Michelle Obama to return to N.C. (WRAL.com Raleigh)
Michelle Obama to appear on Larry King (eNewsReference.com)
Michelle Obama e-mail uses Naples woman to ask for grassroots support (WINK TV Southwest Florida)
Michelle Obama Back In N.C. On Tuesday (NBC 17 Raleigh)
ELECTION 2008: Michelle Obama drops in on debate party (Detroit Free Press)
Michelle Obama Visiting Eastern Carolina (WITN 7 North Carolina)
Michigan has power to elect for change, Michelle Obama says (Detroit Free Press)
Success of the middle class key to nation's success, Michelle Obama tells Saginaw crowd (The Bay City Times)
Michelle Obama: It's time to invest, end some tax breaks, improve education and decide when to withdrawal troops (The Saginaw News)
Saginaw beauticians put the frizzies on hold for Michelle Obama (The Saginaw News)

Well, for the same reason I supported Mike Huckabee during the Presidential primaries (even though some of his desires to legislate morality frankly scare the bejesus out of me, pun intended), I have to now throw my support to the Libertarian ticket. For one simple reason: they stand on principle, no matter how unpopular that may be. When Huckabee came out strongly against same sex marriage, for instance, I cringed. A lot. But I still supported him for standing on his principles, and knowing that the U.S. Supreme Court would never allow a nationwide ban on gay marriage (or at least domestic partnership), because that's an issue for the individual states, per the 10th amendment. But, I digress.
Believe me, I have struggled with this since late Wednesday night, even having internal shouting matches over it. Why Wednesday night, you ask? Well, that's when the U.S. Senate, taking up the role of Igor, flipped the switch to send lightning into the patched-together monstrosity that is the bailout bill, bringing the ragged and mismatched corpse back to life, to the detriment of peaceful villagers everywhere. John McCain, in a move that completely negated his supposed "leadership" in going back to D.C. and suspending his campaign the week before, stood up and voted FOR the bill. Knowing that Obama & Biden would vote for it, this was his golden opportunity to stand up and signal to America and House Republicans that this was an awful bill. Perfect timing Thursday morning for a press conference, "I voted against the bill last night because it is wrong for America. I suspended my campaign to come back to Washington and get the Republicans a seat at the negotiating table. The Bush administration cut a deal with the Democrat Party to give away 700 BILLION of your tax dollars to companies that caused this mess. Americans shouldn't stand for that, and I WON'T stand for it. But Barack Obama and Joe Biden will. That's not leadership."
But NOOOO! He had the cojones or just plain ignorance to go along with it and flush his campaign down the crapper.So, as much as Bob Barr's stance on the Iraq war, and Wayne Allyn Root's, well, himself-ness just leave a horrible taste in my mouth, at least they have both had the courage of conviction to stand their ground and oppose this Ridiculocity at the top of their lungs. From day one. They've earned my vote, and I hope you'll seriously consider that on November 4th when it's your turn to be alone in the booth handling your lever. ;-)

Characters / Personajes:

[gallery]

In English | En español

Some days ago, millions of people saw the vice-presidential debate between Biden and Palin (it was fine and there were no blows), and tomorrow Tuesday (October 7th), we’ll see Obama and McCain again (I smell another win for …). Although people may be in complete disagreement with the ones from the opposite party, even members from both political affiliations can have fun at Atom.com by playing a cool Flash game à la Mortal Kombat called Kung-Fu Election.

Let’s begin with the gameplay. You may be disappointed (or not) because of the lack of fatalities, but the gameplay, control and mechanism feels like the one from the 90s versions of Midway’s Mortal Kombat and Atari’s Pit Fighter. The action is not like the one in 2D Capcom fighting games, but it’s still fun to play.

The graphics are realistic. I'm surprised by the realistic graphic details of the game. The characters look awesome, but make sure your PC has a normal amount of RAM. Even in computers from two or three years ago, if your PC has 256MB DDR, it would work a bit slow. Make sure you don't have that many applications open or in use. Anything higher than that should be good.

