Surprisingly, Palin May Know Geography

The story about Sarah Palin’s misconception of Africa being a country, rather than a continent, was proved false… after being reported by several news organizations, including Fox News, The New Republic, and The LA Times.

David Shuster , a Fox News MSNBC Anchor, mentioned the misinformation on air this Monday. Today, it was discovered that Martin Eisenstadt, the “McCain policy advisor” who reported that Palin thought Africa was a country, does not exist. “His blog” includes fictional information, and “the think tank he works for” is actually the Harding Institute—a website. His “YouTube clips” exist… but the man speaking in them is not named “Martin Eisenstadt.” He is Eitan Gorlin, a film-maker.

Gorlin and business partner Dan Mirvish claim that they made up the character of “Martin Eisenstadt” to pitch a TV show, which will be based on Martin’s life. Gorlin is a friend of a reporter for the New York Times, who “confirms” that this is true.

Gorlin and Mirvish state that they should not be blamed for the leaking false information to the press. Gorlin even stated that “Eisenstadt is no more of a joke than half the bloggers or political commentators on the Internet or television.”
No matter who is to blame, the fact remains that three major news organizations printed false information, and clearly did not fact-check the stories. Or, if they did, they ignored some flakey information, and overlooked several red-flags that suggested that something was “off” with the story.

In 2005, Dan Rather left the CBS network after reporting information from fabricated documents. Rather, at least, based his story on what he believed were facts.

In the Palin case, there are no documents. There is no source. The whole story was based off of a YouTube Video.

Will there be consequences for the three networks who reported false information, or the reporters who did so? Should there be? Have the news organizations lost any credibility in the eyes of the viewers, or are the American people now accustomed to “mistakes” in the news?

Read More About the Hoax Here

The Transition Begins

The Obama family visited with the Bush family today at the White House.

Despite the nation's eagerness for change, the transition period in the White House promises to bring many challenges for the future President Obama. Three officials in Obama's administration will be "left over" from Bush's administering, and will remain in power for the first few years of his administration. These include Ben S. Burke, leader of the Federal Reserve, Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller the third.

Read more by the Post

Imagine all the People

Tuesday, November 4, 2008, will forever be remembered.

Heartbroken McCain supporters screamed and booed as McCain conceded to a crowd of supporters in Phoenix, Arizona. “Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country,” said McCain.

Soon after, Obama spoke in Chicago, Illinois. The jubilant crowd burst into spontaneous cries of “Yes we Can!” Never have so many tears of joy been shed in one place.

Yet, despite the overwhelming happiness Obama must have felt, he remained serious and almost stern as he spoke of the future. “Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education. There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there.”

Obama’s words echo the words spoken by Martin Luther King Junior, on the eve of his assassination. “And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.”

Neither Barack Obama nor Martin Luther King Junior were referring to their own mortality when they spoke those words. They simply meant that the road ahead of us is long, and that we, as a people, have far to go before we can achieve our dreams. It may not happen in our lifetime. It may not happen in the lifetime of our children, or our grandchildren. But it will happen. Things will get better.

A Crowd Celebrates Outside the White House at 3 A.M.

McCain's Speech

Read McCain’s Concession Speech Here

Obama's Speech

Read Obama's Victory Speech Here

It's Over

Read more about the final results here

105 Year Old Rachel Tucker Casts Her Vote

"I am so glad I was able to vote this year. It's very important. I've been prayin' ever since he [Obama] come here. I'm just so proud of him I don' know what to do. I have been prayin' for him. And I hope the Lord is gunna answer the prayer. Oh yes, he never have failed me yet." -Rachel Tucker on Election Day

"2008 and I'm still here. Thank you Jesus." -Rachel Tucker

Obama's 86 Year Old Grandmother Dies Hours Before Historic Election

"It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.

Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes, and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to any worthy organization in search of a cure for cancer." -Statement made by Barack Obama and Maya Soetoro-Ng

Even though Madelyn did not live to see the historic election that would determine the future of her grandson, and the future of the United States of America, we can be sure that she was very proud of Barack.

As Madelyn's family grieves, they still hold hope in their hearts.

The above photograph depicts Senator Obama and his grandmother at Obama's high school graduation ceremony.

The Speculation Continues

David Ignatius compared Senator Barack Obama to former beloved president John Kennedy in an article on the Washington Post's website. In his article, Ignatius recalled JFK's early struggles in the presidency. The previous administration had left him with many complications to deal with, and, many people argue that the young president's political inexperience showed during his first year in office. Will history repeat itself if Obama is elected?

Read the article here

"Masked Avengers" Take a Shot at Palin's Dignity

Sarah Palin accepted an invitation to go hunting for baby seals with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Halloween. Palin did not realize that the invitation was a prank.



"The Masked Avengers," a Canadian comedy duo, called Palin and asked in a "French accent" if she would be willing to take him hunting in a helicopter. Then, in French, he added that they could kill some baby seals.

"I love killing animals, take away life, that is just so fun," the prankster said. Palin laughed in response.

Palin responded "We could have a lot of fun together as we're getting work done. We could kill two birds with one stone that way."

As the conversation continued, the prankster asked Palin if she would like to be president someday. "Maybe in 8 years," she responded with a laugh.

Palin also said that she was "underestimated" by the media and the country.

Palin continued the conversation by complimenting Sarkozy's family. "You added a lot of energy to your country with that beautiful family of yours." She then proceeded to ask the "President of France" to give his wife a "big hug."

Then, the prankster complimented Palin on her "appearance" in "Nalin' Palin," a Hustler pornography film, stating that it was a documentary of her life.

"Oh good, thank you," Palin said.

The prankster also mentioned Dick Cheney's hunting accident, in which he shot a fellow hunter.

"I'll be a careful shot," Palin responded.

Throughout the conversation, the prankster made several colorful statements, including: "I can see Belgium from my house!" Yet, Palin did not suspect that she was being tricked until the end of their 7 minute phone conversation, when the prankster finally revealed his true identity.

"Governor Palin was mildly amused to learn that she had joined the ranks of heads of state, including President Sarkozy, and other celebrities in being targeted by these pranksters. C'est la vie," said Tracy Schmitt, Palin's spokeswoman.