Lieberman Get A Slap On The Wrist

Before I start, I would like to say that I am pleased that the Obama administration is starting to look a lot like the Clinton's did. Also, I hope that Hillary gets the SOS spot.


According to the Keeler Report, the democrats had a secret ballot to decide if Lieberman would keep his chairmanship or not. Over on Liberal common Sense, Lisa tells us that the vote will show us how much power the actual left has in the Senate. And over on CNN, it was shown that Lieberman would be keeping his chairmanship, while losing his seat in another committee. While most of the left believe that Lieberman should be kicked out, President-elect Obama deemed that Lieberman should stay, letting bygones be bygones, and keeping his pledge of a less partisan Washington.

So, the question becomes, should Lieberman actually have kept his position? Many on the right said yes, many moderates seemed indifferent, and many on the left said hell no. Frankly, I think that he should have, and I think that it is very obvious that he should.

1) Lieberman gave the Democrats power for two years, and made sure that they had it. By caucusing with the left, Lieberman made sure that his true party was given the power in Washington, and made sure that they could do as they wished with the country, and that they could fight Bush.
2) He is a Democrat. While he might have run as a Independent (due to his far-left party kicking him out, yet he still won handidly), he caucused and is a registered democrat. Kicking him out could cause our former veep candidate to switch parties, which would take a lot of moderates with him.
3) He appologized. Sure, he said some things while out campaigning for McCain that he shouldn't have. He made accusations, slanderous ones actually, and attacked Obama on a personal level. But, he has appologized, and seems honest about it. With this in mind, I think that he should be allowed to keep his post.
4) He votes Democrat most of the time. While he might not have been elected as a Democrat, he clearly is one. He was not elected in the primary due to the fact that he was pro-war, and that is really the only area he breaks from the party. Why should you remove a respected and aged member simply because he disagrees with you on two main issues?

So, with this in mind, I think that the punishment placed on Lieberman is exactly as it should be. Lieberman is a true democrat, but is not just voting party lines, which I like. Thus, in the end, I think that it was a good decision to keep him. Read more ...

Whalertly Endorsements: For The President of the United States of America

Post 69

There will of course be another map update tomorrow, the last of the polls before election day actually finishes. Furthermore, my entry on Wednesday will be bragging about how I was right 100% of the time (or, if my Oscar picks show anything, none of the time).

To start this off, I would like to first talk briefly about third party candidates. Both Ralph Nader and Bob Barr and the who string of other candidates have no overall chance of winning this election. At most, third parties will pull in 5% or so ALL TOGETHER. This means that a vote for a third party is not only a wasted vote, it is a vote AGAINST your favorite mainstream candidate. That said, lets chat briefly about what third parties actually do. Third parties usually are very similar to a mainstream party, just they have one big difference. When that difference (their campaign base) gets enough attention and support, it jumps to the mainstream parties. Basically, third parties are vetting parties for new and interesting ideas. They should be allowed to get local power, but never national.

President of the United States of America

Please feel free to respond to this, challenge this, etc.

Taxes

As shown before in this entry Obama is better for most Americans than McCain if you are looking only at taxes. It is all good and dandy to keep taxes low (McCain's pledge) but at some point people have enough money to live on. Who needs to make more than 250,000$ a year? Frankly, I agree with the founder of capitalism, Adam Smith when he says that at some point people should start paying more taxes. That said, the spread the wealth theory of Obama has some work to be done on it. I think that we should tax the wealthier more, but that money should first be used to pay for Iraq, Education, Infrastructure, getting out of debt, etc. before we move onto cutting taxes for the lower classes.

Iraq

I believe that we need to remain in Iraq until the job is done. I hold this belief even though I was opposed to the invasion when we went in, and still contend that there was no logical reason to ever go in. My theory is quite simple, why should we cry over split milk when we should just be cleaning it up? I believe that McCain has a much better plan than Obama in this regard. Our troops deserve our full support, and the generals should be listened too. That said, Obama has pledged to listen to his generals, but McCain, having a fair bit of experience (both in the field and in the Senate) definitely wins this category.

Education

I think that education is one of the most important things that our country needs to deal with. The school systems are harming our children, and college tuition is sky-rocketing. We as Americans need to come together to create a plan to rectify this. This issue is not only a personal issue, it is a danger for our next generation of leaders and, frankly, a national security issue due to the US being surpassed by China and India in sciences. Both Obama and McCain have good plans for the reform of our educational system but only one would work in my mind. McCain wants us to keep looking at achievement rates (based upon testing) for moneys and improvements. I think that this is an absurd manner as it is punishing the schools for the students. Their should be (as Obama suggests) peer reviewed teaching which makes sure that good teachers are rewarded and that bad teachers are kicked. We also need to spend far more on education (something that both agree on).

Gay Rights

The president can not touch this issue so it should be ignored.

Abortion

The president can not touch this issue so it should be ignored.

Internet

A fair number of people feel that Internet censorship (it isn't, but ignore that for now) should be a hot topic this election. They feel that so called 'net neutrality' is something that the president should come out strongly in favor of and believe that the free world is at stake. I am strongly against this idea, and think that private companies should be able to do with their property as they see fit (see a future entry), provided it violates nobody else's rights. That said, The president can not touch this issue so it should be ignored.

Foreign Relations

There is no way to argue that Obama will win this category. Years in the Senate, on various committees and otherwise, have given McCain a strong lead in this category. Obama is quite well liked by other countries, which is a great plus in a US president, but McCain's strong standing here helps him out greatly.

The Economy

Cutting taxes is not the answer, period. Our economy is struggling because of outsourcing, and a loss of jobs. We need to create deals that help companies stay, and help keep Americans out of debt. McCain's idea of cutting taxes will only lead our country into a larger debt, and I can not stand for that. After all, it is my generation that will be paying the interest on that.

