Obama wins the peace prize-

Is that really what this president needs right now?

With countless right-wing religious types calling Barack Obama the Antichrist and one of the criteria for said position being peace in the middle east, does he really even want that kind of press right now?

On top of that, President Obama is facing mounting accusations that he is not living up to his many campaign promises. Being awarded one of the most prestigious awards on the global circuit based on promises he made while campaigning can't help at this point in the ballgame.

The Nobel Peace Prize is to go to "the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses," according to the nobelprize.org.

To me, that implies a great deal of work. On top of that, nobelprize.org cite their reasons for awarding the prize to President Obama in are "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".

Really? Remember, the nomination was cemented in February. How much can one man do in his first two months in office to change the global scene?

I agree with Bill O'Reilly in his hope that President Obama winning the Peace Prize will be good for our country. It's been a long time since we've gotten good press on the international level. I just wish it were based on some of the great things we've already done as a country and not a gamble on the hopes that our President will turn out to be a wunderkind over the course of the next three years.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you can help me out. Does President Obama really deserve the Nobel Peace Prize? Has he actually proven himself to be a great international diplomat? Remember, there is a difference between just traveling and being well received in various global destinations and actually accomplishing something.

I will award him a few points for inviting the college professor and the police cheif over to his house for a beer. Ther's one in the Obama column. Please post any other great deeds in the comments section below.

Another sham town hall-

I've been blessed with a second call from Senator Reid. I am sitting, as I type, phone pressed to my ear listening to a poorly performed speech, which Harry Reid is almost certainly reading.

The senator is throwing out a myriad of numbers and statistics, not citing any sources, or even explaining them very well.

He preceded his numeric jibber-jabber with "Before we get into questions, I'd like to talk about a few myths, these are myths," which are the exact same words he used during the last Town Hall Meeting.

Again, as I said last time, this defeats the purpose of a Town Hall. We're supposed to talk with you, Senator, not sit quietly as you talk at us. It's unamerican.

Awesome slip-up #1: When talking about death panels Senator Reid mentioned: "Death Care Reform Bills."

Great Question- Reid's first questioner, "Victor" just cited his record disapproval rating, asking how he could possibly consider reconciliation. Reid has glossed over the disapproval comment and just said "It would be nice to have some Republicans on board," but the democratic party is in a position where they can do what they think is best.

This is the 2nd tele-town hall I've listened to, and again Harry Reid is talking about his foot surgery a few years back. The story has to do with doctors getting ready to opporate on the same foot. I bet anything he's going to speculate on what would happen if it had been his wife on the opperating table instead of him...Bingo.

Reid thinks, if doctors say they're sorry for malpractice, the statement becomes inadmissable in court.

The Senator just admitted that he checks the Blue Cross/Blue Shield option when he enrolls for healthcare. He says, "I don't know if it's the least expensive, I just check it, I'm lazy." Really, Dude? With the current debate raging over health insurance and Americans complaining about how the politicians haven't adequately researched the heath care reform bills, you're going to tell us you don't even research your own health insurance. Come on...

Again, I'm waiting to ask my own questions, but so far, I've been ignored.

No questions for Yours Truly today. These Tele-Town Halls are largely a waste of time. A chance for Reid to spin tales, uninterrupted, and come away looking like a hero. It's a joke on democracy and I don't appreciate it.

What do you think about Glenn Beck?

I don't like him. But a lot of other people do.

I think Glenn Beck is an alarmist, a kind of parasite that feeds off the fears of everyday Americans. I entire life philosophy is centered on the idea that if you have a positive outlook, things will turn out okay.

If you're constantly living in fear, of the economy, of predatory politicians, of gang violence and child abductors, it's hard to just sit back and appreciate life. People like Glenn Beck don't want you to appreciate what you have, because if you do, you're not paranoid, and then you're not tuning in at 5:00 so they can pile more horror stories on your plate.

Honestly, watching the man on the television, seeing him tear up, listening to him dance around issues in ways that hint at thinly concealed disaster, makes me think that he's just silly. Stephen King, a man with whom I have nothing in common politically, referred to him once as Satan's mentally challenged younger brother. And I can't help but think that just about sums the guy up.

Glenn Beck creeps into your head and plays puppeteer with your nightmares, but he does it in a very hokey, Little Shop of Horrors kind of way.

TIME wrote a piece on Beck, but as far as I'm concerned, it's almost as bad as Beck himself. It carries a tone of self pity and shame, beginning with an offhand remark about how we the readers don't trust the mainstream media and continuing on with the same sort of alarmist garbage that Beck spews on a daily basis, making him sound like a Pravda minister or robber baron. In fact, the only really good part of the article was the Stephen King quote which I've already mentioned.

