CNN's "GPS" SHOWS VACILLATING OBAMA VIEWS, ON FOREIGN POLICY

Sunday, on a spectacular new television show (Fareed Zakaria, "GPS"), Barack Obama was interviewed, one on one, with Fareed Zakaria. The interview was not the "conventional drivel" on Jessie Jackson comments, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, or any of the other non-issue topics, the mainstream media is churning out. Instead, Zakaria provided a balanced and poignant interview, with an array of questions above the belt and needing specific answers. On CNN Sunday, Obama showed just the razor sharp wit and his expansive verbiage, to gloss over certain issues and give just enough, for the illusion of a complete answer. However, after reading the transcript and listening to the interview twice, there is a distinct glimpse into an Obama Presidency, in the foreign policy realm.

In the CNN/"GPS" interview, Obama was one on one with a man, holding a vast expanse of knowledge of the Muslim world, foreign governments and Middle East hot beds. Plus, Fareed Zakaria is a straight down the middle interviewer and man.Discussing Iraq and Iran, Obama has changed his far left and anti-Iraq war stance attitude. Originally, Obama stated, "On day one, of his Presidency, he would be pulling one to two brigades out of Iraq. Leveling the American presence down, to fully stop the war, within eighteen months." Over the last 6-7 weeks, since Clinton dropped out of the race, he jogged back to the right in his position, "I would have to not only check with the commanders on the ground, assess the situation, discuss with the Iraqi government, and then we will find out the best way to leave Iraq." A difference in words and strategies, since Clinton is gone.

Iran was an issue Obama was not as vocal about, as with China and Russia. The "change" in his potential policy was not a complete turn around, but a change for him, America, and definitely a divide, with McCain. The difference is Obama wanting to talk (as a President), face to face, with some (maybe, all) of our enemies and nations in distinct contrast to American interest.

Russia and China huge problems,with a variety of issues, but nuclear proliferation and the constant "vote against America" in the United Nations (against North Korea, Iran, Darfur, and tactical issues it's allies have/are using). Disarming North Korea, thru "6" party talks, was the only way to disengage their nuclear facilities. One on one talk failed, talks thru China and thru Japan failed, and UN sanctions failed, as well. Iran is a completely different animal, compared to North Korea, in a multitude of different ways, and 1-1 talks are not a move at all.
Consensus is a word good for trades in baseball, the stock market, and hundreds of other everyday terms, deals, and actions. People who will lay down their lives at the blink of an eye (for beliefs, to kill others not like them) is a hard objective to achieve. China holding trillions of dollars of our national debt and Russia going the way of "KGB Days with Putin" are not with the US,(hence, America's missile systems in Poland, et. Al). Obama's statement on "GPS" was, "When I am President, I would work for a full consensus, finding a consensus with everyone, including Russia and China. Also, not making a "consensus" with the twisting of arms and withholding goodies from other countries, not following our ways, or what we are working towards."

Barack Obama is one of the more gifted speakers in the world today. However, he is the most liberal senator, in the senate and he continues to have no actual senate policies, or combined legislation. The interview with Fareed Zakaria was a subtle and poignant interview. Showing Obama's "flexibility in his future policies." Iran firing long range missiles, building and constructing nuclear weapons, and having a massive border with Iraq, makes overseas policies huge. However, aside from the more than subtle changes in the interview on foreign issues, Obama has the same kind of vacillation on the domestic issues. Where does this man stand, on anything, and what has he actually accomplished, in his short political life, to be the President of the United States?

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

To Have A Friend, To Be A Friend

To have a friend is one of most choice things, in all of the world. Out of the thousands, possibly millions, of people who pass thru the lives of everyone, finding someone who is trustworthy, allows a person to be themselves (while also showing their faults in order to allow them to become a better person), sincere, and most of all will be in a person's life thru the thickest of tar pits and the lightest of feathers. Some say, "this is a good guy," "She is a good person" and "they would make a good friend." However, the ultimate test is for a person to say, "he/she is a great friend" (in the deepest root, of the meaning).

A notable quotes, "If a person can find two, or three, real friends, they are truly blessed." In a world dwelling in all of the negatives, scandals, and overall pitfalls of life, sometimes it is very important to appreciate the friend(s) one has. A true friend balances out the bad, pointing out the good. They may have a criticism, but it is from the heart and only to enhance another person's interest and personality (not to hurt, scorn, or be-little a person). They do not come from a place of dissent, but of love, hope and an overall place of goodness. A true friend is not jealous, is not passive, nor over the top, but brings out a brilliant blend of another person, for the betterment of the person.

Do you have any true friends? If you do, have you told them how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them, for not what they do, but who they are? Lastly, are you a true friend to anyone? Turn the first two paragraphs around, on yourself. Look deep into your soul, and see if you love someone for who they are (not what they do, what they give/bring to you, or any other one sided thing for your own gain, at their expense), what they are about (the attributes in their overall being) do you appreciate them in their good times and bad (or do you trickle away from them, only soaking up their great ventures, like a vulture), and are you showing your love and overall affection for them (not for what/where it gets you, or how it makes you feel). Sometime, it is very tough to have friends, but it is a million times harder to be a true friend. Obviously, only a person can answer this for themselves.

