Open for Questions

This is the latest addition to Obama's transitional website. It's called "Open for Questions" and allows (will again later, it appears to be closed for this round) people to submit questions and vote them up or down depending on what people want answered. This is one of the most transparent/democratic ways for people to get in touch with the highest office in the land.

Some critics are pissy because questions about Ayers/Wright/Corruption/Birth Certificate/etc are being voted down. Critics are complaining about the democratic process. Unbelievable.

On my last post...

Re-reading what I wrote in kind of a hurry, I realized how whiny that sounds. Geesh.

For clarification, my views on capitalism is that, borrowing from someone, it's great except for capitalists. The greed that has been rampant in the last few years is staggering. Capitalism would work if not for capitalists.

Here's my suggestion: Capitalism refocus itself into a wider spectrum. Individuals ought to recognize that the greater success of all usually means the greater success of few. What's the point if only a select few are doing well, while many, many others are not? While I recognize the need for classes, and I'm not rebelling against that, why the big gap between them?

Ugh. Still sounding whiny. Shit.

Dealing with the economy

A lot of companies have been announcing layoffs lately, and the numbers have been very staggering. But to me, those were just numbers. Not to sound heartless, but it was distant to me, perhaps due to naivete on my part (probably) or maybe to a sense of denial as a means of protecting myself from thinking about it. But, this morning, two people I work with were told they were being laid off.

I'll admit that I did breath a sigh of relief that it wasn't me, because if it had, I'd have been screwed financially. Not my proudest moment, but I need to be honest with myself here.

I started to think why a company would lay off people, and came up with a notion of a sort of bastardized Social Darwinism (which Darwin himself abhorred, by the way). The rationale might be that: in order for the company to survive and maintain, the weaker bits must be cast off in order that the strong will then flourish. Now, whatever your opinion of this is, I have deep problems with it because of the social agreement that we all live in: a civilization.

Civilizations arose by individuals binding together and working toward a common goal, which amplified individual success in some instances and lessening it in others, rather than individuals focusing solely on their own success (or that of their immediate kin). Is this drive towards a sort of altruism inherently encoded into our DNA? Maybe, as evidenced by primates showing signs of altruistic behavior. But the origin of the drive is not really pertinent to what I'm saying here, so I'll skip it. If you don't like it, too bad.

The way that I see it, civilization and society has performed a function to enable individuals to cooperate for the betterment of the whole. So, a company which lays off employees should be analogous to a society right? Not on your life.

The difference between the two is a hugely categorical difference. Where on one hand, civilizations arose seemingly because of natural conditions (drought for example, forcing people to share/cooperate) corporations arose from purposeful action by individuals. (DISCLAIMER: I am not against corporations. I do not think they're destroying America. Etc, etc) If an action is purposeful, then there must be an instigator. If there is an instigator, then there is one who is responsible for what happens next. So, in short, a corporation has individual(s) who is/are responsible for the well being of their employees. And I guess that's the crux of the matter: Responsibility.

So, a CEO or something similar would be responsible for the health of the company and ensuring that the company practices good business habits (which is strongly related to the health of a company, since investors look at business practices to decide whether or not to buy stock).

The question then becomes: "Is it good business practice to layoff workers?"
Some say no. Others, would say yes. Regardless of that answer, does a business that lays off workers take responsibility for that? I'm going to say no.

They blame the economy, the market forces, etc. But never once would they say, "Well, we didn't do a well enough job to combat this, so we have no choice but to let people go." "Let people go"...as if they're clawing at the chains that are holding them in their cubicles...

Slacktivist puts it well:

[I]t's possible to imagine a scenario in which mass layoffs are an absolute last resort and thus not a grievous sin being committed by top management. But such scenarios are also rare in the real world...
You don't get to traumatize and place at risk 53,000 people and their families and then pretend it was just some kind of fluke natural occurence, like a hurricane or earthquake, and that you have no moral or ethical responsibility for the consequences of your decision.

