Thursday, October 9, 2014
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Trends in Income Inequality
The disparity between the rich and poor is increasing. The top earners in America are taking a larger percentage of over all incomes across earning brackets. The gap between the rich and poor creates tension and based on history is not a good place for The United States of America to be as it has led to revolution in the past. If inflation spikes and drives food prices high, coupled with this income gap disparity sets the stage for a massive market correction or for civil unrest.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Carrie Prejean Threatens to Leave Larry King Live due to Larry Being "Inappropriate"
Fired most likely for being crazy. Why did she settle?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Gay Marriage A Go In Washington DC? Free At Last? Or Jim Crowed in the Corn Hole?
DC councilman to introduce gay marriage bill
(AP) – 6 days ago
WASHINGTON — A Washington, D.C., councilman says he'll introduce a bill next week to allow same-sex couples to wed.
D.C. Councilman David Catania says he plans to introduce the bill Tuesday.
Same-sex marriages performed in states that allow them are already recognized in the District, but the proposed law would let couples marry there regardless of gender.
The bill is expected to have 10 co-introducers and easily pass the 13-member city council. It has support from the city's mayor but will still have to get by Congress, which can overturn District legislation.
A draft of the legislation says it will be called the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009."
Same-sex marriage bill in DC appears Unstoppable - Boston Globe
WASHINGTON—A bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry in the nation's capital was introduced Tuesday, a measure that even opponents acknowledged seems almost unstoppable.
The bill was nearly certain to pass the D.C. city council, but whether it becomes law is more complicated because Congress gets an opportunity to review D.C. legislation before it takes effect. Still, even challengers in Congress acknowledged the bill was likely to become law.
The city began in July recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Congress had a chance to act on that legislation but didn't.
U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Republican from Utah who said he would work to defeat the new bill, anticipates that will happen again with the proposal. A spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she believed it was a matter for D.C. to decide.
D.C. Councilman David Catania introduced the new measure at a standing-room only council meeting. The independent and one of two openly gay council members said he hopes for a vote in December.
"There is no question that we are about to embark on an exciting journey here in the district," he said.
His bill specifically says religious leaders and institutions are not required to perform the marriages or rent their space for same-sex ceremonies unless they let the public use or rent them.
If the bill becomes law, the city will follow Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont, which issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. New Hampshire will begin issuing them in January.
(AP) – 6 days ago
WASHINGTON — A Washington, D.C., councilman says he'll introduce a bill next week to allow same-sex couples to wed.
D.C. Councilman David Catania says he plans to introduce the bill Tuesday.
Same-sex marriages performed in states that allow them are already recognized in the District, but the proposed law would let couples marry there regardless of gender.
The bill is expected to have 10 co-introducers and easily pass the 13-member city council. It has support from the city's mayor but will still have to get by Congress, which can overturn District legislation.
A draft of the legislation says it will be called the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009."
Same-sex marriage bill in DC appears Unstoppable - Boston Globe
WASHINGTON—A bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry in the nation's capital was introduced Tuesday, a measure that even opponents acknowledged seems almost unstoppable.
The bill was nearly certain to pass the D.C. city council, but whether it becomes law is more complicated because Congress gets an opportunity to review D.C. legislation before it takes effect. Still, even challengers in Congress acknowledged the bill was likely to become law.
The city began in July recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Congress had a chance to act on that legislation but didn't.
U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Republican from Utah who said he would work to defeat the new bill, anticipates that will happen again with the proposal. A spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she believed it was a matter for D.C. to decide.
D.C. Councilman David Catania introduced the new measure at a standing-room only council meeting. The independent and one of two openly gay council members said he hopes for a vote in December.
"There is no question that we are about to embark on an exciting journey here in the district," he said.
His bill specifically says religious leaders and institutions are not required to perform the marriages or rent their space for same-sex ceremonies unless they let the public use or rent them.
If the bill becomes law, the city will follow Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont, which issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. New Hampshire will begin issuing them in January.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
We The People Stimulus Package
This is what poop smells like. Bob should have titled this video "We the Gullible Sheep Package." Facts? News? Sites? Don't need em, just give me inflammatory language, a little white power, a smattering of hypocrisy and I will be good to go. Thanks right wing.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Joe Walsh of Suffolk University Law School : Home Rule on the Ropes: State Preemption of Local Zoning for Small Renewable Power Projects in Massachusetts
Joe Walsh recenlty wrote a paper titled:
Home Rule on the Ropes: State Preemption of Local Zoning for Small Renewable Power Projects in Massachusetts.
