Will someone pass the coffee?

Welcome! The subject is domestic policy.

1. Americans are not innocent victims, Grandpa Turtle. The banks and Wall Street were not the only greedy entities in America in the last few years. Many, many Americans bought homes far outside of their means. This is no more ok than banks over leveraging. It's just that 'losing your home' sounds more sympathetic than 'losing your bank'.

2. Obama indicates that the fundamentals of the economy are weak. I believe he is exactly correct about this. I just wish he would say it differently; say it in a way that not only connects with the average American but also does not sugar coat the situation: America no longer produces anything. Just say that, Mr Obama.

3. GT can't understand why we would want to increase anyone's taxes in America right now. ANYONE'S taxes....inluding Warren Buffett's taxes. GT tries to make endearing giggle...it just comes off as creepy. And you know what? With Obama speaking seriously and obviously speaking over GT's 'endearing' giggle, GT's giggle just comes off creepy and fake.

Question 2: Both proposals would increase the deficit by 200billion. What are you going to cut back on?

4. Obama indicates that the rescue package will eventually come back to the American taxpayer. This is a great point that most people aren't making and don't seem to understand. He's also pointing out that for every dollar he's proposing to spend, he intends to cut a dollar somewhere else. If I recall correctly, Clinton did this with military spending...and even though he streamlined and strengthened our military, he has been painted by the Republicans as a President who cut military spending. Sad. Anyway, back to Obama. He's pointing out that all of his proposed programs are meant to make money and strengthen the economy in the future. If this country - as individuals and as a whole - doesn't start saving/spending for the future instead of for immediate gratification, we'll never get out of this mess.

5. McCain says we have to stop sending $700billion a year to countries who don't like us very much. HELLO?????? UM...WE'RE SENDING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS A MONTH TO IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. AND YOU WANT US TO STAY THERE. Also, GT is trying to embrace the hatchet. *sigh* I wish it was a literal hatchet and not a metaphorical one.

6. PROJECTOR FOR A PLANETARIUM. This is getting so repetitive.

7. Obama points out that GT is no more a maverick than any other Grandpa. Jeesus, even Hugh Hefner does the same thing day in and day out. You're old. stop pretending you will implement change. No one believes it.

8. GT's eyebrows are creeping me out.

9. I am sick of GT saying he's going to stop all spending. Does he not understand that the reason we're having trouble right now is that no bank will spend the money on another? That that is the reason that GM will be going bankrupt very soon? That because no one is giving loans, you and I can't buy a car right now? It's like someone put a few ideas in his wrinkly little jowls, wound him up, and set him loose. I seriously don't think he's capable of thinking for himself.

10. Obama points out that Fox News backs him up. GT's pace maker skips a beat.

Question 3: You promised not to bite at each other's ankles during this campaign. What gives? Are you willing to kick sand in each others' eyes right here? 'Cause that would make GREAT television and our ratings are down.
11. GT makes sad face about all the negativity. He gets weepy because an American hero likened McPalin's campaign to the segregationist (John Lewis)...and he wants an apology. Also, he's pissed because Obama's spent more money than he has and he didn't take public financing.

12. Obama points out that 2/3 of Americans think that McPalin's campaign is negative and that 100% of McPalin's ads are negative. Then he points out that only babies sling mud and then ask for apologies when others get mud on their sweater. Their beige old man sweater with wooden buttons.

13. Did you guys just see GT's face....I think he filled his Depends.

14. GT points out that Obama's ads attack McPalin's policies. Um...sorry, but that's better than attacking with baseless accusations about a domestic terrorist's activities when Obama was EIGHT. Then he asks for an apology again.

15. Obama points out that sure, he'll give an apology...as soon as GT stops his supporters from shouting that Obama is a terrorist and should be beheaded. Because Lewis was only pointing out that this was very mch like campaigns during the Civil Rights. And Lewis immediately apologized.

