Thank you, John McCain

Although I lacked the whole-hearted support for John McCain that I felt towards President Bush in 2004, I voted for John McCain enthusiastically, yesterday. He was not my first choice as a Republican candidate, but he probably was the best candidate we could have nominated under the circumstances; and I must admit, I did admire him, and gladly embraced his platform of reform.

Bill Kristol said it best in his final pre-election column in the NYT, "we conservatives will greet the news [of Obama's victory] with our usual resolute stoicism or cheerful fatalism." And such is the case. Though disappointed, we are not surprised or depressed. We move now into the role of the loyal opposition, and we intend to live up to that name.

Before I get into the new role of the GOP, let me reflect on McCain's concession speech of last night, which I found quite moving.

I was surprised to find myself watching McCain transform instantly from defeated candidate, to the narrator of the story of what unfolded last night - namely a staggering achievement in the Civil Rights struggle in America. McCain told the American People that Obama's ascendancy signaled a great moment in the struggle of African Americans to achieve racial equality in America. It marks a day of normacly in race relations in this land. I was moved by this, and proud of my country. I was proud of the way McCain, in his moment of defeat, rallied his countrymen behind the historic new president-elect.

It proved that McCain, unlike so many of his colleagues, is an adult - a man.

If any man can be said to have "earned" the Presidency, it truly is John McCain. His service in war, his voluntary suffering for his country on behalf of his fellow countrymen, and his dedication and bipartisan service in the United States Congress have at least qualified him for the office. Having now been declined for that honor, McCain proved his mettle by telling Americans that all is well. No man is entitled to the Presidency, and McCain is not at all bitter, but rather even more proud of his country after this experience. He's proud and quite content to have the honor of serving the country he loves in any capacity.

America is a better country, because of the unselfish service of soldier and citizen John McCain.

Obama will bankrupt the coal industry.

On January 17 of this year, Barack Obama explained his carbon cap and trade scheme to the San Francisco Chronicle. In a recorded interview, he explained that under his plan, "every unit of carbon... would be charged to the polluter." He concluded this statement with the following quote:

So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted.

In other words, Obama will essentially outlaw an entire industry that provides half of America's electrical power. How do you suppose that this will affect your energy rates? How will this play out in Pennsylvania and West Virginia? Why hasn't the mainstream media caught onto this? (as if I even need to ask)