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Way More Than Just Words - Campaign Stops - 2008 Elections - Opinion - New York Times Blog

In his brief political career, Barack Obama has gained renown as possibly the greatest and most eloquent political orator of his generation — a master of metaphor, a repository of rhetorical flourishes and a spellbinding speaker. But last night in Denver, Mr. Obama showed the political world another side to his speech-making skills: that he can do more than campaign in verse, he can campaign in prose as well.

A must-read.

Source: Time.com
Read Article

Yet another bad McCain moment:

What do you want voters to know coming out of the Republican Convention — about you, about your candidacy?
I’m prepared to be President of the United States, and I’ll put my country first.

There’s a theme that recurs in your books and your speeches, both about putting country first but also about honor. I wonder if you could define honor for us?
Read it in my books.

I’ve read your books.
No, I’m not going to define it.

But honor in politics?
I defined it in five books. Read my books.

That and more in the article. Check it out.

In response to the Russia-Georgia conflict, President Bush said “Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century.” (Source: USA Today)

John McCain said, “In the 21st century, nations don’t invade other nations.” (Sources: Huffington Post)

The hypocrisy of it all is so brilliant it speaks for itself.

Source: Boston.com, by Matt Viser
Read Article

From the Globe:

Governor Deval Patrick last week quietly vetoed a pension increase for retired teachers and state workers that would have boosted benefits by $120 per year, a major stand for a governor to take against unions that helped elect him.

Deval Patrick defends his decision by stating:

I recognize that people across the Commonwealth, particularly retirees on a fixed income, are facing difficult economic times. However, I returned an earlier version of this legislation, expressing concern about adding significant costs to the Commonwealth’s already large unfunded retirement liability.

While Patrick supported the pension boosts, he did not want to commit to too much and put the state’s treasury in a hole. He preferred that the pension boosts be limited to workers who had pension amounts of $40,000 or less so that the state would save money and pension boosts would still go to those who need it. The legislature did not modify the bill and the end result is a veto. As much as I’d prefer these pension benefits, since I will be a teacher eventually, I do feel like we shouldn’t take up money from the state if it’s going to put them in a financial situation that would lead them to take that money back from us in another way, such as higher taxes.

Source: Wall Street Journal
Read Article

Despite its health-crazy reputation, parts of Los Angeles are plagued by obesity rates that rival any city in America. Now, the city may join a growing roster of local governments aiming to put their residents on diets by cracking down on the fast-food industry.

L.A. city council member Jan Perry is leading legislation that will effectively ban fast food restaurants from setting up shop in a 32 square mile area of the city, claiming that the 400 fast food restaurants already in place contribute to high obesity rates in the area. Sarah McBride, the writer of the article, states that “While some cities have bans on new fast-food establishments, they typically are for aesthetic reasons or to protect local businesses.” This instance is different, however, as it is being done with the intent to lower obesity rates and to provide healthier eating options for the people in this area of Los Angeles.

This is a more drastic case of banning certain ingredients for cooking, such as trans fats. I support the trans fat ban because it only prohibits restaurants from using a certain ingredient. But a ban to prevent restaurants for even setting shop, just because the people in the city are overweight? I believe this is too much regulation and that this goes too far. Restaurants such as McDonald’s and Wendy’s should not be blamed for the obesity epidemic; rather, the blame goes on us for our choices. These foods are supposed to be eaten in moderation. This legislation limits freedom of choice and capitalism, the force that drives the United States. Rather than regulate who gets what spot, the government should encourage healthier food providers to create stores in their area, possibly with incentives. Nothing’s forcing residents to go to a fast food restaurant, and we shouldn’t put in laws that put these restaurants at fault just because they exist. If people avoided these stores more, they would be forced to close down and something else would take their place, all without the need of regulation, but with the power of capitalism.

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