Press payoffs look bad

In this Foxnews.com story, a second journalist has admitted receiving funds from the administration for using their national media forum for supporting a Bush initiative. It really does not look good, but there's more.
First, to all who repeatedly claim that Foxnews is nothing more than a conservative mouthpiece, check out the entry to the website, where the story is prominently displayed in the headline box on the right.
Second, it was probably unwise and really does nothing to help public perception.
Third, it could have been avoided easily, by simply disclosing that public funds were used to promote the message, and that the media figures agreed to utilize their vehicles for advertisement's sake.
Ah well, more fuel for the fire.

I'm Back!

Well, back in October I left the country on business. I was unable to find a suitable replacement writer to post during my absence. When I returned in November, it was only 1 week before my comprehensive examinations at Norwich University, in the Master of Arts in International Relations program. In addition, directly following completion of my exams, I began to work on opening a retial wireless store with my business partner.
So much has taken place politically and with current events it would be impossible to play catch up. I will say that it was both very gratifying and disappointing to be in another country on Election Day. I had already cast my absentee ballot. The time difference between the country that I was in and the US was dramatic. All of us were up during odd hours to follow the news. It was interesting that much of the hype about international criticism of the Bush administration simply did not play out in reality, not only among the locals in that country but other foreigners from all over.

Perhaps one of the most interesting stories that I have been interested in is the allegations of abuse, mistreatment, and illegal detention in the War on Terror and in Iraq as well. Needless to say, it is directly related to my areas of study and expertise, so I have had the pleasure to engage in a number of compelling debates on the issue.

My truthful opinion is two-fold. Primarily, I have no sympathy for enemy combatants or prisoners of war who allege such abuses as barking dogs, cold temperatures, old food, or a shaved head. Reminds me of when I was in Marine bootcamp, so cry me a river terrorists. Now, on the other hand, I think that the US has certainly violated a number of international laws, norms and principles. The most damning FACT of the campaign and the wars is the detention of individuals that are denied every right that should be afforded them by Divine, international, foreign, and US domestic law. The basic rights of every individual include being notified of the charges against them, access to a lawyer, religious counsel, and a (speedy) trial.

Those actions are misguided to reprehensible, depending on the circumstances that will eventually be revealed. It will certainly come back to visit the US in the form of increased hostility toward our state and people and encourage other states to devalue international agreements.

YouForgotPoland.com - Politics Makes You Stupid

My pop sent me this humorous gem. Even though he's a partisan lib, he has a sense of humor. This is funny, so someone send me a funny one for Kerry.

Bryan

More Whining Over The Poor Terrorists

As I reported in an earlier article, the bleeding hearts of Human Rights Watch condemned the "harsh treatment" used at Guantanamo Bay. Now, the mainstream liberals at the New York Times have also expressed their outrage at the "harsh treatment."
According to the NYT, the worst treatment included subjecting a prisoner to strobe lights, loud music, and a cold environment while in their skivvies. Don't kids pay for this "harsh treatment" at autumn evening concerts? David Sheffer, a Clinton-era State Department weenie, said that the treatment clearly constitutes torture.
I keep trying to feel sympathetic for the poor terrorists, who earned a session of Rage Against the Machine for killing Americans, but it's just not gonna happen.

Bryan

The Meaning Behing the Numbers

This is a cautionary note regarding the usage of statistics in speeches and debates. This issue particularly came to mind while watching the debate last night. When speaking of the increase in the number of uninsured in America, Kerry's clear intent was to place the blame squarely on the President. A few thoughts:
- The President has little to do directly with the number of insured, barring a legislative change in eligibility, which has not taken place.
- Uninsured is not the same as "uninsurable."
- Many things can cause a person to become uninsured. For example, a person that is convered under their spouse's plan and then gets a divorce, becomes an "uninsured" person. As the divorce rate increases, so potentially does the number of uninsured ex-spouses.
- Some may choose not to be insured, for privacy reasons, for flexibility, etc...

So, always consider the basis for a number before accepting it at face value.

Bryan

Voter Fraud Tempest in a Teacup

Allegations of voter fraud are surfacing all over the country. This FOXNews.com story lists many of the complaints from both the right and the left. The DNC today responded to a post on Drudge that claimed the DNC activist "manual" called for pre-emptive claims of voter intimidation on the part of Republicans. Their response claims that the single sheet memo, posted on Drudge's website, was taken out of context.

After having read the memo, the story, and the DNC response, it doesn't seem that the supposed context of the page makes the tactic any more valid. The manual clearly urges activists to notify the press and officials of "historical" GOP voter intimidation, and to utilize minority voices to lend creedence to the claims.