The paper is witty and on point. Abstract below:
Abstract:
Local zoning approvals and community-based legal appeals continue to bedevil Massachusetts' renewable energy entrepreneurs, even as policy change and investment capital are helping to spur growth in renewable energy generation. Proposals for special renewable energy zoning laws still need to work through the legislature (and, ultimately, the courts) and the future is unclear.
The entrepreneurs that understand and make best use of an existing Massachusetts statute that provides zoning relief for power projects will be the first to get green power onto the grid, allowing them to command higher prices on the bulk power market and positioning them for lucrative long-term contracts with utilities that badly need the renewable capacity.
"Home Rule on the Ropes" outlines this special exemption and explains how it can be used to gain the competitive advantage in permitting.
Keywords: renewable energy, land use, zoning, energy, permits
View the abstract and download Joe Walsh's paper
Cite: Walsh, Joe, Home Rule on the Ropes: State Preemption of Local Zoning for Small Renewable Power Projects in Massachusetts (July 21, 2009). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1437275
Home Rule on the Ropes: State Preemption of Local Zoning for Small Renewable Power Projects in Massachusetts.
The paper is witty and on point. Abstract below:
Abstract:
Local zoning approvals and community-based legal appeals continue to bedevil Massachusetts' renewable energy entrepreneurs, even as policy change and investment capital are helping to spur growth in renewable energy generation. Proposals for special renewable energy zoning laws still need to work through the legislature (and, ultimately, the courts) and the future is unclear.
The entrepreneurs that understand and make best use of an existing Massachusetts statute that provides zoning relief for power projects will be the first to get green power onto the grid, allowing them to command higher prices on the bulk power market and positioning them for lucrative long-term contracts with utilities that badly need the renewable capacity.
"Home Rule on the Ropes" outlines this special exemption and explains how it can be used to gain the competitive advantage in permitting.
Keywords: renewable energy, land use, zoning, energy, permits
View the abstract and download Joe Walsh's paper
Cite: Walsh, Joe, Home Rule on the Ropes: State Preemption of Local Zoning for Small Renewable Power Projects in Massachusetts (July 21, 2009). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1437275
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
9.12 DC TEA PARTY - MARCH FOOTAGE WITH INTERVIEWS
Last time I checked Jesus wrote the Constitution. Take that HISTORY!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
President Barack Obama 2009 Inauguration and Address
Just feel free to leave every single Martin Luther King quote below and then whisper "Yes we can" to yourself. You will smile.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Auto Bailout - now tell us what you really think...
What do real people think of the Auto Bail out? This is a representative form of government right? How's that car czar shaping up?
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Wall Street Bail Out - James Pinkerton Weighs In
James Pinkerton, Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee Adviser, speaks to the beneficiaries of the government bail out.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Al Qaeda Network Exord - The Sword of Black Ops
I can’t wait for the Bush Administration to end. However, my anticipation stems only from the desire to see more military secrets that will hopefully be declassified and made public as soon as the administration ends. We are talking Rainbow Six, Navy Seal, Halo 4 type secrets. Through an executive order, a Presidential power that is not reviewed by Congress, President Bust had:
“authorized its special forces to carry out more than a dozen raids in countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, four years ago as part of a stepped-up hunt for al-Qaida, according to a former senior CIA officer. Highly publicized attacks by American forces across the border from Iraq into Syria last month, and from Afghanistan into Pakistan's tribal areas in September, are just the tip of an iceberg of special military operations.”
-Ewen MacAskill in Washington writing for the Guardian UK.
We have Delta forces tromping around Syria, Seals swimming off the coast of Somalia. I am sure that some Green Berets are kicking some ass some where, but I want to know. I need details. The release further stated that many of these classified forays into non-war zone countries (all other countries except for Iraq and Afghanistan) were video taped by US predator drones.
“In 2006, for example, a Navy Seal team raided a suspected militants’ compound in the Bajaur region of Pakistan, according to a former top official of the Central Intelligence Agency. Officials watched the entire mission — captured by the video camera of a remotely piloted Predator aircraft — in real time in the C.I.A.’s Counterterrorist Center at the agency’s headquarters in Virginia 7,000 miles away.”
-ERIC SCHMITT and MARK MAZZETTI writing for The New York Times
If that is not bad ass (but also really scary) then I do not know what is. Hurry up and end Bush administration so I can see all your secrets. Where have my tax dollars gone? What black ops have I funded and how many bombs have I dropped, what are the fruits of this poisonous tree and are we making the kool-aid to drink from the bounty?
