"I love liberals. They're so not liberal it's almost a fulfillment of George Orwell's 1984."

Wow. Just what I was thinking. Sometimes, when my sons want to be Hollywood actors, film makers, or stunt men (depending on the boy), I just remind them of You Guys, out there in the front lines. "It's not all spotlights and glory, boys," I remind them. They are, to a lad, just to the right of Attila the Hun politically. So they get the message. I, for one, am glad that you are there in the trenches. I want you on that wall. I need you on that wall. Soon I will send you some photos of Yerushalayim doorways. As a thank you note -- and to make you feel better.

I know what is a B-girl. I was going to ask you to teach me what is a D-girl, but Wikipedia saves me again. (D-girl is actually less embarrassing...)

"Sure, I could say that I'm voting for McCain-Palin, but I don't feel like playing in their playground. I want to create some simple boundaries."

That is so smart.

You know, two seconds after that meeting broke up I bet they were congratulating each other on being tolerant and so much more enlightened than we rednecks.

One of my coworkers is from Georgia, the one recently invaded by Russia..and she said to me "How can Americans not get it? Socialism never works, end of story!". She knows. She lived under it, came here to get away from it.

I think it's because we HAVE never experienced it, and in the fantasy land of Hollywood, they can have dreams of socialist utopia and beneficence.

My coworker holds no such illusions.

It's like the old colonial-era religious "tests" (oaths) administered to office holders, and used to keep out Jews or Catholics or dissenting Protestants out of office, and abolished in the Constitution: ""no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States"

It's REALLY sickening that they try to put you through something similar. Pretty horrible stuff.

Depressing and amazingly blatant. Robert, thank you for your courage.

It's so darn sad to learn about the attitude of these people you shared your meeting with. Really, why SHOULD religion and politics enter such meetings; you're there with a script -- and your talent -- and those should be the only reasons. Why should your personal beliefs change their attitude to you and potentially blacklist you?

But Robert, you make a pretty good Marrano too.

Robert,
The tape could reveal that Obama hates Jews and Israel and Jewish Democrats would still walk like zombies to cast their votes for Obama.

It doesn't surprise me. I spent my teen years in Great Neck, same class as Andy Kaufman and Jonny and Barbara Avnet. "all the non-conformists have green bookbags." I'll never forget hearing that in the halls. So, I guess things haven't changed much.

I'm not as brave as you. Life is so much simpler here in Israel.

Many middle and upper class Jews from liberal American families are born with a neurological disorder that makes them unable to press the "Republican" lever on the voting machine.

Nice post, Robert. I work at a major mid-western University and I'm a conservative. Unfortunately, my new boss has decided that my position is no longer needed in the College, so my contract will not be renewed next July -- at least I have some time to find something else!

PJ

P.S. -- by the way, I am the first and only CIO this college has ever had. I find it interesting that my position is *now* deemed "unnecessary"...

For countless years, jews sought some universal order that would include them with those who would cast them out. Thus Einstein, Marx etc...in America, Jews banned or left out of so much--Ivy league schools, medical schools, etc. Now, having arrived, many DO NOT FORGET and refuse to kick away the ladder they had used to get to the top. Never Forget--the others behind you. Yes: Hollywood very liberal. Yes: conformity. But then, what is not? Look at makeup of GOP where are the gays and the blacks etc? a sprinkoing at best, for the conservatives continue to believe they are a breed apart and if social conservatives, Americais for white Chirtstians. So mock all you will; about the entertainment business. They made America what it now is, and the liberals and the Jews among them made big contributions. In sum: look to your own shortcomings before you dump on so manuy others.

Fred, you may believe that your faction is the only side that's motivated by altruism, fairness, or a desire to improve the world, and that the other side is acting mainly out of selfishness.

And you completely miss the point of the post.

IF Mr. Avrech had wanted to argue the political points in question, he could have. If I wanted to pollute his comments section with it, I could post a long diatribe about how my faction is the altruistic one and yours is a bunch of selfish bankers looking to loot the public treasury. I could easily make arguments where I am the font of virtue and you are such a depraved and evil person because of your political beliefs that I shouldn't _hire_ you.

