YES WE DID!

After taking 8 months off from contributing to this blog, I have quit my job in Harrisburg, moved to Washington DC, began graduate school and almost went insane in the process. However I’ve finally settled down and decided to start writing again, for no other reason than I need a secure outlet to tangibly observe the world… we all need outlets.

And since I was MIA during this once in a lifetime election I wanted to provide some of my more colorful synopsis of Obama V. McCain. Or should I say Obama v. Joe Six Pack, a.k.a. Joe the Plumber, a.k.a. “Real America” a.k.a. Moose Hunter Sally a.k.a. Hockey Mom Hanna a.k.a. Gee Golly Witikers Wonda a.k.a. Sarah Palin. (okay those last few were a bit unfair)

This election had it all and then some; it had everything a political junkie could ask for. It had inconclusive and ever changing poll numbers, larger than life candidates (Biden’s teeth count as an entire candidate) majestic speeches, candidate gaffs that could light up the Apollo, political commercials abound, cheep stunts, flashy wardrobes, pit bulls with and without lipstick, flag pins, terrorist fist jabs, sexism, racism, ageism, hockey momism and every other sort of ism one could imagine, to use a phrase from my generation, it was like…totally awesome.

It all started when Obama picked Biden as VP over “I’d rather watch paint dry” Tim Kaine and “It’s the political equivalent of kissing my sister” Evan Bayh. Republicans had little to cry about, Biden was qualified, a fighter, and had an encyclopedia like knowledge in his understanding of foreign affairs. And of course Hillary supporters bitched and complained because their gal was left blowing in the wind. Obama gave a moving and rousing speech at the DNC where he proclaimed that McCain simply “didn’t get it” to which of course Obama was referring to the number of houses John McCain himself owned.

Then came the RNC, where Joe “Schlieberman” Lieberman went out of his way to bash his one time ally Obama, who campaigned for him just two years earlier and helped the poor schmuck get reelected after loosing in his own freakin’ primary. Then Sarah Palin spoke, displaying her razor sharp talent of reading off of a teleprompter. She made fun of community organizers, roused up the crowd by leading a Drill Baby Drill chant, made a joke about pit bulls and lipstick and mentioned guns and taxes a whole bunch…that was about it.

Then came September, Obama visited Iraq and Europe, gave a big speech in front of more people than you would find at a Beatles concert and was later ridiculed in the infamous Brittney Spears, Paris Hilton “Celebrity” political ad. As if wanting the European community to actually support and be intrigued by the next possible leader of the free world was somehow a bad thing. Obama raises 75 million and McCain gets to enjoy tax payer funded campaign finances, bean soup and Red Roof In’s for the next two months. Obama says that McCain is “losing his Barings” and is “erratic” and is accused of ageism, yet no one cares. McCain put out an ad that accuses Obama of wanting to invite 6 year olds over to his home where he would personally teach them about sex education with cabbage patch dolls and a laser pointer, or something like that. Obama goes to Florida and try's to scare old people into voting for him, saying that McCain would take their social security money and give it to Wal-Street to use for toilet paper; which was partly true.

Then the Market crashes and a lot of people lose a lot of homes and stuff, 700 billion dollars is printed from the Fed and given to the Treasury, Paulsen uses it for insulation or something. McCain “suspends” his campaign to fly to Washington to solve the economic crisis, (as of today the Dow is down 6,000 points, way to fuck that one up John). McCain threatens to not show up for the first debate; he does anyway after realizing in doing so would make him look like a douche bag and senile all at the same time. He gets his ass handed too him as indicated by a slew of post debate polls, and yet somehow Sean Hannity over at Fox Noise continues to insist that Obama is the anti-Christ and will eat your children. Due to Obama’s steadfast and calm demeanor during the bailout weeks, he comes off as looking, you know presidential and consequently solidifies his lead in the polls, jumping over the ever allusive and perceptually important 50% mark.

Then comes October, Sean Hannity and William Crystal have an on screen orgasm because finally the main stream media decides to run stories on William Ayers, Obama’s best friend and gay lover, who happens to be a domestic terrorist, even though these stories have been readily available to the American public for 7 months. McCain does not bring up the Ayers or Wright connection in the second debate because he feels they are “off limits” and “not what the American people care about”, he gets his ass kicked anyway (as decided by post debate independent polls). In the third debate the phrase Joe the Plumber is used something like 25 times and as a consequence this bald headed tax evader from Ohio becomes an instant celebrity (only in America). McCain brings up Ayers because he doesn’t want to get his ass kicked, and yet he still gets his assed kicked.

