A bit of a weird day. Thursday my wife slipped on some ice, fell, and broke her left leg just above the ankle. She managed to break both bones. By the time we got home from the emergency room it was late and by the time she got situated in bed it was even later. Those people who talk about how efficient our medical system is and then try to scare people with what they call "socialized medicine," and how bad it might be, should perhaps visit an ER some evening. The staff were nice, friendly, and helpful, but efficient isn't the word I would use to describe our experience. I understand the concept of triage, but for someone to sit with a broken leg for three hours before getting an x-ray doesn't seem right. After the last round of x-rays, and while the Dr. was putting on the cast, the head Doctor came twice to check on Beth, and both times he apologized for the lengthy wait. I guess it made him feel better but it didn't do much for me.
I had promised to help at Edwards campaign appearance Saturday afternoon in Washington, so Dirk helped out, Beth's mother came down, and I took off for Washington. The job I was assigned was to get people who were attending to sign in so the Edwards people had an idea how many folks came. The Washington library meeting room can maybe hold 75 people comfortably at most. They crammed a lot of people inside - I'm sure the fire marshal would have been unhappy, if Washington has such a thing. By time they were done over 300 people had signed which was a lot more than they were expecting. I can't say how the speech went, or how Edwards answered questions because I didn't hear any of it. I stayed downstairs and talked to people who didn't want to stand on the stairway to try and hear some of what he had to say. As people came out I was to help ask people if they were willing to sign up to caucus for Edwards. Quite a few signed, or said they already had. Most of the people were positive and enthusiastic about what they heard.
One of the interesting things was the number of people present from other states. I talked with folks from North Carolina, Colorado, Illinois and Kansas. Most had grown up in Iowa and were visiting relatives over Christmas. There were even some people from Australia taking in all the activity. Most made it clear they were just taking the opportunity to see a candidate while they were in the area.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Huckabee
I saw my first Republican candidate this afternoon when I went to Coralville to see Gov. Mike Huckabee. There were well over 200 people in the room at the Marriott when Huckabee was introduced about twenty minutes late. It took him less than 10 seconds to say "Chuck Norris" as he read off some of the signs people brought. We then got to hear how wonderful Norris is and he promised Norris would be campaigning with him the week before the caucus.
Huckabee talked for forty minutes during which time he referred to Isaiah, Chuck Norris, Jesus Christ, Billy Jack, and Colin Powell. I found it to be a rather odd mix of names.
Next, Huckabee talked about the importance of the Iowa caucuses in allowing underfunded candidates a chance. He then gave us a history of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and a bit about the Constitution. It seems to me that when you combine religious belief, politics, and history you end with both bad theology and bad history.
Other topics he addressed were the need to overcome partisanship, immigration, the education system, and our failed energy policy. He noted that we pay for both sides of the war on terror when we fund the Pentagon and through our oil dollars, also fund terrorists.
He spent a lot of time criticizing the tax system which he claims taxes productivity and ingenuity. He talked about replacing the IRS and the current system with what he called a consumption tax. He didn't say anything specific but my guess is most of the people who clapped didn't understand he proposes replacing the income tax with a 23% sales tax. I'm no expert but it seems to me, ingenious Americans would find ways to avoid paying this fee, it would put a damper on the economy, or both.
After the lengthy discourse on taxes Huckabee quickly reviewed his pro-life credentials, his humble origins, and his desire for the strongest military ever. This is where he referred to Billy Jack, quoting the line about putting my heel on your neck and stomping.
He finished by thanking us and reminding us how important it is to caucus and participate in the political process. According to him, we were all expressing our patriotism just by coming to hear him.
My impressions- Huckabee is a folksy guy who relates well to a crowd. He didn't sound all that different from some Democrats who also talk about their humble origins and the hard times they have overcome. He can tell a good story and poke fun at himself so he comes across as a likable guy. When he talked about only using Lava soap, it seemed most of the crowd shared the experience of being scrubbed with that awful stuff.
