crossposted at http://www.motleymoose.com

Bearing in mind, of course, that there is something to be said also for man's activities, but  also for the cyclical temperature changes on our planet.  There's no point in arguing about the causes, however, we need to  be arguing about the solutions, as in how are we going to get there to positively affect the impacts?  After all, we all already know global warming is real.  

So this is the time, by golly, to roll up our sleeves and argue about how to fix it before it's too late.  My suggestions are as follows --  

My son, a recent Iraq veteran and once conservative Republican, rearranged my head last night with this stunning observation -- McCain/Palin was rapidly becoming a more terrifying proposition than four more years of Bush/Cheney.  It took only a moment of consideration to accept the once unfathomable was now real.

I more or less lost my mind reading comments over the past few days that presented as common knowledge the notion that Obama cannot appear "angry" for fear of looking like an "angry black man." If you ask me this is why Democrats lose slam dunk elections -- they spend too much time in Political Science classes and too little time listening to voters.  

There is a such a thing as the right kind of anger -- directed at the right sources of outrage -- targetted to the right audience and bundled with the right set of SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS.  Americans have a great deal to be angry about right now and they are.  I would contend that in addition to the "Palin Effect" and a temporary POW shame spiral, the GOP resonated with many average Americans just by appearing pissed off.  

What they didn't do, and the GOP's greatest weakness this election cycle, is offer SPECIFIC KITCHEN TABLE SOLUTIONS.  We've all heard the generic solutions before -- "jobs" "tax cuts" "relief" -- yata yata yata.  What we don't here are concisely presented, INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS to the real problems of real Americans that make them f***nuts on a daily basis.  Think Lou Dobbs (minus the jingoism) and the election is a slam dunk.  Examples to follow.

Anyone out there making their expatriation plans instead of working for the election of Obama as you should be - listen up.  We may have our magic bullet against the political beast that is Sarah Palin.
CNN, Newsweek http://www.newsweek.com/id/156679/page/2 and others are just beginning to air stories on Sarah Palin's long heartfelt association with the Assembly of God church in Wasilla.  In the words of senior pastor Ed Kalnins -

"Kalnins guessed that about half of the people in his church have the gift of tongues. He has it himself, he says, though he rarely demonstrates it. "It's not meant to be shown off," he said. "It's not like flexing muscles. I received the gift in college, and it transformed my life." It's not something like from the "remote parts of the jungle," he adds: It's a decision.

At the GOP Convention we heard alot about "common sense" as both a "small town value" and attribute of both nominees, but particularly Sarah Palin.  In my own experiences, "common sense" is code for "poorly educated but able to make smart decisions."  Built into "common sense" is a distain for intellectualism, science and a depth of understanding.

The person with "common sense" has exactly that -- an ability to reason that is common or ordinary.  You don't need a Harvard Law Degree to follow their thinking -- a third grade education will do nicely.  You might not always demonstrate "common sense" but "common sense" solutions are easily explained to just about anyone.  

Too bad we live in a complex world.

home alone.  bored. thinking bad thoughts about Republicans.  Must. Show. Mercy.

no.

please.  add your best snark.

What does the Palin selection tell us about John McCain?

One - He makes critical decisions impulsively and with limited information
Two - He holds the majority of his fellow Republicans in low regard
Three - He believes most women are identity voters and not issues voters
Four - He intends to pander to Christian conservatives
Five - He is not committed to his own platform
Six - He puts ambition before country
Seven - He doesn't value foreign policy experience
Eight - He values labels over contents and style over substance
Nine - He is not forthcoming to the American people
Ten - He cannot even decisively lead his own campaign

Expanded on below the fold