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Libertarian Saturday
Author: TriSec    Date: 04/12/2008 12:15:23

Good Morning!

Blecccch. It's a typical spring weekend here in New England...cold, gray, and rainy. So naturally, us crazy Boy Scouts are headed out into the field! Fortunately, we rented a couple of cabins at Camp Massasoit way down by the Sagamore Bridge (almost on the Cape). We'll see how we do...


So...as the endless primary season drags on without a clear winner on the Democratic side, and a clear loser on the Republican side, there's been some rumblings about a spoiler. It's not Ralph Nader...if anyone in America is more insignificant to this process, I have yet to see him. No....it could be the Libertarians. As more and more people become disillusioned with the process and start to look for other outlets, more people are finding their way to the LP's doorstep. (Go figure, I wandered away from the parties for just this reason in the early part of this century, but as you saw last week, I'm headed back for the 2008 election cycle...) Party membership is up by 28% this year, and it might just be significant this year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Libertarian Party says that the surge of criticism regarding its potential as a spoiler in the 2008 presidential election is understandable, but that the time for political expediency in American politics is finished.

"Far too long have Americans felt it necessary to waste their vote for the 'lesser of two evils' just for the sake of not crossing partisan lines," says Libertarian Party Executive Director Shane Cory. "That's not how our elections should be. Americans are tired of status quo politics and want a candidate in who they can believe -- not just a candidate who will do the least amount of harm."

Libertarians state that the failure of McCain to capture the conservative base of the Republican Party, and the heated split in the Democratic Party between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, will help advance their agenda of smaller government, lower taxes and maximized liberty.

"True conservatives within the Republican Party are not convinced that John McCain is one of them," says Libertarian Party National Media Coordinator Andrew Davis. "Many people who are both socially tolerant and fiscally responsible are looking to the Libertarian Party, which is much more in line with their core beliefs, as a possible alternative to John McCain in 2008. Additionally, some voters who may typically cast a vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama may choose to support the Libertarian Party due to the current economic crisis and the lack of solutions offered by those candidates."

At the end of 2007, the Libertarian Party announced it had seen a surge in membership of 28 percent. The Party believed the success of Ron Paul's campaign, coupled with growing dissatisfaction with the current political establishment, was driving people away from the major two parties into Libertarian ranks.

"The Libertarian Party has the very real potential to capture principled voters in 2008," says Cory. "It's going to be a good year for America."


It's exciting times for the party...but I don't actually agree with the last sentence. If the LP splits the vote and we end up with President McCain....it will be a catastrophic year for America.



And just to illustrate how catastrophic...this comes to us from Patrick Buchanan, of all people, (bet you thought you'd never see him here!) about how the neocons will have their war. He's already supposing that the President has a blank check to invade, thanks to the inactivity of the Democratic congress. And if Bush doesn't cash it...McCain sure as hell will.

The neocons may yet get their war on Iran.

Ever since President Nouri al-Maliki ordered the attacks in Basra on the Mahdi Army, Gen. David Petraeus has been laying the predicate for U.S. air strikes on Iran and a wider war in the Middle East.

Iran, Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee, has "fueled the recent violence in a particularly damaging way through its lethal support of the special groups."

These "special groups" are "funded, trained, armed and directed by Iran's Quds Force with help from Lebanese Hezbollah. It was these groups that launched Iranian rockets and mortar rounds at Iraq's seat of government (the Green Zone) ... causing loss of innocent life and fear in the capital."

Is the Iranian government aware of this – and behind it?

"President Ahmadinejad and other Iranian leaders" promised to end their "support for the special groups," said the general, but the "nefarious activities of the Quds force have continued."

Are Iranians then murdering Americans, asked Joe Lieberman:

"Is it fair to say that the Iranian-backed special groups in Iraq are responsible for the murder of hundreds of American soldiers and thousands of Iraqi soldiers and civilians?"

"It certainly is. ... That is correct," said Petraeus.

The following day, Petraeus told the House Armed Services Committee, "Unchecked, the 'special groups' pose the greatest long-term threat to the viability of a democratic Iraq."

Translation: The United States is now fighting the proxies of Iran for the future of Iraq.

