It would be...it would be so nice, if we took a holiday

I return from my posting vacation, and my real vacation. I come back to an office full of insanity. I'm mentally fried and it's Tuesday of my first week back. I'm also wicked tired, and beginning to get sick. Though Jen is considerably more ill than I. She was running a solid fever and since we returned to the Great Northwest...well she's been fighting a nasty bug. So that's the bad stuff.

The good stuff. Thanksgiving was great. I was able to meet Jen's folks. I liked them, and was told that the feelings are "mutual." In less than a month Jen gets to meet my folks, I trust they will love her as I do. While in Boston I got to see Mark and Stacy and Brian. We (Mark et all) went to the North End and I ate a canoli for the first time. I have but two questions. Why have these tasty Italian delights been kept from me all these years? On whom should I unleash my gourmandic rage? Walked on the beach with Jen and her family. Cold. Seriously cold. But the sun was setting and the moon was full and out. There were photos taken, and hopefully they'll capture the beauty of the moment. After that it was time for fried squishy clams. These are clams in direct contrast to my normal choice of strip clams. Another first, squishy clams, are not nearly as good as canoli, but good nonetheless.

Went with Mark and Brian to hear Ben Ginsberg (he of the SBVFT and the chief lawyer for BC04). Trippi is a visiting fellow at the Kennedy School. And he (Trippi) invited BG to talk to students. It was fine. Ginsberg mentioned mandate every few sentences. He also seemed to receive erotic pleasure from uttering the words micro targeting. It's like something in his scrotal sac just tenses with glee whenever he got to say those words. And if psych 100 taught me anything (and that's questionable) its that animals will repeatedly push levers (say words) if it gives them pleasure. So in short we got to hear a lot about micro targeting. Except Ben never said what it was. Just that they (Republicans) had used it and that it helped them to get their mandate. I asked a question and was misunderstood. Then sorta ignored. Hooray! I wish I'd asked about Ken Mehlman and his man dates. But then I'd have been rude.

Work is maddening. I'm not sure if I'm going to make it till the summer. In fact some days I wonder if I'll make it to lunch. My boss is dead set on doing things his way and is convinced that he is smarter than me, than everyone at ACT, than everyone at EMILY's LIST, than everyone at MOVEON. He compared himself to Bill Gates last week. Explaining that I should believe his claim that we'll raise 2 million dollars this year (though we only raised 199K last year) because like Bill Gates he has a plan. Asked what the plan is...he stammered and changed the subject. I believe he may also have a secret plan to get us out of the war in Vietnam. Not certain about that. He is working to systematically prevent others in the office from helping to make the PAC more effective. "The buck stops here," he says, as though that were to fill me with confidence. He's not taking ownership of our failures...those are always outsourced. He just wants to make all the decisions. Yippee! Anyone out there who knows of good jobs in Seattle or ones opening up in September in Boston, Providence, New Haven, NYC, Baltimore, DC or Raliegh....let me know.

Helpful Instructions

While my boss is in Cancun I've been taking it a bit easier.

Here are the instructions for what I should do in his absence:

"List different options for your future projects. Develop contigency plans for the different options...ie, it this is adopted or happens/then we develop a plan to deal with it this way."

Well...it's possible that I could develop a mannequin made of i-pods, paper mache, tennis balls and beaver pelts that will take the fashion world by storm with its slender torso and shapely legs. This could prompt the PAC to shift it's focus to haute couture. And in so doing we might suggest that all Democratic candidates change their last names to Vitton.

Contigency plans: Do we have enough beaver pelts? Won't the primaries be confusing if all the names are the same.

See....fun stuff.

Updates

For whatever reason, I've found myself writing less and less here. I'm not sure why that is. I have a new site. It's a collaboration with JKD, Chris Warshaw, James Burris, Will Singer, and I've invited others... to join. The basic premise is that we need to spend more time talking about how we talk about issues. I read George Lakoff's book Don't Think of an Elephant, it's all about frames and framing and reclaiming language. Got me thinking. so I have this new site: words that work.

I'm still playing loads of frisbee. And while I'm enjoying it, I think I need either a more pleasant team or a better one. Ideally both. I play with fine people, but more than just a few of them grate on my nerves. And it's hard to be developing as a long when the team has so few handlers. There just aren't that many people on our team with a 30 yard forehand, let alone with a 50 yarder.

Work is coming along fine. 2 of our candidates won. Tom has been making calls to our donors to thank them and update them. This has gone over very well. I'm currently printing (in batches of 25) 2476 envelopes and then stamping them. Then we'll all stuff and seal. Should take the better part of forever. But it's not too stressful, and frankly that's just fine with me.

Jen and I are doing really well. I'm feeling good about us, and know that moving here was the right decision.

I feel myself in a bit of a funk, I'd like to be moving towards some professional goal. And I just keep thinking that I don't know what I want to do. Similarly I wonder if I'm good at the things I'd like to be. Writing, analysis...etc. So I think part of the next few months will be reading more political books, trying to learn more, and also trying to think about what questions I'd like to be a part of answering. That seems like a good start for grad school. Then maybe over the summer I'll start to study for the GRE.

Dean for DNC Chair

http://www.drafthoward.com/

It would be a strange thing to find that I liked our party chair. How odd would it be to want to work for the DNC? Also...imagine if the national party hired people who were passionate. Thrilling, right.

Random Thoughts from a stunned observer

I think that Bush won for some of the same reasons that Paul won elections. People think : "I may not like his opinion, but I know where he stands." He's plain spoken, so being wrong or right is better if you do it while not sounding too smart.

In the end moral recklessness posing as messianic certainty beat temperate and longwinded governance.

My PAC got destroyed. We basically lost all of the races we tried to influence, and happened two win two races that were easy pickups (where other groups did all the lifting). I don't know what that says about my judgement, or abilities--or if it says anything at all. I know I'm going to have to spend the next few months trying to keep this organization a float...and trying to pick better races next time.

I passed three homeless guys as I came into work this morning. Four more years....

Reality

It appears as though reality is losing out to blind faith. The faith based community has taken over for reality--I'm terrified.

Oh, and the millions spent on young voters has not increased young person turnout.

Why Is This Our Country

What has happened to the country I once believed in? The country where the government was not an instrument of a party. It seems the one thing that unifies this country is its hatred for gays and lesbians.

