Lots going on lately and I’ve been neglecting my blog…
The most pressing item I’ve been reading about is the aftermath of the election in Iran. To put it mildly, the news is stunning. First, you have the apparent theft of the election (Does ANYONE know who really won???), then, the protests (a right we take for granted), and now the crackdown by the Gov’t. You can read updates here at The Huffington Post and all related posts here.
The people want change and the Gov’t and their supporters are oppressing them. The Gov’t is trying to control info that comes and goes from the people. Between phone and the Internet, the Gov’t (thankfully!) doesn’t seem to be having much luck blocking the info. What info does get out, paints a stark picture and makes our issues seem trivial. Here in the U.S., next time you see a protest and complain about it, thank your lucky stars that people here CAN protest and that you can complain about it. Not everyone is as fortunate.
I have no idea how far this will go, but I think the world should pay close attention as, one way or another, history is happening now.
On a much lighter note: I’m trying to get out to take photos again with varying success. I’m reading Joe McNally’s “The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes” and getting a lot of tips and inspiration from it. It has a lot of good info, is well written, and entertaining too. I highly recommend it.
I’m also brushing up on Photoshop Elements. Between magazine articles and a book or two, I’m adding to my limited skill set.
Work is the good. Things are stable and the occasional late night call is happening less frequently.
Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.
And now the United States of America has a new President.
- One that isn’t focused on Agenda over reality.
- One that will support Science instead of attempting to subvert it for Political Agenda.
- One that will speak of Bi-partisanship and actually mean it.
- One that won’t question my Patriotism when I disagree with him.
- One that won’t say I’m supporting Terrorism when I support Civil Rights.
- One that is willing to Listen to others.
- One that isn’t afraid to meet with our Enemies.
- One will have Accountability.
- One that won’t break the Law.
- One that won’t support Torture.
- One that won’t use a Signing statement to declare an intent to break the law.
- One that won’t set records taking vacation.
- One that has a Vice President who won’t make up new Branches of Govt.
Yep, “That One”.
I could go on, but after the last eight years, it’s one hell of a long list. Love the Dr. Strangelove look Former Vice President Cheney has…
There are issues that I disagree with President Obama about. That’s OK, unlike the past administration, this one is mature enough to acknowledge our differences.
Update: That was a very good speech. (Text of it here) Bet the Right Wing goes ape about it…
Music I’m listening to now:
Aretha Franklin, I’m watching the Inaguration
Someday, I hope the Democratic leadership will actually develop a backbone. They reward Sen. Lieberman’s behavior by removing him from an Insignificant sub committee? What is the Democratic leadership afraid of?
Unbelievable.
Mark the date, after forgoing ANY oversight of the Bush administration, Sen. Lieberman will now do “Oversight” of the incoming administration. That means continuing to be a Right Wing tool for the GOP.
Keep in mind, this is NOT about payback, this is about NOT rewarding bad behavior. Sen. Lieberman campaigned FOR Sen. McCain and repeated out right falsehoods put out by the GOP. As Sen. Lieberman has demonstrated, he can’t be trusted to be in the Democratic Caucus.
Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Dumb” by “Garbage” from the “Version 2.0” Album.
After 8 years of Reporters having to submit questions in advance, It was refreshing to hav a news conference that wasn’t staged, asked real questions and got straight answers. Comparing President Elect Obama’s Press conference to President GW Bush is like night and day. As a nation, we have major challenges ahead of us. I’m hoping that as President, he’ll continue the dialog with the public via the White House Press Corp.
I’m also hoping that the GOP will be able to work with the President, but it seems that they just intend to fight him about everything. Example, Rep. Boehner is already setting the tone and continuing to be completely partisan as possible. IMO, some members of the GOP just don’t get it. The American public is tired of “You’re with us or you’re against us!” politics. The President Elect represents just the opposite.
Sen. Obama didn’t win by being a “Left wing Liberal” he won because he’s a Centrist and Sen. John McCain represented the far right during most of the election. I thought Sen. McCain’s campaign was Odd on account that he was the GOP moderate who won the Primaries. Most of the other candidates were far more to the Right than Sen. McCain. Despite this, he selected a Evangelical VP Candidate, only attacked and did not speak about the issues.
Sen. Obama DID speak about the issues, offers plans to help resolve things . If Sen. McCain did offer solutions, it was lost in the din of his negative attacks.
Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment, I’m sick and watching “How it’s Made” on the Science Channel.
After a very long and winding campaign, it all comes down to what the Voting public does today.
Myself, I voted for Sen. Barack Obama for President. My reasons for it came down to a few key things:
- I want a President who won’t demonize the press when they just report the news. I’m incredibly tired of the “Liberal Media” nonsense that the GOP continues to propogate.
- I want a President who won’t claim the Opposition “want’s to lose the War in Iraq” without defining what “winning” means. In my opinion, it’s infantile and foolish.
