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[He] was bound for the Middle East, a region steeped in myths, an area that few Westerners of his time had ever visited, much less penetrated in depth. What, beside hardship and hostility, did he expect to find there? What similarities of history, theology, and culture could possibly bind these distant, alien lands to the United States? And what sort of common future might these seemingly incompatible sections of the globe, America and the Middle East, forge?
Sunset at Birzeit
Olive Groves in Nablus
The Message of Bil'in
Painting in Jericho
Children of Conflict
Hebron - Checkpoint 56
In the Future
-Bias and Perspective
-Iraq and Germany
-Back to Bil'in
-Dangerous "Facts"
-Palestinian Acceptance
-Carter and Obama
-McCain's Foreign Policy
-Jenin, Jenin
-Indecision Birzeit
-The Fall of Fateh
-Iraq and Germany
-Back to Bil'in
-Dangerous "Facts"
-Palestinian Acceptance
-Carter and Obama
-McCain's Foreign Policy
-Jenin, Jenin
-Indecision Birzeit
-The Fall of Fateh
Inform Yourself
- Two Cousins, Ten Questions
- 24 Steps to Liberty
- Active Stills
- Al-Jazeera News
- Bitter Lemons
- Days Are Countries
- End the Occupation
- Global Voices
- Healing Iraq
- If America Knew
- IMEU
- ISM
- Live From Palestine
- Maan News Agency
- Middle East Report
- Palestine Blogs
- Prospects for Peace
- Right 2 Education
- Shira's Blog
- Stop The Wall
- Think Progress
- This Week in Palestine
- United for Peace and Justice
- Urduni in Balata
- Yalla Journal
5 comments:
I wouldn't be posting Barack Obama's recored if you are trying to get people TO VOTE for him :)
I'm not sure how this could possibly silence the critics of Obama. All I see is busy work by a junior senator.
I read through the article, but it does not change my position. In fact, it only makes my convictions stronger. Looking through the list of "successful" bills Obama has passed, I find something I like to call Mulligan Bills. Basically, it is a gimme vote. Anyone, of any party, could have developed these logical supported bills and got them to pass. The substance of the bills prove nothing of his positions, which he continues to mask throughout this political season.
He has been aware, for quite some time, that he would be running for president of the United States. If I were him, I'd spend my time writing and passing Mulligan Bills too. Makes you look like you care.
But, at least he saved kids from lead. You have that going for you :)
Ryan:
"I wouldn't be posting Barack Obama's recored if you are trying to get people TO VOTE for him :)"
You are obviously not a democrat. Therefore, I have to make a really tough educated guess and say that Barack is not trying to get your vote. Sure, he wouldn't turn it away, but he isn't expecting to get the conservative christian suburban school teacher demographic vote, am I right? :)
Anyway, this is what political campaigns are about. NONE of the candidates is ideal. To be that, he or she would have to please everybody.
Instead of simply criticizing the content of Barack's campaign, why don't you point out reasons why your candidate is better? I'd be interested in hearing those viewpoints.
In my opinion, campaigns are only minorly about the candidate's viewpoints. Each person only has to do what the people want and be charismatic. You could be the most righteous, compassionate, intelligent, and rational human being, but if you aren't charismatic and don't know how to handle the TV, newspapers, and internet, then you don't have a chance.
You even acknowledge this, with "If I were him, I'd spend my time writing and passing Mulligan Bills too. Makes you look like you care." You don't think McCain, or Huckabee does the same thing? They are catering to the people who contribute to their campaign while trying to maintain a public image of decency.
And you know what? Explaining this makes me just hate the system. Because I feel compelled to sit here and type out my viewpoints to you (and, from past experience, I understand you have no interest in deep discussion unless you can find a way to reconcile it with your own views and beliefs), because I'm doing this, I want to just stop. I'm wasting my energy, and I may regret this post tomorrow, but I don't care, because I'm sick and tired of it.
I'm sick of people putting so much effort and energy into the obviously corrupt political system. Charisma is what matters in the elections, and the ability to manipulate the system.
ugh. I'm going to go finish my homework. good day.
"conservative christian suburban school teacher"
Well, you got 4 of the words right to describe me. However, I must disagree with conservative. I many cases I tend to lean more moderate and I am an independent at heart.
In fact, since you talk as though you know me and my intelligence, I have voted Democrat in every election I have been apart of. Of course, with a few Republicans in local and State elections as well. So, by no means am I a hardcore partyline elector.
I'm speaking up against Barack (and his weak political portfolio) because I have a right, for one, and I am able to see past the hype that has carried with Obama since 2004.
I understand politics Dave, and you are right, this is a very corrupt system. Evidence by Barack Obama leading the polls and possibly being the next President.
I would love to speak of my candidates in this forum. However, I am not going to take up "blog" space. Maybe in another venue.
On second thought, here are some of the reasons I support Mike Huckabee (and no, I do not agree with all his positions or policies).
