Last of Our Kind

According to CNN/TIME Magazine, Barack Obama is up in five key swing states.

Florida: Obama 51, McCain 47
-- Minnesota: Obama 54, McCain 43
-- Missouri: Obama 49, McCain 48
-- Nevada: Obama 51, McCain 47
-- Virginia: Obama 53, McCain 44

I know there are over thirty days left until Election Day. I know the Republican spin machine and McCain will turn this news around and say everything will change, but let’s look at some reasons why these numbers are changing.



1. Sarah Palin will not shut up. I know, I know, I know, at first everyone (including us at Last of Our Kind) wanted Sarah Palin to stand up and tell us where she stands. We wanted to hear her speak and know what defines her as a human being and a candidate. Well, she has now spoken and reminded us all of the reason she has been kept under lock and key. It is because she has nothing to say, and when she tries to speak she trips on herself so bad it becomes a Saturday Night Live sketch. Need I remind you how verbatim the latest sketch was?

2. Elderly voters are swaying. I was watching MSNBC the other day and there was an older retired woman making a comment on her shrinking IRA. She said, “I guess it’s better if I don’t live so long.” Take a moment to let that sink in… Now she gave a chuckle while saying that, but it was one of those ‘I have to laugh because I'm serious’ moments. There are people facing life or death decisions because of the situation the economy is in, and we know John McCain just doesn’t get it because…

3. John McCain said, “The fundamentals of the economy are strong.” We may be getting repetitive on the failures of leadership John McCain is showing. We certainly write about it regularly, but it is important to remind people that complete lack of leadership John McCain has showed since the financial crisis has exploded into the headlines and hands of taxpayers.

4. George W. Bush has another disaster to add to his legacy. Just when you thought he was done being a bad president, just when you thought Katrina, and Iraq, and Abu Ghraib, and domestic spying, and Walter Reed were bad enough, the economy is a disaster. Thank you Mr. President for leaving an even bigger mess for your successor.

5. Barack Obama is organized. Everyone knows how well he is organized, but people don’t realize how that translates into votes. According to the AP “Since the last federal election in 2006 …more than 2 million Democrats [were added] to voter rolls in the 28 states that register voters according to party affiliation. The Republicans have lost nearly 344,000 thousand voters in the same states.” This is simply remarkable.

6. Bill Clinton is finally on board. President Clinton has finally begun to make the rounds on talk shows and swing states praising Senator Obama. He claims Obama has the “better answers” and continuously says Obama will win. Thank you Mr. President for finally convincing many that have doubted you cared.

7. Partisan politics. Barack Obama has yet to play politics on the economic meltdown. Yes, he ties McCain to George W. Bush as often as he can (because it is true). However, Obama did not take his politics to D.C. during the last week. He went to listen, to offer ideas, and to stand up for middle class voters everywhere. Obama stood by his claim for four key points in the bailout plan and got them. That is true leadership not blowing wherever the wind blows.

8. It is no longer about “Lipstick on a pig.” Times have gotten so tough for people that we no longer care about dumb comments like “Lipstick” and “Pitbulls.” We care about issues. We care about solutions. We care about true leadership that will inspire a future generation to continue to lead this great nation toward higher and higher goals.


9. Joe Biden. Barack Obama showed true leadership in his selection of Joe Biden. Joe Biden has the credibility that critics say Obama does not. And tomorrow Joe Biden will take center stage in his debate with Sarah Palin. Personally I think he will make Sarah Palin look silly. Personally I think that we won’t have to try very hard. Now, this could definitely be the moment where Biden seems like an ogre and attack Palin, or it could be the moment where Palin will stand up and have nothing to say. I’m betting on the latter.


10. Senator Obama represents change. You can’t spin this one. It has been his message from the beginning. Barack Obama wants to go to Washington to make a difference. McCain has tried to steal this message. McCain has tried to say that he will be the true change Washington needs, too bad he represents everything in Washington that needs to change.

This week Obama is winning. There is a lot of time left. Let’s hope the American people aren’t persuaded by spin and lies.

Since September 11th 2001, I’ve learned that freedom isn’t free. It costs $12.3 billion a month in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I’ve learned that we must never forget that day. The easiest way to remember of course is to, as President Bush said, “Shop.” We can never forget if we buy 9/11 t-shirts and bumper stickers and of course the yearly commemorative coin.

