The Attack Machine is for anyone who likes discussing current events, politics or anything else that jumps in your mind.
This site is run by Dale Jackson, a talk show host at News/Talk 770AM/92.5 FM WVNN in Huntsville, Alabama. You can listen to his show by clicking here.
Anyone can register and anyone can post. Register by clicking here and have at it.
In an era of cliche baseball analogies we always expect our politicians to "take one for the team" like Hillary Clinton did last night or to try to "hit one out of the park" like Barack Obama will try to tomorrow we can always expect sports to be part of the political landscape.
Obama has not avoided the sports world, in fact he has embraced it...
But he went to far the this week, he lost my vote.
Dale Jackson pointed out that the municipal politicians haven't distinguished themselves. Its been evident through candidate interviews, live reporting by Dale and company, and even on this blog.
Primarily, local issues focus on city growth. Roads, schools, services, and similar planks all relate directly to the city growth platform. How can one set himself apart from an opponent when everyone is on the same platform? Generally citizens want to see current services and infrastructure maintained, improved, and growth successfully managed. Idealistically the improvements and growth wouldn't affect our daily routines.
Then I started thinking: Can our local governments affect broader political issues? Why not immigration? Local and state immigration legislation increased dramatically in the last few years according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Remember controversial legislation in Athens where unlicensed motorist's automobiles are impounded? Decatur followed with legislation to impound uninsured vehicles. Some state governments require a valid passport for non-citizens to apply for a driver's license. Another example is ensuring only legal workers are hired for government contracts. I have another suggestion...
Alabama Power has a monopoly in the areas if provides power to, yet it wastes no telling how much money on advertising. Guess whose money that was before Alabama Power took it…..the customers of Alabama Power, of course.
It was also their money that not long ago paid for Attorney General Troy King and a bunch of his friends to enjoy an evening in the Alabama Power skybox watching a Braves baseball game, wining and dining, and doing no telling what else.
It was also their money that paid for a brunch last Sunday in a fancy Denver area eating establishment named The Fort. The brunch was in honor of Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom. According to articles in the Birmingham News and the Mobile Press-Register more than 100 Alabama delegates to the Democratic Convention were guests who were provided with champagne, orange juice, spicy Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers, sausage and eggs, Colorado quail, buffalo prime rib and grilled elk chops. I wonder what the customers of Alabama Power ate that day.
So, Alabama Power has spent their customers’ money in those ways, AND, as “Deacon” Andy Griffith might have said, “and I don’t know what all”.
Now Alabama Power is asking the Public Service Commission to let it raise its rates nearly 15%.
There are 3 commissioners on the PSC: Jim Sullivan who has been there too long, Jan Cook who must have been born on the PSC and may stay on it even after she dies, and Susan D. Parker. Do you suppose that any 2 of those 3 will tell Alabama Power that if it can spend their customers’ money in the way it has been doing that Alabama Power needs to get its affairs in order before it asks for a rate increase?
I find myself liking James Carville's style a lot. He yells incoherently, he comes up with witty saying and is just a generally entertaining guy. Last night as I watched the DNC I couldn't help but be surprised by his dead-on assessment.
If this party has a message they have done a hell of a job of hiding it.
I joined the Attack Machine today hoping to find out what Madison and Huntsville residents thought about their choices in today's municipal elections. Researching my options online has been challenging. Dale has been talking to candidates for weeks, but when I searched the the Attack Machine blogs I couldn't find a thing! This is my first blog, so I'll assume I'm the uninformed fool and Dale's listeners are turning out witty, insighful dialogue about their choices at the polls. Get out and VOTE!
I'm a Madison resident voting for Madison Mayor and a councilman in District 3. Not terribly pleased with incumbents, Jerry Jennings and Sandy Kirkindall won't get my vote. That left only Steven Simpson for Councilman. I haven't decided between Mike Callahan and Paul Finley.
Madison city council passed a law recently preventing smoking in restrauants. I'm not a smoker, but I spoke against this infringement on buisness owner's and citizen's rights at the open mic council meeting. I'm also displeased with management of our cities growth. It's time for a new crew...
This whole Democratic fervor about recruiting voters, and working to collect (buy) votes from FELONS and HOMELESS PEOPLE is driving me absolutely insane. Do the sheep in this country not realize they are being manipulated by the very people that claim to be acting on their behalf? Do they think they will be released from their literal shackles, or given a mansion in they sky by Mr Obama and his cronies?
First of all, dont convicted felons forfeit the right to vote? That's another discussion...
I think you should have to pass a basic intelligence test to even REGISTER to vote, and then a very simple current events/political test to cast your ballot on election day. This is not meant to exclude anyone, just a measure to ensure that anyone casting a vote for the leader of the free world actually has SOME idea of what they are voting for. If you are going to cast your ballot for somone to lead our nation, represent us to foreign dignitaries, and have control over the issues that effect every day lives, you MUST know the issues, and what you are voting for. If you cant tell me what Obama or McCain's policy on Iraq, the economy, health care, taxes, etc., IS, then you shouldn't vote. People need to consider what they are doing. A real world example. To quote a popular saying, "the man who represents himself has a fool for a lawyer". How can you possibly expect to make an educated decision/argument on one of the most important choices in your lifetime, if you have NO IDEA what you are voting for or against? Would you represent yourself in a murder defense if you were a doctor? No matter how intelligent you are, or think you are, if you arent educated on the issue at hand, you are blissfully ignorant to make the choice. The point is, if you dont know what you are doing, or voting for/against, you shouldn't vote.
You are probably noticing there is a new set-up on this website.
I changed the setup to allow you to participate right here and post your own blogs. This will be an interactive community with as many writers that feel like writing.
There are now a few ways to participate.
1. Use a somewhat reasonable name. (Bob, not Bob1812323) 2. Comment on the blogs written by others. 3. Write your own blogs and then I will move them to the main page.
Michelle Obama is speaking tonight at the 2008 Democratic convention.
And since they are bringing Michelle Obama out of hiding to talk tonight, i thought I would look into the ridiculous "baby mama" debate. We have been hearing for weeks about Michelle Obama being "smeared" by Fox News for a graphic depicting her as "Obama's Baby Mama."
Media coverage of Obama has packed a nasty racism-sexism combo that is quickly becoming a national disgrace. First a Fox News segment captioned a picture of Michelle as "Obama's Baby Mama", a disparaging term for unmarried mothers.
The implication is that the phrase "Baby Mama" is a racial slur.
I was the first person to start questioning State Senator Parker Griffith's conservative credentials. I was also the first to get him on the record in regards to his choice for President (would not say) and whether he would support Nancy Pelosi (would not say).
So it came as no surprise that the Wayne Parker campaign started taking that battle to Griffith. Nor should it be a surprise that anyone wanting to help Wayne Parker win the AL-o5 election in November would choose that avenue also.
"Convention Watching Parties" are all about making local yokels feel connected to the Presidential campaigns... boy nothing sounds more fun than sitting around and watching a speech while a bunch of like minded people talk about how "McSame," "FAUX NEWS" and Republicans suck.
Wooooo! Sign me up.
According to my.barackobama.com some Obama campaign supporters are having an interesting gathering next Thursday at 666 Vagina Scrape Way in Huntsville.
Get out the vote campaigns are damaging our society. Don't give me this crap about "the more people involved in the process the better," it's a load of garbage.
People in general are stupid and the more people you get involved, the more stupid people you get involved.
Special drives will be held Sept. 21-27 to register homeless and low-income people to vote to coincide with the registration deadlines of most states. The last day to register to vote in the November election in Alabama is Oct. 24.
