I would normally accuse the New York Times of being a leftist newpaper.  But, could one of their journalists have made a better argument for the Colombia FTA????

ENJOY!

http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=1033f84c61f14f8ae76fd6c37463042a844443da

The 2008 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants football team visited the White House and met with President Bush on Wednesday. The Giants defeated the New England Patriots in a historic and thrilling football game this past February. Bush made comments while the team president, coaches, general manager, and players all gave the president an honorary jersey and took photos with him.

President Bush, former Texas Governor and Dallas Cowboys fan, joked about his team getting beat by the Giants and he believed in the Jessica Simpson curse. This of course had to do with the notion that pop star Jessica Simpson was a distraction to her boyfriend Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo. Bush saying, “I’m a good spirit, we’re going to send Jessica Simpson to the Democratic National Convention”.

President Bush also said he stayed up to watch the entire football game and praised the team for their resilience and stated that it turned out to be one of the great legendary football games in our nation’s history. He also praised the team and the organization for their volunteer work off the field as well.

The team, before visiting the White House, visited some wounded troops at Walter Reed Medical Center. An experience that apparently moved some players more than visiting the White House and meeting the Commander-in-chief. That’s great though, and although I personally prefer the other football team from New York (GO JETS!!!), I think visiting wounded service members is truly noble of them. Now that’s Giant.

Technorati Tags: The White House, New York Giants, President Bush, Dallas Cowboys, Jessica Simpson, Tony Romo, Walter Reed Medical Center, New York Jets, Democratic National Convention

The United States Supreme Court Monday ruled in the case Crawford v. Marion County Election Board. This was a 6-3 decision that an Indiana Law which requires voters to show there photo Identifications before being allowed to vote was not unconstitutional. This ruling makes it possible for other states to require photo identification before people may cast ballots. The Indiana law required the use of government issued photo id’s such as passports and drivers licenses. Some opponents of this decision have said this could disenfranchise many voters and deny them access to the polls. It is very interesting that this ruling comes down a week before the Democratic Presidential Primary in Indiana. I am not a conspiracy theorist though.

I think this law simply prevents voter fraud, and I know plenty of states that already require at the least a driver’s license before being allowed to vote. I think this law makes sense and if people are prevented from voting there are several mechanism to protect them and insure that their rights are not violated. Identification is needed to buy liquor, get into night clubs, get onto airplanes, and to get into government buildings. I do not see it being a very far stretch to require people to show proper identification to vote.

I’m not naive though, I know it is still highly possible in this day and age that people’s voting rights can still be violated. The argument made about this decision by several civil rights groups and soon to be democratic party leaders in various states is that this ruling will disenfranchise and discourage the poor, the elderly, and many minority voters. Some might even argue that it is a modern day attempt to update the poll tax and that the conservative supreme court is trying to disparage minorities again.

That argument isn’t valid though, due to the fact that the analysis of this case by traditionally liberal Justice John Paul Stevens, who wrote the court’s opinion. He stated that “the states intent is legitimate, (to create the law) and that the challengers bear a heavy burden of persuasion and one not met by the evidence of the case”. The challengers of this law can not really present an overt undue burden that would make this law extremely difficult for people to vote. Its not a poll test, its not a grandfather clause, or a tax before you vote. All that is required to vote is a person having a government/state issued Id.

Justice David Souter one of the dissenting Justices stated that “Indiana has adopted one of the most restrictive photo identification requirements in the country”. Also, that those targeted by this law are voters who are poor and old. I don’t think this is the case. The opinion left available the possibility that the outcome could be different in another state where voters could provide evidence that their voting rights had been truly impaired.

This opinion is a serious decision, and is one of the most important voting rights cases since Bush v. Gore that the Supreme Court ruled on. I think it could be misconstrued by some people though. Voter fraud is important to prevent and the court made a responsible ruling in this case. Many states have similar law such as this and the burden is not that much on citizens. I know the possibilities are real for voter disenfranchisement, however in this day and age a valid Id is not too much to ask for to participate in something as important as voting. We live in a post 9/11 society, it is very important that every is who they say they are. Identify theft is serious and the court is upholding a law that will prevent several possible injustices.

