Passing of an Era: So long Teddy

Teddy Kennedy passed away today after a struggle with brain cancer.

He had a long a storied career. Whether you loved him or hated him, it's undeniable that he left a mark on our country.

He lived his life in the public eye. Sometimes that made his foibles seem larger than life. His mistakes were tried in the pubic realm. Similarly though, I think his strengths must also be viewed as larger than life too.

Ted Kennedy stood for the positive impact that government could have on our lives.

Too many today live in a binary world where government is either all bad or it should be a nanny state. Either extreme is irrational.

Ted Kennedy attempted to straddle the middle. Sometimes he failed, but still he tried to bring about good government that works for the benefit of the people it's designed to represent. Ted Kennedy saw government as a tool for the betterment of people--he believed until the end in the edifying power of good government.

I met Ted Kennedy once. He treated me as if we were lifelong friends and with a graciousness far beyond what his position and history would suggest.

I'm moved for the loss that we all suffer by his passing.

So long Teddy.

Literate cities lean liberal

Here's something of note. A listing of the most literate and least literate cities in the U.S.

Something that pops out at me is the political leanings of the most literate cities: They tend to support Democrats and lean liberal.

Something to be said for reading and political affiliation.

Interestingly, least literate cities tend to be in Texas or California with one exception: Hialeah, Florida.

Libertarian hypocrites. Libertarians should be for personal freedom.

Here's what I don't get.

Libertarians are worried that Obama's election spells the end of libertarian ideals.

Many libertarians have bought into the notion that only Republicans and by extension, conservative ideals represent the last best hope for freedom.

What I want to know is why do libertarians drink the kool aid from the Right?

Where were libertarians when a Republican and self-described conservative took complete advantage of a crisis to push through one of the most invasive restrictions on our privacy rights? (Patriot Act)

Where were libertarians when this same politician sought to restrict a woman's right to control the use of her own uterus?

When Republican supporting libertarians talk freedom, they should choke on their words.

Neither party has the market cornered on freedom.

I, myself, have rather libertarian views. I've even voted libertarian in the past.

What I won't abide is a hypocrite. And for libertarians to suck it up and vote for a party that seeks restriction of personal rights, then I call them for what they are: Liars.

Notes on the VP Debate

Notes on the VP debate:

Biden knows his stuff. Palin can't speak English nor can she answer a direct question.

Palin doesn't seem to know what an "Achilles Heel" is. Rather than answer that question, she talked about her strengths. So now when they say she's well-read, I know they only mean Redbook and not history.

Bushisms from Palin: She said nucular three times instead of nuclear.

If I ever hear the word maverick again, I'm gonna puke. The way that word gets thrown around by McCain and his campaign makes me think the candidate longs for the days of high school so he could have a gang. I mean it sounds like McCain is the leader of a gang of bad boys with greasy hair, leather jackets, and girlfriends in poodle skirts. (Guess Palin kinda fits the image of a girl in poodle skirt...)

Is is a coincidence that Tom Cruise's character in TOP GUN was called maverick and was also a Naval Pilot? I think not. I bet John McCain hears Kenny Loggins singing in his head whenever he walks into a room...

Palin said that John McCain "knows how to win a war." How is that?

Let's go through a little John McCain history: He was shot down, captured, and spent five years as a POW and that qualifies him for "knowing how to win a war"?

I'll tell you what that qualifies him for: Getting shot down, getting captured by the enemy, and surviving a p.o.w. camp. These things have no relation to winning a war; they are the results of failing at war. John McCain screwed up and now he claims it as experience enough for winning a war? That's like claiming to be a master thief after you've been caught shoplifting a few time. Come on.

John McCain is trying to win Iraq to make up for the U.S. losing in Vietnam. Let it go John, let it go.

Also, what's with the shout out to an elementary school in Alaska? This is an important event. It isn't some award show where you thank your peeps and give shout outs. Let's just diminish the whole process please. Thanks Sarah.

Biden did well. He kept his mouth in check and spoke authoritatively about every issue. He knows his stuff when it comes to foreign affairs.

There's a reason Palin makes people nervous: She follows a script too closely because she lacks depth and knowledge. We can't have 8 more years of idiots in the White House.

Oh, and she's real pretty. And as we know, looks are all that matter when deciding on a presidential ticket.