Death of the Rich, Old, White Guys

I can't help but get a sense that change is more than a campaign slogan this year. With Barack Obama's landslide victory, we may be witnessing the beginning of the end for the rich, old, white guy (ROWG). For at least the next four years, there won't be any ROWG's occupying the oval office. Could this be the climax of their reign over our financial and political institutions, not to mention households, rock bands, and football fields?

I am not naive about the ROWG's perpetually disproportionate representation in our political and economic sectors, but it does feel as though there is a shift. For one, they're all dying off of heart disease and old age. Also, their numerical disadvantage is growing with the browning of America as minority groups grow in size and strength year after year.
John McCain has embodied the rich, old, white guy. He's cranky. Throughout the election, McCain looked pissy and sounded whiny as he lamented that this young whippersnapper pulling his presidency out from under him. His seven (or is it twelve?) houses demonstrate his ridiculous wealth. And you don't get much whiter than John McCain. That's for sure.

McCain's grasp on Washington slipped over the past eight years. During this campaign he has seemed out of touch with even his own ethics and standards. He never really put together a cohesive message. McCain even chose a running mate who was unaware that Africa is a continent simply for political gain. The man very desperately lost hold of his standing in the political arena.

Sure, ROWG's are still in charge for the most part, but their grasp is slipping. Greed is clouding their vision as they ruin our financial and political institutions. These old men have us fighting wars we cannot win. They have collapsed our markets in recent months and it doesn't look to get any better.

There are even ROWG's in rock 'n roll. Look at the Rolling Stones. You can't get much richer, older, or whiter than Mick Jagger. All they have done by continuing to tour and release albums is ruin their legacy. They are now a silly joke. Their concerts are a $200 afterthought.
Take Stephen Malkmus. Sure he's just an indie rock dude who is by no means all that rich, but he does OK, I'm sure. Anyway, a very drunk SM complained that the number of attractive young women attending his shows has gone down significantly since turning 35. It was entertaining for the most part, but kind of sad as well. (For a way better recap, check the bathysphere.)

ROWG's are losing their grip and the rest of the world is celebrating. Hipsters are celebrating. People celebrated in Kenya. People from all over the Earth partied. It sort of looked like this (stolen from WILTOMWTWT who stole it from some movie)...


I realize that I too am a white guy who will undoubtedly grow old. It's doubtful I will ever be super-rich, but I do live a much more comfortable and privileged life than many people around the world. I'm OK with a more pluralistic society. It's actually better for my daughter that ROWG's lose a little power.

I don't think we will see a major change in the ROWG's political and financial power or influence, but Obama's victory gives me hope for the possibility of something different. So, here's to hoping for a subversion of the dominant paradigm: the death of the rich, old, white guy.

Update: Apparently, folks in Harlem were also happy.

Fuck yeah!

After eight years of stolen elections, deceit, and incompetence, we have a president that we can be proud of. I don't have much more to say about it. Thank fucking god we got this one right. It's about fucking time! (Sorry for all the f-bombs.)

All I have to say is thank you.

Did you vote yet?

Obama at Mizzou

OK. So, I didn't actually see Barack Obama last night, but I certainly could hear him. Let me explain...

We met friends at Shakespeare's for some pizza (and beer, thanks Joe). Since two of us were babies, we opted to watch the happenings from the Jesse Hall steps. Even if we couldn't get past the ridiculously long lines to see Obama, we would at least be able to hear him speak.

Then something strange happened. The security just started letting everyone through. We saw our chance and walked in. It wasn't long before we hit a wall of people. There was no seeing the stage, so we shifted back a bit to watch the giant projection screen.

A little before his scheduled time of 9:30, Obama arrived. He pronounced the state's name as "Missou-rah" which made people go crazy. Obama gave a 30-40 minute speech, using all his regular talking points and one-liners. It was sort of like a rock concert. You had heard it all before, but there was something different in seeing it live.

Apparently, Obama will be back in Misery this Saturday with a visit to Springfield. This state is becoming hotly contested. The polls are very close. It goes back and forth every day. While some envy us for getting all this political attention, don't. All it really means is that after two years of campaigning, the people of Misery have still not made up their minds. The candidates have to come to us. They don't call it the "Show Me State" for nothing.

Here's a really bad video to prove I was there last night. Ignore the lame "political" commentary.

Obama at Mizzou from comoprozac on Vimeo.

In case you missed it...

