You Can Put Lipstick On a Nazi, But.......

The photo is from the film "Triumph of Will," by Leni Reifenstahl. Reifenstahl was one of Hitler's favorite Nazis, as well as being an accomplished film-maker.

The torchlit parade seen here was the culmination of the Nazis' assimilation of power; "Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Furher"...one nation, one people, one leader.

So why would this come to me now? Because the McCain/Palin campaign is using the same playbook of Adolph Hitler. Steve at "Out Of The Bingo Ditch" once related a law professor who said, "If you have the law on your side, pound the law. If you have the truth on your side, pound the truth. If you have neither, then pound the table."

There is a lot of table-pounding going on, and this is not politics as usual. No, the last few days are revealing something about modern America that is scary as hell. So far, in response to the drumbeats of Palin and McCain has generated shouts from their rallies that included the words "Terrorist!", "Kill him!", and "Treason!" The McCain campaign is inciting violence against a candidate for the presidency of the United States. Used to be against the law.

But, after the last eight years "the law" is apparently a very flexible thing. Perhaps, like after defending the Confederate flag in South Carolina, John McCain will apologize for lying; for betraying his precious "principles" to win an election.The fact that it might result in the death or maiming of Barack Obama would never, of course, be his responsibility. Nor Palin's; after all, she's only been at this what, five weeks? Totalitarian tactics don't need a lot of practice.

It should be borne in mind that the Bush years, or the Rove years, if you will, have gone way beyond polarizing the populace of America. No, they have been teaching the sweet scent of intolerance of others; of that wonderful feeling of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with another soldier of righteousness. Compromise, reason, honor, patriotism....all are perverted into only one interpretation. Everyone not like us is an enemy, not a fellow countryman.

This disturbs me the most about Sarah Palin's latest rounds of invective. She is actually telling listeners, over and over, that Obama/Biden are not "real" Americans. Anyone with any semblance of education, life experience, or just plain intelligence would recognize the fact that there are many people out there just waiting for guidance to violence. It is dangerous, disingenuous, and frankly, un-American.

On a personal note, I've reached the limit of John McCain's constant referral to his POW years. ("Now goshdarnit, John, there ya go, talkin' about the past again"). Two of my uncles were prisoners of the Japanese for three and one half years. Rats and rice were a delicacy for them. They were starved, beaten, worked as slaves, tortured...and so on. I don't know how they survived, but they did return home (unlike 40% of Japanese POW's who did NOT) to learn that their brother had died the previous year fighting the Nazis.

I'll never forget what one uncle told me growing up,"Don't ever trust a government. They are designed to lie no matter what. But, always respect and love the flag. Too much has been sacrificed for it." Wise words, I think, and the man who told me this was a man of honor, through and through. He was a Republican; a very honorable one til the day he died in 1986. May he rest in peace, for I sure do miss him.

And I really miss the party he once belonged to. I think it died this year.

John McCain: Meet Some Of Your Fundamentals

Forest City is one of those places in western North Carolina that does not evoke images of much. Primarily because no one has ever heard of it. Nearby is Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, and that's about it. It is, however, a nice place to live; one of those "small towns" with matching "values" that the McCain campaign is quick to extoll, thanks to the Embarracuda, Sarah Palin.

There are no hockey moms or soccer moms. Maybe a bunch of Joe six-packs. It is the essence of what the Republican Party refers voters to when complaining about the evils of liberalism.

But....Forest City was also once a hub of textile activity. After NAFTA the area was devastated by plant closings. One by one the jobs (and machinery) made fast exits for China and Mexico. One remained however. National Textiles (Haynes Brand) still chugged along. In the Fall and Winter, one could see the plume of steam from the National Textiles plant rise in the clear sky. It was like the last candle burning on the cake.

Two weeks ago the evening shift was called together at 8 p.m. The plant was closing. The machinery was going to be relocated to Honduras. Good luck and don't let the door hit you on your unemployed ass. 500 people have been tossed onto the globalization bonfire, but that's small potatos, I guess. But in a small town, that's 500 families, 500 car payments, 500 mortgages. Anyone who has undergone this can relate to the rather implausible future that requires one to adjust from say $17.00 per hour at 40 hours a week to the Walmartized standard of $7.00 with no more than 32 hours a week.

This happened because of the 2005 Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA. So I did a little digging, and this bill passed with a razor thin margin in the House, and by a 55-45 vote in the Senate. The votes were as follows:

Voting in favor:

Elizabeth Dole (R-NC)
Richard Burr (R-NC)
JOHN McCAIN (R-AZ)

Voting against:

Barack Obama (D-IL)
Joe Biden (D-DE)

Now maybe the adults among those 500 families, tossed into the wilderness by the above votes, will go for McCain because Sarah Palin is cute; winks good, and promises "change." They may, as is the pattern, fall for the "re-education required" to get themselves "decent" jobs in the future. And hey, they are part of the strong "fundamentals" that McCain/Palin insist are strong.

