Two giant leaps forward, one big step backwards.

Last night voter across America with a clear voice said they wanted change. And in a historic election Barack Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, has been elected President of the United States. Hopefully President Elect Obama will be the leader that so many of us have invested with our hope, our dreams, and our desires for changed society. Currently Obama has 349 Electoral votes, 52% of the popular vote, and strong majorities in the House and Senate. The next President will face a daunting task of correcting the course of this nation. Leading us out of war, and into a time of peace, out of a recession and into a time of financial prosperity, and to end the inequities if bigotry and hate that have plagued this nation. The mandate of the people has been issued, and now it is the time to sit back and see if we have vested our trust in the right man. With the construction of an administration, and the assembling of a cabinet over the next several weeks, and almost certain supreme court appointments over the next 4 years, now is a time in American history unlike any other, and we have the opportunity to see change first hand, for better or worse.
And on a brief note, my respect to Senator John McCain, for his service and dedication to his country, as well as the classy way in which he ended his campaign without desperate legal challenges and accusations, but with kind words and a call to work together, putting country first. While I have not agreed with his policies, or the way in which his campaign has been ran, John McCain deserves the respect of a grateful nation, which he has served his entire life, as a navy officer and a United States Senator.
Finally, last night despite a national mandate for change, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida have all voted to ban gay marriage. It was a long and expensive fight, filled with attacks that played to people’s fears, insecurities, misconceptions, stereotypes, and prejudices. Let it be known however that this fight is not over. We will not just go quietly into the night. In time, this country will come recognize basic rights for all of its citizens. The history of the world is filled with ideals of hate and bigotry, and time and time again, the better angels of mankind have prevailed, it might not be tomorrow, it might not be next week, next month, or next year. Nevertheless, it will happen, and I truly believe it will happen within our lifetimes. And last night we took a big step towards that by election Barack Obama President of the United States.

The Closing Arguments

"In one week, we can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo," …"In one week, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history. That's what's at stake." – Senator Barack Obama
2008 is an election that will change all of our lives. All across this nation, we have a choice to make, we have to choose hope over fear, we have to choose unity over divisions, we need to bring the change this country desperately needs. It is up to us to choose the course of our history, and we do not get second chances to make it right. I used to hold Senator McCain in a high regard, and would have voted for him in 2000 when he ran for President, had that John McCain showed up this time, then I might still be one of his supporters. But John McCain has sold out, he has sold out his principles, he has sold out to the religious right, he has sold out to the neo-cons, and he has turned this from an election about real issues facing real people and tried to take it to the lowest common denominator playing off people’s fears and prejudices, and it is time that Senator McCain take his final curtain call because his 15 minutes are up. But who we vote for as our next President we need to look at ballot propositions. In five states there are proposed amendments/propositions that would deny rights to gays and lesbians and ban gay marriage, California (VOTE NO ON 8), Florida (VOTE NO ON 2), Arizona (VOTE NO ON 102), Connecticut (VOTE NO ON 1), and Arkansas (VOTE NO ON 1). This is an election that will have consequences, consequences on our economy, our nation defense, our foreign policy, and our basic fundamental rights to equality. As I said we don’t get second chances, we don’t get do over’s, this is the defining moment of a generation to stand up to the fears and prejudices of the past, this is our chance to overcome division and take a stand for equality. This is our chance to have our shining moment in the sun. We are at the crossroads of American History, and our destiny is of our own choosing, so make the choice, make the choice that will ensure a better tomorrow for all of us.
CALIFORNIA: Vote No on 8
FLORIDA: Vote No on 2
ARIZONA: Vote No on 102
CONNECTICUT: Vote No on Question 1
ARKANSAS: Vote No on Act 1

No Title

Ok,
I am still around. I have just been really busy lately and not felt motivated enough to post anything. Honestly I still don’t. I may decided to keep the blog, I may decide to drop it. I don’t know yet.
BW

Politics Unleashed

I have found a new political blog that looks like it could be interesting, it only has one post as of right now, but I think this one is worth keeping an eye on.

