Saturday, October 18, 2008

Getting Down to The Wire

We're getting down to the closing weeks of this election (and the closing days of Bush's terrible presidency). Now, more than ever, we need to be aware of what the candidates REALLY stand for. Frankly I'm shocked that there's this strange phenomenon called The Undecided Voter - I just think it's the uneducated voter; the ones who haven't really researched out where the candidates stand. And in actuality, I'd almost prefer them because it means they aren't voting blindly. "Oh, he's democrat or republican so I'll vote for him."

I watched the 3rd presidential debate with some interest and was glad to see McCain bring his game like he hadn't done in previous debates. However, he seemed to fizzle about half way through and that's when Obama shined through more. I was glad that Obama cleared up his past and that he was more specific regarding his healthcare plan. I still don't think either candidate was specific enough with some of their plans or visions for the future. I feel like there's a lot of "Trust my vision." AND this is why there are undecided voters who now have to do their research because the media is incapable of being truly unbiased in doing their job to bring truth (but that's just one lowly opinion).

The day after this final debate, the two candidates (and many other senators) attended the 2008 Al Smith Dinner. Every year there is this satirical political roast and this year guess who spoke? John McCain and Barack Obama. Both were fairly funny in their sarcasm in making fun of their own campaigns and each others campaigns. I loved how eloquently they spoke of their respect for each other.
MSNBC summarized the event - but it's worth checking out the whole thing on YouTube.




Here is one of the most disturbing things I think I've seen all election:

Seriously, this is the "transcript," if you will:
“I’m afraid if he wins, the blacks will take over. He’s not a Christian! This is a Christian nation! What is our country gonna end up like?”
“When you got a Nigger running for president, you need a first stringer. He’s definitely a second stringer.”
“He seems like a sheep - or a wolf in sheep’s clothing to be honest with you. And I believe Palin - she’s filled with the Holy Spirit, and I believe she’s gonna bring honesty and integrity to the White House.”
“He’s related to a known terrorist, for one.”
“He is friends with a terrorist of this country!”
“He must support terrorists! You know, uh, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck. And that to me is Obama.”
“Just the whole, Muslim thing, and everything, and everybody’s still kinda - a lot of people have forgotten about 9/11, but… I dunno, it’s just kinda… a little unnerving.”
“Obama and his wife, I’m concerned that they could be anti-white. That he might hide that.”
“I don’t like the fact that he thinks us white people are trash… because we’re not!”

Okay, what???? Are you serious!?!?!? Anti-white? White people are trash? Where did that come from? It's just appalling!

Here's the REAL Obama:

Great Story Alert:
So, there's this little story that the main stream media has not picked up yet about Obama in his very early days. The story is from a Norwegian newspaper:
I got this from This Blog.

ÅSGÅRDSTRAND (VG): Mary was a newlywed and ready to move to Norway, but was stopped at the airport because she didn’t have enough money for the trip. Then a stranger turned up and paid for her.

Mary Menth Andersen was 31 years old at the time and had just married Norwegian Dag Andersen. She was looking forward to starting a new life in Åsgårdstrand in Vestfold with him. But first she had to get all of her belongings across to Norway. The date was November 2nd, 1988.
At the airport in Miami things were hectic as usual, with long lines at the check-in counters. When it was finally Mary’s turn and she had placed her luggage on the baggage line, she got the message that would crush her bubbling feeling of happiness.
-You’ll have to pay a 103 dollar surcharge if you want to bring both those suitcases to Norway, the man behind the counter said.
Mary had no money. Her new husband had travelled ahead of her to Norway, and she had no one else to call.
-I was completely desperate and tried to think which of my things I could manage without. But I had already made such a careful selection of my most prized possessions, says Mary.

Although she explained the situation to the man behind the counter, he showed no signs of mercy.
-I started to cry, tears were pouring down my face and I had no idea what to do. Then I heard a gentle and friendly voice behind me saying, That’s OK, I’ll pay for her.
Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before.
-He had a gentle and kind voice that was still firm and decisive. The first thing I thought was, Who is this man?
Although this happened 20 years ago, Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man.
-He was nicely dressed, fashionably dressed with brown leather shoes, a cotton shirt open at the throat and khaki pants, says Mary.
She was thrilled to be able to bring both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger that he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that he gave to Mary. She thanked him repeatedly. When she finally walked off towards the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to her.

The piece of paper said ‘Barack Obama’ and his address in Kansas, which is the state where his mother comes from. Mary carried the slip of paper around in her wallet for years, before it was thrown out.
-He was my knight in shining armor, says Mary, smiling.
She paid the 103 dollars back to Obama the day after she arrived in Norway. At that time he had just finished his job as a poorly paid community worker* in Chicago, and had started his law studies at prestigious Harvard university.
In the spring of 2006 Mary’s parents had heard that Obama was considering a run for president, but that he had still not decided. They chose to write a letter in which they told him that he would receive their votes. At the same time, they thanked Obama for helping their daughter 18 years earlier.
In a letter to Mary’s parents dated May 4th, 2006 and stamped ‘United States Senate, Washington DC’, Barack Obama writes**:
‘I want to thank you for the lovely things you wrote about me and for reminding me of what happened at Miami airport. I’m happy I could help back then, and I’m delighted to hear that your daughter is happy in Norway. Please send her my best wishes. Sincerely, Barack Obama, United States senator’.
The parents sent the letter on to Mary.

This week VG met her and her husband in the café that she runs with her friend Lisbeth Tollefsrud in Åsgårdstrand.
-It’s amazing to think that the man who helped me 20 years ago may now become the next US president, says Mary delightedly.
She has already voted for Obama. She recently donated 100 dollars to his campaign.
She often tells the story from Miami airport, both when race issues are raised and when the conversation turns to the presidential elections.
-I sincerely hope the Americans will see reason and understand that Obama means change, says Mary.

Yeah Obama!!! This, to me, says more about his character than anything else has.

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