Friday, October 31, 2008

For Friday, October 31, 2008







http://www.yahoo.com/s/979871




Voter registration smashes records

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27459551/

Astronauts To Vote From Space

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081030194230.htm

Expedition 18

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_18

Daughter of Slave Votes, Recalls Struggle

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=6153625&page=1

10 choke points for Election Day

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27464554/

White House Makes Final Push To Deregulate

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/31/politics/washingtonpost/main4560169.shtml

Economic downturn may be picking up speed

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27461847/

Recession fears grip US consumers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7702224.stm

Consumer sentiment takes biggest dive ever

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27472218/

Stuck in a Mortgage Mess? 'Modify' It!

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6150841&page=1

Six States Lead 'Underwater' Homeowners

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/wireStory?id=6152414



Ford bets on new pickup, rehires workers


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27470642/

Justice Department investigating American Express

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081031/ap_on_bi_ge/american_express_doj_investigation;_ylt=AopMp3CvJLuHqISpK9cLgfWs0NUE

Newsweek: Inside the hunt for bin Laden in Tora Bora

http://www.newsweek.com/id/166553

More Delays in Nuclear Detection at Borders


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Thursday, October 30, 2008

Barack's Speech: An EQ "Scorecard"



Barack's Speech (10/29/2008, Wednesday): An Emotional Quotient "Scorecard"

We were determined to view Barack's Big Speech last night and take notes on it while viewing it. Please note: this is simply our take on the Speech itself, and not "The Plan". We actually thought the speech was "soft" on plan and had expected more. Mr. Obama took a decidedly humanistic approach combined with a soft business executive style approach. We thought it was vastly superior to some of the "off-the-cuff" offerings by the other party (McPalin). Being a humanistic approach, we found a few words lacking. "Faith" was mentioned once (at the beginning), but in a non-spiritual way. "God" was mentioned twice in the rousing close of the speech. Some other "non-scalable" words appeared to be missing from the speech, but we can't deduct points for that.

We'll attempt to quote the speech as much as possible, but it won't be verbatim. Even though Obama's style is determined and paced, it is still too fast for us to capture every word without recording it on tape, Tivo, and so on.

The Speech opened with somewhat somber theme music and views of a wheat field. This wheat field scene-cum-somber music reminded us of the opening of the film "Gladiator" and the view of the afterlife in the Elysium Fields. Which, from our perspective, we found a little confusing.





Then he talked about the current economic crisis, and the need to restore economic health to the middle class. That we must have faith and the resolve to change. A lady by the name of Rebecca Johnston (we believe) was interviewed/featured first and describe as an amazing mom and that her children were "putty" - to be molded the right way. The emphasis being on doing the right thing everyday. The Johnston's were described as choosing to live in a "house outside the city". The husband (Brian) was working at a local retread plant with a torn ACL and put off an operation because of their financial situation. They have a select place at home for a limited number of snacks which the children must use wisely over the time allowed. Then she spoke about "the worry and chaos" about how to use their money, to pay which bill when? and so forth. (Was there a veiled hint at rationing?)





At which point Barack spoke of how the strength of our country should be in an economy that honors the dignity of our workers. He went on about the foreclosures, the debt and the 8 years of failed policies - this time now is worse than the Great Depression. (?) He spoke of two plans: (a) cut taxes to every family under $ 100K/Y and other tax breaks and 90 day foreclosure amnesty with (b) fulfilling our commitment to restore the economy.





Next came a retiree who had worked to build a retirement payoff of $ 1500/month. But he claimed that he was actually only earning $ 379/month due to cutbacks and similar circumstances at his employer. Barack spoke of using "the force of law" at this point on such job promises and helping Americans get living-wage jobs. Cutting taxes for struggling families and holding companies accountable for the same.





Next came the Stewarts who described Barack as a person with "Kansas City Roots". (?) They said he is a problem-solver who thinks big. Mr. Stewart apparently worked 30 years for the B&O Railroad. Their mostly DIY house was paid for, but Mrs. Stewart's medical bills forced Mr. Stewart to work another 5 years. They also took a home loan - causing loss of their equity. The 72 year old asked "Where am I going from here?" (The irony of a transportation employee asking that question struck us later). But, we thought a connection was made with everybody on that single point.