I’ve learned that Iraq has no weapons of mass destruction.

I’ve learned that Osama Bin Laden is living in a cave in Pakistan and we don’t seem to care.

I've learned that Osama bin Laden is good for business.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that these colors don’t run, unless of course you count the blood of the 4,155 servicemen dead in Iraq, and the 584 dead in Afghanistan.

I’ve learned that these numbers will not stop rising.

I’ve learned that George W. Bush has done such a good job as President that we elected him again.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that 9/11 can be used for political gains during political conventions.

I’ve learned that the Taliban are regaining strength in Afghanistan.

I’ve learned that in Iraq, if we pay the insurgents enough, they will stop attacking us.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that the Iraqis want us to leave.

I’ve learned that President Bush wants to stay.

I’ve learned that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that my government can detain people without any rhyme or reason.

I’ve learned that torture is okay.

I’ve learned that spreading democracy is the American way, and that the best way to spread said democracy is at the end of a rifle.

I’ve learned that spreading democracy apparently, is our mission from God.

I’ve learned that democracy cannot be forced on people whose government must be ruled by religion.

I’ve learned that people still think 9/11 was an inside job.

I’ve learned that Americans don’t care about energy independence.

I’ve learned that America is no longer respected in the world as it once was.

I’ve learned that there is a candidate standing for change and half the country stands against him.

I’ve learned that this country can be controlled by fear.

I’ve learned that Muslims are evil because they wear turbans and have beards.

I’ve learned that all of the hijackers were clean shaven and turbanless.

I’ve learned that Iran and North Korea, like Iraq are evil.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that Republicans know what is right because they haven’t been wrong in seven (make that eight) years.

I’ve learned that we have the best military in the world. There is nothing they cannot do.

I’ve learned that our military cannot force a country to create a stable government.

I’ve learned that the global war on terror will be fought forever.

I’ve learned that we can claim “mission accomplished” without achieving victory.

Since 9/11, I’ve learned that our military is not built by a draft, and because of that, no one cares about the consequences of war.

Since September 11th 2001, I’ve learned that this country has reached a new boiling point. I have learned that we have been waiting for the moment that we can turn the page and attempt to reclaim our place in the world. To return our nation to a place that is looked up to and not down at. I have learned that Americans are tired of failed policies and hawkish administrations.

I have learned that our nation must become stronger, smarter, and better.

Because if we do not, we have learned nothing at all.

Always learning,
LoOK

Sources:
http://www.armscontrolcenter.org/policy/securityspending/articles/gwot_spending_burn_rate/
http://www.antiwar.com/casualties/

It’s official. We have finally become Occupiers in Iraq.

The country has recently demanded a “very clear timeline” for us to get out of their country and turn over total control to their security forces, and we have responded with silence.

I believe the definition of victory we have been touting at the moment is that when “Iraqis stand up, we will stand down.” That time has arrived. Iraq wants us out and our President still only speaks of “general time horizons,” (as Jon Stewart point out, a horizon is something that “no matter how long you head towards it, you never quite reach it.”) not specific dates, nothing that gives the government of Iraq hope that one day they will be able to take the reigns of a country they have longed to lead.

This is a great time for Iraq, violence is down (however, not down enough to stop Americans from dying), they were allowed to compete in the Olympics (something that will unite them as a people more than ever), and most importantly their government (and people) appears to want to take control.

This is the turning point we have been waiting (too long) for.

However, it is my belief that somehow our administration will find a way to redefine (again) the term “Victory in Iraq” to fit their occupier instinct, their need to stay forever, in order to prove that democracy will work in the Middle East.

Democracy is working Mr. President. The Iraqis are standing up and demanding action. They are demanding that we no longer occupy their country. They are demanding us to leave.

The ball is now in your court. They are screaming for your attention. Will you ever listen?

About 80% (depending on which poll you read) of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction. 80%. That really says something about the leadership of this country. I think we need a bigger change than anyone is really ready for, or willing to do. If I were running for president I’d have very open and honest thoughts on every issue we now face.

The following is NOT an endorsement for anyone…it is simply my thoughts.

