Barack Obama's election to the presidency of the United States is one of those ultra-rare moments in history where, when we each look back in a few years or even a few decades, we will recall, precisely, where we were and what we were doing on this historic night. Sort of like when the Phillies won - I'm serious.
I disagree with a lot of Obama's politics however he is now our president and I'm behind him. We all better get behind him. I look forward to seeing who he appoints to such key positions as Sec. of Defense, Sec. of Treasury, and the host of other political appointments that will be done over the next 76 days. I hope that he reaches across the political divide and appoints some republicans to his cabinet too. Enough of the partisianship - we're Americans first and foremost.
I thought Obama's speech tonight carried a slightly more stern tone than his campaign addresses. I also believe it was a great speech. Now comes the hard part: Fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; a financial crisis rivaled only by The Great Depression... the list goes on. To be sure, it's an "In Box" from hell yet all of these problems are essentially people problems - they can be fixed. Let's get behind the new administration and rock this country again. Let's rock the world.
I was glad to see the apathy of the American voter restored last night - white, black, latino, asian, young, old....the turnout was impressive. No voting issues. One guy didn't win the popular vote and lose the election.
Future history books (rather, history websites) will note that the United States of America elected an African-American as President in 2008. That fact barely scratches the surface of the struggle of Afro-Americans. Only a generation ago we witnessed the great Martin Luther King die for a cause he believe in (civil rights for you heathens who don't know). How many of us have that kind of courage? In the 1960's the United States was deeply divided over race and King lost his life attempting to bring equality to our country. We lived in an age where blacks had separate eating and sleeping quarters...separate water fountains to drink from.....what brand of kool-aid were white-Americans drinking back then? I joke about a lot of things and racial stereotypes (all of them) are fun to perpetuate just because they are so outdated and irrational yet I do it ONLY for the comedic effect. We all bleed red. It's time we slam the door shut on racial bias - all of use - for good.
Barack Obama will be sworn in on January 20th, 2009, and later that day he and his family will formally move to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Imagine that sight! The very same office where Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery will see a black man take his seat to lead our nation. This is historic...unprecedented....and to use the vernacular of our modern-day youth, AWESOME.
I remember the riots of the 1960's....Vietnam and Civil Rights were the issues of that day. Fast forward 40 years. We still have wars and they are always unpopular. But civil rights.....we're getting there....And it's about time.
Let's hope we move forward....one nation, under God, INDIVISABLE, with liberty and justice for all.
Alec, Jake - I know that you will always remember this day.
48 comments:
I agree, Dad. Lets get behind him and support him in his decisions. We may not agree with all of his politics, but lets back him up! Heck, I don't agree with all of your politics all the time but I love chatting about it!! Peace out, love ya!
ACR
You don't agree with my politics? Pipe up - what don't you agree with?
What do you mean that we should get behind him? Should we support his tax policies, in which you will likely be incurring literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional taxes (an extra 3% is a lot)? Should we support his stance on abortion, even infanticide? Should we support his position on transferring your hard-earned (on the golf course) dollars to others who don't work as hard and who believe that they are entitled to wealth, just because they were born in this country? Should we support his forthcoming nominations to the Supreme Court, which will not doubt turn the tide toward extremism and socialist policies and the upholding of one of the poorest-reasoned court decisions in 2 centuries, not to mention unconstitutional legislation from the most powerful bench in the world? Should we have his back on ending the war before it's won? Should we sustain him in his decisions to talk with terrorists who are planning nuclear attacks on Isreal?
Sorry, guys. I just have a real hard time supporting ANY liberal, let alone THE MOST LIBERAL politician in America.
Please, tell me what you mean by getting behind him. I ask to be enlightened.
Having said all that, looking forward to the game tonight....
FYI, liberal supreme court nominations last for potentially generations. Not just 4 or 8 years.
Agreed. I cried too when Obama won. Congratulations America. I can't wait for his nominations to the Supreme Court, gay marriage (even though Obama allegedly only supports civil unions at the time, the next step is gay marriage), infanticide, days of silence in classrooms where my children will be forced to celebrate gay and lesbian pride (but won't be allowed to pray). 10,000,000 children are murdered each year by abortion in the world. 4,000,000 in the US alone each year. How many people have died in Iraq? How many people have died in all the wars combined? This stuff already exists in Cali, it's coming to you.
Way to go, people...
