General Discussion Board

McCain's Speech

Meri — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:12:44 GMT

I am not going to get into an argument. I refuse to. I have stated my opinion and you have stated your opinions. We can agree to disagree and leave it at that.

Before I leave this thread-

I read the breakdown of the stimulus spending to date in Propublica, which is an investigative journalism site started " by Paul Steiger, the former managing editor of The Wall Street Journal and Stephen Engelberg, a former managing editor of The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon and former investigative editor of The New York Times, is ProPublica's managing editor."

You can see the breakdown here: http://projects.propublica.org/tables/stimulus-spending-progress

McCain's Speech

Meri — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:50:40 GMT

RudiXeno said…

We seem to be overlooking that in the final months of th Bush Administration, the economy had already begun to circle the drain! How do you think we got here? You're not suggesting that everything was fine on George's watch are you?

Rudi

Rudi

I am in NO way suggesting things were fine on George's watch. It was not perfect and that is exactly my point. I feel like the country has jumped out of the frying pan into the fire.

I am very concerned about the future of our country. I feel a division among Americans that I have never felt before. I turn on the radio and have to turn it off because of the contention I feel. I turn on a news channel [any news channel] and can't stand to listen for long. There is some kind of undercurrent just below the surface that makes me nervous. I can't explain it any other way. It is just a feeling.

McCain's Speech

this2shallpass19 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:47:56 GMT

Why do threads from over a year ago keep getting brought up? Of course people can talk about anything they want within reason, but to me, it seems like people like engaging in "hot" topics over and over again, but that's just my opinion.

McCain's Speech

TheBard — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:46:01 GMT

OldHippie,

I wouldn’t propose running any vehicle on solar or wind power, but hydrogen, the most abundant energy source in the Universe, is certainly an option well worth exploring. A hydrogen engine, which produces no green house emissions what so ever can be made big enough to power anything! And hybrids are also a viable alternative to traditional gasoline powered automobiles. The Chevy Volt is very promising.

And although I am cutting back on beef, I do my part whenever I can to trim the number of steers emitting green house gases! :-)

McCain's Speech

TheBard — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:38:24 GMT

Meri said…

TheBard said…
And “simply dumping money into the economy” if directed towards certain projects, DOES create jobs and it has done so in my area of the country. There are several DOT project underway that are using economic stimulus money. How do I know? There are sign proclaiming such all over the roads!

That may be because you live near Chicago. We do not have those signs around here! I read recently that only 14% of the stimulus money has been spent with the theory that it was pay back for political favors and that more will be spent in 2010 to help democratic candidate campaigns. Who is stimulating what?

Read where exactly?

McCain's Speech

TheBard — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:37:04 GMT

Meri said…

It is interesting to sign in and see this debate going on. The arguments can go on forever but as I was driving around today I had the thought that with all of the problems of the Bush years I was much better off than I am now or than I will be in the foreseeable future. That is a sobering thought.

I am actually better off now than I was under the Bush Administration; I certainly feel safer, and I am more prosperous, personally, spiritually, and financially. Bush—and I am sure history will bear this out—was an unqualified disaster for this country because he was ill-suited for the job. The Presidency of the United States is no place for the marginal thinker, the “average Joe”, the under-achiever; Bush was all those things coupled with a pretty bad leadership style. I would classify his administration as slightly better than the post-Civil War Grant Administration, and that is no glowing endorsement!

McCain's Speech

RudiXeno — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:01:37 GMT

We seem to be overlooking that in the final months of th Bush Administration, the economy had already begun to circle the drain! How do you think we got here? You're not suggesting that everything was fine on George's watch are you?

Rudi

McCain's Speech

Meri — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:38:05 GMT

TheBard said…
And “simply dumping money into the economy” if directed towards certain projects, DOES create jobs and it has done so in my area of the country. There are several DOT project underway that are using economic stimulus money. How do I know? There are sign proclaiming such all over the roads!

