I’m adding to this post because I recently read on The Huffington Post that retired General Wesley Clark is also claiming that John McCain’s military experience is not enough for a commander-in-chief.
Hmmm…that’s a good point, especially because his presumptive opponent has such an extensive military background. Oh, wait. I forgot. The presumptive democratic nominee is Barack Obama. Does he have any military experience? At all?
Nope, voting against the war in Iraq does not count. Especially because Obama didn’t. Because he wasn’t in the US Senate for that vote. He was still a state senator in the Land of Lincoln.
If you want to talk about lack of experience, well, bring it on.
Monday, June 30, 2008
McCain Scandalmongers Should Have Their Mouths Washed Out With Soap
Whoa, you guys went too far.
Recently, the anti-conservative bloggers (to say they are liberal would be an insult to my many intelligent liberal friends; I’ll just call them morons) at CounterPunch and Americablog questioned Senator John McCain’s accomplishments in the US Navy. One story on Americablog asks “besides being tortured, what did John McCain do to excel in the military?”
I’m amazed the author was allowed to print these unsubstantiated claims with no real evidence to back up his bad-mouthing.
After nearly a year of combat experience, McCain survived five and a half years of brutal imprisonment in North Vietnam. If that’s not enough military clout for you, how about this. McCain reached the rank of captain before his retirement from the Navy and has earned both the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.
After returning from war, McCain became the commanding officer of a training squadron in Florida. Under his command, the previously undistinguished unit went on to win the Meritorious Unit Commendation. He does, in fact, have leadership and command experience in the Navy.
I’m not so much disgusted that the bloggers are trying to taint the reputation of an American hero as I am insulted that they did it without first researching his record.
The counterpunch newsletter draws points from Doug Valentine’s book The Phoenix Program: A Story of Fishing, Fame and Fortune.
If Valentine’s book suggests, as one excerpt implies, that “after three or four days he [McCain] cracked” he should be sued. Seriously, you didn’t want to skim through Wikipedia before writing that? Do a little fact-checking before printing more lies.
McCain was imprisoned for TWO YEARS before agreeing to make an anti-American propaganda video. He was beaten repeatedly the last four days when the North Vietnamese learned his father was named commander of US forces in Vietnam. I would probably have made any kind of video they wanted.
McCain’s injuries left permanent damage. Yeah, it sounds like he totally cooperated with the North Vietnamese. They sure went easy on him.
If you hate facts, or aren’t a fan of logic, check out the stories:
http://www.americablog.com/2008/06/honestly-besides-being-tortured-what.html
http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn04192008.html
Recently, the anti-conservative bloggers (to say they are liberal would be an insult to my many intelligent liberal friends; I’ll just call them morons) at CounterPunch and Americablog questioned Senator John McCain’s accomplishments in the US Navy. One story on Americablog asks “besides being tortured, what did John McCain do to excel in the military?”
I’m amazed the author was allowed to print these unsubstantiated claims with no real evidence to back up his bad-mouthing.
After nearly a year of combat experience, McCain survived five and a half years of brutal imprisonment in North Vietnam. If that’s not enough military clout for you, how about this. McCain reached the rank of captain before his retirement from the Navy and has earned both the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.
After returning from war, McCain became the commanding officer of a training squadron in Florida. Under his command, the previously undistinguished unit went on to win the Meritorious Unit Commendation. He does, in fact, have leadership and command experience in the Navy.
I’m not so much disgusted that the bloggers are trying to taint the reputation of an American hero as I am insulted that they did it without first researching his record.
The counterpunch newsletter draws points from Doug Valentine’s book The Phoenix Program: A Story of Fishing, Fame and Fortune.
If Valentine’s book suggests, as one excerpt implies, that “after three or four days he [McCain] cracked” he should be sued. Seriously, you didn’t want to skim through Wikipedia before writing that? Do a little fact-checking before printing more lies.
