If it is true that the great majority of American voters can only be reached through sound bites. and then only by a limited number of such sound bites, well that's what we'll need to give them.
sound bite - noun, a brief, quotable remark, or excerpt from a speech, made as by a politician and suitable for use on TV or radio newscasts: often a dismissive term implying superficiality. YourDictionary.com Eistein utters the ultimate sound bite:
sound bite - noun, a brief, quotable remark, or excerpt from a speech, made as by a politician and suitable for use on TV or radio newscasts: often a dismissive term implying superficiality.
YourDictionary.com
Eistein utters the ultimate sound bite:
I'm sure you can come up with your own summary phrases to describe Barack Obama's plans for the country. Please add your ideas in the comment section below. But for starters, here are my seven. I hope you'll agree they are appropriately short, sufficiently limited in number and accurately descriptive.
Don't be surprised if you start seeing and hearing bites like these from Barack Obama in ads and the Presidential debates.
wizinit is the nom de guerre of a veteran diplomat and fan of the late columnist Art Buchwald who writes serious analysis and political satire. If you would like to be notified whenever wizinit posts a new article join Food Tasters For Obama.
“F__ it, we're going in!" said Bush the Decider, as he launched his invasion of Iraq. That mindset pretty much describes John McCain’s campaign for president.Damn the facts and the egregious record of the last 8 years! Bravo, Karl Rove, Roger Ailes & Co. - you’ve made Americans almost forget that it’s the republican politicians not the democrats – McCain & Palin included – who got America into the outrageous & shameful messes our proud nation is bleeding from. Let’s see: Lying about WMDs, a misguided and unjustifiable war, 4,000+ brave American heroes unjustifiably sacrificed, war profiteering, Abu Ghraib, Katrina, Bank & Hedge Fund bailouts, Mortgage Mess, Financial failures, rising unemployment, 47M uninsured Americans, $4 gas. An impressive record!
The long shot McCain & Palin needed to create an image far from Bush & Cheney and mainstream republicans. Well, Mission Accomplished! No one actually seems to remember, or care too much, that McCain & Palin are the same folks who backed Bush & Cheney for 8 long years, or that they vigorously voted for, cheered and encouraged the last 8 years of horrors! “Oh, they’re just maverick independents, who just happen to be waving the republican flag!” Really now!
The RNC alchemists started nasty rumors and transmuted them into a substantial republican wave against Obama’s faith, patriotism, experience, popularity and motives! The faith-based viral tactics they pioneered in 2000, polished in 2004 and have now mastered are truly a lesson for all Americans how easily we can be manipulated. Does the record even matter? Does America even matter, despite all the flag waving? "Well folks, since Newt, Rush and Hannity haven't called for public outrage this time around - there’s no reason to be upset!"And, what exactly has Sen. McCain done over the last 8 years to help Americans? Ok: McCain-Feingold campaign reform bill & voting with Bush 90% of the time leading to the current mess. And those are qualifications to be the next President? ‘Cause he's not looking too good in the leadership department.The true test of leadership for McCain was the last 8 years, everything before that is history. “2001 changed everything” we’ve been told every day by McCain and the republican politicians and post-2001 is a whole new ballgame. Ok, we believe you. By that standard, McCain’s votes for Bush’s egregious policies and his direct culpability for Bush’s disastrous failures, disqualify him from holding public office, or at least applying for the highest office in the nation. He stood back when he should have stood up to the pillaging & plunder of America. His 'experience' went AWOL precisely when Americans most desperately needed it.
He’s a genuine war hero. So how come he supported and continues to support Bush who sent our men & women into harm's way without adequate armor, intelligence or arabic speakers? how come we have vets sleeping in the streets, and being neglected in awful conditions at Walter Reed Army hospital? Not looking too good there Johnny Mac.