Barack's response? Taking immediate actions and taking a longer view. Energy efficiency and investing $ 50Bn and creating 5 million new jobs. Tap US natural gas reserves. Everybody join in conservation (rationing, again)? Spending cuts in a line-by-line review. Big change in Iraq policy. Bringing the war to a close would result in a $ 70Bn surplus. (?) And more on the same line. Big companies will do just fine. Worry about the "small" Americans. We thought Mr. Obama was a little to roundabout in his response to these poor folks. Or rather, too off the mark.





Then came the widow Juliana Sanchez with 2 kids and a mortgage who gets up before dawn and teaches at school. Having finished teaching her day is only half-done as she goes to take care of special-needs patients at her health care company. Takes training classes for the same. Her worries are like ours: how much to afford for health care, food, utilities, fuel and so on.





This directed Mr. Obama to the education response. That all want good education for children (sorry, we did not know that!). He only met his father once and his hard-working mother passed from life "quickly" and got him up routinely at 4:30 AM because he "was an American and understands". It was "no picnic" (neither was it for us, growing up in Detroit). Then he announced we have "no time for small plans" and have an obligation to teach children. We need more new teachers with affordable college and so on. To reduce health care costs we need "improve health care information recovery." Which sounded a little like the Ministry of Information Retrieval from the kakatopian film "Brazil". (We know most people describe Brazil as dystopian, but we're getting off track...). Back to his mother, who never saw her grandchildren, spent her last days reading insurance forms because of our broken healthcare system. Michelle Obama then spoke up about his strong relationships with his daughters - and they are the only ones "who break him up".





Then he came up with a very biblical phrase "I am my brother's keeper. I am my sister's keeper." The appeal of which we thought was predictable. Senator Dick Durbin said that Obama impacted things upon arrival (in the Senate, or before?) and reached across party lines. Senator Biden said he reached out to Dick Lugar on loose nukes. When questioning the Secretary of State Biden said he answered "He's good." Barack, Biden and his hometown of Scranton share Barack's core values and where the country needs to go. (Anybody here from Scranton?)





A couple by the names of Mark and Melinda Dowd were next featured. Mr. Dowd is a 3rd generation Ford employee at the Kentucky truck plant. Cited as an example of a working class family and that way of life and buying a home. Mr. Dowd was downgraded to working every other week and struggling to "keep going". He was laid off in July 2008 (a third generation employee?). Mr. Dowd did make the pithy observation that "shutting down the plant would be devastating" to the area. Mr. Dowd also came up with the rather striking imagery of that having the cause and effect of "Los(ing) the America as we once knew it." Which we thought was the most profound statement to come out of this entire essay.





Barack's response is to "Lift us up out of this Great Depression" (again! - not that we disagree with the analogy - our senior editor is starving as we write this). "This is our moment." (A platitude). "It is vital to protect our country (yes...)...to curb Russian aggression (against who? us?...)...curb nuclear Iran (how?...)...and curb Taleban and Al-Qaeda aggression (again, how?...)". He has a "close friend's son shipping to Iran" (...he sounds like a ...like a...package?...no, we know he's not...).





And..."A great President understands." He mentioned the USA's great stories of opportunity and family immigrants - grandparents - and their story of (finding a) home in America." Bill Richardson came on to describe Barack as a "Good, decent man...who showed very unusual signs that we need this man at this time in history." But he wasn't given a chance to say why...





Barack gave us (his audience) the answer..."I will always be honest...always listen...I ask you to be involved in democracy. In 6 days we create an economy that creates...jobs for the middle-class, education, health care, unity, power of changing the status quo. (And here came what we call his John Lennon moment...sorry, we forget why...). Men and women can achieve their American dream. Knock on doors for me, call for me and stand beside me and together we will change this country and the world. God bless us and God bless this country." To a rousing ovation.





And now our "Scorecard" on which graded the Speech on its "scalable values" in terms of attribute data. We realize some of our data is subjective, you are free to use your own scorecard, of course. Yes we know its primitive, but it helped us calculate a relative score.





