Anh "Joseph" Cao First Vietnamese To Serve in House

(ONNpolitics) -- Anh "Joseph" Cao , a Republican, defeated incumbent rival, Democratic Rep. William Jefferson in a heavily Democratic New Orleans district, becoming the first Vietnamese-American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Secretary of State Clinton

(ONNpolitics) -- President-elect Barack Obama announced Sen. Hilary Clinton as his pick to be secretary of state.

How Does $1.35 Gas Sound?

(ONNbusiness) -- In the final day of December contract trading for crude oil, prices dipped as low as $49.91 per barrel. This is marks a low that hasn't been seen since Jan. 18, 2007, when oil traded for $49.90/bbl on the NYMEX.

The recent slump in crude oil prices is in part due to growing pessimism among investors in the market as a whole, seeing the Dow Jones Industrial (INDU) continue its downward trend, diving 160 points, or 2.13%, about 15 minutes into Thursday's session. And adding to the falling oil prices, the latest information from the U.S. Department of Transportation suggests that even though gas prices are lower, consumption was down for the month of September as Americans drove almost 11 billion fewer miles.

Nationally the American consumer has seen gas prices fall from $4.11 to $2.02 in a four month time span. With crude oil prices continuing to push below $50/bbl to $45/bbl, consumers could soon see $1.35 per gallon gas before the end of the year.

But will this get people back on the road? I'm not betting on it. Analyst are projecting that Americans will drive less this holiday season because of less disposable income to travel and bleak holiday sales projections. This will keep demand down through the remainder of the fourth quarter, but will also add to the slumping economy. Simply put, Americans will enjoy lower gas prices, but income will keep people at home this holiday season.

Secrets Behind Obama '08

(ONNpolitics) -- Check out this article to see how the Obama win unfolded from behind the scenes. >>>Great Article<<<

Presidential Meeting

(ONNpolitics) -- President-elect Barack Obama and President George Bush convene their meeting at the White House on Monday.

President Barack Obama

(ONNpolitics) -- Barack Obama has been elected the 44th President of the United States of America. Obama is the first black President-elect in the history of America.

He defeated his rival (R) Sen John McCain in a 338-156 landslide victory in the electoral collage.

Need I Say More?

(ONNsports) -- In a comeback win over Indianapolis, the Tennessee Titans improve to a prefect 7-0.

If, Obama = Socialism, So Does McCain-Palin

(ONNpolitics) -- With all this socialist talk, coming from the GOP ticket, you'd think we had traveled back to the election of 1920, when Eugen V. Debs made his fifth presidential bid as a candidate of the Socialist Party.

In the final two weeks of the 2008 Presidential campaign, as Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, widened his lead by as much as 10-points, his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain has ramped up charges of socialism. We've heard the stories of "Joe the Plumber" and we've seen Sarah Palin label Obama a socialist, but after a closer examination we see that these accusations are nothing but desperate attacks to get back in the race. Research reveals that both Palin and McCain have endorsed similar policy's to Sen. Obama's tax plan in years past and present.

Journeying back to Sen. Obama's "Joe the Plumber" response, we saw an explanation that detailed a tax cut for income earners making less than a quarter-million dollars per year. The man was worried about the plan possibly raising his tax liability if he were to buy his employer's business (which turned out to be a farce). This became the center piece for the McCain campaign to paint the Obama camp as socialist. But after a little research we find that McCain endorsed the same policy platform back during his 2000 presidential bid. He basically said to a college student what Obama said the "Joe the Plumber", verbatim.

So, this leaves me to wonder, what is McCain actually talking about? Is he really that desperate?

But it doesn't stop there. Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska (Republican Vice presidential nominee), became the right-wing attack dog, living up to her nickname as pit-bull with lipstick, as she ramped up charges that Obama endorses socialism, even dubbing him "Barack the Wealth Spreader". And yet again, after a close examination of her political career, we see that she has favored a policy that increased taxes on high-earners to relieve taxes for lower-earner.

Currently, Alaska residents enjoy a $3,269 check from the state government, padded by a $1200 increase by Gov. Palin this year, that is paid for by high levies on oil companies that operate in Alaska's oil fields. Gov. Palin was quoted in a magazine saying that "Alaskans collectively, share in the wealth [of oil company revenues]." All of this surfacing after she has been on the offensive against Sen. Obama in the last two weeks.

So, what's the big deal with all this socialist talk coming from the McCain camp, when both John McCain and Sarah Palin endorse policies that they attack Obama for? There is only one answer to that question -- desperation!

