Judgement and Bias, McCain and Obama

When I started this blog, I gave a long list of adjectives that do and do not describe who I am and how I refer to myself. One of the labels I rejected was 'conspiracy theorist'. I still reject that characterization, however ...

This morning, I have cause to question my long held belief that conspiracy theories are the refuge of the weak minded, because that is a trait I have worked long and hard to make sure never applied to me. Yet...

Three of the first five "Election News Headlines" on AOL:

"McCain Revisiting Keating 5 Banking Scandal Again"
"McCain linked to private group in Iran-Contra case"
"Obama Widens Lead Over McCain in Poll"

Pretty incendiary, biased headlines, particularly when the articles are read in their entirety. Sadly, to get to the balance and the truth, the entire article must be read, and carefully, as the truth is buried.

In the first of the above referenced articles, the first quote from McCain expresses his 'regret' for having his sense of honor questioned. It is not until four paragraphs further that the truth that McCain's inclusion in the ethics committee hearings, conducted by a special prosecutor in a Democrat controlled congress was simply because the Democrats did not want to take all the heat, as McCain was the only Republican called before the committee. This was the questioning of his ethics McCain regretted. Further on, one finally reads, after many paragraphs, that the ethics committee ruled that McCain's actions "were not improper nor attended with gross negligence."

The second headline referenced above again would lead one to believe that McCain had done something improper. Once again, after a full and careful reading of the article, McCain's involvement predated the Iran-Contra scandal, Further, he had voluntarily distanced himself from the group, which had as it's stated goal the stamping out of Communism around the globe.

This particular article is most telling in that it refers to this entire incident as a response to the McCain-Palin campaign pointing out very close, important relationship of Obama and William Ayers. It actually states "Obama was roughly 8 years old when Ayers, now at the University of Illinois at Chicago, was working with the Weather Underground, which took responsibility for bombings that included nonfatal blasts at the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol." Just for the record, Ayers wasn't working with this group, he was the co-founder. Sarah Palin said Obama "pals around with terrorists". Bombing the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol are pretty much the definition of terrorism, at least in my book.

The third headline above encapsulates everything that is wrong with polls. It talks in generalities, then cites specific numbers. Any reporting of a poll's results is truly meaningless without a complete recitation of the original questions, the choices of specific answers, and the exact totals of each response. Who was polled is equally important, but none of that information is included in the article.

All this brings me to the conclusion I may have to reconsider my rejection of the label 'conspiracy theorist'. I have never before seen such blatant evidence of the often touted "Liberal Media". The good news, if any such can be gleaned from this, is that there must be enough in the "Liberal Media" who truly fear what a simple recitation of the facts would do to Obama.

I am actually quite happy that the McCain-Palin campaign is finally taking on Obama in the most important, meaningful way. Character. An election should be decided on the basis of the character, beliefs and judgement of each candidate, a decision that must be based on that person's known actions, not merely on their words. At first blush, one would think Obama's lack of experience and national exposure would work in his favor. He has less on the record to answer for. And this is the reason I won't vote for Obama. The very little on the record about him, overwhelmingly, repeatedly shows a judgement that is at best flawed, at worst, inimical to the principles of this nation.

There are a few key points I want Obama to answer.
How did he pay off student loans that grossly exceeded his and his spouses annual income?
His relationship with the controversial Rev. Wright.
His relationship with the controversial William Ayers.

The best that can be said about Obama's response, so far, to these issues is that he is disingenuous. Even a cursory reading of Obama's financial timeline raises questions about where the money came from.

The best that can be said about Obama's membership in Rev. Wrights congregation is that he was supporting his community. Obama calls this man his spiritual mentor, but try as I might, I can't see how that is a good thing. For more than twenty years Obama sat in a pew and listened to Rev. Wrights rants, an act that condones the sentiments expressed. An act he didn't stop practicing until a national spotlight illuminated the core and substance of those rants. Leaving the congregation under those circumstances does not distance Obama, it shows he would rather have continued attending, and supporting the good Reverend, but was forced into this action only because of the public disgust heaped on him, and the Reverend for his decidedly un-American, un-Patriotic, Racist pronouncements.

The best that can be said about Obama's relationship with William Ayers is Obama was only a child when Ayers committed his most publicized acts of terrorism. In other words, this was established fact, well known history, when Obama chose to launch his political career from this man's living room. William Ayers has done nothing, said nothing, to indicate a change in his beliefs since his hey-day as co-founder of the Weather Underground.

In each of these situations, Obama's character and judgement are clear. His character is such that when faced with inconsistencies, lies and questionable at best decisions, rather than own those opinions, he obfuscates. And that is the clearest picture of his judgement. These are not attacks with questionable spin, to smear the man or his character. These are the facts, and the reason I have said Obama is the most dangerous man in America.