Tuesday, November 04, 2008



And it's over!!!!!


Ladies and Gentleman, meet your 44th president

Election update - Lindsey Graham gets the chutzpah award

Yesterday, I talked about how Senator Lindsey Graham was encouraging black voters to "split their ticket" and re-elect him to the Senate.

Today, the story becomes murkier.

I have in my possession a flyer from the Graham campaign. It is an endorsement for Graham from A.M.E. Bishop Preston Warren Williams II which encourages black voters to re-elect Graham over his Democratic challenger.

One of the reasons why Williams feels that Graham should be re-elected is because his Democratic challenger (exact words in the flyer) "refuses to endorse Barack Obama."

But here is the kicker. Today, I received an email from the Graham campaign that said the following:

URGENT UPDATE: Early reports from numerous precincts across South Carolina reveal record-breaking Democratic turnout. Do not assume that any seat is "safe." If you have not yet voted, it is CRITICAL that you make it to the polls today to vote for Senator Graham and the entire Republican Team. According to state law, any registered voter in line by 7:00pm must be allowed to vote no matter how long it takes. Please head to the polls as soon as possible. Thank you.

So at the same time Graham is encouraging black voters not support his challenger because of he did not support Obama, he is telling Republican voters to get out and vote because of a "record-breaking Democratic turnout," a turnout that is most likely fueled by Obama's running for the presidency.

For the record I didn't vote for Graham or his challenger; Graham for obvious reasons and his challenger because he did not campaign hard enough to peak my interest. Candidates for national office in South Carolina seem to always try to out-Republican each other.

But regardless, you have to stand in awe of Graham's straddling the fence and juggling the voters at the same time.

I wonder what his next trick will be.


Election morning - Things nearly got shady in my district

(I am presently on my lunchbreak from my job so I thought I would share my morning's voting experience with you all. If there are any questions, I will answer them when I get home.)

When I arrived to my voting area 6:45 this morning, I wasn't surprised to see the very long line of voters.

I knew it would be an eventful morning, but I didn't have any idea how eventful it would be.

At a certain time the line stopped. I mean totally stopped as in I stood in my same area for almost an hour.

Needless to say standing an hour in the same place made a lot of us restless. And it got worse.

Sensing our restlessness, a poll worker came out and explained the delay:

Apparently our registrations had to be checked twice. There was a list of registrations for the general election and a list of registrations for the school board elections.

This didn't (and still doesn't even now) make a damned lick of sense. I had been voting at that same precinct since 1992 and we have never had to have our registrations checked twice.

That, and that fact that the two poll workers doing the checking were elderly women, made for a large crowd of angry folks who, in a little while, had the potential to make the storming of the French Bastille look like a walk across the street.

I am exaggerating of course, but there was a lot of anger; specifically from a black woman who I will now christen as Norma Rae. She got on her cell phone and began making calls; Representative Jim Clyburn's office, the State Election Commission, the Attorney General's Office.

I think sister girl was probably going to call Batman if she had his number.

To make a long story short, some people (probably members of the Election Commission) came by with new lists and when I got up to vote (the line started moving as if by "magic"), I had to have my registration checked only once.

I am not totally aware of the whys or whats, but one thing I did like about the situation was everyone's resolve. No one left the line. Hell, there was one black woman with a huge afro passing out Halloween candy.

My district is all African-American so that gives you an idea of how important this election is to us.

Like I said, keep fingers crossed.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Night before 2008 election - Mother gets a call from Joe the Plumber and other interesting South Carolina happenings

I am so glad this is almost over. And I will be ecstatic if and when Obama wins. My fingers are crossed and I won't be in the mood to celebrate until he hits that magic 270 number.

My mother on the other hand, is mildly pissed. She got her first robocall today.

Some recording from "Joe the Plumber" (though not the original Joe the Plumber but one from Rock Hill - ugh I feel like I'm talking about that 80's rap singer - Roxanne Shante, not the real Roxanne but the Real Real Roxanne) called to say that Obama will raise taxes.