16. GT says he's proud of the people that called Obama a terrorist and shouted that he should be beheaded. Then he called them patriotic. Then he said that he shouldn't have to apologize for every nutjob....isn't that a double standard against what he's asking Obama? Why should GT ask for an apology for what Lewis said if he's not going to admonish his supporters for threatening to kill Obama?

17. Obama points out what I alluded to earlier....that they should be attacking each other's POLICIES not each other.

18. GT brings up ACORN. Intersting that the Republicans are all of a sudden interested in voter fraud. What about voting machines?

19. Obama addresses Ayers. Points out he condemned Ayers' domestic terror activities and goes through a timeline of their acquaintanceship and others associated with Ayers. Good tactic. FTW! Regarding ACORN, he points out that he and the Justice Department worked with ACORN to make sure voters can get registered to vote. He then gives a list of his future advisors - good tactic. Then he points out that if this is the only thing that McPalin can attack him on, they're on shaky ground.

20. GT backpedals. Poorly. JEESUS...He's starting to sound like Palin. "He paid them moneys. Then he launched his campaign from a TERRORIST living room. Then, I want to lower your taxes. I promise to cut taxes. Obama's going to take your money. BOOGEDY BOOGEDY BOO!"

Question 4; Why would the country be better off if your running mate became President instead of his?
21. Obama: Biden has excellent foreign policy credentials. He comes from a blue collar background. He's always been on the side of the American people.

22. GT: Palin is on the side of women. If you like your women barefoot, wearing a burka in the kitchen. 'Cause I know I do! Plus, she's a reformer! Look at how she repealed years of knowledge by claiming that Jezus rode the T-Rex to school as a youngster! That babies don't get borned unless you're married! That the only way to fix this energy crisis thingy is to deplete our environment!

23. Obama points out that an across the board spending freeze will not allow further research into Autism. And that GT is a jackass.

24. Is that the onset of Parkinson's? GT is really shaky. GT seems to think that you can have your cake and not pay for it....isn't that communism?

Question 5: Can we reduce our dependency on foreign oil?
25. GT likes Canadian oil. After all, they're the 52nd state (after Iraq), right? He pushes nuclear power again. Then he spews out random words, hoping that some of them indicate he knows that this is the 21st century.

26. Obama thinks that in 10 years, we can be free of Middle Eastern and Venezuelan oil. This is all very anti-globalization. He wants to expand domestic production and wants to implement off-shore drilling?? Then he says we can't drill our way into a solution....so....um..... Moving on. He wants to put more money into new energy sources. And he wants freeer free trade.

27. GT looks EXTREMELY gassy. I don't think the Ensure is ageeing with him.

28. This attempt to compare Palin to other politicians is laughable. Pointing out that Obama hasn't been south of the border? Is that to show that it's ok that Palin has never left Alaska? Come one, Rebuplicans, you can do better than this. You're being pathetic.

29. Obama points out that he didn't have to win a beauty pageant to go to college...he did it with his brain-i-ness.

30. GT impotently points out that Obama wants to get all talky with our enemies. Obama can no longer hide his gleeful giggle that in a month, he's going to win the election. PWN!

Question 6: Would you favor controlling health care costs over expanding coverage?
31. Obama claims his plan does both - controls and expands.

SIDE NOTE: Hi Weesa!!! I adore your new hair cut! So chic!!!

31 cont'd. Yeah, Obama just proves he's intelligent. Hope that doesn't hurt him.

32. GT's jowls are also creeping me out. Also, sometimes, he just quickly lists stuff. He must think that he sounds like he is stating the obvious and being reassuring....sadly, it just sounds like he's dismissing it so he can get back to bashing Obama.... How can I trust that he won't dismiss this stuff that's so important to me once he gets in office?

