The Spelzer Chronicles

Oy Vey!

It's gonna be one of those days I guess.

Rosie broke a nail, the same one I broke when we went to the beach. Dad called the vet this morning to see if he could bring her in. They've got her in a kennel right now. They're gonna take a look at it and decide what to do about it. There's a little flap of skin that they may want to remove, and they'll probably put her on antibiotics. But Dad is nervous. Rosie doesn't like having her feet messed with and he's afraid they might have to sedate her. They'd use one of those injections with the antedote to knock her out and wake her back up. Hopefully they won't have to do that, but Dad's still nervous. I am too. I don't know I would do without my Spreadles. I love her so much. I know it's a minor thing considering that there are dogs we know with cancer and other more serious problems. But this is my sister and I worry about her so. If you're reading this, please say a little prayer for my Rosie that she'll be okay.

Now on to politics.

I am VERY distressed about the outcome of the Iowa Caucus. First, let's talk Huckabee. I don't think I need to emphasize the fact that we don't need another Evangelical Christian supported President in the White House. That's what we got with the Shrub, and we all know what a complete diasaster that was...

I have a great deal of respect for his religious conviction, but I find it disingenuous for a man to say he can bring us all together when anyone with a brain knows he will come out with an anti choice, and anti gay stance on privacy and civil rights. There is absolutely no way that he won't take those stances. And in a country that was created to protect its minorities from the oppression of the majority there is no place for a President with those beliefs.

We have a Constitutional, and Human right to practice the religion of our choice, to love whom we wish, and to make choices about our health and reproductive rights. No one has the right to dictate policy on these issues in any way that impedes the ability of citizens to exercise their freedoms. We've already had enough of our civil liberties removed by the Shrub under the Patriot Act. We don't need another President who will continue to erode our Constitutional rights.

And besides, how is a President going to be taken seriously on the world stage with a name like Huckabee? I just don't see it. And electing a man who's named after a baseball glove isn't so great either. No Mitts, no Huckabees.


I am equally displeased with the victory of Barack Obama. I'm sorry, but he's a boy-man with no experience on the world stage, and with the world in the state it's in I don't think we give the keys to the Mercedes to the teenager who still has a provisional license. Did you know that he chairs the Subcommittee for European Affairs? This is a subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was given this post so he would have the opportunity to fatten his resume in foreign policy since he has ZERO experience in the area. Guess what? He has not convened the committee once since he got the position. Nor has he travelled to Europe to meet any leaders there. Nor has he met with any European ambassadors here. I guess he's too busy listening to Oprah tell him how he'll be the best President ever. I think I may vomit. This is a man whose most recorded votes in the Illinois State Senate is "present." He didn't even vote yay or nay on a majority of issues. He just wanted everyone to know he was there. I've visited his website and I'm still looking for one concrete plan of action, something that says, "This is what needs to happen, and this is how I'm going to do it." He talks a lot about what needs to happen, but he hasn't got a clue as to how to do it. In these uncertain times, when nuclear powers like Pakistan are on the brink of self destruction and al quaida is in the mountains with the taliban waiting to make its move, and have access to nuclear materials, the last person we need in the White House is a boy-man foreign policy novice. He should stay in the Senate and serve Illinois, and prove that he is worthy of the office.

Thank dog that Bill Richardson hasn't dropped out of the race yet. As I've said before, he is the only candidate in either party who has been a chief executive at home, served in the Congress, and was a foreign diplomat. If it wasn't for him the North Koreans would still have an active nuclear reactor. He's pro environment, he's cut taxes, he's balanced his state's budget, he's raised the minimum wage, he's guaranteed access to health care for every child in New Mexico 5 years old or younger, and the list goes on. He has policy positions that can work, and more importantly he will admit when something isn't working. He knows he's not perfect, but rather than evade the issue he will tell you that he needs consultation. He has shown good judgement at home and abroad and is the only person running that I feel is capable of leading the United States when I leave office.

Here's an example of the respect that Richardson has with foreign leaders. This was released yesterday.

MANCHESTER, NH-- Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson earlier today and thanked him for supporting immediate democracy in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sharif and Governor Richardson discussed the modalities of an immediate transition to democracy in Pakistan and the steps necessary to guarantee free and fair elections.

"I think our national security is enhanced, not threatened, when we are true to our principles as Americans," Richardson said. "We supported the Shah of Iran until the bitter end and now our greatest national security threat is Iran. We supported the apartheid regime in South Africa, greatly harming our interests in the entire third world. And we supported numerous dictatorships in South America, making us pariahs in our own Hemisphere.

"You need a long-term strategic vision to protect our national security, not more foreign policy myopia."

Ya think that Sharif is calling Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, or Barack Obama? No he's not.

Check out Governor Richardson's website. Read about his policies, and his accomplishments. If you read what he has to say, listen to his speeches, and find out about his life story and still don't think he should be President then I can't help you.

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/home

Watch the Democratic debate tonight. Hopefully he'll actually be asked some questions. The media crowns the winners with the most money. Don't let them tell you who the winners are.