DIGITAL UNDERGROUND

PHARMACEUTICALS FOUND IN DRINKING WATER

2008-03-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

A year or so ago I saw a news story about drugs like birth control, anti-depressants and viagra showing up in the drinking water in Los Angeles. The newscaster said that people must be flushing their drugs down the toilet in order for them to end up in our drinking water.

It is difficult for me to imagine large numbers of women flushing birth control pills. Or middle aged men flushing their beloved viagra.

This was all shocking enough. But the news story ended with a matter-of-fact blurb that, by the way, Los Angeles had started cycling treated waste water into the reservoirs used for drinking water. I almost fell out of my seat at how flippant this last comment was thrown into the report.

This news story (linked to below) shows that this is happening nationwide and admits that these drugs show up in the reservoirs because we secrete the excess from our bodies through our urine. The story kind of dances around the inference that we are drinking treated waste water but gets to it eventually.

And fish are being "altered" by these drugs. We are being told that the trace amounts of these pharmaceuticals are too small to affect us. Oh, really? Researchers are finding male fish who are turning into female fish. Some even grow eggs. And we are to believe that continued exposure to this is not going to affect our children? Or ourselves?

Sometimes I feel that we are a generation being used as guinea pigs. With all the genetically modified crops, cows pumped full of growth hormones... all this technology has not had their long term effects tested. One day, years from now, our government will tell us, "Whoops! Sorry about that!"

IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR

2008-03-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

As more and more soldiers and veterans who have fought in Iraq speak out against the war more and more Americans realize that it is possible to support the troops and still oppose the decisions made by our government. If you are reading this post you probably believe as I do that the best way to support and honor the brave men and women serving in that country is to bring that back as safely and quickly as possible.

I have had a step-brother and nephew serve two tours in Iraq. Luckily the both returned home alive and unharmed. And I've seen the pain and worry in the face of my step-brother's mother.

The organization Irag Veterans Against the War will be hosting events and fundraisers all across the country from March 13th through the 16th. There is a link to a map showing events in an area near you.

IVATW - Winter Soldier

CLINTON FUNDRAISING SCANDAL - PT. 2

2008-03-06T23:49:00.000-08:00

A good friend emailed the link to these videos to me. And as I watched through them I realized that this was related to a small news blurb I had stumbled across a few nights ago:

Clinton's To Face Fraud Trial

She really does have experience to succeed in Washington!!!

CLINTON FUNDRAISING SCANDAL - PT. 1

2008-03-06T23:45:00.000-08:00

Dirty, dirty!

RELENTLESS DELEGATE MATH

2008-03-06T22:44:00.000-08:00

This article shows that despite the recent victories, the delegate math facing Hillary Clinton is daunting. Not only will she need to win every remaining primary by a significant margin (margin's she has not been able to generate up to this point), but all indications are that the superdelegates will not contradict the will of the earned delegates.

I just wish it would end so that the Democratic candidate can begin focusing on the general election.

Newsweek - Hillary's New Math Problem

THE REASON BEHIND HILLARY'S SURGE?

2008-03-06T22:15:00.001-08:00

This sounds insidious, but this author conjectures that the reason for the Clinton victories this past Tuesday was a significant number of Republicans voting for her in the open elections.

AmericanGoy - The Real Reason Behind The Clinton Surge

As proof, he offers this transcript from Rush Limbaugh:

Limbaugh Urges Republicans To Vote For Clinton

THAT CRAZY DELEGATE MATH

2008-03-06T22:08:00.000-08:00

It seems that although Clinton won the general primary election in Texas, Obama will come out a few votes ahead as the caucus votes are counted. Despite the momentum her campaign has gained from the wins on Tuesday the likelihood of her winning with the margins needed in the remaining states is quite slim. Some say impossible.

BUSH DOES A TAP DANCE

2008-03-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

The world is going to miss President Bush. He's funny!

"Come the millennium, month 12
In the home of greatest power,
The village idiot will come forth
To be acclaimed the leader."

Nostradamus, 1555

CLINTON BREAKS LOSING STREAK

2008-03-05T21:30:00.000-08:00

Senator Clinton won three out of four elections last night in a very important day. Her campaign was calling these elections, particularly in Texas and Ohio, as a "firewall."

