The holidays are approaching. Everyone is creating their naughty and nice lists. Next Friday, the day after we celebrate Thanksgiving, Americans will hit the malls and big box retailers to buy iPods and clothes, DVDs and stuffed animals, for loved ones and the Secret Santa exchanges and our children. Some see it as a secular holiday, others celebrate the holiday in a religious context.

We are a lucky people. By the accident of our birth in this great nation, hope of a better future is always on the horizon - even in the darkest circumstances.

Twenty-four years ago Bob Geldof and Midge Ure drafted Bono, Sting, and other music industry luminaries to come together as “Band-Aid” to raise awareness of the famine in Ethiopia. I was twelve. At the time, I had already spent many a Halloween with my little orange box from UNICEF - collecting the change of my neighbors and watching my mother roll it up, then turn it in to my teachers. I knew there were children without food, without water, without homes, without families to love and protect them.

I remember the first time I heard Geldof and Ure’s creation for the artists that combined forces to be Band-Aid. It was just after Thanksgiving - my family and I were in the car, on our way to a school holiday program, when it first rang through the airwaves: ”Do they know it’s Christmas?” I remember telling my mom to turn it up, we listened to the last half just sitting in the parking lot. Our beautiful school, in the suburbs of Atlanta, was so clean, so perfect so fortunate were all of us. Hearing that song fixed in my heart what the UNICEF box meant.

That as a human being - I had a responsibility to make the world around me a bit better place than it was when I arrived. The famine that inspired a news report, that moved Bob Geldof to write the song year in Ethiopia has passed… but since then, Africa has seen more tragedy. Genocide in Rwanda. Uganda’s child soldiers, the unknown children. Blood diamond mines, across the continent where women and children are beaten, tortured, enslaved and mutilated. Widespread preventable diseases like malaria kills thousands and thousands of children every year. Somalia faces a crisis, again - famine is creeping in and Islamists threaten to end what little life there is to sustain. Kenya has been ripped by violence. More than a million people have died at the hands of Islamist butchers, the Janjaweed - who use Rape and Genocide in the name of Allah.

In 1984, I was the same age my daughter is now. We do the same things I did with my mother. The little orange boxes on Halloween from UNICEF. And more: raising awareness and pointing kids to ONE. Encouraging folks to wear RED clothes from The GAP and buy RED products, like the awesome U2 filled iPod. Consuming info from DebtAidsTradeAfrica, Save Darfur, and especially The IRC.

I belive in the full funding of PEPFAR. Truthfully, it is far cheaper - and has a long term upside - compared to another Bailout for the Big 3 Automakers. I believe in the full funding of the Millennium Development Goals. Earlier this year, the Pentagon launched AfriCom - and looking at the increased activity of pirates off the coast of Somalia, and remembering my friends who served in The Mog - and others who served in Rwanda… I wonder if our generation, Gen X, will get the opportunity to set right the mistakes and catastrophic failures recognized by some who came before us. Not many.

Most dismissed “Do they know it’s Christmas?” as a self-indulgent, ego-satisfying step of some in the music industry. The truth is, I remember those voices. When the single hit the stores, it charted at Number One. It sold eight million copies world wide. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher did not want to waive the VAT (tax) because why should the government give up it’s share? Public outrage grew so quickly, Lady Thatcher acquiesced. And every cent of the three million copies sold in the UK went to famine relief in Ethiopia. Many of us in Generation X were affected. We remember the end of Apartheid too. We also know that many of the problems in Africa have worsened. The people neglected. We are old enough now to take up that charge anew. And we are, thanks to the leadership of folks like George W. Bush, whose legacy in Africa is unparalleled. And Bono, Geldof, and few others.

Geldof went on to organize Live Aid - which harnessed I remember as well. July 1985 - they raised roughly the equivalent of $245 million for famine relief. They held a similar event Live Aid 20, in 2005. There are so many avenues to help - there can be no more excuses. No more waiting out the clock. If we believe, as a people, that we should be our brother’s keeper - then we don’t have a moment to waste. The government can’t fix this. Real men and real women - in government, in public life, and all of us that are private citizens, must reject the Starvation of Hope for Africa and her people.

We must all works toward liberating Africa from its image, and reality, as the forgotten continent.

