BiddiesInMyBrain

Go David Letterman!!!

Gently Parsing the Frustration

The anger which came out yesterday is at a slow simmer. We Unitarian Universalists think of ourselves as a "gentle, angry people" as the hymn goes, and that definitely describes how I feel today over the issue of white privilege. I am still angry - don't get me wrong - but I have a cooler, more thoughtful head about things today.

I am looking toward the things I *can* do. I can - and do - make tolerance an central principle in the classroom; I do not allow hazing, nor do I allow any form of speech that denigrates another human being. I consciously do not allow myself to fall into the mentality here - it would be so easy to do since the predominant identity around me is that of white privilege - and I push back against it when I see it. I take a stand.

However, I also admit that I *am* tired. Maybe it's that I am older and that I somehow expected that after 15 years things would have progressed... but instead, the same lines are drawn - and in fact, I think I see them even more clearly now. Then I think of the older people around me - black and white alike - who have fought this their *entire* lives and how they haven't given up hope... and it makes me feel like a heel for bitching about being tired. It's just that I have lived elsewhere and seen where it can and does work ... and this city just doesn't seem to *get* it. It's a very small, narrow-minded town in many ways. Yes, it is getting more cosmopolitan in many ways, but I think Nashville has beaten us on that account. It's no wonder that Nashville is outshining us in nearly every appreciable and measurable area of quality of life. They seem to be more effective at working out their problems - and are looking forward, not backward.

I just don't know how to approach it on any larger level. I tackle it personally... but in the larger milieu of things, is it really making a difference? I have no idea if I will ever be able to measure that - and that is perhaps the biggest frustration I have. I work best with feedback and encouragement... and to see no appreciable difference in the city... and to have to start over again every semester with the same lessons... well, I just don't know if I am doing anything but spinning my wheels.

White people around me know to curb their speech when it comes to these issues... but do they do it sincerely in their everyday lives? Do they think racially-motivated jokes are funny? Do they still flinch and lock their car doors whenever they see a black man at a stoplight? I don't know. And I will never know. And is it really my business to influence them to change their lives? If it isn't, then how else are we ever going to enact change... real, lasting change? I believe in personal responsibility for one's actions. Do these people believe they are being responsible, or is there at least an element of shame in their subconscious? If there *is* shame, there is hope... but if there isn't, I don't know that we will *ever* reach them... or the next generation.

Like I said, it's toxic... and it's eating me up inside. I want to live someplace where I can be unequivocally proud of my city - even through its problems - because I know that there is a real, strong and visibly active movement to enact positive and tangible change. I want to go back to living in a progressive city which passes legislation that actually helps people rather than so much self-interest and corruption. And I wish that city were Memphis.

But it's not. And more's the pity.

Still Pondering the Anger

Wow.

I've gotten a lot of e-mail tonight about my last post, and it's made me think a lot about what I said.

I'm not kidding about the racial issues - the white privilege issues - that exist in this city.

But I think I was a little harsh on the efforts that are being made on behalf of meeting halfway. There *are* some people who are working hard to make a difference. It's just that until that difference can be manifested in even a vocal minority, there isn't going to be change... and until more people in pulpits and congregations and board rooms and school rooms REALLY teach tolerance and love (not to say that they aren't there - there are some damn good efforts out there... but dang... there just aren't enough!!) - and disengage from this whole idea of privilege - there is no hope of that succeeding. NONE.

But nobody - at least *very* few whites in this town - seem to want to look inward to deal with those snap judgments ... the same ones that seal fates all over the South. Those that say separation is better, that private schools are better than public schools, that discomfort in mixed social and religious situations is ok. I want to see DELIBERATE action. Real, positive, assertive, gentle action - the same kind of direct action King and Gandhi talked about - to look inside and remake this city, this region and this nation.

I *do* see some of that happening - don't get me wrong - and I see it the best of it in higher education. Unfortunately, the people who graduate University.. black, white, Asian, African, Hispanic, European... are not as likely to stick around here - the atmosphere is just so toxic that people really want to leave once they have opportunity. The best and the brightest tend to be lured away... and those who stay get beaten down by the constant... well, the constant inability of good folks to stand up year after year, decade after decade, to the racism and the privilege.