Technorati Tags: United States Supreme Court, Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, Voting Rights, Justice John Paul Stevens, Justice David Souter, Bush v Gore, 9/11

Alright is it me or does it seem like this thing is going on “Foooorrreeevvvoooorrr……..”, just like that kid said in the movie the Sandlot. I am highly convinced that Senator Hillary Clinton is an Iron Warrior. When other Democratic Party “Girlie-men” (as everyone’s favorite California Governor Schwarzenegger likes to say) like Senator Chris Dodd, Governor Bill Richardson, and Senator John Edwards dropped out of the race when it was beyond common sense to stay in, Senator Clinton defied the odds. She bucked political pundits, bloggers, strategist, journalist, and party leaders who said she she should drop out of the race. Even if she loses the remainder of the primaries I think she would stay in this race until August. Say what you want, but that lady doesn’t take any guff (I know what your thinking, did is he just say guff?)

I sure did, because I think this lady is tough and she would stay in this race until August just to spite Senator Obama. I think she honestly believes she is entitled to this more than him. She’s tolerated President Clinton’s political rise, his presidency, Lewinsky-Gate, and even becoming a United States Senator and serving there for eight years (two of which she has been running for president). I mean the “Audacity” of him to only serve four years in the Senate (two of which he has been running for president) and try to take the Democratic Presidential Nomination. Not on Hillary’s watch, oh no Mr. Political Novice, I think not.

I actually think all of this battling is good and healthy for Democracy, but its totally nuclear for the Democratic Party though. One of them has to lose and someone’s supporters will be P.O.’d come August. If Senator Clinton wins, Obama supporters will feel cheated and outraged because he leads in Pledged Delegates. If Senator Obama wins, Hillary supporters will be upset Florida and Michigan aren’t being counted and also that Obama is not electable. The longer this race keeps going on, the more supporters are becoming more personally connected to their candidates and will take it to heart if they lose.

My theory is someone has to be the bigger man (that means you too Senator Clinton) and take one for the team. I’ve envisioned this scenario where Senator Obama commits the ultimate self sacrifice and barters a deal with Clinton and the Democratic party, and drops out of the race. Senator Clinton chooses him as her Vice Presidential running mate, so she can pick up that Obama momentum and money, making them the Uber Ticket, to unite the Democratic Party and Destroy Senator McCain in the general election. If they lose in November, Senator Obama gains general election experience and exposure, and is ready for unanimous support from the entire party for a 2012 election bid. He runs in 2012 with Governor Mark Warner (who might win the Senate race for Virginia this year) as his Vice Presidential running mate. He has all this support from the party, eight years of experience in the senate (by then actually sponsoring and passing substantive legislation) and the hope that Senator McCain’s presidency is dismally unsuccessful and reminiscent of President Bush’s.

Now thats just theory, who can actually tell how this thing will end up. All I know is that this whole thing is not as exciting and refreshing as when these two campaigns first started. It was warm and fuzzy making history as the Democratic Party were on the verge of having the first woman or African-American become a Presidential nominee, but now the politics and pressure have broken down this race and is starting to make Party leaders nervous. Its like the elephant in the room (pun intended) and its about to crack. No one knows where this is headed and what the implications of this race will be for either one of these candidates for November. All I know is that the loser (whenever that happens) has to be humble, and has to convey the message to their supports to somehow get excited and just as enthusiastic about the actual nominee as they were about them.

