It's amazing how personal circumstances can influence memories. As I have stated before, I have attended every inauguration since I have lived in DC, and I will continue to do so. I attended last week's event, and it was amazing. I have never seen such a mass of humanity anywhere, and the only thing I can liken it to is an evacuation of a city after a nuclear attack. I have been to the World Series, I have been to NFL playoff games, and I have seen big crowds. But this was not a big crowd, this was a mobile metropolis. I cannot do justice to the experience by describing it, you saw the pictures on television of the crowds, just imagine how all those fucking people got there, and then how they left. I have never seen or been a part of anything like it.
However, this inauguration will not go down as my favorite. Although I worked for Obama, although I attended the convention in Denver, although I cried when he won, the inaugural experience was not on the level of Bush's 2nd. That is still my most favorite and special. It's a January 20th thing, you wouldn't understand.
Meow. And I miss you.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Winds of change?
Hello all (probably more like Hello Bill, but anyway):
I am happy to take over for an AWOL Jeffrey to bring you a little more conservative view than Billy - he seems to be a bit erratic and drunk on the Obama Cool-aid... I am a Libertarian due to a web-site that told me I was because I cannot be a part of the espoused "pussy" party that brought the likes of Carter, Mondale, Kerry (whose party choice turned him into a pussy) and the most notorious pussy - Dukakis. I also have grown tired of my old party, who elected our present retard, and seems to have emerged as the pussy enabling party... Yes, the Democrats decided to give everyone with a pot to piss in a loan under Clinton and the Republican granted these loans under Bush - this is only one major example of how they both suck... I voted twice for Perot who was crazy but was actually right. So I am a man without a party and no one to vote for, so I voted for Sarah Palin, who obviously knew nothing about either party or anything else - at least she had one eye on Russia. The winds of change grow stronger with each presidency as long term memory absent Americans forget how shitty the regime before the last was... Carter's pussiness begat Reagan whose wake gave us the first moron Bush who gave rise to needed change - enter Clinton the porn star president - and then more change with Bush... Wake up folks, nothing really changes, who sits in the office seem not matter as the American people drive the economy and press forward and asked not to be screwed with - as i said before the financial mess is due to both not one...I love this country and proud of everyone for trying to change every 8 years but will we ever be truly represented until a real guy is elected President? Man, it would be cool if Obama is everything people and Bill and Bills grandma think he is... or is he just another Goodyear tire we will have to change in 8 years? His approval rating sits at 100 right now - only one way to go - down or maintain...I hope it is the latter...
I am happy to take over for an AWOL Jeffrey to bring you a little more conservative view than Billy - he seems to be a bit erratic and drunk on the Obama Cool-aid... I am a Libertarian due to a web-site that told me I was because I cannot be a part of the espoused "pussy" party that brought the likes of Carter, Mondale, Kerry (whose party choice turned him into a pussy) and the most notorious pussy - Dukakis. I also have grown tired of my old party, who elected our present retard, and seems to have emerged as the pussy enabling party... Yes, the Democrats decided to give everyone with a pot to piss in a loan under Clinton and the Republican granted these loans under Bush - this is only one major example of how they both suck... I voted twice for Perot who was crazy but was actually right. So I am a man without a party and no one to vote for, so I voted for Sarah Palin, who obviously knew nothing about either party or anything else - at least she had one eye on Russia. The winds of change grow stronger with each presidency as long term memory absent Americans forget how shitty the regime before the last was... Carter's pussiness begat Reagan whose wake gave us the first moron Bush who gave rise to needed change - enter Clinton the porn star president - and then more change with Bush... Wake up folks, nothing really changes, who sits in the office seem not matter as the American people drive the economy and press forward and asked not to be screwed with - as i said before the financial mess is due to both not one...I love this country and proud of everyone for trying to change every 8 years but will we ever be truly represented until a real guy is elected President? Man, it would be cool if Obama is everything people and Bill and Bills grandma think he is... or is he just another Goodyear tire we will have to change in 8 years? His approval rating sits at 100 right now - only one way to go - down or maintain...I hope it is the latter...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Facebook Friends
About 4 years ago, I got into the blogger.com gig, and started writing stuff. The vision was that my buddy, Jeff White, would also contribute, and there would be some crazy banter back and forth. Mr. White has contributed 2 very excellent posts in this blog, but he pretty much abandoned his deal with me. Thus, this avenue was merely a way for me to amuse myself, because nobody read it. But I would infrequently write something, think it funny, and then in future years, I could go back a re-read and get a big ol' kick out of myself.