I am full of sorrow.

To Those on the Ground...

An email I got from Tim Connolly (my boss on the Dean campaign)... It was sent around Thanksgiving, but the senitment is appropriate for today and certainly for tomorrow.

Today each of you, in your own way, celebrates the spirit ofThanksgiving Day (if not the actual event itself, since it does, inessence, commemorate the beginning of the systematic destruction ofthe lives and culture of those who occupied this land long before our European-centric ancestors showed up. But I digress). Each of you has a particular reason for giving thanks today. For some, it will be for the friends and family with whom you will surroundyourself throughout the day. For others, it will be for theaccomplishments already achieved, and the prospect of greater successin the future. And for the Governor, it will be for the return of aloved one long lost, and the closure that goes with that. And in homes across this nation, in living rooms and around diningtables, folks whose lives you are trying to improve through your workon this campaign will also sit down, and give thanks for themselvesand their families. And those individuals and families who have no homes, and who are sitting down to a meal served in a homelessshelter, community center, or church basement, they, too, will give community it embodies, a community that you and others like you are helping build. They may not know of you or your sacrifices, nor the long hours and tireless efforts made on their behalf. But rest assured that they have been affected by those efforts.

Teddy Roosevelt once wrote, "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

The credit for this campaign, and the change is has and will bring in the lives of so many people in Iowa and around the world, belongs to each of you. By "daring greatly" each day, you bring real hope to our fellow citizens as they go about their lives, a hope for a better future for themselves and their children, and a hope that -- on Thanksgiving 2004 --the future they dream of today day will be that much closer to reality with Howard Dean as the president-elect. Enjoy your rest over these next few days, and be ready for the real fight that begins on your return
Connolly

So while the names have changed, the senitment remains. I am proud of and grateful to my many friends who continue to work on the ground in this election. My office tomorrow will be making GOTV calls in New Mexico (tight Congressional race where we've endorsed, and a close state for Kerry). I know many of my new friends in Seattle have canvassed, called, donated, and aided in other ways. But my lasting goes to people like (I'll forget some, and for that I apologize)
Brian Fusco--for packing up and moving to La Crosse, setting up shop, and owning the west coast for Russ.
Buffy for defying the odds, beating the shit out of the CEA, embarassing the GOP and Democratic establishment with her methods, her personal approach and her tenacity.
Molly for organizing canvassers to basically destroy all opposition in Milwaukee
Mahood--trying to convince Nader 2000 supporters in New Hampshire to be a part of helping America instead of getting off on their own power trip
Emily Thorson--blogging a storm, making SEIU cool and high tech
Allison Stuntz--telling the world what to think, helping to keep voters in line for a little longer, so we get just a few more votes
JKD--shipping shirts and taking names for Run Against Bush
Ben Clark--talking smack and takin' names for Run Against Bush
Jake, Matt and Matt for soldiering on in Wisconsin, seeking out roles in the field, new partners, and bringing Russ home to victory.
Marc Baranov--keeping hope alive for Dave Thomas
Brian Miller--same for Richard Romero
Courtney--same for Tony Knowles
Maureen Meyer--same for Dave Franker
Robert Richman/Dan Cramer/GRS/--making ACT kick some serious ActSS in Minnesota. Paul's state must not be red.
Connolly--saving America from evil, inspiring a Iowa's organizers....helping old people to vote in Florida, and ensuring that I still believe that there is a place for someone who still believes in the power of words and the power of an incredible goal.

I'm sure I'm forgetting people, and I promise it's only because I'm tired.

Go forth and do good.

The Key Difference

As best I can tell the absolute difference between Democrats and Republicans in this election is voting--Democrats seem to believe it to be something that should happen. Republicans less convinced.

See: "Bush administration lawyers argued in three closely contested states last week that only the Justice Department, and not voters themselves, may sue to enforce the voting rights set out in the Help America Vote Act, which was passed in the aftermath of the disputed 2000 election." To recap the only person who is allowed to protect Americans' right to vote is John Ashcroft. Sweet. Because you know his defense of our other freedoms and rights has been so stellar thus far.

But it's not just that Democrats might whine. Nope, they're more dastardly than that--they actually try to vote--and in so doing slow down Patriotic Bush voters.

Again: "Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie said supporters of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry are clogging voting locations and attempting to dissuade backers of President Bush."

To recap, how dare Democrats try to vote, and to express a preference for their elected leader. It's bad enough that they want to vote for Kerry, but to talk about wanting to vote for Kerry--that's over the line.

But it's nothing compared to this:


or this:

When Catherine Herold received mail from the Ohio Republican Party earlier this year, she refused it. The longtime Barberton Democrat wanted no part of the mailing and figured that by refusing it, the GOP would have to pay the return postage.What she didn't count on was the returned mail being used to challenge the validity of her voter registration.Herold,who is assistant to the senior vice president and provost at the University of Akron,was one of 976 Summit County voters whose registrations were challenged last week by local Republicans on behalf of the state party.
...
The challengers, all older longtime Republicans -- Barbara Miller, Howard Calhoun, Madge Doerler and Louis Wray -- were subpoenaed by the elections board and were present at the hearings. Akron attorney Jack Morrison, a Republican, volunteered to represent the four.

Democratic board member Russ Pry suggested that the four could be subject to criminal prosecution for essentially making false claims on the challenge forms. The form states that making a false claim is subject to prosecution as a fifth-degree felony.

...The angry voters had the Republicans on the defensive.

``Why'd you do it?'' one challenged voter shouted out at Calhoun. ``Who the hell are you?'' the man asked.

``What the hell do you care?'' replied Calhoun, an attorney.

Stolen from Atrios

Well said.

Yup.

It's been 2 years

It's been 2 years since Paul and Sheil, Marcia, Will, Mary, and Tom died (Richard and Michael as well). I've teared up a few times today. But mostly I've been thinking of just how fortunate I feel. I've spent the day reconnecting with my political friends. Brothers and sisters in arms. I love the people I've met, I love that I have been paid to work with brilliant people towards powerful ends. Shared stories, and incredible memories, heartache and pure elation--it's not a 401K but those moments have nourished me in the interveening years.

www.wellstone.org

I miss Paul. I miss the sense of purpose and clarity I feel and felt when working on a campaign. I miss the fatigue that came with the knowledge that I'd worked for someone else--an unnamed person--not the candidate.

