tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62731492412551420272024-03-12T19:16:19.707-05:00Equal EyeSamuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-55089083262689046972008-03-25T01:10:00.004-05:002008-03-25T01:18:10.746-05:00Evidently...Third time is a charm? <a href="http://equaleye.wordpress.com/">You be the judge</a>...<br /><br />A consistent routine is key, so I hear.<br /><br />Apparently I have some work to do.<br /><br />I have been talking a big game about my work, time to start backing it up...Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-90678255468588076952008-03-07T16:44:00.011-06:002008-03-07T17:16:05.255-06:00Wisconsin Democratic Primary 2008 (part II)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF_DZ-L4l6T25iuPRZvUKorS2B_ozvFTad1DtDCkPvdB8rU_H5EfsEnpzsDVWF1cmU6C_lh47hbVTfHTrsBBa87TnDvYzbmi2gpXtGk_M6XZA09dfLvBSNs_koYKdvV4MuSmy53o5Qi5l/s1600-h/IMG_0735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF_DZ-L4l6T25iuPRZvUKorS2B_ozvFTad1DtDCkPvdB8rU_H5EfsEnpzsDVWF1cmU6C_lh47hbVTfHTrsBBa87TnDvYzbmi2gpXtGk_M6XZA09dfLvBSNs_koYKdvV4MuSmy53o5Qi5l/s400/IMG_0735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175135415112672450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF_DZ-L4l6T25iuPRZvUKorS2B_ozvFTad1DtDCkPvdB8rU_H5EfsEnpzsDVWF1cmU6C_lh47hbVTfHTrsBBa87TnDvYzbmi2gpXtGk_M6XZA09dfLvBSNs_koYKdvV4MuSmy53o5Qi5l/s1600-h/IMG_0735.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bill Clinton has a way about him, smooth, regal, inspiring<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrAGHu4p86_kON5XtcytRNo3zL21ZHoChFbwm_tJ5kuQf8gjpyscNn8qV__mf1LtTlYC71aT_EFpcVHU5rr9B8D_RhX_61J6sgMvyay2srp_558umRH-MKi9Eb2t1PQAvqd0YIlqZKd79/s1600-h/IMG_0725.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrAGHu4p86_kON5XtcytRNo3zL21ZHoChFbwm_tJ5kuQf8gjpyscNn8qV__mf1LtTlYC71aT_EFpcVHU5rr9B8D_RhX_61J6sgMvyay2srp_558umRH-MKi9Eb2t1PQAvqd0YIlqZKd79/s400/IMG_0725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175135067220321458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">As long as we are on topic of inspirational politicians<br />Enter: Barack Obama<br />~2,000 Wisconsinites showed up nearly SIX hours before Obama spoke his first words after winning nine straight Democratic Primaries</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBiFETJdBQWXt8bjkbrPZ4Ss178aPjHRoO_ON9b07cElD5psOKQMYEgJZQToFnXVXLpJU2wTvt86WFPNyZg57Yavc4wHW-F2FIf3ZIE7IJs6pI7xO0HOBiIpwsPzrpk4NYFANvarwppWF/s1600-h/IMG_0634.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBiFETJdBQWXt8bjkbrPZ4Ss178aPjHRoO_ON9b07cElD5psOKQMYEgJZQToFnXVXLpJU2wTvt86WFPNyZg57Yavc4wHW-F2FIf3ZIE7IJs6pI7xO0HOBiIpwsPzrpk4NYFANvarwppWF/s400/IMG_0634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175139761619576034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCwtweS4VoXbHEgcl5kMCQXpt_XEQzF-KhHHhMqFAE6i8s8YUtLh9ASFbCpltFVIucexTY9EjbHiGJ6HXl59oMS5AKsm1icBoOknmdyHpVcQPHsZ5qQZIFeqnFRV6kitqAQcDARHx6zUN/s1600-h/IMG_0638.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCwtweS4VoXbHEgcl5kMCQXpt_XEQzF-KhHHhMqFAE6i8s8YUtLh9ASFbCpltFVIucexTY9EjbHiGJ6HXl59oMS5AKsm1icBoOknmdyHpVcQPHsZ5qQZIFeqnFRV6kitqAQcDARHx6zUN/s400/IMG_0638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175140994275190002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">We'll call the guy with the sweater vest, Obama's Rally Manager...I don't think he sleeps much but somehow he finds the energy. He was on top of his game that day. There were close to 500 volunteers for the rally and he was able to organize and mobilize us all. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-21011509327278002322008-03-07T15:42:00.014-06:002008-03-07T16:44:06.911-06:00Wisconsin Democratic Primary 2008I've been having some issues with posting my videos and pictures from the historical week that was the 2008 Wisconsin Democratic Primary. But here at last are the videos and pictures to prove that I was witness to one of the most groundbreaking and important elections of our young country's history.<br /><br />In a span of five days back in mid February, I shook hands with and invited Barack Obama to dinner, gave a "hippie-handshake" to President Bill Clinton, Hi-Fived him, (twice!) and gawked at his daughter and potential Secretary of State (when I'm in the White House).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you enjoy the sights and sounds of a week that I look forward to telling my grandchildren about.