This is a wonderful video by Lawrence Lessig, the Stanford law professor and expert on electronic freedom, Creative Commons and software freedom. I wish his words of reason had been widely distributed to thinking, caring people. Would it have made a difference or do the bigots inside many, but not all, churches, have more power with the majority of the electorate?
Friday, November 7, 2008
The Shame of November 4
A bit lost in the joy of the Obama election is the serious injustice of the passage of Prop. 8. I have many gay and lesbian friends and I have been struck by their equanimity if the face of their loss of rights. One friend said, "I am not going to let in ruin my day or my life. It is just not time yet. We have more work to do. I am only sad for the children who are hurt by the attitude that says their families are not worthy."
This is a wonderful video by Lawrence Lessig, the Stanford law professor and expert on electronic freedom, Creative Commons and software freedom. I wish his words of reason had been widely distributed to thinking, caring people. Would it have made a difference or do the bigots inside many, but not all, churches, have more power with the majority of the electorate?
This is a wonderful video by Lawrence Lessig, the Stanford law professor and expert on electronic freedom, Creative Commons and software freedom. I wish his words of reason had been widely distributed to thinking, caring people. Would it have made a difference or do the bigots inside many, but not all, churches, have more power with the majority of the electorate?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Dancing In The Streets
There were so many wonderful things about the past week it is impossible to name just one astounding moment. As I was toasting the election with friends I received text messages from friends in DC, NYC and Berkeley. They were celebrating in the streets. During our drive home Claire and I encountered crowds in several neighborhoods. I was stunned to hear God Bless American and to see waving flags. The video is a collection of homemade videos from around the country. My favorite part is the picture of the woman ripping off her anti-Bush sticker and replacing it with a flag.
Yesterday one of my colleagues said, "I have never had a flag but today I feel like going out to buy one." Another teacher said, "It is a wonderful day to be an American- at last."
We took the flag back from the "Christianists".
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Why Did You Vote Today?
Here is a great blog post from TPM. It is really worth your time.
It starts out:
I have a confession to make.
I did not vote for Barack Obama today.
I've openly supported Obama since March. But I didn't vote for him today.....
Please follow the link to TPM
It starts out:
I have a confession to make.
I did not vote for Barack Obama today.
I've openly supported Obama since March. But I didn't vote for him today.....
Please follow the link to TPM
Sunday, November 2, 2008
#30 Becasue It Is Time
Hell- it is way past time........
Yesterday I was calling Florida voters for the Obama campaign. I reached an elderly woman in Florida and when I asked her if she was planning to vote and if she needed a ride to the polls she said,
"Honey, I made my doctor let me come home from the hospital so I can vote. I waited my whole life to see this. I would crawl if I had to because I am voting for my grandbabies. I am taking them with me too and they will know for sure, for the first time, that they can do great things in this country. I sure am gonna vote honey cuz I really do love this country. And you must too so thank you for calling but I gotta get back to my show"
Please vote.
Vote To Unite
I have never cared so much about an election. Clearly we face many serious problems and I firmly believe Obama is the best candidate to speak honestly, listen to the diverse viewpoints of all Americans (even those who revile him) and take difficult but necessary actions. Throughout my career I have worked to create a better world--as Carmelita Hinton said- "to further a civilization worthy of the name." This short video is a visual montage of why I care so much about this election. I know I'm not alone.
#29 Its A Damn Good List
Researching and writing this list has been a great exercise for me. Thanks to everyone for your kind words of encouragement. My next to the last reason is a simple one--the sum or the reasons makes a strong case for voting for Obama. I cannot think of another time in my adult life when there has been such a solid case for a candidate as there is this year for Obama.
In the November 1 edition of the NYT Thomas Friedman simply and clearly tells the truth:
"John McCain and Barack Obama have unveiled broad ideas about how to restore the nation’s financial health. But they continue to suggest that this will be largely pain-free. McCain says giving everyone a tax cut will save the day; Obama tells us only the rich will have to pay to help us out of this hole. Neither is true.
We are all going to have to pay, because this meltdown comes in the context of what has been “perhaps the greatest wealth transfer since the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917,” says Michael Mandelbaum, author of “Democracy’s Good Name.” “It is not a wealth transfer from rich to poor that the Bush administration will be remembered for. It is a wealth transfer from the future to the present.”
He goes on to recommend:
"First, we need a president who can speak English and deconstruct and navigate complex issues so Americans can make informed choices..............Second, we need a president who can energize, inspire and hold the country together during what will be a very stressful recovery........................Third, we need a president who can rally the world to our side."
I believe Barack Obama fits the Friedman's description. I hope my list demonstrates why I believe that Obama has the qualities to communicate complex issues to the people, to energize and unite our country and to gain the respect of the world.
Here is my list thus far:
1. Barak Obama is-reflective- He embraces country’s virtues and is not afraid to address problems.
2. Barak Obama is a gentleman- He treats others with respect.
3. Obama’s tax plan is a first step toward a responsible budget. The Congressional Budget Office projects that McCain's plan will lead to the biggest growth of the deficit.
4. Obama’s health care plan begins to address serious problems.
5. Obama’s call on the Iraq war was correct and courageous.
6. Obama balances faith and politics. He is a man of faith who respects other spiritual journies.
7. Obama has a history of unifying leadership. He can be a political unifier.
8. Barak Obama has temperament to be president. He has superior intellect and calmness.
9. Obama’s tax plan is a step toward necessary tax reform.
10. Obama has managed a well run campaign.
11. Obama advocates personal and public fiscal responsibility.
12. The vile racism of the Republican party must not win. Our children are watching?
13. Obama understands complexity of foreign policy issues and is realistic about what must be done.
14. Obama is respected around the world and and will represent us well.
15. His position on the difficult subject of abortion is fair and balanced.
16. Sarah Palin is not ready to be president and John McCain is 72.
17. John McCain’s lack of focus on what concerns people most and emphasis on the trival proves he is not capable of managing priorities as President.
18. I do not want more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court. Read Gary Wills and Cass Sunstein.
19. Obama’s Presidency will help bridge the racial and cultural divide.
20. The principles of capitalism support progressive tax. Obama is not a socialist indeed according to the principles of Adam Smith he is a good capitalist.
21. She Blinded Me With Science- Palin attacks necessary research that would help her own cause and rejects research based science.
22. I’m Sick of Divisive, Dishonest Destructive Manipulation by the Media. Let’s show the media that we will not be bamboozled by innuendo, guilt by association, trivia and lies
23. Americans Are Fair and Balanced- we are not ‘afraid’ of a Black man.
24. Democrat presidents have been good for the economy
25. Obama and his family is an authentic example of solid family values I want my children to admire and emulate
26. We are not as divided as our politics suggest; Obama is attracting leading conservative thinkers and leaders who are disgusted with the result of the past eight years and saddened by the McCain campaign
27. Obama understands the importance of net neutrality that will assure innovation, wealth creation and social change will thrive on the net; we need a responsible climate policy governed by science
28. We must defend the Constitution from distortion which allows sweeping executive powers.
29. Cuz it’s a damn good list
In the November 1 edition of the NYT Thomas Friedman simply and clearly tells the truth:
"John McCain and Barack Obama have unveiled broad ideas about how to restore the nation’s financial health. But they continue to suggest that this will be largely pain-free. McCain says giving everyone a tax cut will save the day; Obama tells us only the rich will have to pay to help us out of this hole. Neither is true.
We are all going to have to pay, because this meltdown comes in the context of what has been “perhaps the greatest wealth transfer since the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917,” says Michael Mandelbaum, author of “Democracy’s Good Name.” “It is not a wealth transfer from rich to poor that the Bush administration will be remembered for. It is a wealth transfer from the future to the present.”
He goes on to recommend:
"First, we need a president who can speak English and deconstruct and navigate complex issues so Americans can make informed choices..............Second, we need a president who can energize, inspire and hold the country together during what will be a very stressful recovery........................Third, we need a president who can rally the world to our side."
I believe Barack Obama fits the Friedman's description. I hope my list demonstrates why I believe that Obama has the qualities to communicate complex issues to the people, to energize and unite our country and to gain the respect of the world.
Here is my list thus far:
1. Barak Obama is-reflective- He embraces country’s virtues and is not afraid to address problems.
2. Barak Obama is a gentleman- He treats others with respect.
3. Obama’s tax plan is a first step toward a responsible budget. The Congressional Budget Office projects that McCain's plan will lead to the biggest growth of the deficit.
4. Obama’s health care plan begins to address serious problems.
5. Obama’s call on the Iraq war was correct and courageous.
6. Obama balances faith and politics. He is a man of faith who respects other spiritual journies.
7. Obama has a history of unifying leadership. He can be a political unifier.
8. Barak Obama has temperament to be president. He has superior intellect and calmness.
9. Obama’s tax plan is a step toward necessary tax reform.
10. Obama has managed a well run campaign.
11. Obama advocates personal and public fiscal responsibility.
12. The vile racism of the Republican party must not win. Our children are watching?
13. Obama understands complexity of foreign policy issues and is realistic about what must be done.
14. Obama is respected around the world and and will represent us well.
15. His position on the difficult subject of abortion is fair and balanced.
16. Sarah Palin is not ready to be president and John McCain is 72.
17. John McCain’s lack of focus on what concerns people most and emphasis on the trival proves he is not capable of managing priorities as President.
18. I do not want more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court. Read Gary Wills and Cass Sunstein.
19. Obama’s Presidency will help bridge the racial and cultural divide.
20. The principles of capitalism support progressive tax. Obama is not a socialist indeed according to the principles of Adam Smith he is a good capitalist.
21. She Blinded Me With Science- Palin attacks necessary research that would help her own cause and rejects research based science.
22. I’m Sick of Divisive, Dishonest Destructive Manipulation by the Media. Let’s show the media that we will not be bamboozled by innuendo, guilt by association, trivia and lies
23. Americans Are Fair and Balanced- we are not ‘afraid’ of a Black man.
24. Democrat presidents have been good for the economy
25. Obama and his family is an authentic example of solid family values I want my children to admire and emulate
26. We are not as divided as our politics suggest; Obama is attracting leading conservative thinkers and leaders who are disgusted with the result of the past eight years and saddened by the McCain campaign
27. Obama understands the importance of net neutrality that will assure innovation, wealth creation and social change will thrive on the net; we need a responsible climate policy governed by science
28. We must defend the Constitution from distortion which allows sweeping executive powers.
29. Cuz it’s a damn good list
Friday, October 31, 2008
#27 Defense of the United States Constitution
"The American Constitution is, so far as I can see, the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man."
-- W. E. Gladstone 4 Term Prime Minister of Britain
We Americans tell ourselves many stories about our past and our purpose. Some of these stories are noble and some are shameful. Some are absolutely true, others must be seen in a historical context and still others are pure fiction. The best and most true story of our nation is the Constitution and the mechanisms for amending and interpreting it. At the core of all of the troubling events of the Bush administration is what the historian Gary Wills calls the "executive usurptions" of the Constitution. We need a president who understands and will defend the Constitution so that we can recover from the current administration's serious abuses .
In a commentary for The New York Review of Books, Wills listed the many ways GW Bush has trashed our nation's most important foundational element. He wrote that Bush asserted the executive powers to wage undeclared wars, create military courts, authorize extraordinary renditions, use secret prisons, employ severe coercive interrogation, hold trials with undisclosed evidence, conduct domestic surveillance, and "override congressional oversight in every aspect of government from energy policy to health services."
Wills posits that the Supreme Court will rule on the executive use of these powers. Currently we have four justices who are enthusiastic supporters of the "unitary executive". The next President will probably appoint at least two new justices. It is important that the new justices believe in what Cass Sunstein describes as "a strongly unitary executive branch while also believing that the President cannot make war, or torture people, or engage in foreign surveillance without congressional authorization." It will fall to the Supreme Court to "prevent the "the most thorough reworking and distortion of the Constitution in all our history."
Defense of the Constitution against "sweeping presidential power" is a very important reason to vote for Barack Obama.
-- W. E. Gladstone 4 Term Prime Minister of Britain
We Americans tell ourselves many stories about our past and our purpose. Some of these stories are noble and some are shameful. Some are absolutely true, others must be seen in a historical context and still others are pure fiction. The best and most true story of our nation is the Constitution and the mechanisms for amending and interpreting it. At the core of all of the troubling events of the Bush administration is what the historian Gary Wills calls the "executive usurptions" of the Constitution. We need a president who understands and will defend the Constitution so that we can recover from the current administration's serious abuses .
In a commentary for The New York Review of Books, Wills listed the many ways GW Bush has trashed our nation's most important foundational element. He wrote that Bush asserted the executive powers to wage undeclared wars, create military courts, authorize extraordinary renditions, use secret prisons, employ severe coercive interrogation, hold trials with undisclosed evidence, conduct domestic surveillance, and "override congressional oversight in every aspect of government from energy policy to health services."
Wills posits that the Supreme Court will rule on the executive use of these powers. Currently we have four justices who are enthusiastic supporters of the "unitary executive". The next President will probably appoint at least two new justices. It is important that the new justices believe in what Cass Sunstein describes as "a strongly unitary executive branch while also believing that the President cannot make war, or torture people, or engage in foreign surveillance without congressional authorization." It will fall to the Supreme Court to "prevent the "the most thorough reworking and distortion of the Constitution in all our history."
Defense of the Constitution against "sweeping presidential power" is a very important reason to vote for Barack Obama.
#27- O'Reilly Says It Best
That's Tim O'Reilly, no the screaming, finger jabbing, self important Bill.
Tim O'Reilly is known for coining the term Web 2.0. He is a writer and leader in the open source movement. You can read his thoughtful and detailed endorsement of Obama here:
27. a Climate Change
I was always planning on writing about climate change but O'Reilly says it best so I will simply quote him without my own pontificating:
"the most urgent case for the election of Barack Obama was made by John McCain. Despite being an early and thoughtful advocate on the threat of global warming, he lost all credibility with his selection of Governor Palin as his running mate. We can not afford to take the risk of a Vice-President (especially for a candidate as old as McCain) who is scornful of science, denies human involvement in creating climate change, and is completely unprepared to tackle this most urgent of problems. If scientists are right, we have to act now. Every year counts. There is no "do over" on this issue."
The preponderance of scientists agree that climate change is a problem. Even the Bush administration has acknowledged the need to address warming.
O'Reilly also writes, "Climate change and energy policy can no longer be dictated by "politically possible" but must be dictated by "technically necessary." NASA's James Hansen has recently argued that an atmospheric CO2 concentration of 350 ppm looks to be the safe bet climate wise for humanity. We are already at more than 380 ppm!" You can read a pdf of Hanson's paper embedded within O'Reilly's endorsement.
