First Presidential Debate

Heading into this debate many thought that McCain would have the edge given that the event was originally focused solely on foreign policy and national security. However, the subject of the debate was changed to include the economy during this economic crisis. When both were given the opportunity to give their views on the bailout both didn't seem to answer the question directly, suggesting that neither are totally confident in the 700 billion bailout plan. I think its clear and polling would probably conclude that voters have more confidence in Obama than McCain when it comes to the economy but on the flip side voters prefer McCain over Obama when it comes to foreign policy. One thing that I found interesting about Friday's debate was the appearance of both candidates and how they composed themselves. Obama seemed more candidate like in my eyes because he answered every question asked with confidence and emphazising change; something that his campaign has relied on. On the opposing side, McCain seemed frustrated throughout the debate and failed to ever even look at his opposer, Obama which I was concerning because the debate was supposed to be more intimate than it actually turned out to be; candidates were supposed to respond directly back to one another. In conclusion I think it was an even debate but I would give Obama the edge solely for seeming for presidential-like.

Answer the damn question Senator! Tell me something that I can believe.

Foreign policy is a major issue that has risen higher than ever in the past eight years. As president what is your plan in aiding the global strategy to act against religious extremism and terrorism?

As of now we do not have an effective, global strategy with our allies against religious extremism and terrorism and spending more than a billion dollars each week and sacrificing American lives in Iraq is not making America or the world any safer. My first action as president would be implementing a plan to get our troops out of Iraq. Secondly I would refocus our military force in the direction of Afghanistan, where the true problem is and let HezBolah (probably misspelled that) know that we aren't going to let them succeed. Were also are going to do everything in our power to stop Iran from producing nuclear weapons using diplomacy first and only military action as a last resort. America needs show our power through example not example through power.

The Fun House Mirror!

Why do people feel especially disturbed when leaders distort the truth? How does it reflect on their leadership?

Leadership is a journey of discovery. It is the expression of a person at his or her best whose aim is to transform something for the better and to develop this potential in others. It is not a solitary pursuit but one that harnesses the energy of those around you. He has accepted the responsibility of being the facilitator and image to model. We put trust in our elected officials, especially if they were the ones we voted for. 

So the book asks why we feel especially disturbed? It can be answered simply, but the emotions can feel complex. If someone is accepting the responsibility as a leader they must be a role model that everyone congregates towards. It's a leaders' obligation to operate at their fullest capability and with honesty, its their responsibility because that's why they were appointed the position. People feel that they are capable of making the hard decisions and operate at the highest standard of judgement.So when they lie or distort the truth it reflects a bad image among the followers. They no longer have the ability to hold trust which is a key quality a leader must have. They hold them accountable for all their actions as if they were friends or family and they don't accept failure. Lying is failure. Distorting the truth is failure, and in our society failure by leadership is not accepted by any means. 

"Rossi pulls in big donors, too"

Seattle P.I- "Rossi pulls in big donors, too"

Although this article discusses only the fundraising of the Dino Rossi, I think theres and underlying message. Rossi has made an outright effort to seem like he's the "middle-class" governor who has sent a message saying that his primary resource of funding is from middle-class americans. This is a smart move on his part, if only it were true. The real facts show that Rossi has received major donations from lobbyists and oil companies, the people that have made him rich. This knocks at Rossi's credibility in my opinion because if you he's going to persuade the public by saying he's "the middle-class vote" he better mean it, and it's obvious that the facts don't support his persuasion. Of course, no politician is going to be able to fund a campaign solely on minor donations but the fact that he's trying to use that as a campaign mechanism is hard to believe. On another note, why should we elect a different governor when Gregoir are current governor is doing a good job?

Passions and Desire

My passions/desires:

• One of my goals for the near future is to play for Western Washington University's soccer team. Why? I have been a die hard soccer player my whole life but with some recent struggles in other areas of my life soccer has taken a rest. Im looking to start training again now that I have a lot of free time. 
• I want a good education. My goal is to become the best learner I can and take in as much as possible from my college education.
• I want to travel the world. I think traveling the world would be the most life changing experience a person could have; having the opportunity to visit so many other cultures and have a better understanding for the world we live in today.
• I want to get a job in the web design industry. Web design is one of my hidden passions that I wish to pursue as a career and I think it will give me opportunities to do other things that I desire as well.

Hillbillies and Guns

Washington Post- McCain Palin take the Fight Out West

To begin this blog entry, I would like to unveil something about myself. Before the race the the nominations of both parties I didn't have a care towards politics, I thought it was just a bunch of arguments without much resolution, but now I know better. Articles and news like this is what got me into politics. In this article written by the Washington Post, much is discussed about how Palin has changed voters and could ultimately change this election. How will she change this election one might ask? Well, by the looks of this article, she's going get gun activists to vote. To quote the governor of Montana "in Montana, we like our guns. We like big guns. We like little guns. We like shotguns. We like pistols. Most of us own two or three guns. Gun control is hitting what you shoot at."And when asked why Senator Obama couldn't win his state his shortly replied "guns". 

Its the beauty of elections. People from every background you think of have the ability to change elections, even the uneducated. It's the hard reality as well, because this election shouldn't be about guns it should have any levy. America is in a crisis on its home-front and abroad. And if idiots like the ones in Montana think that voting for McCain is the way to go because they like having "big guns" is scary. People need to understand the major issues that involve us all, as a country. We cannot be selfish it times like these because no matter who is elected, if we don't all start making changes to our country and our world more bad things are to come.

Governor Palin

Title- Palin's Budget Cuts Affect Teenage Mothers

URL-http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/palins-budget-cuts-affect-teenage-mothers/

Response-

After reading this article in the NY Times one could only question Governor Palin's budget cuts. Obviously not everyone is going to wait until they are married to have sex so by Palin stating that she wouldn't support sex-education in schools is absurd. I mean her own  daughter is pregnant! Not to attack her daughter and what she is going through, but  I think by Palin being so pro-life she has lost  respect and created controversy surrounding  John McCain's campaign.  People make a lot of choices in their lives good and bad, and to not provide sufficient money for Covenent House Alaska is terrible in my mind. Educating teens about sex is one of the most important things adults can do for children  because if they aren't educated well in the topic, it could lead to more unplanned pregnancies and things of that sort. So yes i think this article is bias because it's not promoting the governor in any way to the readers eye but what do you expect from the journalists. This is something very controversial that should be addressed and people should know as much possible about the candidates before election time.