Notes on Change.

I'd like to make just a few observations.

We've all seen the "Only Change is Constant" bumper stickers.  And yes, change is constantly occurring.  But I think our perception that "everything" changes is part of our downfall.  Not everything changes, but most things change considerably over the course of time which leads us to believe that literally our whole world is adjusting and adapting.  Please see a small sample of things that do not change, despite being adjusted slightly:

1. If you have a boyfriend who is a crappy boyfriend.  Changing his status in your life, from boyfriend to baby daddy, is not going to change the adjective before his title.  Let's have some self-respect, ladies.

2. If you are in a particularly glum stage in your life changing your status to find support within your online social network is not going to change the fact that your actual lifestyle needs an adjustment.  Get off your behind and go do something to make a change, don't just wait for it to inevitably fall on your head and give you another excuse to be a victim of circumstance.

3. Changing the nouns used in your insult does not change the fact that it is a fact-less claim.  Calling me a "racist" one day and "small minded" the next still doesn't provide me with any, either quantitative or qualitative, corroborating evidence.

4. Changing the skin color of your President doesn't change the way politicians, and the whole political landscape, operate.  If only it were that easy.

 That is all.



 

If it looks like a duck...

...and it walks like a bailout, and it talks like a bailout.  Don't put a cow costume on it and think that I'm stupid enough to think it's a "Jobs Plan". 

And while we're on the subject... the "Buffett Rule," really?  Let's have everyone who's making more than a million dollars sacrifice more of their income in order to support a culture of give-aways that is enabling millions of people to be lazy, do-nothing, moochers. 

Let's use this amazing research tool that gives us billions of pieces of information at the touch of a button and do some research.  It is an absolute myth, an urban legend, a wives tale, call it what you will, but rich people paying the least amount of tax is a populist's lie.  And look, when you move past the emotional fear-mongering and marketing ploy to make you believe that you're being subjugated by millionaires, there is actually quantitative evidence to prove it.  It's something that those on the government waybill would like to believe because it gives their victimhood credibility.  But it's a lie.  Read 'em and weep.

Now, go get your own job, make your own damn money, and save it. 

Hypocrisy.

I'd just like to briefly state a few observations.

1- If there were a Republican President in office and the economy was still in the state it is (and has been) and so many other agendas of the administration had been unpopular and virtually bombed then focusing on yet ANOTHER social issue would never fly. The Democrats would crucify the Republicans for trying to force their morals onto a government entity and there would be no end to the dissent.

Democrats would be beating a drum of injustice and whining that the Republicans are just trying to assuage the indignation of a new demographic so they weren't failing at everything. Shouldn't you complete at least one goal successfully before moving on to five-hundred others?

2- Don't Ask/Don't Tell shouldn't have ever needed to be in place because your sexual orientation should never have bearing on your career. EVER. If so many homosexuals think they need to be recognized in the military then maybe they need to move to a career where your sexual orientation is a key component.

3- I've said this before. DADT is not an issue of eradicating ignorance. It's a housing/logistical issue. If men can't be housed with women then why would gay men be housed with straight men? Separate but equal facilities are available when people don't have to be split in five different ways. A gay men's barracks, straight men's barracks, gay women's barracks, straight women's barracks, transexual barracks, and what about bisexuals and those people who just aren't sure? This is ridiculous, folks. RIDICULOUS.

3- Quit forcing people to be one acronym or another. LGBTQ? Seriously. Live and let live.

I feel like we're going down the drain so very, very quickly.

Private Sector.

In his first public speech since leaving office, former president says his administration's interrogation policies were within the law, asserts the private sector -- not government -- will fix the economy and rejects nationalization of health care.

You know when you just get tired of saying the same old thing and posting the same old ideals? Well, it's come down to simply finding headlines that mean exactly what I want them to. Check out the big bold letters above and then go read the article. It may be about President Bush and he may have not gone about it right but the ideals are right on target. Gitmo has always been run to the letter of the law. Saying it hasn't means you're small-minded and lumping it in with Abu Ghraib. Also, the private sector and dedicated capitalist businessmen are what's going to pull us out of this one. Not "for the greater good" politicians who simply seem to be lining their own federal pockets with money and power.

