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- Larky Park
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66 comments:
lllllooooooooove him
l.
I don't know so much about him. I saw a program a few months ago that had some info on him...but I am not that up and up on politics. He is cute.
Yes ... cute. Uhhhhh....
Young, untested, unspoiled, possibly naive (though that is not necessarily a bad thing) idealistic, inspirational.
I feel two ways. School of hard knocks might knock him for a loop. His vision (and I'm happy he has some) would certainly start out a touch more progressive than the slow-to-change nation is ready for. But, we scream for change almost as certainly as we fear it. The tide of the past six years makes us desperate and he does appear to be the most promising desperate measure.
Hilary has clout and some promising progressive thoughts on health and conflict. She has obvious history and certain baggage and the prospect of a "First Husband" to deal with. She, however, comes off as more politically solid, as long as she is spun and groomed correctly.
Obama will not so obviously spin and groom and that is part of the attraction. He comes off as honest and sincere.
I've only checked out those two prospects because they embody two dreams at once. She's a woman and he's a black man. I'm a little giddy.
My perfect world would be Barack in the hotseat with Hilary totally redefining the role of Veep. But in a good way, not like Satan's puppetmaster, Cheney.
A coalition of strength and honesty, experience and vision.
I always hoped for 8 years of Clinton, (he doesn't seem quite so tarnished NOW, does he?) 8 years of Gore, (who more resembles a solid building block, I ask you?) followed by 8 years of Hilary, (Who had just finished 4 years as Gore's veep)
I rest my case.
hilary?? are you kidding me? she's wasting her time, and she'll be wasting a lot of money.
Barack Obama kills babies.
I like the guy, not quite sure I am educated enough yet to know if I would want him for president but would MUCH rather have him than Hillary. JMO!
If were going with hotness factor than my votes with Barack! :) Hes pretty yummy.
Oops, I posted that twice
ok who made the killing b abies comment.... come clean.
actaully no don't, if i know you i will feel bad when i make you cry.
l.
Oh, sorry. That was me. I didn't mean to be anonymous, I meant to be Mrs. Sara. And I was just joking. He is pro-choice, but no, he doesn't walk about killing babies. Well, not him personally... ;)
Hopefully, this will be interpreted in the nonpartisan way I'm hoping...
I too am excited if not intrigued over the prospect of a woman and/or african-american in the driver's seat for a few years. BUT, I'm not going to jump on board for that reason alone. I struggle w/ Hilary due to her choice in men. She stayed w/ her husband, I believe, purely for political & ambitious reasons. That's difficult for me b/c I then question her integrity, but, whatever... Obama is young & idealistic, but extremely captivating & dynamic. His energy is like a breath of fresh air. And as for his pro-choice stand, I gave up single-issue-voting a long time ago. There's so much more in our society that needs to be looked at & corrected that frankly, if we spent time on some of THOSE issues, I don't think abortion any longer would be an issue. (WOW - that's a lot of issues)
Politics always hits some nerves... it seems. Soooo interesting though. I do have difficulty with the pro-choice aspect of this party, though. But as Teresa said...there are so many more issues in our society that need to be looked at and corrected. And that's all I have got to say! (This is fun) I love your blog, Bethany!
"...not like Satan's puppetmaster, Cheney."
i find it hard to have a meaningful political discussion when stuff like that is tossed around- joke or no joke.
so i will just say that neither hillary or barack will win the democratic nomination, let alone the presidency.
I really like Obama. And, like Avila said:
"I too am excited if not intrigued over the prospect of a woman and/or african-american in the driver's seat for a few years. BUT, I'm not going to jump on board for that reason alone."
I totally agree with that and feel the same way.
The fact that Hillary stayed with her hubby actually impresses me. I thought she handled her very public crisis with grace and self-respect.Now, I knew she wouldn't leave him while he was President, but I thought after his term it would have been over. But, I like Obama more than Hillary anyway. :-) JMO
I'm not sure but his middle name is HUSSEIN there just something about going to war against one then electing one. I dont know his veiws I just cant get pass his name.
I'm going with Perot. 10th time is a charm. plus maybe his stock will go up and my shares will be worth something
WOW Levi and I agree on something!!! (Aside from his brilliant choice of an amazing woman, and that his children are just as incredible...) =)
Barack rocks. I'm THRILLED that his is running, and I have been following his course as a fan for over a year.