To those of you still working on campaigns, I am proud of you. I miss you and wish you strength. It's 7 days and a wake up. go forth and do good. Call me at any hour, day or night if you need to bitch these next few days.

Metaphors Be With You.

The ongoing story out of Kentucky regarding Jim Bunning's health gets stranger everyday. According to Bunning he is qualified because he can still "walk, talk and chew gum at the same time." No joke. We've really lowered the bar. Bunning may be suffering from a medical condition that reduces his mental acuity. Mitch McConnell is just a fucker. This is how McConnell defends his colleague.

"Absurd," says Bunning's Kentucky colleague, Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell. "To suggest that the tall right-hander is somehow not up to a full nine innings or is losing his stuff, well, I'm here to tell you that the last thing you want to do would be to turn this job over to some lefty who's been playing in the minor leagues over in Frankfort."

McConnell later shook off the sign from his third base coach to hit a sacrifice fly--stating: "During a war you cannot ask the wealthiest to make a sacrifice." He then grabbed his jock (his Louisville slugger...he's from Kentucky afterall), spit out some tobacco (homegrown, of course) and playfully smacked the ass of the nearest lobbyist. Then he spiked a woman trying to guard her plate of food at a Louisville homeless shelter, while shouting: "you cannot block the plate." See baseball metaphors are fun.

How About That!

Watched the Sox game last night. A team for which I cheered won and important game. Still feeling strange--expecting the Yanks to get John Elway and have him pitch the 8th and deciding game. As I've said before, either personally or on this blog, I stopped really following baseball when I was younger (I'd pitched and caught and been into sports as a child) but at some point it all seemed silly to me. A, I know better cynicism or something like it (not unlike my disengagement during 2000 for the election). Well I've since beaten my very very brief battle (3 months) with political cynicism, and this year I've returned to watching and liking sports. I watched the NBA playoffs (Timberwolves...oh how you make me smile). I've watched some football: OSU, Seattle, Browns!, etc. And since June, yes, about the time I started dating Jen, I've been following the Red Sox. And you know what, I left work early to watch a baseball game on Monday and again last night. Work. Honest to god, I left early to watch men play a game I loved dearly when I was 12. So it's fun to be back to enjoying sports. I still think they can be silly, though I'd deny that during the middle of a capped downwind point in frisbee (maybe two of my readers know what that means). Looking at the very sad Yankees fans, I turned to Jen and said, you know hundreds of kids are going to be born into poverty tomorrow. It was good to get that perspective. AND YET!!

Holy fucking shit. They won. Between the 6 million dollar man, ("we can rebuild him, stronger, faster than before") and 1987s entire rejected pledge class to Delta Kappa Epsilon they somehow won. The entire team looks like they are auditioning for a role in a TBS movie about the hardships of a Yukon mining expedition, and yet--last night they got shit-faced drunk with glee and not self-loathing. Here's to the Hangover of Justice. The stumble down inebriation of triumph.

And lest we forget the National League...oh wait...we have

From King Kaufman:

I just hate to join the chattering and typing classes in relegating the NLCS to oh-by-the-way status, but these teams need a better booking agent. They're doing streetcorner improv across town from a Beatles reunion. It's great stuff, but it's like, "Yoo-hoo! Over here!"

Amused Musings

Watched the Red Sox games the past two nights. It feels so familiar that it's painful. Or rather the pain is so familiar. It IS the same as watching the Browns when I was 8. Hoping, wishing, willing them to win, only to realize that it was beyond reach because #7 Horsey McComeback was there or in this case I fear Derek Jeter or any number of Yankees all-stars. Watching last night was like when I would play Mark in Madden football. I'd get the Madden All-time team and he'd play with the Giants. And somehow he'd win.

Mark and I called eachother during last two games:
My observations:

Miguel Cairo (the non-allstar on the team) must feel like a regular man in a porn star locker room---inadequate.

When the Sox brought in Tim Wakefield: Oh good, it's captain season-over.

After watching Ortiz steal second (replays show he was safe): Watching David Ortiz steal a base is like watching platetechtonics come-to-life.

After Sheffield reached on a dropped third strike. Apparently the Sox steal second and are out, and the Yanks are out and steal first.

Tonight I have frisbee...thus I'll tape the game. Schilling has his magical shoe made by Reebok. I'm pleased to see that the childworkers of Taiwan also dislike the Yankees. I'm guessing (and I'm always always wrong) that it'll be a blowout. Not sure which way. Either the Sox jump all over Lieber and put up a 3 or 4 run inning early and run away. Or Schilling is just not cutting it and the Matsui's and A-Rod's etc just pound him, a few 2 run doubles and it's over.

I, of course and hoping for the first scenario. Because then you get to game 7 where no one is ready to pitch. The Yanks bring in Bernie because he pitched once when he was 11. And Pokey Reese comes to catch Wakefield because he dated a woman who was a softball catcher in 11th grade. And they dig up Ted Williams severed head to pinch run for Millar. I love the games where pitchers pitch on no rest, and it's just gutty.

The best part about all of this is watching the faces of the players when they win. It's pure and true joy. It's not the joy from being really wealthy or even really good at something. It's the joy that you feel when you're 11 and you win. When the Sox ran out on the field to greet Ortiz two nights ago they skipped and twirled. They were overwhelmed. And if the Yanks win you'll see that from them. But I hope not--at least not tonight.

Divorced from politics and filled with platitudes

So in the previous post I mentioned the line from Bush's 2000 speech that I'd liked so much. I went back and read the 2nd half of his acceptance speech in 2000. It's just incredible. The imagery and word choice is so powerful, poetic and beautiful. It's wholly divorced from policy and only about values (which isn't all bad for a closing, in my mind), and sadly disconnected from the reality of his leadership.

