California Unemployment Insurance Fund Going Broke - Economy Failing

It's one thing to have people out of work and drawing unemployment, but it's more terrible to be in a position where that unemployment insurance fund is running out of money.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle today the California unemployment insurance fund is running out of money and will have to borrow from the Federal Government for the first time since the 1930s.  The projected deficit for 2009 is $1.6 billion.  

To make matters worse, not just California but 18 other states may find their unemployment insurance funds in deficit, including New York, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri.   

"We Are Out Here" - Republicans Speak Truth to McCain's Lies

We are out here - the Republicans or ex-Republicans who will no longer tolerate the racist, despicable slime machine that the right wing and the John McCain-Sarah Palin campaign has become.

One such Republican penned an article at Daily KOS - a place I seldom send people to read, because it has been so staunchly partisan. Yet this story merits the visit:

I know, for I am one of them. I am not your typical progressive, being an ex-Air Force officer (9 years), evangelical Christian, card carrying conservative...

Is this election going to be about lies, and distortions, or issues?

It's Obama's tax plan that favors over 90% of this country's families and voters, whereas McCain's tends to give money to the wealthiest.

It's Obama who wants to fix Health Care, whereas McCain says changes Obama proposes will reduce our choices and put bureaucrats in charge of our medical decisions. Has McCain never dealt with insurance company bureaucrats who control our health care already, making decisions based on profit not medical advice?

If McCain's all about choices in health care, why does he want to remove choice when it comes to women's reproductive health, and return us to the dangerous day of back-alley abortions?

Obama and Biden want to keep the government out of religious matters, whereas McCain's selected a rookie governor who wants to be able to ban books, and as a Mayor charged victims for rape kits if they reported the crime. That's not the kind of maverick outlook the Alaska State legislature condoned - in response they passed a law insuring victims weren't charged.

If John McCain really wants to campaign with dignity, what's up with all those ads? Is that conduct becoming of a senior Senator, let alone a candidate for the White House? Let's ask him:

Whatever became of "Do unto others," Senator McCain? Either you're outright lying about your intent, totally out of touch as James Carville suggested, or simply unable to control teh GOP and your lobbyists & campaign staff. Meanwhile Senator, your campaign seeks to divert us and the media from all these issues by manufacturing outrage over lines you've used yourself?

America, our moment is now. It's time to get past Red and Blue states, it's time to reclaim our former greatness, to reform DC, and start coping with the mess Bush has made of our economy, our housing markets, and our international reputation.

Obama for America.

read more | digg story

Palin Would Attack Russia - ABC News Interview

In released text of the interview with ABC's Charlie Gibson, Alaska Governor and GOP Vice Presidential Cadidate Sarah Palin was led into an answer regarding the U.S. involvement in the Russian / Georgian conflict that revealed her lack of gravitas in thinking about and discussing foreign policy issues.  

Palin pointed to the need to attack Russia as an option.  But in fairness, Palin quickly backpedaled to explain that other forms of punish

Give Gibson credit for leading Palin rather than outright challenging her in a way that the McCain camp could consider sexist or bullying.  He showed that he's a real pro.  

Here's the text: 

9/11 - Remembering September 11th Today

This is what I remember about "9-11" -- the day that the World Trade Center was destroyed due to a terrorist attack by what we now know and call the Al Qiada terrorist group. I was living in Oakland, Ca at the time.

NFL Injury report week2

Week 2 Injury Report -- Wednesday
Week 2, 2008, 09/10/2008
FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL 9/10/08

JAMES EDGES CLOSER TO 15,000

Arizona Cardinals running back EDGERRIN JAMES has amassed 14,967 scrimmage yards in his career and needs 33 yards to become the 14th player in NFL history to reach 15,000 scrimmage yards. Since entering the league with the Indianapolis Colts in 1999, James has rushed for 11,707 yards and added 3,260 receiving yards.