I'm troubled by the abortion thing, but I understand (not agree with) his view. I respect that he is looking for balance and a middle ground in hopes of making it so that people don't even have to opt to kill their unborn children. I'm sorry we don't live in a world where that is highly likely to be successful. And I'm sorry that we're allowed to even discuss whether or not we should have the "right" to murder.
I see Obama's concept more as a stepping stone stage in his journey. I'm praying earnestly that God will enlighten him with further conviction on the subject.
love
Frankly, Satan's puppetmaster was only part joke. I don't want to start anything on beloved Bethany's awesome blog, but I firmly believe that if truly christian mores were at work in our government, the republicans would would lose their most precious commodity which is empowerment of the rich over the masses below. Dems wouldn't be very happy either, but in a two horse race, my conscience has to throw in with them. I certainly have some different beliefs, but far more than 50% of governmental activities done in our name for the past six years just sickens me and I hope the Dems can put together a balanced coalition of experience, fortitude, vision and hope.
John F. eluded to this... Hussein IS his middle name. In fact his whole name comes from a muslim background. He spent his primary education years in a muslim school. Does that make a difference? His grandfather, father, and step-father were all muslim;his mother an atheist. Is this something to take pause over in light of 9/11? I'm just beginning to mull this over. Thoughts??
am i the only one that wasn't raised in 1945? i thought we did away with things like interment camps for the japanese americans, fire hosing black people because they want to use the same bathrooom as the white man, and distrusting a AMERICAN muslim because his name is Hussein?
i am exageratting to make a point. If we decide to aggregate our society dependent upon cultural backgrounds i think we will be left with about 4 people who are of actaull US decent. which means they have been so diluted that they are just a generic mass of flesh.
i think it is that kind of attitude that has trashed the character of the US across the world. I am not trying to be mean and say any of you meant this by your post, but i thought it should at least be brought up.
l.
they have been so diluted that they are just a generic mass of flesh.
levi...i need you as my neighbor...
joanE
"He spent his primary education years in a muslim school."
Actually, according to Mr. Obama himself, in his book "Dreams of My Father," he spent two years in a Muslim school, and two years in a Catholic school, and no, he's not a Muslim. He's a Christian, and attends Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
This is tough stuff. I feel torn as I read these comments I feel it can be easy to judge and think that one guy is soooo awesome and the opponent is soooo wrong. Even so much as to attack them personally. Which I think reflects poorly on the person making the comment. Seriously no offense to anyone.
I don't think it's right to judge based on cultural background. Just as I feel it's not right to judge just based on political party...or last name or school or whatever.
I do think you have to look at ALL the facts involved and I am not aware of ALL the facts.
9/11 scared the crap out of me though. Do we just close our eyes and pretend that everyone is to be trusted or go to the opposite extreme and fear all people of different cultural backgrounds? Where is the middle ground?
I strongly dislike politics. Hate em. But they are a neccesary evil. They affect us all.
I just can't get past the pro-choice thing sometimes...what are some of the other good things this guy does?
good call sara, didn't know that....
l.
That's what I'm here for. :)
Can we get some some details about this man - where are you researchers??
And while we're at it, why not Mrs. Clinton? Let's put it out there. Seriously, let's lay down any diasaffection for her hubby and find out more...
We need more info!! Who's a helper?
According to Islam, he is Muslim. His father was, therefore, he is. And according to their teachings, his denial of the faith is punishable by death. Their religion is more significant than mere culture. His culture is obviously American.
My question then: is there a conflict of interest having a Pres w/ a similar background to those who we unfortunately are currently at war with?
I totally think Obama's got the potential to lead our country, but I blindly went into previous elections based on a candidate's popularity. I'm trying to think everything out and not make the same mistake.
And b/c cause you brought it up, the primary grades are tradtionally defined as first & second. I wasn't trying to exaggerate a point... let's all play nice... k??
One more thing, Mrs. Sara - I never said he was muslim. I only brought light to his heritage and potential thoughts to consider.
Levi, chill there, little tiger. Whoa.
levi,
totally agree with your point!;-)
I think the name Hussein just sends chills down some people's spines. It'd be the same if his middle name was Bin Laden. LOL!
Bill, besides tiger-taming, what are your thoughts?
Avila,
I wasn't being harsh with you, I was just pointing out a fact that I read in his book. I didn't think you were trying to be misleading, but I know that people can define "primary education" in different ways (some say it's grades 1-5, or grades 1-7, or grades 1-9, or even grades 1-12) so I was just trying to illuminate to people who may not have known that it was 2 years of his early childhood education.
