13 posts tagged “politics”
I came across this article on Advocate.com today and I just wished to share it. I have heard reports of Barack Obama addressing LGBT issues before but I was very interested to see his exclusive interview on the subject with The Advocate. I was really impressed by his responses and ideas and wanted to share the article with my friends. I definitely recommend reading it. I think it was a very good interview.
Me (thick with sarcasm): So Cuba decided on their new president and it's such a big surprise!
Rain: Who? Castro's brother? Hilary Clinton?!
Me: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Rain looks over to see headline on my laptop.
Rain (disappointed): Oh, it is Castro's brother.
Me: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Hilary Clinton!
Rain: Well, I guess she would have some trouble getting back into the States.
I love you, Rain.
My friends in the US, have you? Remember, even if you're registered as an indepent or not specified, you can vote in the democratic primaries.
Which means you can vote for this man.
Subtle, huh? Seriously though, I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see who will win the Democratic ticket. I admit, if it's Hilary, I might cry. Just a little. Ironic since when I was a little girl I cried when her husband won, huh? Of course, that's a long and pretty embarrassing story...
Show us a fool.
Well, I could've taken the easy answer and given some political figure but . . . I'm not. Instead, I'm going to place fictional characters that were just Fools in my opinion for different reasons:
Maybe I could've liked her if her ship wasn't sailing in Remus/Sirius waters. However, you gotta admit that she does act foolishly.
I just hated Liam and Renee. They were both such bad characters. And as you can see, they were somewhat modeled after Matrix and they had all the bad things of that movie and none of the good. The first season had such promise! But once they got rid of Boone and changed the scope of the Taelons . . . Earth:Final Conflict was never the same. Going from, "wow, this is good stuff!" to "Gah! Gag me with a spoon! I must get this taste out of my mouth! And vomit is preferrable."
This guy's problem actually wasn't that he was bad. In fact, he was very well done. But considering he was a baddie from Babylon 5, is that surprising? He just did some really foolish things as a man. Really, there are only a couple of main characters that I still cannot stand to watch and are worthy of . . .well, a bad star trek ep. That would be Dr. Franklin (who is RIP and thus I cannot really rip on him anymore) and Jeffrey Sinclair.
Dear God, I cannot stand this actor! Every ep I much watch of him makes me want to scream:
He's everything I hate about 80's male-centered lead roles all tied up in a 90's character. Really, I thank god on a regular basis that they kicked his ass out after the first season.
Duh.
Yeah, I don't find him so absolutely annoying now that I'm older. But still, foolish.
I pity the fool who liked him in the fifth book.
If you thought I was going to say Remus Lupin, you were insane. No, I'm talking about whoever the fool is that thought having his face hair grow out of his nostrils was a good look. WTF? Seriously.
Specifically Western culture . . . I was doing some more research for my historical fiction novel (90 pages now!). I was trying to find a good paper about the practices around etiquette and pregnancy in the late 18th century. Unfortunately, a lot of the sites with the interesting papers required to have a paid membership. There's something about paying to know history that rubs me the wrong way. It's a very US idea but history seems more of a right than anything else to me. I know that that's a rather foolish idea but that's that.
Here are some very interesting links I came across. Since I was researching pregnancy and conduct, be warned that there will be discussion of gender roles, sex, pregnancy and media contained. There aren't any pictures of sex but there are some of birthing rendered into copper plates.
Transcript of a discussion with textiles and costume curator, Linda Baumgarten
“Pleading the Belly” About women using pregnancy to cheat the gallows
A review of the book, The Politics of Motherhood, about the use of pregnancy in the 18th century
Though I learned alot, unfortunately, I didn't learn quite what I had been looking for. I believe I will need to redefine my search. Unless anyone here is an 18th century European history scholar. Then, you're my new best friend.
Considering how desperate the US is for change, I really hope the Democrats live up to our expectations of them for the next couple years. Not to say that I expect perfection from them. Not in the least. No politician, no policy, no power is perfect. However, I do not look for perfection in leadership. I look for nobility of spirit and intention. I look for someone who leads because he or she wants to serve.
