Consider this...
I am a lifelong learner and innately curious. I wouldn't consider myself an intellectual, but I do believe myself to be a thinking person. Having said that one of my greatest curiosities is the true believers of the Obama campaign. I recognize that certain people on both sides of the political spectrum can become enamored of a candidate. Some will be taken by a person's looks or charisma, some passionately believe in candidate's positions and causes. These are all things that can be explained and conversely understood. What perplexes me is that none of these things can be said about Barak H. Obama
I am old enough to remember John Kennedy his easy good looks and powerful speaking style were backed by a strong intellect and a keen understanding of the American electorate. His optimism and patriotism were evident in every dialogue he engaged in with the American people. With all due respect Senator Obama you are no Senator Kennedy! That Senator would never have been an apologist for his country, nor would he have described average Americans as gun toting, religious zealots whose insecurity causes them to cling to said guns and religion.
The next category is even more puzzling. Barak Obama has never found an issue that he could not take both sides on. In fact the truest words ever spoken were delivered by his numerous primary opponents. They pointed out his numerous failings, inconsistencies and misstatements of fact and his outright naivete, until they were branded as racists or worse. To a man and woman they all described him as inexperienced and not fit for the office of president. Now that he is their nominee their candor and concern has been silenced by a machine that wants to elect a Democrat at any cost. So much for intellectual honesty…Obama can be credited with learning a great deal about fund-raising from his association with ACORN. He also was bright enough to understand how to win the nomination by stealing victories in non-democratic states. But let's be clear he is not a true believer and those of you who believe passionately will soon have your hearts broken.
The Obama campaign prays to whoever... every night, that they can get through the next 25 days or so without ever having to explain the shady people in Obama’s life. They use intimidation to avoid speaking about character and the people who their man has been associated with all these years. Lastly they eschew any questions about what qualifications Barak Obama has to be leader of the free world.
So here we are and whether the media in this country asks these questions, or not, I want to know how you can have friends like Bill Ayers, Tony Rezko, Father Phleger, Franklin Raines, Rashid Khalidy and Jim Johnson? What is your association with ACORN? I want to know how these people can be your friends and associates going back years and years, how you can visit their homes, serve with them on boards and committees, contribute to their causes , attend social functions with them and then lie about those friendships with impunity.
I want to know how you could sit in the pew of your church with your wife and daughters and listen to a preachers sermon which suggests that white people are the root of all evil in America and that your country got what it deserved on September 11th.
I want to know why, when these questions are asked, why you evade them or state that these peoples past transgressions happened when you were eight. Tell that to the families of police and soldiers killed by the bombs of the weather underground.
I don’t believe I am the only person that is uneasy with Barak Obama. Polls show a very close race. With all of the animosity directed at the Bush administration one would think Obama should be enjoying a monstrous lead In the polls, he is not. I believe many of us all have the same lingering doubts about this man's resume and his character.
Whenever a candidate adamantly claims there is nothing more to the story you know that there is more and that the story is not good. In a very short time we will vote for a president and my curiosity demands to know just who the hell is Barak Obama?
Scott, you have to be kidding......
Come on Scott, if you were a lifelong learner and innately curious you would be a Democrat and voting for Obama in this election instead of a knuckle dragger like the rest of us conservatives supporting a candidate, in Barb's words, without 'class'.
AW Shucks, we done just don't know no better. We want to keep our shot guns and pray in church. We hate everybody as progressives harmonize singing "We are the world".
How inspiring, how thoughtful, how deep, how uniting, how enlightened progressive are. Come on Scott, you are not intellectually curious, surely you jest!
After all, Barbara9999 (aka Barbara666), "heres" hatred in the conservative media. It is not her fault, the mainstream media is the voice of the Left. There is no balance. Now MSNBC is far Left, almost radical. The parallels to an Orwellian prophecy are uncanny.
"I am tired of the divisiveness of the country. I do not want to be governed by people who govern by their religion. I believe in the Geneva convention, I do not believe in torture", pines Barb. Hmmmmm. I too am tired of the divisiveness but it comes from the Left. I do not want to be governed by people who believe in secular humanism or moral relatavism. I too believe in the Geneva Covention but most of all I believe that government that governs LEAST governs BEST.
That is my main issue with Democrats and in particular, Obama!
Now, I must disagree with you Scott and say that Barb makes one good point. Obama is NOT a terrorist. He is, however, a very dangerous man. Read my most recent post and then ask yourself, Barb, why you would vote for Obama.
America has traded it wholesomeness for relativism and is about to sell it's soul for a promised Utopia. We should take note of those who walk in lockstep with the true believers and ensure that we place the onus of failure by Obama or restriction of our freedoms over the next four years, squarely on their shoulders!