And also, I know you didn't say he was Muslim. Levi did, and I told Levi he was Christian, and Levi said that he didn't know that.
Chill out a little. I'm not attacking you. ;)
Sara
Mmm-mm! Boy-Howdy! We are not face-to-face here. Politics breeds some strange brew and blogs and BB's are great places for distant friends to have a cyber falling out. I only urge care and a phone call if something seems to be getting out of hand. Believe me, been there.
I've hear a lot of people saying that they don't want to vote exclusively Pro-life because they don't want to be a "one issue voter." I think that this is a slick argument used by the left whittle away pro-lifer's convictions (and obviously many of us have given into it), but I'm not buying it. First of all, it's inaccurate. Being Pro-life means more than being opposed to abortion (for me at least, and i think it should be the case for anyone who is going to wear such a label). Being pro-life means opposing abortion, opposing the destruction and/or use of embryonic stem cells in research, opposing euthanasia, and opposing the death penalty (although maybe I'll allow some death penalty advocates to be considered pro-life). Someone's views on these issues directly reflects how they see humanity. quite frankly I will never support an individual who feels that it is legal for anyone to decide whether it is ok for someone exists or not. I just think its strange that Christians who say almost nothing when it comes to the genocide of the unborn (either through abortion or stem cell research) or the killing of the disabled and elderly will make a huge stink about the war and how many people have died and demand that something be done about it. That's not to say they are wrong to protest the war, its just strange to me that Christians have become so vocal on that particular issue when over 800 times the number of people have been killed since abortion was made legal.
So some people may call it one issue voting, I call it 50,000,000 issue voting.
We had a rule in DC . . . at dinner or cocktail parties we never talked about religion or politics. Inevitably, someone would bring up one or both and all hell would break loose. Then we'd all drink more to calm down. Then our arguments would get more stupid by the minute, and we'd get more combative and then drink more. And this would go on until we were all passed out with our faces in the books in which we were looking to find the next zinger counterpoint. It's the similar here, but I think I am the only one drinking this morning.
My actual thoughts, however:
1) Obama - too much hype and not enough substance. Give him time, he will dazzle like Bill Clinton eventually.
2) Hillary - the fact that we call her by her first name shows our true respect for her. She might actually get elected someday, but she reminds me of every bad woman boss I ever had so I won't vote for her. She is a tough lawyer at heart, so you can't count her out because she is a woman. The main concern is her husband. HIs love of the spotlight could be a tremendous issue with him playing house husband to the president.
Is anyone else a little skeptical about Hillary and her not-so-subtle shift from ultra-liberal to moderate? I just don't trust her. But that doesn't really matter since there is no way she is getting elected.
Obama is an interesting character. He took a bit of a gamble throwing his hat into the ring this early. He probably should have gotten a little more experience before going for the presidency, but it makes sense for him to ride the way of publicity he's been getting over the last few years. I'd like to like him, but something just doesn't sit right with me. Maybe its just the inexperience thing, I'm not sure. Either way he's got a much better chance than Hillary.
dan
i agree, i think hillary is too outspoken to actaully get elected. she will end up runnign off at the mouth at some point.
I have been going back an dforth between obama and mcCain. I have loved mccain for years. but his sudden backing of this troop hike has me a little bewhildered. So that brings me back to obama, who has a whole year to do somethign dumbn to send me to the next person.
i fancied Edwards in the last election. So maybe I'll en dup back in his camp. sorry to say there's not a republican on the ticket i would even think twice about outside of McCain. and he's on shaky ground.
l.
John Edwards is a pretty pretty princess.
See guys? It's fun to have political debates! :)
I like McCain, just wanted to add that too!
ACC, i laughed so hard at your blog. I'm drinking coffee --does that count ;) ??
By the way - what I'm looking for in a pres (besides wisdom and some form of leadership) is one who will measure his/her words. The balance of patience and action is tricky but exceedingly important. Of course, the action being in an area where we value affects just a little... ;)
As to Clinton, did you mean dazzle or fizzle?
John Edwards looks like a brunette Ken Barbie.
