Obama-Drama-Lama

Alright, kids.

We have a President.  He happens to be black.  That's right--I said it.  B-L-A-C-K.  Got a problem with that?  Yeah?  Then why are you reading this blog?  Go away.

Now, for the rest of you that hate having to pussy-foot around because some wacko out there is looking to be offended by every single thing, welcome!  I'm not mincing words here.  Not when Ralphie May, Ron White, and Lewis Black top my list of favorite comedians.

Before you get the crazy idea I'm a liberal Democrat.  I'm not.  Not even close.  In fact, I'm registered as Independent, though, I've been considering joining the Libertarians.  More research is required, but I digress.

Alright.  Here's what's got me worked up today:

Yep.  This image floating around Facebook and other social media sites.  Take a really good look at it.  Now, I recognize that I don't have the full context of the statements listed and I haven't vetted this image to even see if the statements listed were actually stated by the people that are listed.  But, you know what?  I DON'T CARE.  Know why?  Because I've heard this malarkey from friends (and even family) of mine.

Let's analyze, shall we?  Yes, we shall.  My blog, don't need your permission.

"An Executive Power Grab."  Hmmm... well, given that he is the CEO of the United States....I'm guessing he's telling you to STFU?  And you don't like that?  Y'know, there comes a time when the person in charge has to put his foot down and lay out the rules; and, given I heard his speech towards Congress around Christmas time when they were STILL stalled on the budget...y'all are acting like two year olds instead of elected officials.

"(Impeachment) should be on the table!"  Really?  What crime was committed?  Were you aware that three Presidents have been impeached, successfully, in our nation's history?  Andrew Johnson was the first--now, he was doing the Executive Power Grab thing.  He was violating Congressional acts left and right without a flip to be given.  Congress finally said, "That's it!" and brought proceedings against him; he was acquitted.  This was during the Reconstruction period in the 1860s-'70s.  Then there was Nixon... Illegal wiretapping, shredding of incriminating evidence--and he probably had no idea, at first...but, was made privy to it.  I dunno, I wasn't alive yet and I just don't care about that period in our nation's history.  He left office before they called for his removal.  Fast forward to the 1990s with Bill Clinton and his Whitewater scandal.  I'm still not sure what that was all about because I didn't like Clinton, anyway.  I thought he was smarmy, like a used-car salesman.  Point is, these guys committed crimes and had legal proceedings brought against them.  What legitimate crime has Obama committed?  Other than being black...because, we can't nail him for that one.

The other statements make no sense without context.  Not in this setting anyway.  I do like the "Imperial Behavior."  I guess someone must have uncovered his plans to build the Death Star.

I hope they make a movie about Barack Obama's life and Presidency.  If they do, they need to get John Williams to do the score.

Hope For America

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

As the 44th President of the United States, President Obama made history. Frederick Douglass may have been the first African-American to be nominated to the office of Vice President, but Barack Obama is the first African-American to be elected President. Change is here. Change is good.

...of course...if you listen to the video, you'll notice that he was so excited about change that he couldn't remember the words to the oath. I guess I'm just a cynic, but I found it funny.

Sunday, Bloody Sunday

Okay.

Lemme start this by saying I'm not racist.

I'm about accuracy. And this article from CNN--compelling and empathetic as it may be--is not accurate.

Oh, sure. The events occurred and everything that's in there is true--except for one small thing. Anyone catch it?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965.

This Act did not, in my opinion, do anything. Why do I say this? Because.

IT WAS ALREADY WRITTEN IN THE CONSTITUTION ALMOST 100 YEARS EARLIER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of my all-time favorite orators is Frederick Douglass. This man fought for what wanted. As a slave, he taught himself to read. He educated himself. He became the very thing that the white men were so afraid of--a literate slave. He escaped his slavery and began speaking around the country for abolition. Do NOT tarnish this man's work simply because there were Southern states who were NOT upholding the US Constitution!