I have lived here for 15 years ... and I am just... tired of it. The Gandhi/King conference is coming and I want so much to take part in it... but I am so discouraged. Maybe it's all the talk right now that Memphis is such a "progressive" or "liberal" city in such a conservative state. No, I am sorry. I have lived in progressive, liberal cities - and this one is not one of them.

I'll continue to try - don't get me wrong. But you can bet that I will seek other opportunities in other places if they come my way.

And the city wonders why the tax base is just... floating away.

Get real already.

Dealing with an Unexpected Burst of Anger

I've had this *wonderful* day today ... it's been rainy, yes, but I have been busy and accomplishing things all day long.

So, the burst of anger that erupted when a friend sent me an op-ed piece from the New York Times really surprised me.

Branson is not all that far from Memphis... and Memphis is definitely a little blue dot in a vast sea of red, so it would seem I should be happy to see this apparently like area in our geographic vicinity.

But, I'm not.

Memphis has a good history of being a liberal stronghold the past several decades - and even before desegregation was known as a relatively progressive city. However, don't let the facade fool you.

There are deep lines of demarcation here. And I'll bet they're in Branson, too - but the reporter was too white to see them.

You see, we are a town - and a region - of white privilege.

A man walks into a gun shop in Memphis... or Branson. If he's white... he's a gun enthusiast and a patriot. If he's black... he's someone to fear and has criminal intent.

A man drives a tricked-out SUV in Memphis... or Branson. If he's white, he's merely affluent and a representative of the American dream. If he's black, he's involved in the drug trade.

A white kid in a school uniform is walking down the street at 2:30 pm ... he's simply been dismissed from school. A black kid in a school uniform is walking down the street at 2:30 pm ... he's a truant and up to no good.

White men and women standing on a street corner holding up signs and shouting out their support for their chosen candidate in a presidential race are 'doing their part for democracy'. Black men and women standing on a street corner holding up signs and shouting out their support for their chosen candidate in a presidential race are misguided, uppity and inciting a riot.

Do you see where I am going with this?

There are deep, clear lines of demarcation in this city - and throughout the South - a vile vestige of segregation and a mindset of white privilege.

It's not just seen in the places of worship - very few black men and women go to certain Presbyterian churches, just as very few white men and women attend COGIC services, for example - but it is seen in the snap decisions people make on the street and around the town about racial difference. The above examples I gave barely scratch the surface.

However, most people are terribly, horribly apathetic about doing anything. They are attached to the television and unwilling to get out in the heat or cold and actually motivate to do something about these issues.

The only people who are forced to get out and interact on a regular basis are our public schoolkids - and you see how well that works. Constant disruptions, guns in schools, racial slurs and epithets... and kids segregate themselves in the lunchroom and between classes.

There is no culture of oneness, no hope of understanding until the larger culture changes. And I see no hope of that happening right now. Until the larger racial divides are breached within the larger society, until the ideas of white privilege - and you can't tell me that a majority of this problem ISN'T that of white privilege - are eradicated there will never be any form of true progress.

Memphis and Branson may claim to be progressive, liberal cities... but just live here a while and really, truly look. Just as in the Op-Ed piece, there is an assumption of white privilege on which that progressive liberalism is based... and you need to ask yourself if that is really progress after all.

Debating

I am debating the ethics of something.

I have come into the possession of what purports to be Sarah Palin's high school report card from January 1982. It's circulating the internet, though I haven't seen it on any of my usual websites.

I would link to it in a heartbeat... but... do I post it here?

I just don't know.

She's made such a mockery of things, and claims such superior knowledge... and yet, I can show that she is really a very poor student with a very poor record. If this is what it purports to be.

What should I do? I have no problems taking some flak... but is it ethical?

UPDATE: This solves the problem for me: Assignment Desk, and Daily Kos

If They Were Trains

Wish I knew who originated this so I can attribute it:

McCain: My Fellow PRISONERS????

