Friday, November 21, 2008
Feeling Minnesota, Part 3
This is kind of fun. Click here to go to a website that shows actual ballots that are being contested in the Minnesota Senate race. You can vote your opinion on who, if anyone, should be given credit for particular votes. Kind of fascinating to see how many different ways people can screw up a simple ballot.
Please, Please, Please Just Go Away
This is unbelievable. This idiot babbles on and on without saying anything. Turkeys are being slaughtered in the background while she says, "this was neat" and "you need a little levity in this job", "at least this was fun". Oblivious.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Boston Prep
OK, you wanted more posts about running and apparently, I'm now taking requests. So here goes.
I registered for the 2009 Boston Marathon the other day, just moments after learning that Ryan Hall will be racing. Training for Boston won't officially start until December 15. Right now, I've been working on base building and hill training. The plan is to limit my running to 4 days per week until "official" training begins. Weekly mileage will remain in the mid 30's, with 6-8 mile hill workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a medium long run in the 12-15 mile range on Saturdays and a 5 or 6 mile recovery run on Sundays.
I'll also be racing the Tour De Ashland Half Marathon on December 6, mostly as a training run and a chance to practice racing on a hilly course.
I started the hill workouts last week and today was my fourth hill workout in the last two weeks. I'm already noticing sizable improvements in my pace and strength. Last week I ran the hills at 8:17 pace on Tuesday and 8:31 on Thursday. This week was significantly better with 8:00 on Tuesday and 7:44 today. Next week I'll add a mile or two to each run and see if I can maintain the pace.
The really odd thing that has happened is that I've had very little piriformis pain this week. I'm wondering if it is somehow related to the hill training. Hills are really the only variable that has changed in my training although it could also be coincidence. But I'm wondering if the hills are maybe strengthening the problem area in a way that regular running wasn't. I don't know. This injury has been with me since April and it has been a complete mystery as to when the pain comes and goes and why. Could I be on the verge of finally shaking this injury? A boy can dream.
As far as actual Boston training is concerned, I still haven't decided which training plan I'm going to use. In the past, I've had success with the Pfitzinger 18/55 (18 weeks/maximum 55 miles per week). But I think that certain aspects of that training plan have partially led to my injuries. So I think I'm going to use Pfitz as the model but limit tempo runs to 5 miles, maybe limit weekly mileage to 45-50 range, and keep at least one good hill workout in place each week. I think if I can do a speed workout, a hill workout, a long run, and two recovery runs each week, I'll be good to go. And I'll have to incorporate hills into my long runs as well.
So that's the plan. I'm starting to get excited again. If I can somehow have a healthy, strong training cycle leading to Boston, oh man.
I registered for the 2009 Boston Marathon the other day, just moments after learning that Ryan Hall will be racing. Training for Boston won't officially start until December 15. Right now, I've been working on base building and hill training. The plan is to limit my running to 4 days per week until "official" training begins. Weekly mileage will remain in the mid 30's, with 6-8 mile hill workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a medium long run in the 12-15 mile range on Saturdays and a 5 or 6 mile recovery run on Sundays.
I'll also be racing the Tour De Ashland Half Marathon on December 6, mostly as a training run and a chance to practice racing on a hilly course.
I started the hill workouts last week and today was my fourth hill workout in the last two weeks. I'm already noticing sizable improvements in my pace and strength. Last week I ran the hills at 8:17 pace on Tuesday and 8:31 on Thursday. This week was significantly better with 8:00 on Tuesday and 7:44 today. Next week I'll add a mile or two to each run and see if I can maintain the pace.
The really odd thing that has happened is that I've had very little piriformis pain this week. I'm wondering if it is somehow related to the hill training. Hills are really the only variable that has changed in my training although it could also be coincidence. But I'm wondering if the hills are maybe strengthening the problem area in a way that regular running wasn't. I don't know. This injury has been with me since April and it has been a complete mystery as to when the pain comes and goes and why. Could I be on the verge of finally shaking this injury? A boy can dream.
As far as actual Boston training is concerned, I still haven't decided which training plan I'm going to use. In the past, I've had success with the Pfitzinger 18/55 (18 weeks/maximum 55 miles per week). But I think that certain aspects of that training plan have partially led to my injuries. So I think I'm going to use Pfitz as the model but limit tempo runs to 5 miles, maybe limit weekly mileage to 45-50 range, and keep at least one good hill workout in place each week. I think if I can do a speed workout, a hill workout, a long run, and two recovery runs each week, I'll be good to go. And I'll have to incorporate hills into my long runs as well.
So that's the plan. I'm starting to get excited again. If I can somehow have a healthy, strong training cycle leading to Boston, oh man.
Super Mom's
At my son's preschool, each family is responsible for providing snacks for the classroom two weeks per year. Why the kids need a snack during a 2 1/2 hour session when they just ate breakfast and will eat lunch during the 2 1/2 hours is beyond me. State law, I would guess. And let me add, that from experience I know, most of the kids don't eat the snacks anyway.
So on Monday night, I glanced at Tuesday's calendar, and oh crap, it's our turn to bring snacks. So I grabbed a box of Honey Graham Sticks out of the pantry. Done.
This morning, I walked into the school armed with another box of crackers. When I notice the woman in front of me carrying a see through bag with no less than 6 tupperware containers full of snacks for her kid's classroom. Showoff.
We all know a couple of these overachiever "super mom" types. But damn, did you have to pick the same snack week as me? And did you have to rub my face in it by walking in right in front of me?
And of course, after class, when it came time for her to carry home 6 tupperware containers full of mostly uneaten food, which is now crawling with germs from 20 kids' nose picking fingers, she was no where to be found. As for my box of crackers. Gone.
Take that, super mom!
So on Monday night, I glanced at Tuesday's calendar, and oh crap, it's our turn to bring snacks. So I grabbed a box of Honey Graham Sticks out of the pantry. Done.
This morning, I walked into the school armed with another box of crackers. When I notice the woman in front of me carrying a see through bag with no less than 6 tupperware containers full of snacks for her kid's classroom. Showoff.
We all know a couple of these overachiever "super mom" types. But damn, did you have to pick the same snack week as me? And did you have to rub my face in it by walking in right in front of me?
And of course, after class, when it came time for her to carry home 6 tupperware containers full of mostly uneaten food, which is now crawling with germs from 20 kids' nose picking fingers, she was no where to be found. As for my box of crackers. Gone.
Take that, super mom!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
In Your Face(book)
I haven't been blogging much this week. Three reasons. One, Obama won and the GOP is retreating, so they haven't been making many golden blunders for me to mock. Two, Obama won so we're in good hands. I feel like I can back off for the moment. And three, Facebook.com.
Damn you, Harvard kid who ripped off his friends idea and stole and developed facebook. You thought the Blackberry was addictive? No, no, no. Facebook is the Crackberry to the 10th power. I'm reconnecting with old high school friends, old college friends, music biz friends, current friends. Between reading what my friends are up to, searching for friends, emailing long lost friends, and just learning how to navigate facebook in general, it's almost a full time job.
Anyway, Facebook is a blessing and a curse, all in one.
In the meantime, what is all this I'm hearing about vetting Hillary for the S.O.S. position? Screw that. Did McCain teach you people nothing? We don't need no stinking vetting. But seriously, do you think vetting her will matter? The right wing smear machine will do their thing regardless. But you know what? It won't matter. Because now, we have the power. So as my good friend Dick Cheney would say, "go fuck yourselves".
Obama, put the best team in place. Screw the GOP. They're weak and irrelevant.
Damn you, Harvard kid who ripped off his friends idea and stole and developed facebook. You thought the Blackberry was addictive? No, no, no. Facebook is the Crackberry to the 10th power. I'm reconnecting with old high school friends, old college friends, music biz friends, current friends. Between reading what my friends are up to, searching for friends, emailing long lost friends, and just learning how to navigate facebook in general, it's almost a full time job.
Anyway, Facebook is a blessing and a curse, all in one.
In the meantime, what is all this I'm hearing about vetting Hillary for the S.O.S. position? Screw that. Did McCain teach you people nothing? We don't need no stinking vetting. But seriously, do you think vetting her will matter? The right wing smear machine will do their thing regardless. But you know what? It won't matter. Because now, we have the power. So as my good friend Dick Cheney would say, "go fuck yourselves".
Obama, put the best team in place. Screw the GOP. They're weak and irrelevant.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Steelers "Officially" Win
I made my not so world famous meatball subs for dinner last night. This is significant because the Steelers are undefeated when I make meatball subs. So of course they won, 11-10. Officially.
But what was up with the officiating for this game? Were the Steelers really the only team capable of committing a penalty? What was it, 15 penalties called against the Steelers compared to 2 against the Chargers?
