"It is generally known that people tend to believe what they want to believe- even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary." ("What You Don't Know" LaBossiere, p. 18)
You don't agree?
Take an objective listen to just about any political conversation around you. It is dreadfully redundant. The liberals take their point of view disregarding anything to the right and the conservatives take their point of view disregarding anything to the left.
The current health care reform discussion, for lack of a better, more condescending term, is a specific example. The pro reformers will ignore the significance of the economic factors, while the anti-reformers will overlook the need to ethically change the current system.
"People even go so far as to downplay and ignore evidence against what they believe while modifying and even fabricating evidence to support their own view." (LaBossiere, p.18-19)
Take a listen to AM conservative talk radio and you'll see this point in less than ten minutes. The "birther" issue comes to mind.
I will not sit here and act like I am any different. I have been a culprit of this practice countless times. I won't act like I am above this or better than this. But there is a reason why I and even you are this way.
Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia made a discovery regarding the physiology behind this process which they revealed in 2006.
During the 2004 Presidential election between Democrat, John Kerry and Republican and incumbent, George W. Bush, they gathered 15 die hard Republicans and 15 die hard Democrats. They used a functional magnetic resonance imaging device to scan the brains of their voters while they were asked to assess statements made by both candidates. The statements provided were ones in which both candidates contradicted themselves. Each group was forgiving of their candidate of choice while being critical of their own. ("What Don't You Know?" LaBossiere, p. 19)
No surprise there, right?
They were using the same reasoning we expected from them, didn't they?
Well, the interesting part lies in the results of the brain scan. The results showed that the part of the brain associated with reasoning was inactive as they made their claims about the contradictions.
Instead, the part of the brain that was most active during their assessments of the candidates contradictions was the parts associated with emotional processing, conflict resolution and moral judgements.
In addition, "when a subject rendered the judgement they found emotionally comfortable (their candidate did not contradict themselves), the part of the brain associated with pleasure became active. ("What Don't You Know?" LaBossiere, p. 19)
In other words, nobody in the test examined the claims rationally. They instead "went through a mental process that rewarded them for believing the conclusion they wanted to believe." ("What Don't You Know?" LaBossiere, p. 19)
This practice breaks one of the basic elements of critical thinking. In order to think critically, you need to be objective, not subjective. Your emotions cannot play a role in your thinking. Claims need to be assessed on their own merit and not on the basis of one's feelings towards them or the source they come from.
Micheal LaBoissere goes on in his book, "What Don't You Know?" with more examples of this mental breakdown. Objectivity is critical in philosophy but it is also crucial in other aspects of life too. Objectivity is a requirement in fairness.
And right about now, many of you who don't like what this study shows are looking for holes to poke through it, reasons to deny it and refuse to accept while others who like these findings are ready to shout it from the rooftops.
Also, you are all probably thinking, "I knew it! Those damned (fill in the opposite side of the political spectrum from you) are a bunch of hypocrites." And you are right.
But stop for a second and realize they are saying that about you....and they are right too!
(Quotes taken from: "What Don't You Know" by Micheal LaBoissere. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2008)
Showing posts with label presidential election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label presidential election. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sunday, November 9, 2008
An Observation of Race in America
We are at the cusp of a new era in America. Our first minority President has been elected. We have an unprecedented opportunity to do and experience some amazing things in the next four, or hopefully more, years. This is an opportunity to begin a public discourse and discussion on race and race relations in an open and healthy manner. But we need to be careful. I fear that as easily as we could advance to a much better place as a culture and society and nation, we could also slide to even further, more hateful and divisive depths.
First, I would like to share my personal opinion for the record. I am excited. I am one of the people that wants this to unite us black and white, Democrat and Republican. I want to see African Americans walk around with pride and a sense of investment in this country. I want Republicans to listen to our President and give him a chance. I want us to truly come together to fix the problems with the economy, crime, education, environment and race relations. I think we can. "Yes We Can!" as we have heard so much lately. I feel like Obama can initiate this. I feel like he can lead us. I feel like he motivate us to move forward. His acceptance speech was beautiful. It touched all of the points it needed to hit and in an inspiring way that sent tingles up my spine.
