obama's speech: did anyone watch it live?
i didn't get to see it live, and i'm not going to sacrifice bandwidth until sunday night in order to watch it. i read the text though, and um, he hasn't said anything that won't keep me from voting for him. [i'm registered in the district of columbia, so i have the luxury of choosing if i get to sit this one out.]
what do you all think so far?
the counterattack to the "elitist" jibe was nice, i think. but he puts the smack down on mccain.
i think the debates are going to be interesting. i can see obama pointing out that mccain is only 12 years younger than obama's *grandmother*.
meanwhile, the republicans are starting to descend on the twin cities just as gustav makes a turn towards nawlins. hm.
I have some pictures of the USS New York. Made from 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.
It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines.
Send me a message if you want me to forward it to you.
It is quite impressive...
It has been featured on "Modern Marvels" on The History Channel
over the years much iron pyrite was sold with people truly believing they had gold, but not until it was "tested" did people find out what they really had.
Same goes for these two candidates. They can stand up and razzle dazzle everyone with their speeches, but until they show what they truly are, ladies and gents we have iron pyrite till proven differently....
Every pre-election speech promises all kinds of great issues solved, but does it ever happen?
We can argue about who is "better" till we are blue in the face....but only they and the powers behind the great curtain pulling their puppet strings will decide what will get done...
*sigh*
yes, my cousin stationed in kuwait did say that. [not me, my cousin. y'know, kinda like how sarah palin isn't the one who gave birth 5 months ago, her daughter is.]
i didn't say that i agreed with the statement in its entirety, but i agree with the sentiment: vote for me, i was a POW! as if being a POW makes you a good candidate for president?
i'll ask him if i can post more of his letter. a lot of it is written in kreyol though, which probably mean's i'll have to take time to translate it. any haitians reading this?
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yes, it's a luxury. i can sit this one out OR i can vote 4th or 5th party, or i can write in huckabee anyway.
i'm not sold on obama [honestly, i'm not], but i will admit that he is an inspirational speaker and his words in what he plans to do remind me a lot of the work that was done in both the eisenhower and nixon administrations. people talk/complain about johnson and kennedy with contempt, completely forgetting that eisenhower laid the foundation of what needed to be done. remember, kennedy only won in 1960 because, to borrow phrase from biden, he was "articulate and [somewhat] clean". if nixon had won in 1960, like he should have, we would have had 4-8 more years of eisenhower's policies, and i firmly because most of the legislation ending jim crow would have happened anyway. it would have happened in a way that would have kept the political system from coming so racially polarized in ways rarely seen outside of the developing world. [politics is one way the united states resembles a third world country; the presentation of class stratification is another, and is intensifying more and more.]
on foreign policy over the last 60 years, that's where everyone has dropped the ball, frankly. our current "middle east" problem goes straight back to when eisenhower and churchill got together to get rid of mossadegh, who had committed the crime of nationalising the oil industry. it's not even a matter of connecting the dots; it is a DIRECT LINE. that said, if reza pahlavi had been a just shsh, it wouldn't have mattered, and because of this we had the islamic revolution in iran, and 30 years of saber rattling since.
[funny, the saudis nationalized their oil too, but did on terms that the americans and british and french liked. but even if they hadn't done it on terms that they liked, the fact that the saudis have mecca and medina pretty much meant that the al-saud family wasn't going to go the way of mossadegh. ]
the democrats' big foreign policy mistake was cuba. but that said, the american government has been trying to get cuba for nearly 170 years. yes, THAT LONG. there would be, depending on how you split it, either 52 stars on the american flag right now or 60 (because we'd probably have puerto rico as a state, too. i'm not too sure about hispaniola. but definitely cuba and puerto rico.) the american government lent its assistance to boy from a nice family [castro] to get rid of that big bad dictator [batista]. batista's skin color made it easy for people in power to be supportive of castro, as well. but when castro realizes that he was expected to be a white version of batista, he went to the russians. [what is noteworthy of how *long* it took for castro to go "communist" after he gets the keys the place. the cuban revolution was not a *communist* revolution; it was a *nationalist* one. and this is why, even though cuban history books clearly outline the stiffy that the united states has had for it since around 1840, they won't get rid of him -- they may be unhappy with the castros in charge, but don't want the americans running the place.]
what america needs right now is to navel gaze a bit. mccain is running on "i can win this war" when the economy of the country is going to Washington, DC, and he has not provided any real economic solutions or plans for this. zero. the country cannot go out and dictate how other places should be run when its own house is not in order. i see, on other boards here, how people are having hardships because of the state of the economy, discussing the state of the public services and the schools in places people live.... but they are supporting MCCAIN? this does NOT make sense. the logic does not follow. it actually reminds me of the situation in this place where people vote for the ANC simply because they're black and not because of any of the policies.
