JPAC Political blog

State Of The Union

WASHINGTON--(JPAC) Barack Obama tonight delivered a speech that will be remembered as one of the best he has made. Many waited hours just to get to shake hands with the President as he walked down the isle in the senate chamber.Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the house, and Joe Biden, the Vice President sat behind the president as is tradition Before a joint session of congress, the President made remarks on everything from energy to healthcare- but relating it all to the economy. For example, the crushing cost of healthcare causes a bankruptcy in America every thirty seconds, says the newly elected Commander in Chief. President Obama promised that health care reform would not wait another year,and that America would soon be the leader again in the automobile industry. He promised education reform, stating that it was essential to receive a good education in an economy where "the best thing you can sell is your knowledge." He called for all students to participate in at least one year of higher level education, and said that high school dropouts would no longer be a factor, as it would no longer be an option. He also pledged to end tax cuts for the wealthiest two percent of Americans.he took a swipe at the former president after stating that we could not leave our Children a deficit they could not pay, or, as the president put it "The Deficit we inherited." Overall, he connected with the average Joe, speaking "as a father," and emphasizing that he too felt the effects of the economic crisis. The GOP's reaction is yet to be heard, but should be know by tomorrow, however it was just as evident as when George Bush was in office which party sat on which side of the isle.

--Brennan Jones

HUD makes "Quantum Leap" in funding, Will provide 1.6 billion dollars in Homeless relief.

WASHINGTON (JPAC)-- Today on a conference call with reporters, the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)announced record funding for his department. Much of the money will go to "rapid re-housing." This program sends millions of dollars to cities such as San Fransisco, DC, and Boston (most notably, although there are over 15 more cities and areas receiving federal aid.) This rapid re housing will help get homeless people and families out of uninhabitable circumstances and on to temporary government housing. During the Bush Administration, there were even rumors that HUD would close it's doors, but because of the foreclosure crisis, it took on a new role in American Politics. HUD has been notoriously underfunded, and these funds are a shock to many HUD employees. Shaun Donovan, the secretary, described the increase in funding as a "quantum leap." The 1.6 billion is up from 23 billion in 2008 provided by the Bush Administration as an annual budget. An additional 1.5 billion will be spent by HUD, most likely on foreclosure, but details have not yet been announced. The Secretary said that this money would "Help many who will never be homeless from becoming homeless," and also emphasized the impact on renters, a new show for HUD. and many who already were. When asked by JPAC's own Brennan Jones about homeless veterans,and how much, if any would be given, Mr. Donovan said that HUD had a "voucher" program running with the VA, but did not specify whether any of the 1.6 or 1.5 billion would be used directly for assistance to Homeless Vets. The question remains, as asked by another reporter from Miami, are the agencies ready to spend this money wisely? Never has HUD hoped for this much money before, and is expected to go and spend like if someone from JPAC would if they got a credit card. This will be the first true test of Obama's picks for high level decisions, and the first show of whether the stimulus money can be spent wisely.

-- JPAC

CORRECTION: HUD had 23 million, NOT 23 billion last year to fund homelessness projects, not as their annual budget.

Back from Hiatus, and the stimulus.

We're Back, and Washington was very busy in our absence. Before we get to all that though, one quick thing. We're very sorry that our inaugural blogs haven't been up yet. We're having some technical difficulties with the site, so we'll try to at least get some photos up. Anyway, The stimulus. Ah,the controversy. Is it too much, too little, necessary at all? Regardless to the answers of these questions, the senate passed the bill today, and is currently working on negotiations. We've requested interviews with the two senators from our Home state of Virginia, and a few prominent representatives. After these interviews are complete, if we do, in fact, get them, we'll be back with some commentary.

Thanks,
Brennan

Inaugural Blogs

We're Having a bit of difficulty with these, we were almost able to get them up live from the mall, but we'll hopefully have a full day's worth of them up by friday. Thanks for your patience,

JPAC

Jpac Inaugural Blog 2.0

TOMORROW!!!!!!!

Wow. I'm so excited. Tomorrow, Manuel (our vice president) and Alan (our Project Designer) are going to witness history.We're going to the inauguration. As media, we'll be able to access the mall 4 hours earlier than the general public, and we'll be bringing the laptop. With limited battery life, we won't be able to use it constantly, but we're looking now at a way to find a way to turn an iphone's internet into a wireless hotspot, so we MAY be able to post LIVE video blogs from the inauguration!!!!!! Anyway, the concert on Tuesday was freaking amazing, and we'll be doing a video blog later tonight. At this time tomorrow, The man we know as the decider will be Known as FORMER president Bush (or the former decider?), and we will have our first black president. Dr. King's Dream Realized. History, made.

