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Should she be listened to?
Tonight was the night for the Democrats. They made a hell of a case on why change is vital for the future. As the case was being made, Ann Coulter sent out a column titled Joe Biden: Hair we can believe in. Here is the link: Ann Coulter at it again.
She has a right to make a living and has a right to speak her mind. Her sarcasim was a bit over the top. But that's why she is a successful writer and commentator. I also consider myself a reasonably fair man. She was one of the first ones that called out John Edwards to be a fraud before many of us did. She took a lot of flack for it from many quarters. I was distrubred, though, because I viewed her writing as not truly respecting a dedicated public servant like Joe Biden who has given his life and have lived the true mantra of public service. However, I will be the first to say that she should have her say, as should others like Pat Buchanan, Michael Reagan, Michael Savage, Rush and Sean Hannity. They make the discourse interesting, funny and informative.
The campaign has already begun now that the Democrats have officially nominated the team that will lead the party into the fall election. The Republicans will have the team in place by Friday. As the conservatives gear up to support the Republican Ticket, I do hope that they embrace those who have a different vision so that the genuine debate can continue. I hope that they will not ridicule those have a different vision. It will be interesting. I hope that Ann Coulter and the other conservative stalwarts will keep up the sense of humor and creativity which I am sure has led to the dedicated followers that they have. I admit that I do periodically read her writings because I truly like to know and understand the thinking and to also simply laugh. We must learn to embrase and appreciate such points of view. I intend to continue my part for the sake of America and the world.
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"Believe in a Place Called Hope"
This was a good night for the Democrats. There was the usual speeches and acclaids, of course. The highlight tonight was when Senator Clinton moved to nominate Senator Obama by acclamaition to be the Democratic Nominee for President. I wrote about it earlier. It was quite a scene. Although I was watching the streaming video, I was still part of history and it was quite a history!!! I was happy for America. I was in tears. America is the beacon of hope and tonight was an example.
After the nomination was secured, the "warm-up" act came up to speak. "Bubba" came on. President Clinton was cheered on for quite a while--and rightly so. As a self-proclaimed Clintonista, it brought tears to my eyes to see him speak. I remember 1992 and the pivotal year that it was. He kept being knocked down, yet he rose up. He was a lot younger. But as he spoke, I sensed in him that the fight had not left him. I think his speech was even better than his wife. I got a kick out of his two key comments:
1) Barack Obama will insure that "....the world will follow us by the power of our example vs. the example of our power....";
2) Democrats should do everything they can not to reward Republicans Four More Years for the record of the past eight years. "Thanks, but no thanks....The third time this time is not the charm...."
The pundits had a field day about how bitter President Clinton was and how mad he was. Well, President Clinton stepped up, made the case and told the country why Senator Obama is the man. I remember so vividly when the Republicans attacked Bill Clinton how young he was, how inexperienced he was. Yet, he did it. Of course, the Republicans blamed everything on Bill Clinton. So, the parallels were quite striking. The Republicans have quite a mountain to climb. Bill Clinton made the case for why they should be denied 4 more years.
Joe Biden got the nod for the Vice Presidency. I have been a fan for 20 years since he first ran for President. Although Ralph Nader called him the Mastercard Senator, my comeback to that is that he was taking care of a major constituent in the state. That is what a legislator supposed to do. For 36 years, the man never moved to Washington. He came home every night. They are the middle class. Joe Biden and his wife lived to serve. That spirit of service continues with their son Beau, who is about to be deployed to Iraq with his National Guard Unit.
As I listened to Beau Biden introduce his Dad, he recounted the day when the accident occured that changed their lives. Joe Biden almost did not take the job. He said that Delaware can get another Senator, but my boys can't get another father. As he said it, I saw many tears in the audience. I had tears in my eyes as well. I wrote that Joe Biden was Bill Clinton's Al Gore. Tonight, Joe Biden told the world why. As Bill Clinton said, Senator Obama hit it out of the park. As they concluded, the entire Biden Clan came out on stage and Senator Obama joined them. Senator Obama does have quite a job ahead of him tomorrow night during his acceptance speech. He became a star 4 years ago. Now, it is his time.
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A Proud Day For America
The United States of America has made history!!! For the first time, an African-American is now a candidate for President of the United States For someone who rose from so humble an origin to attain such an honor is indeed a testament to America. There is lot that is expected of him now. He has a lot to overcome. It will be a fight worth to watch.