Experience

I do not really see how this should be a major issue. Not one presidential candidate has any executive experience, and one veep has 2.5 years. This is a non-issue, and really quite absurd.

Bipartisanship

This should be the number one issue in any persons mind this election, but, alas, it sadly is not. All Americans should care about working with all other Americans, because, after all, that is the only way that we are able to get anything done. McCain has a strong background of supporting both parties, and working through and against his own party. Obama, on the other hand, has little bipartisanship background. That said, McCain's own argument against Obama based on time in office helps Obama in this regard; Obama has pledged to work with both parties (and I believe him when he says that) and can explain his lack simply as not having the time yet. See here Mr. McCain, every dagger has two sides.

Global Warming

All candidates and their veeps believe that this is real and somewhat man made. They differ on how to fix it, but as long as they talk to their advisors it is a-okay.

Energy

Both candidates think that we should get off of our foreign oil addiction, and I agree. We need to work on alternate energies and fuel sources to ease our economy, to create more American jobs, and to make sure that Global Warming can be addressed. However, I do not think that this is within the Presidents area so I do not think that they should touch it (though I am all okay with them going around the country lecturing on it).

Health Care

Now, I do not think that we should start health care for all right away, but, in about 2 years time it should be a good idea. In about 2 years Massachusetts will have had state-wide health care for some time, and we will be able to see how this system works in America. Obama has a great plan with health care, one that makes sure that all Americans have it, and that all Americans can be treated as normal persons. McCain's, on the other hand, is good in that it ensures health care, but it guarantees nothing and actually still allows where we are now.

So, with pros and cons to both candidates, who should Whalertly endorse? McCain has strong standings in Iraq and foreign relations, while he falters on education and the economy. Obama, on the other hand, is loved around the world and has a good plan to keep jobs in America, however, his lack of experience in international politics and his plan to increase spending by trillions of dollars show that he is not an ideal candidate. However, there are several things that gave me a clear choice onto whom I would pick. Obama, with his strong stances on education, improving the economy, and his health care to all plans shows the leadership needed to be the next President of the United States of America.

Read more ...

Map update for the week of 10/19-10/25

State-by-State (swing states)
Overall, Obama is winning 364-174

Nevada, and its 5 EC votes has moved into the Obama column with a +4.2 average
Colorado is staying in the Obama camp with a +6
Pennsylvania is now solidly Obama (I am no longer considering it a swing) with +13
Ohio is staying in the Obama category with a +3.3; however, two recent polls show McCain winning
Missouri, with its 11 EC votes, has moved into Obama. However, it is far too close to call... +3
Virginia, like Penn., has now moved out of the SS column by showing a strong +9 for Obama
North Carolina is now a +1.3 for Obama, still easily in the margin
Florida is +3.2 for Obama
New Mexico is no longer a swing state as well, with a +8.3 for Obama
New Hampshire has moved out of the swing state grouping, +8.3 for Obama

West Virginia is staying strong for McCain, with a +2.4 average
North Dakota is still with McCain, +4


National

Nationally speaking, the overall polls are roughly the same as they were last week: Obama is leading with a 5.3 point average.
When you take Barr and Nader into the equation, Obama's lead RAISES to 9.3 points



Map



Read more ...

Signs Signs, Everywhere are signs...

Post 61

See, and none of you thought that the last sentence in my last post meant anything. Look, I was giving you all a hint, enjoy it...

I drive down any street and see signs in every yard. From signs about certain landscapers to signs about roofers to signs about painters to signs telling me that something is art (a Worthington thing, the item is not art, and we should have no art building here). All of these signs exist to capture my attention, to get me to use the product next time I need that sort of product, or to get me to support another cause. These signs are colorful, have 'catchy' slogans, and they sometimes even have pretty little pictures. Yep, you agree to advertise for companies, politicians, and organizations for free. Don't you feel used?

Signs appear more often during this time of year, especially, on the even years. We have signs for Kilroy, signs for Strivers, signs for Obama/Biden, and signs for McCain*Palin. All of the signs have small text and disclaimers, they all have websites, yet the only thing you can usually read is the candidate that is running. These signs, of course, give you only a brief view into the house owners psyche. Did they just like the colors? Do they support all of the policies or only more than the other persons? Why McCain over Obama? Why Obama over McCain? You know absolutely nothing about these people.

Wait, but you actually know a lot more about people then you thought. Say I have a sign that says I support Obama as well as a sign that I support Kilroy; clearly, the assumption is that Kilroy is similar to Obama. Now, this seems obvious, unless you get signs for Strivers and signs for Obama. Yep, a rather-right candidate with a rather-left candidate. Hmmm, see a problem here? Certain good candidates could be lost by their grouping with the bad candidates. This sort of thing is common, and has cost several persons and issues their passing. If I see a sign for Issue 6 with a sign for McCain, odds are I will vote against Issue 6. When you start dealing with undecideds (as I am for most state based issues, not federal or local) then you need to be cautious of what signs you put out.

Now, you are all probably asking where this all came from; well, the other day I was following a car that had bumper stickers galore on it. From “make love not war” to “Obama/Biden” to “no more Bush in the white house until we elect a woman” it seemed like a typical left-leaning (far) car. This is all fine and dandy to me, as I already associate Obama with anti-bush. The problem was the oldest and biggest bumper sticker: “Free Leonard Peltlier”. You know what, he shot and killed two federal agents, WHY THE HELL SHOULD WE FREE HIM. If I knew nothing about the candidates they supported, the positions on the stickers, and Mr. Obama, then I would never would support those people after reading these crazy bumper stickers. Keep your stickers rational if you want to help somebody mainstream get into power.

Guys, if you want to help somebody, make sure you don't alienate everybody else.

