tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269812852024-03-13T02:43:25.676-07:00TheLeftistRightGive me what is left of our ever decreasing liberty or give me death.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-42217030983701338452009-12-08T06:48:00.000-08:002009-12-08T06:51:08.004-08:00Just Cuz<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqQsV4Ljn27HoIZh0NXGPKpt7wxeOFW506RHizBqf0JMPTaI2NRKflYBKV0nQUXJDaXjlmcykynJ5eiQ24Q3FEjb2g4_G7J1ZQimzLUbmK4ii0EYLqOXUpsIGG41ZoHaC8TTMBg/s1600-h/kylie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqQsV4Ljn27HoIZh0NXGPKpt7wxeOFW506RHizBqf0JMPTaI2NRKflYBKV0nQUXJDaXjlmcykynJ5eiQ24Q3FEjb2g4_G7J1ZQimzLUbmK4ii0EYLqOXUpsIGG41ZoHaC8TTMBg/s320/kylie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412877934842847394" border="0" /></a><br />Kylie (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432283/">Fantastic Mr. Fox</a>) reminds me of my new dog, Maya. She is special.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-3412928071453902062009-03-21T07:45:00.000-07:002009-03-21T07:59:01.951-07:00Priming the Pump<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH0uiiK-onH8nLEoqpFrDmq8sWvfdOCEJkx9fzsGRed3dYHV4AFRO7W2Yqt-TS92cyiIqYL56Vacfcm5uURk0fW9OvPif2NYyokUOJYJEr-FSBARYbEb0s11Q1MhHiwJO7qXGrg/s1600-h/url.htm"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH0uiiK-onH8nLEoqpFrDmq8sWvfdOCEJkx9fzsGRed3dYHV4AFRO7W2Yqt-TS92cyiIqYL56Vacfcm5uURk0fW9OvPif2NYyokUOJYJEr-FSBARYbEb0s11Q1MhHiwJO7qXGrg/s320/url.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315653943901680194" border="0" /></a><br />So Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Crazyville) has decided to turn down a significant portion of the stimulus funds tagged for her state including roughly $160 million in funds for education. I guess the dumber the populace, the more likely they are to vote Republican.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-87140504587492816952009-02-09T10:53:00.000-08:002009-02-09T11:07:23.930-08:00The Fragility of Ego<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgBvvKk55xfzLOla4eqezUDeQH9_PG-61MtpiLzH7b0oACBXURGhJbcgl5uJoIGfOX0JdZL-TCXRk3kGGylG6slEgDDQOqM2CAvEtlATSLPfaA4MyugKqp0tw3N24hLezQr_big/s1600-h/Self_Esteem_Shop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgBvvKk55xfzLOla4eqezUDeQH9_PG-61MtpiLzH7b0oACBXURGhJbcgl5uJoIGfOX0JdZL-TCXRk3kGGylG6slEgDDQOqM2CAvEtlATSLPfaA4MyugKqp0tw3N24hLezQr_big/s320/Self_Esteem_Shop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300875759367060674" border="0" /></a><br />As I attempt to roll back the rock from the cave my self esteem has been locked in for the past three years, I have learned to expect setbacks. However, I did not see the train that hit me yesterday afternoon coming at all. No whistles, flashing lights or crossing barriers, just a lot of weird feelings associated with an odd situation involving friends, lovers, acquaintances, and much second guessing. Oh, fickle ego, why so fragile? You have been crushed by many, but never has something seemingly so benign been so disabling. Sometimes I wish I could crawl in that cave and join what is left of my rotting self esteem.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-19957694078615990562009-01-26T10:14:00.000-08:002009-01-26T10:28:23.261-08:00OK, So Maybe There is a God<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PWZyz7O4b7E8Kg9MsM8cBGMw1Ht4CXAU3o5Zp8dM3qruiJUp6yDUJfLZziT2oo5wRyDzoncmEG4cU90I7gNkj8TVBxfWYn4e5I15y09IgkY8SrNWMpudnZdqCFs6SVgYMbpJvg/s1600-h/KristolThug.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PWZyz7O4b7E8Kg9MsM8cBGMw1Ht4CXAU3o5Zp8dM3qruiJUp6yDUJfLZziT2oo5wRyDzoncmEG4cU90I7gNkj8TVBxfWYn4e5I15y09IgkY8SrNWMpudnZdqCFs6SVgYMbpJvg/s320/KristolThug.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295670961049481154" border="0" /></a><br />I was two paragraphs into today's Bill Kristol column in the Times and completely enraged. I thought, "This is it, I'm canceling my subscription or maybe just threatening to cancel my subscription." This fuckface was trumpeting all the conservative successes of the past 3 decades. Talk about fiddling while Rome burns. To top it off, I didn't even bother to finish the column and remained somewhat enraged until about 15 minutes ago when I found out that he was no longer with the paper. I quickly returned to the column and noticed this wonderful sentence in italics at the foot of his column: This is William Kristol's last column. Good riddance.<br /><br />Although, we all know that Bill "All wrong, All the time" Kristol will land safely on his cloven hooves on the conservative lecture circuit, dink tanks, or Fox news. Thanks for nothing you fucking asshole.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-20078843406684875352009-01-20T13:36:00.000-08:002009-01-20T13:39:54.072-08:00Evil Incarnate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5jENqQmot2dLKyZ1c_fu5WD_rVAQNB5Ma2vXfSVuki8ojUoc5ykmy7ppV6S5drDwjCl9EUCBJ7ogtPXayoKM2ZnJfRjq_bokWv4wUXuMrBid4JOM6aKTe1hoqoQ8MDPMurzXbA/s1600-h/bazooka-bert.