Just a note: I've started a new blog. Please go to rhymeswithmelon.blogspot.com if you're interested.

Not Gonna Happen

The other day, in his acceptance speech, President Bush told the electorate that he needed the support of those who had voted for Kerry, that he was going to work hard to earn it.

Yeah, right. Sorry, Mr. Bush, but if you insist on "staying the course" there is NOTHING you can do to earn my support.

I find myself curiously out of step with the rest of the country, though I live in the Midwest and consider myself a Midwesterner. Of course, I live in Illinois, a state that gave its electoral votes to John Kerry--a state whose Republican party is sadly unorganized and lacking in genuine leadership.

I seem to sympathize more with the "cultural elite" of the northeastern states, who can't believe that the rest of the country could be so dense. What were you thinking, America? That this crazy zealot of a president is going to bring sanity and order to the world? That "moral issues" are somehow more pertinent to society than true human decency?

I believe that morality is all about being good to your fellow man, not about what the Bible says is wrong (how is taking away basic liberties from a segment of the population moral?). I believe that the other countries of the world have EVERY right to think of us as horrible people and a nation of total idiots. I believe we've gone so far backward in our thinking that Enlightenment might as well never have happened and the Constitution could just be considered another outdated document. I believe that we've become more like our enemy than we are like the other civilized nations on our planet. I believe that we're a nation of hypocrites--or we're just blindly closing our eyes to the truth.

Wake up, America. Health care is not going to improve in the next four years. The deficit is not going down. The environment isn't going to get any better. The economy will continue to suck. Iraq is headed for a civil war, and things just keep getting worse over there. Remember Abu Ghraib? That was Americans torturing other people.

I worry about this country. I worry about the people who are so afraid that they'd rather ban gay marriage than open their minds to the possibility that tolerance is a better virtue than hate. I worry that over half this country thinks it's a good idea to bomb another one for no good reason. I worry that other countries will see us at our worst--insular, frightened, backward, fanatic, ignorant. I worry that emotion will win out over reason, I worry that it will take a disaster to make the Bush administration realize that it's not just the rich people in this country who need help.

Under Bush we are still a great nation, but we are no longer good. And our kids will pay for our mistakes.

Weighing in on John Kerry's Military Record

It's been a while since I wrote. All apologies; I started reading mcsweeneys.com and realized my blog would never be as good so I might as well stop. But this issue is bothering me, so I thought I'd say something.

Personally, I always thought the Kerry campaign was harping too much on Kerry's military service. With good reason, though; it seemed the one issue on which Bush could never match him, no matter how hard he tried, no matter how hard he fought, no matter what happened.

Boy, was I wrong. Politically naive as I am, I forgot about the Lie Factor.

Now here's the thing. I had satisfied myself that Kerry's assertions about his military service were true, based on statements by other veterans and the official Navy accounts of his actions. And, unlike the general public, I applaud Kerry for taking a stance against the Vietnam War. In fact, I think it's stupid that he should get criticized for that, because it's a pretty well-accepted fact now that Vietnam was a mistake in many ways. He certainly had a right to say what he did.

But all of a sudden, it's like everything about those heroic incidents have come into question, and still I haven't yet heard an assertion against Kerry's activities that makes any sense. At least, not one that comes from an impartial and believable source. I am willing to grant that people had different perceptions of what was going on at the time. I expect that. But all these allegations seem so spurious and silly and without evidence that I can't believe the idiots out there actually believe them.

No, wait, I can. What am I saying? It seems like the Republicans are trying to manipulate us, again, without taking responsibility for it. They can take an incident that once seemed clear-cut and turn it into some crazy, unbelievable conspiracy, all in the name of re-election. Sounds just like 9/11 to me.

I'm not saying Democrats always take the high road. Clearly, they don't. But this is low, really low. Spectacularly low, even. It just goes to show that given enough money, effective propaganda, and a stupid American public, you can do anything.

Top 10 Alan Keyes Rejected Campaign Slogans

1. Dude, Where’s My House?
2. The Sacrificial Lamb Stops Here
3. We’re All Out of Guys Named Ryan
4. Yes, It’s Nonsense, But It’s ARTICULATE Nonsense
5. The “Golden Sombrero” Tour
6. Making Limbaugh Look Moderate
7. You Can Forget About the Free Ice Cream
8. It’s All About the Mapquest!
9. I’m Way More Qualified Than The Guy In The Lederhosen
10. Sex Clubs? I Don’t Even Like Club Sandwiches!

I can't take credit for this one. My husband was inspired. He's a very funny man.

Teresa Heinz Kerry: Definite First Lady Material

In her few minutes at the podium, Teresa Heinz Kerry showed more savvy, smarts and personality than Laura Bush did in three and a half years. Since her husband entered the public eye, Mrs. Bush has succeeded in making herself look about as useful, intelligent and exciting as a potted plant.

