Just a quick "Happy Halloween" and "Happy Samhain" to all of my listeners and readers.

Be safe, and Blessed Be!

David

As if allowing Fox News correspondents to softball questions to a government official wasn't enough, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has taken it one step further and given a fake press conference.

According to this article in the New York Times, FEMA deputy director Harvey E. Johnson was asked friendly questions by FEMA staff members posing as news reporters. The fake reporters asked such hard-hitting questions as “Are you happy with FEMA’s response so far?? and, “What lessons learned from Katrina have been applied?? to which Johnson gave pat answers like “I’m very happy with FEMA’s response so far.? Is it me, or is this, a redux of "You're doing a heckuva job, Brownie?" Beyond the ethical questions of a government agency staging a fake press conference, there may be a legal issue here.

Television stations across the country have been caught airing what are called "video news releases," (VNRs) which are essentially commercials for a particular product or service, but which are designed to look like a legitimate interview. FCC regulations require that any paid programming or content like this be clearly labeled on the screen as such, and stations which do not follow this protocol face fines, and possibly further action for repeated violations. Now it seems the government is in the VNR business. But then again, they have been since at least 2001.

Nearly every press conference or public appearance by President Bush has involved complex sets with catchy slogans, video screens, PowerPoint presentations, and a carefully vetted crowd. Any protesters who fall through the cracks are drowned out by planted audience members who will begin chanting "USA! USA!" at a moment's notice. Apparently, that is not enough, though. FEMA has taken it a step further and eliminated those pesky reporters who may ask a question that demands more than a "heckuva job" answer.

News services were given 15 minutes' notice that the conference was going to happen, which was not nearly enough time to get enough people together. Reporters were given a toll-free line to listen to the dog and pony show, but had no way to ask questions of Mr. Johnson. The response from the White House has been mostly a slap on the wrist with a cotton swab. White House spokesperson Dana Perino's statement said in part, "It’s not something I would have condoned," and "And they — I’m sure — will not do it again.? No, not this administration!

Frankly, this gives me chills. Staged press conferences are nothing more than government propaganda. It doesn't matter whether there is a Democrat or Republican in the White House--or any other part of the government--it is wrong to dupe the American public like this. At the risk of making an appeal to prejudices, this is the same kind of thing that we condemned when the Soviet Union was presenting its Potemkin Village to the world, and now we are copying their best (or worst, depending upon your perspective) practices. This kind of behavior from our government officials is unacceptable, and we as the American people deserve better.

I am calling on my readers and listeners to call your Representatives and Senators and demand that a full investigation be initiated. We The People still have the power, and we need to use it--or lose it.

Is the name Obama really THAT hard to pronounce?

How can you play "10 questions" with the Presidential candidates?

What is Superdickery?

I had another guest appearance on Archerradio. Thanks again, Archerr!

I'm now on Twitter. Follow me at twitter.com/bluejeansguy

Here is the link to the post I mentioned in the episode: http://thatbluejeansguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=265464

Music Today:



"The Last of the Superheroes (of the 1970s)" by Podsafe Music Network artist



"superhero" by Podsafe Music Network artist sherby



"Everybody's Waiting for Superman" by Podsafe Music Network artist Away With the Fairys

Intro Music:



"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Podsafe Music Network artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller

Outro Music:



"Power Inside" by Podsafe Music Network and PodsafeAudio.com group EL84

Contact info:

You can email me at thatbluejeansguy@gmail.com.

You can call my voicemail at 989-326-2432.

You can also contact me by Gizmo Project at Gizmo ID thatbluejeansguy.

Visit my website, where you can send me an Odeo voice mail and stick a pin on my Frappr map.

While you are there, check out the links to my favorite podcasts' home pages.

Check out my page on MySpace

Don't forget that this podcast has an alternate feed: feeds.feedburner.com/thatbluejeansguy, which will also deliver my text blog entries to your RSS reader!

Thanks for listening, and Stay Powerful!

I forgot to include the link to the original Brunner-Flannery story in my show notes. Here it is for those who wish to see the original video:

http://www.wnem.com/video/14354929/index.html?taf=sag

Later,

David

I apologize for the lateness of the episode. Between the weather and the creative bug biting me with the idea of the mashup, I ran over schedule. I'll do better next week.

No Child Left Behind needs to be left behind.

Illinois passes mandatory moment of silence. Is mandatory prayer far behind?

Bay City commissioner gets his behind handed to him by another commissioner's wife, with musical tribute by me.



Click here to see the my flickr collection of both candidates' signs. You do want to.

My guest appearances on "There Are Some Who Call Me Tim" and "Archerradio" Thanks, guys!

Join the political mayhem here! here!

Music Today:



"Class Reunion" by Podsafe Music Network artist Todd Stephen



"We Can't Have Homosexual Communists Teaching in Our Schools" by Podsafe Music Network group Al Phlipp and the Woo Team



"Consortium Project IV-Children of Tomorrow" by Podsafe Music Network artist Ian Parry



"The Idiots are Taking Over-TBJG Bay City Commissioner Meeting Mayhem Mashup Mix" by Podsafe Music Network group NOFX, mix by moi. Audio is courtesy of WNEM.com. The mix is not available on iTunes, but you knew that...:)

Intro Music:



"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Podsafe Music Network artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller

Outro Music:



"Power Inside" by Podsafe Music Network and PodsafeAudio.com group EL84

Contact info:

You can email me at thatbluejeansguy@gmail.com.

