Sarah Main Street and Joe the Six Pack just won't go away.

*

When McCain chose Sarah Palin for his running mate and then ultimately they lost the election, many gave a sigh of relief.
I didn't. I kept saying she's not going to go away, the conservative right will co-opt the republicans again, they will run Palin again. We haven't seen the last of her.

No I was told, let them run her, we'd love that, let them run her again, the democrats will easily win again if they do.
The Republican party must change with the times in order to win and they don't want to.

However, I disagree. Although Obama won by approximately 10,000,000 votes in the popular vote, which does seem like a lot for a presidential election and he slammed them in electoral votes 365 to 173, a damn strong showing, there is one thing everyone keeps forgetting. The race in many of the states was close, very close. They could have swung a different way and then the results would have been quite different.

Remember that Al Gore won the popular vote, not by a lot, but he did indeed win it. He lost the electoral vote 266 to 271.

Many states though they mostly vote red or blue aren't really that big a majority... they are close in elections.
2012 will be a bloodbath if we're not careful. If you thought 2008 was divisive and nasty just wait.
We're seeing the differences in politics now in this fight over the stimulus plan.
Anyone else have the sensation of drowning in the sea while the powers that be fight over the life savers on the deck where we aren't allowed? Bipartisanship my ass foot.

Yes, I thought Obama was naive thinking he could get a thoughtful majority of republicans, but I was hoping I was wrong.
I wasn't. Which by the way makes me feel like crap, I wanted to be wrong.

And what do you think of the first "African-American" RNC chairman?
Remember when the news folk were babbling about how Obama might not be black enough to get the black vote out for him?
Or that he could be too black for the white folk?
Well the republican party found Mr. Michael Steele... Yes, they could use a token black leader at this point in time (yes, I'm cynical) but where did they find him? Good God even Sean Hannity seems to like him.
He sounds more like Bush and Cheney than McCain did which I find disturbing.
The more I read about him and listen to him the more I realize moderate republicans either don't exist or are letting this conservative, hard line, right wing people speak for them.

Steele compared stem cell research to Nazi experiments during the Holocaust. Are you GD serious?
Sigh, yes, I'm afraid they are.
So dig in and enjoy the downslide, I'm afraid it might be closer than any of them care.
Sick of all the politics as usual. They both regularly blow it and are steeped in pure unadulterated hypocrisy.

Grab a shovel folks it's really starting to stink and we're mostly on our own...
Do I qualify for money if I'm the CEO of my household?
Yea, didn't think so...

G'night,

Laura

*

Twenty-one days left of GW

*

Everyone's in an uproar about Blagojevich's senate choice of Roland Burris.
I think it's fascinating. This guy is interesting if not a wee bit delusional...
Apparently he decided to blow off just about everyone and go ahead and appoint a new senator.
Once again just when I think our political system can't get much stranger, something new comes along to poke at me.
I'm probably in the minority here but I think though Blago might be removed from office (or rather forced from it) but
I still don't think he's going to jail but we'll see.
So who is this Burris and will "they" be able to remove him from office too? Holy dirty politics batman!
To find out what happens next week stay tuned, same bat-time, same bat-channel.
Our politicians are amazing and I really don't mean that in a good way.

Now Franken is still ahead of Coleman in Minnesota, so of course the "election officials are all unjust and favor Franken."
After the absentee ballots are finished we should know for sure (ha) maybe next week (temporarily anyway).
Sounds like a court case to me either way, perhaps the supreme court of Minnesota has a thought on this fun mess.
Maybe both candidates should harken back to a certain Presidential election and Florida... tear yet another page out of the dirty play book. I don't like either of them, perhaps they should start over with new candidates wouldn't take much longer really.

Our system is starting to seem so ludicrous to me at this point (both sides, all around).
And since we all elect our officials (remember it's a democracy) to represent us as citizens of our own fair states and the country... the part that worries me is that they actually do represent us accurately. It's not possible is it?
I feel like we could compile and release an entertaining DVD titled "Politicians behaving badly" or "Congress gone wild."

