I don't generally watch the debates. It makes me nervous. And, frankly, the whole situation can make me squirm a bit. I'm not a person who likes conflict and so I stay away from it. Debates are, by definition, about conflict.
I wait until it's over and flip on the news so I can watch the debate about the debate. Then I watch the debate on a rerun.
As a result, the first reference I heard/saw to "that one" last night was on twitter. Then I saw another one. Then another one. Then someone posted a link to this graphic.
This graphic is from the Daily Kos. It was up only a short while after Senator McCain's reference to Senator Obama as "that one." While it's one of those comments that seems offhand, the attitude in which it was uttered says a lot about the personality of John McCain, I think.
In case you didn't catch it...
As my seventh grade English teacher, Miss Fenwick, would have said, "I don't care for your tone."
Of course McCain is angry
Much has been made of John McCain's "angry" personality. Well, you know what, the man was a prisoner of war for years. He has a right to be angry. I'm not surprised he's angry. It would be bizarre if he weren't angry. However, I'm not sure that's a good qualification for being president. Do we want an angry president? I don't think so.
Also, frankly, I'm sick of hearing about his time as a POW. I respect it, but it was more than a few years ago. Can we please move on? Can we talk about something else? Can we address the wars we're in now? Or the fact that our economy is in the tank?
I don't think the fact that he was in the military gives him any special qualifications to be president. In fact, I contend it could well be a detriment.
Hasn't he done anything in the last 26 years in the Senate that's noteworthy? He keeps going back to his military service prior to that. What about the last two and a half decades?
Are you better off?
The old Ronald Reagan question is a valid one in any election, I think - are you better off now than you were four years ago? In this case, eight years ago?
No.
That's the answer for most Americans - at least those of us who don't happen to be heavily invested in oil and gas.
McCain is just Bush Three
So, what does that mean? Well, what it means is if you're not better off, you should vote for something different. McCain would just be Bush Three. Good heavens, we've had Bush one, and Bush two, haven't we learned enough to not have Bush three.
McCain has voted with George Bush 90% of the time. What could that be but Bush Three?
I have had more than enough of Bush. We have gone from a country with a budget surplus to a huge deficit. We're at war - a war that seems to have no end. We have an economy in the worst shape since the depression.
Can we Afford this?
In all of this financial news, people keep telling us we should ask ourselves, "Can we afford this?" A friend suggested to me the other day that as a nation we should ask that question, too. Can we afford this war? Obviously not. We're going into debt more every day to fight it. Can we afford this bailout? No. We're borrowing to do it. Can we afford another Republican administration? NO.
Why is the economy in such a mess? The one reason that no one is talking about is that the Bush administration failed to do what would have grown our economy. Every 8-10 years you need an infusion of new jobs to keep the economy growing. In the Clinton years it was the technology sector. The last few years the obvious growth was in alternative energy. But the Bush administration chose not to encourage that - perhaps because so many of them are heavily invested in oil and gas.
And how does this relate to McCain? Because McCain is Bush in a different suit. McCain has been a senior member of the senate and could have pushed for alternative energy. He did not. Suddenly now he's decided it's something he wants. That's such BS it smells, even through the computer screen.
How Republicans See the Economy
When McCain talks about change of any sort I just laugh. What else can you do? He's been in DC for 26 freaking years. He's had plenty of time to change anything he didn't like. What he has changed is regulation. He wanted to get rid of all kinds of regulation to make things friendlier for business. He is part of what created the situation where executives at big companies are running them into the ground but then getting multi-million dollar "golden parachutes" for their reward as their employees are left destitute and you and I are left holding the bill.
That's what republicans want - benefits for the rich.
Someone recently told me her husband was a Republican because he believed that those who worked hard deserved to be rewarded with financial gain.
Are you actually suggesting that the people working at McDonalds or Target or Applebees aren't working hard? Are you saying that the CNAs taking care of your loved ones in nursing homes and getting paid minimum wage are not working hard? Are you saying school teachers aren't working hard? That those guys climbing poles during ice storms aren't working hard? Do you think the people cleaning your kid's school aren't working hard? Do you think folks in chicken processing plants aren't working hard? Are you suggesting family farmers are slacking?
I don't know what his definition of working hard is, but I'll put the work day of the average nurse's aide up against his any day. I'll daresay it's far more physically, mentally and emotionally challenging. Yeah, sure, I'm mentally tired at the end of a day sometimes, but I always remind myself that by and large I'm sitting behind a desk in climate controlled comfort, pushing paper and talking on the phone. It's not the hardest work I've ever done in my life. Not by a long shot.
