Love Her or Hate Her…
Posted on October 26, 2008 - Filed Under Humor, Just For Fun, Politics, candidates
Sarah Palin, the pubbie VP candidate is certainly the topic of discussion around the old water cooler. Personally, I dig her for a variety of reasons but this is not about that. Well maybe it is a little. Click the link and watch one of the best Saturday Night Live skits I’ve seen in a while.
UPDATE: For those of you who can’t get the first link to work try this one - apparently YouTube is blocking all the Sarah Palin vids???? Strange, eh?
You have to give her a little credit on this one and it’s pretty damn funny. Have a good weekend. 
Is Hillary Still Gasping for Air or is She Dead in the Water?
Posted on August 21, 2008 - Filed Under Election 2008, Politics, adventure, brain farts, candidates, political
I read this article today. It’s mild and a bit bitchy, true. But I have to wonder why it was written at all, if there is no real threat perceived. I know for months many have subscribed to the view that an Obama(nomi)nation is inevitable and frankly, Hillary wasted all that money and those black pant suits for nothing. Apparently she was only there to make it look like he had competition, right?
Hmm…here’s the thing, we all know Hil and she isn’t a quitter. Far from it. I mean the woman who coined the phrase “vast rightwing conspiracy” has always had many tricks up her sleeves and I doubt we even know the half of them. She stuck it out with Bill through 2 or 3 dreary govenortarial terms in Arkansas, then the campaigning, that tacky Fleetwood Mac soundtrack, Monica-Gate, Impeachment, parsing over the meaning of the word is - White Water, the Rose Law Firm, Gennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, Vince Harris and lots of bad hairdo’s, so now when her lifelong dream is actually on the table, she’s gonna nod, pat Barack on the fanny and say, you go, guy? Doesn’t sound like Hillary to me. Seriously, does it sound like Hillary to you?
The Dem rules for their convention and nomination process are so complex and contingent on such a wide range of variables that I doubt most scholars could even understand them, much less know when they are being violated. And there is this whole super-delegate thing which apparently (start biting your nails, folks) we won’t know the result of until the actual convention (and when the hell is that?). Conceivably, they could all decide they are going to vote for her. Many of them are not telling who they plan to vote for and since they’ve now decided that Hil will somehow be part of the nomination process, who the hell knows what might happen?
Sure, the Obama camp seems cool and not worried but the fact that they just keep repeating that makes me think they aren’t so cool and could be worried. Plus there are a lot of very bitter Hil supporters who might just want to teach somebody a lesson.
Since you all know I have no vested interest in either candidate because I’d rather extract my own teeth than vote for either one, I just find this an amusing and interesting proposition. Having watched Hil over the years manage to skirt prosecution, jail time and a much needed makeover, I have a very hard time believing this is just going to go clippity clop. Actually, secretly, I’m hoping it doesn’t if for no other reason than this has been the boringest presidential season I have ever witnessed in my entire life. The candidates on both sides couldn’t be more predictable, nor more boring if they tried.
Anyway, I’m wondering what y’all think - any opinions, does the Barack-man have it in the bag or will we be witness to some bizarre out of left field smashdown the likes of which we’ve never seen before? I hope so, I have a lot of popcorn and diet coke waiting and there’s nothing on television worth watching.
And as a bonus sidenote - Grit has got a wailing good tale to tell, which dovetails with this in a twisted nice way.
UPDATE: For a much harder hitting piece with well researched info and abundant links go see what Ange has to say on Mr. Obama. Spoiler: did you know that Obama pays his bloggers? What’s up with that?
Pictorial Editorial on Democrat Race
Posted on March 19, 2008 - Filed Under WTF?, brain farts, candidates
It’s a Taxing Situation…
Posted on February 26, 2008 - Filed Under Election 2008, Politics, WTF?, candidates
You know, rather than discuss the candidates per se - let’s look at an issue for a change. There has been, over the years, a lot of rhetoric about taxes - good and bad.