No lunch break is too important not to post these. They are the four parts of Barack Obama's TV special that aired last night. We hope to see him in-person tonight on campus. More on that later.

The Obama Effect?

There's talk of an "Obama Effect," much like the infamous Bradely Effect, hitting the airwaves and internets. The thinking is that McCain will miraculously overcome his 6-7 point deficit (according to RealClear averages) on election day and edge out a win. Right-wing pundits - who will remain nameless - feel as though the vast majority of undecideds will go McCain next Tuesday.

Talk about the soft bigotry of low expectations. Even when Obama holds a commanding lead in the polls, people still think he can't win. It's as if the Republicans are banking on racism to get their guy in the White House.

It looks to me that Obama has it in the bag as long as marginalized voters turn out. Oh, and he needs the lazy vote to turn out as well. By "lazy" I'm referring to college kids, hippies, hipsters, etc. A good turnout next Tuesday should spell victory for Obama.

In the meantime, I will have to see if it's viable for us to sneak out of the house with the baby for Obama's rally here in COMO. She may have to forgoe her bath, sleep, and warmth to see the next president of the United States.

Hopefully, I'll have more on that later this week.

Pass it on: Vote

Random Media Posting

I had some things to post. Actually, I have to empty my tabs. Here are a few of the things I was saving for you...

Stephen Malkmus comes to town next weekend. I'm excited even if I don't get a chance to interview him.

Obama is raking in so much dough that he's purchased ad space on McCain's Straight Talk ExpressTM.
Luckily, my Broken Social Scene experience was not like this guy's.

Animal Collective have a new record to release. check out the cover. Try not to get nauseous.
For a limited time only, you can watch the No Wave documentary, Kill Your Idols. See, Pitchfork isn't that bad.

Speaking of cool, artsy rock and Stephen Malkmus, you should pre-order the Brighten the Corners re-issue and get lots of free stuff.

Dude's night(s) out gets started tonight. Stay tuned.

The Truth About Acorn

I had five minutes between checking emails and filling out expense reports to post this. Spread the word on Acorn. My feeling is the more people who vote, the more accurately the votes represent the will of the people.

That is all.

Who is Barack Obama?

Lately, the McCain/Palin camp has gone on the offensive, asking, "Who is Barack Obama?" Apparently their confusion over their opponent's identity has caused Obama to open a six point lead in the polls. It's a rather curious strategy to admit one's ignorance.

Where have these people been the past four years? (Or 20 years.) Did they not pay attention when Obama spoke at the 2004 DNC? Do they not read newspapers? Have they not read his books?

Well, I would like to help John McCain and Sarah Palin. I would like to tell them a little about the Senator from Illinois. This way, they can realize who they are up against.

First, the Republicans should do a little research on the internets, or system of tubes. That's what you call a "Google," my friends. If they had, they would have stumbled upon Barack Obama's Wikipedia entry. There they could have discovered that Obama did such dastardly things as edit the Harvard Law Review, registered voters, taught Constitutional law, and married Michelle, his spouse for the past 18 years. They would have also discovered that Barack Obama has a political record. It's not as long as McCain's or Joe Biden's, but he's also a little younger than those guys.

Barack Obama is not a terrorist or even terrorist sympathizer. I mean, palling around with political extremists is not the best way to win a major, national election. Ask Sarah Palin. She's all BFF with some Alaskan separatists and she's going to lose this election.

Barack Obama is not Muslim. Of course, I think it would be cool if he were, but that's because I understand that Muslim does not equal terrorist. As far as morals and religious beliefs, Obama is a devout Christian who has not succumbed to dirty politics as some would suggest.

Why doesn't anyone ask about McCain's morals and ethics? Wait. I will. Is McCain an ethical/moral man?

Answer:


What else might one want to know about Obama? Well, he is black, in case you were unaware...all you color-blind folks out there. His father was from Kenya and mother from Kansas. Some people think this is a liability. These talking heads often cite the "Bradley Effect" in their reasoning. Others see things differently.

Of course, this election is about the issues. Many people claim that Obama does nothing more than talk pretty. It has been suggested that he has no ideas on policy. This misunderstanding by the McCain folks could have been avoided had his campaign known how to Google Obama. They would have stumbled upon his website, which comes up right after the news on Obama leading the polls. (Heck, even Fox "News" knows about the polls.) If they (or you, undecided Missourian voter) were to look at Obama's website, they would come to the realization that Barack Obama does have some solid ideas on how to fix the mess in which we find ourselves. Not everyone will agree, but he does have some ideas that are, in fact, easier to nail to the wall than Jello.

