John McCain and Barack Obama have called a one day truce on criticism in honor of memorializing 9/11/2001.  That's fine, but I have no such compunction to restrict my opinions about Barack Obama on any given day that he continues to be the Presidential Candidate of the Democrat Party whose policies will harm this country. In fact I think today is a particularly poignant day to point out why Obama's policies will endanger our country and leave us more vulnerable if he becomes President. First, let me say that I agree with Senator Joe Biden.  Hillary would have been a better pick for Obama as VP, than himself. ( Indeed I suspect the Obama camp now regrets choosing Biden).  Now..., I will refer to the startling idiocy of Obama's economic ideas as evidenced by a 2007 piece of legislation he supported. In August of 2007 Barack Obama and two Senate co-sponsors introduced a repressive bill to the Senate called the Patriot Employer Act. Nice sounding title eh? It's got that word "Patriot" in there. Sort of makes you think it's something that supports strengthening the foundations of our national security and economy.  Well, forget it. The bill was designed to "encourage" US companies to abide by the sponsor's dubious definition of "Patriotism". What does Obama define as "patriotism"?...well... here we go. Obama's favored economic bill defined a Patriotic business as one that pays at least 60% of all employees health insurance premiums, makes no attempt to dissuade union organizing drives, Keeps the same number or more..., of active employees domestically in the US relative to the amount of people they hire for any international locations of thier business, pay every single employee at least as much as what the federal government chooses to define as the "poverty level" for a family of 3, and must provide a pension plan for all employees. And what do these businesses get for falling in line with the bill's definition of Patriotism?  A 1% tax break on thier annual profits.  
Whoop-de-doo. Now, here's the kicker. To finance the 1% tax credit, if you run a US company  with sites overseas then... "Ta da" ... you have to pay the US tax rate on profits earned in those international locations, rather than the local tax rate of those countries. This amounts to a massive tax increase for any  companies with international locations. You can read the text of the legislation at the following library of congress web page;  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:1:./temp/~mdbshE5fec::
 
- Mike Silverman

We can consider whether the "lipstick on a pig..." comment Obama made was a backhanded or coded insult meant for Governor Palin, which frankly is kind of hard to rationalize. Obama obviously stepped in it with that stupid metaphor but I want to point something out. Listen carefully to the tape as he makes the analogy, the crowd was quiet until he uttered the words "lipstick on a pig..." at that moment, when he said "Pig"... the crowd began to cheer and scream thier approval. I really, truly honestly think "THEY" decided to make the connection in thier minds to Sarah Palin. It's rather obvious, even if Obama didn't mean it to be taken that way... you know that's why the Obama loyalists loved it. They loved it because they despise Sarah Palin because of her effectiveness and they want to see her muddied up, they want to see her cut down and will take any red meat they can get even if it's only thier own twist on a stupid comment.

- Mike Silverman, Milford MA

Greta Van Susteren has been reprising the role of traditional reporting in a media age where others scoop up trash and toss it to the public for quick consumption. Greta has her broom out and she's sweeping away the garbage to get at the truth.
 "On The Record", Greta Van Susteren's highly rated Fox News show, went to Alaska Tuesday night to obtain first-hand interviews and commentary from locals in Wasilla and other Alaska towns to present a local perspective on Governor Sarah Palin's personal life.  As many know, a whirlwind of cut throat media hacks have been swarming like locusts into Alaska in an attempt to be the first with a handful of mud to throw at Sarah and her family. The problem they are encountering is that Sarah Palin hasn't strolled through the mud like a lot of other politicians. Rather than handfuls of dirt, they are only finding dust bunnies, and small ones at that. Greta took her microphone and cameras into Sarah Palin's native towns and cities and got real people on the record with thier honest opinions. It began with an exclusive and touching interview with Sarah's sister Heather Bruce. Greta talked with her about sibling rivalry, high school, the family's upcoming emotional  gathering for Sarah's son Track to wish him well in his deployment to Iraq, how the family members took care of each other and were able to cope with the adjustment to Sarah becoming Mayor of Wasilla and then Governor of Alaska. Every genuine look thus far at Sarah Palin's family has shown that she is well able to balance the responsibilities of her home life and her career.  Next Greta interviewed Pastor Kroon of Sarah's church in another exclusive where he explained at length the founding of the church by the regular citizens of Wasilla who got together and decided it would be a good idea to form thier own non-denominational church. She then talked to Sarah's former Pastor, Pastor Kalnins of the Assembly Of God Pentacostal Church that Sarah attended for a long time. Both men came across as honest men genuinely concerned with bringing religious values to the community. They are not Alaskan versions of "Pastor Wright" that some of the blood sucking vermin news media have desperately tried to make them out to be. And we saw some exclusive video from in the nside the Palin home with Sarah and Todd with thier children and Todd being questioned about how he feels in his role with the family. Though we haven't heard a lot from the First Gentleman, or "First Dude" as many refer to him, he came across as honestly loving his part in keeping the family a happy, healthy and unified. When he was asked if he felt intimidated by having a wife with such a powerful job, Sarah piped up and ( with an honest smile) she said that he's one of the toughest "Bosses" she's ever had when they go out on Todd's boat to run his commercial fishing business. Again Fox News and Greta Van Susteren should be applauded for not running with the frothing jackals who are only interested in gutting Sarah Palin's life story and destroying her personally, and instead present a clean and fair look at the reality of Sarah's personal life in Alaska.

