President Obama: Please Stop Tiptoeing Around the Repubs

By now I'm sure everyone has heard the story of the firing of Shirley Sherrod from her position at the Department of Agriculture this past Tuesday. This was followed by an apology from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and eventually President Obama himself. Ms. Sherrod has been offered a new job at the Agriculture Dept., but she has not yet accepted.

This entire incident came as a result of a conservative blogger, Andrew Breitbart's posting of her speech on the web and a showing on the Bill O'Reilly show on Fox. Mr. Beitbart's motive was to get back at the NAACP's claim that the Tea Party had racist elements.

I think the reason for most of the controversy is that the Obama Administration has so far been afraid to stand up to the conservative GOP, and in doing so, felt they needed to react immediately to claims of racism without getting the entire picture. I say emphatically that I support President Obama, but it's time he stop worrying about hurting the feelings of the GOP and just do what he was elected to do! President Obama needs to tell the GOP to go pound sand and move forward with his agenda!

Please, President Obama, learn from this experience!

Is It Worth It?

September 11, 2001 is a day that will live in our memories forever! It was a tragedy, none that the US has ever experienced on its own soil! More than 2,700 people lost their lives in the attack on the World Trade Center.

That event 9 years ago began the entrance of the US into Iraq and Afghanistan in a fight against terror, one which the US as also never seen! Since the US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, over 6,000 men and women have died!

Has it been worth it? I do not mean to belittle that tragic 9-11 event, but how much longer does the US continue to lose lives fighting this "war"? The US is fighting terrorists? How? What will be the victory signal? How will the success be measured?

We are fighting the terrorists over there so we won't have to fight them here. We've heard this since George W. got us into this mess in 2001! The US is about to leave Iraq, and has increased it's battle against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Are these the terrorists we are fighting? What if the US is successful in wiping out the Taliban in Afghanistan? There aren't terrorists in other countries? Yemen it appears, may be the newest hangout for Al Qaeda? Don't forget Somalia, the Philippines, and all the other places in the world Al Qaeda flourish. Maybe even in parts of the US?

So we fight in Iraq and then in Afghanistan, then where next? It is a never ending battle. Will the US move from one country to the next in the war on terror? What a waste! As I hear almost everyday of another casualty in Iraq and Afghanistan, I cannot help but wonder what a waste!

Bring the resources- men, women, and money- back to the US and really make our borders safer. Put the resources into overseas intelligence and truly fight terrorism. Bill Maher has said it time and time again, and I'll repeat it: You cannot fight terrorism with war! It just won't work, and more and more lives will be lost!

No Support Until They Support Me

If you're like me, you get mailings from your political party all the time. Today I received a mailing again from the New Jersey Democratic Party Victory Fund. Because of my impatience with the Democratic Party recently, both on the federal and state level, instead of contributing to a party, I will decide which individuals I will support. Also, I will return the mailing with not only no contribution, but an explanation of my disgust.

The following is a letter I returned to the New Jersey Democratic Party Victory Fund:

July 8, 2010


New Jersey Democratic Party Victory Fund
PMB 1992
1977 North Olden Avenue
Trenton, NJ 08618-2193

To whom it may concern,


When the NJ Democrats get some backbone then perhaps I will contribute to a “victory party.” When the NJ Democrats stand up to the bullish Governor Christie then maybe I’ll contribute to a “victory party.” When the NJ Democrats fight for marriage equality for all NJ citizens, then, and only then will I give my hard earned dollars to support a “victory party.”

NJ Democrats had a recent opportunity to stand up to Governor Christie’s ridiculous 2.5% budget cap! Instead, they caved and gave in to the Governor’s idea. You can call it a compromise! I call it Giving In! The NJ Democrats could have held firm on the 2.9% cap by not allowing any amendment vote to go to the people as the Governor wanted. The NJ Democrats could have forced the Governor to the 2.9% or no cap of any kind. However, they gave in!

Months before the November 2009 election and the defeat of Jon Corzine, the NJ Democrats were poised to institute gay marriage in NJ. As soon as Corzine lost, the Democrats lost their backbone and gave up! Marriage Equality died in NJ because of the cowardice of the NJ Democrats!

I will only support those individuals who stand up for what Democrats believe in: equity for all, compassion for all, and justice for all!

Thank you.

If you feel the same way I do, I ask that you do something similar. I don't always type up a formal letter, but most times just jot down a few words on the return contribution form.