—Media Lizzy

“In Italy, for thirty years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder, bloodshed —
they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance.

In Switzerland, they had brotherly love, five hundred years of democracy and peace, and what did they produce? The cuckoo clock.

—From the film The Third Man

With barely more than a week to go, Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama appears set for a finish stronger than the closing weeks of the primary campaign. His biggest risk is overconfidence among his supporters. Unless they feel that ‘fierce urgency of now’ - he may not have enough real voters to bring about all that hope and change.

In Republican circles, the ‘fierce urgency of now’ may prove a uniting factor in the closing days. Senator John McCain has lived his life in service to the United States. But the failure of his campaign staff to effectively let McCain BE McCain - and of the activist Conservative right to fully support him has definitely left a mark. The silver lining for McCain, however, is that Republican voters chose him despite the party apparatus. McCain is the man elected - in closed and open primaries - that voters wanted. Party establishment folks don’t like that fact - but it’s just too darn bad.

Where does that leave us? Who will win? Obama the Prom King, or McCain the Reliable Hero? Frankly, I don’t think anyone can predict it. Polls have proved notoriously inaccurate this season. Obama underperforming. McCain overperforming. One thing is certain: the GOP will lose ground in the US House and US Senate. But the presidential race is far from over. With only 9 days - it might as well be 9 years until the last vote is cast.

Regardless of this election… the truth is this: 2012 is on everyone’s mind already.

If Obama wins, he’ll instantly be in re-election mode. And who is there to challenge him? Sarah Palin seems a natural voice for the ultra-conservative wing of the GOP. But who else might there be? many contenders spring to mind, certainly former Pennsylvania Governor & first DHS Secretary Tom Ridge has made it clear he would have been happy to be on the ticket this year. So maybe he’s got designs on 1600 Penn in the next cycle as a post-McCain moderate. South Carolina’s Mark Sanford could challenge Palin, and be more appealing to fiscal conservatives than she is. McCain’s major rival, Mitt Romney may make a Hillary-esque “I told you so” re-run, never mind that he just is not likable - no matter what Kevin Madden tells us.

Of course, this all begs the ‘magic wand’ treatment. Who would I like to see? US House Chief Deputy Republican Whip Eric Cantor, VA-7. Sure, its a long shot and the Fitzhugh Mafia from the Old Dominion prefer to see him hang in the House and make his play towards a future as Speaker of the US House - and I am sure Cantor could get there. But - ya know, those boys from Richmond need to set him free. Let Americans, real Americans, become acquainted with Eric. He took a prominent role during the energy debate this year - in August - that proved me right on one thing: Eric Cantor may be the most telegenic, articulate, common sense, sexy (yeah - I said it) Conservative in the last 50 years. Slightly younger than Obama, Cantor would find some swooning masses in a fight against Obama in four years.

And what if McCain wins? Who would emerge from Democratic ranks to right the Yellow Submarine that Obama has been piloting this year? Rahm Emmanuel. Just a guess. As ugly as GOP infighting has been - the bloodbath that would ensue after an Obama defeat would be a fascinating bit of political theatre.

Nine days and counting. But remember, ten days from now - the next presidential election begins.

—Media Lizzy

For years… Democrats criticized the Bush-Cheney model for election.  During 2000, there were cries for gravitas.  Experience.  Even a DC Insider to join then Governor George W. Bush’s team - and make him more electable.

Barack Obama has heard those same cries. He began as an anti-War, anti-Patriot Act, anti-Bush Democrat.  This week, he acknowledged the success of the surge in front of the VFW convention.  Why?  He can’t trash the service of Beau Biden, the son of his running mate.  This summer, Obama voted for the FISA bill that includes domestic surveillance and retroactive immunity for telecom companies that assisted the Feds after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  As for being anti-Bush, Barack Obama’s language on that count has dissolved into obsequious praise for Laura Bush.  Around the time First Daughter Jenna Bush was married by Kirbyjon Caldwell, who supports Barack Obama… the softening began. Even Michelle Obama has heaped praise on the First Family.

