John McCain announced that he was running for president to confront the "transcendent challenge" of the 21st century, "radical Islamic extremism," contrasting it with "stability, tolerance and democracy." But the values of his handpicked running mate, Sarah Palin, more resemble those of Muslim fundamentalists than they do those of the Founding Fathers. On censorship, the teaching of creationism in schools, reproductive rights, attributing government policy to God’s will and climate change, Palin agrees with Hamas and Saudi Arabia rather than supporting tolerance and democratic precepts. What is the difference between Palin and a Muslim fundamentalist? Lipstick. ….[ more ]
On the Republican “Fundamentalist Intolerance” Mouthpiece — ‘FOX Noise‘:
Asked on Fox & Friends about the “damage done” by having Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews anchor MSNBC’s election coverage, the Media Research Center’s Tim Graham responded, “Not only is the damage already done, the damage continues. I mean, not only are they keeping these people on for an hour a night, they’re adding this lesbian Air America radio host, Rachel Maddow, on every night.”
Editorial Review — From Booklist: Bageant mixes a reporter’s keen analysis, a storyteller’s color, and a native son’s love of his roots in this absorbing dissection of America’s working poor.
Returning to his hometown of Winchester, Virginia, after 30 years of life among the elite journalistic class, Bageant sought to answer the question of why the working poor vote for Republicans in apparent opposition to their own interests.
On a broader level, he examines issues of economic class distinctions as he drills below the middle-class claims of his hometown.
The reality is that two of five residents do not have high-school diplomas and virtually everyone over 50 has serious health problems in a town—and nation—with poor and failing schools and health systems.
Still clinging to illusions of personal responsibility and the vain hope of someday achieving wealth, Winchester’s residents fall deeper into debt, farther behind in ambitions beyond working in the local factory—if they’re lucky—and, along with their children, subject to the de facto draft of economic conscription.
Through the lives of his friends and family, Bageant explores the importance of hunting, religion, and redneck pride in what he describes as the “American hologram.” A wise, tender, and acerbic look at life among America’s working poor. ……[ More Reviews ]
In an attempt to appease and mollify the Clintons, Sen. Barack Obama has practically handed over the control of the Democratic Convention to them. Hillary will have her roll call vote, and she and her husband will deliver prime time speeches.
The Clinton mafia has even secured language in the Democratic platform condemning the media for its “sexist” coverage of Hillary’s campaign. I know that only political junkies read the Democratic platform, but Obama should not have agreed to inserting such a blatant lie. Hillary lost because her campaign was a disorganized nest of snakes and sycophants, and not because of sexism in the media.
Clinton loyalists endlessly repeat that Obama must reach out to the 18 million who voted for Hillary during the primaries. Most of those 18 million are now solidly behind Obama; it’s only a few Hillary diehards who are still swooning over their queen.
These dead-enders are not blue-collar workers or the working poor, but middle-aged bitter women who saw Hillary as their last chance to see a woman in the White House before they croak. These dinosaur feminists don’t represent most women, or even most feminists. They are from the old school of feminism, and they are characterized by a hatred of men and a love for women. They wouldn’t consider voting for Obama unless he was castrated.
This cabal is willing to destroy the Democratic Party to demonstrate their inordinate affection for Hillary. The Hillary partisans have warned Obama not to choose a woman as his running mate, if it’s not their dearly beloved. This proves that there infatuation with Hillary takes preeminence over women’s rights.
Nothing short of naming Hillary as vice-president will satisfy them. Obama is set to announce his VP any day now, and I’m delighted that none of the speculation centers on Hillary.
The Democratic Party should be about hope and change, and not about a cult of personality. Obama has bent over backwards catering to Hillary and her surly husband. Stop the appeasement, Obama should write-off the Clinton die-hards once and for all.
Returning to his hometown of Winchester, Virginia, after 30 years of life among the elite journalistic class, Bageant sought to answer the question of why the working poor vote for Republicans in apparent opposition to their own interests. 
