Honest to a Fault

More New Kindle Pictures

2009-02-09T10:48:00.002-05:00

New Kindle Pictures

2009-02-09T10:44:00.003-05:00

Kindle 2 Features

2009-02-09T10:36:00.003-05:00

Kindle Features
Advanced Design
Sleek & Trim
At 10.2 ounces, Kindle is lighter than a typical paperback and as thin as most magazines. Barely a third of an inch in profile, you'll find Kindle fits perfectly in your hands.
Improved Ergonomics
Kindle is as easy to hold and use as a book. We designed it with long-form reading in mind. When reading for long periods of time, people naturally shift positions and often like to read with one hand. Kindle's page-turning buttons are located on both sides, allowing you to read and turn pages comfortably with one hand from any position. The page-turn buttons now flex inward to prevent any accidental page turns when picking up or handling Kindle.
New 5-way controller
Kindle has a new easy-to-use 5-way controller, enabling precise on-screen navigation for selecting text to highlight or looking up words.
Simple to Use, No Computer Required
Kindle is completely wireless and ready to use right out of the box--no setup, no cables, no computer required.
Even Longer Battery Life
25% Longer Battery Life - Read for Days Without Recharging
With Kindle's 25% longer battery life, you can read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.
Charge via USB
Kindle supports wall charging via the included Kindle power adapter, and charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable. Kindle fully charges in approximately 4 hours.
Wireless Access with Whispernet
Fast 3G Network - Get Books in Under 60 Seconds
Whispernet utilizes Amazon's optimized technology plus Sprint's national high-speed (3G) data network to enable you to wirelessly search, discover, and download content on the go. Your books and periodicals are delivered via Whispernet in less than 60 seconds. And unlike WiFi, you never have to hunt for a hotspot.
Expanded National Coverage
We expanded Kindle's national coverage to include more cities and areas in all 50 states, enabling wireless downloads of books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Check our wireless coverage map for availability.
No Wireless Bills
No monthly wireless bills, data plans, or commitments. Amazon pays for Kindle's wireless connectivity so you won't see a wireless bill. There is no wireless setup--you are ready to shop, purchase and read right out of the box. See Wireless Terms and Conditions.
Carry Your Library in 10.2 Ounces
Holds Over 1,500 Books
The ultimate travel companion, Kindle weighs 10.2 ounces and holds more than 1,500 books. No longer pick and choose which books fit in your carry-on. Now you can always have your entire library with you.
Automatic Library Backup: Download Your Books Anytime for Free
A copy of every book you purchased is backed up online at Amazon.com in case you ever need to download it again. You can wirelessly re-download books for free anytime. This allows you to make room for new titles on your Kindle, knowing that Amazon is storing your personal library. We even back up your last page read and annotations, so you'll never lose those, either. Think of it as a bookshelf in your attic--even though you don't see it, you know your books are there.
Enhanced Reading
Lose Yourself in Your Reading
The most elegant feature of a physical book is that it disappears while you're reading. Immersed in the author's world and ideas, you don't notice a book's glue, the stitching, or ink. Our top design objective was to make Kindle disappear--just like a physical book--so you can get lost in your reading, not the technology.
Paper-like Screen
Utilizing the latest in electronic-ink display technology, Kindle provides a crisp black-and-white 6" screen with the same appearance and readability of printed paper. Sharp and natural with no glare or backlight, reading on Kindle is nothing like reading from a computer screen. Those who see it for the first time always do a double-take. The screen works using ink, just like books and newspapers, but displays the ink particles electronically. And unlike a laptop or smart phone, Kindle never gets warm so you can comfortably read as long as you like.
Sharper Display of Images and Photos
Kindle's high-resolution screen now boasts 16 shades of gray, so images and photos are sharper and clearer than ever.
Read in Sunlight with No Glare
Kindle's screen reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlighting, eliminating the glare associated with other electronic displays. As a result, Kindle can be read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.
Adjustable Text Size
Because one size doesn't fit all, you can increase the text size of your favorite book or periodical with the push of a button. If your eyes tire, simply increase the font size and continue reading comfortably. Kindle has six adjustable font sizes to suit your reading preference. Now every book in your library can be large print.
Read-to-Me Feature
Now Kindle can read to you. With the new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you. You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can choose from both male and female voices which can be sped up or slowed down to suit your preference. Anything you can read on Kindle, Kindle can read to you, including books, newspapers, magazines, blogs and even personal documents. In the middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.
Improved Newspaper Experience
