I have now watched every minute of all three Presidential debates. And yes, I have more to say. First of all, Bush’s disrespectful behavior continued in the last half hour. He’s trying to make fun of Kerry, but when he says things like “only a Senator from Massachusetts…” he is poking fun at the citizens in Massachusetts. Does that not even occur to him? Personally, I think a man from Texas (which is stereotypically full of toothless rednecks sitting on their front porch with shotguns) should keep his damn mouth shut about people from Massachusetts (which is in the northeast and stereotypically full of very intelligent people with “old” money). But that’s just it. Those are stereotypes. And they have no place in a Presidential debate. Harvard is in Massachusetts, so maybe he was trying to make a joke about that…since he’s a Yale man. But even if that was his intent, many would take it as a slam on Massachusetts residents and that is absolutely unacceptable. Especially when it’s coming from the President of the United States.

Then with Kerry’s remarks about Bush not meeting with the “Black Congressional Caucus”. Yes, Bush is right. He has met with the “Black Congressional Caucus” (or Congressional Black Caucus, as it’s really called) — not often, but he has met with them — but why must he give such attitude with his rebuttals. Does he think that makes him sound cool? It sounds like how my kids respond on those rare occasions when they are right and I am wrong. It’s basically “na nana boo boo.” Is he a grown man or is he a 5 year old child?

I do have to give Bush props though. When he was speaking about his wife, Laura, he said, “She speaks English better then I do. I think people understand what she’s saying.” So at least he knows he’s a bumbling idiot. It’s refreshing to finally hear him admit to something. We can’t get him to own up to his real intentions in Iraq, but at least we got it on tape that he acknowledges his inability to hold a civilized conversation.

I do have one critique for Kerry though. It drives me crazy that he says “idear” instead of “idea,” but I can live with that for the next four years.

VOTE ON NOVEMBER 2ND! ONLY 5 MORE DAYS TO ELECTION DAY!

John Kerry spoke in town today. I thought it would be a great experience for Keaton. So we stood in line for a half hour to get in. Keaton was a little less then thrilled about that. But I still think it was a great idea.

The arena was packed. There was not a single section that did not have people in it. People kept piling in throughout the night. By the time Kerry came out to speak at 6:15 there were very few seats left and the floor was covered with people.

Ron Livingston (you know the guy from Office Space and a season of The Practice) started out the night. Ron is a Marion native so it was good to see a hometown actor coming back to the area to support our candidate. I believe Ashton Kutcher was also supposed to be there, but he wasn’t. I know he was in IC with Ron just a few days before.

So anyway, Ron introduced Senator Tom Harkin. Tom gave a great speech about drivers ed. Drivers ed, you say?!? Well, he said [paraphrasing, of course] imagine you are in a car and you look over and see George Bush driving. He’s all slumped over the steering wheel, veins popping, brain trying to put in some overtime [ok, I added that last part]. All of a sudden you realize there’s a big curve coming up. You mention this to Bush and he replies “I started this trip out going straight and I’m going to continue going straight.” So, of course, you go off the cliff and end up car mangled and you dead or severely hurt. Now imagine you’re in that same car and look over to see John Kerry driving. You tell him about the big curve and he replies “I’ve already seen it and I’m taking action to keep you safe.” And you and your car safely make it to the bottom of the cliff. Tom Harkin went on to say when you are in your car and you want to go backwards you put the car in “R.” But when you want to go forward you put the car in “D” for Democrat. I really enjoyed his speech.

Following Harkin we heard from a long time fire chief (I think he was a chief…he’s been with the fire department for more then 20 years). He gave a very moving speech about America’s heroes…our policemen, firemen and other safety personnel.

After his speech, Governor Tom Vilsack came out. I was excited to Tom Vilsack because Keaton already knew him. Two years ago, Keaton’s principal Mrs. Chen received the Milken award (cause she really is an amazing principal) and Tom Vilsack presented Mrs. Chen with that award at a ceremony at the high school. So it was really neat to see Keaton’s reaction to Governor Vilsack supporting John Kerry. I could tell that Keaton was impressed.

After Tom Vilsack Jon Bon Jovi performed four songs. And he was awesome. Is he ever not awesome?!? It was just him and his guitar and some girl and her violin. It rocked. I just wish we had been a little closer so we could’ve actually made out some facial expressions. [Did I say make out? I wish...I mean...sorry honey! Love you!]

