Collin Kelley: Modern Confessional

Obama Has An Economic Plan; McCain's Got Zilch

2008-10-13T20:15:00.006-04:00

Obama continues to steamroll past McCain in the polls and today he trounced Angry Johnny again by giving more details about his economic plan to revive the middle class. McCain's camp had been promising all weekend that today would be the "turning point" and gramps even stoked the base by saying he was going to whip Obama's "you know what" in the debate Wednesday night.

So, McCain gets on the stump today and says Obama's measuring curtains for the White House, the media has written off McCain/Palin and that he has Obama "right where we want him." Ummm....I guess that would mean Obama in the White House and McCain back in the senate and Palin bundled off to Alaska to never to be heard from again. Right, Johnny? Oh, why the hell am I asking him. To paraphrase Truvy from Steel Magnolias, McCain doesn't know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt.

McCain didn't utter a word about the economy, just more crazy soundbites as McCain's supporters continue to jump ship in droves. Even William Kristol, one of the biggest neocon tit suckers ever, wrote an op-ed piece calling for McCain to fire his entire campaign. Doh!

Today, Palin made an hilarious gaffe at stump speech in Richmond, Va. when she dressed down her own supporters because they were calling for her to speak louder because they couldn't hear her in the back. "I hope those protesters have the courage and honor to give veterans thanks for their right to protest," Palin said, as a flustered handler ran up to whisper in her ear that they were her supporters. She is a total joke.

Go, Obama, Go!!!

Photo courtesy New York Times.

Weekend Update

2008-10-12T18:53:00.008-04:00

I had dinner with Cecilia Woloch and a group of fellow writers and poets Friday night at Agave, the fabulous southwestern restaurant in Cabbagetown. The cayenne fried chicken will make you snap into the fetal position it's so good. Among the writers at the table were Rita Golden Gelman – author of Tales of a Female Nomad, about how she gave up all her possessions, a fixed address and went on a global odyssey to rediscover herself – and Kelly Hayes-Raitt, a former Democratic candidate for the California General Assembly, who is now the writer in residence at the Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians in Columbus, Ga. It was a very lively evening, punctuated by lots of political talk.

On Saturday afternoon, Cecilia and I read together at Wordsmiths Books in Decatur. We had about 25 or 30 people there and sold a fair number of books. Cecilia read mostly from her new chapbook Narcissus, which is absolutely brilliant. After the reading, Megan Volpert, her wife Mindy and I went over to Ted's Montana Grill for bison burgers. I'd never been to Ted's (and that's Ted as in Ted Turner) and never had bison. It was unbelievably good. One of the best burgers I've put in my mouth.

Today, was our final strategy meeting for the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival, which kicks off with a pre-festival slam on Tuesday night. Programs are being printed, poets and writers are driving and flying in from all over the country and we're as ready as we're going to be. It'll be posting more about the festival on Tuesday.

I also received an email from Michael Montlack, who is editing the "divas" anthology featuring my essay on Jeanne Moreau. The official title of the book is now My Diva: 65 Gay Men On The Women Who Inspire Them. Dorothy Allison, Eileen Myles and Marie Ponsot are writing the blurbs. The University of Wisconsin Press has the book on the Spring 2009 release calendar.

The presidential campaign has gotten seriously ugly over the last week and if you want proof of just how scary and ignorant McCain and Palin's supporters are just watch this video of them filing in to one of his campaign rallies. "Faggot, socialist, commie, scumbag, baby killer" are just some of epithets hurled at the camera crew asking questions about Obama. Ignorance and fear a dangerous combination. It really is the "sidewalk to nowhere." I love how Palin is just pretending she did nothing wrong, despite violating Alaska's ethics code, and the media seems to be giving her a pass well, focusing on the negative campaign instead. The New York Times had a great article yesterday about how McCain's campaign is adrift and he and his handlers are basically just throwing stuff at the wall to see what will stick.

Reading With Cecilia Woloch Saturday

2008-10-10T23:41:00.004-04:00

I'll be reading with the great Cecilia Woloch tomorrow (Oct. 11) at Wordsmiths Books, 595 N. McDonough St. in Decatur at 2 p.m. Cecilia will be reading from Narcissus, which won the Tupelo Press Snowbound Chapbook Award, and I'll be reading from my newly published chapbook of political poems, After the Poison, from Finishing Line Press. Copies of our books will be for sale and there will be a signing after the reading. Wordsmiths is located on the courthouse square (behind the actual courthouse) next door to Eddie's Attic. Parking is very limited in the lot in front of the shops, but there is ample free parking on McDonough Street and the city parking lot on Trinity Avenue, which is just a block from the square. Please arrive early to find parking and make your way to the store. For directions, visit www.wordsmithsbooks.com.

Also found out today that the fabulous UK literary magazine Tears In The Fence will publish two of my poems in its winter edition. One of the poems is "My Mother Demonstrates How To Escape From A Plane Crash," which appeared on this blog in an early draft a few months ago. All the comments and suggestions helped shape this poem, so thanks to my readers and fellow poets for their assistance.

Video Killed McCain and Palin

2008-10-09T16:47:00.003-04:00

McCain's freudian slip of the week in the top video, and Keith Olbermann delivers the definitive smackdown on Sarah Palin's hypocrisy when it comes to guilt by association. Also, if you haven't read Rolling Stone's blistering profile of John McCain, visit this link and settle in with a drink. You'll need one by the time you're finished.

Vote for "That One"

2008-10-08T09:39:00.005-04:00

I'll take "that one" over an out of touch, angry old fossil any day. Vote Obama/Biden on Nov. 4 or just stay home.

Live-Blogging Second Presidential Debate Tonight

2008-10-07T18:19:00.035-04:00

Because tonight's debate is a town hall-style session with people in the audience asking questions and via video, the live updates won't be coming as fast and furious as in my previous sessions. I'll try and update every five minutes or so. If you want to watch updates, you'll need to keep refreshing the page. See you back here at 9 p.m. eastern.

It's 9 p.m. and we're off...

Tom Brokaw is moderating this town hall meeting, which will allow people to ask questions from the audience and via email.

