Well, it seems I'm anti-prophetic. My guy dropped out of the race. I'm at a loss.
Barack or Hillary? I have no earthly clue. The two of them have both parts effective and both parts stupid. It suspect it will continue to stay ugly until after "Super Tuesday" (I hate saying that).
Well, the idiot field has cleared considerably. Two Democrats; Four Republicans (if you count Ron Paul). McCain looks like a shoo-in for the Republicans, barring Mitt Romney magically transforming into a Democrat and back into a Republican (which could very well happen overnight).
They love to throw out the "L" word, don't they? It reminds me of West Virginia churches. It's not even funny anymore, just sad.
As much of the Democratic persuasion as I am, I really wouldn't mind McCain (though folks can and do change in office). McCain seems to openly welcome the opportunity to work with Democrats. I also feel that he will do his utmost to keep us safe. Unlike our current President, I feel he is highly respectful of those in the military... a subject dear to my heart. His age works against him, but he is rather fit.
He would definitely be an improvement to the current status, methinks. No thanks to Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee. I'll vehemently oppose them in office.
-----------------------------------------
Heath Ledger is still on my mind. As I've said before, his passing has effected me more than celebrity before him... James Brown, Christopher Reeve, Steve Irwin, etc.
No, I didn't know Ledger. No, I wasn't his biggest fan, though I was a huge fan of his films... even before he was chosen to play the Joker. "The Patriot" and "The Order" were my two favorites from his filmography. When he was chosen to play the Joker, I rented "Brokeback Mountain" just to see his range. While the movie itself was good (save the horrible music and that one scene), Ledger was phenomenal.
This is going to last a long while. After July, Ledger will become etched into legend. Mark my words.
-----------------------------------------
John Grisham has a new novel out. When I get some dinero, I'll pick up "The Appeal." If you haven't read his works, try "The Last Juror."
-----------------------------------------
Is there some sort of black cloud over marriage? I know, divorce rates are high... what else is new? The reason for asking is that I receive a "how's married life going..." or "are you still glad to be hitched..." at every single turn.
Married life is blissful; I freaking love it. I love being married. I can't stress that enough. Perhaps people are rather stupid when it comes into getting hitched. I see marriage as a freedom, not a prison.
I've had so much bad luck with so many women. I remember all the names, and the legendary failures. I honestly thought God was punishing me because I couldn't find the one. However, when I found the one, life got a whole lot better.
Marriage is work, but it's good work. It's like getting paid for kissing. Best job I've ever had.
-----------------------------------------
The economy is in the shitter... who knew? You know, my guy mentioned the economy long before the idiot parade started. As in years before. Just remember that. As such, Bush is actually working with Democrats... and Congress is actually awake. Who knew? It's going to take a lot more work to fix this mess, though. Trickle-down economics isn't the solution. There are poor people who are in a lot worse shape than those of upper class.
Oh yeah, and the tax cuts Bush wants to make permanent? Guess what? That helps those who have the money, not those without the money. This was done by the C.B.O. (Congressional Budget Office), an independent agency. So this isn't a left-wing conspiracy theory. This is real, and it bites.
http://money.cnn.com/2007/01/08/pf/taxes/bush_tax_cuts/index.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61178-2004Aug12.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/08/washington/08tax.html
-----------------------------------------
Personally, I've got a good feeling about some positive change coming my way. A really good feeling. When this change happens, I'll be a happier person.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Ledger Reflection, and Other Junk of Interest
I'm ripped apart about Heath Ledger. We've heard every speculation under the sun about the cause of his death. Unfortunately, there's no evidence to back it up.
News flash: Fred Phelps and his gang of psychopaths are going to picket Ledger's funeral.
On behalf of America at large, I hope Phelps and his friends get their legs broken.
In any case, the bigots at "The Noise" have come out of the woodwork, and the fools at CNN have, too. After all of this, the one entity I did not suspect has been remarkably quiet, showing restraint.
The White House. And as such, thank you, Mr. President... thank you for not making assumptions and letting things run their course. I do not agree with many of your policies or actions, but I wholeheartedly thank you for this.
Those who may not have been fans of Ledger are probably sick of hearing about his death, I understand. However, after July, I believe you may.
--------------------------------
As for returning to a place of normalcy:
Ted Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama yesterday.
So the world is turned upside town. Not quite yet.
