Biden Comes Out Swinging.

Joe Biden wanted to make some noise as he threw his hat into the ring. Well, he sure did, and - as I think many are saying right now - he probably made more noise than he intended to.

It's unfortunate that so many took Biden's comments regarding Sen. Obama the wrong way. I think that Biden intended to compliment Sen. Obama on his obviously good, "polished" qualities. I also take it that Sen. Biden meant to express that while Obama may be slick and media-savvy, he lacks the governing experience to run this country and become our president.

These are tricky times.

A candidate may come across as articulate, sharp, and handsome. An empty suit, as they say. And again, this is more the point Biden was trying to make. Obama looks good on the surface, but scratch the surface and you may not find critical presidential qualities there.

Again, these are tricky times.

Our relations with the Middle East are deteriorating by the minute. We're in Iraq with no solution, and Iran is playing games with us. This is very serious, but I didn't have to tell you that.

Things with N. Korea aren't pretty either. Basically, we have disasters waiting to happen in a few places.

That Senator Biden made this minor error is trivial to some, but very serious to others. I think they're opinion is that if Biden can so quickly slip up that maybe he can't handle being president. And maybe he can't.

Some talk about Hillary and make her out to be cold, cautious and too controlled, then on the other end we have Biden, speaking freely and openly, and he's taking a beating for it. I honestly feel sorry for our politicians, they can do no right almost. It really is unfair, and I think we need to have some uniform standard instead of different rules that change for different people.

Is that Hillary is a woman that we demand she be warm?

Is that Biden is a man that we expect him to be cold and calculating?

Is it that Edwards is attractive we need him to prove he's smarter?

Is it that Obama is an African-American we expect him to prove he's perfect?

Personally, I find Biden's personality rather refreshing. I also happen to think that Hillary is fine as she is and doesn't have to change. I don't think Edwards or Obama have to prove anything more.

And not yet. We have time. We have the debates, and this is where it REALLY matters - when tough questions are put out there and they have to answer and take a position; they have to answer on the spot, off the cuff, and be themselves. No speeches, no notes, no consultants - just a candidate and a mic. But in our tricky times, trivial things become big news, and the big news becomes trivial. Go figure.

Hillary's In And She's In To Win!

What an exciting week this has been for Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)! She's made history with her recent announcement of her presidential run, and she's doing it with great ease.

I'm not sure what it is, but Hillary seems rather warm and relaxed on TV these days. She was interviewed before and after the State of the Union on MSNBC. She seemed quite comfortable in her own skin. Not at all the wearing the the ice-queen label in any of her recent appearances.

I've made it clear here in the past that I support Edwards, but also that I found Biden an interesting candidate, well, now let me add to that Hillary is looking better and better each day.

She's in Iowa right now, where polls have her behind Edwards and Obama. No matter, she drew a massive crowd who was filled with enthusiasm and thrilled to see her. Iowa seems to have laid out the welcome mat to Senator Clinton in a big way.

Of all the candidates running, Hillary leads the pack with her prior experience. Having occupied The White House for 8 years, I'm sure she's picked up some good experience. Having been our Senator in New York only adds to her resume. And let's not forget her years with Bill when we was Governor.

Hillary knows government. But so does Biden, however, Hillary is a stronger candidate in terms of her team/staff and her fundraising capabilities, and of course, let's not forget her husband, our wonderful former president, Bill Clinton.

I admit it, I am a Bill Clinton fan. I would LOVE to see Hillary run and run well and get both herself and Bill back into the White House, I'd be in Heaven. We all know that Bill Clinton has done great things for America when he was in charge; our economy was strong, jobs were plentiful, our image abroad was in intact, and our president did an outstanding job.

So far, the only negative the Media has thrown at Hillary is her vote for the war. I think many voters don't hold this vote against her. Congress was mislead by faulty intelligence designed to fool them, just like they fooled us. How can anyone seriously make more of her vote than that?

Overall, this is becoming a very exciting time for Democrats. And the more I see of our party, the more certain I become that we'll have a new Democratic president in 2009. From all us here, good luck to Senator Clinton! And thank you and President Clinton for all the good you both have done for our country.

EIGHT MORE KILLED

Eight more members of my brother's brigade in Alaska were killed on Saturday. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. (see article immediately below this post).

Supporting the Troops: Fallen Soldiers' Memorial/Remembrance Fund

My brother is stationed at Ft. Richardson, AK, and is stateside, for now, as he has been on medical hold due to knee surgery. As such, he's had the heartbreaking duty of assisting with death notifications and arrangements for those soldiers killed from Ft. Richardson, including the Post's official memorial/remembrance ceremonies. Ft. Richardson lost 12 brave men during December; that's more than 10% of all of the troops killed during that terrible month.