Following is a list of injured players for Week 2 Games (September 14-15):

(For updated practice information on Denver, Oakland, San Diego and Seattle please check NFLmedia.com Thursday morning)

ATLANTA FALCONS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

ATLANTA FALCONS

Practice Report

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
C Alex Stepanovich (back)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Coy Wire (ankle)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Derrick Brooks (hamstring), QB Jeff Garcia (ankle), G Davin Joseph (foot)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
RB Warrick Dunn (not injury related), WR Joey Galloway (not injury related), WR Maurice Stovall (back)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Matt McCoy (groin)



BALTIMORE RAVENS at HOUSTON TEXANS

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Brendon Ayanbadejo (fibula), QB Troy Smith (illness), CB Fabian Washington (neck)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Yamon Figurs (hamstring), DT Kelly Gregg (knee), RB Willis McGahee (knee), S Ed Reed (neck)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
G Jason Brown (ankle), T Jared Gaither (ankle), TE Todd Heap (back), CB Corey Ivy (ankle), CB Chris McAlister (knee), RB Le'Ron McClain (ankle)

HOUSTON TEXANS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
DE Stanley McClover (knee)


DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
RB Ahman Green (foot), DT Travis Johnson (knee)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
TE Mark Bruener (hamstring), WR Jacoby Jones (back), CB Antwaun Molden (hamstring), G Chester Pitts (ankle), T Ephraim Salaam (knee), T Eric Winston (ankle)



BUFFALO BILLS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

BUFFALO BILLS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
TE Derek Fine (hand)


DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB John DiGiorgio (back), WR Roscoe Parrish (ribs)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
TE Matt Murphy (shoulder)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
C Brad Meester (biceps)


DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
DT John Henderson (not injury related), DT Derek Landri (quadricep), WR Troy Williamson (thigh)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
G Uche Nwaneri (knee), WR Jerry Porter (hamstring), CB Scott Starks (pectoral)



CHICAGO BEARS at CAROLINA PANTHERS

CHICAGO BEARS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
T Chris Williams (back)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Lance Briggs (ankle), DT Tommie Harris (ankle), KR Devin Hester (foot), T John Tait (groin), CB Nathan Vasher (shoulder)

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Na'il Diggs (shoulder), QB Matt Moore (fibula), TE Dante Rosario (foot), T Travelle Wharton (knee)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
CB Chris Gamble (knee), WR Ryne Robinson (knee)



GREEN BAY PACKERS at DETROIT LIONS

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
G Josh Sitton (knee)


DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
RB Brandon Jackson (concussion), C Scott Wells (back), CB Charles Woodson (toe)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
S Atari Bigby (bicep), T Chad Clifton (knees), DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee), RB Ryan Grant (hamstring), WR Ruvell Martin (finger)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR James Jones (knee), S Charlie Peprah (hamstring)

DETROIT LIONS

Practice Report

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Paris Lenon (knee), LB Ernie Sims (ankle), QB Drew Stanton (right thumb)



INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
TE Dallas Clark (knee), DE Dwight Freeney (not injury related), WR Roy Hall (knee), DT Ed Johnson (not injury related), G Mike Pollak (knee)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
CB Kelvin Hayden (hamstring), DT Daniel Muir (knee), TE Jacob Tamme (ankle)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
C Jeff Saturday (knee)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
S Madieu Williams (neck)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
G Artis Hicks (elbow), RB Maurice Hicks (foot)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
QB Tarvaris Jackson (knee)



MIAMI DOLPHINS at ARIZONA CARDINALS

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Practice Report
Wednesday No injuries to report

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
TE Jerame Tuman (hamstring)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
DT Alan Branch (ankle), DT Gabe Watson (knee)



NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at NEW YORK JETS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Sam Aiken (knee), TE Benjamin Watson (knee)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Jabar Gaffney (knee), WR Randy Moss (back)

