Steele - They Love Him, They Love Him Not.

So Michael Steele is having to backtrack again. Remember when his party got their panties in a bunch about his "sea of white faces" comment at their convention? Then recently, he had to apologize for calling Rush Limbaugh's rhetoric "incendiary" and "ugly". Now he's in hot water for saying maybe abortion should be left up to the states, and implying that it's a matter of choice. Mercy. The Repubs had him backtracking so fast on that one, I'm surprised the man didn't trip over his shoelaces.

Watch out Mr. Steele - the far Reich isn't down with that whole marching to a different drummer thing. They prefer a nice uniform lockstep. Like the Borg. No dissension in the ranks.

I really don't see what all the apologizing is about. I mean, come on, Rush Limbaugh is a right-wing radio host. He gets paid to be incendiary. Saying he's incendiary is not an insult, it's a job description. And the Republican convention WAS a sea of white faces. I mean, damn, I'd have been scared to be there, and I'm white.

And states' rights -- aren't the Repubs all about states' rights? Wasn't that whole "war of Northern aggression" thing over states' rights? Well, when it comes to women's bodies, they're apparently not for states' rights. My bad. I guess big government up in your business is OK in that case.

Yeah, I'm pretty disgusted with that slum love comment he threw at Bobby Jindal, and some of the ways he's going about his mission of Republican change make me cringe, but I have to admit, I feel for the man. The Repubs are just salivating all over themselves, they can't wait for him to fail. They are on his ass like, well, white on rice.

I'm sure Steele knows what's up. Whether he can say so publicly or not, he's got to know the Repubs didn't give a good goddamn about diversity in the ranks until they saw the Dem candidates for president. Then all of a sudden, up they pop with Palin, Jindal, and Steele.

Kumbaya, y'all.

I think Steele genuinely does want to bring change to the Right. Granted, his methods are odd, but let's face it, ANY way the Right tries to bring hip hop to the ranks is going to seem odd as hell, right? I don't agree with most of his views -- hello, Republican -- but I can see that he sees his party imploding. He sees they need to branch the hell out, quit letting the wingnut evangelicals run the joint, bring in the young people. Balance out the old white men. So he's trying to make change to save his party, poor guy.

Problem is, the GOP doesn't really want to change. They know they need to -- thus their new shining stars -- but they don't want to. They don't want Steele to actually do anything different. They just want him to stand there, look diverse, and do what the hell they tell him to do.

Gee, Michael, we didn't expect you to take this Change thing seriously! Stop fooling around and get in step!

So as much as I'm delighting in the ongoing right wing implosion, I'm thinking what they're doing with Michael is pretty fucked up. They put him in place to illustrate change, but that's all they wanted to do - illustrate it. Once they saw him taking it seriously, using his position of power to do things differently, they got nervous. Now they're circling like sharks, waiting for him to step too far out of line, and at that point, it's win-win for them: they get that cookie for hiring the Black guy, without actually having to deal with him being in power. They can say it's not their fault. They tried, but gee, he just wasn't up to the task. The unspoken message being, of course, those people just aren't up to the task. Which allows the good ol' boys to get back to normal. I can see them now, mopping their brows with their handkerchiefs, "Whew! That was close! I thought he was one of the good ones, too!"

I'm no more a fan of Mr. Steele than I am any other right winger, but I hope he hangs tough. Either way, his party is pretty much in the toilet for the forseeable future. Come on, Mr. Steele, look around. Those old white dudes are basically pushing you out on a plank. If you decide to jump ship and come to Blue side, let us know.

Steele Yourself for Some Slum Love.

(The last of the drafts from my sick day. It's outdated now, but what the hell, it's a post.)

So, did you all catch Michael Steele, newly minted chairman of the Republican National Committee yukking it up with a white conservative talking head about giving Bobby Jindal some "slum love"?

Curtis Sliwa: Now, using a little bit of that street terminology, are you giving him any Slum love, Michael?

Michael Steele: (laughter)

Curtis Sliwa: Because he is -- when guys look at him and young women look at him -- they say oh, that's the slumdog millionaire, governor. So, give me some slum love.

Michael Steele: I love it. (inaudible)...some slum love out to my buddy, Gov. Bobby Jindal is doing a friggin' awesome job in his state. He's really turned around on some core principles -- like hey, government ought not be corrupt.

WTF, Michael? You think that's acceptable? You think that's funny? Why would you not call his ass on that? What kind of message is that to send out to a national audience?

Sadly, there's more. Click on the link up there to catch Steele's comments about Obama having bling-bling in the stimulus package, Sliwa imagining Mitt Romney high-fiving Ludacris, offering to play Jay-Z while Steele exits, and more condescending banter.

I find it hard to believe that Michael Steele didn't recognize what Sliwa was doing - almost every word out of Sliwa's mouth was that patronizing crap White folks do when they want to show they're Down With Diversity. Here's the thing, it's good to see Republican POCs in leadership positions within their party, but if the Republican party will only choose those who tout the far-right party line, people who are safe, who will laugh this kind of racist bullshit off -- who will participate in it rather than call it out -- I don't know. I mean, congrats on your new position and all, Mr. Steele, but I'm thinking that in some ways, you're doing more harm than good.

I've written before about the difference I've seen in my son since President Obama's election. I would like for my son to see POCs in leadership positions across party lines. It's healthy to hear differing opinions, apply those critical thinking skills. What's not healthy is for young people of color to see the results of internalized racial oppression played out on a national stage like it's comedy hour or something. What's not healthy is for young white kids to see the flip side of that and get a nice confirmation for their internalized racial superiority that they're probably not even aware of.

How many Indian kids in our high schools and middle schools are catching slumdog jokes this week? Do you feel OK perpetuating that, Michael Steele? Participating in it?

I've heard a lot of talk about how we're now in a post-racial society. Really? Because I'm having more conversations than ever with my son about all of these things. Seems like every time I turn on the news, something else needs to be addressed: the RNC's Magic Negro Christmas CD, the infamous Post cartoon, the backlash to AG Holder's "nation of cowards" speech, Miley Cyrus' I-wasn't-mocking-Asians bullshit, Michelle Bachman's "you be da man" gushing to Michael Steele, the slum love thing ... just to name a few.

Basically, that slum love situation sends a message to young people of color that you'd better step in line, ignore racism, even participate in racist jokes if you want to get anywhere, at least on the conservative side of the house. And you'd best suppress any pain or anger or resentment -- laugh that shit off, because hey, you know we're just joking, buddy. You know we don't mean you. Golly, we don't even think of you as Black! We don't even see color!

Well I'm sorry, but that interview was bullshit. And yes, I know it's easy for me to pontificate from my couch, to criticize, when I'll never have to live Steele's reality as a man of color. Fair enough. But when my son sees Michael Steele laughing with some White conservative hack about Bobby Jindal being a slumdog millionaire governor, my son needs to know that is not OK.

I've a feeling this is just the beginning of a long line of fucked up racist situations to be paraded across our nightly news, as the Repubs get Down With Diversity. Lately, I feel like it's all I can do to keep up, and honestly, you're making my job harder, Michael Steele.

I understand that arming my son with the knowledge to recognize and work against systemic racism is my responsiblity, not yours, but damn, I sure wish he could've seen YOU call it out, Mr. Steele. We expect that stuff from the Rush Limbaughs and the Curtis Sliwas out there, but having to battle against your example with my son ... that's something else altogether. It matters.

Bobby, You're Doin' a Heckuva Job!

Stardate: Monday, March 2nd. Cowbell's Log: Male Offspring is home from school now, but (shh) hasn't taken his computer back yet. I'm assuming this means he doesn't have any homework, not that he isn't doing his homework.

So I'm blogging. I know, I just blogged this morning. Crazy, right? It's almost like having a computer again. I feel like one of those monkeys with unlimited access to cocaine who keep pushing the button until they're coked out. Pace myself, I know. I'm saving this one and another as drafts to publish later. Dole it out. Make it last.

