agapetos

I know I already did an info entry on the Chicago Cubs earlier in Spring Training, but it’s a few days before Opening Day and most of the lineup has been solidified and so I figured I would refresh your memory.

Starting with the starting line-up:
1. SS: Ryan Theriot (R)
2. LF: Alfonso Soriano (R)
3. 1B: Derrek Lee (R)
4. 3B: Aramis Ramirez (R)
5. RF: Kosuke Fukudome (L)
6. 2B: Mark DeRosa (R)
7. C: Geovany Soto (R)
8. CF: Felix Pie (L)

Bench:

D.Ward (L)|R.Johnson (R)|R.Cedeno (R)|M.Fontenot (L)|H.Blanco (R)

And your starting rotation:
1. Carlos Zambrano (R)
2. Ted Lilly (L)
3. Ryan Dempster (R)
4. Rich Hill (L)
5. Jason Marquis (R)

Closer:
Kerry Wood (R)

Bullpen:

J.Lieber (R)|K.Hart (R)|M.Wuertz (R)|C.Marmol (R)|S.Eyre* (L)|B.Howry (R)

*Currently on the DL, Cubs will start the season with either:
or
C.Pignatiello (L)|S.Marshall (L)

and on a side note…
I feel bad for M.Murton… hope we find a good place for him to be traded to…

And now you know… GO CUBS!!!

a little old school….
“Christ the Lord is Risen Today” by Charles Wesley

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!

———————————————————

and a little new school….
“Arise My Love” by Newsong

Not a word was heard at the thomb that day
Just the shuffling of soldier feet as they guarded the grave
One day, two days, three days had past
Could it be that Jesus breathed his last?

Could it be that His Father had forsaken Him?
Turned His back on His Son dispising our sin
All hell seemed to whisper, “Just forget Him, He’s dead.”
Then the Father looked down to His Son and He said…

Arise, My Love! Arise, My Love!
The grave no longer has a hold on You
No more death’s sting, no more suffering
Arise… Arise… My Love

The earth trembled and the tomb began to shake,
And like lightening from Heaven the stone was rolled away
And as dead man the guards they all stood there in fright
As the power of love displayed its might

Then suddenly a melody filled the air
Riding wings of wind, it was everywhere
The words all creation had been longing to hear
The sweet sound of victory so loud and clear

Arise, My Love! Arise, My Love!
The grave no longer has a hold on You
No more death’s sting, no more suffering
Arise… Arise….

Sin, where are your shakles?
Death, where is your sting?
Hell… has been defeated
The grave could not hold the King

Arise, My Love! Arise, My Love!
The grave no longer has a hold on You
No more death’s sting, no more suffering
Arise… Arise… Arise!

[please don't mind the cheesy graphics... you can close your eyes and listen too...]

Thank You Jesus!

Just wondering if there could be anything going on in the background. The only reason I wonder this is because it was clear that the best dance crews on the show were Kaba Modern and JabbaWockeez. They both brought it each and every week with amazing choreography which featured crazy individual and group dancing (except Yuri’s one mess up). Status Quo is pretty good at what they do, but they’re pretty much good gymnists and some were good individual dancers. The only problem came when they would try and do choreography as a group, they have always always fallen short (MC Hammer, Michael Jackson and the History of Hip-Hop). They might be the best stunt artists, but they just aren’t the best dancers on the show and they certainly weren’t the best dancers. And so here’s why I ask if there’s a conspiracy theory. I’m pretty sure that MTV did not want a battle between two west-coast crews because that might have affected ratings on the east coast. In MTV’s voting rules it states (http://www.mtv.com/ontv/show/html/rules.jhtml?show=dance_crew):

If, for any reason, any aspect of this voting process is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical or system failures or disruption, ‘Acts of God’ or terrorist attacks, or any other causes beyond the control of MTVN which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the voting process or for any reason MTVN deems it necessary, MTVN reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend either or both the phoning in or text messaging voting process and reserves the right in its sole discretion to determine the winner(s).

If you read past all the nonsense before that last statement it reads: MTVN reserves the right in its sole discretion to determine the winner(s)!!!! What the freak is that all about??? Maybe I’m just being a conspiracy theorist gone nuts, but I was just seriously wondering this. If this was the case however, it’d be a sad day for a pretty great show. Just throwing it out there… think of it what you will. I’m pretty sure it didn’t, but maybe it did. Either way, GO JABBAWOCKEEZ!!!!

I was at the taping of tonight’s episode — which actually took place Tuesday night in Culver City…. When Status Quo was announced as the No.1 vote-getter from viewers and were safe from elimination, my jaw hit the floor. Are you kidding me? That loud eruption of cheers that you heard on the show tonight? Didn’t happen. When the announcement was made, there was light applause. People around us were confused and shocked. There was booing. Of course, that was noticeably absent on the show.

And if the follow is the case… really? MTV wouldn’t show it? why?

…after Kaba was eliminated, the audience kept chanting “Let Kaba Dance!” so much that they were brought back to perform what would have been their dream routine if they had made it … alas, MTV didn’t air it at all Thursday night.

I’m done. I just thought I’d get my two cents out there. Theories are kinda fun. I’m hoping MTV didn’t rig it and status quo just happened to get the entire eastern seaboard to vote for them, but who knows right?

Update: What was probably gonna be Kaba’s encore dance can be seen (for now)  – http://agapetos.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/kaba-modern-encore-dance/

Wow. I never thought I’d ever witness something like this before in my life. I totally agree with the announcers, I always figured the girl would say yes and then afterwards break the news to him that she wasn’t ready. Props to him for having the balls to do this, but guys, this is probably why you want to do a little bit of research on whether or not she’ll say yes before you pop the question. I do feel pretty bad for both of them though. First, I feel awful for the guy because that’s probably the one of the biggest embarrassments that could happen and I’m sure he went through a ton of trouble to get this to happen. Secondly, it could be easy to view the girl as the bad character, but it must have been horrible for her to have to do this to someone I’m sure she cares about. And now the question is…. so what happened to them afterward? I haven’t heard of many rejected marriage proposals, but it always seems (esp on TV) like they break up after. The only thing I wonder is that things must have been going well for him to do this, do they let something like this break them up?

