Sarah on her foreign policy experience
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Weekend Political News
Rove says McCain went "too far" in ads
Obama brings in record haul
McCain to be in NH to capture NASCAR voters
Clinton says "No Palin"
Opinion: She's not ready
Opinion: The Fate of Roe v. Wade
Opinion: Obamanomics
You best stay on Palin's good side
Cautious Campaigning in Shadow of Storm
States restore voting rights for ex-cons
Obama, trying to rally jittery backers
Video: Generation gap?
Obama brings in record haul
McCain to be in NH to capture NASCAR voters
Clinton says "No Palin"
Opinion: She's not ready
Opinion: The Fate of Roe v. Wade
Opinion: Obamanomics
You best stay on Palin's good side
Cautious Campaigning in Shadow of Storm
States restore voting rights for ex-cons
Obama, trying to rally jittery backers
Video: Generation gap?
Monday, April 28, 2008
Rev. Jeremiah Wright
I watched Rev. Jeremiah Wright's interview with Bill Moyers on PBS the other night. I actually thought the interview was well put together and helped Wright defend some of the things he had said in his sermons. After listening to him speak and watching some clips of his sermons, I must say that the mainstream media and right-wing columnists and radio hosts have grossly mischaracterized Wright. Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and used for political reasons, that is to discredit Obama's presidential candidacy. As a result, Wright has been demonized and labeled as being extreme. If you watch the entire video and even watch some of the full sermons from which the media has taken only small clips from, you will understand entirely what he is talking about. In no way did he ever say he hated the US or imply that he hated white people. On the contrary, he has a very diverse church membership, including whites, and his sermons preached hope and action to change the flaws of our country.
There is no way one can call him anti-American or unpatriotic when he preaches that his members should stand up and make sure this country, and its government, does not fail its own people. This country was founded on the premise that its citizens should question its government when its policies fail. Furthermore, as an individual, he even quit school to enlist in the Navy and became a medic despite the fact that his own country discriminated against black Americans and other racial minorities. He even assisted in operating on President Lyndon Johnson when he was a young man.
Unfortunately, a man who has dedicated his life to this country and to his Church has been characterized as a man who is out of touch with mainstream America. He has even been called a racist. Perhaps, he is out of touch with mainstream America, but the question is who is mainstream America? What the media and the right-wing conservatives do not say is that mainstream America consists of mostly white Americans who have never experienced the same things as a black man growing up in a racially divided America. Perhaps, it is the mainstream America that is out of touch with those who have been historically oppressed and looked down upon? Perhaps, it is mainstream America whose eyes are closed and unwilling to understand what it is truly like to be in a non-dominant position purely based on race? Perhaps, mainstream America and those who oppose Reverend Wrights' words without putting them in context or listening to his whole sermon should stop judging him. Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. Only then will you fully understand where he is coming from and be able to share the same window in which to perceive the world.
There is no way one can call him anti-American or unpatriotic when he preaches that his members should stand up and make sure this country, and its government, does not fail its own people. This country was founded on the premise that its citizens should question its government when its policies fail. Furthermore, as an individual, he even quit school to enlist in the Navy and became a medic despite the fact that his own country discriminated against black Americans and other racial minorities. He even assisted in operating on President Lyndon Johnson when he was a young man.
Unfortunately, a man who has dedicated his life to this country and to his Church has been characterized as a man who is out of touch with mainstream America. He has even been called a racist. Perhaps, he is out of touch with mainstream America, but the question is who is mainstream America? What the media and the right-wing conservatives do not say is that mainstream America consists of mostly white Americans who have never experienced the same things as a black man growing up in a racially divided America. Perhaps, it is the mainstream America that is out of touch with those who have been historically oppressed and looked down upon? Perhaps, it is mainstream America whose eyes are closed and unwilling to understand what it is truly like to be in a non-dominant position purely based on race? Perhaps, mainstream America and those who oppose Reverend Wrights' words without putting them in context or listening to his whole sermon should stop judging him. Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. Only then will you fully understand where he is coming from and be able to share the same window in which to perceive the world.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Don't you want someone SMART?