The characters have been updated, meaning people can choose a fight between Palin and Hillary Clinton. Of course, some of the previous presidential candidates are present like Guillani, Biden, Richardson, Edwards, Romney and others. Edwards (he does a Hadouken to freeze his opponent just like Sub-Zero) and Bill Clinton (you can see him when you use one of Hillary's special moves) both look like Ryu, and Hillary seems to be a fan of Chun-Li, from Street Fighter II. Cindy McCain has the same costume as the main character from Kill Bill, while Huckabee and Giuliani look somewhat like Raiden and Baraka (not Barack). Biden's character seems to come from Namco Bandai's Soul Calibur games. Michelle Obama is also present in the game.

Every character has two special attacks. Make sure to practice with your favorite fighters a lot in the training room to execute their attacks effectively and get to understand your opponents' abilities as well. The one I don't like that much is Palin's hockey stick because it can turn into a rifle and can fire three bullets at you, one at a time. That special attack may take some of fun away from the game, unless you find out someone else’s special move to counterattack with, or be patient in order to learn your opponents’ techniques to beat him or her. The same can happen with other characters as you get to play the game. There’s no time limit (cool!), and no way to pause the game ( :( ). My wish list: a 2-player mode, and an online mode (like Street Fighter Online), and maybe even add past presidents like George Washington. It’s a great Flash game to play. I’d like to know now if the current president is a hidden playable character (like Goro is in Mortal Kombat Armageddon).

If you've played Bible Fight (where there is a hidden, playable character indeed) on AdultSwim.com and had lots of fun with it, then you should definitively try Kung-Fu Election. Unlike politics, this is fun. Like politics, be careful as to whom to choose. At least, in this game, the best fighter will win without cheating. To play this game, go to www.kungfuelection.com.

En español | In English

Hace unos días, millones de personas vieron el debate vice-presidencial entre Biden y Palin (estuvo bueno y no hubo golpes fuertes) y mañana martes (7 de octubre) veremos a Obama y a McCain otra vez (ya huelo otro triunfo para …). Aunque la gente pueda estar en desacuerdo completo con la gente del partido opuesto, incluso los miembros de ambas afiliaciones políticas pueden divertirse en Atom.com al jugar un juego chévere Flash à la Mortal Kombat con el nombre de Kung-Fu Election.

Comencemos con el juego en sí. Tal vez se encuentre decepcionado (o no) por la falta o carencia de las fatalidades, pero el juego, control y mecanismo se parece al de las versiones de Mortal Kombat de Midway y de Pit Fighter de Atari. La acción no es como la de los juegos de combate 2D de Capcom, pero aún es divertido para jugarlo.

Los gráficos son realísticos. Los detalles gráficos realistas del juego me sorprendieron. Los personajes parecen impresionantes, pero asegúrense de que su PC tenga una cantidad normal de RAM. Incluso en computadoras a partir hace de dos o tres años, si su PC tiene 256MB DDR, trabajaría un poco lento. Cerciórense de que ustedes no tengan muchas aplicaciones abiertas o en uso. Cualquier cosa mayor que eso debe ser bueno.

Los personajes han sido actualizados, y eso quiere decir que la gente puede escoger una pelea entre Palin y Hillary Clinton. Claro, algunos de los candidatos a la presidencia están presentes tales como Guillani, Biden, Richardson, Edwards, Romney y otros. Ambos, Edwards (él hace un Hadouken para congelar a sus contrincante como Sub-Zero) y Bill Clinton (lo pueden ver cuando usan uno de los movimientos especiales de Hillary), se parecen a Ryu, y Hillary parece que es una hincha o fanática de Chun-Li, de Street Fighter II. Cindy Mc Cain lleva el mismo traje que la de la personaje principal de Kill Bill, mientras que Huckabee y Giuliani se parecen en algo a Raiden y Baraka (no a Barack). El personaje de Biden parece que viene de los juegos de Soul Calibur de Namco Bandai. Michelle Obama también está presente en el juego.

Cada personaje tiene dos ataques especiales. Asegúrense de practicar con sus combatientes favoritos bastante en la sala de entrenamiento para ejecutar sus ataques efectivamente y para que de igual manera lleguen a comprender las habilidades de sus oponentes. Lo que no me gusta mucho es el stick de hockey de Palin porque se puede convertir en un rifle y puede disparar tres balas, una a la vez, a ustedes. Ese ataque especial puede quitar por sí mismo la diversión del juego, a menos a que encuentren el movimiento especial para contraatacar con el movimiento especial de alguien más, ó sean pacientes para aprender las técnicas de sus oponentes para vencerlos. Lo mismo puede suceder con otros personajes a medida que jueguen el juego. No hay tiempo límite (¡qué chévere!), y no hay manera de poner pausa en el juego ( :( ). Mi lista de deseos: un modo de juego para dos jugadores, y un modo online (como en Street Fighter Online), y tal vez aumentar a presidentes del pasado como George Washington. Es un juego Flash divertido para jugar. Me gustaría saber ahora si el presidente actual es un personaje oculto capaz de ser escogido (como Goro en Mortal Kombat Armageddon).

