Barack Obama - 0 John McCain - 2

The Maverick strikes again!

I knew Sarah Palin's name had been tossed around by the McCain Camp, but I never thought it would happen during this particular election after the selection of Joe Biden. And now, even the VP on McCain's ticket has more political experience than the Democratic presidential nominee.

The DNC Convention? What Convention?

Sarah Palin!

Simply a brilliant move by the GOP!

Check out Governor Sarah Palin





UPDATE:

Barack Obama's first press release about the selection of Sarah Palin questions her experience...SERIOUSLY Obama...SERIOUSLY?

Lack of experience?

Sarah Palin, oddly enough, has more EXECUTIVE political experience than the Democratic PRESIDENTIAL nominee himself. She has been in politics for 4 more years than Barack Obama. So what if it was the mayor of a small town. America is made of small towns isn't it? She is exactly what Obama has claimed to be this entire campaign....a Washington outsider who has actually been a part of REFORM.

What does Barack Obama a Senator/legislator do? He gives big colorful speeches and signs his name to a few things to promote his agenda. A governor, with "ONLY" 2 years of experience, actually fits the name. They govern. They balance budgets, they are commander and chief of their states military (Alaska actually has some of the best trained battalions in the military), they use veto power, they have the power to raise and lower taxes (she did the latter), improves public safety and transportation, and calls the shots when it comes to the toughest decisions a state has to make. And Barack Obama has done what?

In 3 years, he has only accumulated 140 working days as a Senator!

His speech last night wasn't great. He seemed angry and timid. He lacked the inspiration he has had this entire campaign. Somewhere between Pennsylvania and Kentucky he lost the title "Candidate of Change." What we are seeing from Obama is a politicician who is finally realizing...hey, I might not win this thing. After all this DNC whoopla, John McCain and Obama are still dead even, and in some poles...Obama is even behind. That is troubling, because people realize his record and experience is troubling. The last people demeaning Palin's experience should be Obama supporters.

Palin is a Christian who is Pro-life and against same-sex marriage. She is for drilling in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge and has promoted legislation that would rid us of our dependence on oil (her decisions have shown great strides towards alternative fuels in one of the most oil rich sections of the States), she actually TAXED the oil companies profits. She has signed legislation to bring natural gas to the forefront, she gave Alaskans a 1,200 tax credit to fight rising gas prices, she has (in 20 months) reduced the state deficit drastically, she's a working mom of 5 (one of them which has Downs), and she has continually supported the War on Terror by providing troop support and training for countries abroad. She has gotten rid of over 200 million dollars worth of pork barrell spending and wasteful earmarks (Something Obama is on the + side of), she has championed for an ethics reform bill, and last but not least...she actually has gone AGAINST her own party to get stuff done. Barack Obama's CAREER PARTY LINE VOTE RECORD IS 96% compared to McCain's mid-80's percent (don't believe the Obama ad stating 95%...that was in 2002 alone).

I just don't see the logic in that argument. The facts are obvioulsy stated and and her own record, like Obama's, is highly researchable.

I guess people just get caught up in words.

An Overall Theme

Sorry for the lack of posts. This past week was our first week of school. I have 118 students this year and have decided to coach cross country, along with track, adding about 200 to the list of kids I have direct content with. Teaching is an exhausting profession, but somebody has to do it :)

The DNC was somewhat disappointing. The theatrical displays were above par, but the content of the speeches were filled with liberal cliches, the same old Obama biography, and little content. Remember how important the Iraq War was for Democrats a few months ago? Where did that chatter go? Also, what was Obama so angry about? His speech lacked the inspiration he has been brewing during the campaign. For the first time this political season, I think we are seeing a very timid Obama. An Obama that senses he might just lose.

Anyways, this YouTube video from Hannity and Colmes (a great show that showcases both parties) sums up a typical Barack Obama supporter when it comes to providing evidence of Obama's accomplishments. This particular answer comes from a FORMER PRESIDENTIAL Candidate, but the theme was consistent throughout interviews during the DNC.

My Two Cents...

In the very near future, John McCain will pick his vice presidential candidate for the 2008 election. With Obama selecting Senator Joe Biden, the McCain camp should feel a little more relaxed in their choice for VP. Personally, I think the choice comes down to four candidates: Tom Ridge, Joe Lieberman, Mitt Romney, and Tim Pawlenty.

Tom Ridge - If he was Pro-Life, Mr. Ridge would be a homerun pick for VP. A favorable former governor and former Director of the Homeland Security Administration, Tom Ridge is an experienced politician with a good foundation of morals and values. However, his one political gaffe is his pro-choice stance. McCain picking a fellow pro-lifer would show that valuing life is at the center of importance and governance.

