Republican Trash Talk or Democratic Connivery? Introduction and Campaign Finance Laws

I know what I am writing has already occurred and has probably been forgotten. However, I want to bring the topic back into discussion because it has a point to prove and should not be buried away as a forgettable memory. I know most of my followers or classmates have written about more current events. However, I believe we can view things more clearly in retrospect.

During this election process, President Barack Obama has been accused by many as using the Internet in both a good and bad way. In fact, about a decade ago, candidates did not see much use in using the Internet as a helpful tool for their campaigns. Today, Obama’s campaign—as compared to Senator John McCain’s—has come the closest to achieving the Holy Grail of politics on the Internet—converting online enthusiasm to offline action. Even so, Obama and his campaign are found guilty in the eyes of a few Republicans, Republican newspapers and websites, and gullible bloggers. The accusation is that President Obama engaged in Internet fraud during his presidential campaign. According to several reports, Obama’s campaign did not undertake the necessary security measures to shield themselves from illegal online contributions. This supposed mistake from Obama’s campaign is one that deserves further scrutiny because it presents to the political arena two possible outcomes: 1) another form of Republican trash talk; or 2) a possible attempt from Democrats to play dirty.

The best way to start this discussion is to address the most important federal laws pertaining to campaign contributions, and then to address how others think Pres. Obama’s campaign has violated these rules.

After McCain and Feingold established the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in 2002 (BCRA), the regulation of the financing behind political campaigns became far stricter than the laws constituted by the Federal Election Campaign Act in 1971. For instance, under BCRA, federal law does not require campaigns to disclose any background information of those donors who have given less than $200. However, it does require that campaigns calculate running totals for each contributor, and disclose their information when their contributions pass the $200 mark. In addition, the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which was created under the Federal Election Campaign Act, requires all campaigns to reimburse any contribution that has exceeded the limit. Under campaign finance laws, an individual is allowed to contribute $2,300 to a candidate in both the primary and general elections, for a total of $4,600. When a donor exceeds the limit in a primary, the campaign has the capability of “redesignating” the excess amount over to the general election on its books. Furthermore, campaigns are not permitted to receive any contribution from a foreign institution or individual. In other words, no campaign is allowed to accept any donation from a non-U.S. citizen and a non-U.S. based corporation or institution. This is considered by many campaign financers to be the most important campaign finance law.

Sources:

1) Kenneth R. Timmerman-http://www.newsmax.com/timmerman/obama_fundraising_illegal/ 2008/09/29/135718.html
2) Matthew Mosk-http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/ 10/28/ar2008102803413_pf.html

SOCCER: Champion's League Matches Resume

The Champion's League games are back today and tomorrow (24th and 25th). Here are the games and my predictions:

March 24th
Arsenal v. Roma 1-1
Atletico v. Porto 2-0
Lyon v. Barcelona 1-3
Inter v. Man. United 1-2

March 25th
Chelsea v. Juventus 1-2 (I know I am a Chelsea fan)
Real Madrid v. Liverpool 0-2 (if Gerrard plays)
Sporting v. Bayern 0-2
Villareal v. Panathinaikos 1-1 (Well, I am Greek)

Tell me your Predictions!

WORLD POLITICS: North Korea Working on Long-Range Ballistic Missile

A fairly recent NYT.com article states that North Korea has been working on a long range ballistic missile that has the capabilities of reaching certain parts of North America. North Korea announced their space program a couple of days ago which will include releasing a satellite in the Earth's orbit. This attempt will allow North Korea with the technology to attack North America.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Asia last week discussing this matter with the leader of South Korea. Both of them stated that N.K. announcement was "very unhelpful" and "provocative."

I believe that N.K. will carry out its task of threatening North American airspace and any US incentive will do nothing to change their mind. For instance, Clinton told N.K. that if they abandon the program, then the US will supply them with economic aid. This is stupid and ridiculous. I believe North Korea's goal is to achieve a step closer to some sort of power or leverage against the US. Why would they give up their attempt for some economic aid? And, who are we, with our economy going downhill, to provide "rogue" nations with any financial support?