And the RNC defends the Chipster's use of "Barack the Magic Negro."
I give up. Seems we're going backwards instead of forwards. Tacky and stupid is in style again.
The Republicans are gearing up for an all out fight on any economic stimulus package of the new administration.
But we need to be very careful here... the economy isn't all that stable, middle class is bleeding and it's no time for partisan politics.
Though I'm not surprised by this as we really don't learn from our past mistakes...
Hey, Senator Bipartisan "reach across the aisle" Maverick McCain, maybe you could help out?
Though it seems that the republicans need to worry about being condemned by their own fellow party members these days.

Well, I'm sure of one thing for this new year coming up:
I'm not sure of anything at all that's ahead for 2009.
I want to believe that it will be a good year, hell, the start of a good decade but...

Maybe I'm just less optimistic when I'm sick, or is it more cynical? ::shrugs::
Going to make mug of hot tea, take medicine, crawl under covers and hide until tomorrow.
Now there's a plan.

G'night

Laura

*

Sixty-two days left of George W. Bush...

*

Well, McCain actually won in the close election in Missouri.
Hooray!

Obama picked Tom Daschle for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
What's with all the Clinton era picks? Not a bad choice though.
So he'll be the guy that works on health care.
Would be more interesting if Barack Obama gave us his own reasoning behind each of his picks...
He wouldn't of course, but it would be telling to know what he was thinking and why.

To Hillary or not to Hillary... now that IS the question.

Not politics:
Been working with my son on Global History review each night because he needs to pass the regents in January.
It's a two year course. Glad to be able to help but Social Studies isn't my favorite subject.
Learned it fairly well by the time my fourth kid went through school system. Ha.
I love English, Science, Art, Psychology and especially Anthropology.
(I'm a teacher at heart, studied some graduate English thinking I'd be one in the 80's.)
Every once in a while I think about going back to get my English degree because I love English but don't really know what I'd do with it. Have a MSW so unless I come into money I doubt I'll go back to college any time soon.
Though I have to admit I'm the happiest I ever am when I'm in college learning new things and meeting new people.
Don't know why I just am.

My mom has been quite sick for two days and she looks miserable.
Not sure what's wrong but it's not a cold. She's very discouraged.
I'm hoping she feels better soon. She's hard to get to go to the doctors.
::sigh::

This time of year is not my favorite. I get moody in November.
It's been the same pattern for over 30 years.
My best friend died a short time before my birthday.
I put flowers on the grave every year and try to fathom why I'm still here and she isn't.

But anyway, I'm going to bed because I'm really exhausted.
Still not feeling great and mentally weary.

So G'night,

Laura
*

No more George W. Bush in seventy-three days...

*

So the Palin camp and the McCain camp are fighting over who said what about whom... awesome.





What does everyone think about Senator Joe Lieberman's position in the democratic ticket?
He's a democrat that ran against his own party in Connecticut on the independent party but is a member of the democratic party and holds the position of chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He would likely lose that if they excommunicate him from the party.
It's no big secret that I'm no fan of Lieberman (I said he should be tarred, feathered and sent out of Connecticut for his RNC speech. Look he can support anyone he wants and it's mavericky and all but... it was what he said and how he campaigned that pissed many off. Republicans are courting him now. Ha. Fascinating this election was don't you think?
Now if NY could get rid of Rudy. ::sigh:: But that's almost impossible isn't it?
Not too favored by Social workers here even before the "community organizer" and "cosmopolitan" comments. Ugh.

Lieberman discussion(2:25 is the beginning of the Lieberman info...)
If you continue on in that clip on Lieberman it discusses Elisabeth Dole's loss and her ad that probably cost her the re-election. Isn't there something very important about not throwing stones if you live in a glass house. Be careful who you call godless as a Christian Elizabeth, Kay Hagan came back with the perfect better Christian response. Good job North Carolina.

