They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

Politicians are many things; they certainly are whores. The more I watch politicians prostitute themselves on television, the more I realize that nobody is really qualified, per se, to be President.

The mainstream media touts qualification. For example: the need for experience in government, foreign affairs and leadership skills. But when push comes to shove, these are the meaningless mutterings of a confused and unbelievably biased 4th estate.

This bias is demonstrated by the media's frantic pursuit of Obama in their effort to hoist him onto the Presidential pedestal.

I have heard every mistake and foible of McCain and Palin but practically nothing about Obama. And who ever hears about Joe "teeth" Biden these days? I know all about Cindy McCain's fortune and drug rehab but nothing about Michelle Obama; nothing at all. One would get the impression that she has never so much as farted in church.

The media polls all point to Obama's certain victory. Their margins are suspiciously broad; ranging from a 4 to 11% lead for Obama over old man McCain. With margins that large, the numbers are either badly organized or the interviewees confused by the questions. Or the polls are confirming the age-old fact that polls don't so much reflect opinion as much as shape it.

My point is not that the media employs monkeys to compile their poll results by throwing poo at candidate's images even though, entre nous, it sure seems like it. No, it's that the media ignores their own qualification standards when it comes to their favorite candidate.

Bottom line, Sarah Louise Palin has more political experience than Obama. We all know it but ridicule her nonetheless. True she's a woman which seems to be an issue for some; a strong one with an opinion on abortion to which she is entitled. Regan, if you remember, slid into office on an anti-abortion ticket. I find that the biggest enemy of women isn't men, its other women.

Despite copious public humiliation and being made fun of on SNL weekly as dumb moose-shooting bimbo Palin did well, as herself, on SNL when invited on the show. Indeed Palin held her own in the debate against Biden, a politician with 20+ years more experience than she. Its a strange fact that his qualifications are far more impressive than the Presidential candidate he's running with.

If a minor league womanizing governor from Arkansas or a retired dubiously B-rated actor from California or a dry-drunk from Texas can learn to become president then Palin's got to be a shoe in, given the opportunity. The aforementioned banditos all learned on the job by surrounding themselves - or being surrounded - with seasoned and capable staff.

All things being equal, with the exception of George Jr., who obviously sold his soul to the devil, they all turned out pretty well. Think about that before you cast the next rock at blessed Sarah. Like it or not she's the only chance women have to break that glass ceiling on Pennsylvania Avenue perhaps for four terms. As a superpower, as the world superpower, this fact is truly shameful for many reasons.

What it comes down to it the candidates real qualifications are in persuading us to vote for them. Think about it - we've got a choice between two people; on one side a severely aging, if humorous, war hero Senator supported by a beautiful Alaskan governor. On the other a half-black Senator who is an excellent orator but has no public service experience at all, who's VP is more qualified that all the other candidates combined.

Powell endorsed Obama. Big deal. He also endorsed and sold the Iraq war to the UN - even when he knew the evidence was dubious - so you'll forgive me if I regard his word as suspect. As our dear President says in his fireside words of wisdom "fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again." Words to live by. Jesus H C.

Are these candidates the best we could come up with? I mean really? Out of 300 million people that's it? With the economic and social realities we're facing I fear that one will keel over from a heart attack shortly after the inauguration, and the other will declare himself a Muslim and have half of America wearing burkas by Easter. With a name like Barack Hussein Obama, who are we fooling here? The Middle East is already celebrating the first Muslim U.S. President. It really is. To illustrate, if his name was Haim Samuel Goldberg would you have any doubt which way he was leaning?

There is an expression in Ireland that describes what we - the general public - are, in the face of elections and in believing what these guys tells us year after year, election after election; "gob-shites." A powerful word that captures the essence of our self-delusion and denial.

As you decide who you want as the next grand fromage, think it through. We need leaders with seasoning and a pretty face to which Biden and Palin qualify. McCain could be the only one with teeth long enough to shoulder the mess his party got us into.

Let him clean it up.