There I said it. I said exactly what Michelle Obama said and I agree with her. Yeah its been awhile that I been proud of my country. After 8 years of Bush, invading a country for no damn reason and this blood lust many Americans have for our nation to pisss on the constitution cause a little thing like Bill of Rights gets in the way sometimes. Yeah I haven't been so proud. Fact that we have a Govt that SANCTIONS torture now. Yeah maybe you can see why I haven't been so proud. Fact that many Americans are willing to sacrifice their personal  liberty ands privacy to allow the Govt to read our email and tap or phones. Yeah I haven't been so proud. Also the fact many Americans just don't seen to care nor participate in the electoral process while there are countries were people RIOT if they ardent allowed to vote. Yeah I haven't been proud. But this year I have taken a lot or pride. The fact that MANY Americans are registering to vote in unprecedented numbers makes me swell with pride. Many Americans are having discussions about the Govt and the nation as opposed to talking about American Idol and dancing with the stars. Makes me very proud. What makes our nation great is when the people get off their ass and participate in their Govt. Discuss their Govt. First line of the Consitution is "WE THE PEOPLE" that means you and I. That means after you take care of your family you watch your Govt cause its YOU. Those clowns in Washington work for us. And for years a lot of Americans didn't get it. They just sighed off the Govt as corrupt and stop paying attention. If the Govt is corrupt its because WE allowed it to be corrupt cause WE did not pay attention. We allowed others to  make decisions for us. So if you don't like the people who represent you then take a look in the mirror jack cause it your fault. But now this year people are getting involved, I know that ticks off some who rather discuss anything other then politics. Yeah I'm sorry that you don't like that. But America is waking up from her slumber. If you don't like discussing Politics and the govt then (to take a que from my Right Wing friends) leave it. Saudi Arbaia is a perfect place for you. They cut your head off if you have a problem with the Govt. So trust me not many people there talk politics.  And that's what Michelle Obama meant. She was very proud to see the mass amount of people registering and paying attention. Anyone who implies or belives that she didnt have pride in Ameirca before is a fool, nay, and ignorant fool. But doesn't surprise me cause most people who do think she wasn't a proud American before probably listens to Rush or watches Fox News. So yeah I agree with Michelle Obama, for the first time in a long time I am proud of my country. Now I defy you to challenge my patriotism to my face. Just come here to Afghanistan (Make sure you ENLIST first since you are the Uber Patriot) and come to Afghanistan. Pick up a weapon, man a post with me and challenge my patriotism. Cause unless you have the nads to fight for America you don't have the right to challenge my patriotism. You can do it to others if you want. But not me. My service doesnt make me more of a patriot. Hell NO. But since I dont go challenging yours even while you stay in your slumber and continue to allow others to make decions that affect you. Dont do it to me. But if you do have the balls to challenge me, then come join me in Afghanistan. We'll have a discussion about patriotism and politics. You might enjoy it. Proudly serving MY country, Spaner Jaxs

Now that we know who the nominees are I challenge Bush/McCain fans. Why your guy is better then our guy

I'm throwing the gloves on the table and I want to know what makes your guy better then mine?

I know many of you are tired of me pontificating about the world. Screaming into the void. So now I give you the opportunity to explain why you feel your guy is better then mine.

Now since I am challenging you I'll give you a warning. If you come at us with Rethuglican/Faux "News" talking points. You alredy lost.

Not saying I don't want to hear just letting you know that I will shred your arguments without mercy and expose them for the jive that they are.

I understand that you are already at a handicap cause you get most of your news sources from right wing radio, Faux, any Murdoch owned publication and of course your blatant refusal to listen to reason and logic.

Thats why I want to give you cats the heads up and warning that maybe you should do SOME research before you step into the arena.

Now Understand that you may feel  that I'm not going to listen to your arguments. Well you would be wrong, unlike you cats we at The rat NEVER fear a debate nore argument. Thats not how we roll. We NEVER edit delete any comment that is counter the Rat. See we at The Rat encourage debate. Its healthy and it helps make our nation great. So we want people to post whatever they want. All we say is if you gonna throw down under stand the Boys at The rat willl throw down back. as we said before while we are definately left of center most of us do eat red meat, watch porn and drink any man woman or animal under table. Oh yeah we never use patchouli.

We grew up in the streets of the city and not in the burbs. We drank 40 onces in old Thompkins Square park with junkies. And as you know the boys at the Rat also fight in wars unlike some of you chicken hawk Bush lovers.

