Can Palin Prove She's Smart? (Photo: AP)

Sorry its been so long since any posts have been added, but fortunately the idiot is back and this one was too good to pass up, so here we go again. That’s right, Sarah Palin, who has previously mocked President Barack Obama as “a charismatic guy with a teleprompter” was recently photographed with talking points written on the palm of her hand. Personally, I think I’d rather have a teleprompter.

While I’m not as thrilled with our current administration as I had hoped, I am still a firm believer that America made the right choice not voting McCain/Palin into office. Now, as Palin continues her efforts to promote the National Tea Party, I’m fearful again that the puppeteers may write enough smart words on her hand to scare America into believing Palin would be a good thing for the country.

If “Energy,” “Tax,” and “Lift Americans Spirits” are at the top of your list for what comes next, then it’s important to remember that “budget cuts” was also scrawled and crossed out on Palin’s hand. What does that tell us about what’s to come if Palin is given a chance to run for office – any office – in the years to come?

Ranter

Fortunately for all of us, it’s quite likely that Sarah Palin’s day-time television show will only be as long and successful as her time on the VP ticket. I’m just constantly amazed that this woman hasn’t faded into obscurity, but then I have to imagine it’s the same reason that freak-shows and carnival amusements succeed over time. She’s like a car wreck – you don’t want to watch, but you’re compelled to see the horror.

A special thanks to Robin Williams and David Letterman for making this “rant” possible.

Ranter

Kennedy was recently quoted as saying, “The bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion; that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I’ve taken as a public official.”  And, while it’s probably below the belt, I will continue to wonder how Tobin feels about his peers that are being convicted of raping children as part of their work with God.  Do they deserve forgiveness and communion?A little research on the internet confirms that Tobin, by Church Law, can ban Kennedy from receiving Communion with his Diocese, but he cannot stop Kennedy from receiving communion elsewhere.  Kennedy also has the right to appeal the decision all the way to the Vatican, but the church is very likely to overturn one of their own.  Even Bishops have to cover their asses.

Kennedy has been very public about his criticism of the Catholic Church or their idle threats to oppose any health care reform that doesn’t include strict restrictions on federally funded abortion.  He has also voted against the plan supported by the Bishop and for the plan they opposed.  The Bishop demanded an apology – Kennedy (admirably) refused, including this response:

“While I greatly respect the Catholic Church and its leaders, like many Rhode Islanders, the fact that I disagree with the hierarchy of the church on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.  I embrace my faith which acknowledges the existence of an imperfect humanity.”

Not to be left without the last word, Tobin responded with a biting public letter that was published in a diocesan newspaper.

“Sorry, you can’t chalk it up to an ‘imperfect humanity.’ Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your Communion with the Church.”

Somehow this seems like fighting words, and while I understand the power of the Catholic Church it would seem to me that with these changing times (and their continued transgressions) that the Church would grow to accept that not everyone shares their every opinion and that that’s okay.  Maybe when that happens, I’ll look at the church as something more than I do today.  Until then, I will be standing beside Kennedy supporting abortion and sacrificing for what I believe in.

~geek

After listening to people like Shanneen Barron, as she talked with CNN Affiliate KMGH-TV in Denver, I was forced to question what America has come to.  Barron was quoted as saying, about President Obama’s desire to speak to American school children, that “thinking about my kids in school having to listen to that [President Obama talking about education] just really upsets me. I’m an American. They are Americans, and I don’t feel that’s OK. I feel very scared to be in this country with our leadership right now.”

I’d be willing to bet that Barron considers herself a patriot, while parents like me sit back and wonder, even though I may not agree with what Obama is saying, doesn’t he deserve the right to address and share the ideas he believes will make this country better?  If you’re truly scared to be in this country I would encourage you to leave.  Maybe you’d be more comfortable in China or Korea?  Maybe your kids would value their education more if they had to worry about war and genocide while living in Darfur?  No, I suspect that there is a reason you will continue living in your comfortable home in comfortable America where you don’t really have to be afraid that one day you will lose the freedom that you value so much.