THAT is the line he is (I suppose) arguing shouldn't be crossed.

Fred Lapides..."many DO NOT FORGET and refuse to kick away the ladder they had used to get to the top"...actually, I think much "progressive" policy is in fact **all about** kicking away the ladder...for example, the excessive emphasis on "elite" college education, and especially graduate education, is now a major inhibitor of class mobility. So is the negative attitude toward business, and especially small business.

Obama sneered at the possibility of a plumber ever making $250K, but much of the upward mobility of immigrants in America was in fact of this type...plumber starts out working for himself, later hires one assistant, and eventually has a substantial plumbing and plumbing-supplies business with 20 employees...rather than the riding-the-conveyor-belt-from-kindergarten-through-grad school type.

Michelle Obama urged her Zanesville audience to avoid business and pursue careers in the nonprofit sector. If any are unwise enough to take her advice, they will find that the attractive jobs in nonprofit organizations are usually dominated by trust-fund kids.

Robert - what an incredibly depressing story. I admire you, though. I don't think I'd have had your stoicism in the face of such bullying.

When it gets personal - that's the line in the sand. Never accept an insult to your intelligence, your means of arriving at your opinions. You can, must, agree to disagree on issues and candidates. But people who insist that they're superior deserve to be humiliated.

Fred has it completely backward. Jews have never kicked away the ladder; to the contrary, they have historically been the ones holding the ladder in position, and they've been followed up the ladder by many, which is why there is now a huge black middle and upper-middle class. Problem is that Obama's not about helping people up the ladder, but about taking what those who've made it up have earned and tossing it down to those who can't be bothered to attempt the climb.

Now, having arrived, many DO NOT FORGET and refuse to kick away the ladder they had used to get to the top.

Do you mean capitalism?

If you don't mean capitalism, do you mean meritocratic standardized tests?

Fred:

As one of those evil white Christians i have to say you make no sense.

Do people down here make fun of Jews? Yes, but usually not in a mean way (usually it's about how Jews have money which if Jews are good with money why don't we have more in our government instead of take em out like the left wants?) Heck we make fun of everyone especially ourselves. We just like to poke fun at people and expect to get made fun of back.

To answer you Fred, I'm from a town of 15k people in Tennessee. Never met a Jew but I met a Muslim, real nice guy, but I've never seen a more complete case of brain washing when it came to Israel.

Israel has every right to exist as any other nation. No man should be ashamed to vote for a candidate who is with Israel. Nor should he be discriminated against for voting for ANYONE. That is a premise of this country that some people have forgotten.

And has anyone noticed when obama said McCain is not voting for Joe plumber but Joe broker....Mr Obama....Joe the investor or broker or manager.....is an American. This is not a class war, you are to state for every American regardless of color, class, wealth, or party....if you do not, you have betrayed your duty a senator of the United States of America.

James from TN out cyall

Sorry I rambled a bit :)

I don't recognize the conservatism you describe, Fred.

Actually, I'm having that experience more and more often nowadays. It seems that every commenter defines "conservative" to mean whatever will advance his agenda.

Robert, sorry to hear you had to go through that. I just had a conversation with my boss where we complained about the crummy accounting software we're now required to use to report our travel expenses. My boss commented, with a completely straight face, that it's the fault of the Republican Party.

I will be so glad when this election is over.

Ruti:

I consider myself lucky to have such a wonderful career in Hollywood. The dopey politics get to me, but I still love my work.

Stunt man?! Oh my gosh, every stunt man I know is broken down, brain-damaged, or gobbling pain-killers day and night.

Look forward to receiving your door photos. Thanks sooooo much.

Jacob:

If I can establish boundaries with my execs I stand a much better chance of getting through the development process without raging conflict. In short, I've built my security wall.

P.S. I get the urge for pizza after Shabbos too. I think it's in the gemara:-)

Dr. Carol:

I think my execs were too shell shocked to say much beyond: “Hey, Avrech's a right wing nut job, who knew?"

Maurice:

In fairness to the execs in the room I'm sure they didn't mean to ambush me, they just assumed that everyone in the room supports Obama.