So man/woman up and throw down with us. Give us your reasons why you think McSame is the better man. Try to change our mine. I promise you that if you give us a reasoned arument that you can back up with irrefutable facts. You may sway us. Hey a LOOOOOOOOOONGGG time ago soem of us at The Rat liked McSame. Hell, we'll concede that the country would be in a better place if the McSame we knew in 2000 had won instead of Bush.

But that McSame is long gone. That mcSame who Bushed smeared with racists tactics. Souled his soul and became one with the Bush clan. As we in The Rat would say "If any mutha fucker trashed my family beat him Rodney King style!" But McSame instead of defending his family decided to get in Bed with the man who implied that John McCains wife was raped by a black man and she carried his baby. (For those of you dont know the ,mcCains adopted alittle girl from bangladesh. And during the 200 South Carolina primary the Bush machine set a push poll that stated "If Cindy McCain was raped by a black man and had his baby would that change your opinion of McCain"...Yup thats what your guy did. Hope you are proud.-http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/03/21/the_anatomy_of_a_smear_campaign/

But instead of defending his family. Instead of being the "maverick", he supported Bush and become conjoined at the hip. And last year McSame voted with Bush over 90% of the time!!!! While we were struggling with high gas, housing crisis, the bungling of the wars. McSame felt what his Daddy (Bush) did was ok.

So thats your guy. Yes, we admire John McCain war record and his defense of our nation, but that young man is no longer with us. We now have this shell who promises 4 more years of the same.

Now, since you are at a handicap let me clue you in on what i'm gonna throw down, since I already know what you will:

1) Well Mccain is experienced.

Weak argument considering we just had 8 years of a President who you could argue had the most experienced brain trust then any other President in History

Cheney prior to being VP was Sec of Defense under George Bush I

Rumsfeld was Sec of Defense under President Ford

Colin Powell was Chairman of the joint chief of staff

and the coup de grace

HIS FATHER WAS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!! How much more experience do you need going into the White House?????

yet with all that brain trust Bush still fucked shit up!

Inane Foreign policy
Housing crisis
Out of control gas prices
divided nation!

The list goes on an on with his incompetence! Yet With all that screw up McCame feels that the nation is going in the right direction and voted with the President OVER NINETY PERCENT OF THE TIME! So spare us the experince jazz cause it wont cut it. We at the Rat are willing to take a chance with intelligence and fresh ideas then with experience and stupidity which is what we got for the last 8 years.

2) MCain will knows how do deal with Iraq

What part of wanting to keep us in Iraq for a hundred years do you not understand!?!?!? Thats not an exist strategy thats aman who doesnt know how to fiux the mess He and Bush created in 2003. I saw HE and Bush cause mCain VOTED for the war in Iraq!

Now you may come back with "McCain saw the same intelligence the President did and thats why he voted that way". Looks I saw the same speech Colin Powell gave in 2003 and I knew it was crap (They showed us DRAWINGS of mobile labs not ACTUAL mobil labs..HELLLO!?!?!?!) and unlike you, Bush and McCain We LISTENED to the weapons inspectors who said "WE CANNOT FIND WMD!!" So yeah your guys saw flawed intelligence and voted us into a war. While my guy saw something different and said he would should not have went to war. Obama has stated he's not against all wars just dumb wars which is what the Iraq war is..A war mind you that you Bush voters VOTED to continue in 2004. Cause your your man the president said "If you vote for me you vote for the war" and WE TOTALLY AGREE WITH HIM!!!

3) mcCain knows foreign policy-Are you kidding me? This man this year alone has made numerous mistake about the situation in Iraq:

Get the troop levels wrong

Didnt know who the Prime Minister of Iraq was

Didnt know Ronald Reagan negotiated with Iran when umm HE DID!

And finally McCain confused Sunnis with shites

If Obama made HALFof those mistakes much less all of them You Bush lovers would have screamed bloody murder about him being naive and inexperience. But since it was your boy you will say "ohh that just a campaign gaffe"..NO. when you do it once its a gafffe. Whenyou do it morethen once he's either clueless or senile. (Oh if you didnt know about these blunders, we understand, you watch Faux.)

4) Mcain will be fiscally responsible-Ar eyou joking? First off your guy Bush has preside over the biggest goverment in US history. No other President has spent our money like a drunken sailor like Bush has. Bush has NEVEr reogned in spending our money and mcCain has voted for these crazy out of control spending budgets that Bush proposes.

