Tomorrow marks a historic day in our Nation's history and I am very enthusiastic about the possibilities. At least in this moment of time, there is no BLUE states or RED states there are United States. Do I think every one shares this thought? Heavens no, but more than 50% of us do and that is what this REPUBLIC is all about. If I dwelled on the negatives, I would see the trepidation and fear mongering even in my own peer group, but I refuse to look that way, there will be enough for the partisanship over the next FOUR years. Tomorrow is about renewal, rebirth and the possibility of what can be, for however naive and fleeting that is.
What tomorrow is not is the fulfillment of a 'Dream'. It is the dawn of a new day, a promise for what someday may be but it is not FULFILLMENT. Fulfillment comes when we no longer discuss the passing of things as 'firsts'. I've talked about this before, but it bears reiterating --- we must not be a society of exceptions. It is not enough for ONE to have done something. It will only be enough when everyone has equal access to be the ONE.
Tomorrow will be a beautiful day, full of hopeful and inspiring speeches, smiles and wonder. What plays out over the next 6 months will shape the direction of not just our nation but the world. We have too many REAL issues to work and not enough hours in the day to sort them out.
As you watch, harness that power of positive thought, take in our country, in all it's glory, all that mankind can be and try to integrate just a little bit of that into your daily life for the next year, it is what I will be doing. They say it only takes 5 weeks to turn something into a habit, let's make them good ones.
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Monday, January 19, 2009
Friday, November 7, 2008
Race and the 'Obama Effect'
Ok, here we go kids, off onto politics and race - too VERY sensitive issues, but I think you will see I am looking through a little different lens:
First and I have said this before, I am a DEMOCRAT. I voted Obama in the Primaries and obviously voted that way again on Tuesday. My thoughts here are not at all about a black man becoming president, a woman being president or a Jew, Muslim or Mormon becoming President. I hope I will see all of them in my lifetime.
My specific purpose here is to examine the mindset of what this means in a 'white male dominated' society that is America. If you don't think we are a white male dominated society then we can have a whole different discussion :-). As a GROUP, whites like to look at what has happened since the Civil Rights Movement and talk about ALL of the progress we have made. WE like to hold up 'people' as example, athletes, entertainers, business people and politicians to say "hey, they have made it, we have broken through the racial divide". From a very myopic view this is CORRECT and yes things have changed from that perspective but have they really gotten better on the whole? More people live below the poverty line than ever before. There are more people in today's prisons than ever before. Illiteracy rates are at an all time high. Healthcare and access to basic needs are severely hurting in our urban centers.
Here are some statistics and facts I have learned in my own city that scare me:
1. 36,000 out of 50,000 KIDS in the Atlanta Public Schools are living below the poverty level (pop. is 85% African American)
2. Prison bed population is forecasted based on the # of kids FAILING 4th Grade reading. This sick and disturbing
3. It costs $18 Billion a year in the State of Georgia in servicing the high school drop out group. The State funds $14 Billion for education. Don't you think if we put more resources INTO education we could spend less on dealing with dropouts?
4. If person 'X' is found with a single piece of crack (personal use, problem or not) faces the same MANDATORY sentencing guidelines as person 'y' who is found with a POUND of cocaine in powder form (this would be for DISTRIBUTION purposes). Interestingly enough, crack is urban...pounds of coke - suburban.
What do these facts have to deal with Obama being elected President? My fear is that Obama will become held up, by the white community, as "they got theirs, it's all good". As John McCain would say, "My friends, it is NOT all good". Racism is still prevalent today. It is far different from the 1950's. Rarely do you see the Klansman running around burning a stake, but how often do you see a 'roll of the eyes' or people crossing the street to avoid one another?
There are no easy answers and we all come with our own set of prejudices, and that is ok. The issue with racism is systemic and institutional. Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Can we change the education system, the healthcare system, the welfare system, etc all at once? Probably not.
I do think we can begin to make differences in small measures but the onus MUST come on us, the privileged class, to recognize this issue does not go away with an election. It is ok to talk about the issues and not deflect them. We can take ownership of the past, ask for forgiveness and work to make tomorrow a better place for everyone...
