Zinn and Chomsky

They are right Vote for Obama most definetely the less of the two evils.

http://www.reason.com/news/show/129599.html

How does one resist their Government?

The most dangerous man, to any government, is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. almost invariably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane and intolerable, and so, if he is romantic, he tries t change it. And if he is not romantic personally, he is apt to spread discontent among those who are. ~ H. L. Mencken.

What is the difference between a terrorist, a patriot, a freedom fighter and a rebel? The McCain Camp has been pushing a connection between Bill Ayers of the Weather Underground and Obama. Why?

ZombieTime published a post highlighting, Prairie Fire: The Politics of Revolutionary Anti-Imperialism a book produced by Ayers and other members of the Weather Underground. Interestingly, the post starts with the following: William Ayers is a communist. Then disclaims there is nothing illegal about being a communist but ends with the (I suppose) stinging reproach;

William Ayers is a communist. By his own description. He was a communist then, he is a communist now, and he was a communist for the entire time that Barack Obama worked with him and was associated with him.

The Weathermen conducted activities against the United States Federal and State and Local governments (across the US but also in Chicago, the Weathermen twice destroyed a statue of a police officer which stood in Haymarket Square) during the US war in Vietnam and stated they planned to "seize power". The Weathermen used bombings, demonstrations and prison breaks.

There is a loud contingent, led by such luminaries as Sean Hannity and Bill Cunningham, claiming what Bill Ayers did in the Sixties was beyond redemption and when Obama wins, have convinced themselves he will install a islamic marxist police state, which will take their property and curb their freedoms. But, what can they do to resist such an evil government? Clearly they can not physically resist because of their stance against violent resistance used by Ayers. They have placed themselves in a quandary.

The problem is these people who are touting Ayers as ultimate evil have constrained themselves into accepting the Hobbesian Ideal of Government. Once a government takes power the people have no voice and no role in government and the every action of the government is by axiom, legitimate. This is clearly the view of the two Dicks, Nixon and Cheney. As typified by the famous Nixon line ‘If the President Does It, That Means It’s Not Illegal’ and Cheney's 'So?' in response to the fact 2/3rds of Americans think the war in Iraq is not worth fighting.

So does Bill Cunningham think resisting the government is immoral or prima facie evidence of treason? No, Bill Cunningham has stated many times if Obama is elected he will fight like a Scottish Warrior Poet or like Patrick Swayze in Red Dawn.

But by what LEGITIMACY does Braveheart Cunningham have in resisting Obama's Federal Government?

The early history of the United States is founded on the Polybian belief in order to avoid revolts a simple government of one of the 3 classic types (monarchy, aristocracy, democracy) is to have a balanced government combining the 3. The One, The Few, The Many. The problem is those men were the product of the Enlightenment as well versed in Ancient Greek and Roman History as with contemporary thought. Such men are in short supply today. But, to them the problems of modern America are not new, they are simply an extension of the problems faced in Ancient Greece and Revolutionary America. However, the United States was founded with the active resistance (The Revolution) to the ruling government. Which causes a problem; If violent struggle can legitimately be used once can it be used again? Or was the American Revolution a one-time aberration?

Toranaga: There is no mitigating factor for rebellion against your liege lord. Blackthorne: Unless you win. ~ from James Clavell's Shogun.

On what side would those who rage rage rage on the Obama/Ayers connection have fallen with regards to Sophie Scholl and White Rose, with the government or the radicals?

Are these they same people who cheered when the US military rolled into Iraq and deposed the ruling government of Saddam Hussein? Would they have been pro-Sadr when his father was against Saddam and anti-Sadr when the son is against the current government of Iraq?

Do these people cheer the Kurds on against the government of Turkey? Do they champion a Kurdish Free State? Or do they snicker and roll their eyes at Biden's not new idea of a tripartite Iraq?

Are these the same people who cheered Georgian military aggression against South Ossetia?

Do these people think the Irish resistance to British rule is unconscionable and the deaths and bombings in the Troubles are all the fault of Irish criminals who have no basis for resistance?

Getting back to the Weatherman bombing tactics. What is the difference between the bombing of the Haymarket Square statue and when the American Founding Fathers and Patriots destroyed a statue of King George III, which stood at the foot of Broadway on the Bowling Green in New York to make bullets?

