House Cleaning Time

Yes, its that time of year, spring arrives, bringing with it pollen, insects and politicians. Early voting is taking place already for some races and in some areas.

However, this year is an election year like no other. The president, house, and senate are all facing record low approval ratings. Our President is more intent on blaming the previous administration then actually fixing any problems. Our beloved senators and representatives are more concerned with their career then the opinions of the people who voted them in.

In this, they have made a mistake. The American people, quite frankly, are fed up with the way the government has been acting for really the past 20 or so years. Each year we slip further and further from who we are, what we are, and where we were. Our economy is collapsing, jobs are fleeing across the borders, while immigrants are illegally entering. Healthcare reform was rammed down our throats even while wild promises are made and floated by on breezes.

I propose here and now, it it time to clean house. For the next 2 years elections, every incumbent is voted out. Its time that as Americans, we send the message to them, do your job or your career will be very short. Start at the city/local level and move up to the top, voting them out left and right. It doesn't matter if you vote for a republican, or a democrat, or even an independent. What matter is that the message is sent to them, no more. We will stand for this no more.

And when you new mayors and governors, senators, police chiefs and staff take your oaths and your office, do so knowing you are being watched very closely. Know that we want our freedoms back, we want our soldiers back, we want our economy back. We want government bailouts to quite going to corporate America and instead if you so choose, go to the people of America. We want to technologically move forward to reduce dependency on foreign oil. We want fairness for all people, not special treatment.

This election, please get out and vote. Send a peaceful message to Washington, to your state, to your city. Do not get involved with violence, that time is not here. Violence will only cause more violence, and retaliation, and newscasters belittling your true intentions. Let your vote do your talking.

Meet and Greet Candidates

Tonight at the knoxville expo center on clinton highway and merchants drive there will be a gathering of aspiring politicians. Mayor and governor candidates among them.

So, here is some questions that will be asked to some of you, questions I have concerns about, and questions I think need to be asked.

Governor Candidates:

1. What is your plan to start rebate programs similar to those in California for purchasing electric/hybrid vehicles.

2. What is your plan to start a rebate program similar to those around the country for installation of solar/alt energy sites?

3. Do you plan to try a state income tax? Why or why not?

4. What is your plan to bring in new business to Tennessee?

5. What is your stance on those who live in the state, who are here illegally?

6. How are you going to ensure graduating Tennessee high schoolers are prepared for college?

For mayor candidates

1. Are you willing to do what it takes to bring tourism to knoxville such as chattanooga has done?

2. Are you willing to look into alternate energy and electric fleet vehicles?

3. Are you going to prioritize the school system?

Tennessee Governors Race

Tennessee's governors race is beginning to heat up, and as usual there is a full range of people running. We have everything from politicians, to lawyers to retired doctors.

I will begin keeping track of the candidates, posting about them and their goings on, but will especially be giving special attention to the independents and the ones without the large campaign funds, without the big names, who may be a better choice.

The country itself is struggling currently, so states need to make sure business is taken care of at home. Personally myself, and many people I know are sick of government lies, hiding issues, stepping around issues, and completely screwing the people over.

Tennessee like so many others is facing the same problems. Unemployment, immigration, drug problems, crime, loss of farmland, loss of industry, and general loss of the way of life.

What I want to see in a governor is one who understands and listens to the people, who won't spend state money for frivolous endeavors, who will work hard to bring industry to the state, and will work to make the state a clean, safe, beautiful, and energy efficient state.

Tennessee is in a unique capacity for leading the country in energy efficiency. This is in a large part to the research facilities in the Knoxville area. The University of Tennessee, Electric Power Research Institute, Tennessee Valley Authority, Oak Ride National Lab, and so many others are leaders in technology innovation, energy savings, energy production, and research. The new governor needs to realize this and work to bring the focus of the East Tennessee area into bringing in more industry and research. We need, as a state to develop and pursue alternate forms of energy, define and establish a recycling program that is not a hodgepodge of other left over programs. We need to focus on families, providing help for those that need it. We need to push for land conservation, and continuing to embrace and protect the Smoky Mountains.

We need to look forward while embracing our past. We need to build the future on the building blocks of the past. We have so many strengths as a state, it will be a shame to let them go to waste.

Revenge of the truthers

All across conspiracy boards truthers are in fits of joy. Somebody was seen on msnb shout 9-11 was an inside job.