Actually, the one issue that comes up in every presidential election is taxation. People want to know about Obama's tax plan. OK. Here it is: 95% of those making less than $200,000 will not pay a penny more in taxes. Check out this calculator that will tell you how much you will have to pay under Obama's plan. How will he pay for this tax break? He'll tax the rich and it's about time.

I think I know who Barack Obama is. I also know is who John McCain, Sarah Palin, and their supporters are and for what they stand.

I don't have time to get into McCain. A lot has been written about him already. So, check out The Real John McCain. Luckily, this site is mostly made of videos, so you don't have to read what someone else has to say about McCain. You can hear the Senator speak for himself.

OK. What about Sarah Palin? Who is she? Well, for starters, she is one of the most popular governors in the country. (Of course not everyone in Alaska feels that way.) She has her own scandal ending in a "-gate" during her short time in office. Did I mention that she's a crazy Bible-thumper?

You all know these things about the GOP ticket. They either bother you or they don't.

The real discovery for me has been the result of the original question: Who is Barack Obama? It is unbelievable the vicious lies and hate-speech that is being passed off as political campaigning these days by McCain/Palin. What's worse is how their supporters are taking the GOP's fear-mongering and running with it. Don't believe me? Watch...

Then, read it here.

I guess if you're scared of losing the election, you have to make everyone else just as scared using lies and innuendo. And what we fear the most is the unknown. So, McCain and Palin have raised the stakes with their nasty campaign strategy to spread rumors and lies about Barack Obama. The maverick is desperate.

If you want people to see the real Obama's, send them this video and be done with it. If they want to believe the shit the Right is shoveling, let them. Obama doesn't need their votes anyway.

Why Thursday's VP Debate Is Important

Normally, I don't really care who's running for vice-president. The VP rarely makes an important decision, and we haven't had too many presidents die in recent decades. So, the VP really doesn't mean much to me.

However, this year is different. Never before have we had such an important decision to make on both ends of the ballot. There is the history of either electing the first black president or first female VP. While the presidential contest brings up many issues of experience versus change, the VP race boasts the same situation, only the parties are flipped.

My biggest reason for caring this year is that the chances of the VP having to step are greater now than ever. Never before has it been more likely that a running mate will have to step in due to the potentially short lifespan of their political partner.

Let me explain.

John McCain, if elected, will become the oldest first-term president in our country's history. He has had cancerous spots removed from his skin three times. The thing that has made him so famous (his time as a POW in Vietnam) may be the thing that takes the most years off his life. It is doubtful the man could withstand four years in the most pressure-filled job, much less eight.

This is why the selection of Sarah Palin is so troubling. Why would a candidate of such an advanced age choose such an inexperienced running mate? If McCain's cancer were to return as it did the last time he ran for president (2000), we'll be faced with a replacement that is ill-equipped to be president.

Then there's Obama and his choice, Joe Biden. I hate to admit it, but I have worried about Barack Obama's safety ever since he made a run at the nomination. It really scares me that some racist nut (or several) will take it upon himself to take down our first black president. Obama is the largest, most popular African-American (at least among white people) since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And we all know how that ended.

The one president that Obama reminds me of is John F. Kennedy. Like Kennedy, Obama has found a way to capture the hearts and minds of young America. He is inspiring in a way that an old white man from the GOP could never overcome.

As with King and Kennedy, I worry that Obama's life is in great danger as president. I hope this is not true, but I worry. His political stance actually falls somewhere in between the two great men, but his similarities to their ability to motivate and inspire hope is uncanny. I am scared that his life will end in a similar manner.

Enter Joe Biden. Obama did the right thing by choosing an experienced candidate as his running mate. Obama has the hearts of young and marginalized people. Biden provides the minds of older, more conservative voters.

So, tonight, watch the VP debate. Hopefully neither has to ever step in for their presidential mates, but the odds are sadly in their favor.

Finally

Finally, I am going to publish a blog post. (That's a picture of me working on this one.) Of course, we are expecting yet another wonderful meal from friends, and a R's colleague is hanging out to help with Lucia. Whatever. I finally have an opportunity to publish.

So, I will now attempt to frantically write summaries of all the other blog posts I've tried to get out there in this one post.