The dodging of responsibility is a result of our current culture epitomized in "I'm just a simple President." George W. Bush. And I myself don't take responsibility all the times that I ought to, but I'm trying. This is one of few areas that I agree with Ayn Rand...(I can't believe I just wrote that)

I'm sorry that people have to get fired. But, at the same time, I'm very relieved that it's not me. I'm grateful for my job, and think that I work hard at it. Shouldn't that be enough?

A new post! Who would've guessed?!

I guess it's hangover from the election (and a subsequent lack of subject matter) that has been a reason for not posting an update, and possibly a combination of little exciting to say--but here we go anyway!

Thanksgiving is upon us, and so that means that Christmas is coming, and with Christmas comes Christmas shopping! Woo... Unfortunately, I'm low on money because I bought a car two weeks ago (I'll try and post some pics of it, maybe...probably not), so no fun gifts from me.

A great blog I stumbled across is Bad Sandwich Chronicles. It's written by Brandon Kelley who is the bassist for the Lawrence Arms (probably my favorite band) and guitarist for the Falcon. The only other musician blog that I know of is Mark Hoppus (former bassist for blink-182 and current bassist for +44). So, check them out if you're bored. I know I am.

So, in summary, in the coming weeks I'll be substituting one hangover for another (election for holiday). Stay tuned.

Zack and Miri review

I saw "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" last night, and I must say that it was pretty funny (especially if you like Kevin Smith movies). It also had some heart, even though it was blatantly obvious where the story was going. Also, cocks. It had cocks in it. And buttholes. And boobies!

Rating: 7.5/10

Shotgun wedding

I just saw a mention of a shotgun wedding and wondered if Palin's daughter's shotgun wedding will go off now that she isn't the VP. Hmm...only time will tell.

Election results

Barack Obama takes the election by a landslide in the Electoral College. I saw this last night before I went to bed, and it didn't really sink in. My fiance was awash with relief and almost on the verge of tears. This morning, it really started to sink in. Watching the videos of people celebrating all around the country, waving American flags with pride earned from voting for change. I have yet to hear Obama's speech, but I'll read it at work.

I did see McCain's concession speech, and it was a good one. If he had run his campaign in that manner, the race might have been different. What was really scary is the crowd there. McCain did well to shut them up and remind them that Obama is their President now. He is the President for all of us. When I was younger, I didn't really accept that idea. Toys were thrown. But I'm glad that McCain gave the speech that he did.

Unfortunately, it looks like Prop 8 in California is going to pass. This is the amendment to their state constitution to explicitly prohibit gays from marrying. Hearing this news really takes some of the wind out of my sails. This is blatant discrimination and it ought not to exist. But it does. And the fight will go on and one day it will be vindicated.

Election Day is here

And I'm stuck at work, and won't be able to vote until about 5:30 today. Bummer.

But, there are tons of stories flooding the web of long lines, difficult poll workers, and dramatic recountings of peoples voting adventures. (Un?)fortunately, if my fiance's account is anything to go on, my polling place will be uneventful. But I am excited to get there tonight and cast my vote.

Please get out and vote. Don't take anything for granted!

One more day

I am burnt out on the election. Thankfully, there's only one more day until it's over. And even then, it probably won't be over. I'm sure that some states will be too close to call and the process will drag on for a week or two at least. Regardless, I'm relieved that tomorrow will be the end of it.

But, without all the election coverage to read at work, how will I pass the time?

Rugby playoffs

This last weekend, I traveled with my rugby team (Des Moines Rugby Football Club) to Milwaukee to play in the playoffs. This was the first time that the team had been to the playoffs in three years.

Unfortunately, we ended up losing to a very strong side. Incidentally, I am one sore and tired dude.

Posts will continue tomorrow. Two more days until the election.