Let’s take a vote, do you think they broke up after this or they worked through it and are now currently back on the track to getting married?

(I also just want to apologize because even though I’m not the on who posted the clip, I’m sure I’m just making things worse by spreading it. Sorry man!)

Palm Sunday
Christ enters Jerusalem: Mat 21:1-11; Mar 11:1-10; Luk 19:28-44; Jhn 12:12-19

Monday
The second cleansing of the temple: Mat 21:12-17; Mar 11:15-18; Luk 19:45-48

Tuesday
The barren fig tree: Mat 21:18-22; Mar 11:11-14, 19-23
The questioning of the chief priests: Mat 21:23-27; Mar 11:27-33; Luk 20:1-8
Parable of the two sons: Mat 21:28-32
Parable of the wicked husbandmen: Mat 21:33-46; Mar 12:1-12; Luk 20:9-18
The tribute money: Mat 22:15-22; Mar 12:13-17; Luk 20:20-26
The Sadducees confuted: Mat 22:23-33; Mar 12:18-27; Luk 20:27-40
The great commandment: Mat 22:34-40; Mar 12:28-34
David’s Son and David’s Lord: Mat 22:41-46; Mar 12:35-37; Luk 20:41-44
The hypocrisy and ambition of the Pharisees: Mat 23:1-39; Mar 12:38-40; Luk 20:45-47
The widow’s mite: Mar 12:41-44; Luk 21:1-4
Christ’s second coming foretold: Mat 24:1-51; Mar 13:1-37; Luk 21:5-36
Parable of the ten virgins: Mat 25:1-13
The last judgment: Mat 25:31-46
Greeks visit Jesus. Voice from heaven: Jhn 12:20-36
The judgment of unbelief: Jhn 12:37-50
Last passover. Conspiracy of Jews: Mat 26:1-5; Mar 14:1, 2; Luk 22:1, 2
Judas Iscariot: Mat 26:14-16; Mar 14:10, 11; Luk 22:3-6

Maundy Thursday
Paschal supper: Mat 26:17-30; Mar 14:12-26; Luk 22:7-23; Jhn 13:1-35
Contention of the apostles: Luk 22:24-30
Peter’s fall foretold: Mat 26:31-35; Mar 14:27-31; Luk 22:31-39; Jhn 13:36-38
Last discourse. The departure. The Comforter: Jhn 14:1-31
The vine and the branches. Abiding in love: Jhn 15:1-27
Work of the Comforter in the disciples: Jhn 16:1-33
The prayer of Christ for them: Jhn 17:1-26
Gethsemane: Mat 26:36-46; Mar 14:32-42; Luk 22:40-46; Jhn 18:1

Good Friday
The betrayal: Mat 26:47-56; Mar 14:43-52; Luk 22:47-53; Jhn 18:2-11
Christ before Annas and Caiaphas. Peter’s denial: Mat 26:57, 58, 69-75; Mar 14:53, 54, 66-72; Luk 22:54-65; Jhn 18:12-27
Christ before the sanhedrin: Mat 26:59-68; Mar 14:55-65; Luk 22:66-71
Christ before Pilate: Mat 27:1, 2, 11-14; Mar 15:1-5; Luk 23:1-6; Jhn 18:12-28
The traitor’s death: Mat 27:3-10
Christ before Herod: Luk 23:7-12
Accusation and condemnation: Mat 27:15-26; Mar 15:6-15; Luk 23:13-25; Jhn 18:29; 19:16
Treatment by the soldiers: Mat 27:27-31; Mar 15:16-20; Luk 23:36,37; Jhn 19:1-3
The crucifixion: Mat 27:32-38; Mar 15:21-28; Luk 23:26-34; Jhn 19:17-24
The mother of Jesus at the cross: Jhn 19:25-27
Mockings and railings: Mat 27:39-44; Mar 15:29-32; Luk 23:35-39
The penitent malefactor: Luk 23:40-43
The death of Christ: Mat 27:50; Mar 15:37; Luk 23:46; 19:28-30
Darkness and other portents: Mat 27:45-53; Mar 15:33-38; Luk 23:44, 45
The bystanders: Mat 27:54-56; Mar 15:39-41; Luk 23:47-49
The side pierced: Jhn 19:31-37
The burial: Mat 27:57-61; Mar 15:42-47; Luk 23:50-56; Jhn 19:38-42
The guard of the sepulchre: Mat 27:62-66; 28:11-15

Resurrection Sunday
The resurrection: Mat 28:1-10; Mar 16:1-11; Luk 24:1-12; Jhn 20:1-18

All of you have been waiting for Pinkberry to finally make it into Chicago. There was that one tribune article like a year ago stating that there was supposed to be a Pinkberry and Red Mango opening up soon. Well that soon never came. However, I can say that there is a Pinkberry completeknock-off now open in Chicago! Berry Chill (yes that name is unbelievably corny) had it’s grand opening today and so I of course was obligated to stop by and try it. It was actually pretty good, even if it was a complete rip of Pinkberry.

Yes I did take these with my camera phone. Don’t judge me.. haha… But yeah the only problem I ran into was the fact that they ran out of mochi! If it was Korean owned, that NEVER would’ve happened. haha j/p~ I do think it’s a bit on the expensive side. I got a medium regular with 3 toppings and it came out to like $6.50ish. If you’re looking for a frozen yogurt place though, until Pinkberry or Red Mango comes to town, this is gonna be all you get. Take it or leave it. I think I’ll take it for now.

Last of the series. I was contemplating putting one up for Ralph Nader, but decided that this would do considering the actual presidental elections are still months away. But here we go, I hope that it’s been at least a little bit educational. I know that I hardly really know many of the stances that the candidates have on a lot of the issues. I tend to just concentrate on the ones that I’m really strong about, but I realized that I should have a more broad knowledge base on the person that I’m going to be putting my vote in for. So here we go, once again a summary from ontheissues.org.