Indecision '08
Obama did what he needed to do in Friday's debate. He went toe-to-toe with McCain and demonstrated that there is substance behind his words. McCain would claim that Obama was going to raise taxes and that he didn't understand while never looking his opponent in the eye. Obama fought back. He directed his message at McCain and to the camera. He set the record straight on his plan for tax cuts for 95% of us. The best part is that he pushed McCain around on defense. Who saw that coming? Some of the talking heads felt McCain won on points, but I'd like to know what those points are. By my count, Obama is winning by 4-8 points...in the polls.

Did anyone see Tina Fey rip Sarah Palin a new one for the second straight week on SNL? The difference this time around was that Fey used Palin's words almost verbatim from her interview with Katie Couric. If it wasn't clear before, it certainly is clear now. Sarah Palin is way over her head. I can't wait for the VP debate on Thursday.

Misery (the state of things, not the state in which I live)
After news of the $700 billion bailout of US banks hit, my parents received one of those chain emails that any emailer over 50 seems to get ad nauseum. This one claimed that if the government gave that seven billion to every American adult, we would each receive $400,000. Now, I haven't taken the time to figure out the math, but it does bring up a good idea. Why doesn't the government bail out responsible homeowners instead of the irresponsible home loan industry? They could even give some money to responsible homeowners for home improvements, helping the economy through an increase in building, and generating more tax revenue. Why does our government jump at the idea to give handouts to corporations whenever they screw up, but socialized medicine, free college education, and more subsidized housing for the people is a bad idea?

(BTW-The cartoonist below is my neighbor, but he doesn't know that I'm using this cartoon.)

Sunday (actually, Monday) Morning (actually, evening) Quarterback
This weekend of college football looked like last season with all the major upsets. If anything, it proves that all the so-called experts don't know anything about college football. What it also means that if this keeps up, Ohio State can still sneak its way back up the rankings. Personally, I don't want them to make the championship game again. I'd like to see them dominate their conference, finishing #3 in the nation. Then, they could either get their revenge on USC or beat a team like Cal or Oregon. The reason they can still do this is that they have regained their best player in Beanie Wells and have seen the future and it's Terrelle Pryor. With Wells and Pryor in the backfield, I'm not sure any defense will stop this team.

ComoMuzac
I talked about it over the summer and it still hasn't happened, but soon it will. ComoMusic is going to switch over from a community cluster-f*** to a Pitchfork/Brooklyn Vegan-like music site here in central Misery. In the meantime, I have been reviewing records for the site. All those reviews I used to write here will soon be available at ComoMusic.

Let me summarize...

I love the albums by the Walkmen, Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Okkervil River, Kimya Dawson, and Calexico. The Uglysuit was OK. As far as records that did very little for me, check Jenny Lewis. I also wrote my first review of a hip hop album...which sucked. Stay tuned. I'll let you know when those full reviews are available.

I have some plans to sneak out of the house for Broken Social Scene and Stephen Malkmus. I most likely will not make it to STL for Bob Pollard or to the Note to see Wolf Parade, but I'm working on it. We'll see.

I am looking forward to TV on the Radio and Cold War Kids arriving in the mail. I thought I would get them early, but no such luck.

Lucia
The kid is now 18 days old. We love her a whole lot. That's for sure. She's actually pretty cute, which we were prepared for her not to be cute. You know how there are a lot of ugly babies out there? We didn't expect much, but she turned out great. She sleeps 3-4 hour stints every night, so for what else could we ask?

Hopefully, I will get back to some full-fledged lim for you all in the very near future.

Choose Life

I think I have finally awoken from my baby haze and two-week paternity leave to address a highly divisive issue that has somehow escaped this year's presidential campaign: abortion. I personally see this issue as non-political and more of a health issue. However, I realize as McCain becomes more and more desperate, he will go to the anti-choicers for some 11th hour assistance.

Actually, what woke me up was a Facebook post by a former high school classmate of my brother's. Marla (her name has not been changed to protect her identity) posted a diatribe against any presidential candidate that is not pro-life. She doesn't name names, but we all know what she's getting at.

I decided to respond to Marla's post. I wrote something like this...

So, which candidate is more forthright/forthcoming with his faith?

Obama regularly speaks of his faith. In fact, I would argue that he is way more comfortable with his faith than McCain. Besides, McCain cheated on his first wife with his current wife. Isn't there something in the Bible about that?

I often like to imagine Jesus as our president. Of course, most Republicans would accuse him of Socialism. He would regularly require the rich to give what they have to the poor. There would be health care for all and no war.