“Apart from the 2006 raid into Pakistan, the American officials refused to describe in detail what they said had been nearly a dozen previously undisclosed attacks, except to say they had been carried out in Syria, Pakistan and other countries. They made clear that there had been no raids into Iran using that authority, but they suggested that American forces had carried out reconnaissance missions in Iran using other classified directives.
According to a senior administration official, the new authority was spelled out in a classified document called “Al Qaeda Network Exord,” or execute order, that streamlined the approval process for the military to act outside officially declared war zones. Where in the past the Pentagon needed to get approval for missions on a case-by-case basis, which could take days when there were only hours to act, the new order specified a way for Pentagon planners to get the green light for a mission far more quickly, the official said.”
-ERIC SCHMITT and MARK MAZZETTI writing for the New York Times
No raids into Iran? Let’s see what the gov’t has to say once Bush is out.
“authorized its special forces to carry out more than a dozen raids in countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, four years ago as part of a stepped-up hunt for al-Qaida, according to a former senior CIA officer. Highly publicized attacks by American forces across the border from Iraq into Syria last month, and from Afghanistan into Pakistan's tribal areas in September, are just the tip of an iceberg of special military operations.”
-Ewen MacAskill in Washington writing for the Guardian UK.
We have Delta forces tromping around Syria, Seals swimming off the coast of Somalia. I am sure that some Green Berets are kicking some ass some where, but I want to know. I need details. The release further stated that many of these classified forays into non-war zone countries (all other countries except for Iraq and Afghanistan) were video taped by US predator drones.
“In 2006, for example, a Navy Seal team raided a suspected militants’ compound in the Bajaur region of Pakistan, according to a former top official of the Central Intelligence Agency. Officials watched the entire mission — captured by the video camera of a remotely piloted Predator aircraft — in real time in the C.I.A.’s Counterterrorist Center at the agency’s headquarters in Virginia 7,000 miles away.”
-ERIC SCHMITT and MARK MAZZETTI writing for The New York Times
If that is not bad ass (but also really scary) then I do not know what is. Hurry up and end Bush administration so I can see all your secrets. Where have my tax dollars gone? What black ops have I funded and how many bombs have I dropped, what are the fruits of this poisonous tree and are we making the kool-aid to drink from the bounty?
“Apart from the 2006 raid into Pakistan, the American officials refused to describe in detail what they said had been nearly a dozen previously undisclosed attacks, except to say they had been carried out in Syria, Pakistan and other countries. They made clear that there had been no raids into Iran using that authority, but they suggested that American forces had carried out reconnaissance missions in Iran using other classified directives.
According to a senior administration official, the new authority was spelled out in a classified document called “Al Qaeda Network Exord,” or execute order, that streamlined the approval process for the military to act outside officially declared war zones. Where in the past the Pentagon needed to get approval for missions on a case-by-case basis, which could take days when there were only hours to act, the new order specified a way for Pentagon planners to get the green light for a mission far more quickly, the official said.”
-ERIC SCHMITT and MARK MAZZETTI writing for the New York Times
No raids into Iran? Let’s see what the gov’t has to say once Bush is out.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Let's Hug It Out
One of the worst kept secrets in the past week was that President-Elect Barack Obama wanted Congressman Rahm Emanuel as his Chief of Staff in his White House. This story first surfaced on Halloween on a few different news websites. Well, for those of you who do not know who Rahm Emanuel is, let me tell you a fun-fact about him: His brother is Ari Emanuel, the head of the Endeavor Agency, who Jeremy Piven's character Ari Gold on Entourage is based on.
Now, the best part about Rahm's brother Ari is that Ari is very much like his t.v. counterpart Ari Gold. Ari used to be one of the big agents at International Creative Management (ICM) in the late 90's before he got fired by ICM head Jeff Berg because they found out that him and some other agents were planning on starting their own agency (sounds like a storyline from season two of Entourage, huh). The real-life Ari has been sued for sexually harassing employees and has been known to walk into rooms by kicking the door open (also sounds like his t.v. counterpart). And let me tell you something, his brother, Rahm, the probable Chief of Staff for Obama, is like his brother.
Now, if you do not know anything about Rahm Emanuel, let me tell you a little bit about him. Rahm has been involved in politics since 1984 when he worked for Paul Simon's Senate campaign. Later on, he was on Bill Clinton's Presidential campaign staff as Director of Finance in 1992, and work for his administration as a Senior Advisor from 1993-1998. Currently, he is a Congressman from the 5th District in Illinois and is the Democratic Caucus Chairman.
