Just read this post from the Freeport School District Newsletter. There are definitely some exemplary teachers and "retired" teachers in our district. Heidi Downing is one such example. I was fortunate enough to have a daughter, who had her for a teacher. A good time to accenutate the positive:
Hooray for Heidi
From the Desk of Danielle Summers, Principal of Center School
Early last week (two weeks ago), Heidi Downing* subbed for Barb Kerr in the
afternoon. Students were finishing up, a quite intense and extensive, project.
On Thursday, Heidi was on her way to Rockford to spend time for herself by shopping.
(That is what retirement is all about.)
On the way, Heidi became more and more upset by the article she read in the paper that morning. The article was information on the Equity Data Presentation from Wednesday night. What bothered her most was the information on the district’s African American males and how they begin to fall behind early in their school careers. Heidi turned her car around and came to Center School. From subbing earlier in the week, she knew three African American boys were behind in a project. She spent three hours working with these boys to complete their project. The finished project was amazing. In addition to the project, Heidi read the equity article with the boys and talked about the young African American man on the front page, who is a former HAPP student and who has accomplished much.
It is that kind of dedication to students and desire to see students succeed that makes our district so wonderful. And especially makes Heidi so wonderful.
Heidi: Thank you so much for making a difference!
* Heidi retired from the school district a few years ago after a dedicated career as a teacher, HAPP leader, FEA leader and strong proponent for equity issues. Thankfully, she remains involved in our school district.
There are a number of such examples that often are overlooked due to the other issues within our district. I still question the wording of the administration in their response to the high school falling below the state standards, "because of the special needs" children and their test scores. As the parent of a child with "special needs" who cannot take standardized tests due to a low intelligence quotient, how does this factor into the scoring by the state. Are all children with IEP's put into the same category? Does a child with ADD or ADHD, who can test with certain accommodations get put into the same category as a child with severe mental retardation or altered cognitive abilities? How are these differences accounted for within the district and with state standardized tests, that are used to determine state funding for the schools?
No Chiild Left Behind has been a blatant failure for our district and for the country. There is no way that one standard can be used for all students.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The Day After, Locally
It has become apparent that in Northwest Illinois we are staunchly Republican on the local level. The overwhelming victories by Sen. Bivins, Congressman Sacia, and U.S. Representative Manzullo. The election in Stephenson County mirrored the national percentages in voting for Sen. Obama over Sen. McCain. This is the first time that I am aware of that our county has voted in favor of a Democratic presidential nominee over a Republican.
The City of Freeport, which is extremely slow to change or to accept new concepts and ideas, voted overwhelmingly (65% to 35%) to stay with the Mayor-Council form of government instead of looking toward the future of our economic livelihood and strongly consider a City Manager-Mayor-Council form. We either embrace our candidates for their outgoing personality, even if the city is eroding around us, or kick them out if our taxes are raised to an uncomfortable level.
What does any of this portend for our local economy in a time when our major employers, such as MetLife, let more employees go, including ones that had been there for more than 40 years and had dedicated their lives to the company? We see the bright and shiny new retail stores like Wal-Mart, Menards, and the refurbished Farm and Fleet, but these are not "new" businesses to our area. These are expanded companies, who are now letting their new hires go as the economy continues to slide and the stores reach a point of balanced business (the initial traffic flow has leveled off).
We are landlocked in Freeport with no major expressways nearby (think Rochelle and I-88 and I-39) and no four-lane highway to our West. This has severely limited our ability to grow in population or in business. We are now at a 6.9% unemployment rate compared with 4.8% one year ago, as of September. Of course, this isn't helped by the 8.9% rate in Winnebago County, where many of our residents work. How many more unemployed do we have that are now on other forms of subsidized income who no longer qualify for unemployment benefits?
There are many aspects of our city and county that are in need of assistance, whether through the government or local business initiatives. There is definitely a need for the two to be working together for the area and not have people so consumed with personal approval ratings or image, but who get things done with the general good of the economy and standard of living not taking a backseat to the next election.
The City of Freeport, which is extremely slow to change or to accept new concepts and ideas, voted overwhelmingly (65% to 35%) to stay with the Mayor-Council form of government instead of looking toward the future of our economic livelihood and strongly consider a City Manager-Mayor-Council form. We either embrace our candidates for their outgoing personality, even if the city is eroding around us, or kick them out if our taxes are raised to an uncomfortable level.
What does any of this portend for our local economy in a time when our major employers, such as MetLife, let more employees go, including ones that had been there for more than 40 years and had dedicated their lives to the company? We see the bright and shiny new retail stores like Wal-Mart, Menards, and the refurbished Farm and Fleet, but these are not "new" businesses to our area. These are expanded companies, who are now letting their new hires go as the economy continues to slide and the stores reach a point of balanced business (the initial traffic flow has leveled off).
We are landlocked in Freeport with no major expressways nearby (think Rochelle and I-88 and I-39) and no four-lane highway to our West. This has severely limited our ability to grow in population or in business. We are now at a 6.9% unemployment rate compared with 4.8% one year ago, as of September. Of course, this isn't helped by the 8.9% rate in Winnebago County, where many of our residents work. How many more unemployed do we have that are now on other forms of subsidized income who no longer qualify for unemployment benefits?
There are many aspects of our city and county that are in need of assistance, whether through the government or local business initiatives. There is definitely a need for the two to be working together for the area and not have people so consumed with personal approval ratings or image, but who get things done with the general good of the economy and standard of living not taking a backseat to the next election.
Thoughts on the Day After
Found this while looking through various blogs about the election. Thought it was an interesting post which highlights the symmetrical and cyclical nature of American politics:
Conservative blogger Rod Dreher notes:
1. The modern conservative movement began with the crushing defeat of Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential race. The modern conservative movement ends with the crushing defeat of Arizona Sen. John McCain -- who took Goldwater's Senate seat upon his retirement -- in the 2008 presidential race.
2. Modern liberalism began its implosion with riots in Chicago's Grant Park at the 1968 Democratic Convention. Tonight, modern liberalism is reborn at Chicago's Grant Park, where a black Chicago Democrat will celebrate winning the presidency.
Conservative blogger Rod Dreher notes:
1. The modern conservative movement began with the crushing defeat of Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential race. The modern conservative movement ends with the crushing defeat of Arizona Sen. John McCain -- who took Goldwater's Senate seat upon his retirement -- in the 2008 presidential race.
2. Modern liberalism began its implosion with riots in Chicago's Grant Park at the 1968 Democratic Convention. Tonight, modern liberalism is reborn at Chicago's Grant Park, where a black Chicago Democrat will celebrate winning the presidency.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Obama Wins Election
As the final days of the campaign ran its course, there was the distinct feeling that Senator Barack Obama of our state of Illinois would win the election. In another online discussion group, I predicted that Sen. Obama would win 338 Electoral College Votes. While I fully supported Senator John McCain for his abilities in National security issues and especially for his stance on the pro-life issue, I am an American and appreciate that the country of Lincoln fought for the rights of any American of the appropriate age to run for President. There is to be no encumbrance to race, color or religious affiliation when running for the highest office in the land.
I wish Senator Obama well. I do hope that he moves more toward the centrist, conservative demeanor that he displayed at Harvard (according to Professor Ogletree his former mentor at Harvard Law School). It came down to the primary reasons of the economy (doesn't it usually?) and the ability to link Senator McCain with the Bush presidency.
Now there is the hope that the Senate does not become a supermajority with 60 Democrats, or perhaps that would be a good thing, because then we can see if the Democrats can solve the nation's woes and not have partisanship to blame for any failures to "change" our country for the better.
I am guessing that no one will mispronounce his name like I predicted almost four years ago prior to President Bush's second inauguration in 2005, when Senator Kennedy called him Senator Osama.
We'll see if we start moving in a positive direction.
I wish Senator Obama well. I do hope that he moves more toward the centrist, conservative demeanor that he displayed at Harvard (according to Professor Ogletree his former mentor at Harvard Law School). It came down to the primary reasons of the economy (doesn't it usually?) and the ability to link Senator McCain with the Bush presidency.
Now there is the hope that the Senate does not become a supermajority with 60 Democrats, or perhaps that would be a good thing, because then we can see if the Democrats can solve the nation's woes and not have partisanship to blame for any failures to "change" our country for the better.
I am guessing that no one will mispronounce his name like I predicted almost four years ago prior to President Bush's second inauguration in 2005, when Senator Kennedy called him Senator Osama.
We'll see if we start moving in a positive direction.
Monday, November 03, 2008
It Is Time to Vote
Column first appeared in Village Voices on October 28, 2008
At the Crossroads
By
Roland Tolliver
“Life is lived forward, but can only be understood backwards.” --Søren Kierkegaard
The nation is at a crossroads. Oil prices fluctuate and long lines at the gas pumps are happening in parts of our country. There is turmoil in the Middle East with continued concerns about Iran. The Republican candidate is a balding, white male, military veteran, who is trying to distance himself from a President with an abysmal approval rating. Saturday Night Live has lampooned a national candidate to the point of turning the party representative into a mockery. A vice-presidential candidate was selected to appease the conservatives. On the other side, a smooth talking liberal candidate is the nominee from the Democratic Party. He has little experience at the national or international levels, but has brought in a long-term U.S. Senator to cover his weaknesses. The economy is in the dumps with the possibility of inflation and depression both looming large. The Presidential election is just days away.
The year was 1976. Gerald Ford, the man who was appointed to the Presidency, was running against the upstart Democratic nominee, Jimmy Carter. The nation wanted to distance itself from Richard Nixon, and anybody associated with him. Walter Mondale, the long-time Democratic Senator from Minnesota, was nominated as the Vice-Presidential candidate, seen as someone who could shore up the party’s ticket. Gerald Ford was lampooned by Chevy Chase of SNL, who made a career out of his one-note comedic bludgeoning of a single misstep on a runway in Austria, dismissing the fact that Ford was probably the most athletic President in history. Senator Bob Dole was the V.P. nominee, who appealed to the more conservative constituency.
It was my first election. I had turned eighteen that year. I was a political junkie from the time I was in the fourth or fifth grade, even to the point of charting the Electoral College votes the night of the 1968 election. My parents thought I was prescient when I predicted that Nixon would name Gerald Ford from our home state of Michigan as his Vice President when it was apparent that the disgraced Spriro Agnew would be leaving office. I was also torn in trying to make my first major decision as a voting adult.
Today we find a number of parallels to 1976. We have a tested politician who has chosen a more conservative candidate to be his running mate. We have an untested, but smooth-talking candidate, who has chosen a long-term Senator as his running mate to balance his inexperience in foreign affairs. We have the coming inflationary economy that is in a recession. Gas prices are fluctuating on an almost daily basis. Iran is threatening Israel and there is continued instability in the Middle East. And not the least is America’s desire to distance itself from an unpopular President and the other party doing its best to connect the Republican Presidential nominee and the current President for their own political gain.
