Once Again About Experience

Sarah Palin is not ready to be president, she has no experience. At least that is what all the Democrats are trumpeting about her and in the long run it really doesn't matter. First off the majority of the voters are voting for president, not vice president. Neither Obama or McCain have experience as president either. Only Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush have any experience as president of the United States. Obama if elected will have to start from scratch. He will have to pick a cabinet, advisers and any number of other appointments just to start. He will approach this task having never done anything larger than setting up an office staff as senator.
The same set of circumstances face McCain if he is elected and he has no more experience than Obama. Unless something happens to McCain in the first few months after the election Sarah Palin will not have to set up the office. That's right she will have a cabinet and advisers already in place if something happens to McCain. Of course in due time she will bring in her own people but she will not have to start with nothing. Also as a mayor and governor she has experience as chief executive. She has had to make appointments, work on budgets and deal with all manner of emergencies large and small. I know that there is a difference of scale but she does have experience no matter how meager the Democrats try to make it look.
No, the Democrats are not worried about her lack of experience, they are worried because she is a game changer. This move makes McCain look progressive and forces people to look again at John McCain. The Democrats are going to have a harder time saying that McCain represents the past. In fact Sarah Palin make Joe Biden look like a step back to the same old same old for Obama and the Democrats. Sarah Palin makes it harder for Obama to be the agent of change with a running mate that has been in the senate since 1972.
The Democrats need to back off the experience issue and start asking about what Sarah Palin really believes. Ask about her views on Right to Life, gun ownership, taxes, reform and the War on Terror. When you find out about her stances on those issues then maybe her experience can become an issue.

Reading the Blogs

I have discovered that I really enjoy looking at other peoples blogs. I like looking at the pictures that they have posted, maybe because I so enjoy photography myself. I also like reading other peoples thoughts and ramblings. Most of it just conversational musings about what is going on in their lives but some of it is pretty insightful. Though something of an agnostic myself, it is interesting to read what other people say about their faith and believes.
I'm totally mystified by the blogs that are in a foreign language. I look at the pictures and try to get a feel for what they may be saying or thinking in their blog. I wonder if they look at my blog and wonder the same things about me. I think that there is something of the voyeur in all of us, so we all get some sort of thrill looking at other people.

Obama, Who?

I have been only half listening to all the convention coverage and I have to say I'm more than a little confused. All the pundits are saying that Obama needs to introduce himself to the public so that the voters can know who he is and what he stands for. I rather thought that was what he has been doing for the last 18 months. Apparently I missed something. The pundits all believe that only those people that have been voting in the Democratic Primaries know who he is and the rest of just haven't been paying attention.
Another thing that I have missed is that the Convention in Denver is about the Clinton's. Again according to the pundits the Clinton's must convince Hillary's supports to move over to Obama. Also Bill must be seen to support Obama unconditionally or the Party may fracture. I thought it was the Democratic Party not the Clinton Party. Bill Clinton is just a former Democratic President, you know just like Jimmy Carter but again there must be something that I missed. Obama got this far without the help of Bill and Hillary Clinton I fail to see why he can't go the rest of the way without them. Isn't Obama running as the candidate of change and don't the Clinton's represent the politics of yesterday and the last century for that matter.
Obama if he is to win must continue doing what got him to this position. He needs keep talking about change. He needs to show that his ideas and policies will help make America safer and respected in the World. He needs to show how he is going to help improve the economy. He needs explain his energy independence plan. He needs to show how his diplomacy will work with Iran and the re-emerging Russia. He needs to talk about what he is going to do rather who he is.

My Review of Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG APO OS (Optical Stabilizer) HSM AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Originally submitted at Adorama

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG APO OS (Optical Stabilizer) HSM AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG APO OS (Optical Stabilizer) HSM AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Love it

By Bob in Boise from Boise, ID on 8/27/2008

 

4out of 5

Pros: Sharp Focus, Easily Interchangeable, Durable, Strong Construction, Rugged, Consistent Output, Easy To Clean

Cons: Heavy

Best Uses: Sports/Action, Wildlife

Describe Yourself: Hobbyist/Enthusiast

I just purchased this lens 3 weeks ago and am very happy with it. I know it is rugged as I dropped it within the 1st week but it never missed a beat. The image stabilizer works just fine and the auto focus is nice and sharp. The only complaints I have are its weight and auto focus is a little fussy in low light, but the so are 2 of my Canon lenses. Overall a great lens.

(legalese)

Large Fire in SE Boise Makes Me Miss Working

Tonight there was a large fire in SE Boise. The fire started around 7pm as a grass fire with structures threatened. Upon arrival it went to a 4 alarm and then general alarm fire. 10 homes were destroyed and 9 homes badly damaged by the fire. 7 BPD officers were taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation. I was listening to dispatch on my scanner and thinking that I was glad that I wasn't working but you know I kind of missed not being there. I know I'm retired and should be moving on in my life. Sorry, though I'm an adrenalin junkie. It would have been fun to work that large an incident. 

