About the Last, oh Week or so.

Sorry about that. Anyway my computer, as old and loved as she is kinda broke down a little bit and I had to get a new part that did something with my power supply, I'm not sure exactly but with still trying to move in and having to fly back and forth between L.A. and San Francisco (not to mention I had to specially order it form the Apple Store online) my "hiatus" went on for a little longer than I had planned. But to be completely honest and open I actually finally got the piece last Tuesday night. After a night of letting my computer charge and all that good stuff I was thinking about posting last Wednesday but, in certain regards I'm a little neurotic and I didn't want to start posting again on a day that was the ending of the month and also in the middle of the week. So I decided to wait until the first monday to get this wagon back on its wheels.
What did I do during the time I wasn't tied to this laptop and trying to find content? I'm glad you asked

• Last Thursday and Friday I read Hubby's letters and responding to them, maybe a little too verbosely. I wrote 3 seperate letters one of which was about 11 pages hand written. We "discussed" objectivism and existentialism and I also discovered that my apartment is less well decorated than is her hut in Burkina Faso.
• In another example of maybe I really did need this site as a place to ramble, 3 of my guy friends and I started on a Gmail "conversation" that is at more than 200 messages within the past like 13 days. The topics ranged from sports, to sports, to superiority of cities to me writing a response (which I didn't plan on being so angry as it turned out) to my conservative friend who has started using the term "islamofascism" in which I basically told him to put up or shut up and join the military. Then I kinda freaked out and wrote one of my girlfriends if that was too harsh, because I was worried that I'd no longer be his friend (my compulsion to have everyone like me is kind of irritating..like all the time.)
• Didn't dress up for Halloween for only the second time in the last six years
  
• Discovered that my metabolism is pretty insane and that I can lose about 6 pounds in a week just by not eating after 7.
• Decided that I should go to New York for new years and see friends (all of whom seem to live there.) This travel plan made me realize I need to buy some boots.
• On Facebook found out there's someone else with my name, a Jacqueline Dey from Australia. I guess she was "the first one" though; she's 3 years older than I.
• Disengaged from celebrity gossip for the first time in quite awhile. And it felt glorious.
• Realized I really don't like the cold (something I seem to always forget during the spring and summer months when I think the cold will never come.)
  
• Announced that if John Edwards didn't win the presidency that I would renounce my United States citizenship (because I did not want to be associated with people who don't understand that John Edwards is not only the best candidate but also the Hope for our time.
• Worried at all the press that Barack has been getting in the last week as Hillary seemed to be faltering and started dreading the possibility of Barack making up ground.
• Almost vomited while reading this article by Andrew Sulivan about "The Great [Half] White Hope" Barack
  
• I actually lost sleep writing in my head an article that pretty much said " even if you vote for Barack that doesn't mean you're not racist and in fact you're going so far overboard trying to prove you're not racist that you actually are. If you looked past skin color you'd see John Edwards stands for everything that Barack stole from him, and more. but without the kenyan father."
• Conspired with my conservative friend to make up campaign signs that say simply "VOTE barack HUSSEIN obama" and plant them throughout the South, and especially in South Carolina. I'm sure that may change a few minds of the good ol' red blooded military families down there. (lee atwater may have been evil, but he won."
  
• Marveled at the ownage in John Edwards' "Politics of Parsing" video and answered Time magazine's question in the affirmative.
• Also while reading Time found out that I'm a bad cat mother.
• Watched Network like 4 times and decided it was the most prescient and one of the best movies ever and got sorta angry that Rocky won best picture.
• Finally understood that there are real people out there when I got an email from Jake Lipman about a post I did about her marriage announcement to Philip Rothman. She seems really cool and luckily she wasn't offended. ( I did not realize she starred as the Little Prince. umm..awesome!)
  
• Passed out too many nights at like 9:30. Thought that while I had amazing dreams, I should probably get out more.

i'm sure i did something else...who knows? whatevs.

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Barack Obama: Man of Words

or as forcefully as one can denounce something through a written statement, that as Jasmyne Cannick points out was originally "only posted under the LGBT section of Obama's site and not under his general newsroom where all of his statements and press releases are" and
Here's the statement, before we get any further along
"

I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts of our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country.

I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

Tough but fair words indeed but as Earl Ofari Hutchinson points out nowhere does that statement say that Barack won't appear on stage with Donnie McClurkin, which would be a far more powerful endorsement of McClurkin's views than this statement is a denouncement of. The whole actions speak louder than words thing. And more importantly the tour is of course still going on as planned. You can't expect a candidate to actually give up those potential votes, do ya?

And even if these words were meant to announce his disagreement with Donnie McClurkin (another thing that peeves me; at what point do people stop going by names like Donnie and go by Don or Donald, like a grown up?) he has said nothing about other acts on the bill including, as Jasmyne Cannick shows, Mary Mary who equates homosexuals with murderers (but it's okay that they don't agree with the gay lifestyle, they still love them.. and they want their gay fans to correct their lives and change it) and other homophobic artists.
How about instead of the "hate the sin, love the sinner" b.s., we work to get people to question what exactly is sin?
(It’s what Dumbledore would’ve wanted.)
As a commentator said "Obama certainly won't openly fan the flames of religious driven intolerance against gays. He will continue to fervently denounce it. But without a direct and forceful challenge to those such as McClurkin to do the same, they're just words. And politicians are masterful at using words when they want to win"

and as another writes " So is it (a) good that McClurkin and his usual audience will get exposure to Obama's pro-gay acceptance views, or (b) bad that the Dem hopeful is selling out LGBT people in order to capture a specific vote? Well, that's open for debate. On one hand there's an opportunity to open some hearts and minds, but on the other there is the fear that a President Obama may sign an anti-gay measure with which he doesn't agree just so that he doesn't piss off some potentially supportive 'mo foes"

Finally to a man who harps on having the "judgment to lead" I would merely ask what were you thinking? Why didn't you see this sh*tstorm coming? Where was your judgment when you allowed a concert in your name to include such proponents of hateful and hostile views? Or is it simply politics as usual?

