Community Guy: Why I’m supporting Barack Obama
yndygo
· 1 year ago
Thanks for writing this - it gives me some insight into some things I was wondering about with regard to what some folks find so appealing about Obama.
Personally, I'm still trying to figure out where I stand on everything - not the issues, but the candidates themselves.
I find it interesting that we presently have four major candidates still in the running: a woman, a black man, a mormon, and a stereotypical old, white, male with military service and senate experience.
I think it's the most diverse field we've ever had at this point in an election process. That alone, is refreshing.
But thanks for the insight! :)
Jake McKee
· 1 year ago
Glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully I've convinced you! :)
Yes, I do love this year's field. Crazy cool.
christopher carfi
· 1 year ago
+1
Clay Shentrup
· 1 year ago
Thanks for articulating your thoughts here. I feel so frustrated by Hillary fans, who seem to think that she is so much more experienced and has more sound policy, whereas Obama's campaign is a facade of hope and rainbows. Well, the reality is that he has plenty of experience, and was speaking out against the war back when Hillary voted for it. What did all that experience do for her then? And why won't she agree with Obama that we should set a time line for withdrawal? Her excuse is that we need to have a prudent exit strategy. Okay, that is insane. The reality is, we are doing harm by being there each additional day. The moment we leave, things will be better. A report commissioned by the state department 2 years ago found that 72% of Iraqis wanted us out. We should be out as soon as humanly possible. Hillary won't set a time line because deep down, she's a borderline neocon. Look at her financial ties to the military-industrial complex.
And why did she vote for the Flag Desecration Amendment? Doesn't she support the right to free speech?
Finally let's face the reality of electability. Why did the prominent Democrats in the conservative states of Kansas and Missouri endorse Obama, along with Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, and many others? They know that Obama will be stronger against a Republican. Hillary is polarizing. The people who dislike her (like me) really really dislike her, and genuinely find her to be pandering and disingenuous. We'll take almost anyone over her.
If you want a Republican president, help nominate Hillary Clinton.
Barack has said that he will stop NASAs moon program. Thats not cool. Tell him not to by using the feedback tools at www.actionforspace.com
Aaron Strout
· 1 year ago
Jake,
Brilliant piece of writing. One of the best posts I think you've ever written (and that's not a criticism of your other articles.) It's time for a change and I am 110% with you that it's worth betting on Obama to make it happen.
I agree that is nice to see a more diversified field this go around (although those of us that live in MA know what a turkey Romney really is) but I have to agree with you, Hillary scares me a bit. Unfortunately, while Bill is the charismatic, intelligent and even-keeled Clinton -- characteristics we've seen less and less of lately -- Hillary has risen to her current prominence through sheer tenacity and determination. Normally, I'd consider those positive traits but I get a sense that she has a tough time backing away from bad decisions (like Iraq.) That's not something I want to see in a president.
Your analogy of Jørgen Vig taking over at Lego in spite of not having a ton of experience is a good one. Sometimes having a storied resume -- especially in politics -- isn't necessarily the secret to success, especially in this age of our new world order.
To that end, I've heard die hard republicans say, "I wish [Obama] were on our side. He's so damn eloquent and inspirational." Amen to that. After eight years of "Dubbya," I'm ready for someone that can make me proud to be an American again.
Best, Aaron (@astrout)
Jake McKee
· 1 year ago
@actionforspace - Obama didn't say he'd stop the NASA moon program, he said he'd delay it. Big difference.
Honestly, as much of a supporter of space exploration as I am, I'd like to see more thought put into this moon-mars program. It was thrown out in 2004 by Bush in the hopes of building his own legacy, not to do anything truly impressive.
After the boondoggle that the Shuttle program turned out to be, I'd like to see some real evaluation of where we're going with all of this. The Shuttle was supposed to be the "space truck", inexpensive and frequent. But the program turned into anything but.
But the bigger context here is that tricky thing called reality. We've financed a war on borrowed money. We're in seriously financial trouble due to horrendous Bush policies over the last 8 years, and saying that we need to address that before we shoot WELL beyond any other country's aims, I'd call that smart.
Bryan Person, Bryper.com
· 1 year ago
Hear hear, Jake. What an inspiring post! Obama is getting my vote later today for many of the same reasons. I've also only voted in elections in which a Clinton or a Bush emerged as a victor, and I'm also looking for a new name to lead our nation.
