Obama Overseas: Déjà Vu

While John McCain shopped with voters, dodged criticism from the media for criticizing Barack Obama, and tries to make it known that he too is in the presidential race, Sen. Obama was standing before the masses in Berlin.

The scene of Thursday's gathering mirrored that of the March on Washington political rally back on August 28, 1963, or that of when President Ronald Reagan spoke in Berlin back on June 12, 1987. Saying he was speaking as a citizen, and not as a presidential candidate, Barack Obama came to deliver a speech of unity for the people of the world to take a stand against terrorism. But didn't we already come together for such a cause once before?

"People of the world - look at Berlin, where a wall came down, a continent came together, and history proved that there is no challenge too great for a world that stands as one.

...In this new world, such dangerous currents have swept along faster than our efforts to contain them. That is why we cannot afford to be divided. No one nation, no matter how large or powerful, can defeat such challenges alone.

...Yes, there have been differences between America and Europe. No doubt, there will be differences in the future. But the burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together. A change of leadership in Washington will not lift this burden. In this new century, Americans and Europeans alike will be required to do more - not less. Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity.

That is why the greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another.

The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down."

Unfortunately for Obama the majority of the crowd was most likely not American, and therefore can not cast their vote for him in the fall. By taking such a stand for peace as one who could be president certainly helps to boost not only Sen. Obama's image, but the image of America. But if the world is to come together and fight against those who would do us harm, is it because of Barack Obama? Would Europeans have rallied together if President Bush was to have made such a speech, or Sen. McCain? Does one join in unity for the better of humanity because one man made a speech on something we should've already been for? Was it really this speech to get such an obvious message out there? Did Sen. Obama just re-ignite the call to fight?

"People of Berlin - and people of the world - the scale of our challenge is great. The road ahead will be long. But I come before you to say that we are heirs to a struggle for freedom. We are a people of improbable hope. With an eye toward the future, with resolve in our hearts, let us remember this history, and answer our destiny, and remake the world once again."

Some say it's time for American forces to come home, and some say we have no right being over there, and President Bush as ruined America. But thanks to Sen. Obama's speech of coming together against terrorists, and doing away with nuclear weapons, make the American mind-set will change- hey, isn't Barack running for change? I don't know, sounds more like déjà vu.

Obama Overseas: The Man America Should Elect?

In case you were not aware, Sen. Barack Obama has flown over to the middle east. It's a trip that can basically be described as a way to help increase where he stands on foreign policy and the War on Terror. I, along with many others, applaud the Illinois senator on finally taking such action. If one who is running for president of the country plans on talking like he or she knows what's going taking place on the other side of the world, especially if it affects this country, one must go and see for one's self.

Israelis and Palestinians on Obama:

Charles Gibson, anchor of ABC's World News, was one of the many journalists following Sen. Obama through Jerusalem. In the evening Gibson stopped at some of the local cafe's to get the opinions of what the locals though of Obama, and to ask as to whether or not Obama or John McCain could make a real difference in the region- they found considerable skepticism. One Palestinian girl said that they have been disappointed so many times with the U.S., saying all the policies are the same and are followed the same way- just doesn’t give a da*n about it anymore. Some Israelis and Palestinians don't care about what Obama says, they're more interested in his actions. A young Palestinian man sees Obama's trip as nothing more than a reason to boost his foreign policy credentials. One woman says that attraction to Obama is because he’s different- he’s young, he’s black, and he’s a minority. One Palestinian man said, " We need a change, ...that’s why we need a new face like Obama, to have a change, because McCain is another Bush."

But while ABC reported this outlook on Obama, Katie Couric of CBS's Evening News had this to say when sitting down with the senator, "...according to a recent poll out of Jerusalem, Israeli Jews favor John McCain for President 43 to 20 percent, with one-third undecided. Why do you think that's the case?"

Said Obama, "Well, I think it … I'm not as well known as John McCain. I think that's obviously a factor. And, you know, I think, understandably, Israelis are very interested in making sure that whoever takes the White House is absolutely committed to their security, regardless of other issues. And they know John McCain. He's been there. Despite the fact that my record is as strong as John McCain's on all the issues related to Israeli security, people just don't know me as well. That's part of the reason why we're gonna spend a day visiting there in discussions and hopefully give people confidence that I have a track record that will assure not only the people of Israel, but friends of Israel back home, that, in fact, Israel's security is paramount."