The four years of the Carter administration were most-likely one of the lowest points in the history of our country’s standing in the world. We were perceived as weak. Our military was decimated by the desire to try and be the anti-war nation, having been disillusioned by the Vietnam War. Our economy soured and gas prices skyrocketed with long gas lines and rationing. The one international event that stands above any other during that time was the Iranian Hostage Crisis with the subsequent tragedy in the ill-fated rescue attempt. “Carter’s Blackest Day” was the headline in the daily paper in Munich (where I was studying) on April 25, 1980, the day after the failed “Operation Eagle Claw” and the death of eight of our finest soldiers in Iran the day before. And now Senator Biden informs us that if his running mate is elected President, he will be tested with an international crisis within the first six months of his Presidency.
The parallels are many and we have been informed many times throughout the years by Winston Churchill and others that if we fail to learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Despite President Bush’s misgivings and shortcomings, there has not been another attack on U.S. soil since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We have not located Osama Bin Laden and perhaps we never will regardless of who is elected President. We are in an unpopular war, but when is war ever popular? The current candidates want to stop genocide and other atrocities in other parts of the world, and that was accomplished to a large degree in Iraq with the capture and ouster of Saddam Hussein, but due to the misguided pretenses of attacking terrorists in Iraq, this fact is often overlooked.
There is still much work to be done with the economy, in fostering world peace, in protecting innocent lives here and abroad, and protecting our own shores. Despite the campaign rhetoric and baseless promises for change, the winner will still have to work with Congress to pass any sweeping changes. As a country, we move more at the rate of an ocean liner than a speed boat when it comes to change. There is no modern-day prophet or single individual who accomplishes all he or she sets out to do and definitely not in four years’ time.
I voted in 1976 based on my enthusiasm of the moment. I went with the new guy, against my deeper gut feeling that I should vote for President Ford. I listened to the promises and the rhetoric. I was young and highly impressionable. I learned a valuable lesson that I have taken with me each subsequent election. I vote independent of party line locally, but have voted for a Republican for President since that impetuous decision in 1976. I have a feeling we may have another difficult lesson to learn in the next few years, but as a country we will survive either way.
At the Crossroads
By
Roland Tolliver
“Life is lived forward, but can only be understood backwards.” --Søren Kierkegaard
The nation is at a crossroads. Oil prices fluctuate and long lines at the gas pumps are happening in parts of our country. There is turmoil in the Middle East with continued concerns about Iran. The Republican candidate is a balding, white male, military veteran, who is trying to distance himself from a President with an abysmal approval rating. Saturday Night Live has lampooned a national candidate to the point of turning the party representative into a mockery. A vice-presidential candidate was selected to appease the conservatives. On the other side, a smooth talking liberal candidate is the nominee from the Democratic Party. He has little experience at the national or international levels, but has brought in a long-term U.S. Senator to cover his weaknesses. The economy is in the dumps with the possibility of inflation and depression both looming large. The Presidential election is just days away.
The year was 1976. Gerald Ford, the man who was appointed to the Presidency, was running against the upstart Democratic nominee, Jimmy Carter. The nation wanted to distance itself from Richard Nixon, and anybody associated with him. Walter Mondale, the long-time Democratic Senator from Minnesota, was nominated as the Vice-Presidential candidate, seen as someone who could shore up the party’s ticket. Gerald Ford was lampooned by Chevy Chase of SNL, who made a career out of his one-note comedic bludgeoning of a single misstep on a runway in Austria, dismissing the fact that Ford was probably the most athletic President in history. Senator Bob Dole was the V.P. nominee, who appealed to the more conservative constituency.
It was my first election. I had turned eighteen that year. I was a political junkie from the time I was in the fourth or fifth grade, even to the point of charting the Electoral College votes the night of the 1968 election. My parents thought I was prescient when I predicted that Nixon would name Gerald Ford from our home state of Michigan as his Vice President when it was apparent that the disgraced Spriro Agnew would be leaving office. I was also torn in trying to make my first major decision as a voting adult.
Today we find a number of parallels to 1976. We have a tested politician who has chosen a more conservative candidate to be his running mate. We have an untested, but smooth-talking candidate, who has chosen a long-term Senator as his running mate to balance his inexperience in foreign affairs. We have the coming inflationary economy that is in a recession. Gas prices are fluctuating on an almost daily basis. Iran is threatening Israel and there is continued instability in the Middle East. And not the least is America’s desire to distance itself from an unpopular President and the other party doing its best to connect the Republican Presidential nominee and the current President for their own political gain.
The four years of the Carter administration were most-likely one of the lowest points in the history of our country’s standing in the world. We were perceived as weak. Our military was decimated by the desire to try and be the anti-war nation, having been disillusioned by the Vietnam War. Our economy soured and gas prices skyrocketed with long gas lines and rationing. The one international event that stands above any other during that time was the Iranian Hostage Crisis with the subsequent tragedy in the ill-fated rescue attempt. “Carter’s Blackest Day” was the headline in the daily paper in Munich (where I was studying) on April 25, 1980, the day after the failed “Operation Eagle Claw” and the death of eight of our finest soldiers in Iran the day before. And now Senator Biden informs us that if his running mate is elected President, he will be tested with an international crisis within the first six months of his Presidency.
The parallels are many and we have been informed many times throughout the years by Winston Churchill and others that if we fail to learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Despite President Bush’s misgivings and shortcomings, there has not been another attack on U.S. soil since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We have not located Osama Bin Laden and perhaps we never will regardless of who is elected President. We are in an unpopular war, but when is war ever popular? The current candidates want to stop genocide and other atrocities in other parts of the world, and that was accomplished to a large degree in Iraq with the capture and ouster of Saddam Hussein, but due to the misguided pretenses of attacking terrorists in Iraq, this fact is often overlooked.
There is still much work to be done with the economy, in fostering world peace, in protecting innocent lives here and abroad, and protecting our own shores. Despite the campaign rhetoric and baseless promises for change, the winner will still have to work with Congress to pass any sweeping changes. As a country, we move more at the rate of an ocean liner than a speed boat when it comes to change. There is no modern-day prophet or single individual who accomplishes all he or she sets out to do and definitely not in four years’ time.
I voted in 1976 based on my enthusiasm of the moment. I went with the new guy, against my deeper gut feeling that I should vote for President Ford. I listened to the promises and the rhetoric. I was young and highly impressionable. I learned a valuable lesson that I have taken with me each subsequent election. I vote independent of party line locally, but have voted for a Republican for President since that impetuous decision in 1976. I have a feeling we may have another difficult lesson to learn in the next few years, but as a country we will survive either way.
Presidential Candidates' Health
Column first published in Village Voices, October 14, 2008
Fit for Office
By
Roland Tolliver
"John F. Kennedy has not, nor has he ever, had … Addison's disease." --Dr. Janet Travell, President Kennedy's Personal Physician
In this, the age of HIPPA laws and medical disclosure issues, Americans want to know about the health status of their elected officials, especially the President. This has now carried over, and with good reason, to the candidates who are running for President of the United States. The health of the candidates for Vice-President also presents intriguing questions, but not to the same extreme. The forthrightness of past nominees has been questionable at best, including several Presidents whose near-incapacitation or inability to lead were masked or hidden by their doctors and personal assistants.
The above example for then Senator Kennedy is one of the most blatant and glaring in regards to Presidential candidates. While JFK is often revered as one of our great Presidents, he most likely would have never been voted in if there had been full disclosure of his health problems. It has been revealed that he was thought to be addicted to painkillers because of chronic back pain. He had full-blown Addison's disease (a condition that affects the adrenal gland and requires cortisone to allow the body to function) since 1947, but that fact was hidden from the public. There were multiple other medical conditions that afflicted Senator Kennedy, but these were hidden from the public in his campaign's desire to project a youthful, energetic candidate to the country. The first televised debate in 1960 only accentuated that persona to the public and allowed JFK to become President.
Kennedy's successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, was initially just as secretive, by minimizing a heart attack in 1955 and downplaying his gall bladder attacks. He did eventually seek counsel from President Eisenhower, who had had multiple medical problems during his two terms in office during the 1950's. He instructed President Johnson to let the American people know about his medical status. LBJ went so far as to reveal his "gall bladder surgery scar" during a press conference.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower not only suffered a heart attack in 1955 during his first term in office, but had severe Crohn's disease, which required surgery in 1956 and had a stroke in 1957, which left him with a slight speech impediment.
It has been well-documented that President Ronald Reagan developed Alzheimer's disease, which many people have determined probably manifested toward the end of his second term. It is also well-known that his successor, President George H. W. Bush, has Grave's disease, which affects the thyroid gland.
Throughout the history of our country, as well as country's around the world, the health of many nations' leaders has come into question at different times. Fidel Castro, Boris Yeltsin, and Kim Yong Il among others have been or were kept out of the public eye when seriously ill in order to "protect" them from those who had suspicions of their ability or inability to lead. While dictatorial countries and communist regimes often operate under a veil of secrecy, our own government has done this over the years when it has come to our own presidents' health concerns.
The questions concerning our current presidential candidates' health continue to be asked by journalists, physician panels, and the electorate. Is John McCain, who will be 72 on Inauguration Day, too old for the presidency? Does his history of hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and previous bouts with melanomas lead one to believe that he may not survive even one term in office? Will people take into account that current actuarial tables (while only an indicator and obviously not a prognosticator of actual lifelines) indicate that he will most likely live at least another twelve years? Do voters look at the fact that his mother is still living vibrantly at age 96? Will we stop to consider that he has survived a Vietnamese prison camp and has now led a full life of service to his country? Of course, the job of President of the United States has taken a toll on the last two Presidents. Just look at photos of Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush before and after taking office.
Most people look at the Democratic Presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama, and imagine that he is the picture of health. He is slim, plays pick-up basketball regularly, and is said to eat relatively healthy food choices with little or no excess fats or junk food. What is often overlooked is his addiction to nicotine and his frequent relapses in regards to the use of tobacco. There have been many people in their forties and fifties who appear healthy, that succumb to the effects of smoking, including heart attacks, cancer of the throat, mouth, and lungs among other types, as well as emphysema and related breathing disorders. His mother died of cancer at the age of 52.
There are many issues on which this presidential campaign will be decided. There are also many questions about a candidate's health that are legitimate. Few journalists will dig very deep into the 1,500 plus pages of medical information that Senator McCain released, just as few will go beyond the one page "I'm normal" news release that came from Senator Obama's campaign headquarters. If there are underlying medical conditions that truly affect one's ability to lead the country and make the critical decisions that are required on a daily basis, then these should be fully disclosed, because it is important when making the choice at the ballot box.
