There really are two Americas

And I don't mean rich and poor or black and white. We now have an incredible political divide. Don't blame the average American citizen- blame the media. I watch both the Main Street Media (MSM) and that "radical" FOX network to try to measure this divide and all I can tell you is that it's growing. During the Bush years (and even during Clinton's) at least the media covered the same stories. They put a different spin on them based on their political leanings but at least they covered them. Now they don't even cover the same stories (at least not until they have to in order to stay relevant).

The Van Jones debacle is the latest example. Fox News breaks the story that this Czar has said and done things in the recent past that make him unfit to be anywhere near the president of the United States. No other MSM outlet would cover this story until it grew to a size where they could no longer ignore it. So now they report it but put on pundits that call conservatives radicals, extremists and even racists because they want to hold a guy accountable for his past actions.

The tea party coverage is another glaring example. This is a significant movement and a great example of democracy in action but you don't hear much about it in the MSM. And when you do it's those extremists and radicals again. Funny, they look like regular old Americans to me. I don't remember the MSM calling Cindy Sheehan a radical while she camped outside Bush's ranch. (hum, I wonder where she is now and where is her outrage is over the Afghanistan war - but that's another discussion). Let's see how the MSM covers the tea party express as it descends on Washington, DC on September 12th.

The media in this country simply is not doing its job very well anymore. People obviously have personal biases. They need to recognize them and make an extra effort to offset them and provide balanced reporting.

There was a time when the media looked out for the people by watching the government. Now they look out for the government by watching the people. (Thanks Ann for that one)

What if it was your daughter?

It is always sad to see the death of an American icon. If you've read any of my posts, you'd probably realize that I was no fan of Sen. Ted Kennedy. He certainly served his country for 40 years and, while I don't agree with most of his positions I do admire that. Of course it can also be said that he never had a "real" job. A family fortune gives one that liberty.

Now I would never begrudge anyone the benefits of the family fortune. The rich are not the enemy; they are the builders of this country and have an obligation to only give back where and when they can. And that's what Ted tried to do.

But I was totally surprised this morning when the first article I stumbled upon was entitled "Chappaquiddick: No Profile in Kennedy Courage" This story unveiled a couple surprises.

First of all that this story was posted on ABCNews .com. You can find it here: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=8212665 . What surprised me was that it shook my belief that ABC is a left leaning "news" organization. I would never have dreamed they would let this story get published, especially so soon after his death. However, the majority of comments posted about the article reaffirmed my belief about ABC or at least the people who read/watch it. The vast majority blasted it.

Second, the true story of Chappaquiddick. I am a little too young to remember it when it happened and I never really took the time to learn what took place. This article showed me what a tragic mistake Kennedy made. No one knows if he could have saved 28 -year-old Mary Jo Kopechne's life but he clearly left her to die worrying only about himself and his future.

So Ted Kennedy carried his guilt around all these years and devoted his life to service. Again that is admirable. But does that absolve him of Mary Jo's death? Obviously his fame and fortune let him get away with it. That was his cross to bear (along with the Kopechne family) and all will find their just rewards so I do not intend to judge here.

But as people relive Sen Kennedy's life, his accomplishments, and his legacy they need to ask themselves one simple question:

What if that was my daughter in the car on that fateful night in 1969?

So I go on vacation . . .

For a nice full week. I purposely avoided the news and enjoyed the time with my family. Now that I'm back I see that not much has changed. In the spirit of government run programs, the Cash for Clunkers program was woefully under funded so Congress simply appropriates another $2B (that's billion).

This doesn't bode well for government run health care. I see that Obama is still pushing hard but even he is now willing to sacrifice some of the liberals core principles. And I see that the good people of this country that oppose this massive expansion of government are now considered radicals.

So, as I said, not much has changed. But this story really bothers me - http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/14/florida-police-question-suspect-obama-joker-poster/

The kids were hanging posters of Obama with his face painted like a clown. Now the only "crime" I can fathom is vandalism. I'm not too up on such laws but I know I see posters of all kinds of things on telephone poles and bulletin boards, etc. The fact that Florida police are gathering suspects and evidence and possibly looking to make arrests frightens me.

As much as I abhor the the thought of someone burning an American flag, I will defend their right to do so. Freedom of speech needs to be held sacred and that's all speech.

Where was the outrage when people made pictures of George Bush with a little Hitler mustache? Where was the outrage when MoveOn.org took out a full page ad calling a great general General Betray Us?

And don't even get me started on this whole rat-out-your-friends-to-the-White-house via e-mail if they dare speak out against health care reform. I see that e-mail link is no longer available. Maybe they're learning.

Now there's change I can believe in.

