Thoughts and musings about the world from someone on 4 wheels. From politics to movies to pop culture and sports, I've got an opinion on them all. Why keep those opinions to myself when I can share them with the world. Tell me I'm right, tell me I'm wrong, just comment with something.
There are no words that will ever be able to comfort the families in Newtown, Connecticut. There's nothing anyone can offer. There is nothing anyone can do. All we can do is let them know that we are thinking of them and mourn with them. I can say that for me personally I am having a hard time feeling anything right now other than numbness. These children, these babies, had their whole lives ahead of them. They had everything to look forward to. Not only did they lose their lives, but we lost their lives. We have no idea what those children might have had in store for the world. There could've been a cure for cancer waiting to be discovered in one of those children. There could've been the next Picasso or Mozart. There could've been a future president.
In the coming weeks and months there will be the obvious discussions about gun violence and possible bans on assault weapons. We all have strong feelings about these issues. We have to balance the Second Amendment with senseless violence carried out by psychopathic killers that use ridiculously powerful assault rifles and handguns that are manufactured to kill. That debate is something that needs to take place, but it will take a long time for that debate to evolve into any sort of policy. What we can do right now to help protect our children is institute safety measures on the front lines of schools. We need to be incorporating metal detectors and more strenuous check in procedures for everyone that enters our schools. We need to be focusing on making our schools and public areas safer with things that can be done right now. Our policy debates cannot be allowed to get in the way of making common sense decisions that will make our country's children safer.
Two of my great loves, film and history, came together in one of Steven Spielberg's most important and what may end up being his most underrated film, Lincoln. There are too many things that I love about this film to fit into one review. Lincoln deserves a frame by frame breakdown to give it justice. I'm sure that in the coming months and years there will be countless academic essays and articles written about the choices and style used by Spielberg, Lewis, Jones, and Field, but let's stick with general strokes for right now.
Normally I would start with Spielberg and his choices in the film, but I have to put that off to laud Daniel Day-Lewis for his original and, by most scholars's opinion, historically accurate depiction of our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln. The first and most noticeable difference between Lewis's depiction of Lincoln and other characterization is the voice he chose. In nearly all other depictions of Lincoln his voice is deep and robust, commanding attention with sheer force. Lewis, however, makes the very conscious choice to give Lincoln a softer, almost high-pitched tone, without sacrificing any command of a stage or room in which Lincoln speaks. His ability to convey a sense of power while maintaining an almost tender vocal tone is further added to in the few moments when Lincoln does raise his voice. The most notable scene that illustrates this point takes place when Lincoln is receiving counsel from his Cabinet that he should withdraw his push to get the 13th Amendment passed. After hearing their pleadings, Lewis casts off his tender toned Lincoln and wraps himself in the Titan like imagery and sound that is always associated with the power and awe of Abraham Lincoln. The audio below is an edited excerpt from the response Lincoln gives his Cabinet.
Compare that audio with this short monologue from Lewis's softer side of Lincoln.
Even the way Lewis characterizes Lincoln's walk is unique. It is somehow cumbersome and graceful at the same time. He seems to almost fall onto his front foot, instead of stepping. And even in this slight awkwardness, the gate of his steps is actually able to convey a sense of power as well. Literally everything about the character is a larger-than-life, but remarkably relatable at the same time. It is truly a performance of a lifetime.
Spielberg is as good as ever in his direction of the picture. However, while I recognize the very distinct and conscious choices he made in story and composition, I have this terrible feeling that this film could possibly go down as one of his most underrated and underappreciated works. For example, the film chooses to focus on essentially a one-month timeframe leading up to the vote on the13th Amendment. There is almost no reference to how Lincoln was elected to his first term, nothing at all about his life before politics, and only passing references about some of the most historically important actions of his first term like the Emancipation Proclamation. Not even the Gettysburg Address is viewed directly. Instead, Spielberg uses soldiers who were inspired to join the military after hearing the address to recite the speech back to Lincoln while he is visiting with them at the beginning of the film. In my opinion, it would have been impossible to make a film about Lincoln without hearing the Gettysburg Address. But because of the time frame in which the story is told it would have been possible to actually witness Lincoln delivering the speech at Gettysburg. Others have commented that this introduction felt clunky and somewhat misplaced, especially as it is the first speaking parts of the film, but I have to disagree. For me, it was an absolutely genius way to introduce one of the most important speeches ever given by a politician, even if it was impossible to actually see that speech being given.
