No More Being Driven to Distraction!

Hello Bloggers! Today is a sad day in the short 10-month history of Our Rants & Raves, for I have finally become so jaded within the blogosphere that I am resorting to what they call "Comment Moderation." This means that I will no longer put up with most of the negative comments, distractions and distortions I've tolerated in the past. I will now filter comments before publishing them

Why? I did a casual study over the weekend visiting a few "conservative" blogs, where I attempted to join in their discussions. Despite their rudeness, I found myself trying to be polite and respectful in an effort to make a serious impact. No matter how many insults were thrown my way, I didn't bite back. I refused to curse, name-call, or appear rude in any way. I considered myself a guest, and therefore acted like one. I decided that's how I want this blog to work.

I created OR&R to be a positive, friendly political blog. To get back to that idea, we need to filter a few abusive right-wingers. It's time to take back this blog, even if it does cost some visitors.

To hell with the rude people! I now know that we regulars are a progressive blog community, commenting on each other's blogs about all our political passions. It's a great exchange of ideas and energy, and there's no place for people seeking to create conflict. There's too much to talk about without being dragged into absurd battles defending against outrageous, intentionally false comments.

The right-wingers always seem to resort to extreme conflict. Unfiltered, they treat our blogs like some kind of right-wing toilet. Well, NO MORE! I'm tired of their crap!

They may think they're entertaining, but we know they're a waste of time. We don't blog because of them, but to exchange ideas and to enlighten ourselves about our society and our nation. I've already wasted way too much time on disruptive "ditto-heads." It seems you were right Infidel and Nancy. I should have done it earlier.

So, enough talking past each other. I give up! They are now a nuisance to be filtered. We will no longer allow distractions, distortions, lies, talking points, rudeness, crudeness or disrespect. To that end, I've created the following rules to get past "Comment Moderation:"

1. Feel free to quote from sources, but it's important to always write your own work.
2. Be respectful and you will be treated with respect.
3. Debate only the topic at hand to avoid confusion.
4. Share your opinion freely using reliable sources.
5. Do not ask unrelated, irrelevant questions.
6. Avoid distracting from or distorting the issue in any way.
7. No "F" bombs please.
8. No Name calling and or personal abuse.
(Note: These are being permanently posted on the right-side blog margin.)

So, that's all I can think of for now. They shouldn't be difficult if you stick to a proper debate format, and etiquette. In case you need a refresher, I'll re-post these new rules under my "Complete Profile" section.

This will probably result in a much quieter blog, but that's okay with me. You see, I never really wanted a rude, scandalous blog. I prefer to look long-term.

I would like to encourage all progressive liberals, independents, and liberal Republicans to join our healthy political debates - within the rules. You right-wing "ditto-heads" are welcome too, but ONLY if you respect and follow the rules. The filter is now switched ON!

For those who agree with this approach, and who continue to read my work and comment, I say welcome and thank you! It's great to be part of such a great group of people who care enough to discuss important, vital subjects within a respectable atmosphere - sorry, blogosphere!

Monday's Political Rant/Rave - Michael

PS - Btw, for those who think I'm overreacting, I recommend reading the book pictured above - The Politics of Distraction by Katlheen Jamieson, or the documentary Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story if you prefer a video. Each documents the origins of the politics of lies, distraction and distortion. It's one thing to know about it in theory, and something completely different to experience it in person. No more!

National Disunity, Innuendo and Scandal

Good Morning Bloggers - The far right has grown even more vocal than usual over the past two months. I realize they're sore losers, but they seem to be accusing Obama and the Democrats of whatever pops into their minds. They're even more illogical and tiresome than usual.

My theory is they smell blood. What blood? A weakness in voter logic. The Clinton and McCain campaign's limited success at harming Obama by linking him to perceived radicals has obviously tweaked their interest. Guilt by association resonates with voters! They see it as a new way to harm Democrats.

In the same way Karl Rove and George Bush drove their fanatics over the past eight years using wedge issues like gay rights and stem cell research, younger Republican strategists are using innuendo to drive scandals using that great American icon - the ROLODEX.

They're using random relationships and speculation as chum to brew new scandals daily. Facts are irrelevant. Since the election they have "chummed-up" the "OBAMA RECESSION," "ELECTION FRAUD" in Minnesota, and numerous other "OBAMA SCANDALS" involving people like Blagojevich and Richardson. Again, facts be damned. It's insanity, but then again it is the far right.

Oh well, I thought they might learn from their defeat, but if the past two months are any indication of their intentions, it appears there will be no coming together as a nation. They will probably continue to use the strategy, and the media will continue to feed from the Republican trough, for as long as it gets them attention.

It's incredible! The election is over, they were beaten very badly, but they still keep fighting. They're like junkyard dogs! Not the funny kind, but the sad kind.