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGR4NWVPzTfaf_77fw06qNz7mZoPcJROGV99RuxqocfltsHG6NFruB76qQunQ-YTzKdWRPFK914bTU_FD5r56jWadk96Z4Yp3GVOTyE6cafuhezjzKWBKvbXtcdLoTJFVckH1hVUBF9bO/s1600-h/IMG_0594.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGR4NWVPzTfaf_77fw06qNz7mZoPcJROGV99RuxqocfltsHG6NFruB76qQunQ-YTzKdWRPFK914bTU_FD5r56jWadk96Z4Yp3GVOTyE6cafuhezjzKWBKvbXtcdLoTJFVckH1hVUBF9bO/s400/IMG_0594.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175121911735493714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_ZC81QtvqSJwI-t_ScMkKlWykkV5MIO2h6C6xATRnQwKEWUPMtTYBoSYdFSLgUubjpIESo1479i7K4DkYtJTG8Mm4z-FTTgl-NqSY2cKc9FyKNLcQbKyXqafuynZ4yBFkg4GZ0T0mCTT/s1600-h/IMG_0595.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_ZC81QtvqSJwI-t_ScMkKlWykkV5MIO2h6C6xATRnQwKEWUPMtTYBoSYdFSLgUubjpIESo1479i7K4DkYtJTG8Mm4z-FTTgl-NqSY2cKc9FyKNLcQbKyXqafuynZ4yBFkg4GZ0T0mCTT/s400/IMG_0595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175122392771830882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">waiting for Chelsea to arrive at UW-Madison Memorial Unio</span><span style="font-style: italic;">n</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKatAWbKtSK8pqdGJ5dhRm2lFgq5QWbalPRfNSEpOKhvqHoKYtTrWVKmfOvtMhL_gWM8YAuiLs_H-nKV8Rr5EXt1ZoyF19Q2RsvhqH4hwrcr2hEVxfIRZzQtwzPCY41xcNB1eb3vaRkcFo/s1600-h/IMG_0604.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKatAWbKtSK8pqdGJ5dhRm2lFgq5QWbalPRfNSEpOKhvqHoKYtTrWVKmfOvtMhL_gWM8YAuiLs_H-nKV8Rr5EXt1ZoyF19Q2RsvhqH4hwrcr2hEVxfIRZzQtwzPCY41xcNB1eb3vaRkcFo/s400/IMG_0604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175123316189799538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">she made it and it was great until she started talking about her mom...<br /><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyb_gXmjhj6yntBNePndZ-LEKLLmwSPG204mMgambZWbLX3EQX4SDtKz6b4B2Al9yxFA0rn7r2egt24JIrGuw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Boring...but foxy, no?<br /><br />on to her Father, President William Jefferson Clinton<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUrZx1a7mAtT076X7UA4_GC1TDnywFMCvTsM4kQSRBgYFAZbgWO-5cQqEzIDIHWBtydMGkIUwUv90sYbMjoY35PBUSbQhPelR7pxziu_5vne8ehm_3GOZIUBTaxa453Sq3vuw3Ds92hZq/s1600-h/IMG_0717.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUrZx1a7mAtT076X7UA4_GC1TDnywFMCvTsM4kQSRBgYFAZbgWO-5cQqEzIDIHWBtydMGkIUwUv90sYbMjoY35PBUSbQhPelR7pxziu_5vne8ehm_3GOZIUBTaxa453Sq3vuw3Ds92hZq/s400/IMG_0717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175132309851317394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">too bad Hillary's campaign could not afford anywhere nicer than a barn to have her husband, and former President to speak<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIu1riMcgQg7edbJC1ZyHE50jveAaIHPsh1bvSMPng4bDDroBn-me2JWzRqRoEmlkSFXVih5YL3K2pj99PbI5gGZQBaDJY1fO5hW_840nuGW4ZBbkdiNGXsnMphG3aOb2gnk3wkwzSReb/s1600-h/IMG_0708.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIu1riMcgQg7edbJC1ZyHE50jveAaIHPsh1bvSMPng4bDDroBn-me2JWzRqRoEmlkSFXVih5YL3K2pj99PbI5gGZQBaDJY1fO5hW_840nuGW4ZBbkdiNGXsnMphG3aOb2gnk3wkwzSReb/s400/IMG_0708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175133439427716258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></div>Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-85463045173697796482008-03-06T12:27:00.003-06:002008-03-06T12:37:54.417-06:00Do your damn job!How can the Presidential candidates expect to run for the highest position in their field if they <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/06/being-a-senator-not-a-high-priority-for-mccain/">aren't carrying out the responsibilities of their current job</a>?<br /><br />Maybe I'm biased, but these numbers don't lie, so notice how both <a href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/110/senate/vote-missers/">Wisconsin Senators</a> have not missed a vote.Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-82218372732875231722008-03-03T21:12:00.001-06:002008-03-03T21:14:54.213-06:00Suggestion: End all WarsHave heard about or read the New York Times story reporting that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/us/28cnd-prison.html?hp">1 in 100 American citizens</a> is behind bars? If you don't live under a rock, of course you have.<br /><br />Every talking head on TV has mentioned it, every blog I have come across has posted a least a link to the story, my professors are talking about it, even my boss mentioned it during the daily reminders meeting.<br /><br />How astonishing! What a high number? I can't believe it.