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In Other News, I'm miserable. But I'll be fine. I'm keeping up with my responsibilities and obligations and doing what I can because that's what adults do. I hate when people disappoint you... and then do it again and again and again. And who cares if it's been a week since it happened, I'm still devastated and trying desperately to get my equilibrium back. Wish me luck.

Little Late, Don't You Think?

Apparently 78% of Americans don't believe the Government is "investing" their tax dollars... 78% of Americans thing the Government is simply spending willy-nilly (that's the technical term). And about 2/3 of Americans want less government in their lives.

So about seven months ago it was totally cool to want the government to take over and make everything better and we were all hoping that the world would be a better place. Now 2/3 of us are being realistic and want the government to butt out. The problem is the public didn't vote in the guy who wanted less government. They voted in Mr. I-Heart-Socialism himself who was quoting commie party lines at the ASU commencement speech he gave the other day.

If the general public weren't a bunch of fickle, media-controlled, mindless, self-absorbed, lackadaisical sheep this wouldn't be an issue. Unfortunately it took 2/3 of the American public this long to realize we don't need the government... they need us and we want them to leave us alone.

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In Other News, my wonderful significant other is out of town for another two days. Which means I've got the whole apartment to myself... WOO! Par-tay! And by "par-tay" I mean "re-organizing my closet and cleaning the bathroom". Yeah, I know... I live on the edge.

National Day of...

Whining... is what it seems like; instead of the National Day of Prayer (which is tomorrow).

Apparently some religious groups are upset that Obama will only be noting the occasion with a "paper proclamation" as opposed to a public address. In keeping with my theme I'd like to say, "Who cares?" The point is he's still taking part of it and prayer is a personal thing anyway. Quite whining about it and go do some praying for a different President if you feel like this one has done you wrong. Quit throwing a fit and go pray for some tolerance from everybody. Or you could just shut your mouth, pray, and thank God that the National Day of Prayer is even recognized in a society where religion is more and more frequently ostracized.

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In Other News, I've been updating another blog as well as this one. The other one is an experiment where we (my significant other and I) try to live off $1,000 a month. The 'poverty line' for a two-person household is set at $1,166 a month so we're trying to help ourselves to live more frugally and tracking it in public seems to help. Little sister left for Italy on Tuesday and arrived safely. Oh! And last weekend (Birthday weekend for those of you who didn't know) was phenomenal. We didn't end up going to the Derby. Partly because it rained and partly because we didn't want to spend four hours in the car, end up super drunk, sleep in the 'Burban, and then wake up early to drive another four hours back. So we found a nice quiet little town and spent Saturday night there. Logansport is adorable and has some seriously cool old buildings in it. We came back perfectly relaxed, and a little sunburned and went to Sol Fest. Rounded out the weekend curled up on the couch with the greatest guy ever watching The American President (or at least half of it before we fell asleep). This weekend, you ask? Eh, probably not a lot. Maybe going to see Grandma (his) for Mother's Day. Maybe a trip to the range? Maybe just snoozing and trying not to spend any money?

Seriously?

I'm still in the phase where I'm giving this President a chance. Yes, I'm tired of hearing about his dog and his wife's shoes. Yes, of course I'm certainly not a fan of some of the legislation he has pushed. And if I see another headline declaring his ubiquitous popularity I'll gag. But there's one thing this morning that made me feel just a bit better... kind of like I'm not the only one left questioning his capabilities. Oddly enough my reassurance came from the Washington Times of all places; granted it's not the most liberal newspaper on the planet but it's certainly not a conservative bastion.

"President Obama's media cheerleaders are hailing how loved he is. But at the 100-day mark of his presidency, Mr. Obama is the second-least-popular president in 40 years."

His 56% approval rating is still more than half but that means a little less than half of the country still doesn't understand what he thinks he's doing. I know Glenn Beck is on this "You are not alone" campaign with the 9/12 project. But it's hard to see us all 'bonding together' so our 'angry voices can be heard'. It just doesn't look like it's happening... it looks (and feels) like I'm swamped by a bunch of brain-washed zombies who are enamored with a media-manufactured Manchurian Candidate. This all becomes even more frustrating when I see fact check lists like this. Last time I checked embellishing the truth is also considered lying... kind of like a lie by omission. My favorite 'fact'?