The election, according to Dominoes

I ordered dinner from Dominoes online tonight. Pretty slick set up they have there. Anyway, they ask questions after your answer to keep you on their site, and their questions were about the election. According to Dominoes Pizza unofficial survey, here's the results of today:


Overwhelming victory to the Senator from Illinois.

High fives to Shep Smith

I know, I know...high fives to a Fox Newsy from me, but bear with me, and to the end of this video:



It fills me with some optimism to see someone from Fox News who is articulate and intelligent. Some of the things that have been said in this campaign, on both sides, are truly scary.

Are we not intelligent and grown-up enough to move past these pathetic straw men we build up?

Six days and counting....

It's like Pretty Woman...

....like when a girl is pulled up from obscurity and is given lots of attention and gifts, even though she makes some faux pas and is often shown to be lacking the necessary intelligence for the social position, she makes up for those short comings with street attitude and know-how. Except she's not that pretty.

It seems that, according to Politico, that VP candidate and self-proclaimed fiscal conservative Sarah Palin has received over $150,000 worth of clothes from the Republican National Convention.

According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.

The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.

The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.

Awesome. That's more than the median family income in America. But wait! There's more!

The cash expenditures immediately raised questions among campaign finance experts about their legality under the Federal Election Commission's long-standing advisory opinions on using campaign cash to purchase items for personal use.

Not really that surprising I guess. I'm glad though that this stuff is being picked up. It really shows that the reason she was picked was that she'd rally the base and maybe pick up some men who care more about the appearance of a woman than her abilities.

Way to chatter that glass ceiling.

One of the reasons Christianism is killing this country

I have never really expressed my view on religion on this blog. The short version: it's unnecessary and poisonous in a modern world.

Here's an example (and sadly, people believe this stuff):

Two days ago, I listened to a 9-6-08 message by Bree Keyton, a young woman evangelist who had just traveled to Kenya and visited Obama's home village and what she found out about his relations with his tribal people was chilling. And his "cousin" Odinga was dreadful. She said the witches, warlocks and those involved in satanism and the occult get up daily at 3 a.m. to release curses against McCain and Palin so B. Hussein Obama is elected....

Bree Keyton went and visited Obama's tribal people and she found out Obama is 75% Arab and his family are Muslims. Odinga [ed: Obama's cousin according to this...] is strill trying to become the President of Kenya. If he does, he will make a law forbidding all public preaching and institute Sharia Law. Bree K. said Odinga has made a pact with satan.

Sweet. Witches are ruining it for McCain/Palin (and she has a kid named after a witch from that shitty Shannon Douherty show).

Ha.

You have to be kidding me....

From a CBS blog:

"Palin Becomes Increasingly Accessible to the National Media"

It was less than two weeks ago when Sarah Palin astonished her traveling press corps by lifting the curtain (literally) and journeying to the back of her campaign plane to answer reporters’ questions for the first time after 40 days on the campaign trail. But the candidate who has been criticized for having a bunker mentality when it came to the national media can now lay legitimate claim to being more accessible than either Joe Biden or Barack Obama.

Huh? Just because enough people started bitching about Palin not holding a press conference (where the press are able to ask follow up questions) she starts talking to the journalist folks following her (who her secret service guys are blocking). This is a substitute for a proper conference I suppose. But really? Is this guy serious?

GTFO Scott Conroy. By straight definition, sure that statement is true. But put into the bigger context of this election, this is small potatoes. She should hold a proper press conference, release her medical records, and actually embody the transparency she says that government should have.

Joe the Plumber

Overnight, Joe became a very famous plumber (perhaps second to the Mario Brothers?). But it turns out that he isn't a plumber. At least not a registered one. Which the city in which his business is located requires.

And, he owes in back taxes.

And, his question is not a valid one as economists point out (see above article).

Once again: Fuck Joe the Plumber.

