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I must say it, even though it might be unpopular..I felt sorry for Barack Obama last night.
What a shame that his words had to be lost once again in the rhetoric (and plea for money) from one (at least at this writing) candidate.
Having watched all three speeches, I can only summarize this way:
John McCain..first of all, should have butted out. This night did not belong to him.
As for his speech, well, it might have been strong in substance but his delivery left a lot to be desired.
Republicans should be concerned if this is the best he can do as eventually no one will be listening..they will all be asleep. Energy is important in campaigns and the Senator showed absolutely none last evening.
Hillary Clinton..Probably one of the most egotistical, brazen “acceptance” speeches I have ever witnessed.
She has proven herself incapable of recognizing an other’s accomplishments.
Touting her own breakthroughs in this primary season is fine and should she decide to take this to the convention that too is her prerogative, but, what I witnessed last night was not characteristic of someone I wish to see occupy the Oval Office.
No grace, no humility, no tact and worst of all no words of congratulations to Barack Obama.
Barack Obama..Back to my opening line.
Watching him take the stage to deliver an acceptance speech as the Democrat’s presumptive nominee had already been deflated by the mania of the Clinton’s. Something was missing as he delivered this speech.
Maybe he was overwhelmed by the enormity of of what had just been bestowed upon him. I don’t think so.
I believe he had just been treated to his real first taste of the Clinton family.
He may have recognized that they feel he and the general population are required to be beholden to them for all they have done (in their minds) and will do in the future.
He should have been prepared, after all the coronation was all but guaranteed not that very long ago.
Suffering loss is a part of life. Observing those who have no capacity to give others their due is pathetic.
Senator Obama does deserve congratulations for not only taking on and defeating the Clinton machine but for surrounding himself with individuals who planned and executed his primary victories with cunning and care.
Coming away from last evening with the same feelings I have had for quite some time now as to this presidential election was of no consolation. I still have not found that candidate who leaves me with the feeling that I will be doing much more than voting for the lesser of two evils. For reasons I have stated before, John McCain is my only reasonable choice but it is a gut wrenching one at that.
Written by Sue
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~J~ Says:
June 4th, 2008 at 12:05 pmVisit ~J~
I think McCain had better get the best speech coach available so he can compete with the empty rhetoric of Obama. Empty, but slick.
I think Clinton did that after boring the delegates in the 1988 convention to the point of booing him.
Maybe a speech coach can perform a miracle.
And you’re right. He should have stayed out of it.
David M. Says:
June 4th, 2008 at 3:19 pmVisit David M.
I don’t know what this has to do with Sue’s post, but yesterday in New Mexico, the GOP may have learned from one candidate how to lose an election. As you know, Senator Domenici is retiring because of illness. Representatives Steven Pierce and Heather Wilson were fighting for the Republican nomination. Rep. Pierce is an absolute conservative–something close to 100% on whatever scale is used to weigh conservative values. Rep. Wilson was about a 90% on the same scale. Rep. Wilson launched her campaign with negative and false attacks. She performed well in the debates, but dealt no knockout blows to Pierce. She was just a better public speaker. She attacked the President and vice-president and actually praised Scott McClellan’s book the day before the election. She wrung an endorsement from Senator Domenici’s chief of staff the weekend before the election. She claimed conservative values, and Rep. Pierce simply pointed out her voting record, which was mixed. In 1952, Lillian Hellman was testifying before the House on UnAmerican Activities Committee. She said something similar to “I cannot and will cut my conscience to fit the fashions of the day.” That is exactly what Heather Wilson did throughout this campaign. By yesterday’s primary, the voters had no idea what she believed because it changed daily. And the Democrat races? Almost all uncontested. Very united and few state races had Democrat opponents in the primary. So-Tom Udall won the Democratic nomination unopposed, with no campaigning and a huge war chest and, at the moment, a 22 point lead over Pierce. There was an element of dissatisfaction with GOP members of the legislature also. Four incumbants, all known as being particularly difficult, were defeated. As noted, I don’t know what this has to do with Sue’s post, but I worked until 11 pm when the Navajo votes came in and just wanted to share our primary results with someone today. It was a disheartening day. And-by the way–Ron Paul got almost 20% of the GOP presidential vote. That was a surprise. He has never campaigned here.
Sue Says:
June 4th, 2008 at 4:22 pmVisit Sue
I think it speaks to the post David.