I have recently re-read all of my postings. Some are funny, some are insane, some are offensive, one uses the N word in an illustrative way (not in an noun/adjective/descriptive/offensive sort of way). Because I had forgot about most of them, it was like reading things for the first time, and I was pretty entertained by a lot of the stuff here. And I think you might be as well. And if folks are reading, then I'll do more writing, and there are an awful lot of crazy things in my head that ought to be put down on paper, or cyberpaper, for what will eventually be a criminal investigation.
Thanks for clicking, enjoy the following, and don't hold back comments.
You may be right, I may be crazy, but it might just be a lunatic you're looking for.
Billy Joel
Bill
I have recently re-read all of my postings. Some are funny, some are insane, some are offensive, one uses the N word in an illustrative way (not in an noun/adjective/descriptive/offensive sort of way). Because I had forgot about most of them, it was like reading things for the first time, and I was pretty entertained by a lot of the stuff here. And I think you might be as well. And if folks are reading, then I'll do more writing, and there are an awful lot of crazy things in my head that ought to be put down on paper, or cyberpaper, for what will eventually be a criminal investigation.
Thanks for clicking, enjoy the following, and don't hold back comments.
You may be right, I may be crazy, but it might just be a lunatic you're looking for.
Billy Joel
Bill
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Aftermath
Well, it was quite a night. And I was pretty close with my projection, though I got a couple of states wrong. 351-187 was the prediction, looks like the final tally will be 364-174, as Missouri is still un-called, but McCain will probably maintain his current lead.
Once the polls closed, and the networks released their exit polls, it was obvious that Obama had won Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio, although the networks waited a couple hours to call them. So there was little suspense, little nervousness, mostly an emotional ride in the front row, witnessing history. Lot's of tears and reflection.
Reflection of being a young boy in Ormond Beach, Florida, where the blacks lived on one side of town, the whites on the other. Reflection of my realizing that, as i accumulated some black friends, that my families prejudices, and the prejudices of my friends were wrong, and we had to stand up and challenge that sort of nonsense. This was the late 80's, and it was still prevalent.
Finally a recognition that my kids don't know black and white. My kids aren't even feeling the historical implication of this election. Because as my youngest recently told me of a friend "She keeps telling me she's black and I'm white, but we're both brown. I am light brown, and she is dark brown". That's the future, and that's amazing. We made strides in the 60's, but those were legal strides, the divide was still there, I saw it in the 80's and the 90's. But my kids don't see it. So thier generation will be the post-racial generation, and we will finally be past all that in the near future.
I was getting a little disturbed about Obama hunkering down in Chicago since the election ended. But the 60 minutes interview put me at ease. He's not isolating, he's returning to family normalcy before the madness of the white house. Good on him.
I can't believe we did this. Yes we did. i am so proud of our citizens, i am so proud of our country. I wouldn't work for the military if i didn't love my country, because i do. but i have not been particulary proud of my country over the past five years. but i am there now.
God bless america. I am re-energized to work within the government to bring about the change our new Commander in Chief calls for. I can't wait.
Once the polls closed, and the networks released their exit polls, it was obvious that Obama had won Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio, although the networks waited a couple hours to call them. So there was little suspense, little nervousness, mostly an emotional ride in the front row, witnessing history. Lot's of tears and reflection.