Nice piece Scott!
I give up
Bill, I quit - where did I refer to you as a "knuckle dragger." And Barbara666? This is definitely beneath the Monitor, and you should know better.
Hey Barb
You never called anyone a knuckle dragger but many progressives responding to posts here in the blog treat anyone who does not see their enlightened viewpoints as a knuckledragger.
The 666 thing was tongue in cheek. Believe it or not Barb, I see many of your points. If that offended you I will remove it....wait a minute....done.
Now let's address your points. I do not agree with torture either. However, opponents of interrogation of enemy combatants call torture playing rock and roll music loudly. If you put down the Koran they find that torture. Water boarding...no way! Head games to break them...absolutely.
Religion (that is where the tongue in cheek piece came in). Well, I too believe that we do not include religion in our government. No denominational influence. But, today, we protect the one or two people who "feel offended" by.....it has gone too far!
Government is something that we need to shrink, not expand. Bureaucracy stifles progress in itself and government bureaucrats are basically inefficient and political appointees.
Every thing should be means tested from needs for welfare, health care, medicare, social security, etc. to reduce waste. Obama says that everyone will get a tax cut.
Let's examine that.....40% of American's pay NO INCOME TAX. Read his proposal carefully and it amounts to credits against income taxes and where people pay none, they will get what is equivalent to welfare and handouts.
Business people (small business owners) will be stuck. If a person opens a hardware store and makes $100,000 in taxable income they will be OK. If they want to expand, provide employment and grow, by the third unit they will be paying over 50% of their income to taxes. Obama's plan breeds frustration and will not inspire small business people to excel and create jobs. That is economy 101.
So there you go, Barb from what some liberals and progressives (not necessarily you) consider a conservative knuckle dragger.
BTW-Obama has been just as negative in his campaign and it lacks Class to lie to the voters and not answer the tough questions. Once again Barb, read my blog and tell us why you think Obama is less dangerous than McCain?
Say what you mean...
I am a conservative! I have a blog which clearly identifies my political leanings. Conservative,,,not racist nor diabolical. Like many who claim to be in the middle you slyly suggest that when I say the "Obama campaign prays to whoever"this must be code for something to do with race or religion. This reference is specifically aimed at those on the left that make a point of mocking people of faith
The problem with Barak Obama is not that he is different, in fact it is that he is more of the same. His views on taxes are the same as every other liberal. He promises tax relief after letting tax breaks expire. His mathematical prowess must also be questioned, a trillion in new spending and tax breaks for 95% of Americans just doesn't add up. Further many of the people who are promised tax cuts don't pay federal income tax is this your idea of fairness?
His resume is non-existent. I have said this before and it bears repeating if you removed the names of the candidates and simply looked at their accomplishments Barak Obama would not appear in the top ten, never mind the top two.
Character matters to me! Obama's associations and friendships do not show the kind of judgment that indicates giving him the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is an idea with merit. He is a carnival huckster promising the same goodies laden bag of giveaways that are largely responsible for the economic mess we now find ourselves in.
If you hear hate in this indictment against Obama then you have already convinced yourself that it must be there,,,your conviction has no basis in truth and without knowing me personally it would be quite a stretch for you to claim to know my heart.
Lastly, I find it extremely irritating, that not one liberal, will speak to these issues of character directly. The strategy seems to be attack the person asking legitimate questions about a person we really know very little about...so my question still stands, Who is Barak Obama?
Scott
Religion Of Obama
Have you noticed that Obama supporters are the mirror image of those who attend those flamboyant evangelical rallies at super churches?
Have you noticed that everyone supporting Obama constantly repeats the same talking points with no consideration as to whether or not they are true. Some as zingers that they tout as the truth.
This is a cult like atmosphere. Americans supporting Obama are about to get their wish. Many will be disillusioned and many will wince once he begins his march to Socialism.
This has happened before, remember Carter? All of us should remember the names of those who we know that supported this demagogue. Then we should place the responsibility squarely on their shoulders for the results, reminding them of their folly.
About The Barb Post
I wanted to apologize for the Barb post if you thought that was inappropriate.
I added a post to Barb last night but then this morning I re-read my post and beyond the 666 part and knuckledraggers comment (which had nothing to do with her), I could not see how most of it would have offended her.
Then re-reading it again, I realized that it might have been what I wrote about and how I responded.
In any event, often times the truth hurts or one's inability to accept the diversity of opinion and discuss things might lead to that kind of a response.
Sorry if I tainted your blog, Scott or stifled discussion. That was not my intent.
One more point: Freddie Johnson, remember that name. He was bribed with cigarettes and liquor and registered to vote 72 times by ACORN. These are the kind of things that liberals don't want to hear about. They shout you down.
