Homespun Honolulu Endorses Barack Obama!
That makes my blog sound important, don’t you think? Okay, I know it’s a silly title, but it’s true. Don’t worry, if you don’t support Obama, I am cool with that and I am very open to hear about it! Honest! I don’t vote by political party, never have. I vote for people.
This article has been pending on the drawing board for quite some time. Every day something else happens that I have an opinion about; something else is said that fuels my desire to talk about this man. Each time that has happened over the past few weeks, I have just continued to add more comments to the draft of this post. After the Rev. Wright fiasco yesterday, now seems like the best time!
At this point, I realize that it is only going to continue to grow so I will try to summarize my compilations and talk about some of them and just keep talking in other posts as things happen. I need to just post this as a start to my political observations. If I let it go any longer, it’s going to end up being a novel-length series of observations. Oh, wait, that’s what a blog is, isn’t it? 🙂
I’m hanging on every word I hear and every word the political pundits are saying, to the best of my ability. I’m agreeing, disagreeing and wanting so much to tell someone what I’m thinking and then hear what you guys are thinking. I know what the media is thinking, or spinning.
It started pretty tame, fun and exciting, with things like this…
I actually appreciated the YouTube video that equated Obama’s campaign to the opening scenes of the Wizard of Oz. While I don’t think they intended it to be complimentary, I do think that it was intended to say we’re living in a fairytale. I actually loved the analogy because I could only think of the hope this new Presidential candidate has brought to the table. A fairytale? No, hope and a positive direction!
My focus is on Obama’s ability to unite all of us, the way we were here in Honolulu at the time of the caucus. His ability to spur people into action is like nothing I have ever seen in my lifetime. I’m amazed at my own reaction but even more amazed that so many people have had the same reaction. I was so drawn to his sincerity and to his genuine desire to work with us as a team. Obama’s down home communication is so very real and, consequently, so very effective.
I don’t understand the Congressman, Steve King, who said that they (al-Qaida) will be dancing in the streets if Obama wins. Huh? I can see why Iraq would be, but al-Qaida? Because of Obama’s middle name? How infantile is that?!? We’re done in Iraq and should have been gone a long time ago. It is obvious that if McCain, or any Republican, gets into office, they will keep us in the war trampling on Iraq’s turf. None of us want that. Of course, if Hillary wins they’ll probably be laughing in the street. Does anyone remember that women are not very popular over there? Uh, just how much respect do you think she’s going to get?
Let’s see, Obama says he’s going to get us out of their space and he’s going to talk story with their leaders, and others, even if they hate us. Iraq actually may be dancing in the street, and well it should! I think I would be dancing in the street too! Most of the people I talk to, think we should have brought our troops home a long time ago and should not have been there in the first place. I also read that someone said that Iraq would like to be left to their own devices. Of course, that may have been just opinion, but I would guess it’s not too far off the mark.
Here I will insert a note about Hamas. Why are they happy to see Obama get in? Because they want the lines of communication open without the constant threat of violence hanging over their heads. Are the problematic? Yes. But, I’m not really sure how problematic. Are you? Please share! Make not mistake, any real threat would be answered, but if it can be avoided and resolved without violence, that would be my foreign policy of choice.
If the terrorists (any of them) knew what was coming their way, and if they’re not looking for peaceful resolution, they should be looking for a place to hide. I’m quite familiar with some of the bloodline behind Senator Obama. His maternal grandmother was a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done kind of lady. This woman had a direct hand in raising Mr. Obama.
I have to be honest and confess that I have thanked my lucky stars over the years that I did not have to work under Madelyn Dunham. I never met her but, from what I have heard over the years, she had a commanding presence in the work place. I have heard from people who did work under her that she, “made sure you knew what you were doing!” She was focused and determined to get the job done and done correctly. Hmmm… I certainly don’t mind having that kind of bloodline in the Whitehouse! Mrs. Dunham retired before I got there. I now wish, more than ever, that I did make it there before she retired — so I would have known her instead of just knowing about her.
Perhaps Mr King’s dancing-in-the-street comment was another reference to Obama’s religion? I’ll admit that Fox News got me on that one too. Our local newsies know I don’t always follow the news… until recently. People were believing what Fox wrongly reported: that Obama was a Muslim. No, he is not. They did not have the decency to confirm or authenticate their information before letting it loose. They were wrong.
