Edwards will win Democratic nomination because of the "Unsaid"

OK, I know the latest polls numbers indicate that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) is gaining in Iowa over Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York) and the other candidates. Those numbers may be legitimate however, some of my questions are: 1.) Will the Democratic base feel he is experienced enough to lead the country? And 2.) Can his campaign stand up to the attacks from Camp Hillary and win the Democratic nomination? Of course these are important questions here and deserved to be answered. However, are these the real questions that Americans will ask themselves when in the voting booth? No. I am going out on a limb here and say that because of the "true" questions that will be asked by Americans in the booth, John Edwards (D-North Carolina) will win the Democratic nomination.



You all may think I'm nuts here but I have a few reasons why I think Edwards will win the Democratic nomination, and yes they begin with what I call the "unsaid" of politics. Yes I'm talking about the hot topics or the sensitive issues of gender, race and religion. These issues are very similar to the everyday life of ordinary people in America of having areas of which are uncomfortable or almost forbidden to talk about in the work place; those being politics, sex and religion. As you can tell, very similar format but different topics, yet all very equally "sensitive" issues.




Let's start with the gender area first, just because it is only fitting to start with ladies first. Having said that, you probably know where I'm going with this but allow me to entertain you for a moment. Unless we want to be completely cruel, we've all established that Hillary Clinton is the lone woman in the field of candidates and apparent front runner of the Democratic Party's nomination for president. Although an impressive history in her own right as a former First Lady with White House experience as well as an influential senator, the question remains whether those credentials be enough to assure the minds of Americans and Democrats for that matter that she is the best candidate or nominee. Will her camp full of loyalists and deep researchers be enough to sustain the lead she's built and get her the nomination? And, the "real" questions American will ask themselves; Is America ready for a female President, much less another Clinton in the White House? My answer to that is simply NO. Yes, I'm sure that sounds cruel on my end but I hold that to be "true and self evident". History tells us that when a woman is running for an office that is on the national ticket, they lose. For instance, look at Margaret Chase Smith (R), Geraldine Ferraro (D) and Pat LaMarche (G) to name a few. They all failed to either win the nomination or breakthrough as the first winner in a national election as a woman. If she does indeed win the nomination, she'll have to actually debate real men on issues of national security, War on Terror and securing our borders instead of keeping the planet green, baby killing rights for woman and Communistic / socialized health care. Given her recent past in debates, she'll likely lose on the real issues that Americans care about...that being able to protect the country with a strong defence and ensuring our Freedom.

Now that we got Hillary out of the way, let's get to Barack Hussein Obama. Yes, that is his real middle name. Just saying that name makes the hairs on the back of my neck flare up like a bad spike from the 80's. Now I mentioned the term race as another area in which Edwards will or could gain the nomination from the Democrats. Yes, race will play a part of this election, on both side of the aisle. Should it? I'm not one to say whether it should or should not play a part in this election, the fact remains, it will. Race has always seemed to play a part when a minority runs for a national office. Look at the platform on which Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton ran on...race. Now, with Obama, unlike Jackson and Sharpton, it's not the fact that he's African American that will be the issue here. To me, it's the "other" part of his race that will play a role in his nomination. I'm talking about his white side or his lack of acknowledging it in many opportunities. (Obamas father was an immigrant from Kenya and his mother was white woman from Kansas). He talks about that in his African American community people know he's Black, but do they know he's white too? (Although some would argue that he's not real African American because of his non-slavery roots) Not at his current pace. By pitting one race against the other or completely disregarding the other in fact, would surely indicate that he is running as a Black man and not biracial. That to me is the real issue with race. If your make up is of two races, acknowledge it and be proud of it. The ignoring of one over the other will not set well with the American people. Couple this with the next topic of religion, which in some ways goes hand in hand, it will be a lost cause for him to win the nomination. Keep in mind, it's not that I don't feel an African American person can win the nomination. I just don't feel that he can win it because of his stance on one race and somewhat neglecting his other race.

Now moving into the religious aspect of the essay, which also deals with Barack Obama. I mentioned earlier of Obamas father being from Kenya, well that is part of the story. The other part of it is that when Obama was a young boy, he attended a madrassa, which some feel is a suspected Muslim extremist school. I hope I do not need to get into the Muslim religion and it's numerous references of killing the Infidels in the Quran, so I won't. The point is, a United States Presidential candidate that was raised and schooled as a Muslim, and a suspected extremist version at that. Thus, putting a potential risk of National Security too close to the Nations Capital and vitals areas of our Nation. As an American I am truly fond of the Freedom of Religion insertion into the Constitution, however, when a religion such as Islam that has been known or associated with modern day terrorism, I have a problem with the closeness associated with potential presidential candidates.