It comes as no surprise that the McCain camp would have to succumb to petty attacks in the last leg of the presidential race - they simply have no footing on issues that really matter to Americans. The economy is in shambles; the middle-class is eroding; and health care is out of control. These are the issues that Sen. Obama has been able to communicate his leadership on, and it has paid off. So, in the final days of the campaign, let's stick to the issues, knowing that every attack thus far has proven to be unfounded and absurd.

Candidates Trade Comedic Barbs

(ONNpolitics) -- Thursday night, the two presidential candidates, (D) Sen. Barack Obama and (R) Sen. John McCain, traded comedic jabs as they teamed up to speak at the 63rd annual Al Smith Memorial Charity Foundation Dinner in New York. I must admit, it was a breath of fresh air to have a humorous approach from both candidates.

OBAMA

McCAIN

Obama Unveils Economic Plan

Read about it >>> Obama's Plan

CHECK IT OUT

Barack Obama and Joe Biden's Rescue Plan for the Middle Class - Upload a Document to Scribd

House Passes Bailout

(ONNpolitics) -- House passes pork bloated bailout package that call for $700- billion to be infused into a struggling Wall St. The next stop for this piggy is the White House. That is, unless the House has changed it from the original version, which the Senate approved earlier this week.

HOUSE REJECTS BAILOUT

Amid a laundry list of concerns surrounding the Wall Street meltdown, the House of Representatives voted 'No' on the $700 Billion Wall Street package.

The Show Must Go On!

(ONNpolitics) -- The reason behind the suspension of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign has perplexed many for the last few days. Of course his reasoning, at least what he's saying, is due to his presence being necessary for striking a congressional deal in latest financial 'crisis'. And by the way, he has not indicated, as of yet, if he intends to show up for the presidential debate this evening in Mississippi. However, I am a little bit more skeptical about the reason behind John McCain's drastic action on the days leading up to the debate.

I'm not buying this idea that he needed to be in Washington. In fact, yesterday, the congressional leaders working on the plan commented that his presence is counterproductive. However, it would be necessary if a candidate were weak on the economy for him to appear as taking leadership in the wake of a financial crisis. But, we all know that there is little that Sen. McCain can do in this situation.

This leads to my analysis of the campaign suspension. As of yesterday, the McCain campaign has proposed that the presidential debate should take the place of the vice-presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis next week. This would push the vice-presidential debate out at least two weeks. Which, in my opinion was the plan from the beginning.

McCain's vice-presidential pick, Sarah Palin, is not yet ready to debate the seasoned veteran -- that is Sen. Joe Biden. After watching Palin's interview with Katie Couric this week, it is strikingly obvious that she is not prepared for a debate with Joe Biden, or anyone for that matter. Couric responded on one morning show that she felt as if Palin was often unresponsive to questions -- in a nice way saying she didn’t understand. This was also the scenario with Palin in the Gibson interview when she seemed to revert back to stomp speech rhetoric instead of answering the question at hand.

Never in my adult life, while studying politics, have I seen someone so uncomfortable when being questioned about their policy stance. Often, it seems as though the McCain Camp has over coached her, leaving her mind in a blizzard of political jargon that she is not used to. This explains why she's been so guarded from the media in the weeks following the GOP convention, lest she makes a revealing gaffe.

The McCain camp isn't fooling anyone with their latest stunt. We all know that its Palin that he's trying to protect. But its only a matter of time before she has to face the media and the barrage of questions waiting on her. This is simply an issue that Sen. McCain can't run from.

Will debate be canceled?

DONATE TO SAVE HAITI

Actor Matt Damon and musician Wyclef Jean have teamed up to take on the crisis in Haiti. The country was ravaged by hurricanes Gustav and Hanna leaving behind numerous casualties and many more without food and shelter. To help with relief efforts and awareness, please visit the link below:

YELE HAITI (Click Here)

Where did we go wrong?

(ONNbusiness) -- After a year of an embattled market environment leading up to the events that transpired this past week, any logical student of the economy can't help but to wonder if this is the official end to capitalism as we once knew it.

On the eve before the "Wall Street bailout", financial markets are on the verge of being partially nationalized, with health care and the auto industry to follow. Its almost like we blinked one day and now we're here. Although most have been on the edge of their seats wondering were this down turning market would land us, no one could have told me a year ago that the government would have to seriously consider infusing Wall Street with $700 Billion. Sadly, it has become reality. We are literally at the mercy of the federal government begging for help, lest we experience the most widespread economic melt down in the history of the US -- so says Henry Paulson.

As many may know, I'm one of the most optimistic people in terms of the comeback of financial markets, but I'm shook up by the realism of a single Time article that parallels our current situation with that of Western European semi-socialist welfare states. The comparisons were real.