So, when I read your post and considered these issues, I assumed that you will be supporting Barack Obama for president. I salute your courage and forward thinking in such an important election.

Take care and God bless,

Marla, being the professional writer she is, responded...quite poetically. Check it...

I'm not looking for a guy with a perfect past. I'm looking for a guy who values human life.

God knits babies together in their mothers' wombs. I don't mess with that. Neither would Jesus.

Yes. That's what she wrote.

"God knits babies together in their mothers' wombs. I didn't mess with that. Neither would Jesus."

What the hell does that mean? I asked R if she remembers feeling any knitting. She said other than the hat she knitted for Lucia, she couldn't recall any yarn-craft going on in her uterus.

I still think Jesus would make a good president.

Anyway, I had to respond...

Values life? Oh, you mean fixing America's health care system, ending a war, creating programs that prevent unwanted pregnancies and STD's, supporting stem cell research, reducing domestic and gender-based violence, and fighting poverty? Those are all ways to improve the quality of life in this country. You're right! Barack Obama is definitely the right choice.

Have a blessed day!

In all fairness, Marla has not had a chance to respond, but I can't possibly see how she won't agree with me...unless God also crochets babies or bakes them in her Easy-Bake Oven.

Why is this still an issue for so many voters this political season? Have we not seen the alternative to safe, legal abortions? Didn't the pro-lifers learn from Bush that a presidential election will not overturn Roe v. Wade? How does this issue really affect their lives? Really?

What is so "pro-life" about a "pro-life" political stance?

The only way to ensure that our daughters, mine included, have the same opportunities as men is to allow them the choice to continue or terminate a pregnancy. If a man does not want a baby, he can maintain his traditional role as father and have little to do with raising the child...or he could just leave. Besides, he doesn't have to carry the fetus for nine months. These situations create terrible disadvantages for women.Our country doesn't do enough as it is for children (and mothers) once they're born. We don't fund daycare and preschools the way we should. There is no guarantee that a child will receive the health care he/she deserves once they are born. Of course, a baby's mother only makes 75 cents of every man's dollar, so who can afford a baby in the first place? And if he/she survives all this, don't expect to get any handouts for college.

We are so lucky to have Lucia in our lives, but it is so wonderful because it was our choice to have her. We are privileged to make that choice. We are privileged to have educations, careers, and a home. I don't want to live in a country where reproduction is not our choice.

What really gets me about these one-issue voters is that they don't see the big picture. They often support candidates that aim to cut social welfare programs, propose abstinence-only education, and are pro-death penalty. I realize that social welfare is a problem, but one has to wonder what Jesus would do. I believe that Jesus would provide for the nation's poor and needy. The abstinence-only education makes no sense. Kids will have sex no matter what we try to tell them. Why not provide them with information and protection so that abortions are not even a necessity? And do I have to explain the hypocrisy of being pro-life and pro-death penalty?

Many so-called pro-life voters will flock to the voting booths this November to cast a ballot for John McCain. Is this really the best choice? George W Bush never delivered on the promise to overturn Roe v. Wade. What makes them think McCain is different? In fact, McCain used to think that abortion should be a state issue until he later flip-flopped and claimed to support the reversal of RvW. In fact, even his wife, Cindy (whom he's referred to as a c---), was confused on her husband's stance.

Barack Obama, a devoutly Christian man, supports a woman's right to choose, not necessarily abortion. In fact, like many Democrats, Obama would like to lower the number of abortions through education and health programs. Shouldn't that be the goal? Shouldn't we want less abortions rather than more back alley hatchet jobs?

I, for one, am glad that abortion is not an issue this year, but I know that it is only a matter of time before McCain has to go "there" and rile up the Christian right (or wrong, whichever). I just wish voters could look past an issue with which the president has very little to do.

I agree that we should vote for life. I am voting to end the war. That should save a few lives. I am voting to end the death penalty. I am voting to provide health care for every American. That should make life better. I am voting to tax those who can afford to give a little more so that others may live a little easier. I am voting for the candidate who will make life better for everyone, not just the very rich. I am voting for Barack Obama for more than one reason. His stance on protecting a woman's right to choose is just one of them.

Introducing Our Next VP: Joe Biden

This is why Joe Biden is light years beyond Sarah Palin.

You can't have it both ways.