33. Obama waves to Joe the Plumber. Then he points out that once again, even with all his note taking (must suck to have the Alzheimers...didn't we have a President with that once? Didn't work out so well), GT still isn't listening to what he's saying. I wonder if Obama thinks that if GT would actually listen to him once in a while, he might find out that they agree on most things. I bet he does.

34. Obama points out that McPalin's health care plan RAISES TAXES. TADA!

Question 7: Roe v. Wade: Could you nominate someone to the SC who opposes your view?
35. GT: I think it was a bad decision. I think it should be up to the state. But I don't believe in applying a litmus test to decide a nominee. This is a very important issue. We should judge (funny pun) on their qualifications. (does this mean that if he thinks anyone who likes abortion isn't qualified that he has been nonjudgmental?)

36. Obama: Agreed that we should use a litmus test. But I believe Roe v Wade was rightly decided. I believe that women should be allowed to make this decision and that this falls under the Constitution's Right to Privacy (way to know your Con Law, BO!). I hope to nominate someone who understands what real people are going through.

Obama and logic for the win!

37. Obama points out that he voted present for the late-term abortion ban b/c it didn't contain an exception for the health of the mother. pwn. yes.

38. Is GT breathing heavily into his mic a lot or is it just me?

39. Grandpa Turtle dares to imply that women who get abortions are cowards. Do I even need to make a comment on this?

Question 8: The US spends more per capita than any other country on education...yet we lack behind every country. What do you intend to do about it?
40. Obama points out that education is one of the things that GT wants to cut with his across the board cutting of spending. And that education is one of the few things that we shouldn't cut because an uneducated populace will go a long way to undermining our economy. Also points out that parents need to take an active role in their children's education --- I hadn't heard this part of his policy. I would like to hear more on this. Too bad it's the last debate.

41. GT doesn't want American parents to only have crap public schools to send their kids to. I admit that I don't know much about the charter school debate, so I'll just give a rundown of GT's policy....I think he may have just suggested that our youngsters join the military to get their education.

42. Moderator asks if the fed should have more of a role in public schools. Obama suggests that historically local gov't funds public schools. Then makes funny joke that Bush's No Child Left Behind left the money behind, leaving local gov't to pay for federally mandated programs. Good point. Then indicates that he's for the charter schools and getting rid of bad teachers. But he doesn't agree that vouchers are the way to go. Points out ONCE AGAIN that GT's proposals will COST MONEY but that GT wants to have these things implemented without money being spent.

43. McCain thinks we can continue or expand education programs without spending more money. Apparently, transparency is free. GT goes off on rant about Kids Children Precious Children Autism Palin Sarah Palin knows kids with Autism. Doooood.....he's starting to sound like his running mate.

44. Vouchers. Charters. Vouchers. Charters. LOVER'S SPAT!!!

45. Obama points out that paying for vouchers in one state will spend all the money and leave all other states in the lurch. Delicious.

Final Statements:
Grandpa Turtle: Amerrrrca needs a new direction. I take on my party. All of them. Every day. I take them on. We have to stop the spending. I promise to reform and fix, without spending any money. At all. You can totally trust me. Because I am an American hero. Dammit.

Obama: The biggest risk we could take right now is to allow McPalin to continue Bush's policies. I bring change. That way you can take the bus. That's why I want to invest in the AmERican people (stupid GT). But it's not going to be an overnight fix. You people have to learn to invest in the future.

Bob Shefer: Go vote, now. It will make you feel big and strong.

Recap:
McCain came off creepy. And disingenuous. He continued to bring up points that have already been disputed by both liberals and conservatives. Why would he continue to bring up 'points' that have already been disproven?
McCain was very attacky (shut up, I've been drinking) and Obama responded calmly and logically. I appreciate that very much.

Public TV points out that they didn't cover any new ground. I agree. Very irritating.

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Well?? What'd you think?
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Final thought? This sums up everything. Thank you, R&R, for your eloquence. Click Here to Read More..

This was written by Barry Franklin. He generously agreed to let me post it for all the sharing. Enjoy!

