just watched the debate

I see where the accusation of Obama as overly intellectual is coming from. It was flying high tonight and I would say as a minority man in a white man's world, that ability to be intellectually superior yet even handed in disagreements has been a huge asset. I see in that approach the ability to put the tic marks aside and actually get shit done. I actually feel a lot better about him as a candidate although I think McCain may have ultimately walked away with this one tonight. It was close though, and given that this area is really McCain's turf, if he was going to hit one out of the ballpark, it should've been tonight. He looked uncomfortable with the directness of Obama's addressing him ... after much encouragement from Leherer. What I saw tonight was illuminating in that McCain (validly) wants to talk about what's happening now in Iraq, the surge, etc. but as Obama astutely pointed out, the war didn't begin in 2007, John, and what matters in a Commander in Chief is prudent judgment calls and vision. Not employing strategy postmortem. To me, McCain came off overall as a reactionary whereas Obama came off as intellectual. In this volatile world, I'll take the latter, thank you.

she's used up any benevolence from the vagina vote on this one

I'm officially fucking scared. Count me in with Cafferty when he says, "If you are not afraid that this person would a be a 72 year old heartbeat away from the Presidency, you should be."
Like a state-school educated deer in the headlights. Wow. I can certainly see why McCain was trying to offer up tonight's debate to keep her from going head to head with Biden. I'm cringing already.

as perez would say

Oh, the DRAMZ!

these fucking people

Though I'm glad to see the House Republicans finally, actually standing up for some Republican ideals against the wrath of the Administration.

we've started a new ritual

the idea that some sleepytime herbal tea would serve to quell some of the bedtime fire and elicit a touch of buddha-like peace:

i'm withholding my vote

Until I receive a 'Barack Out with Your Cock Out' t-shirt.

That's all.

ah, moral relativism or more emotional diarrhea

I'm sure I heard this in, maybe a Mamet movie at some point but, it's true. No one thinks of himself as a bad person. We each think we are basically good. I myself think that, of course. But, I also know some pretty fucked up shit about myself. And let me tell you how I came to know those parts of myself. I spent the majority of my late teens and twenties entirely alone. I had no real friends to speak of and certainly no boyfriend. By choice, I spent my twenties sleeping with my flaws, running through fields of wildflowers with them and using them to keep me warm at night. While it was at turns an exercise in hiding from life, it was ultimately a valuable experience, if a lonely and possibly scarring one, but, one I recommend if you have the luxury. It's a journey that's needed here and there in life. A time to find where your boundaries stand and reshape your identity. Again, it's a luxury, work meant for those without larger commitments, most specifically for a woman who does not hold the responsibility of protecting others' hearts.
But you know, I tend to forget that a lot of women haven't had this experience. So, I'm holding them to this standard that is ultimately, I guess, not applicable (I almost used 'unfair' there but I don't like the victimized connotation there).
That said, I consider it my duty to hold my fellow woman up to a higher standard. If I quietly condone tales of victimhood (which most often amount to little more than an elegant way to pass the emotional buck), how is that calling someone to be the better person they are? That's not why I'm here. That's not why you're here. Me blindly offering you patent support (to be a true friend) is not fair to you (and displays all the emotional depth of a 7th grader). It is not you being called to your better self, which speaks to my benevolence (and hopefullness) that I believe that part actually exists.
And that's it for Oprah today, everyone. WTF.
In closing, this has been a random conglomeration of unrelated (and unrelatable) crap, so why not throw this one in:
It's good to understand this world as a cold place, because when you find a warm pocket, you'll cherish it even more.
But a more eloquent and less damaged take-home would be this one credited to Mother Therese:
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
(yadda yadda yadda)
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

hmm. now what's the corporate equivalent of Welfare to Work programs?