On Iraq:
The simple truth is what everyone seems to be afraid to really say. We can’t get out of Iraq as easily as most people think. Getting out of Iraq is complicated. Do we need to? Absolutely. Should we just pick up all of our soldiers and get out yes! There is no reason we should have gone in the first place or should be there this long. We cannot police this war forever. We shouldn’t have to sacrifice our men and women for reasons that can’t be solved with more violence. However, that being said the truth is that if we do just pack up and leave the country will turn towards civil war. I know most people say that it can’t get any worse; well I believe it could get much worse. When we leave the Sunnis will fight the Shiites and the nation will collapse. Why? Because the government is not taking the necessary steps it needs to create stability. I believe that if we actually do give the nation a deadline that the government might finally get their heads out of the sand and do something if only for the fear of their nation turning on itself.

On religion:
I consider myself a man who has studied many religions and doesn’t believe one religion is or should be put above any other. I don’t believe in any one religion but I am not an atheist. I do not build my life around the belief that there is no god. I like to go outside and look at the stars and I like to believe that someone created all the beauty that is around me, but the simple truth is that I just don’t know, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. Since I do not know I am not living my life by a code that tells me someone is evil or wrong because they do not believe in the same things I do. I do not feel that I am better or worse than anyone because of this and that is a good thing. I feel the worst thing in the world is someone who has religion and damns people because of it. I used to go to church until I heard my minister, a man I respected give a sermon on the evil of homosexuality. Some of my friends are gay. These friends have been there for me when I needed them most, when I truly needed a shoulder to cry my friends have been there. Which brings me to...

Gay marriage:
I challenge anyone to offer a logical and legitimate argument against gay marriage. Don't you dare come at me with, “Well the bible says it’s wrong.” Don’t you dare try to tell me that a government has the right to say two gay people can’t get married? I’ll agree that a church won’t marry two gay people because that is what their beliefs are. I, as someone who wants to change this government can’t tell a church what to do. That’s what separation of church and state is all about. If that church wants to openly practice discrimination and hate that is within their right to do so. However, don’t for a second tell me that my gay friends cant go down to city hall and find a judge/justice of the peace and get married because that is something that I (as someone who wants government to change) can change. I can ask my government to stop practicing discrimination and hate. I should be able to force my government to follow one of the documents it was based on called the declaration of independence that promises everyone the pursuit of happiness. Don’t for a second tell me that marriage is not something one can pursue to be happy. I know what some may be thinking, and that’s that “gay marriage will ruin ‘the family.’” I think that is simply pure bullshit and only homophobic people believe that. They say that it isn’t an ideal place to raise children. I say how many fathers in straight marriages are alcoholics or how many parents now are drug addicts? We still allow them to get married. The simple truth is that there is no logical or legitimate argument against gay marriage and the only thing stopping this equal right is people’s fears of speaking up and demanding more from our leaders.

On gas prices:
I read an article that talked about why 50 mpg won’t happen in America soon, and frankly I think that’s crap. There are 50 mpg vehicles in Europe; I see the bmw commercial for the hydrogen car. The real reason we can’t get this done is again, because our leaders are not forcing any change to happen. Now I know some will say we cannot force car companies to make changes because it’s a free market and capitalism and all that other BS. However, we already are demanding that they change, but only to 35mpg. 35 mpg? That’s a joke! We should not only demand that they raise it to at least 50 but demand that they stop using gas altogether! I know some people will say we can’t do that, that a government can’t have control over business, but what if that control is to help the people it was elected to govern? Can’t the government demand better transportation for its people, can’t we demand less pollution for our planet? The truth is that government does have control over commerce and companies for the good of the people. We have OSHA and equal pay act and maternity leave. All these things demand that companies conform to certain things for the people, why cant we as a people and as a government demand that there be a better way for gas to be used or demand that we strive to get rid of it once and for all?

I wish I could say I want all Americans to read this so that I could believe again that we could become a nation that can be proud of itself, but the truth is I am not old enough to say that I believed before.

I was not there when Martin and Bobby and John asked the nation to question, to hope, and to dream. I was not there when we raced to the Moon and back again. I was not there when freedom was earned with blood in the streets. However, I am here now. I am here hoping that the leaders I have to look at will not become men and women whose names are simply placed on airports and schools. I am here now hoping that my leaders will not be full of lies and letdowns. I am here now hoping that all my beliefs will one day be realized and that the simple truths can be achieved. I am here now not waiting for change, but wanting it. Because if I do not want change and demand change, change will never happen.