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Some of you Dems - convince me not to be a nervous wreck if Obama wins
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Anonymous
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McCain says he always "puts country first". But exactly what is the "country"? To me it's hundreds of millions of people, all distinct individuals; McCain seems to see it as some undefined abstraction.
McCain sees "victory" in Iraq as an unquestionable goal. To me it is very unclear what "victory in Iraq" consists of, and even more unclear that it would be an overall good for you, me, the rest of the country (or the rest of the world, if I can enlarge my kinship with humanity to include Brits, Italians, Ugandans, Chinese, etc). I want to see a president who can think with nuance rather than his gut, who gets beyond simplistic good/evil dichotomy. |
Anonymous
| I am not the original poster, but share similar concerns. Most of the replies on this post do not seem to be based on any objective data nor do they address the poster's concern. They are either slinging mud at Bush and McCain or are highly subjective statements, based on Obama's campaign rhetoric. To me, Obama seems unknowable, based on such a short political career. How can you be so sure he's not just another typical politician out to advance his own ego-driven agenda? |
Anonymous
Don't all of these apply to Palin as well? Also, hasn't Mccain's choice of Palin shows that he, too, is just out to "advance is own ego-driven agenda." |
Anonymous
I support Obama but why should he be any different from any other typical politician with an ego? I just expect to be disappointed less by him than I will be by McCain, based on his policy positions. Don't vote for these guys based on the stories they tell you about their "character." As far as I can see, the campaigning has gotten so nasty that neither one of them can legitimately say they are first and foremost honorable people. And based on what I read in the WaPo this morning in Dana Milbank's column (http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/quote/15/179802.page#preview), Palin is really getting scary. She apparently was quite willing to egg her supporters on to the level where some threatened the media people covering her rally. If you're willing to do that to get elected, what else do you have in store for those of us who disagree with you once you get into power? |
Anonymous
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To address the OP's concerns directly, you might be interested in reading this article, which discusses the fact that a number of (former) senior intelligence officials - who served faithfully in administrations led by both parties - are endorsing and advising the Obama campaign.
http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/09/the-spies-who-love-obama.html |
Anonymous
Me too. Fortunately it is Obama vs McCain. Seems to get lost in the translation a bit. I would never have voted for Clinton if I thought Gore was in charge. |
Anonymous
A-1 - I agree with you. A-2 - Palin is the 2nd on the ticket. If she is advancing McCain's "own ego-driven agenda." I would like to know how? |
Anonymous
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I think A-2's point is about McCain choosing Palin when he really wanted to pick Lieberman. I'm guessing that A-2 is arguing that the pick demonstrates that McCain is a cynical politician playing to his base. That is, that winning the election became more important to him than leaving us with an inexperienced replacement should he die in office.
But A-2, don't let me put words in your mouth. Please correct me if I'm wrong. |
Anonymous
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OP here. I don't live in a cartoon world, TYVM. I live in a world where my husband goes for months at a time into Afghanistan, Iraq, African Islamic nations, Yemen, Israel, etc. He and I are both very well educated, information seeking people. He comes back from these places and tells me first hand what Islam is like, first hand how many Muslims feel about Americans, first hand accounts of interviews with men who cannot even name their daughters but can name all their sons. I can't count the number of books I've read second hand on terrorism and Islam (Infidel by Aayan Hirsi Ali comes to mind vividly).
I actually LIKE Obama, and I wholeheartedly agree that he *seems* very intellectual, calm, and level-headed. I am not crazy for McCain, and it scares me to think that Palin would take office if anything happens to McCain. But I'm hearing from my DH that much of our progress to date for proactively keeping us safe, will be curtailed or cease under a non-Republican. I know everyone mocks those who say the Republicans use the scare tactic too often, but in my case, I trust my source. So I'm in a pickle this election. Sure I think Obama would further diplomatic relations, help restore credibility to America, etc, but I don't see him as a military leader. |
Anonymous
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Honestly, I am not wild about one party having control of both of the legislative bodies and the executive. Seems an important check/balance is lost here.
