Archive for the ‘Politics’ category

Election Goodies

November 7th, 2008

Yeah, I know.. I know..the election is over. But I couldn’t help but sharing some neat links that I’ve found relating to humorous or interesting election-related content. I’m saving the best for last, which is definitely worth a watch. So enjoy these links and please share others if you have something similar!

Demographic Breakdown
A demographic breakdown of how the US population voted. As I tweeted earlier this week, I’m glad to see my Jewish Brethren come out in force and Barack the vote.

Timelapse View of the NY Times Homepage
A pretty cool 30 second video of the NY Times homepage throughout election day culminating in an “Obama Wins” headline.

President I’d Like To..
While I don’t know if I’d neceesarily agree with this statement, I’m sure there are plenty of folks out there that might. At least much more so than George W or some of his predecessors (Monica Lewinsky aside).

Palin speaks to Sarkozy
A radio duo from Montreal called Sarah Palin in the last few days before the election and pretended to be President Sarkozy of France. The conversation that followed was hilarious! My favorite quote is around 4:30:

Sarkozy: You know, I loved the documentary that they made of your life, you know, Huster’s “Nailin’ Palin”

Palin: Oh.. Good! Thank You, Yes!

Sarkozy: That was really edgy.

Palin: Oh.. good!

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Debate Number Two

October 8th, 2008

After watching tonight’s debate, yet again, I believe that there were a few things that I don’t think that the media caught onto. The biggest of these is the condescending tone that I felt John McCain used during several of his arguments. In particular, the statement where he referred to Obama as “That One” but it was the entire statement. His tone. His finger pointing. His referring to pork barrel spending as “goodies.” 

 

John McCain: “By the way, my friends, I know you grow a little weary with this back-and-forth. It was an energy bill on the floor of the Senate loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies, and it was sponsored by Bush and Cheney.

You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one. You know who voted against it? Me. I have fought time after time against these pork barrel — these bills that come to the floor and they have all kinds of goodies and all kinds of things in them for everybody and they buy off the votes.”

Overall, I felt that Obama won the debate. Obama looked strong and determined to help the country. He sounded confident and appealed to the American people. John McCain focused on attacks and accusations. He continued the same rhetoric and practiced his same bullet points that he used in the last debate. Obama was new and refreshing. 

It’s the economy stupid.

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Palin’s Biggest Mistake

October 2nd, 2008

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised to see Sarah Palin’s performance tonight, especially after her gaffe’s in the Couric interviews. At the same time, though, I was very surprised at Joe Biden who I thought did a fantastic job. I was not nearly expecting him to perform as well as he did and I honestly believe the won the debate.

Sarah Palin did what she needed to do, in that she held her own and did not make a fool of herself. I guess that’s not saying much, when the goal of your debate is to not look stupid.

The one thing, though, besides totally messing up General McKiernan’s quote (not to mention his name) was her answer to the question about Dick Cheney’s role as the Vice President. In previous interviews, Sarah has not stated her views on whether or not the vice president is part of the executive or legislative branch.

Unfortunately, Joe Biden needed to bite his tongue, but she answered “Yes. I do not believe that the VP is strictly part of the executive branch” citing that she will follow in Cheney’s footsteps. Cheney has lied to the people. Cheney has skirted the law. Cheney has gotten out of all sorts of political trouble because he claims he is part of the Legistlative branch and not the executive branch. This not the way that the constitution is written and the fact that Palin comes in supporting Cheney’s views on this is disgusting.

Palin and McCain are Cheney and Bush. Do NOT let them fool you.

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Have you registered?

October 1st, 2008

The deadlines are quickly approaching. November 4th will be here before we know it, but before you can vote you need to register. You know who you are. If you live in a swing state (Ohio, Virgina, Pennsylvania, Florida, etc.) it’s that much MORE important.

Today, Google released a Voter Information Map, complete with a very funny video with special celebrities explaining the importance of voting in the upcoming election. Check it out – and for pete’s sake register to vote.

Unless, of course, you’re voting for McCain.

Just Kidding. Kinda.

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Stress Factors

September 18th, 2008

I really hate to dwell on the political topic, but The Diatribe is meant as a way to express your opinion or just rant — so, for those that don’t like it, take a hike and go read something you might find more interesting.

I’m stressed out and it’s politics that is causing it. I’ve told Miss Possible that I feel as though I’m one of those crotchety old men who says that they have given up on following politics, it as aggravates their blood pressure. This really is the case with me. It gets me so angry and so worked up to see how John McCain and his lying, evolution-hating, uneducated, book banning running mate from the middle of nowhere are trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the American people yet again.

Though, maybe it’s not the Republican candidates that I should be frustrated with, but rather the sheer stupidity of the American people. Do you REALLY think that a McCain-Palin presidency will be that much different from the last 8 years? It won’t.

The Clinton administration gave rise to the greatest economy I’ve seen in my lifetime. People had jobs. People were happy. The Bush administration has been riddled with corruption, scandal, and economic collapse.  I’m not implying that Obama will be able to do the same job as Clinton — I have no idea.. but I can tell you that he will do a much better job than McCain.

Palin is an idiot. And it’s clear to me that the American people think that she’s something special, because McCain seems to be climbing in the polls since he’s brought her along.

America needs to regain its respect in the world. John McCain, being the age that he is, frightens me that Palin will be in the hotseat before too long.. and this is something we cannot afford to have happen.

I feel I’ve done all I can within reason. I’ve donated to the Obama campaign. I’ve put up banners on the site. I’m going to vote. But, apart from that, living in the great state of California (where people understand where I’m coming from already) — most of this is out of my hands and it’s so please.. go out and vote… please…

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More Politics

September 4th, 2008

I don’t mean to continue on the political rants, but it’s an important subject — especially this time of year. Now that both parties have had a chance to say their peace on the national stage, let’s take a look at who said what. The NYTimes put together a great diagram highlighting the frequency of words used during all of the speeches.

It’s interesting to hear the Republicans talk about change in one setence and then continued by saying that “his party was elected to change Washington, but that they let Washington change them.” It’s all the same. McCain = Bush. Face it.

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