It's not the fact that she got a call that bothers me more than the way she said "Joe the Plumber."

Between you and me, I am glad that it was a recording and not a real person. If it were, I would be bailing mother out of jail for yanking someone through the phone.

And there have been other "interesting" incidents which lead me to believe that the Republican party is a bit more worried about South Carolina than they let on.

For the past few weeks, I have heard ads on black Gospel radio stations from Senators Lindsey Graham and Representative Joe Wilson encouraging black voters to "split the ticket."

I believe one of the phrases were "no matter who you vote for as president . . ."

Keep in mind this was going on at the same time that Graham had been campaigning for McCain.

Robocalls and ads encouraging voters to split their ticket and not vote all Democratic but no words about supporting John McCain; things may get interesting in this state on Wednesday.

Although I won't hold my breath, it is a delicious possibility to consider.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

A bit of good news and a reposting

Top Researcher: Ex-Gay 'Therapy' Group NARTH Distorted My Studies

(Editor's note: I think we are in double digits now with scientific complaints about the religious right)

Truth Wins Out released an exclusive video interview today with University of Utah professor, Dr. Lisa Diamond, who said that the National Association of Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) grossly and deliberately distorted her research on sexual orientation. Dr. Diamond's assertion comes one week before NARTH's annual conference in Denver, which will take place Nov. 7-9.

"Dr. Nicolosi, you know exactly what you are doing," said Diamond in the video, addressing NARTH's co-founder Dr. Joseph Nicolosi."This is a willful misuse and distortion of my research. Not an academic disagreement. Not a slight shading of the truth. It's willful distortion. And, it's illegitimate and it's irresponsible and you know that. And you should stop."
"We are fighting back against the gross distortions of our lives by anti-gay organizations who manipulate science for political gain," said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. "These organizations claim to be moral, but often twist scientific research in the most shameless and dishonest ways imaginable. We are committed to exposing these lies and ensuring that science is accurately and honestly presented."

Lisa M. Diamond, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Gender Studies in the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah. She has won a number of awards for her work. In 2000, Dr. Diamond published a study, "Sexual identity, attractions, and behavior among young sexual minority women over a 2 year period." This study was distorted by NARTH. The anti-gay organization falsely claimed that Dr. Diamond's work shows that sexual orientation is "amenable to change."

Let's not forget Arkansas

So much attention seems to be given to the "Last Battle of California" with Proposition 8 . Even the good witch of the religious right, James Dobson, ventured from his ivory tower to speak on it.
Proposition 8 must be defeated. But let's not forget the other states with equally disturbing ballot initiatives. With that in mind, I am referring to an earlier post I wrote regarding the anti-gay adoption initiative in Arkansas:

Arkansas makes a possible boo boo:

If the religious right wins this fight in Arkansas, expect to see more initiatives like it on a nationwide basis.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Obama tells truth about American climate during Brown vs. Board of Education

You have probably heard the latest smear about Obama:

Ooooh he compared the United States to Nazi Germany. See, he doesn't like America.

Well like the other smears, this one is a lie. But to me, an African-American, this is an extra insulting distortion:

In a radio interview in 2001, Barack Obama likened the United States to Nazi Germany . . .

The web site Little Green Footballs broke the scoop that Obama compares the "doctrines of Nazism... to what we have going on, back here at home." The remark came during a discussion of the United States at the time of Brown vs. The Board of Education.

Obama said, "...just to take a, sort of a realist perspective…there's a lot of change going on outside of the Court, um, that, that judges essentially have to take judicial notice of. I mean you've got World War II, you've got uh, uh, uh, the doctrines of Nazism, that, that we are fighting against, that start looking uncomfortably similar to what we have going on, back here at home."


Some folks have tried to use this comment as the lastest "Obama is not one of us" lies." But to me, this is more than a smear.

It is a slap in the face to all African-Americans. You see, Obama was not lying when he made his statement.