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5jENqQmot2dLKyZ1c_fu5WD_rVAQNB5Ma2vXfSVuki8ojUoc5ykmy7ppV6S5drDwjCl9EUCBJ7ogtPXayoKM2ZnJfRjq_bokWv4wUXuMrBid4JOM6aKTe1hoqoQ8MDPMurzXbA/s320/bazooka-bert.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293493774175303042" /></a><br />Seriously, was the costume shop completely out of the Devil horns, tail and trident? How else can you explain Dick Cheney's choice of sinister black hat and wheelchair for today's festivities.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-57640185359309923412008-11-04T21:04:00.000-08:002008-11-04T21:06:15.507-08:00HOLY. FUCKING. SHIT.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pM51Gm6PgoBEgJvk50ZYThjmeJq5DCOLzDczmKKph-pfkSxMjg7CCCS-QRcVmDUKCGI4QnKY1JwLnX4xzhTkOB6SsEq7NRrbU-Fodzl-BgK0qLfpOuEmdwuT2stmM5V64caBpw/s1600-h/slide_595_12390_large.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pM51Gm6PgoBEgJvk50ZYThjmeJq5DCOLzDczmKKph-pfkSxMjg7CCCS-QRcVmDUKCGI4QnKY1JwLnX4xzhTkOB6SsEq7NRrbU-Fodzl-BgK0qLfpOuEmdwuT2stmM5V64caBpw/s320/slide_595_12390_large.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265035332913869026" /></a><br />I'm so happy.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-63113931882932178682008-10-24T14:25:00.000-07:002008-10-24T14:35:37.284-07:00Anniversary Blues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_SWB6CXAPWdnr4IsOkQZZAieQcP_Mr5XMByGs3o4yP2CwdamJZRnLIJPSTwcljum1CMEUIh_I650KAUo6skkOJd_Kcjs6Wmy2FkrWWy89MGc3s6Rtvs-jOmTLLFFO19kv61rfw/s1600-h/18-blue-roses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_SWB6CXAPWdnr4IsOkQZZAieQcP_Mr5XMByGs3o4yP2CwdamJZRnLIJPSTwcljum1CMEUIh_I650KAUo6skkOJd_Kcjs6Wmy2FkrWWy89MGc3s6Rtvs-jOmTLLFFO19kv61rfw/s320/18-blue-roses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260836845628199170" /></a><br />Yep, it's another one of those days. I guess I should have known when I woke up to the grey skies and light drizzle that things were not all that peachy. I had hoped that because of my situation with someone that I would not spend that much time thinking about her. I was wrong (nothing new there). This is going to be my last post related to our failed relationship. I am done wasting valuable emotional energy on her when I have so much better use for it.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-57209418431302503792008-10-22T09:12:00.000-07:002008-10-22T09:21:46.445-07:00From the Department of this Shit Shouldn't Matter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQCGZ_b_qF3bWHFNc_fg1zew8BaTd7K4Gzx8k586geTVfxLW8NAt4g4OQiJvsmVhUMlOUjZ3HWLEG0Vw_Hd0aV3oFH1wYb09mOm7uqoZfIzJmMGVcfH_q6ngk5Zo97tPc3eNPNg/s1600-h/Lipstick-on-a-pig.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQCGZ_b_qF3bWHFNc_fg1zew8BaTd7K4Gzx8k586geTVfxLW8NAt4g4OQiJvsmVhUMlOUjZ3HWLEG0Vw_Hd0aV3oFH1wYb09mOm7uqoZfIzJmMGVcfH_q6ngk5Zo97tPc3eNPNg/s320/Lipstick-on-a-pig.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260014223825053298" /></a><br />The story regarding Sarah Palin's and the RNC's <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14805.html">$150k</a> shopping spree would be a non-issue if it weren't for the fact that the Repubs continue to try to bullshit the country into thinking they are the party of fiscal responsibility. Fucking hypocrites. Oh, and anyone who believes that they were really planning on donating the items to charity post election is probably just gullible enough to vote for these a-holes. That excuse sounds a little like trying to put lipstick on a pig! *Rimshot*Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-55937084010940514822008-10-15T12:51:00.000-07:002008-10-15T13:00:02.243-07:00A Reasonable Discourse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdhCy8ua8ndhyiYQ5QQSwmMfYGuG331liJtwKwIKOG8bfHa4QDWsXt9pj7WZMoJrWhwCxKU3Yh2f4twBotuVcSuHFyyQ-g1PuhdR6eVh6SmdgWVgmfISdygvzhXSm3AdScSgi5g/s1600-h/discourse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdhCy8ua8ndhyiYQ5QQSwmMfYGuG331liJtwKwIKOG8bfHa4QDWsXt9pj7WZMoJrWhwCxKU3Yh2f4twBotuVcSuHFyyQ-g1PuhdR6eVh6SmdgWVgmfISdygvzhXSm3AdScSgi5g/s320/discourse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257472030651209458" /></a><br /><br />Cross posted <a href="http://thedenofmystery.blogspot.com/">here</a><br /><br />Your esteemed moderator at this fine blog asked me to make a reasoned case for the election of Barack Obama. He gave me no guidelines other than a rough word limit. Therefore, I decided to set a rule for myself. I am going to make my arguments on Obama’s merits, not McCain and Palin’s perceived deficiencies because in my mind that would be akin to shooting fish in a barrel (Ok, I just had to get off one shot…). While I understand that for the most part, the American electorate seems to care very little about actual policy and would much rather concern itself with Inside Edition-like gossipy crap I feel that this election is far too important to get into the kind of worthless discourse that includes race baiting, religious intolerance, class discrimination, and a tremendous amount of outright lies spread through vicious internet based smear campaigns..