Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Live Blogging the Debate.

Debate about to start. I expect a little bit tougher exchanges and sharper reponses than last time as is usually the case. McCain needs to point out that Clinton made the same promises in 92 and was forced by the Democrat Congress to abandon them. He also needs to run against the Congressional Democrats more than he does Obama. People like Obama. He is more personable and has a better delivery. Attack the Barney Franks and Chris Dodd's who got sweetheart loans from Countrywide and put us in this housing mess. If Obama starts hitting him on hiring Davis, he needs to point out that Davis was a hired gun who is no different than any other lawyer who represents his client and point out that Pfitzker and Johnson are two people who WERE the lenders who drove us into the ditch and attack Obama's judgement for hiring them. Obama should stay calm, play it safe, jab, and link McCain as much as possible to Bush and Wall Street, tapping into the country's anger.

Here we go. First question about getting us out of this financial mess. Obama response predictable. Nice. Attacking AIG. Good move. Rescue package for middle class. How do you pay for it? Road projects? Bridge projects? Clinton's old "rebuild the infrastructure campaign promise. HOW do we pay for it? How? McCain, look at Obama. McCain responds with energy independence, lowering taxes, the debt. Discussing home values and doing something about them. How? Advocates buying up the bad mortgages. Um, didn't we pass that bill last week? Did he learn nothing from 1990's Japan? Dumb question by Brokaw about who he would hire to run Treasury. No serious candidate is going to announce who he will appoint to a cabinet position. Classy move by McCain to note Buffet and his tie-in to McCain. Obama had a better answer on this question.

Bailout question. Oooohhhh... McCain hitting Democrats on their protecting Fannie and Freddie. Obama personalizing the Bacardi Bailout bill, tying in the frozen credit markets to the average guy on the street. Obama stressing he warned about subprime mess. Hits McCain for hiring Davis. Wonder if McCain will make the appropriate response and tie in Dodd and Frank to this. Should not have attacked Obama specifically on that one but the Democrats instead. McCain needs to hit him on hiring Pfitzker and Johnson. Slight edge to Obama on this question.

So far, the difference between the two is Obama is offering more specific details on what he plans to do, making sound more of an authority on the economy. He is giving McCain openings but McCain is missing them. He is attacking McCain for not cutting taxes on corporations. McCain should mention it is corporations who do the hiring and give the middle class their jobs and retirement plans, not the government and that Obama will cause unemployment to rise as they are burdened by more taxes required by increased government spending. McCain needs to wake up. Obama is uh'ing and oh'ing a good bit.

Damn. Didn't McCain study the Clinton/Bush debates? Obama is making many of the same arguments that Clinton made then. Didn't the Republicans learn anything? OK, McCain, Obama rejected an across the board spending freeze. Wow. Worked for Reagan. Wait a second McCain, Bush raised taxes during a recession in the early 90's. Nice job. He is hitting Obama for raising taxes on small businesses. Little secret about personal income tax rates: Small businesses file on personal tax returns and they do most of the hiring in any economy. They also have a higher tax rate than do corporations. Brokaw nutting up and saying nope when Obama wants special treatment to respond to McCain.

Nice trap here by Brokaw. Social security reform. Nice barb by Obama. "Straight Talk Express lost a wheel on that one". Obama claiming his taxes will go up on those making over $250,000 a year. McCain once again needs to point out that those are the small businesses who do most of the hiring. McCain has an opening here as Obama attacks him for wanting to cut corporate income taxes. McCain needs to give him a lesson in Econ 101. Romney would be toasting Obama on this subject right now. Both avoid mentioning privatizing Social Security or how they would reform it. Vagueness seems to be the response for both candidates.

Dammit, Direct TV just went out and its clear outside. Thank you CSPAN online.

So far McCain is missing openings and looking weaker than Obama.

Brokaw asks about the economy affecting our foreign policy. Obama hits McCain hard on Iraq, saying he was all for a misguided war and how much money it is costing us. McCain is giving him a pass. McCain should have stated that he told the Bush administration they didn't have a large enough military force for the invasion and advised against fighting the war on the cheap. Truth is Bush administration came around to McCain's position after badly bungling the war. McCain keeps giving him a pass on this.

Damn. Lady just asked if we should pursue Al Qaida into Pakistan. Obama setting up a softball here, saying we lost focus on Afghanistan because of Iraq. McCain should mention we fought Japan and Germany at the same time yet we can't focus on those two countries at the same time? Eliminate the drug trade funding terrorism? Um, Senator Obama, it was the Taliban that wiped out the drug trade. Nice. McCain is sound more of an authority than Obama on this question. Points out how saying we will invade Pakistan galvanizes the Pakistan population against us and shows a better knowledge of counter-insurgency doctrine. Obama wants the rules changed for him so asks for the rules to change for him. McCain should not let these remarks about bombing Iran and North Korea as well as going to Bagdhad unchallenged. Well, they go unchallenged. Nice line about why we should not telegraph our punches to the enemy.

Brokaw asks how to reform Afghanistan strategy. Obama is predictable, smoothly states how he would draw down troop level in Iraq and put pressure on Karzain. Um, is he aware of the assassination attempts on his life? Can you imagine any greater pressure to stabilize the country than THAT? Slight edge to McCain on these two questions.

Russia. Moral support? Senator Obama, we gave moral support to Eastern Europe for 50 years. It took a president calling the Soviets an evil empire and standing up to them to bring them down. Obama advocating a thoughtful approach to dealing with Russia.

Dumb question by Brokaw: Is Russia under Vladamir Putin an evil empire? Irresponsible question as they are both going to say no since they will have to deal with Putin one on one.

Question about Israel. McCain says he won't wait for UN approval to defend Israel and brings up Iran. Both say they will defend Israel and Iran should not get nukes.

What don't you know and how will you learn it? Interesting. Obama speaks about opportunity and value of family sacrifice. Young people don't have the money for college? Um, Pell Grants, student loans, the military. They have plenty of options if they work for them. McCain discusses the challenges we face.

One thing I noticed: Not one word by either candidate about freedom and liberty. Sad. Very sad.
My verdict: Both candidates looked like they sleepwalked for the most part. Obama was predictable and good in his delivery. Someone like Romney would have capitalized on the openings Obama left for McCain. McCain needed a solid win tonight. Unfortunately, the solid win went to Obama.

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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
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