B-roo, I meant dazzle. Clinton was a freakin star. He could charm a nun out of her habit. He could sell a ketchup popsicle to a man in white gloves. He could sell a refrigerator to an eskimo! Never did a man do so little while seeming to do so much. He dazzled the electoral college and got elected twice. Sen. Obama has that same "je ne sais quoi" that Clinton had. People are drawn to him. Once he can be taken seriously as national leader, he will dazzle. Unless the Republican War Machine can dig up a good scandal. Heck, he's so scary that the Dem War Machine might do that. Regardless, Hillary does not have what Obama and Billy have. Her strength is her frankness and toughness. Her weakness is that she looks like the Emperor in the Star Wars movies. The prettiest people, on average, get farther in life than everyone else when all other factors are equal.
I guess I got here too late. Obama's not Black (or African-American) He doesn't even really look black, so I'm not sure of the confusion.
His father was Muslim, and his mother was white.
acc - gotcha. I agree. Mmmmm - ketchup popsicles. My son would sooo love that.
I have this secret hope that Sen B will be the embodiment af fabulous young government. I idealistically hope. No one is perfect, but when voting is "Hmmm, the jackass vs the idiot....which will hurt us less...?" It is discouraging.
I'm a hoper!
(Truthfully, I'd love a place to get good non-partisian info on the candidates)
Okay, after a little more research, maybe I spoke somewhat too quickly. Obamas father was from Kenya, and his mother was from Kansas. They met in Hawaii.
There seems to be a lot of discussion as to what he is, not that any of matters a bit.
All of life's experiences including our culture can affect who we are and who we are determined to be. Pos or neg. It doesn't hurt to look at that. Heck I'm a polish ex-catholic with an extended family that personally kept Pabst Blue Ribbon in business. Granted most folks who racially judge would consider me a "stupid polack". (Including my husband's papa, someday the story will be blogged...) Whatever - we live out of what we come from.
Granted politicians are crazily pre-judged. Whatever. People want their families to be safe, they want to make money and they are afraid of anyone that threatens that. A politician knows the cost in our times of being black/hispanic/Middle eastern/Irish (just kidding that was 50 yrs ago...), Female/gay etc... As incredible individuals push their way to the top by leading with excellence (and who knows whatever shady measures) that are of different backgrounds or persuasions - people tend to mellow.
Anger is the son of fear. Make people feel safe and properous and watch how they can change.
That would be papaw not papa
As far a Clinton "doing so little..."
I have a hard time with that, since our national debt now hovers around about, what,
789 wuzbuzguzillion? Under Clinton, it was zero.
g-father - though it appears that Clinton solved our national debt problem (b/c it was on his watch as Prez), that is a common misconception. The reason our debt was reduced and our budget balanced was because of controlled spending. The reason there was controlled spending during the Clinton administration was because of Congress's Republican majority being constantly at odds with the administration (remember the Newt era, impeachment, etc.). Such bi-partison arrangements act as a natural "checks and balances" system. Why has our debt skyrocketed?
The Republican majority in Congress supporting a Republican administration. No major conflicts in Bush's spending plans or Congress's spending plans (as evidenced by Bush's overwhelming lack of veto use versus Clinton's and Reagan's veto-happy years). Therefore, no checks and balances. Therefore, nearly free reign to do whatever they want and spend whatever they want. The way I see it (based on the evidence I have found), this lack of checks and balances has allowed this administration to foolishly decrease revenue (massive tax breaks and rebates) while simultaneously increasing spending on programs outside the national interest (e.g. the Iraq war) and within the national interest (e.g. Afghanistan, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and revamping security protocals post 9/11).
Now, I admit, Clinton is very smart, a Rhodes Scholar in fact, but he is not that smart. I will, however, agree that by using his veto power he did "something" during his tenure, even if it was merely prophylactic and not positive policy improvement. In essence, he sat there and said "no" for 8 years.
-acc
B-Looks like you have a very popular topic! I am glad that you posted about this though. I am becoming more educated about Obama, etc...
Which papaw called you a polack? I gotta here that story! LOL!
oh. I can see that happening! LOL! He also called John gay for having an earring!
Small-mindedness. It CAN be hilarious.
I did NOT vote for Bush and felt so irratated and disappointed (and actually rejected by my peers) at the time he won. I want to clearly understand what is going on and the platforms that are important to each candidate. Sounds simplistic, but my Lord!!!!!! it's a grey mess of people and thought.
Am I the only one who is sick of feeling overwhelmed at navigating the political morass?
