Last of Our Kind

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/

Over the last week or so, something happened. During and after the Republican National Convention the McCain campaign has deliriously decided that they are the change ticket. McCain is campaigning as an independent, and someone who has battled even his own party (never mind that little bit about voting with President Bush 90% of the time). Sarah Palin is campaigning as someone who has always been against pork barrel spending despite having campaigned for the Bridge to Nowhere in order to get elected as the governor of Alaska. They are claiming they are the mavericks, and the change agents. I just want to know…

Do you think we are that mindless?

McBush as the change agent? Give me a break. I see right through these deceptive tactics. The fact is, McCain has flip flopped and spun his campaign every which way possible in the past few months. First he was touting his support of Bush, now he is touting his taking the fight to his own party. He was slamming Obama for his lack of experience, and then selected a completely inexperienced running mate. He was criticizing Obama for running as a change agent with no plans, and has now decided that his ticket is the ticket of change and failed to present any real policy plans during the convention. He is claiming he represents change, and he picked a hard line conservative that agrees with Bush more than he does.

McBush is succeeding in convoluting this election to the point where the issues simply cannot compete with the idiocy spewing forth. I am baffled by the republicans approach, but I suppose this is where experience comes in. McCain is experienced at running an old politics as usual campaign. This leaves us all concerned with who can sling more mud, and less concerned with who will actually be better for our country.

Obama keeps using the line: McCain just doesn’t get it. The more I hear and see and read about McCain and his campaign, the more I feel that this is very true.

McCain really does not get it.

I hope America will see through these deceptive campaign strategies, and start demanding more from its presidential candidates.

Refusing to be deceived,
-LoOK

Tonight, I eagerly sat down waiting for 9:11 central standard time, the time Senator John McCain was slated to accept the Republican Party’s nomination for President. When he came on stage and after the ovation subsided, I watched and listened, and watched and listened, and waited, and waited, and waited.

I waited for John McCain to offer up some ideas. Some sort of plan, some vision for the future that his running mate forgot to mention last night. I listened to McCain mention his great party’s leaders: Lincoln (would he be considered Republican today?), Roosevelt (Teddy, not FDR. The man who got us through the great depression and World War II was a Democrat), and Reagan (Always gotta mention The Gipper).

I listened to the crowd, like children, boo the Democrats (last night they chanted “Drill Baby Drill,” don’t get me started on that). I listened to McCain admonish the Republican administration for losing their way. I heard him pledge to get back to basics. I also listened to him somehow forget to mention that he is a part of that same party that he so wants to “change.”

But what I didn’t hear McCain say was “How.” How John McCain are you going to fix this country? What is the change you want to bring? You say you want to stop sending money overseas and you want to create jobs that will stay in this country, but how? You talk about drilling because your party wants it. Your running mate supports drilling in ANWR, but you miss the bigger issue that drilling and oil is not the answer.

You say you know how to secure the peace and protect this country. Does securing the peace include occupying a country when its democratically elected leaders are asking us to leave?

John McCain we all know you are a patriot who loves this country. We all know you suffered great atrocities during your time in the POW Camp. However, Senator you are not offering us anything new or anything different.

Tonight you gave a speech that sounded like the speech of a politician, not of a true leader. Tonight as I sat and listened I did not feel inspired. I felt depressed. Perhaps Obama was right. Perhaps you just don’t get it. This country needs a voice that won’t just stand up and talk to the rest of the world, but will actually listen. We need a leader who listens to Americans and understands our problems and has a plan to fix them.

Tonight Senator, you asked us to stand up and fight.

“Fight for what's right for our country.
Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.
Fight for our children's future.
Fight for justice and opportunity for all.
Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.
Stand up for each other, for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.
Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight.
Nothing is inevitable here.
We're Americans, and we never give up.”

Thank you Sarah Palin.

Thank you for being exactly what you and your party think Senator Obama is.

An inexperienced young person who can read a teleprompter. A talker who gives a speech with no content.

