Could Bob Barr’s Run as Libertarian Doom McCain?
Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr is seen as the Libertarian Party’s most likely presidential candidate — and he could wind up torpedoing John McCain’s White House hopes.
“Given the recent fundraising prowess of a kindred spirit — Ron Paul's campaign for the Republican nomination siphoned up $35 million, mostly off the Internet — libertarians are feeling their oats,” political analyst George F. Will writes in Newsweek.
“Come November, Barr conceivably could be to John McCain what Ralph Nader was to Al Gore in 2000 — ruinous.”
Nader was a weak third-party candidate and won only 2,882,955 popular votes nationwide, but 97,488 of them were in Florida — where, because of Nader, George W. Bush won by 537 votes, Will notes.
Shane Cory, the Libertarian Party's executive director, “thinks his party is upwardly mobile,” Will writes.
“In 2004, its presidential candidate received just 397,265 votes, a mere .32 percent of the national popular vote…
“But in no state was the Libertarian vote larger than the winning candidate's margin of victory. This year, however, Cory thinks the party can far surpass its best national performance — 921,299 votes in 1980.”
Cory and Barr say the party almost certainly will be on the ballot in at least 48 states.
Republican consultant Craig Shirley recently wrote: “This Libertarian thing may be bigger than anyone is foreseeing right now.”
Barr left the GOP in 2006 over what he called bloated spending and civil liberties intrusions by the Bush administration.
A former U.S. attorney in Atlanta, Barr served eight years as a Republican congressman from Georgia before losing his seat in 2002 after a redistricting.
A Barr run for the White House would be handicapped by “John McCain's handiwork,” Will added.
“One wealthy libertarian would give $1 million if the McCain-Feingold law regulating political participation did not ban contributions of more than $28,500 to national parties.
But Will concludes: “If libertarian voters cost McCain the presidency, that will be condign punishment.”

FOR CONTEMPLATION ON OBAMA

The Obama Tidal Wave
We are witnessing a political phenomenon with Barack Obama of rare magnitude. His speeches have inspired millions and yet most of his followers have no idea of what he stands for except
platitudes of 'Change' or that he says he will be a "Uniter". The power of speech from a charismatic person truly can be a powerful thing. Certainly Billy Graham had charisma and both his manner of speech and particularly the content changed millions. On the extreme other hand, the charisma of Adolph Hitler inspired millions and the results were catastrophic.

Barack Obama certainly is no Hitler or a Billy Graham, but for many Americans out there feeling just like a surfer who might be ecstatic and euphoric while riding a tidal wave, the real story is what happens when it hits shore.

Just Some of What Defines Barack Obama:


He voted against banning partial birth abortion.
He voted no on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.
Supports affirmative action in Colleges and Government.
In 2001 he questioned harsh penalties for drug dealing.
Says he will deal with street level drug dealing as a minimum wage affair.
Admitted marijuana and cocaine use in high school and in college.


His religious convictions are very murky.

He is willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Kim Jung Il andMahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Has said that one of his first goals after being elected would be to have a conference with all Muslim nations.

Opposed the Patriot Act.

First bill he signed that was passed was campaign finance reform.

Voted No on prohibiting law suits against gun manufacturers.

Supports universal health-care.

Voted yes on providing habeas corpus forGuantanamodetainees.

Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Supports extending welfare to illegal immigrants.

Voted yes on comprehensive immigration reform.

Voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security.

Wants to make the minimum wage a 'living wage'.

Voted with Democratic Party 96 percent of 251 votes.

Is a big believer in the separation of church and state.

Opposed to any efforts to Privatize Social Security and instead supports increasing the amount of tax paid.

He voted No on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax

He voted No on repealing the 'Death' Tax

He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax.

Has repeatedly said the surge in Iraq has not succeeded.

He is ranked as the most liberal Senator in the Senate today and that takes some doing.

He would take the troops out of Iraq almost immediately (and then put them back because Al Queda will come in).

He is a one-trick pony. The answer to every question is that he made the right decision on entering into the Iraq war.

He would bomb Pakistan and send the troops in.

He insists that Mexico should adopt our labor and environmental laws or he will abrogate the NAFTA treaty.

