Contrary to Popular Belief

Wait, I Have A New Favorite!

2009-03-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

Ok this site is doing a great job of keeping me entertained! Check it out! This is my new favorite Obama portrait. They should really do the offical White House portraits on velvet, no? Hahaha.. Unicorn... Love it.

Obamamanian Art

2009-03-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be great to be the person responsible for creating some sort of iconic lasting image, a painting of someone great that goes down in history? Well we can't all be Shepherd Fairey, but apparently a lot of us do have a love of President Obama that can and must be translated into the visual arts. Badpaintinsofbarackobama.com gives us a look at all the unsung art work celebrating our 44th President. Something tells me that none of these artists are going to be sued by the AP, thankfully, but the work is definitely worth a look. Some of them are very well done, some if them, like our little friend down here, are just plain weird.

Beat Steele My Heart

2009-02-27T08:32:00.000-08:00

Michael Steele sure is shaking things up in the Republican party! They used to be stuffy, pig-headed country ruiners (don't worry, I mean only the ones given any kind of power), but that was all before the new hot young Michael Steele started taking the country by storm with his hip new lingo, and brand new message of responsibility!

"We know the past, we know we did wrong. My bad. But we go forward in appreciation of the values that brought us to this point."

Wow, I am so glad they learned their lesson! (And learned how to speak jive!) I might still have had some sort of silly lingering idea that Republicans were still bent on continuing the horribly failed policies of the last eight years. What a dolt am I? He clearly said "My bad." What more could he possibly offer us as penance? I'm convinced. Lets get out those Palin/Steele 2012 stickers people! Or, ooh, maybe Steele/Palin? After all, he be da man.

(In case you couldn't tell, I was being sarcastic./Well, duh.)

Yes, It Is The Worst Pun Ever... And I Love It

2009-02-18T10:45:00.001-08:00

The man who created this posted it with the question "Is this the worst pun ever?" Why, yes, yes it is. So how come I can't stop giggling at it?

Friday Logic Fast Post

2009-02-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

Don't have much more time til the end of my day here, but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to share a post from War Room at Salon that I audibly said "thank you!" to while reading. I don't hear this kind of logic coming from the Washington debate over the stimulus bill.

By a vote of 73-24 on Friday, the Senate agreed to an amendment to the stimulus advertised as "ensur[ing] that taxpayer money is not lost on wasteful and non-simulative projects." Proposed by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), the amendment reads:
None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, art center, and highway beautification project.
From a certain perspective, that does sound like common sense. Certainly, it makes enough sense on a superficial level that a fair amount of Democrats, perhaps scared of the political consequences of voting against the amendment, supported the change.
Then again, if you haven't seen it already, now would be a good time to go check out the roundup of New Deal construction projects that's up on the site right now. It's a reminder of how many of our national landmarks are an outgrowth of the New Deal, and of the kind of things that are prohibited under this amendment.
By the way, in case it needs to be said, money spent on a zoo can be just as stimulative as any other kind of funding. Fun things need someone to build them and run them, same as anything else.

Obama Brings the Fire

2009-02-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

Obama got back to the kind of talk that got him elected last night, and I couldn't be happier. I was starting to feel like things weren't changing in Washington like they should be, that the partisan rancor was too deep seeded to be cleared away with the brush of new administration. Then Obama took the mic last night, using common sense, down to earth language to talk about what we need right now, and why the same-old same-old in DC was no good anymore. His words are really worth being read in their entirety if you missed it, or watched, video will follow.

[D]on't come to the table with the same tired arguments and worn ideas that helped to create this crisis. You know, all of us here -- [we're] imperfect. And everything we do and everything I do is subject to improvement. Michelle reminds me every day how imperfect I am. So I welcome this debate. But come on, we're not -- we are not going to get relief by turning back to the very same policies that for the last eight years doubled the national debt and threw our economy into a tailspin.

We can't embrace the losing formula that says only tax cuts will work for every problem we face; that ignores critical challenges like our addiction to foreign oil, or the soaring cost of health care, or falling schools and crumbling bridges and roads and levees. I don't care whether you're driving a hybrid or an SUV -- if you're headed for a cliff, you've got to change direction. That's what the American people called for in November, and that's what we intend to deliver.

So the American people are watching. They did not send us here to get bogged down with the same old delay, the same old distractions, the same talking points, the same cable chatter. You know, aren't you all tired of that stuff?

They did not vote for the false theories of the past, and they didn't vote for phony arguments and petty politics. They didn't vote for the status quo -- they sent us here to bring change. We owe it to them to deliver. This is the moment for leadership that matches the great test of our times. And I know you want to work with me to get there...

This isn't some abstract debate. Last week, we learned that many of America's largest corporations already laid off thousands and are planning to lay off tens of thousands of more workers. Today, we learned that in the previous week, the number of new unemployment claims jumped to 626,000. Tomorrow, we're expecting another dismal jobs report, on top of the half a million jobs that were lost last month, on top of the half a million jobs that were lost the month before that, on top of the 2.6 million jobs that were lost last year.

For you, these aren't just statistics. This is not a game. This is not a contest for who's in power and who's up and who's down. These are your constituents. These are families you know and you care about. I believe that it is important for us to set aside some of the gamesmanship in this town and get something done...

Understand the scale and the scope of this plan is right. And when you start hearing arguments on the cable chatter, just understand a couple of things. Number one, when they say, well, why are we spending $800 billion -- we've got this huge deficit? First of all, I found this deficit when I showed up. Number one. I found this national debt doubled, wrapped in a big bow waiting for me as I stepped into the Oval Office.

Number two, it is expected that we are going to lose about a trillion dollars worth of demand this year, a trillion dollars of demand next year because of the contraction in the economy. So the reason that this has to be big is to try to fill some of that lost demand. And as it is, there are many who think that we should be doing even more. So we are taking prudent steps...

So then you get the argument, well, this is not a stimulus bill, this is a spending bill. What do you think a stimulus is? That's the whole point. No, seriously. That's the point.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Don't Look Now, But I Think She's Eyeing Your Stimulus Package

2009-02-04T06:41:00.001-08:00

It's been awhile since I posted anything. The draw to hibernate in the winter is just too great to pass up. But troubled times call for sleepy, semi-productive measures, such as me writing this post. Aren't you proud?

Yeah the economy still isn't looking good huh? This whole kerfuffle ( I just really wanted to use that word today) over the stimulus package is just showcasing the type of government we are trying to move past here. We've got serious problems, more jobs are being lost every day, and Washington is devolving into primordial ooze once again. Oh it's both party's faults also, we need more pet projects for Democrats just as badly as we need more tax cuts for Republicans and holes in our heads.

There is an excellent website though for anyone who would like to look into exactly where the funds in the bill are going to be used, Stimulus Watch. For instance they are planning to put $10,000,000 into neighborhood street repairs in my very own town. Aside from potentially waking me up every morning with construction noise, this is the type of project I can get behind. I'm not just happy about the prospect of local jobs, I'm excited about actual non-pot-holed streets. The last pot hole I drove over was so deep there were mole people living inside it.

Today

2009-01-20T06:32:00.000-08:00

I can't believe this day is finally here. There is a torrent of emotion welling in me. It is the beginning of a new era, a shift in the paradigm of American.

I started my job the day Bush was re-elected. To me it was the greyest day there ever was. I was swimming in disillusionment and fear. Now that day is fading away forever.

Thank you God, the last eight years are over! Rejoice!

Today is to be a long day of trying to sit still at my desk while history is being made somewhere outside the door. But you know what? History is made in the streets, but also in our hearts. It doesn't matter where you are today, because we are all in this together. We are all here, alive on this day to be one Nation, taking one giant leap towards liberty and justice for all. And whether you are sitting in a cubical, or on the steps of the Capitol, there will be a moment today for you to hold in your heart forever.

Whatever you do, don't let that moment fade. Write about it, sign about it, tell your friends and family about it, because it belongs to the ages as much as your heart.

Nina Finally Creates Top 10 Album List

2008-12-31T07:43:00.000-08:00

Yes, the unbelievably has happened! Nina committed to ten albums that she thinks were the best of 2008. To check out the list just go here!

Boy did she pick great albums. That Nina sure is smart.

Melissa Etheridge's Other on the Other Side

2008-12-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

Apparently Melissa Etheridge met with Rick Warren recently, and this is her wife's, Tammy Lynn Michael's, blog on the event. I still have trouble being ok with him, but I see her point, and it's a nice, laid back point. I always like those. (From her blog, via War Room, unedited)

______

so honey met rick warren last night. well, she spoke to him on the phone beforehand, giving us insight into the man the media has made our latest "HE HATES YOU!" target. if i sit real still and think about it.. it's almost like reverse smear-the-queer... at times, it seems that the media presents us with target after target to smear, as if to say to us, "THIS IS THE GUY HOLDING YOU BACK!! GO GIT 'IM!!!" and it does seem that my lovely gay family is so bruised and bettered and ready to fight back (myself included), that we attack and deem someone ANTI-GAY, and ready to SMEAR, simply when they don't want the word "marriage" brought into our gay ceremonies. now, if the person doesn't want gays AT ALL, then i'm gonna chase that one down. but, i'm starting to think that there are indeed some people... some well-meaning and loving people... who are not at all ANTI-GAY, that's not why they don't want the word marriage used... they are merely RELIGIOUS. and for religious (archaic) reasons, they want to stay safe and respectful to WHAT THEY'VE BEEN TAUGHT.

let me try to differentiate the two.

let's say i am wearing a baseball cap. now what if i want to call it a yamaka? you know- it's basically the same thing, but one is missing the sun visor. i don't call my caps yamakas... cuz that is a religious name for a hat that is worn by religious people. now if i apply that thinking to this situation.... i would like to think of it as.... if they afford us the EXACT SAME RIGHTS, then who cares what it's called? ... joel and hanna can have a piece of paper with the word MARRIAGE on it, and all 1200 rights... and i can have a piece of paper with who-cares on it, and all 1200 rights. the word marriage is a religious, holy, word that people who go to church on sundays are told belongs to them. like yamaka, menorah, or matzo.

rick is not a televangelist. rick is not falwell. rick spoke of some "stupid" things he's said (his word, not mine), some missquotes that were given, and lots of ammunition from the media. all excellent points. (we're all war-minded right now, you know. it's easy for the media to distract us by throwing us into our own verbal wars here at home.) ) what to do, what to do.... the rest of the public is given an animation of rick warren... and then my wife meets the man behind the projections, the quotes, the "OTHER SIDE". and he is warm, caring, effusive, and LOVES gays. since he nearly swallowed honey when he hugged her, i tend to believe him. he wants our gay marriages to be just as respected and embraced as the straight marriages. he just wants to wear his yamaka, and me wear my hat.

More On Rick Warren

2008-12-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

Mike Madden over at Salon has a great article called "How the hell did Rick Warren get inauguration tickets?," basically saying that the Obama team already knew about the fall out they would be looking at picking Warren and didn't really care for the most part.

I understand what Obama is trying to do here, I really do. He is all about the whole can't-we-all-just-get-along thing, and for the most part I think we can. But as my father pointed out this morning, would the inclusiveness also be extended to a priest who did not believe in interracial marriage? I can go as far as anyone in being tolerant to the intolerant, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna invite them to say a prayer at my party.

Come On Obama...

2008-12-18T08:37:00.000-08:00

I know he is trying to be inclusive and have people with differing view points around him and such but...

Rick Warren's invocation at the inauguration will be a sad stain of yesterday's prejudices on the crisp while blank sheet of what tomorrow will be.

I had been planning on filling out my form to complete my application for volunteering at the inauguration today. I will not be submitting that form.

Michael Pollan Weighs In On Vilsack

2008-12-17T09:51:00.000-08:00

Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, who brought the issues of corn subsidies, overproduction, bioengineering, and more to a much larger audience is weighing in on the Vilsack pick. When asked by Salon.com for his reaction he said:

"Am I thrilled? You know look, if I missed something, he didn’t use the word food in his comments this morning. His focus is very much on production and agriculture. His record in Iowa does not give much one much reason to believe he’s going to bring a reformist agenda to the Department of Agriculture. Though there are some glints of light in that record. He’s shown some interest in developing local food economies in Iowa, which is encouraging. He’s in favor of capping subsidies in a serious way and moving the savings to conservation. The fact that he’s Tom Harkin’s pick gives me some grounds for hope."

But also noted that Vilsack has close ties to biotech and expanded confined animal feeding operation.

"He was biotech governor of the year. And he has very close relations to Monsanto. As with every other pick, the focus is on the Nixon-in-China scenario, the hopeful fantasy, which is that these people will be able to drive reform in their bureaucracies -- that's the story of this Cabinet. Whether that comes true or not, we’re just going to have to wait and see."

Yes, yes we are.

How The World Works Weighs In On Vilsack

2008-12-17T09:08:00.000-08:00

For more on Corn Boy and his love of bioengineering the food you eat, read Andrew Leonards fantastic piece over at How The World Works.

Seasons Greeting To Ru and Ru and You!

2008-12-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

RuPaul has new show called Drag Race on the Logo network. Sadly my cable company doesn't have Logo yet so I will only be able to fantasize about the fabulousness, luckily the Drag Race Holiday card really helps me out in that department. Thanks to Mark Schone at War Room for passing this along, as he says, RuPaul makes a stunning Michelle Obama, and a handsome Barack too. Now that's fricking talent.

(for larger image)

Vilsack - A Win For The Corn Industry?

2008-12-17T07:39:00.000-08:00

Ok, mark your calenders. It took exactly this long for me to get pissed off at Obama. The New York Times is reporting that Obama has picked former Iowa Governor, Tom Vilsack for agriculture secretary. Visack?! Are you f-ing kidding me?! Didn't I sign a petition to keep this guy out of the running and then a few days later heard that he took his own name out of the running?! Vilsack is a huge supporter of factory farming, unsustainable corn-based farming I might add, not to mention Monsanto and it's evil corporate food-Barron ilk. I am feeling the strong urge, in fact, to dub him Corn Boy due to his love of, and ties to, big corn. Done and done.

"One of the first major decisions Mr. Obama and Mr. Vilsack [A.K.A. Corn Boy] may have to make is whether to grant the ethanol industry’s requests for billions in federal aid in the stimulus bill, which Mr. Obama has said he hopes to sign into law quickly, perhaps on his first day in office." Ummm.. why? I thought we were all up to speed on the fact that ethanol is a poorly constructed band aid on a gushing wound. I didn't elect Obama because I thought the corn industry needed more money, especially not my money.

Basically the entire Times articles talks only about renewable energy. A very important issue it's true, but certainly not the only thing that a Secretary of Agriculture would be dealing with. To me all that says is that we are going to be focusing more on large factory farms that create corn for ethanol, and much less on small organic family farms, that will keep our food supply safe and renewable for future generations. Corn: 1 America: 0

Prove me wrong guys, prove me wrong.

P.S. Need more proof that corn is evil?

Bush Shoe Attack - Commercial Parody

2008-12-15T10:38:00.000-08:00

So did you hear about the shoes? You know, the size ten projectiles hurled at Bush's head this weekend? When I had just heard about it, I laughed and didn't think about it again, but when I saw the actual footage, I realized it was a pretty serious thing. I mean, no one got hurt, but those shoes were sent flying with a mission! That dude wasn't just voicing displeasure, he was trying to take Bush out. Well, take him out in a non death related way maybe, I know in Iraq, putting your shoe on someone or hitting them with your shoe is like the ultimate sign of disrespect.

Also, as another blog contributor here noted, where was the secret service? It looked like it was Iraq's president trying to shield Bush from the second shoe. The secret service guys were probably busy daydreaming about how they can't wait to get rid of this pretzel-choker and start guarding the new first puppy.

Anyways, shoes being thrown at presidents we all hate is funny, no way around it. Bush didn't even take it very seriously, so why should we? Here is a clever parody of those (Budweiser) "Real Men Of Genius" ads. I enjoyed. You enjoy.

Hey... Remember Bush?

2008-12-12T09:43:00.001-08:00

Yeah, he's not technically gone yet, but to paraphrase James Taylor, I've gone to Obama in my mind. The Bushies are in an attempt to rewrite history yet again, trying to put a little lipstick on the pig that is the last eight years of American politics. My brother passed along this little reminder, by Keith Olbermann of course, of what the last eight years under Bush really looked liked, in case you needed a refresher. A scary scary refresher. Via la future, but don't forget the past.

A New Dialogue With Government

2008-12-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

I don't care what anyone says, Obama picking Clintonites for his cabinet does not equate to more of the same in government. Today change.gov unveiled something very changey indeed. They call it their Open For Questions page, and it continues the mind blowing process of actually including America in American policy. You can ask any question you would like, and even more fun, you can vote on which questions you think should get answered first!

Now this sounded like a blast to me, so I decided to give it a whirl. One question I have had kicking around in my head, that is of no interest to the media apparently, is if the administration is going to take organic and local farming practices into account when creating their agriculture platform. It's something we haven't really heard too much about in terms of policy. So I though, alright there's my question.

When I got to the site, I was greeted by a conveniently placed little search bar, to see what questions have been asked. I typed in the word organic and several entries popped up.

"Will you hire a White House chef who reflects the new American cuisine of fresh, organic, and local produce (and flowers) grown locally?"

Well Marc from San Rafeal, CA, that is a great question, but not the one I was going to ask, so I move to the next one.

"The President-Elect once remarked on a NYT piece by Michael Pollan, an opponent of the corn-based industrial agricultural model. Will the administration look to move us away toward a more organic model? Are specific ideas being discussed?"

Ooh, Mike from NYC, that is so exactly the question I wanted to ask, clearly! Complete with relevant solid reference and properly used hyphen! I click the hard-to-miss check next to the question to indicate my approval. I can also tell from the bars next to the question, that this has gotten many more yes votes than no, a good sign for my question! Err... Mike's question.. you know Mike from NYC who eats organic.

I ventured back to the main question page, where a random question will pop up for you to vote yes or no on.

"Did you witness corruption first hand in Chicago?"

Jonathan from Austin, another good question, but one that is not likely to make it to the top of the list with the pages and pages of inquires posted on this site. "Let's see, not going to click the check and vote yes for it, but there's really no reason to vote no, Jonathan from Austin doesn't deserve the dreaded X..." I hover my mouse over the skip question button and what should pop up as an explanation of said button but "meh..." "Meh... you say?! Why that is exactly how I fell about that question!" I didn't think I would ever meet the day when my very own government was culturally savy enough to use the word "meh..."

"Wow." I thought. "'Meh...' Now that's change I can believe in."

WTF Of The Day From Broadsheet

2008-12-04T11:24:00.000-08:00

Via Broadsheet's Abby Matgulies:

$200,000 worth of inflatable boobs are lost at sea. Last seen on a cargo ship bound for the land down under, the 130,000 breasts, intended to be a free giveaway in the January issue of men's magazine Ralph, have mysteriously disappeared, according to a story (called "Storm in a C Cup") in WAToday. Ralph editor Santi Pintado has issued a cry for help, urging anyone who has information regarding the displaced breasts to contact him. So far, the only explanation he has come up with is pirates. A likely explanation. In the world of booty, they're moving on up.

Prop 8 The Musical

2008-12-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

You can count on Funny Or Die for great laughs from your favorite celebrities all the time, but there's not usually so many packed into one video! Prop 8 the musical features, Andy Richter, Maya Rudolph, John C Reilly, Margaret Cho, Neil Patrick Harris, and more! Not to mention an extremely entertaining and on point take on the whole Proposition 8 debacle. Listen to Jack Black Jesus everyone; choose love over hate!

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

No Country For New Ideas

2008-12-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

This blog is seemingly sad to me lately. Since the election is over, I don't seem to have to insane drive to obsess over politics all day the way I have for the last two years. Brain shifts have occurred without me even noticing.

But this is not fair to the public you see. They demand infotainment constantly, and if I'm not there to give it, there's someone right next page waiting to dispense their own brand of snarky commentary on today's events.

I feel the need to branch out my little Interweblings! My media empire hasn't seemed to achieve the growth rate I had hoped it would, (see also overnight success) and I feel hedged in by my own compartmentalizing. When I think of an idea, I have to decide which of my many blogs it would fit in to the most, and quite often the answer is none.

So perhaps this space needs to follow my brain's lead and spend a little less time obsessed with politics? My other interested for cold months have started to push their way to the forefront. Cooking, baking, crafts, and photography need a home, but alas I havn't one to give them at the moment.

So what should it be? Stuff it all in here, or continued expanding the blog empire? The choice is.. well it's mine but I clearly can't make any important decisions without a proper chunk of feedback, so do what you can to help your old pal Nina.

They We're Al Qaeda Tukeys!

2008-11-26T07:03:00.000-08:00

David Letterman did a top ten list of reasons Sarah Palin allowed turkeys being slaughtered behind her on TV during her gubernatorial turkey pardon. Yeah I know, I thought I was done talking about her too, but if she has anything to say about it, she is not done with the national stage. Plus tomorrow is turkey day and there surely isn't any other turkey related politicalish news. So enjoy!

Sorry Can't Make That The Title But It's In There...

2008-11-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

So today's big breaking news is that Obama has offered Hilary Clinton the position of Secretary of State. I had heard the names John Kerry and Bill Richardson being thrown around, and I was feeling cool with either of them. I have to say Clinton's name making it to the top of the heap all of a sudden, threw me a little. When I heard about it yesterday as a leak, I had trouble believing it.

Mostly because I have serious reservations about this. Hilary played it extremely tough and hawkish during the primary to try and not be seen as being a touchy feely lady in anyway, so it's hard to tell whether those were her real gut foreign policy positions or not. She also spent the majority of her campaign underplaying and mocking Obama on his experience in that realm. That didn't work out so well for her.

