Oratory we can believe in by Alicia

The last night of the Democratic National Convention was tonight, and it was amazing - but if I know my readers, you guys aren't interested in Obama's eloquent 40-minute acceptance speech. You're interested in my thoughts and emotions ABOUT the speech. Right? Or you wouldn't be at buntology.

On to the nominee.

For those of you who aren't studied in current events, Obama formally accepted his nomination as the Democratic party's presidential candidate today. His running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, accepted his nomination yesterday. More than 84,000 people showed up to listen to Obama's silky oratory, and they couldn't fit in the convention hall - Obama had to speak from a football field. He addressed the audience at Invesco Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos.

What you need to know:
Obama has always been the candidate of "hope," talking about his vision for the future and all the ways he's different from President Bush and Sen. John McCain. But he's been criticized for touting merely a vision without elaborating on what that vision is. Tonight, Obama finally let loose - he stopped being stifled! - and detailed his vision.

For you, readers, I've taken the most pertinent parts of Obama's acceptance speech so you can be in the know. Read on to find out what Obama says about ...

1. Taxes. Obama's down with the "working man," you know:

"Unlike John McCain, I will stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America. I'll eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow. I will ... cut taxes for 95 percent of all working families, because ... the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle class."

2. Energy. An issue I'm especially concerned about. This is one Obama knows he's got to really shine on, because, as the candidate of change, voters will look to him to ease this global warming (global warming isn't real - akb) crisis:

"I will set a clear goal as president: In 10 years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East. ... As president, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I'll help our auto companies retool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. ... And I'll invest $150 billion over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy - wind power, and solar power, and the next generation of biofuels - an investment that will lead to new industries and 5 million new jobs that pay well and can't be outsourced."

3. Education. Um, this issue doesn't affect me as much - the girls and I are almost done with school, and god help me if I have children by the time Obama is (theoretically) out of office. Eight years .. plus 23 ... wait, what's 23 plus 8? (Fuck!)

"I'll invest in early childhood education. I'll recruit an army of new teachers, and pay them higher salaries, and give them more support. And in exchange, I'll ask for higher standards and more accountability. And we will keep our promise to every young American: If you commit to serving your community or our country, we will make sure you can afford a college education."

4. Health care. Somewhat important. I mean, it's real important, but I feel like, for me and my readers, the big things are the war and energy. (Actually, health care is mandatory now so it is pretty important. dink.)

"If you have health care, my plan will lower your premiums. If you don't, you'll be able to get the same kind of coverage that members of Congress give themselves."

5. The war in Iraq. Here's the big one for a lot of people. Previously, Obama called for all combat forces to be out of Iraq by the end of 2009 and for all U.S. forces to be out by 2010. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has agreed with him and all but endorsed him for president.

"As my call for a timeframe to remove our troops from Iraq has been echoed by the Iraqi government and even the Bush administration, even after we learned that Iraq has $79 billion in surplus while we are wallowing in deficit, John McCain stands alone in his stubborn refusal to end a misguided war. ... As commander-in-chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home. I will end this war in Iraq responsibly and finish the fight against Al Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan. I will rebuild our military to meet future conflicts, but I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and curb Russian aggression."

Oh, and Obama is not Muslim. His father, who is black, is Kenyan; his white mother is from Kansas.
(She's from Wichita. A seven-nation-army couldn't hold her baayackk.)

The more you know ...


'Obama got next' image taken from GoTellMama.com - created by Ray Noland aka CRO