Barack Obama
VoteMatch Q & A	Based on these stances:
Strongly Favors: Abortion is a woman’s right (Topic 1)	Expand access to contraception; reduce unintended pregnancy: Favors topic 1 Rated 100% by NARAL on pro-choice votes in 2005, 2006 & 2007: Strongly Favors topic 1 Voted against banning partial birth abortion: Favors topic 1 Stem cells hold promise to cure 70 major diseases: Favors topic 1 Trust women to make own decisions on partial-birth abortion: Strongly Favors topic 1 Extend presumption of good faith to abortion protesters: Favors topic 1 Pass the Stem Cell Research Bill: Favors topic 1 Protect a woman’s right to choose: Strongly Favors topic 1 Supports Roe v. Wade: Strongly Favors topic 1 Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance: Strongly Favors topic 1 YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives: Favors topic 1 NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions: Favors topic 1 YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Favors topic 1
Strongly Favors: Require hiring more women & minorities (Topic 2)	Racial equality good for America as a whole: Favors topic 2 Fight job discrimination to give women equal footing at jobs: Strongly Favors topic 2 Include class-based affirmative action with race-based: Favors topic 2 Better enforce women’s pay equity via Equal Pay Act: Strongly Favors topic 2 Supports affirmative action in colleges and government: Strongly Favors topic 2 America’s race and class problems are intertwined: Favors topic 2 Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Favors topic 2
Favors: Same-sex domestic partnership benefits (Topic 3)	Decisions about marriage should be left to the states: Opposes topic 3 Homosexuality no more immoral than heterosexuality: Favors topic 3 We need strong civil unions, not just weak civil unions: Favors topic 3 Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality: Favors topic 3 Marriage not a human right; non-discrimination is: Favors topic 3 Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws: Favors topic 3 Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance: Strongly Favors topic 3 NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3
Opposes: Teacher-led prayer in public schools (Topic 4)	Listening to evangelicals bridges major political fault line: Favors topic 4 Religious concerns ok, if translated into universal values: Opposes topic 4 Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation: Strongly Opposes topic 4 NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration: Opposes topic 4
Opposes: Death Penalty (Topic 8 )	Pushed Illinois bill to videotape all capital interrogations: Opposes topic 8 Some heinous crimes justify the ultimate punishment: Favors topic 8 Videotape all capital punishment interrogations: Opposes topic 8 Battles legislatively against the death penalty: Strongly Opposes topic 8
Opposes: Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws (Topic 9)	Reduce recidivism by providing ex-offender supports: Opposes topic 9 No extra penalty for gang association: Opposes topic 9 Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation: Strongly Opposes topic 9 Rated 75% by the NCJA, indicating a mixed record on criminal justice: Neutral on topic 9 YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program: Opposes topic 9
Strongly Opposes: Absolute right to gun ownership (Topic 1)	Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok: Opposes topic 10 Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing: Opposes topic 10 2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Keep guns out of inner cities–but also problem of morality: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions: Strongly Opposes topic 10 NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Favors: More federal funding for health coverage (Topic 5)	Added 20,000 children to Illinois healthcare: Strongly Favors topic 5 Increase competition in the insurance and drug markets: Opposes topic 5 National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage: Opposes topic 5 National insurance pool & catastrophic insurance: Strongly Favors topic 5 The market alone can’t solve our health-care woes: Favors topic 5 Crises happen in our lives and healthcare is necessary: Strongly Favors topic 5 Believes health care is a right, not a privilege for the few: Favors topic 5 Will expand health coverage & allow meds to be re-imported: Favors topic 5 Ensure access to basic care: Favors topic 5 YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics: Favors topic 5 YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug: Strongly Favors topic 5 YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D: Favors topic 5 YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D: Favors topic 5
Strongly Opposes: Privatize Social Security (Topic 6)	Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Privatization puts retirement at whim of stock market: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security: Strongly Opposes topic 6 No privatization; but consider earning cap over $97,500: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Stock market risk is ok, but not for Social Security: Strongly Opposes topic 6 $2000 tax credit for Working Families Savings Accounts: Opposes topic 6 NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security: Opposes topic 6
“No opinion on”: Parents choose schools via vouchers (Topic 7)	Supports charter schools; it’s important to experiment: Favors topic 7 Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education: Opposes topic 7 Supports charter schools and private investment in schools: Favors topic 7 YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies: Opposes topic 7
Strongly Favors: Replace coal & oil with alternatives (Topic 18)	Reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050: Strongly Favors topic 18 Aggressively address accelerating climate change: Strongly Favors topic 18 3-way win: economy, environment, & stop funding terror: Strongly Favors topic 18 Cap-and-trade is more specific on reducing greenhouse gases: Strongly Favors topic 18 Sponsored legislations that improve energy efficiency: Favors topic 18 20% renewable energy by 2020: Strongly Favors topic 18 Invest in alternative energy sources: Favors topic 18 Increase CAFE to 40 mpg: Strongly Favors topic 18 Renewable Fuels Standard: require ethanol in fuel supply: Strongly Favors topic 18 Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence: Favors topic 18 YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%): Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska’s ANWR: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Favors topic 18 YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning: Favors topic 18 YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 18
Opposes: Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it (Topic 19)	Look at needle exchange; and expand treatment: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Fight to rid our communities of meth: Favors topic 19 Expand drug courts; help prisoners with substance abuse: Strongly Opposes topic 19 2001: questions harsh penalties for drug dealing: Opposes topic 19 Not first candidate to use drugs, but first honest about it: Opposes topic 19 Smokes cigarettes now; smoked some pot in high school: Favors topic 19 Admitted marijuana use in high school & college: Favors topic 19 Deal with street-level drug dealing as minimum-wage affair: Opposes topic 19
Favors: Allow churches to provide welfare services (Topic 20)	Reach out to faith community;faith has role in public square: Favors topic 20 Engages people of faith on all aspects of his public service: Favors topic 20 Black churches minister to social needs out of necessity: Favors topic 20
Strongly Favors: Repeal tax cuts on wealthy (Topic 11)	Trillion dollar giveaway: the Paris Hilton Tax Break: Strongly Favors topic 11 Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class: Strongly Favors topic 11 Tax cuts for the rich do not create jobs: Favors topic 11 Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11 YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut: Favors topic 11 NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax: Strongly Favors topic 11
Favors: Illegal immigrants earn citizenship (Topic 12)	Support granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants: Favors topic 12 Reform must include more border security, and border wall: Opposes topic 12 Pathway to citizenship, but people have to earn it: Favors topic 12 Give immigrants who are here a rigorous path to citizenship: Favors topic 12 Extend welfare and Medicaid to immigrants: Favors topic 12 Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on establishing a Guest Worker program: Favors topic 12 YES on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Opposes topic 12 NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on comprehensive immigration reform: Strongly Favors topic 12
Opposes: Support & expand free trade (Topic 13)	Stand firm against CAFTA for labor & environmental standards: Strongly Opposes topic 13 People don’t want cheaper T-shirts if it costs their job: Opposes topic 13 Amend NAFTA to add labor agreements: Opposes topic 13 Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US: Strongly Opposes topic 13 Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore: Opposes topic 13 NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade: Strongly Opposes topic 13 YES on free trade agreement with Oman: Strongly Favors topic 13
Favors: Expand the armed forces (Topic 15)	Grow size of military to maintain rotation schedules: Favors topic 15 Give our soldiers the best equipment and training available: Favors topic 15 YES on limiting soldiers’ deployment to 12 months: Opposes topic 15
Strongly Favors: Stricter limits on political campaign funds (Topic 16)	Ended corporate jet travel subsidized by lobbyists: Favors topic 16 No lobbyist money; no PAC money; fund campaigns instead: Strongly Favors topic 16 Reduced cost TV ads for candidates; $85M presidential limit: Strongly Favors topic 16 Public campaign financing with free television & radio time: Strongly Favors topic 16 No “bundled” money from federal-registered lobbyists: Favors topic 16 People know his “bundlers” because he pushed disclosure law: Favors topic 16 First bill ever passed was campaign finance reform: Strongly Favors topic 16 Lobbyist influence comes from access, not money: Favors topic 16 YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity: Favors topic 16 NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress: Strongly Favors topic 16
Strongly Favors: The Patriot Act harms civil liberties (Topic 14)	No torture; defiance of FISA; no military commissions: Strongly Favors topic 14 The politics of fear undermines basic civil liberties: Strongly Favors topic 14 America cannot sanction torture; no loopholes or exceptions: Strongly Favors topic 14 Close Guantanamo and restore the right of habeas corpus: Strongly Favors topic 14 NO on extending the PATRIOT Act’s wiretap provision: Strongly Favors topic 14 YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act: Opposes topic 14 YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees: Strongly Favors topic 14 YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods: Strongly Favors topic 14 NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad: Strongly Favors topic 14
Favors: US out of Iraq (Topic 17)	US policy should promote democracy and human rights: Favors topic 17 War in Iraq is “dumb” but troops still need equipment: Strongly Favors topic 17 We are playing to Osama’s plan for winning a war from a cave: Strongly Favors topic 17 NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007: Strongly Opposes topic 17 YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008: Strongly Favors topic 17

