eXtra.puLp [news]: GLBT and McCain
eXtra.puLp [news]: GLBT and McCain
I was transported back in time today... not far enough to see some of the cool things from history I'd love to witness [ancient Egypt or maybe the dinosaurs] - but instead to a time about 4 to 5 years ago when the war in Iraq was getting underway or in its early stages. I don't think anyone in the U.S. was terribly informed - extremely emotional on one side of the fence or the other - but other than running on emotions... well - **pllllt** on actual discussion or questioning - or good old fashion argument.
This is triggered by an e-mail response to the e-mail bullet list of the factual record for McCain on GLBT issues I posted yesterday. Portions of this very direct list were derided as "accounts ... from some of the nuts on the left wing who hate America".
This is a list of McCain's actual record on GLBT issues. Nothing more.
The HRC site itself has a side-by-side comparison of both candidates GLBT issues:
LINK: http://www.hrc.org/news/10631.htm
Neither one is a total winner in this small slice of the pie.
Both candidates stances on GLBT issues are of interest to me; however, they are not the only issues I am interested in. And even if a candidate were FOR all of the GLBT near and dear issues but terribly off the mark on others - I would vote for the candidates whose COMPLETE qualifications, policies and proposals spoke most nearly to all that I hold an interest in.
I am puzzled that going into an election with to polar opposite candidates that me looking at both and asking - "WHO?" and then "WHY?" gets a lot of emotional responses or vague "I heard it on the playground..." type kick-back - but nothing to educate me or persuade me in either direction.
Looking at Clinton - I thought - a Clinton is a Clinton. In or out of office - like it or not - I knew what it was and what it would likely mean if in office.
Looking at Obama - I see nothing but inexperience and a largely obscure historical record on issues. Sometimes, his "newness" to politics is good - but without a clear history on issues it's hard to know him. And his personal and political affiliations that keep popping up are not comforting. His speeches are slick and well-crafted but point nowhere and seem to be full of just illustrating that he is the opposite of who he is running against.
Looking at McCain - I see strengths in a man who's record and experience are open to the public. And I see some policies that make me a bit nervous or uncomfortable - but also some that seem to make perfect sense in a "next four years" sort of sense considering where our nation finds itself going into this election.
So I reach out - to anyone out there with INFORMATION (a little opinion or emotion is good, too) - but largely "WHY?" to vote for "WHO?"
The following are not good enough reasons:
OBAMA
1) He's an agent for "Change".
>> Frankly - who isn't? Next.
2) He'll be an historical "first" in office.
>> Historical - sure enough - but not grounds to be elected on this alone.
3) For those that are against Obama - "Osama ben Obama" and closet Muslim references fail to convey anything intelligent, surprising or new in my exploration.
MCCAIN
1) He's an "American hero".
>> There are hundreds of American heroes; they come in all shapes and sizes - not grounds to be elected on this alone.
2) He's the next "Ronald Reagan".
>> There is filmy gauze around the memory of Reagan; I see how it would be easy to romanticize him - but really - the record of his year's in office wasn't exactly all wins. He was a man for the time and place in which he was in office.
The next President should be a new President; a person in and of his own right.
A Voter should be informed and voting as a person in and of his own right.
Share with me; educate me - we still have a few more months to go...
I was transported back in time today... not far enough to see some of the cool things from history I'd love to witness [ancient Egypt or maybe the dinosaurs] - but instead to a time about 4 to 5 years ago when the war in Iraq was getting underway or in its early stages. I don't think anyone in the U.S. was terribly informed - extremely emotional on one side of the fence or the other - but other than running on emotions... well - **pllllt** on actual discussion or questioning - or good old fashion argument.
This is triggered by an e-mail response to the e-mail bullet list of the factual record for McCain on GLBT issues I posted yesterday. Portions of this very direct list were derided as "accounts ... from some of the nuts on the left wing who hate America".
This is a list of McCain's actual record on GLBT issues. Nothing more.
The HRC site itself has a side-by-side comparison of both candidates GLBT issues:
LINK: http://www.hrc.org/news/10631.htm
Neither one is a total winner in this small slice of the pie.
Both candidates stances on GLBT issues are of interest to me; however, they are not the only issues I am interested in. And even if a candidate were FOR all of the GLBT near and dear issues but terribly off the mark on others - I would vote for the candidates whose COMPLETE qualifications, policies and proposals spoke most nearly to all that I hold an interest in.
I am puzzled that going into an election with to polar opposite candidates that me looking at both and asking - "WHO?" and then "WHY?" gets a lot of emotional responses or vague "I heard it on the playground..." type kick-back - but nothing to educate me or persuade me in either direction.
Looking at Clinton - I thought - a Clinton is a Clinton. In or out of office - like it or not - I knew what it was and what it would likely mean if in office.
Looking at Obama - I see nothing but inexperience and a largely obscure historical record on issues. Sometimes, his "newness" to politics is good - but without a clear history on issues it's hard to know him. And his personal and political affiliations that keep popping up are not comforting. His speeches are slick and well-crafted but point nowhere and seem to be full of just illustrating that he is the opposite of who he is running against.
Looking at McCain - I see strengths in a man who's record and experience are open to the public. And I see some policies that make me a bit nervous or uncomfortable - but also some that seem to make perfect sense in a "next four years" sort of sense considering where our nation finds itself going into this election.
So I reach out - to anyone out there with INFORMATION (a little opinion or emotion is good, too) - but largely "WHY?" to vote for "WHO?"
The following are not good enough reasons:
OBAMA
1) He's an agent for "Change".
>> Frankly - who isn't? Next.
2) He'll be an historical "first" in office.
>> Historical - sure enough - but not grounds to be elected on this alone.
3) For those that are against Obama - "Osama ben Obama" and closet Muslim references fail to convey anything intelligent, surprising or new in my exploration.
MCCAIN
1) He's an "American hero".
>> There are hundreds of American heroes; they come in all shapes and sizes - not grounds to be elected on this alone.
2) He's the next "Ronald Reagan".
>> There is filmy gauze around the memory of Reagan; I see how it would be easy to romanticize him - but really - the record of his year's in office wasn't exactly all wins. He was a man for the time and place in which he was in office.
The next President should be a new President; a person in and of his own right.
A Voter should be informed and voting as a person in and of his own right.
Share with me; educate me - we still have a few more months to go...
“Because good communication is stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.”
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Labels: politics
posted by Eric at 11:39 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link