Yes We Can!

Well, I'm sitting here working and listening to Barack Obama and he's winning me over again. He just said, "I'm not running because I feel it's owed to me...." and when he said it, he said it with a contempt for those who would suggest such and I believed him. Don't you want to believe? Don't you want to hope or dream? I think it was Stephen Colbert who said, "I am America (And so can you!)" Here's another applicable quote, this one from my Dad who paid us a visit tonight, "Can ran can't clear out of town." I think another way to say that is "Yes We Can".

We'll see if Obama takes the public money or not before I really go nuts for him.

Here's the Stone household's favorite politician of all time:

And another thing.......

Okay here's the list of the top ten reasons why Conservatives hate McCain also know as the top ten reasons why Democrats and Indepedents will be considering McCain also known as the top ten reasons McCain might be a good president.

1. Campaign finance reform. McCain tried to limit the role of money in politics with measures that, critics say, stomp on the constitutional right to free speech.
2. Immigration. McCain has been a vocal supporter of a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, although he now says he understands the border between the U.S. and Mexico must be sealed first.
3. Tax cuts. McCain twice voted against President Bush’s tax cuts, saying in 2001 they helped the wealthy at the expense of the middle class and in 2003 that there should be no tax relief until the cost of the Iraq war was known. But he now wants to extend the tax cuts.
4. Gay Marriage. McCain refuses to support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
5. Stem cell research. McCain would relax restrictions on federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research, which critics consider tantamount to abortion.
6. Global warming. Among the loudest voices in Congress for aggressive action against global warming and a frequent critic of the Bush administration on the issue.
7. “Gang of 14″ member. One of seven Republicans and seven Democrats who averted a Senate showdown over whether filibusters could be used against Bush judicial nominees.
8. Kerry veep. McCain was approached by the Democratic presidential nominee in 2004, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, about being his running mate. McCain talked with Kerry but rejected the offer.
9. Works with Democrats. See all of the above.
10. Belligerence. McCain can be acerbic toward his critics, such as when he labeled televangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson “agents of intolerance.” He reconciled with Falwell in 2006. Conservative James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, said in a statement on the morning of the Super Tuesday primaries that he would not vote for McCain, citing among other things his “legendary temper” and that he “often uses foul and obscene language.”

So, let me just make clear that I think the Obama candidacy and McCain candidacy are the greatest thing that happened to us Independents since Ross Perot. Obama is nubile enough to not have been formed in the mold of a K Street Lobbyist and McCain is maverick enough to tell Jerry Falwell to go to hell.

I don't want to delve into that whole list above because I'd be here all night, but look at number nine where it says conservatives don't like him because he "works with Democrats." The temarrity of these folks to think that roughly half of the country's population don't matter. Self-righteousness and hypocrissy are really not becoming and someone didn't learn something in Kindergarten. To decide to impede the forward progress and the common good of the nation based upon party loyalty is the most foolish thing I have ever heard. Loyal to what? A mascot--donkey or elephant? It's like that bit that Seinfeld did about the pro footballs teams: after the team gets sold and the player gets traded and the team changes cities it comes down to you're really rooting for the uniform. Think of every aspect of your life: work, home, automobile, insurance, religion, floor tile, dried pasta, major electronics, potential mates, sports, music, art or booze. For everything you do and involve yourself in life are there only two choices? No, there aren't, except for major political parties and caindiates. What a completely fouled system. It's utterly and irretrivably insane. You are trying to tell me that I must choose, to be loyal to and worship at the altar of one political party who is all encompassing and repsresentative of my beliefs??? And that I can never stray from that party or least I'll face damination? That's bullshit. I'm an American, I'm a Christian, I have a brain, I'm an Independent and I'll vote for whomever I damn well please and frankly, no candidate is any better than any other, except maybe this year.....assuming Hillary will take her spear to the heart and let Obama pass. In a lot of ways, McCain and Obama remind me of Kennedy and Nixon in 1960. After Kennedy beat Nixon in an election that was by all historical accounts bought by Joe Kennedy Nixon languished for eight years before running for President again. Sort of like the eight years after Bush beat McCain by using some incredibly dirty tricks in South Carolina. Well, during those eight years Nixon becamse obsessed with Kennedy's likability and why he got cheated. His obsession with Kennedy continued even after he was elected President, which lead to the Watergate break in. That obsession was his downfall and it was only after he resigned that he realized it was his downfall and he was big enough to utter one of my all time favorite quotes that I think is often seen as sour grapes, but I think is actually a confession of sorts:

