Category Archives: Political Slants

Jun 17 0 comments
Entertaining the Masses, Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal, Voices of the Past

russert remembered

My heart was completely broken when I heard the news about Tim Russert's death. There isn't a Sunday that went by when I didn't either TiVo or watch "Meet the Press" or at least read up about it. I loved Tim Russert, and his style that he brought to journalism. He could ask a tough question and not be a jerk, and still have integrity and a smile on his face. But no one could get by on his show without the hard questions. America has lost an incredibly unbiased journalist when Tim Russert passed away. I couldn't stop crying as I watched the coverage as Tom Brokaw and the rest of the NBC and MSNBC crew covered stories about Russert's life and work.  

One of my favorite endings of "Meet the Press" was this year during the first round of the playoffs: Russert Cheers on the Caps

Here are a few great tributes written on the life of Tim Russert:
NBC's Tim Russert Dead at 58
Tim Russert: The Smile That Lit Up Journalism
Tim Russert, 58, a Fixture of NBC's Face of Politics, Dies
A Death in the Family
The Many Gifts of Tim Russert

And here is NBC's "Remembering Tim Russert Special:"
Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six

The world has a missing place… and some really big shoes to fill…

Jun 13 0 comments
Political Slants, Voices of the Past

a changed declaration

In my graduate seminar this summer based on Thomas Jefferson, of course the topic of the Declaration of Independence is approached. That time was last night. In order to discuss the topic, our professor used Garry Wills's Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence along with a companion article, from Daniel Walker Howe entitled, "European Sources of Political ideas in Jeffersonian America" (Reviews in American History 10, December 1982). In the book, Wills breaks down the ideas of Jefferson's subjectivity of his proclamation.

The most shocking to many of us was the drastic changes that Congress had made to Jefferson's document in order to make it official. Jefferson's original writing made it incredibly passionate, and those exclusions change the entire meaning of the document. Congress rejected TJ's theory of expatriation, as well as excluding an entire section that TJ intentionally meant to target: the people of Great Britain.

For most of the American people, we are familiar with the Preamble, which is usually recited at some patriotic event, usually at the Fourth of July. However, the Declaration of Independence was an entire statement and declaration incited with passion about how angry the American people were with the broken relationship between the colonies and the King of England. What had once been a harmonious and virtuous social contract was met with an uncooperative group of colonies because of the forceful tactics used in taxation and military protection. The colonies felt that they would be better off as independent without the betrayal of the King, and independence would provide foreign aid from other nations if possible. 

It's amazing to think that TJ's Declaration was established upon the beliefs and concepts of that of the Scottish Enlightenment, based on equality of love, affection, and benevolence of society, and not on legal contracts. Of course, everyone still debates TJ's concept of what he meant about his phrase "all men are created equal…" and it is still debated among historians. I'm sure TJ meant it to be vague, just as the writers of the Constitution meant to write the Bill of Rights, which continue to be debated to this day. They must be culturally relevant, which is a concept that Jefferson really understood… which is probably why he wrote what he did.

Jun 05 0 comments
Political Slants, Sweet Home Alabama

peeps & veeps

So, the news reports that Hillary Clinton will be conceding on Saturday, and Barack Obama has established his committee to begin the process of selecting a Vice Presidential nominee for the Democratic ticket. No matter what, I'm hoping that Obama picks a strong Veep candidate to keep the Democratic Party strong, and to put up a good fight against the Republican Party. Of course, deep down, I'd love for him to ask the candidate that I initially supported: Bill Richardson. He has plenty of experience in the executive administration, both in the White House and as a Governor, plus he has worked with immigration reform in his home state. I mean, who doesn't love Bill Richardson?! He's just an incredible politician, and a brilliant lawmaker. I think he'd make a great second-in-command, and would provide great advice and could dispute the cries toward Obama's inexperience if Richardson is on the ticket. Listen to the name of the ticket: Obama/Richardson. It just sounds good. In all seriousness, I'm gonna be happy with his choice, as long as it is his own, and he makes it without being bullied… He's the official face of the Democratic Party for the 2008 Presidential race. He needs to be strong. And he is.

Speaking of VP lists, my friend Mike shared a hilarious link today, which continues in my favorite tradition of political humor during the election season. It's Obama's "Short VP List." I couldn't help but share it (thanks Mike!). Enjoy! 

Addendum: For a slightly more serious, but (still) fun site on choosing a VP for Obama (in March Madness style), check out CQ Politics VP Madness!

Jun 03 0 comments
Political Slants

needless expense

So, today the pollsters and politicos say the Democratic nomination will end. If it does, it will be nice. Because in all truth, I will be glad to see it end. It's been an endless parade of who does what better and blah, blah, blah. One of the biggest complaints I have is with the expenses of the primaries. Today is the regular set primary day for the state of Alabama, and in fact, there are primaries going on for other offices in the state. However, they have mostly gone under the radar, and most people don't know that it is an election day in Alabama. Why? The Presidential Primary, which would have originally been on this day, was moved to February to be a part of Super Tuesday. Now, instead of using state money to pay for one primary, the influence and pressure of the 2008 Presidential nomination forced Alabama (and many other states) to hold two primaries. Yes, this has been an historic race to watch, especially considering that the Democratic party will either nominate a woman or an African-American as their nominee. But, come on… the cost of this primary for the 2008 race is absolutely unnecessary! When considered on the local level, when the primaries are split, the turnout for the local office primaries was almost non-existent.

