This is old, but it's going to be making the rounds now. Check out Craig Ferguson talking about Sarah Palin:
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Ledesma endorses . . .
No one. Not yet.
I just did my own analysis of where I stand on certain selected issues with the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates: I agree with Joe Biden about 70% of the time on the selected issues. 57% of the time with John McCain. About 50% of the time with Sarah Palin. And just 28% of the time with Barack Obama. (I'll post my big fancy chart after I expand it and study the issues more).
I think I'm going to wait until the debates to see if I can get a read on their character and strength before I make my decision - if that does anything to sway me. And thus, I fall into the "independent" or "undecided" category that both parties want to woo to their side. Unfortunately for me, I live in New York. So, with or without my vote, Obama gets the state. I have to say, it does take some of the pressure off.
My next step, in the upcoming weeks, is to focus on the issues that matter the most to me in a Presidential candidate.
Already there have been many private and public responses to my recent posts on this blog and on Facebook. Most are very intelligent responses from people like my kickball friend Steve, old college friends like Katy and Helena, and my former coworker Heather. I thank you all for your thoughtful responses and answers to my questions.
And, to all those who are perplexed by my uneasiness with Obama, please note: I am a registered Democrat in NYC but also have conservative and libertarian tendencies. I should probably change my party registration. I don't like labels.
I just did my own analysis of where I stand on certain selected issues with the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates: I agree with Joe Biden about 70% of the time on the selected issues. 57% of the time with John McCain. About 50% of the time with Sarah Palin. And just 28% of the time with Barack Obama. (I'll post my big fancy chart after I expand it and study the issues more).
I think I'm going to wait until the debates to see if I can get a read on their character and strength before I make my decision - if that does anything to sway me. And thus, I fall into the "independent" or "undecided" category that both parties want to woo to their side. Unfortunately for me, I live in New York. So, with or without my vote, Obama gets the state. I have to say, it does take some of the pressure off.
My next step, in the upcoming weeks, is to focus on the issues that matter the most to me in a Presidential candidate.
Already there have been many private and public responses to my recent posts on this blog and on Facebook. Most are very intelligent responses from people like my kickball friend Steve, old college friends like Katy and Helena, and my former coworker Heather. I thank you all for your thoughtful responses and answers to my questions.
And, to all those who are perplexed by my uneasiness with Obama, please note: I am a registered Democrat in NYC but also have conservative and libertarian tendencies. I should probably change my party registration. I don't like labels.
Friday, August 29, 2008
In defense of (in)experience
All day on CNN.com I've seen commentary on why Sarah Palin is a mistake. I've also read attack after attack on her lack of experience. Are you serious?
Why would you even bring that up? I feel like telling the Democrats to "shush" and keep it quiet. The moment the Democrats attack her on her lack of experience, they can turn it back on Obama. Yes, she's a heartbeat away from being President. But, she's not running for President! On the other hand, Obama IS running for President. And he has less experience than she does!
She was elected into her City Council in 1992. He was elected for the first time to the State Senate in 1997. Five years later! She has five years more experience than he does! If Democrats claim that she doesn't have experience, he certainly does not!
And, if you want to discuss the quality of experience, you lose also. She has executive experience as a Mayor and a Governor. Obama has experience as a US Senator, but let's not forget that he voted "Present" in the Senate over 100 times (not making a decision on legislation one way or another) and that half of his time as Senator has been spent campaigning for President.
MEMO TO THE DEMOCRATS: DO NOT ATTACK SARAH PALIN ON EXPERIENCE!
If you want to chip away at her, go for her conservative stance on issues. Point out the differences and why you think she's wrong. Get Biden to run circles around her during the debates. But, do not attack her on experience. That's the wrong way to go.
Why would you even bring that up? I feel like telling the Democrats to "shush" and keep it quiet. The moment the Democrats attack her on her lack of experience, they can turn it back on Obama. Yes, she's a heartbeat away from being President. But, she's not running for President! On the other hand, Obama IS running for President. And he has less experience than she does!
