Debate Hangover...

Why do I put myself through this?  This should have been an easy one to let slip by.  It was on Bloomberg for God's sake!  That channel is nowhere near CNN, ESPN, HGTV, or the Food Network.  How did I even find it?  Wait - it get's worse.  I even had it playing on all three televisions in the house - just to make sure I wouldn't miss anything - plus it was being taped on two of those televisions.  (Your question as to why a household of three people needs three televisions will have to wait for another post.)

A table full of empty suits and one skirt (all with nice hair though - except for Gingrich) should be enough to not warrant my attention.  No such luck.  They could all teach a class on how to LIE and DISTORT.  Romney can criticize Obama's healthcare plan with a lie about it affecting all people - when in fact it only affects the uninsured.  Once again people - if you like your current insurance plan and physician, you can keep it!  Those who want to say that their healthcare premiums rose because of Obama...Please...pay attention.  Your insurance company wants you to think that but your rates have been going up each year since way before Obama got involved.  They would have gone up again without this healthcare bill.  Ours went up at just about the same percentage as it did in the past 5 years.  But keep believing those letters you get in the mail if it makes you feel better.  Facts are never fun.  And the bit about "tax increases" since Obama took office.  Really?  Where and on whom?  Once again - Facts people.  Deal with them.

Did anyone else catch the line from Santorum about wanting a "war with China"?  Of course he was talking about a "trade" war - but come on Rick - do you really think that is a wise thing to say?  I'm sure Donald Trump liked it though.

I know I'm supposed to pile on to Rick Perry - but it's just too easy.  Not even going to go into specifics about his debate performance.  He looks like a Ken doll up there - and that's all he's got.  Oh - other than blaming Obama for everything that's ever happened in the history of the Universe.  One quick mention about the Christian/Mormon/Cult/Robert Jeffress flap.  Are we really surprised that a Baptist minister believes that Mormonism is a cult?  No.  Do we also believe that Rick Perry did not know that this man was going to bring this issue up?  Another No!  Of course he knew it - and loved it!  As for whether I believe it's a cult...I pretty much believe that they both are...but I won't digress.

Perhaps the favorite moment from last night to me didn't occur actually until today.  Herman Cain (worth his own future post) mentioned his great economics adviser.  Rich Lowrie.  Who?  Exactly what I was thinking.  He is a Wells Fargo branch employee with some volunteer advisor hours under his belt with some conservative groups.  I drove glass bottom boats one summer almost 35 years ago.  That doesn't make me a ship's captain.
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/the-utter-folly-of-herman-cains-9-9-9-plan/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OTB+%28Outside+The+Beltway+|+OTB%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

I was looking forward to Glee afterwards - but it wasn't on.  And I didn't think it could have gotten any worse.

More scary people

Joel Osteen and his wife (Victoria/Vickie/whatever) were on Piers Morgan tonight.  This man somehow manages to draw thousands to his "church" on Sunday mornings.  Are people so desperate for some type of spiritual connection that they will resort to these caricatures?

I think their fake smiles have some type of telekinetic power that is transferred through the television screen and forces people to watch them.  It worked with me because I wasted almost an hour of my life watching and listening.

Surprisingly, they said they would attend a same-sex wedding if they were invited as a show of "respect".  Of course they also said it's a "sin".  So let me get this straight (no pun intended).  They think a same-sex relationship is a "sin" but they would go to a same-sex wedding as a show of "respect".

Do these people listen to what comes out of their mouths?  They are incoherent.  Come on people - believe in something - or don't.

Not a good look for a President

Chris Christie is playing with the media - and they love him for it.  He is giving them something to speculate about - and that is what mainstream media loves to do.  His name is mentioned daily as a potential GOP candidate for President.  Can you imagine what that must do to an ego when you hear your name mentioned as a possible Presidential candidate?  It's probably a little better than being the doctor accused of murdering Michael Jackson - but that's a different post.

Anyway - without going into the strengths and weaknesses of Christie's political positions, let's get straight to the point.  The man is huge.  I don't mean he's overweight for his body type.  I mean he's obese and we can't have that for a President of the United States of America.

