The Blog of Champions Part of A Nutritious Breakfast

Hey Democrats! Speak Up!

It's funny: Talk to an average voter, and they'd probably say the Democrats are incompetent. And they are, in one area: Getting their message out. Since Obama took office, here's what the Democrats have done:

-Saved The Economy
-Passed Hate Crimes Legislation
-Expanded children's health care programs
-Enacted the LARGEST middle class tax cut in history
-Set strict new emissions standards
-Are so close to passing health care reform
-Helped unemployed Americans retain COBRA insurance
-Protected nearly two million acres of national forests

And so much more. (Thanks to Bob Cesca for the list of what the Dems have done.)

Problem is, no one knows! Because, for whatever reason, the Democrats have decided to be modest. The Republicans, meanwhile, have taken up the silence. Yelling everything possible, the Republicans own the debate. No one knows what the Democrats have done, because the Democrats haven't said anything.

A huge part of politics is getting the message out. And nowadays, it's very simple. Mass emails. TV ads. Twitter. Facebook. It's not that hard. It's so important to not be modest in politics. It's so important to boast about what you've done. Because if you don't, the opposition fills the silence.

So, Democrats, don't be afraid to speak up! You've had some amazing accomplishments. It'd be nice if people knew about it.

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Thanks for returning to The Blog of Champions!

Paul Shirley Does Not Know What He’s Talking About; Or, Why Haiti Matters

You may know Paul Shirley. Journeyman NBA player. Wrote a book about his playing days. Probably a nice guy. But, he has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. You see, Shirley wrote an article about why he's not donating money to the Haiti relief efforts.

Shouldn’t much of the responsibility for the disaster lie with the victims of that disaster?

Before the reader reaches for his or her blood pressure medication, he should allow me to explain. I don’t mean in any way that the Haitians deserved their collective fate. And I understand that it is difficult to plan for the aftermath of an earthquake. However, it is not outside the realm of imagination to think that the citizens of a country might be able to: A) avoid putting themselves into a situation that might result in such catastrophic loss of life. And B) provide for their own aid, in the event of such a catastrophe.

So, if Shirley's argument is correct, than we would've built better levees for New Orleans. We would have fixed the San Andreas Fault line. We would've stopped the tsunami. Natural disasters are unavoidable. You can't control weather. You can't control when disaster strikes.

Dear Haitians –

First of all, kudos on developing the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Your commitment to human rights, infrastructure, and birth control should be applauded.

As we prepare to assist you in this difficult time, a polite request: If it’s possible, could you not re-build your island home in the image of its predecessor? Could you not resort to the creation of flimsy shanty- and shack-towns? And could some of you maybe use a condom once in a while?

Sincerely,

The Rest of the World

Yes, Shirley is right when he says that Haiti needs to be rebuilt correctly. That's why we're donating the money. For infrastructure. But, we're donating the money to save lives. We're donating the money for food. For water. For medicine. For clothing. For shelter. Things that we take for granted on a daily basis are so hard to come by for Haitians. So, we're supposed to sit back while they struggle? We're supposed to watch them struggle? And we're supposed to ensure this happens again? No, Mr. Shirley. You couldn't be more wrong. Your moral compass seems to be pointing due-asshole.

And, Mr. Shirley, here's why Haiti matters: They are suffering. They are struggling for things we take for granted. They need money. They need our support. And they are right in our backyard! They are our neighbors. Helping Haiti become a viable economic partner is crucial for our national interests. A viable economic partner in our backyard is something we want.

So, Mr. Shirley, I hope you go to bed at night knowing what an asshole you are. I hope you go to bed at night with the images of people in Haiti burned in your mind. I hope you never forget the images. Because one day, Mr. Shirley, karma will find you. And, from what I hear, karma is a bitch.