http://politicsunleashed08.blogspot.com/

BW

Time of Trials

“We live, my dear soul, in an age of trial. What will be the consequence, I know not.” – John Adams 2nd President of the United States - 1774

Those word where written 234 years ago in a letter that John Adams sent to his wife Abigail. The American Revolution would not begin for nearly another year, and the United States, consisting of the thirteen colonies, did not declare their Independence until July 4, 1776. Today, more than two centuries after those words where used to describe the tumultuous times leading up to the American Revolution, those words could not more accurately describe the time we live in. Gas prices continue to rise, global warming continues to grow worse, home foreclosure on the rise, the economy going down, this is a new age of trials and the consequences of our actions. As I watch the developing campaign, I see two choices developing. The first is John McCain, going back in time 8 years, I would be right there with the man. Eight years ago, McCain was the maverick; he was the man who would stand against his party when it was the right thing to do. The John McCain who ran for President eight years ago died when his campaign was crushed by the establishment backed Bush 00 campaign. Then there is Barack Obama, on the surface he brings a fresh face with a message of hope can change we can believe in. However one question remains, is Barack Obama the real deal that so many have staked their hopes and dreams in, or is he an opportunist saying what he feels the people want to hear, not what they need to hear. As far as the current situation, I will say this. A former boss of mine was fond of the phrase “doing the right thing wrong”, to me that is the perfect description for the current administration, and albeit I also agree in several areas, he has been just flat wrong. However, in terms of the war on terror, national security, and domestic intelligence, has he not done what the people demanded? Did the American people not demand retaliation for 9/11, did the American people not demand the government take measure to know about and prevent such attacks, and did the American people not demand a feeling of security and safety? The American people got exactly what they asked for; they just did not realize the price they would have to pay for it. As far as the war, I agree something needed done with hostile countries who actively sought to inflict pain and suffering on this country. The Iraqi War should never have been needed if the original dessert storm had been fulfilled to completion. As my boss used to say, it’s doing the right thing wrongly, we went into Bosnia claiming human rights violations, could we not have made the same arguments against Iraq, god knows the evidence was and is there, could we not have made a case that after nearly two decades of UN resolutions it was time for action, we didn’t need to fabricate anything. This is indeed a new age of trials, and as we continue on, I cannot say what the consequences of our actions will be; I cannot say which candidate is better. Do we put our faith in trust in a man who was sold out, and has sold himself out over the last eight years, do we trust that he will go back to be that man? On the other hand, do we trust the young Idealist to be the man we all hope he is?

The Free World

First, the set up.

Driving to work today my car radio locked itself on the AM band (don’t get me started, I am getting a new one next month). And I got to listen to this blow hole talk about how great America is, how we are the leaders of the free world and how we have so many rights and freedoms in this country, that if people don’t like it they can just leave. The blowhole in his next segment went on to talk about the dangers of a black President, said that their fried chicken and watermelon would ruin the White House and that they would never get the smell out, this blow hole also talked of the dangers of allowing the homosexual agenda to be pushed upon us, we are endangering our marriages and our children if we believe that the homosexual agenda is harmless, yet we are the leader of the free world.