*MAP UPDATE*

I have finally resigned to the fact that every week is going to be poll after poll. While Ohio is still standing in the Obama category, the most recent poll gave McCain a 2 point lead; Ohio is a state to watch. Surprisingly, Virginia is now strongly in the Obama category (+8 average) which is far above the hidden racism issue. New Hampshire, which was considered one of the must wins this year, now has a +10.3 average for Obama.

Some good news for McCain, not only is he gaining in Ohio, but he is also regaining in Florida and holding in Missouri.

Overall, Obama is winning the EC 353 to 185 which is a strong lead. In the general polling, Obama is winning with a 49.7 to 42.4 point lead (7.3 points overall). When Barr and Nader are added to the equation, Obama is winning by only 4.2 points. Nader is pulling 2.5 points where as Barr is pulling 1.3 points. No wonder more Republicans donate to Nader than democrats. While the polls do not include the hidden racism, he seems to be outside of that margin in most states. With these constant leads, it seems more and more that Obama has this in the bag... barring a October Surprise...

*END OF MAP UPDATE*

As always, please leave any comments, no matter how large or how small about the contents of this blog post. Also, please leave any comments/suggestions about this site/post as a whole.

Feel free to e-mail me if you so wish too instead.

Thanks,

Robert M. Barga,

Editor of http://whalertly.blogspot.com/

barga.24@osu.edu

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Taxes Part 2

Post 60

Today we are going to take a look at how the taxes proposed by both the McCain camp and the Obama camp will effect the citizens in Ohio. The graphs use the tax changes provided by The Washington Post and The New York Times. The data on Ohio is provided by the 2000 Census.

I ask you to take a look at this image, and decide which candidate really has your best interest in mind. If you make over one million dollars a year I can understand why you would be vocal in support of Senator McCain. If you make under twenty thousand a year then I can understand why you support Senator Obama. This chart is merely to help you look at the financial aspect of the presidential race; if the financial burden on you is all that you care about, please vote based on this information. If you care about more than just the money, use this to help you weigh your decision. Please pass this on to all undecideds that you know, and pass this throughout the INTERNET.

This graphic is slight skewed due to the fact that the census data stopped at 200,000 and does not line up perfectly with the tax brackets given. If the amount falls within multiple tax brackets, then the average of the two will be used. Please use your yearly income when you look at this graph. Keep in mind that the Average yearly income per household in Ohio is $40,960. In all of these graphs Red is McCain and Blue is Obama.

As always, please leave any comments, no matter how large or how small about the contents of this blog post. Also, please leave any comments/suggestions about this site/post as a whole.

Feel free to e-mail me if you so wish too instead.

Thanks,

Robert M. Barga,

Editor of http://whalertly.blogspot.com/

barga.24@osu.edu

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A brief look at the veep debate

Just some things to think of off of the Veep debate (there will be a special update either later Friday or Saturday containing my full analysis of the debate)


Biden was an idiot when he referred to the 1st article of the Constitution as being the executive and thus the mentioning of the Veep in it meant he was. It is legislative and helped Palins argument.
Vice president is legislative as well? Hmmm, the Constitution seems to disagree:
“The Executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows...”


Palin makes a great point by saying that Alaska is bigger than Delaware, governing a large state is an important test in executive power

I mean, look at the size difference, you can not even see Delaware


However, when we talk about size does the actual size matter or does the population? Let's look at the population of the two:
Delaware - 865,000
Alaska - 670,000
Again, Palin wins in this area as Biden represents only 432,500 persons vs. her 670,000


Palin should stop talking about education and plans therein of hers. For somebody who talks about teaching creationism, she has not real educational groundings.



I like how both sides talked about protecting their children. They are very similar, both have a tough job (Palin with the special needs, Biden with flying to and from Washington daily to take care of his kids after his wife died). The only thing is that neither is doing anything to help the children over all (this will be heavily covered in the special update)


So, if both veeps say that contractual 'marriage' is okay for same sex couples then how the hell do they avoid the 1st when saying no gay marriage.


How is there an argument about change? Sure, both sides are changing, but which one is real and which one is fake?
Straw to Stick or Stick to Brick



Biden seems to have some issues containing his argument; if you are arguing that somebody should not be increasing our debt then don't, especially in the same exact breath, get pissed that they didn't increase spending on some things you wanted.


Both sides refused to answer the questions, Bob Woodworth, shut up.


Ending note, even Palin agrees that it should be Obama [on McCain] “he is the man that needs to leave” Read more ...

A Brief View of Palin

Post 49

Please note that I am not racist, it only sounds like I am in this entry because YOU want to see the bad in me.

As you may have noticed, two things have changed on my site within the last week: I have added a Blog Critics Link on the right side part of the page and I have altered the top left to remove the McCain sign and post a giant question mark. That is right, I no longer know whom I will be voting for. Prior to Friday I was happily planning on voting for yet another white man; however, McCain decided to change the game, making me choose between a black/white man combo and a white man/woman combo. Frankly, I didn't like my new choices.

So, I am now forced to analyze these tickets all over again. With only 9 weeks remaining it is not that long of a period to try and decide for whom I will be voting for in November. McCain had been leading Obama by about 5 points or so prior to this (by my count) but suddenly the dynamics were changed. They had an equal amount of experience on the tickets, equal amount of stupid mistakes, and an equal amount of white men

There are several problems that are inherent with Palin. I will be listing them here, along with how they impact my decision.