Frankly, the US, as a country, has lost many of the things that I value as an American, which includes our integrity, and Barron, I encourage you to sit down and examine what you value in this world and make sure that you’re willing to sacrifice the freedoms that we Americans hold so dear as you continue to press your conservative beliefs on your family while shutting out any ideas that don’t mirror your own.

When people like Barron and Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer start preaching their own conservative agendas I’m forced to ask, what happened to respect and personal dignity – if you don’t like what he’s saying, fine, help your children understand differently or put them in a private school that supports your ideals, but don’t use your 15 minutes on the soapbox as a way to disparage someone that is making an effort to improve a country that needs a lot of improving.  America’s education system is lacking and we’re losing our competitive edge at an alarming rate.  If that bothers you as much as it does me, take your 15 minutes and talk about ways to improve the system – not why you’re afraid.  Your fear, to me, makes you sound stupid, and this talk is about education.

Greer’s comments, especially coming from a party chairman, were so disrespectful that I’m forced to directly question his patriotism, too.  He said, “As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology.  The idea that schoolchildren across our nation will be forced to watch the president justify his plans … is not only infuriating but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power.”  (Didn’t the majority of Americans vote for President Obama and his beliefs?)

First, Mr. Greer, your children are not being forced to watch the President do or say anything – they’re being given the opportunity.  They have this opportunity because this is a free country.  You obviously know and value that freedom as it is the same freedom that allows you to voice your personal dissent without risk of punishment.  If you choose to shelter your children and share with them only your own conservative agenda, (because obviously Bush’s agenda was so successful) you have that right, but you’re not the President, and until you are I encourage you to present your own personal agenda on its merits and not by disparaging Obama.  If you have something better, start there, or run for president yourself and then you can say whatever the hell you want.  And, you know what, I’m an American, I will listen and be respectful, even if I don’t like it.

Finally, so that it’s not missed, the president of the National Parent Teacher Association (an organization that I normally don’t agree with), Charles Saylors, seems to agree with my view that “The president of the United States, regardless of political affiliation, should be able to have a presentation and have a pep talk, if you will, to America’s students.”

And with Saylors’ thought I will get off my own personal soapbox and ask only that every American consider what they value most in this country.  Because, frankly, it is those personal freedoms that make America unique and without them the choice of president and education would be lost completely.

Ranter

Will Rod Blagojevich receive his just due?

It has taken four months for the indictments to come down, and if any of them are true, and I suspect they all are, it’s not a day too soon.  That’s right, I’m talking about former Governor Rod Blagojevich who is now being charged with 16 felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy and lying to federal agents. The government is seeking forfeiture of $188,370 from Blagojevich and will try to take his Ravenswood Manor home in Chicago if needed.

And to think, this started with everyone thinking his pay-to-play effort to sell President Obama’s vacated seat on the US Senate.  Now it seems like that’s the least of his crimes, and considering his elected status, that’s pretty bad.  What bothers me most is that of all the groups that should self govern – politicians appear least willing to look at their own and ask the hard questions.  Rod Blagojevich should be publicly stoned by anyone that cast their vote, and those that stood with him, knowing of his crimes, should be right there with him.

Unfortunately, it appears that things like this are happening more and more frequently now, and it’s unconscionable to me that the American public just lets this happen.  Looking at Obama’s efforts to fill his cabinet should offer another example – how many politicians aren’t paying their taxes while the average, middle-class American struggles to pay their taxes, their mortgage, put food on the table, and keep their children educated.  It’s a tough time and unfortunately it’s not equally tough for all.

Of course, as is often the case, Rod’s statement claims innocence.

“I’m saddened and hurt, but I am not surprised by the indictment,” Rod Blagojevich said in a statement. “I am innocent. I now will fight in the courts to clear my name. I would ask the good people of Illinois to wait for the trial and afford me the presumption of innocence that they would give to all their friends and neighbors.”

But don’t all the guilty cry foul when arrested and indicted?