Joe Lieberman - An interesting ticket that would help carry alienated Democrats and Jewish Americans, but it won't happen. Look for Lieberman to be picked as McCain's Secretary of State.

Mitt Romney - Definitely looks and acts the part of VP/President. Romney would be an asset in regards to the economy. His business expertise and political experience could strengthen the ticket. However, Romney and McCain were cut-throat opponents during the primaries. Romney is to the VP as Obama is to Biden. The sound clips are all ready to go.

Tim Pawlenty - My pick for John McCain's vice president. Tim Pawlenty, 48, started his political career in 1988. He has been appointed to Eagan Minnesota's Planning Commission, City Council, campaign advisor to Republican Jon Grunseth, Minnesota House of Representatives (1992-2002), and the Governor of Minnesota (2002-present). Pawlenty is an an Evangelical Christian and married to a former Judge, Mary Pawlenty. He balanced the Minnesota state budget without raising taxes, has approved significant funding projects for the betterment of the state of Minnesota, has been a leader in reforming the Minnesota Education Department and transportation, and has developed a role for Minnesota in foreign relations.

My Republican VP pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty...

Kayley Update...8 Months +

Kayley giving a shout out to all the bloggers...

Kayley and Mom decided to feed the ducks at the park...

How old is she again? She could...go...all...the...way!

Kayley made it all the way to the top of the stairs with NO HELP!

Going down? Not as easy :)

Obama's VP: Joe Biden?

The candidate of change went with the status quo.

I have to admit...Obama selecting Senator Joe Biden (Delaware) was not what I was expecting. In fact, I think this splits the Democratic Party (especially with Clinton supporters) even more and pushes more votes to third party candidates and John McCain. In the three presidential state primaries that Biden ran in for 2008, he received only 9,000 votes. Even though Biden has foreign policy experience and has trouble keeping his mouth shut, this is the man who will help bring HOPE and CHANGE to the political landscape in Washington? Does Joe Biden even know what the word CHANGE means?

His political career doesn't express that...



Basically, we have added another "Obama-like" politician to the ticket. A politician that lacks bipartisan experience, sticks to the liberal party agenda, CONTINUALLY votes to increase TAXES on just about every front, supports universal healthcare, and has a (typical) skewed view of how to balance the economy among other follies.
If people, still, are enthralled with the idea that Barack Obama stands for political CHANGE...Joe Biden is the last straw that breaks that camel's back. After all, Biden is anything but a change agent, having been in office longer than half of all Americans have been alive. Longer than McCain.

Red Czar Rising

The world is at a crossroad right now.

Iran is enriching uranium for "nuclear power," allowing the training of insurgents within its borders, funding terrorist organizations, and Iranian president (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) continues to believe that he is the accelerator of Armageddon. Russia's recent aggression on its neighbor Georgia, its military threat on Poland and numerous other sovereign states, and its recent arms deal with Syria is beyond alarming. Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, recent resignation makes a key American relationship even more susceptible to rogue rule.

With all of these recent developments, Iraq and Afghanistan still remain key focuses in the War on Terror and the progression towards stability.

These countries have demonstrated that they are unwilling to negotiate. Don't be fooled into thinking that the Bush Administration has been ill-advised in this area. The truth is, nothing...negotiations or sanctions...would work. Iran and Russia have other agendas that do not include the national interest of the United States of America. Frankly, these countries could care less. Provoking has become a mind game. Nuclear warfare has become the playing card.

Do people really want to support a presidential candidate that wants to sit down and "talk" to people that have no interest in listening? A presidential candidate that wants to breakdown our global forces, not build them up? A presidential candidate that rolls with public opinion rather than what is best for the country?

The world is at a crossroad right now, where will you be?

The Question That ALMOST Ended Obama...

Barack Obama had several spells of questionable "answers" to a few of Pastor Warren's forum questions. However, this question alone almost killed his entire campaign because of ONE word. Isn't it sad that Mr. Obama himself knows that he cannot say the word experience? Especially when trying to discredit someone else when that person has even more experience than he.

Watch the "almost slip of the tongue" at the 30 second mark of this video...

(P.S. For the first time since the nominations ended for both parties, McCain now leads Obama in the polls)

Barack Obama = 0 John McCain = 1

The Saddleback Civil Forum, moderated by Pastor Rick Warren, took place Saturday evening and involved presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. Kudos to Pastor Warren for conducting one of the best question and answer sessions I have ever seen in regards to a political forum/debate/interview. The format was equally fair for both candidates, the questions were unique in subject matter, and we (the American electorate) were given a deeper glimpse into each of the candidate's faith, philosophy, and personality. For me personally, and even acknowledged by our left leaning media, John McCain seemed to have the upper hand. Barack Obama was good, but John McCain was great.