27. b. Net Neutrality
I really hadn't thought about the candidates position on this issue until I read O'Reilly.
Net neutrality is a principle that endorses the free and open internet. It is not about free connections rather it is concerned with preventing ISPs from "blocking, speeding up or slowing down Web content based on its source, ownership or destination." (definition from SaveTheInternet.com) If you appreciate access to any Web site, whenever you wish- at the fastest speed- whether it's Amazon or your sister's family reunion site, if you like using any service- from online video to podcasts and sending instant messages- without paying extra fees to the telephone or cable company that provides you with Internet service then you support New Neutrality. .
Here is what O'Reilly says,
"I love the internet. It's been one of the most fertile grounds for technological innovation, wealth creation, and social change that our country has seen in my lifetime. I believe passionately in the "small pieces loosely joined" model that allows anyone to invent a compelling new service, find other people to use it, and grow a business without having to ask anyone's permission.
It's essential that we preserve the architecture of the internet.
Under the guise of free market experimentation, big companies with monopoly positions in local markets are asking us to change the fundamental rules that have served the internet so well. They want to be able to charge differential fees for different types of data traffic.
This will, quite simply, be the end of the internet as we know it, turning it into a network that works much more like the cellphone network, slow to innovate, hostile to its users, extracting profits through artificial barriers rather than true value creation.Barack Obama supports net neutrality"
I encourage you to read O'Reilly's endorsement.
Tim O'Reilly is known for coining the term Web 2.0. He is a writer and leader in the open source movement. You can read his thoughtful and detailed endorsement of Obama here:
27. a Climate Change
I was always planning on writing about climate change but O'Reilly says it best so I will simply quote him without my own pontificating:
"the most urgent case for the election of Barack Obama was made by John McCain. Despite being an early and thoughtful advocate on the threat of global warming, he lost all credibility with his selection of Governor Palin as his running mate. We can not afford to take the risk of a Vice-President (especially for a candidate as old as McCain) who is scornful of science, denies human involvement in creating climate change, and is completely unprepared to tackle this most urgent of problems. If scientists are right, we have to act now. Every year counts. There is no "do over" on this issue."
The preponderance of scientists agree that climate change is a problem. Even the Bush administration has acknowledged the need to address warming.
O'Reilly also writes, "Climate change and energy policy can no longer be dictated by "politically possible" but must be dictated by "technically necessary." NASA's James Hansen has recently argued that an atmospheric CO2 concentration of 350 ppm looks to be the safe bet climate wise for humanity. We are already at more than 380 ppm!" You can read a pdf of Hanson's paper embedded within O'Reilly's endorsement.
27. b. Net Neutrality
I really hadn't thought about the candidates position on this issue until I read O'Reilly.
Net neutrality is a principle that endorses the free and open internet. It is not about free connections rather it is concerned with preventing ISPs from "blocking, speeding up or slowing down Web content based on its source, ownership or destination." (definition from SaveTheInternet.com) If you appreciate access to any Web site, whenever you wish- at the fastest speed- whether it's Amazon or your sister's family reunion site, if you like using any service- from online video to podcasts and sending instant messages- without paying extra fees to the telephone or cable company that provides you with Internet service then you support New Neutrality. .
Here is what O'Reilly says,
"I love the internet. It's been one of the most fertile grounds for technological innovation, wealth creation, and social change that our country has seen in my lifetime. I believe passionately in the "small pieces loosely joined" model that allows anyone to invent a compelling new service, find other people to use it, and grow a business without having to ask anyone's permission.
It's essential that we preserve the architecture of the internet.
Under the guise of free market experimentation, big companies with monopoly positions in local markets are asking us to change the fundamental rules that have served the internet so well. They want to be able to charge differential fees for different types of data traffic.
This will, quite simply, be the end of the internet as we know it, turning it into a network that works much more like the cellphone network, slow to innovate, hostile to its users, extracting profits through artificial barriers rather than true value creation.Barack Obama supports net neutrality"
I encourage you to read O'Reilly's endorsement.
Corrections
I am a lousy typist which means I should be a great proof reader. I am not. Please forgive my typos.
That said I made an error in my Reason #26. I stated that Milton Friedman's son, David, had endorsed Obama. He hasn't although he believes Obama is better than McCain.
As I said in reason #26 many conservatives have endorsed Obama. There is even a name for them- Obamacons. Here are two more impressive ones.
Francis Fukuyama is a conservative philosopher and economist. He is currently a professor at Johns Hopkins. He was an advisor to Ronald Reagan, specifically was part of the brain trust that formulated the Reagan doctrine. During the past eight years he has become disillusioned with the Bush administration. In his endorsement of Obama, which you can read in The American Conservative, here:
Fukuyama said, "McCain’s appeal was always that he could think for himself, but as the campaign has progressed, he has seemed simply erratic and hotheaded. His choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate was highly irresponsible; we have suffered under the current president who entered office without much knowledge of the world and was easily captured by the wrong advisers. McCain’s lurching from Reaganite free- marketer to populist tribune makes one wonder whether he has any underlying principles at all. "
Great description of McCain!
Here is a second big name conservative who is endorsing Obama. Lawrence Eagleburger, a former Republican Secretary of State. At one time he was one of John McCain's strong supporters but he has withdrawn his endorsement, citing Palin as the major reason. You can read about it here:
Uhh--Sarah-that one less former Secretary of State who supports you.
That said I made an error in my Reason #26. I stated that Milton Friedman's son, David, had endorsed Obama. He hasn't although he believes Obama is better than McCain.
As I said in reason #26 many conservatives have endorsed Obama. There is even a name for them- Obamacons. Here are two more impressive ones.
Francis Fukuyama is a conservative philosopher and economist. He is currently a professor at Johns Hopkins. He was an advisor to Ronald Reagan, specifically was part of the brain trust that formulated the Reagan doctrine. During the past eight years he has become disillusioned with the Bush administration. In his endorsement of Obama, which you can read in The American Conservative, here:
Fukuyama said, "McCain’s appeal was always that he could think for himself, but as the campaign has progressed, he has seemed simply erratic and hotheaded. His choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate was highly irresponsible; we have suffered under the current president who entered office without much knowledge of the world and was easily captured by the wrong advisers. McCain’s lurching from Reaganite free- marketer to populist tribune makes one wonder whether he has any underlying principles at all. "
Great description of McCain!
Here is a second big name conservative who is endorsing Obama. Lawrence Eagleburger, a former Republican Secretary of State. At one time he was one of John McCain's strong supporters but he has withdrawn his endorsement, citing Palin as the major reason. You can read about it here:
Uhh--Sarah-that one less former Secretary of State who supports you.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
#26 We Are Not As Divided As Our Politics Suggest
"This election is about the past vs. the future. It's about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today or whether we reach for a politics of common sense and innovation, a politics of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity." Barack Obama 1/29/08
Yesterday, as I was running on the treadmill, I listened to a podcast of Sunday's Meet The Press. If I had just awakened from a coma and turned on the tube I would have thought that the biggest threat to our country is earmark spending. Now I am not crazy about earmarks but it is not even close to what most people care about this election. I think John McCain has lost a lot of support for his campaign because he lacks a coherent and inspiring message. The only people who seem excited about McCain are the folks who are voting against Obama. I do not hear any passion for McCain's ideas or vision. We need a President with an inspiring vision and authentic ideas.
Throughout my adult life we have been a nation divided by wedge issues. We have been distracted by resentment about Vietnam, abortion, civil rights and taxes. Politicians have exploited these issues and the country has failed to address authentically important problems. Obama has inspired many smart conservatives who are fed up with the Republican Party and have found a Democrat they trust to listen, learn and lead.
Here is a portion of a long list of people who could turn Ronald Reagan's phrase around just a bit to say: "I did not leave the the Republican Party. It left me."
Colin Powell
Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld who was a public supporter of Mitt Romney. In a statement, Weld called Obama a “once-in-a-lifetime candidate who will transform our politics and restore America’s standing in the world.”
Former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson endorsed Obama. He said, “I think we have in Barack Obama the clear possibility of a truly great president,” he said. “I would contend that it’s the most important election of my lifetime.”
Ken Adelman, a prominent conservative on foreign policy matters announced his support for Obama. He called McCain “impetuous, inconsistent, and imprudent; ending up just plain weird” in his handling of the U.S. economic crisis. He also said, “Not only is Sarah Palin not close to being acceptable in high office—I would not have hired her for even a mid-level post in the arms-control agency.”
Charles Fried, a Harvard Law professor and former Solicitor General in the Reagan administration is supporting Obama. He stated he could not support McCain in large part because of his selection of Palin as his running mate.
Christopher Buckley, son of William F Buckley
David Friedman, son of Milton and Rose Friedman.
My favorite: Andrew Sullivan- read what he wrote in "Goodbye To All That- Why Obama Matters",
Many patriotic conservatives believe Barack Obama can bridge the gap of the 40 year old culture war and bring people with diverse points of view together. We must address and resolve critical issues like the war in Iraq, our credibility in the world, our relationships in the Middle East, the credit crunch, the deficit, health care, social security, challenges of energy and climate. Progress will not be smooth and as Obama says, "mistakes will be made" but I am voting for Obama because he is the first person to say, "we are not as divided as our politics suggest."
Yesterday, as I was running on the treadmill, I listened to a podcast of Sunday's Meet The Press. If I had just awakened from a coma and turned on the tube I would have thought that the biggest threat to our country is earmark spending. Now I am not crazy about earmarks but it is not even close to what most people care about this election. I think John McCain has lost a lot of support for his campaign because he lacks a coherent and inspiring message. The only people who seem excited about McCain are the folks who are voting against Obama. I do not hear any passion for McCain's ideas or vision. We need a President with an inspiring vision and authentic ideas.
Throughout my adult life we have been a nation divided by wedge issues. We have been distracted by resentment about Vietnam, abortion, civil rights and taxes. Politicians have exploited these issues and the country has failed to address authentically important problems. Obama has inspired many smart conservatives who are fed up with the Republican Party and have found a Democrat they trust to listen, learn and lead.
Here is a portion of a long list of people who could turn Ronald Reagan's phrase around just a bit to say: "I did not leave the the Republican Party. It left me."
Colin Powell
Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld who was a public supporter of Mitt Romney. In a statement, Weld called Obama a “once-in-a-lifetime candidate who will transform our politics and restore America’s standing in the world.”
Former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson endorsed Obama. He said, “I think we have in Barack Obama the clear possibility of a truly great president,” he said. “I would contend that it’s the most important election of my lifetime.”
Ken Adelman, a prominent conservative on foreign policy matters announced his support for Obama. He called McCain “impetuous, inconsistent, and imprudent; ending up just plain weird” in his handling of the U.S. economic crisis. He also said, “Not only is Sarah Palin not close to being acceptable in high office—I would not have hired her for even a mid-level post in the arms-control agency.”
Charles Fried, a Harvard Law professor and former Solicitor General in the Reagan administration is supporting Obama. He stated he could not support McCain in large part because of his selection of Palin as his running mate.
Christopher Buckley, son of William F Buckley
David Friedman, son of Milton and Rose Friedman.
My favorite: Andrew Sullivan- read what he wrote in "Goodbye To All That- Why Obama Matters",
Many patriotic conservatives believe Barack Obama can bridge the gap of the 40 year old culture war and bring people with diverse points of view together. We must address and resolve critical issues like the war in Iraq, our credibility in the world, our relationships in the Middle East, the credit crunch, the deficit, health care, social security, challenges of energy and climate. Progress will not be smooth and as Obama says, "mistakes will be made" but I am voting for Obama because he is the first person to say, "we are not as divided as our politics suggest."
#25 Faith and Family
Barack Obama walks the walk of his talk on faith and family. He is a faithful husband with a strong wife. It always amazes me how McCain supporters revile Senator Obama. They speak of fearing him and accuse him of not being a "real Christian" yet their own candidate left the woman who was faithful to him during the years of his imprisonment. He abandoned her after she was disfigured in a car accident for his current wife who has funded his many campaigns. His own leadership of his family was so weak that he did not notice his wife was addicted to pain killers and stealing drugs from her own charity. Imagine how the Obama family would be treated if Barak was in his second marriage, had left a faithful and wounded wife for Michelle and if Michelle had been a drug addict who admitted stealing drugs.
But I have devoted too much space in this post to the reasons I think the McCain supporters are hypocrites in the area of faith and family values. There are so many authentically positive things to say about Barak Obama. He has a deep understanding of what it means to be a fatherless boy and young man who was seen as "too white" by some African-Americans and black by most of the white community. He is not afraid to address the tough subject of fatherless children to African-American audiences and he admits his own failures. Here is a link to his Fathers Day speech this past June.
Throughout his life he has had high expectations for himself and he holds his own children to high standards.His life experiences have given him the wisdom and empathy to be a remarkable leader in a country that needs racial healing and support for families. Throughout his life he has had high expectations for himself and he holds his own children to high standards.
In August the Obama family took a vacation in Hawaii and we saw several newspaper photos of the senator and his daughters walking along Kailua Beach. Our family has enjoyed a small cottage at Kailua Beach and I have enjoyed many walks with my own children along those peaceful shores not often discovered by tourists. The picture brought tears to my eyes and it reminded me of how important this election is to me. I think the outcome is critical for the future of my children. Here is a long quote from Obama Father's Days 08 speech. It expresses my hopes for my own children:
"But now, my life revolves around my two little girls. And what I think about is what kind of world I'm leaving them. Are they living in a county where there's a huge gap between a few who are wealthy and a whole bunch of people who are struggling every day? Are they living in a county that is still divided by race? A country where, because they're girls, they don't have as much opportunity as boys do? Are they living in a country where we are hated around the world because we don't cooperate effectively with other nations? Are they living a world that is in grave danger because of what we've done to its climate?
And what I've realized is that life doesn't count for much unless you're willing to do your small part to leave our children - all of our children - a better world. Even if it's difficult. Even if the work seems great. Even if we don't get very far in our lifetime.
That is our ultimate responsibility as fathers and parents. We try. We hope. We do what we can to build our house upon the sturdiest rock. And when the winds come, and the rains fall, and they beat upon that house, we keep faith that our Father will be there to guide us, and watch over us, and protect us, and lead His children through the darkest of storms into light of a better day. That is my prayer for all of us on this Father's Day, and that is my hope for this country in the years ahead. May God Bless you and your children. Thank you."
But I have devoted too much space in this post to the reasons I think the McCain supporters are hypocrites in the area of faith and family values. There are so many authentically positive things to say about Barak Obama. He has a deep understanding of what it means to be a fatherless boy and young man who was seen as "too white" by some African-Americans and black by most of the white community. He is not afraid to address the tough subject of fatherless children to African-American audiences and he admits his own failures. Here is a link to his Fathers Day speech this past June.