Name/Category Obama Value McPalin Value


1) Imagery + 1 0


2) Housing Crisis + 2 0


3) Conservation - 1 + 1


4) Great Depression - 1 + 1


5) Retirement $ + 1 - 1


6) Problem Solving + 1 - 1


7) Connects + 1 - 1


8) Facts/Rebuilding + 2 - 1


9) Iraq Policy + 1 - 1


10) Big Business + 1 - 1


11) Education + 1 0


12) Youth + 2 + 1


13) Healthcare + 2 0


14) Appeal + 1 0


15) Home/Core Values + 1 0


16) "Old America" + 2 0


17) Greatness 0 0


18) Open-Door + 1 0


19) Rapid Change + 1 0


20) Summary + 1 - 1


"Total Rating" + 20 - 4





We felt, based on the merits of the Speech alone, that Mr. Obama has outdone his competition by at least 25 to 1. Even though others have warned us of the shortfalls of his Plan. (See: Obama's prime-time ad skips over budget realities). Even after considering the criticisms inherent, we still felt it was a good essay. Perhaps even "good propaganda" (the propaganda descriptor applied last night by Richard Wolfe on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann). Our senior editor sat back and took as thorough and as complete notes and decided that what was said matters most. Visual symbolism is good and important, but in the end, what is spoken and factual is what matters. Ineffable qualities like friendliness and comfort and faith are important, but thinks they are non-scalar.





But, the Speech intrigued our senior editor even further. (Perhaps, too far, we thought.) He came up with what he calls his (sigh...) "The Handbook Manifesto". "Entitlement creep" was allowed to spread throughout the economy and nation based on the failure(s) of entitlements, policies, and the like to provide the poor, the impoverished. The very same view and application is used on the working class and the working poor and is allowed to spread throughout society. It has become a policy of willful neglect favoring the powerful, cost-cutting, tax-break-seeking coporations versus the almost-now-disenfranchised impoverished masses. It has become the unwritten doctrine and/or manifesto of american politics via bureaucratic domain and eventual neglect of the needs of the people. The Constitution and other articles were never designed with the foresight and planning to provide for nor against these more-modern developments. None of these articles nor the law nor its embodiment neither considers nor opposes these developments to provide the american people with a more equitable position in this or the future economy. The "Speech" addressed these needs now, but did not have the time (or the funds?) to explore alternatives and solutions to these issues and problems. The people need more not less, as is being provided by the American and Global economies. Corporations seem to be more politically favored in any economic climate, e.g. witness the historic $ 700Bn Bailout. How is this legal, let alone legitimate under these conditions? Or, that is: do we now face a constitutional crisis in our country?


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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

For Wednesday, October 29, 2008




Scores dead after Pakistan quake

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7696639.stm

In pictures: Pakistan quake

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7696717.stm

Report: N. Korea's Kim suffers 'serious' setback

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081029/ap_on_re_as/as_koreas_kim_jong_il;_ylt=AiizYpl.UAwK812_wOTuZTms0NUE

Thousands lack power after Northeast storm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27433726/

Obama rules the TV ad airwaves

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/americas/2008/vote_usa_2008/7694856.stm

Palin calls for break from Bush energy policy

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081029/ap_on_el_pr/palin;_ylt=Apn_GwRgK36McebiKUTlP9Ss0NUE

Cook: GOP's horror sequel almost a wrap

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27434983/

Todd: What the Stevens conviction means for the GOP

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27420864/

New president's economic clout not assured

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27407243/

Global stocks rise after huge rally in U.S.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27331275/

Big-ticket orders post surprising gain

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27433725/

Earth on course for eco 'crunch'










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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

From SNL Lampoon to Confused Beauty Queen to Rogue Diva to Laughing Stock?




