The thing that strikes me is not any specific policy idea or goal, it is the difference in outlook between the two major American parties.

The Democratic party continued with its pessimistic themes — much as it has year after year.  Spending too much time listening to or reading Democratic party rhetoric is somewhat depressing.  People are losing jobs, America’s greatness has past, and the bar keeps on moving so that no matter what an average person does he or she is basically screwed.

Gary, Indiana. Table for One -- Photo by KM Photography

The secondary Democratic party message is that reminds me of over protective parents — the kind that won’t let their kid move out of the house, even though he’s 42.  They’ll promise to shelter, protect, and provide everything that anyone might ever need.  The problem here is that just like mom wanting to keep her son safe and sound in the basement, the government just can’t fulfil its promises.  Look at any major city’s public housing projects for an example.  People lining up at the Trustee’s office early in the morning waiting for hours and hours to get government assistance.  The whole scene causes anyone witnessing it to feel hopeless about their personal future.

The GOP always does a good job of presenting an optimistic message.  A little hard work and some effort can result in rewards.  We see the same thing in our own lives in our workplaces and neighborhoods.  People who are working hard usually end up doing well.  Times might be tough, but we’re going to pull through — just as we have in the past multiple times.  America is still great — no matter what some of those other countries say.  We still control our futures.  We don’t have to fear anything.

When I was younger, the Democrat’s message was inspiring to me.  It made me feel safe to know that there was possibly a parentalistic government out there that would take care of me if I failed to find a job.  However, behind such thoughts is a pessimism that one is unable to take care of ones own needs and problems.  Just as moving back into mom’s basement would provide safety and security, it also limits ones personal growth and opportunities.

Gary's Methodist Church. Photo by KM Photography.

And, the reality of the Democratic promise can be seen in person in many blue cities across the nation.  North Lake County has been dominated by the Democratic party for years.  The dream has turned into a nightmare for many as businesses and families have moved.  Those who stay have been subjected to higher taxes and lack of efficent government services.  Complaints abound from trash pick up, to crime, to educational failures.

All of these failures in the urban core lead to the cycle of despair that fuels the Democratic party rhetoric.  You need us, the Democrats say, because there are no jobs and criminals are threating your community with drugs and violence.  But, no one ever looks to see if the failures of the public educational system, taxation and other governmental policies are to blame for creating conditions in which crime and general hopelessness thrive?  No wonder the Democratic message always implies that we’re all screwed.  For many in “blue” areas, a harsh life filled with chaos, violence, and a lack of opportunity is a reality.

I’ve seen what the Democrats have done to Lake County.  I can see what they’ve done and what they’re doing to Illinois.  No thanks, I’ll pass on all of that.

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Optimism v. Pessimism

Technorati Tags: Democratic Party, Gary Indiana, Republican Party

My intial reactions to Sarah Palin and all of the swirl of “controversy” over her selection as the GOP’s vice presidential candidate:

1.  Silly rumors and conspiracy theories regarding her pregnancy — some lefty bloggers ran with the idea that Sarah Palin’s new baby — Trig — was actually her daughter Bristol’s.  These rumors were shown to be just another in the left’s bag of paraniod conspiracy theories when it was announced that Bristol is pregnant with her own child.

2.  That “questions” regarding Sarah Palin’s ability to be vice president because she’s a woman and because she has children do not advance Barack Obama’s cause.  My wife has kids and she works just like most of our friends, neighbors, and coworkers.  It’s insulting to women and men to suggest that having kids is a disqualifier to be vice president or any other job.  Also, making a fuss about having children before marriage is also a turnoff as there are many in America who have also experienced such moments in their own personal history.