<br /><br />Not really.<br /><br />It is sad, yes. But it is not surprising.<br /><br />What has been brushed under the rug are the truly sad statics that the story reported:<br /><br />1 in 36 Hispanic adults is locked up.<br /><br />1 in 15 Black adults; 1 in 9 Black male adults between the ages 20 and 34 is behind bars.<br /><br />Since the declaration of the War on Drugs in the 1970's the incarceration rate of minorities has gone through the roof compared to that of whites...<br /><br />In Dance County -- one of Wisconsin's 72 counties that contains the state capital, Madison and is also the home of the University of Wisconsin-- minorities are incarcerated on drug related charges at a rate of 97 to 1 compared with whites in the county.<br /><br />How is the war on drugs working out? Just about as well as the war on terror? How about the war on poverty? Does our nation always need a War? Is it a matter of chest pounding? Or an issue of white supremacy? Since every war declared since 1960's has disproportionately disenfranchised persons of color. Is declaring war on something the only way politicians believe they can be elected?<br /><br />Here is a response found on <a href="http://blog.drugpolicy.org/">The D'Alliance</a>, to the NY Times report that really brought home the main points of my observations, frustrations, and suggestions. I'll allow them to articulate them further.Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-7253985446677470182008-02-13T09:14:00.000-06:002008-02-13T12:01:44.460-06:00Reality CheckRoger Clemens testifies in front of Congress and the entire world stops...<br /><br />ESPN, CNN, MSNBC, and FOX are all there, streaming live.<br /><br />No wonder we had a high school student who completely fabricated a signing day decision to attend school and play football for a University who had never even heard of him.<br /><br />Our society's priorities are whack! Who sets those priorities? Policymakers? Media?<br /><br />Is the United States still not heavily involved in a War? Has genocide in Sudan ceased? Has the Bush Administration been cleared of all accusations pertaining to torture? Isn't there something more important for supposed honorable members of Congress to be investigating?<br /><br />Clearly Congress has a stake in steroid use in Baseball because, wait what is the reason?<br /><br />The "news" media in the United States is a joke and more and more the mantra, "make a buck, make a buck" clearly has them under a trance. <br /><br />I attended Chelsea Clinton's appearance at the Memorial Union on the campus of the University of Wisconsin. I also was witness to Barack Obama last night at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin (more to come on those experiences complete with videos and pictures in the coming days). Looked at in conjunction with one another, the take home message from the two event is that the 18-29 year old demographic cares. I know this is not a novel idea, but if the young vote actually gets to the polls in November, there is no chance in hell that a member of the GOP will be the next President of the United States. <br /><br />When 18-29 year olds are talked to and shown that they matter, they listen. More importantly they act.<br /><br />So I plead with producers of any and all news and other media outlets, please use your platform to add something positive to our society. <br /><br />Stop covering celebrity melt downs. Stop building sports up to such a magnitude that 17 and 18 year old high school kids feel so down that they won't be playing football at the next level that they are compelled to generate a phony "singing day" press conference. <br /><br />Instead run stories on grassroots efforts underway to fund community fine art programs in poverty stricken communities. Run stories that show how a group of youth were sponsored by local businesses to get funding for athletic equipment by volunteering around their community. <br /><br />If you build it, <span style="font-style: italic;">they </span>will come.<br /><br />If these efforts, even on a small scale are exposed to society the efforts will snowball. All great social movements in the history of the United States have their roots with young people. It is time for the media and policymakers to regain some integrity. There is a large population that they can look to for that and they are ready and waiting.<br /><br />Naive? No, just fed up, and motivated, energetic, and determined to see somethings done differently.Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-2040679827075260342008-02-11T17:44:00.013-06:002008-03-03T18:53:01.980-06:00Madison....the city of LoveTalk about a woman with some connections...<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyxAwwxxO8m6kkRwexomY5cWBPFr9bZM9uNlIPRjohB2CeRhWFk5qq8qzm1JXxKB92s-ULsdKY6tyTPlGUc9w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />I have a crush on Chelsea Clinton. She was about an hour late to the rally, but I would have waited longer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLaqDxGhDAyRV9boda0i5dMN7iLCdbRYAaEXT-U2ZhVpwztfeQXRe5SPaCsFZK1hSeLJsn-aSXjlZ00zI1s2yc_8CeVLmxpUWC42nqbhMb-Uf0G_qwI-lTD_H5Mk6MGJrKwY3KbN8_EVS/s1600-h/IMG_0607.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLaqDxGhDAyRV9boda0i5dMN7iLCdbRYAaEXT-U2ZhVpwztfeQXRe5SPaCsFZK1hSeLJsn-aSXjlZ00zI1s2yc_8CeVLmxpUWC42nqbhMb-Uf0G_qwI-lTD_H5Mk6MGJrKwY3KbN8_EVS/s320/IMG_0607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173680265722440882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Call me crazy, but the first daughter has grown up...into a politically powerful fox!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNoeYssT3Ry6ROYE1y6_Sf_7a_uUToRNteDkt9alusJLAQ4YwIg3oOS7AAFwIQNQD3VgMGN_enSQ0xm3noedA_9ULkeAb9vUKrSwPHgWJrzzquPI72eXLyr7G_aQZ5V3nGrr5qYKpJPaU/s1600-h/IMG_0608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNoeYssT3Ry6ROYE1y6_Sf_7a_uUToRNteDkt9alusJLAQ4YwIg3oOS7AAFwIQNQD3VgMGN_enSQ0xm3noedA_9ULkeAb9vUKrSwPHgWJrzzquPI72eXLyr7G_aQZ5V3nGrr5qYKpJPaU/s320/IMG_0608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173681433953545410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />She came to Madison to talk about her Mom. She was pretty boring, with quite the monotone voice but I couldn't help but notice the bedroom eyes she kept shooting my way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidplS_eDw9eijOlXBZS6OY7oAsdGQnHHr0d9c1fst-_jOh3deMxR56s-74S7nII9PKoU5bJQ4qlhIXPQ4orora9FPBm_XSe4_httZN-h-nUHTkuIUOQ5bNCYDtfN82q83a3x1oDW03GNG-/s1600-h/IMG_0609.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidplS_eDw9eijOlXBZS6OY7oAsdGQnHHr0d9c1fst-_jOh3deMxR56s-74S7nII9PKoU5bJQ4qlhIXPQ4orora9FPBm_XSe4_httZN-h-nUHTkuIUOQ5bNCYDtfN82q83a3x1oDW03GNG-/s320/IMG_0609.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173677345144679554" border="0" /></a>Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-21618240386242605292008-02-06T18:28:00.000-06:002008-02-06T23:01:55.724-06:00Superficial TuesdayI take it that no one is happy with a tie.<br /><br />Quite the let down after all the anticipation, the countdown, and the news coverage for Super Duper Tsunami Tuesday. But on Wednesday, all there is to talk about is that Hillary has few more delegates, Obama leads the nation in a CNN poll but Hillary leads in another and some idiots are still voting for John Edwards.<br /><br />Super Tuesday was so uneventful that Heath Ledger and deadly tornadoes made it into the headlines this morning (that was a knock on the Media coverage and not intended to take a shot at the loss of precious human life. My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to those who have lost).<br /><br />I ask you to consider these:<br /><br />Is this race close because voters are deciding who the lesser of the two evils is, again? Or are the voters either less racist than they are sexist or less sexist than they are racist?<br /><br />Remove yourself from the zooming shots of a field reporter, standing in studio at a podium incessantly calculating and surmising the most current and "most potential" delegate count for the candidates with a telestrator marker. Remove yourself from Chris Matthew's squawk that sounds like someone stepped on his tail or has given him a 'how's your father' with a cold hand every time co-anchor and funnyman Keith Olbermann adds his "politically humorized" two cents.<br /><br />Just take a second, close your eyes. Say out loud, the name Hillary Clinton.<br /><br />What is the first thought that comes into your mind?<br /><br />Answer: She's a woman.<br /><br />Take another second, please. Close your eyes and say out loud, the name Barack Obama.<br /><br />Again, what is the first thought that comes into your mind?<br /><br />Answer: He's Black.<br /><br />This is important. Very important. I know that people may be tired of talking about race and gender. Talking heads on the news, peers, even myself at one time or another has suggested that we the voters need to be able to look past the superficial characteristics of the leading Democratic Presidential candidates.