Finally, John Kerry came out. And the place went up in a roar. It was really like a pep rally in high school. Only there were about 100 times more people and famous people were there cheering on the team. It was so cool! Kerry talked a lot about what a great state we live in (like we didn’t already know) and he also talked about his plans for our nation. He didn’t really tell us anything he hasn’t already told us. But it was awesome to see him say it in person.

I am so glad we went. It really was a great opportunity. I asked Keaton “Putting aside some of the moments of boredom, are you glad you came?” And he said he was. He actually said he thought it was cool. I’m so excited that he is keeping himself informed. In fact he is going to join me next Tuesday so he can see what you need to do to vote.

I really couldn’t come up with a better title then that. I’m either slipping or I’m just sick and tired of these debates. I know, I could choose not to watch them, but then I wouldn’t be an informed voter. So I will just sit her and continue to listen.

I still have a half hour of the final debate to listen too, but I had to make sure I commented today while it was still fresh in mind. So I can’t guarantee this will be my final comment on the debates. We’ll just have to wait and see what happened in that last half hour. But for now…

If Bush says “whew” one more time I swear I’m going to send a strongly worded letter to him via www.whitehouse.gov. And then just a few statements later (when speaking about gay rights) he says “I do know we have a choice to make in America. And that is to treat people with tolerance and respect and dignity. It’s important that we do that.” Umm…is making snide comments, saying “whew” after every statement Kerry makes, showing respect for Kerry? Is interrupting the moderator (which he continued to do throughout all three debates) and not following the debate rules that both Bush and Kerry agreed to, showing respect to Kerry or any of the three moderators? No. I have heard Kerry make comments about Bush’s plans and the way Bush has run this country. Some people may think those comments are disrespectful, but I have not once heard Kerry disrespect Bush’s character. He doesn’t say “whew” or giggle like a school girl after Bush comments. He does not interrupt the moderator or speak out of turn. Bush is a moron and he speaks like an idiot. Some of the things that come out of his mouth do not sound like things an intelligent man would say. Especially somebody intelligent enough to lead our nation. But Kerry doesn’t make fun of them. Kerry never commented on the “internets” that Bush spoke of. I immediately picked up on the “internets” as Bush said in the second debate. But Kerry let it go because he respects Bush.

In that same speech Bush went on to say, “I also know in a free society people, consenting adults, can live the way they want to live. And that’s to be honored.” So consenting adults can live they want to except in cases of giving birth or not and in cases of getting married or not. You can go ahead and live how you want to unless it doesn’t coincide with Bush’s views. When he spoke in the second debates about how he would choose a Supreme Court judge he stated he wanted somebody fair. And he talked about judges back in the time of slavery. Judges back then proclaimed slaves as property rather then people and Bush said that was personal opinion and should have been left out of the courts. I’m with you. Slavery was absolutely wrong. America as a nation was wrong. We should never have invited slavery in to our laws. But it was the majority opinion at the time. Judges make decisions based on their opinion and majority opinion. Many years ago black people were riding in the back of the bus and going to different schools then white people. Judges back then stated that was fine. And later as our society changed so did rulings in public court. I imagine (or at least hope) that in 20 or 30 years, homosexuals will have the same rights as straight people do today. Society changes and we adapt. Hopefully for the better. Decisions that citizens thought were good ideas 30 years ago have now been determined to be wrong. We grow, we learn, we debate…we become a better nation.

And staying true to form, Bush continued to make an ass out of himself in the final debate. He once again over emphasized a statement Kerry made. Kerry stated, “Six months after he said Osama bin Laden must be caught dead or alive, this president was asked, ‘Where is Osama bin Laden?’ He said, ‘I don’t know. I don’t really think about him very much. I’m not that concerned.’” Bush responded to Kerry’s claim with ‘Gosh, I just don’t think I ever said I’m not worried about Osama bin Laden. It’s kind of one of those exaggerations [with a huge, moronic emphasis on exaggerations]. Of course we’re worried about Osama bin Laden. We’re on the hunt after Osama bin Laden. We’re using every asset at our disposal to get Osama bin Laden.’” But according to www.factcheck.org, Bush did say exactly that.

