And in this corner...

And in this corner...

The great Democratic Party leader,  former U.S. Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill (D - MA), said "all politics is local".  A not so great resident of Violetville (me) said, "all politics is a laugh".   I don't actually mean all politics are funny.  There is nothing funny about war and peace, life and death, unemployment and the like.   What I mean is if you can't discuss politics without getting overheated, why bother?  You might as well sing to the choir.  (Who said that?)

I am writing this blog on all kinds of topics. I am almost positive that someone out there is not going to disagree with me.  All I ask is that if you choose to discuss an issue with me, let's try and keep it civil. I love a good debate.  I detest personal insults.  Of course that peace treaty does not extend to public officials.  They are in the rough and tumble political arena and some hard slams go with the territory, although I try not to make my criticism of them personal. 

Let me tell you a few things about me:

I live in Baltimore City (two long blocks inside the city line).  I was born in Philadelphia and raised in Catonsville. I enjoy Baltimore City politics the most.  I am not too in-tune with Baltimore County politics, but I try.  State politics are a necessity, but seem kind of dry to me most of the time.  I really enjoy discussing national politics. 

I wish I lived in Arbutus (in one of those houses near the Hollywood Movie Theatre), if Arbutus were in the city.  I think Arbutus is one of the best city neighborhoods that is not in the city.  Depending on where you live, you can walk anywhere. (Except now they are closing the Super Fresh, so maybe you do need to drive to one of the other super markets - bummer.)

I like living in Baltimore City.  I've always loved cities.  I wish Arbutus was in Baltimore City.  Hey, there is a good topic for a future blog!

I think President Obama is going down in history as one of the great presidents of all time, and he isn't even finished his first term yet.  (Much more on that to come.)

I will rarely say anything negative about the Kennedy clan, especially Ted Kennedy.  I once campaigned for Ted Kennedy in Arbutus when he ran for the Democratic Party nomination in 1980.  I was much braver (or dumber) than I thought, certainly I was much younger.

I am a Democrat, if you haven't guessed by now. I have never, ever, voted for a Republican.  My first presidential ballot was cast for Jimmy Carter in 1976.  I did not vote for President Carter in 1980.  I wrote the name of Ted Kennedy in for President and John Glenn in for Vice President.   While Teddy may have forgiven Carter for beating him, I never did.  (I am over it now, and I think Carter was a pretty good president.)

I voted for Pat Buchanan in 2000.  Pat was not a Republican at that time.  I liked Pat's stance on free trade (he was against this nation's insane trade policies, and so was/am I).  I was also mad at Al Gore for defending Bill Clinton during the impeachment episode.  (For the record, it was not the sexual affair that I found impeachable, it was the perjury and obstruction of justice.)

Since Ted Kennedy's passing, one of my favorite politicians is Dennis Kucinich.

I think the best Republican president we've had in my life time was George Bush.  Not that George Bush!  The father, George H. W. Bush.  I think his experience made him one of the most prepared presidents in history.  He even raised taxes when had to.  A real Profile in Courage.  Of course I didn't vote for him either time.  I didn't like him that much. 

I think the Tea Party folks are a hoot.  Keep it up folks, you are a laugh a minute. 

I think that is it for now.  

Ding!  Ding!  Round one!