Hopefully, most people have a friend. However, everyone can always try to be the best friend, to another, they possibly can be. If you do have a friend, tell them how much they mean to you and yours. If you do not have anyone, try to look for the good in everyone, as you never know when, or where a special person may come from.

Inspired by: Harding, Los, Brian, & J

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

66 Years Ago

Sixty-six years ago, the United States made it illegal, punishable by up to $500,000 and 1-5 years in jail (depending on the infraction, how the crime was committed, and other circumstances), for crushing (poaching in any way) one egg, or killing a bald eagle. The law was put into effect, for the "American Bird" and also for conservation, as the bird was becoming extinct. After this July 4th, holiday weekend, it seems evident the project was a complete success. Eagles have continued soaring all over the United States, numbers are way up, and the laws continue on the books of our great nation.

In third world countries, human rights violating countries and even in small backwoods towns, jungles, and thru the cracks of society there continues to be massive violations to women (in the form of the cutting of women's private areas off, for fear of to liberal of girls and religious practices). Countries like Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Liberia, and countless others in Africa are using rape, machetes, and other forms of torture to enhance political and economic gain. Some expect the atrocities in these countries and states, but equate a massive and growing problem, in America.

The sixty-six years, the country has made an open season and struggle to preserve eagles and their eggs. However, in the very same country (since January 22, 1973, thru 2001), it is estimated (only estimate numbers from 1998-2001, the rest of the numbers) have been more than 40 million abortions. The numbers, per year, since 1975 have been over 1 million abortions a year, since the third year of abortion on demand. Obviously, if divided out, it totals 92 abortions, babies killed, or embryos taken out (whichever makes it easiest for you to digest it) a day, for over 28 years. (92 abortions X 10858 days (in 28 years) = 40 million)

An eagle's egg is "an embryo," (by definition), being the egg has a potential healthy eagle in it, waiting for only time and nature, to take place. A woman who is pregnant has an egg in her, that is waiting for time and nature, to take place. For sixty-six years, a person could not kill an eagle embryo, without it being an official crime (not to mention the moral and ethical implications). Therefore, the real question is when did a bird's life, become more important than a human life? Why are people protecting animals, more than the unborn? Just questions, but only individuals can answer them (the abortionists, the women who are getting abortions, and anyone affiliated with the abortion industry).

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

D.I.R.E.C.T. ENERGY PLAN

Comprehensive, progressive, hope and change are just some of the buzz words, of the future election and candidates participating. However, there are very few fresh and hard hitting ideas, in either Barack Obama, or John McCain's camps. The economy and high gas prices are two of the major issues, maybe the top issues, of the upcoming campaign. Yet, there is no singular solution for either, of the problems, hitting millions of Americans, daily. If one of the candidates would look at this "comprehensive" idea, then run with it. It would magnify the candidate, as a caregiver of the people, the sense of not cowering to lobbyists, and it would provide an immediate action on prices and future stimulation for "global warming technologies." A simple acronym, D.I.R.E.C.T., could win an election (or put a candidate, in the "cat bird seat").

D.I.R.E.C.T. ENERGY PLAN

D-- Drill and a mandate to aggressively drill. Drilling in ANWAR, off both coasts, farther east in the gulf (not in the everglades), South Dakota and Colorado, are all attainable and will be a boon, some sooner than others. The farthest drilling points, away from already standing pipelines, would be eight to ten years away. Although, drilling off the coasts and in the gulf, where some oil platforms/pipelines already exist, or are readily attainable (easy places to drill and build) will bear fruit, within two to four years (maximum).

I-- Integration. There are all types of energy, the United States can and must use. Wind, solar, gas, oil, hybrid technology, and many more are not only here to use, but are on the cusp of being in the US markets. American people, scientists, and industry giants must utilize and compromise to integrate all forms of energy into American hands. Politicians must look at the United States as a whole, not just taking care of there own state and getting reelected. Massachusetts and Kansas will not have wind mills in their states (Mass. because of the "elitist attitudes" and not wanting to "clog up waterways," so they can boat. Kansas is balking, because of farming industry and overall not wanting to "clog up the flatlands"). America has the most coal, of any country, in the world. Clean coal technology and massive coal production must be part of the solution. Shale drilling, in Colorado is a must, in order to utilize all possible resources and possibly making gains, scientists did not know previously. In the EU, nuclear energy has proven to be clean, but must be thought out, planned, and is a solution for problems in the long run. Finally, there must be more refineries built, for the ever-growing need and the US hasn't built one in over thirty years.

R-- Regulation. Obviously, there are CEO's in the oil, gas, and energy companies, who are completely out of control. Making millions of dollars a year, while most people are barely able to fill their tanks. Regulation of the energy companies (oil, gas, wind, nuclear, and any other kinds, in the future) is the only way to allow for common goals, not just massive prices. Regulation in not just profits, but also in carbon emissions, new oil and gas drilling conservation projects (so there are limited, if any "Exxon Valdise" problems), and an overall regulation to bring together conservation people and energy people, under a common flag and set of goals/rules.

