That’s funny…. the sky is falling. Good one. I hope all of our pension plans, retirement accounts, mortgages, home values, etc are in good shape. I really do. The news from the stock market today indicates that Wall street likes the new rescue plan so let’s hope for the best. Our economy is not in great shape, and our deficit is so tremendously large that it boggles the mind. Who’s going to pay for that? China? Whoever wins the presidency will have to work hard at rebuilding our status so that we can reclaim the moral high ground of promoting freedom, democracy and justice throughout the world. We should be seen as the country that brings light to the world, not the country that condones torture. We have our work cut out for us. And we are starting to be overtaken in some areas such as science. Did you know that when scientists are out looking for jobs that China now has the wealth to outbid the US for top talent? China, the land that brings us poison in our milk. For the longest time we’ve benefitted from an awesome university system that drew the top scientific talent from around the world because we had the money to recruit and to pay for science. We’re still tops, but we’re losing serious ground. Top prospects are now taking jobs in Singapore, others in Beijing because those governments can offer more money, more resources and less red tape. Hard to believe. It is shocking that we are losing ground. If you look at classes entering graduate school to study sciences, and if you look at the people working in science laboratories here in the US they are chock full of chinese and asians. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I’d like to think that Americans are well prepared to compete if they want. But the American education system is failing to provide a world class education. American students finishing high school or college rank far below that of students in european and asian countries. Can we continue to lead the world if we offer second rate education?

So, I claim that the sky is falling? Sorry LBG, the facts speak for themselves. We’re better off not papering over serious problems, and we need to start on the serious work of improving our situation. Now.

As for Obama’s ties to “a violent and unrepentant terrorist organization”, you make it sound as if the weather underground are still carrying out their asinine, BS bombings, and are still putting you and I in danger. I think we can both agree that is hardly the case. Ayers turned himself in to the law in the early 80’s, and we’re all aware of what he’s been up to since then, and it hasn’t been terrorism. The connection with Ayers that you and the Republican party talking points are pushing is spurious. We, and I mean you and I, can both dig through McCain’s associates and acquaintances and find shady financial characters and violent figures, and unrepentant low-lifes. To quote Carl Bernstein: “During the same period that Bill Ayers was a member of the Weather Underground, Gordon Liddy was making plans to firebomb a Washington think tank, assassinate a prominent journalist, undertake the Watergate burglary, break into the office of Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist, and kidnap anti-war protesters at the 1972 Republican convention.” Liddy is unrepentant to this day and still advocates violence on his radio show, for example advising that opponents should be shot in the head. Shot in the head. On the radio. Is this democracy in action. Is this what America stands for? And what does McCain say about Liddy?: “Well, you know, I’m proud of you. I’m proud of your family. I’m proud to know your son, Tom, who’s a great and wonderful guy. And it’s always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon. And congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great.” Does McCain’s quote and continued appearances on Liddy’s show mean that McCain favors breaking and entering? Does that mean McCain advocates shooting political opponents in the head? Of course not. You know that. I know that. We also know that Obama is not a terrorist, and doesn’t pal around with low lifes. No way, no how. To try to taint him this way is the oldest and most common political scare tactic: If you can’t win on issues make the voters afraid of your opponent. No more no less.

As for your concern that Obama may not have the experience we want (actually need) for the next president, I couldn’t disagree more. But even if you and I were to agree that Obama does not have enough experience (and I don’t agree but just for the sake of argument) we can go back through US history and pinpoint numerous politicians who had minimal political experience prior to taking office but rose to the occasion. On the other hand we have had presidents who, at least on paper, had executive experience as governor, business owner, etc that should have been relevant, but once in office were a complete and total disaster. Experience is important but in no way is it the only measure. That’s the thing about people, competence and common sense gives you a tremendous advantage and allows you to tackle challenges. That’s true in all arenas of life, politics or business, and Obama is competent. More importantly I know exactly where he stands on issues that are important to me: education, health care, social security, energy, protecting our interests over big business. We need fair regulation in place to prevent the next Enron from creating fake energy crises as they did in California. We need fair regulation in the financial industry so that banking on derivatives is properly regulated and doesn’t create another financial crisis. Obama has already chosen a core group of financial advisors who are competent. Obama will fight for us, for you and I.

And finally if you are concerned about terrorism, real terrorism, Obama will go after the REAL terrorists, wherever they are, and they are not in Chicago.

