15 Days and Still Counting

While I technically have a new desk calendar (Common Errors in English Usage—yes it is time for Broad to spiff up the 'ole grammar credentials) there are still sheets left in the much loved George W. Bush Out of Office Countdown desk calendar.

And here is a doozy from Christmas Day to honor former Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove on his 58th birthday:

As people do better, they start voting like Republicans—unless they have too much education and vote Democratic . . .

So here's hoping people actually do better and for more people with too much education in the New Year.

Race Days

We all knew it was a matter of time, but I kind of thought that things might hold steady on the race issue until closer to the election. But au contraire. It would seem that the end of July was a fitting time for both camps to declare the race card played.

Now I am not sure that I buy that either McCain or Obama have really brought race into things. I will say that I think McCain has been reading a bit too much from Rove's playbook before bedtime, he has gone negative after pledging not to back in April. David Shuster commented in the last several days on MSNBC that they only chance McCain has in this election is to go negative.

Frankly I don't get why people fall for this. Do you really want to live your life ruled by your fears? Let's face it, the economy blows right now, something I believe is the creation of Bush's tax cuts to the wealthy. After all that trickle down shit didn't work in the 80s with Reagan, why in hell did Dubya think it would work for him? Oh wait, he didn't, he just didn't care as long as his buddies, and more importantly his donors, were getting richer.

Life is too short, in my opinion, to be walking around like chicken little. I would rather be optimistic and hope that with some effort we can make things better and fall on my face, then sit back like the McCain camp and just assume that everything is shit and always will be, so vote Republican. Not a ringing endorsement for these ears.

But back to race. The other thing that has been bugging me all week is this talk after Obama's European tour that he is arrogant and "uppity." I have lived in the south my entire life and I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that "uppity" is just white code for a black person thinking they are as good as the white man. And God forbid any black person think they are worthy of the office of president. Like how when you say something negative about someone but soften it by first saying "Bless her heart." For instance, "My brother, bless is heart, isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer." All that means is my brother is a dip shit, albeit a blessed one.

Look we have had someone in office for over seven years now who treats it like a joke, isn't it time we had someone who took the job seriously? Wasn't the whole point of Obama's trip to show that he was president material? And then the press and others want to blast him for acting too presidential? I give up.

Lean On Me

I am sure you are all dying of anticipation to find out what MY political leanings were according to the Web site I referenced in the previous post, Shut Up Already. As always, I am happy to oblige my faithful readers. Drum roll please! BARACK OBAMA. So there you have it. And just so you know, I am furthest away from Huckabee, although I don't think poor 'ole Mike is getting all the love he wants these days anyway.

(Quick side note: I didn't watch the debates and so I am going to pretend they didn't happen. It is my blog and I can do what I want. Sometimes, even I need to take a break from all things political.)

Moving on, I did come across this video on You Tube this morning and it sort of falls into line with some of the stuff I have been ruminating on of late—the fall of the GOP and how Fox News seems to be going down with that ship as well. (Need a life jacket boys? Psych! Yes I am that juvenile.) See for yourself, but in it Montel Williams schools some of the hosts of the Fox Morning Show (I believe) about focusing on and exploiting the death of Heath Ledger when in the month of January 28 troops died in Iraq. Can't believe I am saying this, but dude has a point. I am as guilty as anyone when it comes to hopping on the celebrity news bandwagon. (I have read all about Britney's commitment, Gwen's new pregnancy, Angelina's supposed baby bump and when this freakin' writer's strike will end and how most likely there won't be any more episodes of Pushing Daisies—damn you writer's strike!!!) So I can't cast stones, but my point is we need to take a minute to turn all that off and think about some things that are important.

This is kind of the opposite of stepping outside our little bubble, but I was intrigued by a news item I read from AP about the focus that is being paid to our upcoming presidential election around the world. For instance, the Germans are loving on Obama, some are referring to him as the Black JFK. While many Europeans think Romney and Huckabee are too religious, and McCain is too old. I just find it interesting to see how we and this whole process is being perceived around the world. And of course, I think most of the world is really waiting, as I know I am, to see if the winner of this election can restore the U.S.'s dignity and stature on the world stage. I hope it isn't too late.

I leave you to mull this over this weekend. Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaire in the February issue took on "The Brain" aka Karl Rove or the nick name I prefer—Turd Blossom. When asked what trait he (Rove) deplored most in others, he replied . . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . "Not being authentic."

WTF.