But I am fearful. I realize not everyone is from the same point of view as me. I have several concerns that lead me to believe that we may crumble instead of grow. There are people who do not take all of this the right way. There are people with feelings of bitterness, spite and anger. If there are enough people and they feel strongly enough in these ways, we could be in big trouble.
President Obama cannot and will not fix everything all by himself. I hope everyone realizes this. For beginners, the problems are so big and and so intricate that it is going to take time and patience to fix them correctly. Secondly, Congress will play a major role. Let's not forget our 4th grade Social Studies lessons about Federal Government, the Legislative branch makes the laws and the Executive branch (President Obama) carries out the laws. In addition, the real change is going to have to happen in the streets. We will be the ones changing things for the better. We can't sit here and watch, thinking everything will be hunky dory. And it is not going to be comfortable. It won't be easy. It may get ugly before it gets pretty. Because of this, I worry people will turn for the worse.
I'd like to share several observations and stories I have heard and experienced this past week since Barack Obama was elected. You can form your own judgement.
Exhibit A:
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
African American coworkers were estactic! It was like the Buckeyes won the National Championship except this was much more important. I was feeling much the same way. I was excited to talk to everybody about it and share in the excitement and hope of what may be. For the most part I did. But what struck me was how many African Americans naturally assumed I and my fellow white, male employees voted McSame. There were some bold, blatantly prejudice remarks made about why we'd vote that way as if they were standing in the poll booth with us.
My friend and I discussed this double standard at length and I am noticing mixed feelings. On one hand, that sucks. On the other, well, who really cares? This seemed minor compared to getting pulled over and patted down by a cop because I must be a criminal since I'm driving late at night and I'm black or have a nice car or have my stereo playing loudly. Or dealing with comments and assumptions like this on a daily basis your whole life.
This takes me back to a time in college when I attended an Asian American dance with a roommate of mine who was Indian. I was literally the only white guy, person to be honest, there. It was not the first time I was in a situation where I was the only person of my race. I played basketball at an all black youth group in high school. Larry Bird they called me. I went to an all gay church service before as well. But this dance was still very foreign to me. The music, the languages being spoken, the attire and little nuances were unfamiliar to me. After we left and walked back to the dorm (without any women unfortunately, these were my pre-player days) I made the comment that I felt out of place and my roommate replied, "Now you know how we feel everyday." For some reason, even though it made sense to me and it was something I thought about before that experience, I was struck by it at that time and haven't forgotten it since.
Even though I felt small sliver of what it was like to be a minority, I came to realization that I would never fully appreciate what it was like for him or other minority groups in America. All of those multicultural experiences I have had and still have today will never fully allow to me to 100% understand and relate. I can always go back to being a white, straight male with health insurance and a paycheck in a white, straight man's country. There are others in my position who have had even less exposure or have never had the epiphany I did that evening. Therefore, when I hear comments like those, even though there may be this double standard that they can make prejudice comments but we can't, I can live with it.
Exhibit B:
Friday, November 7th, 2008
I am driving home from a meeting with my daughter's teacher and hear about my Browns losing their Thursday night game. The opponents wide receiver, Brandon Marshall, was talking about a planned celebration he had for after he scored. He was going to pay tribute to Obama's election by taking from the famous fists of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics 40 years ago. He planned to hold his fist in the air but with a glove that was half white and half black. It was supposed to symbolize the coming together of white and black America.
What a great thing to see. It was a move based on unity not division and I had no problem with it. While I thought this move was clever and wished he did it, mainly it was because I wanted him to be penalized and provide Brady with good field position for a game winning drive.......nevermind.
Exhibit C:
Sometime during the week before the election, 2008
My friend's father-in-law drives a bus in a well-to-do suburb of Columbus and noticed one day that all of the kids were chanting "Let's go Bucks. Obama Sucks!" Obviously lots of McCainiacs for parents up there eh?
