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By Roz Rogoff

About this blog: In January 2002 I started writing my own online "newspaper" titled "The San Ramon Observer." I reported on City Council meetings and other happenings in San Ramon. I tried to be objective in my coverage of meetings and events, and...  (More)

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My take on the Republican Debate

Uploaded: Sep 17, 2015

I missed most of the first debate because I don't subscribe to Fox Cable News. I was able to listen to it on the radio, but without seeing who was talking it was difficult to follow. I did watch the recent debate on CNN and one candidate stood out for me.

No, not Carly, although she came off well in the debate. She was very sincere and sympathetic about the loss of her son to drug addiction and her horror at the anti-Planned Parenthood video. She also had a few zingers for The Donald.

On the other hand Donald Trump came off like a pompous, attention craving, windbag. Talk about flip-flopping, he can't even decide if Carly Fiorina's "persona" is unattractive or if now she is "A beautiful woman."

So let's forget Trump. He's not a serious candidate. I'd rather look at some of the others who might be. In the usual cycles of Presidential elections we are due for a Republican. Sorry Hillary, but if you become the Democrat's candidate, I predict the brass ring will still be out of reach.

I read that her Democrat advisors are trying to warm up her "persona." There is something not likeable about her. Bill, on the other hand, can't be trusted either, but everyone likes him. Most Americans liked Dubya, but we all know he was not really President. Bush's strings were being pulled by Darth Chaney, the evil genius behind the throne.

Hillary was on Jimmy Fallon's show last night, smiling, laughing, talking about taking selfies with supporters, just about as warm and fuzzy as she could get. So maybe the "new" Hillary will do better than the old Hillary if she is able to hang on to the Democrat nomination.

Then if Carly Fiorina is able to win the Republican primary, we'd have two women running against each other and would finally have a woman President. I doubt that will happen but it is an interesting speculation. After all other countries have had women leaders, Israel, Germany, Britain, India, Argentina, and probably more I can't remember.

But back to the debate. I was most impressed with Marco Rubio, which surprised me. Rubio basically stole Trump's campaign theme of making America Great Again, but he actually had some substance in what he said. On his website he gives clear examples of why America was great in the 20th Century and why the shine has worn off in the last 15 years, and practical ideas on how to bring back that stature in the 21st Century. So far all Trump has done is blow hot air.

The election is still over a year away, but the candidates are taking shape now. We are starting to get to know who they are and what they stand for. So let's keep our eyes on candidates who stand for something other than their family name (Bush or Clinton) or their big egos (Trump). There's quite a selection out there and we should certainly be able to find someone among them who could and should be President.


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Comments

Posted by Marcia, a resident of another community,
on Sep 17, 2015 at 8:52 pm

So, Roz, if it ended up between Ms. Arrogant idiot vs Rubio, which would you vote for? Title or substance?
BTW, "Dubya" is candles better than the moron, muslim, American hater that YOU have in office.


Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on Sep 17, 2015 at 9:38 pm
San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

Marcia,

"I" have in office? Were you looking over my shoulder when I voted in the last election? I didn't vote for either main party candidate and I've said this before. Of all the clowns on the ballot that year, Roseanne Barr was the funniest, so I voted for her.

I see you don't like Hillary, unless YOU are the "Ms. Arrogant Idiot" described in your message. No I don't plan to vote for you or Hillary. At this point I'm still shopping, but I like Rubio so far.

Roz


Posted by Michael Austin, a resident of Pleasanton Meadows,
on Sep 18, 2015 at 6:55 pm
Michael Austin is a registered user.

Trump is not in public office and he is not an authority for civil discourse.

Trump does have this bully pulpit by way of his unconscious mouth.
Trump is asserting himself as a bully with his new found bully pulpit.

I thought Carly took it to him on that bullying issue.

Carly would have sealed her election as the next president, if she had stepped out from behind her podium, and walked over to Trump behind his podium, and slapped the poop out of him.


Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on Sep 18, 2015 at 9:44 pm
San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

Michael,

Wouldn't we have all loved to see that!

I wanted to post a clip from last year's Celebrity Apprentice when Lorenzo Lamas refused to bring two of his team members back to be fired for no reason except the other team made more money on the task. Donald Trump could not understand why Lamas did that and "fired" Lamas. Web Link

The Governator is taking over The Apprentice next season. He wanted to be President too but couldn't swing a Constitutional Amendment to change the requirement that the President has to be born on American soil. Austria isn't, and for all of you Ted Cruz fans, neither is Canada; North America yes, United States of America, no!


Roz


Posted by W. L Beutrin, a resident of Birdland,
on Sep 19, 2015 at 7:57 am

"... the moron, muslim, American hater ... "

Your meds, Marcia -- take 'em.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Sep 19, 2015 at 9:11 am

W.L Beutrin is absolutely right!

tee hee...


Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on Sep 19, 2015 at 2:21 pm
San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

Oh, and Marcia, Hawaii is American soil. I know it doesn't look like it, but that's where Obama was born so he really is an American, and if he was a Muslim that wouldn't change his being an American, but he isn't a Muslim. Stop listening to those radio/TV personalities who tell you stuff like that. They lie!

Roz


Posted by Derek, a resident of Danville,
on Sep 19, 2015 at 5:26 pm

I wish Valerie Plame were running. That's a lady I could get behind. Que dirty comments.....


Posted by True American , a resident of Harvest Park Middle School,
on Sep 20, 2015 at 10:44 am

The greatest danger to The American freedom is a government that ignores the constitution.

Thomas Jefferson


Posted by true American , a resident of Harvest Park Middle School,
on Sep 20, 2015 at 8:14 pm

The dems are liberal and they should watch this brilliant guy
Web Link


Posted by Derek, a resident of Danville,
on Sep 21, 2015 at 11:45 am

If you think Dennis Prager is brilliant, I have this cool Florida toll bridge you can buy really cheap. Interested? Only ten easy installments of $89,000!

Here is a little more info on your hero:
Web Link


Posted by True American , a resident of Harvest Park Middle School,
on Sep 21, 2015 at 2:37 pm

Derek
Of course the site you provided is a hard core left liberal one. The facts the he used in his speech are undeniable. You want redistribution? Lets start with your pay check. Unless your sucking off the system provided by hard working people. Liberalism thinking is at most a knee jerk heart felt reaction. They don't think deeply enough even though they mean well


Posted by Derek, a resident of Danville,
on Sep 21, 2015 at 3:21 pm

I always love how the wingnuts call themselves creative (not) names like "American" and "Patriot" and whenever you see them on facebook, there is always a flag waving in the background.

You are correct that there is a massive redistribution of wealth going on, and it's a fact that the redistribution is going from the lower & middle class earners, to the very top. Your man Ronnie Raygun even thought the wealthy should pay their fair share (well, for a while, until he deregulated everything when the alzheimers started kicking in), but you being so wise know better than pre-diaper Ronnie of course.

I actually am able to think for myself, but you on the other hand need to get your talking points from a man who long ago became a punchline. About the first time he opened his mouth in public.


Posted by True American , a resident of Harvest Park Middle School,
on Sep 21, 2015 at 7:02 pm

I like the idea of a flat tax. One number for everyone, and the tax code goes away. As a business owner it would sure make life easier. All I want is the next president is one that actually follows the constitution. Deal with making "legal" immigration less painful, and protect our borders as they should be. I'm tired of professional politicians as many other are as well.


Posted by American, a resident of Danville,
on Sep 23, 2015 at 1:06 pm

Roz: Why is it that there has only been one Catholic President in the history of the U.S., although Catholics are the largest religious group in the U.S.? Does discrimination still exist in the U.S. against Catholics?

