I know I'm not a famous blogger here at Daily Kos and my comments tend to garner only a smattering of recommends.  This diary is probably going to come across as whiney and I know that many readers DO give money to progressive candidates so I am not intentionally criticizing those people nor do I mean to criticize those who don't have money to spare but who dedicate themselves to electing Democrats thru activism.

I have been reading and posting here since about 2005.  I am not a wealthy person & the past year has been difficult for me.  but when the Front pagers & other posters here at Kos put out a call for contributions to their candidates, I try to help out.  Sometimes the amounts are small, but I do what I can because we need more progressives in Congress.

Yesterday, I decided to put out my own request for contributions for a progressive US Senate candidate, Jeff Merkley (OR-Sen), in what is considered one of the top Senate races in the country.  I offered & am offering to match contributions totalling up to $1,000 to people who contribute thru my Actblue page:  http://www.actblue.com/... .  Guess how many people stepped up to the plate?

Remember Georgia? no, not THAT Georgia, I mean the one OVER THERE, you know, next to Russia.

They just had a nifty little war (Nifty except for the death and destruction, of course, but hey, what's a little of that compared with the olympics?)

Of course, the pipeline is undamaged, thank goodness, otherwise somebody might lose money.

and who's making money off this little debacle?

Note: I posted this late yesterday, but I felt the need to post it again because this is that serious to me and hopefully to you. Thank you for any rec's and reading, and have a good day.

"The Best Political Team on Television", huh?

"The Most Trusted Name in News", huh?

"CNN= Politics", huh?

"More News than Other News in the Morning", huh?

Having a show that is "smart and independent", huh?

And finally, the kicker of all kickers: "We’re Keeping Them Honest," HUH?!

Cable News Network, correction, the neo-Cable News Network,  instead of saying you’re keeping someone else honest, I have a simple request for you:

Why DON’T YOU KEEP YOUR DAMN SELF HONEST!

"We cannot forever hide the truth about ourselves, from ourselves."
-Fictional Maverick John McCain

Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the things that you've done anymore.
-Fictional Character William Adama, Battlestar Galctica

I'm through with it.  I'm sick of listening to, as one diarist referred to it, The Legend of John McCain.  And because I am sick of it, because forcing myself to watch his zombie base mindlessly applaud his pandering, talking points performance at Rick Warren's bloated, ego driven Christianity for Happy and Bigoted Capitalists Forum unsettled me for the last three days, I am going to rant and attack.

I'm surprised to see this hasn't been diaried since the story broke last night. Or at least I haven't been able to find another diary (sorry if I missed it.)

Anyway, something like two weeks ago we talked a lot about the cops who smashed into some family's house (on a marijuana bust, no less!) and proceeded to terrorize the people... including murdering their two dogs.

Well, it's happened again...

Why not? Why doesn’t he choose somebody that we all disagree with? It will make it easier if he doesn't choose your guy.  You people in this community talk about that this person is bad that person is bad. Come people do you really support Barack Obama? I mean here's a guy who won the primaries by given you all a vision for America. But all I hear (or read) is that every person that is mention as a VP is bad. More after the fold.

[ The following is a thought stream that I wanted to get off my mind.  If you're looking for an informative read that's well researched on more productive subjects, I recommend this diary, or this one.  ]

I appreciate Andrea Mitchell having the courage to try to be a somewhat truthful reporter even under the circumstances she finds herself in*.  In what seemed to be her effort to try to maintain (at least to some degree) the respect of the American people and her viewers, she mentioned a reasonable question that some Obama supporters were expressing about the events of the faith forum, or whatever that thing was that Reverend Warren conducted.  It is a shame she is getting in trouble for it.  But really, are we surprised?

So it's my turn for a VP rant.  If you've read any of my posts you know I'm still gunning for Wesley Clark even though I've been told over and over about his son saying he's not the one and will be out of the country during the convention.  Blah, blah, blah.

Ok, here's the rules.  There are no sure things until Obama sends that first text message (although I wouldn't blame him if he sent out a premature joke one to screw with all the people sitting on the edge of their seats).

John McCain and Barack Obama testified before a large audience of Southern Baptists at the Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. They also used up a large chunk of prime time television.

It's not the debate that irks me a little; it's the idea that somebody's religious views are pertinent to the kind of leadership the country needs to get over the unholy mess created by our born-again President.