I thought that I would post some of the Pros and Cons for each of the candidates in case you missed the forum and want a quick summary.

Barack Obama

Pros:

* Looked Comfortable in a Christian setting
* Answered the questions, for the most part, honestly
* The openness about his drug and alcohol abuse as a young man in response to what his greatest moral failure was.
* His toughest decision, admittedly, was his decision to be AGAINST the Iraq War
* When asked about what Christianity means to him, Obama said, "AS A STARTING POINT, IT MEANS I BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR MY SINS AND THAT I AM REDEEMED THROUGH HIM. THAT IS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND SUSTENANCE ON A DAILY BASIS."
* Honest about his view on gay marriage
* Stem cell research should be used for advancement, but not cross a moral line
* Said we need to CONFRONT evil
* Merit pay for teachers should be negotiated with teacher unions
* Fighting human trafficking should be top priority

Cons:

* Seemed to stumble for words
* Seemed caught off guard by several of the questions, almost unprepared and, at times, confused with his own position.
* When asked who the three wisest people in his life were that he would rely on heavily in his administration, he listed his WIFE and GRANDMA as two of them!
* When asked about legislation that he crossed party lines for, Obama mentioned ethics reform. Obama DID work with McCain on this issue only to pull back his support and realign with his party in the end.
* His biggest flip-flop was welfare reform. Safe answer.
* Danced around abortion issue. First major gaffe of the night. Did not answer secondary abortion questions directly. Said that answering the question of abortion is "above his pay grade."
* Against constitutional ban on gay marriage (personal dispute).
* Confronting evil does not align with his philosophy and worldview.
* When asked which Supreme Court Justice he would have NOT nominated, Obama listed first Clarence Thomas because "I DON'T THINK THAT HE WAS A STRONG ENOUGH JURIST OR LEGAL THINKER AT THE TIME FOR THAT ELEVATION." Ironic statement from the junior Senator?
* Pushed for the idea of education reform, but his record consistently preserved the status quo in Chicago.
* His answer on his tax plan was just downright embarrassing. First, he went from saying that 150,000 or below was middle class, then 150,000 or below was poor, then 250,000 or more was rich. With so many socioeconomic factors here, the answer made him look highly uninformed on the topic and furthered the impression that he will raise taxes on you and I...which he has supported in past legislation.

John McCain

Pros:

* Spoke very well
* Very decisive in his answers, often answered before the question was over
* Showed A LOT of passion on key issues often relating the question to his political views
* Talked with the audience as though they were included in the conversation...referred to the viewers as "my friends" often.
*
* Stories were relevant and conveyed his message
* Demonstrated humor, even against himself
* His experience seemed to shine through with his answers
* When asked who the three wisest people in his life were that he would rely on heavily in his administration, he listed GENERAL DAVID PATREAS (military), JOHN LEWIS (service), AND MEG WHITMAN (economy).
* Admitting his greatest moral failure was his first marriage
* His numerous works for bipartisan progress were shared (climate change, torture, spending, military execution, etc.)
* Offshore drilling and the expanding of alternative fuels was his biggest flip flop over the past 10 years. Really showed passion in this extended answer on the importance of this national security issue.
* His most gut-wrenching decision was to pass up the opportunity to be released from his prison camp in favor of releasing other POWs.
* When asked what Christianity means to him, McCain answered, "IT MEANS I'M SAVED AND FORGIVEN. OUR FAITH ENCOMPASSES NOT JUST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BUT THE WORLD."
* When asked at what point a baby is entitled tot human rights, McCain said, "AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION. I HAVE A 25-YEAR PRO LIFE RECORD IN THE CONGRESS, IN THE SENATE. AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, I WILL BE A PRO LIFE PRESIDENT AND THIS PRESIDENCY WILL HAVE PRO LIFE POLICIES."
* Marriage is between a man and a woman. Referenced the importance of constitutional judges.
* Promoted further research in skin cells and is optimistic about stem cell research.
* Evil should be DEFEATED.
* Supreme Court judges' nomination "SHOULD BE BASED ON THE CRITERIA OF PROVEN RECORD OF STRICTLY ADHERING TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND NOT LEGISLATING FROM THE BENCH.
* When asked about taxes, something he says he will not raise and possibly cut, McCain said, "I THINK THAT RICH IS -- SHOULD BE DEFINED BY A HOME, A GOOD JOB AND EDUCATION AND THE ABILITY TO HAND TO OUR CHILDREN A MORE PROSPEROUS AND SAFER WORLD THAN THE ONE THAT WE INHERITED. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY MONEY FROM THE RICH. I WANT EVERYBODY TO GET RICH. I DON'T BELIEVE IN CLASS WARFARE OR REDISTRIBUTION OF THE WEALTH. LET'S KEEP TAXES LOW. LET'S GIVE EVERY FAMILY IN AMERICA A 7 THOUSAND DOLLAR TAX CREDIT FOR EVERY CHILD THEY HAVE. LET'S GIVE THEM A 5 THOUSAND DOLLAR REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT TO GO OUT AND GET THE HEALTH INSURANCE OF THEIR CHOICE. LET'S NOT HAVE THE GOVERNMENT TAKE OVER THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN AMERICA."

