Political Coffee Grinds

NAFTA Super Highway Is Crazy?

2008-02-17T18:32:00.001+01:00

Ron Paul was laughed at for suggesting a NAFTA Super Highway and a North American Union? Remember????

Paul Concedes Race, Sort Of

2008-02-09T13:39:00.001+01:00

So Ron Paul concedes, and he's not going the 3rd party route. No surprise on both counts. There was always going to be a moment in which Paul would have to say "we fought the good fight but..." and he said, and meant, (unlike other politicians who have "said" something) that he wouldn't run on a 3rd party ticket. This doesn't mean she shouldn't. Kirsten Anderson over at the Huffington Post summed it up rather nicely.

But knowing Paul, he will stick to his word, which leaves his message in limbo.

Personally, I feel Paul should take advantage of the support he has gained and and build on it. Perhaps start some sort of grass roots organization to start developing perspective candidates for congressional seats. This is also a chance to start re-educating Americans.

If you look at my family, for example, you could divide it into two categories. The majority of the members of my family believe in the greatness of America through it's military might. That's why my mother proudly displays pictures on her living wall of uniformed males. I can imagine that mother's in ancient Sparta had some sort of similar ritual; a shrine to militarism.

The second, smaller group is comprised of people who believe that is is the responsibility of the Unites States government to create a European style social utopia that provides handouts for all Americans.

Both sides are wrong, but both sides have been duped since birth into thinking that these two ideals--which basically represent the current Republican and Democratic Parties--form the political heritage of America. Hardly.

Despite what some of the readers over at Wonkette believe, there really are Paulites who are quite an educated lot; people who don't listen to every word nut case talk show host, Alex Jones , has to say. These people could be influential in getting the word out and participating in the re-education of American society. People need to hear logical arguments for themes such as returning to the gold standard, why it's important to completely re-vamp a sick foreign policy, and why the creation of a north American "Super-nation" along the same lines as the EU is probably not the whacked out idea that mainstream politicians and media want you to believe that it is.

So while Paul concedes to the inevitable, it doesn't have to be a failed campaign. It can be the beginning of something. I sincerely hope that the Paul does something really constructive with both the support and the money that he has gained in his campaign.

Ron Paul National Delegate Count Now 42 or More

2008-02-07T09:26:00.000+01:00

The Paul Campaign says it's projecting at least 42 delegates secured for the national convention. Which, I guess, means that it's forecasting...looking into the crystal ball.

CNN has 16 delegates for Paul. I'm obviously missing something here.

LDS for Ron Paul

2008-02-06T12:49:00.000+01:00

Well, Mitt Romney got 90% of Utah which was well over two hundred thousand votes. But don't worry, bias wasn't an issue. At least not for those few brave Latter Day Saints who supported Ron Paul. In all Paul got 3% of the vote, finishing just under McCain who finished a strong 2nd with 4% of the vote. Wow!

But like I said, no bias.

Bavaria for Ron Paul?

2008-02-06T12:34:00.000+01:00

Well, my beer drinking Bavarian hosts can't vote in a US election, which is probably too bad for Ron.

Paul carries Missoula County; Romney wins state

2008-02-06T10:29:00.000+01:00

Ron Paul is elected President...of Missoula County

Clinton chairman: Obama would be good running mate

2008-02-05T06:05:00.000+01:00

On the eve of Super Tuesday the Clinton campaign has revealed some shocking news; Barack Obama would make a good running mate. Ya think? I would have never guessed that one in a million years! Do you suppose Barack is thinking the same about Hillary?

Let me just say that I made this prediction already, and didn't really need CNN to enlighten me, but now the the mainstream media has confirmed the inevitable we all feel much more informed...right?

The Real Story Of This Year's Super Bowl

2008-02-04T10:25:00.000+01:00

Time to jump off the political wagon for a day and talk...football. I didn't have a favorite in last night's Super Bowl. You kidding, I'm a Browns fan! But I knew the deal; the big chance for the Pats to beat the 72' Dolphins perfect season. But that really wasn't the big story last night. Not if you're a Manning. Maybe not even if you are a father.