McCain says he’ll send forces to find al qaeda near Iran’s border with Pakistan? Hello! How can he, a military man with presidential ambitions, who was taught how to read maps in basic & advanced training, not even know the basic simple map of the middle east and asia? No wonder he’s clueless about where to find al qaeda and the evildoers who attacked us! For others tuning in late: al qaeda has been created, nurtured & funded out of Pakistan.
He said he’ll follow bin laden to the gates of hell. But old chap, you haven't even followed him to where he’s actually hiding - in Pakistan & Afghanistan for the last 7 years! Instead, you have helped squander thousands of precious American lives and hundreds of billions scarce American dollars chasing ghosts in Iraq! That’s not leadership - that’s stupid followership.
“Let’s drill for oil, let’s be rich & free again”. Good for you & your rich friends, sir! What questions, senator, have you pressed on Bush & Cheney to uncover the looting of America and recover our stolen billions? Fuzzy? Let’s see: Halliburton, Blackwater, War Contractors – do any of those ring the bell of your conscience? Apparently not. You’re just a good soldier who takes orders!
Over gins and tonics & single malts clinking softly in crystal glasses at the country clubs, you & other faithful readers of the Robb Report are plenty harsh and indignant about the fall of America. But instead of going after the actual perps (Bush-Cheney-Rove-Condie-Rumsfeld-Wolfowitz…..), you’re blaming democrats? “What will those muslim loving weaklings do next - attack the country?” “Good god! Rally the forces, outlaw everything, lock 'em up, and exile them to obscurity”. "Karl, why don't you use your wicked dark arts to whiplash democrats and whip all flag waving conservatives into a frenzy? Roger & his people are waiting in the ante room to discuss their latest broadcast strategies with you. Go forth and scare the bejeezus out of the American people again, and god bless you my dark knight!"Mr. McCain knows his Thomas Pinks from his Brooks Brothers, ah, the joy & comforts of a $100 Million! So how could he even begin to understand the woes of ordinary Americans? Why, make it up of course and smile confidently! The new math is: war hero + beau coup dough + rich wife + republican funding = solid chap, good presidential material! Facts, schmacts.And, thank God he's white, what a relief! Can you imagine a black man leading a nation? (um..South Africa? By the way, does that mean they can say they are freer & braver than the US?). But suburban & rich folks can sleep easy at night because McCain is white (and presumably right!). Don’t be silly, he didn't let us down over the last 8 years - that was Bush & Cheney! Forget them they're going to be gone soon, forget that McCain toed the line and voted with them every step of the way. And hey, Bush even brought him a cake to the airport to celebrate his birthday! Now, how many people do you suppose Bush did that for? That just goes to prove that McCain is so independent that Bush has to come to see him. A shining example of the power McCain has over Bush! You can't ask for more proof of power and leadership from a future president, now can you?
And, hey, no fear about guns - got that one covered! We'll finally have a shooting range at the White House ! “Lapierre, bring your silver plated Winchester repeater signed by the original confederate owner, we’ll give it a chance to grace the White House collection of the people’s right to bear arms!”
Yes, Katrina was a disaster, And so was Abu Ghraib. Enron. Blank checks to Halliburton. Rumsfeld. Cheney. Secret oil deals. War profiteering. Bank and Hedge fund bailouts. Rendition. Oops – Invaded Iraq not bin laden’s stronghold. 47M uninsured.
“Hey, s_it happens!”
There is a saying (from the bible) that you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. I will like to add that "you shall say the truth and the truth shall set us free".
During the Primaries till now, CNN's new anchors (and those of other news media) chose to overplay Obama's statement that he will be willing to sit down unconditionally with our enemies and talk with them. The overplays and resulting commentaries distorted Obama's intention with the statement so much so that he was frequently forced to explain what he meant. The news media took his statement to mean that he was weak on national security and foreign affair policies.
Most media anchors especially those of CNN (permit me to exclude Larry King from the cohorts) and the Republicans pounced on that statement and produced news segments and political advertisements that questioned why Obama should dare make such a statement. They spun the statement to produce doubts about Obama's patriotism, his religion and experiences on both national security and foreign affairs.