1. Mine Safety and Mine Pollution Control - Palin voted against this, which makes me not like her at all -1

2. Does not believe in global warming - As we all know, I am a huge environmentalist; the fact that she will not accept scientific evidence harms her -1

3. Against Sex Ed - studies have shown that sex ed works well whereas abstinence only is ineffective. -1

4. Believes that Creationism should be taught in school - As a scientist I have a distinct issue with this -1

5. Opposes Gay Rights - as a person who thinks this should be a state-by-state issue and thus agree with this +1

6. Opposed to universal health care - Again, I think this should be state-by-state +1

7. Opposed to stem-cell research - Even Nancy Regan supports this, seriously, WTF -1

8. No Experience - Wow some people think this is a huge deal, as a VEEP it is very little +0

9. Does not know what a VEEP does - Until Cheeny the answer was nothing +0

10. She supported the 'bridge to nowhere' pork barrel - Come on, the small spending party supports this pork barrel shit -1

11. Pro-Life no matter what - should be state-by-state, not national -1

12. Alaska First - I can not support a VEEP who is dedicated to only one state -1

13. Alaska Separate - I can not support anybody who believes in succeeding from the union -1

14. Flip Flopped on Obama's Energy Plan - Seriously, even your Presidential candidate is fine admitting the other dudes strength -1

15. Favors censoring library books - Um, can we say governmental intrusion -1

16. Supports Aerial Hunting - Regardless of the animal, this is outrages and not sporting -1

17. Against Birth Control - See the sex ed part -1

18. Against anything on the Endangered Species List - supporting the removal of things so that they can be hunted is horrific and does not help ecosystems -1

19. Pro ANWAR drilling - see the entries on the ES list, GW, and the environment -1

In the end Palin comes out with an amazing -13 in points. Wow, I can not even support her to be my schools teacher (non-scientific class of course), let alone the VEEP of the USA. That said, she does not tank McCain's campaign, as there are many other things I support him on over Obama; however, she does make him look badly in my eyes. The candidates have 9 weeks to keep trying to win me over, Good Luck.

As always, please leave any comments, no matter how large or how small about the contents of this blog post. Also, please leave any comments/suggestions about this site/post as a whole.

Feel free to e-mail me if you so wish too instead.

Thanks,

Robert M. Barga,

Editor of http://whalertly.blogspot.com/

barga.24@osu.edu

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Who Really Won Saddleback?

Post 45

So, I was sitting at my house reading the newspaper when an email popped up in my inbox from McCains staffers (I am signed up). It talked about the Straigh-Talk-Express, Obama’s stumbling, and how McCain won the Saddleback Forum. The e-mail then used this opening to ask me for money. Now, I thought about it for a second and decided that I was not going to take their word on it. Therefore, I took the transcript, went through it, and figured out who really won…

To start with, we know that Obama was the odd-man-out at this forum. The majority of questions, the interviewer, and the audience all were biased against Obama. He stumbled a bunch because he was caught of guard at most of the questions, not because he was thinking up a lie. Obama handled himself well for not knowing what was coming; the fact that McCain had answers right away make me think something fishy was going on…

This is my overall view of who won the Saddleback Forum. This is based on my belief structure and that of which I think most Americans have. Keep that in mind and use a grain of salt. The winner of each will be bolded (as are the points each score), in ties neither is bolded.

With all of the questions I am paraphrasing the question and response, please check the actual transcript to see what the real question and response were. Here is a link to the transcripts


TOTAL
McCain +1
Obama +7
WINNER
OBAMA




Three Wisest People:
Obama (0)
-Mentioned Michelle as being wise and one of his three; this is a mistake as most conservatives and moderates do not like her. This choice harms Obama (-1)
– Mentions Grandmother, the woman he threw under bus. Uses her to build up feminist credentials and hard working American values (+1)
– Uses this to name names and list some people he has support of, is quite nuetray (+0).
McCain(+2
- Talks about general David Patreas. This helps him with independents (who are shown to support staying in Iraq) and conservative, hurts him with liberals (+1)
- John Lews: who the hell is this guy? So, he sacrificed himself and then kept on sacrificing, this does nothing (+0)
- Similar to Obama’s Grandmother ratio: By mentioning Meg McCain pulls out the American Work ethic and feminist values (+1)

The Greatest Moral Failure in your life
Obama (+1)
-Very choppy response but he was thinking. This shows that he struggled with a large deal and was needing to articulate it. Admits to selfishness, lack of faith, and general humanity. (+1)
McCain (-1)
-His cheating on his wife, wow, does not admit to being troubled or anything else besides cheating. I find this to be far off of what he has said in the past and of being very political. (-1)

The Greatest Moral Failure of America
Obama (+1)
- Hits the minority shot. Good point as we are all the minority in certain circumstances. May harm him in the GE when people actually think of Race but he showed that all people are people (+1)
McCain (+1)
- McCain responds ties into my entry about how McCain is really making this a campaign about doing more for your country. He calls for volunteer work and helping each other. (+1)

Good of America over party and/or self
Obama (+0)
- Mentions his legislation with McCain. This is a good move as it shows he will work with both sides over huge objections from his party (+1)
-Mention Opposition to Iraq. This is a bad move as most Americans (who are independent) support Iraq. Furthermore, at that time Obama was pro-invasion (-1)
McCain (-1)
- I do not care what you were early on but what you have been recently.(+0)
-With torture you harmed our country by JOINING WITH YOUR PARTY. (-1)
- You have fought with your party on climate change for the better of the world (+1)
- With spending you have voted party line often enough (-1)

Flip Flopping over 10 Years
Obama (-1)
- Did not understand his response at all, sorry (-1)
McCain (-1)
- Offshore drilling is a good thing??? (-1)

Gut-wrenching Decision
Obama (-1)
- Again with Iraq, again with the unpopular position and the lie. (-1)
McCain (+1)
- His decision to stay in the Hanoi Hilton was brave and a great decision. (+1)

What does following Christ mean to you?
Obama (+0)
- Blah Blah Blah, Christ Rocks, we need to follow him (+0)
McCain (+0)
-Blah Blah Blah: STOP, STORY TIME… Christ Rocks, we need to follow him (+0)

