R & B

"For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens."
George Washington

Remarks by Bill and Hillary Clinton, belittling Barack Obame based on his race, are of little surprise to the right and a challenge to the democrat party to revive a forgotten practice. That would be to think things through. The self-proclaimed advocates for racial equality have shown again that their tactics are nothing but a ploy to manipulate the masses. None the less shocking, or not, is the refusal of pundits both black and white to acknowledge that racism is dying in America. Barack Obama’s percentage of the white vote clearly increases as age decreases. His age and his message are a factor, but that message should be inspiring democrats of all ages. Could you imagine the melee if, as great numbers of republicans hoped, Condoleezza Rice were running for the republican nomination?

Yes racism is an evil still in our society, but clearly recognized and literally withering on the vine. The greater threats are the evils we refuse to recognize. One such evil is religious bigotry. Is it a surprise that what has been called the evangelical conservative counties in Florida went to the (secular) media darling John McCain? Some evangelicals have endorsed Mitt Romney while others oppose him on supposed religious grounds (WWJD). And those seniors that thought Bob Dole (73) in 1996 was too old to be President seemed to think otherwise for the 71 year old John McCain. However most of those seniors didn’t vote this time around.

Racism and Bigotry are the real issues. Vices some find convenient tools to achieve their goals. Florida has shown that ‘Super Tuesday’ is far more about the soul of this nation than the issues. Christians, at times eager to cry foul when they are targeted, may consider my view that religious bigotry on the part of Christians as a powerful force in this nation nonsense, baseless conjecture. A hundred years ago, most, including Christians, likely considered not having segregated drinking fountains nonsense and looked on with disbelief at those that may have questioned the practice.

If real change is to occur in this nation, who better to bring that change, to understand the issue, than those who have suffered the oppression and persevered with goodwill towards their enemies? Those who never lost hope or love for their nation and built success, aspiring towards the greatest position of political power in the world.

God Bless America

$3,000,000,000,000,000

Hurricane Katrina victims are suing our federal government for $3 quadrillion dollars, a sum hundreds of times greater than the gross domestic product of the United States. Some wonder whether our government will put a price on the Katrina destruction.

I say for those asking such an outrageous sum from the government, or all of us tax payers, their citizenship should be revoked. Time to end individual self exaltation and promote ones responsibility to the larger culture. Our government has gone above and beyond in its responsibility and to seek further compensation is akin to suggesting the government is responsible for the weather.

Image is Everything

Or so they say. I only saw part of the Republican debate and though substantive on issues I'd like to give my personal impression on how each candidate appeared to me.

Senator John McCain, with his puffy jaw, always looked and sounded to me like he just came from a visit to the dentist. No one likes to visit the dentist. I often wondered whether it was related to his distinguished military service.

Senator Fred Thompson looked like the old man on the mountain. He just had to posture himself to speak and his opponents appeared humbled in expectation of his forthcoming wisdom.

Congressman Ron Paul impressed me as every ones favorite grandfather. Kind, caring and knowing what he believes. There were moments when he made me wonder if it wasn't time to hide his car keys.

Former Governor Mitt Romney had presence. He was just plain Presidential in manner and tone.

Former Governor Mike Huckabee; I feel his sincerity in seeing us all as God's children. And that is what he looked like. A child with his hand caught in the cookie jar.

Former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani for me is someone straight out of the movies. You know those old war movies. The ones with the guy who can do it all, who can get anything you can imagine and even some things you can't.