Here's a little speculation for you - and it's not coming from the mainstream media.  He's just testing the waters now to get his name out there (and thus succeeding).  He will then embark on some serious medical weight reduction program and we get to listen to him all over again beginning in 2015.

You heard it here first - and I didn't even take a poll.

an even better blog...

Because you might actually learn something...Kevin's new blog

http://www.takingmoneyseriously.blogspot.com/

It's been too long...

I'm still here.  No need to continue the clamoring for this blog's return.  It's back!

I've been trying to formulate some profound rambling on the issue of the repeal of DADT.  ('bout time)  I find myself beginning to type and the blood pressure rising with each keystroke.  It's difficult to know where to even begin with this issue - but maybe it's just too simple and I'm only thinking it's difficult.

It really came to the forefront for me last week during the Republican debate (and I'm using the term "debate" very loosely here.).  You've all seen the video by now - or maybe you saw it in real time like I did.  The active duty soldier (who happened to by gay) raises the question about a "repeal" of the repeal.  Rick Santorum proceeds to go off on some tangent that wasn't even coherent.  A reasonable translation of his response was that he wants a completely "celibate" military.  At least that's what you have to figure he's saying when he states that the military is no place for sexual activity.  Huh?  Hey Rick - people aren't joining the military to have sex!  Gay or Straight!  It was typical Rick Santorum.  He's a walking cartoon character for leadership in the Republican party.

The booing of the soldier (is that how you spell it?) was further proof of what the Republican party is all about.  Not one of the candidates on the stage slammed their fists on the lecterns to state their disgust with that behavior from the audience.  And why should they?  They weren't disgusted with it.  They actually liked it.  Pitiful!

But speaking of sexual activity in the military...just a little anecdote from me.  I served 8 years.  (No - not kicked out for being gay.  Got out because I saw the writing on the wall...but I've digressed.)  I saw no evidence of gay sexual activity during that time period.  (since then I've learned it did go on.  I just wasn't very observant.)  I did however notice more than average amounts of adultery (which is also against military law.  or at least it was while I was in.)  It was almost expected activity for air crew members to have a "good time" while on TDY (temporary duty - normally far away from home/wives).  Where was Rick Santorum during all of this?

Post Labor Day - Pre First Day of Kindergarten

Not that they are related or anything...just thought it made for a title that was more than three words.

We spent the Labor Day weekend in Black Butte (the "ranch" I mentioned previously).  Great weather, setting, views, food, hiking, biking, swimming, and friends.  I think I would have to say it was the perfect long weekend - especially since our hosts did all of the cooking.  Thanks again hosts!

Do you think Rick Perry is still wanting Texas to secede from the U.S.?  I'm sure he'll be happy to accept any support he can get from that horrible federal government to assist with all of the problems created by the incredible wildfires in his state right now.  I guess he forgot to pray away any upcoming fires in his recent prayer rally.  (in fact one of the reasons for the rally was to pray for rain).  uh - Hello?  Shouldn't this tell him something?

Kindergarten starts on Thursday.  'bout time!

Only 13 more to go

I'm a sappy kind of guy - but I never know what is going to bring on the sappiness.  I can name at least one thing that I'm not sappy about.  Going from pre-school to kindergarten does nothing to me emotionally.

I've heard more than several comments the last few weeks from parents regarding their heart strings being tugged by little "insert kid's name here" leaving pre-school to move on to kindergarten.  Maybe I'm immune to it because Caden's kindergarten classrooms are in the same building as his pre-school rooms.  I'm sure that moving from one building to another - that might even be a distance away from each other is more noticeable.  But come on people - it's really not that big of a deal.

I can see the move from middle school to high school being much more traumatic for me.  Knowing that this transition represents the four remaining years of having to make sure he is up and out the door by a certain time will surely cause a little more angst.

Pre-school to Kindergarten? - let's get this movie started.  Please - Now!

On another note...we're off to Black Butte Ranch in central Oregon with friends for the weekend.   Just because I said it's a "ranch" doesn't mean we're going to be branding cattle.  It's more like a big housing development/vacation spot with lakes, swimming pools, bike paths, horseback riding, etc...