Tag Archives: obama

i believe…we can be better.

One of the the portions of last night’s speech that had a huge impact on me:

But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized — at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who happen to think differently than we do — it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.

I am guilty of the bolded far more often than I’d like to admit.

Watch Obama’s speech or read the full transcript here.

[Posted by Mallory]

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i want to be an obama!

Today the White House released the official portrait of the First Family taken by Annie Leibovitz.  My first thoughts were “My GOD what a beautiful family” and “Where should I photoshop myself in?”  Creepy?  Yes.  True?  …Yes.

Official Obama Family portrait

And First Dog Bo wasn’t left out of the action.  In fact, Bo had his own set of White House portraits done, although Annie Leibovitz didn’t stick around to take those photos.  Malia and Sasha didn’t even get that honor.

No, this isn't the official White House portrait.  I just like it a lot.

No, this isn't the official White House portrait. I just like it a lot.

Click here for the real one.

[Posted by Shannon]

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the shoe heard round the world.

Remember that Iraqi reporter who threw his fancy footwear at the (former!) leader of the free world’s head?  Ahh yes, Muntazer al-Zaidi!  That silly prankster!

Now, as you could have gathered from my liberal bleeding heart wimpy sappy Obama obsessed blog,  I wasn’t W’s biggest fan.  But, to quote Austin Powers (and I will NEVER EVER quote it again, by the way.  I promise.), “Who throws a shoe? Honestly?!”

To commemorate the Muntazernator’s horrible aim (or W.’s cat-like reflexes, which no doubt are a result of his frequent cat naps), the Iraqis in Sadaam Hussein’s hometown, Tikrit, have unveiled a six-foot statue of a shoe.  Cool?

Now that is CLASSY.  One and a half tons of pure class with a tree sticking out of it.  Just in case you are dumb like me and can’t read Arabic, the inscription says “Muntazer: fasting until the sword breaks its fast with blood; silent until our mouths speak the truth.”

Ah, now that is poetry.

Muntazer, by the way, is in jail.  He is facing charges of assaulting a visiting head of state.

And please note about the title of this post, I KNOW that you can’t hear a shoe around the world.  I’m only making a nerdy historical reference to “the shot heard round the world”.  It’s a line from a poem written by Emerson about the start of the Revolutionary War.  WOOO LIBERAL ARTS!

[Posted by Kathleen]

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yes we can? YES WE DID.

I told you waking up on Wednesday morning would feel good.

[Posted by Kathleen]

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vote vote vote for barack obama!

Dear readers,

It’s me, Kathleen.  Your long lost blogger.  I have not posted in a very long time and what I have posted in recent weeks has been fairly weak.  But that’s because I’ve been working to save the Constitution…no big deal.  Today, I hope you go vote for Barack Obama.  He’s a good man and he’ll make a wonderful president.  He is someone that understands our story.  He’s one of us. Please look at the pictures Mallory posted.  So vote.  And get your friends to vote.  It really does make the difference this time around.  And I’m going to ask you to take it a step further.  Don’t just vote for the captain, vote for the team.  This means electing the people that are going to help make B’s glorious vision a reality.  I’m talking about your House and Senate races here, people.

Today is going to be historic.  I cannot wait to wake up tomorrow and know that the world is a better place.

Catch you on the flip side.  I’m off to the polls.

xoxo,

Kathleen

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a nation of whiners, you say?

Here’s a little rant. One of John McCain’s top advisers, former Senator Phil Gramm, has called the recession a “mental recession” and our United States of America a “nation of whiners”. Well, alright. But last time I checked, sharing your experiences and concerns with presidential candidates didn’t make you a whiner, it shows you are an engaged patriot.

Also, I’m going to guess that Gramm has enough money to avoid feeling the stresses of recession. But some people can’t even afford pizza on the weekends. And that’s not right. Oh, and just a quick fact for you, Phil. Your job might be set, but millions of Americans are rapidly losing jobs. During the month of May, the US unemployment rate jumped to 5.5%–the biggest one-month increase in over 20 years. June wasn’t much better. It is estimated that 8.5 million Americans are currently unemployed. And maybe more because people have given up and stopped looking and after a few months are no longer factored in to the unemployment number. Wake up, Phil.

In McCain’s defense, he said he disagreed with Phil. And he made a funny! When asked if Gramm would have a place in a McCain administration, he said he would consider making him ambassador to Belarus. Oh, Johnny. But you were one-upped by Saint Barack, who quipped: “America already has one Dr. Phil. We don’t need another one when it comes to the economy.” Love you, B.

