http://www.politicalbull.net Political Bull - Political Ideas about the world we inhabit. These are intended as thought provoking observations about the human world. We hope to challenge our readers to think beyond the conventional by providing a different slant on world news, economics, politics and religion. Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone Group LP has attained the pinnacle of "success" in the USA. Join me in saluting him on a job well done. http://www.politicalbull.net/schwarzman_blackstone_exploit_americans.html Conservatives have no principles whatsoever. The bombing of Iraq/killing innocent people; spying on citizens and torturing prisoners rolled off the backs of conservatives without a bit of concern, but a President that tries to come in and help the poor, he is hated by conservatives. It shows a complete lack of a moral compass: “authorities detained a man with a sign reading, ‘Death To Obama, Death To Michelle And Her Two Stupid Kids.’" http://www.politicalbull.net/healthcare_reform_split_union.html Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone Group LP has attained the pinnacle of "success" in the USA. Join me in saluting him on a job well done. http://www.politicalbull.net/schwarzman_blackstone_exploit_americans.html For all of their tough talk, the driving force behind the conservative's motives seems to be fear. They are afraid of everything. Come to think of it, this explains why they love guns so much; and the military; and really big bombs; and border fences and alarm systems. They assume that everyone is out to get them, their family and all of their stuff. The burning question then is "why?" Why are they so scared? They are armed to the teeth, in an alarmed house, behind a locked and gated fence, smack in the middle of the safest, strongest nation in the history of the world. Most of them call themselves Christians which means even if they die they will spend eternity in Heaven. What and who do they fear? It turns out that their greatest fear is "change". And conservatives like Pam Geller are so freaked out of their minds that they are comparing liberals to Nazis. WTF? http://www.politicalbull.net/wake_up_pam_gellers.html ...Somewhere off the coast of Somalia. http://www.politicalbull.net/somali_pirates.html As the current recession drags on into its 15th and 16th months there are a lot of predictions about when it will bottom out and when the recovery will begin. Optimistic estimates have the recovery beginning in the later half of 2009. Pessimistic estimates put it well into 2010. What no one seems to be asking is what engine is actually going to pull the economy out of this recession? http://www.politicalbull.net/what_will_fuel_the_recovery.html The painfully obvious realization that is finally dawning on policy makers and the public as well is that the financial sectors of the major Western nations are far worse than anyone expected. It is now pretty clear that the efforts to save the financial system by using healthy companies to buy the failing ones on the cheap has only resulted in bringing down the healthy companies. http://www.politicalbull.net/how_bad_is_the_financial_system.html Economic Stimulus Payment explained using the Q and A format. http://www.politicalbull.net/economic_stimulus_payment.html Part of the reason the economy has been in an 18 month free fall is because economists and politicians have been unwilling to acknowledge the root cause. This unwillingness is due in part on not wanting to destroy the myth the G.O.P. has created around Ronald Reagan and “Reaganomics” and in part the on conservative economic struggle to invalidate the “liberal” economics of John Maynard Keynes. Getting out of the free fall requires rereading some old economic textbooks. http://www.politicalbull.net/economic_collapse_and_reaganomics.html Is it true that Congress spent less time debating (had less problems with) the decision to go to war in Iraq than with this stimulus plan to help Americans? If so, is it so much easier to decided to take lives than it is to spend money? Does this mean that Americans are only capable of counting costs in terms of dollars? http://www.politicalbull.net/dollars_or_lives.html In general, is it true that Liberals are “we” people and Conservatives are “me” people? http://www.politicalbull.net/we_me_liberals_conservatives.html President Barack Obama, dream come true! http://www.politicalbull.net/president_barack_obama_dream_come_true.html Can Republicans not screw up anything? http://www.politicalbull.net/barack_obama_inauguration.html Our Farewell to President George W. Bush and his Cabinet. http://www.politicalbull.net/farewell_george_w_bush.html VP-Elect Joe Biden has stated that he does not plan to assume the type of power that current Vice President Dick Cheney assumed. The missing element in Dick Cheney's power level has little to do with the office of Vice-President and far more to do with Presidential power. Only a weak president could allow his vice president to assume so much influence. http://www.politicalbull.net/biden_cheney_vice_presidential_power.html Just another look at Ten Commandments... It does seem that for a world that uses the Bible as its moral compass, a lot of people don't know how to read the needle. http://www.politicalbull.net/the_ten_commandments.html 2009 begins with three stories out of Iraq that will begin to write the final chapter on George Bush's U.S.-Iraq adventure. On January 3 the U.S. military began the process of pulling combat troops out of Iraqi cities in compliance with a U.N. mandate that calls for the transfer of security to the Iraqi government. On January 2 an 18 year old blew himself and 23 other up at a tribal Sunni/Shiite tribal meeting aimed at reconciling their differences. On January 4 a Female bomber killed or wounded more than 112 in a Shiite Muslim shrine. These incidents will help write the story of Iraq in the years to come. http://www.politicalbull.net/iraqs_violent_future.html Most penal systems incorporate carrot and stick policies for dealing with their prisoners. Time off for good behavior is written into the laws and policies of most systems as a means for ordered incarceration. The deprivation of privileges is the other component for maintaining order within the walls of a penitentiary. Viewing Gaza as anything other than a penitentiary is a mistake and viewing the tactics of the incarcerated as anything other than self-destructive is equally misguided. http://www.politicalbull.net/climbing_out_of_the_abyss_in_gaza.html There is only one difference between the attacks between Israel's IDF forces and Hamas's rocket launches: Israel's are effective. Both sides fired rockets/missiles into regions populated by civilians. Both sides claim their opponent's civilians to be legitimate targets because of their support for their respective regimes. Hamas fires 20-90 kg unguided rockets. Israel fires Air-to-Ground precision guided missiles in the 130-150 kg range. It should not be surprising that one side produces an irritant while the other produces death and destruction. It certainly does not make either side "right" in this conflict. http://www.politicalbull.net/israel_versus_gaza_a_ridiculous_war.html It has long been a conservative (and libertarian) outcry that government officials do not understand the complexities of the global economy and the best thing they can do is get out of the way. The 2008 financial crisis has demonstrated that they are very correct about the first part and very wrong about the second. The causes the economic crisis were assisted and intensified by government incompetence and the September/October economic implosion was ignited by government stupidity. http://www.politicalbull.net/government_caused_financial_crisis.html As Barack Obama's inauguration approaches it is clear that the political landscape has changed. America has done what most thought improbable in 2007, impossible in 1997 or 1987, and unthinkable in 1957. However; the numbers do not show a massive, or even significant change in thinking of most Americans. Rather; Obama was able to bring in enough new voters to counter that part of America that really didn't change much. http://www.politicalbull.net/barack_obama_a_new_leader.html If Charles Dickens were writing today about the conditions of the citizens versus that of their employer, his “Scrooge” would be a CEO of a corporation. However, the three spirits of Christmas past, present and future would fail to change the relationship between the CEO and the modern day Bob Cratchit. The three spirits may indeed change the CEO but, unlike Scrooge, the CEO is powerless to