That may be because you live near Chicago. We do not have those signs around here! I read recently that only 14% of the stimulus money has been spent with the theory that it was pay back for political favors and that more will be spent in 2010 to help democratic candidate campaigns. Who is stimulating what?

McCain's Speech

Meri — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:33:12 GMT

It is interesting to sign in and see this debate going on. The arguments can go on forever but as I was driving around today I had the thought that with all of the problems of the Bush years I was much better off than I am now or than I will be in the foreseeable future. That is a sobering thought.

McCain's Speech

TheBard — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:04:20 GMT

And after the natural gas runs out, then what? Natural gas is finite energy source, again we have to wean ourselves off of oil, gas, and coal. Imagine if you will if every new home built in this country had solar panels on the roof, or solar roof shingles and the government defrayed to cost of back fitting older homes with same? Would the nation ever have to build another power plant? Each house could generate enough, or nearly enough power for its own internal use, and in the really sunny regions of the nation, put electricity back on the grid! Then answers to our energy crisis are above us, and whipping our flags around!! It’s time to stop look backwards and look towards the future.

Let us not forget—because if you do I’ll remind you—that it is the misplaced conservative belief in the “goodness” of the so-called “self correcting” all know capitol marketplace under the Bush Administration that got to where we are today; that is a growing federal deficit, ballooning unemployment, falling dollar, shrinking middle class, declining tax revenues, and stagnant economy. The whole mess started under the Reagan Administration and got completely out of hand during Bush’s.

Obama cannot create private sector jobs; the private sector has to do that. The government cannot force private companies to bring American jobs home; the fact of the matter is that it is cheaper to manufacture good overseas for a number of reasons, chief among them the ever-expanding cost of health care!

Imagine, again, if you will, if the banking system had been allowed to fail. We would have had a full- fledged depression on our hands with a lot higher unemployment rate. It would have not been pretty! And “simply dumping money into the economy” if directed towards certain projects, DOES create jobs and it has done so in my area of the country. There are several DOT project underway that are using economic stimulus money. How do I know? There are sign proclaiming such all over the roads!

McCain's Speech

OldHippie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:42:38 GMT

TheBard said…

E-85 gasoline is not the answer either, in fact it reduces gas mileage in vehicles that run on it! E85 is not a viable solution either.

As stated earlier...THE COUNTRY OF BRAZIL HAS BEEN RUNNING ON E85 SINCE THE LATE 70S. The country of Brazil is 100% foreign oil free. We could be too. Ford, GM & Chrysler all make vehicles sold in Brazil that run on E85. type in www. then msnbc.msn.com/id/12676374/ns/dateline_nbc// It need NOT be made from corn. It can be made from almost anything that grows out of the ground. It can be made from the waste of paper plants.

Yep, your car will get lower gas (fuel) mileage - by about 2 - 3 mpg.. It will also run cleaner! At the time of Dateline's broadcast, gas in the U.S. was about $3.00 a gallon. At the same time E85 in Brazil was about $1.00 to $1.25 a gallon. So...if your car got 20 mpg it would get 17 - 18 mpg on E85 and cost $1.75 a gallon less! On a 300 mile trip, with a car getting 20 mpg, you would spend $45.00. On E85, you would spend $22.06 at 17 mpg. That's half price. So, don't tell me or Brazil that E85 is not a viable solution.

Furthermore... Did you know it was Henry Ford who first thought of farmers making their own fuel to burn in their tractors? How do you plan to get a tractor or even a tractor-trailer powered by wind, or sun? An over-the-road truck can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. without an over-limit license. An over-the-road truck can run on Bio-Diesel. That is both cleaner and a viable solution.

On a lighter note: From CBS News, "According to a new report issued by government regulators in California, dairies are the No. 1 source of smog-producing pollution in the San Joaquin Valley, producing more than even cars and light trucks."

