Analysis...

The Democrats and Republicans have had their debates in California prior to Super Tuesday.

First, the Republicans. I was very disappointed in the nasty exchange between McCain and Romney, but I think Romney did the best. Even Huckabee outdid McCain. That was real lame trying to distort Romney's comments about the surge some time ago. And McCain's defense of his words was weak, too. Glad to see Ron Paul there. He gave his usual fresh perspective to the debate. They were all trying to praise their god, Ronnie Reagan, with Nancy looking on in the audience. I wasn't really impressed. They talked about the past a lot. Very little was said about the seven years under Bush.

Second came the Democrats. This was a very close debate and Hillary and Obama were cordial. I think Hillary speaks a bit better than Baraak. She looked weak in one part, though. I think it was defending her previous support to authorize the war. Baraak had some genuinely good moments and I couldn't really say he lost at all.

Does this mean I would root for a Hillary - Romney contest in the fall? Nah! Still kinda like old McCain and the more the arch conservatives dis him, the more I would be attracted. But I'm kinda concerned about comments like us having a presence in Iraq for 100 years... The other side of the coin is Hillary and her wanting to start pulling out troops within 60 days. Both of these views are too extreme in my view. I want us to get out of Iraq, but do so responsibly. Gosh, we've got bases in Kuwait and U.A.E. - why do we need to occupy all of the Middle East???

Debating performance is very little of the picture. Bush talks like an idiot, but he was genius at playing the crowd. As long as the Bible-Thumpers (Evangelicals) don't controll this election, I will be happy. I think McCain, Obama, Clinton or Romney (one of whom will probably win) would be an improvement over Bush. Heck, even Huckabee - Bible Thumper though he may be - would be an improvement!!! At least you get the idea that he is really a man of faith and not just playing the crowd...

Spend your children's future....

Enjoy yourself, its later than you think! Now they are spending the treasury on this stimulus package. Will we go out and buy ourselves a flat screen??? Jeez, if I'm gonna buy something, it better be made in U.S.A.! I don't know where they make most of those tv's, but it's probably China, Singapore or some other Asian country.

I would support an eventual lengthening of unemployment benefits IF it got that bad. It sure might, but it ain't there yet! I just think this "package" is political candy for the election - they should pay the bills first!!!!!

Wow, poor Bushie. He came in to a recession and will leave with one.

If it was them...

IF and that's a big IF, Hillary and McCain won their respective partys nominations, who might win??? Well, then I'd put it up to circumstances of the moment. McCain is likely to talk about supply-side economics and cutting taxes. If we are in the midst of a recession, voters may not listen. Then again, IF Iraq were to continue to improve, there would be a lot of explaining to do by Dems. Voters would not listen. They may listen if the Iraq waters are muddied, however.

Voters may also percieve Sen McCain as too old. And I would agree.

Yes, I am really sad Bush said "Christ" in a debate and McCain slid out of the 2000 race. But now? Well, those candidates would REALLY have to talk me in to voting for them. Who cares if I vote, anyway? I think I'll do a write-in for O. SAVIOR as some people did in the N.H. Primary!

God bless independant New Hampshire...

O.k., I admit I'm not all that excited about McCain anymore, but I really do admire the guy's life experience. So, it looks like he took N.H.. Given a choice between a Pastor and War Hero, I'll take the hero. Sorry, Mike, you may be a nice guy.... But some folks thought W. a "nice" guy before he came into office. Still, I believe that when it gets to the South, the dynamics may change. Perhaps the Bible will trump the foreign policy experience (again). I'm not sure what will happen to "stuffed shirt" Romney, but as I said, I find him too arrogant.

Last I checked the Hil is holding her own... Good for her! But it's close and that could change. But the way they talked, you would have thought she was toast! Never count out a Clinton in a political race!!!

Oh my God!!!

It's great that the surge is working and all, BUT - now I read that the first casualty of 2008 was Maj. Andrew Olmstead!!! He blogged for the Rocky Mountain News. I'm sure this was an "authorized" blog, but still ANY real news from the front lines is welcome.

Poor guy! Well I suppose it would better to go quickly from a snipers bullet than a slow agonizing death. Who will fill his shoes to give us news???

Note: as commented the Major's last name was Olmsted...

This is a travesty...

When speaking of casualties in Iraq, the media just loves to focus on those who died there. With superior medical technology (and the people that work as field medics), fewer lives are lost. That is great and all, but this is only the tip of the iceberg.

What gets scarce mention is suicides of those who have returned. It's some ungodly number! Thousands! Hell, I think it is greater than the number of those killed IN Iraq. And those statistics do not mention the living with PTSD, and all the ailments that accompany it. And those who suffer with PTSD and a physical injury don't have it easy either!

This is why we should not plunge recklessly into future wars!

Hmmm...