Congrats to your Utes. See you on 11/22. Hopefully the Cougs can at least keep it close.
I am amazed at some of these narrowed-minded comments.
Obama, like his predecesors, will not wear a crown and robe, nor will he wave a sceptor to enact laws all by himself out of thin air.
He most certainly cannot single-handedly wipe out the 2nd amendment or allow gay marriage or make a phone call and have the troops come home by Easter.
The last time I checked, abortion is legal in this country - reversing Roe vs. Wade will only lead to back-alley abortions and accidental deaths of the mother AND the fetus. As a nation, we're past such barbarism.
Admittedly, when I arose Wednesday morning, I was somewhat surprised that the earth was still spinning on it's axis. Apparently that blowhard Glenn Beck was wrong. The sun DID come up and everything worked even though we elected a democrat.
Obama's a good man. His campaign rhetoric was decidely liberal but that will change. All politicians make promises - few ever come true. Universal health care? I'm not for it, but I am for a better system than we have now. The war in Iraq? The war in Afghanistan? I'm not even sure why we are there anymore.
Taxes are part of life. It's the spending that needs to be reeled in and Bush and his congress certainly didn't know how to balance the nation's checkbook or did everyone forget that? BTW, the federal deficit doubled in 8 years - in 220 years in crept to 5 trillion bucks, in 8 years it increased to 10.5 trillion.
The supreme court? Seriously, who cares? Will appointing a republican or a democrat REALLY make our nation better or worse? These appointments ebb and flow - we'll never have 9 liberal judges nor will we have 9 conservative judges sitting at one time. Clinton and Bush made 2 appointments each. Yawn.
Obama needs to lead this country back to a place of leadership and respect in the world. I like George Bush, however the United States, under his leadership, suffered one black eye after another. The world grew to either resent us or hate us.
It's a new administration. I'm excited about. I'm behind Obama and look forward to seeing what he can do. Give him a chance man. We're all in this together.
narrow minded? Obama is not a good man. It scares me that you say that. Abortion should not be legal, and yesit absolutely does make a difference who is appointed to the supreme court. Especially considering that some of the most important decisions over the last few years were 5-4 votes. I dot think that's narrow minded at all. I think it's just a case of being more intelligent than the rest of the Obama supporters who only care about the economy promises made by someone who has zero experience in these areas. Heaven forbid i worry about my morals more than my money. I think I'm moving to cAnada
Steve
Steve
but keith, I still love you and your narrow mind as well
Steve
and keith, you are right about one thing. These judges do ebb and flow just like the politicians our society just elected. Each has ebbed and flowed down that slippery slope and led us to the position we are in now. Roe v wade was a supreme court decision by the way.
Anyway, don't mean this to be heated but I refuse to be called narrow minded. I am not a sheep like the liberals in this country. I do not have a sandy foundAtion
Steve
Yeah, narrow minded. Just because someone is pro-choice doesn't make them immoral. Using that logic, people that are pro-life must all be moral upstanding citizens.
My morals are fine and I do worry about the economy. I have family to support.
We'll survive Obama. We got through Clinton and Bush...I'm just glad it's over.
Agency Steve...it's good that we are all different. The world would be boring if everyone were like me.
What slippery slope has the Supreme Court led us down? Other than Roe v. Wade, what other earth-shattering, polarizing decision have they made?
I'm not being argumentative, I'm just curious.
Holy Smoke!
I too was hanging on to the slimmest of hopes that this wouldn't happen, but it did. I had my kids freaking out because I was going around the house forecasting Armageddon, but I probably over reacted.
I am pretty sure that God was not sleeping and woke up on the 5th and said "What the heck happened?"
There is a plan.
Maybe like the stories in the Book of Mormon we need to be "plumbed up" a little.
I know that what is important is that we have our personal affairs in order and if we do we are promised that we "need not fear"
It would bother me so much when people would talk so bad about President Bush. I would say "Rather you like him or not, he's our President"
Well Barack Obama is our President and there are countless "fail-safes" in place in our Constitution to not allow a President to run amuck.
I'm pretty sure we will survive and probably be better for it.
Nobody would listen to me.
KFP
Let me clarify what I meant when I said that we should support Obama.
America is a special place, a land unlike all others. We enjoy freedoms, benefits, safety, tranquility, and justice that is unique in this world. We salute the flag and pledge allegiance with humility and gratitude to be able to live in a truly blessed nation.