Using Kindle's new 5-way controller, you can quickly flip between articles, making it faster and easier to browse and read the morning paper. Want to remember the newspaper or magazine article you just read? Clip and save entire articles for later reading with a single click.
Faster Page Turns
Pages now turn 20% faster on average.
Bookmarks and Annotations
By using the QWERTY keyboard, you can add annotations to text, just like you might write in the margins of a book. And because it is digital, you can edit, delete, and export your notes. Using the new 5-way controller, you can highlight and clip key passages and bookmark pages for future use. You'll never need to bookmark your last place in the book, because Kindle remembers for you and always opens to the last page you read.
Full Image Zoom
Images and photos display crisply on Kindle and can be zoomed to the full size of the screen.
Personal Documents
Kindle makes it easy to take your personal documents with you, eliminating the need to print. Each Kindle has a unique and customizable e-mail address. You can set your unique email address on your Manage Your Kindle page. This allows you and your approved contacts to e-mail Word, PDF documents, and pictures wirelessly to your Kindle for a small per document fee--currently only 10¢ per document. Kindle supports wireless delivery of unprotected Microsoft Word, PDF, HTML, TXT, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PRC and MOBI files. You can email your PDFs wirelessly to your Kindle. Due to PDF's fixed layout format, some complex PDF files may not format correctly on your Kindle. If you are not in a wireless area or would like to avoid the fee, you can send attachments to "name"@free.kindle.com to be converted and e-mailed to your computer at the e-mail address associated with your Amazon.com account login. You can then transfer the document to your Kindle using your USB connection. For example, if your Kindle email address is Jay@Kindle.com, send your attachments to Jay@free.kindle.com.
Built-in Dictionary with Instant Lookup
Never get caught without a dictionary. Kindle includes The New Oxford American Dictionary with over 250,000 entries and definitions, so you can seamlessly look up the definitions of words without interrupting your reading. Come across a word you don't know? Simply move the cursor to it and the definition will automatically display at the bottom of the screen. Never fear a sesquipedalian word again--simply look it up and keep reading.
Wireless Access to Wikipedia
Kindle also includes free built-in access to the world's most exhaustive and up-to-date encyclopedia--Wikipedia.org. With Kindle in hand, looking up people, places, events, and more has never been easier. It gives whole new meaning to the phrase walking encyclopedia.
Search
Kindle makes it easy to search within a book, across your library, in the Kindle Store, or even the Web. To use the Search feature, simply type in a word or phrase you're looking for, and Kindle finds every instance in your book or across your Kindle library. Looking for the first reference of a character in your book? Simply type in the name and search. You can extend your search to the Kindle Store to find related titles you may be interested in. Explore even further by searching Wikipedia and the Web.
Audiobooks
With Kindle, you are able to download and enjoy more than 50,000 audio titles from Audible.com, including bestselling audio books, radio programs, audio newspapers, and magazines. Due to their file size, audiobooks are downloaded to your PC over your existing Internet connection and then transferred to Kindle using the included USB 2.0 cable. Listen via Kindle's speaker or plug in your headphones for private listening.
Whispersync
Have more than one Kindle? Our new Whispersync technology allows you to seamlessly switch back and forth between your Kindle devices while keeping your reading location synchronized--simply pick up reading right where you left off.
Experimental Features
The experimental category represents features we are still working on to enhance the Kindle experience even further. Try them out and let us know what you think.
Read-to-Me
Now Kindle can read to you. With its new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you. You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can speed up or slow down the reading speeds or choose a male or female voice. Anything you can read on Kindle, Kindle can read to you, including books, newspapers, magazines, blogs and even personal documents. In the middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.
Basic Web Browser
Kindle's Basic Web browser works well to read simple, text-centric Web sites such as Google and Wikipedia. Need to find a movie listing or look up a sports score? Now it's easier than ever to find the information you're looking for right from your Kindle.
PDF Document Conversion
You can email your PDF documents wirelessly to your Kindle, just like other personal documents. Due to PDF's fixed layout format, some complex PDF files may not format correctly on your Kindle.
Listen to Music & Podcasts
Transfer MP3 files to Kindle to play as background music while you read. You can quickly and easily transfer MP3 files via USB by connecting Kindle to your computer.
Included in The Box
Kindle electronic reader, power adapter, and USB 2.0 cable (for connection to the Kindle power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer).