But, what Rahm is known for is being a bulldog and his intensity. He is a take no prisoners politician that will fight for his causes till his last dying breath. He is very passionate about what he does and is doing. He reportedly told British Prime Minister Tony Blair, prior to Blair appearing in public with Clinton for the first time after the Lewinsky scandal, "This is important. Don't fuck it up." He is said to have "mailed a rotting fish to a former coworker after the two parted ways." On the night after the 1996 election, "Emanuel was so angry at the president's enemies that he stood up at a celebratory dinner with colleagues from the campaign, grabbed a steak knife and began rattling off a list of betrayers, shouting 'Dead! ... Dead! ... Dead!' and plunging the knife into the table after every name."
He also has been involved in some historic moments in this countries and the world's history. Rahm helped create and plan the 1993 Rose Garden signing ceremony after the Oslo Accords between Israel and Palestine. He directed the details of the ceremony, down to the choreography of the famous handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.
So you may be asking yourself at this moment what I am getting at. I think Congressman Rahm Emanuel is the perfect pick to be Obama's Chief of Staff. He is a fighter and at this moment, that is what our country needs. We need someone that will be in the backrooms and dark hallways cutting through the partisan bullshit and setting people straight. We need someone to tell people for both sides to "Shut the Fuck Up" when neccessary and light a fire under people's asses to make "change we can believe in" happen. So, I salute you Barack Obama for making a bold choice for, as some say, the "Co-President" of these United States.
Sidenote: Rahm Emanuel actually has a t.v. character based on him, Bradley Whitford's character, Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman, on the West Wing. Also, as a child, he took Ballet, and was originally going to study it at Sarah Lawrence before he got bite by the political bug while in college.
Now, the best part about Rahm's brother Ari is that Ari is very much like his t.v. counterpart Ari Gold. Ari used to be one of the big agents at International Creative Management (ICM) in the late 90's before he got fired by ICM head Jeff Berg because they found out that him and some other agents were planning on starting their own agency (sounds like a storyline from season two of Entourage, huh). The real-life Ari has been sued for sexually harassing employees and has been known to walk into rooms by kicking the door open (also sounds like his t.v. counterpart). And let me tell you something, his brother, Rahm, the probable Chief of Staff for Obama, is like his brother.
Now, if you do not know anything about Rahm Emanuel, let me tell you a little bit about him. Rahm has been involved in politics since 1984 when he worked for Paul Simon's Senate campaign. Later on, he was on Bill Clinton's Presidential campaign staff as Director of Finance in 1992, and work for his administration as a Senior Advisor from 1993-1998. Currently, he is a Congressman from the 5th District in Illinois and is the Democratic Caucus Chairman.
But, what Rahm is known for is being a bulldog and his intensity. He is a take no prisoners politician that will fight for his causes till his last dying breath. He is very passionate about what he does and is doing. He reportedly told British Prime Minister Tony Blair, prior to Blair appearing in public with Clinton for the first time after the Lewinsky scandal, "This is important. Don't fuck it up." He is said to have "mailed a rotting fish to a former coworker after the two parted ways." On the night after the 1996 election, "Emanuel was so angry at the president's enemies that he stood up at a celebratory dinner with colleagues from the campaign, grabbed a steak knife and began rattling off a list of betrayers, shouting 'Dead! ... Dead! ... Dead!' and plunging the knife into the table after every name."
He also has been involved in some historic moments in this countries and the world's history. Rahm helped create and plan the 1993 Rose Garden signing ceremony after the Oslo Accords between Israel and Palestine. He directed the details of the ceremony, down to the choreography of the famous handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.
So you may be asking yourself at this moment what I am getting at. I think Congressman Rahm Emanuel is the perfect pick to be Obama's Chief of Staff. He is a fighter and at this moment, that is what our country needs. We need someone that will be in the backrooms and dark hallways cutting through the partisan bullshit and setting people straight. We need someone to tell people for both sides to "Shut the Fuck Up" when neccessary and light a fire under people's asses to make "change we can believe in" happen. So, I salute you Barack Obama for making a bold choice for, as some say, the "Co-President" of these United States.
Sidenote: Rahm Emanuel actually has a t.v. character based on him, Bradley Whitford's character, Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman, on the West Wing. Also, as a child, he took Ballet, and was originally going to study it at Sarah Lawrence before he got bite by the political bug while in college.
Spit and Swallow of the Week 11-2 to 11-8
Spit and Swallow of the Week-
11/2/2008 - 11/8/2008
11/2/2008 - 11/8/2008
Spit:
- Florida passed ballot questions approving constitutional amendments to the state constitutions banning same sex marriages.