When I take a step back though, and think about this with the thought also in mind, that Obama is much more of a political genius than I will ever be, I see things from a different angle. First off, we already know that Obama is a huge fan of Lincoln, and also Dorris Kearns Goodwin's book, "Team of Rivals," about how Lincoln choose many opposing view points for the heads of his cabinets, based on the idea that "It's better to have your enemies inside your tent, pissing out, than outside your tent, pissing in."

I'm not sure how much tent pissing Hilary would be involved in in either case, but I think you get the point. Also doesn't it speak volumes about the strength of your leadership if you can make someone who opposed you policies vehemently, fall in lock step and become a soldier for the cause? (Does that sound to militaristic? I don't want anyone else saying Obama is forming a Marxist army!)

She has been around the world as first lady, even if not under sniper fire. She is known for being very good at "back door" diplomacy. I'm not really sure what that is, but it sounds like hot international revenge for Monica Lewinsky - you go girl! Seriously though, it doesn't hurt to have one of your harshest opponents become the smiling face of your new administration to the world.

And as my dear friend Tamara put it so eloquently: "EVERY THUG NEEDS A LADY"

Dance To The Music

2008-11-11T23:05:00.000-08:00

You hear it every where, on television, the radio, from co-workers, from friends and family. You feel it when you think about what happen on November 4th. I bet you feel it right now just thinking about what you were doing that night. The Obama euphoria is every where. People are obsessed with him and the breath of fresh air he is bringing to this country's government. Some people, like my fiance are so emotionally involved that it some times leads me to think to myself, "Are people too obsessed with Obama?".

I thought about that question long and hard before it hit me, not every one is just happy cause of Obama is going to be our President. Some are happy cause they see it at a new start, some because it is the end of George Bush's Presidency. Others like myself, get that sense of pride for our country that has been missing for the last eight years. There are many reasons people are overwhelmed with emotions since November 4th.

Now there are those who are not happy, who worked very hard to keep change and hope from taking over. They are the ones that mock the happy ones, call them names, put them down, say they are crazy or other things to make the happy ones seem stupid. I hope they will come around once Obama is in office, it seems sad to me that they won't experience the same joy and excitement we are feeling at this historic time.

Tao Te Ching said "Those who dance are often thought mad by those who cannot hear the music.", and that is what is happening now. Those on the right, those who don't like Obama for whatever reason just don't hear the Obama music. So dance, live it up, and enjoy your feelings.

50 Obama Facts!

2008-11-11T13:42:00.001-08:00

Thank you to the Telegraph for this list of 50 things you may not know about Obama. I knew 13!

• He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics

• He was known as "O'Bomber" at high school for his skill at basketball

• His name means "one who is blessed" in Swahili

• His favourite meal is wife Michelle's shrimp linguini

• He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father

• He is left-handed – the sixth post-war president to be left-handed

• He has read every Harry Potter book

• He owns a set of red boxing gloves autographed by Muhammad Ali

• He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can't stand ice cream

• His favourite snacks are chocolate-peanut protein bars

• He ate dog meat, snake meat, and roasted grasshopper while living in Indonesia

• He can speak Spanish

• While on the campaign trail he refused to watch CNN and had sports channels on instead

• His favourite drink is black forest berry iced tea

• He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president – he didn't

• He kept a pet ape called Tata while in Indonesia

• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs

• He was known as Barry until university when he asked to be addressed by his full name

• His favourite book is Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

• He visited Wokingham, Berks, in 1996 for the stag party of his half-sister's fiancé, but left when a stripper arrived

• His desk in his Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy

• He and Michelle made $4.2 million (£2.7 million) last year, with much coming from sales of his books

• His favourite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

• He carries a tiny Madonna and child statue and a bracelet belonging to a soldier in Iraq for good luck

• He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee.

• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees

• He took Michelle to see the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing on their first date

• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker

• He doesn't drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol

• He would have liked to have been an architect if he were not a politician

• As a teenager he took drugs including marijuana and cocaine

• His daughters' ambitions are to go to Yale before becoming an actress (Malia, 10) and to sing and dance (Sasha, 7)

• He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside

• He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal

• His house in Chicago has four fire places

• Daughter Malia's godmother is Jesse Jackson's daughter Santita

• He says his worst habit is constantly checking his BlackBerry

• He uses an Apple Mac laptop

• He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid, having ditched his gas-guzzling Chrysler 300

• He wears $1,500 (£952) Hart Schaffner Marx suits

• He owns four identical pairs of black size 11 shoes

• He has his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber, Zariff, who charges $21 (£13)

• His favourite fictional television programmes are Mash and The Wire

• He was given the code name "Renegade" by his Secret Service handlers

• He was nicknamed "Bar" by his late grandmother

• He plans to install a basketball court in the White House grounds

• His favourite artist is Pablo Picasso

• His speciality as a cook is chilli

• He has said many of his friends in Indonesia were "street urchins"

• He keeps on his desk a carving of a wooden hand holding an egg, a Kenyan symbol of the fragility of life

• His late father was a senior economist for the Kenyan government

Olbermann On Prop h8

2008-11-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

Keith Olbermann has become known for his special comments, a segment of his show in which he addresses the camera directly to take on something he finds especially appalling going on in current events. I have seen many of these, and while some have indeed sparked anger or outrage in me, none have touched me and made me see Keith Olbermann's humanity like his comment last night. He spoke about the passing of proposition 8 in California, taking away the rights of same sex couples to marry. He brought the issue to the heart level, somewhere a lot of news anchors are afraid to venture. Some might even argue that emotional appeals are not appropriate for news men and woman, but I'll let you decide.

Thank you to Huffington Post for the transcription. (Full Text)

Finally tonight as promised, a Special Comment on the passage, last week, of Proposition Eight in California, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, and tilted the balance on this issue, from coast to coast.

Some parameters, as preface. This isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics, and this isn't really just about Prop-8. And I don't have a personal investment in this: I'm not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.

And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics.

Story continues below

This is about the... human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.

If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not... understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want -- a chance to be a little less alone in the world.

Only now you are saying to them -- no. You can't have it on these terms. Maybe something similar. If they behave. If they don't cause too much trouble. You'll even give them all the same legal rights -- even as you're taking away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them, still anchored in love and marriage, and you are saying, no, you can't marry. What if somebody passed a law that said you couldn't marry?

I keep hearing this term "re-defining" marriage.

If this country hadn't re-defined marriage, black people still couldn't marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal... in 1967. 1967.

The parents of the President-Elect of the United States couldn't have married in nearly one third of the states of the country their son grew up to lead. But it's worse than that. If this country had not "re-defined" marriage, some black people still couldn't marry...black people. It is one of the most overlooked and cruelest parts of our sad story of slavery. Marriages were not legally recognized, if the people were slaves. Since slaves were property, they could not legally be husband and wife, or mother and child. Their marriage vows were different: not "Until Death, Do You Part," but "Until Death or Distance, Do You Part." Marriages among slaves were not legally recognized.

You know, just like marriages today in California are not legally recognized, if the people are... gay.

And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing -- centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children... All because we said a man couldn't marry another man, or a woman couldn't marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage. How many marriages like that have there been and how on earth do they increase the "sanctity" of marriage rather than render the term, meaningless?

What is this, to you? Nobody is asking you to embrace their expression of love. But don't you, as human beings, have to embrace... that love? The world is barren enough.

It is stacked against love, and against hope, and against those very few and precious emotions that enable us to go forward. Your marriage only stands a 50-50 chance of lasting, no matter how much you feel and how hard you work.

And here are people overjoyed at the prospect of just that chance, and that work, just for the hope of having that feeling. With so much hate in the world, with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against people for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadnesses, this is what your conscience tells you to do?

With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate... this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness -- this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness -- share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

---

You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of...love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate. You don't have to help it, you don't have it applaud it, you don't have to fight for it. Just don't put it out. Just don't extinguish it. Because while it may at first look like that love is between two people you don't know and you don't understand and maybe you don't even want to know...It is, in fact, the ember of your love, for your fellow **person...

Just because this is the only world we have. And the other guy counts, too.

This is the second time in ten days I find myself concluding by turning to, of all things, the closing plea for mercy by Clarence Darrow in a murder trial.

But what he said, fits what is really at the heart of this:

"I was reading last night of the aspiration of the old Persian poet, Omar-Khayyam," he told the judge.

"It appealed to me as the highest that I can vision. I wish it was in my heart, and I wish it was in the hearts of all:

"So I be written in the Book of Love;

"I do not care about that Book above.

"Erase my name, or write it as you will,

"So I be written in the Book of Love."

---

Good night, and good luck.

New Favorite Song!

2008-11-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

Will.i.am is back with a great song that really captures the sheer unshakable joy I am still basking in.

Amazing New President Art

2008-11-10T10:07:00.000-08:00

Amazing art by Michael Murphy.

Missed A Headline?

2008-11-07T09:32:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Tamara for this great link! Think you missed any newspaper or magazine headlines on the Obama win? Why not check them all out.

Now We Get It

2008-11-07T07:03:00.000-08:00

Heather Havrilesky over at Salon has a excellently written, funny, and moving piece today about the election and what it means to our generation. I recommend reading the whole thing, it's very insightful. She calls it "An Open Apology To Boomers Everywhere," explaining why we've been so cynical and maybe never understood on a visceral level the 60's and the peace movements of our parent's generation, based on what we grew up with and what we faced while becoming adults.

"Gore had the election stolen right out of his hands in Florida, and then the twin towers collapsed before our eyes. At first we felt moved to act for the greater good in the wake of that tragedy. But then the whole country seemed to implode in front of us, from our invasion of two sovereign nations to the rise of celebrity culture to tanning beds to McMansions to Guantánamo Bay to Hummers and a big, faceless herd of humans in low-rider ass pants, chattering about whether or not to get Botox. It was so sad and pathetic that it was funny to us, even if it was only sad and pathetic to you."

For the most part that's true. There were times when everything would seem overwhelmingly sad, but yes being cynical, putting up a shield of defiance and humor, always made things easier to take.

"But on Tuesday night, that changed. We understood, for the first time in our lives, what it means to be a part of something big, without reservation. We saw the joy in that. We knew that history had been made, and we were happy to have made calls and sent money and knocked on doors for this man. We felt like we were really, truly participants in history, that we had a connection to those people in the crowd at Grant Park and those kids crying and celebrating in Compton on the local news. We were all Americans, together, old and young, black and white and Latino and Asian, and it didn't feel hokey or overly earnest to admit it for once."

"...we looked into the eyes of a real leader, and decades of cynicism about politics and grassroots movements and community melted away in a single moment. We heard the voice of a man who can inspire with his words, who's unashamed of his own intelligence, who's willing to treat the citizens of this country like smart, capable people, worthy of respect. For the first time in some of our lifetimes, we believed."

"...we could all sense, with open hearts, that this man meant what he said. There's no shame in seeing that clearly, together. There's no shame in trusting someone's words, and allowing those words to move and inspire you. There's no shame in throwing ourselves into this new future with full hearts, with tears in our eyes, unself-consciously."

Can Someone Please Sign This For Me?

2008-11-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know enough people near D.C., that someone has to be able to get over to the Lincoln Memorial and sign this message board for me! Write something profound!

Turning The Page

2008-11-06T07:41:00.000-08:00

This morning I find myself still marveling over Barack Obama's win and what it means, and even more so, what it feels like. When I started supporting Obama's bid for the White House it felt like a dream. In March I posted this video hoping a long with the rest of the world, that the page of history might turn.

Bob Cesca said at the time, "Until recently, I honestly didn’t think it was possible. And even though it’s only the beginning, Senator Obama’s campaign is clearly our best shot to, at the very least, turn the tide against this seemingly interminable darkness." Now the darkness is starting fade, there is an absence of light no longer.

Not everyone feels that way though. I do see a few people talking about how they're disappointed in his win, and it's hard for me, I just have trouble understanding it. I am someone who tries to look at things from both sides, and understand where someone is coming from when I do not agree with them, but there must be some joy in this victory for all Americans. Even if there are particular issues that you are not on the same page with Obama on, you have to feel some shred of what the rest of us are feeling right now, don't you?

I know he has yet to prove himself as a President, and the comparison may rub some people the wrong way, but I would like know what the people who were horribly depressed when John Kennedy or Franklin Roosevelt were elected, think now. Can they recognize a watershed moment for us as a people without attaching partisan negativity to it? I hope so. I hope that Obama can earn the admiration and respect of McCain supporters, not just because I personally feel he deserves it, but because our country has been thirsty for unity even long before we were pushed to so desperately need it by the attacks of September 11, 2001. We were lacking in leadership then, and we've been given a chance to heal the divide, a chance to rekindle the world's love affair with the United States, a chance the rest of the world is amazingly ready to offer us with open arms. (Or in the case of Russia, "open arms" of a different kind. Haha not funny, I know.)

We've been wandering in the dessert too long my friends. (See, another nod to McCain, I am so non partisan.) I know that Obama may not have been your ideal choice, but this man didn't take the mic at Grant Park to decree a mandate and declare free reign. Instead he said he hears your voices, and that while we may not always agree, he will be a President to all of us.

Boston Celebrates

2008-11-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

I got this link from Linda on the Obama blog. It's the raw reaction of Dehlia, a Harvard Law professor, and die-hard Obama supporter, and then the streets of Boston erupting into celebration. Serious tear warning for people in public places, although I think we should all be allowed to cry openly in public for a long time now, just burst of overwhelming spontaneous joy all over the streets.

I really don't know why everything gets cut in half like this - the audio is worth it alone if video isn't working properly. Also, you can get the direct link embedded in the above clip to enhance viewing pleasure.

They're Playing My Song!

2008-11-05T12:32:00.000-08:00

I got so excited when they started playing this montage before Obama came out at his Grant Park rally. (Or should i say VICTORY PARTY?!! WHAT WHAT??) They use the song "Fake Empire" by The National which is, well now I have to say, one of my favorite songs. I turned around and said to my boyfriend, with tears already streaming down my face, "Oh Mikie! That's the song I would have used!"

What I Wrote To My Dad's Today

2008-11-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

I'm so happy today! The first election I got to vote in was in 2000, and I really felt like even if I actually lived in a swing state, my vote probably wouldn't matter. I feel like all the cynicism has been wiped away! How am I supposed to watch The Daily Show now?!

Speechless

2008-11-05T06:44:00.000-08:00

What I Am Doing Today

2008-11-04T08:10:00.000-08:00

From Contrary to Popular Belief C.O. Tamara Stoddard

Obama The True Conservative

2008-11-03T11:28:00.000-08:00

Over at The Daily Beast today, Reagan and Nixon speechwriter, Jeffrey Hart, discusses why Obama is the true conservative choice in this election. He makes a pretty good argument, saying Nixon and Reagan would have agreed entirely with Obama's now famous 2002 speech against the Iraq war, and that the conservative movement followed Bush off a cliff.

He has a lot of praise for Obama's positions, pointing out their inherent conservative nature, and takes issue with the default conservative positions of the day. No matter the outcome, the Republican party is going to have a lot of retooling to do after Tuesday's election. If they want to survive they should be listening the ideas of common sense thinkers such as Hart.

Our Obama Pumpkin

2008-11-02T07:46:00.000-08:00

We didn't go all out and carve our tiny pumpkin this year, but at least I have an artistic, Obama-loving, Sharpie-happy boyfriend!

Hope you had a happy Halloween!

Help Defend Against Robot Invaders!

2008-10-31T08:51:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween from the Obama camp:

Make History!

2008-10-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

This New Obama web ad got me way excited about Tuesday! Pass it on!

Can I Just Say...

2008-10-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

This is the most adorable picture ever.

I don't know why it's cut off like that, having some formatting issues, but for this whole picture and more super cuteness look at the entire slide show of Kids for Obama.

Send This Video To Anyone Who Needs It

2008-10-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

Help put an end to McCain's lies about Obama's tax plan with one simple video!

Obama, Japan for Obama, The Guy

2008-10-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

The town of Obama, Japan looks like a great place. Friendly, hula dancing natives, ready with a fish based Obamaburger and a smile. Their town has gone crazy with Obama fever, even selling Obama chopsticks and gathering to watch campaign footage under huge "I (heart) Obama" banners.

The Obama campaign, upon apparently receiving gifts from the town, wrote them in appreciation. A letter that is now a prized possession of the town. Follow the link to a great slide show, including a picture of the letter and of an adorable child eating an Obamaburger!

As one commenter noted, identifying himself as wahooligan, "Well, if McCain wins, I know where I'm moving."

Obama! Daily Show! Wednesday!

2008-10-28T11:36:00.001-07:00

The post title says it all. Obama will appear on The Daily Show on Wednesday! This is perfect, with his 30 minutes TV buys on almost all networks at 7, and a Daily Show spot capping the night off, Wednesday proves to be Obama's night.

Obama's Life Through The People That Know Him

2008-10-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

The Guardian ran a fascinating piece on Sunday that recounts Barack Obama's life through stories from friends, co-workers, and family. It's truly a lovely piece that further cements my thinking about the man most likely to be our next president. (Ahhhh! Did I just say that? That doesn't jinx it, does it?)

His friends tell the tale of a reasoned young man who is a tireless worker, and who respects and engages all people, and all of their various view points. Larry Tribe, who taught Obama at Harvard Law School, says "...the quality he demonstrated that I've always been left with more than any other is authenticity. There isn't a fibre of phoniness about this guy."

The man could not be phony if he tried. I can think of very few politician that I can say that about, and none of the others that spring to mind would have an iceberg's chance in Greenland of winning the presidency. (Barny Frank, I'm looking in your direction.)

Obama "Waaasssuuup!" Commercial Parody

2008-10-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

Remember that horribly annoying Budweiser commercial for a few years ago? Of course you do. Well if you had told me yesterday that someone was going to mine that commercial for Obama material I would have said you were nuts. This video proves though, that you can make something really hilarious and even moving out of something repetitive, silly, and annoying. Seriously!

Obama Grandma Update

2008-10-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

Obama arrived at his Grandmother's apartment in Oahu oh Thursday night and he's back at her bed side again tomorrow. The New York Times reports that the doctors told him not to delay his visit. (Visit the Huffington Post slide shop of Obama and his Grandparents for the "Awww" factor.)

From The Times:

"It was an unusual departure from the tug-of-war of the presidential campaign, with 11 days remaining in the race. But it was a trip that advisers said he told them was not negotiable. He missed his mother's death here in 1995, a mistake he said he did not intend to repeat with his grandmother, who has been a stalwart in his life."

Obama was also on ABC this morning discussing the trip. "I want to give her a kiss and a hug."

Such a nice boy!

"And then we're going to find out what chores I can do, because I'm sure there's been some stuff that's been left undone,"

Anyone who's been in the position of needing to go help a grandparent or parent that is not doing well knows that you have to just drop every other crazy thing that is going on in your life, and go, be with that person and help in any way you can. The fact that not even a presidential campaign, 11 days away from being decided, can keep Barack Obama away, really speaks to the character of the man. He truly had his priorities in the right place, and treats people with kindness as part of his easy nature. There is no facade with this man. What you see is what you get. And what I see is man who has the ability to transform this Nation by simply being himself.

Obama went on yo say that "Without going through the details too much, she's gravely ill," aside from her broken hip, "She had some other problems that were getting worse. You know, we weren't sure, and I'm still not sure, whether she makes it to Election Day.

"We're all praying and we hope she does,"

Ferrell: Back In Bush

2008-10-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

The only Bush the First impression that mattered was Dana Carvey's. The only Dub-ya impression that ever mattered is Will Ferrell's. (Well, ok, Jon Stewart vies for the championship nightly, but his is really just a perfect sneaky snicker and shoulder scrunch.) Will Ferrell has the confused squint down, not to mention the general air of someone who could be easily distracted by a errant ball of yarn. I'll bet he has the pretzel choke down too, he's such a pro.

We got to bask in some of that joyful moronicy on Thursday night when Ferrell returned to SNL for their last Thursday night election special. This time around, Bush was giving his televised endorsement of McCain/Palin. Of course Tina Fey's Palin was much more pleased with this prospect than Darrell Hammond's McCain, who ends up needing to hunted down and found by Todd Palin, still donning his "snow machine" suit from Saturday's rap song appearance.

I think this sketch was an attempt to really lay their cards on the table. They have been criticized by some people for going too easy on McCain and Palin during this election, and pinning them with Bush is about the best way they could have shown what this election is really about. Also it's just fun to make Will Ferrell come back.

Hockey Mom V. Pit Bull - Round Two

2008-10-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to ex-McCain strategist Mike Murphy for this take on Palin's clothing budget funded by the RNC:

What's the difference between and Pit Bull and a Hockey Mom? You can feed a pit bull for 483 years with 150 grand.

Opie And Richie Weigh In

2008-10-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

I was set on taking a day off from posting today. I just settled a big money issue yesterday, and I was looking for as relaxing a day as possible. Of course I couldn't help but still check out all my daily web sites and I stumbled across something well worth sharing. In this clever video, Ron Howard goes to extreme length to show his support for Obama and I applaud him, Henry Winkler, and Andy Grifith, for it. We're all lookin' for some 'Happy Days' come January. Hahaha - pun funny.

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

The Daily Show Visit's Wasilla

2008-10-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

Every wonder what "real" Americas are like? See, you might not live in a small enough town to be considered a real American by the Republican ticket, but you don't get much more small, or "real" than Wasilla, Alaska. The Daily Show's Jason Jones went there to find out a little more about Palin's real America and the people that live there.

It's a scary, scary place people, I couldn't get the video to post because Comedy Central likes to make it as difficult as possible, but here is the link. It's hard to believe that the rest of the media has some how missed this opportunity. The Mayor of Wasilla is pretty much unable to think of any responsibilities she has other than a 10am staff meeting, and signing checks.

I'm not even going to get into the people Jones meets there, other than to mention the interesting fellow with the anatomically correct tattoos of apparently all the women he has banged. That real America sure is a magical magical place, one day I'd like to visit, I hear the meth labs are breathtaking.