<br /><br />I would be tremendously off base if I did not address the economy and taxes right off the bat as these two subjects seem to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind right now with nearly <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=asdB4W9SVZIY&refer=us">77%</a> of the population unhappy with the economic direction of our country. I feel that Obama’s plan to increase taxes on corporate earnings is on base. However, I have little faith that this would actually increase revenue due to the tremendous number of loopholes in the tax code. It’s interesting to note that McCain has the exact opposite philosophy as the plan he announced yesterday to assist the bailout would extend more tax credits to corporations. I strongly disagree with that course. I am more heartened by Obama’s plan to cut taxes to over 100 million families (those earning less than $250k). I would also like to see him follow through on his promise to revoke Bush’s tax cuts that we all agree benefit the ultra-wealthy and were the first of their kind during a time of war. Neither candidate in my mind does enough to curb spending; although McCain seems way off base in his idea to make the aforementioned tax cuts permanent when the country is mired in tremendous debt.<br /><br />The words leadership and experience are tossed about everyday by the punditocracy as if they have a firm definition of either of those concepts. In other words, one person’s idea of leadership might be nearly the exact opposite of another’s definition. As we have seen over the course of the past 8 years, neither word seems to mean what the majority of the US electorate would hope! I firmly believe that Barack Obama has plenty of experience to handle the office of the Presidency. Moreover; I have full confidence that as a leader he would surround himself with the best and the brightest available. After all, isn’t that the mark of a good leader; the ability to recognize one’s own deficiencies and put people in place who can handle the situation more effectively? We have seen during the Bush presidency what cronyism and the ability to ignore history and not attempt to learn from mistakes will lead to. Honestly, since when is being thoughtful and open to ideas a bad thing? I trust Obama to make reasoned decisions and not rule from his gut. Additionally, I believe that an Obama presidency would instantly transform our world standing. It should be abundantly apparent that we are all in this together and we need someone that can unite the world behind us, not cut a fiery swath ala General Sherman or President Bush. I do not trust McCain to be that leader. His world view is too closely aligned with the failed policies of the Neo-Con brain trust (I use that term very loosely).<br /><br />Closely tied to our standing in the world are the two wars we are currently mired in which are bleeding precious funds from our country and more importantly taking precious lives. Obama pledges to begin an orderly withdrawal from Iraq and to refocus our efforts in Afghanistan. I feel this is the absolute best case scenario short of pulling out of both countries (sorry as a bleeding heart, I find war to be absolutely abhorrent, especially unnecessary ones). Setting aside our reasons for being in Iraq, I think we can all agree that the ages old sectarian differences renewed by our proverbial bat to the beehive are not going to be settled by American interlopers, no matter how long we stay there. Let’s cut our losses. Meanwhile, the most recent <a href="http://www.military.com/news/article/nie-to-paint-grim-afghan-war-picture.html">NIE</a> sees things beginning to spiral out of control in the true central front for the war on terror in Afghanistan and to a large extent Pakistan. Obama pledges to refocus our efforts there and also to track bin Laden into Pakistan if necessary. I agree lets keep our eye on the ball.<br /><br />Due to space restrictions, I will not be able to delve into healthcare as deeply as I would like, but let it be known that I do not want my benefits taxed as McCain suggests and I would much rather find affordable, accessible healthcare available to all.<br /><br />I would also be remiss if I did not mention education. This is the one area where I will break the rule I stated earlier. Can anyone explain to me McCain’s position on this all-important subject? Does he even understand the importance of this issue and that our population continues to lag behind other countries? If we want to be the best and the brightest, we need to educate our children in such a fashion, not ignore our deficiencies. I feel that Obama is so far out in front of McCain on this issue that it does not really merit a discussion.<br /><br />Thanks for the opportunity,<br />Townser<br /><br />For further information, please visit <a href="http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ ">www.barackobama.com/issues/ <br /></a>Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-18573581765143439942008-10-10T10:37:00.000-07:002008-10-10T10:39:06.818-07:00Pitchforks and Torches<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe9aatJv3G5_PrVACFxYl_0sfe_9khMT_P7UrlYH_KVJCE8DXCUvGTfq5E-QL2Iu72NGcn7naLUTEAqxZNGhBnOgzhInfVLf_17j_0IFZkLmKUJ82CvOg41-cqf_jUrLwse7pbw/s1600-h/simpsons-mob-torches.