The Freedom Minute

Is John McCain Your Friend?

Ok, I admit ahead of time that this post is a bit snarky, but I think I’m entitled to publicly express a completely personal reaction to one of the candidates. And considering the outright distortions and fear mongering coming from the McCain camp, this post will probably seem mild by comparison.

I’m completely turned off by John McCain’s overuse of the phrase “my friends”, as in: “My friends, what we have to do with Medicare is…” During the last presidential debate, he said “my friends” a total of 22 times out of about the 24 times he had the floor. In fact, he uses the phrase so much that internet posters, even those that support his bid for the White House, often refer to him as John “my friends” McCain.

I know why this bothers me. It reminds me of how slick used car salesmen will call you “my friend” even though they don’t even know you. When someone does that, their insincerity shines through and I’m constantly wondering what they’re hiding and how they’re about to cheat me. My gut instinct is that McCain’s use of “my friends” betrays that this is his true nature as well.

Unfortunately, this is how I now feel about John McCain, a man I once respected because I thought he was guided by principle. But McCain’s willingness to do or say anything to win the race for president has shown me otherwise. Sure, to some extent, all politicians engage in this type of conduct. But the level of mud-slinging and dishonesty practiced mostly by Republican candidates (and, to be fair, some Democrats) during the last few election cycles has brought these tactics to a new height, or should I say, a new low. I wouldn’t buy from anyone who I feel is just another snake oil salesman and I won’t vote for one either.

But perhaps if McCain does become president, there will be a silver lining for young people. I envision a variation on the “Hi Bob” drinking game played while watching reruns of the “Bob Newhart Show”. In this new version, every time President McCain makes a speech on TV and says “my friends” you have to take a shot of Jack Daniels. Hey, for all I know, students on college campuses all around the country are already playing.

Well that’s my opinion, my friends, and I’m sticking to it.

October 9th, 2008 Posted by freedomminute | Election | 3 comments

Should Obama’s associations with William Ayers and Tony Rezko worry you?

Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin has been on the attack again, this time regarding Barack Obama’s supposed associations with “shady characters” in his past. Specifically, the Democratic presidential candidate has been criticized by Palin, as well as conservative talk show hosts and bloggers, for his ties to William Ayers, a former 60’s radical and Tony Rezko, a Chicago real estate developer recently convicted on several counts of fraud and bribery (unrelated to Barack Obama). Are these attacks fair, or are they simply a desperate attempt by McCain’s campaign to prevent Obama’s lead from increasing to the point where it becomes insurmountable? Let’s take a look at the facts and compare Barack Obama’s ethical behavior to John McCain’s ethics as it relates to his involvement with Charles Keating (the Keating Five Scandal) in the late 1980’s. Continue reading “Should Obama’s associations with William Ayers and Tony Rezko worry you?”

October 9th, 2008 Posted by freedomminute | Election | 2 comments