First and I have said this before, I am a DEMOCRAT. I voted Obama in the Primaries and obviously voted that way again on Tuesday. My thoughts here are not at all about a black man becoming president, a woman being president or a Jew, Muslim or Mormon becoming President. I hope I will see all of them in my lifetime.
My specific purpose here is to examine the mindset of what this means in a 'white male dominated' society that is America. If you don't think we are a white male dominated society then we can have a whole different discussion :-). As a GROUP, whites like to look at what has happened since the Civil Rights Movement and talk about ALL of the progress we have made. WE like to hold up 'people' as example, athletes, entertainers, business people and politicians to say "hey, they have made it, we have broken through the racial divide". From a very myopic view this is CORRECT and yes things have changed from that perspective but have they really gotten better on the whole? More people live below the poverty line than ever before. There are more people in today's prisons than ever before. Illiteracy rates are at an all time high. Healthcare and access to basic needs are severely hurting in our urban centers.
Here are some statistics and facts I have learned in my own city that scare me:
1. 36,000 out of 50,000 KIDS in the Atlanta Public Schools are living below the poverty level (pop. is 85% African American)
2. Prison bed population is forecasted based on the # of kids FAILING 4th Grade reading. This sick and disturbing
3. It costs $18 Billion a year in the State of Georgia in servicing the high school drop out group. The State funds $14 Billion for education. Don't you think if we put more resources INTO education we could spend less on dealing with dropouts?
4. If person 'X' is found with a single piece of crack (personal use, problem or not) faces the same MANDATORY sentencing guidelines as person 'y' who is found with a POUND of cocaine in powder form (this would be for DISTRIBUTION purposes). Interestingly enough, crack is urban...pounds of coke - suburban.
What do these facts have to deal with Obama being elected President? My fear is that Obama will become held up, by the white community, as "they got theirs, it's all good". As John McCain would say, "My friends, it is NOT all good". Racism is still prevalent today. It is far different from the 1950's. Rarely do you see the Klansman running around burning a stake, but how often do you see a 'roll of the eyes' or people crossing the street to avoid one another?
There are no easy answers and we all come with our own set of prejudices, and that is ok. The issue with racism is systemic and institutional. Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Can we change the education system, the healthcare system, the welfare system, etc all at once? Probably not.
I do think we can begin to make differences in small measures but the onus MUST come on us, the privileged class, to recognize this issue does not go away with an election. It is ok to talk about the issues and not deflect them. We can take ownership of the past, ask for forgiveness and work to make tomorrow a better place for everyone...
Thursday, September 4, 2008
RNC - Night 2 - Sarah Palin 'shines for the crowd'
Look, I'm not going to try and kid you, I am not anywhere near the Republican 'base' on almost every single social issue. However, I can certainly recognize and respect a strong performance while still getting to be a little bit critical :).
First, Sarah Palin did more than what the media expected but exactly what I expected, she delivered. No one goes from Mayor of a podunk town to Governor of a podunk State (no offense Alaska) without having a certain amount of flair and charisma. She did a very nice job of counter balancing her "I'm a hockey Mom" with I'm a tough as nails bitch and can sling mud and half truths too very well.
*side note - thankfully the RNC was in MINNESOTA where they actually know what hockey is or that might have not gone over well
Second, she had very good timing, she worked the crowd and really does have a speaking style that works well.
Third, she hit the ball out of the park for the 'BASE' and that is what John McCain needed. To the new Republican base he is a scary 'liberal' and she fits right in, especially on socially conservative issues.
Now, I can turn to some criticisms:
First, let's start with the family. Again, under 'full disclosure' I have a 8 year old nephew with Downs Syndrome. I do NOT have a favorite niece/nephew among the 9 that I have but I am pretty sure I am his favorite Uncle :). I understand and respect the entire special needs spectrum from a very personal level. What I do not believe is fair is that the Palin Family can be open on one side of their family life and then choose to stay 'closed' on another. Facts are facts and in the world we live in today what is going on is 'fair game'. A part of me REALLY despises it but I realize why it happens. Truthfully, the Republicans have run for a VERY LONG time now on the FALSE notion that Obama is a Muslim, or that he conspires with terrorists. This mud slinging stuff sucks and I wish it didn't happen but it does. Is having a 17 year old pregnant daughter make you a bad mother? No. All of a sudden to have the young man who impregnate her become her fiancee and have his life changed (see that he mysteriously no longer has a MY SPACE page) is a bit more than interesting.