<br /><br />But today, I refuse to be colorblind. I refuse to be genderblind.<br /><br />Hillary struck a cord with me during her speech last night. She wanted to point out that her Mother, who was born before women were given the the right to vote, was in attendance and has had the chance to vote for her very own daughter for President of the United States of America.<br /><br />Voters will or already have had a chance to vote for that woman also and in the very same election they have been given the chance to vote for a Black man, as well.<br /><br />It should be perfectly clear that the Democratic Presidential nomination race is so close NOT because either candidate is the lesser of two evils. Nor is it coming down to a racist vs. non-racist and sexist vs. non-sexist ideal. Rather, the public demanded for stronger candidates and better leaders to represent them is finally being met.<br /><br />Not only are they being met, they are being surpassed by both a Black man and a White woman! And a large amount, dare I say the majority, of the country are comfortable and incredibly excited by that.<br /><br />I voted in my first Presidential election in November, 2004. I was 19 years old. I voted for the lesser of two evils in that election. My candidate, John Kerry (may his political career rest in peace) lost and the United States of America and the frankly, the world lost with him. I have been impatiently waiting (to put it lightly) for this election in the hope that our country could get it's act together. <br /><br />I'm happy to say that it appears that the correct moves have been made to make that happen. Beginning with the Democratic Party and the exceptional leadership of two competent policy makers. But responsibility also rests with the citizens of the United States by taking the chance to be less bigoted and to recognize the differences in skin colors and genders and to be comfortable and accepting and appreciative of those differences enough to trust and put faith in the hands of a Black man and/or a White woman to get this country going in the right direction.Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-13662127220036186672008-01-29T21:29:00.000-06:002008-01-29T22:40:20.294-06:00Janurary is no time for fire dancing in IllinoisSo McCain takes Florida and chills run up my spine.<br /><br />Are we looking at a potential third term of Republican leadership in the White House? Can or will McCain win the general election?<br /><br />It is truly scary how possible that might be. With his win tonight of the Florida primary he has essentially sealed the GOP nomination.<br /><br />Moving forward, he will have the Republican backing, he will have the moderate vote, he will have the racist/sexist vote (which ever one is needed).<br /><br />As for the Democrats, Obama has it locked up right?<br /><br />He cleaned up in South Carolina didn't he? He dominated the black vote, the young vote, the poor vote. That is correct, but here is the catch.<br /><br />The South Carolina primary was held on a Saturday.<br /><br />A critical detail that has been absent from the 24 hour a day clusterfuck media coverage.<br /><br />Having a vote on a Saturday, when many citizens in the US don't work, allowed for voters who are typically disfranchised and struggle to get time off work to vote a chance to get out and do so. This could have only encouraged those citizens to vote for the "Candidate for Change" in such overwhelming numbers.<br /><br />Please don't get me wrong. I'm excited that Obama kicked Hillary's ass in South Carolina. But I want people to get out and do it again on Super Tuesday and again in November. The fight is not over.<br /><br />The momentum is building in Obama's favor, no doubt.<br /><br />With endorsements from the royal family of the US--Ted and Caroline Kennedy-- Toni Morrison, and the Governor of Kansas who gave the Democratic response to Bush's riveting State of the Union Address, Kathleen Sebelius, and many others every time you turn around, Obama supporters should be stoked.<br /><br />Stoked.<br /><br />Obama's campaign fire should continue to be stoked but not danced around in celebration yet.