Kindle 2 Technical Details

2009-02-09T10:36:00.001-05:00

Technical Details
Display: 6" diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale.
Size (in inches): 8" x 5.3" x 0.36".
Weight: 10.2 ounces.
System requirements: None, because it doesn't require a computer.
Storage: 2GB internal (approximately 1.4GB available for user content).
Battery Life: Read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.
Charge Time: Fully charges in approximately 4 hours and supports charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable.
Connectivity: EVDO modem with fallback to 1xRTT; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint's 3G high-speed data network (check wireless coverage). See Wireless Terms and Conditions.
USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) for connection to the Kindle power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer.
Audio: 3.5mm stereo audio jack, rear-mounted stereo speakers.
Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.
Included Accessories: Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, rechargeable battery. Book cover sold separately.
Documentation: Quick Start Guide (included in box) [PDF]; Kindle 2 User's Guide (pre-installed on device) [PDF].
Warranty and Service: 1 year limited warranty and service included. Optional 2 year Extended Warranty sold separately.

The New Kindle Live

2009-02-09T10:09:00.007-05:00

10:32 AM* Doug Aamoth - Product page (it's $359):

10:30 AM* Doug Aamoth - Info up on Amazon.com with letter from Jeff Bezos Photos from Chrunch Gear.

10:29 AM* - I read more, I read faster.
10:29 AM* - Really comfortable to hold.
10:28 AM* - Very compact. Sleek, all enclosed. Thin, better than any book.
10:28 AM* - Kindle 1 users trying Kindle 2
10:28 AM* - Now video of kindle users.
10:27 AM* - text to speech is pretty cool. Very listenable
10:26 AM* - Text to speech!
10:26 AM* - New feature:
10:25 AM* - this weekend rather. He's basically just giving a demo.
10:25 AM* - Images coming. It's EXACTLY what we saw today.
10:24 AM* - The grey sort of melts in and out rather than that big black screen
10:24 AM* - Much faster than in Kindle 1
10:24 AM* - The screen changes are very speedy.
10:23 AM* - 7x times more storage
10:23 AM* - 5 way controller.
10:23 AM* - Longer battery life
10:22 AM* - Faster screen update.
10:22 AM* - Pageturning buttons flex inward.
10:22 AM* - .36 inches. ultrathin
10:22 AM* - whisper sync - kindle 1 and kindle 2 AND OTHER MOBILE DEVICES will keep your current page across devices.
10:19 AM* John Biggs - Kindel 2
10:09 AM - Just starting.

Live announcements from the Amazon Kindle Release event.

New Kindle Pictures and Price Leaked

2009-02-09T09:56:00.004-05:00

Crunch Gear is reporting that a batch of purported images and price for the Amazon Kindle 2 have leaked onto the Web. We will have to wait until later today to see if they are real and check on that price.

This new Kindle or K2 is considerably slimmer than its predecessor and appears to be much shorter, too. That back piece screams Apple and has me thinking twice but, again, we’ll have to wait until Monday. Also, the K2 is said to be available on February 24th for $359.

The keyboard configuration as well as the navigation buttons look much better than what’s available now. I think this is going to tip it over into the mainstream from a tech niche gadget

What do you think real or faked?

Stephen King to Launch Exclusive Kindle Book Today

2009-02-09T09:44:00.003-05:00

The WSJ is reporting that Stephen King is to launch a book exclusively (or at least for a short period) on the Kindle today. Seems odd seeing as very few people have been able to buy a Kindle because ti has been sold out for most of the First generations life. I would have thought they would have waited until the K2 to be available before they dropped this bombshell. But we don't know what they are announcing today, maybe it is available today. We will see.

This is a serious change and it shows the power of Amazon. The publishers should be worried if this starts happening even more. I recommend that they start shipping digital copies with their hardcover books before people stop buying them all together.