Voter turnout was quite high throughout all the states. And Clinton seems to have won the lion's share of voters who had waited until the last minute to decide.

WIthout these wins the Clinton campaign would have been in serious trouble. As it turns out, it is almost impossible for her to win enough of the remaining states by a wide enough margin to overtake her opponent, Senator Obama. Ahh... those superdelegates!

And even after the victories last night, the net delegate gain for Clinton is somewhere between +15 or, in one news story, -3.

What I found interesting are news stories that A significant number of Republicans voted for Clinton in the open Texas election. And I listened to the Republican governor of Florida arguing that the Democratic party should seat the delegates of his state, which went to Clinton. She was the only candidate who campaigned in that state, along with Michigan, who had been warned that their votes would not be counted due to known rules violations. Such an event would definitely benefit Senator Clinton.

Suspicious that a Republican would want this to happen.

Caucus Votes Still Being Counted In Texas

PLAY THE DELEGATE GAME!

2008-03-05T21:27:00.000-08:00

This is great! An interactive map which lets you play the guessing game with the Democratic candidate delegate counts. You simply change the sliders for the remaining states to bias one candidate or another and the map will update to show you how those vote outcomes will affect the delegate count.

Because they are all elections in which delegates are awarded proportionally, the possible permutations are endlessly fun!

The Delegate Game!

REESE WITHERSPOON CHANNELS HILLARY

2008-03-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist. Now, I'm not implying that Hillary Clinton's personality mirrors the Witherspoon character in the movie "Election" in any way. I mean, the Witherspoon character is vicious, willing to do anything and everything to win, believes in her bones that she deserves to win and that anyone standing in her way is trying to steal the post ordained for her. And that Flick character is just a mean, mean person.

I am NOT making that inference at all. Just thought the clip was humorous is all.

Are Americans Stoopid?!

2008-03-01T23:02:00.000-08:00

Americans are stupid - Watch more free videos
This is as scary as it is funny! You absolutely MUST watch this video!

SOURCE OF IRAN NUKE EVIDENCE IN QUESTION

2008-03-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

Despite the Bush administration pointing to a laptop with over 1,000 pages of documents as primary evidence for the existence of an Iranian nuclear weapons program. Like the now infamous "yellow cake" evidence, other countries have expressed serious doubts about the authenticity of this information.

This news article reports that there is now evidence that the source of these documents was in fact the Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency.

Fortunately, recent National Security Estimates (NIS) have minimized the immediacy of the Iranian nuclear weapons development. A mistake which added to the drumbeat leading us into the march to war in Iraq.

Iran Nuke Program Info

CLINTON'S INFAMOUS "IT'S 3AM" AD & THE OBAMA RESPONSE

2008-03-01T15:42:00.000-08:00

WHO DO YOU WANT ANSWERING THE PHONE?

2008-03-01T15:31:00.000-08:00

Hillary Clinton recently released an ad in which she asks America "who do you want answering the phone" in a moment of national crisis. The argument plays off of one of the main themes in her campaign; that she has close to two decades of political experience. Last I checked, she has not been a senator quite that long, but who's really counting?!

A reporter from Slate released a portion of a phone interview with a Clinton campaign staffer at the point that he asked in which way was she challenged in a foreign policy capacity...

... and then there was a moment of silence. Take a listen.

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/02/pregnant_pause.html

RESULTS OF '08 ELECTION LEAKED!

2008-02-29T20:57:00.000-08:00

Okay. This is a joke from the hilarious mock news site "The Onion." Hopefully bring a moment of levity and laughter to the political process as it gets more and more contentious.

FIGHT OVER CANDIDATES TURNS REAL BAD

2008-02-26T20:03:00.000-08:00

After arguing over who they were supporting amongst the two remaining Democratic candidates the two men broke into a punching and choking match. And then, well, one man stabbed the other (his brother in law) in the abdomen! The victim was admitted to the hospital in critical condition.

Of course it should be noted that the Clinton supporter did the stabbing.

Smoking Gun - Clintonite Stabs Obama Supporter

THE MAGIC POWER OF WORDS

2008-02-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post web site has written a great article about how the often-used Clinton indictment that Obama treats words as some magical thing, devoid of real power and substance. In fact, according to Arianna, it is Senator Clinton and her campaign who is most prone to utter words and, because they said so, the things they hope and want will somehow magically be true.

