Nicolas,
My oldest son, I hope this finds you with a smile on your handsome face.
I wanted to share a few thoughts on the extraordinary election year we are now experiencing.
A while back, someone asked why I have been going on about Bush2 since he stole the American presidency in December of 2000. My response was, “That’s a great question.”
I explained how in the Sixties, when I too was a baseball player, I became a big fan of John F. Kennedy. Kennedy spoke about education, about the economy, about foreign affairs, about the military, about respect for other nations and cultures, about race relations, about religion, about the race to space, in a way even I, a kid fresh from the orange groves, could understand. I didn’t know then but I was a witness to greatness.
Kennedy was young by presidential standards. He had good looks. He had style. He inspired.
I was born in Hollywood, and I like a good show. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was an Oscar winner!
Since 1963, when President Kennedy was murdered in cold blood, there have been eight presidents. Some had moments of brilliance. Reagan may have slept through summit meetings, created the homeless crisis still plaguing America, and falsely received credit for the demise of the Soviet Union, but the man could deliver a State of the Union speech.
Jimmy Carter suffered politically from the economic fallout following the Vietnam War, from a failed attempt to rescue American hostages held in Tehran, and from nixing American participation in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, but he was bright, honorable, and gave it his all.
Nixon knew how the world worked but he was a crook. He couldn’t balance his two sides and eventually fled into exile.
None of the eight could hold a candle to JFK. Up until 2001, anyone with a brain would have said Nixon was the worst of the lot. Our current “president”, however, has shown a new bottom to the pit. The only thing good that can be said about Bush2 is he provides a clear understanding of the words, “village idiot”.
Bush2 is a combination of all the bad traits of all the presidents going back to George Washington plus a bunch more. The fact is he compares well to Hitler.
Bush2 gives us never ending war, allows trillions to be stolen, and turns America into an “evildoer” of proportions that may even surpass the Nazis. It’s all even more amazing when you consider the people didn’t chose him in 2000. Nor did they chose him in 2004. He’s got criminals around him that steal elections. It’d be funny if it weren’t so sad.
But, enough on Bush2.
It looks like we are down to four possibilities for our president in January 2009.
John McCain. What can you believe from McCain? His claim to fame is he was shot down over North Vietnam, captured, tortured, and subsequently renounced his country. Then Bush2 & The Evil Rove destroyed him in 2000 in South Carolina. But there he was in 2004 in the Grand Canyon lovingly clinging to Bush2. In 2008, he’s lockstep with Bush2 on Iraq and wants the bombing of Iran to start NOW. McCain’s actions while Bush2 has been “president” must make you re-think the one or two good things that have been said about him over the years. McCain in 2008 is an absolute joke. But, remember we gave the world Nixon, then Bush2. Dictatorships rig elections…
Hillary? At this point it’s starting to look like she’s fallen by the wayside. Makes you wonder? Her run at the presidency in 2008 started way back, when she was First Lady. She had the most money and, in my mind, she was the most articulate, the most informed, and the most prepared to deal with the Republican attack machine. Her, “How can you do this to me?”, when Obama threw his hat into the ring concerned me, but I let it go.
I’ve gone back and forth on Hillary since the Democratic debates began. At first I wanted her because I wanted Bill in the White House to clean up Bush2’s mess. Who better than Bill? He opened the door and let the rats in when he allowed himself to get caught up in the Monica mess. Regardless, Bill Clinton proved his extraordinary abilities in the Nineties and, I said, punish him by giving him a shovel and orders to go to work. Of course, he’d serve his sentence with a smile, and we’d all be better off.
But then Hillary says she’s her own person and Bill ain’t gonna be in her administration. That served to remind me of all the times she has played to both sides of the political aisle. Her vote in 2002 authorizing the invasion of Iraq was plain politics, and incredibly stupid. She knew better but she was afraid of appearing weak on terrorism. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11 she had stood up in the Senate and asked the questions, “What did Bush know and when did he know it?” “Bravo Hillary,” I yelled at the time. But, her colleagues, including most of the spineless Democrats and all the goose stepping Republicans, shot her down, and she ran for cover. She showed her cowardice.
Question. Since early on everyone knew how bad Bush2 was, how come Hillary didn’t run in 2004? If she cared about America why let us suffer for another four years? Had John Kerry become president in 2004, and had he done a good job, Hillary’s run would not have occurred until 2012. Hillary is too politically savvy to have banked on 2012, eight years after a successful Kerry presidency, and twelve years after her husband left office. But she put out the word she wanted to gain experience from serving in the Senate. Bullroar! She knew Bush2 would “win” in 2004. What did she know the exit polls didn’t?
Since her non-victory on Super Tuesday, Hillary’s been on the ropes. She’s challenged her rival to a debate a week, she’s fired her campaign manager, she’s ‘loaned’ money to her campaign, she’s lost several elections in a row, and she’s attacking like a non-neutered pit bull.
Clearly she had no plan for after Super Tuesday. But she won’t concede even if going on plays to the Republicans. If she were able to sneak in vis-a-vis the super delegates, start thinking, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb…Bomb, Bomb Beran…
Barack? Like most people, Barack Obama first came into my life when he delivered his electrifying speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Fresh, powerful, well spoken. It was a rush to hear him the first time.
Last year, when he declared his candidacy, emotionally I was right there with him. But my practical side said let the Clinton’s clean things up, let Hillary have her time, let Barack wow the world as vice president, and then crown him president in 2016.
But people want radical change from the darkness of Bush2 now. Knowing Amerika as I do, I have my concerns. However, if his time is now, then I’m there, throwing caution to the wind.
Oh yeah, you’re right Kid, I said we’re down to four possibilities for Election 2008. Who’s the fourth?
Bush2!
In May 2007 Bush gave himself the right to call a state of emergency in the United States. Because this “right” includes putting national elections “on hold”, factor it in. It is tough to get rid of evil.
First and foremost, however, I opt for hope. Imagine, if we go from an international war criminal and election thief to an American president who has the name Barack Hussein Obama, is a black man, and inspires the world to greatness. Just knowing how that will drive the racist pigs on the right nuts, puts me on the floor in laughter!
Peace and Hope.
Your Dad
PS: My dream ticket? Gore/Obama…