Huckabee had an interesting way of shifting between references to Jesus, Isaiah and Christianity, and then referring to Chuck Norris, Billy Jack, and a take no prisoners kind of approach. Frankly I found his ability to do this to be a bit frightening. I found myself wondering who he would look like with a little patch of mustache over his lip.
What I didn't hear was also interesting. There was no mention of the war in Iraq or Afghanistan. There was little said about the economy and when he did mention it he talked about the need to cut taxes. He described how Maytag left Newton, Iowa because of the heavy tax burden. The John Edwards commercial which just aired, suggested Maytag left because of corporate greed and unfair trade agreements. My guess is the truth is somewhere in between those two arguments.
Compared to Romney and Guliani, Huckabee connects well with many Iowans and is a formidable candidate in the State.
Huckabee talked for forty minutes during which time he referred to Isaiah, Chuck Norris, Jesus Christ, Billy Jack, and Colin Powell. I found it to be a rather odd mix of names.
Next, Huckabee talked about the importance of the Iowa caucuses in allowing underfunded candidates a chance. He then gave us a history of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and a bit about the Constitution. It seems to me that when you combine religious belief, politics, and history you end with both bad theology and bad history.
Other topics he addressed were the need to overcome partisanship, immigration, the education system, and our failed energy policy. He noted that we pay for both sides of the war on terror when we fund the Pentagon and through our oil dollars, also fund terrorists.
He spent a lot of time criticizing the tax system which he claims taxes productivity and ingenuity. He talked about replacing the IRS and the current system with what he called a consumption tax. He didn't say anything specific but my guess is most of the people who clapped didn't understand he proposes replacing the income tax with a 23% sales tax. I'm no expert but it seems to me, ingenious Americans would find ways to avoid paying this fee, it would put a damper on the economy, or both.
After the lengthy discourse on taxes Huckabee quickly reviewed his pro-life credentials, his humble origins, and his desire for the strongest military ever. This is where he referred to Billy Jack, quoting the line about putting my heel on your neck and stomping.
He finished by thanking us and reminding us how important it is to caucus and participate in the political process. According to him, we were all expressing our patriotism just by coming to hear him.
My impressions- Huckabee is a folksy guy who relates well to a crowd. He didn't sound all that different from some Democrats who also talk about their humble origins and the hard times they have overcome. He can tell a good story and poke fun at himself so he comes across as a likable guy. When he talked about only using Lava soap, it seemed most of the crowd shared the experience of being scrubbed with that awful stuff.
Huckabee had an interesting way of shifting between references to Jesus, Isaiah and Christianity, and then referring to Chuck Norris, Billy Jack, and a take no prisoners kind of approach. Frankly I found his ability to do this to be a bit frightening. I found myself wondering who he would look like with a little patch of mustache over his lip.
What I didn't hear was also interesting. There was no mention of the war in Iraq or Afghanistan. There was little said about the economy and when he did mention it he talked about the need to cut taxes. He described how Maytag left Newton, Iowa because of the heavy tax burden. The John Edwards commercial which just aired, suggested Maytag left because of corporate greed and unfair trade agreements. My guess is the truth is somewhere in between those two arguments.
Compared to Romney and Guliani, Huckabee connects well with many Iowans and is a formidable candidate in the State.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Hillary
Dirk and I drove to Coralville this evening to see Hillary Clinton at the Johnson County Historical Society building which houses old cars. We were among the last people allowed into the building. The local fire marshal was exerting his authority to make sure the building would not be overcrowded so approximately 200 people waited outside.
She came out about fifteen minutes late, was introduced and then did her speech. She talked from 7:43 to 8:30 and spent 20 minutes of that talking about health care. The next topic was energy policy, the need for a spirit of optimism, education including reforming No Child Left Behind and cutting college cost. From there she moved to talking about "cronyism" in Washington, reclaiming moral authority in the world by bringing the troops home from Iraq "as quickly and responsibly as possible." From what I have read elsewhere the "responsible" part of her plan may leave troops in Iraq for up to four years after she would take office.
