I had a great pleasure of meeting anh Trong and chi Ha for the first time as well as anh Hai once again. Over “bo Nuong vi,” “lau do bien” and “ca kho to” at Viet Royale, we had a fantastic time together.

Anh Trong who has written “McCain vs. Obama” is a fascinating man. He is very articulated and not afraid to speak out his opinion—something we have in common. In his own word: “I see in you a younger self with a bit of bravado about your opinions on music, and now, politics.” If you want to learn about the financial market, anh Trong is the guy to talk to. His wife is also a very nice lady. It’s true that behind every successful man is a woman. I have to learn from their experience on how to raise kids effectively with both languages.

As for anh Hai, he is not only my buddy but my wife’s as well. We have met several times already over lunch and bun mam. Anh Hai is a very humble man and we have always enjoyed his company. Through him, I have a chance to meet some wonderful folks as well, like his sweet sister and chi Minh Nguyet. Where is our man Ducster?

Come to think about it. Visualgui.com has given me opportunities to meet some fine individuals that I wouldn’t have met other wise. Someday I hope to meet everyone who has been here frequently. Thu Hoai and I clicked instantly after we met and she sang at my wedding. I almost get a chance to see Joseph, but the timing didn’t work out. If you come to DC again, holler at me as soon as you get here. TTBlue promised me he’ll make some banging “bo luc lac” when I go to Seattle. I still hold you on that one, man.

PS: My wife just reminded me that I also met the love of my life through Visualgui.com and we have married for five months. Wow, five months already? That was fast.

McCain hired the robo calls that were used against him to attack Obama. Even Fox News called him out. The old, low scumbag is losing his mind as well as dignity.

Call me an Obama freak all you want, but McCain is too much of a bigot to be a president.

It seems like McCain’s VP pick has cost him the election. Houston Chronicle:

Perhaps the worst mistake McCain made in his campaign for the White House was the choice of the inexperienced and inflammatory Palin as his vice-presidential running mate. Had he selected a moderate, experienced Republican lawmaker such as Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison with a strong appeal to independents, the Chronicle’s choice for an endorsement would have been far more difficult.

It’s about time Mr. Powell:

“Obama has displayed a steadiness; showed intellectual vigor. He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well.”

I have to agree with what white folks said: “He [Collin Powell] speaks so well.”

Is this for real?

Three Putnam County voters say electronic voting machines changed their votes from Democrats to Republicans when they cast early ballots last week.

This is the second West Virginia county where voters have reported this problem. Last week, three voters in Jackson County told The Charleston Gazette their electronic vote for “Barack Obama” kept flipping to “John McCain”.

In both counties, Republicans are responsible for overseeing elections. Both county clerks said the problem is isolated.

Sounds like Homer Simpson tries to vote for Obama.

LA Opinion:

The nation also needs a humane and sensible immigration policy. While Senator John McCain once appeared as a reasonable interlocutor on immigration reform, he gradually pandered to Republican ultra conservatives by promoting a two-step process emphasizing border enforcement. Senator Obama clearly outlines a far superior plan that will take a smarter approach to immigration, including bringing undocumented immigrants out of the shadows.

Salt Lake Tribune:

Then, out of nowhere, and without proper vetting, the impetuous McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She quickly proved grievously underequipped to step into the presidency should McCain, at 72 and with a history of health problems, die in office. More than any single factor, McCain’s bad judgment in choosing the inarticulate, insular and ethically challenged Palin disqualifies him for the presidency.

Still, we have compelling reasons for endorsing Obama on his merits alone. Under the most intense scrutiny and attacks from both parties, Obama has shown the temperament, judgment, intellect and political acumen that are essential in a president that would lead the United States out of the crises created by President Bush, a complicit Congress and our own apathy.

Denver Post:

Republicans love to mock Obama’s history as a community organizer. But here was a man with no money to offer, no patronage to dispense, no way to punish his opponents. All he could do was to work with people from all walks of life, liberals and conservatives, business people and the unemployed, and bring them together in common cause for a better community. Could there really be better preparation to reunite a worried and divided America to again pursue our “more perfect union”?

Los Angeles Times endorses a Democrat for president for the first time since 1972:

Indeed, the presidential campaign has rendered McCain nearly unrecognizable. His selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate was, as a short-term political tactic, brilliant. It was also irresponsible, as Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory. The decision calls into question just what kind of thinking — if that’s the appropriate word — would drive the White House in a McCain presidency. Fortunately, the public has shown more discernment, and the early enthusiasm for Palin has given way to national ridicule of her candidacy and McCain’s judgment.

Chicago Tribune endorses a Democrat for president for the first time in 161 years:

It is, though, hard to figure John McCain these days. He argued that President Bush’s tax cuts were fiscally irresponsible, but he now supports them. He promises a balanced budget by the end of his first term, but his tax cut plan would add an estimated $4.2 trillion in debt over 10 years. He has responded to the economic crisis with an angry, populist message and a misguided, $300 billion proposal to buy up bad mortgages.

McCain failed in his most important executive decision. Give him credit for choosing a female running mate–but he passed up any number of supremely qualified Republican women who could have served. Having called Obama not ready to lead, McCain chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. His campaign has tried to stage-manage Palin’s exposure to the public. But it’s clear she is not prepared to step in at a moment’s notice and serve as president. McCain put his campaign before his country.