"Always remember others may hate you but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself. "

Well, I didn't intend for this to be so long. Another point that I wanted to make, but didn't was that I find Al Sharpton and Rush Limbaugh equally contemptible. Both have made livlihoods of being loud mouthed divisive jackasses. Both are hypocritical air bags with no real moral compass. For Rush to think he has the moral authority to question McCain is laughable. If you want to know about McCain read Robert Timberg's "A Nightingale's Song" and read about McCain leaping from his jet on the deck of the U.S.S Forestall when a missile malfunctioned and rolling threw fire while men died all around. Don't even get me started on McCain's ejection into Hanoi, his two broken arms and subsequent imprisonment. You know McCain has not in the 30 something years since he left the Hanoi Hilton spoken to the fellow prisoner of war who saved his life by caring for him because that same guy took an early release over a fellow prisoner who had been there longer contrary to their own code of honor. Rush would make out with Dan Rather if he thought it would boast his rating, line his pocket with cash or get him a 'script for some oxycotin.

While writing this I remembered something my grandmother once said and it's fitting to offer a quote from her since her birthday was this week. She too was not fond of hypocritcial politicians and upon learning that State Senator Greg Tarver had been shot by his estranged wife she said,

"Too bad she didn't kill that sonofabitch."

Yeah, the azaleas are looking good.

Independents Unite!.......and Sticks

Well, it's been too long since I've commented. Let me start by reflecting on the end of John Edwards' campaign. I've said it before but there is a lot I like abou that guy. One important point to me is that he began his campaign in New Orleans, the site of the worst natural disaster in American History. he ended it there. No other candidate campaigned as often in New Orleans. He madee fighting poverty the signautre plank of his platform. While we might all disagree on the various modes of waging this fight, I think one would have to admit it's a noble cause. No other candidate lead the fight for the down trodden and I suppose the political expediency of that notion is self-evident. So, I bid a salute to Senator Edwards for being principled and for being focused on who and what the rest of us aren't.

I thought about Edwards and Katrina and all the victims a couple of weeks ago whilst we attended the Endymion ball in the Superdome. The Superdome was a spectacle of light and alcohol and music and wonder, but I had to think about all those poor souls who weathered the storm and crapped on the floors and slept in the chairs and the few that died there. But don't worry, I wasn't Debbie Downer at the ol' ball, I quickly righted myself and remembered that that structure saved so many people's lives. If it wasn't for that home of the Saints, those people would have drown in their attics or been swept into a canal. It's a terrific structure mostly for parties, but when you call on it in a time of need it can save a mass of humanity. Thanks Superdome.

Well, Barack Obama is on a tear tonight having won the Potomac Primaries as they are dubbed. Don't count out Senator Clinton. She's like that one eyed Russian on "Lost". You've got to watch her because just when you think she's been shot dead with a spear gun she'll get up and swim out of the underground radar jamming station and blow you up. She's dangerous. I really hope we have an Obama/McCain match up. It would be a shinning moment for us Indepdents. They are both very attractive to indepedents. The other day in the paper was a list of 12 or 14 reasons why the ultra consveratives don't like McCain and after reading those I was ready to vote for him. The thing I like about Obama other than the message of change that is oh so important (see quote below) is what he will do to the politics of race. What people fail to understand is that the race baiting, race pandering days of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will be gone. The Clintons have pandered and sucked up and stirred up issues of race and been more divisive than the KKK and if obama gets elected there will be a clean break from those racial politics of the past. From what I know of Federal Jurisprudence, Affirmative Action as we know it is dead, racial preferences can't be used in all those places where they had in the past. That leaves the race baiting politics of Jesse Jackson types as being one of the greatest impediments to true racial equality (you know like in the Declaration of Independence?). Obama's election would neutralize that sort of bullshit. But, that's sort of a secondary reason to root for Obama, a really good, concise expression of the hope of Obama's campaign comes from my friend Julie's brother, Richmond's blog. Richmond writes:

