Both candidates.

Hey all, I hope you have another great weekend. The campaign trail has simmered down. Both major candidates have put on the velvet gloves, and a lack of substantive debate has resulted from it. It’s time to clarify some personal information about both Presidential candidates so it’s clear that future posts are based on an ideological differences not a personal disagreement with the candidate.
Barack Obama is a Muslim? According to his biography posted on the United States Senate’s web site he belongs to the United Church of Christ. Barack Hussein Sr. was born in Kenya, and he is a practicing Muslim. The Senator from Illinois did attend a Muslim school in Jackarta at the age of 6 according to C-Span. He also attended a Catholic school for two years. One of the reasons people wonder about his religious affiliation has to do with his oath after getting elected to the United States Senate. I want to correct a previous post. Senator Barack Obama didn’t use a Koran as part of the swearing in ceremony. Representative Keith Ellison from MN did use one according to an article found in the Washington Post. A reader alerted me to the mistake in a previous post. Many do wonder if the time he spent in Jakarta impacted his views on foreign policies. I don’t think dwelling on his religion matters, but it’s difficult to understand what his personal beliefs are with all the different affiliations he has. His political record deserves more scrutiny than his own faith.
John McCain signed the Mayflower Compact? Many jokes have been made about Senator McCain’s age. John Sidney McCain was born on August 29, 1936 in Coco Solo Naval Air Station near the Panama Canal. His age makes it more critical for him to choose a running mate who can attract more Conservatives since it’s a demanding job to be the most powerful man in the free world. Also, if the Senator suffered any health complications do to his age, then it’s obvious who would be in charge. His health hasn’t failed yet: even after his long military record.
Barack got his education from learning how to survive in the hood? Senator Obama attended Columbia University where he earned an under graduates degree, and later on he received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1991 according to the United States Senate web site. I guess he didn’t have to get his education from a tiny college since he was so deprived. I’m sure that most of his values reflect the philosophies of elites in the academic world.
Senator McCain has always received the support of Conservatives? Senator McCain lost the Republican nomination to President Bush in 2004. Many Conservatives like me have a difficult time making a connection with him. He has made strides to appeal to the base of the party, but his record scares many.
It was important to address some of the misconceptions people had about both Presidential candidates. It’s important to address the ideology of politicians, but that can only happen when all the facts are known about the person. Do you feel uncertain about either candidates based on their record or background? Does the religion of the next President matter to you? James.

Celebrities stupid comments.

Hey all, another great day in America. Well, I want to address some points that several celebrities have talked about in various media sources.
One of the greatest advantages of living in America consists in our Constitutional right to free speech. We can say anything we like within reason without fear of getting reprimanded by law enforcement. I think it’s great that all view points are able to form part of the American way. Why do celebrities who have done so well, and have benefited from this type of Democracy made statements which would give the opposite image about this country.
I want to clarify that I don’t think we are a perfect country. No country or individual will ever be perfect, but we have it better than many around the world. Race seems to be the most popular topic when it comes to stupid celebrity comments. For instance, singer Alitia Keys in the may issue of Blender magazine said “`Gangsta rap’ was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other. `Gangsta rap’ didn’t exist.” Last I check blacks promote gangster wrap as an art form. The majority of popular hip hop artists sell records with music that contain strong language. I could careless what some songs say, but it doesn’t take a genius to understand how certain opinions are formed. Uncle Sam didn’t create a cultural phenomenon to commit genocide on a particular race. Last I check some of the most successful people in this country who are black are doing quite well like Barack Obama. Race doesn’t matter to most American, but it does seem to matter to some elitist.
Another stupid comment was made by wrapper Will Smith when he appeared on the Today Show. He said “You know I just, I just came back from Moscow, Berlin, London and Paris and it’s the first, I’ve been there quite a few times in the past five
to 10 years. And it just hasn’t been a good thing to be American. And this is the first time, since Barack has gotten the nomination, that it, it was a
good thing” America doesn’t have a better reputation around the world since Barack got nominated. Why so much emphasizes on race. Who cares what race he is? I don’t agree with his ideologies, his approach, or his political tactics. Why do so many celebrities make such outlandish comments?
It’s clear that in the past blacks were segregated for a long time. Thankfully those times are part of America’s history not present. I don’t care about race, gender, or religion as long as the person supports this country. If life is so difficult for you and you don’t like our culture live elsewhere. Are you tired of the racial reference made throughout the election campaign season? I know race doesn’t matter since if anything where to happen the decisions made by the President won’t be based on their skin color instead they’ll be based on his principles and core values. I hope people are able to distinguish between political attacks and bad attempts at entertainment. Do you care if celebrities make comments like that of Will Smith or Alitia Keys? James.