It's there in black and white, folks. Amendment 15, ratified in 1870:

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

That's right! No STATE can deny the right of a black, red, yellow, brown, pink, purple, turquoise man (at that time) the right to vote. None. Zero. Zip. And the States knew this! How do I know? Because it's a Constitutional Amendment which requires 2/3 majority for ratification.

Guess what?

The Voting Rights Act is REDUNDANT! The Civil Rights Division even states that Act follows the 15th Amendment's wording. They claim that there was no way to effectively enforce the 15th Amendment. Sure there is! If I were to violate the Constitution, my butt get slapped in prison with a felony charge. Why not try levying that on the people responsible for not following the Constitution that they've sworn to uphold?

Oh, right...because the entire GOVERNMENT would be in the slammer.

I fully believe that the government is trying to disempower its own people because, where there's a lack of knowledge and understanding, the people become sheep and accept whatever malarky is shoveled in their faces.

Is the Voting Rights Act wrong? No. It did do some very important things. What is -wrong- is that people believe this to be the time when blacks were given the right to vote.

WRONG.

Blacks had the right to vote (covered in a legal, federal document) in 1870. In some states, blacks always had the right to vote. Don't buy the bull that the 1960's brought all these revolutionary changes that had already happened long before you and I were even thought about. Did great things come out of the '60's? Yep. Is it something to celebrate? If you really want. But, know your history. Know your rights under the Constitution. Know these documents the government likes to say they hold in high regard.

...and when you go on Final Jeopardy, just remember, 1870 granted blacks the right to vote and 1920 gave women the right to vote. Douglass made this very telling statement to a rather vocal Women's Rights advocate: "When women because they are women are dragged from their homes and hung upon lampposts, .....then they will have the urgency to obtain the ballot."

Freedom of the Press vs. Reality

Many of us wonder how the paparazzi can get away with literally chasing down celebrities and printing half-truths or even 1/4 truths. They, of course, all claim "Freedom of the press." This is under the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

No where in this does it say "separation of church and state," nor does it say "go ahead and print whatever you want!"

When the Founding Fathers drew up this "living document," they had come from England. Who controlled England? The Catholic Church. Or the Anglican Church, depending. It was against the law (and punishable by death) to worship any other God than the God of the King or Queen. The colonists wanted to escape this crap and establish a country that did not dictate morality to its people.

At that time, if someone spoke out against the Church or against the ruler, they were jailed and often killed. They were forced to print only "good" news about the leaders. Again, the colonists wanted people to feel they could voice their opinions without threat of, ya know, death. They wanted to make this country a "Democracy within a Republic." They wanted to establish guidelines by which everyone could live and exercise their rights.

With the exercising of those rights comes... RESPONSIBILITY. Go figure.

This brilliant newspaper owner demonstrates this point for me. Go ahead and watch the video. I'll wait.

Keep watching.

Should be done now.

Did you notice what I did?

The "protesters" all seemed to be of the same race. The ones who "didn't think it was a big deal" also seemed to be of the same race. These two races have been in conflict in the US for...oh, a few centuries. Yes! You're brilliant. You can see that our newly-elected President is a black man. Congratulations, you can see.

But you so critically fail since it's evident you are not color-blind. If the Constitution is the "living document" you want me to believe it is, then you better start bendin' the other words to fit what's actual, mate. Don't claim one amendment and disregard another one.

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States.

Did you catch all that? Re-read it if you have to. The rules for a Presidential candidate are they must be 35, lived in the US for 14 years, and be a natural-born citizen.

There's no gender factor.

There's no race factor.

So you know what, folks? Our President is a black man.

GET THE HECK OVER IT!

When we stop seeing our President as a black man and start seeing him as an individual capable of leading our country, then our country will have grown up. I'm so sick of these states who voted for McCain complaining that a black man's in charge. GROW UP! Y'all are driving me crazy with your crap. Skin color does not dictate intelligence. Circumstances do not dictate intelligence. Oh, yeah. You heard me. Just because you grew up in Harlem doesn't mean you get the right to tell me that I'm racist because I tell you you're stupid and can't form a coherent sentence.