Sometimes, in the beginning of an insane shabby political upheaval he is strongly moved to revolt, but he doesn't do it - he knows better. He knows his maker would find out - the maker of his patriotism, the windy and incoherent six-dollar subbeditior of the village newspaper - and would bray out in print and call him a traitor. ~ Mark Twain, As regards Patriotism.

Funny how Twain knew what tactics would be used against those who stand against their government.

Sowing the Seeds of Hate

Update:
Well, since standard red-baiting Obama is a Socialist isn't working why not just claim - Obama is League with Lucifer! Could Lucifer play a role in this presidential election? So asks James PINKerton.


You want this, don't you? The hate is swelling in you now. ~ The Emperor

Vote for McCain or get the Fuck out of My Country, you fake american, socialist, communist, anti-american, god-hating muslim!

The face is revealed. The spittle-flying vitriol has spouted fancy buds. No longer do we have fringe chemically imbalanced persons like Ann Coulter She Who Shall Not Be Named calling the other party Traitors, it's permeated and become the mantra of an entire political party.

It started with Sarah Palin and her gosh-golly darn-it, I'm so folksy and hot and Obama's-a-terrorist speeches and extended when both she and McCain equated Obama with socialism. I'd love to hear Sarah Hot Piece define Socialism it would probably be as understandable as her definition of what the United States Vice President does.

Of course, the most egregious example is Michelle Bachmann's call for an investigation of anti-american's in Congress. But if you listen to her closely not only does she believe Obama is anti-american, to Bachmann anti-americans can be found many places; "some of these people have positions teaching in institutions of higher learning, but, you'll find them in all walks of life all throughout america."

Uh-huh. Bachmann has no idea what she is talking about. Watching her vapid stare, listening to the pauses, the set patterns of speech, the stilted way she responded to questions which differed from her set talking points it appeared Bachmann had been given the RNC text of; equate Liberal with anti-american at every opportunity. She's a tool or a fool.

Absolutely, I have concerns Barack Obama has anti-american views. ~ Michelle Bachmann

Good. Use your aggressive feelings. Let the hate flow through you. ~ The Emperor

But, it didn't stop with Bachmann, who actually has continued her Obama is anti-american talking points. McCain advisor Nancy Pfoentauer divided Virginia (again) into real and unreal parts and the Real part supports McCain.

Robin Hayes stated unequivocally "Liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in god", then lied, then claimed it's the fault of liberal bloggers. Dang those liberals! Not only do they hate real americans then they lie about it and slander a real american like Sarah Hot Piece and Robin Hayes!

And as a minister in an Iowa McCain rally pointed out, everyone knows the false faiths of the world yearn for an Obama victory.

Of course, claiming one's side has the Mandate from Heaven is not new in politics it's one of the oldest arguments for claiming power.

And the mobs which have been taken in and read the "works" of Coulter she who shall not be named, Michael Savage Weiner Liberalism is a Mental Disorder, Sean Hannity, these comments help whip them into a hate-filled frenzy. Socialist! Communist! Terrorist! Anti-American!

I'm sure if Bachmann was given her script and told to include the following words, she would find them and the men who penned them and stood in armed conflict against their government to be anti-american:

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

I'm sure she would declare this to be against the right of center values which in her mind alone real americans hold dear.

And a note on Bill Ayers and the Weather Underground. The Weathermen twice destroyed a hypocritical statue of a police officer which stood in Haymarket Square, taking this action alone how is it different than when the American Founding Fathers and Patriots destroyed a statue of King George III, which stood at the foot of Broadway on the Bowling Green in New York to make bullets?

Mad Max & Lord Humungus

Inspired by LT Nixon's fantastic article Vote Lord Humungus in '08 I began thinking again about one of my favorite and the quintessential Post-Apocalyptic movies of all time, The Road Warrior (Mad Max 2). In so doing I found an excellent analysis of the film, Max, Lord Humungus and Society on YouTube by Rob Ager. I am placing them here with all credit to Mr. Ager.

Part One.


Part Two.

I love to read Dailykos and FreeRepublic

because when someone breaks with political orthodoxy they are subjected to the Shame Circle.

This is what it must have been like to be a member of a religious community over the last 2000 years. If you dare flex your brain, think and possibly disagree with the entrenched power and accepted dogma the group surrounds you and ridicules you. No wonder it's taking so long for man to break free of the shackles of religion and enhanced tribalism (a.k.a. nationalism).