The Dems are fond of saying that the Pubbies, particularly Bush, only want to give tax breaks to the rich. While I think that most of us realize that at best, this is an exaggeration - I think a little actual information is a better way to consider things.
And as they say, the truth shall set you free. Honestly, I didn’t realize myself that there was such a difference - I did notice my taxes have been lower for the last several years, but since I’ve never really made much money, I guess the change didn’t really hit me.
But I do think it is noteworthy. The following information came from here, if you want to check it out.
Taxes under Clinton 1999 Taxes under Bush 2008
Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250
It is interesting when you consider that many people believe that Bush is not giving them a break tax wise, and that Bill Clinton was the one who was looking out for them. That Clinton had such a great economy and Bush ruined it. The truth is, that the unemployment rate has been consistently lower under Bush than it ever was under Clinton, the stock market has reached all time highs under Bush and despite the trillions of dollars that 911 cost us, we have thrived. Part of the reason for this is the tax cuts.
Both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama have said they intend to end the Bush tax cuts, if elected. So, if that comes to pass, instead of paying 15%-25% of your income - you will be paying 28%-31% of your income - providing they go with the previous Bill Clinton levels. However, knowing politicians as we do - they will likely justify even higher rates based on inflation, cost of living and cost of all their new programs - so we may well see tax levels closer to 40% on the high end.
Yep, I’d have to agree - they surely do want change. The question are you willing to pay for it?
WC
(H.T. to Ger for passing on the info. )
This is a graph for Grace and connects to my response to her comment. WC
Super Tuesday
Posted on February 3, 2008 - Filed Under Current Events, Election 2008, candidates
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t absolutely obsessed with politics right now. I am. Poor me, because really the long and short of it is, what will be will be. Not that I’m fatalistic really, but I do realize that all I can control are my own actions - not those of others and I suppose we will see what in fact, the American people really want.
While all of the candidates leave much to be desired, some are much worse than others.
Since most of you know that I am a conservative, it’s not likely I would vote for a liberal and if I were a liberal I would cringe at my choices. Hillary is like coffee, either you love it or you hate it. And while Barack Obama scores high marks in the personality department and the presence department and the intelligence department - he still has a nearly identical platform as Hillary. If you removed the personality factor - in terms of the issues there really isn’t much difference. And while I know that there are those who feel this is a very important election because it may result in either the first woman or the first African-American to hold the office - I honestly don’t believe that is a significant enough reason to vote for either of them. That being said, I would vote for Barack, if he were a conservative - I actually like the guy and think regardless of what happens has a definite future in politics in a big way.
As to my side of the aisle - I haven’t been excited about any of them very much. Except McCain and that is in a bad way. Read this. Frankly, I don’t understand why he isn’t running against Hillary and Barack right now -because if you close your eyes - again one doesn’t see much difference.
But now that the field has thinned considerably for the conservative side I am on board with Romney. While he has things that don’t thrill me - he is intelligent, well mannered, has proven track records in management, turning deficits into surpluses and something else I can’t really put my finger on. There is something about the man that makes me feel he can be trusted in the important issues. I don’t know why - perhaps it is the fact that he is even tempered, seems virtually unflappable and seems presidential. Or maybe it’s something else. At any rate - I can’t vote for McCain, Huckabee is a poor imitation of Clinton and Ron Paul is just to loopy to take seriously. So there you have it.
Who are you pulling the lever for on Tuesday and why? I’d really like to hear people’s thoughts on this if you care to share.
WC
Dear Editor
Posted on January 25, 2008 - Filed Under Election 2008, brain farts, candidates, my opinions, satire
(Imagine my delight, when I discovered yesterday that the NY Times had some advice for Republican/conservative voters. Quotes from article in italics and block quoted. WC)
Dear NY Times Editor,
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do an in-depth analysis on which Republican candidate is best suited to become the President of the United States and for whom I (we) should vote.