Archie Manning is a name that doesn't conjure up tales football greatness, unless you happen to go to Ole Miss where the speed limit on campus is still 18 miles per hour in honor of Archie Manning's jersey. I was a kid playing football myself during Manning's heyday at Ole, Miss. You couldn't play football, or be interested in game in the late 60's without having at least heard the name Archie Manning. At Ole Miss, Manning had 4,753 career yards, and 56 TDs . That record has never been broken by any other Ole Miss QB, including his son, and this year's Super Bowl MVP, Eli Manning. But then Archie was drafted to the New Orleans Saints in 71' and that was it. The talents of a great quarterback were squandered. Yeah, he broke all kinds of passing records in the NFL. and most of those passes were thrown under extreme duress. I'm not sure Manning even experienced stepping up into the pocket, or having plenty of time. New Orleans had a front line that easily could have been mistaken for another ineffective "line"; the Maginot Line. And so the old adage that you can't sore like an Eagle when you're surrounded by Turkeys was never better defined.

Despite his hard luck, Manning left a legacy. Three sons. the oldest, Cooper, having to leave a promising future in the game for health reasons, the torch was passed to Peyton and Eli, and well, we all know how that turned out.

And there lies the real story of last night's Super Bowl. Not New England's failure to be perfect, but the triumph of a family football dynasty. Last year Peyton was in the spotlight, and this year it was little brother's turn, and Archie? Well, Archie is doing what all fathers who watch their son's eclipse their own accomplishments do. Archie is busy being proud.

Allow me to Rant

2008-02-03T11:30:00.000+01:00

Where are you Ben Franklin? Where is Jefferson? Where is Washington?
Our leaders need your council for they have truly lost their way.
Lady Liberty weeps on her pedestal in the the Harbor.
Not for the lives lost on that mournful September Day.
But for the a nation once proud and free,
that has now clearly lost it's way.

by Me

Allow me to rant on this post. I'm having trouble keeping my thoughts clear and concise and I need to just explode; to vent my anger.

Ron Paul's great hope has fizzled into a third place finish as Maine finishes it caucus. Romney finished first, McCain 2nd, and frankly, it doesn't really matter that Paul was nipping at McCain's heels. For Ron Paul supporters -- and I am one -- it's all over but the crying.

In sort of a postmortem ritual, I was watching post Iowa caucus interviews as well as the lead up to the New Hampshire primary's when the name "Ron Paul" began to enter the national media spotlight. Those were the heady days of the Ron Paul Revolution. It appeared that Paul was getting a "ground swell" of support that could not be easily ignored. Still, the forces against freedom and democracy tried. On the eve of a Republican primary in New Hampshire, Ron Paul was left out in the New Hampshire snow by the debate's principle sponsor, Fox News, and the buzz over Fox News' snub of Paul began in earnest over the other rival networks.

On the day of the primary, January 8, 2006, gay activist James Kirchick, published his smear of Ron Paul, claiming to have evidence of Paul's bigoted past in the form of news letters printed as recently as the late 90's. With-in hours, these newsletters were on the major networks and websites. CNN's Wolf Blitzer invited Paul to explain on national television, and Paul accepted the invitation. That was probably the turning point of the Paul campaign. Paul, who has effectively delivered a very good, and true message about the importance of freedom and liberty in this country, was not very good and defending himself from cheap mud-slinging. Never mind that the so-called "evidence " against Paul contained statements that even Bill Cosby has leveled against his own race. It's ok to be an Angry Black Man, just not an Angry White Man.

Since then, the Ron Paul Revolution has fizzled. Oh, his supporters are still out there bombarding the "comments" field of mainstream writers or reporters brave enough to have a controversial opinion of Dr. Paul. And those same supporters, called "Paul-tards" by their detractors, have lavishly praised his embellisher's like the L.A. Times reporter Andrew Malcolm. People are still throwing money at the Paul campaign as well. And it has managed to raise over 5 million dollars in this quarter alone. Call it faith or stupidity. People believe in the man's message. I believe in the man's message, but Rush Limbaugh was right. Paul doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning the Republican nomination. Not that I ever believed he did.