Much like Huckabee, Guiliani, and Romney before you, you made a great cheerleader for John McCain. You threw your GOP delegates a lot of red meat. You bashed and mocked Obama. You made fun of his speech and the columns behind him. You made fun of his comments about people clinging to religion. You made fun of his lack of experience, and you got a standing ovation.

Congratulations.

However, I must in fact point out that in your speech you offered nothing. You offered no depth, no vision, and no plan for the future. You support John McCain. We get it. But what are you going to do with your role in the Vice Presidency (that is, after you learn what the job entails)? What are your thoughts on the economy, on healthcare, on the war in Iraq (which your son is about to go fight in). What are your plans for the mortgage crisis, the emptying of social security, and most importantly what are your thoughts on National Security?

You claim that you want to fill Hillary Clinton’s role in this campaign. Well Governor Palin, Senator Clinton you are not. I know where she stands on issues and I know what she believes in, and from what I can tell it is everything you stand against.

Perhaps this was not the time for you to let us know your plan on any of these issues. Perhaps this was a speech for you to simply tell us who you are. You are a Hockey mom. That’s great. But what are you offering my country. Why are you running for office?

Perhaps we have to wait for your debate with Joe Biden so you can actually tell us anything of substance. For your sake I hope you are ready. You said you are ready for a challenge. And a challenge is what you will face.

Good luck,
LoOK

Day one of the “real” Republican Convention got me thinking about a lot of stuff.

First of all I have to admit that they really know how to spin just about anything. I feel bad for the Republicans such as Rudy Guiliani and Fred Thompson (both former GOP Candidates) get in front of cameras and actually take pride in McCain’s VP Pick, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. I find it ridiculous that these “true” Republicans can all tout how great of a choice she is when the truth is that she really was the worst choice McCain could have made.

We don’t have to touch the issue about her pregnant daughter (I agree with Obama that families are off limits.)

We don’t have to talk about her incredible lack of experience. We don’t have to talk about her getting a huge applause because as Thompson said, “She knows how to field dress a moose.” (And that qualifies her for what exactly?)

We don’t have to touch the fact that Sarah Palin said “that our leaders -- that our national leaders -- are sending [soldiers] out on a task that is from God.” We won’t speak about the incredible ignorance and hate statements like that create. We will ignore the resemblance to Jihad and the Crusades that she is closing in on. I don’t have to mention the fact that that kind of dialogue will not help our nation in a time where countries and people hate us for our occupier/invader manners of the past eight years.

I guess all these things are what really qualify her for the Vice Presidency. I guess it is all these things we won’t mention that in fact make her an “Everyman,” an “Average Joe” (an Average Josephine?) Personally, I say give me the man who for the past twenty years after getting work done in the senate (a little more complex than the PTA) still takes the Amtrak train home to his wife and family. That’s an average Joe. That is an average Joe that has the experience to be VP, one heartbeat away from the presidency.

I find it hard to believe the GOP can spin the fact that John McCain wants to “Put the country first” when his “great judgment” allows him to pick someone who he has known for less than a week.

Hurricane Gustav was a horrible event, and luckily it did not do much damage. New Orleans and the Gulf Coast were well prepared and ready. It is unfortunate for the GOP that the convention had to be postponed/overshadowed by the hurricane. I would have like to see them fall of their faces without an excuse to blame the media for unfair coverage.

Senator Lieberman spoke directly to the Independents and Democrats today (because he still has credibility with them?) He asked for them to vote for John McCain because he is better for the country.

Watching the RNC so far I have learned McCain is a war hero (which is great and honorable, but this qualifies him how?). I have learned that the Republican Party hires Christian Singers, because that is its base. I have seen Republicans lie through their teeth in support of a crazy VP pick. I have seen this political campaign spin a hurricane to shore up support.

John McCain is about country first? So far he sure isn’t making a very good case for that.

Talk about a 180 degree change from last week.