The Day in Teabagging and Other Political Rants

I haven't done many political posts since the election. I felt that Obama's victory did all the talking for me. However, when a bunch of right-winged nuts decided to tea-bag Tax Day away, I knew I had to comment. To do this, I've opted to simply comment on some of the things I witnessed today and the days leading up to all the tea-bagging.

With protests, come signs. And the signs for the tea-baggers were particularly offensive. Case in point:

Yes. You read that sign correctly. It says, "The American Taxpayers Are The Jews For Obama's Ovens [sic]." Where does one even begin with this one? This takes the whole "you're a Nazi" political argument ten-thousand steps too far. Really? The struggles of American taxpayers (he meant upper-middle class white people) are the equivalent of Hitler's genocide of 17 million Jews? Really? That leads into this sign and the corresponding report below...
I love how the guy holding the sign uses the classic third-grade argument of "because he is" when explaining to the reporter why he thinks Obama is a fascist. I guess I would say is touché...That and Barack Obama could be many things to many people, but I don't think "fascist" could be an accurate descriptor. According to Wikipedia, a fascist "is intended to mean 'oppressive', 'intolerant', 'chauvinist', 'genocidal', 'dictatorial', 'racist', or 'aggressive' – all concepts that are at least loosely inspired by the ideology of actual fascism." While one may not agree with our president's policies, it would be difficult to prove that he is any of these things, including a "fascist".

Earlier this week, I posted the following video on Facebook...



It is hard for me to believe that someone at Fox News or in one of the various right-winged PAC's behind the tea-bagging failed to realize just what "tea-bagging" actually is. That's just the beginning of the jokes. Just do a search on Twitter for the tag "#teabagging" and let the hilarity begin.

My friends at South DeCola posted this comic and a couple of other comments on the day's events.


For a good round up, check Triumph the Comic Dog's Twitter feed. I finally had to turn the Twitter off today so I could get some work done. I read more sexual innuendos involving teabags, balls, and nuts than I care to count.

What really gets me about the whole tea party thing is how misinformed it is. Most of the people at these protests are getting a tax cut. In fact, I'd bet more than 90% of the protesters are getting an Obama tax cut since 90% of the entire population qualifies for said cut.

And what do they want the government to do with their taxes? Start an endless and costly war under false pretenses? Continue to allow large corporations to reap the benefits of a rather forgiving tax code wrought with many loopholes allowing them to escape paying their share? Run up the greatest deficit in US history after starting with the greatest surplus? Oh wait, that was the last guy.

Do they want our bridges to continue to crumble along with schools, social security, and our health care system? Come on. Tea-bagging Day was the biggest joke since two terms of George W Bush.
______________________________

Since I'm on the subject of right-winged nut jobs, I'd like to address all the gay marriage bashing going on now that the "gay agenda" has garnered some victories in Vermont, DC, Iowa, and even COMO. The video I posted here popped up and I felt as though the flood gates were going to open with anti-gay sentiment, but all the tea-bagging caused the wingnuts to forget this fight. I mean, who could concentrate on gay couples getting married when there's all that rampant tea-bagging going around. I know I wouldn't be able to concentrate.

Thankfully, someone did a spoof on the anti-gay marriage video. Enjoy.

Some Music to Go with the Day

I have been avoiding the political posts for a while. There has been no need. The presidential election ended the way I wanted and I am sort of burnt out.

But today is an important day. Martin Luther King Day lands this year just before our country swears in our first African-American president. This is significant. I don't know to what degree Dr. King's dream has come to fruition, but Barack Obama's success certainly helps.

I considered posting something prophetic or just really smart, but I've got nothing. Then I considered that most people read my blog for the music. So, I thought I'd make a few suggestions for your listening pleasure on this MLK Day/Obama Inauguration Eve.

Barack Obama is/was the senator from Illinois. So, I thought a great album to revisit would be Sufjan Steven's Illinois. The album features an uplifting and joyous sound with some ominous subliminal messages, a perfect metaphor for our time. Not only that, but Steven's dabbles into the unique state of the Illinois politic. Had Blagovich been apart of such scandal when four+ years ago, Stevens would have surely included a song about the unscrupulous Illinois governor. Stevens did write songs about Superman and Lincoln, both figures often used in comparison with Obama.


The folks over at The Onion's AV Club created a list of 70 songs about presidents. Of course, they cheated along the way, using Of Great and Mortal Men for numbers 7-49. The list begins with Devo ("Whip It" - I had no idea.) and ends with Nas ("Black President"). Some of the tracks are suspect, but overall, the list is a good read.