- Mike Silverman, Milford MA

Listen up. We have a profound moment in history to observe and act upon. Here are some of the key core values that Governor Sarah Palin represents;

* Pro Life,

* Pro cutting taxes

* Pro School Choice

* 100% Against embryonic Stem Cell Research,

* Pro second Amendment

* Pro military strength and the supports the war on terror.

* Does not support the theory of man-made global warming.

Governor Sarah Palin has all the credentials of a great Conservative leader, and the warm endearing personality of the typical neighborhood mom and wife caring for her family. An opportunity presents itself now for the Republican Party that has not been available since President Ronald Reagan left office. A genuine Conservative stands before us, not just a Conservative politician, but a down to earth woman who lives her daily life by the same Conservative core values that the great silent majority of Americans live by as a matter of individual moral choice. Sarah Palin is us. She is "us". She knows what "we" know, that there is a difference between right and wrong, good and evil, that moral values are not gray clouds of confusion that no one can decipher. She doesn't welcome the lunatic fringe as normal. The left wing press is scared to death of her. I see it. You can all see it. They are choking on their own tongues, because they know..., they know.... Sarah Palin is "not" their champion. Sarah is a "genuine" reflection of the same United States founding values that MOST OF THE COUNTRY LIVES, LOVES AND BELIVES IN..., not the three ring circus of modern liberalism highlighted by radical abortion views, gay marriage, loose borders, amoral sexual behavior, Banning guns, hatred of anything military, protecting bad public schools, etc..., the appearance of Sarah as a viable candidate for Vice President, and thus in line to potentially be President herself, has set off a one megaton nuclear explosion of hand-wringing desperation in the dank crevasses of Liberal institutions, and it has bubbled up through their greasy cauldrons of vitriol and hate in the form of childish vicious personal attacks on her. There is a truly profound moment here. The spirit of our nation's founders may live again in the form of a very American woman, Sarah Palin. This is not a time for doubts, not a time for equivocation. Our Founding Fathers believed in Providence. That very Providence has touched us here and now with a chance to turn this country's vision back to the foundation on which it was built. This gift MUST not pass us...,Sarah Palin MUST make it to the White House. We hold a profound moment in our country's history in our hands, and this Representative Republic that our forefathers had the wisdom to craft for us.., is the tool we must use now to validate the vision they had for this country. We must make sure it happens.

- Mike Silverman, Milford MA

Hey, guess what Chris Matthews, Charles Gibson, Kieth Olbermann, Brian Williams, Bob Wodruff, Kaite Couric... you are not the ones who decide the presidency of the United States. The supreme self-aggrandizing elitism of the news media is on full display now over Governor Sarah Palin. They have decided for themselves that Sarah is only as good as she does in an interview with the narcissistic over-inflated tinhorn dictators of network and cable news. The pompous gas bags of the news inquisition think it is they , who will determine if Sarah sinks or swims. The only thing these yapping dogs with delusions of grandeur can affect is how quickly the loss of ratings points they lose themselves on a daily basis will proceed. Frankly they couldn't hold Sarah's briefcase let alone hold her position for 24 hours without crumbling like the false idols of truth they claim to be. But Sarah will give them some time to talk to her, question her, etc.., and they will regret it if they try to attack her on a personal level because they will not only get smacked down by Sarah herself but will sink clean out of site with whatever limited amount of viewers they still have left watching these news has-beens. Sarah said it herself in her speech at the RNC , she's not going to DC to please the media, and I suspect they won't be pleased when she's done granting them their demands for interviews.

- Mike Silverman

I thought about what comments I might add to my blog today. But I have been so inspired by the story of Sarah Palin, that I felt I'd like to try something different. Here then is my poetic tribute to Sarah. I call it, Sarah Barracuda.
 
SARAH BARRACUDA

In the cool glow of a wilderness
Left to the grace of God,

In the late breaking nights of Alaska,
Where ice is never thawed,

In the wild morning beauty
Of islands steeped in haze,

There still are trails that got thier start
With a pioneering blaze.