I have been thinking about working again. I had thought that I wanted a different job but after tonight I'm not so sure that is the case. I do rather miss taking calls and helping people even if they don't act very grateful for the help. I miss the excitement that goes with a really big call. I also have to admit that I do miss the most of the people down there in the 911 center. Of course I can't go back until the first of November and then only if they will have me. 

I really need to start looking for a job. I should look into working for one of the two hospitals in town. I could work security or even mop floors. Both Home Depot and Lowe's would be good for me too. As much money as I have spent on camera stuff I should look into working for Idaho Camera. I guess I just need to start looking and see what I can find. But I will still miss the excitement of the 911 Center.  

Busy Week

Not sure just what to write about tonight. We had a busy week. Went to northern Idaho and visited with our youngest son and the granddaughters. We went to a small water park in Hayden, Idaho and had a good time even though I'm no swimmer. It was good to see our son and the girls. We boarded the dogs this time and that was harder on me than Tee Tucker and Harriet. Now that I know we can trust the kennel we boarded them at maybe we will take some longer trips without them. I would take them if we had a RV or travel trailer. Maybe if gas prices go down.
Obama has picked his running mate and I'm not sure Joe Biden is a good choice or not. Right now I tend to think that he is a bad choice and rather diminishes the candidate of change that Obama had started out to be. If Obama wanted an attack dog to do and say things that he can't, then Biden is a good choice. But attack dog politics sounds like "politics as usual" in Washington. Maybe McCain will make a better choice of running mates, however I can't help but see "Grandpa Simpson" every time McCain speaks.
I have received several comments on my blog lately and it never ceases to amaze me that people read what I have written. I really enjoy the comments and read them all several times. It is really something to think that people I have never seen or am likely to see are looking at what I say.

The Return of the Russian Bear

The fighting this week in Georgia marks the return of the big bad Russian Bear. He has slowly been reawakening for the last several years and now with Putin pulling the strings it has reawakened with a roar of defiance. The bear has been slowly flexing his muscles with the fighting that has taken place in Chechnya over the last several years under the guise of fighting Islamic terrorists. Now all pretense is gone and the Russians are letting all the new republics that formed after the fall of the Soviet Union know that they had better toe the line or else.
The Georgian president, Saakashvili, while a problematic leader had been trying to align his country more closely with the US and NATO. The Russians and Putin were very upset with this. In fact Russia has been upset when any of the former Soviet Block countries that have made overtures to NATO and the US. Saakashvili made the mistake of taking military action to try and bring back two break away areas of Georgia. The people in these two areas have always felt more in common with Russia than Georgia and Russia has used this to their advantage. So when the Georgian military marched in they asked the Russians for protection and the Russian's are using this as a way to rid themselves of a leader that they don't like and can't control.
Saakashvili made several big mistakes in this crisis. First and foremost he completely misread the Russian response to his military actions. Secondly he thought that he would get more support from the US and NATO. The US is so tied up in Afghanistan and Iraq that there is nothing that we can do because we have nothing to spare. NATO can do nothing without the US, so Georgia has nothing but sternly worded messages and general but nonspecific condemnation of the Russian's actions.
There are larger implications here beyond the suffering of the Georgian people. Russia is back and badder than ever and they are spoiling for a fight or at least a confrontation with the West. The fighting in Georgia is the first act in the New Cold War. The next president is going to have more to worry about than withdrawal timetable from Iraq and the economy, he is going to have a confront a resurgent Russia. Yes, the Russian Bear is back and looking for trouble.

Olympic Coverage and is that a Sport

I know that I have said that I was interested in the Olympics this time but I do have a complaint, the total over coverage. The local station, Channel 7 KTVB, has had pretty much nothing but the Olympics and that is okay. On cable MSNBC is also carrying the Olympics for about 2/3's of the day. Today when I looked at KTVB they were showing some of the women's swimming events and some gymnastics. MSNBC so showing badminton and women's beach volleyball. Badminton and beach volleyball are Olympic sports? With all that is happening in the world right now I fail to see how beach volleyball and badminton are that important.

I know that CNN, Fox and Bloomberg are all covering world events for cable but MSNBC is trying to cast its self as a the source for all the election news, "The biggest event this Year" they keep trumpeting in their ads. So I find it hard to believe that they are covering badminton in the middle of the day with Russia and Georgia putting the world on the brink of a larger global war.

Another thing is NBC is tape delaying the events. I know that many of them are being played in what is the middle of the night for most of America but in this day of instant communications and 24 hour news, internet updates and screen crawlers it is hard not to know the outcome of an event before NBC gets around to showing it. There is nothing like watching the USA basketball team take on China knowing that USA wins by 31 points. In fact NBC is streaming many of the events in real time on their own web site. So come on NBC show them as they happen. 