Frederick Douglass is one of my favorite historic people. Know why? Because he educated himself and went on to help get that 13th Amendment signed--and the 14th...and the 15th... Frederick Douglass was a great orator. He ranks right up there with William Jennings Bryan. Don't tell me you didn't have a way to get a better paying job and had to steal and join a gang to get by. That's a choice. That's also a cop-out. Even James Earl Jones will tell you that.

Give it up, people. If I have to spend the next four years telling you all that you're racist idiots...so help me, this blog is going to sky-rocket in views.

>_>

<_<

On second thought...carry on. I could use the page hits.

Finally Over

So, the political stuff is finally over. Thank God. Sarah Palin can go back to Alaska and be a soccer mom; John McCain can go back to having no idea how much real estate he owns; Joe Biden can chomp on his bull-dog bone; and Barack Obama can start getting used to being hailed, since he's the chief.

It's now time for those who voted for McCain to nit-pick and get all moany about how the country's going someplace hot in a handbasket.

I just ask that you not talk to me about it. Because I don't care.

I stared at the ticket for a good long time. I almost voted for Bob Barr, but I decided that I liked Obama just enough to vote for him. Since I couldn't actually hear Sarah Palin speak to make a decision on whether or not she'd make a suitable VP, I decided to vote for the ticket that had a strong pairing.

In my not so humble opinion, that was Obama-Biden.

"But RA!" I hear you whine. "Obama is pro-choice!"

Indeed he is. No one's perfect. But, ya know what? I actually did a little research on the candidates. I know, I know--a responsible American who thinks for themselves! Yes, I'm real. Now, I did some research and I discovered something interesting. Obama is pro-choice not because he thinks killing babies is the right thing to do. He's pro-choice because...

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY

If women are going to go out and kill their unborn children, possibly causing damage to themselves, then offer them the opportunity to make an informed decision about it and have it done safely. Obama may be pro-choice, but he's also pro-abstinence. Something that Jamie Lynn should learn about.

Is this our only problem with Obama?

No.

I think our biggest problem with Obama is his skin color. We've come a long way in the past 200+ years, but there's still people out there who don't think a black man should be leading our country. I think there's still a bunch of people out there who don't think a woman should be leading our country, either. In fact, I know there are. Look at how the media--and even the Republicans--treated Palin.

I can't say if the woman is brilliant or not. They would never let her speak. The media would talk over her during broadcasts, the candidates would cut her off, etc. She never really got the chance to shine or crash. And if she did, they were few and far between. I never heard about either. Well, except for that prank phone call. And her dress code.

So.

Which scares you more? A black President, or a female President?

"Yes, we can!" "Change has come to America."

GoP LOLZ

So, a friend of mine sent me a link to this lovely post and forum comments. I sort of quirked a brow and snickered at most of the first-page comments. Then I decided to follow links.

Psychotic Friend: I figure there's something in here worth a blog rant.
Rogue Assassin: heh.
Psychotic Friend: I mostly figure you'll tear into the girl who's reporting this for being a lying little $h1t.
Rogue Assassin: Heh... yeah, I could blog about it.

I'm a person of few words when it comes to IM conversations. Deal. Point is, he's right.

Mostly.

I can tear into Miss Todd for being a complete moron (or praise her for being one of the best secret campaigners for Obama), or I can lay into the American populace who will read this story and realize that she's an idiot and for that reason only vote for Obama.

I'm not against Obama.

I'm not against McCain.

What I'm against is the American public thinking (or, more appropriately, not thinking) that the only important issue is...the color of the skin of our leader.

Be honest. With yourself. Heck, I don't expect you to be honest with me. I can't get employers to be honest with me, why would I expect you to be?! Now. Back on topic. Be honest with yourself. The color of our President's skin matters to you. It is a yes or no question. It has no qualifiers. Are you ready to accept and embrace change and allow a black man to lead us? I ask this assuming that my reading population is white. If you're actually black, you don't get to answer this question. I have a different one for you. Drill down into the candidates and look at their stance on the issues and then think about how those issues will affect you. That's how the political system is supposed to work in this country. You get a chance to have your voice heard--and yes, every vote counts. Even if you do a write in for Mickey Mouse, your voice still counts. It's not a "throw-away" vote. It's your right and duty as an American citizen (unless, of course, you've been convicted of a felony...then you don't get the right to vote). Speak up, America! Let your voice be heard!