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe9aatJv3G5_PrVACFxYl_0sfe_9khMT_P7UrlYH_KVJCE8DXCUvGTfq5E-QL2Iu72NGcn7naLUTEAqxZNGhBnOgzhInfVLf_17j_0IFZkLmKUJ82CvOg41-cqf_jUrLwse7pbw/s320/simpsons-mob-torches.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255581116663136274" /></a><br />This is getting ridiculous.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/itEucdhf4Us&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/itEucdhf4Us&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-64618477153129469752008-10-09T10:31:00.000-07:002008-10-09T10:35:44.061-07:00Idiocy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4SoOTjR8a4l1UCvn24-5xEUwUZ-cOp0NSFIqDkkwFAAULisrd1TkZjotSFc9MkCW5uQVBa0MWF2LCQuQdY7VFGyEvPK018-xqlQDT7XkV5rPd68h-hiPOR8A2cZfxwQLVpevnQ/s1600-h/shcool-oops.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4SoOTjR8a4l1UCvn24-5xEUwUZ-cOp0NSFIqDkkwFAAULisrd1TkZjotSFc9MkCW5uQVBa0MWF2LCQuQdY7VFGyEvPK018-xqlQDT7XkV5rPd68h-hiPOR8A2cZfxwQLVpevnQ/s320/shcool-oops.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255209154820401282" /></a><br />No comment necessary.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KjxzmaXAg9E&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KjxzmaXAg9E&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-70286071553926550772008-10-09T09:05:00.000-07:002008-10-09T10:03:36.702-07:00This Woman Scares the Fuck out of Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofhOa7vKVpuLXcFJNj9KbPx7Y9NC6eDX8yGfJjMexxnRMPQTIhzYcRGDcGuvRZVlT8jv5PWtguXR-jzQtZtZh1je0sUlSf-JDcAyC7dVIVDOy6oK38dLu1AOvYGMWnWowIjj6iw/s1600-h/sissyboy.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofhOa7vKVpuLXcFJNj9KbPx7Y9NC6eDX8yGfJjMexxnRMPQTIhzYcRGDcGuvRZVlT8jv5PWtguXR-jzQtZtZh1je0sUlSf-JDcAyC7dVIVDOy6oK38dLu1AOvYGMWnWowIjj6iw/s320/sissyboy.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255192285062715570" /></a><br />I'm not sure when I became so disconnected from the pulse of America, but obviously it occurred quite some time ago. How else can I come to grips with the phenomena known as Sarah Palin? Why does this woman have such allure for some people? I don't know about the rest of you, but I for one do not want "Joe Six Pack" anywhere near the White House much less negotiating with foreign leaders or appointing judges. Have these morons been asleep for the past 8 years? Joe Six Pack has driven this country to the brink of disaster and yet a large portion of the population still wants more. Is New Zealand looking to increase it's population because I'm considering immigrating there (wait, maybe this is all a plan to control the population through reverse immigration)? Why can't people see that this woman is frightening in her abject ruthlessness, adversity to thought and ideas, as well as her track record of vindictive political maneuvers? For a taste of what this country has become, scroll through the comments of <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/KathleenParker/2008/10/08/put_the_gloves_back_on?page=full&comments=true">this</a>. Bear in mind that this is a right wing site and the comments are in response to a column by Kathleen Parker not exactly a bleeding heart...Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-27207670297450272732008-10-09T08:59:00.000-07:002008-10-09T09:05:11.649-07:00The Void<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRg1O58uwhZgUFcJuL4Mg4HKcVkMJYFPAH_4m1IIGj5cAj3wmVQylT6_a1pSUPymkjgQw1Qun2d70R3iuwlNcspsRuZIJWLLlsvXuGV_ZUxSPCKK46xorx8JMNYLAodJ4_EekSg/s1600-h/void.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRg1O58uwhZgUFcJuL4Mg4HKcVkMJYFPAH_4m1IIGj5cAj3wmVQylT6_a1pSUPymkjgQw1Qun2d70R3iuwlNcspsRuZIJWLLlsvXuGV_ZUxSPCKK46xorx8JMNYLAodJ4_EekSg/s320/void.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255185808050974738" /></a><br />Two and a half months have passed since I had Townes euthanized and it really has not gotten any easier. I still miss him tremendously and second guess my decision on a daily basis. The void he left is staggering.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-48516819575208104602008-09-03T19:36:00.000-07:002008-09-03T19:41:42.821-07:00RNC to the MAXXXXXXX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm8FVoXol4XngJGMlPzwplo4fZcROfUMxEvIH_WwD__iJhHQKzfDGXTHOT3BsdwgGvmuwyx9oBFFfbdWqEAA-t70PbqMODmSNqOjBx1IYVEOm0qpZLVE_MEnyWCfORyzrd1zOXQ/s1600-h/medium_wendy_carter_090208.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm8FVoXol4XngJGMlPzwplo4fZcROfUMxEvIH_WwD__iJhHQKzfDGXTHOT3BsdwgGvmuwyx9oBFFfbdWqEAA-t70PbqMODmSNqOjBx1IYVEOm0qpZLVE_MEnyWCfORyzrd1zOXQ/s320/medium_wendy_carter_090208.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241990730025646898" /></a><br />In lieu of sticking pencils in my ears, I've decided to drink my way through tonight's festivities. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to drink fast enough.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-52462898306801444682008-09-03T09:11:00.000-07:002008-09-03T09:18:25.788-07:00The Unbearable Whiteness of Being<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKdNwgJKjfH8RL-RMDs4q7KM6NAm7i0rXdlaQaldJSdMbiQ5p0j9qwPRi3XhKUeNr6js9nRPf2Yq4_pRFt0LmR97ePz5RNVb62TvZG09mIb2gUmCPLOBaadjicyUsuZb1Q1KMEw/s1600-h/whiteness.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKdNwgJKjfH8RL-RMDs4q7KM6NAm7i0rXdlaQaldJSdMbiQ5p0j9qwPRi3XhKUeNr6js9nRPf2Yq4_pRFt0LmR97ePz5RNVb62TvZG09mIb2gUmCPLOBaadjicyUsuZb1Q1KMEw/s320/whiteness.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241829835691463650" /></a><br />Since my return from Hilton Head Island earlier this summer, I have been trying to figure out a way to present/write this post. Fortunately, the Republican National Convention has given me just the platform. I am embarrassed. I am embarrassed by my ethnicity. I understand this is really difficult ground to tread without discharging numerous racial mines, so please bear with me. What I am mainly disillusioned by is our (meaning the white population) inability to embrace the changing ethnic landscape that this country is undergoing. It is my true hope that the 2008 RNC in St. Paul is the last time I have to look at a crowd filled completely with aging, out of touch Caucasians rallying for other aging out of touch Caucasians who are advocating a platform that supports only aging out of touch Caucasians. Seriously, I wonder how many of the delegates in attendance have taken a good look around their communities lately. Because, if they had, they would have to be a little shaken by the fact that the people in attendance with them in St. Paul bear little resemblance to those that they run across in everyday life at the convenience store, or dry cleaners, or grocery store, or dentists’ office. I know that the dems supposedly occupy the elitist ground in this country, but we all know that position is theirs solely because of the likes of Karl Rove and his minions. I defy anyone to spend a week in Hilton Head or Kiawah and tell me which party is the party of the elite.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Full Disclosure</span>: I am part Native American, so maybe this post is nothing but sour grapes.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-39813346181877044292008-09-01T09:03:00.000-07:002008-10-09T09:34:04.380-07:00In which I Attempt to Tie the News Ticker to the Ruination of our Society<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fRD8HI_xMHGAwLjWmmXpPyyT-K-rBhAA7nS7FIWf6GcNbAYSm4dxC-QHRtHad0CVSTZ1HFwWofWg6E3PNGUeSFD6qMAhWfMERml3xlumIPHVBWeZn1kaXSj60hytNETx4RXr9g/s1600-h/109311371l.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fRD8HI_xMHGAwLjWmmXpPyyT-K-rBhAA7nS7FIWf6GcNbAYSm4dxC-QHRtHad0CVSTZ1HFwWofWg6E3PNGUeSFD6qMAhWfMERml3xlumIPHVBWeZn1kaXSj60hytNETx4RXr9g/s320/109311371l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241086019131592946" /></a><br />I am asking for an immediate moratorium on the news ticker or tracker or whatever the fuck you want to call the thing that crawls along the bottom of every channel on the teevee telling me all I need to know about complex stories in a simple 6 word sentence. Enough already, this piece of crap is ruining the world. For Exhibit A, just look at the current coverage of the election in this country. We are bombarded with tidbits about the look of the set that Barack is going to speak from, yet very little about the actual content of the speech. We concern ourselves with the chai-ification of the snobbish dems, yet do not even hash out the details of Obama’s even handed economic plan. I firmly believe that the news ticker has killed our ability to reason and analyze information as it is presented to us. And furthermore, it has helped squeeze those stories and situations that need reason and analysis off the teevee screen and pages of the newspaper only to be replaced by mind-numbing minutiae that fits the 6 word formula. <br /><br />Even worse is the type of journalism and journalist that has been spawned by our need to diffuse every story into 6 words. In a time when a myriad of issues need to be sorted out regarding the dismal state of this country both here and abroad why should I ever have to see Dan Abrams on my television spouting completely irrelevant commentary? Seriously Dan, are you a political/legal reporter or a gossip columnist? Judging from the fact you were recently dumped from prime time and from every bit of work you have done in your miserable life, I’m gonna stick with gossip columnist for now. Dan, it is called nuance. Remember there are varying ways to report Paris’s panty-less nights amongst the glitterati and the hypocrisy of McCain’s claims to support a living wage or minimum wage increases. Just decide which one you want to handle, but please stop combining the two. I understand our political discourse in this country is stupid, but could we attempt to inject some sort of rational thought into it. The stakes are far too high.