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February 25, 2008
Obamavangelist
UPDATE: In regard to Obama's middle name, I think the Obama campaign should make a pun of it:
Who's Sayin' Obama? We're Sayin' Obama!
Long time readers know that when I get involved in a cause, I invest fully. For me, it's all or nothing; although in the case of the current (seemingly endless) presidential primary campaign, it was much easier for me to express what I didn't like than what I favored.
Not anymore.
Six months ago, if you had told me that Senator Barack Obama would be the frontrunner or, gasp, even the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate by late February, I would have disregarded your idea as preposterous. I was an unbeliever, disillusioned almost completely that any real change could occur after the Democrats' majority win in November (for which I stayed up watching the returns on television until the wee hours) proved to be impotent and irrelevant. What faith could I have in another Democratic candidate? What faith could I have in the American people after five, six years of their chronic apathy?
Oh, me of little faith.
Obama snuck up on me, slowly winning me over with his idealism, his sincerity, his well-crafted (and often original) speeches delivered in an artful rhythmic cadence that flawlessly lent itself to music, that inspired hope, wonder, optimism; a message that inspired art.
As a writer, he knows words matter. Of course words matter. Wasn't it written "In the beginning was the Word?" We know as students of history that words become actions that change the world. The energy upon which the Obama wave is riding is unstoppable now. Not because it's based on false hope or vainglorious chimera, but because it's based on desire: a nearly universal need for change.
At a Clinton rally in Youngstown recently, one of the union presidents had this to say about the Obama supporters:
"Give me a break! I've got news for all the latte-drinking, Prius- driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies crowding in to hear him speak! This guy won't last a round against the Republican attack machine. He's a poet, not a fighter."
Funny thing, I have only ever had a latte twice in my life, and both this month. I enjoyed a cinnamon dulce latte to warm up at lunch during one of the several very cold days we had recently. I prefer my coffee unsweetened and without cream. For the record, I have never owned a pair of Birkenstocks and may not even recognize them if I see them (versus a knockoff), and I am only slightly ashamed (but not terribly) that I know nothing of popular culture beyond Disney, and would not know an American Idol from Billy Idol. I would like to have a hybrid car someday, but I believe it is even more economical to keep the car I own for as long as possible.
I'm sure I share that misfit demographic with many an Obamavangelist, a Clinton supporter or a few million Republicans.
After seven-plus years of bloody war, I guess it never occurred to the Clinton Camp that a poet is just what we need right now. And what good has all this so-called "experience" brought us? How much experience do the current Senators and Congresspersons in Washington collectively claim? What have they accomplished? Frankly, I think most of the "experienced" members of Congress should be fired. Adios. Out of the pool.
Ralph Nader announced his candidacy yesterday like a fallen satellite. Why? Who’s behind this nonsense? I’m the FIRST person in line to promote a third party candidacy, a viable third party or fourth party. I have been a big advocate of multi-parties since I was but a junior political scientist back in 1984. But, now? What good does a third party candidacy, designed to ultimately take votes from the Democrats, serve at this point?.
In some ways, Obama's is a third party. Hillary represents the weak, capitulating, spineless Democrats, McCain the losing Republicans and the Old Guard (good riddance), and Obama the clean slate of a new progressive party.
Can we change Washington? I've been telling you for years that you have all the power. I'm volunteering to get out the vote here in Ohio next week. Do your part.
Comments
I agree with everything you've said.
A Clinton supporter was wondering to me that maybe the Repugnicans were secretly pushing Obama so that McCain could ride the racism vote into office.
I guess he could just as easily ride the sexism vote, though.
I think Nader was a major money wrench in the machinery last time. I wish he would keep out of it and stick to car safety.
Posted by: vero | February 25, 2008 10:57 PM
Yeah, the theory is that McPain will run a better race against the black muslim than the witch. I intend to vote for Obomber, myself in the TX primary and for some independent in the Fall.