The Democrats have been given a chance. The votes have shown that the majority of us are pining our hopes on them. Let us hope that we are not disappointed. It's the breeding ground of utter disenchantment. I hope I never see that day.
I find it amusing that they have a vid for UK reactions to the election results. Now, the reason I'd be interested in that would be to hear UK reactions to the election results, not people with American accents standing in the UK talking about their reactions. Luckily, there are a couple people peppered in there with UK accents. I believe I will pop over to the BBC and the Australian though to get a bit of a wider view. I think I will look for big newspapers for other places too. This is a nice site for that.
Here's to crossing our fingers and knocking on wood. (BTW, try that. It's harder than you'd think. And it kind of hurts. And I mean knocking with your crossed fingers all you smart asses out there, which pretty much is all my friends and family. Oh, you guys are great.)
It looks like the Democratic party is taking back lead from the the GOP. Very good news. The Democrats sure aren't perfect but the GOP tend to shame me if not outright scare me. Here is a quote of some of the projected leaders at midnight, from the MSNBC newsite.
"By midnight, these other races also had projected winners:
- Arizona: Incumbent Republican John Kyl over Democrat Jim Pederson.
- California: Incumbent Democrat Dianne Feinstein over Republican Dick Mountjoy.
- Delaware: Incumbent Democrat Thomas Carper over Republican Jan Ting.
- Florida: Incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson over Republican Katherine Harris, a two-term House member who made her name overseeing Florida’s recount in the disputed 2000 presidential election. Her campaign was marked by a lack of money, staff changes and little support from party leaders.
- Hawaii: Incumbent Democrat Daniel Akaka over Republican Cynthia Thielen.
- Indiana: Republican Sen. Dick Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, coasted to a sixth term. Democrats did not field a candidate against Lugar and he took a 7-to-1 lead in early returns against Libertarian candidate Steve Osborn.
- Maryland: Democrat Ben Cardin over Republican Michael Steele in a race to replace retiring Democrat Paul Sarbanes.
- Massachusettes: Democrat Ted Kennedy secured an eighth term, defeating Republican Ken Chase.
- Michigan: Incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow over Republican Michael Bouchard.
- Minnesota: Democrat Amy Klobuchar over Republican Mark Kennedy.
- Mississippi: Incumbent Republican Trent Lott over Democrat Erik Fleming.
- Maine: Incumbent Republican Olympia Snowe over Democrat Jean Hay Bright.
- Nevada: Incumbent Republican John Ensign over Democrat Jack Carter.
- New Mexico: Incumbent Democrat Jim Bingaman over Republican Alan McCulloch.
- New York: Incumbent Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton over Republican John Spencer.
- North Dakota: Incumbent Democrat Kent Conrad over Republican Dwight Grotberg.
- Texas: Incumbent Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison over Democrat Barbara Ann Radnofsky.
- Utah: Incumbent Republican Orrin Hatch over Democrat Pete Ashdown.
- Vermont: Political independent Bernie Sanders won the seat now held by another independent, retiring Sen. Jeffords.
- Washington: Incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell over Republican Mike McGavick.
- West Virginia: Re-elected to a ninth term was Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, who at 88 is the oldest and longest serving senator in the nation’s history, 48 years.
- Wisconsin: Incumbent Democrat Herb Kohl over Republican Robert Large.
- Wyoming: Incumbent Republican Craig Thomas over Democrat Dale Groutage.
Both Sanders, an eight-term congressman who calls himself a socialist, and Lieberman have said they will vote with Democrats for organizational purposes."
Yes, I know that some news sites are reporting a majority for Democrats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. I'm sure about one but I'm waiting for more time to pass for the other. Still, it's sure that Republics will NOT hold control. Of course, I'm sure they'll be upset over miscounts and machine malfunctions and the Republicans will probably be calling for a few recounts before they own up that most of the US want them out.
Seems Bush and his people's assertions that they had information that we weren't aware of that made them certain that the Republicans were keeping control were again nothing but desperate hot air. I doubt many of us would be surprised. We've come to expect it from them lately, have we not?