Moving Ever Forward

2008-10-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

I was reading a Salon article today in which they interviewed several experts on demographics and consumer trends to discuss why we now have an environment where it is possible for a Barack Obama to become president at this time in history. They discussed the shifts that have taken place in our country due to economic issues, and generational differences, among others.

Demographer Cheryl Russell had this to say about generational politics, "The times create a candidate. What we see playing out in the election today, it's really a long-simmering battle between the generations. It's the battle between the way things used to be and the way things will be."

She hit on something here that I find really interesting, "the way things will be." Regardless of who actually wins the presidential election, there is a trend in thinking in America. The country will become more progressive over time. This just happens; prejudices melt away, new ethnicities and social groups are embraced, all with the advent of time. In politics though, it's all about reaching a tipping point where the people embracing the future outnumber those holding on to the past, to win an election.

I am hopefully wondering if this means that an Obama win would put an end to some of the more heinous social wedge issues the Republicans have been faithfully trotting out election after election. I'd like to think this would prove that we as a country, have moved past those kind of divisive ideas and are looking to unite. Things like pushing for constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage need to be put out of their misery, or out of our misery as the case may be.

We are ready to come together in January and to me there is only one candidate that will bring the new generation's ideals to some sort of fruition. I am optimistic that we are standing on the brink of a new golden age for the United States, and I wait with baited breath to see if on November 4th, the majority is ready to move on.

Sarah Palin On SNL: Not In On The Joke

2008-10-20T06:50:00.000-07:00

Palin's visit to Saturday Night Live left me a little confused. The way that they made fun of her was not reined in at all, if anything they were more critical of the candidate's flaws. They even got her to make fun of the fact that she will not do press conference and will not answer questions.

It's common knowledge, and people have reminded me, that just going on SNL is good for a politician career in general. It shows they have the ability to laugh at themselves. For me though, that's not what I saw on Saturday Night. I saw a person straining hard to seem amiable and undaunted by the mockery that was being made of her, but to little avail. Behind her faux i'm-having-fun look, if you looked very closely you could see a deer caught in the head lights. Lucky for her she wasn't a moose in the head lights, because then she would have been forced to run herself over, strictly on principle. Oh see, she does have one!

I have to say that a still-somehow-very-tiny-while-being-hugely-pregnant Amy Poeler, doing the Sarah Palin rap song, while Palin tried to do her best gangsta head nod, had me doubled over laughing. I felt like I had stepped through the looking glass into an alternate reality where people actually call politicians out for all their bullshit - to their faces! "There's no way she was in on all this!" I thought, but Palin just sat there playing along, yelling back "Ayers!" when Poeler shouted "When I say Obama, you say Ayers." I guess it's not too much a stretch of my imagination to think she just didn't get it, but I still kept waiting for her to walk off set as Todd Palin did the running man while pointing out Russia on a map, and a happy cartoon moose got gunned down in cold blood. "Cause I'm an Animal! And I'm bigger than you!"

I suppose the whole thing just illustrated to me that you can pretend you're laughing at yourself, but you have to have some form of self awareness before you can actually be in on the joke.

I Feel Sick - Thanks National Review

2008-10-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

I would like to call out Ed Whelan of the National Review, who today wrote a piece speculating on whether Obama's mother (who is now deceased) would have aborted him had it been legal at the time. Even stating "lucky for him, as the son born of that woman, that it [Roe v. Wade] hadn't been decided a dozen or so years earlier. And says it was the "legal culture" that cause her to keep the baby and marry the father. (Here is the link to a Huffington Post excerpt of the article, I don't want to give his site more hits by posting the actual address, you can go there through the link if you want.)

Not many things disgust me these days, but this is just rotten and filthy to the core. Mr. Whelan you should be ashamed of yourself. Do I even need to mention the depth you have sunk to here? You have accused a dead woman of wanting to abort the possible next president of The United Sates. You have totally disregarded the fact that there is no correlation between the legality of abortion and the abortion rate, and you have hidden behind a lack of statistics as an excuse. "I haven't found any statistics on the percentage of pregnant college freshmen who abort their pregnancies, but indirect indications suggest that it's very high."

Look guy, I know you work for The National review and all, but maybe you should try to play journalist sometime. There are these things called facts you might want to look into.

The Roast Of Obama And McCain

2008-10-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

Last night I got a chance to catch some of the Alfred E. Smith dinner at which it is apparently tradition for the presidential candidates to roast themselves and their opponent. I would like to say that while McCain has a reputation for having a good sense of humor, it was Obama that had me rolling. Of course, I may be a little bias, teehee. I will include McCain's funniest bit though, that had Hilary Clinton laughing like I have never seen her laugh before. I would like to thank War Room for the text.

McCain: "I come here tonight to the Al Smith Dinner knowing that I'm the underdog in these final weeks. But if you know where to look, there are signs of hope. There are signs of hope even in the most unexpected places -- even in this room full of proud Manhattan Democrats. I can't shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me.

"I'm delighted to see you here tonight, Hillary."

McCain was also funny when finishing his set, (so to speak) telling everyone he wasn't trying to put undo pressure on Obama, who was up next, but saying to "get ready for non-stop hilarity." "The funniest two minutes of your life." Well, I wouldn't go that far, but I was pretty impressed with the O-Man.

Obama: "I have to say tonight's venue isn't really what I'm used to. I was originally told we'd be able to move this outdoors to Yankee Stadium, and -- can somebody tell me what happened to the Greek columns that I requested? I do love the Waldorf-Astoria, though. You know, I hear that from the doorstep you can see all the way to the Russian Tea Room."

"In the last few weeks, John's been out on the campaign trail and asked the question, who is Barack Obama? I have to admit I was a little surprised by this question. The answer is right there on my Facebook page.

"But, look, I don't want to be coy about this. We're a couple weeks from an important election. Americans have a big choice to make, and if anybody feels like they don't know me by now, let me try to give you some answers. Who is Barack Obama? Contrary to the rumors you have heard, I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father Jorel to save the Planet Earth...

"If I had to name my greatest strength, I guess it would be my humility. Greatest weakness, it's possible that I'm a little too awesome. One other thing, I have never, not once, put lipstick on a pig or a pit bull or myself. Rudy Giuliani, that's one for you. I mean, who would have thought that a cross-dressing mayor from New York City would have a tough time running the Republican nomination? It's shocking. That was a tough primary you had there, John."

Now that's non-stop hilarity!

Almost Weekend Update

2008-10-17T06:33:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday to everyone. It's been a crazy week in politics and I have a feelings things are going to get much more wackado before this whole election thing is over. There's some things that I hope you didn't miss, and some things I hope you did. I think we all could have done without Joe the Plumber this week, but his appearance on the national scene is now almost worth it thanks to SNL. On Thursday they had another prime time election special. Their final debate parody was frickin' hilarious. They needed something solidly funny to riff off of, and good old Plumber Joe was their man.

In other news, I saw a woman with a McCain/Palin bumper sticker on her car walk into the supermarket yesterday. I may have imagined it, but I swear she saw my Obama sticker and gave me a look. I couldn't help it, my brain began to think bad things about her. "Look at her with her horrible mommy jeans, and sad brown scrunchy." I believe I may have even thought that she looked like she needed a good - umm yeah, you know the other word for screw. Right after I thought this, I immediately felt like a horrible person. I don't know this woman, how dare I subscribe such awful things to her based on a single bumper sticker. (If it had just said McCain, instead of McCain/Palin I think my brain may have cut her a little more slack.)

Seriously though, I don't want to end up like crazy-McCain-rally-lady, close minded and aimlessly wandering the set of SNL asking if McCain and Palin are Muslins! "No ma'am, muslin is a kind of fabric." Yeah, I really better keep myself in check, lest I become a crazy liberal blogger. Glad I'm not one of those freaks! Thankfully I have admitted my wrong doing to the ever-forgiving world, and so now I feel a little better. Thanks world!

A Recap Of Last Night's Debate

2008-10-16T06:35:00.001-07:00

McCain Angry!!! McCain attack! McCain bring up Bill Ayers, ACORN, and Joe the damn Plumber and America still not love McCain!?! What America's problem!? Grrrrr! McCain smash own reputation! McCain want President! Give McCain president or me give to Sarah Palin! *angered inhuman howl*

-And that about sums it up. (Oh yes, Obama was on point, engaging, charismatic, and unflappable as usual.)

Barack O'Lantern

2008-10-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again when people start carving wacky things into their pumpkins. Thank you to Shana for sending me to yeswecarve.com, a site dedicated to gracing America's pumkins with Obama's face. There is a contest that wins you a free ipod nano too, so ladies and gentleman, start your carvers! (If you think you can beat this!)

Fired Up

2008-10-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

This Obama slogan takes on a whole new meaning when Deadheads get a hold of it.

Mmm... Chocalate News

2008-10-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

I have always loved David Alan Grier. He was one of, if not the funniest member In Living Color, his stand-up is hilarious, and his career should not be judged on the few horrible sitcoms he took part in (Sorry David, it's true. "Life with Bonnie?!")

Finally he is getting a show all to himself. Chocolate News, a show that if I am correct proves to be another Daily Show, from a black perspective. If they have the same caliber of writers as The Daily Show, I think we're in for something great. David Alan Grier knows how to deliver funny writing, and the preview of tomorrow's premier (9:30est, Comedy Central) looks very promising. I tried my hardest to get it to post, but I am having some embeded video problems, go here to watch it. Basically, it looks satirical and silly at the same time, can't go wrong there.

Get Thee To A Voting Booth!

2008-10-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

I liked this story about 106-year-old Cecilia Gaudette, a Catholic Nun who voted last for Dwight Eisenhower, casting her vote in 2008 for Barack Obama.

Who Is Barack Obama?

2008-10-10T14:29:00.001-07:00

This is a video of behind the scenes footage, sent out in response to the McCain/Palin questions of "Who is Barack Obama?." You must watch it. (Yeah that's right, I said must. I am demanding when I know it's worth it.) It took away all the feelings of American politics being too negative and dirty, and brought me into the America I want to live in. I don't even know what else to say about it right now, because I got a little verklept.

Need A Laugh?

2008-10-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

Betty White is amazing and hilarious, leave it to her to inject a little humor into politics. They should give her a job at The Daily Show!

Nostrobamus

2008-10-10T09:39:00.001-07:00

Thank you to The Jed Report for this great video showing Obama predicting the attacks that would be leveled against him, back in July. It's Jed that quipped "I guess we can call him Nostrobamus," and I am only too happy to follow his lead.

John Kerry Fighting Back

2008-10-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

Well it's taken someone else being the democratic nominee for John Kerry to grow a back bone, but I am sure glad he did. As a surrogate for Barack Obama, he has been one of the best. He now seems tougher than ever and willing to tell it like it is.

In a letter to his supporters today, Kerry encouraged everyone to get the truth out, linking a web page debunking all the smears coming out of the McCain campaign. Truthfightsback.com

The letter is as follows:

John McCain has shown a stunning failure of leadership. His campaign, in a time of economic crisis and foreign policy drift, has degenerated into a negative and nasty campaign of smears.

