Letters to the Editor
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I thought McCain was too sensible to become a Neocon, but...
I guess I was wrong.
I used to think that if we HAD to have had a Republican president since 2000, we'd be in better shape if it had been McCain who'd been nominated, then. Although I still wouldn't have voted for him, and I disagree with him on just about every topic that's important to me, I thought there was at least a responsible grownup residing somewhere in John McCain's head. A president who would have been sensible enough NOT to start an incredibly stupid war in the Middle East, anyway. His unfortunate propensity for brown-nosing Bush must have addled his mind. The endorsement of our current president marks him doubly as a candidate I could never vote for. We can't afford another Neocon warmonger in the White House. John please, put down the Red Koolaid and BACK AWAY.
My support for Obama is based on the following reasons:
1.Of the three candidates we've got, Obama was the only one with both the guts and the brains to vote AGAINST attacking Iraq five years ago.
2: His speech on Tuesday impresed me that he won't try to ignore or dumb down complex issues, but face them and say substantive, things eloquently that no other candidate has tried to say about ANY issue for the past ten years or so. Nor did he take the easy way out and disown his friend and pastor of the past 20 years.
3: Although the next president will inevitably have to deal with the horrendous mess that is Iraq and into which Iraq has landed us, Obama at least won't be gung-ho to start a NEW war next door in Iran.
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John McCain's Gaffe
Actually, Keith Olbermann and MSNBC have repeatedly aired McCain's lie that Iran is in cahoots with Al Qaeda, so it is not true that all the cable news networks are ignoring it.
The problem basically is that too many, probably most, Americans don't get it. They don't know the difference between Al Qaeda and other extremists, or between Sunni and Shia. McCain doesn't, either, it seems; or, he does, but those nuances do not fit well the blue print that he and the Republicans want us to buy: That the US owns the world and that only the US has the right to dictate what happens anywhere in the world, especially the Middle East.
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Gentlemen, Start Your 527s
One question: Are Democrats ready to form and fund the 527 groups that will run the television ads that can take this clown down?
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Shiral, yes McCain's a neocon
Shiral expressed surprise at McCain's war policy, but he's been a warhawk forever. He thinks we should have stayed in Vietnam. McCain wants the draft back, as do a lot of liberals--for socialist purposes--not military.
Shiral, your reasons for supporting Obama are a little misinformed, too. Obama showed no "guts" in his early opposition to the Iraq war. He was a member of the Ill. legislature and came from an anti-war district of Chicago. When he had his big chance to oppose it, speaking at the Democratic convention in 2004, Obama did not speak against the war. Once he got to Congress, he has voted along with Clinton, McCain, and most other congress critters for the war appropriations. Had he been Senator from NY in 2002-03--Obama would surely have voted to give the President war powers, no matter what he claims now.
As for Obama's race speech, it was a masterful political speech, which excused Wright, and in which Obama voiced jusifications used by the reparations campaign. Like "change", it appeared to have something for everyone. As for eloquence and delivery, Lenin and Hitler were the most effective political speakers of the twentieth century--and the century's greatest monsters.
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Age and McCain
I think we are missing a valuable point, McCain's age. I am not disrespecting anyone but what about his age? I remember when Pres Regan was about to introduce Princess Diana on her visit here when she was married to Charles and he could not remember her name - and this was a planned event. No one said a thing - but anyone familiar with age related memory problems could see that for what it was - the beginnings of Alzheimer's. But the media said nothing. We have yet to find out what impact this had on decision making at the White House.
McCain is 71 going on 72, I think he will be relying of a lot of whispers in his ear. This decent man is too old now for the total mess that Bush is leaving. And we already seen what happens when people in the shadows (ie Cheaney and crew) make decisions away from any pubic scrutiny.
And btw, am I the only one totally turned off by Joe Lieberman's ass kissing? Another stomach churing thought - will he we wispering to a Pres McCain "free my people?"
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McCain's commitment to take the war into Iran
The day after Sen. McCain announced his candidacy iin Hollywood, he held a fundraiser in Arizona. The local Fox affiliate interviewed him for a 20 second sound bite. McCain had only one message - we have to go into Iran and take them out.
I think that sound bite signalled his message for this campaign - after all, if you have 20 seconds to say something to the media, wouldn't you pick your one message for the campaign.
I am finding conservatives dropping their support daily. Here is the reason:
Here is the story:
Grandfather was a 4 star general;
Father was a 4 star general;
Son has no 4 stars.
Run for the Big house on Pennyslvania Ave - get to be Commander-in-Chief and you get to boss around all the generals you want! Scary thought! Can you say "legal military dictatorship"?
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Do I Feel A Draft?
Joe Conason writes: “With his [Senator McCain’s] campaign already sowing the arguments for a wider conflict, we will not be able to say we weren't warned.”
If I were a young person in this country I’d be very afraid. The military is already stretched to the breaking point and even continuing the occupation of Iraq will most likely require a draft. If Senator McCain were elected and widened the scope of this ill-advised adventure a draft may be mandatory, even if he does the unthinkable and goes nuclear.
As reprehensible as the neo-cons (read chicken hawks) are they have proven that given power there is no scheme too outlandish or immoral for them to pursue.
If I had a young child I’d be very afraid as well, because Senator McCain has essentially said that this war could last nigh onto forever. Certainly those who were thirteen when the war started are now of draft age. Mom and Dad you might want to consider this when you go to the polls.