I am determined not to fall into the trap of having to explain why I haven't posted for X number of days every time that something like that happens. BUT...it has been 8 days since I last posted (not that anyone's counting), which is a record for me in the 3 1/2 months since I've been doing this. The reasons: 1) Several things have come together to make me very busy right now, including classes, recruiting work and our annual 4th of July church musical and 2) As I see it, nothing is really going on right now in the election race, except for hot air being exchanged on both sides. Ed Rendell (D) and Rob Portman (R) are going at it on Fox News Sunday right now (well, it's tape delayed from this morning, but you get the idea), for instance, about McCain flip-flopping on guns and Obama flip-flopping on NAFTA, yada, yada, yada. I don't think anyone is listening much; it is background noise to most people's 4th of July celebrations.
Dick Morris said the other day that he thinks McCain is sleepwalking through this election race. Upon reflection, I don't agree with that. McCain has come out swinging with something new every day since Obama clinched the nomination a couple of weeks ago. I think that is smart because it keeps him in the news cycle and doesn't leave Obama out there garnering all the press.
Will it be enough in the end? Who knows? But, there is a lot of drama potential yet to come, including conventions, running mate choice, debates, etc. At least, that is drama for me, and if it isn't for you, you probably aren't finding a lot to interest you on this blog, anyway. The two are really about tied, with Obama certainly having an edge right now. But the election is still 4 months away.
We did have a couple of Supreme Court decisions in the last couple of weeks that should have warranted some comment from me, so I'll do so now.
The most recent one struck down Washington, D.C.'s ban on handguns. A great victory for the Second Amendment. What more is there to say?
The second one, which came down earlier, gave the detainees at Guantanamo the right to request a hearing in order to appeal their detention. I am troubled by this, because I think, as a conservative, that precedent is a very important factor in our history of American government, and we have never before granted this type of right to any foreign combatant or anyone accused of being such. Yet, we are also an open society and as a Christian, I feel I have to consider the argument from mercy's point of view. A request for a hearing doesn't even guarantee the hearing that the prisoner is asking for, let alone a trial. Isn't this a minimally decent standard for a good and fair country?
So ultimately, I would have to say that I am uneasy about the direction in which this ruling could lead us, as a rule utilitarian. As a stand-alone decision, though, I would have to support it on the basis of Christian principle. (I've just been teaching Ethics again and we've discussed rule utilitarianism vs. act utilitarianism a number of times; briefly, rule utilitarianism considers every choice, personal or corporate, in the light of other actions that could stem from those choices, while act utilitarianism judges every decision on the basis of that act alone, in a vacuum.) Clearly, in the light of history, FDR's internment of innocent Japanese-Americans, the vast majority of whom loved their country and even fought for its betterment after their release, was an appalling injustice, though an argument could have been mounted in its defense (and has been, by Michelle Malkin and others). Such treatment today is inconceivable; imagine if George W. Bush had tried such a tactic.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
All things Obama/VP search for both
Barack Obama certainly dominated the news cycle this week. I hope that is not a purveyor of things to come, but more and more, this election does seem to ride on whether or not a majority (or plurality) of the voters will accept Obama in spite of his inexperience. (Can't discern any bias there, can you?)
I want to hand it to Obama, though, for a gutsy move in his Father's Day sermon last Sunday. He said things that needed to be heard from a prominent figure like him, even though he had to know it wasn't the politically correct thing to do. Of course, there were the prompt denunciations of some on the right (like the inestimable Rush Limbaugh) to the tune that this was just a calculated "Sister Souljah" moment, but Obama raised the hackles of many on the left, too, like Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Lamont Hill. My feeling is that he spoke the truth when he could have ducked it and no one would have noticed. I like that. Here is the text of the entire message.
Obama's new church choice is very interesting...a holiness church, no less! When I read their doctrinal statement, I find nothing with which my own church would differ. Is it not a little ironic that Barack Obama's church maintains doctrinal positions that are closer to the Church of the Nazarene than any Presidential nominee of either party since Richard Nixon? Nixon was a member of the Quaker tradition or the Society of Friends, for the more proper among us, which fits into the Arminian tradition, though not very squarely. Some might say that I shouldn't have skipped George W. Bush, who is a Methodist. You would have a good point, although Newsmax reported this week that Bush is considering converting to Roman Catholicism. The predominance of Presidential nominees, including John McCain (Baptist) have been from Reformed traditions over the last 40 years; why is that? Might be an interesting study to undertake.
In other Obama-related news, he has also rejected public financing. Ho HUM. Yes, it is hypocritical and he has broken his promise, but how many American voters even are aware of what this means, much less care? It is not an issue that will get any mileage, period. End of story.