After all, Republicans have horns and appear obviously evil.

They were just being, um, clubby.

David:

You're very kind to call me courageous. I think I was just, you know, cornered and had very little choice.

You know who has courage?

My agent.

He, an insanely liberal Democrat, sticks by my meshugas no matter what. He's a prince of a man.

Pearl:

Politics and religion should never enter any business meetings, but this is Hollywood and there's a Jedi mind-control at work.

I don't get depressed anymore. I just work to make the argument that Jews should cross over to the Republican party.

Swimming against the tide can be refreshing.

Lance:

Sadly, your analysis is probably correct. Jews will vote overwhelmingly for Obama no matter what.

That's why the Democrats take the Jewish vote for granted and can be counted on to do nothing that benefits Jews or Israel.

As for the reliable black vote, well, the Dems strategy is to convince blacks that they cannot do anything without government assistance. And this has resulted in the destruction of the black family with absentee fathers an absolute plague.

This is lethal racism.

Batya:

In Hollywood all the male non-conformists drive a Porche, and the women NC's carry the Hermes Birkin bag.

Did you say that life is simpler in Israel?

Yup, you did.

Okay.

What. Ever.

Miranda:

I have a close friend here in LA who calls them: "Lever pulling Jewish Democrats."

It's that old Jedi-mind trick at work again.

It irritates me to no end how provincial some people are. I make no secret of my immense distaste for Palin and how she is the primary reason I am not voting for McCain.

Some of my friends have castigated me for this stand, but none of them would have the audacity to say that our friendship hinges upon agreeing upon who we vote for or any sort of political affiliation.

The people you write about should be embarrassed by their actions.

But that is just one more story that makes me very concerned about what happens post election.

One of these candidates is not going to get elected. And somehow we all need to pull together to try and support whomever is in office.

It may sound naive, but the reality is that whether you like the pres. or not, they are the president.

I just hope that we don't waste endless amounts of time finger pointing and engaged in frivolous law suits. There is far too much to do.

It is time to get back to work.

Hopefully I didn't fall off of the soapbox.

Jack,

I respect your position although I do not understand it. Personally, I like Sarah and am terrified of Obama and Biden. I don't see how having them in office in the most powerful country in the world is better than the prospect of a Palin vice presidency.

However, that's not what is going to happen post-election in general, if the reaction to George Bush is any indication. I think the past eight years of unremitting vitriol and hatred have fundamentally changed how we react to people of the opposite political persuasion. It's not just disagreement, or the loyal opposition anymore. It's demonizing, denigrating, and demolishing (note those all start with "D", ha ha).

I am praying and fasting for this election, and I will accept whatever G-d permits as an outcome. I've spent the past eight years fasting once a month on behalf of President Bush, and I intend to continue that practice even if (G-d forbid) Obama wins (I won't do it with nearly as much joy if Obama wins, I will admit). Somehow I doubt the Freds of this nation would do the same for a President McCain. They certainly didn't for President Bush.

I think what will happen if Republicans act like the loyal opposition to an Obama presidency--in contrast to the active attempts at political destruction practiced by the Democrats over the past two terms--is that the Dems will completely steamroll over every and any conservative or moderate concern and we won't recognize this nation in four years. And I doubt we will be happy with what we see.

I dropped a sentence--the second paragraph refers to your hope that we unite behind and support the new President.

Obama's supposed concern for the poor is belied by his unconcern for the poor of his own family, i.e., his impoverished half-brother in Kenya and the poor aunt they've now discovered in a Boston slum. The man never lifted a finger to help his own relatives, I'm supposed to believe he gives two hoots about anyone else?

Dr. Carol,

In my mind things changed during the Clinton administration. I think that Ken Starr's behavior was reprehensible as was so many others.

I am not excusing Clinton's behavior either. But from where I sit I think that both parties are guilty of shameful behavior. No one has clean hands.

In many ways what bothers me the most is the need some people have for others to act like sheep. I don't base my friendships or relationships contingent upon agreeing politically.