McCain is looking tired and old; Obama fresh and polished.

Question is how to get us out of economic crisis quickly? Obama falling back on talking points about failed policies of last eight years. Calls for strong oversight in bailout bill. AIG went on $400,000 junket...fire them all. Need tax cuts for middle class. Fix healthcare and energy that will take burden off taxpayers.

McCain says he has a plan to fix the problem...energy dependence, no tax increase, $500 billion owed to China. More talking points. Sigh. We need to do something about home values for senior. Buy up bad home mortgages and let people stay in their homes. It will be expensive though. It's not Obama's proposal or Bush's proposal, it's mine.

McCain hedges on who he would name treasury secretary. Likes Warren Buffet, Meg Whitman of eBay. Somebody who inspires trust and confidence. Don't have that now because of greed in Wall St.

Obama says Buffett would be a great choice for Treasury Sec. But it needs to be somebody who will help the middle class and not just the rich. Wages and incomes have flatlined. Harder to save and retire. I want to provide 95 percent tax cut to middle class.

Question is how bailout will help people? McCain says it's rescue, not bailout. I suspended my campaign (oh my god...drop that bullshit!) and went back to DC. You probably never heard of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but Obama and his cronies caused all this. Obama got tons of money from Fannie and Freddie. Some of us stood up against Freddie and Fannie, some took a hike.

Obama says bailout will unfreeze lending. Shouldn't have been there in the first place. Let me correct McCain. Deregulation caused this. He bragged about being a deregulator. I said two years ago we have a subprime mortgage problem, and nobody did anything. Called for re-regulation and McCain said keep deregulating. With respect to Fannie Mae, it wasn't his own bill jumped on it a year later and it never got passed. McCain's campaign chair is a Fannie lobbiest.

Obama says he's confident about US economy but need leadership in DC. Need to coordinate with other countries, but we have to help ordinary families stay in their home, pay bills. McCain says Americans are strong and we have to help them do their best again. Oh, brother...

Question on how we can trust either party, when both got us into the economic crisis? Obama says he understand the cynicism. There is a lot of blame to go around. When Bush came into office we had surplus, but now we have 10 trillion in debt. Over the last eight years, biggest spending in our history. And McCain voted for those Bush budgets. We need to spend money on key issues: healthcare, energy, education. We need to make spending cuts, which is what I'll be doing.

McCain says system is broken in DC. He's taken on special interest, worked across the aisle, I have a clear record of bipartisanship. I have fought against excessive spending, earmarks. Obama is proposing $680 billion in new spending. Slams Obama on earmarks, including money for a projector at a planetarium in Chicago.

Brokaw asks what are priorities once in office? McCain says work on all of them at once, he'll be reaching across the aisle. Build a bunch of nuclear power plants. Obama says prioritize: deal with energy today, strain on the budget and bad for national security. I've called for investment of $15 billion over 10 years to be free of foreign oil. Healthcare is number two, because broken system is bad for families and business. Three is education. McCain posing $300 billion tax cut to give big oil companies and wealthy.

Brokaw scolds both about going overtime in discussion.

Question is what sacrifices will president ask us to make? McCain blathering about earmarks again and defense spending and some good projects will have to go away. I recommend spending freeze on everything but defense and veteran care. McCain says shouldn't prioritize but do everything at once. Obama calls for America to band together like in the days after 9/11. Everyone us to get involved in energy crisis, make changes in how we live. Young people want to serve and we can create a volunteer corp.

Brokaw asks how to break bad debt cycle and easy credit? Obama says McCain wants give Wall Street CEOs more money. People dont' think they are sharing the burden. It's hard to ask a teacher making $30,000 and ask them to give more when there are people living high on the hog not paying their share. I disagree with across the board freeze...using a hatchet on the budget and causing more problems. McCain says Obama just wants to raise taxes. Obama's secret is that taxes will increase on small businesses and have to cut workers. Not in favor of tax cuts for wealthy, but increasing tax exemptions, a tax credit for healthcare.

Brokaw asks about entitlements. Obama says McCain's straight talk express has lost a wheel. I want to provide tax cut for 95 percent of Americans. Says McCain wrong on small businesses. They will also get tax cut under my plan. We will offer tax credit to small businesses to help pay for healthcare. McCain wants to give billions to CEOs on Wall Street and the wealthy. McCain says fixing Social Security isn't that hard. (??!!) Medicare will be tougher. Need to start a commission and give recommendations. Obama has voted to increase your taxes 94 times (a total lie...proven by independent organizations over and over!)

Question to McCain about moving Congress on climate change? He disagrees with Bush, need more nuclear power. Obama says it has to be safe "or something like that"(what a moron!) Obama says it's absolutely critical we invest in solar, geo-thermal, and I do favor nuclear as one component. McCain has voted 23 times against alternative fuels. McCain talks a lot about drilling, but we can't drill our way out of problem. It's no the solution end global warming.

Question is should healthcare be a commodity? Obama says healthcare is breaking budgets, millions don't have it, premiums doubled in last years, crushing burden on small businesses. We have moral commitment to do something. Obama says he will work to lower premiums, but also give coverage to those who doesn't have it. McCain's tax credit will take money from businesses. McCain says Obama will pose mandates, small businesses and parents who don't insure children will be fined. His $5,000 tax credit will work give 95 percent of Americans increased funds for healthcare.

Brokaw asks if healthcare is a right or a responsibility? McCain says everyone's nervous about Obama's fines. Obama says healthcare should be a right. Mother died arguing about paying for her treatments. Obama says he will help lowering premiums, small businesses will not be under a mandate. McCain voted against extending healthcare for children. I do think it's important for government to crack down on insurance companies and hold them accountable.

How will economic crisis affect our ability to police the world (that was basically the question put to McCain by some Republican plant). McCain going off on freedoms, blah, blah, blah.

Obama says he doesn't understand how we invaded Iraq after 9/11 with a country not involved. That was McCain's judgement, not mine! Wrong judgement and it's cost us. Iraqis have $79 billion and we're still propping them up. America's respect and power had diminished. Can't help in Dafur. It will change when I'm president. Foreign policy must change.