Senator Obama Arriving In Denver (Source: CNN)
Many will remind us that Obama owes his rise to Mayor Daley and the Chicago Political Machine. But, Obama is a fighter and understands how to fight. I'm anxiously awaiting Joe Biden and Bill Clinton's speech. Senator Clinton's gracious move to nominate Senator Obama by acclamation was also the icing on the cake as I saw it. The Democrats are coming together...and seem to be doing everything they can to prove the naysayers wrong.
What Bill Clinton says, to me, is going to be just as crucial as what Hillary Clinton said last night. More Reflections Forthcoming....
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Being Wise is a Gift!!!
It is Russia vs. the World. Russia has arisen and there is no stopping them. I continue to have a problem with what the President of Georgia did. I read this statement by Carl Bildt, The Swedish Foreign Minister, when he said "...when you have a choice between doing something stupid and doing nothing, it is better to do nothing...". I am sorry to say this, but the President of Georgia did something stupid and the world is paying the price for it. If our current world leaders think that Russia is going to blink, my response to that is No way!!! All this tough by Senator McCain is simply hollow. My fear is that the U.N. will once again lose its' legimitacy because of the disregard shown by all parties. The U.N. Security Council could not even agree on a Security Council President statement.
The Russians have already achieved their purpose and all the world has done is to huff and puff!!!!
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What will Senator McCain Do?
Throughout the last day or so, I have been seeing reports that an agreement has been signed to insure that U.S. troops leave Iraq by 2011. Now, this is exactly in line with what Senator Obama proposed. If this agreement is in fact signed, then it take a major issue off the table for Senator McCain. I wonder what Senator McCain is going to do next. If Senator Clinton sees to it that the people know the real truth and what she thinks, that will debunk the divide and conquer strategy that seems to be the strategy by Senator McCain's team right now. If the economy continues to stagnate and Iraq's withdrawal is also finalized, what would Senator McCain retain to hang his hat on? From where I sit, not much.....
I do anxiously await Senator McCain's choice of a running mate and the Republican convention to see how they will position themselves to go beyond the 8 years of George W. Bush. Everyone realizes a change of direction is necessary. The question that will be settled on November 4 is what kind of change
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A Call to Come Home.....
As a self-professed political junkie, I cleared my afternoon to monitor the second day of the Democratic Party Convention. As always with such great parties, it was full of speeches and music. The keynote by Mark Warner underscored the position he has as a rising star and the importance of Virginia. The speech By Dennis Kucinich set the theme for Democrats when he simply said, "Wake Up America". It brought Bob Casey, another of the rising stars who is a Pro Life Catholic From Pennyslvania. The "big tent" was very much in evidence tonight.
As the parade of office holders continued, the ordinary folks It also featured a lot of ordinary folks. Richard Golden was one such guy. He is a guy from Michigan. He will be unemployed in three months because his manufacturing facility is being moved to Mexico. It featured an Iowa Flood victim who was supporting her sister who had celebral palsey. It also featured one of the so-called "New Age" Democrats, The Governor of Montana. He gave a rousing speech blasting the Bush Adminstration on the Energy plan. The Governor of Michigan hosted a brief panel on the future and the possiblities on energy. The ordinary folks seemed to underscore the theme that the Democrats were trying to tell the world
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Why is the world surprised?
Russia just did what the world did not want it to do. It has recognized Georgia's breakway regions. The Russian Bear has come back roaring stronger than ever. I have said this once and will say it again; The responsibility lies with the Georgian President. He should not have taken the bait the South Ossetians laid out for him. Did he win the propaganda war? I suppose. But, Russians do not care. Why the United States is surprised is something that I am confused about. Furthermore, Al Jazeera is reporting right now that Russians may table a resolution condemning the civilian Afghan casualities. So, Russia will not stay silent. It is one of the new realities that the West must deal with. Right now, The Russian U.N. Ambassador is making a statement regarding the justification for the recognition. He is reporting on the timeline that ultimately led to this step. I do agree with the Russian Ambassador in that the Georgian President was the one who undertook this to his detriment. But, The Russians talking about Democracy is also just as idiotic and stupid.
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I was right....or so it seems.....
Sharif, the PML-N leader, has pulled his party out of the coailition government. Sharif notes that he is doing so because the Pakistan People's Party has broken the pledge it made to restore the judges. I noted that Musharaf was just an excuse. Sharif wants to be Prime Minister again and wants to be an Executive Prime Minister. The whole notion of Musharaf was just the glue that held these guys together. From where I sit, Zardari will be President and he will in no way agree to water down the powers of the Presidency. As the instability continues, the Taliban are going to continue to have a field day. The implications are enormous for the United States and the world.
Mike Pouraryan
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