For me, gaining this office is not the ambition of a lifetime, but it is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I will make the most of it.
...
I believe in tolerance, not in spite of my faith, but because of it. I believe in a God who calls us not to judge our neighbors but to love them. I believe in grace because I've seen it, and peace because I've felt it, and forgiveness because I've needed it.
...
I will not attack a part of this country because I want to lead the whole of it.
...
My fellow citizens, we can begin again. After all of the shouting and all of the scandal, after all the bitterness and broken faith, we can begin again. The wait has been long, but it won't be long now. A prosperous nation is ready to renew its purpose and unite behind great goals, and it won't be long now. Our nation must renew the hopes of that boy I talked with in jail and so many like him, and it won't be long now. Our country is ready for high standards and new leaders, and it won't be long now. An era of tarnished ideals is giving way to a responsibility era, and it won't be long now. I know how serious the task is before me. I know the presidency is an office that turns pride into prayer. But I am eager to start on the work ahead, and I believe America is ready for a new beginning. My friend, the artist Tom Lea of El Paso, Texas, captured the way I feel about our great land, a land I love. He and his wife, he said, ''Live on the east side of the mountain. It's the sunrise side, not the sunset side. It is the side to see the day that is coming, not to see the day that has gone.''

Imagine if those ideals were the actions eminating from that office. It's a speech that could have been given by Obama or Harkin. I love the sentiment, and marvel at the craft--but I have to admit feeling even more betrayed than before. Those words and ideas mean something, and it's not this. People say you can say anything with stats...apparently you can mean anything with a speech.

Aaron Leavy--attrocious prognosticator

Well, shit.

I predicted a question on the death penalty, got all worked up about it, thought about it, reasoned it out--and nothing. Shows what little I know.

Thoughts:

I was not amazed that Bush avoided any talk of unemployement. I was amazed by his choice of tactics---blame outsourced workers for not being able to read at grade level. A 45 year old worker laid off because of foreign subsidized steel probably doesn't need or want a lecture on what he or she should have learned in 4th grade. Yes, of course education is the key to job creation. But it's not retroactive. You cannot improve the system today and thereby make everyone in the country smarter.

Kerry was pretty good on religion. I for one like religious imagery and talk of values. I think it's a unifying commonality in American rhetoric. But, a straight question on faith seemed like overkill. I'd rather a question on the environment, stem cells, energy policy/renewables/gas prices, a straight up question about education, hell I personally would love a question on the arts--but I'm guessing I'm nearly alone on that one.

Bush lied, or at least misspoke about Osama Bin Laden. There are plenty of other blogs with this link...but you can go here and see Bush explain that he's not too concerned with OBL.

Lots of talk about Kerry commenting on Cheney's daughter's sexuality. I thought it was a bit crass. Just seemed a little much. But I also think that Republicans crying about "outing" Mary Cheney are preposterous--how many times did they say or imply that Hillary Clinton was a lesbian (so as to "damn" her). I guess if you think that being gay is evil, then it's a harsher comment to point out that Mary Cheney is gay. But it's hard to play both sides against the middle, and I think that's their ploy.

Oh, and I really like the Bush description of that painting. But it sounded familiar (something about the imagery was familiar and really beautiful) ... That's because it is.

BUSH 2000 CONVENTION:

My friend, the artist Tom Lea of El Paso, Texas, captured the way I feel about our great land, a land I love. He and his wife, he said, "Live on the east side of the mountain. It's the sunrise side, not the sunset side. It is the side to see the day that is coming, not to see the day that has gone."

BUSH LAST NIGHT

BUSH: In the Oval Office, there's a painting by a friend of Laura and mine named -- by Tom Lea. And it's a West Texas painting, a painting of a mountain scene. And he said this about it. He said, "Sara and I live on the east side of the mountain. It's the sunrise side, not the sunset side. It's the side to see the day that is coming, not to see the day that is gone."

Still a great image, but certainly one that has been around the block a bit.

UPDATE....umm...stealing from Wonkette
"No child left behind is really a jobs act," says Bush. Of course. And Social Security is really a missile defense program. And Federal Highways funding? Actually a part of the Metric Conversion Office. And clean coal legislation helps you make soup."

Voter Fraud, and Where's Waldo for Facts

So already it's been reported and commented upon by far better writers than myself--but there is a scandal (hopefully) brewing regarding voter fraud. Dkos has it here. What I wonder is the accused company is named as "Voters Outreach of America" and is also cited "AKA America Votes." I thought America Votes was a group of liberal do-gooders. For instance their site...

What we do:
America Votes is a non-partisan political organization formed in July 2003 for the purpose of increasing voter registration, education and participation in electoral politics. Founded by the largest grassroots organizations in the country, representing more than 20 million Americans, America Votes will utilize the strategic abilities and large membership bases of the partnering groups to break new ground in electoral politics.

So what gives. Is this a different America Votes...is this slander, wtf?

Oh, and then a little on tonight's debate.
Jen and I were talking about it. She figured it'd be like Where's Waldo for the Truth. I'm guessing Bush will make at least 3 true statements or characterizations...he will correctly pronounce and identify Senator/Sen./John/Kerry. (note this is a change from when he called his opponent Senator Kennedy) He will refer accurately to himself as the President of the United States/USA/US/America. He will thank the people of Arizona State University/ASU/this fine university/this here school for hosting. As for the lies, misstatements...well let's just say most other things will fall in this category. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get the moderator's name right.

I'm guessing as far as themes---LIBERAL will be mentioned a few times, government take over of health care. It's the golden oldies.

My wildcard question of the night.... Kerry gets asked the Kitty Dukakis question. Namely something aggressive on the death penalty. The story would be so easy to write for too many journalists. Especially since the Supreme Court is going to be discussing that today. In fact the more I think about this the more certain I am of this question. The story is just too easy to write. It's a clear comparison, it has historical references, Kerry's changed his position, it's topical, and it's juicy. But if I've thought it so have many smarter people including Bob Shrum, Joe Lockhart, et al. But I still have concern for that question. Oh, and another thing, if that comes up, why doesn't Bush have to worry about alienating Catholics. Grrr.

My guess...

So I'm guessing the line of the night will be from bush and will revolve around trying to make a joke about "hard work."

My opponent has had 2 or 3 positions on every issue and that's hard work, even for a liberal from Massachussets. Or some such bullshit. My hope is that Kerry's response is, "Mr. President with all due respect hard work is working for a living, fighting for your country and dying for principles..." something like that. I don't know....sounded good in my head.

We'll see. Bush will have 3 or 4 canned joke lines, and we'll see if they come off decently or not.

Bush wins the second debate either in reality or in the wonderful world of spin.

Never separate the lives you lead from the words you speak

Where my mind is, right now.....here

It's why I cannot hear Forever Young without tearing up.

