Dis 'n' Dat

Heard from my neighbor, yesterday. They're having a helluva winter in Maine. SO glad I am not there...

It's Mardi Gras time here. Of course, now my arthritis in my hip and leg chose this past week to go into high gear. Big time pain that NSAIDs don't touch. So much for watching the various Krewes do their thing either in New Orleans or Baton Rouge and vicinity. Standing for more than a half hour is excruciating now.

The dogs are loving it here in Louisiana. They have a fenced yard to play in, four other dogs to play with, and they even get to have a kid or two to chase in fun, now and again.

Another soldier dies in Baghdad. The new kid on the block doesn't seem able to convince the military-industrial establishment to loosen the reins of the war wagon, does he?

Speaking of his presidency, Obama is not going to be the "Great Black Hope" supporters made him out to be, pre-election. This economic depression won't allow that particular legacy to survive. It is going to be very bad for a long time. I suspect I won't live to see a recovery...

A shout out to NZforme who has recently bought herself a house! When's the move date -- my chiropractor has me scheduled for back therapy that day... (actually I am envious - sun, warmth and a built-in cocktail shaker - what else could you want in a home?)

SO, in closing, as they say down here:

WORD is VOTED

Leonard Cohen, a Canadian, says it best: DEMOCRACY IS COMING TO THE USA.

Congratulations to the Obama campaign. I do not envy him, and them, the task before them. Nor do I envy the brave men and women of the U.S. Secret Service who are charged with protecting President-elect Obama and his family. I suspect every hate-mongering wingnut in the country is preparing themselves for an assault upon the Obamas as I type this. The Secret Service knows that no protection detail is good enough to prevent an assassination by the truly determined.

I suspect we will get to experience the true meaning of the old Irish curse, "May you live in interesting times." In addition to racists, white-supremacists and other racially-motivated groups (including those who don't think Obama is 'black enough', by the way), there are the truly dangerous assassins to contemplate. Men and a few women, trained as sharpshooters by the military, extremely professional and practiced. They're all the stuff of a bodyguard's nightmares. For the new administration, I fear, they'll be a recurring dream.

Congratulations, too, to Senator John McCain who showed, too late to change the outcome, that he is a class act. Where in hell was that persona hiding, John? Why oh why did you allow the RNC and the neo-cons to hijack your campaign and foist Sarah Palin upon you? Have you been that exhausted, that weak, that distracted by other matters that you couldn't see the error of their advice? Too late now. What might have been shall never come to pass for you. Time to live out your days in your too many redoubts around the world (six? seven? Fuck it, who gives a flying fig these days, anyway?) Go imitate Barry Goldwater's post-presidential bid and fade into the woodwork.

To Sarah Palin, no congratulations but a hearty fare-thee-well in your icebound fortress up there in Wasilla. Good fishing; good fucking. Stay where you are welcome. Don't venture down here on another fool's errand again.

Ralph Nader, you arrogant ass - get lost. Likewise, Cynthia Ann McKinney, Jonathon Allen, Charles O. Baldwin, Robert L. Barr, Alan Keyes and the rest of the wingnuts - get lost as no one ever found you viable - not even the OB/GYN's that delivered you.

That's my election round-up. That and $5.00 might get you a cup of coffee inside the Beltway come this time next year...

Word is VOTE

Get out of your ergonomic desk chair, off your big, comfy, couch or out from under your snuggly goose down duvet and

VOTE


And take a friend, acquaintance or your significant other along with you...

"None Of The Above" - Again...

I hate elections...

As an arch-conservative Libertarian, there is no way I can bring myself to vote for Senator Obama. Simply put, he is far too liberal. Further, while he has shown good judgment in his choice of foreign policy advisers, those he has advising him on domestic policy, particularly economic policy, are so far to the left of center that most legislative initiatives, even if passed by a Democrat majority in Congress, will surely result in significant legal challenges that we, the people, can ill afford to wait out. Salvaging the economic situation will require a moderate solution, not a liberal one.