If the non-issue health concerns are blown out of proportion only for the chance to question one's ability to lead, then these need to be critically addressed by qualified individuals in order to substantiate the findings or to discredit them, whichever provides the true answer. We can no longer fall prey to the whims of a candidate's handlers, who in the past insulated the candidate and his medical conditions from the general public, and vote blindly. If it is of no consequence, then vote for the best man and/or woman. If it is, and we don't know until after the fact, then we better be sure that the Vice-President's health is in order.
Fit for Office
By
Roland Tolliver
"John F. Kennedy has not, nor has he ever, had … Addison's disease." --Dr. Janet Travell, President Kennedy's Personal Physician
In this, the age of HIPPA laws and medical disclosure issues, Americans want to know about the health status of their elected officials, especially the President. This has now carried over, and with good reason, to the candidates who are running for President of the United States. The health of the candidates for Vice-President also presents intriguing questions, but not to the same extreme. The forthrightness of past nominees has been questionable at best, including several Presidents whose near-incapacitation or inability to lead were masked or hidden by their doctors and personal assistants.
The above example for then Senator Kennedy is one of the most blatant and glaring in regards to Presidential candidates. While JFK is often revered as one of our great Presidents, he most likely would have never been voted in if there had been full disclosure of his health problems. It has been revealed that he was thought to be addicted to painkillers because of chronic back pain. He had full-blown Addison's disease (a condition that affects the adrenal gland and requires cortisone to allow the body to function) since 1947, but that fact was hidden from the public. There were multiple other medical conditions that afflicted Senator Kennedy, but these were hidden from the public in his campaign's desire to project a youthful, energetic candidate to the country. The first televised debate in 1960 only accentuated that persona to the public and allowed JFK to become President.
Kennedy's successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, was initially just as secretive, by minimizing a heart attack in 1955 and downplaying his gall bladder attacks. He did eventually seek counsel from President Eisenhower, who had had multiple medical problems during his two terms in office during the 1950's. He instructed President Johnson to let the American people know about his medical status. LBJ went so far as to reveal his "gall bladder surgery scar" during a press conference.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower not only suffered a heart attack in 1955 during his first term in office, but had severe Crohn's disease, which required surgery in 1956 and had a stroke in 1957, which left him with a slight speech impediment.
It has been well-documented that President Ronald Reagan developed Alzheimer's disease, which many people have determined probably manifested toward the end of his second term. It is also well-known that his successor, President George H. W. Bush, has Grave's disease, which affects the thyroid gland.
Throughout the history of our country, as well as country's around the world, the health of many nations' leaders has come into question at different times. Fidel Castro, Boris Yeltsin, and Kim Yong Il among others have been or were kept out of the public eye when seriously ill in order to "protect" them from those who had suspicions of their ability or inability to lead. While dictatorial countries and communist regimes often operate under a veil of secrecy, our own government has done this over the years when it has come to our own presidents' health concerns.
The questions concerning our current presidential candidates' health continue to be asked by journalists, physician panels, and the electorate. Is John McCain, who will be 72 on Inauguration Day, too old for the presidency? Does his history of hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and previous bouts with melanomas lead one to believe that he may not survive even one term in office? Will people take into account that current actuarial tables (while only an indicator and obviously not a prognosticator of actual lifelines) indicate that he will most likely live at least another twelve years? Do voters look at the fact that his mother is still living vibrantly at age 96? Will we stop to consider that he has survived a Vietnamese prison camp and has now led a full life of service to his country? Of course, the job of President of the United States has taken a toll on the last two Presidents. Just look at photos of Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush before and after taking office.
Most people look at the Democratic Presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama, and imagine that he is the picture of health. He is slim, plays pick-up basketball regularly, and is said to eat relatively healthy food choices with little or no excess fats or junk food. What is often overlooked is his addiction to nicotine and his frequent relapses in regards to the use of tobacco. There have been many people in their forties and fifties who appear healthy, that succumb to the effects of smoking, including heart attacks, cancer of the throat, mouth, and lungs among other types, as well as emphysema and related breathing disorders. His mother died of cancer at the age of 52.
There are many issues on which this presidential campaign will be decided. There are also many questions about a candidate's health that are legitimate. Few journalists will dig very deep into the 1,500 plus pages of medical information that Senator McCain released, just as few will go beyond the one page "I'm normal" news release that came from Senator Obama's campaign headquarters. If there are underlying medical conditions that truly affect one's ability to lead the country and make the critical decisions that are required on a daily basis, then these should be fully disclosed, because it is important when making the choice at the ballot box.
If the non-issue health concerns are blown out of proportion only for the chance to question one's ability to lead, then these need to be critically addressed by qualified individuals in order to substantiate the findings or to discredit them, whichever provides the true answer. We can no longer fall prey to the whims of a candidate's handlers, who in the past insulated the candidate and his medical conditions from the general public, and vote blindly. If it is of no consequence, then vote for the best man and/or woman. If it is, and we don't know until after the fact, then we better be sure that the Vice-President's health is in order.
Cubs Playoff Woes
First Appeared in The Focus on October 9, 2008
I Can’t Believe I Watched the Whole Thing!
By
Roland Tolliver
“Chicago Cubs fans are ninety percent scar tissue.” --George Will
The year was 1968 and I was helping to head up the mock election for President in our elementary school. It was the year of Richard M. Nixon and Hubert H. Humphrey. It was also, for all of us living in Michigan, “The Year of the Tigers.” As crucial as the upcoming election was, and believe me, the campaign lasted nowhere near as long as the current one, life was put on hold for Carlson Elementary School. I know it is ancient history for some, but this was in the days before a television - complete with cable - in every classroom. It was the only time during my thirteen years in public education that a television was brought into the room in order for the class to watch the World Series games involving the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mr. Kemp allowed us to hang on every pitch, as the games were played during the daytime then. Television didn’t control the schedule in those days.
This past week, we once again put a political campaign on the backburner, the Palin-Biden debate notwithstanding, in order to watch hometown teams compete in the Major League playoffs. The Tigers faded this year faster than a complete sentence by Ron Santo when the Cubs make an error. Not since 1906 had both the Cubs and the White Sox been in the postseason at the same time. Chicago and Illinois were gung-ho a week ago. The Cubs had won the Central Division and had the best record in the National League and with it, home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Sox took two extra days to secure a place among the final eight teams.
And then a strange feeling a déjà -Blue came over Cub fans throughout the area and the country. We watched the first game and cheered when Mark DeRosa hit a two-run home run into the right field bleachers. Ron Santo continually reminded us that “this is the year!” We were given that hope, that belief, that thrill of anticipation that we were on our way. Ryan “Home Field Rules” Dempster was on the mound and the wind was blowing in. Somehow, some way, though, the wind seemed to blow the ball every which way but over the plate. Walk the bases loaded and then … Loney Tunes … James Loney (who?) launches one over the center field wall and it is the “grand salami.” Bases cleared, Cub fans sigh, and we never lead again in the entire series. I watched each inning, staying up until late in the night, hoping, wishing, cajoling, and the end result was another year without a playoff win.
Only four teams have been swept two years in a row in the playoffs. The Cubs are now one of them. Only two teams had the best record in the National League and then were swept in the first round of the playoffs. The Cubs are now one of those two. The games were disheartening, disappointing and devoid of any of the fun-filled action that they displayed throughout the regular season. We couldn’t pitch when we needed to. We couldn’t hit when men were on base. We couldn’t field when the ball was hit to us.
I know that “we” weren’t on the field or at the plate or in the dugout, but “we” have been behind the team during this magical year, hanging on every curve ball, every home run, every anxious moment. And “we” were the ones that couldn’t afford playoff tickets and sat home and watched each pitch and garnered a greater and greater feeling of dread whenever Alfonso Soriano came to the plate or when a runner was on base and we could sense the impending double-play ball would be hit by one of our players. We could see the Cubs sitting on their hands with their heads down while on the bench or see them with their gloves up when the ball was down when they were on the field.
No matter what superstition or lucky charm or magical field was invoked or which god was prayed to or how many times the dugout was blessed, a team has to be able to hit, throw, and catch a baseball better than the other team. The Cubs didn’t do that and once again we must “wait till next year.” Now it is 101 years and counting.
The Tigers went on to stun the Cardinals in the 1968 World Series after being down three games to one. Hubert Humphrey won our school’s mock election, though not the real one. Denny McLain, who would be the last pitcher to win 30 games in a year, would eventually leave the game in disgrace after being traded to the Washington Senators, as would the winner of that year’s election, Richard Nixon, who was ironically also dismissed from Washington, D.C. in disgrace. Some events in life are difficult to predict, much like trying to figure out when the Cubs will win their next World Series.
Now, it is back to the election season (though the White Sox just won to stay alive in the playoffs as I write this on Sunday evening) and there is once again a major decision to be made about leadership in our country. But before that day arrives … “Hey, Lou! Why didn’t you put Fontenot at second to start the series and put DeRosa in right? Could you talk to Soriano about not swinging at everything within his sight line? Why didn’t you take out Dempster and put in Marshall after Ryan’s fourth walk? Will ‘Big Z’ ever grow up? What’s up with Derrick ‘Double Play’ Lee when a man’s on base?” So many questions, so much off-season time …
I Can’t Believe I Watched the Whole Thing!
By
Roland Tolliver
“Chicago Cubs fans are ninety percent scar tissue.” --George Will
The year was 1968 and I was helping to head up the mock election for President in our elementary school. It was the year of Richard M. Nixon and Hubert H. Humphrey. It was also, for all of us living in Michigan, “The Year of the Tigers.” As crucial as the upcoming election was, and believe me, the campaign lasted nowhere near as long as the current one, life was put on hold for Carlson Elementary School. I know it is ancient history for some, but this was in the days before a television - complete with cable - in every classroom. It was the only time during my thirteen years in public education that a television was brought into the room in order for the class to watch the World Series games involving the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mr. Kemp allowed us to hang on every pitch, as the games were played during the daytime then. Television didn’t control the schedule in those days.
This past week, we once again put a political campaign on the backburner, the Palin-Biden debate notwithstanding, in order to watch hometown teams compete in the Major League playoffs. The Tigers faded this year faster than a complete sentence by Ron Santo when the Cubs make an error. Not since 1906 had both the Cubs and the White Sox been in the postseason at the same time. Chicago and Illinois were gung-ho a week ago. The Cubs had won the Central Division and had the best record in the National League and with it, home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Sox took two extra days to secure a place among the final eight teams.
And then a strange feeling a déjà -Blue came over Cub fans throughout the area and the country. We watched the first game and cheered when Mark DeRosa hit a two-run home run into the right field bleachers. Ron Santo continually reminded us that “this is the year!” We were given that hope, that belief, that thrill of anticipation that we were on our way. Ryan “Home Field Rules” Dempster was on the mound and the wind was blowing in. Somehow, some way, though, the wind seemed to blow the ball every which way but over the plate. Walk the bases loaded and then … Loney Tunes … James Loney (who?) launches one over the center field wall and it is the “grand salami.” Bases cleared, Cub fans sigh, and we never lead again in the entire series. I watched each inning, staying up until late in the night, hoping, wishing, cajoling, and the end result was another year without a playoff win.