Obama is a man of extraordinary vision: perhaps vision grand enough to match statesmen of old. He is also a man of high charisma, and that helps. His movement is picking up steam, and everything is falling into place.
That doesn't mean I'm going to vote for him. I applaud the Senator for bringing Republicans and Independents into his campaign. I also applaud him for withstanding the negative endorsements (welcome to politics).
These recent actions tell me that he is someone of immense strength, someone who can stand up to criticisms. But so can others.
I have yet to hear the Senator lay down a specific plan about anything. However, many who have met him personally say his specifics are incredible... and that's what is making him such an attractive candidate.
So, what does that mean? Absolutely nothing. His momentum is high, and will continue to rise. He may have enough to reach the White House, but it is still far, far too early to tell.
I've made up my mind about who I'm voting for. I'll give you a few hints: he was talking about the state of the economy long before the Presidential campaign began, and he has the most aggressive plan to attack poverty.
Side Note: How can anyone vote for Mitt Romney? Please remember that John Kerry and he were indeed separated at birth.
News flash: Fred Phelps and his gang of psychopaths are going to picket Ledger's funeral.
On behalf of America at large, I hope Phelps and his friends get their legs broken.
In any case, the bigots at "The Noise" have come out of the woodwork, and the fools at CNN have, too. After all of this, the one entity I did not suspect has been remarkably quiet, showing restraint.
The White House. And as such, thank you, Mr. President... thank you for not making assumptions and letting things run their course. I do not agree with many of your policies or actions, but I wholeheartedly thank you for this.
Those who may not have been fans of Ledger are probably sick of hearing about his death, I understand. However, after July, I believe you may.
--------------------------------
As for returning to a place of normalcy:
Ted Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama yesterday.
So the world is turned upside town. Not quite yet.
Obama is a man of extraordinary vision: perhaps vision grand enough to match statesmen of old. He is also a man of high charisma, and that helps. His movement is picking up steam, and everything is falling into place.
That doesn't mean I'm going to vote for him. I applaud the Senator for bringing Republicans and Independents into his campaign. I also applaud him for withstanding the negative endorsements (welcome to politics).
These recent actions tell me that he is someone of immense strength, someone who can stand up to criticisms. But so can others.
I have yet to hear the Senator lay down a specific plan about anything. However, many who have met him personally say his specifics are incredible... and that's what is making him such an attractive candidate.
So, what does that mean? Absolutely nothing. His momentum is high, and will continue to rise. He may have enough to reach the White House, but it is still far, far too early to tell.
I've made up my mind about who I'm voting for. I'll give you a few hints: he was talking about the state of the economy long before the Presidential campaign began, and he has the most aggressive plan to attack poverty.
Side Note: How can anyone vote for Mitt Romney? Please remember that John Kerry and he were indeed separated at birth.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Heath Ledger Dead at 28
"You know something...
God can be a real prick sometimes."
Those were the words I wrote over at that Batman-on-film boards. Chastise it all you want... but the phrase "God works in mysterious ways" certainly applies here.
I feel sad, angry, and a little bit sick... even as my wife is rubbing my shoulders right now.
I also wrote:
-------------------------------
"I really could care less about the franchise. I really could right now.
Is it strange... to feel so horrible about someone you hardly even know? I don't think so, but it makes you think.
Life is so short, and we take so much for granted.
He was my age, and I've got some real close connections to him. I admire his works, and I think they'll be studied a long time to come.
We've lost a legend, and it makes me angry and sad.
It's really very hard to speak."
-------------------------------
I believe that someone young can achieve legendary status. I also believe that such status is forever, no matter how fleeting mortality can be. This whole ordeal is reflective of how caught up humanity can be in absolutely nothing--the elections, the Dark Knight buzz, job hunting, and even the gas prices.
Some things just don't matter that much. What an event like this does is bring down a sledgehammer right on your chest. It's not fun, and it makes you realize just how human you are.
I've actually shed tears over this... and I'm not the type to fawn over actors. Not even Christopher Reeve or Steve Irwin.
Perhaps it's the closeness I feel with the Dark Knight franchise? It's a bit more than that.
Maybe it was the comments he made about West Virginia, and the implications about the people who live here. I thought it was funny, and yes, West Virginia is full of bigots and the idiots in charge were stupid for banning a film. The film transcended dumb political and social barriers, anyway.
That's what a movie does. It not only entertains, but it takes social context and precursors... and throws them out of the window.
----------------------
I'm not going to be too terribly retrospective, because it hurts to do so.
