Category : News, Politics

in News, Politics, RANT

Dear u know who:

Hello, Alex. ;) It’s nice to hear from you. Thank you for pointing out my past hypocrisies. I make no apologies. I realize that at one time, I decried the fact that people were driving SUVs, and then my parents bought me an SUV and I drove it. That was terrible; I have since amended my ways and sworn off SUVs, although I do, from time to time, realize that my little car might need more space in it to carry all the stuff I like to lug around with me.

And while we’re dredging up past hypocrisies: remember when you were a Republican homophobe? ;)

In any case, I have already voted. I am an absentee voter. I did not vote for Obama; I did not vote for McCain. I voted for an unspecified third party, which means nothing in this state anyway. I think (although I hope I am wrong) that they are both liars and whoever gets into office and then get mired down by the same political bullshit that is drowning this country from the bottom up.

And by the way, Reuters: the fact that I am not voting for either McCain or Obama does not mean I don’t pay attention to the news, nor does it mean that I’m uneducated. It is because, frankly, I don’t trust either one of them. Their stances are tailor-made to polarize according to party lines. If I believed for a moment that either one of them had the balls to do what’s right, I would support him. I don’t see it. It is not my fault that I do not trust politicians. It’s their fault that they don’t deserve it.

Thank you.

in News, Politics, RANT

The shoe on his foot (no – the other one)

A man in West Hollywood hung an effigy of Sarah Palin in his front yard as a Halloween decoration. Read the story here.

Now, I’m not big fan of Sarah Palin. In fact, I can’t stand her. But I find this in pretty poor taste. I wouldn’t lodge a complaint about it, as it’s just a Halloween decoration, and it would be a practice in futility to try to knock sense into people (and I don’t know if I’m the best person for that particular job, in any case.)

I wonder how this guy would feel if I were to live across the street from him and hang an effigy of him? Or his wife? Or his kids? Is it because she’s a public figure that she’s fair game? What if I wrote “Asian” across a dummy’s chest and hung that? Or “gay”? Or “People who shop at Hollister”? Why would any of those be a hate crime, and his effigy not one? Would hanging an effigy of Osama Bin Laden be widely lauded?

Of course I don’t advocate doing any of these things, but I just wonder what would happen if the tables were turned a bit. I know context is the meat of a statement, but I find it a little…lame.

in Life of Giang, News, Politics

I hate my cat

I have no idea what she was doing this morning, but it woke me the heck up at 5:50. So here I am, taking a politics test I from OK Cupid, which I found on someone’s blog. The test is rating me on how socially and economically liberal or conservative I am. The choices are strongly disagree, disagree, agree, strongly agree. One of the questions? “Most people are too stupid to know what’s best for them.”

Heh. Here are my results:


Social Liberal
(61% permissive)

and an…

Economic Conservative
(61% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Centrist



Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid

in News, Politics, RANT

In response to McCain being booed

I preface this by saying that I am not, nor have I ever been, a member of the Democratic party. I’m simply a woman, calling it like I see it.

Common decency, is, apparently, not a trait some Americans want in a presidential candidate. I am not condoning the deplorable (and, in all honesty, just plain stupid) tactics McCain/Palin are using to try to garner votes. Not only are they pathetic (if you must lose, why not be graceful about it?), but they’re downright insulting. Who is dumb enough to fall for these ploys?

Enough people, apparently.

I can’t tell if McCain/Palin are just doing the Hail Mary Good Cop/Bad Cop routine on the country, or if, when challenged, McCain actually meant what he said about believing Obama to be a decent, family man. If he meant it, I applaud him for putting character and decency above his political ambition. It is rare enough to see, especially when you are behind, so close to the end of a very long race.

If he didn’t, and it was just another lame attempt to give the appearance of having character, I do not have the words to convey how pitiful it is. I hope it is the former, rather than the latter.

But, if I were John McCain, at this point of the race, staring out at these people who, like Salem witchhunters, actually shout things like, “traitor” and “terrorist”, and “off with his head”, I would be having second thoughts. I am no great bastion of morality, nor do I have an outstanding character. But if I were John McCain, I would feel at least an inkling of discomfort that my campaign were devolving into a witch-hunt. I would be thinking, “I don’t care if they vote for me seven ways to Sunday, these people are not the people I want to decide who becomes the next US President.”

in News, Politics

October dreams of a non-baseball variety

I was telling Ai the other day that I find the Voter Pamphlet they provide us with to be exceedingly dense and complicated. The booklet says one thing, and that is all very good, but distrust anything that has to do with politics; surely, as always, there is some trick to this book that is beyond me, that I am not informed enough to winkle out. For instance, if I vote for money for the hospitals, what is it really being used for? What it says? If the proponents say one thing, and the opponents say another, who is telling the truth? These things bother me. I feel my vote will be perverted by ulterior motives that I have no control over. I feel like politicians are always lying to me. I feel like Charlie Brown, running for that damned football.

In my opinion, news media is either:

1) Too politically polarized to give a clear picture of what is going on; or
2) Too stupid to understand and report accurately what is going on.

