Uppity Negro Network™

First, thanks to the commenters again who tuned in and commented during the Live Blog I did on the presidential debates on last Friday night.  And for interested parties, I believe I killed in my own debates in Church History class on Saturday morning; we were arguing if “The Trinity Doctrine is nonsense. Arianism isn’t so bad.”

What side do you think I argued on?

Also, I’m giving a birthday shoutout to Mama Uppity who’s celebrating her 62nd birthday on this planet called earth!

Now, to the debates.

First, I just want to say I got mad at the networks all over again because they pushed Donna “Press and curls fit me” Brazile all the way to the end like 25 minutes into the post-debate talks.  And then that did nothing but further remind me that “us folk” are quite paltry when it comes to being on the networks for true real commentary.

But, anywho…

I thought the debate started off well and went quickly downhill.  I think that was evident in my live blog because I remember more than once I wrote “I’m bored.”  As the CNN commentators said, there was no “Youtube” moment in the entire debate which was quite true.  I also thought it was an unfair criticism of the commentators that none of them drove home the critical nature of the economy.   Well, there was a mid-air shift in the questions because this was orginally supposed to be the “foreign affairs” debate.

And yes, if you can’t name drop and pronounce the name, or get the name right, just keep it to yourself.

I think most everyone agrees, though, that there was no standout moment for either candidate except Sen. Barack Obama turning and facing Sen. John “My name is Jim” McCain and Obama’s “John, I have a bracelet too.”   I must admit everyone I knew thought that was a hoot.  Folks started posting that on their Facebook status message it was that funny. 

Personally, I wasn’t swayed either way as to who came into the debates having to prove themselves more.  If it wasn’t for the stunt Fool Fest pulled earlier last week, I would have said Obama’s lackluster or should I say milquetoast debates in the primaries, not to mention his Saddleback sandbagging forum with Rick Warren, would have put him at a disadvantage.  But, I think the two went into this debate with an equal amount of debits and credits to their name, and sadly, they left at about the same level.

I wish the campaign operatives would just have told the truth and said this ddebate was a draw.  As I’ve already said, there was no stand out moment on any issue.  There was no extremely entertaining moment in the debate either.  Oh, yeah, the talking heads were saying they didn’t know what to make of this “John, you’re right” refrain Obama kept echoing the whole night.

Here’s the first one in response to the back and forth about “fundamental” differences between how each, as president would lead the country out of the financial crisis:

Well, I think Senator McCain’s absolutely right that we need more responsibility, but we need it not just when there’s a crisis. I mean, we’ve had years in which the reigning economic ideology has been what’s good for Wall Street, but not what’s good for Main Street.

Well, Senator McCain is absolutely right that the earmarks process has been abused, which is why I suspended any requests for my home state, whether it was for senior centers or what have you, until we cleaned it up.

And he’s also right that oftentimes lobbyists and special interests are the ones that are introducing these kinds of requests, although that wasn’t the case with me.

But let’s be clear: Earmarks account for $18 billion in last year’s budget. Senator McCain is proposing — and this is a fundamental difference between us — $300 billion in tax cuts to some of the wealthiest corporations and individuals in the country, $300 billion. [Emphasis added.]

Now, $18 billion is important; $300 billion is really important.

And in his tax plan, you would have CEOs of Fortune 500 companies getting an average of $700,000 in reduced taxes, while leaving 100 million Americans out.

So my attitude is, we’ve got to grow the economy from the bottom up. What I’ve called for is a tax cut for 95 percent of working families, 95 percent.

And that means that the ordinary American out there who’s collecting a paycheck every day, they’ve got a little extra money to be able to buy a computer for their kid, to fill up on this gas that is killing them.

And over time, that, I think, is going to be a better recipe for economic growth than the — the policies of President Bush that John McCain wants to — wants to follow

Here’s the second one in which he acknowledged John McCain being right when the issue of tax codes were brought up.  Also, at this point, let it be known, Obama had stuck it to McCain twice, a point that Lehrer had brought up:

My definition — here’s what I can tell the American people: 95 percent of you will get a tax cut. And if you make less than $250,000, less than a quarter-million dollars a year, then you will not see one dime’s worth of tax increase.

Now, John mentioned the fact that business taxes on paper are high in this country, and he’s absolutely right. Here’s the problem: There are so many loopholes that have been written into the tax code, oftentimes with support of Senator McCain, that we actually see our businesses pay effectively one of the lowest tax rates in the world.