Guys, there have been so many things I've wanted to blog about. When I do get some time, it's hard to write about anything serious, because I know I'll only have the computer for a limited time. Pressure. Like a timed test, but without the number 2 pencil. Of course, now that I have a computer in front me, my mind is a complete blank, but trust me, there's a lot I wanted to blog about. The Inauguration, for one. OK, never mind, too much pressure to put THAT into words. Male Offspring will be here any minute. What else?

Oh, I know.


Fast forward to President Obama's speech last week. How good does it feel to have a competent leader at the helm? And how good does it feel to watch my son watching the President's speech? Every time the man speaks, Male Offspring is right there. He watches the news more now, too. Discusses issues. Ask questions. Talks about his opinions. Says his President rocks. To those folks who "just don't see color", and think it doesn't matter if a role model is green, purple or polka-dot ... it matters. It matters a lot.

So the son and I watch the speech. Then comes the Republican response. People ... what the hell was that? I'm sorry, but Bobby Jindal looked like one of those dolls where you pull a string and he talks. I think they wound his string too tight.

You know how, when people are on stage -- singing, speaking, playing violin, whatever -- and it's so bad that you're embarrassed for them? It was like that. It reminded me of high school, when Scott Fitzgerald sang I Got Rhythm at the spring concert. Except he didn't. Have rhythm, that is. Sweet boy, but ... no. It was excruciating. I remember squirming, watching him stiffly snapping his fingers off the beat while singing at the floor, his voice occasionally cracking. God, I wanted to disappear in a hole for him.

Bobby Jindal was about like that, on the stiff and awkward scale. I kept waiting for someone to use his tie like one of those big stage hooks, and reel him off stage.

He started off like he was in some weird "who's the most ethnic" contest or something. Did you all catch that? He's all like, oh yeah, keep your Hawaii and Indonesia and Kenyan father -- MY parents were immigrants! My mom was 4 months pregnant with me when we got here, so I was like a pre-existing condition! [stretch lips over teeth, force chuckle, hold for 2 beats]

Really? So ... in the Republican response, you not only want to bring up immigration, but immigrants entering the country shortly before giving birth to a child who will then be an American citizen, via the US health care system? Look dude, maybe nobody briefed you, but your party is against immigration. And immigrants having babies here. And immigrants having access to health care. Yeah, it's kind of a major party platform. So ... where were you going with that? And the Hurricane Katrina bit? Whose brainchild was that? Psst, Bobby: your party blew the whole Katrina thing. Bad. It's true. You guys were basically a laughingstock. Not sure where you were going with that one, either.

So I'm sitting there asking, where's the response? He's supposed to be responding to the President's speech. Did he even listen to the President's speech? Did no one forward them a transcript? Did his staff set him up? Because really, there's a bit of a disconnect here.

Male Offspring didn't respond to my questions right away. He was sort of entranced, mouth half-open, brows furrowed. I think the tie hypnotized him.

I really was expecting more. This is the great hope of the Republican party? If he and Sarah Youbetcha Palin are the rising stars ... oh hell yeah, we've got our 8 years in the bag. Bobby you're doin' a heckuva job!

Double-Oh-Bama

I don't know how I'm going to get through the next eight (yes, I said eight) years. Everything I see and hear about the new First Family makes me either tear up or smile so big I'm in danger of losing my cynical status. The whole First Dog story? With my rescue mutts sitting here beside me? Please. Water works. What school will the girls attend? Grandma moving in for family support? The little girls living in the bedrooms that the Kennedy children lived in? All of it brings about much sniffling and wiping of the eyes, accompanied by the requisite, "Aaaww". Pass the syrup. Goodlord, I'm worse than a 10-year-old at a Hannah Montana autograph session. To wit:

The Secret Service has assigned code names to the new First Family:

President-elect Barack Obama: RenegadeFuture First Lady, Michelle Obama: RenaissanceMalia Obama: RadianceSasha Obama: Rosebud

Yes, the Secret Service code names turned Cowbell a bit misty. Yeah, yeah, I said it was bad. But come on, is that not perfect? Radiance? Rosebud? For those precious little girls? And Renaissance for one of the classiest first ladies we'll ever hope to see in the White House? And both mom and dad's names bring to mind their overarching theme, change. So yeah, what of it if I get emotional over code names? 

They've also assigned the VP and ... Second Lady? Is that the term?

Vice President-elect Joe Biden: Celtic

Jill Biden: Capri

Those are nice, too, aren't they? Didn't make me tear up, but they did make me smile. (It will, however, annoy the hell out of me to hear people pronouncing it "Seltic". You know, after the basketball team.) Compare and contrast to the names for the outgoing couple:

Dubya: Tumbler

Laura Bush: Tempo

Dick Cheney: Angler

Tumbler? Angler? Boy they do tend to get it right with these names, don't they? And Tempo, well, she did try to keep him in balance, bless her heart. Wonder what the code names would've been had McPalin won? Come on, too easy: Maverick and Mavericker.

President-Elect Obama. What It Means.

I just like saying that. I still can't say it without my throat closing up a little bit. Yes, We Did, and all that. I have so much to say about this historic event, yet I can't seem to write anything of import.

It's too big, too much. I can't make it fit into words. And I kind of don't want to. Maybe later, but right now, the thought of trying to express what this means to me, to my children, let alone the country, Black America, the world ... I can't fit it into words yet. Not really. I mean, I can write this post about how wonderful it is, where I was that night, how I felt, but the bigger picture? How to express that?

When it was announced, all the stress and adrenaline I'd apparently been holding for months just fell away. Like I'd imagine a body would feel after running a marathon. I could not get a hold of myself. It was too big to fit into feelings, let alone words. It hasn't completely sunk in. I still find myself on the verge of tears, just hearing bits of the speech on the radio, or looking at pictures online, the faces of people's reactions -- Jesse Jackson, ohmygod, did you all see Jesse? What this must mean to him and Andrew Young and all the people who were there during the civil rights years ... I can't even think about that without my heart feeling off beat.

I was on the phone with the Bohemian when it was announced. The networks were counting down the seconds to release the Western states' numbers. We were wondering how long we'd have to wait, contemplating (cynically) whether there would be vote tampering, whether there would be problems, when all of a sudden my phone erupted in my ear, exploded, as the students at Howard University reacted to the news that Barack Obama would be the next president of the United States. At that moment it flashed across the TV: Barack Obama, projected winner. It happened so fast -- it took a few moments for either of us to realize it was real.

Hearing those Howard students, even just over the phone, had me laughing and crying at once. I will never forget that. The Bohemian said people were pouring outside, literally dancing in the streets.

Then Teen Demon called, Teen Demon who is not given to exuberant displays of emotion, called laughing and shouting and so happy, caught up in a student mob that was parading around campus and through surrounding neighborhoods. Later she sent me a video of students breaking into an impromptu version of the Star Spangled Banner. As a former soldier, that song still gets to me anyway, but to hear young people spontaneously singing on their own, reacting to the election of the first African American president; that means a lot more than hearing it at a sporting event or a parade. It meant something.

Male Offspring was at an election party at the high school with the debate team, and when I picked him up, he was practically bouncing out of his shoes, said he needed something to focus him (of course, he was referring to driving us home) because he was so hyped up from the excitement. Hugging him, I could only think about President-Elect Obama's mother and grandmother, how proud they would be, and how their son/grandson has made the future a different place for my son.

Earlier that night, I had been a little sad that we'd all be in separate places, but then I thought about how this election was so much about the young people this time, and I wanted my kids to have that memory, to experience this in crowds of young people who helped make this happen and who are our future. What I heard in my daughters' voices that night, what I saw in my son's face, means more than I can explain. It is too big to fit into words.

You go, President-Elect Obama. I'm proud and honored to have you as my president.

The Countdown Continues

You would think that I'd be posting more than ever right now, with all the current political goings-on. You would think the past few months would've provided enough fodder for non-stop bitching up in here. A rant a day. No. This whole Grampy McSame and his hypocrite Barbie-girl sidekick is just more than I can stomach. Every time I think about getting a good old Cowbell rant on, my heart threatens palpitations at the mere thought of Team McFreak running this country. Because you know after they're sworn in, she'd be slippin' him some poison also, and end up being Mayor in Chief of the whole goshdurn country, just leadin' the good people of this great land, also.