Christy, if there were ever a time for a cake. Ironically, where you are, the conservatives losing control would probably be looked down upon as worthy of celebration, huh? I'm sorry but the humor and satisfaction to be had from the juxtaposition of the Democratic win and a piece of cake just has so much appeal.
I look forward to seeing what Bush says at the press conferance he has planned for 1 PM EST. I find it amusing that most of the US has again said he is messing up but he is talking as if it is the Democrats that need to be willing to rethink their policies. Someone needs to inform him that though he has two years left to his term, this would be a good time to start making his gracious exit. He can't get any lower in his approval rating. Well he could, but if he did I doubt even he will be able to ignore that the country is ashamed of him more often than not.
Hopefully the Democrats will show themselves worthy of our faith (or should I say "desperate hope?") that they will help things turn around.
I am a good democratic citizen. Go me!
Did you vote today?
Zombies? Hell no. Politicians and elections. Yes, I studied. As in at ten o'clock I realized, "OH SHIT! 2MORROW IS THE 7TH! OH SHIT! thats teh BAD!" Well, actually it was more like, "Tomorrow's the elections? Oh fuck, I swear . . . *Starts Looking For Sample Ballot*" But that's not nearly as interesting or popular to read as you can tell from all the examples of the former on the internet and all the lack of the latter. You know, it actually appears I'm one of those good voters that saves the shit they send telling me who to vote for. I may just laugh at some of them, but I still save them to consider.
I should pat myself on the back. However, I'd much rather spend my energy on better things. I'll promise myself I'll pat myself on the back when it's all done and I've been a good citizen. I suppose I'm taking my mark from politicians, by making promises. However, if I were a politician, I suppose I'd be promising to be a good citizen later and pating myself on the back now, huh? Oh well, I suppose I'm not made out for politics.
Here's a pic of my research area (properly arranged of course, I understand that much about that):
How ironic is it then that the thing that helped me make my picks the most was through the internet? Yeah BTW, if you're voting, this site is a god-send.
I have decided that if you are not for Gay Marriage (this does not include people that I believe are having to uphold this because of outside pressure. I mean it as in if you actually believe it in your heart that this is a sin against the One God Almighty) ....I can't vote for you. I admit, I will be voting for the Governator. The only Republican I shall be voting for, in fact. Well, the only one that counts. I will be voting for a republican for Senator from District 14, but that's because he was running against this fucking headcase that I will quote later. You will forgive me, I assure you. But yes, I will vote for the Governator. Mainly because that democrat guy, Phil Angelides, puts far too much focus on middle-class. Look at all of his words about the issues, he repeats the term "middle-class" constantly. Truly, I think it comes down to what Colbert said to the effect of, "Oh yeah, they like that one. Because everyone likes when you talk about raising up the middleclass. Because everyone thinks they are part of it.”
Plus, Angelides looks like Munch without any of the charisma, dry wit, or humor. Which pretty much leaves you with an uptight Bill Nye the Science Guy. But Bill had chemistry. This guy does not appear to.
There was this other guy running for Member of State Senator, 14th District. His statement is:
"WESLEY W. FIRCH
T.R. Roosevelt rides again in California's 14th Secate District in 2006.
Wes Firch is potentially the equal of T.R. Roosevelt in 2006. Wes Firch is the Democratice Candidate (My Sidenote: WTF were they smoking?) for the 14th District of California. Read about some of Wes Firch's dreams for the years 2007 through 2010 below."
(cut down through him talking about his dream of establishing the largest tax preparation office in Stanislaus County in 1977 and being elected president of the Escalon High School Chapter of the California Scholarship Federation his senior year of High School. Don't worry, nothing is said that has anything to do with California or his dreams for it really.)
"Wes Firch would like to talk to each one of the voters in California's 14th Senate District personally. But in a district which has over 900,000 residents (more than some states, that is impossible.
If you support what Wes Firch wants to do for California (My Sidenote: Wait... Have I been told what he wants to do for California? Why haven't I been told that yet?) , ask your relative, friends, and neighbors to vote for Wes Firch on November 7, 2006.