I spent part of my birthday combing through the Current Events magazine offerings at the local Barnes and Noble to see if I could find one that would suit my purpose. They are all slanted in one way or another. How is it possible? I guess I’m kind of naive. You would think, with everything going on in the world, with all the troubles, that people would find a more constructive path to channel their need than to be boorish, one-sided, close-minded.

I ended up buying a book by Jessamyn Conrad, called What you should know about politics, but don’t. It was published a couple months ago, and, while it may not be the most sophisticated book in the world, I really like it for a political primer on current issues. She claims to be nonpartisan; a critic on Amazon.com dishes her a little bit for being slightly leftist, which is okay, since she still manages not to lambaste either side too vehemently over the other (which always puts me on my guard, especially when someone or something is claiming to be ‘non-partisan’).

I just finished the chapter on Foreign Policy, and it’s like all the pieces of news I’ve read over the past ten years are suddenly falling into place. And it’s terrifying, and worse – just so goddamned sad I have no idea what to say. So much waste of life. So much mindless, needless waste. Nothing has ever made me feel as inept as I feel right now, aware of the enormity of the pain, hate, and greed in the world that has caused this, and me – even a gaggle of me-s – being powerless to help it.

I hope that whoever becomes president next is up to the task before him. I hope he uses the power of the presidency to do some good in the world, that he is better than the processes which placed him in office. I hope he will hold his duty above his own self-interest, and the interests of the greedy, despicable powers that be. We need to stop fighting amongst ourselves and gathering behind meaningless, empty banners. We need a little good. In fact, we need a hell of a lot of it.

Here’s to hoping.

And accordingly, I no longer wish hell and damnation down on the person who stole my license plate. I cannot help but be a little annoyed at your dumbassness, but you are a little fish in a big ocean full of wrong, and my being angry only tips the scale the wrong way. And so, you are forgiven. (But still a dumbass.)

in News, Politics

The family that votes together…

So, here’s how the Hoang and the Burdette are voting:

President
Curt: Undecided, but definitely not voting for Obama.
Giang: Undecided, but definitely not voting for Obama or McCain. Toying around with the idea of voting for Nader because at least he isn’t whoring himself out for a vote. This after Curt convinced me it is irresponsible to write in “Marlon Brando” just because I liked him in On the Waterfront.

Proposition 1: Bonds for a High Speed Rail?
Curt: YES, because he believes transportation infrastructure is paramount to economic growth. And he wants to go on a speedy train!
Giang: NO, because we should fix what we got before we go off building new-fangled trains. Who’s gonna use this train to get to work? And, they’ve spent $58 billion and gotten what done? And they want how much more? NO TRAINS FOR JOO!

Proposition 2: Allow Farm Animals to Lie Down, Stand Up, and Extend their Limbs?
Curt: NO, because it will make chicken and eggs more expensive.
Giang: YES, because I don’t care if chicken and eggs get more expensive. I feel bad when I go to the store and think about the chickens. Not bad enough to be a vegetarian (to my shame), but bad enough to give up a few dollars on eggs and chicken. Also, the arguments against it (Salmonella, Bird Flu) sound ridiculous to me. I don’t like it when people use scare tactics to try to win my vote. Show me proof!

Proposition 3: (More) Bonds for Children’s Hospital?
Curt: NO, because they just passed a bill for funds and have not used them.
Giang: NO, and ditto. 20% goes to the UC hospitals, and 80% goes to the private hospitals. The state, the country, everyone is in debt. We should not be funding private hospitals with more debt.

Proposition 4: Waiting Period and Parental Notification for Minors’ Abortions?
Curt: YES, because he is anti-abortion and because he believes parents should know if their daughters are getting abortions.
Giang: NO, because I am mostly pro-choice and the arguments for the YES vote are reflective of prurient interests rather than the reality. Making them tell you they are pregnant will not foster safe sex.

Proposition 5: Rehabilitation for Drug Offenses?
Curt: NO, because he believes the costs outweigh the benefits.
Giang: NO, because the law already allows for leniency if a first offender goes into drug treatment and stays clean. That’s a second chance. No third chances for you on my dime.

Proposition 6: More money for law enforcement vs. gangs and jails?
Curt: NO, because he believes it’s too costly.
Giang: NO, same reason.

Proposition 7: Renewable energy mandates for publicly-owned utilities?
Curt: NO as a matter of policy; he does not have a strong conviction either way, and votes NO when this occurs.
Giang: NO, because it is widely believed to be poorly drafted and set unrealistic goals. I will not read it myself, but defer to my fiscal instincts on this.

Proposition 8: Repeal gay marriage?
Curt: NO, because people should be able to do what they like.
Giang: NO, because if you vote for this, you are an asshole. You’re like that asshole kid with a cookie, who wants to keep other kids from having a cookie so you can stay the only kid who has a cookie. EVERYONE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HAVE COOKIES, ASSHOLE.

Proposition 9: Allow victim input during criminal justice process?
Curt: NO, because, and I quote, “Why do they need to be involved every step of the way?”
Giang: NO, because I honestly don’t have a strong belief either way here. NO on default.