What I did believe was that Paul could make a forceful impact on the issues. I believed he could wake up the masses of Americans duped by a false sense of patriotism.

The Security of Superpower Status verses Liberty

With the exception of rogues like Alexander Hamilton, it was never the intent of our forefathers that the United States of America become a "super power". Yet our politicians today seem hell bent on maintaining that status at what ever the cost necessary. They are wrong. The McCains and Romneys of the world are dead wrong.

The greatest desire of every American should not be to maintain some egotistical superpower status. It should be to maintain the liberty and freedom of Americans! And NO, maintaining a superpower does not go hand in hand with maintaining liberty! I'm tired of that lie, and I'm tired of the bastards who propagate that lie!

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

You know who said that? Ben Franklin.

Sorry, I'll pick Jefferson over Reagen any day.

I would venture to say that over half of the American population probably doesn't even know who Ben Franklin was! But you believe in McCain don't you! You know who he is, don't you! John McCain and the rest of the mainstream Republicans will destroy the United States because they failed to heed the advice of men much more wiser than themselves, and I'm not talking about Ronald Reagen.

You Democrats aren't off the hook either. The United States of America was never meant to become a European style social welfare state yet you are quite content to drive America in the same direction as Europe. Well let me tell you something Barak Obama, and Hillary Clinton. I live in Europe. I have lived here for years! I have seen Europeans across this continent slowly loose their national identity and right to voice their opposition to that clusterfuck of confusion in Brussels. All, of course, in the name of unity and the social equality of all Europeans. Is that what you want for America? Please show me, in all the writings of our founding fathers where it was their intent to create a social welfare state! You can't because no such crap exists!

Is resisting government Un-patriotic or my patriotic duty?

I am angry in case you haven't noticed. I have a limited tolerance of willful ignorance; people who use the excuse of a limited education as reason not to go out and buy a book and read, and learn. I listen to that same ignorance being spewed in so-called Yahoo "political chat" rooms and want to vomit. I read some of the crap written on Blogs and just shake my head in disbelief. I watch a political candidate have his freedom of speech cut off by the likes of Anderson Cooper and it suddenly makes me want to re-evaluate the only issue I disagree with Ron Paul on, the 2nd Amendment!

It was the writer of our Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, who said, "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive...I like a little rebellion now and then. It's like a storm in the atmosphere." He went on to write, "If the happiness of the mass of people can be secured at the expense of a little tempest now and then, or even of a little blood, it will be a precious purchase."

The problem is that the "masses" have been duped into believing that their right to resist is not only unlawful, but unpatriotic. Never mind the fact that it was America's truest patriot who penned those words!

Homeland Security is actually a mild form of the Gestapo

I will guarantee the readers of this blog that the German authorities will read my words and will have taken note . It will be construed as incitement of violence. If I ever seek a pass on a U.S. military facility, I will have to fill out a security form and during a waiting period, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will seek any information on me through the German authorities. The Germans, being the good partner in the war against terror that they sort of are, will in-turn forward what I have posted on this Blog as possible evidence of "domestic terrorism" in the planning. My request for a pass to go on a US military facility will be promptly revoked. Most of you will say that that is just. You will say that it is better to make my life difficult by limiting my free speech then to run the risk of a terrorist act. Never mind that I abhor the very thought of physical violence and am simply qouting the words of a great American! Why do the words Ben Franklin suddenly come to fruition!

This is exactly what the likes of John McCain want. Fear, paranoia, and plenty of Taser guns!

Go Ahead, Call me a nutter.

Most of you who read this will brand me as a nut case, but you don't really know me. I abhor violence, and have taught my children to be likewise. I have two wonderful sons who are ten times the young man their father ever was. Good citizens. Good people. With morals and values that would make Jerry Falwell flush with shame.