[i'm still trying to figure out who the Washington, DC *cuts taxes* *DURING a war*? if you are going to have a war, you need to be able to pay for it, right?]
ok, i'm done soapboxing for a bit. but i highly suggest that you pay close attention to your candidates. you want to make sure that you have gold and not iron pyrite.
I cannot believe ANYONE would say that, I agree with Sue, POW's are to be honored, you don't see my whimpy a$$ over there putting my life at risk everyday, I have such respect for those who are willing to do all the hard work and sacrifice the luxuries we have at home and sacrifice time from their families, and even more respect for anyone who was captured in battle.
You would have to be in combat in order to become a POW. POWS were brave enough to survive some very serious and harsh situations. Any POW should be honored. They are the bravest of soilders besides the ones that have given their lives. He still fought and would understand military tactics and national security better then someone that hasn't served.
Chris it is perfect anywhere!
You should post a forum of it. It is very interesting for everyone to see.
I have some pictures of the USS New York. Made from 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.
It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines.
Send me a message if you want me to forward it to you.
i have the luxury of sitting this election out, actually [i'm registered in dc, and really, we pretty much know how that's going to go].
, that's what you consider a luxury?
but I'm saying it here anyhow.
I have some pictures of the USS New York. Made from 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.
It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines.
Send me a message if you want me to forward it to you.
because i can see that sound-bite politics has done: prevented people from reading the fine print regarding issues and the candidates.
ugh. abortion. i'm sure you are aware that during the 2000 campaign when mccain was asked what would he do if his teenage daughter got knocked up? he said "we'll talk about it and at the end of the day come to a decision." huh? that's EXACTLY what the pro-choice line is. the logical extension of that statement is that if a abortion is seen as the best solution, then it should be done in a safe environment.
people who are pro-choice are not pro-abortion; they would prefer that abortions didn't happen, and the social conditions should be in place that fewer unplanned pregnancies would be occurring in the first place. [hm. looking at it like this, instead of ZOMG PRO-ABORTION=BAD BAD BAD, let's see which candidate has a platform closer to this point of view. oh. .]
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re: war. "i oppose dumb wars. i oppose rash wars." um.....
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also voting because of "christian"-ness.
i don't see how any "christian" can vote for a man who is on their second wife with their first wife still alive. how can you square that circle. this is why my mother did not vote for reagan either time [she's a registered republican] and this is why i did not vote for dole in 1996. however, after a long discussion with a minister [because this is a serious, serious issue for me -- oft-married politicians hating on my sexuality], i voted for kerry only because bush had so messed up the country. the minister at least pointed out that teresa's first husband was dead [ugh. santorum's seat, the one casey has now, was heinz's seat] and thus she was not committing adultery.
for the record, i didn't vote for clinton either time, and i didn't vote for dubya either time.
mccain calls his wife a c*nt with cameras rolling. [you can look this up on youtube; it's there.] this is a man you want as president? that he has such little respect for woman is why i cannot believe he would be so cynical to have a female running mate. men: would you call your wife a c*nt? ladies: would you tolerate your husband calling you a c*nt?
i have the luxury of sitting this election out, actually [i'm registered in dc, and really, we pretty much know how that's going to go].
i wanted huckabee as the republican nominee; i'm not going to lie about it. if a candidate is going to run to appeal to *christians*, then he should live as one. mccain does not, in any sense of the word.
one of my cousins serving stationed in kuwait is voting for obama. here's a clip from an email he sent me. "I don't get how people are waving McCain's time as a POW as a "he's the experienced military candidate". Don't people understand that being a POW means that you were somewhat deficient in combat?"
see what they want to see.
What is funny is that the people that usually say things like this are the first ones that want answers to why did 911, Pearl Harbor, hostage sistuation in Lebenon and so many more situations were America was attacked happen. America never has had much war on its own soil because we have always responded the way we are supposed to these threats. So that everyone can sleep safe at night with out a bomb being dropped on there house.
And yet it is still unappreciated!
Not trying to start a war with people just trying to help others see both sides! This hits a big nerve with me because it is so hard to help people understand Military tactics.
Honestly I really like Obama. I like him alot and he gives this country great hopes and opportunities. I even think he is more honest (if that is possible for a politician.) I really think he truely means what he says for alot of it. I know if he is in office education will be a top priority with him. As far as education and a better financial future my children would be set with him.
As far as security for my country McCain has a military way of thinking to protect us from invasion. Being a POW do you all really think he wishes what he went through even on his worst enemy. I wouldn't even wish what I went through let alone what he went through. Don't you think he would want our soilders home if it is possible. This is something serious that everyone needs to think about. Most Americans don't because they never had to but they should. Think about this when Clinton took office he cut back on alot of our military defenses. What happen a few years later 911. We didn't have the staff we needed to help prevent this. Clinton got rid of that protection left office Jan of 2001 we were attacked Sept 2001. Yes our debt was resolved but what happened to our protection. It was the lovely cut backs that he did not Bush.