What's your top price?

Hey all, I want to say that I am glad that our voices are getting heard by Congress. Several attempts have been made to initiate drilling at home, and some officials have changed their stances on oil rising from our own wells. Thank God for phones with obnoxious ringers.
Another day passes by with gas prices rising. The last few weeks highlight how much countries like Saudi Arabia really care about pumping more oil so we can use it. It’s time to smack the royal pocket book shut. They won’t increase production at all, but they’ll happily continue to rake money in from what they export. Congresses tries to negotiate with the royal family, but won’t accommodate us by exploiting our own resources. We should make money on our resources, and we should get other countries to purchase our petroleum while another source of energy is developed. Oh by the way, the latest Zogby pole shows that 65% of Americans support off shore drilling.
Republican Senators along with a couple Democrats managed to block a bill that would impose taxes on oil companies based on their revenues. I guess the way to solve a crisis is by punishing business that do well. I just want to point out that the United States conducted a geological survey of undiscovered oil in Montana and North Dakota. They found that 3.2 billion barrels lie underneath the basin comprising these two states. Why haven’t we tapped into it yet?
John McCain has now started supporting drilling at home. He even proposed that 25 nuclear plants get built. Good for you Senator McCain I like this approach. Senator Obama so far has opposed drilling at home, reversing from ethanol as the main fuel, and building any more nuclear plants. I wonder how he’ll feel when it costs him $7 to fill up his tank. Oh I forgot we pay for his gas through taxes.
Are you willing to stop higher food and gas prices by asking your Senator and Congress person to start drilling at home? I doubt anyone thinks that using corn for ethanol is really contributing to the economy in a positive way. What will it take for even more people to speak out against dependence on countries like Saudi Arabia? I want American business to thrive. I want our economy to go back to what it once was, and I want to know that mortgaging the house isn’t necessary to fill up a car’s gas tank. I want to know at what point Americans will say enough political bs. Congress stop fighting each other, and help us fight outrageous food and gas prices.
James.

Students using internet for school.

Hey all, I hope that the weekend went well. We live in an era when the internet serves many purposes to many individuals, but I wonder if it is too cozy though?
Most students along with professional use the internet when they are conducting research. Why look through a bunch of library cards when you can find what you need with the click of a mouse. An article on the Scotman.com addresses how too many students are using facts they find on Wikipedia for their school work. According to the article about 6% of Internet users mainly use Wikipedia as a credible source of information. Scotland is attempting to get students to use more reliable sources such books, newspaper articles, etc. All newspapers have some political bias for the most part so how reliable can they be.
I want to know if the Internet has grown so big that individuals aren’t able to distinguish fact from fiction, or is it more convenience to use information from the first site found when googling a subject. Also, does the vast amount of articles available impact how much students actually research important topics in school? I always used the Internet for school since it’s quite accessible, but I never believed everything that I found written on sites like Al Gore’s claim to have invented the Internet himself. James.

The unsung hero.

Hey all, another week wrapped up. I want to start a new trend. I want Friday’s to be a time to celebrate heroes.
I want to hear stories about individuals who aren’t recognized by many. I want to salute those brave men and women, a firefighter that went into a burning building without any regard for their own life, an officer who puts the safety of others as a priority, etc. It’s time for individuals who are so important to us to know who much we appreciate them. I would appreciate stories about parents who worked 2 eight hour shift jobs to support their family.
Please send me your story so I can post it, or if you care to just leave a brief comment with the individual you want to recognize. America has so many wonderful people, and they should get some credit for their contribution to society. James.

