My Good Deed

Rain rain rain.
We got a lot of it today.
Started around 10 AM, and had at least an inch by 3 this afternoon.
The leaves being blown off the trees onto the road made some turns and intersections like trying to stop on ice.
We have a lot of visitors come around here on the weekends since we have George Washington's boyhood home, and Stratford Hall, and James Monroe's home, and a few other places people like to visit, and they are not used to driving the back roads, much less under adverse conditions like we had today.
A few of us had decided to put out some crab pots one last time earlier in the day, and I had decided to drive down to the boat dock and check to see if the boats were still tied off OK, and shoot the breeze with the others for a while, just an excuse to get out of the house really.
Well, on the way home, Just past Monroe Hall, I saw some flashing lights, and I knew what it was before I got there, because when you come out of Monroe's home, you crest a hill and come to a stop sign in a short distance, and the combination of that, and the hard rain, and the slick leaves had left a family stuck in a ditch.
Without asking, I just pulled around them, and then back up some, got out and hooked my chain to their tow mount on the frame, and then to my hitch on the truck, I went to the window and told the guy just put it in neutral and turn the wheels and I will ease it out.
Sure enough, a minute later he was out, and I was unhooking the chain. He got out and said " I tried to call for a tow, but had no cell signal ". I said " yeah, signal is a little weak down here ".
He then said " can I pay you something ? " I said no.
He then said " you still have a McCain sticker on your truck, you guy's do know Obama won right, ha ha "
I guess I should have charged him
But anyway, it's always nice to help someone, made me think of this song

What Kind Of Decision Did John Make ?

Ever since John McCain has announced his choice for VP, I have seen nothing bad comments about Sarah Palin. Her age, her experience, even an alleged controversy over her ex brother in law's job as a state trooper. Well, before I make a decision about McCains choice, I wanted to find out more about Palin. I found a bio here http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/08/29/officlal_Palin_biography.html

Palin took the office of the Governor to Alaska in December 2006, and under her leadership, Alaska invested $5 billion in state savings to overhaul education funding, and implemented the Senior Benefits Program that provides support for low-income older Alaskans. She created Alaska's Petroleum Systems Integrity Office to provide oversight and maintenance of oil and gas equipment, facilities and infrastructure, and the Climate Change Sub cabinet to prepare a climate change strategy for Alaska.

During her first legislative session, Governor Palins administration passed two major pieces of legislation. An overhaul of the states ethics laws and a competitive process to construct a gas pipeline.

Prior to her election as Governor, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council and two terms as the mayor of Wasilla. During her tenure, she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business friendly environment, drawing in new industry.


She was elected by her peers to serve as president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. In this role, she worked with local, state and federal officials to promote solutions to the needs of Alaska’s communities.

She is married to Todd Palin, who is a lifelong Alaskan, a production operator on the North Slope and a four-time champion of the Iron Dog, the world’s longest snowmobile race.

Palin is a lifetime member of the NRA and enjoys hunting, fishing, Alaska history, and all that Alaska’s great outdoors has to offer.”

Palin entered, and was 2nd runner up for Ms Alaska in 1984 . Makes me wonder if there is anything she can't do.

As to the controversy involving her former brother in law, I have found no fact pertaining to it, but did find some disgruntled workers who were fired for not doing their job

I see that she was not born into politics, and has honestly worked her way up to where she is today. Everyone is screaming for change, and the loudest screamer out there

chose a running mate that was already in up to his ears in the DC cesspool.

Change ? Get out of here, Biden has his own agenda, and will do what it takes to get the #2 spot.

John McCain has chosen a free thinking, realistic, woman from the real world. She is a wife and mother who has worked for a living to help support her family. She is an avid outdoors person who hunts and fishes. She is not afraid to speak out against things that are wrong, and will stand and fight for her beliefs. I am anxious to hear what she will be saying in the next few weeks.

Still On The Fence

Did you catch the the Q & A from Rick Warren to McCain and Obama ? I had to search, but I found the transcripts and made note of the positions that the candidates have on some of the topics. I do this not only to get a sense of their ideas for the coming 4 years, but to see if these positions will hold.

On the issue of abortion, Obama is for legalized abortion. McCain believes human rights begin at conception

Both McCain and Obama said marriage is a union between a man and a woman. Obama added that he supports civil unions for gay partners. It sounds as if Obama is not real sure about this issue

Obama was quick to quote scripture, and discuss his faith. McCain was a bit more reluctant, and used anecdotes and humor to answer some of Warrens questions.

I did a little more research on the candidates positions, and found that Obama does not oppose war. Obama voted for a 700 mile fence at the US/Mexico border in 2006, but in 2007, he supported a bill that created the " guest worker " program. Obama also wants to spend 50 to 65 BILLION on his National Health Insurance Exchange that does not offer health care, but would serve as a watchdog on private insurers. His plan also calls for " Large " companies to contribute to insurance costs

McCain states that the threat in Iraq is " abundantly clear " He was also among the first in the GOP to say he had " no confidence " in Donald Rumsfeld. He was also supportive of the troop surge in 2007. McCain also voted for the 700 miles of fence, and also was in favor of the " guest worker" bill, but added to impose tougher sanctions on employers who hire illegals. McCain is offering a $2500 for single, and $5000 for couple tax credit to help pay for health insurance. McCain is opposed to universal health care

I only hit the high points on these issues, and admittedly left some details out, but I am only looking for changes in policy between now and November, not campaining. As of yet, I have not been able to find a clear economic plan for either candidate. I do predict that taxes will go up for everyone, no one can argue that. I did come across a clip from McCain that I thought was interesting. Take a look.



.

McCains turn

I do not want to be accused of bias like the commercial media, So today, I would like to shed a little light on what I have learned about John McCain. I would first like to comment on his essay that was rejected by the New York Times. I searched, and found his report. and I have some parts I would like to comment on. In McCain's submission to the TIMES, he writes of Obama: 'I am dismayed that he never talks about winning the war—only of ending it... if we don't win the war, our enemies will. A triumph for the terrorists would be a disaster for us. That is something I will not allow to happen as president.' I am not afraid to say that I am thankfull that a candidate would assure me of that. I can see where pulling out of the situation can be a good idea, I just do not want to turn and run. Further into his paper he wrote " Progress has been due primarily to an increase in the number of troops and a change in their strategy. I was an early advocate of the surge at a time when it had few supporters in Washington ". Senator Obama was an equally vocal opponent. He said " I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence there, In fact, I think it will do the reverse ". In January 2007, when General David Petraeus took command in Iraq, he called the situation “hard” but not “hopeless.” And now, 19 months later, violence has fallen by up to 80% to the lowest levels in four years, and Sunni and Shiite terrorists are reeling from a string of defeats. The situation now is full of hope, but considerable hard work remains to consolidate our fragile gains. As for as the debate goes concerning the war, My opinion is to finish what we started. I do not believe that it will take years, but I also do not believe it can be done in months. We are making progress over there and I think we should see it through. I also think if more support were available, it would speed the process.