Technorati Tags: Senator Barack Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator John McCain, The Sandlot, Democratic Party, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor Bill Richardson, Senator John Edwards, Senator Chris Dodd, Governor Mark Warner, Lewinsky-Gate, President Bill Clinton, President George Bush, Girlie-men, Guff

Senator Barack Obama earlier today stated that he was outraged by comments that his former pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright made on Monday. He said he knew the Reverend and was a member his church for over twenty years, but that the comments he made and continue to make are not a reflection of who he is or what he stands for. It is interesting because when the Reverend began his speaking tour I thought maybe he was just trying to distance himself from Senator Obama’s campaign and just trying to clear his name in a small and meaningful manner. The more I think about his behavior of continuing to speak publicly at certain places and making some of the same comments he has made in his previous sermons, the more it makes me think of something else Senator Obama had said. That being that Reverend Wright is like a family member to the Senator.

Its as if the good Reverend is like that drunk Uncle at the cookout who just won’t put that last Heineken down. He is honestly hurting the Senator’s campaign. The more he is out there speaking out publicly and gaining media attention, the more it is damaging Senator Obama’s campaign. Now, Senator Obama is leading Senator Clinton in the delegate count and was expected to have the majority of these pledged delegates by the Democratic National Convention in August. There are a few primaries left and in this intense campaign every one is important. He lost the Pennsylvania primary last week, but he has two very important primaries in North Carolina and Indiana next week. If he loses one or even both of them, this can bring up a credibility issue on Senator Obama’s part. It will essentially satisfy Senator Hillary Clinton’s argument that he is not electable.

Now you would obviously think as intense as this campaign has become for Senator Obama, the good Reverend Wright would just fall back a little bit and disappear until November 5. No sir, that is not that case at all, I think either his ego was hurt by Senator Obama and he is trying to ruin his campaign, he secretly supports Senator Hillary Clinton, or he is a closet Republican. Any of these scenarios would justify why the Reverend is on a speaking tour now of all times. Either way, he is hurting the Senator’s momentum and election campaign whether he is aware of it or not.

Now I do find it interesting that Senator Obama distance himself from the Reverend weeks ago but didn’t completely dismiss him and now he is trying to completely throw Reverend Wright under the bus. Senator Obama is so eloquent and nice that it doesn’t appear that way, but I know that if any person that I have known closely for more than twenty years, (there’s a handful of you out there, I know who you are) would have distance themselves from me like I’m the smelly kid in class, I’d have a few choice words for them. That is probably why “Uncle Wright” just can’t put that bottle down.

Technorati Tags: Senator Barack Obama, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Senator Hillary Clinton, Heineken, Democratic National Convention

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) pulled off an expected win last night in the Pennsylvania Primary. Polls show that she nopt only won her base (ages 65 and older), but also blue collar whites as well.  With the victory Clinton still trails in the delegate count (superdelegates included) 1714 (Obama) to 1584 (Clinton). Both candidates gave speeches last night. Clinton in Philadelphia and Sen. Barack Obama in Evansville, IN.

Technorati Tags: Sen. Hillary Clinton, Pennsylvania Primary, Sen. Barack Obama, speeches, Evansville, IN

I love and respect the gallant efforts of former President Jimmy Carter. Since leaving office, he and his wife Rosalynn have served as humanitarians, diplomats, and Sunday school teachers. Throughout his post-White House career, Jimmy Carter has met with many foreign leaders. (Perhaps more than the entirety of his 4 years in office.) He has been celebrated for these efforts with the Nobel Peace Prize (the first president to do so.)

But his latest diplomatic efforts has many U.S. leaders up in arms. Carter is scheduled to meet with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in Damascus next week. The meeting has caused such outrage that leaders from some of America’s closest allies now refuse to meet with President Carter when he arrives in their countries. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni have declined to meet with him when he visits Israel. They both claim that they have “scheduling conflicts. Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu outright says that he refuses to meet with Carter because of the meeting.

