Why you ask?

After all the blantant reasons why Palin is possibly one of the worse choices for this country, yet there are still so many people who like her. I too scratch my head every night about this. Why I ask? What is going on in all these people's head?

I couldn't find the words to articulate this, but fortuantly, someone has. I think this is the perfect summation/explaination of why people would vote for Palin:

She (Palin) is a natural product of mass democracy’s ongoing pursuit of charismatic mediocrity, in which voters not only seek someone with whom they can identify but also actively discourage politicians’ cultivation of expertise. Expertise grates against their egalitarianism, and so they try to avoid it in their political leaders.

For the full article, go here.

That's right. These people want someone as non knowledgable as themselves. Someone who can talk simple (mainly cause they don't in fact understand the issues and the details would confuse and scare them). These people voted for Bush for the same reason, and now they will vote for Palin. These people revolt against people who are smarter and has more expertise and knowledge than themselves. Somehow thinking they're being talked down to. Somehow thinking that someone who is smarter and has more expertise making a decision is a bad thing. That 'going with the gut' is the better decision making ability.

Don't be part of this group of people.




I promise there is a non ranty, non political post coming soon. There's just too much material here for me not to take advantage of.

Blast from the past

I wrote this 4 years ago. The night I found out the country was gonna get screwed for another 4 years.

Please, I beg of you, don't let this happen again.

All of you thinking about voting for the McCain/Palin ticket. Please wake up. Please listen to reason. This country CANNOT survive another 4 years of McCain/Palin/Bush. The economy will worsen, we will socially go backwards, and we will probably get into a few more wars. We DO NOT WANT THIS!

Please don't make me have to write another post like this again.

http://pupbert.blogspot.com/2004/11/god-damn-fucking-fucks.html

If you think these are good qualifications to be VP...

You probably thought Bush would do well with our economy

- Palin has never visited Russ (although claims she can see it) and until last year, never travelled outside North America. Her reasoning "I'm not one of those who maybe came from a background of, you know, kids who perhaps graduate college and their parents give them a passport and give them a backpack and say go off and travel the world. No, I've worked all my life. In fact, I usually had two jobs all my life until I had kids. I was not a part of, I guess, that culture." Great. That's who you really want to be VP. Let's forget about picking the best, let's just pick whoever!

- Palin has never met a foreign leader until her trip this week to NYC. You think this one week trip is good enough?

- When asked how Alaska's closeness to Russia enhanced her foreign policy experience, Palin said, "Well, it certainly does because our ... our next-door neighbors are foreign countries." Alaska shares a border with Canada. Wow, that's some foreign policy insight. That our next-door neighbors are foreign countries. Alaska shares a border with Canada? I believe that was also a question on 'Are you smarter than a 5th grader?'

You've royally screwed up this country and a lot of the world's economy. Don't you think you've done enough?

So Much Crap, Where's My Shovel?

There is so much crap coming out of the McCain/Republican spin machine that I don't even know where to start or coherently group them. So, I'll just go with the list idea.

- McCain was voted the worst senator in 2007 by the children's defense fund. Their ratings were based on 11 key votes in the senate that had to do with education, children's insurance, and other children related topics.

- McCain vote No 3x since 2001 to fund the Head Start program - Even though in a recent interview he said he would be glad to fully fund it.

- McCain consistently voted to limit the amount of children that can participate in health care plans. Most recently, he support Bush's veto of the expansion that would give most children health insurance.

If you're a parent, is this the kind of person you want up in the White House? Can you really say he cares about you and your family?

- McCain has voted 19 times against raising the minimum wage. After 19 times, he did vote in the most recent bill to raise the minimum wage. That bill of course, was full of funding for the war.

- McCain is a big proponent of privatizing Social Security. Can you imagine what would social security looks like if it was privatized and people invested in wall street? Think that's a good idea now?

