better_than_nothing
9.25.2008
Since I last wrote, I've made my decision. (I think.) It's Obama for me. It's not that I like Obama any more than I did, but McCain's inability to make good decisions has shown me that he's not a good candidate for president. Between his gut-checked 'hail mary' selection of Palin, or his attempt to postpone the debates, he's shown he's not making good decisions, or he's picked idiot advisors. Either way, he should lose.
To quote the eminent sages Matchbox 20, I believe the world is coming to an end. I mean, not literally an apocalypse, but this economic house of cards is coming down, and unfortunately, the only one who has been predicting this, Ron Paul, was nearly laughed offstage for saying such things during the primaries. Oops.
I find it supremely ironic that McCain is doing this and the media is following the "Politics vs real crisis" angle-- as if the presidential race was only about "politics." They've been treating this as a game for so long and it's so distilled down to image and perception, that they've totally forgotten that this is SUPPOSED to be about real issues in the first place. We need this debate now more than ever. It's madness. The press is letting them get away with saying "We need to stop running for president to focus on real issues." What? Wait. WHAT?!??!
I'm not pretending Obama's going to be that much better than McCain. Neither of these guys have a clue how to fix the economy. In my opinion, we should let it crash, hard, right now, bcause all we're doing by injecting this much manufactured money is postponing the inevitable, drowning the dollar, and balooning the debt.
But again, it will come back to the left saying "This is what deregulation has wrought" and the right will come up with some distraction. (Countdown to blaming Clinton in 5...4...3...2..) And the truth is, the GOP hasn't been about "free markets" in modern times. Sure, they've spouted that mantra, but in actuality, all they've done is prop up Wall Street by corporate welfare-- which is the worst kind. The fed creating money-- artificially keeping interest rates low is what created this crisis in the first place, so we're going to solve it by... CREATING MORE MONEY? This is worse than throwing good money after bad. This is nuking your bank account.
Either way, those responsible will still be making the same bad decisions, and even worse, we're going into deeper debt to save the hordes who made the terrible decisions.
Whoever wins is not going to have an easy time, and will take far too much blame for the bad things which will inevitably occur in the next few years. My first reaction when I heard McCain was suspending his campaign was, "I think he finally realized that he didn't actually want the job anymore." Well, that's what it's saying to me, so I'll go with that. Good luck, Obama, you're gonna need it.
8.28.2008
on Obama Blahs
from Jonathan Gurwitz
According to a Washington Post database, Obama votes with his party 96 percent of the time, which makes him tied for the eleventh most partisan member of the Senate. At 96.6 percent, his running mate Joe Biden is the eighth most partisan senator.
By comparison, John McCain votes with his party 88.3 percent of the time which — here's a comment on the true nature of bipartisanship in Washington — makes him 65th in the partisan rankings.
I guess one of the things that drove me to write the below post was that, at one point recently, I was Pro-Obama, in that "if the election were held today" I would have voted O. However, the lustre has faded-- and I've been trying to figure out why-- It certainly isn't the swiftboatesque Ayers attack ads-- if anything, my contrarian nature wants me to vote Obama simply because McCain doesn't publicly denounce these ads. (McCain Feingold, anyone?)
If I had to pick one thing that really took the shine off, it was the Telcom immunity vote by Obama. As a person with libertarian leanings, I dislike Democrat's spendyness, but I thought I could count on them for civil liberties protections. When looking deeper into his (short) record, he seems to be a party-line Democrat, and for all his talk at the 2004 convention, doesn't seem interested in "true" compromise, just in the appearance of civil public discourse, which I guess is something, but not much a consolation.
I think a Democratic president and a Repubican congress is good for our country. Gridlock forces compromise, and maybe that is how we find the best solutions. If a blowjob is the worst thing about the [Bill] Clinton years, I say bring em back. But an Obama/Pelosi/Reid carte blanche might be just as bad as the unmitigated disaster of the Bush administration.
