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Tears of Frustration| Posted Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 11:02:29 AM | I don't buy into the sympathy ploy discussed by many pundits as the rationale for Hillary's brief display of emotion. I do believe that the campaign is a long grueling affair and I'll accept the fact that the strain sometimes shows. For some of the candidates it might be in the middle of the night, for others it might be at an awkward moment. But, I think for all the candidates there is a moment of self doubt or overwhelming frustration. I don't believe this simple glimpse of Hillary's humanity will be enough to propel her forward through the balance of the campaign.
However, her brief display did start me thinking on another level.
Whoever eventually gets the nomination for President and whoever eventually wins the office will have to deal with some very shady characters on the world stage. Chinese Pres. Jintao, Kenya's Pres. Kibaki and Iranian Pres. Ahmadinejad come to mind immediately. You could add Saddam Hussein to the mix before he was executed. These people all rule with an iron fist and use terror as the primary tool to enforce their rule. I use the term terror deliberately; to them it means gassing their own people, state prison camps, stonings and on-going acts of terror against their own people, even as the world watchs.
We look at this abuse as sensitive(?) Westerner's from our elevated civilized positions on the world stage and cry foul. We tell these Presidents that they must show self control and stop the abuses and yet the abuses continue to happen.
Are we, as a people, too far removed from this sort of tribal retribution to understand it's very nature? Are we too civilized to be able to relate, one on one, with these leaders that we try to rationalize with? Do we understand that Kenya's Kibaki is one uprising away from having his own throat cut open? Did we ever understand the loyalty felt to the evil emperor Saddam Hussein? These people live and die by the rule of force, not the order of law.
So we, as sensitive westerners, look at Hillary and say now, now, take a breathe and relax. We, as a civilized people, consider water boarding an extreme form of torture. We are considering whether lethal injection is an extreme form of punishment in our Supreme Court.
Do we have the capability of understanding what the rest of the world considers to be terror, or an unjust act. Recent history says we do not have the same rationale as the rest of the world. Who amongst all these candidates has the ability to see the world as it is, instead of through our own rose colored glasses? | |
Political Pundits| Posted Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 11:27:00 AM | Well, it would appear that pundits fall into the same realm as weather forecasters. They can be wrong 50% of the time and retain their job.
Everyone wrote off the Clinton machine in the hours before the NH primary. Hour after hour, for five days, all we heard was the same old tired routine from the professional pundits. And what did we get?
The Clinton's squeaking out a victory. Not a decisive win but a strong enough showing to state that Bill and Hillary are not to be written off.
I think Obama can take pride in his showing against this formidable machine, after all it wasn't that many weeks ago that Hillary was being referred to as the presumed nominee.
What a difference a day makes! | |
N H Primary| Posted Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 11:11:29 AM | Here we go. Today is primary day and we'll see just how correct the political pundits really are.
For the last five days all we've heard is that Hillary is done and Obama has the Democratic nomination wrapped up. I will not be upset if that turns out to be the case, but even I, inside my little cocoon, believe that the Clinton's are a more powerful force than that. As Hillary has stated, I believe we'll see them in the race until the last possible minute.
I do believe that there is a chance that we will see the Republican candidates start to retrench after the New Hampshire showing.
As the ranks dwindle I'm hoping that we will start to see some hardball questions instead of fluff. A year into this campaign and all anyone is addressing is the broad spectrum of questions. It's time to get down to specifics on how the individual candidates would handle the pressing issues of our nation. | |
Candidates For President| Posted Monday, January 07, 2008 at 10:33:01 AM | "She's So Yesterday" wrote the Boston Herald on Sunday describing Hillary Clinton. I agree wholeheartedly and say good riddance to the Clintons.
Contrary to what most think, I don't see myself as a Hillary basher.
I do see myself entirely opposed to machine politics and the Clintons are a prime example of such. I believe that the party's place is not to determine the candidate of the party, instead it should be the party members that determine who best represents what is good for America. Instead, we have back room politicking determine what candidate is most electable and they become the nominee. It is more important to the two major parties that they win the election than it is to represent the members of their party.
So I see this as a good day for America and the American people. It is refreshing to see these candidates properly labeled.
I hope the NH primary and the following primaries and caucuses continue in this direction! | |
Two Pointed Questions For the Candidates| Posted Sunday, January 06, 2008 at 11:41:24 AM | I attempt to watch the news every day in order to stay current with events. To date I have not heard any of the interviewers ask two questions that I believe will shed some light on the candidates.
1. To date Gravel, Biden and Dodd have dropped out of the race. Richardson is consistently placing well down in the polls and in the caucusing to date. All of these candidates have relied upon their years of Washington politics to be their prime propeling factor. Shouldn't the question be asked that the voters in general seem to be voting against such experience as prime criteria to become President? The voters seem to be saying that Washington politics per se are broken and seem at this time to be rejecting the status quo. If this indeed is true, what do these candidates bring to the contest other than years of useless experience?
2. The second question might be directed towards the front runners. In hindsight I can't think of a more honest individual than Jimmy Carter. He had the best of intentions but was totally ineffective as President. I didn't vote for him but give him due credit for attempting to buck the system. If the front runners indeed propose to change the atmosphere in Washington, how do they propose to do it? It is all well and good to say they'll change the way Washington does business, but how will they accomplish it? Will they have a bipartisan cabinet or will they have a VP from a different party? Let's hear some facts from these contenders before we vote for someone who offers a platform of empty promises. | |
Other Recent Blog Entries:
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Wow! Thank You Iowa! - Friday, January 04, 2008
What Does Hatteras & Iowa Have In Common? - Thursday, January 03, 2008
Politics - Wednesday, January 02, 2008
New Year Day - Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Public Service - Monday, December 31, 2007
12 Hours South - Big Difference - Sunday, December 30, 2007
White Stuff! - Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Morning Walks - Saturday, December 22, 2007
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Fall at the Beach - Friday, December 14, 2007
George Washington - Thursday, December 13, 2007
Colonial Williamsburg - Tuesday, December 11, 2007
N.C. Community College System - Saturday, December 08, 2007
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Rockfish - Sunday, December 02, 2007
Schip, Mars Exploration Or Exoskeltons- Not All Three - Saturday, December 01, 2007
Mexican President Felipe Calderon - Friday, November 30, 2007
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Ideal Candidates - Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The Last Hurrah - Sunday, November 25, 2007
Proportional Responses - Saturday, November 24, 2007
Different Players, Same Old Game - Friday, November 23, 2007
At First Blush - Thursday, November 22, 2007
C-Span - Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Savannah, Georgia - Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Cargill Makes the News! - Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Treasury Secretary Paulson - Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Veteran's Day - Monday, November 12, 2007
Fishing the Outer Banks - Sunday, November 11, 2007
Definition of Dysfunctional - Saturday, November 10, 2007
Us (?) Chamber of Commerce - Thursday, November 08, 2007
Fragmentation of the American Voter - Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Here We Go Again! - Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Aftermath of Noel - Sunday, November 04, 2007
Hurricane Noel - Saturday, November 03, 2007
America's Demise - Friday, November 02, 2007
Have Our Representatives No Shame? - Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Ruling Class - Sunday, October 28, 2007
Attempt To Be Unbiased. - Friday, October 26, 2007
Dream Act - Thursday, October 25, 2007
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson - Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Bear Stearns - Monday, October 22, 2007
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The Old Jfk Quote - Friday, October 19, 2007
Lou Dobbs Tonight - Wednesday, October 17, 2007
North American Union - Monday, October 15, 2007
Sold Down the River! - Sunday, October 14, 2007
Mid- October on the Island - Saturday, October 13, 2007
Hard To See the Peons from Your Lofty Perch! - Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Scratching My Head - Monday, October 08, 2007
Opinions - Saturday, October 06, 2007
A Little Break - Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Gas. What a Joke! - Tuesday, October 02, 2007
September 30Th - Sunday, September 30, 2007
Bonner Bridge - Friday, September 28, 2007
Bluefish! - Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Old Shell Game - Monday, September 24, 2007
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Summer Returns - Wednesday, September 19, 2007
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Fall In the Air - Sunday, September 16, 2007
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September on the Beach - Wednesday, September 12, 2007
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Aftermath - Monday, September 10, 2007
The Heralded Arrival of Gabrielle - Sunday, September 09, 2007
Tropical Storm Gabrielle - Saturday, September 08, 2007
Turtle Nests - Friday, September 07, 2007
Great Expectations - Thursday, September 06, 2007
Little Rascals - Wednesday, September 05, 2007
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Special Interest Groups - Monday, August 13, 2007
Romney and Straw Polls - Sunday, August 12, 2007
News and Reality - Saturday, August 11, 2007
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Bonner Bridge (Oregon Inlet Bridge) - Monday, August 06, 2007
Side Show Barkers - Sunday, August 05, 2007
Tails - Saturday, August 04, 2007
Bridges - Friday, August 03, 2007
Graft & Corruption - Wednesday, August 01, 2007
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All Antes Are In the Pot - Sunday, July 22, 2007
Elected and Appointed Idiots! - Saturday, July 21, 2007
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Religious Intolerance - Sunday, July 15, 2007
