Slacker

That's me - at least as far as this blog has been going lately.  Actually, it hasn't been going at all.  Sorry about that for those of you who check it each day to see the brilliant prose that appears on your screen.

OK - back to reality...

So much to say and so little time - before I have to go to Target.  Remember those days when I was so sure that Rick Perry was the automatic shoo-in for the Republican nomination?  Yes - I thought he was a buffoon and was also excited that he would be the nominee - because the entire country would get to see his "buffoon-ness".  Oops...that's the problem.  The entire country caught on to him and decided not to buy into it.

But then along came Newt - again.  Yes - I wrote him off (as many others did) - but he has arisen.  It's really quite simple.  He gets to play "angry" - and people LOVE "angry".  He doesn't even have to be coherent - just sound mad and indignant when someone asks you about one of your three marriages and crowds will eat it up.  You see - many people would rather have a thrice married/serial adulterer in a position of power - than a Mormon.  That stat will never appear in any polls because most people would deny it - but it's there - trust me.

One problem Newt - (well actually I have a lot with him, but here's just one).  It's a brand new idea and deserves all caps.  SPACE COLONY BY 2020!  Yes - that's the latest from Newt.  The "anti-big government/stop the spending mantra seems to have gone by the wayside on this idea.  Of course all I can think when I hear it is "big government program that will cost gazillions of dollars" - and of course doesn't come with a way to pay for it.

Newt doesn't consider that a problem - because the people he is playing to don't care.  They just want him to sound angry and don't want to concern themselves with what he actually says.  

As Kevin likes to say to me, "It's all in your tone".

and now for a completely unrelated picture...I promise he was attached to a rope (or at least I think he was.

Just stuff

I've been hesitating to blog about the fiasco represented by the GOP Presidential candidates.  Just way to much stuff to play with there.  I might refer to it as a fiasco - but in reality it's frightening.  The majority of the contenders - and most definitely the poll leaders of the group think that my family should not exist.  That's a deal breaker for me.  I can agree or disagree with you on how we think tax dollars should be spent or the level of our involvement in Libya/Afghanistan/Iraq/Syria...etc.  We can disagree on subsidies to farmers, oil companies, etc...  We can have rational discussions on the future of Social Security and Medicare.

All of that is pointless when you think my son should not be my son - or my partner should not be my partner.  At that point all I see is an Asshole - and nothing else matters.  I will work constantly to let others know what a horrible person Bachmann/Perry/Romney/Gingrich/Cain/Santorum are.  Am I missing anyone?  These people aren't interested in helping run the federal government.  They only care about making statements - and hurting families.

on a completely unrelated note...

Just thought you should know that this town has added another great Brewpub (type place) to the mix.  They don't actually make beer - but it has a little bit of that feel to it.  Very kid friendly - and the food is just as good - if not better - than our other favorite spot (Bridgeport).

Check out Brix Tavern if you get a chance.
http://www.brixtavern.com/

and finally...Reason #78 why we live in Portland.
Last night at Kruger's Farm was perfect.  Great seeing old and new friends - with perfect music and weather thrown in the mix.  Tell me again what we were complaining about in April?

A couple of rants...

Run Newt Run!
Please do everything you can to encourage Newt Gingrich to run for President.  I want him to be asked this question every day of his campaign.
"Since you fooled around on your first two wives and are now on your third marriage, do you think you should be legally allowed to get married a fourth time?"  (since marriage is so sacred and all)

I'm sure you've read the story today about the NPR executive commenting on Tea Partiers being racist, etc...  Stupid thing for her to say.  I'm not saying what she said was incorrect - but come on lady - you have to know you can't get away with saying it in your position.  She resigns and the calls for NPR Federal funding to be stopped grow louder.  I love my NPR but what very few of the gripes are addressing is that NPR's Federal dollars account for only 2% of their operating budget.  Yes - 2% - not even 20%.  I just wish that people complaining about this would use actual facts when discussing it.

The federal dollars they receive are generally in the form of grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting - which received $420,000,000 from the federal government in FY 2010.   That's a big chunk of money and is a legitimate budget expenditure that should at least be allowed to be discussed when talking where to cut money in the Federal budget.  I'm sure they do great work - but come on - $420 million dollars?  They could take a cut of some sort.  How about starting with the grants to NPR?