Brokaw asks about sending troops in to help in humanitarian crisis? Obama says we cannot stand idly by and we must consider intervening where it's possible. Can't be everywhere all the time, but we must work in concert with allies. In Darfur there is peacekeeping force there trying to stop genocide. We could be helping logistically, but we can't afford or lead there. McCain says Obama wants a withdrawl from Iraq and bring troops home in defeat. McCain says we must do what we can to prevent genocide. It requires a cool hand at the tiller. He's basically saying we can't help because it won't be beneficial. Oh, here we go, I was a POW...

Question on Pakistan. Obama says we got distracted by Iraq, Bin Laden escaped and now Al-Qaida is stronger than ever. They are plotting to kill Americans right now. We must end the war in Iraq and get to Afghanistan where the real problem is. We can't coddle Pakistan. McCain fumbling for a response. Obama says he wants to be clear...no one called for the invasion of Pakistan. If they are unable or unwilling to hunt down Bid Laden, then we should. It should be our policy. Obama brings up McCain singing "bomb Iran," destroy North Korea and next stop Iran. McCain says "bomb Iran" was just a joke with an old military buddy. Too bad it was on national tv. McCain is losing it tonight big time.

McCain says we need a surge in Afghanistan! The generals have all said no on this. What a moron.

McCain says Russia is coming to get us, Putin has KGB in his eyes. He's going after the Ukraine next. Does McCain have crystal ball?

Obama says resurgence of Russia is a central issue in the next presidency, but we need to provide more than moral support to former Russian territories, but anticipate the problems. We're only reactive. We can't muddle through in Afghanistan like McCain said we should. Energy is key in dealing with Russia.

Is Russia evil empire? Obama says they engage in evil behavior. McCain can't say yes or no, but he wants to bomb the shit out of them. He didn't say that, but he's thinking it.

Would America send troops if Iran attacks Israel? McCain says he would not wait for UN Security Council. Iran is trying to get nuclear weapons. Obama wants to sit down without preconditions and talk to Iranians. Obama says we cannot allow Iran to get nukes. Will never take military options off the table, but use all tools to prevent scenario that would cause us to send troops. Tighten sanctions on Iran. I believe we should have direct talks with friends and enemies to deliver tough message and if they don't change, there will be tough consequences. Bush won't talk and look what's happened.

Zen like question by email -- What don't you know and how will you learn it? Obama says it's never the challenges that you expect, but the ones you don't that eat up time. I wouldn't be standing here if this country hadn't given me opportunity. Came from modest means, single mom, food stamps. We need to pass on American dream to next generation because in last eight years it's diminished. McCain says he doesn't know what we all don't know -- what will happen here at home and abroad and at places he can't find on a map. Well...that sums it up.

Obama wins again!

Tuesday Bits

2008-10-07T16:15:00.007-04:00

The first issue of Motel 58 is out now. I have two new poems -- "What I Know About the Air" and "Night 65" -- in this new lit mag edited by Tom Williams. Also featured: Robert Wood, Timons Esaias, T. Clear, Karen Head, John Castellarin, Robert Miltner, Cheryl A. Townsend, Martha Vallely, Mike James and Jennifer McLaughlin. You can buy a copy, subscribe and find out about submissions at www.motel58.blogspot.com. Please support new lit mags by buying, reading and submitting.

Limp Wrist magazine is getting ready to publish its second edition and they have some exciting news about a scholarship opportunity for a young poet who identifies as GLBT. Not only will they get some cash, but they will also earn a spot at the Juniper Summer Writing Institute in 2009. Check out editor Dustin Brookshire's blog for all the details at this link.

I'm reading tomorrow night (Wednesday, Oct. 8) at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center with Karen Head. If you're in the ATL, come on by and listen. I'll have copies of After the Poison for purchase and I'll be road-testing some new work, too.

In case you haven't heard/read, the mystery behind ForGodot.com's 4,000 page "anthology" is solved at the Poetry Foundation's Harriet blog. Here's the link. The hysterical reaction by some poets to this piss-take has been very amusing, but it appears the creators have now removed the anthology after multiple-threats of lawsuits and Ron Silliman being a total jackass, killjoy by publishing the creators' phone numbers and addresses. Talk about overreaction.

Weekend Report

2008-10-06T16:57:00.004-04:00

I left work early on Friday because I felt like hell. I thought I had a sinus infection coming on, so I came home and took to the couch. On Saturday, I didn't feel much better, so I spent the day at home reading and watching movies. My recommendation: Paris, je t'aime, a series of short films representing each of Paris' arrondissements. The directors are a who's who of international cinema, including Joel and Ethan Cohen, Tom Tykwer, Gus Van Sant, Alfonso Cuaron and even Wes Craven. The stars of the film(s) include Juliette Binoche, Natalie Portman, Marianne Faithfull, Steve Buscemi, Bob Hoskins, Fanny Ardant, Gena Rowlands and dozens more. It's beautifully done and the films are just tiny slices of life about the City of Lights. Made me want to hop on a plane.

I was thrilled to get a note from Blue Fifth Review editor Sam Rasnake that he has also nominated "Patty Hearst On The Occasion Of Her Presidential Pardon" (which is now in After the Poison) for Dzanc Books' Best of the Web 2009 print anthology. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sam!

On Sunday, we had an Atlanta Queer Literary Festival meeting to finalize events. I cannot believe it starts next week! If you haven't checked out the website to see all the authors, free workshops and other events, check it out now. Last night, I went over to WREK 91.1 FM, Georgia Tech's radio station, and did a live interview about AQLF and read from After the Poison on The Sunday Special. The podcast is already up at the station site at this link. Just go to Sunday and scroll down to 7 p.m. - The Sunday Special and click play. The interview/reading is about halfway in. Many thanks to Ed Hall and Chris Campbell for having me on.

Since McPalin is way down in the polls, they have resorted to so-called "swift boat" attacks trying to link Obama to a 60's radical activist, William Ayers. It's a desperate move by a desperate campaign who will do anything now to try and shift focus away form McCain's lack of comprehension on the economic crisis. Luckily, Obama's campaign had a counterpunch: a 13-minute documentary about McCain's role in the Keating 5 scandal. You can watch the video at this link to get more information. Watch and pass it on! I'l be live blogging the second presidential debate tomorrow night. We'll be gettin' all mavericky up in here.

