Category Archives: politics

politics

The One about the Debate

2 Comments

So, who watched the debate?  I watched it while I cleaned the kitchen.  Doing something physical was helpful to keep my mind occupied enough with something else so as to not scream at the tv.

Seriously though, apart from the time that John McCain talked in a melodramatic way about the bracelet he had from the mother of a soldier who died in Iraq and then Obama said, “I have a bracelet, too,” I was able to keep from too many snide remarks.

I admit to some concern about how McCain would do, but I honestly think he held his own pretty well.  The dem spin is that he talked too much about what he did 30 years ago, but I really felt those points did bring attention to Obama’s lack of experience.  McCain may have dropped too many names and said he loved Petraus too much, but overall, I was pleasantly surprised with his performance.

For a little debate humor, take a look at this.

nostalgia, politics

A Little Political Meandering

Leave a comment

I’ve been thinking about the 1992 election a lot lately.  In November 1992, I was 27 years old, married for just a little under a year, and really afraid of Bill Clinton becoming president.  Then, it happened.  The election was over and Bill Clinton was president.  I don’t know what I thought was going to happen, but I was truly frightened.

However, if we take a little trip down memory lane to the months before the election, we see that incumbent President George HW Bush was thought to be invincible.  He had high approval ratings in the polls because of the success of Dessert Storm.  Then in a few short months, with perseverance and an excellent campaign staff and who knows what else, Bill Clinton rallied to victory.

I am remembering this little bit of history because as the 2008 election draws near, I think there is genuine fear among conservatives that Obama may be the next president.  I can actually say I am more fearful of what life with Obama as president would be like than I was about Clinton.  But, if we look back at that 1992 campaign, we see that it isn’t over until all the votes are in and things can change direction very quickly.  As republicans push toward the election, they can take solace remembering that no matter what the polls and the media are saying in July through October, what matters are the results in November.

life, politics, work

Work Update & One of the Most Apalling Statements that Was Ever Made to Me

7 Comments

Well, I didn’t get the full-time job, so that is off the table.  And, that’s a good thing.  The more I think about it, the more I realize I need to make decent money while having more control of my schedule.  Which brings me to the part-time job.  It’s not a bad little gig–3 days a week during school hours.  However, there are some issues.  First, the person I am replacing was fired for embezzling.  I think that makes the scrutiny over me a little more intense than I prefer.  Second, there’s no one there to tell me exactly how they want things done.  It is sort of guess work on the part of one of the managers.  Third, the manager who has the most contact with me and tells me how he thinks they want things made the most appalling statement I have ever heard in workplace chit chat.

He to me, “What did you think of the McCain speech last night?”

Me to him, “Well, I’m not sure I want to say.  I think we’re on opposite sides of the aisle.”

Him again, “Oh, so you’re a Republican.  What do think of Palin?”

Me, “I like her.  I don’t think I could vote for Obama.  I’m pro-life, and he is just too far opposite of me.”

Him, “Well, I’ll never be pro-life.  My wife has worked for special school district for thirty years, and she says she could never be pro-life after all the things she has seen with these kids.”

Me, in my head, silently sitting there, in shock with no expression on my face, “Wow.  I can’t believe you said that.  Who are you? God?  Are you perfect?  Is your wife perfect?”

politics

So, let’s talk about Palin

2 Comments

Sarah Palin has added life to this election–whether you like her or hate her, you have to admit having her on the ticket makes things more interesting.  Imagine what the republican convention would have been like if Joe Lieberman had been the VP candidate.

I like a lot about Sarah Palin.  And, I think that is how it is with every candidate.  You can’t be 100% satisfied with who you vote for. Do I have opinions and even strong beliefs about how hard it would be to raise any number of children–especially 5–and be in any kind of public office?  Yes. I can’t imagine how a mother works in any sort of responsible job and handles all the details of motherhood, let alone handling public life.  But it is done, and people manage it.

What about the unwed 17-year-old daughter who is about to be a mom?  I think it is sad that she has to face this crisis in her life in the spotlight.  I also think I would strongly reconsider running for VP if I had a child in this situation.  However, I don’t think it is fair for democrats to make a big deal out of this since they have been screaming about personal things in a politician’s life being off limits since former President Bill Clinton had his “indescretion.”

I was really excited when Palin was named last week.  I still like her as a candidate.  I am praying for her daughter and unborn grandchild and her family as they deal with this situation, especially while the eyes of the world are watching.

life, news, nostalgia, politics, Uncategorized

A Frustrated Former News Junky

1 Comment

My first real job out of college was working for a large Christian ministry as an editor/writer.  In that job, I was expected to keep up with the political news of the day at least enough to write and/or assign and edit somewhat thoughtful pieces for the ministry’s political newsletters.  I used to read more than one news magazine a week.  I watched all the news shows.  I read the newspaper every day.  Hey, it was part of my job.

After marrying and having children, I still wanted to keep up.  But it became harder.  I got most of my news from Fox News and NPR (now, there’s balance for you!).  Reading news became practically unheard of in my world of changing diapers and keeping everyone fed and in clean clothes.

Now that the children are older, I am starting to realize my excuses are gone.  So now, as most 21st Century Americans do, I read my news on the web.  Of course, NPR is still programmed at #1 on my van’s radio.  Admittedly, I don’t watch Fox News much anymore.

But even with the web and radio news, I still don’t feel confident that I have any right to comment on the events of the day.  There was something about the news being a part of my daily work that made me feel like I was worthy to share my perspectives on politics and what bills were being passed, etc.  Now that I am in the middle of a life that is really affected by what happens in Washington and Jefferson City, I don’t feel qualified to register my thoughts anywhere “important.”

With the Democratic Convention drawing to a close, I am thinking this fall is a great time to get back into the groove of political pontificating.  So you may have to bear with me as I start to get my political feet wet again and share some of my thoughts about today’s goings on.

BREAKING NEWS — I wrote this post yesterday, but now with the announcement of John McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin, I know it is time to get excited about politics.  The addition of Palin has been called a “game changer.”  I don’t care what you call it and whether you like her or the republicans or not, it was really brilliant political strategy!  It’s about time we have something fun to watch in this campaign.