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-18684875492039100902008-09-01T09:00:00.000-07:002008-09-01T09:02:54.928-07:00The Skepticism of a Skeptic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgRtA5OLGYfFh-A6_i8_W1x4HX6phiHjHKuk_Uq5rZJsd70vbbBmL-pdNb2ufqrX4iq8chApM_21NGa5fFarmxrX47MBiCZEZ0Rr3JDu-8kqNmGN_CTgif0Pnfcma3zq56SFv2w/s1600-h/love.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgRtA5OLGYfFh-A6_i8_W1x4HX6phiHjHKuk_Uq5rZJsd70vbbBmL-pdNb2ufqrX4iq8chApM_21NGa5fFarmxrX47MBiCZEZ0Rr3JDu-8kqNmGN_CTgif0Pnfcma3zq56SFv2w/s320/love.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241083700254777490" /></a><br />As the days continue to pass and all is calm on the good ship <span style="font-style:italic;">Townser</span>, I continue to become less skeptical of my skepticalness of the direction this thing is headed. Somehow, someway, it is working with someone. She has helped to restore happiness to a veritable wasteland of depression, remorse, embarrassment, and borderline hatred. Now, just don’t blow it you shithead.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-50674196847456446102008-09-01T08:57:00.000-07:002008-09-01T08:59:41.710-07:00Things I Learned from my Kids this Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB43bq1fOpxfSAyn2nR8iDYJqYRN27ZltH3so0KkZOCmnHmXhKFPG3e3BAK-XpXt8yc8xiFNGVXOoKfPaf0SsM5n3v7PW1wC7Tf1fo5C0s_5FLmaU_Dn0GWa-Br7gXoODIOK9Sw/s1600-h/kidsblog.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB43bq1fOpxfSAyn2nR8iDYJqYRN27ZltH3so0KkZOCmnHmXhKFPG3e3BAK-XpXt8yc8xiFNGVXOoKfPaf0SsM5n3v7PW1wC7Tf1fo5C0s_5FLmaU_Dn0GWa-Br7gXoODIOK9Sw/s320/kidsblog.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241083159247013970" /></a><br />I learned that they have absolutely no concept of “old” cameras that actually have film in them. My 6 year old was truly baffled as to how the pictures were going to be retrieved from the camera’s innards; “Dad, I need you to help me get the pictures out. How are we going to do it?”<br /> <br />I also learned that they are good, well adjusted kids. Watching them interact with other kids of similar ages was reassuring. They seemed very comfortable in their own skin and all exuded their mother’s extreme calmness. And, of course, they are extremely, and I mean, EXTREMELY smart.<br /><br />I learned that they are cool. Despite the fact that my middle child has the Jonas Brothers on her iPod, she still reacted by saying, “Thank you. Thank you very much”, when an Elvis impersonator reached out to shake her hand.<br /><br />I re-learned just exactly how much I miss them and how much I need them in my life. My house seems so fucking empty without them not to mention the emptiness inside me.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-69039983782208260312008-07-24T11:39:00.000-07:002008-09-01T09:14:05.634-07:00Letter to a Friend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wyV3G0hhACKaw_qoj29bjqIy4UUcWTu2EUMIG6rSnmeK0X-m8oeSbMEza9jmWd9Tv3H2wKBy0lTv06stjKVYTlNQFHBewHfqm2GIRXqp3LqR1hWESkGzUWIyrQWHo5oe9nMDmw/s1600-h/townes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wyV3G0hhACKaw_qoj29bjqIy4UUcWTu2EUMIG6rSnmeK0X-m8oeSbMEza9jmWd9Tv3H2wKBy0lTv06stjKVYTlNQFHBewHfqm2GIRXqp3LqR1hWESkGzUWIyrQWHo5oe9nMDmw/s320/townes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226652608143443250" /></a><br />Townes-<br /><br />I hope that I am doing the right thing. I just wish that you could tell me that I am. This is easily the most difficult decision that I have had to make in my life to this point, and with my history of bad decisions, I hope I do not live to regret this one. But recently, when I have looked at you, I think I can see you reassuring me in the expression on your face. Sadly, I guess I will never truly know. What I do know is that your illness has reduced you to a shadow of your former self and I am having a hard time coping with that fact. I knew 13 years ago when I got you that this day would come and that it would be a difficult day. Frankly, I had no idea just how difficult it would be. And that’s mainly because of what a fantastic animal and friend you are and have always been. Your companionship and unyielding love have almost single-handedly gotten me through some of my toughest times, and God knows there have been many. I hope you understand how much you mean to me and how special you are. You have touched more people than you will ever know. I will cherish your memory and never forget the days we spent together especially those blissful days in the mountains and woods where you seemed so content. Please know that someday I will take you back to the mountains where you belong. I’m going to place you near where you used to play with your friend Elk. The two of you can run together for eternity. I hope that will be a suitable place for you. I’m not sure that you understand the impact you have had on my life as it has truly been profound. Sometimes I wish that I could be half the man that you are dog. Your nobility and grace would suit me well. Please rest assured that your presence will never leave me. You will be dearly missed. <br /><br />Go in peace,<br />MattTownserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-85867990600572445892008-07-09T17:06:00.000-07:002008-07-09T17:10:16.583-07:00What was He Thinking?