I don't know why they make such a big deal out of the farm state Iowa and tiny New Hampshire in the election. Neither is typical of the electorate. I can't sign on to any of these candidates. Obama gives good speeches, but has little experience. Huckabee is probably a nice guy, but I say NO to anyone supported by evangelicals. Romney is too foofey for me and McCain's time is past. Hillary? She'd get everyone all riled up!

While I don't totally agree with Ron Paul, I am in general alignment with many of his views. Sadly, the so-called upsets in Iowa stole his spotlight. And if Ron were to run as independant? Well, it's hard to say, but I think he'd steal from BOTH Republicans and Democrats. My guess is he'd probably take more Republicans than Dems. Therefore, we'd have President Obama or Billary. On that one, I'd take Obama.

Whatever happens, I hope the election is decided by young people. It is their future and whatever they decide is fine with me. I'm old and won't be around that much longer. I could see my comment offending a lot of older people: but I'm tired of seeing nothing but old people in the voting line. This is not to dis their dedication, but young people have more at stake. Just look at how screwed up things the previous generations have gotten things!!! Of course, I won't be in the voting line - my ballot will come by mail and go out by mail. Hopefully it will have one or two things I can stomach enough to vote for. For Pres, I can see another "protest vote"...

Climbing out of the pit...

This cold weather and the dark days represent the low point of the year for me. It's a war... Sadness and depression against hope and future plans. Specifically, December 25th is the low point of the year for me. Actually, it's pretty close to the winter solstice or shortest day, anyway. Not that I have anything against Jesus... It's just that I don't have much of a family and besides, winter usually means getting fat and out of shape. So I feel like a freak for not going to a bunch of holiday functions. Work sure was a non-event. Glad it was! All that ever happens there is a bunch of binge eating.

This year I decided to fight harder. Except for a few obligatory cards, and some money for Rey's (Steve's Internet husband) nursing exam in the Philippines, I ignored Christmas. I really wanted to go out on New Years, but it was too friggin' cold. I'd still love to take the Ski Train to Winter Park - but really don't feel like skiing any more. Mani's coming up late Feb and March - that will be the beginning of the good times.

So, basically, I got a good lab report for Christmas. Cholesterol is down to 137.... And that is eating like 3 (Omega 3 rich) eggs a day. I gave up sugar and refined flours, etc. Still, I've got to loose more and that will probably involve exercise. Yes, sugar isn't all that bad, but we certainly don't need like 150 pounds of it a year!!!

Oh, yeah, Omid wrote me just before Christmas - he is still alive and doing well! Really, I care more about my oppressed brothers and sisters in Tehran than our trivial American matters. This is not a "War on Christmas" or anything - it's just becoming my personal preference. Next year maybe I'll spend Christmas alone at the old trailer in Nebraska!

The Religious Right has their man...

Mike Huckabee is rising in Iowa. He seems to be quite a personable fellow, but what about his experience? I hope that the religio-con voters look at more than just a couple of issues such as abortion and gay marriage.

Judging by what I hear from various people, there is a lot of anger against the "religious right agenda". Perhaps Mike is a more sincere person than G.W., but people still feel cheated and used by the Bush Administration. Could Mike unite the country and surprise us? Even if he turns out to be a real nice guy, I question his foreign policy experience. And of course, I don't favor the religio-cons.

Romney is getting kind of nasty and I've decided I really don't care for him. McCain has a shot at New Hampshire, but when he gets to Bible Belt South, he will probably flounder again. I think McCain and Biden on the Dem side have the most knowledge of foreign policy. Sadly, the fickle American voters could care less. This probably spells the end of the Empire.

His quotes sound good...

Without hearing the details of these quotes attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, I cannot express an opinion about his sincerity, or whether there are pre-conditions. But this sounds enticing:

When speaking of the future, "the world that is friendly to Israel ... speaks of Israel in terms of the '67 borders. It speaks of the division of Jerusalem," Olmert told the English-language Israeli daily The Jerusalem Post.


Certainly, I would suggest to Israel that they do NOT unilaterally withdraw from any occupied territory. P.M. Sharon's unilateral action in the Gaza did not produce stability. I believe all actions should be negotiated. The above interview to the Jerusalem Post sounds a lot like the Arab Peace Plan. Might this quote indicate that Olmert is ready to sign on to that??? Of course there are still Zionist settlers to contend with. I understand they love their (settlement) homes and believe God gave the land to them. However, were it me, I'd leave that place and take the compensation.

As for Jerusalem, I wish somehow it could be a united entity under a seperate rule. Perhaps the nations of Israel and Palestine could provide utilities and military protection. But I just can not envision that sacred city divided up with fences running down the streets. Jerusalem should be like an "International Zone" with it's own government composed of Jews, Muslims and Christians. All peaceful peoples of the world should be allowed to visit.

Yes, the above sounds like a pipe dream, I'll admit. WWIII is a more likely scenario. I only hope that IF armageddon happens, a messiah wil return to save everything. That, too, sounds like a pipe dream...