They are dual citizens but know more about America, it's government and it's history than most American born kids. Every trip to America we have made I required a pilgrimage to Washington D.C.. Even though on our last visit, I was saddened to see that Washington, my nation's proud capital, had coward to the "boogy man" had turned into a heavily fortified "Green Zone". All in the name of security.

Security in exchange for Liberty? Let me be less eloquent than another American patriot.

Kiss my ass John McCain! Give me liberty or give me death!

There, I feel much better now.

Germans reject U.S. troops request

2008-02-02T09:07:00.000+01:00

Those stubborn Germans! I live in Germany by the way. I know just how stubborn and mule headed they can be. I married one. Fact his, Germany has a troubled social welfare state to support, so they can't go running around plugging up holes where the American military can't. It's that simple.

Berlin has a military budget that most Germans would like to see reduced not increased. They view it as just one more straining factor on the government benefits and hand-outs that they have enjoyed for so long. Massive immigration from former east block nations, a costly move of the German capital from Bonn to Berlin, and the new military commitments, contributed to the strain on the Germans famed social paradise status.

Thanks to immigration, more people are living in Germany than ever before, and not all of them find jobs. That means they can't pay in to the social welfare pot, but instead, pull money out of it. Berlin can't blame all of its woes on immigration.

Poor money management has contributed to the welfare strain. I never did quite understand the grand and glorious move to Berlin, which had a price tag in the billions, when Germany was supposedly in the middle of a financial crises.

So , it stands to reason that Germany would balk at any new military expense demanded by the United States. Germany is looking out for number one, and as Ron Paul has suggested time and time again, perhaps the United States should be taking a similar tack. If the immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq is too much for most of my fellow Americans living in the United States to to handle, then perhaps we should at least leave Germany. There's really no reason to be here. That whole, using Germany as a staging point is some bull shit excuse dreamed up by the Pentagon for keeping U.S. troops in Europe. Why should we continue pumping billions of dollars of the American taxpayer 's money into the German economy when we should be pumping it into our own!!!!!

Head to Head, Clinton, Obama Shelve Rancor

2008-02-01T06:51:00.000+01:00

A Clinton/Obama love fest. Probably a Clinton/Obama ticket too, or visa-versa. The Democratic debate had something that, honestly speaking, the Republican debate lacked ...substance. The substance was there because both candidates were willing to stop the mud slinging and address their differences on the issues head on. In short, they appeared to be much more grown-up than the Republicans.

Both Clinton and Obama also knew it was time to kiss and make up because each is looking at the other as a potential running mate. It's a no brainer. Both of them on a ticket poses a obstacle too daunting for McCain or Romney to hurdle.

Ron Paul's Prospects Look Up in Maine

AP Reporter, Glenn Adams, says Ron Paul has a chance to carry Maine. The Maine caucuses begin tomorrow. Not that anyone is interested, particularly CNN of any of the major networks.

Obviously a Paul victory would not nail down a Republican Presidential nomination for the congressman from Texas, but it would send a message to other potential Paul voters across the country. After seeing how the man was silenced in the last two debates (debacles is probably a much better word) one can't help but get the impression that the mainstream media would really like to put a cap on any new Paul upsurge.

Russell Shaw over at the Huffington Post, is convinced that Paul supporters are "idiots " for believing that the mainstream or "cooperate media" as he calls it, could be capable of silencing Paul.

"If the corporate media sensed a groundswell for Ron Paul, they would go there." Shaw says.

Yes and no. The media did sense a earth trimmer when the Paul campaign pocketed millions in cash from it's so-called on-line money bombs. Ron Paul got his 30 seconds in the limelight.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think the Paul campaign would have been more happy with an equal distribution of the questions and time during the Republican debates than an hour with Tim Russert. Just a hunch.

Let face it, the even with money bombs, and the fact that he finished six percentage points ABOVE Rudy Giuliani in Iowa, was not enough for the corporate media to invite Ron Paul to the New Hampshire Republican debate. So to call his followers "idiots" is going over the top.