We need a first lady like Mrs. Kerry--someone who could have an intelligent conversation with Hillary Rodham Clinton, who shows us how strong and brilliant women can be. Someone whose kids are articulate and interesting (as compared to out-of-control and silly, like the Bush twins). Someone who could hold her own with international guests. Someone who understands and enjoys politics. Someone with passion for her country.

Look, I have no beef with the current first lady. She seems like a nice enough person. I even sympathize with that accident she had as a teenager--must have been a horrible trauma to go through. But we don't need someone merely "nice" representing our country as a first lady. Let's face it--Hillary Clinton raised the bar on what first ladies could and should do, and Laura Bush is a huge step backward. Girls need role models, not eye candy. Role models other than Britney Spears, I mean.

Teresa Heinz Kerry could be that role model. She speaks five languages, has experienced other cultures, protested apartheid, speaks her mind about how women should have a larger role in the world. By contrast, what does Laura Bush know about anything? She didn't even bring up her daughters so they don't embarrass the family.

Maybe that's not fair--after all, girls will be girls. I can't hold Mrs. Bush completely responsible for her daughters' choices even though I can't help unfavorably comparing their spoiled lives with that of the very poised, intelligent Chelsea Clinton. But we live in interesting times, and we need interesting people to lead us. I'm sorry to say it, but Laura Bush is not an interesting person. She's so generic she blends in the background. There's nothing really wrong with her, but she's no asset to the country the way Teresa Heinz Kerry would be. No doubt about it.

Did I mention that Mrs. Kerry knows five languages? I don't know about Mrs. Bush, but I can tell you her husband seems to have trouble with just the one.

Vote for Kerry! And all that comes with him.

Barack Obama Finally Gets What He Deserves!

Lately I've been feeling pretty down about politics. What with all the sniping, and the divisions, and the continuous stream of media reminding me how hopeless everything looked. It seems like we just continued to get mired in negative attacks on both sides. I didn't start watching the Democratic National Convention with any idea that I would feel rejuvenated and excited about my country and about the future. Until Barack Obama stepped up to the podium.

I have supported Obama since the primary; I campaigned for him in a snowstorm on election day. And every time I heard him speak or saw him anywhere, my respect for him has increased--which almost never happens with a politician. Long before tonight I knew he was a star, destined for great things. Now everyone in America knows it too.

I would hate to be the chairman of the Republican party in Illinois right now. Hey guys, you might as well give up. After Obama's brilliant, inspiring speech tonight, you'll just be wasting money and time if you put someone up against him for the Senate race. Let us have the seat; regroup; rethink. That would be best for you.

First black president of the United States? Here's the future as I see it. Kerry and Edwards win in 2004 and remain through 2012. Edwards, in 2012, running with Obama on the ticket as VP. Obama is already so much more articulate and charismatic than our current president, I think he could talk circles around Bush.

I felt like I was watching history being made tonight. And the accolades are well-deserved. Someone who can inspire the most jaded of us to hope again is exactly what our party needs.

Obama in 2004! He can represent me anytime.

 

 

A Letter To The Editor Defending "Fahrenheit 9/11"

Dear Mr. Loerzel,

In the last issue of the Pioneer Press newspapers you printed responses from conservatives who, naturally, hate Michael Moore's movie "Fahrenheit 9/11" because it expresses the feelings of a whole group of people who don't agree with them.

I'm not going to say that Moore's film didn't have a particular point of view--because it does. But for those of us who have been disaffected by the actions of the Bush administration ever since 9/11, it encourages a feeling we often don't get to express because we've been made to feel like we're American-hating lunatics. I'm a little bit tired of being treated in the media like I'm an idiot, a disloyal citizen, a Nazi, or whatever people want to call me because I think our country is going down the wrong path.

As a thinking human being, I don't blindly agree with everything Michael Moore postulated in the film. I'll even admit that he probably massaged a few facts to make his point. "Fahrenheit 9/11" does make some connections I'm not sure I fully believe (like between the Saudis and the Bush family). But I do read and watch and listen to the news every day, and Moore didn't exactly make up those facts--if the Washington Post, the New York Times, CNN, the Associated Press and other news outlets can be trusted. And let's face it--our president often looks bad without the help of Michael Moore.

But because I and Moore and others who believe as we do dissent with the current administration, we get called all sorts of bad names. Suddenly we're disrespectful, we're deceptive, we're manipulative, we're demented, we're "wide-eyed liberals" (heaven forbid!). Never mind the thousands of others who feel as we do. Never mind the crowds that filled the theaters on "Fahrenheit 9/11"'s opening night, and who stood up and cheered when it was over. Never mind that we turned out to be right about the fact that weapons of mass destruction were never found. Never mind that the people who have disagreed with the government's policies--Joseph Wilson and Richard Clarke, for example (heck, even Howard Stern)--have been attacked and harmed. Never mind that we feel, more than ever, saddened by those who would have us meekly follow a president who has taken us into a questionable war. Never mind the atmosphere of malicious unconcern that allowed prisoners to be abused at Abu Ghraib. Never mind how angry some of us are--and our anger came long before Michael Moore's movie did.