Second, let's get off personal and go to the facts. Mrs. Palin, or her speech writer, was NO WHERE CLOSE on several facts. There is no single evidence that points to Obama-Biden raising taxes for the majority of citizens. Raising taxes for the majority of Republican delegates sitting in that hall, probably, but not the single mother making $34,000 a year raising 2 kids. On the War in Iraq, she talks of 'forfeit' like this were a game of kickball. That is just ridiculous. EVERYONE wants an end to war, isn't that why we fight them in the first place? Win, divide the loot and get out or take over...hmmm...the problem here, and she brought it up is that the Republicans (thanks to the President) want to WIN. Someone please tell me what exactly is winning here? Seriously, what does it look like? Maybe if we knew that we could get on board.
Third, this concept of energy and how Obama-Biden want to make matters worse by not drilling. Look, this is a policy debate. Fact is there probably is no right and wrong. Will drilling solve some problems, short and long term - YES; will drilling cause some problems, short and long term - YES. You will fall in one camp or the other but to lie and say the opponent doesn't care is RIDICULOUS. While we are on energy. When did energy become the #1 issue in America? And if the media is SO liberal how did they buy into this concept. I thought the #1 issue was the ECONOMY, which, oh by the way, the energy issue is a part of. I would think #2 would be the war, but back to #1. If the economy didn't SUCK people would not be complaining as much about energy prices. If our foreign policy was stronger we might not see the energy issue (which is ALL ABOUT MONEY, big fat oil company money). Lastly, we are in this crazy dependency not because of Republicans, Democrats or whatever, we are in it because of ALL OF US. Shut up and work together - solve problems, stop taking blame - BOTH SIDES.
So what did last night do? It kept thinks interesting. Do I think Sarah Palin will ever appeal to the Hillary Crowd? Not if they look at her record - NRA lifetime member, pro life, pro drilling, against universal healthcare, anti-environmental issues (and if you don't think so look up her thoughts on polar bears). She will shore up the Republican base and energize a DEAD campaign. Polling numbers will change, but there is a long way to go and the polls are missing a whole GENERATION. No phone based poll gets to the under 28 (or so) set that does not have a HOME PHONE. They all have just a CELL NUMBER!!!!!!
I am hopeful that the upcoming debates will be about substance and not rhetoric. I am also hopeful that thousands of people will one day rise up from reading my blog and demand that I write a National Column that makes me millions of dollars from book deals and world tours...
First, Sarah Palin did more than what the media expected but exactly what I expected, she delivered. No one goes from Mayor of a podunk town to Governor of a podunk State (no offense Alaska) without having a certain amount of flair and charisma. She did a very nice job of counter balancing her "I'm a hockey Mom" with I'm a tough as nails bitch and can sling mud and half truths too very well.
*side note - thankfully the RNC was in MINNESOTA where they actually know what hockey is or that might have not gone over well
Second, she had very good timing, she worked the crowd and really does have a speaking style that works well.
Third, she hit the ball out of the park for the 'BASE' and that is what John McCain needed. To the new Republican base he is a scary 'liberal' and she fits right in, especially on socially conservative issues.
Now, I can turn to some criticisms:
First, let's start with the family. Again, under 'full disclosure' I have a 8 year old nephew with Downs Syndrome. I do NOT have a favorite niece/nephew among the 9 that I have but I am pretty sure I am his favorite Uncle :). I understand and respect the entire special needs spectrum from a very personal level. What I do not believe is fair is that the Palin Family can be open on one side of their family life and then choose to stay 'closed' on another. Facts are facts and in the world we live in today what is going on is 'fair game'. A part of me REALLY despises it but I realize why it happens. Truthfully, the Republicans have run for a VERY LONG time now on the FALSE notion that Obama is a Muslim, or that he conspires with terrorists. This mud slinging stuff sucks and I wish it didn't happen but it does. Is having a 17 year old pregnant daughter make you a bad mother? No. All of a sudden to have the young man who impregnate her become her fiancee and have his life changed (see that he mysteriously no longer has a MY SPACE page) is a bit more than interesting.