The GOP has consistently shot themselves in the foot with either their campaign styles or their choices of candidates.
All most voters ask is that those running be straight with them..no pie in the sky promises, no negativity towards you opponent, just their platform. It is something we rarely see.
I saw that result for Ron Paul over at CNN last night and
was not really surprised. It just shows the discontent that the GOP as a whole has for their candidate. When Ron Paul is the alternative, well let’s just say, that doesn’t bode well for November.
I hope you had a successful day yesterday with your endeavors. It is a fascinating line of work in which you are involved. Wish you could write a post some day on some of your experiences! Would love to read that.
David M. Says:
June 4th, 2008 at 5:38 pmVisit David M.
I’ll give you a short note now on my experience with Washington attorneys sent to observe our 10 Native precincts. Jemez Pueblo is the only place in the world that speaks Towa and they use it constantly. You do not hear English at that Pueblo, although they are English fluent. So, the DOJ sent an Anglo observer to Jemez who complained to me he couldn’t understand what anyone was saying–and that would be my problem how? We were also criticised for not posting signs in the UNWRITTEN native languages at the polling locations telling the people they had the right to vote. Uh–they were already there to vote, so I think they knew about their rights. About 7 Native Americans of both parties won primaries yesterday in our county.
Sue Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 12:37 amVisit Sue
Well David, you should have taught a class in the native tongue long before the election didn’t you know that? (sarcasism off)
Was the turnout heavy in the districts for which you are responsible?
From earlier posts I get the impression (please correct me if I am wrong) that many of the folks there know you through the years so they are probably very comfortable with and trust you will do the right thing for them. Do they respond differently to those who arrive from Washington?
If you don’t mind my asking, what seem to be the most important issues to those you assist in the voting process? I am always fascinated by the differences among voters in various sections of the country. Thanks for the info David!
Guss Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 5:25 amVisit Guss
Bob Barr for President in 08.
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Guss Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 5:47 amVisit Guss
Sue, here are a few links if you are interested in what we other people care about. I think that you will find that we care about some of the same things that most civilized people do.
http://www.indiancountry.com/
http://www.indianz.com/News/show.asp?ID=law02/03202002-1
http://www.nativenews.net/
http://www.nativetimes.com/
David M Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 7:14 amVisit David M
Good morning. State turnout was 28%; split 31% turnout for the Republicans and @25% for the Democrats. My 10 precincts in general ranged from a low of 47% to a high of 78% in turnout, depending a great deal on how interesting the contests were in the districts. However, Zia Pueblo voted at over 90%. Average highest turnout was on the Navajo reservation, with 3 state and 4 local candidates. Four County Commission candidates were Native (both GOP and Democrat), so that kept interest high. I’ve worked with the same language coordinators for 10-13 years and the same DOJ attorneys for 8 years. I actually like the DOJ attorneys a lot. The federal observers at the polls are not liked by the voters. Santo Domingo told me they were sick of Washington’s “paternalistic” attitude and they did not want them watching their elections. I called the DOJ attorney and told her to tell that Federal observer to “tone it down” or they might get kicked out and there was nothing I could do to help. Two of the Navajo chapters said the observers were in the way and asking personal questions the Navajos found offensive. I will meet with the DOJ attorney and my coordinators today and get more details. Frankly, in the past, the questions asked by the federal observers could be offensive to any of us. “Can you read? Can you see the ballot? Do you understand the ballot? Do you have health problems that require assistance?” (that’s really bad and violates HIIPA). Remember-I know every precinct worker and they know every voter personally. They know who needs assistance and you refer to the elderly with a great deal of respect in your speech. The elderly have highly respected status in the tribes and you begin by introducing yourself to them and identifying yourself by clan status. (”I am David M. I am the attorney for this county. My parents were_____________. My mother was of the clan of dark-skinned people. My father was of the clan of people from across the ocean.”) They have an elaborate clan system and we sort of make up a description of our family. You also do not approach the elderly and start peppering them with questions. You approach and wait for them to acknowledge you. Most of it is just common courtesy we’ve lost in our fast-paced world. You can google Towa language and learn about Jemez Pueblo. “Navajo clan system” is also interesting. The other major language groups is Keres, also know as Keresan. My county is about 16% Native; 7 Pueblos; 3 Navajo chapters and part of the Jicarilla Apache nation.
Sue Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 9:04 amVisit Sue
Good Morning David:
Thanks so much for taking the time to answser in such detail.