Going in to the city tomorrow to see a lecture by Neil Gaiman. Trudging in with my Absolute Sandman 1,2 & 3 books, hopefully I can get them signed. That would be a great birthday present to myself. Heavy but I'll manage.

Obama's mutt comment was wonderful by the way! Honest, and so American. We are ALL mutts folks... deal with it.

G'night,
Enjoy the weekend!

Laura

*

President elect Barack Obama. Next day feelings from a woman in NY.

*

I'll begin by saying that both McCain and Obama gave fantastic speeches last night.
Both were sincere and both showed grace from opposite sides of the election result.
I'm truly glad that we didn't have to listen to Biden or Palin last night. It's not about them anymore for now.

For someone like me that stood up for a more moderate and yes, a more accepting, inclusive, liberal outlook on the world, this was a historic night.
While I'm thrilled with the Obama/Biden win, I do feel a tug at my heart that this was not the time for a female leader.
I voted for Obama/Biden because I am a woman, because I feel they will protect my rights as a woman and create a more moderate, inclusive government.
McCain/Palin won't represent my beliefs. They are too conservative.
I've stood for human rights all my life, ALL people's rights.

I stood along with other women for equal pay for equal work, for access to birth control, for legal rights and the right to choose.

I love the diversity of our country. The ethnicity, colors, and voices of all of our people. I cherish our freedoms, our rights, our democracy.
New York city is the image of the country I envision, the wonderful patchwork of movement and people.
I realize others see it differently and I respect that. I do not see a "real" America nor an "elitist" one.
We need to work together as a nation to seek a better future for all
of us.

I remember the extreme prejudices of the past, the marches on Washington, The loss of the lives of many good men in the cause for true equality and justice. People of all colors, sex, age and ethnicity stood together, sometimes for the first time ever.

I remember the split the Vietnam war brought to our country. The anger on both sides. I know you can be vehemently against a war and both love your country and totally support the young men that are sent to risk their lives in support of it's military actions.

I believe that gay people should have the same rights that "straight" people have across the board. I know many don't share that view.

This is truly historic and exciting. An amazingly dynamic time for our country; we are poised to change our future, to strengthen our place in the world.
Can we do it? I want to believe we can. I have Hope once again, I have a dream now too, and I think "Yes, yes, we can."

This is not a total mandate, I've lived long enough to know that nothing is ever cast totally in stone.
No, the future won't be easy, there will be many problems to face along the path, both expected and unexpected...
Kudos to the young people of this nation who actually DID get out and vote en masse this time.
For many of the young see the world as more diverse and varied than many of their older generation counterparts.

But today I believe with all my heart that we are a better people.

*****
There were some things that were interesting along with the election:

Unfortunately (to me anyway) it seems California will repeal the rights of gay couples to marry in that state. A loss of rights there, that could effect new initiatives in other states.

Michigan is now the thirteenth state to legalize medical marijuana.

Massachusetts has decriminalized small amounts of marijuana by 65%
yes, 35% no.

Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota was reelected. I really don't get that
at all.

Still can't see Al Franken as senator, but there will be a recount.
Coleman has the edge.

Washington state joined Oregon passing a right to die with dignity
bill allowing for lethal dose for patients with short time to live.

There are other items, but I'm way too tired and desperately need
sleep.

Au revoir

*

Ground zero... tomorow is E-Day. Finally!

*

Well the Reverend Wright ad by the GOP in swing states came out... Last ditch effort?
Figures doesn't it? I've seen it so many times all ready (and I live in NY) I'm sick to death of it. Almost every other commercial break. Here it is- though I don't know how anyone could have missed seeing it by now.
Last minute GOP ad

Only thing it tells me is that the respect I had for McCain for not going there is now gone. Though probably they never went there because if they had- then Palin's unusual religious ties would be opened up for scrutiny too, which is something McCain didn't want opened up I'm sure.

So the GOP throws it out last minute when there can be no real discourse, response or finger pointing back at McCain/Palin's past religious connections.

If the GOP isn't associated forever with dirty pool and supporting big business over the working class I don't know what the hell would ever do it.