I suppose that there are limits. If someone supported David Duke or someone else of his ilk I'd probably draw the line.

I have never understood why Jews vote Dem. The Dems hate Jews, and actively try to sabotage Isreal on a regular basis by limiting their ability to defend themselves against Palestine.

Its pretty sad really. Hope the Jews realize that us righties aren't so evil afterall.

In fact, Hitler was socialistic! Most people believe the text books that say Hitler was right wing, but if you read his writings, he clearly was for a centralized economy. One would think people would remember this little detail, but then again, history has been revised in public school to meet the left's agenda.

Well, its good to know people like you are out there. Interesting, yet scary stuff.

It is a mistake for Israel to place its security in the hands of either party.

Robert,

Living in Shiloh gives me koach. It's "simple" because I'm close to the source; the ketoret still flavors the air.

At least I'm fighting our "war," not the goyim.

Good luck. Chava Willig Levy wrote a great piece about Obama. I have it linked here, http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2008/10/election-fever-more-like-malaria.html

Good luck!!

> I think it's because we HAVE never experienced it, and in the fantasy land of Hollywood, they can have dreams of socialist utopia and beneficence.

I forget where it was that I read a commentary about how there's all these movies analyzing the sins of Nazi Germany's 15-odd years of existence out of Hollywood, yet the entire 70-year span of existence of the USSR has been hardly touched.

Yeah, there's a few -- Dr. Zhivago, Citizen X, The Inner Circle, some spy pics, a couple more -- but really, when you get down to it, there's nary a fraction of the stories noting what life was like under the Soviet thumb that there ought to be for a superpower which grew from a pre-industrial culture to world prominence in a mere 40 years or so (there is a reason why every Russian word for anything more complex than "potato" is a cyrillicized English or French word).

Hollywood doesn't WANT people to know what life was like in the USSR.

obh...if I recall correctly, "Dr Zhivago" the *book* was far more negative about the Soviet Union than "Dr Zhivago" the American-made movie.

In some ways it seems that BHO's supporters are cultish in nature - totally brainwashed to the point of not understanding how others can't vote for him...

Mr. Avrech - that's why it pays to tell people that you're voting for Cookie Monster! (The former cookie monster, of course, who ate cookies whenever he pleased - not the new cookie Monster, for whom cookies are a "sometimes food")

My daughter threatens to write in John McClane (of Die Hard fame).

Prophet Joe:

We are very sorry that you have lost your position at your college. We wish you the very best in finding a new job.

We understand that Conservatives in, ahem, higher academia, are as rare as the Dodo.

That is the problem Jack....

Why work when your candidate rewards sitting at home and collecting welfare checks.

You have a prejudice when it comes to Palin...
Were you bothered by the effigy of Palin in West Hollywood?
Do you notice the rabid hatred of Jews and Israel that daily comes from Kos and many others.

Obama surrounds himself with Khalidi, Ayres, and others....
I guess that is ok in your world....
How do you justify this....or do you swallow the Obama kool-aid?

How sad indeed.

Fred:

Thanks so much for your comment. Let me just make a few points:

1. When one group believes that they have cornered the market on political and social truth, when they insist on conformity to their ideas, well then, that group is practicing demogogery and totalitarianism.

2. The Democrat party is no longer the party it once was. I was a faithful Democrat until Jimmy Carter's single disastrous term when he did not stand up the the Iranian Islamic declaration of jihad.

3. Never forget that John F. Kennedy was a strident cold warrior as were Hubert Humphrey, Scoop Jackson, etc. The Democrat Party has been hijacked by the radical left, appeasers and anti-capitalists, and is now a comfortable home to Jew-haters who disguise their racist ideology behind the fig leaf of "mere anti-Zionism."

In short, some ladders need to be kicked away or blind allegiance will lead to self-annihilation.

Thanks so much for visiting Seraphic Secret, we enjoy and look forward to dialog with those who disagree with us.

Have a lovely and meaningful Shabbos.

Christopher:

Not brave, definitely stoic and stubborn.

Jeremiah:

I work in Hollywood, insults to my intelligence are written into my contracts:-)

James:

Thanks so much for connecting the dots and expressing your support for Israel.