It seems, there are no official Army funds for these services, and the few men and women back here at home responsible for arranging and conducting these traditional military services have been taking money out of their own pockets for flowers and the printing of memorial tribute cards, etc., which can be several hundred dollars for each service.

Soldiers don't really make a lot of money, and they generally have families to support. However, I assure you, you'll never hear one of them complain about it - it is an honor and a duty, and they will make whatever sacrifices are asked of them with all the dignity you would expect.

Recently, an account has been set up for donations to Ft. Richardson's Fallen Soldiers' Memorial/Remembrance Fund. All money donated will go for expenses directly associated with conducting these customary military services, and should any funds be left at the end of this war, they will go towards a memorial wall on Fort Richardson dedicated to all those who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If you would like to truly "support the troops," particularly those who have given their lives and deserve every honor and acknowledgment that can be afforded them, please send your donations (they must be under $1,000 dollars each).

Make the check out to: "4-25 Rear Detachment Unsolicited Funds"

And Mail to:
C/O Rear D S-1
Headquarters, 4th BCT (ABN), 25th Infantry Division
724 Postal Service Loop #8400
Fort Richardson, Alaska 99505-8400

For verification, you can contact the following Ft. Richardson officers:
Treasurer: Capt. Clifton Holmes (907) 384-2219
Public Affairs: Kirk W. Gohlke: (907) 384-1542
Major Charles Greene: (907) 384-9710

Also, here is Fort Richardson's website: http://www.usarak.army.mil/alaskapost/. I am hoping they will soon have some information posted there for further verification.

I would also encourage everyone to contact their local military installations to see if they need similar assistance. I know that all of us safe at home want so much to do something to contribute. We are asking a lot of our soldiers. This is something we can do.

Thank you for your consideration, and please pass this information along to all the people you know.

"If You Can't Stand Behind the Troops - Stand in Front of Them."

Blood In The Streets

by Teresa Beau

I'm certain it's not the first time blood has run in the streets of Baghdad, but it's certainly the worst. Yesterday, over 100 people were killed in bombings and shootings in Iraq's capitol, including attacks on Baghdad University.

Four of those killed were United States soldiers assigned to the 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

Prime Minister al-Maliki's response to the killings was to blame Sunnis, claiming the killings were reprisals for the brutally botched hanging of Sadam's brother-in-law, which resulted in his decapitation. Al-Malaki stated, "the remnants of the previous regime were dealt a severe blow that put an end to their fake dreams forever."

It is becoming more and more obvious that all dreams for a peaceful, free Iraq are "fake dreams." The United Nations has reported that 34,000 Iraqis were killed during 2006, and 2007 is starting out with more massacres.

Additionally, Iraqi cabinet ministers and legislators loyal to Shia death squad militia godfather, al-Sadr, were instructed to end their six-week boycott of the political process, giving al-Sadr the controlling voice in the Iraqi legislature.

In the midst of this ramped-up sectarian violence, and blood literally running through the streets of Baghdad, our President has ordered that approximately 21,000 American troops be added to those in-country, by extending the tours of those already in Iraq and by returning those recently cycled out of Iraq before their scheduled date. He is sending our young men and women, exhausted from the horrifying day to day carnage, without the promised respite, to Iraq to guard the "inmates in the asylum," in some futile attempt to keep them from slaughtering each other.

These words may sound harsh, but just what else would you call it at this point? There's no new strategy, no new ideas, no new diplomatic or political solutions. NOTHING! And NOTHING our troops can do will stop this 1,400 year old hatred and blood-letting. Pres. Bush is merely sending them to stand, and even die, in the blood-filled streets between two raging monsters determined to gnash each other to pieces. If Israel were killing Muslims at the rate Iraqis are killing each other, there would be a cry of outrage like no other from many of the very same people who are now doing or sponsoring the killing!

Of course, I agonize over the global consequences of a middle east that is enthralled in a sectarian war for the ages, but I wonder if there is anything at all our presence there can do to stop it. There are forces who can have an effect, and perhaps even broker peace in Iraq. They are Arab forces, such as Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, etc. Not only do they speak with the same voice as the Iraqi people, but they have much more credibility with those in Iraq than President Bush.

Our Congress must act, where our President is unwilling, and bring Iraq's neighbors to the table, and they must act to stop the escalation of our forces. In a country where the violence is already escalating, on a moment by moment basis,U.S. escalation will only add more of the blood of our young men and women to the blood flowing through the streets.

(Please take a moment to listen John Edwards' speech Silence is Betrayal in which he describes OUR responsibility to speak out, act, and make a difference: http://www.johnedwards.com/media/video/mlk-day-riverside-church/)

Let's Talk About Biden

I'm not crazy about Hillary. I'm not sold on Obama, but I really like Edwards. So, this was where I was at last week, and had been since the mid-term elections were over.