Throughout his life he has had high expectations for himself and he holds his own children to high standards.His life experiences have given him the wisdom and empathy to be a remarkable leader in a country that needs racial healing and support for families. Throughout his life he has had high expectations for himself and he holds his own children to high standards.
In August the Obama family took a vacation in Hawaii and we saw several newspaper photos of the senator and his daughters walking along Kailua Beach. Our family has enjoyed a small cottage at Kailua Beach and I have enjoyed many walks with my own children along those peaceful shores not often discovered by tourists. The picture brought tears to my eyes and it reminded me of how important this election is to me. I think the outcome is critical for the future of my children. Here is a long quote from Obama Father's Days 08 speech. It expresses my hopes for my own children:
"But now, my life revolves around my two little girls. And what I think about is what kind of world I'm leaving them. Are they living in a county where there's a huge gap between a few who are wealthy and a whole bunch of people who are struggling every day? Are they living in a county that is still divided by race? A country where, because they're girls, they don't have as much opportunity as boys do? Are they living in a country where we are hated around the world because we don't cooperate effectively with other nations? Are they living a world that is in grave danger because of what we've done to its climate?
And what I've realized is that life doesn't count for much unless you're willing to do your small part to leave our children - all of our children - a better world. Even if it's difficult. Even if the work seems great. Even if we don't get very far in our lifetime.
That is our ultimate responsibility as fathers and parents. We try. We hope. We do what we can to build our house upon the sturdiest rock. And when the winds come, and the rains fall, and they beat upon that house, we keep faith that our Father will be there to guide us, and watch over us, and protect us, and lead His children through the darkest of storms into light of a better day. That is my prayer for all of us on this Father's Day, and that is my hope for this country in the years ahead. May God Bless you and your children. Thank you."
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
# 24 Care About The Economy = Vote Republican---Right?
Ummmmm-- Wrong! I doubt Joe the Plumber or Sarah the Saks/Nordstrom/Neiman/Marcus shopper has looked at the following data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis which is part of the Department of Commerce. Note- this office is controlled by the Bush administration so no whining that these are "biased" numbers. This numbers may be surprising and uncomfortable for some but they can't be blamed on the "liberal elite".
Here is the data:
Growth of GDP:
Kennedy 1962-1965 (D)
The economy grew each year of the Kennedy administration with an average 5.6% GDP yearly growth.
Johnson 1966-1969 (D)
The economy grew each year of the Johnson administration with an average 4.2% GDP yearly growth.
Nixon 1970-1977 (R)
The economy grew in six of the eight Nixon (and Ford) years and fell in two years. The average of those eight years was 2.3% GDP growth.
Carter 1978-1981 (D)
The economy grew in three of the four Carter years. The average of those years was 2.8% GDP growth. Note slightly better than Nixon!
Reagan 1982-1989
The economy grew in seven of the eight Reagan years. The average rate was 3.5% GDP growth.
GHW Bush 1990-1993 (R)
The economy grew in three of the four Bush years. The average rate of growth was 1.8% GDP growth.
Clinton 1994-2001 (D)
The economy grew in each of the eight Clinton years .The average for those years was 3.5% GDP growth.
GW Bush 2001-2008
The economy grew in the first seven years and data will probably show shrikage in 08. In the first seven years the growth has been 2.9%.
Conclusion
The economy grew in 19 of the 20 years in which Democratic Presidents submitted a budget and in 23 of the 28 years in which Republican Presidents submitted a budget.
For the twenty years for which Republican presidents submitted budgets, the average rate of GDP growth was 2.9%.
For the twenty years in which Democratic presidents submitted budgets, the average rate of GDP growth was 3.92%.
Unemployment:
Kevin Drum formerly of CalPundit and WAshington Magazine used Department of Commerce data unemployment rates by party of the President for the period from 1948 through 2001. He used "lag times" of 3, 4 and 5 years in assigning responsibility for economic performance to a President. In each case, unemployment was lower in Democratic administrations than in Republican administrations. The GW Bush years are just ending so we don't have calculations on lag time but in his first 7 years Bush had roughly the same unemployment rate as Clinton. It is important to remember that Clinton inherited high unemployment from GHW Bush and GW Bush interited low unemployment from Clinton. Think what GW is leaving behind!
Deficit:
Growth of the federal deficit has grown under GW Bush more than under any other administration since 1960! See attached table.
Of course there are other economic indicators which indicate the health of the economy but one simply needs to open the paper to see how precarious the economy is at the end of an 8 year Republican presidency and when during 12 out of the past 16 years the Republican have controlled both Houses.
It is conventional wisdom that Republicans are better for economy than Democrats but like a lot of CW it turns out to be wrong.
I am sure that Palin and the McCain campaign will continue to try to frighten folks with the "S" word but the truth is our Democratic presidents have been good for the economy.
Americans Are Fair and Balanced
I don’t have a TV so I only recently heard the story of the attack on a McCain supporter. Indeed just after I heard the story the “victim” had already confessed to the hoax. She was not attacked by anyone, certainly not by a "big, black man" who victimized her because of her politics.
Frankly I did not think an isolated act of violence in Pittsburgh or a hoax perpetrated by poor, sick young woman could have any impact on the election. Turns out the vice president of Fox News thought otherwise. In a blog entry John Moody, the guy who is in charge of the content of Fox News, posted a blog on the Fox website
"It had to happen.
Less than two weeks before we vote for a new president, a white woman says a black man attacked her, then scarred her face, and says there was a political motive for it."
What “had to happen”? Does Moody think it was obvious that a black man would attack a McCain supporter or does he think it is inevitable that a white female McCain supporter would accuse a Black man? Either way Moody seems to see racial relations as dangerously divisive.
"If Ms. Todd’s allegations are proven accurate, some voters may revisit their support for Senator Obama, not because they are racists (with due respect to Rep. John Murtha), but because they suddenly feel they do not know enough about the Democratic nominee."
Huh? Moody believes that if an African-American man in Pittsburgh committs a crime on a McCain supporter that some Americans would be forced to reevaluate Barak Obama?! I’m confused- is Moody suggesting that Obama was not really visiting his grandmother in Hawaii and instead was stalking ATM machines in western PA?
Oh my that’s just too silly. I guess Moody thinks that some voters will distrust Obama because he is the same race as the criminal? ! That makes as much sense as concluding that voters will question Palin because the crazy lying woman in Pennsylvania is a white woman like Palin. WHAKCO!!!!! And Mr. Moody, despite your protestations- -grouping people together because there are of one race is an essential element of racism.
Moody's assertions are scary because this man is the boss at Fox news. He views us--his audience or potential auidence- as fearful of the other and willing to cast aspersions based on race alone. Think how this must impact his decisions about content and style on Fox News. Can we trust this man to be fair and balanced?
He also wrote:
"If the incident turns out to be a hoax, Senator McCain’s quest for the presidency is over, forever linked to race-baiting."
Yup- he is really saying that McCain’s campaign could be destroyed by one crazy chick. He is wrong- wrong, wrong, wrong.
Americans are too smart to reject Obama because some people of his race commit crimes and we are too smart to reject McCain because one of his volunteers is a seriously disturbed racist.
Moody's brief blog post explains the fear based journalism of Fox News that is contributing to disrespectful divisions in our country. CBS fired Dan Rather. Let’s see what Fox does with Moody.
I have more faith in my fellow citizens than Moody has. They deserve more wisdom from their news desks than Moody can provide. I hope lots of people have simply had too much too much of unfair and imbalanced behavior and will unite around a candidate who can inspire us.
Examples of Fox coverage.
Frankly I did not think an isolated act of violence in Pittsburgh or a hoax perpetrated by poor, sick young woman could have any impact on the election. Turns out the vice president of Fox News thought otherwise. In a blog entry John Moody, the guy who is in charge of the content of Fox News, posted a blog on the Fox website
"It had to happen.
Less than two weeks before we vote for a new president, a white woman says a black man attacked her, then scarred her face, and says there was a political motive for it."
What “had to happen”? Does Moody think it was obvious that a black man would attack a McCain supporter or does he think it is inevitable that a white female McCain supporter would accuse a Black man? Either way Moody seems to see racial relations as dangerously divisive.
"If Ms. Todd’s allegations are proven accurate, some voters may revisit their support for Senator Obama, not because they are racists (with due respect to Rep. John Murtha), but because they suddenly feel they do not know enough about the Democratic nominee."
Huh? Moody believes that if an African-American man in Pittsburgh committs a crime on a McCain supporter that some Americans would be forced to reevaluate Barak Obama?! I’m confused- is Moody suggesting that Obama was not really visiting his grandmother in Hawaii and instead was stalking ATM machines in western PA?
Oh my that’s just too silly. I guess Moody thinks that some voters will distrust Obama because he is the same race as the criminal? ! That makes as much sense as concluding that voters will question Palin because the crazy lying woman in Pennsylvania is a white woman like Palin. WHAKCO!!!!! And Mr. Moody, despite your protestations- -grouping people together because there are of one race is an essential element of racism.
Moody's assertions are scary because this man is the boss at Fox news. He views us--his audience or potential auidence- as fearful of the other and willing to cast aspersions based on race alone. Think how this must impact his decisions about content and style on Fox News. Can we trust this man to be fair and balanced?
He also wrote:
"If the incident turns out to be a hoax, Senator McCain’s quest for the presidency is over, forever linked to race-baiting."
Yup- he is really saying that McCain’s campaign could be destroyed by one crazy chick. He is wrong- wrong, wrong, wrong.
Americans are too smart to reject Obama because some people of his race commit crimes and we are too smart to reject McCain because one of his volunteers is a seriously disturbed racist.
Moody's brief blog post explains the fear based journalism of Fox News that is contributing to disrespectful divisions in our country. CBS fired Dan Rather. Let’s see what Fox does with Moody.
I have more faith in my fellow citizens than Moody has. They deserve more wisdom from their news desks than Moody can provide. I hope lots of people have simply had too much too much of unfair and imbalanced behavior and will unite around a candidate who can inspire us.
Examples of Fox coverage.
I’m Sick of Divisive, Dishonest Destructive Media Manipulation
“One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. The bamboozle has captured us. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.”
Carl Sagan
Obviously an Obama presidency will not vanquish the overwrought, pompous media demigods but if he wins perhaps FOX, National Review Online and others will spend more time talking about issues that matter- like the economy, the budget, foreign policy. Certainly an Obama win will discredit the incessant focus on Bill Ayers and the demarcation of certain sections of the country as“pro-America”. I truly hope that a victory by the Democratic ticket will increase the level of respect and improve the quality of public discourse.
One of the best things about living in the “information age” is the ability to cross check references on any and every subject. Of course the information consumer must separate the reliable resources from junk science and extremist rants. My guess is that most people rely on one to three sources for most of their information. It is not enough to have numerous sources we also need balance. Alas it is much easier to reject entire information sources as “elite liberals” or “liberal media” than it is to research, analyze, listen and discern.
I seek balance in my information. I listen to various points of view on a frequent basis. I grew weary of Rush Limbaugh- long before his repeated incidents of prescription drug abuse and quite awhile before his third divorce- but I read NRO and Instapundit. Even though I weary of their numerous commercials for tax lawyers who specialize in resolution of IRS tax liens, Fox News is a prest button on my car’s satellite radio.
Much, not all, of what is broadcast on Fox News fails to meet the standard for “fair and unbalanced” news.
“Obama and Friends: History of Racialism.” (Six sections of this video can be found on youtube) is a representative example of the standards at Fox News. It was viewed by three million people.
One of the “consultants” who collaborated on the documentary is David Bossie. On camera Bossie uses innuendo, guilt by association and assertions without evidence to portray Obama as a dangerous man but it is actually Bossie who has been discredited in the past. In the mid nineties he was an investigator for the Government Reform and Oversight Committee. He was fired for editing tapes of Webster Hubbell. He edited the tapes to create the impression of billing irregularities in the law firm where Hubbell worked with Hillary Clinton. Editing to create a false impression, he cut out sections that cleared Hillary of any wrong doing. He is a liar. Bossie was canned by Republican Congress bosses. Bossie has been strongly condemned by Republicans for unethical conduct. President George H.W. Bush, filed an FEC complaint against Bossie's group after it produced a TV ad inviting voters to call a hot line to hear illegally and probably doctored tape-recorded conversations between Clinton and Gennifer Flowers. Bush said of Bossie's organization, "We will do whatever we can to stop any filthy campaign tactics"; and that his son, George W. Bush, sent a letter to 85,697 major donors urging them not to contribute to the group.
There are many other incidents of Bossie’s unethical actions and self promotion. His “work” is so slimy and his contributions to the documentary doo not meet standards for research or accuracy that would be required in a high school journalism class. Any news organization that uses Bossies’ work fails the “fair and balanced test.”
Bossie has fewer credibility problems than another or Fox’s “expert” panelists, Andy Martin. Martin is such a whacko that he was barred from admission to the Illinois bar in the 1970’s in part because his Selective Service records showed his thoughts exhibited “a paranoid flavor and a grandiose character.” There are many examples of his bigotry. In 1983 in his personal bankruptcy case he called a judge a,, “crooked, slimy Jew.” In court papers he said, “I understand how the Holocaust took place, and with every passing day feel less and less sorry that it did.” Martin has been barred from filing Federal lawsuits without preliminary approval.
Martin ran a TV commercial in New Hampshire that accused George W bush of using cocaine and admits to being behind the false rumors that Obama is a Muslim and, as a lame excuse for spreading lies he says, “when the facts aren't all there.... you are allowed to draw an adverse inference." Ahhh- no you’re not. Just because someone refuses to talk to you it is not ok to make up stories about them.
Despite his instability Fox allowed him to assert that Barak Obama was organizing people to overthrow the government and that the presidential candidate is linked to Castro. I am not making this up!
Martin and Bossie were major sources for the hour long documentary in which Hannity asserted that not much was known about Obama’s time at Harvard. Whey didn’t Fox he interview or give air time to any of the people who elected Obama as head of the Law Review? Several of his classmates and fellow members of the Law Review went on to work in the Bush administration but I guess Fox rejects them as “liberal elites.”
I know that it is entirely possible that an Obama presidency will actually fuel the Fox fire of sensationalistic attacks and fear based journalism but a strong turnout for Obama will be evidence that the majority of our fellow citizens are not willing to be bamboozled anymore.