New Kindle Day

2009-02-09T09:28:00.003-05:00

Today is the day that Amazon is expected to release their new Kindle.

It is thought to have larger screen and a longer battery life. Early reports say that it is much better looking than the original which looked like an 80s computer.

I am really looking forward to its release. I wanted one this holiday season but I couldn't find one. Then I heard about the new one coming out, so I decided to wait. I hope it is worth all the hype. I will be sad the day that I put down hardcover for a Kindle, but I know times are changing and some things must die.

Top Ten Worst Humanitarian and Medical Emergencies in the World

2008-12-23T09:21:00.001-05:00

MSF Releases 11th Annual "Top Ten" List

Massive forced civilian displacements, violence, and unmet medical needs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Iraq, Sudan, and Pakistan, along with neglected medical emergencies in Myanmar and Zimbabwe, are some of the worst humanitarian and medical emergencies in the world, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports in its annual list of the "Top Ten" humanitarian crises.

The report underscores major difficulties in bringing assistance to people affected by conflict. The lack of global attention to the growing prevalence of HIV-tuberculosis co-infection and the critical need for increased global efforts to prevent and treat childhood malnutrition—the underlying cause of death for up to five million children per year—are also included in the list.

Somalia's Humanitarian Catastrophe Worsens

Beyond the International Spotlight, Critical Health Needs in Myanmar Remain Unmet

Health Crisis Sweeps Zimbabwe as Violence and Economic Collapse Spread

Civilians Trapped as War Rages in Eastern Congo

Millions of Malnourished Children Left Untreated Despite Advances in Lifesaving Nutritional Therapies

Critical Need of Assistance in Ethiopia's Somali Region

Civilians Killed and Forced to Flee as Fighting Intensifies in Northwestern Pakistan

No End in Sight to Violence and Suffering in Sudan

Iraqi Civilians in Urgent Need of Assistance

HIV/TB Co-Infection Poses Health Battle on Two Fronts

"Working on the frontlines of crisis zones throughout the world, MSF medical teams witness firsthand the medical and psychological consequences people endure from extreme violence, displacement, and neglected—yet treatable—diseases and health needs. In some of these places, it is extremely difficult for aid groups to access populations requiring help. Where we are able to provide assistance, we have a special responsibility to bear witness and speak out about intolerable suffering and draw attention to basic humanitarian needs—needs that are often largely ignored."

— Dr. Christophe Fournier
MSF International Council President

MSF began producing the "Top Ten" list in 1998, when a devastating famine in southern Sudan went largely unreported in U.S. media. Drawing on MSF's emergency medical work, the list seeks to generate greater awareness of the magnitude and severity of crises that may or may not be reflected in media accounts. View the full "Top Ten" archive.

Posted via email from brokenrhino's posterous

Obama the Jedi Master?

2008-11-05T15:43:00.002-05:00

Is Obama a Jedi? I think he might just be. He his the power to instill euphoria and hope in us all. No candidate has come through a campaign so cleanly. It is his dedication the force that keeps him in control. He is always steady and calm. He is wise beyond his ears(I mean years, lol). He has a great jump-shot.

He is loved be young people of all races and groups. Only other Jedi can claim that. He has world wide popularity just like Star Wars.

George Lukas testified to congress that, Barack Obama is definitely a Jedi knight. “I would say that’s reasonably obvious”

All the parties people are having after the election kinda reminds me of when they defeated the Empire in Return of The Jedi. They had parties on all the planets.

I won't even go into the fact the Chaney is the Emperor and Bush could be a Sith Lord.

Don't Worry ...

2008-11-05T15:42:00.001-05:00

He's got this.

Obama is now the man.

Will McCain be the death of the Republican Party or it's savior by destroying it so completely that they rethink what they stand for?

2008-10-27T10:11:00.003-04:00

Will McCain be the death of the Republican Party or it's savior by destroying it so completely that they rethink what they stand for?

McCain is so far down in the polls and is running such a dirty campaign that he is bringing the other Repubs. down with him. It looks like the Dems will have control over the house and the white house. But they also might get a filibuster proof 60 votes in the senate which is really important.

