August Prairie, Round 2

This evening I watched one of my favorite movies, 1776. It is a musical from 1972 based on the Broadway show of the same name. As made somewhat obvious from the title, it is about the men who gathered together in Philadelphia in June and July, 1776 to debate whether or not to declare independence from Great Britain. Although many delegates have parts, the main characters are Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and especially John Adams. Of all the members of the 2nd Continental Congress, Adams has to be my favorite. Sure, everyone loves witty old Dr. Franklin, and as he was a tall intellectual, I can relate to Jefferson. Adams, of course, was known for being sarcastic, caustic, and absolutely committed to independence for the assembled colonies. For months on end, he kept trying to push the Congress to accept in law what had happened in practice: That we were a free and separate nation from the British Empire. Here is the opening scene of the movie which shows Adams berating the Congress for delaying a vote or even debate for independence.
My friends, family, and occasional neighbors have likely had a similar reaction to my frequent political rants. I can imagine as I reach a crescendo of "GOOD GOD WHY CAN'T THESE PEOPLE BLAH BLAH ROMNEY BLAH BLAH BACHMANN BLAH BLAH McCARTHY BLAH BLAH RATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY" that they are thinking "Sit Down, Andrew". As annoying as Adams could be, it didn't change the fact he was right. Of course, his caustic nature certainly hurt his cause, as that crucial vote for independence took more than principled indignation to get done. It took diplomatic skill, agonizing compromises (thank you, South Carolina), and a crazy 80 mile dash by Caesar Rodney to get it done. Far too often I've lashed into long diatribes on this and that, usually in the presence of my family. It has reached the point where they have gotten sick of it, and for good reason. Sometimes it is because I'm preaching to the choir. Others times it is because I 'm being so antagonistic that I trigger a defense mechanism to redouble on your views, even if they may be unsound. I consider myself a strong believer in nuance and complexity, and consider viewpoints differing from my own to be just as valid. However, when I am talking, or discussing issues, I can be awfully forceful and combative. The biggest reason I do this is because often I'm too willing to abandon my position when some other point of view comes along. Because of this, it is hard for me to stand my ground, so I force myself to take a harder line in order to keep from being too wishy-washy and indecisive. Also, I'm apparently intimidating to some people, which seems ridiculous to me (I've never seen myself that way). However, I suppose a large guy who looks like he has a scowl on his face and can make his voice rather loud can be a bit imposing.

After my sister finally confronted me on this, I decided to make an effort to stop with the stump speeches when at my parents. It's made things less contentious when I'm there, although it has been hard biting my tongue a few times these past few weeks. Of course, it could be worse, as we're still in silly season. Once the campaigns REALLY start (i.e. after the conventions) it will be harder, especially if they have the news on when I am there. As I have given up annoying my family, and I still maintain my internet rule #1*, this blog is my one major source of political discussion. I've not done a damn thing with it since 2010, and I won't be doing much with it for the next few weeks.

Frankly, absolutely nothing that happens during this time of year will impact the election in November, at least not in regards to the news. Until both parties give their nomination bashes in Tampa and Charlotte, we're all just pissing in the wind. But once Romney mentions Reagan 85 times per minute in his speech, and Obama tries to evoke the memory of President Bartlet in the hearts of disillusioned liberals, there just isn't much to write. So other than maybe a few posts about the Civil War, or on governance or politics independent of our current situation. But come August 27**, game on.

One final note: On my hiking blog I discuss a very influential hike at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite. In it I mention making it a life mission to work on solving some of our most vexing ecological and environmental issues. While I don't have any plan or anything set up at this time, I will be sticking to this vow. As Walk With Nature is a hiking blog (with a bit of nature), this will likely be the place where that mission will begin. Please stay tuned for further developments.

*THOU SHALL NOT DISCUSS POLITICS ON FACEBOOK. This even extends to posting links to this blog. I kind of wish I'd violate this, but I'm keeping politics out of Facebook, as it and politics mix like oil and water. Tumblr, however, well that is fair game.

**The start of the Republican National Convention. I can't promise I'll watch all of it, but I can promise I'll try to watch some of it. Remember, conventions are mainly meant to fire up the base, and as I am so fucking far from the base of the GOP, the speeches will not be targeted towards me. I imagine I'll have an easier time with the DNC.

Republicans: Just Frigging Nuts

This picture is of a Republican in a stupid squirrel suit attacking Harry Smith. Apparently it is part of the Republican strategy to take down Obama. Not by offering solutions or fielding reasonable candidates, but by bitching about ACORN. What is ACORN, you ask?


Yes folks, apparently the Republicans, the party who pretty much stole the election in 2000, and likely stole some votes in Ohio in 2004, are complaining about Mickey Mouse being registered to vote. I'm sure that a few errant registrations, many of which were marked as fraudulent by ACORN, explains why Obama has a sizable lead on John McCain.