With Israelis and Palestinians debating their personal feelings of Barack Obama, how important or meaningful are their views when some say he's the man America should elect?

Not Positive

In case you haven't noticed there's this door in Washington D.C. that President Bush is trying to open. Unfortunately for the president every time he's able to unlock the door, Congress is there to keep him from entering.

The topic of offshore drilling has certainly been a hot topic what with the high gas prices, and today President Bush promised to lift the ban on offshore drilling. By making this move, the president has placed the pressure on a congress mostly made up of Democrats. "For years, my administration has been calling on Congress to expand domestic oil production," said Mr. Bush. "Unfortunately, Democrats on Capitol Hill have rejected virtually every proposal. And now Americans are paying at the pump." But though the president wishes to lift the ban, it takes the action of congress to completely do so. Apparently there are two prohibitions on offshore drilling, one imposed by Congress and another by executive order signed by the first President Bush in 1990. Said the president, "When Congress lifts the legislative ban, I will lift the executive prohibition."

Now maybe you're sitting there reading this thinking how President Bush has failed the country again, but I would just like to point out the key word here, "Congress". Also, when you hear how Bush's approval rating continues to fall, ask yourself why that is, and then ask if the people who believe he's failed really know what they're talking about.

Sen. John McCain shares the same feelings as the president on this topic, while Sen. Obama wishes to help Americans with a second economic stimulus package so they can afford to pay the high gas prices. Both candidates also wish to develop alternate energy sources, but while it's a good idea, we're no where near that point.

According to Obama spokesman Bill Burton offshore drilling would provide short-term relief at the pump or a long-term strategy for energy independence. "It would be worthy of consideration, regardless of the risks," he said. "But most experts, even within the Bush administration, concede it would do neither. It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen from Washington for thirty years." Thank you Mr. Positive, and when can we expect results from the Obama administration? Oh yeah, that's if he's elected, and that plan would still be a good decade or two away from completion.

Apparently even if Congress was to do their part is lifting the drilling ban, we wouldn't see results anytime soon, and when drilling operations finally got underway the results would be insignificant. But come on, isn't it better to try and so something than blaming the president for doing nothing? So thanks to the negativity on Capital Hill who knows what we can expect, because so far when it comes to gas, it's certainly not positive.

Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Those words penned two-hundred and thirty-two years ago, marked the moment when little America made its declaration for independence. Here we are in 2008, and just look at how far we've come. Since my post on this day a year ago, I can turn on the television and see that we are still at war. Times remain tough for many, but I can't help but once again repeat what the echoes of past posts are saying, "at least we're safe, at least we have our freedom." Sure things may not be going great for many but we're a lot better of then others around the world. So on this 4th July, continue to remember our soldiers, and while they fight for our safety, soldiers of America's Revolution fought for your Independence.

And just something to keep in mind this election year...

"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

- Declaration of Independence

Gas

There's been a lot of gas talk lately coming from the presidential candidates-in-waiting. It's certainly no secret that gas prices are becoming unbearable, gone are the days where the price for gas was between $1.20 and $1.40 - and that was in 1998. So with oil companies, gas prices, and the safety of the environment hot issues around the water coolers, it's time we found out what the candidates plan on doing about it.

Sen. John McCain set his plan before the country, a plan he calls the Lexington Project. According to his campaign website he will make the choices in "...producing more power , pushing technology to help free our transportation sector from its use of foreign oil, cleaning up our air and addressing climate change, and ensuring that Americans have dependable energy sources." So how will McCain produce more oil? As Tim the "Tool Man" Taylor would say, "more power." He plans on lifting the ban on offshore drilling, therefore making us less dependant on foreign suppliers, in addition to furthering our advances in technology that will help us become less dependable on oil itself. Now one would assume that the more we supply for ourselves, the lower gas prices would be - but to be on the safe side, never assume.

