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Palin: McCain's Anti-Women's Selection

 So, why don't we go with Sarah Palin, from Alaska?

Sarah Who?

Governor Sarah Palin, from Alaska, she's pro life, pro guns, actually pro all that is GOP and... and she's a woman. You remember her, don't you? (laughing)

Ah... Gimme me a break... I only met her once...

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From what we see, Sarah Palin is a bright, attractive, and ambitious woman. But we don't know much. That's not to say that we should expect some dark, conspiratorial history. That's just saying that nobody really knows, including Senator McCain. Thing is, prior to her selection to for vice president, John McCain could count the times they'd met with his thumb.

With this single meeting in mind, I'm forced to question what it is that John McCain is looking for with the vice presidency. He must have reached the quick conclusion that Gov. Palin will have what it takes to lead this country through dire circumstances. To me, this type of judgment would surely require at least two prior meetings. Perhaps her selection as a staunch GOP supporter is intended to reinvigorate his own maverick perception by pressing his image towards the center. Regardless, John McCain does not hold the vice president in high regard. Here is a quote from the 2007 GOP Iowa debate in which John McCain was asked about his ideas on vice presidential authority:

MSNBC Paraphernalia at the DNC

The Democratic Convention seems to moving along at a very nice pace. There have been some impressive speeches. Most moving to me were those of Teddy Kennedy and, quite unexpectedly, that of President Bill Clinton. Like many, I had some idea what he would be trying to do with the speech, but after that very hard fought campaign, it was hard to imagine how he would be able to do it. I don't remember the exact quote but I was a little surprised when the MSNBC analysts stated that it was not one of the president's better speeches. I thought it was very, very good. None of this is what brought me to the idea of this post, however.

Panning the outdoor crowds behind Keith Olberman and Chris Mathews prior to commercial breaks should not be worthy of much attention. We get a glimpse of the screaming campaign supporters with their political signs and props. But wait... Just who are they supporting? Is it Obama? Hillary? Joe Biden, perhaps? Actually, it looks to me like the majority of these crowds are feigning support for the MSNBC commentators! In fact, all of this MSNBC paraphernalia being waved wildly every time Keith and Chris go to a commercial is starting to get on my nerves. Isn't this supposed to be a news program?

The Jewish Clause

 The Illinois Supreme Court is being asked to hear a case involving a will written over twenty years ago. Max Feinberg, once an affluent member of Chicago's Jewish society, stipulated in his will that no money be dispensed to grandchildren or their progeny who marry outside the Jewish faith. The stipulation reads as follows:

“3.5(e) A descendant of mine other than a child of mine who marries outside the Jewish faith (unless the spouse of such descendant has converted or converts within one year of the marriage to the Jewish faith) and his or her descendants shall be deemed to be deceased for all purposes of this instrument as of the date of such marriage.”

From: Chicago Jewish News

The case, formally known as In re Estate of Max Feinberg, pits Michael Feinberg and Leila Taylor, Max Feinberg's children, against their combined total of five grandchildren - two of Feinberg's and three of Taylor's. (Although both Feinberg and Taylor and all five of the grandchildren are named in the lawsuit, not all are active participants in the case, which essentially pits Michael Feinberg against his daughter, Michele Trull. In addition, one of the five, Jon Taylor, is married to a Jewish spouse and therefore would not be subject to the will's stipulation in any case.)

Joe Biden: Can We Talk?

The first order of business is to offer congratulations to both Senator Obama and Senator Biden.So... Great pick Barack, Joe Biden will provide necessary fullness to the ticket and will complement your high vision for the country as well as anybody. Congrats to you too, Joe Biden, for being picked as second in command of the United States. You also have a vision that is to be respected by those who care about this country. 

During last year's Democratic debate in Des Moines, Senator Biden was asked what will be noted in his doctrine by historians examining his administration's foreign policy. His answer to this represents his foreign policy stance in a nutshell.

Q: When future historians write of your administration's foreign policy, what will be noted as your doctrine?

A: Clarity. Prevention, not preemption. An absolute repudiation of this president's doctrine, which has only three legs in the stool: 1) don't talk to anybody; 2) preemption; & 3) regime change. I would reject all three. We need a doctrine of prevention. The role of a great power is to prevent crises. And we don't have to imagine any of the crises. You have Pakistan, Russia, China, Darfur.

While this is a short answer that was given under time constraints, it reflects the frustration that I and many others are feeling with the Bush administration. 

