MAKES ME WANT TO CRY

SARAH DURAND: Democrats’ Plan for Election 2010: Cheat.

I have feared this concept every since I've seen the democrat's desperation in the Massachusetts race for the Senate.

It makes me want to cry to consider this being something to be concerned about.

THANK GOD TIMES HAVE CHANGED

It's MLK day. I have read the "I Have a Dream" speech more than once. It's a stirring, memorable, and historic speech. But I just read something that was even more stirring and more real. Take the time to read it. It's a very good reflection of what he was fighting for and gives you a sense of thanksgiving that he did what he did and why he is celebrated.

MARTIN LUTHER KING’S PROPHETIC VOICE.

Admittedly, I get frustrated at the way so many hang onto the sense of victimization that occurs in America today as well as the reverse racism that has emerged. I get frustrated because I feel that MLK's dream has come to pass. Let's relish in that, instead of finding more ways to bicker and point fingers and blame. Times have changed and this generation has no clue about how the atrocious mistreatment of the the African American population could even have happened. Racism is foreign to them. They read about it, but they don't understand it. Praise God for that.

The constant reference and accusations of racism only delays the complete healing of this country in terms of equality for all and judging people by the content of one's character instead of the color of their skin. My generation sees the hope and promise of the future in a color blind society. For our children, it's not a hope, but a reality, if only everyone would embrace that fact. In America today, the color of your skin does not limit your possibilities!

There are the remnants of racism in the older community and it is exploited in politics. That keeps the poisonous flame of racism from being completely extinguished in America. I think it's important to remember the past so that mistakes and oppression are not repeated, but teach it as history, and not the current state of affairs.

We must learn the lessons from history so that we can learn from its triumphs as well as its travesties. That is as true for our world today as it always has been.

That is why celebrating the triumphs, acknowledged in a national holiday or classroom, that occurred in history, such as the life and ministry of Martin Luther King, President's Day (thinking especially of our founding fathers and presidents that made a positive impact on our country and world), Independence Day, Memorial Day, and the like is so important and valuable.

Equally important is remembering the shame and horror of some of history's worst moments. From the violent religious battles such as the Crusades, the Holocaust and today's radical Islamic Jihad, to societal oppression such as in slavery, caste systems, communism, facism, and the like.

There is good and evil in this life. May we always be able to tell the difference and strive for the former. By the grace of God, we can, if only we accept it. May light shine on the darkness and root out the evil in our world.

HUMOROUS

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/01/17/video-hecklers-interrupt-obamas-speech-for-coakley/

The above YouTube Video presented in the above link is actually pretty humorous. The crowd really got raucous when a heckler(s) loudly made some disapproval known. Obama couldn't control the crowd. I think it took him a couple of minutes to regain people's attention. He looked like a teacher who needed a whistle or something to get the class' attention back.

One of his remarks referred to the other campaign as demonizing the opposition. Yes, he knows all about that!

This clip didn't show the whole speech, but the 5 minutes it does show, while not impressive, was kinda funny to see such a practiced and hailed speech giver really struggle to regain the attention of the crowd, raising his hand in frustration and saying to his supporters, "it's okay. it's okay. Now, where were we?"

Of course, he couldn't resist blaming the last administration for the country's misery's, but at least this time it was more subtle than usual. He referred to the past 10 years of trouble rather the past 8 (of course, now it'd be 9 with his year). But, he's right about looking prior to the last administration. It was during the Clinton administration when the rules for lending loosened so much (too much) to let people into the real estate market who really couldn't afford it. It was a nice ride, while it lasted. Unfortunately, we weren't even allowed to relish and accept the bounty because the dems were constantly complaining about the state of the economy, even then, when unemployment was at all time lows. But, I didn't hear them complaining about the irresponsible lending at the time. That, at least would have given some of their complaining legitimacy and understanding of the markets. Instead, it was blatant politics. And ugly at that. They don't want us to be happy and content. They need us to need them.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

I was just reading the following link from a link in instapundit:

Sentences to ponder, Haiti edition

“Money is worth nothing right now; water is the currency,” one foreign aid worker told Reuters.

The story is here.

I have to say that after some skepticism, I think President Obama has handled the Haiti disaster well. At first, I thought he was taking on too great a role. I think that stems from the fact that he seemed to care more about Haiti than America, especially in light of the near miss terror scare. But, as I read the accounts, I think it was a good decision to act quickly and decisively in getting as much aid and resources to Haiti ASAP. It is a disaster beyond comprehension. The death and destruction in its wake is far more extreme than any terror attack would be. And, the threat of a huge natural disaster like that looms for everyone in this world, at least as much as a terrorist attack does.

Reaching out to the world in this type of compassionate way is very good. It's the outstretched hand that makes American stand out and be a true leader for good will in the world. Reaching his open hand out to dictators w/o precondition and the bowing and so forth is not being a good leader to spread good will in this ever shrinking world.

As far as natural disasters go, preparation and reaction is the best you can do. In a terrorist filled world, along with preparing for the worst, there are more proactive things you can do to prevent such a tragedy from happening.

I guess that's what I want to see from our president. Kudos for the way he is outstretching America's hand in offering aide to a neighbor in time of great need. Please, Mr. President, care about Americans as much.

As I reread this post, I realized that in the first sentence I was able to address Obama as "President Obama". Usually, I am unable to do that. I say "Obama" or "the president" or "the administration" or "the White House". In this case, he acted presidential. This is the type of compassion that America is known for. Bowing down to dictators who present a clear and present danger to America is not.

UNENDING HUBRIS

From Instapundit:

OBAMA TO CAMPAIGN FOR COAKLEY on Sunday.

