"The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior." -Dr. Phil
(1:00 am) This may be my last post before the election. If you have been unhappy with both major candidates, I am definitely with you on that. I hope that the information and approaches I've provided in this blog have been helpful in your decision process. But it's time to decide.
For this post, I've researched info on the candidates as relates to character. There is far too much to even just list here, so I'm going to focus just on the net difference on what I've found and concluded. You may think I'm partial to one side - I suspect that by now, everyone is to some degree - hopefully based on good research.
It's common knowledge that the mainstream media is biased, and so is Fox, so we still must distill the truth from all sources. My distillation is that, while both the Democrats and Republicans make some very good points, the Republicans make more sense to me, based on what I've learned in my nearly 70 years. While both parties have made a lot of gaffs and errors and shown a lot of mean-spirited attitudes, the Democrats have an edge there.
In my research on character, I've found more negative factors for Obama than for Romney. The main media has made Romney's negative factors quite well known, but have been lax in pointing out Obama's. So that's what I will work with here. At the bottom, I've linked to several sites that compare both fairly evenly. If you are interested, I encourage you to add to my research yourself - I think you'll be surprised how the media have left people uninformed. Just be sure to verify what you read/see.
Obama has some very positive personal traits that are very powerful: his legendary oratorical skills, and his amazing ability to see and articulate what people want deeply to hear. I saw both of those when I first heard him speak at the 2004 Democratic Convention.
What's been disturbing is how strong Obama's negative character traits are.
It is these traits that have come to weigh most heavily on my voting decision - even more that my opinions relative to Platforms and Plans. These concerns have far outweighed my concerns about Romney's unknowns (and negative knowns).
Some of Obama's Traits That Worry Me:
1. Obama's background
(which can't help but influence his character) as described in the movie 2016: Obama's America (available on Amazon and Redbox). Definitely different from Romney's background.
2. Blatantly broken campaign promises.
Note: This video says 65 Lies - I consider them broken promises (unless he had no intention of doing them), and I really count only about 30 or 40 as really broken - is that enough? For example: transparency, open meetings, 5 days posting of bills before he signs, find out what's in it before he signs it, names of corporations benefiting from bills, tax breaks posted online, negotiations on CSPAN, lobbyists won't drown out people's voices, Guantanamo base to close, no tax increase if income < $250,000, can keep your doctor & insur. plan, lots of shovel-ready projects, etc.
65 Outrageous Lies by President Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg9m1F8B2_c&feature=player_embedded#!
3. Self-centered, inconsiderate, and/or uneducated, and unwilling to do the required research (same for his staff).
He gave Prime Minister Gordon Brown a set of CDs that don't work on the British player equipment. He gave the Queen some cheap gifts he picked up at the airport gift shop, and gave them to her in a shopping bag.
London aghast at President Obama over gifts given to Prime Minister Brown
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-03-06/news/17918273_1_mr-obama-prime-minister-brown-michelle-obama
Obama’s Gift to the Queen
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/179711/obamas-gift-queen/jonah-goldberg#
A Picture Says a Thousand Words
The president simply can't be bothered to help his infirm friend down the stairs and instead leaves that task to the very police officer he belittled in front of the entire nation.
http://wizbangblog.com/content/2009/07/31/a-picture-says-a-thousand-words.php
4. Covering up bad effects of his own party's legislation.
His administration is giving waivers/delays to businesses til after the election. He told some that the government would pay any legal penalties they incurred for not following the law.
White House to contractors: Hold off on layoff warnings.
Defense contractors warn sequester would cost jobs in their industry
http://www.ksat.com/lifestyle/money/White-House-to-contractors-Hold-off-on-layoff-warnings/-/2602640/16783720/-/4gnmglz/-/index.html
EPA 'Punting Regs Until After Election That 'Spell Doom' for Jobs, Economy
http://www.freemarketamerica.org/web/media-2/articles-2/83-inhofe-epa-punting-regs-until-after-election-that-spell-doom-for-jobs-economy.html
5. Insensitive to the true gravity of situations.
He referred to the death of Ambassador Stephens and 3 others as "not optimal" and the Arab Spring violence as "bumps in the road."