"Zero"

The first half minute or so of this is the moment of the debate. John McCain's jaw drops when he realizes that his main argument against Obama's healthcare plan (that he would levy a fine if you didn't provide the government health package) was misstated from the get go. Eleven seconds of a stunned, blank face. The wheels are obviously turning, but my guess is that he knows then, absolute certain knowledge, that he will lose this election and now surpass his father's and grandfather's amount of power.

On last night

A very interesting piece from hilzoy's crew at Obsidian Wings:

I think that — deep inside — McCain thinks of himself as a deeply substantive “great man.” In his heart, he views himself as above all this Ayers-ACORN-infant nonsense. His closest supporters tend to share this view — Kristol, for instance, has complained that the campaign isn’t commensurate with “the man.”

And so tonight, the great man — having run a small and misguided campaign — was forced to scrape the absolute bottom. Tonight, the great man not only brought up the Ayers nonsense (see Pajamas Media point above), but he actually accused Obama and Ayers of being part of some grand conspiracy to subsidize ACORN. I would call it jumping the shark, but the Fonzie-derived phrase doesn’t do justice to the sheer tragic magnitude of the farce we saw tonight.

The truth is that the great man has nothing to say. It was a campaign constructed upon his own perceived greatness. The issues he noted — earmarks, the surge — had less to do with helping the American people than about illustrating his own morality and greatness.

Well said.

And fuck Joe the Plumber.

Live blogging Debate (third time's a charm!)

7:53 - I'm just getting settled in here. I have my cat next to me, CSPAN's coverage of an empty stage, and a brew in the other hand.

Get it on!

7:56 - Creepy quiet in the debate hall. That is until the cardboard cut out of the Executive Director of the Commission on Presidential Debates came on stage to talk. Yikes.

Bob Schieffer is creepy looking too. Maybe he's wearing a Crypt Keeper costume...maybe not.

I can't help but think that the seated format will benefit McCain. He's shorter (very short for a politician), and this will put him on somewhat of a more even keel with Obama. I'd laugh if one of their chairs broke during the debate, and the candidate dropped down 6 inches all of a sudden. Good times.

8:02 - Follow up questions?! In a debate?! The nerve!

First question dealing with the economy. Thank Jeebus. -770something today...

8:04 - We're not innocent. At least not everyone. We are a country that lives on credit outside of our means. But they can't say that.

McCain's plan is to keep people in their homes by buying home mortgages. At what rate? Would there be a return? Would other tax payers profit off of these, or would the mortgages be bought at a loss?

Obama emphasizes that taxpayers would get money back from the bailout bill, but doesn't say how. Proposals: 1. Focus on keeping jobs state-side through business tax credits 2. Provide middle class (<$250 million) tax cuts 3. Renegotiate home mortgages 4. Deal with energy, healthcare, education.

McCain wants to keep small business tax rates low to create jobs. Claims that Obama will increase taxes on small businesses.

Obama says McCain will provide tax breaks to biggest companies, and that he wants to cut taxes for everyone (95%) below the 250 mill mark. Says that indie studies say support his plan for the majority of people.

8:11 - We need a tax increase because we're in huge debt, John.

8:13 - McCain seems to adhere in part to the trickle down theory that Regan made so famous. That has not been working.

8:14 - Schieffer says that both plans will add a lot of money to the deficit. "What will they cut back?"

Obama states the obvious that we're living beyond our means. Dur. Says that he wants to go through budget and cut what's wasteful. Everyone says that. I'd be REAL surprised if that actually happens.

McCain looks uncomfortable. Home ownership? That's not the question bud. He's taking his notes from Palin. If the question isn't what you expect, change the question.

Points for Schieffer for getting him on track. McCain - Spending freeze first, claims that he can save billions, and gives examples! Holy cow! Is this really happening?

8:20 - Time to get the laundry!

8:41 - I think that the last exchange about the individual's campaigns was very telling. While McCain seemed to have a biting or snarky desire to expose Obama and paint him into a corner, Obama remained cool and calm while reflecting attacks and being quite frank. Obama seemed more presidential and McCain seemed desperate.