What is a truther do you ask? Well, a truther is a self proclaimed seeker of truth concerning 9-11. They believe all sorts of things, from mini-nukes in the towers, to bombs, to cheney controlling it all, standing down norad, etc etc.

I am not going to waste my time addressing the nutjobs and nutcases, so will reference them here. Now, the sad thing is a lot of the people that believe this, now believe that Obama will be the chosen one who will bust open this scheme and expose the rotten government for what they are. Yet another group of people placing their religious faith in an untried, unproven candidate. He is not the messiah people, he is a politician. In 4 years from now, will you still feel the same? I have no doubt he will make an impact, it just won't be as severe as y'all think.

And the truthers? Don't try to argue with them, they bring up 1000's of webapges from self professed experts and believe them all. And heaven forbid, dont point out the contradictions between them.

Barack Obama King of Obamalot

King Arthur, the legendary king of Camelot has been reborn as Barack Obama, king of Obamalot. Sounds rather silly, and I agree, but the name is catchy. It has started to catch on in blogs, even some press articles.

Why the hype? Do people believe in Obama the man? Or do they believe in Obama the politician. There is no doubt the man is one of the greatest speakers in recent memory, possibly even surpassing Bill Clinton. Or have we just become so used to the past 8 years that anybody that can string together sentences with passion has become such a relief? Obama has this ability to inspire, to make people feel what they think they have been missing. He can bring tears to eyes, cheers to throats, and normally impassioned people talk about him with a fever bordering on fanaticism. Like King Arthur of old, he speaks about change, equality, salvation. But to date, that is all he has done, merely spoken the words. Pretty words, words that people want to hear, but words none the less.

Obama's more fervent followers have an almost fanatical approach to them. Mention one word against him, and they attack, rabidly tearing out your throat. It is border line a religion. This can be quite dangerous. Passion can only carry so far, at some point people need substance. People need to see or hear that within the first three months, this is what he is going to do, and how he will accomplish it. Then a 6 month plan, and a 1 year plan, and so on and so forth. For so long all we hear is what is wrong, and how candidate A is better then candidate B.

I watched Obama's speech last night, then re-read the text of that speech this morning. It is a totally different experience reading without observing his gestures, hearing the inflictions in his voice, and observing the crowd. In black and white, he didn't have a lot if anything concrete. Oh he mentions cutting government spending, eliminating this or that, but no mention how. His ideals on energy are very similar to McCain's, though neither candidate will admit it. They both will continue the war on terror. They will both push for nuke energy, clean coal, and alternate energy. There is a difference concerning Iraq, but more in the fact of a timetable versus no timetable.

When election time comes, I truly hope people vote with their heads, and not their hearts. Take the time to review each candidate, their past, their voting record, their experience, and what they say now. Remember they are politicians, and will say what they need to say to get elected.

Sarah Palin Republican VP

Alaskan governor Sarah Palin has been asked and has accepted the VP nomination with John McCain. In my opinion this was a very risky political move. She is relatively young, inexperienced, and has ties through her husband to oil companies. I understand the thoughts behind a female VP, but why not a more experienced one?

John McCain is relatively old, and not in the greatest of health. This means if anything were to happen to him, this untried governor would suddenly find herself the president. She is in her first term as governor, even less experience then the media's golden boy, Obama. Biden will more then likely destroy her in the VP debate.

The one thing he did do by choosing her, is took race and gender( hopefully ) out of the equation. One way or the other this is a historic election, and will see either the first female VP, or the first non white president. Hopefully race will not play apart of this, either for or against either candidate. It needs to be focused entirely on the merits and stances of both candidates.

Governor Palin is currently in some controversy in her home state involving the mishandling of a fired state employee. Depending on this plays out, and believe me, the media will go after it, will also have an impact on the election.

Quite an unusual choice, one that will bear watching in the coming weeks.

Olympics

I have to say, even with all the controversy, the olympics have still been a fun watch. I do have serious issues with the gymnastics judging though. Nobody could figure out how they were giving the chinese gymnast the scores they were. Don't get me wrong, they were good, just not that good.

In addition, the female gymnast are not 16, no matter what the chinese government says. Too many people have found proof that the girls are between 12 and 14 years old. Which in my opinion should invalidate all the chinese gold from womens gymnastics.

On a positive note, huge kudos to Michael Phelps and the womens beach volleyball teams. Very outstanding work.