Other leaders, like Israeli President Shimon Peres and Israel Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman are still sticking to their agendas and meeting with the former U.S. president. As shocking as the news seems, this wouldn’t be the first meeting that Marshaal has had with an American leader. In 2006, long time civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. met with Marshaal as well. The Carter Center has not confirmed the meeting will take place, yet the rumors and reactions are still swirling. Stay tuned…

Technorati Tags: President Jimmy Carter, Avigdor Lieberman, Shimon Peres, Binyamin Netanyahu, Khaled Mashaal, Hamas, Jesse Jackson

“When the American people asked for a New Direction, they wanted a New Direction on how we conducted our business in Washington…”–Nancy Peolosi, 06/20/2007

Yesterday, the Democratic leadership prooved, yet again, their hypocracy when it comes to dealing with special interests.   One of the favorite Democratic campaing tactics in 2006 and 2007 was accusing  Republicans of being “in bed with Washington special interest groups”.   Thus far, Ms. Peolosi and her Democratic companions have prooved that Democrats also to serve their special interest groups, like the AFL-CIO and labor unions.  By changing the rules and avoiding any legislative action on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Democrats have weakened our relationship with Colombian President Uribe in and strengthened Hugo Chavez and other populist leaders in Latin America.  The Democrats excuse:  “Colombia has not done enough about human rights and protecting labor leaders in the region” and “President Bush is pushing policy on the Congress and we must check against his overbearing executive power”.   But let’s look at the facts:

• The Colombia FTA was negotiated for over two years between the Bush and Uribe Administrations. 
•  It was finalized and approved by the Colombian Congress over a year ago.
• The Bush Administration has been been telling the Democratic leadership that they would send the Colombia FTA since January of this year.  
• The Democrats have refused to communicate with the President.
• Colombia is our only close allie in Latin America, a region dominated by populist leaders who do not always favor the United States.
• Over the past 6 years, Colombia has gone from being in the middle of a bloody civil war, where narco-terrorist organizations were trying to hijack the government, to a stabilized country with a growing economy.
• The Uribe administration has demonstrated committment to improving human rights for all Colombian citizens.
• Thanks to the Andian Trade Prefernce Agreement, Colombia can export its good to the United States without tariffs, while the United States must pay 15-20% tariffs on exports to Colombia.
• President Uribe the Colombian governmenr have been asking for the Colombia Free Trade agreement because they knows it will bring for long term investment to Colombias economy. 

The effects of ignoring the Colombian FTA:

• Emboldening Hugo Chavez, narco terrorist organization (like the FARC) and other U.S. adversaries in the region.
• Weakening our alliance with Colombia, and loosing influence in the region.
• Risking the future stability of Colombia.
• Placing american business at a dissadavangate.

So thank you Ms. Pelosi and Democratic Party, its good to see you are serving our country by taking it nowhere.  Let’s hope you change direction and bring the Colombia Free Trade Agreement for debate and an up or down vote.  

Technorati Tags: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Colombia Free Trade Agreement, Democratic Party, AFL-CIO, Republican Party, Hugo Chavez, narco-terrorist

Today is the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. Today as I reflect on his death and his legacy, I honestly believe he would be proud today. Many people believe there are still problems with this country, we still have a long way to go, or that even things haven’t changed that much at all.

I think people with those thoughts have a valid opinion, but are clearly wrong. In over 40 years since Dr. King’s passing not only have African-Americans made several advancements in this country, but several Americans have. The country right now has two African-American Governors, a potential African-American Presidential candidate, Several Federal and State Judges, Ceo’s, mayor’s, presidents of company’s, congress members, millionaires, billionaires, professional coaches, entertainers, college presidents and professors, and several other professionals as well. There is also an entire generation of millions with the potential to do all of these things and much more.

I think Dr. King’s life work and legacy left more than a need for quotas and handouts from anyone’s government, I think his legacy gave America a generation of people who can literally do anything they want, go anywhere they want, and say anything they want. If Dr. King wasn’t deceased today, but awoke from a comma and he knew of the opportunities and potential that this generation of Americans have, he probably would not believe it. That is why I truly believe his dream is a reality today.