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_hnWTe4FDk3e-NAg6uvkuYD-p43kXs8Ohv-y8q5u476mD_MWUSzz6beXrhEZYZBc-UeK4xjTMv7Rwt8Vo1XcAAA4oO8292sSUx1VqX56z3F0G3TbSgnGG8-ZwxBMFLLztBKY-A/s1600-h/485px-Walt_Whitman_edit_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_hnWTe4FDk3e-NAg6uvkuYD-p43kXs8Ohv-y8q5u476mD_MWUSzz6beXrhEZYZBc-UeK4xjTMv7Rwt8Vo1XcAAA4oO8292sSUx1VqX56z3F0G3TbSgnGG8-ZwxBMFLLztBKY-A/s320/485px-Walt_Whitman_edit_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221170625754473794" /></a><br />As we roll through this lovely campaign season, or as I like to call it, the most shitful time of the year™, I found this little gem from Mr. Whitman and it reminded me of just how far we have fallen. Indissoluble companionship? Fucking blasphemy. The guy must have been some sort of dirty fucking hippie.<br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">For You, O Democracy</span><br /><br />Come, I will make the continent indissoluble, <br />I will make the most splendid race the sun ever shone upon, <br />I will make divine magnetic lands, <br />With the love of comrades, <br />With the life-long love of comrades. <br /><br />I will plant companionship thick as trees along all the rivers of America, <br />and along the shores of the great lakes, and all over the prairies, <br />I will make inseparable cities with their arms about each other's necks, <br />By the love of comrades, <br />By the manly love of comrades. <br /><br />For you these from me, O Democracy, to serve you ma femme! <br />For you, for you I am trilling these songs.</blockquote>Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-63358331413497951932008-06-29T14:49:00.000-07:002008-06-29T14:53:28.085-07:00From the Department of Simple Truths<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcwNrYmvA_HcjHZZ65CMQixboq-pZbAnY4bluZ6XgNW-n2pccCbpb2sJ1M9AHD0TcFSPw0nuh7aC0clD0HyYvve5EifZK1WpeHLUQeU4iVbc9HeslWxIdEWug6urdwYOMJRKVQQ/s1600-h/ally1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcwNrYmvA_HcjHZZ65CMQixboq-pZbAnY4bluZ6XgNW-n2pccCbpb2sJ1M9AHD0TcFSPw0nuh7aC0clD0HyYvve5EifZK1WpeHLUQeU4iVbc9HeslWxIdEWug6urdwYOMJRKVQQ/s320/ally1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217424830496890002" /></a><br />I drink because I hurt. There, I said it, and it wasn’t even that difficult. My emotional pain has been well documented on this page, but recently spiritual and physical pain has really played a large part in my supposed well-being. I have always found spiritual release in nature, but with an ailing hound, I have been unable to make my typical journeys into the hills and woods out of sheer guilt. I was shocked at the impact a few days at the beach had on my demeanor. Somehow I need to get past my feelings about Townes (my dog), and continue to feed my spiritual being. The relief from physical pain unfortunately, does not seem to have such an easy solution. I’m assuming that at the ripe old age of 39, I should not be in constant pain and have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. Maybe I should begin to take it a little more slowly in terms of my athletic endeavors, but what exactly will that accomplish? My guess is that it will just manifest itself as more emotional pain which will just spur more drinking. Oh well.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-961442658486708382008-06-25T19:18:00.000-07:002008-06-25T19:43:05.446-07:00Ever Decreasing Liberty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL11TSMieYiWKVmQloqeMs366LGLCEbszabcVkgF0bVkmy3FUJVFKCKBq-gfMWBjl5lgLr0OW4u50ouRN7V3yAON_eoQ8zzDvZpe_oY5eyGs2mqWSQPLjRhZ_nwxEjkMZ2HPYVcg/s1600-h/mattklein_odaiba_statue_of_liberty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL11TSMieYiWKVmQloqeMs366LGLCEbszabcVkgF0bVkmy3FUJVFKCKBq-gfMWBjl5lgLr0OW4u50ouRN7V3yAON_eoQ8zzDvZpe_oY5eyGs2mqWSQPLjRhZ_nwxEjkMZ2HPYVcg/s320/mattklein_odaiba_statue_of_liberty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216013336868561010" /></a><br /><a href="http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/4476">Mr Dodd</a> doing our Founders' proud on the Senate floor. Finally.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-22702639520156417282008-06-24T16:09:00.000-07:002008-06-24T16:44:23.236-07:00That's Your Answer? Really????<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0BH76gbF3zs2n2-FQ547dFDxJfvwLAD4toEqZZ8F2pCVMhkDE7INGNk-Ka26fYJjg2O9ZM7mzG7xC8efgxQZkbBaSupexlrnuX8o3BBWMkvnNtAAOJYFK9NwSfmSd72MCZkyIQ/s1600-h/extremelyupset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0BH76gbF3zs2n2-FQ547dFDxJfvwLAD4toEqZZ8F2pCVMhkDE7INGNk-Ka26fYJjg2O9ZM7mzG7xC8efgxQZkbBaSupexlrnuX8o3BBWMkvnNtAAOJYFK9NwSfmSd72MCZkyIQ/s320/extremelyupset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215598063268839298" /></a><br />I cherry-picked this tidbit from <a href="http://www.eschatonblog.com/">Atrios</a> and found it to be absolutely appalling.