Something has finally caught up with Barrack Obama and it did not come from the Hillary camp or the Republicans. No, the straw that broke the camel's back was someone that Barrack knew personally, his pastor, The Rev.Jeremiah Wright of the Trinity United Church of Christ. For more than 20 years, Senator Obama has been a regular at his church. So when certain clips of some sermons came to the public eye, many were shocked that a Obama's Reverend, (for whom he said that he had a close relationship with) would say such vile and somewhat racist statements. When the media caught wind of these sermons, the firestorm was released and the future of Obama's popularity was starting to shrink.
The problem with this situation is, not that Obama was at any fault, no the problem lies with Obama being "Guilty by Association". Sure the Rev. said some vile statements about 9-11, Jews and other subjects, but its different, these sermons are supposed to be this way. In some Black churches there is a different way some Black preachers, preach the bible to there parishioners, its called "Black Liberation Theology". This theology came about around the same time the civil rights era was beginning to brew. It focuses around the belief that the black man is oppressed and that the white man is the oppressor. Political issues always seem to find there way into these sermons and they usually have a profound effect on their listeners. These sermons are fiery, they can provoke thought and also rip open old wounds of the past. The preachers constantly remind there people of the history of slavery, racial strife, and oppression. Some researchers suggest that this kind of theology only damages race relations and only focuses on the past, not the future. If one is constantly reminded of the hardships they have endured by another, then there relationship with that person/race is never going to be trusted.
Obama first tipped toed around the issue, then made a rather telling speech about race relations in America. This may have hurt him, at first he was seen as the "Candidate", now he made be seen as the "Black Candidate", scaring off potential white voters still undecided. They may now think that Obama carries some of these beliefs with him that his Rev. preaches. One can't be faulted for someone else’s statements, though this is politics and everything is in play.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Do People Really Care About the Issues? Not Really...
Last week, my Grandfather passed away; I loved him dearly and will miss him. Many of his business partners, friends and family members were there at the funeral, before his body was taken away. We reflected on the many fond memories that we had of him and shared his favorite quotes. For instance, one the stick’s to my mind is, when he had an unsatisfactory meal he would say, “I ate better when I was poor”, or he would always say to us, “ Go 1st class always”. One other one that I would always hear is “I will support you but not serve you”, there were many others that I still quote from time to time, that came from this great man.
After the funeral, the large crowd of mourners went to a large hall where there was nice dinner and open bar, it was 1st class, of course. Many of us saw the many friends and relatives that we haven’t seen for many years and recounted the last time they saw them. After the dinner and a few martinis later, the many discussions lead to the latest on politics. By then, the large crowd dissipated and most of the people in the hall were close family members.
It started with the usual question, who were they were going to vote for in the coming presidential election. Afterwards, the line in the sand was drawn and the finger pointing started. There were many for Hillary, some for Obama and a large part was for McCain, though as the discussion started to get heated and the low blows of name calling were thrown out to some. None of the issues that are a real concern for the world ever came up.
There were the usual spurts of so and so voted for the war, and the other guy did not or she’s a bitch and that guy has a Muslim middle name. Some would say that McCain was too old and then the older people listening would be offended and disagree. Others would say that Hillary was a Socialist/ Communist and Obama was the Manchurian Candidate, both bent on world domination. Then the Hillary and Obama supporters went after each others neck and the McCain supporters watched and chuckled.
As night creped in, the bar closed and many of the children’s eyes grew tired. The adults moved the party back to my grandfather’s house along with the discussion of politics. Many lines were crossed, some were offended and others just laughed it off while opening up another bottle of wine. My grandfather always enjoyed a good argument/ discussion, so I think he would have approved.
As I reflected back on it, none of the key issues were ever discussed. No one talked about the gas prices, the war, or any other pressing issues of our time. Though, when I listen now to the current candidates, I’m not hearing anything about the current issues affecting the American people. It’s the same old personnel attacks against each other, when I asked my family members, what each candidate stands for that they support, I just get a blank spare.
After the funeral, the large crowd of mourners went to a large hall where there was nice dinner and open bar, it was 1st class, of course. Many of us saw the many friends and relatives that we haven’t seen for many years and recounted the last time they saw them. After the dinner and a few martinis later, the many discussions lead to the latest on politics. By then, the large crowd dissipated and most of the people in the hall were close family members.
