I don't have much to say about President Bush's address, other than it was painfully boring. No crazy thank yous to Dikembe Mutumbo, no references to man-animal hybrids, and more of the same old crap about Iraq.
The Democrat's response was just as boring, if not more so. You are supposed to take what the president said and respond to it, not make vague statements about unity and cooperation. Sure, I'm a believer in those things, as evidenced by my support of Senator Obama. However, even he made sure in his response to point out specific disagreements with the President's address.
Oh well, at least we won't have any more of these "speeches" with President Dubya. Unless he decides to sneak one in before he leaves office.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Those Grapes Sure Are Sour
Calm down now
I can understand that the New York chapter of NOW would be disappointed in Ted Kennedy endorsing Barack Obama. They are passionate supporters of Clinton, and it has to be a bit of a letdown that he threw his support behind her opponent. So expressing their displeasure at the turn of events isn't out of the ordinary.
However, calling his endorsement a betrayal is a bit much. It isn't like he had promised to support Clinton, only to switch candidates at the last minute. From his speech at the event where he endorsed Obama, it certainly doesn't sound like he endorsed him only because he was a man.
If Obama was anti-choice, or a known misogynist, I could understand their sense of betrayal. If Kennedy had endorsed Mike Huckabee or any of the other GOP candidates (save for Mayor 9/11), not only would I understand their sense of betrayal, I probably would be right there with them. However, Obama is thoroughly pro-choice, and Kennedy did not take leave of his sanity.
Living in a democratic-republic means accepting that sometimes people support someone other than your favorite candidate. This country isn't dominated by one issue, and anybody who makes their decision on that one issue is dangerously short-sighted. Making a statement like that demeans the organization, as well as dishonors the candidate they are supporting. The next time they feel like making a statement like that, maybe they should sleep on it.
I can understand that the New York chapter of NOW would be disappointed in Ted Kennedy endorsing Barack Obama. They are passionate supporters of Clinton, and it has to be a bit of a letdown that he threw his support behind her opponent. So expressing their displeasure at the turn of events isn't out of the ordinary.
However, calling his endorsement a betrayal is a bit much. It isn't like he had promised to support Clinton, only to switch candidates at the last minute. From his speech at the event where he endorsed Obama, it certainly doesn't sound like he endorsed him only because he was a man.
If Obama was anti-choice, or a known misogynist, I could understand their sense of betrayal. If Kennedy had endorsed Mike Huckabee or any of the other GOP candidates (save for Mayor 9/11), not only would I understand their sense of betrayal, I probably would be right there with them. However, Obama is thoroughly pro-choice, and Kennedy did not take leave of his sanity.
Living in a democratic-republic means accepting that sometimes people support someone other than your favorite candidate. This country isn't dominated by one issue, and anybody who makes their decision on that one issue is dangerously short-sighted. Making a statement like that demeans the organization, as well as dishonors the candidate they are supporting. The next time they feel like making a statement like that, maybe they should sleep on it.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Obama Speeches: 2004 Democratic Convention
Part One
Part Two
Here is the momentous speech where Senator Obama entered the national stage. I must admit that before this speech I had not heard of him, even though he was the leading candidate to be my next senator. His speech, and the subsequent victory in November, was the lone bright spot in a very disappointing election year.
From the bitter disappointment towards President Bush, to the incredible apathy towards Kerry, I really was not all that engaged in the 2004 Presidential race. It certainly wasn't very interesting, as Bush ran unopposed for the GOP nomination, and Kerry had it wrapped up after Super Tuesday. As the Democrats headed towards Boston for their four day festival of balloons and bullcrap, I yawned in anticipation.
For a while, I decided not to really pay attention to the conventions. I rethought that decision when I started hearing the buzz about the keynote speaker on one of the nights. He was a relatively young state senator from my home state. His name was Barack Obama.
