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.