We have strong disagreements with all the Republicans running for president. The leading candidates have no plan for getting American troops out of Iraq. They are too wedded to discredited economic theories and unwilling even now to break with the legacy of President Bush. We disagree with them strongly on what makes a good Supreme Court justice.
Still, there is a choice to be made, and it is an easy one. Senator John McCain of Arizona is the only Republican who promises to end the George Bush style of governing from and on behalf of a small, angry fringe. With a record of working across the aisle to develop sound bipartisan legislation, he would offer a choice to a broader range of Americans than the rest of the Republican field.
Being the backward, bible-thumping, cousin-marrying, gun-toting, truck-driving, beer- drinking, country-music-listening, grade school-educated moron that I am, I truly appreciate your going through the pain of the selection process for me (us).
After all, there are only twenty four hours in the day and formulating vast right wing conspiracies take up a good portion of that, with precious little left for bible study and refining effective approaches to perpetrating hate crimes. So, as you can see, I don’t have the time to contemplate anything as inconsequential as who might lead the free world for the next four years.
To say that I am deeply touched by your concern for my political welfare doesn’t begin to describe my feelings about your ever-so-helpful article (endorsement) about/of Senator John McCain.
And what a candidate you have selected for me (us)! There is no Republican on Earth more like Hillary Clinton than Citizen McCain. His uncanny ability to co-opt liberal causes and betray his party and principles of same are unparallelled in the civilized world.
But Mr. McCain took a stand, just as he did in recognizing the threat of global warming early. He has been a staunch advocate of campaign finance reform, working with Senator Russ Feingold, among the most liberal of Democrats, on groundbreaking legislation, just as he worked with Senator Edward Kennedy on immigration reform.
Like Mrs. Clinton, Senator McCain has truly mastered the skill of talking out of both sides of his mouth whilst never moving his lips.
We have shuddered at Mr. McCain’s occasional, tactical pander to the right because he has demonstrated that he has the character to stand on principle. He was an early advocate for battling global warming and risked his presidential bid to uphold fundamental American values in the immigration debate. A genuine war hero among Republicans who proclaim their zeal to be commander in chief, Mr. McCain argues passionately that a country’s treatment of prisoners in the worst of times says a great deal about its character. …
Mr. McCain was one of the first prominent Republicans to point out how badly the war in Iraq was being managed. We wish he could now see as clearly past the temporary victories produced by Mr. Bush’s unsustainable escalation, which have not led to any change in Iraq’s murderous political calculus. At the least, he owes Americans a real idea of how he would win this war, which he says he can do.
For all I know, he is actually a marionette getting his jollies by having your hand up his ass. Which could explain that silly, goofy grin he often wears, as well as his Howdy Doody voice
You make a fine case for endorsing the Senator who never met a liberal cause he didn’t like and a very convincing argument to vote for him - And iff’in I was a Democrat, I certainly would.
Still, I do appreciate that a newspaper with the stature of The New York Times, would have my back in terms of my electorate health and I will check back later to see who you might be endorsing for the upcoming election of the local dogcatcher and the Hunkiest Garbage Man Contest.
It’s nice to know that a main stream publication can be fair and objective in its recommendations to one and all.
Sincerely,
Writer Chick - who apparently fell off the turnip truck yesterday.
If you want to read the article, you can find it here.
Update:
To read a little about McCain’s legendary temperment check this out.
Ah, the Primaries - Coming to a Town Near You
Posted on January 12, 2008 - Filed Under Election 2008, brain farts, candidates
Okay, this post won’t mean much to you if you don’t reside in California - but for those of you who do, I thought I’d give you my take on what’s on the ballot for we who live in the land of nuts and twigs.
I don’t know about you guys but I tend to be pretty suspicious of the propositions they place on the ballot, particularly when there are other more important things like picking candidates. But this year’s props are particularly smelly to me and I just had to weigh in on them.