Only four teams have been swept two years in a row in the playoffs. The Cubs are now one of them. Only two teams had the best record in the National League and then were swept in the first round of the playoffs. The Cubs are now one of those two. The games were disheartening, disappointing and devoid of any of the fun-filled action that they displayed throughout the regular season. We couldn’t pitch when we needed to. We couldn’t hit when men were on base. We couldn’t field when the ball was hit to us.
I know that “we” weren’t on the field or at the plate or in the dugout, but “we” have been behind the team during this magical year, hanging on every curve ball, every home run, every anxious moment. And “we” were the ones that couldn’t afford playoff tickets and sat home and watched each pitch and garnered a greater and greater feeling of dread whenever Alfonso Soriano came to the plate or when a runner was on base and we could sense the impending double-play ball would be hit by one of our players. We could see the Cubs sitting on their hands with their heads down while on the bench or see them with their gloves up when the ball was down when they were on the field.
No matter what superstition or lucky charm or magical field was invoked or which god was prayed to or how many times the dugout was blessed, a team has to be able to hit, throw, and catch a baseball better than the other team. The Cubs didn’t do that and once again we must “wait till next year.” Now it is 101 years and counting.
The Tigers went on to stun the Cardinals in the 1968 World Series after being down three games to one. Hubert Humphrey won our school’s mock election, though not the real one. Denny McLain, who would be the last pitcher to win 30 games in a year, would eventually leave the game in disgrace after being traded to the Washington Senators, as would the winner of that year’s election, Richard Nixon, who was ironically also dismissed from Washington, D.C. in disgrace. Some events in life are difficult to predict, much like trying to figure out when the Cubs will win their next World Series.
Now, it is back to the election season (though the White Sox just won to stay alive in the playoffs as I write this on Sunday evening) and there is once again a major decision to be made about leadership in our country. But before that day arrives … “Hey, Lou! Why didn’t you put Fontenot at second to start the series and put DeRosa in right? Could you talk to Soriano about not swinging at everything within his sight line? Why didn’t you take out Dempster and put in Marshall after Ryan’s fourth walk? Will ‘Big Z’ ever grow up? What’s up with Derrick ‘Double Play’ Lee when a man’s on base?” So many questions, so much off-season time …
Thursday, October 23, 2008
We've Got Questions
The Following Column appeared in The Freeport Focus on September 24, 2008:
We've Got Questions … Do They Have Answers?
By
Roland Tolliver
"In many ways what they've done is created a world for real presidential debates in which the candidates have an opportunity, to a larger audience, not to engage each other, but to give another version of their stump speech." --John Wells
We'll take the opportunity today to play moderator for this week's debate between the presidential candidates for the two major political parties. Our condolences to the obscure Party candidates, Cynthia McKinney, Bob Barr, Tom Millican, and Chuck Baldwin who were not invited, but they invite you to read their position papers on the major issues at their respective web sites, if you can find them. So, let's present the questions and maybe someday we'll be able to hear the "real" answers.
We flipped a coin and Senator Obama called heads. Yes, heads it is and Senator Obama has chosen to receive … the first question.
Moderator: Senator Obama, it is indeed an honor and a privilege to sit here "thisclose" to you. I love your campaign and all that you stand for, but as a non-biased news anchor, I am compelled to ask you some tough questions. Our first question is, "What is it like meeting Oprah? I mean, OMG, she is the one we all strive to be like."
Senator Obama: Well, Mr. Moderator, it is truly an honor to be here and we represent change that you can believe in. I met Oprah at church with Reverend Wright where I never heard anything about hating America or subjected my family to any such vitriol. We would meet for coffee and cookies and talk about shopping at the local Jewel.
Moderator: Thank you, Senator, for your insightful and awe-inspiring answer. What is your favorite cookie, by the way?
Senator Obama: White chocolate with macadamia nuts or a good oatmeal raisin.
Moderator: Thank you for being here, Senator McCain. Let's start with a simple question. "What can you tell us about Charles Keating and the problems that bedeviled the savings and loan industry?"
Senator McCain: Charles Keating. Charles Keating! You ask him about Oprah and cookies and I get Charles Keating. Did you know that I spent five and a half years as a POW in Hanoi? Why didn't you ask him about the $126, 349 he received from Fannie Mae in the past four years? His staff has consulted with the deposed chairman of this pseudo government organization and you ask me about the savings and loan industry? I am the real change agent here.
Moderator: Senator McCain, please just answer the questions. This isn't Fox. Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews wrote the questions, so you know they are fair. Senator Obama, how did you and Michelle meet? You are such a lovely couple and your girls are just adorable.
Senator Obama: Thank you, sir. Michelle and I were working at a Chicago law firm and she was my advisor. We went to see Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" on our first date. I told her she was the 'right thing' for me. Now we're a happy family and this campaign is like our third child.
Moderator: That is so sweet, Senator. Senator McCain, how do you account for not knowing how many houses you have?
Senator McCain: How did he meet Michelle? Did you know that they were married by Reverend Jeremiah Wright, who the Senator no longer acknowledges? How many houses do I have? Ask my esteemed colleague how he managed to have real estate shenanigans with Mr. Tony Rezko, who is now in jail awaiting trial for illegal campaign fundraising activities. How much money did he raise for the Senator?
Moderator: Senator McCain, you are not sticking with the topics, you have one more chance. Senator Obama, may I call you Barack?
Senator Obama: Yes, sir, you may.
Moderator: Thank you, Mr. Presiden…, I mean, Barack. My final question of the night for you is, "If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?"
Senator Obama: As I intuited in my book, "Dreams Of My Father", a New York Times bestseller, by the way, I would have liked to have gone to Kenya to meet my father, whom I never really knew. I was raised by my loving grandparents in Kansas and I'm just a small town kid at heart. Otherwise, I'd like to meet Osama bin Laden and say, 'shame on you' for what you did to this country and to tell him that he ruined my name, because people keep confusing his and mine, like Senator Kennedy when he introduced me to the Senate.
Moderator: Yes, a good tongue lashing ought to teach that bin Laden character that we mean business! Mister, I mean, Senator McCain, you have supported the war in Iraq since the beginning, while Senator Obama was against it, even though he wasn't actually in the Senate when it started. How do you justify America not just packing it up and calling it a day?
Senator McCain: He wants bin Laden to apologize? Get real, will you? Just like his friend William Ayers apologized? Ha! What kind of debate is this, anyways? You know darn well that I'll follow that terrorist to the gates of hell. I may be old enough to be my opponent's father, but I'm tougher than nails. I actually had to eat nails once when I was in Viet Nam. I needed the iron from the rust on them.
Moderator: That's enough, Senator McCain. I am going to turn this one over now to the pundits who will tell Americans what they think and how the people should think. They all believe that the typical American voter doesn't know how to think for themselves and they have a lot of airtime to fill. Bye, Barack. Are we still on for coffee tomorrow morning? Give my best to Michelle and the girls.
Heard off camera: Hey, you're still on the air! They'll think that we're supporting one candidate over the other. Turn off your mike, will ya?!
We've Got Questions … Do They Have Answers?
By
Roland Tolliver
"In many ways what they've done is created a world for real presidential debates in which the candidates have an opportunity, to a larger audience, not to engage each other, but to give another version of their stump speech." --John Wells
We'll take the opportunity today to play moderator for this week's debate between the presidential candidates for the two major political parties. Our condolences to the obscure Party candidates, Cynthia McKinney, Bob Barr, Tom Millican, and Chuck Baldwin who were not invited, but they invite you to read their position papers on the major issues at their respective web sites, if you can find them. So, let's present the questions and maybe someday we'll be able to hear the "real" answers.
We flipped a coin and Senator Obama called heads. Yes, heads it is and Senator Obama has chosen to receive … the first question.
Moderator: Senator Obama, it is indeed an honor and a privilege to sit here "thisclose" to you. I love your campaign and all that you stand for, but as a non-biased news anchor, I am compelled to ask you some tough questions. Our first question is, "What is it like meeting Oprah? I mean, OMG, she is the one we all strive to be like."
Senator Obama: Well, Mr. Moderator, it is truly an honor to be here and we represent change that you can believe in. I met Oprah at church with Reverend Wright where I never heard anything about hating America or subjected my family to any such vitriol. We would meet for coffee and cookies and talk about shopping at the local Jewel.
Moderator: Thank you, Senator, for your insightful and awe-inspiring answer. What is your favorite cookie, by the way?
Senator Obama: White chocolate with macadamia nuts or a good oatmeal raisin.
Moderator: Thank you for being here, Senator McCain. Let's start with a simple question. "What can you tell us about Charles Keating and the problems that bedeviled the savings and loan industry?"
Senator McCain: Charles Keating. Charles Keating! You ask him about Oprah and cookies and I get Charles Keating. Did you know that I spent five and a half years as a POW in Hanoi? Why didn't you ask him about the $126, 349 he received from Fannie Mae in the past four years? His staff has consulted with the deposed chairman of this pseudo government organization and you ask me about the savings and loan industry? I am the real change agent here.
Moderator: Senator McCain, please just answer the questions. This isn't Fox. Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews wrote the questions, so you know they are fair. Senator Obama, how did you and Michelle meet? You are such a lovely couple and your girls are just adorable.
Senator Obama: Thank you, sir. Michelle and I were working at a Chicago law firm and she was my advisor. We went to see Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" on our first date. I told her she was the 'right thing' for me. Now we're a happy family and this campaign is like our third child.
Moderator: That is so sweet, Senator. Senator McCain, how do you account for not knowing how many houses you have?
Senator McCain: How did he meet Michelle? Did you know that they were married by Reverend Jeremiah Wright, who the Senator no longer acknowledges? How many houses do I have? Ask my esteemed colleague how he managed to have real estate shenanigans with Mr. Tony Rezko, who is now in jail awaiting trial for illegal campaign fundraising activities. How much money did he raise for the Senator?
Moderator: Senator McCain, you are not sticking with the topics, you have one more chance. Senator Obama, may I call you Barack?
Senator Obama: Yes, sir, you may.
Moderator: Thank you, Mr. Presiden…, I mean, Barack. My final question of the night for you is, "If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?"
Senator Obama: As I intuited in my book, "Dreams Of My Father", a New York Times bestseller, by the way, I would have liked to have gone to Kenya to meet my father, whom I never really knew. I was raised by my loving grandparents in Kansas and I'm just a small town kid at heart. Otherwise, I'd like to meet Osama bin Laden and say, 'shame on you' for what you did to this country and to tell him that he ruined my name, because people keep confusing his and mine, like Senator Kennedy when he introduced me to the Senate.
Moderator: Yes, a good tongue lashing ought to teach that bin Laden character that we mean business! Mister, I mean, Senator McCain, you have supported the war in Iraq since the beginning, while Senator Obama was against it, even though he wasn't actually in the Senate when it started. How do you justify America not just packing it up and calling it a day?