After the lengthy talk, she told us there were 200 cold people outside who she needed to visit but she wanted to answer some questions so she decided three would be the limit. The questions were about credit cards, Social Security reform, and one about why so many people dislike her.
A couple of observations, We were seated behind the stand for photographers. When they stood we couldn't see. How many pictures does a beat photographer need of Hillary Clinton - or any candidate for that matter? The crowd was large, and seemed to be made up mostly of older people. I didn't see a lot of college age folks or folks who seemed to be in their 30's. As for Hillary herself, I didn't see any horns and she wasn't carrying a pitchfork. I imagine she would make a decent President but I didn't find her to be all that inspiring. She didn't mention any of her Democratic rivals but she did take a shot at Edwards and Obama in her line about change. "You can't create change by demanding it, or by hoping for it, you create change by working for it." While a lot of people clapped for the line, I noticed quite a few around us who kept their hands in their laps.
I have now seen all the major Democratic candidates this election cycle. If the Des Moines Register can exclude Kucinich I suppose I can as well. For whatever reason the Republicans seem to be avoiding southeastern Iowa. I signed up with Romney and Huckabee's websites to make sure I get notices if they come to the area, but that has resulted primarily in negative emails aimed at each other. Such fun.
She came out about fifteen minutes late, was introduced and then did her speech. She talked from 7:43 to 8:30 and spent 20 minutes of that talking about health care. The next topic was energy policy, the need for a spirit of optimism, education including reforming No Child Left Behind and cutting college cost. From there she moved to talking about "cronyism" in Washington, reclaiming moral authority in the world by bringing the troops home from Iraq "as quickly and responsibly as possible." From what I have read elsewhere the "responsible" part of her plan may leave troops in Iraq for up to four years after she would take office.
After the lengthy talk, she told us there were 200 cold people outside who she needed to visit but she wanted to answer some questions so she decided three would be the limit. The questions were about credit cards, Social Security reform, and one about why so many people dislike her.
A couple of observations, We were seated behind the stand for photographers. When they stood we couldn't see. How many pictures does a beat photographer need of Hillary Clinton - or any candidate for that matter? The crowd was large, and seemed to be made up mostly of older people. I didn't see a lot of college age folks or folks who seemed to be in their 30's. As for Hillary herself, I didn't see any horns and she wasn't carrying a pitchfork. I imagine she would make a decent President but I didn't find her to be all that inspiring. She didn't mention any of her Democratic rivals but she did take a shot at Edwards and Obama in her line about change. "You can't create change by demanding it, or by hoping for it, you create change by working for it." While a lot of people clapped for the line, I noticed quite a few around us who kept their hands in their laps.
I have now seen all the major Democratic candidates this election cycle. If the Des Moines Register can exclude Kucinich I suppose I can as well. For whatever reason the Republicans seem to be avoiding southeastern Iowa. I signed up with Romney and Huckabee's websites to make sure I get notices if they come to the area, but that has resulted primarily in negative emails aimed at each other. Such fun.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Joe Biden
This afternoon I drove to Washington to see Sen. Joe Biden at the public library. I left Wellman a bit late and though it had been snowing I figured the roads would be a bit better than they were. He was scheduled to arrive at 3:30 and I figured he would be late as well so I wasn't to worried. I parked across the street, helped a guy with directions who I found out was working for Obama, and was there to try and lure people coming to see Biden to visit the Obama office instead. I got inside, started running up the steps, and nearly ran into the Biden entourage.
There were 50-60 people in the room. A neighbor of mine was introducing him. I will only note that said neighbor was wearing sweatpants which did not have a hole in them, unlike the pair he was wearing a couple of years ago. He also had on a new t-shirt.