But, to get off my soapbox and completely turn the spectrum, I will say, though… one of my favorite parts of the primary season are the many, many parodies and funny websites that have appeared. One of my favorites is When Obama Wins, which generates random reader-supplied comments in the case that Obama wins. Below are two screenshots of my favorite ones… the first because it vents my frustration of everyday life when I lived in D.C., and the second, because seriously, who doesn't want to find it? 

 

 

Jun 02 0 comments
Political Slants

unacceptable

I don't care who you are, what power you may or may not have, or what you may think, but a person in power, and a leader in the administration of a country of the free world should never make a joke about one of its own states… especially when its one of your greatest political supporters.

Cheney, you're completely out of touch with reality. Your joke was absolutely unacceptable.

Mar 07 0 comments
Leg-Slappin' Fun, Political Slants

giggle giggle

I'm thankful for congressmen like Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), who provide unending humor in the most awkward of times. On Wednesday night, a couple of photogs caught him as he was exiting a bathroom in the Capitol building. He quickly looked over his shoulder and quipped, "Come on out, Larry, it's all over."

Feb 28 0 comments
Political Slants, Social Quandaries

racial tensions

Never again will I complain about the slow growth of race relations in the United States. CNN reported today that a video of white South African college students exposed intense racial division. The video shows the students intentionally degrading black South African workers, and refusing to go along with integration policies. 

Read more and see the report about it here. 

Feb 18 1 comments
Political Slants, Voices of the Past

eminent domain v. history

I say with pride that I am an alumni of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. And to continue my education, I will soon graduate with my master's degree from UAB. I am so proud of the progress that has been made at the University. It is transforming into a traditional campus in an urban setting – a drastic change from what it was even five years ago.

Much of UAB's growth has been on account of eminent domain. And, for many years (and even still), much of the community that once resided in the Southside neighborhood of Birmingham has hated UAB because it took over housing and retail areas in order to expand the campus. Of course, this expansion has ALWAYS been on account of the medical side of campus, not liberal arts. I'm not complaining, because I work in an historical sector of the medical arena. However, at some point, this eminent domain crap gets out of control.

Today, the Parliament House Hotel was imploded in order to provide more office space and parking areas for the University hospital. The Parliament House Hotel was developed with the help of Doris Day, and in the 1960s and 1970s, it was THE place to be! I can't for the life of me imagine why they would demolish a piece of history like that.

Of course, then again… it's Birmingham! Birmingham NEVER keeps anything historical. They tore down the Terminal Station in 1969. They tore down the historical Birmingham News station last year. The city, and its citizens, refuse to stand up to big business and demand that eminent domain not take away each and every piece of the city. But, in the minds of the city's leaders, expansion of UAB brings in more money to the city.

So, the moral of the story? Either way, someone ends up with the short end of the stick. And, more often than not, money wins out, and history loses… as it did at 7:15 this morning. 

Feb 05 0 comments
All Things Considered Southern, Political Slants, Sweet Home Alabama

droughts in the south

Today, a story on NPR bothered me quite a bit. NPR enlightened its audience on the droughts in Georgia, and the likely possibility that all outdoor pools will not be allowed to be filled this upcoming summer if the drought continues. 

I'm upset with this story for a number of reasons. Most of the Deep South states suffered from drought conditions for the past two summers. Furthermore, most of these states took precautions to conserve water. Plants died. Lakes were incredibly low. Residents were only allowed certain days of the week to water their lawn or wash their car, ONLY before 8 a.m., or after 7 p.m. Fines were imposed on those households who went beyond their water allowances. In the state of Alabama, citizens did everything possible to conserve water.

In the story on NPR, it said that many Georgia residents, specifically north of Atlanta, disregarded the suggestions to conserve water. First of all, they DISREGARDED it. And, why wasn't it MANDATED to conserve water, as it was in other states?

Then, after the major water conservation areas in Georgia were almost dry, Georgia asked other states for water! These states, Alabama included, didn't have it to share. 

Should Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, and others be punished for the flamboyant ignorance and disregard of Georgians? NO. I hate it for the state, but this entire drought issue's severity should be blamed on the administration of Georgia, and their Governor should have paid attention to the state's need. Furthermore, he should have been a better leader by implicating those who were in violation of conservation guidelines.

It may sound harsh and apathetic, but I spent an entire summer and beyond trying to conserve as much water as possible, as did many others in this and other states. Other states in the region should not have to suffer on behalf of such disregard. And, if Georgia didn't conserve in the first place, maybe a pool-less summer will teach them a lesson from their own poor behavior.  

Jan 08 1 comments
Ins-and-Outs, Political Slants

more on global warming

As I stated the other day, the weather here in Alabama is absolutely insane, and it's driving me up the wall. Here's this week's forecast:

Anyone see a problem with this??? By the weekend, we'll be expecting a snow/ice mix. We go from tornado watches to freeze warnings.

How do people really believe that global warming doesn't exist?