(P.S. As commenter Mike said on the site where the article appeared: "Too bad Mr. Shirley’s dad didn’t use a condom." Ah, karma really is a bitch. )

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Obama Speaks At Fort Hood

You all know about the Fort Hood tragedies. On this day before Veterans Day, President Obama went to Fort Hood, and spoke at the memorial service. Take a look:

We are a nation that is dedicated to the proposition that all men and women are created equal. We live that truth within our military, and see it in the varied backgrounds of those we lay to rest today. We defend that truth at home and abroad, and we know that Americans will always be found on the side of liberty and equality. That is who we are as a people.

I've never been to war. I don't plan on ever going into war, or even the Armed Services. I know veterans. I've met them in awe of all they've done, in awe of the sacrifices they have made. I have not, however, known anyone who has died in combat. I don't ever want to know someone who has died in combat. But as an American, I know these 13 soldiers from Fort Hood. I feel the struggle. I feel the pain, even if they can't feel it with me. I sense the sorrow of their family members, even if they can't sense it with me.

We are a nation that endures because of the courage of those who defend it. We saw that valor in those who braved bullets here at Fort Hood, just as surely as we see it in those who signed up knowing that they would serve in harm's way.

I'm not courageous enough to join the Armed Services. I'm not brave enough to risk my life for a greater good. I'm not strong enough, mentally, to deal with war. Which is why the sacrifices these people make are that much more awe-inspiring. They risked their lives for something greater than themselves. They risked their lives to help their neighbor, their friend, their country experience the waves of freedom though their hair, to live in a country free of tyranny. That's what these soldiers did. They put their country in front of themselves. They put freedom in front of themselves.

For history is filled with heroes. You may remember the stories of a grandfather who marched across Europe; an uncle who fought in Vietnam; a sister who served in the Gulf. But as we honor the many generations who have served, I think all of us - every single American - must acknowledge that this generation has more than proved itself the equal of those who have come before.

Our generation has lived up to the precedents of the ones before us. After 9/11, we raced to become better people, better Americans. When the Afghanistan war started (whether you agree with it or not) countless brave American men and women joined the cause. When the Iraq war started (whether you agree with it or not) countless brave men and women joined the cause. They didnt sit back. They didn't say "That's not my problem." They said, "This is our problem, this our moment to shine, and we cannot, we will not, back down." That's the legacy of our generation.

Long after they are laid to rest - when the fighting has finished, and our nation has endured; when today's servicemen and women are veterans, and their children have grown - it will be said of this generation that they believed under the most trying of tests; that they persevered not just when it was easy, but when it was hard; and that they paid the price and bore the burden to secure this nation, and stood up for the values that live in the hearts of all free peoples.

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. I ask if you, even if you don't know a veteran, to say thanks. To say a prayer for those still fighting. They made the ultimate sacrifice. The least we can do is thank them.

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Coming Out of Our Nation’s Abyss

This is not a post about the economy. This is not a post about health care, climate change. This is a post about our state as a nation. This is a post about how, for too long, partisan divisions are getting the way of real progress. This is a post about how we can change that. This is a post about how we can move forward.

You don't need the details. Just getting one single Republican vote on health care reform will be considered "bipartisan". Is that what we've come to? Scratching, clawing for one vote, just to claim bipartisanship? Unfortunately, we have. Unfortunately, that's where we are. Republican leaders are content in slowing down or stopping the Democratic agenda. Democrats are chiding the lack of Republican participation.

There was a time that Congress was there to help us. To help the common man. To help those who couldn't help themselves. There were differences. There will always be differences. But, they found a way. They found a way to do what's best for the country, even if it meant signing onto something that they had reservations about. But they did because they knew it was right.

Now, our nation is faced with an economic crisis. Republicans were against the stimulus from the beginning, because they knew that defeat will give them power in the next elections. They are against health care reform, because they know that defeat will give them power in the next elections. That's why Olympia Snowe's vote in the Finance committee was treated the way it was. It seemed like a shock to bystanders that a Republican would vote against their party. It seemed like a shock because it was. There were only 3 Republican votes for the stimulus, and one of them later became a Democrat.