MSM on Benghazi: “not optimal”
http://blog.sfgate.com/djsaunders/2012/10/30/msm-on-benghazi-not-optimal/
Obama: Sacked consulate and dead ambassador “bumps in the road”
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/09/24/obama-sacked-consulate-and-dead-ambassador-bumps-in-the-road/
6. Real problems with decision-making and/or truthfulness.
He and his top people have apparently grossly mishandled the Benghazi incident. See my Nov. 2 posts and these.
Latest Benghazi Bombshells Rock Scandal November 2, 2012 by Tim Brown
journalists were still locating sensitive State Department items in the burned out compound. Six weeks after the attack.
http://freedomoutpost.com/2012/11/latest-benghazi-bombshells-rock-scandal/#
More White House Cover-Up Lies On Benghazi? posted on November 3, 2012
http://godfatherpolitics.com/7877/more-white-house-cover-up-lies-on-benghazi/#
Obama's Benghazi investigator tied to Libya bombing
http://www.wnd.com/2012/11/obamas-benghazi-investigator-tied-to-libya-bombing/#
U.S. general: Obama paralyzed by fear
http://www.wnd.com/2012/11/u-s-general-obama-paralyzed-by-fear/#
7. He continually blames others for his problems.
It's Bush's fault, or the economy he inherited, or Congress, or the video about Mohammed, or the State Department, or the military, etc. This is so well documented that I won't link except this new one I saw.
Axelrod: ‘I’m Not in the White House, Privy to All the Discussions’ on Benghazi.
Axelrod: "The President convened the top military officials that evening and told them to do whatever was necessary and they took the steps that they thought, they took every step they could take."
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/332432/axelrod-im-not-white-house-privy-all-discussions-benghazi-%5Bfield_authors-title-raw%5D#
---LINKS to OTHER COMPARISONS---------------------
A Rare Positive Look at Both Presidential Candidates
http://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/pol/3377199063.html
Obama and Romney: candidate comparisons (Oct 24 2012)
http://www.ksat.com/news/2012-elections/-/6153890/16154398/-/76y21j/-/index.html
Artifacts of Character
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/government-elections-politics/choice-2012/the-artifacts/
2012 Candidate Comparison - (comprehensive)
http://2012.candidate-comparison.org/?compare=Romney&vs=Obama
---LINKS with RELATED INFO---------------------------------
Independent Blog - "I WAS a lifelong Conservative Democrat (Reagan Democrat) for 35+ years until the Democratic Party became something I no longer recognize. I am not a Republican."
http://romanticpoet.wordpress.com/about/
http://romanticpoet.wordpress.com/independents-are-gaining-steam-for-2010-elections/
Retired Military Overwhelming Endorses Mitt Romney (233 to 5)
http://godfatherpolitics.com/7881/retired-military-overwhelming-endorses-mitt-romney/#
Explosive video indictment of Obama rocks YouTube "CONSERVATISM IS CALLING"
I found this intriguing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsa4uLmTw0M&feature=player_embedded
May the better man win, and soon, and clearly.
"Thatch"
Monday, November 5, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
CHARACTER - A LIFE & DEATH MATTER - POSTSCRIPT
KEEPING PERSPECTIVE
(4:45 pm) As you may have noticed, the last post was made at 5:30 am, and that's not a time of day when I'm my sharpest. Since then, I've been thinking about how far-fetched those theories sound, that they ARE, and that maybe I was unwise to post about them. So I want to add a postscript to clarify the intent of my message.
1. The Benghazi attack is a grave loss, not only in lives - the far greater loss - but also in sensitive information and international respect. That it was not prevented is a significant failure of our government, and why it failed, and what is to be done to prevent a repeat, are legitimate questions for those in charge to answer, especially as we are choosing who will be in charge in a few months.
