Debate 2 - More of the Same

I've heard the "More of the Same" mantra from the Obama camp this entire election season but it must now be reassigned to describe tonight's debate. Tom Brokaw stunted the town hall format, for unknown reason, and turned the second debate into a repeat of the first. Each candidate was given ample time to reiterate their campaign position on issues such as the economy, energy and foreign policy. Normally, a format like tonight's allows ordinary citizens the opportunity to ask unusual questions but we heard none of it tonight except for the very last question.

That question was, "What don't you know and how will you learn it?" Obama stated that he asks his wife anything that he does not know and she tells him, but he never did admit to not knowing anything. Senator McCain stayed slightly less vague by admitting he does not know the unknown in regard to challenges both here and abroad but again did not get very specific.

John McCain did seemed to display a better understanding of the fundamentals causing the financial crisis and discreetly unveiled a plan to help stabilize the housing situation. He understands that besides bailing out Wall Street and the banking sector that we also need to provide help to individuals by reassigning mortgages based on current home valuations. Senator Obama just rhetorically continued to blame President Bush and his failed economic policies.

Both candidates endorsed Warren Buffet as a potential Treasury Secretary. I wonder if Mr. Buffet would be willing to take the pay cut? Both candidates agreed or held similar positions on most issues with the exception of taxes. Senator Obama stressed the importance of government investment in programs to stimulate energy research and the economy, but Senator McCain supported the ideals of the government fostering an environment which allows free enterprise to thrive and stimulate creativity by individual entrepreneurship.

Senator Obama remained calm and collected throughout the night and showed none of the agitation he displayed during the first debate. Senator McCain, understanding his underdog position, became more the aggressor and at times seemed slightly uncomfortable. McCain needed to score big tonight to turn voter sentiment and failed to do so making tonight's debate a default win for Obama.

Sarah Palin Visits Fort Myers

My wife and I had a wonderful opportunity today to attend a Republican campaign rally featuring Sarah Palin. Approximately 9,000 people jammed into Germain Arena in Fort Myers, Florida to see the vice presidential hopeful. Palin attended two private fundraisers in Naples earlier in the day before motoring north to the packed stadium. Escorted by Florida heavyweights, Charlie Christ and Mel Martinez, Palin arrived to thunderous applause and a very warm welcome.

I heard nothing overly profound today from Palin's lips. She shows a deep, genuine respect for men and women in uniform and understands the difficulties they face. She addressed the energy crisis and affirmed McCain's stance on developing more renewable resources. Palin also focused on the phony Obama tax cut claim and how impossible it seems with his $1 trillion increase in spending. She also stressed the relationship between Barack Obama and domestic terrorist and 60's radical, Bill Ayers. I've often wondered why the McCain camp has not played that up a bit more. It's a very disturbing fact. Unless I missed it, I did not hear much about the current financial crisis. Maybe that's too depressing to mention during a high energy positive rally.

Apparently, Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott garnered all the controversy by mentioning McCain's opponent's full name, Barack Hussein Obama, during his speech at the rally. By the time I made it home, Scott's address had already received national notoriety. I'm not really sure why Obama's middle name is off limits. I guess because the Hussein name is a clear indication of Muslim heritage. I would think the McCain camp would want to exploit that.

Overall, I'd say it was worth the 1/2 mile hike from the neighboring Miromar Outlet parking lot and the two hour wait in the blistering Florida sun to get inside. Way to go Sarah! Have a safe trip to your next destination.

Please enjoy my amateur video clip of a portion of this event.

Smear the Queer

I remember, as a third-grader during the late 60's, playing "Smear the Queer", a game in which participants attempted to tackle or "smear" the ball handler or "queer". While in possession of the ball, you either succumbed to the tackling or threw the ball to another who would catch it and then become the new "queer". I don't know whether the game is still played by youths but I'm certain, if it is, that the politically incorrect name has been changed.

The political arena now serves as the new venue for the smear game. Apparently, whoever possesses that ball and runs strong becomes the victim of attack by all other participants. For most of this election season, it appears that Barack Obama has possessed the ball the longest. Hillary started the Obama smear by having us question his patriotism, his citizenship, his credentials and his religion.

At times, John McCain's taken the ball from Obama and become the victim. We've heard of his illegitimate black child and that he's milking the story of five years captivity in a Hanoi prison. Jimmy Carter, I thought you had more class than that!

