The RNC part 2

If you didn't get a chance to see Lt Gov Mark Steele from Maryland speak this evening, you missed out. So far, I found his speech to be one of the best at the convention, and very clearly laid out why undecideds should vote for President Bush.

Samuel Adams: The Patriot, Not the Beer

I recently saw this quote from Sam Adams regarding freedom, and thought it was some of the best political rhetoric ever spoken:

"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude
greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace.
We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand
that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity
forget that ye were our countrymen."
—Samuel Adams

What ever happened to this kind of politicking?

The RNC

As a super nerd that enjoys watchingt C-Span, I was noticing some of the coverage prior to the convention, including protestors being spoken to by the esteemed Reverend, Jesse Jackson, on the streets of New York. Additionally, there was coverage from the NY chapter of the ACLU which discussed protest techniques, what the cops can and cannot do, and what protestors can or cannot do.

This just leads me to believe that there will be riots this week in New York. Of course, this is largely the Republicans' faults for choosing their convention site of New York.

On a differnt note, below is a link to a great anti-protestor site, called Protest Warrior. I hope you enjoy it.

www.protestwarrior.com

Voting Patterns of Liberals and Conservatives

I have a hypothesis. I believe that liberals attempt to vote for those whom they aspire to be. For example, John Kerry is wealthy, good looking, yale educated, and otherwise knowledgable. President John Kennedy was the same way. Further, I believe they like candidates who don't believe in black and white, only shades of gray.

I believe that Conservatives vote in an opposite fashion. Conservatives like to elect someone like themselves: down to earth, talks like the people, etc. They like people like President GW Bush, because despite many of the same qualities of a man like John Kerry, he is more like what they could be. In other words, assuming that he drank, you could have a regular beer with the guy.

Just a thought.

What Do Iraqi's Really Think?

If you haven't seen it already, please visit, www.iraqthemodel.blogspot.com.

This is a blog that is written by 3 Iraqi's who live in Baghdad. Very enlightening.

Bryan

The Junior Senator from Massachussetts

Today, Senator John Kerry visited Portland, Oregon. He held a rally at the waterfront with some of my least favorite celebrities.

However, aside from this, something has occurred recently that makes me sick. I have watched so much discussed about Senator Kerry's Vietnam record. Now whether he was in Cambodia or not on Christmas in 1968 may be a big story (particularly since the memory was "seared" on his mind), but the glee with which conservative pundits are attempting to discredit the story makes me ill.

Like the man, or don't like him. I don't care. However, the man did volunteer for the service (when he certainly didn't need to) and did serve our country. If he lied, this will be revealed, but don't enjoy discrediting the record of a veteran who quite literally, put his life on the line for our country.

It's The Economy, Stupid

I have a running theory. It goes like this. In 1999, the entire country, not to mention the whole world, was worried the change from 2 digits to 4 digits was going to be detrimental to our way of life. Because of this, companies spent and spent and spent. Unemployment went to 3 1/2% (artificially) and everything was thought to be a new paradigm.

When computers didn't crash worldwide, businesses were set. They had just bought all of the technology they needed for at least a couple of years. This filtered down and created quite a recession. More importantly, this put many companies on the exact same amortization schedule for their capital equipment. This means that businesses again will be light on demand of computer equipment, and won't need any for a couple of years.

It amazes me that people don't seem to have enough interest to determine what was the cause of the recession. To this day, people don't understand why the Great Depression (1930's) or the Raw Deal (1970's) ocurred.

What's Wrong with What's Wrong with Kansas

I don't pretend to understand why those in the Midwest may choose to vote Repbulican over Democrat, but I disagree with the assertion that people vote for a particular candidate or group of candidates because of what goodies they will get for voting for them.

It is true that both parties have their own cheerleaders: biz leaders for the Republicans, and organized labor and the legal profession for the Democrats. However, I believe the answer is much more simple. The country believes that Democrats take from the wealthy and give to the poor, while the Republicans leave people to their own devices.

While these assumptions may or may not be true, I believe that these are the perceptions of these parties. Further, I believe that the Midwest ethic believes in working hard for yourself, and not receiving a distribution from the paycheck of the wealthy.

Just one man's opinion.