Senator McCain: He wants bin Laden to apologize? Get real, will you? Just like his friend William Ayers apologized? Ha! What kind of debate is this, anyways? You know darn well that I'll follow that terrorist to the gates of hell. I may be old enough to be my opponent's father, but I'm tougher than nails. I actually had to eat nails once when I was in Viet Nam. I needed the iron from the rust on them.
Moderator: That's enough, Senator McCain. I am going to turn this one over now to the pundits who will tell Americans what they think and how the people should think. They all believe that the typical American voter doesn't know how to think for themselves and they have a lot of airtime to fill. Bye, Barack. Are we still on for coffee tomorrow morning? Give my best to Michelle and the girls.
Heard off camera: Hey, you're still on the air! They'll think that we're supporting one candidate over the other. Turn off your mike, will ya?!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
House Call for the Spin Doctor
The following column appeared in The Freeport Focus on September 18, 2008.
House Call for the Spin Doctor
By
Roland Tolliver
“The political spin in Washington is revolting, just revolting. It’s a callous political game.”
--Rob Bishop
Two weeks ago I would have given odds that Senator Barack Obama would be the winner of the general presidential election the first Tuesday of November. A few years ago I coined a term, “politainment”, in which the new word was defined as being the melding of politics and entertainment. It has become ubiquitous in our society that the issues are only marginally brought forth, but the perception of a candidate’s personality is front and center when campaigning. This is primarily related to national politics where the “big money” is spent on television advertising and the faces of the candidates’ are ever-present.
When one goes back to 1960 for our general presidential elections there is a distinct pattern of the “better looking” candidate winning the elections. For those of you who recall the first presidential debates in 1960, those who were listening on the radio were sure that Vice-President Richard M. Nixon had won with more salient points, but as we know Senator John F. Kennedy won the general election. Many ceded that his election victory was sealed during that debate, which was also televised. He was photogenic, eloquent with his speech, and was not sweating like a pig (one without lipstick) during the debate. Nixon on the other hand lacked Kennedy’s charm and was sweating like a pig (his makeup was probably running, too). This was the start of the “politainment” period in American politics.
Each subsequent election has seen similar national predilection for the candidate that was perceived to have more camera appeal, though one could argue that Nixon vs. Humphrey or Nixon vs. McGovern was a “visual” wash and it could also account for the “hanging chad” closeness of the Bush vs. Gore election. One could argue those, but I won’t. Suffice it to say that the more photogenic candidates are typically the general election winners for president.
That leads us to this year. Here we have Senator Barack Obama, the thin, handsome, gifted speaker of a candidate, who came out like gangbusters during the primaries, only to almost lose what seemed like an insurmountable lead, but hung on for his party’s nomination. On the other side of the coin, we have the more “seasoned” candidate, Senator John McCain, who seems stauncher, less talented at conveying his message from a podium, and a trifle rougher around the edges.
America is always on the lookout for something new and exciting to come along. We give our television shows a few weeks to “wow” us and if it doesn’t grab enough ratings fast enough, the shows are yanked off of the air. We tend to be the same way about our politicians running for national office. We give them the opportunity to smooth talk us into believing that they are all about change or hope or reform or whatever buzz word is commissioned by the campaign managers and people pulling the candidates’ strings and then we try to decide who we like the best, or who we like the least.
This campaign season, however, has seen a wrench thrown into the boiler. While the one candidate has the GQ looks and suave demeanor going for him, he also has a long-winded, perennial politician without a hint of “change” in his profile as a running mate. The other candidate, who has served his country for fifty-some years, is trying to project an image of change, which alone he could not achieve. He has, however, changed the perspective of the race by asking a fresh new face to the national scene to be his running mate. Where one candidate says he is about change and didn’t back it up when he had a chance to make a distinction with a running mate, instead of highlighting his own shortcomings with his choice, the other made it clear that it is he who will be running the country if he wins, and that the vice-presidential nominee is there to support his leadership.
The fact that she is just as photogenic, if not more so, than the Democratic presidential nominee, is where the wrench comes in. America has not typically had an election season where a presidential candidate has spent so much time and energy in comparing himself to the vice-presidential candidate for the other party. Where experience is lacking, quite frankly in all of the candidates, the quality of leadership should fill in that void. So, the question becomes not who has the experience to lead, but who has the ability to lead, to make the tough decisions, and with whom to consult in order to make those decisions.
The next fifty days or so will be a blur to most of us. We will see political attack ads. We will hear enough spin to make our heads spin and we will in typical fashion most often hear only what we want to hear. The majority of Americans have already decided who they will vote for. The messages that will be sent over the next weeks will be geared at swaying those that are sitting on the proverbial fence. Many will vacillate depending on their personal stance on certain issues and how they perceive that the candidates match up with their positions. Others will see who appears to show the qualities they deem necessary for the leader of our country.
What many will not do, will be to see beyond the political spin, to dig deeper into a candidate’s qualifications and to make an informed decision. Many will look at the candidates’ appearances on the television screen, listen to the pundits, and vote based on the presentation of the packaging of the candidates. The polls will be like watching to see how well a movie is doing at the box office or a television show in the ratings. Many will jump on a bandwagon depending on any given day’s results. This is the type of political entertainment that has been perpetuated since 1960 and now has grown with the advent of 24/7 news coverage into the “politainment” monster that everyone knows, but few want to recognize.
Politics shouldn’t be about which candidate comes across best on television. It should be about who is best suited to lead our country. Alas, that seems to be a forgotten factor.
House Call for the Spin Doctor
By
Roland Tolliver
“The political spin in Washington is revolting, just revolting. It’s a callous political game.”
--Rob Bishop
Two weeks ago I would have given odds that Senator Barack Obama would be the winner of the general presidential election the first Tuesday of November. A few years ago I coined a term, “politainment”, in which the new word was defined as being the melding of politics and entertainment. It has become ubiquitous in our society that the issues are only marginally brought forth, but the perception of a candidate’s personality is front and center when campaigning. This is primarily related to national politics where the “big money” is spent on television advertising and the faces of the candidates’ are ever-present.
When one goes back to 1960 for our general presidential elections there is a distinct pattern of the “better looking” candidate winning the elections. For those of you who recall the first presidential debates in 1960, those who were listening on the radio were sure that Vice-President Richard M. Nixon had won with more salient points, but as we know Senator John F. Kennedy won the general election. Many ceded that his election victory was sealed during that debate, which was also televised. He was photogenic, eloquent with his speech, and was not sweating like a pig (one without lipstick) during the debate. Nixon on the other hand lacked Kennedy’s charm and was sweating like a pig (his makeup was probably running, too). This was the start of the “politainment” period in American politics.
Each subsequent election has seen similar national predilection for the candidate that was perceived to have more camera appeal, though one could argue that Nixon vs. Humphrey or Nixon vs. McGovern was a “visual” wash and it could also account for the “hanging chad” closeness of the Bush vs. Gore election. One could argue those, but I won’t. Suffice it to say that the more photogenic candidates are typically the general election winners for president.
That leads us to this year. Here we have Senator Barack Obama, the thin, handsome, gifted speaker of a candidate, who came out like gangbusters during the primaries, only to almost lose what seemed like an insurmountable lead, but hung on for his party’s nomination. On the other side of the coin, we have the more “seasoned” candidate, Senator John McCain, who seems stauncher, less talented at conveying his message from a podium, and a trifle rougher around the edges.
America is always on the lookout for something new and exciting to come along. We give our television shows a few weeks to “wow” us and if it doesn’t grab enough ratings fast enough, the shows are yanked off of the air. We tend to be the same way about our politicians running for national office. We give them the opportunity to smooth talk us into believing that they are all about change or hope or reform or whatever buzz word is commissioned by the campaign managers and people pulling the candidates’ strings and then we try to decide who we like the best, or who we like the least.
This campaign season, however, has seen a wrench thrown into the boiler. While the one candidate has the GQ looks and suave demeanor going for him, he also has a long-winded, perennial politician without a hint of “change” in his profile as a running mate. The other candidate, who has served his country for fifty-some years, is trying to project an image of change, which alone he could not achieve. He has, however, changed the perspective of the race by asking a fresh new face to the national scene to be his running mate. Where one candidate says he is about change and didn’t back it up when he had a chance to make a distinction with a running mate, instead of highlighting his own shortcomings with his choice, the other made it clear that it is he who will be running the country if he wins, and that the vice-presidential nominee is there to support his leadership.
The fact that she is just as photogenic, if not more so, than the Democratic presidential nominee, is where the wrench comes in. America has not typically had an election season where a presidential candidate has spent so much time and energy in comparing himself to the vice-presidential candidate for the other party. Where experience is lacking, quite frankly in all of the candidates, the quality of leadership should fill in that void. So, the question becomes not who has the experience to lead, but who has the ability to lead, to make the tough decisions, and with whom to consult in order to make those decisions.
The next fifty days or so will be a blur to most of us. We will see political attack ads. We will hear enough spin to make our heads spin and we will in typical fashion most often hear only what we want to hear. The majority of Americans have already decided who they will vote for. The messages that will be sent over the next weeks will be geared at swaying those that are sitting on the proverbial fence. Many will vacillate depending on their personal stance on certain issues and how they perceive that the candidates match up with their positions. Others will see who appears to show the qualities they deem necessary for the leader of our country.
What many will not do, will be to see beyond the political spin, to dig deeper into a candidate’s qualifications and to make an informed decision. Many will look at the candidates’ appearances on the television screen, listen to the pundits, and vote based on the presentation of the packaging of the candidates. The polls will be like watching to see how well a movie is doing at the box office or a television show in the ratings. Many will jump on a bandwagon depending on any given day’s results. This is the type of political entertainment that has been perpetuated since 1960 and now has grown with the advent of 24/7 news coverage into the “politainment” monster that everyone knows, but few want to recognize.
Politics shouldn’t be about which candidate comes across best on television. It should be about who is best suited to lead our country. Alas, that seems to be a forgotten factor.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Watching the RNC
Last week's column in The Freeport Focus is presented here for a "fair and balanced" account of the other national convention.
Watching the RNC
Or Being Embedded with C-SPAN
By
Roland Tolliver
“Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.” --Every speaker at the RNC after their introductions.
Our media maverick, Al Bebach, spent the last week embedded with C-SPAN, otherwise known as Continuous Sarah Palin Action News, this past week during the Republican National Convention. He is a little blurry-eyed after his back-to-back convention attack, but he was willing to share his thoughts with us again this week. (If you missed last week’s convention coverage, it may be viewed at http://pretzelcity.blogspot.com/).
Roland: Tell me, Al, how was this convention compared to the DNC in Denver?