Barack Obama is a Hard-Core Liberal.
(but a little more conservative and populist than Hillary)

Here we go. A continuation of the “Get to know” series moves along with one of the two potential democratic nominee’s, Hillary Clinton. Once again, a summary from ontheissues.org.

Hillary Clinton
VoteMatch Q & A	Based on these stances:
Strongly Favors: Abortion is a woman’s right (Topic 1)	Lift ban on stem cell research to cure devastating diseases: Favors topic 1 Respect Roe v. Wade, but make adoptions easier too: Favors topic 1 Alternatives to pro-choice like forced pregnancy in Romania: Strongly Favors topic 1 Must safeguard constitutional rights, including choice: Favors topic 1 Remain vigilant on a woman�s right to chose: Favors topic 1 Keep abortion safe, legal and rare: Favors topic 1 Being pro-choice is not being pro-abortion: Favors topic 1 Supports parental notice & family planning: Opposes topic 1 Voted liberal line on partial birth & harm to fetus: Favors topic 1 Recommended by EMILY’s List of pro-choice women: Favors topic 1 Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record: Strongly Favors topic 1 Expand embryonic stem cell research: Favors topic 1 Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance: Strongly Favors topic 1 Provide emergency contraception at military facilities: Favors topic 1 NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life: Strongly Favors topic 1 NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime: Favors topic 1 YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives: Favors topic 1 NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions: Favors topic 1 YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Favors topic 1
Favors: Require hiring more women & minorities (Topic 2)	Equal pay is not yet equal: Strongly Favors topic 2 We’ve come a long way on race, but we have a long way to go: Strongly Favors topic 2 1988: Instituted gender diversity Report Card within ABA: Strongly Opposes topic 2 Argued with Bill Clinton about diluting affirmative action: Strongly Favors topic 2 Apologize for slavery, but concentrate on civil rights now: Favors topic 2 Human rights are women�s rights: Neutral on topic 2 Women�s rights are human rights: Favors topic 2 Rated 96% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Favors topic 2
Strongly Favors: Same-sex domestic partnership benefits (Topic 3)	Increase America’s commitment against Global AIDS: Favors topic 3 Federal Marriage Amendment would be terrible step backwards: Favors topic 3 Gays deserve domestic partnership benefits: Strongly Favors topic 3 Military service based on conduct, not sexual orientation: Favors topic 3 More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3 Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance: Strongly Favors topic 3 YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3 NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3
Opposes: Teacher-led prayer in public schools (Topic 4)	Allow student prayer, but no religious instruction: Opposes topic 4 Character education: teach empathy & self-discipline: Favors topic 4 Change what kids see in the media: Favors topic 4 Rated 0% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 4 Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation: Strongly Opposes topic 4 NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration: Opposes topic 4
Opposes: Death Penalty (Topic 8 )	Require DNA testing for all federal executions: Opposes topic 8
Opposes: Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws (Topic 9)	Address the unacceptable increase in incarceration: Opposes topic 9 Mandatory sentences have been too widely used: Strongly Opposes topic 9 Give kids after-school activities to prevent gangs: Opposes topic 9 Spend more time with kids to prevent violence: Opposes topic 9 Supports citizen patrols & 3-Strikes-You’re-Out: Favors topic 9 Supports �Three Strikes� and more prison: Strongly Favors topic 9 End hate crimes and other intolerance: Favors topic 9 Rated 75% by the NCJA, indicating a mixed record on criminal justice: Neutral on topic 9 YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program: Opposes topic 9
Strongly Opposes: Absolute right to gun ownership (Topic 10)	Against illegal guns, crack down on illegal gun dealers: Opposes topic 10 Get assault weapons & guns off the street: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Background check system could prevent Virginia Tech massacre: Opposes topic 10 Congress’ failure at Littleton response inspired Senate run: Opposes topic 10 Limit access to weapons; look for early warning signs: Opposes topic 10 License and register all handgun sales: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Gun control protects our children: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Don�t water down sensible gun control legislation: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Lock up guns; store ammo separately: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Get weapons off the streets; zero tolerance for weapons: Opposes topic 10 NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence: Strongly Opposes topic 10 NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Favors: More federal funding for health coverage (Topic 5)	Outcry if AIDS were leading disease of young whites: Favors topic 5 Supply more medical needs of families, & insure all children: Strongly Favors topic 5 Medicare should be strengthened today: Favors topic 5 Smaller steps to progress on health care: Favors topic 5 Guaranteed benefits & focus on prevention: Neutral on topic 5 We need a uniquely American solution to health care: Favors topic 5 Health care initiatives are her first priority in Senate: Strongly Favors topic 5 Invest funds to alleviate the nursing shortage: Favors topic 5 Let states make bulk Rx purchases, and other innovations: Opposes topic 5 Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record: Strongly Favors topic 5 NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit: Favors topic 5 NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit: Opposes topic 5 YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics: Favors topic 5 YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug: Strongly Favors topic 5 YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D: Favors topic 5 NO on limiting medical liability lawsuits to $250,000: Opposes topic 5 YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D: Favors topic 5
Strongly Opposes: Privatize Social Security (Topic 6)	Soc.Sec. one of greatest inventions in American democracy: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Social Security protects families, not just retirees: Strongly Opposes topic 6 All should join the debate now to preserve future solvency: Opposes topic 6 Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 6 NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security: Opposes topic 6
Strongly Opposes: Parents choose schools via vouchers (Topic 7)	Supports public school choice; but not private nor parochial: Opposes topic 7 Fight with Gore for public schools; no voucher �gimmicks�: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Charter schools provide choice within public system: Opposes topic 7 Vouchers siphon off much-needed resources: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Parents can choose, but support public schools: Opposes topic 7 Supports public school choice and charter schools: Favors topic 7 Solemn vow never to abandon our public schools: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Rated 82% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes: Strongly Opposes topic 7 YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors: Opposes topic 7 YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors: Opposes topic 7 YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies: Opposes topic 7