The second part of Obamas religion of today is that his church, Trinity United Church of Christ, solely promotes the black race according to their principles and values, thus having the potential of racism in the White House. Are we as American that desperate for change in Washington that we are welcomed to the idea of having a black president that is willing to solely promote the the Black race due to his religion and not equal treatment for all? Would we really accept a white presidential candidate of the same principles regarding religion and race? I don't think we would in that case nor should we in this case. Through the years we have tried to bring the differences of race together but with Obamas Trinity Church of Christ, how can we really do that with a presidential candidate that knowingly promotes one race over another? Is this the change that America needs or wants? I hope not.

I'm not the most scholarly individual regarding trends in politics however I do believe that if these issues continue to come up and the poll numbers continue the way they have been lately, the candidates sitting in the wings so to speak, will have a huge shot at getting the nomination. Now I'm not for rooting Edwards to win, but face it, he hasn't been in the hot water that Hillary or Obama have been as of late. Granted, Camp Hilliary is focused on Obama with her debates, so make it clear right now that in the next debate of importance and viewing, she will take out all she can on Edwards. His numbers are getting too close to her and she would rather worry about one person instead of two or three. The whole point here is, if the trends continue, Edwards has a shot...which should benefit the Republicans a lot.

Having said all that, we must remember that in order for these differences of the candidates to be known, we must make the mainstream media accountable for the news and the real truth regarding our presidential candidates. Am I wrong for mentioning these sensitive issues? I don't think so considering what the other bloggers and pundits write. I'm only offering a difference of opinion when it comes to the issues that will mean a great deal come voting day. I do truly hope that someday race and religion do not become an issue during an election, however, as long as we are at war with extremist religious groups and have presidential candidates that promote one race over another, they will and should always be brought to the table. We Thee People need the truth and expect no less.

God Bless America!

Craig Should Resign now!

OK, so it's been a few days but, unless you've been living in a remote camp without power in the Northern Maine or have had no contact with the outside world, you've heard of the dilemma regarding Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho). He is the senator that pleaded guilty to indecent behavior in a Minnesota airport restroom a few months back. His actions not only casted a shadow over him as a person as well as the Republicans but also and more importantly, it put his family in an unwanted light.

Now, after a judge denied his request to withdraw his guilty plea, he has decided, against pleural of Republicans in Washington and across the nation, to not resign to try and clear his name. Bad move for three reasons. 1. The character damage has already been done to him. He is a fraud and a sexual deviant. 2. The Republican party needs to have him resign or risk having this be an issue in 2008. This upcoming election is about moving the party and the nation forward. It will not happen unless the GOP puts its foot down and says enough is enough. and 3. An Ethics investigation will most definitely be difficult upon him, his family as well as the Republican Party.

As I stated to begin with, the damage to his reputation has already been done. Regardless of whether the judge OKs or denies his request to pull his plea, the fact remains that he was caught with his pants down. No pun intended. He can whimper and whine about how he should not have made a plea or that he did not mean anything by his wide stance. Nonetheless, he got caught doing something only sexual deviants do.

Secondly, the Republican part and more so the party leadership in Washington should pull him aside and "politely" ask him to resign. The pain is far worse for him and the party if he stays on. This issue will most definitely be an issue come the next few months leading up to the primaries not too mention the general election in November. Dignity is something that can not be replaced by back tracking on your guilty pleas nor is it easily obtainable after an embarrassing sexual act. He'll soon find out.

Lastly here, an Ethics investigation into the happenings or actions of Sen. Craig will essentially wreak havoc upon him and his family. I know I couldn't put my family through that ordeal if I did something that disgusting or disgraceful. He owes it to his family to do what is best for them and not him. His career is over as a US Senator as well as having any future position that has any sense of importance or integrity. An investigation of these sorts will reveal his sexual actions, preferences, orientations, habits and any thing else that would shed new light on to why he would have entered that restroom in Minnesota. It is simply not a place that the results would indeed be positive. Nothing good ever comes out of an Ethics investigation, does it?

Sen. Craig, for the sake of the Republican and more importantly your family, PLEASE RESIGN NOW! You owe your family 2 things. 1. An explanation behind closed doors and 2. the love to leave them out of an unwanted media spotlight. Your character at this point is shot but you can save your family's character and dignity by doing the obvious. RESIGN!

September 11th: A Day of Reflection!

We all remember where we were and what were were doing that fateful day in mid September of 2001. Six years later, we are once again brought to the attention of it's meaning and it's impact on our lives. Today marks another a day of remembrance for us as Americans. Let us not forget what emotions we felt that day nor the feelings that we absorbed through the times ahead. Let us not forget the feelings we had on those moments following the attacks of grief, disbelief, anger, hatred and finally, something that had been missing in this wonderful Free world for a period of time, a feeling of unity with others across our country.

Picking it a part today as we did back then, we would be lying if we said we don't grieve for the loved ones lost and their families anymore. We are an emotional and sentimental group of individuals in this country and even more so when our own fall due to the hands of another. Grieving, they say, is part of the healing process. So this I ask, how long does this healing process take? Only God and yourself can truly answer that.