McCain keeps saying Obama is far left and an extreme liberal...
McCain has gone far off to the right, and is catering to what appears to be a core conservative group that does not even represent the more central moderate, republican.
He is no more a "uniter" than a divider than his pal George W. Bush is.

Today McCain again stated when he's president we will win in Afganistan and Iraq. Our troups will come home in victory. Does he not know that most Americans while we support our troups that risk their lives for their country we do not support this war in Iraq.

I will vote for change. We really need it now more than ever.
I will vote for progress, for unity, for my country.
I will put my country first.
I will vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden to lead this country forward.

Later.
Going fishing.

Laura

*

Two Days until E-Day.

*

I'm sitting here tonight with a heating pad on my neck wrapped in a blanket with a hot cup of tea.
Have the makings of a good cold right now and am hoping to beat it back.
Waiting for the SNL appearance of John McCain before packing it in for tonight.

I wish that Sarah Palin would shut up about the constitution, she clearly doesn't have a clue what it actually says.
She seems to think that she can criticize Barack Obama's associations and that's her right but when reporters of the media criticize her or the McCain negative campaigning THAT threatens her freedom of speech. Amazing.
630 WMAL Chris Plante Show
The first Amendment of the Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Sarah seems to believe that the Obama campaign is just as negative as McCain's. Yet they have left McCain's relationship with Keating 5 or G Gordon Liddy out of their speeches. They have left her especially alone despite the relationship with a certain secessionsist party, or a particularly unusual religious leader... and some legal issues. No I'd say that the Obama campaign isn't doing the same thing, they're trying to be inclusive of people that don't necessarily agree with them, not name calling, or trying to scare the hell out of people for no good reason. There is a high road and a low road.
I guess to Palin the end does justify the means.
That's a dangerous concept to believe in.
Fear and hatred aren't easily controlled once let loose.

One of my favorite quotes is from the tv show Dr. Who:

"You know, the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the facts. They alter the facts to fit their views. Which can be uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that need altering."

That quote is what the first amendment is trying to protect us against.
Hey, Sarah, facts don't need to be altered.
I guess the constitution of the USA must protect you too because you're still unmuzzled ain't ya?
Media=good when it's on your side, media=bad when it's not towing the line.
So what's good for the goose isn't good for the gander after all...

Saturday Night Live:
So far so good. Skit with McCain campaign raising money for campaign by spotlighting products like on the home shopping networks.
Sarah Palin's Ayers fresheners... to use when something just doesn't smell right.
With a cameo from Cindy McCain showing the line of McCain "Fine Gold" jewelry collection.
Tina Fey as Palin stepping aside for a moment and "going rogue" with her Palin 2012 t-shirts, not to be worn until after Tues.
(I'm either gonna run for office or I'm gonna be a white Oprah...)
Have to give McCain some credit for doing the show. Don't know that it'll matter but... still.

Spoof on the View was good too. Joy and Elizabeth. Ben as "Alec" and Jennifer. Whoopie. Ha.
I If I can remain awake I'll have to watch the rest of the show.
Finally the light at the end of the... Wait: can it be a spoof of Keith Olbermann's Countdown?

Wow it seems that the election has woken up the writers at SNL...
Too bad that it'll likely go back to it's normal mediocrity after the election, eh?
Ben Affleck had fun with Olbermann!

G'night.
Two more days... Thank Goodness!

Laura

*

Three days left till E-Day... tired of the volumes of rhetoric.

*
Happy Halloween! Boo!

Lots of political tidbits:
Al Gore out in Florida for Obama. About time Al.
Since you're "Al the global warming guy" and Obama is with you on this topic.
McCain is the Drill more and build nuclear power plants guy-
And Palin is the dunno about global warming's causes at all gal.

McCain has Ahnuld out stumping for him now... you know Ahnuld the governator right?
McCain will be stopping in at Saturday Night LIve for a down to the wire visit to the cosmopolitan NYC where all those nasty elitists he keeps talking about all live (and vote). Oh boy, as a New Yorker I for one can't wait.