2. The administration's inability to clearly and consistently tell us what happened and why, given all the video, written communications, on-site witnesses, and expert testimony, after 7 weeks of intense scrutiny, is very hard to understand. It raises serious questions about their abilities, just as serious as the questions about FEMA after hurricane Katrina. It goes to the heart of the basic question, "Who can better keep America safe?"
3. The theories of explanation that I mentioned are just that - theories. I offered them not to indict, but to look at possible explanations for the facts, as starting points for investigation to answer the basic questions in item #1 above.
One of the reasons that I gave theory #2 some weight is because it supposedly came from a White House insider, although that is yet to be proven. Remember the Watergate investigations - they were wild accusations, until all the pieces were uncovered and the crime was verified and the guilty were identified. Strange things like this CAN happen - they need to be examined, and they won't be unless they are made public.
4. How can this information be helpful to you? It is another piece in the puzzle of how each candidate will handle the job of President. This puzzle piece is not clearly "shaped" or the "edges are ragged" but is is a piece to be fitted in somewhere.
I hope this helps bring some thoughtful consideration to the human tendency to quickly categorize things. I've found that most things in life cannot be categorized and certainly not immediately - I have a lot of stuff in my life labeled "Figure Out Where to File This" or "Pending More Info."
"Thatch"
(4:45 pm) As you may have noticed, the last post was made at 5:30 am, and that's not a time of day when I'm my sharpest. Since then, I've been thinking about how far-fetched those theories sound, that they ARE, and that maybe I was unwise to post about them. So I want to add a postscript to clarify the intent of my message.
1. The Benghazi attack is a grave loss, not only in lives - the far greater loss - but also in sensitive information and international respect. That it was not prevented is a significant failure of our government, and why it failed, and what is to be done to prevent a repeat, are legitimate questions for those in charge to answer, especially as we are choosing who will be in charge in a few months.
2. The administration's inability to clearly and consistently tell us what happened and why, given all the video, written communications, on-site witnesses, and expert testimony, after 7 weeks of intense scrutiny, is very hard to understand. It raises serious questions about their abilities, just as serious as the questions about FEMA after hurricane Katrina. It goes to the heart of the basic question, "Who can better keep America safe?"
3. The theories of explanation that I mentioned are just that - theories. I offered them not to indict, but to look at possible explanations for the facts, as starting points for investigation to answer the basic questions in item #1 above.
One of the reasons that I gave theory #2 some weight is because it supposedly came from a White House insider, although that is yet to be proven. Remember the Watergate investigations - they were wild accusations, until all the pieces were uncovered and the crime was verified and the guilty were identified. Strange things like this CAN happen - they need to be examined, and they won't be unless they are made public.
4. How can this information be helpful to you? It is another piece in the puzzle of how each candidate will handle the job of President. This puzzle piece is not clearly "shaped" or the "edges are ragged" but is is a piece to be fitted in somewhere.
I hope this helps bring some thoughtful consideration to the human tendency to quickly categorize things. I've found that most things in life cannot be categorized and certainly not immediately - I have a lot of stuff in my life labeled "Figure Out Where to File This" or "Pending More Info."
"Thatch"
CHARACTER - A LIFE & DEATH MATTER?
PHOTOSHOPPED FAMILY & BENGHAZI SWAP?
(5:30 am) The plan for this post was to look at the character of both candidates, and I typically start with Obama (alphabetically, both Obama and Democrat come before Romney and Republican). As I was doing my research, the inevitable rabbit trails led me down one of Alice's rabbit holes, and I came across stuff that was "interestinger and interestinger."
I don't know just what to make of it. I'm a technical person by profession (engineering, math, science). I don't care for fiction - I want to know what's real. But this stuff I've found is...either tabloid trash... or... critical to the election. It's too astounding to be believable but it fits the facts better than any explanation I know of. I URGE you to check this out fully before you dismiss it as junk, and before you vote.
There are 2 items I want to share in this post. The first is less critical, but quicker to state and verify. And it raises the question that other issues may shed some light on.