She was elected into her City Council in 1992. He was elected for the first time to the State Senate in 1997. Five years later! She has five years more experience than he does! If Democrats claim that she doesn't have experience, he certainly does not!
And, if you want to discuss the quality of experience, you lose also. She has executive experience as a Mayor and a Governor. Obama has experience as a US Senator, but let's not forget that he voted "Present" in the Senate over 100 times (not making a decision on legislation one way or another) and that half of his time as Senator has been spent campaigning for President.
MEMO TO THE DEMOCRATS: DO NOT ATTACK SARAH PALIN ON EXPERIENCE!
If you want to chip away at her, go for her conservative stance on issues. Point out the differences and why you think she's wrong. Get Biden to run circles around her during the debates. But, do not attack her on experience. That's the wrong way to go.
I was right!
Today is a great day for the United States of America. First, because I was right! And second, because of progress.
On Wednesday I made my guesses for the Top 3 possibilities for McCain's VP:
http://bapcog.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-top-3-guesses-for-mccains-vp.html
I chose Sarah Palin because she's conservative enough so that McCain won't lose as many votes to Bob Barr or the Conservative Party and she brings youth and a fresh face to the ticket.
Plus, she's a woman. Now, I know that John McCain is not dumb enough to think that Hillary Clinton's supporters will vote for Sarah Palin simply because she's a woman. If he wanted that, he would have chosen somebody more towards the center, a moderate Republican. Sarah Palin is not a moderate.
However, just as with any political election, there's a whole bunch of people out there that vote for superficial reasons. And, I know for certain (because I know some of them) that there are people who will now vote for John McCain simply because he has a woman on the ticket. Nothing to do with her qualifications, all about the gender. They are few but they do exist.
Smart move by John McCain today. And, oh yeah, I was right! But so was my friend, Paul Snatchko! (and to be honest, I've been hearing about Palin from his blog for months).
On to progress: As of noon today we know that unless something catastrophic happens in the next few months, come January 2009, we will have a biracial President or a female Vice-President or perhaps even an African-American female President. Now, isn't that something?
It's taken a long time, from the Civil War to the Suffrage movement to the Civil Rights movement to the Equal Rights Amendment all the way to 2008. And we're here. A place where no matter what happens, history will be made this November.
Congratulations to Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, and Cynthia McKinney for being a part of history.
And now, who will Ledesma endorse? Stay tuned.
On Wednesday I made my guesses for the Top 3 possibilities for McCain's VP:
http://bapcog.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-top-3-guesses-for-mccains-vp.html
I chose Sarah Palin because she's conservative enough so that McCain won't lose as many votes to Bob Barr or the Conservative Party and she brings youth and a fresh face to the ticket.
Plus, she's a woman. Now, I know that John McCain is not dumb enough to think that Hillary Clinton's supporters will vote for Sarah Palin simply because she's a woman. If he wanted that, he would have chosen somebody more towards the center, a moderate Republican. Sarah Palin is not a moderate.
However, just as with any political election, there's a whole bunch of people out there that vote for superficial reasons. And, I know for certain (because I know some of them) that there are people who will now vote for John McCain simply because he has a woman on the ticket. Nothing to do with her qualifications, all about the gender. They are few but they do exist.
Smart move by John McCain today. And, oh yeah, I was right! But so was my friend, Paul Snatchko! (and to be honest, I've been hearing about Palin from his blog for months).
On to progress: As of noon today we know that unless something catastrophic happens in the next few months, come January 2009, we will have a biracial President or a female Vice-President or perhaps even an African-American female President. Now, isn't that something?
It's taken a long time, from the Civil War to the Suffrage movement to the Civil Rights movement to the Equal Rights Amendment all the way to 2008. And we're here. A place where no matter what happens, history will be made this November.
Congratulations to Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, and Cynthia McKinney for being a part of history.
