Tim Collingwoood's Blog

"Partisan Rancor" with a Side of Fries

Tim — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:11:39 EDT

As an English major, McCain could have had a better acceptance speech.

He thinks that if he borrows some of Obama's rhetoric and make it look like the Republican Party has truly been the oppressed party of the past 8 years and that George W. Bush, a self-defined Republican, doesn't have a negative legacy, even though Bush has a negative legacy and the Republican Party has been the OPPRESSOR party.

But, honestly, "partisan rancor?" It's like insulting somebody and saying that they were insulting you. At least Barack Obama stated our country's problem at little nicer, and a little less fear-mondering.

Honestly, his speech is as cheap as a McDonald's Happy Meal.

Seems Like Old Times

Tim — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:00:10 EDT

Was the song Diane Keaton as Annie Hall sang in the 1977 movie, Annie Hall. But, I am not here to talk about my favorite movies.

It does seem appropriate for what I am here to show you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM3oww9Vk-c

Seems the "party of change" is only the party that recycles already rotten tactics.

The Facts vs. Sarah Palin

Tim — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:35:58 EDT

Surprisingly borrowed from the Associated Press:

PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."

PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform â€" not even in the state senate."

THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.

PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."

THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.

Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.

He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.

MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.

THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state â€" by population.

MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.

THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right â€" change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington â€" throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."

THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.

Please Note: The facts aren't "borrowed" from the AP, although they did come in the form of an article within the AP

"Washington Elite"

Tim — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:40:37 EDT

I just read from the Huffington Post about Palin's acceptance speech, and, honestly, what nerve has she to call Barack Obama and other Democratic leaders in government the "Washington elite?"

What does the elite look like to you Sarah?

I had no idea that people who lost their homes to foreclosure; workers who lost their jobs to outsourcing; families who lost their families to the war in Iraq AND returning veterans who go homeless AND wounded veterans with poor health care to handle the readjustment; people who get arrested without a warrant and call for habeas corpus for politics and just to get inhumanely tortured; women who want the right to make reproductive choices without resorting to a back alley abortion or a wire hanger; GLBT Americans who want hate crime legislation enacted; people who want civil rights and liberties preserved and maintained rather than disregarded for the sake of "protection"; and the list gets longer. I had no idea Palin considers a majority of Americans and the people who honestly stand up and DO THEIR JOBS and represent their constituents are the "elite."

Governor Palin, just look in the audience you are speaking too. Look at those rich, white faces. Have you ever noticed that the audience at the Republican National Convention looks like they are at a business convention? I guess there is a reason why they call it the RNC.

Gov. Palin,

Look at yourself. You are an eltist because you cater to a party that only cares about 1% of America, and tries to keep the rest of us in line by scaring ourselves out of our freedoms and rights.

Sarah,

You are a member of the Washington Elite. Stop peddling that reality into a party that has nothing to do with your group!

POW Brother States " John Not Cut Out"

Tim — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:00:44 EDT

I understand how close our troops might be with each other, like brothers and sisters.

And, even though we all know McCain's POW story inside and out, it is kind of well....interesting that a former POW that McCain knew in Vietnam states this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KjsEs46C70

Makes you question his leadership abilities, doesn't it?

Every Election Year

Tim — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:49:37 EDT

I try my hardest to be respectful of the other side's perspective and point of view, and, though it was hard out here for a liberal Democrat these past 8 years, I have always tried to be respectful, especially because I have Republican friends.

My goal when talking with them is to just not bring up politics with them. It's been a hard goal to accomplish, because, in this day and age, how can you not? But, with my politics, I get so passionate, so assertive, and so competitive I lose sight and fear that I lose friendship, this is why I don't know what to do with a friend of mine who is shoving Palin info down my throat and expects me to not say anything about kicking his party's inflated gray butt cheeks this coming November. Just the other day I was talking to a classmate of mine and I said : "Sorry, I hate it when I get all preachy to people who may or may not share my political views." Luckily, my classmate wasn't offended. But still.

Can't America just agree to disagree and do so respectfully? I can disagree with someone respectfully, but I am sick and tired of giving respect towards someone only to have it thrown back in my face by the other who acts like an ungrateful child( or Elisabeth Hasselbeck take your pick).

Seriously, if there is one thing we can learn with this campaign and this election, is that it is okay to agree to disagree and that respect needs to be a socially reciprocal activity on both ends of the spectrum.

Post-Convention Thoughts & Insights

Tim — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:37:42 EDT

All in all, it was a great Convention. In my whole lifetime, I have never felt so much hope and pride to be a Democrat and to be behind Barack Obama.