And what that means, then, is that there are people out there who are working every day, who are not getting a tax cut, and you want to give them more.

It’s not like you want to close the loopholes. You just want to add an additional tax cut over the loopholes. And that’s a problem.

Just one last point I want to make, since Senator McCain talked about providing a $5,000 health credit. Now, what he doesn’t tell you is that he intends to, for the first time in history, tax health benefits.

So you may end up getting a $5,000 tax credit. Here’s the only problem: Your employer now has to pay taxes on the health care that you’re getting from your employer. And if you end up losing your health care from your employer, you’ve got to go out on the open market and try to buy it.

It is not a good deal for the American people. But it’s an example of this notion that the market can always solve everything and that the less regulation we have, the better off we’re going to be.

It’s time’s like these when I wish I had been a journalism major, because I think we see way too much sloppy journalism and just outright laziness because anyone with a brain can read these transcripts and see that this was Obama taking in the fine points of communication: you agree with your opponent, cordially and that softens the blow.   That’s him “reaching across the aisle” and not him really aligning himself with Republican ideals as the commentators tossed up.  After each agreement, Obama would go in for the kill.

McCain and Lehrer knew that.  Why else you think McCain’s 5’9″ @$$ never looked at Obama directly.

Well, that’s my take on the debates, what did you think?

Keep it uppity and keep it truthfully radical, JLL

errgh...these first pics suck. I'll update later.

Errgh, I’m sooooo running late.

9:11pm

I walked into my friend’s rooom and I could smell the fried fish that I’m eating as I type and greasing up my keyboard.  Omg, did John McCain just up and say his condolences are into Sen. Ted Kennedy for being in the hospital.

My friend Texas Uppity informed me that they had JUST made the statement that Kennedy had been released from the hospital. 

Oh yeah, my other friend Macon It Uppity (aha, play on words) said “Hush, it’s on.”

So far, Obama’s doing well, I think he answed the $700 billion question right.

9:15pm

Q: Are ther fundamental difference between the candidates economic plan?

“I have a pen and I will…the pen’s kinda old…” LIKE YOUR OLD ASS IS!!

9:24pm

HaHAHA Jim Lehrer got McCain together.  He told him, “Well, he’s come for you wice, I want you to respond to him.”  Because clerly McCain’s tax plan is really more for the rich and Obama’s tax cut is for those who are making less than $250K.  Sadly, however, small business taxes are going to go up under Obama’s plan.  But that’s apparently the Republican understanding.

Clearly, Obama found some intestinal fortitude.  So far I’m liking this Obama.

McCain: “I don’t want to go back and forth…”
Macon It Uppity: “IT’S A DEBATE!  YOU SUPPOSED TO GO BACK AND FORTH!”

And John, come on now, lets not talk about votes, when your ass voted for the Iraq war and you’re debating the only one who didn’t!

9:27pm

I need a commercial break–I’m thirsty.  I didn’t know this was a no interruption thingy.

Q: What will you have to give up in terms of spending?

Alright, Obama said….oops I missed it. I was checking my phone.  Third thing, Obama, make sure we’re competing in education.  Wtf? Does that have to do with the question!?  I’m confused B’Orama.  Alright, infrastructure, I’m for that.  So, is going to give that stuff up.  I’m lost.

Okay, let’s see what McCain says:

“No matter what, we’ve got to cut spending.”  DUH!  Tell me something I don’t know.  Eliminate ethanol, umkay.

Lehrer got them RIGHT together, they’re saying that they really don’t wanna give up much.  See, here’s my first tangent.  We live in a society where jokers don’t wanna pay for the ish that they have.  I mean…

wait, “McCain accused me of being very liberal, but that’s really me just opposing George Bush’s plans.”  just had to get that in there, lol.  And then Lehrer cut off McCain who wanted to rebutt.

I’m back.

…I mean, come on now, the only way we can keep spending at this rate and not cut anything is to raise taxes?  I don’t get this.

9:33pm

I’m convinced Obama’s been waiting for this for a while.  He was like this joker is NOT about to show him up because he’s killing with the one liners.  McCain said he wanted to do a spending freeze and Obama said “that’s using a hatchet when you need to use a scalpel”

9:42pm

Yeessssssssssssss, Iraq War!  Obama said lemme speak from the first as far as the lessons learned.  He said let it be known I voted against it.  Meh, he still was a bit professorial.  What he said at the end should have been his opening statement after he said I voted against it before.

