Happy Thanksgiving

Just think - if the Indians had given the Pilgrim fathers a donkey instead of a turkey we would all be having a piece of ass this Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

and thanks for reading!

72% Say Christmas Season Comes Too Soon

With stores starting their Christmas sales in October and radio stations playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving, 72% of Americans say the joyous holiday season now comes too early.

Just 22% disagree, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Six percent (6%) are undecided.

While 76% of men think the holiday season is upon us too soon these days, only 67% of women agree. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of women don't think the Christmas season comes too early, compared to 17% of men.

Those over 40 are more likely than younger adults to say the Christmas season starts too soon. Those with higher incomes also think the season has gotten too long.

In a survey last December, 64% of adults said the holiday season should focus more on the birth of Jesus, too. But 91% of adults planned to celebrate Christmas in some form or another.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).

For retailers, however, it may not matter how long the shopping season lasts this year: 66% of Americans say that they plan to spend less on the holidays this year than they did a year ago. Consumer confidence is near record lows and 40% of small business owners expect lower sales this year.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of all adults also say the Thanksgiving holiday now gets lost in the holiday season. Just 26% disagree.

Rasmussen

I'm glad that I'm not alone on this one. Most people think the Christmas season is starting too soon. I couldn't agree more. Can't we have our Turkey before you drag out the Christmas music and decorations and stuff? Let's savor one holiday before we move onto the next. Could we possibly put this on the bulletin board for next year? Thanks.

Miami judge rules against Florida gay adoption ban

MIAMI – A judge on Tuesday ruled that a strict Florida law that blocks gay people from adopting children is unconstitutional, declaring there was no legal or scientific reason for sexual orientation alone to prohibit anyone from adopting.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman said the 31-year-old law violates equal protection rights for the children and their prospective gay parents, rejecting the state's arguments that there is "a supposed dark cloud hovering over homes of homosexuals and their children."

She noted that gay people are allowed to be foster parents in Florida. "There is no rational basis to prohibit gay parents from adopting," she wrote in a 53-page ruling.

Florida is the only state with an outright ban on gay adoption. Arkansas voters last month approved a measure similar to a law in Utah that bans any unmarried straight or gay couples from adopting or fostering children. Mississippi bans gay couples, but not single gays, from adopting.

AP

This is refreshing. Enough of the god damn discrimination. A lesbian or gay couple can provide a loving home just as good, if not better than a straight couple or single parent can. Isn't a child better off in a loving home than in an orphange? I don't get the logic of the opponents of gay adoption.

Survey

How did you get one of your scars?
My sister stabbed me in the arm with a pencil.

How did you celebrate your last birthday?
Went out to dinner, and had a drink to celebrate one more year in this stinkin' place.

How are you feeling at this moment?
Bored and kinda tired.

How did your night go last night?
It was alright, I've had better nights.

How did you do in high school?
About average, I didn't apply myself and didn't work to the best of my ability, but oh well, too late now.

How did you get the shirt you're wearing?
I bought it?

How often do you see your friends?
Daily.

How much money did you get to spend this month?
Not much...

How old do you want to be when you get married?
At least 35...but I don't see me ever getting married.

How old will you be at your next birthday?
22

whats your pets name?
Sonny, he's a dachshund.

What did you do this weekend?
Nothing, as usual.

What is the most important part of your life?
Depends on what you consider "important."

What would you rather be doing?
Something more productive.

What did you last cry over?
Listening to my friend sing a sad song.

What always makes you feel better when you’re upset?
Listening to music and talking to a good friend.

What’s the most important thing you look for in a significant other?
Honesty, trust, respect...

What are you worried about?
I'm a worry wart...does that answer the question?

What did you have for breakfast?
Tea, and then had lunch.

Have you ever liked someone who had a girlfriend/boyfriend?
Yep...story of my life.

Have you ever had your heartbroken?
Who hasn't?

Have you ever been out of the country?
Nope.

Have you ever done something outrageously dumb?
I dunno, though I have done dumb things, I don't think there's anything I'd categorize as "outrageously dumb."

Have you ever been back stabbed by a friend?
Yep, took me a long time to forgive the prick too.

Have you ever had sex on the beach?
Nope.