There were no speeches that lacked anything that didn't build momentum, no tributes left ineffective, no nothing.

Well, that isn't entirely true, I wish that we did a video tribute to the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones and having Barbra Streisand perform. I did enjoy Sheryl Crow, John Legend, and Stevie Wonder.

Well, the party is over, now it is time to pull up our sleeves and get working!

Convention Journey Entry 4

Tim — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:05:35 EDT

Fresh off Obama's acceptance speech... the speech that all of America needed to hear.

I am ready to get my hands dirty to see that Obama gets to make history as the 44th President of the United States, and the first African American President Of The United States.

It was a beautiful day in Denver, and that just makes me so emotional. Honestly.

I've been watching it on C-SPAN again, this time since 5:45pm.

And, what a preceding speeches! I am so bursting with excitement and hope I can't remember every one of them!

Post-Convnetion thoughts tomorrow!!

Convention Journey Entry 3

Tim — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:41:54 EDT

Found C-SPAN and watched from 5: 30 pm to 11pm, and this convention keeps getting better.

I loved how the regular everyday people videos decorated the Convention tonight. I was really touched with the one concerning our troops and the reality of how the war is affecting our troops and their families. I really enjoyed Tammy Coldwater's speech.

I loved how Nancy Pelosi and the Iraq War Vet Democrats presented themselves and spoke about progress and the desire for change.

I was inspired by Bill Clinton and Joe Biden's speech, but that is nothing new. Bill Clinton is a walking inspiration every convention time. Not to mention, Joh Kerry's speech tracked our nation's transition and the desire for change beautifully.

What really surprised me and made me proud was when Hillary Clinton asked the panel of delegates to suspend the rules and vote unanimously in a call for unity, and the surprise vote by acclamation. I couldn't be more proud.

Can't wait for tomorrow, when Barack Obama makes his acceptance speech. Even though that surprise appearance was really something.

I'm ready for action!

Convention Journey Entry 2

Tim — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:59:59 EDT

Switched to PBS.

Watched since 8pm, and I have to say this:

The hope and desire and motive to stand strong with my party and work for America by doing what I can do locally through nationally.

Such strong voices from our Democratic women. I just wish that the DNC pulls up a tribute to Stephanie Tubbs Jones, whose courage, passion, and spirit is nothing but fuel to our fire for change.

GOBAMA/BIDEN!

I am happy to be a Democrat! I am proud to be a Democrat!

Convention Journal Entry 1

Tim — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:42:20 EDT

So, I just finished watching Convention coverage from ABC( should I use another source to view), and I have to say that tonight was a wonderful first night.

I just wished I saw the tribute video to Edward Kennedy and heard the other people speak. Although, I was pleased and inspired by Edward Kennedy.

The fact that he can still be so lively and passionate and really is a unified symbol for the party. And Michelle Obama's video and speech really made me just want to run to the nearest headquarters and phone bank like crazy.

Also, the only thing that bothered me was seeing displeased faces of people who looked like they were having a difficult time accepting the reality around them. It's like watching Barbara Bush after Hurricane Katrina. Hopefully, tomorrow night will be better.

Can't wait to watch tomorrow night!

Ready To Work......But Where and How?

Tim — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:00:41 EDT

So, I am going to be returning to school soon and I was just wondering, even though I am voting in another county, could I still phone bank in the county for which my school is in?

I tried asking this on my MyBarackObama.com page but no one answered.

It's very important because I want to get phone banking before November and it would save me gas money and travelling far to volunteer to get Obama and Biden in office this November.

Thanks.

In Memoriam: Stephanie Tubbs Jones (1949-2008)

Tim — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:27:16 EDT

Being a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, Stephanie Tubbs Jones is a political celebrity for me. Not only was she an excellent Congresswoman, she was an enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic Party. She made it fun to be a Democrat, especially when the thought of being one was frowned upon by mainstream political culture. It was nice growing up to someone so passionate and so proud to be in America's party.

The first chance I actually got a chance to see her in person was at a John Kerry rally in 2004 in downtown Cleveland's Mall C, a garden space next to City Hall. I've seen her before, from on the news and at previous Democratic National Conventions for which her speeches were one to look forward to and rely on to raise you up. I was at that age when I was inspecting politicians closely to see if they are for real and all, especially because the 2000 election made me feel bum rapped. Seeing her friendly face and her assertive passion as a keynote speaker before John Kerry and John Edwards arrived will always be in my memory. The way she enthused the rally's audience of people who got their early enough not to be completely awake just by addressing talking points we all agreed on was just inspiring.