NEW YORK JETS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
WR David Clowney (shoulder), K Mike Nugent (right thigh)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
CB David Barrett (shoulder), WR Laveranues Coles (thigh), DE Shaun Ellis (hand), WR Marcus Henry (calf), CB Justin Miller (foot)



NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at WASHINGTON REDSKINS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Marques Colston (thumb), LB Scott Fujita (knee), CB Randall Gay (illness), S Roman Harper (hamstring), DT Antwan Lake (groin)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Troy Evans (ankle), RB Deuce McAllister (knee), CB Mike McKenzie (knee), LB Mark Simoneau (back), RB Aaron Stecker (hamstring), DT Brian Young (knee)

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Khary Campbell (thigh), TE Chris Cooley (quadricep), LB Marcus Washington (hamstring)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
S Kareem Moore (hamstring), CB Fred Smoot (hip)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Malcolm Kelly (knee), CB Shawn Springs (calf), LB/DE Jason Taylor (knee)



NEW YORK GIANTS at ST. LOUIS RAMS

NEW YORK GIANTS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
DE Mathias Kiwanuka (ankle), CB Terrell Thomas (hamstring), K Lawrence Tynes (left knee)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Jonathan Goff (back)

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
G Jacob Bell (hamstring), WR Drew Bennett (foot), P Donnie Jones (right knee), DE Leonard Little (hamstring)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Donnie Avery (knee), RB Travis Minor (thigh)



OAKLAND RAIDERS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Practice Report
Wednesday Practice not complete

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
QB Brodie Croyle (right shoulder)


DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Napoleon Harris (knee), S Jarrad Page (back)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR William Franklin (knee)



SAN DIEGO CHARGERS at DENVER BRONCOS

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Practice Report

Wednesday
Practice not complete



DENVER BRONCOS



Practice Report


Wednesday
Practice not complete



SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
C Eric Heitmann (shoulder), CB Donald Strickland (knee)



SEATTLE SEAHAWKS



Practice Report


Wednesday
Practice not complete



TENNESSEE TITANS at CINCINNATI BENGALS

TENNESSEE TITANS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
DE Jacob Ford (chest), RB Quinton Ganther (hamstring), DT Albert Haynesworth (concussion), QB Vince Young (knee, hamstring)

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
C Kyle Cook (illness), S Dexter Jackson (thumb), CB David Jones (head), S Herana-Daze Jones (hamstring), DE Frostee Rucker (foot)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Brandon Johnson (hamstring), CB Johnathan Joseph (hamstring), S Nedu Ndukwe (knee), DT Jason Shirley (heel), DT Pat Sims (toe)



PITTSBURGH STEELERS at CLEVELAND BROWNS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
QB Ben Roethlisberger (right shoulder), T Marvel Smith (groin), CB Deshea Townsend (foot), WR Hines Ward (not injury related)

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
S Sean Jones (knee), TE Martin Rucker (knee), WR Donte' Stallworth (quadricep)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Joshua Cribbs (ankle), LB Kris Griffin (elbow), G Rex Hadnot (knee), S Brodney Pool (concussion), T Ryan Tucker (hip)



PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at DALLAS COWBOYS on Monday night

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Practice Report (The Eagles did not practice on Wednesday. The below practice participation designations are an estimation)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
DE Victor Abiamiri (wrist), WR Reggie Brown (hamstring), WR Kevin Curtis (hernia)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
S Sean Considine (hand)

DALLAS COWBOYS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Sam Hurd (ankle), G Kyle Kosier (foot)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Miles Austin (knee), CB Terence Newman (groin), LB Anthony Spencer (knee)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
RB Marion Barber (rib), WR Isaiah Stanback (shoulder)


Related Links: PDF Version

49ers Disorganization Injured QB Alex Smith

After four new offensive coordinators in each year of his short NFL career, former Utah and now San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Alex Smith has been place on injured reserve after injuring his shoulder in practice last Friday.  Once a player goes on IR, he can't be taken off until the next season, so that closes the 2008 campaign for Smith.