The general's testimony is forcing Bush's hand, for consider the question it logically raises: If the Quds Force and Hezbollah, both designated as terrorist organizations, are arming, training and directing "special groups" to "murder" Americans, and rocket and mortar the Green Zone to kill our diplomats, and they now represent the No. 1 threat to a free Iraq, why has Bush failed to neutralize these base camps of terror and aggression?

Hence, be not surprised if President Bush appears before the TV cameras, one day soon, to declare:

"My commanding general in Iraq, David Petraeus, has told me that Iran, with the knowledge of President Ahmadinejad, has become a privileged sanctuary for two terrorist organizations – Hezbollah and the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard – to train, arm and direct terrorist attacks on U.S. and coalition forces, despite repeated promises to halt this murderous practice.

"I have therefore directed U.S. air and naval forces to begin air strikes on these base camps of terror. Our attacks will continue until the Iranian attacks cease."

Because of the failures of a Democratic Congress elected to end the war, Bush can now make a compelling case that he would be acting fully within his authority as commander in chief.

In early 2007, Nancy Pelosi pulled down a resolution that would have denied Bush the authority to attack Iran without congressional approval. In September, both Houses passed the Kyl-Lieberman resolution designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization.

Courtesy of Congress, Bush thus has a blank check for war on Iran. And the signs are growing that he intends to fill it in and cash it.

Israel has been hurling invective at Iran and conducting security drills to prepare its population for rocket barrages worse than those Hezbollah delivered in the Lebanon War.

Adm. William "Fox" Fallon, the Central Command head who opposed war with Iran, has been removed. Hamas and Hezbollah have been stocking up on Qassam and Katyusha rockets.

Vice President Cheney has lately toured Arab capitals.

And President Ahmadinejad just made international headlines by declaring that Tehran will begin installing 6,000 advanced centrifuges to accelerate Iran's enrichment of uranium.

This is Bush's last chance to strike and, when Iran responds, to effect its nuclear castration. Are Bush and Cheney likely to pass up this last chance to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities and effect the election of John McCain? For any attack on Iran's "terrorist bases" would rally the GOP and drive a wedge between Obama and Hillary.

Indeed, Sen. Clinton, who voted to declare Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization, could hardly denounce Bush for ordering air strikes on the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, when Petraeus testified, in her presence, that it is behind the serial murder of U.S. soldiers.

The Iranians may sense what is afoot. For Tehran helped broker the truce in the Maliki-Sadr clash in Basra, and has called for a halt to the mortar and rocket attacks on the Green Zone.

With a friendly regime in Baghdad that rolled out the red carpet for Ahmadinejad, Iran has nothing to gain by war. Already, it is the big winner from the U.S. wars that took down Tehran's Taliban enemies, decimated its al-Qaida enemies and destroyed its Sunni enemies, Saddam and his Baath Party.

No, it is not Iran that wants a war with the United States. It is the United States that has reasons to want a short, sharp war with Iran.


So....this is why they must be stopped.





 

32 comments (Latest Comment: 04/13/2008 04:27:44 by livingonli)
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Comment by BobR on 04/12/2008 14:16:05
If the Libertarian Party wants to be a contender, they're going to have to get their candidate out there and give him/her some face time. I would hope that they are able to participate in the debates post-convention.



I see them as more of a spoiler for the Republicans than the Democrats. All of the people that I've met that claim to be Libertarians are people that never would vote for a Democrat anyway.



It will also be interesting to see how this phenomenon affects the state and local races.

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/12/2008 14:29:06
I must agree with you BobR, I have never met a Libertarian that would vote Dem - though I don't doubt there might be a few out there.



I would like to see there be alternative third and fourth parties - LP and Green perhaps - become viable. In this way the R and D's would have to be held accountable.



Anywho..........



Morning all. Velveeta is under the weather........ and the weather here sucks. Snow is on the way (so they say).

