The Scent of Desperation

So, yeah, even though I am totally Team Aniston, I have to say, the latest cover of GQ with Jennifer Aniston posing wearing only a necktie reeks of desperation. It pains me to say it, but it is true. Between running around with John Mayer (who, incidently, I thought was better than Jessica Simpson but is a cad and beneath Jennifer Aniston) and the recent spate of interviews, I fear that we are getting an Aniston overload. I would hate to have the J.Lo-type backlash hit Jennifer Aniston, as she really is probably one of my favorite actresses out there today. I sincerely hope Aniston will find her clothes, put them on, find a decent guy who is not an honorless jerk, and fulfill the dramatic promise she showed in movies like "The Good Girl."

Hey, Santa? Is that too much to ask for?

Oh, for pity's sake!

You know, I thought it was bad enough when stores started putting out Christmas stuff before the Thanksgiving turkeys were in the grocery stores. Something about jumping the gun and wearing out a welcome. But this - this is much worse.

President-elect Obama has not even dropped the "elect" part of the title and Republicans are already jockeying for position for the 2012 race.

I think I'm going to be sick.

Sarah Palin, who I was really, sincerely hoping would just slink back to Alaska in her RNC duds with the First Dude, will not GO AWAY!! Sarah, honey, the election is over. You LOST. Stop torturing the lower 48 with your idiocies and put-upon folksiness, will ya? I am tired of going to CNN.com and seeing your face and your name there. Especially when it for something really lame, like having a photo-op at a Turkey Farm. Go track some moose or some, will you? Sheesh!

Then, there is all the talk about Louisiana Governor Boby Jindal. Ok, ok, I have to make some things clear at the outset. One, I am a proud Louisiana girl, though I am quite happy to be displaced from my state of birth. Second, I happened to grow up in the same neighborhood with Gov. Jindal and my older brother was friends and classmates with him; from what little contact I had with Jindal, he seemed to be a decent guy. Hey, he remembered my brother when I happened to meet Jindal on a plane a couple of years ago. So, I have no real enmity towards the man. At least personally. Political enmity is another matter all together. While I am, in fact, the same ethnicity as Bobby Jindal, I disagree strongly with many of his political and ideological views. Just because someone happens to be brown does not mean they are like me. The man is extremely well educated, but I wonder how that meshes with his self-professed belief in intelligent design. And, as my mother pointed out, the man has yet to finish out an office before making a run for his next one. Things that give me pause to ponder.

At any rate, I for one, would like a break from the election-mania (even if I am in withdrawal from it, in some ways). Can we please let Obama officially become the president before we start trying to defeat him? Please?

Oh, Miss Manners??

So, I have a question in regards to etiquette. When does it become unseemly to continue sporting the bumper sticker of the winning presidential candidate? It's not that I am not still thrilled to pieces that Obama won, it's just that I am wondering whether it might be considered, oh, I don't know, sort of like rubbing it in to still have the Obama bumper sticker on my cars. I mean, the number of McCain/Palin stickers dropped considerably by the morning after Election Day (though I'd like to think that was because those individuals saw the folly of their ways). We took the yard sign down last weekend, as neighborhood covenants gave clear guidelines for that. But what about the car? Is there a point at which you shouldn't have the sticker on your car anymore, sort of like not wearing white shoes after Labor Day? Or is it strictly left up to individual interpretation?

Where's Miss Manners when you need her?

Mutts Unite!

*aside* Yes, I know its been 3 weeks since my last post...between LKNM Trunk or Treat and then canvassing/phone banking/beating my head against walls about the election, I haven't had much time to post. But that's over now, and I'm back...

Can I just say, I already *heart* soon-to-be President Obama? Forget all of the policy that I agree with him, the stances on issues, and the fact that he didn't choose a dimwit like Sarah Palin for a running mate. I think I would *heart* him for this comment alone, which he made at his press conference today in discussing what kind of dog would be coming with the Obama family to the White House: "There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic, but on the other hand our preference is to get a shelter dog, but obviously, a lot of the shelter dogs are mutts like me."