OBAMA: "We began by passing a Recovery Act that has already saved or created over 150,000 jobs." -- from news conference.

THE FACTS: This assertion is dubious on several levels. For starters, the U.S. has lost more than 1.2 million jobs since Obama took office, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even if Obama's stimulus bill saved or created as many jobs as he says, that number is dwarfed by the number of recent job losses.

Seriously? Just lay it out flat for us, Mr. President. Just because you think we're all stupid doesn't make it true. If the government isn't scaring us into believing things we actually handle it pretty well. Anybody remember how we reacted when FDR said 'look we're going to war and we all need to work together?' (ok, well sort of said exactly that) All we need is someone to stand up and say "Look the economy is crap and we all need to work, literally, together. No hand-outs, just plain old American work ethic and ingenuity."

I really think I'm going to hate (with a passion) the incoming Socialist onslaught.

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In Other News, the Kentucky Derby is this weekend! I'm really, really anxious to go but... I think because of the weather and the lack of usual birthday festivities I'm not as excited as I want to be. It's not the family I miss this time... it's the week of ridiculous birthday things that I got used to over four years. And possibly the fact that nobody withing 100 miles of me thinks the day is nearly as important as I do. I don't know. I sound unbelievably spoiled but that's because I am. Moving on... my grad school application is very close to complete and I cannot wait to turn it in. I'm a bit worried about balancing school and work but I don't believe it's going to be an issue. With work during the day and a few classes at night I'll just have to cut back on my Prison Break watching time. (Do not start watching that show... it's addictive) Anyway, here's to having adult birthdays where people don't fawn all over you and wonderful guys who take you on amazing road trips. Derby Day here we come!

The First 100 Days

Ladies and Gentlemen, for your reading pleasure I'd like to present the only "First 100 Days" list worth reading.

The Onion has developed their own list. Is most of it ridiculous? Yes. Is 99% of it completely fabricated? Certainly. (One of my favorites being.... "DAY 10: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Donovan wonders if they mean "urban" like "city" or "urban" like "black.") Is it worth your time to read when compared to FoxNews or CNN's versions? Absolutely.

Ok so maybe FoxNews and CNNs' lists are more relevant and actually contain information that would enhance your political perspectives and keep you up to date. (Another good one... "DAY 40: President Obama forwards the link to the new Star Trek movie trailer to the entire staff. Again.") But did dying the White House fountains green have to be the update for today (Day 57)? Now, why on earth the first 100 days are so important is well beyond me, but if you're going to read one at least it should be entertaining. (last but not least... "DAY 51: Reaching a milestone common for new presidents, Obama spends the afternoon seeing who is the most important person he can get on the phone in under five minutes.") So take a deep breathe, forget about the political wreck of a mess that is D.C. and go read the list. And when you're done jump on John McCain's Twitter... he's got an interview on there at Noon. And shut up, I know I'm obsessed. Thank you very much.

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In Other News, I want a puppy. A free Boxer-Coonhound Puppy from the Ad Pages to be specific. Am I getting one? Yeah, right. But a girl can wish right? Oh, and a house. A limestone house with a pond, a pole barn and probably vaulted beamed ceilings. Not getting that one either though. I've been doing an experiment for about the past week. It's a personal experiment and I'm actually not torturing somebody else this time. Ever tried to change your relational style (aka love language)? So far the first week has gone badly. I'm still overwhelmingly sensitive to verbal affirmation and touch but I'm trying to be better at the quality time and acts of service thought process. Although, I should have expected the results (frustration, disappointment and a bit of withdrawal) because a week of making a concerted effort itsn't going to outweigh 22 years of conditioning. Hm, this all seems like a bit of an over share. Thankfully, Staci's the only one who reads this... I love you :)

Yes He Is.

Is Obama a DOW Downer?

Yes. But only because he wants to be.