These days it seems the political right wants things both ways. They make an argument to discredit their political opponents, only to turn around a few weeks later and take the opposite stance in order to prove another, completely different point. They label themselves as reformers, mavericks, and patriots, but their actions demonstrate character undeserving of these titles. These inconsistencies, more than anything, prove that the Republicans' time in power is coming to an end. Let me demonstrate how right-winged politicians and pundits have spoken from both sides of their mouths this campaign season in order to dupe the American public.

Feministing
After months of attacking Hillary Clinton with sexist remarks and degrading criticism, Republicans are now crying "unfair" as Sarah Palin suffers the same sort of scrutiny. It was OK to call Hillary a "bitch" or make condescending remarks regarding her gender, but it has been completely out of bounds to criticize Palin's lack of experience or controversial background.

Experience
Barack Obama has been taking hits for his perceived lack of experience for months. This is an argument one would think holds no weight with the selection of both party's running mates. Joe Biden has years of legislative and foreign affairs experience. Sarah Palin, on the other hand, was the mayor of a town of 9,000 and governor of the 47th most populous state. The experience argument doesn't work anymore...if it ever did.

Baby Mama
Since I'm on the topic of Sarah Palin, I'll continue with a point concerning the teen pregnancy circus that swirls around her daughter, Bristol. Luckily, no one has referred to her as "baby mama" like a certain news channel did when labelling Michelle Obama as such. What is so hypocritical is that the Republicans marched the Palin clan out in front of the world as a prime example of their family values in practice. They have also used Sarah's five-month old son with down syndrome as a poster child of the pro-life agenda. On top of that, McCain and Palin claim that Bristol had a choice in keeping her baby and marrying the father, Levi Johnston. Yeah, pro-lifers and non-gay marriage! Apparently, it was OK to use Palin's family as a trophy of her family values, but not OK that her family receive any scrutiny. One cannot use your family for photo ops and simultaneously expect the press to let their stories go.

Luckily, Jon Stewart illustrated my first three points better than I ever could have...


Race
I don't mean the race to the presidency. I'm talking about the subtly racist undertones of the Right's arguments against Obama. Obama made a comment describing how Republicans will try to scare voters not to vote for him. The McCain camp accuses Obama of playing the race card. Who's playing the race card?

FOX News ATTACKS OBAMA
by Ali_La_Pointe

Drillbit McCain
With gas prices on the rise and his poll numbers sinking, McCain has thought up several half-cocked ideas to improve the fuel price crisis. First there was the idea to cut consumer taxes and make the oil companies pay a greater share. That died quickly. Then, after proclaiming that he'd never drill offshore, he changed his mind in hopes of changing a few votes. Now, drilling offshore for additional fuel is a cornerstone of his energy plan. Unfortunately, this plan won't have any effects on our oil supply for several decades and will not end our addiction to oil.


Maverick
Despite what they tell you, John McCain is not a maverick. The man voted with George W Bush over 90% of the time. I'm not making that up. He said it himself...


I'm sure I have only touched on the hypocrisy that is the Republican party. There's plenty of time before November for the Right to come up with more of that stuff. What have you heard?

Fall Preview

Upon reading my Google Reader today, I realized that recent posts on this blog have ignored the local music scene and have neglected this place in which I live in order for me to get on my soapbox or remind you that I'll be a dad shortly. But most importantly, I haven't written any lists in a while.

There's a lot to do this fall in COMO. I won't have time for much of it, but there is still a lot to do. So, here's my list of top 10 events this fall. 

10. Roots 'N  Blues 'N BBQ Festival

I mostly found this event last year to be a major annoyance. The streets were overwhelmed with people. The stage was idiotically placed at th

e top of the hill on 8th Street, looking down from Broadway, instead of the more ideal and time-tested location on 9th. There was no use ge

tting in line for the BBQ. The lines were too long. Additionally, beer was hard to come by and usually swill (read "Budweiser"). If they fix half of these problems, the fest might be worth attending this year.

9. Broken Social Scene 

On October 17th, my father-in-law will travel all the way from Pittsburgh to babysit just so that R and I can head over to the Note and see a 23-piece rock supergroup from

 Toronto, better known as Feist's old band. Land of Talk opens.

8. The Ragtag Passport Series

The 'Tag features yet another edition of their Passport Series in which the little indie theater that could presents quality flicks from around the globe. The screenings include complimentary drinks that relate to the film and a "tour guide" to the locales and issues

 portrayed. Get out of COMO for two hours in the friendly confines of the Ragtag Theater. Most likely we'll miss most of these, but I get tired of 

7. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks 

My hero (and crush) Stephen Malkmus visits COMO with his Jicks in order to rock your socks off. I have a ticket for this one, but it may cause me to miss #5. Either way, I'll see SM and Janet Weiss on the skins with Blitzen Trapper opening.