<br /><br />Hillary is a great politician. She and her spouse play the game well and one has to reasonably assume that she and he for that matter, have more tricks up the sleeve of her pants suit. Such as the one she pulled tonight by making a big deal out of the Florida primary victory that she and her fellow democrats agreed not to campaign for.<br /><br />Who is she kidding?<br /><br />I promised myself when I decided that I would fully support Barack Obama for President in 2008, that I would not bash Hillary. I can't stand political mug slinging. And honestly I believe that she would be just fine as President. This country and the world needs an intelligent, competent, and Democratic President of the United States. They would get that with either Obama or Clinton. But with the political charades displayed by our former President and his wife in the last few weeks it has been harder and harder for me to keep my promise.Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-62004996015531066282007-11-27T13:02:00.000-06:002007-11-27T13:42:27.573-06:00you've seen this before...A common tale in the blogosphere:<br /><br />Early excitement and production after creating a new blog. Aspirations for success and great promise of continuously fresh content are held. Family members and friends are told, "check out my blog." The url is posted on a facebook or AIM profile with the hope that random internet traffic will increase blog hits. <br /><br />Then reality sets in with Midterms, homework, and then The Daily Show writers go on strike forcing Comedy Central to air reruns.<br /><br />Sadly, this story is mine.<br /><br />I have neglected this blog for sometime now. But I pledge to get back on the horse now that the storm of other obligations has cleared.<br /><br />I have plenty of half baked rants saved on my laptop and the egg timer is ticking down.<br /><br />Fresh new post are soon to come...Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-86862501359813549312007-10-25T18:26:00.000-05:002007-10-28T14:02:26.954-05:00Here we go again...<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejad">Mahmoud Ahmadinejad </a>is not the problem. Yes, he has made some pretty evil proclamations in his day. Yes, the world would probably be a better place if he wasn't part of it. Still, he should not be as large of a concern to the Bush Administration as appears to be.<br /><br />Yes, he does hold the highest elected position in Iran. He is the President. But his power is nowhere as strong as we have been led to believe by our own government.<br /><br />Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamerei is Iran's Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces in Iran and has the final word on all Domestic and Foreign Policies. He is the most powerful leader in Iran, not Ahmadinejad.<br /><br />Either the current administration is really stupid or really sneaky and is using Ahmadinejad and his crazy talk to scare Americans into believing there is, yet another, imminent threat to our and the world's safety if Iran acquires <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">knowledge </span>of nuclear energy.<br /><br />Regrettably, I believe it is the latter.<br /><br />Just like they did with Colin Powell before attacking Iraq (making him testify in front of congress, vial of deadly powder in hand), they again put the official with the most ideological cleavage from the administration to be the front person in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/world/middleeast/25cnd-iran.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin">making the case for preemptive action.<br /></a><br />Poor Condi.<br /><br />Poor Iranians.<br /><br />If somehow this administration declares another unwarranted war will it then be enough to impeach the entire executive branch?<br /><br />Or even more fitting, subject Dick and George to stand trial for crimes against humanity?Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-27503838494165422452007-10-24T12:58:00.001-05:002007-10-24T13:36:15.920-05:00It is 2007, do you know who your circuit court judges are?Harry Reid is a pussy. Either that or he is an embarrassingly inept leader and should step down as Majority Leader.<br /><br />The fact that he can allow a circuit court judicial nominee with such an offensive and overturned record, to be confirmed attests to the statements above.<br /><a href="http://www.civilrights.org/press_room/buzz_clips/civilrightsorg-stories/senate-confirms-controversial.html"><br />Leslie Southwick </a>is a despicable person and a terrible excuse for a judge. The fact that his nomination was able to leave the Judiciary committee is beyond me.