Now, for my soapbox

Citizenship in America is not easy, to quote a movie, America is advanced citizenship and you have to want it. When is America going to get it, free speech is about more than being able to stand up and say whatever you desire, free speech is the ability to acknowledge someone is standing in the middle of room advocating at the top of their lungs what you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours, that is the freedom of speech. Freedom is taken for granted in this country; freedom is taken to mean freedom for those who agree with you, a moral standard, and a belief system shoved down everyone’s throats, while we pretend to have a freedom of religion. What happened to the ability to change the channel if you find something offense, why do we need it regulated, censored, or banned, pick up the remote and change the damn channel, it isn’t that hard. Moreover, what exactly is it about that homosexual agenda that scares the hell out of you, why you are so insecure in your beliefs, and in your marriage that you think the two boys in a loving relationship down the block will ruin it for you is beyond me, and if you can figure that out, well then you are a smarter person than I am. Let ask our allies such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, or the Czech Republic, Hungary, Uruguay, Slovenia, Spain, and Norway how they feel about same sex unions, those countries all have some form of legalized same sex union, and none of them have been stricken from the face of the earth, married couples did not cease to love each other or be married because two people of the same sex are also in a committed union together. America professing to be the leader of the free world is a crock of shit. Before we can profess ourselves to be the leaders of the free world we need to establish what freedom is, not a one sided “I am free to inflict my views upon you”, but an open debate, an open world where two people can stand openly in a room and profess their beliefs openly, and have the person standing next to them respect their right to be able to do it, that is freedom. Let us see that taught in classrooms, defend that, then we can stand up and sing about being the land of the free. The problem with so many people in our society, especially our leader is not that they do not get it, but that they can’t sell it. We have many issues facing our society, a failing economy, a falling foreign policy, a failed war, and what we need are serious people who get it to take charge and work together to solve the problems facing our nation. Most politicians are not the least bit interested in what our problems really are, they are interested in making you afraid of it, and telling you who is to blame for it, that is how elections are won. Senator Obama was right when he talked about apathetic voters who cling to their guns and bibles because that’s all they feel they have. Republicans have gotten really good at that game, you don’t need to debate issues, you just need to talk about family, values, character, and scare people that the other side is coming to take that away next. We have real problems facing this country and it is time for serious people to step up and help pull this country back up, and for blow holes like the moron on the morning radio, it’s past time that your fifteen minutes are up.

Thank you and good night.

America, This is Our Moment

Some quotes from Senator Barack Obama's speech 06/03/08.

YES WE CAN, YES WE DID, AND YES WE WILL.

OBAMA 2008, onto Washington, and the White House.

"because you decided that change must come to Washington; because you believed that this year must be different than all the rest; because you chose to listen not to your doubts or your fears but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations, tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another—a journey that will bring a new and better day to America"

"So it was for that band of patriots who declared in a Philadelphia hall the formation of a more perfect union; and for all those who gave on the fields of Gettysburg and Antietam their last full measure of devotion to save that same union.

So it was for the greatest generation that conquered fear itself, and liberated a continent from tyranny and made this country home to untold opportunity and prosperity.

So it was for the workers who stood out on the picket lines; the women who shattered glass ceilings; the children who braved a Selma bridge for freedom's cause.

So it has been for every generation that faced down the greatest challenges and the most improbable odds to leave their children a world that's better, and kinder, and more just.
And so it must be for us.

America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love. "

The political reality

As I watch the current race for the Whitehouse, I find myself, shocked, appalled, and even disgusted by what is going on, even as a major in political studies, I am finding this current situation to be stupid. When is America and American voters going to get their heads out of their asses and pay attention? When can we have a campaign that is about issues, ideas, policy, not about the petty bullshit that a tabloid media and the intellectually lacking people who thrive on it push down our throats? Senator Clinton is still in the Democratic race for the nomination, despite trailing in money, pledged delegates, popular vote, and loosing super delegates by the day, and no mathematically possibly way to catch up. Her claim is that she, not Senator Obama can win in November, well Senator Clinton after the hatchet job you, your husband, and your daughter (who yes, you have pimped out on the campaign trail) have done, no wonder he is going to have a tough fight in November. Senator Clinton has had the nerve to say shame on Barrack Obama, well senator, SHAME ON YOU. You have made this race not about issues, but about Race, Gender, who can where a flag pin and call themselves a patriot, and who can sell out their friends the quickest. Do I agree with what Senator Obama’s former pastor has said, NO, I do not, but I also don’t think that you can judge Obama based upon it. I have friends who are racist, I have friends who have done some really stupid and wrong things, but they are still my friends, they know I do not always approve of what they say or do, and I most certainly do not always think the way they do. This race has accused Senator Obama of being a Muslim because of his name, hinting he may be a terrorist agent trying to infiltrate the government. Others will not even listen because he is black. Well people, NONE OF IT FUCKING MATTERS. It’s not about if your black or white, male or female, Christian or Muslim, Wealthy or Poor, what matters is what the next person to hold the Presidential Office will do to fix what has gone so terribly wrong over the last 8 years, what they next President will do to ensure a safe future. Everyone seems to want to know that, but it’s not the policy speeches that get attention, it’s not the ideas that get debates, it’s the tabloid garbage that is discussed around the water cooler so to speak. Senator Obama was correct when he spoke of American voters. People have become apathetic , and they cling to whatever they can that makes them feel safe and comfortable, guns, religion, “family values”, whatever it may be, and anything that comes along and challenges that apathetic security blanket is attacked, no attention is paid that the grass may be greener on the other side, and that the world could be a better place, we have all become to disinterested to care, to scared to dare to find out. Hopefully, some day we can have campaigns that focus on issues, and not what a candidate had for breakfast, or what an old friend of relative did, but unfortunately that day is not today, and by November millions upon millions will spent destroying the records and reputations of both candidates. Imagine what a campaign would look like if those millions got spent educating voters on issues, and ideas, that is real politics.

