Las Politicas

 Thanks in part to some great presents from my family I will be reading two books that I will post on when I am finished with. Dr. Studly got me an itunes gift card and specifically told me to educate my mind. So I bought “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn. It has been revised to include the Iraq War. I’ve been listening to it while driving and doing housework. I also was given Bob Woodward’s “The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate’s Deep Throat”. Since High school I have been obsessed with Nixon and Watergate. This book gives a more in depth look at Mark Felt and the reasons behind his covert mission to ruin Nixon.

 I got other presents not related to politics that are great.  

Caroline

Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister was killed in a suicide attack at an election rally today.  

While horribly tragic, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto has left me…… and the rest of the population that has a passing interest foreign policy wondering what is next. I knew that an assassination was eminent…. two of her brothers and her father had died at the hands of Pakistan.  Bhutto also knew of the dangers of returning from exile into Pakistan. Pakistan is a relatively new country that in its short life as a nation has experienced perennial political turmoil. Bhutto came from an incredibly powerful family and her assassination marks a watershed moment for Pakistan, democracy and nations that are heavily influenced by Islam. Bhutto’s murder is also marking a watershed moment in the election. Her assassination will take center stage in the election in regards to the War on Terror. All the candidates are currently making statements.

Caroline

I saw “Charlie Wilson’s War” today and I suggest that everyone go and see the movie. Good book and good movie!

“It’s absolutely astounding the lengths to which the Justice Department have gone to try and figure out what I did in a hot tub in Las Vegas. If they had put the same resources into drug trafficking… there would be half as much heroin coming into the United States as there is now.” -Charlie Wilson

Caroline

I came across this website about different breeds of dogs and they seemed to really adhere to the Chihuahua ideology.

http://www.obeythepurebreed.com/

Here is what they have to say about the Chihuahua:

“Your Chihuahua dog is a militant dictator who will stop at nothing in achieving world domination. Chihuahuas have already infiltrated thousands of homes, and reduced their “owners” to mere servants. In the Chihuahua Revolution, there are no shades of grey, and you are either with them, or against them. Let family and friends know that you are a Chihuahua Fundamentalist, and support their diabolical quest for World Domination with this “Obey the Chihuahua!” propaganda.”

Que Viva Mexico, Que Viva La Chihuahua, Que Viva La Revolucion!

Caroline

It’s that time again…that time for opposition of candidates to find out unpleasant facts about family members or past skeletons in closets. Mike Huckabee is now a prominent name as a candidate in the election and opposition research has found out some unpleasant facts about his son David.  David, it seems has partaken in some rather un-Christian like behavior which includes “disturbing the peace” and animal cruelty.

David while attending camp and also working as a camp counselor when he was 17 found a stray dog that he proceeded to hang and obviously kill. The psychopathic episode culminated in, David being dismissed from the camp and no charges were pressed. The most recent in David’s troubling behavior occurred when he boarded a plane with a loaded gun at Little Rock airport in April of this year. David was arrested, sentenced, but only served community service.

Caroline

According to this I am this…..

“You swollen-headed traitor, we will thwart your frantic attempts to stifle us!”

http://www.nk-news.net/extras/insult_generator.php

Caroline

Not that Obama was ever accepted completely by the Liberal crowd, but any sort of support that he may have had may be in serious jeopardy. The main reason being is that Obama has chosen to get into a public dispute with Paul Krugman the New York Times columnist and prominent liberal. They have been publicly arguing through written statements that are a matter of public record. Krugman has openly criticized Obama’s healthcare plan for the lack of provisions for universal healthcare. Obama quickly fired back stating that Krugman flip flopped on that issue specifically and then that just seemed to open the flood gates.  

The liberals of America are not happy with Obama’s criticism of their most prominent liberal. Granted, Obama didn’t have much of a choice to respond…after all, most progressives do listen to what Krugman has to say. The issue however may have brought notoriety to Obama and his healthcare plan. One issue that Krugman brought up and I have reason to believe that he may right…. is that Obama’s criticism of Hillary’s healthcare was strangely reminiscent  of  right wing talking points. Talking pints perhaps geared in some way  to gain some sort of credibility with Democrats who are leaning some what to the right and perhaps swing voters. Who knows, but Krugman and other lefty’s felt like Obama was selling Democrats short for future “I told you so’s”.

 From Krugman’s Column on the subject ….

“Let’s be clear: there is a huge divide between Republicans and Democrats on health care, and the Obama plan — although weaker than the Edwards or Clinton plans — is very much on the Democratic side of that divide. But lately Mr. Obama has been stressing his differences with his rivals by attacking their plans from the right — which means that he has been giving credence to false talking points that will be used against any Democratic health care plan a couple of years from now.”

Perhaps what these two need is a visit from the Christmas Chihuahua…see picture above.

Caroline 

Yesterday was a historic day in Argentina when former first lady, Christina Fernandez was sworn in as the first female president in her fair country. Fernandez’s husband helped improve the devastated economy in Argentina during his tenure as president. Latin American economists and political scientists attribute Fernandez’s victory to her husband’s economic reforms that were so instrumental in improving the economy.

 During her hour long inaugural speech, Fernandez vowed to expedite the slow moving court investigations into the near genocide that occurred in Argentina during the Dirty War.  That part of inaugural speech seems oddly reminiscent of Vicente Fox’s speech about getting to the bottom of the same brand of human rights violations that occurred around the same time in Mexico. Nothing has changed in Mexico, but then not as many people died at the hands of “democracy” as they did in Argentina.

 Go for it, old girl! 

Caroline

For roughly the past year I have dedicated at least one post out of ten to Hugo Chavez. That will not be happening anymore. Hugo’s antics and my acknowledgement of them on Las Politicas is causing strife. Chavez is simply too much of a lightning rod of controversy to be discussed and unfortunately, I am calling a moratorium on Chavez posts.

Caroline

The presidential race is heating up. It has seemed for quite some time that Clinton had the nomination, but with recent developments that idea could be shaking up the Democratic core. Clinton has made herself so readily available for media appointments, she has also tried to change her image with voters and pundits…we all remember “the Clinton cackle”. Being so much in the public eye left Clinton vulnerable. The nation saw her stumble and judge accordingly. Many were critical of Obama, but it now seems that the Obama camp is running at all cylinders.

 Iowa, historically has always been unexpected in terms of what candidates are nominated and many are of the opinion that Obama may have an edge, thus making Clinton’s once solid foundation somewhat shaky. The key Democratic candidates offer there own advantages and angles in the race. Clinton, in the mind of many people remains the candidate to beat. She offers the most White House experience in reference to her rivals who do not boast her resume capabilities.  Edwards can capitalize on the growing disdain that Obama and Clinton have for each other. Obama can use the Oprah angle tremendously to his advantage. That could very well determine a swing vote for him ,because practically everyone loves Oprah.  It’s anyone’s game at this point.

Caroline