I am always amazed when in the company of other progressives and liberals how truly regressive and unwilling to change we can be. Diary after diary, comments by the thousands about what? How we can't, how we shouldn't and how Obama is going wrong. Well Obama hasn't gone wrong, we've just stopped listening and started grinding the same old axes. We spend too much time bashing and not enough time listening, fear and ignorance is abundant on BOTH sides of the ideological divide. Follow me below the fold for hopefully some insight into how all the fears of your worst nightmares coming true are in fact the realization of your most heartfelt dreams for this country.
Barack Obama has built his whole campaign around change. But he has not yet explained why we need that change. You might think that's a strange criticism because he has theoretically been talking about why we need change this whole time. But in fact, he hasn't; not real change. What do I mean by that?
Sheesh, after looking around this place (picking up a soda can and tossing it in the recycling bin) things seem kind of down today. Lots of "Barack Obama should do this" and "Obama should do that" (sweep, sweep).
Biden has lots of foreign policy experience. But in my opinion, Obama should stick with the proven formula of what got him here the first place - change.
"I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.
"Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands.
"Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could.
Will he tap Bill Richardson today? Probably not. He could select Governor Mike Easley on Tuesday, but that's unlikely. Then we go to Virginia, where Obama has an invitation-only event with Mark Warner on Wednesday night before heading to Richmond on Thursday.
I was told once when you point a finger, there are 3 pointing right back at you . The Olympics and the pseudo debate on CNN have proven this. China is oppressive ? Has anyone touting their human rights 'abuses' looked at the Dhali Lamma's policies on religion or workers rights? yes, I am not a fan.
But, as we point fingers at China, Russia or whatever dictator is falsifying elections those fingers are pointing right back. Anyone recall Jimmy Carter being labeled a traitor for wanting the UN to monitor elections in Florida in 2004? As China's security is being questioned I wonder if those same people have read the PATRIOT Act? China almost seems open. And forget that while the Olympics are covered the media is overlooking the Disney factories . Hey, they wouldn't let a 7 year old girl sing because she wasn't cute ! Forget she is going to be shipped back to a factory to make shirts for your favorite pro sports team or for your child's loved cartoon character.
There are plenty of fingers pointing at us every time we point one-and when I consider our national healthcare crisis, we better be careful pointing fingers, because chances are your not covered.
The past few weeks have belonged to McCain, largely because he has been on the attack. Obama has been stuck in a reactive stance. The merits of McCain's attacks are irrelevant – if he is allowed to define the terms of the election, he will win.
The problem isn't your candidates beliefs, folks, the problem is the beliefs of the electorate, many of whom disagree with you. I know . . . the horror!
For eight years our democracy has been run by arrogant autocrats who believe that they are duty-bound to serve only the needs of those who voted for them while ignoring the concerns of those of us who did not. Among all the horribles the Bush-Rovian era has produced, I consider this to be the most destructive, anti-democratic and pernicious. It is destructive to the very fabric of our republic because it weakens the social contract that forms the core of our nation.
Instead, I'd like to think that we believe our President should ignore no one, but instead should serve as an arbiter among us all, weighing and balancing our sometimes conflicting concerns, and make judgments that are sometimes successful because they please no one fully and leave everyone a little dissatisfied. These are the indicators of compromise, the merit badges of consensus.
The Bush legacy will be one of bitter division, the result of Machiavellian wedge politics and criminal partisanship.
I have written a tune, "Come On Dream," and had it recorded by a group we are calling "Democrats Of Soul." If there's a catchier song that embraces the general over-all dreams about what may come this fall, I haven't heard it (if there is, please point me to it, so I'll know what sort of company my song will be keeping).
The American people and in fact, all citizens of the world, should examine what we have done in the four years since reclaiming our government from the lobbyists and war criminals in the election of 2008. They will have to agree that the results have been unique in all history.
—Future Speech of Barack Obama
Four years are behind us. Look at what has happened during these four years. People are forgetful. They accept good and wonderful things as they happen — and then forget about them. But we do not want to forget how things were, and what has happened. This is the transformation which the whole world calls the American miracle. Let us look back and examine the unprecedented achievement and progressive policy that has occurred since the 2008 election.
What was it like four years ago? Think back on the great and moving events: how America was despised in the world, how millions responded to Barack's speech in Berlin with overflowing hearts and indescribable joy. Only people who have been freed from some burden rejoice like that. That is the message of change that Barack Obama has brought. That is the greatest thing a statesman can do: to bring hope to a country!
In today's Washington Post Harold Meyerson outdoes himself for insight into the week's news' meaning. His article The Drums of Change is really full of good observations about the two events that have lasting consequences for all of us:
On or about last Friday, the world changed. With two very different coming-out parties -- the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and the invasion of Georgia -- China and Russia put everyone on notice that the power relationships of the past have been reshuffled and that formidable new powers are challenging the established order.
Look below the break for more on this man's thoughts about the meaning of these events.
This is an Obama ad I have seen online for a long time, yet I have never seen it on television. I believe that this reinforces the positivity of the campaign and the new change that is necessary in Washington. It reinforces the power of his campaign. We see these silly advertisements by McCain and Obama having to respond to them.
Well August is here, and I've heard a rumor (forgot where) that McCain is going to step down for health reasons. The real reason being that the Republicans can start to stir up their pot and attract some real attention. It's perfect timing; the Obama lustre is wearing off, and the befuddled voters in the red states need -- will be thrilled -- to have someone -- anyone -- they can support.
It's just a rumor, but it makes a lot of sense, given the comedy of McCain's recent campaigning. It certainly makes more sense than letting him continue to demonstrate his progressive senility.
Republicans always play this game to win, and they will never give up their enormous profits without a serious fight. And they always play a tactical game, with a creative play-book. Let's just bring in a new boy to replace the fallen war hero. We get the "rush to get on the bandwagon" vote for the new guy, and the sympathy vote for the old guy.
When Senator Obama had to respond to hecklers at his recent St. Petersburg town hall meeting, he reminded the hecklers, and all of us Americans, about what his "new politics" means.
It means this: why don't you go out there and run for office yourself?
First of all, allthough I have been writing about framing mainly from George Lakoff's perspective, I have my own take on the subject. To the best of my knowledge, Lakoff never said it was easier for the Right to create successful frames. What he said was that they are more successful because they have been at it for a long time and put a great deal of effort into it. He did say that:
Republicans ... have a better sense of how minds work. That's why they are more effective.
Republicans operate under no such constraints and have a better sense of how minds work. That's why they are more effective. Why didn't the Democrats accomplish more right after the 2006 elections that gave them control of congress? It wasn't just that they didn't have the votes to override a presidential veto or block a filabuster. They didn't use their mandate to sustantially change how the public - and the media - thought about issues.