It started with the usual question, who were they were going to vote for in the coming presidential election. Afterwards, the line in the sand was drawn and the finger pointing started. There were many for Hillary, some for Obama and a large part was for McCain, though as the discussion started to get heated and the low blows of name calling were thrown out to some. None of the issues that are a real concern for the world ever came up.
There were the usual spurts of so and so voted for the war, and the other guy did not or she’s a bitch and that guy has a Muslim middle name. Some would say that McCain was too old and then the older people listening would be offended and disagree. Others would say that Hillary was a Socialist/ Communist and Obama was the Manchurian Candidate, both bent on world domination. Then the Hillary and Obama supporters went after each others neck and the McCain supporters watched and chuckled.
As night creped in, the bar closed and many of the children’s eyes grew tired. The adults moved the party back to my grandfather’s house along with the discussion of politics. Many lines were crossed, some were offended and others just laughed it off while opening up another bottle of wine. My grandfather always enjoyed a good argument/ discussion, so I think he would have approved.
As I reflected back on it, none of the key issues were ever discussed. No one talked about the gas prices, the war, or any other pressing issues of our time. Though, when I listen now to the current candidates, I’m not hearing anything about the current issues affecting the American people. It’s the same old personnel attacks against each other, when I asked my family members, what each candidate stands for that they support, I just get a blank spare.
Gas prices got you down, blame Congress...
The other day, a friend and I were discussing politics over a bottle of Bordeaux, the conversation started to get tempestuous as we talked about the current gas prices at the pump. Instead of the faulting the usual suspects, such as the gas companies, OPEC, and the President’s oil rich buddies from Texas, we both came to the conclusion that, it was the newly elected Democrat congress that was mostly to blame. Though the latter always seems to get the most blame because every problem in the world needs a scapegoat and our current President is always good prey.
Back when the Democrats were laying out there campaign message for the 2006 midterm election, gas prices were surging and the everyday American consumer was complaining about filling up there SUV. The Democrats crafted a message on the promises of getting out of Iraq, a higher minimum wage and to lower gas prices. My friend, who shall remain nameless, voted for the party that promised all of these assurances.
Jump to today and she feels that she has been hoodwinked, bamboozled and lied to by the so-called progressive party. Though to be fair, a higher minimum wage was passed with the Presidents support; all other promises have fallen on deaf ears. The war in Iraq still rages, hundreds of more flag draped coffins have arrived since then and gas prices are absurdly and outrageously excessive. What happened, why the broken promises, what are the Democrats doing?
The answer is simple, nothing. Once the Democrats took over both houses of congress, their greed for power took over. Sure they threw the dog a bone by passing a higher minimum wage, but all those other promises were a farce. Instead of keeping there promise to the American voter, they started pointless investigations towards the Bush administration, costly tens of millions of dollars of your tax dollars.
Frankly, I’m tired of both parties giving us the shaft. The answer to the rising gas prices is quite simple; first we give congress and the American people a lesson in supply and demand. Second, we drill for oil; there are plenty of places to drill for oil in America’s back yard. There is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, the thousands of miles of coast line along the U.S. and other places around the states. Next, we build more refineries, in the process of building more; the U.S. sets one standard of blend that is required across the states. Lastly, we drop the tariffs on countries that are rich in ethanol, such as Brazil and other cane growing countries. We can import cheaper ethanol from these countries if we drop our protectionist attitude.
These are simple and reasonable answers to a growing problem that is affecting our way of life. Of course, there are the naysayer’s such as a certain Environmental Groups and Politicans who take money from them.
Well, the hell with them, these sell-out politicans need to be booted out of office for good! The average American pocket book cannot take it anymore and these environmental nutcases are a bunch of jobless, drug addicted, jackasses still living with there rich parents.
So if your tired of all the bullshit gas and energy prices, like I am, then vote in some politicans with some BALLS and tell OPEC to shove it.
Back when the Democrats were laying out there campaign message for the 2006 midterm election, gas prices were surging and the everyday American consumer was complaining about filling up there SUV. The Democrats crafted a message on the promises of getting out of Iraq, a higher minimum wage and to lower gas prices. My friend, who shall remain nameless, voted for the party that promised all of these assurances.
