K.O. Morgan Freelance Writer

So Palin wants us to believe she’s a Washington outsider, a cut above the “politics as usual.” But her recent attacks on Obama prove that this woman can get down and dirty with the best of ‘em.

First, she states that Obama isn’t like the rest of us, but she swears there are no racial implications in her words. Now, she wants to tie him to Bill Ayers, a former member of the Weather Underground Organization, a leftist terrorist group from the 1960s and 1970s who advocated overthrowing the U.S. Government.

Although Obama hardly knows Ayers, except for working together on the board of the not-for-profit Woods Fund of Chicago, we must first ask ourselves whether or not the former Weatherman did his time and paid his debt to society? In reality, he and his wife, former Weather Underground member, Bernadine Dohrn, surrendered to the FBI in 1980 after a decade on the lam, upon which the charges against them were dropped due to improper surveillance. Today, Bill Ayers is an education theorist, and is currently a Distinguished Professor at the the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Secondly, we must remember not to judge a person in the context of the times they lived. While most young people of that time were more involved in verbally advocating peace and smoking the peace pipe, this was the 1960s, we must remember, a time of rebellion and anguish, and Ayers was just a 20 something kid. It’s easy when you’re young and have time on your hands to be idealistic — radical even — at that age. But the man now is 63, and is trying to do good within the context of education and charitable fundraisers.

Let’s not forget that former state senator Tom Hayden was once a member of the SDS– that’s “Students for a Democratic Society” for those who weren’t born back then, or who were but were a part of mainstream America. The Weather Underground was a break-off of the SDS, a non-violent organization that was critical of the government and the Viet Nam War. Like all of us, over time and years, Hayden matured and realized that he could do more change and good by working “within the system,” then by being a part of a group on the fringes of society. He got involved in politics, and from 1992-2000, served as state senator of California. Today, he is a member of the advisory board for the Progressive Democrats of America.

It’s not that terrorism by any means should be taken lightly. It never should. But when people grow up and then do good in society, we must judge them by who they are today — not who they were when they were kids. Isn’t that what true Christianity is all about, Ms. Palin?

Maybe Sarah Palin’s problem is she’s never kicked up her heels and been a part of anything bigger than herself. More likely, however, it’s because she’s just as power-hungry as those so-called insiders that she’s hoping to replace.

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t want to bitch-slap this chick?

And do we really want a Vice President who winks, smirks and “aw-shucks” it with foreign leaders?

This woman severely lacks communications skills, doesn’t know the proper word to use, or when she does, uses those words improperly. She touts herself as an “outsider,” but we’ve been down this road before. George W. was also an outsider of Washington, and look where that’s gotten us: His cowboy policies have brought this country to its knees.

We need strong leadership in Washington, not more of the same. We need Obama’s vision to lead us out of these dark ages. And God forbid if the unspeakable and unthinkable happens, we need Biden’s skill and experience to take over the reins. What we don’t need is a gun-toting Hockey Mom in charge of our country if McCain’s health takes another nose dive — especially when that Mom self-admittedly acknowledges that we’ll just have to excuse her because, “hey you betcha’,” she’s not familiar with how things in Washington are run.

Last night’s Vice Presidential debate clearly showed us that Sarah Palin is way out of her league. She may be “just a wife and Mom” sitting ’round the kitchen table; but she doesn’t represent or understand the needs of those of us who wonder how we’re going to put food on that table … or even how we’re going to pay for the house that table sits in.

It’s your right not to vote — but it’s immoral! In the world today, there are hundreds of thousands of people literally dying for the right to vote.

One of the most difficult aspects of getting older is that your heroes start to die off. One minute, they’re the ones who are middle-age; the next, they’re old, and it’s you standing at the crossroads.

My big sister turned me on to Paul Newman back in 1969. We went to see “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” She was ga-ga over Robert Redford then, but I felt drawn to Paul Newman’s blue eyes and sensuous lips. I couldn’t get enough of Mr. Newman’s movies after that, back when I had all the time in the world to watch his flicks. My favorite is “The Long Hot Summer,” even though I’ve never been a Joanne Woodward fan.

Paul Newman was an Aquarius, and he embodied the very best of what that sign represents: humanitarian, champion for the underdog, a disdain for glitter and fakeness, and a willingness to buck the system to ensure fairness, accountability and justice. He was bluntly honest, like Aquarius is supposed to be, even if that meant hurting someone’s feelings. He was a protector of those who have no voice — children — and he was equally protective of his family’s privacy.

Somehow, Paul Newman represented the ordinary joe, even though he was much more than ordinary. In him, we found a voice for what we could not or would not say because we knew that he was brave enough to do so. He was a man of ideals unafraid of being idealistic, and unashamed of being liberal and outspoken. We admired his determination to throw off the shackles of Hollywood, and his refusal to be defined by his good looks. His outlook seemed to say that life was one adventure after another. He savored each new chapter, but then knew when to turn the page.

In the end, Paul Newman left us with some 65-plus great films, and some pretty good foods that bear his name. But perhaps his lasting legacy is that he made us want to be better, kinder and more courageous human beings.

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Our daughter spent Saturday night at a birthday slumber party, so Frank and I decided to take advantage of the evening and had a “date” by having dinner out.

We had a craving for seafood and decided to try the newly opened “Slightly Up The Creek” restaurant at 663 Deep Creek Road, off of Warwick Boulevard in Newport News. We had seen the restaurant before — starting when we first moved to the area when it was Herman’s Harbor House — but it has opened and closed under various names over the years.

The restaurant is located overlooking the James River Marina, so the view is beautiful no matter where you are seated. The prices on the menu are fantastic, with entrees ranging from around $9.99 upwards to about $20. Frank and I both ordered the Shrimp and Scallop Tortellini, with sauteed shrimp and scallops over tri-color cheese tortellini, dressed with a creamy cherry lobster sauce, and a side of garlic bread. Dinner began with a serving of corn bread — the softest and sweetest I’ve ever tasted — and several delectable hush puppies. Frank had a beer, and I ordered a Virgin Mary. It was the best I’ve had in years, with just the right amount of spiciness to make me forget that there was no vodka in the mix.

Stuffed to the gills, we left happy — and with leftovers. Servings were generous and so we enjoyed reheating the remainder of our tortellini the next morning for Sunday breakfast. The restaurant also has a kid menu, and a tempting dessert menu, so we’ll be sure to return another time with our daughter.

Slightly Up the Creek also offers full service catering. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 5 pm to 9 pm. Call 757.930.2722 for reservations.

http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise/this-your-nation-white-privilege

Yesterday, in a speech in Cedar Rapids where she erroneously called the city Grand Rapids, Sarah Palin labeled her ticket the “Palin/McCain” ticket, rather than the other way around.

Of course, she was telling the truth: many Republicans were not that excited by the choice of McCain as their presidential candidate — that is, until Palin was added to the ticket. McCain needs Palin perhaps more than she needs him.

She just didn’t need to be so obvious about it.