I find the "selflessness" meme of McCains a bit hard to swallow.
I find the "selflessness" meme of McCains a bit hard to swallow.
I tend to agree. And it is rather grating for him to always be bashing business in that manner of his. Nevertheless, it is not John McCain who is calling for mandatory service like Obama is. I think--and I could be wrong--that the "selflessness" meme and the "country first" are the way McCain sees himself. I don't think he intends to force everyone in the country to be like him; and I rather like having a leader who is more concerned with the needs of the country as a whole (i.e., foreign policy etc.) than one who will force his social ideals on you if you don't happen to agree with him.
Look, McCain is far from perfect. But he and Palin are throwbacks to the fundamental values this country once stood proudly for. Whether you agree with their religion or their policies, the values they hold dearest are pure America. They see this country and its citizens as basically good and they strive to make it better. Obama and the Democrats see this country as basically bad, and they want to make it more like Europe and under the domination of groups like the UN--for its own good, of course. They don't understand that their attitude bespeaks a fierce inner hatred of these basic American principles--principles like life, liberty and the pursuit (not the achievement)of happiness; like individualism and capitalism.
We will have to see if any of the glittering crowd will change the moose-hunting mom from Alaska. Glittering crowd meaning Washington elite, also including East and West Coast elite.
They will snicker behind their hands at the country bumpkin (believe me, these people will try very hard to show Gov. Palin that she's not one of their class. Sarah may very well make social faux pas), but on the surface it will all be sugar-coated sweetness and graciousness.
Sarah Palin's best response to these barbs thrown at her would be to laugh them off, but after a while it must be grating.
Thank you for this first hand report. In years past, I was active in campaigns--first for Democrats, then for Republicans, where my sympathies and registration remain. I firmly believe that seeing a candidate in person gives a perceptive observer impressions that cannot be gained from TV. And as a trained evaluator of human behavior, your observations are particularly valuable. I am praying for the entire Palin family. What a force 5 hurricane has hit that family!
All we can hope for is an executive branch to slow the tide. They can't fix whats wrong with people's minds that have us on this slippery slope to begin with.
Even if McCain wins, we have the stark realisation that nearly half the country thinks forced charity and delaying of all suffering for poor life decisions is a good idea.
We in Alaska are thrilled that Governor Palin has met with so much approval. We appreciate that she has qualities that suit her admirably for any position she might hold here in Alaska, but those same qualities might meet with resistance elsewhere.
Colorful women like Governor Palin are actually quite common up here, and she fits in very well. Her approval rating is still well above 80% here, and has been as high as 95%. If the Democrats manage to win this election, we will be welcoming her back home with great celebration, and we know that she is fully capable of picking up right where she left off.
But for right now, we are more than happy to share her with the "Outside" world. Enjoy!
I'm still bummed that an agnostic still has no chance at POTUS or VPOTUS.
I wouldn't care if the fireman was agnostic as long as he put out my fire.
I'm happy I was sent Dr. Sanity's article. I, too, was at the Freedom Hill Rally in Sterling Heights. My Sister and I were chosen to sit just behind the podium. I'm the political "Junkie" (my Sis had only come along to be my company). But she too was enormously impressed and inspired. The awesome crowds and being able to see McCain/Palin up-close made a huge difference. That was very important, as John McCain looks MUCH younger and more vibrant in person. And I kept thinking, "He just left St.Paul...the convention..just last night. Wow!!
I am wondering how many are bothered by what seems to be one important criticism of Gov. Palin. It is this: "She's only been a Governor).
Well..............
Bill Clinton was -- JUST A GOVERNOR
George W. Bush was --- JUST A GOVERNOR
and there are many in our history.
So why are so many saying about candidate Palin, "Well, she's just a Governor!!"
Of course she is much more than a Governor but that label is put forth as if it is a "sign of inexperience" in the least and as if "being the Governor of Alaska" can be achieved by any idiot at the worst. WHY??
Further, my sister-in-law is Downs Syndrome (born in 1962). She has had her own cable access Talk Show. She holds a job at a nursing home and knows every bus driver in Tucson. And there is much more. I feel sure the Palin's will be VERY MUCH in touch with the way a Downs baby can achieve as much as my dear sister-in-law.
