Too Gone for Too Long

Well, I have been told more than once that I ought to get back to blogging so here I am. Lacking inspiration but feeling like if I don't write then I'm being a bit of a disappointment.

What's that you say? How could I be lacking inspiration in the middle of the wreck of a mess our Federal government has us in? How could I live in New Mexico's equivalent of Berkeley, California and not be, at the very least, upset? That's simple.

It's overwhelming.
But, fear not, faithful reader.
I haven't given up the good fight.

Instead of being frustrated and ranting on the internet about how and overqualified white girl cannot get a job in Albuquerque, NM I simply gave up being angry and channeled my energy into starting my own consulting business. And now we have DGConsulting LLC (DGC for short).

And instead of being upset that there are protesters that flood the streets of Nob Hill, but usually only when the cameras are on, to be so eloquently expressive about their opinion on Arizona's immigration law I simply stay home and write letters to Governor Jan Brewer telling her how much I appreciate the serious position she's taken on making something that is illegal actually illegal.

Recently I had a friend (Thank you, Mr. Matthes) point out something interesting to me that shows up in the "Political Views" section of their Facebook profiles. People have things like, "Political Views: OBAMA!" or "Political Views: I hate Sarah Palin" written where things like "Raving Liberal Nut" or "Socialism Rocks!" should be. Now, let's assume that a large portion of my Facebook friends have a college degree... after all, a huge portion of them did graduate with me. Everyone who graduated from ODU had to take POLS 101; meaning they all know the fundamental differences between liberal and conservative and so on. So instead of going through and asking each one of those people to re-read a textbook they more than likely sold back.... I'm going to keep blogging. Then at least they will have some point of reference for what God-fearing, tax-paying, Libertarian registered ranting looks like.

So, Ms. Smith and Mr. Matthes... this one in particular is for you. The rest of my blogs I would like to hereby dedicate to the morons who don't know the difference between a politician and a political party. Cheers.

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In Other News, I got so excited about writing again that I burned my sponge cake. This, I believe, is what we call a bittersweet moment.

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.

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!

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.

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.

CNN = Liberal Political Agenda

So there's all this hub-bub (I'm pretty sure I just made that up) about those destroyed CIA tapes. First, who cares? People beat people senselessly all the time, and for much worse reasons than national security. Secondly, why do I get a play by play update on nothing! Yes, I understand there are going to be developments in the case but I don't need a new news headline every time some Senator decides to have an opinion about it.

Third, (this is the part that really bothers me) why on Earth is CNN showing pictures of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in the background when they're reporting about these tapes. Yes, I know a lot of really dumb people equate Guantanamo Bay with torture. However, once it's been established that those tapes have no connection at all to this hemisphere why would those pictures stay up?

Want to know why? Media = Liberal Political Agenda. That's it in a nutshell. Repetition and reenforcement of ideas is the best way to get someone to remember something. So if CNN keeps showing pictures of Gitmo any time the word "torture" comes up, eventually they'll convince someone that Gitmo needs to be closed because of all the horrible things being done to people down here. Which means all the detainees get either a) shipped home or b) stateside. If you chose B you're probably correct. All their 'homelands' would kill them quickly after they're sent back, because well..... they've committed war crimes. Which means that all those Habeas Corpus lawyers would throw a fit until each one is given a trial. (which, by the way, we're in the process of working on... you should see the courthouse, it's sweet) ... however, I digress. Back to my original point.

CNN is in my opinion one of the most useless form of news acquisition around.

They're website doesn't do a bad job. Thankfully they have pictures of judges and senators attached to their articles on this subject. I guess my point would be, don't watch CNN... actually go and read it. But only if you really have to.

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In Other News, I stuffed stockings and made Christmas cards to the Troopers down here who have duty on Christmas. It felt good to have a way to tell them that I'm thankful for what they're sacrificing so that I can have a peaceful morning with my family... well, until Daddy has to go to work right along side the Troopers. The only problem was feeling like I should do things like this more often... not just around Christmas. I know I'm always writing on this thing about how much I appreciate the people who defend all our freedom's but that just doesn't seem like enough. Ideas?

I played a pretty cool game of paintball tonight. Ended up with a sweet bruise on my shoulder. Also, one of the most amazing people I've ever met in my entire life just keeps getting more and more amazing. Dammit. I wish they would give me a reason to hate them.... that would make not seeing them every again after I leave so much simpler. Ugh, because that sounds soooo optimistic. : ( Enough about me. Even if you're not the praying type... go pray or think about or make a wish on a star for the people out there giving you the right and ability to sleep quietly and enjoy your families.

Stupid Headlines

Sorry, it's been so long. Yes, I know you missed me ranting. And I know you're all thankful I'm ending my four day hiatus... I'll just say it now, You're Welcome. :) P.S. Lots of neat links in the following blog... Enjoy!

I opened my iGoogle this morning to check the weather so I could go appropriately dressed to take over the world, and I noticed something odd. Among the usual headlines was something that stuck out. It didn't stick out because it was so astoundingly important, it didn't stick out because it was shocking, it stuck out because the first thing that crossed my mind was "Who the Hell Cares?!"

Model Claims Tony Parker Cheated on Eva Longoria With Her

What terrifies me is that someone is out there thinking... "Ooooooh! Ahhhhhh! Oh My Goodness, I wonder if Eva is alright?! "

WHY IS THIS NEWS?

Why on earth wasn't the Federal Raid of Al Sharpton's office a headline? Why isn't the story about the Global Warming Charts kind of being a mistake a headline?