I was there in 2005 when Smith was drafted amid some controversy by the 49ers, who were trying to decide between Smith and California Quaterback Aaron Rogers, who's now the starter for Green Bay after being there first round pick, 21 positions behind Smith that year.  The talk was that Rogers was not 22 positions worse than Smith, but his equal.  It just depended on what system each signal-caller was in.

Smith never got settled with a single offensive approach, and last year was terrible.  The 49ers insisted on using a kind of deep passing game that called for fast retreats by the offensive line and seven step drops.  The result was a sacked and battered Smith.  The 49ers have continued this approach with the hiring of former Rams Head Coach Mike Martz as offensive coordinator.  The results have been the same; the 49ers QB was sacked three times in the first game against the Arizona Cardinals, last Sunday.

Fortunately that person was not Smith, but J.T. O'Sullivan, who the 49ers brought over from the Detroit Lions because he was familar with Martz and the system he was going to install.  That seemed to spell curtains for Smith even before the injury.

The only question is will the Gold and Scarlet keep Smith next year.  Time and performance this year will tell. My early bet is that 49ers Head Coach Mike Nolan will not be back past this year and Smith will have to deal with the whims of yet another groups of coaches.

Is Bristol Palin's Child's Real Father Black?

 Last week, I uncovered a video where "Kevin" claimed to be the real father of the child Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol Palin is carrying and that the World has been led to believe was the result of the "involvement" of Levi Johnston, Bristol's boyfriend. In my blog post here:

http://zennie2005.blogspot.com/2008/09/kevin-on-youtube-video-claims-to-be.html 

I expressed some credibility concerns. But Kevin just sent this note which caused me to reopen this matter and -- as Anderson Cooper would say -- did deeper:

Re: If this is true, then contact me.

Re: If this is true, then contact me.

i have yet to respond to any press at this point. my intentions are not to slander bristol name or mrs palins, john mccain's, or borack obama's campaign.

as you can imagine i have gotten a over whelming response by press, young kids, politicians, racist, and youtubers alike. i am ready for this to all be over!

i made and posted the video's to spark a small interest in the media, forcing this to be a situation the palins would have to deal with. but it is growing out of control, and they have yet to respond. for this reason i am now ready to do press.

i have received the obvious questions such as:

do you have pictures, text messages, phone bills, etc..?

how does the time line match up/ when did you sleep with her?

how can you prove this?

etc...

these are all reasonable questions giving the a ligation.

i have not responded to any of these questions as of yet. but after searching threw old bills, and photos from my trip i have finally found healthy evidence of our relationship. if i do not have a response from the palins after this released ultimatum i will be exposing this to the public thurday sept 11th via youtube.

also....i have have a lot of people asking me if this is a publicity stunt to promote my music. i can understand the logic behind that theory....however...i was a musician before bristol and i will continue my career during and after this ordeal. i express a lot of my emotions threw my music. "Thats Where Ill Be" (posted on youtube titled Father of bristol palins baby speaks pt.2) is a song that a poured the emotion of this situation into. it completely and vividly explains the story of bristol and i.

finally, i will only be doing a limited amount of press with only media outlets with the most respect for the situation. and who will properly promote it and help to get it to the masses where the proper message will be conveyed... which is "you should do what is morally correct no matter your political status. i am standing up for moral standard, and moral value"

i will be taking interviews sept 10 via telephone. if you want an interview please leave your number/email address and i will respond as soon as possible to let you know what time in the day is best to make it happen.

stipulations:

there are questions i will not answer in order to protect innocent people, and images of public figures. i agree with obama when he says "peoples family's are off limits". with that said i will only do the most straight forward answers and will abruptly let you know when you ask a question i feel is out of line. the interview will end ,with me hanging up and refusing further contact, if that conduct persist within the interview.

if you are looking for a printed statement please use this message as my approved statement to the public and the press.

feel free to use the video at your disposal. i hope that is will be shown in the proper light.

thanks you for your time

-kevin

Watch the video. If this is true, it could have a devistating impact on Governor Palin's credibility, and that's just for starters.