You simply must see this clip. He refers to My Fellow PRISONERS, not MY FELLOW AMERICANS. So bizarre. I am totally not making this up. h/t to Dependable Renegade

Obama - McCain Debate #2 - Liveblogging

Liveblogging Debate #2 - Town Hall Format

Domestic and Foreign Policy

First Question: Shafer: Economy: Fastest, most positive solution for older people and pensioners:

Obama: Failed economic policies of the past 8 years. Stripped away regulations. Step 1: Rescue package. Strong oversight. Cracking down on CEOs. Middle class need a rescue package - tax cuts and homeower rescue. Healthcare system.

McCain: Angry, fearful Americans. Energy independence. No raised taxes. Stop spending spree. Reform package. Prosperity and peace in the world. Home values. Secy of Treasury would buy up home loans. MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Trust and confidence MY FRIENDS ::drink:: 

Discussion: Criteria to replace Paulson:

McCain: Buffet. Whitman. Greed. Excess. Cronyism.

Obama: Buffet. Treasury Secy: Must understand that the middle class must be helped.

Second Question: Clark: Bailout package - what is going to help the people he knows out?

McCain: Not a bailout, but a rescue package. Suspended his campaign to go back to Washington. FannieMae and FreddieMac were the problem, and Obama defended it. Must go into housing market and buy up home loans. McCain stood up against it.

Obama: Credit markets are frozen. Small businesses are frozen - can't make payroll. Shouldn't have been there in the first place. Biggest problem was the deregulation of the financial system. Obama called out the subprime lending crisis. Must reregulate. This is the beginning of the process. Power hasn't been exercised yet.

Discussion: American economy is going to get much worse?

Obama: Must have leadership from Washington - must help ordinary families stay in their homes, must coordinate with other countries.

McCain: I think it depends on what we do. Must buy up the bad loans. Must get rid of the cronyism and special interests. MY FRIEND ::drink:: Can fix the economy. American workers best in the world.

Third Question: Finch: How can we trust either of you with our money when BOTH PARTIES got us into this global economic crisis?

Obama: Understand your frustration. A lot of blame to go around. We had surpluses when Bush came into office. National debt was around $5T. Now it's around $10T. Deficit spending and national debt... and McCain voted for 4 out of 5 of those budgets. Healthcare reform. Energy reform. Invest in college affordability. Cutting more than he is spending.

McCain: Understand your frustration, because system is broken. Has taken on special interests. Campaign finance reform. Climate change with Lieberman. Bipartisanship. Look at records as well as rhetoric. Look at watchdog groups. Lists them. Calls Obama a liberal spender.

Discussion: New economic realities... choices: health, energy, entitlement reform. Which highest priorities and it what order?

McCain: Can work on all three at once. MY FRIENDS ::drink:: (Some of $700b will end up in hands of terrorists?)

Obama: Energy. Must be dealt with today, budget and national security. Healthcare #2. #3 Education. Earmarks... must go through every item in federal budget. Must also look at revenues are going. Must look at tax cuts to big corporations, too (McCain).

Fourth Question: Fiora: Have not been asked to sacrifice except blood since WWII. What will we sacrifice to get ahead now?

McCain: Corrupt defense spending. Earmarks - including some good projects. Spending must be cut. Spending freeze - defense and veterans affairs excepted. Transparency. Can attack all three of the priorities from previous question at same time.

Obama: Tragedy of 9/11 - all of the country was ready to come together, ready to make enormous changes to make us a better country. Opportunity missed - a call to service. In government and outside of government. Energy independence - each of us will need to think about how we are EACH using energy. Incentives. Weatherize. Make things fuel efficient. Young people of American - how they can serve. Double Peace Corps... volunteer domestic corps. Renew America.

Discussion: President Bush: Wall street got drunk... consumers got drunk/government got drunk. How to reel in?

Obama: Government oversight. Spending AND revenue side discipline. Share the burden.

McCain: MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Compares Obama to Herbert Hoover. Lies about small businesses. MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Not in favor of tax cuts on the wealthy. Double tax exemptions on children. $5000 refundable tax credits for healthcare.

Fifth Question: Langdon: Unfunded obligations for entitlements. How to deal with it?

Obama: Must do it in the first term. Must deal with revenue issues. Wants to provide a tax cut for 95% of Americans. If you make $200,000 or less you will see your taxes go down. Only a few percent of small businesses see their incomes make more than $200,000 per year. Most can't afford health insurance. Compares large corporations' entitlements. Must get tax policies right for middle class. Then we will be in a position to deal with social security and medicare.