Al Bebach (AB): I didn’t see as many celebrities. There was Pat Boone and Jon Voight, but no Arnold or Clint. Nothing like the DNC with Oprah, P. Diddy, or a host of Hollywood’s biggest stars, who were all clamoring to touch the hem of Barack Obama’s garment.
Roland: How was the mood of this convention?
AB: Much more businesslike for the first couple of days. There was a rush of enthusiasm for Wednesday night, though. Everyone was waiting for the main speech of the convention.
Roland: Do you mean Mike Huckabee’s or Fred Thompson’s?
AB: No, you silly goof. I’m talking about Sarah “Barracuda” Palin.
Roland: What did she have to say to the adoring crowd?
AB: I didn’t follow the words at first, so I had to watch it a second time on You Tube.
Roland: Why didn’t you watch her speech the first time?
AB: Because I spent the entire time just watching her. She’s like Lois Lane, I was just waiting for her to take off her glasses and let down her hair. If Obama should be on GQ, Sarah will end up on Vanity Fair or something like that. McCain looked like a doting grandfather when they were on stage together.
Roland: What about the content of the speeches, though. Any unusual revelations like you noticed last week?
AB: Let’s see. There was Mike Huckabee who told a long story about students not having desks. I guess that was relevant for children’s left behinds.
Roland: I believe that is “No Child Left Behind” and he was talking about our veterans’ earning the right for us to have a free education.
AB: You don’t really know Huckabee’s sense of humor, do you? Then Fred Thompson spoke of alligators and swamps. I think he was referring to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Probably some off-handed reference to Sarah Palin’s dad, Michael, and his friends from Monty Python. I loved the Knights who say “Ni!” “Bring me a shrubbery!”
Roland: Michael Palin is British and is not Sarah’s dad. That would be funny, though, come to think of it. How did her speech go over?
AB: She was definitely the star of the convention. I don’t know that she laid any new policy information on the line, but she laid into the media and told us she did say no thanks to Simon and Garfunkel.
Roland: Simon and Garfunkel?
AB: Sure, she said, “Thanks, but no thanks for the Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”
Roland: That was the Bridge to Nowhere and she did support it at first when Senator “I’ll Fight My Indictment” Ted Stevens tried to get the appropriations for his state.
AB: Whatever. She was dynamic, eloquent and did I say, good looking?
Roland: Yes, you did, but what does that have to do with anything? If she was a man, you wouldn’t even bring it up, would you?
AB: You obviously missed last week’s column. Barack is the Rock Star and Sarah is now the Rock Goddess, though she wouldn’t like that title. You know? No false gods before me and all that. She made the main speaker seem shaky and unsure of himself by comparison.
Roland: You mean, Sarah Palin.
AB: No, Rudy Giuliani.
Roland: I was surprised that it took him almost to the end of his speech to mention 9/11. I realize that this week mark’s the anniversary of that most tragic day in American history, but surely he must have done something besides that in his life.
AB: You mean besides enjoying finding attractive women to marry?
Roland: Yes, besides that. What about the women who spoke other than Sarah Palin? Cindy McCain and Laura Bush were there, weren’t they?
AB: Yes. Cindy McCain had on an outfit complete with full accoutrements to the cost of over $300,000. Laura Bush ensemble was a mere $4000 or so.
Roland: Does that mean anything?
AB: The differences should tell you something. One comes from money and isn’t afraid to let it be known, no matter how many houses they have. The other one has served her country admirably and would probably like to return to a home on the range.
Roland: That brings us to the final night and the most anticipated event of the night.
AB: Obama being interviewed by Bill O’Reilly?
Roland: Ha! Ha! No, I’m talking about Senator McCain’s acceptance speech. Did he hit a “home run”?
AB: Let’s just say that he has served his country and that age shouldn’t matter as much as the American media makes it out to be of significance. On the other hand, he should probably be like most successful mates in a relationship and let Sarah do the talking from now on.
Roland: Thanks, Al. I can’t wait to hear your input over the next sixty days leading up to the election.
AB: It has felt like sixty months since this year’s election process started. I’m going to bed and hibernate until Christmas. Wake me when it’s all over.
Roland Tolliver is a freelance writer and contributor to The Freeport Focus and Village Voices. You may read additional writings and view photos from the Sesquicentennial celebrations at http://www.pretzelcity.blogspot.com/.
Watching the RNC
Or Being Embedded with C-SPAN
By
Roland Tolliver
“Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.” --Every speaker at the RNC after their introductions.
Our media maverick, Al Bebach, spent the last week embedded with C-SPAN, otherwise known as Continuous Sarah Palin Action News, this past week during the Republican National Convention. He is a little blurry-eyed after his back-to-back convention attack, but he was willing to share his thoughts with us again this week. (If you missed last week’s convention coverage, it may be viewed at http://pretzelcity.blogspot.com/).
Roland: Tell me, Al, how was this convention compared to the DNC in Denver?
Al Bebach (AB): I didn’t see as many celebrities. There was Pat Boone and Jon Voight, but no Arnold or Clint. Nothing like the DNC with Oprah, P. Diddy, or a host of Hollywood’s biggest stars, who were all clamoring to touch the hem of Barack Obama’s garment.
Roland: How was the mood of this convention?
AB: Much more businesslike for the first couple of days. There was a rush of enthusiasm for Wednesday night, though. Everyone was waiting for the main speech of the convention.
Roland: Do you mean Mike Huckabee’s or Fred Thompson’s?
AB: No, you silly goof. I’m talking about Sarah “Barracuda” Palin.
Roland: What did she have to say to the adoring crowd?
AB: I didn’t follow the words at first, so I had to watch it a second time on You Tube.
Roland: Why didn’t you watch her speech the first time?
AB: Because I spent the entire time just watching her. She’s like Lois Lane, I was just waiting for her to take off her glasses and let down her hair. If Obama should be on GQ, Sarah will end up on Vanity Fair or something like that. McCain looked like a doting grandfather when they were on stage together.
Roland: What about the content of the speeches, though. Any unusual revelations like you noticed last week?
AB: Let’s see. There was Mike Huckabee who told a long story about students not having desks. I guess that was relevant for children’s left behinds.
Roland: I believe that is “No Child Left Behind” and he was talking about our veterans’ earning the right for us to have a free education.
AB: You don’t really know Huckabee’s sense of humor, do you? Then Fred Thompson spoke of alligators and swamps. I think he was referring to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Probably some off-handed reference to Sarah Palin’s dad, Michael, and his friends from Monty Python. I loved the Knights who say “Ni!” “Bring me a shrubbery!”
Roland: Michael Palin is British and is not Sarah’s dad. That would be funny, though, come to think of it. How did her speech go over?
AB: She was definitely the star of the convention. I don’t know that she laid any new policy information on the line, but she laid into the media and told us she did say no thanks to Simon and Garfunkel.
Roland: Simon and Garfunkel?
AB: Sure, she said, “Thanks, but no thanks for the Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”
Roland: That was the Bridge to Nowhere and she did support it at first when Senator “I’ll Fight My Indictment” Ted Stevens tried to get the appropriations for his state.
AB: Whatever. She was dynamic, eloquent and did I say, good looking?
Roland: Yes, you did, but what does that have to do with anything? If she was a man, you wouldn’t even bring it up, would you?
AB: You obviously missed last week’s column. Barack is the Rock Star and Sarah is now the Rock Goddess, though she wouldn’t like that title. You know? No false gods before me and all that. She made the main speaker seem shaky and unsure of himself by comparison.
Roland: You mean, Sarah Palin.
AB: No, Rudy Giuliani.
Roland: I was surprised that it took him almost to the end of his speech to mention 9/11. I realize that this week mark’s the anniversary of that most tragic day in American history, but surely he must have done something besides that in his life.
AB: You mean besides enjoying finding attractive women to marry?
Roland: Yes, besides that. What about the women who spoke other than Sarah Palin? Cindy McCain and Laura Bush were there, weren’t they?
AB: Yes. Cindy McCain had on an outfit complete with full accoutrements to the cost of over $300,000. Laura Bush ensemble was a mere $4000 or so.
Roland: Does that mean anything?
AB: The differences should tell you something. One comes from money and isn’t afraid to let it be known, no matter how many houses they have. The other one has served her country admirably and would probably like to return to a home on the range.
Roland: That brings us to the final night and the most anticipated event of the night.
AB: Obama being interviewed by Bill O’Reilly?
Roland: Ha! Ha! No, I’m talking about Senator McCain’s acceptance speech. Did he hit a “home run”?
AB: Let’s just say that he has served his country and that age shouldn’t matter as much as the American media makes it out to be of significance. On the other hand, he should probably be like most successful mates in a relationship and let Sarah do the talking from now on.
Roland: Thanks, Al. I can’t wait to hear your input over the next sixty days leading up to the election.
AB: It has felt like sixty months since this year’s election process started. I’m going to bed and hibernate until Christmas. Wake me when it’s all over.
Roland Tolliver is a freelance writer and contributor to The Freeport Focus and Village Voices. You may read additional writings and view photos from the Sesquicentennial celebrations at http://www.pretzelcity.blogspot.com/.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Quiet Morning Sky
I lay in bed yesterday morning and heard the planes flying overhead. There is a distinct pattern of flight from points west to O'Hare Airport that goes directly over Freeport around 6:00 a.m.. I could set my alarm to the early morning drone of the jets. Yesterday marked the seventh anniversary of the day the jets quit flying for several ominously eerie days. The nation was at a standstill while the impact of the terrorist attacks of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Flight 93 were felt throughout our country and the world. It was the day the skies stood still.
All of the articles about "Where were you?" have been written to commemorate the date. The politicians put away their animosities for a one day truce. The memorials were held and the names of the victims were read and the bells tolled for those who gave their lives that day. Taps were played from the roof of the Pentagon and the sad refrains from the bagpipes echoed through the courtyard.
Local ceremonies were held throughout the country and law enforcement officers and fire department personnel were asked for their views on the tragedy and how it has affected our nation over the past seven years. Schools held moments of silence or stood at attention for "Taps" or the national anthem. Some said prayers for the victims and their families. Others went about their day, as if it were just another day.
I looked at the sky and wondered how something like that could happen and could it or would it happen again? Are there enough safety precautions now at our nation's airports, rail stations, and bus terminals? How much difference does it make if we take our shoes off or are strip-searched? Do we feel safer for ourselves and for our children? How much lip service has been given and how much actual action to ensure our country's protection has been taken?
There are plenty of reasons to question the war in Iraq and how it actually has affected the fact that there have been no more attacks on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001. There were legitimate reasons to go to Afghanistan and yet, Osama Bin Laden has still not been located. We've lost more soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq than died on 9/11 and we wonder to what end.
We are coming to an election and the "change" that is being touted is not really about true change in the way things are done, but in a change of the face of leadership. Will it matter much whether it is McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden if there is no change in the Congress? Once either one gets into office, the first term is about not screwing up too badly in the first two years, so that the next two years can be spent trying to stay in office with the next election.