As the proud owner of a canine mutt who also happens to be the proud mother of human mutt, I love the fact that Obama referred to himself as a mutt. It warmed the barren cockles of my stone heart...

The Music Man

Apparently, the polls aren't the only thing tripping the McCain-Palin campaign up. As reported by E!Online, the '80s band Survivor has asked the McCain campaign to stop using it's well-known song, "Eye of the Tiger," at campaign events. This is yet another blow to the McCain campaign, musically speaking, as the bands Heart, Van Halen, and the Foo Fighters, as well as the musicians John Mellencamp and Jackson Browne have all told McCain and Palin not to use their music at rallies and in ads.

So, basically, McCain is down to Hank Williams, Jr. and Pat Garrett (proud singer/songwriter of "Moose-Shootin Mama"). Yeah. Anyway, in the spirit of "reaching across the aisle," I thought it would be nice to suggest some other songs the campaign might be able to use at different events:

- Since Heart nixed Palin's use of "Barracuda," I thought this classic might be appropriate for Palin's theme song: "If I Only Had a Brain"

- Seeing as Palin has a theme song to describe to describe her, it only seems seems fair that McCain gets one too: Stevie Wonder's "Superstition"

- A song to describe the apparent campaign strategy: AC/DC's "Highway to Hell"

- Seeing as how members of the Republican Party are jumping ship at this point, McCain may want to sing this well-known ditty to make himself feel better: "It’s My Party (and I'll Cry if I Want to)" by Lesley Gore

- A great song to convey the state of the McCain-Palin campaign in it's current condition (as well as highlight McCain's Navy experience): Abba's "S.O.S."

- Given McCain's recent statement that being around 10 points down in national polls is getting the Obama campaign "just where we want them," McCain needs a song to match that level of bravado: New Kids on the Block's "Hanging Tough"

- A song that makes a plea, on behalf of John McCain, to all of the voters and pundits in America: Jonny Lang's "Lie to Me"

- And, finally, the song that the McCain campaign should play on the night of November 4th: The Rolling Stones "Can’t Always Get What You Want"

The Inbox of Untruth

My dear husband works in the energy industry, and, as such, tends to be surrounded by mostly conservative-leaning individuals. He complained some time ago that his co-workers kept sending him anti-Obama e-mails; my response was, "Oooh - forward them to me!!"

Today he obliged. And this is what I received:

Perhaps there are SOME out there who are beginning to get 'the picture'. The following is a narrative taken from Sunday Morning's televised 'Meet The Press'. and the author is employed by none other than the Washington Post!! Yeah......the Washington Post of New York and Los Angeles Times fame!! Must say that I'm dually impressed..................

From Sunday's Televised 'Meet the Press' Senator Obama was asked about his stance on the American Flag.

Obama Explains National Anthem Stance

Sun, 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, General Bill Ginn' USAF (ret.) asked Obama to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.

The General also stated to the Senator that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171... During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the
right hand over the heart. At the very least, 'Stand and Face It'

Senator Obama Live on Sunday states, 'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides, Obama said. 'There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message.
You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.'We should consider to reinvent our National Anthem as well as to redesign our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It's my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we as a Nation of warring people, should conduct ourselves as the nations of Islam, whereas peace prevails. Perhaps a state or period of mutual concord between our governments. When I become President, I will seek a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. We as a Nation have placed upon the nations of Islam an unfair injustice. My wife disrespects the Flag for many personal reasons. Together she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past, many years ago. She has her views and I have mine'. Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put aside my hatred. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new
path of hope. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country's First Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America .

WHAAAAAAAT the Hell !!!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard it right. This could possibly be our next President.

I, for one, am speechless.


Dale Lindsborg ,
Washington Post

Also included in the e-mail were the comments of those who had been sent the e-mail previously, including this comment by the co-worker who forwarded it to my husband: "Did anyone see this on this past Sunday morning…Hard to believe he would actually admit to his and his wife’s beliefs on TV…UNBELEIVABLE!! God help us if this is true!"