Carl Sagan
Obviously an Obama presidency will not vanquish the overwrought, pompous media demigods but if he wins perhaps FOX, National Review Online and others will spend more time talking about issues that matter- like the economy, the budget, foreign policy. Certainly an Obama win will discredit the incessant focus on Bill Ayers and the demarcation of certain sections of the country as“pro-America”. I truly hope that a victory by the Democratic ticket will increase the level of respect and improve the quality of public discourse.
One of the best things about living in the “information age” is the ability to cross check references on any and every subject. Of course the information consumer must separate the reliable resources from junk science and extremist rants. My guess is that most people rely on one to three sources for most of their information. It is not enough to have numerous sources we also need balance. Alas it is much easier to reject entire information sources as “elite liberals” or “liberal media” than it is to research, analyze, listen and discern.
I seek balance in my information. I listen to various points of view on a frequent basis. I grew weary of Rush Limbaugh- long before his repeated incidents of prescription drug abuse and quite awhile before his third divorce- but I read NRO and Instapundit. Even though I weary of their numerous commercials for tax lawyers who specialize in resolution of IRS tax liens, Fox News is a prest button on my car’s satellite radio.
Much, not all, of what is broadcast on Fox News fails to meet the standard for “fair and unbalanced” news.
“Obama and Friends: History of Racialism.” (Six sections of this video can be found on youtube) is a representative example of the standards at Fox News. It was viewed by three million people.
One of the “consultants” who collaborated on the documentary is David Bossie. On camera Bossie uses innuendo, guilt by association and assertions without evidence to portray Obama as a dangerous man but it is actually Bossie who has been discredited in the past. In the mid nineties he was an investigator for the Government Reform and Oversight Committee. He was fired for editing tapes of Webster Hubbell. He edited the tapes to create the impression of billing irregularities in the law firm where Hubbell worked with Hillary Clinton. Editing to create a false impression, he cut out sections that cleared Hillary of any wrong doing. He is a liar. Bossie was canned by Republican Congress bosses. Bossie has been strongly condemned by Republicans for unethical conduct. President George H.W. Bush, filed an FEC complaint against Bossie's group after it produced a TV ad inviting voters to call a hot line to hear illegally and probably doctored tape-recorded conversations between Clinton and Gennifer Flowers. Bush said of Bossie's organization, "We will do whatever we can to stop any filthy campaign tactics"; and that his son, George W. Bush, sent a letter to 85,697 major donors urging them not to contribute to the group.
There are many other incidents of Bossie’s unethical actions and self promotion. His “work” is so slimy and his contributions to the documentary doo not meet standards for research or accuracy that would be required in a high school journalism class. Any news organization that uses Bossies’ work fails the “fair and balanced test.”
Bossie has fewer credibility problems than another or Fox’s “expert” panelists, Andy Martin. Martin is such a whacko that he was barred from admission to the Illinois bar in the 1970’s in part because his Selective Service records showed his thoughts exhibited “a paranoid flavor and a grandiose character.” There are many examples of his bigotry. In 1983 in his personal bankruptcy case he called a judge a,, “crooked, slimy Jew.” In court papers he said, “I understand how the Holocaust took place, and with every passing day feel less and less sorry that it did.” Martin has been barred from filing Federal lawsuits without preliminary approval.
Martin ran a TV commercial in New Hampshire that accused George W bush of using cocaine and admits to being behind the false rumors that Obama is a Muslim and, as a lame excuse for spreading lies he says, “when the facts aren't all there.... you are allowed to draw an adverse inference." Ahhh- no you’re not. Just because someone refuses to talk to you it is not ok to make up stories about them.
Despite his instability Fox allowed him to assert that Barak Obama was organizing people to overthrow the government and that the presidential candidate is linked to Castro. I am not making this up!
Martin and Bossie were major sources for the hour long documentary in which Hannity asserted that not much was known about Obama’s time at Harvard. Whey didn’t Fox he interview or give air time to any of the people who elected Obama as head of the Law Review? Several of his classmates and fellow members of the Law Review went on to work in the Bush administration but I guess Fox rejects them as “liberal elites.”
I know that it is entirely possible that an Obama presidency will actually fuel the Fox fire of sensationalistic attacks and fear based journalism but a strong turnout for Obama will be evidence that the majority of our fellow citizens are not willing to be bamboozled anymore.
#21 She Blinded Me With Science
Science and politics are always linked. At the first level there is the science inside the lab, next there are multiple layers of politicking within the scientific community and finally, when science is related to public policy, politics are unavoidable.
In 1990 George H. W. Bush said, " Now more than ever, on issues ranging from climate change to AIDS research . . . government relies on the impartial perspective of science for guidance.” Yup- that's reasonable. During Papa Bush's administration no one was demanding that Biblical teachings be used as the metric for evaluating scientific findings. Reasonable people were running things and there seemed to be general agreement with Galileo that, "the intention of the Holy Ghost is to teach us how one goes to heaven, not how heaven goes.'
Well things sure have changed during the eight years GW bush has been in office. Six thousand scientists—including 49 Nobel laureates and 154 members of the U.S. National Academies of Science have questioned whether scientific integrity at federal agencies has been sacrificed to further a political and ideological agenda. (US News and World Report 2005) As Don Kennedy, then editor of Science, wrote in early 2003, “There is growing evidence that the Bush Administration “invades areas once immune to this kind of manipulation.” In August 2003, the Democratic staff of the Government Reform Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives assessed the treatment of science and scientists by the Bush Administration in the report, Politics and Science in the Bush Administration. The report cited numerous instances where members or appointees of the Bush administration “manipulated research process and distorted or suppressed scientific findings.” Climate issues and stem cell research have been the most prominent points of contention but there have been many more.
I resolved several years ago to make sure science was one of the areas I considered when making my next choice for president. It’s been a busy election year and I confess that I have not actually paid that much attention to the candidates positions on science- other than McCain’s muddy statements on stem cell research. I have to hand it to Governor Palin for re-awakening my awareness of the importance of science in the next administration.
Yesterday in her first policy speech Palin described some solid ideas for improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities. Sadly she also demonstrated her lack of understanding of scientific research when she mocked research on fruit flies. “Maverick” Palin takes advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate disdain for government programs and express outrage at government spending but her for fruit fly critique was a cheap shot, meant to inflame voters. We can’t move forward in addressing real problems by resorting to creating controversy where there is none. And--ahhh- fruit fly research helps to further her own cause- children with autism and other neurological disorders.
Governor Palin promised to help children and adults with disabilities but does not seem to understand that research on fruit flies is critical to advancing our knowledge of the human health. That is not defensive rhetoric from the “elite liberal media” it is just the truth. Here is a link to a National Institute of Health 2000 newsletter that described the value of fruit fly research.
Here is a quote from the article: “ fruit flies are essential workhorses in thousands of biomedical research laboratories around the world. Decades of study have revealed that the tiny insects, which bear little resemblance to people, nevertheless share much of our genetic heritage. Fruit flies possess strikingly similar versions of the genes that promote normal human development and, when altered, contribute to disease.”
Here are links to three recently published studies of human illness that relied on fruit fly research.
Published 2008: on human immunity and immune disorders-
Published 2007: on autism-
Launched 2005: on birth defects-
Has the campaign failed to make credible science advisors available to Palin or does she simply not care about the veracity of her words?
My 17 year old son knows that research on fruit flies is basic and important- he learned that in sophomore bio.
I don’t need my candidates to blind me with a wealth of scientific knowledge but I can’t endorse a ticket that assumes I will turn a blind eye to the scientific incompetence Palin demonstrated yesterday.
Want to see the old 80's video She Blinded Me With Science?
Excerpt of Sarah Palin's policy speech.
I tried to find a video of her speech on the McCain campaign website but it is not there!
In 1990 George H. W. Bush said, " Now more than ever, on issues ranging from climate change to AIDS research . . . government relies on the impartial perspective of science for guidance.” Yup- that's reasonable. During Papa Bush's administration no one was demanding that Biblical teachings be used as the metric for evaluating scientific findings. Reasonable people were running things and there seemed to be general agreement with Galileo that, "the intention of the Holy Ghost is to teach us how one goes to heaven, not how heaven goes.'
Well things sure have changed during the eight years GW bush has been in office. Six thousand scientists—including 49 Nobel laureates and 154 members of the U.S. National Academies of Science have questioned whether scientific integrity at federal agencies has been sacrificed to further a political and ideological agenda. (US News and World Report 2005) As Don Kennedy, then editor of Science, wrote in early 2003, “There is growing evidence that the Bush Administration “invades areas once immune to this kind of manipulation.” In August 2003, the Democratic staff of the Government Reform Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives assessed the treatment of science and scientists by the Bush Administration in the report, Politics and Science in the Bush Administration. The report cited numerous instances where members or appointees of the Bush administration “manipulated research process and distorted or suppressed scientific findings.” Climate issues and stem cell research have been the most prominent points of contention but there have been many more.
I resolved several years ago to make sure science was one of the areas I considered when making my next choice for president. It’s been a busy election year and I confess that I have not actually paid that much attention to the candidates positions on science- other than McCain’s muddy statements on stem cell research. I have to hand it to Governor Palin for re-awakening my awareness of the importance of science in the next administration.
Yesterday in her first policy speech Palin described some solid ideas for improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities. Sadly she also demonstrated her lack of understanding of scientific research when she mocked research on fruit flies. “Maverick” Palin takes advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate disdain for government programs and express outrage at government spending but her for fruit fly critique was a cheap shot, meant to inflame voters. We can’t move forward in addressing real problems by resorting to creating controversy where there is none. And--ahhh- fruit fly research helps to further her own cause- children with autism and other neurological disorders.
Governor Palin promised to help children and adults with disabilities but does not seem to understand that research on fruit flies is critical to advancing our knowledge of the human health. That is not defensive rhetoric from the “elite liberal media” it is just the truth. Here is a link to a National Institute of Health 2000 newsletter that described the value of fruit fly research.
Here is a quote from the article: “ fruit flies are essential workhorses in thousands of biomedical research laboratories around the world. Decades of study have revealed that the tiny insects, which bear little resemblance to people, nevertheless share much of our genetic heritage. Fruit flies possess strikingly similar versions of the genes that promote normal human development and, when altered, contribute to disease.”
Here are links to three recently published studies of human illness that relied on fruit fly research.
Published 2008: on human immunity and immune disorders-
Published 2007: on autism-
Launched 2005: on birth defects-
Has the campaign failed to make credible science advisors available to Palin or does she simply not care about the veracity of her words?
My 17 year old son knows that research on fruit flies is basic and important- he learned that in sophomore bio.
I don’t need my candidates to blind me with a wealth of scientific knowledge but I can’t endorse a ticket that assumes I will turn a blind eye to the scientific incompetence Palin demonstrated yesterday.
Want to see the old 80's video She Blinded Me With Science?
Excerpt of Sarah Palin's policy speech.
I tried to find a video of her speech on the McCain campaign website but it is not there!
#20- Because I Agree With Adam Smith
When my parents divorced one of the many things they fought over was a handsome collection of beautifully bound leather books. My dad actually read the books but my mom just liked the way they looked on the bookshelves. She won the book battle in the divorce wars but the books, along with a couple of oil paintings, remained a point of contention for many years- probably still are. Once, years ago on my of my rare return trips to Tulsa, I pulled one of the books from the shelf and took it upstairs to read. To tell the truth I thought it was a snoozer but I struggled through, scanning some parts and carefully reading others. Mom went ballistic when she discovered I had taken the book home to California but she calmed down when I sent a leather bound and engraved photo album of the kids to fill the gapping hole on the third shelf. I don't think she has ever really missed Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" because I know she never read it.
Smith's book is not exactly a family read aloud but with all this talk of Joe the Plumber, taxes and the "S" word I found myself thinking about the book and wondering what the Father of Capitalism would think now that our MBA President has nationalized banking and greatly altered (some say erased) free market capitalism. So I was delighted today when I found a quote from Smith at the Daily Dish.
"The necessaries of life occasion the great expense of the poor. . . . The luxuries and vanities of life occasion the principal expense of the rich, and a magnificent house embellishes and sets off to the best advantage all the other luxuries and vanities which they possess. . . . It is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion. "
Let me repeat that- the Father of Capitalism thought it reasonable for the rich to contribute a larger proportion of their income to the nation than the poor. Think about it- a progressive tax system is not a radical commie idea but isactually a foundational element of successful capitalism!
I like capitalism. I know it is flawed- I read The Tragedy of the Commons- but I still think it is the best system available. But it only works when greed is balanced by morality. Yes- I do think paying taxes is the morally correct- even patriotic thing to do.
Our national infrastructure is falling apart. Bridges are crumbling, levees are unsafe, far too many of our fellow citizens lack affordable medical care, we don't have high speed rail and we have never fully funded improvement programs for public schools. We have to get serious about fixing up the commons and we also have to address the giant deficit (thanks George).
Paying taxes is part of the solution. Like Colin Powell said last Sunday, as he was leaving the NBC studio.
"Taxes are always a redistribution of money. Most of the taxes that are redistributed go back to those who pay it, in roads, in hospitals and schools. Taxes are necessary for the common good.........I don't want my taxes raised. I don't want anybody else's taxes raised but I also want to see our infrastructure fixed. I don't want a 12 trillion dollar national debt and I also don't want to see an annual deficit that is over 500 billion dollars heading toward a trillion."
So I have to agree with Senator Obama, Adam Smith and General Powell, it is not unreasonable to re-examine the tax structure of our country to assure that we are contributing our fair share to the common good.
Maybe, like my mother, Senator McCain and Governor Palin have never actually read "The Wealth of Nations." We need more than pretty bookcovers- we need substance, even if it is tough going.
Smith's book is not exactly a family read aloud but with all this talk of Joe the Plumber, taxes and the "S" word I found myself thinking about the book and wondering what the Father of Capitalism would think now that our MBA President has nationalized banking and greatly altered (some say erased) free market capitalism. So I was delighted today when I found a quote from Smith at the Daily Dish.
"The necessaries of life occasion the great expense of the poor. . . . The luxuries and vanities of life occasion the principal expense of the rich, and a magnificent house embellishes and sets off to the best advantage all the other luxuries and vanities which they possess. . . . It is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion. "
Let me repeat that- the Father of Capitalism thought it reasonable for the rich to contribute a larger proportion of their income to the nation than the poor. Think about it- a progressive tax system is not a radical commie idea but isactually a foundational element of successful capitalism!
I like capitalism. I know it is flawed- I read The Tragedy of the Commons- but I still think it is the best system available. But it only works when greed is balanced by morality. Yes- I do think paying taxes is the morally correct- even patriotic thing to do.