Court ruling or are they ruling?

Hey all, I wanted to write about a topic that I feel needs to be address. What Constitutional rights do enemy combatants have?
One of the most controversial topics from the war in terror has been the rights of enemy combatants. This label was given to those who fight with radical Islamic fighters against troops like the American armed forces. Many have criticized the existence of the prison in Guantanamo Bay most commonly known as GITMO. This military facility houses approximately 355 detainees according to the latest estimates provided by the Pentagon. Many critics have often spoken out against the lack of rights of those detained at GITMO. Some have even argued for them to have similar rights as soldiers who are captured during War. This would entitle them to rights under the Geneva Convention adopted in 1951 by countries that belong to the UN as written on their own web site. Although still not clear what rights they are entitled to based on the circumstances of the current war on terror: yet, the United States Supreme Court delivered a heavy blow against the efforts on this very situation with their decision on June 12, 2008.
The Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 in favor for enemy combatants to be entitled to habeas corpus. They can challenge their incarceration in GITMO, and they deserve a trial in a criminal court according to the ruling. Justice Kennedy wrote how it isn’t Constitutional for the military to capture individuals in the battle field without letting them know their rights. He vigorously comments on how suspending enemy combatant’s habeas corpus as Congress had decided on in 2006 isn’t Constitutional. I wonder how Justice Kennedy would feel about it if he was in the front line fighting for his country.
I am angry at the ability of judges to legislate from the bench. Enemy combatants are for the most part foreign nationals fighting for a radical cause, and they don’t give a damn how they kill Westerners especially Americans. Congress already limited our brave men and women’s ability to fight when they placed even more restrictions on the rules of engagement used in the battle field. Thank you Justice Kennedy and the four other lawyers for allowing radicals access to our Court system. Thank you for allowing them the possibility of recruiting more potential killers from the prison population. I challenge you to find anywhere in the Constitution where it states that enemy combatants are entitled to habeas corpus. Justice Thomas clearly addresses previous cases with a different ruling from this one. Judicial review should clearly occur to maintain the balance of powers possessed by the two other branches of government, but judicial activism shouldn’t hinder the effort of our troops based on a phantom portion of the Constitution.
I want to know if you are tired of how much power judges have? Do you feel that many of their decisions are based on their own political bias instead of their interpretation of the Constitution? James.

McCain mavrick?

Hey all, I hope that everyone had a great Fathers Day. I promised to write about both Presidential candidates, and I intend to discuss Senator John McCain this time around.
The Republican Party has often gained a reputation for nominating politician who where Conservatives in most issues in the political arena. This trend has hit rock bottom. Senator John Sidney Mccain from Arizona will probably receive the nomination at Republican National Convention.
John Mccain was born at Coco Solo Naval Air Station on August 29, 1936. He does hold a lengthy distinguished military record that I thank for. It’s important that he did serve his country honorably, but his political career isn’t as distinguished as when he wore the uniform.
Mccain got elected to the House of Representative in 1982, and then he followed a path to holding his current seat as a Senator which started in 1987. His voting record shows the many times he decided to vote against his party, but more importantly his lack of political consistence. Mccain’s own site points out how he plans to be strict on companies who contribute large amounts of carbon emissions, and how he plans to fight the climate change battle with cap trade ideas. I won’t detail this plan as it basically flushes more companies out of our own economy by imposing unreachable measures when it comes to eco friendly products. For instance, he wants to make carbon emission the level it was in 1990 by 2020.
Senator Mccain has always followed his own best interest with bills like the Mccain Feingold Act. This bill limits the amount of contribution money candidates can receive prior to an election, and it also limits the ability for individuals to criticize politicians before you pull the lever. His site highlights him as a true anti lobbyist champion. Finally, he is known for his support of the No Child Left Behind Act. This law in principle is great as it tries to increase the level of the educational standard children get, but it’s just more federal spending on a project poorly enforced. According to a study conducted in 2003 American students ranked 18th among the 24 leading industrialized nations as written in an article by Elaine Wu.
I am not satisfied with John Mccain’s political career. His opinions have often pleased those around him, and they have never been consistent on most issues. Do you trust the distinguished naval veteran, or the politician who is known as a maverick for defying all political alliances? James.