change working conditions for his employees. Corporate people recognized years ago that they, like Scrooge, might one day grow a heart. They used their lawyers to ensure that if they ever suffered a Scrooge-like conversion they would be powerless to change the company. http://www.politicalbull.net/modern_day_scrooge_corporation.html The unfortunate chain of events that were set into motion during the March of 2003 have culminated in this indignant act, perpetrated by a disgruntled Iraqi journalist against the outgoing president of the United States - An act that symbolizes the level of contempt that is felt against the US and the Bush Administration in the Middle East. So this begs a question - Why are we there? http://www.politicalbull.net/iraq_shoe_throwing_incident_highlights_dissatisfaction_of_iraqi_public.html I know that many modern day people, even those from the Christian Right, like and or admire “Indians”, Native Americans. They think it is sad that the white people nearly killed every last one of them. There are other US citizens that believe the Indians were “savages” and the white man was just God’s hand eliminating a people that did not worship the one true God. One thing I know for sure is that at a critical moment in the Indian’s survival they were hated, without question, by the most powerful nation on earth. Some of us look back, as we read the accounts of the atrocities committed by the US upon the Indians, and shake our heads and think “how could our ancestors be so cruel?” http://www.politicalbull.net/columbus_conservatives_dead_indians.html When is the Muslim world going to step up and stop the religious fools who are harming their religion? Same goes for the USA: when are we going to stamp out fundamentalism? How many bombs must explode before the sane people around the world start teaching peace to our "eye-for-an-eye" relatives and friends? http://www.politicalbull.net/snuff_out_religion.html Comics: Ben Sargent http://www.politicalbull.net/ben_sargent.html In this Video from 2006 and 2007 Financial Analysis Peter Schiff takes flack from a wide range of "experts" when he predicted the U.S. economy was heading for recession. All those experts don't look so "expert" now. http://www.politicalbull.net/peter_schiff_was_right.html Dr. Ross -It seems to me that in order for the Republicans to have any hopes of maintaining any sort of relevance in 2012 and beyond, they themselves will need to bring about "Change they (And all of their supporters) can believe in". Let me explain what I mean by this: http://www.politicalbull.net/republicans_need_an_obama.html This would be a great job for John McCain! http://www.politicalbull.net/john_mccain_new_job.html This would be a great job for Sarah Palin! http://www.politicalbull.net/sarah_palin_new_job.html My fellow Americans are a tough group of people. They will endure through calamitous times and pull together when the going gets tough. They are easy going people that will tolerate a great deal. But, there comes a time, when you push them too much, and they rise up and make their voices heard. This is exactly what happened on November 4th, 2008 - A day that has gone down in history. http://www.politicalbull.net/america_has_spoken.html To Every African American, Chinese American, Japanese American, Native American, and Latin American that has lived in a nation that has treated them as second class citizens: America has apologized! http://www.politicalbull.net/white_america_apologizes.html There is a recurring theme that has circulated throughout this election cycle. It is a down year for Republicans. Republican commentators and politicians have been talking about their struggles as if it is simply an unfortunate set of circumstances that have made this election year exceedingly difficult. They seem to be ignoring the fact that their wounds are entirely self-inflicted. http://www.politicalbull.net/republican_party_election_landslide_defeat.html Let’s face it folks Barack Obama is going to lose the election. It is just sad that the prevailing mentality in the USA today is the same mentality that kept slavery alive. That prevailing mentality is a conservative mentality. Conservatives believe that change of any kind is un-American. No matter how good the benefits may be, change is wrong. Conservatives believe that the way the country was set-up by the Founding Fathers is good enough; don’t change it. Never mind that the Founding Fathers wanted a dynamic government that could change with the course of time. http://www.politicalbull.net/barack_obama_will_lose.html There is an old joke about three pollsters out quail hunting. The first one aims and fires high. The second aims and fires low. The third one exclaims: "we got 'em!". This year more money is being spent on electoral polling than ever before yet the polls are providing more questionable results than ever. There are three good reasons to distrust all the polls. http://www.politicalbull.net/polls_cannot_be_trusted.html John McCain and Sarah Palin side by side. http://www.politicalbull.net/john_mccain_sarah_palin.html We found the official license. http://www.politicalbull.net/joe_the_plumber.html If this election has taught anything about American politics it is that Americans have stopped talking to each other and have turned to talking at each other. Outside of universities there is no longer any political discourse. In its place is just a lot of chatter producing a very destructive political process. http://www.politicalbull.net/american_political_destruction.html Op-Ed: It is well recognized that term limits on the U.S Presidency create a lame duck status for the President beginning on his second inauguration. This status gets cranked up in the final year of a president's term but no one exemplifies the lame duck status more than George W. Bush. http://www.politicalbull.net/bush_the_pathetic.html The last Presidential debate highlight. http://www.politicalbull.net/last_presidential_debate.html There have been only a few elections in the nation's history that have dramatically changed the electoral map. In 1932 Roosevelt rewrote the map creating a new Democratic coalition which included the North East with its industrial and financial base with the religious South. In 1980 the Republicans would take over this coalition. It has always been a shaky and unstable coalition and it is about to come apart. What takes its place will dramatically rework the political makeup of the United States. http://www.politicalbull.net/2008_presidential_election_political_map_of_the_future_is_at_stake.html With this video we can take a moment to realize that there is a little humanity left in the world http://www.politicalbull.net/returning_from_iraq.html Video interviews by confrontational Barack Obama supporters at John McCain rallies are shooting up the YouTube charts, revealing angry and nasty anti-Obama sentiment that is in turn motivational for the Democratic presidential contender’s supporters. http://www.politicalbull.net/mccain_palin_supporters_gone_wild.html People need to understand, for moral reasons and the protection of our civil society, the differences with Senator Obama are ideological, based on clear differences on policy and a lack of experience compared to Senator McCain, Weaver said. "And from a purely practical political vantage point, please find me a swing voter, an undecided independent, or a torn female voter that finds an angry mob mentality attractive." http://www.politicalbull.net/mccain_rally_democrats_hooligans.html The oldest president to assume office was Ronald Reagan. John McCain would surpass this record if he were elected president in 2008. http://www.politicalbull.net/john_mccain_oldest_president.html The world economy in the midst of the worst economic tumble since 1929. It is not likely to be as long lasting nor as disastrous to the fabric of society because there is a lot more knowledge about economic causes and effects and a lot more tools available to the policy makers. However; these same policy makers are the reason this crash occurred in the first place. http://www.politicalbull.net/why_the_market_crashed.html Across this country this is the agenda I have set before my fellow prisoners, he declared. In the prepared remarks he was supposed to say "fellow citizens." http://www.politicalbull.net/mccain_my_fellow_prisoners.html ...my friends, I know how to do it and "that one" is not! ...health care is a RIGHT! http://www.politicalbull.net/second_presidential_debate.html Wall Street sinks for several days... http://www.politicalbull.net/stock_market_2008.html Taxpayers have not even had time to digest that last bailout