President Obama’s Third Press Conference

We’ll look at this remarks and a few of the questions he answered. You can find the transcript here.

Beginning his statements, he explained how his administration is dealing with the Swine Flu.

every American should know that their entire government is taking the utmost precautions and preparations.

Which is a relief compared to how pathetic our previous administration dealt with a crisis on the homefront.

Our public health officials have recommended that schools with confirmed or suspected cases of this flu strongly consider temporarily closing.

This would really stink for college students who are almost finished with the year.

I’ve requested an immediate $1.5 billion in emergency funding from Congress to support our ability to monitor and track this virus and to build our supply of antiviral drugs and other equipment, and we will also ensure that those materials get to where they need to be as quickly as possible.

What happened with all the money that was given during the stimulus emergency? How many times will President Obama request immediate funding for emergencies? Better yet, how many emergencies will we have?

I’d like to mention is how gratified I am that the House and the Senate passed a budget resolution today that will serve as an economic blueprint for this nation’s future.  I especially want to thank Leader Reid, Speaker Pelosi, all the members of Congress who worked so quickly and effectively to make this blueprint a reality.

And don’t forget to mention how no one from the other party ran with you on this. Even some from your own party disagreed.

I also campaigned on the promise that I would change the direction of our nation’s foreign policy — and we’ve begun to do that as well.

Which includes bowing to another head of state…is this a good thing for the President of the United States to do? Is it time for us to get off our selfish highhorse? What I really dispised was the Press Secretary excusing it as President Obama reaching to shake his hand with both hands. How pathetic!

You can expect us to work on health care reform that will bring down costs while maintaining quality

And everyone with health care currently, stand on your head if you believe this is possible. Universal Health Care equals lower costs/quality care?

When asked about federalizing the auto industry, President Obama said:

I would love to get the U.S. government out of the auto business as quickly as possible.

And near the end of the briefing he said,

I think our first role should be shareholders that are looking to get out.  You know, I don’t want to run auto companies, I don’t want to run banks.

Mark those words everyone! They are down and in writing!

With regards to halting waterboarding:

it takes away a critical recruitment tool that al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations have used to try to demonize the United States and justify the killing of civilians.

No offense, but al Qaeda will continue to demonize the U.S. and kill civilians until hell freezes over. Stopping that form of torture will not stop the recruitment.

Asked if he would ever use those torture tools to protect the nation, President Obama said,

I will do whatever is required to keep the American people safe … and there have been no circumstances during the course of this first hundred days in which I have seen information that would make me second-guess the decision that I’ve made.

With regards to abortion and why President Obama is pro-choice:

The reason I’m pro-choice is because I don’t think women take that position casually.  I think that they struggle with these decisions each and every day, and I think they are in a better position to make these decision ultimately than members of Congress or a President of the United States

Now here I find myself in agreement. I think choice is a person’s right. I don’t think there should be a federal law criminalizing a choice like this. On the other hand, I think those who perform these procedures should do everything in their power to explain the situation, describe what will happen and offer up alternatives.

Say what you want, but this President is a good one. I look forward to what’s in store under his watch.

Obama Presidency: for real or window dressing?

President-elect Obama and Senator McCain met together in Chicago to speak about the upcoming “new era” in American politics. Obama wants to earn the respect of those who did not vote for him. Is this meeting a positive step forward for those Americans?

My hope is that this is just a small hint at what an Obama Administration will be like; receiving lawmakers from both parties and having the officials actually listen and hear what they have to say. Ultimately, Obama will have the dicision, and the Congressmen & women will have to accept it. But if this gathering between the two presidential candidates is for real, if Obama will continue this well into his four-eight years as President, I’m looking at a time of American strength.

Please note: President-elect Obama and staff,
Do not -DO NOT- have these meetings in the first weeks of your administration and then close the door. We want new, fresh leadership in the White House and we want you to keep your door open!

Finally

Now that this election cycle is over, we can all sit back for two years and see what this new administration and Congress are able to do.

I was glad the decision was clear. I’m glad it wasn’t close.

I’m not happy about hearing all this talk about “moving to Canada” or other goofy statements made by Republicans. Look, Democrats said the same thing four years ago and it’s just silly. Having Barack Obama as President will not destroy your way of life. Having John McCain as President would not have destroyed your way of life.

Just because the candidate you voted for lost is not a reason to give up on politics all together.

Like the last eight years, the Democrats have spouted the same rhetoric so I suppose it’s all familiar.

It’s not the end of the world. Period.