In a nutshell I am voting no on all of them. The particulars below:
Proposition S
Is essentially a scam to reinstate a previous illegal tax hike from 2003, which was thrown out by the Supreme court. Right now the tax does not exist. If you vote yes, you will enact the tax. They present it as though it is a tax cut but what that really means is that they are deciding to add only $9 onto your telephone bill rather than $10. Oh and as an added bonus, this prop will also tax internet use. Yay!
Proposition 91
It attempts to make a new law of one that already exists and protects our transportation funding taxes. There is probably some loophole that enables the policitians to get their hands on it - so vote no.
Proposition 92
It is essentially locking California into committed spending with no way to pay for it and will require a tax hike of some sort to fund it. It also provides more funding to public colleges so that college students pay less for courses, which mean our taxes are paying the part they aren’t paying. Not to mention the fact that they will create a new formula which will require a new infrastructure to administer it. Which of course means somebody has to pay for it and it will be you and me, make no mistake.
Proposition 93
This is another scam dressed in what appears to be restricting career politicians from holding office for years and years. It offers a max of 12 years of service, HOWEVER, that 12 years doesn’t include time served. So, let’s say politician X has already served for 12 years, enacting this law would enable him to serve an ADDITIONAL 12 years. You see, it’s a scam to enable termed out politicians more time on the public payroll. And they thought we weren’t paying attention. Tisk, tisk.
Propositions 94, 95, 96 & 97
On the face of it, these seem like good ideas. I mean what better way to asuage our white guilt than to let the Indian tribes increase their revenues, right? And all that revenue means more revenue for the state in the form of taxes, right? Not really. First of all, it cherry picks only 4 tribes - the largest and most prosperous - the other tribes are left out in the cold on these. Also, the revenue projections are greatly inflated and there are loopholes in the language that would allow these particular tribes to get out of paying much of this supposed revenue for the state.
As to a candidate?????
I have to honestly say, I’ve yet to really pick a candidate. There are a couple I am leaning toward but I’m still not decided. For me, so far, there is no clear choice. Which doesn’t thrill me, but there you have it. So, for now, Writer Chick endorses no particular candidate. Shocked? Me too.
Boo Hoo, Hillary
Posted on January 7, 2008 - Filed Under Election 2008, Politics, assclowns, candidates
Okay, so Hillary had a great photo op today and managed to get her eyes to well up enough to fool people into believing she might actually be crying. Right, and I just won a million bucks on Deal or No Deal. If she was feeling any emotion, I’m sure it was sourced more in the fact that her lead over Obama has evaporated. And apparently, Bill who has been a notorious brilliant campaigner isn’t doing her any favors either - word has it he is speaking to half empty meeting halls and some people even snuck out halfway through his speech. Maybe Hillary is just too brilliant, eh Bill?
Could it possibly be that Obama is right and it really is time for a change? Is it possible that people are finally through with the Clintons? I dare not let myself get too excited about that prospect, since the Clintons are notorious for comebacks and their opponents and detractors often end up ill, injured, disappeared and in some cases, dead. I surely hope Mr. Obama has a good security detail - you can never be too careful.
But whatever happens, I’m pretty sure Hillary is starting to feel a little desperate, since this guy is supporting her. One of the worst mayors ever. A guy who though he was able to take advantage of many affirmative action programs failed the bar the first four times he took it. Oh yeah, and then there was that extramarital affair with the Telemundo reporter. Funnily enough, the reporter was demoted and yet the Mayor received not even a formal rebuke from the state congress.
Will the tears and emotion work? I dunno, I seem to recall an emotional outburst regarding the vast right wing conspiracy some years back. And then there was all that betrayal and shit she felt when Bill cheated on her - so maybe just maybe this emotional tactic will work for her for a little while. But the thing about Hillary which is really her downfall is that she cannot maintain this sort of thing for any amount of time. All it will take is for her to beat Obama in some primary. Then she’ll be the bullet-proof, teflon-coated, come-back-kid. Her taste for blood will return and the shit will start to fly once again. Quote: Now the fun part starts. (Hillary Clinton) So, are we having fun yet, Hillary?
