Back in the Saddle, Redux

What is there to say that hasn't already been said? And better, anyway? Still, I can't sit idle this season and not pontificate. It is a time to try men's and women's souls. The election is exciting, frightening and maybe even a bit tragic. What people are promising and the reality to be delivered may turn out more of what we will expect - little. With that, what's been flying around my head:

The Democratic National Convention was a fine opportunity to trumpet the hopes of Barack Obama and introduce us, nationally, to Joe Biden. Smart pick, though I think the GOP is going to attack Biden's record, especially regarding "honesty" with the whole speech 'borrowing' from years back. The Clintons came to rally the troops for the following (and in order):

3. President Obama
2. The Democratic Party
1. Themselves

the couple's performance is the sole reason needed to answer, "why didn't Hillary get the veep offer?" The Clintons just won't be willing to respect their positions and Obama, smartly, is keeping them as far from the ticket as possible.

John McCain has been running a campaign so lacklustrous that I'd fear what the polls would reflect if he actually went out to dazzle the electorate. Ironic that he's pulling neck and neck as every one of his positions reflects the values of minorities of Americans - Iraq, taxes, energy, the environment, abortion rights, the 1st, 4th and 8th amendments. However, the Minneapolis convention will be interesting. If it's anything like '04, here's what we'll see: token minorities with lots of camera time and an audience full of wealthy white people.

Now, the shenanigan McCain pulled yesterday in his veep nomination was a brilliant maneuver. Naming Sarah Palin, the eighteen-month long governor from Alaska, for the number two. Stunning. Very little experience. Strong connections to big oil, the NRA, creationism in schools, the pro-life movement. She's Georgina Bush. And she's untouchable: she represents womanhood, motherhood, "traditional" (read: pre-Scopes Trial) values, feminism. The GOP will pull the greatest double standard since the fuzzy math debacle of '00. The party will play up WHO she is and not policy nor ability nor experience. However, whenever the Democrats will attempt to attack her for her weaknessness, the GOP will claim that Palin's a victim of attack; that her personality and not her candidacy is being attacked. See, it's the politics of cynicism and negativity. And it's brilliant. AND IT'S GOING TO WORK. I hope I get to eat my words, but I'm going to say it and say it now: John McCain will be the next President of the United States. And Sarah Palin will be the 45th President. Statistically speaking, a man of McCain's generation usually expires at year seventy-five. That's just right after the '10 midterms; Palin can complete what's left of her term, run for election in '12 (maybe against Hillary - did the Clintons put McCain up to nominating Palin?) and then again in '16. Women get what they want; the GOP gets what it wants; the Democrats will continue to lose and the overall strength of the nation will continue to disintegrate. Am I being negative? I dunno; are the neocon-far-right-flat-earther-big-business-oligopoly-kakistocracy still running campaigns?

While I have very little of importance to discuss, I do want to return to regular postings. While things on the professional front are not the greatest, I'd like to keep this mainly political. Bruce's Magic tour wrapped up last week (with more of a whimper than a bang) and tonight is the final performance at the Harley Fest. This will either be a lull for the Boss or a time to hit the studios, depending on the rumors. Musically, the well is dry here, both on the listening ears as well as the personal level - Funk Shui will be dancing its Last Waltz on September 27 at a gig where attendees will actually have to pay admission! We'll see. I'm simply tired of listening to how tired most of the band is and it's time to cut bait. I pulled the plug this week and heard not a rebuttal, so we'll congenially hang it up.

Congrats, Eric, on the house!!!!