Jump to today and she feels that she has been hoodwinked, bamboozled and lied to by the so-called progressive party. Though to be fair, a higher minimum wage was passed with the Presidents support; all other promises have fallen on deaf ears. The war in Iraq still rages, hundreds of more flag draped coffins have arrived since then and gas prices are absurdly and outrageously excessive. What happened, why the broken promises, what are the Democrats doing?
The answer is simple, nothing. Once the Democrats took over both houses of congress, their greed for power took over. Sure they threw the dog a bone by passing a higher minimum wage, but all those other promises were a farce. Instead of keeping there promise to the American voter, they started pointless investigations towards the Bush administration, costly tens of millions of dollars of your tax dollars.
Frankly, I’m tired of both parties giving us the shaft. The answer to the rising gas prices is quite simple; first we give congress and the American people a lesson in supply and demand. Second, we drill for oil; there are plenty of places to drill for oil in America’s back yard. There is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, the thousands of miles of coast line along the U.S. and other places around the states. Next, we build more refineries, in the process of building more; the U.S. sets one standard of blend that is required across the states. Lastly, we drop the tariffs on countries that are rich in ethanol, such as Brazil and other cane growing countries. We can import cheaper ethanol from these countries if we drop our protectionist attitude.
These are simple and reasonable answers to a growing problem that is affecting our way of life. Of course, there are the naysayer’s such as a certain Environmental Groups and Politicans who take money from them.
Well, the hell with them, these sell-out politicans need to be booted out of office for good! The average American pocket book cannot take it anymore and these environmental nutcases are a bunch of jobless, drug addicted, jackasses still living with there rich parents.
So if your tired of all the bullshit gas and energy prices, like I am, then vote in some politicans with some BALLS and tell OPEC to shove it.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Clintons and Republicans back together again?
Conservative Talk radio nut jobs such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and others are telling their listeners to cross party lines in the primaries, to vote for Hillary Clinton. The so-called Republican strategy is based on the notion that if Hillary wins the Democratic nomination, then the Republican party will reemerge itself out of the backwoods and once again be a force to be reckoned with. After Tuesday, when Hillary gained some momentum, numerous callers, called into the Conservative Talk radio shows and voiced why they switched. Most were afraid that if Obama were to get the nomination, then all bets are off and the election will be in his favor. Some said his race was a factor( still living in past), others said that he is too liberal. When it came to voting for Hillary, they said that if Hillary gets the node, then their haterd for the Clintons will make a come back and the good-ole days will shine a light upon the party.
Though the Republicans have an up-hill battle, they are out of money and lack a definable positive message that can reinvigorate their base and the American voter. Plus, Obama still leads the delegate count by 106 and the Hillary camp may turn off voters with more attack ads against Obama.
One thing that the Republican party hasn't considered, what if the stars don't align themselves ,in the order, they are hoping they will on election night. This so-called strategy can literally blow up in their faces, if Obama wins the nomination, he will certainly win the election. If Hillary wins both the primary and the election, where does this strategy go next?
The Republicans are putting all their chips in on the roulette table hoping that the little ball lands on their number, which is zero.
Though the Republicans have an up-hill battle, they are out of money and lack a definable positive message that can reinvigorate their base and the American voter. Plus, Obama still leads the delegate count by 106 and the Hillary camp may turn off voters with more attack ads against Obama.
One thing that the Republican party hasn't considered, what if the stars don't align themselves ,in the order, they are hoping they will on election night. This so-called strategy can literally blow up in their faces, if Obama wins the nomination, he will certainly win the election. If Hillary wins both the primary and the election, where does this strategy go next?
The Republicans are putting all their chips in on the roulette table hoping that the little ball lands on their number, which is zero.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
RIP William F. Buckley
William F. Buckley died Feb. 27th, he was the father of modern Conservativism, launch the famous magazine "National Review", author of more than 50 books and an outright outspoken critic of politics. His opinions and writings will be sorely missed, God, now has someone to talk to about politics. It has been said that all of the angels in heaven have cut off their left wings, one was quoted of saying "Ever since Buckley arrived, there is no need for the left wing!"
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