Part of this is the intensification of the political debate, through 24 hour cable news, through the internet, through blogs. The world is watching like never before. Which makes it easier to get your message across. The advent of new media, while extremely important, makes everything a politician says that much more important.

How do we break partisan divisions? How do we get Republicans and Democrats to work together? How do we get them caring about us? The only way is term limits. No longer can being in the Senate or Congress become a "job." 8 years, just like the President. That's it. Serve your district, serve your state, serve your nation and get out. There's more incentive to work together, because you don't have to constantly campaign against them. 8 years. Get in, serve, and get out. I don't know when this will happen. I don't if this will happen. But, I do know that the lack of something, the lack of action on our parts, will continue our slide into constant partisan bickering. See, the only anything is getting done is because the Democrats have a majority. What if each had 50 votes in the Senate? Nothing would ever get done. And, that could happen in 2010. We face challenges. We've always risen to them. We have to again. People are blaming Obama for our issues. It's not his fault. He's doing everything he can. He's Michael Jordan playing on a bad team. Our Congress isn't interested in us. They're interested in campaign contributions. They're interested in staying in power. Until we get term limits, until we change, we'll be in a stalemate. We just have to hope that our saving grace is a majority. Because otherwise, we would be screwed.

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Let’s Let Obama Fail Before We Call Him A Failure

Some are throwing in the towel on Obama’s Presidency. The change hasn’t come yet. He’s waffling on the public option. Here’s what I have to say: Let’s let him fail. The economy is better–not fully healed, but the signs are there, and unemployment is always the last thing to come back in a recovery. Our standing in the world has immensely improved. He’s taking out troops from Iraq and moving more to Afghanistan, where the war should’ve been in the first place. And while there have been miscues (like any Presidency), it hasn’t been a failure. In fact, I would call it a pretty good success. Health care reform will get passed. And while it might not have everything that is needed, it’s better than nothing. Once he signs that into law, his approval ratings will go up. Combine that with an awful Congress, he’s doing well. So let’s let him fail, before we call him a failure. And for all the right wing fringe folks– the country has not changed. Your daily life has not changed because of Obama being President. The only thing that has changed is that a black man is President. We’re not a socialist nation. We’re not communist. Obama’s not indoctrinating kids. So, while we’re making progress, and there are still a ways to go (he has 3 whole years left, at least), he’s not a failure. In fact, I would consider him a success. So, can we let him fail, before he’s a failure?

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Obama’s Speech to Children

There has been a furor over President Obama's speech to children on their first day of school. It was called by some an "indoctrination", something they do in Iran, or North Korea. In truth, it's telling kids to study hard, stay in school. Here's the video. Let's get indoctrinated! (I kid, I kid. Honestly, has it become this bad that a President can't speak to children about staying in school? I know Republicans gave Clinton a hard time, but they never called him a socialist. They called him a womanizer, which was true. They didn't call him Hitler. Or compare his policies to North Korea's. I've said for a long time: The Right "fringe" is threatining to do much more than just be the opposition. They're trying to bring down a Presidency, so they can get money, fame, power. It's selfish, it's wrong, and frankly, it sounds a lot like something they would do in Iran: Bring down the opposition, and do whatever it takes. Watch the video. Make up your own mind. If a message of studying, working hard, and staying in school gets bashed this much, we're in for it. Bad.)

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What? Al Franken Can Draw The US Map From Memory? Yes!

Al Franken, Senator from Minnesota, can draw the US Map from Memory. Take a look:

That is enviable, outstanding, amazing, a tad weird, and stunning all at the same time. How does he do that? It's amazing how he got all the little details correct. Good on you, Senator Franken.

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Hop On the Beltway

Yes, political season is heating up. And why not get info and opinions from your favorite writer: Me. My new political blog, Beltway Blues, is up and running, and you should hop on over for the latest on the health care debate, and so much more. It's the least you could do, right?

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