The reports are piling up of ugliness at the campaign rallies of John McCain and Sarah Palin. Audience members hurl insults and racial epithets, call out "Kill Him!" and "Off With His Head," and yell "treason" when Senator Obama's name is mentioned. I strongly condemn language like this which can only be described as hate-filled.

According to reports, every ad paid for by the John McCain campaign is now a negative ad -- every single one! McCain allows his running mate to make outrageous charges that only a few years ago would have disqualified someone from serious consideration for national office.

We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to fight back, spread the word about what kind of low campaign he's running, and make sure people know the truth.

Hold Your Head Up

2008-10-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

As I sit here, losing my taste for politics, I can't help but wonder if that's what the McCain camp wants. The campaign has gotten so ugly over the past few weeks, that I want to shut all my browser windows and pretend nothing is happening until November 4th.

I woke up to stories about the McCain camp's newest horrors. A new Ayers ad will be running nationally, John McCain is personally calling Barack a liar, and supporters of the Republicans are shouting things like "Off with his head!" at rallies, and wearing shirts depicting Obama with a devil mask. I suppose I shouldn't be letting these things get to me; they are angry, ridiculous, hateful attacks, and should be left in the gutter, not to be picked up by curious, politically obsessed little girls.

It's hard though, this election has felt like a holy battle. Picking up the only weapons I have at my disposal (words), I have tried to honorably fight for my country. Despite my riotous fury, I have tried to use an even hand when discussing the wrongdoing I see going on. I see the basic principal of fairness has a value I hold as dear as the social political values I am fighting for, not to be given up for any reason.

When you are trying your hardest to be just, you expect the rest of the world to play by the same rules. When this doesn't happen, as is often the case, your hope starts to deflate a bit. And that's the Republican game plan. What is Obama's campaign about, if not hope? If we lose this hope, what are we left with? We're left same country we've been living in for the past eight years. A country with a crumbling economy, losing friends abroad, and on the brink of all out culture war. George Bush's America. That's where John McCain and Sarah Palin want to live.

And if I'm not willing to give up my hope, then what? They want me to think "What's the point? Why should I go on fighting so hard, in such a dirty and unfair arena?" They want me to think the only way to win is to sink to their level, throwing the same amount of mud, with the same bullshit content. But I can't do it. I see in John McCain the lesson of what politics can do to a man, a once honorable man who knew what is was to be the target of an unfair political smear. Now he is a shell of his former self. Nothing he says anymore can be taken for the truth at face value. He has abandoned his ideals, and wants to drag America down with him.

Well I'm not going down. I'm going to stand right here, being fair in the face of unfairness, looking hate in the eye and not budging. It takes a lot more than all that ugly to take down all our hope. Go ahead, just try and make us move.

How Low Can You Go?

2008-10-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

McCain is playing a game of political limbo. He is now using 100% of his ad spending on attack commercials. Is it possible to go any lower? Well, as I am typing this, news is coming out about how today they are ramping up the negative attacks even more, so the answers is clearly a resounding, yes.

The scary thing though, is that the smears McCain and Co. are spreading about Obama-as-terrorist do seem to be working, at least in the minds of their supporters. It's hard to say how these constant attacks will play with swing voters, although as the daily show points out, the largest demographic of swing voters is "the stupid."

Salon's War Room suggests that while these attacks generally do move people towards seeing Obama unfavorably, they also push people to see McCain the same way.

The people at the McCain Palin rally here however, have clearly made up their minds. Even though the McCain team has said that they don't want the press talking to their supporters, it seems one liberal blogger got into a rally, and got to interview some supporters. His questions aren't always the best, but the answers, while not surprising, are disappointing and frightening to say the least.

New Debate! Now With More Nastiness!

2008-10-07T06:23:00.000-07:00

John McCain's campaign has taken a nose dive last week. Something he's very used to. It took the financial crisis to draw a line in the bog, and the majority of Americans seem to be lining up on Barack Obama's side. The Republican's brilliant new strategy to win? Horribly attack your opponent's character, paint him as a terrorist, and rile up your supporters to the point they're yelling back "Kill him!" at your rallies. Fun for the whole country! It's not like we were horribly divided already or anything, I'm sure it will be fine and not lead to people yelling "Kill him!" at rallies or anything.... oh wait.

So tonight we have a debate to watch, and I'm not thinking it's going to be pretty. John McCain spent a lot of the last debate attacking Obama, and that was when he was supposedly being nice! I don't think we can be surprised by anything McCain tries to pull this time, we've seen this desperation level of attack politics in the democratic primary, and guess what? It didn't work. But we've also seen that doesn't stop them from trying.

Why it was John McCain who had this to say on negative campaigning not too long ago, "Uh, I, I just have to rely on the good judgment of the voters not to buy into these negative attack ads. Sooner or later, people are going to figure out if all you run is negative attack ads you don't have much of a vision for the future or you're not ready to articulate it." Why that's an excellent point John McCain from the past, now if we could only introduce you to this John McCain fellow running for president.

I know I will be watching tonight, at the advice of Sarah Palin wearing my buckled seat belt. (But I mean really, is she advocating watching the debate while driving? Cause, I mean I know it's somewhat boring usually, but that has to be a lot more dangerous than texting while driving.) Maybe John McCain will try his own hand at folksy winking? Whatever his choice of overly plotted, angry-old-man attack, it should prove to be just as scary.

Just like driving while watching TV! We'll careen off a cliff of gutter politics too steep to climb out of, but at least we'll be entertained, right?

Your New Favorite Candidate

2008-10-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a fun distraction, head over to this site that lets you put your name, or anyone else's name for that matter, into a pretty convincing video reel announcing their surprising support as a new candidate for president. It's a fun little toy, and the video is pretty convincing. Very fun for playing pranks on friends at work. Here's my favorite new candidate.

Missed The VP Debate?

2008-10-03T09:41:00.001-07:00

The vice presidential debate was last night and honestly, I am not detached enough from the anger and nausea I felt watching Sarah Palin to construct a coherent post about it. I agree entirely with Arianna Huffington, "My patience with Sarah Palin is waving the white flag of surrender."

I did want to catch anyone up that may have missed the debates, on Palin's performance. The following is a flowchart posted by Kos diary writer adennak. It pretty accurately sums up her strategy last night, and who knows, maybe she was using the something very similar as a cheat sheet.

Hilarious Simpson's Election Parody

2008-10-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I used the words "hilarious" and "Simpson's" in a sentence, at least when talking about anything new coming out of the franchise. This new youtube video is amazing, I don't know who made it, or how, because it wasn't released by Fox, but I applaud his or her efforts to make the Simpsons funny again. In the video, Homer tries to vote for Obama but... oh you'll just have to watch.

Getting Out The Change Vote

2008-09-30T14:24:00.001-07:00

Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming. Is Palin on Obama's pay roll now or something? Katie Couric (once again) called Palin out, this time on her mocking of Biden's age when her own running mate is 72 years old. Palin actually argued that voters are looking for change over experience. Hmmm... that sounds vaguely familiar.

__________________________________

Katie Couric: You made a funny comment, you've said you have been listening to Joe Biden's speeches since you were in second grade.

Gov. Palin: It's been since like '72, yah.

Katie Couric: You have a 72-year-old running mate, is that kind of a risky thing to say, insinuating that Joe Biden's been around awhile?

Gov. Palin: Oh no, it's nothing negative at all. He's got a lot of experience and just stating the fact there, that we've been hearing his speeches for all these years. So he's got a tremendous amount of experience and, you know, I'm the new energy, the new face, the new ideas and he's got the experience based on many many years in the Senate and voters are gonna have a choice there of what it is that they want in these next four years.

Fey Flays Palin - Take Two

2008-09-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

Tina Fey opened Saturday Night Live as Sarah Palin for the second time this season and the results did not disappoint. This time drawing on Palin's disastrous Katie Couric interview for easy laughs. The sad thing is that they didn't actually have to do much writing for this sketch. Tina Fey just sort of said everything that Sarah Palin did in her real interview. Amy Poehler as Couric just sat there blinking in disbelief at the confrontational, ignorant cuteness of her subject. The places they did add a touch of parody were the funniest, and the end result was a pretty pitch perfect interpretation of the real interview.

Letterman Makes Me Laugh?

2008-09-25T08:37:00.001-07:00

Now I usually don't watch Letterman. I posted earlier about Chris Rock' appearance on the show because I had read about it and not actually seen it. Last night however, I think was the first time I watched the show the whole way through. Ok, not the entire way through, even I couldn't stomach the crappy musical guest.

So why was I watching last night you ask? Two words: John McCain. To be more accurate, the lack there of. See John McCain was booked to appear on Letterman Wednesday night, a show which I would not have watched, but a little mishap accrued. Namely McCain actually saw what the pol numbers looked like after a week of him trying to sounds like he knows what he's talking about in regards to the economy. He doesn't.

Letterman was extremely upset that McCain had cancelled on such short notice and took many opportunities to express his outrage at the idea of suspending your campaign for any reason. "What are you going to do if you're elected and things get tough? Suspend being president? We've got a guy like that now!"

Mid taping, Letterman received word that McCain was not on his way to Washington, but down the street being interviewed by Katie Couric. Dave cut to a live feed of the interview and asked, "Hey Senator, can I give you a ride to the airport?"

Dave made a point however, to stroke McCain's war hero record and praise in specific terms the sacrifices the senator has made for our country. After that though he quipped, "You don't suspend your campaign. This doesn't smell right. This isn't the way a tested hero behaves. I think someone's putting something in his Metamucil."

Craig Ferguson had plenty to say on the subject also:

"You can't suspend the democratic process because we're facing problems. At what point do you think, maybe we should suspend the election? We'll have the elections later. Some people have done that before: Castro did it, Napoleon did it, Julius Caesar did it. You can't do that. If you like it or not, the campaign is part of the democratic process....You wanna take your time off, that's fine, but you don't say we're suspending the campaign. You can't say that. It's the democratic process. We didn't suspend it for 9/11, we didn't suspend it for Pearl Harbor, we didn't suspend it for the Nazis, we didn't suspend it for the damn British. We don't do that in America!"

Chris Rock On Letterman

2008-09-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

Chris Rock always has something clever to say. Granted this is his job, but he does it well. "Have you ever been to Alaska, Dave?" He asked on his Moday Letterman appearance. "It's like 'Road Warrior' with snow."

As usual, he brought the funny. Appearing with Bill Clinton on Letterman's season opener, Rock mocked Clinton's sometimes luke warm support for the Democratic candidate. "Is it me, or did he not want to say the words Barack Obama?" Apparently Clinton focused on his wife Hilary's now defunked campaign. "Hilary ain't running! One of those guys needs to tell him. I love Hilary, but she lost. The Patriots got a lot of points too, but they lost to the Giants."

Among other things, Rock mused on the picture of Palin over a moose she had just killed. "She's there holding a moose, and Michael Vic is like, 'Why am I in jail?'

