What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

As I sit down to the computer on this glorious Saturday evening in August, I reflect on what a sometimes sad world we live in.  If I am not mistaken, it is the year 2008, and another country (Russia) invaded another country (Georgia).  Already over 2000 deaths.  I just don't understand how a country can decide the best way to solve their problems is to send eighteen year olds with guns to battle another country's eighteen years old in combat.  I just don't get it.  Is there no other way to solve this?  I think President Bush has taken the right response. He is appalled at the course of action but at this point has no plans to intervene in anyway.  That's all we can do at this point is admonish the Russians and Georgians for their barbaric and selfish response.  Not 24 hours after seeing the best of what the world can offer in the form of the unselfishness of the Olympic Games opening ceremonies, we have young men and women dying in battle.  I guess I just hoped by 2008, war would seem... well... unnecessary.  

1.  I was saddened to read that comedian Bernie Mac has passed away just after turning fifty years old.  From what I understand, he died of complications of pneumonia.  My thoughts and prayers are with the Mac family.

2.  CNN.com got access to the Democrat's playbook for their convention beginning on August 25th.  Here were some of the notes from the article:

It reasserts his promise of energy rebates to struggling families, pension subsidies, a crackdown on predatory lenders, higher taxes for families earning over $250,000, tax breaks for others, billions for economic stimulus and "direct high-level diplomacy, without preconditions," in the case of Iran.

On trade, it promises a multilateral approach to improving the North American Free Trade Agreement, without saying specifically what those changes should be. Obama criticized NAFTA when campaigning in states that felt disadvantaged by it, but the platform offers no suggestion he would take unilateral action against the deal.

Instead, it says: "We will work with Canada and Mexico to amend the North American Free Trade Agreement so that it works better for all three North American countries."

Democrats typically have a strong plank in favor of abortion rights; this year's version is stronger than usual. "The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right," it says.

Gone is the phrase from the past that abortions should be safe, legal and "rare."

The party also pledges to ensure access to adoption programs, prenatal and postnatal care and income support programs for expectant mothers who need the help.

The party also:

--Promises "tough, practical, and humane immigration reform in the first year of the next administration."

--Favors restoration of the ban on assault-type weapons and other "reasonable regulation" that recognizes the constitutional right to own and use firearms.

--Favors helping religious groups provide social services as long as "public funds are not used to proselytize or discriminate."

--Promises to close the Guantanamo detention center.

--Promises to double the Peace Corps.

I really like the bottom few a lot.  Yes, doubling or tripling the Peace Corps makes sense to win the Public Relations battle that George W. Bush has caused us to lose on.  Yes, closing Guantanamo Bay prison would do wonders to help win the war on terrorism.  And I like who they are not being wishy washy on issues they care about like health care and gun control.  I don't have to agree with everything the Democratic Party stands for but I hate that for so long they have been the "weaker" of the two parties.  It is time they stopped lying and really told the American Public what they believed in, not what is politically beneficial at that particular moment.  I think Dean has done a great job as the head of the Democratic National Party.

3.  I always liked John Edwards.  I still like him as a politician.  He is a man who came from nothing and worked his ass to get where he was.  He has been dealt with some rough things in life and battled to overcome then.  However, I was truly saddened and angered when I read yesterday that he did admit to having an affair with a member of his team.  This former Democrat Senator from North Carolina just happens to have a wife who has terminal cancer.  Stay classy Edwards.  He is an embarrassment and I hope he takes his millions and I never hear from him again.  Let me preface this statement, that I am knowingly being sexist with these next sentences... What is wrong with the women that Democrat leaders choose to have affairs with?!?!  Clinton with Flowers, Lewinsky, et cetera and now Edwards with this hideous looking woman!  Can you not do better as extremely wealthy, good looking, powerful men then to have affairs with these beastly women?  I know if they were attractive it would not make a difference but at least it would be a little bit less embarrassing.  Good riddance.