As we go forward waiting for the outcome of financials, I am humbled by these words: "One can only hope for the best even though the contrary seems inevitable."

Struggling to Answer

(ONNpolitics) -- During her first interview since accepting the GOP nomination as the vice presidential pick, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin struggled to answer foreign policy questions posed by Charlie Gibson. In what is being characterised as an interview with an "eager student, who crammed for an exam and was repeating talking points", Palin is receiving mixed reviews by critics.

During the start of the interview Palin seem to be "well rehearsed", but by the end it became obvious that she was "blind-sided" by the more in-depth foreign-policy questions. She dubbed the Russian-Georgian war as being "unprovoked" and folded when asked what the Bush Doctrine was.

There is so much more I could highlight, but I don't want to seem overly negative. However, She is a sitting duck now. She obviously isn't as versed in politics as she was made out to be. Her resume is extremely thin, which should be a red flag for many. But for the sake of ideology people will try to fluff-up something that doesn't exist. Believe me the media knows it know, and her next interviewer won't be as nice as Gibson, who could have exposed her on the spot, but was reluctant.

What happens when she has to face Biden in a debate? Will she try to stump-speech her way out? I don't know, but I sure hope she's a quick study. So far, from what I saw last night she studied for the wrong test!

Palin Interview

LIEBERMAN MUST GO

There is a Judas in the party that must be ousted. For months now Sen. Joe Lieberman has paraded his betrayal of the party around the nation, which should be an insult to anyone who calls themselves a Democrat. Lieberman is a political degenerate who has brown nosed the Republican party in his last attempt to salvage his political career, but we're on to you now!

Standing before the GOP National Convention last night, Lieberman desecrated the words of George Washington in an attempt to justify his betrayal and dishonour.

Lieberman, my friend, your run is over!!!

Visit this site to have Leiberman removed from the party caucus>>> LIEBERMAN MUST GO

Judas Exposed

Let the grilling begin

(ONNpolitics) -- Over the weekend we've heard the GOP's talking points, in which they've tried to compare McCain's VP pick ,Gov. Sarah Palin , to the Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama. This is a result of McCain putting his foot in his mouth after months of understating Obama's foreign policy experience, and then choosing Sarah Palin as his VP choice. The Obama camp has stated over-and-over for the past few days that this was a bad choice by McCain, due to Palin's thin resume in foreign and domestic policy. The criticism of the Palin pick hinges on the phrase coined by the Obama camp the she'd be "a heart beat from the presidency".

Obviously, this was totally a political choice by McCain, who is attempting to win over the women's vote, while not adequately vetting his choice, as word surfaces that he didn't send his vetting team to Alaska until one day before his decision. Now with all of the baggage that has surfaced with Palin, the McCain Camp is now sending out 'vetters' to get a full examination of Palin's life. But what good are these efforts now? She's already out there for the world to see! And, as I predicted would happen, the media is feeding on it now. No matter how they spin it, she simply isn't qualified.

McCain Aide Grilled Over Palin, and Has No Answer

Summer that Rocked Gov Palin's Administration

(ONNpolitics) -- Republican vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, has only been the GOP's choice for a few minutes and the word is already spreading about a political scandal claiming she used her office for a personal vendetta. The case surrounds allegations that Palin moved to have a police officer, who was embattled in a nasty divorce with her sister, fired.

The recent events geared up talks of an investigation into the Palin Scandal by the Alaskan legislature. Many speculated that they expected her resignation before McCain's pick.

Read more>>>
Palin Scandal

LOCAL REPORT

PALIN RESPONDS

Palin it is...

(ONNpolitics) -- Breaking News: GOP Presidential candidate, John McCain, has chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. At only 44, Palin is the first woman to be placed on the Republican presidential ticket.

Read More>>>

"Your not a Democrat..."

To all of those who continue to carry around the Hillary '08 campaign signs, I come to deliver you a message: "Its time to get behind Barack Obama." Hillary has instructed all of her supporters to rally with her and support our nominee. If you can't accept that by now, then its time to wake-up and smell the coffee. The primaries are over! Stop being divisive and let's win this election!

However, It has struck me as odd that a real DEM would behave in this manner. This leads me to wonder how many of these are wolves disguised as sheep>>>

Delegate Sets The Record Straight

Obama-Biden '08

(ONNpolitics) -- Saturday morning at 2:14 am I received a text from the Obama Campaign that announced the decision to make Sen. Joe Biden the Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate. The announcement spread waves throughout the news as we all had been waiting for months to find out the VP choice.