So, please, weigh in whether you're a Beck fan or one of his detractors. I want to know what you think. My recommendation? If you're thinking about buying Glenn Beck's Common Sense. Don't. Pick up Lisey's Story instead. It's deeper, more compelling and teaches better life lessons.

Problems with Obama as Witch Doctor picture.

Recently this image, depicting President Obama as a Witch Doctor has caused quite a few heated discussions. Left and right, people are debating whether or not this picture is racist.

Absolutely it is. It's an utter shame that, in a society where children are encouraged to reach for their dreams no matter how unlikely or outlandish, we are sending the message that one has to be black to become a Witch Doctor.

It saddens me that in a country where rags to riches is the order of the day, where kids are told that they can grow up to be anything they want, there are unspoken racial limitations.

How many little white boys are girls are watched the news last night, only to have it thrown in their face that there are certain things they can never be because of their 'racial handicap'. How many suburban children grow up and are virtually forced into lives as doctors or lawyers because they have been indoctrinated since birth that if they want to be good dancers, athletes or very tall, they have to be black?

Luckily, there is hope. One white boy did grow up to reach his dream. Mac Rebennack, also known as Dr. John the Night Tripper.

This man has spent most of his life traveling the world, trying to spread the word that any man, no matter his race, creed or color can do any job. Even that of a voodoo priest or witch doctor.

Dr. John has chosen to chronicle his struggle with prejudice and racism through song, and has produced more than twenty albums in his long career. The first, titled Gris Gris, recounts one man's solitary journey to voodoo priestdom. It's a tale of perseverance even though those around you don't believe in what your doing.

The album peaks at the song I walk on gilded splinters, showing that anyone, no mater the color of their skin, can indeed achieve their dreams.
And what about this man? Ajamu Bunyip, Kenyan witch doctor, expresses wishes that the president would have consulted him before using his image.

Dr. Bunyip says, "I just hope he understands that being the president does not qualify him to make medical or metaphysical decisions.

So there you have it. Not only are the pictures of Obama as a witch doctor racist, they are false and irresponsible.

If you have any questions please e-mail me or stick them up in the comments section.

New Bin Laden Tape

Osama Bin Laden, terrorist and international bogeyman released yet another post-9/11 tape yesterday.

In it, he offers the heand of friendship to Americans if we'll just stop supporting those pesky Israelis. Good luck, Man.

In the video, Bin Laden tells the American people that they have the power to stop the war on terror, all we have to do is work toward changing the white house's policy on US-Israeli relations and punish those who are in charge.

Geeze. Does this guy see what we're dealing with here at home? We can't decide if we're going north or south on the simplest of domestic issues, and he's putting out a call to action on foreign policy?

Who is Bin Laden's PR guy? Seriously. Right now, Israel/Palestine controversies have been put on the way back burner. If the guy wanted to strike any kind of cord at all, he would have hit current hot buttons, like health care and the economy.

The truth is, in the end, Bin Laden has to get his act together if he ever wants to be a strong political force in this country. Drop the whole Israeli platform and weigh in on something we really care about, like whether or not it's okay to yell at a town hall meeting. Until then, Americans just aren't going to take you seriously, Osama. Sorry.

Obama's address to students-

After watching President Obama's address to the nations student population, I'm a little disappointed. After all the controversy, I was hoping there would be a call to arms or talk of "undesirables".

But no, the President really only said things that any other leader, celebrity or random guest speaker would say. Work hard, stay in school, not everybody can be a basketball star or a movie god. He even cited J.K. Rowling as an example of someone who worked hard and dedicated themselves. I love J.K. Rowling, she and Harry Potter are two of my heroes. He mentions her alongside Michael Jordan. I love J.K. Rowling. She and Harry Potter are two of my personal heroes. But it occurs to me he could have stuck to Americans who've achieved their dreams. We have to have more than just the one guy, right?

Anyway, the video isn't available to post yet, but I'll throw it up here when it is.

Recipe for Disaster

Short post because of the holiday today. Yesterday's Review Journal reports that consumers are purchasing so much ammunition that suppliers can't keep up with the demand. Both the RJ and national ammunition manufacturers attribute the market flux to consumer paranoia.

They say that their fear that the Obama administration will suspend gun rights has catalyzed them into purchasing bullets by the case.

Pair this up with my post about No Child Left Behind and rising racial tensions and you have a great setup for a post apocalyptic scenario.

Anyone else feel like we're having a cold war with Oblivion?