Unfortunately many people take these opportunities for granted and do not understand the great deal of change America has gone through over the last several years. I’m not naive, I know problems still exist and also that racism will never truly die in this country as long as ignorant people continue to exist. But that is there right to be that way, because it is after all America.

I think “change” isn’t just a sound bite or a quick phrase to put on a bumper sticker, it involves a great amount of time, sacrifice, and work to make real change happen. Dr. King knew that, and I think he would appreciate the change we have in this country now. So each day as people advance in this country, more and more, I believe his legacy is living and breathing within all of us.

Technorati Tags: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., America, change

Alex Leitch , Scott Goldstein & friends

Matthew Moses, Rick Wasmund

Chris Scott

Amal Judge-Bennett , Scott Goldstein , C. Todd Williamson, III, Robert Alex Barrett Leitch, III, Ezana Tefara

Joseph Perry, Moyer McCoy, Matthew Moses

Jonathan Ossoff, Jason Goodson

Richard Parker

Daraka Satcher and C. Todd Williamson, III

Moyer McCoy, Jasmine Greene

Technorati Tags: Club Relaford Anniversary, Capitol Hill, Hawk-N-Dove, Wasmund’s Single Malt Whiskey

Today I read a very good article about Barack Obama by associated press writer Ron Fournier. Here are a couple of samples from said article: ‘Arrogance is a common vice in presidential politics. A person must be more than a little self-important to wake up one day and say, “I belong in the Oval Office.” ‘It goes on to say, in reference to questionable statements from the Senator’s speeches, ‘He’s bordering on arrogance. The dictionary defines the word as an “offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride.” Obama may not be offensive or overbearing, but he can be a bit too cocky for his own good.’I honestly never thought I’d live to see the day where someone runs against Hilary Clinton for public office, and they get accused of being the one with the strong sense of entitlement. I mean, we’re talking about a woman who probably buys her underwear in the same color as the wallpaper in the White House’s master bedroom so that when the day comes, she won’t clash with the decor while un-dressing.

But nevertheless, the article does have a point, especially in that it is mostly about arrogance rather than actual entitlement. It, and the race itself, is a classic example of how you’re judged on your own self-set standards rather than that of anyone else’s. Next to Hilary, he’s clean. But in a race where he has declared himself as the messiah of post-political politics, he has to be Transfiguration clean, otherwise the person sleeping in that master bedroom at 1600 next year will be doing so in decor co-ordinated nylons.

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, transfiguration clean, underwear, matching wallpaper

In response to the fallout after the comments made by his former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Sen. Barack Obama gave a speech in Philadelphia, PA only steps away from the famed Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. His speech not only addressed Wright’s comments, but also national issues concerning race in America, his family background, and the path to forming a more united country.

 

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Jeremiah Wright, Philadelphia Speech, race in America

Senator John McCain embarked on a trip to Iraq this weekend. He will be visiting the country, speaking with the country’s leadership, and also visiting with U.S. troops. This is the beginning of a full round of trips he will be making to Jordan, Israel, England, and France. This is such a chess move, I am thoroughly impressed. Not only to reemphasize his national security strength by embracing the Iraq War policy for the fifth year anniversary of the invasion, but also being the diplomat and meeting those country’s various leaders.

Senator McCain will be meeting with England Prime Minister Gordan Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Jordan King Abdullah, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and the European Union’s Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas, a staunch advocate of fighting Global Warming, which is among Senator McCain’s policy priorities. This will make him seem more presidential, and show his diplomatic abilities in strengthening and reestablishing relationships amongst our allies. This is particularly good because many of these leaders are novices in there respective positions.

After this trip is complete he plans to deliver a ground breaking speech on National Security. I think this is a good move to establish good relationships with these various leaders and also make people aware of his global presence. While Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have to play checkers with each other until August, Senator McCain is establishing himself as the Presidential Statesman.