We all know the history of racism in this country. No matter how many folks like to say "it's in the past, forget about it," no one can.

And no one should. The fact of the matter is that during the Brown vs. Board of Education decision, the climate in this country can be compared to that of Nazi Germany.

During that time, some whites did not want to go to school with blacks. Some whites did not want blacks living in their neighborhoods. Some whites did not think of blacks as Americans worthy of the American dream.

They believed that there was a social, religious, and ethical order that made blacks inferior. And they lied, cheated, and murdered in horrible fashion to perserve this order.

The segregation, the lynchings, the dehumanization and victimization of entire group of people on the basis of race in America during that time is no different the victimization of entire group of people on the basis of religion during the time of Nazi Germany.

Sorry, but it is a fact. And no rallies, no flag waving, and definitely not mindful ignorance of that awful time in American history will make it go away.

We can give hell to the Nazis for what they did to the Jews and other groups, as we should. But when are we ever going to own up to our own history of racial discrimination?

So to those who criticize Obama for making this simple fact known, I have one thing to say:

How dare you.


Things are getting stinky down here in SC . . . and other issues via links

SC Senate Candidate Mick Mulvaney in Sick Robocalling Scheme (a South Carolina candidate gay bashes? It must be a week day)

Elizabeth Dole unleashes outrageous 'Love of God' ad (I'd never vote for someone named "Libby." That's like hiring someone named Scooter as your chief of staff)

McCain's Last Ditch Effort: Tying Obama To Muslim World (all of these attacks on Muslims due to 9/11 is something I don't understand. Was Timothy McVeigh or the Unibomber Muslims?)

Joe the Plumber pursued for record deal (Say what! The only way you can get famous around here is either butt in a rally with a distortive question or sleep with a Republican. I would do the latter but there aren't any who are attractive enough.)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

And now a bit of lunacy brought to you by the religious right

With the election fast approaching, the word has come out that the religious right have opened all cynlinders of attack on Obama.

Fine by me. Let the world see how morally empty they are.

But just in case we need a few reminders, check this little tidbit out from People for the American Way.

This lovely bit is via our favorite female nut, Janet Folger (now she is known as Janet Porter. I am NOT going there):

Vote for Obama, Go To Hell

I would say that girlfriend has lost her mind, but based on Janet Porter's (when she was formerly Janet Folger) past behavior, I can't help but asking was she born with a few fries short of a Happy Meal?

And lest we forget, how about a couple of articles about Obama via the "Christian" One News Now:

Obama interview points to 'Marxism' philosophy

Obama's socialist past explored further

McCain must state obvious: Obama is a socialist

News media in bed with Obama?

And you gotta love these comments:

"That's exactly what I've been trying to tell people. I can't understand why he's so popular. Why can't everyone see what he wants to do to our country? I believe he'll turn our country into the next Russia, China, or Cuba. Socialism will not work in our country. There is too much greed and too many lazy people who expect the government to hand them everything. The few of us that try to make something of our lives will end up losing our savings so that the government can coddle those that don't deserve the car they drive. I already know plenty of people who abuse the welfare system and get away with it."

"Socialism is coming. America is already leaning too far left and will continue to do so. And one reason is Christians are lazy. A few work their hearts out while the rest are content to set in the pews. Redistribution of wealth should be through opportunities not taxes. But when Christians will not even do what it takes to start businesses and gain wealth then no one will. Stop burying your talents and start putting them to work."

"I hope America comes to it's senses and quickly. Obama is rushing everyone to vote early. He is so scared that more and more of his platform and ideas will be researched and people are going to see that he is not the savior/superstar that he appears to be. If they vote early, they can't change their vote. Like sheep to the slaughter...."

