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Sunday, November 23, 2008
It has been almost two weeks since I made an entry in this blog? It's not
because I am at a lost for something to write about. I always have a comment
about current affairs or life in general. I guess I've been busy with other
things and haven't made the time to blog. Anyway, let's get started. Sarah
Palin, she's still around and making news. The McCain campaign has not been
able to dismiss her. They tried throughout the campaign and after the
election, but they haven't been able to discredit her. She has been talking to
the media, pardoning turkeys and getting on with the business of the state of
Alaska. She has been bombarded with requests for TV appearances, media
interviews and several book deals. She is not going away and she shouldn't.
Once she escaped the campaign organizers and shed the campaign scripts, she
has proven to be quite an effective political figure. I don't share her
conservative views on most matters, but I admire her fortitude and self-perseverance.
She is proving to be an intelligent, albeit folksy and down home type, young
and upcoming Republican politician. She actually has views on political subjects
and is
quite capable of expressing them. You go Governor Palin, but don't expect a
vote from me.
President-elect
Obama seems to be enjoying his transition period. He spends every evening at
his Chicago home, sleeps in his own bed and gets plenty of family time. That
will change on January 20, 2009. He will still do all of that, but he will do
it at his new address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The President-elect is in
full transition mode in the meantime. He is announcing or in the process of
announcing more leaders in his presidential team. I believe he is progressing
admirable. He is selecting top notch people representing the face of America.
The media just won't stop their questioning. It is their job to cover the
President-elect and the news cycle is on the boring side right now, so, I
guess I can understand the scrutiny. Everyone has something to say about the
transition process. Some of the media are complimentary and some are not. Some
are highly speculative and tend to jump to illogical conclusions. I say,
"Let the President-elect do his job". Right now that job is
conducting the transition and everything that entails. At this time, President
Bush is still the one and only president. President-elect Obama is doing
exactly what his should be doing at this time.
My
final thought on this, the Sunday before Thanksgiving has to do with the
controversy involving the family. American families are preparing to celebrate
the Thanksgiving holiday in the family context that it is meant to be
celebrated. However, there are many Americans who are being prohibited from
celebrating this family day as a family. Gay and lesbian Americans are being
denied their constitutional rights of freedom and pursuit of happiness. They
are being discriminated against much in the same manner as other groups of
people have been. We have just begun this fight for civil rights of the gay
and lesbian Americans. It will be a hard fight, but we will win. We, people
who value and defend the full civil rights of all Americans, will
prevail.
Monday, November 10, 2008
It has been just about a week since the 2008 presidential election.
What have we learned? First, Presidential-elect Obama is successfully assuming
the role of the next president of the United States. He is acting in a very
decisive, immediate and presidential manner. He is selecting his
administrative team and forming his agenda. Members of his team appear to be
selected on the basis of competence, diversity and change. The faltering
economy is being positioned as his major emphasis now and when he assumes the
presidency on January 20. Make no mistake, this country is in serious peril.
There are problems both nationally and internationally. The new president
seems to be surrounding himself with the best of the best in the areas of
importance to solve these problems. It remains to be seen how bi-partisan or
non-partisan President-elect Obama will govern. In any case, It will be a
difficult governing.
Second, in my opinion Obama was elected because of the devastating condition
of the economy. The Democrats are starting to declare that he was elected with
a mandate for change. I really don't see the mandate. I believe that Obama was
elected to solve the economic problems, especially for the working and middle
classes. Some are saying that the country is moving center left. Forget it.
The country is still center right. It may be, that the only reason Obama was
elected was the economy. America does not want a liberal agenda. I think Obama
realizes this fact and will govern more to the center of the political
spectrum.
Third, the moderate Republicans are poor losers and they do not have any good
feeling for Governor Palin. I can not believe the attacks on Palin. I believe
that the moderate Republicans are trying to destroy Palin's political life. I
actually feel bad for the lady and that's a lot for me. Palin is quite capable
of defending herself. She is aggressively defending herself. She is playing a
good offensive defense. She is not out. She will remain a player in the party.
Sarah Palin is a maverick, a maverick of her own definition.
Fourth, the election did not erase racial bias. Racial bias will still exist.
It's like the poor, it will always be with us. Our goal should be to rid
the world of racism and any other behavior that seeks to violate human civil
rights.