Sadly, the prospect of Governor Palin being only a heartbeat away from the presidency is too horrible to contemplate. Sorry, McCain Republicans, but you blew it with your arrogance and political greed by endorsing Governor Sarah Palin as your candidate for Vice-President. At least, when it comes to my vote it did.

I have no love nor even tolerance for Ralph Nader.

I know nothing about the Libertarian candidate this year but can say in my defense that usually they, as a class, are simply too liberal to be considered.

Communist Party of America? They haven't had an even remotely viable candidate since Gus Hall in the 60's. Not that I'd ever have voted for him. Still, it says something that they haven't posted a candidate worthy of consideration for over 40 years.

Oh well. I suppose it will once again be a write-in for "None Of The Above". Damn, that's been a popular choice for the past few years...

What a waste.

Voting Advice

Planning to vote early? Do so, but make sure it gets counted. If the opposition has targeted your demographic niche for whatever reason, you MUST document the problem with your political party, as well as on the Internet. I'm just saying... no matter which of the sides you are on.

Expect dirty tricks. No, the balloting is NOT postponed if it is raining, snowing or an earthquake has struck. Don't fall for that crap. And don't fall for the crap both parties and all of their special interest groups are shoveling with their robocalls. Make this your mantra and chant it as you listen to your answering machine... "It's all bullshit... It's all bullshit..."

Good luck. The field sucks and the choices are the same old same old. Neither of the primary party candidates offers anything new. The Congress will still control the budget process and the Senate will still control the foreign policy decisions, assuming the election isn't stolen (hijacked) by the existing administration placing us all under martial law.

Laugh if you want. Even paranoids have enemies...

And Now For Something Completely Different...

A closer look at the life and career of John McCain reveals a disturbing record of recklessness and dishonesty

While I have been less than a stellar supporter of Barack Obama and Company, one shouldn't automatically assume I am a supporter of the McCain/Palin ticket.

No, that'd be a real stretch.

And if you must ask why, perhaps this Tim Dickinson, less-than-supportive look at the McCain record which appeared in The Rolling Stone in an article titled "Make-Believe Maverick" will give you a clue.

You can get a taste by reading the first page at the link above. Buy a copy or sign up as an online subscriber to see the whole article. Or, like me, visit the library to read through their copy.

Post-VP Debate

Sarah Palin really needed to make a home run but she only managed a base hit. She came off as snippy and defensive. Too well rehearsed, too many by rote answers, very little of the originality she brings to the ticket. Is she really just a figurehead? It is sure starting to look like it.

On the other hand, I think that Senator Biden was too much the apologist for the Obama agenda without really achieving the goal of showing why we should make him one heartbeat away from the Presidency.

Overall, it was a waste of time...

Who needs enemies?

One of my favorite, if infrequent bloggers is witnit. He makes a telling point with this entry on Tuesday:

Obama Supporters - With Friends Like These...

Humor: Obama to Nation: “Fuck this shit, I’m outta here”

Too funny! Do check out this entry at Pancake City.

MEME: Sunday Seven - Episode 104

Sometimes, a revolution can begin with a song. Back in the 1930s, FDR helped America prosper after the Great Depression and the theme song that helped him get his plans into action was “Happy Days Are Here Again.” In the 1990s, Bill Clinton’s campaign theme was “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.”

Would you believe this week’s question has something to do with songs and politics?

But before you go through your CD collection, Eugene, of “Imabug” was first to play last week! Congratulations, Eugene!

On to this week’s question!

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
Name your top seven choices for a campaign theme song if you were going to run for president.

Campaign songs are like selling hot dogs – it isn't the sausage you sell, it's the sizzle. So to with the musical accompaniment on the campaign trail. There's some old stand-bys that every national candidate should have in their bag of tricks, as well as a new one or two.

1. “Happy Days Are Here Again”

2. “On A Clear Day”

3. “WAR – What's It Good For?

4. “Battle Hymn of the Republic”

5. “If The Republicans Get Into Power Again...” (sung to the tune of “Johnny Comes Marching Home”)

6. “This Land Is Your Land”

7. “She's A Grand Old Flag”

There you have it, folks. Have a good week, and don't forget to keep your powder dry.