McCain: I'll actually answer the question. MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Social Security: Taken on party leaders. MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Medicare: Come up with recommendations. Congress vote up or down. American people fix it for us. Obama has voted to increase taxes 94 times to increase taxes. MY FRIENDS ::drink::

Sixth Question: Jackson: What would you do to make sure Congress moves fast with environmental issues and green jobs.

McCain: When we have an issue about a damaged planet (brings up a Lieberman) MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Nuclear power... mocks Obama's safety demands. Green technologies... hybrids... battery powered cars. Create millions of jobs. 95% of the people for our markets live outside the US

Obama: Not just a challenge but an opportunity. Just like computers... national security issue as well. Solar, wind, geothermal... favor nuclear power as ONE component of the mix. Big problem with energy... politicians haven't done anything. McCain has voted 23 times in 26 years against alternative fuels. Requires sustained effort from leadership.

Discussion: Should we fund a Manhattan like project or a hundred thousand garage projects to develop green technologies?

McCain: MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Manhattan project.. then turn over to private industry. Called Obama "that one"???? MY FRIENDS ::drink::

Seventh Question: Trello: Selling healthcare coverage. Should healthcare covereage be a commodity?

Obama: Premiums have doubled... copays and deductables have gone up dramatically in the past two years. Keep your plan if you are satisified with it. Prevention. IT medical records... same kind of insurance as government workers - like senators and congressmen. McCain is different - taxing healthcare, etc.

McCain: Must make it more efficient. Community health centers. Walk-in clinics. (Huh? Out of touch. Already there!). Says Obama will fine you if you don't get healthcare. (Huh?) Want us to go to Arizona to see a doctor if you live in Tennessee???? What planet is he living on????

Discussion: Is healthcare in America a privilege a right or a responsibility?

McCain: Responsibility. Not a government mandate.

Obama: Right. Repeats much of his above answer in response to McCain's silliness. 

Eighth Question: Elliot: How will all the recent economic stress effect our nation's ability to act as a peacemaker in the world?

McCain: America is the greatest force for good in the history of the world. MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Challenge is to know when we can beneficially effect the outcome of a crisis. National security and force for good. MY FRIENDS ::drink::

Obama: Osama bin Laden is in Afghanistan. McCain is wrong. Iraq.. McCain is wrong. Put an enormous strain on our budget and on our troops. This IS the greatest nation on earth... greatest force for good. NEVER in history has there been a country with economic declines like this and still maintained it's combat superiority.

Discussion: What is the Obama Doctrine... or the McCain Doctrine when there is no National Security issue at stake?

Obama: Moral issues... when genocide is happening and ethnic cleansing is happening and we stand idly by... these are things that diminish us. Must work in concert with our allies.

McCain: MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Rebuts eighth question. MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Must do whatever we can to prevent genocide... but it must be tempered with our ability to effect good. Somalia was humiliating. Lebanon was humiliating and murderous.

Ninth Question: Hamm: Should the US respect Pakistani sovereignty? 

Obama: Didn't finish the job in Afghanistan, so now we are in a bad situation in the area. War against terrorism began in that region, that's where it will end. Must change our policies in Pakistan. We're going to encourage democracy in Pakistan, non-military aid, but will take action if the Pakistani gov't is unwilling or unable to act.

McCain: Hero is TR. Obama announcing he is going to attack Pakistan, not walking softly and carrying a big stick. Relations with Pakistan are critical. Must get their support. Petraeus has a very different plan. Must go into Waziristan. Don't threaten to attack. Use force. Talk softly.

Followup Obama: Nobody called for the invasion of Pakistan. If Pakistan is unable or unwilling to hunt down bin Laden then we should. That is IT. This is the guy who is saying Bomb Iran, and invade N. Korea, and Next Stop Baghdad.

Followup McCain: Not true. Knows what it's like to send troops into war. MY FRIENDS ::drink:: Will act responsibly. Not going to telegraph his plan.

Discussion: Develpments this week. Failing in Afghanistan... how do you reorganize Afghanistan?