Someone on the BOF boards posted that "we felt like we knew him," because of his love for the franchise and the character. Maybe. I think each of us needs to look inside of ourselves and remember what's really important.
Family, friends, fun. Life is so short.
I miss you, Heath. I wanted to meet you so badly.
God can be a real prick sometimes."
Those were the words I wrote over at that Batman-on-film boards. Chastise it all you want... but the phrase "God works in mysterious ways" certainly applies here.
I feel sad, angry, and a little bit sick... even as my wife is rubbing my shoulders right now.
I also wrote:
-------------------------------
"I really could care less about the franchise. I really could right now.
Is it strange... to feel so horrible about someone you hardly even know? I don't think so, but it makes you think.
Life is so short, and we take so much for granted.
He was my age, and I've got some real close connections to him. I admire his works, and I think they'll be studied a long time to come.
We've lost a legend, and it makes me angry and sad.
It's really very hard to speak."
-------------------------------
I believe that someone young can achieve legendary status. I also believe that such status is forever, no matter how fleeting mortality can be. This whole ordeal is reflective of how caught up humanity can be in absolutely nothing--the elections, the Dark Knight buzz, job hunting, and even the gas prices.
Some things just don't matter that much. What an event like this does is bring down a sledgehammer right on your chest. It's not fun, and it makes you realize just how human you are.
I've actually shed tears over this... and I'm not the type to fawn over actors. Not even Christopher Reeve or Steve Irwin.
Perhaps it's the closeness I feel with the Dark Knight franchise? It's a bit more than that.
Maybe it was the comments he made about West Virginia, and the implications about the people who live here. I thought it was funny, and yes, West Virginia is full of bigots and the idiots in charge were stupid for banning a film. The film transcended dumb political and social barriers, anyway.
That's what a movie does. It not only entertains, but it takes social context and precursors... and throws them out of the window.
----------------------
I'm not going to be too terribly retrospective, because it hurts to do so.
Someone on the BOF boards posted that "we felt like we knew him," because of his love for the franchise and the character. Maybe. I think each of us needs to look inside of ourselves and remember what's really important.
Family, friends, fun. Life is so short.
I miss you, Heath. I wanted to meet you so badly.
Friday, January 11, 2008
More Weight to the "Ron Paul is a Racist Ass" Assertion?
You decide.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/10/paul.newsletters/index.html
My take? I think Paul, despite his internet popularity, needs to give it a rest. Do know I also include Mike Gravel, Fred Thompson, and Duncan Hunter in the "give it a rest" category.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/10/paul.newsletters/index.html
My take? I think Paul, despite his internet popularity, needs to give it a rest. Do know I also include Mike Gravel, Fred Thompson, and Duncan Hunter in the "give it a rest" category.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Told Ya So; Fair Tax
See... I know a thing or two. When one learns the historical significance of past elections, they can pretty much tell what's going to happen.
As such, you can throw the rulebooks out the window. Obama's victory meant nothing, and it was proven last night in New Hampshire. Guess what? Hillary's victory doesn't mean anything, either. McCain? Huckabee?
Come on, folks... we've got months to sort this mess out. The good part is: we'll be eliminating the idiot field as the weeks pass.
---------------------------------------------
I'm doing some research on the Fair Tax. I have no earthly idea if I support it or not, but I have come to some preliminary conclusions.
1. 23% is a big chunk of change, regardless if the government sends you a prebate.
- Breaking it down for folks like me, the feds send you $391 a month. That's roughly $95 bucks a week. I'm not so sure if that'll cover the costs of groceries and such, especially if you're poor.
2. It would abolish the IRS. That's a lot of folks who are suddenly unemployed, and I'm not sure if there are enough jobs to cover the workers and their families.
3. It's supported by folks like Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, and Sean Hannity... which automatically makes me nervous. But, it's also supported by Mike Gravel. Despite Gravel being a kook and an idealist, I agree with a lot of statements he makes. However, Gravel is the only Democratic candidate who supports the plan. Obama stated that if he wins the Presidency, that he won't veto the bill.
For now, I think the Fair Tax would do more harm than good, simply because I'm barely surviving now. Add in the 23% bonus prize, and I just may crumble. However, I need more information... so I'll dig.
As such, you can throw the rulebooks out the window. Obama's victory meant nothing, and it was proven last night in New Hampshire. Guess what? Hillary's victory doesn't mean anything, either. McCain? Huckabee?
