DebateGate

Lord, Mr. Ford, is it you or Lucas who hasn't fallen down yet?

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808404510/video/6441610

My eldest daughter, a flaming Democrat Obama fan, was born in Mons, Belgium while I was stationed in SHAPE in 1981.  She was, of course, a US Citizen born abroad.  But some are now saying John McCain, born in the canal zone to military parents, cannot constitutionally run for President because he is not a "natural-born" citizen.  The Canal Zone was, at least, a US territory and McCain was born on a US military post.  Belgium is a foreign country and my daughter was born on a NATO installation. 

This is, of course, ridiculous.  The intent of the founders in this case is obvious.  Nobody wanted someone to "carpetbag" by moving in from a foreign country and becoming a citizen, ultimately to control the government.  With children like McCain and my daughter, born to US Citizens who happen to be abroad, especially in military or diplomatic service, such concerns are unfounded. 

Ain't politics fun?

I have just begun reading Obama's pre-campaign Opus.  It is quite revealing.  I would like to share a few observations.  I think they might help us to know what the man stands for.

First of all, he is an excellent writer.  As is evidenced by his orating skills, Barack understands the importance of communication in getting people to listen to a message.  This is a very important trait in politics, and many of our finest communicators have gone on to inspire millions of Americans.  Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and others come to mind.  In fact, one of the things that the current President lacks is those communications skills that would serve to help him better connect with the American people.  The left, of course, plays up his verbal fumbles, trying to equate stumbling rhetoric with lack of intelligence.  Barack will not have that problem.  It was, after all, his skills as an orator that first brought him on to the national stage in 2004. 

His book, as I have read it so far, is filled with warm, well-written and engaging prose.  He says some pretty hopeful things about the way our national political polarization needs to be bridged. 

"... at the core of the American experience are a set of ideals that continue to stir our collective conscience; a common set of values that bind us together despite our differences; a running thread of hope that makes our improbable experiment in democracy work.  "  (page 8 )

But he makes no pretentions about where his sentiments lie:

"I am a Democrat, after all; my views on most topics correspond more closely to the editorial pages of the New York Times than those of the Wall Street Journal. I am angry about politics that consistently favor the wealthy and powerful over average Americans . . . I believe in evolution, scientific inquiry and global warming.   . . . I can't help but view the American experience through the lens of a black man of mixed heritage, forever mindful of how generations of people who looked like me were subjugated and stigmatized, and the subtle and not so subtle ways that race and class continue to shape our rights."   (page 10)

But Obama seems interested in giving at least a nod to balance:

"I also think that my party can be smug, detached and dogmatic at times.  I believe in the free market, competition and entrepreneurship, and think no small number of government programs don't work as advertised.  . . . I think America has more often been a force for good than for ill in the world; . . . I reject a politics that is based solely on racial identity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or victimhood generally."  (pp 10-11)

But he does not keep that conciliatory tone for long, decrying the 2004 election in which "there was the small matter of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth:  the shocking efficiency with which a few well-placed ads and the chants of conservative media could transform a decorated Vietnam war hero into a weak-kneed appeaser."  (page 19) and complaining about a White House "committed to waging a perpetual campaign." (page 20)   On page 24, he states "I won't deny my preference for the story the Democrats tell, nor my belief that the arguments of liberals are more often grounded in reason and fact,"

Like he says, he's a Democrat, after all.

But more than these partisan shots, which are expected and to which he owns up early on, my concerns at this early stage of reading are based on a very fundamental difference in thinking.  He, and those who think like him, view the very essence of our government in a completely different way from me.  I have made much about not endorsing too narrow a view of the "founder's intent" given the evolving nature of our democracy and the battles that were fought over the balance of powers in this republic.  But we cannot ignore the great compromise that George Washington referred to as a "miracle" which resulted in the Constitution.  Its ingenious bicameral legislature was designed to balance the views of those who wanted representation based on population (or, the people, as provided for in the House of Representatives) and those who wanted to avoid the tyranny of large states over small by giving each state an equal voice (provided for in the Senate).  The Constitution itself embraces a philosophy of limited government, NOT a philopsophy of enumerated rights.  That is why many of the founders actively opposed the Bill of Rights - added as an afterthought.  They were concerned about creating the impression that the rights therein enumerated were our only rights, or our only protected rights, rather than limiting the governments rights.  Obama seems to confirm that fear.  On page 10, he promises that chapter three will explore the constitution as "a source of individual rights." 

But even more ominously, surpassing Hillary Clinton's stated desire to abolish the electoral college, Barack complains on page 35 about "the structural advantages the Republicans enjoyed in the Senate, where the votes of two Republican Senators from Wyoming, population 493,782, equaled the votes of two Democratic Senators from California, population 33,871,648.".  Barack fails to note, however, that California has a total of 53 members of the House of Representatives, where Wyoming has only 1 - giving California a 55 - 3 advantage in representation.  In fact, one in eight members of the House of Representatives is from California, giving it a larger representation in the House than that of as many as 21 other states combined.