How about settling first on what's important in making a person "religious?" In the same way wearing a flag pin doesn't make someone patriotic, believing abortion is a sin doesn't make somebody Christian. After all, the views of fundamental Muslims and fundamental Christians regarding drinking are identical, as are the prohibitions on pork by Muslims and Jews.

I propose leaving religious debates to religious leaders and their followers and allowing the TV producers and their anchors to concentrate on the truly important rapes, murders and sporting events by which they uplift and enlighten our lives.

Every day it seems that damning truths and evidence come out about Senator McCain, and yet the media doesn't focus on them. What we get are stories of heroism and valor. Dedication to "Country First". You know why? Because John McCain, the original Maverick, is a WAR HERO. Fellow Kossacks, don't let that fact, that Senator McCain is a WAR HERO, be lost on you. In fact, John McCain WAR HERO is such an inspiration, I've drafted an open letter to him. Follow me after the jump...

In anticipation of what will happen tomorrow... or Wednesday... or Thursday... or Friday... or Saturday... or Sunday... or Monday... or Tuesday... or Wednesday, here is The Official Daily Kos Bitch and Moan About Barack Obama's Vice Presidential Choice.

This is a diary of depression mixed with anger. It's based on two men who successfully avoided both while they faced the thing we all fear the most: Death. Leroy Sievers and Randy Pausch both made peace with their impending death, knowing that not only was it was inevitable as it is for all, but imminent. They faced death and did not display anger and depression, and that is where I admit I am not so strong. I am ashamed to be alive in light of the spirit that they displayed throughout the moments we know we will all face - but don't believe we have to day to day.

I'm seething inside after watching Saturday night's transparent panderings to the religious right; who's hubris in co-opting the phrase "culture of life" is unforgivable. I feel they have absolutely no credibility to claim any moral standing on life at all and I'll explain why.

Senator Inhofe,

This may come as a surprise to you but over here in Europe we are worried sick about climate change. It doesn't seem to concern you as your position does not seem to have budged from your speech given on the Senate floor on July 28, 2003:

"much of the debate over global warming is predicated on fear, rather than science." I called the threat of catastrophic global warming the "greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people"

to this from your latest rant, on July 22 last month:

More and more prominent scientists continue to speak out and dissent from man made global warming. In June, the Nobel Prize Winner for Physics, Ivar Giaever, declared himself a "skeptic" and said "global warming has become a new religion."

Stop it with the fucking Obama bashing! Maybe we ought to face a couple of facts, Obama or Hillary or Edwards was never going to win a "landslide" win. Many of the people who disapprove of Bush when push comes to shove would have voted for him again if he was on the ballot in  2008 over the dem alternative because the GOP knows exactly what buttons to push to get their troops in line. If Hillary was the nominee can you imagine the ad about the sniper fire contrasted with Mccains pow hero stuff! This is and will always be a battle for every last vote to win, and if we don't out peform our turnout norms among black/young white voters Mccain is going to win. Generic dem always does better than the guy thats named once the attacks come so lets work our asses off and win the 51-48 race this time instead of whining about how obama should be blowing the old white guy out. 2 years ago who would have imagined anyone like Obama would even have a fucking chance now were wondering why it's not a cakewalk, please.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ..."
                                           -First Amendment, United States Constitution

"Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
                                           -Article VI, United States Constitution

Did I miss something?  Did the idiots that organized this abomination fail Civics 101?  And what about the candidates, or at least, the guy I want in office?

I swear, you'd think he grew a flowing beard, put on a raggedy robe and started carrying around a couple of stone tablets, with the idiocy and stupidity that's popped up because of the faith forum.

You mean someone who is running to be President of the United States is speaking and debating in front of a very large constituency in the country?

Hamster Jesus says OMG!

Dear Realtors:  Are you one of those lucky few who actually have clients looking to buy?  Are you out there taking them around to look at houses?

Then I have just one small request to make of you.

    I am so annoyed right now that I can't stand it. It's been a long day and I'm dealing with a sinus infection so please forgive me if I start rambling or ranting. But I need to let my feelings out to people who understand...at least I hope you do.
    Today I was in the car with my two eldest sisters and my mother. It started out nice and pleasant, but then the discussion turned to politics...mainly Obama. Now the second to the oldest HATES Obama. She thinks he's an elitist snob who is no better than McCain. No matter how many times my parents and I tried to convince her otherwise, she remains stubbornly against him.
    What does she know anyway about him? She's never paid that much attention to him, read his book, so bleh. But it was my oldest half-sister who leapt into the dicussion and what she said made me cringe.