The second time I actually met her was at the recent Cleveland State University's Debate between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. Being a volunteer, I was able to meet her and got her autograph. I told her about the John Kerry rally I saw her at and she was glad that I was still participating in making our country better.

Her vivacity makes it impossible for me to believe that she's gone from us, especially because I know she was slated to speak at this year's Convention and was going to host a dinner along with Hillary Clinton in Denver. Her death is just so sudden, so unexpected. But, then again, she lived her political career being unexpected. Being the first African-American Congresswoman to have an important committee position on the Ways & Means Committee is totally what people didn't expect to see out of her. She is a living example of being met with what looks like a difficult challenge, that no one expects to be accomplished, but saying " yes I can!" and accomplishing it.

The lesson I easily learn from her life in politics is that pride is something everybody with a political conviction should have. Pride fuels passion, passion fuels action, action fuels change. She makes me proud to be a Democrat and I will hopefully live to instill the same values her political life has given us not only in me but in future generations of Democrats.

Rest In Peace, Stephanie.

Happy Birthday Bill!

Tim — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:30:16 EDT

As you all well know, today is President Bill Clinton's birthday. I thought I would share my birthday greetings and encourage others to do so.

Ten years ago, we were in a better place in this country. There was no foreclosure crisis, no illegitimate wars, no state of economic recession,no social regression, and no difficulty with international relations. Bill Clinton will go down in history for being a great President.

Happy Birthday Bill!

The Consequences Of Having A One-Opinion Only America

Tim — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:21:59 EDT

So, I was reading the Huffington Post the other day about an argument between Whoopi Goldberg and Elisabeth Hasselbeck and they were passionately arguing about McCain versus Obama again and Elisabeth Hasselbeck said: " I guess you can only have one opinion in this country." And, of course, Whoopi Goldberg called her out on what it has been like living under George W. Bush for the past 8 years. Of course, if it was me I would have pulled a Rosie O'Donnell ( I mean that in a good way).

Anyway, I think of the Knoxville shooting and the recent murder of the Arkansas Democratic Party leader and I am just appalled.

This is America, home of the free and brave. Everyone has a right to their opinion, no matter how popular and unpopular their opinion is. That's why the KKK is still alive and well, and that there is an American Communist Party. We may not agree with either, but we respect their right to practice their freedoms freely. Which is why I just hate it when someone tells me I should just shut up about the injustices of the Bush Administration and respect the President. I respect the office of the Presidency, and, because I have the freedom and rights to, I don't have to like the person in office! But, I would never kill someone for disagreeing with me. I may dislike them for disrespecting me and my opinions, but I would never kill them. I am not a Tibetan citizen who wants their country freed but is silenced by China for speaking out.

I consider these events to be wake up calls. This country needs to get its act together. And the first thing we can do is say: " I respectfully disagree with you."

John Edwards

Tim — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:07:14 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/09/opinion/09collins.html?th&emc=th

As you all probably very well know by now, John Edwards had an affair a couple of years ago while he was running for President and campaigned alongside John Kerry.

The oddest thing about it, when I heard about it, it never felt like big news. Not downsizing the effect it has on his family and the Democratic Party, and not excusing the affair either, it's just that, since Bill Clinton was president not too long ago, and we all remember how bad that went down, it just seems like regular news that a U.S. politician would do that. It seems so commonplace, and it is upsetting that it is. Personally, I can only hope that Elizabeth would have him sleep on the couch for a while and have them both attend marriage counseling, but then again, it isn't my business.

Why is the personal lives of our politicians so important as to why we view them like we do? We elect them to serve us, and yet, we expect them to sacrifice their humanity to be placed on the pedestal of perfection that comes with their title. Isn't more important to talk political about our politicians? Hell, we already know how sleazy they are and how it comes from their job environment. We already know that to be a modern-day politician means extramartial affairs are around the corner. But, Bill Clinton was a great President who did so much for the good of this country as a whole. John Edwards is a great politician who really practices what he preaches. Again, I am not trying to say I condone both their actions. All I'm saying is that politics is personal, but politics doesn't have to be personal, meaning politics is just regulating certain factors in our everyday lives that affect us. Our jobs, our cars, our schools, our hospitals, you get the picture; but politics doesn't have to be personal regarding the sometimes extreme fanfare we have for our candidates and politicians and what our politicians do after work.