Reflection of being a young boy in Ormond Beach, Florida, where the blacks lived on one side of town, the whites on the other. Reflection of my realizing that, as i accumulated some black friends, that my families prejudices, and the prejudices of my friends were wrong, and we had to stand up and challenge that sort of nonsense. This was the late 80's, and it was still prevalent.
Finally a recognition that my kids don't know black and white. My kids aren't even feeling the historical implication of this election. Because as my youngest recently told me of a friend "She keeps telling me she's black and I'm white, but we're both brown. I am light brown, and she is dark brown". That's the future, and that's amazing. We made strides in the 60's, but those were legal strides, the divide was still there, I saw it in the 80's and the 90's. But my kids don't see it. So thier generation will be the post-racial generation, and we will finally be past all that in the near future.
I was getting a little disturbed about Obama hunkering down in Chicago since the election ended. But the 60 minutes interview put me at ease. He's not isolating, he's returning to family normalcy before the madness of the white house. Good on him.
I can't believe we did this. Yes we did. i am so proud of our citizens, i am so proud of our country. I wouldn't work for the military if i didn't love my country, because i do. but i have not been particulary proud of my country over the past five years. but i am there now.
God bless america. I am re-energized to work within the government to bring about the change our new Commander in Chief calls for. I can't wait.
Monday, November 03, 2008
The Math
OK, tomorrow's the day, 11/4/08. The coronation of King Obama, as the despondent haters say.
Let's break it down.
It's not over by a long shot. However, I believe the best McCain can do is 286 electoral votes. Which is enough, for sure, to win. But let's break it down beyond that to get to some realism.
Colorado, New Hampshire and New Mexico. These are all polling well over 50 percent for Obama, and Colorado had early voting which puts it out of reach for McCain. I have not included these states in McCain's potential column, simply because I do not believe he has a chance in any of them. So, let's break it down from there with the states that make up McCain's 286.
Pennsylvania: Gore and Kerry both took it, but they both were white. Pennsylvania was trouble for Obama in the primary, and don't under-estimate the potential for McCain to use fear to spook these folks into aligning behind him. McCain HAS to win PA to win the election, and it is possible. There is no early voting there, rural areas have easier time voting than crowded urban areas, give McCain a 30% chance of taking this state.
Virginia: McCain can lose Virginia and still win. See above and all the states listed below. However, Virginia elected Doug Wilder governor when it was still reliably red nationally. With Mark Warner steamrolling to a 30 point win in the senate, Northern Virginia energized and crazy for Obama, Hampton Roads tracking ahead for Obama, McCain is in big trouble here. Give McCain less of chance in Va. than in PA. 20%.
North Carolina: Black early voting has been incredible in this state, and will be the difference in allowing Kay Hagan to unseat Liddy Dole in the Senate. However, Kay Hagan is white, Obama is black, and that's Obama's problem here. If NC falls, Obama's heading for a landslide, otherwise, McCain retains this state, but his chances of doing so are only 55%.
Ohio: Another state that would be blue this year if the candidate wasn't Obama. Unfortunately, the last minute revelation about the coal industry comments might be additional fuel to inspire anti-Obama turnout. Hillary kicked his ass here, McCain will be hard pressed to win, but I give him a 55% chance.
Nevada: Red state normally, it's all about Reno and the surrounding area. Early voting favors Obama, not really a McCain priority, but he can win if everything starts breaking his way at the end. 40% chance of taking Nevada.
Missouri: Mizzou always picks the winner. Obama needs big margins in the cities, needs to have organization turn out in the middle. Polls have McCain moving the polls, he could take this state and lose the election, which will be a first in a while. Missouri is actually going to have to be listed as 50%.
Indiana: Reliably red, Obama might have wasted money here. Mitch Daniels is a popular Republican governor and will win easily. Gary and Indianapolis turnout and margins have to be insane for Obama to pull this one off, and again, he lost the state to Hillary, so he starts from a position of weakness. McCain has a 65% chance in this state.