McCain was imprisoned for TWO YEARS before agreeing to make an anti-American propaganda video. He was beaten repeatedly the last four days when the North Vietnamese learned his father was named commander of US forces in Vietnam. I would probably have made any kind of video they wanted.
McCain’s injuries left permanent damage. Yeah, it sounds like he totally cooperated with the North Vietnamese. They sure went easy on him.
If you hate facts, or aren’t a fan of logic, check out the stories:
http://www.americablog.com/2008/06/honestly-besides-being-tortured-what.html
http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn04192008.html
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Panty Party Goes Awry
Macrida Patterson, what was your cornea doing so close to your G-string? Underwear does not go on your head.
Patterson recently filed a products liability suit against Victoria's Secret because she allegedly suffered permanent injuries while putting on one of their V-strings (it's a G-string that you buy at VS). The most ludicrous part is that she filed an unlimited civil case, meaning she is seeking damages in excess of $25,000.
But she's not seeking punitive damages, so that $25,000+ is all compensatory. That's a pretty hefty bill for a poke in the eye.
Based on 30-seconds of Internet research, I would estimate that an ER visit, including doctors and nurses fee, some serious meds (like Morphine) for the pain, lab tests and maybe a visit to Radiology just for good measure, will set you back about $4,000 to $5,000.
As for wage losses, that couldn't be more than another $3,000 to $4,000 -- and that's assuming the L.A. DOT employee was out of work for weeks after this tragedy. So Patterson is seeking $16,000 to $18,000 in "general damages", which hopefully covers treatment for her general stupidity.
I can only imagine how a metal staple managed to fly off of a thong and hit someone in the eye. My best guess is that Patterson may have tried to squeeze into a pair that was too small. Unfortunately, the court may find this was reasonably foreseeable on the part of VS. We girls have been trying to squeeze into the next size down for years. If that is the case, VS could potentially be liable for negligence (in a totally ridiculous way).
We can only hope that the court recognizes how absurd this suit is, and that the judge laughs in Patterson's permanently-injured face.
Patterson recently filed a products liability suit against Victoria's Secret because she allegedly suffered permanent injuries while putting on one of their V-strings (it's a G-string that you buy at VS). The most ludicrous part is that she filed an unlimited civil case, meaning she is seeking damages in excess of $25,000.
But she's not seeking punitive damages, so that $25,000+ is all compensatory. That's a pretty hefty bill for a poke in the eye.
Based on 30-seconds of Internet research, I would estimate that an ER visit, including doctors and nurses fee, some serious meds (like Morphine) for the pain, lab tests and maybe a visit to Radiology just for good measure, will set you back about $4,000 to $5,000.
As for wage losses, that couldn't be more than another $3,000 to $4,000 -- and that's assuming the L.A. DOT employee was out of work for weeks after this tragedy. So Patterson is seeking $16,000 to $18,000 in "general damages", which hopefully covers treatment for her general stupidity.
I can only imagine how a metal staple managed to fly off of a thong and hit someone in the eye. My best guess is that Patterson may have tried to squeeze into a pair that was too small. Unfortunately, the court may find this was reasonably foreseeable on the part of VS. We girls have been trying to squeeze into the next size down for years. If that is the case, VS could potentially be liable for negligence (in a totally ridiculous way).
We can only hope that the court recognizes how absurd this suit is, and that the judge laughs in Patterson's permanently-injured face.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Random Thoughts
*I believe I stumbled upon the true definition of irony on Feb. 28, the day I got laid off from my reporting gig: I was wearing my underwear that say "most likely to succeed" across the ass. I since found a new job, thank God, but am scared to wear the underwear again. I'm also staying away from the ones that say "USA is #1." The consequences could be dire. (I haven't ever actually seen such underwear, but I'm sure they exist somewhere; perhaps in a back alley Republican Erotica store.)
*Hearing smooth jazz now makes me crave Panera. Seriously. I was sitting in a colleague's office when I heard a trumpet melody floating over some bass, and BAM! I was mentally transported to my local Panera Bread, ready to eat a tasty (albeit overpriced) salad and sandwich. And, of course, bus my own dishes afterward. What a weird Pavlovian response.
