Barack Obama - Let's Get Beyond the Veneer

What a Black Columnist has to say about Obama.
Ken Blackwell - Columnist for the New York Sun
February 14, 2008 - http://www2.nysun.com/article/71278

"It's an amazing time to be alive in America . We're in a year of firsts in this presidential election: the first viable woman candidate; the first viable African-American candidate; and, a candidate who is the first frontrunning freedom fighter over 70. The next president of America will be a first.

We won't truly be in an election of firsts, however, until we judge every candidate by where they stand. We won't arrive where we should be until we no longer talk about skin color or gender. Now that Barack Obama steps to the front of the Democratic field, we need to stop talking about his race, and start talking about his policies and his politics.

The reality is this: Though the Democrats will not have a nominee until August, unless Hillary Clinton drops out, Mr. Obama is now the frontrunner and its time America takes a closer and deeper look at him.

Some pundits are calling him the next John F. Kennedy. He's not. He's the next George McGovern. And it's time people learned the facts. Because the truth is that Mr. Obama is the single most liberal senator in the entire U.S. Senate. He is more liberal than Ted Kennedy, Bernie Sanders, or Mrs. Clinton. Never in my life have I seen a presidential frontrunner whose rhetoric is so far removed from his record. Walter Mondale promised to raise our taxes and he lost. George McGovern promised military weakness, and he lost. Michael Dukakis promised a liberal domestic agenda, and he lost.

Yet Mr. Obama is promising all those things, and he's not behind in the polls. Why? Because the press has dealt with him as if he were in a beauty pageant. Mr. Obama talks about getting past party, getting past red and blue, to lead the United States of America. But let's look at the more defined strokes of who he is underneath this superficial "beauty."

Start with national security, since the president's most important duties are as commander-in-chief. Over the summer, Mr. Obama talked about invading Pakistan , a nation armed with nuclear weapons; meeting without preconditions with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who vows to destroy Israel and create another Holocaust; and Kim Jong II, who is murdering and starving his people, but emphasized that the nuclear option was off the table against terrorists - something no president has ever taken off the table since we created nuclear weapons in the 1940s. Even Democrats who have worked in national security condemned all of those remarks. Mr. Obama is a foreign-policy novice who would put our national security at risk.

Next, consider economic policy. For all its faults, our health care system is the strongest in the world. And free trade agreements, created by Bill Clinton as well as President Bush, have made more goods more affordable So that even people of modest means can live a life that no one imagined a generation ago. Yet Mr. Obama promises to raise taxes on "the rich." How to fix social Security? Raise taxes. How to fix Medicare? Raise taxes. Prescription drugs? Raise taxes. Free college? Raise taxes. Socialize medicine? Raise taxes. His solution to everything is to have government take it over. Big Brother on steroids, funded by your paycheck.

Finally, look at the social issues. Mr. Obama had the audacity to open a stadium rally by saying, "All praise and glory to God!" but says that Christian leaders speaking for life and marriage have "hijacked" - hijacked - Christianity. He is pro-partial birth abortion, and promises to appoint Supreme Court justices who will rule any restriction on it unconstitutional. He espouses the abortion views of Margaret Sanger, one of the early advocates of racial cleansing. His spiritual leaders endorse homosexual marriage, and he is moving in that direction. In Illinois, he refused to vote against a statewide ban - ban - on all handguns in the state. These are radical left, Hollywood , and San Francisco values, not Middle America values.

The real Mr. Obama is an easy target for the general election. Mrs. Clinton is a far tougher opponent. But Mr. Obama could win if people don't start looking behind his veneer and flowery speeches. His vision of "bringing America together" means saying that those who disagree with his agenda For America are hijackers or warmongers. Uniting the country means adopting his liberal agenda and abandoning any conflicting beliefs.

But right now everyone is talking about how eloquent of a speaker he is and - yes - they're talking about his race. Those should never be the factors on which we base our choice for president. Mr. Obama's radical agenda sets him far outside the American mainstream, to the left of Mrs. Clinton

It's time to talk about the real Barack Obama. In an election of firsts, let's first make sure we elect the person who is qualified to be our president in a nuclear age during a global civilizational war. "

Kind of scary, don't you think. Thankfully we don't have ultimate rule in America and there are checks and balances in our government structure. However, if Barack Obama is elected President, there will be damage and voters need to look beyond his superficial talk-track!

