Of those currently running, who is the best candidate for President?
The 2008 Campaign is upon us, and as the Iowa Caucus quickly approaches it is time for you to vote. Please answer the question above. You need to justify your selection with specifics, not generalizations. Additionally, make sure to vote in the Presidential Poll on the blog main page.
Trying to find out who is "stretching the truth"? Consider checking out this website...
http://www.factcheck.org/
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
A Political Coward
Recently, former Arkansas Governor and current candidate for the Republican nomination Mike Huckabee was asked about former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's Mormon religion. Two months ago this question would have been meaningless. However, Huckabee has surged in the Iowa polls and now threatens Romney's once certain victory in the Iowa caucuses. Huckabee was asked whether he believed Mormonism is a "cult." Instead of answering the question he stated that it was not an appropriate question. Come on Governor! There is one answer to that question, "No, I do not believe Mormonism is a 'cult.'" So why didn't he say that? Because Huckabee knows that much of his support comes from an uneasiness many evangelicals have with the Mormon faith. Thus, instead of showcasing a moral spine by distancing himself from the religious tests many evangelicals are putting Romney through, he simply plays to it.
But for Huckabee it does not end there. The next day he was asked if creationism should be taught in public school science classes. He once again said that the question was inappropriate. Interesting, a man who continually professes to be a evangelical Christian to friendly audiences is unwilling to answer simple questions based on his beliefs that actually affect governmental policy. If a candidate is going to run on religion then the voters have a right to know what religious beliefs that candidate holds. Let's be candid Governor, you won't answer these questions because they will expose you for what you are: either a man who cynically uses religion for political gain, or a man who holds religious beliefs he does not want to expose to the public.
Prove me wrong Governor! Be candid! And answer the questions!
But for Huckabee it does not end there. The next day he was asked if creationism should be taught in public school science classes. He once again said that the question was inappropriate. Interesting, a man who continually professes to be a evangelical Christian to friendly audiences is unwilling to answer simple questions based on his beliefs that actually affect governmental policy. If a candidate is going to run on religion then the voters have a right to know what religious beliefs that candidate holds. Let's be candid Governor, you won't answer these questions because they will expose you for what you are: either a man who cynically uses religion for political gain, or a man who holds religious beliefs he does not want to expose to the public.
Prove me wrong Governor! Be candid! And answer the questions!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
An Immigration Nation?
Immigration has always been an essential characteristic of the American nation. The United States has long prided itself as a country defined as a "melting-pot" or a "garden salad." In other words, a place where diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic groups come together to forge an entirely new society unique to the world. However, while immigration has often been viewed as a positive attribute for the U.S., it has repeatedly raised the natural fear all people have of "others" or "them."
The 2008 presidential campaign has increasingly been dominated by this once non-salient political issue. As comprehensive immigration reform has repeatedly stalled in the Senate (even with President Bush's support) and as states have taken unilateral steps to deal with the influx of illegal immigrants; the patience of many American citizens is seemingly wearing thin.
What does this renewed interest in the immigration issue say about the United States and the state of our politics? Is immigration (legal or illegal) as big of a problem as some voters make it out to be? What are the advantages and disadvantages of restricting immigration? What are the realistic solutions to this very contentious issue?
Please use the two readings below to guide you in your response. After reading both, address the questions above in a post. Please refer to the articles specifically in your post and comment on the historical nature of this debate (is it new or old to the American story).
Joel Klein, Time
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1688794,00.html
Tamar Jacoby, Foreign Affairs
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20061101faessay85606/tamar-jacoby/immigration-nation.html
The 2008 presidential campaign has increasingly been dominated by this once non-salient political issue. As comprehensive immigration reform has repeatedly stalled in the Senate (even with President Bush's support) and as states have taken unilateral steps to deal with the influx of illegal immigrants; the patience of many American citizens is seemingly wearing thin.
What does this renewed interest in the immigration issue say about the United States and the state of our politics? Is immigration (legal or illegal) as big of a problem as some voters make it out to be? What are the advantages and disadvantages of restricting immigration? What are the realistic solutions to this very contentious issue?
Please use the two readings below to guide you in your response. After reading both, address the questions above in a post. Please refer to the articles specifically in your post and comment on the historical nature of this debate (is it new or old to the American story).
Joel Klein, Time
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1688794,00.html
Tamar Jacoby, Foreign Affairs
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20061101faessay85606/tamar-jacoby/immigration-nation.html
Good News from Iraq
The monthly death tolls continue to decrease in Iraq. The November death tolls for U.S. military personnel and Iraqi citizens hit close to two year lows. This is clear evidence that the military surge is working. The increase of 30,000 troops has been able to increase security in Iraq to the point that Iraqi refugees, who once fled the violence, are now returning. While I personally remain skeptical of the Iraqi mission, there have certainly been positive developments over the last three months.
Yet these developments beg certain questions. What happens as the surge ends (the additional 30,000 troops are already in the process of drawing down)? Why has the decrease in violence not resulted in any political progress in the Maliki government? Is maintaining 160,000 U.S. troops in the country, the only way to maintain relative security? Finally, if the recent military successes are due to the increase in troops then doesn't the President have to answer for why it took nearly three years to develop this unoriginal plan?
Yet these developments beg certain questions. What happens as the surge ends (the additional 30,000 troops are already in the process of drawing down)? Why has the decrease in violence not resulted in any political progress in the Maliki government? Is maintaining 160,000 U.S. troops in the country, the only way to maintain relative security? Finally, if the recent military successes are due to the increase in troops then doesn't the President have to answer for why it took nearly three years to develop this unoriginal plan?
Read this story to learn more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071202/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_casualties;_ylt=AmOqKzhuheTeQAJ4UuaKJFYLewgF
Watch this video to learn more...
Sports Thoughts
A few thoughts on the weeks events...
Flyer Basketball: My UD Flyers are 5-1 after surviving two close games this week. With a 63-62 victory over Miami and a 55-53 win over Holy Cross, the Flyers are showing an ability lacking in the past...win the close ones on the road. Despite this recent success, I am still wary of the season to come. Potential trouble spots still yet to play in non-conference: Louisville, Pittsburg, and Akron. BG has a lot to prove this year and at least for me, 2007-2008 is the do-or-die for season for him.
College Football: What a joke the BCS is! How can any team claim to be the national champion this year. OSU, the new #1, is undeserving in my opinion to play for the national title, however, the other contenders do little to support my opinion. Honestly, can anyone say that OSU is more deserving to play in the game than Georgia, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, and USC? What a mess, so easily solved by a playoff system!
Flyer Basketball: My UD Flyers are 5-1 after surviving two close games this week. With a 63-62 victory over Miami and a 55-53 win over Holy Cross, the Flyers are showing an ability lacking in the past...win the close ones on the road. Despite this recent success, I am still wary of the season to come. Potential trouble spots still yet to play in non-conference: Louisville, Pittsburg, and Akron. BG has a lot to prove this year and at least for me, 2007-2008 is the do-or-die for season for him.
College Football: What a joke the BCS is! How can any team claim to be the national champion this year. OSU, the new #1, is undeserving in my opinion to play for the national title, however, the other contenders do little to support my opinion. Honestly, can anyone say that OSU is more deserving to play in the game than Georgia, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, and USC? What a mess, so easily solved by a playoff system!
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