Now.

The other question for the blacks that read this blog. If you're voting for Obama, why are you voting for him? Because of his skin color? Be honest.

So, let's go back to our original story of this poor McCain Campaign volunteer being mercilessly attacked just out of view of the surveillance cameras at the walk-up ATM. The alleged attacker saw a bumper sticker/campaign button/lights in the sky which enraged him so much that he gently scratched a backwards "B" on her cheek. Everyone says that it looks like what you would do to yourself in the mirror...and smacks of Morton Downey, Jr. (Please, folks. MORTON Downey, Jr. NOT Robert Downey, Jr. Besides there being a pretty significant age difference and status of life, Robert's a better actor and is quite good looking...despite his drug problem. And speaking of drug problems, he's at least acknowledged it's a problem and doesn't try to hide it...like, say, Mary Kate Olson).

Digression. It happens.

So, this girl thinks that she can run a smear campaign on Obama. But, the problem is, it all comes down to race. McCain's even said some things that allude to race. Oh, what. NOW you want a link, eh? Here's the YouTube video that's brought a lot of controversy to his credibility. I know of at least one person, personally, (and a myriad of internet people) who heard the phrase, "Brown Noise." Now, pardon me, but if you're running for an important position such as, say, PRESIDENT, the last thing you want to do is say something that could even hint at racism. Was it "ground noise" or "brown noise"? Either way, that was probably not the best choice of phrases.

From the news I've seen/read/heard/taken in by osmosis, this political event has been less about the issues at hand (abortion, gay marriage, the war in Iraq) and more about gender and skin color. Conservative Republicans seem to think that Obama lacks the ability to lead this Nation--mostly because he's black. In their minds, they see America turning into a ghetto with "bling bling" everywhere.

Here's a newsflash: IT ALREADY IS. Sadly, the education system in this country has reduced what would be well-educated people into blithering idiots. You know why there's no appreciation for the likes of Poe and Lovecraft? Because no one can understand what the heck they're saying. Imagery is lost on the current crop of Americans--and it's only going to get worse as teachers are disempowered. Texas just laid off a bunch of teachers. Let's make America an even DUMBER place and wonder why crime goes up.

Vote for whomever you want to vote for in November.

Just. Know the issues.

Obama-Biden

McCain-Palin

And some others...

Bob Barr - Libertarian Party
Mike Gravel - Libertarian Party
Chuck Baldwin - Constitution Party
Ralph Nader - Independent Party
Cynthia McKinney - Green Party

Don't see your party? OnTheIssues.org Go forth and be informed.

The New Symbol of America

...from an e-mail from my SO....

Official Announcement: In Light of the 'Bailout'

The Federal government announced today that it is changing its symbol from an Eagle to a Condom because it more accurately reflects the government's political stance. See, a condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of pricks, and gives you a sense of security while you're actually being screwed.




Yes, I know this thing has been floating about for awhile and from several different countries. At least it's while Bush is in office and not Clinton. I'm sure there's a sexual reference you can make there. I don't have to do it for you. Just remember this link...

My job here is done.

Making Up

Yeah, yeah, I know... I haven't posted since Saturday.

Sue me.

I've been in pretty intense pain most of this week. Get over it. I have a life outside of ranting about politics and stupid people, ya know. Not much of one, but when I am in pain, I'm not going to try to form coherent sentences and complain about the stupidity of those humans surrounding me.

Especially when I'm on pain killers. I'd read back over the blog and be thinking, "Oh Muh Guh, Whu Tuh Fuh?!" And, really, I'd rather not.

I do that as it is.

So!

VP Debates! Tonight! My prediction: Biden is going to absolutely trounce Palin. He'll be polite for the first, mm, 30 minutes. After that, she'll realize really quickly that her pretty face isn't going to get her very far.