E-- Eradication of small speculators and making the large speculators buy 50% of the product the are speculating. The overall impact of smaller speculators, on Wall Street, have oil more than 60% over what a barrel of oil costs, in America (meaning if speculators were held to task, made to invest/buy at least 50% of what they are speculating on, a barrel of oil would be $50-60, not $140.00 and rising). The overall market needs speculation and the men/women who are doing there job. However, there needs to be a complete inspection and management of smaller speculators, who are sticking it to the prices and American people. If speculators, thru Congress, were made to purchase 50% of oil product, it would eliminate the smaller/problem speculators, decreasing prices immediately and putting money in Americans pockets.

C-- Conservation. There should never be any mining, drilling, wind power, or any other energy needs at the cost of our most precious resources, like the everglades, Grand Canyon, and Mount Rushmore. When nuclear, oil, coal and shale technologies come into play, there must be a massive amount of conservation people and experts at the forefront, to keep the energy companies at bay. However, there must be a give and take, in the conservation portion. Recently in California, "the right price and right place" gave way to a common energy outlook. Like in the conservation of animals, some of the best conservation people are the hunters, fishermen, and smaller groups of people. The same must happen for the energy conservation. Big conservation corporations, lobbyists, and some far leftists should not be the major leaders, the same for the energy side (with the major Exxon, Coal, Nuclear pushers of energy), as they will always end at a stand still, with nothing being achieved.

T-- Transparency. Not one thing will be achieved, in America, under the banner of energy expansion, if there is not a complete form of transparency. The government, energy companies, and conservation associations all must be held under a complete banner of money, land, and overall opaque transactions and deals. The United States people are the ones who are being held at gun point, due to the high prices, small speculators, and high end lobbyists now. Therefore, the United States people must be able to see every single step, dollar, acre of land, oil platform and refinery being built on the Internet (on the D.I.R.E.C.T. dot Org web site). If there is no transparency, there will be constant corruption, lobbyist obstruction, nothing will be achieved, and American's will continue to languish under the same corrupt and boorish rule.

D.I.R.E.C.T. Energy Plan, will allow for all voices to be heard, both immediate, middle, and long term planning to be accomplished, and finally it will bring a comprehensive model to the American people. The model will be both transparent and fruitful on all levels, and the American people will be able to monitor the government and the individual companies, utilizing the energy and land we all rely on. Finally, this plan must be adopted by someone with foresight, a constant vision of today and tomorrow, plus the back bone to stand up to anyone who fly's in the face of the plan. If there is not a leader to enable this to happen, then a plan should not be implemented at all, allowing the American people to continue to be bullied, overcharged, and manipulated. The United States must act now, or like the Roman Empire, America will crumble under it's own weight, greed, and elitist attitudes.
From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

People may, or may not, come together to celebrate a given event, based on the "time they have," "where they are at in their lives" or "the kind of relationship, they had with a father, or a mother" during these holidays. Holidays, like father's day, mother's day, Memorial Day, and other "non-major" holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, et. Al.), sometimes go by the way side. By comparison, even Capitalism, does not give these holidays the due, the general "full court press" (if you will), and overall hammering home of sales, deals, and pandering for American's hard earned cash. However, Father's Day and Mother's Day are the only two holidays (not counting the religious holidays, for some), in which, there is an all inclusive nature. Everyone has a father and a mother, regardless of the relationship, lack of relationship, or maybe not knowing a parent (or both). Without a father and a mother, there would be no "YOU," period.

For this Sunday, being Father's day, some father's are around (a child's whole life), other father's divorce wives (sticking around, or staying in the children's lives), and then there are those who father a child and split immediately, never to see the child again. Regardless, father's of all stripes are still the person who made half of you. Every person on the planet has a father, no matter how close, or distant they were, a man is half of your genealogy.

There are a lot of things people say, do, and quibble over, but there is very little that truly makes a difference, in the world today. In order to make a difference, a person has to make a conscious choice, to do something correct, effect someone other than themselves, and most of the time, it involves getting out of a person's comfort zone. Most people do not like to take that stroll out of the "comfort zone" and they stick to the mundane. Only stepping out of the "comfort zone" and making a choice to do something for someone, like your father/mother, can come from you. This only happens once in a while, true change, or that scary step out of the comfort zone. However, when it happens, it hits you and the recipient, like a lightening bolt.

Time is not on anyone's side, "On a long enough time line, the survival rate of every person, eventually drops to zero and you die." Today could be the day, you step out of your comfort zone, speak to your Father and/or Mother, and give thanks for them giving you life. As without them, you would not be here. Therefore, regardless of your relationship with your family, father, and/or mother, you still owe them everything. Take a small step, by making a phone call, dropping a card off into their mailbox (not mailing it, but drive by and leave it), make a call and ask to stop by and talk, or spend actual "quality time" thanking your father/mother, or even stopping by the cemetery (where some flowers, a sit down chat, and reminiscing over old times, with just you and a past loved one). Nobody else can make you do it, choose for you, and you are responsible. Life is here and now, it is up to you, what you do.