If I hear ALSO come out of her empty head one more time, I'm going to pull my hair out, also.

The hypocrisy is just amazing. All of it, the big issues, the scandals, the little dramas. Just today I was amazed that after all the Right's shrieking to LEAVE THE KIDS OUT OF IT, Palin admitted dressing her youngest daughter, Piper, in a Philadelphia Flyers jersey, and bringing her out on the ice to "drop the puck" for the start of the team's season, in order to quell the expected booing from the crowd.

But what I thought I’d do is I’d put Piper in a Flyers jersey, bring her out with me. How dare they boo Piper!

What? I guess using your little kid as a political prop is OK when it benefits you. But don't bring it up, Dems! The kids are off-limits! And yeah, the crowd still booed. No tomatoes though.

I don't often have occasion to use the words flabbergasted or aghast, but the past few weeks have found me existing in a constant state of flabbergastedness. Like when the good Guv'nuh says she's so happy that the Tasergate (Yeah, that's Troopergate for the rest of the world) investigation cleared her of all legal wrongdoing. Whaa...? That's what she got out of it? What about her schtick of reforming and changing politics as usual? What about not understanding how those Washington Insiders do things? What about ETHICS?

Sometimes I even wake up aghast in the middle of the night, with questions such as, "Did they really say that Obama is putting personal ambition ahead of the country? Seriously?" Listen honey, take a look in the mirror, mmm-kay? Or, "Are they really saying Obama is going to screw me on taxes, when they want to tax my health care benefits?" Yeah, that'll help Joe Six Pack, tax his health care benefits. IF he has health care benefits, that is. Or how about this bit about the Right now crying about voter fraud -- WTF? I'm sorry, did you guys miss what was happening on YOUR end during the last two elections? Ohio? Florida? Hypocrites!

I think the McCain campaign strategy is to line up their own fuck-ups and shortcomings on a sheet of paper each day, then cross out their own names and write in "Obama". It's ridiculous.

Every time they come out with more bullshit, I'm left thinking, "Wait, wasn't it THEM who did that shit, not Obama?" I mean, come on, the Troopergate investigation -- which, in my mind, is between the people of Alaska and their governor so the McCain campaign needs to butt the hell out -- finds that she abused power, McCain's got that whole Keating 5 deal in his closet, McCain fucked around on his first wife after she became disabled and gained weight from an accident and ended up marrying his mistress who just happens to be an heiress who could finance his political campaigns ... and they want to trot out character? Seriously? They screech about the Troopergate investigation being "partisan and unfair" (even though the Legislative Council had 10 Republicans to 4 Democrats), but then they turn around and drag out this tired Ayers story a month before the election, and they don't see THAT as "politically motivated", they don't see that as a "smear tactic"? Hypocrites.

The whole thing is just crazy. And this new bit about their rally crowds turning all scary ala the old school lynch mobs or Nazi crowds ... all joking aside, that's frightening. I mean really. Things have turned an ugly corner. They are squealing about terrorism and stirring up their base with the fear stick -- you know, kind of like the Bush administration did over those non-existent Weapons of Mass Destruction that turned out to be a LIE. They know exactly what they're doing, also. They know how to push the buttons of that crowd, and they were very skillful at doing it while simultaneously disavowing the inevitable responses.

They are deliberately creating an us-them dynamic, and not based on issues, based on who we are. Patriot or not. And if not, you're probably a terrorist. Not a real American. "He doesn't think like we do." We? Who's "we", Sarah? If you're not with us, you're agin' us. Sound familiar?

This wide-eyed surprise at their crowds' ugly responses is phony. This line about "we don't condone those statements" and how the campaign may have gotten a bit out of control, but John McCain himself didn't know anything about it is straight up bullshit. For one thing, these aren't amateurs here, people, these are professionals, campaign experts hired to do a job, they know exactly the effect it would have on the racist, uber-religious FOX-news following portion of their base. And as far it being the campaign and not McCain himself? Bullshit. Who's in charge over there? Is this how McCain would handle the presidency? "Oh, damn, I didn't know Palin was going to invade Pakistan ... she must've gotten a little enthusiastic there, and things got a bit out of control, but my friends, I didn't personally know anything about this, and I don't condone this action".

Oh, well, it's ok then, if he says he didn't know about it.

And do not even try to sell me on this newest thing where McCain "defends Obama", brought on by some ignorant woman at his rally who said she couldn't trust Obama because he's "an Arab". McCain corrected her by saying no ma'am, in fact, Obama is "a decent family man", not an Arab. WTF? So ... what, Arabs aren't decent family men? The crowed booed him even for that lame-ass veiled statement. So he gets the best of both worlds. He gets the press saying he took the high road to defend Obama, but his crowd stays riled up, secure in the notion that Arabs are not decent family men.

Oh, and he only rose to this defense after days of him and Palin blatantly ignoring the frenzied shouts of Terrorist! and Kill him! and Off with his head! in their rallies. No, that was fine and dandy until their polls started sliding even faster, then all of a sudden they needed to rein in their supporters. Not impressed -- you correct that shit because it's wrong, not because your ratings are falling. Hypocrite.


Anyway, as you can see by this long-winded diatribe, I can't even write coherently about this, in fact, I can't take time to write about it much at all, because I"m spending what little online time I have checking every available source to see what's going on with this mess of an election. I'll be glad when it's over.

Plus, I'm having major internet problems the past few weeks, and don't have time to find out what the hell is wrong with Comcast this time. My connection drops like every 15 minutes. Bastards.

Too lazy to link, but you all get on the Googles and read about the latest PalinGate story -- looks like there may have been some impropriety and campaign kickbacks and links to the infamous Wasilla Sports complex with ... the building of her house. That's right folks, the scandals just don't stop in Palin Land. Check out Mudflats or the Village Voice or Daily Kos, it's starting to make the rounds ... it would be nice if they could uncover some facts before the election, but you know the McCain Campaign will be up there scrubbing everything.

Well, I've got a test to study for, still need to run to Costco, get gas, do laundry, and I'm still working fairly long hours (but that's getting better), have mega meetings with my advocacy group, the city and the commission, but that should slow down somewhat too. And you all know the Rainy Season cometh to this part of the globe, so of course at that time I will be holed up in This Old Motherfucking House with my computer and will return to the blog world with much more regularity.

I'm not proofreading. Less than a month to go ... VOTE.

The Real Sarah Palin, Straight From the Alaskan Mudflats

Hey all -- yes, I'm still alive and kicking. No, I have not given up blogging, despite evidence to the contrary. Very quick and dirty:

• Teen Demon is leaving for college soon
• This Old MF'in House needs A NEW ROOF (yes, I'm serious)
• I got a new position at work, and have been absolutely swamped with the transition (no, it will not even come close to paying for the roof)
• I am now officially Commissioner Cowbell

So, some good, some bad, but with all the everyday-life things added, I just haven't had time for beans, let alone blogging. How Sarah Palin would have time to wipe her ass as VP, I have no idea. Maybe her nanny would take on that duty, whilst a-wiping little Trig's ass, or she'd just have an Official Ass Wiper on staff.

Anyway, I am dropping in here today to exhort you to immediately check out an Alaskan blog that has been one step ahead of the media, and right on time with accurate info. Maybe you all have already found it -- I haven't made the rounds at all, so my apologies if you all have already jumped on this train.

The Right is falling down at this woman's feet as if she were the Second Coming. I've been researching the hell out of her, and she scares the bejeezus out of me. If the Right would actually look into her a bit, instead of fawning and drooling based solely on the fact that they're so goddamned relieved to have someone with a little spunk and personality to prop up Corpse McCain, they'd be scared as well.

Click, read: Mudflats

Check it out. Very reasoned, fair, informed and accurate writing.

