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With McCain and Obama now heating up the campaign trail and the US Presidential elections just 2 months away, dirty laundry are now expected to be thrown out in the open. The first one was just thrown out and presented to the public with Sarah Palin, John McCain’s running mate, admitting that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter was five months pregnant. This latest news left the McCain campaign defending the efficiency of its background check on the little-known Alaska governor.

It was also reported Monday that a lawyer was hired to represent Palin in a state ethics probe and that her husband, Todd, had been arrested for drunken driving two decades ago. According to the McCain camp, that was all the dirty laundry that can be unearthed from their closet.

In response to the pregnancy story, McCain adviser Steve Schmidt can only say, “Life happens.” On the other hand, colleague Mark Halter remarks, “An American family.” Short sentences to minimize further damage.

Sarah and Todd Palin said that Bristol would keep her baby and marry the child’s father, identified only as a young man named Levi. The baby is due in late December and the expecting grandparents are proud and excited about the upcoming event.

During discussions about her background, Sarah Palin was warned about the scrutiny on her private life as she disclosed the pregnancy and her husbands DUI case. They told her that it would be intense and there may be nothing to prepare for it.

McCain aides claim that the announcement about the pregnancy of Bristol Palin was intended to dispute rumors that Palin’s own youngest son, born in April, was actually the daughter’s. So, the plot thickens. Sarah Palin’s fifth child, a son named Trig, was born in April with Down’s syndrome. Internet bloggers have been suggesting that the child was actually born to Bristol Palin but that her mother, the 44-year-old Alaska governor, claimed to be the mother. Politics can be just as dramatic as any soap opera . . . and just as interesting.

Meanwhile, Democratic rival Barack Obama’s remarks ignores partisanship. Obama responded sympathetically. “I think people’s families are off limits and people’s children are especially off limits.” Interesting, don’t you think? Taking all of these under consideration, I think my first choice is still the best.

After Barack Obama won the Democratic nominations in a tight race against Hillary Clinton, the world suddenly paid attention to the upcoming US Presidential Elections in November 2008. Barack Hussein Obama II is the first African American to ever make it this far. Will America finally hold true to its claim on equal rights and equal opportunity to all?

Though prejudice has long been renounced by the most powerful nation in the world, no African American has ever won the nominations for any major political party. Obama is the incumbent junior US Senator from Illinois who convinced many that he is the change that everyone has been waiting for. A brilliant graduate of the Harvard Law School, his vision has spurred many to support him following the disaster that the current administration has allegedly done.

Now is our time to let our voice be heard and make a difference. We can’t just sit back and allow others to move and improve America’s quality of living. While the US continues to battle a relentless economic crisis, we as citizens have an obligation to our family and our country to take a stand and support the resolution we believe can raise us from this slump.

I definitely believe it is time for something new, a major change that Obama can potentially bring to the nation. If you wish to support Obama in his bid for the presidency in November, you can purchase Giant Obama Bumper Stickers at obama-bumper-stickers.com. You can order this see-though graphic stickers online and show the nation that you are ready for change. Obama can be the Change We Can Believe In.

Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama chose Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his vice presidential running mate Saturday. The choice was aimed to balance his ticket with a congressional veteran known to be well-versed in foreign policy and defense. The announcement was made on his website with a picture and a call for donations.

Biden, 65, has more than 30 years in the Senate and served as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and the Judiciary Committee. Obama passed over other potential running mates, including former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, his opponent for the Democratic nomination months ago.

Among those on the list, Biden had the most experience in defense or foreign policy. These are areas where Obama fares poorly in the polls versus Republican candidate Sen. John McCain.

Eight days after broadcast journalist Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, together with Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo, were abducted by alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a P15-million ransom has been demanded with a deadline at noon of June 17th. Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, negotiator, said Drilon called relaying the demand and begging for help. Meanwhile, ABS-CBN, Drilon’s network, reiterated its “no ransom policy” to protect journalists from future abductions.  It likewise denies allegations that it has abandoned its news crew.

Isnaji claims that the kidnappers informed him that the Drilon family has agreed to pay the P15-million ransom.  Isnaji stated that it is Ces Drilon’s parents who want to pay the ransom.  The ransom was reduced from P20 million to P15 million, based on what was allegedly agreed upon by the kidnappers and Drilon’s family. If ransom is not paid by deadline, the kidnappers insist that there will be repercussions.   However, Isnaji denied threats by the captors to execute hostages if the demands are not met.

