Thursday, October 30, 2008

Where did October go?

Each time I get on the computer, I think to myself, "Self, you ought to really update your blog." But I don't ever get around to it. It's not because I don't have anything to say; it's just that I don't really have the energy these days to say it. By the time I have quiet time in the evenings, I'm exhausted and just want to cross-stitch or read. Seriously, I'm around toddlers all day. Who can blame me for wanting some SILENT adult time?
Most of what I would have written about over the past month concerns the election. If you're not absolutely outraged and disgusted about the way in which McCain has run his campaign, you have NOT been paying attention. He and his "running mate" take every opportunity to slander Obama and spread lies and half-truths about him. Oh, and notice the use of "air quotes" for "running mate"; Senator McCain LOVES the "air quotes" (see Exhibit A), and I can't think of a more appropriate use of them than when describing his choice for VP.
Other election-related topics floating around in my grey-matter as of late-----
Sarah Palin's Makeover
C'mon, Kids! Get your new Caribou Barbie! Complete with custom Jimmy Choo--oops, we mean Johnny Choo--Eskimo-inspired Mukluks! Style her hair, do her makeup! She's a great choice for VP and way more fun to make-over than Mitt or Rudy would have been! And all for the bargain price of $150K!
John McCain's (latest) Senior Moment
To date, his most obvious (and embarrassing) bout with forgetfulness came on Sunday's Meet the Press with Tom Brokaw. McCain was trying to minimize the importance of Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama by naming the five former-secretaries of state that have endorsed him. Problem was, he couldn't remember all of them. Oops. Shoulda practiced that one.
Tying Obama to Islam
Okay, can I just say that I am really really really tired of this sthick, for the following reasons:
  1. Obama is NOT Muslim...
  2. ... and even if he were Muslim, so what? Saying that all Muslims are bad because of the evil deeds of a few people who happen to be Muslim is just like saying all Germans are bad because of what the Nazis did. Hello?!
  3. I would rather have a devout Muslim who practices the five pillars of Islam in the Oval Office than a lacksidasical Christian who doesn't practice what s/he preaches. And before anyone gets all "devout Muslims support jihad against the US"--NO THEY DON'T, just ask one. For further commentary on this topic, see #2, above.
  4. And as for suggesting that Obama would appease Iran's Ahmadinejad, well, that's just silly, because Ahmadinejad isn't even the one who's in charge of Iran. The Ayatollah is the one who pulls the strings. Besides, meeting with Ahmadinejad would just give the world another opportunity to witness just how crazy the man really is. Case in point. Yes, he's a despicable person. But how can we learn how to deal with him and the nation of Iran without hearing what he has to say? Meeting with a nation's representative is not the same as condoning that nation's stance on international and domestic issues. There are plenty of nations who don't agree with everything the US does, but do they shut us out?
Colin Powell is Awesome
First of all, I have always been a closet-fan of Colin Powell. I think his service to the US is admirable and I have great respect for him. That said, I've also always been a little annoyed with him for his alliance with the Republican Party. After the Bushies threw him under the proverbial bus back during Bush II's first term, Colin Powell had every right to be angry and bitter. But he didn't show it. No, instead he gracefully stepped aside and let the Bushies continue their misplaced war. Now that I think about it, why didn't he make more of a stink back then?? Well, he's redeemed himself, in my book, and it's not just because he threw his support behind Obama. His comments a few weeks ago on MTP were so eloquent and so dead-on... Well, just see for yourself.
So there you have it. Probably a lot more than you bargained for, but I had a lot to catch up on.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Last night's performance

Mad props to Joe Biden for keeping his cool last night. He's known for his temper and tendency to say things that, while often true, can be inappropriate. It was entirely within the realm of possibility for him to tell Sarah Palin to go back to the Barbie Arctic Dream House. Each time she winked, I threw up in my mouth a little.
Here's a flow chart of Sarah Palin's debate strategy, courtesy of adennak.com, via huffingtonpost.com.
On another note, work is going really well. I'm enjoying it a lot, and W seems to really like school. Each morning, when we pull into the parking lot, he gets all excited and claps his hands and squeals. He really seems to be adapting well to this big change. He is also really interested in the toilet. He isn't ready to be toileted (the Montessori term for "potty training"--we train dogs, not children!) but he is definitely interested in it. We got him a little potty for his birthday and he's been sitting on it each night before his bath. Well, for the past four nights, when he's sat on it, he's peed. He is so proud of himself, and we are really happy for him, too. A step in the right direction!
It's definitely becoming fall here. The trees are changing to beautiful autumn colors. That's one of the things that I definitely prefer here in New Jersey as opposed to Mississippi--SEASONS!