Posts Tagged ‘politics’
Excerpt from Syracuse.com / The Post-Standard
I have vivid memories of September 11, 2001. As a third grader, I understood very little about the details of the situation, but I certainly knew enough to be afraid and saddened by the events. The losses were devastating, and to this day I grieve for the victims and their families.
However, we now find ourselves almost nine years into a war whose benefits remain questionable to me. The War in Afghanistan began when the United States stepped in to protect its citizens, to combat terrorism, and to capture bin Laden.
Contributed by Cary Briel / Skaneateles
The Jewish Alliance for Change, a pro-Obama group, is launching a series of three ads in swing states that use humor and celebrity narration to go after John McCain. An ad titled “Ain’t Funny — Vice President” features old-time movie and TV stars such as Carl Reiner, Danny Devito, and Jerry Stiller riffing on topics ranging from the price of gas (“it costs more than the car”) to health care and Sarah Palin. “He wants to put that girl who winks in the second position,” says Reiner, of Oceans 11, 12, and 13 fame, “Oh God, we are in trouble.”
Continue reading...Contributed by Peter Hurley
I picked up my phone the other day to find out whether my bank had been taken over by Gerbils Financial Planners and unintentionally overheard this international cell phone conversation between two aspiring ancients:
U: How are you Mr. President. It’s been some time since our last conversation.
W: I’m getting too old for this U, but me and the Mrs. are hanging in. I particularly want to thank you for that favor you did me. You know. Hiding in that cave in Perkistan. My guys couldn’t find a haystack in a needle, so we can keep on playing this game for twenty years.
U: And I have to thank you for fulfilling all my dreams. The U.S. economy is in the tank; civil liberties destroyed; the global financial system in tatters; Colombia and other countries ridiculing America, throwing off the yoke of American Imperialism. It’s the paradise I have always dreamed of. The world is screaming for the caliphate.
W: And don’t you dare get caught now. We need a bogeyman and you fill that bill beautifully. Me and McCain are already planning another fear campaign, because we’re gonna go for a trillion dollar defense budget after he’s elected. The generals tell me we need a large military base on Mars to prevent them UFO invasions.
Continue reading...
I have never understood negative campaigning and why it’s being done. I know, I know, people tell me – and commentators tell us – that voters love it and that it works. Well, what I have seen lately on the news, read in newspapers, and have seen on videos on the Internet makes me more than worried about the path this election is taking.
Today I have watched a video in which a journalist interviewed participants at a McCain/ Palin rally. Supporters were asked if they thought Senator Obama is a terrorist. Some claimed that he is, others said that he could be. One woman, being asked why she thinks Obama is a terrorist, added “it’s in his blood, can’t you see that.”
Why do some supporters of the McCain/Palin ticket believe that Senator Obama is a terrorist? Well, unfortunately they heard from Governor Palin that Obama “pals around with terrorists” while Senator McCain would ask the question “Who is the real Barack Obama?” Both, as we know, referred to Obama’s association with William Ayers who, in the 1960s when Barack Obama was eight years old, was the leader of the radical anti-Vietnam war group “Weather Underground.” The then fugitive leader of this group is now a university professor and a highly respected educational reformer. Some of his projects include Peace School, a small alternative educational program that had its curriculum center on a United Nations theme.
By: Christine Briel / Skaneateles Design
You’ve probably heard a lot about Barack Obama, but here’s a video relating to Michelle! View more videos relating to the Obamas here.
By: Cary Briel / Skaneateles Design
FOX news recently broadcast a segment that included FOX News contributor Liz Trotta suggesting and laughing about the the possibility of Barack Obama being assassinated. Many have suggested that FOX should sack her for the comment. There are also news reports suggesting that she may be under investigation by the Secret Service for the comment. Click here to watch the the segment of the FOX interview, and also sign the petition asking FOX to sack her. I personally don’t understand how this could be a humorous subject, whether or not she supports Obama. First Clinton carelessly referencing the topic, and now Trotta.
UPDATE: Check here for an article relating to how much attention this issue is getting on youtube.
By Cary Briel / Skaneateles Design
I secretly admire people who have a simple name (read, normal). I wish I had a simple name, such as Joe, or Tim. Steve, John, Hank, Bill… anything simple! Or, just anything that wouldn’t need to be spelled out. It’s not only the first name that’s the problem. C-A-R-Y B-R-I-E-L. C-A-R-Y B-R-I-E-L. C-A-R-Y B-R-I-E-L. AHHHHHH… !!! Do you feel sorry for me yet? I didn’t think so. Lately with all the angry earth stuff going on in the world (devastating storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, and wildfires), as well as economic issues here in the US (rising oil prices, high foreclosure rates, declining US dollar, ongoing war), my needing to spell out my name when asked doesn’t seem to be a hugely important issue. But, then, there’s those times when I am asked for both name and address. For example, when I need to place an order for some totally unnecessary mail order item over the phone. Then it’s the full, C-A-R-Y B-R-I-E-L, 1570 Coon Hill Road, S-K-A-N-E-A-T-E-L-E-S, New York. If you live in Skaneateles, you know the drill well. It doesn’t matter if your name is Joe Smith, you’re still spelling out Skaneateles to every non-local. You may also notice that whenever Skaneateles is in print, you will often see a pronunciation key (such as, skan-ee-AT’-les), so that people outside of the area don’t suffer a brain implosion trying to pronounce the word. Today I found a pronunciation key on Newsday.com, but not in a good way. The article was detailing the William Milham sentence, a story apparently sensational enough to find its way to AP syndication. Read the article here, despite the unappealing promotion of Skaneateles, including a pronunciation key, to be sure that people will pronounce our town name correctly when talking about the issue.