Another album I happened to put on today that encapsulates my feelings toward this specific time in history is José González's In Our Nature. This album is chilling. Sometimes I feel like he's calling out Bush for all the crap he pulled for eight years. The album then leaves me with a feeling of "Now we have some work to do." It's very serious and very urgent. (The song below is not off this album, but you get the idea.)

#SPLIT 13.2 - José Gonzalez - Storm
by lablogotheque

Whatever you listen to on Tuesday, know that it's marking a historical event. I will most likely watch the event on Hulu. Some people will be there in-person, but we'll all know where we were and was going on the day Barack Obama was sworn in.

Top Ten Crushes of 2008

I realize that I'm getting a big head start on the end-of-year lists, but this one came to me while I was driving for work the other day.

I have had many crushes over the past year. And by definition, a crush hurts. So, there's nothing sexual or adulterous about it. I simply see intriguing people whom I can't seem to get off my mind. Some have been crushes of mine for a while. Some are cliched, but all are definitely crush-worthy.

10. Chris "Beanie" Wells

Beanie has proven throughout this season to be the best Buckeye on Ohio State's squad. He runs through, around, and over defenders. Of course, Beanie broke my heart with that mysterious foot injury that cost the Buckeyes the USC game. Still, he steamrolled Michigan once again this past Saturday.

9. Tina Fey

OK. This is cliched and I've mentioned this crush before, but how can you not have a crush on the hapless Liz Lemon? Or be more attracted to Fey's Sarah Palin than Palin herself? Tina Fey may have a permanent spot on this list.

8. Zooey Deschanel

I first noticed Deschanel on Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe, then she sang with M Ward under the moniker She and Him, I was hooked. She has that girl-next-door thing or the cute barista without all the unnecessary skankiness of the adult film industry or teen angst melodramas.

7. The Bloggers at Feministing

Yes, I am what a feminist looks like...er...or writes like. I get the feminist 411 from the womyn of Feministing. No topic is off limits. No stone is left unturned. Besides great feminist coverage, Feministing avoids the typical pitfalls of pop feminist ideology: an ignorance of race and class privilege. If you don't read them, you should.

6. Thao Nguyen

Few releases in 2008 have appealed to all my senses the way Thao Nguyen's We Brave Bee Stings and All has. I'll have more to say on this with my top-32 of 2008 list. But for now, you should download her set at Daytrotter, which is where I found Thao.

5. Jay Smooth

H/T to Feministing for pointing this guy out to its readers. Jay Smooth is a blogger, vlogger, hip-hop commentator who sets things straight with his videos on sexism, politics, or whatever topic needs to be talked about. The best part is that he makes the message super critical and thought-provoking without sounding like a know-it-all. Plus, he was once featured in a Nas video.

4. Art School Pam

I love the American The Office, but I never got how all the men in said office (sans Oscar) were head-over-heels in love with the secretary, Pam. Sure, she was cute and very sly with her wit, but she just didn't do it for me. Now, she's left the desk and moved to NYC for art school (and now moved back with Jim, but whatever). I like the new, outgoing Pam. Her humor is now in the forefront and she is realizing her dreams. Sorry for the extra cheese factor, but me likes art school Pam better than frustrated secretary Pam.

3. The Obamas

So, Michelle is fierce and Barack is sort of pretty. Really. Besides actually bringing some high intellect (and integrity) to the White House, the first family elect has got to be the hottest first couple ever. I've had crushes on both since last year. That's why they share the #3 slot.

2. Stephen Malkmus

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I have a crush on Stephen Malkmus. His drunken show at the Note did little if anything to change that. He will forever be the man who wrote "Here" or "Box Elder" or any number of Pavement classics. He will forever be that other voice on Silver Jew records. And Stephen Malkmus will always be my generation's Bob Dylan/Lou Reed/Michael Jackson.

1. Lucia

My biggest crush is on this little person who completed our family a little over ten weeks ago. She teaches me patience and an unending love every day. Lucia will break my heart many times over her lifetime, but I will always have room for her in my heart. Lucia will forever be #1 on my crush list and I will be forever indebted to her mother for bringing her into this world. (Sorry for the sappiness.)

There are more lists to come...

Running on Empty

I never realized it would be so hard to keep up with the blogging after the kid was born. Sure, I thought that it would slow, but this is ridiculous. I don't think I posted one proper piece all last week. I've had several things started, shelved, and lost due to timeliness. That doesn't even mention my lack of posts on all my other blogs.

It's not just the time we have to spend with Lucia. Oh no. It started with the birth itself. The two weeks off work put me so far behind that I've never caught up. Additionally, I can't use the evenings or weekends to get caught up. Now my life consists of baby, work, eat, sleep. That's it.

Here are a few things about which I have been thinking.

There's the politic.

I am tired of the Left. Sure, I will still take a leftist political stance. I don't plan to vote for a Republican until they get out of our bedrooms, leave women's bodies alone, and give up on the trickle down theory, but I digress.