FIRST: The Photoshopped Family Photo.
This will take less than 60 seconds.
Go to Obama's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/barackobama).
Then click in sequence: Photos / Albums / the photo labeled "Barack and his mother, Ann" (4th row, right side). Then pick the photo with 3 persons standing in front of chairs. This should show a larger version of Ann, Barack, and Ann's dad (I think) (the URL of that page:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150902091511749&set=a.10150902090006749.401812.6815841748&type=3&theater
Notice that Ann's right hand is... black! And this is on Obama's official page! Why would he post a photoshopped family photo??? For a further description of this photo, see:
http://www.obamashopped.com/
SECOND: The Benghazi Swap
Now for the more significant issue. Most of us have heard of the controversy about the confusion surrounding the Benghazi consulate attack and the death of the ambassador and 3 others. The President and his administration are all over the map on just what happened, who said what, and when. It was even brought up during one of the debates. The confusion is not over and there is Congressional investigation, with conflicting answers.
I've found many links on the issue, and many are lengthy and with overlapping info. To be informed, you need to read/watch all of them. However, let me give the gist of the story, and a few key links, and then you can fill in the blanks by following more links.
For several weeks, the administration was saying that the event was a spontaneous demonstration in response to that obscure YouTube video that supposedly insulted Mohammed. But the facts and claims that continued to unfold from day one contradicted that story, and contradicted each other. The mainstream media have covered it somewhat, but the alternative media have provided much more detail and perspective. Most of these reports are from credible respected sources (CIA officials, retired senior military officers, and government officials).
Here is a FoxNews video report as of Sep 22 (11 days after the attack).
Fox News Extensive Report On The Benghazi Cover-Up (details, 7:50)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrWKyTwNxtQ&NR=1&feature=endscreen
Here is a FoxNews video overview as of Oct. 26 (over 6 weeks after the attack).
Benghazi's fatal timeline How 4 Americans were failed (Fox-Greta) (9:18)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuxUUXrwBLU&feature=relmfu
For many more details as they unfolded, go to my Benghazi LINKS page.
WHY SO DISJOINTED?
Everyone is puzzled because the pieces are not fitting together. The administration is self-contradicting and morphing the story, but there seems to be no explanation as to why. I came across two theories: one plausible but damning, and one hardly believable, except that it explains a lot that seems to have no other explanation. These sources are not as credible as the ones relating to the basic situation and questions (and I found nothing on Fox about these theories), but Theory #2 does explain an awful lot.
I would normally never give either of these theories any credence. However, there has been an accumulation of puzzling things* about Obama that are suddenly adding up and fitting together to paint a disturbing picture. I bring these things up rather suddenly because the election is upon us, and these issues are exceedingly serious. They are certainly making me consider that Romney might be the less questionable bet. You decide.
Theory #1
"The U.S. was running arms to the Syrian rebels through Turkey. They had to coordinate it in an obscure place like Benghazi to keep it secret. The reason they wanted to keep it secret is because the administration didn’t want another 'Fast and Furious' on their hands… especially before a debate on foreign policy and an election. And they let the 4 Americans die because dead men tell no tales." Dennis Marcellino
Is there a deeper plot to Benghazi? (October 27, 2012 by Dennis Marcellino)
http://patriotupdate.com/articles/is-there-a-deeper-plot-to-benghazi#
Theory #2
The Benghazi attack was a planned kidnapping of the ambassador, so Obama could rescue him before the election (with a quiet exchange for the Blind Sheik), but it went awry. This theory was proposed by Kevin DuJan, Oct 8, 2012. Here are 4 links on the story.