Really, I don't have a problem with the penalties. What I do have a problem with was how the end of the game played out. Troy knocks the ball out of mid air, scoops it up and barrels into the end zone. 17-10. Game over.
Not so fast. The officials review the play and incorrectly determine that there was an illegal forward pass on the play. Show me. I watched the same replays that the officials were looking at and there was no forward pass. So they incorrectly take the 6 points off the board for the TD and then with no time on the clock, these knuckleheads have the Steelers lining up for an extra point.
First of all, you just said no touchdown. So no TD means no extra point, right? Plus, even if it is a touchdown, there is no time on the clock so there is no extra point attempt since the Steelers are ahead. Somebody needs a refresher class in Officiating 101.
So the refs totally botch the end of the game. Then the NFL issues a correction, stating that the refs blew the call, but it's too late to correct the final score and statistics. Thanks for nothing. My fantasy team doesn't get those 8 points back (2 for the fumble recovery and 6 for the TD) and more importantly, all of the people who bet the Steelers minus 5 don't get the money that they should have won.
Instant replay was instituted to prevent these kind of mistakes, not create them. Is demanding that the officials actually have a firm grasp on the rules of the game asking too much?
UPDATE: From ESPN.com.:
Both teams left the field on what looked to be a game-ending play, but were called back by the officials for the extra-point attempt. At that point, the replay official called for a review.
After watching the play, Green initially announced the ruling on the field was upheld and the touchdown counted. But the officiating crew huddled again before the extra-point attempt and changed the call, deciding that an illegal forward pass should have ended the play.
Green, in a postgame interview with a pool reporter, said that call was errant -- even though his explanation for the confusion was almost as confusing as the play itself.
"We should have let the play go through in the end, yes," Green said. "It was misinterpreted that instead of killing the play, we should have let the play go through."
Green said the confusion occurred because there was a misunderstanding about which lateral was in question.
"The first pass was the one that was illegal, but it only kills the play if it hits the ground," Green said. "That was incorrect to have killed it at that point. The ruling should have let the play go on. That's just the way that it played out. We believe the second pass was legal."
Green was asked why, since the ball didn't hit the ground during any of the tossing, the officials decided after huddling that the play should have ended.
"We didn't kill it on the field," Green said. "After [the] discussion we decided ... there was some confusion over which pass we were talking about and it was decided that it was the second pass that was illegal that did hit the ground and therefore we killed the play there."
However, the officials realized afterward they erred.
"I know," Green said. "The rule was misinterpreted."
Asked about the officiating -- the Steelers drew 115 yards in penalties to the Chargers' 5 -- Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin declined to comment.
"No, I have never seen a game ended with 13-to-1 in penalties [the official tally was 13 against the Steelers, two against the Chargers], but I am not answering questions about the officiating," Tomlin said.
The call affected betting on the game since the Steelers were either a 4½- or 5-point favorite and would have covered if the touchdown counted.
_______
Does that clear it up for you? Me neither. I think the ref must walk around holding a "moran" sign when he's not officiating football games.
But what was up with the officiating for this game? Were the Steelers really the only team capable of committing a penalty? What was it, 15 penalties called against the Steelers compared to 2 against the Chargers?
Really, I don't have a problem with the penalties. What I do have a problem with was how the end of the game played out. Troy knocks the ball out of mid air, scoops it up and barrels into the end zone. 17-10. Game over.
Not so fast. The officials review the play and incorrectly determine that there was an illegal forward pass on the play. Show me. I watched the same replays that the officials were looking at and there was no forward pass. So they incorrectly take the 6 points off the board for the TD and then with no time on the clock, these knuckleheads have the Steelers lining up for an extra point.
First of all, you just said no touchdown. So no TD means no extra point, right? Plus, even if it is a touchdown, there is no time on the clock so there is no extra point attempt since the Steelers are ahead. Somebody needs a refresher class in Officiating 101.
So the refs totally botch the end of the game. Then the NFL issues a correction, stating that the refs blew the call, but it's too late to correct the final score and statistics. Thanks for nothing. My fantasy team doesn't get those 8 points back (2 for the fumble recovery and 6 for the TD) and more importantly, all of the people who bet the Steelers minus 5 don't get the money that they should have won.
Instant replay was instituted to prevent these kind of mistakes, not create them. Is demanding that the officials actually have a firm grasp on the rules of the game asking too much?
UPDATE: From ESPN.com.:
Both teams left the field on what looked to be a game-ending play, but were called back by the officials for the extra-point attempt. At that point, the replay official called for a review.
After watching the play, Green initially announced the ruling on the field was upheld and the touchdown counted. But the officiating crew huddled again before the extra-point attempt and changed the call, deciding that an illegal forward pass should have ended the play.
Green, in a postgame interview with a pool reporter, said that call was errant -- even though his explanation for the confusion was almost as confusing as the play itself.
"We should have let the play go through in the end, yes," Green said. "It was misinterpreted that instead of killing the play, we should have let the play go through."
Green said the confusion occurred because there was a misunderstanding about which lateral was in question.
"The first pass was the one that was illegal, but it only kills the play if it hits the ground," Green said. "That was incorrect to have killed it at that point. The ruling should have let the play go on. That's just the way that it played out. We believe the second pass was legal."
Green was asked why, since the ball didn't hit the ground during any of the tossing, the officials decided after huddling that the play should have ended.
"We didn't kill it on the field," Green said. "After [the] discussion we decided ... there was some confusion over which pass we were talking about and it was decided that it was the second pass that was illegal that did hit the ground and therefore we killed the play there."
However, the officials realized afterward they erred.
"I know," Green said. "The rule was misinterpreted."
Asked about the officiating -- the Steelers drew 115 yards in penalties to the Chargers' 5 -- Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin declined to comment.
"No, I have never seen a game ended with 13-to-1 in penalties [the official tally was 13 against the Steelers, two against the Chargers], but I am not answering questions about the officiating," Tomlin said.
The call affected betting on the game since the Steelers were either a 4½- or 5-point favorite and would have covered if the touchdown counted.
_______
Does that clear it up for you? Me neither. I think the ref must walk around holding a "moran" sign when he's not officiating football games.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Feeling Minnesota, Part 2
Still no word on the final vote count between Franken and Coleman in Minnesota. But the Limbaugh crowd are up in arms, baselessly claiming that the Democrats are going to "steal" the election.
What facts are presented to make their case? This is Limbaugh we're talking about. He doesn't use "facts", he just makes shit up.
No, the Democrats are apparently trying to "steal" the election by making sure that every vote is counted. Preposterous! Un-American! Counting the votes? How dare they? Didn't Scalia make it clear in 2000 that the number of votes per candidate is irrelevant?
And it doesn't end in Minnesota. The same thing is happening in Alaska. There is this major conspiracy going on whereby when all of the votes are actually counted, a Democrat is winning. But the Republicans are still pushing for their convicted felon candidate to be re-elected. Even though he's on his way to prison.
In the end, I just have to wonder. What kind of Communist country are we living in where every vote gets counted? Everyone gets one vote? What next, everyone gets one loaf of bread? I don't think we're in Bush/Rove America anymore, Toto.
What facts are presented to make their case? This is Limbaugh we're talking about. He doesn't use "facts", he just makes shit up.
No, the Democrats are apparently trying to "steal" the election by making sure that every vote is counted. Preposterous! Un-American! Counting the votes? How dare they? Didn't Scalia make it clear in 2000 that the number of votes per candidate is irrelevant?
And it doesn't end in Minnesota. The same thing is happening in Alaska. There is this major conspiracy going on whereby when all of the votes are actually counted, a Democrat is winning. But the Republicans are still pushing for their convicted felon candidate to be re-elected. Even though he's on his way to prison.
In the end, I just have to wonder. What kind of Communist country are we living in where every vote gets counted? Everyone gets one vote? What next, everyone gets one loaf of bread? I don't think we're in Bush/Rove America anymore, Toto.
Power To The PJ's
I'm just sitting around in my pajamas, trying to decide which political "big wig" I'm going to take down next.
According to Palin, "I was brought down by bloggers in pajamas in their parents' basements".
On the one hand, that's really sad that an implied low life loser, living in their parents' basement, could take down a Governor and VP candidate, without ever having to put on pants. What does that say about the empty skirt who was "brought down"?
On the other hand, she's absolutely right. Obviously, I take no credit for her downfall. Although hopefully, the handful of people who read my blog get some good morsels now and then.
But the real bloggers, like the Daily Kos, actually played an unprecedented, instrumental role in this years Presidential campaign. Indeed, it was the bloggers who were out there doing the real research, investigating and fact checking. And only after the bloggers dug up the facts, did the "real" journalists take heed and start covering the stories.
What she's really trying to say is that she "would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those pesky bloggers", with their insatiable desire for the "truth". Their steadfast reliance on "facts". Their willingness to actually do McCain's job and "vet" the VP candidate.
