Miscellaneous thoughts - Political conventions edition

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Check the facts and the candidates on the issues for yourself.
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Got a giggle out of Campbell Brown asking Tucker Bounds to name one decision Sarah Palin has made as Commander in Chief of the Alaskan National Guard (about 2:15 in). For the record, I would have gotten the same giggle if it were a Democratic idiot doing the tap-dance.


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And giggles...Jon Stewart...I must remember not to be drinking anything when I watch his show. I think I've choked on Diet Pepsi more in the last two weeks than I imagined I would in my entire life. Funny funny funny stuff.
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Everyone should read this editorial about Sarah Palin and our reactions to her.

For my part, I will not question Sarah Palin's loyalty to her family...or the decisions she has made. I will not question whether she should or should not be running for Vice President. That is a matter for her and her family to decide. The fact is, she IS running for Vice President and we've got bigger issues to talk about.

Which brings me to the topic of "experience." We have, in our society, a strange sense of things. We claim that we do not like it when government operation is removed from the common person. But when a common person runs for office we yell and scream, "But...but...but...they're not QUALIFIED...they're JUST LIKE ME!" Elitism knows all political parties apparently.

Seriously...Obama isn't qualified by any standard I would use to hire someone. Neither is Sarah Palin. Hell, I probably wouldn't trust any of them to run my office if I were hiring. They all have problems with their resume that would cull them out in the first round of HR screenings. But if experience were to have been a requirement, it would have been written into the Constitution (it's not...I checked).

So...I make this pledge here...You won't ever hear me compare "experience" or "qualifications" of political candidates for office. Because, really, who among us is ever totally qualified (except maybe a previous officeholder)? I wasn't qualified for my job...but I do a pretty good imitation of someone who was. And sure, my job is different from the presidency/vice-presidency. But do we really think that those two positions are at the mercy of just those two individuals who hold those offices? I'm under no illusions as to how it works. Advisors, consultants, staff and cabinet members...those are the people who are running our country. I'm more concerned that Karl Rove will be invited back to the White House than I am who actually sits at the desk in the Oval Office.

Now let's talk ISSUES people!
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My only comment on Bristol Palin's pregnancy...a comment TO Bristol Palin...

The world will judge you harshly, and for that I am sorry. This should be a time of happy dreams and plans for you. I hope you are able to find some of that with the people you love and the people who love you. Yes, your life is about to change dramatically...you have no idea how much. Most likely you are not ready...not because of your age...but because (if we are honest with ourselves) none of us is ever truly ready for parenthood. But no matter the path your life takes, you now and forever will be a mother. It is a magical journey and I wish you well on it.
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The DNC "CHANGE" signs were cheesy, but the RNC "COUNTRY FIRST" signs with "PROSPERITY" on the flip side are just out of this world.
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The NYTimes did a word cloud from the speeches of the Presidential candidates. That, in and of itself, says something about our society, don't ya think?
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It is clear that even our political process has fallen victim to the easy laugh. When you don't have anything of substance to say, make fun...mock...use sarcasm. Now, I appreciate a good sarcastic sense of humor as much as the next person...but I'm pretty sure that's not the best quality for the leader of the free world (or his VP).
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***the end of political talk for this edition of Miscellaneous Thoughts***
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Yes, yes, I am the freak clipping coupons while sitting in my lawn chair at my son's soccer practice. Don't laugh.
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Government office faux pas...no, you can NOT have an Obama 08 sign in your window.
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To the man at the mall play place who asked me, a complete stranger, if I could watch his daughter "just for a minute" while he ran to Kmart...

It only takes a minute...you should remember that.
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I find myself watching my son's soccer practice with a critical eye. It's not that I can do better...in fact, I know I couldn't. I'm not an athlete and I never played team sports. So I don't really have any right to say anything. But I seemingly can't help myself.

Oh, I'm not worried about his performance...though I do think he could stand to move a little more/faster and not be so timid when attacking the ball. I'm worried about his behavior. I find myself saying things like "pay attention" and "stop talking and listen" and "don't dig gopher holes in the middle of the soccer field."

My son is not what one would call attentive. He gets bored easily and tends to spout off his mouth at inappropriate times. Sound like anyone you know? Yes, he takes after me in all the wrong ways and it makes me really uncomfortable to see my bad qualities reflected in my son. I'm a stellar parent, obviously, and my child is going to need therapy before he's seven years old. *sigh*
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Internal debate: Is it worth it to drive an hour to get double coupons up to $2 at Kmart? Could potentially mean cheap and free items...
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Shipping a photo canvas via FedEx from here to Australia at the cheapest rate = $425

UPS was slightly more reasonable at $275.

No, I'm not joking.
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Dying paper is tricky business. Must move fast or drips and smudges will ruin the end product.
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Soccer at 9am in the rain when it's 74 degrees out...after a long night of dealing with a screaming baby...not so fun.
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