Sensational journalism is one thing (annoying as it is), but slanderous journalism is quite another. [NOTE: I have seen the objections elsewhere and I anticipate this thought going through the minds of readers so I will address it before it goes there — no, there is NOTHING wrong with being Muslim! That is your choice. However, it becomes a problem for voters if you are wanting to be the President of the United States — a country that is currently not on the best-friends list of Muslim-controlled countries and/or territories.]
The media can keep spinning it and I will continue to spin it in the right direction! See, this is the benefit of being a blogger — no network is going to tell me to shut my mouth. They may say it, but it won’t work. Does that make me a crazy blogger, Mr. O’Reilly? I will say that Mr. O’Reilly is one of the few things that keeps me tuning into Fox… even if he does irk me sometimes. Bloggers are not crazy, we’re passionate and sometimes artistic personalities. So, you might as well get over it!
What is it that Americans are looking to move away from?
Easy answer — Bush.
I voted for Gore. I often wonder where we would be right now if Gore had gotten in. I think that we would be trying to fix the environment and global warming. Not very interesting you say? Well, we would have gotten a head start on cutting back on our need for oil. Finally we’ve started looking for other ways to produce energy — to help decrease our huge reliance on that crude oil, but just think how much better off we would be if we had started this seven years ago!
Now, about being bitter… some people really need to get over those statements — Obama was simply making an observation. We are all bitter at any given time. Maybe we’re not bitter about the government all the time but even if things don’t impact us directly, we’re still bitter. How much of the news do you have to watch before you are troubled? How many accidents do you need to see, how much crime do you need to witness and how many tears do you have to dry before you feel a twinge?
Every time we see one of our friends weep as they say goodbye to their child being deployed, yet AGAIN, to Iraq, we feel the pangs of that with mixed emotion. These parents are so very proud, but so fearful for their children. You’re damn right we’re bitter. We’re fighting someone else’s war to protect our interest in oil? How much do you need to make you bitter?
I’m not living is squalor but I know people who are. I have financial difficulties but I haven’t lost my home. Yet, I understand the anguish and ire created by all of this. I have food, I have shelter, and I have ,a job. If I have all these things and I still feel frustrated and angry quite often, why is it so hard to believe that everyone has moments of bitterness?!? This is not an insult, in any way — it’s an astute observation. Anyone who doesn’t see that, in my opinion, is really out of touch!
We are frustrated, we are bitter and we’re angry! We’re watching our society crumble with drugs and crime as more of our citizens are sent off to fix other people’s governments instead of their own. You tell me why we shouldn’t be angry! The other candidates need to pick another topic to make up stories about because they’ve worked that one into the ground.
Most of my friends, and I myself, have trouble making ends meet. That’s just how our economy is. Is it frustrating? You bet! Are we bitter? At times. I didn’t find anything incorrect or belittling in Obama’s comments at all. He’s right, so stop trying to make something more out of a simple and accurate observation.
Wait, I’m not done yet… we also have people like Hillary Rosen on MSNBC saying that the Obama campaign is being divisive by stating that the super delegates are going against the popular vote, i.e. what the people want and have voted for. Uh, another true statement — they are! Maybe not all of them but the last I heard, ours is. We say Obama, our delegate says no. That is what’s divisive! The accusation in cases like that (that our votes are being stolen) is not “outrageous,” Ms. Rosen, it’s quite accurate and, like it or not, that’s how we see it — we put them where they are, how dare they go against us!
I do think that everyone will agree we need a President who will step up to the plate and be our country’s salvation. After the disaster that has been made of our economy and our fiscal budget, we need some heavy-duty restoration. As for our image around the globe, we need restitution. My mind returns again and again to Obama’s comments about how we need to talk to other World Leaders, even the ones who don’t like us. If you’re the President, Barrack, I’m looking to you to make it happen. I’m looking to you to be our President and our Ambassador!
Obama is representative of us. Of course we cry when we hear him talk. I thought I was the only one. I’m not. He speaks what’s in our hearts so it brings the passion forward. He’s the Coca Cola of politicians — he’s the Real Thing!
David Brooks from the New York Times cracks me up! I’m an Obama supporter and I’m not ashamed to say so. But, sorry Mr. Brooks, I’m not going to be selling flowers at the airport anytime soon. I may be there to give my favorite candidate a lei, but I don’t think that opportunity will ever present itself. If it does, I can only hope he will be surrounded by too many secret service for me to even get close!