Proposition 10: Bonds for alternative fuel vehicles and renewable energy?
Curt: NO, because people shouldn’t be compensated for going green.
Giang: HELL F-ING NO, simply because of the car rebate. It is not that I don’t believe in recycling and helping the environment, but this is just like that carbon offset credit bullshit. You behave green, or you don’t, you aren’t bribed into it, or buy into it to offset energy wasteful ways. NO. I am not paying anyone to buy a damned Prius, especially when: 1) The bonds we will end up paying for will cost more, and stay on California’s books as debt, longer than the cars will be in service and 2) Yarises are more economical and cuter. Go cute!

Proposition 11: Redistricting duties given to committee over legislators?
Curt: YES, because right now the legislators have the power to redistrict to their benefit and clearly that’s worked out well…
Giang: NO, because I am not satisfied that 14 random people screened by a State Auditor with blackball privileges given to the legislators is a better idea then letting the legislature do it. In fact, it could be disaster. I could be wrong, but I err on the side of caution. The devil you know…

Proposition 12: Keeping the Cal-Vet bonds?
Curt: YES, because people who risk their lives for their country can have $900 million dollars if they want it.
Giang: YES, and ditto. And it’s not like they’re a whole bunch of big-name multi-(billion/)millionaires who want a $700 billion dollar bailout for irresponsible lending.

Just sayin’.

in News, Politics, RANT

Biggest eye-roll ever

I’m irritated that all of this is happening just as the playoffs are beginning so I have to worry about losing all my money AND the Dodgers losing all at once. WTF, man.

God, the government is a moron. I’m irritated that the $700 billion dollar plan is the only thing they’ve come up with to fix this. I’m irritated that that number, pulled out of the blue by Paulson, is still on the table. You know why it’s $700 billion? BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE BUYING BACK BAD MORTGAGE DEBT FOR MORE THAN IT’S WORTH.

Obviously, if we want to prop up our artificially (well, all of it is artificial) inflated economy, something needs to happen. I do not relish the idea of going through an economic depression, but part of me just wants to see it all go up in flames and see if we learn something here. Like: stop fucking borrowing to fix the problem we created by borrowing. Stop government subsidizing of private debt. Why should I pay OVER market price for bad mortgage debts someone else incurred?

The country needs revenue based on something tangible. We should legalize marijuana. Not that I would partake because the whole smoking thing is troublesome, but apparently it’s non-addictive (unlike nicotine), it can be grown locally (as we are frequently reminded by our friendly neighborhood news anchors), and it will probably pull in billions of dollars a year in tax revenue, not to mention the fact that we spend that much less money trying to force people not to do it. Billions of dollars. Not, say, $700 billion, but it’s a start.

But of course that won’t happen. The nation is prudish enough to say that’s bad, but certainly, if you want to defraud the country by borrowing more than you can afford, go ahead! The government will bail you out, cause it’s not like you’re a dirty pot smoker.

in News, Politics, RANT

Politics, obvusly

Here is my rant-let about things that are patently obvious, but which have struck me this morning as blogworthy, anyway: politicians are shiftless whore-likes in the great sandbox of life. If they were children, they would be the children the adults would be shushing and telling to play nice, who, when the adults turn their backs, would stuff dirty, poopy sand in others’ faces.

That is all. Happy Wednesday.

in News, Politics

I’m a kook

ivoted.jpg

Yes, I voted. Just the propositions, not the presidential primaries, because I don’t really like any of the presidential candidates and am not registered for either party. What to do? I’m a social liberal, but a fiscal conservative. Curt says this is something called Libertarian. Is this true? Obviously, the only thing I could do was to consult the internet.

According to quizrocket (which I do not in any way endorse since it requires you to click through like four pages of advertisements before giving you the results, which they are entitled to do, but is still a pain in the ass, worthy of excoriation), I am indeed, this beast called Libertarian. I am A Kook.

While I’m talking about how I do not like the presidential candidates, here are few irrelevant observations:

1) When is Hillary going to cash in that store of nuts she has in those cheek pouches?
2) Barak Obama has a nice turn of phrase, but he’s getting a little Old-Time-Gospel-Hour-ish. I feel like jumping out of my seat and shouting “Amen!” whenever he talks. Feh.
3) Mike Huckabee does not have sclera, a sure sign of the Beast.
4) Rudy Guiliani is gone. Boy, that sure is a shame, since he was running on so many issues, like 9/11. Oh, and then there was 9/11. And then remember that one time he talked about 9/11?
5) John McCain is possibly the worst public speaker ever. Listening to him is the aural equivalent of being bitten by a TseTse fly.
6) Mitt Romney looks like Mr. Fantastic. He’s pretty hot, for a plastic superhero guy. Except, like, he’s kind of a wimp and all he can talk about is the Private Sector, and in the non-fun, non-biblical sense.

I feel like we’re on Sesame Street, playing “This is your President.” That’s not a good thing.

Of course, you know, I’m a kook, so who cares what I say?