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin in VP Debate on SNL!

2008-10-05T13:40:00.005-04:00

The funniest skit so far with Tina Fey laying waste to Sarah Palin's performance at the debate. Queen Latifah is inspired and hilarious as debate moderator Gwen Ifill.

My "poem" at ForGodot.com

2008-10-04T15:23:00.005-04:00

So some "researchers" going by the names Vladimir Zykov, Stephen McLaughlin and Gregory Laynor have published a 3,758 page "anthology" of "poems" at ForGodot.com by just about every poet mentioned on the internet. From Jorie Graham and Fanz Kafka to Rachel Mallino and little old me. It's a free, downloadable PDF. My "poem" is called A boy of territories and is on page 3,157. My blog won't let me do the random indentation, but here are the words:

A boy of territories

Like exceptional masses

Get my pile

I wander at night

with the quick

leagues

This implement may come and proscribe,

but it is smoothly yellow

The wrestlers of a faded brain

run themselves, kept, struggled-a glee

to their boys

like slow territories

A ken is secretarial

between this sight

and that sight

I can feel the spate of the

theme

Then the throat

Belong

Of course, I didn't write this. It seems to be the ultimate experiment in flarf. Some have called it culture jamming. Maybe it's a statement about the proliferation of online poetry. The "researchers" seem to have aggregated the most used words in poetry, or stolen random lines, and regurgitated/reassembled them into new poems and assigned random names to them. Some poets are not happy about it; some find it amusing. I actually like the title of mine, and since I...ahem...wrote it, I might just use it. I also like the line, "I wander at night with the quick leagues." When I first heard about this via Evan Peterson's blog (he's in the "anthology," too), there was concern the "researchers" were going to randomly steal poems from the net without permission. After reading some of the horrible assembled poems, some poets might have preferred theft.

After apparently being bombarded, one of the "editors" released this statement:

On Friday at the latest, I'll post a pdf that will take you a few minutes to download. It will contain original contributions from each of the poets previously listed, as well as another two or three thousand. I'm waiting on a few stragglers. So keep yr aggregators tuned this way etc. etc., and rest up good. If you're up to it, I'd suggest gulping the magazine whole, for 83 straight hours of transcendent poetic revelry reflecting the whole panoply of human achievement, emotion, wistfulness, and athletic achievement.

In England, they call this "taking the piss."

Atlanta Queer Lit Fest Publicity

2008-10-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

This is the advertisement appearing in Southern Voice for the upcoming Atlanta Queer Literary Festival. Click the image to make it larger and check out all that's going on. You're going to wish you were here! Find out more at www.atlqueerlitfest.com.

Kate Evans' For The May Queen

2008-10-03T16:00:00.001-04:00

My friend Kate Evans' is celebrating the publication of her first novel, For The May Queen, which is out now from Vanilla Heart Publishing. I had the honor of reading the novel while she was still sending it out to presses, hoping one day someone would take a chance on it. Well, the day has come. I think I read the novel in about two sittings. It's brisk, the dialogue crackles with realism and, as I said in the blurb, Kate has created a meticulous sense of time and place for the setting and characters. Here's the synopsis:

It’s 1981 and 17-year-old Norma Rogers' parents drop her off at the college dorms. Soon, Norma finds herself drunk and nearly naked with three strangers. The strip poker event is the first of many experiences that prompt Norma to question who she is—and who she wants to be. Norma's relationships with an array of characters induce her to grapple with society's messages about women, sex, and freedom. These characters include Jack, her aloof on-again, off-again boyfriend; Goat, her antsy dorm neighbor; Liz Chan, a pot-smoking sorority girl; Benny Moss, a nerdy guy who has a thing for Liz; and Paul Fellows, Benny's roommate, whom Norma calls “Chuck” because he reminds her of Charlie Brown. Chuck, a witty aficionado of old films, plays a pivotal role in Norma's discoveries about life's possibilities, as does Norma's roommate Stacy—a beautiful, kind, and somewhat mysterious blonde. Many tumultuous events take Norma through an array of troubles, pleasures, and thrills: from drug use and ominous encounters with strangers, to rowdy parties and road trips, to queer coming-out surprises. In the midst of these incidents—which are peppered with 1970's and 1980's pop cultural references—Norma reflects on her desire for freedom (sexual and otherwise). Reinforcing these themes are the intermittent appearances of her middle-class parents and her sister, as well as her best friend from high school whose life in a small town—as she prepares for her upcoming wedding—is poles apart from Norma’s. Ultimately Norma comes to see that there are many ways to live and love.

If you're in Atlanta, come and meet Kate at the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival. She's a keynote speaker along with Mark Doty on Oct. 15. And buy this book!

Live Blogging & Twittering Vice-Presidential Debate

2008-10-02T16:37:00.063-04:00

I'll be live blogging and Twittering the vice-presidential debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden tonight. Should make for a great night of comedy. Earlier today, McCain gave up on Michigan and pulled his advertising and is relocating staff. He also said Obama was up in the polls because...wait for it..."life isn't fair." Someone change Angry Johnny's diaper and give him some apple sauce...he's a cranky baby today. See you back here at 9 p.m. eastern.

It's 9 p.m....here we go...coo coo ca choo, Mrs. Palin...

Moderator Gwen Ifill of PBS is laying out the ground rules.

Palin just asked on the open mic if she could call Biden "Joe" in the debate, right after she said "nice to meet you." Oh, boy...

Biden says Obama laid out four basic criteria to help in the bailout plan...he's getting right to it. Focus on homeowners, main street, treat taxpayers like investors.

Palin going folksy, talking about going to soccer game and asking the parents about their economy fears. Says economy is hurting and feds haven't provided oversight. Says McCain is representing reform, pushed on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae reforms. He suspended his campaign and went back to DC. Oh, give me a break.

Biden hammers McCain on the fundamentals of economy being strong, then changeing his tune. Doesn't make McCain a bad guy, but he's out of touch.