Golf Joke - The Frog and Golf

A man takes the day off work and decides to go out golfing. He is on the second hole when he notices a frog sitting next to the green. He thinks nothing of it and is about to shoot when he hears, Ribbit 9 Iron."

The man looks around and doesn't see anyone. Again, he hears, "Ribbit 9 Iron." He looks at the frog and decides to prove the frog wrong, puts the club away, and grabs a 9 iron.Boom! He hits it 10 inches from the cup. He is shocked. He says to the frog, "Wow that's amazing. You must be a lucky frog, eh? The frog replies, "Rib bit Lucky frog."

The man decides to take the frog with him to the next hole."What do you think frog?" the man asks. "Rib bit 3 wood." The guy takes out a 3-wood and, Boom! Hole in one. The man is befuddled and doesn't know what to say. By the end of the day, the man golfed the best game of golf in his life and asks the frog, "OK where to next?" The frog replies, "Rib bit Las Vegas ."

They go to Las Vegas and the guy says, "OK frog, now what?" The frog says, "Rib bit Roulette." Upon approaching the roulette table, The man asks, "What do you think I should bet?" The frog replies, "Rib bit $3000, black 6."Now, this is a million-to-one shot to win, but after the golf game the man figures what the heck. Boom! Tons of cash comes sliding back across the table.

The man takes his winnings and buys the best room in the hotel. He sits the frog down and says, "Frog, I don't know how to repay you. You've won me all this money and I am forever grateful."The frog replies, "Rib bit Kiss Me." He figures why not, since after all the frog did for him, he deserves it. With a kiss, the frog turns into a gorgeous 15-year-old girl.

"And that, your honor, is how the girl ended up in my room. So help me God or my name is not William Jefferson Clinton."

Great Quotes...

Our world history is full of lunatics in positions of power. Today, the list of loony-toon leaders are abundant and some pose a real threat; Kim Jong II, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chavez (big mouth but not a big threat). While there might appear to be an overwhelming flow of anti-American sentiment in places around the world, don't ever second-guess this great nation in which we live. Consider this perspective and great quote from a long-standing U.S. allied:

"A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many people want in...And how many people want out. Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: Jesus Christ and the American G.I."

"One died for your soul, the other for your freedom."

Tony Blair, Prime Minister

My commentary for the day...
As the balance of power shifts with the recent election results, I have a few thoughts for our newly elected democrat's in both the Senate and House: Congratulations on your successful election campaigns. Take time and celebrate your triumph now. Please remember these positions of power include important responsibilities to the American people. Now is your chance to abstain from the endless criticism and rhetoric - focus on delivering better solutions in the times ahead. Yes, victory means responsibility and should also include accountability as well. I know I plan to hold them accountable in the next election, I hope others will as well. Let's see the plans and the results.

2006-07 Hockey Season

Hockey season has officially started and while I'm excited to see the NHL in full swing, it's even more fun watching amateur hockey games when you can be there live. The good news is: we will be!

Michael made the Bluehawks AA Midget team again this year. He's playing second line forward. Expectations are high for the team this year. We've added some new talent this year and the returning players are tougher and more experienced after last season.

Our schedule started September 8th with an early bird tournament in Toledo and should run through mid-March. We're hoping for at least 60 games. After five games in September, Octboer is filling up and we'll have 18 played before Holloween.

For 2006-07, there are new standards of play and an increased emphasis on certain infractions. These new rules apply to youth hockey and professional players. According to USA Hockey, the big changes are:

1. The stick can only be used for playing the puck - it cannot be used to impede a player's progress even if he has the puck, pull on a player's body, or hamper his ability to pass or shoot. Bacically, if the blade is not on the puck, it's in the wrong place.
2. A free arm cannot be used to grab or impede a player's progress; clutching or grabbing a stick, jersey, or body (even along the board) will result in a penalty. Players better control their other arm or there will be lots of holding calls.
3. Impeding the progress of an opponent that does not have the puck is considered interference. In other words, no blocking. I must be confused, I thought this was a full contact sport?
4. Any stick contact to the hands, arms, body, or opponents stick will be considered slashing and strictly penalized.