<br /><br />This is just another example of our elected "leaders" dropping the ball and simply not doing the job that they were elected to do. <br /><br />Not only are they not standing up to the narcissistic executive branch, they continue to fail to prevent the judicial branch from becoming evil and corrupt.<br /><br />The public is ignorant when it comes to the courts. Historically the judicial branch maintains a high job approval rating, which can't be said for the Presidency or the Congress. I would argue that if the public was made more aware of decisions issued in the circuit courts their job approval rating would falter. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.civilrights.org/issues/nominations/">Equally noteworthy</a>, if the public knew who our President was nominating and our Congress was confirming to sit on our courts, I guarantee that our country would be poised for a second Civil War.Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-34871406256467892532007-10-15T20:32:00.003-05:002008-03-03T21:17:44.790-06:00Deuce love<a href="http://gregcbrown.net/">My mentor in the blogosphere</a>Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-80589143007671935892007-10-10T22:27:00.000-05:002007-10-15T20:41:47.730-05:00Spinal Tap"We are talking about American interests"<br /><br />Second Lady, Lynne Cheney quipped when confronted with the idea that terrorists <span style="font-style: italic;">have </span>attacked since planes flew into the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001 (in Spain and England).<br /><br />John Stewart, in a sheepish grin,<br /><br />"I thought they were our alliesl..."<br /><br />Low blow?<br /><br />Was it fair for Jon Stewart to have Dick's wife on his show to promote her new book and then slip-in questions pertaining to the miserable (for lack of better word) war in Iraq and the lies swarming the executive branch like flies around a fresh pile of cow shit?<br /><br />She had to have known what she was getting herself into. She brought a Darth Vader Figurine on stage with her. A gift to Stewart... "a friendly reminder," she so elegantly stated with a crooked smile and a wink.<br /><br />She got what she deserved. She was seen for what she was, a rich and privileged politician's wife. How hilarious and horrid is it at the same time that she mentioned that <span style="font-style: italic;">she</span>, Dick Cheney's wife was writing another book. A children's book on the Constitution...what so Dick and W can understand it or is she re-writing the constitution so these kids grow up brainwashed, thinking that this administration has actually operated within the guidelines of the Constitution during the last two terms.<br /><br />I was actually very impressed with the backbone Stewart possessed. In the past, with larger iconic guests he has appeared nervous or star struck and has stayed away from the hard asks and never addresses the pink elephant in the room. Tonight, even after admitting how uncomfortable the interview was, he pressed on. Tonight Jon Stewart had a backbone and didn't rely exclusively on his wit. Job well done.<br /><br />That leads me to my larger point....ha, pretentious, I know. As if I have an agenda or outline for this lecture.<br /><br />BACKBONE. POLITICAL BACKBONE. STANDING UP FOR SOMETHING YOU KNOW IS RIGHT, AGAINST ALL ODDS.<br /><br />Who do we as citizens of the United States, citizens of the world look to when looking for someone that does this?<br /><br />I would hope it would be the leaders of our nation and the leaders of this world.<br /><br />But, we just don't see this. Who in Washington has any backbone? I'm talking <span style="font-style: italic;">real </span>backbone. I'm talking being the sole person to vote one way, opposing 98 other respected and well liked people. I'm talking about Honorable Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_act">Patriot Act of 2001</a>.<br /><br />98 to 1 voted in favor of <span style="font-weight: bold;">P</span>roviding <span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span>ppropriate <span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span>ools <span style="font-weight: bold;">R</span>equired to <span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span>ntercept and <span style="font-weight: bold;">O</span>bstruct <span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span>errorism Act of 2001.