Cons:

* Answers were, at times, short...but his view was still expressed
* The issue of education could have been furthered. More of a concrete solution maybe?
* Two of the stories were from the stump
* Some funny facial expressions (hey, he's 70+)
* Could have taken the time to really drive home his work as a bipartisan. He mentioned several but then used a questionable example.

Join Today!

Reminder: This Saturday, August 16, John McCain and Barack Obama will gather for the Compassion Forum with moderator, Pastor Rick Warren. This should be an informative discussion concerning the candidate's faith and faith-based positions. Please be sure to know where the candidates stand before the Forum so that you may fully understand where the candidates are coming from in respect to their political positions. This will help when formulating an opinion of the candidate on the issue of faith. The Forum should be a great spotlight event as we inch closer to the political debate season. Check your local listings for complete coverage.

All of God's Creatures

"In the first chapter of the Bible, God made mankind responsible for His animals (Genesis 1-28). All animals are God's animals (Psalm 50:10) and we are answerable to God for our treatment, care and protection of them." (Hammond)

The above picture is our cat, Lincoln. Cute little guy isn't he? Lincoln is part of the family. He makes our lives happier and filled with love and we care for him. We could obviously live without him, but it wouldn't be a better place. Animals are amazing creatures that God has provided man. They love us unconditionally. They comfort us. They bring smiles to our faces. They lift us up when it seems like nobody else cares. God created this special bond for a reason.

When I was growing up, my family had a dog named Brittany. I will always remember how happy she was when we came home. EVERY time. It was like she thought she may never see us again, and who knows, maybe that's how they feel. Lincoln, although not the same temperament as a dog, is always at the door to greet us when we come home. In fact, if you don't pet him, he'll follow you around the house until you do. He knows us. He's just happy to be a part of the family.

Kayley LOVES Lincoln too. I think she gets more excited to see him than us sometimes. She is so intrigued by him. Watching his every move. Smiling at just the sight of him walking across the room. Scrambling to "pet" him. At 8 months old, she already loves one of God's creatures. That is an amazing feat.

It is hard for me to sympathize with people who neglect their pets. What have they ever done to deserve that? What did you expect from them? Their love is so simply given to us, yet sometimes we lack the time to simply love them back.

We thank God for allowing us to have the ability to love the creatures of this earth. For empowering us to love something so precious with no conditions. For making our lives a little better. For loving so simply.

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Barack and Rick

Hilarious!

Art Monk

On one of the biggest stages in American sports, Art Monk delivered an inspiring testimony during his Pro Football Hall of Fame introduction speech. It truly takes a man of God to sit at His feet and give Glory to Him. What a great way to show and share your faith.

… Getting here did not come without controversy, as I'm sure it did with some of the guys sitting behind me. But through it all, I'm here with a greater appreciation for something that not every player is able to achieve and for the people who stood up for me and spoke out on my behalf. …

What I’ve tried to convey to those who were upset about the process was that I was okay with it. But in all due respect, that as great as this honor is, it’s not what really defines who I am or the things that I’ve been able to accomplish in my life. …

And even now as a Hall of Famer, the one thing I want to make very clear is that my identity and my security is found in the Lord. And what defines me and my validation comes in having accepted his son Jesus Christ as my personal savior. And what defines me is the Word of God, and it’s the Word of God that will continue to shape and mold me into the person that I know he’s called me to be.

So I’ve learned a long time ago never to put my faith or trust in man, for man will always fail you. Man will always disappoint you. But the Word of God says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. And He will never fail you.

