and slandered by the same people who are now running his campaign.

It's hard to understand why he ever agreed to let these people in his bus - people like Charlie Black, Steve Schmidt, Rick Davis, and Randy Scheunemann.

When his campaign faltered back in 2007, and he had to let half his staff go, he lost many good people and rumors abounded that he was done.

At some point, John McCain saw another option, and he made a very bad decision. He opened the door to Karl Rove.

He should now summon up his inner Maverick and make it right. John McCain needs to, as he has done before, denounce this kind of war-like politics.

He needs to turn back the rising tide of hatred for Barack Obama that he has helped to create.

John McCain can provide one more example of his outstanding service to his country.

He should finish this campaign the way he began it, and the way he has lived his life; with honor and integrity. On his own terms.

I'm betting he'll do it.

 

 

The Alaska State Legislature tonight found potential Vice President of the United States Sarah Palin guilty of abusing the power of her office as Governor of the State of Alaska in settling a family dispute.

This alone disqualifies her for office, state or federal, and confirms that she should never have been elected for public service, let alone selected for nomination for the Vice Presidency of the United States of America.

This verdict also confirms that John McCain is incapable of separating his own personal obsession for office and personal gratification from the welfare of the nation he once served.

This is the end of the McCain campaign for the Presidency, and confines Sarah Palin to a sad footnote in history.

The McCain campaign has taken to asking "Who is Barack Obama" as if the guy just appeared on the national scene a few weeks ago.

As if he hadn't been campaigning continuously for almost two years.

One of those repeatedly asking the "Who is?" question is someone who did appear on the national scene a few weeks ago; Sarah Palin.

In spite of the best efforts of the Republicans, Mrs. Palin's past is now being slowly uncovered.

It turns out she has long-time and very close relationships with a lot of people who are enemies of the United States. They curse the United States.

Although Palin was not a card-carrying member of the Alaskan Independent Party, her husband was, and both Palins have a long association with the Party. Governor Plain addressed their convention earlier this year and called them an important part of Alaska politics.

According to an article by Max Blumenthal and David Neiwart, published today, the AIP is "a haven for anti-government extremists, anti-government militia members, and conspiratorial figures who believe that the United States government plans to implement a New World Order."

These are people who stockpile weapons in case they are invaded by the Unites States Army. And they are serious.

They curse the United States of America. Did I say that? Here's the tape.

Not only are these people anti-American, they are affiliates of radical movements, like the neo-confederacy here in the "lower 48" and around the world.

According to the article, "Palin used former AIP chairman Mark Chryson and a local John Birch Society activist known as "Black Helicopter" Steve Stoll "to advance her political career on a local and state level -- and she sought to reward them with plum political appointments."

Consider this quote from Joe Vogler, founder of the Alaskan Independence Party: "The fires of Hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American Government. And I won't be buried under their damn flag."

The Palins' association with men like this should give us reason to ask "Who is Sarah Palin?"

I have really been conflicted over my decision not to attend the McCain/Palin "rally" in Waukesha yesterday.

I saw the clips from the event last night, and woke up this very early this morning wondering who was this guy, the angry black guy, that so moved Senator McCain with his personal attack on Barack Obama that McCain crossed the stage to embrace him, and assure him that after his ass whoppin' here on earth he would surely get his reward in Heaven?

I woke up thinking that this man had to be a plant. Why?

Because it's perfectly Rovian.

This election is in the hands of the 10-12% of voters who remain "undecided". (I believe many of these actually have made up their minds, but for various reasons won't say.)

There are a certain percentage of those undecideds who are undoubtedly leaning McCain, but by the nature of their upbringing in an American culture that has instilled them with the value of racial equality, are put off by the racist tone the McCain campaign has taken on.

Rove thought: "Let's find black people to attack Obama, thereby giving "permission" for undecided white voters to join the lynch mob."

It turns out that the Angry Black Man was not just an angry black man.

He was not, as far as we know, paid by the McCain campaign to denounce and smear Senator Obama, but he was, in fact James T. Harris, a radio host on WTMJ, which is owned by Journal Communications, which is the largest media conglomerate in the state of Wisconsin.

The Journal-Sentinel's own coverage quotes a snip of Harris's comments, but fails to note Mr.Harris' employment by the firm.

The full text of Mr. Harris' remarks goes beyond what is being quoted locally.

 From the Raw Story, which also has video of the exchange, but also did not identify Mr. Harris:

"Senator, at the convention, you asked for us to fight, for you," said the supporter. "I doubt there's anyone in this room that's, pardon me, taken the ass whoopin' I have taken for supporting you, and for supporting your policies."

The crowd roared in approval, then sprang to their feet to cheer the man on.

"Sir, I believe that, the next coming debate, it is absolutely vital that you take it to Obama; that you hit him where it hurts ... the soft spot," he said, drawing another round of audience applause.

McCain crossed the stage and hugged the man.

"Thank you," said the senator. "Thank you for your courage. I believe your reward will be in heaven, not here on Earth."

[ADDED]

Just picked up the newspaper.