Tim!

Hey all, I am writing a brief message. Tim Russert died today from a heart attack while at work.
I have included Mr. Russert in one of my post, and he was an icon in the political world. I want to express my condolences to the Russert family, and I’ll keep them in my prayers. I had the pleasure to meet Tim when I attended an internship in DC the summer of 2004. It made me feel important when he called me by name, and he acknowledge who I was. It’s sad that such a devoted family man along with one who spread awareness about father son relationships left us. I can only thank him for the moment of joy he provided me with, and I can only know that he now watches football inside the pearly gates. I hope you will say a prayer for him and his family as well. James.

Poor Barack?

Hey all, another week wrapped up. I want to dedicate sometime looking at the personal lives of the two leading Presidential candidates so we can know them as people since one will definitely call Pennsylvania Avenue home.
Barack Hussein Obama was born August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. His mother a native of Kansas, and his father from the African country of Kenya. He attended Columbia University where he earned an undergraduates degree in 1983. Later on he earned a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1991. All this info can be found in Senator’s Obama biography on the web site of the United States Congress. Enough about his rise to fame. How can he pretend to relate to the common man when he went to such prestigious schools? That’s great that he earned his college degrees, and anyone who is able to attend Ivy League schools has achieve quite a bit when they receive their diploma. Most people aren’t able to attend these institutions do to financial or other reasons. My point, he isn’t an average Joe like he claims to be. His closest friends are quite wealthy not poor, not people who live from pay check to pay check, not those who are part of the smokestack industry, and yet people believe he is just like me and you. I don’t hold grudges against those who have achieve success, or those who belong to the upper class. God bless them for everything they have. I just don’t take lightly someone who claims to have suffered, or someone who plays the victimization doctrine when they are wealthy along with attending some of the best universities in the country.
Do you feel like you can’t truly relate to his rise to fame? Does it bother you the claiming of so many struggles when he has had it easier than many who do come for poor backgrounds? James.

Project.

Hey all, I hope that the prospect of Friday coming up soon lightens your day. I know this will be a random post, but it’s necessary to do so.
I want to ask for your cooperation in a project I am working on. I want to create a web site where leaders speak their minds. Stereo types of the attention span of all American’s isn’t true. I know that many people exist out their who have great talents, and will be the future of this country.
I want to create a place where issues are discussed, troops honored, and ideas are proposed on how to maintain this great country contrary to the road some politicians want to lead us. Anyone who appreciates liberty, individual freedom, and our way of life please contact me. Thanks, James.

Real change in November?

Hey all, political conversations are on overload now that we have the two candidates. Well not exactly official, but I’m sure they’ll be the one’s running. I don’t care for either candidate, but what change does Barack Obama really bring?
Everyone has recognized how in most of his speeches Senator Obama has often suggested that life will be better when Uncle Sam takes care of you. Uncle Sam can do according to Mr. Obama anything from cure your illnesses, make sure you are never unemployed, and restore our image around the world. He made references to all these “changes” in his acceptance speech in MN. We have finally found a consistent characteristic in his campaign.
According to the Congressional Research Service Obama has voted on 1231 votes since January 2005. He continues to promise the expansion of government which matches the 131 bills he has sponsored. I wonder how radical those bills must be when 118 of them don’t even make it out of committee. He has also cosponsored 619 bills during this time as well. Come on Uncle Sam fix all my problems.
I find the idea that government can fix all my problems a giant mistake. We have individual freedoms for a reason. If the government can stay away from my affair as much as possible I am a happy man. They should play a vital role in the enforcement of some laws, but they don’t need to nanny sit all Americans. How do you feel about the idea of an expanding government? Do you want the government to control your life as some propose? I know that my sarcasm is quite apparent, but if people don’t object it can happen. It already does exist to a certain extent. James.

UN or EU?

