"...my goal is to get us out of this polarizing debate where we're always trying to score cheap political points and actually get things done". Barrack Obama, April 27, 2008

I used to think that grassroots lead all charges, but apparently not this time.  

First of all, it's Barack with one R, you troll.

Second of all,

"Senator Clinton and some others have said (lowered, conspiratorial voice) 'Oh he's so naive ... he needs a reality check, he's peddling false hopes. He is ... a hopemonger!'"
-- Barack Obama, February 15, 2008

 

but oh well, though you might be betterr off posting more fairy tales how the recent tornados are the affects of global warming.  

the significant increase in unusual and powerful meteorological activity has anything to do with climate change?  Something is not normal here and the usual "it's a natural cycle" just doesn't add up anymore.

To your point - it's safe to say this fight is going to get real ugly.  Us Democrats are not only sick of losing, but sick of losing to the dirty Rovian tricks (remember swiftboating? the wolves ad? stirring racial hatred against Ford in TN? etc, etc) that the Republicans always sink to.  Obama may stay above that activity (good for him), but I for one fully support going toe to toe (and then some) to counter every scumbag trick they are going to pull.  

On politics, the constant low-class topics aren't doing anything, and are moreorless a waste of time and potentially a wasted opportunity.  The grassroots should look more forward and focus on the positives.  I long for honest and detailed comparisons on the issues about each candidates - or something more substantive along those lines.  Not only would that be informative, but it would create a more loyal following for those not sure who they will be voting for.

Looking back at 2000 and 2004, sure those negative and in the gutter campaigns were won by Bush, but why follow that path?  Afterall, look what that element brought us - 8 years of uncertainty (at the very least), both geopolitically and economically.  I think its safe to say, while that strategy may have worked then, its obviously has no traction today, especially amongst conservatives who are mostly disenchanted with that now they have experienced the net results, which is why they have no viable candidate for the presidency.  They are left in shambles, angry and hostile, even at their own presumptive nominee.  Where's the rationale to follow that strategy into the gutter?  The GOP and their Swift boat bashing had controlled all 3 branches of gov't for a period of time, and accomplished nothing but a war, 0.5% GDP and $4 gasoline.  

RK, from my perspective, should seek to present more of an attraction to those who can ensure Obama the presidency - moderate, swing voters, the undecided.  But all this bashing right out of the gate, post-Clinton bashing, will not do much to help, especially if McCain finds a VP who can alleviate voters' fears that he heads just another conservative ticket, a la Bush3.  

I have found more enjoyment reading and learning about other prospects for the VP. Personally, I see an executive / governor type like an Ed Rendall most appealing for an Obama's presidency.  He has close ties to the Clinton camp and the old Democratic guard.  He also seems to have good corporate relations.  Someone like Rendell doesn't have an identity crisis, and offers an appeal to white males, blue-collar workers, and the gun owning voters.  Someone with that kind of influence can definitely help Obama capture more of the middle, and states like PA, WV, OH, IN, KY and MI.  I prefer military leadership remain in the Pentagon, so no wannabe's need to apply for VP (ala Cheney).  How's that for change?

And I prefer reading more advanced topics to counter the "what if's" in the McCain campaign, like what if Lieberman is McCain's VP choice.  Certainly, if McCain is going to be painted as Bush3 by the left, he'd might as well move more to the right and legitimately attract more of the disenchanted conservative, while collecting more moderates, disenchanted Democrats and former Clinton supporters with a Lieberman-type on his ticket.  McCain has plenty of experience, and I don't liken his effort to win the presidency, similar to that of the New England Patriots.

But with yet another post detailing McCain passionate affection for Bush, or another juvenile bashing of McCain, I believe offers nothing at this point.

Regarding the weather, a strong La Nina episode is responsible for the increased tornadic activity.  A stronger than average La Nina event was predicted some time ago since the seasurface temps in the eastern Pacific equatorial waters had cooled dramatically since last July.  While the waters there are now only slowly warming, hinting at a subsiding La Nina this summer, earlier this spring it was forecasted the tornadic activity which riddle the southern plains and the deep south, would move to higher latitudes as the year moved on.  

We should also expect this to continue into the summer into states like Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan; and as the area of confluence oscillates west to east and back, it would not surprise any meteorologist if tornado outbreaks extend to IN, OH, western PA and NY, as well as up the coastal plains from DE to NJ and even MA.  

Additionally, skeptics are forecasting increased La Ninas into the future, as well as longer duration of cooler episodes because of what they are claiming is a dramatic change with the driver of El Nino, the PDO (Pacific Decadal Oscillation).  They are claiming this change will result in what they are calling as the Great Pacific Climatic Shift II (the first shift occurred around 1975, which brought on a positive El Nino/ENSO and more frequent and longer warm episodes).  They (the skeptics) believe the PDO has shifted because of decreased solar activity which has taken place since 2003.  Of course this all remains to be seen but the battle b/n the AGW prognosticators and the AGW skeptics is very interesting and something I believe, people should stay informed on.    

I'll finish my babble with what the media has made no mention of, that is, while the east was in this early June heatwave, it was with the record cold in the northwest that didn't make the headlines, which sandwiched the midwest creating all the mess being experienced there.    

blog. It's also a community blog. If you think that there should be more diaries appealing to "moderate, swing voters, the undecided," then write them.  

First, I agree with Lowell about writing diaries.  You've done a few (we even promoted some to the front page) about the issues surrounding electricity generation and consumption and it sounds like you've got other topics you'd like to discuss.  Please do so.

For your political points, I mostly agree that I'd prefer to see the discussion move in that direction.  But the problem is that's not how the game is played.  You and I don't write the rules, we're stuck with 'em.  Granted, while the swiftboating, wolfing, and racism I cited may have only appealed to a few, those efforts effected many undecided swing votes or re-enforced the feelings of right wingers which guaranteed they went to the polls.  When the margins of victory are only a few points this stuff makes a big difference.

Also, I would point out that the tactics used by Team Dubya to get elected should not be confused with their incompetence and corruption while running the country.  They failed to govern well after they succeeded in using dirty tactics to their full advantage.  Using dirty campaigning does not necessarily equate to poor leadership (although it does show a lack of character in some regards).

As for weather, I saw in your comment key phrases like "stronger than average La Nina" and "record cold in the northwest".  Which leads me back to my same point - that we are seeing too much unusual activity to simply claim it's a natural cycle.  Maybe it's fair to say global warming isn't directly responsible for the tornadoes and the strong La Nina is.  But what's responsible for that?  What's responsible for unusually warm water temperatures in Gulf of Mexico - leading to more significant hurricane activity (we've already had a named storm this year!!!)?  What's responsible for the unusual/record cold in the NW?  These things can all happen naturally, but when they're piled together it's more than a fluke.

From the Crimson Tide of University of Ala...bama that was absolutely hilarious. SOmething to the effect of "Dam ya O'Bama"( in Crimson red) then with the Cafe Press typical against Obama symbol underneath. I will try and a pic up. needless to say you will not find this one in the mainstream media. CafePress=free speech and capitalism full throttle. Most of these shirts are pretty funny as long as they do not go too far I guess.