Executive Office is not the place for On-the-Job-Training

....unless your name is Sarah Palin of course. How can John McCain continue to present us with Sarah Palin while teaching her how to move in international diplomatic circles at the same time? At best, she can't possibly gain enough 'foreign policy experience' with a few short meetings no matter how many leaders she meets with... at its worse it speaks to how foolish a choice she is and further embarrasses the republican party. I guess next week we can expect to see the pictures of her with foreign leaders and McCain saying how she has met with more foreign leaders than Biden has. I have to hand it to the McCain Campaign though. They pulled of a better trick than anything David Blaine has ever done. To somehow get media coverage of their VP pick without a single question bieng asked/answered is an illusion beyond belief. As the illusion continues to fade, what will we be left with?

Race Conscious Democrats may Throw the Election Against Their Own Interests

The 2% or more difference in the state-state polls could possibly be determined by Democrats that are not quite ready to elect an African-American. Based on a recent AP poll, this group could cost Obama a practically assured win. So, in the interest of the advancement of racial neutrality, I offer this; If you can't fully vote for Obama based on half of his heritage, then go to the polls and register half a vote for him. You can't vote for the son of a Islamic Kenyan, then vote for the son of a Kansas homemaker. There you are now absolved of having voted for an African-American. In November, go halfheartedly to the polls and use only half your vote for the half of the person who YOU feel best represents YOUR ideals. Hold on to the other half of your vote, you wouldn't want to waste it.

What makes a Hero?

McCain's claim to fame, propped up more by others than himself, is his war 'hero' status. When asked most immediately respond with his capture and torture at the hands of the N. Viet....I say thats not what makes him a hero. When the firefighters/police died in the WTC, most people say they became heroes then. Thats not what makes them heroes. What makes John McCain a hero is when his plane caught fire on the USS Foresstal, he saved others without regard for his own life. He is a hero not because he was shot down and captured, but because he strapped into the cockpit ready to look death in the eye. The military is filled with thousands of heroes that continue to perform daily. The firefighters were heroes the moment they crossed the threshold of either tower. Heroism begins when someone puts the needs of others before their own need. John McCain is a bomber pilot hero in my book...but in THIS election he is putting his own needs and ambitions BEFORE the needs of the people he represents. That fault was never more apparent than his choice of the untested, unprepared, inexperienced, with too many skeletons lurking...Sarah Palin. Oh she's nice enough, but she is by far not the best the republicans can do

Beyond Tolerance

If you happened to be in the Port Richmond or Sunnyside neghborhoods on September 7th, you could have witnessed a strange sight. Coming out of a Baptist Church on Bennett Street were Jews and Hindu devotees, walking together. Coming out of a Synagouge on Post Ave were Buddhists and Catholics, walking together. At the Chapel of St. Nicholas in Sunnyside you could have witnessed Muslims and Baptists walking together. And at the new Hindu Temple on Victory Blvd the entire group continued to walk together. This is what can happen when we begin to not only tolerate our differences, but begin to move beyond tolerance and into the place where GOD (by the name you know him) would have us to be. NAMASTE, SHALOM, GRACE & PEACE, ASSALAMU ALAIKUM, PEACE, PEACE, PEACE

McCain's choice brings his judgement into question

The situation surrounding Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin's Daughter is a personal family issue and has no place in the politics of the day. In fact, in today's society the potential to have someone in anyone's family be pregnant and unmarried is practically commonplace. HOWEVER Palin's positions, and leadership do become questionable based on this event. If her position is abstinence; it should have been preached so fiercely in her own home that all would follow without question. For all the weak parents out there that believe you can only do so much...you are wrong. There are many examples in other cultures where children RARELY go off on their own and make mistakes that are contrary to familial beliefs. WE, as Americans, simply don't have that level of control or respect from our children. Her leadership comes into question as this issue proves she lacks leadership within the walls of her home. Leadership is partially defined as the ability to INFLUENCE someone to do what you want or need them to do. Her influence (not her directives) failed. While these qualities and this issue in particular do not necessarily disqualify her for VP, they absolutely bring into question the judgement of her being the choice for VP.