For the next 4-8 years at least the repubs will have no control in our government. Three things could arise out of the devastation.

The republicans would not look inward and realise that their failed policies were to blame, not Obama. They will continue to spout of hate and tax breaks for the rich. When the economy is fixed by the next election they will try to play the hate and fear card and win some seats back.
The Repubs could realise that their downfall was due to some failed policies and forgetting about who the were. The would go back to being fiscal conservatives (58% of the National debt is from the three Bush terms). Let conservatism lead their way by promising to cut back and give the government back to the states. This might work but is not likely to happen.
Also, a third party could finally gain some footing. Running on the fiscal conservative but social liberal platform. They could rise above the republicans and compete and we might truly have a 3 party system.

Blog Action Day - Poverty, and growth potential.

2008-10-15T11:17:00.005-04:00

Poverty in this country has reached epidemic proportions. 35.9 Million people in the US live in poverty. That is just too much. We have to do something. I hope Blog Action Day helps the cause.

Republicans have been telling us since Reagan to just keep waiting and the wealth will trickle down. Well wealth doesn't fallow the law of gravity, it seems to be rising. The Rich are getting wealthier and poor are getting poorer. We now the even the rich are hitting a wall of failure because the economy is crashing and they don't have any real wealth because the only thing that trickled down to the poor was credit. This fake wealth can only last so long.

But that can change. We need to expand our economy in a real way and huge untapped resource we have is the poor. When you increase the wealth in the lower class you create customers. When you have customers they buy stuff and the rich will profit from this, much more than some tax breaks. The rich can only buy so much stuff, we need to increase the buying power of the lower class.

Fiscal Conservatives??

2008-10-13T11:15:00.005-04:00

Why do Republicans calls themselves Fiscal Conservatives? It makes no sense, so why do we fall for it?

Past Presidents added $660 billion before Carter.

Added during Carter's four years: $337 billion.

Added during Ronald Reagan's eight years: $1.6 trillion.

Added during George H. W. Bush's four years: $1.6 trillion.

Added during Bill Clinton's eight years: $1.5 trillion.

Added during George W. Bush's seven years, nine months: $4.5 trillion.

Portion of the $9.5 trillion added to the national debt during the past 31 years and seven months that came during Republican presidencies: $7.7 trillion.

Percentage of that $7.7 trillion added during George W. Bush's two terms:58%.

They call Democrats Tax & Spenders, what is so bad about being responsible. They are the Spend and Borrowers and we have seen where that leads us. We need to learn from past mistakes and pay for what we spend at all levels in our lives from the Federal Government to small businesses on down to our personal check books. They all need to learn to live within their means. The Republicans have proven that they can not do that.

Connecticut Ruling Overturns Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

2008-10-10T13:22:00.002-04:00

Connecticut Ruling Overturns Ban on Same-Sex Marriage would normally be big news. But during financial armeggedon it turns out the Republicans have more to worry about. This is still big news even though the NYTimes only gave in a little 1.5 inch wide column on the front page.

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled on Friday that same-sex couples have the right to marry, reversing a lower court decision that had concluded that the civil unions legalized in the state three years ago had offered the same rights and benefits as marriage.
With the 4-to-3 ruling, Connecticutbecomes the third state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. California legalized gay marriage in May 2008, and Massachusetts in 2004.

It is nice to see some good in this world and not just a bunch of news stories about how everyone in the world is broke. Oh and another good news story is that Oil has fallen to $82.99 so gas is cheaper. But that really doesn't matter because soon we will all be unemployed and will have nowhere to drive.

Obama ready to be President, McCain not even planning on it.

2008-10-09T13:18:00.002-04:00

Obama has organised the Obama Transition Project, with roughly a dozen teams of six to eight people to plot out the approach for each agency, according to a Democratic official. This is highly organized approach to get ready to take over in about 100 days. It is a complex government and takes time to plan and get the right team in place.

McCain has no plan in place yet. He is planning on waiting until after the election to start planning. He does want to punt the cart before the horse. Almost every major candidate in resent history as fromed a team of some sort.

This just shows how obama works. He is highly organized and well-thought-out his entire campaign has been and continues to be. It very much shows how he would run his administration. McCain is looking like he doesn't even think he has a chance on winning this.