You can call my voicemail at 989-326-2432.

You can also contact me by Gizmo Project at Gizmo ID thatbluejeansguy.

Visit my website, where you can send me an Odeo voice mail and stick a pin on my Frappr map.

While you are there, check out the links to my favorite podcasts' home pages.

Check out my page on MySpace

Don't forget that this podcast has an alternate feed: feeds.feedburner.com/thatbluejeansguy, which will also deliver my text blog entries to your RSS reader!

Thanks for listening, and Stay Powerful!

"Dear Abby" supports marriage equality.

Bigotry loses big time in Oregon.

Minister T.D. Jakes would rather fight AIDS than gays.

Come and get your love here!

Music Today:



"Beautiful" by Podsafe Music Network group The Pursuit



"Two Hearts" and "Reach Out to One Another" by Podsafe Music Network artist Jennifer Avalon

Intro Music:



"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Podsafe Music Network artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller

Outro Music:



"Power Inside" by Podsafe Music Network and PodsafeAudio.com group EL84

Contact info:

You can email me at thatbluejeansguy@gmail.com.

You can call my voicemail at 989-326-2432.

You can also contact me by Gizmo Project at Gizmo ID thatbluejeansguy.

Visit my website, where you can send me an Odeo voice mail and stick a pin on my Frappr map.

While you are there, check out the links to my favorite podcasts' home pages.

Check out my page on MySpace

Don't forget that this podcast has an alternate feed: feeds.feedburner.com/thatbluejeansguy, which will also deliver my text blog entries to your RSS reader!

Thanks for listening, and Stay Powerful!

I was very disturbed when I heard the news that CODEPINK members Medea Benjamin and Ret. Col Ann Wright were recently stopped at the Canadian border and denied entry. Apparently, Canada denies entry to anybody who has been convicted of even the most minor criminal offense, which is their right to do. Ms. Benjamin and Col. Wright were told that their names appeared on the FBI's National Crime Information Center database.

What was the "crime" that these brave ladies committed? Being arrested during one of the many protests for which they have become infamous and my personal heroines.

Did somebody take an eraser to the Bill of Rights? Our First Amendment guarantees the right of any citizen "...right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." In plain language, this guarantees the right for people to assemble and protest, and this is what CODEPINK does. Why, then, is this being treated as a crime, and why are their names on the same list as rapists, murderers, embezzlers, and thieves?

One of the selling points for the pointless and immoral war against Iraq was that we were going to "bring democracy to the Middle East." How credible are we as a model for democracy if we deny people the right to do what our Constitution clearly gives us permission to do?

CODEPINK has started a petition to demand that the FBI remove non-violent, minor "crimes" like this from its list and that the Canadian government change its policy accordingly. Will you lend your name in support? Join people like Alice Walker, Janis Ian, Willie Nelson, Howard Zinn, and me and sign the petition today. Click on this link to go to the petition site and exercise your right to protest...while you still have it!

Pelosi says no to ENDA without trans protection.

Fred Thompson explains his marriage amendment. Is something else afoot here and should we all be worried?

James Dobson fires a warning shot at both political parties.

Politics...gotta love it!

Political news and analysis are available for your aural pleasure here.

Music Today:



"American Boy" by Podsafe Music Network group Girls Don't Cry



"Quit and Go Home" by Podsafe Music Network group The Pursuit



"Brits Abroad" by Podsafe Music Network group Sunshine Variety Club.

Intro Music:



"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Podsafe Music Network artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller

Outro Music:



"Power Inside" by Podsafe Music Network and PodsafeAudio.com group EL84

Contact info:

You can email me at thatbluejeansguy@gmail.com.

You can also contact me by Gizmo Project at Gizmo ID thatbluejeansguy.

Visit my website, where you can send me an Odeo voice mail and stick a pin on my Frappr map.

While you are there, check out the links to my favorite podcasts' home pages.

Check out my page on MySpace

Don't forget that this podcast has an alternate feed: feeds.feedburner.com/thatbluejeansguy, which will also deliver my text blog entries to your RSS reader!

Thanks for listening, and Stay Powerful!

If you recall, I said in Episode 86 that I felt that within ten to twelve years, we would see a major split in the Republican Party. I felt that many of the Christian contingent within the party were beginning to realize that their issues were being glossed over in favor of issues like deregulation and cutting taxes on the rich, and they were realizing their influence and votes were being used to further an agenda with which they might not agree. These disenfranchised members of the Republican party would likely leave the party and establish a party with a platform based on conservative, fundamentalist Christian beliefs and values.

Well,it seems that I may have been right, but a little too conservative (heh) with how soon it would happen. According to this article in the New York Times, there is a movement amongst ultra-conservative Christians like James Dobson, Tony Perkins, and Richard Viguerie to break off and endorse a third-party candidate should the Republican Party choose a pro-choice presidential candidate like Rudy Giuliani. This idea is not without its detractors, with opposition coming from surprising sources like Pat Robertson and Gary Bauer. Still, it looks like my prediction may be coming true a few years sooner than I thought. Time will tell...

Once again, here's the blurb for the article:


Click on this link to go to the article.