Besides, whenever a Democratic politicians strays in any way, the Republican Party eats it right up. Notice how they still use Bill Clinton when rebutting in arguments of the many sins of the Bush Administration. I recall even on The View once Joy Behar was listing the then sins of George W. Bush ( 2006, the list has been made longer), and asked " why hasn't this guy been thrown out?" Loud applause. Sherri Shepard: " Yes, but he didn't sleep with an intern" Louder applause. Does a President have to sleep with an intern to be considered impeachable? I mean, seriously.

And don't get me started on the "morally correct" Republican Party's long list of politicians who have "strayed." Larry Craig anybody? Not implying that his sexuality is a sin, but the fact that he resorted to prostituion via Airport Terminal bathroom is strayed enough.

Anyway, I am not looking for verification of my thoughts, I am just venting. Feel free to comment.

I Am Protesting The 2008 Olympic Games

Tim — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:49:13 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/opinion/07kristof.html?th&emc=th

Out of respect to the Dalai Lama and the oppressed people of Tibet, I am protesting the Olympic Games.

I respect the athletes brave enough to go to China and compete in the Games, representing their country well by doing the best they can. But the hosting country's actions speak otherwise to the goals and ideals of the reason for the Olympic Games.

The Olympics give us hope that we can put aside our problems as a world and recognize that we are all in this together. But China has too much problems to pull a Hallmark card presentation of these Games.

Therefore, I will not be watching the Olympic Games until China recognizes that Tibet has every right to be freed and a free country and that the Dalai Lama is respected and not shunned.

"The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself"- FDR

Tim — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:39:07 EDT

I do not fear Barack Obama, nor any African American in power. Yes, Barack Obama is in power because he is a junior U.S. Senator, which means he is a legislator in our democratic government. We are the people, we elected him to be in this powerful position.

People want to degrade him because they cannot accept of this reality. Congress is equally powerful as the President. The President isn't as powerful as Congress. The Supreme Court is as powerful as Congress and the President. According to the Constitution for which this great country is founded on, that is how it is supposed to be because of a "little" something called checks and balances that separates our democracy from other forms of government. We have the right to check our leadership as constituents. Of course, living with George W. Bush has made this constitutional mandate for our government seem nonexistent. Well, no more. It exists for a reason. But I digress.

Why do people fear Barack Obama? I think it is because 1) They are amazed that in a country where privileged white people ( usually of the conservative Republican political orientation) do everything within their power to keep the African American down can overcome, achieve, and equally earn a place in the U.S. Senate 2) Because he is African American in a racist society 3) And because of 1 and 2, if he was white, he'd be praised rather than condemned for his ideas.

Fear is the worst emotion to have. It really is. It is an irrational feeling to feel. Because of fear, we do things we later regret. So, how can we conquer fear?

By educating ourselves. Education not only helps cure ignorance but also fear. I have been educating myself about Barack Obama since he put his hat in the presidential ring, and I see no reason to fear him as a person, a Senator, and as a President. Of course, I did have my doubts that dealt with his leadership abilities, but I know that had nothing to do with his skin color. I know, I checked. I guess living with George W. Bush for 8 years, the idea that someone could come along and bring real change seemed hard to believe at first. And, though I had every right to criticize, my concerns were alleviated by being educated on him and his policies. And, through education, I was able to experience real hope.

The hope that Barack Obama has inspired me too isn't blind nor is it fake on my end nor his. It is REAL. I know those who fear paint his Berlin speech and overseas trip negatively, but I see it as proof Obama is willing to go the extra length to make America's presence in the world better as its leader. To reconnect with old allies, establish new relationships, and show the world that America is willing to take the step and participate in making the world better and not being isolationist is exactly what we need right now. And that gives me hope that the change Obama will bring will be real.

I will not live in fear no longer, I will live in America. I live in America.

Reflections Of A Wanna Be Activist

Tim — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:02:54 EDT

So, the other day, my aunt returned one of my books to me, My Life So Far by Jane Fonda. I let her borrow it a while back because both of us share a common interest in classic movies and actors and actresses of yesterday and today. Anyway, I decided to reread it.

The first time I read it I was amazed on how honest she was about everything she allowed herself to write, but the second time around, I wanted something out of it. One of the main reasons I wanted to read it was because I am considering doing more than just online activism for a while now, and I hoped by reading this book about someone who is a devoted activist I would finally be inspired to do something outside of my comfort zone and be a physical activist as well.