But Mr. Obama retrieved the ball back from McCain for another round of Muslim bashing before handing it to the newcomer, Sarah Palin. We've heard her Down syndrome son is actually her daughter's. We've heard she's involved with the Alaska Independence Party. We've heard democrats calling her "white trash". Sarah, you've taken enough abuse. Please throw the ball to Joe!

Bucs Fly to Mile High

The 3-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers flew to Denver this week to face the 3-1 Broncos with a need for a win to tie the 4-1 Carolina Panthers for first place in the NFC South. But Denver's Michael Pittman, who Tampa Bay released earlier this year, provided just enough offense to push the Broncos past the Bucs for a 16-13 win.

Some people carry an inner strength of immense calibre and beyond the capabilities of most others and Matt Bryant is one of those people. After burying his infant son Tryson only one week ago, he found solace on the football field and support from fellow team members to stay perfect for the year with two field goals and an extra point.

Brian Griese went down with a shoulder injury early in the fourth quarter allowing a recovered Jeff Garcia an opportunity to step up. Garcia looked a little rusty during the first possession but led the Bucs to a brilliant touchdown drive late in the quarter in an attempt to mount a Tampa comeback.

Next week the 3-2 Buccaneers will fight for a first place tie in the NFC South when they face the 4-1 Carolina Panthers at home. I'll see you there!

Bikers for Babies

November 2nd will mark the March of Dimes 8th Annual Bikers for Babies motorcycle ride from Naples to Fort Myers, Florida. Thousands of bikes will roar down the road during the police escorted event that will raise millions of dollars nationally to fight birth defects and the problems associated with premature birth. I'm planning on again being a part of this incredible event and trying my best to raise money for the cause. Please donate by visiting http://www.bikersforbabies.org/ImagesGS . God Bless!

O'Reilly Fries Frank

I would naturally assume that most readers of this blog are also Fox News viewers but I can't be certain, so thought it appropriate to share this portion of The O'Reilly Factor that aired right before last night's Vice Presidential debate. No narrative is necessary but it shows a very heated exchange between Bill O'Reilly and Barney Frank, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, which provided oversight to both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.



A big O'Reilly fan myself, I do feel that this is a little over the top. United States Congressmen, including even Barney Frank, do deserve a certain amount of respect. Regardless, this is great video!

VP Smackdown

Stammering Sarah stayed home tonight and Pitbull Palin showed up, proving to be a formidable opponent in tonight's debate. Palin performed extremely well considering that when Joe Biden debated his first political opponent in 1972, she was a seven year old in Wasilla. The small town charm shined through even during the introductions as Palin said, "It's nice to meet you. Can I call you Joe?", which also showed a much greater respect for Senator Biden than Barack Obama dislayed for Senator McCain during last week's debate.

Gwen Ifill at least appeared nonpartisan as she moderated the debate. Although Palin's knowledge and experience on legislative policy and foreign experience pales in comparison to Biden's, she held her own and delivered direct answers without any of the circular reasoning we've seen in recent interviews. Unknowingly, Katie Couric served as the stone that sharpened Sarah's axe.

During the first round of questioning, Palin sounded like any middle class mom you'd see on the streets or at youth sporting events in middle America. She blamed the current financial crisis on greed and corruption on Wall Street while Joe Biden blamed it on George Bush. She stressed the fact that Obama has always voted along party lines and never truly reached across the aisle to either persuade or agree with Republicans. She also noted that Obama, who always voted for higher taxes, seems to have recently converted to a different philosophy of tax cuts. Biden continued to blame Bush and McCain for all of the current trouble.

Ifill turned the questioning toward why would the Democrats raise taxes on people making over $250,00 a year and why would Republicans tax health benefits? Both candidates handled this topic well although Biden held the upper hand stating that the higher taxes were not a redistribution of wealth but that the middle class is the economic engine of America.

The next question dealt with what campaign promises cannot be kept with the financial demands of the Wall Street bailout? Biden admittted that spending would need to be reduced, especially in the area of foreign aid and said that McCain's tax cuts could not be implemented. I'm not sure what he meant by that because if Obama becomes president, it would be his tax plan that would be proposed. Sarah Palin insisted that McCain would be able to keep all of the promises that were conveyed in his plan.

During this point in the debate, Palin's confidence level grew and her replies became her agenda rather than the moderator's. She turned a line of questioning about bankruptcy law into a talk about energy and during another time asked Ifill, "Could we talk more about Afghanistan?"