Obama cried out for a timetable in Iraq.  Condi Rice is in the process of negotiating a Status of Forces Agreement with a firm timetable - with US Forces leaving in 2011, helping Obama to undermine McCain.  Neither President Bush, nor Secretary of State Condi Rice has stepped out to declare Mission Accomplished in Iraq — even though, that is clearly the case — and it would NEVER have been possible without Senator John McCain’s shaming of W and advocacy for the Surge.

Republicans and Democrats will be angered by my stance here.  But let me remind you that political players are all too human, and occasionally Machiavellian.Senator John McCain’s career has been marked by a service, devotion to Country, honor, family, solving problems by taking the lead on tough issues, and a healthy skepticism of party leadership - and their motivations. All of this separates him from the conventional wisdom but it also deepens his appeal to average Americans that are tired of politics as usual. John McCain is the real change agent in this election - because he will put America First.

—Media Lizzy

Next week, Athletes from around the world will compete in a myriad of events. President Bush will attend the Opening Ceremonies, as will many other foreign leaders, despite the moniker “Genocide Olympics” entering into global consciousness.

Few dispute the complicity of China’s government in propping up the Khartoum regime. Organizations like Save Darfur, to the Enough Project, and Dream for Darfur, along with President George W. Bush have declared the situation in Darfur a genocide.

But tomorrow’s leaders have opinions too.  Both Senators Obama and McCain have spoken out forcefully regarding the ongoing genocide in Darfur.  Both have spoken in defense of the Dalai Lama and decried oppression of the Tibetan monks.   The ‘Genocide Olympics’ issue is one laden with political beacons that must be navigated precisely.

Senator Barack Obama, despite his reported $5 million purchase of air time during the Olympics, declared on July 7th, via the Hindustan Times:

“I would have wanted to see serious progress by the Chinese government before I make a commitment to attend the opening ceremonies. In the absence of some sense of progress, in the absence of some sense from the Dalai Lama that there was progress, I would not have gone,” the senator from Illinois said.

Obama said that Washington failed to exert serious pressure on the Chinese government to arrive at a solution during its talks with Tibetan spiritual guru the Dalai Lama.

“We were not aggressive in encouraging the Chinese government to make serious concessions in its talks with the Dalai Lama,” he said at an interactive session in St Louis, Missouri.

However pure Senator Obama’s intentions regarding the Olympics - the purchase of air time during the Olympics begs questions about just what sort of message he’s sending.  Does Senator Obama seek a standard for himself, that applies to no one else?  Will his campaign’s direct purchase from NBC - which, coincidentally is owned by GE - another corporation with ties to state sponsors of terror, utilize the time to inform the American people about China’s complicity in the Darfur Genocide, or talk about the Dalai Lama?  Or will the Obama campaign simply play standard bio ads - as he did during the Superbowl?

The Obama campaign has not returned a comment for the record, despite acknowledging the request.  So, that’s a ‘no comment.’

Senator John McCain also discouraged President Bush’s attendance at the Opening ceremonies.  To be clear, I have placed repeated calls to his campaign for commentary on the propriety of Senator Obama’s ad buy.  On Monday, I expect to have a statement for the record - but we shall see.  The obvious follow up question, beyond what the campaign thinks about the Obama ad buy is this: Has the McCain campaign purchased air time during the Olympics as well?  From NBC?  Or a cable buy that would include NBC’s Olympic coverage?

Senator John McCain has gone on the record about Darfur, previously - in an Op-Ed he wrote with former Senator Bob Dole in 2006.

Throughout the world, people of conscience were shocked by and ashamed of our failure to stop the genocide in Bosnia and Rwanda. We must not repeat these mistakes. In Darfur, the moment of truth is now.

Senator McCain’s wife, and potential First Lady Cindy McCain recently returned from Rwanda - her first visit since 1994, when she was in-country during the slaughter. She has spent a lifetime devoted to human rights issues - and the uplifting of women and children in third world and war-torn countries. Unlike other political figures, Cindy McCain has done much of her work without notice or a phalanx of enthralled media and adoring fans. When Doctors without Borders ( ou, en Français -Médecins Sans Frontières - MSF) called Mrs. McCain in 1994, she went herself. Dubbed The Quiet Humanitarian by The Wasington Post, Cindy McCain - and her husband, have demonstrated a lifetime of service in this arena.