At what point is a ‘baby’ given right
(BARGA NOTE – The use of baby here is misleading. I believe we should refer to it as Fetus)
Obama (+1)
- My Body My Choice, with limits at a certain point (+1)
McCain (-1)
-Pro-Life 100% (-1)

Marriage definition
Obama (-1)
- Throws gays under the bus but does not support an amendment (-1)
McCain (-1)
- Leaves gays where they were (under the bus already) and supports an amendment if the courts rule one way. Gets antsy about the Supreme Court (-1)

Stem Cell Research
Obama (+1)
-Used as long as they do not support Abortion and are going to be thrown out anyways. Believes that Adult Stem Cells can work well (+1)
McCain (+1)
- Supports research provided nothing else shows up (+1)

Evil exist, how should we handle it
Obama (+0)
- Blah Blah Blah, did not understand what he said (+0)
McCain (+0)
- Plans to follow Homer’s Odyssey to a tee, too bad that it is a fable (+0)

What Justice would have not nominated
Obama (+1)
- Thomas as he had no expierence and was far right (+1)
- Scalia as he is extremely intelligent but far right (+1)
-Roberts as he gave too much power to the executive branch (-1)
McCain (-4)
- Ginsburg as she legislates from the bench (-1)
- Stevens for the same reason (-1)
- Breyer for, well, the same thing again (-1)
- Souter, well, McCain should not have hit the left four of the court at all (-1)

Should Faith Based Groups get Government Cash
(BARGA NOTE: I find it interesting that the percentage was changed in each of these)
Obama (+1)
- There should be no penalty or help due to faith, only based on merits (+1)
McCain (+1)
- Same Basic Thing (+1)

Should Teachers get more pay?
McCain and Obama (+1 each)
- Yes (+1)

What is rich
Obama (+0)
- Anybody below 250,000 a year with a family (+0)
McCain (-1)
- 5,000,000????? Oh, and taxes suck (-1)

What is worth an American life?
Obama (-1)
- Go into war only when there is absolute evil and we are the only ones who can (-1)
McCain (+1)
- To protect our nation (Hey, I was in war) (+1)

Emergency Orphan Plan
Obama (+1)
-Need to work around the world, with out own local governmental and private organizations, and kick some orphan ass (+1)
McCain (+1)
- Make adoption easier, hey I adopted (+1)

What should we do to end religious prosecution
Obama (+1)
- Speak out, take a stand, use our power (+1)
McCain (+0)
- Bully the countries, imply that only Judeo-Christian matter (+0)

What do you plan to do about slavery
THIS WAS ONLY ASKED OF OBAMA, THEREFORE NO GRADE

Why do you want to be president
Obama (+1)
- To help those who can not help themselves (+1)
McCain (+1)
- To inspire service and a JFK attitude (+1)

We are in a church, some people don’t like that, what is your response
Obama and McCain (+1 each)
- We need to talk in all forums (+1)

What would you tell America if there would be no repercussions
ONLY ASKED TO OBAMA, THEREFORE NO GRADE

Right to privacy V. Security
ASKED ONLY TO MCCAIN, THEREFORE NO GRADE









As always, please leave any comments, no matter how large or how small about the contents of this blog post. Also, please leave any comments/suggestions about this site/post as a whole.
Feel free to e-mail me if you so wish too instead.
Thanks,
Robert M. Barga,
Editor of http://whalertly.blogspot.com/
barga.24@osu.edu



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McCain is painting with a broad new brush

Post 31:


While you may have noticed that I have been starting to focus on the state of Ohio more and more in posts recently (seeing as I live here, I know far more about it and will be moving onto it as the majority of my topics soon), I am going to be hitting the national news again briefly. Today, Obama and McCain had dueling speeches about Obama's position on Iraq and McCain's ability to reason militarily. One might notice that Obama made the mistake of saying that the surge will not work (it did) and that in 2004 he had the same position as Bush on the war. McCain made the mistake of even voting to invade Iraq in the first place. Neither of them win on Iraq in my mind; McCain went in, Obama wants out.

Obama has been trying to keep the race about change and Iraq (leaving) and the economy. McCain has been trying to keep it about experience and Iraq (staying/surge) and the environment. Both have been flirting with race but pretending not to. Basically, both were playing their strong points. However, in todays speech McCain decided to change the focus of the election. McCain decided that it was high time to evoke President Kennedy's famous lines: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. McCain has changed this race into being not experience vs change, not Iraq vs Iraq, but on who has the best service record. He obviously thinks that he can win in this issue, and he also thinks that Americans seem to care.

Am I the only one who sees a very large problem with this idea? Lets not pick the person who is best for the job, no, lets pick the better volunteer. So, any formal Boy Scout is a great president. Hell, I have been volunteering sense 8 (more than half my life), would I be a great president. McCain has fallen into the same trap that Kennedy hit; that is, he is assuming that all service is good service. My work at the library is good, my work for the court (ordered) is not. Yet, according to McCain, it is the same. This is a very dangerous precedent that McCain is setting here, we should find those who are good at volunteering, not those who are good leaders. Next cycle CNN will read: Hot Issues of 2012 Election: Clinton was never an Eagle Scout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!










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Robert M. Barga,
Editor of http://whalertly.blogspot.com/
barga.24@osu.edu



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McCain, Part 2

Post 28:


*MAP UPDATE*
Due to not being here for an update in the map on Monday I will be posting it today.

As sad as this is, it appears as though there have been no changes in the map. Obama still has an easy win in November.
*END OF MAP UPDATE*



This is a continuation of my problems entries: Obama, Part 1,McCain, Part 1, and the newest entry, Obama, Part 2. This time I am going after some of McCains smaller issues that I take offense to. I think that McCain is dropping the ball in these three areas: The Gas Tax, Protecting Marriage, Lets Chat About Stem Cells. Mr. McCain, if you wish to keep my vote (and, being in Ohio, I am rather important) please take a better stand on these issues.