5) We havent been atatcked since 9/11. McCain will follow the Bush doctrine: Look i'll be nice if your honestly feel the war in Iraq is keeping us safe because were in Iraq then maybe we should stop before we start cause. First off 4000+ Americans (including 2 more today) are dead because the President Lied. Thats 4000 Americans would be alive to day if we never were in Iraq.  I cannot seperate those deaths with us not being attacked. Especially since IRAQ HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH 9/11!!!!! Damn! Now afghanistan had something to do with 9/11 and the president has been negelecting us BG time as the recent reports of the increase in violence HERE. BUt we will agree with the president on one thing the next 9/11 attack will be planned and carried out from afghanistan. Thank God Obama recognizethat unlikeMcCain whostill wants us in

Thats just 5. So I already gave you some of my repsonse your talking points which I already know.

So there iit is. Defend your guy! We promise we will post your response clean.

Oh yeah ifyou come at us with Rev. Wright..Prepare for an onslaught of biblical  preprotions regarding John mCain and the holy rollers who endorsed himm and chile....boy do WE HAVE video!!!

Can't belive that this is finally over. After over a year of hard work and fighting the primary season is over and the best person has won. Make no mistake Obama is THE best candidate who was running. He had the best ideas, best vision and frankly the man looks like a President.

We should all be proud of the hard work we all put in, (Well most of us, I had to bail due to my military commmiment). 

While I had MAJOR issues with Hillary number one being she doesn't know when to quit, I do like that the nominee was put through the ringer and it prepared him for the onslaught that will come from the Republicans and their right wing smear machine. But our guy is ready and if he can handle the Clinton appreatus he can handle anything.

I know history was made yesterday but to me the big thing is'nt that he is a black candidate. No, to me the best thing is our candidate is THE BEST person running for President in either party since God knows when. The fact that he is black (well, to be honest he is bi-racial, to ignore that is a slap to his mother who raised him) is a minor yet special thing.

Look at the people. Look how motivated they were at his rallies. It's not just his speeches (which reminds me of an old Chris Rock joke about how people would say Colin Powell speak so well. THEY ARE EDUCATED MEN!!! HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO SPEAK. I'm sorry when people remark on Obama being articulate I find it offensive. How would people expect a Harvard Graduate and editor of the Law Review to speak????)

But I digress, but it is the man. The man the people are excited about and what he represents. The man who in 2004 spoke about uniting this country. The man who spoke about hating the "Red State v. Blue State" crap that has hurt us over the last 8 years.

The man who is about TRUE change. A change and focus on issues that affect ALL Americans. A President who will focus on the environment, who will focus on a SANE foreign policy. Who will focus on health care. Who will appoint judges who are intelligent and not just right wing zombies. A President who will focus on the PEOPLE. cause it was the people. The people who sent in 20 bucks who got him where he is today. And not just black people (if every black person in America votes for Obama he STILL will not be where he is today nor in the White House unless a substantial amount of White, Hispanic, Asian what have you, also join him. The math doesn't work that way) Americans of different colors, faiths and creeds who belived in this man, who listen to this man, who read and studied this man, they liked what they saw and they jumped on. The people. Not just fat cats on Wall Street or lobbyist. But the people! US! We who support him belive that he will represent us.

Thats why he won!

I dont know if Obama will be a great President, heck I don't know if he will be a good  president. But I do know this. He is the best candidate for the job and he is the first candidate in years I am excited about because of what he brings to the table. If you don't belive me go to his website and study his ideas. Trust me after reading  you will be as excited as I am.

As I said before, in a bar in Brooklyn many months agao. He can win. So far he's proved me right.

A long time ago I read somewhere that the American people never get the President they want. A leader who is about the people. A leader who understand the people. No, we never get that guy. We always get the ones we deserve like Bush and Nixon because:
A) Americans hardly pay attention
B) The candidates running for the most part have been mutts.

Now we have a guy we want. We're half way there. Please keep up the good work, and lets get a President we want, instead of the one we deserve. 

After 8 years of hell, its time. 