We snickered with wicked glee when Hugo Chavez called Sarah Palin a "confused beauty queen". And then came the outrageous claims (anonymously, of course) from the McPalin camp referring to her as a "rogue diva". But, as Keith Olbermann correctly pointed out on Countdown last night (Monday, October 27, 2008) isn't the definition of a rogue/diva a "maverick", much like Mr. McCain has been described lo these many years? After being so successfully and inspired being lampooned by Tina Fey on SNL, and skewered on live TV hasn't the entire McPalin camp and campaign swung into its final gyre to the level of laughing stock? Much of America is literally howling with laughter. Except Mr. Olbermann, he looks dead-serious about this whole thing, not like the fun-loving and laughing Keith Olbermann we came to know and love when he ran his "Oddball" and "Worst Person in the World" segments. The wings on this hang-glide campaign are so full of holes, as to make the world economy look strong by comparison. That's saying something.


Updated Wednesday October 29, 2008: Our senior editor could not have got a better birthday present...now the anonymous mudslingers in the McPalin campaign have upped the ante to calling the Governor a "whack job"...talk about disrepectful....

The wheels are about to come off of the Straight Talk Express. Will the mechanics be able to get this one out of the garage and back on track in the week remaining? Matthew Dowd doesn't think so and you can link to his blog here where he breaks down the reasons into solid percentages as to why a McPalin win is so improbable now.






We don't think they're going to be able get back on track either. It is a sad and sorry sight. The Obama camp looks virtually chink-proof in comparison. Somebody did say (we believe it was Lawrence O'Donnell) that the extraordinary thing about the Obama campaign is that it is leak-proof. Not one unauthorized utterance has so far been transmitted from the Obama camp. That's hard to believe, its hard to imagine so amazing an accomplishment could continue. If Mr. Obama and his aides-de-camp can run a political campaign with so much will and control, how do you think his style of governing from the White House will be? Yes, we thought so, too. We are still maintaining our prediction of an Obama win as the lights seem to be going out (along with the resumes of the McPalin aides!) in the McPalin camp.










Wall Street Appears Headed For Rebound

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/28/business/main4551547.shtml

Iceland's interest rate up to 18%

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7694785.stm

World credit loss '£1.8 trillion'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7694275.stm

Home prices fall by sharpest annual rate ever

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27417053/

Hard times mean softer paychecks

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27327204/

Social Lending Offers Alternatives

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6123763

Movement to Scrap 401(k)s Gains Traction

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/PersonalFinance/story?id=6122417&page=1

It's the Economy, Guys: Candidates Forge Final Strategies

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=3105288&page=1

Two held over Obama 'murder plot'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7694254.stm

McCain calls on Sen. Stevens to step down

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27418037/

Stevens says he'll stay in Senate race

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27398089/

Cracks in 'Demoralized' McCain Camp

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=6124663&page=1

Dowd: 5 Reasons a McCain Loss is Likely

http://blogs.abcnews.com/matthewdowd/2008/10/dowd-top-five-r.html

One week to go, outgunned McCain prepares for last stand

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7694857.stm

Why McCain is getting hosed in the press

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081028/pl_politico/14982;_ylt=AnAmK4EInVHM3OcBnvG1P3us0NUE

Red Tape: Decline of high-tech voting machines

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2008/10/the-headline-fo.html

US smashes child prostitute rings

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7694791.stm

North Korean leader 'in hospital'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7694630.stm

North Korea threatens to reduce South to debris










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Sunday, October 26, 2008

For Sunday, October 26, 2008

No image will be posted today in memory of the beautiful Anne Pressly who passed away after the brutal beating she received in her home. We wept when we read of her passing, even though we have never seen nor met the woman. We offer our condolences to her bereaved parents.
But, we had to laugh when we heard of Hugo Chavez's reference to Sarah Palin as a "confused beauty queen". We'd like to offer him a position on our staff when his political career is over. The man can certainly turn a phrase.
McCain: Bush failed in number of areas

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27386775/

AP: Palin’s terms for pipeline curbed bids

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27374946/

Palin is 'going rogue,' McCain aide says

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/25/palin.tension/index.html

Ticker: Palin 'annoyed' by Katie Couric

http://www.cnn.com/linkto/ticker.html

Bitter infighting over 'diva' Palin in McCain campaign: report

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/usvotemccainpalin;_ylt=AiOq59jcT4nEXkG8H5YLeBcDW7oF