Please send some Jewish jokes. We need a laugh.

And hey, you've never met a Jew, but you now have plenty of Jewish friends here at Seraphic Secret!

Mazal Tov!, Congratulations.

Kent:

So: the evil Republicans are responsible for your lousy software.

That might also explain why Vista bites.

Jack:

Let me make a post-election prediction.

If Obama wins, Republicans will be disappointed and then we'll move on, wait to see what happens.

If McCain wins the Dems will cry voter fraud, drag in hundreds of lawyers, and yes, there will probably be violence.

As for pulling together: that's nice rhetoric but I do not pull together with a man who regularly consorts with American and Arab terrorists and Jew-haters disguised as Christian Ministers.

In short: if Obama makes good on his various foreign and domestic policies, which I consider disastrous, if not ruinous, then I will exercise my freedom of speech and thought to peacefully and respectfully oppose such policies.

It's called checks and balances.

That is the problem Jack....

Why work when your candidate rewards sitting at home and collecting welfare checks.

That's not accurate.

You have a prejudice when it comes to Palin...

It comes from reading and logical thought. She is a disaster in the making. Of course you're entitled to disagree.

We all have our prejudices. You have one against Obama. So what.

Were you bothered by the effigy of Palin in West Hollywood?

I didn't think that it was in good taste.

Do you notice the rabid hatred of Jews and Israel that daily comes from Kos and many others.

Of course I am aware of that.

Obama surrounds himself with Khalidi, Ayres, and others....
I guess that is ok in your world....
How do you justify this....or do you swallow the Obama kool-aid?

Lance,

If you think that arguing a point based upon emotion is a solid way of debating that's your choice.

You and I disagree on many things. The difference seems to be that I don't get upset if you disagree with me.

I never said that Obama was my first choice, but he is the smarter choice of the two. If McCain were ten years younger I might consider it, but he is not.

Truman, LBJ and Ford all became POTUS because their President was unable to complete the term.

She is dangerous. She doesn't understand foreign policy. She doesn't understand economics. She is vindictive. She has a track record of appointing unqualified candidates to office. She got nailed in Troopergate, they didn't find her to be innocent.

She is not a reformer. She lied on reports so that the state would pay for airfare for her children, not to mention her per diem.

She is not even a team player. There is a reason why McCain's people hate her.

Bottom line is that we both have our list of reasons why we don't like the other candidate. I don't care if the people I work with or friends/family agree with me politically.

Apparently some people do. That is their problem, not mine.

Bill:

Over 80% of Orthodox Jews now vote Republican.

Most secular American Jews, the majority of Jews in America, vote for the Democrats.

When you give up religion, ritual and observance you need to replace that spiritual vacuum with something else. For secular American Jews that something else is the Democrat party, so-called global warming, homosexual marriage, and any other fashionable cause that is in season.

Dr. Carol:

You fast once a month?

My gosh, you're Superwoman! Or you really are Jewish:-) In medieval times many Kabbalists used to fast with great frequency.

I'm getting a migraine just thinking about it.

Jack:

Israel does not count on any single party for her security. Israeli govt. policy is to remain neutral and work with whichever party is in power.

BTW, the Canadians and the western Europeans totally count on America for their security. That's why these countries can slash their defense budgets because they count on American power for survival.

Israel, in contrast, counts on America for weaponry & supplies. As in the '73 Yom Kippur War, when Nixon, against the advice of his foreign policy advisors, resupplied the depleted IDF and saved the State of Israel. Literally.

Of course, Israel counts on America for geo-political support. And America counts on Israel as a bulwark of democracy in a sea of totalitarian lunatics.

Batya:

Thanks so much for the fine link.

Obloodyhell:

Here's a good example of how Hollywood thinks: almost every issue of "Written By" the magazine for the Writer's Guild of America, the union for screenwriters, is stuffed with articles about the Hollywood Ten, men and women who knew and apologized for Stalin's genocidal crimes, plus all sorts of leftist action committees that read like a playbook from planet Berkeley.

Aharon:

Yes, many Obama supporters are clearly in the grip of a Mao style cult of personality.

