US State Department to Remove the MEK From Terrorist List

US State Department to Remove the MEK From Terrorist List

Via IVN, this decision is arguably one of the dumbest foreign policy moves all year, and that's saying something. These folks are HATED by average Iranians as terrorists, was lock-step with Saddam Hussein for decades, likely took part in the crackdown on Shia Iraqis after the '91 Gulf War, and in their early years actively targeted Americans in the Shah's Iran. I'm not sure which is more disgusting, taking these "folks" off the terror-list or how well American politicians gladly took their money to lobby for them.

Absolutely idiotic, plain and simple.

Third Party Candidate Platforms Address Important Issues - IVN

Third Party Candidate Platforms Address Important Issues - IVN

What Obama isn't saying about Medicare - Jonathan Martin - POLITICO.com

What Obama isn't saying about Medicare - Jonathan Martin - POLITICO.com

10,000 Views and Counting...

First off, I have to thank all my readers for helping this funny little political blog reach an impressive milestone. Early today, my blog officially went over 10,000 views. In fact the month of September so far is headed to be one of the most successful in this blog's fairly short history. I can't thank you all enough for taking time out of your busy schedules to read my humble blog.

Secondly, for those who may be wondering why my blog has been shy of any in-depth and lengthy posts the last week or two. Honestly, I've been pretty busy with work and haven't quite had time for a major piece. I am however quietly working on a major piece in the coming weeks concerning the Presidential election. I will also try this weekend to post some smaller pieces on some of the bigger pieces of political news to help keep the momentum up.

Finally,  I am contemplating the idea of having others contribute to this blog in the near future. In other words, I am quietly starting the search for a co-author for this blog to make sure it stays active in the long term.

Again, thanks to all for helping push this blog to over 10,000 views..I honestly never imagined this little blog would be so successful and I can't thank my readers enough. Cheers!

PolitiFact Busts a Disgusting Batch of Election Year Lies..

Quite recently it seems the good folks at PolitiFact.com have had their work cut out for them. Specifically, they debunked not but one, but four "stories" being spread by a single PAC called the "Government is Not God PAC".

First off, I find the name of this PAC to be deeply humorous since the same people who accuse the President (and Liberals in general) of pushing an overly secular and hostile agenda towards Christians in America seemingly have NO problem pushing their religious beliefs down the throats of all Americans (such as banning abortion, unconstitutional school prayer, repeal DADT, etc). Of course to anyone with half a brain, there isn't any real difference between groups like this and the folks they claim they are against. When it comes to social issues and the federal government, EVERYBODY has an agenda whether it be religious or secular in nature. As such, trying to push either on the nation as a whole is equally "bad". It the same kind of incredible hypocrisy that allows many social conservatives to demand the government get out of our lives while simultaneously demanding the government get involved in social issues that are literally in our bedrooms. At least Libertarians have the decency to see one can't advocate one while denouncing the other.

But that's enough about worthless and hypocritical UBER-conservatives (as opposed to plain and decent conservatives who are generally good folk with sense). I'll the proper critiquing of these idiots to the folks at PolitiFact.

PAC's Newspaper ads Full of Crap- Politifact

Early Voting Puts Iowa Back in the Spotlight-RCP

Early Voting Puts Iowa Back in the Spotlight

Always glad to see my home state of Iowa in the news, especially come election season. Iowa is actually an interesting place to be come election time since the state is traditionally won by only a few percentage points and as such is a rather politically diverse place. You will find folks from pretty much every ideological background across the state. To some degree I do miss not being home right now, just so I can hear them all argue!

Half of Americans in Poverty Are Politically Independent- GALLUP

Half of Americans in Poverty Are Politically Independent

Admittedly this data is a little old but it's an interesting set of figures to take into account when re-listening to Mitt Romney's comments on the "47%". Long story short, he is KIND OF right, but as many have pointed out this group isn't nearly in Obama's camp as many hard-core conservatives would lead you to believe. Gallup once again helping us make sense of political BS with cold-hard facts. Kudos.

Poll: Local TV, newspapers still lead

Poll: Local TV, newspapers still lead

Proof that a good chunk of Americans are smart enough to TURN OFF the "noise" of cable news and get it from more reliable and (relatively) unbiased local TV/newspapers. Makes good sense too, who are you more likely to be trust: some grossly overpaid windbag on cable news who is just out for the ratings (not to name any names, Hannity), or the local editor of the newspaper or anchor of the local TV news who are normally just doing their jobs (aka JOURNALISM)?

Case closed.

Ryan: Conservative pundits always complain

Ryan: Conservative pundits always complain

For obvious reasons, I find this story rather funny.