Oh, and just because I’m feeling frisky/had a lovely day at the lake and I’m in an excellent mood, here is a fun video of McCain looking more awkward than a 7th grader in sex-ed when asked about Viagra and birth control. His response is boring, but his response time? Priceless. Haha! Enjoy!

[Posted by Kathleen]

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jesse jackson: that’s not cool, dude.

So as some of you might have heard, Jesse Jackson messed up. On Fox News, of all places! He said something not so nice about my boy, Barack Obama. And like my mommy (and everyone else’s) says, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all–especially when you there is a microphone attached to your body. He was getting ready to address B’s speeches to black people and said “I wanna cut his nuts out.” Ouch? Bad move, Jesse! I’m feeling very protective of my presumptive Democratic nominee (and his you know whats), and I might hold a grudge.

But who would say “I want to cut his nuts out”? Wouldn’t the phrase be “I want to cut his nuts OFF”? The good reverend is getting a little too graphic for my taste and mixing up his idioms. Plus, they only do stuff like that in Louisiana, under Gov. Bobby Jindal. Jindal signed a bill allowing chemical castration for sex offenders…but that’s a different story. And he’s on the short list for McCain’s veep spot. Ahem.

Anyway, of course Jackson apologized with some BS statement, and of course, Saint Barack was gracious and accepted the apology. What troubles me the most about this is the lack of unity that’s going on. Rev. Jesse Jackson and Sen. Barack Obama might not be on the same page about everything, but they are on most things. It’s like women who say they won’t vote for Barack because Hillary lost. So what, you’re going to vote for McCain now? The McCain that voted against ensuring equal pay rights to women? The McCain that voted against funding for victims of domestic violence? The McCain that is wrong about women’s health issues. And finally, the McCain that called his wife a cunt? Haha, I LOVE to bring that one up. Small differences (like in the case of jilted Hillary voters, a chromosome) aren’t enough of a reason to give up on the overall vision.

Right now, and I’m sad that Jesse Jackson can’t see this, the election is not about black and white. Not to sound corny, but it’s about all of America. Rev. Al Sharpton agrees with me. Barack “is running for president of all Americans, not just African-Americans,” he said. We “must be careful not to segregate Senator Obama and impose some litmus test that is unfair and unproductive.” Well put, sir.

I don’t think that B would ever talk down to black people, and I don’t think that he’s trying to “talk white” (as Ralph Nader accused him of. Shut up, Ralphie, you silly boy). It’s just not in his nature. He walks on water and saves the free world in his free time! Come on, people!

So I’m sorry Rev. Jackson! Oooh! Barack is FOR REAL. (My apologies, that was wretched but I couldn’t help it.)

Here is the video, I know you wanted to see it.

[Posted by Kathleen]

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sunday morning politicking is my favorite.

In my family, Sunday mornings are for discussing politics, watching CNN, Meet the Press (I MISS YOU, TIM) and other political talk shows. Actually, that’s every day. But Sunday mornings are particularly special. I am currently blogging from my bed and have no intentions of moving, so here is my commentary on a few things I found on the world wide web:

Those who know me know that I get serious birthday depression every year. I wonder how President Bush feels today, on his 62nd birthday. According to White House Press Secretary Dana Perino (oh girl, you are no C.J. Cregg), Bush “dutifully pretended to be surprised” when he was greeted with a chorus of “happy birthday” on Airforce One. I wonder if he “dutifully pretended to be surprised” when they found out there were no weapons of mass destruction, or any other one of the cover-ups that were proven to be deceptive…anyway, everyone deserves to feel free of all the havoc they cause the world on their birthday. So happy birthday to you, W!

The New York Times had a piece today about John McCain that I loved. In fact, the title was a six word memoir, and if I had no journalistic integrity, I would have just taken it for myself. But here it is:

McCain Battles a Nemesis, the Teleprompter.

Haha, how fantastic is that? Here are some of the highlights:

“He managed to limit the mechanical hand chops and weirdly timed smiles that can often punctuate his speeches.”

“I have set before the American people an energy plan, the Lex-eegton Project,” Mr. McCain said, drawing a quick breath and correcting himself. “The Lex-ing-ton Proj-ect,” he said slowly. “The Lexington Project,” he repeated. “Remember that name.”

In a town meeting in Cincinnati the next day, Mr. McCain would again slip up on the name of the Massachusetts town, where, he noted, “Americans asserted their independence once before.” He called it “the Lexiggdon Project” and twice tried to fix his error before flipping the name (“Project Lexington”) in subsequent references.