yet they'd better be prepared to pony up some more dough. The FDIC is soon going to need its own bailout. This time the government will be smart enough not to call it a "bailout." It will be an "involuntary taxpayer funds withdrawal" and it could total another $1-200 billion. http://www.politicalbull.net/vulture_capitalism_and_more_bank_failures.html In the middle of a financial crisis of potentially mammoth proportions some people have the political minds made up by shiny beads and twinkling lights. http://www.politicalbull.net/sarah_palin_wink.html With the recent turmoil in the financial markets some economists and politicians are blaming an accounting rule for the stock market volatility. Known as "mark-to-market" or "fair value accounting," it is basically an accounting method that values assets at their current market value. A stock, option, mortgage, or other asset in an investment portfolio must be valued at the price it closes at during the day's trading. The assertion is that this accounting procedure causes an overvaluing of assets in a boom and an undervaluing of assets in a market downturn. This leads to both bubbles and bursting bubbles. This assertion is a smokescreen and the proposed solution is atrocious. http://www.politicalbull.net/suspending_mark_to_market_bad_idea.html Hilarious http://www.politicalbull.net/brain_to_nowhere.html Sarah Palin talking about several issues and proving to us once again, that she is the most qualified person to be a back-up person for the Presidency. http://www.politicalbull.net/sarah_palin_smarter_than_5th_grader.html http://www.politicalbull.net/john_mccain_energy_conservation.html Don’t relax just because the polls show Obama is leading. We must be kidding ourselves to really believe that Obama’s lead over McCain is any more real than the lead he had over Hillary in the New Hampshire primary. It just doesn’t seem possible that the same people who voted for a white, good-ol’-boy “from Texas”, changed their minds in a span of four years to cast a vote for an educated, “black” man from Hawaii/Illinois. It is a big mistake to assume the race is over. Keep people focused on the real issues, because the polls may be as wrong as they were in New Hampshire. http://www.politicalbull.net/election_polls_lies.html Worth Revisiting. We were lamenting the problems that faced the country in the Spring. Now those seem like the good old days. http://www.politicalbull.net/what_a_wonderful_life.html McCain explained his economic plan to Ohio on April 22, 2008. As Ohio begins their early vote today I wonder if they understood McCain's message that day: Accept that you are a “serf” in a government of, by and for the corporations; and give up that silly dream of the 1950’s middle class society. http://www.politicalbull.net/ohio_vote_mccain_economy.html There is a hidden elephant in the economy that is being overlooked in the media but represents the driving force behind the fear in the financial markets. It is well known that the economy is driven by credit. Consumer spending relies upon it and businesses cannot grow without it. However; Americans unable to get credit is not the major issue surrounding the financial bailout. http://www.politicalbull.net/hidden_secret_of_the_financial_crisis.html The failed rescue of the financial industry has raised a whole series of questions about responsibility, blame, transparency and a public revolt against putting taxpayer money at risk. The American public seems hell bent on assigning blame to a variety of forces and sees itself as a victim. The painful truth is that the American public brought much of this financial crisis upon itself. http://www.politicalbull.net/american_voters_to_blame.html http://www.politicalbull.net/sarah_palin_alaska_russia.html http://www.politicalbull.net/john_mccain_russian_roulette.html The bailout might suck but the alternative is going to suck a lot worse. Do not expect Wall Street to accept all the pain of a frozen credit market on their own. The big banks will make sure it is felt throughout the economy. Actually I think taxpayers should pay the price. They chose to put in power an administration hell bent on transforming the country from a production to financial system. This is the result. If the voters do not pay a price for their own ignorance they'll continue to do exactly what they have done in the past 28 years. http://www.politicalbull.net/pain_trickles_down.html It is beyond comprehension the audacity of an administration that expected the American Taxpayer to bail out the stupidity and mismanagement of the financial sector and all those who's speculative activities resulted in this disaster we are in today. http://www.politicalbull.net/no_bailout_for_you_wall_street.html Just as nearly everyone ignores the Democratic VP candidate in the campaign; so nearly all the attention in the upcoming Vice-Presidential debate will be on Republican candidate Sarah Palin. Democrat Joe Biden actually cannot win this debate. The problem is with the expectations. Typically campaigns spend the week leading to a debate downplaying their own candidates chances and praising their opponent's debating skills. It is done to make "achieving victory" easier by lowering the expectation bar for their own candidate. This time Republicans can skip this ritual as the bar set for Sarah Palin is so low it is laying on the ground. This presents a serious problem for Joe Biden. http://www.politicalbull.net/palin_debate_advantage.html The recent financial problems among the financial and investment banks, plus their insurers has brought into question the role that regulation played or did not play. The need for a bailout brings renewed calls for more regulation to govern the industry. The amount and nature of federal regulation has always been a heated debate. Despite the proclamations of libertarians, the evidence shows that federal regulation is beneficial for industries and good for the economy at large. http://www.politicalbull.net/regulation_and_business_benefits.html Senator Obama doesn't understand - doesn't get it... http://www.politicalbull.net/first_presidential_debate.html It has for a long time been a party with a significant internal conflict. The Republican party is composed of three primary components: free market libertarians who are the supporters of industry and finance; social conservatives that put more emphasis on social values than economic issues; and libertarians who simply want less government. It has been a sometimes awkward, sometimes conflicting, but politically solid coalition. In the midst of the financial bailout legislation this coalition has crumbled as has any clout President Bush may have once possessed. http://www.politicalbull.net/republican_party_split.html If you had purchased $1,000.00 of Delta Air Lines stock one year ago you would have $49.00 left. With Enron, you would have had $16.50 left of the original $1,000.00. With WorldCom, you would have had less than $5.00 left. http://www.politicalbull.net/drink_beer_humor.html In the coming weeks and months American taxpayers are going to face a number of bitter pills regardless of whether the financial bailout legislation is passed or not. The stark reality of the situation is that Americans are going to have to bail out not only Wall Street banks, but foreign investors AND governments like Saudi Arabia and China. The pitiful state of the American economy makes this a necessity. http://www.politicalbull.net/no_choice_but_to_support_the_bailout.html Hold everything, got to solve that economic problem.... http://www.politicalbull.net/mccain_economic_rescue.html Op-Ed: President Abraham Lincoln was able to campaign for a second term in office in the middle of biggest crisis in the nation's history. However; John McCain feels it necessary to suspend his campaign to deal with the crisis - as if there aren't enough people in Washington already up to their armpits in this mess. http://www.politicalbull.net/mccain_stops_campaign.html Mother of all Bailouts http://www.politicalbull.net/u.s.treasury_henry_paulson.html McCain's Straight Talk Express 2008 http://www.politicalbull.net/mccain_straight_talk_express_2008.html One of the little quirks in the proposed $700 billion financial bailout legislation is that the bill would prevent judicial review of actions taken within the scope of the legislation. Those drafting the legislation are trying to avoid court challenges to actions taken while executing the this bailout legislation. This is likely to open a "huge can of worms" and it poses some series constitutional issues that can have huge ramifications for future