I don't agree with him on the war in Iraq, but I think his options are going to be more limited there than he imagines, for better or worse. But on the environment, on technology, on poverty, homeland security, immigration-- and a host of other issues, I think he has the right idea. I don't think he's the Second Coming; I don't think he's some political Messiah. I don't doubt that he will screw up, and that people will point it out-- whether on the campaign trail or in office. I do think, however, that he's capable of making us proud of our president again. I think his intentions are good, his mind is sharp, and his ability to motivate a hugely disparate group of people is nothing short of uncanny. Any candidate who can march under the utterly earnest banners of "change" and "hope" and not have me smirking ironically-- instead has me nodding-- is on to something. After viewing the carousel of tired old retreads mouthing the same old platitudes and taking the same cheapshot rabbit punches at each other, I think it's time to give someone very new and different a shot. Campaign reform? He's taken no money from lobbyists or PACs. None. Experience? Sen. Obama has more time as an elected official than Sen. Clinton has-- and she touts her experience as a selling point. (That is, unless you count her time as a presidential wife as actual experience?)The presidency isn't a hereditary office in this country-- not yet. I think it's time to remind certain elements of that. For me, Obama is a choice that shows a little faith in the better angels of our nature. As a candidate, as an official, he might make us want to be a little better than we are, rather than telling us that what we are is the greatest thing ever-- and shut up (or, and here's $50!).

I think Richmond got it right.

Ha, I just saw Al Sharpton on TV. Do you know the story of his hair? As a young man he idolized James Brown and said that if ever got to meet him he would style his hair like Brown's. He met him and now look at his hair. As funny as that story is, I wonder how many of you remember the story of Tawna Brawley? Sharpton's involvment was criminal, incendiary, despciable and vial and all in the name of race. He should be in prison.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawana_Brawley

Okay, I have nothing to mention on the issue of Historic Preservation.

What else can I talk about to illustrate the multi dimensional aspects of my life. Well, I finished digging up all the spirea and azaleas in the side yard. When we moved and did work on the house we fenced the side yard to become what is in reality a backyard since this house has no backyard. There were lots of old azaleas and a termendous spirea in the side yard. While lovely, that's not where I wanted them for the back/side yard is to be a beautiful grass lawn interrupted only by a swing set or play house for the kids. So, I dug these things up now in the dead of winter and used them fill in some gaps on the front and around the siede of the fence. I am very happy to report that it appears they are going survive intact and perhaps even bloom. I'm so happy about this for several reasons, A) I hate to kill an attractive, mature plant B) I'm saving hundreds of dollars at the nursery and C) It just sort fits in with my maniac need to re-use things.

Andrew is getting big and fun. His eyes are so blue, they're really a spectacle.

Camille is just a wonder. She love sticks, which touches my heart. As my wife can tell you I own several sticks, some of them decades old. The other night, Camille dug out a stick that was in my bedside table drawer (Why it was in there, I don't know). When I was five or six I picked up a stick from the hedge between my grandmother's and her neighbor, the Kempers. Mr. Kemper had trimmed the hedge and this one particular stick about ten inches long was left on the ground after he was done. I really took a shine to it and played with it all afternoon. I took it home and my dad whittled it into a knife of sorts. A pointed top, a handle, my name carved along with some diamonds, a sun and a moon. She found it and started running with it and I stopped her and sat her down and we looked at my stick and I showed her the sun and the moon carved into it and told her it was mine. She totally got it, she knew it was a good stick. It must be genetic. If I had a picture of the stick I would put it here.