Looks like Ms. Lipstick finally agreed to an interview, under the mounting pressure to come out from behind Grandaddy McCain's skirts. 'Bout damn time. I read a comment online somewhere that I wish I could take credit for -- something to the effect of the Pit Bull turning out to be more of a cowering Chihuahua, when it comes to the press. Lipstick still kicks ass, though, I'll give her that.

I have already written Charlie Gibson, asking him to please hit hard on this interview, and not softball it.

Wake up, Americans -- the Right is trying like hell to cut the brake lines on this hand basket ...

FOX Noise: Lincoln-Douglass Debates

I'm a bit late to this party, as it's already out on the Internets, and our man Keith Olberman already busted this out on the airwaves, but it was too good to pass up.

You all remember when Hillary Clinton challenged Barack Obama to some good old fashioned, unmoderated, Lincoln-Douglas style debating? Now, I assumed she was referring to this:

The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of 7 political debates that took place across Illinois in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and his opponent, Stephen A. Douglas, in the race for an Illinois seat in the US Senate.

Apparently, the folks at FAUX News were a mite confused at the Douglas part of that deal, as seen in their "reporting" of Senator Clinton's suggestion:

This is the split-screen from the FOX version:





Oh yes they did.

The Douglass to which they referred, of course, is Frederick Douglass -- abolitionist, author, lecturer, newspaper publisher, international traveler, former slave. Black man.




And here on the right, we have Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln's opponent in the aforementioned debates. Senator, pro-slavery politician, racist, unsuccessful presidential contender. White man.

Different guys. Different beliefs. Different locations. Different jobs.

Hey FOX, I'm pretty sure Stephen is your man.

Of course, this begs the question: are the folks at FOX really that ignorant? Did they seriously think that Lincoln debated Frederick Douglass in a series of debates that focused largely on the issue of slavery? Did they really not know the difference between these 2 radically different men? Did they simply not pay attention? Not catch it?

Or, some proffer, did they do it on purpose?

Neither would surprise me. Lord knows that the "history" taught in our schools is Eurocentric and leaves a whole lot of information out. I can certainly believe a future FOXer could make it to graduation without having more than a vague recollection of Frederick Douglass's name. On the other hand, I can also believe they'd pull that shit on purpose.

I just continue to marvel at the fact that the conservatives expect people to take FOX seriously as a news source.

Sleep is for Pansies

I keep thinking I'm going to have time to update. Also, monkeys could fly out of my ass. So here's the quick and dirty run down. Probably more dirty than quick. (No, RG, it does not involve a lascivious tryst.)

Things with my advocacy group are snowballing -- so much so that I will not be using the name of the group in this blog, lest my secret identity be outed to the locals who've been asking the Googles about us. Not just the locals, actually, as we're garnering notice in ever widening circles. Apparently our work has been creating a buzz in the surrounding school districts. This was news to us. Anyway, it's like these lines we've cast out are suddenly all being reeled in at once. Exciting, but tiring.

So we got invited to present at the county N@@CP meeting, which surprised us, but not as much as the invitation to have dinner beforehand with Dr. NameWithheld (Googlers), one of the state superintendents, and the keynote speaker. Best come up with another PowerPoint, wheee.

Every surrounding school district had sent their brass to the meeting. (You could pick most of them out ... the white guys in suits.) We got a lot of positive comments afterward, even from the aforementioned brass, so I'm hopeful about that.

Before the meeting ended, the governor's appointee to the State Commission on Hisp@nic Affairs took the microphone and said, "Ladies get ready for your phone to start ringing, because I will be using you as model ... at the state level,"

What?

Dr. NameWithheld spent a lot of time talking with us at dinner and after the meeting, gave us a lot of good insights, and said he would also be using us a model.

Not long afterward, he called our superintendent to "congratulate him on the wonderful work" happening in our district. Our super was apparently quite "honored" to be working with us. I just bet he was, with Dr. NameWithheld on the line!

Also, we later received an invitation from him to apply for a state committee working to set standards for alternative assessments to the W@SL. That is the statewide standardized test, now required to graduate, put in place and driven by our boy GeeDubya's No Child Left Behind act, so you can imagine how effective and beloved it is. Anyway, there are all kinds of issues there, but it's really important that there be people on the committee representing the perspective of diverse students.

So, two of us applied, and will be in Olympia most of next week at the invitation of Dr. NameWithheld. The second-best part? There is an honorarium, a decent one, plus all expenses, so for the first time I'll be paid in dollars as well as the intangible payoffs for doing this work. (Also makes it worth using the vacation days.)

One thing I'm really excited about is that we are working with our district, surrounding districts, and community organizations to bring this to our county for the first time ever.

Anyway, the group has been taking up so much of our time, but we're making contacts and things are really starting to grow.



Also, tomorrow is Caucus Day. No, I have not moved to Pennsylvania, tomorrow is the day that WA state Dem delegates will continue the process of moving Barack Obama into the White House. No, I'm not being presumptuous -- Sen. Obama took every single county in the state, so WA's role will indeed be assisting him to that end.

I've made a decision the past couple of weeks though; I'm not going to be gunning for a slot at the National Convention. I'd been committed to fundraising and shameless self promotion, anything to be part of that history, but I've had to rethink things. As a good friend said recently, there are millions of people across the country helping Sen. Obama, but only four of us steering this advocacy group, and it's really starting to take hold. The students in our district need this work, and there aren't millions out there volunteering for them or sending in huge amounts of fundage, I'll tell you that right now.

But you know, Barack Obama himself feels very strongly about community organizing, and his history of community work is one reason I believe so strongly in him. So, tomorrow's the end of the glory road.



Also, Male Offspring and Teen Demon purchased Guitar Hero, so my house is filled with the strains of "rocking out". A far cry from the days of the Bohemian's Chopin filling the house, but hey, I'm flexible. Slow Ride is my song. I'm pretty sure it's the easiest one. Even so, my rockometer sometimes dips into the red. The other night we had nine teenagers in the house "rocking out" and watching teen movies. Yes, actually, Teen Demon did clean her room for the first time in over a year so that she can have people over. It took many days, but she did it. Don't worry, I have before pics. Anyway, every mother loves quality time with her kids, right, but while phrase, "Hey, why don't you come rock out with me for a while?" may be music to my ears, my attempts on the "guitar" are not.


So, between the group, home, Guitar Hero, and the end of the fiscal year at work fast approaching, things are feeling as though they're bordering on the insane, not to mention a bit out of control. It's a good kind of out of control, though.

It's like my life has two modes of operation:
Mode 1) Ain't Shit Going On
Mode 2) I Need a Clone
I am currently in Mode 2.*


So next week I'll be in Olympia. Not sure what the WiFi situation will be. Also, I will be operating via The Brick, my ancient laptop, rather than Teen Demon's speedy machine of several tech generations later, so who knows how that will go. It's got one of those removable external WiFi cards. I'm surprised I don't have to carry a modem for the damned thing.

Time to grab three hours of sleep before the alarm goes off. I'm going to need an IV caffeine drip.


---------------------
*Disclaimer: Issues with This Old Motherfucking House can crop up in either mode. Ain't Shit Going On refers to the social and professional aspects of my life, and trust me, TOMFH can pop up with an exploding oven while I'm experiencing a dearth of activity in social and professional arenas.

Geraldine Ferraro: Obama's Lucky He's Black.

I just couldn't let this one go, now could I? Geraldine Ferraro, former congresswoman, former vice-presidential nominee, and staunch Clinton supporter, had this to say about Barack Obama's incredible run for the White House:

If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.

What? Did she really just throw that card down? You'd think Kellyanne Conway was her new BFF or something, slinging that kind of talk around.

So, if Barack Obama is so lucky, in this election process, to be Black, why is he the first to really have a shot? To say that he wouldn't be there if he were a White man ... I'm sorry, it's ludicrous. What, do you mean like the 40+ presidents who came before? You mean those White men?

Every previous president of this country came up through a system set up by White people, for the benefit of White people. Our own friggin' FUBU, y'all, For Us, By Us. A system built with free Black labor and free Native American land, a system purposely built for the advantage of some, and the disadvantage of others.