Come on, folks... we've got months to sort this mess out. The good part is: we'll be eliminating the idiot field as the weeks pass.
---------------------------------------------
I'm doing some research on the Fair Tax. I have no earthly idea if I support it or not, but I have come to some preliminary conclusions.
1. 23% is a big chunk of change, regardless if the government sends you a prebate.
- Breaking it down for folks like me, the feds send you $391 a month. That's roughly $95 bucks a week. I'm not so sure if that'll cover the costs of groceries and such, especially if you're poor.
2. It would abolish the IRS. That's a lot of folks who are suddenly unemployed, and I'm not sure if there are enough jobs to cover the workers and their families.
3. It's supported by folks like Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, and Sean Hannity... which automatically makes me nervous. But, it's also supported by Mike Gravel. Despite Gravel being a kook and an idealist, I agree with a lot of statements he makes. However, Gravel is the only Democratic candidate who supports the plan. Obama stated that if he wins the Presidency, that he won't veto the bill.
For now, I think the Fair Tax would do more harm than good, simply because I'm barely surviving now. Add in the 23% bonus prize, and I just may crumble. However, I need more information... so I'll dig.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Equally Corrupt: Reds and Blues
The meat of this post comes from here:
http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2007
So, I've got some fessing up to do.
I have no earthly idea who I want to gain the Presidency. I know who I don't want: None of the Republicans (save perhaps McCain), and most of the Democrats (save Edwards, Clinton, Kucinich).
Yeah, I named a Republican... because it's fair to do so. I suppose I could deal with McCain.
By the way, folks... those Iowa results mean nothing.
Back to my original thoughts...
Okay, we know Dennis Kucinich isn't going to win. But, I like the man, and he has the nuts to stand up to Cheney. He's also more left than folks can deal with.
I'm also not jumping on the Obama bandwagon. I think the Republicans could eat him for lunch, because of his lack of experience. But guess what? His lack of experience, as I've said before, is a good thing... fewer voting records to hold against him.
So, Hillary or John?
I'm more of a fan of John Edwards, to be honest... because of his aggressive stances against poverty. I hear about the voices for the middle class... but what about the voice for the poor? I'm poor, and I'm very happy Edwards is speaking out for folks in similar situations as myself. I could care less if he spends $1,000 on a haircut. It makes him weird and funny. Now, if that $1,000 was spent illegally... I'd be the first to rip him apart.
I like Hillary because she's tough as nails, and has the political clout to undo much of the mess the 2008 winner will inherit. But I really don't know.
Most likely: it'll be Hillary or Barack. The Republican race is wide-freaking open.
So, corruption and bigotry.
We'll start with the corruption of Mike Huckabee, a surprise candidate coming to us under the guise of wholesome Christian values. Make no mistake: he's just like the rest of them... only he uses Christianity as a weapon.
So, this guy destroys state government files and has questionable management of his campaign funding. Nothing new. The kicker? He sued the "state ethics commission twice and attempted to shut the ethics process down." Hmmm... he sues the guys who uphold moral principals. That's like saying: I stole your car, but it's ok. Jesus told me to do it.
He does exploit the "religion thing," and he does it well. Check this out:
“Let every one of us make it our priority to bring reconciliation, not so much that we can force it or legislate it, because we cannot, but that we begin in each of our own lives to purpose in our hearts that we will not harbor anger, hostility, prejudice, bigotry and racism toward any person," Arkansas State of the State, 1997.
That was meant in the context of race relations, and I commend him on that. But he said "any person."
So why does he say this...
"There’s never been a civilization that has rewritten what marriage and family means and survived," GQ.
Okay... we know he's not a fan of marriage equality. That's questionable, but that doesn't make him a bigot, right?
"Homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk," 1992.
Ummm... would you like to rethink your statements, some 15 years later?
"Saturday in North Carolina, Huckabee stood his ground and said he believed that homosexuality is sinful and is not normal behavior; that it "is outside the boundaries of man/woman relationship and its tradition of marriage." http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=3974249&page=2
Guess not. So, how to twist it for his supporters? Huckabee's statements were meant in the context of AIDS. After all, it was in the same questionnaire. Well, if so, why is Huckabee mentioning homosexuality in the same vein as HIV?
Because that's what good Christians do. They hide behind the mask of virtue. But they're not bigots, they're just misunderstood.
