The Book of Love

Once again, I'm indebted to Pico at Wild Chihuahuas for finding the perfect youtube for the moment.

How Obama Won

He unleashed the fury of Anne Johnsons across the nation. For the good of your soul, read the link.

Marijuana Reform Will Happen

I can feel a change a-comin', there's a wave of calm washin' over me

And I can feel a change a-comin', there's of wave of calm washin' over me

-Marcia Hines

That's how I feel this morning as I discovered that marijuana law reform was approved in several state elections, from Massachusetts to Hawaii. Read the results here at NORML's blog.

State by state, the will of the people is being expressed. Within five (seven years at the outside), I believe the law of the land concerning marijuana will be reformed. At the least, it will be decriminalized. At best, it will be legalized, become a viable cash crop, subject to health regulations and taxation. It's high time America took control of marijuana production, sale and use, removing it from the hands of illegal dealers, and into the sphere of legal, profitable, taxable use of industrial materials, recreational and medicinal substances.

Albert Einstein with a Health Plan

Thanks to Pico at Wild Chihuahuas for finding this gem from Howie and Julie.

Colin Powell's Endorsement

The Great Schlep

See more Sarah Silverman videos at Funny or Die

Democracy and Reason

Apparently, someone shares my view on this financial debacle. After publishing my post, Longing for Reason, I came across this editorial by Bob Herbert, which said much of what I wanted to say, but better. Take a gander at the complete essay.

Experts need some reasonable amount of time -- I'm talking about days, not weeks -- to home in on the weak points, the loopholes, the potential unintended consequences of a bailout of this magnitude.

The patchwork modifications being offered by Democrats in Congress are insufficient. Reasonable estimates need to be made of the toll to be taken on taxpayers. Reasonable alternatives need to be heard.

Lobbyists, bankers and Wall Street types already are hopping up and down like overexcited children, ready to burst into the government's $700 billion pinata. This widespread eagerness is itself an indication that there is something too sweet about the Paulson plan.

And this from the presidential campaigns concerning the lack of oversight on the situation, that dangerous state of democratic suspension to which we are hustled and bullied by shock doctrines:

Both candidates said they are uncomfortable with the sweeping powers the Bush proposal would give to the secretary of the Treasury. They recommended creation of an independent board that would oversee the rescue.

Obama said "the power to spend $700 billion of taxpayers' money cannot be left up to the discretion of one man, no matter who he is or which party he is from. I have great respect for [Treasury] Secretary [Henry] Paulson, but he cannot act alone."

Women's Groups Endorse Obama...Rightly So.

"Women's rights groups endorsed Barack Obama for president Tuesday, asserting the historic selection of a female Republican vice presidential candidate does not make up for John McCain's lack of support on issues important to women.

'We don't think it's much to break a glass ceiling for one woman and leave millions of women behind,' said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation.

Obama also won the support of the National Organization for Women, which said it has not endorsed a candidate for president since Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro shared the Democratic ticket in 1984. Ferraro was the first female major-party vice presidential candidate."

"Obama was also endorsed by leaders from Business and Professional Women/USA, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Congress of Black Women and the Women's Information Network."

I approve this message!

Kennedy Sings for Obama!

Barack Obama on Energy

In addition to plans for liberating America from its binding use of oil and converting to renewable energy resources, thus making our country independent of nefarious foreign supplies, Barack Obama also has a plan to reduce gas prices in the short-term.

The comprehensive plan proposed by the Obama-Biden team can be found here. It's clean, progressive, and it meets with my approval!

Concerning Obama's plans for the SPR:

"...A crucial aspect of America's energy security not widely discussed is how to best use America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

Sen. Barack Obama is proposing a simple maneuver -- called an exchange, or swap -- that will help lower the price of oil for consumers, increase the amount of oil in the SPR, increase energy security, and leave taxpayers better off by about $1 billion. His proposal deserves to be adopted.

