Obama and the puppy saga

Thursday, November 13th, 2008 | Politics | 1 Comment

We watched two years of coverage, were on the edge of our seats for all the debates, weighed each candidate on the issues and stood in line to vote. And it’s FINALLY over. 

Yes, we still have to find out who he names for his cabinet and all that applies, but right now we get a break from all the serious stuff. All I really want to know is whether Sasha and Malia will be getting a pound puppy or a top o’ the line, expensive pure breed. I almost feel I’ve been sucked into their desire for a puppy since I first heard about it. And I almost felt sorry for them, what if YOUR dad said, “You can have a puppy when I become president of the United States.” Cruel, huh?

But for these two little girls it came to fruition and I can’t wait for the pictures of the future first daughters with their hypoallergenic puppy. It’s lame and WAY less important than who the President-elect picks as secretary of defense, homeland security or some other equally important position, but my brain can’t handle anymore stress on serious politics. The past two years have been a drain. So, with those things considered, I’m allowing myself to be a lame-o and Wikipedia ‘hypoallergenic dogs’ to narrow down the breeds.

I just hope this puppy doesn’t attack like W.’s Scottish terrier Barney did. 

A tale of two polling places…

Thursday, November 6th, 2008 | Politics | No Comments

This week I, like hopefully many of you, exercised my right to vote. However, I was one of only two or three on The Plainsman staff who was old enough to vote in the last presidential election, and I will say, my experience was quite different.

In 2004 I was a freshman at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Not only is Baylor the biggest Baptist school in the world (a.k.a. way conservative) but its about 15 minutes from President Bush’s Crawford Ranch.

I don’t think I knew anyone voting for Kerry.

A local t-shirt shop began printing these T-shirts a few weeks before the election that read “George W. Bush is my Homeboy,”and everyone I knew had one. (A t-shirt I am probably going to keep just to show the grand kids some day)

Going to vote, which we did on campus, was an event, like we were all in this together, and as we stood in line, the poll workers made everyone go to the bathroom to turn their Homeboy shirt inside out before entering the voting area.

The funny thing is, I remember nothing about election night. I don’t remember watching Bush win or anything, but everyone I knew was pretty pleased.

This time things were different. I went to the polls with a friend, but there was no team feeling. I kind of felt  like i got sideways glances from other voters, everyone a little suspicious of who was and wasn’t on their side. It was my business who I was voting for, and no one else’s.

But even though things were tense, It was nice. I felt like I was making a decision and casting my vote based on the things I wanted. Even though I know Alabama will probably always be a red state, I felt like I did my part in helping it get there.

And it wasn’t because it was the cool thing to do. It wasn’t because I had the T-shirt. I chose the change I wanted, and even if I won’t get it, I was able to make my own decision and share it in the greatest country in the world.

Tags: 2004 election, Baylor, Waco

Where I’m turning for my election ‘news’

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 | Politics | No Comments

Stephen Colbert

I’m totally relying on Comedy Central to fill me in tonight as the voting process unfolds.

After reading that, it’s obvious I don’t take politics too seriously. But I know I won’t be able to watch CNN or Fox News all night and not claw my eyes out due to boredom.

So just like in the last election, I’ll be tuning in to the election night special Indecision 2008. With the motto of “Something approximating election news with something approximating honesty,” it’s just the thing I need. It keeps you informed (sort of) and entertained (most def.)

John Stewart and Stephen Colbert will reunite to contribute to the hour-long live program, which starts at 9 p.m. tonight.

I should start flipping through channels now to locate Comedy Central, because it will probably take me a couple hours. Ever since Charter Communications took the channel numbers and put them into a blender and then threw that blender into a wood chipper, I can’t see to remember what network is on what channel.

Anyway, check out the Web site here, and get out there and vote!

Tags: comedy central, election, indecision 2008

Free coffee … for your vote?

Saturday, November 1st, 2008 | Politics | No Comments

Here’s a weekend update: 

I was watching my fave weekend show Saturday Night Live, when I actually paid attention to the commercial break. I know a lot of pro-voting and candidate analysis commercials have been airing lately. Go figure. But I honestly was surprised to see that Starbucks is offering a free tall coffee to customers who come in and say they voted Nov. 4.

OK, this could be one of two things: a great reward or an unnecessary bribe to get lazy caffeine-addicted Americans to vote. 

Of course I’m leaning toward the latter. Apparently people shouldn’t care enough to have their vote/opinion counted/considered in one of the most important elections to date, but they need the promise of a free coffee to get to the polls. 

P.S. The coffee would cost no more than $1.85 regularly.

Way to go Starbucks, you’re putting a price on voting and setting the bar pretty low.

All the mavericks in the house put your hands up

Sunday, October 19th, 2008 | Politics | 1 Comment

This weekend I went home to Memphis, and while I was there, I got the chance to do something I’ve never done before - vote. In November of 2004 I was 3 months shy of 18, and bitter about it, so I couldn’t wait to vote this time around. So Saturday afternoon I dug up my voter registration card and headed to the polls. I got tackled by politicians as I walked in, listened to people complain about the politicians as I stood in line for 15 minutes and finally got to a booth. The presidential category was the first one up, and I felt so important as I entered my pick on the fancy touch screen. Even though I’m not thrilled about either candidate, voting made me feel like a responsible grown-up (grown-ups are probably supposed to call themselves adults, but oh well).

Speaking of the election, last night’s SNL was the best one yet this season. Sarah Palin was just one of the hoard of stars who graced the show. Even if she didn’t do or say anything much, I appreciated seeing her there laughing at herself. Tina Fey was spot-on as always as she “entertained everybody with some fancy pageant walkin.” But Amy Poehler hands down stole the show with her little number. No description can do it justice. You just have to see it. Here’s the clip.

Tags: election, palin

Politics pushing passivity

Saturday, October 18th, 2008 | Politics | No Comments

Sometimes I feel like the “great” election I was expecting is only going to let me down. I’m not talking about my candidate not getting elected, I honestly could care less about the two front runners.

No, what I’m talking about is the passion I expected from a generation I’m ashamed to say I’m apart of. We were taught about the riots in the ’60s and ’70s, but apparently one of the most crucial elections to date isn’t worth the effort. Well, maybe I don’t want riots but I expected at least some sort of coast to coast drive to inform people of the issues and the correct platforms. Not parties to give biased speeches about one candidate or another. › Continue reading

Missing ole’ Mike and Ron

Sunday, October 12th, 2008 | Politics | No Comments

Oh yeah, you know where this is going. Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul.

Damn, if these next 23 days couldn’t go by faster. I’m fairly certain EVERYONE is tired of the presidential election coverage and ensueing drama. There is simply no way you could stay passionate about everything Obama or McCain believes in for this long. It’s humanly impossible.

But since I can’t wish away the days until Nov. 4, I think for the last three weeks, former presidential candidates should be able to return for “the last battle,” providing their services and aids. You know, like on Hell’s Kitchen, when all the dismissed contestants come back one last time to help the remaining two in the big finale.

If I were either McCain or Obama, I would hands-down pick Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul to back me up for this final stretch. Mike made the whole mess delightfully fun, with his anecdotal squirrel-frying stories and his Gomer-ish characterizations of Arkansas life. Ron shook things up with his serious “kill the Federal Reserve” lectures and his scuffles with Giuliani. I mean, who else could make it better?

Since the whole presidential race has morphed into a type of ridiculous reality-competition drama, why not spice it up a little? I think this would at least make it woth watching again until November.

Tags: huckabee, mccain, obama, paul