I will be highly interested in who both candidates choose as their running mates. Bill Richardson said on Hannity & Colmes last night that he think it will be close to convention time before Obama chooses his. This is just what I said, I think about McCain, a few weeks ago.
Ralph Reed said, also on Hannity & Colmes, but more recently on Alan Colmes' radio show, that he feels that the VP picks in 2008 are more important to the race at large than they have been since 1960. It could turn out that way, depending on who is picked, which, I suppose, is what Reed meant (maybe even what he said when he elaborated, if I had his exact words in front of me).
With Obama opting out of public financing and opening himself up to unlimited campaign funding, how does McCain not pick Mitt Romney? Obama has already outraised McCain 3 to 1, according to Hannity & Colmes' figures last night. It seems to me that the signs are pointing that way, with the friendship that has clearly developed between them in the months since the bitterly contested primary fight.
While I'm on this note, I will iterate that I feel McCain's veep pick has the potential to really cause conservatives to either close ranks behind him or give him up for good. If McCain chooses someone with solid credentials, this will go a long way. On the other hand, let's say he taps Mayor Michael Bloomberg, for instance, for whatever reason. (Some might say money, justifiably.) Should that happen, I would have to seriously look at Bob Barr. I do not want to vote for a third party candidate. I have not given up on the Republican party. But how do you pin any conservative hopes at all on a McCain/Bloomberg ticket? And I know I wouldn't be alone here.
I want to hand it to Obama, though, for a gutsy move in his Father's Day sermon last Sunday. He said things that needed to be heard from a prominent figure like him, even though he had to know it wasn't the politically correct thing to do. Of course, there were the prompt denunciations of some on the right (like the inestimable Rush Limbaugh) to the tune that this was just a calculated "Sister Souljah" moment, but Obama raised the hackles of many on the left, too, like Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Lamont Hill. My feeling is that he spoke the truth when he could have ducked it and no one would have noticed. I like that. Here is the text of the entire message.
Obama's new church choice is very interesting...a holiness church, no less! When I read their doctrinal statement, I find nothing with which my own church would differ. Is it not a little ironic that Barack Obama's church maintains doctrinal positions that are closer to the Church of the Nazarene than any Presidential nominee of either party since Richard Nixon? Nixon was a member of the Quaker tradition or the Society of Friends, for the more proper among us, which fits into the Arminian tradition, though not very squarely. Some might say that I shouldn't have skipped George W. Bush, who is a Methodist. You would have a good point, although Newsmax reported this week that Bush is considering converting to Roman Catholicism. The predominance of Presidential nominees, including John McCain (Baptist) have been from Reformed traditions over the last 40 years; why is that? Might be an interesting study to undertake.
In other Obama-related news, he has also rejected public financing. Ho HUM. Yes, it is hypocritical and he has broken his promise, but how many American voters even are aware of what this means, much less care? It is not an issue that will get any mileage, period. End of story.
I will be highly interested in who both candidates choose as their running mates. Bill Richardson said on Hannity & Colmes last night that he think it will be close to convention time before Obama chooses his. This is just what I said, I think about McCain, a few weeks ago.
Ralph Reed said, also on Hannity & Colmes, but more recently on Alan Colmes' radio show, that he feels that the VP picks in 2008 are more important to the race at large than they have been since 1960. It could turn out that way, depending on who is picked, which, I suppose, is what Reed meant (maybe even what he said when he elaborated, if I had his exact words in front of me).
With Obama opting out of public financing and opening himself up to unlimited campaign funding, how does McCain not pick Mitt Romney? Obama has already outraised McCain 3 to 1, according to Hannity & Colmes' figures last night. It seems to me that the signs are pointing that way, with the friendship that has clearly developed between them in the months since the bitterly contested primary fight.
While I'm on this note, I will iterate that I feel McCain's veep pick has the potential to really cause conservatives to either close ranks behind him or give him up for good. If McCain chooses someone with solid credentials, this will go a long way. On the other hand, let's say he taps Mayor Michael Bloomberg, for instance, for whatever reason. (Some might say money, justifiably.) Should that happen, I would have to seriously look at Bob Barr. I do not want to vote for a third party candidate. I have not given up on the Republican party. But how do you pin any conservative hopes at all on a McCain/Bloomberg ticket? And I know I wouldn't be alone here.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Final thoughts on Russert
It has been quite a weekend of tributes and tears. I have never observed Washington come together with such consensus, even among competitors. All of Russert's fellow moderators, including George Stephanopolous, Chris Wallace, Bob Schieffer, Wolf Blitzer, Larry King etc., agreed that he was not only the best in the business, but a fine man who loved his family and cared deeply about his country.
I only hope none of them are right when they say we won't see his kind again. We MUST...or the country will be worse off as a result.