I could go on and on about the exemplary supporting performances from Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, and Joseph Gordon–Levitt, but I will just keep it simple and say that all three of them deserve Oscar nominations at the very least. Sally Field brings a fresh take on the often insanity filled representations of Mary Todd, Lincoln's wife. Tommy Lee Jones is nothing short of magnificent as Thaddeus Stevens, a spitfire abolitionist who, in a time when it was considered political suicide, publicly espoused complete equality of all men under the law and considered no race to be above or superior to another. Mr. Stevens was a man literally 100 years ahead of his time, and Jones pulls off this character masterfully. Joseph Gordon–Levitt plays President Lincoln's oldest son, Robert Lincoln, with a fire and verve that is not completely unexpected, but is still pleasantly surprising. Robert Lincoln doesn't appear until about halfway through the film, but when he does you are fully aware of his presence as Gordon–Levitt commands the attention of the audience.
Overall, this is personally my blockbuster of the year. I understand that many do not have the passion for history or complete and total reverence for Abraham Lincoln that I do. I know that I am somewhat “odd” in the extent to which I try to emulate Lincoln, which leads me to question whether the film will stir up passion in others like it has done in me. Nevertheless, one does not have to be obsessed with Lincoln to recognize the beauty of this film. Spielberg puts history in motion and makes it accessible to all.
At 12:45am Central Time President Obama gave his victory speech to a Chicago crowd of approximately 10,000 supporters. It was much more intimate than the nearly quarter million size crowd at Grant Park in 2008. The President was surrounded on all sides by supporters as he delivered his victory speech to the nation. His remarks were inspirational, but he was also realistic about the challenges that lay ahead. He called for bipartisanship and compromise in Congress and among the American people. He called on Americans to find common ground to start from. See the video below.
At approximately 11:55pm Central time Mitt Romney took the stage to concede the race for President to President Barack Obama. Governor Romney was succinct, cordial, and full of class in his congratulations for the President and call for bipartisanship in Washington to face our nation's challenges. His speech is below.
Just had this article come across my twitter feed. MPR News is reporting that Michelle Bachmann is in a dog fight of a race with challenger Jim Graves. With 58% reporting the race is 50/50 for Bachmann by less than 150 votes. Still a ways to go there, but that would be a big Tea Party defeat.
Also, in Florida, Allen West is tied 50/50 with Patrick Murphy with West having a 1000 vote cushion. Another possible big defeat for the Tea Party.
Although all the major networks have called Ohio for President Obama, Governor Romney's campaign is refusing to concede Ohio, and by extension the Presidential race. Waiting for further explanation comment or news.
I'm sitting here watching the celebration at the President's victor rally and, while I have been live blogging all night, I'm forcing myself to take a second to soak in the moment. I wrote earlier today that we had somewhat forgotten about the history we are making. This is our first African-American President being celebrated by people from every background imaginable. His ability to appeal to people from across the spectrum to the makes him a President that is truly “of the people”. We are making history again and, wherever you are, I hope you take a moment to remember this. It's not very often that you can recognize the specific point in time when history was made. This is that specific point in time; not only because of who our President is, but because of what our President stand for. He does stand for change. He does stand for bipartisanship. He does stand for the middle class and the underrepresented. He does stand for those without millions of dollars. He stands with us. He stands for us.
Re-Elected at 10:13pm President continues his 44th presidency of the United States of America! Iowa and Ohio have put him over the top with Florida, Colorado, Virginia, and Nevada still waiting for results. At this moment the College stands at 274 to 203, with 270 needed. Please continue to check back for discussion and video.
California, Washington, and Hawaii are given to President Obama and North Carolina is moved from toss up to Romney. Also, moved from toss up, Iowa is being given to President Obama.
Howard Fineman reporting that entire upper echelon of Mitt Romney's campaign has been sequestered for the last 45 minutes to an hour. They are not responding to phone calls or emails. Check out the video below.
Arizona being given to Romney. However, heavy hearts over here at World on 4 Wheels as my good friend and mentor Jim Hammer was defeated for County Board Seat District B. Also, not a good night overall for Democrats in Effingham this evening as 97.9 WXEF is reporting wins/leads for Niemerg for Circuit Clerk, Kibler for States Attorney, Guffey for Coroner, and a few county seat losses.
Nothing to update, just wanted to post a picture of me in my awesome dad working to bring live election results to my blog. Not sure how many of you out there reading, but we are working hard for you and having a great time doing it.
For what it's worth, this is the headline on the Huffington Post website right now. The Governor's road to 270 is becoming slimmer and slimmer. Don't want to jinx it, but this could be a shorter night than most anticipated.
Is very interesting and heated conversation about voter suppression and early voting cutbacks in Ohio between the MSNBC political panel and former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. Interesting that at one point Mr. Blackwell states that there have always been long lines for Ohio voters as he defends the current Secretary of State. If lines have always been long, then why would you shorten the amount of time for early voting? Seems counterintuitive to me. Check out the conversation and decide for yourself.