A system which mightily resists change.

It's not easy to become president, even with that system in your pocket. It's a lot of work, and a hell of a longshot. But let's be clear: every single president of this country had the support of that system working for him. That's why every single president of this country has been White, and that's why every single president of this country has been a man.

There's a reason for it, people, it didn't happen by chance. That's how it was supposed to be, and that's how it has been.

Until now.

Neither one of our candidates would be where they are if they were White males, you got that right, Geraldine. Had Hillary been issued the penis, she may have been President before Bill. And if Obama were White, as Ferraro suggests, he may already have the nomination.

Hell, had Ferraro been male, maybe she'd have been president years ago. Ever think of that, Geraldine?

------------------------------------
UPDATE:

And Ferraro's response:

Any time anybody does anything that in any way pulls this campaign down and says let's address reality and the problems we're facing in this world, you're accused of being racist, so you have to shut up.

Racism works in two different directions. I really think they're attacking me because I'm white. How's that?

Are you kidding me? I've got nothing.

No Means No, Hillary.

Barack Obama, on the Clintons' repeated hints that he settle for VP:

I've won twice as many states as Senator Clinton. I've won more of the popular vote than Senator Clinton. I have more delegates than Senator Clinton. I don't know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who is first place.

I don't want anybody here thinking that somehow, 'Well, you know, maybe I can get both.' Don't think that way.

... in fact, this kind of gamesmanship — talking about me as vice president, but 'maybe he’s not ready for commander in chief' — that’s exactly the kind of double-speak, double-talk that Washington is very good at.

If I'm not ready ... how is it that you think I should be such a great vice president?

No means no, Hillary. Have some pride; quit stalking the man.

Kellyanne Trips to the Back of the Bus

Did anyone else catch Larry King Live tonight? Larry's subject this evening was "Campaign Clash". Republicans against Democrats. I fixed a snack and settled in for a good round of political fisticuffs. One of his guests was Kellyanne Conway, Republican strategist and CEO of the Polling Company.

I just heard Kellyanne say this, live,

This is what [John McCain] is doing behind the scenes now while Hillary and Obama argue about whether she should let him sit on the back of the bus of her presidential ticket, or he argues whether or not she lied us into war in 2002.

Oh, yes, she did.

And then had the nerve to act like she had no idea what the problem was, while she continued gnawing on her foot. Like a fox caught in a trap.

Jamal Simmons, cool-headed Democratic strategist and an Obama supporter, handled it beautifully, calling her out on her gaffe, clarifying that the remark had absolutely no connection to the Clinton campaign, and settling back to watch her try to extricate that foot. But here, check out the transcript for yourselves. (emphasis mine)

SIMMONS: Larry, we have to address that. We have to address that. This back of the bus comment is beyond the pale. I think Senator Clinton, whatever our disagreements are between the two candidates, Senator Clinton has never done or said anything that would imply that she would rather have Barack Obama sitting in the back of her campaign bus.

CONWAY: No, as VP. You aren't paying attention.

SIMMONS: No, you are not speaking clearly, because that's out of line.

CONWAY: No, she doesn't want him to be the first Black president. She wants him to be her VP. She said that this week. She would consider putting him on her ticket, but I guess he wouldn't consider putting her on his ticket, would he?

KING: Did you use the term back of the bus?

CONWAY: I did. I just said ---

KING: Meaning?

CONWAY: Meaning that she wants --- she has said she would have Barack Obama as her VP. Thereby she is denying something that many Republicans are not denying, that Barack Obama has a very strong chance of becoming this country's first Black president, that someone like me respects.

SIMMONS: We can move along. I was there for a lot of Bill Clinton and Al Gore's time and Al Gore never sat in the back of the bus.

Go on, Mr. Simmons. Call it out.

Now, if Ms. Conway's back of the bus comment truly had no racial context, why then, does she proceed to bring up race -- twice? I'm sorry, but there is a world of difference between saying that Clinton doesn't want Obama "to be the first Black president", and saying Clinton doesn't want anyone to become president but her, right?

What did Black have to do with anything? No one brought that up, Kellyanne.

Careful, honey; your slip is showing, and it's cut on the bias.

And that entire last comment of hers ... where do I even start? She says that Clinton "would have him as her VP", and that this somehow means Clinton is denying what Republicans are willing to face, which is that Obama could become the first Black president.

What?

First off, that's not accurate. Clinton has not said that. Second, even if she had said she wants him as VP, how does it follow that she's denying anything? And third -- again -- what's Black got to do with it? That was not part of the conversation until you brought it in, Kellyanne.

But hey, at least she pointed out that the first Black president would be a person whom "someone like her respects". Points to Kellyanne!



But here's something really interesting. Turns out that Conway is the coauthor of the book, What Women Really Want: How American Women Are Quietly Erasing Political, Racial, Class, and Religious Lines to Change the Way We Live.

Really? Because it didn't seem like she was erasing political or racial lines tonight. It would stand to reason, seeing as how Conway has literally written the book on erasing racial lines, we could expect her to have some inkling of the historical context around the phrase she used tonight.

Of course she did. She knew exactly what she'd said as soon as it fell out of her mouth.

In fact, Conway has been involved in sensitive discussions regarding her party's need to tread carefully around the areas of race and gender. She sure has. Seems the upper echelon of the GOP is quietly setting acceptable sparring guidelines for this election, seeing as how the good ol' boys' club has now been infiltrated. They've even come up with a benign term for the unseemly racist/sexist language they're desperate to avoid: undisciplined messaging.* Not easy, I suppose, when you're used to saying whatever the hell you want. Ms. Kellyanne had this to say just a few short months ago:

Republicans will need to exercise less deafness and more deftness in dealing with a different looking candidate, whether it is a woman or a Black man. But at the same time, really charge back at any insinuation or accusation of sexism or racism.

You can’t allow the party to be Macaca'ed. I think the standards are higher and the bar is lower for the Republican Party.

~Kellyanne Conway, Nov. 2007

Well what do you know. She's not so adept at following her own advice, is she? Seems Conway slipped into a bit of undisciplined messaging herself this evening. Oops.

I call bullshit. This was a shrewd but blatant attempt to attribute GOP racist rhetoric to the Clinton campaign, in hopes that it will stick and stir up further division and discord between the two democratic camps. The poo-flinging didn't work, Kellyanne, you got called out on it and were left with shit stuck to your hand.

I do agree with her on one count: that bar is hanging mighty low for the Republican party.


*David Paul Kuhn, Politico

And So, Once Again...

“My heart is broken in the face of the stupidity of my species. I can’t cry about it. In a way I’m inoculated." ~Joni Mitchell

-----------

Joni wrote this piece in 1969, as a "friend of America" during the Vietnam era. Now, just shy of 40 years later, the words are, almost eerily, still relevant.

This is an a cappella piece; I've always liked it. Nothing but her pure voice and the lyrics, which somehow punctuates the gravity of the message itself. The musical intervals aren't what you'd expect, and it's no cakewalk to sing a piece like this sans instrumentation. But, she's Joni.

I hope you'll give it a listen. Lots of Joni's songs transcend time, but this piece is particularly fitting in today's political climate.




The Fiddle and The Drum - Joni Mitchell

I guess Joni realized just how relevant this piece is, in current times. Last year she collaborated with the Alberta Ballet on The Fiddle and The Drum, a project in which ballet dancers perform to her music, against a backdrop of her art. The theme has to do with the warring nature of humans, and how we're affecting the earth.

Ralph Nader: Always a Bridesmaid ...

NOOOOOOOOO! I was woken this morning by my radio, spewing the news that Ralph Nader is running for the presidency. For the fifth time. The fifth time! Dude is 3 years older than Grandpa McCain.

Of course, Republicans are thrilled. As always.

Gary Markstein 2004

In fact, this is how thrilled the Republicans were the last time Ralph threw his hat into the ring:

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader's quixotic presidential campaign says it submitted about 5,400 signatures to get on the Michigan ballot, far short of the required number of 30,000.