Biden is a great choice and will give us the edge we need to overcome the GOP attack machine. Obama can now focus on the issues without having to respond to every false accusation made by his opponent. Sen. Biden also takes away the perception of inexperience that is being played up in the media. His resume is long and includes limitless experience on foreign and domestic issues. Though most VP choices never offer too much advantage in polling, I think Biden should reverse the current polling trend in Obama's favor.

Vice-President Biden

We're Headed to Georgia!!!

(ONNpolitics) -- The President has ordered troops to Georgia for "humanitarian efforts" (ass kicking efforts). They will be there to "oversee" things, and to ensure a speedy Russian troop withdrawal. He also noted the mission will be "vigorous and ongoing", including supplies delivered by military aircraft and naval vessels.

I must say, I am 100% in support of President Bush's decision to step in and stop this unwarranted military campaign against the Georgians. I pray that this situation is resolved expediently and that Russia gets the message that, if we have to, we will achieve peace through superior fire power!

President Bush's Briefing

Lebron the European Superstar?

(ONNsports) -- A new report released today is making the case for a possible Lebron James move to Europe. Worth an estimated $50 million per-year, the amount stated it would take to consider such a move, James would instantly become a world-wide superstar.

Its not far-fetched to think that an NBA player would skip the league to pursue larger payouts overseas. Take for example, 1st-round draft pick, Josh Childress who was reportedly offered $30 million to play in Greece.

In the report Lebron James has already been contacted by two European teams, who are interested in his talents for their market. This comes as James has recently entertained the idea of moving to a new NBA team for a better contract.

No doubt this would be huge for Lebron, but it would be disastrous for the NBA. It could spark a new age in professional American sports. One that would open up to salary caps for teams to compete with an ever increasing European market, that's willing to pay top-dollar for America's premier athletes.

We did it with Beckham, why can't they?

Happy B-day Sen. Obama!!!

(ONNpolitics) -- Today is Senator Obama's birthday, and he'll be spending it, as well as the remainder of the week, laying out a comprehensive energy package. In addition to Obama's energy package he also released a new campaign ad that goes after GOP presidential nominee, John McCain and his stance on big oil.

New Obama Ad

Nas, a Hip-Hop 'Hero'

(ONNculture) -- Since his debut album in the early 1990's, entitled Illmatic, Nas has been a true representaion of what hip-hop stands for - truth, justice, and righteousness. Now back with his 9th album in 14-years, Nas is sure to stir the masses with his in-your-face Untitled album.

Check out more >>> Nas

GOP Youth Turning Blue?

(ONNpolitics) -- With all the excitement and change surrounding the Obama campaign, young conservatives are considering his candidacy, according to polls.

Many young GOP members are starting to turn from the old conservative right-wing in search for more exciting and meaningful issues, besides the big two (abortion and gay-marriage). Also cited is the disconnect between the old young and concervative, who have become more savvy on a broader range of social issues that effect populations.

The Grand Old Party awakening >>> Check it Out

Obama Visits Middle East

(ONNpolitics) -- This past weekend Sen. Barack Obama visited Afghanistan along with a Senate committee to asses the conditions in that region.

Today the senator will be in Iraq meeting with officials to discuss security and other issues related to the war.

Read more >>> Obama's mid-east trip

Hard to Capture

(ONN) -- Are cartoonist having trouble creating a caricature of Democratic Presidential Nominee, Barack Obama? At least that is what is being suggested in an new article from The Root.

Check It Out >>> Sketchy Imagery

New Obama Leadership Ad

(ONNpolitics) -- New Obama leadership ad speaks to national and world security issues, by highlighting the threat of potential nuclear proliferation and terrorism.

Non-American Classic

This is a sad day for an old American classic.... Budweiser sold to the Europeans.

Bomb first

(ONNworld) -- Like the words from a hip-hop song, an Iranian General boasts: "Our finger is on the trigger..."

Stocks Hit Great Depression Levels

(ONNbusiness) -- Amid a $ 2.1 trillion loss on the year, stocks are faced a 10.2% loss in the month of June alone - the worste since the Great Depression.

Stocks fall $1.4 trillion in June >>>

Continuing Incoherence?

(ONNpolitics) -- On Wednesday, President Bush revealed a four-point strategy to combat rising gas prices. In his message, Bush took aim at congressional Democrats in his advocacy of "boosting domestic oil production" and decreasing America's dependence on foreign oil.

In a plan that is urged to be passed by Congress, the Bush Administration lays out calls for lifting the 27-year ban on off-shore oil exploration, and drilling in the protected Arctic National Wildlife refuge. Acknowledging that the immediate effects will be minimum, Bush stands by his position to allow drilling in these protected areas.