So who's the idiot Russel Shaw? Maybe you should look in the mirror.

Better yet, just stick with nerd news.

McCain, Romney spar before Super Tuesday

2008-01-31T03:44:00.000+01:00

There Were two Other Candidates

There is no true democracy in America. That fact is reflected with crystal clarity by the biased actions of the powerful American media. The American people have been manipulated since the beginning of the U.S. presidential primary season, ( well, actually a little longer then that) and tonight in California in all came to fruition.

There were four candidates at the debate tonight, but based on how the debate was run by CNN and Politico.com, there may as well have been two and a half candidates. There is no way that that can be portrayed as fair democratic representation of the choices that the American people have. The media, as it has done throughout this primary season, has effectively played the roll as Dictator to he American people.

Does one have to be a Ron Paul supporter in order to be angered by the travesty that occurred tonight? Not really. Consider the post debate debacle. What topic got the most chat time with Anderson Cooper and the so called "best political team on television"? In case no-one noticed, it was all about Hillary and Barack. I wonder how much time Wolf Blitzer and company will spend tomorrow night, during the Democrats time in the spotlight, talking about the Republicans? Don't hold your breath.

I have learned a lot in the past few months. I've learned about how frustrating it is to support a viable candidate that the media doesn't take seriously.

As far as this blogger is concerned, the only two men who talked with any substance tonight were Paul and Huckabee. I don't like Huckabee's religious background, but the man brought up some excellent points. I particularly liked his argument that Jefferson's vision for America was right while Hamilton had it all wrong!

McCain was an arrogant prick as usual. Does he honestly think the Republicans lost the 2006 mid-terms over financial mismanagement and not the war in Iraq?

Romney's argument that the American people would rather pick a Governor to be President over a member of congress. Statistically, perhaps, but did he really want to go there? George W. was Governor of Texas. Jimmy Carter was Governor of Georgia. Need I say more?

In conclusion, had I been in Ron Paul's shoes, I would have stood up and left the stage. That probably would have made a bigger impact on the debate than anything that was actually said tonight. But that's not Ron Paul's style. He has too much class, and too much self-control to do anything like that.

End of the line for Giuliani?

2008-01-30T16:59:00.000+01:00

So when is he going? Rudy says he'll bow out in California. Will that be before the debate of afterwards?

I can somehow see Rudy G. sticking around just for spite. Just to nab a few more debate questions from Ron Paul. Just to rip one more very audible and sarcastic sinker when Paul answers another question with his trademark honest candor.

Well the last laugh, or snicker, is on the "Hero of 9/11". Seven states later Rudy G. has one, ONE, delegate to Ron Paul's 6.

The sooner he leaves the better, and I am sure that I will not be the only person wishing Rudy good riddance.

State of the Union?

2008-01-29T17:42:00.000+01:00

He could have just skipped it; no-one would have noticed.

Ron Paul Hoping For "Grand Showing" In Maine

2008-01-29T14:46:00.000+01:00

Why Maine?

There's probably a good reason why Republican Presidential hopeful Ron Paul in up in Maine this week, instead of mixing it up with the big boys down in Florida; Dr. Paul says he has the toughest immigration policy of any of the candidates in either party. With the possible exception of Mitt Romney it's probably true.

Paul's against granting amnesty for illegal immigrants . He's also for bringing U.S troops home from just about every station around the world and militarizing the southern border. This is obviously not playing well in a State whose second language is English.

Still, I question the wisdom of Paul's "Main Strategy". It reminds me somwhat of Rudy's Florida strategy, and we all know how that's working out.

According to CNN, Paul has more cash on hand than either McCain or Huckabee, and it seems to this blogger, that mixing it up with the frontrunner's and competing for that 11% of Florida's undecided voters might not have been a bad thing, considering Paul has the cash to through around.

The Paul campaign must believe they can actually win Maine, and that such a win would have enough legs to carry them through Super Tuesday with a relatively good showing.

