Biden Responds to Obama 'Clean' Black Comment

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Gov Richardson Announces Presidential Exploratory Committee

Tomorrow Begins Today

BAD SPEECH => MORE SPEECH; BAD PEOPLE WITH GUNS => MORE GUNS

"The solution to bad speech is to have more speech."

Does this statement apply to guns? This is the discussion we had in my GOVT 301 class.

However, at the end of the discussion, the best case scenario is to either have no guns at all or everyone have guns. The worst case scenario is that we have half and half, some do and some don't, which is the situation that faces us here in the United States.

I do not agree however that everyone should have guns, because it is just a volatile part of society and there are a lot more crazy people out there. People should know how to use guns, if at any case, there needs to be guns in society.

FORGET OUR UNIVERSITY AFFILIATION, WE'RE HOKIES TODAY

Today, a major tragedy hits the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. The numbers are unconfirmed, but possibly anywhere between 20-30 people have been shot, students, faculty, and professors.

According to Hillary Howard and Bob Kur Washington Post radio, this is the single largest campus massacre in the history of the United States. The previous record was at the University of Texas with 16 killings.

Today, we are all hokies and hopefully we take this tragedy, which we mourn those we have lost, but asked that we take this and learn.

HOW TO GET SOMEONE FIRED: NIXON, RUMSFIELD, IMUS

What does our 37th President Richard Nixon, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and now former host of Imus in the Morning, Don Imus have in common?

Well here are three of them:

• They were all three famous people, yes that is true.
• They all made serious mistakes at their job (well, which is arguable, especially with Imus).
• They all got fired in the court of public opinion.

I listened to the Tony Kornheiser Show earlier this morning (my replacement of the Hot Morning Mess on WIHT 99.5) and they were discussing IMUS's comments. One of the callers, as well as one of the hosts, they called for the firing of Don Imus.

One thing that I argue is one out of two points... First, Don Imus is a shock-jock and is hired by CBS radio and MSNBC to be controversial and offensive. So he was doing his job, do I agree with what he said, "No." However, that doesn't remove the fact that he was paid to say stuff like that.

I doubt that CBS and MSNBC ever said anything and said, be more nicer on the air. Actually, I think it is the total opposite, they probably encouraged him for more ratings.

Secondly, Voltaire said, "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it." He has a right to say whatever he wants, because the freedom of speech and press is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

I bet you that somehow though, even though there are two arguments for Imus to keep his job, he will somehow lose it just like Nixon and Rumsfeld.

08 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PROFILE SERIES: SAM BROWNBACK

Sen. Sam Brownback

Republican Candidate for the 2008 Presidential Nomination

Party Affiliation: Republican
State: Kansas
Former Jobs: Senator from Kansas 1996-Present, Former Congressman of Kansas's 2nd District (1994-96), Former U.S. Trade Representative under the Bush-41 administration
Best Known: Winning the Senate Seat after Bob Dole resigned to run for President in 1996

The Issues according to Brownback (Source: www.brownback.com)
Education: We should focus on all schools to help students achieve the opportunity for college. Brownback wants to provide opportunity scholarships to pay for college for everyone to sieze that opportunity.

War in Iraq/America's Moral Leadership: Brownback went to Iraq within the last few months and said that the situation is slightly grim, but hopeful for a new Iraq. He would continue the work of our leaders in the past for a better and stable Iraq.

Abortion: After his appearance at the "March for Life" in Washington, D.C., he clearly believes in preserving the sanctity of life, from the moment of conception. A clear precept of his Roman Catholic faith.

Gay Marriage: Brownback strongly states that we must define marriage, as it was meant to be: "between one man and one woman". This needs to be established and defined clearly for our future generations and continue the foundations that good families provide by continuing marriage.

EVALUATION OF THE CANDIDATE: He is possibly one of the strongest and most consistent conservatives out of the Republican party, in comparison to the front runners former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.), former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-N.Y.), and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). However, he is still not as popular and only raised about a couple hundred thousand dollars in the first quarter of 2007 for his campaign.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY GRADE: Where Brownback lacks in videos and multimedia presentations on his website like the Democrats, he makes up for networking websites, like myspace and facebook. He does have his announcement video online and links to facebook and myspace profiles, where he can especially connect to the younger voters, the much coveted 18-24 voters. B; he's close and best almost out of all the GOP candidates, but pales to the Dem's use of technology.