Second, let's get off personal and go to the facts. Mrs. Palin, or her speech writer, was NO WHERE CLOSE on several facts. There is no single evidence that points to Obama-Biden raising taxes for the majority of citizens. Raising taxes for the majority of Republican delegates sitting in that hall, probably, but not the single mother making $34,000 a year raising 2 kids. On the War in Iraq, she talks of 'forfeit' like this were a game of kickball. That is just ridiculous. EVERYONE wants an end to war, isn't that why we fight them in the first place? Win, divide the loot and get out or take over...hmmm...the problem here, and she brought it up is that the Republicans (thanks to the President) want to WIN. Someone please tell me what exactly is winning here? Seriously, what does it look like? Maybe if we knew that we could get on board.
Third, this concept of energy and how Obama-Biden want to make matters worse by not drilling. Look, this is a policy debate. Fact is there probably is no right and wrong. Will drilling solve some problems, short and long term - YES; will drilling cause some problems, short and long term - YES. You will fall in one camp or the other but to lie and say the opponent doesn't care is RIDICULOUS. While we are on energy. When did energy become the #1 issue in America? And if the media is SO liberal how did they buy into this concept. I thought the #1 issue was the ECONOMY, which, oh by the way, the energy issue is a part of. I would think #2 would be the war, but back to #1. If the economy didn't SUCK people would not be complaining as much about energy prices. If our foreign policy was stronger we might not see the energy issue (which is ALL ABOUT MONEY, big fat oil company money). Lastly, we are in this crazy dependency not because of Republicans, Democrats or whatever, we are in it because of ALL OF US. Shut up and work together - solve problems, stop taking blame - BOTH SIDES.
So what did last night do? It kept thinks interesting. Do I think Sarah Palin will ever appeal to the Hillary Crowd? Not if they look at her record - NRA lifetime member, pro life, pro drilling, against universal healthcare, anti-environmental issues (and if you don't think so look up her thoughts on polar bears). She will shore up the Republican base and energize a DEAD campaign. Polling numbers will change, but there is a long way to go and the polls are missing a whole GENERATION. No phone based poll gets to the under 28 (or so) set that does not have a HOME PHONE. They all have just a CELL NUMBER!!!!!!
I am hopeful that the upcoming debates will be about substance and not rhetoric. I am also hopeful that thousands of people will one day rise up from reading my blog and demand that I write a National Column that makes me millions of dollars from book deals and world tours...
Thursday, August 28, 2008
From what I've seen from the Democrats
Day 1 - Ted Kennedy showing up was huge. It energized the crowd and certainly was nice to see given his condition. Michelle Obama was very good. She showed that she is articulate and charismatic. I thought the kids at the end with Obama on the screen was a little much. I see the parallels to Kennedy and 'Camelot' but I think those things will come naturally.
Day 2 - It was all about Hillary - great speech. Say what you want about her but she delivered and hopefully woke up her 'base' from the baggage they are carrying.
Day 3 - I missed most of Bill's speech because I was on a fantasy football prep call (priorities you know) but the sound bytes seemed spot on. I was surprised to see that the National Networks waited to start coverage until 10:00 knowing Bill was speaking at 9:00 - hmmm. Joe Biden is AWESOME. His story is great and his son Beau was very good (and not just because he is a client of mine :) ). All of the speakers on Day 3 were overshadowed by the 'history' of the day. No matter where you stand or what party you are a member of you have to stand back and hopefully enjoy the step we are making in history and humanity by having Barack Obama be the nominee for President. On top of that, he was sent on by Hillary Clinton and her historical run and the process was run by the Speaker of the House, the FIRST female Speaker of the House that is!