legislation. http://www.politicalbull.net/mortgage_bailout_unconstitutional.html Vote Palin/McCain 2008 http://www.politicalbull.net/palin_mccain_2008.html John McCain: Political Cock http://www.politicalbull.net/john_mccain_political_cock.html With a single act the concept of "conservatism" as espoused by centuries of free market capitalists is washed away. The heart and soul of the ideology; small government, low taxes, and free markets; has been exposed as nothing but a fair weather ideology, something that works when things go well and fails when circumstances do not. The U.S. government bailout of Insurance Giant AIG demonstrates the failure of the conservative ideology and exposes its proponents as frauds. http://www.politicalbull.net/AIG_destroys_capitalism.html “So you’re looking at the miracleJohn McCain helped createand that’s what he did.” http://www.politicalbull.net/mccain_create_blackberry.html Let us for a moment take an imaginary trip to a Perfect Utopian Society and examine the qualifications the Ideal Leader would have. Chances are that this would be the case in the real world are less than seeing pigs flying, or lipstick on a pig for that matter, but nevertheless, let us make this hypothetical journey. http://www.politicalbull.net/what_makes_an_ideal_leader.html Where will American citizens draw the line on the damage caused by trickle-down economics? We have already lost the 1950's style middle-class family with the stay-at-home-mom to Republican deregulation. Do we have to bring back child labor before the American citizen starts making the connection that what is good for corporations is not good for the citizens? Will the American citizens ever make the connection that a vote for a Republican is a vote against the 1950's style middle-class economy? A Republican vote is: a vote against the individual, a vote against the family, a vote in favor of deregulated-corporations free to run amuck as they have done these past eight years with ever increasing carnage. http://www.politicalbull.net/republicans_fucking_themselves.html Sarah Palin's first media interview on ABC NEWS with Charles Gibson http://www.politicalbull.net/sarah_palin_interview_with_charles_gibson.html Vote McCain / Palin 2008 http://www.politicalbull.net/mccain_palin_bridge_to_nowhere.html In the Political Connection that lead to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, the true motivation for the 2003 invasion of Iraq is spelled out. This article is an analysis of the political ramifications that stem from the invasion as well as a look at how the Iraq invasion has been subsequently analyzed. http://www.politicalbull.net/who_is_responsible_for_the_iraq_war.html The reasons for launching the U.S. invasion of Iraq have been cloaked in suspicion, conspiracy and misread intelligence. The most patriotic of Americans choose the misread intelligence theory while championing the byproduct goals of removing Saddam Hussein from power. The most skeptical usually lean on the war for oil theory. In a strange sense there is a possibility that both have some truth within them yet neither adequately puts all the pieces together because they leave out one major component: 9/11 and the political strategy for avoiding further attacks. For the first time we put all the facts together in their proper sequence to help explain and understand the real reason for the invasion of Iraq. http://www.politicalbull.net/reasons_for_the_iraq_war.html The party line for both Republicans and Democrats is clearly celebratory about the "success" of the increased troop level in Iraq. Both sides seem to be in accord about the surge success and both sides have severely missed the point on how to obtain stability, if not peace, in Iraq. http://www.politicalbull.net/the_troop_surge_myth_and_failure.html When two Automobiles collide in an intersection there are a number of explanations for the accident posed by the participants and observers. Each individual may develop his own conclusion about the true cause of the accident. The conclusions can be based on observation, on a scientific investigation of the evidence, on past assumptions and even prejudices about they type of people or automobiles that entered the intersection. All of the conclusions can be right and all can be wrong. Ultimately; however, there was a true cause for the accident. It just may not be possible to know it from the observation point of the human inquirer. http://www.politicalbull.net/the_problem_of_god_and_religion.html The first full day of the Republican National Convention, Maverick anyone? http://www.politicalbull.net/republican_national_convention_maverick.html The new book from John McCain for "those" women. http://www.politicalbull.net/sarah_palin_hillary_alternative.html Boeing machinists and aerospace workers are poised to go on strike for the same reasons all unions strike: wages, benefits and job security. They don't seem to grasp three basic facts: 1. Boeing is in the process of moving much of their manufacturing oversees. 2. There is nothing these American workers can do that foreigners cannot be trained to do as well. 3. Boeing is in an extremely competitive market and a strike will simply provide additional incentives to move production oversees. http://www.politicalbull.net/boeing_workers_strike.html A Look At McCain's New VP Pick, Palin http://www.politicalbull.net/mccain_and_palin_in_2008.html It appears Western political thought is stuck in the colonial mindset of the 19th and early 20th century. This is the mindset that divides borders between states based on natural landmarks and sometimes arbitrary dividing lines that completely ignore local ethnic distinctions. http://www.politicalbull.net/the_wrong_side_of_the_war_in_Georgia.html I'm sure the world needs more analysis of the Olympic Games but it struck me that while the United States and China won the most medals, they also have among the highest populations. It "stands to reason" they should be at the top. I got out my analyzing tools and took a look at which countries fared the best in these Olympic Games. http://www.politicalbull.net/olympics_politics_and_economics.html Let's take a look at some of the statements from the Bush Administration regarding the recent military operation by Russia in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. We, then, will creatively append these quotations with our thoughts (In parenthesis following the quote) regarding the matter. Let's proceed: http://www.politicalbull.net/bush_administration_hypocrisy_on_russia_georgia.html Michael Milken earned the moniker as "The Junk Bond King" in the 1980s when he pioneered and essentially created the market for high-yield bonds. The company he worked for is no longer around. Most of the companies bonds were issued for are no longer around. Milken is now involved in philanthropy yet there is a direct connection between junk bonds and public school testing scores. http://www.politicalbull.net/michael_milken_CDO_bank_failures.html Politics and Wars make for some very strange connections. In this case there is an important connection between the conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and Dick Cheney's predictions about the war in Iraq. http://www.politicalbull.net/dick_cheney_liberation_of_iraq.html Although the American general has been dead for more than 40 years his legacy has produced some strange twists in the coalition that invaded Iraq in 2003. http://www.politicalbull.net/japan_and_iraq_war.html The distance from Berlin, Germany to Seoul, Republic of Korea is a little over 8000 miles yet spanning this distance and 60 years in time there is a strange and winding connection between the Berlin Airlift and the South Korean citizen revolt of U.S. beef imports. http://www.politicalbull.net/korean_beef_and_nationalist_pride.html A comedian recently joked that he'd favor drilling in the skulls of polar bears if it meant cheaper gasoline for his car. While being facetious (I hope), it illustrates the fundamental problem for environmental protection: Its priority level falls among politicians in direct relation to a fall in the economy. http://www.politicalbull.net/economic_growth_verses_the_environment.html Connections do not have to have a singular point of origin to end up at the same point. This is best exemplified by two cultures of people that crisscrossed through history from different origins, but often taking the same paths. The Jews made the mistake to rebelling against their Roman rules only to find themselves cast out of their homeland destined to "wander" through Europe for 2000 years. The Romany people left their place of origin in Northern India about 1000 years