McCain keeps saying things about Obama like: "His eloquence is very excellent..." I don't know why that bothers me. But it surely does my friend.

Monday November 3rd is the day the automotive industry reports on auto sales. That likely won't be good news.
And there's talk of more layoffs in the industry.

Joe the plumber has a agent now. Good God. If only he got his fifteen minutes of fame and then went away.
Joe the writer, the country singer, the congressman, the stater of such nonsense as "a vote for Obama would be a vote for the death of Israel." This guy is NOT representative of the average Joe, please could he go away after the election and stop talking. Please. Watch this clip bearing in mind that it's from FOX news.



Perhaps the republican ticket (the conservative, right wing, evangelical core) could run a Palin/Joe the Plumber ticket.
I would have suggested Palin/Elizabeth Hasselbeck but that would be too much I think for most people.
Palin could do it cause now she can claim presidential ability because she simply ran for VP as a candidate.

McCain seems to have captured the coveted voting group of ambitious mavericky opportunistic narcissistic rogue presidential campaign sidekicks.
Speaking of folk that are benefiting from the McCain connection here... If McCain's looking for someone besides himself that he can blame his loss (if they lose) on Tuesday night as many people feel he is. He could look to the internet blogger that takes the credit for starting the whole Palin for VP ball rolling in Colorado. Adam Brickley. Here's his blog take a look.
Brickley's Palin for VP site
Today McCain stated that in this last week his campaign has made impressive strides. Really?
McCain apparently forgot to put those infamous "air quotes" around "impressive strides" so I'm doing it for him.

I have no idea why we should trust anyone in the government or corporate America to tell us the truth about the economy.
It's not really in their own self interest is it?
You have one channel telling us that there will be far more job losses, drops in personal spending, and really tough times still coming. So you listen nervously drinking your coffee in the morning feeling really stressed out and worried. Then not very long after that they're telling us how Halloween spending isn't down that much, and that people are feeling a little better and spending money on partying to enjoy themselves. It might indicate a faith that the recession will be over. Are people more optimistic now? Or worried to death? Same channel, but somewhat mutually exclusive story lines. No wonder no one understands the media, government or the economy. They can't even agree amongst themselves.

Bill Clinton seemed to finally give a rousing speech while campaigning for Obama. Strong supportive words.
It's about time that he lit the old Clinton fire in support of Barack Obama. I wish Bush spoke with such authority and energy.
The clip is only part one and you don't have to listen to it all if you don't want to but he's definitely NOT Bush.



And why does it sound like John McCain always says "Warshington" instead of Washington. There's no R in it that I'm aware of.
Bush's mispronouncing everything of course was far worse, so I suppose McCain is an improvement.
I swear Bush is linguistically challenged. Then again there's a lot of that going around it seems.

My little video camera came so now this weekend I get to play with it.
I was all set to go fishing and take it with me to play with it a bit out there but when I went out to get the fishing pole I realized that when my son borrowed the van to go to school today the fishing pole and gear was in it.
Bummer. A good day to fish too. oh well, plan to go tomorrow for sure.

Tired of election news today. Need breather till tomorrow.
Going to watch my tape of CSI.

G'night
See you tomorrow.

Laura

*

The Obama show... or five days till E-Day... yay!

*

So tonight Barack Obama had his half hour of fame...
Added onto all those other hours of fame, that is.
Actually it was pretty good. Very human.
But there will be howling about it I'm sure.
Who cares. Most folk have their minds made up, lets just vote!
So much hate is out there, so much fear mongering.
Obama is a good man.
McCain is also a good man.
Though I think ole John is running a much more negative campaign.
It may be time to change from the old politics of divisiveness and fear-
to move into the future.

