Romnesia (Rocky Mountain Mike Song Parody)

I have a few reasons to be happy as I type this, first that President Obama scored big in his third debate. Secondly, that I found not one but two new Rocky Mountain Mike song parodies to post! And third, that this one is a send-up of one of those 70s schmaltz rock songs that The Other Half likes to play! Enjoy this Mitt Romney-centric send-up of America's I Need You.

America the Stupid: President Obama's Speech too Complicated

There were progressives who were disappointed with President Obama's speech on the BP oil disaster the other night. There were undoubtedly conservatives who didn't like it either, but there is nothing he could say or do that would make them happy. It turns out though, that there is another reason America may not have cottoned to the speech. . .they're too stupid.  Or ignorant, or uneducated, pick your favorite. The speech was written in 9th grade English (a little more, actually), and apparently there aren't enough Americans who read that well.  Or read so good, I suppose. Of course, most of us watched the speech on TV, rather than having to read it. Somehow, that isn't comforting to me.

[Excerpt]

Language mavens exchange words over Obama's Oval Office speech

Language experts weighed in Thursday after poring over the nearly 2,700 words of President Obama's Oval Office speech on the Gulf oil disaster.
"It was straightforward and easy to understand," said Ron Yaros, assistant professor at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, referring to the explanations of the crisis and its possible solutions. He divided the speech into 1,200 "idea units," each of which represents a point the president was trying to make. . .

Read more at: CNN

What CAN We Americans Do Right These Days?

Guest posted by NevadaJoe

What can we Americans do right these days?

Many things, but a lot less than we did in the past. Sounds like I hate my country doesn't it? I'm a liberal, union member, and I don't own a gun. I guess I could also be an atheist and or a communist to really sully my reputation. But regardless of all of the above I am a middle-aged American who has no idea if he will still have a job by this time next year. And from what I am reading I am a member a fast growing fraternity.

We all know that jobs come and go, as do industries. Know a barrel maker or carriage manufacturer? "The only constant is change." Blah blah blah.

Yeah I get it, but we should be able to manufacture cars that everyone wants. . .to operate airlines that aren't second-rate in comparison to most of the international carriers. . .to have moderately priced health care. . .to have an air traffic control system that doesn't tell you your flight is number 52 to depart JFK. . .a financial/banking system that doesn't have to be bailed out because the CEOs are not the brilliant strategists they purport to be (and demand compensation for that brilliance). . .drug companies that don't charge Americans more for the drugs than consumers in other countries. . .a legal system that isn't just the best that money can buy (OJ, Robert Blake). . .and a group of lawyers willing to sue anyone for anything with no shame.

OK, I am rambling, but come on. Do we ever take the bull by the horns as a people and demand change? Hell, I know things are complicated and nuanced. But we need leadership that says we have to invest in our basic infrastructure again. We need unions and manufacturers to face the music and work together before industries die completely.

Barack Obama Takes On McCain (Again)

There is a great contrast between snoozy, sedate John McCain and dynamic, charismatic Barack Obama, I don't care what your party is. And it is such a relief to watch a Democratic candidate consistently hammer back on the ridiculous comments and attacks from the Republican one. John Kerry couldn't muster a defense that worked. Al Gore couldn't either (though he seems like he'd do a very good job of it these days).

Just watch this clip of Obama fighting back, and try not to smile--heck, maybe cheer.

Republicans Do Not Believe in America

In yet another excellent editorial, AmericaBlog.com's John Aravosis counters the "conventional wisdom" that Republicans believe in America and its principles. I would dearly love to see what kind of rebuttal a conservative could offer to this very truthful assessment. I can't think of a counterpoint.

[Excerpt]

Republicans simply do not believe in our democracy

. . .this kind of democracy-baiting isn't new for the Republicans. They don't like our system of jurisprudence either. They have disdain for judges - but really, it's a disdain for the entire branch of government, the very existence of the branch.

Then there are the rights and liberties underlying our country. Freedom of religion? They don't believe in freedom of religion. They believe in freedom of the Southern Baptist religion. All others need not apply. Freedom of speech? They don't believe in any speech at all anymore. Freedom of the press? They think reporters should be tried for treason. Then there's domestic spying. A crime once considered verboten. Now it's shrugged off as just another acceptable fact of every day life because, you know, we have nothing to hide. Which goes to another underlying fact of American life, the right to a lawyer and the right to be innocent until proven guilty. Republicans don't believe in those either, anymore. . .

Read the rest at: AmericaBlog.com