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Barack Obama Hates Dumbledore

(probably.)
(as I'm sure everyone has heard by now) At an event on Friday J.K. Rowling announced that Albus was gay. The exchange-

The question was: Did Dumbledore, who believed in the prevailing power of love, ever fall in love himself?

JKR: My truthful answer to you... I always thought of Dumbledore as gay. [ovation.] ... Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald, and that that added to his horror when Grindelwald showed himself to be what he was. To an extent, do we say it excused Dumbledore a little more because falling in love can blind us to an extent? But, he met someone as brilliant as he was, and rather like Bellatrix he was very drawn to this brilliant person, and horribly, terribly let down by him. Yeah, that's how i always saw Dumbledore. In fact, recently I was in a script read through for the sixth film, and they had Dumbledore saying a line to Harry early in the script saying I knew a girl once, whose hair... [laughter]. I had to write a little note in the margin and slide it along to the scriptwriter, "Dumbledore's gay!" [laughter] "If I'd known it would make you so happy, I would have announced it years ago!"

There is a chance that (if the cameras weren't rolling) Barack would not have been among the enthusiastic and embracing horde. This is from Queerty:

The Democratic senator and his staff announced the “Embrace the Change” gospel tour. The tour, which cruises around South Carolina, will include gospel acts Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker, Bryon Cage and ... Donnie McClurkin, a man who would really like gays to embrace the change:

"Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, who has detailed his struggle with gay tendencies and vowed to battle “the curse of homosexuality,” said yesterday he’ll perform as scheduled at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, despite controversy over his view that sexuality can be changed by religious intervention."

Wait, let’s get this straight: Barack Obama, who pandered to gay voters at HRC’s gay forum, will now join forces with a self-repressed religionist? Obama, a man who preaches about political hope, has enlisted a McClurkin, who blames his homosexuality on being raped and one said, “I’ve been through this and have experienced God’s power to change my lifestyle…I am delivered and I know God can deliver others, too.”

Obama’s religious affairs director Joshua DuBois celebrated the announcement, saying

"This is another example of how Barack Obama is defying conventional wisdom about how politics is done and giving new meaning to meeting people at the grassroots level. This concert tour is going to bring new people into the political process and engage people of faith in an unprecedented way."

Not to mention giving gay voters a new view of a candidate who’s devotion to potentially oppressive religion may prove troublesome.

I've said it so many times before but "Whatever happened to the politics of hope?" I shouldn't be surprised though, you can't spell Barack Hussein Obama without B.S. And this is either an obvious attempt to appeal to members of Southern Black community, unfortunately a lot of whom are homophobic and religious and Barack really has no morals or a true belief in equality and is willing to hitch his wagon to anyone and anything that can help his campaign or
there's too much conservatism in his compassion. And I'm sure it will be said that the candidate doesn't necessarily have to agree with every performer's every belief but to choose one who is so...who has the position that you can change your sexuality which is against science and can lead to so much confusion and turmoil in peoples' hearts (I think the ex-gays and Christians "recruit" far more than any "gay group") and the notion that being raped can lead to homosexuality sort of furthers the myth and notion that "homosexuals are all pedophiles" when there are so many other Christian singers who are quite popular who don't make such ignorant and hurtful claims, well it kind of seems to me like an equivalent to having Ted Nugent play a concert for you, with your approval, and then trying to court the PETA vote.


and on a side note when I first read the tease that Rowling outed a character I first thought it was a little cheap she didn't do it in a book and then I immediately thought it was Neville. I'm not sure why, maybe because his name is Neville (Longbottom, if you will) or that I don't remember him dating and in that epilogue it didn't say he married. but Dumbledore works as well, though it is quite sad that he lived for most of his life without anyone. Neville, according to J.K. got married to Hannah Abbot and lived above a pub.

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Political Porno: Radar Breaks The Campaign Wide Open

Radar Magazine has an pretty amazing edition out that focuses on the upcoming elections. Here are some highlights including their handwriting analysis of the candidates (more of which you can find here)

according to Radar you can see He wants to be perceived as a man of overpowering intellect and spirituality. His handle, however, reveals a man preoccupied with sex and fame. Grossly swollen capital letters indicate an Oprah-like need for attention. The phallic B deserves an NC-17 rating, while the slashed O in his surname may suggest fury at his absentee dad.
I can totally see that. He seems like a diva
as for Madame President

Her tall, legible script reveals a straight talker who's effective in a crisis—though sometimes a tad frosty. Note the steroidal bulk and soaring vertical strokes of Hillary. She sees herself as a brave pioneer. But the word Clinton is dwarfed in her signature.
Warning Signs:Rodham collapses into a vague scribble, suggesting she lies through omission.
BOTTOM LINE: Impressively presidential.
Even handwriting analysts think she has this in the bag (with the election more than a year away) ::sigh::
though of course this is a crock of a science. Just look what they say about John Edwards

So much for Edwards, the folksy, empathetic Southern gentleman: His whiplash of a handle reveals a loose cannon fixated on his own failings.
Warning Signs: Heavy-handed pressure hints at a frustrated man, in this case disappointed by his life (squashed lowercase letters). The extreme right slant is born of a reckless, girlish impulsiveness.
Yeah that makes no sense at all.
Anyway here are some of the funnest (or at least my favorite) facts that Radar has uncovered that you may not know about the candidates:

Barack Obama
His pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, known for militant screeds against the “United States of White America,” has met with Qaddafi and Farrakhan. “When [Barack’s] enemies find out,” Wright has predicted, “his Jewish support will dry up quicker than a snowball in hell.”
Drank, smoked pot, and used "a little blow" at his tony tropical prep school. Has suggested that this behavior was driven by a need to escape from the confusion of his racially mixed background, a story line rejected by a fellow mixed-race classmate as "bullshit." (I'm not suggesting that Barack is an addiction prone, antisemitic liar but...his middle name is Hussein) [UPDATE: and according to Lynne Cheney, Barack is Dick Cheney's 8th cousin. I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels we don't need another Cheney in power.)

Hillary Clinton
According to one biographer, keeps marriage together by advising spouse, "I need to be fucked more than twice a year." (I did not need to know that) Brothers Hugh and Tony allegedly accepted money from convicts to advocate for pardons.

John McCain
Remembered as "a tough, mean little fucker" in high school. Sent to juvenile court for telling two girls to "Stick it up your ass." Graduated fifth from the bottom of his class at Annapolis. As his flight instructor put it, he was "positively one of the weakest students to pass our way."
... Also showed poor judgment by dating a stripper named "The Flame Thrower."


Rudolph Giuliani
Started an opera club in high school. Recognized as "one of the pussies" in his college fraternity. As a young attorney, was "overweight, had a mustache, and was living in Queens." Advised wife of his intention to separate from her via TV press conference. Disliked by own children.
[snipped]
His father did time in Sing-Sing for robbing a milkman. In a possible homage to Pop, Giuliani admits that on one Father's Day, he canceled plans to play ball with his son to cheat on his wife with a staffer at City Hall. (Ha!)

Fred Thompson
"He was smart, but he was lazy," recalls a school chum, a sentiment confirmed by Thompson's yearbook quote: "The lazier a man is, the more he plans to do tomorrow." He was, however, able to muster the energy to impregnate his teenage girlfriend, sparking a small-town scandal.

John Edwards
Sold his $3.5 million house to a lobbyist for Saudi Arabia while investigating the country's role in 9/11 on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Exposed, he reneged on the deal but kept the $100,000 deposit. (Greed is an American Virtue)

Oh and White Separatists love Ron Paul.

God I love politics.

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Do You Hear That, Mr. Anderson?

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There He Goes Again

Auric Goldfinger once said "Once is Happenstance, Twice is Coincidence, Three Times is Enemy Action."
Count with me
Once: On Saturday during a debate over whether candidates would take lobbyists' money, Senator Edwards asked an audience of 1,000 plus bloggers and netroots activists at the YearlyKos Presidential Forum: "How many people in this audience have a Washington lobbyist working for you?"....Then on Sunday, Obama appeared to have a little 'amnesia' and used Edward's line in Nevada."I don't mind lobbyists having a seat at the table, I just don't want them to buy all the chairs. I want them to be part of the discussion where citizens also are part of the process. . . How many people here have a federal lobbyist?"
Twice: Sources close to Edwards say Obama is parroting one of the former North Carolina senator's best lines -- that America needs a president who's "not afraid to use the word 'union.'" They noticed that last Saturday in Iowa at an AFL-CIO event Obama said, "We need a president...who is not afraid to mention unions."News reports since April have quoted Edwards using a similar line. In June, speaking to unionized local and state government employees, Edwards said, "Isn't it time to have a president of the United States who's not afraid to say the word 'union' and is proud to stand with you and your cause?"He was quoted again last month at a United Steelworkers forum saying, "We need a president not afraid to use the word 'union.'"
and Three Times: (from The Hill)

Edwards’s campaign also blasted Obama for parroting the former senator in a foreign policy speech he gave Tuesday in which he said he wanted to work towards ending nuclear proliferation. They said the senator has followed Edwards on a number of issues this campaign year, including healthcare, poverty and now nuclear proliferation.

“If you need any more proof that John Edwards is shaping the race for the Democratic nomination, you don’t need to look any further than Senator Obama, who has followed Edwards’s lead on healthcare, poverty and, today, eliminating nuclear weapons,” Murray said in an e-mail to The Hill. “Next thing you know, he’ll be rooting for the Tar Heels.” [Ed. Note-ugh]

Edwards first addressed the issue of nuclear proliferation in speeches to the Council on Foreign Relations in May, then again during a speech on counterterrorism in September.

The staff of the Obama Endeavour tried to respond by saying Barack " is the only candidate with the right judgment and experience to lead this country." His experience? Well, maybe "life experience" counts and if you tie that with his vote in against the war (in the Senate-oh wait no; he wasn't in the senate before 2005) then he has about the same experience and judgment as the guy who worked at the Happy Harrys in Perryville ( he had an incredibly interesting life.) Y'know, most children know that war is bad too. [UPDATE: And others are reporting on how his "bold leadership" on that issue wasn't all that bold to begin with]

I agree his judgment is right- just take everything that John Edwards says and repeat it a few weeks later. I guess if you're going to steal, may as well steal from the best. Seriously though I think we need a president who can actually formulate thoughts and think for themselves. And once again is Barack running on the fact that he has experience, or that he's a new voice for change? Let's not forget 7 years ago there was another candidate running on the idea of change*, and being an outsider to Washington. Of having "different experience"**

Sound familiar?
I think we all know how well that worked out. Sometimes "change" isn't a good thing...

