Finally, Barack!

Barack Obama had the center stage tonight at the Democratic convention. Over 80,000 people were present at the stadium. Millions of people watching on TV. High expectations. Many were suspicious and distrusting, many hopeful.
I thought he came out strong and believable with realistic ideas and sensible speech. He made me feel like he can handle the task of being president and that he will really do some of the things he has promised. I can live with that.
--- T

Bill's Turn

Listening to Bill Clinton speak last night at the convention made me remember very fondly, why I loved the 90's. Only Bill Clinton could match the eloquence of Hillary Clinton. What a team! I admire their commitment to their ideals, their intelligence, and their sense of what's important. I don't care what the critics say, they rock!
--- T

Hillary's Night at the Convention

By Steven Rosenfeld

Hillary Clinton urged her supporters to rally behind Barack Obama in a passionate and forceful address at the Democratic convention on Tuesday night that underscored her historic candidacy as the first woman to come within reach of a major political party's presidential nomination.
"I am so honored to be here tonight. I am here tonight as a proud mother, as a proud Democrat, as a proud senator from New York, a proud American and a proud supporter of Barack Obama," Clinton began, eliciting a rousing ovation. "My friends, it is time to take back the country we love, and whether you voted for me or you voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose."
"We are on the same team, and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines," Clinton continued. "This is a fight for the future, and it is a fight we must win together. I haven't spent the past 35 years in the trenches, advocating for children, campaigning for universal health care, helping parents balance work and family, and fighting for women's rights here at home and around the world to see another Republican in the White House squander our promise. No way, no how, no McCain."

Hillary was at her best last night at the Democratic convention: generous, passionate, smart, eloquent - a leader. I think some are having second thoughts about voting for Obama, who seems to be a bit lost right now... But Hillary was more than willing to put the battles behind and go forward with unity. Good for her!
--- T

Joe Biden

Barack Obama chose Joe Biden as his running mate for President. Not a bad choice from my perspective, but I am disappointed because I still was expecting that he pick Hillary for VP. Joe Biden is experienced and smart, although I think he is too much in the pocket of large corporations - but who isn't? That's what American politics is all about: large corporations fund/own main stream politics on the right and left. It is practically impossible to run for office in this country without the help/approval of big money and big corporations.
- T

Olympics

I was watching women's gymnastics tonight. American Shawn Johnson won gold on the balance beam. It was fascinating to see her happy, shiny face; she smiled all the way through the competition while her teammate Nastia Liukin frowned while winning silver. Their outlook on life seemed so apparent on their faces and in their eyes. One positive, one negative.
- T

Ron Suskind Interview

One more time I have to bring up Ron Suskind. I listened to his interview by Amy Goodman about his new book: The Way of the World. He is intelligent, knowledgeable, and hopeful. His main point in the interview is that because of all the lies and manipulation by the Bush administration America has lost its authority in the world. This is serious, and has consequences - now other powers feel like they really don't have to listen to Americans talk about "human rights" and "democracy" because they have not followed the same principles themselves. Example: in Georgia one Russian soldier was interviewed about attacking and occupying the country; his reply: "If America can take Baghdad, why can we not take Tbilisi?"
-T

Interview

Georgia and Finland

Zbigniew Brzezinski compares Russia's attack on Georgia to that of Stalin's on Finland in 1939. Now that's scary stuff! Is Russia a warm, cuddly bear or a nasty, voracious imperialist beast? See whole article below.
--- T

Georgia-Finland