Posted by
statesrights on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 12:00:00 AM
Ah, another git-em-2-reed-mi-blog-blog-title. This time, though, I predict that most of this following post will roll with the recent debate that was limited to candidates of only two parties. (Debates including candidates from other parties or with budgets less than hundreds of millions might be found on your local PBS channel).
In all fairness, I did enjoy myself quite honestly. For a moment, I could actually understand why so many Americans gather around their tellies to view such a performance. The thing was choreographed famously. There was the grand-dad veteran. Was he the one that helped hoist up that flag in that Clint Eastwood production? Wrong war? Hum. Well, I'm sure McCain hoisted a flag up somewhere in Vietnam (or Iraq).
Or how about the half-African American version of Leonardo Decaprio? Hum. Mr. smooth talking passenger with a lucky ticket was able to sweet talk the rich girl from jumping off the rear end of the boat. Though his charm never failed, "We have to stay on the ship for as long as possible, Rose," it was a worthless commodity when the same rear end of that ship was sticking out of and sinking in the black water.
For those of you that were so fwiggin kind to read all through that but still did not get the whole metaphore-satire-analagy image of the debate, I'll break down a more simple example without sacrificing the Titanic staple. WATCHING THE DEBATE WAS LIKE STANDING ON THE STARBOARD SIDE OF TITANIC ON THE EVENING OF APRIL 14, 1912 WATCHING THE PRETTY STAR AND SHIP LIGHTS GLITTERING UPON THE BLUE GLASSY JAWS OF THE ICE BERG.
But, seriously my fellow walrus's and clams, I did enjoy myself. In fact, I previously had a wonderful list of things that I was preparing to blog about yet the debate stole my attention right along with yours. It was more fun than the Palin vs. (who's that guy?) debate last week. But, regardless of your political feelings, I think we might agree that the recent presidential debate will knock last week's VP debate off the number one spot on Fox News' play list. But ye log cabin and mansion in the sky Republicans need not fret. I know some cool cats out there that will vote for your man based simply on the likelihood that because of McCain's age, it would not be a very unusual thing for Madam Vice President Pailin to outlive the old soldier while in office. Yus'uh, I bet you know at least one fellow American that loves Palin that much. You go girl!
Every member of the audience at that debate that not only had the once in a life time chance to appear on national television but also enjoyed the six and a half seconds of bonus fame by asking the candidates a question was able to perfectly estimate the amount of inches the microphone should be from their lips. I personally do not feel convinced that we owe this to either God's mercy or miracles. Personally, I am cursed. If I had attended the debate in Nashville
(my great great grandfather, Private James K Polk Tims of the 37th Mississippi Regiment was captured during the November 1864 battle of Nashville when his comrades in Hood's Confederate Army of Tennessee was routed by Maj. General Thomas' yankee divisions).
I would have most likely unintentionally held the mic too close to my dry lips, causing my voice to be a quick wild shrill countered by a nervous and meek correction. On the positive side that scenario of me becoming instant youtube fodder, it could have provided a second or more (depending on who you are) distraction from our sinking unsinkable economy.
Bin Laden was brought up several times during this debate. Both candidates made it very clear that they differed in opinions regarding which countries deserved the most aggressive "boot in your a."
As for Bin Laden, they both agreed that his goose should be plucked and cooked. Yet, again, both held different opinions regarding all expense paid vacations for men and women volunteering in our armed forces. Obama's travel plans include taking a beltway around Iraq and following the interstate with the least tolls. Who can afford the scenic route with gas prices being what they are? His vacation package includes camping, hiking, and armored tours from Pakistan Land to Afghanistan World. Obama seemed assured that this getaway will lasso Bin Laden before the premier of High School Musical 4.
McCain, however, is promising our men in uniform a different sort of travel plan. A spring break in North Korea. A Memorial Day weekend in Iran and an endless summer in Iraq. It sort of reminds me of the film that made Mr. Chevy Chase famous, Vacation. In all McCain's fantastic visions of taking the Griswalds by every roadside attraction, actually capturing Bin Laden appears as appealing to him as visiting Uncle Eddy.
It seems, to me, and MOST Americans that Obama's plan is the lesser of the two evils. Oh! Every election, the lesser of the two evils, always, always! Congressman Ron Paul, we thank you for voting against the 700 billion dollar bail out bill last week but surely a ton agree that your presence was missed in the capital city of Tennessee. In a time of crises do we despair more for yesterday's lost opportunity or for grim visions of tomorrow? Though the opportunity we had to put Ron Paul onto the ballot is all but lost can we nevertheless counter the grim portrayal of tomorrow?
McCain did not do good in the debate this week because he was truly and brutally honest about his intentions regarding health care, the economy, and war.
One of his statements that personally eckled me has probably never been seriously considered. America was neither born by our ancestors or preserved by the sacrifices of every generation since to be a 'force of good' in the world. Being a free, prosperous, and strong nation was what our forefathers intended to be the actual force of good. We were an inspiring example. Was it not enough? Our successful struggle for independence inspired the common man in France to rise and revolt against King Louis. Did their liberation appeal for an American Operation French Freedom? NO! The American experiment also lit a fire under the bud of England, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and ironically the war for Southern independence.
The American Revolution proved that not only does anybody have the right to revolt against tyranny, but that the revolt could be pulled off, even by a thin group of colonies against the greatest empire of their time.
It is my complete and confident feeling that those states, tribes, and people that have lacked revolutions on an equal scale simply did not want to. Why must we convince ourselves that everybody from the south pole to the north pole and the east pole to the west pole share in their heart the same causes as George Washington or Jefferson Davis? We ourselves declared our independence. Nobody came over here and forced us to declare it. So why must we force upon Iraq to declare their independence from a regime that they have declared for thousands of years?
Both history and recent history have proved that we do better for the world tending to our own principals, values, and strength than by sacrificing all them to tending (invading) others.
However, though I believe that Obama appeared more qualified in this second interview for the seat of power in a country in crises, I do not trust my vote to him either. I am completely disgusted by Americas' choices for the nominees of the Republican and Democrat parties. My laughing at the end of the debate would have been less cynical and more light if this country was not presently surrounded by a plume of doom.