HOLLUP!!

What was the controls and what were the variables about this effing surge!?!?!  How do we know the surge aint work!?!?!  900 days without going to Iraq.  But how do we know the violence went down because of the surge?!?!  I need help church!

HA!  He said I’m proud of my selection of vice presidential pick!

9:46pm

I think Obama’s ability to say the question really is “Who’s able as president to handle the Iraq war?” The ability to redefine the question I think shows some leadership and make the conversation revolve around you.  Something McCain tried, but he didnt do well at with this political stunt he pulled earlier this week.

9:49pm

Obama said within 16 months we should be out? Do You think that within 16 months we should or could withdraw from Iraq?  Should we focus troops on Afghanistan?  Why haven’t we caught Osama Bin Laden?

Sorry, McCain, I’m not convinced that we’ll have a wider war.

9:54pm

Got a quiet crowd over here and I’m ready for them to move on to a new topic.  I’ve already said my piece about the ish going on in the Middle East.

9:58pm

So, this is the McCain strategy to talk about what you’ve already done.  I guess that makes sense because it’s dictating what’s ur historic line of reasoning.  I can buy this.  That record is nice beginning back in 1983 with Ronald Reagan.

Blah
Blah
Blah!

10:00pm

Obama was ready!  “I got a bracelet too!”  He also said he’s not going to “muddle through.”  Wait, hollup McCain, Obama didn’t go to Iraq and when he did, y’all damn near set him up and then called him a celebrity when he did!!!!!  Oh come off it aint no one buying this bull-ish!

10:03pm

Jim Lehrer: “What is your reading on the threat from Iran?”

McCain: Thinks did I take my Ginko Biloba because CLEARLY his ass aint know what Lehrer said cuz he said “What is….ummm…my reading…on the threat from Iran….” and then it kicked in.

10:07pm

Let the record show Obama is against Iran having nuclear arms!  And would amp up an arms race in the middle East.  He believes in tough diplomacy.  THANK YOU!  Not talkin to muh’fuggas has NOT worked.  This in addition to tougher sanctions.

Oh, here we go.

McCain is against…

HAHAHAHA!!  He butchered Mahmoud Ahmadenejad’s name, po’babyb

…against talking to the people.  I still don’t know where I stand on the non-conditional vs. pre-conditional meetings.  What do you think?  Should Obama meet with these leaders with conditions or without conditions or do you think he should meet them in the first place?

OH WOW!  He’s killing!  He just said Henry Kissenger said the same thing!  I need a FACT CHECK!!  But I’m live blogging, can someone follow up on that for me!

Oh wow!  Obama’s said Bush sent someone over to talk–McCain is looking a FOOOOOOOL!

10:09pm

Did he really say that height plays that big of a role in the wider scheme of things?  I guess nut.  For the record, McCain had a good come back: “Well, I’m not about to set the White House meeting schedule before I’m elected…”

Kudos to McCain.

Uh-oh, McCain’s turning the heat up.  He said Kissenger is my friend of 35 years–am I the only person who is mildly concerned.

10:16

Q: How do you see Russia?

Well, so far so good.  Their fling with Georgia was outta order.  He said if they want to be a 21st century, they need to not act like it’s the 20th century.

McCain said it was naivete for him to say “both sides should show restraint.”  McCain said he was looking into his eyes!?!?!?  WTF!?!?! Sounds like witchcraft to me—SEEEEE!!  He and Palin are in BED together with the witchcraft Pentecostals!

Sorry, McCain bores me when he talks!

10:21

UPDATE!!!  MCCAIN’S Centrum daily vitamins kick in!  He magically started pronouncing names right.

Seriously, am I the only one who’s not just riveted by the topics of tonight?

10:26pm

What is this!?!?!?  I’m siding with AB on this one, Obama clearly took a crash course from Rebb’n Al because Obama is KILLING with these comebacks.  Clearly since this summer, his debate skills have gone through the ROOF!

10:27pm

Ragin Uppity walks in hella late….I mean damn, the debate over…wtf!?!?!  he said he don’t like the name, oh hell, that’s what I’m sticking with.  How much you wanna bet he gon wanna say something but aint watched the debate.