Strongly Favors: Replace coal & oil with alternatives (Topic 18)	Remove energy dependence on countries who would harm us: Strongly Favors topic 18 Supports oil reserve release & fund conservation: Favors topic 18 Stands for clean air and funding the EPA: Favors topic 18 Reduce air pollution to improve children�s health: Favors topic 18 Ratify Kyoto; more mass transit: Strongly Favors topic 18 Rated 89% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes: Strongly Favors topic 18 Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy: Strongly Favors topic 18 Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence: Favors topic 18 NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill: Favors topic 18 YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%): Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska’s ANWR: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Favors topic 18 YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning: Favors topic 18 YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 18
Strongly Opposes: Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it (Topic 19)	Divert non-violent drug offenders away from prison: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Address drug problem with treatment and special drug courts: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Favors: Allow churches to provide welfare services (Topic 20)	Partner with faith based community in empowerment zones: Strongly Favors topic 20 Tap into churches to avoid more Louima & Diallo cases: Favors topic 20 Community involvement helps, but only in short term: Favors topic 20 Link payments to good parenting behavior: Opposes topic 20
Strongly Favors: Repeal tax cuts on wealthy (Topic 11)	End Bush tax cuts;take things away from rich for common good: Strongly Favors topic 11 Pay down debt & cut taxes within balanced budget: Favors topic 11 Just Say No to GOP tax plan: Strongly Favors topic 11 GOP tax plan would hurt New York�s students: Favors topic 11 Rated 21% by NTU, indicating a “Big Spender” on tax votes: Strongly Favors topic 11 Rated 80% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation: Strongly Favors topic 11 YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates: Favors topic 11 YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction: Favors topic 11 NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years: Strongly Favors topic 11 YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends: Strongly Opposes topic 11 YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut: Favors topic 11 YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Opposes topic 11 NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax: Strongly Favors topic 11
Favors: Illegal immigrants earn citizenship (Topic 12)	Oppose granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants: Opposes topic 12 More border patrolling on both Mexican AND Canadian borders: Opposes topic 12 Sanctuary cities ok; local police can’t enforce immigration: Favors topic 12 Comprehensive reform to get 12 million out of shadows: Strongly Favors topic 12 Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on establishing a Guest Worker program: Favors topic 12 YES on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Opposes topic 12 YES on eliminating the “Y” nonimmigrant guestworker program: Neutral topic 12 NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on comprehensive immigration reform: Strongly Favors topic 12
Opposes: Support & expand free trade (Topic 13)	Smart, pro-American trade: NAFTA has hurt workers: Strongly Opposes topic 13 No fast-track authority for this president: Opposes topic 13 Defended outsourcing of US jobs to India: Favors topic 13 Globalization should not substitute for humanization: Opposes topic 13 Supports MFN for China, despite concerns over human rights: Strongly Favors topic 13 Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 13 YES on removing common goods from national security export rules: Favors topic 13 YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam: Favors topic 13 NO on extending free trade to Andean nations: Strongly Opposes topic 13 YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore: Favors topic 13 YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile: Favors topic 13 NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade: Strongly Opposes topic 13 YES on free trade agreement with Oman: Strongly Favors topic 13
Opposes: Expand the armed forces (Topic 15)	There is no safe haven for the terrorists: Favors topic 15 Rated 100% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 15 YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding: Opposes topic 15 YES on limiting soldiers’ deployment to 12 months: Opposes topic 15
Strongly Favors: Stricter limits on political campaign funds (Topic 16)	Stand for public financing and getting money out of politics: Strongly Favors topic 16 Presidents should reveal donations to their foundations: Strongly Favors topic 16 Move to public election financing, not banning lobbyists: Strongly Favors topic 16 Verified paper ballot for every electronic voting machines: Favors topic 16 Called for ban on all soft money in 2000 campaign: Favors topic 16 YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations: Favors topic 16 YES on banning “soft money” contributions and restricting issue ads: Favors topic 16 NO on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity: Opposes topic 16 NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress: Strongly Favors topic 16
Strongly Favors: The Patriot Act harms civil liberties (Topic 14)	Torture cannot be American policy, period: Strongly Favors topic 14 Administration secrecy shreds the Constitution: Strongly Favors topic 14 NO on extending the PATRIOT Act’s wiretap provision: Strongly Favors topic 14 YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act: Opposes topic 14 YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees: Strongly Favors topic 14 YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods: Strongly Favors topic 14 NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad: Strongly Favors topic 14
Strongly Favors: US out of Iraq (Topic 17)	Smartest strategic choice is peace: Favors topic 17 Extend peace treaties to Palestinians, Syrians & Lebanese: Favors topic 17 Foreign aid spending is only 1%; lead by remaining engaged: Strongly Favors topic 17 Demand Bush to explain to Congress on his plan on Iraq: Favors topic 17 Deauthorize Iraq war, and don’t grant new war authority: Strongly Favors topic 17 Phased redeployment out of Iraq, beginning immediately: Strongly Favors topic 17 Withdraw troops within 60 days after taking office: Strongly Favors topic 17 Voted for Iraq war based on available info; now would not: Favors topic 17 NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007: Strongly Opposes topic 17 YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008: Strongly Favors topic 17