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You all probably know how to talk like Captain Kirk: Pronounce each word of a sentence as if it were a complete sentence, and overemphasize the absolutely wrong word in the sentence, e.g. "we. come. IN! peace."

Sarah is just as easy....try it! Start by picking the wrong definition of one of the words you hear, and turn into Alaska's favorite verb, Mush. Here are some practice lessons.....

Q: Sarah Palin, what's your middle name?
A: You know, questioner, I like any and all of the middle names, they're like the middle class, and the great unwashed of the the great United State of America. Remember, in Alaska, every day is wash day. We're eliminating all dirt from our great state of Alaska, and dumping it in our narrow maritime border.

Q: Ms. Palin, for a woman, some say you're tough as nails.
A: Well, tough is my middle name. And, my nails are made of silicone, and they stick on like we in Alaska stick to the lower 48. Once, I did break a nail, it stuck in Iditarod Dude's back while we were making baby number, oh, I'll get that number and get back to you. I remember we named him Nail...or maybe Sticky.

Q: Do you prefer "Sarah" or "Mrs. Palin" or what?
A: You know as Governor of the largest state I don't have time to prefer. I'm on constant guard against Eskimos and Putin and we need to ensure all people in these great United States are adequately cared for and it has to do with cutting taxes of course and killing terrorists and preserving this great economy which as you know is only in a temporary downturn and we have the energy to pull ourselves up by our mukluks and Alaska has enough Energy and as Governor I've had to be the czar of Energy like Lenin.

Q: What's on your iPod?
A: You know as Governor, and hopefully our next Vice-President and, oh wait, I haven't had time for "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" or any of the Pod things, but I do love American music and I have an
Empty3 player that I listen to in the tanning booth. I loaded Shania Twain on it, and some Ayn Rand. I love the way Shania stands when she sings, it's like she's giving birth, and the audience gets so...expectant.

Q: You know, Shania is Canadian.
A: Another great country that we have a narrow maritime border with, I think we call it the Yukon River or something. And, there are many great Canadian Clubs. But still, as leader of our Highway Patrol, I have to guard against Canada flying into our air space, especially those geese that crap on the governor's mansion, and we've kept them out pretty doggone successfully, thanks to our great religious traditions in Alaska.

Q: That reminds me, is there a particular religion you belong to?
A: I am very particular about religion and believe in it strongly as god has told me I am the chosen few, and a few good men are all that's needed to root out that nasty Obama or Osama or whatever he's calling himself these days, eating away at the great fabric of our great United States with his constant barrage of videotapes, and he won't even bother to learn our native language and has to have a translator. He should, at the very least, be taking ESL.

Q: Where do you stand on Guantanamo?
A: You know, I like to use the same Shania Twain-like stance wherever I pose, and I love George Bush like a lover, but I think in this case he was a bit geographically challenged. He put one of our jails in Cuba! We have so much room in Alaska! We could build jails in the Nome Oil Fields, and really drill those terrorists. And rebuilding New Orleans in Louisiana was another mistake. There are so many more safer places, higher and drier, like southern Idaho, to have placed it, where I got a degree in Journalism, which is why I know when I'm being attacked instead of merely interviewed like I was at the Miss Sitka contest, where my understanding of Heads of State paid off so well, like our our oil wells and offshore drilling that we named our daughter Gusher after.

Q: Some question your basic understanding of the government. Can you tell me, for instance, how many Supreme Court justices there are?
A: You know, I CAN tell you how many Supreme Court justices there are.

Q: Yes???
A: Exactly. "Yes" is what I say to good ideas. I'm all about "yes".
That's why I've gotten so much done in all my executive position experiences, and why I'll do a good job as vice-president.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: I really like to add numbers. That's what makes this election so easy for the great people of the great United States. Just add it up, and you get me. I'm on the ticket, and I am the ticket!

Click Here to Read More..