Public Policy

What a whirlwind in the Presidential election ‘08! Obama, sorry fellow Republicans, he did great last night whether we like it or not. There were a few times the conflict between his “change” theme but still propping up liberal culture war talking points made me groan. However, Obama is a statesman. He knows how to talk and compel people in a way we haven’t seen in a long time.

and McCain? … wowsers!

I think his pick of Sarah Palin was an *amazing* move. I have only seen her a few times but was impressed with her each time. I have slowly, but increasingly, been getting enthused with the McCain campaign. Now, I am totally energized.

Somebody on Fox News said this was like a great novel. I totally agree… GREAT plot twists, interesting characters and epic. And, … I wonder what Hillary thought/said when she found out the news concerning Palin?

I watched the speech last night and I wondered why Joe went on and on about his family but why he didn’t mention his Dad? That is a true thought that came to mind during his speech. His Mom was cute … she obviously loved her son and was enjoying the moment. If he mentioned his Dad I don’t remember it.

I felt sympathy and shades of empathy for Senator Biden during his speech when he was talking about his home life and the tragedy of the early death of his first wife. His son was amazingly moving when recounting his memories of his Dad during that time. However, there has always been something about Biden that just hit me as a little fake. I am not sure I quite believe everything else he is saying.

Now … Ann is … well … Ann. She really tears into him regarding the allegations of plagiarism against him. Here she is on a part of his family life he didn’t share. The quote and more thoughts after the jump.

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This is an excellent blogpost and a good reality check for those who blog. I love the Problogger blog and find it helpful even for us non-pro bloggers :). At the end of the post they ask,

Have you ever had a ‘defining moment’ in your blogging? What did you learn? What decisions did you make? How have you gone since changing your approach?

[From Authentic Blogging]

I have had many defining moments blogging but the first one that came to mind is a recent conclusion about blogging public policy. I realized I really didn’t like blogging about it anymore :). My opinions on such matters didn’t change. I haven’t stopped following or working toward accomplishing specific goals … offline. I still have a McCain “widget” in the sidebar of my blog but … you haven’t seen a whole lot of extensive public policy tracking lately on purpose.

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Somehow the huge increase has always been there and not known so that equals the same old same old just more of it … right? I love spin doctors (emphasis mine): More thoughts after the jump.

The improved science will allow more real-time monitoring of HIV infections. Now, CDC officials say, the estimate will likely be updated every year.

Yearly estimates allow better recognition of trends in the U.S. epidemic. For example, the new report found that infections are falling among heterosexuals and injection drug users.

Some experts celebrated that finding, saying it’s a tribute to prevention efforts, including nearly 200 syringe exchange programs now operating in 36 states despite a federal ban on funding for such projects.

But they also lamented the CDC’s finding that infections continue to increase in gay and bisexual men, who accounted for more than half of HIV infections in 2006. Also, more than a third of those with HIV are younger than 30.

Some advocates say that suggests a need for more prevention efforts, particularly targeting younger gay and bisexual men.

For years, AIDS was considered a terrifying death sentence, and since 1981, more than half a million Americans have died. But medicines that became available in the 1990s turned it into a manageable chronic condition for many Americans, and attention shifted to Africa and other parts of the world.

[From CDC Underestimates Number Of US HIV Cases | 365 Gay News hat tip: Joe.My.God (gay blog)]

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Commentary from FRC after the jump …

Supporters of Proposition 8, the proposed state constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, said they would file suit today to block a change made by California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown to the language of the measure’s ballot title and summary.

Petitions circulated to qualify the initiative for the ballot said the measure would amend the state Constitution “to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

[From Opponents of gay marriage say they'll sue over changed wording in Proposition 8 - Los Angeles Times]

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THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE

Generally, I enjoy the X-Files. I am not cult-ish about it but I think, if you have read my blog more than twice, you know that I like very weird metaphors, odd stories and finding any hint of light in complete darkness.

It’s just how I roll.

This movie was really an episode that went too long. It was like the script was made for television’s 41 minutes (a usual hour show has around 20 minutes of commercials … so I hear.) I am saying that because at one point I was thinking, “this is the longest hour and 40 minutes ever!” Then I thought, “Just think of it as an episode, not comparing it to the last major film.”

Then I was cool. I actually got into it. Then it …

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Seemingly, in Canada, not only can you be punished for speaking out about your religious convictions concerning sexuality, you can be banned from ever communicating about them ever again.

From the Exodus: Live Out Loud Blog:

“Mr. Boissoin and The Concerned Christian Coalition Inc. shall cease publishing in newspapers, by e-mail, on the radio, in public speeches, or on the Internet, in future, disparaging remarks about gays and homosexuals. Further, they shall not and are prohibited from making disparaging remarks in the future about … Lund or … Lund’s witnesses relating to their involvement in this complaint. Further, all disparaging remarks versus homosexuals are directed to be removed from current Web sites and publications of Mr. Boissoin and The Concerned Christian Coalition Inc…”

Read the whole article >>

[From Exodus: Live Out Loud: Canadian Pastor Fined; Christians Banned from Voicing Biblical Opposition]

It is wrong for any “state” to impose punishment on any communication of religious belief (wrong-headed or not). What I am addressing here isn’t about what exactly the man said, it’s about his freedom (and now lack thereof) to say it without being punished. They acknowledged that what he did wasn’t “criminal” and yet they fined him $5,000 and forbade him to ever speak on the subject again.

I am all for toning down hateful rhetoric and trying to have civil dialog but I am not for having the state impose silence on *any* viewpoint.

Aren’t we all adults quite capable of hearing what we might consider offensive, even deeply offensive, and move on? There isn’t an inalienable right to not be offended… for anyone. If you can’t remain a solid stable and secure person because someone is saying offensive things, then perhaps you need a counselor … not a nanny state with thought police disguised as Human Rights Tribunals.

For those gay activists who dismissed the warning bells of religious persecution and the undermining of freedom of speech … what do you say now?

Don’t forget, this is starting to happen here in the States ( on a state but soon to be federal level) as well.

A friend forwarded me the poll from Quinnipiac University. The poll itself asked a lot of questions about the state of Florida politics but this was the one concerning the Marriage Amendment.

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Is it me or is this … like … cheesy?  I already view the ACLU as an opponent but “blog of rights?” I hate to say  this but … I will.  Their slogan is a lame opportunistic derivative of our hallowed Bill of Rights.  And if you keep rebranding something so amazing as the Bill of Rights, the re-branding threatens to water down the importance of the original. Nowadays the Bill of Rights seem to have been co-opted to the point of any strong desire with the loudest voice is now becoming a “right.” 

They are kind of acting like the guy who decided to make a buck by putting the grandeur of a Monet painting on a mouse pad.

Just throw $9.99 at the ACLU and they will attack any Christian you want … well except for Fred Phelps.

All that aside, I know true Freedom.  He’s a great blogger in that He has millions of bloggers taking up His Cause.