But she does have a point. If you bloggers are going to wield all this power, you should at least dress the part. My advice? Grab your political party's credit card, head on over to Neiman Marcus, and buy yourself something nice. Hell, go on a shopping spree, max out the card. Charge additional items for your family on your staff's credit cards. You have the power. (Ab)use it!
According to Palin, "I was brought down by bloggers in pajamas in their parents' basements".
On the one hand, that's really sad that an implied low life loser, living in their parents' basement, could take down a Governor and VP candidate, without ever having to put on pants. What does that say about the empty skirt who was "brought down"?
On the other hand, she's absolutely right. Obviously, I take no credit for her downfall. Although hopefully, the handful of people who read my blog get some good morsels now and then.
But the real bloggers, like the Daily Kos, actually played an unprecedented, instrumental role in this years Presidential campaign. Indeed, it was the bloggers who were out there doing the real research, investigating and fact checking. And only after the bloggers dug up the facts, did the "real" journalists take heed and start covering the stories.
What she's really trying to say is that she "would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those pesky bloggers", with their insatiable desire for the "truth". Their steadfast reliance on "facts". Their willingness to actually do McCain's job and "vet" the VP candidate.
But she does have a point. If you bloggers are going to wield all this power, you should at least dress the part. My advice? Grab your political party's credit card, head on over to Neiman Marcus, and buy yourself something nice. Hell, go on a shopping spree, max out the card. Charge additional items for your family on your staff's credit cards. You have the power. (Ab)use it!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Palin Jane
I just caught a bit of the Matt Lauer interview with Sarah Palin and wow, just wow. I realize that she was sequestered by the GOP for the past few months and must be anxious to talk now that she's allowed to. But wow, now I see why the GOP put the gag order on her during the election.
Palin is a very normal, average, next door neighbor type woman. She's not especially bright, intelligent, clever or funny. She's average, in every sense of the word. She would make a good next door neighbor.
But to think that this woman has or ever had any business running for Vice President of the United States of America. Again, wow, just wow. Governor of Alaska. OK, maybe. I mean, no one lives there anyway so how much damage can she do. But VP?
She is obviously attempting to "re-brand" herself after the disastrous (but not as disastrous as it would have been had they won) election. I understand her need to go out there and spin, do a little damage control, get her side of the story out there for public consumption. That's all well and good and she has every right to do that, and is actually smart to do it.
But the sad thing is her end game is obviously a run at President in 2012. As an unabashed liberal, I couldn't be more happy. Honestly, she's dumber than Bush. And that's really saying something. If the Republicans choose to get behind her and treat her as a serious candidate, then that is GOLD for the Democrats.
My gut tells me that she's well beyond her 15 minutes of fame and the GOP will soon realize that if they want to be relevant again anytime soon, they have to stop putting the most ignorant candidates on their ticket and actually find intelligent people who stand for something. At that point, she'll go back to her important work as a secessionist. If you can't run the country, the least you can do is try to secede from it.
Let's just come right out and say it, how bad does a political party have to fuck things up before a majority of Americans will say, "OK, I'll take the black dude"?
Bush + McCain + Palin = Obama.
How's that for new math?
And as an aside. That shotgun wedding between her pregnant daughter and the boyfriend/father? You heard it here first. Never gonna happen. Any talk of a wedding was strictly for political/show biz purposes. Now that they're back in Alaska, where they belong, there ain't gonna be no wedding. So to speak.
Palin is a very normal, average, next door neighbor type woman. She's not especially bright, intelligent, clever or funny. She's average, in every sense of the word. She would make a good next door neighbor.
But to think that this woman has or ever had any business running for Vice President of the United States of America. Again, wow, just wow. Governor of Alaska. OK, maybe. I mean, no one lives there anyway so how much damage can she do. But VP?
She is obviously attempting to "re-brand" herself after the disastrous (but not as disastrous as it would have been had they won) election. I understand her need to go out there and spin, do a little damage control, get her side of the story out there for public consumption. That's all well and good and she has every right to do that, and is actually smart to do it.
But the sad thing is her end game is obviously a run at President in 2012. As an unabashed liberal, I couldn't be more happy. Honestly, she's dumber than Bush. And that's really saying something. If the Republicans choose to get behind her and treat her as a serious candidate, then that is GOLD for the Democrats.
My gut tells me that she's well beyond her 15 minutes of fame and the GOP will soon realize that if they want to be relevant again anytime soon, they have to stop putting the most ignorant candidates on their ticket and actually find intelligent people who stand for something. At that point, she'll go back to her important work as a secessionist. If you can't run the country, the least you can do is try to secede from it.
Let's just come right out and say it, how bad does a political party have to fuck things up before a majority of Americans will say, "OK, I'll take the black dude"?
Bush + McCain + Palin = Obama.
How's that for new math?
And as an aside. That shotgun wedding between her pregnant daughter and the boyfriend/father? You heard it here first. Never gonna happen. Any talk of a wedding was strictly for political/show biz purposes. Now that they're back in Alaska, where they belong, there ain't gonna be no wedding. So to speak.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Feeling Minnesota
The Minnesota Senate race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken is too close to call. Last Wednesday, Coleman called on Franken to "do the right thing" and concede the election, which showed him down by 700 votes, despite Minnesota law that called for an automatic recount in any vote that was determined by 1% or less. Coleman claimed to be trying to save the state tax payers the estimated $90,000 that it would cost for a recount.
Since then, the Coleman lead has shrunk to approximately 200 votes. I'm assuming that the minute the lead shifts to Franken, Coleman will "do the right thing" and concede in order to save his state some money. Otherwise, he's just another Republican hypocrite, right? But then again, Republican and hypocrite is redundant, I know.
I can't wait to watch Coleman try to squirm his way out of this one. Stay tuned.
Since then, the Coleman lead has shrunk to approximately 200 votes. I'm assuming that the minute the lead shifts to Franken, Coleman will "do the right thing" and concede in order to save his state some money. Otherwise, he's just another Republican hypocrite, right? But then again, Republican and hypocrite is redundant, I know.
I can't wait to watch Coleman try to squirm his way out of this one. Stay tuned.
Brother Can You Spare A Billion?
Read my lips. NO CORPORATE WELFARE. Seriously, these piece of shit, greedy scumbags, make horrible long term decisions based on short term profits and bonuses. Then, when the obvious finally happens, they run to government, asking for $700 billion in taxpayer assistance, a truly sickening number. Then they hoard the money, which was supposed to be used for loans to help stimulate the economy. Then they pay out BONUSES with the money, PAY DIVIDENDS with the money, and now we learn, the bailout included an additional $140 billion in tax breaks for these fucking criminals.
No wonder the auto makers are next in line with their hands out. And when they get their multi-billion dollar bailout, there will be no end to the companies standing in line waiting for theirs.
Say it with me. THIS. ENDS. HERE. No more of this bullshit about how these companies are "too big too fail", meaning that if they fail it would mean dire consequences to the world economy. Maybe it's true. So what? I guarantee you, if GM, or any other big, huge, out of control company ceases to exist, you and I will still wake up in the morning. We'll still breath, we'll still go on with our lives.
A bankrupt company is far more desirable than a bankrupt nation, which is what we will ultimately be faced with if this bailout trend continues. The United States of China is not that big of a stretch considering how much money we already owe China, and how much worse this could get if we continue to bailout fuckups at every turn.
So say it again. THIS. ENDS. HERE. No more corporate welfare. If a company is fucked up beyond repair then they go the way of the dinosaurs. Humanity will survive. I guarantee it.
No wonder the auto makers are next in line with their hands out. And when they get their multi-billion dollar bailout, there will be no end to the companies standing in line waiting for theirs.
Say it with me. THIS. ENDS. HERE. No more of this bullshit about how these companies are "too big too fail", meaning that if they fail it would mean dire consequences to the world economy. Maybe it's true. So what? I guarantee you, if GM, or any other big, huge, out of control company ceases to exist, you and I will still wake up in the morning. We'll still breath, we'll still go on with our lives.
A bankrupt company is far more desirable than a bankrupt nation, which is what we will ultimately be faced with if this bailout trend continues. The United States of China is not that big of a stretch considering how much money we already owe China, and how much worse this could get if we continue to bailout fuckups at every turn.
So say it again. THIS. ENDS. HERE. No more corporate welfare. If a company is fucked up beyond repair then they go the way of the dinosaurs. Humanity will survive. I guarantee it.
Dem Stillers An' 'At
Sorry, I just need to vent, quickly. I don't get to see many Steelers games, living in Central Ohio. So I was excited to see the game yesterday. But what a disappointment. Roethlisberger had no business playing in that game.