And now, who will Ledesma endorse? Stay tuned.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
LiveBlog on Obama's acceptance speech
11:45pm - Adam Who-Should-Become-a-Rabbi has uncovered the secret behind Obama's speeches... Aaron Sorkin, writer of The American President and The West Wing. Martin Sheen would make a great Chief of Staff.
11:43pm - Greta Van Sustren says "it was a dazzling speech."
11:42pm - FoxNews is reporting that the McCain camp is estimating a 15-point bounce for Obama after tonight. Did they like his speech that much too?
11:30pm - I suck at liveblogging. I'll try and do this again for McCain. Maybe. It'll still suck, but with a Republican twist.
11:12pm - Had to switch away from CNN to be able to watch the final prayer. To be honest, PBS has been doing a great job during the convention. They've shown almost every speech with just a little commentary in between. Yay to PBS and Viewers Like You!
11:10pm - I expected better. Though I think it's funny how the CNN trio of Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, and John King all think it was the best speech in the world. They've clearly been drinking the Kool-Aid. It was a focused speech and he did hit some points and had some great lines. But, I can't wait until the debates.
11:00pm - And then the Democrats ruin the moment with fireworks, streamers, and music that's way too loud. And the people cry and wave their flags.
10:59pm - I think he lost some steam at the end. But, the Democrats in the stadium seem to love it. Flags waving and people on their feet. The beautiful girls come out to give dad a hug.
10:55 - Wrapping up with the American spirit and promise. I was waiting for him to hit this part of the speech. Channeling the preacher from Georgia.
10:50pm - The bipartisan speech. AK47s and gays. Though we don't agree, we can agree. Can we?
10:43pm - I love this line, "But he won't even follow him to the cave where he lives." The Dems have been pushing the whole war in Afghanistan, not Iraq thing. Would Obama hop in the cave with a gun and grenade? Does he even know how to use them?
10:33pm - An Obama speech: No blue or red states, just the United States. Good line, but has been repeated too often, I think.
10:27pm - Is it me, or does Jill, Joe Biden's wife look overwhelmed and scared?
10:16pm - The video clip for Obama. Who narrated that? It was bland. However, as he stepped out to a crowd of 70,000, with the lights, the camera angles, the music - pretty neat. But then they stopped the music a little too suddenly so they could get the speech started. Should have given him a little more time to bask.
9:10pm - How did Al Gore become such a "cool" guy in the last eight years? He's like a superstar.
8:30pm - Bill Richardson kicked ass in his speech. Secretary of State, hands down.
8:20pm - Did anyone see the ad John McCain sneaked in to the Primetime convention coverage. He tried to put on his sincere face. But, there's something about how he said "How perfect that your nomination would come on this historic day" that made me cringe.
I actually stopped it (thanks DVR) and watched it three times. It gets worse each time. Am I the only one?
11:43pm - Greta Van Sustren says "it was a dazzling speech."
11:42pm - FoxNews is reporting that the McCain camp is estimating a 15-point bounce for Obama after tonight. Did they like his speech that much too?
11:30pm - I suck at liveblogging. I'll try and do this again for McCain. Maybe. It'll still suck, but with a Republican twist.
11:12pm - Had to switch away from CNN to be able to watch the final prayer. To be honest, PBS has been doing a great job during the convention. They've shown almost every speech with just a little commentary in between. Yay to PBS and Viewers Like You!
11:10pm - I expected better. Though I think it's funny how the CNN trio of Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, and John King all think it was the best speech in the world. They've clearly been drinking the Kool-Aid. It was a focused speech and he did hit some points and had some great lines. But, I can't wait until the debates.
11:00pm - And then the Democrats ruin the moment with fireworks, streamers, and music that's way too loud. And the people cry and wave their flags.
10:59pm - I think he lost some steam at the end. But, the Democrats in the stadium seem to love it. Flags waving and people on their feet. The beautiful girls come out to give dad a hug.
10:55 - Wrapping up with the American spirit and promise. I was waiting for him to hit this part of the speech. Channeling the preacher from Georgia.