I'm doing all I can do to eliminate cows. I eat beef every chance I get! :) :)

McCain's Speech

OldHippie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:02:00 GMT

"Oil and coal are a finite resource, wind, hydrogen, wave and solar are infinite resources;"

I agree... However, according to Natural Gas.org - "A common misconception about natural gas is that we are running out, and quickly. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Many people believe that price spikes, seen in the 1970's, and more recently in the winter of 2000, indicate that we are running out of natural gas. The two aforementioned periods of high prices were not caused by waning natural gas resources - rather, there were other forces at work in the marketplace. In fact, there is a vast amount of natural gas estimated to still be in the ground. In order to understand exactly what these estimates mean, and their importance, it is useful first to learn a bit of industry terminology for the different types of estimates."

According to some sources, there is enough UN-TAPPED natural gas sources in Alaska to last 100 years. And McCain had a more definitive plan to build solar & wind powered generators AND CREATE JOBS!

Speaking of which... Obama stated that unless his stimulus package was passed quickly, unemployment would rise above 8%. His exact words, "Democrats and Republicans need to act with urgency to address the "great and growing" economic crisis, warning of double-digit unemployment if swift action isn't taken." OK...his stimulus package passed. Unemployment is now 10.2%!

The reports that Obama's stimulus package "saved or created" 1 million jobs is vastly exaggerated.

From the Boston Globe, "Somehow, Bridgewater State College managed to tally 160 full-time student jobs out of $77,181 in federal funding. The college acknowledged the mistake, and said no new jobs were created. One rental-housing agency reported 26 jobs were saved or created because of rent subsidies that it receives every year. The agency blamed the error on confusing paperwork. Other recipients contacted by the Globe counted small cost-of-living raises as jobs being saved, or reported new jobs for work that hasn't actually begun yet." More..."Congress and the Obama administration have a lot to answer for in the stimulus bill, and their efforts to make a strict accounting of its benefits are admirable in theory. But the reports provided by Massachusetts recipients did nothing to advance the cause of federal stimulus legislation. Instead, they raised fresh doubts."

The defict: From MSNBC the federal deficit has TRIPLED in LESS than one year! "The federal budget deficit has surged to an all-time high of $1.42 trillion as the recession caused tax revenues to plunge while the government was spending massive amounts to stabilize the financial system and jump-start the economy. - Failure to curb runaway deficits could trigger a financial train wreck that would push interest rates and inflation higher, and send the dollar crashing if foreigners suddenly started dumping their holdings of Treasury securities."

Obama has been printing money we can't back up! He's been robbing Peter to pay Paul. Simply dumping money into the economy doesn't create jobs. It's like putting a band-aid on an open wound. The better way to create jobs is to create an environment that pays companies to keep jobs in the U.S.A. instead of out-sourcing overseas. America's economy is failing because we don't produce anything anymore. America has become a "service oriented country". Which equates to --- "Would you care for fries with that sir?"

McCain's Speech

TheBard — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:48:16 GMT

Drilling for more oil is not the long term solution for America's growing energy problems. Oil and coal are a finite resource, wind, hydrogen, wave and solar are infinite resources; well at least until the sun goes super-nova in another 35 billion years or so. We have to move away from (non-renewable) fossil fuels if we-the United States-want to have a viable future as a world-class nation. Renewable energy can supply the energy needs of this nation, we just have to have the vision and will (political and social) to see it implemented nationwide.

E-85 gasoline is not the answer either, in fact it reduces gas mileage in vehicles that run on it! E85 is not a viable solution either.

April 22, 2009 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama said his administration is taking steps to begin leasing tracts off U.S. shores for electricity-generation projects using wind and ocean currents. "The nation that leads the world in creating new sources of clean energy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy," Obama said in Newton, Iowa. "America must be that nation."