The disbelief came only after we realized that this was no accident. It was an attack on America and our culture of values. an attack of a way of life, not of what we did to them. As the truth about the attackers unfolded over the weeks, months and years ahead, astonishment also set in to me as well as many Americans when it was revealed that President William Jefferson Clinton, had an opportunity to take custody of Osama Bin Laden from the Saudis and refused. Knowing that the mastermind behind the September 11th attacks was in our hands at one point and this tragic event could have been avoided disappointed many Americans. Too many to be exact.

After we realized who did what and the possible reasons why, we were angry at many things. I know I was angry at the Muslim World, the media for providing excuses of why we were attacked and at the previous administration for letting Bin Laden go. It appeared to me that anger was the only emotion that really mattered or needed to be portrayed, because all else would do no good unless we defeated them. My anger was emotional and in my eyes, completely logical. Fair to sound that way you might ask? I'm not sure, what emotions did you feel when we were attacked? Helpless? Disappointed? Sickened? Anger set in about when? Not long thereafter, so yes, it is fair for me to sound like that. Remember, we were attacked and the anger I had felt was due to the notion of not being able to help my country, like so many others felt at the time.

I used the word hatred earlier, and yes it may be a strong word, however, it is an emotion that truly was felt and properly justified following the attacks. Obviously, if the terrorists had enough hatred of us on their minds to kill our fellow Americans, then it is only fitting to return the favor. Right? Let us not take this out of context. Hatred, unlike the anger felt, was due to the attackers. The anger was from not being able to do anything to prevent the attacks. The hatred felt towards the Muslim community and Middle Easterners in general at the time following the attacks was justified. If it were WWII again, where would the hatred have been applied? The Japanese, the individuals that attacked us. So, as much as it is wrong to hate, we clearly had reason at the time.

Lastly, we remember the greatest feeling at the time. Unfortunately, it came at a price. Unity was across the country accomplished, at least for a period time. True as it was, Boston Red Sox Fans love New York Fans and Democrats and Republicans joined hand in hand to make a stance against the attackers. The terrorists wanted to change America. Well it did. There were more flags flown, more ribbons pinned on, more patriotic songs written and more unity amongst Americans. Unity is a great thing, especially for a country like ours. I hope we get it back, but with out the price we paid before. The ones that perished on 9/11 would not forgive us.

Remember, we are not alone. The ones that gave their lives that day still are with us in various ways. Remember who they are. They are loved ones and strangers and neighbors and fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers and sons and daughters and aunts and uncles and more true than not, they were Americans. They still exist in our hearts, on memorials, on flags, on shirts, on granite, and on plaques. Remember this of the ones lost in New York, Washington DC and in Pennsylvania on that fateful day, they will always be Americans.

God Bless America!

Community Softball: A Cure for Political Overload?

It's 5:30pm on a Thursday evening at the softball field in Norridgewock. As the regular "jocks" and "rookies" stroll in and stretch out their limbs for the upcoming softball contest, onlookers will soon notice that the participants vary in age (18-60+), shape, size, gender, athleticism, and some with physical handicaps and some with not. Another thing that is noticed, especially if you know any of them is that many are on both sides of the political spectrum. We have some, like myself, very heavily involved in local and state partisan politics that lean a little right. We have some individuals that are firmly against President Bush and the Iraq War and some that want just want the government out of their lives. Regardless of any of their political affiliations and viewpoints regarding public policy, they all share at least two things in common this day of the week, they love the competition that softball brings and of course they love the Boston Red Sox.


On the community level, softball and sports in general, is a way to bring people of all walks of life together. It can be a way to get some much needed exercise, converse with neighbors, and feel like a team member without having to see another political news commentator, Anti-Bush commercial, answer tough questions about political insights in the world or hear how the economy is doing in Maine. The game of politics gets checked in at the gate, which gets replaced by a softball game that can get pretty competitive and at the same rate, can be as fun to watch as it is to play. Can you think of the last time when the Maine Legislature was fun to watch? I'm still thinking about that one. Nope, I can't recall. This reminds me of a famous quote that stated something along the lines as, "There are two things in this world that people should never see being made. One is sausage and the other is laws". Makes you wonder if they lived in Augusta.

So maybe our leaders in Augusta and the Maine Legislature and even locally elected officials can take a message from the great citizens in my town of Norridgewock, have fun and get your political frustrations out and play a sport. A few members on each side of the aisle getting together for a pick-up game of basketball or softball or even bowling. The lessons to be learned about each other on a non-political scale and working together as a team in a different manner could be priceless. Who knows, it may actually help them work together to accomplish the goals that need to be done in the Legislature, such as cutting spending and supporting the people of Maine.


As I close, I want to urge all communities to set up their own adult co-ed sporting event such as softball, volleyball or basketball or something else. It's purpose is not to build a power house softball team or NBA franchise. The purpose is to do a number of things such as bring the community together and enjoy each others company versus whether or not they are part of a certain political party. If differing opinions can work together to win on the field or court, you can find a way to work together to build a better community or state. So how about it Governor Baldacci, are you up for a pickup game of softball in Norridgewock? I'll even let you hit it off me, if you can hit my knuckleball.