It will actually be sort of amusing to see how quickly this sours if he's elected. For no man can live up to such hype and certainly no candidate can keep the utopian promises that Obama has recklessly made to the American people and to the world.

Robert, it's funny (well, not funny, ha ha) that you mention Obama's cult of personality. I know of so many people who say they are pro-Obama just because he 'inspires' people - and I guess this is all that is needed for the economy and international relations to heal. I guess having substance isn't 'sexy'. This whole obsession of blindly following him scares me. I fear if he wins (G-d help this country) and I fear if he loses (his fans around the USA & world will be VERY sore losers).

There was a song released in the late 80's by Living Colour called "The Cult of Personality" - it describes Obama pretty well, unfortunately:

"I sell the things you need to be
I'm the smiling face on your tv
I'm the cult of personality
I exploit you, still you love me
I tell you one and one makes three"

Here's a YouTube link to the song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5SVDYBNrY

May G-d watch over us all.

Jack,

Maybe I do respond passionately....
The reason might be is that I consider Obama very dangerous.
I wont rehash the reasons Obama should not be President. Robert has very eloquently laid out the arguments as to the reasons Obama is least qualified to be Commander-In-Chief.

However, I have to laugh at loud at your reasoning against Palin. Palin is a very qualified woman, who I believe could easily step in and lead this country.

I suppose you think Joe Biden is Presidential material??
I'm busting my spleen in laughter at how you can possibly hold that view.
You think being in the Senate makes one qualified? His gaffes have become so cancerous to the Messiah's campaign, that Time.com reported that he is being kept away from the media. That is leadership in action.

As to Palin not being a team player...All I can tell you is that you need to get a different news outlet....it is obvious you watch alot of Olbermann and Maddow.

I know I will never get you to see how dangerous and ignorant your choice is....
I'm hoping that I might be reaching a possible undecided person and sway them towards McCain/Palin.

Oh, do I know how you feel. I don't want to politicize my life. I don't want at the bus stop, at the school meeting, at the dojo, or anywhere else, to have to defend myself against personal attacks, nor do I want to have to deal with air headed conclusions that are utterly devoid of facts. Political discussion would be interesting if these people weren't living the Gospel according to the New York Times, which sees them more fundamental in their beliefs than the average Evangelical.

Unless I missed something. Didn't you leave us in suspense in the original post? Nu? Did your refusal to conform get you banned? Or is that too personal?

Maybe I do respond passionately....
The reason might be is that I consider Obama very dangerous.

Lance, I feel the same way about Palin.

However, I have to laugh at loud at your reasoning against Palin. Palin is a very qualified woman, who I believe could easily step in and lead this country.

If you aren't bothered by ignorance, incompetence and a complete lack of qualifications than I who am I to complain. But just for the heck of it let's run down some of it again.

Palin claims to be a reformer but in actually has a history of not doing that. She dinged the state for her per diem for 312 days in which she slept at home. It is legal, but not the behavior of a true reformer.

A true reformer doesn't charge the state to fly her children to functions that they have no reason to be at. She should pay those bills. It is wrong.

She has a history of being petty and vindictive.She hires people who are unqualified for the office she appoints them to.

She didn't know what the Bush Doctrine was and when asked what she reads couldn't name a single newspaper or magazine. How hard is it to just say Time or Newsweek, or Seraphic Secret.

The list goes on and on. Now I know that people claim that the media and the world are out to get her, but if there was nothing there, there wouldn't be a story.

And of course let's not forget her association with the Alaskan separatist groups or her questionable church affiliation.

No one is so clean that they could get off scot free, but she is a piece of work.

I suppose you think Joe Biden is Presidential material??

He is not first choice and neither was Obama, but compared to Palin it is easy.
As to Palin not being a team player...All I can tell you is that you need to get a different news outlet....it is obvious you watch alot of Olbermann and Maddow.

I don't watch either one of them. That story was reported in multiple places including CNN, the AP, ABC etc.

But what is most telling is that you don't deny the truth of the story, you just throw mud and hope that it sticks.