The truth hurts fellas! 

Veterans jobs bill stalls in Senate - Stephanie Gaskell - POLITICO.com

Veterans jobs bill stalls in Senate - Stephanie Gaskell - POLITICO.com

This has to be one of the most disgusting pieces of political news I've read in a while now. You know our political system is screwed up when a jobs bill for VETERANS can't even make it out of the Senate because of a few Senators idiotic objections. In this case it's even worse because the reason for the Filibuster is Senator Rand Paul (son of Libertarian hero Ron Paul) is upset that the Pakistani doctor that played a role in our killing of Osama bin Laden in being held in Pakistan..

Listen, I too am upset that this informant seemingly got thrown under the bus and something should be done to secure his release, but I couldn't think of more disgusting way to do then to hold up a bill for the nations military veterans. There is just no excuse for this partisan crap when it comes to a subject that SHOULD be bipartisan.

Even more pathetic is Rand Paul's excuse that his filibuster only lasted "15 minutes" and was a for a good cause. I'm sorry, but IMHO there are few causes better than for our veterans and to hold up the vote on such a bill because you are pissy with the President over a foreign policy decision that has NOTHING to do with the aforementioned bill is beyond childish. The sad thing, this is hardly the first time such a thing has occurred and sadly it probably won't be the last but if Americans need any more evidence our political system is broken, I present you the junior Senator from Kentucky.

Rand Paul, you should be ashamed of yourself. 

Romney Receives Mass Media Scrutiny Over Viral Video - IVN

Romney Receives Mass Media Scrutiny Over Viral Video

The Independent Voters Network has posted a good and fairly straight forward piece on the "secret" Romney videos that hit the net a few days ago and caused such a political stir. Sadly, this story has clogged the news waves (shutting out any other interesting bits of political news). Regardless, I highly recommend this piece and the website to all my readers!

Media needs to a better job at covering third party candidates - Commentary - The Daily Campus - University of Connecticut

Media needs to a better job at covering third party candidates - Commentary - The Daily Campus - University of Connecticut

To mix things up a little bit, I wanted to post this piece about how "the media" largely ignores third-party candidates regardless of that particular media organization's ideological tilt. Give it a read and comment on what you think of third-parties in American politics, especially with the election coming up and how fed up so many folks seem to be with the entire system. Happy reading.

Mother Jones Secret Video: Romney Campaign Death-nail? - UPDATE!

Well, the last few days have certainly been interesting in the world of American politics; with today being especially chaotic. At the beginning of the day, much of the talk in the news was about two separate topics. First, that President Obama's administration seems a bit confused as to what exactly occurred last week in the Mideast. Second, that Mitt Romney was seemingly abandoning the topic of foreign policy (which is a shame, because while his foray into it was rubbish, the topic is highly important and is being ignored too much this year) and moving on with a new series of ads planned to refocus the election on the economy. Well, that all got a bit more complicated this evening. Why?

Because the magazine Mother Jones (admittedly a liberal paper but in this case it's worth a read) published a story and a series of clips from a private Romney fundraiser from earlier this year that at time depicts Romney as being a bit, let's say uncaring about President Obama's presumed supporters. (1)

Romney Doubles-Down on Foreign Policy Critique..and Falls Flat on his Face

As anyone with a television and a computer probably knows, the events in the Middle East the last few days have not only caused a good deal of foreign turmoil but also a bit of the domestic kind as well. Strangely, most of this political intrigue is not surrounding President Obama's handling of the situation (which spread today with protests again in Cairo and an attempted siege of our embassy in Yemen), but with the rather early reaction of his political adversary: Mitt Romney. 

Tragedy and Confusion surround Benghazi/Cairo Attacks

The news today has been filled with reports about the tragic events that occurred yesterday at the US Embassy in Cairo and a US Consulate building in Benghazi, Libya. There has been a great deal of confusion about yesterday's events and after a bit of independent research I have come up with some of the main points that I hope will help to clear that up a bit.

Observations on September 11th.

Normally on September 11th, I usually post several heart-felt quotes said about that tragic day and just leave it at that. But due to a few stories I saw on the news today, they made me wonder if perhaps I should break with that tradition this year.

Jon Stewart Slams FOX News For Coverage Of RNC And DNC

Jon Stewart Slams FOX News For Coverage Of RNC And DNC

Leave it to a comedian to best sum off how FauxNews covered the two Presidential conventions. The best line of the whole clip:

Fox News' possible new catchphrase: "Just Shut Up and Watch"...Which is exactly what they want you do when you turn on Fox News.