Photo: Sarah Palin

3.  That Sarah Palin didn’t suffer a Dan Quayle “deer in the headlight” moment.  Some comentators love to underestimate the GOP’s ability to communicate.  I admit that the last eight years have seen some strained communication attempts, but just because one person in the group isn’t as eloquent as Ronald Reagan doesn’t mean that everyone in the group is the same.  Stereotyping can be an advantage, however, as political opponents “misunderestimate” and therefore are able to be “rope-a-doped” because of their overconfidence.  It also leads to more conspiracy theories when elites judge on superficial characteristics and fail to recognize someone who is different from their style can be appealing — we saw this effect in 2000 and 2004 with all of the crazy theories regarding the election.  Watch for Sarah Palin to win some points with voters because she is eloquent and will be underestimated by some of her opponents (crazy bloggers).

4.  That Sarah Palin has quality executive experience.  However, the GOP shouldn’t underestimate Barack Obama’s skill set.  Obama worked his way up through the rough and tumble Chicago politicial system and is able to pick off his opponents with skill and ease.  (Jack Ryan fell after a sex scandal in 2004 when Barack Obama was running for his first term in Washington).  Anyone able to run with the crowd that surrounds the Chicago political machine — and receive their annointment to rise from the community organizer street level of the organization to become their trusted political leader in Washington has some political savvy.  It does work to Sarah Palin’s advantage as the political maverick who is willing to fight against her party.  And, when Democratic operatives raise questions about her political allies — Sarah Palin worked with the Democratics in Alaska — it opens the door to raise questions about all of those interesting folks in Chicago who haven’t really been throughly examined in the mainstream media yet.  Folks in Chicago know the cast of characters — I say around October, you’ll see Papa Tony Rezko, Obama’s political rabbi — Emil Jones — who wants to appoint his son to his Illinois legislative seat, and some other Chicago connections start to get the Washington press corps examination.  Look for Rev. Wright to pop up again to exact revenge because he was cut out of Obama’s power structure.  Having a daughter with a kid out of wedlock and a fish license violation will cannot compare with what the opposition research must have been able to find in Chicago — the city with the most federal agents assigned to weed out political corruption in Chicago.

It will be interesting to see what happens this fall.  Sarah Palin is a fighter and her opposition will have to be careful in how they approach her — just as the GOP must tread lightly in its counter punches against Barack Obama.

Video: Sarah Palin impresses GOP with convention speech

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Sarah Palin Impresses

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain, Sarah Palin

I hadn’t heard of Rachael Lampa before, but since there was some buzz about her singing, I decided to check Rachael Lampa out on Youtube.

I’m glad I took a few minutes to listen to Rachael Lampa’s songs.

Rachael Lampa has a beautiful singing voice and a great message!

Video: Rachael Lampa Blessed

Rachael Lampa When I Fall

Photo: Rachael Lampa at the RNC

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Rachael Lampa sings at RNC

Technorati Tags: Blessed, Rachael Lampa, When I Fall

Why is Google releasing Google Chrome, you might ask yourself.

The advantage that Google Chrome creates for Google is that it will force Microsoft and Firefox developers to keep up with whatever new technology Google Chrome is using to display webpages.  Since Google is concentrating on web applications — Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets and all sorts of other useful online tools — having solid browsing technology able to handle Google’s new applications will allow Google to load up their pages with more and more content (and more ads).

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I’ll Be Chromed Pretty Soon

Technorati Tags: Google Chrome

Says Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels of the alternative energy powered town: “The success the citizens of Reynolds achieve with this pilot effort is important for all Hoosiers as we seek to decrease our dependence on foreign oil by utilizing alternative fuels.”

I’m personally looking forward to seeing more solar power with net metering in the coming years. Not only would it help us break free from foreign energy sources, net metering will reduce our power bills as our own systems generate power for our homes and excess that can be sold to power company.

Video: Bio Town

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Bio Town Indiana

Technorati Tags: alternative energy, Bio Town, science

But, it happened recently to Bill Clinton when he leaned — lips puckered up — to give Hillary Clinton a peck on the lips.  Before Bill Clinton can get close enough, Hillary Clinton quickly turns away and instead finds someone else to kiss — Barack Obama.