Hillary Clinton is a Hard-Core Liberal.
(but a little more liberal and libertarian than Barack)

I’ll be highlighting the 3 people currently still battling it out for the 2008 Presidential election over the next couple days. I’m gonna start with John McCain considering he’s already wrapped up the Republican nominee and I’ll then highlight Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama as they still campaign for the Democratic nomination. I just found it easier to show you a quick summary of their stances found on ontheissues.org. So here you go, just a quick lesson on Senator John McCain.

John McCain
VoteMatch Q & A	Based on these stances:
Opposes: Abortion is a woman’s right (Topic 1)	GovWatch: 1999: Don’t force women to have illegal operations: Favors topic 1 Concerned if women undergo illegal dangerous operations: Favors topic 1 Prosecute abortion doctors, not women who get them: Opposes topic 1 Overturn Roe v. Wade, but keep incest & rape exceptions: Opposes topic 1 Wants Roe vs. Wade made irrelevant, but would not repeal it: Favors topic 1 Opposes partial-birth abortions & public financing: Opposes topic 1 Supports repealing Roe v. Wade: Strongly Opposes topic 1 Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 1 Expand embryonic stem cell research: Favors topic 1 Rated 75% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion: Neutral on topic 1 YES on banning partial birth abortions: Strongly Opposes topic 1 YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions: Opposes topic 1 YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life: Strongly Opposes topic 1 YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime: Opposes topic 1 NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives: Opposes topic 1 YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions: Opposes topic 1 YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Favors topic 1 YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions: Opposes topic 1
Favors: Require hiring more women & minorities (Topic 2)	Inter-racial dating ban is idiotic and cruel: Favors topic 2 Affirmative action OK for specific programs, but no quotas: Favors topic 2 Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Opposes topic 2 YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds: Strongly Opposes topic 2 NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business: Strongly Favors topic 2 NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training: Favors topic 2 YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women: Favors topic 2
Favors: Same-sex domestic partnership benefits (Topic 3)	Leave gay marriage to the states: Favors topic 3 Accepts gays in military under current policy: Favors topic 3 Would be �comfortable� with a gay president: Favors topic 3 1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups: Neutral on topic 3 Ban on same-sex marriage is unRepublican; leave it to states: Strongly Favors topic 3 Keep �Don�t ask, don�t tell� policy – it works: Favors topic 3 Rated 33% by the HRC, indicating a mixed record on gay rights: Neutral on topic 3 YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage: Strongly Opposes topic 3 NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation: Strongly Opposes topic 3 NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation: Opposes topic 3 NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes: Strongly Opposes topic 3 NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3
Favors: Teacher-led prayer in public schools (Topic 4)	Support evangelism but don�t pander to evangelical leaders: Opposes topic 4 Faith bridges unbridgeable gaps in humanity: Neutral on topic 4 Ten Commandments would bring virtue to our schools: Strongly Favors topic 4 Allow, but not mandate, school prayer: Favors topic 4 Supports anti-flag desecration amendment: Favors topic 4 Rated 83% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record: Strongly Favors topic 4 Rated 33% by the AU, a mixed record on church-state separation: Neutral on topic 4 YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer: Favors topic 4 YES on $75M for abstinence education: Strongly Favors topic 4 YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors: Opposes topic 4 YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools: Favors topic 4 YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration: Favors topic 4
Strongly Favors: Death Penalty (Topic 8 )	Pro-death penalty; more prisons; increased penalties: Strongly Favors topic 8 YES on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals: Favors topic 8 YES on limiting death penalty appeals: Favors topic 8
Strongly Favors: Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws (Topic 9)	More death penalty; stricter sentencing: Favors topic 9 Rated 29% by CURE, indicating anti-rehabilitation crime votes: Strongly Favors topic 9 Rated 85% by the NCJA, indicating a “tough-on-crime” stance: Strongly Favors topic 9 YES on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms: Strongly Favors topic 9 YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations: Favors topic 9
Strongly Favors: Absolute right to gun ownership (Topic 10)	Prosecute criminals, not citizens for gun ownership: Strongly Favors topic 10 Don’t hold gun manufacturers liable for crimes: Favors topic 10 Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types: Strongly Favors topic 10 Ban cheap guns; require safety locks; for gun show checks: Opposes topic 10 Voted against Brady Bill & assault weapon ban: Strongly Favors topic 10 Punish criminals who abuse 2nd Amendment rights: Favors topic 10 Repeal existing gun restrictions; penalize criminal use: Strongly Favors topic 10 YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks: Strongly Favors topic 10 YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows: Favors topic 10 NO on background checks at gun shows: Strongly Favors topic 10 YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence: Strongly Favors topic 10 YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers: Strongly Favors topic 10
Favors: More federal funding for health coverage (Topic 5)	Harness market competition for comprehensive reform: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Include a health savings account in healthcare reform: Opposes topic 5 Matching funds for seniors citizens� prescription drugs: Favors topic 5 Expand health insurance to 11 million uninsured children: Strongly Favors topic 5 Allow paying extra for choice of doctors & care: Favors topic 5 More tax-deductible health costs; limits on malpractice: Favors topic 5 Tax credits for those without employee health insurance: Strongly Favors topic 5 $350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors: Favors topic 5 Rated 25% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 5 NO on blocking medical savings acounts: Opposes topic 5 NO on Medicare means-testing: Favors topic 5 YES on limiting self-employment health deduction: Opposes topic 5 NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare: Opposes topic 5 YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit: Opposes topic 5 NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit: Opposes topic 5 YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics: Favors topic 5 YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug: Strongly Favors topic 5 NO on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D: Opposes topic 5