I voted on the abortion issue only in a lot of elections. Heck, I even voted for Rick Santorum whenever he ran, just based on that issue. But I've had some of the same qualms as you as I have gotten older. One party says it is pro-choice, when what they mean is "pro-abortion." The other one says "pro-life" but they want to execute all sorts of prisoners and kill other countries citizens with "smart" bombs (what an oxymoron). So they should just say they are "anti-abortion." At least let's get some truth in advertising.
I meant to add this.
There was a message before the Pearl Harbor attack. It was sent low priority so it wasn't read until later and that is when it was to late to get forces together to go and attack them first. If we would of decoded that message in time "Pearl Harbor" would of not been as bad or happened at all. We deffinately would of went and dropped in on them way before they would of gotten to us. What would of that looked like to the public? It would of looked as usual. Here is the U.S. butting in where they don't belong. In reality it would of saved many of American Lives and other lives as well. We would of been able to start and end the war alot sooner with alot less casualties on both sides!
.
It is not just abortion there are other issues but I will not get into them. As far as war not saying I agree on some of Americas attempts on some countries. There is a reason for going to war in other countries. You may already know this but some others may not.
The only way I can explain it is if we are at threat of someone starting a war on our own soil we must attack first over there. We have all kinds of intell that get information then it is processed and certian action is taken. You can't always beleive the news. There is alot of intelligence that we don't know about. Remember how we all felt about 911. Imagine our defense letting a war to be broke out on our own territory. Our job as soilders is protect our country at all cost and keep war off our soil and in other countries when we are at threat.
lately...I have always voted as a Christian on the moral issues. But in talking with some people I respect alot, I am now wondering why have I always based my vote on things like the abortion issue etc. when not ONE single conservative president has tried to change the abortion laws...it is legal and will continue to be legal, so I am going to begin to look at other issues more deeply. Also the same people who are against abortion, killing unborn babies, are super quick to go to war and fight other countries battles, which kills grown men and women. I agree with war, but i think we get involved in too many of them and too many lives are lost. These are the things I am thinking about this year upon election day, but I still don't have a good feeling about either canidate.
I was shocked when people voted for Bush a second time. If McCain gets elected I don't know what I will do. I will have to wonder that people are on some good stuff to not see it will be like having the third term. I can't see that happening, RIGHT???
As far as McCain and moral issues are concerned, you should ask his ex-wife.
And a happy 72nd birthday to the old guy!
I know Obama will most likely do so much more for the lower and minority class. We will definately benefit from that.
But then again I have my moral issues which most likely McCain will fight for. These are issues that are very important to us too.
I heard a man say "Do I vote as a Christian or Hispanic?"
Well that is where we are at right now!
Plus McCain's voice sounds like Winnie the Pooh. Listen to him with your eyes shut! It's creepy.
I hope he wins. This country needs a man with a new vision and different ways of approaching other cultures. The more I learn about him, like about his health plan, the more I like him. I think he will unify this country.
I am nearly sixty years old, and for the first time in my life am excited about a presidential candidate. I have had the privilege of working in my local area for Obama, and (also for the first time ever) have provided some financial support to his campaign.
Without meaning to put anyone down, I really can't see how anyone making less than $250,000 annually, or any woman, or anyone who cares about education, or anyone who struggles to make ends meet could even consider voting for McCain. Even some of the rich must see how much more dynamic, vigorous and intelligent Obama is when compared to Old Mac. This should be a slam dunk! The fact that it isn't raises significant doubts about the social and political culture of our country.
We need a leader in our country who can inspire us, and there is no question that Obama is the one. McCain is a good guy, especially when compared to Bush, but he is completely out of touch--living in the past--fighting the Cold War.
Compared to previous party conventions, I feel that the Dems really hit a home run this year. There was a palpable patriotism, respect shown for the military, and a clear vision for what changes we need in our country. I thought Bill Clinton gave an amazing speech, leaving little doubt about how hard he will work to get Obama elected.
All I can say is ! Last night's speak of basically "8 is enough". YEAH, no more religious conservative wackos! No more ignoring the American people! YEAH! No more other bs.
But seriously. I was a little concerned esp with McNeill/Lehrer's show they did a recap every few minutes which got annoying. I know I should've switched to MSNBC or something.
Got worried when they pulled out Stevie. The 5 Americans. I'm very sure they weren't actors but that Barney Smith/Smith Barney if that was not real it was very clever of some campaign manager/PR analyst to come up with that clever little ditty.