I am tired that the Left is picking at every little decision Barack Obama has made or could potentially make. Progressives have this annoying habit of constantly critiquing their own leaders and policies, never accomplishing anything except to undermine their own causes, doing the Right's work for them.

Look, Barack Obama is as politically left as we're going to get in the next eight years. Deal with it. Anything is better than what we've had to endure over the past eight years. Plus, Obama has a friendly Congress and the potential to appoint three Supreme Court justices. Lay off him for a second. Let's celebrate his victory and see what happens.

In the meantime, subscribe to his Fireside Chats, brought to by YouTube.


There are jock straps.

Ohio State has had a rather successful season besides their inability to return to the national championship. They could potentially win a share of their fourth straight Big Ten championship. They have discovered a bona fide star in Terrelle Pryor. Sure, everyone knew that he would be good, but not this soon. Now begins Michigan week. Nothing else matters if they don't beat Michigan.

Speaking of Michigan week. One of my faithful readers is a Michigan man. I was wondering if he would like to place a friendly wager on the game. I'm thinking that for a week the loser will post the logo for the winning team. What do you say, GE?

Oh, there is a football team in COMO as well. Mizzou just clinched the Big 12 North. That means they will get a chance to play Texas Tech or Texas in a couple of weeks. Some prize, huh? It's sort of like last year's game in which the Tigers got a chance to lose to Oklahoma for the second time in one year.

Of course, there is a difference this year. Mizzou has won the North easily. They will crush Kansas next week. The KU game was the major focus of their season last year. This year, they can focus on pulling off the upset, sort of like Kansas State did several years ago in upsetting OU.

There is always music.

I don't have much new music on which to report. However, with December quickly approaching, a favorite feature from last year will return. In case you missed it, I posted the top 31 albums of 2007, one album for each day of December. This year, I will raise the stakes and add another album, making it the top 32 of 2008. Look for my first post on the first of December. Each post will be 32 words long and highlight one song from the albums as well as include my own patented rating system.

Be sure to check and see how much my top ten has changed since the middle of the year. You can look here. (Don't bother with the comments.)

And there is the baby.

Lucia will celebrate her first Thanksgiving in true comoprozac/R-style. A lot will be posted on the festivities. So, I will just leave you with this image of Lu in the T-day onesie her auntie bought for her. (Sorry for the crustiness and general bad mood of the baby.)

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?

Time

There's really no time to blog this morning. There was a mini-beer tasting yesterday. I saw Stephen Malkmus last night, but there was no interview. Still, I'll post something about the beer and show soon.

It was also revealed to me this weekend that Obama spent the night on the north side where he worked out at a local fitness club...probably to work off the Sparky's ice cream he had the night before. I might have one final plea for the election while I'm posting this evening.

Until then, take a look at this...

(Lucia at the Obama rally)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Biden for VP?

About 23 minutes ago, The New York Times reported that Joseph Biden is Obama's running mate.

Where was my email? I never got the email.

Oh well.

What do you think about this? I'm undecided right now.

Wha? Part 2: Electirc Boogaloo

Is this a joke?

That dude who once sang, "We'll put a boot in your ass/It's the American way," is backing Barack Obama. Right along with his fellow musicians Bob Dylan, Arcade Fire, Superchunk, The Decemberists, Paris Hilton, etc., etc., Toby Keith has decided that Barack Obama is the right guy for the job.

What does this all mean? Is it a clever ploy to make Obama seem more like the white-middle-class voters he courts? Is it an even more clever ploy by the Republicans to associate Obama with militant extremists? How many houses does Toby Keith own?

I don't know what it all means, just that Obama needs something to boost his numbers. If Toby Keith is the key to the White House, so be it, but I have my doubts.

Obama has tons of endorsements from both politicians and celebrities what he doesn't have are voters with white skin and a truly leftist message--no matter what McCain says. It's sad, but there doesn't seems to be any way Obama will overcome the racism in this country. It's so ingrained in our culture that I don't see white voters backing Obama in the voting booths in the way he needs in order to become our next president. Additionally, the partisan rhetoric of this campaign make Obama out to be a socialist (which would be cool with me) even though his message is continually one of the middle.

I don't know.

Hopefully, with the email announcing Kathleen Sebelius as his VP and a stirring speech in Denver, Barack Obama will overcome the scourge that is Tobie Keith...and racism and become the first president that doesn't look like the presidents on our continually sinking dollar.

Wha?

How does this happen? Are we witnessing another Gore-like decline? How can Obama possibly lose?

Barack Obama's once-insurmountable lead in the polls seems to have disappeared...despite leading the vast majority of all the current polls. (Even though McCain leads the Fox "News" poll by something like 19 points.)