Crap, this really is style vs. substance for me, isn't it?
How am I undecided?
I always wondered who those undecided voters were leading up to an election. This time, I guess it's me. It's not that I have to pick "the lesser of two evils" as I have felt in the past.
I feel like Obama would be a great 'PR' president. His election would do a lot to rehabilitate the image of this country in the world-- and we need that. The American 'brand' is damaged, and we need to fix it. Obama would be the quickest fix, as easily demonstrated by his speeches in Europe. But his answer to almost every problem seems to be "a program to..." involving spending. While I understand it is likely under Obama that Iraq spending will be less, I'm not convinced it will be "less enough" And in this time of extreme economic deficit, we need to start tightening the belt, not creating a bunch of new spending.
On the other hand, "2000 McCain" would be the perfect take-no-prisoners, no earmarks, straight-talk-expresser that would be the first to say this-- and govern by it. However, 2008 McCain scares me. Maybe I'm more ageist than racist, but he just seems nowhere near as sharp as he was, and that's what I always loved about McCain. I feel like he would be manipulated by his advisers, and that's what's gotten us into this mess. (How much of Bush do you think is actually Bush? The man is an imbecile.) Even though he's one who earlier would reject lobbyists, and advisers controlled by lobbyists, he might now be controlled by them unwittingly.
As for Iraq, I vehemently opposed our actions leading up to the war in 2003. However, just because I like being in the minority, as public opinion swung to "get out!" I felt that we had a responsibility to do everything in our power to "fix" what we had done. So, in this way, I agree with McCain. Specifically, I never understood a problem with a 'timetable' or more specifically a list of objectives to be met with troop draw downs, but at this point, I doubt either man's election will dramatically change when the troops "come home."
The only question is about future preemptive actions. I really feel that if McCain had been the president in 2000, we never would have gone into Iraq. I feel very strongly that the only reason we did was because of oil-connected advisers to Bush, who took advantage of his daddy issues. We now KNOW that the administration manufactured evidence to do what they wanted-- and I just don't believe McCain ever would have done that. The only question is-- is he sharp enough today to maintain control.
Energy & the economy are linked directly, and neither candidate is doing much to reassure me. Our polarized media/political system can't allow a candidate to truly have a "comprehensive" energy plan. I swear, the answer is so simple, but polarization won't ever let us do it.
Here's the plan: DO EVERYTHING. It's the Manhattan project for total energy independence. Dramatic increase in nuclear power. Open up drilling everywhere. Start using the 400 years of coal we have. (We're the Saudi Arabia of coal, by the way) Massive amounts of energy research, especially solar, which has shown much promise recently. Wind, too, although I'm dubious about 'Pickens plan' I think if we dig under the surface, we'll find that he's set to benefit dramatically from wind energy. It's absurd how little we spend on scientific research for energy compared to military, when it's clear our impotence and dependence on oil is what CAUSES our middle east issues.
THIS IS SO OBVIOUS, but the left is hamstrung by idiot environmentalists who think Nuclear power is unsafe, even though it's record is amazingly safe compared even to coal, which we currently use primarily for electricity. (Just look to France-- they are Nuclear primarily) The absolute bane of my existence are NIMBY Democrats, of which I count AL, $14,000 monthly power bill Gore. (Who buys Carbon offsets from a company that HE OWNS.) Most people opposed to offshore drilling have no clue about its relatively clean environmental impact-- they just don't want the views obstructed on Martha's vineyard. (Which they wouldn't be anyway)
Then on the right, you have the oil interests who wouldn't be able to profit from nuclear or solar. They have more money than God, and they will spend it all to maintain their existence, even if it means plunging us into economic oblivion. At least they are rich. And so, they get stuck on drilling. Plus, they don't see the hypocracy of corporate military-industrial welfare, and decry spending on scientific research.. Ugh.
