Off the Grid Index
Posts by Kevin Spak

OFF THE GRID is about why the news is the news. Here are the real motivations of both media and newsmakers. Here's the backstory. This is a look at the inner workings of desperate media, the inner life of the publicity crazed, and the true meaning of the news of the day.

Watch Roland Burris Kill Health Care Reform
Off the Grid | Oct 20, 09 12:19 PM CDT
Kevin Spak - In the rich history of legislative farce, few scenarios are as delightful as this one: Roland Burris kills health care reform. Burris says he’s not going to vote for any bill that doesn’t include a public option. Period. The end. No pussy-foot half-measures, like Olympia Snowe’s “triggered” option, no “non-profit...

Send 40,000 Lobbyists to Afghanistan
Off the Grid | Oct 13, 09 2:56 PM CDT
Kevin Spak - It doesn’t really matter how many troops Barack Obama decides to send to Afghanistan. Obama could send every man and woman he’s got into those mountains, he could call every veteran out of retirement, he could revoke Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and send recruiters to every gay club in San Francisco, and it wouldn’t make a damn...

Obama’s Health Plan: This Is Hitler Stuff!
Off the Grid | Aug 4, 09 9:40 AM CDT
Kevin Spak - I recently saw a man in the street brandishing a sign with that ridiculous slogan. I’m not sure who he thought he was convincing, and to be honest, I was afraid to ask. But I found it a little hilarious, and not just because someone thinks the Führer was really into a public option. I find it hilarious because Barack Obama doesn’t...

What's in a Name? 'Birthers' Is a Liberal Dream Come True
Off the Grid | Jul 29, 09 6:18 PM CDT
Kevin Spak - I don’t know about you, but the word “birther” has made my month. As recently as last week I had no idea what to call these crazy weirdos. You’d have to settle for something like, “hillbillies and sometimes senators who don’t think Barack Obama’s an American,” which doesn’t fit very nicely into...