Immediately, I was suspicious. Surely, if this had actually taken place, Faux News, Sarah Palin, and all of the minions from the "Obama is a terrorist" camp would have jumped on the story, right? And yet, neither Palin nor McCain's recent speeches suggested one word of what this e-mail was indicating. Second, I noticed something quite peculiar: the dateline on the "article" - Sun, Sept. 07, 11:48:04 EST. As I recall, on September 7th of this year (and actually, many past years), time was being reported in EDT - Eastern Daylight Time - not EST - Eastern Standard Time (yes, all those years of reading Encyclopedia Brown are finally paying off!). Third, Obama would want to use "I Want to Teach the World to Sing" as the new National Anthem? I would have pegged him more as a "We Are the World" kind of guy. A quick Google of "Obama Meet the Press Anthem" quickly brought up the Snopes page identifying this e-mail as a hoax. As I suspected, there is no Dale Lindsborg working for the Washington Post and Obama was not even on "Meet the Press" on September 7th (for the record, he has not been on Meet the Press since late July).

Well, I sent all of my research back to my dear husband, who in turn sent an e-mail back to the people who received the original e-mail along with him. He also admonished his fellow e-mailees to look at these types of forwards with a discerning eye and look up the facts themselves.

As of this writing, he has not received a response from the McCain supporters.

The Glass House

Another day, another partisan interview for Sarah Palin. The latest missive from Ms. Palin comes courtesy of her time on the Laura Ingraham Show today. As reported by Andy Barr, Sarah Palin continues to throw stones from her glass house, though she is doing it in a folksy manner.

" 'Barack Obama hasn’t told the American people the total truth about that, about his association with Ayers,' Palin said on conservative radio host Laura Ingraham’s show. 'Doggonit, he fails to tell the American people with candor and with truthfulness what his associations are and we have to know.' " And you would know this how, Ms. Palin? I ask this in all seriousness, really. Both Barack Obama and Mayor Richard Daley have said that Obama and Ayers were acquaintances, nothing more. Ayers has been accepted as a member of Chicago education for a number of years. Unless you have incontrovertible evidence to suggest otherwise, I am inclined to believe that Obama is telling the truth. And if you did have incontrovertible evidence to indicate that Obama was more than an acquaintance of Ayers, wouldn't you have shared it by now? Maybe it's just that the truth isn't to your liking, hmm? It's much easier to throw around vague accusations and demand that the other side prove them wrong rather than offer any evidence yourself to back up your position. But while we're talking about candor and truthfulness, Ms. Palin, could you explain why it was that your husband and your staff avoided answering the Troopergate subpoenas until an Alaskan court upheld them? Oh, and have you answered those questions about the Alaskan Independence Party yet?

Palin then continues to talk about the unfairness of it all. " 'I don't see the other ticket being asked to be truthful and give details,' Palin said." Um, maybe it's because, for the most part, the other side is being truthful and has been forthcoming with the details, Ms. I-Have-Yet-To-Hold-A-Press-Conference-Since-Becoming-The-VP-Nominee. You have a degree in journalism - surely you remember what journalists are supposed to do, right?

" 'Some in the mainstream media are saying that, well, we’re taking the gloves off unfairly. No. You know there are only, what, 26 days to go. We gotta start getting answers to these questions that are paramount here so that voters have a choice in front of them that is based on truthfulness and candor. They deserve it.' "

"We gotta start getting answers to these questions that are paramount here." Really. You honestly think that Obama's supposed connection to a man who set bombs when Obama was 8 years old is more important than issues like the tanking economy, the Iraqi occupation, the search for Bin Laden, the need to develop alternative fuels, our healthcare system, the education system, and the environment? Are you sure that you're reading every magazine and newspaper that is put in front of you? Or are you just that out of touch with the average American, Ms. Joe Six-Pack?

Further in the interview, Ms. Palin suggests that electing Sen. Obama to be president would "diminish the prestige of the presidency." Let's not even get into the potential racial implications of such a statement. Taking that statement at face value, once again, one has to wonder whether Ms. Palin has been paying attention. I mean, how much prestige is being brought to the office by current president - you know, the guy who can't even get his own party to touch him with a ten-foot pole. I'm sure that Sen. McCain, a womanizer with a terrible temper, will bring loads of prestige to the office. You know, if he actually beats "that one."