Luckily for him, approximately 43,000 signatures were filed by Michigan Republicans on his behalf, more than meeting the requirement.
--ABC News, 2004

What? I'm sorry, but when Republicans are signing the guy's petition in greater numbers than his own supporters, when Republicans want this Lefty on the ballot that ballot that badly ... his candidacy probably is not a good bet for the progressive movement, mmm-kay?

Of course we all remember the disputed lore of the 97,000+ Florida votes that went to Nader in 2000, and how that, combined with the Republican election fraud fuckery, cost Gore Florida, which cost ... well, you know the rest.

For want of a battle ...

Funny part of that story is, Nader never had a chance, and he knew that, but his petulant insistence on playing with the big boys may have cost the country the chance to have the Greenest president ever. But hey, at least he had his 15 minutes.

This from Planetary Movement:

At any rate, Ralph Nader is emerging as a threat via the ancient and outmoded electoral machinery still in position in America in 2008. Nader’s candidacy could shift electoral votes in marginal battleground states and provide a smokescreen for election-rigging just as it did in Florida in 2000 and in several places in 2004.

I'm thinking voters this time around are tired of Ralph. I mean, come on, Ralph, even my Ex takes a hint better than you do, and he's not one for subtle cues. I think after the Florida farce, potential Naderites have figured out that a vote for Nader is just throwing a vote to McCain, as it was throwing a vote to Bush in the last 2 elections.

I'm hoping most folks see that yet another Nader run is not going to change the system, which is what the 3rd party contingent is really pushing for to begin with. I'm thinking, if anything, Nader is hurting that cause. I mean, face it, Ralph, you're becoming an annoying fixture. So the whole concept of a 3rd party challenge becomes old news. Not a realistic option. Same old guy. A guy who, for all his talk of social justice, isn't really all that supportive of the populations who might be willing to jump on his bandwagon, populations who may feel marginalized by the other parties. Women, communities of color, the LGBT community, Latino communities, all have reported that Nader, for all his "change the system" blather, is basically anti-corporation, pro-political reform, and that's his bag of tricks. I'm hoping those who want to make a statement have had enough years to see that Nader's not the guy to make it worth their while.

Ralph, please, not this time. Not this year. Look at the bigger picture, dude. Look at what's happening this time. Just go home.

Debate This

So did you all watch the Democratic Debates tonight? I was both pleased and a tad disappointed. The last time our good senators mixed it up on the debate floor, it was a time for partnership and warm fuzzies. Edwards had recently stepped out, the two remaining Dems were feeling magnanimous and were all about that united front. There was plenty of time for competitive discourse later.


Since then, primaries and caucuses have come and gone. The race is running close, but the presumed front runner is instead playing catch up, and her opponent is gathering up states like a kid winning marbles on a hot streak. Things are getting down to the wire, right? Naturally, I expected something of a lively dustup tonight.

Not so much. Or at least, not for long. They sparred a bit over health care, with Clinton interrupting the moderator and pushing ahead, but it wasn't too bad. People do want to know where they differ, and I don't blame her for wanting to get her point across on an issue she feels is a strength.

Things did get a little ugly on the Clinton side for a hot minute -- she hit Obama with that whole plagiarism accusation in a cheap shot kind of way:

If your candidacy is going to be about words, lifting whole phrases from somebody else's speeches is not change you can believe in, it's change you can Xerox.

She got booed for that one. Obama kept his cool and had a great response, which basically diffused it and put it to rest. I found her remark interesting, considering I'd just written about Clinton using Obama lines in her speeches, but hey, whatever.

She did end up recovering with a great closing comment, which I had to give her props for. However, I later found out that bloggers uncovered an uncanny similarity between that home run closer, and a line from one of Bill Clinton's 1992 speeches. Hmm. Now that's some sweet irony. Wonder if Bill will go after her for plagiarism?

Damn those pesky bloggers.

Obama, for his part, stayed steady and didn't go negative at all. He came off as very confident and looking like a leader. All in all, it was fairly civil, considering what's at stake. The news analysts made the point afterward that for the direction of the race to change dramatically, either Clinton needed to score big, or Obama needed to stumble, but neither happened. I guess as far as juicy campaign gossip we'll have to be content with the McCain lobbyist brouhaha.

So they both did well overall - not surprising. Clinton is usually expected to do well in debates, and Obama did better than ever, flying up that sheer face of the political learning curve. With wings.

Anyway, in this age of YouTube and news ad nauseum, I won't go into a blow by blow. In fact, on this debate night, I think I'll take a lighter tone and leave you with a reminder of debates past and presidents I-wish-he-was-past.

It won't be long now. Enjoy.



Wordsworth takes on GeeDubya

Santa Bush: Man or Myth?

This just in. Heidi Harris, conservative radio talk show host, commenting on whether Michelle Obama is proud of America:

We've got President Bush out in Africa, like Santa Claus, giving out money left and right. That's not something to be proud of? She should be thrilled about that!

Well. That changes everything then.

Hey, That's My Line!

This has been one interesting political campaign. Voters turning out in record numbers, contributing money, getting involved, casting their votes - without holding their noses. It's been a tight race on the Democrat side, and a lesser-of-evils type deal on the Republican side.

The frontrunner on the Republican side is seen by some as not conservative enough. Others realize that after 8 years of BushCo, they'd better latch onto someone more centrist, because the country as whole is clamoring for change. But realizing it doesn't mean they're happy about it. There's some nose holding going on over in that side of the house.

The current frontrunner on the Dem side is seen as the new guy in town, a fresh wind blowing across a stale, even rotten, political landscape. Some say that's just what we need, others ask how he'll run the country with all that water behind his ears. Regardless, Obama has been riding that wind of Hope and Change to record turnouts and massive support, right under the noses of the naysayers.

Well, it's politics -- you strike where you can to get an advantage, so while the masses are gathering behind Obama's message, the other candidates are doing what they can to shoot that message down. Both sides have attempted to paint Hope and Change as empty messages, as "rhetoric" and "platitudes".

That's no surprise. What is interesting to me is those winds of change have ruffled even the petticoats of those who would belittle those messages. In fact, the very ones who would disparage those platforms now appear to be shamelessly swinging themselves up on that bandwagon. Eventually, the words hope and change were peppering everyone's speeches, even while they continued to cluck their tongues at the audacity and foolishness of hope.

And the slogans, well, those started changing hands like the proverbial hot potato.


Erstwhile candidate Mitt Romney actually popped out campaign signs announcing, Change Begins With Us. Kind of reminds me of something ... but no, that's totally different from Obama's Change We Can Believe In. Isn't it?

According to The Page's Mark Halperin, Clinton put out a radio ad in Iowa casting herself as "the candidate of hope." That just seems odd to me, after past comments about Obama "peddling false hopes", but whatever. Clinton also tried the slogan Ready for Change, Ready to Lead. I'm not sure what happened with that one, it didn't seem to stick.

John McCain is not even shy about grabbing blue slogans from wherever he can get them. Here he's shamelessly pilfered a Hillary slogan, Ready to Lead on Day One, plastering it across his own website. Like he thought of that shit or something. Come on, John. Everyone knows that's Hillary's line. Did you seriously think no one would notice?

After the Potomac Primaries, McCain actually had the nerve to end a speech in Alexandria, VA with a well known Obama slogan, saying,

“My friends, I promise you, I am fired up and ready to go.”

Are you kidding me? Alright sir, that's enough; eyes on your own paper.



McCain's not the only one who's fired up and ready to go. In Davenport, Iowa, Hillary busted out with,

We are fired up and we are ready to go, because we know that America is ready for change, and the process starts right here.

Really? You too, Hillary?

That line started with Edith Childs, a city councilwoman in Greenwood, SC. The story goes that Obama arrived for an unscheduled rally in this little town, where about 38 supporters had turned out to hear him speak. It was raining, it was an early morning stop, everyone was tired, wet, and bordering on grumpy. As Obama was greeting supporters, Ms. Childs, who had used that same chant years ago during the civil rights movement, called out from the back of the room,

Fired up!