The J-S does identify the man as Harris, "a radio host", but does not mention that he works for WTMJ or Journal Communications. I wonder if he also works for McCain?

 

I was planning on attending the McCain/Palin town hall in Waukesha tomorrow morning.

But I won't do it.

McCain and Palin have crossed the line, and I will not be a witness to their hate-fest.

At recent McCain and Palin rallies, they have implied that Barack Obama is anti-American, and whipped their supporters into ugly mobs.

McCain and Palin have called Senator Obama a terrorist, and smiled and nodded while jeers of "Kill him!" and "Off with his head!" ring from the crowd.

At a recent event an African American member of the media was verbally assaulted by McCain supporters.

This is not politics, this is race-baiting, and it is disgusting and un-American.

One only wonders how much worse it can get in the next four weeks.

It is a tragedy that Senator McCain has allowed himself to become a symbol of racial hatred, but he obviously sees this as his only path to "victory".

[ADDED] A friend sent me a link to this video:

 

Last night in the second Presidential debate, John McCain looked very much like the tired old warrior that he is.

Swinging as if from memory, but rarely moving anything but air, he struggled to even stay on his feet.

I'll admit, it wasn't much of a town hall, in the sense that most of the questions seemed to come from Brokaw, and audience members were not asked to respond to the candidates' answers, but this was supposed to be John McCain's venue. He has been repeating his challenge for a series of town halls with Obama for months.

The conventional wisdom, which McCain has deliberately cultivated knowing that he wouldn't have to prove it if Obama wouldn't take his challenge, was that McCain would connect with the audience, whereas Obama would be too cool.

What I saw, and from everything I have read, what occurred last night was exactly the opposite.

When Obama talked about health care, and his personal experience with his mother struggling against cancer and the insurance industry at the same time, it clearly resonated with the audience, who understand that losing your job means losing your insurance as well. When he repeatedly talked about tax breaks for the middle class, he successfully put to rest the Republican talking point. McCain neglected to even use the phrase "middle class" once, reinforcing the perception that he cannot relate to the concerns of anyone who actually works for a living.

On foreign policy, Barack again brought it home. Drawing a direct line between the staggering cost of our continued occupation of Iraq and our frightening budget deficit that is shaking confidence in the dollar worldwide, Obama offered yet another sound reason to bring our troops home now.

McCain did have the three most memorable moments of the debate, however.

The best was when he connected with the Navy guy. That was a very genuine moment in a campaign that has otherwise seemed surreal in its inability to find a channel, and sync up with the American people.

The second was definitely the most bizarre moment - when Brokaw asked McCain who he might consider appointing as Secretary of the Treasury. If he was going for a laugh by answering "Not you, Tom." it sounded like bitter sarcasm to me, and Brokaw didn't seem to think it was funny either. I think Brokaw's pained and puzzled expression pretty well summed up America's reaction to John McCain at this point.

The third memorable moment, and the one that I believe will smack the undecided voter in the face, was when McCain referred to Senator Obama as "that one".

One what?

This candid display of disrespect for Obama may resonate with bitter McCain supporters, but to me it seemed very small and tinged with racism.

I so wish the election were today.

OK, I am a complete political junkie. (I know. Nerd.)

I collect the flotsam and jetsam of campaigns; bumper stickers, signs, etc. But buttons are the real collectibles, and I have a few pretty good ones.

When I was at the Republican Waukesha County HQ yesterday getting my ticket to see the McCain/Palin town hall, I also picked up a few buttons. (Yes, I paid for them.)

The one pictured here is my favorite. I think it will be even more interesting as time goes by.

As you can see, the regular McCain/Palin logo has a little something extra - a bright red lipstick kiss right on the corner of Palin's name. (Lipstick was a common theme for the buttons there.)

But, what's more interesting is the line below the graphic; "The ticket with "X" appeal!", with the X inside of a box, in the style of a movie rating.

What?

What was Sarah doing between high school and being elected Mayor of Wasilla? I mean I know she was runner-up for Miss Alaska, but was there a film career that we haven't heard about?

I find this totally bizarre, but it really symbolizes, for me, what is so terribly wrong about the McCain campaign. Talk about mixed messages.

OK, I get that Sarah is a MILF. (wink, wink)

But she is also supposed to be bringing aboard the social conservatives and evangelicals, isn't she?

SO which is she?

A faithful hockey mom or a porn star? Mommy/s*l*u*t? Eww.

Which puts a completely different light on the tiny pink T-shirts they were selling that said "When I grow up, I wanna be just like Sarah"

Anyway, it's a cool button.

[ADDED]

You know, it just occurred to me that the "X" inside the box may represent a selected box on a ballot - an X inside a box.

But then, the only way to read this that makes any sense at all is if you read the "X"-in-the-box as "SEX".

"The ticket with "SEX" appeal!"

Maybe it's me, but that conjured up a McCain/Palin image I just didn't want to see.

Anyway, we get that Sarah is one Hot Mama!

And socially conservative, so don'cha be gettin' all worked up, then, OK? (wink)