Posted by: Captain Joe | February 25, 2008 11:39 PM
Go Loretta! A great piece of writing.
Hiya Captain. Up to your old nonsense again, I see. You are still my best male Misfit, though. Hope all is going well on the home front.
Posted by: Mgt | February 26, 2008 03:50 AM
Looks like the witch will fight it all the way to the convention, though. Looks like Denver will be like Chicago in 1968. The witch will be leading the riot.
Posted by: Captain Joe | February 26, 2008 09:16 AM
Back to cleavage and tears again, I guess. I hope the witch stays away from that cackle, though.
Posted by: Captain Joe | February 26, 2008 10:14 AM
http://www.nsnetwork.org/node/253
If you don't have time to read Glenn Greenwald every day on Salon, this letter explains the debacle on the FISA argument vis a vis the PAA amendment.
McConnell has uber interest in protecting the telecoms. It's purely greed once again. *sigh*
I can't wait until November.
Posted by: loretta | February 26, 2008 08:12 PM
Eww, I think Hillary is behaving badly. Obama is letting her hang herself. Wise man.
Posted by: mgt | February 27, 2008 10:19 AM
Hillary's toast. Obomber is cleaning her clock. The Repubs will go enmass to the primaries and vote for the n..., er, colored guy, cause they ain't got no contest on their side, and any time you can stake a witch, do it.
Posted by: Captain Joe | February 27, 2008 07:16 PM
Bad day, Captain? Our hostess is going to wrap your knuckles. Behave!
Posted by: mgt | February 28, 2008 03:39 AM
I am back from babyland, sniff. I had an e-mail today asking me to man a phone bank in CA to make 250,000 calls to TX. Unfortunately, there is not one in this county. He also has hit the million person mark of individual contributors before his deadline of March 4. I was for him from the beginning he beguiled this pollytix-jaundiced cynic. He is indeed a rejuvenating breathe of fresh air. All of my appendages are crossed.
Posted by: moi | February 28, 2008 06:43 PM
Wot the hail? Ten (10) countem comments here? Verschtain and ridiculous.
If someone not in Texas or Ohio wants to Obamarate:
Find a phonebank location near you and sign up:
http://my.barackobama.com/CAcallTX
Durrit. I already offered my own phone for my county.
Posted by: moi | March 1, 2008 02:33 AM
Those Hillary basturds are already phoning me with push-pull polls from out of state, and I ain't even a Demonrat. So I'll vote for Orthello, instead.
Posted by: Captain Joe | March 2, 2008 12:37 PM
Hill is suffering what I jokingly call "Giuliani Syndrome."
The more people see her, the less they like her.
Rudy was all the rage until people started seeing him, listening to him, and gradually being appalled.
The closer we got the worse he looked. Same with HRC: the closer we get, the worse she looks.
Posted by: loretta | March 2, 2008 01:55 PM
how come hrc still refuses ro turn over past tax returns ... oh and cap ... me thinks you need to seek psychiatrich help pronto ,,, I've seen your posts on other boards of peeps i care about. you are a perv * 1,000
Posted by: Anonymous | March 2, 2008 08:08 PM
Wail, I am here to tell you that the texas Obama website (the one for phoning to remind people to vote and ask if they know where to vote and to ask them to go to the caucus) was in overload today and I couldn't even sign on. I will do my calls tomorrow. There have already been over a million calls made. I spent yesterday reviewing the script and then it was too late to intrude with a foam call. I will make mine at 2 pee em Texas time and leave a massage if necessary. Hasta manana, and Loretta you must come into the kitchen for a cuppa joe. (not capn)
Posted by: moi | March 2, 2008 10:17 PM
The good captain needs to lay off the koolaid...
Posted by: vero | March 3, 2008 09:50 AM
What in Hale is a perv* 1,000? I resemble that remark.
Posted by: Captain Joe | March 3, 2008 06:43 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/books/04fake.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th
Well, at least this one was discovered as a fake before Oprah had her on the show.