Biden introduced us to some of his family members including his granddaughter. He talked for about 20 minutes outlining some of his policies, focusing particularly on Iraq, Iran, economic policies, education, health care, and social security. It seemed he felt comfortable speaking about foreign policy more than some of the domestic issues. After the stump speech he asked for questions.
The first question had to do with taxes and campaign strategy, the second dealt with energy policy and the third was about Iraq. I was standing in the back of the room and it seemed the people he called on were ones wearing name tags or were people he seemed to know, so I figured I might not get a chance to ask a question. I was taking notes and trying to maintain eye contact when he pointed towards me and said, did you have a question, so I said "yes, I do." I said I had the opportunity to be in the West Bank for two weeks this past summer and I would like to know how he would approach the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and what he would do to improve conditions for Palestinians.
This was his response, First, he said the President of the U.S. needs to be engaged on an almost daily basis with the leaders of Israel, Palestine and other middle eastern countries. He said he favors a two state solution with the borders being more or less the green line. He talked about a "hectare for hectare" land swap where Israeli settlements which have been in place for more than 20 years would be allowed to remain, if land was granted to a Palestinian state elsewhere by Israel. He said there needs to be free entry to Jerusalem and east Jerusalem, and that there can be no guaranteed right of return because it would mean the destruction of Israel.
He went on to talk about the neocon approach to foreign relations which he said discounts diplomacy and focuses on a strong military approach. He talked about this being a time when a peace settlement might be possible. He talked about the Sunni Arab countries being more afraid of radical Shiia countries than of Israel, of Syria being key to solving the situation. It was apparent he is knowledgeable about the middle east and competent in foreign affairs.
I have no idea how Palestinians would respond to his ideas, particularly the idea of leaving some settlements in place, or his comments about east Jerusalem, though I suppose many would not be happy.
He answered two or three more questions. During his answer he went on a rant about letting Republicans talk about morality and religion. "How dare we let Mitt Romney lecture us self-righteously about morality, how dare we let some one like Guliani claim the moral high ground."
I was impressed with Senator Biden. He was dignified, intelligent, he had a sense of humor, he tried to keep from saying the word "hell" to often, and it was clear he has a lot of foreign policy experience. Biden would make a good President, much better than the person now filling the office.
There were 50-60 people in the room. A neighbor of mine was introducing him. I will only note that said neighbor was wearing sweatpants which did not have a hole in them, unlike the pair he was wearing a couple of years ago. He also had on a new t-shirt.
Biden introduced us to some of his family members including his granddaughter. He talked for about 20 minutes outlining some of his policies, focusing particularly on Iraq, Iran, economic policies, education, health care, and social security. It seemed he felt comfortable speaking about foreign policy more than some of the domestic issues. After the stump speech he asked for questions.
The first question had to do with taxes and campaign strategy, the second dealt with energy policy and the third was about Iraq. I was standing in the back of the room and it seemed the people he called on were ones wearing name tags or were people he seemed to know, so I figured I might not get a chance to ask a question. I was taking notes and trying to maintain eye contact when he pointed towards me and said, did you have a question, so I said "yes, I do." I said I had the opportunity to be in the West Bank for two weeks this past summer and I would like to know how he would approach the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and what he would do to improve conditions for Palestinians.
This was his response, First, he said the President of the U.S. needs to be engaged on an almost daily basis with the leaders of Israel, Palestine and other middle eastern countries. He said he favors a two state solution with the borders being more or less the green line. He talked about a "hectare for hectare" land swap where Israeli settlements which have been in place for more than 20 years would be allowed to remain, if land was granted to a Palestinian state elsewhere by Israel. He said there needs to be free entry to Jerusalem and east Jerusalem, and that there can be no guaranteed right of return because it would mean the destruction of Israel.