Our national infrastructure is falling apart. Bridges are crumbling, levees are unsafe, far too many of our fellow citizens lack affordable medical care, we don't have high speed rail and we have never fully funded improvement programs for public schools. We have to get serious about fixing up the commons and we also have to address the giant deficit (thanks George).
Paying taxes is part of the solution. Like Colin Powell said last Sunday, as he was leaving the NBC studio.
"Taxes are always a redistribution of money. Most of the taxes that are redistributed go back to those who pay it, in roads, in hospitals and schools. Taxes are necessary for the common good.........I don't want my taxes raised. I don't want anybody else's taxes raised but I also want to see our infrastructure fixed. I don't want a 12 trillion dollar national debt and I also don't want to see an annual deficit that is over 500 billion dollars heading toward a trillion."
So I have to agree with Senator Obama, Adam Smith and General Powell, it is not unreasonable to re-examine the tax structure of our country to assure that we are contributing our fair share to the common good.
Maybe, like my mother, Senator McCain and Governor Palin have never actually read "The Wealth of Nations." We need more than pretty bookcovers- we need substance, even if it is tough going.
#19- Obama Understands the Bubbas
This post is really an expansion of reason # 8 which focused on Obama's ability to unify the country. When I wrote that post I was focusing on Obama's ability to work with both parties. In this post I am thinking about the relationship that presidents have with the public.
I have been shocked by how easily people have been duped by the Republican party's insinuations that Obama is not really an American. That he is unfit to serve as President because he is a Muslim or an Arab. Colin Powell was clearly offended by this and he beautifully expressed what I have been thinking that while it is true that Barak Obama is a Christian that shouldn't matter. Muslim are Americans too. they have the right to be President. Americans of Arab descent have the right to be president tool I have attached the photo to which Colin Powell referred in his Meet The Press endorsement. It is beautiful and painful. It is also painful to hear people questions Obama because of his "bloodlines." I have always understood that people cannot support Obama because they dislike "big government" that is usually associated with Democrats. (of course GW has given us the biggest deficits and more socialism than any President in my lifetime but that is another point for another post)
Sadly the focus of the attacks on Obama at the McCain-Palin rallies, in their ads, from Fox News or even from my own sweet godson is not on the budget, the economy or even the war. No the preponderance of political ads and news show chats have focused on religion and ethnic heritage. I can only infer that the people who post, view and circulate the youtubes and emails about these topics are overwhelmed with information and change so they fall back on simple, fear based thinking that spoon fed to them by Sean Hannity, Rush Limbagh and others. I am saddened by ignorance and lazy thinking. I understand that racism is most dangerous when it is expressed subtle ways- in statements like, "I am afraid of what Obama has planned for America. McCain wants what is best for Americans". Those staements are more destructive to unity and respect than some dimwit shouting "Boy" or by a bunch of idiots bringing monkeys wearing Obama tags to a Palin rallies.
Obama understands the people who fear "the other". He continues to reach out to them and will do so as President. I think his Presidency could actually help the Bubbas get beyond their fear and grow in their ability to listen to people from diverse backgrounds. If we are going to successfully address the many challenges our country faces everyone must respect view points that differ from their own.
Here is what Obama said in his Philadelphia speech about white people who are frustrated with affirmative action, talk of racism and their perceived lack of opportunity:
"Most working- and middle-class white Americans don't feel that they have been particularly privileged by their race. Their experience is the immigrant experience - as far as they're concerned, no one's handed them anything, they've built it from scratch. They've worked hard all their lives, many times only to see their jobs shipped overseas or their pension dumped after a lifetime of labor. They are anxious about their futures, and feel their dreams slipping away; in an era of stagnant wages and global competition, opportunity comes to be seen as a zero sum game, in which your dreams come at my expense. So when they are told to bus their children to a school across town; when they hear that an African American is getting an advantage in landing a good job or a spot in a good college because of an injustice that they themselves never committed; when they're told that their fears about crime in urban neighborhoods are somehow prejudiced, resentment builds over time.
Like the anger within the black community, these resentments aren't always expressed in polite company. But they have helped shape the political landscape for at least a generation. Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends. Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism.
Just as black anger often proved counterproductive, so have these white resentments distracted attention from the real culprits of the middle class squeeze - a corporate culture rife with inside dealing, questionable accounting practices, and short-term greed; a Washington dominated by lobbyists and special interests; economic policies that favor the few over the many. And yet, to wish away the resentments of white Americans, to label them as misguided or even racist, without recognizing they are grounded in legitimate concerns - this too widens the racial divide, and blocks the path to understanding.
This is where we are right now. It's a racial stalemate we've been stuck in for years. Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black and white, I have never been so naïve as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy - particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own.
But I have asserted a firm conviction - a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people - that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice is we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union. "
That statement demonstrates the wisdom and compassion that we need.
#16, #17 & #18 Colin Powell Says It Much Better Than I Can
In a positive, clear and powerful seven minute statement Colin Powell mentions several reasons about which I have already written:
My #12 & # 8--Republican party's accusations that Obama is a Muslim demonstrate narrow, racist thinking that the Party has taken. Christopher Buckley referred to this destructive faction of the party as the "kooks". Powell is calm but firm as he describes how the Republican Party has moved away from him and why he cannot endorse John McCain.
My #7 & #14 Obama has style and substance to be a world leader. Obama has demonstrated intellect and temperament to be President.
He also states three reasons I have not yet addressed in my list.
#16 Sarah Palin is not ready to be president. This is not a liberal attack. This sentiment is shared by conservatives such as Christopher Buckley, Peggy Noonan, George Will, David Frum and Katherine Parker who have also denounced the choice of Palin. Palin's interviews with Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric were frightening. Clearly McCain knows she does not think deeply or clearly about important issues because he does not trust her to handle questions in a press conference. A 72 year old president needs a VP who is ready on day one and McCain did not select one as his running base. He pandered to his base and is probably surprised that many of the most conservative intellectuals have abandoned him due to this choice.
#17 John McCain's continued focus on Bill Ayers is divisive and trivial. It has proven to be a loosing strategy. When McCain brought Ayers up in the debate Obama pointed out that the boards on which they served together were bipartisan, funded by heavy hitters who were Republican! As the inflammatory and misleading "robo" phone calls have continued McCain refuses to denounce them and his numbers keep dropping. As General Powell said, "In trying to connect Senator Obama with a Mr. Ayers John McCain has gone too far" and"Senator McCain is not focusing on what matters to the American people." I think McCain's bank of ideas is so shallow and his ability to lead his party is so weak that he has nothing else to offer except more trivial and divisive rhetoric.
#18 John McCain could very likely make two appointments to the Supreme Court. Given his troubling capitulations to the Republican Party's far right wing we cannot risk who he might appoint to the court.
My #12 & # 8--Republican party's accusations that Obama is a Muslim demonstrate narrow, racist thinking that the Party has taken. Christopher Buckley referred to this destructive faction of the party as the "kooks". Powell is calm but firm as he describes how the Republican Party has moved away from him and why he cannot endorse John McCain.
My #7 & #14 Obama has style and substance to be a world leader. Obama has demonstrated intellect and temperament to be President.
He also states three reasons I have not yet addressed in my list.
#16 Sarah Palin is not ready to be president. This is not a liberal attack. This sentiment is shared by conservatives such as Christopher Buckley, Peggy Noonan, George Will, David Frum and Katherine Parker who have also denounced the choice of Palin. Palin's interviews with Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric were frightening. Clearly McCain knows she does not think deeply or clearly about important issues because he does not trust her to handle questions in a press conference. A 72 year old president needs a VP who is ready on day one and McCain did not select one as his running base. He pandered to his base and is probably surprised that many of the most conservative intellectuals have abandoned him due to this choice.
#17 John McCain's continued focus on Bill Ayers is divisive and trivial. It has proven to be a loosing strategy. When McCain brought Ayers up in the debate Obama pointed out that the boards on which they served together were bipartisan, funded by heavy hitters who were Republican! As the inflammatory and misleading "robo" phone calls have continued McCain refuses to denounce them and his numbers keep dropping. As General Powell said, "In trying to connect Senator Obama with a Mr. Ayers John McCain has gone too far" and"Senator McCain is not focusing on what matters to the American people." I think McCain's bank of ideas is so shallow and his ability to lead his party is so weak that he has nothing else to offer except more trivial and divisive rhetoric.
#18 John McCain could very likely make two appointments to the Supreme Court. Given his troubling capitulations to the Republican Party's far right wing we cannot risk who he might appoint to the court.
#15 Abortion
My children are the most wonderful blessings in my life. My children were a gift to me from their brave and loving birth mothers who were both 17 when they became mothers. I am thankful every day for Claire and JW and for Kim and Niki.
So how can I support a woman's right to abortion? I simply do not believe that, fully human life begins at the moment of conception or that full human rights should be conferred to an embryo. I have been pregnant. I loved my babies from the moment I learned they were growing inside of me. I deeply grieved when I lost them but my important and authentic emotion is not the same as as medical reality or ethical behavior.
It is not ethically, medically or legally appropriate to grant full human rights to a non-viable embryo or fetus. Doing so means that the following policies would be necessary:
1. All woman who were pregnant due to rape would be forced to give birth.
2. All woman who face life threatening consequences if they carry a pregnancy to delivery will be forced to give birth.
3. Children as young as 11 or 12 who become pregnant due to ignorance and dangerous behavior will be forced to give birth.
4. In vitro fertilization, which often results in creating embryos that are never implanted, would be called into question. This is not often mentioned by the "pro-life" crowd because ivf is a very popular fertility treatment that has given hope and children to many families. But if life begins at conception how can we freeze and forget a bunch of "humans"? How can we approve of the accepted practice of "selective reduction" which aborts the unwanted 3rd, 4th and/or 5th baby when implantation has been very successful?
5. We will never be able to use embryonic stem cells for important medical research on critical problems like Parkinson's disease, MS, spinal cord injury and neural disorders.
Abortion is a sad and difficult issue. For the reasons listed above it is not a black or white issue. I agree with Obama's position on abortion. His standard answer is that he believes that Roe v Wade was rightly decided and that abortion it would not be a litmus test for judicial appointments. He believes that abortion is a difficult and moral decision which should be made by a woman, her family and physicians and that we should work to make abortions unnecessary.
In the third debate he went on to say:
"If it sounds incredible that I would vote to withhold lifesaving treatment from an infant, that's because it's not true. The -- here are the facts.
There was a bill that was put forward before the Illinois Senate that said you have to provide lifesaving treatment and that would have helped to undermine Roe v. Wade. The fact is that there was already a law on the books in Illinois that required providing lifesaving treatment, which is why not only myself but pro-choice Republicans and Democrats voted against it.
And the Illinois Medical Society, the organization of doctors in Illinois, voted against it. Their Hippocratic Oath would have required them to provide care, and there was already a law in the books.
With respect to partial-birth abortion, I am completely supportive of a ban on late-term abortions, partial-birth or otherwise, as long as there's an exception for the mother's health and life, and this did not contain that exception.
And I attempted, as many have in the past, of including that so that it is constitutional. And that was rejected, and that's why I voted present, because I'm willing to support a ban on late-term abortions as long as we have that exception.
The last point I want to make on the issue of abortion. This is an issue that -- look, it divides us. And in some ways, it may be difficult to -- to reconcile the two views.
But there surely is some common ground when both those who believe in choice and those who are opposed to abortion can come together and say, "We should try to prevent unintended pregnancies by providing appropriate education to our youth, communicating that sexuality is sacred and that they should not be engaged in cavalier activity, and providing options for adoption, and helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby."
Those are all things that we put in the Democratic platform for the first time this year, and I think that's where we can find some common ground, because nobody's pro-abortion. I think it's always a tragic situation."
YUP- that's thinking I support.
So how can I support a woman's right to abortion? I simply do not believe that, fully human life begins at the moment of conception or that full human rights should be conferred to an embryo. I have been pregnant. I loved my babies from the moment I learned they were growing inside of me. I deeply grieved when I lost them but my important and authentic emotion is not the same as as medical reality or ethical behavior.
It is not ethically, medically or legally appropriate to grant full human rights to a non-viable embryo or fetus. Doing so means that the following policies would be necessary:
1. All woman who were pregnant due to rape would be forced to give birth.
2. All woman who face life threatening consequences if they carry a pregnancy to delivery will be forced to give birth.
3. Children as young as 11 or 12 who become pregnant due to ignorance and dangerous behavior will be forced to give birth.
4. In vitro fertilization, which often results in creating embryos that are never implanted, would be called into question. This is not often mentioned by the "pro-life" crowd because ivf is a very popular fertility treatment that has given hope and children to many families. But if life begins at conception how can we freeze and forget a bunch of "humans"? How can we approve of the accepted practice of "selective reduction" which aborts the unwanted 3rd, 4th and/or 5th baby when implantation has been very successful?
5. We will never be able to use embryonic stem cells for important medical research on critical problems like Parkinson's disease, MS, spinal cord injury and neural disorders.
Abortion is a sad and difficult issue. For the reasons listed above it is not a black or white issue. I agree with Obama's position on abortion. His standard answer is that he believes that Roe v Wade was rightly decided and that abortion it would not be a litmus test for judicial appointments. He believes that abortion is a difficult and moral decision which should be made by a woman, her family and physicians and that we should work to make abortions unnecessary.
In the third debate he went on to say:
"If it sounds incredible that I would vote to withhold lifesaving treatment from an infant, that's because it's not true. The -- here are the facts.
There was a bill that was put forward before the Illinois Senate that said you have to provide lifesaving treatment and that would have helped to undermine Roe v. Wade. The fact is that there was already a law on the books in Illinois that required providing lifesaving treatment, which is why not only myself but pro-choice Republicans and Democrats voted against it.
And the Illinois Medical Society, the organization of doctors in Illinois, voted against it. Their Hippocratic Oath would have required them to provide care, and there was already a law in the books.
With respect to partial-birth abortion, I am completely supportive of a ban on late-term abortions, partial-birth or otherwise, as long as there's an exception for the mother's health and life, and this did not contain that exception.
And I attempted, as many have in the past, of including that so that it is constitutional. And that was rejected, and that's why I voted present, because I'm willing to support a ban on late-term abortions as long as we have that exception.
The last point I want to make on the issue of abortion. This is an issue that -- look, it divides us. And in some ways, it may be difficult to -- to reconcile the two views.
But there surely is some common ground when both those who believe in choice and those who are opposed to abortion can come together and say, "We should try to prevent unintended pregnancies by providing appropriate education to our youth, communicating that sexuality is sacred and that they should not be engaged in cavalier activity, and providing options for adoption, and helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby."
Those are all things that we put in the Democratic platform for the first time this year, and I think that's where we can find some common ground, because nobody's pro-abortion. I think it's always a tragic situation."
