Well, as a socially conservative Progressive person, I have to admit that I am totally in awe today.  I have lived in the state of California for some time now (close to 50 years).  I have seen how California has gone from the "premier" trendsetter of our nation during the 60's to somewhat of the "ugly step-brother/sister" of our nation because of so many Hollywood Liberal elites and San Francisco "lifestyle" crazies.

Well, President Bush is off urging the killing of more Islamic Fundamentalists while visiting forners in Old Europe.  How quaint!

I've been an ardent supporter of Barack Obama from before Super Tuesday.  Prior to that I had the problem of liking all three major candidates (Edwards, Clinton, and Obama) and many of the "lesser tier" candidates (Biden, Dodd, etc). Who can forget that famous line by Biden describing Guiliani as a Noun, Verb, and 9/11 (actually, I forgot it, but still laugh my ass off thinking about the moment).

So Scott McClellan has a new book where he drops the dirt on the Bush Administration.  Now, he more than likely will be making the rounds of the talk shows promoting his book over the upcoming weeks.  Money over conscious has been a trademark of the current Republican brand for the past 20 - 30 years, and Scott is, in his mind,  simply getting his due.

I don't expect the news that Bush used "Propaganda" to manipulate the media and public into believing that war with Iraq was justified to have much impact today.  I don't expect the fact that Rove and Bush used McClellan to lie about their involvement in the Plame affair to sway people into believing how horrible this administration is. President Bush's approval rating are about as low as they can possibly go.  I don't expect the fact that a previous mouthpiece of this administration is spilling the beans to have much impact on how this administration plays out it's remaining 1/2 year in office. The Scott booksale tour will go on for a week or two and then we're right back to where we are today, Bush used the Corporate Media as a tool to do his and their own bidding.

Another top headline on Yahoo.

"The Bush administration repeatedly ignored corruption at the highest levels within the Iraqi government and kept secret potentially embarrassing information so as not to undermine its relationship with Baghdad, according to two former State Department employees."

I have basically stayed away from politics for the past month or two.  Just got too caught up in everything.  I knew from before the Ohio/Texas primaries Clinton had little chance of winning the nomination. And now we are on the precipice of having our nominee.

More below the fold

I want to take a moment and both thank and congratulate the many volunteers who spend time working in Pennsylvania during the last several weeks.  I will attempt to do so by telling a little story.

I don't listen to much talk radio.  My area, San Diego CA, lost our Air America station several months ago.  We received all the normal cast of characters, but in the morning we had on Stay Taylor.  Stacy sat in for Randi Rhodes on occassion during our Afternoon show that aired Nationally, so you might have actually heard him on occasion without even knowing it. Well he showed up on another local station, so occassionally I get the chance to listen during afternoon commutes.  The problem is, that the rest of the staion is all "hate talk" radio.  Michael Raegan, and a few other local slimeballs.

In response to another Diary currently on the Recommended List, with the title "Bye" by grimc

See Diary Here

I wanted to offer the reverse.

Welcome to all the members of the Daily Kos commnunity who will be working their asses off to get whichever candidates elected, as long as they have a "D" after their name.

God damn it!

Everything in this country has gone to shit.  

I don't need to rehash all the horrible things have occured over the past 7 years.  We all know (9/11 on Bush's watch, Iraq, Judicial Branch scandals, evesdropping, etc.)

Just today was listening to FM radio on way to work, and they wanted to know what people thought about things going on in the world that weren't being covered.

Much is being made in the media regarding a possible Economic Recession.  If you read the Business Paper's, or Yahoo Finance, etc., you will notice that things in the business sector are not all rosy.  Chances are that we are already in a "Economic Recession".  

What is a recession?  Here is wiki's definition.

Definition of Recession

In macroeconomics, a recession is a decline in any country's gross domestic product (GDP), or negative real economic growth, for two or more successive quarters of a year

My definition.  The economic outlook has sucked for some time, but finally the guys at the top of the food chain or starting to hurt.

Short diary with a poll.  

The Thompson and Guiliani Campaigns are on their last legs.  Call it any way you want, they are not going to get the nomination.  I would almost bet my house on this (well, how about my rental condo).

So, when will Guiliani drop out, and what will the reason be?

Is the tail wagging the dog?

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke was apointed by President George W. Bush on Oct 24, 2005.  At the time of his appointment, George w. Bush was actually praised by many for the appointment because of Bernanke's qualitifications.

Anybody care to report how things are going in New Hampshire?  I have to believe there is a huge desire by Democrats wanting to know what is currently happening during the final few hours of the country's first primary.

I'll include a couple of snippets, and then rely on other's to keep us updated.

Update: More Voter turnout stories showing up.  Rumors of Obama and Edwards both doing extremely well.  I don't have sources for the Edward's plug, but coworker saying she heard it on Seattle Progressive radio.

Rudy Giuliani has once again been caught telling untruths.  It's kind of the case of "He was not in favor of deporting brown people until after the fact when he figured that he could benefit by saying that he was in favor of deporting brown people while mayor of New York".

We've all heard Rudy sleezing thru the primaries discussing how it was okay for the NYPD to use taxpayer money to taxi around (I mean protect) Rudy's mistress.  We've also been accustomed to hearing how Rudy was the savior of New York on 9/11 despite the fact that he did nothing prior to 9/11 to protect his city.

Remember President Bush during the 2004 debates?  Remember how he got totally humiliated in Debate #1.  Senator Kerry showed him for what he was, a dunce.  Two things still stand out in my mind close to 3 years later.

1. It's Hard Work - Bush made this statement something like 17 times (this figure was recently stated on the "internets" and I will go with that figure, albeit immaterial to my point).

2. What about Poland?  After Kerry criticized Bush for not having a coalition of countries from around the world, Bush jumped up and down citing Poland had been left on Senator Kerry's short list of countries that were cooperating with Bush's war in Iraq.

Got an email from Mike Duncan over at RNC.  Seems they are rolling out their new mascot Max.

"Meet Max the elephant. He proudly sports his Republican colors with the official Republican National Committee logo.

Max is only available for a limited-time to our most loyal supporters like you and is sure to be snapped up quickly.  Bring Max home as a gift for your favorite Republican, child or grandchild, or to display in your own office.

Edward, we'll send you Max today with your special contribution of at least $35.

A wonderful plush toy, Max will not only tug at your heart strings; he serves as a small reminder of what is at stake.  In 2008, the Democrats will attempt to consolidate their power and influence by expanding their majorities in Congress and taking control of the White House.

From TXsharon:  Barbara called.  Del Mar Fairgrounds is the designated safe haven for horses because they have determined that the fire will likely burn all the way to the coast.  Barbara is headed there now.  Then she will return home and pack her things for evacuation.  

FOUND HORSE TRAILER...going to get it, am sure the roads are gridlocked.  Hope we have  a place to move him.  Wish me luck, keep us in your prayers.  Thank you.  Damn it...I have to get my horse out NOW.  My trailer is 50 miles away and all horse trailers are being used.  Am going to have someone take me there and will ride him out...bring him to my home if necessary.

OMG, I have never been this fucking terrified.  The sky over us is blackish orange.  They are evacuating in Rancho Santa Fe now....I am panicking....