I Got This

2008-10-08T11:30:00.005-04:00

That really should be Obama's new slogan.

Comments from the Republicans

2008-10-08T00:14:00.006-04:00

How can they spin this thrashing... by giving up and admiting Obama won. There are just some things that you just can't spin.

Even Bill Bennett, ever the Republican optimist, conceded that the Illinois Democrat scored higher marks. Said this tonight, "I confess I so much admire McCain, but I just don't think the campaign is equal to the story,' he said. "I just don't think it's equal to the man, it hasn't been. ... We needed a breakthrough, talking about the economy. I think he was a little better than last time, but he didn't break through enough, and he's behind. So it just wasn't good enough for McCain in terms of what it had to be."

Most republicans are now saying that McCain needed to hit a grand slam tonight and he didn't do that, even worse he lost the debate by a sizable margin.

The Debate... Clean Sweep For Obama

2008-10-08T00:11:00.004-04:00

The post-debate polls, which provide viewers with a somewhat skewed but important insight into how each candidate fared say, by and large, that Obama scored a victory in the second debate.

NBC's focus group of undecided Pennsylvania voters had the Illinois Democrat winning by roughly a 60-40 split. Frank Luntz's focus group, over at Fox, showed undecided voters leaning towards Obama because of his position on health care. CBS's focus group of independents had the Democratic nominee winning the debate at 39 percent to McCain's 27 percent, with 35 percent of the respondents saying it was a tie. Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, a Democratic polling firm, had a focus group of undecideds leaning to Obama by a margin of 42 percent to 24 percent.

Meanwhile, SurveyUSA interviewed 741 debate watchers in the state of Washington, 54 percent of whom thought Obama was the "clear winner" compared with McCain's 29 percent. That same polling firm had the first debate as a tie. In tonight's survey: 42 percent of respondents said McCain was too forceful.

Some of us are still doing good

2008-10-07T14:11:00.005-04:00

It is nice to know that some of us can still afford the simple things in life. Like James Denton can affford half a tank of gas not that prices have dropped. Alice Smetke can now afford to get her frozen pizza out of layaway. A-Rod can afford to wipe his mouth with a $100 bill. Well what else would you like him to use, a $20, The commoners touch those.

McCain Voted To Protect Domestic Terrorists Who Carry Out Violence At Abortion Clinics»

2008-10-07T11:53:00.004-04:00

This morning on CBS’s Early Show, McCain-Palin campaign spokesperson Nancy Pfotenhauer attempted to defend Gov. Sarah Palin’s (R-AK) debunked claims that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has been “palling around” with former radical William Ayers. Referencing a recent New York Times article, Pfotenhauer claimed that if McCain “hung out with somebody who had bombed abortion clinics” it would be a legitimate topic of discussion. She explained:

PFOTENHAUER: The article also concluded is that if Senator McCain had hung out with somebody who had bombed abortion clinics, no one would consider [raising the issue] illegitimate.

Pfotenhauer’s invocation of abortion clinic bombers in defense of McCain is ironic given that McCain has repeatedly voted against protecting Americans from domestic terrorists in the anti-choice movement. On multiple occasions throughout his career, McCain sought to limit the government’s ability to punish violent anti-choice fanatics by:

– Voting against making anti-choice violence a federal crime. As the Jed Report notes, McCain voted in 1993 and 1994 against making “bombings, arson and blockades at abortion clinics, and shootings and threats of violence against doctors and nurses who perform abortions” federal crimes.
– Opposing Colorado’s “Bubble Law.” McCain said he opposed Colorado’s “Bubble Law,” which prohibited abortion protesters from getting within 8 feet of women entering clinics [Denver Post, 2/27/00]. The law was later upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
– Voting to allow those fined for violence at clinics to avoid penalties by declaring bankruptcy. NARAL Pro-Chioce America notes that McCain “voted to allow perpetrators of violence or harassment at reproductive-health clinics to avoid paying the fines assessed against them for their illegal acts by declaring bankruptcy.”
Where is the Maveric here, he just sounds like the usual neo-conservative that the Republicans put up here. They like the fight for life when it comes to abortion but also tend to kill tons of people by starting bloody wars and executing people. Got to love the Hypocrit Party.