USA Hockey claims the new rules "will continue to allow the opportunity for imprved skill development and a more positive hockey environment". Duh! I would certainly hope so. They go on to say these rules are designed to provide a "...greater emphasis on skating, puck possession and proper use of body...". Sounds better, I can live with that. Actually, it's quite possible these changes will result in more offensive plays and therefore more goals. What we've seen so far is more penalties, lots of them.

Of course, many are questioning these changes and the players are complaining because change is difficult. It may be even more challenging in hockey because it's such a fast-pace game all the time and player reactions are spontaneous or intuitive. The only way to make the transition is reinforced these changes in practice, lots of practice, over and over again. Afterall, this is how they established the prior ones.

The good news is there seems to be an increased emphasis on more serious infractions. Offenses like contact to the head (big issue last year too), checking from behind, cross checking, late checks and roughing will get little if any latitude from the referees. Fighting is now an automatic two game suspension in youth hockey. All good stuff and these changes were needed providing the officials understand what to focus on. Time will tell.

A higher importance and more focus on these serious penalties was needed and is a step in the right direction. Too many times I have watched games where the refs were hypersensitive about minor penalties (like off sides or a little bumping in the corner). But when a player gets cross checked in the neck or checked from behind into the board, people get seriously injured and these can't be missed.

I feel the league should consider experience standards for referees, especially here in Dayton. When you have officials trying to referee a AA Midget travel team game when they usually officiate Peewee club teams, it isn't fair to the players or the refs. The end result is a 2+ hour hockey game full of minor penalties (half of them questionable) and then they miss the big stuff. Officials at this level need to focus on the big issues, watch for the more serious penalties, and call the ones that can change the outcome of a game for sure. But don't call a game full of minor penalties or call them to establish your authority on the ice. Try to call both sides equally, let some of the little stuff go, and let 'em play.

Go Bluehawks: http://www.daytonbluehawks.com/

Ocean Isle Beach - 2006

It was another great Summer vacation in Ocean Isle Beach (OIB). Thanks again to Debbie and Ricky, they are our honorary island hosts. We are grateful for all they do to make our week fun and memorable.

Our group keeps growing larger, 22 this year and our charcoal bill is getting outragous. Rick promised a Weber gas grill next year so we should be good to go. We might need to consider a backup chef, Pale Ale and dinner for 20+ doesn't work well together; it's fun for the cook but I messed up Mom's dinner - Yikes!

We had two new additions this year. No, not the people - boats! We went fast, very fast (Sunsation) and then we went slow (Carolina Skiff). We learned that Debbie's Skiff is a bit underpowered for a crew of 8, or was it 9? I was on the lookout for the Coast Guard as every other boat on the intercostals' waterway passed us by. OK, maybe they were laughing but I refused to make eye contact. Stand tall, look straight ahead, and push someone out of the boat if you see flashing lights.

OIB is a special place for us and we enjoy every minute. All the kids had a blast, the weather was fabulous all week, and I played miserable golf as usual. Rick, Kevin and I still had fun but I can't seem to master out-of-town golf (what's up with that?). Kevin caught fish and crab, Kirk and Jen cooked ribs, Deidre and Kara got lots of sun, and Kellen learned a valuable Tequila lesson (must be hereditary).

My brother Kirk decided to fly to Las Vegas the week before, win a bunch of money to pay for our vacations, and then meet us at the beach. Debbie watched Mark and Kerri while Kirk partied and gambled Viva Las Vegas style. We were all rooting for him but luckily I had money to pay for my beach rental. Hey, you know what they say, "what goes on in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas". In this case, the money stayed in Las Vegas.

Our fireworks plan was cut short. Actually, they didn't even get started before the OIB police gave us some thought leadership. There's something about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For an island that doesn't allow fireworks, there were a lot of people breaking the law??

All and all, we had a wonderful time. Traditions like the parade, auction night, Taco and Steak night, etc., are all times we will remember. A special thanks to Debbie for graduation night, she always does more for others than she ever expects in return.

We're looking forward to next year. I've made an executive decision, we are not driving! Well, that's the plan anyway and it doesn't save that much money with the church van.

Prom Night for Kara

A beautiful night, a beautiful dress and a beautiful girl. It was junior/senior prom night and Kara and Matt looked marvelous. A special occasion for everyone to get decked-out for the evening and head to the Schuster Center for dinner, dancing and friends. Everyone had a good time and there's many more pictures to forge the memories.

Congratulations to Kara and Matt. The evening was a success and everyone had safe and eventful time.