10:50pm - The bipartisan speech. AK47s and gays. Though we don't agree, we can agree. Can we?
10:43pm - I love this line, "But he won't even follow him to the cave where he lives." The Dems have been pushing the whole war in Afghanistan, not Iraq thing. Would Obama hop in the cave with a gun and grenade? Does he even know how to use them?
10:33pm - An Obama speech: No blue or red states, just the United States. Good line, but has been repeated too often, I think.
10:27pm - Is it me, or does Jill, Joe Biden's wife look overwhelmed and scared?
10:16pm - The video clip for Obama. Who narrated that? It was bland. However, as he stepped out to a crowd of 70,000, with the lights, the camera angles, the music - pretty neat. But then they stopped the music a little too suddenly so they could get the speech started. Should have given him a little more time to bask.
9:10pm - How did Al Gore become such a "cool" guy in the last eight years? He's like a superstar.
8:30pm - Bill Richardson kicked ass in his speech. Secretary of State, hands down.
8:20pm - Did anyone see the ad John McCain sneaked in to the Primetime convention coverage. He tried to put on his sincere face. But, there's something about how he said "How perfect that your nomination would come on this historic day" that made me cringe.
I actually stopped it (thanks DVR) and watched it three times. It gets worse each time. Am I the only one?
Pancakes and Sausage for Dinner
Wendy and I were having a hard time deciding what to make/order for dinner when suddenly I saw a light bulb go off over my wife's head..."Pancakes!" she yelled excitedly.
I got up and did a little dance.
We've never had breakfast for dinner. Let me tell you, it was grand! Everyone should do it every now and then. It's a treat.
And now for some syrupy belching. Pardon me.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
My Top 3 guesses for McCain's VP
I like taking guesses on these kinds of things. Here's my top 3:
#1 - Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska
Former beauty queen, strictly pro-life, lifetime member of the NRA, approval rating percentage in the 80s. Plus, she's from an "energy" state.
On the flip-side she's from Alaska and no one knows her.
#2 - Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts
Recently pro-life, has argued in favor of gun control, supported the invasion of Iraq and the troop surge, is worth around $500 million, and he's got those crazy good looks.
On the downside, he's changed his opinion on almost everything in the past 10 years and he's a Mormon (if people have trouble accepting Obama as a Christian, what about the Mormon?).
#3 - Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesotta
Very conservative, young (47), refuses to raise taxes, is seen as being a "green" governor, signed on to the One.org campaign to help end world poverty and hunger, in favor of more prisons and tougher stances on drug offenders.
On the other hand he has been called a flip-flopper on abortion.
Who do you think it'll be? Who are your Top 3?
#1 - Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska
Former beauty queen, strictly pro-life, lifetime member of the NRA, approval rating percentage in the 80s. Plus, she's from an "energy" state.
On the flip-side she's from Alaska and no one knows her.
#2 - Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts
Recently pro-life, has argued in favor of gun control, supported the invasion of Iraq and the troop surge, is worth around $500 million, and he's got those crazy good looks.
On the downside, he's changed his opinion on almost everything in the past 10 years and he's a Mormon (if people have trouble accepting Obama as a Christian, what about the Mormon?).
#3 - Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesotta
Very conservative, young (47), refuses to raise taxes, is seen as being a "green" governor, signed on to the One.org campaign to help end world poverty and hunger, in favor of more prisons and tougher stances on drug offenders.
On the other hand he has been called a flip-flopper on abortion.
Who do you think it'll be? Who are your Top 3?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A denial I disagree with
In the Roman Catholic Church there has been a lot of talk, going mostly one way, about the denial of holy Communion to pro-choice politicians. The issue has been going on for years.
Four years ago there was talk about denying the Holy Eucharist to John Kerry and nowadays it's about Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden. Here's what I don't understand: Why would you deny Communion to the people who might need it the most?