Palin says McCain was talking about American workforce being strong. They're mavericks! Obama only votes along party lines, doesn't reach across the aisle. Americans are craving something new and different. Send a maverick from the senate.

Palin: "Darn right it was the predator lenders who talked folks into buying a $300,000 home when they could only afford a $100,000." Joe Six Pack and the hockey moms need to band together.

Biden says Obama warned about sub prime problem two years ago, but McCain didn't see it. We let Wall Street run wild, but McCain thought the answer was deregulate. McCain on 20 occasions voted for deregulation. Biden making good points on gas prices.

Palin: "Darn right we need tax relief!"

Palin says Obama trying to raise taxes on middle class, which is a total lie. It's been proven over and over again this is a total lie.

Biden says Palin didn't answer the question about deregulation. Palin says she may not answer the questions the way Joe or Gwen want. Bitch. It's a debate! Follow the rules!

Palin talking about the great work she did in Alaska? Really?

Biden says no tax increase for those making less than $250,000. It's simple fairness. The economic engine of the country is the middle class. McCain wants to give $300 billion to corporations and the wealthy.

Palin says Biden is forgetting businesses paying higher taxes. Means less jobs and productivity. Palin recalls Biden gaffe about it being "patriotic" to pay taxes. Her and Todd are middle class. Obama proposing trillion dollars in new taxes. McCain's healthcare plan is strong. $5,000 tax credit for people to get healthcare. Obama wants government run health care. Since government isn't working well, do we want them running our healthcare?

Biden says 95 percent of small businesses make less than $250,000 a year, so no increase. McCain pays for that $5,000 tax credit by taxing as income anyone who has healthcare through their employers. Goes straight to the insurance company. 20 million would lose insurance. I call that ultimate bridge to nowhere!

Biden says Obama may have to slow down plans based on economy. Won't support the tax cut for wealthy or more cuts for big oil. We cannot afford to hold up on jobs, education, and affordable healthcare. Bottom line is we will eliminate wasteful spending.

Palin says McCain doesn't say one thing to one group and something to another. Says Obama voted for energy plan that gave big oil more cuts. But she stuck it to the big oil guys in Alaska...bless their heart. She's only been at this five weeks, so she's not really promised anything. I think that about sums it up.

Biden wants to know why McCain is wanting to give more money to big oil? Says Palin did the right thing in Alaska, but McCain won't support windfall profit tax. Wants to give big oil $4 billion tax cut. Hopes Palin can talk McCain into doing it.

Palin back on McCain and says America should thank him for warning them about the economy crisis. What?

Palin switches back to energy. We have to allow America to become energy dependent. East Coast politicians don't allow Alaska to drill. We're circulating $700 million to foreign countries for oil. Energy independence is key to our economic future and security. It's not about tax breaks.

Palin says Alaska is the only arctic state and says it's not only man but cyclical changes in the climate. We need to clean up this planet and encourage other countries to help. She reduced emissions in Alaska. McCain is with her on this.

Biden says climate problem is manmade. She and McCain doesn't understand the cause of climate change so they have no answers. McCain voted 20 times in last decade against diversifying energy sources -- solar, wind, etc. We can export the technology for clean coal. The answer is not drill, drill...would take 10 years for any oil to come out of those new wells.

Palin: Drill, baby, drill. People want it. It's safe to drill and McCain supports alternative fuel. She mispronounces nuclear...just like Bush!!! She just called him Senator O'Biden. HA!

Biden support same sex benefits to couples!!!! I love him! It's only fair.

Palin says she won't support if it redefines marriage as one man and one woman. I am tolerant. I have a diverse family and group of friends, they don't agree with me on this issue. McCain/Palin would not prohibit contracts, visitation in hospital. I don't support gay marriage.

Biden says he doesn't support "gay marriage". Okay, I like him less now.

Ifill says "Hooray, you both agree on something. Let's move on to foreign policy."

Palin says Obama opposed surge and wouldn't fund troops. Biden called Obama out about it. We do have a plan for withdrawing from Iraq. Surge has worked. Now we can start putting more troops in Afghanistan.

Biden says Palin didn't offer a plan. Obama has one...drawing down troop numbers. McCain is odd man out. As for Obama not funding the troops, McCain also voted against them. He wouldn't vote on time line, so no funds for troops. You've got to have a time line to draw down troops and shift responsibility to Iraqis. They have billions to spend. We will end the war. For McCain there is no end in sight.

Palin says Obama's plan is a white flag of surrender. Wait...the Taliban is working with us? She's losing it. Says Biden didn't support Obama not funding the troops, doesn't know how he can support him now.

Biden hammers on McCain and Dick Cheney getting into the war to start with. McCain didn't vote for troop funding. McCain has been dead wrong on the fundamental conduct of the war. That's the facts.

Biden says Iran and N. Korea are both dangerous, McCain continues to say front of the war is in Iraq. He's wrong. The front is in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We need to support democracy in Pakistan so they will help fight Al-Qaida. They are rebuilding along the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Palin says generals were right about Iraq. Iran wants to wipe Israel off the face off the earth. Can't allow them to acquire nuclear energy or weapons. Obama wants to meet with dictators. It goes beyond naivete and poor judgement.

Palin says she met with Kissinger and she and McCain would try diplomacy. She says dictators have no respect for women's rights!!!!???? What about her?!

Biden says five former secretary of states said we have to sit down and talk with leaders. Our friends and allies want it. But McCain won't sit down and talk with adversary. McCain said he wouldn't even sit down with Spain, a NATO ally because they pulled troops out of Iraq.

Biden is hammering McCain beautifully. It's like Palin isn't even there.

Biden says he's been a good friend of Israel. Obama shares his passion. Bush's policy in Israel has been an abject failure. Bush insisted on elections and Hamas won. When we kicked Hezbolah out of Lebanon, we said move NATO forces in, Bush refused and they are now a legitimate government in Lebanon. Freedom is not the only thing on the march in middle east, Iran is.

Palin says Bush's policy hasn't been a failure. We're putting government back on the side of the people. McCain is a maverick, blah, blah, blah. Change is coming. She's out of her mind.