Technorati Tags: Senator John McCain, Prime Minister Gordan Brown, President Nicolas Sarkozy, King Abdullah, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas, Global Warming, Senator Clinton, Senator Obama

I honestly was not even going to write anything about this, but each day the media does not want to cover significant issues to the American people like ohhh I don’t know the country’s economic problems, natural disasters in the state of Georgia, March Madness selections, or construction accidents in New York City, I have to watch news channels discuss the sermons of Senator Barack Obama’s pastor Reverend Jeremy Wright and his inflammatory and idiotic comments. I do believe that Senator Obama to a certain degree owes a certain portion of his fan base and many of the American people a personal explanation of this situation and his campaign has to create major damage control.

It is a shame because I do wish politics and also elections would get beyond these trivial instances of who knows who, who associates with what organization, what person supports what candidate and what they said. It is really a waste. The media really should move beyond these trivial matters. I do not really care personally what any individual other than an actual candidate says unless they represent the candidate officially or work for the candidate’s campaign. This is getting really old and annoying even. It has happened to all the presidential candidates, and I think its just a waste of time and is just old politics, and hopefully this country and even this election can move beyond it.

Senator Obama happens to be getting hit pretty hard by this guilt by association, but this should blow over once he speaks on it more directly or the media gets bored. Although, unless something politically exciting doesn’t happen, he could get bogged down with this for weeks all the way up until the Pennsylvania primary. The Clinton team is probably glad that there is something finally sticking to Obama.

Before this he was like the Man of Steel and political bullets were just bouncing off of him left and right. This situation is making him seem more like Shaq in the movie Steel, slow and off his game. I can just image Senator Obama saying, “CAAAAAAN YOOOOU DIG IT?”, and having a Howard Dean moment in Pennsylvania. Having to address his relationship with his pastor and about race in general will hurt his campaign’s momentum and theme a little. Not with his general base, but those demographics he was trying to reach who were not voting for him and who he was trying to court for the general election.

He has done excellent not getting engaged in the race debate, and being the non black, black candidate. I am sure this won’t be his “macaca” moment, but it can start to develop chinks in the man of steel’s armor.

Technorati Tags: Georgia, March Madness, New York City, Senator Barack Obama, Reverend Jeremy Wright, Man of Steel, Shaq, Can You Dig It, Pennsylvania Primary, Howard Dean, Macaca

The Florida Democratic Party has decided not to hold a primary in the state for the candidates in the 2008 presidential elections. After weeks of negotiation, including a proposal for mail in votes, the State Democrats could not come to an agreed upon plan. The State party leaders have been trying to create a way to seat Florida delegates, after the state was stripped of its delegates in addition to Michigan by the National Democratic Party, for scheduling there primaries earlier than party leadership allowed them to.

I guess this is a true case of you reap what you sew. Its funny because had they originally waited, they might have been more relevant, or maybe it wouldn’t have mattered anyway, but now they just don’t count either way. It seems Florida just can not get it right with Democrats. Being the state that went to President Bush in the 2000 elections, the most loathed Republican President by Democrats since Herbert Hoover.

Of course the Democratic candidates want to “court” Florida voters (get it court…2000 elections, thats a little blog humor right there), but anyway, and have there delegates count. Senator Hillary Clinton’s election team already said it was a disappointing decision and Senator Barack Obama’s team has said that he wants to have a way in which the delegates get seated fairly. Somehow, I feel he’s not exactly crying over this decision, being that Senator Clinton was the unofficial winner in that primary. Nor do I think voters should be upset with the Democratic candidates. They should be upset with themselves and the state’s leadership.

I do think it will be ironic though, if Florida does not get delegates seated and primary voters do not get there votes counted at all in a democratic primary, especially considering how much of a problem it was 8 years ago and how much they complained about it then and do to this day.

Technorati Tags: The Florida Democratic Party, President Bush, 2000 Elections, Herbert Hoover, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama