Are All US Soldiers Heros, No Matter What They Do?

Here's some interesting testimony given by Iraq War vet Jon Michael Turner. Ironically, he must be a hero...for speaking the truth. Sadly, I expect we'll hear more stories like these over the coming years.

Vice-President Hillary?

Let me begin by first saying, that a few months ago I became enamored with the idea of the so-called dream ticket of Obama/Clinton. Now I consider it a nightmare.
The primary reason is that she doesn't deserve it. (I know, I know...before I get hate mail from little old racist Catholic women, let me explain; I actually was supporting Hillary when she first started her run for the white house. I have two daughters who I felt could be inspired by the idea that a woman could make it so far. ...but I will approach this subject in more detail at some point in the future) Barrack strives to present himself as a "new" approach to politics. Hillary would just tarnish that image as she has proven herself to be nothing but an old school say anything, do anything soulless hypocrite of a politician.
But some say he needs her so called "blue-collar" voters and the only way to get their votes is to have her on the ticket. This in an interesting point, but I'm not so sure these people will vote against their economic interests again (maybe I'm wrong...?) Exit polling data from recent primaries has shown a rise among Hillary voters who say they'd vote for John McCain or just stay home rather than vote for Barrack Obama. But I just don't feel most of these voters will stick with that position come November.
So who should Barack pick? Some have spoken of my own Governor Ted Strickland or even the Governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell. It is some how posited that these two have some sort of street-cred with blue collar voters. Choosing either of these two would also be a mistake-it would look as if Barrack was throwing a bone to Hillary and both of these guys have the same old approach to politics as mentioned above with Hillary. Besides, people who speak well of Ted Strickland (namely you Chris Matthews) really don't know much about Ohio politics. Ever here of Dick Celeste? Ted Strickland is even more mediocre than that failed democratic hack of a Governor. Strickland didn't get elected for his positive ideas-the dems could have ran a rabid dog against any republican in Ohio in '06 and won. People were really fed up with Republicans in Ohio in that election cycle and I believe that hasn't gone away yet (something for John McCain to ponder).
What Barrack needs to worry about is not so much the blue-collar voters, but the older white women. Some may vote McCain, many may just stay at home. In my view, the solution to this problem is filling the second slot with a female Governor who has been supportive of Barrack and is not viewed as such a polorizing politician, as is Hillary. My two pick are Kathleen Sibelius of Kansas and Janet Napolitano of Arizona. There are pros and cons to both these women which I hope to discuss in later postings.

Introduction

First let me say that this next Presidential election obviously offers some stark choices. While I have often voted libertarian in the past, I am supporting the candidacy of Barrack Obama. From an ideological standpoint, I can't say I agree with the concept of bigger government per Se, but how about competent, responsive government? Will an Obama presidency bring this? This is a debatable point. But the past eight years of "big" conservative government have proven one thing: big government plus cronyism, incompetence, fear-mongering, lying, and a disdain for the Constitution equals complete and utter failure.
Keith Olbermann spoke of this in 2007...

and more of the outright lying and scare tactics...

and yet more...