Mr. Obama has said of wind power: "wind could generate as much as 20 percent of the U.S. electricity demand by 2030 if its full potential is pursued on land and offshore. It would also create as many as 250,000 jobs" (CBS News April 22, 2009)

July 8, 2009 (The Guardian) The Obama administration endorsed a revival of America's nuclear industry yesterday in an effort to build forward momentum for climate change legislation before the Senate...Steven Chu, the Nobel-winning energy secretary, called for new nuclear plants to re-establish America's technological dominance in the world. "I think nuclear power is going to be a very important factor in getting us to a low carbon future," Chu told the Senate's environment and public works committee. "Quite frankly, we want to recapture the lead on industrial nuclear power. We have lost that lead as we have lost the lead in many energy technologies and we want to get it back."

About nuclear power: if an until we can find a long-term, safe method of disposing of the nuclear waste generated by nuclear power plants, chasing nuclear power in the U.S. is a fool's errand. I am all for storing the waste in Ucca Mountain in Nevada, but after spending billions on the project it looks the facility will not be used because once again Americans have proven that our own petty self-interests trump what is good for the nation as a whole!

McCain's Speech

OldHippie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:07:10 GMT

TheBard said…

All I hear was the same old (tired) Republican rhetoric; no new idea, no vision.

Fact -- McCain was/is for drilling for off-shore oil. Obama isn't. McCain is for nuclear power plants. Obama isn't. France runs 80% of its electricity from nuclear power plants. We can't? McCain was/is for alternative sources of E-85. Brazil makes it from sugar cane. We could actually make it from Wild Prairie Grass. This was reported on Dateline (NBC) way back on May 7, 2006. (www then msnbc.msn.com/id/12676374/ns/dateline_nbc/ ) Obama has stated himself that his coal policies would most likely bankrupt the business. Obama is even against wind powered generators in certain parts of the country because they, "Distract from the natural beauty of the land."

As of yesterday (Nov. 12, 2009) - Obama's approval rating is down to 45%. But, he has managed to keep two campaign promises. He's taken his wife out on a date to New York City & he has gotten a dog for his children.

McCain's Speech

mysticstarfish — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:19:22 GMT

TheBard said…
Fact Check Please: Here is an excellent articles on Newsweek.com, fact-checking some of of the "out there" remarks made at the recently ended Republican Nation Convention: http://www.newsweek.com/id/157206/page/1

Great article...thanks!

McCain's Speech

TheBard — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:31:12 GMT

PattyTherre said…
I sure wish I had a strong feeling one way or the other and really supported one side or the other. This would all be so much easier for me if I did. I am one of those people who is just terribly undecided and who wants the best for the country yet has no idea who can get that done. Mostly though, I want to be SAFE. Having a good economy is very important but not if we're attacked again on a wider plane. So, I am looking at security first then all the rest. I don't a want president who sympathizes with the enemy or potential enemy. I want one who will take action immediately.

But I also want to be able to put food on the table, gas in my tank, and have my sons get health care at affordable rates. Maybe I'm just asking for too much. I sure am NOT looking at personalities and who is the better speaker. I want the better leader. I'm leaning but not swayed just yet. Keep on debating because your points are actually helping me to understand why you all feel so strongly about the candidate of your choice. And your points have actually given me a lot of insight!

Patty, I understand your concern; I dare say all Americans share them. We all want to be safe, but we live in a free and open society with thousands of miles of (land and sea) borders. There is no way any President can keep us completely safe, not if we want to remain free and exercise the Fundamental Rights set forth by the U.S. Constitution and Civil Right delineated by law.

Launching an immediate attack without accessing the situation and carefully weighing all options before taking the appropriate action is what is called for. Failing that careful and deliberate action leads us to invade countries like Iraq, spend billions, kill thousands of innocent people, and waste the lives of over 4000 American serviceman. That kind of action we as a nation do not need and cannot afford!

I do not think either John McCain or Barak Obama would "sympathize with the enemy or potential enemy." But Barak would bring a more measured and studied head to the world stage; he understands the need for the U.S. to be a part of the world community not set apart from it. And that includes the need for allies, and the need to adhere to and respect International Laws and treaties.