First, he (like Barack) is a great speaker and exudes charisma. Second, he was Lt. Governor for 3 years and then Governor for 10. He has experience in running a state government, which (although on a smaller scale) has many of the same agencies as our federal government. Third, he wears his faith on his sleeve. He is honest. He doesn't do the Sunday morning press conference in the local congregation to receive the Christian vote (Barack, Hillary). Even though a Christian politician, he governs his people with regards to all religions and does not make it an issue (except in the case of abortion, school prayer, and civil unions).
Here are some other topics I support that come straight from Huckabee and his current and prior policies. Now some are philosophical ideas and others are philosophical ideas that have been used as governing tools:
~Will lead fight for constitutional ban on abortion. (Feb 2008)
~No tax funding for organizations that promote abortion. (Sep 2007)
~Eliminate public funding for abortion organizations. (Nov 2002)
~steered AR from $200M deficit to an $850M surplus. (Jan 2008)
~To reduce spending, get rid of IRS & revamp DHS. (Nov 2007)
~Uphold commitments to states before other spending. (Sep 2001)
~No civil unions; only one-man-one-woman marriage. (Nov 2002)
~Build more prisons, and privatize their management. (Nov 2002)
~Supports flexible federal block grants for crime programs. (Sep 2001)
~Death penalty is necessary part of criminal justice system. (Sep 2007)
~Treatment for drug use instead of incarceration. (Jan 2001)
~Increased school taxes, by court order, and schools improved. (Dec 2007)
~Education is a state issue, not a federal issue. (Dec 2007)
~AR improved test scores (2007)
~Comprehensive plan for energy independence within ten years. (Jan 2008)
~More funding to develop domestic energy supplies. (Sep 2001)
~Support State Revolving Loan Fund for flexible Clean Water. (Aug 2001)
~Follow Boy Scout rule: leave earth better than we found it. (May 2007)
~Federal funds & state involvement in fatherhood initiatives. (Aug 2001)
~Get as many views as possible regarding foreign policy. (Dec 2007)
~Demand accountability from Pakistan for our $10B. (Nov 2007)
~Not yet ready for two-state solution for Israel & Palestine. (Nov 2007)
~We answer to our Constitution, not to international law. (Sep 2007)
~Don't pressure Israel to give up land for promise of peace. (Sep 2007)
~Not the job of the US to export our form of government. (Aug 2007)
~Support Israel as strategic ally, but respect Palestine. (Jan 2007)
~As governor, visited 41 countries & met with heads of state. (Jan 2006)
~Fair trade includes lead-free products & playing by rules. (Jan 2008)
~A free country must feed, fuel, & fight for itself. (Dec 2007)
~We need fair trade because we're losing jobs. (Oct 2007)
~This country can never yield its sovereignty for any reason. (Sep 2007)
~Trade sanctions on Saudi Arabia for persecuting Christians. (Sep 2007)
~China trade contingent on human rights & product safety. (Sep 2007)
~No NAFTA Superhighway from Canada to Mexico. (Sep 2007)
~Govern by "Regnat Populus," AR's motto "The People Rule". (Jun 2007)
~Honor the Tenth Amendment & strengthen the states. (May 2007)
~ Change House terms to 4 years, to avoid constant campaigning. (Nov 1992)
~Allow concealed carry. (Nov 2002)
~Ok to ban smoking from workplaces, but not to ban smoking. (Feb 2008)
~Oppose mandated health insurance and universal coverage. (Sep 2007)
~Guaranteed medical care not government's responsibility. (Nov 2002)
~Supports consumer-driven "medical IRA" with tax-free money. (Nov 1992)
~Pathway to citizenship must start at back of line, out of US. (Dec 2007)
~Focus on demand: penalize employers of illegal immigrants. (Sep 2007)
~More R&D & tax incentives for small farmers. (Sep 2001)
~Personalization of retirement funds, not privatization. (Oct 2007)
~Replace payroll tax & fund Social Security with FairTax. (Sep 2007)
~Raised Arkansas taxes 5 times, but lowered taxes 94 times. (Jan 2007)
~Eliminated AR marriage penalty & capital gains on home sales. (Jan 2007)
~Post every federal expenditure on Internet within 24 hours. (Feb 2008)
~Re-establish diplomatic ties to Iran, so we can move forward. (Jan 2008)
~Go after al Qaeda's safe havens in Pakistan. (Jan 2008)
~Stay in Iraq because we're winning; we lose if we walk away. (Dec 2007)
~Train & arm Kurds to prevent cross-border PKK incursions. (Oct 2007)
~Attack Iran's nukes even if Congress says no. (Oct 2007)
~Deal with terrorism as a joint federal-state responsibility. (Feb 2001)
~Include states in anti-terrorism planning. (Sep 2001)
~First Amendment never intended to shut out voices of faith. (Jan 2007)
These, along with many other reasons, are why I support Huckabee.
Huckabee, however, will not get the nomination. Therefore, although more lax in policy on certain issues...I will support McCain.
The reason I speak out against Obama is because he is in a position of influence and obviously bringing people into the idea of change. However, he has done little change to be promoting such big (sometimes fantasy related) change. I do not agree on his ideas of foreign policy, healthcare, education, and economic issues dealing with taxes and under privelaged spending.
My statements were obviously not explained in detail, but the resources are easily available if questioned.
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