Im back,

Ok,

So I have not totally forgotten about the blog, I do still look in on things, but life has been so damn chaotic lately I just haven’t had the chance to do anything other than classes, work, class, and study for finals. There have been a few developments. I was turned down for my internship, but a week after I got that letter I was called and offered it. Therefore, I am rushing paperwork through to do the internship this summer, so YAY for me on that one. Finals sucked, I think I might have even failed one of them, but I think my grades where high enough to pull me through with a C overall for the class, just as long as I never have to see that class again I will be happy. So there is brief update, I will be posting another post soon, getting back to some of my philosophical, political, subject matter and out of the personal realm for a while. So get ready, the soapbox is back, and I am about to climb on up.

BW

Humanity erased

I have been reading this story about a young woman from Alton Illinois who was tortured and killed by another woman and her children (story here http://www.lincolncourier.com/story.asp?SID=27344&SEC=8). Matt from Debriefing the Boys has also commented on this, and brought into it a discussion of the death penalty, and the evilness of some people. I have worked in the criminal courts for over two years. While I cannot disclose some of what I have seen, I can say some it can make your skin crawl, and some of it can turn you blood cold. Its true the majority of my day is simple crap, misdemeanors for underage drinking and drug position, but every so often is one of those cases that can make you question at what point someone stops being human and becomes simply unadulterated evil. Now as far as the death penalty goes, I don’t really know where I stand on it. On one hand I understand that killing someone wont undo their crimes, and I know that for the most part it is not a deterrent to crime, but on the other hand do we out to the victims to make sure the criminal never gets the chance to do it again, should taxpayers have to cloth, feed, and shelter these people like from Alton who have shed their humanity and savagely tortured human being. The people in Alton held a woman locked in a basement, they used her for target practice with their BB guns, they burned her cloths, they would not feed her, so why as a society do we owe those who did these unthinkable things to this innocent young mother, who was also pregnant, any better. These monsters murdered a 29-year-old woman, took the chance at life of her unborn child, and took her from the life of her 1-year-old child who was also treated in horrible conditions. Now as far as some further commentary on the Death Penalty, I find that those who oppose it the most are Catholics and evangelicals. Now just some notes on hypocrisy here, the bible does say an eye for an eye, and the golden rule says do unto others what you would have them do unto you. No apparently, it is ok to not obey that part of the bible, as well as countless others, but it is ok to discriminate against gays and lesbians because the bible says it is a sin. Rest assured I am not making a gay rights argument out of this, I am just providing some insight. So in short, do these people he did this deserve to die, my answer is yes they deserve to die when and if they are found to be guilty of their crimes, did Timothy McVeigh deserve to die, my answer yes he deserved to die for his crimes. I know this is going to make me hated by some if not almost all of my blogger friends, but it is my opinion. I think the Death penalty should be left as an option for certain heinous crimes, but that it should be done only in extreme circumstances, and that there should be a mandatory requirement for solid forensic evidence and an examination of all that evidence on automatic appeal of any death penalty conviction to ensure we are not executing innocent people wrongly convicted. Comment away.