I'm not dealing with people's bodily fluids, lifting people into wheelchairs and on my feet multiple hours a day - not to mention worrying about if I'm doing all I can to keep people comfortable. Lets keep things in perspective. Are you really suggesting those folks aren't working hard?
If that's the only basis on which we determine financial reward then a whole bunch of professional athletes are going to need bailouts and a large crew of lower/middle-income folks are shopping for new homes. Nice, new homes. Fortunately, they're cheap right now thanks to the sucky economy.
Those people are all the middle class people. Some of them are aspiring to be middle class. John McCain can't even bring himself to say the phrase "middle class" in a whole debate. Why? Because he has no concept of what that is. He has lost that perspective. He has said having $500,000 makes one rich. A half million dollars? That's rich, so I guess below that is middle class - the class he can't even acknowledge. In his world, everyone has a half million dollars or more. In my world that's not the case.
Negative Campaigning
Multiple people were talking last night about Obama's demeanor during the debates. Obama said in an interview that he was surprised McCain "wasn't willing to say it to my face," referencing the negative ads. The Obama campaign has said they will not initiate any negative ads, but they're not going to roll over when they're attacked - they're going to answer it. Thank goodness. I've been waiting for a democrat that would do that. Hallelujah.
I am sick of democrats just being "nice" and getting "swift-boated." McCain is scared, with good reason, and he's getting nastier every day - living up to his Senate nickname of McNasty. At the moment, 100% of McCain's TV ads are negative. Obama is running about 30% negative - answering those.
Do you want another New Orleans?
Well, I could go on and on and on, but I'm going to stop there for tonight. I've got much more to say.
Do you remember what McCain was doing that day? I do. He was celebrating his birthday with President Bush.
Yes, while the people of New Orleans were fighting for their lives, some losing that battle, Bush and McCain were holding a birthday cake up for the cameras to celebrate McCain's 69th birthday.
That's what you get with a vote for McCain - more of the same. Another president who thinks this is an appropriate way to act. Another president who sees no reason to be concerned about the average citizen - the middle class, or heaven forbid, the lower socio-economic class.
That's what republicans have given us. And what they'll give us more of.
If you want something different, vote Obama.
You may say I'm being overly simplistic, but it really is that simple. One is a government of compassion. One is a government that thinks the fact that citizens are dying in the streets is no reason to delay a birthday party photo-op.
I've had more than enough of this.
I'm voting for compassion. For change. For the future. For Obama.
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Thursday, October 9, 2008
McCain is Bush Three
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Harvest Decoration
This is the home of one of my blog readers, Nancy. I bumped into her while I was visiting family, and later my sister in law pointed out Nancy's lawn decorations. Barlow, Kentucky was having a fall decorating contest. On my way out of town the other morning I stopped by to get a quick photo of Nancy's because they were so pretty.
She really went all out. It was really cool looking. I didn't really capture it in these photos - it wasn't the best time of day to get a photo there. Nancy doesn't know I dropped by, so I guess she'll get a surprise when she logs on today.
I don't do a lot of fall decoration because I'm already in Christmas mode at this point. I haven't started putting anything out, but I'm thinking about it. And when I was in Kentucky I brought back some of my day-after-Christmas bargains I didn't have room to bring back earlier. Mary Ann and Jackie had kept them safely in their garage for me.
Most of these are outdoor decorations. I've never done much outdoor stuff. When Greg and I lived together he did the outside and I did the inside. However, he doesn't seem to think it's his job to crawl around on my roof anymore attaching Santas and lights and reindeer.
The things I brought back are mostly things that go in the yard so I can put those out myself. We'll see if that actually gets done. I hope so. I want it to. I love to see them in other people's yards. I'll have to see how much maintenance that requires.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.
I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!
Maverick has another meaning
True Mavericks say McCain is not a maverick and are offended Republicans are using the term. Check out the New York Times article. Politics aside, it's an interesting history lesson.
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From the New York Times - October 4, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/weekinreview/05schwartz.html is the direct url but I copied it over in case they take it down.
Who You Callin’ a Maverick?
There’s that word again: maverick. In Thursday’s vice-presidential debate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, the Republican candidate, used it to describe herself and her running mate, Senator John McCain, no fewer than six times, at one point calling him “the consummate maverick.”