No matter what your political lean this was certainly a good night for mankind.
Tonight Obama wraps things up in front of 80,000!
Tomorrow we turn to see how the Republicans counter on the VP front. There Convention should not lack for interest, but it will certainly lack diversity.
Day 2 - It was all about Hillary - great speech. Say what you want about her but she delivered and hopefully woke up her 'base' from the baggage they are carrying.
Day 3 - I missed most of Bill's speech because I was on a fantasy football prep call (priorities you know) but the sound bytes seemed spot on. I was surprised to see that the National Networks waited to start coverage until 10:00 knowing Bill was speaking at 9:00 - hmmm. Joe Biden is AWESOME. His story is great and his son Beau was very good (and not just because he is a client of mine :) ). All of the speakers on Day 3 were overshadowed by the 'history' of the day. No matter where you stand or what party you are a member of you have to stand back and hopefully enjoy the step we are making in history and humanity by having Barack Obama be the nominee for President. On top of that, he was sent on by Hillary Clinton and her historical run and the process was run by the Speaker of the House, the FIRST female Speaker of the House that is!
No matter what your political lean this was certainly a good night for mankind.
Tonight Obama wraps things up in front of 80,000!
Tomorrow we turn to see how the Republicans counter on the VP front. There Convention should not lack for interest, but it will certainly lack diversity.
Monday, August 25, 2008
My take on Biden as the Democratic VP choice
As many of my friends will attest to I am a bit of a political junkie. I have even flirted not once, but twice with running for political office including within the last 6 weeks. However, I have for the most part shyed away from talking politics here. I'm not sure why since I share so much but for whatever reason I have.
Tonight I'll change that course. For full disclosure sake, I am a registered Democrat and have voted that way fairly often. I have ventured to the other side of the aisle based upon issues or people I feel strongly about.
So, with that as a back drop I am ready to discuss the Biden choice and I spent a good part of my flights on both Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon thinking about it. I also did a lot of research about a particular topic before coming to this conclusion. In fact, before doing research I was going to blog about my feelings of disillusionment when it comes to the running mate process. For as long as I can remember it seemed like VP running mates have been chosen for strategic voting reasons and not strong political reasoning. I was feeling that way at first with the Biden selection and then I started to do some research.
What did the research show me? First and foremost Biden is a proven leader with a strong track record of leadership, working jointly on both sides of the aisle and standing firm on his core issues. This is exactly what Obama needs as he faces criticism for his experience level and ability to lead. Second, Biden is all about Foreign Policy. He chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Policy and he is a go to guy for foreing leaders. Biden is also a staunch backer of Israel and will not allow U.S. policy change in that regard. This is HUGE for Obama from a perception standpoint on the Israel issue and a key cog in how he sets foreign policy as the President. I also think he will fill a key cabinet position with Sam Nunn who is also great when it comes to foreign policy. Lastly, Biden is tough and straight forward. He can deliver the hard message with sarcasm and a smile. He will not back down or coalese.
After looking it over, this choice had little to do with wrapping up a key swing state, which is what I believe McCain will be doing if he chooses Tom Ridge, and more to do with good, smart political strategy and choosing a 'partner' who could lead now if necessary.
Tonight I'll change that course. For full disclosure sake, I am a registered Democrat and have voted that way fairly often. I have ventured to the other side of the aisle based upon issues or people I feel strongly about.
So, with that as a back drop I am ready to discuss the Biden choice and I spent a good part of my flights on both Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon thinking about it. I also did a lot of research about a particular topic before coming to this conclusion. In fact, before doing research I was going to blog about my feelings of disillusionment when it comes to the running mate process. For as long as I can remember it seemed like VP running mates have been chosen for strategic voting reasons and not strong political reasoning. I was feeling that way at first with the Biden selection and then I started to do some research.