Chavez sees Palin as confused "beauty queen"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081025/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_venezuela_chavez_palin;_ylt=As5UB_KU2p5ZmwxPYjUTvGLtiBIF

Poll says race won't be big factor in vote

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/24/poll.race/index.html

GOP Candidates Warn Against One-Party Rule

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/26/politics/washingtonpost/main4546093.shtml

Web Campaign Donations Face New Scrutiny

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/26/politics/washingtonpost/main4546072.shtml

Why The French Can Afford To Get Sick

Why Credit Card Rates Aren't Falling

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/PersonalFinance/story?id=6100641&page=1


General election looms for Israel

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7691387.stm

Analysis: Livni's gambit

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7691761.stm

Q&A: Israel heads for elections

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7613137.stm

Tzipi Livni: Israel's 'Ms Clean'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7621536.stm

Tzipi Livni

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzivi_Lipni

Matthew Price: Where's 'real' McCain?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/matthewprice/

McCain 'doing fine' despite polls

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7691928.stm

Battleground map

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7456953.stm

Gavin Hewitt: The Bin Laden question

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/gavinhewitt/2008/10/the_bin_laden_question.html.

Surviving the economic storm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27361990/

Why U.S. banks still aren't lending

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27362013/

Sen. Stevens got $2.7 million for pal's road

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27372421/

Concern for US woman held in Iran

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7691577.stm

IMF director cleared over affair

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7691462.stm

Ukraine granted $16.5bn IMF loan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7692017.stm

Dalai Lama Gives Up On China Talks
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Saturday, October 25, 2008

For Saturday, October 25, 2008



Did our crummy little blog beat ABC News and the other news outlets on positing the election of Obama and the effects on racism in our October 20, 2008 Posting: Racism: Is the End Near? (http://americanpoliticalhandbook.blogspot.com/2008/10/racism-is-end-near.html) See the ABC News.com posting for today Saturday, October 25, 2008: Obama Rises: Is Racism on the Way Out? (http://abcnews.go.com/US/Vote2008/story?id=6108101&page=1 ). Like we said, no, not quite. For proof of this, read the story about 20-year old caucasian girl: McCain Volunteer in Attack Hoax. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27350530/). Is it just a coincidence that ABC (long time champion against racism and the "cause") picked up on almost the same string of thought? Were we just prescient? Or was it that it just wasn't that much of a stretch? Or is it a right-on prediction for both of us and good news for the rest of the world? We hope its the latter. Meanwhile, the real reason we're here, here are the links.






Ohio paper backs McCain, Fla. paper endorses Obama

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081025/ap_on_el_pr/presidential_endorsements;_ylt=Ap0YNkSPB9SLo_WAXbmh5Mus0NUE



NYT: Support for Obama among Bush backers

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27350891/

Obama Rises: Is Racism on Way Out?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/Vote2008/story?id=6108101&page=1

Obama pitches self in new ad; McCain hits tax plan

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081025/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_rdp;_ylt=Akvubk279cCXTYCE5pAqTNys0NUE

Democrats headed toward big gains in House, Senate

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081025/ap_on_el_ge/congress_stakes;_ylt=AuEjnfqsjywB6b39gRWoQH2s0NUE

Justin Webb: (McCain) Palling with Pinochet

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/2008/10/unhelpful_messages.html

Augusto Pinochet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinochet

McCain volunteer charged in attack hoax

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27350530/

McCain's brother apologizes for calling 911

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081025/ap_on_el_ge/joe_mccain911;_ylt=AoPnhAPB2HVz_ohnDR1hK.2s0NUE

Palin: Bush a major obstacle for campaign

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27364991/

Battle intensifies for the working class male

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7681979.stm

US election guide

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7643755.stm

Palin quizzed over Alaska sacking

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7688391.stm

Palin testifies to investigator in ethics dispute

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/palin_troopergate;_ylt=AqFWC0C8wXpfkPLuIsMhMUoDW7oF

UN chief seeks crisis help for poor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7690437.stm

US claims Afghan opium progress

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7690422.stm

Japan recalls noodles over scare

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7690591.stm




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Friday, October 24, 2008

Unusual Election: The Politically Anolamous versus the Negatives?