Wes Firch's plans for California: 1. Split California into 3 states (My Sidenote: Oh, question answered.); 2. Start planning for a high speed rail line from Elk Grove to San Diego; 3. Push Oakdale bypass; 4. Make California an anti abortion state; 5. Balance California's budget without raising taxes."
Yeah, I'm absolutly serious. Serious WTF moment. These Candidates' Statements offer some great amusement though. And that was just the first one. Again, I'm serious. That was the FIRST statement in the Voter's Pamphlet of Candidates' Statements. Imagine the possibilities. Imagine the possibilities of these people being voted in. Teaches you not to just fill in according to seeing "republican" or "democrat" after their name, huh? That guy is listed as the only democrat running for that position. I guarantee you there will be people picking him because it says "democrat" after his name. How many of them will be happy with the first four of his Wes Firch's Plans for California? Hmm, I wonder if there's a statement in here from Richard "Dick" Mountjoy. Yeah, you read that right. Richard "Dick" Mountjoy. Seriously. I'll be coming to that later though. That one's a Republican though. See, equal opportunity there.
BTW, there are a few things in Political manner that turn me off from a candidate.
One. Trying to turn others to your cause through ad hominem assualts on your rival. Everyone should know that ad hominem arguments are not valid. I'm supposed to vote for you because you're dumb to the other guy's dumber? Yeah, that makes me enthusiastic about you. You know, Mark Twain had a quote that I really believe rings true. "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."
Case in point for number one is this thing for Senator George Radanovich.
Where it comes to his voting concerning abortion, I actually agree with most of it. Here's his record on such:
- Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
- Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
- Voted YES on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
- Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
- Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
- Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
- Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
- Voted YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
- Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
- Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
The only one I probably wouldn't have voted the same for is the banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. But my views on abortion would be seen as incongruent by most with my other rather liberal opinions. However, I was making a list of things that immediately turn me off from a candidate. I should continue that thought.
2. Nothing drives home a moving thought or compelling argument as a finely crafted turn of phrase. No, really. Nothing. Not writing in all capitals. Not bolding. Not underlining. Not bolding and underlining. Not bolding and underlining and writing in all capitals. So stop it. REALLY.
3. Probably showing yourself to be a narrow-minded bigot won't help your case either. Such as starting an ad about voting for you with the statement that more illegal immigrants have killed Americans every year than any terrorist or anyone killed in the war in Iraq. Looking at you, Richard "Dick" Mountjoy.
When you guys are reading statements from candidates, do you feel like you are at some weird political pagent show? Everyone smiles too damn much with vaseline on their teeth. Everyone is tucking in their gut and blinking in the lights. Everyone is walking on their tippie-toes and hoping the other guy becomes Runway Roadkill. And praying that they don't have any unfortunate Freudian slips. (You're screwed, Richard "Dick" Mountjoy.) And of course, when called to the mic, and asked, "If you could have one wish in the world, what would it be?" And they smile so hard it looks painful, blink watery eyes, and reply, "That's an easy one, Bob. World Peace!" Probably in a southern accent.
You're probably wondering about the Richard "Dick" Mountjoy thing, huh? Unless you've googled him already, which I'm sure many of you did. Mainly Kaile or Crystal. I very much doubt Christy has read this far. She might have if I had mentioned Mountjoy earliar. Or she could be waiting on a cake and had nothing better to read.
Yes, Richard "Dick" Mountjoy is running for office. I thought it was a joke when I first saw his name in the Sample Ballot. I thought it had to be some whack-job (Forgive the image). No, he's seriously a republican running for United States Senator.
Here's his video ad:
Yeah . . . Um....that didn't sound like "World Peace." *Eeeeeerk!* You lose. I hope. Just everything about a headline crying out, "DICK MOUNTJOY WINS A SEAT!" reads wrong.The mental image ain't pretty either. Apparently, it's happened before. And his viewpoints are not my own in pretty much every fashion. However, with that name, perhaps he had to be that so very strict Republican.
Deepy should be happy. I will vote for Prop 87. It probably won't pass. However, California is such a goddamn beautiful place, I can't bear the thought of it being polluted.
I will vote against measure C that was for supplying the area with more money for building more bigger and better roads. I agreed with the points made in this post.