- McCain said at the beginning of the campaign that he does not and will not have a dirty mud slinging campaign. Obviously, that was before he got behind in the numbers. Way to keep your word.

- The McCain campaign has a new Ad out on Obama's connection with the former Fannie Mae chief Franklin Raines. Quite the nasty ad. Sadly,

The Washington Post reported -- with the kind of blind sourcing that suggests the source was Raines -- that Raines had "taken calls from Barack Obama's presidential campaign seeking his advice on mortgage and housing policy matters."

Raines said in the statement through the campaign, "I am not an advisor to Barack Obama, nor have I provided his campaign with advice on housing or economic matters."

Just another flat out lie from this campaign. Don't get me started on that ad about Obama wanting to teach sex ed to children crap. Aren't you all tired of this by now?

- Palin has been getting a crash course in foreign policy. This for a woman that has only left North American just once!. This for a woman that claims she has foreign policy credentials because she can see Russia from Alaska. This for a woman that is inches away from becoming the president of the US.

- BTW, where are all those cries of we don't need someone who needs on the job training?

- John McCain's presidential campaign has shielded the first-term Alaska governor for weeks from spontaneous questions from voters and reporters. Is this really the kind of VP you're looking for? Face it, if you're excited by her candidacy, you're not excited by substance, but just superficial crap.

- During the meeting Palin had at the UN, The GOP campaign, applying more restrictive rules on access than even President Bush uses in the White House, banned reporters from the start of the meetings, so as not to risk a question being asked of Palin. Photos of her and diplomats were available though. Isn't that nice?

- Let's talk about this 'Maverick' thing that many of you and McCain are so keen on. From several reports and from McCain himself, they will all tell you that McCain prefers to make decisions quickly and stand by those decisions. You know, make decisions by instinct or by the gut. In case you've forgotten, the current president also makes decisions the same way. See how well that works?

Making decisions quickly and by instinct is very important for a jet fighter pilot and perhaps is fine in the Senate where damages really isn't that big. However, it is not a good attribute for the presidency. When the president make rash decision, and then sticks by them, well, you get what has been going on the last 8 years. 2 wars and an economic recession. Is this what you all want to continue? This making decisions by the gut crap. This is NOT a good thing people.

What the Fuck is wrong with you people?

Once again, what the fuck?

Unless you're trapped under a rock, you may have heard there is a major financial crisis going on in the world. What started in the US with the mortage crisis soon spread to every part of the financial world. Soon, companies that has been around for hundreds of years fell vicitim to this crisis.

Oh, but it didn't stop there. What happened in the US is spreading all around the world. The world is in one of the worse financial situations since WWII. There are millions that have lost so much from their retirement account. So many that have lost their savings.

Let me tell you how this happened. For as long as I remember, the Republican (most of them anyway) have waved the flag of free market. A free market where there were no rules, no checks and regulations. They believed the market will take care of itself.

At the forfront of this was John McCain. For the last 25 years, he has been carrying the flag of less/no regulation for the financial institutions. It was a bill that he sponsored that allowed the banks and investments firms to begin projects that would eventually lead to the housing crisis.

Today, I saw McCain on the campaign trail saying that he will put in regulations for the financial section to prevent these type of things from happening. Really? You want people to believe that you'll be working to put in regulations that you have been working to get rid the last 25 years you've been in congress?

Listen, I expected McCain to change his voice on this. Of course he would. He's running for the presidency. No, my WHAT the Fuck goes to all of you who are thinking of voting for McCain. What the fuck are you people thinking?

Don't you people ever think about things before you decide on something? You hear the Republicans talk about change. Do you not remember who's been in the White House and had the majority in Congress for the last 8 years? So what are they saying exactly when they say change? Are they admitting that they've been fucking up the last 8 years and that we need something different? Are they saying they need to get themselves out of office?