*Theme: change how Washington works & restore moral purpose. (Jun 2000)
Despite prosperity, “It’s time for a change” in Washington. (Oct 2000)
the Texas governor saying his election would help move the country beyond the "confrontation and stalemate" of the Clinton-Gore era.-Washington Post 0ct 31-2000

"I am optimistic that we can change the tone in Washington, D.C.
Our nation must rise above a house divided. Americans share hopes and goals and values far more important than any political disagreements.
Republicans want the best for our nation, and so do Democrats. Our votes may differ, but not our hopes.
I know America wants reconciliation and unity. I know Americans want progress. And we must seize this moment and deliver.
Together, guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy and common goals, we can unite and inspire the American citizens". -G.W. Bush: Dec 13 2000 Acceptance Speech

** JIM LEHRER: Okay. Vice President Gore, as you know, continually says - questions whether or not you have the experience to be President of the United States. What do you think?

GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH: I think that's the old Washington game of trying to tear somebody down. I've been through this before. In 1994, against Governor Richards - then a popular sitting governor in Texas - all I heard was, well, "He can't possibly do the job.
You know, he's never held office." And my answer then was "Give me a chance. Give me a chance to lead." And the people of Texas did -- and as a result, I think I got pretty good marks as a leader.
My answer is the same thing to America: If you're happy with the status quo, if you want four more years of Clinton-Gore, I'm not the right person. But if you want somebody who has had - you know - life experiences that may not be - conforms to the Washington mindset - give me a chance. I've been the governor of the second biggest state in the union and I've been a successful governor.
But I've also been the CEO in the private sector of some entities, and I would -- I hold that experience -- that's valuable experience to become the president. I concede I haven't spent my entire life in Washington, nor have I ever been elected to federal office, but, to me, that's a plus, as we head into the 21st century.--Apr. 27 2000


MODERATOR: Let me just follow up one quick question. When you hear Vice President Gore question your experience, do you read it the same way, that he's talking about policy differences only?

BUSH: Yes. I take him for his word. Look, I fully recognize I'm not of Washington. I'm from Texas. And he's got a lot of experience, but so do I. And I've been the chief executive officer of the second biggest state in the union. I have a proud record of working with both Republicans and Democrats, which is what our nation needs. Somebody that can come to Washington and say let's forget all the finger pointing and get positive things done on Medicare, prescription drugs, Social Security, and so I take him for his word.-
Oct 3 2000 Debate Transcript





...

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You Have My Heart, Bill Clinton, You Have My Heart

which I know is old news but I needed a segue into actual old news.
On Friday, I think it was, in an interview (my ) President (forever) Bill Clinton "said that Senator Barack Obama had about as much experience as [Bill Clinton] did in 1988 — the year [Mr. Clinton] decided not to run for the presidency.

“I was, in terms of experience, was closer to Senator Obama, I suppose, in 1988 when I came within a day of announcing,”

Mr. Clinton did not run that year, he added, because “I really didn’t think I knew enough, and had served enough and done enough to run.”

Barack responded with some yada measured reply about something but as a member of Hillary's campaign staff pointed out:"When Bill Clinton was elected president he had already been a Governor for 12 years. Three years ago, Senator Obama was still in the Illinois State Senate." (Plus there is another huge difference between them. Bill Clinton seemed to gain momentum as the campaign went on, instead of Barack who started off with a spark but is now stagnating and seeing his quarterly fundraising numbers drop from previous reporting periods.)
I believe that is a zong to any zing. And as I'm sure you know I agree that Barack isn't ready and until the day he pulls of something like this to a heckler I'll keep believing that.

Ah I miss him so much. If only he could run again... though I do admit that I wouldn't mind if Al got back in the race. I mean he's won an Oscar, an Emmy and not to mention the peoples' vote in the 2000 Presidential election.
But even more important and cooler than all of that Al Gore is rumored to have a guest spot on that greatest of shows 30 Rock. According to Radar " Sources close to the production of NBC's 30 Rock say former Vice President Al Gore has recently taped an appearance for an upcoming episode."
I really hope it's true; that would make me happy and if he pulls it off well maybe such a platform would be the perfect launching point to carry him through election day.

Or maybe not. I mean even he would have to lose to John Edwards (best. presidential. name. ever.) First Iowa, then the world.

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I Don't Have A Problem With It

So this morning before I got out of bed I was screwing around trying to see if I was the only one who thinks Obama '16 sounds a little better and more properly seasoned than Obama' 08 when I found this website Edwards-Obama '08, and I must say, I never thought about it, I was thinking about pairing John with Joe Biden but with Obama it makes a lot of sense. Sure individually they may not have the experience of a Clinton or Biden, but together? It's almost like Voltron. And Bill Maher, who I'm a little iffy on sometimes, made a pretty good point
when he stated that such a ticket would be unbeatable.

"Both men are charismatic and articulate, while promoting a populist
platform bases on equality and hope. The ticket
would be balanced geographically, as Edwards is
from the South and Obama is from the Midwest."