Obama & McCain on taxes and the economy.

Will Obama or McCain's proposal tax home sales more? What about capital gains? With “both John McCain and Barack Obama offering tax cuts,” according to the Christian Science Monitor, “the 2008 election promises a boost for the typical family budget” regardless. But the myths require debunking - smears circulate in email misrepresenting the differences - sometimes deliberately. Facts help...

"New Tax" Falsehoods: One e-mail in particular contains a string of made-up taxes that it falsely claims Obama has proposed. He has not proposed a tax on new homes with more than 2,400 square feet, or a new gasoline tax or a tax on retirement accounts. The most laughably false claim is that Obama would tax "water." But it's out there, and in covering it the media echoes it... Want more facts?

• Capital Gains Rate: It's untrue that Obama is proposing a 28 percent capital gains tax rate. He said in an interview on CNBC that he favors raising the top rate on capital gains from its present 15 percent to 20 percent or more, but no higher than 28 percent. And as for a 28 percent rate, he added, "my guess would be it would be significantly lower than that."
• Tax on Dividends: Another false claim is that Obama proposes to raise the tax rate on dividends to 39.6 percent. Dividends currently are taxed at a top rate of 15 percent, and Obama would raise that to the same rate as he would tax capital gains, somewhere between 20 percent and 28 percent but likely "significantly" lower than 28 percent. This higher tax also would fall only on couples making $250,000 or more or singles making more than $200,000.
• Taxing IRAs and 529s: Contrary to email rumors, raising tax rates on capital gains or dividends would not result in higher taxes on any investments held in Individual Retirement Accounts or in popular, tax-deferred "college funds" under section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. The whole point of such tax-deferred plans is that dividends and capital gains are allowed to accumulate and compound tax-free, and neither Obama nor McCain proposes to change that. And as previously mentioned, any capital gains or dividend income from stocks, bonds or mutual funds owned outside of tax-deferred accounts would continue to be taxed at current rates except for couples making over $250,000, or singles making more than $200,000
• Doubled Taxes? The claim that "Under Obama your taxes will more than double!" is also false. Do you really need to ask? The comparative rate tables one e-mail smear provides for McCain and Obama are entirely wrong, as explained in a March 13 article about another false e-mail (from which the tables are copied.) It is supposedly a comparison of tax rates before and after the Bush tax cuts, but it grossly overstates the effect of the Bush cuts. Obama actually proposes to retain the Bush cuts for every single income level shown in the bogus table.
• Estate Tax. The claim that Obama proposes to "restore the inheritance tax" is also false, as are the claims that McCain would impose zero tax and that Bush "repealed" it. McCain and Obama both would retain a reduced version of the estate tax, as it is correctly called, though McCain would reduce it by more.
  
  The tax now falls only on estates valued at more than $2 million (effectively $4 million for couples able to set up the required legal and financial arrangements). It reaches a maximum rate of 45 percent on amounts more than that. It was not repealed, but it is set to expire temporarily in 2010, then return in 2011, when it would apply to estates valued at more than $1 million ($2 million for couples), with the maximum rate rising to 55 percent.
  
  Obama has proposed to apply the tax only to estates valued at more than $3.5 million ($7 million for couples), holding the maximum rate at 45 percent. McCain would apply it to estates worth more than $5 million ($10 million for couples), with a maximum rate of 15 percent. I wonder how that difference relates to the assessed value, or anticipated selling price, of the best of the McCain homes...

Why all the misinformation?

Some of it's based on simple confusion. After all, Obama's not prone to cute sound-bites such as "Read my lips: No new taxes." Some of the emails circulating, however, are so consistently mis-representing the facts - facts that are easy to verify - that one can only conclude a deliberately malicious intent to strike fear in the wallets of middle class voters is behind the lies.