Biden wants to know how is McCains policy going to be different than Bush's. YES!!! McCain is just following Bush. Obama will make significant change.

Palin dodges back to Afghanistan and says McCain's policies won't be same as Bush's. Use surge policy in Afghanistan. We're fighting terrorists and building schools and not bombing civilians...although they are!

Biden says commanding general in Afghanistan says surge won't work there! Talked to him today. Need more government building. We've spent more money in Iraq in three weeks than the entire seven years we've been in Afghanistan!!!

Palin says commanding general didn't say that. Biden says he did. McCain thinks we've succeeded in Afghanistan.

Biden says McCain voted against going into Bosnia, but Biden supported it. Now there's a relatively stable government there. Biden says he gave Bush power to go to Iraq, but we needed support from our allies. I don't have a stomach for genocide. We should impose no-fly zone in Darfur. I've been there, seen the suffering, thousands dying, we need to rally the world. We should provide help. It's genocide.

Palin: "It's so obvious I'm a Washington outsider." Biden voted for the war, but now he's against it. American is craving staight talk. Biden supported McCain's strategy, but not Obama. Palin says she's helped as governor and had money in Sudan and pulled the money out, so it wouldn't be seen as condoning actions in Darfur. Oh, wait...the bill hasn't passed yet to pull out the money. Oops.

Biden says he never supported McCain's strategy in Iraq. Check my website and record. McCain was lockstop with Cheney and the conduct of the war.

Palin says Biden is lying and we'll have proof when the pundits do a factcheck. McCain has won a war, knows what evil is. Yeah, I bet he does.

Biden says reject Bush doctrine. This is the biggest election in decades.

Palin says we're a team of mavericks and we'll agree to disagree. Says she'll push McCain for more drilling of oil. We need a little bit of Wasilla main street brought to Washington to see how Americans are viewing what's happening. Government should get out of the way.

Biden says go to any main street and ask if the policies of the last eight years have made them better off. They've been getting the short end of the stick and McCain wants more of the same. Come walk in my neighborhood.

"Oh, doggoneit, there you go again, Joe, looking back at Bush."

Ifill calls Palin on the comment about not knowing what vice-president does in old interview. Awkward attempt at humor on Palin's part. Palin says she was just trying to make a joke, but she knows what to do.

Biden says he had a long talk with Obama and Obama asked him to help him get things done. Point person on legislative initiatives and will help him govern and offer my advice. Obama said he will disagree with Obama sometimes because that what he wanted.

Palin says we have flexibility as vice-president. It's my executive experience that will be put to good use as veep.

Biden says Cheney most dangerous veep in American history. Article 1 of Constitution defines role of veep and Cheney has overstepped the Constitution. He's not part of the executive branch.

Palin repeating her executive experience will help her. She's the governor a big state and she's got a connection to the heartland of America. She's a mom, son in war, special needs baby to take care of....blah, blah, blah. I share a world view with McCain that America is nation of exceptionalism. We're not perfect as a nation but we stand for freedom and democracy and we're a force for good. They're mavericks. It's a good team.

Biden says he's been a single parent, understands middle class values, but he takes exception to the notion that as a man he don't understand what it's like to sit around the kitchen table and wonder what's going to happen to family.

Palin says McCain is a maverick.

Palin says we've got to win the wars, fix the economy. "McCain is the man we need to leave." Oh, what a slip!

Biden: "McCain is no maverick. He voted for Bush's budget. He's no maverick in healthcare, in education, tax cuts, in war or anything that effects what people talk about the kitchen table." YES, YES, YES!!!!

Ifill asks how to change partisan tone in DC.

Biden says he has been able to work across the aisle and I don't question motives of those I disagree with.

Palin says she appointed diverse people with varying opinions in Alaska. Obama is going to raise taxes.

Palin says she likes to answer tough questions without media filter. Americans have choices. We're going to fight for Americans. We're blessed, proud to be an American. Fight for freedoms...quoting Reagan. McCain is the only person who's ever fought for American public.

Biden: Most important election of our lives. Last eight years have damaged us, need fundamental change. We measure progress on people being able to pay their mortgage, send kids to college and that men and women going to fight in wars are equipped and when they come home best care and education possible.

Biden won this hands down. Palin didn't implode as expected, but she refused to answer questions and constantly returned to the McCain talking points that no one is buying.

Obama Ahead In Battleground States

2008-10-01T19:34:00.005-04:00

CNN is reporting that Barack Obama has moved ahead in the polls in five key battleground states: Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada and Virginia. No big surprise as the McCain campaign continues to spiral downward as the bailout mess continues. As I'm typing this, the bailout is still be debated in the Congress. It's got a bunch of add-ons to entice House Republicans to approve it, but it's still a crapshoot. Obama, McCain and Biden are all in Washington to vote. Sarah Palin is holed up in Arizona cramming for her American and World History exam...errr...debate. Here in Georgia, polls indicate that McCain is slipping here, too, but not enough to overcome the conservative, right wing Christian terrorists who populate this state. I'll be live blogging and Twittering the vice-presidential debate tomorrow night. It should be a scream.

Sarah Jane Smith Is Back!

2008-09-30T20:02:00.008-04:00

The second series of the Sarah Jane Adventures began yesterday on the BBC in the UK. No word when it will air in the US. The Doctor Who spin-off began with a rip-roaring episode, The Last Sontaran, that picked up where the fourth series Doctor Who episode, The Sontaran Stratagem, left off. Elisabeth Sladen once again proved why she's the best Doctor companion ever. Since the BBC has been cracking down on YouTube, everyone is afraid to post the episodes, but I'm an impatient sci-fi geek. Luckily, there are other ways to view the episodes thanks to some very kind folk in the UK who believe in sharing. Cheers.

Bailout Fails; McCain Blames Obama

2008-09-29T16:49:00.013-04:00

Now let met get this straight... John McCain "suspended" his campaign last week in one of the biggest political stunts ever, tried to avoid Friday's night's presidential debate and said he wanted to be in Washington to help "seal the deal" on the bailout plan. Well, John, you just had your ass handed to you...and here's your hat, too. McCain, who agreed the bailout was needed, was unable to coerce his fellow Republicans to go along. These are the same Republicans whose support of Bush often spilled over into fanaticism, but are now in full revolt throwing their beloved Dubya and his administration under the bus. They've thrown McCain under there as well. That's what happens when you continue to support an unpopular president. I guess McCain missed that email on his Blackberry. So much for McCain's leadership savvy.