So, selective statistics, partisan rhetoric and an undisguised anger at Republican success in the past tends to negate what Senator Obama says about bridging gaps.  And his fundamental views about American history and the structure of our government, which many Democrats share, makes me fear for the potential changes a fully-loaded Democratic government might bring about in our national character.  I'm willing to read what the Senator says. I want to see what he plans, since barring McCain uniting our party this man is looking increasingly like the leader of a new Democrat-controlled government.  But I despair that his conciliatory rhetoric will ever match the actions he hopes to take when he gains power.  The kind of hope he seems to espouse does, indeed, smack of audacity.

http://www.kansascity.com/451/story/500924.html

Just heard this on Charlie Rose and found this AP article in this publication first.  Holy freakin' Cold War, Batman.  (excerpts from article)


. . .

IN MOSCOW - Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's envoy to NATO, warned that Moscow may conclude it needs to resort to "brute military force" to earn respect on the world scene if all European Union nations recognize Kosovo's independence and NATO oversteps its authority in Kosovo.

- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Serbian counterpart met and said Kosovo's independence bid and its recognition by the West "contradict the international law, undermine stability and security in the area and in the Balkans region and are fraught with dangerous consequences for the system of international relations," according to the Foreign Ministry.

IN WASHINGTON - Senior State Department official Nicholas Burns called on Russia to repudiate a suggestion by one of its officials that Moscow may need to use military force to earn respect after Western governments recognized Kosovo over its objections. Burns also criticized the Russian government's strong language condemning the recognition this week of Kosovo's independence by the United States and some European countries.

Obama has won Virginia and DC in a landslide.  He took about 3/4 of the vote in DC and 2/3 in Virginia.  He is the projected winner in MD as well, but that will be up in the air for a while because an ice storm forced the polls to stay open late and votes cast after the normal closing time are provisional.  The counting won't be done for at least a week. 

McCain took that hat trick as well.  He had like half of the vote in VA, and 68% in DC.  Huck took about 40 percent in VA and only 17% in DC.  In MD with only about a quarter of precincts in because of the storm,McCain has 56% and Huck 28%.

This ice storm is turning into a nightmare in DC.  There are cars that have been trapped on the on/off ramps for hours.  The Springfield mixing bowl (a crazy series of ramps from I95 and its branches) has had cars trapped on it since 3 and 4 PM with no end in sight.

Top Ten Reasons Why Voldemorte Should Get the Republican Nomination

1.  Voldemorte will fight against illegal immigration.   He has been fighting against the intrusion of muggle-borns into the wizard world for ages.

2.  Voldemorte supports a get-tough stance on crime.  His use of the "illegal" Avada Kedavra curse proves that he will fight against judicial activists who try to abolish the death penalty. 

3.  Voldemorte will stand up to the teachers unions.  The entire staff of Hogwarts opposes his rise to power.  What does that tell you?

4.  Voldemorte will end the controversy about waterboarding.  Who needs it when you have the Cruciatus curse?

5.  Voldemorte will solve the Gitmo issue.  He will simply ship the detainees to the newly refurbished Azkabhan.  With Dementors to guard the facility, the military will be freed up to handle more appropriate duties. 

6.  Voldemorte will unite the party.  After all, a few thousand Imperius curses should suffice to get them to fall in line. 

7.  Voldemorte knows how to fight Democrats.  Look at the last three Dem nominees (assuming Hillary gets the nod this year).   A snooty, smarty-pants woman, a so-called "hero" who overemphasized his battle scars and a second-rate sidekick.  Is that Hermoine, Harry and Ron or what?

8.  Voldemorte supports the NRA.  Hunters have rights, too.  After all, who really believes that Unicorns are "endangered?" 

9.  Voldemorte doesn't believe in killing unborn children.  He only goes after the ones that have already been born.

10. Voldemorte will clearly appeal to the reglious right.  Yeah, OK, he is pure evil and everything, but Dumbledore is GAY!!!

Just a random observation.  Ya need to do stuff.

I know we all need to vote and pay taxes and have a job and all of that, but I am talking about the things you mean to do but never get around to.

For example:  I was a music major in college many long years ago.  I was, specifically, a voice major (believe it or not) and I was in a couple dozen choirs, shows and singing groups.  I was very nearly cast as the lead in Amahl and the Night Visitors in my Sophomore year of HS but I chickened out because singing in my as-yet-unchanged boy soprano made me feel deeply uncomfortable and slightly homophobic.  I was the chorus leader in the same opera a few years later (after the voice finally changed).  But oddly enough, aside from the odd HS production of Amahl, I never saw an opera live on stage. 

