Political Horse Race Analysis...

... always piss me off. This from the AP is what I'm talking about. I can't stand people making predictions or saying it is this when it is nothing but specualtion. There are polls saying she's ahead, but really folks- its all name recognition. Obama has some but he also wasn't a first lady for 8 years.

As someone who has witnessed two presidential campaign cycles, I learned one thing: It's October and nothing is decided. People for the most part don't even know who is running. All of the debates mean nothing and people probably won't be paying attention until the end of November. So when I hear bull like this:

Memo to the Democratic presidential candidates: You can still beat Hillary Rodham Clinton, but you better act fast.

The former first lady looks more likely to win the nomination every day, showing strength in polling, fundraising and setting the campaign agenda.

I get a little angry. The sad thing is most general voters won't be listening until next year and that is AFTER the parties have picked their nominees. So no regular voter even gets input. So much for primaries...


Here's My Rant
Let's face it- this primary system reflects none of the the actual principles it was founded on. Once upon a time it was supposed to take the candidate selection away from smoke-filled rooms. Now it still allows an elite class decide who gets it. But it isn't for the reasons the pundit class in the media (and "genius" analytical skills) say. It isn't liberal rank-and-file party voters deciding. IN fact the average party activist is cut out of the whole thing.

It is Washington money-funnelers. Who can get the most money the quickest. Clinton is a perfect example of this sham of a nominating process. I give Kudos to Obama and Edwards for their respective stands to fight it. But really those come from being unable to emulate Clinton's Washington schmoozing.

And then after all of this you hear inane news analysis like this:

There is always the chance that Clinton could make an error in the next couple of months that would hurt her chances. Some argue that her vote against Iran at a time when anti-war Democrats are concerned about war there has the potential to damage her standing.

But Democratic insiders, including some working on various 2008 campaigns who spoke on condition of anonymity, agree that barring a major stumble, Clinton is all but sure to win the nomination if she wins the opening contest in Iowa. She is polling well in the states that follow, and no one else would be able to challenge her unless an Iowa loss made her look vulnerable.

This system is stacked for Washington insiders. Pretty much the same reason we started primaries in the first place. There are many ideas about how to structure the out-of-control front-loading of the primary system- but the this balancing won't do much when the Washington money-funnelers play gate-keeper.

Fighting for the Mountains

Over at DailyKos is push to ask Congressmen to support protections as the Bush Administration is seeking to ease restrictions for the coal operators to destroy mountaintops in the Mountain State (WV, of course!)and elsewhere.

We here at Outside-Agitator urge you to do the same. Check this out and help stop this destructive process. Mining coal is a necessary process but we must make it a responsible and cleaner practice.

So what's the plan: Iran

Here's the new plan folks. Sanction Iran to make it weaker.

More from the AP:

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration announced sweeping new sanctions against Iran Thursday — the harshest since the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in 1979 — charging anew that Tehran supports terrorism in the Middle East, exports missiles and is engaging in a nuclear build up.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, joined at a State Department news conference by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, said the steps the Bush administration is taking against the Revolutionary Guard Corps and a number of banks are designed, among other things, to punish Tehran for its support of terrorist organizations in Iraq and the Middle East.

Rice said the moves were in response to "a comprehensive policy to confront the threatening behavior of the Iranians" although she also said that Washington remains open to "a diplomatic solution."

But Rice quickly added: "Unfortunately the Iranian government continues to spurn our offer of open negotiations, instead threatening peace and security by pursuing nuclear technologies that can lead to a nuclear weapon, building dangerous ballistic missiles, supporting Shia militants in Iraq and terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, and denying the existence of a fellow member of the United Nations, threatening to wipe Israeli off the map."

I really like Rice's "open to diplomatic solutions." It is our president who has threatened WWIII. It is also this administration who supported Israeli invasion into Lebanon. And Iraq- well, need I say more?

And for y'all who think that somehow Iran is going to nuke Israel- one of the stupidest notions I have ever heard- I will off this tidbit of "evidence" of the true intentions of Iran.

Iran's conservative new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said Wednesdaythat Israel must be "wiped off the map" and that attacks by Palestinians would destroy it, the ISNA press agency reported.

...

His tone was reminiscent of that of the early days of Iran's Islamic revolution in 1979. Iran and Israel have been bitter enemies since then, and anti-Israel slogans have been common at rallies.

...

Ahmadinejad said in his remarks Wednesday that the issue of a Palestinian state would be resolved only when Palestinians took control of all their lands.

What Ahmedinejad is saying is nothing new. There isn't a new threat there.
Iran wants Palestinians to have their land. What land will there be to have if it is nuked?