They have decided not to cooperate. Instead, they are determined to paint Obama and his team as corrupt. The corporate media is cooperating by giving their wild speculation air time. The heresay and speculation has grown beyond FOX. The far right is determined to deny the Democrats any respite. They are determined to play dirty to the end.

Republicans get away with war crimes while Democrats are criticized because they associate with one another. The media ignores real scandal while responding to the smallest perception of scandal encouraged by Republicans who seek to prey on weak-minded voters. Unless things improve, the world today seems ass-backward, illogical and dark.

No matter how low they go, it doesn't change the fact that the country voted for Barack Obama to fix the problems caused by the Republicans. That is undeniable. The people want CHANGE! The rantings and the lies of the far right will not change that fact. However, it DISTRACTS from the mission. It HARMS Obama's ability to get things done. It can slow or prevent progress.

I continue to support Obama's desire to unite us, but I bet against it. They are a dishonest and dishonorable opposition. They want us to fail. They are biding their time, hoping to once again lie their way back into power. I grow tired of their deceit, and will not fall for it again.

Tuesday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Political Rave: Miserable Republican Felon Ted Stevens Begs for His Job

Good Morning Bloggers - I have another RAVE this morning. Politico is reporting this morning that CONVICTED REPUBLICAN Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), the "misery of the Senate" who is facing possible expulsion from the Republican Conference next week, is "contacting his Republican colleagues and urging them "to give him a chance" and hold off on any such vote until his legal appeal is resolved."

I don't know about you guys, but I LOVE IT when an old miserable bastard like Ted Stevens, a man who has done very little for his constituents or for mankind, is being forced to BEG his fellow senators to keep his job.

This came about after Republican Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) publicly declared that he will offer a motion next Tuesday to kick Stevens out of the Republican Conference, thus stripping him off his committee assignments. In response, Stevens has been calling his GOP leaders and other colleagues urging them to hold off.

Politico is reporting that "Stevens is assuring his fellow Republicans that he will step down if he loses his appeal, but in the meantime, he wants them to hold off on kicking him out of the Republican Conference." I say THROW THE OLD CANTANKEROUS CURMUDGEON OUT!

I remember him from my days working in the Senate. He was a miserable old bastard then, and from what I read he's worse now. He has been a thorn in the side of the Senate for decades, and it's time for him to GO!

The longest-serving Republican in Senate history was convicted last month on seven counts of failing to report more than $250,000 in improper gifts. I don't care if he maintains his innocence and refuses to resign from the Senate. Drug dealers act the same way. The man is a convicted FELON and should be forced OUT, unless you Republicans want to keep FELONS in your ranks.

Stevens BEGGING his colleagues makes me feel very happy. Let's hope this is only the beginning of many Republicans begging for their jobs, or freedom from jail. Hopefully we'll come to a day when George Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove and Donald Rumsfeld are all BEGGING for their freedom. I look forward to that day.

Friday's Political RAVE #1 - Michael

Political Rave: Siegelman Gets New Hearing, Congress Still Doing Nothing

Good Morning Bloggers - Local Montgomery, AL, news (WSFA) is reporting that former Alabama governor Don Siegelman - who wrongly went to prison due to Karl Rove and the Republicans - and former Health South CEO Richard Scrushy will have another day in court. Hopefully the new hearing will clear their name and this nightmare will end soon.

Oral arguments will be heard in an Atlanta courtroom before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, December 9th. The two men claim the judge didn't give proper instructions to the jury and there was no proof of a "quid-pro-quo" which led to their 2006 convictions. The court could throw out the convictions, let them stand or order a new trial. Siegelman is expected to appear, but Scrushy remains in a Texas prison.

That is very good news. It is true that Rove continues to defy a congressional subpoena to learn more about the Siegelman affair, and the Democratic House continues to be pathetic about enforcing that subpoena, but I'm still happy that the Governor and Scrushy will get a new and better day in court. Hopefully they will drag Karl Rove into the courtroom and force him to testify. That would be fun to watch.

Btw, now that the election's over I hope to RAVE a lot more than RANT. It's better for my health.

Wednesday's Political Rave #1 - Michael

Political News/Rant: Another Repulican Election Fraud Subpoena

Hello Bloggers - The silence is deafening as they say when you consider the number of cases of election tampering and fraud out there not being covered by today's corporate media. Despite many investigations and evidence that our election system has been corrupted by a few despicable individuals - mostly related to Karl Rove, who else - the media seems uninterested.

The Raw Story has a new article this morning, which covers the now infamous Republican IT consultant who supposedly did a lot of damage in 2004. Remember how we wondered why George Bush was so confident that the Republicans were going to do well that year. Rememember the famous White House press conference the next day when he looked shocked at the result. It's now clear that he felt Karl had it all under control.

