Some random thoughts while sipping on a
Long Trail Double Bag Ale (or two!)...
I haven't opined much yet on the performance of our new President- I've been willing to give him a chance, as well as the fact that I refuse to be like the knee-jerk (emphasis upon jerk) critics of former President Bush, those who criticized him seemingly for simply drawing breath. And unlike some on the Right, I don't wish to see Obama fail; I'd prefer to see him govern wisely. But I didn't- and won't- drink the Kool-Aid of the Obamabots. So first... The Good: with the exception of what I thought was a kinda silly YouTube overture to Iran, largely I commend much of Obama's foreign policy statements and actions, particularly on the War on Terror (yes, I'll still call it that.) He hasn't flinched, he hasn't wavered, he hasn't downplayed the threat posed by Islamist extremists; indeed, he's indicated a willingness to take the fight to them in Afghanistan and, if necessary, Pakistan as well as to hold those nominally
allies accountable. My thinking is that President Obama, confronted with the intelligence info that Bush had, has quickly changed his tune from Candidate Obama. And Iraq? Much of the reason he may well be able to fulfill his campaign promise of drawing down combat forces there is because of the surge tactic that the previous Administration adopted, admittedly about two years too late. Truthfully, the least of my concerns was over an Obama foreign policy, never believing that he would willfully, intentionally, leave our nation vulnerable to foreign attack... The Bad: most of his plans re. economic recovery. Two things. First; I never saw the current downturn as especially the failing of government, whether of the current Admin, the previous Admin, the Democratic Congress of the last two years, or the Republican Congresses preceding. It was poor, extremely poor, decision-making on the part of too many within the financial sector. Second; I opposed the previous Administration's (with bipartisan Congressional support) bailout, er, excuse me, "rescue" scheme, on both philosophical as well as practical grounds, a rejection of free-market principles as well as starting us down a slippery-slope (first financial institutions, then the auto industry, then...) and increased debt. But at least that scheme was- relatively- targeted. What Obama and his crew have proposed is wholesale spending, nothing more. And worse, while they claim it is to "stimulate" the economy the truth is there are soooooo many spending items that aren't the proverbial "shovel-ready" projects, projects geared to get people working in the next 3, 6, 9 months but long-term items that have long been on the Left's wish list. Some of these
may even be worthy projects. But if so, don't include them in this special "stimulus" package but in the regular budgetary process. And earmarks? Candidate Obama said he was going to oppose earmarking; President Obama? Well... And regarding the debt that will be incurred; I read someone state that the debt from this will be more than all of the debt from George Washington to George W. Bush
combined. It is spending on a
truly reckless level... The Inane: changing the wording of the War on Terror to Overseas Contingency Operations, or whatever Orwellian phrasing his staff came up with. Please. Oh, and for the LGBT community? Nice to see the candidate so many of the self-appointed leaders shilled for cave so quickly on repeal of DADT. Yeah, he signed on to some feel-good UN resolution, but when it came to actually doing something concrete for LGBT Americans he did no more than those mean ol' Republicans you so hate... The Worrisome: I have apprehensions about Obama's safety at the upcoming G20 summit in London this week. Besides the usual protesting suspects ("What are you protesting against? Whaddya got?") this is going to be a juicy target for Islamist terrorists. I don't wish to see harm come to my President (and he
is my President, even if I didn't vote for him.) So a decidedly mixed bag on The One so far. But I'll keep an open mind.
You know, there are
still people engaging in Sarah Palin hate?! Incredible. Now, I have no problem with people who disagree with policies she promoted or enacted; those folks are certainly entitled to their views, they may even be right. I would like to have them say which
actual policies she proposed or enacted they disagree with, as opposed to the falsehoods put forth by some in the lamestream media (Book-banning while Mayor? She never did, nor attempted to. Proposing schools must teach creationism? Nope, she merely said that if brought up in discussion of evolution it needn't be not addressed. "Homophobic"? She signed into law legislation granting gays in Alaska extensive rights.) She does hold personal views that many, on some issues myself included, disagree with. But it seems to me, to go back to the DADT thing, we claim that private behavior, private conduct, ought not preclude public service so long as the public service is not impinged by the private. Being gay should not, IMO, preclude one from serving our country, including in the military. Likewise, believing in creationism, or being ardently pro-life, or being personally opposed to same-sex marriage (as President Obama is, BTW) should also not preclude service to elective office. Was Palin qualified to be Vice President last year? Half a term in high office, preceded by service at the state level, preceded by service at the local level, with little-to-no foreign experience? Probably not. (But of course, if that background disqualified her for VP, what does that say about someone who served half a term as US Senator, and before that as a state legislator, and before that a "community organizer" being prepared to be President? But I digress... ;) Lastly, Palin ought to be a feminist's dream: a woman of high achievement (Governor of a state, even a small state, is pretty impressive) and more, who achieved it on her own, not on her husband's coattails (like a certain former NY Senator-now Secy-of-State, f'rinstance.) We need a new term... Palin-envy! I'm not saying she's my ideal candidate, but the invective still being directed toward her is absurd; get a life, people!
A few items for thought:
Gay by Force: Legal equality does not mean requiring universal acceptance of homosexuality.The Texas-Size Debate Over Teaching Evolution: Sure, discuss Darwin's 'strengths and weaknesses.' Just not in biology textbooks.Ron Paul On Legalizing MarijuanaWell,
three of my Final Four didn't make it! Memphis lost the other night, Pitt lost last night, and Louisville was upset today. Ack. I'm out of the money in my office pool. And I lost- a little- money on Louisville today. But this year's post-season has been very good to me, I'm well ahead for the season, bills can continue to be paid...
I've been hitting the gym pretty consistently again for awhile now, and my running has picked up as the weather has improved (some.) But last week, on my upper-body weight-training day (I only work upper body once a week, for muscle tone/definition, plus muscle burns more calories at rest, yadda yadda...) I noticed that I was weaker. I'm wondering if that's the 'mones starting to kick in... I'm not complaining, as physically I feel fine and all, and losing a bit of strength is to be expected I guess, but dang, it still sucks to not push as much as I did!
Whew! I haven't had one of these l-o-n-g entries in awhile! This oughta hold ya for a while... to any and all who read this, my thanks as always :)
"Desperado, oh you ain't gettin' no younger/Your pain and your hunger they're drivin' you home/And freedom, well that's just some people talkin'/Your prison is walkin' through this world all alone..."
