Thoughts on the Benghazi Inquisition

I have to give props to Hillary for Thursday's congressional "hearing". I don't think any of the Presidential hopefuls on either side could have withstood such an abusive marathon interrogation, and turn it into a positive like Hillary. The contrast in style between accusers and the accused was startling. The Republicans were "over the top" mean spirited, abusive, and partisan. Hillary answered every question with a steely rational intelligence. The Republicans did everything possible to prove that this WAS a partisan political hatchet job. I love my Bernie, but I have a renewed respect for Hillary and its becoming apparent that she is best prepared for the office of President of the United States.

Update on the GOP "Debate"

credit CNN

After watching all three hours of this debate, I have to give credit to those candidates that tried to stay above the fray despite CNN's baiting to turn this into a cock-fight. Shamelessly, CNN structured the questions to pit one candidate against the other. There were a few candidates that saw this as their best opportunity to get their message across to potential voters. Fiorina, Christie and Rubio tried really hard to re-direct the "debate" to express their policies and values. I commend them for their efforts.

In those rare moments where policy and values punched through the inevitable mud-wrestling, we heard the typical conservative line;

• Chest thumping calls for sending our military back into the Middle East (boots on the ground).
• De-funding Planned Parenthood, an important resource for women's health including contraception, breast and cervical cancer screenings and safe pregnancy terminations.
• Opposing reasonable legislation to reduce gun violence including universal background checks and a ban on the most deadly and violent guns and high capacity magazines.
• Undermining an agreement, in conjunction with our allies, to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
• Denying millions of Americans health insurance by repealing the Affordable Care Act. 

Every one of those candidates, to some degree hold these positions (except Rand Paul for not advocating boots on the ground)

Congratulations to those candidates that were able to rise above the mud-slinging. I appreciate hearing your point of view. Now I know with even greater clarity that none of you are fit be President of the USA.

Fight night at the GOP

(credit: NY Daily News)

C’mon CNN. I’ve never heard so many stupid metaphors, particularly boxing ones, for a Presidential debate. On CNN, Round 2. First is the undercard for those polling at less than 2% (aka the Kiddie Table). For the Main Event, who will throw the first punch at Donald Trump, known as the great counter-puncher? blah, blah, blah.

And the irresponsible media is just baiting these candidates. I am hearing over and over again that it is not so important to talk policy as it is to get in that one-liner. What people will remember is the big “Zinger”. (followed by clips of Reagan, “I’m paying for this microphone”; Bentson/Quayle “You’re no John Kennedy”; Mondale’s "where’s the beef”). 

It’s easy to blame the media, but the truth is Republicans brought this on themselves. The media is just egging them on. It’s good for the ratings. But let’s not ignore the fact that the "Trump Effect" is just a reflection of the bigots and haters that have taken over Conservatism and the Grand Old Party.

Listen, I’m not expecting an intellectual policy discussion from this band of morally deficient carnival hucksters. But, it’s disgusting that this is being marketed more like Wrestlemania than a serious debate intended to help Americans make an informed decision.

When the Duck Quacks...

The debate over comments made by Duck Dynasty's patriarch, Phil Robertson is raging. Yes, he has every right to speak his opinion, and yes A&E as a private enterprise has every right to suspend or fire him at will.

My bet is that the two sides will kiss and make up. Its all about the money, and DD has the highest rated show on the network and likely brings in the highest ad revenues. All first amendment rights and protecting A&E's brand will be thrown by the wayside as both sides find a way to keep the profits flowing.

For me, what is most revealing about this incident is the clash of cultures. I am talking about modern urban professionals versus the southern rural redneck cultures. I have been alarmed over the last few years at the glorification and elevation of the Rednecks in our popular culture. We've seen it not only on TV shows, but in country music and Tea Party politics.

While most of the time these rednecks seem like harmless fun lovin' good ole' boys, its always been apparent to me what makes up the foundation of that culture. Phil Robertson's remarks brought those values to the surface. His comments regarding gay equality, race relations, and Christian fundamentalism speak volumes about the redneck value system. You can laugh with them, sing songs about them or glorify their lifestyle. But you can't escape the bigotry and intolerance that pervades that culture. Phil Robertson has reminded us what Rednecks are really all about.

GOP Update - Shaking My Head

Now that the Republican manufactured crisis has ended (at least temporarily). Here is something to ponder:

Despite the GOP nearly sending our country to into default, costing our economy an estimated $24 billion dollars and even despite the bloody eye that the Republican brand has inflicted on itself, 144 Republican Congressmen (including Paul Ryan) voted NO to reopen the government. In other words, they still believe they should pursue the government shutdown and risk defaulting on our debt. SMH

House GOP: Bullying and Extortion

As the threat of government shutdown and debt crisis continues, lets examine the strategy and tactics of the Tea Party controlled Republican party that orchestrated this crisis.

First, Boehner needs to agree to extending the debt limits and re-open government funding before negotiations can commence. The extreme right wing faction of one political party cannot impose their minority views on the majority of Americans by threats of shutting down the government and placing our economy in jeopardy. Also, a short term extension may end the current crisis, but will only prolong the agony.

Above all, Congressional "leaders" need to get the message that bullying and extortion are not tactics for negotiation that can be tolerated by this or future administrations.

The Republican Party, taken over by Tea Party extremists, must live in a bubble. We just got through the general election. The results were pretty clear that the Tea Party's political and social agenda, including destroying Obamacare, does not reflect the views of the majority of Americans. The Affordable Care Act has been passed into law, survived over 40 attempts to be overturned by Congressional Republicans and upheld as constitutional by the Supreme Court. This latest tactic is merely a childish attempt to "get their way" through holding our government and economy hostage.

Lets be honest here. This isn't even about "Obamacare". It's a vitriol, caustic, hatred against Barack Obama, the first African-American President (there, I said it... There is at least some racism at the core of this movement). That hatred is manifested by the Republicans total obstruction of any and every piece of legislation supported by this President. We have seen it with the Affordable Care Act, Jobs bills, sensible gun safety legislation, immigration policy, and the list goes on. It's obvious that Republicans want to sabotage this government at any cost, even if the American people must suffer.

It's as if shutting down the government and defaulting on our debt is the Republican's way of punishing the country for electing President Obama. This is simply a stupid, self-defeating strategy that ultimately will destroy their own political future.