The Gas Tax:
A few months ago McCain joined Clinton in calling for a gas tax between Memorial Day and Labor Day (a bit late for this now). Obama, rightly, rejected the idea and called it stupid. While this is no longer important, this shows me how far McCain is willing to pander to get some votes. The gas tax would never have worked; it would have saved the average American roughly 75$ for the time it was extended. To me, that seems wasteful when it would push our federal government even further into debt. However, McCain was busy pandering to not-so-intelligent Americans who would fall for this sort of thing. Straight-Talk Express my ass.

Protecting Marriage:
Let me set one thing straight, I do not support marriage. I believe that marriage should be a contract between parties that consent, nothing more, nothing less. That said, because nobody is going to be getting rid of marriage anytime soon, I find it is most pertinent that we preserve this right for ALL Americans. Why should we only allow certain people to get married. Studies have shown time and time again that homosexual persons are born that way, not that it is a choice (though why anybody would chose to be hated by a large patch of humanity always gets lost on me). If your loved one was in the hospital, or died and wanted to leave you something, or even wanted you on their health care plan, your wishes are only granted if you happen to have the opposite genitalia. THAT IS BULLSHIT. All Americans should be viewed as equal in the eyes of the law (we are not all equal though) and thus all Americans should have the same basic rights.

Lets Chat About Stem Cells:
Stem cells are a major issue in American politics these days. While the source (abortion) of embryonic stem cells is an issue, most parties agree that Adult stem cells are okay. Well, adult stem cells are not as effective, and they do not do the needed things. I do not understand why people are against embryonic stem cells. If the fetus is going to be aborted, why not use it for a common good? If Nancy Regan comes out in support of these stem cells, then how can any self-respecting Republican not support their use?





As always, please leave any comments, no matter how large or how small about the contents of this blog post. Also, please leave any comments/suggestions about this site/post as a whole.
Feel free to e-mail me if you so wish too instead.
Thanks,
Robert M. Barga,
Editor of http://whalertly.blogspot.com/
barga.24@osu.edu



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Obama, Part 2

Post 27:


*NOTE*
I am currently in Sandusky, Ohio. If this is updated at 12 AM (midnight) on Monday then it is all good. If this is not and posted later (by myself when I get home) then I apologize for the problem.
*END OF NOTE*

This is a continuation of my problems entries: Obama, Part 1 and http://whalertly.blogspot.com/2008/06/mccain-part-1.html. This time I am addressing some of Obama's newer issues and one of his older issues (that is also current). I have several problems with Obama, among them these three pop to the top of my mind: His Flip flopping - His liberal voting record (the older issue) - The Fist Bump. While these may seem petty and pointless, this is a blog about my opinion; these issues actually are issues to me. Obama: what really grinds my gigantic notched wheels.

His Flip Flopping:
In 2004 one issue hurt John Kerry more than anything else could, the fact that he was labeled a 'flip flopper'. Granted, Kerry made it easy on himself when he said “I supported the war before I didn't”. Come on now, have some subtlety. While it is typical for nominees to pledge far out ideas to the party base prior to sealing the nod and then move to the center for the actual election, they normally do it with some style and hide their move; McCain has started to flip on some positions and move to the center, but he is mostly doing it under radar. Obama, on the other hand, holds press conferences announcing he is migrating his position. From NAFTA to public funding to Iraq (still not nearly as far as he will move in the end) to Wright, he makes it well known. This annoys me to no end. While I am all for changing your mind when new evidence is presented, changing it for sole political gain really turns me off. Obama, I thought you were not politics as usual, turns out that you are the same.

His Liberal Voting Record:
Time and Time again the records come out and show that Obama votes constantly with his voting block. He is rated as the most liberal senator in most polls, and in almost all polls he is at least in the top 5 of most liberal. Now, as I attacked McCain as moving to far to the right, I am attack Obama as being to far to the left. When I vote for a president I am picking a person who I think would be good at leading the country, not just 40% of it or so. I want a person who will work with both sides, a person who crosses the border, a person who actually is an American, not a Republican or Democrat. Obama just does not seem to have that record. If Mr. Obama were to move more towards the center than I think that he would be a much much better candidate.

The Fist Bump
This is just a personal pet peeve of mine. After sealing up the Democratic nomination, Mr. Obama and his wife celebrated by bumping fists with one-another. To me this just reeks of immaturity and a pompous attitude. I want a president who shakes hands, a president who acts his age, a president who doesn't act like a deal just went down. I bump hands during a good play DURING FRISBEE, I would never bump hands with my boss after he win a big case. To me this just seems way to immature and out of place. Please, Mr. Obama, act like you are running for the president, not like you are running for Homecoming King.





As always, please leave any comments, no matter how large or how small about the contents of this blog post. Also, please leave any comments/suggestions about this site/post as a whole.
Thanks,
Barga,
Editor of http://whalertly.blogspot.com/
barga.24@osu.edu



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McCain; Part 1

Post 19:


I was originally planning on having a three part series with entries on Clinton, Obama, and McCain but Clinton dropping out of the race brought that to a stand still. So, I am going to have a two part series with McCain and Obama; well, the series is two part for now (hence why I have 'part 1' in the title). I do expect to have more to complain about with this two people in the near future and closer to the November deadline of the campaign.

It is hard for me to say that I am thinking of voting primarily Republican in November. I am used to being a true-blue democrat (against my own party-liners policy) and have some issues voting for a overall ticket of more than 25% republican. But, you know, that is how it is looking to be this year. That is, unless McCain keeps his downward run that he is on (I think it is to take in some conservatives). McCain has started to wallow in a few areas, most notably: Is it Alito or Roberts that you would appoint next - You want to drill where - Stop flirting with the base. There are several other reasons that I could consider ditching McCain over in the next few months, but, I will save those for future posts. John McCain: What Really Grinds my Gigantic Notched Wheels.