- Arizona passed ballot questions approving constitutional amendments to the state constitutions banning same sex marriages.
- California, wherein the state Supreme Court allowed for same sex marriage in May of this year, is in a tightly contested vote relative to banning same sex marriage. Same sex marriage will be banned in California. The California vote may have more significance on the course of same sex marriages in the USA than the State of Connecticut's recently having become the third state to allow for same sex marriages. As California goes so does the nation, shame on you California.
- Arkansas passed a ballot initiative that prohibits an individual who is co-habitating outside of marriage from adopting or acting as a foster parent to a child under the age of 18. although this law will apply to both heterosexual and homosexual persons, its supporters were clear that it was directed at same sex couples.
- Massachusetts: Maintained the income tax, banned Dog Track racing through a phase out measure to take full effect by 2010 and the state decriminalized marijuana making possession a $100 fine. Dealing is still a criminal offense.
- Barack Obama became the first black president of the United States. The fifth black Senator continued his historic rise. Drink it in and swallow down that smooth history in the making.
- The 14th amendment – sorry State Amendments above the 14th amendment should and will smoke all of these state laws. Please note the part of the 14th amendment that says “NO STATE SHALL.” If you are looking for a case on point to get cracking all you aspiring law students out there see the classic Loving v. Virginia 338 U.S. 1 (1967) For all those that voted to ban gay marriage you are the new age bigots, jim crows and Plessey v. Fergusons, feel proud.
- John McCain’s concession speech. I am being 100% sincere. The man reached me with his speech. If I had seen this much humanity, sensitivity and thought while he was on the campaign trail as opposed to the constant attack ads I may have voted differently this election. He was, dare I say, Presidential in his classy delivery and unifying message.
So there is the Spit & Swallow run down of the week. Big week, big election.
Keep on S-P-E-R-M-ing. It makes the world go round.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sore Losers vs. Cowardice
Here's my stance. There has been a lot of bluster going on over the past few months about what would happen if Obama won or if McCain won, and with both scenarios I have heard the statement, "If (so and so) wins, I'm leaving the country."
Here's the deal folks, if you're guy loses or if my guy loses let it be known that you have the right to be pissed off because things did not go your way. It's only fair because we want to see things get better and getting pissed off and having fiery debates are great ways to cope. Let us not forget alcoholic binges, drug-fueled kicks and eating your feelings away--those are good, too.
Let it be known, that if I hear anyone say, "I'm moving because a terrorist-loving, spread-the-wealth, tax and spend Arab socialist is our president with a gaffe machine behind him" or "I'm moving because a quick-tempered, deregulating, erratic old man is our president and Caribou Barbie is behind him," then I will have this to say to you: Get the Fuck out! Don't care if your on my side or not. In a society where there is a free-flow of ideas there is no excuse to be giving up because one election has been lost. Adapt, make changes, evolve for the better.
The idea of America was for a peaceful co-existance of people who disagree, which is a great idea--probably the reason America has been so successful. There is never a reason to give up on your best interest. If you wanted to move to Italy, then fine go ahead, I have no problem with that. My problem comes with the idea that you are giving up because it looks like the fight will be too hard. We were founded on impossibilites. Man up.
Here's the deal folks, if you're guy loses or if my guy loses let it be known that you have the right to be pissed off because things did not go your way. It's only fair because we want to see things get better and getting pissed off and having fiery debates are great ways to cope. Let us not forget alcoholic binges, drug-fueled kicks and eating your feelings away--those are good, too.
Let it be known, that if I hear anyone say, "I'm moving because a terrorist-loving, spread-the-wealth, tax and spend Arab socialist is our president with a gaffe machine behind him" or "I'm moving because a quick-tempered, deregulating, erratic old man is our president and Caribou Barbie is behind him," then I will have this to say to you: Get the Fuck out! Don't care if your on my side or not. In a society where there is a free-flow of ideas there is no excuse to be giving up because one election has been lost. Adapt, make changes, evolve for the better.
The idea of America was for a peaceful co-existance of people who disagree, which is a great idea--probably the reason America has been so successful. There is never a reason to give up on your best interest. If you wanted to move to Italy, then fine go ahead, I have no problem with that. My problem comes with the idea that you are giving up because it looks like the fight will be too hard. We were founded on impossibilites. Man up.
Election 2008: My running voting diary
For those of you that cannot vote or have not voted yet, I've decided to write a running diary of my voting experience from early this morning. In past elections, I have waited till after work to vote, but it took me over two hours to vote last time, when I voted in the primaries a few months ago. But, this election, I wanted to go to the polling place in the morning right after it opened to try and beat the rush. Boy, was I wrong.