LIKELIHOOD TO WIN THE PRIZE (O [UNLIKELY]-100[LIKELY]): 60; He lacks the name recognition of John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Rudy Giuliani. However, he could surprise some people, if he can maintain his conservative viewpoints and that could some attract the voter base of the Republicans, Evangelical Christians and Roman Catholics.

SHOCK JOCK NO MORE

Don Imus. Howard Stern. These guys are labeled as shock-jocks, radio DJs or talk show hosts that mainly use "humor" and explicit/inappropriate subjects to garner attention.

This time it has reached the mainstream media. Yesterday morning, Don Imus, the host of Imus in the Morning, which can be seen on MSNBC and heard on CBS radio, called the ladies of the Rutgers Basketball Team, rough and more memorably, "nappy-headed hoes".

Right now, all you can hear about in the media today is about Don Imus's comments. I was listening to Tony Kornheiser this morning and some of the people on the show said that he should be fired for his comments.

Granted, yes the comments were very inappropriate and unexcusable. However, the comments that he made that day and the comments he makes EVERY DAY of the same nature is why CBS and MSNBC pay him the big bucks. They don't pay him to be nice, they paid him to be "entertaining" and that is what some people are looking for.

I can almost guarentee you that the upper management have never warned Imus before about keep the comments to the minimum, because that is what he was hired to do.

This does not absolutely mean that I agree what he says, but I am saying he is doing the job he was paid to do. However, I think because of the comments he made, he and the other shock jocks in the world will never be the same...

08 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PROFILE SERIES: JOHN EDWARDS

John Edwards

Democratic Candidate for the 2008 Presidential Nomination

Party Affiliation: Democrat
State: North Carolina
Former Jobs: Senator from the State of North Carolina 1999-2005; Insurance Lawyer
Best Known: 2004 VP Presidential Candidate (with Sen. John Kerry), 2004 Presidential Nominee Candidate

The Issue according to Edwards (Source: www.johnedwards.com)
Universal Healthcare: Edwards, especially with his wife's re-emergence of her breast cancer, considers this a very important issue. He cites that 18,000 people die a year because of lack of access to healthcare. He believes we need to make healthcare "better care, at a lower cost".

War in Iraq/America's Moral Leadership: Edwards stated that he is completely focusing on establishing the United States of America and would be achieve by bringing back 40,000-50,000 American troops immediately and completely moving out between 12-18 months. Then, we can handle issues that are of dire importance, such as weapons of mass destruction, the genocide in Darfur, and extreme poverty.

Abortion: Edwards supports abortion rights and the need to preserve a woman's choice with her body. He has taken Kate Michelman, former president of NARAL-Pro Choice America, on as an adviser to reach out to women. (Source: ABC.com)

Gay Marriage: He has stated that he is not ready to declare a position to this issue, but has also opposed a constitutional amendment during his run for the Presidency in 2004. (Source: CNN.com)

EVALUATION OF THE CANDIDATE: I believe that he has the most potential of any of the presidential candidates out of both fields (Republican and Democrat). Back in 2004, he did not establish

USE OF TECHNOLOGY GRADE: A; With possibly the exception of former Senator Mike Gravel (a long shot for the candidacy), he has the most extensive multimedia website with different ways to reach at the grassroots level. His multimedia presentation of videos on YouTube will more than likely attract his way to young voters, young voters who he will have to compete with Obama to get that voting block... especially for the nomination.

LIKELIHOOD TO WIN THE PRIZE (O [UNLIKELY]-100[LIKELY]): 75; He has polled really high in most polls either placing second or third among likely Democratic candidates for the presidency. However, he has two powerhouses in front of him, Obama and Hillary. Clinton has placed first in almost all of the polls and more than likely able to defeat any Republican in the field. Edwards, however, has the most potential with his use of technology and ability to attract through grassroots efforts.

08 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PROFILE SERIES: RUDOLPH GIULIANI

Rudolph Giuliani

Republican Candidate for the 2008 Presidential Nomination

Party Affiliation: Republican
State: New York
Former Jobs: New York City Mayor (1994-2001); Former Prosecutor
Best Known: 2001 Time Person of the Year; Leader of NYC during 9/11 Attacks

The Issue according to Giuliani (Source: www.JoinRudy2008.com)
Government Spending & Taxes: He emphasized during his two terms as NYC Mayor decrease in government spending and bureaucracy, but not decrease emphasis on education and police. He supports tax cuts and an emphasis on supply-side economics, or providing incentive (i.e. tax cuts) for people to produce goods and services.