First, the Colts knew he was injured and would not be a threat to run the ball under any circumstances. Advantage: Colts. Second, which the Colts did not presumably know but the Steelers coaching staff, and Ben, had to have known, the man could not throw the ball down the field.
He threw 42 passes, completing 30, but almost every pass was 10 yards or less. Slants to Hines Ward or short routes over the middle to tight ends, all game long, while deep threats Santonio Holmes (4 receptions for 29 yards) and Nate Washington
(3 for 30), were rendered useless due to Ben's injured shoulder.
The very few times he did throw the ball down field, he either overthrew or underthrew his receivers, resulting in 3 interceptions. Even his "big" throw, a 41 yard flea flicker to Hines Ward, was so horribly underthrown that Hines had to make a great catch just to come up with the ball and was tackled at the one yard line on what should have been an easy TD. Take away the flea flicker and Ben's longest throw was 23 yards, to Santonio, meaning that Santonio's other 3 catches netted 6 yards total. Way to use your deep threat, Ben.
Oh yeah, and two plays before he threw the stupid interception right before the half, which resulted in a quick Colts TD, and ultimately, the game, I specifically yelled at the TV, "don't do anything stupid, Ben!" He just doesn't listen.
There is no excuse for losing this game. The Colts are mediocre at best this year. Look, the Steelers have the lead in their division. Their division is weak. They already beat Baltimore. Get your guys healthy and make a your run. Losing a home game is unacceptable. This isn't the 2005, 2006, or 2007 Colts. Leftwich could have beat this team.
Back to back losses at home. Ridiculous.
First, the Colts knew he was injured and would not be a threat to run the ball under any circumstances. Advantage: Colts. Second, which the Colts did not presumably know but the Steelers coaching staff, and Ben, had to have known, the man could not throw the ball down the field.
He threw 42 passes, completing 30, but almost every pass was 10 yards or less. Slants to Hines Ward or short routes over the middle to tight ends, all game long, while deep threats Santonio Holmes (4 receptions for 29 yards) and Nate Washington
(3 for 30), were rendered useless due to Ben's injured shoulder.
The very few times he did throw the ball down field, he either overthrew or underthrew his receivers, resulting in 3 interceptions. Even his "big" throw, a 41 yard flea flicker to Hines Ward, was so horribly underthrown that Hines had to make a great catch just to come up with the ball and was tackled at the one yard line on what should have been an easy TD. Take away the flea flicker and Ben's longest throw was 23 yards, to Santonio, meaning that Santonio's other 3 catches netted 6 yards total. Way to use your deep threat, Ben.
Oh yeah, and two plays before he threw the stupid interception right before the half, which resulted in a quick Colts TD, and ultimately, the game, I specifically yelled at the TV, "don't do anything stupid, Ben!" He just doesn't listen.
There is no excuse for losing this game. The Colts are mediocre at best this year. Look, the Steelers have the lead in their division. Their division is weak. They already beat Baltimore. Get your guys healthy and make a your run. Losing a home game is unacceptable. This isn't the 2005, 2006, or 2007 Colts. Leftwich could have beat this team.
Back to back losses at home. Ridiculous.
Fantasy Football Update
Week 10 of the NFL season concludes tonight and more importantly, week 10 of the Fantasy Football season concludes tonight as well. That means only 3 or 4 more weeks in the regular season, depending on when your playoffs start and how many weeks and teams make the playoffs in your league. How are your teams doing?
In my $$$ league, I moved to 6-4 this week with a 92-33 victory over one of the first place teams. We have 3 divisions, 4 teams per division, each division leader plus 1 wild card team make the playoffs. I've had a tough time in this league but I'm still in position to win the money. Week 10 saw me starting my 5th QB of the season. Yes, injuries are a huge part of fantasy football. I drafted Carson Palmer and Matt Hasselbeck and assumed I wouldn't have to worry about QBs all season. Wrong. Both players performed uncharacteristically bad before succumbing to injuries. Next up, Matt Schaub and Kyle Orton. Both performed well above expectations only to get injured on the same week. I tried to grab Atlanta QB Matt Ryan off of waivers, but another manager snagged him so I ended up with Sage Rosenfels as my starting QB this week. Yikes.
Add to this, my #1 draft pick, Steven Jackson, was out for yet another week with a strained quad and I was without WR Santana Moss, who was enjoying his bye week. Yet somehow, I found a way to win.
I'm actually in a reasonably good position in the $$$ league. Despite being in 5th place overall, my team is 1st in total points scored. Which means three things. One, my team scores a lot of points. Two, my team will have the wild card tie breaker advantage if needed, and three, my team is the victim of unfortunate scheduling.
I'm one game out of first place in my division and I still have a head to head matchup against the team that is in front of me. I just need my players to get healthy in time for the playoffs and I think I can win the league.
Moving on to my Marathoners League. What a roller coaster season this has been. I drafted 14th in a 14 team league, which really, really hurt. The best RB available at #14 was Ryan Grant, who totally, totally sucked for the first 7 weeks but is finally getting healthy and putting up respectable numbers over the last 3 weeks. But it's hard to compete when your 1st round pick is scoring 7 or 8 points per week and other teams 1st round picks are putting up 30.
I started the season 1-3, only to win 4 straight, only to lose my last 2. So I'm sitting at 5-5, with 3 weeks left in the regular season. Top 8 teams make the playoffs in this league, so although 5-5 isn't where I want to be, it will probably be good enough for 7th or 8th place, assuming I win 2 of the next 3. Again, if I can make it to the playoffs healthy, I have a chance. Although, realistically, this probably isn't my year in the Marathoners League. Stupid 14th pick!
Finally, my son's team moved to 5-4-1 this week, good for 3rd place overall, with the top 4 making the playoffs. Again, his team is #1 in total points scored and the victim of bad scheduling. I predict he wins the championship.
What do I mean by bad scheduling? Assume your team scores the 2nd most points of any team in your league almost every week. You'd have a pretty strong team and win most of your games, right? Not so fast, what if your schedule somehow managed to match you up against the team that scored the most points every week? Suddenly, 2nd most points isn't quite good enough. So even though you would have won against 10 out of the other 11 teams in your league, you were unfortunate enough to have been playing against the 1 team who could and did beat you that week. I know, fantasy football's just not fair.
OK. Sorry to bore you with fantasy football. I just needed a well earned break from politics for a minute.
In my $$$ league, I moved to 6-4 this week with a 92-33 victory over one of the first place teams. We have 3 divisions, 4 teams per division, each division leader plus 1 wild card team make the playoffs. I've had a tough time in this league but I'm still in position to win the money. Week 10 saw me starting my 5th QB of the season. Yes, injuries are a huge part of fantasy football. I drafted Carson Palmer and Matt Hasselbeck and assumed I wouldn't have to worry about QBs all season. Wrong. Both players performed uncharacteristically bad before succumbing to injuries. Next up, Matt Schaub and Kyle Orton. Both performed well above expectations only to get injured on the same week. I tried to grab Atlanta QB Matt Ryan off of waivers, but another manager snagged him so I ended up with Sage Rosenfels as my starting QB this week. Yikes.
Add to this, my #1 draft pick, Steven Jackson, was out for yet another week with a strained quad and I was without WR Santana Moss, who was enjoying his bye week. Yet somehow, I found a way to win.
I'm actually in a reasonably good position in the $$$ league. Despite being in 5th place overall, my team is 1st in total points scored. Which means three things. One, my team scores a lot of points. Two, my team will have the wild card tie breaker advantage if needed, and three, my team is the victim of unfortunate scheduling.
I'm one game out of first place in my division and I still have a head to head matchup against the team that is in front of me. I just need my players to get healthy in time for the playoffs and I think I can win the league.
Moving on to my Marathoners League. What a roller coaster season this has been. I drafted 14th in a 14 team league, which really, really hurt. The best RB available at #14 was Ryan Grant, who totally, totally sucked for the first 7 weeks but is finally getting healthy and putting up respectable numbers over the last 3 weeks. But it's hard to compete when your 1st round pick is scoring 7 or 8 points per week and other teams 1st round picks are putting up 30.
I started the season 1-3, only to win 4 straight, only to lose my last 2. So I'm sitting at 5-5, with 3 weeks left in the regular season. Top 8 teams make the playoffs in this league, so although 5-5 isn't where I want to be, it will probably be good enough for 7th or 8th place, assuming I win 2 of the next 3. Again, if I can make it to the playoffs healthy, I have a chance. Although, realistically, this probably isn't my year in the Marathoners League. Stupid 14th pick!
Finally, my son's team moved to 5-4-1 this week, good for 3rd place overall, with the top 4 making the playoffs. Again, his team is #1 in total points scored and the victim of bad scheduling. I predict he wins the championship.