Three weeks from the election and they are getting all the "education" they need. And it's real simple:

Their votes are needed to stop "radicals" like Obama and Biden from winning this election. After that, they won't be needed for anything.

JOHN MCCAIN RATTED OUT FELLOW POW'S WHILE CAPTIVE!!!

There is someone I've known for many years who, while totally opposite my views on most things, is at least consistent in her approach. Should I put forth the observation that I question Barack Obama's ability to keep his promises, she agrees. If I question Joe Biden's temperment, or ability to compromise, she agrees. But, that is not enough. Much more follows in the form of those "talking points," whereby one recites that which is pushed daily. There is no questioning these things; they are repeated without question or thought.

For example, she will volunteer, in hushed tones, that Obama is not really American; that he is secretly a Muslim; that he's a pervert wanting to teach kindergartners about sex. And so on. And on. And on.

So, I thought...why not join 'em if I can't 'beat 'em? Why not let the McCain campaign thugs (separate, in my mind, from decent Republicans) have fun fending off something?

JOHN MCCAIN RATTED OUT HIS FELLOW POW'S WHILE IN THE HANOI HILTON.

MCCAIN TRIED TO HELP MANUEL NORIEGA ESCAPE U.S. TROOPS IN PANAMA.....BECAUSE MCCAIN, LIKE NORIEGA, WAS BORN IN PANAMA, NOT THE U.S.

JOHN MCCAIN ROLLED A WAR PROTESTER DOWN 3 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS....IN HER WHEELCHAIR!!!

Are the above lies? Of course. But what difference does that make this year? All you have to do is keep repeating them. Like symantic fatigue, you just drone them over and over until you don't really CARE what you're saying any more.

Please note: you will not hear anything about healthcare, a few pesky wars going on and what new ones may be rolled out in the future, the ridiculous state of our energy non-policy, home ownership (or the increasing lack thereof).

No, because all that boring stuff involves governing, and we don't do that now. No, now we win, and winning is all that matters.

Is there honor in this? Absolutely not, but what has honor got to do with being president these days? Opportunity is the key: use every opportunity to do whatever you want.

Lying has reached new heights in politics. It's not an art form, because lying repeatedly and with malice requires no imagination nor character. It's perfect for the Rovian Rule of Deceit.

It does, if you think about it, show an awfully deep contempt for people in general.

And so does the "governing" that follows.

Ms. Hitler Wants To Go To Washington

I have watched two speeches in their entirety so far. One was Barack Obama's at the closing of the Democratic Convention. The other was that of Sarah Palin.

Obama's was less lifting than instructive. He rebutted some points but at the same time made precise declarations of what his goals are. His economic plan obviously begs the question as to how all this is going to be paid for. It's a fair question, no doubt. But, the key to his speech was in the direction he wants to take this country.

Palin's speech last night was instructive also, but not anywhere near Obama's. If one were to methodically go through her words (or whoever's words they were) there are 3 points that stuck with me.

1: The McCain/Palin ticket is going to go to Washington and clean up "the mess." This is an 8-year-old ploy to convince people with a flash that Bill Clinton's 16 year run in the White House is coming to an end; that George W. Bush never left Crawfor and this "mess" can only be mopped up by the very people who have been in charge for 8 years now.

2: The purpose of public service is to "leave the country better off than how we found it." Ditto on the previous paragraph, except to say that if on January 19th 2009 you feel the nation is better off (not you, but the nation) then you belong in that glaringly all-white asylum in St. Paul. By the way, the cameras kept panning the audience and repeatedly zeroed in on a black man. Perhaps he was the only black in the place.

3: That John McCain's POW experience somehow places him as the spokesman for all prisoners of war; that his character and mettle are what entitles him to speak for those whose suffering and perseverence speaks to the durability of the human spirit, NOT any political party.

Sarah Palin's family, while "off limits" to questioning, were flashed and spoken of and used as props. Short of Abraham offering up Isaac to God for sacrifice, I don't know what more they could have done. The display did not paint her as an ordinary Jane, but rather a user; one whose goals are far more important than means.

But the most strking thing was her demeanor. Deliberatly repeating the big lie about "no thanks" to the Bridge to Nowhere (not mentioning that the state of Alaska got the funding anyway) she failed to note that Alaska never gave the money back. The speech was Rovian all the way but given with such relish that I think Gov. Palin could have improved it with her own fire and brimstone. It could be said that Karl Rove actually would exert a restraining influence on this candidate.

There was sarcasm, derision, with a face that invites any challenges. Yet challenges are not on the agenda. Palin will be bunkered as well as Dick Cheney has been. Other than popping out of a hole from time to time in order to guttersnipe, she will not be "available" to the miscreants in the press who have a question or two. She splendidly solidified the Republican "base." Much like the adoring members of Hitler's Reichstag, they applauded with everything except their feet. This year the Republican Party is particularly insulted that the Democrats might actually pick up a cudgel or two, unlike previous elections. One of the hallmarks of bullies is that screaming indignation when someone gives them a dose of their own medicine.