Obama: Must start pulling out of Iraq and put more troops in Afgh. Karzai must be responsive to the Afghan people.

McCain: Petraeus. Double size of Afgh army, work with NATO, etc. Must have a surge in Afgh. just like in Iraq.

Tenth Question: Aldon: How can we apply pressure to Russia on humanitarian issues without another Cold War?

McCain: We're not going to have another Cold War. Putin is KGB, though. Aggressive, bad man. Wants to reassemble the old Soviet Union. We must support Georgia. International pressures against Georgia. G8. Economic, diplomatic and others.

Obama: The resurgence of Russia IS a central issue. Can't just proviade moral support. Must help all former soviet satellites. Must help in economic and diplomatic ways. Must anticipate these issues. Situation in Georgia was unsustainable - and Obama talked about it in April. Tend to be reactive... not proactive. Energy is going to be key when dealing with Russia.

Discussion: Russia: Evil Empire?

Obama: Nationalist empire.

McCain: Maybe.

Eleventh Question: Sherry: Israel: Iran attack? US troops in support of Israel or waiting for UN?

McCain: MY FRIENDS ::drink:: No waiting for UN. Go right in. Threat to entire Middle East. Nuclear weapons are a threat to the entire middle east. Wants significant, tough sanctions to modify their behaviour. MY FRIENDS ::drink::

Obama: Cannot allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon. Also creates instability in the region. Cannot allow veto power in UN. Must use all the tools in our arsenal... must work more effectively with other countries... must work on energy independence... must break down their gas imports. Must work with friends AND enemies to change Iran's behavior. Better chance at better outcomes. Talking works.

Twelfth Question: Peggy: What don't you know and how will you learn it?

Obama: Nature of the challenges are immense. Presidency... the challenges are what you don't expect. This country gave him opportunity. Scholarships... scrimping and saving... food stamps... best schools and success... are we going to pass on that dream to the next generation?

McCain: What's going to happen both here at home and abroad. Americans are hurting in a way we haven't in our generation. Doesn't know the unexpected. Dark times. Knows about fighting and hope, courage and hope... etc. 

Conclusion.

Sarah Palin Debate Flow Chart

You have got to see this (click to enlarge):

Get thee over to www.adennak.com to not only pay tribute to the guy who came up with this, but to check out his wonderful website - and to get a link to his CafePress shop featuring this flowchart!

Liveblogging Biden/Palin

Gwen Ifill introduces domestic and foreign policy matters as topics.

First Question: Bailout Bill: Worst of Washington or best of Washington this week?

Biden: Worst economic policies the past eight years. Obama laid out four basic criteria for bailout: oversight, homeowners, taxpayers like investors, CEOs don't come out benefiting.

Palin: Go to a soccer game. Feel the fear? That's the barometer. Oversight. Need reform. McCain represents reform. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform. Senators wouldn't go toward reforms. McCain was bipartisan. Suspended his campaign.

Second Question: How would you shrink polarization?

Biden: Reach across the aisle. Folks are out of touch - especially McCain

Palin: American workforce greatest in the world. McCain meant it. As governor she has a track record of reform alongside McCain. Maverick :::drink::: Tired of politics as usual.

Third Question: Subprime lending meltdown. Who was at fault?

Palin: Lenders who talked people into buying beyond their means. Corruption on Wall Street. She and McCain will deal with it. Commit ourselves to say NEVER AGAIN. Joe Six Pack? Don't live outside our means.

Biden: Obama warned of subprime mortgage crisis two years ago; McCain was surprise. McCain was surprised by it and wanted to deregulate. Belief that Wall Street could self-regulate. Wants to deregulate the healthcare industry, too.

Response Palin: Tax increase response???? Biden/Obama voted for largest tax increases in US history. Biden didn't talk about tax increases... WTF?

Response Biden: McCain voted 477 times to raise taxes. Palin did not answer the questions raised.

Response Palin: Still on tax thing. Refuses to answer the question. Wants to talk about record as governor. McCain rules and regulations... cut off.

Fourth Question: Raise taxation? Raise healthcare tax credit? How is that not classism?