I have been struck over and over again by the kind of life that Tim Russert lived. He cared about politics and news and was devoted to both, yet in a way that was not cynical or bitter, but full of joy and dedication. And he never lost sight of the values underpinning it all that should matter most to all of us.
I heard a clip played yesterday where Russert said that if his number came up tomorrow, he would leave knowing he had been given the life he wanted. WOW...how can you help but admire a life lived with that sense of wonder and passion?
Tim Russert, RIP. We will never forget you.
Here is a final column by Paul Weyrich that sums it up well.
I only hope none of them are right when they say we won't see his kind again. We MUST...or the country will be worse off as a result.
I have been struck over and over again by the kind of life that Tim Russert lived. He cared about politics and news and was devoted to both, yet in a way that was not cynical or bitter, but full of joy and dedication. And he never lost sight of the values underpinning it all that should matter most to all of us.
I heard a clip played yesterday where Russert said that if his number came up tomorrow, he would leave knowing he had been given the life he wanted. WOW...how can you help but admire a life lived with that sense of wonder and passion?
Tim Russert, RIP. We will never forget you.
Here is a final column by Paul Weyrich that sums it up well.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tim Russert, continued....
An hour later, and I am still taking it all in. All of Washington is stunned.
I have found a column by the Wall Street Journal's Jon Friedman that showcases what we loved about Tim Russert. Here it is.
Howard Fineman, as grizzled a Washington journalist as there is (Newsweek, MSNBC, etc.), spoke of Russert's devout Catholic faith, saying that he refused to "bow to false gods" as so many do in Washington (Fineman's words all, not mine). A forthright admission from a mainstream journalist.
I will always fondly remember the excitement with which I would look forward to his interviews with everyone, knowing that he would be polite, but would spare no question just because it was not particularly welcomed by the guest, Republican or Democrat.
I first became truly aware of Russert through his book Big Russ and Me. This book is one of those you don't forget, and it sits on my shelf. I will certainly reread it now.
I have found a column by the Wall Street Journal's Jon Friedman that showcases what we loved about Tim Russert. Here it is.
Howard Fineman, as grizzled a Washington journalist as there is (Newsweek, MSNBC, etc.), spoke of Russert's devout Catholic faith, saying that he refused to "bow to false gods" as so many do in Washington (Fineman's words all, not mine). A forthright admission from a mainstream journalist.
I will always fondly remember the excitement with which I would look forward to his interviews with everyone, knowing that he would be polite, but would spare no question just because it was not particularly welcomed by the guest, Republican or Democrat.
I first became truly aware of Russert through his book Big Russ and Me. This book is one of those you don't forget, and it sits on my shelf. I will certainly reread it now.
Tim Russert dies
Tim Russert is gone. Details are sparse at this point, but it appears that he was struck with a heart attack earlier this afternoon.
I am shocked to the core; this is so sudden. He was just there on Sunday on "Meet the Press" with a table full of commentators. He was also only 58.
Tim Russert will be grievously missed. All of the MSNBC commentators, seasoned Washington pros like David Gregory, Brian Williams and Andrea Mitchell are openly crying on the air.
Life is so short, and he seemed to enjoy it to the fullest, by all accounts.
When it came to objective journalism, he was the best I've ever seen.
This story is still in early development, but apparently, he taped his CNBC weekend show earlier this morning with John Harwood, on Harwood's new book Pennsylvania Avenue: Profiles in Backroom Power. Russert had just returned from Italy last night from a trip he took with his family to celebrate his son Luke's college graduation.
This is so sad.
I am shocked to the core; this is so sudden. He was just there on Sunday on "Meet the Press" with a table full of commentators. He was also only 58.
Tim Russert will be grievously missed. All of the MSNBC commentators, seasoned Washington pros like David Gregory, Brian Williams and Andrea Mitchell are openly crying on the air.
Life is so short, and he seemed to enjoy it to the fullest, by all accounts.
When it came to objective journalism, he was the best I've ever seen.
This story is still in early development, but apparently, he taped his CNBC weekend show earlier this morning with John Harwood, on Harwood's new book Pennsylvania Avenue: Profiles in Backroom Power. Russert had just returned from Italy last night from a trip he took with his family to celebrate his son Luke's college graduation.
This is so sad.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Mommy is home!
Pam's Grandma passed away last Saturday morning. It was not unexpected since her Grandma was elderly and had been in failing health and state of mind for some time, but it is still sad to lose a close family member.
I was out of vacation time, thanks to the Alaska trip, so couldn't go. We checked Expedia.com and were able to find an air fare to Pittsburgh from Indy for $26.50 more than the gas would have cost, had Pam driven the van out there!