Big Senate projections right now. In Indiana, Donnelly will win the seat over Richard Mourdoch. Elizabeth Warren will take Scott Brown's Senate seat in Massachusetts.
The Obama campaign is feeling very confident right now as they are picking out or leading some very important states. Most notably, the Obama campaign has been awarded Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Still a long way to go, but leads are holding for the most part in other swing states.
Nearly half of the vote is counted in Florida, mostly due to early and absentee ballots. President Obama with a very thin lead as of right now. If he can somehow win Florida it is considered a “checkmate” against Mitt Romney.
According to David Gergen on CNN, exit polling is largely mirroring pre-election public polling. Good news for president Obama. He is also reporting that exit polling is showing Obama with a 3 point lead. Also, he is reporting that Virginia exit polls are statistically tied. Overall, pretty good news for the President so far. Governor Romney will need those numbers to change fast to have any glimmer of hope this evening.
Still very early, but so far things are breaking as expected. Just so everyone knows, I am using a wide range of sources from Twitter, MSNBC, and political blogs and websites from across the web. This is where we are at right now.
For Mitt Romney: 33 Electoral Votes
• Indiana
• West Virginia
• South Carolina
• Kentucky
For Barack Obama: 3 Electoral Votes
• Vermont
Too close to call:
Ohio
Virginia
North Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Six years ago we saw the beginning of what would be a historic campaign for President of the United States. For the first time in our nations history we elected our first minority President. We knew we were making history then, but in the last four years we have kind of forgotten about the impact the 2008 presidential election will have on our nation's history. We have forgotten that this journey we have taken with the President will be written about and taught in history classes 100 years from now. This election cycle has brought some of that magic back, but the impact this President and his supporters have had on our history was made infinitely clear last night during Pres. Obama's final campaign speech of his political career.
At the place where it all started, Iowa, the President gave his last campaign speech he will ever give as a candidate. For those of us who have followed him and supported him since day one, there was a sense of cyclical closure. Seeing the President at the place where the legitimacy of his candidacy was born was unexpectedly emotional. This is true not only for me, but for the President as well.
I encourage everyone to soak this evening in. Even if you don't support the President, this is still the closure of a truly historic political campaign and candidate. I personally truly hope I am allowed the amazing opportunity to call the former senator from my home state, Barack Obama, my president for another four years.
It's finally here. After two years of prognosticating, rhetoric, and punditry the voices of the candidates have quieted and the voice of the country is raising. Now is the time for America to speak. Now is the time for America's choice. No matter who you support, it is your duty as a citizen to lend your voice with the rest of the country. Your choice and your voice does matter. Anyone who tells you otherwise is dead wrong. Don't fall prey to the illusion that your vote is invisible.
So, go out and celebrate our democracy. Celebrate our freedom. Celebrate our voice and right to choose our leaders.
Regardless of political opinion, ideology, allegiance, or party the right of every eligible American to vote is something that should be held sacred. Our right to vote is what binds this country together. Our entire system of self governance is built on the right to vote, not the privilege, the right. It is not something that is afforded to you because of some deed, or good work you have done. It cannot be earned. It is something that every American, at the age of 18, has the undeniable guarantee they will be able to do.
Unfortunately, those on the right, those who claim to be the never-ending protectors of the freedoms we enjoy, are attempting to stifle the most fundamental right Americans have to protect the Union. Voter suppression is not something new. It is not magically appearing this election cycle. Suppression has arguably always existed in modern politics, in some way or another, but I cannot remember or find it being so openly sought after by elected officials as has been the story this election cycle. If it weren't for Ohio's Secretary of State, Jon Husted, or Florida's Governor, Rick Scott, we might be able to write off such blatant intimidation efforts like the Ohio and Wisconsin voter fraud billboards as simply a more vigorous attack by private citizens and groups on minority voters then years past. But these attacks are not confined to so-called “concerned citizens.” Instead, Republican state officials from across the country, ranging from Governors and Secretaries of State to county and city election officials, have been actively reducing the amount of time available for voters to vote early and making it more difficult to vote overall.
There are several reasons that are put forward to explain why this suppression is so vitally needed. These reasons usually involve the rampant “voter fraud” existing in the system or attempting to lower the cost of an election. First, the issue of in person voter fraud is nonexistent. Don't take my word for it. Just read this 45 page analysis from the Brennan Center for Justice. As far as lowering the costs associated with elections, it seems odd that the groups that are supposedly protecting our freedoms would be worried about how much it costs to administer elections, the very thing which our freedom is based on. I suppose I can understand it being a valid conversation, but I personally reject the idea that administering an election could ever cost too much.