And that is what I live by and what I stand on. Being included into this fraternity is a pretty humbling experience for me. I always grew up seeing these guys as giants and legends who make significant contributions to the game of football. And it’s pretty hard for me to believe that I’ve now been included as part of them. Growing up I was never voted the most likely to succeed. And there was never anything about me that would have given anyone the impression that I would have played in the NFL, let alone to be standing here.

There’s a scripture that I think about almost every day and I’ve come to personalize it to my life. It says: “Lord, who am I that you are mindful of me?” [Psalm 8:4]. And the Apostle Paul says, “Think of what you were when you were called. Not many were wise by human standards. Not many were influential. Not many were born of noble birth” [1 Corinthians 1:26]. And when I look at my life and how I grew up, I certainly had none of those qualities or benefits.

But I understand and I know that I’m here not by, in, and of my own strength—but it’s by the grace and the power of God upon my life, who I know gave me favor along the way, and who provided opportunity and room for me to use my gifts.

So I am very grateful to receive this honor, and I can stand here before you and say, “Hey, look at me, look at what I did.” But if I’m going to boast, I’m going to boast today in the Lord, for it’s because of him that I’m here and I give him thanks and glory and honor for all that he has done for me.

Vacation With Barack: Part 4

Part 4: Encore

And finally,...

This last entry is taken from The Case Against Barack Obama by David Freddoso. This is the last segment of his book that simply throws many of the facts together to create somewhat of a short summary regarding "the case" against Obama.

Hope. Change. Do you hope that Barack Obama will change politics if he becomes president?

On what grounds?

If Barack Obama is a reformer, he could be the first one ever to become president of the United States having done almost nothing different in the name of reform. Consider: What has he really changed? In a positive way?

He did not change Chicago politics. You can't reform a town like that by becoming a "Soldier for Stroger." By endorsing crooked Machine politicians who reward their campaign donors and doorknockers with government salary. By backing a mayor whose aides and appointees sell city contracts in exchange for campaign contributions. By endorsing an alderman who pulls a gun on her colleagues. By failing to endorse the rare candidate who has a chance to win and change something in Cook County. By covering up for the excesses of the Chicago's Teacher's Union, knowing just how abysmal the city's public education is. By earmarking funds for a radical Catholic priest who encourages blacks to hate whites.

Obama did nothing to change politics in Springfield. You can't reform a state like Illinois by voting "present" 130 times to avoid controversial issues. By teaming up with a state Senate Majority Leader whose main concern appears to be placing every member of his family somewhere on the state payroll. By backing for statewide office a financier whose family bank lends money to organized crime. By negotiating to minimize the impact of welfare reform. By writing letters to get state grants for someone who just put 112,000 in your bank account. By co-sponsoring nearly any bill that helps Tony Rezko and his friends make money from the taxpayers for building uninhabitable slums where residents roam and sewage backs up in the kitchen sinks.

Obama certainly has not changed politics in Congress. You can't reform Washington by earmarking a million dollars for you wife's employer after they double her salary. By voting to throw away money on ethanol, farm subsidies, and the Bridge to Nowhere while much of New Orleans is still underwater. By reaching across the aisle on ethics reform, only to pull your hand back and bury it in your pocket. By earmarking funds for your campaign contributors. By suddenly deciding it's time to leave Iraq only once you start running for president.

It's not that Barack Obama is a bad person. It's just that he's like all the rest of them. Not a reformer. Not a messiah. Just like all the rest of them in Washington. And just like all the other liberals, too. That's not entirely true, though-most liberals in Congress know more than Obama does about foreign policy and how diplomacy works. Most of them-nearly all of them-believe that babies have a right to medical care once they have been born alive.

Obama's radical ties don't make him a radical. His ties to Communists do not make him a Communist. His ties to a terrorist don't even make him a terrorist. But his continued relationships with radicals throughout his public life show an important influence in Obama's public career. What ideas are so important to Barack Obama that he desperately seeks approval of Black Commentator and the New Party, but drops the Democratic Leadership Council as if it were a molten porcupine?

These connections do not disqualify Obama from the presidency. But they do raise questions about his judgement. By what criteria does a man choose his friends and end up with the likes of Tony Rezko, Jeremiah Wright, and Bill Ayers? How does he choose his advisers and end up with people who chat with terrorists, advocate reparations for slavery, and praise Hugo Chavez as a champion of democracy?

What sort of nominations does such a man make as president? What kind of diplomacy does he pursue, given that so much of diplomacy consists of reading, understanding, and judging others' intentions and character?

This is why these ties deserve scrutiny. If Barack Obama becomes president, his good judgement, or lack thereof, will affect the entire country.