Best regards,

Steve

That’s funny…. the sky is falling. Good one. I hope all of our pension plans, retirement accounts, mortgages, home values, etc are in good shape. I really do. The news from the stock market today indicates that Wall street likes the new rescue plan so let’s hope for the best. Our economy is not in great shape, and our deficit is so tremendously large that it boggles the mind. Who’s going to pay for that? China? Whoever wins the presidency will have to work hard at rebuilding our status so that we can reclaim the moral high ground of promoting freedom, democracy and justice throughout the world. We should be seen as the country that brings light to the world, not the country that condones torture. We have our work cut out for us. And we are starting to be overtaken in some areas such as science. Did you know that when scientists are out looking for jobs that China now has the wealth to outbid the US for top talent? China, the land that brings us poison in our milk. For the longest time we’ve benefitted from an awesome university system that drew the top scientific talent from around the world because we had the money to recruit and to pay for science. We’re still tops, but we’re losing serious ground. Top prospects are now taking jobs in Singapore, others in Beijing because those governments can offer more money, more resources and less red tape. Hard to believe. It is shocking that we are losing ground. If you look at classes entering graduate school to study sciences, and if you look at the people working in science laboratories here in the US they are chock full of chinese and asians. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I’d like to think that Americans are well prepared to compete if they want. But the American education system is failing to provide a world class education. American students finishing high school or college rank far below that of students in european and asian countries. Can we continue to lead the world if we offer second rate education?

So, I claim that the sky is falling? Sorry LBG, the facts speak for themselves. We’re better off not papering over serious problems, and we need to start on the serious work of improving our situation. Now.

As for Obama’s ties to “a violent and unrepentant terrorist organization”, you make it sound as if the weather underground are still carrying out their asinine, BS bombings, and are still putting you and I in danger. I think we can both agree that is hardly the case. Ayers turned himself in to the law in the early 80’s, and we’re all aware of what he’s been up to since then, and it hasn’t been terrorism. The connection with Ayers that you and the Republican party talking points are pushing is spurious. We, and I mean you and I, can both dig through McCain’s associates and acquaintances and find shady financial characters and violent figures, and unrepentant low-lifes. To quote Carl Bernstein: “During the same period that Bill Ayers was a member of the Weather Underground, Gordon Liddy was making plans to firebomb a Washington think tank, assassinate a prominent journalist, undertake the Watergate burglary, break into the office of Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist, and kidnap anti-war protesters at the 1972 Republican convention.” Liddy is unrepentant to this day and still advocates violence on his radio show, for example advising that opponents should be shot in the head. Shot in the head. On the radio. Is this democracy in action. Is this what America stands for? And what does McCain say about Liddy?: “Well, you know, I’m proud of you. I’m proud of your family. I’m proud to know your son, Tom, who’s a great and wonderful guy. And it’s always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon. And congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great.” Does McCain’s quote and continued appearances on Liddy’s show mean that McCain favors breaking and entering? Does that mean McCain advocates shooting political opponents in the head? Of course not. You know that. I know that. We also know that Obama is not a terrorist, and doesn’t pal around with low lifes. No way, no how. To try to taint him this way is the oldest and most common political scare tactic: If you can’t win on issues make the voters afraid of your opponent. No more no less.

Finally as for your opinion that Obama does not have the experience we want (actually need) for the next president, I couldn’t disagree more. But even if you and I were to agree that Obama does not have enough experience (and I don’t agree but just for the sake of argument) we can go back through US history and pinpoint numerous politicians who had minimal political experience prior to taking office but rose to the occasion. That’s the thing about people, competence gives you a tremendous advantage and allows you to tackle challenges. That’s true in all arenas of life, politics or business, and Obama is competent. More importantly I know exactly where he stands on issues that are important to me: education, health care, social security, energy, protecting our interests over big business. We need fair regulation in place to prevent the next Enron from creating fake energy crises as they did in California. We need fair regulation in the financial industry so that banking on derivatives is properly regulated and doesn’t create another financial crisis. Obama has already chosen a core group of financial advisors who are competent. Obama will fight for us, for you and I. And if you are concerned about terrorism, real terrorism, Obama will go after the REAL terrorists, wherever they are, and they are not in Chicago.

Best regards,

Steve

Well Steve,

I find it interesting that a candidate for President, who has NO RECORD of achieving anything other that running for President during his very short tenure in Congress, has ties to a member of a violent and unrepentant terrorist organization.

Perhaps, rather than claiming the sky is falling, you could be specific about any of Obama’s past achievements which tell you he’s the right man for President.

Obama would in effect have me believe that he is a total idiot. No one accused him of knowing Ayers in the bombing days – a red herring if ever there was one.

When someone you hardly know hand picks you to chair a group intent on handing out 150 million dollars via the Annenberg Challenge in order to teach activism and anti-Americanism in the Chicago school system and then claims that Ayers is just a guy who lives in his “hood” in Chi town Hyde Park, something stinks.

I recently saw that BHO further claims that he has been out of touch with Ayers since 2005 – that is 4 years following the NYT story and photo of Ayers standing on the American flag – in an issue that came out on Sept 11, 2001!

This story has legs.