Now to look at Barack Obama. I'm currently very disappointed in Obama, since his campaign failed to act on my Myspace friend request. I gave them a lil over three weeks, and they muffed it. So it's cancelled. HA!
Education: Obama seems to have his head on straight when it comes to education. He talks about performance pay, better respect, a sense of urgency, and keeping life long education affordable. I can get behind all that.
Diplomacy: This is a good run down on Obama's foreign policy. Essentially, I see the opposite of the cowboy diplomacy going on here. Phrases like "learn from the past" and "understanding the non-Western world" give me hope.
Bipartisanship: Obama has been big on this issue. The biggest sign of it that I've seen is the fact his health care plan doesn't include a mandate (a horror to the right wing) except where children are concerned. That's a compromise position, and I think it's something we should admire.
War in Iraq: He didn't vote for the war, wanted to finish Afghanistan instead (what a novel concept!). He plans on having all but a token force out by 16 months into his administration, with only embassy protection and al-Qaeda hunters left (no permanent military presence). Check it out.
...And Now for Some News...
White House Unveils Plan for Credit Crisis, from NPR
Fire In Lhasa as a Result of Tibet Protests, from BBC
Blue Jackets Still in Playoff Running, from WCBE
Wednesday
A Closer Look at Clinton
Since she isn't my favorite, I'll look at her first. Here are a few stances she has on her issues.
Clinton:
War in Iraq: Near as I can tell, didn't vote for the war PER SE, but voted for authorization because the Administration apparantly mentioned they'd try and use diplomacy first. As far as ending the war, she says she'll do it, starting phased redeployment (wow that's a loaded term) within the first 60 days of her administration.
Education: Clinton issues a press release about NCLB I found on the Senate website (yay Google!). It says essentially that it's a wonderful thing, but now it needs to be revamped based on what's happened in the last five years and then funded appropriately. I didn't see much in the way of college level positions, but really...if we're doing a good job at the high school level, the kids will be able to get into college.
Bipartisanship: Every candidate talks a big game about bipartisanship, because all the polls tells them we're sick to death of partisan bickering. I couldn't find any specific statements about this from Clinton. I also can't remember any big across-aisle reaches from her (I could be wrong there). I do know she makes conservatives foam at the mouth (for reasons I don't really understand...) and that's not conducive to getting things done.
Diplomacy: That same article I cited under ending the war in Iraq mentions quite a bit about diplomacy as part of her rebuilding plan. If that is any indicator on how her diplomatic efforts in other ends of the world, it makes quite a bit of sense. Also, the campaign ads I've been seeing (since she HAS to win in Ohio, more or less) mentioned an "end to cowboy diplomacy," which I'd be ok with.
...And Now for Some News...
Obama Wins Mississippi Primary, from NPR
Governor Spitzer Resigns in Scandal, from NPR (he was caught by the same tactics he pushed for as NY Attorney General...irony, eh?)
British Air Strike Kills Afghan Civilians, from the BBC
Rwandan Priest Gets Life Term on Appeal, from BBC
Columbus Appoints Homeless Advocate to Mayor's Office, from WCBE
Union Vote at Ohio Hospitals Called Off, from WVXU
Clinton:
War in Iraq: Near as I can tell, didn't vote for the war PER SE, but voted for authorization because the Administration apparantly mentioned they'd try and use diplomacy first. As far as ending the war, she says she'll do it, starting phased redeployment (wow that's a loaded term) within the first 60 days of her administration.
Education: Clinton issues a press release about NCLB I found on the Senate website (yay Google!). It says essentially that it's a wonderful thing, but now it needs to be revamped based on what's happened in the last five years and then funded appropriately. I didn't see much in the way of college level positions, but really...if we're doing a good job at the high school level, the kids will be able to get into college.
Bipartisanship: Every candidate talks a big game about bipartisanship, because all the polls tells them we're sick to death of partisan bickering. I couldn't find any specific statements about this from Clinton. I also can't remember any big across-aisle reaches from her (I could be wrong there). I do know she makes conservatives foam at the mouth (for reasons I don't really understand...) and that's not conducive to getting things done.
Diplomacy: That same article I cited under ending the war in Iraq mentions quite a bit about diplomacy as part of her rebuilding plan. If that is any indicator on how her diplomatic efforts in other ends of the world, it makes quite a bit of sense. Also, the campaign ads I've been seeing (since she HAS to win in Ohio, more or less) mentioned an "end to cowboy diplomacy," which I'd be ok with.
...And Now for Some News...
Obama Wins Mississippi Primary, from NPR
Governor Spitzer Resigns in Scandal, from NPR (he was caught by the same tactics he pushed for as NY Attorney General...irony, eh?)