Inaugural Video Blog version1

A look back at Bush's presidency

WASHINGTON--George, Mr. president, El Presidente, The Decider, The White House Cowboy, Bush XLIII or just plain �W.� are all names that have been thrown around as nicknames for our current and 43rd president, George W. Bush. The famous Quotes- "Is our children learning?" or, "The Terrorists will never stop thinking of ways to harm our country, and neither will we," or my personal favorite "I'm the decider, and I decide what is best!" Ah, W. What fun we've had as a nation. We'd like to thank you for all the laughs you've brought us, if only to ease nervousness about your worsening policy. The lying, the scandals, Florida, Iraq, "The Axis,� all fond memories of your presidency of which we will forever cherish. Heck, you proved that ANYONE can be president! (Dan Quayle did that job for the vice presidency with "Poppy" in �88)And all those wonderful laws passed, No Child Left Behind, The Patriot Act, and the bailout, you've left us with a pretty big mess, haven't you George? And what have you got to say for it? Oh, I remember! "History will judge my actions. And in History, We'll all be dead." Right. Despite the faltering economy, the foreclosure crisis, and Gitmo, these have been some of the funniest years in history, and we can thank you for that, Mr. Bush. The butt of millions of jokes, by liberals and conservatives alike, and sell out crowds to see someone do your impression. Oliver stone made a movie about you, and you�re not even out of office! Thanks, George. We'll never have another time like these last eight years (four of which were spent counting down the days until you were out of office). Unfortunately, good presidents tend to be less funny, but I guess you have to give and take, right? So, George, while you were responsible for the death of four thousand American soldiers and over 88,000 (at least) Iraqi civilians in a war that we entered on faulty intel, not stopping torture of inmates at secret CIA prisons, and ruining people's lives here at home because of the economic mess, it's all good. You made our lives funny. So, be content in knowing that you made a nation laugh (and cry), even though your job was to make a nation better off. Don't look at the glass as half empty, with your approval ratings, its actually three-fifths empty. Have a good month in the white house before you have to move out. Many Americans will cry when you leave, and you'll see it as sadness that you're gone, further affirming your out-of-touch assertion that you did the right thing. But we'll know one fact for certain- those tears, they will be tears of pure joy that you're gone, cries of �he�s finally out!� will ring through towns and cities all across this great nation of which you have tried so hard to screw-up royally, and that we can finally start back on that road called �progress� where you�ve set us back so many years. With that, I say a final goodbye, and good riddance.
-- Brennan Jones, Alan Tao, and Manuel Gauto

To Bagojevich- it's Called Conspiracy

WASHINGTON- We all know the story of Governor Rod Blagojevich's attempt to start his own little "Get Rich Quick" scam by selling Barack Obama's vacant Illinois Senate Seat to the highest bidder. Blagojevich's defense is rather juvenile: he didn't do anything, he just talked about it, or, he more recent, "these accusations are completely false." First off, this guy is the quintessential dishonest politician. I was seeing him do something a few months ago and could tell he was definetly pretty corrupt, just by his speaking style, and his toupee that is wearing a toupee super glued to his scalp. Anyway back to his less than thin defense, this governor apparently doesn't understand the law very well. hes incriminating himself by saying that he "only talked about these things." If what he said thee is admissible in court (and i have no idea if it is, i am anything but a legal expert) he's done. It's conspiracy to commit bribery, with a sentence of (and this is straight from the conservative blogs, so again, don;'t treat it as absolute fact) at least three years. So, governor, you best keep your mouth shut. There's no way you'll get off anyway, but if you make it too easy, you'll take all the fun out of the trial, and we don't want that.

Want Change? Bring in the old guys!

Barack Obama recently announced that he would keep Robert "Bob" gates on as the Defense Department's Lead man. Rummy's successor has orchestrated the policy in Iraq since he began the job. If Obama is so against the current Iraq policy, why keep gates? It's not like Obama doesn't have information that gates does about the war. I at least hope after we're out of iraq, gates will resign and He'll put someone like Chuck Hagel on. Obama's message of change seems not to be working to well overall though, not just with Gates on as Secy. of Defense. People like Eric Holder or John podesta, or even having a Clinton in his cabinet all bear witness to the statement that this is a second Clinton administration. While Bush is criticized for having his self-proclaimed "buddies" at cabinet level positions, Obama seems to be doing the same thing. When he's not appointing a Clinton-ite, he's appointing someone from Chicago. is this the end of the "Good 'ol Boy's" era? Or is it just anther empty promise form our leaders? I've met Barack Obama. I've seen him speak. Being at one of his rallys is the ultimate feeling. i have never felt more "Fired up and ready to go" in my life, even waiting in the rain for 8 hours in Manassas Virginia to get a seat on the backdrop bleachers on November Third. He cares. He wants to do things well. But as I stare at my George W. Bush action figure (With Authentic presidential Cowboy Boots!) i remember a man who had the same intentions, an outsider who came in, a bi-partisan leader, a reformer, a man who was like any one of us. A man, who stepped up in a crisis, and led this nation patriotically and with vigor. He proceeded to loose his touch, his leadership, and his bi-partisanship. He got caught up in the Ways of Washington, and got caught doing so. A good man turned sour. I don't want that, and we as a country can't afford, another man to get caught up in the ways of Washington. With the people who surround him now, i'm not sure that's possible.I pray, however, that it is, that he can rise above the fray. I believe in Obama. I hope against hope he doesn't disappoint.

Hillary the right choice for Secy. of State?

Hillary Clinton. What do you think about when you hear that name? For many, It is health care reform, and dedication to human rights. She was the only candidate to take a stance on and promise to do something about Human Trafficking. her health care plan would, in many expert's opinion, be better than that of her primary rival's. Why then, is she Secretary of State? that's foreign policy job, right? Although she's been in the white house, and watched her husband deal with this, is she qualified for the nations top foreign policy job? I would have loved to see Hillary as head of health and human Services. She would have not as been as high profile as she would have liked, but it is her area of expertise. ecy. of Education would have been a great job. After listening to Bill's book "My life," her credentials in the education field from Arkansas are amazing, and she came up with effective, bi-partisan legislation. I'm not saying Mrs. Clinton shouldn't have a place in the cabinet, but the head of the Department of state was not exactly what i had in mind.

- Brennan Jones and Manuel Gauto

A new chapter, a new hope, a new era. Will Obama delivier?

As we all know by now, Barack Obama i now The President elect. He won overwhelmingly in both the electoral and the popular vote (thank god!) on a promise of change, and a new hope. But will our new young president deliver. i am definetly left leaning, but i recently saw a button that caught my eye, and made me smile. It said "Silly Liberals, Checks are for workers!" While i am with Obama on virtually all positions, this is my biggest fear. i think that Obama has great ideas on the economy. He can bring us out of this recession. However, he cannot do this if he starts expanding welfare beyond it's current state, i think that people will be not be motivated to get new jobs after they are laid off, and then we have another great depression. While 95% of Americans in turn means some people getting checks rather than paying taxes at all, we will see a deeper recession if his tax plan is carried out to the full extent. Even with a democratic congress, i do not think it can be passed because many in congress care to much about themselves and their wealth to vote to give themselves a raise in taxes.

Obama will deliver a new chapter in American history, begin an age of great prosperity,but only if this can be killed in congress. If not, we're digging a deeper hole. He can and will deliver, he just needs to lay off the whole extending welfare business.

-Brennan Jones

New Robocall unfair?

A new robocall to be started tomorrow uses Hillary Clinton as it's main speaker. It uses this quote- "I am calling for John McCain and the RNC. Listen to what Hillary Clinton had to say about John McCain and Barack Obama:

�In the White House there is no time for speeches and on-the-job training. Senator McCain will bring a lifetime of experience to the campaign and Senator Obama will bring a speech that he gave in 2002. I think that is a significant difference.�

This call was paid for by the Republican National Committee at 866-558-5591 and authorized by McCain-Palin 2008.�
Now the Obama camp has already called this unfair, and as usual, whined about McCain being harsh. It's time for Obama, or at least his staffers to grow up. Just because you think your candidate is godly does not mean politics has changed. regardless of what Obama wants, the game of politics will not be changed. The world's second oldest profession, just as the oldest, will remain dirty and sometimes unlawful. It's how it's done. That will not be changed. Do i have moral and ethical problems with it? Of Course. But it's the only way you can do what's best for the people. those politicians who loose sight f what is right and get corrupt with power are wrong, but running a, on a comparative scale to most campaigns, clean race? No, nothing wrong with that.