Thoughts From A Republican

2008-09-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

The election is nearing and the country seems to be falling into the same old traps Republicans like to use to fool voters. If you are not a Republican like I am myself, it is much harder for you to realize you are being fooled. Every election we are told the Democrat is elitest, out of touch, too liberal, not enough experience, not religous enough, not economically intelligent, and as of last election...not honorable enough in battle. These are like big flashing mental signs to conservatives. These descriptions set people off, trigger their anger towards Democrats, towards liberals, towards the pro-choice, the anti-gun, and the pro-regulation for banks and corporations crowd. When the right gets angry and falls for this ploy, the fat cats in the party smile and laugh, pat themselves on the backs, and then proceed to plan how to spend all the money they will steal from the system we like to call the Government.

Not all Republicans blindly follow the leadership of the party, but most are helpless to do anything to voice their opinions and those that do are usually cast out. Ron Paul and Chuck Hagel are a few that come to mind. A better example would be McCain himself. We all saw in 2000 what the Republican party would do to anyone who got in the way of their annointed choice and at the time it was George Bush. They demonized McCain in ways I thought they saved for Democrats. In the end, they got what they wanted and the American people got eight years of Bush. When I say "they" I mean the men in the shadows who run the party, the rich, the corporate, the Cheneys etc. Anyone that thinks George Bush runs the country is truely mistaken. The man is not smart enough to eat a pretzel, let alone come up with the truly sneaky and evil things that have happened in the past eight years.

My greatest fear is that in this election, the voters will once again be fooled, buying into the Republican PR machine. The machine that wants you to believe that McCain is a Maverick, that he is going to be the champion of the people. They want you to forget they did not want this man to be their man. They want you to look past the fact they would not even let him pick his own Vice Presidential running mate. They attached a woman, who in any other time would be laughed at for her inexperience, and tried to take advantage of what they know the country is truly looking for, calling it "Change." They don't want you to see Palin is more to the right than Cheney. They don't want you to see McCain is full of flip flops and lies.

Americans always like to think they can go into a car showroom and get the best deal from a salesman. We like to pound our chests and say "I wont be fooled or taken advantage of." We go in thinking we know everything about the cars and we wont be tricked into buying a lemon. I hope voters this year will look under the hood, see through the old tricks and in the end realize the Republicans are trying to sell us a car that may be shiney and polished on the outside but has an engine with 250,000 miles on it, driven by Cheney and the rest of the cigar smoking fat cats that run that party. And if voters buy the the same old Republican party tricks, well I have a bridge up in Alaska to sell you.

-MJ, New Blogger for Contrary To Popular Belief

Monocle!?

2008-09-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

So I just read that Monocle, the international briefing on current affairs, just put together it's picks for any president's dream team cabinet. While the picks are undeniably interesting and for the most part agreeable, I'd just like to ask one question. Who the hell is Monocle? And why do they get to be called Monocle? That's just too cool.

The Dream Cabinet:

Secretary of State: Richard Holbrooke: "just the set of hands the US needs to correct some of its most nagging issues abroad
National Security Adviser: Samantha Power: "has the intelligence, authority, and steeliness to fill the post of National Security Adviser
Press Secretary: Maria Park: "someone to field questions from al-Jazeera in Arabic and from Joong Ang Ilbo in Korean...her only drawback, however, is that she doesn't exist"
Secretary of Trade: Indra Nooyi: "could turn around relations with the developing world"
Secretary of Energy & Environment: Amory Lovins: "the perfect pedigree to oversee the energy and environment at this most crucial hour"
Director of Overseas Development: Jeffrey Sachs: "suitable figure to share the love globally"
Secretary of Urban Affairs: Michael Bloomberg: "would put efficient public transport, increasing housing density, and regenerating decaying city centers at the top of his agenda"
Youth Director: Russell Simmons: "he'd certainly make tens of millions of American youth happy with his insights and policies to promote everything from entrepreneur programs to safer campuses"
Director of International Branding: Mickey Drexler: "he sold Americana to Americans, so he's perhaps the best candidate to flog the brand elsewhere"
Innovation Director: Steve Jobs: "imagine what he could dream up with 50 states to play with"

Ok, I just watched their video on the link and they basically take credit for Sarah Palin's rise to fame.

So Monocle, if that is your real name, you wish to become my arch nemesis. Game on.

Tina Fey With a Follow Up

2008-09-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

Last week, I wrote about McCain spokeswoman, Carly Fiorino, and her accusation that the Saturday Night Live skit about Sarah Palin, was sexist. On the red carpet of the Emmys, Tina Fey was asked about the accusation.

BILLY BUSH: The McCain campaign...I guess they thought it sexist? They responded...kind of the whole thing was...

TINA FEY: I saw one lady trying to form a thought that it was sexist on the news, but she didn't really get it together. Probably because she was a lady and she was dumb. [pause] Wait. Is that sexist?

George Will on McCain

2008-09-23T08:11:00.001-07:00

Conservative, George Will, has a great article in the Washington Post today about McCain's reaction to, oh you know, the crumbling of capitalism. He compares McCain to The Queen of Hearts for demanding Chris Cox, chairman of the SEC, be fired for "betray[ing] the public trust." Off with his head! We now know that not only is this not something the president can actually do, it also demonstrates the depth of McCain's temperament in his decision making skills. He deals with everything on a personal, and visceral level, that could never be mistaken for Presidential.

Will also pokes holes in McCainonomics, asking, "is not McCain's party now conducting the most leftist administration in American history?" and adding, "The New Deal never acted so precipitously on such a scale." This is true, and it begs the question: are we still a capitalist nation? Do these bailouts blur the lines of the free market so much that we must now redefine our national economy? I don't really have the answers to these questions because truthfully, I find the economy too depressing to focus on for any period of time.

I do know that we aren't going to see McCain running as socialist/social conservative '08. I sure as hell wouldn't call him a socialist to his face. I've heard he has quite the temper.

TV Gets In It's Digs

2008-09-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

The world of Televised award shows is an odd one. You never really know whether you're going to be greeted by an easy going, entertaining and fun glitzy celebration, or a somber reminder of the resounding better-than-you-ness that is Hollywood. For the 60th anual Emmys, the presenters and winners tried to strike a balance. No one really wants to keep their mouth shut in the middle of the political storm this country has been weathering, but they also don't want to appear preachy or arrogant in the face of the average American viewer.

Some people who have a reputation for being outspoken were surprisingly tame. Alec Balwin kept to praise for this cast and crew, and Martin Sheen, (all though is may have been pre-taped) only asked that we all vote, no pretense as to who for. Other's like Tommy Smothers of the Smother's Brothers, kept it general, stating, "There's nothing more scary than ignorance in action."

My favorite commentaries of the night, and there were plenty to choose from, came from Laura Linney and the team of Colbert and Stewart. Linney, after winning for her Role as Abigale Adams, elegantly stated that the role gave her the opportunity to stop and be thankful for "the great community organizers that helped form our country." This was perfect because it's respectful, intelligent, and funny. That's one classy lady!

Jon Stewart played straight man to Colbert who came out eating a bag a prunes. He blankly stated “Right now America needs a prune... This dried-up old prune has the experience we need.” See, now no one can say there's a liberal bias to the political commentary.

Are You Predisposed To Your Politics?

2008-09-19T06:36:00.000-07:00

The Washington Post is reporting today on a new study that links startled response to political leanings. "The finding suggests that people who are particularly sensitive to signals of visual or auditory threats also tend to adopt a more defensive stance on political issues, such as immigration, gun control, defense spending and patriotism."

Now I find this interesting mostly because the first thought I had was, "Well what about people who change their political beliefs?" The study sort of implies that your political leaning are ingrained so deeply in your brain, there's not much you can do about it. However many people I know have changed their ideals or beliefs at some point in their lives, directly on the issues they discuss in the article such as gun control, immigration, and defense spending.

The article says this study is "a step beyond psychology... suggesting that innate physiological differences among people may help shape their startle responses and their political inclinations." So basically, in most cases, your unconscious mind is in control. It would take the immense feat of stomping your reptilian brain into submission to change your political beliefs. If that's the case I would think that all political advertising could possibly hope to do is reinforce your feelings on an issue and not actually ever sway your opinion. I can't see a two minute political ad changing the makeup of any ones physiology. It seems like it must be extremely hard to overcome the darkest depth of your brain to adopt new view.

The findings suggests to me that someone becoming more liberal is learning to manage their unconscious fears, where someone who becomes more conservative is realizing that threats are more dire than their unconscious brain would have them believe. You could also make the argument that becoming more conservative is giving into those same fears while becoming more liberal is becoming more naive.

Perhaps I am reading too much into this and it's just a stepping stone on the path to understanding ourselves a little better through science. I definitely see the results of the study reflected in some of the people I know. I do feel though that it's important to remember that while being predisposed to a certain type of thinking, you are free to make up your own mind however hard it may be. Don't let that little amygdala rule your life people. We've long ago discovered there are a lot more responses to a problem than fight or flight.

Today's Tom the Dancing Bug

2008-09-18T07:37:00.001-07:00

Today's Tom the Dancing Bug nails McCain's maverick image. It's spot on as usual.

Les Misbarack

2008-09-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

Youtube is filled to the brim with low budget campaign ads and parodies. Some are hits, some are misses. This one, sent to me by Heather, (Thanks Heather!) is a hit in my book. Maybe I'm just a sucker for anything involving Les Miserables, it doesn't look like the time went into it that it took to make something like Baracky II, but it's cute and inspirational, so enjoy.

The New Face Of Dunderheadedness

2008-09-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

You knew they were out there somewhere, but you really didn't want to believe it was true. Top Clinton backer, Lynn Forester is going to announce at a news conference in front of the US Capitol that she is backing, and will campaign for, John McCain for President.

Does this send a shiver down anyone else spine? I feel like I want to yell at this woman! What are you doing? You're obviously just trying to be vindictive because why would you have ever been a Democrat in the first place if you would throw your support behind the likes of John McCain and Sarah Fascist err oops, it's Palin right? Did you not believe in reproductive rights, gay rights, a stable economy, and an end to the war when you were supporting Hillary? Was it just those glittery X chromosomes that caught your attention?

I have yet to hear her say one good thing about John McCain and his policies, although I'm sure she will talk him up in her speech. She did have this to say about Obama in a CNN interview this summer however: "Frankly I don't like him. I feel like he's an elitist." So I guess we know where her drive is coming from. Yes, hatred of a man can make you do crazy things. Things like abandoning every possible principle you may have had, to prove a point.

Well way to go lady, you proved your point. That I was naive when I thought that no woman would be ignorant enough, or vengeful enough, to actively support the ultimate anti-women's rights platform. Just goes to show you though, and Ms. Forester you could learn from this; sometimes you're just dead wrong.

The Scary and the Funny

2008-09-16T09:33:00.001-07:00

Okay, I promised myself I would scale back some on the Palin talk and try to focus more on Obama and his campaign, but sometimes something catches you eye that you just have to comment on.

If you're looking for a good chuckle, head over to the Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator. Find out what your name would be if Sarah Palin had been your mama. I would have been bestowed with the glorious moniker of "Torpedo Vindicator Palin." Kick ass! Lets go moose hunting!