What do I mean by bad scheduling? Assume your team scores the 2nd most points of any team in your league almost every week. You'd have a pretty strong team and win most of your games, right? Not so fast, what if your schedule somehow managed to match you up against the team that scored the most points every week? Suddenly, 2nd most points isn't quite good enough. So even though you would have won against 10 out of the other 11 teams in your league, you were unfortunate enough to have been playing against the 1 team who could and did beat you that week. I know, fantasy football's just not fair.
OK. Sorry to bore you with fantasy football. I just needed a well earned break from politics for a minute.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Mutts Like Me
As we learned the other night, the Obama's will be bringing a puppy with them to the White House. Since then, the question has been, "what kind of dog?" Luckily, Obama tackled this highly complex and important issue during today's press conference.
For those of us hoping for a Pit Bull named Sarah, no such luck. But if you guessed that Obama was the pound puppy type then you win.
"This is a major issue," Obama told reporters at his news conference Friday. It's generated more interest on his Web site than any other topic. But 10-year-old daughter Malia has allergies, so the family is looking for a low-allergy dog.
"We have two criteria that need to be reconciled," said Obama. "One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic."
It's the family's second criteria that may be the more difficult one to fulfill. Obama said the family would prefer to adopt a puppy from an animal rescue shelter.
"But obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me," said Obama in a self-deprecating reference to his father from Kenya and mother from Kansas. "So whether we're going to be able to balance those two thing, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household."
For those of us hoping for a Pit Bull named Sarah, no such luck. But if you guessed that Obama was the pound puppy type then you win.
"This is a major issue," Obama told reporters at his news conference Friday. It's generated more interest on his Web site than any other topic. But 10-year-old daughter Malia has allergies, so the family is looking for a low-allergy dog.
"We have two criteria that need to be reconciled," said Obama. "One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic."
It's the family's second criteria that may be the more difficult one to fulfill. Obama said the family would prefer to adopt a puppy from an animal rescue shelter.
"But obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me," said Obama in a self-deprecating reference to his father from Kenya and mother from Kansas. "So whether we're going to be able to balance those two thing, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household."
Karma Police
For the third day in a row, when I hear Karma Police, by Radiohead, I get all emotional and teary eyed during the chorus: This is what you get...when you mess with us.
I don't know why but I'm equating "karma" and "this is what you get when you mess with us" with the good guys winning the election.
Whatever. Just thought I'd share since it is a recurring issue.
I don't know why but I'm equating "karma" and "this is what you get when you mess with us" with the good guys winning the election.
Whatever. Just thought I'd share since it is a recurring issue.
Team Obama 1.0
From Daily Kos: According to a press release, "The Transition Economic Advisory Board will help guide the work of the Obama-Biden transition team in developing a strong set of policies to respond to the economic crisis."
Members of the board include:
David Bonior (Member House of Representatives 1977-2003
Warren Buffett (Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway)-will participate via speakerphone
Roel Campos (former SEC Commissioner
William Daley (Chairman of the Midwest, JP Morgan Chase; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Commerce, 1997-2000)
William Donaldson (Former Chairman of the SEC 2003-2005
Roger Ferguson (President and CEO, TIAA-CREF and former Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
Jennifer Granholm (Governor, State of Michigan
Anne Mulcahy (Chairman and CEO, Xerox)
Richard Parsons (Chairman of the Board, Time Warner)
Penny Pritzker (CEO, Classic Residence by Hyatt
Robert Reich (University of California, Berkeley; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Labor, 1993-1997)
Robert Rubin (Chairman and Director of the Executive Committee, Citigroup; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Treasury, 1995-1999)
Eric Schmidt (Chairman and CEO, Google)
Lawrence Summers (Harvard University; Managing Director, D.E. Shaw; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Treasury, 1999-2001)
Laura Tyson (Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley; Former Chairman, National Economic Council, 1995-1996; Former Chairman, President’s Council of Economic Advisors, 1993-1995)
Antonio Villaraigosa (Mayor, City of Los Angeles)
Paul Volcker (Former Chairman, U.S. Federal Reserve 1979-1987
Members of the board include:
David Bonior (Member House of Representatives 1977-2003
Warren Buffett (Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway)-will participate via speakerphone
Roel Campos (former SEC Commissioner
William Daley (Chairman of the Midwest, JP Morgan Chase; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Commerce, 1997-2000)
William Donaldson (Former Chairman of the SEC 2003-2005
Roger Ferguson (President and CEO, TIAA-CREF and former Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
Jennifer Granholm (Governor, State of Michigan
Anne Mulcahy (Chairman and CEO, Xerox)
Richard Parsons (Chairman of the Board, Time Warner)
Penny Pritzker (CEO, Classic Residence by Hyatt
Robert Reich (University of California, Berkeley; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Labor, 1993-1997)
Robert Rubin (Chairman and Director of the Executive Committee, Citigroup; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Treasury, 1995-1999)
Eric Schmidt (Chairman and CEO, Google)
Lawrence Summers (Harvard University; Managing Director, D.E. Shaw; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Treasury, 1999-2001)
Laura Tyson (Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley; Former Chairman, National Economic Council, 1995-1996; Former Chairman, President’s Council of Economic Advisors, 1993-1995)
Antonio Villaraigosa (Mayor, City of Los Angeles)
Paul Volcker (Former Chairman, U.S. Federal Reserve 1979-1987
That Joke Isn't Scary Anymore
Fear. What is it good for? Two terms, maximum. I was just on the phone with my parents and I used the following analogy that I thought I would share.
McCain/GOP tried to use fear, again, to win the election. The problem was that this time Americans were too old for that trick. Eight years ago, we were like the 6 year old at the Haunted House. Scary, scary, scary. Four years later, we were 10 year olds, pretty sure that what we were seeing was bullshit but that little bit of doubt was still lingering in(some of)our minds enough to push the button for a Bush second term. Four more years pass, and suddenly we're 14 year olds and all those silly things that used to scare the shit out of us are now so obviously contrived (and false) that instead of being afraid, we laugh. It's funny. The game is over.
Fortunately, the GOP thought that fear would be enough yet again. Indeed, it had never failed them before. So for months and months they said, "boo" and "boo" and "boo", and for months and months we giggled and laughed and feigned terror. But at the end of the day, there was no plan "B", no fall back plan, no issue based plan. In fact, no plan at all. And why should there have been a plan? They had never needed one before!
In the end, the truth about the Bush Administration (and Republican party) turned out to be scarier than any lie the Republicans could make up about Obama. It didn't matter what they falsely accused Obama of; socialism, communism, Muslim, terrorist, William Ayers, Rev. Wright. Nothing was as scary as the truth about the past 8 years. The Patriot Act, the suspension of Habeus Corpus, legalized torture, spying on American citizens phone conversations and emails, an endless illegal invasion and occupation of a sovereign nation, and on and on and on infinitum.
Cyclically, America has once again reached electoral puberty and we have started thinking for ourselves again instead of accepting illusion (propaganda) as fact. In this election, we had a choice. Fear or Hope. We chose Hope. It will take more than Hope to fix the wrongs of the past 8 years but where there is Hope, there is a way. Let's use Hope as the keystone to making our country and the world a better place.
McCain/GOP tried to use fear, again, to win the election. The problem was that this time Americans were too old for that trick. Eight years ago, we were like the 6 year old at the Haunted House. Scary, scary, scary. Four years later, we were 10 year olds, pretty sure that what we were seeing was bullshit but that little bit of doubt was still lingering in(some of)our minds enough to push the button for a Bush second term. Four more years pass, and suddenly we're 14 year olds and all those silly things that used to scare the shit out of us are now so obviously contrived (and false) that instead of being afraid, we laugh. It's funny. The game is over.
Fortunately, the GOP thought that fear would be enough yet again. Indeed, it had never failed them before. So for months and months they said, "boo" and "boo" and "boo", and for months and months we giggled and laughed and feigned terror. But at the end of the day, there was no plan "B", no fall back plan, no issue based plan. In fact, no plan at all. And why should there have been a plan? They had never needed one before!
In the end, the truth about the Bush Administration (and Republican party) turned out to be scarier than any lie the Republicans could make up about Obama. It didn't matter what they falsely accused Obama of; socialism, communism, Muslim, terrorist, William Ayers, Rev. Wright. Nothing was as scary as the truth about the past 8 years. The Patriot Act, the suspension of Habeus Corpus, legalized torture, spying on American citizens phone conversations and emails, an endless illegal invasion and occupation of a sovereign nation, and on and on and on infinitum.
Cyclically, America has once again reached electoral puberty and we have started thinking for ourselves again instead of accepting illusion (propaganda) as fact. In this election, we had a choice. Fear or Hope. We chose Hope. It will take more than Hope to fix the wrongs of the past 8 years but where there is Hope, there is a way. Let's use Hope as the keystone to making our country and the world a better place.