Spanner Jaxs,
Afghanistan

College educated man serving his country voluntarily,
Spanner Jaxs

Look I get that elections are a messy business I really do. Hell thats part of what I admire about the Clintons is they use the Republican playbook against Republicans. I wish Democrats would be willing to get more inthe gutter. But some of what Hillary is doing is WAY out of line:

A) Whining about Mich and Florida eventhough she AGREED to the rules concerning Mich and Florida BEFORE the primaries started not after.

B) Her claim that hers state wins are more important then Obama's wins. Yes Obama has one many states becuase of the huge turnout n black voters. BUt he has also won states were there isnt ahuge black population Oregon, South Dakota, Iowa..Why ist it those states dont count? And then whats her excuse if Obama win Montana???

C) Hillary has been playing the race card big time. Thats not paranoia, thats just fact.

D) The elitist bullshit. Hillary has to explain to me how a black man  froma broeken home and his mother was on food stamps is the new elite? And you and I BOTH know that a sensitive subject for Democrats CAUSE THATS WHAT THE FUCKING REPUBLICANS CALL US EVERYDAY!

E) Yes. Obama hasnt reach the magic number but we also know its mathematically impossible for her to get the nominatiom. Yet she still in it. And lets be Frank. If Hillary does drag this to the convention and does somehow get the nomination. Do youthink the black voters in the Dmeocratic party are just gonna forgive and forget? Wether Hillary and Obama like it or not without the black vote they both are toast. I'm not saying neither side shouldnt contimnue o reach out.. I pray to God they do. What this country needs now more then anything is unity. But not just unity in race which weridly is actually a minor thing. But Unity between the two parties. The common enemy has divided this nation based on part and politics more then any other administration in history. I wasnt talking aout my ass when I said liberals have put up with a lot over the last 8 years. We have. It was disgusting. And people on the other side act like they didnt nothing wrong is the smearing and attacks on our patriotism.

Thsi is were we are at now. And thats why I feel this election is SO IMPORTANT.

Make no mistake this election is either about REAL change or 4 more years of Bush... John McBush has already stated voting for him is voting for Bush 3. We cant afford 4 more years of that. Look were we are? Out of control gas prices inteh face of out of control Gas corporation profits, the housing crisis, 2 wars with apparantly no end and oneof those wars is far more criticle then the other YET its woefully neglected.

Do we really want another 4 years of that? I know I dont.

And I guessthats why I am so angry at Hillary cause shes doing whats best for her and not whats best for the party which THIS YEAR is whats good for the nation.

Look if she had an honest REALISTIC shot, then I couldnt argue with her staying. BUt she doesnt. The math doesnt work and now she is bleeding super delegetes. So whats the point? "Well Obama doesnt have the magic number yet". So lets drag this to the convention. Continue to fracture the party. Then if she does win, GALVANIZE the Republican base which has been in a daze. Then go into Novemeber with a demoralized divided Democratic party and an emergize Republcan party. Is that her goal?

Make no mistake, that's what at stake here. Obama doesnt bring out the taste of blood that Hillary bring out to Republicans and Conservatives. And asI said beforeI know people who are apolitical who will register to vote specifically to vote against her. Thats whats she
is up against but before that she has to make peace with the black voters who for the first time in history might be able to tell their children. "YES, you can be president. Even if you come from a broken home and your momma was on Food stamps cause thats were the President
came from!" I know soem may not like to hear that hell even I dont cause franly I'm tiredof the race shit. But thats just reality. Hillary opened that can if she wins the nomination she has to close it.

She cant win. If this was Obama you be telling me the same thing. You know i'm right.

And Operation Chaos DID NOT help Obama in Texas. But it DID help Hillary in indiana. So Rush Limbaugh and his SHAMEFUL game is still dragging this thing out. Cuase if Obama had won Indidan Hillary be done. Cuase the argurment that SHE not anyone else but SHE continues to preach is..I GET THE WHITE WORKING MAN vote. Thats her!

Shit you got be so worked up I used up my 30 min GRRRRRR but I still love ya' :-)

Dodging Republicans and the Taliban,
Spanner Jaxs

I just want to point out all my liberal "Un-American" friends out there that the amount of real support and love I recived from you guys moves me terribly. You can't even imagine. Instead of slapping some goddamn bumpersticker on your car or any of that jazz that means nothing to us here, you guys came out and asked me "Dude what is it you need and how can we help?" and some of you have already helped. I so appreciate it I really do.