Read on Patty, and I am sure you will make the right decision.

McCain's Speech

TheBard — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:14:53 GMT

Fact Check Please: Here is an excellent articles on Newsweek.com, fact-checking some of of the "out there" remarks made at the recently ended Republican Nation Convention: http://www.newsweek.com/id/157206/page/1

McCain's Speech

PattyTherre — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:24:22 GMT

I sure wish I had a strong feeling one way or the other and really supported one side or the other. This would all be so much easier for me if I did. I am one of those people who is just terribly undecided and who wants the best for the country yet has no idea who can get that done. Mostly though, I want to be SAFE. Having a good economy is very important but not if we're attacked again on a wider plane. So, I am looking at security first then all the rest. I don't a want president who sympathizes with the enemy or potential enemy. I want one who will take action immediately.

But I also want to be able to put food on the table, gas in my tank, and have my sons get health care at affordable rates. Maybe I'm just asking for too much. I sure am NOT looking at personalities and who is the better speaker. I want the better leader. I'm leaning but not swayed just yet. Keep on debating because your points are actually helping me to understand why you all feel so strongly about the candidate of your choice. And your points have actually given me a lot of insight!

McCain's Speech

LoveisJoy — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:45:30 GMT

MikeMaroon said…
Of course, the truth is, if you were already for Obama, you've already decided nothing McCain can say will change your mind and vice versa.

Yes, I have made up my mind unless something I didn't know arises and causes me to reconsider..

AND, just like many, if not all of the news outlets, your opinions are jaded by your politics....I think it's because they seem to have more of a passion that resonates with me, whereas I find the Obama campaign to be more business like and I get a feeling of less sincerity. Those things, for me, count as much or more than experience. These are my perceptions, and I'm entitled too them.

Absolutely! I think everyone is entitled to vote for whomever they wish for whatever reason that moves them. I agree that Obama seems very business-like and capable, but that's one of the reasons I support him. After 8 years of Bush "listening to his gut" I like the idea of what I consider to be Obama's more balanced and thoughtful approach to life in general, and politics in particular.

As long as a candidate doesn't have a criminal record, beat his spouse or just steal, that's pretty much all we can ask of anyone.

Again, that's your right and I respect it, but I do ask much more than that from a Presidential candidate. I think that part of the problem with the Bush elections was that people didn't ask much of him. It didn't matter that we learned he was incurious about details and not terribly bright. Too many of us thought, hey, he's someone who looks like me and I'd like to have a beer with him.

I am glad that people are tuned into the campaigns, and I think it's okay if you've already made up your mind or if you're still thinking about it. I still appreciate reading your comments even when I don't agree.

McCain's Speech

wellow — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:16:51 GMT

The BARD, I agree with you whole heartedly! McCain just spewed out the same stuff Bush puts out. All you had to do was take Bush's head and put it on top of McCain's body, and there wouldn't have been much difference.

Yawn!!!! \0/

McCain's Speech

Jo — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:27:31 GMT

But 1. Did he say how he was going to do this? and

2. As one who lives 4 miles from a nuclear power plant I would like $ put into making it safe before more are built!

McCain's Speech

Jo — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:25:17 GMT

I was wondering when he was going to say how he was going to do anything he said. YIKES and he stole the change theme from Barck!

McCain's Speech

MikeMaroon — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:16:36 GMT

Of course, the truth is, if you were already for Obama, you've already decided nothing McCain can say will change your mind and vice versa. And, no matter what, if you've already made up your mind, every thing that comes out of the other candidate's mouth if flawed and foul. Several people here have already made up their minds and that's fine. Good for you!

AND, just like many, if not all of the news outlets, your opinions are jaded by your politics. I see that in the withering attacks. Everyone is able to justify their positions in their own mind. I truly haven't made up my mind yet, although I'm leaning toward McCain/Palin now, after leaning the other way just a couple of days ago. I think it's because they seem to have more of a passion that resonates with me, whereas I find the Obama campaign to be more business like and I get a feeling of less sincerity. Those things, for me, count as much or more than experience. These are my perceptions, and I'm entitled too them.

