I just found this thread and figured I'd make my voice heard. I apologize in advance if I touch on any previous subjects (17 pages is a lot to back read, though I have read some)
On the environment, sure there isn't much definitive evidence to support global warming. Add into the equation that we technically are still in the last ice age and while it peaked approximately 20,000 years ago, having the polar ice caps to the level that we do still indicates an ice age by definition, so therefore the melting of the ice caps and the increase in temperature may just be part of the normal cycle. However, it is my belief that whether there is global warming or not it would be best to act as if it were real. Realistically, what would that belief cause? An increase in "green" technologies for alternative fuels, renewable fuel sources, better fuel efficiency, etc. Doesn't sound like a problem to me. Whether global warming is real or not, research and technology such as that would certainly make it less of an issue should solid evidence eventually pop up instead of saying there's no proof, so therefore we don't have to worry until it's really a problem. There are many alternatives, unfortunately to implement them on a wide scale can be expensive. For example there is a facility in Texas called Petrosun that is creating "bioDesiel" from algae. Because of it's fast reproductive and growth rate they are able to produce the same amount of biofuel in days that would take corn or other agricultural fuel months to accomplish in far less space. The facility, unfortunately, is expensive to build and is a reason why it hasn't caught on as quickly as other biofuel methods. Brazil on the other hand is doing very well with producing ethanol from sugar cane. It is possible to make the switch, it's just a matter of commitment. Whether global warming exists or not, environmental issues need to be settled.
Immigration is another issue that seemed to pop up frequently in this thread. My personal opinion is if people want to live in this country they can go through the legal process of citizenship. I don't believe that building the Great Wall of Texas, among the other ridiculous plans our government is forming (I saw an idea to build a large ditch across the southern border on the cover of a newsweek a few months back) will work at all. If people are determined to get in, they'll get in somehow, it's that simple. I'm not heartless. I feel for the people in other countries, so please no attacks on my character. While I currently live in the US I spent the first half of my life living in Russia. The US has a lot of potential, it just needs some time and effort to get back to what originally made it the great country it was first known for being.
Which brings me to my thoughts on foreign policy. Stay out of everyone's business. The US spends so much time, money, and effort focused on what everyone else is doing and interfering with other countries when they don't feel that things are "right" in that country. Whether we're afraid other countries will get a leg up on us such as weapons of mass destruction and such, or they just don't have the same system of government. In my opinion, our interference is why there are so many countries out there that hate us and otherwise wish us harm.
Other issues, mentioned above, Abortion I'm pro choice. Giving birth messes up a woman's body in ways they never mention in health class (not including the pain of child birth), she should have the right to choose if she wants her body to go through that or not. Race is too much of a deep seeded issue for too many people to just ignore it. Although a world where race doesn't matter to anyone is ideal, humans focus too much on differences for it to be overlooked anytime in the near future. Humans like to categorize things, put labels on them, arrange them in nice neat piles where everything is easily definable. That just doesn't happen with humans. A person does not define a race as much as a race defines a person. You are who you are regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation etc. I've always looked at people for who they are and not take any of that into account. Despite too many people looking skin deep for now, I have hope that one day it won't matter, but in the meantime it does unfortunately.
In the topic of gay marriages (speaking of sexual orientation) I say it should be allowed. Tax benefits, adoptions, etc. there are many benefits to being legally married and I don't see why a gay couple shouldn't have access to those rights. As to the marrage vs. civil union debate, what's in a name if it's the same thing in the eyes of the law (I personally am for the naming of marriage) as long as it's recognized by the government. A lesbian friend of mine moved to mass. just so she could marry her girlfriend. I went to the ceremony, very lovely. However, six months later they were divorced. Neither has any regrets though because they were happy enough to just be treated like any "normal" couple in both processes.
There is a forgotten community in the LGBT and that the transsexual community. Laws that protect sexual orientation do nothing to protect sexual identity. Shortly after moving to the US I met a girl who I considered to be my best friend. She was a male to female transsexual in the process of transitioning. On multiple occasions she was fired from jobs when word somehow leaked out about who she was. She tried to sue for discrimination but there wasn't a lawyer around who would take her case saying that there were no laws that protected her. I won't go into details but she was eventually murdered walking back to her car in a park late one night, beaten to death by three people with a rock for no other reason than they discovered she was transgendered. Only one of them was sent to prison and it was only a 5 year sentience. It was never counted as a hate crime. Not all crimes are born from hate, I feel it is important to make a differentiation between a crime of hate and whatever other reasons (survival, greed, etc). I am a huge advocate for transsexual rights and laws that protect gender identity and sadly there aren't enough in this country.
I am old enough to vote and my vote will be going towards Obama. I have carefully reviewed both candidates, the platforms they stand on, the policies they've promiced, and that is my educated decision. Of the two candidates, I feel that Obama has similar concerns of the issues that I care about the most. I will never say a bad word about McCain. He is a good person, he has done well for this country so far, and I do not doubt that he would make a fine president. I feel, however, that the situations that this country faces, Obama would make a better choice.
Well, that rambled on a bit longer that I had hoped...
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