Ranter

Since losing the election, Sarah Palin has apparently be slammed on the interview circuit and much what they’re looking for is dirt.  With everything flying around about her daughter, her son’s birth, and what comes next it’s no wonder that she’s a bit overwhelmed.  The following quote, from Esquire’s upcoming magazine sums up her feelings for some of the people writing about her.

“Bored, anonymous, pathetic bloggers who lie annoy me….I’ll tell you, yesterday the Anchorage Daily News, they called again to ask — double-, triple-, quadruple-check — who is Trig’s real mom,” she said, in an interview to be published in Esquire’s March issue.  “And I said, Come on, are you kidding me? We’re gonna answer this? Do you not believe me or my doctor? And they said, No, it’s been quite cryptic the way that my son’s birth has been discussed. And I thought, Okay, more indication of continued problems in the world of journalism.”

What’s most enjoyable is that’s the nugget of “news” that she holds onto.  Someone questioned the paternity of one of her children and it got out of hand – but given all the other lies and deception that exist in politics is it really that far outside the realm of possibility that she wasn’t being truthful to protect her daughter?  Any doubt?  I have a bridge to nowhere you might be interested in buying.

The best part of the whole thing?  Now the Anchorage Daily News’ editor is coming out to say that the questions were solely to help correct some of the conspiracy theories surround Sarah Palin.  After talking with teh Governor’s office the newspaper left the story unpublished because of a lack of cooperation from the Palin family.  The editor goes on to say in the newspaper and in the paper’s own blog that:

“I don’t believe we have ever published in the newspaper a story, a letter, a column or anything alleging a coverup surrounding your maternity.  In fact, my integrity and the integrity of the newspaper have been repeatedly attacked in national forums for our complicity in the ‘coverup.”

Later, he added: “…So I don’t understand the behavior of the governor’s press office. Did the governor not share my email with the press staff? Did the press staff deliberately ignore what I said in order to have a longer list of press ‘outrages’? Or are they just sloppy with details? I don’t know.”

Sarah Palin’s 15 minutes are up – lets move on already.  This woman has shown over and over again that she was an unsuitable candidate for any national office and incapable of forming a cohesive and articulate thought.

Ranter

P.S.  Sarah Palin – if my anonymity here bothers you, shoot me an email and I’ll share them with you face to face.  ranter@uncesnoredrants.com.

The good news, though, is that it gets better.  I’m actually quite surprised that we haven’t seen this family on Jerry Springer, but perhaps that will be next.  If you believe the RNC she’ll be running for office again at some point in the future…

So anyway, in case you were fortunate enough to miss the brief, Bristol Palin’s baby-daddy is “former high school hockey player” Levi Johnston, also 18.  His mother, Sherry, was recently arrested on multiple felony drug counts after she sent a pair of text messages to police informants discussing drug transactions.  Meanwhile, back in Wasilla, Bristol continues studying for her GED while her baby-daddy works as an apprentice electrician.  Of course, governor Sarah Palin’s office declines to comment on anything (probably for fear that it will end up on YouTube), which will simply leave us to speculate.

Can you imagine how great the white-house dinners could have been with the whole cabinet and family around.  Sarah could introduce her husband the snow bunny, her GED seeking, unmarried, welfare bound, daughter, her grand-daughter, her daughter’s baby-daddy the apprentice electrician, and perhaps even a Fathead representation of Grandma Sherry who’s presently incarcerated on drug charges.  Almost makes me think Bush wasn’t so bad.

Finally, for those of you wondering, there is no grounds for a claim of statutory rape in Alaska, because their laws are different (of course).  First, the age of consent in Alaska is 16.  Secondly, the way the Alaska laws read, statutory rape only applies to consensual sex with a minor under the age of 16 when more their ages differ by more than three years.  In other words, 20 year old man who has sex with a 15 year old girl, in Alaska, is guilty of statutory rape. A 17 year old male who has consensual sex with a 15 year old girl is not guilty of statutory rape, under Alaska law.  So much for abstinence.

