Friday, September 03, 2004

For Eeyore, Part II

Campaign 2004: Bush Opens Double-Digit Lead.

New York: For the first time since the Presidential race became a two person contest last spring, there is a clear leader, the latest TIME poll shows. If the 2004 election for President were held today, 52% of likely voters surveyed would vote for President George W. Bush, 41% would vote for Democratic nominee John Kerry, and 3% would vote for Ralph Nader, according to a new TIME poll conducted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. Poll results are available on TIME.com and will appear in the upcoming issue of TIME magazine, on newsstands Monday, Sept. 6.

Not too shabby for the day after the convention.

Now how’re ya feeling about things, Eeyore?

Posted by at 07:16 PM
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Prayer Request

Please pray for Tony - his dad died yesterday and he has some other concerns.

The good news is he’s back to blogging, sort of.

Tony, you know you’re in my prayers.

Posted by at 06:33 PM
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Troll-icious

I have a troll. That’s fine. I’m all for debate and I welcome comments on my posts - even from those who disagree with me.

But I’m calling you out and warning you to watch yourself there in San Pablo, CA. I’m have banned others and I won’t hesitate to do so again if you pester me too much and clog my bandwidth comments that don’t say anything. I don’t have the patience to bother with you right now. If you want to speak your piece, get your own blog and knock yourself out.

Posted by at 06:19 PM
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Mango Mania

If you’re not reading The Resplendent Mango, you must start. Katie is a very articulate lass with a snarky sense of humor and she loves Hugh Jackman. So you know that earns her bonus points with me. Some examples:

Her reaction to Bush’s speech:

Bush did indeed give the speech of a lifetime. He was warm, he was funny, he was as humble as the most powerful man in the world can be, and he made us remember who we are as Americans, where we’ve come from, and where we’ve been. American history for George W. Bush doesn’t begin and end in Vietnam, it begins with a bunch of courageous pilgrims on a little boat sailing thousands of miles across an ocean to an unknown and unforgiving land on a quest for freedom, and if it ends, well, it will end over his dead body. John Kerry gave nothing away in his speech—no tangible criticisms that could be criticized, no lofty platitudes, and none of his soul. I loved watching George W. Bush give his speech for the same reason I love watching Hugh Jackman act—because he lays it all out there, all of it, his whole soul, and you can take it or leave it. The amount of strength required for that amount of vulnerablity is something that is truly beautiful. The only way I can describe what came across at the end, when Bush began to break down, is love. Love for his country and love for the people he leads. It wasn’t a farewell address, but towards the end, it almost had that feel. The songs I’d compare it to would be, in no particular order, “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from Evita, and “Once Before I Go” from Boy from Oz and a lot of other songs that make me cry. Beautiful.

(Mmmm...Hugh Jackman.) She’s so right, btw.

Her latest missive to Mary Beth Cahill:

Dear Friend,

I’d missed you, Mary Beth, I really had.

Tonight, immediately after one of the nastiest, most divisive conventions in history comes to a close, John Kerry will take the stage at a rally in Springfield, OH and lay out his plan for the future to strengthen this country and reverse the last four years. I want to give you—our online supporters—a preview of what John Kerry will say.

Yep, let’s reverse the last four years. That sounds like a great idea. Where would that put us? Well, let’s see. That would put the women of Afghanistan back in burqas. That would put all of Afghanistan back under Taliban rule, oppressing 25 million people, give or take a few. That would put Saddam Hussein back in power. That would put another 25 million people, roughly speaking, back under totalitarian rule. Pakistan would still have the Khan nuclear program ticking along, and Libya would still be cranking along on its WMDs. And we’d all be without our nifty tax cuts. We’d be starting a recession instead of ending one. The only thing that I think we all wish we could reverse from the last four years would be to see the towers standing again. And John Kerry can’t repeal September 11th. All in all, reversing the last four years seems like a pretty dumb idea to me.

Amen, sistah!

