I am asking this in a completely non-disparaging way: What are the teabaggers protesting?
I have been seeing pictures on the news with gatherings of hundreds of people. Some were calling for revolution while others secession, all carrying signs targeting the President and his administration. Were they expecting that all of the economic troubles that began years ago to disappear within the first 86 days of the new Presidency? Or maybe it has something to do with the unregulated bailout money doled out under Bush.
I am one of those lucky ticket holders that will be heading over to Grant Park to watch the returns tomorrow night. My favorite Chicago smartass will be my plus one for the evening. As is the case, we are going to be doing some twittering from Lakeside.
Thank goodness for Eliot Spitzer. Or at least, I am guessing that is what the Clinton campaign is saying. With his fall from high, the news is focusing a teeny bit less attention on the comments of my former hero, Geraldine Ferraro:
I think that’s enough of that. With all of the commentary flying fast and furious in every which way, my favorite remark was delivered by Democratic analyst Keli Goff:
“She is a monster, too – that is off the record – she is stooping to anything,” – Samantha Power on Hillary Clinton
The wonderful Samantha Power was chatting with the folks over at The Scotsman when she made this little doozy of a statement. Set aside the point that off the record doesn’t seem to hold the same respect as it once did, is it really a big deal?
There has been a lot of blah-bitty-blah from the Clinton machine, her supporters, and even those I love about Barack Obama. They criticize his experience, his rhetoric, and even his pie-eyed supporters. In as much as I would like to point an equally judgmental finger at all of the negative naysayers, I won’t.
My friends, it’s Super Tuesday. It’s the day where 24 of these United States will do their part in the democratic process. It’s the day where huge percentages of party members will sound their voices for their candidates of choice. Traditionally, the outcome of Super Tuesday determined the next presidential candidate. This year, it is just one more step in the long journey to the presidency.
The pundits say that for the first time in many years, the winner of Super Tuesday will not reveal the possessor of the Democratic nomination. With two excellent candidates, I can see why such is the case. Rather than fearing the dilution of the Democratic message, let’s be thrilled that we have such astonishing options. Let’s be energized that either will offer the change that we so desperately desire. Let’s be hopeful that the moment is now.
With that said, on this Super Tuesday, I would be remiss if I didn’t take one last ditch effort to persuade my nearest and dearest to cast their vote for my Illinois senator, Barack Obama.
Hypothetically speaking, if Stephen Colbert of the Colbert Report was a person rather than persona, I would pass out. I love that brash, smug, alpha male. I heart that balls to the wall, take no prisoners, are you inside my joke, welcome to my universe attitude that makes an uptight, liberal gal like me unclench.
Those who know and love me are well aware that my timing has been off by thees much. For the newest piece of evidence: Barack Obama will be holding a rally in NYC. Yep. My candidate of choice will be in NYC, only one short week after I have said goodbye to native ground.
For my NYC peeps, bail out of the office early and see him.*
I don’t know what to make of Rudy Giuliani. I am a little astonished that he is considered a front-runner for the Republican nomination for President. No doubt, he was a hero of 9/11. Following the attack, he certainly was a beacon of courage. Unlike other politicos, he didn’t demand leadership. For his efforts during those difficult times, he has my respect.
But for the 9/10 mayor of NYC, my “are you frickin’ kidding me?” reflex kicks into high gear. So here is my stab at the myth of Giuliani. Read the rest of this entry »
Mr. Math of NJ asks, “Do you know the word boondoggle?” Well by golly Mr. Math. When you put it like that, I am not really sure. Like hornswoggle and arsy-versy, I never really gave it too much thought.
A Google search yields 931,000 hits, while a similar news search will introduce stories about “Homeland Security Boondoggle,” “Federal Boondoggle,” and “Boon or Boondoggle.” So does it mean something like SNAFU? Well, not quite:
(n.) 1. An unnecessary or wasteful project or activity. 2. a. A braided leather cord worn as a decoration especially by Boy Scouts. 2. b. A cord of braided leather, fabric, or plastic strips made by a child as a project to keep busy. 3. (intr.v.) To waste time or money on a boondoggle. [Coined by Robert H. Link (died 1957), American scoutmaster.] [1]
(n.) 1. work of little or no value done merely to look busy (v.) 2. Do useless, wasteful, or trivial work[2]
Etymology: 1935, Amer.Eng., of uncertain origin, popularized during the New Deal as a contemptuous word for make-work projects for the unemployed. Said to have been a pioneer word for “gadget.”[3]
So in a nutshell, a boondoggle is something to keep the kids occupied while the adults are off doing naughty things. It’s like Fox News for scouts.