I found the section about the elderly particularly interesting. Defining your “clan status” is something which I had never heard.
What fascinates me is that those from outside the tribe would follow this same pattern. I think it is a wonderful way to show respect and sure do agree we see far too little of that in today’s world. Is that indicative of each of the various tribes with which you are involved?
I will follow your suggestion sometime this week and get more info from a search but in the meantime, thanks again for the detailed answers.
David M. Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 9:29 amVisit David M.
I follow the clan pattern because my coordinators have taught me to do so. Those of us who deal with the tribes know to do this and it is similar at all the tribes. I was the only non-Native American speaker at a voting seminar earlier this year and my coordinators tried to feed me Native words, but I didn’t fall for it–they were all obscene. I know my coordinators well enough to know they will play tricks on me. I kept my remarks in English except for the greetings in Navajo, which I do know. When they started urging me to “say this, say this”, I knew from their expressions the words were probably not to be used in polite company.
Sue Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 10:58 amVisit Sue
Guss:
Maybe you’re on to something there.
Sue Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 11:06 amVisit Sue
David:
Do the various tribes in your particular area intermingle?
What I guess I am asking is when you do voting seminars, etc. do they attend together or do you focus on each tribe individually?
That may sound like a dumb question but I have read that certain Native American tribes are not fond of others (no different than any other culture).
~J~ Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 3:02 pmVisit ~J~
David,
I’m from the Fisher clan; some are from the Bear Clan, others from the Turtle clan etc. We have clans in our tribe too. I didn’t know it was Native-wide though.
Sue Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 3:41 pmVisit Sue
Guss:
I am sorry if you took what I said in a less than positive light. I was just wondering from David’s perspective if there are issue which deal with federal monies, land etc. which are prevalent in the area in which he resides.
In no way was it my intention to imply that Native Americans are any different than any other culture in the US.
Again, sorry if I left that impression and please accept this as a correction.
David M. Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 4:30 pmVisit David M.
I focus on language groups, so the 5 Keresan tribes intermingle extensively. Likewise with the Tewa tribes. As far as ceremonials, adjacent tribes tend to go to religious celebrations at a neighboring tribe. However, probably every tribe that borders another has a land dispute from time to time. They do not settle these disputes in Court, however. The two Tribal Councils meet and work out land trades. The only Towa tribe in the world is Jemez and they are famous as long distance runners. All the tribes go to Jemez and they have running competitions in the mountains–barefoot. Jemez also has a Grammy Award winning drumming group. The different tribes have different art forms so there’s also a lot of trading of jewelry for pottery or drums or kachinas etc. They also have a lot of dancing competitions.
Guss Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmVisit Guss
Sue, I know that you would never say anything to offend anyone and I mean that. You should never apologize when your heart is in the right place and I know that yours is.
Sue Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 8:27 pmVisit Sue
Thanks Guss.
I was concerned that you somehow took my questions to David to mean that I thought differently of Native Americans than of other cultural groups.
It is an area of interest to me and one I know little about compared to many others who read, comment and write here.
Thanks for the reply..I feel much better knowing that I did not offend you.
Sue Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 8:43 pmVisit Sue
David:
Having a strong interest in the arts, I have long admired the craftmanship of the Native Americn tribes.
When we visited Arizona a number of years back (my daughters marching band played at the college championship game at Arizona State) we purchased basketry, a couple of blankets and a Kachina for my son all crafted by Native Americans. I can only imagine the art you have seen or are fortunate enough to own with such history in your backyard.
The workmanship is second to none.
I am looking forward to researching the Jemez. You really have my interest peaked with the talk of the barefoot races and the drumming group. Perhaps I will be fortunate enough to locate a video with a performance of theirs.
Sue Says:
June 6th, 2008 at 11:45 amVisit Sue
Guss: Finally had the chance to check out those links. Thanks so much for passing them along.
I have bookmarked them and will continue to check them out along with my other reading.
If this particular article http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096417449is any indication, it will be interesting to follow the various tribes and their preferences in the upcoming Presidential election.
David:
I did a bit of research on the Jemez and found it so fascinating that the Towa language (which one article pointed out is only spoken now by approximately 3800 people)
is unwritten anywhere. What a sham to lose a part of the culture of this tribe as eventually I would think the language will die off.
I also found their Rules of Etiquette which should apply in everyday life for all individuals. Will check into all of this further as time allows, but thanks for the lead on some great reading.