Last week, with about six months left, the current administration in an attempt to eek out a legacy for the "likely legacyless" President Bush, decided that it would talk to the Iranian negotiators. Was it a suicidal action on the part of the Bush administration? Did they not realize the implications that this would have on the McCain campaign and the ratings-driven Media commentaries? What it madness or foolery? No. It was a mere exercise of one of the attributes of "truth": you can delay the truth; you can twist the truth; but you can never hide the truth.
Of course, rather than accept that Obama was right to talk with our enemies, the media in an attempt to save face started running commentaries on the issue with such terminologies as "talk", "negotiate" and "a one-time talk". Condeleezza Rice picked on these commentaries and did everything she could to defend the hand that feeds her.
The press (CNN top of the list) did not mention that Obama's statement was exactly that he would "sit down to talk with" our enemies and that he did not say that he would "sit down unconditionally to negotiate with them". So much for Anderson's statement that "we present facts the way we see them and leave you the listener to decide" how authentic the (CNN) reports are.
I believe that more events will occur in the days before November to prove that Obama was right in this and many other issues. What is really wrong in talking to your enemies? I guess this should quiet the critics of Obama on whether he is actually a Christian because Jesus went to the extreme to say that you should not only talk to your enemies but that you should "love and pray" for them.
Again, for those who are not clear (or pretend not to be clear) about what Obama said and what he meant, Obama said that he will talk unconditionally with our enemies (those country-leaders that do not like us) with the intent to reason with them and that he (Obama) would not concede unless there is the likelihood that there were signs that the parties would "give up of current grounds towards a compromising one".
Barack ;
Don’t let them get away with calling you an appeaser. Only idiots don’t talk to their enemies. The more important issue is what you say to them. My father, may he rest in peace, repeatedly told me that you always try to talk to those who want to harm you or have already caused you harm. What you say to them is simply this. "Cut the crap and stop messing around. If you don’t stop, we will hurt you. And then, if you have to, you back up your warning with strong decisive action.."
It’s a simple message and it should be said face to face to any country’s leader. That way, when they look you in the eye, they’ll know you mean what you say.
Bush the Lesser's criticism of Obama's suggestion that our leaders must have discussions with the leaders of all nations merely emphasizes the President's parochial and distorted view of history. Surely Bush the Lesser would encourage discussion with our traditional allies like the ones we had during World War II; allies like Iran, Iraq, USSR, China, and Cuba.
Perhaps Bush the Lesser was refering to our traditional enemies, the ones the United States has declared war against; Mexico (remember the Alamo Mr. Bush?), Spain (remember Teddy and the Rough Riders?), Canada and the United Kingdom (during the War of 1812, the US invaded Canada several times and the Brits captured Detriot and burned Washington). It isn't really clear about Germany. Afterall, Germany assisted the US in the war against the Confederate States of America, but Germany was a bit of a nuisance in 1917 and 1942 before joining NATO.
The lesson of history that Bush the Lesser and McCan't have forgotten, or never learned, is that today's enemy may our ally tomorrow. Our nation fought two bloody wars against the British and the Brits supported the Confederacy before they ever sided with us in a war. There are reasons it's called diplomacy and those reasons are why Bush the Lesser doesn't want to use it; diplomacy requires tact, skill, and intelligence.
I personally resent the labelling of people into inflexible political groups like Liberals, Conservatives, Right or Left. There seems to be an obsession with it on the Vine and in the USA. And it isn't attractive at all because it stops genuine dialogue through name-calling. I am not sure if this is because I am a Brit and here things are done in a much more low-key fashion. One never reveals anything unless one feels one has to.
Even if one might class one's self as a 'Conservative', or 'Labour', one does not say until one is asked, or there is a definite reason to shout it. It means we avoid judging someone superficially, and on a political level, before we actually get to know them because labels are both inclusive and exclusive. Fine when they are inclusive, and everyone feels valued, but when they exclude others for the sake of it, that is totally counter-productive.
Would you declare war on Syria?