The President says that Dems have ignored his repeated calls to reduce America's pain at the pump. However, the problem with the Bush energy plan is that it continues to ignore the American people, even though it is being marketed to benefit the average citizen.

It remains unknown, if by the time oil is retrieved from the protected areas, which ranges from 5-10 years , that the benefits out weigh damage to the environment. Furthermore, in the amount of time it takes to retrieve the oil from the outlined areas, gas is being projected to have risen to more than $10-per-gallon, giving room for the gains to do little.

Untold in the Bush outline is that the government has already given the "thumbs-up" for oil companies to drill on federally leased land that contains more than 100 billion barrels of oil, that no one is drilling for.

So why call for a lift on bans to allow drilling for only 18 billion barrels, when 100 billion barrels are untapped?

In my opinion, this is yet another special interest policy proposal, by the Bush Administration, that takes advantage of public misfortune (the plea of Americans to the government to reduce high energy costs), while seeking to line the pockets of "Big Business".

Any rational economist will attest to the fact that domestic drilling will do little for Americans who are hurting now. Why the Administration would outline such a plan becomes amazingly obvious when we look to whose the beneficiary in this proposal. Truth is that the immediate effects of the proposed plan will further boost the profitability of oil companies by allowing them to expand resources.

With all respect to the President, in his office, his plan is enormously flawed and heavily vested in the interest of oil companies, not the American citizens. We don't need anymore incoherent leadership coupled with flawed policy proposals. America is in a tragic state, and the traditional Bush policy is digging us into a deeper hole.

"Highway Robbery"

(ONNsociety) -- In today's fight against crime, law enforcement agents are cashing in on civil forfeiter laws -- statutes allowing government officials to seize a citizens money based on a suspicion of illegal connection to a crime. In such cases of civil forfeiter, a citizen never has to be convicted of a crime in order to have his money seized by the government, only that the law enforcement agent establish "preponderance of the evidence," which is easier to prove than a criminal case that establishes "beyond reasonable doubt."

The intent of the laws are to stop the flow of "drug money" in order to slow the power of drug cartels. But, in many instances where citizens are shaken down without being convicted of a crime, it amounts to "highway robbery."

In fact, robbery is what is taking place on the highways of America everyday. Although, the culprits are not the usual suspects -- they are our trusted law enforcement agents.

Scenario: A man [Person A] is carrying $6,500 to purchase a vehicle from a friend [Person B] across town, who only will accept cash. The man [Person A] is a store owner who handles cash from the public on a daily basis. While in route, the man [Person A ] is pulled over for speeding by an officer [Person C]. The officer [Person C] asks: "Sir, do you have any weapons; illegal drugs; or large amounts of cash in the car that I should know about?" The man [Person A] answers: "Yes. I have $6,500 that I am intending to use to purchase a vehicle from a friend."

At this point the officer [Person C] calls in a K9, who is specially trained to detect the presence of drug residue. The animal arrives and detects the presence of drug residue on the man's [Person A] assets, thus establishing enough probable cause for the man [Person A] to have his assets seized by the State and turned over to the agents departmental budget. The man [Person A] will never be charged with a crime and probably won't see his money again, as the cost of litigation will far exceed the value of his assets. Furthermore, even if he had the assets to challenge the state, there is no guarantee he [Person A] will win his case.

The problem with civil forfeiter laws is that citizens are automatically assumed guilty until proven innocent -- they are assumed to be drug dealers. But, in all reality their civil rights have been violated.

Based on "eminent domain" and "due process" rights in the U.S. Constitution, the government cannot take personal property without due process. In this case the state has taken property without establishing guilt, and is protecting itself by the inability of the citizen to litigate the matter due to the lack of personal fortune.

In 2000, Congress passed the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act , or CAFRA, to combat the corruption that took place in the 1990's as a result of civil forfeiture laws. The government maintains that the reform worked, and that it raised the burden of proof before agents could seize property. However, I would argue that there remains a serious access issue, when normal citizens are unable to litigate such cases because of the high cost of securing sufficient legal counsel. This further violates a citizens right to due process, thus making the case to all-out ban civil forfeiture laws.

The issue amounts to an abuse of power, that is shielded by the labyrinth of the justice system. Civil forfeiter laws have allowed local law enforcement agents to run a legal criminal enterprise that needs to be heard by the high court to decide the constitutionality of these cases. I can only hope that the court decide what is right, and not punish honest citizens in the process of trying to deflate the power of drug cartels.

For more information on this subject, check out NPR >>>

"What can I say, its Monday..."