But, I had to ask myself, what is holding me back? I get emails from Robert Greenwald, the founder of Brave New Films, an independent media outlet, faithfully followed The Brave Nation series where they interviewed a lot of activists, past and present, who are all still continuing their work, and i wanted to become more active after watching every episode. It is an amazing series. But I digress.

What is holding me back? I thought seriously about this and about where I am socially and politically. Politically, I am now behind Barack Obama who is giving me plenty of inspiration to become more active in the country I love, and I am glad he is reaching out to Americans overseas with the trip he is taking, which I think is bold and needed because the only way we can make our world better and re-establish former allies is to start ASAP. Politically, I am an online activist. I get petitions from many places that the Democratic Party has lead me too that I openly and completely support. But, while watching a Brave Nation episode with Tom Hayden ( of the Chicago 7) he addressed the concern that even though technology is helping us, if it's also hurting us by preventing activists from being physical with their activism. Or was it Naomi Klein? I forget who said it, but the words stuck to me.

Socially, I am a student at Cleveland State University. CSU is a very pro-Establishment environment politically and I feel that if I challenge the status quo my educational career there might be in jeopardy. It's already bad enough the Department of Residence Life broke a disability law right in front of me in regards to a bad roommate experience I had wherein I got kicked out of a disabilities room for which I have a legal right to have to a student who lives and goes there for free on an athletics scholarship ( I have Asperger's, which is a legally defined disability, not that anyone can tell) and I've wanted to write out a petition, protest outside of the office spontaneously, get the ACLU on it, but I do reside on campus and I don't want to get kicked out just for challenging the status quo. I also don't want to jump through the bureaucratic rings because that will just stall the results, and I don;t want to sue because of the reasons above and because my parents and I can't really afford to right this wrong right now. Socially, I am outspoken, assertive, not afraid to challenge the status quo of a classroom and school-related environment, and passionate. The basic ingredients of an activist. Hell, I once got in an argument with anti-choicers who were protesting on my college campus and felt GREAT afterwards. But, also socially, I am skeptical and anxious to take risks sometimes ( comes off from the bad roommate experience).

Also, what can I do and can I do it? After school starts up again, I want to volunteer at the local Obama campaign headquarters in my area. How can I do it?

Amidst these questions and concerns, I feel that I will accomplish nothing by doing them, and that I should just stick to the "let go and let leaders lead" lazy political attitude that is affecting our political culture today. But, at the same time, I want the talk to turn into action of some sort.

I'm so confused. I guess it comes with my age. All I know is , I want to be so much more than just a wannabe activist. I want to be the next Tom Hayden. I want to be the next Jane Fonda. I want to be inspired by those who have come before me to DO as well as SAY. But, I still feel like I can't.

What do you think? I'm not asking for any particular answer or anything, just other people's views and perspectives.

................And Another Thing

Tim — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:22:15 EDT

I am sick and tired of hearing about some people thinkiong Barack Obama is the AntiChrist. I was reading the local news today and my favorite editorialist was talking to some woman who said she's voting for Obama, but he's the AntiChrist.

Didn't a while back people considered Martin Luther King to be the antiChrist? It's silly. And all it does by saying that is offer fear.

Barack Obama is a human being. I don't consider him to be a messiah like figure, or whatever the conservative Republican biased media plays up on it. Those who think he is are just afraid that an African American man can assume such power in their lifetime they are willing to do anything to cut him down. Therefore, we have the New Yorker cover, FOX News's racist shenanigans, and whatever the right wing Republican election voting machine can throw at them. And what better way to channel fear than to use a sacred text that has been misused that way to score votes for the status quo party.

Isn't it time we stop letting fear get the best of us? All Barack Obama has offered us is the chance to do better than we have been doing for the past 8 years. And I think he can do it, he can actually do it. I watched his foreign policy speech today through email, and he is a step in the right direction for this country and this world. Why is hope a bad thing?

I don't like to be afraid. The only thing I try to be afraid of is fear. FDR said: "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Isn't it time we let the fear that has controlled out lives for the past 8 years go? It's a wasteful feeling. Fear is exactly what the terrorists want, and we are better than to give into it. I don't like people talking about something that is just wasteful to talk about. They may quote the Bible, and not saying there isn't spiritual worth in the book, but, the Earth didn't end on 06/06/06, the Y2K thing was a hoax, sure, we have global warming, but with Obama, we can strive to fix it.

I think Obama inspirational words are true as his charisma. You cannot build a team back up without inspiring them to do so. Barack Obama is doing exactly that: inspiring America to build itself back up to where we need to be in order to feel good about ourselves and the world around us.

Thanks.