She also fisks Kerry’s rally speech in that post. My favorite parts:

They didn’t attack your patriotism, and methinks that thou dost protest a wee bit too much on the patriotism… Now, considering that you’re running around saying that Bush is “unfit to be president,” it would seem that you feel declarations of the opponent’s fitness or lack thereof to be fair game. I mean, Bush isn’t saying you’re tall and haughty and only managed to get into Boston College. He’s saying that you, based on your record, probably shouldn’t be handed the keys to the country. You’re running for president. He’s supposed to say that. The political process has not broken down. Review your history. This is normal. How about instead of saying that you’re not going to have your record questioned, you come up with some answers for when it is questioned. That might be a little bit more useful, and also a lot less whiny.

[...]

I mean, John, c’mon here, do you honestly believe that the American public is going to vote against the most competent veep we’ve ever had and replace him with Captain Ken-doll because he got a deferment 30 years ago and you didn’t? And, let us recall, that’s not for lack of trying on your part. I’d lay off that line of argument if I were you.

Captain Ken-doll. Heh. Posted by at 05:02 PM
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RNC Convention - Night Four

This post might sound a little disjointed - I was interrupted several times while writing it; I was trying to squeeze a moment here and there in the midst of my normal workload, pestering phone calls that are typical on Friday (when’s my loved one gonna git out?!), and a farewell party for one of our folks. We had a great cake, pictured here. The photo the design is based on is here, the story on that fugutive is here.

What a great last night of the convention. I really like our President, although I have some serious disagreements with the addition of still more government programs. They sound good and make people feel all warm and fuzzy, but I’m not one who believes that our government is supposed to make people feel all warm and fuzzy on the taxpayer dollar.

As I was listening to President Bush’s speech, I had the random thought that it sounded more like a State of the Union speech (I was pleased to hear pundits say the same afterwards). It was substantive on the points, both for the domestic and foreign policy agendas. I do like the idea of allowing for small businesses to group together on health insurance - seems that would be a great idea that would only benefit everyone. I like the idea of reforming the tax code, although I’ll be interested in hearing how he plans to do that and how it will affect our taxes.

Others have noted that he was a little uptight in the beginning but that he loosened up as the speech progressed. I also noted that as he got more relaxed, his southern drawl became more noticeable - by the end he was in the folksy drawl that I really like. He’s definitely a man who is completely comfortable with who he is, stands on his convictions, and says exactly what he means. His self-deprecating humor was great, his digs at Hollowood inspired, his points about the New York Times of 1946 and today spot on. And his genuine concern for the security of America cannot be questioned - from his steady resolve to his humbled tears there’s little doubt that his overarching passion is our security and safety and enduring freedom. That is what I want from my President and that is what I get from this President.

Contrast President Bush’s speech to Senator Kerry’s. The President clearly outlined some things he wants to do in a second term; quite a few things actually. All I remember hearing Senator Kerry say was what he wasn’t going to do. And his follow-up “you’re just big meanies” rally at midnight was hardly a help for his cause of righteous indignation. Fortunately for him, it was a midnight and most people probably didn’t see or hear it. Unfortunately for him, all people are going to hear are the sound bytes that I think make him sound like the biggest whiner since Kingergarten. What’s interesting is that I don’t remember President Bush ever complaining about the slanderous lies and libel that have been hurled his way for the past four years. Continued silence might have served the good Senator better than that desperate attempt at deflecting attention away from his questionable actions in the 70s.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing how the Kerry campaign can continue to roll on one wheel they might still have on the bus. Bring on the debates!

Posted by at 03:37 PM
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Thursday, September 02, 2004

Poll Me!

I just got a political poll call. It was fully automated and there were only four questions.

1. Who do you plan to vote for President?
Kerry
Bush
Other
No One

I said Bush, of course.

2. There is a Congressional race in your district this election. Do you plan to vote?
For the incumbent, Frank Wolf
Wolf’s opponent

I didn’t catch the name and I didn’t listen to the rest because I pushed the button for Wolf. I love my Congressman.

3. On the subject of abortion (and there are only 4 questions? Interesting.), are you
For keeping abortion legal in all cases
For keeping abortion legal in most cases
Against keeping abortion legal in most cases
Against keeping abortion legal in all cases

I’m adamantly against abortion in all cases. You’re reading that right - ALL.

