A letter to Barack - your input requested

[chuck kottke]

Graham crackers...

 

Lindsey Graham is just like John McCain, both ultimate politicians. They say anything to get elected, then once they've got the name-brand recognition (that comes from a good story, like McCain's POW ordeal... or just the fact you're replacing Strom Thurmond), they ingratiate themselves to the Washington media by brokering "deals" on the Senate floor - think "Gang of 14" or whatever it was. They don't have to worry about being replaced because once you're in Washington, nobody pays very close attention to you anymore.

So, group think is alive and well then!:stunned::laugh3: My cousin's have compared them to reptiles, waiting for the right moment... Yes, they do do that! Say what we want to hear, whisper sweet nothings into our ears, and then turn around and head us off a cliff! Just like marketing..:laugh3: Hmm.. Replacing Strom Thurmond,.. well wasn't he a civil war veteran??:P Ah yes, the infamous "Gang of 14" - wasn't Mafia Boss Jack Abramoff part of that pack?? And yes, incumbency is all too powerful a pull - much like branding is. Term limits definitely!;)

 

They are "brave" for telling Americans the "straight talk" truth. Usually something along the lines of: We're gonna have to stay in Iraq because, well, that's what the commanders told us and that's what we owe the Iraqis.

Ah yes, the "Strait Talk Express"!:laugh3: That explains why the troops followed Napoleon into Russia as well.. If only we would give it another thousand years or so, I'm sure it will work!! And the revolving pointer always seems to point to the same thing, no matter which one you talk to! Funny, if they're so brave, then how come most of them ducked service, or in the case of McCain, forgot that an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure?? Personally, I think McCain, like anyone, has forgotten how dangerous his predicament was, and since his loyalty was not to the reasoned principles of caution, but to the blind faith that we can do no wrong in the world, he has lost the ability to think independently and reflectively. But that's going off topic a bit..;)

Part of the problem with politics these days is Americans are just as dynastic as the Brits are, only in different ways. We think being a politician is something you've got to get good at, a learned skill. You have to go to Harvard/Yale, you have to have a Rolodex the size of a cookbook, you have to serve in the military.

Yes, that's so true!! Dynastic is right - most of the "ruling families" came from one street in Boston, and they're all inter-married. They may not think all the same, but that's within any family...

:thinking:A Rolodex the size of a Cookbook! Hmm.. :thinking:Pg. 114. How to best serve special clients. First, baste with lots of butter, garnish generously with plenty of fresh green cash, and stuff with lots of dough. Serve with baked ideas, and roasted nuts. Serves 6.:laugh3:

In reality a 12 year old could be president as long as he reads and understands the constitution.

All I have to say to that Jay, is: "My Pet Goat"!:laugh3: You're overestimating them quite a bit.. Read the Constitution?! But that would mean they would have to follow it then!! And while it was written for anyone to understand, you can't just expect all those Constitutional "experts" to just pack up and leave!?! How would we be able to invert it's meaning so often, and come up with all sorts of baloney never intended by our Constitution?! Actually, electing a randomly selected 12-year-old might be our best option. They would do much better than our current occupant/occupier, and haven't yet developed the myopia that comes with age.. It's no surprise that Coldplay chose 42; since the Bush's are either 41 or 43, both very odd numbers!:laugh3:

[chuck kottke]

A letter to a more sensible congressman:

 

Dear Steve,

I am growing concerned about Senator Obama's advisers on foreign relations. We are often affected by the company we keep*. Without a balance of opinions, that company can sway our world views in ways that could again be damaging to both the U.S., and to the Citizens of the World.

If you have any contact with Senator Obama, I would very much appreciate if you would gently whisper into Barack's ear, suggesting that he seek a better balance in his set of advisers; so that reflective, compassionate and carefully chosen ones are there to balance those with more aggressive tendencies.

With Genuine Old-Fashioned Sincerity,

Your Friend,

-Chuck.