In your own minds, cut through the rhthym of the war drum beat and hear the logic and reasoning. It is the only way we can stop another disaster for our land and country.

Obama- Sister Souljah Moment??

Gays are railing against a gospel singer who is actively supports Obama. Whatever happened to "can't we all just get along?"

More from the <AP:

A gay rights group on Monday urged Barack Obama to cut ties with a gospel singer who it says spreads false information about homosexuality being a choice.

Donnie McClurkin is among several gospel singers scheduled to raise money for the Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate at a concert in South Carolina this weekend.

McClurkin has drawn attention from gay rights activists for his views on homosexuality.

"I don't believe that it is the intention of God," McClurkin said Monday in a telephone interview. "Sexuality, everything is a matter of choice."

McClurkin said he does not believe in discriminating against homosexuals. "What people do in their bedrooms and who they are as human beings are two different things," he said.

In a statement, Obama said he believes gays and lesbians are "our brothers and sisters" and should be afforded the same respect, dignity and rights granted all other citizens.

I hope for Obama's sake he stands his ground. If he is to be a leader for the country he can't let the inmates run the madhouse- so to speak. In other words, he needs to show independence and allow those with differing opinions to stand in support of him or else Obama just becomes a special interest lackey.

For gays- Obama supports you, so pipe down. What- is everyone going to bolt to guiliani if it becomes a choice between him or Obama? Give me a break- there's a war on people!

Color Me Skeptical

I place this under the "Highly Doubtful" column. Hillary Clinton says she will give back powers that the Bush White House has taken for themselves.

Clinton denounced the Bush Administration's push to concentrate more power in the White House as a "power grab" not supported by the Constitution.

Asked if she would consider giving up some of those powers if she were president, Clinton replied, "Oh, absolutely ... I mean, that has to be part of the review that I undertake when I get to the White House, and I intend to do that."

A president is not just going to go back and cede power to Congress, which in its ineptitude during the 5, ah hell make it 50, years did not force it to give back. I really can't think of a moment when Congress did this. The War Powers Act was probably the most forceful of these attempts and that is being undermined daily by the Bush Administration. Congress has been fighting a losing battle with the White House Since the days of FDR.

Transformers trailer

Transformers 2 Disc Special Edition DVD Review

For those of us who grew up watching Transformers there was a bit of childlike excitement inside of us when we heard that Michael Bay was directing a live action movie. There were also those that didn't give a damn. Despite those people there was a tremendous amount of hype surrounding this film. Computer hackers broke into studio computers to read the script and see Transformer design drafts only to bash Michael Bay for ruining their childhood. In retaliation, Bay did as much research as he possibly could on Transformers and released a teaser trailer that was the most downloaded in Internet history. The question is did it all pay off? Well it depends on who you ask, but in my opinion he made a pretty cool movie. If you have seen any of Bay's previous work I shouldn't have to tell you that this isn't Oscar material, or in anyway conceivable. Having said that I'm sure you also know that's what he is best at. Inconceivable unrealistic action packed shit! Every time he sticks to that format he doesn't lose. Transformers looks so good that you accept it, no matter how ridiculous it gets. It is also so fun that we almost forgive him for making Pearl Harbor, one of the worst films in history. As far as the plot goes it isn't any more complex than the cartoons we watched as a child but it should still maintain your attention throughout the entire film. While Michael Bay's vision and The Transformers are the real stars of the film, the humans don't do to bad themselves. Shia LaBeouf (Disturbia, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) convinces us that he is here to stay with a memorable performance and good comic relief. Megan Fox(Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen) is really only there to look sexy but she does it well. Josh Duhamel (Live Free or Die Hard, Hitman) plays the military action hero well. John Voight (Anaconda, National Treasure, Enemy of the State) plays the Defense Secretary as well as he can in an action film and John Turturro (Secret Window, O Brother, Where art thou?) fits here well with his unique style of acting. The DVD Features include pretty much everything you could ever want to know about the making of Transformers in a little over 2 hours. If you are hardcore Transformer nerds, or just want to gain appreciation for how much work went into this film it is quite interesting.

The Film - 3 out of 5 stars

The DVD - 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Features:

Disc 1

Commentary by Director Michael Bay

Disc 2

Our World - Explore the world of TRANSFORMERS through interviews with the cast and crew, stunt training footage, and exclusive access to the on-set locations.

Their War - Learn more about the AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS with exclusive access to production design, military advisors, and digital special effects.

More than meets the eye - An in-depth featurette on the making of the Skorponok Desert Attack scene and concept boards.