I don’t know why I haven’t been keeping up on this. Oh I know…the “King of Pop” died. Leave it to our media to show nonstop coverage of Michael Jackson for days when our foreign policies and worldwide feeling for the US are about to change. Tonight, most US troops will be out of Iraqi cities. The citizens there are ecstatic, as I would be when a Foreign power relinquishes control over my country. I hope that we have trained them well enough that our time there won’t have been for nothing.

Some of my favorite snippets from Obama’s speech:

Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

I thought this was great, especially as the now (thank God) former Pres. Bush was sitting right behind him.

We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.

This is cool but some people might see this as an open door to stem cell research. As long as they don’t harvest them from babies, I don’t have a problem with it. There are several techniques now that do not involve harming fetuses. I can’t wait to see what America’s bright minds can do.

And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

This is good but it might come back to bite him. There will always be less than forthright politicians and some might even surface on his watch. People will be frustrated and disappointed by him…he’s only human.

And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Yea. Please restore our global credibility. I’m sick of having to claim that I’m Canadian overseas.

We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

Yeah, watch it.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

We will forgive, but you have to make an effort. I’m talkin’ to you dictators!

All in all, I thought it was a well thought out speech that challenged as well as affirmed Americans. May God Bless America and her 44th President, Barack Obama

I thought it went pretty well. It was funny how Jim Lehrer tried to get the candidates to address one another directly and Obama did, but McCain refused to look at Barrack. McCain seemed like he knew a lot about foreign policy and he could back it up by saying how he had been to all those different countries but he still didn’t get it. I was waiting for someone to mention it but only Barrack brought it up. The United States’ reputation in the world had been badly damaged by the current administration and we need to take steps to change how others view us. How are we ever going to solve things if we refuse to speak to anyone?

Obama also made a good point about Afghanistan and Iraq. About which one is really important. And I loved the little bracelet exchange. McCain has a bracelet with the name of a dead soldier whose mom said to not let her son’s sacrifice be in vain and that he should make sure we “win” in Iraq. Obama said he also had a bracelet and that that mother said for him to make sure another mother never has to go what she went through again.

I hope that the American people will see sense and not allow McCain to take office in January.

I watched the last half of the Democratic National Convention last night. I saw the part where truck driver Republicans said they would vote Obama and Barack’s speach. Well…what now. We get to see the Republican Convention and endure days of them bashing all of Obama’s ideas. But I guess my question is: besides a few points, what reasonable person could say that what he said is bad. I know there are people out there who legitimately believe that everything Obama says is wrong just because it’s coming from him and not a republican. Someone in my Bible Study said that Obama stands for the opposite of everything he (the guy) believes in. Really? Lower taxes for the middle class. Holding big business accountable and taxing them. Trying to talk to countries before invading them. Yeah, that stuff is crap.

That last one really gets me. I know our foreign policy has seen better days but people freaked out when Obama said he would be willing to talk withanyone if there was a chance for peace.  “I want to have direct talks with countries like Iran and Syria because I don’t believe we can stabilize the region unless not just our friends but also our enemies are involved in these discussions.” Why is that a bad thing. Are things going to get better by ignoring the very people we should be trying to bring to the table. I remember watching Diane Sawyer inside North Korea meeting with some of their top military leaders and them saying, “I really wish Bush would stop calling us evil.” Yes, they may have done some bad things but calling them names from across an ocean is not going to make them want to stop. In fact it may spur them on to even more terrible action. I was once a student ambassador for the US and visited two countries. Understanding increases when you just speak with people. If I settled every argument like Bush, I would preemptively punch people in the throat before I confirmed that they had a  WMD in their pocket.

I also think we need to mind our own business. Yes, I know human atrocities abound throughout the world but there are still many happening in our own country that we have not dealt with because we are spending so much time and energy overseas. So Russia invades Georgia. That sucks but what does it have to do with America? Or how about this: Saddam invades Kuwait. What does that have to do with us? Oh yeah, I forgot. OIL. Kinda like how Saudi Arabia has a horrible human rights record but because we have a good business relationship with the royal family we overlook it. And China too. Well, we get so much of our stuff from China I guess it’s OK if they are terrible to their citizens. I guess it seems like I am arguing against myself. China’s human rights violations are not our problem. Why are we the worlds’ policeman?  I am getting off on a tangent here I know. Oh well. Maybe later I will publish my paper on foreign aid and how we should stop that too. Private organizations like World Vision do a much better job than the US Government. Anyway, I suppose I will end here before I go any farther. As always, I welcome your comments and arguments as long as they make sense and aren’t just insults.