Is it Alito or Roberts that you would appoint next:
Recently McCain is on the record as saying Sam Alito and John Roberts are the type of judges that he would appoint to SCOTUS. I have a slight issue with this, as they are vastly different judges. While both are geniuses and great Constitutional Scholars (there is little doubt in either party about this), they are vastly different in their thought processes and decisions. Alito is right wing, believes that moderating from the bench is bad (yet he does it) and works the Constitution to what he want. Roberts, on the other hand, is more moderate (yet still right), believe that moderating from the bench is okay when needed (does not do it) and works his desire to what the Constitution says. Clearly, Roberts and Alito are vastly different, and I only want judges similar to one of them (Roberts) on the bench. So Johnny Boy, what is it, Roberts or Alito?

You Want To Drill Where:
Today (yes, today, I am up to date) John McCain said that he would plan on removing the ban on drilling off the coast of America. This is loosely related to my gas problem entry and the Glass City Jungle entry about China Drilling. McCain argues that we can help end our dependency on foreign oil simply by drilling in our pristine waters off the coast of this country. I, as do 33% of Americans, strongly disagree with this view. We should not risk our natural beauty and the ecosystems any more simply because we want to save some cash. I think that we should invest in alternative energies or go without a car before we destroy our oceans further.

Stop Flirting With Your Base:
McCain, we moderates and independents support you because you are bipartisan, break from you party, and are a good guy. STOP FLIRTING WITH THE BASE. You are destroying all of your bipartisan work by doing this. You Finance Bill, your Immigration bill, and your breaking from the party is why we love you. We are sick of partisan politics in Washington and want somebody who will not be partisan to be in the White House. So, what do you do? You take your gang of 14 credentials and toss them down the toilet to try and get the base. NEWS FLASH, the base is not going to vote Obama, court us moderates.






As always, please leave any comments, no matter how large or how small about the contents of this blog post. Also, please leave any comments/suggestions about this site/post as a whole.
Thanks,
Barga,
Editor of http://whalertly.blogspot.com/
barga.24@osu.edu


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Party Liners

Post 7

*NOTE*
This is back to the regularly scheduled circling around one area
Two more posts 'til you see what it is
As you may have noticed, there have been some changes to the layout of this site. I have included a GOOGLE search bar and an ad section on the right bar of this site. Please feel free to use both (the more they are used, the better the Ads become (more focused and not crazy stuff) and the more money I make). There will be more changes taking place over the next few weeks as I tweak the over all look of this site. Please comment on what you think of these changes (and enter said opinion in the poll) as well as what you think of this, or any, post.
Thanks,
Barga
*End of Note*

Whenever election time springs into being (you can always tell when it is coming, as you start seeing ads that you don't quite know what they are saying but they make you scared, happy, or horny, or all three in some odd combination) you start to see certain people take sides. Well, more specifically, you see most people take a side right away. Usually, they either pick Democrat or Republican, though they sometimes will claim to be of some other party. Most of these people toe the party line, either they are for abortion or against it, for the death penalty or against it, or something like that. Really, they exist to help this corporation (remember, these parties are incorporated) raise more money and help their main stock holders (the politicians running for said party). The problems with 'party liners' is really threefold (as, it seems, almost everything I post is): they vote only party line, without thinking about what they are voting for - they vote only for their party, without thinking of whom they are voting for - they think that the other party is uber-conservative or commies (depending on their side of the political middle) and therefore evil and stupid. Party Liners: What really Grinds My Gigantic Notched Wheels.

They vote only party line, without thinking about what they are voting for:
When one starts to think of a party liner we immediately think of the person who votes only for their party, I.e., the stereotypical Democrat or Republican. This, more or less, is the problem with people who toe the party line. While you may join a party because you agree with more of its positions than those of another party (which is why I am registered Democrat), you probably agree with a fair amount of the opinions and positions of the other party. Furthermore, most of the parties have positions that are very near and similar to each other. The main problem is when people vote on an issue because the Democrat Party of Ohio or the Republican Party of California endorse it. The same problem happens when people only vote on issues that the ACLU or The Citizens for Community Values support. When one expresses blind faith in an organization to make choices for them then they have made a mistake. While you might think that the Democrats, Republicans, or CCV are always correct, more often than not they take stances that you can not agree with. If you don't take the time to educate yourself, you are the one who loses.

They vote only for their party, without thinking of whom they are voting for:
I know, you are probably thinking that this is a cop out, that this is just like the above paragraph with only a few things changed. And, frankly, it is, but it is also a much different issue with the same problems but different outcomes. Voting for a person based solely on their party is the exact same as voting for an issue based on what parties recommended and supported it. While one can often judge (pretty accurately) the positions of a person based on their party support there are quite often variables that are pretty inconsistent. Take Joesph Lieberman for example. He is an independent now (due to a screwed up Connecticut Democrat Primary election) but was once a Democrat. Now, the Democrats have a position of anti-war, pro-choice, etc. and Lieberman (who ran for Veep on a Democrat ticket under Albert Gore) is outside of that area. Just like voting for an issue on the party, here you have the party not always having the position that you think they would. However, when voting for a person it is even worse to not know what is going on. By not being educated on an issue you only affect one area (granted, it could be a big issue, but one issue none-the-less); by electing a person without being educated you are affecting every area that they can touch. Clearly, it is worse to vote party line when looking at people as to when you are looking at just issues, but voting party line in both is purely idiotic.