"The House and Senate are considering legislation to mandate such a swap, and Mr. Obama has adopted the concept as part of his energy plan. The public benefits are compelling. Swaps that help energy security, refiners and consumers should be a routine part of managing the SPR."

For the whole article at the Wall Street Journal, look to Obama Has a Plan To Manage Our Oil Reserve.

Barack Obama, Aug. 4, 2008, On Energy in Michigan.

Scruples

I fear Sam Harris' observation (The End of Faith, 2004) will prove true of the Obama campaign.

"Here we come upon a terrible facet of ethically asymmetric warfare: when your enemy has no scruples, your own scruples become another weapon in his hand."

Will Obama's insistence on integrity in his campaign be his downfall? Please, don't let it be so.

On McPalin

Giving me a hearty chuckle, Pico at Wild Chihuahuas said it best, "D'ya think Jerry Springer did the vetting?"

One Last Review of VP Possibles

June 8, I posted about Obama's possible VP choices, including Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of Kansas, my home state. Some of the names discussed in the media in June are still being talked about today. This week, I'm excited to see who, finally, Obama will choose. As I said in June, this VP choice may be one of the most significant ever. Compare it to the interest in McSame's choice. Who? Exactly. No one really cares who Mc picks. Obama's choice, on the other hand, is historical!

As I look at the choices, I don't see the charisma among them that Obama projects, but that's not unusual in a VP, now is it? Hilary Clinton stands out from the crowd in that regard. She's a force to equal Obama. Few believe she was ever considered, but since none of us KNOW, she's as good a guess as any. The only person we're sure he WON'T pick is John Edwards!

Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of KS, remains on everyone's guess list. A Democrat who won in a bleeding red state, she could bring that asset with her, as well as, women's votes. Her father was Governor of Ohio, which gives her influence there.

In June, I mentioned Claire McCaskill, Jim Webb and Christopher Dodd, but their names aren't lighting up as much.

Ted Strickland, Governor of OH, once mentioned, says "If drafted I will not run, nominated I will not accept and if elected I will not serve. So, I don’t know how more crystal clear I can be."

Joe Biden, Senator from DE, has been mentioned. He comes with foreign policy experience as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Evan Bayh, Senator from IN, was (is) a supporter of HRC and may help gather Hilary's votes. He also gives Obama a chance to win a red state. Seems a bland choice, but it's VP, eh!

Sam Nunn, former Senator from GA, brings foreign policy and national security experience. Because Nunn is out of office, he dodges evaluation of his recent voting record, an uncomfortable situation for voters, indeed.

In addition to these possibles, which were on the list in June, one has been added, that's Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia. He's a Roman Catholic, and he speaks fluent Spanish, which both seem like huge plusses for an Obama campaign. Although, his greatest asset is that Karl Rove doesn't like him! Go Kaine!

Just as an afterthought, Colin Powell's name has been mentioned. He's a Republican, but he has endorsed Obama, and he would bring military and foreign policy experience to the ticket. Some people say he was "for" the Iraq war, but it's much more complicated than that, and saying he was "for" the war is a misrepresentation. He does, however, currently support continued presence of U.S. troops in Iraq. Powell has too much baggage. He won't get loaded on the plane in time to make the trip to Washington.

Once the VP is chosen, don't forget to check out their positions on the issues. The link to OntheIssue.org is always on my sidebar.

Obama's VP Choice

Kim Gandy's discussion of Obama's VP choices.

I've rarely been in the position where my dreams and values were represented by an elected official. I can't imagine what it might feel like that my point of view is valued and championed by my "representatives" in Washington. Although I'm scared to invest too much in this, I admit to hoping that Obama might speak for me. If he chooses a VP based on, as Kim Gandy wrote, a "misguided attempt to reach out to evangelicals and socially conservative Democrats," I will truly be afraid they "might ignore us [women] entirely in the future, while trading away our rights."

Mr. Obama, "it was the first time in a long time that we've been talked to by a candidate who wasn't talking down to us," as Kim Gandy says. Please don't break my heart.