Sure, the focus is on the economy. If you've been living under a rock for the past, oh, few weeks, it's a mess. The Dow-Jones is dropping faster than Bill Clinton's pants and coming up more frequently than...well, you can make your own analogy there. But, if the debates shift away from the concern that is actually more of the current President's problem to the issues on the table (such as putting an end to the useless war), Palin's going to fail.

Hard.

Biden's a bulldog chomping at the bit. He's cute in that really fugly kinda way. Palin's the prim and proper poodle. Bulldogs eat poodles for lunch. Biden's going to rip her apart, in my not so humble opinion. One of my friends and I were discussing the campaigns earlier...

Well, not so much the campaigns as predicting the future. We like to think of ourselves as sort of prophets. I suppose he's the Beast and I could be the False Prophet. Now, if I can just find the Anti-Christ, we can bring on the Apocalypse and be done with the whole thing before November 2!

Anyway.

His prediction was that neither McCain nor Obama would survive their first term. When I asked what he meant, he simply reminded me that McCain is, well, old. If he were a lizard, he'd be a wallet...and a belt...a purse, a couple pairs of shoes... Good points all.

And Obama?

He said Eddie Murphy could explain that one. Or was that Richard Pryor?

Got Gas?

I'm having a difficult time with this.

I'm sitting here in over-priced, over-taxed Califorina--where we have oil rigs off the coast in the Pacific and in other people's back yards--wondering one thing.

HOW in Bixby's Nine Hells is there a GASOLINE SHORTAGE!?!

How much further does America need to bend over for the middle eastern countries who've all but told us to "F**k off and die" to cram their bull up our proverbial butts?!

Last I checked, Texas was known for its oil production.

So, I suppose I, as a silly American, am wondering just what the heck we're doing that we're running out of gasoline! The $4.25 I pay per gallon has to be going somewhere. I can guarantee it's not for upgrades to the gas station. It's going into some oil tycoons pocket.

Yes, Mr. President, I'm looking at you.

And your cabinet.

It's no secret, there. But, for crying out loud! A gas shortage?! Really!? What was this war about in the first place? Oh, right... Afghanistan hosted the Al Quida which came into our country and killed a few hundred innocent people.

Which makes sense that we would invade Iraq.

Because, ya know... they're so close in location. It's an easy mistake.

So, what are these poor people in Tennessee doing? Probably wishing that America would call its proctologist to have its head removed. Thank GOD the elections are soon. Not that McCain or Obama will necessarily fix the problem. But, in either case, I won't feel like my President has the brain of a carrot.

Which could be an insult to the carrot.

I love America. I think Bush has done some wonderful things... just not lately. And, sadly, any respect I had for him is now gone. He's done too many boneheaded things for me to feel confident in saying I support him.

I support the country. Not the one holding the reigns.

Please, though, don't assassinate him? The Vice President isn't much better...

Let's just focus on the right war--the one that resolves the problem of America getting her rear end handed to her seven years ago. SEVEN FREAKING YEARS!

...and we've got a gas shortage...

Lemme think here...

*Enter into a needless war with a country who wasn't a real threat at the time
*Waste taxpayers' money by keeping our troops in said war
*Keep feeding the American populace bull about how this war will help the economy
*Do ABSO-FREAKIN'-LUTELY NOTHING when the gas prices go from $1.75 per gallon to $4.75 per gallon
*Blame said increase ON THE WAR THAT WE STARTED
*Suddenly find ourselves in a gasoline crisis "because we're at war with our oil suppliers."

Here's an idea.

Get the heck out of Iraq. Let their government collapse in on itself and let them rebuild on their own. Utilize the oil that's in our own back yard while we develop alternate forms of energy. Hybrids are a good example. I'm pretty sure these scientist that waste money on needless research would be able to come up with a way to use ethenol alcohol for fuel.

I'm sick of hearing, "We can't..."

Of course we can't.

Because we're not a people who like to leave our little comfort zones. Get a divergent thinker on the team and watch those "can't's" turn into "can's."

Unless, of course, they're a Republican.