__________________________________________

On a much scarier and more somber note, (oh boy!) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shed some light on a source Sarah Palin used to trumpet her small town values in her now well known acceptance speech.

Via Huffington Post:

Fascist writer Westbrook Pegler, an avowed racist who Sarah Palin approvingly quoted in her acceptance speech for the moral superiority of small town values, expressed his fervent hope about my father, Robert F. Kennedy, as he contemplated his own run for the presidency in 1965, that "some white patriot of the Southern tier will spatter his spoonful of brains in public premises before the snow flies."

It might be worth asking Governor Palin for a tally of the other favorites from her reading list.

Indeed.

Obama's New Equal Pay Ad

2008-09-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

"Facts are stubborn things..." - John Adams

This new Obama Ad highlights the fact that women still are making 77 cents for every one dollar her male counterparts are making, and that John McCain has voted against correcting this.

These things are facts, but is that what this election is about? Can the media be pushed enough in the right direction to actually report on facts? Are we stuck in an endless loop pretending every issue has two sides even when one side is simple false? This remains to be seen.

"Don't wait for our call," Obama said speaking to prominent Democratic women on Monday. "I need you to talk to your colleagues get on the radio, write op-eds in the newspapers, talk about what is really at stake in this election."

Well, I wasn't expecting a call, but thank you Obama! I am trying in my own little way to get the truth out.

This Modern World

2008-09-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

Tom Tomorrow does it again. This comic cuts through the deep bull with a shovel made of sarcasm.

McCain Spokeswoman Off Her Rocker

2008-09-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

Carly Fiorina, McCain Spokeswoman, had this to say on Tina Fey's portrayal of Sarah Palin: Well, I think that she looked a bit like her. I think that, of course, the portrait was very dismissive of the substance of Sarah Palin, and so in that sense, they were defining Hillary Clinton as very substantive, and Sarah Palin as totally superficial. I think that continues the line of argument that is disrespectful in the extreme, and yes, I would say, sexist in the sense that just because Sarah Palin has different views than Hillary Clinton does not mean that she lacks substance. She has a lot of substance.

Can someone explain to me how this qualifies as sexism? One woman is more substantial than another because of her views? That is correct. If your views are outdated, and your experience lacking compared to someone else, you are less substantial as a candidate for higher office, sorry, just the facts ma'am. I'm no Hillary fanatic, but even I can tell you that.

Isn't the McCain camp done trotting out this tired argument yet? Sarah Palin's handlers are turning her into the girl who cried sexist, and someday she just might get treated unfairly base solely on her gender, too bad her campaign will have wasted all their credibility attacking a comedy show.

Obama Jabs McCain

2008-09-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

Daaaaamn, Obama and his writers must have been working hard over the weekend on their lines of attack today.

Best Slogan of the Day: "TRUTH for a CHANGE"

Best General Attack Line: "John McCain would rather lose his integrity than lose an election."

Best Specific Attack: "If you think those lobbyists are working day and night for John McCain just to put themselves out of business, well then I've got a bridge to sell you up in Alaska.

Here's video to go with the last one:

Obama's SNL Absence Explained

2008-09-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

ABC News has answered my earlier question on why Obama was no where to be seen on Saturday Night Live this week.

A spokeswoman for the campaign told ABC news, "In light of the unfolding crisis in Texas, Sen. Obama has decided it is no longer appropriate to appear on 'Saturday Night Live' tomorrow evening." Fair enough.

The appearance is said to be only "postponed" though. So look for Obama to be Live from New York, coming soon to a TV near you.

Biden On The Attack

2008-09-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

Ever since Sarah Palin entered the political scene we haven't seen much from Joe Biden. The attack dog ready to be unleashed on whomever John McCain picked to be his running mate had to remain tethered as the whirlwind that is Sarah Palin ravaged the country.

The Obama/Biden camp was left with the decision of where to put Joe's tough political teeth to use. At a campaign stop in Michigan today, it appears they've decided to sic him on John McCain.

"Eight years ago, a man ran for President who claimed he was different, not a typical Republican. He called himself a reformer. He admitted that his Party, the Republican Party, had been wrong about things from time to time. He promised to work with Democrats and said he'd been doing that for a long time.

That candidate was George W. Bush. Remember that? Remember the promise to reach across the aisle? To change the tone? To restore honor and dignity to the White House? ...

Eight years later, we have another Republican nominee who's telling us the exact same thing:

This time it will be different, it really will. This time he's going to put country before party, to change the tone, reach across the aisle, change the Republican Party, change the way Washington works.

We've seen this movie before, folks. But as everyone knows, the sequel is always worse than the original."

You tell 'em Joe!

SNL: Spot On

2008-09-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday Night Live's season began with an episode hosted by Michael Phelps - I wasn't expecting too much. The last season was pretty much abysmal with the occasional Weekend Update chuckle being it's only saving grace. I had heard whisperings last week of Tina Fey returning to play Sarah Palin, but I really didn't know what I was in for.

Tina Fey and Amy Poeler teamed up to portray America's most famous political ladies. Tina Fey's Palin was pitch perfect, and Poeler demonstrated exactly what we all suspect Clinton must be thinking of this Palin character. The first scene of the season stole the show, the rest was extremely forgettable in current SNL fashion. I am, however, keeping an eye on the new guy.

Here's the best, for your viewing pleasure.

D'OH!

2008-09-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

McCain Called Out By The View

2008-09-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

With the horrendous news coverage we're gotten so used to this political season, I must say I was more than impressed with the ladies of The View, who for all intensive purposes, ripped McCain a new one.

John McCain probably woke up this morning thinking he was about to go soak up the praise from America's largest daily supply of estrogen. The ladies of The View, however had something else in mind entirely. My favorite moment came when, after John McCain explained that he would appoint judges that interpreted the constitution the way the founding father intended, Whoopi ask if she should be afraid of becoming a slave again.

Palin who?

2008-09-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

What is a Sarah Palin? Is it a maverick? Is it a scary fundamentalist? Is it a feminist? I've heard them all, but what's the truth? She has cast herself as a just shy of red-necked pioneer lady who's tough enough to face down the problems of our country. Left wing blogs and celebrities warn that she is a right wing demagogue in sheep's clothing. Meanwhile The Economist and others proclaim her rise as a "triumph of feminism." Feminism you say?

Let’s look at the other big name woman in politics this election season, Hillary Clinton. She sparred with Obama and others in debate after endless debate and held her own on shows known for not pulling any punches, such as Meet the Press. When she attacked an opponent it was with all the steel gutted gusto of her male counterparts in running. She was often perceived as mean or even as a nagging wife for this. Her brand of actually-trying-to-be-equal feminism is not palatable to the Palin supporter. They seem to want a vice president (or very possibly president) of the United States who knows her roll.

Upon closer look, Palin's maverick cloak falls away and we are left with a women who indeed plays by the rules: the rules that society has created, the persona that women must adhere to to be embraced. Children? Check. An apparently hot look? Check. The ability to be use as pretty packaging to sell the outdated ideas of power hungry men? Check. Yes sir, she is the true face of new feminism.

"I told congress thanks, but no thanks on that bridge to nowhere." This is Sarah Palin's call to arms. It brings cheers from her newly energized ranks, but has she ever been asked to defend this lie? No. She is protected behind a cloud of republican alpha males ready to bark "SEXIST!" at anyone who would dare ask her to speak for herself. She doesn’t have to answer to the press, they might be mean to her, it’s not like she’s running for the second highest office in the country or anything.

Correct me if I'm wrong but feminism has historically meant for women what civil rights means to minorities in most respects, right? I have always though of both as fights for equality, or as Martin Luther King Jr. so famously said, to be judged on the content of one's character. To my thinking, if Sarah Palin is being celebrated for being a woman, with no one actually caring what she believes in or looking into her record as a public servant, she is being judged on her sex and not on her content of character. What could be more sexist than that?

If a voter were to look into her record, they would find someone against abortion even in cases of rape and incest but who cuts funding to help teenage moms, anti gay rights, anti animal rights, anti environment, pro gun, pro censorship, and pro war. Not a woman, or man, I would want in office. Maybe the scary fundamentalist bit isn't too far from the truth.

John McCain would have us believe him a new sophisticate man of the times with his VP pick, but in reality it just illustrated the depth of pandering and yes, sexism rampant in his party. And Sarah Palin, you may be a lot of things, but you are no maverick, and certainly no feminist.

A Dancing Bug for You

2008-09-11T06:21:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I am a negligent monster it's true. You'd have probably guessed my blogging days were over from the insane infrequency of my postings. Well, apparently I'm still able to paste in someone else comic stripand whip up a tiny intro. Whew, that was hard.

Pig Update!

2008-04-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

Roger Water's truant swine has been located! Yes, after Coachella, the music festival he was performing at, put up a $10,000 reward for it's return, it was bound to resurface. The funny part is that it was apparently found by a women wearing a Pink Floyd t-shirt who wasn't a fan but rather bought the shirt for a 70's theme party. At least she knows her correct theme party eras, I have seen people dressed for 80's parties in early 90's white trash garb, so I have to give her a shred of credit there even if she isn't a fan.

The even better irony is that the fat capitalist pig with "Don't be led to the slaughter" scrawled across it, landed smack dab in the middle of an upscale country club. Somehow I'm sure though, that the two couples that split the ten grand were not offended.

Roger Waters Floats Endorsement

2008-04-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I posted a video using the Roger Water's song "The Tide is Turning" in support of Barack Obama. At the time I did not know who Roger Waters was supporting, if anyone, for President. Well this weekend at Coachella he made his choice quite clear.

From Yahoo! News:

INDIO, Calif. - Roger Waters brought Coachella to a close with an epic two-set performance that included playing all of "Dark Side of the Moon" and unleashing a giant inflated pig into the night sky.

The 64-year-old Waters, the third headliner of the three-day music festival following Prince and Jack Johnson, performed an elaborate, almost retrospective concert Sunday featuring music from throughout Pink Floyd's catalog.

Old photographs of the band often flashed across the screen behind Waters and his current band, which played songs from "The Wall," "Wish You Were Here" and "Animals," among other Floyd albums. They also played "Dark Side" in its entirety, culminating with the album's iconic triangle prism rising above the stage.

But Waters' biggest prop was an inflatable pig the size of a school bus that emerged while he played a version of "Pigs" from 1977's capitalism critique, "Animals."

The pig, which was led above the crowd from lines held on the ground, displayed the words "Don't be led to the slaughter" and a cartoon of Uncle Sam wielding two bloody cleavers. The other side read "Fear builds walls."

The underside of the pig simply read "Obama" with a checked ballot box alongside.

As Waters drew the song to a close, flame bursts exploded on the sides of the stage and the swine floated into the night sky. Waters said sadly and comically, "That's my pig."

The performance also included speaker towers placed around the outside of the crowd. Smoke machines funneled across the stage and over the audience, thickening the atmosphere.

___________________________________

Man, I wish I could have been there. Having one of your heroes support another sure is a good feeling. Now I love that pig even more.