I’m Not Barack Obama!
July 10th, 2008
Barack Obama launched a vigorous ad campaign coupled with stops across the country presenting an image contrary to stands he has taken in the past on a variety of issues including campaign finance, gun control, free trade, welfare reform, FISA legislation, faith based initiatives and Iraq, supported by a series of statements that are contrary to reality. Denying his own image, the new Barack Obama may be a better representation of a third term for George Bush than John McCain. The “Change” Obama constantly preaches appears to be about changing his position on issues to mirror public opinion and altering the facts to support them betting that most of his supporters never paid much attention to them in the first place. Read the rest of this entry »
Oil company executives are dragged before Congress time and again suffering indignities at the hands of elected officials who are more to blame for the current oil prices and pending shortages than the industry titans that have consistently delivered this complex product for more than a hundred years with the exception of 1973 when the Arab Oil Embargo sent a delicate delivery system into disarray. Exxon-Mobil, British Petroleum, Shell Oil and others are threatened by the legislators with excess profits taxes on profits that, while staggering by their numbers, are hardly excessive representing eleven percent or less on investment over the last five years. They are more than willing to invest these profits developing new domestic supplies and refineries to process petroleum products were it not for the restrictions imposed by the pompous interrogators who cast a shadow of wrong doing but never issue an indictment for their acts. 
Speaking to the Israeli Knesset last Thursday President George W. Bush reminded all who would listen that appeasement in the face of aggression has a history of failure. While Bush failed to name anyone in particular a whole flock of birds raised their heads as if to heed the call at a county fair turkey shoot. Among those who took offense at the President’s statement was Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama whose reaction was as though the statements were directed specifically at him, stating 
Barack Obama’s call for change has inspired millions across America, particularly the young, but has never included much substance about where this change would take us or where his notion of change was born. Now with the outbursts of his minister of 20 years, those of his wife, the depth of his relationship with a Chicago operative recently indicted for corruption, his association with an unrepentant terrorist and his elitist statements recorded at a gathering with San Francisco progressives, an unflattering picture has emerged of the candidate. While his campaign has still managed to advance absent any real details of his agenda, we are learning more than many cared to know about his lack of judgment if not his character. 
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s stand against Moqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army is essential to establishing the political authority of the popularly elected Iraqi government. Anything less would result in the Lebanization of the country mirroring the chaos of competing militias that has plagued the Lebanese and Palestinians for decades. It also sends notice that the Maliki government will take the initiative against Shiite militants just as the Coalition Forces have against Sunni militants. 
Latin American politics entered the spotlight with the saber rattling of Venezualian President Hugo Chavez threatening to mass troops along the Columbian border after Columbian forces mounted a successful military stike resulting in the death of 
Barack Obama lured legions of young voters along with starry eyed liberals through 11 successive primary victories gaining a tide of momentum that seamed insurmountable in his bid to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for president. Supported by an endearing liberal media it is incredibly ironic that this hitherto untarnished vision of hope would be exposed by skits on the youth oriented NBC property of Saturday Night Live [ 
Tuesday nights Democratic Presidential Debate in Ohio began with MSNBC’s Brian Williams confronting Senator Hillary Clinton about her change in tone from being “honored” to be sharing the stage with Obama in their last debate to her statement “shame on you Barack Obama” within the following 48 hours. Hillary replied that the change was brought on by Obama’s misrepresentation regarding her health care proposals and position on the North American Free Trade Agreeement [NAFTA]. These tactics are not unlike those perpetrated by Senator John McCain and Governor Mike Huckabee against Governor Mitt Romney. Obama would point out the same had been committed by the Clinton camp against him. But, while there is very little difference in nearly all their positions, Clinton continually points to the fact Obama’s universal health care policy would leave out millions of people who can’t afford it. Obama reiterated his question as to what penalties Hillary would impose and how she would enforce mandatory coverage. It’s never asked if this is what the American people really want. They never talk about how to reduce medical costs only how to finance it. 
Mitt Romney took his leave from the Republican presidential race following disappointing results from Super Tuesday. The event was preceded by a series of seemingly coordinated political attacks from Senator John McCain and Governor Mike Huckabee. There was little doubt of the conspiracy to derail Romney’s efforts in light of what occurred with the West Virginia delegates as recounted in this 
Hillary Clinton once again called for a 90 day moratorium for mortgage foreclosures on owner occupied homes and a 5 year freeze on interest rates on sub-prime mortgages at the star studded political event at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. The idea does not receive the same applause on Wall Street as it did on Hollywood Boulevard last night. Speaking from the floor of NASDAQ last December Hillary called on the investment community to find an alternative to their legal redress being careful to note this wasn’t a quick fix for the industry: