More presidential stuff

This weekend I caught some recaps of the presidential debates from last week. Obama surprised me. I actually saw a glimmer of the candidate we all hoped he'd be, after Wolfie asked the candidates if English should be the official language of the United States:

"I have to say that that kind of question... this is the kind of question that is designed precisely to divide us. You know, you're right. Everybody is going to learn to speak English if they live in this country. The issue is not whether or not future generations of immigrants are going to learn English. The question is: How can we come up with both a legal, sensible immigration policy?... And when we get distracted by those kinds of questions, I think we do a disservice to the American people."

He's absolutely right. Why are we wasting precious debate time on a stupid question like that, when there are more important issues on which I'd like to hear the candidates speak? You know, like the war in Iraq? The planetary destruction that global warming will reap upon us? Paris Hilton's jail sentence? It's just like the flag-burning non-issue. It's piece of cloth, people. I realize there's symbolism involved when someone burns the flag, but shouldn't we be more concerned with the loss of actual lives in this out-of-control war? (Yes, Hillary, I'm looking at you.)

On the republican side, they seemed a little bit less off-the-deep-end this time around, although I didn't see as much of their debate. I enjoyed Tancredo's response to the question of how he might use Former President (ooo, I like the sound of that) Shrub in his administration. It was a total bitch slap. Say what you will about Tancredo, but at least he's not afraid to speak his mind, even when it means talking badly of our Holy Annointed King (that's pronounced hack).