Obama's Amazing Speech & McCain's Hail Mary

I'm heading to Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday for a conference, and I've been busy getting ready for that. I also helped my younger daughter move in for her freshman year in college. Yes, that does make me feel somewhat older. OK, old. So I haven't had much time for blog reading and writing this week, but I did watch a few of the speeches at the Democratic Convention, and I must comment on Barack Obama's amazing acceptance speech the other night. If you haven't heard this speech, it's well worth the 43 minutes to watch the video. There is plenty of information on the web and in Obama's books if you want to know who he is, what he stands for, and how he intends to lead this country. But this speech is a perfect introduction and summation.

The big news that McCain used to divert attention from Obama's nomination was of course his bizarre vice presidential pick, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Palin has no national or international experience, and McCain himself has met her only once or twice. The choice smacks of political desperation, not to mention hypocrisy in McCain's repeated criticism of Obama as too inexperienced. McCain is 72 years old and has a history of skin cancer, so his VP choice is arguably more important than most, even though McCain claims to be in good health. Can anyone seriously suggest that Sarah Palin is prepared to be president?

Of course sometimes a desperate "hail mary" play succeeds, and if Sarah Palin is really as amazing as this web site suggests, she may bring as much to the ticket as Chuck Norris could have if McCain had tapped him for the veep spot.

P.S. I also want to recommend the 9 minute DNC Obama biography video that played before his speech, and this hilarious spoof Obama bio video from the Daily Show.