So after the ABC Democratic Presidential debate we are left with less useful information on the candidates and their plans for the nation. Many have made comments about the fact that it took 63 minutes before the first question of substance occurred. I believe George Stephanopolis stated

‘Perhaps the most important question on the minds of voters is the economy…’

The most important question on our minds, yet asked 16th for the debate. Obviously ABC felt that style is more important in this Presidential election, and I would say most of the media agrees.

Since the first presentation by Fox News of the highly edited controversial comments of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, there has been little in the way of issues covered on the Democratic race. Discussion of hot topics about huge Liberal and Democrat issues like the war in Iraq, unions, illegal aliens, and the aforementioned economy were all essentially avoided. The Democratic race has devolved into a mud-slinging, name calling match of who is more likable or a pissing match over what minority is more in need of being the first to run for President.

Now I do agree that if it can be shown that the actions of Senator Obama have been, or are being, affected by Rev. Wright it is a problem. I agree that pittances of the comments by Rev. Wright are objectionable. I have no problem with Rev. Wright, now in retirement, moving into a $1 million home, that home being on a golf course, or that the location is predominantly White as some, notably Bill O’Reilly, seem to have issue with. Rev. Wright spent 30+ years building a successful and strong church. His retirement reflects that, and I don’t know why some feel that a Black man loses their credibility, or the weight of prejudice, because they become successful leave the cities and enjoy the fruit of their labor. But that is a subject for another post. Essentially there has been nothing that connects the voting or comments of Senator Obama to Rev. Wright so it is a non-issue for the election.

I also agree that Senator Clinton’s lies about her political influence and experience are important. Lying to the American public is more than a character issue; it is a vital indication of the potential actions of the Commander-and-Chief in 2009. Bosnia is not a misspoken comment, but a blatant lie made to buy votes – proven a fraud by 1st hand witnesses and video tape of the event. The actual negotiators of the Ireland peace process debunked any attempt to grab headlines due to her serving tea outside of the actual talks. This is a real issue because of the lengths used to obfuscate the truth and gain political advantage.

But these are not issues that demand 2 weeks of attention. How many U.S. Presidents never wore a lapel pin during wars, and yet served America with honor and pride? How many Presidents grew up with, and/or knew less than immaculately impeccable people? How many Presidents made more or less money, gave more or less to charity, were older or younger than competitors, or had religious figures and/or friends that made comments some portion of this nation objected to?

Now consider this. How many Presidents have raised taxes during difficult economic times, and how often has that plan worked? How many Presidents allowed America to run from a battle, and what has been the long-term effect on America from that decision? How many Presidents have failed to act on illegal drugs entering the nation, failing to fund education, allowed divisions based on race or religion; and what has been the popularity, effect on the nation, and response from the world?

Those are questions we need to hear answers to. Listening to politicians’ polispeak their way out of media generated snafus could be fun, if it were not for the fact that in avoiding real issues we endanger America. That doesn’t matter if you are Conservative, Liberal, Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian. The lack of choice and facts limits the options for voters and therefore America.

If I want to be entertained, there are a boggling number of venues on the idiot box that will gladly sap away my brain cells as fat deposits melt me into a chair. Even if I want to get political parodic commentary and polispeak spin I need only reach for my remote, or type up youtube.



Pennsylvania voters have an obligation to the nation, one that but be paid in full on the 22nd. They must ignore the people not in the race. They must avoid the ratings oriented media. They need to look at the actual issues the nation faces and vote for whomever they believe has the best answer for America. Anything less, anything altered because of a personal bias based on race, gender, or regional preferences is un-American and a disservice to the nation.

The news media is a media outlet first. They want to get ratings, and every news organization on television regularly edits, modifies, and ignores newsworthy stories solely with the goal of ratings in mind. That can be easily proven by numerous stories I have covered that they have ignored or glossed over in the past 3 years. If you don’t believe it just look at the cover of TIME magazine.



I have spent over a year covering various aspects of the Democrats, Republicans, and issues in this Presidential election. I am not alone in that. But unlike the major news media, I am not doing this because I expect to get a greater share of the internet audience, it’s because I believe we all deserve a better America. And if anyone in Pennsylvania votes without that in their mind, they are wasting a right that untold numbers of Americans over centuries have died for.

Freedom is not free; making a vote based on the issues is the least one can do as payment.

Labels: Bill O'Reilly, Bosnia, Democratic Presidential candidate, education, illegal aliens, news media, Pennsylvania, Polispeak, Reverend Wright, Senator Barack Obama, Senator Clinton, Time magazine

When it comes to alternative renewable green energy, in the United States there are basically 2 factions. I think that a good example of the 2 sides can be seen in Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Taking a look at Michigan, a state that has been devastated with lost manufacturing jobs; there is the fact of a lack of initiative. In 1991 Iowa became the first state to create a renewable portfolio standard, effectively requiring the state to seek out and generate a portion of it’s energy usage from wind, solar, biofuel and other renewable energy sources. 17 years later there are 24 states that have their own renewable portfolio standards; Michigan is not one of them.

The fact that Michigan continues not to have a renewable portfolio standard flies in the face of Republican Gov. John Engler’s effort with NextEnergy, a nonprofit that sought to accelerate development of an alternative energy industry in Michigan. Add to that the 2005 State of the State speech by Gov. Jennifer Granholm which pushed for the creation of a renewable portfolio standard.

Yet with renewable energy growing at a pace of roughly 30% a year and $9 billion invested last year in wind energy alone in the U.S., Michigan has yet to take part. But to be fair Gov. Granholm is recently quoted as stating that she is viewing this area in a Machiavellian manner,

“I think this is such a moment for us to capitalize on, creating this whole new sector here," Granholm added, warming to her cause. "And if other states have done it without the resources that we have, then we can certainly explode onto the scene."

On the other end of the spectrum is Pennsylvania. The State Senate has already passed legislation advancing wind power, and other clean energy sources like solar and biofuels. The State House is currently debating their version with $30 million for grants and loans to develop wind energy and the manufacture of wind energy turbines passed on February 13th by a landslide vote. In addition there was $5 million for low-interest loans to people who install more energy efficient systems to heat their homes. $25 million is to go for high-performance "green" buildings of which 300 buildings are estimated to be built.

In total the debate is currently centering on $850 million for the bill that would promote energy conservation and increase the types and amount of renewable energy sources. And with that improvement it is also noted that,

“For every dollar we spend in wind energy investment, we can leverage 12 in the private sector," said Majority Whip Keith McCall, D-Carbon.”

And there is the crux of the issue. Billions of dollars and new jobs are being generated by the use of renewable clean green energy sources. The mandate of states requiring generation from these sources has been beneficially working since 1991. And growth is rising at an enviable rate throughout the country. Yet 22 States continue to support a dependency on oil and coal.

Considering the 2 examples above, the reasoning of the remaining 22 states seems faulty at best. Maybe the Machiavellian view exposed by Gov. Granholm is in fact acting in the best interest of the people, and required by more Governors. But with so much growth and the resulting positive effects on the economy and environment, we can only expect that resistance will not endure.

Labels: clean energy, Gov. John Engler, Jennifer Granholm, Keith McCall, Michigan, NextEnergy, Pennsylvania, renewable energy, renewable portfolio standard, wind energy turbines