Stunning.....
Posted by: loretta | March 4, 2008 07:50 AM
I think there are a lot of people out there who will vote for either Hillary or Barack.
As long as it's against McCain.
Posted by: vero | March 4, 2008 09:29 AM
Hillary won RI, Ohio and Texas last night. Yee Haw!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | March 5, 2008 08:29 AM
Gosh. News flash. Thanksm Anonymous.
The numbers are troubling for Hill.
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1719614,00.html
She's pretty much toast. It's all over but the shoutin', as the southern folks say.
Posted by: loretta | March 5, 2008 08:32 AM
Loretta,
Jonathan Alter has been singing that song for sometime. "Hillary has a Math Problems." "Hillary should step down".....in his dreams and I guess yours too. She won Ohio!
Posted by: Anonymous | March 5, 2008 09:11 AM
I guess time will tell.
Seeya in April.
Posted by: loretta | March 5, 2008 09:13 AM
Even the inept (and faintly smelling of urine) members of the campaign press agree that the differences between Clinton’s and Obama’s platforms are immaterial at best. Meanwhile, no one can deny the increasing spiritual chasm that separates the two candidates; a widening yawn between the Clintonistas: grim, angry Boomers, and gray, angrier, avuncular women in the twilight of their frustrated lives, both ideas and bodies desiccated and deserted - versus the Obamaniacs: untainted, young, vital, hopeful, idealistic Tweeners, X, and Y generations and Boomers with a clue.
This has been and will remain the politics of personality and while Bill Clinton may have charmed the socks off most folks at any given time, his wife will not. I just hope this can be solved before the convention or I fear many of the Obama supporters will sit out the election. Seeing as many of those are kids, that would be a crying shame.
Posted by: loretta | March 5, 2008 07:56 PM
I don't like the look of McCain. He looks like a turtle.
Posted by: Mgt | March 6, 2008 11:04 AM
erstwhile
bipp of bill reminds moi way too much of the republican
bill, the spender and the also sociopath perpetrator of the first marriage. Big spender and also the lip sync and the lip service. Hilliaray knows his past presseent and future and she knows that he is a loser. My first is also a loser and a liar pants on fiar. Please don't vote for liars or those who support them. xcrips. xxoomoi
Posted by: moi | March 6, 2008 10:25 PM
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080306.NAFTA06/TPStory/National
NAFTA/Candada Bruhaha Was from Clintonistas
Why doesn’t this surprise me?
I know I know….moratorium.
Posted by: loretta | March 6, 2008 10:27 PM
Loretta, this campaign is going to be so long and nasty that I am bean an ostrich as much as possible, or I might blow a gasket. Not a pretty site. If I and the bystanders are lucky, I would just shoot a clot to muh oldt brain and begone with moi. Soddy to be morose. This just brings out the jaundice/bile/vitriol-thereof and makes moi read escapist novels.
Meanwhile, surely I can survive long enough for the next granchirren to come for 2 weeks march 19. We will not speak pollytix. That daughter is a Repewklican. Where did I go wrong...
Posted by: moi | March 7, 2008 09:53 PM
Mgt, McCain is an old man. He is just a hair away from senility and if histoire teaches us anything, it is that we don't need another president who lies or one who has alzheimers. Good on yew and hope to catch you when I am not so raggedly run and off the line.
Posted by: moi | March 7, 2008 10:07 PM
"no one can deny the increasing spiritual chasm that separates the two candidates; a widening yawn between the Clintonistas: grim, angry Boomers, and gray, angrier, avuncular women in the twilight of their frustrated lives, both ideas and bodies desiccated and deserted - versus the Obamaniacs: untainted, young, vital, hopeful, idealistic Tweeners, X, and Y generations and Boomers with a clue."
You know what? Either one of them is better that the Repugnican candidate, who is just another Bushie clone.
I prefer Obama, but I am increasingly irritated by the specious characterization of the supporters of both Obama and Hillary.