Bush stumbled when he denied making some remarks about Osama bin Laden that Kerry had accurately paraphrased. Bush accused Kerry of “one of those exaggerations.”

In fact, Bush said almost exactly what Kerry quoted him as saying. It was in a news conference at the White House on March 13, 2002, after US forces had overturned the Taliban regime in Afghanistan:

Q (March 13, 2002): Mr. President, in your speeches now you rarely talk or mention Osama bin Laden. Why is that? . . .

Bush: So I don’t know where he is. You know, I just don’t spend that much time on him , Kelly, to be honest with you. . . .

Q: But don’t you believe that the threat that bin Laden posed won’t truly be eliminated until he is found either dead or alive?

Bush: Well, as I say, we haven’t heard much from him. And I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s at the center of any command structure. And, again, I don’t know where he is. I — I’ll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him. I know he is on the run. I was concerned about him, when he had taken over a country. I was concerned about the fact that he was basically running Afghanistan and calling the shots for the Taliban.

This is a man who apparently planned out and convinced many people to help and some to give their lives to kill thousands of Americans. And he’s not worthy of our President’s concern? What the hell?

That coupled with Bush’s Freudian slip in the first debate where he said “Of course we are going after Saddam Hussein…I mean Osama bin Laden,” really isn’t giving me any warm fuzzies. The President is going after the wrong man. And outright admits it [sublimily].

And then Bush continued to make an ass out of himself. He said, “In all due respect I’m not so sure it’s creditable to quote leading news organizations about….oh never mind.” Ok, I realize he’s talking about the whole Dan Rather scandal, but does he not know who the moderator is? Bob Scheiffer is a news anchor, jackass. Remember earlier in the debate, you know 15 minutes prior to this dumbass comment, when you were talking about respect? Practice what you preach! Respect Bob Scheiffer and his profession. And respect Dan Rather. Even after that “scandal” Dan Rather is still very much respected by many in America. So stop being disrespectful to your fellow citizens. And do you really want to focus on the Dan Rather thing anyway? Because from what I hear, the documents Rather reported on were generally correct. It was just the source that was sketchy. Just stick to the facts.

I’m sure that Bush has some good ideas on how to help our nation. Unfortunately, I am so distracted by his theatrics I can never actually hear the full scope of those ideas.

While watching the nighttime news tonight, I saw that Barbara Bush gave a speech somewhere earlier today. And in that speech she said that George (her husband, not her son) has been watching every news program and reading every paper and he is just disgusted. He has been cursing and throwing things at the television. Well now we understand where baby Bush gets it.

On another note, a while back I received an email about Social Security. It’s an email that is floating around the internet. It (wrongly!) proclaims that the Democrats are the sole reason for the decline of Social Security. Don’t be fooled by spam. Research it yourself. Don’t be fooled by the lies and mistruths in campaign ads (both Kerry and Bush are quilty of this). Research it yourself! We live in a technology age. So use it. Search the local and national news websites. Search the candidates websites, government websites and independent websites. Below are some additional helpful links:

• Debunking Some Social Security Internet Myths
• Debunking Some Social Security Internet Myths Part 2
• Fact Check

Did you watch the debates? Honestly, I did not watch the debates. At least not when they were on television. They just didn’t plan them around my schedule very well. But, luckily in today’s technology age I was able to see the debates this week. I watched the first one yesterday and the second one today on the C-Span.org website. And, you know me, I have got to give my opinion. I was going to keep my mouth shut, but I just can’t do it. Bush is driving me crazy.

I don’t think it comes as a big shock to anybody that I am a Democrat. I whole heartedly support Senator John Kerry in this election. However, I was hoping the debates would offer us an opportunity to really see where both Bush and Kerry stood on the issues. This is their one (or I guess three) chance(s) to tell us, the American citizens, why we should vote for them. No more hardball. No more name calling. No more attacks on their opponent. But I was wrong. Unfortunately, this whole election has been played on the playground. If pushing and shoving were allowed, it certainly would have happened in this election. It’s ridiculous.