The more times he screams "economic crisis" and uses words like "disaster" the worse it's going to get. Somebody brilliant (and coincidentally also ridiculously good looking) pointed something interesting out to me the other night. Eight months ago the only thing that was failing was the banks... not every other company that happens to exist. Coincidence? Casualties of an "economic crisis"? Or the unnecessary by-product of politicians who are scaring the market into oblivion so they can pass a bill that funds all of their pet projects, puts them in control of just about everything and delivers an entire country of people into their worthless manipulative hands? I've been following John McCain's Twitter account since it was brought to my attention (it's Maureen Dowd's fault). He keeps posting updates that plain as day state the project that the Senate has kept in the bill and the cost. It makes me sick the junk they're having tax payers fund in the middle of a bailout. A recreation park and fair ground? Pleasure Beach Water Taxi? Money for the Historic Jazz Foundation in Kansas? SERIOUSLY?!

I thought we were supposed to be creating jobs, and stimulating the economy not just paying to amuse ourselves? Part of the reason we're in this mess is because a large group of people is too lazy to work and wants the government to take care of them. So what's the logical solution? Ah, yes, amuse them so they're distracted from how much of a drain they are on Capitalism-loving, hard-working Americans.

In other sickening news, while waiting for my hair appointment (it now looks fantastic thank you for asking) I saw this headline.

Does no one else see an issue with a WORKER TAX for a JOBLESS FUND? I work to support me. Not me and someone who doesn't have a job and does not a damn thing. If someone comes and works for me... yes, I will gladly pay them. Until then I am so tired of paying for people who haven't earned a single penny that I really don't know what to do with myself.

And on top of all the economic crap there's a Professor who called the cops on a College Senior for talking about guns. TALKING about guns. The full article is right here... because if I keep typing I swear my head is going to spin around and I'll start spitting tacks.

Somebody tell me I'm not the only one who feels like this isn't the America we were raised in...

where did it go, why and when the hell can I have it back?

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In Other News, spent a weekend with the family before they left for Italy. It was amazing :) Then I spent the week following being sick with the plague. It sucked, but I lost 10 pounds! The weather is lovely today despite being a bit windy and I have a wonderful Friday night planned. Yoga has been amazing recently... I love being back in a class and the studio I go to is a perfect little yoga haven. Also, I desperately want to go to the Kentucky Derby this year... sit on the in-field and participate in the mint-julep-fueled drunk fest that happens the day before my birthday. Who wants in?

Red & Yellow, Black & White

I do not care what color the president is.

He could come out with a statement tomorrow saying that he's not half black-half white, he's half American-Samoan and half American-Albino and I would not care.

A dear friend of mine posted this... "My PRESIDENT is black, in fact hes half white, so even in racist minds, hes half right...Martin luther walked so Obama can run..." as their status on MySpace. There is part of me who wants to tell her that Martin Luther did a lot for everyone but I sincerely doubt it aided Obama's motor skills. Martin Luther did, however, help people break away from what were considered tyrannies of the Catholic Church. And I'm sure religous freedom has helped Obama become the man he is today, somehow. That's what she meant, right? ( that was dripping with sarcasm, by the way... I just wished people spoke completely intelligently about what they're soap-boxing about)
After I got a few (ok, only three) emails telling me to "give the black president a chance" and to "stop being a racist, you're ridiculing our president because he's black" I had a serious discussion with a friend. We talked about how ridiculous it is that people are making such a huge deal about "black people finally making an impact" or "black people being recognized" and why we get criticized for moving past that to the issues straight after the inaugeration. I understand the first president who isn't an old white guy is a big deal. But he's elected... move on. There are much bigger and more important things going on that have absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the president is of whatever race he is. Be excited, I'm glad you get excited about something but can't the masses focus on something a little less qualitative?

Moving on. What I care about is that Obama is trying to close Gitmo and put millions of Americans in danger. Need an explanation on why? How about you read just ALMOST EVERY BLOG I'VE EVER WRITTEN. The men detained at Guantanamo Bay live for killing Americans, they die for killing Americans, their entire being is obsessed with ridding the earth of America. So yeah, let's just let 'em all go elsewhere and re-join the fight and be martyr'd. Please. Sounds like a really... great... idea.