Today is a rather sobering day... Its Monday. Oil hit $140 today. The midwest is still flooded. The USDollar continues its weak showing against European currencies, and we're off the back of loosing one of our nation's most prestegious journalist -- Tim Russert.

So, with all this gloom, I am pleased to announce the unveiling of Honda's next generation automobile... This should mark the beginning of a new trend. Read>>>

Study: Republicans 'demoralized' After The Bush Years

(ONNpolitics) -- A new poll released today shows an uphill battle for GOP Presidential nominee, John McCain. The study reported that only 37% of GOP voters are enthusiastic about voting this year. CNN political analyst, Bill Schneider says that Republicans are "demoralized" by eight years of the Bush presidency.

GOP demoralized???

"Let the smearing begin..."

(ONNpolitics) -- We all know that you can't have campaign season without mudslinging and desperate attempts at destroying a candidates image. Its a staple of the American political system, and truth is -- it wouldn't seem right without it. But, this round of presidential bidding has to be the worst ever, as it has taken on vicious rumors that voters will cling to when they go to the polls in the Fall.

The problem with campaign rumors is that most blue-collard Americans get their news via word of mouth; local news; or local news paper. Within these media forms there is little effort to put down rumors. Although, at times it is easier to pick them up.

With blue-collard Americans being an important swing vote in this election, the rumors matter, and this is why we've seen a steady stream of rumors coming from the right, to attack, Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama.

Senetor Obama has to take these rumors seriously, as he stands to loose valuable votes, due to ignorance and the fact that people are getting these rumors from people they trust. Its like the old adage "if a lie is told often, it becomes truth..." This is the mind state we are dealing with here.

Since Barack Obama launched his presidential campaign back in 2007, there has been numerous attempts to paint him into a corner with one rumor after another. He's been a Muslim, an atheist, a flag hater, the anti-Christ, and many others. Now the latest edition of right-winged rumors is aimed at his wife, Michelle Obama.

Rush Limbaugh, a popular conservative morning radio talk show host, made mention of a secret tape showing Michelle Obama using the term "whitey". This news sparked a media frenzy on Conservative television, sending the "shouting heads" into a panic.

The problem, however, was that the taped never surfaced, and I doubt it ever will. As in any genre of media, sleazy or not, if the source isn't quoted, then, there's a "dead cat on the line". But, the average listener or viewer of "sleazy" programming won't pick up on this fact. All they know is that "it was on T.V." or "It was on Limbaugh", so its true.

In reaction to the vicious rumor mill, that seems to crank out this stuff every couple weeks, Obama has launched fightthesmears.com, a new age way of dealing with one of politics oldest tricks.

Fightthesmear.com attacks some of the most damaging rumors floating around about the candidate including, the Muslim rumor, and the most recent aimed at his wife. It's an innovative approach, to say the least, but I doubt it will reach the demographic that is influenced the most by these rumors.

Taking this step is a serious effort to combat the situation. Obama needs to put the rumors on "front street", to expose the manner of ignorance that threatens to cause him votes in November.

In the end, I don't think any candidate has immunity to rumors or smearing, but the ones aimed at Obama have been some of the lowest, because they deal with one of America's trickiest subjects - "race". I believe he'll get past them, but as he has started to do, he has to take them seriously.

Israel to Iran: "[We] will attack"

(ONNpolitics) -- Israel, in its recent statements, is poised to launch a military strike against Iran, unless the country halts its nuclear enrichment program.

For months now, the international community has been up-in-arms over the ambiguity of Iran's nuclear enrichment program, which its officials say is "not" intended to produce nuclear warheads.

The U.S and Israel, alike, are positioning to act beyond international sanctions, coordinating, as released by Israel's recent statement, to put down Iran's nuclear intention, rather they be energy centered or not.

The implications of an Iranian strike is understood, by the Israeli government to antagonize retaliation, and thus is said to lead to the "destruction of the Iranian nation". Nuclear Attack?

Historic Event - He did it pt. 1

(ONNpolitics) -- May 3, 2008, marked the dawn of a new era in American history. Sen. Barack Obama has finally crossed the threshold of delegates to be named the Democratic Presidential nominee. For many, they said it was impossible, but he defied odds by defeating the Clinton political machine.

Tuesday was a historical night - standing before a cheering crowd in St. Paul, Minnesota, Obama was officially the first black man to secure any major partisan nomination for President in the United States.

News came after a long wait on last night, as a slow stream of delegates came rolling in to tip the scales in his favor around 9:00 pm est.

