My local newspaper reported today that Connecticut Independent Democrat Senator Joe Lieberman is raking in the money, despite not running for any office this year.
Month: July 2008
Why I Like NAIP Candidate Frank McEnulty
As I noted yesterday, I have recently become very interested in the New American Independent Party and their candidate, Frank McEnulty. Why? Well, out of every candidate I’ve researched thus far, McEnulty has positions that makes the most sense to me.
New American Independent Party & Frank McEnulty
Two parties have really caught my attention this year. The first, the Libertarian Party, with Bob Barr, I’ve written about to some extent. The second is the New American Independent Party and its candidate Frank McEnulty.
Tomorrow’s entry will provide more information about why I like his positions, but for the time being, check out his website!
Presidential Succession
Like many people, I learned about Presidential succession in school, in the case that the President should die in office. It goes VP first, then Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, etc.
Patrick Edaburn over at The Moderate Voice brings up an interesting point regarding succession, particularly about the two current options for President Pro Tempore:
This post is currently held by 90 year old Robert Byrd of West Virginia. If the Republicans were in charge the post would be occupied by 84 year old Ted Stevens of Alaska.
I have nothing against the elderly and know many senior citizens who have done some truly great things. But if we are dealing with a major crisis that resulted in the death of the President, the Vice President and the Speaker of the House I am not sure we would want someone in their 80’s or 90’s to take over.
I think Edaburn has some good points. Is a man or women that old fit to serve for the Presidency? Several arguments can be made to that extent, though I think both Byrd and Stevens could do it. Still, it does bring up questions. Consider that a lot is being made out of John McCain’s age. I could see some of the same questions being asked if Byrd or Stevens were to get closer to the Presidency.
Interestingly, the President Pro Tempore was the original position that was second in line to the Presidency in the 1792 act. It was removed from consideration entirely in the 1886 law, then put into third place in the 1948 law. From 1792-1886, the holders of the position were younger. However, since people generally died younger as well, you have to wonder if a 66 year old in 1848 was the same as an 84 year old now.
While I’m not entirely convinced that an older person acting as President is inherently bad (I believe this of John McCain), I agree with Edaburn that it is something to look at.
Are We A Nation of Whiners?
Last Thursday, McCain campaign economic advisor Phil Gramm received a lot of flak for saying the following:
“We have sort of become a nation of whiners. You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline,” said the former Texas senator. “You’ve heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession.”
Later, Gramm clarified his comments by saying he was referring to the leaders, not the people. Yet, I think his true meaning was that of the people. Certainly, leaders can be whiners, but what about the people?
Says Sessions
A couple days ago, I wrote about an amendment to the PEPFAR bill that would remove the HIV travel restrictions for visitors and immigrants to the U.S. Not everyone is having it:
Purpose: To continue classifying HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance that renders an alien inadmissible to the United States.
The amendment comes from Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama.
Have you no shame, Senator? HIV is NOT communicable. It takes (in most cases) an active effort on another person to get it. It’s certainly no cough or chicken pox. And I think you know that.
You can take your homophobia and shove it.
The Moving Chronicles: Keeping Clean for Showings
Overall, I try to keep my areas neat and clean. I’ve had varying levels of success doing it at home, but at college, I was actually pretty generally clean. At the very least, people could always come to my dorm room without having to walk in a pigsty. I’ve had roommates with rooms that were barely walkable. It started out as a common courtesy when I shared a room in my Freshman year, and simply continued on after I got my own room. In part, most of help I had was from having a good clothes hamper. At home, I sometimes have it, and sometimes not. That’s a weak argument, but there it is.
A Dodd Vice Presidency?
Maybe, but maybe not.
The Journal Inquirer reported today the Chris Dodd was asked to supply some information to the Obama VP search committee:
The former White House hopeful and Connecticut lawmaker indicated that he has been approached by the campaign. “There’s been some inquiries, yeah,” Dodd said. “They ask for a lot of stuff. I’ll leave it there.”
Certainly Obama’s campaign has to search far and wide, or at least appearing to be doing so. Dodd isn’t as well known publically, but he is a force to be reckoned with in political circles. In some respects, he’d be similar to Dick Cheney whereas he’s not a public face, but might be effective behind the scenes, if Obama were to use him in the same way. Dodd’s contacts in the Senate and House and elsewhere in Washington would be useful to Obama, who’s been criticized for lack of experience. Dodd also has a long history on the Senate Foreign Relation Committee, and is the chair of the banking committee, so these things would be of use as well.
On the other hand, picking Dodd presents some risks. If the mortgage deal Dodd got gets legs, he would become a liability. I think Obama’s committee knows this, and will bide their time, whilst researching him otherwise. However, if the allegations turn out to be a dud, Dodd could be back in the running.
Also, Dodd is very much a Washington insider. He’s been in the Senate since 1981, and was in the House before that since 1975. Picking Dodd could further damage Obama’s “change” message. On the other hand, Obama can hardly afford to not pick somebody that has some knowledge of how Washington works. As Cheney was George’s Bush’s Washington insider, Dodd would help on that with Obama. Then again, so would many so many others on the speculated list of picks.
In the end, Obama has to look in every corner he can for possible vice presidents, so looking into Dodd is not so surprising. So many other people have been looked into as well, so Dodd may not even end up on the short list. Time will tell.
Repealing Discrimination
For those not in the know (like I was not too long ago), the United States is one of only 12 countries to restrict people who have HIV/AIDS from immigrating or visiting the U.S. Those visiting or working have to get a waiver, and nobody with HIV can become a permanent resident. For more information, blogger and columnist Andrew Sullivan has written an article for the Washington Post on the issue, including his own struggle with it.
Personally, I think discrimination of all types cannot be allowed to be legislated in the U.S., and no matter which way you cut it, this is discrimination. So, what can be done?
Coming up soon in the Senate will be a vote on an amendment to repeal this ban. The amendment thus far has bi-partisan support, but you can do your part to help. Locate your state’s senators and email them urging them to support the amendment (and later the bill).
I’ve emailed Dodd and Lieberman in my state.
The Bush Write-in Campaign
Apparently offended by John McCain having the moniker “George Bush’s third term” that some liberals give him, a website proposes actually giving the President a third term.
Yes, we can vote for George W. Bush in 2008. We have the right to write in the name of our chosen candidate, regardless of whether or not he is officially on the ballot.
We know that George Bush was God’s Candidate in 2000. We know that George Bush was God’s candidate again in 2004. And George Bush has been God’s president for the last 8 years.
Trust in God and vote your faith. Keep America safe. Write-in George W. Bush for President in 2008.
Good luck getting around the 22nd amendment! They also propose its repeal.