I'm a skeptic. I think the poor showing in Florida is what the television hypnotized American public will see, and when Fox News and the rest of the media don't even mention Paul's name in relation to the Florida Primary--which they won't--then it's game over for the Paul campaign.

It's too bad really. Paul had enough cash in his coffers to threaten Giuliani's meager 15% polling in Florida and he probably could have pulled it off.

Kennedy: 'It's time now for Barack Obama'

2008-01-28T22:27:00.000+01:00

Hillary has to be pissed.

South Carolina Folow-up...

2008-01-27T12:47:00.000+01:00

Why Just Having A Good Message Isn't Enough

The unfortunate truth is that most voters in any country are ignorant when it comes to solid knowledge of the issues. It takes just one person with charisma, and good oratorical ability to come in and sweep folks off their feet. Germany came to that unwelcome reality in 1933, but charisma doesn't always have to be a bad thing.

We Americans have had our Lincolns, Roosevelts, and Kennedys, all fully capable of walking into a room and captivating an audience. Now we have Barack Obama.

It suddenly occurred to me that if Thomas Jefferson ran for President today, he would probably have about as much chance as say...Ron Paul. And if the truth be known, Ron Paul is a much better public speaker than Jefferson ever could have been!

Jefferson didn't care much for the art of public speaking, probably because he was so terrible at it. He was so bad, in fact, that instead of giving and annual State of the Union "address" he simply sent a copy to Congress to be read. That seemed to be enough because we all know how well Jefferson could write.

Ron Paul likes to say that people have jumped on his band wagon because of his message, and he may be right. It's a good message. It's a solid message, and perhaps one of the most sensible, and constitutionally sound messages I have heard from any candidate for President. But the sad truth is that the mainstream isn't buying it. The reason for this is simple...the messenger lacks the charismatic flair that Americans demand in their candidates. Americans like to be sold something. Granted, the last two elections didn't give Americans much of a consumer choice, but that's about to change.

The election of 2008 promises to be different. Barack Obama, just spelled out that difference with resounding clarity in South Carolina. Fact is, if Barack goes on to grab the Democratic nomination, the Republicans might as well pack up their campaign headquarters and head home because the result in a national election will probably resemble the South Carolina Democratic primary.

Barack Sinks Hillary's Ship in S.C.

2008-01-27T03:27:00.000+01:00

I just sat watching Barack Obama drive the last nails in Hillary's coffin. What a victory speech! I don't even like speeches, but I liked this one. I couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that, a couple of nights ago, all the Republican candidates, save Ron Paul, were touting Hillary as their future opponent. But none of them watch or pay attention to the polls.

McCain doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell against Barack. Nor do any of the "top tier" Bozo's running for the Republican nomination. That's why they were touting Hillary during the last debate. They would rather run against Hillary, not because she's a woman, but because she is perceived by many American voters as a cold heartless bitch. Like I said before, perception, and image mean so much to Americans.

Barack will not get my vote because I'm not deceived by the charm, the wonderful speaking ability, or youthful appearance. Despite all of that, I don't agree with the man on the issues.

I'm sitting here, second cup of coffee in hand, rehashing Barack's "Blue Print for change". Wonderful stuff. Really, it is, but let's focus on one small issue under his plan for the economy and educating the workforce. Who wouldn't want American schools to be competitive with the rest of the world? I live in Germany. I'm sick and tired of listing to Germans look down their long. bony, and dreadfully arrogant snouts and tell me how sub par American education is when matched with theirs. That's not entirely true first of all, and I could argue way but I'd be veering off my main point; that being, the problem with Barack's blueprint.

America is a huge country. In fact, its fifty individual "countries" bound together by one Constitution. No where in that Constitution does it suggest that the government of the United States of America should finance and overseer the schools in each of the 50 States. In essence, that is why we have state governments in the first place. Logically speaking why shouldn't a state government know better the educational needs for its schools? Perhaps Congress would have to pass a law that forced each State to live up to a particular standard, but that would be much cheaper than paying for the expansion of the Department of Education with American tax dollars.