4. For statistical purposes, are you
Female
Male

I waited a second for the Unsure option to be listed. Clearly, I’m female, but there seem to be plenty out there who aren’t so sure about their own gender. They should have an option.

And then, the denouement - paid for by [I didn’t hear it clearly] for Congress - Wolf’s opponent. He’s only asking about abortion? Interesting. 

Posted by at 10:57 PM
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The Fall TV Preview

I ended my subscription to TV Guide months ago because I wasn’t using it - I was only reading the articles. I can read those online for free and cut down on mail and trash. So, I realized earlier today that with a few exceptions, I have no clue what all of the new shows are, when they’re on, what returning shows are back, which have moved, and what in all of that I’ll be interested in watching. Where’s my head been? I’m such a slacker!

So, I found this nifty site, which is nicely organized and color coded. Looking at the grids there, I think I’ve narrowed down my weekly TV viewing for this new season - and yes, it’s reality programming heavy.

Monday
Not much that I’m interested in, surprisingly. 24 will air on this night beginning in January. I will watch that. So until 24 starts up, that’s looking like a book or movie night.

Tuesday
The only things I’m interested in are NCIS and American Idol (AI starts in January). Both are at 8pm. Also at 9pm is Last Comic Standing, which I like but I’m not a zealot. Yet.

Wednesday
This night looks a little more interesting. I don’t know why, but I’m sort of interested in Lost (8pm on NBC). I think it’s because Hobbit Merry (Dom Monahan) is in it. The West Wing lost me last season. American Idol in January will get me at 9pm. And I’m really interested in CSI: NY at 10pm on CBS.

Thursday
This is still the blockbuster night, but it’s moved from NBC to CBS. I’ll be watching Survivor and taping Joey at 8pm. CSI at 9pm. Without a Trace at 10pm. I’m done with ER.

Friday
I’m usually not home on Friday nights because of worship band practice. I really like Joan of Arcadia, but I got behind on watching the tapes so I stopped taping it last season. The other show I’m really excited about is Medical Investigation at 10pm. Since I’m usually home by 10pm, I’ll watch that one (with the VCR set as a backup).

Saturday
This is usually a movie night, but with the move of The Amazing Race to this night, I’m now locked into TV viewing. That said, having that show on Saturday night makes it easier to gather with like-minded friends to watch the show (?).

Sunday
Cold Case at 8pm followed by Alias at 9pm. Although I stopped watching Alias halfway through the last season. They lost my interest because it lost it’s edge, imho. So I’m a little behind in what’s going on and I may not stick with it this season because of my own confusion.

Posted by at 10:11 PM
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Hurricane Frances

For my readers in Florida, know that you are in my prayers as you do what you need to do to get to a safe place from Frances. Most likely, you’re not even seeing this - at least if you’re smart. That’s a nasty looking storm coming your way - be safe.

Posted by at 09:14 PM
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RNC Convention - Night Three

Obligatory link to RNC Bloggers - the credentialed bloggers are doing a great job. Go pay them a visit for their coverage of the convention. They’ve gotten some good interviews and photos.

Can you say Red Meat Night? Last night we dined on much protein from our keynote speaker and VP. And while I enjoyed it immensely, there’s a small part of me that’s a little concerned that some on-the-fence-but-leaning-to-Kerry voters may have been pushed over to his side by the vehemence of Zell Miller’s speech. Also, I was a little concerned that leading with Miller’s stemwinder might hurt the Vice President, but he was the calm, collected breath of air that was needed in the aftermath.

So a few, more specific thoughts:

1. I was flipping in and out from 7pm to about 9:30pm. No one really impressed me too much as being a standout.

2. Third Day was fantastic - they chose a very MOR song, not too overtly Christian lyrics-wise, but rockin’ - so I’m wondering how many delegates will go out hunting for their CD and be surprised to find them in the Christian section of the music store? I’m not much into going to concerts, but that’s a band I would love to see play live. I love, love, love them.