8:44 - McCain's schpeel about Palin is just dribble. It's complete kak. And the throw in about special needs kids? What work has she done? She's had an autistic kid for a few months and she knows more about that than any other person, like McCain implied? GTFO

Transparency and accountability in government? In a McCain/Palin administration? Yeah right. She used private email accounts (numbering between 10 and 15!) to conduct state business. Why? Hmm....

8:47 - We get most of our oil from Canada...

Obama is an extreme environmentalist?

FlexFuel has ethanol in it, John. Something that you don't support.

8:49 - Neither candidate answered the question about how much foreign oil we can reduce. Although, once again, Obama gives specific policy ideas (not taking into account how feasible/plausible the ideas are (although I think they're pretty good...)) and McCain just spouts generic talking points.

8:55 - I'm sorry, but this debate is boring. But, boring is good for Obama.

And once again, Obama offers specifics about the issues. McCain is just rhetoric.

McCain's little segway into Obama wanting to sit down with foreign leaders just smacks of desperation, and having nothing to say.

8:57 - Gotta love Sullivan:

9.53 pm. "Maybe you ought to travel down there." C'mon, McCain, this is weeeaaak. And petty. And incoherent. McCain's veep only got a passport last year and McCain is attacking Obama for not visiting Colombia. He needs to look like a big man to become an independent president. Instead this campaign has made him look very, very small. Even against a freshman senator.

I don't know how much more clearly Obama needs to lay out his healthcare plan. He's done this in every other debate. It's almost a carbon copy each time, yet it still gets misconstrued. Come on America! Pay attention!

8:59 - McCain lists what we need to do. But how? McCain's tax credit for $5000 for healthcare is confusing. I bet the average family spends more than that per year for healthcare. So what's the point?

9:01 - McCain looks like he's been hit by a truck with that "Zero, John" line. Embarrassing.

9:03 - Obama just pwned McCain's healthcare plan. He has done his homework.

9:06 - TPM points out that 100% of McCain's ads have been negative. http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/mccain_campaigns_ad_spending_n.php

9:14 - Everything that McCain throws at Obama, he deflects, he confronts, and he gives details. Once again: Which candidate seems more Presidential?

All McCain can do is repeat what we must do, and what we have to do. But he never, never, gives specifics.

9:20 - I missed this, but Sullivan points out that Obama called sexuality "sacred". I love it.

9:24 - McCain is a federalist. But likes NCLB. Is anyone else as confused as I am?

Did you know that Sarah Palin has a special needs kid?

And why does McCain keep bringing up autism...when Trig has Downs...WTF?

9:28 - Closing statements. Thank the Devil.

McCain's: He still hammers the point that he's an agent of change. Mmkay.

Obama: Change. "Did you know that he's pro-change?" "By George! I was not aware! Thank you good sir!"

Null ARCs FTW

Penny Arcade shows how awesome/frustrating it's going to be when I become a father:



The sad/awesome thing is, I knew exactly what he was talking about.

ARC troopers in action (mute the video when the crappy Linkin Park song starts):

Keith Olbermann grows a pair

Awesomeness:

McCain Losing It

He lets his contempt seep through.

McCain's Earmark Charade

McCain wants to pay for a bunch of stuff he wants to do, and fix the economy!, by eliminating earmarks. Check out this chart:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/27/earmarks_6.gif


In a budget of $3 trillion, $18 billion is a drop in the water.


EDIT: Fucking shitty imbed...just click on the link

Live blogging Debate v2.0

8:59 - Here we go...

"Did we hear the fine? Hehehehehe" Knob.

9:01 - McCain's record of foreign intervention as a positive? Are you kidding? Sept. 12, 2001: McCain says we need to go to Iraq. Good one, buddy.