If your political choices are consistent with Barack Obama's and you think that his positions will bring America together or make it a better place, then you will probably enjoy the ride.

If you are like most Americans that after examining what he stands for, are truly not in line with his record, it would be prudent to get off the wave or better yet, never get on, before it comes on shore and undermines the very foundations of this great Country. We have limited time to save America or the Supreme Court as we know it. Inaction is action.

I PUBLISH THIS TO GET YOU TO THINK, ASK QUESTIONS, GET ANSWERS, AND THEN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.

I PERSONALLY THINK THAT HE IS NOT READY TO LEAD THIS NATION AT THIS TIME, HE IS TOO INEXPERIENCED, AND DOES NOT HAVE THE NECCESSARY FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BUILD A PRESIDENCY. THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY IS AT STAKE.

Meanderings

PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN OHIO: Have to go vote in a while, not sure what to do this year. There are some local issues, a friend running for Judge, some other local offices. Hill, Hussein, McCain. Socialism or a 100 year war, what a cherce........... naturally it is raining in Ohio, supposedly this helps the Democrats, but Rush and others want everyone to jump party lines and vote for Hill, Hussein's workers are playing dirty in OH, handing out literature toooooo close to the door, and then somehow, no trash cans inside, so the literature is laying all over the voting area, clever. WHAT TO DO?

I remember back 20 years ago, a good friend of mine, a black, was running for a local council seat, and he asked me to go to one of his meetings with his supporters. I had done some campaigns, and been involved in politics, and he just wanted me to sit in and see what all was going on.

During the course of the discussion, they decided he needed a brochure, or a mailer of somekind. They discussed size, information to be added, background, associations, experience, all the normal stuff, BUT, let's not print his foto ............. I excused myself and got up and left the building.

In my days in Nevada, in the 50's, blacks were not allowed in the casinos. In 1952, my first demerits at The Citadel came for calling a black woman who worked in the dining room, "mam" .......... I was to use the "N" worrd, which I did not use in the past, never had, and never did in the future.

I must admit I try very hard, when I see anyone, in person or on TV to not see a race, just a person. In Barack's case, I am more concerned about a "takeover from within" ........... that is in one of their teachings, somewhere.

I am too far past the worry stage to get emotionally involved, as long as our checks come from SS each month, and Medicare works, I'm OK.

I still remember FDR and Wilkie, but a lot of other names have slipped by the wayside, time marches on, and hopefully, so will we.

I need cardio rehab, walking, it is cold, icy and snowy, I can't start my rehab at the local hospital till March. Well, I could, for $150 a week, too pricey. So, we changed out insurance, and they will do a copay of half that, but we have to wait till March.

Rehab is not easy, they told me to walk, walk, walk.

POLITICS I think it is going to end up like we all thought it would anyway, old Hill and the war vet. We thought that months ago, but now, after billions are spent on ads and campaigns, it is narrowed down to old Hill and the war vet. I don't think Obama can pull an upset, the Clinton machine is too powerfull, and will overcome his charisma. I'm not sure if charisma should get you elected anyway, not if you don't have much else to go with it. Can you imagine the runaway it would be if old Hill had HIS charisma?

"It's MY money and I want it NOW! Where is the money the gov is going to send us. I wish I had a machine like they had, just print more. Like having a bunch of credit cards with NO LIMIT

Seems like everyone is going to lose their job, their home and car, and here I sit, waiting for my SS check. I hope they never run out.

OHIO, my state, is thinking, "If we put in poker machines, our worries are over."

WHEN did GAMBLING ever solve problems? Gambling CREATES problems. Let's see how that works.

Everyone is on welfare or SS, so the state gets a lot of that back on the poker machines, supposedly to pay off debt. What happens when the welfare and SS run out, more machines. It really is crazy when you think about it, taking MORE of peoples money to pay off debt and make up deficits, and some say CUT TAXES.

TROUBLE, right here in River City, and that starts with T .....taxes nuff said..

A different way to spend the holidays

It has been a while since my last post, 12/14 had a triple by-pass, still getting over that. It is an extremely invasive surgery and takes quite a while to get over. There are a lot of little subtle things that you go through.

I guess I was literally "dead" in many respects during the surgery, and as a result, I think a lot of things happen, emotionally. So many thoughts and emotions are amplified, and sleeping has becdome a problem for me. I sit up most of the night and watch TV, I miss the Australian Open, saw most matches twice.