3. I’ve always been a fan of Michael Reagan. His obvious adoration of his father really moves me. His comments as a pro-life adoptee were pretty powerful, I thought. Oh, and a nice tribute to Ronnie, but I wasn’t as moved by the video as others. Probably because it was basically a rehash of the week of funerals and whatnot from June. I was more intrigued by the selection of folks that were chosen for the voiceovers on the video - you’d think they’d pick people whose voices will stand the test of time since this will be at the library, right? So, I’m not so sure I would have gone with Bill Frist, his majority position notwithstanding. Guiliani and Arnold, I get - they have recognizable voices. I just think of some 8 year old kid who’s dragged to the Reagan library and has no clue who the southern guy is who’s telling him about Reagan’s legacy.

4. I have nothing new to add to the general concensus that I’ve been reading online and hearing on the radio about Zell Miller’s speech. I was a mite bit surprised by the passion behind his words. What I found most interesting was the contrast between the visuals of the speech versus the auditory tone. I was writing my long post last night when his speech started, so I wasn’t looking at the TV for the first few lines. And I thought he sounded fantastic - natural, relaxed, passionate. And then I looked up at the TV and I was startled to see this wooden robot standing at the lecturn, rigidly turning left and right to read the prompter. What the? I looked away again and back was the fiery and resolute Zell - looked up again to see the robot. It was really bizarre so I just listened to the rest of this speech, which was just what the base of the party needed.

5. Lynn Cheney is a solid speaker and I liked how she gave a little humanizing to her husband.

6. I love our Vice President. I love that he’s stolid and low key and all that the left criticizes him for. He’s unflappable, as evidenced by his non-reaction to the nutjob that tried to interrupt his speech. He is a wonk, which is exactly what I think our VP should be. Good speech, great lines, and nice lead in for President Bush to finish tonight.

I’m excited about the President’s speech tonight. I can’t wait to see how his speaking “in the round” will translate on TV. He’s definitely at his best when speaking in that manner.

Posted by at 04:59 PM
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Another from the Inbox

Why Palestinians throw rocks!

Posted by at 03:46 PM
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Wednesday, September 01, 2004

The Cost of Freedom

There are a few liberal blogs on my blogrolls - I might not agree with everything those bloggers have to say about political things, but they’re good writers and I enjoy reading them. Occasionally they irk me a bit, but I just sigh and move on. We’ve agreed to disagree on pretty much every issue. Recently, one posted a comment about those car magnets in the shape of the yellow ribbon with the words “Support Our Troops” and others seen that are red, white, and blue with the phrase “Freedom Is Not Free.” And then this blogger said,

I’m not sure what that really means. But it was placed about 6 inches above the driver’s New Hampshire tag which also said, “Live Free or Die.”

I’m still puzzling it over.

Reading that made it suddenly so clear why those who are against the war in Iraq and to a certain extent the war on terrorism and other military action are against those things versus those of us who believe that a strong military is absolutely necessary and our war on terrorism is absolutely necessary and the war in Iraq was just.

Before I go further, let me say that I’m purposefully not naming or linking to the blog in question because my purpose here isn’t to castigate that blogger for their confusion or to send trolls their way. I just want to explain why I think there’s that disconnect in understanding. If that blogger sees this post and would like to be linked, I will gladly do so.

Let’s start with the sentiment from the license plate - Live Free or Die - said by General John Stark in 1809.

The motto was part of a volunteer toast which General Stark sent to his wartime comrades, in which he declined an invitation to head up a 32nd anniversary reunion of the 1777 Battle of Bennington in Vermont, because of poor health. The toast said in full: “Live Free Or Die; Death Is Not The Worst of Evils.”

So, going back to “Freedom Is Not Free” - I think it’s a pretty simple idea - there is a cost to attaining freedom. For some it’s the ultimate sacrifice payment - death. For Stark, death was a better option than living under tyranny. For many today, the same holds true.

And this is just one, simple, reason why we invaded Iraq. Sure, we were under the impression that there was a grave threat to us and the world in the form of WMD, but WMD was not the sole reason we went to war. There are about 25 million other reasons why our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines went to Iraq - and those 25 million have the bright hope of a free future ahead of them. For 35 years they lived under the brutal tyranny of Saddam Hussein. Today, that man is in prison and there’s an emerging democratic government in place that’s working to rebuild, with our help, a great and FREE country.

