Wednesday, September 3, 2008

I'm voting for Bob Barr, to be included in the debates, that is.

The presidential debates are coming. After going through numerous debates from both parties,especially democrats , it is only conceivable that the debates would see some action. However, should we leave the debates only to the big boys or should we let the firebrand third party candidates in for the debates? I already see some efforts in this matter: St Joesph Telegraph. However, let me explore the case for including former congressman Bob Barr and possibly the old warrior Ralph Nader into these debates.

Firstly, The Commission on Presidential Debates, a private, non-profit corporation, only allow candidates who poll above 15% nationally to be included in the presidential debates. This adds a serious dent to the commission's claim to be non-partisan. They are siding with the big guys who nevertheless treat the third party candidates as a thorn in their sides. A better way would be to include everyone that have made themselves into the ballot in at least 15% of the states, let us keep the number at 8 to round it off.

Practically, a lot of people, the so called independents who roam the aisle and choose which side to vote at the last moment, make that decision based on the presidential debates to see where the candidates stand on the issues, what plans they have up their sleeves to send the country in the right direction and also to see the integrity and strength that they display in the debates. This means that the third party candidates, being marginal in terms of visibility to the nation will have no chance to get their ideas across to the multitudes. Who knows what the people would decide once they see all the ideas being showcased in a nationally televised presidential debate? It is absolutely the spirit of democracy. So are you saying that people do not think outside the box? Well, about that later.

At least the people of America are polling in a majority to get the third party candidates to be included in the debates. I am quoting straight from the Zogby International's website.

UTICA, New York - More than half of likely voters nationwide - 55% - want Republican-turned-Libertarian Bob Barr to participate in presidential debates this fall, while nearly half - 46% - said they think Ralph Nader should be allowed into the on-stage fray, the latest Zogby Interactive polling shows.



The final argument for the third party candidates is that they will not be afraid to broach subjects that the democratic or republican party candidates would rather evade. They do not have to worry about offending any of their big money donors. They are also fearless of defeat and hence would be totally truthful and forceful in discussion about any matter. I can see Senators Obama and McCain trembling about the prospect of Bob Barr asking about how well their policies protect the constitution and whatever it stands for. Or Ralph Nader asking about how their policies do anything that helps America's middle class.

So in conclusion, we should all urge
The Commission on Presidential Debates to include the third party or independent candidates in the debate and see democracy flourishes. This would enable the debates to actually reveal and cross examine the effectiveness and honesty of the policies of all the candidates. I would only help America. I do not see how it could hurt America.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Christians getting massacred in India as a part of religious cleansing

God and faith is in the heart, mind and souls of people; its in the morning sun-shine that they wake-up to, in the silence that they meditate in, in the tranquility of the evenings when they look towards the sky, in the thank-yous that comes from depth of their hearts... What can it be converted to? -- is it the name by which we call the same one God? Or is it the style of the rituals we do or the songs that we sing for the same one God?


While the intention of sharing this piece of news is certainly not to spread hatred or distrust between communities, it is important that we as humans and also as Indians realize the intensity and seriousness of such a carnage Whether it is a few political outfits sharpening weapons for next year's general elections, whether it is the ignorant black-sheeps of two religions getting over-zealous, the fact is that people are suffering. While they debate it out in the bright news studios, in the security of their mansions protected by followers or faithfuls, there seems to be no respite to the suffering of these people...these laymen out there at ground zero.


A defaced portrait of Jesus Christ hangs on the wall of a demolished house after a mob attack at Barakhama village in the eastern Indian state of Orissa August 30, 2008. Thousands of people, most of them Christians, have sought shelter in makeshift government camps in eastern India, driven from their homes by religious violence which has killed scores of people.








A Christian girl salvages belongings from her burnt home at Minia village, about 320 kilometers (200 miles) from the Bhubaneshwar, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Orissa, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008.







A Christian man looks at his destroyed house after a mob attack in Barakhama village in the eastern Indian state of Orissa August 30, 2008.







A Christian girl whose face was burnt during the recent religious violence, sits in a shelter at Raikia village in the eastern Indian state of Orissa August 31, 2008.







Christians set up tent shelters at Raikia village, in the eastern Indian state of Orissa August 31, 2008. Thousands of people, most of them Christians, have sought shelter in makeshift government camps in eastern India, driven from their homes by religious violence







Christians sit outside a shelter at Raikia village in the eastern Indian state of Orissa August 30, 2008.







A Christian woman cries outside her demolished house at Gatumah village in the eastern Indian state of Orissa







A Christian boy eats lunch under an umbrella inside a shelter at Raikia village in the eastern Indian state of Orissa August 30, 2008.







Christian villagers search the burnt remains of their household at Raikia bazaar of Kandhamal district in Orissa, India, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. Thousands of Christian-run schools and colleges across India were closed Friday to protest recent Hindu mob attacks on churches and homes







Burnt vehicles are seen at Suleswar village in the eastern Indian state of Orissa August 31, 2008. Thousands of people, most of them Christians, have sought shelter in makeshift government camps in eastern India







Christians return for shelter after spending days in hiding in a forest at Naugram village in the eastern Indian state of Orissa August 30, 2008.







A vehicle burns inside a church in Nuagoan village in the Kandhamal district of the eastern Indian state of Orissa, August 25, 2008. REUTERS/Sanjib Mukherjee d.







A burnt doll is seen outside a Christian home at Suleswar village in the eastern Indian state of Orissa August 31, 2008







Christians and social activists protest against the recent communal violence in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. The protest by Christian institutions comes days after violence wracked eastern Orissa state where Christians have clashed with Hindu mobs targeting churches, businesses and homes







School children attend a prayer meeting to pay tributes to the victims of the recent clashes between Hindus and Christians in Orissa, in the northern Indian city of Shimla August 29, 2008. Hindu mobs ransacked a church and clashed with Christian villagers in eastern India on Thursday, police said







Citizens attend a protest against the killings of Christians in Orissa during a meeting in a Mumbai church August 29, 2008.





A Christian school teacher pleading to the VHP activists to spare him



All the Christians around the world should unite in protest against these atrocities. Spread the word.