*The American economy has seen better days. Things are looking pretty grim right now with skyrocketing oil prices, plummeting home sales, shrinking consumer confidence and oh so many foreclosures. That last one makes me sincerely hope that Americans learn the lesson that I have known since, I dunno, kindergarten: Don't spend money you don't have!!! The same could be screamed at Ben Bernukanakie (too lazy to look up his last name) who continues to throw around federal money that, oh yeah, we don't actually have. Hooray debt!
*On a similar economic note, people of all states and all industries are losing their jobs as of late. I spent the last four weeks unemployed and it was possibly the most depressing month of my life, but I'm soooo grateful I was able to find a new, enjoyable job so quickly. I hope that other people, particularly those with families and homes and more bills, are able to do so as well.
*Hearing smooth jazz now makes me crave Panera. Seriously. I was sitting in a colleague's office when I heard a trumpet melody floating over some bass, and BAM! I was mentally transported to my local Panera Bread, ready to eat a tasty (albeit overpriced) salad and sandwich. And, of course, bus my own dishes afterward. What a weird Pavlovian response.
*The American economy has seen better days. Things are looking pretty grim right now with skyrocketing oil prices, plummeting home sales, shrinking consumer confidence and oh so many foreclosures. That last one makes me sincerely hope that Americans learn the lesson that I have known since, I dunno, kindergarten: Don't spend money you don't have!!! The same could be screamed at Ben Bernukanakie (too lazy to look up his last name) who continues to throw around federal money that, oh yeah, we don't actually have. Hooray debt!
*On a similar economic note, people of all states and all industries are losing their jobs as of late. I spent the last four weeks unemployed and it was possibly the most depressing month of my life, but I'm soooo grateful I was able to find a new, enjoyable job so quickly. I hope that other people, particularly those with families and homes and more bills, are able to do so as well.
Friday, February 1, 2008
One of those weeks...
This has been quite a week. Monday, I got in a car accident. Tuesday, Johan Santana was traded to the Mets. Wednesday, the prettiest and my personal favorite presidential candidate, John Edwards, dropped out of the race. Thursday, the Oceanic 815 survivors split into two camps on the island. Friday ... well, nothing has gone wrong yet, unless you count the fact that I have to sit in my windowless office for eight hours.
There are two ways to proceed from such a series of events: One, I will drink this weekend. Two, I believe next week will be better. Let's be honest, both are inevitable.
So Monday, I was driving to work and some idiot SOB changed lanes into me. It was my first real car accident and, as some might say, it scared the semen out of me. (When I was 18 I rear-ended someone back home in MN, but I don't count that because my car was worthless and I was stupid). We exchanged insurance info, and when the man and his BS crazy wife drove away, I discovered that I'd locked my keys in my newly dented car. Luckily, a kind man named Beto from the nearby transmission shop jimmied open my door. Anyway, I've spent all week dealing with insurance crap and trying to sort out what I should do with my dented but drivable car, while also cursing the man in the Impala (who, to avoid litigation, I will not name).
Moving on, Tuesday was another bum day when I found out that Johan Santana, the pitcher for my beloved Minnesota Twins, was traded to the Mets (that's right, I follow sports). Although not notoriously dominant like some sports teams, the Twins are always good, and they've been particularly strong in recent years thanks to players like Santana, Mauer, Morneau and the now traded Hunter and Jones. We'll find someone to replace Santana, but I don't really get baseball trades in general. I know this isn't how the game (or life) works, but I feel like there should be a stronger sense of loyalty between players and teams. Perhaps even, dare I say it, love... But between the ginormous paychecks and rampant drug use, I think love left the game a long time ago.