Not to mention they're both young and enthusiastic and somewhat attractive ( Obama is the somewhat, John Edwards is the attractive)


but with the news this morning that the SEIU has not yet endorsed John it could be a little tougher (and I wish I was Stephen Colbert because right now those Service Employees are dead to me. And after all I've done to support unions)

and so instead of Edwards/Obama'08 it looks more and more like this is the future

though I actually don't have too much of a problem with her (though maybe I should). I don't know if it's the estrogen or the story in the Washington Post this weekend about the strength she's gotten from her mother Dorothy but I like her more and more.
Seriously though the only important thing is that a Democrat wins, because any candidate who does not denounce or cancel his support of a party that is asking people to donate $9.11 (I'm looking at you Rudy) is sick and fills me with disgust. Are you fucking kidding me?! National Tragedy as cute advertising gimmick. (i have a feeling Abraham Sofaer may be in the running for worst person in the world tonight)

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Political Porno: On "Beefcakes" And Beef "Fakes"

I was so happy to see this headline and this question that I think I actually blurted out loud an OMG yes! Jezebel, on the occasion of Mahmoud Ahmadineajd coming to America is running a poll on whether he is kinda hot. I wouldn't say hot; as I think I've said before I think he's really cute* in an impish Dennis the Menace way, especially with that khaki jacket he always wears, but I was really happy to see I wasn't alone in my strange attraction to
here are the results at 12:15

I really enjoy being an infidel- I'm glad to see I'm not alone :)

but back to our country all of those people who have donated all those millions of dollars to Barack's campaign are beginning to complain and wonder why he's still all those tens of percentage points behind (Probably President) Hillary Clinton**. And there are now wondering if those crowds that Barack brings in will translate into votes (answer: no.) I think I speak for all of those donors when I ask, where's the beef, Barack, where's the beef?


(and yeah I just wanted to use this commercial because it's awesome)
* but no I don't think he's a beefcake"- i just like the parrallellism and alliteration of the title
**p.s. Vote Edwards- he's a real beefcake...policy wise of course.

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Barrett O'Leary

Barack Obama: too good to place his hand on his heart, obviously showing his hatred of America and her Ideals*.

This is a fairly old article, written almost exactly a year ago, but it still is very relevant to today, and in fact when I first read it I thought it had been written recently. It is a piece by John McWhorther called "The Color of His Skin"

Imagine him white.

Barack Obama, that is. Amidst all the glowing talk about the possibility of his becoming America's first black president in 2008, it's an interesting thought experiment to imagine whether Mr. Obama would elicit this swooning buzz if he were white.

That is, let's imagine a white guy with all of Mr. Obama's pluses: crinkly smile, sincere concern for the little man, fine speech a couple of years ago about bringing the nation together, a certain charisma, wrote a touching autobiography. Let's call him Barrett O'Leary.

I do not think Mr. O'Leary would be touted a year-and-change into his Senate appointment as a presidential possibility. No knock on Mr. Obama intended, mind you. For all we know, he could have the genius for national statesmanship of a Disraeli. The point is that we don't know yet. Like any new senator, Mr. Obama has been quietly learning his way around the byzantine procedures of Senate lawmaking.

The key factor that galvanizes people around the idea of Obama for president is, quite simply, that he is black. Other things about him don't hurt, but that's all — they are not the deciding factor. Take away Mr. Obama's race and he's some relatively anonymous rookie. Barrett O'Leary, even if as cute and articulate as Mr. Obama, would have to wait at least another four years, and possibly six or seven, before being considered as a possible commander in chief.

What gives people a jolt in their gut about the idea of President Obama is the idea that it would be a ringing symbol that racism no longer rules our land. President Obama might be, for instance, a substitute for that national apology for slavery that some consider so urgent. Surely a nation with a black president would be one no longer hung up on race.

(read the rest here.)

It is a very thoughtful article and has many of the same thoughts I've had on this subject, why middle and upper class, predominantly white people are so swept up for Barack while a lot of black people aren't as convinced. I really don't think he would have this same kind of buzz or hype as a "new hope"- rather he would basically be John Edwards, without the platform and passion.

Even with the buzz of his "race" Barack's campaign is stagnating, with basically the same numbers in the polls as he had in February, which is about 20 points behind Hillary which caused John Dickerson of Slate to ask if it is time for his campaign to panic (my answer? yes)

But apparently other people are more hung up on race than policy ideas, like Jesse Jackson who criticized Obama and his response to the Jena 6 case as "acting like he's white" because he didn't speak out more forcefully against the injustice there (though to be fair Barack's upbringing was "more white" than the assumed typically black experience, what with his growing up in Kansas and Indonesia. And also I hate Jesse Jackson-he's irrelevant.) Even David Bowie acted in support of the Jena 6 by donating $10,000 to their legal defense fund.

It seems every day that we're living more and more fully in Hillary's world, and though I would be kind of upset I think I'm okay with that fact- I had a pleasant dream about it last night.

*and yes I do the same thing, with my hands clasped in front of me, but...America pisses me off sometimes and I'm a socialist and I'm not running for president.

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Overblowing Political News To Fit My Positions

where I channel my inner Wonkette, British Tabloids or Drudge to make claims loosely based on facts.

• Germany Pushes U.S. Closer to War Against Iran- Fox News is reporting that U.S. officials have begun to formulate plans for the bombing of Iran as well as other potential military scenarios in that country. And somehow this is Germany's fault.
• Russia Prepares for Return of the Soviet Union With Massive Bomb!- Vladimir Putin dissolved his government in an attempt to pick his "successor" before parliamentary and presidential elections next year. (Don't worry: he's not going to step down.Ever.) Russia did test the "world's most powerful vacuum bomb, which unleashes a destructive shockwave with the power of a nuclear blast, the military said on Tuesday, dubbing it the "father of all bombs"."
  
• Belgium to Be Divided!- Or at least the Economist says they should. And others agree. I have no problem with it.
  
