I just read this item in The New York Observer:
For the exception that proves the rule, there's The Finn Valley Voice, a paper in the remote, small town of Ballybofey, County Donegal, in the northeast of Ireland, which officially endorsed John McCain last month with the front page splash: “Vote for Cousin John McCain.”
(A U.S. geneticist has traced McCain’s ancestors back to Ireland, and has said that there could be up to 400 people in Country Donegal related to the senator from Arizona.
A journalist with The Finn Valley Voice, Pat Holland, told the Irish TV station RTE that his paper’s endorsement should help McCain “a little.”)
Since I can also trace part of my ancestry to Donegal, I guess that means I could be a cousin of his too.
I guess I better switch parties now.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Oops
It doesn't seem to be hurting the campaign now, but it's a statement that may come back to haunt the Obamas:
"For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback," said Michele Obama.
Barack did some damage control later on, explaining, "What she meant was, this is the first time that she's been proud of the politics of America, because she's pretty cynical about the political process, and with good reason, and she's not alone. But she has seen large numbers of people get involved in the process, and she's encouraged."
Makes sense, but when they get out into the general election against the very patriotic John McCain, look for the conservatives to drag this quote out time and time again. They'll use it to show that the Obamas' patriotism is suspect.
When I first heard the quote, I felt it was akin to Julia Roberts' reaction when she opened the envelope to reveal that Denzel Washington won the Oscar - "I love my life," I think she said. It was as if to say, "Finally!"
It also is the kind of a quote that tells us a little bit about the different ways blacks and whites may look at the country.
But Barack is right. It is a time to be proud of our political process. We're in the midst of a very exciting, meaningful campaign that I think we will be looking back on for years.
"For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback," said Michele Obama.
Barack did some damage control later on, explaining, "What she meant was, this is the first time that she's been proud of the politics of America, because she's pretty cynical about the political process, and with good reason, and she's not alone. But she has seen large numbers of people get involved in the process, and she's encouraged."
Makes sense, but when they get out into the general election against the very patriotic John McCain, look for the conservatives to drag this quote out time and time again. They'll use it to show that the Obamas' patriotism is suspect.
When I first heard the quote, I felt it was akin to Julia Roberts' reaction when she opened the envelope to reveal that Denzel Washington won the Oscar - "I love my life," I think she said. It was as if to say, "Finally!"
It also is the kind of a quote that tells us a little bit about the different ways blacks and whites may look at the country.
But Barack is right. It is a time to be proud of our political process. We're in the midst of a very exciting, meaningful campaign that I think we will be looking back on for years.
Out from under the rock
Again, sorry I haven't been posting. I've been processing Obama information for the past few days. I'd gotten tired of listening to his same old stump speech, so I went out and got "The Audacity of Hope" on audio.
I gotta say, I like the way the man thinks. He has a lot of depth. He's really thought this through. Which is impressive because he wrote this in 2006 before he really was running for president. It's obvious he's been think about it for some time.
My only disappointment was in that he's such a good orator that I was expecting a rather exciting performance. However, I think that most of the time he only came across as forceful and earnest.
Anyway, I've got the basic rhythm of his speech, his writing burned into my mind now and it's probably going to have an effect on how I think and write for the next few days. I think that anything I do/say right now should include a warning label.
Warning: UIO - Under the Influence of Obama.
I gotta say, I like the way the man thinks. He has a lot of depth. He's really thought this through. Which is impressive because he wrote this in 2006 before he really was running for president. It's obvious he's been think about it for some time.
My only disappointment was in that he's such a good orator that I was expecting a rather exciting performance. However, I think that most of the time he only came across as forceful and earnest.
Anyway, I've got the basic rhythm of his speech, his writing burned into my mind now and it's probably going to have an effect on how I think and write for the next few days. I think that anything I do/say right now should include a warning label.
Warning: UIO - Under the Influence of Obama.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Why not McCain
There's a lot to like about John McCain. He's a straight shooter. He does what he thinks is right. He means what he says. Just for that reason, I think he could be a good president. He also supports the fight against global warming and that will be critical.