Good job on this one Obama! Point out his shit. (For more info: click)

9:04 - Brokaw is sooooo annoying.

9:06 - Obama's notion of international cooperation? Way to logical! Rabble, rabble, rabble!

McCain: "Al Qaeda would have increased influence" b/c Obama would have set a time table? Are you kidding me?

McCain as a cool hand? Ha. That is so pathetic and laughable at the same time. He's a hot head (see that Rolling Stones article above)

9:10 - Obama kind of dodges the question about entering Pakistan, but does a good job of answering his own question, maybe?

McCain's answer? CNN's flat line seems to tell the story.... Afghan freedom fighters==Muslim jihadists (just so you know John!)

9:13 - Brokaw is such a tool

9:14 - Obama's mentioning of "Bomb bomb bomb Iran"!! Moar pleaze! McCain's smile went away faster than deep fried food at the State Fair...

9:18 - Obama's Pakistan/Afghanistan plan a year ago, A YEAR AGO, is the plan being espoused by Bush and Co. right now! Talk about foresight!

9:22 - I can't say I'm a fan of Obama's "Russia plan" because there doesn't really seem to be one. But his thought process seems to fit into his overall general rhetoric and foreign policy plan, so I guess I'll grudgingly give him the benefit of the doubt

9:24 - McCain does seem to do well with the Russia question, but that's been his big point of reference for foreign policy for his life.

9:25 - If Iran attacked Israel, the UN would shit its pants. Iran, I think, will not openly attack Israel outright because it would be an incredibly stupid thing to do.

THE IRANIAN PRESIDENT IS NOT THE HEAD OF THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT POLICY! SCIENCE-F'ING-CHRIST!

And a "League of Democracies" is a terrible idea. No one would join it because it would just be an extension of American idealism and would be American-run and anyone who falls out of line could geeeet out

9:28 - This Obama fella with his preventive diplomacy and foresight! Whooee! What a sucker!

A simple question: Which candidate has looked Presidential so far in this, and the previous, debate?

9:31 - This last question is just offensive on a lot of philosophical and epistemological levels. Patty from NH should quit life, because the question is a non-question. "What don't you know and how will you learn it?" Answer: "I don't know, and with pop-up books?"

9:34 - Brokaw sucks SO hard.

9:35 - My reaction: Obama did indeed seem much more presidential and offered (from what I saw) much more cogent and thought out answers than McCain. He seemed to be a Palin v2.0 (spouting off talking points, but doing it well)

Biden's home run

In last night's debate, Joe Biden sputtered at the start, but got up to steam about half way through. This, his brightest moment, is in that latter half:

Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we've had probably in American history. The idea he doesn't realize that Article I of the Constitution defines the role of the vice president of the United States, that's the Executive Branch. He works in the Executive Branch. He should understand that. Everyone should understand that.

And the primary role of the vice president of the United States of America is to support the president of the United States of America, give that president his or her best judgment when sought, and as vice president, to preside over the Senate, only in a time when in fact there's a tie vote. The Constitution is explicit.

The only authority the vice president has from the legislative standpoint is the vote, only when there is a tie vote. He has no authority relative to the Congress. The idea he's part of the Legislative Branch is a bizarre notion invented by Cheney to aggrandize the power of a unitary executive and look where it has gotten us. It has been very dangerous.

Here's Palin weighing in on the same subject, but in the Couric interview, answering the question "best and worst thing Cheney has done as VP":

Worst thing I guess that would have been the duck hunting accident--where you know, that was an accident. And I think that was made into a caricature of him. And that was kind of unfortunate. So the best thing though, he's shown support, along with George W. Bush, of our troops. And I've been there when George Bush has spoken to families of those who have suffered greatly, those who are serving in the military. I've been there when President Bush has embraced those families and expressed the concern and the sympathy speaking for all of America in those times. And for Dick Cheney to have supported that effort of George Bush's, I respect that.