I believe Prop 1E and Prop 84 are pretty much the same damn thing. Except, I will vote for Prop 1E. I will not vote for Prop 84 because it seems to be using what I agree with in Prop 1E to add oomph behind the fluff that I don't.
I do not like Prop 83. How exactly will GPS (Global Positioning System) devices keep them from molesting a child? Because then you can restrict where they go? I mean other than the obvious schools and parks. Are you going to keep them from Grocery Stores? I believe children go there. Are you going to keep them from movie theatres? I believe children go there too. Are you going to keep them from restaurants, malls, or church? Children tend to visit those places too. Or is it so that when they do something you can prove they were in the area at that time? Well, as someone who knows her Law and Order, if I were the lawyer, I'd begin with saying that his past record was prejudicial. Then draw the jury's attention to being sure "beyond any doubt" and that the poor man could have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, I am wondering how a lawyer could argue about a criminal's past being prejudicial while still having to fight against evidence brought about from a GPS device having been put on him for only one possible reason. And not all sex offenders are created equal. I'm far more inclined to put a GPS device placed on the ankle of a man who raped a six year old boy. I don't think it's appropriate to put one on the ankle of a man who was the 22 year old romeo to a 16 year old juliet (or romeo) whose parents flipped out. And for the rest of his life?! Then this comes to the fact of, if serving out their sentences is not repaying their debt to society, then why are we acting as if it is? Put them in jail for life if you don't believe they could possibly ever repay their debt. However, fully admit that is what you are doing. Don't say they've been let out and then put a GPS device on their ankle for the rest of their lives. It's an absolutely horrible crime, but this does not seem to be the answer.
Prop 85. Very difficult one. I believe I will vote for it. For many different reasons that are worthy of their own post.
Apparently judges have absolutely nothing to say. They give no info about themselves. It appears they wish you to vote for or against them simply by name lottery. Do I like your name? No. Then no on you. Hopefully you weren't a great person for the job. *Shrug* That's the name lottery. I don't play it.
Deepy stayed up for a while with me while I was researching. She even talked politics with me.
Her: i am currently in awe of how short-sighted politicians are
Me: completely
Her: and also currently exasperated with our two party system
Her: and hoping that the next session of congress will be better
Her: if the democrats regain control and put bush where he belongs, i'll be a happy girl
Me: me too!
Her: then again, the way they have been standing on the sidelines the past couple of months kinda makes me weary
Her: but optimism
Her: i guess
Me: I hope it's just like the first few minutes after watching a disaster. You know where people see it coming and are going, "Ohhhhhhhhhh shit ....................." and then *CRASHBOOMBANG!!!!* and everyone’s like *GASP* and then a couple seconds later someone goes, "Ohhhhhhhhhh shit................" and then someone goes, "Fuck" and someone else agrees, "Dude." and then someone else goes "911?" and someone else goes, "Fuck, dude, shit" and then someone pulls out their camera with a phone in it. Hands it to someone else to dial. Hands it to someone else to dial. Hands it to someone else to dial. Person asks, "What's this for?" the other person reminds, "911" and the other person goes, "Oh yeah. Shit." Dials and then goes, "Yeah, some fucking messed up shit just happened, dude."
Me: The other guy reminds, "Not your mother, dumbshit."
Her: lol
Me: But not
Then we went on to discuss something fluffy like if restriction of thought was rooted in religion's innate evils or the innate evil of society first placed on the savage man.
Voting is so much fun, huh?
So, the phone suddenly lit up a moment ago as if it was going to ring. It stayed lit for a few moments then went dead. No ring. We picked it up and looked in the caller ID. It was the Democratic Party. Why did they hang up? What did they want? Apparently, Siobhan was messing on the phone at the time. Yes, I'm looking pointedly at YOU, Christy. I missed a call from the Democratic Party. I'm somehow sad. My mom said that it was like God calling. I just find that concept amusing in itself, especially with the Democratic Party. Now, if it were the Republicans that'd be funny in a totally different fashion. I wonder if the Dems will call back. I probably would have answered the phone for that. I think I'm going to go eat some chocolate and agonize over the Democratic call that could have been. *Sigh*
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