Abortion: Supports a woman's right to choose and believes it is a private issue between an individual, their family, friends, and "maker". Opposed to partial-birth abortion.

Gay Marriage: Despite many news organization reporting his stance for gay marriage, he states that he believes marriage is between a man and a woman. However, supports in equal benefits for domestic partnerships.

War on Terror/War in Iraq: America needs to continue having an aggressive stance in the War on Terror, for the defense of freedom and democracy. This is not a war of choice, but a war, because of the attacks of September 11th. The war in Iraq is another front on the war of terror, and setting a withdrawl date would "embolden" our enemies.

EVALUATION OF THE CANDIDATE: I believe that Giuliani is a very strong front runner for the 2008 Presidential Race, because of his ability to appeal to both sides of the aisle and his hero-like image from September 11th. In addition, he is known as a good symbol of fighting the war on terror.

However, he may have trouble shedding his persona from being a central, may be even liberal, Republican. Although his state his stance on Gay Marriage is on his site, his voting record from being NYC Mayor contradicts his statements, in a similar fashion with Mitt Romney.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY GRADE: C-; he is possibly one of the most popular candidates before announcing his intentions to run for president. However, he has failed to use video, audio, blogging, and other forms of technology to his advantage to up his popularity and stance on the issues.

LIKELIHOOD TO WIN THE PRIZE (O [UNLIKELY]-100[LIKELY]): 84; If he can overcome his liberal image from his NYC Mayor days and attract more of the conservative base of the Republican nomination, he will have a better chance of winning the thing.

He is possibly the only one who can compete with the image of Barack Obama and the notoriety of Hillary Clinton.

WHAT WILL THE VA SMOKING BAN MEAN?

I was eating with my friends at a local IHOP in Vienna, VA, a couple of weeks ago. We waited around 10 minutes for a seat around midnight. Our table was next to this partition and we sat for a few minutes and noticed this smell... it was cigarette smoke.

Our partition (next to us) was supposed to be the division between the non-smoking and smoking sections. It was extremely disgusting and seeing children in the room inhaling the cigarette smoke. This was just amazing, especially with Dana Reeve (who had lung cancer, mostly connected to second hand smoke).

According to an article published on Washingtonpost.com, Gov. Timothy Kaine (D-VA) proposed the Virginia Smoking Ban Law to the Virginia State Senate which would ban smoking at public restaurants, which is similar to the ban in the State of Maryland and was signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-MD).

I believe that this will be extremely beneficial, especially for those of us who do not wish to get lung cancer. However, I do understand that people still want to smoke and this may hurt many businesses, but living trumps livelihood.

I know you libertarians out there are going crazy reading this. ;-)

MAC V. WINDOWS IS SO FRUSTRATING

I have definitely dealt with Windows Operating System for all my life. Dells, Compaqs, and Hewlett Packard computers... I have had them all in my 21 years of life. My latest victim (or computer) was a Hewlett Packard Desktop with a Windows XP Operating System.

I have had the computer since March 2004 and then the computer has totally crapped (stopped working correctly) out. I needed a computer to help me with my computer design and other work, so I was thinking about getting a mac (Apple). I have heard how productive it could be and the fact that rarely did it carry viruses. I thought perfect. Plus, I owned alot of other mac products, like the iPod.

I purchased it and recieved it a couple of days ago. I went and took my Dreamweaver and Photoshop disks that I purchased and realized... I couldn't. I was in a new operating system and I couldn't use the software.

Now I have to go buy new software for the MAC OS. Go figure.

MY ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK

Well I have been gone for a week for Spring Break and no, it wasn't to Cancun or Florida. I spent a week with my friends from GMU Catholic Campus Ministries working on several faith-based initiatives, such as Soup Kitchens and Homeless Kitchens, and serving the homeless and disadvantaged in Meriden, CT.

I know it is amazing, because when you think of Connecticut... I think Greenwich and Hartford (the capital) with their rich mansions, estates, cars, and 7-dollar-a-gallon gasoline. However, the Connecticut, we know is the eastern part of the state. Western Connecticut, on the other hand, is another story to be told. It used to be a great part of the state with a great manufacturing city and core.