In the midst of Sarah Palin refusing to do a single interview for the first 3 weeks, October rolls around and the opium like high that some in the hierarchy of the republican base had once felt, begins to ware off and the realization that Sarah Palin is an idiot and isn’t fit to be vice president of her local PTA begins to set in. She claims that Alaska’s proximity to Russia gives her foreign policy experience, she can’t define the Bush doctrine, can’t name a single Supreme Court case that she disagrees with other than Roe v. Wade (which any 4th grader with a speech impediment can name), she can’t name one magazine, newspaper or periodical she reads (probably because she doesn’t) and she claims that the Iraq war was God’s will…and I could go on and on, but I’d rather not re live those horrifying days.

Late October rolls around; Obama widens his lead in VA, PA, CO, NM and begins to make headway in FL, NC, NV, OH and yes MT. Palin says that Obama is “pall’n around with terrorists” and declares that apparently there are some people in this country who are “real” Americans, which by logical reasoning, (although she doesn’t say it) means that there are some of us who are not “real” Americans, which I was eager to find out who, but never did. McCain declares Obama is a socialist even though his hero Teddy Roosevelt was too (progressive tax system). Biden thinks that FDR was president during the great depression and Obama plays basketball whenever he can.

November 4th comes and Obama punches McCain in the face politically speaking, winning in places that Democrats haven’t won since Jefferson (not really) like in Indiana, North Carolina, and Virginia and Nebraska’s second district. A landslide victory is declared at 11:02pm by MSNBC in the form of a 360 + to 170+ electoral college victory and the first black man is elected to serve as president of a country that just 40 years prior legally sanctioned segregated schools, busses, restaurants and movie theaters based on skin color alone. Obama gives a rousing speech in Grant Park in Chicago in front of 400,000 screaming Obamaniacs, where he asks American’s to sacrifice, while McCain gives a speech in his mom’s garage asking Americans to do whatever President-elect Obama asks.

And there it was my own little sarcastic yet equally gratifying synopsis of the presidential election, I obviously left out some stuff so I’m open to suggestions as to what I should have added.

Why Obama's not Wrong on Wright

I first must confess that as a liberal, somewhat educated self professed social democrat, I just downright dropped the ball on this one, I missed it. When I saw these tapes emerging on Fox news (a news channel that prides itself on the fair and balance reporting it supposedly conducts on a nightly basis) I thought to myself “okay these words are pretty inflammatory and definitely reprehensible, but it’s one priest right? No harm no foul” These words were said inside the confines of church walls, and me being the staunch supporter of Thomas Jefferson’s separation of church and state, I just didn’t mind that much, as I believe it had little to do with Barack’s position on both domestic and foreign policy. Boy o Boy was I wrong, after witnessing the backlash, reading the polls and talking to a number of my conservative friends, Barack could be in a whole mess of trouble. Here is why I think that is ludicrous.

First point refers to credibility, people will continue to ask, and does Obama feel the same way as Reverend Wright does, regarding the sensitive issues of race and the critical issue of American foreign policy? My thoughts on trust are, unless there is evidence to the contrary it is easier to accept what someone says when they say it, you can’t spot evil on sight so there is no reason to try. I believe Obama when he says, as an educated and confident man he can critically disagree with his Reverend on his issues with American foreign policy and race and yet still have a relationship with him, especially since he was the man who introduced him to Christianity (don’t hardcore nut job Christians, what people to find Jesus? They should be happy that Reverend Wright introduced Obama to their lord and savior?).

Second point: Radical right wing spin doctors will try to paint Barack as anti-American, a presidential contender who won’t contend for America’s best interest, a man who simply does not love his country (using his wife’s “pride” comments and lapel-gate as political fodder I’m sure). But there is an ultimate flaw in this rational, to make that statement with regards to the words of Obama’s pastor is to somehow infer that a person’s patriotism is somehow directly related to that person’s faith. Essentially these people are saying that Obama’s pastor is unpatriotic (words extracted from a fraction of this man’s 30 year career as a minister mind you) therefore Barack is unpatriotic. Sounds nuts to me, what about all of those agnostics or atheists that live among us? Are they any less patriotic than me, a non practicing catholic? Do they value the rights that they have any less? I would contest an unequivocal no.

Third point: Hypocrisy on the right. I know what you’re thinking, (please read the following with a sarcastic tone) Republicans as hypocrites? That’s just crazy! But it’s true, far right radio talk show hosts, TV. pundits and regular voters will bemoan the hateful and divisive comments preached by Reverend Wright. They will scorch Obama’s character for associating himself with such a controversial man. This is their prerogative, but in order to be taken seriously they need to first look inward at their own party’s demons. The historical context should be known in order to make the correct and rational judgment regarding this regrettable situation, we should not demagogue, we should not treat this critical moment in our history as a way to fire up the bases.