Vacation With Barack: Part 3

Part 3: Ties and Relationships

Barack Obama, like many other politicians, have made alliances/friendships/deals with people that the average person would ask, "Why?"

Barack Obama, running for the highest office in the country, is not out from under the microscope. We have to seriously look at who Obama has surrounded himself with. Who have been his influences? Who does he associate with? Who has formed his world view? Would these flaws in character hinder his ability to govern rightly?

All are viable questions. All need answers.

In this section, I am not calling Obama anything other than a politician. Not a criminal. Not a terrorist. Not a Muslim. Not a Communist. Not a racist. Not anything other than a liberal Democrat. The world will not end if he is elected president. America will not be taken over by any outsiders. But for four years (hopefully that does not happen or that is it), our country will be suckered into a country that cares less about its people and more about its political agenda. This simply exposes the character of the people Barack Obama has decided to surround himself with.

His friendship and support from William Ayers, co-founder of the violent and radical Weatherman group responsible for bombing the Pentagon and police stations, is only the beginning of questionable relationships. Obama was endorsed by and associated with the Marxist "New Party" group in Chicago and other Socialist groups. A childhood mentor and friend Frank Marshall Davis was a member of the Communist Party USA.

Some interesting members of Obama's campaign:

Cornell West - a "non-Marxist socialist"
Robert Malley - dismissed because he had met with Hamas
Jodie Evans - co-founder of Code Pink
Alice Palmer - sat in on the 27th Congress of the Communist Party and applied some socialist aspects in her own politics.

Then there is Tony Rezko and other Chicago developers. Rezko, a longtime family friend, was convicted on 16 counts of fraud, money laundering, and aiding and abetting bribery. He is a supporter and donor ($250,000 thus far) of Barack Obama. Obama was financed largely by Rezko and other developers during his career. Mr. Obama would write letters to get them government money and supported legislation that helped their businesses. Even with the LONG paper trail, Obama rationalizes this as a coincidence. Rezko and other developers were cut in on millions of taxpayer funds, only to cash out and leave the tenants in the slums (Rezko's 30 buildings have run into financial problems, 17 foreclosed and 6 were boarded up or abandoned).

When it comes to faith, Obama has also made questionable relationships. Most notably; Reverend Wright and Michael Pfleger. Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ, has the following vision statement: "The vision statement of Trinity United Church of Christ is based upon the systematized liberation theology that started in 1969 with the publication of Dr. James Cone's seminal books, Black Power and Black Theology. To sit through weekend sermons for 20 years and be oblivious to the racial tones of the messages is intellectually dishonest.

Finally, just a little family inclusion along the way. Michelle Obama's salary went from $121,910 to $316,962 the year Barack was sworn in and earmarked funds for the hospital.

(Info: Freddoso, 2008)

Last Minute Cram

Is Kayley really growing up this fast?

Tomorrow Kayley turns 8 months old.

She just couldn't wait could she? She just had to cram everything she could into that 7 month category huh? In one day she sat, all by herself, on her bottom and then got up and stood...BY HERSELF (with the assistance of her learning table of course)!

*AT 7 MONTHS OLD*

Crawling over to the learning table...no big deal right?

Getting up on her knees...nothing that new right?

What's that?!?!

Is she...

STANDING!!!

Vacation With Barack: Part 2

Part 2: Policy and Issues

Hope.

Change.

There's Obama's platform in a nutshell for you. Apparently, that's all people need to hear. He has been preaching this rhetoric for most of his political career. The Audacity of Hope, Obama's book that gives an "insight" into his political ideas, is full of colorful imagery expressing the values of hope and change.

One problem: His political career has shown no evidence of the sort. In fact, Obama has only been apart of two laws/bills/acts that involve reform. That's right. Two. The Illinois Ethics Law and The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.

When it comes to the tough issues, Obama has been MIA. Obama voted "present" 130 times (the most by any Illinois legislator) and was absent all together on the toughest issues. This has also carried over to his federal career.

Obama has said that his increase in taxes would not hurt the American middle class. Just those rich enough to support the rest of us. Michelle Obama was quoted as saying, "The truth is, in order to get things like universal healthcare and [a] revamped education system then someone is going to have to give up a piece of their pie so someone else can have more." Seriously? Is that the American dream? As recently as March 2008, Obama voted to raise taxable incomes if greater than $32,500 (from 25% to 28%). What is his view of the middle class?!?! He wants to return the personal income tax rates to 2000, this would be the highest increase in history. Obama wants to preserve the death tax and raise capital gains taxes from 15% to 20-28%. He also wants social security funds to be taken back by the government and not passed on to the surviving family.