I see complaints about his not addressing the budget limitations that will strap either candidate that gets in office.
Well, they both are a little delusional folks... all politicians are.
McCain is very nasty about universal health care but we do need it in some form.
Even if Barack doesn't get to do all the things he wants to (and none of them do) he will try and frankly anything that benefits the working class, small business owners and the little guy will be an improvement in this government.
I've carefully gone over both candidates

I don't believe that McCain gets it, I'm sorry. He lives in a wealthy world where the rest of us do not.
He has lived in that world of extravagance for a very long time.
Once a while ago he was a POW, a maverick, a straight talker.
I feel he has lost his way.
Both sides can point fingers at each other but it wastes so much time and energy.
Both men are decent American citizens.
Palin is not ready at this juncture in time to take on the presidency.
We had enough inexperience with George Bush, enough fuzzy thinking, he had some political experience but no real education, no curiosity for knowledge and the criteria for voting for him seemed to be "I'd like to have a beer with him, he's like me."

Forget it. I don't want a president that I could slug down beer with and bullshit about nothing. I can go down to the local watering holes and listen to lots of people solving all the world problems from a bar stool. I'd rather find someone really smart that is far more experienced in the way of the government than me, who would gather together all the best and most intelligent problem solvers in our country to help run the United States of America and lead us into the future.
And hope to hell that they are way too busy working (unlike Bush) to have time for socializing with me.
Hell, I don't even have to like them enough to want to sit down and talk to them... I just want them to look out for our interests within the country and elsewhere in the world.

I worry about all the fear, blame and hatred out there right now.
Against so many people like- foreigners, liberals, right wingers, muslims, blacks, hispanics, jews, poor people, homosexuals, lesbians... the list goes on and only leaves a few groups out.

Barack Obama is a good man, he and his wife have worked from rather humble beginnings to get the education and opportunity they now have. They have an adorable family. They are strong and good people.
I would be proud to have them represent me if Obama wins.

Off for now. Some writing to catch up on.
I have ordered a camera and will play with some videos next week.
Might be back later on.

Laura

*

Ten days till E-Day... the comedy edition.

*

Tomorrow the countdown to the election finally drops to the single digits!!! Hallelujah!

So much has been happening.
I'm going to leave the economy until Monday, there's a lot at stake in our economy.
Waiting to see (like everyone else in the country) what the hell the US and global markets are going to do next.

Some of the things below aren't just from today but aren't old either. I just can't write at the time about everything I'd like to or nobody would read this because it'd be far too long a post.

So, I'm going to go from one topic to the next: some aren't that serious or are things I just felt were interesting-

Opie and Andy (or is it Matlock and Ron?) for Obama. Have to admit the spots are kinda cute and fun to watch.
Particularly like the Fonz and Ritchie short supporting Obama.
Check out this site, can't vouch for all the clips but it's well worth at least looking... you'll find the above clips there also!
funnyclips

Let's see, there was also the Saturday Night LIve "Thursday Eve" Show with the Bush endorsement of McCain/Palin ticket.
It was funny. Nice to see Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Darrell Hammond (together with brief appearance of Jason Sudeikis as Todd Palin) for a political skit. Ferrell states: "John was there for me ninety percent of the time over the last eight years. When you think of John McCain, think of me, George W. Bush. Think of this face. When you're in the voting booth, before you vote - picture this face right here. A vote for John McCain is a vote for George W. Bush." Have to admit it was fairly enjoyable!

How about the comic book cover for Tales From the Crypt? Palin wielding a hocky stick. This election is certainly interesting.
comic cover

Then there are the gaffes and things that just seem oddly funny, but probably aren't upon reflection:

John McCain's brother Joe (yes, yet another Joe) calling 911 about traffic and ending call with a swear.
Then re-calling 911 back again...
You can hear that at ABC 7 news from Alexandria, Va:
traffic alert

Joe McCain's subsequent appology for the call is also there:
Sorry?

Another Joe McCain statement about "Communist Country" in Virginia: cute lil' joke Joe.
Jus' jokin'

Ever noticed how odd many of the brothers of Presidents are?
There was Billy "Beer" Carter, Roger "Pardon me" Clinton, Neil "Savings and loan" Bush, Sam "Drink 'er up" Johnson... I'm sure there are more but those are the ones I easily remember. Now we have Joe "Foot in mouth" McCain.

