Sarah Plain and Perilous

Lewis C. Miller

I really wanted to avoid making a full-length post about Sarah Palin. Really, I did. For the past few weeks I’ve contemplated whether or not to devote my energy to the topic – my colleague Kenneth can attest to that. However, with the convenient outlet that this new blog provides, I can no longer refrain from adding my own diatribe to the ever-growing list of anti-Palin polemics.

I understand that some may read this and label me elitist. Fine. I’m so over that equivocal branding at this point. As I explained in my previous posting, Failure Abounds, “I am not typically a demanding person; however, I do demand that anyone who seeks to run this country be a remarkable individual.” The reality is that Sen. McCain is 72 years old and has had multiple battles with a particularly vicious form of cancer. Such acknowledgement is not “playing the age card,” but rather the simple statement of a relevant fact. If the Republican ticket is elected, Gov. Palin will be closer than a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Master-Debating

Kenneth W. Chandler

We catch Jim Lehrer explaining the debate rules 10 minutes before it commences. He’s so respected that I imagine myself in that audience feeling threatened, yet somehow secure.

9:03 pm – First lie of the night – we overhear Obama say “good to see you John.” By the way, this is the only time John smiled or looked directly at Obama all night.

9:05 – Lehrer starts out strong – how do you stand on the financial crisis? – I feel like it’s similar to starting out Thanksgiving Dinner with, “so how are those loan payments coming.” Obama says something about Wall St/Main St. and oversight and depression…and…I was hoping for don’t collect $200 and go straight to jail while we were flirting with depressing clichés.

Characters

Lewis C. Miller

Following a long day at the office, I found my way to a nearby Capitol Hill bar. Upon entering, I noticed that in proper Washington, D.C. fashion, all of the television screens were transmitting the message that had reverberated around town that afternoon: Republican presidential candidate John McCain was suspending his campaign and calling for a postponement of Friday’s scheduled debate with Senator Barack Obama. With my own preliminary assessment of this latest development in mind, I decided to get the perspective of a few fellow patrons. Instead, what unfolded was a revealing, if slightly schizophrenic exercise aided by Pinot Noir.

Cold, Hard Facts

Lewis C. Miller

One of the most unfortunate consequences of the recent economic crisis that culminated in horrific fashion this week is the crippling blow that has been dealt to agenda of the next President.

When either Senator Obama or Senator McCain takes office in January, they will do so with an increasingly diminished ability to change the course of this country, a goal that a substantial majority of Americans believe is necessary. Before proceeding, I must confess that, like Senator McCain, I am not well versed in the intricate fundamentals of the economy (I do however acknowledge that those fundamentals have been exposed as deficient, unlike Senator McCain).

PodKenneth: The Land of the Free?

“Play Ball!” is what is traditionally exclaimed after another rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at a sporting event. In fact, that’s one of the more neutral things that is asserted; I’ve heard worse. That said, many spectators collect themselves for 60 seconds, although already drunkenly into their third beer to take off their hat and supposedly pay homage to their country. Similarly, consider the most recent political conventions in which politicians from both parties continually ended their speeches with “God Bless America.” They did this because they had to, even if some of them simultaneously believed in it. As such, I suppose we should not be surprised by the disbelief in some circles (although, with little publicity thus far) regarding Dallas Mavericks forward, Josh Howard’s comments (1:38-1:50) regarding the vaunted anthem…

Counterpoint: I’ll Take a Seat at the Table for Dessert, but not The Last Supper

In response to a Point made by Lewis C. Miller, Kenneth W. Chandler posits that if he had declined to participate in Rick Warren’s forum, Barack Obama may have actually amplified the divise role of religion in the presidential race

While, I believe in my co-contributor, Lewis Miller/Thomas Jefferson’s, premise for separation between church and state; I believe John McCain and Barack Obama both upheld this maxim by contributing to freedom of expression without compromising freedom of religion.

Point: No Seat at That Table, Thank You

Lewis C. Miller argues that the founding fathers would cringe at the presidential candidates’ voluntary participation in Rick Warren’s forum on faith and politics. Read Kenneth W. Chandler’s Counterpoint. 

Earlier this month, presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama participated in Rick Warren’s forum on faith and politics at his Saddleback megachurch in California.

Admittedly, based on the nature and location of the event, the evening could easily devolved into something much worse than what actually transpired. For the most part, Mr. Warren made an effort to portray impartiality and refrained from dismissive and condescending remarks.

Obama’s Concession Speech

Kenneth W. Chandler

While I believe in and am inspired by the presumptive Democratic nominee, I in no way believe he has the Presidency locked up. I am preemptively writing a condensed version of the speech for which I hope do not have to hear, but am prepared for should he not heed his own words and should his followers not engage in the process.

Good evening my fellow Americans. I would like to congratulate President-elect John McCain on his well run campaign, his statesmanship and his undeniable duty to our country. I have no doubts that he will lead with honor and integrity and I look forward to working with him in redefining our nation’s stature united rather than divided.

The Important (Neglected) Elections

Lewis C. Miller

This year, as important as reclaiming the White House is to Democrats, it is of much greater importance for the future of the country that the party secures an expanded majority in both houses of Congress. In the 2006 midterm elections, frustrated Americans voted Democrats back into the majority of both houses for the first time in over a decade. However, that majority has unfortunately not been substantial enough to successfully address many issues of concern to Americans, arguably the two most prominent being the war in Iraq and the Bush economic policies favoring the super-wealthy.