After coming to terms with the trade, I awoke Wednesday to news that the dashing and inspiring John Edwards was calling it quits. Though consistently lagging in polls and fund-raising, I thought Edwards really stood a chance. He seemed like the most logical choice for the democratic nominee, but was brushed aside for the more novel celebrity candidates. I went through the normal stages of grief (denial, anger, punching my boss, passing out drunk, acceptance) and even wrote John a nice note on his web site. I think now I'll be an Obama backer. I can't get on board with any Republicans, because I can't vote for anyone who supports staying in the Iraq Cluster F---. I also pretty much despise shady Hillary. Thus, I'm left with Obama, who at least has taken a page out of Edwards's populist handbook.
Thursday was really not terrible. I'd been looking forward to more "Lost" since the trippy season 3 finale last May, and thankfully the season 4 premiere was great. It left us with more questions than ever (who else is in the Oceanic 6? was John with Jacob? who's on the freighter?) but that was expected. I really hope they get the damn writers' strike wrapped up, not so people can go back to earning a living but so that I don't have to wait even longer for more of the wild and crazy "Lost" antics.
For a downer post, this was certainly lengthy. Luckily there are only about 2 or 3 hours left of the work week. And -- brace yourself for some amazing news -- the Save the Sexy bloggers will be reunited this weekend in Los Angeles. Fun times, revelry and perhaps some illegal activities will surely ensue.
There are two ways to proceed from such a series of events: One, I will drink this weekend. Two, I believe next week will be better. Let's be honest, both are inevitable.
So Monday, I was driving to work and some idiot SOB changed lanes into me. It was my first real car accident and, as some might say, it scared the semen out of me. (When I was 18 I rear-ended someone back home in MN, but I don't count that because my car was worthless and I was stupid). We exchanged insurance info, and when the man and his BS crazy wife drove away, I discovered that I'd locked my keys in my newly dented car. Luckily, a kind man named Beto from the nearby transmission shop jimmied open my door. Anyway, I've spent all week dealing with insurance crap and trying to sort out what I should do with my dented but drivable car, while also cursing the man in the Impala (who, to avoid litigation, I will not name).
Moving on, Tuesday was another bum day when I found out that Johan Santana, the pitcher for my beloved Minnesota Twins, was traded to the Mets (that's right, I follow sports). Although not notoriously dominant like some sports teams, the Twins are always good, and they've been particularly strong in recent years thanks to players like Santana, Mauer, Morneau and the now traded Hunter and Jones. We'll find someone to replace Santana, but I don't really get baseball trades in general. I know this isn't how the game (or life) works, but I feel like there should be a stronger sense of loyalty between players and teams. Perhaps even, dare I say it, love... But between the ginormous paychecks and rampant drug use, I think love left the game a long time ago.
After coming to terms with the trade, I awoke Wednesday to news that the dashing and inspiring John Edwards was calling it quits. Though consistently lagging in polls and fund-raising, I thought Edwards really stood a chance. He seemed like the most logical choice for the democratic nominee, but was brushed aside for the more novel celebrity candidates. I went through the normal stages of grief (denial, anger, punching my boss, passing out drunk, acceptance) and even wrote John a nice note on his web site. I think now I'll be an Obama backer. I can't get on board with any Republicans, because I can't vote for anyone who supports staying in the Iraq Cluster F---. I also pretty much despise shady Hillary. Thus, I'm left with Obama, who at least has taken a page out of Edwards's populist handbook.
Thursday was really not terrible. I'd been looking forward to more "Lost" since the trippy season 3 finale last May, and thankfully the season 4 premiere was great. It left us with more questions than ever (who else is in the Oceanic 6? was John with Jacob? who's on the freighter?) but that was expected. I really hope they get the damn writers' strike wrapped up, not so people can go back to earning a living but so that I don't have to wait even longer for more of the wild and crazy "Lost" antics.
For a downer post, this was certainly lengthy. Luckily there are only about 2 or 3 hours left of the work week. And -- brace yourself for some amazing news -- the Save the Sexy bloggers will be reunited this weekend in Los Angeles. Fun times, revelry and perhaps some illegal activities will surely ensue.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Iowa Caucus Ruckus
The Presidential primary election is starting to resemble a three-ring circus; it's full of clowns.