Why, On a day where the Dow dropped another 700+ points, do the Republicans just want to talk about ACORN and Ayers? Because they have no other strategies to play. The Democrats consistently beat them on issues, so its up to Silly Season to take the opponent down. They figure if they stomp their feet hard enough about NOBAMA the TERRURIST, maybe they can reach the magic number of 270.

Hopefully people aren't buying it, are finally getting wise to the stupidity of the GOP's game. Hopefully people realize that the Republicans have lost touch with reality, and that it is time for real change.

My idealistic side hopes that this is correct. But my side that sat through 2004 and watched Karl Rove and his minions tear down John Kerry still makes me worried. Fortunately, Barack Obama is a much better candidate than Senator Kerry.

MIKE GRAVLE FOR PREZ!!!!1! OMG!!!!1!

Words cannot describe the lunacy of this man. Yet he still comes off as more sane then Senator Clinton (R-FantasyLand), the President of the Lollipop Forest.

About Last Night's "Debate"

I must confess I did not watch the debate last night. Why? Mainly because I had seen most of the previous ones, and didn't feel a need to sit through another one. After hearing about the petty hackery of it all, I'm glad I didn't. Had I subjected myself to that mockery of journalism, I probably would have thrown my laptop through my TV.

Why is it that in this time when there are so many substantial issues to question the candidates about, Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos chose to dredge up crap like Jeremiah Wright and Tuzla. They even brought up Obama's "terrible" connection to a former extremist who's criminal actions took place when Obama was EIGHT YEARS OLD.

Ten bucks ABC wouldn't dare lift a finger accusing old Gramps McCain of any of this stupid crap, other than to ask "Is Reagan the Best President Ever, or the Best Person Ever?".

Thoughtful Comments? From a Politician? We don't pay them to Think.

How dare you Senator Obama

That Ivy League elitist Islamoterrocommunoafroterrorist Barack HUSSEIN ObAma has been at it again with his comments that are nuanced, thoughtful, and make some sense. Shame on him, doesn't he know you need to run your campaign like all Americans are moronic and inattentive preschoolers? No good could come of a president who actually treats us like we might be smarter than mildly retarded cats.

Seriously, the thought that a Senator who lives in Chappaqua, New York and a Senator who was the son and grandson of Admirals could call Obama an elitist is laughable. It doesn't look like Hillary is getting much serious play from these comments, and it could quite possibly end up backfiring on her.

Hurrah! Silly Season is Here!

Shame on you, Senator Obama. Shame on you for not genuflecting enough to this mighty and all-powerful country. By not wearing a flag pin, saluting the flag as all loyal citizens do during the National anthem, and the other things, you have shown your self to be an absolute Islamofasciocommunist Blackguard, who will stop at nothing to destroy the Fatherland. Especially disconcerting is your acceptance of $200 from a constituent who was found not guilty of committing a crime he was charged for when you were eight years old.

Tell us please Mr. Obama why you didn't come out in 1970 against the actions of the Weathermen. And don't use that excuse that your teacher wanted you to write that book report. That doesn't excuse your absolute approal of their violent acts, which is obvious from your silence at the time of the event. You deserve to be run out of town on a rail, and left in such a destitute state that only his holiness St. Gipper can save you.

Just for the record, ALL HAIL AMERICA! ALL HAIL AMERICA! APPLE PIE AND CHEVROLETS FOR ALL! That is all. Now, Mr. Osama bin Hussein, please exit the stage....

ENOUGH!

Damnit CNN, I thought you were better than this. I knew Fox News was into bullcrap like this, but you too. Sufficently patriotic? What does that even mean? Since when was there a litmus test for patriotism. And if there is one, I'm not sure I would be proud to call that country my home. Patriotism is about loving your countries ideals. To me, that means there is no one way to show it, and the jingoism of saluting a flag and wearing flag-themed apparel is not my way to do it.

Since when did our country become so insecure that we need people to stomp around with a flag chanting USA! USA! USA! USA! to reinforce their belief in this nation? If flying the flag is your way of showing your love for country, more power to you. But an even better way to show that patriotism is to understand that some people choose other ways to show their patriotism. This is what separates patriotism from jingoism.

To impugn that Senator Obama is any less of a patriot than anyone else in this country ignores both his record and his words. I don't understand why we have sunk so low. I just don't understand. I used to love this country with all of my heart, and still love its ideals and potential. But if you have to pass a test to prove it, that seems like something else, something far more sinister. And it might be the first time in my life that I am not really proud of my country.

(To Those who may read this, and use it to impugn me in any future political race I might be involved in, I have one thing to say. Go (bleep) yourselves. Ummm, I mean USA! USA! USA! USA! Ayatollah Assholla!)