Oh, NYT, I love you so. Best of luck to you, Johnny. Should you be elected, which you will not be, what will you do during the State of the Union Address? We want Barack’s eloquence-which is exactly what we need as we try to reclaim respect from around the world.

Speaking of Barack, one thing that has been hitting the news circuit is Obama’s policy on religion and the White House. I am going to make no jokes about this because it’s no laughing matter-my boy B and I disagree on this. He wants to have an office of faith based initiatives, and my separation of church and state heathen pagan soul is screaming. Not because I think B will mess things up (he’s a saint), but just because I’m scared the people after him might. I’m all for faith based groups-they do amazing work for our country. But they’ve been doing a good job without having a major role in the executive branch thus far and can continue to do God’s work without one.

Slate.com, which I love, has a new fun function for all the political nerds out there- “Choose your own running mate“. I think I ended up with Evan Bayh. What are your thoughts?

Hmm…what else? Economy still sucks, gas prices are still incredibly high (my graduation money has been depleted. Wahhh.) and we are still at war. Not much to say about that.

Instead of ending on that depressing note, here is a picture to make you feel good:

They are perfect.

[Posted by Kathleen]

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john mccain is no james mcavoy.

As a full time blogger (read: unemployed and uninsured, so going out into the real world poses a threat to my health. I could get hurt!), it is my responsibility to creep around the internet at 4 a.m. looking for inspiration.

I stumbled across a video about silly, ornery, old John McCain. Apparently, he called his wife a c-c-c-c-c-cunt. I have trouble even typing it. Did Cindy McCain do something so terrible? Nope. She jokingly told him that he was balding. Um, hello, J? When you’re 300 years old, you’re bound to bald. Here is what he said to her:

“At least I don’t plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt.”

Wowie! So we know how he really feels. John and Cindy 4eva! I don’t particularly like Cindy McCain, but I would never call her that. I would call her a Stepford Wife, recipe-stealing, identity-stealing recovering drug addict, home-wrecking other woman, but never a cunt. That is NEVER okay. His excuse? He was tired. Um, fine. But as Wonkette pointed out, he’s going to be tired a lot if he becomes president.

The only time I have ever not been offended at all by the word was with James McAvoy and the infamous typewriter scene in Atonement. (Which incidentally, led to the infamous library scene. Rawr!) And even then, as he was typing, my mind kept wondering…Is he really going to type that? Looks like it, but they wouldn’t…oh no! OH MY GOD. HE DID! And for the record-James McAvoy, you can call me anything you’d like.

But I digress.

Barack gets called out for calling a reporter “sweetie”, which, he admits, is a bad habit. At least it’s a casual term of endearment. But nobody calls McCain out for being a complete cotton-headed-ninny-muggins (the worst insult among Santa’s elves, duh) to his wife. Why? I think this video does a really good job at explaining it:

What are your thoughts, you cunts? Did I say that? It’s late, I must be tired.

[Posted by Kathleen]

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i’ve got a crush on obama.

I am completely and utterly Barackupied. Those who know me know this. I received more phone calls and texts when Obama secured the Democratic nomination than I did on my birthday. And that is totally okay with me.

When you’re extremely involved in politics, you feel like you are on a first name basis with your candidate. It’s almost as if you are dating. But not, because that’s real creepy.

It still has many traits of a real relationship though:

Your friends begin to wonder where you are.
Ex-“Where is she? She said she was going to be here! Oh that’s right, she’s with HIM again.”

You are smitten. And when you are with your friends, you can find little else to talk about. You keep going until you see them roll their eyes. And even then, it’s hard to stop.
Ex-“Do you know what Barack did today? He gave hope to the entire world and then cured cancer! Isn’t he just so great?!”

You stalk him on Facebook and Google his name. When he loses, you feel like a loser. And when he wins, you feel like the wind beneath his wings. Cue the music.

You get mad at him when he messes up. It’s all you can think about and you’re embarrassed to tell your friends because you want them to like him. But word travels fast and they call you up to see how you’re doing. You scream at him via CNN, “WHY, OH WHY DID YOU HAVE TO SAY THAT?”

But you stand by your man. Then he does something so wonderful (like this) that you forget all about the pettiness and minor slip ups, and remember why you fell in love with him in the first place-the right stance on the issues that matter to you and the ability to really make a difference and really change the world.

I was furious when this came out because this was TOTALLY my idea. But I’m okay with it now.

[Posted by Kathleen]

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