Fifth, the next big fight in the area of civil rights and liberties will be
gay rights. Gays and lesbians are people, too. Gay
people should be guaranteed the same civil rights, liberties and the pursuit
of happiness as any other group of Americans. We have only just begun. They are
here. They demand their rights. They won't go away. So, get use to it. And
give them their civil rights.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The day after, the day after and life goes on. Yesterday, it was reported
that John McCain started his morning by walking to his neighborhood Starbucks
for his morning coffee. He seems to be relaxed, joking and eager to get on with
his Senate agenda. What a difference a day makes. If I were John McCain, I
would feel a little relieved. At least he doesn't have to face the challenges
of the presidency, especially in these troubled times. However, I am not John
McCain. Senator McCain was and still is up to the challenges of the
presidency. He just didn't win the election. Any person seeking the highest
office in the land must be highly motivated, extremely confident and
completely eager for the challenge. President-elect Obama possesses these
qualities. If I were Barack Obama, I would be thinking, "What did I get
myself into?" I'm sure he does not share that thought. He, too, is a
strong and extremely competent politician and leader. He is ready for the
challenge. President-elect Obama's victory speech was elegant and inspiring.
However, I couldn't help thinking that it is going to take more than an inspiring
speech to solve this nation's problems. For the last 21 months we have
experienced candidate Obama, but now we must see President-elect Obama. Words
are important, but actions are needed now. Don't try to fool us with elegant
words President-elect Obama. It's time to put those words to practice. It's
time to lead, to act and to solve America's problems.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
I am so proud of the
American electorate. We have elected our first African American president.
President-elect Obama has made history. Even if he does nothing else, he will
go down in history as the first of many presidents who are
"different" from the old, outdated, prejudicial norm. The real
challenge begins. Now the Democrats must change the direction of government.
They must make government better. America must become a better country for all
people. In two years we will give the congress it's first job performance
verdict, then in 2012 the president will be up for the renewal of his
contract. Time will tell. I voted Democratic, as I usually do, so it is easy
for me, but we all must rally around our president-elect and support him. If
we are not for America, then we are against her. I choose America. There are
many Americans who live in conditions much worse than any of us. There are
many Americans who still suffer discrimination, lack of opportunity and a life
considered substandard by a portion of the mainstream. We must remember that
all people are created equal, all people are deserving of our respect and all
people must be guaranteed their United States constitutional rights regardless
of race, sex, handicap, sexual preference or any other category of existence.
Anything less is totally unacceptable and un-American. Let us rejoice in our
American democracy. The change has started.
http://www.jds2.com/obama/presidentelect.html
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
It's Election Day 2008 and the Dems are looking strong. It looks like
it may be President-elect Barack Obama, but it's way too early to make any predictions
and definitely too early to start celebrating. Although a long shot, Senator
John McCain could still win this election. To do so, Senator McCain would have
to keep all of his current red states and win every current battleground state
and flip Pennsylvania. This may be a tall order. If anyone could do it, John
McCain could. Is the Mac back? Maybe. The odds are in Obama's favor. We will
see. I voted around noon today. I waited about an hour and three quarters to
do so. Not bad. Voters all over the United States are waiting in long lines to
vote, some under less than perfect conditions. My wait was very pleasant. My
polling place was a middle school cafeteria. I was lucky - we had seats, air conditioning
and good company. I saw neighbors and friends and even met some unfamiliar
neighbors. It was truly inspiring. No one really enjoyed the prospect of waiting,
but all seemed to recognize the importance of this year's vote. Yes, we can! I
am proud to be an American. Voting is very important to me. I take my civic
responsibility seriously. Now more than ever, each person can and may affect
the outcome of our contemporary elections. Again, voting is in process. We can
not and should not jump to any conclusions about the outcome of the election.
Let us just enjoy the democratic process and reflect on our American democracy
in action. As I watch the election results tonight and maybe into tomorrow
morning, I will be very anxious to see the results from 3 of the states where
the polls close relatively early - Indiana, North Carolina and Virginia. If
they go to Obama, the night will be his. Even if Virginia is the only one that
goes to Obama, it will very likely be an Obama night. These three states will
give us an early glimpse of the Republican strength in three of the usual red
states. However, this election is anything but standard and usual. We may be
surprised by the results. Again, I ask the question, "Is Mac
back?"
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Bill O'Reilly really impressed me yesterday. On his talk radio show he took a
call from an irate Republican. The irate Republican accused O'Reilly of making
excuses for Barack Obama. O'Reilly lambasted the caller saying that he
(O'Reilly) was proud of his fair and honest radio and TV shows. O'Reilly is a
conservative Republican and shares many of the conservative views. At the same
time he seems to be fair and honest when discussing his views and the views of
other people. He is conservative and expresses the conservative
slant on things, but he allows conflicting views to be expressed and he
defends people from unfair and inappropriate rhetoric from callers, viewers or
quests. He allows others to express their views, but he maintains realistic, honest and non-judgmental
treatment of the subject. He is no Rush Limbaugh and this is good. He does not talk down to his
audience. He presents the issues, makes his comments and respects other views.
Above all, he sets the record straight. Kudos to Bill O'Reilly.
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