Dr. Blackwell's BLOG

A new CNN/Opinion Research Poll just released shows seventy-five percent of those questioned  said they’re glad George Bush is going; 23 percent indicated they’ll miss him. A new national poll suggests that three out of four Americans feel President Bush’s departure from office is coming not a moment too soon. “Earlier this year, Bush scored some of the lowest presidential approval ratings we’ve seen in half a century, so it’s understandable that the public is eager for a new president to step in,” said Keating Holland, CNN polling director. At just 23 days, the end is quite near for Bush, who many political scientists have indicated will be forever remembered as the worst president in the history of the United States. Bush’s approval ratings have sunk lower than any president before him, including Carter (28%), Nixon (24%), and Truman (22%). Bush’s lowest ratings (19%) were marked twice during his presidency–the dates of 2/16/08-2/19/08 and 9/16/08-9/19/08. Finally, in a light of hope, President-elect Barack Obama currently has an 82% approval rating for his handling of his transition into office. President Obama is inheriting a government in complete devastation due to the horrific “leadership” of the last 8 years. Let’s hope our new President is able to mend the damage Bush has caused and begin to make the United States the prosperous nation she once was.

When President-elect (and TIME magazine’s Person of the Year for 2008) announced controversial and ultra-conservative Evangelical minister Rick Warren was going to be delivering a speech at his inauguration ceremony, GLBT advocacy groups were outraged. Warren has been an outspoken opponent of GLBT equality (and just about every other social issue) and has consistently supported discriminatory and degrading ideologies towards GLBT persons. Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest GLBT equality advocacy group released the following letter to the President-elect, linked here yesterday:

http://www.hrc.org/11793.htm

Obama responded today: “Well, let me start by talking about my own views. I think it is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something I have been consistent on and something I intend to continue to be consistent on during my presidency…What I’ve also said is that it is important for America to come together even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues…And I would note that a couple of years ago I was invited to Rick Warren’s church to speak, despite his awareness that I held views entirely contrary to his when it came to gay and lesbian rights, when it came to issues like abortion….Nevertheless, I had an opportunity to speak, and that dialogue, I think, is a part of what my campaign’s been all about, that we’re never going to agree on every single issue. What we have to do is create an atmosphere where we can disagree without being disagreeable, and then focus on those things that we hold in common as Americans. So Rick Warren has been invited to speak, Dr. Joseph Lowery — who has deeply contrasting views to Rick Warren about a whole host of issues — is also speaking.”

Dr. Lowery, an African American minister is a major force in the civil rights movement and has been a champion of GLBT equality. While I disagree with Obama’s selection of Warren to provide a speech at his inauguration, actions speak louder than words. Obama will ultimately be judged on his policies which affect GLBT equality much more than a bigoted preacher selected to give a speech at his inauguration.

At a press conference in Iraq Sunday, outgoing President George W. Bush got a striking reminder of just how unpopular he is around the world when an Iraqi journalist removed both of his shoes and hurled them at Bush’s head. The man, identified as Muntadhar al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist with Egypt-based al-Baghdadia television network — could be heard yelling in Arabic: “This is a farewell … you dog!” The sentiments perhaps highlight what the vast majority of the world (including Americans) believe about Bush’s failed presidency and erred war in Iraq. But regardless, the actions of this man were deplorable and show a blatant disregard for whatever little positive effect the US presence in Iraq has provided. While most of the world is counting the minutes until he’s finally out of office, Iraqis should be at least a little grateful for the democracy America has provided their country. While the cost has been high to Iraq, it has also been high for the United States, who has sacrificed the lives of thousands of soldiers and paid the billions of dollars to bring freedom to their people. Bush’s failures have been painfully obvious; but the actions of this journalist are completely unacceptable.

Florida’s Democratic Party is demanding Republican Governor Charlie Crist repay taxpayers for his over-the-top taxpayer subsidized trip to Europe he took last Summer as part of a “trade mission.” Former Congresswoman and Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman stated, “With tours of Buckingham Palace and visits to the Eiffel Tower on his agenda, it was clear at the time that his trip served as a taxpayer-financed vacation. While some positive results may come from the trip, the lavish accommodations and first class travel were beyond excessive.” The over $430,000 trip comes at a time when Florida is operating on one of its largest budget deficits ever. Looks like the wonderful “leadership” the Republicans gave us at the federal level is following their “trickle-down” economic myth they’ve subscribed to for years. I only hope Floridians show some intelligence and repay Crist at the polls in 2 years.