 

 

 

 

*(see Shakespear's MacBeth for further edification)

[Matter-Eater Lad]

I absolutely admire your longing for change, Chuck, and your will to put in whatever individual effort it takes to put your opinion across. As a former and future (physical) citizen of the World (I will always be one in spirit!!), but just now for the time being one of just Britain, the US so badly needs Obama, the World relies upon it in a sense I think, and I so hope you are successful.

 

All wind to your sails my friend :)

 

We don't need Obama...another sell out bought by the media and business we needed Ron Paul. Obama stands for what is wrong with American politicians, talk about change but doesn't really do anything. His vote on warrant less wiretapping shows this.(his lack of backbone)

 

He's the same regurgitated bullshit from Washington in a different people friendly package, guaranteed to trick people into keeping the same goobers in power.

[Matter-Eater Lad]

Lindsey Graham is just like John McCain, both ultimate politicians. They say anything to get elected, then once they've got the name-brand recognition (that comes from a good story, like McCain's POW ordeal... or just the fact you're replacing Strom Thurmond), they ingratiate themselves to the Washington media by brokering "deals" on the Senate floor - think "Gang of 14" or whatever it was. They don't have to worry about being replaced because once you're in Washington, nobody pays very close attention to you anymore.

 

They are "brave" for telling Americans the "straight talk" truth. Usually something along the lines of: We're gonna have to stay in Iraq because, well, that's what the commanders told us and that's what we owe the Iraqis.

 

Part of the problem with politics these days is Americans are just as dynastic as the Brits are, only in different ways. We think being a politician is something you've got to get good at, a learned skill. You have to go to Harvard/Yale, you have to have a Rolodex the size of a cookbook, you have to serve in the military.

 

In reality a 12 year old could be president as long as he reads and understands the constitution.

 

Now days reading and understanding the constitution has NOTHING to do with being president.:veryangry2:

[LiivinLaVida]

dear barack,

can you come to harlem you OG. i want to see what you're all about. You're looks can be quite deceiving (evil mostly), but i'd love to spend time with you and chat. Come quickly please.

Ambar <3

[chuck kottke]

Angel of Harlem.:rolleyes: Nice letter!

..Perhaps you could lure him there with some cool music? What does OG stand for, BTW? You think he's deceiving by his looks? ..Well, they're all like that! (but to differing degrees..) - I think the money trail tells the tale, and yes, major corp's. have bought their share of influence, but if we hold some heat to his feet, he might do us some good. (Certainly couldn't do worse than the last banana-brains we've had for Pres!) I just wish we'd get the heck out of Iraq ASAP.. Seeing the papers, and knowing it's someone from your area who's been killed over there, makes it all too plain that the costs can't be calculated. All for what? Personally, when you burn off the fog of their rhetoric, it all boils down to an unpopular occupation, and the need to let Iraqis sort it out for themselves. I just hope Barack takes a look at his advisers, and realizes that he's got to have a few who see more than just military options; or else, that might be all we get..

if you missed any of it, Frontline has been on the trail: http://www.frontlineworld/blog/2008/07/obama_in_berlin.htm/

[Ambergris]

Well put. Don't forget Obama will be like every other president on foreign policy. We act like a empire trying to control everything and Barack won't change that.

 

I agree... why he, as a simple candidate goes to Germany and makes a speech to crouds in Berlin... I think McCain is wiser saying that he would rather do that when he becomes the actual president of the U.S.

[Black Rose]

Dear Obama

 

Please replace George W Bush at leader of the free world to end the Iraq & Afgan war so that the British soldiers can come home to their families

[Matter-Eater Lad]

Dear Obama

 

Please replace George W Bush at leader of the free world to end the Iraq & Afgan war so that the British soldiers can come home to their families

 

Iraq's finally getting better but Afghanistan is a mess. Don't forget the Afgan war was necessary unlike the Iraq. People forget why we went to Afgan and group that with the Iraq war.

 

But Obama won't end the wars, he cant.