Today, Talking Points Memo takes the pulse of the campaigns and questions whether the Obama has a set message apart from 'change' similar to McCain 'I'm a strong leader.' Apart from raising the negatives of McCain and raising the possibilty of more wars and deficits- the change message follows that by changing we improve the government and the economy. McCain will not. He will continue with divisive issues and bankrupt the U.S. Obama should argue that everybody's America would improve if he is elected (now I see where the Messiah talking point originated). If you believes things can improve, then Obama is your vote.        

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I agree with Rev. Wright: America has done a lot of bad things in history.  It was founded on an "empty" land that was subsequently emptied of it's original inhabitants.  It was then colonized with the help of unfortunate souls that were captured in a far away land.  A US sponsored coup overthrew the queen of Hawaii, and enabled our annual vacations there.  We can go on and on.  But inspite of all that, Rev. Wright is wrong.  America is not a bad place. America is not the US KKK of A, and it does not deserve damnation by God.  In fact, inspite of all it's flaws, the US of A is the proud holder of one of two "great" accomplishments in the history of the world.

The first was Alexander's conquest of most of the known world.  For this feat, Alexander earned the moniker "the Great", and his full name is now officially "Alexander The Great".  How did he do it ?  Well, quite simply, he had a flair for turning enemies into friends.  The best example of that is the classic story of "Alexander and Porus"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porus, and the aftermath of the classic battle of the Hydaspes River (modern day Jhelum, in Pakistan)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_t he_Hydaspes_River

King Porus fought the Battle of the Hydaspes River with Alexander in 326 BC. After fierce fighting and very heavy casualties on both sides, he was defeated by Alexander in a Pyrrhic victory. The battle is often considered to be Alexander's hardest fought battle, so hard that it caused his army to mutiny against him afterwards. In a famous meeting with Porus - who had suffered many arrow wounds in the battle and had lost his sons, who all chose death in battle rather than surrender -- Alexander reportedly asked him, "How would you like to be treated?" Porus replied, "As befits a king." Alexander was so impressed by the brave and powerful response of King Porus that he released him back to his Kingdom and gave him the captured land of a neighbouring Kingdom whose ruler had fled.

This was the last battle that Alexander fought and won, but it was symbolic of all his earlier victories.  In order to turn a foe into a friend, you have to show some compassion, some generosity, and a willingness to take some unusual steps (the campaigns of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton could have used these lessons a while back).  And THAT is how you win a war ~ you turn your enemy into a friend.  THAT is the only way to win a war (unless you want to destroy and annihilate your enemy).

Let us now roll our way through history. The only other example that I can think of when someone shows genuine compassion to a former enemy is the US and post-war Germany and Japan.  Yes, the US does do bad things from time time, but the US also came up with the Marshall Plan, and the Berlin Airlift to help two countries that it had previously fought in an epic struggle.  That is how WWII was won.  That was the second "great" accomplishment in history (if anyone thinks there are other examples that ought to be included in this list, please chime in).

There is nothing that is wrong with America that cannot be cured by that which is right in America.  The US does not deserve the harsh condemnation of history, inspite of all it's misdeeds.  

Those that are apologizing for Rev. Wright should go back and reread history !!

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Senate Republicans have not been doing well for a while now. But the GOP's disarray is now extending to the House! The series of Republicans congressmen (Pryce, Hastert, LaHood, Peckering, ...) declaring their intention to retire in August started the wave of bad news, but this past week shows the GOP's House problems go much deeper than these open seats.

Read full analysis here,  on Campaign Diaries.

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