Good job Bill Clinton

I will admit that I haven't said that too often. As history does show however, Bill Clinton has proved to be moderate compared to Obama. Of course the Republican congress had a lot to do with what Clinton got done.

Anyway, I think it's a good thing he was able to free the two female journalists from North Korea. There could be some negative, unintended consequences such as legitimizing a rouge lunatic or raising the stakes the next time this happens, but thank god those women are out of that hell.

In general I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who voluntarily put themselves in harms way. Only are fine service men and women can use "It's my job" as a valid reason to do so. Those hikers that crossed over from Iraq to Iran by accident - why were they there in the first place? Mountain climbers ignoring weather warnings and forcing rescue workers to risk their lives - no sympathy. Flood/hurricane victims stuck because they ignored their warnings - again no sympathy.

But I saw the video of these two women coming home and it moved me. They are Americans, they have families and I am glad Clinton got them out of there. It is interesting that his wife, the Secretary of State, wasn't asked to do so or even the vice president. I am not surprised that nobody called George W. He and Kim Jong il weren't really on speaking terms.

I do have one question though. How the hell does Al Gore tag along on this? I've seen Bill and George H. Bush pal around but I haven't seen Bill and Al doing so lately. Every time he falls into a nice obscurity he has to resurface. I think it's a sad statement on him that he would insinuate himself into this feel good story.

Maybe Gore is just looking for another Nobel prize!

Don't play the racism card

Obama can only blame himself for this one. Usually his press conferences are so scripted that I can't believe the Gates/Crowley question caught him by surprise. Now I know he and the good professor are friends but he's the president! He needs to choose his words much more carefully. He, of all people, should get the facts before saying something so "stupid". Stick to the teleprompter sir.

I truly believe officer Crowley acted in good faith - and thank god. I know we haven't risen totally above racism in this country but we have made real progress. What will set us back as a nation and a people is using the racism card all the time.

If you suggest Michael Jackson was no role model, no saint, well you're a racist. Fire a black football coach because he has decimated your program (Go Irish!) and you're a racist university. Try to protect a home from burglary and happen to be a white cop questioning a black man and you're a racist.

Imagine if it was a real burglar entering Prof. Gates' home and the "white" cops did nothing. There sure would be a cry of racism then. From what I heard about the story I suggest that Prof. Gates was the racist! I'm glad the transcripts are coming out so the truth will be known.

One thing I liked about Obama was that I thought he would advance the race discussion in this country. I hoped he would silence the the victim peddlers like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. His early comments on this case are a set back for that. You just may get a clearer picture of who a man (or woman) is when they speak off the cuff.

Here's a big thank you to all police (and fire too) persons for willingly putting your lives on the line to protect us. Sgt. James Crowley is a true American hero and I hope Obama can manage to say that while they lift their beers this week.

Oh, and if there is ever a 911 call that someone is breaking into my home, please come quickly and strongly question whomever is standing in my foyer!

What is the Hurry?

People have tried for over 50 years to reform health care in this country. The last two presidents had 8 years each to do it. So how does Obama think he can get it one in 8 months! And, more importantly, why does it need to get done so fast. Something this massive that will affect all Americans for the rest of their lives deserves good, spirited debate. Obama promised transparency so we, the people, can have a chance to review such new policy. Congress doesn't even read the entire bills they pass now,

So, what's the hurry? Could it be that Obama wants to "sneak" this through? That doesn't sound transparent. Could it be that he knows his popularity is already falling? The last Rasmussen poll I saw (today) shows him at 51% and the trend is downward. At this rate he'll lose the moderate Democrats and he may actually have to accept debate on this legislation.

The latest Congressional Budget Office just released their report that says the current plan making its way through Congress will actually cost MORE than the Dems say it will. There is no credible plan to pay for any of this. Do not think that raising taxes on the top 1% will do it.

Guess where they'll look next.

Now here's a double standard

OK, Sarah Palin makes headlines again; this time because she stepped down as Governor of Alaska. I don't care what you opinion of her is, why does this bring out the venom from the media? What are they afraid of? What is the infatuation? It is amazing to me how determined they are to bring her down.

A couple days later it is announced that Rep. Patrick Kennedy is returning to Congress after another stint in rehab. Yes, the Kennedy family saga is a modern day tragedy. Of course I think it they have brought much of it on themselves but that's just me.

The point here is where is the outrage that the Rhode Island Democrat had to abandon his constituents. Palin left Alaska in the capable hands of her Lieutenant Governor. Kennedy just left. The people of Rhode Island voted him in so I guess they deserve what they got.

Why hasn't the media talked about Kennedy, his troubles, and his inability to serve? It's great that he went for help and apparently is feeling better, but he was unable to serve. I think there was a story there.

Maybe David Letterman will make a joke about Kennedy during his monologue. Or would that be over the line?