Enough about bro' Joe: the best misstatement belongs to John McCain himself, and it was priceless. We all knew what he was actually trying to say though he seemed to have enough trouble correcting himself. John Murtha (Dem in Pa) said that "western Pennsylvania was a racist area" Then he later apologized for the comment. What a bunch of real jokers some of these guys are... John McCain was using this statement in a rally in Pa to make his point against such statements by democrats. Not surprising but then he actually stated:

"You know, I think you may have noticed that Senator Obama's supporters have been saying some pretty nasty things about Western Pennsylvania lately, and you know, I couldn't agree with them more."
Full transcript and video at:
Wait what did I say?

Then there's Biden's latest flight into the surreal. Obama called it one of Joe's "rhetorical flourishes" (which you do have to admit Biden is prone to). However the ad that McCain made using that sound bite is a bit "scary" not a surprise there as most of his ads are rather fear oriented.

I wanted to find a link to the complete text of the Biden speech in Seattle about a deliberate international crisis to "test the mettle" of Obama if he is elected... there don't seem to be any I can find vary easily. There are a lot of out of context parts and snippets with editorial comments. I wanted to post a link so one could see exactly what he said, fully and in order. Gave up for now. I expect being tested internationally comes with the territory of a new president of the USA... I'm sure McCain would be tested right away also. Just a hunch. And did Joe Biden actually use the phrase "Gird your loins?" Who uses that line? No wonder the young people don't relate to McCain and Biden. Good lord what is that exactly... have we teleported back to height of the Roman empire?

How about Palin's own statement insisting that she was exonerated of all wrongdoing in the troopergate inquiry... not quite the truth, did she read the transcript herself? Now there's the wardrobe-gate story with the purchase of around $150,000 in clothing for Palin from fancy stores which would be bad enough but then we find that there is also a stylist/makeup artist that was paid $22,000 for the first half of Oct. Wow. Of course Sarah says she hasn't used most of the clothes and they are either "borrowed" or going to be "donated" after the campaign. Hmm.
The average Josephine indeed. Anyone remember the fuss over John Edwards $300 dollar haircut?

Oddest note on the campaign:

The reports of a female McCain Campaign worker that was apparently at an ATM, robbed and then attacked and a letter "B" scratched on her cheek because the over 6' tall black man who was robbing her saw a McCain sticker on her nearby car and wanted to teach her a lesson. She was sporting a black eye and a backwards B on her cheek in the photos. I thought it sounded very strange at the time, why would this black man stick around to do all that near an ATM where people might come at any time?
Drudge and a Pennsylvania campaign communications director for McCain told a very incendiary version of the "attack" right away without having the details. They should be ashamed but they surely don't appear to be. Especially because she made it all up! She admitted it was all a hoax. The police arrested her.

Remember the judicial system's concept of being "innocent until proven guilty" in this country? It's one of the big ones...

Sadly prejudice & racism is still an issue in 2008 United States of America.

I've never seen a campaign like this one before, it's mind boggling.
I still worry about all the underlying hatred and fear that is coming out in this election. It's really quite scary.
I even remember the McGovern/Nixon campaign and that was interesting and a bit tense also. Was it '72?

*Note: The Smother's Brothers Comedy Hour dvd is out. It covers the controversial third season and is worth watching.
There are a few correlations to today oddly that stand up over time. It was a funny show and wrongly cancelled.
(sortof like Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect)

Pat Paulsen for President!

Hmm, let's go back and see if Steven Colbert would run again... lol.

G'night
Going off to make a hot cup of tea as it's pouring rain here on Long Island...
Wonder what will show up on SNL tonight?

Oh, also we caught a 32 inch blue fish surf casting last night. I filleted it last night and we ate it tonight for dinner served up with a fresh salad. Very, very good.
Yummy free food.

Laura

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