They think that the other party is uber-conservative or commies (depending on their side of the political middle) and therefore evil and stupid:
This is one of my biggest issues with people who toe the party line, they always think that any person in the other party is automatically evil and wrong, also that they are stupid. They also come up with inflammatory labels for them - Neo-cons and Commies. Furthermore, both sides will see those in the middle (which is where I am) as either being very left or right, depending on which side they are being viewed from. This is a big issue as it does not allow for any respect or decency in politics, and it also keeps us from being able to find any middle ground. In most areas, from abortion to the 'war' in Iraq to tax cuts people either argue for or against, and then accuse the other side of one or another egregious thing. Really, all of these issues, along with most of the other issues there are in this wide world, have a middle ground that we can agree on. Most people think that abortion should be okay if there is a health danger to the mother, rape, and/or incest. Most people think that wealthy tax cuts are bad, but argue about the middle tax brackets, and stuff like that; however, these areas are rarely discussed. The Political Parties make it their business to keep us from finding a common ground, after all, if we did, we would be able to ignore their sides and come up (via debating, of course) how our country should run.

While I think that Political Parties serve an important purpose, I feel that they are exploited to easily and that people need to work within both parties to find a common ground to fix this country up. The biggest threats to democracy are apathy and ignorance, and this Democrat feels that we need to fix both problems to succeed in the long term as a country.


As always, please leave any comments, no matter how large or how small about the contents of this blog post. Also, please leave any comments/suggestions about this site/post as a whole.
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Barga


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Obama's Advisers

Post 6:


*NOTE*
I know that I have been running around one topic and was trying to circle it, eventually coming to it, but I have sense realized that there is something more pressing. This is a temporary retrieve from that circle, this is not about the topic I was going for. The similar entries will shortly resume (I.e. Monday).
*ENDING OF THE NOTE*

Many people have been hit by manufactured controversies in politics recently. From Governors having affairs to Hillary running from sniper fire. The idea of controversies being manufactured seems to keep getting passed around. Sure, it is understandable when you are trying to sell something, in this case, the news, but it is not understandable that we always need these things in politics. Recently, Obama has been under fire from several different manufacture controversies. The most recent, and most discussed, being: The Reverend Wright - The Flag Pin - His elitist comments (along with Michelle's). All of these controversies are absurd yet all will be a big issue in November. Really, the main thing is, all of them could have been avoided. Obama's Advisers; What Really Grinds My Gigantic Notched Wheels.

The Reverend Wright
Now, I know that most people (democrats that is) do not think that a spiritual advisor should matter when looking at a person. Look at their positions, look at what they say, look at how they vote; do not look at where a person sits in a pulpit. I agree with you, for the most part, provided one can prove that any radical ideas held by the priest/rabbi/father/what-have-you are not held by the candidate. I do not think that Obama is racist, anti-semitic, anti-American, or anything like that. However, when looked at alongside several other things (including the other two big 'issues') a fair amount of voters will see that in Obama. My issue with this whole Wright thing is that Obama dug himself a grave. He said “I can not disown Wright any more than I can disown blacks”. Then, after nothing new happens (Wright talks publicly, I consider that the same as YOUTUBE), he switches. Obama dug himself a whole, because either he lied before or he doesn't pay attention to the news. I hope it is the previous, because I would rather have a liar than an uneducated person. The thing is, Obama's advisers should have seen this coming (we all knew Wright would go talk) and handled this in the first speech (back in March), not a month later. They really dropped the ball there.

The Flag Pin
Now, I in no way think that a symbol is our country. I do not think that burning the flag is wrong and I do not think that Obama should be required to wear a flag pin. That said, why is he? Earlier this election cycle when asked about why he no longer wore the pin Obama made it a big deal by making a whole 1st Amendment speech. Good, case over, don't wear the thing. Suddenly, here comes Obama with the pin on, about the same time that the GOP starts attacking his patriotism. Seems a little coincidental there, but we can ignore that for this blog (will show up in another, trust me). So, after making a big deal about why he should not have one, Obama suddenly does have one. This is a huge issue; we saw in 2004 that a simple flip flop on a seemingly nothing thing has dire consequences in the election. A flip flop on patriotism (as the GOP would spin it) will harm Obama greatly in the coming campaign, especially in states like Ohio and Penn., where this sort of stuff resonates with the working stiffs (who Obama needs to gain ground with). This seems to be another area where Obama's advisers have dropped the ball.

Obama's elitist comments, and Michelle
Calling a female reporter “sweetie”, calling citizens of a large voting state “bitter and clingy”, saying that “this is the first time I am proud of this country”, and saying that “WV is only voting Clinton because they are racist”. Come on now people, this is a clear problem that the Obama camp is having. Before I get to the meat of this, I must say, SHUT THE HELL UP MICHELLE. Seriously, she is harming Obama's campaign greatly, almost as much as Wright did, by saying the most stupid things at the worst times. Moving on, I think that Obama is an elitist, as I think any person who wishes to run this country is; however, only Obama comes off that way. His comments imply that he looks down on people, doesn't think much of working stiffs, and has an issue with this country. That is not going to help him get elected. Sure, he makes slip ups, and I am fine with things like that (I actually think that the sweetie comment was a slip up), however he (and Michelle) also make gigantic mistakes. They both say things that will only harm them, thinking that all they need to win are the elite college educated. NEWS FLASH, you need the entire spectrum of people to win, and if you keep isolating the lower end, you can not win. This is one area where Obama's advisers are most present, these are his speeches for gosh sake. If anything, this is where they should catch his problems. Alas, low and behold, yet again, Obama's advisers have screwed the campaign. What, is this like the tenth, twentieth time? It simply comes down to one question; What should Obama do? This Democrat thinks that Obama should fire his staff, duct tape his wifes mouth, and higher people who have run campaigns before (or, you know, just go hang with the Clinton Camp).


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