It has been very, very enlightening reading all these posts and I'm very impressed with everyone's involvement. Sure beats apathy, which is the disease that will afflict millions of Americans this year. The sad truth is, normally our president is elected by a majority of a minority of Americans.

As for the comment the McCain is not the only American willing to defend America. That's very true, but a sadder truth is, there are more who are not willing. They want someone else to do it while they drive their Lexus' and keep track of their stock portfolios. In my 51 years on earth, I've seen countless people do everything in their power to avoid service. That's because we live in, like it or not, a narcissistic America and it's every man for his or herself. Luckily for us, there ARE some willing and who do. Most, however, are just glad others do.

Being a prisoner of war might not bestow more love of his country on McCain than the rest of us, but I bet he loves it more deeply than most of us. I can only imagine the horror of that experience, but I'm guessing he has a much better appreciation of what our troops are facing than most, even me, because even though I spent 20 years in the military and had many training exercises from a foxhole, he actually got shot at in war. Like the death of a child or a terminal illness, that's something you can't empathize with until you've been through it.

I felt McCain spoke from the heart, even though most of his proposals, like Obama's work better during a campaign than they do once a guy actually gets into office. That's because it isn't just up to him. Washington is rife will self-serving politicians who will make either of these fine men's lives unbelievably difficult once they get there. It would be naive to think congress is going to just fall in line with either man.

Sarah Palin is fresh and new, much like Obama. If find it interesting that Obama supports support him in large part because he represents something new. Yes, I know his positions count, but a large part of his draw is his oration skills and his representation of change. Yet, those folks attack Sarah Palin for the very same reasons! Seems like a double-standard to me. The skeletons that have been found in her closet are baby skeletons. Shoot, some of us have bigger, badder skeletons than she does. Oh, and the argument that "But she's running for the second highest office in the land!" doesn't cut it. She's human, she's flawed, just like the rest of us. This notion that she should be less flawed than the rest of us because she's a vice-presidential nominee is idealistic but not realistic. Only Jesus Christ himself could possibly fit THAT mold, but should he run, he would be attacked by the other side just as vehemently. I guess it just makes us all feel better about ourselves if we can shoot others down.

As long as a candidate doesn't have a criminal record, beat his spouse or just steal, that's pretty much all we can ask of anyone.

McCain's Speech

PattyTherre — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:25:11 GMT

Meri, you are a great source of info. You do the research for me!

Very interesting remarks by Obama.......

McCain's Speech

Meri — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:36:09 GMT

I live near a Naval Nuclear training facility so this area of the country is used to the nuclear plant being part of our lives. If you can believe John McCain will stick to his word he said ,

"If I am elected president, I will set this nation on a course to building 45 reactors by the year 2030. And I will set the goal of 100 new plants to power the homes and factories and cities of America."

He also said,"The need for more production extends as well to another long-neglected source of energy, and that is nuclear power," McCain said in prepared remarks this morning.

"Here, too, opposition to this clean and proven technology has more to do with politics than with the merits. The experience of nations across Europe and Asia has shown that nuclear energy is efficient. It is safe, it is proven, and it is essential to America's energy future," he said.

[These are from remarks he made in June of this year in Vegas.]

Other than storing it in Yucca Mountain, Nevada he has not addressed nuclear waste that I can find but he has given other ideas for alternative fuel and proposes incentives for added research.

McCain's Speech

TheBard — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:35:06 GMT

vta38 said…
Maybe you didn't listen very closely! He said he would drill for new oil, something the democrats don't want to do. He said he would open new avenues for energy use, like nuclear energy plants, something the democrats won't do. He said he would help people out of work with new job training. He said he would remove corruption in government and stop ear marks on new bills. He said he stood up to his captors in time of war and would defend America first and always in the future. Try to take the Democrat or Republican label off the candidate and measure him as a future President by his experience. Try to stop listening to the liberal media of NBC, CBS, ABC, and CNN and use your own native intelligence to decide. Good Luck.