But, even though they let me spend 5 hours in the emergency room while they were trying to determine what was wrong with me, one test came back indicating I was having a heart attack, and then they got to work.

So, I am still here, and sorry for the lack of communication to all my regulars.

Later ..

Willy Number TWO

Think about this.

Do you think that BILL really wants to see Hil in the White House. He used to be the boss there, the man in the family, the head of the household. How would he feel now, seems like we saw a TV show on that not long ago, it was difficult enough being the husband of the woman President, just think how degrading it would be to Bill and his ego. I have a hunch he is pulling for her to lose the whole thing, maybe then they could split up, and Bill could get back to what he does best, chase women.

If Hil was the boss, poor old Bill could not get away with anything, he would be watched like a hawk. I just honestl fell that they do not get along well. I think they are only together for POLITICAL REASONS, she wants to stay in office, or move up, and Willy likes all those speaking engagements, and being out on his own. OH, if only the real truth were known.

He man even make an appearance in South Carolina with Oprah, he's a Democrat, Barack is a Democrat, Oprah sure as hell must be one, unity in the party, and maybe Willy really wants Barack Hussein Obama to win, just makes you wonder, doesn't it.

I don't believe it, Romney

I HAVE TO GET MY TWO CENTS IN ON THIS SUBJECT. I heard ROMNEY make his statement about how his religion and the Mormons would not control him in any way. Things have changed then, since I was around them, married to one, related to one, used to deal craps to them when I lived in Elko, Nevada, and they would throng across the border from Utah, gamble and visit the "houses" in Elko. It was even rumored that some high ranking Mormons owned one of them, or had an "interest" in one.

I am not sure what the definition of a CULT is, or what all it takes to be considered one, but, I have always felt, since getting to know more about the church, that IT IS A CULT. Brainwashing, obedience are all part of their program, and there are a lot of Mormons around the world, both living and dead. (Well, they believe that all of those who have gone before, and who DID NOT hear THEIR WORD, well, they can make it too). So, there are both living and dead MORMONS.

The church DOES try to rule your life, if a member. And they control, to a point where they take a big shot of your money, while alive, and want the rest when you go.

I honestly don't think Romney is that naive, or, he is a JACK MORMON.

The church does have power, but thank God, they didn't vote that stupid DUTTON FAMILY in on that TV show, but it does show the power of the church. I don't think they should have been on the show in the first place, but, one of the judges, oh yeh, the network, the church has a lot of money invested there, and no one realized they had been PROS for so many years, and they were getting a helping hand --- to make that million dollars.

A show for amateurs, those who need a helping hand. Well, the Duttons have their own theatre, own a motel, and probably a lot of other stuff, you have an aging Mom and Dad who have dragged their kids all over the country, from church to church, and they have made a fortune, just being good Mormons. A big portion of their money went to keeping Mom looking good, and that took a lot.

Anyway, I, for one, will never vote for a Mormon, at least his Dad made a lot of money selling cars to the church, a lot of those missionaries traded their bikes for cars then ------

Old Age is Hell .....

I struck out twice last night. My wife Marilyn and I at dinner at a local family restaurant, TJ's.

While eating, an older gentleman walked by the table, gave me one of those "knowing" looks and walked on. "OH, WHO WAS IT?" .... I think it was Bill Colville, who I have not seen in probably 30 years. When he retired, he became a park ranger or something, somewhere, but this had to be him.

I asked my wife to check him out, she was sure it was him.

So, I got up and walked to the front, tapped him on the arm, and with a smile on my face of, recognition, "Aren't you Bill Colville?"

"No, I'm not from around here."

Strike out ONE.

Then, when we were about done eating, I looked over at a couple who was finishing up also, and it had to be old Dick Odor. Aged some, but it had to be him.

As they walked by, I extended my hand, he shook it, told me that his memory was not so good, so I told him, "I'm Joe Dooley, I used to work part time for you when you were at the clothing store."

Well, his wife told us that this was not Dick Odor, gave us some other name. We talked with them for about fifteen minutes, had a lot of mutual friends and acquaintenances, but this was not Dick.