Florida: More red for Bush v. Kerry than Bush v. Gore. No big statewide elections, huge early voting gives Obama an edge, McCain will have the edge on election day. It might not be enough, but he still has a 50% chance here.
Montana and North Dakota: If these fall for Obama, then watch out for Arkansas, Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia to be in play as well. Landslide Territory. McCain 80%.
My take: I don't believe the polls that give Obama a double digit national lead. However, I do think he's going to win by 4 or 5 in the popular vote. And I think that hands him a rather sizable victory. And all the swing states, except Ohio, Indiana and Missouri, and I predict upsets in Georgia and Montana for Obama. He said he wanted to re-draw the map, and he will.
Final tally: Obama 351 McCain 187
Click on "The Math" to see my final predicted tally.
Let's break it down.
It's not over by a long shot. However, I believe the best McCain can do is 286 electoral votes. Which is enough, for sure, to win. But let's break it down beyond that to get to some realism.
Colorado, New Hampshire and New Mexico. These are all polling well over 50 percent for Obama, and Colorado had early voting which puts it out of reach for McCain. I have not included these states in McCain's potential column, simply because I do not believe he has a chance in any of them. So, let's break it down from there with the states that make up McCain's 286.
Pennsylvania: Gore and Kerry both took it, but they both were white. Pennsylvania was trouble for Obama in the primary, and don't under-estimate the potential for McCain to use fear to spook these folks into aligning behind him. McCain HAS to win PA to win the election, and it is possible. There is no early voting there, rural areas have easier time voting than crowded urban areas, give McCain a 30% chance of taking this state.
Virginia: McCain can lose Virginia and still win. See above and all the states listed below. However, Virginia elected Doug Wilder governor when it was still reliably red nationally. With Mark Warner steamrolling to a 30 point win in the senate, Northern Virginia energized and crazy for Obama, Hampton Roads tracking ahead for Obama, McCain is in big trouble here. Give McCain less of chance in Va. than in PA. 20%.
North Carolina: Black early voting has been incredible in this state, and will be the difference in allowing Kay Hagan to unseat Liddy Dole in the Senate. However, Kay Hagan is white, Obama is black, and that's Obama's problem here. If NC falls, Obama's heading for a landslide, otherwise, McCain retains this state, but his chances of doing so are only 55%.
Ohio: Another state that would be blue this year if the candidate wasn't Obama. Unfortunately, the last minute revelation about the coal industry comments might be additional fuel to inspire anti-Obama turnout. Hillary kicked his ass here, McCain will be hard pressed to win, but I give him a 55% chance.
Nevada: Red state normally, it's all about Reno and the surrounding area. Early voting favors Obama, not really a McCain priority, but he can win if everything starts breaking his way at the end. 40% chance of taking Nevada.
Missouri: Mizzou always picks the winner. Obama needs big margins in the cities, needs to have organization turn out in the middle. Polls have McCain moving the polls, he could take this state and lose the election, which will be a first in a while. Missouri is actually going to have to be listed as 50%.
Indiana: Reliably red, Obama might have wasted money here. Mitch Daniels is a popular Republican governor and will win easily. Gary and Indianapolis turnout and margins have to be insane for Obama to pull this one off, and again, he lost the state to Hillary, so he starts from a position of weakness. McCain has a 65% chance in this state.
Florida: More red for Bush v. Kerry than Bush v. Gore. No big statewide elections, huge early voting gives Obama an edge, McCain will have the edge on election day. It might not be enough, but he still has a 50% chance here.
Montana and North Dakota: If these fall for Obama, then watch out for Arkansas, Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia to be in play as well. Landslide Territory. McCain 80%.
My take: I don't believe the polls that give Obama a double digit national lead. However, I do think he's going to win by 4 or 5 in the popular vote. And I think that hands him a rather sizable victory. And all the swing states, except Ohio, Indiana and Missouri, and I predict upsets in Georgia and Montana for Obama. He said he wanted to re-draw the map, and he will.