Donald Trump says Bush is bad and should have been impeached. And even though Trump endorses McCain, the supermericans at FreeRepublic must punish him for his heretical views on Our Glorious Bush who singlehanded defeated Terrorism forever! Trump must be brought back into the fold on W. He must be insulted personally, he must be insulted on physical appearance.

Christopher Hitches, a pro-Iraq War, decided anti-islamic to the extreme gentleman who champions reason and hates religion dares to point out Sarah Tall and Palin has no clothes and is roundly chastised. He is a drunk! We hate him! Boo!

Laura Ingraham one of the ideological descendants of Phyllis Schlafly declares "She can't believe" Hitchens would break from the Orthodoxy and vote for Obama!

This isn't a right or left thing it's a power and conformity issue. Both sides know they have listened to the true prophets and the other side has listened to false ones. One doesn't dare differ.

However, I guess it's comforting No Congressman has declared there should be trials for those who dare to stand up. I mean it's not like those people who hold different views are Anti-American or something....

If you think War is Good for the Economy

then you obviously believe that Theft and Criminal Damage are good for the economy as well.

Think about what a good boost to the economy someone breaking your car windshield and setting off a fire extingusiher inside you car does.

First you have to clean your car, this requires the use of cleaners and towels, plus maybe a vacuum so you'll need to pay for those supplies which keeps Americans working in production, transport and sales of those items.

Next you drive your car to get a new windshield this requires the use of fuel a boost for American oil companies. Then there's the labor required to put the new windshield into your car by the mechanic and you have to pay the cashier.

And unlike War which results in destruction overseas, when iPod's and jewelry are stolen and cars, homes, street signs and parks are vandalized it's happening right here! Americans get the added benefit of getting the latest updated equipment and newest infrastructure.

If one wishes to be logical with the continued pace of advancement in concrete techniques, fiber optic wiring, power cables, building materials and manufacturing techniques Americans should demand the US Government destroy everything (highways, bridges, homes, Wal Marts) in the United States using half of our munitions and rebuild it all in order for We the People to enjoy a technologically updated society.

I agree with Sean Hannity

Everyone with bizarre radical religious backing should be excluded from the office of President of the United States.

Jon Hagee wants a Nuclear "showdown" with Iran, Hagee knows god's mind he knows all about god's political positions on US immigration and our foreign policy with Israel. And he's deduced from years of "study" the Catholic Church is the Great Whore of Babylon.

And recall If you don't Vote for McCain, You'll Suffer A Hurricane

And McCain's "Spiritual Guide" was Rod Parsley until McCain had to disassociate himself when Parsely stated America was "founded with the intention of seeing this false religion (islam) destroyed".

And then there's Sarah Tall and Palin. Her Witch Doctor and the Wasilla Armageddon of God... Of course, it's not like Sarah Palin is"palling around" with Secessionists*...

Oh wait... I never hear Sean-o talk about these incidents! Why oh Why?

I deplore this game. But, why does Hannity attack Obama about Jeremiah Wright? I don't know...

*- the secession thing is a +plus+ for Palin. I'd be happy if she was to go back to Alaska and declare their independence from the US.

President McCain

John McCain should have won the republican nomination in 2000. But, the Bush regime used the most low and untrue accusations to destroy his campaign and allow Bush to, eventually, steal the 2000 election.

I wonder if those who supported Bush in 2000 think McCain would have done a better job at guiding the Nation after 9/11. I do.

For one thing I know President McCain would not have explicitly endorsed Torture as Bush did. And McCain would not have ignored the pre-9/11 warnings as Bush did and stopped the terror attack. You see McCain having real military experience would understand war and threats to American in a way Bush never had and never will.

But, the Bush Campaign attacked Cindy McCain as a drug addict, alleged McCain had an illegitamite "mixed-race*" baby, questioned McCain's patriotism including floating the theory McCain was the Vietnam Manchurian Candidate. Bush also attacked McCain military record. Bush stood arm-in-arm with a man named J. Thomas Burch to claim McCain forgot and abandoned veterans after Vietnam. (Now of course, when the IAVA released it's Report Card on Veterans Issues and gave McCain a D, it was attacked as partisan politics). Bush also out-Christianed McCain.

Those attacks on McCain were despicable. Do the McCain supporters who voted Bush in absolve themselves and the Bush regime of their role in sliming and slandering McCain?