Oh, but the Democrates will tax the really rich. I could become really rich one day and I don't want to be taxed. I hear that a lot as a reason not to vote for Obama. Because he's talking about taxing the super rich and capital gains. First of all, if you're thinking is that you will become really rich one day, you're probably not going to be. I don't think you can fathom how much money some people in this country has.

You think you have a good salary making $100K/Year? You think you might be part of this super rich group? Try making at least 10x more than let's talk. Capital gains taxes? Are you a day trader or something? Do you have a lot of stocks that you move around that's not part of your 401K? No, I didn't think so. That capital gain tax has nothing to do you with.

As recent as just a few days ago, McCain is still saying the financial fundamentals of the country is great, and that its best days are ahead of us. Yes, if you're uber rich, this little crisis probably doesn't bother you too much. Unfortauntly, for the other 99% of the population, this is really fucked up.

Not only is it fucked up in the US, the effects are fucking up around the world.

This is the direct result of McCain's economic ideals, that the markets doesn't need any restrictions. He opened all the doors so wall street can collapse under its own greed. This is what he wanted and fought for the last 25 years. This is the result of his thinking and the extent of economic knowledge. 'Let's just let the market take care of itself' is NOT an economic plan.

Can you really vote for someone that's caused so much damage and hardship to so many millions of people around the world?

Seriously, what the fuck people? Look into these things before you just agree you want to vote for McCain.

I'll predict it now. If McCain wins, we will be even further in debt. There will be a global recession. We will be in another war. Oh, but rest assure. The top 1% who makes millions and millions of dollar a year will get their tax cut from McCain. Cause you know, they're the ones that really need it.

Here we go again


The investigation into Sarah Palin's abuse of power case ran into resistant as the Republicans naturally want to end it or delay it past the election. Even Republicans who supported the "Troopergate" investigation now wants it delays.


Can you really tell me with a straight face that they're NOT doing this solely for political reasons? Screw the law, the law can wait, let's see if she becomes the VP first. What kind of irresponsible behavior is that?


This all from the party that's ran this country for the better part of the last 8 years. What have they done you ask? Oh you of such short memory. We're in 2 wars. Our reputation around the world has been dragged through the mud. We had one of the worst repsonses to a natural diseaster EVER. Our country went from a surplus in buget to the biggest deficit EVER (with most of our money owe to people who doesn't like us). Our financial system is in its worse shape in the last century. Companies that has lasted hundreds of years couldn't survive 8 years of this Republican administration in charge.


So half of you out there are considering voting for ANOTHER VP that wildly abuses their power in the office. Wow. You guys really don't learn do you.

Ultimate Down Under

Last night was my first night of Ultimate Spring League here in Australia. I'm glad that I've been able to find ultimate here. Also, for the first time, I have a friend that went to play as well. I don't think since uni have I know people outside the sport go play with me. So yay for that.

One problem that I can already see is that it's played at fields around suburbs so it's going to be quite difficult to get there without a car. No train lines for me. I may have to learn how to use the bus lines. Bus line and Ferry line. Finally frontier.

I've played around with the idea of a car. They have the ones you can rent for a few hours at a time. There's one that's parked right in front of my apts. I'm still not sure about driving on the wrong side so I'll have to see about that.

Anyway, back to the Aussie ultimate. A lot of it was the same. We started late. The calling card of ultimate. There were a lot of differences though. Overall, I think the level of game play was not as high as it was in Atlanta. It could be that this was the first night or that this was not the big summer league which would bring in more of the good people. I guess this might be good. I looked pretty good out there and I haven't played in a few months.

One very big notable difference was that after the game, each team did cheers for each other. The league in Colorado I was in did that, but I haven't seen it anywhere else. The sportsmenship was very high with both teams huddling up and saying good stuff and cheers for each other. Took me a bit by suprise, but it was totally cool.

I'm going to have to figure out this transportation issue, but other than that, I think this is going to be fun playing ultimate here.

Finally Caved

It's 4am and I can't sleep so I decided to create a facebook page. Yes, I know. I've been fighting it for a while. Well, when you can't sleep you do some stuff you might regret later.