Another person I would love to get close to is Michelle Obama. What a gem! If you say nothing else positive about this man, he’s got some damn good taste! She’s a natural! I saw her interview with Stephen Colbert and was very impressed with her candor and her comfort with public speaking. Michelle calls it as she sees it. Period.
Whether you agree with me or not, your comments are very welcome here. Don’t worry about being heated… talking about politics seems to have that effect on people. Ahem. Do watch your language though, please.
Now, about that Ayers thing… my first reaction was, “Who?” He’s a teacher now. He was a hippy activist back in the 60’s. He’s not part of the picture.
As for McCain’s stance that Obama should apologize to the American people… sorry Mr. McCain but that’s a stretch. I mean, do we all walk into a room and ask everyone there what they were doing 30 or 40 years ago? Most of us ask a new acquaintance what they do now.
Ayers lived through an ugly time in our history. It was during the “hippy days” — a time when drugs were the newest fad, sexual awareness was set free, and political activists were on every corner. Some, like Ayers and his cohorts, were extremists. Should he have been given some time behind bars to humble his a** a bit? Definitely. He got off because of a technicality, a slip-up on the part of FBI investigators. Don’t wait for me to say I’ll talk about that later. I won’t. It’s a waste of bandwidth and I’m not going to chastise an organization for which I have an uncanny amount of aloha and respect. It’s over, it’s done, move on.
Politico.com talked somewhat extensively about the relationship between Obama and Ayers. They posted the following quote from Senator Obama’s press secretary, “Sen. Obama strongly condemns the violent actions of the Weathermen group, as he does all acts of violence,” said Obama’s press secretary, Bill Burton. “But he was an 8-year-old child when Ayers and the Weathermen were active, and any attempt to connect Obama with events of almost 40 years ago is ridiculous.”
Aside from being cordial acquaintances that can communicate with each other, there is no relationship to talk about. Are they avoiding the questions from nosy newsies? Of course! Why can’t Rev. Wright do the same?
Reverend Wright, now there’s a problem! I need to point out that people who are saying so are NOT attacking the “black church” or anything else for that matter! The audacity of this person to take on the role of speaking for all black Christians and for everyone who has ever gone to his church. It’s inexcusable! The people who are hoping Wright will shut up are indeed against Wright. I personally am feeling embarrassment for the UCC parish in Chicago. I hope we will get to meet Reverend Moss who has replaced Wright.
Another black pastor, Reverend Eugene Rivers, on MSNBC’s Hardball said that Wright has done nothing but benefit Clinton and McCain with his rhetoric. My question is, how can a man (Wright) who has had so much education behave in such a moronic fashion? For every step we take to get rid of racism, idiots like that just mess it all up again. Does Wright have the right to keep talking? Of course! He’s an American! Should he keep talking? I think I can speak for most Obama supporters when I say, absolutely not! Go clean the church or polish the pews or plant a garden to calm your crazy self. Decaf only for you!
Going forward, I want to talk about what’s important, just like all Americans want to hear about what’s important — the issues that face our country. I’m going to tune in and research the answers to the questions that bother me and that bother the people around me most of all. Let’s look at the positions candidates are taking on the important things rather than coming down on them for the past and present indiscretions of others, over which they have no control.
There, I spit it out. Like I said, it’s a conglomeration of thoughts and reactions to what has gone on over the past several weeks. The time stamp on this post says March 8th. It started even before that. I am reading books about Barack Obama and ones written by him. There is much I want to share about what I am learning. Going forward I will share what I see and how I see how it can help the American people to benefit from what this man has to offer! That’s what I want to share! I just had to get these things off my chest first.
Technorati Tags: Politics, Barack Obama
With the change in blog ownership and management around here a few months back, I needed to redraft the business cards for my blog. It is always a challenge to try to come up with something creative, but it’s always easier when you have a little bit of assistance and the input of a person in the know!
Yesterday morning the news came over the wire that Colt Brennan has been drafted by the Washington Redskins! I was very happy to hear that for a variety of reasons.
The sacred arts of Bhutan are currently this featured display at the Academy of Arts. The full display of this attraction is on the second floor.