Whether lipstick on a pig is an issue or who is the real agent of change really matters are left to public opinion, but it is really about having a vision for our country and the ability to convey that message to the citizens who are the ones whose lives are affected. Take away the TelePrompters and you still have human beings with doubts, human faults, and an occasional idea that takes us beyond the rhetoric and into a real sense of desire to accomplish something. Bring it to the level of everyday citizens and they might even find that their message resonates into community action.
We remember. We live. We go on. We move on. And in another year, we'll remember again. We should remember each and every day, though, about the days the skies stood still and our lives were changed. Forever.
All of the articles about "Where were you?" have been written to commemorate the date. The politicians put away their animosities for a one day truce. The memorials were held and the names of the victims were read and the bells tolled for those who gave their lives that day. Taps were played from the roof of the Pentagon and the sad refrains from the bagpipes echoed through the courtyard.
Local ceremonies were held throughout the country and law enforcement officers and fire department personnel were asked for their views on the tragedy and how it has affected our nation over the past seven years. Schools held moments of silence or stood at attention for "Taps" or the national anthem. Some said prayers for the victims and their families. Others went about their day, as if it were just another day.
I looked at the sky and wondered how something like that could happen and could it or would it happen again? Are there enough safety precautions now at our nation's airports, rail stations, and bus terminals? How much difference does it make if we take our shoes off or are strip-searched? Do we feel safer for ourselves and for our children? How much lip service has been given and how much actual action to ensure our country's protection has been taken?
There are plenty of reasons to question the war in Iraq and how it actually has affected the fact that there have been no more attacks on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001. There were legitimate reasons to go to Afghanistan and yet, Osama Bin Laden has still not been located. We've lost more soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq than died on 9/11 and we wonder to what end.
We are coming to an election and the "change" that is being touted is not really about true change in the way things are done, but in a change of the face of leadership. Will it matter much whether it is McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden if there is no change in the Congress? Once either one gets into office, the first term is about not screwing up too badly in the first two years, so that the next two years can be spent trying to stay in office with the next election.
Whether lipstick on a pig is an issue or who is the real agent of change really matters are left to public opinion, but it is really about having a vision for our country and the ability to convey that message to the citizens who are the ones whose lives are affected. Take away the TelePrompters and you still have human beings with doubts, human faults, and an occasional idea that takes us beyond the rhetoric and into a real sense of desire to accomplish something. Bring it to the level of everyday citizens and they might even find that their message resonates into community action.
We remember. We live. We go on. We move on. And in another year, we'll remember again. We should remember each and every day, though, about the days the skies stood still and our lives were changed. Forever.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Watching the DNC
Watching the DNC
Or How to OD on the Democratic National Commercial
By
Roland Tolliver
“Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you all very, very much.” --Every Speaker featured on Primetime Television’s version of the long infomercial known as the DNC.
We put our friend and pundit in front of C-Span for four straight days to get his interpretation of the Democratic National Convention this past week. Our man of the hour, the pugnacious prognosticator of the press, Al Bebach, spent considerable time not only deciphering the double-speak and diatribe (don’t worry, in all fairness, he’ll report on the Republican National Commercial, er, Convention, if it is held next week), but reading “between the lines” or tells you what was not said, or at least omitted from the highlight reels.
AB: Should I start with the big speech?
Me: You mean, Senator Obama’s?
AB: No, you silly man. I meant the one by the woman in the tangerine travelling pant suit.
Me: Sure. Go ahead. What did she say?
AB: It wasn’t what she said. It was what she left out. “I’m here tonight as a proud mother, a proud Democrat … as a proud senator from New York … a proud American … and a proud supporter of Barack Obama.”
Me: So. What’s the problem?
AB: Don’t you think it was a little, well, rude of her not to mention being a proud wife? Bill is sitting there mouthing his little, “I love yous” and she doesn’t even acknowledge him.
Me: Maybe she was getting back at him for that Monica Lewinsky thing in the White House?
AB: Perhaps, but that had to be embarrassing for the former President. Then she brings up her support of Senator John McCain when she said, “Know the way. Know the how. Know McCain!” and then the whole crowd started shouting, “Know McCain!” I mean, wasn’t she at the DNC?
Me: I think she said, “No way. No how. No McCain.”
AB: That’s what you think. I had a chance to see a draft of the speech and I think she was subliminally trying to support McCain. She plans on taking her 18 million voters with her and going home to … now where did she say she’s from? New York, Illinois, Arkansas, Washington, D.C.?
Me: What else do you have?
AB: My favorite line was about the most important job being taking care of our families and to “help every child live up to his or her God-given potential … ”
Me: That sounds like a good idea to me.
AB: The most important line must have been cut from the telecast, though.
Me: And that was …?
AB: … except the ones that we never want to give the chance to be born … Every human life deserves a chance to reach his or her potential, but there is no chance if there is no birth. What is God-given about that?
Me: I see your point. How about any of the others? What about Joe Biden?
AB: Let’s see. “Barack and I took very different journeys to this very destination, but we share a common story …” What he left out was that he’s shared a common story with others before.
Me: What do you mean?
AB: Don’t you recall how he used the story of British Labor Party Leader, Neil Kinnock, even plagiarizing his words as his own during a speech at the Iowa State Fair during the 1988 presidential campaign? He did the same thing when he was in college, but it was only “stressless scholarship” then, whatever that means?!
Me: So, he’s told a few lies. That shouldn’t disqualify him as a politician.
AB: Touché, sir. Touché! Then there was his line “My parents taught us to live our faith, and to treasure our families.” He, like Hillary, keeps leaving out the caveat, except the family members that don’t get a chance to live in the first place.
Me: I’m getting the impression that you are pro-life, Mr. Bebach.
AB: Well, Mr. Biden and the rest of the speakers are definitely on the opposite side of the fence on that subject.
Me: That is a major part of the Democratic platform. It does seem to go against the grain of the faith that Mr. Biden was alluding to, doesn’t it? How about Bill Clinton’s speech? Any insights?
AB: I think he said it all pretty much in his second sentence, “Now, in the end, my candidate didn’t win.”
Me: I didn’t think it was the end, but isn’t it the beginning of the final stage of this race?
AB: Yeah, of course. What was in his mind’s teleprompter went something like, ‘Now I don’t get to go back to the White House. Man, I had some fun there, but if Obama doesn’t win the general election, then McCain will be really old, and Hillary can run again and … why did I get the primary process changed … why did we let Barack Obama speak at the DNC four years ago? Why? Why? Why? … and …’
Me: And, what?
AB: I don’t know. He went on so long that I fell asleep and when I woke up there was a sustained applause when I think he said something about concluding his speech.
Me: And then there was the spectacle of the final night and the historic nomination of this country’s first African-American for a major party candidate for President.
AB: Yes, there was. And it was a truly momentous occasion in our country’s history. But then he, like Hillary, managed to commend a variety of occupations, but with a plan for national health care, both failed to mention the people who will be providing this health care.
Me: The clinics at Wal Marts and Walgreens?
AB: No, though it may come to that. I’m talking about doctors. I guess they don’t fall into the category of “ordinary men and women” who “found the courage to keep it (the American dream) alive.”
Me: I suppose it is just reward enough to keep people alive.
AB: Yeah, I’m sure that’ll fit nicely on a placard. I have to admit that Senator Obama has a way with words, but he sure uses the words “I will” a lot. He seems to forget about a Congress that has to be dealt with, though he’s only actually spent about 150 days there since he was elected as an Illinois state senator, and there is the issue of actually winning the election first. Then he keeps referring to shows like “Eight is Enough.” I wonder if Dick Van Patten will have a place in Obama’s cabinet?
Me: I’m exhausted just listening to you. How did you stay awake to see all of those speeches?
AB: It was the politicians and speakers abilities to keep offering everyone in America so much hype!
Me: I think they were saying, “hope.”
AB: You don’t know much about politics, do you?
Dr. Roland Tolliver is a contributing writer for the Freeport Focus.
Or How to OD on the Democratic National Commercial
By
Roland Tolliver
“Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you all very, very much.” --Every Speaker featured on Primetime Television’s version of the long infomercial known as the DNC.
We put our friend and pundit in front of C-Span for four straight days to get his interpretation of the Democratic National Convention this past week. Our man of the hour, the pugnacious prognosticator of the press, Al Bebach, spent considerable time not only deciphering the double-speak and diatribe (don’t worry, in all fairness, he’ll report on the Republican National Commercial, er, Convention, if it is held next week), but reading “between the lines” or tells you what was not said, or at least omitted from the highlight reels.
AB: Should I start with the big speech?
Me: You mean, Senator Obama’s?
AB: No, you silly man. I meant the one by the woman in the tangerine travelling pant suit.
Me: Sure. Go ahead. What did she say?
AB: It wasn’t what she said. It was what she left out. “I’m here tonight as a proud mother, a proud Democrat … as a proud senator from New York … a proud American … and a proud supporter of Barack Obama.”
Me: So. What’s the problem?
AB: Don’t you think it was a little, well, rude of her not to mention being a proud wife? Bill is sitting there mouthing his little, “I love yous” and she doesn’t even acknowledge him.
Me: Maybe she was getting back at him for that Monica Lewinsky thing in the White House?
AB: Perhaps, but that had to be embarrassing for the former President. Then she brings up her support of Senator John McCain when she said, “Know the way. Know the how. Know McCain!” and then the whole crowd started shouting, “Know McCain!” I mean, wasn’t she at the DNC?
Me: I think she said, “No way. No how. No McCain.”
AB: That’s what you think. I had a chance to see a draft of the speech and I think she was subliminally trying to support McCain. She plans on taking her 18 million voters with her and going home to … now where did she say she’s from? New York, Illinois, Arkansas, Washington, D.C.?
Me: What else do you have?
AB: My favorite line was about the most important job being taking care of our families and to “help every child live up to his or her God-given potential … ”
Me: That sounds like a good idea to me.
AB: The most important line must have been cut from the telecast, though.
Me: And that was …?
AB: … except the ones that we never want to give the chance to be born … Every human life deserves a chance to reach his or her potential, but there is no chance if there is no birth. What is God-given about that?
Me: I see your point. How about any of the others? What about Joe Biden?
AB: Let’s see. “Barack and I took very different journeys to this very destination, but we share a common story …” What he left out was that he’s shared a common story with others before.
Me: What do you mean?
AB: Don’t you recall how he used the story of British Labor Party Leader, Neil Kinnock, even plagiarizing his words as his own during a speech at the Iowa State Fair during the 1988 presidential campaign? He did the same thing when he was in college, but it was only “stressless scholarship” then, whatever that means?!
Me: So, he’s told a few lies. That shouldn’t disqualify him as a politician.
AB: Touché, sir. Touché! Then there was his line “My parents taught us to live our faith, and to treasure our families.” He, like Hillary, keeps leaving out the caveat, except the family members that don’t get a chance to live in the first place.
