Change?

The fascinating thing about this Presidential election is that Barack Obama is not being overwhelmingly supported because he represents "Change for Washington" or a "New Kind of Politics." He's getting elected because he's a liberal Democrat. A recent poll by CNN showed that the large majority of Americans believe Obama to be a flip-flopper, a political opportunist, and someone who will not change D.C...and yet they support him anyways. Why? He's liberal!

The tipping point has finally been realized - America, with a little help from friends (cough...W...cough) has finally turned the corner towards liberalism. Happy days!

Feminism of the First Lady

I didn't support her, but Hillary Clinton's defeat in the Democratic primary was a shame. Her loss was truly a result of blatant and ignorant sexism. The predominant portrayal of Hillary Clinton was that she was "a big bitch." She was shown as shrill, aggressive, and unfeminine. She was questioned as to why she wore pantsuits instead of more girly attire. Seriously, it was a backwards, hateful, misogynist shit-show that cost her the nomination.

Alas, a great opportunity for feminism was lost with Clinton's defeat. But a new opportunity arises with the position of First Lady. Who better to promote the feminist cause as First Lady than a strong black woman? Michelle Obama has the confidence, accomplishment and intellectual weight to serve as a true beacon for the movement.

Keep Attacking

I hope that Wes Clark's recent attacks on McCain's credibility to serve as President are a calculated decision by the Obama campaign. I hope this because it would indicate to me that Obama is willing to attack McCain at his perceived "strengths" rather than allow McCain to walk all over him on national security cred.

Wesley Clark has been delightfully insistent that McCain's military service and time as a POW in Vietnam do not in any way prepare him for the Presidency, and do not make him better equipped to be Commander in Chief. My hope is that more situations like this come about as a result:

From ABC:

McCain became visibly angry when I asked him to explain how his Vietnam experience prepared him for the Presidency.

"Please," he said, recoiling back in his seat in distaste at the very question.

McCain allies Sen. Lindsey Graham stepped in to rescue him. Graham expressed admiration for McCain’s stance on the treatment of detainees in US custody.

You see, Wesley Clark is actually correct, and McCain has no answer to the contrary. If people actually begin questioning McCain on this perceived strength of his, as Clark did, he will be forced to go on the defensive in an area that he clearly wants to go on the offensive with. A candidate who is behind in the polls having to go defensive is not good news for his campaign. So, I say: keep up the attacks!

Zimbabwe

From today's Wall Street Journal:

Mr. Mangoma uses a 10 million Zimbabwe dollar bank note, worth 0.00008 of a U.S. cent, as a bookmark because he "doesn't care if he loses it."

Robert Mugabe's sham election victory marks yet another stepping stone on Zimbabwe's march towards complete demise. One million percent inflation, an incompetent dictator at the head of a brutal police state, and an impoverished people: this is a truly miserable state of affairs.

What can the West do? Absolutely nothing. It's morally excruciating to admit, but any action the West takes will at best be ineffective and at worst will aggravate matters further. This is an African problem - one that, for the sake of Zimbabwe's people, Africa needs to figure out rather quickly. Perchance Mbeki can find somewhere in his conscious the conviction to disavow his former comrade-in-arms?