Waterbury used to be the time capital of the world, one of the leading makers of watches and clock (hence, TIMEXPO Museum, largest clock museum in the country. However, now both cities have a significant homeless population.

The work I loved to do was when I did face-to-face work with the homeless. At the soup kitchens and all the people have taken their meals, I sat down and just had a nice conversation with them. We would talk about anything, smalltalk, politics, life, religion, or anything. One common thing that I encountered during the week was how appreciative the people are... they definitely built me up.

Another thing I learned is that not everything should be have and have-nots... if we were just a little less wasteful, the have nots could have something more than PB & J Sandwiches.

REVISITING THE PRIEST LIVING THE DOUBLE LIFE

A story that first broke locally on WJLA back in January, I thought I would revisit the Roman Catholic priest from the Catholic Diocese of Richmond (the southern half of Virginia).

Rev. Rodney Rodis, 50, has been a diocesan priest at St. Jude and Immaculate Conception Catholic Churches in Richmond, Va, between 1993 and 2006. He was also pastor-administrator of those churches during his tenure at both churches.

He retired last year in May. Then, in January the Diocese of Richmond has said that he embezzled more than $600,000 between the two parishes. On Jan. 8, the Louisa County Police Department charged Rodis for one count of embezzlement.

During the investigation, it was also found that he also lived with a woman and her three children in Spotsylvannia County, Va. With many neighbors saying that Rodis claimed he was married to the women.

This incident is such a shame, a priest, "a man of God", who stole from his parishoners over the 13 years he has worked. He gained the trust of the people and betrayed it. Not to mention the family he is fostering on the side of serving as a priest. (A Catholic Priest, as most clergy, cannot be married and maintaining a family, with the exception of some circumstances.)

The image of the Roman Catholic Church was tainted in 2002 with the sex abuse scandals in the Archdiocese of Boston. This church was gaining back integrity and credibility, but incidents like this will re-taint this image. No one will pay attention to the positive aspects of the church (just like any other organization's coverage by the media), but incidents like this.

CLINTON v. OBAMA: WHY 2008 WILL NOT BE BETTER THAN 1984

For those of you who haven’t watched the commercial yet, it is located above and then come back and read the rest of the entry.

Isn’t this such a special commercial? So reminiscent of the science fiction book and movie, 1984. Barack Obama claims that Clinton is nothing but catchphrases and a leader who pleases the people, rather than an original leader.

I have to admit that a little piece of me died when I watched this commercial, when it was came up on RSS feed. I was a believer in Barack Obama and that he would be able to run on his clean-cut looks, great public speaking abilities, and more importantly on the issues and how he can be different from the rest of the candidates and the rest of the Democrats.

I believed that he could’ve done it and been able to beat the name recognition and money that Clinton had over Obama. However, he decided to begin a mud-slinging campaign against his biggest competition for the prize.

The commercial depicts the "great power" that controls everyone robotic and human, trying to maintain the status quo, powerful keep getting powerful, and saying everything that the people want to hear. Obama takes that picture of the “great power” and replaces it with the video of Hillary Clinton (Let the conversation begin… I was people who are will to discuss and that is the true meaning of being patriotic…).

First of all, let it be known that I think that is not insincere, I actually believe that Clinton wants to incorporate many people in to the conversation to make the American Democracy, an actual democracy as possible

Secondly, I thought that Obama was really smart capitalizing on the over-experience and almost cliché-like nature of Clinton. However, there will be no doubt in my mind that Clinton will be firing back on Obama's lack of experience. Check youTube, I bet it will be there.

PELOSI: A GOOD VP CANDIDATE?

On Washington Post Radio 107.7 FM WTWP, Bob Kur and Hillary Howard were discussing the strong role of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has been taking in the House of Representatives.

Not only has she pushed her first 100-Hour Agenda and the Big 6 for 2006, she has also been a diplomatic representative on behalf of the United States. She is second only to Vice President Dick Cheney in line for the Presidency.

With her “likeability” factor with the American Public, being a strong female leader, and her initiative with international issues, the WTWP Question of the Day was, “Nancy Pelosi, the first woman Speaker of the House and closest to woman to the Presidency ever, would she make a good presidential or vice presidential candidate for the 2008 Democratic Presidential ticket?”

I heard a lot of answers yes and no, and no one is really interested in that.

I believe that Nancy Pelosi is a very good politician, where she has an agenda, finds ways to promote and uphold the agenda, and gets the job done. Although I don’t necessarily agree with all of her agenda, that is what you want a politician… know what they want to achieve and that they will do anything to satisfy that agenda.

