Palin's Resignation

I'm going to make a prediction. Palin doesn't show up for the VP Debates at WashU on Thursday. Perhaps a last minute resignation, or a third 'campaign suspension.' Speaking of McCain's last campaign suspension, it turns out TV ads continued to be ran, every field office was open, and no events were canceled. However, I digress. How can the McCain campaign allow Palin, who exhibited the intelligence of a thirteen year old in the Couric interview, to dribble nonsense from her empty head on stage as a representative of their campaign? I see no option for McCain, then to engineer someway of distancing himself from his god-awful VP choice.

Considering Sarah Palin for the role of VP in this country is irresponsible and laughable. Have Americans really become so distanced from rationality and so grossly misinformed that they would seriously think Sarah Palin should be one step away from the presidency? I don't think I'd trust her to manage a Burger King in Juneau, let alone our fucking country. I didn't think it possible to go lower than Dubya this election, but our nation has astonished me with a resounding, echoing empty-headedness.

As John Stewart says, here it is, your moment of Zen:

Couric: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and, on our other side, the land-boundary that we have with Canada. It's funny that a comment like that was kinda made to … I don't know, you know … reporters.

Couric: Mocked?

Palin: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.

Couric: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials.

Palin: Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there…

Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.

Assassinations, Security, and Elections

Assassinations. Riveted? Before I go further, it is necessary that I specify why I’ve chosen to write about Barack Obama and John McCain being assassinated in September or October of 2008. Unlike Fox News or CNN, I am not bringing up ‘Obama Assassination Attempt: Guns Found!’ as a piece of base tabloid sensationalism to lure in more trashtastic (not to EVER be confused with Fanchtastic) viewers. No, I respect the readers of the Fanchtastic blog and would never subject them to pathetic junk food writing. My purpose is to reveal the necessity of basic humanitarian needs as a precursor in any society to democracy and free elections.

At sixty some days before the election, most Americans are waist-deep in Obama/McCain news and punditry. How devastating to our political process would their assassinations be? Who would fill the void? There are many who could step up as qualified candidates for either party. However, in the wake of the deaths of both major candidates, would Americans be prepared to make an informed decision in November? Similar to post 9/11 America, fear would grip the country leading to panic-driven decision making and dangerous blame seeking. Following September 11, America surged with zealous uninformed hate for the Muslim world. The assassinations of Obama and McCain would perpetuate similar fear-based sentiments. Envision, further, if on election days, polling centers were being attacked. Millions of Americans had no running water or sewage. Food shortages plagued cities. Looting left thousands of businesses without inventory and bankrupted. How successful would a presidential (or any) election be?

Now, think back to those triumphant Iraqis, parading their purple fingers and newfound ‘democracy.’ Let alone a lack of basic provisions like food, security, and shelter for a predominance of Iraqis, most are illiterate. Those that aren’t are exposed to state propaganda and censored news. The efficacy of elections in America with these circumstances seems preposterous. Yet, the major news networks in the US, acting as Bush administration lackeys, gushed about the successful implementation of democracy and free elections in Iraq.

Before we disillusion ourselves with pride over this purple democracy, perhaps we should consider what is instrumental to real freedom and democracy. The continuing focus in Iraq and Afghanistan, before we declare ‘Mission Accomplished!’ must be the solidification of security, basic infrastructure, education, and free press. Let us not be fooled again.

Splicing McCain's 2008 Acceptance Speech with Bush's 2000 Acceptance Speech

I'm sorry. Two daily show clips in a row. Smacks of laziness. But, come on, the RNC has provided so much delicious fodder for John Stewart's brilliant sense of humor. I insist this clip is worth it.

John Stewart brilliantly ripping apart O'Reilly and Karl Rove.

John Stewart makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Please watch.