Benghazi Attack Was Botched Kidnapping To Trade Blind Sheik (10/17) (4:41 + text)
http://www.westernjournalism.com/benghazi-attack-was-botched-kidnapping-to-trade-blind-sheik/
Benghazi a Botched MB Kidnapping To Trade Blind Sheik for Amb.? (4:41 + text) (10/20)
http://www.alipac.us/f9/benghazi-botched-mb-kidnapping-trade-blind-sheik-amb-265629/
BENGHAZI-GATE: Did two heroic SEALs ruin Obama's October Surprise? [UPDATED!] (10/26, text)
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2012/10/benghazi-gate-did-two-heroic-seals-ruin.html
OBAMA Arranged For Muslim Brotherhood To Kidnap Ambassador Stevens For Prisoner Trade – Killed Him Instead!! (2:43 + text) (10/30)
http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2012/10/obama-arranged-for-muslim-brotherhood-to-kidnap-ambassador-stevens-for-prisoner-trade-killed-him-instead-2488232.html
*The Puzzling Things About Obama
I plan to discuss those in the next post or 2. For now, I'll just mention a few videos (with links) that will give some examples of these "puzzling things." Both are rather partisan and have some questionable parts, but I feel they both have some things to consider, that do raise yellow flags.
An Urgent Message for America (Trevor Loudon, a New Zealander) (29 min)
(Speaks on Obama at 10:20 into the video, Panetta at 18:15, and the Left's agenda at 21:45)
http://gulagbound.com/35038/trevor-loudon-an-urgent-message-for-america-please-help-this-go-viral/#.UJLVhq5RZBk
2016: Obama's America (a theater movie, now on DVD)
Movie Trailer: http://2016themovie.com/media/
Review: http://www.christianpost.com/news/2016obamas-america-co-producer-wants-ap-to-apologize-for-fact-check-story-81029/
Review: http://reason.com/archives/2012/08/24/2016-obamas-america
Review: http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/316019/reality-check-vs-fact-check-lee-habeeb#
Amazon.com Buy instant video or DVD
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/182-9856671-7262150?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=2016+obama%27s+america+dvd&sprefix=2016%2Caps%2C256
This whole Benghazi thing, as well as Obama himself, is such an enigma, with so much unknown, so many inconsistencies. But I feel like it's part of the picture, and so should be shown. I'm looking forward to discussing Romney - should be wonderfully boring.
"Thatch"
(5:30 am) The plan for this post was to look at the character of both candidates, and I typically start with Obama (alphabetically, both Obama and Democrat come before Romney and Republican). As I was doing my research, the inevitable rabbit trails led me down one of Alice's rabbit holes, and I came across stuff that was "interestinger and interestinger."
I don't know just what to make of it. I'm a technical person by profession (engineering, math, science). I don't care for fiction - I want to know what's real. But this stuff I've found is...either tabloid trash... or... critical to the election. It's too astounding to be believable but it fits the facts better than any explanation I know of. I URGE you to check this out fully before you dismiss it as junk, and before you vote.
There are 2 items I want to share in this post. The first is less critical, but quicker to state and verify. And it raises the question that other issues may shed some light on.
FIRST: The Photoshopped Family Photo.
This will take less than 60 seconds.
Go to Obama's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/barackobama).
Then click in sequence: Photos / Albums / the photo labeled "Barack and his mother, Ann" (4th row, right side). Then pick the photo with 3 persons standing in front of chairs. This should show a larger version of Ann, Barack, and Ann's dad (I think) (the URL of that page:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150902091511749&set=a.10150902090006749.401812.6815841748&type=3&theater
Notice that Ann's right hand is... black! And this is on Obama's official page! Why would he post a photoshopped family photo??? For a further description of this photo, see:
http://www.obamashopped.com/
SECOND: The Benghazi Swap
Now for the more significant issue. Most of us have heard of the controversy about the confusion surrounding the Benghazi consulate attack and the death of the ambassador and 3 others. The President and his administration are all over the map on just what happened, who said what, and when. It was even brought up during one of the debates. The confusion is not over and there is Congressional investigation, with conflicting answers.
I've found many links on the issue, and many are lengthy and with overlapping info. To be informed, you need to read/watch all of them. However, let me give the gist of the story, and a few key links, and then you can fill in the blanks by following more links.
