Nothing New for the G.O.P

Tonight, the hopeful VP-to-be Sarah Palin took to the podium to deliver her acceptance speech. Understanding that this choice has been very controversial and as a result, this speech will determine the success of the GOP, more than a few people were certainly very anxious to find out what exactly she was all about. Apparently, she has too little experience or potential that her own party did not trust her to take on the big issues. She did a successful job of playing one of "the good ol' boys" (yes, the very same she claimed to have taken on), as Republican strategy has dictated for longer than most Americans can remember, but said little of any worth. What she did talk about was nothing new; rather, it was just the same tried-and-true lines past Republicans have used.
Energy dependence, for instance, took up a decent chunk of her time, but did not once talk about the development of alternative fuels, instead opting to discuss her 40 billion dollar pipe line in Alaska. Yes, the one that was highly controversial for its plan to destroy the fragile ecosystem of an Alaskan wilderness. She joined the other big names tonight in saying multitudes of mud against Obama, most of which based on groundless hearsay, including an out of place remark about his wish to drill the oceans, despite choruses of "drill baby drill!" encouraged by former speaker Rudy Guiliani. This flip-flopping is not new, of course, take the famed Bridge to Nowhere.
Not that her interesting positions on energy can be held against her. After all, if oil companies lose business due to alternative, clean, cheap fuels, her poor hubby will be out of a job. Isn't that important, in the grand scheme of things? Family, of course, is at the heart of her moral system. Perhaps that is why her daughter is now pregnant, because she did not have the time to spend with her. How can someone be expected to be in such a powerful position and still do a good job of parenting? Five, soon to be six children, one of whom has a disability, and she wants to lead America, as well? To throw her words back at her, there's a time for everything in its own right! Can she really handle it all?
Perhaps she can, for obviously she can come up with brilliant, politically shrewd comments about such things as the fake pillars in the background of the Democratic convention. All in all, it was a speech worthy of any high school beauty pageant (Miss Alaska, anyone?). I must be mistaken, I thought 90210 was last night.

-Modern Diogenes-

Obama, Rejoice

Now that the big question about who will be Obama's VP pick has been answered, it's only natural that we now turn to McCain, and the answer is in: Sarah Palin.
Now, at first glance, Sarah Barracuda seems like a step in the right direction: a woman, who, given McCain's age and past health problems, could very well find herself leader of the nation, and just as history-making as Obama. Then, you look at her résumé. Her political background resides on being the governor of the most isolated state (no offense, Alaska, but you're not exactly the hotbed of American politics). If McCain's hoping to garner some votes from Hillary supporters, he's severely underestimating the power of things like reading and being able to make proper decisions. While I'm sure there are many people who will make that choice, but anyone who can look past the ovaries and see the issues will not, which, call me naïve, but I hope is most. She may be female, but she certainly isn't going to advance the female cause: she's a fiercly pro-life, gun-toting, evangelical conservative from a state that bases its entire revenue on oil, let's not forget.
The issue of her inexperience completely dwarfs Obama's. Way to go, GOP, but the best suit against Obama (one that certainly had many democrats about to turn) just flew out the window and crashed somewhere in the Arctic Circle. McCain, at least, has been known for his willingness to reach across the aisle (then again, so was Bush, so what do we really know?). All Palin has been known for is firing a state trooper who was divorcing her sister. Now, any redeeming qualities McCain may have had have been stomped on by this Huckabee Jr. he's chosen as a running mate.
Please, intelligent voters, look beyond her sex and see that she is in no way the progress she promises to be at first glance.
On a lighter note, this choice has almost guaranteed the election of a Democratic president and the end at last to many of the country's Bush-inspired woes.

-Modern Diogenes-

Don't Shoot the Driver

A man, possibly guilty of nothing more than getting a legal job to support his family, including two little girls, is being painted as a leader of terrorism.
Salim Hamdan, bin Laden's driver, has been found guilty on charges of supporting terrorism because of his job. He may be guilty of supporting terrorism, but if he is, it's certainly not for trying to earn an honest living. If you want to condemn a man, get proof that what he has done is actually wrong and don't just blame by assosciation. Could it be that his own opinion on Osama bin Laden's methods and ideals made no difference when it came to feeding his family? You want to catch terrorists, great. But I'm sure a simple driver is much less of a threat than, I don't know, the leaders he was chauffeuring? Don't spend all the country's money and time on this! If he decided to blow up a building, that would be different. He didn't. If he was privy to some scheme to destroy half of the world, that would be different. He wasn't. This is ridiculous. Spend this effort instead on finding the people causing the trouble, and on checking Bush's policies that keep extending this long succession of failures.

-Modern Diogenes-

Impeaching Musharraf

Let this be a lesson to all leaders who recklessly and selfishly let their countries fall to pieces while fulfilling their own lust for arbitrary and costly displays of military strength.

-Modern Diogenes-