Final tally: Obama 351 McCain 187
Click on "The Math" to see my final predicted tally.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
My Grandma
My grandmother was born in Kansas. She was raised in South Dakota. She was a military wife. She has always been a staunch conservative.
She loved Ronald Reagan. She loves the works of William. F. Buckley, George Will, and all the conservative minds of this era.
She just turned 86. For the past 20 years, we have agreed to disagree on politics, because she has always been much farther to the right than I.
Grandma was hospitalized this week with a kidney infection. She had my dad get her an absentee ballot, because she was going to be out of action for a while.
She voted for Barack Obama.
I am completely floored by this news. I recently saw my grandmother in August before the conventions, and purposely avoided the discussion of Presidential politics, because I knew that would do nothing except create un-necessary tension.
I am guilty of underestimating my grandmother. And I am also guilty of underestimating the sensibility of my country.
Her major issue is Sarah Palin. She is obviously dissatisfied with Bush, but she hasn't heard anything out of either candidate that excites her. So, her vote basically came down to Joe Biden vs. Sarah Palin. And she is scared of Palin.
This is one of those "WOW' moments for me where i missed an opportunity to engage my grandmother in discussion about this. Luckily, she is on a road to recovery, so I will be able to talk to her about her vote, and talk to her about how important and proud that vote makes me.
I know nobody reads this, but I had to write it, because I am floored by this, and want to remember the moment forever. I love you Grandma.
She loved Ronald Reagan. She loves the works of William. F. Buckley, George Will, and all the conservative minds of this era.
She just turned 86. For the past 20 years, we have agreed to disagree on politics, because she has always been much farther to the right than I.
Grandma was hospitalized this week with a kidney infection. She had my dad get her an absentee ballot, because she was going to be out of action for a while.
She voted for Barack Obama.
I am completely floored by this news. I recently saw my grandmother in August before the conventions, and purposely avoided the discussion of Presidential politics, because I knew that would do nothing except create un-necessary tension.
I am guilty of underestimating my grandmother. And I am also guilty of underestimating the sensibility of my country.
Her major issue is Sarah Palin. She is obviously dissatisfied with Bush, but she hasn't heard anything out of either candidate that excites her. So, her vote basically came down to Joe Biden vs. Sarah Palin. And she is scared of Palin.
This is one of those "WOW' moments for me where i missed an opportunity to engage my grandmother in discussion about this. Luckily, she is on a road to recovery, so I will be able to talk to her about her vote, and talk to her about how important and proud that vote makes me.
I know nobody reads this, but I had to write it, because I am floored by this, and want to remember the moment forever. I love you Grandma.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
It always amazes me
It always amazes me how when we get to late October, there is such hatred, paranoia and filth in the air.
I thought it would be different this year, with both nominees being outside of the party power - both eclipsed significant odds to win their party's nomination. Although McCain kissed Bush's butt for 6 years instead of busting his balls, the Republican establishment abandoned him for Mitt Romney. And he fought back and won, because he was not only a great American hero, but the only Republican that would take serious steps to reverse the horrible trajectory we have been on for the last 8 years. Unfortunately for his campaign, he did kiss Bush's ass for 6 years instead of shoving a stick up it, but Chuck Hagel did that, and he was not even a viable option to run for President, so basically, McCain did what he had to do to win the nomination. And America is fortunate that he did.
So also, is America fortunate that Obama won the Democratic nomination. 2008 was supposed to be the Hillary coronation. Bring Back Bill! And seriously, right now, if she were the nominee, she would be ahead by 20 points, even over McCain, because the country is in such a bad place. But would a HRC presidency been a better thing for America than either a McCain or an Obama presidency? I don't think so. I think I would rank her third.
Both Obama and McCain will bring change. Clinton would have brought back Bill's administration. Older, wiser, richer, but the same team, the same tired ideas.
I hope with all my heart that Obama wins, because I think in these times we need an inspirational leader that will not only motivate us with his words, but also move the world with his vision.