He went on to talk about the neocon approach to foreign relations which he said discounts diplomacy and focuses on a strong military approach. He talked about this being a time when a peace settlement might be possible. He talked about the Sunni Arab countries being more afraid of radical Shiia countries than of Israel, of Syria being key to solving the situation. It was apparent he is knowledgeable about the middle east and competent in foreign affairs.
I have no idea how Palestinians would respond to his ideas, particularly the idea of leaving some settlements in place, or his comments about east Jerusalem, though I suppose many would not be happy.
He answered two or three more questions. During his answer he went on a rant about letting Republicans talk about morality and religion. "How dare we let Mitt Romney lecture us self-righteously about morality, how dare we let some one like Guliani claim the moral high ground."
I was impressed with Senator Biden. He was dignified, intelligent, he had a sense of humor, he tried to keep from saying the word "hell" to often, and it was clear he has a lot of foreign policy experience. Biden would make a good President, much better than the person now filling the office.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
signs and the Declaration of Independence
More political signs are starting to sprout in local yards. Scattered among the numerous "for sale" signs in town (this summer 20 plus houses were for sale in town) you see the occasional sign promoting a candidate. Tonight there were two Obama signs along Hwy 22 across from the Huckabee sign which has been up for a week. There is at least one Clinton sign, my neighbor has a Biden sign sort of hidden behind his cars, while I stuck an Edwards sign in my yard. I'm waiting to see a candidates sign incorporated into some one's Christmas light display.
On the way in to Indiana last weekend I saw more Ron Paul signs than any others. There was even a bed sheet hanging from a highway overpass which read "Ron Paul Revolution."
Today in World History class I had to wonder if students are becoming dumber or if I am just getting old and cranky. The chapter on the Enlightenment had a short section about how the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution reflect some of the Enlightenment ideals Montesquieu, Rousseau, Locke and others wrote about. I assumed the classes of mostly sophomores would be somewhat familiar with the two documents from 8th grade U.S. History. Only two of the 35 students admitted to having read any part of the Declaration before today. Most couldn't finish the line, "life, liberty...." So what was supposed to be a short review ended up using most of the shortened block period.
The lack of reading came up again when a group of seniors in Current Events class looked at a My Turn essay in the current Newsweek where the author writes about catching up on his reading since he didn't read as a teenager. The essay mentioned Siddhartha, Brave New World, 1984, Animal Farm, and Breakfast of Champions. One of the girls had read Siddhartha, two had read Animal Farm for a British Lit class and that was all. Some of the kids in my classes may as well be illiterate - some only read what is assigned and from test scores, I would assume that many don't even read what is assigned. I should quit ranting, but I fear for our democracy if people don't read.
How can people tell that our government is violating the Constitution if they never bother reading it?
On the way in to Indiana last weekend I saw more Ron Paul signs than any others. There was even a bed sheet hanging from a highway overpass which read "Ron Paul Revolution."
Today in World History class I had to wonder if students are becoming dumber or if I am just getting old and cranky. The chapter on the Enlightenment had a short section about how the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution reflect some of the Enlightenment ideals Montesquieu, Rousseau, Locke and others wrote about. I assumed the classes of mostly sophomores would be somewhat familiar with the two documents from 8th grade U.S. History. Only two of the 35 students admitted to having read any part of the Declaration before today. Most couldn't finish the line, "life, liberty...." So what was supposed to be a short review ended up using most of the shortened block period.
The lack of reading came up again when a group of seniors in Current Events class looked at a My Turn essay in the current Newsweek where the author writes about catching up on his reading since he didn't read as a teenager. The essay mentioned Siddhartha, Brave New World, 1984, Animal Farm, and Breakfast of Champions. One of the girls had read Siddhartha, two had read Animal Farm for a British Lit class and that was all. Some of the kids in my classes may as well be illiterate - some only read what is assigned and from test scores, I would assume that many don't even read what is assigned. I should quit ranting, but I fear for our democracy if people don't read.
How can people tell that our government is violating the Constitution if they never bother reading it?
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