But it occured to me there is a critical reason why we need a Democrat in the White House.
I think that when historians look back on this decade they will see a terrible irony. This has been a decade of light and darkness. It has been a decade of light because of new technology, computers, video games, Web sites, making everything easier. It seems as if there is nothing we can't find out, nothing we can't do.
But our government has driven us into the dark ages. They have thrown a blanket of darkness over all that they do not want us to know. They do it in the name of national security, but who knows what they have covered up. They hold people prisoners without charge. They ignore FOIA requests. They conduct government business in secret.
I don't think we'll really know what has been going on until we get a complete regime change. Any Republican president, even McCain, is going to do what he can to save his buddies from exposure.
Either Obama or Clinton. Let's get one of them in the White House.
But it occured to me there is a critical reason why we need a Democrat in the White House.
I think that when historians look back on this decade they will see a terrible irony. This has been a decade of light and darkness. It has been a decade of light because of new technology, computers, video games, Web sites, making everything easier. It seems as if there is nothing we can't find out, nothing we can't do.
But our government has driven us into the dark ages. They have thrown a blanket of darkness over all that they do not want us to know. They do it in the name of national security, but who knows what they have covered up. They hold people prisoners without charge. They ignore FOIA requests. They conduct government business in secret.
I don't think we'll really know what has been going on until we get a complete regime change. Any Republican president, even McCain, is going to do what he can to save his buddies from exposure.
Either Obama or Clinton. Let's get one of them in the White House.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Proof you can be a loser AND a LOSER!
Mitt Romney bowed out of the presidential race today, but not before taking one last swipe at the Democrats. (You know, the party that hates freedom.) Makes it sound like Hillary and Obama are having tea parties with bin Laden.
According to CNN, Romney said his race, if continued, would "forestall the launch of a national campaign and be making it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win."
"In this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror. This is not an easy decision. I hate to lose," the former Massachusetts governor said.
"If this were only about me, I'd go on. But it's never been only about me. I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, in this time of war I feel I have to now stand aside for our party and for our country."
This is a good thing that he is out of the race. This is the election where we might be able to let go of the politics of division. And in his parting words, he showed how he would have just kept that going. We don't need him. Never did. Good riddance.
According to CNN, Romney said his race, if continued, would "forestall the launch of a national campaign and be making it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win."
"In this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror. This is not an easy decision. I hate to lose," the former Massachusetts governor said.
"If this were only about me, I'd go on. But it's never been only about me. I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, in this time of war I feel I have to now stand aside for our party and for our country."
This is a good thing that he is out of the race. This is the election where we might be able to let go of the politics of division. And in his parting words, he showed how he would have just kept that going. We don't need him. Never did. Good riddance.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Super Tuesday!
Today is Super Tuesday, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the results coming in tonight. The candidates are so close in the polls and competing in so many states, we really won't know how it all shakes out until Wednesday morning. This could be as exciting as watching the Super Bowl.
Also, since the delegates are allotted according to how each candidate does in the congressional districts in New York, I'm curious to see how the race breaks down in my district. This is really Republican country, but I don't know if this is going to work out as Hillary country.
Hillary would be hard to beat here, however. She has a good track record of providing to her constituents in upstate New York.
Also, since the delegates are allotted according to how each candidate does in the congressional districts in New York, I'm curious to see how the race breaks down in my district. This is really Republican country, but I don't know if this is going to work out as Hillary country.
Hillary would be hard to beat here, however. She has a good track record of providing to her constituents in upstate New York.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Unthinkable
The TV news segment on the five people killed in a shooting spree in Chicago had an interesting lead-in, saying it had been a quiet afternoon "and then the unthinkable happened."
To which I replied, "I could think of it." That's exactly the problem in these times in this country. Such violence is very thinkable.
To which I replied, "I could think of it." That's exactly the problem in these times in this country. Such violence is very thinkable.
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