It is the president's responsibility to protect the country from clear and present danger. Any force that attacks America will be met with force in the form most suited to the threat. It is not the responsibility of America's armed forces to maintain a flow of oil from the middle east or to protect the buisness interests of multinational corporations outside the US.
If the US suffers another 9/11:
As we saw on 9/11 at all three sites, Americans come together in times of trouble. We have the resources to simultaneously deploy defense personnel, rescue and begin healing our wounded, re-check our warning systems, and pursue our enemy. Americans at the site of the attack come to the aid of the fallen. That is our heritage. Americans have a miniute man mentality: See the enemy, pursue and destroy the enemy, and at the same time heal the wounded, mourn our dead, and rebuild.
On the environment and energy:
I will lead the country in putting solar panels, windmills, and geothermal ducts in every federal building including post offices. Utilities would have to be nationalized before the military would intervene in controling our resources.
Borders:
America is not about fences. We welcome those who can and will work within our system to help America fulfill her promise. Outlaws will not be tolerated. Our prisons are too fine for foreigners. We will send them back to their own countries. In the case of families left behind, children will need a citizen sponsor to stay in the US and be served by our public schools and health systems. Reform is part of our system. Many of our national systems including immigration and Social Security and the tax code are long over due on an overhaul.
About Hillary:
She is too angry and too entrenched in the events that got us to this point to be effective in creating a new dynamic. She will engender new and greater commitment on the part of our enemies. Obama can do better.
This past week Barack Obama has taken some flak for openly stating his willingness to talk to people that Bush has deemed “our enemies” and for his determination to track down Osama Bin Ladin in the hills of Pakistan where he has been hiding in plain site since the attacks of September 11th. In actuality, Obama’s pledge to capture Bin Ladin is one of the most refreshing and common sensical visions of foreign policy we’ve heard in several years. Anyone who watches the news on a daily basis can tell you where Osama Bin Ladin is. President Bush knows his location and so does President Musharraf of Pakistan. They have both turned their backs on the obvious. The fact that he has been allowed to remain there, and rebuild Al Quaeda has been a mockery on the common sense of the American People. The world must think we are naive for knowing the whereabouts of Bin Ladin but not capture the person we accuse of our greatest offense in the modern era. Perhaps Bush has left Bin Ladin hiding in the hills of Pakistan so that he can continue to justify his unjust, life-wasting war in Iraq and his un-winnable “war on terror.” Certainly if the central character of “world wide Islamic terror” is captured, then we would have no reason for continuing an attack on Islam wherever it thrives. Barack Obama’s courage to say he would take the first steps to actually capture Bin Ladin should be congratulated. Instead Hilary Clinton chooses to infantilize him by calling him “naive.” We should be just as direct with our criticism of Hilary Clinton. Let’s be very clear (and vocal) about what Hilary Clinton did say with regards to foreign policy. She stated that she would not tell the American People what her policy would be. This is alarming. We’ve had too many years of secretive and deceptive governmental behavior (Reagan, Bush 1, Bill Clinton and Bush 2). Hillary Clinton is simply another slick politician with plans to promise this country one thing to get elected, then abandon those promises to advance her limited agenda. In her case this agenda is dangerously centrist, bordering on conservative. She may not be naive. She is dishonest. Barack Obama is in no way naive. No one watching our current world situation can be naive at this point. Our innocence has been long lost, stripped by at-home violence and terrorism, racism sanctioned as solution, an admitted liar for a leader, and thousands of young lives lost in one President’s personal crusade. We don’t need any more Presidents who will act unilaterally, hide their decision making process, or lie about their policies to the public. Barack Obama should be praised for his commitment to transparency of governance and policy. His presidency may once again make the citizenry of this country an informed part of our government. What Obama brings us is a sense of courage and accountability, something that desperately needs to be restored to our government and our country.
This New blog segment "Backing up Barack" can be read at http://damaliayo.livejournal.com or http://damaliayo.com/pages/blog_LJ.htm
