An Interesting Week...Yet Again...

We saw off an interesting week. The economic slowdown is continuing which is a bit of good thing due to a change in demand. The Dollar is starting to strengthen yet again. Oil has falling almost 25%. Commodities are starting to fall rapidly. Gold has fallen below $ 800. The Fed seems to be the hero right now. The question in my mind is whether the potential free fall in the economy may have been averted and we would look forward to a period of reasonable growth.

The Presidential Campaign continues to be in full swing. Barack Obama and John McCain talked to Rick Warren of Saddleback Church. The questions Pastor Warren had were not "softball" at all. I talked about it at length in my current affairs blog, http://www.outsiderviews.com. It was a civil discourse, although Senator McCain seemed to be more prepared and direct. Senator Obama seemed more deliberative in his thoughts. It was a discussion that I enjoyed. It was a discussion that was necessary.

The party nominating conventions will start in about a week. The pundits are continuing their analysis of who is going to be VP, how will the Clintons play their cards and how the campaigns will fare after the elections. The Saddleback Forum proved to me the reason why the election is so close. It will be quite fascinating to watch and write about.

As for the world, Georgia and Russia went at it. The foolish move by the President of Georgia continues to baffle me. Iran, of course, surprised me yet again. The country launched the delivery mechanism for the delivery of a satellite. It has entered the space age. This is just one image I have noted that was broacast by the Iranian State Broadcaster: (source: http://www.irna.com, retrieved August 17, 2008):

We certainly do live in interesting times....

The Gas Tax Holiday....Is this a joke or what?

I caught a glimpse of cnn's this week in politics where there was talk of the economic program that senators mccain and obama are proposing. There was a clip about senator mccain touting the idea of the gas tax holiday again

Well I just got done filling up my gas tank. It cost me about 75 bucks. Something that used to cost me about 50 six months ago. The fed gas tax is around 19 cents a gallon. So I would have saved a little over 3 dollars. I have to fill my tank about three times a month. So for the month it would be around 10 bucks a month and 120 bucks a year. For a family with two cars it will be around 240 bucks a year. There aint much you can do with 240 bucks. I would rather pay that to insure reasonable roads and safe bridges. Senator McCain talked about folks getting a break buying textbooks. He apparently does not know that an average textbook is around 100 easy unless you get creative

Statistics are just that......but it is the real stories that we need to get out there. Maybe the real stories will help all those who are eyeing the biggest gift America can bestow upon a person to be more realistic and avoid short term gimmicks.

The Tragedy that is Iraq...

A fellow blogger (Source: http://www.sportandpolitics.com/2008/06/special-comment-ii.html, retrieved June 12, 2008) just featured Keith Oberman's take on Senator McCain "Not Important" comment yesterday On The Today Show Interview with Matt Lauder. A lot to think about and reflect upon...

The Democratic Race...Continued.....

Today was the meeting to decide the fate of the Michigan and Florida Delegates. The rules committee of the Democratic National Committee decided to seat both delegations, granting them 1/2 vote. Senator Clinton reserved her right to appeal the decision to the Credentials Committee, as reported by CNN (Source: http://www.cnn.com, retrieved May 31, 2008). This is going on too long. I hope that the Super Delegates will make their decisions and make their decisions now. I am glad that Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi have spoken up about the need for the infighting to end. Senator McCain is using this to solidify his base, solidify his finances and be ready. Senator McCain will be one tough opponent and I don't think anyone realizes it. He fought back from being virtually eliminated to be the Republican Standard-bearer. Therefore if the Democratic Party thinks it is going to be easy, it will be in for a shock. Three Special Elections in the Congress will not necessarily translate into taking back the White House. That is the prize that will make all the difference in the world.

The Iraq Drama

Whenever I read Juan Cole's Blog, I get sick to my stomach. The daily summary of violence he reports on continues to be one voice (among many) who is telling the truth as the President, Senator McCain and the rest of the right-wing in the U.S. continue the happy talk on Iraq. I was a bit surprised when Juan Cole heaped praise on General Petraues. But, the military can only do so much. There lies the problem.

As the debate in the U.S. has continued, Iraq continues to sink further into the abyss. The latest target is the Sadr Movement. Moqtada-Al-Sadr's Brother-in-Law was assassinated. Nir Rosen is right when he says there is no Iraqi Government. Why we believe the fiction in this country is beyond me. Maybe I am not supposed to understand.

The Democratic Battle

Well, voices have arisen for Senator Clinton to quit. I can understand President Clinton's E-Mail pledge request yesterday when he said that the battle is still potentially winnable. The problem I have is that the more this battle goes on, the Republicans are going to take advantage of it. I am reminded of that scene in the Rob Reiner Film, the American President, when Michael Douglas said that the two key things that helps wins elections are the blame and the fear game. The Republicans are masters are it. John McCain has been at it when he accused the Democrats of raising the white flag of surrender. In addition, John McCain also has basically said that people are on their own and cannot expect any help on mortgage relief, on health care and on education. I am sure that Senator McCain and his surrogates will disagree with this blanket statement. But, the facts are the facts. Of course, I don't think Senator Obama's speech about blaming Bill Clinton's Presidency for the economic predicament helped matters earlier this week. The Republicans did a fine job of blaming everything on Bill Clinton.