Palin Is Rubber, The GOP Is Glue
Real quick. We can expect to read countless stories about how dumb Sarah Palin is over the next week or two. Most of these stories will come from the McCain camp. This is good, because we really need to make sure that the magnitude of her incompetence is put out there on a grand scale to prevent someone like her from ever becoming a vote and a heart beat away from running/ruining our country, ever again.
At the same time, let us not forget, every negative word that is spoken about Palin over the coming weeks is not only a slam against Palin, but more importantly, a slam against the McCain campaign and the GOP, the very people who will be doing their best to slam her. Never forget that it was these people who chose her and these people who continued to tout her as a solid choice, someone who would be great for our country, while they all knew the whole time that what they were saying was utter bullshit. Don't ever forget that the Republican party tried to bamboozle you, the American voter, yet again.
Honestly, what kind of power hungry, me me me, piece of shit scumbag do you have to be to put Sarah Palin on the ticket, knowing full well that this country (that you pretend to love) would be totally fucked if God forbid, she were to somehow assume power.
Thank God your fear tactics didn't work this time.
UPDATE: Campbell Brown makes my point a bit more vigorously: "You are the ones who supposedly vetted her, and then told the American people she was qualified for the job. You are the ones who after meeting her a couple of times, told us she was ready to be just one heartbeat away from the Presidency. If even half of what you say NOW is true, then boy, did you try to sell the American people a bill of goods. If Sarah Palin is the reason some voters chose Barack Obama, that is no one's fault but your own. John McCain, as he so graciously said himself the other night, lost this election. He lost it with your help, your advice, your guidance, and yes, your running mate recommendations. And that is crystal clear to everyone, no matter how hard you try to blame Sarah Palin or anyone else."
At the same time, let us not forget, every negative word that is spoken about Palin over the coming weeks is not only a slam against Palin, but more importantly, a slam against the McCain campaign and the GOP, the very people who will be doing their best to slam her. Never forget that it was these people who chose her and these people who continued to tout her as a solid choice, someone who would be great for our country, while they all knew the whole time that what they were saying was utter bullshit. Don't ever forget that the Republican party tried to bamboozle you, the American voter, yet again.
Honestly, what kind of power hungry, me me me, piece of shit scumbag do you have to be to put Sarah Palin on the ticket, knowing full well that this country (that you pretend to love) would be totally fucked if God forbid, she were to somehow assume power.
Thank God your fear tactics didn't work this time.
UPDATE: Campbell Brown makes my point a bit more vigorously: "You are the ones who supposedly vetted her, and then told the American people she was qualified for the job. You are the ones who after meeting her a couple of times, told us she was ready to be just one heartbeat away from the Presidency. If even half of what you say NOW is true, then boy, did you try to sell the American people a bill of goods. If Sarah Palin is the reason some voters chose Barack Obama, that is no one's fault but your own. John McCain, as he so graciously said himself the other night, lost this election. He lost it with your help, your advice, your guidance, and yes, your running mate recommendations. And that is crystal clear to everyone, no matter how hard you try to blame Sarah Palin or anyone else."
A Night To Remember
This is a must watch recap of election night, edited by Jed Lewison of the Jed Report and Daily Kos. He's the best. Enjoy!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Right Wing Kool-Aid Drinkers
This really doesn't surprise me but it does make me sad. A letter to the editor in the Columbus Dispatch this morning by a guy who begins by saying, "For the first time in my life, I am ashamed to be an American." Yes, that's right, while the entire world is rejoicing and Americans everywhere are finally proud to be an American, this guy is ashamed. Why?
Because "The American people have elected a man who hates America and all it stands for in an effort to end the war on terrorism, a man who is sympathetic to the enemy in this war." Watch Fox "news" much? This is what happens when people get all of their "facts" from a right wing propaganda outlet.
He continues, "Obama has fooled the American people into thinking he is a middle-of-the-road Democrat, relying on the laziness of the people to avoid checking his voting record. He is the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate, who has condemned America at every chance."
The irony here is that Fox has relied on this man's laziness to avoid checking facts. So while this guy is criticizing the laziness of people who voted for Obama, the fact is, it is the letter writer who has his facts wrong and was too lazy and/or ignorant to actually check Obama's voting record. Obama does not have the most liberal voting record of any U.S. Senator, and with all of the internet tools at our disposal it really doesn't take much effort to dispel that right wing "fact". And seriously, I would challenge this guy to cite ONE example of an instance where Obama "has condemned America" let alone "at every chance."
And finally, "We have elected a socialist with strong anti-American beliefs, a man with a United Nations view of the world." Honestly, regurgitate neo-con buzz phrases much? I'll guarantee you that if you asked this guy to explain the "United Nations view of the world", he would stutter and stammer, turn red in the face, call you a name, and stomp away in a huff while muttering under his breath.
Ignorance must truly be bliss.
Because "The American people have elected a man who hates America and all it stands for in an effort to end the war on terrorism, a man who is sympathetic to the enemy in this war." Watch Fox "news" much? This is what happens when people get all of their "facts" from a right wing propaganda outlet.
He continues, "Obama has fooled the American people into thinking he is a middle-of-the-road Democrat, relying on the laziness of the people to avoid checking his voting record. He is the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate, who has condemned America at every chance."
The irony here is that Fox has relied on this man's laziness to avoid checking facts. So while this guy is criticizing the laziness of people who voted for Obama, the fact is, it is the letter writer who has his facts wrong and was too lazy and/or ignorant to actually check Obama's voting record. Obama does not have the most liberal voting record of any U.S. Senator, and with all of the internet tools at our disposal it really doesn't take much effort to dispel that right wing "fact". And seriously, I would challenge this guy to cite ONE example of an instance where Obama "has condemned America" let alone "at every chance."
And finally, "We have elected a socialist with strong anti-American beliefs, a man with a United Nations view of the world." Honestly, regurgitate neo-con buzz phrases much? I'll guarantee you that if you asked this guy to explain the "United Nations view of the world", he would stutter and stammer, turn red in the face, call you a name, and stomp away in a huff while muttering under his breath.
Ignorance must truly be bliss.
Country First
Yesterday, I brought up the question of Sarah Palin. Would the GOP start grooming her for 2012 (please, please, please!) or would they throw her under the bus. I think we're starting to get our answer.
McCain staffers are already turning on Palin, announcing that she didn't know that Africa was a continent, couldn't name the countries in North America, and threw temper tantrums directed at her staff. My guess is this is only the beginning.
Now for the more important question. If the GOP "leaders" and McCain staffers knew all along that Palin was an unqualified train wreck, why didn't they put their "Country First" and do something about it? Instead, they went out there in full on spin mode and tried to paint her as a maverick, a reformer, an energy "expert", etc., when the whole time they knew she was a fraud and picked solely out of desperation. They should really be ashamed but of course they're not, they're Republicans.
McCain staffers are already turning on Palin, announcing that she didn't know that Africa was a continent, couldn't name the countries in North America, and threw temper tantrums directed at her staff. My guess is this is only the beginning.
Now for the more important question. If the GOP "leaders" and McCain staffers knew all along that Palin was an unqualified train wreck, why didn't they put their "Country First" and do something about it? Instead, they went out there in full on spin mode and tried to paint her as a maverick, a reformer, an energy "expert", etc., when the whole time they knew she was a fraud and picked solely out of desperation. They should really be ashamed but of course they're not, they're Republicans.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
After Glow
I'm still soaking it all in. It was actually a little bit anti-climactic for me last night. I did the math around 9pm and knew that Obama had the electoral votes but then had to sit around until the west coast polls closed at 11pm before it could be "official".
I'm way too tired for anything too coherent so I think I'll just write up some not necessarily well connected thoughts.
Admit it. You didn't believe me when I kept saying it was going to be a landslide. Believe it, bitches!
My wife owes me a nickel. Pay up! At 9pm, when I came downstairs and announced that Obama had won via CA+HI+NV+WA+OH=95 + the 175 he already had, my wife told me that Obama would not win Ohio. So I bet her a nickel. We're big gamblers.
Now that Obama has won, does that make the United States a Communist country? Or are we Muslims now? Or is it more of a Communist/Muslim/Terrorist type country now? I'll have to watch Fox News later. I'm sure they'll clear it up for me.
As I blogged (and predicted) earlier in the week, the "Bradley Effect" turned out to be fiction. The lesser known but infinitely more potent "Rooney Effect"(trademark pending), however, helped deliver Pennsylvania in a big way.
All of the talk last night was centered around this historic occasion and the first African-American President. Which is all well and good and great for our nation as well as the rest of the world. But for me, it was never about skin color. I always looked toward Obama for his leadership, his intelligence, his cool, calm demeanor. His ability to bring people together. Although the media will trumpet the skin color angle, let's not forget the even more important factor. After 8 long, painful years, we will once again have an intelligent leader who cares about the American people. For me, that is more important than anything else going forward.
