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Jan
21
Posted by Lynnwood Undressed
A couple of articles on wsj.com regarding Barack Obama’s inauguration were very interesting to me. They came from 2 very different people with very different political ideologies…I think they’re both worth reading.
The first is Peggy Noonan a conservative writer who began her career on Ronald Reagan’s speech writing team. For that reason I like to read her Impressions of political speeches. This is her impression of my favorite part of President Obama’s inaugural address:
It was a moderate speech both in tone and content, a serious and solid speech. The young Democrat often used language with which traditional Republicans would be thoroughly at home: The American story has never been one of “shortcuts or settling for less,” the journey “has not been … for the fainthearted—for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasure of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things” who have created the best of our enduring history
Obama named in stark terms America’s essential foe: “For those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror… we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.” This had the authentic sound of a man who’s been getting daily raw intelligence briefings and is not amused.
to read the entire article click here
The second is from Juan Williams a Liberal, African American journalist of public television and a Fox news contributor. I was touched watching him during the inauguration on Tuesday when he broke down and cried watching the Obama family and reporting on what an impact they will have on the African American community. I like Juan Williams and was touched in a different way by his article today. Here’s an excerpt:
If his presidency is to represent the full power of the idea that black Americans are just like everyone else — fully human and fully capable of intellect, courage and patriotism — then Barack Obama has to be subject to the same rough and tumble of political criticism experienced by his predecessors. To treat the first black president as if he is a fragile flower is certain to hobble him. It is also to waste a tremendous opportunity for improving race relations by doing away with stereotypes and seeing the potential in all Americans.
Yet there is fear, especially among black people, that criticism of him or any of his failures might be twisted into evidence that people of color cannot effectively lead. That amounts to wasting time and energy reacting to hateful stereotypes. It also leads to treating all criticism of Mr. Obama, whether legitimate, wrong-headed or even mean-spirited, as racist.
This is patronizing. Worse, it carries an implicit presumption of inferiority. Every American president must be held to the highest standard. No president of any color should be given a free pass for screw-ups, lies or failure to keep a promise.
to read the entire article click here
I’d love to know what you think.
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Jan
20
Posted by Lynnwood Undressed
On the day after Martin Luther King’s Birthday holiday in 2009…we witness the inauguration of Barack Obama as the first African American President of the United States of America. Are we witnessing the fulfillment of Martin Luther King’s Dream?
Interesting observances of the days reporting:
1. Fox News reported that over 2 million people were in attendance.
2. I noticed a seemingly genuine friendliness between Barack & Michele Obama and George & Laura Bush. A number of times I noticed the couples not just shaking hands but hugging and even politely kissing one another. One time in particular after Barack Obama’s inaugural address he went over to President Bush and spoke to him and they embraced each other.
3. I heard a news story about the Bush twins Jenna & Barbara, teaching the Obama girls, Malia & Sasha to jump on the beds in the White House. I am still looking for pictures!
4. Juan Williams an African American journalist from public television and a Fox News contributor broke down in tears when talking about what an example the Obama family is to the African American Community and how it would change many lives.
5. Chuck Schumer the Senior Senator from New York referred to Barack Obama as a moderate Democrat, not too far to the right or too far to the left.
My favorite part of the inaugural address: “We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.” full text of the speech
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Sep
20
Posted by Jim Warner
Pennies from heaven, originally uploaded by Jim Warner, Realtor.
$4,000 – that’s the first tally of the bill each and every American is going to receive for the ten year long brain fart that we now lovingly refer to as the Sub Prime Meltdown. It will go higher, it always does and the so called leadership that brought you this mess is extemely adept at metering bad news in such a way as to make even really bad news seem more palatable. You will have a chance to vote your future in November. Do your duty and pay attention to what is being said and who you think you can depend on to make some changes. Then get out and vote. We have once again passed along the expense of our mistakes to our children. I’m not sure they have a future that I would look forward to if we keep passing on the bill.
We can do better as a nation and we should expect more of ourselves. Take responsibility for what comes next. Get out, get informed and Vote.
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Sep
18
Posted by Jim Warner
Bailout, originally uploaded by Jim Warner, Realtor.
And now for today’s good news… All those shareholders who were afraid they might lose their investment in the banking stocks that have paid them so handsomely over the past ten years of irresponsible lending, can rest easy knowing that the leadership that was supposed to be overseeing the banking industry just decided that the people who just lost their home and their job will now be obliged to cover the loss through higher taxes needed to cover a government bailout. Just a little parting gift from the same leadership that got you into this mess as they and their friends get ready to administer the money being used to float this boat. There’s a reason why the candidates for the Presidency spend a billion dollars trying to get control of the White House and it is not because it’s a dream job. The real prize continues to be the keys to the Treasury and who gets to hold them.
As Barry Goldwater once said… “A government big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.”
Ronald Reagan later said… “government exists to protect us from each other, where government has gone beyond it’s limits is when it moves to protect us from ourselves.”
And of course… the ten most feared words in the english language are ‘I am from the government and I’m here to help.’ RR
The only way I see being able to pay for this fiasco is to eliminate the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction… You heard it here first!
Thoughts and cartoon courtesy of Steve Manning at rendezvouswithdestiny.blogspot.com
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Aug
19
Posted by Jim Warner
The Tides, They Are A’Changing, originally uploaded by StarrGazr.
There’s a cold wind blowin’ and many things we ought speak of are being left unsaid. I love this country and all that it stands for. I do however, have a growing concern that our leadership, such as it is, has left us ill prepared and uninformed of the brewing economic storm we must all face together. If people who cannot afford their house payments are living on the credit cards in their wallets, what happens when the cards run out and the banks come knocking.
There is much more going on in the banking system and the economy than the people in charge are letting on. We all know it, we can sense it. The concern is palpable in and among the populace. On this election day, think long and hard about your decision and vote your conscience, not your wallet, difficult as that may be.
It is time for every American to take stock of their situation and to take a measure of personal responsibility for contributing to the solution. Small changes can make a big difference. Tough times have always brought out the best in America. It’s time we all pull together and try to make the most of what is sure to be a long hard climb. Don’t look to the government to fix this, that’ll only make it worse.
I’m Jim Warner, Realtor and I take responsibility for this post and the opinion expressed