Of course, the thought of President Palin should scare everyone from voting for the female Bush.


*- Race is a bullshit construct.

Sarah Palin hates Partisan politics

And thinks Ron Paul is Cool. Watch her!

Here's what she said, when asked "Ron Paul, following in Alaska?"

"He's cool. He's a good guy. He's a good guy, he's so independent. He's independent of the party machine. I'm like right on and So am I! The party machinery on both sides of the party. Americans are tiring of the incessant partianship that gets in the way." (edited by me to remove the verbal fillers)

Ooooh Noes! She supports Ron Paul, now I'm going to have to vote for her! Wait, this must have been earlier in 2008 when Sarah Tall and Palin supported the Alaskan Secessionist movement.

Any chance Palin is attempting to infiltrate and sunder apart America at the behest of the Alaskan Independence Party?

Update:
Christopher Hitchens on Sarah Palin:

And the only public events that have so far featured his absurd choice of running mate have shown her to be a deceiving and unscrupulous woman utterly unversed in any of the needful political discourses but easily trained to utter preposterous lies and to appeal to the basest element of her audience.

Finding mary in a pane of glass...

OR allah in a mango.

I guess I have to change my position on miracles because these are so obvious and there can't be any other explanation than the eternal spirit of the virgin mary didn't use windex on the hospital glass. And allah wants all good muslims to eat mangos and in doing so consume him. Oh wait it's the other guy who wants you to eat him...

True Believers!

The old canard to keeping friends and having happy families is to never discuss politics or religion.

The reason present day United Stater Liberals and Conservatives have such vitriol for each other is as Hayek wrote;

"They competed for the support of the same type of mind and reserved for each other the hatred of the heretic. But their practice showed how closely they are related."

And to paraphrase "...to the Liberal the Conservative, and to the Conservative the Liberal are potential recruits who are made of the right timber, although they have listened to false prophets, they both know that there can be no compromise between them and those who really believe in individual freedom." ~ F.A. Hayek, The Road to Serfdom, 34.

This election cycle has raised up a messiah for each side. To never been questioned and to be defended with the most violent hate and rage. Amplified and exacerbated by the hounds...

Is there a difference between Our Choices this year? Maybe.

But, both candidates voted yea on the Bailout of rescue socialism for the powerful. Neither candidate plans on reducing the Imperial American Military presence across the globe. And trillions will still be funneled to the MIC. On a Macro scale there really is no difference. It's the latest battle in the War of the Roses. Your choice is which Feudal Lord do you wish to bow down to and pay homage.

However, it maybe on the micro picture a president Obama or a president McCain will mean different things for individual families. I for one dislike McCain's Capital Gains tax plan, his Warmonger status and Palin's endtimes religious zealotry.

Vote for whomever you feel like and be prepared to be cursed for your Heresy by the other side.

Update:
Seems like this is a common thought reverbarating around the internet. Here is a post from the Volokh Conspiracy about the [Insert Name] Derangment Syndrome covering a similar theme as my essay.

Andrew Sullivan touches on the election Anger here.

The Echo Effect

The best thing about the internet is it allows the user to read and re-read the same stories which conform to their already held beliefs without the hassle of being bothered by dissenting opinion.

This rabid election cycle has placed the Echo Effect front and center.

One of the latest revelations centers around ACORN.

I never heard of ACORN but after Michelle Malkin posted a story on her site, The Echo Effect began; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

The First problem is an accusation is not a conviction. An investigation is not a conviction. Quite frankly, even arrests aren’t convictions. But, the accusation is enough. ACORN 2008 will join the Florida Voter Purges in 2000 and the I’ll Deliver Ohio in 2004 as another in the long line of stolen elections. The problem is each side (as though there are only ever two) treats the accusation as proof of the evil of the other side, while ignoring any impropriety on their side. It's part of the Noble Lie Theory. It's okay to lie if your guy (who is good and just) defeats their guy (who is evil and sinful).

Obama is going to win the presidency, but I don’t even know why Obama woud want to be president. You can be assured during his entire administration that side will engage in non-stop BBC (Blame Barack Campaign) closely aligned with ABC (Always Blame Clinton).

I think these breathless ACORN revelations will stand alongside the claims Obama is a secret muslim, doesn’t have US citizenship, is in cahoots with terrorists, is a raging black militant, wants to raise your taxes and will "surrender" in Iraq as a building block to support the 4 years of constant attacks which will be leveled against Obama. I'm willing to bet Sean Hannity will spend a segment of every show form 2009-2013 placing blame on Obama.