So Pam flew out Saturday night and I had 2 little girls alone for 4 days. All in all, it went very smoothly and to be honest, I didn't feel I saw too much of them! I don't care for that part of it, but knowing that there were many willing ladies eager to help comb hair and keep 2 little girls occupied since I had to work took a lot of pressure off of me. Alyssa combed their hair when we got to church Sunday morning, then Kirsten took care of them Sunday night. They spent the day and night at Doug & Carmen McCools' on Monday and at Danny & Lisa Bryants' on Tuesday....then Mommy came home yesterday! So, we are one happy family again.
I have been busy, though, which is 1) why I was glad for the help and 2) why I haven't blogged substantively for a few days. I will have more to say about politics either later today or tomorrow.
I was out of vacation time, thanks to the Alaska trip, so couldn't go. We checked Expedia.com and were able to find an air fare to Pittsburgh from Indy for $26.50 more than the gas would have cost, had Pam driven the van out there!
So Pam flew out Saturday night and I had 2 little girls alone for 4 days. All in all, it went very smoothly and to be honest, I didn't feel I saw too much of them! I don't care for that part of it, but knowing that there were many willing ladies eager to help comb hair and keep 2 little girls occupied since I had to work took a lot of pressure off of me. Alyssa combed their hair when we got to church Sunday morning, then Kirsten took care of them Sunday night. They spent the day and night at Doug & Carmen McCools' on Monday and at Danny & Lisa Bryants' on Tuesday....then Mommy came home yesterday! So, we are one happy family again.
I have been busy, though, which is 1) why I was glad for the help and 2) why I haven't blogged substantively for a few days. I will have more to say about politics either later today or tomorrow.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Are we in economic free fall?
This came across the wire on AP at about 6:40 PM EST.
In summary....Oil closed up today $10.75 a barrel; the largest single day increase in the history of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Unemployment is up to 5.5%, up from 5.0% last month. This is the 5th straight month of job loss increases.
On the foreign policy front, Israel has declared that they will attack Iran if Iran does not cease nuclear exploration.
Can McCain convince America that he can pull us out of this lethargy? The thing is that I wonder sometimes whether, indeed, he can! I am sure Obama cannot. Can McCain win if even his supporters are voting for him mainly because he isn't Barack?
The good news is that the atrocious Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act went down in flames yesterday, with 27 Democrats voting for, 28 Republicans voting against and 45 not voting. John Warner voted against his own bill; good for him, but I don't know why you sponsor a piece of legislation and then don't support it? Why get behind it to begin with? I get why Kennedy and Byrd weren't there and Hillary & Barack were busy in their meeting last night and McCain was campaigning, but come on!!! What about the other 41 who didn't vote??? What do we pay these people $169,000 per year to do, if not to at least show up and go on record for or against bills that come to a vote? I love Sam Brownback and Jon Cornyn, but guys, we need an accounting here for where you and the other 39 were on this.
I guess I'm kind of off on a tear...but it is getting to a point in the economy where we need some leadership that is resolute and fearless. Maybe all 41 of these people had legitimate reasons not to be present to vote, though I doubt it. But it is reaching a point in America where average citizens are struggling to keep up with spiraling costs and keep the wolf from the door, and these Senators can't show up to vote against a monstrosity like this?
In summary....Oil closed up today $10.75 a barrel; the largest single day increase in the history of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Unemployment is up to 5.5%, up from 5.0% last month. This is the 5th straight month of job loss increases.
On the foreign policy front, Israel has declared that they will attack Iran if Iran does not cease nuclear exploration.
Can McCain convince America that he can pull us out of this lethargy? The thing is that I wonder sometimes whether, indeed, he can! I am sure Obama cannot. Can McCain win if even his supporters are voting for him mainly because he isn't Barack?
The good news is that the atrocious Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act went down in flames yesterday, with 27 Democrats voting for, 28 Republicans voting against and 45 not voting. John Warner voted against his own bill; good for him, but I don't know why you sponsor a piece of legislation and then don't support it? Why get behind it to begin with? I get why Kennedy and Byrd weren't there and Hillary & Barack were busy in their meeting last night and McCain was campaigning, but come on!!! What about the other 41 who didn't vote??? What do we pay these people $169,000 per year to do, if not to at least show up and go on record for or against bills that come to a vote? I love Sam Brownback and Jon Cornyn, but guys, we need an accounting here for where you and the other 39 were on this.
I guess I'm kind of off on a tear...but it is getting to a point in the economy where we need some leadership that is resolute and fearless. Maybe all 41 of these people had legitimate reasons not to be present to vote, though I doubt it. But it is reaching a point in America where average citizens are struggling to keep up with spiraling costs and keep the wolf from the door, and these Senators can't show up to vote against a monstrosity like this?
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