But to those who know the history of the word, applying it to Mr. McCain is a bit of a stretch — and to one Texas family in particular it is even a bit offensive.
“I’m just enraged that McCain calls himself a maverick,” said Terrellita Maverick, 82, a San Antonio native who proudly carries the name of a family that has been known for its progressive politics since the 1600s, when an early ancestor in Boston got into trouble with the law over his agitation for the rights of indentured servants.
In the 1800s, Samuel Augustus Maverick went to Texas and became known for not branding his cattle. He was more interested in keeping track of the land he owned than the livestock on it, Ms. Maverick said; unbranded cattle, then, were called “Maverick’s.” The name came to mean anyone who didn’t bear another’s brand.
Sam Maverick’s grandson, Fontaine Maury Maverick, was a two-term congressman and a mayor of San Antonio who lost his mayoral re-election bid when conservatives labeled him a Communist. He served in the Roosevelt administration on the Smaller War Plants Corporation and is best known for another coinage. He came up with the term “gobbledygook” in frustration at the convoluted language of bureaucrats.
This Maverick’s son, Maury Jr., was a firebrand civil libertarian and lawyer who defended draft resisters, atheists and others scorned by society. He served in the Texas Legislature during the McCarthy era and wrote fiery columns for The San Antonio Express-News. His final column, published on Feb. 2, 2003, just after he died at 82, was an attack on the coming war in Iraq.
Terrellita Maverick, sister of Maury Jr., is a member emeritus of the board of the San Antonio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas.
Considering the family’s long history of association with liberalism and progressive ideals, it should come as no surprise that Ms. Maverick insists that John McCain, who has voted so often with his party, “is in no way a maverick, in uppercase or lowercase.”
“It’s just incredible — the nerve! — to suggest that he’s not part of that Republican herd. Every time we hear it, all my children and I and all my family shrink a little and say, ‘Oh, my God, he said it again.’ ”
“He’s a Republican,” she said. “He’s branded.”
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.
I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Tina Fey Does Sarah Palin - Again
It's amazing how accurately Tina Fey is portraying Sarah Palin. What's really funny is that apparently Sarah Palin has been Tina Fey for Halloween before. Is that life imitating art imitating life or is it art imitating life imitating art or is it something else all together?
Here are some you tube clips of the last three shows. Regardless of one's political affiliations, you have to give Tina Fey credit for a spot-on impression. Frankly, I'm pretty impressed with Queen Latifah's impression of Gwen Ifill too.
Tina Fey doing Sarah Palin on SNL - the VP debate
Tina Fey doing Sarah Palin on SNL - Couric Interview
Tina Fey doing Sarah Palin on SNL - Debut (one snippet)
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.
I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Big Brother Jackie at Home in Kentucky
I'm visiting in Kentucky. This afternoon Jackie was out getting his boat ready for hunting season so I went out to see what he was up to. We walked around and looked at the garden out behind the barn too.
Jackie cut open a turnip with his pocket knife and ate it, pronouncing them ready. Unfortunately, they're one of the few vegetables I don't like so I refrained from tasting them.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.
I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!
Friday, October 3, 2008
"The leaves fall, the wind blows,
and the farm country slowly changes
from the summer cottons into its winter wools."
- Henry Beston, Northern Farm
This time of year I have the urge to become a bit of a hermit. I want to shut out the world and hole up in my house for some time alone with my hot tea and my measured thoughts.
I want to read Wendell Berry and not emerge for days into the very nature he writes about. I need some time to blend the seasons.
At the same time, the days are too enticing. Beautiful weather encourages me to be outdoors and it seems a pity to not be interacting with people while the weather allows.
I'm left feeling that it's inevitable that something gets cheated.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.
I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!
Campaign Ads
I have been on the road and it has been fascinating to actually see and hear campaign ads. Living in a die-hard republican state, we never see campaign ads - republicans assume there's no need to advertise there because they've got it sewn up and democrats assume there's no need because the liklihood they could win is miniscule. So, we only see campaign ads on youtube and the news.
It's a different story when you're seeing ads from Missouri and Illinois. They're out in full force. Although, I don't think I've heard a McCain ad yet but I have heard some Obama ones. Surely McCain is advertising too, and I've just missed it.
This whole election based on advertising is somewhat like rocketing to space on the lowest bid. I'm not sure it's such a good idea. But, I guess for the moment it's what we've got.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.
I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!