So the disconnect - I believe that many on the left don’t think that freedom is worth the cost that’s required to attain and keep it. Under no circumstances should we be willing to sacrifice the lives of another to procure the liberty for another. I, and many on the right, respectfully disagree. Most that serve in the armed forces, from the Minutemen of Massachusetts to the 101st Airborne of World War II to the bomber squadrons of Vietnam to the special forces in the mountains of Afghanistan, believe that freedom is worth the pain of death, including their own. They signed on the line and swore the oath because they are willing to pay the price for freedom with their own blood - for you, for the children in Baghdad, for me.

There’s a spiritual parallel here, too. Without getting too deeply into theology, let me just say that we are not spiritually free without a cost as well. The Bible says we’re “slaves to sin,” but there is freedom to be had because One paid the price for our liberty from the bonds of sin. Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and Romans 6:23 says “for the wages of sin is death.” Sounds harsh, but God provided a way for the penalty to be paid. In Romans 8:2-4

because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Wordy, but it’s on theme - Jesus died to pay our death penalty because of our sin. Jesus died to pay my death penalty because of my sin. Jesus died to pay your death penalty because of your sin. And all we have to do is acknowledge that by faith and we will have true freedom.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

My prayer is that we would all have a better understanding of freedom, the cost of having it, and that it’s well worth that cost. Posted by at 11:09 PM
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Stuart

The best character on MadTV has to be Stuart. Seriously. Hilarious.

Posted by at 09:49 PM
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Afro Ninja!

I know I probably won’t ever get in trouble for personal email at work because my boss sends me the most junk. The latest is a video clip that would have made me snarf if I had been anywhere near my Diet Coke.

I bring you Afro Ninja!

Posted by at 07:19 PM
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For Eeyore

Eeyore, are you feeling a little more encouraged about the President’s reelection now?

Posted by at 05:15 PM
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RNC Convention - Night Two

Here’s my obligatory link to the RNC Bloggers. For a complete round-up of commentary from the bloggers at the convention, go there.

My thoughts on Night Two, which aren’t any different from most of the other bloggers I’m reading.

1. I opted to just watch Big Brother and The Amazing Race, so I missed much of what occurred before the 10pm slot. I realized this morning that when you compare the time I gave to watching the Dems to the time I’ve been giving the GOP, the Dems got more time. I think I was trying to be fair during their convention by submitting myself to the pain of watching more of the early primetime speakers for the Dems. For all that, I think the GOP is putting on a better “show.” We’ll know for sure when the balloons drop.

2. Arnold hit a Grand Slammer out of the park, imho. I expected him to be somewhat polished and comfortable - he’s an actor. But he was articulate and humble and grateful and the personification of immigrant America, regardless of his wealth and fame. He hasn’t forgotten from whence he came and that serves his constituents well, I think. I disagree with him on pretty much all social policies, but as he listed in his “you are a Republican” segment - on those issues we are in complete agreement. And I think he made a good case for who we, as Republicans, really are. For that I thank him.

3. The Bush Twins sure are cute, aren’t they? They are the kind of girls I have in my small group - a little giggly, but fun and real. However, I don’t think they should do too much campaigning for their father unless they get a better speech-writer. As Katie, the Mango said,

Stand up comedy is probably not in the Bush girls’ future.

No kidding.

4. Laura Bush is a Steel Magnolia. She has that lovely smile with her twinkling eyes, and yet I can easily see that twinkle turning to a glint and the smile hardening were she to be crossed. She is the kind of lady you just don’t mess with, and don’t be fooled by her soft-spoken manner. She’s tough as nails under that librarian shell. I love her and think she’s a great First Lady and I appreciated her clear support and genuine love for her husband, who happens to be our President. Say what you will about his intellect - he was a genius to marry her. She did well considering what she had to follow - true grace under pressure.

Overall, a great second night. And night three is looking to be even better. So far, I think this is a very good convention. I’m biased, of course, but it’s so much more positive and productive than the Dems last month. The party is clearly showing where the administration has accomplished it’s goals and I believe that tonight and tomorrow will begin the task of outlining what they want to accomplish in the next four years.

Posted by at 05:08 PM
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