The other supporters responded, "Fired up!" Obama and his staff looked around to see who was speaking. They saw Councilwoman Childs, a diminutive 59 year old woman "in a church hat", following with,

Ready to go!

The small crowd again responded in kind, "Ready to go!" The call and reponse continued, much to Obama's surprise, for some time. Fired up! (fired up!) Ready to go! (ready to go!) According to him, after so many rounds of this chant, he was feeling pretty fired up himself, and was ready to go.

The chant caught on so strongly that Obama later refered to it in a speech about the difference one voice can make. The chant and the "One Voice" speech inspired this music video, entirely made and donated by Obama supporters, including drummer Matt Cameron from Pearl Jam and Reverend Pat Wright and her Total Experience Gospel Choir. This is one rocking video, coming from that one voice.




So yeah, let's stipulate that fired up and ready to go is clearly associated with the Obama campaign. You other candidates, get your own tag lines, mmm-kay?



Next we've got Hillary hopping on Obama's "Yes We Can" slogan ... after accusing Obama of being the "No We Can't" candidate. What?

(18 seconds)





Apparently she caught a little bit of flak for that. So here we have Hillary with a completely ... new chant? Alrighty then. You be the judge.

(about 30 seconds)



[Cringe] That was a little hard to watch.


Anyway, I know this is far from the most critical issue in the political arena, and yes, many of the slogans being used now have been used in the past as well. I just found it interesting that the concepts and tag lines being filched seem to be the same ideas people wanted to ridicule as being ineffective. How 'bout that? Everyone wanted to dismiss the message of Hope and Change, brand it naïve, unrealistic, but then a funny thing happened. The people started lining up behind it, demanding it, and all of a sudden that message started falling out of everyone's mouths.

Not so silly now, is it?

GObama! The Speech and the Caucus

On Friday I took the offspring out of school and headed to the city to hear Barack Obama speak. For the kids to hear this man speak, to have that memory -- totally worth missing Biology lab. However this election shakes out, it's historic! I wanted them to experience history being made, and yes, to see that someone who looks like them could well be the next president of this country. So we scooped up one of Teen Demon's friends and headed downtown.

Key Arena was packed to the rafters -- not an empty seat in the house, and people standing in every entryway as well. The arena holds 18,000, but the Seattle mayor said it was a good thing the fire chief had the day off; I bet there were some fire code violations. Outside were 3,000 more people who couldn't get in, including a friend of mine, her 16-year-old nephew, and his friend. Senator Obama went outside with a bullhorn and spoke to those folks after his speech.

This pic shows probably 1/3 of the arena, when people were still filing in to find seats.

Our governor made a surprise appearance, and with her endorsement, came out as the "newest member of Team Obama". Apparently she'd been having a hard time deciding between Clinton and Obama, as had many people.

My favorite shot. As you can see, it clearly shows that the good Senator and I shared a moment. See? He's looking right at me. Yeah, Barack and I, we're tight like that. Hi, Senator.

These guys were working it. Their enthusiasm made up for the jerky awkward dance moves. These boys were serious supporters, now.

It was an amazing experience. And hell yes, it was inspiring.

And I'll tell you something, I'm getting tired of the generalizations that say Obama is all talk and Clinton is all specifics. I've been listening to the speeches both of them have been giving lately, and you know, Clinton isn't giving any more specifics in her speeches than Obama is. Which is fine. I expect them to have specifics on their web sites. I expect them to have specific plans for the issues, and I expect those plans to be available to the voters. I expect them to be specific during the debates. But when I take a day off work, take my kids out of school, and wait for hours to hear this man connect with his supporters and speak for 50 minutes ... I damn well expect to be inspired. I expect to walk away with some hope that day.

I don't believe that hope and specifics are mutually exclusive, that a person who is a good orator is by default an empty vessel of inspiration with nothing to back it up. I think that's just something to latch onto and make waves about.


Here's what Senator Obama had to say about hope last Friday:

People have been saying, "You know, Obama, he’s a talker, not a doer. He talks about hope all the time. You know, he uh, he’s so naïve, he’s so idealistic. He’s a hope monger." This is the argument I’ve been hearing lately.
You know, look, it’s true; I do talk about hope all the time. And out of necessity, because, the odds are, I should not be standing here. I was born to a single mom, my dad left when I was two. I was raised by a single mom and my grandparents. And all they could give me was love, an education, and hope. That was my inheritance.

And so, (cheers) and so, you know, we put hope on our signs ...

But in criticizing me, for quote-unquote “being inspiring”, (laughter) the implication is that I’m somehow not a realist, the notion is that my head is in the clouds somewhere. That, in Senator Clinton’s words, I’m “peddling false hopes”, and I need a reality check.

And, I have to, I have to say, you know, that’s not what hope is. Hope is not blind optimism. Hope is not ignorance of the challenges that stand before us. Hope is not pretending that those barriers that stand between you and your dreams will just somehow go away. Hope is just the opposite.

He went on to talk about the the changes he hopes to make in this country. And yes, I came away feeling hopeful. I was inspired. I saw hope in the faces of my children, as they watched this man speak, a man whose childhood is not so far from their own experiences and realities. I saw hope in my children's faces, and that is something I'll never forget.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


The next day was the caucuses. Caucii? Whatever, there was some serious caucus action going down in Washington state. Record turnouts don't even begin to describe it. Main roads were backed up for miles. The caucus point for my area was a huge high school. Parking lots for the high school, middle school, and elementary school were already packed. People were parking out in the neighborhoods, streaming toward the high school on foot. Some folks parked over a mile away.

I have never seen so many people on foot in the suburbs, y'all. It looked like The Birds, only with humans. Some people didn't get there in time due to traffic and parking issues.

Get me to the caucus on time.

I finally found my precinct in this room. This pic was about an hour before the caucus even started. By the time we got rolling, this room was packed, and it was only one room of many. Hundreds and hundreds of people - I'd bet it was into the thousands.

I live in a tiny precinct. I could easily walk the precinct borders in short order. We set a record for attendance, with 27 people, not including the six late-comers. More about that later; it got dicey up in that gym for a while. Folks from other precincts said theirs set records as well.

Surprise visit from the governor. She gave a pretty rousing speech for a skinny, little, white grandma. Girl is scrappy.

So we got down to the actual business of caucusing. It was exciting to see democracy in action at a grassroots level. I ended up getting more involved than I'd anticipated. All that research I ended up doing over the primary vs. caucus issue paid off, I guess. Our precinct captain was a very nice guy. He was also extremely disorganized, and gave the impression that he'd read the rules on his way over, while stuck in all that traffic. A few of us banded together, after exchanging some concerned looks, and became unofficial assistants.

Our group went Obama-24, Clinton-3. Clinton did get one delegate. Yes, a candidate can acquire a delegate by "rounding up", as you can't send half a delegate on a candidate's behalf.

After the tally, people had the opportunity to make a plea on their candidate's behalf. In our group, about five of us spoke for Obama, and I was actually disappointed that the Clinton supporters chose not to speak, because I'd been looking forward to that, and genuinely wanted to hear what they had to say. Some of the other precincts, however, did quite a bit of back and forth. I was impressed that everyone who spoke mentioned that both candidates were strong, both were respected, and both would be good leaders. No mud-slinging or nastiness. Go Dems! After that, people had the opportunity to change their original vote, but no one in our group did, so the tally numbers for delegates went official.

About this time the late-comers started showing up, and that's where things got dicey. According to caucus rules, you must be signed in with your choice by 1:30. The late-comers were already pissed and winded after parking in the next county and hiking over hill and dale to get there, so that news did not go over well. Debate ensued. Our precinct captain didn't know what to do. Some folks said we should just sign everyone in, regardless. Our not-so-fearless captain started to do this. I was concerned that breaking some sort of party rules could lead to all the precinct's delegates being invalidated. Several others felt the same way; we said we'd feel better if we had confirmation from the district chair before we made a decision. Our captain loped off to find the district chair.