Are You a RepubliCAN or a RepubliCANT?

John McCain, Republican nominee for President, has yet to make a decision that the Republicans who presumably support him have agreed with. Does this mean his decisions are wrong? No. It means he's making his choices independently of the opinions of his constituents. Which is good. He's voting his conscience.

However.

It's not McCain that's going to lose the election for McCain. It's not his Vice-Presidential pick, Susan Palin. It's his party.

That's right! The very people who nominated him as the Presidential candidate are going to lose the race for him. Why? Because they're doing the mud-slinging for the Democrats. Obama's already stated he wants no part of bashing Palin's family. So. That actually works in favor of the Democrats. Hmmm... the Republicans must secretly want Obama to win.

Maybe they agree with the rest of the nation that "change is good."

No matter who McCain chose for VP, he was going to be ridiculed. He wanted Tom Ridge or Joe Lieberman. I've met Mr. Ridge. He would be a fine Vice President. He was a great governor. The shmuck PA has in office now isn't so hot. But, that's a rant for another time. I got out of the state before I had to deal with him. I currently live where The Governator will be "bahck!" Most likely. He's not that bad...but, I digress.

No matter who McCain chose for VP, he was going to be ridiculed! Both Ridge and Lieberman are pro-choice--something the Christian Right Wing (that everyone in the Republican camp was worried about) managed to overlook while Ridge was governor of PA. They didn't like it, but Ridge was that good that it didn't matter. Besides, Obama has PA, at the moment, just because Sen. Joe Biden was born and reared there. States like their home-grown boys--especially if they're good. And Biden's good.

Ridge was good. Ridge may have been the better choice--but that's what McCain gets for listening to his consituents. So, he selected Palin. Now, apparently, there is a big to-do about how she's not the appropriate choice. And who is saying this? CAMPAIGN STAFF! That's right. Republicans.

Excuse me. RepubliCANTs.

She CAN'T do this... She CAN'T do that... This factor means she CAN'T be good at this...

She's YOUR CANDIDATE! SUPPORT HER! Let the Democrats sling the mud. Or...because Obama said no to mudslinging at people's families, do you feel you need to do it for them? I'm all about making infomred decisions, but that's like ratting out your own teammates, guys. Way to lose the game for yourselves. Isn't that what got Shoeless Joe Jackson banned from baseball?

What will happen, I predict in my oh-so-prophetic way, is that Obama will win the election and the Republicans (who've spent their time complaining about their candidate) will complain about the changes Obama implements. Ya know what, boys? YOU DON'T GET TO COMPLAIN IF YOU SABBOTAGE THE ELECTION.

That's what you're doing.

You want McCain to have a fair chance? Stop slinging mud at him and his VP. You want to fight to win the election, do what Obama did--establish your platform and stick with it. Talk about the issues, not the families. Who the heck cares if Bristol Palin is 5 months pregnant? She could have had an abortion! Oh, but you would have complained about that, too, wouldn't you? Yes, yes, there is no pleasing you. As if your daughters or sons haven't gone out and done something "bad" and gotten caught for it. How about we delve into your family life and see the skeletons you hide. Then we can remove you from your supposed position of "RNC Police."

If you're a GOP'er...be a RepubliCAN and not a RepubliCANT.

A RepubliCANT is nothing but a Democrat.

Seriously: Greater Evil 2008

U GAIZ. SRSLY.

Seriously, you guys.


Moveon.org (a name that makes me laugh) has launched a campaign against Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Sen. John McCain because they're allowing the oil companies to keep $13.5 billion in tax breaks. Seriously. Watch the video about it here.

Read the rest of the story here.

Currently, a bill encouraging cleaner energy and a repayment of the $13.5 billion from the oil companies has been stopped, yet again. The only ones who are passing this bill are the democrats. Now, I don't pretend to have a clue what's in the bill or exactly what it does. But, I also do not assume to be naive when it comes to thinking about things. If all the democrats in the Senate, except one, is voting for this bill and none of the Republicans (and one democrat) are voting against this bill...it makes me stop and say, "Hmmmmmm?"