• Giuliani Campaign in Last Days!-Recent polls show that Rudy Giuliani's support is falling from 37%-28% and is trailing in the crucial states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina
• Barack Obama Hates Israel!- One of Barack's advisors Zbigniew Brzezinski, former S.O.S. wrote an essay defending a recent book that criticized the power and influence of the "Israel Lobby" in American policy discussions.
• John Edwards Wins Texas!- Future President John Edwards convincingly won an "e-primary" voted on by 8,000 Texas Democrats. He won 38% of the vote to Barack's 21% and Hillary's 20%. (Proving that he is the only democrat who could win Texas. Obviously)
• Cuban Minister: Castro Not Dying!- "Cuban Culture Minister Abel Prieto said on Wednesday that Fidel Castro is not at death's door and rumors in Miami of his demise are wishful thinking." Which of course means Fidel Castro is dying- you can't trust a communist. It's Propaganda people.
• Pirates Infiltrate Phillipine Government!- An anti-corruption court has convicted a former president and found him guilty of plunder. Plunder!
  
• Johnny Rotten: American Will Become A Fascist State and Obama is Dumb!- In an interview with Spinner Magazine (found on Wonkette) in response to a comment that it can't get worse after Bush John Lydon, formerly of the Sex Pistols and Public Image LTD. replied "You want to bet? World War I Germany thought that and it ended up in World War II with Hitler." He did say, however that "Obama's dense as a doorbell, not much going on up there, it's a wooden top."
• "Liberals Smarter than Conservatives" Study Shows!- A NYU/UCLA study shows that. (it's science!) Or at least that their brains are wired differently and liberals are more open to change and ambiguous thinking and new ideas and experiences, whereas conservatives tend to be more "structured and persistent in their judgments." But we knew that already.

wow that was actually fun. i should get into hysterics more often.

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A Bit of Political Porno

featuring Barack Bashing, Bush's potty mouth, gay mexicans and more!

• A recent poll shows that in Ohio Democrats beat Republicans in 11 of 12 match ups. They think Ohio may be turning a solid blue. Great! This couldn't have happened, oh let's say November 2nd 2004? I remember the next day when I wouldn't get out of bed or turn on the lights. You broke my heart Ohio, you broke my heart. (yeah I know John Kerry sucked.)
  
• Barack is obviously not fit to be president and run the country if he can't run his own family. He claims, in an obvious ploy to make his campaign give off the feel of "better catch this lightning in a bottle/ it's once in a lifetime/limited time offer," that his wife probably won't let him run again for president. Pssh. I've heard people say Barack is the real David Palmer (let me offer a guess why; because they're both black?) but do you think David Palmer would ever let his life be run by his wife (and to those Obama-Palmer people, does that make Michelle Sherry, because that's not a good thing.) How could he possibly stand up to Sarkozy if he can't make his own decisions? (and that was a rather long digression that I don't believe too strongly in; but maybe some of you Southern Baptists do) But, more importantly he is trying to refute the fact he is too inexperienced to be president by saying that he has been in elected office longer than democratic nominee runner up Hillary and Prospective President Edwards, counting his eight years in the Illinois State Legislature. So that counts as experience? Weren't you trying to play up your idea that you would be political "change" that you're not an insider? Because let's be honest if there is one place that's more corrupt than Washington it is probably in Illinois state government. (You know who else was pragmatic and shrewd....capable of playing hardball and always looking for opportunity? Stalin.) Are you a life long politician or an outsider? Time to decide.
• Even Larry Craig has (sadly) reportedly made a decision to re-resign. No! C'mon Larry! You can fight through it. Fight like you fought the notion that you are or have ever been gay! Do it for the Democrats and the bloggers. Though how awesome would it be if Larry Craig, easily my favorite gay republican senator from Idaho, decided to jump into the Presidential race? Think he has no chance? I mean he would have a ton of curiosity about his campaign and even more news coverage. And:
  
• It's not too late. I mean Fred "La-Z-(Good ol') Boy" Thompson just "entered" the race which he's been in for months" last night on that favorite of Peoria and safe jokes, Leno- I can feel the electricity. I still think he'll be out of the race by Thanksgiving when he wants to eat dinner and then sit in his recliner with slippers on, smoking a cigar and watching football. Though if he can actually pull of the first armchair presidential campaign then he will revolutionize the world. It'll be fun to watch. Thirdly:
  
• The whole "being gay" thing may not hurt him. As this video points out (found once again on the wonderful Wonkette- though the Ana Marie years were better) half of America is gay and the other half is Mexicans (overlap not withstanding). (I really love this guy.) And maybe Larry could help bolster conservative credentials and Join Rudy.
• Gweeb (as I will now refer to GWB aka Georgie) has a very dirty mouth. First it was the "major league asshole" on the campaign trail (oh yeah big time- quick note: that statement I remember when it happened but I thought it meant Cheney was sort of weak, not the evil overlord he really was.) Now there are reports that in 2005 he called the esteemed Larry Craig a goddamned traitor and started planning on having someone run against him in 2008 ( did Karl Rove set up the whole bathroom sting? I would not put it past him.) And my personal favorite, while on the tarmac in Australia he told the Deputy Prime Minister "we're kicking ass" in response to a question concerning his time and photo op in Iraq. (tsk tsk.Where's Barbara with the soap.) Really? With all due respect Gweeb, that would be news to every sentinent, nah conscious, being (though admittedly there seem to be very few of those in the Administration). Getting shot in the head from the front, car bombs and intrasect killings; it is all still violence. You can't just dismiss it. You no longer create your own reality ( though I do think that quote is fabulous; I want to be the powerful/megalomaniacal and delusional at some point in my life.) 501 days and shrinking.
• And finally maybe I shouldn't be this (over)confident that we will romp in 2008. Many Americans are dumb and according to (pessimistic guy with defeatist attitude) Michael Dukakis circumstances are very similar to 20 years ago and so he refuses to have an optimism about the (coming) new day in America. Damn it! Can't Democrats ever be optimistic and proud and confident? Screw it; I still am and I still believe.
  