Yesterday, Mike Huckabee won 34 percent of the republican vote in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucus. People seem to like Huckabee because he has a proud religious background and sticks to his ideals. It's the same kind of mentality that elected Bush in 2000, when the White House was ripe with personal scandal and the issue that drove voters was electing a leader with good moral character. But good moral character without experience or knowledge makes for poor leadership. A president, ideally, should have both.
It's important for a leader to be able to admit when he or she is wrong – a trait our current commander-in-chief seems to lack. So I applaud Mitt Romney for his willingness to change his opinion on an issue like abortion. But Romney has changed his political stance on more than one issue, one more than one occasion, throughout his political career. We can't afford to elect someone who's wrong that often.
I was glad to see Rudy Giuliani's sixth place finish in Iowa. The only candidate, democrat or republican, who could do worse by this country than Bush is Giuliani. I can't even believe that he's still capturing the top spot on national republican polls. He's the former mayor of New York City. Seriously? He's still a candidate? My plumber has more foreign policy experience.
Barack Obama won 38 percent of the democratic vote in Iowa. Like Huckabee, Obama appeals to our optimistic side with his message of hope, pledge to change the world and bipartisan record. He talks a pretty big game for someone who was a mere state senator until 2005. I don't doubt his intelligence, only the scope of his experience in office. Degrees from Columbia and Harvard don't forgive inexperience, and book smarts can't replace practical knowledge. With four or eight more years of experience in the US Senate, Obama could become a viable candidate. But for now, what is he doing?
I won't rip on John Edwards too much because I know RJo is a supporter. I guess I just can't get behind a candidate once I know they spend $400 on haircuts. Especially if that candidate is a dude.
The only fair election would be one with Hilary Clinton as the democratic candidate and John McCain running as the republican. Everything else is just a joke. Sure, Clinton can be polarizing, and McCain is older than dirt. But varied personal and professional experiences are what prepare a future president to react to the challenges he or she will face while in office. Regardless of your opinion on their politics, you can't deny that Clinton and McCain are the most experienced candidates.
A lot of candidates build their platforms on promises that appeal to the idealist in us all, but they'll never be able to deliver. Not because they lie, necessarily, but because even our most cynical politicians are too naïve for the office of President.
They promise lower taxes, and inevitably raise them. Washington outsiders think they can, in addition to the daily demands of their office, reform all three branches of government. Career businessmen believe they'll be able to run Washington like a Fortune 500 company. They even have detailed plans outlining their strategy for success.
But the president, influential as the position may be, can't change the world on his or her own. And our founding fathers created a near-bullet proof constitution designed to make our government run slower than molasses. They feared monarch-like rulers who could shape the laws to suite their personal tastes. That's why we have three branches of government and that's why we have checks and balances.
Iowa is just the first stop on a long and bumpy road to the White House. America's attention now turns to the Granite State, where its first-in-the-nation primary will be held Jan. 8. Happy voting, New Hampshire!
Yesterday, Mike Huckabee won 34 percent of the republican vote in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucus. People seem to like Huckabee because he has a proud religious background and sticks to his ideals. It's the same kind of mentality that elected Bush in 2000, when the White House was ripe with personal scandal and the issue that drove voters was electing a leader with good moral character. But good moral character without experience or knowledge makes for poor leadership. A president, ideally, should have both.
It's important for a leader to be able to admit when he or she is wrong – a trait our current commander-in-chief seems to lack. So I applaud Mitt Romney for his willingness to change his opinion on an issue like abortion. But Romney has changed his political stance on more than one issue, one more than one occasion, throughout his political career. We can't afford to elect someone who's wrong that often.
