poukledden

Maddow on governors getting to pick Senators:


One thing to pay attention to: notice how she refers to Blagojevitch at around the 3:20 mark. I had to play it again to make sure I had heard right!

Surprise: Rick Warren's "invocation" basically said to all non-Christians, whether nonbelievers or Buddhists or Jews or whatever, FUCK YOU.

Yeah, well fuck you too, Rick.

And why, exactly, did you feel it necessary to say the girls' names like you were talking about exotic dancers?

Rick Warren wants mindless fanaticism: Follow Jesus Like Nazis Followed Hitler.* He's tied to a brutal dictatorship in Uganda that has caused the greatest level of human death and misery since WWII.  And his so-called humanitarian work with AIDS is monstrously wrong. So I will just say it -- this man is a force of darkness in this world, and if his vision were allowed to prevail, humanity would be doomed. So, with all do respect, Mr. President-Elect, fuck you for picking this ass for your unconstitutional injection of Christianity into a governmental function. And with all do respect, Melissa Etheridge, you're dead, dead wrong on this one, and you're providing aid and comfort to the enemy.


(* I can hear the protests on this one already, so let me just say this: even if Jesus existed, even if Jesus was and is the Son of God, you'd still be ethically obligated to use reason and critical thinking to evaluate his claims and demands, and follow only those that pass the test. Being God or whatever does not equate to being something that can be followed blindly. Fanaticism is fanaticism is fanaticism)

Well, that was an emotional ride, now, wasn't it?

I could try to express what I feel, but I am so out there in the great beyond of happiness and pondering and Deep Thoughts that I'd just blither. Instead, I will simply point out that it isn't all sunshine and puppies this night. At least 2 states*, and likely 3, delivered a blow to gay rights. The fight goes on. But the fact that it's a fight say something good in and of itself.

I will also note that I think Mayor Cory Booker of Newark really summed up my feelings about this country -- my real, deep feelings, when I get past the cynicism and despair I have too often worn as a shield -- the diversity of this country is delicious. America, you are one tasty country, I tells ya.

(*and yes, my own Arizona is one of them. This crazy state --- voted for McCain with about a 10 point margin at last point, but now 5 of 8 representatives are democrats, the governor is, the state house probably will be. And, ya know, we took the OH SO IMPORTANT STEP to save marriage from The Gay. Sigh...)

And yes, I got teary eyed. I admit it. Especially when they showed Jessie Jackson while Obama was giving his speech, and Jessie was obviously crying. I can't imagine what the old Civil Rights warriors must be feeling tonight. I'm glad some of them got to see this.

If you are heading to the polls on the 4th (and you should be, unless you've voted early. Or, you know, it isn't your election because you live elsewhere),  take your cell phone. Have this number handy:


1-866-OUR-VOTE

They even have mobile units that can be dispatched to trouble precincts if necessary. I suspect they are going to be busy in a few states, like West Virginia and Virginia.

Arizona has mostly been okay with this shit the last few cycles, but you never know. And as for other parts of the country, well, you've all seen the news. I'm tempted to say bring a camcorder if you're using one of those magically changing your vote machines.

Also, lest it need to be said: have identification, several types if you can.

And spare a thought for Obama. He just lost his gramma.

via Dispatches from the Culture Wars

Laura Love and, oh, a bunch of other people. Check out Roy Zimmerman rockin' it in the back!

Today was one of those days in which I spent a lot of time doing many things and ended up mostly feeling like the day was completely wasted. I did, however, accomplish the task of updating my computer -- it's now an Intrepid Ibex instead of a Hardy Heron -- which is nice. There is new, minor bling all over the place, and several annoying problems from Hardy are gone, gone, gone. Among the fun little bits is that Totem, the movie player application, now has plugins that let you access BBC content (all their podcasts, streams etc, not the iPlayer thing or whatever) and Youtube videos.  I've encountered a few minor bugs, but nothing major. (in case you're wondering, the next version of Ubuntu will be the Jaunty Jackalope. Which means they're adding imaginary animals to the list of possibilities, which amuses the fantasy lover in me no end).

Here's something amazing and wonderful -- a 109 year old woman, the daughter of a slave, voting for Barack Obama.

I so don't want to go to work tomorrow. But alas, I must. Hopefully I will sleep tonight -- note the time on this entry, it ain't lookin' good. Sleep has been eluding me. My head is on fire or something. Part of it is election anxiety. The last 8 years, this country has been like that friend we all have, you know the one, the one who always has a choice between the Really Amazing Person to date and the physically and emotionally abusive creep, and choses the creep every time. So it's like we know Obama is the man for us, but I have this fear we'll wake up on November 5th to McCain smacking us around and telling us to be a good bitch or else.