All you Crazy Christians should calm down and live your lives. McCain was not the savior of your beliefs. Obama is not the destructor of them either. He’s the President-elect and deserves our respect.

Both of them do.

Returned From The North

Wow. It’s been quite a while since coming here. And that’s because I was away on vacation. I was able to get up north around Maine and other New England states. It was a very good time. A time of refreshment.

While I was there, I was able to watch television (I don’t have cable in my home). I watched the second Presidential Debate. It was supposed to be a town hall meeting format, right? All I heard was the candidate’s stump speech. It was an awful – awful experience. Do these people not believe in the rules their campaigns have created? I want a real debate; where they interact with each other. Take the notes and papers away and just go for it. Let us see who you are. These mock-up debates are nothing. It’s pathetic.

If you play those drinking games, one of the rules should include how many times Senator McCain says, “My friends”.

And did anyone see the smirks that Senator Obama had on his face every time McCain spoke? Were they smirks of superiority? They started to bother me a little bit during the final hour.

Now Senator McCain says he’s going to win the final debate and the Obama campaign is right where they want them. Sounds desperate to me.

Just a few weeks to go.

Oh and before I forget: check out House the movie.

Where To Put It

I’m watching the first presidential debate online this morning and I heard Senator McCain promote nuclear energy – how it would provide over seven hundred thousand jobs and help with the environment. My first question that always forms in my head is, “Would you be willing to build a plant in Washington D.C.?” Politicians love to talk about this form of energy: how safe it is, how clean it is, how it will save us from the greedy oil companies and the Middle East; but are these same politicians, Senator McCain, are you willing to build a nuclear power plant with the District of Columbia? I’m sure we could find space for it.

Maybe there already is a plant in our nation’s capital and I just don’t know about it, so correct me if I’m wrong.

The other thing that comes to mind, when watching this first debate, is how similar it is to the season seven debate of The West Wing television show. Sometimes it seems as if their campaigns pulled their talking points from that live debate. And if that show is in any way prophetic, I have a feeling Senator Obama will win this election by a slim margin.

Obama Insults Popular Mechanics, Unsure of Biden

You find out alot about people when they go on the comedy talk shows like David Letterman. Senator Obama was on and had some quite alarming things to say. Whenever you put yourself in this situation of comedy, your guard is down and you may say things that will harm your character. Senator Obama certainly did.

When talking about how popular Governor Palin is, Senator Obama joked about his own popularity and having his picture on magazine covers said, “Those were the days.  I had a recent offer with Popular Mechanics. Said they had a centerfold, yeah, with a wrench, you know.” Did I just read that correctly? Did Senator Obama imply that Popular Mechanics is a magazine not worth his clout? The audacity of this candidate to insult a fine source of information and the thousands of people who read it!

Later on in the show, while talking about his running mate, Joe Biden, Senator Obama said, “I know what he cares about and what he stands for – I think he’s going to be a great choice.” So he isn’t already a great choice? Senator Obama isn’t sure if Joe Biden will be the man he wants? With all this talk about how Senator McCain went only with a political choice and didn’t vet Sarah Palin enough, it’s worrisome to see that Senator Obama isn’t as sure of his Vice President candidate either.

The quotes were taken from the transcript found here.

Once you read the transcript you will see how foolish and, yes, stupid it is for news agencies to create the news like this. You’ll see that Senator Obama was a great interview and he comes across as a great guy with a good sense of humor. But in our world today, everyone is insulted by something.

**Newsflash**
LIGHTEN UP!

Wild Race

Now that we’re weeks  (I guess more like months) away from the general election, I seem to be writing more about politics that I have or should. But this election cycle has impacted more than any other time. I don’t remember being as interested in the Bush/Gore or the Bush/Kerry campaigns. Now I am truly listening to the candidates and their running-mates.

One of the biggest revelations, and I’ve mentioned it before, is the kind of trash and blatant character assassinations taking place. Once Governor Palin came on board, the attacks have increased in furvor. And they’re coming from both Vice President candidate Biden AS WELL as Senator Obama!

This is a change from the past where the campaigns would use their Vice President candidates to be the “attack dogs”, having them spout out rhetoric against their opponents while the Presidential candidates would appear to stay above that kind of tactic. Things have changed this cycle. Senator Obama is going for the throat of Governor Palin. With polls showing his lead erased, Senator Obama seems desperate to bring this newcomer down.

It will be interesting to see what kind of new “scoops” the news market dishes out to us on her. There is always some hush-hush issue that is brought to light.