The bravest of explorers
Crossed the harsh terrains

And built up strong foundations,
And Thier spirit still remains.

In different ways, but much the same,
Resolved in thier decision,

Pioneers today display
That same courageous vision,

A fighter's heart , a love for life,
Committed to be free,

Sarah proves those founding men
Are not mere history.

Barbra Washburn conquered mountains,
Sarah Conquered corruption,
 
From Wasilla to the snowcapped ranges
Formed from old eruptions,
 
By silver plains and ancient glaciers,
Lands to hunt and roam,

Sarah keeps tradition
With her family and home.

Like those who came before her
When the trail was so untamed,
 
She defends the place she loves
Proud and unashamed.

Some may think they'll stop her,
Freeze her in her tracks,

But she'll defend her family
No matter who attacks,

Savage critics swinging knives
Had better be aware,

A Barracuda's bite is not
A pleasant thing to bear.

  
- Mike Silverman , Milford MA
 

- Mike Silverman, Milford MA

 President Bush, Fred Thompson, and Joe Lieberman all gave inspirational speeches last night at the Republican National Convention. President Bush set the tone with an uplifting speech that accentuated the greatness of the country, the preparedness of John McCain to take the leadership role, to take the highest political position in the country, and he delivered that message with good grace a positive tone and a smile on his face. The President's speech reminded me of Ronald Reagan's resolute belief in the greatness of our nation. And I'm sure that the Senior Bush's, Mr. and Mrs., were as proud as parents could be to witness the resolute leadership of their son whose efforts as President were key to keeping the country safe from further assaults. Ending his speech by mentioning the painting in his office of the sun shining on a mountain in Texas with the analogy of citizens of the USA as always being on the sunrise side of that mountain was reminiscent of Ronald Reagan's Shining City On A Hill. It was a motivational speech. Fred Thompson gave a dramatic recounting of John McCain's suffering and courage while a captive POW of the North Vietnamese. Most of us know the gut wrenching story of McCain's ordeal and resolve to survive while doing right by his fellow American captives. But Fred Thompson brought it to life with poignancy and clarity, emphasizing the personal moral decisions McCain made and held to while undergoing the intense pain and suffering reaped by his tormentors. The telling of the story of John McCain from his childhood to his adult life served again to expose the dramatic difference between Obama and McCain. Knowing the life's story of John McCain one has to wonder how anyone could choose to put Obama into the White House over Senator McCain. There is simply no comparison. Senator Lieberman reached out to undecided Democrats last night and attempted to explain exactly that. He gave a fine speech , as a Democrat at a Republican National Convention, truly a unique occurrence in a historical sense, by de-emphasizing party and emphasizing the USA as one nation. Senator Lieberman is a good, decent man and eloquent statesman. Though as Conservatives and Republicans we will certainly disagree with his liberal views on social issues, where we can agree whole heartedly is on the key thing he brought to his speech last night. His support for John McCain and for the defense of the country itself. I'd also like to briefly mention the crowds at the RNC. These are a very classy people. They gave Democrat Senator Lieberman a very warm welcome, and even applauded politely when he mentioned what he thought were positive points about Bill Clinton. You did not hear people booing him or any of the points he made. You did not see people ignoring him or chatting idly during his speech. When liberals and/or Democrats or media pundits speak ignorantly about a lack of tolerance among Republicans and Conservatives, they may want to remember the example set by the Republican Party last night when a Democrat spoke to them. One last note here. Regarding Sarah Palin, McCain's pick for his VP running mate. As I stated in a previous post, I whole heartedly support her being on the ticket. As we know, as Conservatives, as Republicans, we are consistently hit twice as hard as any Democrat or Liberal ever gets hit in the news media. We are the subject of vicious unrelenting personal attacks and attempts to destroy us on a personal level both by the professional media and now by scores of extremist blogs. Sarah Palin is experiencing that now on a national scale. She is seeing first hand the underlying vitriol and mindless crack-headed hatred that some so called professional journalists have for anyone with an (R) next to their name. Especially when those angry mobster-style journalists know that they are facing a person of Sarah's strong moral quality and outstanding personal background. Sarah knows she has a battle on her hands to push through that mob of wild eyed festering voices and savage print critics to show the world who she is and what she can accomplish. She will do this, with our support, and the support of her family and friends, but mostly by her own superior fortitude and resolve. You may recall Hillary Clinton shedding tears on her campaign trail, vying for the sympathy of the country as woman in distress. Sarah Palin is not Hillary Clinton. You won't see that from Sarah. She will bring her own genuine strength, spirit, and honesty to the campaign and to the McCain administration. I believe as Conservatives we all stand with Sarah, and that our hopes and prayers for success are with her and her family.

- Mike Silverman, Milford MA