The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[innerSpaceman]

scaeagles, I think you need to back away from the televisison for a while.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

scaeagles, I think you need to back away from the televisison for a while.

I'm reading. I can't watch TV news anymore.

[Alex]

To qualify for the public funds you have to accept spending limits.

So the math is:

Is the amount Obama can raise and spend personally greater than the total he'd be allowed to spend if he takes the public funds.

And the answer, if primary trends continue, is a clear yes. I'm not a fan of public financing of campaigns but this is still a disappointing decision from him since he is a supporter of it. But then I'm hugely opposed to McCain-Feingold so McCain gains no advantage in this particular issue.

[scaeagles]

Damn it, Alex, now I'm in a pissy mood about that, too. McCain-Feingold is a freakin' ridiculous piece of legislation and McCain should be drummed out of the Senate for authoring and sponsoring that trash.

Back to thinking I can't vote for him.

[cirquelover]

Ok, I should have known the government would have their own rules and stipulations that would go with the money.

So basically he thinks he would be better off on his own and not have to play by their limits and rules.

So what about McCain? I know Republicans seem to have a lot of fundraiser and such, will he follow suit? Who's Feingold?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by cirquelover

So what about McCain? I know Republicans seem to have a lot of fundraiser and such, will he follow suit? Who's Feingold?

Feingold was the cosponsor with McCain of the bill that would impose the spending limits.

They're both pretty equally guilty here. Back when Obama was pledging that he would abide by the limits, McCain was saying he wouldn't. Now that the rolls are reversed, the stories are predictably reversed.

[Gemini Cricket]

Heinz is pulling this ad which was only airing in the UK, because Bill O'Reilly objects to it. Who the f*ck cares what Bill O'Reilly thinks. It's a funny video. Work safe.

[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Heinz is pulling this ad which was only airing in the UK, because Bill O'Reilly objects to it. Who the f*ck cares what Bill O'Reilly thinks. It's a funny video. Work safe.

Haha, cute ad. You *almost* can't tell it's a Brit... until he says, "Eh! Hain't you forgettin' sump'n?" The H gives him away, :P

[BDBopper]

I am doing cartwheels tonight! Why? Well my only regret during my involvement with the Mike Huckabee Presidential campaign is that I never got to hear him speak in person or meet him. I either could not get a ride or I was busy doing grassroots campaign work. He will be speaking at a local church this Sunday morning and I'M FINALLY GOING TO HEAR HIM SPEAK!! I couldn't be more happy!

[Gemini Cricket]

The BBC News isn't perfect by any means, but I really like it when they have Q&A Articles like this one. It educates the reader and gives them a history to a current story. Lots of times, I read articles where the writer assumes the reader is up to speed.

One of the questions about the wiretap bill:

What is this issue about?

After the 9/11 attacks, the US government started to monitor e-mails and phone calls in which one participant was abroad. It did so without going to a special court to ask for a warrant, arguing that there was no time. Phone companies agreed to provide the information but were subsequently sued for breach of privacy. Taps on communications wholly within the US still need a warrant.
A temporary law, the Protect America Act, was passed last year to allow for taps without warrants but it expired in February. President George W Bush's subsequent attempt to replace the temporary law triggered a fierce battle with the US House of Representatives.