Let me make a post-election prediction.

If Obama wins, Republicans will be disappointed and then we'll move on, wait to see what happens.

If McCain wins the Dems will cry voter fraud, drag in hundreds of lawyers, and yes, there will probably be violence.

Hi Robert,

Somehow I missed this. I disagree. I think that we are likely to see massive kvetching by both sides. I hope that I am wrong, but I won't be surprised.

What I really hope for is to be proven wrong about whomever wins. As I said at our last lunch, I really don't like any of the candidates. I find it frustrating that we can't do better than this.

Jack,

Palin's questionable church affiliation? I don't understand what your issue is there--especially if you consider where Obama attended, and took his children, for twenty years.

If you are reading the MSM garbage and lies about the Assemblies of God, where Sarah attended when she was younger, why not let me tell you the truth about that denomination. I've been a member since I was 18, my dad and aunt are both pastors, and I know most of the founding mothers and fathers of that movement. (John Ashcroft is a member as well) I don't see how her church attendance is in any way worrisome. We AG-ers are proud Americans and staunch friends of Israel.

Your reasons for disliking Palin really do sound like you've gotten info from only one viewpoint. She's not perfect, but she's not evil either. I think Biden is completely incompetent and as an academic I have an innate distrust of a plagiarizer, especially a serial one. I'm curious why you think he would be a better President than Palin.

McCain isn't my first choice--I preferred Fred Thompson--but he's the least worrisome of two bad choices. Obama would be a disaster for the US, not the least in the choices he would make for the courts and what he would do to our military.

It's nice to be idealistic but the truth is a Democratic majority in Congress and the most leftist President in history won't bode well for America. They talk a good game about bipartisanship, and being tolerant, and Republicans close their eyes to history and swallow that seductive lie. Then the Dems cackle at our naivete and steamroll right over us. Just like they will do with an Obama presidency.

Robert,

I don't fast all day. I like my breakfast too much.

I'd signed up at the Fast for the President website soon after 9/11. There's also a group called the Presidential Prayer Team that supports government leaders in prayer. The Fast for the President rolls will be purged after the election to start over, and I will sign up again, no matter who wins. I figure, I can't support my country by serving in the military, but I can give up one or two meals once a month and spend that time asking G-d to guide my leaders and give them wisdom to do the right thing.

I will probably also have to ask G-d to help me with my attitude if Obama wins.

Jack,

Are you oblivious to Rev Wright and Father Pflager??
Do you really want a President that has mentors that believe America is a lousy, hateful nation....and blames Jews for the problems of the world??

I guess since you are voting for Obama, I can only surmise you agree with their world outlook.

So you get your news from traditional liberal media.....big deal....BTW, newsflash for you....ABC newsman Gibson couldt tell you what the Bush doctrine was....Read Charles Krauthammer's column about the interview.
Unfortunately, the liberal media has long drunk the kool aid for Obama, as you have...and much of their reporting is flawed.

One just has to look at the LA Times, NY Times, Newsweek...etc....etc....etc...

Dr.Carol,

We may all have to ask G-D to help us with our attitude if, Heaven Forbid, Obama wins.

It will be a long 4 years.

Your reasons for disliking Palin really do sound like you've gotten info from only one viewpoint.

Dr. Carol,

Forgive me, but that is a weak response. It doesn't delve into the reasons I listed for not trusting her, aside from her church affiliation.

Religion is a funky thing, so I'll set that aside for now and focus soley on the other things.

There is no disputing that her actions have been questionable. I understand that some people will try to minimize her use of the per diem and her spending tax dollars to fly her children around.

There are a lot of things in life that are legal, but are questionable morally and or ethically. I don't see how she can justify the expenditures. Apparently it bothered her too because she changed the reports.

In regard to Troopergate her behavior has been questionable and she has been less than forthcoming about her role. It is part of a pattern in which we see a vindictive and bitter side.

If she followed appropriate protocol she wouldn't have to behave in this manner. There wouldn't be any discussion to be had, but that is not the case.

Her history of appointing people who are not qualified for the position is another red flag. Franci Havermeister has no business running agriculture, other than her childhood love of cows.