Supporting Obama means that I have faith that he will do the best that he can do to make our country better. Do I agree with all of his politics? Nope! But do I really concur with everything that Bush has done during his 8 years? Nope. Obama will make mistakes (we all do) but he will also do wonderful things.
I think our country has fallen into a "glass half empty/glass half full" conundrum that prevents us from seeing the whole picture. I think that we look at republican leaders (aka Bush) with a half glass full mentality and we see his mistakes as small pollutants in a clean glass of water. With Obama, on the other hand, we (as a nation - specifically we republicans) see the glass dirty and filthy with a few drops of water inside when in reality, he hasn't even begun!
Americans are faithful people and we don't condemn the guilty until we have evidence that they are, indeed, guilty. Lets be optimistic and hopeful. For heaven's sake, lets at least wait until he is officially POTUS before we give up on him!
I guess my point is that we should be anxious and optimistic instead of already condemning the man. And although I voted McCain and am a Republican man, I think that Obama is a good man. His politics may differ from mine, but he is a good man. Lets give him a chance.
ACR
PS - Steve, Andrew, did you guys dress up on Halloween? Pictures...soon...
I completely disagree with your comment concerning pro choice. I do agree that agency and opposition are good things but I do not think you are using these things in the correct context. Agency is good when you choose the correct choice. I'm not predicting Armageddon either and not saying that Obama is the anti Christ. What I am saying is that there is right and wrong in agency. Pro choice is immoral. Obviously there are certain situations where abortion should be considered. I'm not making this stuff up. Just read last months ensign before the conference report. And keith the supreme court is constantly making these decisions for our country. Unlike you may believe, I did go to law school and study the supreme court for a whole year. I'll bring you my con law book so you can read through the 700 pages of controversial decisions concerning abortion, gay marriage, slavery, seperate but equal, etc.
I am extremely proud to be an American and the fact that our country can elect a black president. I just hope we didn't elect him for the wrong reasons. I'm not that upset that he as elected but was certainly disappointed.
And you did the same thing all liberals do when they don't have an argument to come back with. They call intelligent people narrow minded
Everyone seems to be arguing a different theme so lets all get on track here. The question is whether or not we, as Americans, should support our POTUS. Lets pick one subject, discuss it, then move on to another...jumbling everything together doesn't solve anything. I like everybody's inputs but unless we are all discussing the same topic, this isn't going anywhere...
ACR
alec, I didn't think you meant anything different nor do I really think your dad did either. I do however think these topics are all related and don't think we are discussing different topics.
Nobody has answered Andrews question: why should we support someone that I have no agreement with. I did not elect him as president. Quite frankly he scares me
this is the last thing I will say about this because I really do hate arguing politics. I hope as members of the church and you all as my friends have our houses in order. We've been told that if we keep the commandments we will be fine.
Part of my concern with this election was the fact that prop 8 barely passed. These signs of the time scare me. I want nothing more than to see my family and friends in the celestial kingdom, give them a hug, then go play a round of golf. I appreciate everyones opinion. But if it does comedown to it in the end I hope we all choose our religion over everything else.
Peace out
Are you calling yourself intelligent? JK
Agency is good if you make the right choice? I can't believe you actually wrote that down.
Agency cannot be defined as good or bad. Our resulting actions FROM agency are either right or wrong, but not agency itself. And who exactly gets to judge right from wrong?
My use of the wording "narrow-minded" may have indeed been incorrect. I should have used the word "naive" instead.
Just because the democratic platform is different from the republican platform doesn't make it wrong. It's just different.
Social programs, defense spending, capital punishment, gun control are always disputed. Abortion in the United States? Unfortunately it's legal and has been since 1973. In 35 years through republican and democratic leadership Roe v. Wade hasn't been overturned. Abortion will haunt us for as long as mankind exists whether the government deems it legal or illegal.
Does an immoral act make a person immoral forever?
Obama is POTUS. I wish it weren't like that but that's how the election turned out and we've got to move forward now. So what do we do now?
We can make our voices heard and help him to make the decisions that we feel are best or we can turn our backs and let him fail and then blame him. My opinion is that we do what we can to make the absolute best of the situation. I would bet that you and I have pretty similar political views but that's besides the point. Giving up on him gets us nowhere...