Both candidates agreed on the definition of marriage being a union between one man and one woman but still believed in allowing civil rights to homosexual couples. They also agreed on protecting the state of Israel and military intervention in Darfur. They differed considerably on the cause of global warming, the exit strategy for Iraq, and diplomacy with enemies.

Palin addressed the fact that Biden has stated that Obama is not ready to be commander-in-chief, an opinion also carried by both Palin and McCain, as well as most Americans. Palin refused to stumble over Achminijad's name like McCain did last week. She was so proud of the proper pronounciation that she said the name at least five times but she mistakenly claimed our general in Afghanistan is McClellen when his name is McKiernan.

All in all, both candidates handled the debate extremely well. Palin asserted herself as confident and informed and Biden toned down the rhetoric and acted the complete gentleman. No real gaffes slipped from either's mouth. The match stayed close all night but with Sarah Palin as the underdog going in, we have to give her the win, 10 to 7. Looks like the race is back on!

Brownfield Advisory Board

Fort Myers city councilman Tom Leonardo recently nominated and the remainder of the council and mayor subsequently appointed me to serve a three year term on the Brownfields Advisory Board. The purpose of the Board is to promote and receive public comment on the identification, rehabilitation and redevelopment of Brownfield sites. The Board provides guidance in areas such as future land use, local employment opportunities, development proposals, community safety, and environmental justice as they relate to Brownfields. The Board reviews and recommends ways to encourage public interest and participation in the Brownfields initiative. The Board also assists in guiding and setting policy for the City's Brownfield Redevelopment Program.

I feel honored to serve in this position which allows me to utilize my credentials as a LEED Accredited Professional. Additionally, as a member of the United States Green Buiding Council (USGBC), I have a passion for the redevelopment of Brownfield sites and the good stewardship of our natural resources. I look forward to my first board meeting later this month.

VP Debate Anticipation

Although the second card of the fight and not the main event, the vice presidential debate may prove a bigger draw. Predictability surrounded the McCain-Obama debate. The skilled rhetorical orator versus the seasoned combat veteran left little to speculation. But a lot of uncertainty surrounds the matchup between Pitbull Palin and Bigmouth Biden. Will Sarah Palin hold her ground and not stammer as she did in an interview with a less intimidating Katie Couric? Palin may offer a surprise punch since few outside of Alaska realize her debating skill. Will the more experienced Biden, whose first political debate occured while Palin was in second grade, tone himself down enough to not come across as condescending and rude? All bets are off for this one folks. Tomorrow night's matchup should prove to be very entertaining.

Clinging to My Guns and Religion

“And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

These words have resonated eerily through my psyche since first uttered by Barack Obama back in April of this year. Our country's founding fathers ensured us certain inalienable rights when the first ten amendments to the constitution, the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791. The First Amendment states in part: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech; guaranteeing us opportunity for free expression without consequence. The Second Amendment ensures that the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Mr. Obama, I along with many others do cling dearly to these rights afforded to us by our forefathers; not to explain our frustrations, but out of love for our country. We have no desire to live in a world that touts a "one world religion" like proponents of the "new age" or abolition of religion like the former Soviet Union. We greatly respect our right to own firearms for self protection in a hostile world.

Additionally, we have no antipathy toward others who aren't like us but only a strong desire to see all people treated equally and no one receiving preferential treatment because of race. With the exception of the native American population, we are all essentially immigrants so we are not "anti-immigrant" as long as the immigration was acheived legally. And we're certainly not anti-trade; we just don't enjoy seeing our beloved country sold out to foreign interests.

Mr Obama, we may need change as you declare but as long as change is for the better. If change means restrictions on our expression of free speech or our ability to worship, we must say "no thanks". If change makes hand guns illegal, we must say "no thanks". If change means whining about a war to fight terror that costs $10 billion a month but allowing illegal immigrants access to our social programs at a cost of $300 billion per year, then we must again say "no thanks". If change means selling our assets to foreign interests and allowing a huge trade deficit, we must say "no thanks".

We do need change, Mr. Obama. We need a legislature that eliminates "pork barrel" spending and promises true tax reform rather than false boasts about tax cuts. We need affordable health care for all people. We need a strong military that deters the threat of terrorism anywhere on earth. We need repair of our economy and a system that allows people affordable home ownership. What we really need, Mr. Obama, is less rhetoric and more action. John McCain may not be the answer either but he's fought evil and has the scars to prove it!

As for me, I'll cling to my guns and religion; not as a way to express my frustration, but out of deep respect and reverence for a country that shines above all others. God bless the USA!