Also, this whole Obama staring down the journalist thing is just crap. Answer the damned questions. If you can't answer a simple question about why he picked a former lobb you made without a formal press conference and prompting then what are you doing being the president. It didn't have to be so serious and earth shaking... you could have just answered the question by saying "because no matter his background I think he is the best man for the job." Done. But no, it takes hoopla and media hype to convey that he was just visiting the press...who are PAID to ask questions of him. Huh. So much for "an open president for the people."

I will not ever care what color the president is. I do, however, care about whatever he's got going on with his staff choices and policies. So, as my Aussie boss says, "bug off" and quit trying to tell me I only bag on Obama because he's black. You're dumb.

The Audacity of....

People who write editorials that spout the party line so that someone will pay attention to them.
Nevermind that they author is blaming Rush Limbaugh for doing the exact same thing (saying things for attentions.)

The Audacity of Rush Limbaugh's Hope is an article berating Rush for saying he "hopes" Obama fails. Well, Rush, here's me taking one for the team. Me too.

If Obama fails that means that socialism isn't one step closer to taking over what still is and can be the Greatest Nation on the planet. If Obama fails it means not everyone in the country is going to be forced to accept the stimulus package that's simply a euphemism for "everyone's on welfare now!" If Obama fails then maybe Americans will realize you have to work for yourself to benefit yourself. Not the government has to work for you so you can benefit and keep your cushy job.

I hope Obama fails... in seamlessly integrating "democratic socialism." But I sincerely hope that he succeeds in realizing that America needs to pull itself out of this and not hope that throwing money at the situation will fix everything. There is no quick fix. This is a long term, the repercussions will be seen in 20 years situation. I hope socialism isn't around when those repercussions hit because if that happens... well, there will be nobody to pick your welfare-hungry, expanded-government-loving self up off the ground.

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In Other News, it's been a million years... I know. Work has been crazy busy. I spent two weeks in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show which was awesome. I've got a nice cozy itty bitty apartment and it's amazing. Going on a roadtrip this weekend with my the most amazing man I know and I cannot wait. It snowed like crazy two nights ago and I had the pleasure of shoveling snow for the first (and hopefully, last) time last night. After that experience, I can safely say I am so very ready for a warmer climate... or maybe I'll just buy a sun lamp.

Nothing Has Changed

While reading an article about al Qaeda's comments on Obama I was surprised to read that a U.S. Counter-terrorism Official said ...

"The way they're dealing with the change represented by the election of an African American as president of the United States is to insist that nothing has changed."

DUH.

Of course nothing has changed. We're not trying to change al Qaeda. Also, al Qaeda is not a representative sample of the general Iraqi or Afghani population. Things concerning the civilian public have changed. Look at the elections, the number of Iraqi women in schools, the children who are being sent to schools instead of training camps.

So what are we doing if we're not trying to change al Qaeda? We're trying to wipe every single one of them off the face of the planet. That way they won't be able to hurt American or Iraqi or Afghani soldiers or citizens. Does no one understand that they're not just some group of people with guns? They're a terrorist group whose entire obsessive goal in life is to kill Americans. How did America end up forgetting this?!

Iraq is slowly becoming a better place because of America. It's slowly going to be able to stand on its own and that's going to be an absolutely amazing thing.

Job err, Blog Security

At least I'll probably have something to complain about for the next for years. John Stewart is going to run out of fodder... maybe I can replace him.

I do appreciate those of you who didn't text message me Tuesday night around 11pm gloating about the election results and being exceptionally condescending. You're lovely adults and wonderful Americans. The rest of you. Ugh. And that's all I have to say about that.

Anyway, yes, I'm saddened that modern America thinks that the government should take care of everyone. I'm saddened that millions of people voted to have their money redistributed by someone else. I'm saddened that people voted because they wanted to make history, and not necessarily because it's actually a good direction for the country. Do I want Obama to work out beautifully? Sure. Absolutely. If the country ends up in a better spot then I'm all for it. Do I think that if he accomplishes half of his policies we'll be in a better spot? Oh Hell No.