My friend recently ask me the above question and my answer is stated below: (sorry for any typos -- I wrote in haste)
I agree that we need someone SMART. We also need someone who understand the Constitution and not afraid to change the status quo. Obama taught Constitutional Law. The last 8 years, we've had an administration who has been trying to destroy our Constitution and everything it stands for. We need someone who can uphold what it actually means. If we do, our country will improve and other countries will see that we follow our own laws rather than try to eliminate them.
We also need someone who is not too close to the special interest. The Clintons have been around too long for things to change. Politicians are politicians....they will not give up the chance to gain more power. If obtaining more power means conceding to special interest, they will eventually cave.
You also have to think about the general election. The primary is not just for you to vote for someone you like. You have to think about the strategy and how you can win the general election. If you think about it, Hilary is too divisive as a figure. Don't get me wrong, I like her stances on most issues. However, half of the country still hates the Clintons, especially Hilary. She will be seen as partisan a figure as Bush. Republicans will never want to work with her on any issues. If they don't work with her, she will never get things done when she's in office and we will have the same political environment we've had for the past 8 years.
If she is the democratic nominee, she will likely have to go up against either McCain or Romney. McCain is seen by the general public as a "straight talker" and someone who is rather moderate. He would easily win the republican votes in the general election and win a large portion of the independent voters. This will be too difficult for Clinton to overcome. If Romney is the nominee, he will destroy her just because he is a ruthless man who will do anything to win an election. He will come across as a strong business man who can fix the economy and portray Hilary as a radical Liberal (which I don't think she is). This country does not want a radical liberal. They want someone who can unify the country regardless of what party they are. Hilary just can't offer that right now.
As for Obama, if he wins the democratic nomination, he will be able to get a large portion of the religious voters because he is religious. If Romney is the nominee for the Republicans, some religious voters may vote for Obama rather than Romney because this country may not be ready for Romney's religious background. Religion is a bigger issue in this country than most believe. If McCain is the nominee, Obama will hopefully out debate him and he will not be seen as such a partisan figure as Hilary. This will neutralize the fact that McCain is seen as moderate and Obama will be able to win more independent voters than Hilary would be able to.
Finally, do you really want the same partisan political atmosphere we've had since Bush has been in office? We really do need someone who can bring both sides (Dems and Reps) to the table.
I agree that we need someone SMART. We also need someone who understand the Constitution and not afraid to change the status quo. Obama taught Constitutional Law. The last 8 years, we've had an administration who has been trying to destroy our Constitution and everything it stands for. We need someone who can uphold what it actually means. If we do, our country will improve and other countries will see that we follow our own laws rather than try to eliminate them.
We also need someone who is not too close to the special interest. The Clintons have been around too long for things to change. Politicians are politicians....they will not give up the chance to gain more power. If obtaining more power means conceding to special interest, they will eventually cave.
You also have to think about the general election. The primary is not just for you to vote for someone you like. You have to think about the strategy and how you can win the general election. If you think about it, Hilary is too divisive as a figure. Don't get me wrong, I like her stances on most issues. However, half of the country still hates the Clintons, especially Hilary. She will be seen as partisan a figure as Bush. Republicans will never want to work with her on any issues. If they don't work with her, she will never get things done when she's in office and we will have the same political environment we've had for the past 8 years.
If she is the democratic nominee, she will likely have to go up against either McCain or Romney. McCain is seen by the general public as a "straight talker" and someone who is rather moderate. He would easily win the republican votes in the general election and win a large portion of the independent voters. This will be too difficult for Clinton to overcome. If Romney is the nominee, he will destroy her just because he is a ruthless man who will do anything to win an election. He will come across as a strong business man who can fix the economy and portray Hilary as a radical Liberal (which I don't think she is). This country does not want a radical liberal. They want someone who can unify the country regardless of what party they are. Hilary just can't offer that right now.
As for Obama, if he wins the democratic nomination, he will be able to get a large portion of the religious voters because he is religious. If Romney is the nominee for the Republicans, some religious voters may vote for Obama rather than Romney because this country may not be ready for Romney's religious background. Religion is a bigger issue in this country than most believe. If McCain is the nominee, Obama will hopefully out debate him and he will not be seen as such a partisan figure as Hilary. This will neutralize the fact that McCain is seen as moderate and Obama will be able to win more independent voters than Hilary would be able to.
Finally, do you really want the same partisan political atmosphere we've had since Bush has been in office? We really do need someone who can bring both sides (Dems and Reps) to the table.
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