Barely Isn’t Enough

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-slansky-/a-note-to-bill-clinton_b_128755.html

An excellent note to a former Commander-in-Chief who is well known for his mood swings.  I can’t help but feel the same way towards Mr Clinton as I still haven’t completely forgiven him for his slanders against Obama during the campaign.

Time Out for McCain?

John McCain today announced that he is suspending his campaign in order to travel back to Washington, DC and work on the financial crisis that is not only gripping the American economy, but the world economy.  First reaction?  Bravo, McCan, bravo.

But there’s a lot more at work here then the financial crisis.  Over the past week and half, McCain’s campaign has been mum on what he would do had this happened on his watch.  In the interest of fairness – neither has Obama.  So where am I seeing the fly in the ointment?

Well the first thing we should pay attention to is what coincides with this aannouncement.  It is clear as day that the only change in the last 48 hours has been a national surge in polling toward Mr Obama.  Reports are also coming in that Senator Obama had been in contact with Senator McCain as recently as this morning about issuing a joint statement about their shared principles regarding this meltdown on Wall St.

At no time did the two candidates discuss suspension of the campaign or postponing debates until the announcement today from John McCain.  So I now wonder, why the need to hold off?  I’ve been incredibly frustrated in recent weeks with the McCain campaigns insistence on avoiding the major issues of this campaign, namely:

• Who is Governor Palin and why isn’t she talking to the press?
• Why are you flipping all over the place on your economic views?
• Are you really trying to distract all of us with non-starter issues like Obama’s “lipstick on a pig” comment?

It’s honestly surreal to see how McCain is approaching the general election.  Maybe he thinks ignorance is bliss, but I’m banking on the American people to not let him off the hook – I know Obama’s camp isn’t.  The debate is on.

Why she’s the queen of country…

Those of you who know me are well aware of my unhealthy love of Dolly Parton.  My mother had the whole family listening to her since I was in diapers and I honestly can’t complain.  She’s an excellent role model for how Christians should relate to the greater world and love her fans above all else.

Arguably her most famous song – ‘9 to 5′ – was recently made into a Broadway play based off the motion picture.  At the debut performance, however, there were some technical difficulties that could have been catastrophic.  In typical Dolly fashion, the queen of country saved the day.

Money Quote:
“Parton then proceeded to lead the entire audience in a sing-a-long version of the title song ‘9 to 5.’ That number, drew a rousing ovation from the crowd; but the delay wasn’t done and neither was Dolly.”

Fool me once…

Today I have the distinct displeasure of reporting to you all that Barack Obama isn’t the messiah.  In fact, he is probably more down to Earth than a lot of my fellow Obamanian’s would like to admit.  I, for one, would feel much more comfortable voting for Obama knowing that he is a normal American political leader and sees reality as much as he does optimism.

According to CNN, both Obama and Biden had an opportunity to vote down the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere” during their time in the Senate.  Both of them voted in favor of the spending.  Not be outdone, however, Senator John McCain did not vote on both the amendment and the bill.

I’m beginning to agree more and more with my roommate about requiring all Senators to vote yea or nay on every bill that comes to the floor.  Unless, of course, you’re running for President…

Want a raise? Slack off!

So I can finally have the best of both worlds?

Money quote:
“The ability to simultaneously talk on the phone, send an e-mail and heat up the meatballs for the monthly potluck is an admirable quality but not necessarily the most beneficial. Multitasking has become the de facto approach to daily operations in many workplaces. The problem is that often we end up doing a little of everything and never making much progress on any one task.”

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/09/22/cb.slack.off.at.work/index.html

Redux

Long time no post.  I know.

College is over – forever – and it is taking some getting used to.  A lot of people like to think that becoming a Professor or going to graduate school means that you’ll still be able to extend that sense of excitement and freedom beyond the day we crossed our tassels from right to left.  Wrong.

We’re in it for the long haul now and I find myself grasping to hold on.  A good friend of mine put quite aptly last night: it’s like you’re standing at the very tip of a large cruise ship (Titanic-esque) and looking out at the endless ocean with no land in sight.  We all know we have to steer in some direction – we just hope that in the end we find land.  Habitable land.

I’ve always found that we are most honest with ourselves when we are most vulnerable.  This is an important fact because too often we are blinded by the quickly moving world around us – and of course all the shiny things.  It is in this time of personal crises that I find myself questioning many of the presumptions I’ve built up for myself over the last few years.  What do I want to do with my life?  Are you sure?  What really is my calling?  Do callings even exist?

Some people will say, “Oh don’t worry too much, you’re young and have time.”  This advice will likely come from someone of a previous generation, someone who only four years ago was telling you that after college you’ve got to decide – and decide quickly.  Consistency isn’t their strong suit I guess.

So what do you do when you’ve put yourself on a particular track and now find that something else entirely is pulling on all your heartstrings to make a switch?  If you’re me then you spend countless hours away from peers reflecting and ruminating.  I have a problem when it comes to discussing my problems – I don’t.  Instead I seek out solitude as an agent of discovery.

If and when I come to a conclusive decision I will have to make sure it is in line with what I want from this life – not what others expect from my life.  This is something I have always had trouble mastering but time is of the essence.  We live in a fast-paced, interconnected; uploaded-downloaded world and I just don’t have time for a reboot.

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On a more somber note – I’d like to publically express my intense sorrow over the loss of Tim Russert.  For many Americans who enjoyed politics or wanted to be informed, Tim was a giant.  If I didn’t see him on Sunday mornings – I would see him later that day on my downloaded podcast.  His clear, articulate, and well-reasoned arguments for finding the bottom line and getting to the truth will be missed.  My thoughts and sympathy are with his son, wife, and of course, Big Russ.

Hi, I’m Mike and I’m an Obamacan.

I’m just finishing up my undergraduate education at the George Washington University, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that politics is like a past-time for me. I’ll definitely expand on my views and beliefs as the days roll on but I must step away from the blog and study physics…

Before I do that, however, I have a confession to make. I’m a registered Republican and I’m utterly smitten by Sen Barack Obama. That’s right. Come January I’ll be standing near the foot of the Capitol Building – freezing – and proud as Sen Obama becomes…

President Obama

Best Show

Battlestar Galactica. I read somewhere that it is considered the “best show not being watched” on television. It is now in its last season and has yet to disappoint. Maybe it’s the whole “sci-fi” thing that makes it less then appealing – but people need to move on. Check it out and you won’t be disappointed.

Day One

If all goes well, this should be the start of a long and fruitful relationship with WordPress…