In the MSNBC story, "Palin's Unlikely Path to Political Big Time" we got the notion that somebody there (and perhaps the whole world) has the feeling that she is not just a political liability but a political anomaly. Though not a completely new term, political anomaly has been used in the book titled "American Indian Treaties - The History of a Political Anomaly " - By Francis Paul Prucha. Our definition refers to the observation (we agree with MSNBC) on the unlikely rise of this one political "star". Though, she could claim the "star" title for celebrity - if only through ignominy and infamy with her concurrent political scandals. Note that we seem to always be able to include up to three scandalous links to stories regarding McPalin - even more. Which is gold to us, too bad it will be ending in a few days.








So what makes this election event truly odd is the battle between the political anomaly of McPalin and their negative attack adds on the Obama campaign. Particularly troubling is the use of Joe Biden's own words against his own future(?) President-cum-running-mate. He seems to be incapable of avoiding the "Biden moment" - also known derisively as the "Dole moment". Mr. McCain, too, has had his "Dole moments" in this campaign just a couple of days ago. Is it fatigue? Or dementia? Hard to tell sometimes. Okay, Mr. McCain doesn't seem demented, if his campaign doesn't seem not to be? (How's that for a "McCain moment"?)








We have these political anomalies and the negative attack ads using words like "Terrorist" and "Anti-American" and "Pro-American". What an oddly epic American political battle. This is one for the "Weird News Collected Tales 2008" ($ 28.95 coming to a publisher near you). Not only that, we had Brad Blakeman, Republican Yip-dog nipping viciously at Obama's heels for visiting his sick, dying grandmother during the campaign. That crossed the line from anomalous, to negative, to disgusting and beyond the pale. It is a sad and terrifying spectacle.








Stock markets plunge across world

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7688202.stm

Dow Sinks but Were Worst Fears Averted?

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6103163&page=1

Recession looms as UK slows

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7686552.stm

Iceland asks IMF for $2bn

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7689633.stm

Recession fears hit Asian markets

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7687998.stm

Despite slump, Yahoo plans new operations in Neb.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_hi_te/yahoo_plans;_ylt=AjoXE5O6tleGhoJtx2GuyNOs0NUE

High price may thwart tax cut plans

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27311863/

Health care battle a big issue for voting families

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27343202/

Partisan Doctors: The Wrong Prescription?

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=6099254&page=1

Doctor estimates McCain's cancer death risk


http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn15026-doctor-estimates-mccains-cancer-death-risk.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news9_head_dn15026

McCain faces hurdle as economy sours

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27357863/

Palin's unlikely path to political big time

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27355719/

Palin denies spending $150K

http://www.yahoo.com/s/975934

In campaign pause, Palin to testify on controversy

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_el_pr/palin_troopergate;_ylt=AmEjCt3wjrmx8oHiPvX_W6is0NUE

Obama: Grandmother may not see Nov. 4

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27357561/

Former Bush press secretary backs Obama

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_en_tv/mcclellan_obama;_ylt=AmBo_S9pmEcXwcKJw2XhtFADW7oF

McCain ad uses Biden to attack Obama

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/24/campaign.wrap/index.html

Ticker: Biden comment draws new fire

http://www.cnn.com/linkto/ticker.html

Voters Like Candidates Who Share Their Looks

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023004653.htm

Will the forgotten presidential candidates affect the race?

http://www.yahoo.com/s/975943

Police: McCain volunteer changes ATM attack story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_re_us/attack_mccain_sticker;_ylt=AvjGxTy9OWmmtb7H1hjUnm.s0NUE

Newsweek: Wal-Mart tries to 'green' China

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/chinacalling/archive/2008/10/24/wal-mart-s-new-push-to-green-china.aspx

China's toy factories empty as economy falters

javascript:vPlayer('27343234','2f328dcc-07d4-45a6-bb29-d0d31de3b233')


Users urged to report abuse sites

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7689241.stm

International Watch Foundation

http://www.iwf.org.uk/
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