I will still cast my ballot for him ... with a heavy heart.

WHY, BARACK, WHY?!!!!!!

Plan for Change

I got an email from my aunt...

... and it made me feel a little better:

I'VE HAD IT

DISCLAIMER: The language is over the top, but it stays in...  This post was written at top speed and with great anger, and it should come across in the spirit that it was written.

I read the transcript of Palin's Bush doctrine comments earlier, but watching the clip over at Tiny Cat Pants just set me off.  I ended up in my kitchen yelling because I want these people to answer Aunt B's question and say, "I'm appalled - Palin really doesn't know what the fuck she's talking about!"

But the majority won't.

The majority won't even read any blogs.  Or even read past the headline of a story.  We are a lazy ass fucking country* and most people will only take what's spoonfed to them in sound bytes, as I've said before.

I'm beyond the whole "have we not learned anything in the last eight years" rhetoric and am now in full anger mode.  I don't want to seem an elitist - God knows I've taken issue with Braisted for being dismissive and flippant about Bredesen's suggestion that Obama spend some time letting blue collar folks get to know what he's about - but what is it going to take to get people to pay attention?  No, Jim-Bob Q. Public doesn't have to spend hours poring over Google Reader, as I'm apt to do, but would it kill him to spend five fucking minutes researching the truth?

We're at the point now where McCain and Palin have been softly and quietly called out on a few of their lies, but they KEEP FUCKING REPEATING THEM.  Why?  Well, some fucking truck driver from Franklin, Kentucky, isn't going to go and read an article detailing the truth about that damned bridge...  No, he's going to hear whatever sound byte the media has to offer today about how Palin "told them 'no, thanks.'"  Or he'll hear what I listened to all morning while I, ironically, was putting my makeup on - LIPSTICK ON A GODDAMNED PIG.

What's it going to take before this country WAKES THE FUCK UP?

And, yes, I'm scared.  No, I'm not scared of Palin.  I'll meet her in a hockey rink any day, any time.  I'm scared because most of the people I see are asleep.  They never question anything.

*I realize that this opens me up to Coulter-style attacks - "liberals hate America," "blame America first," et al., but I love this country.  That's why it breaks my heart to see us fuck it up OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

They’re coming to get you, Barbara

Be afraid. Be very afraid - I am.  Why?  Because I’m afraid that the real Jane and John Q. Publics out there aren’t paying attention.  True, most of them – us, really – have our minds on paying the bills and putting enough gas in the tank to get back and forth to work.

But if you are really going to be engaged in this presidential race, you have to pay REALLY close attention – you have to root around yourself to hear what the candidates are saying, and you have to do a whole lot of fact-checking.

Because you can’t count on MSM.  If nobody’s been knocked up, they’re not into it.

What are they writing or broadcasting about the distortions – ok, call them what they are: LIES – coming out of the McCain/Palin joint? She never supported the Bridge to Nowhere? Riiiiiight, and abstinence-only makes total sense to teen-agers.

Obama is going to raise all our taxes? Sure, and the wealthiest 1% know how bad $3.50-a-gallon gas hurts.

Or you can do the unpopular thing and take a look at the FACTS: Barack Obama will CUT taxes for 150 million working Americans with his Making Work Pay Tax Cut.  It’s a $500 tax credit per person or $1,000 per family.  And it will eliminate income taxes for 10 million of us.

So, who’s getting that message out?

I’m also genuinely worried about what kind of October Surprise they’re planning for us in Bushville.  I fully expect to be sitting at a Predators game when they flash something on the Megatron about Sarah Palin taking down bin Laden with a moose rifle.  The crowd will go wild, Tootoo will whip the shit out of the first guy he can get his hands on, and McCain’s a shoo-in.

And if none of that scares you, take a look at Zombie McCain.  A role he was born to play! (Though they could have left out the POW shot - that probably should be off limits.)

Maybe I watch too many zombie movies.  Maybe I was too young to remember what November 1992 felt like.  Maybe I can’t get 2000 and 2004 out of my head.

 

h/t Newscoma for Zombie McCain

Sigh

Those young whippersnappers just won't let the Waffle House thing go. If it was funny to begin with (it wasn't), it's awfully tired now.

See:

• How long am I going to have to harp on the concept of broad appeal?
  
• It's silly
  

It's silly

Once again (see bottom of his post, under "Also"), the point is missed.

What a curious life we have found here tonight

I can't remember crying over how I looked any time other than when my mom would cut my hair when I was a kid.

But I found myself, face down in my pillow sobbing a little while ago. Maybe it was hormonal. Maybe it was the emotionally charged night we've all had. Maybe I'm crazy. Most likely it's a little of all three and then some.