In the current race, Republican candidates who describe themselves as Catholic include Chris Christy, Bobby Jindal, Marco Rubio, and Jeb Bush(he converted to his wife's Catholic religion). As to Democrats, Joe Biden is Catholic. Based on the numbers, statistically it makes no sense that there has only been one Catholic President, unless something else is at play, perhaps discrimination by votes against Catholics?

Being an Attorney is still one of the most common springboards into politics, and the bar associations all over the U.S. are full of Irish-Catholics. With so many Catholic Attorneys all over the U.S., why has there only been one Catholic President?

Thoughts?


Posted by Michael Austin, a resident of Pleasanton Meadows,
on Sep 23, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Michael Austin is a registered user.

Only two catholic candidates have been nominated by the various political parties to run for president.

Alfred E. Smith (1928).
John F. Kennedy (1960).


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Sep 23, 2015 at 4:28 pm

John Kerry was the Democratic nominee and he's Catholic.




Posted by Michael Austin, a resident of Pleasanton Meadows,
on Sep 23, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Michael Austin is a registered user.

I searched catholic lineage.
Kerry did not pop up because his grandparents are Jewish.
I agree, Kerry is a practicing catholic.


Posted by American, a resident of Danville,
on Sep 23, 2015 at 6:10 pm

Any thoughts on why the largest religious group in the US has only had one elected President? Doesn't this suggest discrimination still exists against Catholics? Schools no longer teach history of discrimination that existed against Catholics for decades where often signs posted said, " Catholics need not apply". Perhaps this discrimination still exists?


Posted by Test to Vote?, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Sep 23, 2015 at 8:24 pm

Roz: "Most Americans liked Dubya, but we all know he was not really President. Bush's strings were being pulled by Darth Chaney, the evil genius behind the throne."



(insert rolling eyes here)



Washington Post: 9-9-11 - Myth

There's no question that Cheney was influential �" probably the most powerful vice president in history. But when Bush called himself the decider, he was correct. Cheney gave advice; Bush made decisions. Bush certainly gave Cheney major leadership roles, such as chairing the administration's energy task force. But over the course of his presidency, Bush ran virtually every meeting the two men participated in, with Cheney usually listening in silence.


Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on Sep 23, 2015 at 9:01 pm
San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

One of the reasons Al Smith wasn't elected was worry about Papist control over the President. I know that sounds crazy, but many Protestant Americans believed that then. Also most of the Catholics in America at that time were immigrants, and not yet Citizens. By the time Kennedy ran they were either naturalized or had adult children who could vote.

Kennedy campaigned that his Catholicism would not affect his decisions as President. Ironically the attitude against a Catholic President then was not unlike some of the recent attacks against a Muslim being President today.

Roz


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of another community,
on Sep 24, 2015 at 9:10 am

I don't think Catholicism much matters now, in terms of discrimination against office seekers. I credit the way Kennedy strode into the lion's den and gave his epic speech to the Houston baptist convention during the campaign. Web Link Clear, powerful and persuasive. Catholicism is now considered mainstream inside the evolving American psyche, but it wasn't always so.

I also think it's interesting that nobody really seems to care that Bernie Sanders is Jewish (as was Joe Lieberman). Progress.

Anti-religion fervor seems to be reserved these days, for those so inclined, to those of the Muslim faith. Perhaps that bias will have an expiration date, as well?


Posted by American, a resident of Danville,
on Sep 24, 2015 at 9:26 am

Tom, why don't you keep your own anti-Catholic, anti-police bias on your own misguided blog, and stay out "commenting" on other's blogs. It figures the only group you don't think is being discriminated against are Catholics. Tell that to Little Sisters of Mercy who had to sue to stop Obamacare from violating their religious beliefs. The largest religious group in America and yet only one Catholic President. It smells like discrimination. Stay off others Blogs, Tom, nobody wants hear from you.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of another community,
on Sep 24, 2015 at 9:54 am

Am: I will respect Roz' management of her blog, regarding who gets to comment. Perhaps you might want to create your own blog -- then I'll comment and you can experience the joy of banning my ideas.