Now the newcomers were looking at us like we were haters, and the "just sign them up" crowd was looking at their feet. Things definitely felt uncomfortable. I went and talked with the newcomers, I really did feel bad for them. I mean, we all had problems with traffic and parking, even those who got there early. I thought all the votes should be counted, and I felt the party should've better anticipated high turnout, and either had more caucus points, or run shuttles from various points in the community, along with getting the word out beforehand to get there early. Anyway, before our captain returned, everyone was friendly again, which was good.

Turns out the district chair said we could not break the rules, and that it would've been subject to objection if we had. However, the late-comers could still have the opportunity to be a delegate, so that was cool. One of them actually did end up being an alternate.

I got chosen to be a delegate, so I'm pretty stoked about that. Whoo-hoo!



I have mixed feelings on the caucus process. On the one hand, people are really involved on a community level -- it was energizing, and people were talking and connecting. I was very impressed with how the community came together, and everyone was very supportive and friendly. It didn't much matter who you supported, there was an overriding feeling of excitement just that folks were exercising their right to vote, to be a part of the process. I also think people tend to be more informed with the caucus as opposed to the primary.

On the other hand, people who work on Saturday, who don't have transportation, who may be disabled, the elderly ... those folks have a hard time taking part, and their voices aren't heard in numbers that reflect their place in the population. That's a problem, one that needs to be addressed. (Yes, there is a form to vote in absentia, but it only applies to three situations: religious observances, military service, or disability)

I actually think there may be something to the WA Republicans' method. They do both a caucus and a primary: they choose half of their delegates though the caucus, and half via the primary. This way, you get the involvement, but people who may otherwise not have a voice still have a way to be counted. I'm still not sure, though, as you can also do both with the combo method, and I'm not sure that doesn't skew things. Anyway. So I have mixed feelings on the caucus system, but I really enjoyed it, and more than that, I felt encouraged and hopeful in spending that time with my community working toward a change.


This was about half an hour after everything wound down. It took quite a while for traffic to die down. Way to go, Dems.

Fired up, ready to go!

It's a Caucus ... Primarily

I just found out that my state has multiple voting mechanism disorder. I was under the impression that WA was a caucus state. I was kind of excited about that, as I've not experienced that before. I've been lumped into that "overseas voter group" most of my adult life, you know, the ones whose ballots come trailing in late, and don't matter anyway, but they won't call the election because "those votes from overseas are still trickling in, folks"? The base commanders always did a big "Your Vote Matters!" campaign, and the USO would push the message, but then we'd see on the news that those votes trickling in never changed the outcome one way or another. That was always disheartening. But I digress.

So Washington, a caucus state, right? The caucuses get going on Feb. 9th. Last week I got a slip in the mail saying the ballots for the Presidential Primary would be mailed on Jan. 31st. Primary?? What about the caucus? I checked The Googles, and sure enough, we're a caucus state. I figured it was just a semantics thing.

So yesterday I get my ballot in the mail, clearly marked for the Presidential Primary. Feb. 19th.

What? Primaries on the 19th? I thought the caucuses were Feb. 9th? Luckily, the trusty State of Washington Voter's Pamphlet came with the ballot, complete with cover art created by a genuine WA state school child, as is the tradition. The art contest is pretty cool. No problem, I'll just check the voter's pamphlet. It should tell me everything I need to know.

Right.

Voters can participate in both the party caucuses and the Presidential Primary as long as they participate on behalf of the same party.

Oh sure, that clears it up! It goes into very brief explanations about the caucus and delegates and all that, but nothing explaining how they're running primarys and caucuses, and how in hell that works. I mean, if I fill out my primary ballot form, send it in, and get my caucus on as well, does that mean I've basically double voted? Twice the input? Or, does it mean I'm just wasting my time at the caucus because it's all decided by the primary ballots anydamnway, and the caucus is just a huge waste of tax payer money? Or are the ballots a waste of money?

I will hit The Googles some more and figure this out, but please people, figuring out the democratic party's caucus system in those states is apparently complicated enough, but if you're going to go the caucus route, at least commit to it. Damn. Maybe some of you long term Washingtonians have figured this fuckery out, but I think it smacks of some major Charlie Fox action.

Vote or Scat!

Spoke Too Soon

OK, so I was a little fast on the draw with my comment yesterday. Apparently, I should not have gone back to work yesterday, as I am right back home again today, as is the son. -sigh- I think I pulled a muscle in my chest at some point last night in a coughing fit. I'm so goddamn sick of coughing it's not even funny. It's getting better though.

I actually do feel better than I did over the weekend, which, come to think of it, isn't saying a whole hell of a lot --- those frogs sitting in a jar in some biology classroom probably feel better than I did on Sunday, but regardless, I am improved, just not quickly enough for my taste. Today is my 4th sick day, plus the weekend. Which chaps my ass, because I prefer spending my sick days and weekends not being sick. Please, like you all really use all your sick days actually being sick.

Anyway, I got up this morning, fully intending to go to work ... and realized that would be idiotic. Went back to bed and slept past noon. Could've easily kept right on sleeping, too, but then I'd have been up all night, and that would really screw things up.

I need to get my ass up and hit the store and the post office ... if I could only convince my ass it actually needs to move. Ugh. Speaking of my ass, there had damn well better be less of it, seeing as I've eaten nothing but soup and toast since last Wednesday night, and not much of that. Damn, if only I hadn't pitched our scale into the garbage a couple of years back, I'd know. I hadn't regretted that little fit of fat-rage until now. Crap. Anyway, if I can keep that up for another few days, maybe I'll have enough of a head start to actually give me that motivation for working out again once I'm feeling better. Or monkeys could fly out of my ass, either one.

I don't really have any news, seeing as I've basically been living in a self induced fog, but I'm bored, so here I am writing about nothing. Oh, really, don't mention it, I don't mind.

Let's see ... you'll all be happy to know our resident toothless wonder has been doing much better. Batman was basically acting like his old self, even playing with his toys, until yesterday. He kept holding his head to the side, shaking his head, and even whined a couple of times, which is very unusual for him. Of course, I was paranoid that his tooth crater had formed some kind of hellish infection, but it appeared to be fine. Other than the fact that his tongue now hangs out a bit at that spot that is, but you can't even see that unless you lift his lip up. It would make him look like a pansy if he ever decided to growl and bare his teeth, though. Anyway, I cleaned his ears, which he hates, because it involves squirting this solution in his ear canals, but now he seems fine. Either that or he's smart enough to fake it so I don't clean them again.


In political news, looks like McCain is edging out the Mittster, which is a relief for me -- I think -- because Romney freaks me the hell out. Seriously, I would not be shocked if he was an alien disguised as a human. There is just something sinister about him. He creeps me out. Then again, is there really a lesser of evils over on the red side this time around? I'm not sure.

Also, John Edwards has pulled out of the race. I'm more sorry about that than I'd have thought, had you asked me a few months back. I actually did like a lot of his positions, and I think he was a good candidate. He shone a spotlight on the whole poverty issue; a bit surprising, coming from the rich, white, straight, privileged male in the race, but there you go. So the question now, to whom will he throw his endorsement? I'm betting on Obama. They seem to have been allying up over recent months, much moreso than either of them with Hillary Clinton. And I tell you what, I would be very very happy at the prospect of an Obama/Edwards ticket.

Also, Ralph Nader apparently is floating the idea of another run for the White House. Hey, Ralph, back the fuck off, OK? Seriously. How many times have you run now? I admire you making a stand for difference, but you know you don't actually have a shot at it, and now is not the time. Now is really not the time, Ralph. Did you not learn anything with the whole Gore deal? When Dubya makes one of his dumbass blunders, do you wonder how much responsibility you bear? We actually have a shot at some change, at making some history, a shot at some friggin' hope here, at the risk of sounding idealistic. So just sit your ass down, Ralph, sit this one out. Greater good, OK?

Damn.

Alright people, that's all I've got for now. I'm still trying to get caught up on everyone's sites. Hope everyone else who's been hacking and snotting is on the upswing. Cheers.