BE INFORMED!!

But you still cool with us Ragin Uppity  you can read the live blog and catch up!

10:28pm

Sorry, I could care less if there’s a likelihood of another attack.  I think they could have talked about oil in the context of foreign policies and I woulda been more involved.

10:31pm

**waiting for the press to upload pics so I can put a big ol picture at the top of this blog**

10:34pm

And wow, I’ma really need for the effing POW to effin’ deal with Veterans of this country!  I’m really not convinced that they think he’s going to take care of them.  Ragin Uppity is over there shaking his head and Macon It Uppity sings the ….

Duh Obama, we know you get your name from your father–and him coming over here.

…sings the refrain to “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” singing “Saaaafe and secuuuuuure frommmm alll alonnnnng…”

10:37

ANNNNND THAAAAAT’S IT! 

Stay tuned to following blogs for me to fully digest this, what I considered mediocre questioning of the debates.  I think the questions started high and went down from there as far as wide reaching emotions.  Oh wow, there’s some fact checks coming.

Thanks to the commenters who kept up with the Live blogging, and make sure to stay tuned tomorrow (after my own debates and class) and you’ll see what I really had to say.  I guess you can always go to CNN in the meantime.

Keep it uppity and keep it truthfully radical, JLL

Em-Eye Crooked Letter Crooked Letter, Eye, Crooked Letter Crooked Letter, Eye, Humpback Humpback, Eye

Did I spell it right?

Personally, I’m still a bit shocked that we’re hearing the two weirdest states on the news all the time.  I mean who, in 100 years would have thought that Alaska and Mississippi would have been at the center of political news for a sustained period of time.  I remember even during the Democratic Primaries that it was weird as CNN was hoping across the country following the primaries to actually hear the name Mississippi and to see people do live shots from random towns in Mississippi of all places.

And then came Alaska–I mean, Wasilla!?!?!?

I guess…

**scratches my head**

I think it really shows some weirdness on Sen. John McCain’s part because, come on, did you really think you were gonna get out of this?  I mean you gave a good try–a REAL good try.  I must tip my hat to the machination of this scheme, but get out of the first debate and then try and postpone the VP debates in it’s place? 

Now McCain looks like a tottering Old Fool (as if he didn’t before) with him going back and forth.  What did he really accomplish going to Washington, DC–not a DAMN thing.  So, he left on Wednesday and according to all reports, he didn’t contribute to the talks yesterday on Thursday and then early this morning he was in Virginia and then by the 11 o’clock hour had let it be known he was headed to Oggsford Oxford for this evening.  To say that enough progress has been made, ergo, I can now go to the debates, is the DUMBEST thing uttered this campaign.  He must really think we’re idiots.

Here’s why:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid lit into McCain this morning in the 11am press conference and was talking like a Republican.  I mean he was quite clear that the injection of presidential politics did not help them in this process. 

The insertion of presidential politics has not been helpful. It’s been harmful … A few days ago I called on Senator McCain to take a stand, let us know where he stands on this issue … But all he has done is stand in front of the cameras. We still don’t know where he stands on the issue.”

So essentially he was saying the Old Fool was grandstanding in rare form.

That being said, I wonder how much preparation did John McCain get before going tete-a-tete with Sen. Barack Obama tonight?  I pray that Obama’s been rehearsing for this for some time now.  I wonder if McCain neglected to practice in lieu of this political stunt that has clearly backfired. 

OMG…

Of course I tuned into “The View” this morning flipping between what crazy thing Elisabeth “Miz Liz” Hasselbeck was going to say.  And she got my blood pressure up, of course.  Even though it was previously recorded show and they didn’t have the benefit of the stupidity of the last two days, but it still just pissed me off at the incessant stupidity of Miz Liz.  I wonder is she an average white woman in her thoughts.

If I can go off on a tangent momentarily…

We in this country seriously play the identity politics and we have it down to a fine art.  We hearken back to the ideal of an Andrew “I owned slaves and was damn proud of it” Jackson (our 7th president) and Abraham “I really don’t want to free the slaves” Lincoln who had this real “down home” feel to them because they don’t come from nobility.  Clearly in this case the most wealthy guy running is John McCain, but yet and still because of Sarah “THE MOOSE” Palin, many Americans are identifying with the Republican party as though these people have their best interest at heart–and then at the same time misidentifying the Democrat ticket.