So last week I spent the week in Charlotte, NC for Xerox training.  I took my wife along for a mini-vacation.  When I got home from class the first day she mentioned that the Opera Carolina was doing Aida (her favorite opera) in the Belk Theater downtown.  To make a long story short(er) we took in the opening night on Thursday and it was just wonderful.  The sets were magnificent, the singers were wonderful (though the lead tenor strained a bit at the highest notes) and they even had a Camel, Ox, Zebra and Horse on stage during the Triumphal Procession.  (The Zebra nearly bolted!)  The English translation was shown on a video screen above the stage so there wasn't even a language barrier (though Verdi's music transcends language). 

I can't believe I'm fifty and I've never seen a live opera before.  We only knew them from videos and recordings.  Obviously, the live experience is far better.  Why we waited so long is beyond me. We actually got the cheap seats and with a military discount paid $13.50 apiece.   Orchestra seats were $80.00.  We were rear balcony and saw and heard just fine.  I could have paid twice as much for the seats directly in front of me.  But the rear balcony was packed and a good portion of the seats in front of us were vacant.  Apparently, other folks were as cheap, er, intelligent as me.  There really was no reason for us not to have done this long ago.   

But I have done that a lot.  I've put off trying new things or getting around to doing things I know would be fun just because I am too busy, it's too expensive or I'm too apprehensive.  I gotta stop that.  Life, it turns out, doesn't go on forever.  When it comes to actually experiencing a lot of it, we're far too often long on excuses and short on time. 

So if you took the time to read this (and that, btw, would be several minutes of your life you ain't getting back!) get all motivated by it and go do something you've been meaning to.  It doesn't have to be a cruise or a trip to Paris (though you could do worse) but maybe just checkout a nearby historical site or museum or eat at that restaurant you've been meaning to try out.  I'd recommend the Opera Carolina for anybody in that neighborhood, but it only ran this weekend.  But I'd bet a lot of you have something you keep telling yourself you're going to do when you get a chance.  It turns out, a lot of times you don't get chances, you have to take them. 

OK, end of rant.  Just think about it.  Ya need to do stuff.

Did anyone even know there WAS such a thing as the Wyoming Caucuses?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080105/ap_po/wyoming_caucuses


CASPER, Wyo. - Mitt Romney captured his first win of the Republican presidential race on Saturday, prevailing in Wyoming caucuses for a much-needed boost to his candidacy three days before the New Hampshire primary.

The former Massachusetts governor won eight delegates, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson got two and California Rep. Duncan Hunter won one, meaning no other candidate could beat Romney. Caucuses were still being held to decide all 12 delegates at stake.

The victory was a welcome development for Romney, coming two days after his loss to Mike Huckabee in the Iowa caucuses and three days before the first-in-the-nation primary in New Hampshire. Those two states have attracted most of the political attention. Wyoming had scheduled its GOP county conventions earlier to attract candidates to the state but had only modest results.

Romney visited Wyoming in August and November and three of his five sons campaigned in the state. One son, Josh Romney, owns a ranch in southwest Wyoming.

"Number one, he campaigned here," delegate Leigh Vosler of Cheyenne said of Romney. "I think that helped while some other candidates ignored us. But also he's the right person for the job."

Hunter, Thompson and Ron Paul all stopped by the state ? visits they probably wouldn't have made except for this year's early conventions ? and candidates have sent Wyoming's GOP voters a flood of campaign mail. Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, did not visit Wyoming and drew little support. Arizona Sen. John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani also did not visit and received little support.

"I think we're encouraged that the voters in Wyoming value that my dad had spent time here," Josh Romney said.

The traditional leadoff nomination contests in Iowa and New Hampshire have dominated the attention of both candidates and the national media in recent months, and no candidates had visited Wyoming in the four weeks leading up to the caucuses. Hunter was the last to visit the state on Dec. 4.

Tom Sansonetti, the county convention organizer, maintained Saturday that moving the state's caucuses ahead was the right thing to do.

"The ultimate goal is not how many times we appear on Katie Couric," Sansonetti said. "The ultimate goal was to have attention paid to rank-and-file Republicans by national candidates."

In addition, he said more Wyoming Republicans have become involved in the process.

Wyoming Republicans also paid a price for jumping ahead. The Republican National Committee has slashed half of Wyoming's 28 national convention delegates. National party leaders similarly penalized Florida, Michigan, New Hampshire and South Carolina for moving up the dates of their nomination contests.

RNC rules require the punishment for states that hold their nominating contests earlier than Feb. 5. Iowa, which held caucuses on Thursday, will not be penalized because, technically, the caucuses are not binding on convention delegates. Nevada, which plans to hold its caucuses on Jan. 19, will not be penalized for the same reason.

Besides the 12 delegates chosen at Saturday's county conventions in Wyoming, two delegates to be chosen at a statewide convention in May will also be sent to the national convention in Minneapolis.

___