YUP- that's thinking I support.
#14 Foreign Policy Part III
Obviously foreign policy is complex but in order to think clearly about how it informs my vote I narrowed my priorities to three things:
1. I want a president who can look beyond jingoism and see the complex layers and multiple consequences of war and occupation. Barak Obama demonstrated his insight and courage when he opposed the war in Iraq.
2. I want a president who understands real threats and is not afraid to take action. Senator Obama demonstrated his willingness to act decisively when, in 2007, he advocated going after terrorists on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
3. I want a president will have the respect and trust of the world. Barak Obama is the right symbol for our country to project to the world. In the past eight years our president has "talked the talk" of democracy, human rights and freedom but has led our country to act in ways that mock these ideals. Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, using third countries to torture our prisoners and dismissing habeas corpus are deeply disturbing to me and destructive to our moral authority. I am not ashamed to say that the prospect of an Obama presdiency does give me hope- hope that we can once again stand for freedom, fairness and dialogue with allies and adversaries that is respectful and intelligent. Obama represents generation and racial change that we need.
On June 5, 2008 in the Washington Post Kevin Phillips quoted Minoru Morita, a Tokyo political analyst. She said, " The primaries showed that the U.S. is actually the nation we had believed it to be, a place that is open-minded enough to have a woman or an African American as its president,"
Exactly!
In his June 11 NYT op-ed Thomas Friedman quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson who addressed the Mercantile Llibrary Association saying, "America is the country of the future. It is a country of beginnings, of projects, of vast designs and expectations.”
That is the American that excited the world. Obama's election will remind us and the world that we are a country that is not afraid of freedom, not afraid of honesty and that we have not forgotten how to couple strength with compassion and intelligence with convictions.
1. I want a president who can look beyond jingoism and see the complex layers and multiple consequences of war and occupation. Barak Obama demonstrated his insight and courage when he opposed the war in Iraq.
2. I want a president who understands real threats and is not afraid to take action. Senator Obama demonstrated his willingness to act decisively when, in 2007, he advocated going after terrorists on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
3. I want a president will have the respect and trust of the world. Barak Obama is the right symbol for our country to project to the world. In the past eight years our president has "talked the talk" of democracy, human rights and freedom but has led our country to act in ways that mock these ideals. Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, using third countries to torture our prisoners and dismissing habeas corpus are deeply disturbing to me and destructive to our moral authority. I am not ashamed to say that the prospect of an Obama presdiency does give me hope- hope that we can once again stand for freedom, fairness and dialogue with allies and adversaries that is respectful and intelligent. Obama represents generation and racial change that we need.
On June 5, 2008 in the Washington Post Kevin Phillips quoted Minoru Morita, a Tokyo political analyst. She said, " The primaries showed that the U.S. is actually the nation we had believed it to be, a place that is open-minded enough to have a woman or an African American as its president,"
Exactly!
In his June 11 NYT op-ed Thomas Friedman quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson who addressed the Mercantile Llibrary Association saying, "America is the country of the future. It is a country of beginnings, of projects, of vast designs and expectations.”
That is the American that excited the world. Obama's election will remind us and the world that we are a country that is not afraid of freedom, not afraid of honesty and that we have not forgotten how to couple strength with compassion and intelligence with convictions.
#13 Foreign Policy - Part II
There are three reasons I support Barak Obama that are related to foreign policy.
I wrote about the first in #5- GW Bush involved us in a war based on WMDs. There were no WMDs, the war will cost us a trillion dollars we don't have and, more importantly, has cost us trust and respect by middle-eastern countries we need as allies.
Tonight I am addressing the second reason. The best foreign policy is grounded in realism, a deep understanding of the complexities of our enemies and our allies, not a good guys/bad guys ideaology. Obama is a foreign policy realist.
There are several examples of his realism, displayed when it might be easier to jump on the evil/good-win/loose band wagon. On important example is his statements about terrorists in Pakistan. In August 07 Obama said we should cross into Pakistan in pursuit of terrorists. By making this statement he risked alienating his base long before he had secured the nomination. He drew much fire for his proclamation. A year later Bush followed Obama's advice and now, altho few are taking time to notice, the US makes several incursions each week into the Waziristan section of Pakistan. This is a dangerous move with sad consequences but doing nothing is worse.
Once again Obama was right and had the courage to clearly state his policy over 12 months ago.
Foreign Policy- Part III to follow.
I wrote about the first in #5- GW Bush involved us in a war based on WMDs. There were no WMDs, the war will cost us a trillion dollars we don't have and, more importantly, has cost us trust and respect by middle-eastern countries we need as allies.
Tonight I am addressing the second reason. The best foreign policy is grounded in realism, a deep understanding of the complexities of our enemies and our allies, not a good guys/bad guys ideaology. Obama is a foreign policy realist.
There are several examples of his realism, displayed when it might be easier to jump on the evil/good-win/loose band wagon. On important example is his statements about terrorists in Pakistan. In August 07 Obama said we should cross into Pakistan in pursuit of terrorists. By making this statement he risked alienating his base long before he had secured the nomination. He drew much fire for his proclamation. A year later Bush followed Obama's advice and now, altho few are taking time to notice, the US makes several incursions each week into the Waziristan section of Pakistan. This is a dangerous move with sad consequences but doing nothing is worse.
Once again Obama was right and had the courage to clearly state his policy over 12 months ago.
Foreign Policy- Part III to follow.
#12 Cuz I Don't Want My 17 Year Old Son To Move To New Zealand
When JW told me that if McCain wins he is moving to New Zealand I tried to change his mind. I agreed that New Zealand is a lovely island with great people but it's just too far away for him to make it back home for the holidays and I would miss him too much. "But Mom I don't want to live in a country where there are so many racists." Then he described some of the youtube videos of Palin or McCain/Palin rallies where whackos are shown shouting, "Kill him!" or "Off with his head!" I tried to explain that every group and political party has extremists and lunatics on the fringe. His was response was "Yea Mom but these racists are official party organizers," and he showed me the picture of from the Sacramento Republican website, an official party organization. The offending picture has been removed but you can see it by following the link below. It is not for the faint hearted. It is a picture of Obama with his head wrapped in a turban. The text says, "The only difference in Osama and Obama is BS. Waterboard Barak Obama."
Since JW's declaration of intent to leave the country I have found two other sickening display of racism by official Republican organizations. I would be distressed by these if they were posted by random bloggers or nutcase youtubers but I am heartsick that a once decent party has sunk so low.
The Chaffey Community Republican Women's newsletter printed a photoshop of an "Obama Buck." Obama's head is pasted on a donkey's head. Above his picture is the phrase, "Obama Food Stamps." Pictures of fried chicken, watermelon and koolaid also decorate this disgusting graphic.
You can see it here if you dare.
My final example, although I have a sinking feeling there are many similar examples available, is from a campaign mailer by the Republican Party of Virginia. The last page of the mailer depicts the eyes of an African American male with the following words superimposed:
"American must look evil in the eye and never flinch."
Perhaps the man is Barak Obama, I'm not sure. The spokesman for the Virginia Republican Party, Gerry Scimeca, would not confirm or deny the identify the man in the photo.
Ya wanna see the picture?
Even if I agreed with every plank of the Republican party's platform (and I don't) and even if John McCain were my lifelong hero (and he is not) I could never vote for a candidate from a party that is so hateful, so vile and so dangerous. How can any decent American cast their vote for a Party that displays so much racism ?
I wonder how I could move to New Zealand if the racists take over.
Since JW's declaration of intent to leave the country I have found two other sickening display of racism by official Republican organizations. I would be distressed by these if they were posted by random bloggers or nutcase youtubers but I am heartsick that a once decent party has sunk so low.
The Chaffey Community Republican Women's newsletter printed a photoshop of an "Obama Buck." Obama's head is pasted on a donkey's head. Above his picture is the phrase, "Obama Food Stamps." Pictures of fried chicken, watermelon and koolaid also decorate this disgusting graphic.
You can see it here if you dare.
My final example, although I have a sinking feeling there are many similar examples available, is from a campaign mailer by the Republican Party of Virginia. The last page of the mailer depicts the eyes of an African American male with the following words superimposed:
"American must look evil in the eye and never flinch."
Perhaps the man is Barak Obama, I'm not sure. The spokesman for the Virginia Republican Party, Gerry Scimeca, would not confirm or deny the identify the man in the photo.
Ya wanna see the picture?
Even if I agreed with every plank of the Republican party's platform (and I don't) and even if John McCain were my lifelong hero (and he is not) I could never vote for a candidate from a party that is so hateful, so vile and so dangerous. How can any decent American cast their vote for a Party that displays so much racism ?
I wonder how I could move to New Zealand if the racists take over.
#11---Straight Talk About Tough Issues
Obama gave a major speech on the economy today and a nice prelude to it yesterday. In today's speech he outlines solid proposals for tax policy including tax credits for small businesses who create new jobs, tax relief for seniors making under 50K, help for city governments that need to borrow money and for people facing foreclosure. He has scraped his plan for windfall taxes on oil companies as long as oil stays under $80 a barrel. He still advocates repealing the Bush tax cuts for people who make over 250K a year. It's a good plan, not perfect but good.
My favorite part of both speeches is when he addresses reality. For the past 8 years we have being living in the haze of affluenza---buy now-pay later- and refusing to face reality.
I just watched a youtube of Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman defending himself against Bill O'Reilly's manic screaming, finger pointing and accusations that Krugman was a Bush basher. Krugman did bash Bush fiscal policy and guess what-many of his dire predictions have come true . Watching the vidoe would be hilarious if so many people were not suffering so greatly. Take my advice- don't even open the envelope when your investment statements arrive
Without Bush bashing or finger pointing Obama called the nation to fiscal responsibility. I like his style. He is not promising pie in the sky or pandering to get votes. If you want authentic straight talk about the issues that matter read his speeches. Here are my favorite parts from yesterday's speech:
"Part of the reason this crisis occurred is that everyone was living beyond their means – from Wall Street to Washington to even some on Main Street. CEOs got greedy. Politicians spent money they didn't have. Lenders tricked people into buying home they couldn't afford and some folks knew they couldn't afford them and bought them anyway.
We've lived through an era of easy money, in which we were allowed and even encouraged to spend without limits; to borrow instead of save.
We've lived through an era of easy money, in which we were allowed and even encouraged to spend without limits; to borrow instead of save. Now, I know that in an age of declining wages and skyrocketing costs, for many folks this was not a choice but a necessity. People have been forced to turn to credit cards and home equity loans to keep up, just like our government has borrowed from China and other creditors to help pay its bills. But we now know how dangerous that can be. Once we get past the present emergency, which requires immediate new investments, we have to break that cycle of debt. Our long-term future requires that we do what's necessary to scale down our deficits, grow wages and encourage personal savings again."
You can read today's speech here.
My favorite part of both speeches is when he addresses reality. For the past 8 years we have being living in the haze of affluenza---buy now-pay later- and refusing to face reality.
I just watched a youtube of Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman defending himself against Bill O'Reilly's manic screaming, finger pointing and accusations that Krugman was a Bush basher. Krugman did bash Bush fiscal policy and guess what-many of his dire predictions have come true . Watching the vidoe would be hilarious if so many people were not suffering so greatly. Take my advice- don't even open the envelope when your investment statements arrive
Without Bush bashing or finger pointing Obama called the nation to fiscal responsibility. I like his style. He is not promising pie in the sky or pandering to get votes. If you want authentic straight talk about the issues that matter read his speeches. Here are my favorite parts from yesterday's speech:
"Part of the reason this crisis occurred is that everyone was living beyond their means – from Wall Street to Washington to even some on Main Street. CEOs got greedy. Politicians spent money they didn't have. Lenders tricked people into buying home they couldn't afford and some folks knew they couldn't afford them and bought them anyway.
We've lived through an era of easy money, in which we were allowed and even encouraged to spend without limits; to borrow instead of save.
We've lived through an era of easy money, in which we were allowed and even encouraged to spend without limits; to borrow instead of save. Now, I know that in an age of declining wages and skyrocketing costs, for many folks this was not a choice but a necessity. People have been forced to turn to credit cards and home equity loans to keep up, just like our government has borrowed from China and other creditors to help pay its bills. But we now know how dangerous that can be. Once we get past the present emergency, which requires immediate new investments, we have to break that cycle of debt. Our long-term future requires that we do what's necessary to scale down our deficits, grow wages and encourage personal savings again."
You can read today's speech here.
#10---The Success of the Obama Campaign
I know that it is never "over until it is over" but I don't think it is too early to conclude that Obama has run a great campaign. Even William Kristol, the smug conservative commentator who is a regular on Fox News, writes Op-Ed pieces in the NYT, is the editor of The Weekly Standard and was a former roommate of Alan Keyes- ugh- agrees.
In yesterday's column Kristol writes, "The Obama team is well organized, flush with resources, and the candidate and the campaign are in sync."
In early 2007 my partner became keenly interested in Obama. He read everything he could find and began making donations the day after Obama entered the race. I was more hesitant. I believed that Hillary would have the most organized, well funded and disciplined campaign and thus would be best positioned to give Democrats the White House. I feared that Obama's lack of national campaign experience would lead him to make campaign mistakes and I wished that he had waited until 2012 or 2016 to run. I was wrong and I can't remember when I have ever been so happy to be wrong. Obama is not only an inspiring leader- rare in my lifetime- he is a skilled politician.
He is a strategic thinker who keeps his eye on the big picture while maintaining the discipline to take care of the details. He raised money from individual donors through a well presented online campaign. He and his campaign team have remained calm in the eye of many storms- the relentless pounding by the Clinton machine; the embarrassing Rev. Wright revelations; the financial crisis.
Obama promised, "We won't throw the first punch but we'll throw the last." He addresses the ugly attacks but does not become hysterical. He calmly waits for his opponents to trip over themselves while he stays cool and ready to address the issues.
Obama does have less experience than McCain just as he had less time in Washington than Clinton but he has out performed both in the campaign; proving that temperament, skill and intellect trump experience.
In yesterday's column Kristol writes, "The Obama team is well organized, flush with resources, and the candidate and the campaign are in sync."
In early 2007 my partner became keenly interested in Obama. He read everything he could find and began making donations the day after Obama entered the race. I was more hesitant. I believed that Hillary would have the most organized, well funded and disciplined campaign and thus would be best positioned to give Democrats the White House. I feared that Obama's lack of national campaign experience would lead him to make campaign mistakes and I wished that he had waited until 2012 or 2016 to run. I was wrong and I can't remember when I have ever been so happy to be wrong. Obama is not only an inspiring leader- rare in my lifetime- he is a skilled politician.