On the ad being unfair, i think that this is, A., the best type of ad, and B, the most fair ad there is. I think if you have a quote as your ad, and thats it, you have some substance. Just as the Obama people did with the Mccain- Bush ads, so has Mccain with Hillary. It works, and its completly fair and true. To those who say that hillary has "gotten over it," B.S. She wanted that office more than anyone, and i beleive she has some great beef with Senator Obama. The only reason she's out campaigning for him is so she can run four or eight years from now.

Rosie isn't singing

Many pollsters, Obama staffers, and even some republicans are already calling the race for Obama. Let them be reminded- The Democrats are like the cubs- there's always a way to loose. It may be like Bartman in Chicago, who forced the cubs to loose their series and finish the season pre-maturely in �03, preventing a possible World Series win. Now, This Bartman could be Joe Biden, a couple more gaffes and the term Biden-ism may be coined. It could be the Hillary supporters going McCain, which has oddly been out of the news cycle lately. Who knows, bill Clinton may take on Bartman's role and say something at there 11pm rally tonight in Florida. Or, there could be the curse of the Goat, which has haunted the Cubs for a century now. The Hillary supporters that went McCain fit into this category as well. A democrat who wanted their candidate But Obama being so harsh and Hillary loosing, they curse Obama, supposing Hillary is the goat and her supporters are the old man with it. If you don't know the curse of the goat, someone tried to bring a goat into Wrigley field, they wouldn�t let it in, so he cursed the cubs. They have not won a title for a century now. Plus, Obama's from Chicago, right? I mean, that�s cubbies town. My point here is, there are ways to loose. They are unpredictable, unseen, but there are ways. So don't be too confident. Remember, you're democrats. Loosing is what you specialize in. And, as they say in baseball, It aint over Until the Fat Lady sings.

Veeps, Pt. 2

Sarah Pailin: What the��.

John McCain is not a stupid person. He has made some wise decisions in his years in office. A flip flopping, lying candidate in my opinion, doing anything for the nomination, but not stupid. Using this knowledge, why the hell did he pick Sarah Pailin? Only god knows. Sarah should know then, shouldn�t she? She is apparently on a mission from god. Sound Familiar?

She has less experience than Obama. They attack him for lack of experience. Her foreign policy credentials are being near Russia. She believes in Creationism only sciences, No sex Ed, and no abortion even in cases of rape. One of her big initiatives as mayor was making sure women were charged for their rape kits, and she�s firing up women. She�s firing up women? My god. How stupid is this country? I mean, refusing to cooperate with �troopergate?� Pulling a Cheney and claiming executive privilege? Lying about the bridge to nowhere? Yes the maybe next VP of the United states of America has done all this, and we�re sucking it all in.

Why independents vote McCain Pailin, or Pailin McCain as the ticket is really turning out to be, leaves me dumbfounded. Go back to Alaska. Go enjoy hunting moose, and fishing and the polar bears. Stay out of DC. The thing that scares me about her is that bush is a wimp. He won�t press the button. This woman will start her own little Christian jihad.

�This woman doesn�t need to know what the Bush Doctrine is, she is the Bush Doctrine!�- John Stewart

The Veeps, pt. 1

Joe Biden: The Good, The Bad, and The Hypocrisy

Joe Biden, a great man, a great statesman, and an awful pick for Vice president. I had the pleasure of Meeting this great man in what was nearly a year ago at the fall DNC meeting. He struck me as personable, kind, and as a fighter. He never had a gaffe, although I soon learned that a speech without a gaffe is a rarity for this man. I got my picture taken, got an autograph for the teacher who had let me skip school that day to go to the meeting, and went on my way.

Now into the present. Joe Biden has been picked as Barack Obama�s running mate. He�s got great credentials, has gotten major landmark legislation passed, and knows his stuff on foreign policy. Great stuff to add to a ticket. The fighter was brought out to face Mitt Romney. Well, that didn�t happen as we know, but more about that in Pt. 2. He�s a great debater, and can take on the best of the best. Much of the Democratic Party, including Hillary Supporters love him, so it�s a great deal for Obama, right? Not so fast.

The man cannot keep his mouth shut. From his now infamous �7-11� comment, to his campaign in the 1980�s where he called a supporter dumb and ignorant right in front of the camera. The man is a gaffe machine, and what is more change from the past eight years than gaffes? He�s been in Washington for over 30 years, and we�re supposed to bring a new face to Washington? Right. This man is as much of a Washington insider as I�ve ever seen.

