by Cenk Uygur
The latest right-wing game is to pin controversial figures, who might have said or done anything objectionable at any point in their lifetimes, to Barack Obama. Then make him apologize for them. Then make him denounce and reject them. And then say he hasn't done enough to "distance" himself from them.
It could be his pastor, it could be his neighbor, it could be someone he served on a board with, it could be someone who donated to him, it could be someone who gave him an unsolicited endorsement (Louis Farrakhan) or it can just simply be someone who is black (Harry Belafonte).
So, let's play the six degrees of Barack Obama game and see who else he should denounce and reject. I'll start off the festivities. I'm an easy one. I connect to him in only two degrees. I know Josh Orton, who worked on the online side of his campaign for some time. Bingo. Obama now owns everything I have ever said.
He's not going to like what he finds. Although I am perfectly reasonable in politics (though given to fits of vitriol), I am a fervent agnostic. I have argued vehemently against religion. Quotes of mine in this field could be devastating to Obama. I'll provide no links here; it wouldn't be fun if I did the media's job for them. Have fun, it's a treasure hunt.
Worse yet, I was born Muslim. I went to school in Turkey until I was eight (that will be translated as "attended a madrasa" by Fox "News" Channel). His connection to a known Muslim and atheist (come on, who is going to bother with the distinction between agnostic and atheist in the sound bite world) could be devastating. Is America ready for non-flag wearing, Muslim, atheist two heart beats away from the president?
If you think it's damaging that I am only two people removed from Obama, it gets worse. I often speak favorably of Obama on our show and among the remaining candidates he is clearly my favorite! Aha, that's the equivalent of an endorsement. He might not have asked for it, but just by the virtue of me issuing it, he's stuck with it.
I hope he at least does me the solid of denouncing my words and not my entire existence. It's gotta sting to have your whole being denounced and rejected.
I invite all of you to play along. See how many degrees it takes you to get to Obama and how enthusiastically and vociferously he has to denounce you.
Now, unfortunately, there is one man who is not allowed to play - John McCain. Because the media has decided that while it is eminently fair to attach any person Obama has ever met (or in some cases not even met) to him, you can never look into anyone that John McCain has ever been associated with. He is a maverick, moderate, war-hero, straight-talker. So, obviously he doesn't need to answer for anyone in his past or undergo any of the Obama treatment. Sorry, John. This is one fun game you'll have to sit out.
Though there will be this awkward moment when people realize Barack Obama knows John McCain. And he is therefore is responsible for everything McCain says - even though he is running against him. Wrap your mind around that one.
I do have some concerns about this though. I wonder if this game will distract from the real issues. I wonder if people will see through it as an obvious attempt to smear Obama by association. I wonder if people will realize it has absolutely nothing to do with how Obama would govern if he were elected. I wonder if people will wonder why it's only done to one candidate and not the others.
Nah, probably not. Don't want to ruin the fun, let's just keep mindlessly playing it until November and see what happens.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Recent Speeches by Rev. Wright
I want to provide the recent interviews and speeches of Rev. Wright for you to check out for yourself, if you want to. Judge for yourself. Let's be real though.....everything he's saying is true! (well, except for the AIDS thing
Bill Moyer's interview with Rev. Wright
Rev. Wright's speech at The National Press Club
Bill Moyer's interview with Rev. Wright
Rev. Wright's speech at The National Press Club
The Origins of May Day, International Workers Day
Yesterday was May Day 2008, and being the MarxistGopher Report, I've decided to post about the history of May Day...a day late.
PBS looks at one of the incidents that gave rise to International Workers Day--May 1 or Mayday.
The video only deals with the Haymarket Square confrontation with police and the aftermath where eight labor leaders were charged with murder. Four were hanged, one committed suicide and three had their sentences commuted.
Labor organizers had called a national strike for an eight-hour work day on May 1, 1886. In Chicago, workers held a parade and rally with over 80,000 participants.