Obama is going to be set up as the reason anything and everything bad happens to the "country". Of course, the possibilty exists Obama’s Cabinet will sponsor ideas, laws and policies which do not help Americans. It's posssible but at this point the evidence doesn't exist he'll intentionally push a policy designed to harm the American people. There is a difference between policies which do not work out as planned and have bad consequences and policies which are intentionally set up and have bad consequences.

There is no doubt Bush’s policies were intentionally set up and that is a fundemental difference between any bad effects which follow. The Bush Administration had intent behind their schemes.

Iraq is far from won. Afghanistan has been allowed to fester. The economy isn’t going to get better for the lowly Plebians. Enter the Fall Guy.



Unhinged Anger

Compare and Contrast

Listening to McCain/Obama on the radio I thought McCain won the debate. He sounded confident in his positions. But the unrepentant Warmonger was on full display for all Americans to see. Unfortunately, rabid Nationalism and the War/Fear dichtomony means the somber advice form yesteryear is ignored if not outright scorned. The Debate should have been War Today, War Tomorrow, War Forever!

Compare McCains statements in the Debate:

We've got to show moral support for Georgia. We've got to show moral support for Ukraine. We've got to advocate for their membership in NATO.

We have to make the Russians understand that there are penalties for these this kind of behavior, this kind of naked aggression into Georgia, a tiny country and a tiny democracy.

And so, of course we want to bring international pressures to bear on Russia in hopes that that will modify and eventually change their behavior. Now, the G-8 is one of those, but there are many others.

But the Russians must understand that these kinds of actions and activities are not acceptable and hopefully we will use the leverage, economic, diplomatic and others united with our allies, with our allies and friends in Europe who are equally disturbed as we are about their recent behaviors.

And when asked about if he "would you be willing to commit U.S. troops in support and defense of Israel? Or would you wait on approval from the U.N. Security Council?"

McCain stated: Let me say that we obviously would not wait for the United Nations Security Council. I think the realities are that both Russia and China would probably pose significant obstacles.

Now I reference the following address:

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government. But that jealousy to be useful must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defense against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favorite, are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people to surrender their interests.

The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. (italics mine for emphasis - George Washington

And lest you think McCain was speaking directly about the specific nations/regions around Russia and Israel. McCain is a champion of involving the US in every corner(?) of the earth. So Compare McCain's following statement:

Well, I thank you for that question, because there's no doubt that history shows us that nations that are strong militarily over time have to have a strong economy, as well. And that is one of the challenges that America faces.

But having said that, America -- and we'll hear a lot of criticism. I've heard a lot of criticism about America, and our national security policy, and all that, and much of that criticism is justified.

But the fact is, America is the greatest force for good in the history of the world. My friends, we have gone to all four corners of the Earth and shed American blood in defense, usually, of somebody else's freedom and our own.

So we are peacemakers and we're peacekeepers. But the challenge is to know when the United States of American can beneficially effect the outcome of a crisis, when to go in and when not, when American military power is worth the expenditure of our most precious treasure.

To a famous quote:

America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. ~ John Quincy Adams

Of course, Obama and Biden's statements about sending the US military hither and fro (Biden's Darfur Expeditionary Force)are as unnerving and I am not going to ignore them or play them off as useful soundbites made to win the election while not based on their real stances.

The problem is the members of the Federal Government have become enamored with the Wilsonian Doctrine of Interventionist Coercive "Democracy". And unfortunately, now with the abolishment of the draft and the rapidly expanding division between Our Federal Lordships and the rest of the hoi-polloi, we have a class emerging which rarely will have a family member who will be sent into harm's way Spreading Peace and Freedom.

Bush Stopped US SOCOM from Killing Bin Laden

60 Minutes had on the Delta Force Commander Dalton Fury tasked with killing Osama Bin Laden. During the interview, the nome de guerred Fury stated how those above him declined to allow the Operators to enter and execute their mission.

Delta developed an audacious plan to come at bin Laden from the one direction he would never expect.

"We want to come in on the back door," Fury explains. "The original plan that we sent up through our higher headquarters, Delta Force wants to come in over the mountain with oxygen, coming from the Pakistan side, over the mountains and come in and get a drop on bin Laden from behind."

