Election news and notes

SO I DROPPED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II and replaced it with a sociology class and an introduction to physical therapy course. Trying to cover 16 weeks of ochem in only 8 weeks--which meant two labs a week--on top of my anatomy course (also with a lab) was just too much. I'll be taking the second semester of organic chemistry this fall or next spring.

The sociology class has been a kick. I love the instructor, and the "all dialogue" format of our class sessions is a welcome change from so many lectures.

Today we talked about the media and whether it performed its role well in the months leading up to the Iraq War. I don't think it did: the Bush administration basically got a "pass" on their claims, and all these years later we're still watching the damage.

The McCain campaigns ongoing blather about Obama's inability to protect the country from terrorists is just so much more of the crap that I--and now, I believe, a majority in the U.S.--am sick of. They played this game with John Kerry four years ago...

And why not? It's an old an effective game. I had been thinking about a quote from Hermann Goering today, just moments before my sociology professor passed around the quote in class. Goering, the head of the Gestapo and one of the top Nazi leaders, made the remark after the war:

Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

What we have to work on this year is outsmarting the people who are counting on Americans to be duped again. As one girl in my class remarked today, "It only takes one person speaking out."
So during these coming months, think about what kind of world you want to live in. We can let our lives be ruled by fear... or by hope. Neither perspective guarantees that smart decisions will be made, but each frames the challenges we face differently.

I'm looking for a leader who is intelligent and motivated by optimism about what we're capable of.

McCain's campaign so far has told me that he's not such a man.

HIS NEW POSITION on offshore oil drilling (he used to be opposed) is that we should go for it:

The party’s presumptive presidential nominee, Senator John McCain of Arizona, used a speech in Houston on Tuesday to say he now favors offshore drilling, an announcement that infuriated environmentalists who have long viewed him as an ally. Florida’s governor, Charlie Crist, a Republican, immediately joined Mr. McCain, saying he, too, now wants an end to the ban.

Bush agrees. Sorry, but I don't.

I just don't think we're at a point in the oil economy when we can drill our way out of the mess we're in. I do agree with McCain that an expanded role for nuclear energy is probably a good idea. It was amusing, though, that he made that comment while in Springfield (Missouri).

ACCORDING TO A NEW POLL, there's little evidence that the "dream ticket" would help Obama's chances of winning Ohio, Florida, or Pennsylvania.

NOT SURE WHAT I think of this new MoveOn ad

(Video link.)

I agree with the mother's concern for her child. But it plays into people's fears, and I wasn't that comfortable about the "red phone" ad's use of children, either. Hmm.

Okay, time to study. Even without ochem, still not much time for blogging. :-)