He is a strategic thinker who keeps his eye on the big picture while maintaining the discipline to take care of the details. He raised money from individual donors through a well presented online campaign. He and his campaign team have remained calm in the eye of many storms- the relentless pounding by the Clinton machine; the embarrassing Rev. Wright revelations; the financial crisis.
Obama promised, "We won't throw the first punch but we'll throw the last." He addresses the ugly attacks but does not become hysterical. He calmly waits for his opponents to trip over themselves while he stays cool and ready to address the issues.
Obama does have less experience than McCain just as he had less time in Washington than Clinton but he has out performed both in the campaign; proving that temperament, skill and intellect trump experience.
Reason # 9--Cuz Warren Buffett Bought Me a Latte
One early Saturday morning last year I was in the Laurel Village Starbucks in San Francisco. That is one of two Starbucks that serves the Pacific Heights-Presidio Heights neighborhoods- altho most of the residents go to Peets which is much cooler. Anyway I actually like Starbucks (yea I know that makes me a latte sipping liberal) because they have great seating and wifi so I can work while I wait for my kids to return from socializing, studying or playing some sport.
Sorry- I digress---
So I was in line and the old man just in front of me was taking forever to order- he kept asking questions and stumbling all over grande and venti. He was taking so long that the barista opened the second register and as I stepped up next to the high maintenance customer he turned to me and said, "What do you usually order?" I thought he was asking for advice so I recommended soy latte. Before I fully comprehended what he was doing I got my morning java from the old guy in thick rimmed Mr Magoo glasses and a Berkshire Hathaway windbreaker. I thanked him and reassured him that it was OK to take a long time to order. He started telling how much he likes to visit SF and that he was in town to hear his son play music. We talked about kids and music and I asked him where he was from. When he said Nebraska I mentioned that my kids were born there and he asked how long I lived there so I explained that my kids are adopted and I had never lived in Nebraska. We chatted some more about this and that and then he finished his cup, shook my hand as I thanked him a second time and he left. He was witty in a non-ironic way, also sweet and gracious but I had no clue who he was until a well dressed man who had been in line behind me and was now seated next to me said, "Well that is something to go home and tell your husband." I asked, "What do you mean?" and the guy snickered, "Warren Buffett just bought you a cup of coffee."
OK- cool. Since I have lived in the Bay Area for over 20 years I have had a few encounters with the rich and famous but I usually know who they are when I run into them at a party or in the produce section of Dragers-except for the time I insulted John York but that is another story.
Anyway until that morning I thought Jimmy Buffett was more interesting than Warren. Money and the people who make piles of it just don't excite me all that much. But I opened my laptop and googled Warren, confirmed that he was my coffee buddy and started reading about his life and his thinking. Smart-honest-cool and, although I did not know this on that chilly Saturday last year, an Obama supporter.
Warren Buffett has done a lot of thinking about the economy and taxes. I think it is fair to say if Warren supports reforming the tax system, specifically how we tax estates and capital gains, that these changes are not going to wreck the economy.
Oh yeah- the economy is already wrecked------
Here is what the Oracle of Omaha had to say to Charlie Rose on 10-1-08:
"The truth is I have never had it so good in terms of taxes. I am paying the lowest tax rate I have ever paid in my life and that is crazy. If you look at the Forbes 400 they are paying a lower rate, including payroll taxes, than their secretaries are paying. "
"I think people in my situation should be paying more taxes and the rest of the country should be paying less."
"Capital gains tax is 15% now. So I sit there in my office and I make a lot of money by capital gains and I pay 15% on it and I pay no payroll tax on it. The woman comes in to empty my wastebasket and she is paying 15.3% in her payroll taxes alone. I never had it so good. I think it is terrible for people in effect to say that income from investments should be taxed at a much lower rate than income from labor. I mean we are going to spend 3. 1 trillion or something like that this year and we are going to only raise 2. 6 trillion and you have to raise it from somebody. Who are you going to get it from? Are you going to get it from me and you or are you going to get it from the people who drive the taxi?
"Everybody is against paying taxes and I feel the same way but if you want a government that is going to do the things we ask our government to do you have to get it from somebody. Over the years, particularly the past 6 or 8 years, they have taken less and less from guys like me. Everybody like to talk about how the top 1% pays this % in the income tax but the income tax--- we'll say is 1.3 trillion but the payroll tax is 900 billion and that 900 billion does not come from me. I pay on the first 100K but I don't pay any payroll tax on everything above that. That payroll tax comes from the people in my office.-----they don't take that from me. "
Here is a link to Warren testifying to Congress about the estate tax.
Simply put increasing capital gains tax is fair and necessary. Our current tax system is regressive- because of the structure of payroll taxes and capital gains people who make less actually pay a higher %age of their income than do the super rich.
Thanks Warren.
Sorry- I digress---
So I was in line and the old man just in front of me was taking forever to order- he kept asking questions and stumbling all over grande and venti. He was taking so long that the barista opened the second register and as I stepped up next to the high maintenance customer he turned to me and said, "What do you usually order?" I thought he was asking for advice so I recommended soy latte. Before I fully comprehended what he was doing I got my morning java from the old guy in thick rimmed Mr Magoo glasses and a Berkshire Hathaway windbreaker. I thanked him and reassured him that it was OK to take a long time to order. He started telling how much he likes to visit SF and that he was in town to hear his son play music. We talked about kids and music and I asked him where he was from. When he said Nebraska I mentioned that my kids were born there and he asked how long I lived there so I explained that my kids are adopted and I had never lived in Nebraska. We chatted some more about this and that and then he finished his cup, shook my hand as I thanked him a second time and he left. He was witty in a non-ironic way, also sweet and gracious but I had no clue who he was until a well dressed man who had been in line behind me and was now seated next to me said, "Well that is something to go home and tell your husband." I asked, "What do you mean?" and the guy snickered, "Warren Buffett just bought you a cup of coffee."
OK- cool. Since I have lived in the Bay Area for over 20 years I have had a few encounters with the rich and famous but I usually know who they are when I run into them at a party or in the produce section of Dragers-except for the time I insulted John York but that is another story.
Anyway until that morning I thought Jimmy Buffett was more interesting than Warren. Money and the people who make piles of it just don't excite me all that much. But I opened my laptop and googled Warren, confirmed that he was my coffee buddy and started reading about his life and his thinking. Smart-honest-cool and, although I did not know this on that chilly Saturday last year, an Obama supporter.
Warren Buffett has done a lot of thinking about the economy and taxes. I think it is fair to say if Warren supports reforming the tax system, specifically how we tax estates and capital gains, that these changes are not going to wreck the economy.
Oh yeah- the economy is already wrecked------
Here is what the Oracle of Omaha had to say to Charlie Rose on 10-1-08:
"The truth is I have never had it so good in terms of taxes. I am paying the lowest tax rate I have ever paid in my life and that is crazy. If you look at the Forbes 400 they are paying a lower rate, including payroll taxes, than their secretaries are paying. "
"I think people in my situation should be paying more taxes and the rest of the country should be paying less."
"Capital gains tax is 15% now. So I sit there in my office and I make a lot of money by capital gains and I pay 15% on it and I pay no payroll tax on it. The woman comes in to empty my wastebasket and she is paying 15.3% in her payroll taxes alone. I never had it so good. I think it is terrible for people in effect to say that income from investments should be taxed at a much lower rate than income from labor. I mean we are going to spend 3. 1 trillion or something like that this year and we are going to only raise 2. 6 trillion and you have to raise it from somebody. Who are you going to get it from? Are you going to get it from me and you or are you going to get it from the people who drive the taxi?
"Everybody is against paying taxes and I feel the same way but if you want a government that is going to do the things we ask our government to do you have to get it from somebody. Over the years, particularly the past 6 or 8 years, they have taken less and less from guys like me. Everybody like to talk about how the top 1% pays this % in the income tax but the income tax--- we'll say is 1.3 trillion but the payroll tax is 900 billion and that 900 billion does not come from me. I pay on the first 100K but I don't pay any payroll tax on everything above that. That payroll tax comes from the people in my office.-----they don't take that from me. "
Here is a link to Warren testifying to Congress about the estate tax.
Simply put increasing capital gains tax is fair and necessary. Our current tax system is regressive- because of the structure of payroll taxes and capital gains people who make less actually pay a higher %age of their income than do the super rich.
Thanks Warren.
#8 Unifying Leadership
Certainly it is not an understatement to assert that the past six weeks have been dangerous and terrible. This weekend, as international finance ministers meet in Washington to address the credit crunch and prevent the failure of financial institutions, it seems that more and more traditional Republican voters are considering casting a ballot for Obama. I think there are several reasons why people are giving Obama a serious look- the economy, the war, the tone of the campaign and his temperament are all factors.
Yesterday my reason #7, embedded in the Buckley article, was Obama's temperament. Much has been written about Obama's cool demeanor during the debates and throughout the ongoing financial crisis. Calm and rational have been apt definitions of Obama throughout his adult life. As President his temperament will enable him to be a unifying leader. This was evident when he was Editor of the Harvard Law Review.
During his time on the Review there was much strife among conservatives, several of whom have gone on to positions in the Bush administration, and liberals. Obama's tenure is remembered as one during which people with passionate and opposing opinions were able to work productively together.
Here is a great quote from a January 2007 article in the Boston Globe. The speaker was a classmate of Obama and former lawyer for the Bush administration,
"Even though he was clearly a liberal, he didn't appear to the conservatives in the review to be taking sides in the tribal warfare," said Bradford A. Berenson....
"The politics of the Harvard Law Review were incredibly petty and incredibly vicious," Berenson said. "The editors of the review were constantly at each other's throats. And Barack tended to treat those disputes with a certain air of detachment and amusement. The feeling was almost, come on kids, can't we just behave here?"
More than any time in my adult life our country needs a leader who will unify not divide. Obama has the calm nature and the intellect to be a unifying leader. He can "cross the aisle" to unify the parties.
A recent USA Today newspaper has also written about his leadership style.
Yesterday my reason #7, embedded in the Buckley article, was Obama's temperament. Much has been written about Obama's cool demeanor during the debates and throughout the ongoing financial crisis. Calm and rational have been apt definitions of Obama throughout his adult life. As President his temperament will enable him to be a unifying leader. This was evident when he was Editor of the Harvard Law Review.
During his time on the Review there was much strife among conservatives, several of whom have gone on to positions in the Bush administration, and liberals. Obama's tenure is remembered as one during which people with passionate and opposing opinions were able to work productively together.
Here is a great quote from a January 2007 article in the Boston Globe. The speaker was a classmate of Obama and former lawyer for the Bush administration,
"Even though he was clearly a liberal, he didn't appear to the conservatives in the review to be taking sides in the tribal warfare," said Bradford A. Berenson....
"The politics of the Harvard Law Review were incredibly petty and incredibly vicious," Berenson said. "The editors of the review were constantly at each other's throats. And Barack tended to treat those disputes with a certain air of detachment and amusement. The feeling was almost, come on kids, can't we just behave here?"
More than any time in my adult life our country needs a leader who will unify not divide. Obama has the calm nature and the intellect to be a unifying leader. He can "cross the aisle" to unify the parties.
A recent USA Today newspaper has also written about his leadership style.
Reason #7 Temperament
Christopher Buckley-son of the 20th century's leading conservative voice, William F Buckley, wrote an insightful and funny piece on why he will for the first time in his life, vote for a Democrat. He cites Obama's intellect and temperament as the reasons for his endorsement.
"Obama has in him—I think, despite his sometimes airy-fairy “We are the people we have been waiting for” silly rhetoric—the potential to be a good, perhaps even great leader. He is, it seems clear enough, what the historical moment seems to be calling for.
So, I wish him all the best. We are all in this together. Necessity is the mother of bipartisanship. And so, for the first time in my life, I’ll be pulling the Democratic lever in November. As the saying goes, God save the United States of America."
Buckley also laments that McCain has changed and lambasts his campaign.
"A once-first class temperament has become irascible and snarly; his positions change, and lack coherence; he makes unrealistic promises, such as balancing the federal budget “by the end of my first term.” Who, really, believes that? Then there was the self-dramatizing and feckless suspension of his campaign over the financial crisis. His ninth-inning attack ads are mean-spirited and pointless. And finally, not to belabor it, there was the Palin nomination. What on earth can he have been thinking?"
So my reason #7 is Obama's temperament and how it looks in comparison to McCain's. When I started my list of 30 reasons to vote for Obama I promised myself that at least 25 of the reasons would be about Obama's positions and characteristics and that a maximum of five would be critical of McCain, Bush or the Republicans. So reason #7 is about Obama and how he compares to McCain.
Buckley quotes his father as saying,
“You know, I’ve spent my entire life time separating the Right from the kooks.”
The behavior of some of McCain's supporters (screaming insults and taunts) demonstrate that the kooks are increasing in number and McCain's campaign has attracted them in droves. Finally, yesterday, McCain has rebuffed some of his more vociferous Bubba supporters who are "afraid" of Obama and insist that he is an "Arab" or a "Muslim," but it is too late---these people have become the McCain base. So while Fox news and McCain campaign representatives continue to focus on Ayers and Wright McCain is loosing ground. Here is what Buckley says,
"All this is genuinely saddening, and for the country is perhaps even tragic, for America ought, really, to be governed by men like John McCain—who have spent their entire lives in its service, even willing to give the last full measure of their devotion to it. If he goes out losing ugly, it will be beyond tragic, graffiti on a marble bust."
I have been an Obama supporter since Jan. and my partner has been sending in donations since Jan. 07 but we are both saddened to see the destruction of McCain's positive legacy.
"Obama has in him—I think, despite his sometimes airy-fairy “We are the people we have been waiting for” silly rhetoric—the potential to be a good, perhaps even great leader. He is, it seems clear enough, what the historical moment seems to be calling for.
So, I wish him all the best. We are all in this together. Necessity is the mother of bipartisanship. And so, for the first time in my life, I’ll be pulling the Democratic lever in November. As the saying goes, God save the United States of America."
Buckley also laments that McCain has changed and lambasts his campaign.
"A once-first class temperament has become irascible and snarly; his positions change, and lack coherence; he makes unrealistic promises, such as balancing the federal budget “by the end of my first term.” Who, really, believes that? Then there was the self-dramatizing and feckless suspension of his campaign over the financial crisis. His ninth-inning attack ads are mean-spirited and pointless. And finally, not to belabor it, there was the Palin nomination. What on earth can he have been thinking?"