What could it be... hmm. I think it's called 'moral hazard'. I'm hoping all those Reagan fans are loving this fallout of 25 years of deregulation.

ready, set, offend

I'm been thinking about the psychological implications of where we fall on the conservative/liberal scale and I have to say, I've said this before and I continue to think that the biggest difference between me and my right-leaning friends is, not that we don't all acknowledge (for the most part) what the issues are that are most pressing, but rather, what we think our government can and should do in the face of them.
I consistently see them whose votes are motivated by fear. Fear of science, fear of minorities, fear of someone taking their hard-earned money, fear of a terrorist attack, fear of the end of white male patriarchal systems, fear of a socialist system, fear of the future, fear of changes to their way of life, fear of sex. Fear, fear, fear.
Some of those may legitimate fears, I suppose. But I don't identify with handing my vote over to a person or group simply because they've tapped into my (very human) fears. More importantly, I don't want a party that takes that approach to me as a voter. It shows a cynicism and belies a latent bent towards totalitarianism (I think this is most vividly demonstrated by the current administration). I'd rather be motivated by creative energy and hope. As fluffy as all that sounds (to my ears, too, people) I favor that approach.

the rubik's cube of the Church's political/apolitical leanings

So, once again, I find myself grappling with being a Democrat in every way except the abortion issue. But, let me clarify here: "I would like women to not have abortions". Which, is a completely separate sentiment from "I would like to see Roe v. Wade overturned." Exhibit A is a clear moral statement. Exhibit B is a misunderstanding of the role of government in society.
So, this letter from the area bishops leaves me cold, confused and misunderstood. It's like high school all over again.
This statement from the Pope (before he was papa) leaves a lot open for interpretation, in my opinion. And Naumann seems to be overlooking the nuances there. FYI, I think he lacks imagination. I far prefered Keleher. For those of you, who know what the hell I'm talking about --- anyway.
When a Catholic does not share a candidate's stand in favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons.
They go to say:
""Could a Catholic in good conscience vote for a candidate who supports legalized abortion when there is a choice of another candidate who does not support abortion or any other intrinsically evil policy?" But the bishops say they cannot conceive of a reason that could possibly outweigh the evil of abortion: "What could possibly be a proportionate reason for the more than 45 million children killed by abortion in the past 35 years?""
Hmm. Proportionately. Are we talking numbers here, Fathers? Sure, if you think the life of a gestating baby is proportionate to a breathing walking talking laughing crying hugging baby, then yes, I follow you. But, here's my problem. If McCain supported bombing the shite out of London because we think some terrorists are there, would it be proportionate? I detest the race card, I do, but I guarantee you folks, little innocent blond children and their english-speaking selves, well, we'd be able to shake out all of these nuanced proportions the bishops ta,lk about.
I'm sorry, guys, but don't you dare call me a mutherfucking 'Cafeteria Catholic' because I don't give my vote to people who are wink-wink nudge-nudge Pro-Lifers (check the largest donors of the Republican party, they don't stand where you think they stand -- it's branding, is all). I often feel like I'm the only one in Church on Sundays thinking about poor people, not a block away, but a world away. Thinking about the death penalty and the fact that there is no bigger anti-capital punishment story in the history of man than the one that's told in the New Testament. The Church is clear on these issues...why aren't my fellow Catholic voters?
I start to feel less alone the more I search outside my community. I see the catholic democrats web site, hear a nun do the convocation at the DNC... those are encouraging things.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/sep/08091604.html

warm beer, cold comfort

drinking into the night as I toil away on my biggest freelance project to date. it's been what seems like eons since i last worked two jobs and it's kicking my ass. Because being home with the kids is tough. It's not desk work, people. It's work-work. And then this project has been riddled with potholes in deployment so blah blah blah.
I wish I had something more interesting to talk about. But like I've done so many times in life, when conjuring an interesting thought is impossible, simply drink, drink, drink.
Oh, I found out a girl I used to work with is now doing local body building championships. It's so awesomely bad. I'm torn between oily, glistening admiration and orangey leathered revulsion. Way to go! Sort of!

cold kickin it cholo

sissy rocking her bro's tank. what a couple of badasses.

McCain is the Bacon -- OR -- so really i could give a crap but

since she decided to deride the importance of Obama's community organizing for being President, I submit for your consideration:

She was teasing her hair and practicing saying 'free throw' without a flub in some god-forsaken part of Alaska while he was setting up an employment office for out-of-work steel workers.

Being generous, I'd have to call that one a wash, my friends. :)

http://deadspin.com/5045284/you-can-take-our-sarah-palin-videos-but-youll-never-take-our-freedom

and since i'm on a roll. can we be serious for a moment please? look at this shit. it's beneath ME to discuss her 'qualifications' and the most glorious act of service I've done lately is make a batch of no bake cookies (ok, that was self service).
http://www.catholicdemocrats.org/news/2008/09/palin_attacks_catholic_communi.php#more
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1838571,00.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/04/palin-attended-5-colleges_n_124036.html