In Audacity, Obama speaks highly of his vision for education reform. However, during his 12 years of public service at the state level, Obama was a defender of the status quo. The best example of this is his relationship with the Chicago Teacher's Union (CTU). With $10,500 spent per student (20% above the national average), Chicago students are among the most at-risk students in the nation while the teachers are among the highest paid. Shockingly, the teacher union has fought for a shortened school day (5 1/2 hours) and a shortened school year. Obama has supported all of the above. Why? Guess who is a major contributor to the Obama campaign? CTU.

On June 19, 2008 Obama flipped his position on public financing even though he has been a "lifelong advocate" for it. He claimed the reason was because of defense tactics toward the Republican 527 groups. He forgot to mention that the Democrat 527groups have already outraised them 2 to 1. He also claims that it is a broken system. "But in order to fix it, Barack Obama must first break it some more. He needs your contributions to help. You can donate through his website. All proceeds go toward reform" (Freddoso, 2008).

Obama has backed federal legislation that would ban citizens the right to bear arms. He consistently votes against free trade (to be fair, he did vote yes once...for the Sultanate of Oman). He wants to tax small businesses that cannot afford health care for its employees. This is the tax that is designed to cover the high costs of his proposed health care plan. In Illinois, he pushed for panel members that would control drug prices and auto insurance. He opposed, until recently, oil drilling even though the U.S. produces 40% of its own oil and any increase in output would help to decrease foreign costs. Mr. Obama claims to have passed a 1997 welfare reform bill that slashed rolls by 80%. However, at the time, he opposed welfare reform and tried to weaken it. He added himself as a co-sponsor because it had to pass federal regulations. He currently refuses to discuss welfare reform. He votes for "pet projects" (instead of New Orleans levees, bridge maintenance, etc.) and against the removal of earmarks. In fact, he was the author of 29 earmarks in spending bills that equaled 10.7 million dollars.

Obama, for some reason or another, is in love with the thought of ethanol. His energy plan is based around it. He wants to outlaw cars that cannot run on ethanol by 2010. Ethanol has contributed to high food prices, exhausting water supplies, driving up gasoline, driving up coal emissions. Ethanol, according to many energy experts, has so contribution to energy independence. America's entire 6.5 billion gallon ethanol production created the net energy of 2.2 days worth of gasoline consumption. 2.2 days worth! The federal and state governments are spending a combined 14.6 billion dollars on this energy and Obama wants to triple that!

Obama voted against the International Criminal Court during Clinton and for it during Bush. Barack Obama's church of 20 years is a supporter of legal abortion. He has a 100% rating on pro-abortion issues and has vowed to pass the Freedom of Choice Act that would cancel every state, federal, and local regulations on abortion. He voted to preserve government funding for abortions (that means you and I pay for them) and he has rallied around partial-birth abortion and against the Born Alive Act (babies that survive abortion should be given the chance to live...Obama says no). His judicial judges will treat the Constitution as a living document.

Finally, the issue of Iraq. I almost feel ashamed for posting this out of fairness because, frankly, Obama doesn't know either. Here is a timeline of Obama and Iraq (simplified, the details would make it even more confusing):

In 2002, he opposed the war
In 2004, he was with Bush's plan for Iraq, because he thought it would help Kerry
In 2006, he opposed a withdrawal date saying that it would cause chaos and more violence
In late 2006, when he started running against Hillary, he came out for an immediate withdrawal
In 2007, just in time to affect the Iowa caucuses, he released his plan for withdrawal (march 2008)
In 2007, he was against the surge

Thanks to David Freddoso for making this information available to all. Next: Part 3: Ties and Relationships

Vacation With Barack: Part 1

During our vacation, I read a very enlightening book that I would like to share over a series of several parts. The book, The Case Against Barack Obama by David Freddoso, has solidified my position regarding the 2008 presidential election. If you are a McCain supporter, still on the fence between the two, or an Obama supporter...I hope these next series of posts express what the media and the candidate himself ignores to share with the American electorate.

I chose this book over The Obama Nation by Jerome Corsi because it was based on more researched based facts than biased opinion. In fact, The Case Against Barack Obama was so well researched that I had a hard time processing the information...so I took notes! Frankly, after reading this book, I do not see how a Barack Obama supporter could continue that support. More on that in a few.

