Who is this guy?

I couldn't help thinking the following as Barack Obama made his "surprise" appearance at the end of Joe Biden's speech: Who is this young, thin guy coming out to emcee the festivities? Now being young and thin shouldn't be held against someone, but I mean, really, what is this guy's track record that qualifies him to put us at his command? His lead? He was only just giving a keynote address at the last convention four years ago. He was completely unknown then, and he's still really new to a lot of the country now. What has he done at the national level or at the state level that is known nationally? Obama's got to win the election, but after reading about and seeing him, I also feel that Obama can sometimes be getting a little too big for his britches.

Take the Mike Away From the Kids

At the end of Michelle Obama's speech last night at the Democratic National Convention, we had a too cutesy moment with the Obama girls. Dad was on the video screen being piped in from Kansas City, and the youngest daughter, Sasha, was given a free hand with the microphone to say things to her dad. It became a bit ridiculous though I'm sure the intention was to present a loving family moment. And to think that Barack Obama thought that they had put their kids into the spotlight too much after that TV interview earlier this summer. They've obviously gone back on that.

A Note to the Obama Campaign

A note below that I sent to the Obama campaign today. I donated another $250 yesterday ($500 total to date). Looking to get the Obama-Biden t-shirt. Also requested a bumper sticker and sign.

A comment about presidential candidates that frequently comes up in the media and seems to be mainly aimed at Democratic candidates is "whether he is one of us". Well, what is one of us?? The thing about America is that it has diversity whether it be ethnic, cultural, educational, or economic. Despite this diversity, we are all "one of us". "Us" is not just one group of people. "Us" includes the Ivy-League educated, the high-school educated, the oil field workers, the Wall St. bankers, the farmers, the teachers, the retired, the college students, those in the big city, those in the country, the black, the brown, and the white. Whether a candidate has a different background than others should not be so important. What matters is that his words and actions make sense for America.

I know that Senator Obama has sounded this type of theme before, but I think the meaning of "us" in all its forms and in terms of where presidential candidates can come from should be emphasized during the convention and the campaign.

Go Obama-Biden!

Hooliganism Beyond Football

Brits are at it again and more broadly than just at football (soccer) matches, making irritants of themselves at European vacation spots. The Times article here.

Teaching Evolution

The New York Times has a good article on one Florida teacher's struggles to teach evolution. The biology teacher, David Campbell, is shown to be quite knowledgeable about the subject (which I guess a biology teacher should be) and quick witted with answers. He's tactical as well about the subject with his students who are from a conservative community significantly influenced by religion. Campbell has also been an activist working with other teachers to get the state of Florida to have stronger standards for teaching evolution.

More power to David Campbell! He's definitely making a positive contribution to life.

Summer Olympics in Beijing

I've watched more of the olympics than I had anticipated. Today, I actually enjoyed watching the kayak races. It was a nice way to relax. I watched most of the marathon this evening (live the next morning in Beijing). Imagine, watching a marathon! But it was interesting and a good sideshow while I was cooking dinner.

I also watched some track whenever it was on this evening. Amazingly, the Americans held onto the baton and won their mens and womens 4x400 relays (they both dropped them in the 4x100 relays).

I haven't actually watched too much of the Olympics during the week. I think I will, but it doesn't happen. I guess when I hear the results earlier in the day then I sometimes figure it's okay if I miss the tape delay. However, I would have like to have seen Jamaican Ussain Bolt's 100m and 200m world record victories.

Beijing has put on quite a show. Every building seemingly lit up at night. Wonderful opening ceremony (which I only caught the latter half of). Should be a somewhat melancholy closing ceremony tomorrow night. They usually are I imagine. London in 2012 will have a tough act to follow. Would be nice to be there for that.

Finally a Post, and Finally Obama's Running Mate

I didn't think that I would fall off the blogging wagon that dramatically, but I guess I did since it's been over a month since my last post. Well, no one reads this blog. It's almost a personal journal. Does it matter? Yes. It's far too early to give it up especially after a good beginning.

Anyway, Obama finally announced his running mate for the election. It's Joe Biden. Several months ago I never would have thought of Biden being in the Presidential mix at this date, even if it is as VP. But I like the pick over the other frontrunners (Evan Bayh, boring, and Tim Kaine, unknown). Biden complements Obama well. He's got the experience that the lack of seems to be tripping up Obama, at least the perception about Obama. Biden's also can be hot compared to the supposed "coolness" of Obama. But hopefully that hot doesn't get Biden and the campaign into trouble. Biden's got a big mouth, which can be tiresome and is able to receive in it the occasional foot. There's also the plagiarism incident from years ago (I think 1988?), but I don't think that will be a problem. Enough time has passed for people to forgive Biden over it.

I've never been a fan of Biden, but I hope that he helps Obama win the presidency.