Misleading Ads

I'm so glad the election is tomorrow and we will be getting rid of political ads on TV and radio. I'm sick of hearing them and am becoming more disillusioned (if that is possible) with politics because of them. Does anybody have any regard for the truth anymore?

For instance, this evening I saw a TV ad running against one of the incumbent State Board of Education members up for re-election this year. The ad accused this Board Member, Ms. Peters (R), of ignoring the corruption that was going on with-in the two year college system. Now, up until August 31 of this year, I worked in the Department of Postsecondary Education that was overseen by the SBE which was why you never read anything about the corruption here. I've had an inside look at what was happening and know for a fact that Ms. Peters was one of only two Board members willing to do anything about the corruption. The ad is blatant lie. Now, don't get me wrong, I am no fan of Ms. Peters. She is a follower and not a leader. If I were in her district I would vote against her in the primaries. But there is no reason to lie about her.

Another example is the ads that Joan Reynolds (R) are running against "Walking" Wendell Mitchell (D), the incumbent, for state senator. She has just embarked on a smear campaign accusing him of being pro-drunk driving, pro-domestic abuse, not living in the district he represents, raising taxes and failing to support our troops. However, every single accusation is false or not entirely true. For instance, Senator Mitchell did not vote for the resolution supporting troops because he wasn't there...he was at a dentist appointment when that vote reached the floor. He didn't vote to raise taxes, he voted to allow a proposed tax increase to be sent to the people for a vote. Because of Ms. Reynolds misleading ads, I am not voting for her. I don't care if that means I will vote for a Democrat. At least he has been honest and hasn't attacked her.

Anyway, these two instance where I have personal experience in knowing the real stories have shown me that you can't believe any ad. People can misconstrue facts and votes to benefit their agenda. The lengths to which politicians will go to obfuscate the truth is astounding. If a politician doesn't have enough character to tell the whole story...or has no ideas on which to run other than, "I'm not that guy"...then I don't want them representing me.

Old School Democrat Defends War on Terror

Orson Scott Card, noted sci-fi/fantasy author and an "old school" Democrat, has written what I would consider the most comprehensive short-essay on the current state of American foreign policy. His explanations and insights are a must read. I can find absolutely nothing wrong with his analysis. He clearly articulates the complexities and subtleties that so many people fail to grasp.

It is long...but worth the investment of your time to read.