Obama

I'm not a very political guy. I am deeply concerned about social justice. That does require some involvement in politics. But, I've never campaigned for a candidate, contributed to a candidate's campaign or so much as worn a t-shirt for a candidate. That is, until this year.

I am inspired by Barack Obama. Not because he's the smartest person who has ever run for President (though he's certainly smarter than what we've had recently). Not because he has the most experience. Not because he's got the best policies (he and Hillary are not nearly as far apart as their campaigning requires they try to portray themselves to be). It's because he's the most hopeful candidate we've had in my memory. It's because he represents the opportunity to put someone in the White House who still believes we can do things differently. Also, I think he's the most compassionate candidate to come along in a long time.

I haven't read "The Audacity of Hope", although now that I have decided to back Obama, I will. I haven't read his detailed position papers, although the one on health care is sitting here printed out and ready for me to wade through. But, I've heard enough about his positions on the issues to know we fundamentally agree. And, I know enough about his history to believe he will genuinely try to do the best he can for all of the American people, not just the rich and privileged.

Here I am in my first campaign t-shirt:

Up in Smoke

This reminded me of the recent smoking ban in Ohio, one of the most strict in the nation. Now, you can't even smoke in a bar. I met the owner of Anthony's Cigar Bar and Grille last summer at a cookout. He was just getting started (not even open yet). He put thousands of dollars into a smoke handling system, had private lockers installed a walk-in humidor, etc. I visited once. It's a great place. I wonder how well it'll do once the smoking ban is enforced.

I'm all for public safety and health. But, I find it absurd that adults can't open a smoking establishment where people who want to be around smoke and smokers can congregate.

Jack Bauer- The Jesus Figure of 24

I’m going to kind of cheat on my post for today. We took Shayna out to dinner for her birthday and I planned all day long to use the picture of her at dinner for my post. Then, I forgot my camera! So, I'll document that we did take Shayna out for a burger at Red Robin tonight. But, I don’t have a picture. So, I’ll use another picture.

Last night we watched “24”. It’s one of my favorite shows on TV. It was the season premiere (2 hours last night and 2 hours tonight). Jack was back from 2 years in a Chinese prison. The poor guy was locked up for a “murder” he committed in defense of the United States. Prior to last season’s 24 hours he had spent a year or more in exodus because the United States pretended he had died (to prevent an international incident with China). So, in the last 3 years or so, Jack had spent about 24 hours on American soil, most of the time working for an agency that had disowned him. We see Jack come back last night barely hanging on to life after not having spoken a word in two years in captivity. And, what does the US tell him when he gets off the plane? Jack, one of the other bad guys whose brother you put away wants your life in revenge for his brother’s. So, we got you out of Chinese captivity to hand you over to this guy who plans to put you to death. Sorry about your luck. But, it’s for the greater good. It’s going to save American lives. We know you’ll understand Jack. And, Jack goes silently and willingly along with the plan willing to give his life for a country that never shows the man more than five minutes’ gratitude at a time.

Here's Jack, just getting off of the plane from China. They've explained the plan to him and are allowing him to shave and shower before taking him to his death.

The American Way

What do you do on a Saturday afternoon when the Buckeyes aren't playing? Go to Costco, of course! Don't these people look happy to be there? Go to Costco on Saturday afternoon and you even have to wait in line to get out of the store.