Entries in 2008 Election (147)
KWSN Video: Wichita Church Says Obama a Muslim, A Sin to Vote for Him
No one ever said the First Amendment was pretty. A church in Wichita makes some pretty goofy claims about President-elect Barack Obama.
KWSN-TV in Wichita has the story.
Todd D. Epp
in 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Wchita
|
Post a Comment
| 
Email
| 
Print
Now That Obama Is Going to Be the President, There's Nothing to Write About
Though America has troubles, it believes in President-elect Barack Obama.
I believe in Barack. My Man Crush on the Man Crush was rewarded.
So, I'm not real ticked off about anything. Which is bad for a blogger. Who wants to read posts about how great America will be under President Obama's enlightened leadership? Exactly.
And picking on President George W. Bush while he's on his way out the door seems, well, unseemly. And President Bush has been nothing but cordial to Obama and is finally acting like a responsible adult.
So, sorry I'm not all honked off about anything. I'm still full of Barack pixie dust.
Todd D. Epp
in 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama, Personal
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print
The Direct Line from Jefferson to Obama (and Some Presidents In-between)
One of the things that I always thought was cool was that you could draw a direct line from James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, all the way to Michael Jordan.
Naismith invented basketball. He coached the University of Kansas’ Phogg Allen. Allen coached Dean Smith at KU. Smith coached Jordan at North Carolina.
It’s the great unbroken baseline of basketball, if you will.
I think there’s a similar (though slightly less direct) line that can be drawn from President Thomas Jefferson to President-elect Barack Obama.
Jefferson created the promise that all men (people) are created equal. President Abraham Lincoln helped to partially fulfill that promise with the Emancipation Proclamation. President Harry Truman took another step to integrate the armed forces. President Dwight Eisenhower used troops to make sure black men and women could get an equal and non separate education. President John Kennedy advocated for the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. President Lyndon Johnson got them passed and put the first black, Thurgood Marshall, on Supreme Court. President George H.W. Bush elevated Gen. Collin Powell to lead our armed forces. President George W. Bush appointed the first black man (Powell) and black woman (Condeleezza Rice) as Secretaries of State.
And then Barack Obama was elected President.
These Democrat and Republican Presidents looked beyond the prejudices of their times and helped fulfill the promises of our Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Sure, it took far too long. But without their actions, we might not have President-elect Obama.
It’s a legacy all Americans should be proud of.
Todd D. Epp
in 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Civil Rights
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print
It's a Small Barack World After All!
I know it's been out a while (Barack wrote it long before he was even a US Senator) but it is a wonderful insight into Obama. He is our most literate President since Abraham Lincoln.
I'll have more on the book once I finish it.
But in the "it's a small word after all department," I learned that his grandmother who raised him, Madelyn Payne Dunham, was from Augusta, Kansas. While our paths never crossed because we lived there in greatly different times, I am a 1977 graduate of Augusta High School.
His grandfather, Stanley Dunham, was from El Dorado, Kansas. Again, our paths never crossed because of when we lived there, but I spent my summers working in El Dorado while I was in college.
Add Barack's mother, Ann, who was born in Wichita and my wife Donna, who was also born in Wichita. Again, paths never crossed.
When Barack Obama came to Sioux Falls, SD and we met him at an event in June, my wife Donna told him that like his mom, she too was from Wichita. To which Barack said, "Well heck, we're probably cousins!"
I know it's all reflected glory and all. But as a Barack Obama supporter, it's still pretty cool to have that sort of connection, distant as it is, to our next President.
Todd D. Epp
in 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama, Personal, Wchita
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print
McCain, Obama, and White House Were Under Chinese Cyber Attack
This is a story that should make the wacky Rightwingers alternatively say--"I told you so" and a little smug.
Apparently the Chinese government was successful in breaking into the McCain and Obama campaign computer systems and even the White House.
An excerpt from ZDNet Government:
These events shine a spotlight on President-elect Obama’s choice of a chief technology officer. Whoever fills that position will have to put cyberwarfare and strengthening government network security at the top of his list. That will mean close coordination with the Dept. of Homeland Security, the Defense Department and the State Department.
Besides the fact that the Godless Red Chinese got into the family jewels so to speak, I guess I had never thought about the need for a national CTO (chief technology officer). But when you think about how much important data is on our public and private computer systems, all the things they control--from defense to air traffic to paying people--maybe a CTO should be a cabinet level position.”There is no doubt that foreign governments are actively targeting cyber space not only for sensitive information but to influence our most sensitive processes such as the US presidential election,” said Sami Saydjari, head of the Cyber Defence Agency, a private company that advises government on hacking. “This underscores the need for President-elect Obama to take leadership in the cyber space race that is well underway.”
I'm not saying we do this to make the government bigger but to recognize the importance of digital technology in our country.
And maybe think of ways to keep the Commies out of our computers.
Todd D. Epp
in Technology, 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print
What Lynn Believes, What Nancy Believes, What KSWatch Believes
My Bepearled CPA Girl Crush, State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, the GOP candidate for 2d District Congress, sent me a love note today.
Ok, she sent me and thousands of others a campaign update. But I like to think of these missives as her mash notes to her forbidden virtual Kansas Democratic admirer.