Hey all, I hope your weekend is going well. All the election frenzy has brought to mind a question about the United States. Why do we continue to belong to the UN, and does European countries even care anymore about NATO with the existence of the EU.
America has always assumed a role as top dog in most occasions. We have deemed number one in many respects. Often politicians approached the United Nations assembly to seek their support if any action regarding a foreign policy matter needed to be address. They have never really as a whole cared though. When former Secretary of State Colin Powell made his famous speech regarding Iraq many top European countries turned their backs. Britain remained loyal along with some other smaller countries. The instances when we’ve chosen to stand by UN policies have resulted in international disasters. The refusal to recognize the massive massacres in Sudan as a genocide made impossible for American aid as UN Human Rights Council didn’t see it as a genocide. It didn’t help when the Iranian leader Ahmadinejad got to speak in New York in 2007. No wonder European countries formed the EU.
I am wondering though if the lack of an identity of the UN along with the current political strength of the EU presents a problem for America in international politics. The European Union as noted in Encyclopedia Britannica was founded in 1999. A body that helps decides many of the current political and social policies enforced across Europe. Many European countries as reported by the BBC hope to add military strength to the EU’s portfolio. If they focus all their effort in building a strong governing body the UN will continue to loose power. The United States will continue to pay its fees along with the constant harassment of its policies, and in the mean time European counterparts focus more on increasing the power of the EU.
The main question in this rant lies in whether the United States should remain as loyal to the United Nation. What alliance can the United States really trust in case disaster ever struck? I know this is quite gloomy, but it’s a valid thought to contemplate. James.

Barrack's race.

Hey all, well we are now down to two candidates in the American Presidential election. I would like to use this post to ask why is Barrack Obama so different from that of all other individuals who have seeks positions in the American political process.
It is clear that many are recognizing the achievement of Barrack Obama for securing the Democratic presidential nomination baring any incidents. I want to know why the fact that he is black makes this occasion more special from other previous black figures. I want to make clear how great as stated in a previous post our society is which doesn’t judge individuals based on their skin rather for their achievements. It bugs me the amount of notoriety Obama is getting for his appearance not his ideology. Both Tim Russert and Chris Matthews have labeled him “greater than that I had a dream speech.” Who greater to embody the idea of racial equality than MLK himself not Obama.
My main point is this. Clarence Thomas was nominated for a seat in the Supreme Court in September 1991 by President Bush 41. Some of the racial slurs used against him during his Senate hearing were atrocious. Media coverage of how he had too many Conservative ideas for being black can be found on articles dating from that time period. Although he never ran for office Colin Powell, former Secretary of State, never got acknowledge for his accomplishments as a black man. Current Secretary of Condolisa Rice has often gotten ridiculed in shows like the Daily Show not praised for her accomplishments as a black woman. Why didn’t former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan receive more national recognition for her accomplishment as a black woman? Many individuals have demonstrated how much progress America has made when it comes to racial issues, but they never received so much attention before.
I understand that many of the political accomplishments achieve by those mentioned above aren’t as magnified as possibly becoming the next President. Mr. Obama wouldn’t be in the position he is in right if it wasn’t for them though. Stop using race as his main achievement start examining his political ideology. Who care his race, because when he sits in the Oval office the color of his skin won’t make a difference his decisions will. A politician he is more left than the entire Democratic Party which is an accomplishment in it self. God help us all, James.

A believing President.

Hello all, I wanted to write about a topic that impacts most Americans. The actions this past weekend by Barrack Obama when he renounced his church of twenty years inspired this question. How important is the religion of a President, or the content of the beliefs of a person when running for President to you?
It’s no secret by now that religion has played a key role in controversies throughout the primary season. Senator Obama’s former pastor Jeremiah Wright inflammatory sermons made some voters think about Obama’s character. The mocking words of a visiting priest caused him to renounce his church which he attended for twenty years. How important is religion to you when you vote in November?
A 2008 Gallop pole showed that 48% of Americans would not vote for an Atheist President. Only 5% wouldn’t vote for a black President, and only 12% wouldn’t vote for a woman. Two of the most uncertain characteristics in a President have been eliminated, but a large percentage still don’t approve of a President who doesn’t have faith in a Supreme Being. I want to know how important a person’s faith is when running for President. I feel it’s an important value when I pull the lever. James.