Now, what does the future hold? I am very very pessimistic. Let's see what this week brings about.

By the way, Iraq went through another five days of renewed violence. Motagda Sadr did order his figthers of the streets and as the BBC said, preserved his army. But, the so-called progress that the Bush Adminstration has been peddling turned out to be a hollow claim. In addition, there is word that the troop drawdown will slow down. When will Mr. Bush be held accountable?

McCain's Vision

Whenever I have thought about John McCain, I have noted his sacrifice and service to our country. But, I cannot accept what his vision is for us. To me, he has no vision. He visited Orange County, CA and said that homeowners and banks should not be bailed out. He talked in general about health care, but without what needed to be done. So, what is telling us is simply this: don't get sick and just pray that you can somehow ride out the economic slowdown tsunami. McCain will block any attempt to help the common man.

As for Foreign Policy, McCain has none. All he knows is how to use military force. It seems to me that 8 years of neo-con nonsense and lies is enough. McCain represents a continuation of the same nonsense of regime change and an inflated sense of his importance. He is dangerous, a menace to the future of our country and must be fought. Nothing less than our future is at stake. Yet, the Democratic Candidates are talking about releasing tax returns, about fighting for delegates and are taking their eyes of the ball.

Bill Richardson, The Campaign & Our Future

As we begin another week, I read about Bill Richardson on CNN....Poor Bill Richardson...
Governor Richardson has been criticized for endorsing Barrack Obama. He is typical of many within the Democratic Party who are looking for a new way forward, but hold a special affinity for the Clintons for what they have done for us as a nation. As I have said before, I am also a Clintonista but I am not sure right now if Senator Clinton can win. Senator Obama will have a tough time in light of all that has come out especially due to the controversy surrounding his former spiritual advisor Rev. Jeremiah Wright. One thing I know for sure: We have to change. I sure don't want another 4 years of the same. I have said many times that John McCain must be respected because of his patriotic service to his country. However, what he envisions for our country going forward is not a vision I agree with. I am sure that I speak for many in my views of this. Some will agree...and I respect their views. I just pray that the ensuing political debate will be one of mutual respect. I sure don't want another Swift Boat campaign....we deserve a lot more.......

May One Live in Interesting Times......

The Democratic Primary continues to be interesting, to say the least. Barrack Obama has momentum. He has just sweeped the Potomac Primaries. Vernon Jordan said it is tough to run against a "movement". My problem is that if the Democratic Primary continues, it will pose a challenge in the general election. McCain is one tough guy to run against. There is no way one can run against him on National Security. However, his one vunerability is Iraq. Juan Cole's reporting today on the violence in Iraq is one indication of this. In addition, when Robert Gates talked about a pause in the US troop draw means to me that the Adminstration is seeing something the rest of us already know. The fact is that this strategy has been a temporary solution to a long simmering problem which will continue to haunt us until we have a President who is courageous enough to say that "enough is enough". The struggle goes on.

Going across the Pacific Ocean to Australia: Kevin Rudd, The Australian Prime Minister, just issued a long-promised apology to the natives of his country for how they have been treated. It takes courage and leadership. There is nothing wrong with saying that a mistake has been made. The key thing is to figure out how to insure that one does not learn from it again.

Super Tuesday...Will it be over?

The Economist dubbed the upcoming election as the "Greatest Show on Earth". Despite the fact that we are about to have the first $ 1 Billion Presidency, at least market forces have a strange way of working itself out. Senator Clinton and Senator Obama are vying for the Democratic Nomination. I think the Democractic Party will be stronger, more united and more progressive as a result of this dialogue. No matter what the pundits have said, Bill Clinton's advocacy of his wife is the right thing to do...and Senator Obama said is as much. I don't understand what folks meant by being "Presidential...".

I was sorry to see John Edwards stop his run for the Presidency. He gave voice for those of us who had no voice. He spoke for me and my aspirations. I trust that the two remaining leading Democractic Candidates will make sure that the aspirations of those of us who are "..faces in the crowd"...will be heard and will be addressed. I do worry about John McCain, though. I read Mark Penn's comments in Senator Clinton's Blog. I think Senator McCain is a formidable opponent and should not be taken lightly at all. I made these comments earlier in Senator Clinton's Campaign Blog to reflect upon this very fact:

"..Super Tuesday is before us....For the sake of our party, I hope that it is settled. In John McCain, we will have a tough and formidable opponent. I realize Mark Penn's view that Senator Clinton can beat Senator McCain. But, whatever one thinks of Senator McCain, his courage, committment to service and his willingness to tell it like it is not in doubt. The issue is one of vision as I see it. It is whether we want a vision of a someone is a neo-con's neo-con, or someone either Senator Clinton or even Senator Obama who want to change the mindset that has caused us to be ridiculed around the world. I was glad to read that Senator Clinton and Senator Obama started this during the latest debate in California....." As noted in : http://connect.hillaryclinton.com/blog/Mikeps-Blog/400017732, Feburary 2, 2008.

I do remain hopeful...but scared....we have some tough and challenging times before us.....