Biden: That's simply fair. 95% of the people in the US will get a tax break. The economic engine of America is the middle class. McCain wants to add $300b of tax breaks to the wealthy and nothing to the middle class - utterly unfair.

Palin: Forgetting millions of small businesses in that plan. Paying higher taxes is patriotic? NO, not in her opinion. Increased tax formula is the backwards way of doing things. McCain believes in tax credit, not mandate. Budget neutral. Wants to erase artificial lines between states - affordability and accessibility.

Response Biden: Redistribution? No. Fairness. Most small business owners make less than $250,000 a year. McCain pays for his health care plan by taxing our healthcare plans through our employers. Ultimate bridge to nowhere.

Fifth Question: What promises will not be able to be kept?

Biden: Can't go forward with tax cuts proposed by McCain and current administration. Must slow down. Eliminate wasteful spending like $100b tax dodge that allows people to take their PO Box offshore to have a tax dodge.

Palin: Blasts Obama on energy. Has no promises that would not be kept.

Response Biden: Obama voted for energy bill because it had real leaps for alternative energies. When separate votes came up for oil companies, McCain voted against.

Sixth Question: Bankruptcy.

Palin: Call for reform. Abuse. John McCain to thank for putting politics and campaign aside to fix the problem. Does not answer question.

Biden: Subprime mortgage crisis... McCain was surprised by it. Bankruptcy - should be allowing bankruptcy courts should be able to adjust % and principle. McCain and governor do not support that.

Response Palin: Energy Question... yet again. Not answering bankruptcy question. Wants to tap into all our national energies...

Seventh Question: Climate change.

Palin: It's real, but not willing to attribute all to man. Not going to argue about causes. Clean up planet. Encourage others to clean up. Formed a climate change subcabinet. McCain there with an all-of-the-above approach. Tap into alternative sources of energy.

Biden: Man-made.If you don't understand cause you can't come up with solutions. McCain has consistently voted against clean energies. Chinese problem dirty coal, etc. McCain's only answer is to drill drill drill.

Response Palin: Drill baby drill. And an all of the above approach. Supports capping carbon emissions.

Response Biden: Hard targets on clean coal. How do we deal with global warming otherwise?

Eighth Question: Same Sex Benefits

Biden: Absolutely supports them. Visitation rights. Joint ownership. Life insurance, etc.

Palin: Doesn't want to redefine marriage. Tolerant of diverse relationships.

Response Biden: Supports civil unions, not same-sex marriage.

Response Palin: Does not support gay marriage

Ninth Question: Iraq. Exit strategy?

Palin: Surge! It works! Cannot withdraw from Iraq. Now down to pre-surge numbers in Iraq. Cannot afford to lose in Iraq. Coming closer to victory.

Biden: Shift responsibility to Iraqis. Only odd man out is McCain - Bush is even on board. McCain voted again bill that had a timeline... Obama wanted a timeline. We're spending $10B a month whil Iraq has an $80B surplus. No end in sight for McCain.

Response Palin: Um, your plan is a white flag of surrender. We'll know when we're done when we're done. Slams Biden for anti-Obama stances during primary season.

Response Biden: Protective gear - McCain voted against it. McCain was dead wrong on the fundamental issues relating to conduct of the war.

Tenth Question: Nuclear Iran or an unstable Pakistan?

Biden: Pakistan is already an issue. Iran is not there yet. Both very dangerous. McCain continues to tell us the central war on terror is in Iraq... the planning is going to come from Afghanistan and Pakistan according to Biden and Obama, though. 

Palin: Both are dangerous. Petraeus said central war is in Iraq, not McCain. Refers to Israel... and the Axis of Evil leaders... can't pronounce nuclear.

Eleventh Question: Engage with enemies?

Palin: Well, yes, but can't meet at a presidential level. Diplomacy is important. Hard work by serious people before a presidential summit.

Biden: We SHOULD talk and sit down. Talk talk talk ... but McCain wouldn't agree with that. Bush hasn't done that until the past year. Allies are frustrated with us over this policy. McCain would not sit down with the government of Spain!

Twelfth Question: Israel

Palin: Two state solution IS the solution. Trying to forge that peace. Israel is our strongest ally in the ME.