No, my friends, we can’t count her out yet. And I think Mr. Obama still has a tough road ahead of him because he is tangling with one resourceful, manipulative and relentless woman who likely won’t quit until they carry her away in an ambulance and even then it’s doubtful.
Boo hoo, Hillary. Nice try. Got anything a little more convincing?
WC
Meet Your Candidates!
Posted on September 9, 2007 - Filed Under Election 2008, Politics, WTF?, brain farts, candidates, my opinions
I guess you could say that election 2008 is in full swing now. At least, that’s what the media seems to think. Yawn. I don’t know about you, but I can’t really get excited about any of them, regardless of race, creed, political persuasion, dietary needs or style sense.
Nonetheless, let me introduce them:
Barak, jr. senator from Illinois
How this fellow has gotten into the front runner section, I’ll never know. He is, I believe, a first time senator, inexperienced and makes some statements don’t make a whole lotta sense to me. And while it may be cool to see the first black president (though Bill Clinton seems to think that’s him) I think there might have been better choices. Still, he’s good looking, charming and the ladies seem to dig him. Will it be enough?
McCain bitter, indecisive senator from Arizona:
Embittered and resentful loser of the 2000 run for president - a man who espouse conservative values when it’s convenient but whose voting record shows an inclination toward whininess and socialism. His love-hate relationship with the president, his party and his constituents makes him a volatile choice in anyone’s book. Though I respect the fact that he is a war hero who survived unimaginable indignities during the Vietnam war, he may have too many ocd tendencies to be put in charge of things like bombs and budgets.
John Edwards, senator from S. Carolina
While the man has great hair (if you don’t believe me, just ask him) and some may find him cute in a leave it to beaver sort of way - the guy doesn’t seem to understand that suing people who don’t agree with you is not the way to go when it comes to national politics. He is a dichotomy at best and an idiot at worst, who uses cliche slogans to get his message across.
Rudy Guliani, former Mayor of New York, named Mayor of America by some magazine whose name I forget
I have to admit I like Rudy. He seems like a nice enough guy, has a fair amount of personal scandal in his past and handled what happened to his city on Sept 11th as well as I think anyone could have. But he’s awfully liberal for a conservative and will likely just confuse the voters with his widely diverse positions.
Hillary Clinton, senator from New York, former First Lady
Her ability to change positions on issues and to speak out of both sides of her mouth are her strong suits. Certainly the most polarizing of the ‘candidates’ this woman seems to elicit strong reactions - you love her or hate her but there seems to be no in-between. How or why the people of New York decided to elect her to represent them in the Senate and how or why anyone would think she has any qualifications to run a country is beyond me, but apparently some people think her proximity to Bill Clinton is enough. Like Barak, it would be a milestone in American politics to see our first woman president, but I can think of several other women who have more experience, knowledge, and ability to lead than this woman.
Other candidates:
Fred Thompson - he’s an actor, he’s a senator, he’s an actor, he’s a private citizen. What is he? And why does anyone think this guy would make a good president? And how on earth can they compare him to Ronald Regan? It’s all beyond me. He is beyond boring and couldn’t be bothered to attend the debate, opting instead to appear on a late night talk show to announce. So, I say, no picture for him.
Mitt Romney - governor of Massachusetts. Good looking, a bit indecisive and apparently the fact that he is a Mormon worries folks that we may end up with multiple first ladies. Interestingly enough, no one worries about Barak being a Muslim and his insistence on swearing in on the Koran. Go figure.
Dennis Cucinich - still trying to figure out what he is - I think he is in Congress, though I can’t imagine why. But I like a little fruit every now and then, so why not?