<br /><blockquote><br /><a href="http://phoenixwoman.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/compare-and-contrast-5/">Fortune</a> magazine asked McCain and Obama, "What do you see as the gravest long-term threat to the U.S. economy?<br /><br />They said:<br /><br /> Obama: If we don't get a handle on our energy policy, it is possible that the kinds of trends we've seen over the last year will just continue. Demand is clearly outstripping supply. It's not a problem we can drill our way out of. It can be a drag on our economy for a very long time unless we take steps to innovate and invest in the research and development that's required to find alternative fuels. I think it's very important for the federal government to have a role in that process.<br /><br /> McCain: Well, I would think that the absolute gravest threat is the struggle that we're in against Islamic extremism, which can affect, if they prevail, our very existence. Another successful attack on the United States of America could have devastating consequences. You've been a supporter of climate-change legislation that would essentially impose a penalty on the use of fossil fuel.</blockquote><br /><br />Really? I'm am so disgusted by this response. It reeks of sweet Rudy G screaming 9/11 from the rooftops. Just how stupid does Mr. McCain think the American electorate is? Wait...don't answer that. If I was Obama, I would hit John with this at every opportunity. God, I really cannot wait for the debates, it's going to be hard to avert the eyes.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-77561595783460923002008-06-22T12:38:00.000-07:002008-06-22T12:46:53.440-07:00Shrilltastic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkJvQS_j-p0oBaBBXQjwWWjjAZpxyKTPe8vLPAr4BKhOhNdZNvyAOGtZ-oAfCozBEvVTGQ-AunbkZ-hOfVrmmUT0mTX-lGZ2czkSvhD2Wl1krrGcQ765g2-iwsurYdS4FveDMXQ/s1600-h/friedman.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkJvQS_j-p0oBaBBXQjwWWjjAZpxyKTPe8vLPAr4BKhOhNdZNvyAOGtZ-oAfCozBEvVTGQ-AunbkZ-hOfVrmmUT0mTX-lGZ2czkSvhD2Wl1krrGcQ765g2-iwsurYdS4FveDMXQ/s320/friedman.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214794692323134002" /></a><br /><br />I guess we can file <a href="http://http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/opinion/22friedman.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin">this</a> under the ‘too little too late’ tab. Friedman in today’s Times: <blockquote>It is hard for me to find the words to express what a massive, fraudulent, pathetic excuse for an energy policy this is.</blockquote> While I truly appreciate the sentiment and the harsh tone, I cannot help but ask what the fuck took you so long to call this President out? Where was the outrage surrounding Bush’s greatest bamboozle, the war in Iraq? It’s not just Friedman; others have picked up their level of dissatisfaction and really ramped up the criticism. To me, it seems a little like giving the bully the finger as he is being marched into the principals office or thumbing your nose at the freshly convicted thug. All I can honestly say is welcome to the party. I guess better late than never, although you might have a difficult time reconciling your actions with the families of the 4000+ deceased soldiers, the families of the countless injured G.I.’s, and oh, yeah, every Iraqi on the face of the earth. Good luck with all that and enjoy that guy staring back at you in the mirror for the rest of your life. Thanks for nothing.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26981285.post-59635016611643435612008-06-17T11:58:00.000-07:002008-06-17T12:03:23.211-07:00If It's the Beaches*<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqd_UdHjf_zRtMfyui4hQrUD45NttQi3CSk1qOehskKbDeDMRpyi_i5XzdtFXA7ITTjC4126p2krjS47oVvFMwCoZJgTLQ1GrlmZIsVEKvB5rZZIgRvyO0Com9OFStaW08JsUCA/s1600-h/tbb-bellemare03-702019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqd_UdHjf_zRtMfyui4hQrUD45NttQi3CSk1qOehskKbDeDMRpyi_i5XzdtFXA7ITTjC4126p2krjS47oVvFMwCoZJgTLQ1GrlmZIsVEKvB5rZZIgRvyO0Com9OFStaW08JsUCA/s320/tbb-bellemare03-702019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212928060111639314" /></a><br />So, I am in the midst of my first vacation that was not child related in 3 plus years. It feels quite awkward to be in a place where I have no parental or occupational duties to perform throughout the day. Actually, that last statement is not quite true, as I need to baby-sit my friend 3-Beer Bryan quite frequently. That being said, there is something fantastic about having no responsibilities other than having to drag myself to the beach in the morning and back home from the bar or restaurant at night. Thank goodness that God invented Tylenol and his evil twin, Tylenol PM. Mmmmmmm, eases the pain…<br /><br />*Title courtesy of <a href="http://www.theavettbrothers.com/site.php">these guys</a>.Townserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18430694387265852314noreply@blogger.com0