Obama has no doubt silenced the critics with his win and now looks forward to facing Sen. John McCain, presumptive Republican nominee, in the Fall elections.

Black Television News Channel

(ONNculture) -- Former Republican representative, J.C. Watts has struck a multi-year agreement to release the BTNC (Black Television News Channel).

The network will target black audiences in predominately major media markets including: Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Baltimore.

The network says it seeks to provide "original news programming with a distinctly African-American perspective", through a programming deal with, cable television giant, Comcast.

NPR: Life of an Urban Monk

Gadadhara Pandit Dasa, a 35 year-old member of the Interfaith League, a Hare Krishna group, living, in lower Manhattan allows and indepth journey into his life as an 'urban monk'.

Calls for Assasination?

(ONNpolitics) -- First it was Ted Nugent, followed by News Magazines, Senator Clinton, Rev. Mike Huckabee, and the latest of the calls for the assasination of Senator Barack Obama is Fox analyst, Liz Trotta. Trotta appeared on the Fox News Channel, Sunday May 25, 2008, and displayed her lack of couth by stooping to the level of others who have called for Senator Obama's head. Trotta's comments have come in a floury of recent statements by many who would have the Democratic front-runners head for becoming the first African-American Democratic nominee for president.

Assassination talk isn't new to Senator Obama, as he receives any where from 70-130 hate-filled assassination threats per-day. His offices in West Virginia were bombed and marked with hate filled messages to only go unnoticed by the media.

The story finally came to a head when Senator Obama requested extra security from the US Secret Service and was granted the protection due to threat to the Senator's life.

Never before has a political candidate needed Secret Service protection this early in the campaign season. Traditionally, all candidates are offered protection once they secure their party's nomination.

My question to America: "If it isn't racism, what is it"?

Obama Administration's Cabinet

Ever wonder what Senator Barack Obama's cabinet would look like? Here's a glimpse in prospective order (partial list):

Commander-in-Chief

1. President Barack Obama (D)

Vice-President

1. John Edwards (D)


2. General Wesley Clark (D)

Secretary of State

1. Sen. Joe Biden (D)


2. Sen. Bill Richardson (D)

National Security Advisor

1. Dick Lugar (R)

Environmental Protection Agency

1. Al Gore (D)

White House Chief of Staff

1. David Plouffe (D)

Department of Justice

1. Chuck Hagel (R)

Department of Energy

1. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)

Bud's $46-Billion Buyout

(ONNbusiness) -- According to a Fortune article, Belgian brewer InBev has considered making St.Louis based beer giant, Anheuser-Busch, it's latest acquisition.

With shares reaching an all-time high on news of an InBev-Anheuser merger, up 6.7 percent during mid-day trading - reaching $58 per-share, the deal will make the potential company the largest brewer in the world.

In a deal, reportedly, worth $46-billion, the maker of Becks, Bass, and Stella Artois would be offering the attractive, $56 per-share, price in light of rising cost of production on the American markets related to the devalued dollar and rising fuel cost.

List of Anheuser-Busch distributed InBev products:

• Beck's
• Bass
• Boddingtons
• Hoegaarden
• Leffe
• Stella Artois

Destination RED PLANET

(ONNtech) -- On Sunday May 25, 2008, NASA scientist anticipate the first glimpses of Mars from the Phoenix Lander. The Mars Phoenix Lander is a next generation space probe that will break the Martian atmosphere, traveling at thirteen-thousand miles-per-hour, before braking and crashing into the "Red Planet's" surface.

Scientist are optimistically hoping to discover some signs of present or prehistoric life from this excursion. But, finding life on Mars isn't NASA's first priority according to scientist Peter Smith.

Smith says, though, he remains optimistic about the mission, he is worried about the rough landing, which could damage the Lander and end the entire mission.

If successful, The Phoenix Lander will be a third-generation Martian probe to effectively transmit information back to earth, preceded by the Spirit and Opportunity rovers, which landed in 2003. View previous NASA Mars Missions >>

Hockey's Rising Star: Believe the hype!

(ONNsports) -- I've always wondered if I would ever become a die-hard hockey fan… Its because of, Pittsburgh Penguin's center, Sidney Crosby's highlight reel performances that I've started to flirt with becoming a fanatic of the sport.

Growing up, I used to play roller hockey on the streets of Memphis with neighborhood cliques. It was around this time in the 1990's that roller blades were the fad of the day and every teenage boy wanted to play hockey. But, it wasn't until I was about 14, that I ran into one of Memphis' minor league players who took interest in my game.