Can I park it right here for a minute?

Seriously, the Obama Waffles bit was such a sham of politics in this country it’s just sad.  There’s a video of the two creators who try to explain the reason why Obama had on a Muslim headwrap in the caricature and they’re trying their best to not come of as snide idiots, but it doesn’t work well at all.  The reporter pushes the envelope when he asks “Well you know he’s a member of the United Church of Christ?” and one of the jackasses says “So he says.”

WHAT!?!?!

Yes people, this is the type of stupidity we’re dealing with.  At this point, after the Jeremiah “I’ve really gone into hiding” Wright controversy I’m convinced that certain Republican operatives are using this stuff as a wedge issue because they can get away with it.  Sadly, it influences many swing voters, which is just a euphemism for “average white voters.” 

Seriously people, what black person do you know who doesn’t know who they’re voting for.

Okay, end of tangent.

What did McCain really accomplish going up to Washington?  Not a doggone thing!  I just hope the dude doesn’t dodge any questions tonight and I hope Obama is prepared to answer questions about William Ayers, because that’s about Obama’s only Achilles’ Heel about now.

So are you able to see through this smoke and mirrors that McCain has put up to get out the debates?  Do you really think that he accomplished something by going up to Washington?  I mean, is there ANYTHING that he did that clearly has his fingerprints on it that history can point to and say, if John McCain hadn’t been there then x,y,z wouldn’t have happened.  What are you expecting from the debates?  If you had one question you wanted to ask the candidates, what would it be? (“Senator McCain, would you or have you ever eaten Obama Waffles brand waffle mix?)

Keep it uppity and keep it truthfully radical, JLL

Prolly be a short post, but still, it was worthy of another one.

So Sen. Barack Obama came out and said what I wanted him to. 

This is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in approximately 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this mess,” Obama told reporters in Clearwater, Fla.  “In my mind, it’s more important than ever that we present ourselves to the American people and describe where we want to take the country and where we want to take the economy.”

Seriously, did Sen. John McCain think he wielded that much power that the opposing team was all of a sudden going to start playing the game his way?  These next few days are going to be interesting because as of now, the University of Mississippi is prepared to go forward with the debates, and clearly Obama is like “Bring it on!” 

This is, to quote Sen. Barney Frank is such a big Hail Mary pass it’s not even funny.  It feels as though McCain has nutted early and he’s scrambling right about now.  Yes, it’s a few more weeks left and a lot can happen on both sides, but this is a mess on McCain’s part.  It really comes off as the piddlings of an old man who’s trying maintain the rest of his life.

In addition to Gov. Sarah Palin being trotted around the United Nations today and they suceeded in only making her look like a pitbull wearing lipstick and kept on a short leash.  The LA Times in a pretty slanted article wrote that

The candidate’s staff carefully choreographed her debut onto the international stage, starting each meeting with a brief photo opportunity and allowing no questions. Unscripted moments were kept to a minimum.
At first, the campaign wanted to keep reporters out altogether. But after the five major television networks threatened to boycott coverage of the Palin meetings, a pool that included a print journalist eventually was allowed in.

Today was just not a good image day for McCain in my opinion.  He could have and should have done much better.  His proposal as it stands now is to postpone the debates until October 2nd, which as everyone knows was the scheduled debate day for the vice-presidential debates in St. Louis.   See y’all can’t be fooled by this man.  He went on to say that the VP debates would be postponed ’till a later date–RIIIIIIIIIIIGHT, to give Caribou Barbie as much time as possible.

If anyone thinks McCain is doing this out of the goodness of his heart, you’re sadly mistaken and are prolly a Republican beyond repair, so I’m really not talking to you.  But for the rest of you fools, just think about this critically.  He should be able to do both: campaign and talk about the economy at the same time.  Aint no one held a gun to his head and ask him to be a U.S. Senator and run for the presidency at the same time. 

And even if he does suspend the campaign, to weasel out of the debates is just low.  Come on now!  You’ve been hollering for town hall meetings for the longest, McCain should be chomping at the bit to go at Obama on debates.  Hell, everyone knows Obama sucks at debates, why is he backing out now?

Questions, questions, questions….

Has anyone’s opinion of Obama or McCain shifted because of this recent bout in politicking politricking?

Keep it uppity and keep it truthfully radical, JLL