6 posts tagged “palin”

First off, let me start by saying that Obama gave me the one major change I wanted out of the last election cycle - an end to the presidency of George W Bush. So for me, anything else that changes (for the better) is gravy.  For me he has done some great things to help protect women's reproductive choice (GRAVY!).

The reason I ask this is because for so many people, they voted for a dream in 2008 not reality.  

• They voted for the troops to be magically transported out of dangerous warzones.  However, they got the very approach that McCain promised - a coordinated withdrawal of combat troops while leaving a peacekeeping force to assist the Iraqis that would be withdrawn (hopefully) in a year or so but would stay as long as needed if something changed (*cough*  remember McCain's 100 years comment?)
• They voted to end Guantanamo.  However the reality is the closure of the prison leaves 100s of terrorists without anywhere to go (we don't want them here, their countries dont want them).   The prison is set to close in a year but where will those 200+ prisoners go?   I personally doubt that they will make their way to mainland America so they will probably end up at one of the secret prisons we run (or our allies run on our behalf). 
• They voted for a new kind of "non-partisan" politics.  However we have all seen that both the Republicans and the Democrats (Obama included) are firmly entrenched in their party alliances and wars.  Just because Pres Obama declares a bill he wrote to be "non-partisan" does not make it true.   You can not expect people to go completely against their ideology and beliefs to accept legislation that is radically different.  It didn't work under Republican rule and it wont work under Democrat rule.
• They voted for an end to lobbyists that are beholden to large corporations and the rich.  President Obama even declared that his administration would be lobbyist free.  However, he backtracked on that promise within days of making it by hiring multiple lobbyists who owe companies like Raytheon massive favors.
• They voted for Obama because he would restore the USA's standing in the world and bring peace.  The reality is that plenty of countries simply don't like us and they haven't liked us for generations - with or without George W Bush.

Now, I don;t want President Obama to fail.  In fact, I want him succeed.  I just know that there were a LOT of naive people that believed Obama to be this mythical figure that could solve the world's woes.   They believed he would bring peace while protecting us from all harm.  They believed he would bring an economic revival that would make the poor rich (or at least middle class).  They thought he would fix our educational system.   They thought he had magic in him that would fix everything.  So I wonder this, at what point will their fantasy view of Obama end and reality set in?  

Worse yet, will their inevitable disillusionment with Obama lead to a return to their apathetic voting practices?  I would hate to see Sarah Palin come into power because Democrats decide to not vote (thats how we got Bush!)

On November 4, 2008 - I joined with the masses of voters here in the Metro detroit area and voted for President.  Up until the point where I stepped into the booth, I was undecided.   I did not know who I would vote for even though I had educated myself on EVERY issue.   In the days before, I tried to make up my mind using every information resource and election tool available on the internet.  I was even stumped at a non-partisan site that had me fill out a survey of issues so it could match me to the proper candidate - I matched 48% Obama and 48% McCain.  In the end it came down to Palin and her conservative views, attacks on reproductive rights, and I hate to say it - McCain's age.   I voted for Barack Obama because I was worried that if the office took a toll on him - we would end up with a Palin Presidency (possibly worse than Bush).

So now I will stand up and support our new President Elect.  I am going to hope that the Democratic Party can actually do the good that it promises to do.  Obama certainly has the tools to do it - charisma, charm, intellect and a Democrat controlled congress.  If he blows the promises and does stuff I hate - I will disagree out loud.

McCain moved me with his grace last night during his concession speech.  He told booing supporters to be quiet.  He told them that BArack Obama was HIS President.  I loved that he was able to handle defeat without throwing a temper tantrum or calling for recount after recount. 

No matter your candidate - you have to admit that both men fought hard.  The race was MUCH closer than anybody thought it could be after 8 years of George W Bush, a failing economy and an endless war. 

So congratulations to both men on ending such a hard fought campaign with grace and dignity.

We actually drove by a man in fatigues carrying a cross and completely decked out in military camo heading away from our voting station. 

Please note - he wisely hid his nametag under the Palin sign.   We pulled over and asked the man some questions and he immediately began talking about the "great Sarah Palin" and how he wants HER to be President because she is a real conservative.   Jeez...this guy probably likes GW Bush too....

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This election season, like every other,  we have long time voters that are set on doing their duty and voting - even if it is for somebody they consider to be only slightly better than the person they have deemed the anti-christ. So here are some simple steps for you to follow if you don't like the person you are voting for, are embarrassed to vote for that candidate or you simply don't have a clue.

I don't like the candidate that I am voting for but they seem to be the lesser of two evils:

• Take pride in the fact that you are at least voting.  Half of our nation is too concerned with the winner of American Idol to waste time voting for something silly like President.
• Look for validation before you go to the polls with spokes people that are lending the candidate their credibility (ethos in the campaign biz).   There has to be at least one celebrity, public figure or pundit that you quasi-respect that is campaigning for that person you are being forced to vote for, they can help justify your vote.
• Look for validation on the net.  After all, if there is a Paris Hilton fansite - you are bound to find some third party site giving you reasons that you can get behind the candidate on.
• Make sure you thoroughly list every reason why you think the other guy is evil.  Make sure you reassure your self that they are nothing more than a pure evil person hell-bent on destroying the entire world.  This will help ease your conscious.