After the vote today, McCain was very angry and the only person to blame was Obama. McCain and Company tried to shift blame today, with one of his "strategists," Doug Holtz-Eakin, saying that Obama injected presidential politics into the debate and killed the bill. Holtz-Eakin even said Obama "phoned it in," which is hilarious since it came to light today that McCain never event went back to Capitol Hill over the weekend, but was literally phoning in for developments from his condo in Virginia!!! MSNB reports that McCain's glory march back to save the day amounted to a sum total of SIX HOURS -- five on Thursday and less than two on Friday. The wheels have totally fallen off the McCain campaign and Palin's debate with Biden on Thursday night will certainly seal at least one deal -- the end of a viable presidential campaign.

Personally, I'm not in favor of the bailout. The Wall Street crowd got themselves into this mess and they should be allowed to survive or fail. However, I've heard from enough economists that if we don't do some kind of bailout, we'll be headed for another depression rather than a deep recession.

P.S. to Angry Johnny, more polls released today show that Obama beat the shit out of you at the debate on Friday night. Grrrrrr.

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on SNL again!

2008-09-28T12:21:00.003-04:00

Tina Fey has Palin down to a science. Here's last night's opening sketch with Fey and Amy Poehler recreating the disastrous interview Palin did with Katie Couric earlier this week.

Saturday Report

2008-09-27T11:58:00.006-04:00

Was very sad to hear about Paul Newman's death this morning. He lost his battle with cancer at age 83, but leaves behind some of the greatest films every made and a legacy of philanthropic endeavors for the needy and children that is second to none. People laughed when he first released his Newman's Own Salad Dressing, but that product and the many others he created generated hundreds of millions dollars for charity. Some of my favorite of Newman's early films: The Long, Hot Summer, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Sting, The Hustler and Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. However, I think he was doing his best work in the 80s and beyond. He was more nuanced and subtle. Loved him in Fort Apache The Bronx, The Verdict, the brilliant Mr. and Mrs. Bridge, Twilight, Nobody's Fool and Road to Perdition.

If you check out the MySpace page, you can hear new recorded versions of "Patty Hearst On The Occasion Of Her Presidential Pardon" and "Katrina Origins" which both appear in After the Poison.

I'm now a Goodreads author. I was very hesitant about joining yet another online community, but Goodreads is pretty cool. It's like Facebook for authors and book lovers. Check it out.

Unbelievably, Atlanta is still in the middle of a gas shortage. We're a week into this now and there are still hour long waits at gas stations and many have no fuel. Since I filled up on Monday, I have restricted my driving. I still have nearly a full tank.

The polls this morning show that Obama won the debate last night. The numbers vary -- from a slight lead to a big one -- but obviously McCain did not get the big knockout victory he needed to regain momentum in his campaign. Biden and Palin debate Thursday and that is going to be a night of comedy. Check out the Kansas City Star's round-up of all the polls.

Live Blogging & Twittering Tonight's Presidential Debate

2008-09-26T18:18:00.055-04:00

Check in here at the blog and if you're on Twitter, follow me there. I'll be live blogging the presidential debate in Oxford, Mississippi between McCain and Obama starting at 9 p.m. eastern.

It's 9 p.m. ... and we're off!

Jim Lehrer is moderating and laying out the groundwork.

Obama and McCain now onstage to short applause. Lehrer begins with the economy despite this debate being about foreign policy.

Obama calls economic crisis worst since Great Depression. "We have to move swiftly and move wisely." He's calling for oversight in the bailout and taxpayers should get their money back. None of the money should pad CEO bank accounts or promote golden parachutes. Helping homeowners is key. This is a final verdict on eight years of Bush and McCain's politics!

McCain says he's feeling better tonight because Republicans and Democrats trying to work out a deal. He's echoing Obama, basically.

Obama and McCain talking to each other...Obama calls him out on fundamentals of economy being strong statement.

McCain going into his rah-rah, America is great and strong bit. Give me a break.

McCain pulled out his pen and did the old I'll veto everything and make them famous. Get a new script!

Obama said McCain is proposing 300 billion in tax cuts for the wealthiest in America, which pales to 18 billion in earmarks.

Obama said he'll go line by line and veto pork spending, but getting rid of earmarks won't solve the problm alone.

McCain said he wants to cut business tax so companies will stay in America. Hammers Obama on earmarks again.

Obama says McCain wants to tax healthcare benefits. McCain changes subject.

Obama says McCain tax breaks will give oil companies an additional 4 billion.

Obama says he's put forward a plan for alternative energy -- solar, wind, bio-diesel. Says the average deductable on healthcare has gone up 30 percent.

Lehrer says he doesn't hear any difference from either candidate to change things after the bailout. Snap!

Obama says he's not wildly liberal, just opposing Bush's policies.

McCain says he wants a spending freeze on everything but defense and veterans care. Obama says that's using a hatchet when you need a scalpel.

McCain wants more nuclear power plants.

Lehrer not satisfied with candidates answers, wants more specifics. Obama says he will make tough decisions based on the new economy.

McCain says spending restraint is vital. We owe China 500 billion. McCain says he's fought against excessive spending and he has plans. And that would be what?

McCain just dodged again and started calling himself a maverick and that Sarah Palin is a maverick. It's all rhetoric and no substance.

McCain is now yammering about victory in Iraq. Obama says he opposed Iraq from beginning.

Obama says we've spent 600 billion, soon to be trillion, 4,000 dead and Al Qaida stronger now.

Obama says McCain thinks war started in 2007 and the troop surge was damage control for four years of terrible mismanagement of the war.

McCain says Obama refuses to acknowledge we are winning in Iraq. Obama says we should end the war responsibly and turn attention to Afghanistan where Al Qaida is rebuilding.

McCain says Iraq is central battleground on war on terror -- what planet is he on?

Obama says more troops need to be in Afghanistan immediately.

Obama says Bush and McCain has dropped the ball in Pakistan where terrorists are being harbored.

Obama just nailed McCain on his jokes about bombing Iran. Obama is kicking John's ass in this debate now.

McCain is telling his warm, fuzzy war stories again. Jesus...he's out of touch.

Obama says McCain hasn't been consistent on Afghanistan. Reminds him of quote about "muddling through" in Afghanistan.

McCain says Iran is "existential" threat to Israel. Ummm...I think that's a bizarre choice of words. Obama says war in Iraq has strengthened Iran.

McCain griping about Obama meeting with dictators. McCain wants war and isolation as usual.

Obama just called McCain on meeting with dictators and reminded him Kissinger (McCain's adviser) said negotiate with Iran. SNAP!

Obama says Russia's action in Georgia unacceptable. Need unified alliance and explain to Russia you can't be 21st century superpower and pretend like your a 20th century dictatorship.

McCain looked into Russian leader's eyes and saw the words KGB. Oh, brother...

Obama says Russia is resurgent and Putin feeling powerful because of US oil consumption.

Obama says McCain voted 23 times against alternative fuel and energy.

McCain says America is safer but long way from safe. He's worked across the aisle on reforms, but after 911 he and Lieberman created 911 commission. I guess that was after McCain created the Blackberry.

McCain back on Al Qaida in Iraq. Is anyone still buying that shit?

Obama says next leader needs wider world view, not just focusing on Iraq.

Obama wins debate by slight margin, but it really changes nothing. It's back on the campaign trail for both.

Palin: I can see Russia from my house!

2008-09-25T22:46:00.009-04:00

Get Tina Fey back to SNL stat! Here's Sarah Palin's incoherent attempt to prove she has foreign policy experience during her interview with Katie Couric earlier this week. She scares the hell out of me.

Letterman on McCain Last Night

2008-09-25T09:34:00.005-04:00

John McCain cancelled his scheduled appearance on David Letterman last night to rush back to Washington to save America from financial destruction. Dave wasn't having any of it. Hilariously, while they were taping Letterman, they found out McCain was actually down the street taping an interview with Katie Couric for CBS News instead. "Hey, John, need a ride to the airport!?" It's 9 minutes long, but worth every second.

McCain Grandstands On The Bailout

2008-09-24T14:18:00.013-04:00

Give me a break, McCain. This afternoon, McCain said he was suspending his campaign and flying back to Washington to save America's spiraling economy. He also said he wanted to suspend Friday night's first presidential debate in Oxford, Mississippi. Obama, smartly, said the debate should go on as planned. "It's my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person will be the next president. It is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once. It's more important than ever to present ourselves to the American people."

Obama is exactly right. A two-hour debate is not going to make or break the bailout situation and America is hungry to hear these candidate's ideas and solutions. McCain's numbers are dropping like rocks and this desperate move to delay the debate smacks of desperation. Obama called McCain this morning and asked for a bipartisan statement on the bailout, reaching out the olive branch, and McCain's camp goes for grandstand photo-op. It's a gimmick to prop up a failing campaign. McCain has shown no leadership on the economy and has no ideas.

And here's a few more thoughts on the campaign:

While my vote for Obama is unshakable, I am not above admitting he's made some serious errors in judgement. He -- and Biden -- could have stopped the Alaska "bridge to nowhere," and moved the money toward rebuilding the bridge across Lake Pontchartrain destroyed in New Orleans. Both decided to let the money go to Alaska. Of course, McCain isn't completely off the hook here. He didn't vote on the bridge or on the amendment to divert the money to New Orleans, so he basically punted.

On the other hand Sarah Palin, was a fervent supporter of the bridge -- which would have linked the city of Ketchikan to its municipal airport across an inlet of water on Gravina Island -- before she became governor and realized just how unpopular it was. She then made a massive mistake by allowing the road leading to the bridge to be built at a cost of $26 million taxpayer dollars. The road literally dead-ends and is unused. Her camp is trying to spin the idea that it was too late for her to stop the road, but that's a load of malarkey. She could have cancelled the contract and given the money back, but she built the dead-end road anyway. Palin has now dropped the "thanks, but no thanks" line from her stump speech because she realizes no one is buying that story anymore.

McCain has been peddling this line about Obama in his stump speeches, most notably this one on Sept. 19 in Green Bay: "He said he won't raise taxes for most people, but he's voted 94 times in his short Senate career for tax increases and against tax cuts." Non-partisan Factcheck.org looked into this statement and found that McCain was -- surprise -- misleading the public. Factcheck.org, pieced through records to determine just what these 94 votes were and these were the key findings:

23 were against proposed tax cuts
7 were "for measures that would have lowered taxes for many, while raising them on a relative few, either corporations or affluent individuals"
11 were to increase taxes on people making more than $1 million a year, to help fund programs such as Head Start, school nutrition, or veterans' health care
53 were votes on budget resolutions or amendments that "could not have resulted by themselves in raising taxes," though many "were clear statements of approval for increased taxes"
The total includes multiple votes on the same measures

Factcheck.org said a closer look at the record reveals that Obama has "voted consistently to restore higher tax rates on upper-income taxpayers but not on middle- or low-income workers."

CNN's Campbell Brown went on a rant about how McCain was being sexist against Palin yesterday by not allowing her to have press conferences with reporters and limiting media access to her "foreign policy boot camp" at the UN yesterday. Is anyone else disturbed by the fact that Palin's foreign policy experience can now be summed up to one day of hugging and talking about her kids with a handful of foreign leaders? I shudder at the thought. But back to Campbell Brown, who totally missed the point. The McCain camp is reining her in because when she's off the teleprompter, her inexperience shows through and her wisecracks fall with a thud. She has the potential to be a very loose cannon on the stump speeches.

Obama, take note and tell Joe Biden to shut the hell up. The political wonks in both parties have got one thing right -- this election is not about Palin and Biden, it's about Obama and McCain and both have given their running mates too much leash.

P.S. I just had to use that photo of McCain loving up on Dubya. Sometimes a photo does speak louder than words.