<br /><br />Do you know why Feingold voted against it? Because he has a backbone to stand up for something that he knows is right, against all odds.<br /><br />More importantly, in his words taken from a 2004 U.S. Senate campaign commercial,<br /><br />"Because I read it."<br /><br />Simple as that. He did his job. Job well done Senator.<br /><br />As for the rest of the Democrats in Congress (who won the majority last mid term election by the way, who knew?) have not been able to stop the executive branch from continuing its abuse of power.<br /><br />There are plenty of examples but the most recent one I have read about came to my attention yesterday in the form of a New York Times article online: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/washington/09nsa.html?fta=y">Democrats Seem Ready to Extend Wiretap Powers</a>.<br /><br />"Although willing to oppose the White House on the Iraq war, they remain nervous that they will be called soft on terrorism if they insist on strict curbs on gathering intelligence."<br /><br />Nervous they will be called soft on terrorism? Really? Really? Where is the god damn backbone? Who are they worried about? Couldn't be their constituents...the voters put these spineless hacks in Congress to (among other important issues that I will pontificate in future posts) <span style="font-style: italic;">stop </span>the executive branch's blatant breach of civil liberties and protect personal privacy.<br /><br />Really? Nervous about being called soft on terrorism? Could these wimps be being bullied by their Republican colleagues? Could they be worried the Rudy Giuliani will appear at their office door with brass knuckles looking to rumble?<br /><br />You know who has stood up and proven once again that he has a backbone? A political backbone. Someone who simply stands up and votes for what he believes in and knows in his gut is the right thing to do? Senator <a href="http://feingold.senate.gov/%7Efeingold/statements/07/10/20071009.htm">Russ Feingold</a>.<br /><br />It is about time that we the voters demand some political backbone from our law makers. They better stand up to this tyrannical, malicious, and deceitful administration soon. It is not too late, even though it has taken more than six years, it is definitely not to late.<br /><br />Regrettably that is what this W and the rest of the administration is thinking also.<br /><br />"Hey uh, Dick, he he... it's not to late ya know, we could still blow up some more stuff...he he, he he... Like Iranian sandcastles... he he..."<br /><h1><br /></h1>Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-56680887706519696332007-10-09T13:19:00.000-05:002007-10-15T20:43:22.084-05:00Born againBack at it after nearly two years and it feels good. Today, I'm a much wiser, more articulate, and most importantly, more mature blogger with thicker skin...<br /><br />My last post on <a href="http://theonlyoneblog.blogspot.com/">the only one blog</a> was met with a very well educated and well trained academic who found great success in college at critically dissecting arguments whenever and wherever presented. This feisty individual sunk her teeth into my post; criticizing my opinions, my modest attempt at photojournalism, and even my character. Her attack shocked me, shook me to the core, devastating me so much that I have been silenced from the blogosphere ever since.<br /><br />This is a little melodramatic. The individual who I have vilified as a blood-seeking academic was my girlfriend. She just wanted to voice her opinion, that is what blogs and posting comments are all about right? Well sure. So I was really just being a big baby. I could dish it out but couldn't take it.<br /><br />So I say to you today, bring on the attacks, bring on criticism, bring on your opposing views and hopefully some will be concurring opinions. This is the Equal Eye, an equal opportunity forum for political and societal discourse. I'll be criticizing and applauding policies, public officials, societal and global fads and trends, calling for resignations, and even pontificating on issues that I see important and encourage you to join in.Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273149241255142027.post-47525021177980277592007-10-09T12:07:00.000-05:002007-10-09T12:08:57.598-05:00<a href="http://theonlyoneblog.blogspot.com">The Only One<br /></a>Samuel Joseph Milgromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095505547594427212noreply@blogger.com0