NkirvSep 5th, 2008 - 14:26:12

John McCain's steadfastness in Vietnam is a sure demonstration of his strength of character. However, Vietnam was a wrong war: Vietnam really was no threat to the U.S. (when we left with our tails between our legs, Vietnam did not threaten us), and our reasons for being there were extremely weak. It was a war that accomplished nothing but a lot of death and destruction. Today, Vietnam is a lovely country without any help from the U.S. McCain was steadfast for a wrong-headed cause.

The Iraq War was also a hasty, wrong-headed war. Saddam Hussein was no threat to us: we'd been bombing him for 10 years, and he had been unable to do anything, and he had no weapons of mass destruction. It was unnecessary to destroy the country in order to topple him, and even worse to disband the Iraq Army after we invaded. The country might have transitioned with less violence. The fact that we are pulling out of our own mess is nothing to be proud of, after thousands or our war dead and their families sacrificing so much for a Bush family vendetta.

Also, I question the wisdom of sneering at Obama's educational and intellectual credentials. It makes McCain and the Republican Party seem anti-education. Having the brains to get into Harvard and teach Constitutional Law at Chicago ought to be admired, not derided, or what kind of ignoramuses are we in this country? McCain should do all he can to promote education and praise those who work so hard to go on to higher graduate degrees. America's competitiveness with other countries is eroding, because of the lack of interest by Americans in higher education. Solid thinking from education and professional competence and knowledge are to be encouraged, not discouraged.
Or is McCain anti-education?

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cynthia a watsonSep 5th, 2008 - 14:41:05

I am not so sure that people watched Mrs. Palin speech because they were excited about her. I know that myself and many Democrats just as the rest of the country was extremely curious about the Gov. from Alaska. There is a good chance that was it. Curiosity! As a female, I truly took offense that McCain chose Mrs. Palin over other qualified 'Women' in the Republican Party. I am not Republican, but I do want to see Women have a strong Leadership role in the Process. I see her as a pawn in McCain's battle to become President of the United States. She earns her promps and just dues because she has acheived as a Mayor and a Governor. Do I believe that this makes her qualified to be President, know. I don't believe that anyone has the qualifications to be President and or Vice President. But, however anyone that meets the qualificatios can pursue that job. What I find continually horrendous is that she went on personal attacks against the other canididates. She jumped in on the bandwagon of politics as usual. McCain's campaign is now speaking of change. During this whole process he has not been speaking in terms of change and nor addressing the politics of the last 8 years. I believe that Politicians think that the American people are ignorant, stupid and can't process information.

As an educated WOMAN OF Color, I want the facts, and not any of this ridiculous tearing of people down. It is continually like children. Give the VOTERS a break, and respect that we aren't stupid.
Yes McCain in his own small way tried to admit that the Republican Party, has screwed up America over the last 8 years. But where did he admit that he personally, was part of that process? Where did he admit that he voted with Bush 90% of the time. How small of him not mention the President's name. I don't support the Bush Presidency, but I do believe in giving respect where it is due. What a slap in the face to the President by his own PARTY MEMBER. What a joke!
In closing I will say this. America wake up and process the facts. Get rid of the emotion and the hype! Think for yourself and ask yourself with a McCain/Palin administration will it be more of the same. It is a fact that you are not seeing the real John McCain, and I too give him his props and respect just for being a part of the process! But people wake up and think. Jobs are gone, homelessness continues to grow. My paycheck is shrinking just to buy gas and get to work, my utilities have quadrupled, this is not the life I want to continue to lead. I rob Peter to pay Paul. I spend almost 50% more in the grocery store. I can't get health insurance for my son, and he can't afford to buy it. What is the reality here? McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden. The proof is in the pudding that you see now. Forget all the hype and look at facts and issues. We don't have a crystal ball, to say who is better McCain or Obama, but we do know what we see and have lived and for me McCain represents the same political party that has gotten me into this mess.

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SP4: dear Ms. WatsonSep 5th, 2008 - 15:06:11

I am curious as to your calculus of being offended by McCains choice of VP, questioning HIS motivations,when your own party sent THE woman who managed a scant 18,000,000 of your bretheren's votes was shown the door, in place of a lifetime, over-the-hill, obstructionist, plagerizing libnazi apparatachick who was dealt out of the race a year ago with fewer votes than Palin got as Mayor of the little town she was in.

You exemplify the neocon premise that democrats could NEVER stand the scrutiny of their actions that they heap on republicans.

What your biases do not allow you to realize is that she was picked to shore up a weak conservative base FIRST. There were FAR better female candidates for McCain to choose from, if gender was the driving factor i.e. Olympia Snow, etc. Just how bigoted would he be were he to pick a man because she WAS a woman?

So go back and measure correctly and see what your conclusions will be.

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As Usual.........Sep 5th, 2008 - 15:31:11

The on-site expert in everything is alive and well - alive anyway! We'll see how far McCain really distances himself from his party and Bush's grand terms.

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SP4: Dear Professor UsualSep 5th, 2008 - 16:05:59

GDP is running 3.2% for May-June

Durable goods numbers are UP

Household wealth is at a historic high

the last 5 years have record GDP growth

Bush told you, for 7 years to drill domestically

Why should McCain run from this professor?

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SP4: oh yeah Professor, one more thingSep 5th, 2008 - 16:07:41

...Pelosi and Obama conceide we have won in Iraq...

Nice work, George.

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arturbonerSep 5th, 2008 - 16:14:12

WHY ISN'T JOHN MCCAIN WEARING A FLAG PIN???!!! HE OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T LOVE HIS COUNTRY IF HE REFUSES TO WEAR A FLAG PIN1

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People of ColorSep 5th, 2008 - 16:23:06

It's pretty funny to read these comments at the end of news stories and opinion pieces. They represent random rants from random people without actual credibility. If being a person of color gives credibility, then here I am: I'm a person of color and I represent the less than 5 percent of our demographic that will vote against Obama.

It's too bad that the other 95% of us will be too blinded by race to vote with our hearts and our own values. Even those of us with conservative values and conservative upbringing are looking to Obama only because he is Black, and forgetting the damage he will do to our country. Our own leaders are out there telling us that any vote against Obama is racist. So who's the racist now?

I bet that the 95% also look upon Palin and believe wholeheartedly that she is not really a woman, just like the black community look upon Clarence Thomas and believe that he is not black. Thomas is 50% more black than Obama and 100% better for the whole country.

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Dan the conquerorSep 5th, 2008 - 17:58:37

To the last poster: You're kidding right??? 95% of black americans are voting for Obama not because he's black, but because he represents a split from the status quo. They see McCain as more of the same, which is why the GOP is doomed, no matter how much they cheet, THEY ARE GOING TO LOSE!!! =)

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SP4: No, we're not kiddingSep 5th, 2008 - 18:21:10

Unless you are blind, Obama was nominated for no other compelling reason than he WAS black.

Oh yeah, and about that outcome... remember the famous republican quote:

'...in 1968, Richard Nixon was elected President'

!

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