The L.A. Dime

Boone County Kentucky’s Congressman Geoff Davis speaking of Senator Barack Obama:

“I’m going to tell you something: That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button,” Davis said. “He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country.

So much is wrong about that statement, I don’t even know where to begin. Don’t tell me it was a comment about Obama’s age, because even if it was, what congressman calls a U.S. Senator and leading Presidential candidate a “boy?” Show some class. Some respect. Davis himself is only three years older than Obama, so what does that make him? A “young man?” Rail against our PC culture all you want, but that was a racist remark, and it reinforces unfortunate stereotypes about Kentucky I’ve encountered myself traveling the nation. It’s just more of the same old hate-driven, fear-mongering, negative-propaganda-Carl Rove politics we’ve had for the last eight years and I’m through with it.

Davis rode in on Bush’s coattails, and maybe he should ride out on them, too. This is so embarrassing.

We live in a society that thrives on bite-sized information packaged for quick consumption, allowing us to bypass the work of reading, interpreting, understanding and criticizing. I’m likely going to offend someone who reads this blog by merely suggesting that America is imperfect (God forbid), but I think one of our biggest problems today is that no one is thinking for him or herself. We rely on Fox and CNN. We care more about celebrities and sports than we do politics. We don’t read the newspapers. We listen to sound bites and endless analysis and let others decide for us.

If ever there were a time to actually spend some time reading and thinking, it is now. Let me suggest you start with Senator Obama’s speech on race. You can watch it on video using the same link, but I urge you take the time to read it. And think about it. And decide for yourself what the real issues of this election are. Decide for yourself what matters. Do you remember writing research papers in high school and college, when you had to cite multiple sources on an issue to prove your point, and then fully address the counter argument to your thesis? There’s a reason they taught us to do that.

Here is a full debunking of the ridiculous emails that have circulated about Obama. You don’t have to vote for him, but know the truth, and don’t contribute to the fear-mongering run rampant in this nation.

Don’t worry, The Dime won’t be entirely political from now on. I just needed to get my viewpoint out.

After the withdraw of John Edwards from the race to be the Democratic nominee for President, I now feel free to fully endorse the candidate that my gut was telling me I’d vote for once I got into the booth, anyway.

Barack Obama.

People tout Hillary’s experience, her connections, her knowledge of the White House — but at this point, none of that is what concerns me. CHANGE is what concerns me. HOPE is what concerns me. Movement in Iraq, on the environment, on health care, with the economy, and with improved international relations — those are the issues that matter to me, and I’m tired of politics-as-usual not getting anything done. I’m tired of the same-old. Hillary is an old-guard insider, she’s not the coalition builder she claims to be, and I don’t feel confident her presence in the White House will shake things up enough for my taste. Not to mention, I’m not sure she’s electable, because nothing draws out a lazy Republican voter faster than four more years with a Clinton.

Some argue Obama is too young. I find that to be all the more reason to give him my vote, and point to JFK. I’d like to hear what you think. Whatever side of the aisle you stand on, and whomever you endorse, please go out and vote.

Check back soon to see my preemptive strike on what is sure to be the Obama version of the Republican “Swift Boat” campaign against Kerry.