Sarah Palin is a Distraction

As Bob Herbert noted in The New York Times, Sarah Palin was selected to provide a distraction from the issues in this race.

What did the Republicans avoid by choosing her? Well, they didn't discuss the foreclosure crisis. They didn't discuss health care. They didn't discuss education.

Instead, they made the race a referendum on character and personalities, the very thing they accused Barack Obama about.

However, this change of focus comes with some very real dangers. How well can we evaluate a person in just 60 days, especially when she is being kept under wraps and shielded from the press corps? She does have a compelling life story; the problem is that the story is so compelling, it distracts people from the real concerns they should have for the next occupant of the White House.

The Republicans may not know how to govern, but they sure know how to campaign. By making Sarah Palin inaccessible, they are keeping the distraction going. Each time she does make an appearance, it will generate increased scrutiny and increased distraction. Now, she is going to be interviewed by Charlie Gibson of ABC News, and how many people will watch that?

The real question, in my opinion, is whether the American people will be fooled again. They voted against Al Gore's sighs, against John Kerry's windsurfing, against Michael Dukakis riding around in a tank. When will they vote on the real issues that affect their every day lives?

The Democratic Convention, A Week of Hope

I can't help it. I'm hopeful. It started with McCain's failure to remember how many houses he had. It grew with the appointment of Joe Biden for Vice President. And it is reaching a crescendo with the Democratic Convention this week.

Why can't everyone see what I see? The hypocrisy of the Republicans, the distortion, the smears. The attempts at diversion and failure to talk about the issues as opposed to Brittney Spears and Paris Hilton. The Democrats are real people, not images to fool the public every four years.

Still, I hope this time will be different. The people will throw off the yoke of Republican rule and a government run for the rich and other campaign contributors. The youth will rise up as one to vote in a charismatic, intelligent candidate whose motto for everyone is "Yes, we can."

It could really happen. I hope it does.

Rick Warren forum

Well, I must admit a small amount of gratification about the coming "debate" between Barack Obama and Rick Warren at Saddleback Church. As an evangelical Christian myself, and a committed Democrat, I see the Democratic Party fulfilling Jesus's model much better than the Republicans.

My Pastor frequently notes that Jesus mentioned poverty in the New Testament far more than heaven and hell. The problem with compassionate conservatism is that you have to say it in the first place. We all know liberals are compassionate, and I've been shocked at some of the callous statements and positions widely adopted by Republicans.

For example, if I were a minority, especially a Hispanic, I would flee the Republican Party post haste. They are reverting to the most prejudiced, nativist arguments in their zealous drive to deport illegal aliens, even if it means splitting up families.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the debate and am curious about the questions to be posed. For a long time, I've said the Christian religion is about more than just two issues. God bless you, Rick Warren, for recognizing that.

Opening Ceremony at Beijing Olympics

Since the political scene is quiet for the moment, and the Obama-McCain race has momentarily faded into the backgroud, here's some thoughts about the Olympics instead.

First of all, the opening ceremony last night was astounding. As a fireworks afficionado in the first place, I was stunned by the pyrotechnics display at the Olympics ceremony. And the videoscreen running around the top of the stadium was breathtaking. That's better than a widescreen plasma TV for sure!

I'm looking forward to taking a break from politics myself and rooting for the likes of Dara Torres and Shawn Johnson. Sports and politics have a lot of similiarities when you think about it. There's a clearcut winner and loser, and close only counts in horseshoes.

Perhaps, the bitterness and name calling in the Presidential race will subside now that noone is listening to it, at least for the next two weeks anyway.

Sick and tired of Republican tactics

I'm sick and tired of Republican tactics. They trot them out every four years, and just enough people are influenced that it works.

Don't they have any honor? Will they do anything to win an election? Apparently so. I just hope people catch on to them, and it produces a great big backlash.

Whether it's Willie Horton or windsurfing or Dukakis in a helmet...is this the way we really want to choose a President?

I'm sick to the stomach about these negative advertisements and am afraid, quite afraid, they might work.

Are we really going to choose a President by the person who has the most effective commercials? Will we miss out on the brave new frontier of an Obama administration and choose the tired, pay-back-the-rich and campaign contributors of another Republican administration?

I thought John McCain might be better than this. That he experienced the knife-in-the-back tactics of the Bush team in 2000 and would run a better campaign. But there he is feigning innocence and calling out OBAMA for playing the race card.

I remember a friend of mine who relayed quite a good joke. What would I be if I weren't a Democrat? The answer: Ashamed.

Hypocrisy by the Right

Barack Obama answered all John McCain's complaints about his overseas trip today with one simple sentence.

He said he was surprised by Mr. McCain's reaction because it was Mr. McCain who suggested he should go.

That's not to mention all the countdown clocks maintained by Fox News and similar "august" institutions, noting how many days it had been since Senator Obama last traveled to Iraq.

These guys are such hypocrites, they don't even acknowledge when you take their advice.

Meanwhile, Senator Obama was treated to a hero's welcome, and you know one reason why?

Because he was an adult who actually listened to their concerns and showed a modicum of intelligence. It's been eight long years under President Bush, and American citizens aren't the only ones chafing for a change.

Meanwhile, John McCain has sold out to the Republican establishment, and despite his infrequent attempts to renew his maverick status, he is totally trapped by them.

This man is not the same as the one from 2000 for many other reasons. He's become significantly older, forgets key facts and becomes nasty and ornery when things don't go his way. After eight long years with Bush, must we suffer through the childish snits of another Republican?

Obama Overseas

It makes me proud to be an American:

--To see the noblest aspects of our nature, not the caricatured picture of our greed.

--To see anything is possible in America, for anyone of any race.

--To see the world looking to our leadership again.

--To think we will be cheered in Europe instead of causing riots in the street.

--To have hope again for the future of our world.

--To be inspired again.

--To believe a rising tide will lift all boats, not just the rich.

--To know government may accomplish positive change instead of partisan rancor.

--To be rid of the hypocrisy of politicans using religion for personal advantage.

--To celebrate our diversity rather than having it used as a wedge to divide us.

--To see a future President who has a pretty good jump shot.

To see Obama overseas.