The future of our country?

Joe the Plumber asks a simple question and his background is investigated, he is attacked, maligned and trashed. His records are hacked into and everything about him is parsed and twisted into a negative.

Barbara West, the Orlando reporter who recently interviewed Joe Biden, asks a question and is trashed, hacked and maligned. Lies are told regarding her husbands background and the station she works for is banned from future interviews.

I could continue the list of people who have had their character assassinated, but these two are current and in the news. Rather than answer questions the messenger is attacked.

What will an Obama presidency be like if this is how things are done on the campaign trail?

To my way of thinking, a Presidential candidate should open all reasonable records and be open about every aspect of their public life. Instead we have a candidate who won't share his thesis from college and, from what I've read, his college records.

There are questions about his birth records and background that could be cleared up by producing a document or records that any of us could easily produce with minimal effort. Why not just show the records and be done with it? Why fight the lawsuit that would be shut down by simply producing a birth certificate? What's the big deal? (One lawsuit by Berg was dismissed because the court said Berg lacked standing, only the government could bring suit to prove citizenship... which seems rather strange to me since the government has access to the documents needed so why would they ever sue?). I've read both sides of this one and it's bigger than just a birth certificate, also brings into question the time Obama spent in Indonesia and more. You'll have to do your own Google search to find out more, it's interesting and who knows way down the pipeline where I sit whether there's merit.

If he's hiding things now and the press is letting him get away with it, what will the future with a President Obama be like?

There are changing answers to the questions about Obama's associations with domestic terrorists, Israel hating groups, reverse racists and others. There's the question of his twenty years sitting in the pew of a church that spewed vitriol and views that are definitely not mainstream.

If we can't get a straight answer from him now, can we expect better if he's elected?

There's the question about his experience.

How will he handle the promised international threat his running mate Joe Biden has promised? Why should we elect someone who will bring about an incident?

There's his statement that one of the first things he'd do is sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). H.R. 1964 and S.1173. This would basically strike down any limits by any state on abortion. It's a broad bill that does a lot to promote abortion. Again, I'll let you do the research and come to your own conclusions.

What will our future look like?

We'll have a Democratic President, a Democratic House and Senate, the Supreme Court and many lesser courts will become more liberal as appointments are made and there won't be any stopping the rolling tide.

Barney Franks said cut military spending 25% and yes, there would be tax increases.

Barack Obama has confirmed that he believes in spreading the wealth.

Small business would be a thing of the past in no time.

The "Fairness" Doctrine would be enacted.

We as Americans need to stop our hero worship, wash away the glitter and look at the bare facts. Go read Obama's books and read his words. We're teetering on the brink of losing America as we know it and Obama isn't glossing over the facts. He's promising Change and I guarantee you it's not the change we're going to want when the dust clears and we see the results.

Some of my friends believe that if he wins there will be a very good chance in 2 years that America will see the results and vote in a Republican Congress to counter his actions. I don't believe that will happen. I'll save my thoughts on the next election for another day.

On a side note, I'm not sure if I've mentioned this in a blog yet: Go check out http://www.wam08.org/. Democrats, Independents and Republicans working together for a common goal. I hope you'll check it out, sign up and get involved.

Down Syndrome, Abortion and Politics

I thought I was ready to head to bed and call it a night, but I just saw a story that incensed me. Before I get into my rant, let me explain that I have the most wonderful, beautiful, and happy grandchild a grandmother could ever want. It just so happens that Niah has Down Syndrome.

When my daughter-in-law April was pregnant she was told her child would be Down Syndrome. She was also told the baby would have Dandy Walker which would mean, at best, she'd have autistic type tendencies on top of Down Syndrome. They later also told the kids Niah would have duodenal atresia, which is a separated intestine which can just be stitched together (kinda broad strokes on my descriptions of both problems).

They did an awful lot of praying. No, they weren't praying whether to have an abortion or not, that wasn't a question for them. They prayed for healing and strength. They looked forward to the birth of Niah.

When Niah was born she was whisked away to be tested and to prepare for surgery. April had complications and couldn't be with her so I stayed by Niah's side through the first days of her life in Intensive Care.

Niah didn't have Dandy Walker. They were wrong. The duodenal atresia was a fairly quick fix with surgery.

Today Niah is five years old and she is the joy of all of our lives. She is a handful at times. She has more extended family than any child I've ever known! Everyone falls in love with her. The most difficult challenge for me is trying to beat everyone to the gifts that grandparents are "supposed" to give! She is showered with love and she loves everyone back.

The kids were pressured into the abortion route. Almost everyone they encountered in the medical field steered them openly or through hints to choose to get rid of their "problem". They changed doctors once as a result of the pressure.

That little "problem" has blessed more lives than I can count. Having that little girl come up and hug me is worth more than I can ever put into words.

I listened tonight as Sarah Palin talked briefly to Sean Hannity about how she felt when she discovered Trig would be a Down Syndrome child. I'm sure the discussion will be on YouTube soon so I'll try to remember to share it with you. I understood completely what she was sharing. I struggled with my feelings about what the kids would face with all the problems. Greg (my husband) and I changed some major plans simply because we thought we might have to chip in and help.

Right after listening to Sarah Palin talk about the love and joy Trig was bringing, I stopped in here to turn off the computer and saw this story (News Busters):

Washington Post's 'On Faith' blog, Sally Quinn, on the role of social issues in the presidential campaign and cited recent poll numbers on abortion: "On abortion, the latest New York Times/CBS poll shows 37% of voters say abortions should be generally available, 42% want the procedure available but with stricter limits than we have now. 19% say they should not be permitted at all...What do you make of those numbers?" Quinn responded: "Well, I think the majority of people in this country believe that abortion should be legal at some point. And 90% of people, for instance, who have Down's Syndrome babies choose to terminate their pregnancies.... http://newsbusters.org/blogs/kyle-drennen/2008/09/18/msnbc-wapo-s-quinn-declares-90-parents-abort-downs-syndrome-babies

Talk about contrasts!

If you read the entire article the gist seems to be that Sarah Palin was wrong to choose to keep her child, that she's wrong on abortion, and that the majority of women are pro-abortion. I'm going to wake up tomorrow morning and re-read the entire article just to make sure I'm not reading things into it. You may get another bit about it from me in the morning depending on whether I read it before or after my first cup of caffeine!

I'm thankful my son and daughter-in-law chose to keep my beautiful granddaughter and not take the selfish, easy way out (although what is easy about aborting a life?). I'm thankful Sarah Palin chose to keep Trig. I think maybe, just maybe, if she ends up in the White House it might make it a bit easier for people to accept a child who isn't perfect according to some standards. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing the Vice President going to events with Trig!

(and before someone brings this up, I'm not a one-issue person. If Hillary Clinton had a Down Syndrome child it wouldn't make me vote for her... nor does the fact that Sarah Palin has a Down Syndrome child influence my vote... it's just icing on the cake that she's the kind of person who would make a choice I think is commendable!)