Homeland Security

Nearly hidden in the introduction to Obama's acceptance speech was a single sentence by Senator Durbin that alluded to an issue that I have been concentrating on for the past few weeks. This relates to the loss of personal liberty by US citizens in the name of increased security. I've written on this topic repeatedly in recent weeks. This morning I looked deeper into Obama's website to see what the candidate has to say about this issue. Here is the statement quoted directly from the website:

Barack Obama believes that we must provide law enforcement the tools it needs to investigate, disrupt, and capture terrorists, but he also believes we need real oversight to avoid jeopardizing the rights and ideals of all Americans. There is no reason we cannot fight terrorism while maintaining our civil liberties. Unfortunately, the current administration has abused the powers given to it by the USA PATRIOT Act. A March 2007 Justice Department audit found the FBI improperly and, in some cases, illegally used the PATRIOT Act to secretly obtain personal information about American citizens. As president, Barack Obama would revisit the PATRIOT Act to ensure that there is real and robust oversight of tools like National Security Letters, sneak-and-peek searches, and the use of the material witness provision. 

This is a statement that I strongly support. It provides a good balance between the need to protect us from terrorist activities while, at the same time, protecting us from unwanted and unneeded government intervention into our private lives. I would invite you to look into the statements of John McCain on this subject. Does he have a similar sensitivity to the loss of personal liberty by US citizens?

A Wonderful Night

After putting up with over 30 minutes of petty, Rovish, McCain campaign videos today (I watched them twice—can you believe it!) the evening came and I had little expectation about what was to unfold. First, there was the dramatic entrance of Ted Kennedy into the hall and his strong, impassioned speech, then Michele Obama's speech that hit a home run in my opinion. All to be capped off by the kids talking impromptu with their dad via the big screen. It was a night that gives me hope.

Sure, I know that even now, there are elves in the Rove camp cooking up small-minded stuff to fill the minds of a sedated population, but just for tonight I have hope that truth will prevail over lies and misrepresentation. Just for tonight.

Later: Yes, just as I predicted, the Rovian elves are very busy creating their usual brand of trash. Its all there in this New York Times article. CLICK HERE

Republican Swift Boating

Many people I talk with here in Santa Fe, NM say that they can't believe that the Republicans can win yet another presidential election, given the complete failure of the Bush administration over the past eight years. I have news for you if you believe that.

I've just watched over 30 minutes of the ads the McCain campaign are going to put out in coming days and they are very effective in distorting and trivializing Obama's positions. Never mind the flood of ads that will come from the shadowy groups that have helped to distort previous elections. Those will be even dirtier, I'm sure. But here is a quick rundown of the official ads that the McCain campaign has approved:

Several ads intercut the high points of Obama's speeches with cuts of Charlton Heston as Moses parting the Red Sea. The effect is to ridicule Obamas ability as a public speaker.

Several ads take little 5 second sound bites from various Obama speeches to create the impression that he is constantly changing positions. These are intercut with red screens accusing him of twisting his positions to fit the occasion.

One shows a woman holding a Hillary sign and saying that since she is not available that she will vote for a proven leader. With this she shows that she is holding a McCain sign beneath the Hillary sign. She then says its OK to switch parties.

The McCain ads seldom point to Republican positions on how to move our country beyond its current dire situation, and those that do distort McCain's positions, such as the ad that intercuts McCain with footage of wind generators. Never mind that McCain has consistently opposed alternative energy research and development. Some ads even claim that McCain will bring policies that protect the environment.

I recommend that you go to the McCain website and watch several of these TV spots. The first few are not as hostile and slanted as the later ones. The "Roving" begins with the Moses parting the Red Sea video and it just gets worse from there. CLICK HERE to view the spots.

All this is taken right from the Carl Rove playbook, which advocates taking an opponent's strong points and turning them against him. These tactics are effective unless the deception is constantly pointed out so that people see them for what they are. I'm doing what I can. What can you do?? We don't need another four years of Bush/McCain policies in this country.

Friday, August 29 Update. I just checked into the John McCain website again and there, shortly after his new congratulatory spot that is getting all the play today are the same Rovian attack ads that intercut Obama with Moses parting the Red Sea. This is a clear indication that they intend to pursue those Swiftboating tactics as the campaign rolls forward. Watch out for attempts to derail the campaign from central issues such as the economy and the war.

Santa Fe Indian Market

This morning is the opening of the annual Santa Fe Indian Market. Elyn and I walked over to the Plaza for the opening ceremonies and to see some of the wonderful art, jewelry, and crafts that are featured there. To be there at 7 AM for the opening prayer we left the house at 6:30. Thousands of tourists are in town for the market and the area several blocks around the Plaza is crowded with booths and people. We saw license plates from all over the country. The Indian Market is known all over the world and people often return year after year to purchase the best in Native American art.

The ceremony opened with an elder from the Hopi Nation saying an extended prayer that moved smoothly from Hopi to English and back again. He blessed us all with his eagle feather covered with corn pollen. Then the Black Eagle Singers from Jemez Pueblo performed the flag song, the warrior’s song, and several other numbers from the plains indian tradition. This group of some dozen men and one woman are the best drummers and singers I have heard. Their precision and spirit is amazing and they deserve the Grammy that they have been awarded. To be able to walk from our home to participate in such a wonderful event is a real privilege of living here in Santa Fe.

We walked home, passing by the new Virgin de Guadalupe statue that has just been dedicated. This statue is next to the historic Santaurio de Guadalupe, which is only about four blocks from our home.

One amusing and telling event was the introduction of the Black Eagle Singers by a member of the group. He named each singer, telling his relationship with him as he went around the group. It was only after the next number that someone in the group reminded him that he had not introduced the woman in the group. He took the mike again and gave her an introduction. We learned that she was also a member of his immediate family. As telling as this little gaff is, I remind myself that a generation ago no women were ever allowed to sing in the drum groups. I believe that women came in when there were not enough good male singers to make the groups function. Plains Indian singing is very high pitched and puts much strain on the male voice and they can’t keep it up for long periods of time. Adding women, who can sing in their normal vocal range, makes for security in the singing. These singers and drummers are simply the best I have ever heard and their performance brought tears to my eyes and hair standing on end all over my body. Electrifying.