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There's Something to be Said about Responsibilty

(hmm I'm not sure how much I like that title. Sounds way too moralistic)

Mark this next story among the Annals of Good Parenting. A 24 year old Indiana mother knew she should not be driving, being a bit intoxicated with the Percoset and "86 sleeping pills" she had ingestd over the previous 2 days, along with Grey Goose screwdrivers. So she did what any responsible person would do, she got a DD to drive her home. But what elevates this story into a classic is the fact that it was her 5 year old son who drove her home. When asked if her boy had driven her home the mom replied "He's a good driver" though the boy felt he wasn't the best because he "couldn't reach the pedals." You can read the full story and affidavit at the Smoking Gun website.
All I have to say about this is at least she didn't let the 3 year old drive. I think she was just practicing responsibility and trying to instill that in her eldest son. She was showing her kids that they should never drive when they're drunk, even if they have no other way to get home. She was also teaching her 5 year old to be the big brother and watch over his little brother by making sure to drive them home safely, as well as preparing him for that day in the future when the mom is elderly and he has to take care of her.It sounds like he's driven before so it wasn't like she just threw him there without any practice. I feel this kid is going to be incredible mature and responsible and cool under stress when he grows up. He already seems pretty self aware and smart; he did get them home safely after all.

And speaking of women doing the responsible thing Hillary, who is my second choice to be the Next President is donating 23 thousand dollars she received from a donor who has outstanding warrants after skipping out on sentencing for a 1991 fraud conviction and a habit of fund raising a little shadily, to charity. Hillary and her campaign don't want that taint of scandal and impropriety that a further association with Mr. Hsu may bring. it would be especially imprudent after the recent criticism of accepting lobbyist's money and the fear of political beholdedness. Barack, who has been issuing some of the strongest criticisms will not be returning or donating any of Mr. Hsu's money and I must ask why. It seems a bit hypocritical and that Barack is once again dimming that bright light he once had where people believed he would not just be another politician but would be above it all. Whatever happened to that hope? And so concludes this chapter where I feel the need to point out every one of Obama's missteps in the hopes that the movers, shakers and political kingmakers who (of course) read this site to "make a more informed decision" and realize Barack will be a great choice and great president...in 2016. Just not yet.
{UPDATE: 5:30. Barack said he's giving back the money. Damn I'm influential}

Speaking of kingmakers I just had this thought when thinking about why I don't like Oprah. And of course my thoughts strayed to the gutter and the gay rumours that quietly follow her. I sort of kind of think she is, for the obvious reasons that she's over 50, never been married and had Steadman act as the perfect beard (I mean how often did you really see him and how often did you hear his voice) for twenty years, and the fact that when you're sexually abused and assaulted when you're young you may be a little turned off of guys. But anyways. Is she now so trapped by her fame, position and power that even if she were a lesbian and wanted to come out she couldn't?. There are millions of women that look up to her but (in my view) they're mostly white conservative type housewives who may have just gotten past that fact she is black. If she were to change her identity so dramatically and announce she is a lesbian I don't think she would have that same transcendence of race and class as she has now, sadly. I would hope that the courage to do that, when you have the world to lose, would enhance her reputation and public esteem, but I unfortunately don't think it would. She would be viewed and boxed in as a lesbian and not just "Oprah." That, I think, while it would endear her, have her be celebrated and made an icon by progressives and the LGBT community I sadly feel her current trend definer status for the "regular people" would be lost.
But if she were to never come out and at the end of her life somehow, in lost letters or a biography it was revealed she was a lesbian, or struggled over the decision to not come out would that totally destroy her image as someone who (I think) is all about people being open and honest and happy with who they are? Would all of her lessons in empowerment be lies? Would she be considered a fraud? Would that be her legacy?
(yup. a totally random thought.)

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Barack Is Not Capable of Original Thought

It happened once before where Barack stole a line from John Edwards (I mentioned it here and rightly ridiculed him) and once again his hand is in the cookie jar. To paraphrase Reagan there he goes again. Once again his thievery is showing. This is from the Washington Post "Sleuth" Blog

Sources close to Edwards say Obama is parroting one of the former North Carolina senator's best lines -- that America needs a president who's "not afraid to use the word 'union.'" They noticed that last Saturday in Iowa at an AFL-CIO event Obama said, "We need a president...who is not afraid to mention unions."

News reports since April have quoted Edwards using a similar line. In June, speaking to unionized local and state government employees, Edwards said, "Isn't it time to have a president of the United States who's not afraid to say the word 'union' and is proud to stand with you and your cause?"

He was quoted again last month at a United Steelworkers forum saying, "We need a president not afraid to use the word 'union.'"

A spokesman for Barack's campaign shrugged it off by saying "What a silly thing to point out in so serious a race" before resorting back to Barack's only selling point it seems, the fact that as a STATE senator, and obviously in a position to make a difference, was against the War. Look Barack you're beginning to seem to still be pressing down on the pedal because you're still sounding that one note. It's time to stop living off a past decision made when you were in no position to make a difference. ( I was against the war in 2000; you can ask my AP Comparative Government class. Am I qualified to be president?)

What a silly thing to point out in so serious a race.

No I think this is a very important thing to point out. I believe we need a president who is able to craft his own thoughts and form his own ideas, or at the very least admit where the stolen thought came from. Isn't there some level of honesty and integrity that should come into play, that same honesty and integrity that you always claim to be about? Isn't that the what we really need in the White House after these last two terms and the damage done to our credibility and reputation upon all fronts and stages?
This is what you should do Barack, go back to the Senate or some other public service enterprise and then run again in 2016 when you're actually experienced. And you can also use those next eight years to help raise your kids and put your family first.
It really is in the best interest of everyone.