What did the research show me? First and foremost Biden is a proven leader with a strong track record of leadership, working jointly on both sides of the aisle and standing firm on his core issues. This is exactly what Obama needs as he faces criticism for his experience level and ability to lead. Second, Biden is all about Foreign Policy. He chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Policy and he is a go to guy for foreing leaders. Biden is also a staunch backer of Israel and will not allow U.S. policy change in that regard. This is HUGE for Obama from a perception standpoint on the Israel issue and a key cog in how he sets foreign policy as the President. I also think he will fill a key cabinet position with Sam Nunn who is also great when it comes to foreign policy. Lastly, Biden is tough and straight forward. He can deliver the hard message with sarcasm and a smile. He will not back down or coalese.
After looking it over, this choice had little to do with wrapping up a key swing state, which is what I believe McCain will be doing if he chooses Tom Ridge, and more to do with good, smart political strategy and choosing a 'partner' who could lead now if necessary.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
My political rant for the week
So this week, we hear that Barack Obama is an 'Elitist' based on a choppy sound byte pulled from a fundraiser. Am I surprised that Clinton and even McCain are taking these things and using them for attempted political gains? No. Do I think it is hysterical now watching Clinton throw back a beer and sip on a shot and tell stories about learning how to shoot a gun? No.
What surprises me is how the political pundits and the media take these things and twist them for ratings and shock value. All I have heard for 3 days is Obama an 'Elitist'? My favorite quote, he's a "latte drinking, Volvo driving...". Since when is this a 'bad' thing? Isn't the PERSON, not guy, running our country supposed to be better than the rest of us? Seriously, I realize we are coming out of 8 years of a guy who can't string 2 sentences together, but shouldn't that be the exception to the rule? Don't we want the best and the brightest to lead us? Doesn't it make sense that he/she would be educated at the best schools, be fairly well off, articulate and worldly. Should we be surprised that they aren't 'in touch' with steel workers and manual laborers. There is NOTHING wrong with this, they don't work in a vacuum, that's why they have advisers and staff.
Anyway, this political season is turning into a sound byte, commercial fight that only benefits the networks as they scramble for viewers trying to turn the 2008 Presidential Campaign into Big Brother 10.
What surprises me is how the political pundits and the media take these things and twist them for ratings and shock value. All I have heard for 3 days is Obama an 'Elitist'? My favorite quote, he's a "latte drinking, Volvo driving...". Since when is this a 'bad' thing? Isn't the PERSON, not guy, running our country supposed to be better than the rest of us? Seriously, I realize we are coming out of 8 years of a guy who can't string 2 sentences together, but shouldn't that be the exception to the rule? Don't we want the best and the brightest to lead us? Doesn't it make sense that he/she would be educated at the best schools, be fairly well off, articulate and worldly. Should we be surprised that they aren't 'in touch' with steel workers and manual laborers. There is NOTHING wrong with this, they don't work in a vacuum, that's why they have advisers and staff.
Anyway, this political season is turning into a sound byte, commercial fight that only benefits the networks as they scramble for viewers trying to turn the 2008 Presidential Campaign into Big Brother 10.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The new Republican Drinking Game - Reagan
Did anyone watch the debate last night? For me it was a culmination of weeks of build up on one singular theme across the Republican Party - The Glorious Reagan years. I for one can't speak too intelligently on the Reagan years as I spent the early part of it in Middle School and High School. I do remember one thing and at the time it was a positive - I was Bar Mitzvahed in 1982 when interest rates were around 14%, so if you get where I am going...I socked away a lot of cash in 7 year CD's at a ridiculous rate! Today, I'd kick your ass if my mortgage was going to be above 6% so now I feel the difference, but I digress.
What amazes me about ALL politicians is how they are able to pull off the "now isn't that the pot calling the kettle black" deal. Here's what I mean; the Republicans are BLASTING Hilary on 'going back to the good old days of Bill' and even Obama has joined in with 'moving forward and away from old politics', HOWEVER, here they were last night in what can only be described in as a 'Ronald Reagan love fest du jour'. Inherently I have no issue with that, but isn't the exact same thing as what they are accussing Hilary of, just with a diferent guy? By the time the debate was 45 minutes old I turned to Ilene and said this would make a great drinking game, every time a candidate or Anderson Cooper for that matter, mentions Reagan you drink. Thank G-d we didn't play because I would have been 3 sheets to the wind by 9:30!