6. Columbia Beer Enthusiasts Beer Tastings

This is one of those events from which I may have to take a sabbatical. We've had three great beer tastings. Our numbers grow each time. The next tasting is on September 22 with Scotch, brown, and amber ales as the featured brews. More than likely, there will be another in October, November, and so on.

5. Wolf Parade 

I rated this show so high because I might not be able to attend. I have yet to see Wolf Parade live but have longed to catch their act since Apologies to the Que

en Mary was released the year we moved here. From videos I've seen online, they certainly put on a great show. Wish me luck as I try to negotiate a way out of the house to see Wolf Parade on November 7th at the Note.

4. College Football

Everyone in COMO is drinking the Mizzou Koolaid ever since the Tigers put together a 12-win season last year and started off this year with a win over a top-25 team from Illinois. Plus, last year was one of the craziest CFB seasons ever. Who knows what will happen this year? Of course, I'll be paying more attention to Beanie's toe than any of the 70+ points Mizzou scores this weekend. You all should join me and watch the game of the year next week in LA when The Ohio State University travels to LA to take on the USC Trojans.

3. The End of Twilight Fest

I never liked this festival or street fair or whatever it is. Mostly, stores stay open late and streets are overcrowded, blindly meandering through the District (of Columbia). I'm glad to see this "event" come to an end. The Note's Summer Stage will fill the void...as soon as they get better acts than Johnny Lang and Cracker. (To be fair, I've seen Wilco twice at this event and Death Cab for Cutie played in the spring.)

2. Indecision '08

Barack Obama and John McCain face off for the chance to clean up George W Bush's eight year mess. Despite the soap opera that is Sarah Palin's life, the vice-presidential candidates are actually quite boring. Whoever wins, hopefully there will be a change in how our government works and is perceived throughout the world. At least Jon Stewart will keep us all informed throughout. I won't miss this no matter how many children we birth this fall and neither should you.

1. The (eventual) Arrival of comoprozac Jr.

Yes, we're still waiting. The kid is now officially late, which is ironic since my last name is Early (no joke). We wait and try various strategies to move this birth along, but all we end up doing is waiting. Of course, I will be certain to let you all know once little Bristol or Levi arrives...I kid, I kid.

Enjoy your autumn.

Juno the governor of Alaska?

While brainstorming ideas of things we could do as we wait for mucus plugs and ruptured membranes, I suggested that we watch a humorous movie about birth. One of those films I suggested was Juno, the 2007 Oscar winner for best original screenplay. For the few of you who have yet to see this great film, it's about a pregnant teenager who opts to have her child in order to give it up for adoption to a yuppie couple in need of a baby.

There was some controversy over the movie's popularity and the image it portrayed of pregnant teens. Some fundies were troubled by the message being sent that teenage sex and, more importantly, pregnancy were socially acceptable. Of course, it is reality that teen pregnancy rates are on the rise. So, it really could just mean that Juno represents reality.

The big slip was that fundy pro-lifers (aka anti-choicers) could have pointed to Juno as an example of pro-life choices being hip. In the film, Juno visited an abortion clinic, was turned off by the clinic's dogmatic staff, and opted to have the child. She even made the selfless choice of agreeing to give the baby up for adoption. It doesn't get any more pro-life than that. Fundies missed the boat on that one. Of course, it could also be pointed out that the girl had enough agency to make a choice. She weighed her options and chose adoption. Pro-lifers are not interested in young women choosing to give birth; they'd rather strip women of their right to make up their own minds.

Now there's Sarah Palin, John McCain's hastily chosen VP candidate who, earlier today, announced that her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. Supposedly, Bristol Palin made the "choice" to have the baby and marry the father. That's rich. The daughter of a super pro-lifer and Republican vice-presidential candidate had a "choice."

Feministing called attention to this very issue earlier today. They point out how ridiculous it is that politicians who intend to take away the reproductive rights of women are now claiming that this 17-year-old girl has a choice. As Feministing's Ann points out, the only folks capable of making such an important decision seem to be McCain and Palin.