Obesity Fee - I'll Have the Salad

State employees of Alabama currently receive health insurance at no cost. That is unless they smoke cigarettes. Most people I've spoken with seem to think this is a fair policy. A more controversial fee will take effect in 2010 when the policy begins to charge those workers who are overweight  and have not taken steps to improve their health. Those found to have conditions related to obesity will have a year to begin making progress with the problem or to start paying. It has yet to be worked out how much and what kind of progress will be necessary to avoid the fee.

Drop in Drinking Age?

The Associated Press recently reported that presidents from 100 of the top colleges in the United States are looking to push the legal drinking age from 21 to 18. They say that drinking is more likely to be taken to dangerous levels because of its illegality. This seems to imply some sort of ritualism. Mothers Against Drunk Driving disagrees strongly with the proposition though they agree there are huge problems with alcohol on campus. Listed in the article are Duke, Dartmouth, Ohio State, Syracuse and several others.

Obviously, we are talking about some very big name schools.  The presidents have looked into the matter very closely prior to attaching their colleges' names and reputations to it and what they are saying with this proposition, is that a lower drinking age would lessen the severity of the problems on campus, largely by bringing the problem out into the open. They also say that the methods used to illegally obtain the alcohol result in binges, the type of drinking associated with the worst of alcohol's effects.

It's tough to believe that this idea will be put into action anytime soon.  On the off chance its validity is confirmed, every Congressman that were to vote in its favor would be sticking out his neck for the hatchet man.  It is quite possible, however, that the issue will be looked into far more deeply now that these courageous presidents and their schools have spoken up.

The Polish Missile Crisis

If you haven't heard, here's one for ya... In return for our help in strengthening their own air defenses, the U.S. has signed an agreement with Poland to host some of our 'defense' missiles. With Russia having walked all over Georgia and George Bush railing implied threats that can't be met, something had to be done. Hey, if you can't beat 'em, just piss 'em off more is what I always say. In  actuality, the planning for this has been going on for some time.

 When Georgia moved to gain control of South Ossetia, an area controlled by Russian troops though formally recognized as being within the bounds of Georgia, Russia did not like it at all and moved strongly in support of the 'rebels' as they are known by many here in the United States. After some very strong language from George Bush and other world leaders, Russia put a general stop to their (provoked) aggression but by no means did they appear to back down. As we reach the next phase of this conflict, which is not going away anytime soon, the United States and Poland are signing an agreement placing U.S. 'interceptor' missiles at an existing military installation by the Caspian coast. Further elements of the system, such as radar and communications, are to be hosted by the Czech Republic. This is said to be part of a plan to detect and destroy long range enemy missiles fired by so-called rogue states.

George Bush to Russia: Get Out!

Yesterday, Russia let go some big guns against Georgia taking over the town of Gori in the battles concerning South Ossetia and Abkhaz. When George Bush returned from his trip to China, he let go of some very strong words that flew into the face of Russia.  Bush said just about everything possible without a specific threat to intervene.  The implied threat was there for all to hear.

Obama Ad Foolish

I just saw the new Obama ad raising the issue of 'celebrity' with John McCain's own actions.  The Obama folks did a fair job in putting this ad together, showing McCain alongside the various television hosts with that big smile of his.  The problem, and it could turn out to be a huge problem, is that Obama is now on the record as having sunk to John McCain's level.  Amazingly, most liberal bloggers are praising the ad as a strong retaliation to the Britney/Paris Campaign.  To me, the ad is plain sickening.  I'm tired of this crap and that is why I've been supporting Obama in the first place! 

Senator Obama, I still support you but you are starting to scare me.  Think about what this means to voters who have not yet made up their minds.  Yesterday, undecided voters may have seen it as one candidate taking the high road and the other, the low road.  No more...  After this ad is seen a few times, the undecideds may simply decide to stay home.  These ads make both of you guys look like clowns.

By the way, I understand that there is more to this ad than simply the celebrity aspect.  Much of it will be forgotten, however, within 10 seconds of the commercial's end.

Georgia, Russia, and the United States

The fighting currently going on between Georgian and Russian troops could prove disastrous to the United States and the world.  Why?  It is crucial to realize Georgia's proximity to the Middle East.  The region can only absorb so many changes in power balance.  There is a great deal of realignment going on right now with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and others.   Throwing Russia and Georgia into the picture is not helpful.  Currently, Georgia is claiming control of Tskhinvali, a principal location in the clash.  The Russian military, already having been in the area, is providing reinforcements and engaging in bombing raids.  All of this  takes place a few of hundred miles from Iran and not much further from Iraq and Syria.