Their record contrasts greatly with Senator Obama’s recent foray into international affairs. Surely, his supporters are not suggesting Senator Obama’s five hours in Paris, and a couple of meetings with Sarkozy and Kouchner (founder of Doctors without Borders/MSF) imparted Jeffersonian-level knowledge of Human Rights intricacies. By purchasing the air time directly from NBC, Obama’s campaign demonstrated a blatant hypocrisy, or perhaps it is as simple as being ill-prepared to serve.

The perspective of folks within the Human Rights arena should also be taken into consideration. I have spoken with senior representatives from ONE - whose focus is on the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals. I have also spoken with senior representatives at Save Darfur, and am regularly speaking with folks from the Genocide Intervention Network, Dream for Darfur, and other human rights experts around the country. Many of the folks were in absolute agreement on one thing: they are drawing a distinction between the Opening/Closing Ceremonies and the Games themselves. They wish to be supportive of the athletes - but be very clear that the spectacle being staged by the Chinese government is not an appropriate venue for our leaders to support.

On Thursday, August 7th at 3PM Eastern - I will be joined by M. Allyn Brooks LaSure, of the Save Darfur coalition, to discuss the urgency in Darfur - and the importance of being informed about the facts on the ground. We’ll discuss Mia Farrow’s amazing work, and her activities in Eastern Chad and in Darfur during the Olympics.

The stakes for our nation are very high this November. Vote wisely.

—Media Lizzy

Memorial Day Tribute to Heroes, and Audio of Interviews with attendees of Anti-Illegal Immigration Rally in California

Memorial Day means more than bar-b-qued hamburgers and hot dogs. It is more than just a day off from work. Memorial Day is a time to thank those who have sacrificed their lives for this nation, and a time to thank those who are currently laying it all on the line everyday to keep this nation safe. These men and women are most deserving of our deepest respect and gratitude for all they have done on behalf of our great country.

It is my sincere hope that everybody takes the time to pay tribute to those heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our freedom, and also recognize the tremendous sacrifices that our Veterans have made and our active duty troops are making everyday.

Simple words cannot convey my gratitude. As a veteran myself I understand the oath, and I understand the difficult journey. However, as a peace-time veteran, I will never fully understand the taste of freedom that graces the hearts and souls of our war-time veterans, and the brave men and women currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In fact, there are only two words that I can say that truly relay how I feel. They are simple words, insignificant by themselves, but filled with emotion and honor when placed together and delivered to a member of the United States Military.

Thank You.

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Tonight on Political Pistachio Radio we will pay tribute to those fine members of the military, past and present, living and dead. I encourage the veterans that read this site and listen to the show to call in so that we may thank you personally.

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The men and women that protect this nation serve in many more ways other than the military. Our Border Patrol is also an agency tasked with keeping us as a nation safe, not only from illegal immigrants who have broken the law to be here and are tapping into a system they have neither contributed to, nor have the legal right to access, but the Border Patrol also protects us from members of enemy Islamic factions and Mexican drug cartels. One out of three persons crossing the border along the San Diego county line are of Middle Eastern descent. The Drug Cartels in Mexico are at war with the government and each other, and that war is attempting to spill over into this country. The Border Patrol is our line of defense against both of these dangers. Unfortunately, our government, which is fast becoming a judicial oligarchy, has determined that if Border Patrol Agents do their job, their actions are punishable by prison.

Two Border Patrol agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, attempting to interrupt a cross-border drug smuggling operation, fired their weapons in self-defense at an admitted illegal alien, drug smuggler, Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila. The smuggler managed to escape across the border into Mexico, but he left his vehicle, loaded with more than 700 pounds of marijuana. It was another good bust. Rather than be congratulated for doing their job, the Border Patrol agents were charged with attempted murder, indicted, placed under house arrest for eight long months. The two agents were later sentenced to 11 and 12 years in federal prison, respectively, on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and for violation of the drug smuggler’s civil rights. They remain in prison serving their unfair sentence that President George W. Bush could pardon, but won’t because of his globalistic position, and lack of cajones against the liberal left which would lambaste him if he so dared.