That's the problem with Barack "Blueprint for Change" in a nutshell. There is no way to escape the fact that taxes will have to be raised in order to finance Barack's Utopian America. Still, great speech!

Mitt Romney is Mormon. So what?

2008-01-26T11:56:00.000+01:00

What could any red blooded American possibly have against Mitt Romeny's religion. The Mormans (officially the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints) represent a true American made religion; not the Baptists, or the or the Methodists and certainly not the Catholics. In short the LDS is as American as baseball, hot dogs, and Mom's store bought Apple pie. Actually more so, considering that none the three items mentioned have truly American origins.

So why the big hoopla over Mitt Romney 's faith?

Ignorance is the only possible culprit. Freedom of religion is protected in the U.S. Constitution in case some of you may have forgotten. If you're uncomfortable with this reality then maybe you should move over here to Germany where the only two accepted state religions are Catholicism and Lutheranism and everything else, including the Baptists, are considered a sect...right next to Scientology.

The Patriot Act Must Go!

2008-01-25T10:51:00.000+01:00

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin in 1755

I was talking to a Russian colleague at work the other day. The subject of personal liberty came up. I'll call my friend "Ivan". Ivan suggested to me that giving up personal liberties for the sake of protection is not necessarily a bad thing. I disagreed of course. I vehemently argued that I don't need the State to watch over my telephone lines, internet connections, and daily routines about the city, in order to keep me and my family safe. I'll take my chances, thank you very much.

Ivan couldn't understand my logic and, I expected as much. He's the product of the old Soviet system. Ivan truly believes that the government knows much better about how we should live our lives than we do. Fair enough. Like I said, Ivan's a product of his environment. Things become a little bit disconcerting, however, when I hear an American say the same thing.

I nearly fell over in disbelief a few months ago upon hearing an American being interviewed about the so-called "Patriot Act" say, "Hey, if it keeps me and my family safe from them terrorists over there in Iraq, then I don't mind giving up a little freedom."

Well, I mind. I also have the comfort and profound joy of knowing that Ben Franklin minded as well.

I sometimes wonder if Americans have any sense of historical perspective or, if the sum of their historical prowess can be found in a 3rd grade history book. I shudder to think the latter.

Your's truly will not vote for any candidate who chooses to retain the Patriot Act in any way shape or form. That leaves me but with one choice...that nut case, Ron Paul.

Is the American Election Process Fair?

2008-01-24T09:09:00.000+01:00

After watching MSNBC's Republican Debate in Florida last night, I can surely understand why Ron Paul's followers have been so up in arms for most of the American election process. Their man is clearly getting screwed, but then try being a Dennis Kucinich supporter!

Bottom line is, the American election process is an immensely unfair process that is somewhat exacerbated be the enormous gullibility of the American people. Not all Americans, mind you. There are some Americans who actually read. Still, I would venture to say that the majority of American citizenry depends on information from televised "talking heads" and the American media knows this.

Americans have a nasty habit of liking the outer appearance of the nutshell without ever having really examined the nut inside. For example, they love Barack's charming smile, Hillary's moment of tenderness, and John McCain's tough guy exterior, but do they take time to really study what each and all of the candidates really stand for? By all indicators, no. That makes the image of an American candidate a major factor. American Philosopher, Noam Chomsky said it best. "Elections are run by the same people who sell toothpaste. They market candidates the same way." This is so true; so blatantly obvious. Those Americans who are sold on Crest, love Barack Obama.

I'm not necessarily convinced that there is a conspiracy per se against the likes of Ron Paul. It's more like the "ignore" button on Yahoo chat. "Ron Paul is a nutter, let's ignore him." That sort of thing. Is that fair? Of course not but like the American novelist William Goldman said, "Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death."

I'm pretty much convinced that no political process, anywhere, is unequivocally fair, but if the American version is the most fair we can get, then we free people of the world are most surly in serious trouble.