On May 3, 1886, striking employees of the McCormick Reaper Works clashed with replacement workers. Police retaliated against the striking employees, killing two.
On May 4th, 1886, a rally of anarchists and labor activists in Chicago's Haymarket Square in support of the McCormick strikers turned deadly. An unknown assailant tossed a bomb into a throng of riot police who were advancing on the rally, killing one instantly. In the chaos that erupted, seven policemen were killed, sixty injured, and civilian casualties were likely as high.
The eight men were arrested and charged with murder at Haymarket. Though they all opposed Chicago's elite businessmen, whom they believed stood for "starvation of the masses, privileges and luxury for the few," the eight held very different ideas about what action to take. Some advocated change through violence, while others believed progress could come via social engineering. Despite their different beliefs, the trial, convictions and sentencing that followed would unite these "Haymarket Eight" in history.
At a convention of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1888 the union decided to campaign for the eight-hour day once again. May 1, 1890 was agreed upon as the date on which workers would strike for an eight-hour work day and to commemorate the earlier fight for an eight hour day.
In 1889 AFL president Samuel Gompers wrote to the first congress of the Second International, which was meeting in Paris. He informed the world's socialists of the AFL's plans and proposed an international fight for a universal eight-hour work day.
In response to Gompers's letter the Second International adopted a resolution calling for "a great international demonstration" on a single date so workers everywhere could demand the eight-hour work day.
In light of the Americans' plan, the International adopted May 1, 1890 as the date for this demonstration. It has been celebrated around the world as Mayday--International Workers Day-- ever since.
PBS looks at one of the incidents that gave rise to International Workers Day--May 1 or Mayday.
The video only deals with the Haymarket Square confrontation with police and the aftermath where eight labor leaders were charged with murder. Four were hanged, one committed suicide and three had their sentences commuted.
Labor organizers had called a national strike for an eight-hour work day on May 1, 1886. In Chicago, workers held a parade and rally with over 80,000 participants.
On May 3, 1886, striking employees of the McCormick Reaper Works clashed with replacement workers. Police retaliated against the striking employees, killing two.
On May 4th, 1886, a rally of anarchists and labor activists in Chicago's Haymarket Square in support of the McCormick strikers turned deadly. An unknown assailant tossed a bomb into a throng of riot police who were advancing on the rally, killing one instantly. In the chaos that erupted, seven policemen were killed, sixty injured, and civilian casualties were likely as high.
The eight men were arrested and charged with murder at Haymarket. Though they all opposed Chicago's elite businessmen, whom they believed stood for "starvation of the masses, privileges and luxury for the few," the eight held very different ideas about what action to take. Some advocated change through violence, while others believed progress could come via social engineering. Despite their different beliefs, the trial, convictions and sentencing that followed would unite these "Haymarket Eight" in history.
At a convention of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1888 the union decided to campaign for the eight-hour day once again. May 1, 1890 was agreed upon as the date on which workers would strike for an eight-hour work day and to commemorate the earlier fight for an eight hour day.
In 1889 AFL president Samuel Gompers wrote to the first congress of the Second International, which was meeting in Paris. He informed the world's socialists of the AFL's plans and proposed an international fight for a universal eight-hour work day.
In response to Gompers's letter the Second International adopted a resolution calling for "a great international demonstration" on a single date so workers everywhere could demand the eight-hour work day.
In light of the Americans' plan, the International adopted May 1, 1890 as the date for this demonstration. It has been celebrated around the world as Mayday--International Workers Day-- ever since.
HSCA "Mugbook" Photos
I found this on maryferrel this morning. The HSCA just released their mugshot photo collection.
These photographs come from the HSCA Numbered Boxes of photos (box 5). They depict various people related to the JFK assassination saga and in whom the HSCA had an interest. Index is in record number 180-10124-10172.
These photographs come from the HSCA Numbered Boxes of photos (box 5). They depict various people related to the JFK assassination saga and in whom the HSCA had an interest. Index is in record number 180-10124-10172.
Shocking New Polls!!!