Huffington Post - Clinton, Obama And The Belief In The Magical Power Of Words

CLINTON CAMPAIGN CALLS FOUL TO THOSE CALLING THEM OUT ON SLEEZY TACTICS

2008-02-25T21:51:00.000-08:00

The Drudge Report ran an article about a photograph of Senator Obama dressed in Somali garb. In response, the Clinton campaign released a statement bashing the Obama campaign of being divisive for calling them out on their somewhat sleezy tactics.

The photo is that of Senator Obama wearing the traditional garb of a Somali elder. It was taken during one of his trips to Africa. He was presented with the garments as a gift and, in an act of respect and kindness, tried the clothing on for his guests. The military officer who accompanied and was present when the photo was taken likened it to someone trying on a garment which was given as a christmas gift. He also said it was a generous gesture on Obama's part.

Yes, it is sad that the flagging Clinton campaign would release such a photo, bearing their fangs and showing the true nature of themselves and their candidate. But what is most sad is that they believed we still live in a country where people will respond negatively to this photo. Seeing someone dressed in African or "Islamic" clothing is still a red button issue for some.

Carl Rove would be proud!

DRUDGE - Leaked Obama Photo

CLINTON'S VIEWS ON NAFTA

2008-02-25T21:39:00.000-08:00

Although Senator Clinton issued her infamous "shame on you" proclamation to the Obama campaign for having sending out materials that insinuated she had supported the NAFTA agreement, it is fairly clear that she in fact did support this legislation. And that would make sense, given that her husband is the guy who championed it!

Clinton On NAFTA

CLINTON ATTEMPTS TO MOCK OBAMA

2008-02-24T18:32:00.000-08:00

Senator Clinton mocked the message of hope and progress which has become the hallmark of the Obama campaign. Personally, I think it is a losing battle. It would be like telling Kennedy that he was just an immature dreamer for thinking we could do something as believe we could launch men into space and eventually to the moon.

Not a very enlightened or enthusiastic message to take a generation of Americans into the future.

Here is the clip and the Huffington Post article.

Huffington Post - Clinton Mocks Obama During Campaign Rally

WHAT THE CANDIDATES ARE RAISING & SPENDING

2008-02-23T22:03:00.000-08:00

The NY Times has compiled information on how much the candidates have raised, spent and where they have raised the money from. The tremendous campaign contribution disparity between the two parties is amazing!

CLINTON REFUSES TO RELEASE TAX RECORDS

2008-02-23T21:55:00.000-08:00

Despite Senator Obama asking Hillary Clinton to follow him in releasing her personal tax records she continues to refuse. But don't worry! She has proclaimed that she will in fact release these records if she becomes the party nominee.

Senator Obama took the unusual step of releasing his tax records in April. Not required but he chose to do so regardless.

Personally (thankfully this is a personal blog with my personal opinions), I think the Clinton refusal of disclosure could likely be signs of things to come. We now have one of the most secretive administrations in U.S. history. Not something we need to continue into the future.

WSJ - Clinton Tax Returns Would Cast Wider Light

WHAT IF OBAMA HAD GONE 0-FOR-10?

2008-02-22T22:51:00.000-08:00

Imagine what the media, the Democratic Party and the Clinton campaign would be saying if Senator Obama had lost 10 straight elections? If he was still struggling to find a message that resonates and was having issues raising money?

What if, given this situation, Obama was staking all his bets on winning the next two elections? And that he would need to win every remaining state by a 60-40 margin? Something that most think is pretty much impossible.

Well, that is the situation Senator Clinton finds herself in. The Washington Post article does a great job of contrasting the likely message Obama would be getting in these circumstances versus the message Clinton is getting.

I wonder why?

IF OBAMA WENT 0-FOR-10

OBAMA'S VOTING RECORD

2008-02-21T21:20:00.000-08:00

MSNBC published this great article about the voting record of Senator Obama. The non-partisan Congressional Quarterly has analyzed the votes of Senator Obama from 2005, 2006 and 2007. This is a thorough and seemingly fair analyses of how the senator voted.

The importance of this analysis is that he public can learn quite a bit more about Obama's views and possibly project how he would act if elected president of the United States. This is something useful whether you are a supporter or not.

MSNBC - Obama Senate Voting Record