I have read with great interest the comments that have been offered after a recent post that I made. I will respond to questions about what I was advocating. Sarah Palin, like any other politician, regardless of party affiliation, should not be sheltered and should be asked tough questions about the positions that she takes. Further, any inconsistencies in the positions taken and the ideologies that she espouses should be probed. The personal views of the questioners should be irrelevant. A liberal media person should be tough and demanding in questioning a liberal politician. A liberal politician who rants about pollution should be challenged if he/she seeks a lessening of regulations on car companies because he/she is from Detroit.

My personal views on the subject at hand are irrelevant and one should not presume to know how I feel on any particular subject. Those who have had me for classes know that I take the role of the teacher as one who asks challenging questions very seriously. The questions that one asks are even more important than the knowledge that one displays. Further, the ability to think critically (and that does not mean to be unnecessarily negative or demeaning) is a vital skill that we, as educators, should be seeking to develop.

My views on many subjects are fluid. However, my view that politicians not be allowed to easily avoid answering tough questions does not change and does not depend on the party affiliation of the individual. What I am advocating, once again, is that a politician, in this case Sarah Palin, be challenged just as any student in my classes would be. It is time to stop sheltering her and let her convince the public that she has a command of the issues and is being true to the ideology that she promotes. If she is not, then let her explain to me why. It is quite possible that she can convince me that she has good reason for believing as she does. Let her do it. And, let us hold all politicians to the same standard!

Monday, September 15, 2008 8:13:09 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [1] | 

I love politics - sometimes. Not today. I am teaching an American Government class this semester for the History Department. Like most students that I have had in the past in PLS 122, many this semester are not terribly excited about the subject. My initial reaction to their disinterest is to be horrified. Why do they not have the same passion that I do for government, public policy and politics? I just can't figure it out. Then I get home last night to discover "lipstick gate" has swept the nation. Okay, I am reminded effectively of why many turn off to any mention of politics.

I have been involved in politics for years. In my past life, I actually was active in running political campaigns. I thought that I had seen everything. Guess not. Now, a "major issue" about lipstick and pigs! I saw the clip in which Obama uttered the phrase, "you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig" and , of course, I was outraged (yeah, right!). He had been talking for several minutes about Bush policies and how McCain was running from them even though he had supoprted them. In characterizing McCain's "change" argument, he used the "lipstick' line. Now, naturally he was talking about Palin who used the word lipstick in a speech. What the HECK? Are you kidding me? Oh, the anguish from the McCain camp. The "slur" had hurt some feelings. What slur you ask. I have no idea. But McCain certainly saw one, or at least his campaign strategists had told him, probably on a teleprompter, that a "slur" had occurred. Oh, the unfairness of it all! Leave Sarah alone you pigs!

I have my differences with Obama. His willingness to move from one quagmire in Iran to another unwinnable fiasco in Afghanistan (please place call to Russian leaders) is distressing. His willingness to reconsider eliminating tax cuts for the rich at this time is unfortunate and his support for charter schools, which serve to cost public schools needed money, is disheartening. But, at least he is talking about policy issues. Come on John, say something meaningful, if your knowledge of economic issues goes beyond that which can be written on a napkin. Say something about your foreign policy views. Do you believe in Nation building as part of our international role? How many more billions will you spend to spread democracy worldwide? Would a traditional conservative support such efforts? Come on John, say something. And, while you are at it, let Sarah say something. Let her tell us about her desire, as a conservative who supposedly believes in limited government, why the government should be involved in a woman's decision making process. Let her tell us if she believes in "equal pay for equal work" for women.

On second thought John, keep quiet about such things. Continue to discuss "lipstick" and other pressing issues such as who Obama hung around with years ago. That may well get you elected. Then we can spend four more years complaining about all the things that have disturbed us for the past eight years. Joy to the World!

Dale

Thursday, September 11, 2008 9:18:51 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [10] | 

Is Obama sounding more like McCain (i.e tax cuts for rich, charter schools) because he is slipping in the polls and trying to appeal to independents or is he slipping in the polls because he is sounding more like McCain?

When is James Carville going to take over Obama's campaign?

Both McCain and Obama are claiming to represent change. What kind of real fundamental "change" can we expect from them? Federal aid to expand charter schools? Oh Boy! That is "change" that we can retreat from.  Movement from the quagmire in Iraq to one in Afghanistan? Oh Boy! How about a few billion to rebuild Georgia (not the U.S. state)? Oh Boy!

McCain has rallied his base. Has Obama rallied his? Is Obama taking me and my vote for granted?

Can Obama win with his base being solidified, new voters, and good turnout? Does he need to run to the "middle" and does he risk alienating his base in doing so?

Dale

Wednesday, September 10, 2008 3:49:12 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [1] | 

Dale Lanigan is a new Lourdesworld blogger for 2008.  Welcome, Dale!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008 1:02:32 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] |