Lost in all of this is the issue of abstinence only education. It doesn't work, and one would have to assume it didn't work for Bristol either. I don't want to demonize the young girl or her family for this pregnancy. It happens, which is the point. If you have sex, you run the risk of becoming pregnant. You lower your chances of pregnancy (and of contracting an STD) if you use a condom or some other form of birth control. However, it's doubtful that Bristol or her beau, Levi Johnston, were taught this lesson...well, in school anyway. Sarah Palin backed abstinence-only sex education in her 2006 run for governor. I wonder if this even has changed her mind?

Whatever happens, it is interesting that the issue of rising teen pregnancy rates is not going away. Most likely, there will continue to be more Junos filmed and more girls like Bristol Palin will find themselves young and pregnant. It makes me glad that R and I had the agency and know-how to make the choices we have in becoming parents. It's too bad we're failing so many children with the unreachable reality of abstinence-only sex education. I look for this issue to be brought up this fall as we get closer and closer to election day.

May I continue?

Let's me be clear. Sarah Palin is maybe the worst choice ever for the oldest possible president in our country's history to choose. Not only is she ill-equipped, inexperienced, anti-environment, anti-choice, pro-oil, but she is the exact opposite of Hillary Clinton.

I think Samantha B. said it best...

Wha? Part 3: It only gets better

I think many a left-leaning (and some to the right) agree that Sarah Palin is not the best choice for VP. She has little or no experience and was swftly vetted by McCain's committee. There are also stories of controversy in her state and of dealings with oil companies. Whatever.

However, I was truly shocked when South Decola uncovered this little tidbit from Daily Kos: Sarah Palin is the grandmother, not mother of her fourth child. I thought it was ridunculous as well, but read the Daily Kos article.

This hastily-chosen VP candidate is only the tip of the iceberg this RNC week. The Republicans planned a covention beginning on Labor Day, a day that many union workers would be required to work. It comes three years after the Katrina debacle, which they are shamelessly demonstrating that they now know how to handle such a situation.

Could this party be anymore out of touch? Can anyone really, in all honesty find a reason that they should continue to be in charge?

Stupid Pudits (and some Hillary supporters)

Honestly, I haven't watched any of the DNC. I find politicians (regardless of party) to be phony. If I'm going to vote for a candidate, I don't want to hear them speak. They're liable to say something lame that only panders to the ignorant and intolerant. I can gather all the information I need by studying their websites and propaganda...oh, and their political party.

I admit it that I will never vote for a Republican until they separate themselves from crazy, right-winged Christian fundamentalism. But I digress.

I have stated many times that I'm an Obama supporter. Unlike most politicians, he has inspired me with his speeches. Even though he seems to be moving his positions closer to the political middle, he's still way better than McSame.

There are two troubling developments I've been watching over the past few weeks and especially during this week's DNC.

The first has to do with stupid Hillary supporters who refuse to support Obama. I'm not saying all Clinton backers are stupid, just the ones who can't put their pettiness aside to support our country's best shot at a competent and righteous leader. Hillary supporters seem to forget the past eight years of war, a sinking economy, and the slow deterioration of our civil rights. This doesn't even mention the havoc John McCain will wreak all over a woman's right to choose. Isn't that the biggest reason to support Hillary? Because she's a woman who will protect women's rights?

Any Hillary supporter who turns to McCain is either an idiot, racist, or some combination of the two.

I would have undoubtedly supported Hillary Clinton had she won the nomination. In fact, I have always felt that a Hillary ticket with Obama as the VP to be unbeatable. However, that's not what happened. Sorry.

The fact is that Obama won the nomination fair and square. Case closed. I wanted Kucinich or Edwards four years ago, but we got Kerry instead. That didn't change my vote for the Dems.

So you're still pissed that African-American men were able to vote before women. I get that. I understand the resentment, but come on. Voting for McCain is no way to show your support for Hillary.

Besides, both Clintons very clearly came out in support of Barack Obama. There was no doubt that they were able to put aside their disappointment. However, if you believe the talking heads on cable TV, they weren't convincing enough.

Really? The Clintons came off as ambiguous? I could go on and on about my feelings toward cable TV pundits and their need to stir up controversy in order to improve their ratings. Instead, I'll let you be the judge. Do the Clintons make their support for Obama clear to you?

In other presidential campaign news...

Cindy McCain is not a very nice person. I won't go so far to use the C-word in describing her (like her husband did), but she kinda comes off as a jerk in this piece.

Plus, this might be the most racist thing I've read in a while.