"Politics is not about power, politics is not about money, politics is not about winning for the sake of winning. It's about the improvement of people's lives...politics is about doing well for people."

Tim Ryan for Senate and Blackwell makes my wanna cry

So I just saw a clip of Tim Ryan speaking about the draft and the dissembling ways of this administration. Got me all riled up. Had a little Wellstone in it. Miss that. A friend said, it's too bad this won't get press coverage. I said, "this wouldn't get press coverage if it was done inside CNN. It wouldn't be mentioned if it were the opening act for the resurrected and reunited Beatles."

here you go.

Oh in other Ohio news. Ken Blackwell is a fucking moron. Granted that's not news. Yup. All the Ohio ballots have been printed, and each features the name of a certain inelligible candidate Ralph Nader. He's not allowed to garner votes. Maybe next time we should add Ronald Reagan, he has the same legal standing to appear on the Ohio ballot. Screw it, we should just have a word search. Candidates names may appear horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Or maybe you can take a physical challenge and get two votes. That'd be great. Because you know, at base, democracy is really only a guidline, we should improve on basic rights by adding cool things like diversions and illegal candidates.


So help me god, I need a shotgun or a stiff drink.

No WMDs, and this just in Santa Claus is your father.

I've been thinking a little (not much, really) about the newest report confirming that really there aren't any WMDs there. Here's the thing for me. It's not like this was the Daschle report, the President picked this guy. Do you think if Bush went to the doctor and was repeatedly told he didn't have cancer that he'd still insist that the doctor take out his right testicle. Put another way, I'm sure Bush believed in Santa Claus as a child, but when you see your father putting on the suit you want to be smart enough to realize that you were wrong. That you have to change your understanding of the world. Cognitive dissonance is painful because it challenges what you think is true. Apparently for this administration it's irrelevant because you cannot provide enough evidence to dissuade someone for whom evidence is immaterial. Grr.

Jerk Store

Talent Show has a great post about Bush's "major policy address" this morning. It's classic Bush to try and rewrite the results of the debate by choosing a forum where he's in complete control. It's like Scott Norwood trying to get cameras to film him kicking field goals in practice.

The post references The Jerk Store episode of Seinfeld, great reference.

Business of America is Business

A group of prominent business and economics professors from around the country have penned a caustic letter to the President regarding the economy and his role in fucking it up:

"If your economic advisers are telling you that these deficits can be defeated through further reductions in tax rates, then you need new advisers."
...
"Sensible and farsighted economic management requires true discipline, compassion, and courage – not just slogans. Given the tenuous state of the American economy, we believe that the time for an honest assessment of the problem and for genuine corrective action is now. Ignoring the fiscal crisis that has taken hold during your presidency may seem politically appealing in the short run, but we fear it could ultimately prove disastrous. From a policy standpoint, the clear message is that more of the same won’t work. The warning signs are already visible, and it is incumbent upon all of us to pay attention."

DNC....good idea.....

The DNC has quick cut a vignette of Bush's split screen reactions. Makes him look testy, confused bored. Like a little kid waiting for his mom to finish shopping.
So how about that the DNC does something smart, quick and aggressive. Hot dam. Click here to see...Faces of frustration.

What's in a name

So again we return to the joy of naming things. I've said for a while now that I'd be eager to root for a baseball team named after elected officials: The Spokane County Commissioners, the Des Moines Auditors, the Grand Junction Mayors whatever. But really, what I've wanted is the return of the Washington Senators. I have this soft spot for DC. Not sure why, but I really like DC. And I really like Senators (Paul, Harkin...Russ). So when news that the Senators might return came out (just in time for a potential move to the east coast) I was thrilled. But now I hear they might not be the Senators. Apparently the fucking Rangers own the name. Which I'm sure is useful...because maybe they need two names. I guess the Rangers have been known to make stupid moves from time to time so maybe this is an alias, or a backup plan.

According to news reports the mayor of DC wants the team to be the Grays (after the Homestead Grays of the Negro leagues). I'm fine with that. What I'm not fine with is another leading suggestion the Washington Monuments. Lame.

So some suggestions (compiled with help from Brian)

The Beltway Boys (Brian)
Insiders (Brian)
Fuck the Fucking Rangers (mine)
We Can't Vote Because Congress Hates Black Folk (mine)
Partisans (me)
Generals (mine...I know....I know)
Rhetoric (ESPN)
Crushing Poverty Surrounded by Affluence (mine)

UPDATE: I just realized with horror that it's not unlikely that the GOPers will try and skew this. So I'm awaiting the Washington Reagans. Hell they've tried to name every other fucking thing in this country for him. Or maybe it'll be the Washington Everything Changed on 9/11s. Washington Norquists.

If only some one had warned us...

TIME magazine gets it. And I can only hope that the caucus attendees of Iowa each take the time to read TIME.

Taking their cue from the hackneyed scripts of 80s movies the Democratic party chose John Kerry over Howard Dean. In something approximating the political equivalent of a John Cusack film, the once nerdy Iowans selected the Prom Queen that everyone fawned over instead of the tomboyish-best-friend..and we got John Kerry. Wow, that's a stretch.

From TIME

Democratic voters should stick to their day jobs. With just five weeks until Election Day, there's reason to believe they guessed wrong — that Dean would be doing better against Bush than Kerry is

It would have been nice if there'd been some warning. If only some group of people had steadfastly mentioned, reminded, explained, told, and said to voters that Kerry's back and forths would cost him. If only a set of people possibly united by a desire to elect another candidate had mentioned that John Kerry would have trouble fighting the president on Iraq, well who knows. I struggle to think of any group of people like that.

[Ed note: I do wonder if I'd be here and with Jen if GHD had won (maybe not?), and I realize that GHD would have his own problems, so at least a part of me is fine with knowing that it's someone elses guy getting attacked, and being in love and with Jen. And so Kerry is my guy now, and I don't gloat to know he's struggling, I just wonder if there are Michiganders and Iowans reciting our talking points to eachother conspiratorially in bars---in hushed tones saying: "you know, I always wondered about Kerry's consistency on the war."]

Clearly the result of good Christian upbringing

Images below are from a web site where you can buy tshirts and other products to help support the President.

