Debate, banks, and other random nuggets

I’m all over the place this morning as it was a full weekend.  But first, this quick sports report.

The East Paulding MS Raiders defeated the Dobbins MS Jaguars 21-6 in play on Saturday.  Sperm, who was forced to sit out the game due to illness was still in full uniform on the sideline to show support for the team.  His father did shout a lot and lost the majority of his voice.  The Raiders are 3-1 going into their game with South Paulding MS on the road (their first away game) this Saturday.

Boy, we live in some f-ed times right now, eh?  You kinda want things to settle down a bit just to get a breath.  But no.  There is a lot to digest and so, I felt inclined to dance around a bit to discuss a number of things.

First, and foremost, the gas shortage in Atlanta is expected to last two more weeks.  I know there are a lot of events in play and blame cannot be placed solely one thing, but I think a good chunk of the blame lies at the Governor’s feet.  And where is he?  In Spain.  Maybe he’ll stay there – the idiot.

OK, now to the first of the two big things:  the debate.  Missus and I watched the thing from start to finish and I was quick to turn it off upon completion.  I do not need Charlie Gibson telling me what I just saw.  So, anyway, the debate was essentially on two topics:  the economy and foreign policy.  In my personal opinion, I leaned one way for the first half and the other for the second half.  (I’ll let you figure out who won where in my mind.)  Here are some general observations about the debates:

• Did you notice McCain never looked at Obama the whole time he was on camera?
• McCain never said “middle class”.  It is always about the “rich” and the “poor”.  What about the majority of us in the middle?
• Obama still cannot admit the success of the troop surge in Iraq.
• What was that bullshit about “I have a braclet too.”  Who gives a crap?  What will that do to balance the federal budget?
• Did you notice Obama used McCain’s first name?  I found that in poor taste given the formality of the event.  You say “John” when you are having a beer, not when you are debating.  (Call me old-fashioned if you want.)
• I found it interesting how often Obama failed to “marry” McCain to Bush.  The fact is that Bush has been all but booted from the GOP and there is no way Dems can try to tie the two back together.  Why do you think Bush did not attend the convention – the first time that had happened in decades?

Overall, my mind has not been made up.  I am waiting for debate #2 in a couple of weeks.

While on political issues, why is it that the only people screaming about race in this election are black columnists?  First, there was one in Philadephia saying there would be a “race war” if Obama does not get elected and now, another in Chicago is saying this:

“…considering a recent AP-Stanford University poll that validates what I’ve suspected: If Barack Obama doesn’t win in November, we can blame racism.”
http://www.suntimes.com/news/douglas/1186919,CST-EDT-douglas26.article

Why the race card?  If I choose to vote for Obama, it is not because he is black – it is because he represents my beliefs (or at least as closely as he can).  Yet, the black community themselves are stoking the race card.  Why?  If a white columnist has done this, he or she would be excommunicated and forced to resign (Imus anyone?).  The double standard is so glaring I need my sunglasses.

The other issue is the bailout.  All weekend the news trumpeted that work continued and a plan was near.  This morning we learn it is on the way to having a full vote.  OK.  Great.  But what does that mean to me?  Is my bank failing?  Is my 401(k) ok?  If it is yes on both fronts, thanks.  Oh, and Wachovia is bought out by Citigroup which is owned by a group in Dubai.  Um….doesn’t that look fishy?

And yet again left-leaners, you cannot blame Bush.  But boy, Obama really tried didn’t he?  This crisis was born out of a Democratic inititive to put less-qualified people in homes.  Bush tried in 2003 and again 2005 to put more regulation on the mortgage market but the bill failed both times due to lack of Democratic support.  Do not beleive me?  Look it up.  Google it.  I did.

The fact is that doing nothing would be worse than doing this.  What does $700 billion look like?  Who cares.  It is all on paper anyway.  The government is having to pay for a failed policy.  Plain and simple.