Last Friday I attended a Free Ramos and Compean Sidewalk Rally in Irvine, California near where First Lady Laura Bush was autographing copies of the book she authored with Jenna Bush, “Read All About It!” While I was there I interviewed a number of the folks holding up signs and waving American Flags in support of our unjustly jailed Border Patrol Agents, Ramos and Compean. Tonight on Political Pistachio Radio, after the tribute to our American Military Heroes, past and present, I will play for you the audio of those interviews. Don’t miss this broadcast! This will be a show you will remember for a lifetime.

Join us tonight at 10:00 PM Eastern Time on Political Pistachio Radio.

Below are photos I took from the Rally. The first is of the line waiting to meet Laura Bush. The last picture is of a woman born in South America who declares proudly she is an American, and she is the final, stirring interview you will hear tonight.

“For the first time in many years heavy military equipment will be used. This is not sabre-rattling. We are not threatening anyone and don’t plan to,” Putin said ahead of the traditional Victory Day parade on Friday.

No that is not supposed to raise questions, but God forbid there be a DEFENSIVE missile system near by. Or HIS talk of new Russisn missiles that can penetrate “any missile defense system.” Don’t worry about it at all!

Previous work done on the topic, that can help you form an opinion on the matter: USSR Watch, II, IV, V

We all saw the almost sickening use of a number of deaths and years used in the past week. Here is an interesting piece, I wish I had more time to comment.

“The intelligence was bad. Pre-invasion planning was fundamentally flawed, with confusion about what followed the initial invasion’s success. There were severe shortages of critically needed equipment. The field generals lacked confidence in their superiors. The enemy’s strength was underestimated and their tactics surprised U.S. planners, dashing hopes for a quick victory. And more than 4,000 Americans died as the operation dragged on and on.”

Please read on about this horrific situation we find ourselves “in”… Examiner Editorial

Brought to you on behalf of CIR Blog, Radio, and people willing to look at things in a larger context than a politically useful moment in time and single number.

This September, President George W. Bush will take the Republican National Convention stage for the last time as the head of our nation, the head of our party and give over the seat at the top of the ticket to John S. McCain. Bittersweet and exciting - but such is the political life.

Minneapolis is just COOL. The GOP Convention 2008 folks are building staff - and making this convention the most tech-savvy and leading edge ever. Not to mention the Blog Madness fun… here are some of the highlights:

Just six months away… here come the planners! Not to mention… Executive Producer Named for GOP Convention and here comes the Google Innovation and YouTube and Digital Delegates!

—Media Lizzy

Finally… in a recent update from GOP Convention President & CEO Maria Cino:

This Isn’t Your Father’s GOP’

The GOP continues to round out its roster of official providers to the 2008 Republican National Convention with choices clearly designed to achieve the party’s goal of hosting the most tech-savvy convention in history. In the past month, Qwest and Google joined the already stellar line-up of Ustream.TV, YouTube, Travel Tech, and PR Newswire. In addition, the convention team is online with social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook.

Qwest Communications International Inc. will serve as the Official Communications Provider for the presidential nominating convention. As the Official Communications Provider, Qwest will be the exclusive provider of high-speed Internet as well as voice and data lines for the COA. Qwest also will provide hosting services and 24/7 network management and technical support.

Learn more about the Official Communications Provider in the News Room.

Google Inc. will serve as the convention’s Official Innovation Provider. Convention President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Cino made the announcement in a unique video posted to the convention’s new YouTube^TM channel. The video is also showcased on the convention’s website, and highlights Google’s cutting-edge, computer-generated SketchUp^TM graphics of the Xcel Energy Center, where the 2008 Republican National Convention will be held. The video has already been viewed 20,000 times.

“Google and YouTube are synonymous with innovation, and our groundbreaking collaboration will set a new precedent for engaging and involving Americans in the Republican National Convention,” said Cino. “We also remain firmly focused on providing Senator McCain with every tool available to communicate his message to the American people - and this agreement is an important part of our efforts.”

Learn more about the Official Innovation Provider in the News Room.

The announcements made a huge splash online, especially among bloggers! Click through the list below for just a sampling of the coverage:

• MinnPost
• The Wall Street Journal’s Business Technology Blog
• Washington Times
• techPresident.com
• Media Lizzy & Friends
• Theworldwellinherit.com
• Precisenews.com
• CycloneConservatives.com

Cross posted @ Media Lizzy & Friends