"It's true that the media once was in favor of McCain when he was running against real conservatives. Now with real conservatives out of the Presidential picture, McCain is running against their Messiah and McCain is now the bad guy. As far as the media is concerned, the earth is tilted on it's axis to the left. It's a garrantee that they will be on the left side of any issue. Remember the two little guys, one on each shoulder, that try to influence the way you think. They have earned the left shoulder...you know the guy with the the little red tights wispering the words Obama, Obama..."


"The very worst part of all of this bias is that the truth about Obama's history is not coming out and there are only scattered stories about his oppressive ways when it comes to his campaign. We need honest news, not dishonest and scheming twisting of words or mudslingling when it has no newsworthy purpose. There are very few reporters on TV or in print whose bias in favor of Obama is not clear, and they are downright vicious when it comes to McCain and Palin. Only one source, one speaker on Christian radio gave the complete story about who is who about Palin's accusers in Alaska. It was a very interesting and clear story, but never heard anyplace else."
"I am a Christian and also Barak should be on the FBI most wanted list. He is running in our country based on lies that have been proven. He has proven to be unpatriotic, a liar, and we are not even sure if he is allowed to run in this country! But being "in bed" with the media is what is helping. They can report any way they want, even if its lies, and they do just that. It is getting to close to the election to be playing games. The truth, the whole truth and nothing BUT the truth needs to come out about this Arab! And FAST! Not that it will be reported and even then they will make sure his silver tongue (with smoke breath)will sound like someone being "picked on" by other races. Thats how he plays! God help us all!"


"I don't believe I've ever witnessed a more deliberate attempt by the media to promote their liberal agenda than during this Presidential campaign. What I don't understand is the ignorance of the American people. Have our morals deteriorated to the point that we no longer value human life, that we no longer care whether we live in a democracy, that we no longer care who a Presidential cndidate associates himself with as long as he does something for the economy? To me, as a Christian, the choice is clear. I vote according to what the Bible tells me is right or wrong. I honestly don't see how anyone calling themselves a Christian could vote for Barack Obama."

"Does this actually surprise anyone? He is the liberal media's "Glory Boy" you can read about him in the book of Revelations. This election was bought and paid for months ago. God help us all."

"We may be beginning to pay the price for our rejection of the Lord. The recent collapse of our economy, the pain at the gas pump, terrorism an ever-present possibility, etc. Yes, we are beginning to reap the results of our rebellion."


"When a person refuses to swear in on the Bible and disrespects our U.S. Flag then that person should not be qualified to run in any election much less the President of The United States. Come on America THINK!"

"The "main stream" media has lost most of it's credibility among most folks who don’t lean left. Their subscriptions are in the tank and worsening monthly. They know they are on life support. Their only chance at resuscitation is to usher in their savior; Obama, for he bringeth forth the “fairness doctrine” to maketh all things fair again, like it was before “Talk Radio” when the only truth was what the 6:00 News said it was. Lord Obama, please maketh all things fair again…"

Monday, October 27, 2008

8 more days to go - Desperation brings out the ugliness in some people

No words, just links on how ugly it's going to be until Nov. 4:

Obama called a n***** at Palin Rally in Iowa (I don't know. It certainly sounds like it to me) - UPDATE - turns out the word may not have been used.

Transparently Backwards: The "Common Alliance" of Smearmongerers Strikes Again - you are going to hear about this ad naseum until November 4 on Drudge and Fox. It used to be that when people were doing character assasinations, they would have the good taste not to be so open about it. For the record, Obama actually said:

" . . . one of the, I think, the tragedies of the civil rights movement, was because the civil rights movement became so court focused, I think that there was a tendency to lose track of the political and community organizing activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalitions of power through which you bring about redistributive change, and in some ways we still stuffer from that."

And last but not least, this lovely bit of news:

Skinheads held over Obama death plot (Are you paying attention, Kevin McCullough)

Lastly, a bit of seriousness:

My heart goes out to Jennifer Hudson and family because of the tragedy that has affected them. Having lost my father through the violence of others, I know how hard it is to gain equilibrium and healing from such a tragedy.

The Hudson family are in my prayers.