6:45am - My girlfriend wakes me up to let me know that the power has gone out in our apartment building. I kindly ask her to wake me up about 7:30am. As, I fall back asleep, I wonder if the power failure if cause by either the McCain or Obama campaign trying to mess with people on election day. Voter tampering?!?!?!
7:13am - I am woken up again. This time it is by my dog who has jumped on my bed and decided that my chest seems like a good place to stand.
7:21am - Hoping that the lack of power has not effected the hot water in my building. It hasn't. Thank God for natural gas. Shower time.
7:47am - Off to the polling place. Lucky for me, it is just around the corner from my apartment. As I drive by my polling place, I notice a line stretching two blocks down the road. SHIT. I am never going to find parking. Wait, there's a spot. Score!
7:51am - I cut about 10-15 people in line because my girlfriend went about 20 minutes a head of me and I jumped in next to her. I immediately give her a quick peck on the lips to let people behind her know that we are together.
7:55am - I convince my girlfriend that she should come back after work to vote because we are going to be in line for at least an hour and she needs to be at work by 8:30am. She agrees with me, and heads off to work. All the people in the line I just cut about 5 minutes ago are now giving me the evil eye.
8:02am - I remembered to bring my I-Pod this time in anticipation of the long wait. I put on a little Red Hot Chili Peppers and start enjoying a little California sun. After sizing up the length of the line, I determine that I should be all done voting by at least 8:45.
8:11am - The line is barely moving. I start to notice what everyone in front and back of me are doing. I have two older men standing in front of me shooting the shit and talking about the Bush-Kerry election. One man, wearing a Santa Monica hat, is doing all the talking, and the other man has a tube coming from his nose which is hooked to an oxygen tank. Apparently, old people do come out and vote. The woman behind me that I just cut about 15 minutes ago jumps on her cellphone.
8:17am - The line is barely moving. I have just realized that I am going to be here longer than I thought.
8:22am - The woman behind me on her cellphone apparently does not realize she is talking on her phone in public. So far, she has called three different people just to tell them that she is in line waiting to vote. She has also mentioned to all three of them that she has horrible cramps. Thank you for that for that, Fatty.
8:29am - Santa Monica hat guy in front of me will not stop talking. Not only will he not stop talking, he laughs after everything he says whether it is funny or not. And as he is laughing, he is looking around at everyone to see if they are laughing also. Time to turn up the sound on my I-Pod. Save me Anthony Kiedis.
8:36am - I am starting to get frustrated standing in line. How can it take people so long to vote. Are you just reading up on the propositions and measurements while you are in the voting booth? Are you really still undecided and flipping a coin to see who you are going to vote for? WTF?!!?!?
8:41am - Running tally for phone calls made by the woman behind me to tell people she is voting and has cramps: 8. Take a fucking Midol already.
8:45am - Will you stop looking me after you say something Santa Monica hat guy. I am not going to acknowledge you because then you will start talking to me. You have a newspaper in your hand, why are you not reading it? At the very least, use the newspaper to give yourself a fatal paper cut.
8:46am - Why won't this line move?!?!?!?!?!
8:51am - Hey! I think that guy just rolled up with himself and two kids just cut the whole line. I do not care if you have two kids with you, get in line like everyone else or get one of your stupid neighbor's teenagers to watch your snot nosed children. (Yes, I realize I am being hypocritical since I cut the line myself about 50 minutes ago, but in my defense, I did not cut the whole line, just about 10 people, plus my girlfriend left, so it is kind of a wash)
8:59am - I finally made it inside the polling building. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
9:00am - SHUT THE FUCK UP Santa Monica hat guy. I have had to listen to you for an hour already. You have said nothing of substance or entertaining for that matter. SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!
9:02am - I see that guy with his two kids coming out. I decided not to move out of the way so he can get by. He literally has to try and squeeze in between the wall and I. He says excuse me, but I pretend not to hear him because my I-Pod is too loud. It is all about the little victories in life.
9:04am - Cellphone woman is still talking on her cellphone. Running tally for people she has called to tell she is voting and having cramps: 11. I hope there is a proposition on the ballot I have not read about that bans people like her from talking on cellphones in public.
9:08am - Finally! I'm up.
9:10am - Now I understand why this is taking so long. I have to tell three different people my name and other information. Person 1 - my name, Person 2 - my address, Person 3 - my name and address. Now this would not take that long, if the people crossing off names where not 10 minutes away from dying. Honestly, if you are older than dirt, there is no way you should be in charge of the voting process. Isn't there an early bird special that you need to be at or someone that you need to cut off while driving.
