Debate: Biden vs Palin + Letterman's Top Ten

The Joe Biden, Sarah Palin match is tonight folks. It's their one, and only match so don't miss these VP contenders. It should be a crackerjack of a fight! Do you think there will be a knock out?

In this corner presenting... Choo Choo Joe Biden -

"Joe Biden is a U.S. senator from Delaware, first elected in 1972. He was born in Scranton, Pa., in 1942 but now lives in Wilmington. He graduated from the University of Delaware and earned a law degree from Syracuse University. He made a brief run for president in 1988. Biden is married to Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden. He has three children. His first wife and a 13-month-old daughter were killed in an automobile accident in 1972. He withdrew from the presidential race on Jan. 3, 2008. He was announced Aug. 23, 2008, as Sen. Barack Obama's vice presidential nominee."

Where he stands on the issues.

How truthful has he been?

In depth biography.

In this corner presenting... Sarah Barracuda Palin -

"Sarah Palin is governor of Alaska. She was elected in 2006; her previous experience includes leading the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. She also served as the mayor and a councilwoman in Wasilla, Alaska."

Where she stands on the issues.

How truthful has she been?

In depth biography.

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Letterman's Top Ten from last night...

Top Ten "Things Overheard at Sarah Palin Debate Camp:"

10. "Let's practice your bewildered silence."

9. "Can you try saying 'yes' instead of 'you betcha'?"

8. "Hey, I can see Mexico from here!"

7. "Maybe we'll get lucky and there won't be any questions about Iraq, taxes or health care."

6. "We're screwed!"

5. "Can I just use that lipstick-pit bull thing again?"

4. "We have to wrap it up for the day -- McCain eats dinner at 4:30."

3. "Can we get Congress to bail us out of this debate?"

2. "John Edwards wants to know if you'd like some private tutoring in his van."

1. "Any way we can just get Tina Fey to do it?"

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Not sure who your going to vote for?

Take this cute, fun, quiz, and see which candidate your most in tune with. It over oversimplifies sometimes, and in doing so can be a bit inaccurate, but it will give you a general idea. It's a good tool for comparing candidates. Have fun. ;o)

Click here for Quiz - votegopher.com

Some good non partisan websites to check out the facts...

Fact Check

PolitiFact

The Fact Checker - The Washington Post

Snopes

On The Issues

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Media Predictions - What's the media saying before the debate?

CNN: Controversy brews up around VP debate moderator Ifill

MSNBC: The difference between Biden, Palin

Washington Post: Format of Biden-Palin Debate Sets No Limit on Subject Matter

ABC News: Game On! Biden, Palin Ready for VP Debate

USA TODAY: Both VP hopefuls have something to prove

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Politics - Just the facts ma'am! ...What's the Truth?

In my recent post titled "Obama, McCain, Palin, Biden - What's the Truth?" I talked about propaganda, spin, half truths, exaggerations, and sometimes outright lies in Politics. In a time of political speeches and debates, how do we judge what the truth is? In particular, I felt confused about senator McCain's V.P. pick Sarah Palin. Since she is relatively unknown the media has wiped themselves in a frenzy trying to be the first to get information out about her, and in doing so sometimes become careless in fact checking. Originally I gave you one tool to use fact checks which has a reputation of being very reliable. Since then I have found several others. Hopefully these tools will help us to see the facts.

Here is a list of my favorite fact checking tools. Some of these websites list other fact checking sites. If you have a favorite fact checker website please feel free to leave a comment about it.

Fact Check

PolitiFact

The Fact Checker - The Washington Post

Snopes

On The Issues I don't think this site qualifies as a fact checker, but it provides "non-partisan information for voters in the Presidential election."


Photo credit

Obama, McCain, Palin, Biden - What's the Truth?

I've been reading a few blogs recently that are noticeably slanted in their opinions concerning candidate/s during this election. They are full of propaganda that they have heard, accepted, and are just passing on. Remember that in elections and in war there is propaganda, spin, half truths, exaggerations, sometimes outright lies. Yes in BOTH parties, as well as BOTH sides of a war.

So during conventions, and political coverage with all the speeches, remember that even your guy (or gal) will probably say things that are propaganda. Also we are hearing some bashing by the media of the new V.P. pick Sarah Palin. Some of which is slanted, and some even sounds gender prejudice. So before you get on the bandwagon remember to do your homework, check the facts at FactCheck.org. Fact Check is a "nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics."

I want to stress that before entering into war a government uses propaganda trying to get the people on their side. It is more difficult for a government to wage war if the people aren't with them. "Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ... Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." — General Herman Goering, President of German Reichstag and Nazi Party, Commander of Luftwaffe during World War II, April 18, 1946."

Of course propaganda can be used during a war by both sides. This is a WWII propaganda poster made by the allies to warn U.S. workers. "Allied propaganda typically portrayed the Japa­nese as nearsighted, bucktoothed caricatures or as monkeys, alternating between a subject of ridicule and an object of fear."


I found a good website that has a section about war time propaganda and the Media, it's call Global Issues.

So folks remember that propaganda abounds during election time and war time. Propaganda will be on both sides and it is upon our shoulders to discern correctly.

Good website to use..

Fact Checks

On The Issues

PolitiFact

Fact Checker Washington Post

Vote Gopher

Snopes

Global Issues Good for War Time

Related Posts -
Politics - Just the facts ma'am! ...What's the Truth?

Quiz - Who do you prefer? - McCain or Obama


Update: I added more factcheckers later.

Photo credit and here