But I also know, deep in my heart, that John McCain is a man who first and foremost puts his country first, and does the right thing, regardless of politics. And he would be a breath of fresh air as a President, and would break the mold as a Republican president, I hate to tell you conservatives.
I haven't heard too many of the pundits say "We can't lose" in this election, which shocks me. Because we really can't. The first 100 days, and the major priorities of each will not be that different. Politics requires that they project giant differences, but reality is that both will operate 180 degrees from the disgraceful and discredited characters that currently occupy the Oval and surrounding offices.
Those of you that are out here arguing and baiting and bashing each other, from both sides, you are the problem. You are the idiots that the senseless soundbite and reckless rumor excites. You run with it and yell. You don't think or reflect, you just spew and spout. You are as reckless and thoughtless as Olbermann and Hannity.
I believe that most of us are comfortable with Nov. 4th. I believe that most of us are not scared of the result. While we really hope our candidate wins, if he doesn't, we are silently comforted by the fact that our ship will be finally be steered by a top notch captain, after 8 years of drifting being piloted by a drunken sailor.
So keep screaming, keep yelling. The only folks arguing with you seem to be insane, intolerant, immovable jackasses who's mind you will never change, no matter how loud or inflamed you get, and you get plenty loud and inflamed. You feel that you must be arguing with idiots, and in reality, you are. But look in the mirror - left is right, right is left, and you are the same idiot.
I thought it would be different this year, with both nominees being outside of the party power - both eclipsed significant odds to win their party's nomination. Although McCain kissed Bush's butt for 6 years instead of busting his balls, the Republican establishment abandoned him for Mitt Romney. And he fought back and won, because he was not only a great American hero, but the only Republican that would take serious steps to reverse the horrible trajectory we have been on for the last 8 years. Unfortunately for his campaign, he did kiss Bush's ass for 6 years instead of shoving a stick up it, but Chuck Hagel did that, and he was not even a viable option to run for President, so basically, McCain did what he had to do to win the nomination. And America is fortunate that he did.
So also, is America fortunate that Obama won the Democratic nomination. 2008 was supposed to be the Hillary coronation. Bring Back Bill! And seriously, right now, if she were the nominee, she would be ahead by 20 points, even over McCain, because the country is in such a bad place. But would a HRC presidency been a better thing for America than either a McCain or an Obama presidency? I don't think so. I think I would rank her third.
Both Obama and McCain will bring change. Clinton would have brought back Bill's administration. Older, wiser, richer, but the same team, the same tired ideas.
I hope with all my heart that Obama wins, because I think in these times we need an inspirational leader that will not only motivate us with his words, but also move the world with his vision.
But I also know, deep in my heart, that John McCain is a man who first and foremost puts his country first, and does the right thing, regardless of politics. And he would be a breath of fresh air as a President, and would break the mold as a Republican president, I hate to tell you conservatives.
I haven't heard too many of the pundits say "We can't lose" in this election, which shocks me. Because we really can't. The first 100 days, and the major priorities of each will not be that different. Politics requires that they project giant differences, but reality is that both will operate 180 degrees from the disgraceful and discredited characters that currently occupy the Oval and surrounding offices.
Those of you that are out here arguing and baiting and bashing each other, from both sides, you are the problem. You are the idiots that the senseless soundbite and reckless rumor excites. You run with it and yell. You don't think or reflect, you just spew and spout. You are as reckless and thoughtless as Olbermann and Hannity.
I believe that most of us are comfortable with Nov. 4th. I believe that most of us are not scared of the result. While we really hope our candidate wins, if he doesn't, we are silently comforted by the fact that our ship will be finally be steered by a top notch captain, after 8 years of drifting being piloted by a drunken sailor.
So keep screaming, keep yelling. The only folks arguing with you seem to be insane, intolerant, immovable jackasses who's mind you will never change, no matter how loud or inflamed you get, and you get plenty loud and inflamed. You feel that you must be arguing with idiots, and in reality, you are. But look in the mirror - left is right, right is left, and you are the same idiot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)