Joe Biden - mean Joe. Even when he smiles he looks like he wants to slug you.
Ron Paul - more froot loops anyone? This dude just seems pissed off and condescending to everyone and everything. Seems like he just wants to hermetically seal off the borders, forget that there is a whole big world out there and have us all stick our heads up our collective butts.
Tom Tancredo - Congressman from Colorado? Intelligent and passionate about his one issue, but one all-consuming issue ain’t gonna fly.
Finally….Algore - former Vice President, former loser of at least two presidential elections and perhaps still the senator from Tennessee.
While he insists he isn’t running, the rumbling and rumors continue to fly. Apparently those in the Dem party who don’t like Hillary want him. Since he is now a celebrity, a film maker and the green God of the universe he may indeed feel that the presidency is beneath him. Time will only tell.
So there you have it, the candidates as we know them. I may have overlooked a couple but if I have it’s only because they haven’t really hit anybody’s radar. To say I am disappointed in our apparent choices puts it mildly - I haven’t seen a such a large group of yawn-meisters in quite a while. In my mind, our only hope is that some dark horse, independent will appear out of the blue and save us from this sorry lot of wannabes and bring the country to a new era of American politics.
So…what do you think?
WC
A Candidate Abreast?
Posted on August 2, 2007 - Filed Under Election 2008, Just For Fun, WTF?, brain farts, candidates, my opinions, philosophy & politics
This morning, the host and hostess on the radio station I listen to were chatting up the ‘cleavage incident’ involving Hilary and the Senate floor. She was pro, he was con. No suprise there.
He made the argument that someone running for President should show more decorum and she accused him of objectifying her because she was a woman. Typical he said, she said argument - at best a draw and really does nothing for the debate. Each were too defensive about their view to really get anything out of it. Yawn.
I didn’t have time to check it out before I went to work, so when I got home - I did a search and there it was (the above picture). Now, call me crazy, but I can barely make out whether or not the woman even has enough cleavage to be making such a big whoopty doo about - the picture isn’t good quality and the outfit didn’t exactly advertise the goods, as they say - but so what? Hilary has breasts. Are we all shocked?
Apparently we are. At least it’s being talked about a lot and for the life of me I can’t figure out why. Was it tacky? Maybe, I mean if Teddy Kennedy or John Kerry showed that much chest on the Senate floor while discussing an important issue - it would seem inappropriate to me. Besides that, it’s just too much information. If they were wearing tight, form-fitting slacks I’d find that a little icky too.
I’m not really interested in the sexuality of any legislator. I don’t want to know what kind of underwear they put on in the morning, what their cup size is, or what condom they prefer. You know why? Because it’s private and it falls into the category of their private life. I don’t want to know. I’m more interested in what they are voting for on the Hill than in what they are wearing or not wearing on the Hill.
Yet, the media has gone hog-wild over the fact that Hilary has cleavage and she dared to show it. Was it a ploy on her part? Trying to attract male supporters? I know that actresses and singers go that route - do political candidates? Should they? Is it tacky or no big deal? Personally, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was a tactical move on her part, maybe she was testing the waters. Maybe she felt it would make her seem more youthful, more real, more feminine - and maybe it does. But for me, I’m thinking she should stick to the proper attire that all the other law makers stick with. While it may not be exciting, it is certainly less distracting.
Frankly, I want to know what’s on a candidate’s mind, not what’s under their clothes. I’m not interested in dating them, you know? I’m interested in what they would do in a leadership position - not ah…er…well, any other position.
So my advice to Hilary is put it back where it was. Use your mind and your passion to guide you in your campaign - we all know you’re a woman, no need to prove it.
And shame on the media for acting like it was real news. It was salacious and pretty much crying wolf - on a slow news day you may want to actually look for something good or positive to report - I’m pretty sure we’d rather know about that, than how much giggle a presidential candidate has and any opinions regarding same.
So…what do you think?
WC