Bill Clinton was denied by Hillary Clinton!

Video: Hillary Clinton denies Bill Clinton a kiss and instead turns her head to kiss Barack Obama.

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Bill Clinton Denied His Kiss

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton

Will it over take Microsoft Explorer and its superior competitor Firefox?

Tomorrow we shall see if Google Chrome has what it takes to capture the browser marketplace.

Says Google’s official blog about Google Chrome:

On the surface, we designed a browser window that is streamlined and simple. To most people, it isn’t the browser that matters. It’s only a tool to run the important stuff — the pages, sites and applications that make up the web. Like the classic Google homepage, Google Chrome is clean and fast. It gets out of your way and gets you where you want to go.

More about Google Chrome:

Google Chrome, Google’s Browser Project. Looks like there is a lot of good stuff designed to make browsing better, including having the browser keep applications separated so that non-performing Javascript doesn’t bog down a webpage and an “incognito” mode for privacy.

www.google.com/chrome — this might be the link for Google Chrome once it’s available. Here’s another URL: gears.google.com/chrome/?hl=en

Google is holding a news conference for Google Chrome tomorrow at 11 a.m. PDT. CNET’s post also has some screen shots from the Google Chrome page before it was redirected to Google.com.

Google Chrome comic book announcement.

Opinion: Google Chrome could be crap and it would still win browser market share. The title aside, if Google Chrome does what it promises, it will rock the browser world.

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Google Chrome Coming Tomorrow

Technorati Tags: Google, Google Chrome

Pretty crazy stuff.

The Hollywood Gossip reports that Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol Palin plans to exercise her choice to keep her child.  Bristol Palin also plans to marry her child’s father.  Having children and getting married can be radical stuff in these days, so the McCain - Palin camp had to issue a news release to get ahead of the shocking news.

Writes the Hollywood Gossip:

In an official announcement intended to knock down rumors by liberal bloggers that Sarah Palin faked her own pregnancy to cover up for her child, the Alaska Governor herself confirmed that her teenage daughter is expecting.

One of five children of Sarah and Todd Palin, Bristol is about five months along and is planning to keep the child and marry the father.

Photo: Bristol Palin, right, and family, including GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin

Bristol Palin -- Sarah Palin's Daughter and family

More: Bristol Palin chooses life. Now leave her alone.
Writes Michelle Malin: “The Palin family values the sanctity of life. They talk the talk and walk the walk. It is driving the Left absolutely insane beyond the farthest reaches of unhingedness.”

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Bristol Palin is pregnant

Technorati Tags: Bristol Palin, Sarah Palin

The latest caught on video tape is a journalist asking Charlize Theron for her hand in marriage and on what side of the bed she wishes to sleep when Charlize Theron ties the knot with the eager reporter. Charlize Theron does what any rational person would do, she jokingly calls for security to remove the crazy reporter from the room.

Charlize Theron does investigate the journalist’s marriage potential before moving on to more questions. It turns out that the journalist doesn’t have any money — always a major stumbling block in a proposal to join ones life with another and something that isn’t impressive to beautiful Charlize Theron.

Video: Charlize Theron gets a marriage proposal she can refuse

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Sexy Charlize Theron Gets Marriage Proposal From Wacky Journalist

Technorati Tags: Charlize Theron

Despite the recent credit crisis that has hit the mortgage markets, credit applicants are still seeking online credit card applications.

The downside of the good news — all of the action is from subprime borrowers (a 30% increase) who have been squeezed out of other credit markets while prime customers (a 15% decrease) have been fleeing online credit card applications during these days of economic unrest.

The question to be seen is whether the subprime borrowers will be able to keep up with their credit card payments, if they are approved for credit.

Disclaimer — I’m tangentally connected with the credit card industry.

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Subprime Action Switches To Credit Cards

Technorati Tags: credit cards, subprime crisis