Comment by m-hadley on 04/12/2008 15:11:00
Mornin' folks,

Just wanted to check in and let you all know that I am still alive after surviving a rather trying week here. Health problems (can you say rectal bleeding?), a roommate/addict who set my house on fire (we put it out before it destroyed more than my dining room table), an aborted trip to New Mexico for a conference that I wasn't able to make due to the aforementioned health issues. Anyway, the roommate moved out yesterday, I have a colonoscopy scheduled for Monday - blech and I added a new post to my blog this morning, so life is returning to normal (whatever that may be :D) here at chez faye. Just wanted to say hey and report in just in case anybody wondered what was up with me... Carry on - really hoping that Delta doesn't pull an American and shut down its flights in a couple weeks - I am really looking forward to the DC trip. :D

cheers,

mfaye

Comment by m-hadley on 04/12/2008 15:13:24
Feel better Velveeta :D

:hug:

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by BobR on 04/12/2008 15:17:19
wow - healing vibes to Velveeta and Faye....



:hug:

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/12/2008 15:53:16
FAYE!!! Oh hell, and I thought I was bad off............ I'll stop complaining now!! I'm lighting a candle for ya!



I wish you'd have told me that you had an addict for a roommate......... as an addict in recovery I would have told you to get rid of the bum!



:lol:



There is little hope for people like us............. we do have a tendency to set fires, among other things...........

Comment by m-hadley on 04/12/2008 16:14:23
Quote by velveeta jones:

FAYE!!! Oh hell, and I thought I was bad off............ I'll stop complaining now!! I'm lighting a candle for ya!



I wish you'd have told me that you had an addict for a roommate......... as an addict in recovery I would have told you to get rid of the bum!



:lol:



There is little hope for people like us............. we do have a tendency to set fires, among other things...........




Velveeta,

I met her during my stay in the nut house (for depression), and she was homeless and needed a place to stay and I am just that kind of stupid to invite a stranger into my home and let her stay for awhile. Things were going along okay until she started using again (thanks to doctors who prescribed her the pain meds and xanax which are her drugs of choice). We parted amicably though, and I'm glad about that. It is an awful disease for which I hope she gets help. Glad she's move on though - it's nice to not have to wake up in the middle of the night and find my house turned upside down Thanks for the wise words.

Cheers,

mfaye



Comment by velveeta jones on 04/12/2008 17:15:22
Faye, its good to be nice........ but people in the midst of an addiction need the kind of "lovin'" where they get thrown on on their ass! Its the only way for them to get help. Hard to do.......... but the only way.



Glad you're okay.

Comment by livingonli on 04/12/2008 17:16:57
Greetings form the salt mine. Another Saturday of OT for me to help pay those bills. So, today I got a full slate with a College Baseball game on FSN Florida where we ride FSN South's air while rolling our own spots. Then I have a minor-league hockey game on FSN Ohio followed by the usual fun and frolics of MSG with the Red Bulls Soccer, MSG, NY and Red Bulls in 60.



I think I will be pooped when this is all done.

Comment by livingonli on 04/12/2008 17:17:45
And some healing vibes for Velveeta and Faye as well.

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/12/2008 18:01:48
Thanks Liv,



I already think my "Lung Cancer" is turning into a minor cold........... :D



Don't werk too hard!

Comment by livingonli on 04/12/2008 18:10:07
That's an amazing recovery. :D

Comment by BobR on 04/12/2008 18:35:45
Quote by livingonli:

Greetings form the salt mine. Another Saturday of OT for me to help pay those bills. So, today I got a full slate with a College Baseball game on FSN Florida where we ride FSN South's air while rolling our own spots. Then I have a minor-league hockey game on FSN Ohio followed by the usual fun and frolics of MSG with the Red Bulls Soccer, MSG, NY and Red Bulls in 60.



I think I will be pooped when this is all done.


We just got done watching a documentary about the Brooklyn Dodgers on HBO. Very good (informative and entertaining...)

Comment by livingonli on 04/12/2008 18:45:57
And Vin Scully is still announcing their games. He's been with them since the team was in Brooklyn.

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/12/2008 20:29:21
I just finished watching Volver.



Now............... a nap..................... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Comment by AZ-Turq on 04/12/2008 20:30:09
Does anyone know who replaced the Young Turks in the 6-9am EDT time slot on AAR?

Comment by BobR on 04/12/2008 20:57:07
Quote by AZ-Turq:

Does anyone know who replaced the Young Turks in the 6-9am EDT time slot on AAR?


