A Frame of Reference

Senator Chris Dodd's Farewell Speech & "Bipartisanship"

I briefly met Senator Dodd on 92st and 3rd avenue on a cold winter night last year. I was walking across the street and I turned behind me for a reason I can't remember I did a triple-take as I simultaneously recognized a face I saw on TV and tried to remember the name of the guy. As soon as I remembered, I blurted out his name "Chris Dodd!", he replied with a simple "Merry Christmas", seemingly unsurprised that this stranger came up to him. We shook hands and both went on our way. As I was walking away realized I forgot to address him by his title "Senator Chris Dodd", I hope he didn't mind.




After Serving for 30 years, Senator Dodd gave his farewell speech earlier this week.

Near the end of the speech he discusses the theory of bipartisanship and the fact that it is something that is achieved, something to be reached. Bipartisanship should not be something that is assumed before every discourse because it does neither side justice for their cause. If both sides are willing to give up their principles and fundamental beliefs for the sake of agreeing with each other, what would the final agreement look like? I believe President Obama should realize this, and once he does he can truly regain control of the political discourse in the country.

The Donald's Decision

Donald Trump announced earlier today that he will not be running for president in 2012. Personally I'm glad he decided not to run, I never thought he was going to, but his successful crusade to get president Obama's birth info rubbed me the wrong way. I like him as a businessman in the private sector, and I'm glad he is staying there.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/16/breaking-trump-not-running-for-president/?hpt=T2

Killing Bin Laden: The President's Story

Great piece by 60 Minutes on the successful Bin Laden mission:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/05/06/60minutes/main20060509.shtml

Eisenhower's Insight

President Eisenhower's Interstate Highway system is one of the great success stories in the American System of government, a gift of sorts to the country. The highway system has been utilized by almost every American at some point in time; millions of Americans use it every day. However, this grand vision and its prospects were not yet realized in the mid-1950s when Eisenhower was trying to push these initiatives through congress. He knew that he would not be able to sell the idea easily, billions of dollars would be spent on an uncertain project, but he was very crafty politically in his phrasing of the initiative. The system as he told congress would be used as a method to transport military equipment across the country in case of an emergency. This was at a time where there was a sword dangling over the country in the form of the nuclear threat from the Soviet Union, congress fell in line when it saw that this system would be essential for use when the country was in possible turmoil. Eisenhower’s political skill allowed him to push an initiative through congress during difficult times that may not have been successful had a novice been at the helm of power. 

Osama's Death

Obama killed Osama...remember a few years back when people had trouble differentiating their names?



On September 11, 2001, Osama Bin Laden set the tone of the decade to come. The retaliation on the United States part in Afghanistan and subsequently in Iraq stem from his actions. American culture was also changed, movies, television, books and the national conversation existed under the premise of 9/11... had the attacks never occurred  how would the first decade of the 21st century been different? In the week since his death we have also learned that in his long absence, our perception of Bin Laden as the ultimately powerful terrorist leader, a perception that he carefully crafted with his videos, was a perception that was also flawed.

We can see here in one of the videos confiscated by Seal Team 6 that Bin Laden spent his time living in a run down compound with few luxuries other than his small television and satellite feed.

Bin Laden Watches Himself:

Knocking On Doors

This is actually a portion of my college essay, but I thought I'd share it because it describes a fond experience working on the Obama campaign.

The concluding days of the 2008 Presidential race were one of the most climactic political battles in modern history. As a young political junkie, I was determined to own part of this amazing story, so the last Saturday morning before the election, I woke up early and traveled to Allentown, Pennsylvania with my godfather to campaign for Obama. The setting was depressing as the skies were overcast when we reached the campaign office, and the neighborhood resembled a ghost town. However after a fiery speech by a resolute worker, I was encouraged to knock on every door I could if it meant victory for Obama. By the conclusion of the day I provided over a hundred people with information about election day, debated a few about foreign policy, and set up transportation to the polling place for the elderly, the infirmed and others who would not have been able to vote otherwise. I felt fulfilled due to my hard work. I believed that I was part of something greater than myself, and I gained the unyielding knowledge that I helped to change the trajectory of this country.

Contemplative Obama

The Future Leader In Deep Contemplation

Bribery

John Boehner admits he handed out checks from tobacco lobbyists on the house floor to select congressmen after being asked by Tom DeLay (indicted for money laundering in 2005) in order to sway an important vote affecting the tobacco industry. Once confronted, Mr. Boehner admitted that he did indeed bribe members to change their vote. Mr. Boehner then tries to distance himself from himself, saying that congress is trying to stop the corrupt practice that he engaged in, and that he won't ever do it again. Look to me like he was just trying to save himself after getting caught.

God bless the new speaker. John A. Boehner