Si han jugado Bible Fight (donde sí hay un personaje oculto jugable) en AdultSwim.com y se han divertido bastante con eso, entonces definitivamente debería tratar Kung-Fu Election. No como en la política, este es divertido. Como en la política, cuidado a quien escoja. Por lo menos en este juego, el o la mejor combatiente ganará sin hacer trampas. Para jugar este juego, vayan a www.kungfuelection.com.

I think as things get more difficult, one tends to turn toward their core values to get back, or even stay, on track.  I have edged closer to my own core values also.

A great man reminded me of a great principle.  Everything works for the Greater Good.

He explained that, everything works for the Greater Good. Not...everything good, but the good, the bad and the ugly work for the Greater Good. 

When I hold true to the values in my heart, I make the right decision every time.  Additionally, I think we should pray for our country, and we should pray for our current and future leaders. 

One should never forget that our country is one of the best places to live, and we can show our pride by getting out to vote. There are millions who do not have that privilege, and subsequently don’t share that pride in their corner of the world.

We can make a Bigger Difference.  Please be sure to get out and vote.  McCain-Palin gets my vote.  God bless America.

Dang. You know what? Politics in our country suck. I've heard both the right and left say the same thing--not just about each other--but in general. I mean, is this the best we can do?! Then, when you finally have an awesome candidate come onto the scene, he gets shot down...come back to us Mike Huckabee.  We miss your awesomeness...

P.S.--I'm still making/selling shirts with this graphic on it in many different colors...if you're interested in one, drop me a line...

To pass some time until the show starts, I will share a few paragraphs from the Chapter 'STOP Being a Selfish Citizen' from the book From Hope to Higher Ground.

This quote starts out the chapter: "The galleries are full of critics that play no ball, fight no fights, and they make no mistakes because they attempt nothing. Down in the arena are the doers, they make mistakes because they attempt many things. The man who makes no mistakes lacks the boldness and spirit of adventure. He is the one who never tries anything, he is the brake on the wheel of progress, and yet it cannot be said that he truly makes no mistakes because the biggest mistake that he makes is the fact that he tried nothing and does nothing except to criticize someone who does do things."                    Theodore Roosevelt

Huckabee words: " Theodore Roosevelt reminds us that the easiest work of all is the work of criticizing the real work that others do. America needs to be restored to its greatness where it faithfully and responsibly serves its own citizens ...."

"It will require more than the shouting matches on the cable networks; more than clever monologues on talk radio; more than hours of phoned-in hysteria or blogs of emotional and irrational ravings from people with more time on their hands than information in their heads. Neither will America's greatness be discovered inside the circle known as the Washington Beltway".

"America's greatness will be around the dinner table where families gather..."

While I liked reading all of these words, it is the last sentence that seems important to me.

The promos I have seen state that Huckabee will be talking about issues that have to do with Americans, kitchen table topics, and how what is going on in politics today relates to them.

From what I have seen this week coming out of D.C. it seems that a very few Republicans are standing up for what the tax paying Americans do not want.

I have heard everything from the average American is too dumb to understand the issues to that a depression will occur if the big bucks aren't shelled out by Monday. Let's bail out the big guys at the expense of the dumb voters. Let's share money with groups that have shown despicable ethics and have not seemed to learn their lesson. (Kind of hard to do when no one holds them accountable!)

Mike Huckabee is a "doer". I am thankful that FOX News has given Huckabee the opportunity to let more people make up their own minds about him and not rely on what the media types think about Mike and his conservative views. I am hoping that Huckabee will enlighten us on what is really happening with the ones making the decisions in D.C.

I trust Huckabee more that Reid, Pelosi, and company!

 Fox premiered its new show 'Huckabee', after a two hour debate analysis special of Hannity and Colmes which should have secured a fairly strong retention of viewership, if the feverish anticipation of Huckabee's election supporter base would not have been enough in and of itself to secure good ratings.