Republican IT consultant subpoenaed in case alleging tampering with 2004 election

"A high-level Republican consultant has been subpoenaed in a case regarding alleged tampering with the 2004 election. Michael S. Connell was served with a subpoena in Ohio on Sept. 22 in a case alleging that vote-tampering during the 2004 presidential election resulted in civil rights violations. Connell, president of GovTech Solutions and New Media Communications, is a website designer and IT professional who created a website for Ohio’s secretary of state that presented the results of the 2004 election in real time as they were tabulated. "Connell is refusing to testify or to produce documents relating to the system used in the 2004 and 2006 elections, lawyers say. ..."Connell is a long-time GOP operative, whose New Media Communications provided web services for the Bush-Cheney ’04 campaign, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Republican National Committee and many Republican candidates. This in itself might have raised questions about his involvement in creating Ohio’s official state election website."

(Read the whole story at:http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Republican_IT_consultant_subpoenaed_in_case_0929.html)

Based on the number of ongoing investigations it is clear that Michael Connell is only one of many IT operatives. One currently works for the Senate and does part-time work for the RNC. Personally I believe there are many operating nationwide. I'm also certain that Karl Rove is at the center. Who knows, maybe that's why he left the White House early. He couldn't manage the operations from there. There is plenty of evidence about similar operations in all swing states - the research is easy, just Google.

I'm trying to cut back on my name calling for the sake of civility, but come on, isn't it obvious that Republicans stole the last two elections, and are trying to steal this one. I hope enough Obama supporters turn out that make it all a big waste of their time and money. I also hope an Obama Administration investigates their corruption and they all eventually go to jail - something to add to a growing list.

Monday's Political News/Rant #1 - Michael

Call to Action: Don Siegelman Needs Our Help - Please Take Action Now

Hello Bloggers - I'm posting an email I received from Don Siegelman today because I think it's important and he requires our help. If you understood (so look into it) how much this good man was a victim of Karl Rove and the despicable Republican machine, then you would take a few moments to contact your congressional delegation on his behalf. We should not live in a nation, or a world, where good men like him go to jail because slime balls like Delay and Rove need to launder their money, cover their tracks, and hold onto power at all costs. Please take action! This is a very important cause to preserve our own justice and freedom!

Thursday's Call to Action #1 - Michael

Please Urge Your Representative to find Karl Rove in Contempt before Congress Adjourns in 2 Weeks!

Email your Member of Congress now!
Thousands of friends -- including you -- have already signed a petition, written, or called Congress, urging them to hold Karl Rove in contempt. Thank you so much for speaking out! Now that a U.S. District Judge has ruled that White House aides like Rove can't claim immunity in order to refuse to testify before Congress, there's no room for Karl Rove to hide any longer -- but our time is running out. If Congress adjourns at the end of September without holding Karl Rove in contempt, our chances at restoring democracy may very well be kaput. So now we must pull out all the stops and turn up the heat. That's why I'm asking you to call and write your Member of Congress again and urge the full House to vote to hold Karl Rove in contempt. It is time for Karl Rove to come clean and tell the truth about what he has done. If you speak out, and Congress votes contempt for Rove, he'll have to speak out too -- and for the first time, under oath!

Click here to forward an email to your Member of Congress -- right now, before the House adjourns -- and demand that they vote to hold Karl Rove in contempt!

There is sworn testimony by a Republican lawyer that Karl Rove targeted me when I was governor of Alabama through a malicious, unfounded, politically-motivated prosecution by the wife of Rove's best friend in Alabama. I was shackled, handcuffed, taken to a maximum security prison, and put into solitary confinement. I served 9 months in federal prison before the appeals court released me. We cannot let Karl Rove refuse to testify before Congress about his role in this nefarious scheme!That is why I need your help, once more, right now, in demanding that Karl Rove heed the call of Congress and a federal judge to finally testify.

Karl Rove has thumbed his nose in the face of Congress, refusing to answer questions about his abuse of power in launching politically motivated prosecutions and politicizing the Department of JusticeNow a federal judge has stripped Rove of his immunity claim! We don't have any time to lose. With only two more weeks left before Congress adjourns for the year, we need the House to act -- and act swiftly -- to force Karl Rove to show up and testify. If Rove really has nothing to hide, then he should prove it to Congress and the country. He shouldn't be ducking the Congressional subpoena.

Thank you so much for your continued friendship and support.

Sincerely,

Don Siegelman

Governor of Alabama1999-2003

P.S. After you've emailed your Member of Congress, I hope you'll please forward this email to everyone you know. Help us build a groundswell of grassroots support calling on Congress to step up and hold Karl Rove accountable. We don't have much time left, so please do it right now!

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