Despite the fact that I feel asleep for part of the speech, I heard enough! Yes, he wants to drill for oil, but drilling for new oil will not yield enough of the black stuff to even come close to ending our dependence on foreign sources of oil. What is needed, and what has been advocated by the "Democrats" is a comprehensive energy policy that DOES include drilling for new oil and pursuing as well as funding other (renewable) sources of energy. And any comprehensive energy policy MUST include a plan to move the nation's automobiles away from fossil fuels, lacking that ANY energy plan will fail and; DRILLING ALONE WILL NOT GET IT DONE!

I am an advocate of nuclear energy, but until we move forward with new nuclear power plants we have to deal with the problem of nuclear waste. As a retired sailor who served on a number of nuclear submarines I have a healthy respect for the dangers spent nuclear waste presents. We have to have a plan for dealing with nuclear waste; ignoring the problem will not make it go away! Barak Obama has said as much in several speeches.

How is McCain going to stop ear-marks; by the veto? Veto enough bills and nothing gets done. And eventually he will be over-written by Congress, a democratically controlled Congress that is likely to swing even further towards Democratic control come November. He can't end government corruption alone and it is misguided to believe he can.

I will venture out on a limb and state that John McCain is not the only American willing to defend America. Being a prisoner of war does not bestow McCain with more love of country than the rest of us. Millions of us have worn the cloth of our country's military and millions us have fought to defend this nation!

As far as experience is concerned, McCain has no more or less (Executive) practice than any other candidate on the ticket save Mrs. Palin. Should she instead of McCain be at the top of the ticket given her vast governing experience?

Just because a media outlook reports both sides of the story in a (truly) objective fashion doesn't make it Liberal, it makes the outlet credible!

McCain's Speech

Meri — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:30:37 GMT

PattyTherre said…
I saw it and was very inspired by it. That man has quite a story and he is his own man. I was never a McCain supporter and I don't know WHO I support yet but I really liked his speech and felt it came from the heart. I look forward to the debates when they go head to head. That will tell me much more than either speech.

I agree. I am looking forward to the next round of debates. As one who hasn't made up her mind I hope something comes out of them!

McCain's Speech

Meri — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:19:36 GMT

I have found that it is hard to find the campaign promises of either candidate. I discovered a site that lists them without an opinion.

For Obama's promises to date go to:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/campaigns/2008/wh08/promises_obama.htm

Just some of the things I find scary considering I am in support of a Sovereign America and I am concerned about our national debt-

