When I decided to create this blog I made the decision to keep it as fair and neutral as humanly possible by simply asking  questions and constantly relying on the reader's identity as an American and not whether he or she is a Democrat or a Republican.  Barak Obama was just elected President of the United States last night.  Is it an amazing moment in history?  Absolutely.  Am I proud as an American?  That one's not so simple.  I don't have a bumper sticker on my car.  I don't have a lawn sign infront of my home.  I don't see the logic in telegraphing your political leanings to complete strangers.  Infact, it has been recently affirmed to me that one shouldn't even devolge one's political opinion to those we call our "friends".  But in this very special and important election, I think it's very important to go on the record. 
     What do I believe?  I believe this country has just elected an individual whom we know very little, if nothing about.  I believe the company one keeps inspite of what the media may affirm, is very important.  I believe we need not look to other countries and their socio-economic pshylosophies to "rehabilitate" our own.  I believe this is the greatest country on the planet.  I believe the leaders we sometimes choose don't reflect or promote the ideals the founding fathers attempted in good faith to establish.  Do I believe this country needs change?  If it does, let it be with the leaders we choose, but let it not be with the fundamentals that have made it possible for so many generations of peoples from all over the world to realize their dreams and live happy, fulfilled lives.                   
     My parents come from a country that refuses to take responsibility for it's votes.  I'm willing to take ownership for my vote for  Bush "W", and McCain.  But I predict that  Ophra and Bill Maher are going to find themselves in the very uncomfortable position of explaining  to the American people how "Their"  superior intellect helped to elect a radical marxsist, socialist anti capatilistic  black man who idealizes Chavez from Venezuela, Castro from Cuba, and Mao from China to the Presidency of the United States of America.  A big part of me really wanted Obama to become President, a big part...  I thought maybe after this gentleman  the democrat party would finally realize that they're on the wrong side of the argument.  You know,.....STOP HATING ON AMERICA!!....  That (He)... Obama is a FAKE, a NO ONE,  an ASPIRATIONAL speaker rather than  INSPIRATIONAL leader, theoretical rather than SUBSTANTIAL.  It turns out that the ONE  is going to dessimaite the democrat party for the next twelve to twenty years.  HERE'S A SECRET!.........(Just between you and me)...This is the real reason I wanted Obama elected President.  It's no wonder that Hollywood and it's actors; people that pretend for a living lent their trust to this PRETENDER!    So......We are all on the record now guys right?......  There's no going back.  This is your man.  Stand by him.  LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY. 

       It's America's birthday today and I, for one love this day.  I can't help but have this overwhelming sense of pride, which by the way I've had my entire adult life, but seriously, especially in these times when there seems to be so much anti-Americanism throughout  the world.  Actually, I should be very honest.  I don't really believe it's anti-Americanism as much as all- consuming envy on behalf of some governments and a significant portion of their populations from all corners of the globe.  It really is very transparent though, and there's absolutely no need to lose any sleep over it.
      Can one really blame them though?  I mean look at us.  We are, relatively speaking an infant nation on the world scene.  Our European neighbors constantly remind us of this when they accuse us as having no culture, no history.  We lack sophistication and refinement.  We're immature and idealistic.  All things one might expect from a toddler.  But let's be clear.  It's this same toddler that is the sole world super power on the planet, and that's no accident.  We are the hardest working, most generous, giving, productive, mightiest, selfless and humble people alive.  Don't believe me?  The next time you're waiting to be processed at the airport, returning from an overseas trip, take a look around for the big groups of U.S. citizens wearing matching t-shirts.  Ask them where they're coming from and they'll tell you from Honduras, or Peru, or Nicaragua on a mission trip with their church.  If they're not building homes they're feeding the poor or even helping educate.  If that doesn't make you proud as an American, I suppose nothing will. 

     This past weekend former Democratic presidential hopeful and current Obama supporter Wesley Clark went on television and stated that being shot down while flying a fighter jet does not qualify someone to be President referring to John McCain's military experience in Vietnam.  As if to say it was all dumb luck that he just happen to be in that particular jet at that particular spot at that particular time in that particular country and oh yeah, there just happen to be a war going on too.  It seems to me that senator McCain chose to put himself in those particular circumstances for whatever reasons.  Perhaps we as Americans should consider what could possibly motivate someone to make those types of choices and take those risks when deciding who should be President and not let others dictate to us who is or is not qualified.  In any case the statement demands the obvious question, "O.K..., what qualifications for President of the United States does the man you are supporting possess and how do they qualify him for the job?"  

     Shortly after those comments were made Senator Obama himself was yet again on television "distancing" himself from remarks made by the latest addition to his camp saying that a man of Senator McCain's record of military service should never have his patriotism or devotion to his country questioned.  He went on to describe McCain as, "a man who was physically tormented."  Now this I found extraordinary.  Why did Senator Obama choose to use tormented in place of tortured?  I recall words like "torture" and "atrocities" used to describe the situation in Abu Ghraib and even in Guantanamo.  I would have to assume that Senator Obama does not disagree with those characterizations.  Many Americans seemingly accepted it as the truth.  But why not employ the torture word when describing Senator McCain's ordeal in Vietnam? A man who to this day clearly does not have a full range of motion in his arms as a result of the punishment his body endured.  Could it be that the use of the word only where legitimately applicable would result in a consensus as to what torture is and is not?  And could that be seen as anything other than progress and in, "...change we can believe in..."?  We'd have to ask Senator Obama.