This is the attitude that scares me.
Exhibit D:
Thursday, November 6, 2008
I hear a kid run down the stairs telling a friend that they were all going to get $1,000 checks since Obama won. I don't think they were talking about the proposed economic stimulus package dems have on the table or the two that Bush pushed through over the past couple years, but that statement reflects what is being said at home and what bothers some people I have talked to.
So here is my fear. The obvious is that Republicans, conservatives, whites or general racists will have such a major problem with Obama that they will purposely sabotage things. Blacks and other minorities will suddenly believe things will automatically get better just because a minority is in the White House. They will feel that they will automatically receive benefits just because of this monumental election without joining in on the work that needs to take place across the board. What I am even more scared about is that many whites who have a problem with this will become so bitter that they deliberately avoid the work we ALL need to do to make this happen or even worse purposely oppose and resist it. Even though their spite is counterproductive to themselves, they will just not be able to get past it.
In the end everyone needs to pitch in here and cooperate. Whites and conservatives will have to resist the urge to fight the changes coming. Critics needs to maintain patience with the Obama administration as his decisions begin to come down the line. Supporters and minorities, black and white and democrat or independent need to continue to work at the grass roots level to fix this stuff.
We need to realize that NOW the work begins. And WE are the ones that need to do it. We can't sit here and expect change without changing ourselves. I pray enough people realize this to make up the critical mass we need to push things forward. (I prefer writing "we" more than "they" like did in that earlier paragraph)
We also need to take advantage of this opportunity before us. We have a black President. We do. Blacks and whites whether we voted for him or not. This could be a platform or a chance to open discussion about race between each other. It will be uncomfortable. It may sting a bit. But both sides need to be tactful but honest and able to take some views they don't want to hear. We both need to listen and be able to take some uncomfortable comments. This is discussion that HAS to happen to push the barrier down. The only way we can begin to live more harmoniously is to do this.
What excited me is that we have a leader that can provide leadership for this. He can be a beacon of hope. He can guide us though it as he, himself, openly discusses race. He seems like he understands this opportunity. He demonstrates a platform of unity and togetherness. He mentioned in his acceptance speech that it is time to bring together democrats, republicans, whites, blacks, gays, straight, rich, poor, able bodied, disabled. This is what I want to hear.
We have an extremely intelligent man in office. He "gets it." Most important to me, he can motivate and inspire us, the people who will make the difference in the end. I trust him.
One more thing: Don't screw with the BCS Mr. President. Let the sports degenerates deal with it.
First, I would like to share my personal opinion for the record. I am excited. I am one of the people that wants this to unite us black and white, Democrat and Republican. I want to see African Americans walk around with pride and a sense of investment in this country. I want Republicans to listen to our President and give him a chance. I want us to truly come together to fix the problems with the economy, crime, education, environment and race relations. I think we can. "Yes We Can!" as we have heard so much lately. I feel like Obama can initiate this. I feel like he can lead us. I feel like he motivate us to move forward. His acceptance speech was beautiful. It touched all of the points it needed to hit and in an inspiring way that sent tingles up my spine.
But I am fearful. I realize not everyone is from the same point of view as me. I have several concerns that lead me to believe that we may crumble instead of grow. There are people who do not take all of this the right way. There are people with feelings of bitterness, spite and anger. If there are enough people and they feel strongly enough in these ways, we could be in big trouble.
President Obama cannot and will not fix everything all by himself. I hope everyone realizes this. For beginners, the problems are so big and and so intricate that it is going to take time and patience to fix them correctly. Secondly, Congress will play a major role. Let's not forget our 4th grade Social Studies lessons about Federal Government, the Legislative branch makes the laws and the Executive branch (President Obama) carries out the laws. In addition, the real change is going to have to happen in the streets. We will be the ones changing things for the better. We can't sit here and watch, thinking everything will be hunky dory. And it is not going to be comfortable. It won't be easy. It may get ugly before it gets pretty. Because of this, I worry people will turn for the worse.
I'd like to share several observations and stories I have heard and experienced this past week since Barack Obama was elected. You can form your own judgement.
