The Debate
February 21st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
At this point in the campaign, Clinton needs more than a tie to win this debate. She almost needs a gaffe by Obama to exploit on the campaign trail and further seed the doubt that Obama is ready. As a clear frontrunner, Obama can get a win simply by playing it cool and looking presidential.
Obama won the coin toss and chose to go second. Understanding that her campaign will live or die in Texas and Ohio, Clinton made a pitch straight away for her Texas bona fides, bringing up her relationship with Barbara Jordan and Ann Richards.
Obama began by singing Clinton’s praises. He can afford to be magnanimous, as he’s ahead, but he also needs to be in order to stay ahead. Obama too mentions Barbara Jordan, citing a quotation that, “America wants to be as good as its promise.”"I am running because I want to help America be as good as its promise.”
First question is on Cuba. Do we talk to dictators? Clinton is still a no.
Obama is still willing to talk. He ducks a gotcha question about a previous comment on diplomatic normalization with the island, but doesn’t back away.”I support the eventual normalization, and it’s absolutely true that I think our policy has been a total failure… We need to work toward normalization.”
On to the economy…First question to Obama. He empathizes with Americans who are struggling. “This has to be a priority of the next president.” Restore fairness. No tax cuts for companies sending jobs overseas. No tax cuts for the wealthy. Working coalition for change only way to get it done, he says. Overcome the dominance of the special interests.
CNN’s John King tries to stir the pot, noting that Clinton has questioned whether Obama is ready to tackle the economy on day one. She agrees with most of what Obama said. She gets in a couple of good lines. America has already had a president for the wealthy.
Moved on to immigration. This is key in Texas. Obama makes the case that we need to fix immigration.
King asks Clinton if she would finish the fence. Clinton notes that both she and Obama voted for it. Having spent a few weeks in Texas she realizes that it’s getting a little ridiculous. Talks about UT Brownsville being bisected by the fence.
Clinton: This is the kind of absurdity we’ve been getting from this administration… It’s a plan that’s counterproductive. I would listen to people who live along the border.
King: Does that mean you think your vote was wrong or the implentation of it was wrong?Clinton: There is a lot we have learned about smart fencing…
(What’s the sound of a thousand bloggers giggling?)
Clinton: Let’s employ more technology and personnel instead of the physical barrier. I frankly think that will work better. People who live there need to have a president who understands that…Obama agrees and pivots to the economy. We are not going to deal with these problems in isolation. That’s why we need comprehensive reform. Calls for passage of the DREAM Act.Everybody agrees that it’s good to learn a foreign language.
Obama is using an interesting debating trick. He is going out of his way to be complimentary and agreeable with Clinton. This forces everybody to play nice.
Sign of the times? Babies born this year named Barack…
February 21st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Post from Padmini Arhant’s Blog:
‘The Moment of Truth’
By “Voice behind the movement” - Feb 20th, 2008 at 11:27 pm EST
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My Dear Fellow Americans,
You did it! You proved the skeptics, cynics and critics wrong and conveyed a message loud and clear that all that matters to you, the people of this nation are issues and not ‘partisan, divisive and racial politics’. The rationale demonstrated by the electorate across the nation from coast to coast, comprising ordinary citizens from all walks of life struggling to meet both ends and barely getting by in their daily life are reflected in the spectacular, ‘perfect ten’ primary victories for the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama.
The results speak volume of the dignity, integrity and general character of the ‘momentum’ and the unprecedented manner the campaign have been run to deliver a phenomenal display of success! The truthful and transparent presentation of my ‘Profile’ as the ‘Voice behind the movement’ is a testimony to this effect.
‘Power’ is a powerful word. Those seeking ‘Power’ to the highest office on land and the entire world are the ones who should be subject to scrutiny. The preposterous allegation of ‘Plagiarism’ with respect to the authorship on my blog and the content material is a weak defense strategy by the candidates (some of whom are attorneys’) facing defeat in the nomination and general election process and a convenient option to evade serious blunders brought to public and media attention for scrutiny.
‘Truth’ is a ‘monster’ one is uncomfortable with especially the ‘Politicians’ hiding behind the element of ‘Truth’.
‘Truth’ is often challenged, vilified and suppressed for their own political aspirations to govern and rule the nation with false promises, deceptions, lies, rumors and fear mongering tactics.
The Truth of the matter is, ‘Truth’ always prevails in the end.