Senator Biden then comes along announces on Meet The Press that he is running for president.

Hmmm. Suddenly, I'm a little confused. Because I am happy that Edwards is making a second run, and I'm sold on his domestic ideas. But Biden is the flawless candidate (in my book) on foreign policy. And right now, both foreign and domestic policy are crucial to America.

There is some part of me that wishes we could merge both Edwards and Biden into one candidate to make the perfect Democratic candidate for 2008.

Of course, reality kicks in and I realize that we can't fuse Edwards and Biden, but another idea soon follows:

An Edwards/Biden ticket? A Biden/Edwards ticket? I'd be thrilled with either combination. Of course, voters will eventually decide. And the only place I can fault Biden is that there is no info regarding global warmimg on his website, but otherwise, I think he's a strong candidate.

So, is anyone else out there feeling a bit torn between two Democrats? Feel free to share with me and comment on your reaction to Biden's announcement.

If you want to read more on Biden, you can go to his website, or you can read a blog on The Huffington Post written by Robert Guffman:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-guttman/bidens-foreign-policy-cr_b_38144.html

DIRTY TRICKS AND CHRISTMAS TREATS

by Teresa Beau

Several days ago, New York Daily News reporter, Ben Smith, received a Christmas treat from an unidentified source reportedly sympathetic to one of Rudy Giuliani's opponents, a copy of Giuliani's 140 page campaign strategy dossier.

Giuliani spokeswoman, Sunny Mindel, more than hinted that there were political dirty tricks afoot, stating, "I wonder why such suspicious activity is occurring and can only guess it is because of Rudy's poll numbers in New Hampshire and Iowa."

Reporter Smith revealed a select few details from this "plan," including the rather juvenile and somewhat degrading way in which some of the potential candidate's most generous campaign fundraisers were categorized, in sports terminology: "MVPs, "All Stars," and "Sluggers."

Smith further quoted from dossier notes that indicate that Giuliani may well "drop out of [the] race" due to his embarrassing and "insurmountable" personal and political associations, including: his private sector business; the candidate's former aide Bernard Kerik's reported elbow-rubbing with mafia types and criminal indictments; and his well-known martial and alleged extra-marital escapades.

Giuliani, was a National iconic figure of strength and decisiveness after 9/11. However, in reality he left a rather slimy film on the N.Y. mayoral mansion, with his highly publicized court drama wherein he attempted to move his latest ex-wife out of the mansion and his mistress in. All of it reads too much like the plot of a bad LifeTime movie.

I just can't help wondering - are these guys serious? He can't even manage control over his own top-secret pre-campaign strategy, much less his sizeable libido. One thing this Country doesn't need is yet another likable buffoon in the White House.

The campaign dossier even acknowledges that "[a]ll will come out - in worst light," and estimates opposition forces will spend at least "$100 million against us on this stuff." Seems that is an all too telling statement, and the irony of it is that the worst may come straight from Giuliani's own document. Smith is holding the dossier close to the vest, and no doubt plans to drop more such stink bombs on Giuliani's presidential aspirations in the weeks and months to come.

Should make for some juicy reading.

We The People

by Teresa Beau

On November 7th, this Country took back some of its power! Bravo to us! There has been so much dissatisfaction in the air with the state of our government and the way Republicans have been running it.

Until November 7th, the people of our Nation had either accepted the lying and spin, the corruption, the pandering, the ends-justifies-the-means tactics, and the Rove-style slaughtering of all forces of opposition as "politics as usual," or we've ranted and raved impotently. Those days are OVER! We, as a Nation, stated loudly and clearly that this is OUR COUNTRY, and we will take responsibility for it.

We had become complacent and disillusioned, and the Bush Administration took advantage of that. Finally, the American electorate stopped holding its nose and swallowing the bad medicine of the Bush Administration. The "sleeping giant," the people of this Nation, have awakened, and we have realized that we will get the representation and the government we deserve. We have stopped taking our democracy for granted.

We must continue on this path of empowerment and reject the polarization tactics that have torn us apart. We are ALL AMERICANS, and in order to meet the grave challenges we face, we must each stand up, together. We must again, remember our ideals in order to change the course of our Country and the World.

One must be an idealist to bring about change and a pragmatist to understand the changes that are necessary. We need a leader who embodies both, and in John Edwards, we have found that leader.

Together we can TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY from those have led us down the wrong path.
__________________________

"Here sir, the people govern!"
Alexander Hamilton
(speech to the New York Ratifying Convention, June 17, 1788 )