It's the Media Bias that is riling me most at the moment..
Tony Rezko, Bill Ayers, ACORN, Jeremiah Wright. It’s impossible to imagine any presidential candidate associating with such ilk.
If McCain had any of these associations, the drive by media would have him living under a rock in shame by now.
Yet, the mainstream media and these questions about Obama – hmmm.. crickets. Not a word.
How can Obama supporters overlook these character associations? Maybe Obama didn’t quite share the poisonous views of the above, but he clearly didn’t think they were radical if he associated with them.
Speaking out against Barack Obama makes you a racist, fascist, and God knows what else. . How absurd. Obama talks smooth, sounds good (I’ll even admit that); but really doesn’t say anything at all. I’ll give him credit and say “Nobody says nothing like he does!” I’d consider voting for him if I believed he had some substance. Who is he, indeed?
No, instead the media is pursuing the abuse of power by Sarah Palin. OOO.. “Troopergate!” This is HUGE news and must be repeated, ad nauseam.
I wonder how most mainstream anchors can even believe the garbage they report daily. Many average Americans have said she did what any of us would have done.
The fired state trooper in question has even said himself that the right thing was done, calling for his termination! Taser my nephew, threaten to kill my sister and father?? I’d taser the guy myself!
How’s THAT for an abuse of power? Of course, it’s also an unbelievable scandal that Todd Palin has been involved in his wife’s administration, even though it is well documented that he has never overstepped boundaries or acted inappropriately.
If the Palin’s were on the Democratic ticket the media would be gushing how sweet and wonderful that is!
We need a closer look into Obama’s real character. A few more years of scrutiny in the Senate ought to do it.
There’s nothing worse than buyer’s remorse, but if he’s elected POTUS in a couple weeks it will be too late, won’t it? Why isn't Bill Cosby running? He'd get my vote.
Ushers
The mainstream media is knowingly 'ushering' Obama to his throne in the White House.
Hopefully the majority of Americans are smart enough to see what is going on.
After reading some of the extremists here and in the Monitor, I am beginning to wonder.
No Apologies Needed
Bill,
Your contributions are always welcome. Your comments were funny then serious and always get right down to the heart of the matter. If I had not seen this playbook before I would be deeply offended by anyone that suggests race or religion enters into my appraisal of Barak Obama.
It seems odd to me that we live in an age where faith, and values are now considered quaint at best, and worse, to be described as bigoted and narrow minded for trying to live a set of values best emulated by a simple Jewish carpenter.
I am tired of the arrogance of the left. The smug behavior of people who's classicist view of the world is best exemplified by the behavior of explaining things in that slow lilt so that us common folk might finally get it... It is not WE who are confused. We get it, we simply disagree! Should I speak more slowly, will that help?
When you have a conversation in which you expect to trade views with another intelligent person, so that you can examine the logic of both sides of an argument you must agree to stay on topic. When ask about Barak Obama's character and associations, instead of answering the question as to whether these people trouble them or not the answer is always a dodge. They bring up someone that is troubling from other party, as if that balances the scales. When asked about Barak Obama's experience and qualifications the answer is always an attack with a charge of racism or religious bigotry or a charge that the republican is a Bush clone or some other sound bite meant to distract everyone from the primary question. Is Barak Obama fit to be President of the United States of America?
Is Barak Obama fit to be POTUS?
Is Barak Obama fit to be President of the United States of America?
NO!! Not ready, in a landslide.
Why not try Mayor of Chicago for 2 years and see how he does.
I am not enamored of Obama. He wasn't my choice in the primary, but then I have a really bad history of primary choices. I am not a groupie, this is not a show, this is choosing the person who will run this country. Quite honestly, I am tired of the divisiveness of the country. I do not want to be governed by people who govern by their religion. I believe in the Geneva convention, I do not believe in torture. I don't see the hatred coming out of Obama and Biden that I see coming from the Palin/McCain camp. I always feel like they are talking down to me, with their hate filled rhetoric. This election will be over in a less than a month, the wounds will take a lot longer to heal.
Yes you can say there are democrats who get carried away, but I have not seen this encouraged by Obama and Biden. When I read "liberal" media, I read news, even if slanted. When I read or hear "conservative" media, I here hatred. See, you do it too - "The Obama campaign prays to whoever... " Yet another person trying to get the point across that Obama must be a Muslim, and therefore radical extremist. Let it go, you may not like him, but he is not a terrorist.
Read this - http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/10/mccain.crowd/index.html. If McCain had picked a real vice-president, or even acted with the class he had a year ago, I could consider him. The man is becoming an embarrassment.