My educational and employment background is being verified and distorted to salvage the sinking ship by the candidate on the verge of collapse. I may not be the ‘Alumni’ of the elite institutions such as ‘Harvard, Stanford, Princeton’ or any of the Ivy League schools in this nation. I’ve had the privilege to meet and interact with intellectuals and Nobel Laureates from these fine institutions and others around the world. It has been an interesting and learning experience in my life time. The details will be discussed in my forthcoming literary work.
I would like to add as a reminder that apart from these great educational institutions, there are many more around the world that may not match in prominence but equally dedicated in imparting good education to be productive citizens with a capability to present the ‘Truth’ with courage and honesty, the vital components of a ‘human character’.
The subject of ‘education’ is a relative term. Some individuals taking pride in their ‘privileged educational background’ often fall short on humanitarian issues, and preoccupy themselves in glorifying their ‘resumé’ rather than addressing the needs of the ordinary citizens seeking leadership seriously committed in resolving the real issues confronting them at present time.
The graceful and ‘Enlightened Soul’, ‘Gautam Buddha’ and his follower ‘His Holiness’ Dalai Lama neither of whom attended any elite institutions yet their ‘Truthful’ presence and knowledge has been profound and have created mass consciousness and energized people across the world. There are many ordinary human beings doing extraordinary things in every corner of the world and their service may not be recognized but they will remain ‘unsung geniuses’ and ‘trend setters’ of the world.
My response to both Senator John McCain and Senator Hillary Clinton on the ‘rhetoric’ or ‘eloquence’ making “empty call” is their representation of ‘pure politics’ and ‘Status Quo’, the nation would be better off without continuation of such legacy. May I remind the electorate the same candidates made overtures to me to represent their campaign as the grass root supporter?
The human character, the most important criteria for any leadership is compromised when kind words used by ‘kindness’ (reference – Senator John McCain’s experience and service to the nation in my blog ‘Direct Plea to the Super Delegates’), in all sincerity is being attempted by GOP to gain political advantage against the unstoppable momentum supporting Senator Barack Obama in the ‘Presidential race’.
Again, repeating myself, the experience aspect of it has already been discussed in my previous blogs. It is acknowledged as an asset for leadership. However, if that experience is not exercised diligently and rationally as in the authorization and staunch support for illegal invasion of ‘Iraq’ and the pledge to conduct the devastating war for another hundred years! it transforms into ‘liability’ evident in the current economic, employment, energy, environmental, national security and international crisis.
Can our nation or the global community sustain such leadership for another term or two?
The honorable and appropriate act for the candidates responsible for the reckless authorization and implementation of the illegitimate war would be to apologize to the families of the following victims of Iraq war and our ‘Fallen Heroes’ and brave young men and women in the frontline of the battlefield in the ongoing and economically disastrous war. The electorate and the international community would welcome a humanitarian gesture on behalf of candidates seeking leadership to the highest office on land and planet earth.
Don’t these victims deserve at least an apology for their horrific experience and permanent scar on their life?
Courtesy: CNN.Com
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The balloons placed under Youssif’s skin stretched his good skin enough to cover his scars.
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Courtesy:
http://www.robertfisk.com/iraqwarvictims_mar2003.htm
Pictures of Destruction and Civilian Victims of the Anglo-American Aggression in Iraq (March / April 2003)
Please note that some of these pictures are not suitable for small children and those who have weak hearts. These photos are only of a very tiny fraction of the thousands of Iraqi Civilian Victims who have been terrorized, humiliated, injured, maimed and killed through British and American bombing of civilian areas in various cities of Iraq. Due to insecurity, independent reporters could not and still can not reach many areas to photograph and report the atrocities. Several independent reporters and journalists were deliberately bombed to prevent them reporting the atrocities.
http://www.robert-fisk.com/iraqwarvictims_page1.htm, http://www.robert-fisk.com/iraqichild.jpg for more horrific images of the children, the major casualties of this illegal war.
Source: http://www.kirkbytimes.co.uk Working Class Resistance-
This poor young girl will never again run through the streets, never hear the dawn chorus of sparrows or play in the streets of Basra with her friends. Why? Ask Blair and those who supported this war.
this poor child was killed by US or UK soldiers
Courtesy: http://www.kirkbytimes.co.uk, Working Class Resistance
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Thank you.
Padmini Arhant, Copyrights reservced.
OBAMA SUPPORTER