So if you're on there. Let send me an invite.

Why Waste Time When Someone's Already Done It Better?

I've been trying to figure out a way to verbalize this and to find examples of this. I've seen it, I've heard it. Just haven't had the time to find it. Well, thanks to Jon Stewart and The Daily Show, I think they's said it all.

Watch this when you have a bit of time.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=184082

See how fast the tune changes for the Republicans when they run into these issues that they so quickly cast judgement on before.

Can someone tell me what a VP even does?.. that was then. I accept your nomination for VP of the US.. That's now!

Pregger Teens? Blame the Parents, they're pinheads.. that was then. Respect their choice.. That's now!

Whinny female politicans? They should get out of politics if they can't handle the criticism. It's a step backwards for women when they can take a little heat.. That was then. There is a deep rooted sexism going on in the media and this country... That's now!

This government is broken and we need someone to fix it!.. That's now! Umm.. Republicans have had the white house and congress for most of the last 8 years.

How can you not see this well coordinated spin machine? I heard a person they interviewed after Palin's speech, she said 'I really liked her speech. She used small easy to understand words.' What the fuck is wrong with you?! How is that a reason to vote for someone? Why in the world do you want someone like you to be president? You're obviously not that great. Why would you want someone not that great in the White House?

What the hell is this obession with wanting someone 'just like you' or that 'can relate to you' to be the president? This goes to both parties. There are NO political people at this stage of government that's ANYTHING like you or can really relate to you. Unless you have millions of dollars in the bank, several mansions, or a private jet you can put on ebay (can't believe Palin said that in her speech and people cheered). What the fuck are you thinking? Oh, yea, that reminds me of the time I put my private jet on ebay to sell... oh wait. No, that was a used porn dvd. Nevermind.

They're not like you. We need someone that's better than us to run the government. Better is not a bad word, neither is Elite. I believe elite means something like the best. Don't you want the best to be running the government?

Listen. Don't think I just LOVE the Democrate's choice Biden either cause I don't. I've got some serious issues with him. I bet you didn't know this. Biden is on my shit list. That's right. He's one of the people that created and passed the RAVE act. Oh. Biden, you didn't think I'd remember did ya. You think I'd forget with all our brains damaged and no fluid in our spines. Nooooo... I remember. War on drugs my ass.

Still though. It's better than the alternative.

People. Please pay attention. Do your own research. Look at both sides and the real issues. Not just the talking points. Make a good decision Please.

Just Cause I'm Not Living in the Country Anymore.. Doesn't Mean I Can't Bitch

On American Politics.

Funny enough, I get more news here than when I was living in the US.

So, the McCain and the Republicans nominated Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska to be the running mate with John McCain.

Seriously? This is your pick? And you can say with a straight face that this was chosen because she's the best person for the job and not purely for political reason?

Can you say you didn't pick her because she's a woman? The pro-Hillary and scared conservative suburban mom population that you're targeting?

Can you say you didn't pick her because she's insanely conservative? The Christian right that you're so desperately trying to get out and vote? The horribly misguided Anti-Choice population that you want to excite?

Can you say you didn't pick her because she's so pro-big oil and pro-NRA? The population that gives you all your money?

I don't think you say deny any of that.

McCain accused Obama of putting politics before the country first, but I think this choice in a VP truly shows which party could give a rats ass about the country as long as they win.

How about some facts about Palin.

_Palin sought pork-barrel projects for her city and state, contrary to her reformist image. In her earlier career as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Palin hired a lobbyist to help the tiny town secure at least 14 earmarks, worth $27 million between 2000-2003. McCain has touted Palin as a force in his long battle against earmarks. Really?

_Her husband once belonged to a fringe political group in Alaska with some members supporting secession from the United States. I believe there was a war that determined this is not legal.