Me: I’m getting the impression that you are pro-life, Mr. Bebach.
AB: Well, Mr. Biden and the rest of the speakers are definitely on the opposite side of the fence on that subject.
Me: That is a major part of the Democratic platform. It does seem to go against the grain of the faith that Mr. Biden was alluding to, doesn’t it? How about Bill Clinton’s speech? Any insights?
AB: I think he said it all pretty much in his second sentence, “Now, in the end, my candidate didn’t win.”
Me: I didn’t think it was the end, but isn’t it the beginning of the final stage of this race?
AB: Yeah, of course. What was in his mind’s teleprompter went something like, ‘Now I don’t get to go back to the White House. Man, I had some fun there, but if Obama doesn’t win the general election, then McCain will be really old, and Hillary can run again and … why did I get the primary process changed … why did we let Barack Obama speak at the DNC four years ago? Why? Why? Why? … and …’
Me: And, what?
AB: I don’t know. He went on so long that I fell asleep and when I woke up there was a sustained applause when I think he said something about concluding his speech.
Me: And then there was the spectacle of the final night and the historic nomination of this country’s first African-American for a major party candidate for President.
AB: Yes, there was. And it was a truly momentous occasion in our country’s history. But then he, like Hillary, managed to commend a variety of occupations, but with a plan for national health care, both failed to mention the people who will be providing this health care.
Me: The clinics at Wal Marts and Walgreens?
AB: No, though it may come to that. I’m talking about doctors. I guess they don’t fall into the category of “ordinary men and women” who “found the courage to keep it (the American dream) alive.”
Me: I suppose it is just reward enough to keep people alive.
AB: Yeah, I’m sure that’ll fit nicely on a placard. I have to admit that Senator Obama has a way with words, but he sure uses the words “I will” a lot. He seems to forget about a Congress that has to be dealt with, though he’s only actually spent about 150 days there since he was elected as an Illinois state senator, and there is the issue of actually winning the election first. Then he keeps referring to shows like “Eight is Enough.” I wonder if Dick Van Patten will have a place in Obama’s cabinet?
Me: I’m exhausted just listening to you. How did you stay awake to see all of those speeches?
AB: It was the politicians and speakers abilities to keep offering everyone in America so much hype!
Me: I think they were saying, “hope.”
AB: You don’t know much about politics, do you?
Dr. Roland Tolliver is a contributing writer for the Freeport Focus.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Lincoln Douglas Sesquicentennial: Part 2
Additional photos from the Lincoln-Douglas Sesquicentennial Debate re-enactment from Freeport, Illinois on Saturday, August 30, 2008 in Freeport's Debate Square. Click on the photos to enlarge the picture.
Lincoln Douglas Sesquicentennial: Part 1
The following photos were taken from the Lincoln Douglas Sesquicentennial that took place in Freeport, Illinois on Saturday, August 30, 2008. George Buss portrayed Abraham Lincoln and Tim Connors is Stephen Douglas. Click on the photos to enlarge the pictures.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Guitar Hero or Rock Star: The Candidates' Version
The great debate is on. I was no where near being in the money in my GOP vice-presidential nominees. I, along with millions of other Americans, said, "Who?" when her name was being bantered about prior to the official announcement. Then I heard her speak at the nomination announcement and along with millions more, said, "Wow!" I really don't know much about her policies besides what has been written by the medial or has been presented by some of the "talking heads" but I couldn't help but be impressed by the strength of her speech. I know that a speech does not make a candidate, but no one can deny that eloquence of speech has not helped Obama. There is always more to a candidate than their comfort behind a microphone or in front of an audience. Of course, there is often less than meet's the eye as well once the teleprompter is no longer on.
There are those that can make a book come alive with the spoken word, but who cannot utter an intelligent thought on their own. There are others that are better when thinking on their feet or persuading people to believe in them or their ideals. Much in this way the two party's tickets are much alike, though in reverse order. Senator Obama's speaking ability is a given, when he is reading from a prepared text, so far, Governor Palin has proven just as adept in this format. If you've ever had the chance to see John McCain in an informal setting, he can be charming and disarmingly humorous and a quick thinker. Joe Biden, while long-winded and often evasive with his rhetoric, nonetheless, does better in a debate-style setting, than in front of a group of people. Witness the dryness of McCain's and Biden's speeches at the RNC and DNC respectively. Palin and Obama each drew around 40 million viewers for their speeches and clearly stirred up their respective audiences and core constituents.
How will all of this play out on the national stage? What will the debates prove? None of the candidates have been specific about policies. None of them have done much more than tout promises that will be all but impossible to implement or to pay for. None of them have the ability to circumvent a congress that is hellbent on maintaining their levels of power at whatever cost to the American public and Jill or John Q. Taxpayer.
All of the "I wills" in the world do not translate into effective action. None of the "crossing the aisles" will amount to anything if the other party is not willing to sacrifice or commit themselves to a global vision of a nation in need of healing. The infomecials known as the conventions are good show, but lacking in substance. Gentlemen and lady, state your positions!
There are those that can make a book come alive with the spoken word, but who cannot utter an intelligent thought on their own. There are others that are better when thinking on their feet or persuading people to believe in them or their ideals. Much in this way the two party's tickets are much alike, though in reverse order. Senator Obama's speaking ability is a given, when he is reading from a prepared text, so far, Governor Palin has proven just as adept in this format. If you've ever had the chance to see John McCain in an informal setting, he can be charming and disarmingly humorous and a quick thinker. Joe Biden, while long-winded and often evasive with his rhetoric, nonetheless, does better in a debate-style setting, than in front of a group of people. Witness the dryness of McCain's and Biden's speeches at the RNC and DNC respectively. Palin and Obama each drew around 40 million viewers for their speeches and clearly stirred up their respective audiences and core constituents.
How will all of this play out on the national stage? What will the debates prove? None of the candidates have been specific about policies. None of them have done much more than tout promises that will be all but impossible to implement or to pay for. None of them have the ability to circumvent a congress that is hellbent on maintaining their levels of power at whatever cost to the American public and Jill or John Q. Taxpayer.
All of the "I wills" in the world do not translate into effective action. None of the "crossing the aisles" will amount to anything if the other party is not willing to sacrifice or commit themselves to a global vision of a nation in need of healing. The infomecials known as the conventions are good show, but lacking in substance. Gentlemen and lady, state your positions!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Who Can it Be Now?
The DNC is at the end of the festivities. The coronation of the emperor is about to take place and everyone is wondering ... who is McCain going to choose as his running mate? He'll apparently take the high road tonight and congratulate Barack on his historical achievement, especially given that this is the 45th anniversary of the "I Have a Dream" speech of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That is bound to be a major tie-in tonight as he is outlined by the columns on the stage in a 21st Century re-enactment of the speech given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But, like most Hollywood movies (or Oprah-produced events) the setting is all style and of questionable substance. Can he sell himself to middle-America? Will the cowboys of Texas or Montana or Wyoming say, "Now that is someone I can get behind and support." Or will the great event ring hollow like a motivational speaker who revs up the crowd, counts his cash, and never has any follow-through? So far, I have only seen the latter in the rhetoric. There is a division that still exists between the Barackians and the Clintonians and no words of Bill or Hillary will be enough to satisfy the disaffected, the disgruntled and the disengaged.
Back to McCain. I look at three possible choices and know that I will most likely be wrong. McCain will want someone with broad appeal, who doesn't vary greatly from his stance on the abortion issue, and who has the chutzpa to put the long-winded, plagiarizing senator from Delaware in his place. So, look for someone who is respected and known well-enough to Americans that they don't need a phonetic dictionary in order to pronounce the name or a Who's Who book to recognize. Most likely it will be someone like Minnnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (though Minnesotans have failed to do well in national elections, see Mondale, Humphrey, albeit they were Democrats), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison ( could have wide appeal among discouraged Hillary backers), Mitt Romney (though he comes across as too much like Dan Quayle and that may not fly), or my personal favorite choice, Secretary of State,Condoleeza Rice. She is not a politician. She has vast international affairs experience. She would be able to appeal to all races and while she carries the baggage of President Bush and the boisterous media's incessant chattering about all-things negative for America, she can hold her own in any situation.
We'll find out tomorrow when the GOP and Senator McCain meet in Dayton, Ohio. And I'd be willing to bet against 3:00 a.m. text messages to alert the party's faithful. McCain probably doesn't text message, anyways.
Back to McCain. I look at three possible choices and know that I will most likely be wrong. McCain will want someone with broad appeal, who doesn't vary greatly from his stance on the abortion issue, and who has the chutzpa to put the long-winded, plagiarizing senator from Delaware in his place. So, look for someone who is respected and known well-enough to Americans that they don't need a phonetic dictionary in order to pronounce the name or a Who's Who book to recognize. Most likely it will be someone like Minnnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (though Minnesotans have failed to do well in national elections, see Mondale, Humphrey, albeit they were Democrats), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison ( could have wide appeal among discouraged Hillary backers), Mitt Romney (though he comes across as too much like Dan Quayle and that may not fly), or my personal favorite choice, Secretary of State,Condoleeza Rice. She is not a politician. She has vast international affairs experience. She would be able to appeal to all races and while she carries the baggage of President Bush and the boisterous media's incessant chattering about all-things negative for America, she can hold her own in any situation.
We'll find out tomorrow when the GOP and Senator McCain meet in Dayton, Ohio. And I'd be willing to bet against 3:00 a.m. text messages to alert the party's faithful. McCain probably doesn't text message, anyways.
The Democratic National Commercial
If it is possible to get diabetes through the extra syrup coming through the t.v. screen, I think I may have to stock up on a supply of insulin. Illinois political "hugfests" and fawning over the foe that vanquished you to the extent that it was like a 60's "lovefest" have just about made me sick to my stomach. There is no animosity for Barack Obama, the man, but there is no Barack-envy for his far-left stances on partial-birth abortions and protecting Americans in these troubled times.
Did anybody else find it rather ironic (or is that sardonic?) that Hillary failed to mention her husband, Bill, during her glowing introduction of herself? She came before us as a "proud mother," a "proud Democrat," a member of the "sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits," among other definitions of who Hillary is, but with Bill mouthing his "I love you's" visible to every person watching television, she did not wish to be or chose not to be, a proud wife. Is Bill that big of a liability now, or is it that she is no longer a wife, but a senator, a public servant, a mother, and Bill is, well, it looks like Bill is now on his own.
Did anybody else find it rather ironic (or is that sardonic?) that Hillary failed to mention her husband, Bill, during her glowing introduction of herself? She came before us as a "proud mother," a "proud Democrat," a member of the "sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits," among other definitions of who Hillary is, but with Bill mouthing his "I love you's" visible to every person watching television, she did not wish to be or chose not to be, a proud wife. Is Bill that big of a liability now, or is it that she is no longer a wife, but a senator, a public servant, a mother, and Bill is, well, it looks like Bill is now on his own.
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