I was glad to see Rudy Giuliani's sixth place finish in Iowa. The only candidate, democrat or republican, who could do worse by this country than Bush is Giuliani. I can't even believe that he's still capturing the top spot on national republican polls. He's the former mayor of New York City. Seriously? He's still a candidate? My plumber has more foreign policy experience.
Barack Obama won 38 percent of the democratic vote in Iowa. Like Huckabee, Obama appeals to our optimistic side with his message of hope, pledge to change the world and bipartisan record. He talks a pretty big game for someone who was a mere state senator until 2005. I don't doubt his intelligence, only the scope of his experience in office. Degrees from Columbia and Harvard don't forgive inexperience, and book smarts can't replace practical knowledge. With four or eight more years of experience in the US Senate, Obama could become a viable candidate. But for now, what is he doing?
I won't rip on John Edwards too much because I know RJo is a supporter. I guess I just can't get behind a candidate once I know they spend $400 on haircuts. Especially if that candidate is a dude.
The only fair election would be one with Hilary Clinton as the democratic candidate and John McCain running as the republican. Everything else is just a joke. Sure, Clinton can be polarizing, and McCain is older than dirt. But varied personal and professional experiences are what prepare a future president to react to the challenges he or she will face while in office. Regardless of your opinion on their politics, you can't deny that Clinton and McCain are the most experienced candidates.
A lot of candidates build their platforms on promises that appeal to the idealist in us all, but they'll never be able to deliver. Not because they lie, necessarily, but because even our most cynical politicians are too naïve for the office of President.
They promise lower taxes, and inevitably raise them. Washington outsiders think they can, in addition to the daily demands of their office, reform all three branches of government. Career businessmen believe they'll be able to run Washington like a Fortune 500 company. They even have detailed plans outlining their strategy for success.
But the president, influential as the position may be, can't change the world on his or her own. And our founding fathers created a near-bullet proof constitution designed to make our government run slower than molasses. They feared monarch-like rulers who could shape the laws to suite their personal tastes. That's why we have three branches of government and that's why we have checks and balances.
Iowa is just the first stop on a long and bumpy road to the White House. America's attention now turns to the Granite State, where its first-in-the-nation primary will be held Jan. 8. Happy voting, New Hampshire!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
I need TV, stat!!
Is it just me, or is every episode of "ER" the BIGGEST EPISODE EVER? The show just had its 300th episode last month, and I'm pretty sure 280 of them were billed as being "groundbreaking" or "very touching" or "freakin awesome." Yeah, I know there's that thing called advertising, but at this point NBC is like the boy who cried wolf -- I'm pretty sure each episode is just going to include some inner-office romances, a cancer patient and a flatliner. Maybe the guy who writes their ads has some sort of disease that causes him to speak only in hyperbole.
Ad guy's wife: "How was your day, honey?"
Ad guy: "Absolutely unbelievably fabulous!"
Ad guy's kid: "Look at the picture I drew today at school."
Ad guy: "You did a fantastic job of capturing dog poo! This is earth shattering!"
Ad guy's kid: "Umm it's supposed to be a unicorn."
Now if they had THAT disease on the show, I might consider tuning in. Unfortunately, we won't be getting new episodes of "ER" or anything else for awhile, due to the damn writers' strike. Personally, I'm getting pretty sick of this nonsense. It's gone on for so long that I can't remember what the issues are. I'm not exactly sure, but I want to blame the terrorists...
Ad guy's wife: "How was your day, honey?"
Ad guy: "Absolutely unbelievably fabulous!"
Ad guy's kid: "Look at the picture I drew today at school."
Ad guy: "You did a fantastic job of capturing dog poo! This is earth shattering!"
Ad guy's kid: "Umm it's supposed to be a unicorn."
Now if they had THAT disease on the show, I might consider tuning in. Unfortunately, we won't be getting new episodes of "ER" or anything else for awhile, due to the damn writers' strike. Personally, I'm getting pretty sick of this nonsense. It's gone on for so long that I can't remember what the issues are. I'm not exactly sure, but I want to blame the terrorists...
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