As a kid, I was always athletic enough to pick-up any sport quite rapidly, and hockey was no exception. I remember being amazed by the skills of this guy, whose names escapes me now. But, each day we would practice on the tennis court of the apartment community that we lived in. He taught me many of the basics of the sport, but the most memorable was the slap shot.

Overtime, just as the fad, my interest in the sport faded in to my childhood. Eventually, I moved away from the neighborhood and there went all of my enthusiasm also.

Now days, I look forward to watching Sidney Crosby, who is said, will bring fans to the sport of hockey, as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson did with the NBA in the 1980's. Some may disagree.

But, there's no doubt in my mind, that if the 20-year-old phenom continues his rise to the top, the NHL will tap into a broader fan base, who will be glued to the television screen waiting on the next Crosby 'hat-trick'.

Up, Up, and Away...

(ONNbusiness) -- On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, the price for crude oil soared above $134 per barrel, continuing a string of record setting price increases in the month of May.


The rise in crude oil prices to above $134, on yesterday's market, translates to about $3.97/ gal around the mid-west.

Many economist are attributing the price spike to the weakening of the US dollar in foreign markets and the influx of investors who are seeking investment shelters from the down turning economy by investing in oil.

Americans are feeling the pinch of high energy prices across the board. The transportation industry is being hit the hardest with the significant increase in fuel cost since last year, which has streamlined profits and crippled budgets.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, while campaigning in Kentucky, sounded the alarm and proclaimed that if we don't address the current energy crisis, our economy won't resemble the America of old.

Its hard to imagine that the mighty USA could be brought to its knees by surging energy cost, but it a reality that will come to fruition if we don't act now.

McCain in a 'Catch 21'

(ONNpolitics) -- Arizona Senator and Republican presidential nominee, John McCain is running into serious infrastructure problems with his campaign early in the game. He's having issues raising money and recruiting aides without corporate lobbyist ties

Why is this a big issue, some might ask? Well, it's because McCain would be putting his foot in his mouth if he allows himself to be tied to corporate lobbyist.

Earlier this year, McCain denied allegations of being tied to Washington lobbyist in a scandal that roughed up his image among prospective voters. But, the American people took his word for it and put the issue on ice.

Sen. McCain followed the scandal with a speech in which he said: "we need to close the door firmly on corporate lobbyists." Now reports are surfacing that McCain has lobbyist staffers and fund raisers working for his campaign.

Its an issue that he couldn't avoid, as fundraising has proven to be problematic among the traditional Republican base, who have continued to question his liberal agenda on issues such as climate and immigration.

McCain has been restricted in fundraising because he's trying to wear too many faces. On one hand he wants to appeal to the Independent with his maverick image. And, on the other hand he wants to remain a conservative, which is hard as most conservative voters require an "almost" all-or-nothing allegiance. This means that McCain has had to rely on the same fundraising apparatus (i.e., corporate funding) that he restricted through campaign finance reform laws and denounced through many speeches.

So, if McCain can't raise funds from corporate lobbyist or the traditional Republican base, then how is he going to fund his campaign in the Fall, which is already running on a shoestring?

The obvious answer is through public finance, an omen for any modern presidential candidate, especially when his likely opponent, Sen. Barrack Obama, has raised a quarter of a billion dollars ($250 million). Though it presents its problems public financing will have to be McCain's bread and butter as he will have access to the $84 million available in grants, which can be supplemented through the monies available through the RNC (Republican National Committee).

But, there remains yet another obstacle to overcome with public funding as McCain has past issues with the FEC (Federal Elections Commission), the commission that he plans to receive grants from. McCain has had an embattled relationship with the FEC over ethics issues while he campaigned in the past on a corruption and an ethics reform agenda. This battle came to a head when he commented in 2004 that the FEC was "disgraceful" and "despicable" in its practices.

There is, however, good news for McCain as he no longer faces a non-functional FEC, which was without important nominations due to a Senate deadlock on appointments. This is good because the FEC has to vote to release funds to McCain's presidential campaign in the Fall.

However, McCain faces a showdown with the Chairman of the FEC, David Mason, who wants to launch an investigation due to non-compliance with public finance rules over a loan McCain took out from a private bank to fund his campaign.

So, what do all the mounting obstacles mean for McCain's presidential bid? They point to the fact that McCain has some serious reckoning to do with important players in the political arena in order to finance his campaign which is essential to winning the election.

He needs to choose which side he's going to represent, either he's a conservative or not. Traditional Republicans are growing tired of McCain's maverick image that he plays up for the Independent vote.

Also, if he plans to stand a chance against Obama in the fall debates he has to formulate a convincing argument as to why he has such a close relationship with Washington lobbyist, while he claims to be so distant from them.