Archive - Nov 4, 2008 - Article

Unprecedented challenges

The next U.S. president will be a wartime president. Developments in the Middle East almost ensure that either John McCain or Barack Obama will have to manage one or more wars involving the United States or its allies in the region. The challenges posed by the Middle East are legion: "fragile and reversible" security in Iraq; military fallout from a possible Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear program; the destabilizing consequences of a nuclear breakout by the Islamic Republic; a new round of violence between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) -- this time in the West Bank; an Israeli military intervention in Gaza to halt renewed rocket attacks, preempt a Hamas military buildup, or crush the nascent Hamas government there; and the possibility of a second Hizballah-Israeli war>>>

Republican defeat is imminent

The '08 Presidential race has highlighted the crisis within the Republican party. From the surprisingly successful Ron Paul campaign to the stillborn McCain campaign, it's clear that the Republican party has reached a turning point. While populist demagoguery has been rampant in both parties since before I was born, it wasn't long before that when the Democrats had a foothold on working class ideals and the Republican party was dominated by such characters as Barry Goldwater. Ronald Reagan changed all that, starting a trend that reached its zenith in 2000 with the abortion that is the Bush presidency. While this, like any trend, was destined to reach an end, the religious right in this country and the Republican party were SO indulgent that they spent this cultural capital far too quickly for their own good>>>

Proud New American

Never mind that America’s readiness for Obama is largely due to the fact that George W. Bush was the most incompetent president in the history of this nation. Never mind that her readiness for an African-American comes from the fact that the economy is in the most difficult crises of the past century. Never mind that the Republican ticket is weak and lacks vision. Never mind that Obama has much more money than his opponent. The truth is that America is changing. It is changing both demographically and ideologically thanks to new Americans like me! New Americans, who think globally and reject the kind of patriotism that is blind to the welfare of the world. New Americans who refuse racial and gender prejudice not only because they find it unjust but simply because they find it passé, obsolete>>>