Yes, it's white people with money and affluence adopting black vernacular in order to reinforce their own power. To think their parents feared darkies, and now today they can slander and denigrate using "ebonics" God bless America.

And God has blessed America...because He hates everyone else...see:

"In a 15 round match up between Jesus and Allah, I'd put my money on the Nazarine. Now, if they wanted to make this a two-on-two, they could have Mohammed but I'd take "John the Baptist" and I'd win, hands down!" Why is Jesus fighting Allah in a 15 round boxing/wrestling match? What kind of preposterous argument is that. But I'm glad the author clarifies that with "John the Baptist" he'd win hands down. Who is this moron? But wait there's more. More fun:

So to recap Cheney is a freak, right? When he had other priorities can we assume he was being a hippy, or instead of serving with his fellow man was he a "pansy" and merely servicing his fellow men? "Shut up and stay out of the way"...clearly freedom isn't free or in stock at this time.

The Greatest Threat to Aaron's Workday Productivity Since IM

I just bought the new book from The Daily Show. Oh, dear god!

America (The Book) is a text book style book about America. Fairly straight forward.

Just a few examples:

(picture) A graphic of a board room with chairs
The Cabinet" Yes-Men of Freedom

Secretary of Defense: During diplomatic crises intiatates chant of "Fight!Fight!Fight!" Also in charge of kicking sand in face of Secretary of State.

Secretary of Transportation: Driven a car before? Seen an airplane? Hispanic? Good--put on this tie.

Secretary of Treasury: Duties primarily concerned with, but not necessarily "all about," the Benjamins.

etc.

Where I think I'll get my next shirt or two

Lifted from PANDAGON:

American Apparel
I've long wished for a way to buy clothing with the knowledge that it was produced in good working conditions. Enough time spent around labor organizers has convinced me that even the occasional Made in America label doesn't guarantee worker safety, and it's almost impossible to know what sort of story the Made in Malaysia label is desperately trying to tell.

That's why I'm happy to direct you all to American Apparel, a completely sweatshop free, domestically made and immigrant staffed clothing company. They're one of those rare companies with a combination of social conscience and economic vision (from the Sacramento Bee):

American Apparel, run by a unique, effusively irreverent Canadian immigrant named Dov Charney, is itself a unique and moving tale. It prides itself on paying an average of $13 an hour to its largely immigrant work force, nearly double the minimum wage, plus health insurance. It offers - and pays for - classes in English, plus a string of other benefits. Its motto is "sweatshop free." One sign at the gate declares American Apparel to be a "T-shirt kibbutz."

Just as telling, maybe, the company, operating in an industry in which bare-bones cost-cutting is standard, doesn't outsource any of its work. None of its products are made in China, not because Charney wants to be a good guy, but because he believes he can do everything, from design to shipping to marketing, more efficiently here.

I'm always excited by companies that make good products, do good things and have a chance for survival. So if you need some clothing anytime soon, I'd suggest shopping with them. At the very least, I know exactly who's going to be providing my UCLA wardrobe. And for once, I know they pay their workers $13 an hour, help them learn English, and ensure they have health benefits. What more could you want?

http://www.americanapparelstore.com/

Evan

A friend of mine is a photographer. He's also a former campaign guy. Not sure which he's better at...he was good in finance. I love his photographs, and have ever since I first saw them.


They are urban without being too cliche. Plus, he's just an awfully nice guy.

For more click here

Just Because

I fished out this mix CD I'd made for myself back in the beginning of June. It's my "Love Songs Mix." I remember making it and thinking of Jen...well before it was a reality, at cusp of that thought as a possibility. And I listen to it now, and well, it's a great mix of songs. Love as infatuation (Every Little Thing She Does), love for family (In My Life), love as clingy and desperate (God Only Knows) and my favorite: love as balanced comfort, easy and gentle--"The Weather." Built to Spill, whom I never got to see at Bumbershoot, because I arrived a mere 5 hours early...instead of arriving 8 hours early. Feel my wrath Bumbershoot. Feel my wrath. Anyway, BTS wrote this great song, and it was the song at Mark and Stacy's wedding. It's perfect. It is *the* love song in my mind.

"Do you want it to be outside in the cool night,
where the stars gravitate toward you?
Do you want it to be outside in the cool night, where
the fog wraps itself around you?
Do you want it to be outside in the sunshine,
where the clouds take their places for you?

And the wind and snow and the rain that blows,
none of those would matter much without you.
And as long as its talking with you,
talk of the weather will do.

Do you want it to be outside in the cool night,
where the stars gravitate toward you?
Do you want it to be outside in the sunshine,
where the song keeps itself inside you?
And the wind and snow and the rain that blows,
none of those would matter much without you.

Nobody's hoping for better days,
No one knows what to do.
You're ok in your secret ways,
No one bothering you.
It might save time if I meet you there
But I dont care, I'd rather wait for you."

I may have posted something like this before, but fuck it, it's a great song.

Why I'd like to Brain Bill O'Reilly

A while back O'Reilly interviewed John Stewart. He spent the entire interview complaining and taunting and behaving like a child, largely about about Kerry going on the Daily Show, and about how the viewers of TDS are all stoner slackers and worthless. He (B.O) talks about how he is the 3rd most important man besides the President. It is maddening to read the transcript. I honestly don't imagine I could be in the same room with him. He's like syrup of ipecac in human form.

O'REILLY: You know what's really frightening?
STEWART: You've been reading my diary.
O'REILLY: You actually have an influence on this presidential election. That is scary.
STEWART: If that were so, that would be quite frightening.
O'REILLY: But it is. It's true. I mean, you've got stoned slackers watching your dopey show every night, OK, and they can vote.

...

O'REILLY: Don't you think that these guys want to be hip, when McCain was on with you -- Bush hasn't been on with you, right? You would remember that...
STEWART: George Bush?
O'REILLY: Yeah.
STEWART: I don't recall the president stopping by the program.
O'REILLY: But McCain's been on.
STEWART: Yes.
O'REILLY: OK. Kerry's been on, as we mentioned.
STEWART: Yes.
O'REILLY: I've been on. So you've had the three most powerful people beside him on

I want to be rich or well connected so when I have crazy ideas I can enact them. My newest thought:

"The Tour of Duty" I want to arrange a comedy/music public speaking tour of college campuses called "Tour of Duty" with Jon Stewart and maybe PJ O'Rourke (a similar fairly funny and respectful conservative comedian) sharing a sparse stage and talking about politics with college students. Some vote reg but mainly the focus being on humourous and civil discourse about civic duty. I would love for us to start, even in only a few places, talking to each other with the decency that issues of this import deserve. A screaming simpleton with more invective than insight doesn't do anyone any favors.