We need EVERYTHING, and the first candidate to have a practical "everything" plan gets my vote, as I see this as issue #1. Not going to happen, though-- McCain is pro-nuclear, pro-drilling, but doesn't believe in much government subsidy of scientific research.
Obama's Democratic caucus (and base) won't allow rapid nuclear deployment, which is the most realistic way to get the quickest "energy independence" with proven technology.
Democrat Barack Obama is more cautious. While he says nuclear power should be part of U.S. energy plans, Obama said Tuesday the nation must find "safer ways to use nuclear power and store nuclear waste." He said the focus should be finding new energy sources.Yes, yet-to-be-invented energy sources should be the foucs, rather than something we know works and we could do today... Jesus. No, I mean literally. Jesus. Pray for power.. He has faith that we'll come up with a better solution.
McCain supports almost no subsidy for research (2 billion on liquefied coal research. That just sounds like a lobbyist's plan, considering he's not supportive of any wind, solar or any other renewable...) Earth to McCain: Energy independence IS NATIONAL DEFENSE. Duh. Even Obama's plan is 150 billion over 10 years-- 15 billion a year. We've spent 580 billion in Iraq in 5. This makes sense HOW?
Reseraching these points for this post let me know that I'm leaning McCain on energy, but I think Obama would make for fantastic 'healing' for the country (internationally, at least, I don't know if there's any hope domestically, thank you 24-hour news cycle) Plus, 2008 McCain's tired, confused moments are scary.
The good news is that I think they are both good men who genuintely want what's best for the country, though they disagree on methods, clearly. I think this is a much better choice than Clinton, who I believe is just power-hungry and feels entitled to the presidency or somebody like Romney who seems so greasy and clearly in the pocket of lobbies.
Interestingly, here's today's fivethirtyeight electoral map.
Virginia. On the fence. Just like me.
Labels: mccain, obama, politics
2.12.2008
Sometimes I love my son so much it hurts. Right now, he's in the next room singing Wonderwall on Rockband. My little 5 year old is rocking out, reading the lyrics of the oasis song, little genius that he is. He makes me so proud, and at the same time I am instinctively aware how much time is fleeting, and this moment will be gone in an instant. He's almost 1/3 of the way from birth to a technical adult. Selfishly, one can't help but realize the briefness of one's own mortality, but it's still a beautiful, amazing thing.
Plus he's freakin hysterical when he sings Roxanne. You don't have to turn on the red light. He's gonna be so annoyed one day when he finds out what that means.
2.07.2008
Alive again.
2 years later....
In 2004, I asked my stepfather to make me a custom bumper sticker. It read: McCain 2004 with a subheading of (I can dream, can't I?) I knew from the beginning, George Bush was a terrible president, I just didn't know how low he could go. The absolute worst of the Republican party, he's not conservative, and is either a complete liar and scammer or a total idiot puppet, whose strings are pulled by Dick Cheney & the military industrial machine. I'm ashamed of people who are close to me who supported, and even STILL, albiet quietly still support this man. He is a perfect example of what's wrong with this country-- Ill gotten gains. He can't win in a fair fight. His businesses all struggled under his leadership. His position in life was given to him by deals and hookups from his plugged-in family and connections. He returned the favor, as president, by giving those corporate sponsors in the oil and military industries all of the payback they could ever hope for. All the time, using empty and dishonest religion to maintain power. (Like so many preachers and televangelists.)
Not that the Democrats are better-- the best they can do to fight George Bush is send us the empty suit John Kerry? And now Hillary Clinton, the party annointed? These career politicians are just as bad, if not worse. They just work for a different company.
However, I now have some faith restored in the American people. That John McCain is able to become the clear Republican front runner with no competition, with Romney gone, shows that the propaganda campaign waged so strongly by the corporate-controlled GOP power center has lost it's power. The curtain came down, and the emperor has no clothes, baby.