David Freddoso was upfront. He made his reader's aware of his conservative philosophy and wasn't in the game of slandering and conspiracy theories. He was simply uncovering the truth. Barack Obama has little experience, has never been a reformer when given numerous opportunities at both the state and federal levels, and has ties with Chicago "radicals" and crooks that have funded most of his political career. Freddoso is simply claiming that Obama is nothing more than a liberal Democrat who is looking to push that agenda. Same "old politics" from someone who claims to be much more than anything we have ever seen in the political realm.

What I am about to share does not do the book justice in the least. There are so many underlying stories and issues that I could not even begin to write about them in the blogosphere. The research is there. All you have to do is find it. This book has done half the battle for you.

Part 1: Luck and Inexperience

This Part will be the least talked about. Basically, there isn't much to write about when it comes to experience.

The Bible on which Barack Obama took his Senate oath is still warm. His followers want to have him added to its pages, and the media seem willing to do the writing for them.

On January 2, 1996 Barack Obama made his first run for an elected office. Well kind of. Obama's camp, led by "dirty tactic specialist" David Axlerod had all four candidates disqualified and ran unopposed even though each candidate had well over the 757 signature requirement to be included in the ballot. Barack's camp made suspicious claims toward these signatures and no further investigation was completed. In 2004, Barack Obama's Senate seat was won because of the timely release of divorce files (both released to the public by Axelrod's former employer) by TWO candidates, Blair Hull and Jack Ryan. Surprisingly, the 2008 presidential election (for the highest office in the country)is Barack Obama's first real campaign.

His political mentor, Emil Jones, participated in a process that became known as "bill-jacking" by giving Obama late stage bills (over 800) to make them appear as his own. Basically, building his own warchest while stealing from another's. Obama has also, even though a great orator, been lifting entire sentences and segments of speeches from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick during his political career.

For being a self-proclaimed "reformer," Obama has very little evidence to back that claim up (More detail in Part 2). Obama did nothing as Senator to clean up the corruption in Cook County after years of political abuse by the "Stroger Machine" in which he continually supported (more on this in Part 3). He basically helped deny voter choice and backed a corrupt political machine that he was directly and indirectly involved in.

Whether you are a Barack Obama supporter or not, there is no denying the favoritism from the media. Smearing Obama has gotten a "How dare you?" from our "fair and balanced" media. So, I probably don't need to go into the numerous examples of this. However, Chris Matthews sums it up with this quote, "I've been following politics since I was about five...I've never seen anything like this. This is bigger than Kennedy. [Obama] comes along, and he seems to have the answers. This is the New Testament."



What answers?

Well, not many answers, confusing answers, and nonexistent answers.

We'll save that for Part 2: Policy and Issues

Best Political Website Ever

Is Barack Obama the Messiah?

This site is just too good to be true.

Hilariously true.

Bonita Springs 2008

Hello all! Sorry for the short absence, but the family and I went to Bonita Springs, Florida for a quick getaway before the summer is gone. Thanks to Megan's Aunt Sue and Uncle Bill, who have a second home in Bonita Springs, we were able to have an affordable vacation. I do not have much to tell you, but that's a good thing...because basically we just RELAXED! The weather was in the low 90's everyday and it only rained a few times during the trip. This was also Kayley's first BIG vacation. Besides being cranky because of a kink in her sleep schedule, she did an awesome job for only being 7 months and 3 weeks old! The week was filled with relaxation, tons of food, lounging by the pool, a trip to the beach, reading (which I'll be posting about later on), and a little bit of shopping. Maybe these pictures will help summarize the trip:

Kayley did amazingly well on the plane. People around us couldn't believe this was her first trip! Way to go Kayley!

This was the normal evening routine. Kayley and I relaxing in front of the tube.

When Kayley wasn't in the pool, she did her own share of lounging in her exersaucer as she watched Daddy be a goof in the pool.

Kayley LOVES the water. She gets so excited when she is in there. Kicking her legs. Splashing with her hands. Giggling. I think we have a water girl.


Kayley and Mommy were scooting around the pool with the raft.

Kayley and Mommy getting wet...again!

Kayley, for some strange reason, thought it was interesting to forcefully see how long Daddy could hold his breath.

Kayley = Exhausted

Kayley was trying to be helpful by helping Aunt Sue in the office.

Kayley was constantly on the move.

We just happened to capture the expression on Kayley's face when she saw the ocean. Needless to say, she was stunned.

Kayley and Daddy went wading into the waves for her first time.

Mommy got in on the action too!

Kayley was testing the water temperature when this wave broke on her. She seemed to enjoy the beach :)


Thanks Aunt Sue and Uncle Bill for opening your home up to us. We really enjoyed spending time in Florida with you on vacation. Thanks for all that you did for us when we were there as well. We really appreciate it!