Bryan

An After Debate Mint

At the opening of the debate, Bush was clearly well rested and ready for a serious debate. On the contrary, Kerry came across as tired and not quite ready for what was about to happen. Here are the highlights:

- Bush repeatedly brought up Kerry's voting record: taxes; against the Gulf War, etc.
- Kerry was not on his game until about half way throught the debate.
- Bush was thinking, speaking slowly. He came across as firm, but not overbearing.
- Bush nails Kerry on "a plan is not a litany of complaints."
- Bush pegs the cost of Kerry's healthcare plan at 5 trillion dollars.
- Kerry unbelievably brought up Cheney's daughter again. Cheap shot.
- Bush was very genuine in his answer to the question of the role that faith plays in his life.

Overall, I am more confident in stating that Bush won this debate.

Bryan Taylor

UPDATE: Carl Cameron on Foxnews.com states that Kerry did in fact only have 5 bills that became law. Kerry agrees. Cameron claims that Kerry's 56 number is misleading.

The Final Chapter - Live

Back in time to do the live blog on the debate, which is about to begin (2103)
Kerry look totally haggard, and sounds it as well. (2104)

First question goes to Kerry, open ended. Kerry is placing the blame on Bush for the country not being as safe as it could be. He is not answering the question that was asked of him. Kerry has is pledging to fight terrorism in the manner of Reagan. (2106)

Bush's rebuttal. He is coming across pretty smooth. He once again brought up the 3/4 of Al-Qaeda semi-true fact. He brought up Kerry's comments about terrorism as law. Bush brought up his homeland security bill and that Kerry voted against it. (2107)

Kerry's rebuttal rebuttal, once again brings up that Iraq is a diversion. Bush is funny already he is on the ball.

2nd Question - flu vaccines.

Bush seemsed to be caught off guard by this one, surprisingly. He matter of factly mentioned the cause of the shortage, and said he is not getting one. He is tying it into legal reform in the healthcare field. (2110)

Kerry's rebuttal, claiming the healthcare system is getting worse under Bush. (Note their will be an upcoming article on this blog about the "loss" of healthcare). Now here is Kerry naming figures of people that have lost their coverage in all of the swing states, Ohio, Wisconsin, etc... Kerry compares us to the rest of the industrialized world. (2112)

Bush says "a plan is not a litany of complaints." That is...wow...Bush cited the figure that it would cost 5 trillion to go with Kerry's "plan" to provide the Senator's plan to all. (2113)

3 Question - Taxes, Kerry's pledge not to raise taxes

Kerry says he will reinstate "pay as you go." He is saying that he has a specific plan, and mentions all his other plans, and he claims he has already shown how he is going to pay for these plans. So he has avoided actually answering the question again. He is claiming to "close the loophole." (2116)

Bush's rebuttal makes Kerry laugh. Kerry just laughed out loud right into the microphone. He is very strong on this answer as well. (2117)

4 Question - Jobs, outsourcing

Kerry's rebuttal went back to Bush's last answer. He really just sounds like he is making every promise imaginable, just pandering.

5 Question - Jobs, fair to blame administration

Kerry brought up fair trade. Bush's administration has tried to pass a fair trade bill.

Bush's rebuttal - BUsh claims that Kerry misspoke about Pell. He points out that the tax cut put money back in your pocket.

Kerry says that anyone can play with the votes and that we all know that.

Bush re-rebuttal clearly states that Kerry's record is what he should be judged by.

6 Question - Is being gay a choice

Bush answers by saying he doesn't know but it is important to respect equal rights and tolerance but that the majority should not have to change their views of marraige. Bush also says that he brought up the amendment in order to encourage states to participate in the process since they would have to ratify it.

Kerry's rebuttal, he brings up Dick Cheney's daughter again. He answers the Bob's question directly by stating that they are born that way. Way out of line to being up his daughter.

7 Question - Church's position on sanctity of life

Kerry claims that he disagrees with the church despite being a Catholic. He states that it is not a legislatible issue. Kerry says he will continue to defend Roe v Wade. He was an altar boy. (Not touchin' it). Kerry compares himself to JFK as a "catholic president" who shouldn't be labelled as such. (2131)

Bush's rebuttal begins with the usual line, to embrace a culture of life. He identifies himself as a unifier, talking about the partial birth ban, and how Kerry voted against it. He believes there are ways to reduce the number of abortions, such as increasing the availability of adoption. (2133)

8 Question - WaPo quote on increased health costs

Bush responds with a joke, and says it is a systemic problem, and that the consumer is out of the loop, and therefore no market forces are at work in the healthcare industry. Healthcare savings plans, tax free. Tort reform. (2135)

Kerry's rebuttal. By the way, Bush came up with 4 positive things, Kerry's rebuttal opens with criticism, such as the defeat of the Canada prescription bill.

