Nothing annoys me more about Republicans than this perceived support for the militarya and our troops they’re suposed to have and Democrats lack.  Time and again, we read reports like this that show our troops of underpaid, under-trained, and ill-equipped at a time when they need all that and more.  President Bush, the Republican-led Congress, and far too many Democrats took us into a war in Afghanistan (which I supported) and another war in Iraq (which I certainly did not support), but they haven’t taken care of the men and women they’ve put in harms way.  More sadly, those who make it home, especially the injured, are finding a Veteran Affairs that is also under-funded and ill-equipped to help them.  It’s just sad.

I don’t really buy into the whole Kennedy comparison with Barak Obama.  JFK and Barak Obama are two different people at different times in history.  What I find interesting is that just like John Kennedy, Barak Obama defending himself from the “liberal” label.  Unlike his counterparts he doesn’t shun the liberal label.  Like John Kennedy he defends what it means to be a liberal.  Bravo to him.

By the way, one of the things that’s causing this defense is the suggestion by Obama that would have no problem sitting down with Raul Castro, Fidel’s brother and most likely successor.  I know this will piss off Cubans in this country, but it’s time to move on.  I know it’s not easy, and for many it may be near impossible, but Cuban-Americans need to realize that the only way they will help the people of their ancestor’s homeland is to set aside this worthless embargo and open up communication the government of Cuba.  Why is Cuba treated so different from China? China, a happily Communist dictatorship, has an even more despicable human rights record than Cuba; while at the same time gladly taking jobs away from our citizens.  There are any number of horrible dictatorships we so no problem with.  Hell, we sell arms to some of them!  So, again, why is Cuba treated so differently?  Because Cuban-Americans are so powerful in Florida?  This needs to change, but I don’t think even Barak Obama (if he wins) will find it easy to “sit down” with any Cuban government official.