My comment was obviously limited to "discrimination against office seekers." You apparently disagree, having cited evidence that goes to correlation, but not causation. Your comment in response, to the extent it did anything other than express personal enmity, takes on all kinds of different issues, like contraception. Try to stay on-point, counselor.


Posted by More important things to worry about..., a resident of Vineyard Avenue,
on Sep 24, 2015 at 8:00 pm

The presidential race should not be what we are worrying about.

Web Link


Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on Sep 25, 2015 at 1:55 pm

American,

Tom Cushing is free to post his opinions on my blog just as much as you are. He's a reader and I appreciate his comments. I have commented on his blog, and not always favorably. He certainly can do the same to me.

As long as the comments are respectfully written and without personal attacks or links to websites selling term papers, they are all welcome here.

Roz

Roz


Posted by American, a resident of Danville,
on Sep 25, 2015 at 2:29 pm

Do you consider it " respectful" when he allowed " Cholo" to post on Tom's blog a comment joking about murdering police officers? If someone had " joked" about murdering a gay or African- American, or any other group he supported, do you think he would have condoned that post? If he is going to be a " frequent commentator" now on your blog, with his anti-police and anti-Catholic biases, I and many others will avoid your blog as well. Life is too short and too precious to waste reading disgusting comments from someone who thinks there is something funny about the murder of a police officer.


Posted by Roz Rogoff, a resident of San Ramon,
on Sep 25, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Roz Rogoff is a registered user.

American,

There is nothing funny about murdering anyone. I didn't see Cholo's comment, but Tom is responsible for his blog and who posts on it. Occasionally Gina will remove a comment on a blog if enough readers object to it.

So if you and other readers do not like what Tom posts on my blog, you can click on "Report Objectionable Content." I would prefer it if readers could identify their specific objections instead of objecting to the whole post, but that's the way it is set up now.

If I find something objectionable in the comment, I will edit it or suppress it. If I am not sufficiently opposed to the comment, but enough readers find it objectionable, Gina will probably suppress it.

So there are options that can be taken if a comment is truly objectionable and not just something you personally dislike.

Roz


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of another community,
on Sep 25, 2015 at 4:43 pm

In case any of the dozen or so denizens who are still watching this thread might otherwise be misled, I'll offer the following on all this 'anti" nonsense: if anything less than blind obeisance to Catholic doctrine makes me "anti-Catholic," then mea culpa. And if one must never comment on matters like the militarization of local policing -- except to praise it -- then I'm guilty of that, as well. Otherwise I'm nobody's anti.

Indeed, I'm probably the only such "anti-Catholic" to have written a glowing, three-part epistle in these pages, mostly praising Pope Francis and dissecting his encyclical: EVANGELII GAUDIUM Web Link et seq. In fact, I will wager that I'm the only one 'here' who's read it. And like him, I fear people who see the world in only black-and-white terms.

Similarly, I stand by my refusal to condemn an entire, important movement like BLM over the misdeeds of a few putative members. I fear that in the righteous zeal to separate the world into saints and sinners, most folks who see shades-of-gray are doomed. Fortunately, I don't inhabit that monochrome world, and only have to visit it occasionally around here.


Posted by Roz Rogoff, a resident of San Ramon,
on Sep 25, 2015 at 6:43 pm
Roz Rogoff is a registered user.

Tom,

I don't know who American believes is anti-Catholic here. So far the Pope has been received like a rock star. Everyone, Catholic or not, wants a selfie with him.

I always liked this Pope. I'm not Catholic and not particularly religious, but I graduated from Iona College, which is a Catholic college. I know there have been abuses in the Catholic Church in the past and even recently, but that's true of many large institutions.

Sadly misbehavior is part of human nature and some people use religion to hide behind. That doesn't mean the religion is bad, just those people. That's true of most religions not just Catholicism.

Anyway this blog has certainly gone off the rails. I'll be careful writing about politics in the future.

Roz


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