Of course, it should be noted that Obama does lead the electoral college count. The media isn't reporting that.

Also, Obama has the military vote...well, actually, it's their financial support.

In the meantime, I'm waiting for my email revealing Obama's running mate. Stay tuned.

Bitter? You bet I'm bitter!

I am so tired of McCain and that other Democrat picking on Barack Obama over comments he made referring to middle-America laborers as "bitter". I'd be bitter too if I felt my government was allowing my job to be shipped over seas or over the border. I'd be bitter if they kept sending my sons and daughters to fight a war for oil. I'd be bitter if the rich continued to thrive while my neighbors are losing their homes.

Am I bitter? You bet I'm bitter.

Obama was right on when he pointed this out. He may be a gifted orator, but he doesn't candy-coat America's problems. He is not out of touch with the common man or woman because he simply points out their frustrations with a government that doesn't address their needs.

Do people in rural America turn to guns and religion out of this bitterness? Sure they do. I live in the middle of Misery; that's what we do here. Why do you think the "president" has so much support despite the inadequacies of his administration? He supports gun ownership and is clearly religious. The administration may be responsible for my job moving overseas, but they won't take my glock.

The media has jumped on this "issue" and won't let it die. As is typical for the media, they have once again chosen to focus the debate on silly issues such as whether Obama is an elitist or not. They do this rather than report on the many problems in Iraq or the blatant disrespect the government is showing for our civil rights. When was the last time you heard an in depth report on events in Afghanistan?

Thankfully, there is a lone, sensible voice in the media...

Fierce

Stole this from Hodg-Man's blog. Fierce.

The Hipsters Have It

The hipsters have spoken. They want Obama, and Obama they shall have...

Well, actually, the last time I checked, Clinton and Obama were splitting delegates like Chuck Norris splits heads (when he's not stumping for Huckabee, that is). But, if anyone has the hipster vote, it's Obama.

Look at all the indie rockers backing the Senator from Illinois. Conor Oberst put on an impromptu concert in Iowa the night before Obama's caucus win. Win Butler writes in Obama cheers to Arcade Fire set lists between "Neighborhoods #1 and 3". M Ward has recently joined Oberst on the Obama campaign trail. People are reading Pitchfork for political updates instead of the Times.

Then, there's American Apparel. My friend, Kristen, tipped me off on the new AA ad on their homepage. Apparently, the ultra-hipster-outfitting, no-sweatshop-employing clothier has returned to its political roots and come out in support of Obama (and McCain) due to his take on immigration.

Go to any Obama rally or watch the stump speeches on CNN. You could play Hipster Bingo all night long. I always knew that hipsters were loaded with white guilt, but geesh. (Of course, this could be my problem. I would be the "over 30 hipster" on your bingo boards.)

Whatever it is, I still hope Barack can pull this thing out. Clinton may get the NASCAR dads and security moms, but Obama owns the white guilt hipsters. Now that's a demographic to contend with.

Clinton vs. Obama: Can't we all just get along?

The disconnect between the movements for suffrage between African-Americans and women in this country is still very apparent in the 2008 presidential election. Will we have our first black president or will the first female occupy the Oval Office? Does it matter? Does it lessen the accomplishment of one candidate if the other wins?

Sunday's New York Times ran a piece by Mark Leibovich about the issue of a possible breakthrough election as being "zero-sum". Leibovich harkens back to the falling out between abolitionists like Frederick Douglass with women's suffragists such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Although both movements have been allies or at least held similar beliefs, there has always been something between the two groups. Obama and Clinton want the same thing (the presidency) just as Douglass and Stanton both wanted suffrage. And in both cases, the fight to be first has gone negative.

So who wins if Barack is our first African-American president? What about if Hillary uses the momentum gained in New Hampshire to carry her to the White House? If a woman gets there first does black America lose? Are women relegated to a lifetime of pregnancy and a permanent place in the kitchen if a black man wins out?

This is the never-ending problem of the left. We constantly pick at each other for not being progressive enough or for ignoring the needs of other marginalized groups when we champion the achievements of another. This is why we split our vote...or don't vote at all. The left does more to derail its own movements than the right ever could. It has to stop.

If Hillary Clinton wins the election, it will be a major breakthrough for all of us. The same goes for an Obama victory. Either breakthrough means that for the first time a member of a marginalized group (i.e. someone who's not a rich, old white guy) will hold the highest office in this country. This means that we all win. It's long overdue, but this could be the year there is a significant change in the direction of our government and who it represents.

It's about time that the left recognize that the need for change far outweighs the pettiness of a political campaign. African-Americans don't lose if Hillary wins or the vice-versa if Barack pulls it out. Either way, it should be one of the most important moments in US history.