I don't know what Obama is thinking. Has his hubris no bounds? This is the clearest evidence that he is truly in full denial of his sinking popularity. Does he not get that the reason Scott Brown is a real threat to the once-thought-democrat-owned Massachusetts seat is that more and more left of center folks are unhappy with the health care bill, and that if electing Brown is the only way to keep them from ramming it down our throats, then so be it.

Bringing Obama out to campaign will not help; in fact, I have read that favorable polling for Coakley has sunk after Obama gets drawn into the race. 35% of Massachusetts residents favor Obamacare. 55% favor Obama. This race isn't about Obama, per sey, it's about health care. No matter how badly he casts Brown in his appearance on Sunday, the people know that a vote for Coakley is a vote for Obamacare, and they don't want it.

Having Obama come to help out Coakley is a very unwise political move. The risks totally outweigh the gain. The only way he can justify going is that he is still convinced that his very presence and endorsement can sway them. When she loses, it will reflect poorly both on him and his agenda. They will no longer be able to blame the loss on Coakley. The argument that it's a referendum on their leadership is that much more solid. Even if Brown loses, but the polls don't really change, his presence will prove to be powerless. He's got a problem if Democrats think that being completely loyal to Obama will not help them in an election, and that their association with Obamacare could actually hurt.

There better be a lot of monitoring of the election. There is precedent for fraud by ACORN and Pink Panthers. I don't put it past them to use desperate measures to keep Coakley from losing.

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

I finally feel like things might be turning around and the hope I have had for the American people to rise up and make democracy work is starting to materialize in a way that I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Some of the light I'm seeing comes in the form of seeing Scott Brown way ahead in the polls. He's been pulling ahead at lightening speed this week, even pulling many democrats into his corner. At some point the congressmen in power have to recognize that they are not doing the will of the people.

Many dems, including the White House are blaming Coakley for just running a very poor campaign. That says a lot about the nature of politics. It's the campaign an the promises that come with it vs. the evidence of execution of the will of the people that matters in winning elections.

It was a blog entry at

http://jammiewearingfool.blogspot.com/2010/01/rats-flee-sinking-ship-dems-comparing.html

that alerted me to this sentimentality:

Deeds ran such a lackluster campaign, Democrats say, that his defeat could be solely attributed to his own shortcomings, and should not be seen as a referendum on President Obama's policies or those of the national Democratic party.

The same sort of thinking is emerging in Massachusetts. "This is a Creigh Deeds situation," the Democrat says. "I don't think it says that the Obama agenda is a problem. I think it says, 1) that she's a terrible candidate, 2) that she ran a terrible campaign, 3) that the climate is difficult but she should have been able to overcome it, and 4) that Democrats beware -- you better run good campaigns, or you're going to lose."

How long will they be so tone deaf and in such denial? Every time they blame people's discontent with the people in power on "the climate is difficult" or "look what we inherited" I just see cowardice. I say to them: You were elected because you convinced people that you could do better and solve the country's problems. You said you were up to the task. You've had a year to prove yourself. That's half of a House Representative's term! They have not instilled any real confidence in the American people that they will or are able to solve the issues causing the "difficult climate." Americans are looking to an alternative that might do better, because it appears that they couldn't do worse.

They should see Brown's rise as a referendum on their ultra liberal agenda, but instead they continue to try and deflect the push back to some scapegoat. Until they take responsibility for themselves, people will continue to see them as weak and incapable of real leadership who will listen to the electorate that they supposedly represent.

AN OBSERVATION

http://jammiewearingfool.blogspot.com/2010/01/he-thinks-highly-of-himself.html

In the above blog entry linked by instapundit, the blogger is reporting that Newt Gingrich, when asked who are the front runners for 2012, declared himself viable for being a candidate for president. The writer is not impressed with his self declaration.

At the end he says that Huckabee could be crossed off of his list too.

My observation is that both Gingrich and Huckabee make regular appearances on Fox News (Huckabee has his own show). Is that their ruin? One wouldn't think so, but maybe. Over exposure?

Sarah Palin is entering that circuit, too, as a Fox News contributor (ie. pundit). She's been making the rounds on Fox News shows this week, with hour long interviews w/ O'Reily, and today it was Glen Beck. She probably was on Hannity, too.

I do like her, and I think her approval rating will surpass Obama's for awhile, i.e., hers will go up as his is going down, but I'm not sure she's the right candidate for 2012. She is good for the party right now though, and a voice for people in the Tea Parties, as well as other disenchanted folks. I think continuing to be a voice is the best position for her. She can articulate things (despite her reputation for the opposite), she's nice to look at and listen to, and her values resemble those of the disenchanted with the system as it is. She also can raise a lot of money at speaking events. Her demeanor, thoughts, frustrations, and ideals are refreshing to me. Running for and/or being president could spoil that. Who comes out of the presidency as respectable as when they went in? Also, not running shows that her interest in politics is true reform and not power.

Some think she would jump ship from the GOP and go with being independent or some 3rd party. Her position during her interview with Beck today was that she's considered it, but has decided to remain a Republican. She says that the Republican's planks (that's what she called them) are good; they've just drifted from that. The old timers that have forgotten what values put them there need to be fired, and replaced by people who share the more conservative values being called for right now by the disenchanted (my word), whose numbers are growing all the time. I think she's smart enough to know that a 3rd party would only increase the dem's chance of keeping the power.

Right now I trust her. That's hard to find right now. Maybe that's why I don't want her to run for president. Too much garbage goes with it, and it's hard to not let some of the stink stick to you. She is a great spokesperson and can prop someone up big time.