After several months of gruelling and controversial campaign trail, Senator Barrack Obama of Illinois, beats Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and claims the much coveted Presidential Nomination of the Democratic Party of the United States. The much-anticipated culmination of the highly contested 54-primaries elections series happened Tuesday night at Minnesota shortly after the last primary elections at South Dakota and Montana were concluded. In his speech before the Minnesota crowd, Obama confidently declared, “I will be the Democratic nominee” which was met by thunderous cheers and applause from thousands of supporters and election delegates.

This nomination win for Obama is a historical event, since he’s  holding the distinction as the first Black American Presidential candidate (and possibly the first Black American President) after more than two centuries. Hillary Clinton, his nominee rival on the other hand, refuses to publicly concede the race, though some of her aides have hinted her inclination to take a Vice Presidential slot. This should be an interesting twist but I guess we will all have to wait for the final word from Sen. Clinton in the coming days.

In the mean time, John McCain, the Republican Presidential candidate acknowledges Obama’s win and welcomes his “formidable opponent” to the general election campaign. Obama will obviously benefit from the very unpopular policies of the current Republican President Bush and McCain will have to work harder to distance himself from Bush and his policies. Many observers say that whoever Bush endorses, will surely lose. It’s really going to be a tough ballgame for McCain who will not only be facing a formidable opponent in the person of Obama but will have to work doubly hard to rebuild the image of the Republicans, possibly announce major shifts in policies, if not completely abandon or outrightly condemn some of Bush’s unpopular policies, which he in fact has started doing.

In my opinion, the Obama-vs-Clinton duel was far more interesting than the upcoming Obama-vs-McCain and my fearless prediction is a landslide by Obama. The next important question now is: Is America and the rest of the world ready for a Black American President?

John Tyler Hammons, a 19-year old self-confessed gamer, triumphs over 70-year old Hershel McBride in the mayoral elections at Muskogee, Oklahoma last week. The American teen is no different from other teens — he loves rock, joyrides, video games, and hanging out.  However, unlike the rest, the population of 38,000 in Muskogee have placed the leadership of their town in the hands of the young man.  He claims that the public’s trust in him is the most awesome experience he has ever had.

Hammons  garnered 70% of the town’s vote, winning over former mayor McBride.  Folks at Muskogee believe he is the right person for the post because he is fresh, young, and he owes nothing to anyone.  Hammons will continue with his college education despite the new responsibility.  Everything will be organized and scheduled to allow him to meet all his obligations.  He will be sworn in this week, replacing Wren Stratton who decided not to run for re-election after only one term.

He assures the town that he will keep his promise during his campaign to clean up the town’s politics and establish an independent ethics commission and lock down campaign finance reporting.   If only the old politicians in our country had half of Hammon’s dignity and sense . . . good luck John.  Stay true.

Riots erupt in Haiti, Bangladesh, and Egypt as cost of basic food continue to soar. According to World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, rice prices have skyrocketed by 75% globally while the price of wheat has increased by 120% over the past year. This is the current crisis that world leaders will have to address soon. Although many worry about filling their gas tanks, it is more alarming that more people around the world worry about filling their stomach. It is not surprising that some citizens have resorted to violence to find a solution to their problem. Even the most calm and patient parent will go to the streets when his own child goes hungry. A father will go through hale and storm just to feed his family — even steal if it comes down to it. Can our world leaders solve this crisis?

Many experts believe that the rising cost of basic food is due to the push to replace traditional fuel with ethanol which comes from corn. As the price of fuel increase, the new demand for corn as ethanol has thrown off world food prices. However, environmentalists argue that demand for corn is not the problem. The continuous rise in fuel prices is the actual culprit considering that every facet of food production, from processing to packaging to transportation, is affected.

Meanwhile, the increase in demand, most especially in China and India, is another reason for the food price hikes. Add all of these together with the “climate shocks” that damage food supply around the world and we we have a crisis. Should we start worrying? Maybe. This is one of the most critical challenges the world now faces. Question is . . . are the world leaders up to the challenge? Haiti’s prime minister was kicked out last Saturday. Some more will follow if the crisis continues.

Forty-four days after former Philippine President Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada has been convicted by the Sandiganbayan guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the crime of plunder, the deposed President is now set to accept and sign the order of executive clemency issued last night by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, current President of the Philippines. Previously, the legal team representing Erap withdrew the Motion for Reconsideration which they filed 15 days after the conviction was promulgated, and instead sent a petition letter to GMA asking for presidential pardon. The lady President didn’t waste time and just a few days after, issued the clemency with a condition that Mr. Estrada will distance himself from politics from hereon.

When the conviction first came out in September 12, 2007, I surely believed that an executive pardon is far from happening, at least not in the next 4 years, not when GMA is still the President. I was dead wrong, because it didn’t even take 4 months, but barely 44 days and now the “agreement” is a done deal. Read the rest of this entry »