Some tool swiped a bunch of Obama yard signs in Lake Highlands - either last night or this morning. It appears that only Obama signs were taken. Other Democratic signs were in their proper place.
OK, this was probably some stupid kid, so I'll not try to read too much into this. But a few points:
1. Isn't the Republican party the party of law and order? Don't they get PO'd when someone takes their stuff (think tax policy)?
2. It's hard for me to think that it's merely a coincidence that this happened shortly after the character attack on Obama began. These accusations and insinuations give people tacit approval to do and think some pretty horrible stuff, as witnessed by the hate speech at the McCain-Palin rallies. Swiping my yard sign isn't hate speech and it may be a petty crime, but it is still a crime. And it is not how we are supposed to do democracy.
3. Those whippersnappers better stay off my lawn!
The FV family is contemplating a homemade sign to replace our stolen one. If we do so I'll throw a picture of it up here.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thank God
After a week of stoking the fear and hate of the far right wing of his party, Senator McCain has finally done the right thing and is trying to calm down his supporters. Thank you, Senator. I hope your ads, rallies, and rhetoric will all shift to stop questioning the patriotism and motives of your opponent. Fear and hate will never bring this country together.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Stirring up trouble
I have become extremely concerned and disturbed as the campaign has taken a nasty turn this week. It is not surprising that the flailing Republican ticket has decided to go negative. What I have been disturbed by though is the violent language which is being stoked on the campaign trail. In separate instances this week crowds at McCain-Palin rallies have been heard to yell "treason," "traitor," "kill him," and "off with his head" in reference to Barack Obama. These remarks, many of them audible to the Republican candidates, were not immediately repudiated.
Even more disturbing is that, even in the face of this hatred, the campaign has kept up the same line of attack. They are fomenting an environment where it would not be surprising for some wingnut to attempt an act of violence against Obama, one of his supporters, or even a member of the media which has also been on the receiving end of much of this same vitriol.
This is not supposed to be the way we conduct democracy in America folks. Please see Andrew Sullivan's piece on this.
Obama is probably going to win this election. Let's not create an environment where the next president has to go everywhere in a bullet proof pope-mobile and his family and country have to be fearful for his life.
John McCain can put a stop to this. I'm waiting to see some leadership from him. As Sullivan signs off: "For once in this campaign, put your country first."
Even more disturbing is that, even in the face of this hatred, the campaign has kept up the same line of attack. They are fomenting an environment where it would not be surprising for some wingnut to attempt an act of violence against Obama, one of his supporters, or even a member of the media which has also been on the receiving end of much of this same vitriol.
This is not supposed to be the way we conduct democracy in America folks. Please see Andrew Sullivan's piece on this.
Obama is probably going to win this election. Let's not create an environment where the next president has to go everywhere in a bullet proof pope-mobile and his family and country have to be fearful for his life.
John McCain can put a stop to this. I'm waiting to see some leadership from him. As Sullivan signs off: "For once in this campaign, put your country first."
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Culture clash at Flagpole Hill
Well, I can see everything is pretty much as I left it back in June. There's plenty on my mind and I have lots of opinions on the presidential campaign, but nothing that I'll share right now.
An interesting thing happened this evening. While picnicking (can you verb picnic?) with friends at Flagpole Hill, near the end of our time there, I saw something that at once piqued my interest and then my own reaction surprised me.
It was a beautiful evening, still a little warm even with the cooling we received courtesy of the edge of hurricane Ike that passed by yesterday. Some older kids were flying a big kite and we talked about how they pitted kites against one another in Afghanistan, like in The Kite Runner.
Our kids played on the playground with the other kids, most of whom were primarily Spanish speaking. This doesn't bother me too much to be in the minority and I consider it good for the kids to be around people who are different from them. I expect it at the public parks because for whatever reason the Latino population makes much better use of the parks system than the white families do.
We had dinner and then played some more. When we were almost ready to leave a family made their way to the park with two women in full burka, only their eyes peeking out. Another reminder of Afghanistan in the days after the 7th anniversary of 9/11/2001. I pointed them out to my wife but reserved any comment until we were driving home when all I could muster was "that freaked me out a little." She seemed to agree and we said later that it seems so oppressive.
The giant American flag overhead seems to stand in stark contrast to these women's attire. As we try to teach our kids to respect other cultures, I'm realizing that some cultures seem completely incompatible and at odds with ours. I think there's room for all of us here, but this multicultural society of ours isn't always the beautiful melting pot or salad bowl we like to imagine.