But I digress.
Here's what CPA Lynn wrote to me today in her epistle:
I believe the federal government has enough of your paycheck. Nancy does not.I believe our energy crisis demands an all of the above solution. Nancy does not.I believe wasteful government spending must come to an end. Nancy does not.
Now, Lynn gets a little carried away, I think. I doubt Ms Independent believes all those bad things.
Here's what Kansas Watch believes about Lynn Jenkins.
I believe that Lynn Jenkins looks great in pearls. Nancy does not.Fortunately, if my CPA Girl Crush loses, she still has her state government job to fall back on. And maybe, just maybe, Nancy will start to finally notice me. So far, my affection for the CPA Girl Crush has not made Nancy jealous. Boyda Bloc, help me out here, please!
I believe that Lynn Jenkins thinks she will win Tuesday night. Nancy does not.
I believe that Lynn Jenkins will not win Tuesday night but will still look stunning in pearls. Nancy does not.
Then again, there's always 2010!
Todd D. Epp
in Nancy Boyda, Lynn Jenkins, 2008 Second District Race , 2008 Election
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print
NFU President: McCain Bad for Farmers
I was on a teleconference with Tom Buis, president of National Farmers Union. He also advised former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle on farm issues.
Buis said he has never seen a greater contrast in the candidates for President on agriculture.
“Sen. McCain, in the House and Senate for a quarter of a century, has always been a vocal critic of American agriculture,” he said.
Buis also says McCain could cripple the alternative fuels industry.
“He (McCain) votes against renewable energy—not just votes against it but speaks out against it,” Buis said. “It’s a very wrong move.”
“This election is too important for rural America to go down that road and not produce alternative energy.”
So, despite all this, why does rural America seem to support McCain?
“It’s a lack of education and understanding,” according to Buis.
Jason Frerichs, a Democratic legislative candidate from northeast South Dakota and president of the Roberts County Farmers Union said the alternative energy business is at a critical juncture.
“We’re at a crossroads with the renewable fuels industry in South Dakota,” Frerichs, said. “Now is not the time for Sen. McCain to throw up the white flag on renewable fuels.”
Buis wouldn’t speculate on who Obama would pick as Secretary of Agriculture should the Illinois Senator win next week.
Rick Hauffe, South Dakota Democratic Party executive director, said Buis is on the short list of possible ag secretary candidates for Barack Obama.
Todd D. Epp
in 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print
Kansas Watch's Candidate Endorsements
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
PICK: Barack Obama (Democrat)
WHY: Hope. Change. Man Crush. America needs him to bring us together again.
US SENATOR
PICK: Jim Slattery (D) (Challenger)
WHY: Moderate. Common sense. Smart. Not a pushover. Thinks for himself. Proven. A true Kansan. (Personal note: My all time favorite US Congressman.)
1ST DISTRICT
PICK: Jerry Moran (R) (Incumbent)
WHY: Excellent on agriculture. Conservative but not a nut. Gaining seniority. Plays well with his Democratic colleagues.
2D DISTRICT CONGRESS
PICK: Nancy Boyda (D) (I)
WHY: Independent. Proven she can work with Republicans and Democrats. Pro troops and pro veterans. (Sorry, Lynn Jenkins, my Bepearled CPA Girl Crush!)
3D DISTRICT CONGRESS
PICK: Dennis Moore (D) (I)
WHY: Seniority. Passes for what's considered a liberal in Kansas yet gets elected. Understands his district. Kept a glimmer of blue during Kansas' reddest days.
4TH DISTRICT CONGRESS
PICK: Donald Betts (D) (C)
WHY: Great personal story. Brings people together. Fresh approach. Not Todd Tiahrt.
Todd D. Epp
in Jim Slattery, 2008 U.S. Senate Race, 2008 Second District Race , 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama, 2008 Fouth District Race
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print
Kansas Watch Photo of the Day: Barack Obama, Mitchell, SD, 6/1/2008
I just noticed this photo of Sen. Barack Obama that I look in Mitchell, SD on June 1, 2008 when Barack was leaving the stage. I thought the thoughtful look on his face with the half American flag and half white background was striking.
Todd D. Epp
in 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print
Merriam-Webster's Most Looked Up Words Have a McCainish Tinge
Merriam-Webster just released the most looked up words in September on word.com.
Notice that many of them deal with politics—and John McCain.
Too bad McCain didn’t look up “vet” prior to picking Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Todd D. Epp
in 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print
First, Palin Glasses; Now, Palin Wigs
I kid you not.
A wig designer is marketing Gov. Sarah Palin hairdo inspired wigs.
I fear for what the next Palin inspired item might be.
I thought the thick, rimless eyeglasses were a classy touch. There's just something spooky about the dummy heads modeling a semi-famous person's hair.
Early Voting Results Are In! Sarah Palin’s Hair Styles Comes Out on Top
as Winner Among Women Voters. (PRNewsFoto/Jacquelyn Wigs)
Todd D. Epp
in 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election, Sarah Palin
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print
Caribou Barbie: The Doll Is Cheap But the Little Outfits Cost a Fortune!
Todd D. Epp
in Humor, 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election
|
Post a Comment
| Email
| Print