It took 8 years, but after last night Bush can honestly say that he is a "uniter". The American people, in the role of "decider", united as never before to rid ourselves of Bush and his failed leadership and disastrous policies.
McCain was gracious in defeat. He took the blame, which ultimately does lie with him. Since he was the one who hired and listened to his despicable campaign team.
I sensed that he was relieved that it was over. I also sense that he and Cindy might not get along all that well. But that's neither here nor there. Just some body language that I've picked up on over the last few months.
Speaking of which, when Palin was interviewed after casting her vote yesterday, her body language and her words made it painfully obvious that she knew it was all over but the shouting. Even the first dude verbally threw in the towel. It should be interesting to see what the puppet masters do with her. Do they throw her to the wolves or do they keep grooming her for a future run? I think the American people have spoken when it comes to her unqualified ass, but that's never stopped the GOP before. Personally, I think it would be best for all concerned if she were to go back to Alaska and quietly let the spotlight fade to black.
O-H I-O !!!
UPDATE: Real quick. I mentioned how gracious McCain was last night but I forgot to mention what complete assholes his supporters were. Did you really BOO every time McCain said Obama's name? Grow up. You people are pathetic. I'm done.
I'm way too tired for anything too coherent so I think I'll just write up some not necessarily well connected thoughts.
Admit it. You didn't believe me when I kept saying it was going to be a landslide. Believe it, bitches!
My wife owes me a nickel. Pay up! At 9pm, when I came downstairs and announced that Obama had won via CA+HI+NV+WA+OH=95 + the 175 he already had, my wife told me that Obama would not win Ohio. So I bet her a nickel. We're big gamblers.
Now that Obama has won, does that make the United States a Communist country? Or are we Muslims now? Or is it more of a Communist/Muslim/Terrorist type country now? I'll have to watch Fox News later. I'm sure they'll clear it up for me.
As I blogged (and predicted) earlier in the week, the "Bradley Effect" turned out to be fiction. The lesser known but infinitely more potent "Rooney Effect"(trademark pending), however, helped deliver Pennsylvania in a big way.
All of the talk last night was centered around this historic occasion and the first African-American President. Which is all well and good and great for our nation as well as the rest of the world. But for me, it was never about skin color. I always looked toward Obama for his leadership, his intelligence, his cool, calm demeanor. His ability to bring people together. Although the media will trumpet the skin color angle, let's not forget the even more important factor. After 8 long, painful years, we will once again have an intelligent leader who cares about the American people. For me, that is more important than anything else going forward.
It took 8 years, but after last night Bush can honestly say that he is a "uniter". The American people, in the role of "decider", united as never before to rid ourselves of Bush and his failed leadership and disastrous policies.
McCain was gracious in defeat. He took the blame, which ultimately does lie with him. Since he was the one who hired and listened to his despicable campaign team.
I sensed that he was relieved that it was over. I also sense that he and Cindy might not get along all that well. But that's neither here nor there. Just some body language that I've picked up on over the last few months.
Speaking of which, when Palin was interviewed after casting her vote yesterday, her body language and her words made it painfully obvious that she knew it was all over but the shouting. Even the first dude verbally threw in the towel. It should be interesting to see what the puppet masters do with her. Do they throw her to the wolves or do they keep grooming her for a future run? I think the American people have spoken when it comes to her unqualified ass, but that's never stopped the GOP before. Personally, I think it would be best for all concerned if she were to go back to Alaska and quietly let the spotlight fade to black.
O-H I-O !!!
UPDATE: Real quick. I mentioned how gracious McCain was last night but I forgot to mention what complete assholes his supporters were. Did you really BOO every time McCain said Obama's name? Grow up. You people are pathetic. I'm done.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
I Feel Like A Number
Numbers. What are they really? Let's take a look at a few numbers from yesterday and today.
60,000+. The number of people who attended the Columbus Obama rally yesterday.
10,000. Very generous estimate of the number of people who attended McCain rally with Arnold the Governator on Friday, in Columbus. Arnold discussed important issues like the size of Obama's skinny arms and legs, but I digress.
3800. The number of people who attended the Columbus Palin rally yesterday.
Now, Palin herself was quick to point out that some people can fill stadiums with their speeches. I think she was shooting for the Obama speaks "eloquently" angle again. But what part of this is she missing? Hmmm...think...think...think...AH! The part where those 60,000+ people who like to hear the negro talk pretty will actually be VOTING on Tuesday!!!
And since McCain spoke to a crowd of roughly 1000 this morning in Tampa, approximately 1/15th the size of the crowd that his hero, Bush, spoke to on the eve of the 2004 election, I think any reasonable person can see what these numbers add up to.
60,000+. The number of people who attended the Columbus Obama rally yesterday.
10,000. Very generous estimate of the number of people who attended McCain rally with Arnold the Governator on Friday, in Columbus. Arnold discussed important issues like the size of Obama's skinny arms and legs, but I digress.
3800. The number of people who attended the Columbus Palin rally yesterday.
Now, Palin herself was quick to point out that some people can fill stadiums with their speeches. I think she was shooting for the Obama speaks "eloquently" angle again. But what part of this is she missing? Hmmm...think...think...think...AH! The part where those 60,000+ people who like to hear the negro talk pretty will actually be VOTING on Tuesday!!!
And since McCain spoke to a crowd of roughly 1000 this morning in Tampa, approximately 1/15th the size of the crowd that his hero, Bush, spoke to on the eve of the 2004 election, I think any reasonable person can see what these numbers add up to.
Basking In Racism
Ah, the Bradley Effect. The neo-con's last, best...no, only hope. The theory behind the Bradley Effect is that racist voters will publicly pretend that they are going to vote for a non-white candidate only to vote for the white guy when the curtain is drawn.
As idiotic as this sounds, I guess it's possible that some racist white folks in some past elections may have felt guilty about their racism or may not have wanted their racism to be public record, and so may have said they would vote for one candidate and then actually voted for the other. But I think that is counter-intuitive. All of the racists that I know, and I'm sad, very sad to say that even in the 21st century I still know a few, tend to be proud of their racism. They don't try to hide it. In fact, it is quite the opposite, they seem to actively look for opportunities to bask in their racism.
Can someone explain this to me? What is the upside of being a racist? Why is it that perfectly intelligent human beings in all other respects are perfectly willing to throw their vote away and vote against their best interests or even not vote at all rather than vote for the most qualified candidate, simply because of the color of their skin? Let it go! Is that really who you are? Is that really who you want to be? Really? Break free, already.
Sorry for the digression. America just needs Obama so badly and it pains me that some people might still be clinging to primitive beliefs this late in the game.
Anyway, fear not, Obama Nation. I am here to tell you that the Bradley Effect is a myth. But even if I'm wrong, there is no way that the Bradley Effect can possibly outweigh the Bush/Cheney/McCain effect. Do your part, get out there and vote, regardless of how long the lines are, and then bask in the glory of participating in winning your Country back. Wake up on Wednesday with hope for a bright future for you, your family, your neighbors, your country, the world.
Go vote! And...Sparky...don't be racist.
As idiotic as this sounds, I guess it's possible that some racist white folks in some past elections may have felt guilty about their racism or may not have wanted their racism to be public record, and so may have said they would vote for one candidate and then actually voted for the other. But I think that is counter-intuitive. All of the racists that I know, and I'm sad, very sad to say that even in the 21st century I still know a few, tend to be proud of their racism. They don't try to hide it. In fact, it is quite the opposite, they seem to actively look for opportunities to bask in their racism.
Can someone explain this to me? What is the upside of being a racist? Why is it that perfectly intelligent human beings in all other respects are perfectly willing to throw their vote away and vote against their best interests or even not vote at all rather than vote for the most qualified candidate, simply because of the color of their skin? Let it go! Is that really who you are? Is that really who you want to be? Really? Break free, already.
Sorry for the digression. America just needs Obama so badly and it pains me that some people might still be clinging to primitive beliefs this late in the game.
Anyway, fear not, Obama Nation. I am here to tell you that the Bradley Effect is a myth. But even if I'm wrong, there is no way that the Bradley Effect can possibly outweigh the Bush/Cheney/McCain effect. Do your part, get out there and vote, regardless of how long the lines are, and then bask in the glory of participating in winning your Country back. Wake up on Wednesday with hope for a bright future for you, your family, your neighbors, your country, the world.
Go vote! And...Sparky...don't be racist.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Waiting...and Waiting
I had no intention of going downtown to vote today. It was an impulse. I realized that today would be the only day that I could wait in line, regardless of length, without having to worry about either having the kids with me or having to leave the line to go pick up a kid and have to get back in line later. After 2004, where I waited in line for over 2 hours with a 3 year old in tow, I decided to take steps to prevent that from happening again.