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I Love Lily

Another reason why I love Lily Allen. In a concert somewhere in England Lily called Bush a "fucking cunt" which isn't that big of news (everyone hates Bush) but it still amuses me and makes me wish we were friends (aww.)

But speaking of fucking cunts ( though I don't like that word all that much) Barack's wife at a women's luncheon in Chicao said something like "if you can't run your own house, you can't run the white house." It's from the Drudge Report so of course its sensationalized but still "One of the most important things that we need to know about the next President of the United States is, is he somebody that shares our values? Is he somebody that respects family? Is a good and decent person? So our view was that, if you can't run your own house, you certainly can't run the White House. So, so we've adjusted our schedules to make sure that our girls are first"
I see. You've adjusted your schedule to make sure your kids come first by having your husband running for president. He started running "technically" in Feburary of 2007 even if he doesn't get the nomination he'd still be in and running till March of 2008. And if he does, god forbid, win the nomination and get's elected that's until January of 2013, at least. So your children are coming first by having their father running across the country for at least a year campaigning for a job that if he gets will take up more time than she can imagine, which causes him to miss more time with his children. And you're not really putting your kids first by speaking at some luncheon, instead of being with them.T here is absolutely no way you can run a high level and successful presidential campaign and "put your children first." It's an incredibly naive and dumb statement. The natural extrapolation of her statement is that the wife, or someone in the house, should be a stay at home parent to make sure their "children come first." And maybe if you weren't campaigning and putting "your children first" and all they wouldn't be exposed to the pressure and "negativity" that your husband says can take a toll personally on the family; like you know on your children.
And I know her husband is running but the fact she uses the impersonal "He" sort of implies that only men can run for president, negating everything that Hillary is trying to do and reemphasizing thousands of years of patriarchy.
If that is the case I really think Michelle Obama should just go home bake her daughters a pie and put on some makeup. I am so damn sick of her.
Or at least that's my take. (uh oh; my bias is showing again)

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Things that are too cool/trendy for me

but of course I want to experience.

• A Mike Vick Chew Toy. My dog would love one of those. I'm sure your's would as well.
  
• Wu-Tang may finally release their new album after I forget how many years. After all this time I still am somewhat excited about it. This video kind of helps to get me in the mood.
• They're making flying saucers and god knows I want one. I mean how cool would it just be to freak out some of your friends if they happened to be under the influence. It is totally the perfect and new hottness toy.
• Amtrak is offering free booze up to $100 to select customers on select trips. Now all I have to do is find an extra few days and a reason to take a train across country. No matter the hassle it will still be far more pleasant than flying. And if its not, booze has a way of killing pain.
• For Barack to learn basic international politics and realize that his year and a half of foreign policy "experience" doesn't qualify him to be president. Canada has a prime minister, Mr. Obama, not a president. Careful there, your naivete is showing. I don' see what the big deal with Barack being "black" is, I mean either way you slice it Bill Clinton and Warren Harding were already Black Presidents, its old news now.
• I know this is old news at this point but on my wish list is for this 5 year old tennis player to have some sort of normal life, as tough as that may be. (the 9 year old Man U soccer player I guess I care about his future but he is Australian; he's already doomed. J/K, He has a great name.)
• These Republicans, I mean are they all gay? This is getting a tad ridiculous. The president of the Young Republican National Federation "performed an unwanted sex act" on some guy. I mean c'mon. Come out of the closet, you can still be a conservative asshole fuck and sleep with men. Just look up these guys. And for a real good time you could always enlist and go to Afghanistan and score some "primo" smack. All the cool kids are doing it. (and this thing really reminds me of Buffalo Soldiers)
  
• The Colbert Report is releasing a "Best Of" DVD. Get Excited People. That is all.(though speaking of television I wish I had a kid for the sole reason of I would have an excuse to watch this show, it looks incredibly...interesting. Screw it, I'm sure I have Nick Jr. somewhere on my satellite)
  
• I want to be an aristocrat. Their lives never seem boring.
• You know, I think I do need a skeleton of a 4 year old Chinese Girl. Hopefully this lawsuit goes through than I may be able to pick one up at the most bizarre yard sale ever . (And Madonna Wayne Gacy was always one of my favorite names in that band)
• And finally I saw this on Best Week Ever's website and it was too good to pass up. I mean my day of pure materialism is always Wednesday. I'm still planning on waiting for them to work out all the kinks before I buy one, but it is so pretty and so damn cool:
  

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I Love When A Plan Comes Together

even when I don't plan it. Today I've had a post on John Edwards being better than Barack and one on joke stealing/plagirisitic intent, while this just popped in my lap connecting the two. The Huffington Post has caught Barack with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar (are there still actually cookie jars?) From the article:

On Saturday during a debate over whether candidates would take lobbyists' money, Senator Edwards asked an audience of 1,000 plus bloggers and netroots activists at the YearlyKos Presidential Forum: "How many people in this audience have a Washington lobbyist working for you?"....Then on Sunday, Obama appeared to have a little 'amnesia' and used Edward's line in Nevada."I don't mind lobbyists having a seat at the table, I just don't want them to buy all the chairs. I want them to be part of the discussion where citizens also are part of the process. . . How many people here have a federal lobbyist?"

Uh Oh Barack, your thievery is showing. You gotta love the Youtube age where everything is on tape and so easily transmitted.
All I have to say about this is whatever happened to the politics of Hope? This sounds like Obama is more in tune with the politics of Berle. Tsk, Tsk.

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