An interesting thing happened this evening. While picnicking (can you verb picnic?) with friends at Flagpole Hill, near the end of our time there, I saw something that at once piqued my interest and then my own reaction surprised me.
It was a beautiful evening, still a little warm even with the cooling we received courtesy of the edge of hurricane Ike that passed by yesterday. Some older kids were flying a big kite and we talked about how they pitted kites against one another in Afghanistan, like in The Kite Runner.
Our kids played on the playground with the other kids, most of whom were primarily Spanish speaking. This doesn't bother me too much to be in the minority and I consider it good for the kids to be around people who are different from them. I expect it at the public parks because for whatever reason the Latino population makes much better use of the parks system than the white families do.
We had dinner and then played some more. When we were almost ready to leave a family made their way to the park with two women in full burka, only their eyes peeking out. Another reminder of Afghanistan in the days after the 7th anniversary of 9/11/2001. I pointed them out to my wife but reserved any comment until we were driving home when all I could muster was "that freaked me out a little." She seemed to agree and we said later that it seems so oppressive.
The giant American flag overhead seems to stand in stark contrast to these women's attire. As we try to teach our kids to respect other cultures, I'm realizing that some cultures seem completely incompatible and at odds with ours. I think there's room for all of us here, but this multicultural society of ours isn't always the beautiful melting pot or salad bowl we like to imagine.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Bubble to study congestion pricing
Bubble City, a.k.a. Highland Park, Texas, is planning to study tolling Mockingbird Lane for through traffic.
This is a great idea. I think the Dallas City Council should immediately move to study tolls for those residents of the Park Cities who would like to leave the comfort of the Bubble to drive on Dallas city streets.
This is a great idea. I think the Dallas City Council should immediately move to study tolls for those residents of the Park Cities who would like to leave the comfort of the Bubble to drive on Dallas city streets.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Democrats, not bargaining chips
Go to huffingtonpost and read this great column by Clinton supporter Hilary Rosen. She has it exactly right. Clinton missed her chance last night to end this primary with some grace. And now she's trying to use her supporters as some kind of bargaining chip for who knows what.
As I have some friends and family who have supported Sen. Clinton, I have tried not to be too critical of her or her candidacy. But she needs to stop. Both sides have made some gaffes. Unfortunately her gaffes are going to be used by the Republicans in general election ads against Obama.
Concede the election and get in line behind our nominee, Senator Clinton. The primaries are over and it is time to step aside and turn our focus on winning the White House.
Update Thursday: Obviously I'm pleased and relieved that Clinton plans to suspend her campaign on Saturday. Better late than never. Hopefully her supporters will feel welcomed into the Obama tent. Time heals all wounds and we have plenty of time between now and November.
Senator Clinton's speech last night was a justifiably proud recitation of her accomplishments over the course of this campaign, but it did not end right. She didn't do what she should have done. As hard and as painful as it might have been, she should have conceded, congratulated, endorsed and committed to Barack Obama.
As I have some friends and family who have supported Sen. Clinton, I have tried not to be too critical of her or her candidacy. But she needs to stop. Both sides have made some gaffes. Unfortunately her gaffes are going to be used by the Republicans in general election ads against Obama.
Concede the election and get in line behind our nominee, Senator Clinton. The primaries are over and it is time to step aside and turn our focus on winning the White House.
Update Thursday: Obviously I'm pleased and relieved that Clinton plans to suspend her campaign on Saturday. Better late than never. Hopefully her supporters will feel welcomed into the Obama tent. Time heals all wounds and we have plenty of time between now and November.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
We have a nominee
Barack Obama claims the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
It's been a long road to where we are tonight. It will be good to enjoy it for an evening.
This general election contest won't be an easy one, but sitting here tonight taking in the historical nature of Obama's candidacy and the hopeful nature of his message, I truly believe that this is the right candidate at the right time to lead our country. It is time to show what America can do when we listen to the better angels of our nature again.
“You chose to listen not to your doubts or your fears, but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations,” Mr. Obama told supporters at a rally in St. Paul. “Tonight, we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another — a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Because of you, tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.”
It's been a long road to where we are tonight. It will be good to enjoy it for an evening.
This general election contest won't be an easy one, but sitting here tonight taking in the historical nature of Obama's candidacy and the hopeful nature of his message, I truly believe that this is the right candidate at the right time to lead our country. It is time to show what America can do when we listen to the better angels of our nature again.
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