Nonetheless, the reality of voter suppression in this election cycle is clear. Whether it is Ohio's Secretary of State trying to reduce the amount of days of early voting, intimidating billboards in minority neighborhoods from “A Private Family Foundation,” or Florida's Rick Scott refusing to extend early voting hours to alleviate lines of upwards of six hours in some cases, the vote is being suppressed. Curiously, we're not hearing about any of these issues in Republican strongholds. Places like Georgia, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas seem to not have any problem with voter fraud or suppression. I find it disturbing and comical that these suppression efforts are being so blatantly targeted. They aren't even making an effort to hide the fact that they are attempting to suppress a very targeted group of voters. Democrats.
Voting isn't supposed to be hard. Voting officials shouldn't be centerpieces in an election. They are kind of like referees in sports. If you notice them, then they are doing a good job. If there are long lines and people are having to give up an entire workday and bring food and water just to vote, then you are not doing a good job. This is not difficult. Your partisanship is ruining our democracy. If you are actively working against bringing more people on voter rolls and allowing them to vote then you are not truly protectors of our Constitution. In fact, to deny the right to vote is truly un-American.
I'm not opposed to disagreeing with someone in my own party or someone who shares my general beliefs. In fact, I think one of the most important aspects of our democracy is the gradient of different opinions that exist, even within the same party. Neither am I opposed to calling out someone who you generally agree with when that agreement seems to disconnect on some issue or another. Disagreement is exactly what built this democracy. Disagreement about how our government should oversee the country and disagreements about how much power should be given to the federal government compared to the states, are what gave us our most important founding documents. Disagreement is a good thing. I just want to get that out there. I want to make sure I'm perfectly clear that I believe we, as a society, have a requirement to disagree with one another and discuss those disagreements in a way that is productive. Period, end of discussion. Now that I have made myself clear - I did make myself clear correct? Just in case I didn't, disagreements are good. Okay, that's out of the way. Understanding that disagreements are needed, especially inside political parties, I am appalled by the absolute veracity with which the ultra-right wing is attacking New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. I could not disagree more with the Governor's policies and stances on major issues, but this event shouldn't be about politics. However, Rush Limbaugh, in all of his neoconservative glory, has been completely eviscerating Chris Christie, calling him a “Greek Column for President Obama.” He even went so far as to gay bait by saying “Is it wrong for one man to love another man?”
Limbaugh wasn't alone in his criticism of Governor Christie. Matt K. Lewis of The Daily Callerwrote a column two days after Sandy made landfall that said, in part, “The question is whether — with just days left before Election Day — Christie should have gone out of his way to lavish praise on Obama, and to provide him with a terrific photo-op for which to look presidential.” Responding to Christie's statement that he does not “give a damn about Election Day,” Lewis writes “Is Christie really saying that the plight of his state today outweighs the seriousness of electing a President of the United States of America for four years?” YES! The governor is saying that his state's destruction and “plight” is most definitely more important then the election for him and many of New Jersey's citizens. Why is it so difficult to understand that there are literally millions of people living in some of the most extreme and dangerous conditions our country has seen since Hurricane Katrina? The neighboring New York metropolitan area alone is home to nearly 20,000,000 people. That number doesn't even include the rest of the tri-state area, or the areas affected more inland. Most estimates put the total number of people affected by this storm at something close to 50 million. That is roughly 1/6 of our nation's population. So, I say again, YES! Governor Christie should absolutely be more interested in the conditions in his state then a national election. Now, I haven't even gotten to the main problem that Neo-Cons have with Chris Christie. Not only are they upset with him for focusing on his state, instead of the election, they are furious with the amount of bipartisanship the Governor is displaying toward President Obama. Speaking about Christie's thankfulness for the President's concern and responsiveness, Lewis chastises Christie by writing, “But again, isn’t it possible to be serious and respectful and thankful without becoming a prop for Obama’s re-election? (The issue here is about the degree to which he is going out of his way to help Obama politically — and the context of the timing.).” Seriously?! So basically, “It's okay to say thank you. Just don't say thank you and sound like you mean it.” This is ridiculous. Is our country really at the point where we are attacking a public official, a Governor no less, for acting in a bipartisan fashion when bipartisanship is so badly needed that it's nonsensically ridiculous to assume anything else? The President and Governor Christie have put away partisanship (Yes, that is possible even with less than a week to go before an election) and worked together to do what their constituents hired them to do; make government work. So, while the right wing, Neo–Con, Tea Party establishment turns their back on someone who has been nothing but an outspoken supporter of everything they stand for, I will applaud Governor Christie for putting the rhetoric away and working with a President from the opposing party.