But Sarah Palin's insta-qualification based upon this speech is misleading to say the least. She painted herself as another Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. She's a "maverick," and "new star." She may be, but it's with a very old, tried and true formula. Rail against the very things you do yourself. Promise order out of chaos. Promise strength while weakening the fabric of the society you claim to love so much.

The most revealing revelation about Sarah Palin came out the other day. It's not as interesting as her daughter's pregnancy, or her husband's DUI over twenty years ago. Nor was it the emerging details of her firing of the Wasilla police chief.

Running close was her putting a political knife in the back of her own mother in law when it was her turn to run for mayor. Todd Palin's mom, you see, is pro-choice. And family, my friends, is nothing compared to ideology.

First runner up might be Palin's affiliation with the Alaska Independence Party. Actually entertaining "states rights" and secession are remarkable to say the least. Perhaps the party of Lincoln (of all people) has nominated Jane C. Calhoun. In 1861 James Petigru described his state of South Carolina as too small to be a sovereign nation but too big to be an insane asylum. Maybe Alaska is big enough to be a sovereign state. As for the insane asylum...well, Sarah speaks; you decide.

But the top one; the one revelation that should make any sane person perk up, is how as mayor of Wasille, Sarah Palin put the screws to the local librarian to have certain books banned. You can get bogged down in the details of Evangelical Christians versus everybody else.....or you can recognize a clear authoritarian streak that runs contrary to what used to be the Republican Party. Or the United States, for that matter.

Since she likes to evoke memories of Harry Truman, I thought of one during her speech. In the 1948 election, Truman told crowds that if they voted for Republicans, then they were dumber than he thought and deserved just what they were going to get.

If the American electorate wants another "decider," then so be it. To hunker in a bunker is not governing. People are funny that way; they like to question the people who work for them.

Not the other way around.

A CAUTION FOR DISGRUNTLED CLINTON SUPPORTERS

For Obama supporters, it is easy to dismiss the disenchantment of Clinton supporters as sore losers. However, such an approach is conducive to making a bad situation worse.

Hillary Clinton, love her or hate her, is the first truly serious candidate for the presidency who happens to be a female. It is not too much of a stretch to realize that while women as a whole have escaped the Stepford Wife existence expected of them not that long ago, there is more to attain. Sen. Clinton embodies that for a lot of women.

I think.

I say that because I am not a woman. But, I realize that while at this time enthusiastic about an Obama/Biden ticket, ignoring the deep-felt emotions of fellow humans is not the best way to proceed. Obama doesn't need to salve the feelings of Sen. Clinton so much as he does those of her followers. They deserve more than just "you lost!"

What DOES disturb me the greatest though, is the notion that a large number of Clinton supporters yearn to vote for John McCain this November. If it's to teach Sen. Obama a lesson, it might be considered a case of cutting off one's nose to spite their face.

A friend once remarked to me that Hillary Clinton is the smartest woman in the world. I sharply disagreed, saying that my daughter was the smartest person in the world. So I'm biased.....sue me. Or, it may be one of my two sisters. Or maybe it might have been my mother. I know it isn't my wife because she showed the poor judgment of marrying ME.

But seriously, I mention the above because I'm one of those men who grew up and have lived with a great deal of love and respect for women. My parents fought a lot...imagine George W. Bush and Ralph Nader trapped together in a liferaft. That's nothing compared to the fireworks that went on between my mother and father.

It wasn't until the age of six or seven that I learned that "son of a bitch" wasn't one word. I learned lots of words growing up...mostly from the Old Man....and what gaps there were in my vocabulary were quickly filled by two drill instructors at Lackland Air Force Base.

Yet even as one as profane as myself has limits. There are certain words that go outside the bounds of what I consider acceptable. And that's really saying something.

So it came as a bit of a shock to learn that John McCain addressed his wife as a "stupid c***" in front of witnesses. To say it in the privacy of one of their homes would be bad enough, but to let loose such an epithet in public is beyond comprehension.

THAT is what ANY woman contemplating votiing for John McCain should consider. It was not a faxu pas; it was a revealing statement of what this man thinks of women. And so what if he'd had a long day...is life in the White House not tiring?

Before pulling the voting lever this November for John McCain, I ask you to consider what your vote means. It would be an endorsment of someone who holds women in contempt. That means my wife, my daughter, my mother, and my sisters. Not to mention all the other women in my life (doctors, lawyers, nurses, waitresses). Not a one of them deserve the "c" word. Even in jest, because there is nothing to joke about here.

It's NOT a small point. It's the only point as far as this voter is concerned.

Women and men are very different. They are also very equal. Anyone who does not grasp that by adulthood hasn't really grown in their hearts or minds.

John McCain should know better. And so should you.