I tuned into CNN that night, hoping for an entertaining speech. Senator Obama did not disappoint. His speech was heads and shoulders above anything I had heard from a political candidate, ever. It was a speech that spoke to a different type of politics, a philosophy that was so vastly different from the politics of the day. Instead of "wedge issues" and "swiftboating", Obama spoke to a sense of purpose, a sense of unity. He spoke to the idea that although Republicans and Democrats may have differences, what unites us is much stronger.
Needless to say, I was hooked. The moment he finished his speech, I was looking forward to 2008. When Kerry went on to lose to Dubya in November, the thought that Obama would be there in four years made it sting less. Many times in the four years since that warm July night I have watched that beautiful speech, and renewed my hope for the future. My only hope is that the speech is eclipsed by his acceptance speech for the nomination in Denver, and at his inauguration on January 20, 2009.
Part Two
Here is the momentous speech where Senator Obama entered the national stage. I must admit that before this speech I had not heard of him, even though he was the leading candidate to be my next senator. His speech, and the subsequent victory in November, was the lone bright spot in a very disappointing election year.
From the bitter disappointment towards President Bush, to the incredible apathy towards Kerry, I really was not all that engaged in the 2004 Presidential race. It certainly wasn't very interesting, as Bush ran unopposed for the GOP nomination, and Kerry had it wrapped up after Super Tuesday. As the Democrats headed towards Boston for their four day festival of balloons and bullcrap, I yawned in anticipation.
For a while, I decided not to really pay attention to the conventions. I rethought that decision when I started hearing the buzz about the keynote speaker on one of the nights. He was a relatively young state senator from my home state. His name was Barack Obama.
I tuned into CNN that night, hoping for an entertaining speech. Senator Obama did not disappoint. His speech was heads and shoulders above anything I had heard from a political candidate, ever. It was a speech that spoke to a different type of politics, a philosophy that was so vastly different from the politics of the day. Instead of "wedge issues" and "swiftboating", Obama spoke to a sense of purpose, a sense of unity. He spoke to the idea that although Republicans and Democrats may have differences, what unites us is much stronger.
Needless to say, I was hooked. The moment he finished his speech, I was looking forward to 2008. When Kerry went on to lose to Dubya in November, the thought that Obama would be there in four years made it sting less. Many times in the four years since that warm July night I have watched that beautiful speech, and renewed my hope for the future. My only hope is that the speech is eclipsed by his acceptance speech for the nomination in Denver, and at his inauguration on January 20, 2009.
Friday, January 25, 2008
OMGZ!!!1! OBAMA TEH MUZLIM!?!?! WTF?!?!
This email is patently false
My fellow readers, if you get this moronic email in your inbox, delete it as soon as possible. Before you do that, you might want to reply to the sender, especially if it is someone you know. Tell them politely that it is utter hogwash, and cheerfully point them to this link.
If you ever forwarded this email on to someone, except for the purpose of making fun of its stupidity, shame on you. This is the political equivalent of the garbled spam promising FREE VIAGAARA HOT ENGORGEMENT!!!! Please show some common decency and sense, and stop forwarding on crap without verifying its accuracy.
The very fact these emails are still making news months after they were roundly debunked is troubling. Barack Obama already has an uphill battle to begin with, and he doesn't need outright falsities clouding the way.
My fellow readers, if you get this moronic email in your inbox, delete it as soon as possible. Before you do that, you might want to reply to the sender, especially if it is someone you know. Tell them politely that it is utter hogwash, and cheerfully point them to this link.
If you ever forwarded this email on to someone, except for the purpose of making fun of its stupidity, shame on you. This is the political equivalent of the garbled spam promising FREE VIAGAARA HOT ENGORGEMENT!!!! Please show some common decency and sense, and stop forwarding on crap without verifying its accuracy.
The very fact these emails are still making news months after they were roundly debunked is troubling. Barack Obama already has an uphill battle to begin with, and he doesn't need outright falsities clouding the way.
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