- I want a President that won’t use Political Agenda over all else.
- I want a President that won’t use the Dept. of Homeland Security to generate “Terror Alerts” when politically needed.
- I want a President that will engage in Diplomacy. Telling a country “Do what we want and THEN we’ll talk!” is NOT diplomacy. Even if you have enemies, you need to speak to them.
- I want a President that won’t cherry pick Intelligence to feed thier propaganda machine.
- I want a President that won’t constantly use a “Straw man” in every speech.
- I want a President that will select a Vice President who won’t invent interpretation of his/her office.
- I want a President that won’t use a Signing statement as a declaration of a intent to break the law.
Frankly, based on the last eight years, I could go on for hours. Sen. John McCain voted with Pres. GW Bush over 90% of the time. Why should I expect him to suddenly diverge from the failed policies of his party?
People think the last Eight years was bad, but frankly, it’s been longer than that. President Clinton was impeached by a GOP led House of Representatives in 1998. That doesn’t cover the Witch hunt perpetrated by Kenneth Star starting in 1994.
The GOP has been pushing their Radical Right Agenda since the 90′s. If they lose the Presidential race and seats in the House and Senate, they have no one to blame but themselves.
Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.
I saw this on the Huffington Post and nearly laughed out loud. As PSA’s go, I think this was the best one I’ve seen yet.
For a variety of reason, I’m voting for Sen. Obama but No mater your politics, everyone that is eligible should register and vote. It’s one time that people have a chance to directly express the direction where they want the Gov’t to go.
Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.
Came home a little late. So far no out right Gaffes, but Gov. Palin is acting a little snarky and seems to be smiling or giggling every time Sen. Biden speaks.
Amusingly, she’s attempting to lecture Sen. Biden and to tell him What his positions are. More than a little Odd, but I’m betting the GOP Spins it as just being “Tough”. IMO, She’s simply using all the talking points but not really answering questions. She’s also speaking way too fast.
Sen. Biden is answering questions, keeping focused and getting better responses from the crowd according to CNN’s instant graph.
Thinkprogress is keeping track of the debate.
Update: According to CNN’s “Analyst Scorecard” Sen. Biden is winning.
Update II: That Odd. I’m betting the pundits won’t call it for Biden till morning.
Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.
Despite no Bailout (and his commitment to skip the debate if no agreement was reached), Sen. McCain is on his way to Mississippi for the Debate. My guess is that he realized no one was going to let him attempt to get credit for any agreement that was reached. From the sound of it, he didn’t contribute much to the dialog.
I have to say, the McCain campaign is beginning to look like one hell of a train wreck.
His declaration that he would “Suspend” his campaign (he didn’t) and get involved in the negotiations is looking like a calculated and cheap Photo Op. Even the GOP is saying “WTF?” about that move.
To make life more entertaining, Gov. Palin’s interview with Katie Couric WAS a Train Wreck. Don’t take my word for it, look at the video. What’s next, Substituting Gov. Palin with Sen. Lieberman? The campaign is seriously in the Twilight Zone.
The best part: His Website is already declaring that he won the debate…
Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.
I really have to start getting his show on our DVR. His monologue Wednesday night really nails Sen. McCain for “suspending” his campaign. In any case, the Debate will happen with or without Sen. McCain. On both sides of the aisle, they don’t want Sen. McCain interfering with negotiations so he might as well go.
Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.
Ok, this is different. The headlines makes for amusing reading:
In Sen. McCain’s statement:
“We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved. I am directing my campaign to work with the Obama campaign and the commission on presidential debates to delay Friday night’s debate until we have taken action to address this crisis… Following September 11th, our national leaders came together at a time of crisis. We must show that kind of patriotism now.“
Nice how he worked 9/11 into it. Former Mayor Giuliani must be proud…
This is hardly a surprise Terrorist Attack; people with eyes saw the Economy tanking for months. Is it really appropriate for a Presidential Candidate to interfere with such Negotiations in the 11th hour? I think not, especially in light that the Election has not run it’s course.
In his statement, Sen. Obama said:
“It’s my belief that this is exactly the time when people need to hear from the person who in 140 days will be responsible for handling the economy.”
“It will be part of the president’s job to deal with more than one thing at once.”
“It’s more important than ever that we present ourselves to the American people.”
I think that says it best.
Suspending the campaign until the economic crisis is fixed? I really find it amusing considering that Sen. McCain’s Attendance Record is pretty bad this year. Not surprisingly, the McCain campaign wants to delay the VP Debate too. Now that is hardly a surprise since the McCain campaign doesn’t trust Gov. Palin to spend any time taking questions.
This isn’t the actions of a responsible leader, it’s the panicked show boating of a politician. If Sen. McCain can’t handle Sen. Obama in a debate, How will he run the country as President?
Music I’m listening to know:
Nothing at the moment.
