The results aren't in yet

Not that I'm watching. I sat out a presidential election for the first time since I came of age to vote. Couldn't vote for Obama and couldn't make up my mind to pull the lever for McCain.

Election Day is creeping up

I still don't know if I will actually go to the polls or not. I feel no enthusiasm for either candidate.

Wow

I still don't see myself voting for the McCain /Palin ticket, but I was riveted by Sarah Palin's convention speech last night. She was awesome.

Why am I a democrat?

Somewhere along the line in life I became convinced that democrats care about people, republicans don't, that democrats are kind and republicans are cruel. Basically I acquired the belief that democrats are everything good and republicans are evil incarnate.

For a time in my late twenties and early thirties I was a small town reporter. Getting involved with local politicians and issues I developed sympathies though I attempted to stay objective in my reporting. There was no mention of national parties in the doings of the town. I was pretty surprised to discover than many of the people I most admired in their approach to town politics were, in fact, republicans, and most of the people I considered total assholes were, in fact, democrats. I chalked it up at the time to the relative meaninglessness of national party at the local level and it didn't impact my overall view.

Through this election season I've had an unfortunate re-introduction to total asshole democrats and no longer take for granted my basic assumptions about the "goodness" of my party.

It's looking more and more like a no vote, or protest vote election for me.

Media continues to show its bias

I haven't decided to vote for John McCain but I can't stand the MSM response to his announcement of Sarah Palin as his running mate. If even a fraction of the concern over credentials to be commander in chief had been posed about the nomination of Barack Obama for president that are being thrown at Sarah Palin for Vice President he would never had gotten the nomination which he so richly does not deserve. Clearly, their VP choice has as much experience as our presidential choice. Being a mayor and governor certainly matches state senate and senate. What's more, she actually has positions she's taken and stuck to without wafting this way and that according to the latest political wind.

I don't agree with Palin's socially conservative positions but I also don't see the need to trash her as Didi Meyers apparently does in Vanity Fair, labeling her a female Dan Quayle. Quayle was a not-too-bright guy whose verbal skills stood unequaled until George W. Bush opened his mouth. Having seen Palin speak this afternoon at the Dayton rally, I would say she's smart and articulate with a very natural speaking style.

Sarah Palin!

Very interesting choice for John McCain. He has re-established his maverick reputation.

Sad times

Most democrats seem happy right about now, but I'm not among them. I've neglected this blog because there hasn't been anything new I've had to say. I still don't know what I'll do come November. This is the first time since I came of age to vote that I skipped watching the convention. I tuned in briefly a couple of times and had to turn it off immediately. My visceral dislike of Obama and the hangover of the anger from the primaries made it too painful to see his placards waving in the air. I enjoyed reading the positive commentary on the speeches by Bill and Hillary but it was bittersweet.

movies

I should probably start a new blog now that my interest in the upcoming election is waning. I'm more caught up in the excitement of movies and television (as long as I can watch it on dvd) than anything else. If only I had anything smart to say about the stuff I love, something besides, "I really loved this!"

sigh

Obama's progressive positions are wholly subordinate to his political ambition. Is anyone surprised? Not Hillary supporters who had to listen to boatloads of crap about his "new politics." Is there anyone left who still believes that Obama would have voted "no" on the authorization for military force if he'd actually been in the senate in 2002? What he's demonstrated is that there is no position so deeply held that it can't be compromised for the sake of winning the presidency. I'm not outraged by his move to the center, I'm enraged by his hypocrisy.

quiet time

It's hard to pay attention without Hillary in the mix. My attitude now is largely indifference, with mild pleasure when I see Obama hit bumps in the road. I feel little urge to join with democrats who disdained me and vilified my candidate.

quiz

which is which? hint -- I voted for the guy on the left. Also note that if the campaign slogan were CHAN instead of CHANGE, I'd jump on the wagon.

taking a catnap from politics

My efforts to wean from politics are paying off. My consumption of television and internet news has declined dramatically in the past two weeks! I haven't turned on a TV news network since the weekend of Hillary's concession speech and don't feel any need to tune back in. I scan through realclearpolitics.com and take a peek at the NY times and Salon. That takes little time since I find few articles I'm interested in reading.

I do find myself wondering from time to time how I came to view myself as a liberal, how my politics were formed. Watching movies does provide a few clues. Odd to think about the films and books I've read through the years and how they shaped my notion of what it means to be a "good" person. I wonder, at times, if the basis of my politics is any more solid than the pop songs and stories that shaped the framework of my beliefs about what love is, or how relationships are supposed to work. It's all suspect to me now.

Withdrawal

I've been watching a lot of movies lately to wean myself from campaign news. I still dabble in the election stories online. It's hard to say what I'll do come November. One friend has told me it doesn't matter how I vote since Massachusetts will go democratic. I suppose then it would be "safe" to cast a protest vote or write Hillary in when the time rolls around. Nothing I read about Obama makes me want to vote for him and a lot of the commentary by his supporters, who still can't stop bashing Hillary, does nothing to draw me any closer to voting for him.

Hillary's Speech

It was an awesome speech. She did what she had to do. We'll see what happens.

Unity?

Has hell frozen over yet?

Unity schmunity

I am so weary. I am so out of love with my party. Call it whining, call it sour grapes, call it whatever you want to call it. I'll write Hillary in if she isn't on the ticket.

green eggs and ham meet barack obama

I do not want him in a box.

I do not want him with a fox.

I do not want him in a house.





I do not want him with a mouse.


I do not want him here or there.
I do not want him anywhere.
I do not want barack obama.
I do not want him, Sam-I-ama.

count the votes!

politics overload

approaching doneness