However, the Democrats need her to lead the legislature and the House of Representatives, opposed to being the next President or Vice President. She would be better serving in the legislature than an election ploy reminiscent of the failed ABC drama, Commander-In Chief.

I think that it is ridiculous to suggest that she would be a good VP candidate. She may be a good politician, but I would not want her as the second in line to the Presidency. Someone as liberal as Pelosi in such a high position, some also doubts about her as Speaker of the House. This bearing in mind the large number of Democratic moderates that could be turned off by Pelosi’s liberal agenda.

Imagine a liberal Dick Cheney… you don’t have to, that person’s name is Nancy Pelosi. Worst of both worlds (maybe).

GOVERNOR VILSACK DROPS OUT

According to an article published on February 23, 2007 by the Boston Globe, former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack dropped out of the Democratic presidential nomination. He cited monetary constraints, according to the article.

Vilsack was the second nominee to declare his intentions to run for President in November 2006, almost two years before the actual election day. He demonstrated many of the core platform ideas of the Democratic Party, including a withdrawl of troops in Iraq and reducing dependence on foreign energy sources.

He was a great candidate and even using technology to his advantage, even way before we saw the John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton websites, videos, and internet-driven campaigning. He had a Facebook profile, mySpace.com profile, used YouTube, and whatever resources young people happened to use.

His website www.tomvilsack08.com was possibly the best out of all of the candiates in site navigation, multimedia information, and the issues. It was very impressive and would defintiely be a great professor in public relations or political issues.

Too bad he's not a minority or a spouse of a former president. ;-)

HEY HEY HO HO RED LIGHT RUNNERS GOTTA GO

Reported in an article last Wednesday in the Washington Post was the consideration of the return of traffic light cameras back into the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Virginia General Assembly has approved a bill that would allow local governments to set up traffic light cameras or photo monitoring systems to some 10,000 intersections. This would continue a program that previously expired 2 years ago in various and most populous areas in the state including Fairfax and Arlington counties and the Virginia Beach area.

This brings a sigh of relief for the many safety consumer groups and many local motorist who tolerate speeders and red-light runners. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) said that he would approve the bill.

Although this could be percieved as a violation of civil liberties, this would 1) increase revenues for the state, 2) make some intersections more safer for pedestrians and motorists, 3) make drivers more cautious to avoid getting ticketed, and 4) reduce the number of police officers in traffic duty and more on to more pressing law enforcement issues.

Personally, I do think this leans on overbearingness from the government. However, I have had two close calls, when cars ran red-lights (significantly established red lights) and I almost got hit. Just sit one day on a busy Monday morning during rushhour at the intersection of 123 and Braddock Road.. and see how many people run red lights and how many close calls there are.

GUILIANI DECLARES; McCAIN: WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM

Today, first breaking with the story on MSNBC and MSNBC.com, former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani (R-N.Y.) announced that he will be running for the Republican nomination for the 2008 Presidential Election.

This becomes almost definitely establishes a road block for one man: Sen. John McCain.

Sen. McCain, who happens to be my choice for the Republican nomination in the 2008 Presidential Election, ran for President in 2000 against George W. Bush.

According to Rasmussen back in the Fall 2006, Guiliani the polls among likely Republican presidential nominees. Followed by McCain and Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice (who has stated that she has not intentions on running for President.

Guiliani is very popular for his leadership and vision for New York City, after the attacks that occured on September 11th, 2001. However, he does not promote a large portion of the Republican platform. He maintains a pro-choice, pro-gay marriage philosophy, and that will not sit well with the large Republican voting base, the Religious Right (Christian Evangelists and Roman Catholics). He is also out of touch with major religious icons, like the Rev. Jerry Fallwell and Rev. Pat Robertson.

As much as the field has been open for the Democrats, the Republicans can be just as wide, purely based on one prediction. The percieved Republican front-runners for the presidency (i.e. Guiliani, McCain, Romney, etc.) cannot achieve the Republican nomination.

McCain has been, evident by the 2000 Presidential Race, coined the "maverick" and too centrist for the vision of the Republican Party. Romney, former governor of Massachussetts, had a consistent record for promoting pro-choice intiatives.

It remains to be seen who is the Republican front runner, but this could defintiely spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E for McCain with another popular figure entering the Republican race.