Back in 2004, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) issued a memo to the US Catholic bishops giving guidance on denying Communion to Catholic politicians who support legal abortion. In it he stated that there should be a private admonishment of the sin, but if necessary, there should be a denial of Communion. He wrote that "the minister of holy Communion [is not] passing judgment on the person's subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person's public unworthiness to receive holy Communion due to an objective sin."
However, in this "reaction" is this minister not making an actual "judgment" on the politician? The very action of deeming someone unworthy requires the formation of some judgment.
If the Church is worried about the public unworthiness of a public servant, I agree that they should privately chat with the politician, and perhaps even make a public statement disagreeing with the politician's public position. However, denying them the body and blood of Christ does little to change that politician's mind. The Church in this case may be alienating people that they should be trying to form. Jesus gave us Himself in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to nourish our souls and bring us into communion with Himself, the Father, and His followers. Talk to them, teach them, let the Holy Spirit guide them but do not turn them away.
What would Jesus do? I propose He would say to the pro-choice politicians, "Stop doing that! Let me tell you why..." and then invite them to dinner.
Read Mark 2:15-17,
While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
(Photo courtesy of http://stmartincatholichurch.com)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Gasolina endorses John McCain
Say what?
Today Daddy Yankee endorsed John McCain.
Why?
"his ideals and his proposals."
Vague!
But wait, he did have a good line:
Asked what his song "Gasolina" is about, Ayala said with a grin: "Energy independence."
(Photo courtesy of the LA Times.)
Click, Click - Make me money!
You may have noticed recently that there are now ads and YouTube videos on my blog (please click on them). You may be wondering what that's all about (try one, click on it, please).
Well, I've sold out!
I found out recently that as a Blogger you can make some cash on the side if you allow ads on your blog (so click on an ad, you know you want to). The way it works is that websites pay Google to put their ads on sites. Then they pay Google for every visitor that clicks on their ad. By allowing ads on my blog, I get a percentage of this ad business. But only if you click on the ads (which I know you want to do). You don't need to buy anything, you don't give them any information, all you have to do is be a smart, curious, intelligent, caring, generous reader who clicks on ads that might interest you. Every time you click, I make a few cents (how nice of you).
Hey, it pays the bills.
The same goes for the YouTube videos found on the right-hand column of this site. Click away! (because you're so kind)
Having said that, you may notice that the ads on the top of the screen and the YouTube videos on the right-hand side are content-specific. Google does its voodoo-magic to match the content of the ad with the content of my blog. So, you'll find a range of ultra-religious to politically liberal themes in the ads and videos, and vice versa. The content is not endorsed by me (but the act of clicking is). So, please, no comments about why I support one candidate over another or subscribe to one religious viewpoint over another based on the ads or videos. They have nothing to do with my own views. However, if you're curious about them, please click (you're awesome that way).
Papa wants a brand new bag.
Well, I've sold out!
I found out recently that as a Blogger you can make some cash on the side if you allow ads on your blog (so click on an ad, you know you want to). The way it works is that websites pay Google to put their ads on sites. Then they pay Google for every visitor that clicks on their ad. By allowing ads on my blog, I get a percentage of this ad business. But only if you click on the ads (which I know you want to do). You don't need to buy anything, you don't give them any information, all you have to do is be a smart, curious, intelligent, caring, generous reader who clicks on ads that might interest you. Every time you click, I make a few cents (how nice of you).
Hey, it pays the bills.
The same goes for the YouTube videos found on the right-hand column of this site. Click away! (because you're so kind)
Having said that, you may notice that the ads on the top of the screen and the YouTube videos on the right-hand side are content-specific. Google does its voodoo-magic to match the content of the ad with the content of my blog. So, you'll find a range of ultra-religious to politically liberal themes in the ads and videos, and vice versa. The content is not endorsed by me (but the act of clicking is). So, please, no comments about why I support one candidate over another or subscribe to one religious viewpoint over another based on the ads or videos. They have nothing to do with my own views. However, if you're curious about them, please click (you're awesome that way).
Papa wants a brand new bag.
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