The bottom line is that the suggestion that criticism of Palin is illegitimate because it comes from one point of view is silly. Some facts just make her look foolish.

As for me, well I read a lot of different sources,
conservatives such as Ben Stein, George Will and Kathleen Parker have voiced their concerns as well.

It is not unusual for me to read WorldnetDaily, Newsmaxx or a bunch of other blogs that are all considered to be conservative. But let's go back to your comment.

She's not perfect, but she's not evil either.

I didn't say that she was evil. I said that she is unqualified, not a reformer and has questionable values. I think that a mother who has a pregnant teenage daughter and a son with special needs should put her family first. Apparently some people disagree with me.

I think Biden is completely incompetent and as an academic I have an innate distrust of a plagiarizer, especially a serial one. I'm curious why you think he would be a better President than Palin.

I am not a huge fan of Biden, but when I compare their experience I come out on his side. She just doesn't have it.

Obama would be a disaster for the US, not the least in the choices he would make for the courts and what he would do to our military.

Maybe, but I am not convinced of that. Much of this is projection and speculation. I don't want any more hardline conservatives on the court, unless they follow the grand traditions of Earl Warren.

Do you really want a President that has mentors that believe America is a lousy, hateful nation....and blames Jews for the problems of the world??

Nixon was no fan of the Jews. A lot of presidents have been questionable there. So far I continue to see a lot of paranoia from you.

I guess since you are voting for Obama, I can only surmise you agree with their world outlook.

Lance, you'd make a lousy attorney and not much of a chess player. You make wild assumptions that are based upon limited information. It is just not a smart way to try and win an argument.

Unfortunately, the liberal media has long drunk the kool aid for Obama, as you have...and much of their reporting is flawed.

See, you resort to common buzzwords and terms that you can throw to see if they don't stick. I don't subscribe to just one source of news. I read multiple sources and unlike Palin I can name them. I can even even fill in the names of most countries around the globe, which probably gives me another edge on her.

The thing is that I don't let my paranoid fantasies of what could happen dictate how I respond. I take a hard look at what the facts are and try to make an educated decision based upon those.

And sometimes I make a compromise. As I mentioned numerous times, I consider Obama to be the lesser of two evils.

If it makes you feel better to compare me to some Jonestown follower, a bubble headed Kool Aid drinker, be my guest.

Again, I don't find it to be impressive or persuasive.

Have a good Shabbos.

Jack:

Re: Nixon. He saved the state of Israel in 1973 when he rearmed the IDF during the disastrous first few weeks of the Yom Kippur War. I was there, I can testify as to how desperate was the IDF.

Nixon went against the tide of advice from Henry Kissinger and most of his cabinet who urged a more, ahem, even-handed approach.

In short: Nixon acted for the Jewish State because he saw Israel as a bulwark of democracy in a sea of Arab-Muslim tyrants. As for what was in his heart, well, it's unknowable. And Judaism teaches that we judge men by their actions not by what we think is in their hearts.

Have a lovely Shabbos.

Jack,

I think you conflated me with Lance. Like I said, I respect--but do not understand--your position. I read widely too (I'm in academia, I can't get away from this election if I try) and I come to an entirely different conclusion than you do.

For me, it's G-d and country. No matter who wins, I want my country to prosper. I fervently hope and pray that if Obama wins, none of the things that many reasonable and educated people fear will truly come to pass.

Good Shabbos to you.

RE: Jack - She is dangerous. She doesn't understand foreign policy. She doesn't understand economics. She is vindictive.

Jack, please tell my you don't get your basis for voting from Katie. I consider Obama more dangerous and McCain is the smarter choice of the two as he is the one being elected President. But I fear you may get your obamanation.

> Many middle and upper class Jews from liberal American families are born with a neurological disorder that makes them unable to press the "Republican" lever on the voting machine.

One of the visibly enduring, transient qualities of Jews seems to me to be "savyy about survival".

Granted, this was weakened in Nazi Germany, but one would think that the survivors of THAT would be particularly clued in.

What's happened that they can't figure out who their enemy is any more?