I know this was the way it way in W's first term - and look where that got us! Once the Senate got to where the Dems could pull out the fillibuster, things slowed down a bit. I would rather see deadlock than craziness on EITHER side. |
Anonymous
Thanks for clarifying the source of your information. My reflection is based on Muslims I know who live in the Middle East and in the United States but I certainly can't speak for the people your husband meets. All I can say is that my contacts are certainly not anything like the people your husband describes. In fact they long for increased democracy and for better treatment of women. While they are critical of the United States, they recognize the value of our political institutions. If the US would like to strengthen the hand of people like these, the US needs to show that we do not support Israel no matter what it does. When Israel invaded Lebanon two years ago after Hezbollah kidnapped two of its soldiers, many innocent people had to flee the country, including friends of mine. Many civilians were hurt and killed in the fighting (some were bombed by Israeli planes as they were fleeing north) and Israel never succeeded in freeing its soldiers. In fact this invasion strengthened Hezbollah's position in Lebanon (since it was the only armed institution capable of fending off the Israelis) and made them more respectable internationally -- quite the opposite of what Israel intended to do. This invasion was roundly criticized in the international arena but the US refused to urge restraint upon Israel. We were seen as fully endorsing this wasteful invasion that today most Israelis regret and which has severely damaged Prime Minister Olmert's political career. I mention this because it was at this moment I considered moving away from Washington. While Americans saw this as supporting a valuable ally, the rest of the world did not. At that point, I was sure it would be only a matter of time before the terrorists attacked Washington again to get revenge for the many innocent civilians who were killed. The Muslims I know admire US democracy and don't want to hurt anyone. But the US government's behavior doesn't support them in their efforts to make their countries more democratic. Instead, the US allies itself highly undemocratic countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait while continuing to antagonize the very extremists whom you fear. |
Anonymous
OP, I appreciate the candor and sincerity of your follow-up post. But my honest gut reaction to this, you last sentence, is "well, the US isn't a military state, so of course we aren't electing a military leader." I'm not sure how your DH has concluded that successful efforts against terror will end, unless he has a crystal ball (or inside info -- no don't tell us, then you'll have to kill us!) But from my perspective we need a president who can take thoughtful account of all information at hand, assess all alternatives (diplomatic, military, what have you) and make sound decisions. I trust Obama to do this more than I do McCain. |
Anonymous
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Here's a book which may be of interest and which will shed light on how we are viewed in the Middle East. All the Shah's Men, by Stephen Kinzer tells the story of the CIA's aggressive support for the overthrow of a democratically elected government in Iran. We helped install a dictator, the Shah, against whom the Iranians rebelled in 1979, leading eventually to the current theocracy.
Most Americans don't realize that the US had a hand in setting up the conditions which led to clerical rule in Iran. Iranians are cynical about our protestations that we ultimately want to see democracy in the Middle East. It's important to remember this as we position ourself vis a vis the Middle East. http://www.amazon.com/All-Shahs-Men-American-Middle/dp/047018549X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223412839&sr=8-1 |
Anonymous
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Do you people really think that the terrorists will hate us less if Obama is president? Get real....... I have seen many of you- pandering to dictators abroad and being critical at home....like the terrorists are going to say yeah-they are a good person-they vote liberal democrat- I'm not going to blow them up- |
Anonymous
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Here is a comment from Craigslist that I copied, should interest a few...