Ronald Regan, Bush 1 and Bush 2 have all bellied up with and coddled profusely for their own political convenience with men who have epitomized divisiveness and hate for 30 years. These men have never been brought up in discussion over the Obama/Wright controversy, not once and yet the words they have spewed over the years in the name of God, the animosity they have felt and fueled over fellow Americans is equally reprehensible and appalling. Let it be known that it was Bush 1 who regularly sought out the spiritual guidance from Reverend Jerry Farwell, a man who was once quoted as saying “AIDS is not just God’s punishment for homosexuals; it is God’s punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals”. He has also in the past equated the ACLU and its supporters to the Nazi party and Hitler’s Third Reich during the 1930’s and 40’s. I don’t know about you, but seeking the guidance of a spiritual advisor who blames a portion of this country’s population (homosexuals) for the mass killings and immeasurable suffering that AIDS have ravaged this country with, seems to me to be grounds for severe character questioning.

Or how about Bush II who regularly met at the White House, with Pat Robertson to discuss religious issues and matters of faith? Here is a man, a professed servant of God who has linked feminism to the cause of abortions, adultery and lesbianism? Or who equated homosexuals to Nazi’s? These are men who have demonized children of God, who have demonized fellow Americans who have cast the blame of death and destruction on gays, feminists and teenage women who face the unthinkable decision of termination. This is the hypocrisy that angers me so; this is the lack of intelligence that stifles my mind, smothering my thoughts to the point of exhaustion. We can denounce Reverend Wright’s comment and try to mischaracterize Obama for carrying on a relationship with this man, we can do that. But we cannot fully do that and call ourselves informed, fair, rational citizens while at the same time refusing to discuss the above mentioned relationships that former conservative presidents have engaged in.

Do I believe that either of Bush 1 or the current President Bush are horrible people because they associate themselves with such disgusting men such as Jerry Farwell or Pat Robertson? No. Do I believe that their relationships drastically affected social and fiscal policy? No. No more than Reverend Wright’s relationship with Obama drastically effect’s his outlook on governments role in our society.

Is this where our country has found itself? In a position where legitimate disagreements on crucial issues force us to disavow ourselves from the root of the original relationship all together? Can we no longer agree on 10 issues but disagree on 1 and still be respected? Must all of our presidential candidates now give nationally syndicated, headline speeches on faith to win trust for a position to be held that has little if any jurisdiction over faith?

I disagree with Michelle Obama…

For the first time in my life, I’m not proud of my country, I’m ashamed of it.

HRC: Agent of Scare

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/01/clinton_heighte.html

Is HRC borrowing an infamous and what in the past has been a successful play from the Republican scare tactic playbook? I’m not quite sure but as indicated in the article above, yesterday HRC was quoted as saying that the next president could be facing on the day of their inauguration a terrorist attack, and with this inevitable attack looming, only Hillary could properly handle the situation. It seems to me that the politics of fear has not subsided from our modern political system and in fact we may have seen the first of what could be a series of scare tactics aimed at distracting the American public long enough to recapture a front runner position.

History in the Making

The results are in and Obama has captured the coveted Iowa caucuses. His secular sermons fueled by messages of hope and change and unity have resonated with independent, women and young voters alike. Although it is hard to say with a straight face that Iowan voters properly represent the average American vote (Iowa’s demographic is whiter than a Canadian hockey team) it is not the fact that Iowa’s delegates will be the deciding factor in the electoral equation to come – it wont. What is important is the significance of an Iowa win for a black freshman U.S. Senator with a funny name whose message is redefining contemporary American Politics.

I for one am proud to be living in this moment of history where for the first time in our Countries brief existence a black man is now a viable contender for the president of the United States. Forget that the latest zogby poll placing Barack in the winning column when raced against every prominent republican contender, forget that twice as many democrats came out to vote as did republicans and forget that he pulled in more independent and women votes (an essential for any democrat to win any campaign) than any other candidate – that’s not what is important.

The amazing thing, the unbelievable thing, the important thing is that a minority candidate who takes zero dollars from special interest and national PAC’s went to Iowa (ground zero for Caucasian American) and beat by 9 percentage points the most organized, powerful and intimidating political machine in American politics – the Clintons. From day one it was simply an oversight, an inconvenience that Hillary was going to have to run in the democratic primary, the pundits and the media all but gave the race to Clinton and in mid summer she was full steam ahead running a text book general election campaign.

Things have changed since then, America started to tune in and listen, they woke up and got engaged. The status quo has been challenged and the agents of change and unification have emerged victorious. At a time in American history where white kids still intimidate black kids by hanging nooses from school yard trees, where our justice system at times still sees in color and the idea of a black man leading a white man still conjures up feelings of skepticism isn’t this moment exactly what is needed?

A new day is upon us in American politics, you can capture the ears and souls of the American voters if you speak a message that appeals to the true ideals of every day America. Regaining the trust of the American people after Watergate was the starting point for every single candidate, reassuring the American people that government’s purpose is noble became more daunting post 9/11. But perhaps with this win in Iowa and a boat load of political steam heading into New Hampshire Barack can recapture the American spirit – he has my attention, I think he has yours, lets see what he’s going to do with it.