There are people out there working much harder than I am (*ahem* petit fours) to get healthy and have a much bigger hill to climb than I do, but that doesn't make it any easier for me to look in the mirror when I don't like what I see.

It's tough, too, because I've been on the winning side of this battle before. I think not being happy with your appearance is even more difficult when you can remember a time when you were pleased with it. You know what you're missing.

I could sit here and try to be high and mighty, saying that this doesn't have anything to do with how other people see me, but I'd be lying. 90% of the time it is simply because I'm not happy with myself, but it hurts when you have to stand up and face the fact that where people once found you desirable, you now don't get a second look. It just sucks.

So, let's recap - we all witnessed a really important part of history tonight, Barack Obama gave an AMAZING speech and Olivia feels fat and sad.

I can always turn it into a Me event, can't I? Pity parties are lame.

"America, we are better than these last eight years."

-

How long am I going to have to harp on the concept of broad appeal?

I keep saying it and saying it, but people keep missing the point.

No, I don't have a problem with Obama making the acceptance speech at Invesco - that seems like the best way to do it. I think it's really awesome that that's being done in a location that will allow for so many people to share in the experience.

However, some folks don't seem to see the importance of him visiting some smaller forums as well to engage groups who aren't Yellow Dog Democrats like us. It seems like these individuals can't see past the sound byte factor that comes from Bredesen simplifying his point by using Wal-Mart as an example.

Come on guys, this is why some people think we're elitist pricks.

EDITED TO ADD: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Somebody gets it!!!!

I want you to get up right now and go to the window...

Ok, it's time to go out and be tough and mean.  Democrats never get anywhere with mild manners.  I don't think we're going to see Obama and McCain in a cage match (though Biden might be game for it), but there needs to be some verbal ass whooping starting Friday if not sooner.

That's my political strategy.  I'm Jane Q. Public and I approve this message.

The district sleeps alone tonight

I wish he could be a hockey fan instead, but basketball will do. It's better than golf!

Ewwwwwwwwwwwww

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod I WANT TO VOMIT:

Annals Of Unfortunate Campaign Swag

Why do people have to make their stupid scene a part of everything?  And when will people stop with the dumbass wedge haircuts?!

FUCK FOX NEWS

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Best thing I've seen all week!

I don't mind his hair plugs - I think he's neat

I am always right. Always. Now give me some money.

I've decided to place a bet...

...no particular evidence, just a gut feeling: I'm putting my money on Biden.  Just a guess.

October Surprise

Jeremiah Wright is the Worst

Oh great - October Surprise. Wonder who put that clown up to writing the book?

NEWSFLASH: The US adds two new states; States will be known as "Hawaii" and "Alaska"

Cokie Roberts Does Not Want Barack Obama To Vacation In Exotic Locale Where Foreign Teevee Shows Such As ‘Magnum P.I.’ And ‘Hawaii Five-O’ Were Filmed

So, I think that Roberts' suggestion is 99% ridiculous. But I agree 1% because people are pretty stupid where geography is concerned. Every day at work I ask people "do you have any plans to travel outside of the US in the next two years?" At least three times a week I get a yes answer explaining "we're going to Hawaii." Occasionally I get an Alaska variation. Come on, people.

Important VP info

From my inbox:

Dear Olivia --

Barack Obama is about to make one of the most important decisions of this campaign -- choosing a running mate.

You have helped build this movement from the bottom up, and Barack wants you to be the first to know his choice.

Sign up today to be the first to know:

http://my.barackobama.com/vp

You will receive an email the moment Barack makes his decision, or you can text VP to 62262 to receive a text message on your mobile phone.

Once you've signed up, please forward this email to your friends, family, and coworkers to let them know about this special opportunity.

No other campaign has done this before. You can be part of this important moment.

Be the first to know who Barack selects as his running mate. 

Thanks,

David

David Plouffe

Campaign Manager

Obama for America

What the hell is in that rrrroom?

I like Ludacris - as a musician and an actor - but come on...  This is no way to help out.

Obama Camp Says Ludacris should be 'ashamed'

The song, called "Politics: Obama Is Here," was released earlier in the day and refers to the New York senator as an "irrelevant b***h." Ludacris, whose real name is Chris Bridges, also takes aim at John McCain in the song, saying the Arizona senator "don't belong in ANY chair unless he's paralyzed."

Edited to add: I may sound like a hypocrite because I don't exactly do much to elevate the discourse (*cough*NoCUNTryForOldMan*cough*), but I'm also not a celebrity ... or someone that anyone listens to/reads for that matter - so suck it.