The show featured the innovative format of an unscripted audience 'townhall style' Q and A along with more traditional elements of talk shows like the requisite host monologue and guest segments.

A few things stood out to viewers and new fans of the show. Huckabee did not make himself the 'star' of the show. He was a brilliant facilitator, in the sense that he actually allowed his guests to fully answer questions or make commentary without interruption; a lesson that the Hannity's and O'Riley's of the talk world would be well advised to learn. As a result there was almost no crosstalk to devolve into a shouting match, and the feeling tone of the entire show was much more reminiscent of an Oprah or Ellen sit down than a pundit's sound off. He was warm, personable and funny without being over the top.

This is not to say that the show was not substantive. It was very much so. The segment with Elizabeth Hasselback of The View, which could have had the potential to devolve into a fluff piece about her role on the show, actually featured the roll out of the now infamous God ____ America clip of Rev. Wright as the set up for Elizabeth's commentary of her interrogation of Obama for his relationship with Wright on an episode of The View. Without sensationalizing or editorializing about Obama himself, Huckabee provided a forum for a discussion of some of the concerns that association raised. This was significant, mainly because to date, Rev. Wright has been off the table for discussion during the campaign, and the inclusion of the clip could provoke an outcry from hardcore Obama supporters.

The segment signaled two things, Huckabee will not be afraid to take on controversial subjects, and that while he will be 'vertical' or positive and forward looking in his commentary, he is still a conservative. This first guest spot was clearly a red meat nod to the base.

Also featured in this opening show was some substantive economic commentary by a first rate line up of guests: Alexis Glick, producer of one of the Fox business shows, David Ramsey, popular host of his own business show, and Geraldine Ferrarro, whose role was to give some congressional perspective on what might be going on behind closed doors during the bailout talks.

While there was a sense of urgency about the need of the bailout package discussed, it was with distinctly comforting overtones. Ferraro pointed out that we've made money on previous similar deals, Ramsey postulated that the world did not come to an end when no deal was brokered by Friday, and Glick redirected attention to the root cause of the problem which she tied to the Democrat sponsored and pushed Community Reinvestment Act. Huckabee himself proposed the stimulation of the economy via the elimination of the capital gains tax as one example of something that could be part of a non-bailout package which he is deeply opposed to.

Interspersed between segments and ads, were the audience interaction segments where audience members were able to direct questions to both Mike and the guests at different points in the program. The connectivity and authenticity of those moments are sure to be a major part of the appeal of this show, and I think those moments should be increased, even if it means cutting the length of one of the guest segments.

The creation of the Fox news house band was a stroke of genius. There is a certain appeal to seeing folks you have known in front of the camera in one capacity, in another. Especially if they actually have talent. Further, by reaching out into the Fox family and giving them a sense of 'ownsership' in the program, Huckabee will begin to neutralize some of the resistance that there may have been to him there in some quarters. Make no mistake, Huckabee will run for office again someday, probably for president. He's young enough to wait 20 years if he has to, and as we have seen this election, things are so much easier when you're not fighting the media all the way through the process.

While no details have yet surfaced about how the show did ratings wise, or in MSM commentary, feedback in the netroots has been positive where discussion has been taking place. The consensus was that an hour of Huckabee is not enough.

Following are a sample of some of the comments posted to Huckabee's PAC blog and on other message boards around the web.

We had --actually still having--a "watch party" for Huckabee. The best description comes from a neighbor who was not a Huckabee supporter during the primary. He said it was about time there was a talk show host who was not only smart and funny but also kind. If he had known more about Mike during the primaries, he would have voted for him instead of Thompson.

Loved Huck's new show and the first place I went was to shoot an email to Fox letting them know it was GREAT!! I also ps that the band idea, pulling folks from Fox with all different types of jobs there was pure genius!! Like America, diverse!!! Loved the question section at the beginning where Mike just answered off the cuff. He is so good at that!!! Loved the interview with Elizabeth. The bailout disucssion seemed a little rushed (everyone tried to talk too long), but other than the fact that maybe Fox needs to give Mike 2 hours instead of one, it was GREAT!!! I will be watching tomorrow night when I have folks coming over for dinner. We are having a "Huckabee" party.