War Hero

MacCain*

Admittedly, it's unlikely but...

This article from The Nation implies that maybe the reason that McCain began to campaign with Bush and be all cozy-cuddly with the neo-cons is so that he could knife 'em.

But maybe there was another reason beyond loyalty to the party and to the commander-in-chief why McCain saddled up with Bush. Perhaps he wanted to get near enough to knife Bush--metaphorically speaking, of course. As in, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Seems a bit too much to hope for, though it'd be so perfectly Shakespearean. But it sure would be a great way to spend October, with Bush trying to explain away his own Zell Miller moment. Speaking of which apparently Lincoln Chafee isn't voting for the Prez. That makes two of us. Hear that Kerry staffers--you have two hard 1s. Plus, you figure Howard Dean, and Edwards that's like 4. The momentum builds.

*Brian Fusco suggested the title for this post, and frankly it's just too good not to use.

Friday Night Under the Lights

First a piece of good news. Everyone's favorite lovable Irish rogue, Emmet Regan just received a work visa. Cheers.

The surreality of work continues a pace. It's really more than I can adequately capture in this space, or with mere words.

Frisbee remains a great part of the weekends here. I played on Friday with my new team Moby Flick. The best part, besides feeling like I'd played well, and had a great time...was playing under the lights. I turned into the Hamlin Park and drove up this dark road into the bowels of the park. It's jet black, and 25 minutes past 8pm. I come to a dark parking lot, and walk towards the halo of light surrounding the nearby trees--and suddenly I'm in this open space with giant lights and floating discs and shouts of "no break." It was great. Playing under the lights just made me feel important. I think it's why it would have been great to just once have played football at WNHS--the feeling of playing on a great field under the lights. It was wonderful. The game itself was sloppy. I was the only player on either side to layout, and as such managed to be wet and dirty and slightly injurious to my shoulder. But such is life. The score stood at 14-13 when I picked up a turnover on the goal line and prepared for a swing pass...only to find myself suddenly in pure and utter darkness. The lights shut off at 11pm. With little regard for good in cuts and a need to play through to a cap. Apparently the park board doesn't care. So we lost. We gathered in the dark, wrote a quick cheer and it was back to the car. Good stuff.

More on the weekend later...but I must return to work.

Bits and Bobs

Quick Update on several things not meriting their own post:

1. health--not so great. I've reinjured/aggrivated my left shoulder. It's fairly weak, and does things like roll nearly out of socket if I swing my arms over my head. So that's less than ideal. I should be on the health insurance here at work, and will be getting that checked out. The good news is that playing frisbee doesn't seem to create further pain (except when I layout on the shoulder...which happens from time to time).

2. employment--a while ago (2 weeks) I received a raise. One week in and I got a raise, sounds great but reinforces my sense (now a full blown realization) that I work in a place where planning is thought unneccessary or at least gauche. It's been a challenge to deal with that. I want spreadsheets and plans, budgets and cash flow analysis--I'm told to just have faith. And despite these observations--we continue to raise money and do good things. It's startling. I've been writing letters and newsletters and have been pleased with a few lines in a few letters. Apparently so have our donors and we're getting more money in. I still think it's much much more likely that regular contact with our donors is the precipitating cause of their donation...rather than a better letter--but I'll be happy with having some role to play in both things. I like my coworkers, though the office is awash in absurdity. I want to pen a book (always wanted to say 'pen a book') about this PAC and title it "Leader of the PAC."

3. relationship--I love jen. I am so happy I moved here. Up close and personal, she's smarter than I knew, funnier, and kinder than I'd known. There are challenges--balancing alone and together time. But in finding the balance I've found that I have more and more confidence in us. It's nice

Whaaa?

"If Jesus weren't a Jew, he'd be an American."
A sign at an Ohio Bush-Cheney rally.

What the fuck does that mean? I have several problems with this sentence. I have many, but let's start with the first few.

1. Let's start with grammar. I'm assuming the author meant wasn't, instead of
weren't. But better grammarians can correct me on this one. Also were not--sort of suggests past tense, and I'm told Jesus is thought as a living God by most adherents. Not as a deceased God. Thus the ressurection.

2. Religion--I'm figuring this is a Christian author. Doesn't scripture or prophesy declare where Jesus has to be born? Didn't it have to be in the Middle East. Also is there a belief that being a Jew prevents US citizenship--there are lots of Jews in Brooklyn, besides...how could you have the vast conspiracy and media ownership if Jews weren't Americans? But let's say Jesus were born according to prophesy and somehow wasn't born Jewish (which seems hard to imagine, or believe...but let's say) would Jesus have to take the citizenship test to become an American. Would he take it in Aramaic or in English? I'm guessing he'd have to learn some English. Would he have to pledge allegiance to the flag...because I'd figure that'd be sorta hard if you were God (or even just god-like). "...one nation under me and my father." Plus do you think we'd really grant citizenship to a liberal bearded middle eastern guy--come now. Maybe the sign could read, "If Jesus weren't a Jew he'd be in Guantanamo."

Hmm. It's funny, I'd have expected something like: "If Castro weren't Cuban he'd be a Democrat."

It is reassuring to know that the fundamental belief that "God loves us this we know, because the Right told us so" is still alive and well, and seemingly unquestioned. Ahh....I need to renew my passport.

Best Graphic Ever...or at least right now

(From The Onion, where else)

For one week

The Browns are statistically the best team in the AFC.
They won, and won with the best point differential. And what's more it was the first Browns game I'd watched in years. I went to a sports bar here in Seattle (The Ram). I arrived about 20 minutes into the game (or about 6 minutes of clock time). It's 10:00am on the West coast when these 1:00pm AFC games are played. But, people are sucking down beers and bloody mary's with the joy and efficiency you'd associate with...well sometime other than 10am. No seats to be found, so I stood for the first 20 minutes of the game. Then I took the initiative and scored a seat. And watched as the Browns and Ravens (whom I hate, justifiably hate) played like the Browns and Former-Browns that they are. No offense. None. Things like .25 yards and a cloud of dust. Then the Browns started to score points. As if, almost as if, they wanted to score more than the Ravens and thereby gain victory over the forces of evil. A couple of touchdowns later---and we're looking good. 20-3 final score. Again, it's the Browns so there were field goals....where touchdowns should have come. But currently (and this makes me happy) the two best teams (accordign to differential) are: Browns and Vikings. Hot shit.

