It's all about selling SOAP?

Last July, Sarah Palin's documentary The Undefeated opened to an empty theater in Orange County, California (Read More). While on the surface, the movie's box office failure was rather humorous, unfortunately, a majority of journalists missed the point on why the film was released in the first place. It's the same reason that Newt Gingrich, despite his low approval ratings in every national poll, is still campaigning for President.  
When this blogger lived and worked in the People's Republic of China, I discovered that cigarettes and alcohol were used to bribe local government officials. Indeed, the central government actually monitors the sell of expensive cigarettes to gauge the level of corruption in different cities. While the average price per pack was LESS than a dollar, several brands from Yunnan Province cost more than $110s a cartoon. 

Why? Well, cigarettes are a form of hard currency which cannot be individually traced by the government. Thus, local officials accept cartoons of cigarettes, as bribes, without drawing the attention of the central government. 

Economic crimes, such as tax fraud and corruption, routinely appear among the criminal dockets of those given the death penalty. Read More...

Intead of cigarettes, in the United States, special interest groups purchase books and DVDs (in bulk) to support candidates who support their specific agenda. Sarah Palin is a paid political commentator for Faux News. She earns more than six figures a year just giving speeches. As long as she remains a political celebrity, she'll continue selling SOAP. While I have the deepest respect for Senator John McCain, somebody spiked his Kool-Aid in 2008 when he picked Palin as his running mate.

Billionaire Sheldon Adelson Says He Might Give $100M To Newt Gingrich Or Other Republican?
Read More...

Photo of CCP Building Art, Guangzhou, PRC (August 2008).
Going Rogue: An American Life (Hardcover)

Ron Paul Wins Iowa?

Even though the GOP's establishment is carpet bombing Iowa with millions of dollars in anti-Newt campaign ads, once again, the candidate's worst political enemy appears to be the candidate himself. Seriously, Newt's mouth is like a "human hand grenade".


Believe it or not, during 2011, at one point or another, SIX different Republicans (to include Sarah Palin) have lead in the polls in Iowa. Since "7" is a lucky number, it just stands to reason that Congressman Ron Paul will narrowly win the Iowa Caucus.

Ron Paul Campaign Update: (12/23/2011)
Despite the latest media frenzy over the candidate's questionable affiliation with a series of racially charged comments printed in newsletters bearing his name, it's still possible for Paul to win the upcoming Iowa Caucus. Ironically, the newsletter controversy itself only reinforces a conspiracy theory held by many of his most ardent supporters. Basically, the so-called mainstream media (which includes Faux News) wants to derail his candidacy and silence his Revolutionary ideas.

Honestly, this blogger has never believed that Ron Paul could, would or should be elected President. Also, despite Ron Paul being upset that his integrity is being questioned, in 2011, it's fair game for reporters to ask questions regarding the comments contained within these newsletters.
Read More...

Political Quote of the Week:
"Trying to negotiate with Speaker Boehner is like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall."
~ Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

Election 2012 Update:
Mitt Romney wins Iowa with exactly six less votes than in 2008:

Possible Definition of Lamestream Media?

Rest Stop on I-35 near Council Bluffs, Iowa (March 2010).

Top "YouTube" Political Video of 2011?

Oddball Iowa: A Guide to Some Really Strange Places

A tightly closed mouth gathers no foot?

In a recent POST (read below), this blogger half-jokingly used the East Coast Earthquake to illustrate the level absurdity of some of the GOP's political attacks against President Obama. Evidently, Minister Michele Bachmann didn't get the memo.


On Sunday (August 28rd, 2011), just five days after my post, this candidate told a group of voters in Sarasota, Florida that GOD is sending a message:
"I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We've had an earthquake; we’ve had a hurricane. He (GOD) said, 'Are you going to start listening to me here?' Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet and we've got to rein in the spending." 
Read More...
While I haven't agreed with every decision made by President Obama, this blogger understands that there is NO secret magic economic pill to quick fix this economy. It will take time. But to blame President Obama for the recent earthquake or hurricane, perhaps John Wayne put it best, "Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." Speaking of which, WHO was born in Waterloo, Iowa?
Rooster Cogburn (DVD)

Post Apocalypse Reclamation Center

December 2009

Carrizozo, New Mexico

Foot-in-Mouth Update: Minister Bachmann now says her comments that the recent East Coast Earthquake and Hurricane Irene were a message from "God" was a "JOKE". Read More...

Bachmann WINS Iowa Straw Poll

Do I BELIEVE that "she believes" she'll actually be elected President? No. Based on this answer, what's her agenda?


IF Congresswoman Bachmann wants to be elected to this country's highest office, she deserves the same level of professional & public scrutiny as President Obama (and ALL the Presidents before him).

The following stories take a hard look at this candidate's personal and political background:


The New Yorker
Leap of Faith ~ 
The making of a Republican front-runner.
by Ryan Lizza
READ MORE...

Rolling Stone
Michele Bachmann's Holy War
By Matt Taibbi
READ MORE...

The Los Angeles Times
Bachmann's had her share of government aid
By Melanie Mason and Matea Gold (Washington Bureau)
READ MORE...

Army Times
Bachmann plan would cut veterans benefits
By Rick Maze
READ MORE...

There must be a reason why 67% of "polled" Republicans DO NOT like the current field of TEN candidates. It's a bit curious that Texas Governor Rick Perry waited until AFTER the debt ceiling crisis to announce his run for the White House. Can you say Karl Rove?

Oddball Iowa: A Guide to Some Really Strange Places (Paperback)