My hard earned money pays for enough welfare junkies as it is. I don't want to be paying for welfare junkies, and people who kind of need it, and people who think they need it, and people who think they deserve it. I don't want my tax cuts going to some girl who gets her school paid for, children fed, and pays her bar tabs with government money because she's got no job and can't keep her legs shut. I work my butt of so that I can get by. I'm living fairly comfortably because I EARN it. Our new President-Elect wants to hand things to people. Work for it.

The idea should be that the harder you work the better you and those around you will do. For instance, if I work my butt off here... then the company benefits from my zealousness... which means we make more money... which means I get a raise. Conversely, if I were to sit here blogging ALL day and not do anything then the Company would not benefit... no one would no about our products, we'd make no money and I'd be out of a job. Get it?

On that note, my lunch is 90% gone and I've got some photoshopping to do. I'm willing to give Obama a chance. But as soon as this socialism thing starts picking up I'm done. Goodbye cold, cruel USA.... Hello foreign country that likes Democracy.

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In Other News, went to Chicago last weekend with one of the greatest people on the planet. Saw Kings of Leon and now I'm obsessed. I mean completely. I even know their names. Yikes, I'm creepy. We did a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie house, too. I highly recommend seeing it. Gorgeous house. Ask for Brad, he's quite the tour guide. I'm slightly upset today because I was allowed to walk out of the house looking like this... I have a saggy butt because my pants don't fit. Pro: I'm losing weight. Con: My pants don't fit and I have to buy new ones. To donate to the Buy Emily Pants that Fit Fund please click the following link.

Not Sure How I Found This

Ok, so I was doing some campaign research. Just trying to keep up to date, you know? And I found Drew Barrymore's opinions on politics, Obama, McCain, the whole gamut. And I have come to one conclusion.

She'd be happy if we were socialists.

Happy, communal, everyone-should-take-care-of-everyone, let's not give anyone personal responsibility because we're all one big happy group socialists.

And here's my proof, “I can’t imagine why we all don’t want desperately to take care of each other. We need to be passionately inspired by the fact that we can take our environment and our country back.”

Um, I can imagine why. Because I'm not responsible or in charge of you. Because you are your own person and looking out for your own well-being is the greatest thing you can do for the planet. You don't know what's best for me. I do not want you taking care of me, I do now want you making decisions for me. What's good for you and your family is not good for me and mine. I desperately want to take care of my family and friends. End of story. That's it. I don't feel any ridiculous need to take care of the whole population. I don't want to hold hands with you and sing a song so we can save trees, have the right to kill unborn babies, and give welfare to undeserving idiots.

Take our country back? Really? Where did it go? Last time I checked I'm still firmly standing on American soil and nobody has taken any part of it away from me. America's still a sovereign nation that is in control of itself. The only way that your country has been taken away from you is if you handed it to somebody else and relinquished your rights to it. I haven't handed away my rights to someone else so they can "make a good decision for the common good." There is no common good. There is only individual good that can eventually sum up to being a good system for those who are willing to use it.

Democracy, capitalism and personal responsibility are good things that do not require looking out for anyone else. If everyone did what was good for them, the whole world would be a better place. For instance, if I own a business and it is good for my business to offer a high quality product at a decent price then that's what I'm going to do. I'm not going to offer my same high quality product for a hell of a lot cheaper because Mommy McFoodStamps can't afford it. It's not good for her for me to just hand her what she wants, and its not good for my business to under-sell myself. One more example and I'm done. Relationships. If everyone looked out for their own well-being in relationships there would be a much smaller divorce rate. If you inform your partner of what you require from them, the needs you have, and the things you want they'll understand you more. Then when you both accept each others needs and find they're compatible you have a working relationship. Don't expect the other person to pander to you and give you what you want. Go get what you want, look out for yourself, your feelings, your needs. No one is responsible for your happiness except you.

Drew, get off your liberal high horse. Stop expecting people to work together and build a happy little socialist country. Not happening. Go read the Virtue of Selfishness and Shut Up.

You're Welcome.

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In Other News, my Sister left this morning. I'm a bit not happy about that at all :( Dammit. And I'm hungry. And the coffee maker broke. On the up side, I slept really well last night and woke up just as happy.