British Air Strike Kills Afghan Civilians, from the BBC
Rwandan Priest Gets Life Term on Appeal, from BBC
Columbus Appoints Homeless Advocate to Mayor's Office, from WCBE
Union Vote at Ohio Hospitals Called Off, from WVXU
Hobson's Record
Since he's up for re-election this year, I decided to take a quick look at what my Congressman has voted on. And I'm not talking about silly lil resolutions, I mean things like defense spending.
So here's a list big bills that went down in 2007 and how Hobson voted on them.
Enhancing Intelligence Oversight, No.
Adding Stemcell Research to Public Health Service Act, No.
Ammending Medicare to Require Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices, No.
Implementing the 9/11 Commission Reccomendations, Yes.
Supreme Court Hears Appeal by Exxon on Valdez Damages, from NPR
Bowling HQ May Move to Texas, from NPR
$1.4 Billion in Fines for Microsoft, from BBC
German High Court Limits Cyber Spying, from BBC
Columbus Curbside Recycling Charge to Double, from WCBE
McCain Apologizes for Cunningham Remarks, from WVXU
So here's a list big bills that went down in 2007 and how Hobson voted on them.
Enhancing Intelligence Oversight, No.
Adding Stemcell Research to Public Health Service Act, No.
Ammending Medicare to Require Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices, No.
Implementing the 9/11 Commission Reccomendations, Yes.
College Student Relief, Yes.
Advaced Fuels Infrascture Research and Development Act, Yes.
Before even 100 votes took place in 2007, Hobson had managed to vote against my values 5 times and vote for them only 3. There will be another edition of this...it's just too fun!
Right now, I need to focus on seeing who his challenger is...
...And Now for Some News...Supreme Court Hears Appeal by Exxon on Valdez Damages, from NPR
Bowling HQ May Move to Texas, from NPR
$1.4 Billion in Fines for Microsoft, from BBC
German High Court Limits Cyber Spying, from BBC
Columbus Curbside Recycling Charge to Double, from WCBE
McCain Apologizes for Cunningham Remarks, from WVXU
Monday
Welfare State?
Taxes piss me off as much as the next person. At least income tax...taxing money before I can use it is just offensive to me. It sucks my income. Tax my property, my transactions...but let me USE my whole earnings, please.
And it does grate on me to think people are living off my tax dollars, when they could just go out and work.
But...I actually employed those people. The types who worked at a breakneck pace all day long serving ungrateful people, just to get $352.80 every two weeks. Do the math...that's $705.60 each month.
I pay about $400 for rent on my apartment, on the edge of the sketchy part of town. That'd leave $305 for car payments, gas, food, utilities, etc...
Try raising two or three kids on that.
And yeah, I know..."If you can't afford kids, DON'T HAVE THEM." I know. And it sounds great on paper.
But what about the family that got started when Mom and Dad were making $18/hr at the sock factory? Did they become bad people when the factory moved to Honduras, and the only open job was a closer at Wendy's for $7/hr?
Black and white arguments scare the hell out of me, and all the arguments against Welfare and other assistance are black and white.
I was reading this post and comment thread from the archives of Scalzi.com on what it means to be poor...and it reminded me that no matter how hard you try to prevent the lowest common factor from cheating a system, all you really do is screw the honest people. Cheaters will always find a way.
So...I support Welfare, within limits. I think some key policies can be used to protect our investments in those down on their luck, who deserve a chance to get over their troubles and without being screwed for life.
...And Now for Some News...
"No Country for Old Men" Wins Four Oscars, from NPR (it WAS a good flick)
Ruling to Shut Down Leak Website Called Censorship, from NPR
Russia Pledges Support to Serbia, from BBC (I Paraphrase Billy Joel: Haven't they Heard we Won the Cold War?)
Pakistan's Top Army Medic Killed in Bombing, from BBC
Bringing Back Streetcars Discussed in Cincinnati, from WVXU
Only Two Key Issues Being Worked in Columbus, from WVXU
And it does grate on me to think people are living off my tax dollars, when they could just go out and work.
But...I actually employed those people. The types who worked at a breakneck pace all day long serving ungrateful people, just to get $352.80 every two weeks. Do the math...that's $705.60 each month.
I pay about $400 for rent on my apartment, on the edge of the sketchy part of town. That'd leave $305 for car payments, gas, food, utilities, etc...
Try raising two or three kids on that.
And yeah, I know..."If you can't afford kids, DON'T HAVE THEM." I know. And it sounds great on paper.
But what about the family that got started when Mom and Dad were making $18/hr at the sock factory? Did they become bad people when the factory moved to Honduras, and the only open job was a closer at Wendy's for $7/hr?
Black and white arguments scare the hell out of me, and all the arguments against Welfare and other assistance are black and white.