So, how do John McCain and Elizabeth Dole fit into this?

From what I can tell...they're Republicans.

That's it.

John McCain wasn't even present at the recent vote. He was in Iowa. Campaigning. Ya know, for election to President? That thing we get to vote on in November? Oh, and on a side note: If you don't vote, you don't get to complain about the President, mkay? Mkay.

In fact, according to an article on CBSNews, the only person in the running that even voted at all for this bill was Barak Obama in 2005, granting the big oil companies $3 billion in new giveaways.

I'll let that sink in.

Time's up.

So, two people who have nothing to do with this Energy Bill are getting lambasted for "allowing it to continue" because they're choosing not to jump on the bandwagon and actually thinking about the repercussions of misleading statements contained elsewhere in the document, and the very person who helped establish the $13.5 billion in tax breaks is currently the Democratic nominee for President?

Wow.

McCain should win just because he looks like an older Bruce Willis.

What? If people can make ludicrous statements about houses and oil companies, I can say ludicrous things about looks, right? I mean, who wouldn't want a Bruce Willis look-a-like for President?! I mean, yes, it'd be better if it were Chuck Norris, but still.

"Yippee-kai-yai-yay, Mother Truckers!"

Vote Houses in 2008

So, I really hate politics, if you haven't noticed. I think if a politician's talking, he's probably spouting some bull to cover his own butt. So, it came as no surprise to me when I popped over to the Political track of CNN to discover that Obama is concerned with McCain's housing. That's right, kiddies. Obama thinks McCain won't make a good President because he doesn't know how many houses he owns.

Clearly, we must vote for Obama!

I'll say it again: WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!?! Who in Bixby's Nine Hells CARES?! So, McCain owns a few houses. He's not President yet. He needs some source of income. Maybe he likes to vacation and has houses in his favorite places? My mother-in-law owns four properties. All in California. Amazing. Americans owning property! This, obviously, disqualifies her from the Presidency!

My point is this: McCain has bigger things to worry about at the moment than his properties. In fact, he even said, "I don't know. I'll have to ask my staff." Did it occur to anyone that maybe--just maybe--he has people who invest in this stuff for him?

Let's analyze, shall we, what Obama said:

“Somebody asked John McCain, 'how many houses do you have?' and he said, 'I'm not sure, I’ll have to check with my staff,' True quote! 'I'm not sure, I'll have to check with my staff.' So they asked his staff and he said, 'at least four.' 'At least four.'

“Now think about that — I guess if you think that being rich means you gotta make five million dollars, and if you don't know how many houses you have, then it's not surprising that you might think the economy is fundamentally strong,” he continued. “But if you're like me and you've got one house — or you were like the millions of people who are struggling right now to keep up with their mortgage so that they don't lose their home — you might have a different perspective. …" (quoted from source article)

First of all, McCain was honest. We teach children to say "I don't know" if it's an honest answer. McCain could have very easily said, "None of your doggone business!" and been perfectly honest, but he chose to give an answer that was a bit more tactful. (Note: This is why The Rogue Assassin is not on your list of people. That and I'm not old enough, yet). Continuing further, just... bwuh?! "If you think that being rich means you gotta make five million dollars..." Well. "Rich" in monetary terms is equivalent to "money." Bill Gates is rich. Bill Gates is richer than John McCain. I wonder how many houses Bill Gates has...

Now, the next part of Obama's tirade kills me. "If you're like me and you've got one house..." One house--worth how much? And it's probably a safe bet that if you live in California, you don't have a house. Unless, ya know, you're rich. So. This is a bit of catch-22 for him. "You can't know the American economy if you own four houses!" And here I thought the American economy was all about an exchange of money! Apparently, it's about real estate! Who knew.

When did the American race for Presidency start slinging retarded logic around in an attempt to sully the opponent's name? Seriously. Did James Madison have to put up with this? What about Abraham Lincoln? Or Howard Taft? Or James Garfield? Remember Garfield? He wasn't just a fat, orange and black tiger cat with an unhealthy love of lasagna. He was a President of the United States...for three months. Til some bloke assassinated him.