But more importantly, I'm looking for someone who makes me truly believe in the political process, that my vote is actually worth a damn, and that I can make a difference. Obama is doing just that.
Also, just a quick note on a community experiment I'm running on this Super Tuesday... I've opened up a new Twitter account to track the votes from Twitter users: http://twitter.com/Ivoted The concept is simple: Once you've voted, send a message to @Ivoted, and be counted.
Thank you for your words, Jake.
Tom Hanson
· 1 year ago
Though we are inspired by Obama's message of hope we selected him as the best candidate to reform education in America. We took a look at the educational platforms of each of the leading candidates a while back in a three part series at OpenEducation.net:
It is the fact that this man has never uttered a single original thought troubles me. Inspirational or not, comparing this guy to Kennedy is ridiculous. Kennedy could actually articulate his own thoughts and plans, not just parrot everyone else's. Good luck with Obama.
All Comments
Personally, I'm still trying to figure out where I stand on everything - not the issues, but the candidates themselves.
I find it interesting that we presently have four major candidates still in the running: a woman, a black man, a mormon, and a stereotypical old, white, male with military service and senate experience.
I think it's the most diverse field we've ever had at this point in an election process. That alone, is refreshing.
But thanks for the insight! :)
Yes, I do love this year's field. Crazy cool.
And why did she vote for the Flag Desecration Amendment? Doesn't she support the right to free speech?
Finally let's face the reality of electability. Why did the prominent Democrats in the conservative states of Kansas and Missouri endorse Obama, along with Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, and many others? They know that Obama will be stronger against a Republican. Hillary is polarizing. The people who dislike her (like me) really really dislike her, and genuinely find her to be pandering and disingenuous. We'll take almost anyone over her.
If you want a Republican president, help nominate Hillary Clinton.
http://www.digpicphoto.com/barack_obama.htm
Brilliant piece of writing. One of the best posts I think you've ever written (and that's not a criticism of your other articles.) It's time for a change and I am 110% with you that it's worth betting on Obama to make it happen.
I agree that is nice to see a more diversified field this go around (although those of us that live in MA know what a turkey Romney really is) but I have to agree with you, Hillary scares me a bit. Unfortunately, while Bill is the charismatic, intelligent and even-keeled Clinton -- characteristics we've seen less and less of lately -- Hillary has risen to her current prominence through sheer tenacity and determination. Normally, I'd consider those positive traits but I get a sense that she has a tough time backing away from bad decisions (like Iraq.) That's not something I want to see in a president.
Your analogy of Jørgen Vig taking over at Lego in spite of not having a ton of experience is a good one. Sometimes having a storied resume -- especially in politics -- isn't necessarily the secret to success, especially in this age of our new world order.
To that end, I've heard die hard republicans say, "I wish [Obama] were on our side. He's so damn eloquent and inspirational." Amen to that. After eight years of "Dubbya," I'm ready for someone that can make me proud to be an American again.
Best,
Aaron (@astrout)
More info on this here:
http://tinyurl.com/2zrfqd
Honestly, as much of a supporter of space exploration as I am, I'd like to see more thought put into this moon-mars program. It was thrown out in 2004 by Bush in the hopes of building his own legacy, not to do anything truly impressive.
After the boondoggle that the Shuttle program turned out to be, I'd like to see some real evaluation of where we're going with all of this. The Shuttle was supposed to be the "space truck", inexpensive and frequent. But the program turned into anything but.
But the bigger context here is that tricky thing called reality. We've financed a war on borrowed money. We're in seriously financial trouble due to horrendous Bush policies over the last 8 years, and saying that we need to address that before we shoot WELL beyond any other country's aims, I'd call that smart.
But more importantly, I'm looking for someone who makes me truly believe in the political process, that my vote is actually worth a damn, and that I can make a difference. Obama is doing just that.
Also, just a quick note on a community experiment I'm running on this Super Tuesday... I've opened up a new Twitter account to track the votes from Twitter users: http://twitter.com/Ivoted The concept is simple: Once you've voted, send a message to @Ivoted, and be counted.
Thank you for your words, Jake.
http://www.openeducation.net/2007/12/12/obama-o...
http://www.openeducation.net/2007/12/11/the-edu...
http://www.openeducation.net/2007/12/10/the-edu...
Perhaps your readers may be of interest.
Tom Hanson
Editor
OpenEducation.net