Had one friend try to help me find ammo pouches. (Long story but the Army is short on a specific pouch I need for my SAW... its called a "nutsack".) People have sent me clothes to donate. One friend went to Church (Which is something she doesnt normally do) and pray for me. (I still carry her letter with me in my uniform.) Friends sent me snacks, food, magazines, books, DVD. I mean the support is just overwhelming.

And I'm not tryin to be political but I did find it ironic that it comes from you "Un-American" Liberals. You guys who took heat from Bush lovers. You guys were mocked at after we lost in 2004. You guys who had your patriotism questioned. From you guys. Despite all the abuse you guys still step to the plate and got what supporting the troops is about even when those who claim to love us troops dared to question your love of our nation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And do me a solid? Don't ever buy one of those goddamn bumperstickers. Rather you spend that money donating to the USO. Thanks for the support and love. I cant tell you what it means.

Un-American Liberal Serving in Afghanistan,
Spanner Jaxs

John McBush wasnt joking when he said that his administration would be a 3rd Bush Administration.

http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/mccain-lays-out-vision-for-first-term/20080515065909990001

He wants us in Iraq until 2013! Let me say that slowly Two Thousand THIRTEEN!!!

Thats 5 years from now!!! Thats thousands more American lives for a lie! Lets think about that 5 years and this IF Iraq gets on its feet again if ever. (Oh and by the way we heard the same song and dance about Vietnam and how long did that last???)

I mean if you REALLY think the Iraq war is worth it. IF you really think spending 5 years in that miserable place is worth it then PLEASE vote for McCain and then please go to the following websites if you are old enough or if you arent or are too old please forward these web site to family members who are old enough to serve. And BEG them to serve in your place. beg them to put thier neck on the line for a lie. Cause Voting for another 5 years of this war its finally time the people who vote for it feel some of the pain. Cheer leading from a far doesn't cut it any more.

2013..........

www.goarmy.com
www.marines.com
www.airforce.com
www.navy.com
www.1800goguard.com

Do the right thing if you want us in Iraq til 2013.... and if you dont then you know what to do also and his name isnt John McBush.

Dusting up ther Taliban,
Spanner Jaxs

As a Gen X its really sad but true. Gen X is apathetic and really doesn't care about much,. They don't engage in discourse regarding our  nation they rather stay home say "who cares" and watch American Idol.

Thank God the kids that followed us do give a damn. This year's election is a perfect example of a Generation fired up about change. They recognize the poisonous political environment all we live in. The recognize that responsible Americans must pay attention to what their leaders do ALL the time and not every 4 years. They get it. We have RECORD numbers of young people registering and getting involved.

When I was working with the Obama campaign on a grassroots level it really moved me seeing these young people so dedicated. They really did care about their nation. They didn't talk about it they were doing. I mean these were kids barely out of college taking time out of their day to go to a cafe in Williamsburgh planning and spending whole days doing voter registration. These kids weren't slackers. They were bright, articulate and they were going places (one kid was a graduate of Brown and she was in Law school.)

They know that the Baby boomers who talked revolution talked a good game yet sold out. Gen X didn't care. So Gen Y (Why?) is doing something about the mess we created. Got off their ass and are trying to do something about it.

Gen X let 2000 happen. We just took it up the back side and said "Who cares". Then 4 years later we let ourselves get punked cause every 10 minutes we had the boogie man on TV talking about how "Terrorist will come over and take over our nation" or the smoking cloud in the form or a backpack nuke!! And then after the election? They mysteriously disappeared. The great boogie man was gone. Did the threat just magically go away? Hell NO! You were punked! Whining about gas prices, housing crisis and what not wont change a damn thing. You must participate.

I know I'm on my soap box but it sad that people are more willing to talk about their sex life then they are about their Govt. That's tragic.

And dont give me that crap "I have more important things to do." We all do. I damn sure do. But we alls should make or find time to watch the people we elect. Your family, friends, job and the Govt have DIRECT impact on your life..Not sports, not American Idol, 24 or Survivor. Those are entertainment they do nothing for you but entertain.

The Gov't raises taxes. That affects you. Gov't goes to war that affects you. Gov't wants to spy on your email and phone calls that affects you. An actor playing Jack Bauer doesn't affect you in the least. Its like eating candy.

If you have time for Jack, then you damn sure have time for Uncle Sam cause unlike Jack, Uncle Sam can has and will continue to eff you. Unless you do something about it.

Pay attention. Its your responsibility.

Deep in the bowels of Afghanistran,
Spanner Jaxs