He looked like Dick and talked like Dick, the other guy looked and talked like Bill Colville.

So, I got to wondering if all these folks were having .... well you know, some of those senior moments .... and forgot who they were, or didn't remember. If you look like Dick Odor and talk like Dick Odor, you must be Dick Odor, but this guy and his wife did not know that.

OR

I could not have been wrong on both counts, I don't think, well, maybe ......

We have one friend, who has Alzheimers, now living with his ex-wife, who also has it, and I guess they have forgotten all of the past .... worked out well for them ....

Old age is hell ....

Almost December

Christmas is creeping up on us, a month away, but starting to see some Christmas Sales already. What a wonderfull time of the year for retailers and jewelers and others. I wish I had been keeping count, but I think, on an average, we see 37 commercials a day, for jewelers, DIAMONDS, DIAMOND RINGS, DIAMOND NECKLACES, DIAMONDS, DIAMONDS.

A guilt trip is layed on the man who DOES NOT purchase diamonds for his wife. The commercial shows, well, a lot of them are men giving diamonds to their wives, in the morning, while they are in bed .... and if you notice .... there is a pause, then a blank, on what happens AFTER she gets the diamonds. Advertising EXTORTION. IF YOU want to have a .... nice ...... Christmas, give her diamonds. When, where and why, did diamonds become the ultimate christmas gift. And, Christmas is for KIDS, but we never see Dad giving diamonds to his kids, just his wife.

Many years ago, the office of a retailer, all the salesmen are there, looking depressed, probably in August, hot, overhead fan humming ....

"People, people, listen to me, sales are down, we're stuck with a bunch of summer stuff that didn't sell, and never will .. any ideas we can drop in the well......"

"Chief, hay prices are up, it's taking more money to keep the horses going, so the milk guy has to spend more, the iceman, the bread guy, it just goes on and on. Hell, my lunch today cost over 45 cents, no one has any money to spend on things."

"Look people, if we don't do a good November and December, we are in trouble, BIG TROUBLE. Harry, you marketing guys, any ideas?"

"Well, a couple of weeks ago we hired that guy that used to me a minister, and well, we were talking at lunch about Christmas coming up, and he's a bit of a nut, goes in to the whole story thing, the guy, his wife, no room at the inn, the whole thing ..... but I remember he was talking about them three smart guys that brought GIFTS for the baby, on December 25th. Well, Charlie in shipping and old Cory in maintenance, well we was talkin at bowling, about the gift thing, and well, I just wondered if we culdn't start spreading that thought .... give gifts, in December, at Christmas, well, not to the kid, but to each other, make it a BIG selling thing. Hell, start right after Thanksgiving, everyone is full and happy, get 'em out shopping, drill that advertising into them .... gifts, gifts, presents, presents, more, more ... and then after Christmas, BIG SALES to get rid of everything ... and then start all over .... might work, huh?"

"Harry, let's drop that in the well and listen to it splash .... I think you got something there, I can see big parades and the guy in the red suit comin to town .... get the kids to not shut up till they let 'em know what they want ...... I like this .... Harry ..... may have hit on something."

It started earlier, but this put it over the top. Old Harry, in Marketing, who'd of thought it!

I WONDER WHY

Columbus, Ohio .... after the football game last Saturday .... fires, riots, damage ... the media wonders WHY it is happening ... well, it is simple.

THE SCHOOL, THE MEDIA, THE COACH, THE TEAM, THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM, THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR are all guilty of promoting the HYPE of the football team. With the frenzy they are trying to create, last week was minor, I think, to what they are going to see.

They have been hyping since the end of last season, and when they got ranked number one in the pre season, all we see on tv is football, how great the team is. I noticed in WalMart last weekend, almost everyone was wearing the colors.

With the schedule they have, they could go undefeated, and perhaps, the championship. If it happens, I predict some serious problems for Columbus.

The school has whipped the fans in to a frenzy, and now they wonder where to lay the blame.

THEY market the football program, they fan the frenzy ... THEY are to blame ... no brainer, they should just shut up. They will single out a few and prosecute them, but OSU is to blame.
They are seeming the results of their MARKETING .... they are making MILLIONS on the marketing .... they should SHUT UP, try to back the hype. IT IS JUST A FOOTBALL GAME.