Change is The Obama campaign�s tag line, and Biden is not a change agent. We�re bringing in people from beyond the beltway, not those who have spent 30 years inside of Washington�s �Great wall�, as Obama calls it. Plus, the attacks in the primaries really aren�t working well for them. Here�s the hypocrisy. If we want change in Washington, why not put someone a heartbeat from the presidency that�s been there for over thirty years?

Ms. Pailin, you�re next.

Back from break!

To our loyal readers,
Sorry about being away for so long. It's great to be back. We'll start blogging momentarily and then blog nearly daily as this presidential race heats up. Thanks for reading,
JPAC

McCain, Obama, and the Middle East, Oh My

Yes that is right Barack Obama is in the Middle East. Mind you, this is his first time to Afghanistan and second time to Iraq in 4years; yes, the last time he visited was before the surge. Barrack Obama has sworn to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, but just recently, he stated that if he were president he would divert troops from Iraq to Afghanistan. Obama is turning out to be a little bit of a switcher is he? Obama started his tour in Afghanistan meeting with the president and talking about issues occurring in the country, of course he had a media entourage, so he was safe. He then moved on to Iraq where he met with the prime minister of the country, who stated he liked Obama. Obama however said that Iraq is safer then it was the last time he visited, therefore meaning the surge worked, but wait, didn�t he say the surge did not work. Oh my barrack you seem to be switching and swapping a lot lately. However, he also said that Iraq has become safer not because of a higher military presence, but because of diplomatic accomplishments, come on ever since their government was established it has not done jack squat. Obama is proving more and more that he is not suited to be president, mind you right before he went on his trip he stated. "The objective of this trip was to have substantive discussions with people like President Karzai or Prime Minister Maliki or President Sarkozy or others who I expect to be dealing with over the next eight to 10 years." I guess he also does not know the constitution that he will have to swear to �serve protect and defend�. Now being as how I am the independent voice for JPAC I have to do a bit of bashing on McCain this week as well, so here we go.

McCain�s senior economical adviser, and campaign co-chairman Phil Gramm recently said �You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession," and "We have sort of become a nation of whiners, you just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline�. I am sorry Phil Gramm but how much money do you get to lobby congress for the mortgage companies? That is what I thought; maybe the IRS would like to look at your taxes one more time, let us see how much you whine. McCain of course opposed this statement. This however is a big blow to the McCain campaign because McCain is not very good with economics; they did not have them back when he was in school you know when dinosaurs were walking around. Well, let us look at the people we can elect to be president, shall we?

Barrack Obama, the inexperienced young guy from Illinois, who just recently visited Iraq for the second time in 4 years, and visited Afghanistan for the first time, who also has flipped flopped many times on many issues.

John McCain, who flies the plane �straight talk express�, the old dude from Arizona, who isn�t very savvy with economics, and wants to spend a 100years in Iraq.

Ralph Nader rather disappeared. Well he is the independent from, well wherever he is from, who really has failed at running for president every time he tried.

--Corey Pedulla

Happy 4TH!

Happy 4th of July from everyone here at JPAC! Remember 232 years ago today, the Second Continental Congress of the United States, who could not agree on anything to this point declared our nation Independent. Today is a day to remember them, and the countless men who sacrificed to the fullest extent for us. Cherish what you have, and hold dear to you what you can do. In other countries people are not so lucky, and we must not and can not take what we have here for granted. Enjoy this day, for those who sacrificed, and for our great nation! Happy Independence Day America

- Corey Pedulla

Russian Roulette In Afghanistan

The Pentagon just recently announced they are sending many more troops to Afghanistan, and extending the tours of 2200 others. This is another example of our Cowboy Diplomacy courtesy of our brave, wise, and valiant leader, still President George W. Bush (Only 201 more days!). We cannot just throw our troops around like they're plastic toys. This is not Risk, Mr. Gates, this is real war, with real death, and real consequences. We are fighting two different wars. We must understand that the tactics used in one will not necessarily work in another. Iraq was not though through and now they're going to go into Afghanistan with the simple mindset that it worked in Iraq. We are turning this into one war, and It's not! There are two wars here. One is just, the other, a simple screw up that we've dragged out for five years. I�m All behind the war in Afghanistan. Still, we must treat this war with the respect it deserves. With this troop surge, the Pentagon Is Playing Russian roulette. This is an idiot move that�s going to come back and bite us sooner or later. We cannot just throw crap out there and hope it works. This is not a game. This is life and death. Why the hell don�t we treat it that way?
And just to make it clear, the surge didn't work, i'm just using the thought process of the administration
-Brennan Jones