They don't even list anything before 3:00 PM on their website, and THAT says "Show to be announced"...



Yet they list the rerun they're playing at 2:00 AM.



:rolleyes2:

Comment by AZ-Turq on 04/12/2008 21:11:36
So AAR has no East Coast morning drivetime programming?



Does that go to explaining why Morning Sedition was canceled?



Drivetime programming is unnecessary?



That's one hell of a way to run a radio staiton



It has become apparent to me that the owners simply want to promote themselves and their own political agenda



AAR is nothing more than an exercise in vanity



Comment by AZ-Turq on 04/12/2008 21:41:57
Come to think of it, Air America has no East Coast drive time programming morning or afternoon. What a way to run a radio station

Comment by livingonli on 04/12/2008 21:54:07
Once the Young Turks left, AAR essentially gave up on the AM drive slot. Most progressive talkers on the east coast either have their own local shows or take Bill Press from Jones. At this point, Air America might as well concede the 9 AM-Noon slot since Lionel lost stations when switching from his WOR syndicated show to when he jumped to AAR. It looks like most progressive talkers are either taking Steph or a few West Coasters with local morning shows.



So, they don't mention Thom from Noon-3. He is still there even if us New Yorkers have lost him.

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/12/2008 22:13:20
I don't know AZ........ my lame ass "progressive" station gets Bill "snooze" Press in the AM, then shuts down by sunset (per the type of license that they have). On weekdays we have such lame programming that I'll switch to the adult contemporary station before I listen to the crap they spew.



Just complaining.......... that's what I'm here for.

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/12/2008 22:47:29
Ya know when is says the MLB game on Fox is The Glorious Red Sox of Boston vs The New York Sith, I don't want to see them interviewing some mook from the Diamondbacks vs the Rockies.





Ahh okay rain out. I can live with that. Tis the nature of the game.

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/12/2008 22:48:16
Lovely weather there in Boston.

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/12/2008 23:05:50
The Braves are sucking..........no! er, that's not what I meant say, er, I mean, uh, they are playing the Nationals this evening. Um, yeah.



:D

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/12/2008 23:12:44
Quote by velveeta jones:

The Braves are sucking..........no! er, that's not what I meant say, er, I mean, uh, they are playing the Nationals this evening. Um, yeah.



:D






Aw darn the Braves sucking. I am crushed, crushed I say!

Comment by livingonli on 04/12/2008 23:58:56
Velveeta, you could always watch the Cubs game if you get WGN. :D

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/13/2008 00:19:01
Quote by livingonli:

Velveeta, you could always watch the Cubs game if you get WGN. :D




Blasphemy! (Velveeta does NOT root for teams that reside above the line).



:thud:

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/13/2008 00:54:48
Quote by velveeta jones:

Quote by livingonli:

Velveeta, you could always watch the Cubs game if you get WGN. :D




Blasphemy! (Velveeta does NOT root for teams that reside above the line).



:thud:






Mondo roots for the GRSoB (Glorious Red Sox of Boston), The Orioles of Bawlmer, the Jacksonville Suns, bit not the New York Sith or the Robotic Choke Machines of Atlanta. The Brave are second only to the Sith in baseball :evil:

Comment by livingonli on 04/13/2008 01:09:40
Some sanity returning to Sports TV, the NFL Network has canned Bryant Gumbel.

Comment by livingonli on 04/13/2008 01:10:54
I am still creeped out by those images of Ted Turner and Jane Fonda doing the Tomahawk chop together.

Comment by shelaghc on 04/13/2008 04:01:58
I've had a busy day. Did a level one (lightweight) clean-up job on the kitchen; scrubbed out the cats' water fountain; watched "Invasion of the Bane"; ordered this couch for my living room; sang "The Merry Widow Waltz" at my church to rave reviews; did some volunteering for a dance group called "Attack Theatre."



Time for a nice hot cuppa and bed.







Comment by livingonli on 04/13/2008 04:27:44
Now that's a plan.



Alas, yours truly still has another hour and a half in the salt mines. With luck I may be able to sneak out a few minutes early.