I love this country. I was born here, I will die here. I'm proud of our freedoms. I believe that the founders of this country wanted us to question, that they wouldn't want us to roll over and play dead when the future of America is at stake. It's just that I believe in a different future than the one George W. Bush has staked out for us. One that doesn't include corporations and big business getting all the breaks, one that doesn't include oppression under the guise of "terrorist threats." I could go on.

I wouldn't be so angry if I didn't care about my country.

I would also like to point out that Republicans put out propaganda all the time, and they have very effective outlets for it. Why, just look at Fox News and Clear Channel. They're the ones who put out the anti-America propaganda, because they keep spewing hate and fear at everyone and everything. I'm tired of being told that I should be afraid, that I should fall into line and not make waves. "Fahrenheit 9/11" tells me that I am not alone.

This Whole Crazy Thing with Jack Ryan

I have been much amused lately reading what journalists have written about Jack Ryan, the candidate for U.S. Senator here in Illinois whose divorce files were recently released. I honestly didn't think the revelations were that big a deal. It's not like Ryan beat his wife, or raped her, or cheated on her. I really thought he could weather it. And even though I'm a stauch supporter of Barack Obama, I considered Ryan a good, solid Republican who could give Obama a good race (although Obama will win, of course).

Little did I know. I feel bad for the guy. Of course, let's face it. He did show an onerous lack of judgment in running for office. He also should never have sealed his divorce records. This is usually only done (according to my divorce lawyer husband) to a) protect the child or b) protect celebrities and powerful people who have enough pull to get their records sealed. Since Ryan is a celebrity and his wife Jeri is also a celebrity--well, you do the math. Given Democrat Blair Hull's similar troubles in the primary, you'd think Ryan would know.

And pissing off Judy Barr Topinka, the state's most powerful Republican, is also a big no-no. Ryan shouldn't have lied to her, especially since many of the Republicans now calling for Ryan's resignation from the race are now comdemning not Ryan's sexual hijinks but his utter and complete lack of judgment in this matter.

All that aside, however, Ryan really didn't do such a horrible thing. After all, Ryan broke no laws. As for having kinky sex with his wife Jeri--well, have you SEEN her? If I were a guy, and I had Jeri Ryan as a wife, I'd be flaunting it too. Those of you who have never seen an episode of "Star Trek: Voyager" have no clue what I'm talking about.

I agree with the Rockford Register Star columnist Pat Cunningham: "Most politicians lie every now and then. John Kerry and George W. Bush are both liars, but they'll get about 100 million votes between them in November.... I'm not trying to trivialize the moral offenses Jack Ryan is alleged to have committed. He seems to have been a jerk --no, a kinky jerk. For all I know, he might still be a jerk. But he won the Republican nomination for the office he seeks, and I don't think it's right for a self-appointed posse to chase him off the ballot."

Here are some of my other favorite columnist quotes from the past few days:

From the Peoria Star-Journal:"There's no breaking of marriage laws or the Ten Commandments, (Ryan) said in an interview on WLS-AM. If the worst people can say is that over eight years of marriage he took his wife to places "she felt uncomfortable ... then I think people will say, gosh, that guy's lived a pretty clean life." Some people may say that, but probably not many in central Illinois, where the average resident is not accustomed to using "sex" and "club" in the same sentence and following it with the phrase "pretty clean life."

From Chicago's youth-geared paper Red Streak: "Watching the public flogging of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jack Ryan on Channel 11 Monday was pleasantly disturbing. According to his divorce papers, that's how he likes it."

Dan Johnson-Weinberger (I honestly have no clue who this guy is): "You have to really question the judgment of anyone who at one time was married to Jeri Ryan, and now, for whatever reason, is not."

The first gut reaction by loyal Republicans was of course to protect Ryan. Kevin McCollough, the Illinois Leader, said this: "For Eric Zorn and others to write in their columns or Web logs that Jack had been dishonest - is a blatant, politically minded fabrication on their own part." Hah! Funny, isn't it, in retrospect?

So I have really been enjoying this. I even watched Jay Leno's monologue last night to see if he'd add any additional jokes. I know some Republicans might be saying that I'm only amused because Obama gets a lot of leverage out of this event. But I feel bad for Ryan, who was an attractive, articulate candidate. Yes, his judgment was bad, and yes, that's probably reason enough for him to leave the race. But we're all a nation of ignorant, silly Puritans if we judge him by his "creepy" sex life.

P.S. I think many of us, if we really thought about it, would find stuff in our past life that would completely disqualify us to serve the public.