While we're pondering that, here's a couple of Huckabee gems:
"And the ultimate thing is, I may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night." What exactly does that mean? Holiday Inn Express... foreign policy. The connection? Hmmm... what label is Huckabee mentally applying, if any?
“I was very sick the day of the debate. I had all of the problems with the flu and bronchitis that you have, including running to the bathroom. I was just hanging on. I could not wait until the debate got off so I could go to the bathroom.” –on why he said at a GOP presidential debate that an employer should be allowed to fire gay workers, after previously having blamed a faulty hearing aid for his answer.
Let's be real here: if this guy gets elected, and you aren't a heterosexual Christian...
...you're fucked.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is why we separate church and state.
http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2007
So, I've got some fessing up to do.
I have no earthly idea who I want to gain the Presidency. I know who I don't want: None of the Republicans (save perhaps McCain), and most of the Democrats (save Edwards, Clinton, Kucinich).
Yeah, I named a Republican... because it's fair to do so. I suppose I could deal with McCain.
By the way, folks... those Iowa results mean nothing.
Back to my original thoughts...
Okay, we know Dennis Kucinich isn't going to win. But, I like the man, and he has the nuts to stand up to Cheney. He's also more left than folks can deal with.
I'm also not jumping on the Obama bandwagon. I think the Republicans could eat him for lunch, because of his lack of experience. But guess what? His lack of experience, as I've said before, is a good thing... fewer voting records to hold against him.
So, Hillary or John?
I'm more of a fan of John Edwards, to be honest... because of his aggressive stances against poverty. I hear about the voices for the middle class... but what about the voice for the poor? I'm poor, and I'm very happy Edwards is speaking out for folks in similar situations as myself. I could care less if he spends $1,000 on a haircut. It makes him weird and funny. Now, if that $1,000 was spent illegally... I'd be the first to rip him apart.
I like Hillary because she's tough as nails, and has the political clout to undo much of the mess the 2008 winner will inherit. But I really don't know.
Most likely: it'll be Hillary or Barack. The Republican race is wide-freaking open.
So, corruption and bigotry.
We'll start with the corruption of Mike Huckabee, a surprise candidate coming to us under the guise of wholesome Christian values. Make no mistake: he's just like the rest of them... only he uses Christianity as a weapon.
So, this guy destroys state government files and has questionable management of his campaign funding. Nothing new. The kicker? He sued the "state ethics commission twice and attempted to shut the ethics process down." Hmmm... he sues the guys who uphold moral principals. That's like saying: I stole your car, but it's ok. Jesus told me to do it.
He does exploit the "religion thing," and he does it well. Check this out:
“Let every one of us make it our priority to bring reconciliation, not so much that we can force it or legislate it, because we cannot, but that we begin in each of our own lives to purpose in our hearts that we will not harbor anger, hostility, prejudice, bigotry and racism toward any person," Arkansas State of the State, 1997.
That was meant in the context of race relations, and I commend him on that. But he said "any person."
So why does he say this...
"There’s never been a civilization that has rewritten what marriage and family means and survived," GQ.
Okay... we know he's not a fan of marriage equality. That's questionable, but that doesn't make him a bigot, right?
"Homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk," 1992.
Ummm... would you like to rethink your statements, some 15 years later?
"Saturday in North Carolina, Huckabee stood his ground and said he believed that homosexuality is sinful and is not normal behavior; that it "is outside the boundaries of man/woman relationship and its tradition of marriage." http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=3974249&page=2
Guess not. So, how to twist it for his supporters? Huckabee's statements were meant in the context of AIDS. After all, it was in the same questionnaire. Well, if so, why is Huckabee mentioning homosexuality in the same vein as HIV?
Because that's what good Christians do. They hide behind the mask of virtue. But they're not bigots, they're just misunderstood.
While we're pondering that, here's a couple of Huckabee gems:
"And the ultimate thing is, I may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night." What exactly does that mean? Holiday Inn Express... foreign policy. The connection? Hmmm... what label is Huckabee mentally applying, if any?
“I was very sick the day of the debate. I had all of the problems with the flu and bronchitis that you have, including running to the bathroom. I was just hanging on. I could not wait until the debate got off so I could go to the bathroom.” –on why he said at a GOP presidential debate that an employer should be allowed to fire gay workers, after previously having blamed a faulty hearing aid for his answer.
Let's be real here: if this guy gets elected, and you aren't a heterosexual Christian...
...you're fucked.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is why we separate church and state.
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