Superfluous

Yes, that's officially what I think any kind of Presidential/Vice Presidential debate would be at this point.

However, if they had said anything of meaning, depth, importance or anything beyond ambiguous and vague I would change the name of this particular blog to "Remotely Helpful" or maybe even "Poignant." The latter would only occur if the candidates made a concerted effort to truly define their ideals and their intentions. As opposed to dancing around the issues like trained ponies.

Ugh. This whole thing is rather disappointing. So much for being Mavericks, or the "Change America Needs." Nobody's changed a damn thing. Nobody's said anything different. And nobody's going to.

This whole presidential race is kind of like watching a bag of unwanted kittens drown slowly. In the end something is accomplished but everyone is still standing around looking really sad.

Click the title for a link to the full VP debate. It's worth watching, but only because as a citizen who wishes to be informed you really ought to despite the mundane nature of it.

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In Other News, My amazing Baby Sister got to visit this weekend :) She leaves tomorrow which is going to make me terribly sad. Seeing her has been so unbelievably good for me. I started a quilt out of old t-shirts, and I'm hoping I get it done before it gets to be too cold around here. Work is still going fantastically. I still have the greatest bosses on the planet. I happen to be involved with the most brilliant, thoughtful, understanding, logical and good-looking man on the planet (besides my Daddy) and I just thought I'd state that fact. Finally, I kind of miss the crap out of my college friends. They were all at a wedding last weekend and I missed out (1 - because I wasn't invited [though i could have gone as someone's date!], and 2-because I'm out of state).

p.s. Sorry about the word verification thing, Chelsea. I don't even know how that got there. I'll work on it though :)

Photobucket is My Friend

How many words is a picture worth?











Yeah. See. It's so much easier when other people makes jpgs out of what I'm thinking.

Oh. And John McCain was hot. You're welcome.

F'ing YouTubers

Ok, so I don't have a TV. Yes, laugh it up Chuckles I'm probably the only house on the continental US without a television. Anyway, my Mom calls and tells me I have to watch Sarah Palin's speech from last night so I get to work and jump on YouTube. Then as I'm listening to her speak I scroll through some of the comments people are making and I find this.

"I agree with Darkknight, McCain is broken. We need a real man that can at least raise his arms. What a pussy, got his ass kicked by a bunch of tiny little asians. All his POW experience shows is that hes a shitty pilot. Put him in a retirement home where he belongs so he can drool on himself and stop fucking up the country."

Really?! How about we drop you off in North Korea and see how well you do, Scum Bag. How about you get off your flight simulator on your computer, join the military and see how well you do. Stop hiding behind your computer monitor safety net and demeaning people who have done more for their country in one deployment than you'll ever do in your entire worthless, pathetic, mindless life. Let's put you in a retirement home so no one has to listen to your regurgitated illogical rhetoric. Yes, McCain is old. Big Deal. Sure, he can't raise his arms above his head. You should be thanking your lucky stars that you were born in America, the kind of country where men make that kind of sacrifice [you probably don't even know the meaning of that word] year after year in order to ensure that you've got the freedom to think it's okay to call another person a "pussy" for defending their country.

Let me guess, you want Saint Obama to come in a rescue the US from all the horrible Republicans? That's not going to work. The man keeps telling us we "can" do all these things. HOW? How are we supposed to accomplish political reform with nothing but hopes, dreams and good intentions? Not going to work.

I'm completely going to eat my words from yesterday about this being a "best of the worst" year in voting. It's not about being a republican, a libertarian, a democrat or a liberal, a Christian or an Athiest... it's about being an American. An American who knows that nobody is exactly right for the job but knows the difference between what's rational and what's not.

So count your blessings you blathering idiot because I'm a law-abiding American citizen and fairly good Lutheran girl who isn't going to come find you and stomp on your arms until you can't raise them ever again.

Another Lesser of Two Evils?

Although I think John McCain is simply a Senator who played the numbers in order to get this nomination (i.e. You can only run so many times and be denied before they say, 'ok, John, we'll let you run for President.') On the other hand, I got onto his website and it was nice to see that the man who rides in the "Straight Talk Express" actually gave me answers on HOW he plans to do the things he wants to do. What a concept.