9:13am - I have finally checked in, but now I have to stand in another line to wait for an open voting booth to open up.
9:14am - FUCK! Santa Monica hat guy is in front of me again and is still talking and laughing after everything he says.
9:15am - DOUBLE FUCK! Cellphone woman is now behind me. She is no longer talking on her cellphone, but text messaging people and reading what she is typing out loud. I...am...voting...and... have... bad... cramps...ttyl. How about tty-I-am-going-to-kill-you. I hope your phone gives you cancer.
9:17am - I watching this woman in a Cosby sweater continually fuck up on her ballot. She is on ballot number three because she has check both the yes and no box on a few different propositions. I have just witness someone that should not be allowed to vote. California ballots are not hard to figure out. There is no hanging chads or connecting the lines. It is this simple: Fill in bubble 120 if you vote yes, or fill in bubble 121 if you vote no. This Cosby sweater woman should be taken out back and shot for messing up three times in a row. Do you really want her to be having children or having a choice in who the next President is? I think not.
9:21am - I made it into the voting booth. I have just noticed that the little table in the voting booth only comes up to my nuts. Apparently their is a horde of midgets voting this year.
9:22am-9:31am - VOTING
9:32am - I have finished voting, cast in my ballot, and got my "I Voted" sticker. Yes, it took me 9 minutes to vote. It is not because I did not know who or what I wanted to vote for, but because I had to vote for about 40 different things: about 10 elections, 12 propositions, 10 measurements, etc. So if you take the combination of the amount of things you have to vote for and the amount of morons that vote (i.e - Cosby sweater woman), I totally understand why it took so long. Time to go to work.
Final thoughts on voting - I truly enjoy voting. Once I cast my ballot and put my I vote sticker on, I am immediately filled with pride. I feel uniquely American. Whether my guy wins or not, I feel like I have done my duty as an American citizen. So for those of you that do not vote, to put it simply: GO FUCK YOURSELF. Take an hour and a half out of one day every four years and participate in something that people are dying for to have: The right to have your voice heard.
P.S. - I always find it quite funny that a lot of the polling places are at Churches. Mine was at a Baptist Church. A big part of our country is separation between church and state, but when you go to cast your vote, you go to God's house. Thank God I am not religious.
6:45am - My girlfriend wakes me up to let me know that the power has gone out in our apartment building. I kindly ask her to wake me up about 7:30am. As, I fall back asleep, I wonder if the power failure if cause by either the McCain or Obama campaign trying to mess with people on election day. Voter tampering?!?!?!
7:13am - I am woken up again. This time it is by my dog who has jumped on my bed and decided that my chest seems like a good place to stand.
7:21am - Hoping that the lack of power has not effected the hot water in my building. It hasn't. Thank God for natural gas. Shower time.
7:47am - Off to the polling place. Lucky for me, it is just around the corner from my apartment. As I drive by my polling place, I notice a line stretching two blocks down the road. SHIT. I am never going to find parking. Wait, there's a spot. Score!
7:51am - I cut about 10-15 people in line because my girlfriend went about 20 minutes a head of me and I jumped in next to her. I immediately give her a quick peck on the lips to let people behind her know that we are together.
7:55am - I convince my girlfriend that she should come back after work to vote because we are going to be in line for at least an hour and she needs to be at work by 8:30am. She agrees with me, and heads off to work. All the people in the line I just cut about 5 minutes ago are now giving me the evil eye.
8:02am - I remembered to bring my I-Pod this time in anticipation of the long wait. I put on a little Red Hot Chili Peppers and start enjoying a little California sun. After sizing up the length of the line, I determine that I should be all done voting by at least 8:45.
8:11am - The line is barely moving. I start to notice what everyone in front and back of me are doing. I have two older men standing in front of me shooting the shit and talking about the Bush-Kerry election. One man, wearing a Santa Monica hat, is doing all the talking, and the other man has a tube coming from his nose which is hooked to an oxygen tank. Apparently, old people do come out and vote. The woman behind me that I just cut about 15 minutes ago jumps on her cellphone.
8:17am - The line is barely moving. I have just realized that I am going to be here longer than I thought.
8:22am - The woman behind me on her cellphone apparently does not realize she is talking on her phone in public. So far, she has called three different people just to tell them that she is in line waiting to vote. She has also mentioned to all three of them that she has horrible cramps. Thank you for that for that, Fatty.