I am still infuriated that assholes like Rush Limbaugh dare impugn McCain. They've shown their lined-pocket true stripes, however. The reason they are so upset and so vocal, and I'm SO FREAKIN EXCITED is that McCain is clearly not "in the club." He doesn't read from the talking points. He's not beholden to corporate interests* and they're scared crapless that he has ideals and is governed by them, rather than dollar bills lining his pockets. He's a very intelligent, honest guy, who truly wants what's best for the country-- the PEOPLE, not the corporations who have mortgaged us to the hilt, cause runaway inflation, an insane healthcare system that is more concerned with wall street profits than actual health care.
We'd save a ton on healthcare if we'd just start eating better and being healthier-- but the government would never tell you that, because it would hurt the commercial agriculture business, who is paying off gov't officials to promote corn syrup, which, with sugar in general, is one of the biggest reasons we're so freakin unhealthy to begin with!!!
I am also thrilled and hopeful about Obama. In the California super tuesday exit polls, my faith in humanity is somehow restored. Idiots are for Hillary, that manufactured souless beast, and smart people are for Obama. It couldn't be more clear & linear. Obama is on the rise and has the momentum, so maybe there's hope for us yet.All I can say is that an Obama/McCain election is a dream-- I daren't even think of it. I would be proud to have either man representing my country, and I would look forward to the debates and the election-- I could vote for the candidate I actually preferred, rather than the one I hated the least. Please, Jesus. Please.
Oh yeah, Max is great. He's 5 now, loves Rock Band and is still a genius. It sucks so bad that I haven't been blogging it. Talk about regrets. You should see him wail on 'Mississippi Queen.'
Cory
(*)corporate power/welfare <> free trade. I am a true conservative in that I think business should live and die on their own, not get congress to help them succeed. Corporate welfare is still welfare.
Hopefully I'll do better than 2+ years...
10.02.2005
Poker.
Hey, Guess what, I've been playing poker lately-- if you consider the past year or so 'lately'. On line a little bit, but in real life a lot. As of last night, I'm withing striking distance (one good game) of being "up" -- meaning having made more money than I've lost-- since I started playing poker for money.. err ever.. (we're talking relatively small potatoes here.) This makes it the cheapest hobby I've ever had in my life. Plus there's a ton of ways for playing for free.
To wit,
I have registered to play in the
Online Poker Blogger Championship!
This event is powered by PokerStars.
Registration code: 4733022
This lame advertisement above gets me a free entry into the PokerStars blogger invitational, which is ok by me. Of course, I will actually be in Vegas that day, so if I play in it, I will have to be IN VEGAS playing poker ON A COMPUTER. Stupid, I know.. But it's ironic enough that it might actually be fun.
9.07.2005
Blame Louisiana.
I'm over this now, and I'm over it big. Jon Stewart, who is usually my hero, had my blood absolutely boiling last night. Between his gushing reprieve for the inexcusable media (all of them) and his non stop abuse of the federal government, I literally had to leave the room.
YOU MUST READ THIS.
I have no idea who this guy is or what else he believes, but I have said from the beginning the ensuing fallout from Katrina is Louisiana's "fault" if there blame to be assigned. I HATE the fact that this issue is making me side with Bush, and even worse Rumsfeld. I hate it.
Must you assign blame? Fine. This is primarily the people who didn't leave's fault. This is secondarily Nagin's and NO's local officials fault. It is thirdly Governor Blanco and Louisiana's fault. Once you've dealt with them, then you can start talking about the failures of the US Government.
THIS IS NOT A FEDERAL ISSUE. I can spout rhetoric that many others have been spouting nonstop, but I'll quit here, I'm just repeating what somebody somewhere is saying better than I am.
But this is the most important single thing to remember: The most people died because of local apathy by the people who lived there and failures of LOCAL government, not the Federal government. The casualties were caused because the locals did not do NEARLY enough to get people out of town. They did not even follow their own established evacuation guidelines (see the link above).
Take some fucking responsibility for yourselves, and stop blaming people. Stop making a bad situation worse. Stand up and start working.