In both the first and second debates Bush was like a little kid in elementary school that knows the answer. If he wasn’t the President I’m sure he would have just shot his arm up, shaking it rapidly in the air shouting “oh, oh, me, me, me.” At one point in the middle of the second debate Bush jumped up and talked right over the top of Charles Gibson, who was the moderator for that debate, because he was so upset about what Kerry had just said. He continually had a look on his face like he must speak now or he’ll forget what he wants to say. When I think about who I want to be President of this country, who I want to calmly talk to world leaders, who I want to lead us in to (and hopefully, soon out of) war, I want somebody who can remain calm. Someone who can act like a grown up. Someone who doesn’t crack under pressure. Somebody who is not a hot head. Bush is a hot head. He can’t even debate calmly.

Unfortunately, I could hardly concentrate on what was actually being said. I kept getting distracted by Bush’s reaction to everything. I was thinking about the things he was emphasizing, like when he made a huge deal about how he does not own a timber company (which he does, btw, as you can see on www.factcheck.org). He made such a big deal out of that it completely distracted people from his real message. He would say things like “whew” when Kerry was done speaking. After Kerry answered a question about abortion, Bush started his rebuttal with “I’m trying to decipher all of that.” Decipher what?? Did Kerry use big words you couldn’t understand? His emphasis on absolutely trivial things was so aggravating. I have a little advice for you Mr. President. You have some strong convictions. And you need to stand by them. You need to speak out about them. You need help the American people understand your views. But you are not achieving that by acting like a little kid on a big stage. You need to check your snide remarks at the door and act like a grown man when you step foot to the podium.

Bush thinks everything is so black and white. He states John Kerry is changing his position because Kerry voted for the war and is now opposed to it. But that is not at all what Kerry is saying. Kerry (like much of the rest of us) believes that Saddam Hussein is a bad guy. And Kerry was deceived (also like the rest of us) in to believing there really were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. But the weapons weren’t there. That was the sole reason we went to war, but now all of sudden Bush has a whole bunch of new reasons. Bush is the one changing his position to justify his reaction rather then just owning up to it. While challenging Kerry’s response on abortion, Bush said “It’s very easy. Do you support a ban on partial birth abortions? Yes or no.” No it is not that easy. Kerry looks at the whole issue. He takes the time to examine it from every angle. It is not a yes or no question. Kerry used the example of choosing an abortion in cases of life or death for the mother. Should mother’s be forced to give up their own lives because it’s against the law to abort a fetus? Why is the survival of a fetus more important then that of a woman?

On C-Span you can also watch some of the “Spin Room” coverage to see the reactions of people who watched the debates. One woman stated she thought Kerry’s answer to the abortion question was ridiculous. She said he should have just stated his position differs, but he went on to say he’s Catholic and pro-life and pro-choice. I think her reaction is ridiculous. Again, it is not black and white. Such important and life changing issues like abortion are never black and white. What Kerry was saying is he disagrees with abortion personally, but he is a public figure in politics and needs to think of not just himself, but all Americans. He believes it is not his decision to make, but the decision should be left to the mother. He believes it is not government’s right to butt it’s ugly head in to our bedrooms or our bodies. He is certainly not telling Americans to run out and have an abortion. In fact he is saying he is a Catholic and believes we should not have an abortion. But there is a difference between what a candidate personally believes and how best to run our country. Some decisions need to be left to citizens, not government. We are not puppets to be pulled along by our strings by government. We actually have our own thoughts and can make sound decisions on our own. President Bush even alluded to that in his round about response to “who would you appoint to the United States Supreme Court” question. He basically said he would want a judge who would judge fairly and not just on their personal opinion. That is exactly what Kerry is doing with his position on the Abortion issue.

And since we are on the subject…while speaking about only appointing fair judges who won’t judge on their personal opinion, he used the example of the Pledge of Allegiance in schools. The phrase “in God we trust” is in direct conflict with our Constitution. We are supposed to have a division between church and state. Requiring kids to say “in God we trust” every day contradicts that. I personally have no problem with the Pledge of Allegiance, but I can fully understand why others do. And if a judge rules to exclude the Pledge of Allegiance from schools I absolutely respect that decision. But that is judging based on personal opinion??? According to Bush it is. I guess what Bush means is he won’t appoint a judge who doesn’t have the same personal opinions as Bush.

So all in all, the debates have done little to sway me in Bush’s direction. In fact they have solidified my position on Kerry. I find Kerry to be a stronger candidate now that I have watched the debates. We cannot have a child running our country. We need a strong leader. Bush will not do. He has not done for four years. His time has come and hopefully he’ll go.