That aside, I thought last night was interesting. Here is my 30,000 foot view - if Mitt Romney was NOT a Mormon he would have the Republican nomination locked up. Conversely, if McCain weren't as old as Ronald Reagan would be he would have it locked up. I think McCain did a poor job last night. He looked smug and whiny. He really needed to get off the whole 'timetable' issue with Romney. Let's face it, if you are a Republican who is voting based on 'National Security' you are most likely voting McCain and if you are a Republican that recognizes what is going on with our economy then you are most likely looking at Mitt. My highlight from last night was Ron Paul. He was just awesome! He was like the fighter who is on his feet by sheer will power alone and is just going to throw haymakers until someone throws in the white towel. He was playing to the wrong audience but his comments about the war and the economy were so contrarian to rest of the group they all just sat there and laughed at him. I also thought Huckabee scored some points but he is just way too scary for this Jewish kid from Philadelphia.
Last point on the debate last night. It seemed to me that the extra 'moderators' (not Cooper) were asking questions with an 'Agenda' and not really looking to spur debate but trying to illicit combat. Are these televised debates about ratings or enlightening the American public on issues and where candidates differ? It's getting harder to tell.
I for one am watching the debates at this point for entertainment and trying to get a feel for the leaders these folks can be not their positions. As I told my mother-in-law, if I want to know their positions then I'll pull up their websites and read their positional papers.
Oh yeah, one more thing on politics. What the fuck is wrong with changing your mind? Don't things change? Don't circumstance change? Doesn't science and research provide us with new information that helps us readjust reality? I guess G-d missed the 'it's ok to change you mind gene' on the 6th day of creation :)
What amazes me about ALL politicians is how they are able to pull off the "now isn't that the pot calling the kettle black" deal. Here's what I mean; the Republicans are BLASTING Hilary on 'going back to the good old days of Bill' and even Obama has joined in with 'moving forward and away from old politics', HOWEVER, here they were last night in what can only be described in as a 'Ronald Reagan love fest du jour'. Inherently I have no issue with that, but isn't the exact same thing as what they are accussing Hilary of, just with a diferent guy? By the time the debate was 45 minutes old I turned to Ilene and said this would make a great drinking game, every time a candidate or Anderson Cooper for that matter, mentions Reagan you drink. Thank G-d we didn't play because I would have been 3 sheets to the wind by 9:30!
That aside, I thought last night was interesting. Here is my 30,000 foot view - if Mitt Romney was NOT a Mormon he would have the Republican nomination locked up. Conversely, if McCain weren't as old as Ronald Reagan would be he would have it locked up. I think McCain did a poor job last night. He looked smug and whiny. He really needed to get off the whole 'timetable' issue with Romney. Let's face it, if you are a Republican who is voting based on 'National Security' you are most likely voting McCain and if you are a Republican that recognizes what is going on with our economy then you are most likely looking at Mitt. My highlight from last night was Ron Paul. He was just awesome! He was like the fighter who is on his feet by sheer will power alone and is just going to throw haymakers until someone throws in the white towel. He was playing to the wrong audience but his comments about the war and the economy were so contrarian to rest of the group they all just sat there and laughed at him. I also thought Huckabee scored some points but he is just way too scary for this Jewish kid from Philadelphia.
Last point on the debate last night. It seemed to me that the extra 'moderators' (not Cooper) were asking questions with an 'Agenda' and not really looking to spur debate but trying to illicit combat. Are these televised debates about ratings or enlightening the American public on issues and where candidates differ? It's getting harder to tell.
I for one am watching the debates at this point for entertainment and trying to get a feel for the leaders these folks can be not their positions. As I told my mother-in-law, if I want to know their positions then I'll pull up their websites and read their positional papers.
Oh yeah, one more thing on politics. What the fuck is wrong with changing your mind? Don't things change? Don't circumstance change? Doesn't science and research provide us with new information that helps us readjust reality? I guess G-d missed the 'it's ok to change you mind gene' on the 6th day of creation :)
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