ACR
Steve, I think your comment was great and summed up everything that we have really been talking about. I'm more worried about what our society has evolved into. Immorality is everywhere and sacred issues are stomped on each and every day. We are all on the same page. It seems that our real fear is that the world is becoming corrupt exponentially fast. Like you said, lets all keep the commandments and keep our foundation steady so that when the troubled times come (they have arrived already and will continue to come) we will be ready and will "fear not."
Time to go finish a paper on why cooperation is better for athletic teams than competition. We'll save that for another post...23 comments? that's a record...
Peace out steve, buenas noches.
ACR
agency is absolutely a good thing keith. I can't beleive that you would say otherwise. Without agency there would be no you or I in this life. Agency is anawesome thing! It allowed us to cone here, and to choose what we chose in the pre existence. Come on keith!!!!
Ok I lied about the last comment thing.
Last comment starting.....now
Alec, keith said you were smart and I am starting to believe him. I'm not being pessimistic, just a litle dissapointmeny hangover. Lets face it, mccain would not have been much bette. Have you ever read "the alchemist"? If not I highly recommend it. We all have to persevere and do the best with what we have.
Love you both
Steve
To answer Andrew's question: I'm supporting Obama because he is the president-elect of the United States.
A nation divided isn't healthy. I didn't vote for the man, but I liked what he said the other night: "For those of you whom I've yet to earn your vote...I need your help....I'm your president too."
I'm no more afraid of Obama than I am of the boogeyman. Republicans need to chill out.
this is all tessa's fault.
Does an immoral act make a person immoral forever keith? I think you know the answer to that one already
Love you too, Steve. Lets go golfing when I come down for Thanksgiving. Tiff is going to be at a wedding all day on Saturday...
ACR
PS - Tessa, it's true. What have you started!? JK And seriously, it's late...I need to go finish this dang paper...
We're drifting people...what started out as a blog post about our new POTUS has now morphed into a forum that is debating morality.
Steve, my point about agency concerned your statement "Agency is good if you make the right choice." I find that statement to be irrational. Agency is also good if one makes the wrong choice too.
Sleep on that one.
Whew.
keith. Don't need to sleep on it. I have no idea what you mean by agency is a good thing when you make the wrong choice as well.
Agency is a wonderful thing when a right choice is made.
This discussion turned to morality because I led it there. To me the issues we discussed are inseperable.
Alec, I'm planning on it for thanksgiving, along with the rebel games
If agency is good ONLY when you make the right decision then you should have followed the other guy.
Agency allows us to learn from our mistakes and to experience the joys and sorrows that make this life what it is. If agency was limited to only making good choices then that's really not agency at all.
I agree with what you are trying to say.
Man. I missed out on this great debate! Let's just say that it's a good thing Keith isn't a witness on cross examination. I would eat his lunch with all of the contradictory statements.
What you forget, Keith, is that the whole government system is based on checks and balances. You are right. Obama can't waive a magic want and make law. But with a democrat controlled congress (both house and senate) and a democrat president, the liberal agenda will be pushed through without any checks or balances. This should scare you. I think the naivety here is yours, not ours.
Regarding your question about the Supreme Court, it would take PAGES to answer your question. The short answer to the question, however, is that Obama will likely have at least 2 appointments to the court, which will swing the balance to liberal judges. Liberal judges are more likely to legislate from the bench. You underestimate the problems with this issue.
As for agency: agency is so sacred that not even God himself would take that away from us. The removal of agency is Satan's plan. However, what God did not allow was for us to have agency over consequence. If he did, then 1/3 of the host of heaven would have been able to "abort" their banishment from God's presence and would have been able to come to earth and obtain a body and enjoy the blessings of this life. See where I'm going? I'm for agency. If you choose to have unprotected sex and you get pregnant or cause a pregnancy, you were not denied your agency. You made your choice. However, I don't believe you have the power to play God and "choose" whether to kill the life that you created--and that is exactly what it is. Having said that, there should be exceptions: (1) health of the mother; (2) incest. There may be other wise circumstances. If pro-life means you are in favor of life under all circumstances, then I am not pro-life. Not even the church is under that definition. However, baring UNUSUAL cirucumstances, abortion is evil and to try to mask that fact under the guise of "agency" IS IMMORAL. Abortion is legal because of the United States Supreme Cour, not because the PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES agree that it should be legal. Have you ever heard of federalism? Read the 10th amendment. It is a restatement of the entire basis of consitutional jurisprudence. Powers not GIVEN to the federal government are reserved to the states (i.e., THE PEOPLE--not the court). Pull the decision and read it. Even with your untrained eye (no offense, but it is a legal opinion), you will realize what a crock of crap it is. Oh, by the way, just because it's legal, doesn't make it right. See, e.g., activities in Pahrump.
