Sunday, October 31, 2004

Happy Halloween

Hey everybody, Happy Halloween! Boy, it sure has been an eerie week, for myself included. I guess I'll start with myself, and then I'll point out some more eerie occurrences.

Last Sunday, at around 1 in the morning, I went to the emergency room. I was throwing up blood, which has never happened before to me in my life. The doctors did a blood test, took an x-ray, put me on an IV, and all of that jazz. I was there for around four hours, and it was apparently a busy night for them. I heard that two ambulances collided, so that delayed things even further for me. Anyways, the doctors finally came back to me and told me that they thought it was the stomach flu. I don't know if I agree with them, but hey, I'm not a doctor. I have a doctors appointment on Tuesday, so we'll see how that goes. Also, I am having a hard time breathing right now. Sometimes, when I breathe in, it hurts, so that can't be good. Other than that, I'm fine. Like I said, I'll be seeing the doctor on Tuesday, so I should be able to manage until then.

I would just like to say congratulations to the Boston Red Soxes. The Curse of the Bambino has finally ended, which means that there are some eerie things going on this week....

I would like to point out a quote that I read recently in a USA Today article. This is regarding the presidential elections:

Kerry recalled a man who phoned a radio show about a year ago "when things weren't going so well" for the campaign. "Thinking they were just cutting me right to the quick, they said, 'John Kerry won't be president until the Red Sox win the World Series.' " Source

As I said, very strange things are going on. Check this out:

Since the Redskins became the Redskins in 1933, the result of the team's final home game before the presidential election has correctly predicted the White House winner. If the Redskins win, the incumbent party wins. If they lose, the incumbent party is ousted. Source

For those of you who don't know, the Redskins lost today, at home, to the Packers. This is very interesting stuff. If that wasn't enough, check this out:

Kid power! Democrat John Kerry is the winner, and the rest of the country should pay attention because the vote on Nickelodeon's Web site has correctly chosen the president of the United States in the past four elections. Source

Are all of these things possible harbingers? I really don't know, but I do know one thing. This election will probably be one of the most contested elections in the history of this country. No matter who wins, no one will have confidence in the results. This election could be worse than the 2000 election. I'm sure most of you already know this, but it is worth pointing out again. I have decided to vote for Kerry, but I would just like to say that I really hope that someone wins in an uncontested manner. I really don't think this country can take another election like 2000, and like I said, this one could be worse. Anyways, that is all I have for you tonight. Have a Happy Halloween!

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Hooray Boston...Go Houston!

Imagine that. Coming back from a 3-0 deficit. I couldn't be happier for the Red Soxes. I think I speak for just about everyone when I say, "I absolutely hate the Yankees." I hope the Red Soxes go on to win the title, they are definitely due for one.

On another note, did anyone else notice that there could be a possible Texas vs. Massachusetts matchup in the World Series? Could the World Series be a possible harbinger of things to come in the presidential election? Do I say possible too much? At this point, I hate to speculate on anything. However, I will speculate if the Astros win tonight.

Look for some possible speculation tomorrow, and also my top ten favorite Bushisms. That is all I have for this update, thank you for reading.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Bush

Okay, I wanted to post this the night I heard about it. I believe I heard it on the 17th, but I never got around to it. Better late than never, so here goes:

United States President George W. Bush surprised his listeners at a campaign rally by seeming to oppose, then favour, then oppose replacing the all-volunteer US military with a draft.

"Our all-volunteer Army will remain an all-volunteer Army," Bush began, to cheers from supporters in Florida.

"After standing on the stage, after the debates, I made it very plain we will not have an all-volunteer Army. And yet this week ... " he continued, before suddenly realising the gaffe and shouting: "We will have an all-volunteer Army. Let me restate that: We will not have a draft ... The only person talking about a draft is my opponent. The only politicians that supported a draft are Democrats, and the best way to avoid a draft is to vote for me." Source

All I can say is, wow. Imagine yourself talking in front of a large group of people and constantly making mistakes like this. It must really take the wind out of your sails, or kill your momentum at the whim of a hat, as Dubya would say. And yet, he still has many supporters. Now, I don't claim to be the most articulate person in the world. I know damn well I'm not, but this is the leader of the United States we are talking about here.

I could forgive Bush if his slip ups were a rare occurence, but he does it all the damn time. I mean, did it ever occur to anyone that maybe, just maybe, he is lying? I'm sure it has, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say, if Bush is reelected (and I use the term reelected here loosely), there will be a draft during his second term. If I am wrong, you can come back here and ridicule me. Don't worry, I can take the heat.

Back to Bush's fuck ups though. I mean, really, am I the only one sick and tired of hearing it happen all the time? It seems to me that he either a) doesn't have a firm grasp on the English language, which is true and I guess I can believe that is the sole reason for his mess ups, or b) he can't keep the truth straight, so he slips up all the time. Think about it, if he gets elected, he can pretty much do whatever he wants. He won't have to worry about another term, because he can only have two, so he can essentially do anything, within his power, that he wants.

Please people, there will not be a second coming of Jesus, so let's follow suit and not have a second coming of Bush! Sure, I will miss all the Bushisms, but I'd be willing to give those up to have someone else in office. Seriously though, if Bush isn't elected, he should really look into doing some stand-up. He is one funny son of a bitch.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not a huge fan of Kerry. As was pointed out already, he'll say anything to get a vote. In politics, that is the name of the game though. Bush does the same thing, to a certain extent, whether you want to believe it or not. Hell, Kerry might reinstate the draft, but I don't think it is as likely with Kerry as president. Even if it is just as likely, then it is a wash, and I would still support Kerry because he is in line with more of my beliefs.

Changing gears here a little bit. A lot of people, especially younger people, think that voting is not important. Well, let me just point out that the next president will appoint hundreds of federal judges, so that will have a huge effect on our federal court system. In addition to that, the next president will appoint (more than likely) three Supreme Court justices.

"Rehnquist, Stevens and O'Connor are expected to retire soon, at least within the next four years. That would give the next president three new justices to appoint, when even one could tip the balance." Read the full article here

That, my friends, will have a major effect on everyone's life, so please go out and vote! Okay, it is time for me to get off my soapbox.... (steps down)

I hope you enjoyed my post. I also have some good news, or bad news, depending on your political orientation. I will do a top ten, and it will be my top ten favorite Bushisms! You all have that to look forward to, possibly tomorrow even. Well, it is getting late, good night everyone.

Friday, October 15, 2004

We meet again Trebek!

Well, well, well. Look what we have here. It's alive! Yes, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth (yet) and I don't think I will any time soon. I have been fairly busy lately, with school and work, but nothing really interesting to report.

Okay, so I have been really getting into politics lately. I watched all four debates and have been trying to read a few things here and there. I have always leaned toward Kerry. He shares more of my views and I really can't stand Bush. I don't like Kerry much either, but at least he is well-spoken and can actually formulate a coherent setence most of the time. I don't agree with everything he says, but at least I can understand most of it. Oh, and this picture has pretty much sealed the deal for me.

I have a few interesting links for you, so here goes:
Politic Songs
Operation Truth
Freeway Blogger

Here is a funny picture. Now, the argument is not whether or not Bush "owns" a timber company. The point is that the republicians are lying about the amount of small business that will be affected by Kerry's proposed tax increase. Bush made the joke because he had nothing better to say. I thought it was funny (I literally laughed out loud when he said it), but he was just trying to underscore the fact that "the majority of those being counted as 'small businesses' are really individuals who aren't primarily business owners, and a huge number have no employees." That was an excerpt from this article, so go and check it out.

It is is also important to point out this:
"It should also be noted that Kerry is proposing several tax cuts specifically targeted to small businesses, including a refundable tax credit aimed at reducing the cost of health-care benefits, eliminating capital-gains taxes for 'long-term investments' held for five or more years in small businesses, and a "new jobs tax credit" for small businesses that add new jobs in 2005 and 2006. What Kerry is proposing for small business can be found on his website."

That is from the same article. Of course, the republicans wouldn't want you to know that, it would weaken their argument. I can't say that I blame them for trying though.

Well, that is all I have for you tonight. I encourage everyone (yes, even republicans) to leave me a comment. Whatever your political orientation, please leave me a comment, even if you don't agree with me. I welcome dissent because that is what makes people see things from different perspectives and that is what this world (and country) needs more of. If the majority of Americans cared enough about politics to debate with one another, this country would be better off for it. Now, I am not the most informed when it comes to most things, but I try to stay up as much as I can. I hope you all enjoyed this post. Thank you and good night.