Oops, can't forget to mention another Sarah detraction that I would defend. The pregnancy of a teen-ager can be handled So Very Well in a loving family. My family would be looked on as happy, accomplished, etc. yet my parents and my mother-in-law were all teen-age marriages that lasted 60 years plus or til death. Just think how that teen would feel if Gov. Palin didn't accept the honor of being V.P. because of her daughter's pregnancy? Horrible!
It appears to me that the Palin's are a loving family with all the skills necessary to stay that way. Their love and unity is very apparent. ..and if somehow the life of their children should be bumpy all we need to reference is the wonderful, Irish :o) Kennedy Family!!
God Bless America
I've been around awhile. My first conscious memory of a public figure is watching Harry S Truman on TV. (No period after the S - that was his name).
The Dear Doctor is talking about truly selfless people who are interested in doing only good for their fellow man. No narcissists here. Here is my list of those who I have seen. I am certain that I have omitted worthies because of unfamiliarity or incipient Alzheimer's disease:
Harry S Truman
Dwight Eisenhower
Adlai Stevenson
Barry Goldwater
Hubert Humphrey
Eugene McCarthy
Daniel Moynihan - special extra star
George McGovern
Gerald Ford
Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush
George W. Bush
Richard Cheney
Donald Rumsfeld
Colin Powell
Condoleeza Rice
Joseph Lieberman
Sarah Palin
John McCain
Not quite an ideologically balanced mix but these are people who have my lasting respect.
"we are more than happy to share her with the "Outside" world. Enjoy!"
I am so thankful because let's face facts, McCain is one of Washington, DC's 'good-ole-boy, back-door, nanny-state, Big Government, Lindsey Graham' Republicans who helped create the mess that is the GOP.
And to think, it took a Conservative Republican such as Gov Palin to get Moderate-Independent voters to consider voting for Centrist 'back-door' dealing McCain.
How funny is that!
"I rather like having a leader who is more concerned with the needs of the country as a whole"
Me too, though I cannot fathom an Obama presidency with a Democrat controlled corrupt Congress, I wish McCain was sincere and honest about his concern for the country as a whole becasue all his back-door amnesty dealing and his Global Warming/Climate Change fanaticism has brought is greater division to the country.
Tyson food will get McCain his big check for providing cheap chicken-feather pickers and has yet to say he would open up drilling in ANWR.
Gov Palin took out the 'good-ole Republican boys' once she may be able to do it again in Washington DC.
If I were Lindsey Grahman I'd be quaking in my corrupt shoes.
You find the "selflessness" meme of McCain hard to swallow?!? After knowing about his service to his country and how he gave up a chance to be released so as to be selfless toward his fellow prisoners? And after hearing about how they adopted an orphan in need of medical care? And Cindy McCain's work for medical care in poor countries? And the fact that their son is serving in Iraq?
I've only just learned these things about the McCains recently and it has made me admire them more than I can say. As Dr. Sanity says, they live in the real world, they mean what they say, and they don't constantly shove it down our throats about how great they are like certain other politicians do.
Question:
How did you get in to such an event? I would have loved to have been there, but the Detroit News announced it and said that there were no tickets left.
How do you get tickets for it?
Harry
It is apparent from these comments that there are children and grownups here.
The children want everything their way. Anything that piques them draws a tantrum. Wah! Wah! I want chocolate ice cream. I hate strawberry.
Guess what kids. The choice ain't between chocolate and strawberry. The choice is between ice cream and pickle juice.
Now, I just happen to like pickle juice. Get's an ornery old bastard like me in the proper mood to put a whuppin upside the head of that bear we thought we kilt. That nasty old bear took a shot at me and missed. He took at shot at his own people and killed millions.
That bear has weapons that can annihilate the world before that Madonna song gets halfway through. You'd better grow up quick kids. It may be the only chance you'll ever get.
Nitpick: you left out the "not" in "could care less."
Thank you, Dr Sanity, for your impressions of the candidates from seeing them in person. I'm quite convinced of the sincerity and quality of Sarah Palin's character. In this election especially, in my opinion, we need to look past the rhetoric and slogans and get to the character and morality of the candidates. Or the paucity thereof.
BTW, I just found your blog and now have it book-marked. I feel certain there is much good reading here. 
McCain-Palin '08
"I wouldn't care if the fireman was agnostic as long as he put out my fire." -- The Egyptian Magician, Yoobi Alwet
or...
"I wouldn't care if the brain surgeon who operated on me were blind, as long as he could, um, uh, .... "
Not all "fires" are created equal, Yoobi.
Commenting by HaloScan.com