Anyway.

Turns out McCain owns a total of seven properties totaling a worth of about $13 million. Clearly, he does not own property in California--at least not Southern California where a house that he would own would be at least $5 mil to purchase and worth about $7-10 mil by the time he was done with it.

Do I care how many properties a potential President owns? No. It proves nothing to me other than they're pretty real estate savvy. Do I care how much money my President makes at his day job? Not really. I've long since given up the idea that an average American will be President. I expect the President to be from the upper class of society. I don't expect Joe from the pizza shop down the street to be elected. Since one of the requirements for being President is to somehow have been involved in politics (and by their very nature, politics equates to money), the President is going to be rich. What's-his-name from a few elections ago--Ross Perot!--I betchya he owned a lot of property. No one, at that time, said, "UGH! FOUL! HE IS RICH!" It doesn't matter how much money you have. It matters what your intentions and goals are for the future of America.

You can be butt-sucking rich and be an awesome President. You can be butt-sucking rich and be a Nixon. Or a Clinton. Or a Bush. Pick one. You could also be church-mouse poor and suck worse (if that's possible). Money doesn't make the politician, folks. Morals. Choices. STANDING for something even if it's not popular. AFFECTING CHANGE. Accomplishing the objectives of the people--ya know, the WILL of the PEOPLE...which is why you're even being elected in the first place? Not everything we as Americans want is right or healthy. But, the President needs to be able to have a backbone and be the parent of the Nation and say "Yes, you need this" or "No, you don't," then STICK TO IT!

So much more could be said, but at this point... it's a dead horse...and I'm done beating.

Same Sex Marriages a State Decision? Heck Yeah!

In a recent interview with Rev. Rick Warren, Obama and McCain were both asked about their stances on abortion and same-sex marriages. Both said they were pro-choice and anti-same sex marriages--for relatively the same reasons. But, both also agreed that it wasn't for the Federal Government to decide on the marriage licensing.

What's that? The STATE gets to decide something? AMAZING!

When "our forefathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal," they set up some pretty specific guidelines for creating laws. Like, anything not enumerated in Constitution was given to the authority of the States. In fact, Amendment X of the Bill of Rights states,

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Since when was my choice of whom I married a matter of National importance? It's a matter of State importance. Why? Because I need to have my marriage legally recognized within the state I live in order to receive the benefits entitled to me.

Also, since when is my decision to kill my unborn child a matter of National importance? It's not. It's not really even a State concern. It's my issue. If I want to kill a defenseless fetus, that's my choice. Not yours. It's your choice to judge me and think of me as a bad person. That's your loss.

I'm growing quite weary of the United States government legislating my free will. It's called "Free Will" for a reason. Do I personally think abortion is wrong? Yes. It's murder. But, since we've already "scientifically" established that life does, in fact, not begin at conception, then for those who believe abortion is the best option, feel free to kill willy-nilly.

For the rest of us who believe life does begin at conception, blowing up an abortion clinic is wrong! I mean, think about it. You're killing people who are killing babies. Two wrongs do not make a right. Frankly, if you want to protest an abortion clinic, that's also your choice. But, if you jump in front of my car to get me to notice you, you'll just end up with a Volkswagon tattoo.

There is an amendment that allows the peaceful gathering of people together. Jumping into traffic to prove your point is just plain dumb. I'm not an evolutionist, but I do believe in survival of the fittest. And jumping in front of my car will prove that theory correct. Who knows? You may make a good hood ornament. Then, perhaps, your life will have been worth something...even if just to serve as a warning to others.

Who do we want for a President in 2008? Obama--the second African-American to be nominated for President; Clinton--for her second go-around; or McCain--is he really smarter than Bush? I don't know. I'm not sure who I'm going to vote for. I have silly reasons for not liking Obama. I have solid reasons for not liking Clinton. I have vague reasons for not liking McCain. But, unfortunately, they're our options.

Or...

Vote for me! The Rogue Assassin! I'll take a write-in under the Libertarian party....