In watching the news, listening to radio, and checking on some political blogs, it’s become apparent to me that Senator Barack Obama has become a serious contender in the race for president. I’ve gathered some thoughts as to why an Obama presidency is a possibility, and here they are:

1. Republicans. Thats right. According to this article from timesonline.co.uk, there are some big name Republicans. Even President Bush’s Chief Campaign Strategist for the 2004 election is throwing support towards the Obama camp, as well as others who were part of the Bush “inner circle.” Obama seems to have a way to bridge the gap between party lines.

2. Young People. There has been a surge of student activism, and the campaign staff has been brilliant in their social networking campaign with sites like facebook.com, where his network has 325,000 friends, as well as his own campaign website, which is referred to as my.barackobama.com, in which users can discuss issues with friends, track fundraising amounts, and even submit policy suggestions. His pro-activism message he sends encourages many college students that change is local.

3. Christianity. Though Obama id pro-choice and pro-gay marriage, he is extremely blatant in the fact that he is a christian. He explains his conversion experience on his website (the video is 39 minutes long) in a speech to a group of evangelicals, in which he states that “because of my religion I may not feel urged to vote for certain moral issues, such as abortion, but we have to find a common moral ground with those who do not share our beliefs other than stating our religion says it’s wrong.” Again, he is able to bridge the gap, not only between parties, but also between religions.

4. Fundraising. Any candidate who is able to raise $25 million dollars in a quarter is going to be a serious contender. With only being 1 million short of Senator Clinton, but with nearly twice as many donors, the support that is being shown Obama overwhelming. Not only is there a strong support for the senator, but with his fundraising now neck-and-neck with his strongest opponent, Senator Clinton isn’t able to enjoy the confidence of being on top that many expected she would have as a front runner.

5. Hope. Starting with the rise to celebrity status from his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, people have seen a hope that has long been lost in Washington. Along with his book, “The Audacity of Hope” released in 2006, his idea that there is always a hope for a better future is appealing to all Americans, no matter what your political compass or upbringing is.

And those are the top 5 reasons why Barack Obama could be the next president of the United States. If you have any more reasons, please feel free to submit a comment.

Crow has suggested using “only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required”.

The 45-year-old, who made the comments on her website, has just toured the US on a biodiesel-powered bus to raise awareness about climate change.

She later stated,

I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting.
“I have spent the better part of this tour trying to come up with easy ways for us all to become a part of the solution to global warming,”

Ok, before we all sit here and try to explain the mechanics of that, lets back up to the real issue here, being that she spent the better part of a TOUR thinking up practical ways to solve global warming. That is a noble effort in my opinion. But I personally would rather figure out a great air conditioning system for my house than be reduced to that, and MAYBE save 6 trees in my entire lifetime. And isn’t it true that every time a paper company cuts down a tree to use it to make any kind of paper, they legally have to plant another one? Are global warming activists the only ones who realize that if we use all of the earths resources without replacing them, we’ll run out?? Lets give paper makers more credit than that, rather than just assuming that they’re takers. If I figure out a way to do this cleanly, I’ll let you know, but I really, really don’t think its gonna happen, or that I’ll even try.

My name is Michael, and I’m a news junkie. There, I said it. The first step is to admit that you have a problem. I think I probably check news sites and blogs about 15 times a day, even when I assume that there probably won’t be anything new. It’s a disease. To even further this problem, I have the strong desire to go and discuss whatever news interests me with friends. I then find out that they haven’t looked at a news site or a television in a week, and have no idea what I’m talking about. Maybe later I’ll make a joke about some event that happened, lets say the Don Imus situation, for example, and again, blank stare (or akward, “I don’t really get it but I’m humoring you”, laugh). This site is therapy. This site is freedom. I want to create a place other people like myself can discuss, and vent, and joke, and get their fix. My goal is to post every day. Also, I would love to add a forum, and possibly even some co-bloggers to post as well as myself. I hope to post quality content. If you like what you read, please come back, and tell your friends.