Exhibit A:
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
African American coworkers were estactic! It was like the Buckeyes won the National Championship except this was much more important. I was feeling much the same way. I was excited to talk to everybody about it and share in the excitement and hope of what may be. For the most part I did. But what struck me was how many African Americans naturally assumed I and my fellow white, male employees voted McSame. There were some bold, blatantly prejudice remarks made about why we'd vote that way as if they were standing in the poll booth with us.
My friend and I discussed this double standard at length and I am noticing mixed feelings. On one hand, that sucks. On the other, well, who really cares? This seemed minor compared to getting pulled over and patted down by a cop because I must be a criminal since I'm driving late at night and I'm black or have a nice car or have my stereo playing loudly. Or dealing with comments and assumptions like this on a daily basis your whole life.
This takes me back to a time in college when I attended an Asian American dance with a roommate of mine who was Indian. I was literally the only white guy, person to be honest, there. It was not the first time I was in a situation where I was the only person of my race. I played basketball at an all black youth group in high school. Larry Bird they called me. I went to an all gay church service before as well. But this dance was still very foreign to me. The music, the languages being spoken, the attire and little nuances were unfamiliar to me. After we left and walked back to the dorm (without any women unfortunately, these were my pre-player days) I made the comment that I felt out of place and my roommate replied, "Now you know how we feel everyday." For some reason, even though it made sense to me and it was something I thought about before that experience, I was struck by it at that time and haven't forgotten it since.
Even though I felt small sliver of what it was like to be a minority, I came to realization that I would never fully appreciate what it was like for him or other minority groups in America. All of those multicultural experiences I have had and still have today will never fully allow to me to 100% understand and relate. I can always go back to being a white, straight male with health insurance and a paycheck in a white, straight man's country. There are others in my position who have had even less exposure or have never had the epiphany I did that evening. Therefore, when I hear comments like those, even though there may be this double standard that they can make prejudice comments but we can't, I can live with it.
Exhibit B:
Friday, November 7th, 2008
I am driving home from a meeting with my daughter's teacher and hear about my Browns losing their Thursday night game. The opponents wide receiver, Brandon Marshall, was talking about a planned celebration he had for after he scored. He was going to pay tribute to Obama's election by taking from the famous fists of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics 40 years ago. He planned to hold his fist in the air but with a glove that was half white and half black. It was supposed to symbolize the coming together of white and black America.
What a great thing to see. It was a move based on unity not division and I had no problem with it. While I thought this move was clever and wished he did it, mainly it was because I wanted him to be penalized and provide Brady with good field position for a game winning drive.......nevermind.
Exhibit C:
Sometime during the week before the election, 2008
My friend's father-in-law drives a bus in a well-to-do suburb of Columbus and noticed one day that all of the kids were chanting "Let's go Bucks. Obama Sucks!" Obviously lots of McCainiacs for parents up there eh?
This is the attitude that scares me.
Exhibit D:
Thursday, November 6, 2008
I hear a kid run down the stairs telling a friend that they were all going to get $1,000 checks since Obama won. I don't think they were talking about the proposed economic stimulus package dems have on the table or the two that Bush pushed through over the past couple years, but that statement reflects what is being said at home and what bothers some people I have talked to.
So here is my fear. The obvious is that Republicans, conservatives, whites or general racists will have such a major problem with Obama that they will purposely sabotage things. Blacks and other minorities will suddenly believe things will automatically get better just because a minority is in the White House. They will feel that they will automatically receive benefits just because of this monumental election without joining in on the work that needs to take place across the board. What I am even more scared about is that many whites who have a problem with this will become so bitter that they deliberately avoid the work we ALL need to do to make this happen or even worse purposely oppose and resist it. Even though their spite is counterproductive to themselves, they will just not be able to get past it.
In the end everyone needs to pitch in here and cooperate. Whites and conservatives will have to resist the urge to fight the changes coming. Critics needs to maintain patience with the Obama administration as his decisions begin to come down the line. Supporters and minorities, black and white and democrat or independent need to continue to work at the grass roots level to fix this stuff.
We need to realize that NOW the work begins. And WE are the ones that need to do it. We can't sit here and expect change without changing ourselves. I pray enough people realize this to make up the critical mass we need to push things forward. (I prefer writing "we" more than "they" like did in that earlier paragraph)
We also need to take advantage of this opportunity before us. We have a black President. We do. Blacks and whites whether we voted for him or not. This could be a platform or a chance to open discussion about race between each other. It will be uncomfortable. It may sting a bit. But both sides need to be tactful but honest and able to take some views they don't want to hear. We both need to listen and be able to take some uncomfortable comments. This is discussion that HAS to happen to push the barrier down. The only way we can begin to live more harmoniously is to do this.
What excited me is that we have a leader that can provide leadership for this. He can be a beacon of hope. He can guide us though it as he, himself, openly discusses race. He seems like he understands this opportunity. He demonstrates a platform of unity and togetherness. He mentioned in his acceptance speech that it is time to bring together democrats, republicans, whites, blacks, gays, straight, rich, poor, able bodied, disabled. This is what I want to hear.
We have an extremely intelligent man in office. He "gets it." Most important to me, he can motivate and inspire us, the people who will make the difference in the end. I trust him.
One more thing: Don't screw with the BCS Mr. President. Let the sports degenerates deal with it.
Friday, September 12, 2008
C'mon Right!
I am watching more and more of the election news and listening to people from the right give their praise to Sarah Palin. I listen to my conservative friends and hear she "kicks ass."
Fine. I understand not everyone can be as enlightened as myself. cough cough. Seriously, as unenlightened as I may be I still respect other people's opinion. These are my friends after all so they must have some redeeming qualities. But where I have issues (and according to my wife I have many with many people) is the hypocrisy I am discovering within these people.
These same friends would tear Hillary Clinton apart in discussions I had with them during the primaries. At the time I was on the fence between Hillary and Obama. At the time I was even considering McCain. It was early. So I found myself defending Hillary by, at the very least, default if not for my support of her. The ridiculous reasons I heard to not vote for her blew my mind. They were so blatantly sexist and ignorance I could only gape in disbelief at my friends as they continued on in complete seriousness.
The reasons were shallow and unrelated to any issues or stances she took on these issues. I didn't hear they felt universal health care didn't work because it hasn't worked elsewhere. I'll listen to you if come with this opinion. They didn't say they had a problem with her stance on Roe v. Wade and so they didn't want to support her for that reason. I would even listen to that. This is not the fact that I won't listen to and respect differing opinions of my own. This is about how ignorant and stupid people can be just looking for reasons to not vote for someone as opposed to looking for reasons to vote for their opponent. There is no credibility in saying you can't trust someone because they are more prone to make decisions based on emotion or a biological cycle.
So now here we are at this new point in the election where McCain has obviously picked a running mate to play off this very point of discussion. Sarah Palin is nothing more than a ploy to get women voters. Now I am hearing all this noise from the right and my conservative peers that she "kicks ass" and the whole emotional, biological cycle thing suddenly does not matter. Somehow her lack of experience in the federal government or in a locality with any substantial number of constituents is OK despite the loud rants that Obama's senate experience is a problem. I admit I, too, have been a bit worried about Obama's minimal track record but how is Palin's OK? She has done even less than him?!
So what's the deal right? Is Obama's record too light or not? Are women OK to handle office or not? Make up your mind. You can't have it both ways. You are being hypocritical if you were against Hillary and suddenly love Palin. You are contradicting yourself if you list Obama's track record as a problem but support the Palin choice. If you love that Republican ticket then take back what you said about Hillary. If you support the Republican ticket then find another reason why Obama wouldn't be a good choice...or better yet find a different reason why your choice is better than the Democratic ticket. And don't pull that Muslim, terrorist, he is black card. Be real.
I say that the conservatives had their chance. Go ahead and stay home this November. Let those of us tired of this crap we have dealt with the past eight years go out and vote for you. I bet we get it right. Things cannot remain like this for much longer. This country is in bad shape for those of us making under $200,000. We need a change. We do not need someone who voted WITH the current administration 90% of the time. 10% change isn't enough to fix things. That's an F last I checked.
Fine. I understand not everyone can be as enlightened as myself. cough cough. Seriously, as unenlightened as I may be I still respect other people's opinion. These are my friends after all so they must have some redeeming qualities. But where I have issues (and according to my wife I have many with many people) is the hypocrisy I am discovering within these people.
These same friends would tear Hillary Clinton apart in discussions I had with them during the primaries. At the time I was on the fence between Hillary and Obama. At the time I was even considering McCain. It was early. So I found myself defending Hillary by, at the very least, default if not for my support of her. The ridiculous reasons I heard to not vote for her blew my mind. They were so blatantly sexist and ignorance I could only gape in disbelief at my friends as they continued on in complete seriousness.
The reasons were shallow and unrelated to any issues or stances she took on these issues. I didn't hear they felt universal health care didn't work because it hasn't worked elsewhere. I'll listen to you if come with this opinion. They didn't say they had a problem with her stance on Roe v. Wade and so they didn't want to support her for that reason. I would even listen to that. This is not the fact that I won't listen to and respect differing opinions of my own. This is about how ignorant and stupid people can be just looking for reasons to not vote for someone as opposed to looking for reasons to vote for their opponent. There is no credibility in saying you can't trust someone because they are more prone to make decisions based on emotion or a biological cycle.
So now here we are at this new point in the election where McCain has obviously picked a running mate to play off this very point of discussion. Sarah Palin is nothing more than a ploy to get women voters. Now I am hearing all this noise from the right and my conservative peers that she "kicks ass" and the whole emotional, biological cycle thing suddenly does not matter. Somehow her lack of experience in the federal government or in a locality with any substantial number of constituents is OK despite the loud rants that Obama's senate experience is a problem. I admit I, too, have been a bit worried about Obama's minimal track record but how is Palin's OK? She has done even less than him?!
So what's the deal right? Is Obama's record too light or not? Are women OK to handle office or not? Make up your mind. You can't have it both ways. You are being hypocritical if you were against Hillary and suddenly love Palin. You are contradicting yourself if you list Obama's track record as a problem but support the Palin choice. If you love that Republican ticket then take back what you said about Hillary. If you support the Republican ticket then find another reason why Obama wouldn't be a good choice...or better yet find a different reason why your choice is better than the Democratic ticket. And don't pull that Muslim, terrorist, he is black card. Be real.
I say that the conservatives had their chance. Go ahead and stay home this November. Let those of us tired of this crap we have dealt with the past eight years go out and vote for you. I bet we get it right. Things cannot remain like this for much longer. This country is in bad shape for those of us making under $200,000. We need a change. We do not need someone who voted WITH the current administration 90% of the time. 10% change isn't enough to fix things. That's an F last I checked.
Monday, September 8, 2008
How Have You Felt About the Past Eight Years?
Ok, honestly, comment and say so. I don't mean personally but think more macro. How have you felt about things going on around you in this country? I feel more and more like moving to Canada. Not a joke. If I could take my daughter with me, I truly believe my wife and I would be there as we speak. I am seriously not exaggerating. She is on board with that.
Let me tell you why? My wife feels her rights as a woman are being stripped. I agree. We both feel the "fixes" for education are underfunded and backwards. We are in the midst of a HUGE hassle selling our house that is related to this mess we are in economically. We, like you, are paying through the roof for gas. We are spending billions of dollars for Iraq but witnessing more and more poverty here. I do first hand. We have more and more people moving in that don't speak English and make no attempt at learning it. There is more and more negativity amongst our leaders.
These are factual observations. Things we see. I can't take another 4 years of this. As comoprozac likes to call him, McSame will be that same thing. Is this what you want? Think about it.
I am still cringing at the thought.
Friday, September 5, 2008
That's Palin as in Van Halen
I recall sitting in my religion class in 9th grade at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin and learning about Satanism. We got an earful of the Satan music that is bad to listen to. You know the albums that if you played them backwards they would send you sublimal messages to kill yourself or worship the Devil. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw a reference to Van Halen. Even I, the one who never talked, laughed out loud at that. Well, this sort of out of touch perspective reminds me of the proponents of Sarah Palin.
I just want to say "Whaaaaa?!"
I find myself blogging about politics more lately because it is on my mind. I will be the first to admit my knowledge is minimal. I consider myself a moderate in the competition between Dems and Republicans. But the more I read about Sarah Van Palin and hear her speak, the more I cringe. I openly admit I kind of liked McCain. I figured he would be ok if he won. Now.......with this decision.......
I referenced Comprozac's blog. He is much more schooled in this than me and I cannot match his knowledge or find the evidence or support for my view like he so eloquently does as liberal as he may be. I worry when I step into this arena that I am in over my head. He has several posts I have yet to read, but I wanted to write this before I read them because I want to come from an unbiased, uninfluenced perspective. I want this to be 100% me.
I watched Van Palin's RNC speech and OB's acceptance speech. I felt two totally different overall tones that lead the way in swaying my support to OB. On one side I felt like Van Palin was playing the snotty, bully who picked on her rival from afar. I don't mean to be sexist here but I really did not like the tone nor had much respect for it. It felt to me like it was a case of someone pushing another down to appear higher.
When I watched OB's speech I heard respectful references to McCain and his well documented experiences in the armed forces. I heard critiques of McCain that were prefaced with positive remarks. "I don't believe John McCain doesn't care. He just doesn't know." These were his remarks instead of the mocking, bully antics of Van Palin.
Don't tell me I am scared of Palin. I'm not. Her hockey mom reference fell on deaf ears. Again, this comes off sexist and I apologize if it is but I truly do not "fear" Palin because she is tough or right, I fear her because she is approving a "bridge to nowhere" with money from taxpayers. I fear her because she inexperienced. Really, inexperienced. I fear her because she truly thinks abstinence only programs work. She is anti-abortion rights. If I fear a woman because they are intimidating....that would be Hillary Clinton and I would vote for her in a heartbeat if OB wasn't there. That woman is intelligent and when she criticized OB it wasn't in a snotty little brat manner SVP did.
This brings me to another example of the positive slant versus the negative, bully vibe. While Palin comes out with a 17 year old daughter who is already pregnant opening herself up to all kinds of criticism, what do OB and JB do? They lay off and instead make it a point to declare that her family is off limits. If the tables were turned would Palin do the same? After listening to her snotty speech, I think HELL TO THE NO!
This is where I wanted to go with this post. I have more feelings regarding the boo's from the Republican crowd regarding the claims of Palin's inexperience. Somehow it is unfair to call out her resume but not OB's?? C'mon! But the contradictions go on!
Bottom line: While the Republicans continue the mudslinging campaign style Bush was so good at, OB is talking about the issues that mean something to me. He is addressing education and the economy along with the war. The others can't get off the war and the lack of experience of OB. They continue to use fear to control us. My cousin Hank so eloquently referenced this in a recent thread within my extended family regarding ethics. It fits here. We are giving up liberties out of fear. We are continuing the Vietman part deaux and wasting money. We had the budget balanced if I recall correctly during the Clinton years. With a Republican in the White House we are back to those old days with Reagan and Senior where the deficit was skyrocketing.
This is where I begin to lose focus and find holes in my stance. But I just need people to know....don't fall for the brat. She may have designer glasses and all that but she has little or no substance. Let me hear how she is going to help me get my students to learn more. How are we going to increase the value of our homes? How are we going to fix the value of the US dollar? How are we going to decrease the crime rate? How are we going to fix health care? What about the homeless? What about immigration? And can my Cleveland Browns get a decent defense this year?
OB is invigorating. If he won't get change done he will inspire us to do so. I feel it. I know it. Palin? McCain? Not so much. Just four more years of good for the rich.
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