1. Open "America Houses" in Islamic countries
"We will open 'America Houses' in cities across the Islamic world, with Internet, libraries, English lessons, stories of America's Muslims and the strength they add to our country, and vocational programs."-8/1/07, Washington, D.C.
2. Support a global education fund
"I will support a $2 billion global education fund to counter the radical madrassas."-8/1/07, Washington, D.C.
3. Pay tuition for students going into teaching
"I will make this pledge as president: If you commit your life to teaching, America will commit to paying for your college education."-11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
4. Encourage community service by students
"So when I'm president, I will set a goal for all American middle and high school students to perform 50 hours of community service a year, and for all college students to perform 100 hours of service a year."-12/5/07, Mt. Vernon, Iowa
5. Launch childhood initiative
"Obama will launch a Children's First Agenda that provides care, learning and support to families with children from birth up to 5 years old."-Obama's Blueprint for Change
6. Double funding for after-school programs
"Obama will double funding for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers program, to serve a million more children."-Obama's Blueprint for Change
7. Sign law to phase out incandescent light bulbs
8. Consider Al Gore for Cabinet-level climate change position
9. Expand Iraq refugee services
10. Increase aid to the Americas
11. Provide $30 billion to Israel
12. Work to halve poverty worldwide
"Obama will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty around the world in half by 2015, and he will double our foreign assistance to $50 billion to achieve that goal."-Obama's Blueprint for Change
13. Establish loan forgiveness program for rural doctors and nurses
14. Invest $60 billion in infrastructure
15. Invest $1 billion in transitional jobs programs
"I will invest $1 billion over five years in innovative transitional jobs programs that have been highly successful at placing the unemployed into temporary jobs and then training them for permanent ones."-7/18/07, Washington, D.C.
16. Reinstate special envoy for Americas:
"I will reinstate a special envoy for the Americas in my White House who will work with my full support."-5/23/08, Miami
17. End restrictions on Cuban-Americans
"I will immediately allow unlimited family travel and remittances to the island [of Cuba]."-5/23/08, Miami
18. "He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find a safe haven."-Obama's Blueprint for Change
19. Expand U.S. forces in Afghanistan
"As president, I would deploy at least two additional brigades to Afghanistan to reinforce our counterterrorism operations and support NATO's efforts against the Taliban."-8/1/07, Washington
20. Provide more non-military aid to Afghanistan
"We will start with an additional $1 billion in non-military assistance each year, aid that is focused on reaching ordinary Afghans."-3/19/08, Fayetteville, N.C.
21. Expand diplomatic relations
"Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem."-4/2/08, Philadelphia (In response to question)
22. Help states adopt paid-leave systems
"Obama will initiate a strategy to encourage all 50 states to adopt paid-leave systems. Obama will provide a $1.5 billion fund to assist states with startup costs and to help states offset the costs for employees and employers."-Obama's Blueprint for Change
23. Provide every American broadband access
"As president, I will set a simple goal: Every American should have the highest-speed broadband access-no matter where you live or how much money you have."-6/16/08, Flint, Mich. Boost R&D funding
*****************************
John McCain's can be seen at:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/campaigns/2008/wh08/promises_mccain.htm

There isn't a lot of substance but it isn't anti-American. I found McCain's speech to be somewhat lukewarm in the beginning but towards the end he had my complete attention.

McCain's Speech

PattyTherre — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:59:41 GMT

I saw it and was very inspired by it. That man has quite a story and he is his own man. I was never a McCain supporter and I don't know WHO I support yet but I really liked his speech and felt it came from the heart. I look forward to the debates when they go head to head. That will tell me much more than either speech.

McCain's Speech

vta38 — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:29:29 GMT

Maybe you didn't listen very closely! He said he would drill for new oil, something the democrats don't want to do. He said he would open new avenues for energy use, like nuclear energy plants, something the democrats won't do. He said he would help people out of work with new job training. He said he would remove corruption in government and stop ear marks on new bills. He said he stood up to his captors in time of war and would defend America first and always in the future. Try to take the Democrat or Republican label off the candidate and measure him as a future President by his experience. Try to stop listening to the liberal media of NBC, CBS, ABC, and CNN and use your own native intelligence to decide. Good Luck.

McCain's Speech

mysticstarfish — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:53:31 GMT

I had the same impression. I got so bored through it I started to count how many times he stumbled on his words (4 that I heard). There were a lot of words, but nothing that you could put together and say hey, this is good. There was no plan layed out at all.

McCain said "I will stand on your side and fight for your future". Really? How? No response.

After the first 20 minutes I also became quite irritated at his cocky, I am experienced attitude.

I was really expecting so much more about the future, not the past I know what his past is but I really wanted to hear some sort of plan for the future.....got nothing.

It was a pep rally, not a speech for a presidential candidate.

McCain's Speech

TheBard — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:38:02 GMT

Did anyone catch McCain's speech last night and if so what did you think? I was underwhelmed and at one point actually feel asleep during his rather boring delivery. There was nothing new here, nothing to make one jumped up and suddenly decide that HE is the person who is finally going turn it all around. All I hear was the same old (tired) Republican rhetoric; no new idea, no vision.