Kudos to John McCain

I admit, I've been criticizing Senator McCain kind of harshly recently due to my disillusionment with his indiscriminate support of the right-wing, social conservative extremism he used to speak against. At the same time, I'm figuring he's doing what he's gotta do to win the '08 primary. It sucks that our political system works that way.

Getting back to the kudos: My girlfriend and I flew to Munich for a two-week vacation around central Europe a couple of weeks ago. Who should we see on the Phoenix to D.C. leg of our trip but the aforementioned senator himself. I was surprised not to see him in first class when I first boarded the flight and thought he must be getting on later. I was even more surprised later in the flight when I got up to use the lavatory and saw him sitting about 10 rows behind us--in coach. Awesome.

By the way, he sleeps on planes much better than I do. Sitting in coach, if I don't move around every minute and a half or so, my left leg starts to hurt like hell.

Side note: Now that I'm no longer planning/going on my European vacation, I should be posting more frequently. Though I realize I'm still a slacker when it comes to blogging.

Letter to the Editor (Technically) Published

This appeared in the Chandler Republic print edition Friday. Picky as I am, I'm somewhat irritated in that I apparently used the Southeast Valley submittal form instead of the general submittal form. Until I heard that it was going to be publish in the Chandler Republic, I didn't realize there were different submittal forms. I'm irritated, not because I think the community papers are "beneath" the paper as a whole--not in the least bit--but because the topic I wrote about is relevant state-wide, not just locally.

The letter didn't appear online, just in hard copy form.

War on Terror Doublespeak

The Cato Institute analyzes some of the terms frequently tossed about in discussing the War on Terror. Particularly infuriating is the allocation of some of the homeland security funds. Among other things, it explains why, tragically, I've grown sick of hearing the word "freedom" all the time.

As author James Bovard has observed: "For Bush, freedom seems to be whatever extends his own political power. Whatever razes any barriers to executive power--that is 'freedom'"

Bush Learns a New Word

Caliphate.

Bush quoted extensively from bin Laden's videotaped messages and writings, comparing him to 20th century dictators like Russia's Vladimir Lenin and Germany's Adolf Hitler.

Yes, bin Laden is evil. We knew that. So why the hell have we let him get away with the murder of thousands of innocent people these past five years?!

Bin Laden has declared Iraq "the capital of the caliphate," said Bush, who has often faced criticism for trying to tie Iraq into the broader "war on terrorism."

Well I'm sure bin Laden is damn pleased with the fact that we've diverted our resources from bringing his head home on a platter to a wasteful, unnecessary undertaking having nothing to do with 9/11. This administration's "War on Terror" is nothing short of pathetic.

Posting at Watchblog

I've recently been given permission to post at Watchblog in the middle column. I'll be posting there at least a couple of times per month since I'll losing my posting privileges otherwise. Check out my first post, entitled Educated Voter Lottery?

Primaries: My Letter to the Editor

With September 12 fast approaching, Independents need to be aware that they too can make their voices heard in the primary. When you obtain your primary ballot, either by mail or at the polls, simply specify which party's ballot you would like. The only restriction is that you are limited to a single party--Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian.

It is also important that moderates research the candidates and participate in the primaries, if we are to temper the extremism that has characterized political discourse over the past few years. The primaries have frequently played a larger role in determining our office holders than the November elections have, and thus demand the full participation of eligible voters.

We'll see if it gets published and, if so, if it does any good.

More on the Marijuana Party

A couple of days ago, I posted about the Marijuana, and heard from Marijuana Party candidate Cris Ericson herself! From her first comment:

Hi! I'm Cris Ericson, and I am going to Make Marijuana Legal.
At the moment, I'm on the Republican Party ballot in the State of Vermont as a United States Senate candidate:
http://www.vtgop.org/Candidates/
and I will be on the September 12, 2006 Primary Election ballot.

So, now you will have it, coming from a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, that marijuana should be legalized.
If I lose the Republican primary,
then I will be going on the General Election ballot on November 7, 2006 as the Marijuana party candidate. Only major party candidates compete in the primary election, and if a candidate loses the primary, they can go on to the general election for a minor party.
Okeedokee? You bet!
http://crisericson.com

Now I personally do not chase the Dorito, however I fully support the legalization of marijuana (as do several of my registered Republican friends, apparently). However, the Marijuana Party strikes me as being a little too single-issue for my taste. Either way, best of luck to you, Ms. Ericson. If I lived in Vermont, I'd definitely be studying the rest of your platform.

Election Fasting and Praying

The Center for Arizona Policy, which Len Munsil resigned as president from to run for AZ Governor, has begun 40 days of prayer and fasting for the Arizona elections.

This freaks me out. Even when I was at my most devout, this would have freaked me out.

Marijuana Party

I was checking out potential 2008 presidential candidates at Politics1 when I noticed a candidate from the Marijuana Party (Cris Ericson-Marijuana, Vermont). I had never heard of such a party, so I did a little research. Turns out, it's for real! How 'bout that.

Metapost: Slack Blogger

Now that I'm gaining some readers, I admit that I've slacked off a bit on my posting. I apologize and will try to do a better job of updating this--at least a couple of times per week.

I have a pretty good excuse though, I think. You see, I'm planning to visit Europe for a couple of weeks in October. So, lately when I'm on the computer, rather than update the blog, I've been Googling places I'd like to see. I'm getting it figured out though, so I imagine I'll be picking the pace up here soon.

Flag Amendment

I love the flag. I love the country for which it stands. I also love the Constitution, and don't want to contaminate it with the excrement of political pandering.

Within the United States, I've never seen nor heard of a flag being burned. That may have to do with the fact that I was born in the Midwest and grew up in Georgia, but it's still a non-issue. That doesn't mean I haven't seen the U.S. flag being defaced; I most certainly have. I've seen flags hanging in tatters from lofty poles after being left up day and night through rain and dust storms. I've seen a United States flag hanging from a makeshift pole mounted in the bed of a pickup truck, ripped apart by the wind until only about a third of it remained. I've seen the flag being written upon by someone who should know better. Why isn't the government going after these people? Who knows.

I get offended when I see the flag being defaced, whether it be deliberate or a thoughtless display of so-called "patriotism." But I'm also offended by the thought of defacing our Consitution with an unnecessary revocation of our first amendment.