Everything added up to the speech.
MY FAVORITE moment was the build up to the end of the speech: "The challenges we face require tough choices. And Democrats, as well as Republicans, will need to cast off the worn-out ideas and politics of the past, for part of what has been lost these past eight years can't just be measured by lost wages or bigger trade deficits.The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and independents, but they have fought together, and bled together, and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a red America or a blue America; they have served the United States of America."
"the reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than they are for those plagued by gang violence in Cleveland, but don't tell me we can't uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals."
"I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in a hospital and to live lives free of discrimination."
FINALLY A FRIGGING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE THAT DOESN'T HIDE BEHIND CHURCH VERSES ~ THANK YOU!
LOVED the Blue and the Red. How millionaires are making their money but blue collar America can't afford to live at all. He hit every touchstone and speaking point. It was a little redundant at times but was a clear challenge.
FINALLY, get the religious wacko conservative Republicans out of DC. 8 years is enough and before that 12 years from Reagan to Bush the First.
And about time a Pres Candidate said something like this: "What -- what is that American promise? It's a promise that says each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will, but that we also have obligations to treat each other with dignity and respect.
It's a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth, but that businesses should live up to their responsibilities to create American jobs, to look out for American workers, and play by the rules of the road."
"For over two decades -- for over two decades, he's subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy: Give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else.
In Washington, they call this the "Ownership Society," but what it really means is that you're on your own. Out of work? Tough luck, you're on your own. No health care? The market will fix it. You're on your own. Born into poverty? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, even if you don't have boots. You are on your own."
And then pray to their "God" on national tv, hold these poor schlubs hands and say "it'll be alright". Bye, bye Bush!
Watching the idiotic Matt and Meredith no wonder we're a country of sheep. Watching Morning Joe, it is great seeing a little more humor but hard hitting of how the speech really affected those that will report and bend the story the next 67 days. Simply electrifying.
Goodbye Bush!
Goodbye Conservativism!
Goodbye Religious Wackjobs!
I say this personally, FINALLY after how many years did I hear a speech that didn't have white middle american heterosexual middle class "values". FINALLY a Presidential candidate that said something to and about me and my people as well. Thank you!
I'm an independent with a VERY liberal thought process it's about time some sense MIGHT come to Washington unless the Republican Party buys the White House for another 4 years.
on foreign policy over the last 60 years, that's where everyone has dropped the ball, frankly. our current "middle east" problem goes straight back to when eisenhower and churchill got together to get rid of mossadegh, who had committed the crime of nationalising the oil industry. it's not even a matter of connecting the dots; it is a DIRECT LINE. that said, if reza pahlavi had been a just shsh, it wouldn't have mattered, and because of this we had the islamic revolution in iran, and 30 years of saber rattling since.
[funny, the saudis nationalized their oil too, but did on terms that the americans and british and french liked. but even if they hadn't done it on terms that they liked, the fact that the saudis have mecca and medina pretty much meant that the al-saud family wasn't going to go the way of mossadegh. ]
the democrats' big foreign policy mistake was cuba. but that said, the american government has been trying to get cuba for nearly 170 years. yes, THAT LONG. there would be, depending on how you split it, either 52 stars on the american flag right now or 60 (because we'd probably have puerto rico as a state, too. i'm not too sure about hispaniola. but definitely cuba and puerto rico.) the american government lent its assistance to boy from a nice family [castro] to get rid of that big bad dictator [batista]. batista's skin color made it easy for people in power to be supportive of castro, as well. but when castro realizes that he was expected to be a white version of batista, he went to the russians. [what is noteworthy of how *long* it took for castro to go "communist" after he gets the keys the place. the cuban revolution was not a *communist* revolution; it was a *nationalist* one. and this is why, even though cuban history books clearly outline the stiffy that the united states has had for it since around 1840, they won't get rid of him -- they may be unhappy with the castros in charge, but don't want the americans running the place.]
what america needs right now is to navel gaze a bit. mccain is running on "i can win this war" when the economy of the country is going to Washington, DC, and he has not provided any real economic solutions or plans for this. zero. the country cannot go out and dictate how other places should be run when its own house is not in order. i see, on other boards here, how people are having hardships because of the state of the economy, discussing the state of the public services and the schools in places people live.... but they are supporting MCCAIN? this does NOT make sense. the logic does not follow. it actually reminds me of the situation in this place where people vote for the ANC simply because they're black and not because of any of the policies.
[i'm still trying to figure out who the Washington, DC *cuts taxes* *DURING a war*? if you are going to have a war, you need to be able to pay for it, right?]
ok, i'm done soapboxing for a bit. but i highly suggest that you pay close attention to your candidates. you want to make sure that you have gold and not iron pyrite.