Wow, unbelievable! It looks like Obama is going to win North Carolina, and Clinton is going to win Indiana. I simply can't believe it?!
State Pollster End date Clinton Obama
Indiana Rasmussen Apr. 29 46% 41%
Indiana TeleResearch Apr. 29 48% 38%
North Carolina Zogby May 01 34% 50%
North Carolina Research 2000 Apr. 30 44% 51%
North Carolina Mason-Dixon Apr. 29 42% 49%
Oregon SurveyUSA Apr. 30 44% 50%
State Pollster End date Clinton Obama
Indiana Rasmussen Apr. 29 46% 41%
Indiana TeleResearch Apr. 29 48% 38%
North Carolina Zogby May 01 34% 50%
North Carolina Research 2000 Apr. 30 44% 51%
North Carolina Mason-Dixon Apr. 29 42% 49%
Oregon SurveyUSA Apr. 30 44% 50%
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The A-11 Offense (all 11 players eligible!)
Kurt Bryan might be onto something. Bryan, the head football coach at Piedmont (Calif.) High, e-mailed recently to spread the word about the A-11 offense, a formation in which all 11 offensive players are potentially eligible.
Piedmont created it and -- after much discussion with officials about its legality -- ran it for the first time this past season to the tune of a 7-3 record. Intrigued, we decided to give Bryan a call. Turns out we're not the only ones around the country -- or even in Minnesota -- that want to know more.
"Some coaches are more open and some are more cryptic about who they are," Bryan said of interest generated among his peers. "There are two from Minnesota that are using anonymous names. They're definitely coaches. You can tell by the lingo they use."
The spread offense was hot in Minnesota last year. But it's a copycat game, and the A-11 offense could be "the next step in the evolution of the sport," Bryan said.
Frustrated by Piedmont's lack of size, coaches developed the offense, which is described on the website www.a11offense.com as "blending aspects of the spread option, West Coast and run-and-shoot." Anything beyond that gets a little too technical for this confined space, but the website does a good job of breaking it down and also provides video examples.
Bryan said coaches of large high schools are interested in it as a change-of-pace package, while smaller schools are curious about using it as their base offense. Bryan said he even has been contacted by college teams and one NFL team.
While Bryan couldn't reveal the identity of the interested Minnesota schools, he does think there eventually will be more than only two intrigued coaches in this state. Fans might even see it locally as early as the fall.
"It takes a little bit to just get your mind around it. It's so unique," Bryan said. "That's what we're hearing from coaches. 'We can't believe we didn't think of this.' They're sending us ideas and plays."
Piedmont created it and -- after much discussion with officials about its legality -- ran it for the first time this past season to the tune of a 7-3 record. Intrigued, we decided to give Bryan a call. Turns out we're not the only ones around the country -- or even in Minnesota -- that want to know more.
"Some coaches are more open and some are more cryptic about who they are," Bryan said of interest generated among his peers. "There are two from Minnesota that are using anonymous names. They're definitely coaches. You can tell by the lingo they use."
The spread offense was hot in Minnesota last year. But it's a copycat game, and the A-11 offense could be "the next step in the evolution of the sport," Bryan said.
Frustrated by Piedmont's lack of size, coaches developed the offense, which is described on the website www.a11offense.com as "blending aspects of the spread option, West Coast and run-and-shoot." Anything beyond that gets a little too technical for this confined space, but the website does a good job of breaking it down and also provides video examples.
Bryan said coaches of large high schools are interested in it as a change-of-pace package, while smaller schools are curious about using it as their base offense. Bryan said he even has been contacted by college teams and one NFL team.
While Bryan couldn't reveal the identity of the interested Minnesota schools, he does think there eventually will be more than only two intrigued coaches in this state. Fans might even see it locally as early as the fall.
"It takes a little bit to just get your mind around it. It's so unique," Bryan said. "That's what we're hearing from coaches. 'We can't believe we didn't think of this.' They're sending us ideas and plays."
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