Chris Matthews & Principles - Saturday, July 14, 2007
Pat Buchanan - Friday, July 13, 2007
Dept. of Homeland Security - Thursday, July 12, 2007
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Comptroller General David Walker - Monday, July 09, 2007
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American Exports - Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Tail Wagging the Dog - Monday, July 02, 2007
Terrorist Attacks - Sunday, July 01, 2007
Government Reports - Saturday, June 30, 2007
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Reconquista of the American Southwest - Sunday, June 24, 2007
Illegal Immigration - Saturday, June 23, 2007
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Mike Huckabee - Thursday, June 07, 2007
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The American Public Are Rubes - Monday, June 04, 2007
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No Doc Loans - Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tora Tora Tora - Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Happy Memorial Day! - Monday, May 28, 2007
Beaches - Sunday, May 27, 2007
News? - Saturday, May 26, 2007
The Art of Being Short Sighted - Thursday, May 24, 2007
Interesting Interview With Pat Buchanan - Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Msnbc - Monday, May 21, 2007
Constituents Opinions - Sunday, May 20, 2007
What An Embarrassment! - Friday, May 18, 2007
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Term Limitation - Monday, May 14, 2007
Hooray For Farmers Branch, Texas - Sunday, May 13, 2007
Nra Vs. War on Terrorism - Saturday, May 12, 2007
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Congress's Inability To Address Illegal Immigration - Thursday, May 10, 2007
Remnants of a Nor'easter - Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Illegal Immigration? - Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Stephanie Miller - Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Forgiveness? - Sunday, April 29, 2007
Imus? - Sunday, April 29, 2007
Be Careful What You Wish For! - Saturday, April 28, 2007
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Whatever Happened To? - Thursday, April 26, 2007
Pat Tillman's Death - Wednesday, April 25, 2007
America's Role - Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Senator Arlene Specter - Monday, April 23, 2007
Ah, Spring - Sunday, April 22, 2007
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Copycats - Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Shootings - Tuesday, April 17, 2007
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What a Difference a Day Makes! - Saturday, April 14, 2007
Ok, Enough Already! - Friday, April 13, 2007
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Imus In the Morning - Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The Ole Shell Game - Monday, April 09, 2007
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700 Club - Thursday, April 05, 2007
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April 1St - Sunday, April 01, 2007
Illegal Immigrants In NC - Saturday, March 31, 2007
Chris Matthews - Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Who Cares? - Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Spring Is In the Air! - Sunday, March 25, 2007
Do Politicians Ever Get Ashamed of Themselves? - Saturday, March 24, 2007
A Public Service Announcement - Friday, March 23, 2007
Politics as Usual - Thursday, March 22, 2007
Yesterday's News. - Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Mexican Migration? - Sunday, March 18, 2007
Sacrilegious, I Know. - Saturday, March 17, 2007
Piling On - Friday, March 16, 2007
Boycotts Work - Thursday, March 15, 2007
The American President - Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Please, Oh Pretty Please, Be Our Friend. - Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Good Deeds - Sunday, March 11, 2007
Sympton Or Cause? - Saturday, March 10, 2007
Death Sentence - Thursday, March 08, 2007
Scooter - Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Duh, What Have I Been Thinking! - Tuesday, March 06, 2007
And Heads Will Roll - Monday, March 05, 2007
Presidential Candidates - a Case For Term Limitation - Sunday, March 04, 2007
Have Our Politicians Lost Their Minds! - Saturday, March 03, 2007
Our Pompous Elected Self-Important Politicians - Friday, March 02, 2007
Bob Woodruff - Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Vets Against the War. - Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Cnn - Saturday, February 24, 2007
Lush - Thursday, February 22, 2007
Dr. Stanley Riggs - Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Camellias In Bloom - Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Serious Times For Serious People! - Sunday, February 18, 2007
Imus In the Morning - Friday, February 16, 2007
Beach Walks - Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Part 3- Drone Aircraft - Friday, February 09, 2007
Part 2 - Whack a Mole - Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Part 1 - How To Win the War In Iraq - Sunday, February 04, 2007
It's Not a Joke! - Saturday, February 03, 2007
Political Candidates - Friday, February 02, 2007
January 31, 2007 - Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Cold Weather - Monday, January 29, 2007
Lines Drawn - Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Governor Bill Richardson - Monday, January 22, 2007
A Day on the Water. - Saturday, January 20, 2007
Fishing - Thursday, January 18, 2007
Barak Obama - Wednesday, January 17, 2007
West Wing - Monday, January 15, 2007
Phase ? of the Iraq War - Friday, January 12, 2007
Republicans - Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Libertarian Vs. - Sunday, January 07, 2007
Not To Beat a Dead Horse, But! - Thursday, January 04, 2007
Renewed After a Brief Hiatus - Wednesday, January 03, 2007
December Weather - Saturday, December 16, 2006
Libertarian? - Tuesday, December 12, 2006 |
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