_A private attorney has been authorized to spend $95,000 to defend her against accusations of abuse of power. The state legislature is investigating whether she had Alaska's public safety commissioner fired after he refused to dismiss a state trooper who had divorced Palin's sister. Yea, that's who we want in the oval office. Someone who will get someone fired for breaking up with her sister.

_She has acknowledged smoking marijuana in the past. Well. I don't give a rat's ass about this.

_Under her leadership this year, Alaska asked for almost $300 per person in requests for pet projects from Stevens, one of McCain's top adversaries. That's more than any other state received, per person, from Congress. Yea, you're really 'outside the system'.

_Bristol Palin's boyfriend, Levi Johnston, plans to join the family of the Republican vice presidential candidate at the GOP convention. Talk about the text book example of a shotgun wedding. Way to go on your Abstinence only education! See how well that works!!!!!!

_This is probably the most angering one. Palin opposed the U.S. government's listing of a variety of animals as endangered, including the polar bear and the beluga whale, both of which inhabit areas also rich in oil and natural gas. There is just no excuse for this. You want to hunt, go hunt a human. Leave these animals alone just cause you want to get rich off the oil that's in that space.

How well versed do you think Palin is on foreign affairs? Sticking up for Palin, a commentator on Fox News says that she governs Alaska which is really close to Russia. She must know how to deal with them. WTF? How are you still a channel?

"If you can take on Ted Stevens and that crowd in Alaska, you can handle the Russians," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C, told ABC News this week. Do you even know where Russia is? Have you read anything in the news lately about Russia? They're going to overtake China as the scariest country in the world. They're no joke. They're the real thing.

You want to vote for someone like that? Someone that may have a good chance of becoming the most powerful person in the world? If you do, all these jokes I hear about Americans are probably all your fault.

The Apt, the Apt, the Apt is on fire...

Here's a funny story.

I was doing laundry Saturday morning.

The laundry room is right next door to mine. I was going in and out all morning. I went out one more time to see if I left anything in one of the machines and as soon I went in the laundry room, I hear a click.

Shit.

I've been in and out all morning and the door's never closed on me. What the hell? I just locked myself out. To add to the problem, I just put something on the stove, so I've got something cooking. If I don't get back in there soon, I'm going to burn the place down.

I've lived here for a week, and I'm going to burn the place down. Great.

I wasn't sure what to do. I knocked on one of my neighbor's door. This old dude in a robe came to answer the door. I told him the situation. This is what he said as a solution in all seriousness. Is your balcony door unlocked? Good. Go up to the apt above and jump from the balcony into my apt. You can hang from the bottom of the balcony and then swing yourself onto yours. Just don't let go.

I'm like what? Are you insane? I'm 8 floors up! I'm not Jackie Chan.

He said fine, looking a bit disappointed.

I remember my realtor works on sat sometimes so I gave her a call. Luckily, she was there. She said to come by the office and grab the key. I was a bit relieved as I'm only about a mile away from her office.

Then I remembered. Since I'm doing laundry, I'm barefoot and in my pajamas and a white t shirt. For those of you that knows me, my usual outfit.

I didn't really have a choice, and time was of the essence with food on the stove. I just started sprinting up to the office. The office is on this section of the road that has tons of cafes. It's brunch time, and everyone's out eating on the patio. Brunch is very big here.

So everyone's enjoying their leisurely meal when up comes a half dressed guy sprinting pass them. I bet there was some good conversations that got started from that. You guys can probably all imagine what that scene looked like.

Good news is that I got the key and ran back and the place hasn't burned down yet. The smoke detector hasn't even gone off yet (I know the smoke detector is very sensitive cause I've set it off a couple of times already).

I'm going to go make a copy of my key and hide it somewhere. I'll tape it behind something along with a gun, passports, and some cash and be all James Bond like.

That was just what happened before noon.

Next time, what I was doing till 4am later that night. Just as a teaser, there were 4 bars, some crazy lady, and a random warehouse party involved.

Till next time!