Ranter

First a little history, the phrase “perfect storm” originated with the 1997 book The Perfect Storm, and was cemented into most minds by the 2000 movie of the same title which starred George Clooney.  The phrase the perfect storm refers to the simultaneous occurence of events which, taken individually, would be far less powerful than the resulting combination of events.  Such occurrences are rare by their very nature, and any slight change in any one event would potentially lessen its overall impact.

Not surprisingly with all the turmoil in nature and financial markets recently, the phrase was awarded the top price by Lake Superior State University in their 2007 list of words that deserve to be banned for overuse.

Unfortunately, there is no better description today for what is going on in the economy and why it has become such a worldwide problem.  Headlines from today’s news and web sites show the obvious problems:

CNNMoney.com – “Big Three Plead for $34 billion from Congress.”
Wall Street Journal -  “Bernanke Urges Actions on Foreclosures.”
MarketWatch.com -  “Thirty Thousand Are Being “Right Sized” Right Out of Jobs.”

These are serious, and unless someone takes the reigns and owns up to the solving the underlying issues it’s not going to get better any time soon.  Some of you are probably wondering what that means, and that’s where my rant begins.  Everything I hear about lately involves handouts, buying worthless paper, and taking a loan that may or may not be enough and may or may not be repaid.  Not one article talks about putting people to work, improving our infrastructure, or investing these billions that we’re using in the bailout to build a better America.

We’ve lost our touch – America used to be an economic powerhouse.  Much of this was attributable to our military, but it also included our banking, manufacturing, technical, and pharmaceutical strengths.  Today we’re outsourcing, learning from other countries, and gambling on the future with derivatives and other crazy financial tools.  Major Wall Street firms are failing because they forgot the core tenants of business, including, don’t spend what you don’t have and don’t buy into anything that you don’t understand.  Many of these stoic organizations were quite literally gambling with your savings.  Through it all, the “rescue” starts with the people responsible for creating the catalyst for the downfall of the financial markets and bankrupting the average American.  They should be shunned and publicly humiliated for what they’ve done, and instead their cronies in Congress start by bailing them out and covering their losses.  These banks and investors are being rewarded for their own failures as the government not only offers financial salvation but creates a term for their spoils, toxic assets, so they can con scare Americans into believing that they’ve done the right thing.

The solution isn’t in these bailouts, and while there clearly haven’t been problems like this before, history tells us what might work to resolve this problem.  Instead of trying to buy banks out of this problem by covering their past losses, the government needs to put a “New Deal 2009″ program into place that takes from Roosevelt’s plan and initiates programs that will people people back to work, reform business and financial practices, and improve the American infrastructure.  Stop pork-barrel spending, wasteful government programs, and funding foreign countries and their wars.  Start helping states, promoting equality in foreign trade, raising money through duties and import taxes, and improve legislation to prevent financial companies from gambling with their assets and investor’s monies.

Frankly, I don’t think Bernanke (and obviously not Bush) are the people to drive this forward, and I am only somewhat hopeful that Obama will quickly get a solution in place, but I have to believe that something will read history and come up with some ideas that have worked.  It obviously can’t start with UncensoredRants.com, but my opinions can’t be alone here, either.  The average American has to use their voice and hold the torch for what they believe in.  Mine is lit – is yours?

Ranter

Not to mention, the only reason that Hillary would accept any position offered by Obama is to advance her own political career.  She’s already showed with her wavering suppot of Obama after the primaries that she believes she should be the president.  What makes anyone think that she feels any differently now or that she would put the office, the party and the President before her own personal agenda?  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Hillary Clinton is in it for herself and she has an agenda – her agenda is to help herself.  It’s that simple.

Ranter

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-kjM1asH-8

What’s really hillarious to me is how ignorant she really is.  The media is playing her while the crackpot behind her is playing with my turkey dinner before stuffing it into some weird contraption.  All the while she’s rambling on about business, how the campaign trail was, and what she’s going to do for Alaska.  Heck, the only reason I like seeing Sarah Palin in the news is that I know Saturday Night Live is going to feature Tina Fey re-enacting the stupidity with an audiance laughing all the way.  Do you think John McCain is watching this thinking to himself… “thank God, it’s over.”

Ranter