I left the house around 9:00, in hopes that people would have slept in this morning after celebrating Halloween the night before. When I got downtown, there seemed to be quite a bit of traffic for 9:00am on a weekend. As I approached Veterans Memorial, the sight for early voting for Franklin County, I noticed every car in front of me moving into the turning lane in front of Veterans Memorial. Damn.
As soon as I turned into the parking lot I could see a crowd of people lined up outside and around the building. The 930 space parking lot was full but I managed to squeeze my Honda Civic between two cars that were not spaced properly. I walked across the parking lot and started looking for the end of the line. I walked the length of the building and around the back and finally found the end of the line.
It didn't take long for strangers to start talking to each other. It also didn't take long to realize that everyone was in line for Obama. I was right behind a very talkative young veteran who had served 8 years in the military including 2 tours in Iraq. Actually having the opportunity to hear first hand accounts from someone who had served in Iraq was worth the wait in and of itself. His description of the initial invasion was very different from what we heard on TV. He said that they cruised right through Iraq and into Baghdad with no danger whatsoever. The invasion basically consisted of the U.S. using their technology to shoot people from 2 miles away and then tanks would drive up and confirm the fatalities. He said that the "war" was basically over in 2 days, we could have declared victory and gone home. Instead, he said, they were left there with no orders, just sitting around waiting and wondering why they were still there. It was all very interesting. I could write a big, long post just about what I learned from him.
Anyway, the line was moving, and the news crews were arriving and along the way I met Attorney General candidate Rich Cordray, and Mary Jo Kilroy's brother. Then, an entourage of approximately 20 older gentlemen, better dressed than the rest of us, came walking down the sidewalk. I figured it was someone famous or "important". As they came closer I realized it was John Glenn. He stopped to do a quick interview and then moved around toward the back of the building. That was the last I saw of him.
After 80 minutes in line outside, I finally stepped inside the building. A guy who had just finished voting told us that he had gotten in line at 7:30. It had taken him 3 hours to vote and he said that he thought that they had made the indoor line longer since he had been through it. We were still on the ground level and had to work our way upstairs before we could really see how long the line actually was. When I finally reached the top of the stairs, I couldn't believe my eyes. The line went on forever, with ropes set up back and forth down long, long hallways 4 times down and 3 times up, with each row about 100 yards long. Plus an out and back down a different long hallway before we could even get in the main line. My wait had just begun.
Fortunately, I brought along Girl With Curious Hair, by David Foster Wallace, so I escaped inside of my book to pass the time. I started to feel like I feel when I'm on an airplane. That feeling of not being in control and just trying to find ways to pass the time. Plus that heavy eyelid feeling from reading and that hungry feeling from not eating. It was starting to get tough.
After 3 1/2 hours, I reached the final rope. Just then, a Japanese film crew came racing up the stairs and started interviewing a woman about 3 people ahead of me. The line kept moving and we walked past the film crew. 30 minutes later, when I was about 20 people away from the front of the line, the film crew was back. Everyone who they had interviewed was there to vote for Obama. They were searching for someone, anyone, who was voting for McCain, so that they could interview them. They couldn't find anyone.
I finally reached the front of the line, received my ballot, filled in my ballot, sealed my ballot and submitted my ballot. VICTORY! 4 1/2 hours later, mission accomplished. I was exhausted but it had to be done. A small sacrifice for the greater good.
Now get out there on Tuesday and close the deal. Don't forget, since this is an even numbered year, Democrats vote on Tuesday and Republicans wait until Wednesday.
I couldn't resist.
I left the house around 9:00, in hopes that people would have slept in this morning after celebrating Halloween the night before. When I got downtown, there seemed to be quite a bit of traffic for 9:00am on a weekend. As I approached Veterans Memorial, the sight for early voting for Franklin County, I noticed every car in front of me moving into the turning lane in front of Veterans Memorial. Damn.
As soon as I turned into the parking lot I could see a crowd of people lined up outside and around the building. The 930 space parking lot was full but I managed to squeeze my Honda Civic between two cars that were not spaced properly. I walked across the parking lot and started looking for the end of the line. I walked the length of the building and around the back and finally found the end of the line.
It didn't take long for strangers to start talking to each other. It also didn't take long to realize that everyone was in line for Obama. I was right behind a very talkative young veteran who had served 8 years in the military including 2 tours in Iraq. Actually having the opportunity to hear first hand accounts from someone who had served in Iraq was worth the wait in and of itself. His description of the initial invasion was very different from what we heard on TV. He said that they cruised right through Iraq and into Baghdad with no danger whatsoever. The invasion basically consisted of the U.S. using their technology to shoot people from 2 miles away and then tanks would drive up and confirm the fatalities. He said that the "war" was basically over in 2 days, we could have declared victory and gone home. Instead, he said, they were left there with no orders, just sitting around waiting and wondering why they were still there. It was all very interesting. I could write a big, long post just about what I learned from him.
Anyway, the line was moving, and the news crews were arriving and along the way I met Attorney General candidate Rich Cordray, and Mary Jo Kilroy's brother. Then, an entourage of approximately 20 older gentlemen, better dressed than the rest of us, came walking down the sidewalk. I figured it was someone famous or "important". As they came closer I realized it was John Glenn. He stopped to do a quick interview and then moved around toward the back of the building. That was the last I saw of him.
After 80 minutes in line outside, I finally stepped inside the building. A guy who had just finished voting told us that he had gotten in line at 7:30. It had taken him 3 hours to vote and he said that he thought that they had made the indoor line longer since he had been through it. We were still on the ground level and had to work our way upstairs before we could really see how long the line actually was. When I finally reached the top of the stairs, I couldn't believe my eyes. The line went on forever, with ropes set up back and forth down long, long hallways 4 times down and 3 times up, with each row about 100 yards long. Plus an out and back down a different long hallway before we could even get in the main line. My wait had just begun.
Fortunately, I brought along Girl With Curious Hair, by David Foster Wallace, so I escaped inside of my book to pass the time. I started to feel like I feel when I'm on an airplane. That feeling of not being in control and just trying to find ways to pass the time. Plus that heavy eyelid feeling from reading and that hungry feeling from not eating. It was starting to get tough.
After 3 1/2 hours, I reached the final rope. Just then, a Japanese film crew came racing up the stairs and started interviewing a woman about 3 people ahead of me. The line kept moving and we walked past the film crew. 30 minutes later, when I was about 20 people away from the front of the line, the film crew was back. Everyone who they had interviewed was there to vote for Obama. They were searching for someone, anyone, who was voting for McCain, so that they could interview them. They couldn't find anyone.
I finally reached the front of the line, received my ballot, filled in my ballot, sealed my ballot and submitted my ballot. VICTORY! 4 1/2 hours later, mission accomplished. I was exhausted but it had to be done. A small sacrifice for the greater good.
Now get out there on Tuesday and close the deal. Don't forget, since this is an even numbered year, Democrats vote on Tuesday and Republicans wait until Wednesday.
I couldn't resist.
What A Dick
Just when McCain thought things couldn't get any worse for his campaign, Dick Cheney goes and endorses him. Talk about kicking a man when he's down.
Here's what Obama had to say about the endorsement:
President Bush is sitting out the last few days before the election. But earlier today, Dick Cheney came out of his undisclosed location and hit the campaign trail. He said that he is, and I quote, "delighted to support John McCain."
I'd like to congratulate Senator McCain on this endorsement because he really earned it. That endorsement didn't come easy. Senator McCain had to vote 90 percent of the time with George Bush and Dick Cheney to get it. He served as Washington's biggest cheerleader for going to war in Iraq, and supports economic policies that are no different from the last eight years. So Senator McCain worked hard to get Dick Cheney's support.
But here's my question for you, Colorado: do you think Dick Cheney is delighted to support John McCain because he thinks John McCain's going to bring change? Do you think John McCain and Dick Cheney have been talking about how to shake things up, and get rid of the lobbyists and the old boys club in Washington?
Here's what Obama had to say about the endorsement:
President Bush is sitting out the last few days before the election. But earlier today, Dick Cheney came out of his undisclosed location and hit the campaign trail. He said that he is, and I quote, "delighted to support John McCain."
I'd like to congratulate Senator McCain on this endorsement because he really earned it. That endorsement didn't come easy. Senator McCain had to vote 90 percent of the time with George Bush and Dick Cheney to get it. He served as Washington's biggest cheerleader for going to war in Iraq, and supports economic policies that are no different from the last eight years. So Senator McCain worked hard to get Dick Cheney's support.
But here's my question for you, Colorado: do you think Dick Cheney is delighted to support John McCain because he thinks John McCain's going to bring change? Do you think John McCain and Dick Cheney have been talking about how to shake things up, and get rid of the lobbyists and the old boys club in Washington?
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