Regarding taxes: you will very likely pay more in taxes in the next 8 years than what it will cost to send Alec to med school. I'm really surprised you don't have a problem with that. Having said that, we have a great asset protection and tax planning firm here and we'd love to assist you on how to reduce that burden. (Gotta love job security).
Regarding your claim that Obama is a good man because he used rhetoric to get elected, which will all change when he is the President.... I'm really having a difficult time seeing how lying to get elected and then doing something else once in office makes somebody a "good man." There are no good men in politics. None. They are all liars.
Parting comments:
I would rather be naive or narrow-minded than double-minded. See James 1:8.
"The hottest seats in hell are reserved for those who in a time of crisis choose to take a neutral stand." --Winston Churchill
I'm glad we have had this discussion. This is the last I'll comment.
Andrew
It's ok Tessa, we still like you
PLEASE cross-examine me and my alleged contradictions. I will blow you up.
Andrew,
The liberal agenda doesn't scare me at all. Bring it on. The more liberal the democrats get will only swing the pendulum back to the GOP in 2012. If they stay more toward the middle, then that's good, but it also buys them 8 years.
I'm surprised that you feel appointing liberal judges to the Supreme Court will creat problems. I repeat the question I posed to Steve last night: Name another decision by the Supreme Court that polarized the country like Roe v. Wade in 1973. I'm curious to see your response. There is no guarantee Obama will get to appoint even one judge let alone two. Bush and Clinton each appointed 2 but they served for 8 years. If Obama is the anti-Christ as so many mormons believe, then he will be out in 4 years....or less.
I also believe that the people of the United States are deeply divided over abortion and a statement like yours such as "The people of the United States do not agree it should be legal" is incorrect. Some people agree and some disagree. I'm pro-life and have a tee shirt to back it up.
If all politician are liars does that mean you vote for me in 2010 when I run against Titus?
Love you man.
I want to blow Andrew up. Tessa, you're fine. Steve, you're so-so. Alec, we agree to disagree.
I said I wouldn't comment any more. And now I am. I must be a good man....
Let's see off the top of my head:
McCollum v. Board of Education
Lawrence v. Texas
Brown v. Board of Education
Marbury v. Madison
Plessy v. Ferguson
Dred Scott v. Sanford
I could go on.
I don't have time to cross examine you now. Just know that you would want to hide under a rock when I'm done with you. Jack Nicholson would come out like a beauty queen. You can't handle the truth!
I don't like politics. I don't trust politicians. When you run against Titus, I expect you to come out with a way cool Philly accent to combat her Tennessee drawl.
OK. This good man is done. Peace.
Drew,
These are all first year, first week law school cases bro...Give us something that the United States fears....Dred Scott? Istn' he the 2 guard for the Lakers?
C'mon man....you HAVE to give me more than the following....
McCollum v. Board of Education
Lawrence v. Texas
Brown v. Board of Education
Marbury v. Madison
Plessy v. Ferguson
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Gobama
I have no idea what the record is for most comments to a post, but this has to be close.
I stayed up longer last night enjoying the repartee than I did during any of the debates and then I followed it most of the day on my phone.
I say to all " Good Stuff!"
Opinions are great and they're personal and never wrong because that is what they are, opinions.
Oh an Keith, Titus would merely be a stepping stone to KFP
How many lawyer friends did you have to call to find out what those cases are? They are first year con law cases because they are the most important. I would say Brown v. Board of Education was MUCH more divisive than Roe v. Wade and any self-respecting lawyer would agree. You asked for ONE decision that is more divisive than Roe v. Wade. I gave you six. Just because they are taught in con law 101 doesn't mean they are not responsive to your question. In fact, I'll have you know that Roe v. Wade is not even mentioned among these watershed cases.
Still, give us a call if you want some tax planning.
And let me know when that lease is up. I need me an FJ.
Gobama Yomama.
Late Post:
"The wicked take the truth to be hard."
for what it is worth...
Steve's DAD
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