We trained them to fly airplanes; so they could carry out their mission. Now we're training them to run our country. Islamic radicals need not respond, all rebukes should be suspicious. This election has me very worried. So many things to consider. About a year ago I would have voted for Obama. I have changed my mind three times since than. I watch all the news channels, jumping from one to another. I must say this drives my husband crazy. But, I feel if you view MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News, you might get some middle ground to work with. About six months ago, I started thinking "where did the money come from for Obama". I have four daughters who went to College, and we were middle class, and money was tight. We (including my girls) worked hard and there were lots of student loans. I started looking into Obama's life. Around 1979 Obama started college at Occidental in California . He is very open about his two years at Occidental, he tried all kinds of drugs and was wasting his time but, even though he had a brilliant mind, did not apply himself to his studies. "Barry" (that was the name he used all his life) during this time had two roommates, Muhammad Hasan Chandoo and Wahid Hamid, both from Pakistan . During the summer of 1981, after his second year in college, he made a "round the world" trip. Stopping to see his mother in Indonesia , next Hyderabad in India , three weeks in Karachi , Pakistan where he stayed with his roommate's family, then off to Africa to visit his father's family. My question - Where did he get the money for this trip? Nether I, nor any one of my children would have had money for a trip like this when they where in college. When he came back he started school at Columbia University in New York . It is at this time he wants everyone to call him Barack - not Barry. Do you know what the tuition is at Columbia ? It's not cheap! to say the least. Where did he get money for tuition? Student Loans? Maybe. After Columbia , he went to Chicago to work as a Community Organizer for $12,000. a year. Why Chicago ? Why not New York ? He was already living in New York . By "chance" he met Antoin "Tony" Rezko, born in Aleppo Syria , and a real estate developer in Chicago . Rezko has been convicted of fraud and bribery this year. Rezko, was named "Entrepreneur of the Decade" by the Arab-American Business and Professional Association". About two years later, Obama entered Harvard Law School . Do you have any idea what tuition is for Harvard Law School ? Where did he get the money for Law School ? More student loans? After Law school, he went back to Chicago . Rezko offered him a job, which he turned down. But, he did take a job with Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland. Guess what? They represented "Rezar" which Rezko's firm. Rezko was one of Obama's first major financial contributors when he ran for office in Chicago . In 2003, Rezko threw an early fundraiser for Obama which Chicago Tribune reporter David Mendelland claims was instrumental in providing Obama with "seed money" for his U.S. Senate race. In 2005, Obama purchased a new home in Kenwoood District of Chicago for $1.65 million (less than asking price). With ALL those Student Loans - Where did he get the money for the property? On the same day Rezko's wife, Rita, purchased the adjoining empty lot for full price. The London Times reported that Nadhmi Auchi, an Iraqi-born Billionaire loaned Rezko $3.5 million three weeks before Obama's new home was purchased. Obama met Nadhmi Auchi many times with Rezko. Now, we have Obama running for President. Valerie Jarrett, was Michele Obama's boss. She is now Obama's chief advisor and he does not make any major decisions without talking to her first. Where was Jarrett born? Ready for this? Shiraz , Iran ! Do we see a pattern here? Or am I going crazy? On May 10, 2008 The Times reported, Robert Malley advisor to Obama was "sacked" after the press found out he was having regular contacts with "Hamas", which controls Gaza and is connected with Iran . This past week, buried in the back part of the papers, Iraqi newspapers reported that during Obama's visit to Iraq , he asked their leaders to do nothing about the war until after he is elected, and he will "Take care of things". Oh, and by the way, remember the college roommates that where born in Pakistan ? They are in charge of all those "small" Internet campaign contribution for Obama. Where is that money coming from? The poor and middle class in this country? Or could it be from the Middle East ? And the final bit of news. On September 7, 2008, The Washington Times posted a verbal slip that was made on "This Week" with George Stephanapoulos. Obama on talking about his religion said, "My Muslim faith". When questioned, "he make a mistake". Some mistake! All of the above information I got on line. If you would like to check it - Wikipedia, encyclopedia, Barack Obama; Tony Rezko; Valerie Jarrett: Daily Times - Obama visited Pakistan in 1981; The Washington Times - September 7, 2008; The Times May 10, 2008. Now the BIG question - If I found out all this information on my own, Why haven't all of our "intelligent" members of the press been reporting this? A phrase that keeps ringing in my ear - "Beware of the enemy from within"!! |