Didn't really know what to expect from the show, but I thought the whole format was very well conceived and executed. There wasn't a moment of the show where I felt uninterested in. I like the fact that Mike lets his guests speak without interrupteing them (e.g. Hannity). The economic discussion was excellent except that I wished it had gone on a bit longer so the guests could have debated the subject a bit more in depth (darn time constraints). Wasn't sure what to expect from the band, but they were pretty good too.

 

My dad and I watched the show and enjoyed it very much.

loved the question and answer part. the response to the question about barrowing from a 401 to pay off high credit bill. was one that our family had struggled with the thought of. glad to find the answer, before we made the mistake. Thanks.

Almost 100 comments have been posted to the pac blog thus far, and I'm sure many more will come once the Sunday night viewers get their opportunity to experience the show first hand. If you haven't had the opportunity to catch the show, do so. The repeat showing should air at 8pm ET tonight assuming that news of a deal on the bailout doesn't trump regular programming.

Former members of the Huckabee campaign observed to an attendee at the taping yesterday, that the show was not scheduled to begin airing until Janurary, obviously the Fox bigwigs know a cash cow when they see one. Huckabee will be very profitable for the network if his track record of maximum reward with limited investment holds true.

The full tale has yet to be told, but as a first at bat, 'Huckabee' definately makes a solid base hit.

His Handmaiden

Links to review commetary

http://my.huckpac.com/?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=1904

http://forum.hucksarmy.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15922&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=45

We here at A Nice Place™ believe that when looking for a candidate their competence and position on the issues does not matter.  Rather, it is their image and the ability to make us laugh.  Or to entertain.  As Mike Gravel lost the Libertarian Party nomination to Bob Barr, we have been split between Ralph Nader, and a Mike Huckabee write-in.  Given that Mike Huckabee recently got a talk show on Fox News, we see him as out of the running.  However, Ralph Nader is really desperate, and desperately funny.

Therefore Ralph Nader is now the official candidate of A Nice Place™.

I agree that Sean's routine is greatly needed now ... especially when you consider that we have to try to counterbalance a whole media that people are exposed to and the lawyer mentality of hammering sound bites, whether or not your client is guilty, never admitting that you are wrong. I mean, the debate was just like Rudy Giuliani said, a resounding victory for McCain ... both in content and in vibe. But the other side won't admit the truth and just keeps hammering its sound bites ... which often sound like grasping for straws and are even "penny wise and pound foolish" when compared to the Obama skeletons and the Biden misinformation (which makes you wonder how anybody could trust anything that he ever says now as being truth.) But you can see the great lack of joy and peace in their faces for taking that approach, as opposed to the smiles and glows of Rudy, Sean, Sarah, John, Mitt, etc. Also, Mike Huckabee, who has a new show on Fox starting today at 5 PST, and Sean has a special today. This really is a situation of good vs. evil. "You shall know them by their fruit". A skill (the "dark arts") of being a lawyer is to be a "masters of deception". That's one reason why there is the public perception of lawyers being so generally hated. (Plus the amount of their overpayment and greed in settlements).

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

The show will be called "Huckabee."  I'm sure the name will make it easy for all of you to find it.  "Huckabee" will air this Saturday and Sunday at 8 PM Eastern time on Fox News Channel.

I'm happy about this. First, it will keep him out of the possible McCain administration and lessen his chances at a successful 2012 White House run. Second, just imagine the soundbite ammunition he will provide for rival candidates during the course of doing a show that covers a host of topics, politics included, if he does indeed decide to make another run for office. He does, after all, stick his foot in his mouth somewhat routinely.

Huckabee must not become the face of the Republican party. His religion-driven fiscal liberalism is an anathema to conservatism, and his tendency to play dirty is just not very palatable.

I am glad for Gov. Huckabee to have this opportunity to further his career and to continue to get out his refreshing and hopeful message of vertical politics. However, it doesn't seem like Fox News is doing much to promote this new show. If you go to the Fox News website, there is nothing about it (if someone finds something please let me know), and in an article from the associate press, the only comment from a Fox News representative was to send inquiries to Gov. Huckabee's agent.

Fox News is not a network I watch anymore (I will Saturday), so they may very well be promoting the new show on air, but it appears to me they aren't doing much to put "Huckabee" in the spotlight.

My observation.

OneMom

You can’t just say, ‘World stop for a moment. I’m going to cancel everything.

I really enjoy that the AP used the phrase "debate ploy" for the headline, but I'm even more amused that Fox News actually posted it.