Strongly Favors: Privatize Social Security (Topic 6)	Looming challenges of entitlements need personal accounts: Strongly Favors topic 6 We need personal savings accounts: Strongly Favors topic 6 More believe in Elvis than in getting Social Security check: Favors topic 6 Option to invest 20% of payroll taxes in private accounts: Strongly Favors topic 6 Allow workers to invest privately: Strongly Favors topic 6 Rated 40% by the ARA, indicating a mixed record on senior issues: Neutral on topic 6 Supports individual savings accounts and work incentives: Favors topic 6 YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes: Favors topic 6 YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees: Favors topic 6 YES on allowing personal retirement accounts: Favors topic 6 YES on using the Social Security Surplus to fund tax reductions: Favors topic 6
Strongly Favors: Parents choose schools via vouchers (Topic 7)	Place parents & children at the center of education: Strongly Favors topic 7 We need more choice and competition in education: Strongly Favors topic 7 Charters, homeschooling, & vouchers are key to success: Strongly Favors topic 7 Vouchers & charters will improve our school system: Strongly Favors topic 7 Nationwide test of school vouchers: Strongly Favors topic 7 $5B program for 3-year test of school vouchers: Strongly Favors topic 7 Vouchers for any schools; more charter schools: Strongly Favors topic 7 Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable: Favors topic 7 Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education: Neutral on topic 7 YES on school vouchers in DC: Strongly Favors topic 7 YES on education savings accounts: Favors topic 7 YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules: Strongly Favors topic 7 NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors: Favors topic 7 NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors: Favors topic 7 NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies: Favors topic 7
Favors: Replace coal & oil with alternatives (Topic 18)	Climate change is real and must be addressed: Favors topic 18 Strength Clean Air & Water Acts; but not Kyoto: Strongly Opposes topic 18 Ethanol bad for environment & bad for consumers: Opposes topic 18 Supports alternative fuels, emission controls, & CWA: Favors topic 18 Make EPA into a Cabinet department: Strongly Favors topic 18 Rated 53% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment: Neutral on topic 18 Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence: Opposes topic 18 Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases: Strongly Favors topic 18 NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline: Favors topic 18 NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests: Opposes topic 18 YES on defunding renewable and solar energy: Strongly Opposes topic 18 YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling: Opposes topic 18 NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill: Favors topic 18 NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%): Strongly Opposes topic 18 YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska’s ANWR: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Favors topic 18
Strongly Favors: Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it (Topic 19)	Administration is AWOL on the war on drugs: Strongly Favors topic 19 We�re losing drug war – just say no: Strongly Favors topic 19 $1B for detection equipment for more border interdiction: Strongly Favors topic 19 Stricter penalties; stricter enforcement: Strongly Favors topic 19 YES on spending international development funds on drug control: Strongly Favors topic 19 YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations: Favors topic 19
Strongly Favors: Allow churches to provide welfare services (Topic 20)	Supports block grants, welfare-to-work, state control: Favors topic 20 Anti-poverty shared by gov�t & faith-based orgs: Strongly Favors topic 20 Pro-block grants; pro-welfare-to-work: Favors topic 20 YES on welfare overhaul: Favors topic 20 YES on allowing state welfare waivers: Favors topic 20 NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps: Favors topic 20 YES on welfare block grants: Favors topic 20
Opposes: Repeal tax cuts on wealthy (Topic 11)	Require a 3/5 majority vote in Congress to raise taxes: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Tax system is fair; wealthy pay bulk of taxes: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Remove charitable deduction; it only benefits rich: Favors topic 11 Middle-class tax cut: expand 15% tax bracket: Favors topic 11 Tax cuts should go to middle- & lower-income people: Favors topic 11 Cut marriage tax, inheritance tax, & earnings test: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Taxes should be flatter, lower, and simpler: Strongly Opposes topic 11 GovWatch: 2001: against tax cut that went to rich: Strongly Favors topic 11 Voted against Bush tax cuts for not reining in spending: Opposes topic 11 Rated 72% by NTU, indicating “Satisfactory” on tax votes: Neutral on topic 11 Rated 50% by CTJ, indicating a mixed record on progressive taxation: Neutral on topic 11 Implement socially fair, broad-based tax cuts: Favors topic 11 YES on Internet sales tax moratorium: Opposes topic 11 YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes: Opposes topic 11 YES on phasing out the estate tax (“death tax”): Opposes topic 11 YES on eliminating the ‘marriage penalty’: Opposes topic 11 NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts: Favors topic 11 YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates: Favors topic 11 NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction: Opposes topic 11 NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years: Strongly Favors topic 11 YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends: Strongly Opposes topic 11 NO on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut: Opposes topic 11 YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Opposes topic 11 YES on permanently repealing the `death tax`: Strongly Opposes topic 11 YES on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts: Strongly Opposes topic 11 YES on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million: Strongly Opposes topic 11 YES on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax: Strongly Opposes topic 11
Favors: Illegal immigrants earn citizenship (Topic 12)	Certify border is secure; only then allow guest workers: Opposes topic 12 12 million illegals in country now is de facto amnesty: Favors topic 12 Immigration reform needed for national security: Strongly Favors topic 12 Give everyone in the world an opportunity to come to America: Favors topic 12 More help for legal immigrants when immigrating & once here: Strongly Favors topic 12 No more ballot initiatives against immigration: Strongly Favors topic 12 English immersion over bilingual education: Opposes topic 12 Rated 18% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on limit welfare for immigrants: Strongly Opposes topic 12 YES on visas for skilled workers: Favors topic 12 YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work: Favors topic 12 YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on establishing a Guest Worker program: Favors topic 12 YES on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Opposes topic 12 YES on declaring English as the official language of the US government: Strongly Opposes topic 12 YES on comprehensive immigration reform: Strongly Favors topic 12