I don't like pigeonholes. And yet, in some ways I fit into the "gray, avuncular women" category, suffering from creative frustration and lacking a partner in life.
Doesn't make me prefer Hillary, though.
Posted by: vero | March 8, 2008 09:59 AM
Geez, Vero, you ain't the right gender to be avunclar.
avuncular
adjective
1. resembling a uncle in kindness or indulgence
2. being or relating to an uncle
Posted by: Captain Joe | March 8, 2008 09:08 PM
Just quoting Fearless Leader, Joe! LOL!
Posted by: vero | March 8, 2008 11:46 PM
Loretta, do you read "Southern Beale? I thought this was worth hauling out the tinfoil hat for...
http://sobeale.blogspot.com/2008/03/speaking-of-manchurian-candidates.html
Posted by: vero | March 8, 2008 11:48 PM
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jqiYnCdcQGC9fhOWfKISGc2lpwswD8V9EFN02
Oh goody. GerEgo has another spousal murrrrder case.
Posted by: loretta | March 9, 2008 10:46 AM
Thank goodness the universe delivered. This snow storm was worse than last year's Valentimes Day blizzard on which there is a blog photoessay, you may recall.
As I was doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen mess (endless, endless, endless like some kind of karmic hell), I floated a little prayer out to the universe that requested someone to rescue me from the shoveling.
When I went downstairs to the garage and opened the door (took two hands), I saw that there was a 4 foot drift spread over half the driveway. I was looking at tons of snow. Literally. A Herculean task times ten and way beyond my strength and abilities.
I began the tedious task of breaking up the snow and pitching it in 6 inch increments. It felt like I was shoveling it with a teaspoon.
Across the street, some guy was at a neighbor's driveway (the last house on the west side of the street closest to Lake Rd.) and he asked me if I had an extra shovel so he could dig out the car. I offered him my shovel and I crossed the street to W's garage and borrowed his. W's shovel was totally inadequate for the task, but I had no choice.
Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw that there was some guy with a truck and a SNOW PLOW plowing M&M's driveway – they are the elderly couple that live at the top of the street closest to Lake on my side. KOWABUNGA!
I leaped over the snow drifts like an antelope and ran up the street. Panting with a farrago of feelings: relief, anticipation, fatigue, dread, I noticed that the guy behind the plow was none other than Mark, the guy who mows my lawn. Kismet, baby!!
I smiled like I had met freaking Santa Claus and said “Oh my gawd, Mark, can you help me?!”
He said sure!
Mission accomplished. $20 later all I have left to do is shovel the steps.
Calgon, take me away.
Posted by: loretta | March 9, 2008 02:11 PM
So much for Global Warming, Huh? Algore is such a scam artist. Carbon equivalents anyone?
Posted by: Captain Joe | March 9, 2008 04:25 PM
Good for you Loretta!
Vero, I would rather voter for a moonie than a repewklican. That gabe moi a laff and ahaff.
Posted by: moi | March 10, 2008 10:46 PM
Goodness, gracious me, Mr Spitzer. What were you thinking? That maybe you were the one who is too clever to be found out?
I'm flabbergasted! And his wife! Standing by her man?! I could puke. Flay the bastard!
Posted by: Mgt | March 11, 2008 08:30 AM
Have a good day, everyone. Hopefully, when I check in tomorrow, there will be some activity.
Ciao!
Posted by: Mgt | March 13, 2008 01:14 PM
Hopefully, something will have happened that merits attention! LOL!
Posted by: vero | March 13, 2008 11:26 PM
Eventually, moi will catch up on the blobs, including moises's. I have been so busy with logistics and recovery from last babe and next babes avec maman arrive on Wed. Many gigs and practicles in between, not to mention particulates and participles and all the other parti-s. Meanwhile, I suppose every one else is in the march madness-spring-a-ding and nobody is postulating. Merde and good sleeps. xxoomoi
Posted by: moi | March 16, 2008 10:25 PM