Boise in the News

Why is it that any time Boise or Idaho is in the national news it is not for anything good. The last two days the national media have carried stories about Brandi Swindell being detained for protesting in Tiananmen Square. I know that she is a "good Christian" that is trying to save souls and all that but she is helping add to the picture of Idahoans as just a bunch of racist rednecks and double talking fools. What sort of Christian goes to another person's house to make a scene. I think the Chinese government should revoke her visa and send her home where maybe someone can teach her some manners.

Then there is Larry Craig, the punch line that just wont go away. He is yet again in the news fighting his guilty plea for soliciting airport bathroom sex. He says he is not going to the Republican Convention because he is not running for re-election and he is still fighting his case in court in Minneapolis and he doesn't want to be a distraction at the convention. This could have been all over if he had just quit like he at first said he would and then fought his case as a private citizen but no he has to remain in office so as to be a punch line that again shows Idaho in the worst possible light.   

In the early part of this decade we had the Boise City Travel Gate scandal. While that was mostly a local story it did generate some stories in Washington, Oregon and Utah. Yet again Boise and Idaho shown in a less than flattering light.

In the 1980's and 90's we had the White Supremacists at Hayden Lake with all their prejudices and hatred. They were good for almost 20 years of showing Idaho in the worst possible light. Add to that the Ruby Ridge Incident and the resulting Federal trials for all involved and we once again come out at the bottom.

I know that there has to have been some stories that show Boise and Idaho in a good light but for the life of me I can't come up with one right now. There are local stories about good kids in school but those are just that, local stories. We need some good national press and not just some top 10 listing as a good city for walking. Maybe the Special Olympics next year will be our chance to show the nation and the world what a great place Idaho and its people really are.

Paris Hilton for President

I just watched the Paris Hilton answer to the John McCain ad about celebrity and I laughed my head off. I think that she will have the last laugh on this issue. That being said I did rather like her answer to the energy crisis. Limited off shore drilling with tax incentives to the auto makers for hybrid and plug in technology cars. This actually is not a bad plan and in the great scheme of things in Washington DC, it is doable.  It is sad that a celebrity has a better thought out plan that can work than either of the two candidates. I now want to hear her plan for affordable health insurance. 

The old white haired dude and the serious talking guy really need to stop trying to one up the other guy and start thinking about and articulating about the very real problems that we are facing as a nation. Energy, Social Security, health care, education, the environment and the mess that is Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead we have the old white haired dude mocking the serious talking guy and handing out tire pressure gauges to the media thinking it is a joke.  The serious talking guy pulls out the race card and prattles on about changing politics as usual. 

If either one of these clowns wants to win on the issues and ideas they had better start having some ideas and look at the issues. Energy is easy compared to Social Security and health care and so far neither of them have talked about those. I know that there is still 3 months until election day and that anything can happen in that time but I'm just pessimistic enough to believe that all we are going to hear is name calling and the same old party line. So lets hear it for Paris Hilton, she at least saw a problem and came up with doable, workable solution. 

Bikes and Spandex

I went walking with the dogs this morning in the foothills. We had a good time and the girls were actually pretty good considering it was someplace they had never been and it was all new to them. We took the Kestrel trail and I swear it was mostly uphill, both ways. There were two different groups walking dogs, one dog on a leash and three dogs off leash. They were all very well behaved but I still believe all dogs should be on leash when in that environment. Then there were the mountain bikers. The ones going up hill were all fairly polite and courteous. The ones going downhill was another story.
At the trail head there is a sign that talks about trail etiquette. The sign advises that pedestrians have the right of way at all times and that bikers going downhill need to yield to all persons going uphill. It also mentions letting people know that you are coming up behind them either verbally or with a bell or horn. The verbal, bell or warnings were never used by any of the bikers but that was okay as I was keeping and eye on the trail and reeling in the dogs and moving off the trail as I saw bikers coming. As for yielding to people going uphill that never happened.
I was going uphill and there was another walker coming down and there was a spandex clad biker behind her. I moved off the trail and waited. The biker was moving really fast as he went by me and he blew by the lady walking without a word or sound of warning. Why is it if the biker is wearing spandex pants, a bike jersey, gloves and a helmet they always act as if the rules don't apply to them? Whether in the streets, on the greenbelt or the trails the spandex clad bikers ride as if the devil is chasing them. If there is a bike lane the spandex crowd never uses it, they are always in traffic. When in traffic they never follow the traffic rules, at least they rarely stop at stop signs.
Don't get me wrong here I know that not all spandex bikers disobey the rules, though I have never meet one, and not all non-spandex riders are law abiding. It just that to this casual observer spandex seems to bring the worst out in the bike rider.