Ugly Campaign Season

2008-10-07T11:52:00.002-04:00

Obama - Palin-McCain are saying that Obama is qualified because he had a dinner with and served on a charitible board with Bill Ayers, a terrorist who helped found a group called the Weather Underground. The Weather Underground is a left-wing extremist group that was responsible for bombing both the U.S. Capitol and the Pentagon in the 70’s. The group was also responsible for a pipe bomb that killed a San Francisco police officer in 1970. Ayers was never actually convicted of a crime and is now highly respected school reformer and professor in Chicago.

The Republicans are getting beaten soundly i n the polls and are going back to what they do best. fear mongering and making up lies to defame their opponent. Well they really should look in their on closet before accusing Obama of have dinner with radical.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/GOP_hits_rock_bottom_Calls_Obama_in_an_official_release_terrorists_best_friend.html

McCain - "John McCain sat on the board of...the U.S. Council for World Freedom," said Begala, "The Anti-Defamation League, in 1981 when McCain was on the board, said this about this organization. It was affiliated with the World Anti-Communist League - the parent organization - which ADL said 'has increasingly become a gathering place, a forum, a point of contact for extremists, racists and anti-Semites.'

The USCWF was founded in Phoenix, Arizona in November 1981 as an offshoot of the World Anti-Communist League. The group was, from the onset, saddled with the disreputable reputation of its parent group. The WACL had ties to ultra-right figures and Latin American death squads. Roger Pearson, the chairman of the WACL, was expelled from the group in 1980 under allegations that he was a member of a neo-Nazi organization.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/06/why-mccains-time-with-cou_n_132470.html

Palin - He Husband was a member of the Alaska Independence Party until she ran for Governor. She was not a official member but has done work for them. The Alaska Independence Party is a group that wants Alaska to succeed from the union. This is so dangerous, we could have the first person in office that wants to break up the union since 1860. Come on we can do better that that.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-mackey/terrorists-secessionists_b_132010.html

Oh yea, and the squeaky clean Governor is also skipping out on a lot of taxes. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122334021713509963.html

Hummer Rage

2008-10-03T15:21:00.003-04:00

I was driving down the road in my Malibu when a jerk in a white Hummer H2 decided he wanted to be in my lane and just moved on over without looking or using his turn signal. He forced me into the center turn lane despite my long drawn out honking.

This made something click in my head. Over the past couple of year I have heard all about "Prius Rage" because they go annoyingly slow to get really good gas mileage. No with $4 gas we have changed as a society. We now envy the Prius driver and truly hate the Hummer driver. Now every time I see one it creates a visceral reaction of "Hummer Rage".

The Bailout add-ons that put it over the top.

2008-10-03T15:16:00.002-04:00

Well it is good to see that the votes of our congressmen can't be baught by silly addition to bill they hate. Let's see what their last bit of moral cost us.

Sec. 308. Increase in limit on cover over of rum excise tax to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Sec. 309. Extension of economic development credit for American Samoa.

Sec. 310. Extension of mine rescue team training credit.

Sec. 317. Seven-year cost recovery period for motorsports racing track facility.

Sec. 325. Extension and modification of duty suspension on wool products; wool research fund; wool duty refunds.

Sec. 502. Provisions related to film and television productions.

Sec. 503. Exemption from excise tax for certain wooden arrows designed for use by children.

Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008

The above does things like extend tax credits on renewable energy and a tax benefit for bicycle commuters (HT Chip).

And finally:

Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008

Which essentially mandates health insurance coverage for mental illnesses (including addiction) be equal to that of physical illnesses.

How it all went down, The Bailout Bill

2008-10-03T14:41:00.005-04:00

President Bush says he will sign the bill tonight. What help were our other Presidents?

Congressman Emanuel: I Want To Thank Barack Obama Who Made Numerous Calls To Help Pass This Legislation. Many congressmen are crediting Obama with changing their minds to vote Yea on this bill.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) says he didn't speak on the Senate floor in favor of the economic rescue plan Wednesday night because he didn't think the Democrats wanted him or his politics there, and he did not want to get in the way of bipartisan progress on the bill, according to the Denver Post.