Bush came back with the Senate record. Kerry comes back with "Bush is misrepresenting and the President is wrong." (2138)

9 Question - Kerry's healthcare plan/cost

Kerry has somewhat skirted the issue of paying but he is describing his plan. He is speaking of the many benefits, and saying increased competition will lower prices. Isn't that what Bush said, about market forces? (2141)

Bush said a non-partisan Llewlyn report claims Kerry's plan costs 1.6 trillion. And the plan shows that with government plans private companies will stop offering their plans. (2143)

Kerry's rebuttal basically said he is not proposing a government controlled healthcare plan. (2143)

10 Question - private SS accounts

The question asked about how to pay for SS if the transition is made to private savings accounts. Bush is avoiding the question a bit, like he is searching. Though he has not spoken about the cost, he is saying that the cost of doing nothing is more expensive. (2146)

Kerry says that private accounts would be a disaster. Now Kerry is being the repetative one.

11 Question - Greenspan's opinion on SS

Kerry says to pay for SS by raising taxes on the rich. Repeating the net loss of jobs factoid. (2150)

Bush's rebuttal goes back to Kerry's record, and his votes against the tax cut (which Kerry admits that Greenspan supports). He also brings up the recession before his administration and how his tax cuts have recovered the economy. (2151)

12 Question - Immigration (illegal)

Bush asnwers the question by bringing up the temp worker card. This is a hot button issue. Not a big one with conservatives. Bush says he does not support amnesty. (2153)

Kerry's rebuttal goes back to taxes again instead of immigration. Kerry claims the borders are more porous now than before 9/11. He says he will enforce existing laws. He also said he supports amnesty (in different words).

Kerry got a re-rebuttal which was ridiculous, saying we have biometrics...not realizing that the question was on illegal immigration. (2156)

13 Question - Minimum wage

Kerry wants to raise minimum wage but he claims that the Republicans made it impossible to even bring it up to a vote. He says he will raise it $7/hr. Kerry brings up the claim that has been widely myth-busted that women earn $.76 to the male dollar. (Statistics bears out that there are many ways to come to numbers like this but none are supportive if "unequal pay").

Bush's rebuttal goes back to education and doesn't address the minimum wage.

14 Question - Roe v Wade

Bush was asked directly if he will try to overturn R v W by appointments.

Kerry's rebuttal was equally vague. Kerry says 50% of black males in NYC are unemployed. He also claims that the President underunded "No Child Left Behind" (2202)

Kerry brings up the the tax cut for the rich thing again. (thats a drink)

15 Question - Draft/Military/"Back door draft"

Kerry claims once again that it is all Bush's fault. He says that the problem is a lack of judgement by Bush. Double the number of special forces, and increase by 2 divisions. Kerry says America is strongest when working with "real" alliances.

Bush's rebuttal is to win the war, and that is the best way to relieve the pressure. Bush brought up the global test line. Kerry comes back with not a global test but a "truth standard" in order to gain legitimacy in the world. BUSH voted against the use of force in Gulf War I (finally). (2208)

16 Question - Assualt weapons

Bush claims that there was a lack of bipartisan support for the bill.

Kerry's rebuttal is that he is a hunter and gun owner, and a former law officer (prosecutor). Interesting, Kerry says that terrorists can buy guns at shows. (2211)

17 Question - Afirmative action

Kerry says we have not moved far enough along. Bush has of course served as an obstacle to equality according to Kerry. Bush's rebuttal includes the claim that he did in fact meet with the black caucus, and that he also does not support quotas. Bush is walking on thin ice here by answering the question by saying he is helping low income families. He appears to not be answering the question and/or referring to minorities as poor. (2215)

18 Questions - Faith in policy decisions

Bush includes himself as protected as an American citizen, by reserving his right to pray and worship which he says provides calm. Bush claims his principal is based on his religion and belief, and that God wants everyone to be free. And that you can't separate the man from the faith.

Kerry's rebuttal includes a nice word about Bush. He is drifting now, talking about nothing really. He says there are the "haves" and the "have nots" and therefore there is more "loving" to do in the world. He is a pretty good debater. (2219)

19 Question - Post 9/11 Unity/Polarization

Kerry compliments Bush on his speech to the congress after 9/11, and then turns to blaim the partisanship of the US and the congress on Bush. Kerry pledges to have open government where he is going to restore unity and non/bi-partisanship.

20 Question - Women

Bush is funny, and he says the most important thing he learns from his strong women is to listen to them, to stand up straight and not scowl. Bush says Laura speaks better English than he does. Bush is a very personable guy, relating his story about how he met Laura.

Kerry tries to make a joke and only Bob the moderator is laughing. Kerry tries again with the jokes. This is a very interesting way to end the debate. The lasting impression people will get is that Bush is a real person and Kerry is somehow aloof or nerdy.

Closing statements (2227)





Bryan Taylor

Slight Obstacle

The official Core Values eParty "blogging laptop" has died. :(
Until it is fixed or replaced, posts may be a bit delayed. Thanks to all who have given me positive feedback on this blog offline. Now, time to add those nice comments to the site!

Bryan Taylor