Biden: Bush policies have been an abject failure. Iran is the biggest threat to Israel.

Response Palin: We both love Israel! There have been huge blunders in the war and administration, yes, but stop pointing fingers backwards! Look forward!! (WTF?) Maverick! ::drink::

Response Biden: Past is prologue. How different is McCain from Bush? Haven't heard ANYTHING on how McCain's policies are going to be different from George Bush's

Thirteenth Question: Nuclear weapons use

Palin: Can't figure her response. Sorry. Really. Don't understand. Does not compute. Something about Axis of Evil, N Korea and Iran. Now she's onto building schools in Afghanistan.

Biden: Afghanistan: surge principles will not work in Af. (said today). need money to support infrastructure. Nuclear weapons: nuclear arms control regime. McCain is opposed to amending NTBT. Obama reached across aisle to keep nuclear weapons out of hands of terrorists.

Response Palin: McClellon did not say surge principles will not work.

Response Biden: Commanding general DID say that. Spend in three weeks in Iraq what we spend in the entire time in Afgh.

Fourteenth Question: Intervention in other countries

Biden: Stomach for successes. Saving lives. Darfur is winnable.

Palin: Washington outsider. You voted for the war and are against the war. etc etc. Darfur... agree on that. Alaska permanent fund... divested from Sudan - legislation hasn't passed yet there, but it should.

Response Biden: Do we have the capacity to do anything about it? Never supported McCain's strategy on Iraq. McCain has been wrong from the outset.

Response Palin: McCain knows what evil is. Knows how to implement the strategies and can take the politics out of these war issues.

Fifteenth Question: Presidency a heartbeat away... how would a VP administration be different from your P administration?

Biden: Would carry out Obama's administration and policies. Enumerates them.

Palin: Team of Mavericks ::drink:: Continue the good work of McCain... needs a little reality from Wasilla Main Street. (Does not say she would continue the policies of McCain).

Response Biden: Has the Administration made them off the last 8 years, and does McCain differ from Bush? Walk with me in my neighborhood.

Response Palin: Folksy crap. Teachers need to be paid more. Education in America. No Child Left Behind. More emphasis on the profession. etc... not answering about the presidency.

Sixteenth Question: What does the VP do?

Palin: Preside over the Senate, Constitution gives more leeway to the VP? McCain says she would work with families with special needs, energy independence and one other area

Biden: point person for legislative initiatives, help Obama govern, give advice, pick someone who had independent judgement

Response Palin: Believes the Founding Fathers allowed the VP much flexibility under the Constitution. 

Response Biden: VP Cheney most dangerous VP in history. Art I of the Const. defines the VP. Period.

Seventeenth Question: Lack of experience or lack of discipline?

Palin: Executive experience... connection to heartland of America. Worldview she shares of John McCain... shining city on a hill (attributes to Reagan ARRRGH!).

Biden: Excessive passion. Record of change and accomplishments which McCain voted against. His OWN connection to heartland of America.

Response Palin: Maverick ::drink:: Takes on his own party. Maverick ::drink::

Response Biden: NOT Maverick ::drink:: Not Maverick ::drink:: Not Maverick ::drink:: Not Maverick ::drink:: Not Maverick ::drink:: Not Maverick ::drink:: Not Maverick ::drink:: Not Maverick ::drink::

Eighteenth Question: Single issue in which you were forced to change

Biden: Ideology of a judge makes a huge difference... not just the moral turpitude, his/her student record, etc. It matters what your judicial philosophy is.

Palin: Budgets she didn't not veto she quasi caved on. There has never been something she has had to compromise on. 

Nineteenth Question: How do you change the tone?

Biden: Biden has been able to work across the aisle... learned never question motive, question judgment.

Palin: Appoint people regardless of party affiliation.

Final Remarks:

Palin: Fight for America, fight for middle class, knows what the hurts and challenges are, proud to be an American, economic and national security freedoms. Must fight for freedom. McCain and Palin will do that.

Biden: Most important election of your entire life. Deep hole of past eight years. Need for fundamental change. Obama and Biden measure progress of that change by paying mortgages, and well-equipped armed forces, etc. Well-respected families and neighborhoods. America needs to get up together.