But the problem people have with McCain's offshore drilling plan, including Gov. Schwarzenegger (a McCain backer), is its potential harm on the environment. If people were really serious about not wanting to harm the environment, then we'd all be living like the Amish. McCain will also grant a $300 million prize to the "development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars."

While McCain hopes to offer Americans some psychological relief, Obama laughs saying that's just Washington talk for saying their doing something when their really not. Well in all honesty Sen. Obama, don't all politicians do that? I mean they say they will change the country for the better is that supposed to make us feel better and look to you as candidate to vote for? Just a though. Anyway, I already stated on another post Obama's energy plan but there's no problem with posting it again.

• Reduce Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2050
• Invest in a Clean Energy Future
• Support Next Generation Biofuels
• Set America on Path to Oil Independence
• Improve Energy Efficiency 50 Percent by 2030
• Restore U.S. Leadership on Climate Change

Sen. Obama has recently stated that he would push for a second stimulus package that would help Americans be able to pay the high gas prices. But for Americans to get such a rebate the oil companies would have to be taxed, and if their having to pay taxes then they'll need to get that money back. How do they do that? By raising gas prices, which result in a never-ending cycle.

Short Term Recap:

McCain-

• Gas Tax Holiday
• Lift on drilling ban
• $300 Million Prize

Obama-

• $50 Billion Stimulus Package
• Windfall Profits Tax
• Crackdown on Oil Speculators

One of the things that both candidates have in common is that some of their goals would not see results until long after they have left office. The only way for their plans to be carried through with is if the following president goes along with it. There's a risk in everything and with politics that's no surprise. Just thinking about it can make a person's stomach upset, and I think they call it gas.

Obama Has Gore

In an effort to help Democrats fully claim Washington in November, former Vice-President Al Gore announced his endorsement of Barack Obama. You probably recall that Gore went up against current President George Bush back in 2000. In addition to his role in politics, Gore is widely known for his Academy Award winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth. His work in the theory of global warming led him to earning the Nobel prize.

Sen. Obama had this to say about Gore, "He's somebody who is a visionary, not just for the party, but for the country." It's possible that Obama has Gore in the back of his mind when it comes to his own plan on energy and the environment. And just so you have an idea, Obama's plan includes the following:

• Reduce Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2050
• Invest in a Clean Energy Future - $150 billion over 10 yrs.
• Support Next Generation Biofuels
• Set America on Path to Oil Independence
• Improve Energy Efficiency 50 Percent by 2030
• Restore U.S. Leadership on Climate Change

Al Gore has stated that he intends to do whatever he can to make sure Obama is elected the president. This includes asking members of his website to contribute to Obama's campaign, and helping to push for a recount whenever needed- hah.

During Gore's official endorsement for Obama, he made it very clear how elections matter. It's also very possible he may have been blaming the current administration for the Tomato problem. Whatever the case may be Sen. Obama has Gore.

Remembering Tim Russert

Today was supposed to be just another summer day for me, but it wasn't until I heard about the passing of Tim Russert when this ordinary day changed. Tim Russert, who died at the age of 58, was the Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News, and moderator of Meet the Press. Russert was an American journalist who devoted his life to telling the people of America what was going on in the world of politics, and yet he did so much more. It was that same strong passion he put above his own needs right up until his final moment.

During the school year my sister and I turn the television on and watch the Today show. And every now and then there would be Tim Russert commenting on the daily political coverage. I remember watching him with Brian Williams on the MSNBC debates. Tim Russert asked those questions that for me at least were the ones that mattered the most. It was during a Democratic debate when Russert asked Senators' Clinton and Obama if they held the right to go back into Iraq as president. Hillary Clinton told him that he asked a lot of hypothetical questions (which wasn't true) and she went into her plan of bringing troops home (trying to avoid the question). It was only because of the persistence of Russert that she finally gave the answer he was asking for.

I saw Mr. Russert more on Today then on Meet the Press, but I made sure to download the podcast, just wished I had watched it more. He wasn't running for office but he made sure you knew who was. If you are to leave this blog with anything, remember how much he loved this country. We may not be perfect but we can certainly try to make things for the better. An inspiration to me, and an inspiration to his country. Today we are remembering Tim Russert (May 7, 1950 - June 13, 2008).