Mostly I'm being a moody little twerp today. I'll get over it. Night.

What? The "Oh I was attacked by a BIG MEAN BLACK MAN" McCain campaigner lied her ass off and made the whole thing up?

Color me shocked. Imagine Republicans using race-baiting.

Sigh. I thought they had gone as low as they could go. Silly me. Who wants to bet the DA will be leaning hard on her, trying to see if they can scare up some interesting career-making dirt?

On Joe McCain, I can only say that it is official -- John McCain is screwed. Everything that can go wrong is going wrong, right down to having the Evil Clown version of Billy Carter for a brother.

I think the McCain family holidays are going to be...tense.

Will Ferrell reprises The Shrub, in case you missed it:



In other news, blisters on big toes are bad. Blisters on big toes that get infected are worse. Having to work for 8 hours in shoes that rub and squeeze at said big toe is much, much worse. Luckily, it is improving, the infection seems to be knocked down mostly. But sweet monkey spit, this was a painful day. Said healing thoughts, especially tomorrow from noon until 7:30-8ish pm, MST.

via Pharyngula, this insane batshit apeshit completely insane oh my God get the tranc gun screed about eeebil witches and warlocks and -- !!!!! -- genie-worshipping Muslims in Kenya doing the ol' voodoo routine on McCain. All, of course, in support of that wicked nasty secret Muslim socialist atheist baby eater, Barack Obama.

I spewed toast bits with this gem:

So, Aussies in our midst, are your elections this insane? Please tell me they are. I need to know we aren't uniquely insane.

Look! Fear-mongering! Hate-mongering! Haven't we seen this kind of shit before? Oh, if only I knew history better. But it sure seems like maybe we've seen this kind of shit before.

If the Republicans found some way to combine the "atheist" meme with the "Muslim" meme, they'd cum in their pants. It would be like the Hate Holy Grail for this goose-stepping dickheads.


(It won't surprise you to know, of course, that Dole is having a tad bit of trouble with Hagan. As in her seat in the Senate is very much in doubt at the moment.)

Every time I hear the phrase "values voters," I throw up a little in my mouth. Maybe it's because "values voters" always seems to end up meaning "Stupid ugly hatemongers."



No doubt McCain is proud to have her vote. (and yes, the theme of late is the election. Sorry, those non-USers in our midst. It'll all be over in a few weeks. Then I'll either be celebrating, or figuring out a way to move in with you)

Hannity gets played:

And Hannity is just stupid and arrogant enough that he probably doesn't get it.

...I just end up wanting to punch something. They make me depressed and cynical and despairing. I blame Tom Brokaw.

I think I will cheer up by drinking deep of a healthier, saner, more soul-stirring viewpoint on the world. You know, go read some Lovecraft or something.

Gads, but McCain is an ugly-spirited troll.

Gah. At least that strategy doesn't seem to be working so far. Given the American penchant for liking ugly-spirited trolls, that could almost give me hope.

Sinfest has been on a roll, social/political commentary wise. Today we get Uncle Sam as Anakin Skywalker.

I'd laugh, if only the truth didn't hurt so.

You have to love it when an editorial cartoonist just comes right out, takes aim, and lets loose with both barrels: The Wallstreet Crisis, 1929 vs 2008.

via reddit.com

I have a thing for old recordings, and the debate tonight got me pondering presidential history, which I always find interesting (in, it must be said, an often sordid way).

I love the Internet Archive:

Listen to Taft! 1909! You know you want to. First whale to be president. (ooo, cheap shot)

Listen to Grover Cleveland! 1892! Named after a muppet, the only bachelor to ever be elected, and the only man to serve non-consecutive terms. Married in the White House.

What, that's not old enough for you? How about 1889?  Benjamin Harrison, who was probably the first president to be recorded (though I'm holding out hope for the fabled possible just maybe happened recording of Lincoln on a very very early sound recording system).

And don't forget Teddy Roosevelt. I love that man's voice. The page says 1901. But if it's about the Progressive Party, I think it must be much later, ie, 1912?

The astute among you may notice that they all are basically talking about the same crap we're still talking about today. I can't help but think that has something to do with the fact that people have always had the same basic buttons to push by those seeking power.

Artists get mad, as we saw with the Wilsons of Heart fame reacting to McCain's use of "Barracuda" to introduce That Psycho Witch From Alaska as his VP candidate.
 
Then reddit.com links to a picture that seems to be a column by the WIlsons following up on the whole affair. Alas, it's just a joke, from Seattle's The Stranger. But oh, oh, if only they had written it.  Warning: there is a bit of imagery that will haunt your nightmares forever.

After a long, long day at work, it was nice to get something so utterly childish to make me laugh.