I was reading this post and comment thread from the archives of Scalzi.com on what it means to be poor...and it reminded me that no matter how hard you try to prevent the lowest common factor from cheating a system, all you really do is screw the honest people. Cheaters will always find a way.
So...I support Welfare, within limits. I think some key policies can be used to protect our investments in those down on their luck, who deserve a chance to get over their troubles and without being screwed for life.
...And Now for Some News...
"No Country for Old Men" Wins Four Oscars, from NPR (it WAS a good flick)
Ruling to Shut Down Leak Website Called Censorship, from NPR
Russia Pledges Support to Serbia, from BBC (I Paraphrase Billy Joel: Haven't they Heard we Won the Cold War?)
Pakistan's Top Army Medic Killed in Bombing, from BBC
Bringing Back Streetcars Discussed in Cincinnati, from WVXU
Only Two Key Issues Being Worked in Columbus, from WVXU
Friday
To Vote or Not to Vote
So the issue is voting in the primary. Because of the Ohio voting laws, I can vote as an independent but will be affiliated with the party I vote with. For example, I want to vote for Obama for the Democratic nomination. That's fine, I can do that. But it makes my party affiliation "Democrat."
My dilemma is I don't want to BE affiliated with a party. Even for the nomination process. My girlfriend made the point today that if I don't vote, I can't complain about who's on the slate.
I usually feel ok complaining, because it's wrapped up long before I could even think about this problem. However, with the way this years race is going Ohio is a key state for the Democratic campaign. Huckabee is still hanging in there, and you should all know my thoughts on Huckabee.
While normally I'm all about the "JUST FRIGGEN VOTE" position, I can't reconcile that with becoming affiliated with a party. I do not want to support a two party system that discourages compromise.
So...I don't know. Part of me wants to vote, since Hilary seems to be making a stand here. Or maybe for McCain, just to make sure it isn't just the Evangelicals in the state (think Gay Marriage Ban) voting.
But there's another part of me that says I don't wanna affiliate with a party, because it's not what I'm all about.
We'll see how these things play out by next Tuesday. Also, now that somehow an "O" in my last name became an "A," I'm not sure I could vote if I wanted to. Meh!
...And Now for Some News...
Mourning for Sugary Refinery Victims, from NPR
Turkish Troops Enter Iraq, from BBC
Ohio Battling Emerald Ash Borer, from WCBE
My dilemma is I don't want to BE affiliated with a party. Even for the nomination process. My girlfriend made the point today that if I don't vote, I can't complain about who's on the slate.
I usually feel ok complaining, because it's wrapped up long before I could even think about this problem. However, with the way this years race is going Ohio is a key state for the Democratic campaign. Huckabee is still hanging in there, and you should all know my thoughts on Huckabee.
While normally I'm all about the "JUST FRIGGEN VOTE" position, I can't reconcile that with becoming affiliated with a party. I do not want to support a two party system that discourages compromise.
So...I don't know. Part of me wants to vote, since Hilary seems to be making a stand here. Or maybe for McCain, just to make sure it isn't just the Evangelicals in the state (think Gay Marriage Ban) voting.
But there's another part of me that says I don't wanna affiliate with a party, because it's not what I'm all about.
We'll see how these things play out by next Tuesday. Also, now that somehow an "O" in my last name became an "A," I'm not sure I could vote if I wanted to. Meh!
...And Now for Some News...
Mourning for Sugary Refinery Victims, from NPR
Turkish Troops Enter Iraq, from BBC
Ohio Battling Emerald Ash Borer, from WCBE
Wednesday
Voter Registration Confirmation
Sorry for the late post. The day jobs kinda got in the way.
I was going to post a picture of my voter registration confirmation card, and explain it, and maybe even the voter ID laws (which apparantly still give people fits).
But as I'm trying to photoshop some of the more sensitive info out of the picture, I realize they have my name wrong. They put an "A" where there should have been an "O." Meh.
So now we're gonna look at how to fix this instead. Take it as a lesson about checking your confirmation postcard carefully.
Step one is to check out my local board of elections. In this case, it's Franklin County.
Step two is checking to see if I'm registered under my real name or not. I can check my registration by clicking the link on the left hand sidebar.
*searches for name*...
And the search function is apparantly broken, since it asked me to call the office of the Board of Elections. Nice.
I'm assuming I'll need to have my name changed, so I can actually vote without having to cast a provisional ballot. (What's that? A new post topic? Hrm...). When that happens, I'll simply fill out another voter registration form and mail it in.
Of course, I should prolly call the BOE just to be sure.
McCain and Obama Win Again, from NPR
Family Brings Soldier's Dogs Home, from NPR
Bhutto Widower Rejects Idea of Being Prime Minister, from BBC
Israeli MP Blames Gays for Earthquakes, from BBC
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