later but would find themselves traversing much of the same ground. http://www.politicalbull.net/wandering_jews_and_gypsies.html While there are literally hundreds of factors that played a role in triggering the most deadly war in human history, this article traces one of these strands which began with a coin trade in 1767. http://www.politicalbull.net/hitler_and_jewish_bankers.html McCain has at times referenced "The Party of Lincoln" in speeches (more so in the past than recently). It is interesting to see the twists and turns the party affiliations have taken since the famous 1858 debates between Republican Abraham Lincoln and is Democratic Senate opponent Stephen A. Douglas. http://www.politicalbull.net/the_party_of_lincoln_no_more.html All political connections have starting points, triggers that begin the chain of events that lead to a particular event or political action. Some starting points are more significant than others, leading to a whole range of history changing events. Five of these starting points stand out about the rest as key events connecting political history. http://www.politicalbull.net/political_connection_starting_points.html In AD 9 a band of germanic tribes lead by Roman friend turned deadly enemy, Arminius, destroyed 3 Roman legions and forever sealed the Roman Empire's border south of Germanic territories. These "barbarians" would forever separate the European lands and peoples. http://www.politicalbull.net/roman_legions_death_to_the_Mayflower.html In the early 1960s the Beatles would launch a cultural revolution, ushering in the era of long hair, psychedelic drugs, and a young generation desiring to make it's political voice heard. http://www.politicalbull.net/beatles_monica_lewinsky.html In some historical cases political connections are common to circumstances over different times and nations. The connection between fighting unnecessary wars and economic collapse is one of these connections that transcends individual examples to become a general rule. http://www.politicalbull.net/unnecessary_war_economic_collapse.html Economics is all about connections and chain of events. An economic "system" is subject to a whole range of pressures and an action in one component can have long lasting implications on sectors seemingly unconnected. A computer sell order on March 10, 2000 was one of these actions. http://www.politicalbull.net/stock_bubble_to_housing_bubble.html It's often difficult and sometimes unfair to lay blame for a war 20 years after a man's death but the connection between Woodrow Wilson and the circumstances leading to World War II are very strong. http://www.politicalbull.net/woodrow_wilson_world_war.html In 1915 filmmaker D.W. Griffith released his epic film "The Clansman," a story about heroic Ku Klux Klan members fighting to save pure white women from "the black horde." One of the viewers was then President Woodrow Wilson who watched a private screening of the film, renamed "Birth of a Nation." The film hardened and reinforced Wilson's view that there was a definite hierarchy of races and that non-whites needed to be controlled. http://www.politicalbull.net/kkk_to_pearl_harbor.html There is nothing more difficult for a political economist than trying to get a handle on the United States. On the one hand, the simple fact that this website is up and that I can write pretty much whatever I want is a testament to both the entrepreneurial spirit of the nation (turning a primarily information disseminator into a commercial enterprise) and a testament to freedom, allowing me to write what's on my mind without much fear of recrimination. At the same time, it maintains its prosperity by exploiting every natural resource, every exploitable person in the name of greed. It holds one standard for itself and one for the rest of the world. This is why it is possible to argue both sides so fervently and why America is such a paradox. http://www.politicalbull.net/defining_america.html The Hilton Family has shown that when you bite the hand that feeds a campaign, the hand just might bite back. http://www.politicalbull.net/paris_hilton_for_president.html Most political observers, advisors, and commentators agree that a worsening economy provides more problems for Republican candidate John McCain than his Democratic Rival Barack Obama. This puts democrats in the awkward position of benefiting from the economic troubles. http://www.politicalbull.net/democrats_economic_dilemma.html We are already seeing a ripple effect from the high gas prices. Go shopping lately? Shocked to see how much the prices have jumped? Is this enough to wake you up? http://www.politicalbull.net/high_gas_prices_and_the_economy.html The price of oil has been rising steadily since 2002 and it is just now dawning on the American car companies that truck and SUV sales may be affected. One really has to wonder what these guys are thinking? http://www.politicalbull.net/ford_bankruptcy.html It seems like we're beating a dead horse to keep assigning our bullshitter label to those directing the U.S. economy but they are so damn deserving. http://www.politicalbull.net/henry_paulson_bullshit.html This week’s Bull Shitter of the Week award goes collectively to those pushing the absurd policy of drilling everywhere for oil. It is neither a short term nor a long term strategy for energy independence, and does not even recognize the fundamental issues that are driving up the price of oil. http://www.politicalbull.net/drilling_everywhere_for_oil_is_a_bad_idea.html In an era crying out for innovative ideas and leadership with a grasp of the difficulties that face the country, it appears this years political race is going to produce none. http://www.politicalbull.net/new_ideas_in_american_politics.html Notorious for his anti-Israel remarks, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad actually spoke some words of wisdom the other day. http://www.politicalbull.net/mahmoud_takes_a_break_from_anti-israel_comments_to_speak_about_oil.html When the Bush Administration took over in 2001 they made some significant but unpublicized moves to change the economic structure. They were playing with fire then and it is burning the American economy today. http://www.politicalbull.net/the_bush_economy.html Does the thought of two people who are gay getting married threaten you? I'm straight. I do not feel threatened if two people who are gay decide to marry. Do you? http://www.politicalbull.net/why_do_you_feel_threatened_by_gay_marriage.html With all the talk of not ruling out a military strike against Iran and having "all options on the table", you'd think we were back in March 2003 - When the Iraq war started. http://www.politicalbull.net/talk_of_war_with_iran.html While we have a great deal of respect for form Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, his proclamations about the U.S. economy this week qualify him for bullshitter of the week. http://www.politicalbull.net/alan_greenspan_on_the_recession.html Unrestricted Free Speech provides society with no means for balancing this right against other rights and needs that may also be important. http://www.politicalbull.net/the_cost_of_free_speech.html May 2008 saw an increase in mortgage foreclosure filings by almost 50 percent over the same period last year. This is bringing a chorus of calls for a mortgage bailout. The real question is who is getting bailed out: bankers or homeowners? http://www.politicalbull.net/foreclosures_and_government_action.html Free speech is, in my opinion, a vital element in a democratic society - Even if you don't necessarily agree with the topic of the speech at hand. Here's why... http://www.politicalbull.net/in_support_of_free_speech.html Gas is over $4 a gallon, but Senate Republicans have chosen to vote against new taxes against big oil. In case you had any doubts who's interests Congress serves, let those doubts be erased by this latest event. http://www.politicalbull.net/senate_republicans_vote_against_oil_tax.html It wasn't until just recently that churches on a group played an active role in politics. In the 1980s the Evangelical Christian churches began to act in mass and it may be coming back to bite them. http://www.politicalbull.net/politics_and_religion.html For all practical purposes there in only one state we need to watch this election year: Ohio. It is our strong belief that as Ohio goes so will the election. http://www.politicalbull.net/ohio_determines_2008_election.html We are indebted to the late author and historian William Manchester for showing us how connections work. He illustrates this by connecting the Bay of Pigs fiasco to the Vietnam War. http://www.politicalbull.net/bay_of_pigs_to_vietnam_war.html This political connection is actually fairly straightforward but demonstrates how political connections can span centuries. http://www.politicalbull.net/connection_muhammad_usa.html I am a believer in paying attention to signs and subtleties. No, I don't see holy visions or aliens. But really, c'mon. I think Nature is trying to tell us something.. http://www.politicalbull.net/you_think_nature_is_trying_to_tell_us_something.html Between Nixon and George W. Bush, the title of "Worst President Ever" tips in Bush's favor. Here's why.. http://www.politicalbull.net/george_w_bush_and_bush_administration_take_first_place.html Because of the record negative poll ratings George W. Bush is now the most unpopular president in history (at least the history covered by the Gallop Poll). Does this also make him the worst president in history? Richard Nixon gives George Bush a run for the money. http://www.politicalbull.net/richard_nixon_legacy.html In response to Joseph Perce's article about consistency regarding the U.S. invasion of Iraq I'm less proud of my consistent belief in the mistake than I am disappointed in American's blind acceptance of the government position. http://www.politicalbull.net/ashamed_of_gullible_americans.html I did not support the war from day one; I do not support the war now. I used to be a Republican - Not anymore. In light of the news that now appears on the mainstream news sites with such headlines as "Bush misused Iraq intelligence: Senate report", those of us who knew this was a mistake all along are happy to say, "We told you so". http://www.politicalbull.net/proud_to_not_have_supported_the_war_then_or_now.html Regardless of your credentials, when you spout propaganda in the guise of analysis you get the Political Bull award for bullshitter of the week. This week Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke has earned the award. http://www.politicalbull.net/ben_bernanke_bullshitter_of_the_week.html Last week I wrote an article about energy independence. In this article, I will write about steps that our country could take to make energy independence a reality. Here's what, in my opinion, we need to do.. http://www.politicalbull.net/grassroots_efforts_towards_energy_independence.html I am surprised to read on various blogs that certain people equate being conscious of the world's problems is the equivalent of being a left wing hippie. Do right wing conservatives not care about clean water, air nor have a desire to be free from the dependence of foreign oil as well? http://www.politicalbull.net/being_environmentally_conscious_doesnt_mean_youre_a_left_wing_hippie.html It may seem like an oxymoron to state that the economy is not in recession but the population is, but that is exactly what is happening. Unfortunately, the people’s recession does not get reflected in the economic numbers. http://www.politicalbull.net/the_2008_american_recession.html Art plays a very important role in society; It is a means for society to express itself. Art taps into the very human need to create something, whether that be in the form of music, painting, writing, and so forth. What would our life be like without the influence of the arts? It is therefore, in my opinion, a good thing that the Federal Government does give some support to the National Endowment of the Arts. http://www.politicalbull.net/society_needs_the_arts.html The 2007 U.S. Federal Budget included a $20.3 million increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. For the 2008 fiscal year President Bush is proposing trimming back $16.3 million of the previous year’s increase. I’m not sure why the government is providing funds for the arts in the first place. http://www.politicalbull.net/stop_funding_the_arts.html Renewable energy is the path that would create tens of thousands of jobs at home while reducing the dependence on foreign oil and unstable foreign governments. As it stands the renewable energy jobs sector is already in itself a growing industry. However will it be enough to be the single stone to bring two birds (dwindling employment rate and rising dependence on oil) down? Here is how.. http://www.politicalbull.net/pursuing_renewable_energy_will_create_jobs_and_get_us_off_of_oil.html The Currently reported global food crisis is not what it appears and pro ethanol policies are not the cause for starvation. In fact, they can actually help alleviate hunger! http://www.politicalbull.net/biofuels_help_alleviate_hunger.html As I read through some blogs in light of the recent Scott McClellan incident, I am coming across certain articles that praise McClellan for speaking out against the Bush administration. The general vibe I get from some of these articles is that we should somehow feel grateful for McClellan for taking such a bold, honorable move. http://www.politicalbull.net/scott_mcclellan_book_wont_absolve_sins.html The rising price of oil is separating true liberals from "limousine liberals" - those who prefer preaching to practicing http://www.politicalbull.net/high_gas_prices_liberals.html With seemingly nothing better to spend his money on, Saudi Prince Waleed Bin Talal Al-Saud purchased a $4.8 million diamond covered Mercedes Benz. http://www.politicalbull.net/saudi_mercedes_american_dependence_on_oil.html There once lived a Greek philosopher, Diogenes of Sinope, who is known, among other things, to have walked around in the daylight with a lantern. When asked what he was doing, he replied, "Looking for an honest man, yet finding nothing but rascals and scoundrels". You would think by hearing this account that Diogenes was taking a stroll down 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The truth of the matter is, politicians were guilty of doublespeak and dishonesty then, and even more so now. http://www.politicalbull.net/political_doublespeak_and_dishonesty_a_disgrace.html Our inaugural Political Bull Bullshitter of the Week was an easy pick. Former White House spokesman and now tell-all author Scott McClellan makes it an easy choice. http://www.politicalbull.net/scott_mcclellan_bullshitter_of_the_week.html The Four Horsemen. The sky turning to fire. Stuff falling out of the sky. Perhaps it will not be this dramatic. Independence Day aliens aren't going to appear in the sky and blow up our cities. But, what are you going to do if... http://www.politicalbull.net/preparing_for_tough_economic_times.html In 2008 Americans will pay $300 Billion more for oil than they did in 2007 and $480 Billion more than they paid in 2005. How does this reflect on the economic recession? Not as much as you'd think. http://www.politicalbull.net/oil_prices_and_hidden_bad_news.html by Edmund RossThe major religions have countered the challenges posed by scientific explanations of the world with one specific tool: Ignorance. The only way for the major religions to sustain themselves is by pretending that faith is still a useful concept. http://www.politicalbull.net/challenge_to_christian_faith.html by Edmund RossIn the land where 82% of the population believes in God and "faith based initiatives" percolate from the White House, it may seem difficult to comprehend but there is no real definition of "faith." http://www.politicalbull.net/decline_of_faith.html by Edmund RossThat Tibet is an issue in 2008 is really no coincidence. The Chinese government should have seen this coming in the year when they have the spotlight of the Olympics. http://www.politicalbull.net/china_tibet_problem.html The Pentagon cannot account for nearly 15 billion dollars in payments for goods and services in Iraq, according to an internal audit which members of Congress blasted Friday as a shocking" accountability failure," states an article on Yahoo.com. Does it disturb and sicken you that 15 billion of your tax dollars suddenly cannot be accounted for? http://www.politicalbull.net/lack_of_accountability_should_be_considered_treason.html Perhaps what Americans need is religion to keep them together and unify the American spirit. No, I am not advocating some sort of Christian version of a "Sharia" state. But rather, what's wrong with pledging allegiance "In the name of God", or "In God we trust"? http://www.politicalbull.net/religion_is_good_for_america.html Isn't feudalism and the concept of kings an antiquated institution from the Middle Ages? So then why do we still bow down to kings? You know which kings I am referring to.. They sit on their vast oil reserves. http://www.politicalbull.net/why_do_we_still_bow_down_to_kings.html I remember those times, shortly after 911, when I was driving around the city, seeing such ridiculously low gas prices as 70 cents a gallon. Now, all that seems like a Utopian Pipe Dream, with a bigger nightmare right around the corner. http://www.politicalbull.net/so_what_are_you_going_to_do_when_gas_hits_12_dollar_a_gallon.html Two years ago we wrote an article here about the relationship between the value of the dollar, oil, and inflation. It's a deliberate policy by your elected leaders so grin and bear it! http://www.politicalbull.net/oil_and_dollars_you_get_policies_you_deserve.html The fact there has to be something like "Rock the Vote" and commentators have to explain why voting is important demonstrates how ridiculous the system is. If it was meaningful wouldn't it be self-evident? http://www.politicalbull.net/not_voting_makes_a_statement.html With Barack Obama leading in both the delegate count and popular vote, Hillary's tenaciousness leads me to wonder what is it that she knows that the rest of us don't. Hillary, why are you still in the race? http://www.politicalbull.net/supreme_chancellor_hillary_clinton.html Americans are gearing up to receive their "Tax Rebate" check. At least that is what the government is calling it. Sorry to say it, but this is in no way a tax rebate. It is just government jargon to trick conservatives. http://www.politicalbull.net/tax_rebate_smoke_and_mirrors_to_stimulate_economy.html Voter apathy is not the solution to your disagreement with the way things are going. Thinking that your vote doesn't matter anyway and as a result not taking part in the electoral process is a mistake.Here's why... http://www.politicalbull.net/why_you_should_vote.html John McCain has 3 things going for him this election year. 1. He is a War Hero (of sorts). 2. He is considered a maverick in a time when being conventional is a problem.3. He has a very beatable opponentHowever... http://www.politicalbull.net/john_mccain_problem.html Our brave men and women serving in the armed forces are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan with wounds that are not all visible. Many suffer from PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. An article on Yahoo demonstrates the toll this PTSD takes on its sufferer and on society. http://www.politicalbull.net/post_traumatic_stress_disorder.html Our economic predictions have been dead on. Our political radar must be a bit off. All our predictions missed... http://www.politicalbull.net/okay_we_missed_on_our_political_predictions.html Last year around this time we predicted that the home mortgage meltdown might lead to a recession. Guess, what? IT DID! http://www.politicalbull.net/another_accurate_prediction.html The factual evidence about global climate change is overwhelming and is almost universally accepted. The key to this; however, is in the "almost." There are two major groups that are fighting any deals attempting to address climate change. http://www.politicalbull.net/why_united_states_is_fighting_any_global_warming_reduction_agreements.html In 2004 and 2005 mortgage lenders were bending over backwards to get people into new homes with risky loans that were dependent on continued housing market growth. It's as if no one could foresee a housing market down turn. Doh! http://www.politicalbull.net/home_mortgage_market_threatens_to_bring_on_a_recession.html Seems that everyone is more concerned about Al Gore's supposed $1200 electric bill last month than the $200 million a day being spent in Iraq. http://www.politicalbull.net/iraq_war_costing_200_dollar_million_a_day_but_let's_all_focus_on_al_gore_electric_bill.html It looks like the Kansas Boards of Education is once again trying to ban the teaching of evolution in public schools. What does it mean when schools stop teaching actual science in public schools? Well, it means those students are going to be a step behind when they get out of that school system. It also means a lot of kids are going to have a leg up when it comes to getting into a particular school, university, and later ... finding a job. http://www.politicalbull.net/no_more_evolution_in_kansas_schools.html Outsourcing is a recent phenomenon that is both controversial and, according to some, essential to allow businesses to flourish and compete in the global economy. Business owners argue that outsourcing is simply capitalism in action. http://www.politicalbull.net/interview_with_edmund_ross_on_outsourcing.html The John and Ken Show, on KFI 640 AM from 3pm to 7pm Pacific Time, should be an example to radio shows everywhere of what real talk radio is all about. John and Ken hosts John Kobylt and Ken Champeau have the spine to take on issues others won't touch and have been highly influential in calling peoples' attentions to issues that would otherwise never be commented on by the main stream media. http://www.politicalbull.net/john_and_ken_two_guys_with_courage_to_say_it_like_it_is.html California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants all Californian children, including those in the state illegally, to be guaranteed medical insurance as part of the health-care overhaul. What he fails to mention, however, is that those who would ultimately have to pay for this insurance would be the tax payers. http://www.politicalbull.net/ca_governor_schwarzenegger_insurance_idea.html You hear the headlines everyday - Dozens, and occasionally, hundreds of people killed by suicide bomb attacks in Iraq. These grim statistics are then often quickly countered by some politicans, and our president, vowing to "stay the course" in an effort to bring more "security" to the Iraqi people. http://www.politicalbull.net/sectarian_feuds.html And now, a new animation by Arcadi Raikin entitled "Horse". http://www.politicalbull.net/story_of_the_horse.html Pro business organizations have been going on the offensive to demonstrate that oursourcing IT jobs is good for the U.S. economy. The arguments made from organizations such as the conservative Heritage Foundation make the case that the global economy increases efficiency and profits which benefits the economy on a whole. In a report the Heritage Foundation addresses what they call the "10 Myths about Jobs and Outsourcing." Their basic premise is that: 1) not many jobs are lost on the grand scale; 2) Free trade benefits American companies and consumers; 3) The global economy improves efficiency for all involved which benefits everyone. http://www.politicalbull.net/outsourcing_it_jobs_to_india.html An ominous feeling of deja-vu is starting to resonate throughout the media once again. The drums of war appear to play in the distance. This time, it is not Iraq that is the goal. The talk of "not ruling out a strike against Iran" hangs in the air. http://www.politicalbull.net/us_strike_on_iran_would_be_disastrous_ex_generals.html Turn on any news channel, and you will invariably hear some politician peddling the same tired old line about illegal aliens - "They do the job Americans won't do". After traveling to other fine states in this great country of ours where the illegal alien invasion has not reduced the quality of life for people, I can honestly say that that statement is nonsense. http://www.politicalbull.net/doing_work_americans_will_not_do.html On the other side of the world, we have a situation quickly spiraling out of control - Just as the wise and the few among us predicted it would before this colossal miscalculation began over 3 years ago. http://www.politicalbull.net/iraq_spiraling_out_of_control.html So, let me get this straight. I can't take a bottle of water with me on an airplane. But, thousands of miles of our border are wide open to whomever wants to come across and bring whatever with them. http://www.politicalbull.net/borders_wide_open.html A quick review of some political thinking over the past two decades makes so politicians look pretty ignorant. http://www.politicalbull.net/global_warming.html In reviewing previous articles posted here on PoliticalBull.net we are amazed at how well they have withstood the test of time. The best example is our article on Osama Bin Laden http://www.politicalbull.net/test_of_time.html The concept of an international coalition implies nations joining together for a common purpose. The Iraqi war represents the concept of "coalition" turned on its head. The motivations for participating in the Iraqi war and its aftermath has very little to do with common purpose or common security. It has a lot more to do with international political alignments and profits. http://www.politicalbull.net/coalition_mirage.html Osama Bin Laden is most likely dead! A well designed U.S. military plan to get Bin Laden had only one flaw. They might never have proof that they succeeded.Prior to the Fall of 2001, the United States' attempts to capture Bin Laden revolved around intelligence gathering and secret operations. As they found out, their intelligence was always a day behind and Bin Laden and his "supporters" knew the territory far better than his pursuers. http://www.politicalbull.net/osama_bin_laden_untold_story.html Baa-a-aaa! Iraq has weapons of mass destruction! Must.. invade!It is amazing how easily influenced some people are. Well, maybe amazing is not quite the word; maybe the words we're looking for are "frightening", even "terrifying". http://www.politicalbull.net/iraq_war_proves_mindless_sheeple_exist.html The aftermath of the war in Iraq is proving that U.S. military dominance of the world is on the wane. The United States possesses the preeminent military in world history but is finding that it has no real use for it. http://www.politicalbull.net/american_military_might_is_on_decline.html The American news media, lead primarily by the N.Y. Times, has begun an introspective look at its coverage of government in the months prior to the start of the Iraqi war. The Times has admitted that its reporting "was not as rigorous as it should have been." In examining its reporting the Times has found that its reporters relied too heavily on single sources without sufficiently scrutinizing the motive behind those sources or attempting to corroborate the information they were receiving from these sources. http://www.politicalbull.net/media_mia_culpa.html Biological and chemical weapons! Weapons of Mass Destruction! These phrases permeate the mainstream media. Induce fear in people so that they become less willing to question you! And what better method to induce that fear than to use the threat of an imminent biological attack? http://www.politicalbull.net/biological_warfare_wmds_have_already_been_used_on_american_soil.html America is the greatest country on Earth is the mantra of an ignorant populace that spends way too much time listening to Rush Limbaugh. "If America isn't the greatest country then why does everyone want to live here?" http://www.politicalbull.net/myth_of_american_greatness.html The 2000 U.S. Presidential election proved a watershed for the American political system. In years past political scandals shook the system and some lead to changes in the function of politics. The Monica Lewinsky scandal demonstrated that while the office of President may have integrity the man holding the office need not. Iran-Contra showed that government leaders were capable lying about even their most heartfelt beliefs. Years of rhetoric and an entire foreign policy strategy were demonstrated to be fraudulent. http://www.politicalbull.net/legacy_of_2000_u.s._election.html So we just had a milestone not too long ago - 1000 US soldiers died. It came, it went. Now, we're back to thinking about other, much more pressing matters, like Barry Bonds scoring his 700th home run and Madonna visiting Tel Aviv. Never mind that the milestone is up to 1028 dead as of September 18th, 2004. http://www.politicalbull.net/milestone_came_and_went_time_for_next_reality_show.html Because of the war that the US has brought to Iraq I, like any good US citizen, have been searching for justification. I know George Bush and the Republican's are still searching for a good, sound reason for the death and destruction we have brought upon Iraq, not to mention the loss of 1,000 US soldiers to date. http://www.politicalbull.net/blessed_are_real_peacemakers.html Mad men have hijacked the train of democracy, and the railroad tracks drop off several miles up ahead. Where is this train going? What can they hope to accomplish? Who benefits? http://www.politicalbull.net/democratic_train_wreck.html State-sponsored terrorism against its people is not a new concept - it is a tool that has evolved and been perfected over the centuries. After all, what better way for a government or ruler to gain complete and unquestionable control of its subjects than by instilling fear? http://www.politicalbull.net/state_sponsored_terrorism_government_tool.html It is odd how often this question gets tossed around by conservative political commentators and how much the answer is avoided considering the answer is very simple, and not all that controversial. It can probably be assumed that the journalistic community is reluctant to admit a bias since the foundation of journalism is predicated on the direct presentation of facts or descriptions of events without an attempt at interpretation. http://www.politicalbull.net/does_american_media_have_a_liberal_bias.html The biggest scam of all time involves Worldcom (the now infamous telecom bust) inflating the numbers of Internet users to such an extent that it caused the Internet Boom. When those numbers didn't pan out the bubble burst and almost $2 Trillion was lost. http://www.politicalbull.net/worldcom_a_scam_of_historical_proportions.html On August 15, 1999 the one billionth baby was born on the Indian subcontinent. Miraculously, the population then dipped well under one billion and did not emerge over one billion again until May 11, 2000. At least this is what must have happened according to the Indian government. http://www.politicalbull.net/india_population.html Alien sightings in trailer parks. UFO particle beams knocking down the twin towers. The president is actually the head of the Illuminati. These are among the many conspiracy theories you will find that attempt to explain away the state of the world today. http://www.politicalbull.net/conspiracy_theorie_detract_from_real_reason_things_suck.html Discussing U.S. monetary policy is generally a snoozer for anyone who doesn't hold a degree in economics or run a multinational corporation. In fact, monetary policy is at the center of a controversy that threatens the very heart of the U.S. and the world economy. The main instigator of this policy is the current administration and the primary driver of this policy is oil! http://www.politicalbull.net/politics_of_dollars_oil_and_war_playing_with_fire.html For decades American capitalists have fought for the globalization of the world economy. Free markets and free trade were their mantra. From 1945 to 1989 the Americans had to pervert their viewpoint because of the global competition with communism. World economics were entangled with the politics of the cold war. Everything from economic investment to political and military support was tied to this competition. In economic terms capital did not flow naturally to nations and regions that markets would dictate. http://www.politicalbull.net/globalism_and_miscalculation..html Rating U.S. Presidents is a exercise typically performed by historians, journalists, and political buffs as a means for comparing the accomplishments (or failures) of the 40+ men who have held the post. The most commonly referred to studies are those conducted by Arthur Schlesinger in 1948 and 1962 and in 1996 (conducted by his son). There are also countless opinion and rating polls measuring the opinions of laypeople. (Schlesinger's surveyed primarily professional historians and a couple of politicians).* In nearly every poll Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are listed at the top and the balance of the top ten shifts around a bit but is generally comprised of the same 10 presidents give or take one or two. The only obvious anomaly is Ronald Reagan, ranked as high #1 in some public opinion surveys and near the bottom in others (he was ranked 25 in the 1996 Schlesinger poll). http://www.politicalbull.net/most_overrated_president.html The world's largest retailer has dramatically changed the nature of the American economy and the U.S. economy may never completely recover. The post-Depression U.S. economy has flourished because of producer power. The producers of goods and services have controlled society. The consumer has had very little power because it is diverse, unorganized and without a single voice. Economists' think of the consumer voice expressed as "demand." Consumers want smaller cars so the producers have to comply. Consumers want bigger cars and the producers are forced to change. This; however, is not a challenge to the overall dynamic of economic power. Production is simply adjusted to account for changing consumer demands. The basic relationship between producers and consumers has not been altered, until now. http://www.politicalbull.net/can_america_survive_wal_mart.html This is an attempt to explain way Born Again Fundamentalist Christians follow the Republican Party which in spite of all their public mention of God and Jesus is actually Anti-Christ. http://www.politicalbull.net/christian_support_republican_antichrist.html