For several weeks, the administration was saying that the event was a spontaneous demonstration in response to that obscure YouTube video that supposedly insulted Mohammed. But the facts and claims that continued to unfold from day one contradicted that story, and contradicted each other. The mainstream media have covered it somewhat, but the alternative media have provided much more detail and perspective. Most of these reports are from credible respected sources (CIA officials, retired senior military officers, and government officials).
Here is a FoxNews video report as of Sep 22 (11 days after the attack).
Fox News Extensive Report On The Benghazi Cover-Up (details, 7:50)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrWKyTwNxtQ&NR=1&feature=endscreen
Here is a FoxNews video overview as of Oct. 26 (over 6 weeks after the attack).
Benghazi's fatal timeline How 4 Americans were failed (Fox-Greta) (9:18)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuxUUXrwBLU&feature=relmfu
For many more details as they unfolded, go to my Benghazi LINKS page.
WHY SO DISJOINTED?
Everyone is puzzled because the pieces are not fitting together. The administration is self-contradicting and morphing the story, but there seems to be no explanation as to why. I came across two theories: one plausible but damning, and one hardly believable, except that it explains a lot that seems to have no other explanation. These sources are not as credible as the ones relating to the basic situation and questions (and I found nothing on Fox about these theories), but Theory #2 does explain an awful lot.
I would normally never give either of these theories any credence. However, there has been an accumulation of puzzling things* about Obama that are suddenly adding up and fitting together to paint a disturbing picture. I bring these things up rather suddenly because the election is upon us, and these issues are exceedingly serious. They are certainly making me consider that Romney might be the less questionable bet. You decide.
Theory #1
"The U.S. was running arms to the Syrian rebels through Turkey. They had to coordinate it in an obscure place like Benghazi to keep it secret. The reason they wanted to keep it secret is because the administration didn’t want another 'Fast and Furious' on their hands… especially before a debate on foreign policy and an election. And they let the 4 Americans die because dead men tell no tales." Dennis Marcellino
Is there a deeper plot to Benghazi? (October 27, 2012 by Dennis Marcellino)
http://patriotupdate.com/articles/is-there-a-deeper-plot-to-benghazi#
Theory #2
The Benghazi attack was a planned kidnapping of the ambassador, so Obama could rescue him before the election (with a quiet exchange for the Blind Sheik), but it went awry. This theory was proposed by Kevin DuJan, Oct 8, 2012. Here are 4 links on the story.
Benghazi Attack Was Botched Kidnapping To Trade Blind Sheik (10/17) (4:41 + text)
http://www.westernjournalism.com/benghazi-attack-was-botched-kidnapping-to-trade-blind-sheik/
Benghazi a Botched MB Kidnapping To Trade Blind Sheik for Amb.? (4:41 + text) (10/20)
http://www.alipac.us/f9/benghazi-botched-mb-kidnapping-trade-blind-sheik-amb-265629/
BENGHAZI-GATE: Did two heroic SEALs ruin Obama's October Surprise? [UPDATED!] (10/26, text)
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2012/10/benghazi-gate-did-two-heroic-seals-ruin.html
OBAMA Arranged For Muslim Brotherhood To Kidnap Ambassador Stevens For Prisoner Trade – Killed Him Instead!! (2:43 + text) (10/30)
http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2012/10/obama-arranged-for-muslim-brotherhood-to-kidnap-ambassador-stevens-for-prisoner-trade-killed-him-instead-2488232.html
*The Puzzling Things About Obama
I plan to discuss those in the next post or 2. For now, I'll just mention a few videos (with links) that will give some examples of these "puzzling things." Both are rather partisan and have some questionable parts, but I feel they both have some things to consider, that do raise yellow flags.
An Urgent Message for America (Trevor Loudon, a New Zealander) (29 min)
(Speaks on Obama at 10:20 into the video, Panetta at 18:15, and the Left's agenda at 21:45)
http://gulagbound.com/35038/trevor-loudon-an-urgent-message-for-america-please-help-this-go-viral/#.UJLVhq5RZBk
2016: Obama's America (a theater movie, now on DVD)
Movie Trailer: http://2016themovie.com/media/
Review: http://www.christianpost.com/news/2016obamas-america-co-producer-wants-ap-to-apologize-for-fact-check-story-81029/
Review: http://reason.com/archives/2012/08/24/2016-obamas-america
Review: http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/316019/reality-check-vs-fact-check-lee-habeeb#
Amazon.com Buy instant video or DVD
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/182-9856671-7262150?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=2016+obama%27s+america+dvd&sprefix=2016%2Caps%2C256
This whole Benghazi thing, as well as Obama himself, is such an enigma, with so much unknown, so many inconsistencies. But I feel like it's part of the picture, and so should be shown. I'm looking forward to discussing Romney - should be wonderfully boring.
"Thatch"
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The CANDIDATES' PLANS
Their Planned IMPLEMENTATIONS of the Platforms
Of course, the Candidates' Plans are even more important than the Party Platforms because each represents one person's philosophy and approach rather than an amalgam of hundreds of delegates' compromises. The Plans generally reflect the Platforms but provide more detail about specific elements of the general issues. Sometimes these specifics are what inspire (or turn off) specific voters.
But their usefulness in deciding whom to vote for is still limited. Their Plans are still vague, for several reasons.
- They haven't yet digested all the issues and options and consequences of possible positions.
- They don't want to be too specific lest they offend some voters.
- They don't want to give out their secrets to the opposition which will twist them back
against the candidate.
We may have a better idea of what they want to do, but not so much on how they will pay for it, or how they will get the other party to go along with it.
How to Evaluate their Plans
I'd recommend doing something similar to what I suggested to do with the Party Platforms:
a. Read the Plan Documents themselves (links below).
b. Read abbreviated Comparisons by Others (see "Candidates' Plans" page).
c. Discuss these issues with other people (who can remain civil while discussing emotional
topics). Again, they may have facts and/or perspectives to supplement yours.
d. Consider how to evaluate the various statements (based on your values, your
knowledge of reality and of the factors involved in the issue). You may have already
done this with the Platforms.
e. Rate the issues numerically and see how each party platform adds up on your value
scale. Use a procedure similar to that described in the Platform post (section e., "Rate
the issues numerically").
Some Notes about the Plans and the Comparisons
Both candidates' Plan documents are fairly lengthy and, unlike the Platform documents, are divided into many areas and placed on separate web pages. As far as I can find, there is not one document that you can download, print, and read while you're waiting at the doctor's office or JiffyLube.
What you can do is go from link to link and read about the issues that concern you, and print out those pages. Or you can go through and collect the text from different pages into one word processor document, and print it to read it.
I've found that the print-page function on most browsers gives very unsatisfactory results, so I have a procedure I use to get a relatively clean compact printout. It's on the TOOLS page.
Here now is a link to my "Candidates' Plans" page, where you can explore their Plans, as well as different sites that compare the candidates' Plans. You can also use the link on the tab bar near the top of this page.
Next post: CHARACTER MATTERS.
If you still have not decided how to vote, this next post will probably do it for you. Sign up to get it via email as soon as I post it.
"Thatch"
Of course, the Candidates' Plans are even more important than the Party Platforms because each represents one person's philosophy and approach rather than an amalgam of hundreds of delegates' compromises. The Plans generally reflect the Platforms but provide more detail about specific elements of the general issues. Sometimes these specifics are what inspire (or turn off) specific voters.
But their usefulness in deciding whom to vote for is still limited. Their Plans are still vague, for several reasons.
- They haven't yet digested all the issues and options and consequences of possible positions.
- They don't want to be too specific lest they offend some voters.
- They don't want to give out their secrets to the opposition which will twist them back
against the candidate.
We may have a better idea of what they want to do, but not so much on how they will pay for it, or how they will get the other party to go along with it.
How to Evaluate their Plans
I'd recommend doing something similar to what I suggested to do with the Party Platforms:
a. Read the Plan Documents themselves (links below).
b. Read abbreviated Comparisons by Others (see "Candidates' Plans" page).
c. Discuss these issues with other people (who can remain civil while discussing emotional
topics). Again, they may have facts and/or perspectives to supplement yours.
d. Consider how to evaluate the various statements (based on your values, your
knowledge of reality and of the factors involved in the issue). You may have already
done this with the Platforms.
e. Rate the issues numerically and see how each party platform adds up on your value
scale. Use a procedure similar to that described in the Platform post (section e., "Rate
the issues numerically").
Some Notes about the Plans and the Comparisons
Both candidates' Plan documents are fairly lengthy and, unlike the Platform documents, are divided into many areas and placed on separate web pages. As far as I can find, there is not one document that you can download, print, and read while you're waiting at the doctor's office or JiffyLube.
What you can do is go from link to link and read about the issues that concern you, and print out those pages. Or you can go through and collect the text from different pages into one word processor document, and print it to read it.
I've found that the print-page function on most browsers gives very unsatisfactory results, so I have a procedure I use to get a relatively clean compact printout. It's on the TOOLS page.
Here now is a link to my "Candidates' Plans" page, where you can explore their Plans, as well as different sites that compare the candidates' Plans. You can also use the link on the tab bar near the top of this page.
Next post: CHARACTER MATTERS.
If you still have not decided how to vote, this next post will probably do it for you. Sign up to get it via email as soon as I post it.
"Thatch"
Monday, October 29, 2012
BLOG STATISTICS - Non-political
Quick Post - Mildly Interesting
I check the blog statistics at least once a day to see if there are any comments I need to respond to, and to see if anybody is reading the posts. What I'm finding is mildly interesting, and, if I were reading a new blog like this, I'd find these stats somewhat interesting - to see who else is reading what I'm reading. So here they are as of last night ->
I've received very few comments and very few "Reactions" checkmarks (at the bottom of each post). It makes me wonder if anyone is reading what I write. Maybe I'm not really accomplishing my goal to help people make a more informed vote.
But then I see the stats, and it's amazing to me that there are viewers from 4 foreign countries (20 views) and over 450 views total, and those viewers are using a variety of browsers and computer types (Windows, iPhone, Macs, Blackberry, etc).
I'm sure a lot of those hits are from searches on keywords, and if they get to this blog, they see it's not what they were looking for, and go on to the next item in the search results list. That is, they don't actually read the blog but it counts as a "view." It would be nice if the stats would show how long a viewer stays on the site, and from what state they are viewing it (since I was sort of targeting the swing states).
I'd hoped this would be a way to engage in conversations with people I might never meet, to share (both ways) info and perspectives. But, with people so busy, and weary of the political conversation (or argument), I guess the dearth of comments is not surprising.
Anyway, it's nothing to toot a horn about, but I thought the stats might be interesting.
I plan to get the next post (on the candidates' own Plans) out today.
"Thatch"
I've received very few comments and very few "Reactions" checkmarks (at the bottom of each post). It makes me wonder if anyone is reading what I write. Maybe I'm not really accomplishing my goal to help people make a more informed vote.
But then I see the stats, and it's amazing to me that there are viewers from 4 foreign countries (20 views) and over 450 views total, and those viewers are using a variety of browsers and computer types (Windows, iPhone, Macs, Blackberry, etc).
I'm sure a lot of those hits are from searches on keywords, and if they get to this blog, they see it's not what they were looking for, and go on to the next item in the search results list. That is, they don't actually read the blog but it counts as a "view." It would be nice if the stats would show how long a viewer stays on the site, and from what state they are viewing it (since I was sort of targeting the swing states).
I'd hoped this would be a way to engage in conversations with people I might never meet, to share (both ways) info and perspectives. But, with people so busy, and weary of the political conversation (or argument), I guess the dearth of comments is not surprising.
Anyway, it's nothing to toot a horn about, but I thought the stats might be interesting.
I plan to get the next post (on the candidates' own Plans) out today.
"Thatch"
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