I have to agree with Bill

This weekend's debate over whether Obama is patriotic or not is more smoke and mirrors. I actually have to agree with Bill Clinton's remarks where he wishes that we had two decent candidates whose credentials were not in question and we could decide merely on the basis of their stand on issues. This is the wish of the majority of American voters. Alas, that will not be the case regardless of who the Democrats choose.

A reader asked in response to an earlier post, what are my thoughts on the 2008 election now. I stand by my original prediction which is that the Democrats will choose Obama as the flavor of the week. He is young, a great speaker, and not white. These make him the favorite of the ruling left wingers in the party. Add to this the fact that he is NOT Hillary, and that pulls in the disenfranchised middle and right of the party. I don't see them choosing Hillary because she is disliked, discredited, and married to Bill.

That being said, I still feel that the country will have a hard time not voting for McCain. There is still rampant racism in many areas of the country and the whole stir over Obama's pastor's remarks show that this will be exploited. The country also tends to be more to the center than Obama and while he has the younger vote, so did John Anderson in 80. They talk more than they vote. It will be interesting, but that's my current take on it.

Thoughts anyone?

Just Get on the Bus Gus

So oil prices have hit $111 a barrel last Thursday which brings our current gasoline prices higher than the "oil crisis" years of 1973-75. In spite of this, there has been no appreciable decline in the demand for oil. Why is this?

There are many reasons for this, but one that struck me as I motored home from the town next door is a lack of options. I live in a county of 1 million people just outside New York City and it would take me between 20 to 45 minutes to make the trip by bus that I just made in my car in 5. This is because our transit system of rail and bus assumes that the only place that people want to travel is to New York City for work. There is no easy way for me to go from town to town to go to a restaurant, my bank, shopping, or to visit friends unless I happen to be on a bus route that runs people into and out of "the City". Even if I am lucky enough to be on such a route (which I am), the schedule is still inconvenient because it requires the bus(es) to go from "the City" out to the end of its route and return. It does not run merely from town to town within the county.

It is time for transit systems (or maybe even private transport companies) to start thinking about filling in the holes. Not everyone wants to commute to the big cities that most transit systems are geared towards. People are going to be more likely to consider a quick bus ride to the local supermarket or restaurant in town as the cost of filling up the car exceeds $50 (at least). However, people will pay the $50 if it means saving them many hours of waiting for a bus or riding the bus into the city to transfer and ride out on a different bus just to travel to a town 3 miles away.

Transit officials frequently lament the poor ridership. Instead they should be thinking about how to provide new services. Quit thinking about the commuter and start thinking about everyone else! Quit thinking about standard size buses and start thinking about mini-buses. Quit thinking about full trains and start thinking about single cars or interconnecting light rail. Think outside the box and be surprised at how many riders you will gain!!

Thoughts anyone?

2008 Election

Here is an interesting article from Colorado. It backs up my feeling that we will eventually see Hillary lose the nomination and Obama lose the election. I feel that many of those Democrats (myself included) who are voting for Obama are not actually FOR Obama as much as they are AGAINST Hillary. Regular readers know that I will vote for almost anyone in order to deny Hillary the nomination. I think this is more common than our media is reporting.

Come November, however, I don't think the general population is going to elect a black liberal with supposed (though not true) Muslim ties who is thought to associate with a black extremist pastor. This is not a racist comment, as there are many black men (and women) that I would whole-heartedly support (Colin Powell anyone?). It is merely the fact that I don't think Sen. Obama is the right one, regardless of his color.

Like it or not, and my jury is still out, I think we need to get used to saying, "President McCain".

Thoughts anyone?

Extremism

Events of recent days have reminded (and inspired) me to talk of the dangers of extremism. Much is said in the press these days about the dangers of Islamic extremism. It is also frequently noted that such extremism generally runs counter to the underlying message of Islam.

A frequently overlooked, but just as dangerous, form of extremism is certain forms of rabid Christian fundamentalism. The far right, fire and brimstone, non-believers are going to hell, sort of Christianity is just as dangerous as Islamic extremism. Witness various deadly bombings of abortion centers in the name of Christianity. It is also the root of much of the white supremacy movements in the US. It is just as dangerous and ill-informed as the Islamic extremist movement.

In fact, extremism in any form is a danger. Democrats or Republicans who will vote
"the party line" without any thought or consideration are dangerous. Anyone who will blindly follow anything without due consideration becomes a danger. I guess the bottom line here is, think for yourself. There is certainly nothing wrong with (and actually a need for) passionate beliefs in things, but it should come after careful consideration and constant reevaluation.

Every action should be measured against the gold standard of the belief. Would Jesus stop associating with people because they didn't believe the way you do? I think not. Would Mohammed condone flying planeloads of women and children into a building for political gain? Again, I highly doubt it. Would FDR support a nationalized health care system? I'm thinking no.

Think for yourself. It only makes your faith stronger.

Thoughts anyone?