I am embarrassed to vote for the candidate I want:

• First off, why be embarrassed?  Once again, take pride in the fact that you are getting up off of your butt to vote.  Remember my American Idol example?  Still applies.
• Once you pick a candidate, be PROUD!   After all nearly half of the Americans that actually decide to vote will back up your choice as a valid one.
• Even if you are still embarrassed at the polls - relax.   Its a secret ballot and nobody knows who or what you voted for on you ballot.  Just make sure your curtain is pulled tight so a nosey election worker or the kid that comes with their parents don't peep your vote.
• Are you afraid of what friends will think of you?  SCREW THEM!  They are probably too busy watching American Idol or America's Next Top Model to actually vote and you don't need those losers!  Real friends will be proud of your patriotic decision to vote!
• Are you afraid of what family will think?  Thats a tricky one because you are stuck with your family for life.  If your candidate wins, gleefully parade through the house with patriotic songs like "Nanny, nanny, boo, boo.  My guy one and your guy lost".  If they lose - LIE!   Its a secret ballot - remember?
• If all else fails...DENY, DENY, DENY!   If it works for politicians - it should work for you!

I want to vote but I am completely lost this year and don't have a clue as to who I should vote for!

• First off relax.  Of the voters that will actually turn the TV off and go out and vote - probably a third of them are "undecided" until they enter that voting booth.
• Now rejoice in the fact that you are going to the polls to participate in a right that so many have died for you to have.
• Vote by your political party.  these people are the rocking cool crew of people that you have decided knows you best.  Many people vote by party so blind faith in organizations that take millions from corporations like Target, Chase Manhattan, Enron, Lehman Brothers, Wachovia, etc can't be wrong!
• Pick the coolest name.   Face it, there are some really awesome names on the ballot!
• Pick the name you know the most.  Familiarity is a great thing - if you know the name that means you like them!  There is no way that the only reason you know the name is because of its appearance in a series of exposes showing your candidates seedy criminal dealings.
• Use a blind ballot method - that means close your eyes and just start voting without reading.  Who cares about who you voted for because the important thing is that you vote!
• When all else fails vote for things that make you comfortable - ie men, Christians, traditional major parties or people that showed you their advertisements the most.

Please note...this post was all in fun.  It is completely dripping in sarcasm.

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So Reuters used this photo of Palin speaking to supporters.  Personally, I found it to be more than offensive.  Yes, some will say that I am overreacting - but let me tell you why...

1. You would never see an image of a male candidate from this angle or with bare legs.
2. the photo frames a male supporter between her legs.
3. The male supporter appears armless.  That takes this male between her legs appear to be a phallic symbol.  
4. The phallic symbol is aimed directly to the "V" at the top of the photo.  this "V" is an arrow aiming directly at the vaginal area.
5. The man appears to be ogling her with his facial expression - so he is an ogling phallic symbol ready to penetrate and overpower this woman!

Its one thing to dislike the woman for her conservative views but this goes too far.  The photpographer is an expert and they knew exactly what they were doing when they took the photo.

OK Obama Supporters let me give you some advice – enough with the downright dirty attacks on Palin.   We get it – you don’t like her.  You think she is a horrible person.  You don’t want her as the Vice President.  We all understand that and I applaud your passion.  HOWEVER, you must learn to express you dislike for the woman in a mature and intelligent way.  

First off, children should be off limits.  Guess what – it’s nobody’s business about Trig’s birth.  I don’t care if she gave birth to him or if Bristol or the Devil himself gave birth to that kid.  Fact is, Sarah Palin is the baby’s mother – so leave the kid and its mom alone.  Also, who cares if Bristol is pregnant?  She is 17 (a few months young than when Obama’s unmarried mama gave birth) and she is taking care of it in her own way.  That girl is not our concern.

Second, do we really need to attack working women?  That is what is happening when democrats are screaming about how Palin is an unfit Mother.  I actually heard a woman that identifies herself as a feminist declare that if Sarah Palin had stayed home and done her job as a mother – her kids wouldn’t be so screwed up.  WHAT?!?!?!?!  Please people; remember your own values when you attack this woman.  As a liberal – I expect you all to understand that a woman CAN work and be a mother.   Having children should not dictate that you only take low level jobs either.  Don’t even get me started on people saying that she can’t do the job because she nothing but a beauty queen.

Come on people – talk about her stance on the environment.  Talk about her qualifications for the job.   Talk about her positions on social issues.   Talk about things of substance.   I promise you, it can be done.  I know that when talking about Palin’s anti-choice, abstinence only positions – it’s easy to use Bristol Palin as an example but you don’t need to do it.  You can discuss the issue without using her kid.  Do you realize what the nasty attacks are doing?

These attacks on Palin’s family have actually energized the Republican base.  Democrats have actually done the work for the Republicans.  The GOP was worried that conservatives wouldn’t come out to vote for the moderate McCain – but the DNC fixed that problem.  The latest polls are now showing McCain 15 points ahead.  I know that people say the polls are irrelevant but that is crap.  The DNC has a case of chronic apathy when it comes to voters – the GOP does not.  An Obama lead in the polls means little because many supporters will just be too lazy to vote in November, but a McCain lead is huge.  The GOP voters go to the polls.

So we need to find new ways to attack Palin and McCain.  If you want Obama to be in office and to be the “Change” that this nation needs – act like you are representing him.  Right now, many Obama supporters are acting like petulant children rather than mature informed voters and that has to change.  Obama supporters need to go at this differently or else they will be the reason that Obama loses.

Oh and FYI – I have been hesitant to support Obama in the past but McCain’s choice of Palin as his running mate changed my mind.  She is far too conservative for my taste.  As the tie-breaking vote in a narrowly divided Senate, she would work against most of my interests.  So I guess as of right now, I support Obama.