In other news...I played my first hat league game. We remain unnamed, though Oedipus is getting some consideration as is Baby Doc Duvalier (which jen points out lends itself to the cheer of Baby Doc Back!). I was mid way through the game when I was asked to join a more formal team as well. So I'm going to go and see what's what with Moby Flick. Should be fun. I guess they are a mid level team, and apparently something about my play suggested that I'd be a help to their team. Who knows. Should be fun to see.

What's in a name...or what should be our name

I'm in a co-ed hat league--for non frisbee players a league comprised of assembled teams (used to be picked from a hat) instead of preformed teams. My team needs a name. Apparently all the league teams are naming themselves after "disgruntled political leaders" or so says Thor our captain. yes, thor is his name. hot right.

So I'm soliciting suggestions. Mine are as follows.

Neville Chamberlin (also "disc"graced)
Zell Miller (bat shit insane)
Barry Goldwater (lends itself to a color--yellow)
Al Gore (angry and bloated)
Patton
Thomas Dewey--of Dewey beats truman fame
Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand
Paul Schell
Ken Starr

My two favorites, in no order
Mr. Smith (of, "goes to washington fame")
Oedipus (really really "disc"gruntled, plus whenever someone is awful on the team we can banish them, or suggest blinding)

New Photos

Great Sand Dunes

more here...

Seattle from Kerry Park

Taken two Sundays ago. Later that evening, I walked along Golden Gardens Beach and ate wild blackberrys while watching the sun set. Life is just fine here in Seattle. Just fine indeed.

Hear my cry mainstream press...hear my cry

From The Onion.

Bush Campaign More Thought Out Than Iraq War
WASHINGTON, DC—Military and political strategists agreed Monday that President Bush's re-election campaign has been executed with greater precision than the war in Iraq. "Judging from the initial misrepresentation of intelligence data and the ongoing crisis in Najaf, I assumed the president didn't know his ass from his elbow," said Col. Dale Henderson, a military advisor during the Reagan Administration. "But on the campaign trail, he's proven himself a master of long-term planning and unflinching determination. How else can you explain his strength in the polls given this economy?" Henderson said he regrets having characterized Bush's handling of the war as "incompetent," now that he knows the president's mind was simply otherwise occupied.

This is so close to trenchant analysis that I'm hoping that maybe in this wonderful fantasy world that I live in from time to time....that maybe a real newspaper will write something like this.

What Should ABJ name his new dog

I'm soliciting names for the newest addition to ABJ's happy home (without their asking me to do so...so frankly I just want to see what kind of creative names folks can come up with). Currently the mutt is named Manny. He (I think) is a black lab mix and is calmer than Teak (their other dog). ABJ lives in St. Louis, studies Psychology, and is from Boston.

My first few thoughts:
1. Selig(man) for Martin Seligman and the learned helplessness dogs, if the first one is named for Kia's job this one should get to be a psych dog (maybe)
2. Elijah---as in leave the door open for Elijah
3. Max Power--"you don't cuddle with Max Power, you strap yourself in and feel the Gs"
4. C.B. Confirmation bias...dogs are dumb, just like people
5. Hercules Rockefeller
6. Gary...Gary Lambert from The Corrections, or just because it's funny to give dogs people names
7. Buckley--after Jeff (bucky for short), and the dog from Royal Tennenbaums
8. Roxanne--so you can scream\sing the Sting song when you call it. Or nickname it Rox for short.
9. B.F. Skinner--skinny or BF for short
10. Mutt Romney
11. Neuron--Ron for short.
12. Chi Squared
13. Rembrant Q. Einstein

Because of moments like this

the local cable company is probably going to get richer off of me.

I'm going to get cable to watch the daily show.

Watch this

Selling Crazy For Free

I miss being able to say that disparagingly about Dennis. But now I've found, or rather nearly everyone has found a considerably more crazy guy---Alan Keyes. And where I agreed with much of Kucinich's platform...not so much with Alan Keyes.

Keyes has called Obama: a socialist and a liar, implied that he's a racist for saying that he (Obama) was going to give Keyes a spanking, and said that Jesus would vote for him (Keyes).

Political rhetoric, speeches, etc---generally my thing--but this year is just crazy. It's been no holds barred. The vice president in all but declaring that Osama is policy advisor to Kerry. Keyes thinks Jesus loves the little children and hates Obama. The candidate in Oklahoma said that it was a clear choice between good and evil.

It's disgusting. Our political dialogue has been reduced to things from a bar fight.

What I'd like to hear

So Dick Cheney went all toad-licking crazy on us...and flat out declared that if you vote for Kerry you are voting for more and worse terrorist attacks. Sweet. The nuance of political communications.

My hope would be that the response is something like:

Seems that Dick Cheney and George Bush will do or say anything to the American people to save their own jobs. We (the Johns) are more concerned with doing whatever it takes to create and protect jobs for the American people.

Something like that. But you know better.

Happy First Day of School

A Happy First Day of School to Mark.

Oberlin and Radiohead...Together At Last

From an exco description:

"We'll learn their history and interpret their music at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, USA. In the class, I'll be exposing the students to nearly every song Radiohead has written, in addition to their music videos, Radiohead TV, MPIE, etc. With homework and class discussions, we'll talk about the themes, literature references, etc that permeate their music, from On a Friday through whatever leaks in the next few months."

Mark emailed this to me. And Brian would have posted it, but the campaign....well you know, gets all crazy this time of year.

Ah Pandagon How Funny You Can Be

From the live blogging of last night's speech:

"'Tonight we set a new goal: seven million more affordable homes in the next 10 years so more American families will be able to open the door and say welcome to my home.'

You know, I was subletting a place this Summer, and though I didn't 'own' it, I still touted it to guests as 'my place'. So if Bush is just putting out these policies so Americans can use more possessives, I think we're okay."