[1]“boondoggle.” The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 13 Mar. 2007. [2]“boondoggle.” WordNet® 2.1. Princeton University. 13 Mar. 2007. [3] “boondoggle.” Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. 13 Mar. 2007.
I don’t know if any of you watch C-SPAN. I don’t, but I don’t have cable either. With that said, it was on some random holiday that I came across my latest obsession: Prime Minister’s Question Time.
Every Wednesday at noon local time, the Prime Minister stands and answers questions from other MPs. It begins with a question about his day. Something to do with Parliamentary process I think. Anywho, what follows are questions ranging from local business closings to questions about the war to questions about football. The PM flips through this insane binder of facts so that he might answer to the best of his abilities. Sometimes, he answers long, pointed, leading questions with his own diatribe. Sometimes, he just says “no.” Always good for a laugh.
I cannot claim to be a fan of Ann Coulter. A few years ago, I checked out one of her books from the library to see what the hullabaloo was about. Okay, so the lady has her opinions. So do I. I find her work to be grating, hateful, and inaccurate. Can someone explain to me how she ends up on the bestsellers list time and again? Seriously.
Last Friday night, I decided to take a road trip. You see, earlier in the week, I received an email saying that Barack Obama was going to make an announcement in Springfield, IL. The event was open to the public and those who would like to attend should make a reservation.
Everyone and their grandmother knew that Mr. Obama was going to make his announcement. This was something I didn’t want to miss. I sent an email to my local peeps to see who might be interested. Unfortunately, their enthusiasm was dimmed by the notion of driving down to Springfield (3.5 hours away), for an announcement that was to take place at 9 AM. Not to mention the fact that it was going to be held on the steps of the Old Capitol building. Outdoors. At 9 AM. In February. With a temperature of 3 degrees. Fahrenheit. I can’t say that I blame them. Not everyone has the glow of the political process at work to keep them all warm and toasty. Read the rest of this entry »
My giddiness cannot be contained! Barack Obama has committed to Stage One of his 2008 presidential bid.
I can’t claim to know a ding-dong thing about politics, but I do know that Mr. Obama will make a great choice for President. Being in Illinois, we have watched him go from State Senator to political super-duper star. There are many reasons to love this man, but the biggest?
He is a smarty-pants. I know that an Ivy League pedigree may not mean as much as it used to, but as a grad of Columbia University and Harvard Law School (first African-American prez of the Harvard Law Review to boot), not to mention a professor at the University of Chicago, I am looking forward to the day when the world will look to America and see a scholar at the helm.
Mr. Obama says of America, “I believe in you.” Well, as part of America, I believe in him. Go Barack!
Last week, Mr. Bush made an announcement that troop escalation was to begin in Iraq, with the first deployment on January 15th. That it was to begin on Martin Luther King Day was of little importance to the man.
I am tired of this guy. I am tired of overseas friends and strangers thinking that this man represents the country. I am tired of him speaking in my stead. I am tired of a man with his arguable military experience sending young men and women overseas to clean up his mess, and I am tired of him. His treatment of this country, his political party, his inner circle, his allies, his enemies, and the world at large will viewed by historians as either a big honking mess, or… no that’s it.
Like the majority of my circle, I am looking forward to November 4, 2008. Not only is it a special day for a dear loved one, but it is the day when we elect a new president. I guess that the big question will be “Who?” Democrats, republicans, independents, and no Cheney. The field is wide open, and there is hope in the world once more.
There has been a lot of blah-bitty-blah from the Clinton machine, her supporters, and even 
I don’t know what to make of Rudy Giuliani. I am a little astonished that he is considered a front-runner for the Republican nomination for President. No doubt, he was a hero of 9/11. Following the attack, he certainly was a beacon of courage. Unlike other politicos, he didn’t demand leadership. For his efforts during those difficult times, he has my respect.
I don’t know if any of you watch C-SPAN. I don’t, but I don’t have cable either. With that said, it was on some random holiday that I came across my latest obsession: 