Tribute to my Neighbor's Mimosa

I don't know this neighbor except by sight and that he stands in his driveway and talks on his cell phone in the summer. And why not; it's very pleasant in the yard. He and his partner plant a lot of flowers in their front yard each year. They are a bit adventurous in their choices, which is fun for all the rest of us as we watch these unusual plants grow up. This year they were relatively conservative and planted bunches of bold, yellow marigolds, but so pretty! Their most magnificent display, though, is this fabulous mimosa tree, and this year, nurtured by perfect conditions, it has bloomed more beautifully, longer and more abundantly than ever. The birds are thick in it. Every morning there's a mockingbird nearby, singing his crazy choruses. This morning, I saw wee bits of birds flitting through its branches, possibly attracted to insects attracted to the nectar, but possibly attracted themselves to the blossoms. When I'm coming home from a morning walk, I can smell the sweet fragrance of its flowers three or four houses away. This picture doesn't do justice to the ethereal quality of the mimosa's blossoms, nor, of course, to the sweet smell. (The next neighbors, as might be discernible, are Obama supporters. That makes our neighborhood the only enclave--two whole households--in Kansas voting for Obama.)

In addition to the fragrance of my neighbor's mimosa, this is the other sign that I'm nearly home from my walk, this clump of pink at the end of my driveway, which I can see from a great distance. Despite our most flagrant neglect, these phlox continue to spread and bloom every year.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius

Does anyone else feel Obama's choice for running mate is crucial, that it will decide the election? It may not be the most crucial VP choice in American history, but it has to be up near the top.

One of the people being considered for VP candidacy is the governor from my home state of Kansas, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Get this. She's a democrat. Yep. She's a democrat who won in a RED state, and you don't get much redder than KS. In Sunday's Eagle, they quoted Mel Kahn, prof.of political science at WSU as saying, "When Kansas goes Democratic in a presidential election is when hell will go Methodist."

Kansas voters only once since the 1940s voted for a democrat in the presidential elections. That was Lyndon Johnson in 1964. We have not had a Democratic senator since 1939, and the two we have now are just about as right-wing as they come. I have to admit, though, Roberts and Brownback, actually represent the ultra-conservative views people hold here.

I like Gov. Sebelius. She's tough, but she's balanced. She had to be both to win in a red state. She's what politicians call a moderate Democrat. She was a hero when she held tough against legislation that would have allowed two, coal-burning, power plants to be built here. KS legislators, with lobbyists at their back, kept sending bills to her desk, and she kept slapping veto on them. They tried to override her vetos, but they couldn't get it together. Almost single-handedly, she saved us from that stupidity and from Sunflower Corp. (Yes, this friendly, electric company calls itself this innocuous name as though their mission is to save our state flower or some such nonsense. It's Orwellian!)

Coal Plant = Sunflowers?

For more about what she's done as governor for Kansas, you can go to this site which provides a summary of the major issues we've faced in that time and how Sebelius handled them, Sebelius Summary.

If Sebelius is chosen, she won't hurt Obama's campaign, and she may help it, but if he considers someone else stronger, I won't be crushed. I'm cheering for him to make the best choice for his campaign and for the country.

Names being tossed around for VP:

KS Gov. Kathleen Sebelius -women's votes (more than half the American voters are women), and she's proven her ability to get Republican votes. She also has ties to Ohio, which is important.

MO Senator Claire McCaskill - women's votes, and offers a win in MO, a swing state.

OH Gov. Ted Strickland- popular, and he could win Ohio

VA Sen. Jim Webb - credentials, help in winning a swing state, VA.

DE Sen. Joseph Biden, IN Sen. Evan Bayh, CT Sen. Christopher Dodd, former GA Sen. Sam Nunn- foreign policy and national security experience

.

NY Sen. Hilary Clinton - women's votes, name recognition, experience

(Hilary's women supporters are more than a generic women's vote. They represent a strong loyalty to her, specifically, as a candidate. Therefore, women like Sebelius and McCaskill don't pull as much weight for Obama as Clinton would from that sector.)

And about Hilary: