It's official, Obama announces his democratic ticket at the Excel Center.

I think unless you are completely ignorant and/or a masochist, we’re all ready for “the change” in America. The end of monkey/president comparisons and ridiculous military campaigning has more than run it’s course (by more than 4 years). Personally, I’ve ridden the fence between Hillary and Barack thinking that they’re both excellent candidates with strong qualities to each. But mostly I’m eager to see a liberal approach open the White House windows and air the damn place out.

From Barack Obama tonight:

…tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another — a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.

It certainly will be interesting to find out how the next few weeks will compare. My hope is that Obama does indeed select Clinton as his running mate and we get the best of both worlds.

Now — who else is gonna plaster their car with Obama support stickers for the Republican Convention this fall?

Is there a religious test in politics?

Not that long ago, internet friend, Annette Marie Hyder posed that question to me via email asking for a response she could publish in INTHEFRAY Magazine.

The article has now been published and Annette collected a great set of opinions to her query. Here’s my response:

The religious views (or lack thereof) should be no more relevant to their office than their sex or the color of their skin. The drafters of our Constitution understood this and bothered to state exactly that quite clearly. Many voters, however, are happy to be comforted with the knowledge that someone thinks as they do beyond the pertinent issues. In order to gain sway with this group, a candidate will advertise their religious beliefs. This has become the norm in elections of late. So much so that a growing number of people think the Constitution should be altered to make faith in a god necessary. I think that’s as silly as the desire to teach “creationism” in public schools. You’re free to have faith in whatever you choose. So am I. And so is anyone running for a public office.

Read more on “God in Politics” on Annette’s myspace blog or go directly to the rest of the “Is there a religious test in politics?” responses.

In support of Hillary Rodham Clinton...

A friend sent this to me after a brief discussion of our current candidate support. Admittedly, I’ve been pretty politically ignorant in general and although I’m very sure of whom I don’t want in office come the new year — I have been riding the fence between Obama and Clinton. Please read the following essay by Robin Morgan. Please read all of it. I know that so much text has become daunting to our instant gratification, internet-trained minds — but hold out and force your brain to ponder the message put forth.

Robin’s essay is brilliantly crafted and deserves your attention. It’s not so much to make you jump on the Clinton bandwagon as it is to force you to consider the struggle that still exists in women’s rights. read more »

End the Reign

Saw this today and thought it was immensely clever. Although you do have to be enough of a geek to get the html insider.