In an ideal setting voters would all have access to reliable, current, accurate information sources. They'd also take the time to examine that information, no matter if it was Obama's stand on taxes, McCain's statements about taxes or his speeches on why health care doesn't need the fixes Obama's proposed, or rookie Governor Palin's changing stand on the pork barrel "Bridge to Nowhere." In practice, time is short, and rumors often get as much (if not more) coverage as facts on the evening TV news or in newspapers. Futhermore it's often hard to tell which part of a story is the truth. The media producers have motives that must be examined, particularly those who profit from selling commercials since they obviously desire to make a profit. When in doubt, follow the money.

Who profits from the election of McCain or Obama -- or your mayor?

Who profits from voters feeling disenfranchised and tuning out?

The airwaves are as full of misinformation - willfully employed - as the email is. Are you ready to step up and be an Agent of change, to contribute to help spread the truth?

read more: Capital gains and taxing home sales | digg story

Wayne Berman, Top McCain Fundraiser, Also Lobbyist For Big Oil

Wayne Berman's a key fundraiser for the presidential campaign of Senator John McCain and a member of the government relations staff of Oglivy, a PR firm with a Washington office. 

Berman's a prime example of why people say that McCain's in the pocket of Big Oil.  Wayne Berman's serving as a lobbyist for Chevron in their legal battle against the country of Ecuador.

Berman has taken the incredible step of trying to get the Bush Administration to take special trade preferences away from Ecuador if that country doesn't drop its billion dollar lawsuit against Chevron.

I can personally save Wayne Berman the trouble by telling him Chevron's not at fault to anywhere near the levels charged by Ecuador.  But the other side of this story has nothing to do with Chevron and everything to do with Wayne Berman's key involvement in McCain's campaign. 

With ties like Wayne Berman, it's impossible for McCain to claim he's not a friend of Big Oil.

Petroecuador Employees Fight Over Occidential Petroleum's Left Over Luxury Cars

If one needs any evidence of how divided Ecuador's class culture really is, and of how this still-poor country (even with its oil industry) has so little that its citizens scrap for everything, we have this report of Petroecuador employees actually coming to blows over luxury cars left behind after the state forced that American oil company out of the country.


Now, the resulting "wake" has improved the oil sector, if not the messy politics that defines it in this country. Now, Petroecuador controls 50 percent of all oil export production in Ecuador. And while Occidental has approached the Bush Administration for help in re-acquiring the assets seized by Ecuador, the nation's representatives are taking a hard line stance, not allowing a "an arrogant, portentous transnational that doesn’t respect Ecuadoran laws to harm our country,” according to Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa.  

Sen. Joe Biden Rips Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin in Landhorne, PA

Barack Obama picked not only the most experienced person in the Senate to be his running mate, but perhaps the most passionate one as well. In this campaign stop at Landhorne, PA, Biden reminded all Americans of the problems we've faced over the last eight years of the Bush Administration: lost jobs and a lost self-esteem.

RACIST COLLEGE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT ADAM LADUCA STEPS DOWN - CALLED KING A FRAUD

You know, the more I see stories like this, the less faith I have in America.  What bothers me about this story of Adam LaDuca is that he's 21 years old and so this racist view is a reflection of his parents.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The leader of a statewide group of college Republicans has been forced to resign after posting racially insensitive comments about Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on the Internet.

Adam LaDuca, 21, the former executive director of the Pennsylvania Federation of College Republicans, wrote on his Facebook page in late July that Obama has "a pair of lips so large he could float half of Cuba to the shores of Miami (and probably would.)"

LaDuca, who previously had called Martin Luther King Jr. a "pariah" and a "fraud," also wrote: "And man, if sayin' someone has large lips is a racial slur, then we're ALL in trouble."

The College Republicans asked LaDuca to resign after his remarks were publicized by the Pennsylvania Progressive, a blog written by a Democratic committeeman from Berks County. The group announced LaDuca's resignation on its Web site Friday.