I'm still not convinced that he's going to be any good though. He's gone through like three wives so the man obviously can't make a solid decision and stick with it, his voting record throughout the past eight years of legislation has been ruled by a "support the President" policy, and not a "what John really thinks is best" policy. Yes, he's got real experience. The man was a POW, which deserves the utmost respect from every man, woman and child who has the opportunity to use their freedoms and rights. But then again, after toughing it out in the Hanoi Hilton you would expect for him to tough out his voting decisions as well. I like that he's lead a pretty respectable campaign; denouncing that radio guy when he was saying ridiculous things, not firing back when Hillary was making directly derogatory comments and John tried to keep answering the actual question.

Here's where my biggest speed bump comes from. Although he gives me answers on HOW he's going to fix everything. I'm not so sure they sound logical. For instance, he wants to suspend the summer gas tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day. However, as soon as that happens most of the construction to repair our roads and highways will stop because that's part of what the gas tax supports. I don't know about your local roads but there's so much construction going on around Norfolk that if it stopped traffic would be even more of a monstrosity than it already is. Another example would be this concept on international trade. Of course selling our stuff to other people is good and will make us money. But that then makes us very reliant on their economies and fads. Why not do a little isolationism, promote buying American and stabilize ourselves? You can't ask for other people to take care of you when you won't take care of yourself.

I really like that McCain isn't willing to sit down with terrorists in order to negotiate. Those people do not understand diplomacy. For cultures like that diplomacy is a sign of weakness. Obama wants to, without conditions, sit down with Kim Jong Il, Castro and all those other scumbags shake hands and work it out. Anyone of those leaders would rather have an American President killed inside the palace walls and hung on display than sit down and come to "an accord."

But... both candidates want to close Guantanamo Bay. If you've ever read my blog at all you should know where I stand on that. I'll take any bet you want but I guarantee that if the illegal enemy combatants detained at Guantanamo Bay are released you're going to see a hell of a lot more dead Americans than this War on Terrorism has ever produced.

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Tune in next time for why lacking passion equals a lack of understanding. It's going to be good.

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In Other News, I got a wonderful text message this morning from somebody quite nice. We'll see where that goes. Beach house tomorrow. Yay :) Keep praying, hoping, sending good energy toward the Indiana job working out. One of these days I'll make it back to Texas.

Pot Calling the Kettle Black

Hillary Clinton released an ad in Texas that focuses on handling a crisis. Her ad says something to the effect of "who do you want answering the phone" when a crisis comes. And then she says..... “We need a president who is tested and ready to lead in a dangerous world and who can draw on years of real-world experience,” Clinton said at the Waco rally. “There’s a big difference between giving a speech on national security and giving orders as commander in chief.”

Ok.

Great.

Brilliant deduction.

Moron.

WHAT CRISIS EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE?! New York has been crisis free since the 9/11 days, and when her Hubby was in office there wasn't a single major U.S. crisis to think about, and even the international ones were minuscule compared to what's happened in the past eight years. Sure, ok, she's been a Senator and helped deal with the war. Big whoop. She's never had to make an executive decision in her life, she's never been anything more than a 1 in 100 yes or no vote, she's never had to make an on-the-spot, shit-may-hit-the-fan-when-i-do-this-wrong call.

Eleven people have gone into the White House without 'defense crisis experience' Excepting all those wonderful President's who served in various branches of the military, there are a couple of people who didn't any defense experience at all. Thank you all 32 Presidents who did . And for the record, Bill Clinton wasn't one of them so Hillary can't even claim Military Wife experience in dealing with defense emergencies.

So, Hillary Clinton, my Sir-Points-Out-the-Obvious-A-Lot Award of the Day goes to you. Because you're right. There's a huge difference between giving a speech on National defense and giving orders as commander in chief" and hot damn, i hope the buck doesn't stop with you. If you're in Texas and are a democrat.... which shouldn't happen in the first place, just kidding! anyway.... will you please vote for Obama in the primary? Ugh.