WHY CAN'T I FIND ANYTHING WORTH READING IN MY HEADLINES?!

(yes, i'm typing in all caps because in my head I'm yelling)

There are just as many stories in the sidebar on FoxNews.com about celebrities as there are about anything actually relevant. I can find out that Katie Holmes told some magazine what turns Tom on. and that Paris Hilton is covered in gold paint for no damn good reason.

Where did the real news go? And why does no one care about it? Are we so apathetic about our own world that we'd rather read about other people's lives? Is there nothing about the politics of our world that is interesting? Don't people like knowing that Al Gore is wrong?! I will be keeping my iGoogle. However, in an effort to expand my exposure to real news I will be adding Yahoo! News, CNN News, and the News Busters Blog to my homepage.

Where exactly has all the real news gone? : (

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In Other News, a Doctor who has written two books, is in the process of writing another and went to UT (Longhorns, woot woot) loved one of my papers so much that he wants a copy. He said it was a "pleasure to read." Man, I'm good. Also, I leave for Cuba in less than 36 hours. This is exciting and sad at the same time, one of those bittersweet things that just makes you appreciate what you've already got and potentially will have. But never fear! I will be back! and I'll also keep writing while I'm in Cuba. I'm going to miss the greatest friends on earth desperately.

No, It's Not Okay

"If you're not a liberal when you're 20, you have no heart. If you're not a conservative when you're 30, you have no brain." - anonymous?

So I was at the bar last night (what? me at a bar?! never!) and I make a comment about how I helped my roommate write his Italian paper in order to get him to wash the dishes. Some guy next to me pipes up and says, "So if I do your house work, you'll write my paper?" and I laughed and said "sure."

He then proceeds to explain that he wouldn't really be able to do that because he doesn't trust anybody else to do as good of a job and as a poli. sci. major not a lot of people would be able to intelligently handle the subject matter. I agreed and said that I am rather picky about my work as well, but told him I'd love to handle a political science paper. He then said something about being a socialist.... yes,

a Socialist.

... and in light of the fact that we're yelling our conversation in a bar, and it's not a good place for real discourse. I laughed, again, and said something to the effect of "oh, you wouldn't want me any where near your paper." He obviously asked why, and I explained that I am on the complete other end of the political spectrum.

This whole conversation was alright until this point. Next he goes on to tell me that "It's okay, not everybody can have a brain."

(insert-screeching-tires-coming-to-an-abrupt-halt sound here)

Excuse Me?! I politely exit the conversation by pretending my roommate was saying something really really interesting. But the guy persists! He says things like "You just don't know how to think for yourself yet", and "Conservatives are wrong, and not grown up enough to admit it" etc. Not wanting to engage in an argument in a bar, with an idiot I continue to ignore the guy.

Then he comes up and says "Don't worry one day you'll figure it out and you'll thank me."

Here's where I turned around and I said "Actually, I'll thank you now. I'd like to thank you for providing an opposing opinion so that our democratic process can be more well rounded and considerate of the differences between people. I'd also like to thank you for providing the opposite end of the spectrum for people to listen to in order to expand their knowledge, and I'd like to thank you for being a complete liberal moron who is reinforcing my idea that extremist liberals are nothing but mouthy children."

He could have just left me alone and I wouldn't have gotten so angry! I would have ignored the fact that he's probably some upper-middle class brat who has never spent a day in a socialist country in his life, and only perpetuates what is fed to him through his liberal academia baby-food tube! (You know, the ones they give you in the hospital when you can't feed yourself or chew or anything?)

No, I never have been to a socialist country. Yes, my family does fine for themselves. However, there's no way on God's green earth that I am simply going to regurgitate what someone tells me! You need to critically review the world around you before accepting it as fact! Nothing comes out of anyone's mouth that isn't biased, either through selective referencing or skewed facts. Personally, I prefer selective referencing... but that's just me.

I can and do think for myself. Which is why my political opinions are a little odd. Not a frequent reader? Here are some examples...

1- I don't ever want a woman to be President, which is odd because I'm female (and yes, I've got real reasons)
2- I do believe in a bit of socialized health care (most American's aren't hot on the idea)... the Navy's done an interesting job of it.
3- I am pro flag-burning. Which is pretty vehemently fought against as an absolute crime against the nation. However, my reasoning is a whoooooooole other blog.

By annoying and ridiculing me, that guy simply proved that just like most other people... he doesn't think for himself. And no, that's not okay. It's not okay to pester your fellow Americans, it's not okay to be that self-righteous and cocky and its not okay to try and make me feel dumb.

I am not dumb. I am not a lackadaisical sheep [reference: Complete Bullshit: Part II]. I am not a heartless human being.

But, It's Okay, you'll figure it out eventually.

And then... you'll thank me.

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In Other News, a couple of my friends have been being well, not friendly lately. It's really disappointing. However, as I have had explained to me previously... Never make someone a priority when they have made you and option. (Thank you, Mommy) Thus, a few of my priorities have become options. On the upside, my greatest friends ever are still at the absolute top of my priority list. I love you guys. On a less cynical note, as the semester is ending things are beginning to change really quickly. It's a bit frightening to think of all the things that were different this time a year ago, and what's going to change a year from now. Finally, my room is clean. My house is clean (and decorated!) and I believe I'm going to NC this weekend.

I'm still particularly missing certain people, but if i didn't miss them... then they wouldn't be worth it.