As to your last question, I'd say that your contingency is massive and strong. Hence, our low voter turnout. Many folk just glaze over eventually under the barrage of posturing, advertising and rhetoric and simply don't vote. Thank you for voting. And, more importantly, thank you for voting like ME!
I think that overwhelmed feeling you have is pretty common. I also think that it is a symptom of a major problem with how our society is run. Everything in our country (and to some extent in western culture in general) is geared towards the macro. Everything from the food we buy, to the music we listen to, and especially our government is all focused on the large scale. We have all been tricked into thinking that bigger is better and that the national is more important than the local. I don't think that we were meant to live that way. I truly believe the natural design of humanity is to live in close communities and be tangibly invested in one another. The way it is now most people don't know their neighbors, drive an hour away from their house (passing a dozen churches on the way) to go to some mega church, don't know anything about their local government, and have every American Idol CD but can't name a single local musician. There's a lot more to this (and maybe I'll post something on my blog about it) but my point is this: we probably can't change the country if we take on the whole thing. But we can change our communities and in doing so change the country. For example, I couldn't beat Mike Tyson, if I went after him as a whole, he beat me to a pulp (and then get a face tattoo to commemorate it) but a virus could attack him on a cellular level all over his body and soon enough he'd be infected.
Before I end this long post, let me be clear that I am not directing this at anyone or accusing anyone (or at least not accusing anyone more than I am accusing myself). I just started thinking about what Beth said and went on a little tangent. I do that sometimes ;)
I think Dan is going to break into a Switchfoot song...
Dan, so true. Feels like trying to eat the whole turkey instead of the just the drumstick. (PS Why DO people like dark meat? It's gross.)
I think we want to be a part of big things. Make a big differerence. Change our world quickly. Probably due to egos and impatience. But there is a fantastic dream/hope! quality to it as well. We live in a land where crazy dreams come true.
tangen t- i know many of you hate Starbucks, but have you tried the Timor Maubesse ltd ed.? What a strange and wonderful blend...
blah, not my fav. to acidy (is that even a word?)
l.
The word is "acidic", dude. Next you'll probably say "citrusy" rather than "citric" or "leprosy" rather than "lepric".
And Mrs. Sara, if you like Hoho's or Ding Dong's, you like the Devil's food . . . Devil's Food CAKE! By the way, will you please correct everyone's link to your blog. Now that Scottie abandoned his previous blog, nobody has the correct link. NOT EVEN DAN!
i do.....
l.
That's not the right link under Miss Sara. There is a different blog (with the same background and title) where she has posted numerous times since August 2006.
no offense, but except for one of you, it sounds like no has taken anytime to read obama's writing. both of his books, "An Audacity of Hope" and "Dreams from my Fahter" are enlightening and encouraging, as well as thought-provoking. if such ignorance can exist in only 62 posts, imagine what fox news and the media will do...READ HIS BOOKS. READ MS. CLINTON's BOOKS-- DON"T RELY ON GOOGLE.
Thanks for the book help (will read), but if you're going to knock on us please no "anon", it's just weak. We want to learn and have some fun too.
Sound of crickets chirping....
I would respond to anonymous by pointing out a few things
1) If Obama and Clinton can't get their points across through google then they are both worse off than I thought. When America has questions about these candidates that's one of the first places they are looking. If candidates expect Americans to go out and pay 20 bucks a piece and actually read in order to pick them for this coming election, then they may as well start writing their next book "How I Overestimated the Country's Interest in Me," which most people won't read.
2) I think transcripts of interviews and other public statements, voting histories, and previous experience among other things are perfectly good resources for getting a feel for a candidate all of which could be found on google.
3) Something as polished and edited as these books may be a good resource of how a candidate would like you to view them and their views but literature is full of people who could right a great book but couldn't handle real life. I'd like to see more application.
That's my two cents
On to the tail end.
Isn't it rather ironic that no one really has the expierence to be president? Granted you can have all kinds of important political expierence that is well related to the office, but can anyone really say, "oh yeagh, I've been president dozens of times". All this to say, it's not as if a president works completely alone. What ever happened to the cabinet? Advisors?
It's also a shame that Charisma is such a factor but who can deny it?
I know. That is why I think voting is so connected to hope. No one can guarantee anything. We vote with a hope they aren't lying (and yet we assume they are) A hope that someone will Jimmy Stewart (Mr Smith goes to Washington) us out of corruption - and yet even McCain looks tired, beaten and as if the light of passion in his eyes has fizzled. I just somehow believe my vote matters.
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