So my reason #7 is Obama's temperament and how it looks in comparison to McCain's. When I started my list of 30 reasons to vote for Obama I promised myself that at least 25 of the reasons would be about Obama's positions and characteristics and that a maximum of five would be critical of McCain, Bush or the Republicans. So reason #7 is about Obama and how he compares to McCain.
Buckley quotes his father as saying,
“You know, I’ve spent my entire life time separating the Right from the kooks.”
The behavior of some of McCain's supporters (screaming insults and taunts) demonstrate that the kooks are increasing in number and McCain's campaign has attracted them in droves. Finally, yesterday, McCain has rebuffed some of his more vociferous Bubba supporters who are "afraid" of Obama and insist that he is an "Arab" or a "Muslim," but it is too late---these people have become the McCain base. So while Fox news and McCain campaign representatives continue to focus on Ayers and Wright McCain is loosing ground. Here is what Buckley says,
"All this is genuinely saddening, and for the country is perhaps even tragic, for America ought, really, to be governed by men like John McCain—who have spent their entire lives in its service, even willing to give the last full measure of their devotion to it. If he goes out losing ugly, it will be beyond tragic, graffiti on a marble bust."
I have been an Obama supporter since Jan. and my partner has been sending in donations since Jan. 07 but we are both saddened to see the destruction of McCain's positive legacy.
#6---Balance of Faith and Politics
Recently I heard a young woman express surprise that she had Christin friends who were supporting McCain and others who were supporting Obama. Her surprise took me by surprise but I guess it shouldn't have- after all we have been surrounded by the culture wars for over 30 years. Whether we are bystanders or soldiers in this hideous conflict we are supposed to believe that Christians vote Republican and Liberals are atheists. Of course this is silly but sadly it is the way many people see the world. And while Americans have been distracted- fighting over abortion, gay marriage, prayer in schools and other "culture" issues- the deficit has soared, we have accumulated massive debt to China, we are fighting two wars in the Middle East and, as the economy craters, we are rapidly changing the fundamental structures of our economy. Somebody better yell "fire" cuz we are all in danger.
It is time to stop arguing about differences and to start building coalitions based on common values.
In his book, "Dreams of My Father, Barack Obama describes his personal spiritual journey. In his 2006 speech to the Call For Renewal Conference he shared his faith story and his vision for how faith should be embedded in public life. Here are the quotes from his speech which I find inspiring:
His spiritual journey:
"Faith doesn't mean that you don't have doubts.
You need to come to church in the first place precisely because you are first of this world, not apart from it. You need to embrace Christ precisely because you have sins to wash away - because you are human and need an ally in this difficult journey.
It was because of these newfound understandings that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity United Church of Christ on 95th Street in the Southside of Chicago one day and affirm my Christian faith. It came about as a choice, and not an epiphany. I didn't fall out in church. The questions I had didn't magically disappear. But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side, I felt that I heard God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth."
His understanding of the historical roots of Fundamentalism:
"it wasn't the atheists or the civil libertarians who were the most effective champions of the First Amendment. It was the persecuted minorities, it was Baptists like John Leland who didn't want the established churches to impose their views on folks who were getting happy out in the fields and teaching the scripture to slaves. It was the forbearers of the evangelicals who were the most adamant about not mingling government with religious, because they did not want state-sponsored religion hindering their ability to practice their faith as they understood it."
His vision for the role of faith in politics:
"Politics depends on our ability to persuade each other of common aims based on a common reality. It involves the compromise, the art of what's possible. At some fundamental level, religion does not allow for compromise. It's the art of the impossible. If God has spoken, then followers are expected to live up to God's edicts, regardless of the consequences. To base one's life on such uncompromising commitments may be sublime, but to base our policy making on such commitments would be a dangerous thing"
"I said a prayer of my own. It's a prayer I think I share with a lot of Americans. A hope that we can live with one another in a way that reconciles the beliefs of each with the good of all. It's a prayer worth praying, and a conversation worth having in this country in the months and years to come."
You can read the entire speech.
It is time to stop arguing about differences and to start building coalitions based on common values.
In his book, "Dreams of My Father, Barack Obama describes his personal spiritual journey. In his 2006 speech to the Call For Renewal Conference he shared his faith story and his vision for how faith should be embedded in public life. Here are the quotes from his speech which I find inspiring:
His spiritual journey:
"Faith doesn't mean that you don't have doubts.
You need to come to church in the first place precisely because you are first of this world, not apart from it. You need to embrace Christ precisely because you have sins to wash away - because you are human and need an ally in this difficult journey.
It was because of these newfound understandings that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity United Church of Christ on 95th Street in the Southside of Chicago one day and affirm my Christian faith. It came about as a choice, and not an epiphany. I didn't fall out in church. The questions I had didn't magically disappear. But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side, I felt that I heard God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth."
His understanding of the historical roots of Fundamentalism:
"it wasn't the atheists or the civil libertarians who were the most effective champions of the First Amendment. It was the persecuted minorities, it was Baptists like John Leland who didn't want the established churches to impose their views on folks who were getting happy out in the fields and teaching the scripture to slaves. It was the forbearers of the evangelicals who were the most adamant about not mingling government with religious, because they did not want state-sponsored religion hindering their ability to practice their faith as they understood it."
His vision for the role of faith in politics:
"Politics depends on our ability to persuade each other of common aims based on a common reality. It involves the compromise, the art of what's possible. At some fundamental level, religion does not allow for compromise. It's the art of the impossible. If God has spoken, then followers are expected to live up to God's edicts, regardless of the consequences. To base one's life on such uncompromising commitments may be sublime, but to base our policy making on such commitments would be a dangerous thing"
"I said a prayer of my own. It's a prayer I think I share with a lot of Americans. A hope that we can live with one another in a way that reconciles the beliefs of each with the good of all. It's a prayer worth praying, and a conversation worth having in this country in the months and years to come."
You can read the entire speech.
A Trillion Dollars---My Reason #5 I am Voting for Obama
n 2002 Barak Obama had the courage and the wisdom to disavow the invasion of Iraq. He is not against all wars but he knows how important it is to carefully pick battles and be prepared. He now only disagreed with the decision to attack Iraq he also predicted the many negative consequences of a prolonged war. Although many agree with this position in hindsight it was an extremely rare point of view at the time he went public with his view. Democrats and Republicans (and me- a lowly little lady in California) believed the shallow intelligence reports furnished by the Bush administration and did not demand deeper investigation, which is retrospect was clearly needed. By denouncing the war Obama was risking his political future. This is truly putting country over self and is why I know he is ready to lead.
Here are the remarks he made to the Illinois State Senate about the war. There is also a video of his statement against the war.
Here are the remarks he made to the Illinois State Senate about the war. There is also a video of his statement against the war.
Reason # 4- Our Ailing Health Care System
Reason # 4- Our Ailing Health Care System
Our health care system is broken. Costs are rising too rapidly, four times faster than wages.
In 2004 the US was spending 15% of our income on health and that is far more than other advance countries.
In addition access to affordable health care is limited for people who have chronic health problems or who have survived major health crisis such as cancer. These people cannot obtain affordable coverage and sometimes they cannot get covered at all. Thus they are forced to work for large companies that provide health coverage. In a 2004 article in the Washington Post David Broder quotes studies by the Census Bureau and Families USA, “The Census Bureau found last year that almost 44 million Americans had gone without health insurance for the previous year. That number has been increasing by roughly 2 million a year. Families USA, a consumer group, says that almost 82 million people, one out of three below age 65, were uninsured at some point during 2002-03, most of them for at least nine months.”
When the uninsured get sick they go to the hospital for treatment. They are charged more than insured patients because insurance companies negotiate with hospitals for cheaper rates. The uninsured who have resources pay exorbitant amounts, which push them toward bankruptcy. The costs of the uninsured who don’t have resources are absorbed by the hospital who passes them on to all of us by increasing the fees we are charged.
The out of control costs are only part of the problem. The health industry is not investing in technology that would improve care and streamline costs.
The solution to the broken health care system is not easy and will not happen overnight. Obama’s plan is incremental. I think incremental reform is the only way to build a coalition of legislators who will work with the health care industry to systematically address our serious problems.
The Obama plan proposes to regulate insurers to prevent discrimination against patients who have survived a health crisis and those with chronic illnesses. He also proposes subsidies to help lower-income families buy insurance. Although this is additional spending I think it is justified because it will actually decrease health care cost to all consumers by reducing the uncollected fees that are passed on to everyone.
Obama favors public insurance plans that compete with the private sector. I think it is a good idea to offer consumers choice. His plan will sharply reduce the number of uninsured and that will be good for the health of all Americans and for the economy.
A comparison of McCain and Obama health plans.
Our health care system is broken. Costs are rising too rapidly, four times faster than wages.
In 2004 the US was spending 15% of our income on health and that is far more than other advance countries.
In addition access to affordable health care is limited for people who have chronic health problems or who have survived major health crisis such as cancer. These people cannot obtain affordable coverage and sometimes they cannot get covered at all. Thus they are forced to work for large companies that provide health coverage. In a 2004 article in the Washington Post David Broder quotes studies by the Census Bureau and Families USA, “The Census Bureau found last year that almost 44 million Americans had gone without health insurance for the previous year. That number has been increasing by roughly 2 million a year. Families USA, a consumer group, says that almost 82 million people, one out of three below age 65, were uninsured at some point during 2002-03, most of them for at least nine months.”
When the uninsured get sick they go to the hospital for treatment. They are charged more than insured patients because insurance companies negotiate with hospitals for cheaper rates. The uninsured who have resources pay exorbitant amounts, which push them toward bankruptcy. The costs of the uninsured who don’t have resources are absorbed by the hospital who passes them on to all of us by increasing the fees we are charged.
The out of control costs are only part of the problem. The health industry is not investing in technology that would improve care and streamline costs.
The solution to the broken health care system is not easy and will not happen overnight. Obama’s plan is incremental. I think incremental reform is the only way to build a coalition of legislators who will work with the health care industry to systematically address our serious problems.
The Obama plan proposes to regulate insurers to prevent discrimination against patients who have survived a health crisis and those with chronic illnesses. He also proposes subsidies to help lower-income families buy insurance. Although this is additional spending I think it is justified because it will actually decrease health care cost to all consumers by reducing the uncollected fees that are passed on to everyone.
Obama favors public insurance plans that compete with the private sector. I think it is a good idea to offer consumers choice. His plan will sharply reduce the number of uninsured and that will be good for the health of all Americans and for the economy.
A comparison of McCain and Obama health plans.
Third Reason To Vote For Obama- The Tax Plan
Greed is not good. For over twenty years we have heard that if we tax the wealthiest people too much our economy will die. That philosophy has sickened our economy. The tax policies of the past 27 years have privatized profit and socialized debt. This is toxic to the health of the economy. Play now- pay later doesn't work.
My third reason for voting for Obama is his tax plan. I admire Obama for honestly stating that taxes must be raised and I think his plan is a good one although I believe he will have to make major cutback on his spending plan.
The Obama plan raise taxes on families making between 227K-603K by $12 a year. It will raise taxes for families making between 603K and 2.9 million by $116K. Taxes for people making over 2.9 million will increast by as much as 701K. This tax plan will allow the middle class to fully participate in the economy (if the credit markets can recover from the current crisis).
To take a closer look at the numbers.
My third reason for voting for Obama is his tax plan. I admire Obama for honestly stating that taxes must be raised and I think his plan is a good one although I believe he will have to make major cutback on his spending plan.
The Obama plan raise taxes on families making between 227K-603K by $12 a year. It will raise taxes for families making between 603K and 2.9 million by $116K. Taxes for people making over 2.9 million will increast by as much as 701K. This tax plan will allow the middle class to fully participate in the economy (if the credit markets can recover from the current crisis).
To take a closer look at the numbers.
The First Two Reasons I Will Vote for Obama
1. Barak Obama is a reflective man. We need a President who listens carefully and respectfully, thinks deeply and who connects ideas and events across multiple perspectives. The speech he gave on March 18 in Philadelphia is a beautiful example of how he connects the head and the heart; facing history, embracing the strengths of this country while honestly facing the mistakes and brokenness. Honesty and hope are fundamental to creating the "more perfect union" to which our Founders aspired.
The transcript and a recording of the speech can be found here:
2. Barak Obama is a gentleman. That was beautifully demonstrated in the first presidential debate when he listened politely, nodded in agreement and found common ground with his opponent. We need a leader with what Peggy Noonan, the Republican writer calls, "patriotic grace". She describes the kind of leadership we need in this passage from her column in the WSJ:
"We can fight honorably and in good faith, while—and this is the hard one—both summoning and assuming good faith on the other side."
In the first debate and throughout his campaign Obama has demonstrated that he, more than any other candidate, can fight a good fight with respect for the other side. He is a gentleman and it is not a contrivance of the campaign. This story from 20 years ago is a wonderful and simple demonstration of Obama's character:
You can read the original from a Norwegian newspaper or, if your Norwegian is a bit rusty you can read the translation.
Norwegian:
Translation:
The transcript and a recording of the speech can be found here:
2. Barak Obama is a gentleman. That was beautifully demonstrated in the first presidential debate when he listened politely, nodded in agreement and found common ground with his opponent. We need a leader with what Peggy Noonan, the Republican writer calls, "patriotic grace". She describes the kind of leadership we need in this passage from her column in the WSJ:
"We can fight honorably and in good faith, while—and this is the hard one—both summoning and assuming good faith on the other side."
In the first debate and throughout his campaign Obama has demonstrated that he, more than any other candidate, can fight a good fight with respect for the other side. He is a gentleman and it is not a contrivance of the campaign. This story from 20 years ago is a wonderful and simple demonstration of Obama's character:
You can read the original from a Norwegian newspaper or, if your Norwegian is a bit rusty you can read the translation.
Norwegian:
Translation:
30 Reasons I Will Vote for Barack Obama
I am a fifty year old (YIKES- that sounds so old!), mom, educator and emigrant from Southern Baptist Oklahoma, a Republican family and Missouri Synod Lutheran expectations. In 32 years of voting in presidential elections I have never voted along party lines. I have cast 4 votes for Republicans, 1 for an independent (John anderson---not Ross Perot!) , 3 for Democrats. I don't have a great record for picking winners. More than any ohter time in my life I believe that this election matters to the future of our country- to the lives of my children. I am voting for Barack Obama because I believe he is the best candidate in this election. I am far more passionate about voting for him---than I am about voting against McCain. I started this list to help me clarify my thinking and improve my ability to speak to votes in swing states. I also wanted to have a record of my thoughts for my children. It has been very exciting to see their strong interest in the election and their growth as they have listened and read much about both candidates. I first posted these on my Facebook page and am moving them to this blog because I want them to be more accessible in the future to my kids and because writing them has inspired me to blog after the election.
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