Letters to the Editor
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Context
It may not matter much. A lot will be taking place between now and the 2008 election. The meltdown of the Bush criminal regime will likely be complete in one way or another. The "Iraq" "war" will likely have reached its dénouement. The economy will likely be in a severe recession, if not worse. The various environmental warnings - forest fires, floods, hurricanes, blizzards, tornadoes, drought - will likely be more serious. Many officials of the Bush regime will likely have been indicted, convicted, or imprisoned. Dick Cheney will likely be dead, his evil heart finally turning to stone. Bush will likely have had a complete mental breakdown, the continuing pressure on his drug and alcohol-addicted countenance finally becoming too much.
The synergy of all these factors will weigh heavily against politics as usual, especially candidates sponsored or influenced by the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). Hillary Clinton, the DLC candidate, may win the election, but it will be a hollow victory. Real problem-solving leadership is called for, and if she can't deliver, then her presidency will be one of extreme pain, humiliation, and failure.
What should be kept in mind, is that none of these candidates matter, except for what should be their real reason for running: to do everything they possibly can to make the country and the world more civilized, more distributive, more harmonious with the ecosystem, and more peaceful. Obama at least has the thunder. It remains to be seen whether he has the lightning. Maybe no one does. If reports of Bush's planned martial law are correct, we may have another eight years of his illustrious tenure.
Actually, if Bush does declare martial law, it will be short-lived. Even toadying generals have to see the futility of joining ranks with this omnicriminal. It will be a test of how low we as a people have sunk. Any Bush regime depends for its existence on a support network of military, law enforcement, judiciary, business, media, religious, and non-profit infrastructure. Bush is bad for the country. He has been around for a while, and people know his worth. It's not like Hitler in the 1930s, when he was fresh, generating mass hysteria with his new plan.
The times, they are a-strange-in'.
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race + sex + competing democrats = a perfect storm for letters to the editor
Am I the only one that gets a kick out of how whenever there's even a small jab at or hint of bias towards one candidate or the other the letters about sexism/racism/etc just flood in?
Bonus points to tommydsz for managing to get mad at Conason for writing an article praising the candidate that he supports.
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Obama's ideas - A Welcome Change
Even us here (East Africa) watch closely what is taking place in the US. Economically insignificant and oilless as we are, rarely are we noticed or seriously considered in American policy. Still we are greatly affected, like anyone else, by the sneezes from the White House - and W. Bush has been sneezing like hell.
We have watched with horror as he has progressively sunk America's image abroad, especially in the post Sept-11 era. America needs a cool head at the helm to become a truly World Leader, and not the cow boy bravado that has been the hallmark of the Bush Administration.
Republican policies in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East, etc have done America and Americans a disservice; they have tarnished the image of the strongest nation to which the world looks for guidance, understanding and fair consideration. They have turned the US into a savage bully.
In Obama, if he can live up to his word, we see a pragmatic president who is ready to explore the forbidden avenues (Talking to the "rogue regimes" and "axis of evil"). Man is greatly empowered over other beings by his ability to reason things out and communicate with others - friends and foes alike. Relying entirely on the use of brute force as the only solution to differences of opinion or conflict of interest puts us at par with our cousins in the trees who we claim to have out-evolved.
It is time the US and the world had someone in the White House who can chart a new course away from the catastrophic bearing that Bush has set since Sept-11. It is time the US had someone who realises that strong arm tactics do not break the backs of terrorists as Bush and Blair would want us to believe, but instead give the Osamas a propaganda weapon with which to stir hatred and recruit young radicals even in America's own backyard. (I believe the Iraq war has unleashed more anti-American/anti-West sentiments in Iraq, the Arab and Islamic World, and elsewhere than it has tamed).
Obama is right; talking to Cuba, trading and investment there is the best solution to the half-century stand off. Arrogance and selective intransigence with countries and groups that happen to have a different culture, religion, ideology or opinion undermines the democratic principles and advocacy for freedom and human rights that the US and the Western World claim to be built upon.
Welcome Obama, It can be done, play your part. You may not succeed, but we are told Rome was not built in a day. The little that you initiate in the right direction should, with the support of the Americans and the World (the majority of which, I believe, know better than the likes of Bush) should serve as a new hope for a peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
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Where there is thunder...
there is usually lightening. re; Happy Jack. (Good post btw.)
I've been a Obama fan ever since I read his alarmingly-insightful protest over the Iraq war. BEFORE the war. I recall thinking; "why don't those serious, experienced politicians in DC listen to this dude"?
Otoh, Bill Clinton was the best President in my life time. Hands down. And Bill love Hill, so there you go.
As it is, I would like to see Obama/Clinton ticket. A good match, for many reasons... if they don't mess it up. (*I will not vote for Sen. Clinton for President because of her vote on Authoriztion for use of force in Iraq)
In regards to the Iraq war: What I don't want to hear for next year or so, from ANY candidate, is 09. buck-me-faxwards in 09.
Presently, it is my hope that by 09 the next President will succeed someone other than Bush.
Sincerely,
bah.