Just imagine this scenario: Imagine I enter your house, while your whole family is eating dinner. You know I look familiar because you have seen me in the papers a couple of times before. I have a bad reputation and have taken a couple of lives. I am a loose cannon with a trigger happy finger if you will. So, you approach me and ask me what business I have in your house. I just tell you that I was measuring how far my house was from yours. Not liking this idea, particularly because of the reputation I have, you try to bargain with me and tell me to stop this at once and to erase my recordings. I seem reluctant to do so and as I go to leave you tell me in desperation that you will provide me with some money if I do so. I pause before I open the door, and tell you "I will think about it." Now, your family is left with the fear of not knowing whether I will do anything with what I have done, and you have just appeared vulnerable before your possible future enemy. What will happen next? Power shift, fear, anxiety, war, negotiation, etc. Who knows!

SOCCER: English Premier League 2nd Update

This week is going to be quite interesting for English soccer fans. We have Chelsea v. Aston Villa, Man. United v. Blackburn, Arsenal v. Sunderland, and Liverpool v. Man. City.

The most interesting game out of the four will be Chelsea v. Aston Villa for a couple of reasons. As you all know from my previous post, Chelsea's ex-manager was relieved from his duties prematurely and Roman Abramovich, owner oof Chelsea, signed Guus Hiddink as the new and temporary manager of the Blues. Guus Hiddink headed the Russian International team in the Euro Cup and is quite an experienced and hardcore manager in my opinion. So, this weeks game will display his unique tactic. Hopefully, its wha it takes to get Chelsea back on their feet again. Second, Aston Villa is in third place, while Chelsea trails right behind them in fourth. So, the winner of this game will determine who will advance.

Stay tuned for more soccer. If you reside in the United States, the most interesting games of the Premier League are being broadcasted on Fox Soccer Channel and Setanta Sports. If you do not have neither channel, I suggest you watch them live on your PC.

As of Feb. 20th, 2009:

Man Utd	25	59
Liverpool	25	54
Aston Villa	25	51
Chelsea	25	49
Arsenal	25	44
Everton	25	40
Wigan Athletic	25	34
West Ham Utd	25	33
Man City	25	31
Fulham	24	30
Sunderland	25	30
Hull City	25	29
Newcastle	25	27
Bolton	25	27
Portsmouth	25	27
Tottenham	25	25
Stoke City	25	24
Blackburn	24	23
Middlesbrough	25	22
WBA	25	22

SPORTS: Snowboarding Accident

Hey guys, I just wanted to share this funny snowboarding accident video with you. I went to Mount Killington in Vermont last year and I thought I could jump a small man-made ramp. To use Christian Bale's words, I am such an "amateur." Oh yeah and I know what your thinking. No! This is not the reason why my back hurts. Although it could be a reason why it cannot heal.

Politics: The Best and Worst Presidents

I just want all of you to check this recent article on CNN, which ranks our Presidents from best to worst.

Do you guys agree that Abraham Lincoln should be the best US President? And, would you settle with the fact that George W. Bush is only in the 36th rank? I always thought that FDR will be no.1 and Andrew Johnson would be the worst of the bunch. But, tell me what you think.

Also, I think any methodological approach to these sort of research experiments are ridiculous.

Here is the video from Keith Olbermann's show:

TV: 24 Season 7, Episode 9 4:00pm-5:00pm Review

So, we finally know who the mole is within the FBI. Sean is working with the conspiring organization set out to make President Taylor look bad. I always thought all along it would have been Janis because I would love to hate that genius freak. But, unfortunately its awkward Sean. However, I believe Sean was forced into helping out with the safe entry of Dubaku. He is definitely a conflicted character that we would end up feeling sorry for in the end.

Now Dubaku's girlfriend is not going to be on the show for too long because her death is necessary in order to weaken Renee's relationship with Jack. The death of Vosser, Renee's torture tactics, and now with the possible death of Malika, Dubaku's girlfriend, Renee will doubt the way Jack Bauer operates.

Chloe is back working for the government which is good I guess because her actions will eventually discover the mole in the FBI's office. She will also get into fights with Janis because I believe they have similar personalities. Two competing computer geeks within the same environment is never good.

We also get introduced to President Taylor's daughter who does not have a good relationship with her mother. Her character will be a fine addition to the show. I also believe that Taylor's son is still alive because we have not technically seen his death. Also, the First Gentleman will not die because he is too good of an actor to get thrown off the show too soon.

What I want to know is when are we going to see the main conspirators behind this disaster. We saw a glimpse of one major government member in the 24 Redemption film. The guy I believe is behind the supposed death of Taylor's son and the one aiding the Juma regime in Sangala is played by Jon Voight. I guess we will see him in the 11th or 12th hour of the show series.

Anyway, I cant wait for what will happen next, especially with what Tony Almeida will do to escape his current predicament with the law. Stay tuned for more 24.