8:29am - Santa Monica hat guy in front of me will not stop talking. Not only will he not stop talking, he laughs after everything he says whether it is funny or not. And as he is laughing, he is looking around at everyone to see if they are laughing also. Time to turn up the sound on my I-Pod. Save me Anthony Kiedis.
8:36am - I am starting to get frustrated standing in line. How can it take people so long to vote. Are you just reading up on the propositions and measurements while you are in the voting booth? Are you really still undecided and flipping a coin to see who you are going to vote for? WTF?!!?!?
8:41am - Running tally for phone calls made by the woman behind me to tell people she is voting and has cramps: 8. Take a fucking Midol already.
8:45am - Will you stop looking me after you say something Santa Monica hat guy. I am not going to acknowledge you because then you will start talking to me. You have a newspaper in your hand, why are you not reading it? At the very least, use the newspaper to give yourself a fatal paper cut.
8:46am - Why won't this line move?!?!?!?!?!
8:51am - Hey! I think that guy just rolled up with himself and two kids just cut the whole line. I do not care if you have two kids with you, get in line like everyone else or get one of your stupid neighbor's teenagers to watch your snot nosed children. (Yes, I realize I am being hypocritical since I cut the line myself about 50 minutes ago, but in my defense, I did not cut the whole line, just about 10 people, plus my girlfriend left, so it is kind of a wash)
8:59am - I finally made it inside the polling building. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
9:00am - SHUT THE FUCK UP Santa Monica hat guy. I have had to listen to you for an hour already. You have said nothing of substance or entertaining for that matter. SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!
9:02am - I see that guy with his two kids coming out. I decided not to move out of the way so he can get by. He literally has to try and squeeze in between the wall and I. He says excuse me, but I pretend not to hear him because my I-Pod is too loud. It is all about the little victories in life.
9:04am - Cellphone woman is still talking on her cellphone. Running tally for people she has called to tell she is voting and having cramps: 11. I hope there is a proposition on the ballot I have not read about that bans people like her from talking on cellphones in public.
9:08am - Finally! I'm up.
9:10am - Now I understand why this is taking so long. I have to tell three different people my name and other information. Person 1 - my name, Person 2 - my address, Person 3 - my name and address. Now this would not take that long, if the people crossing off names where not 10 minutes away from dying. Honestly, if you are older than dirt, there is no way you should be in charge of the voting process. Isn't there an early bird special that you need to be at or someone that you need to cut off while driving.
9:13am - I have finally checked in, but now I have to stand in another line to wait for an open voting booth to open up.
9:14am - FUCK! Santa Monica hat guy is in front of me again and is still talking and laughing after everything he says.
9:15am - DOUBLE FUCK! Cellphone woman is now behind me. She is no longer talking on her cellphone, but text messaging people and reading what she is typing out loud. I...am...voting...and... have... bad... cramps...ttyl. How about tty-I-am-going-to-kill-you. I hope your phone gives you cancer.
9:17am - I watching this woman in a Cosby sweater continually fuck up on her ballot. She is on ballot number three because she has check both the yes and no box on a few different propositions. I have just witness someone that should not be allowed to vote. California ballots are not hard to figure out. There is no hanging chads or connecting the lines. It is this simple: Fill in bubble 120 if you vote yes, or fill in bubble 121 if you vote no. This Cosby sweater woman should be taken out back and shot for messing up three times in a row. Do you really want her to be having children or having a choice in who the next President is? I think not.
9:21am - I made it into the voting booth. I have just noticed that the little table in the voting booth only comes up to my nuts. Apparently their is a horde of midgets voting this year.
9:22am-9:31am - VOTING
9:32am - I have finished voting, cast in my ballot, and got my "I Voted" sticker. Yes, it took me 9 minutes to vote. It is not because I did not know who or what I wanted to vote for, but because I had to vote for about 40 different things: about 10 elections, 12 propositions, 10 measurements, etc. So if you take the combination of the amount of things you have to vote for and the amount of morons that vote (i.e - Cosby sweater woman), I totally understand why it took so long. Time to go to work.
Final thoughts on voting - I truly enjoy voting. Once I cast my ballot and put my I vote sticker on, I am immediately filled with pride. I feel uniquely American. Whether my guy wins or not, I feel like I have done my duty as an American citizen. So for those of you that do not vote, to put it simply: GO FUCK YOURSELF. Take an hour and a half out of one day every four years and participate in something that people are dying for to have: The right to have your voice heard.
P.S. - I always find it quite funny that a lot of the polling places are at Churches. Mine was at a Baptist Church. A big part of our country is separation between church and state, but when you go to cast your vote, you go to God's house. Thank God I am not religious.
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