Strongly Favors: Support & expand free trade (Topic 13)	Globalization is an opportunity–reduce barriers to trade: Strongly Favors topic 13 Consider subsidies a mistake, and oppose them: Strongly Favors topic 13 Every time US went protectionist, we paid heavy price: Strongly Favors topic 13 Supports ethanol, but by exporting, not by subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 13 No environmental provisions in trade agreements: Strongly Favors topic 13 Free trade with any country except security risks: Favors topic 13 Free trade is indispensable to our prosperity: Strongly Favors topic 13 NAFTA has had unambiguously positive impact on US: Strongly Favors topic 13 Pro-NAFTA, pro-GATT, pro-MFN, pro-Fast Track: Strongly Favors topic 13 Promote the Andean Free Trade Agreement: Strongly Favors topic 13 Rated 100% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record: Strongly Favors topic 13 YES on renewing ‘fast track’ presidential trade authority: Favors topic 13 YES on permanent normal trade relations with China: Strongly Favors topic 13 YES on expanding trade to the third world: Favors topic 13 NO on removing common goods from national security export rules: Opposes topic 13 YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam: Favors topic 13 YES on extending free trade to Andean nations: Strongly Favors topic 13 YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore: Favors topic 13 YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile: Favors topic 13 YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade: Strongly Favors topic 13 YES on free trade agreement with Oman: Strongly Favors topic 13
Favors: Expand the armed forces (Topic 15)	Clean up waste in defense acquisition: Opposes topic 15 Eliminate defense pork, but increase most other defense: Strongly Favors topic 15 Terminate C-130, B-2, and Seawolf; use funds to modernize: Opposes topic 15 Politicians keep unneeded bases open for political purposes: Opposes topic 15 Raise military pay to avoid military draft: Favors topic 15 Supports $48 billion in new spending for anti-terrorism: Favors topic 15 Rated 0% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record: Strongly Favors topic 15 Reduce federal government size & scope, including military: Opposes topic 15 NO on 1996 Defense Appropriations: Opposes topic 15 YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty: Favors topic 15 NO on favoring 36 vetoed military projects: Strongly Opposes topic 15 YES on allowing another round of military base closures: Opposes topic 15 YES on military pay raise of 4.8%: Strongly Favors topic 15 YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP: Strongly Favors topic 15 YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding: Opposes topic 15 NO on limiting soldiers’ deployment to 12 months: Favors topic 15
Strongly Favors: Stricter limits on political campaign funds (Topic 16)	Big money interests fear closing loopholes: Favors topic 16 Limit campaign contributions, not free speech: Favors topic 16 527s are clearly illegal; reform intended for small donors: Strongly Favors topic 16 Campaign finance reform needed to restore faith in politics: Strongly Favors topic 16 Finance reform will prevail if we have the votes & the guts: Strongly Favors topic 16 CFR passes Senate; focus on House, not court challenges: Favors topic 16 Clearer rules about campaign finance; no soft money: Favors topic 16 Soft money makes gov�t work for special interests: Favors topic 16 Campaign Finance: ban both labor union & corporate donations: Favors topic 16 Supports multiple restrictions on campaign finance: Strongly Favors topic 16 Cozying up to big donors makes big problems: Favors topic 16 Supports Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Reform: Favors topic 16 YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance: Favors topic 16 YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations: Favors topic 16 YES on banning “soft money” contributions and restricting issue ads: Favors topic 16 YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity: Favors topic 16 YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress: Strongly Opposes topic 16
Strongly Opposes: The Patriot Act harms civil liberties (Topic 14)	Surveillance of overseas communications is ok: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Ok to hold even US citizens as enemy combatants: Strongly Opposes topic 14 YES on extending the PATRIOT Act’s wiretap provision: Strongly Opposes topic 14 YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act: Opposes topic 14 NO on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees: Strongly Opposes topic 14 NO on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods: Strongly Opposes topic 14
Strongly Opposes: US out of Iraq (Topic 17)	The Iraq war was worth the price in blood and treasure: Strongly Opposes topic 17 I support the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Russia: Sanctions until Putin exits Chechnya: Opposes topic 17 IMF�s Russia policies bad, but agency is OK: Favors topic 17 Timetable for withdrawal is a white flag of surrender: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Staying for 100 years OK, if US casualties are low: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Support the surge even if benchmarks are not met: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Willing to be last man standing for US involvement in Iraq: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Send in a heavy wave of troops to Iraq to establish order: Strongly Opposes topic 17 NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007: Strongly Opposes topic 17 NO on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months: Opposes topic 17

John McCain is a Populist-Leaning Conservative.

I gotta run to clinic so I don’t have time to really elaborate, but it was well worth it go to Tim Keller’s Veritas Forum yesterday at Northwestern. He pretty much went over the very very basics on “Reasons for God.” I hear it’s going to be something like “Leap of Faith: Belief in a age of skepticism” TONIGHT and I highly recommend going! I actually think it’s going to be pretty similar to what he talked about yesterday and so I might not be there, but I still highly recommend going especially if you weren’t able to go yesterday.

THE VERITAS FORUM AT U. CHICAGO
Friday, March 7
7:00PM - 8:30PM
Kent Chemical Laboratory
1020 East 58th St.

Issues that Tim Keller addresses in his book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism and may be addressed during the evening are as follows:
1. There can’t be just one true religion
2. A good God could not allow suffering
3. Christianity is a straitjacket
4. The church is responsible for so much injustice
5. A loving God would not send people to hell
6. Science has disproved Christianity
7. You can’t take the Bible literally