Now this isn’t all against Senator Obama and Joe Biden. Senator McCain and Palin are dishing out the attacks as well. It just seems, right now in the news, they are on the defensive and calling every Democrat comment an attack on women or mothers.

I was hoping for a clean national debate on who has the best ideas to run this country. Instead, it’s turning into a repeat smear campaign. So much for the “change” America wants eh?

Embarrassed

I was able to watch the Republican Convention last night and I have to tell you, I felt embarrassed. I wasn’t embarrassed for the Republican party – no, I felt great shame for the Democratic party. Someone correct me if my information is wrong here. I don’t remember hearing anything about angry Republicans destroying property during the Democrat Convention. I don’t remember anything about any vocal disruptions during the speeches given during the week. In fact, I thought civil respect was granted to the Democrats during their Convention week.

Then we came to the Republican’s turn. We see stories of anarchists starting fires and destroying property. For what purpose? Because they’re trying to be like Heath Ledger’s Joker from The Dark Knight? Or is it because there are a few fringe liberals who just plain despise the Republican party?

Following the physical problems, we come to Senator McCain’s acceptance speech on Thursday night. How many times was he drowned out to shouts of “U.S.A” because there was some anti-war people screaming? And why did it take so long for security to escort them out?!?!?!

Whatever party you belong to, I was embarrassed for the Democrat Party. They came across the news sites as children throwing tantrums. It was a pathetic thing to see.

To those who are registered with the Democrat party: Do something to reign in the crazies. They seriously make the party look horrible!!

Hearing It From Her

Governor Palin gave us a peek into who she is at the GOP convention. I’m still not sure what I think. I completely respect her, of course. And I despise the media for the treatment she’s getting. I actually read a news article, a mainline news article, about how her husband was arrested for drunk driving -now get this- twenty-two years ago!!!

I don’t get it. I really don’t understand where the venom comes from. Has the Republican Party done something to forever offend the press?

Here’s what I want: I want Senator Obama and Senator McCain to do those town hall meetings. I want them to speak about what they will do for this country. I don’t want to hear them say what the other guy won’t do for America. I want to hear them speak on the policies they will fight for, not about how evil their opponent is. If they have a different view on a certain issue, why can’t they promote their view and simply say, “my opponent disagrees with me” or some other civil remark?

The Vice President candidates? I know their role in elections is to be the attack dog. They are the ones to bring out all the horrible rhetoric against their opponent. How I wish elections could simply be about issues and policy. Somehow we’ve dug ourselves into a hole where, every four years, we hate people from the other party. It could be a result of Karl Rove tactics…

And finally, I’ve been reading about people actually destroying property during the GOP convention. What in the world!?!?!?! Who are they party to? Are they trying to prove that they are mature enough to know what’s best for society? This is a crazy world and we need to get out of this deep hole.

Governor Sarah Palin – Who Are You?

John McCain and his campaign have decided to go with Alaskan governor Sarah Palin to run as his Vice President candidate. This caught quite a few people by surprise, maybe even total surprise. I had/have no idea who she is and what she stands for other than what my eyes reveal. I thought I might do some digging and see if I can find some information for us. Come along with me as we discover Governor Sarah Palin.

Palin became the first woman and youngest governor of Alaska on December 4, 2006. Before defeating the sitting Republican governor in the primaries and the democratic candidate in the election, she was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska from 1996-2002.

Sarah Palin has a degree in Communications-Journalism from the University of Idaho and has five children with her husband, Todd. She is a lifetime member of the NRA and enjoys hunting, fishing and Alaskan history.

On the issues:
Opposes stem cell research
Pro-life – Only exception for abortion is if mother’s life would end
Reduced general fund spending by $124 million
Firm believer in free market capitalism
Vetoed bill denying benefits to gays, as unconstitutional
Marriage only be between and man and a woman
Okay to deny benefits to homosexual couples
No spousal benefits for same-sex couples
Encourage small business growth by reducing business taxes
No special hate-crime laws; all heinous crime is hate-based
Opposes legalizing marijuana (although she smoked it while it was legal)
Teach creationism alongside evolution in schools
School debate should focus on accountability
Fully fund K-12 and support early funding of education
Supports parental choice for what is best for their children
Global warming affects Alaska, but is not man-made
Lift moratorium on offshore drilling
Get ANWR open
Supports Constitutional right to bear arms
Health care must be market-and business-driven
More affordable health care via competition
Fund the Seniors Longevity Bonus Program
As mayor, cut property taxes & increased sales tax
Wants exit plan from Iraq

Of course, there is so much more to discover about this candidate.