But they didn't take that route, because Fury says they didn't get approval from a higher level. "Whether that was Central Command all the way up to the president of the United States, I'm not sure," he says.

The next option that Delta wanted to employ was to drop hundreds of landmines in the mountain passes that led to Pakistan, which was bin Laden’s escape route.

But they didn't do that either, because Fury says that plan was also disapproved. He says he has "no idea" why.

"How often does Delta come up with a tactical plan that's disapproved by higher headquarters?" Pelley asks.

"In my experience, in my five years at Delta, never before," Fury says.

Can we now see the The Path From 9/11 ABC miniseries inserting "extrapolated" dialouge into the mouths of Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld?

Cheney, "I don't want Bin Laden killed he's too important as a symbol! We need to step up the war and invade Iraq on a flimsy connection between Bin Laden and Saddam! If you try and kill Osama Bin Laden I'll shoot you in the Face!"

Rumsfeld, "Oh Goodness Gracious if Bin Laden were to be killed I'd be stopped from completing my transformation of the military!"

Bush, "I'm the Decider!* And I've decided the Bin Laden family and the Bush family are too closely connected to allow something like 9/11 end our relationship. This is Bush's War!"

And just so, Chickenhawk Warmongers can't claim Dalton Fury is trying to capitalize upon his revelation about Bush and Cheney letting Bin Laden escape with his book Kill Bin Laden,

Fury says he'll donate his profits from the book to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

*- this was actually spoken by Ole Tipse Canoe.

Palinpocalypse Now

Vote for her anyway. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge say no more!

Baseball proves God exists and

HE. HATES. THE. CUBS.

Pour Your Misery Down
Pour Your Misery Down on Me
Pour Your Misery Down
Pour Your Misery Down on Me ~ Only Happy When It Rains, Garbage

The Cubs resoundingly lost both home games to the Dodgers (7-2 and 10-3) and find themselves down 2 games to none in a best of 5 series. Technically, it's not over but...

It's been tough being a Cubs fan for the last 25 years. If prayer were real then, I believe the Cubs should probably have won the World Series in 1969, 1984, and 2003. What is the explanation for those losses and the 100 years of Cubs misery?

The sinful nature of Chicago Cubs fans? (Quick somebody go and sacrifice that damn Billy Goat!)
Can't we find at least One Good Man in Chicago?
Predestination? Lack of Unconditional Election for Cubs supporters?

And what should believers take from the success of the Yankees in the past 85 years? Are their fans and players more righteous or praying harder? What explains the recent salvation of Red Sox Nation? New found piety? A return to the graces of god? War in Heaven?

Unlike many of the absolutely devastated Cubs fans over the 2 resounding defeats in Wrigley Field at the hands of the LA Dodgers, I will not decry and lambaste the Cubs players personally. With the exception of Aramis Ramierz alleged involvement in cockfighting over the previous winter I can't think of any criminal actions perpetrated by the players. Derek Lee had only an okay baseball season but it is my understanding he is a good and dutiful father who has set up a charity (to which he devotes a large amount of time and money) to curing macular degeneration.

No, sadly the Cubs as a team are not playing winning baseball during the Division Series. And with only 3 games needed to win, the Cubs 2 losses almost certainly doom their fans to lament and declare yet again "Wait till Next Year".

I think the Baseball playoff system is deeply flawed. But because this is tied into millions and millions of dollars it's not going to change except for the possible addition of more games. It makes little sense to play 162 (or 163 if you happen to be White Sox) and then find that 3 losses abrogate the entire last 6 months. It needs to change.

But, even if the playoff system does change, the probability of a Cubs World Series victory is just below that of the Mayan End of the World Prophecy in 2012.

Update:
After a discussion of the miserable Cubs with friends last night I offered up my suggestion for a changes to the Playoff System.
Idea 1: Reduce the Regular season to 150 or 154 games (play more double headers) and have a 9 game LDS and 9 game LCS and retain the 7 game WS.
Idea 2: Again reduce the Regular season to 150 or 154 games and have 3 Division winner and 3 Wildcards. Top 2 division winners get the first round 5 game series off, resting up for the winners of the wildcard worst division for Round 2.
Idea 3: The wildcard team and the worst division winner get ZERO or Only ONE home playoff game in the first round.

Update 2:
It's over. Dream crushingly over.