Have you ever read an entire book in one day?
Yep.

Who was the last person you saw?
My roommate.

Who was the last person to IM you?
Greg, or was it Fred? I don't remember. Ahh, two people just IM'd me.

Who was the last person you hungout with?
It's been awhile since I hung out with anyone...

Who was the last person to call you?
Someone looking for my wife. Do they know something I don't know?

Who did you last hug?
My dog probably.

Who is the last person you txted?
...

Who was the last person you said "i love you" to?
My mother.

Where does your friend live?
I've got friends everywhere....Canada, Mississippi, Texas, New York, Vermont, RI, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Minnesota,

Where did you last go?
The store.

Where did you last hang out?
Where I always hang - my place.

Where is your favorite place to be?
Somewhere quiet and comfortable.

Where did you sleep last night?
My bed - where else?

Do you like someone right now?
Of course. Don't you?

Do you think anyone likes you?
I guess so, if not they're all a bunch of fuggin' liars :P

Do you ever wish you were someone else?
Someone else? I'm not with anyone.

Do you know the muffin man?
Yeah, the son of a bitch forgot to bring me my muffins.

Does the future scare you?
Not really.

Why are you best friends with your best friend(s)?
Do I have to have a reason for being best friends?

Why did you get a myspace?
Don't know, because it was the "in" thing to do?

Why did your parents give you the name you have?
I wish I knew....I think it was because they lack imagination.

Why are you doing this survey?
Because I'm bored.

If you could have one super power what would it be??
I'd like to be able to fly...

If you could go back in time and change one thing, would you?
Sure would...I've got a whole list of things I'd like to change.

If you were stranded on a deserted island & could bring 1 thing what would you bring?
Well I hope that desert island had some sort of electricity...I can't live without my music.

Would you ever do whatever you did on Friday again?
What happened on Friday?

Would you ever shave your head to save someone you love?
Sure...its only hair, right? It'll grow back.

Are you happy with your life right now?
It's alright...I've been worse.

Hannity and Colmes split up

Fox News announced that after 12 years, Alan Colmes will be leaving the top-rated "Hannity & Colmes" at the end of the year.

“I approached Bill Shine (FNC’s Senior Vice President of Programming) earlier this year about wanting to move on after 12 years to develop new and challenging ways to contribute to the growth of the network," Colmes said in a statement. "Although it’s bittersweet to leave one of the longest marriages on cable news, I’m proud that both Sean (Hannity) and I remained unharmed after sitting side by side, night after night for so many years.”

Sean Hannity said Colmes was "a remarkable co-host," "great friend," and "skillful debate partner.”

Colmes will remain a Fox commentator, and continue hosting "The Alan Colmes Show" on Fox News Radio. Also, he's developing a weekend show.

So will it just be the "The Sean Hannity Show" (as on the radio) or take the name of the weekly Fox show, "Hannity's America?" In the release, published after the jump, there's no mention of Hannity seeking a new liberal co-host, so I assume he's on his own, but can't say for sure. I've put the question to Fox and will update when available.

ALAN COLMES TO DEPART TOP RATED HANNITY & COLMES

This is a shame. The show needed Colmes to balance out right wing lunatic Sean Hannity. I hope he can find another liberal to take Colmes' place. Maybe someone more intimidating is what the show needs. Colmes was a bit too soft. They need to take on Rove, Morris, Coulter and all the other right wing nut cases that guest on the show.

Hannity might go it alone? What fun is that? What happened to being fair and balanced? If he's going the route of HannitysAmerica, then its going to be horrible. Though, it is fun seeing Hannity froth at the mouth about Obama and the rest of the liberals.

Obama skips church, hits the gym

President-elect Barack Obama has yet to attend church services since winning the White House earlier this month, a departure from the example of his two immediate predecessors.

On the three Sundays since his election, Obama has instead used his free time to get in workouts at a Chicago gym.

Asked about the president-elect's decision to not attend church, a transition aide noted that the Obamas valued their faith experience in Chicago but were concerned about the impact their large retinue may have on other parishioners.

Politico

Good for him. He shouldn't be wasting his time in church, anyway. I think it's refreshing to see someone caring more about their health than about religion.

Does anyone really care about this stuff? At least he is doing something constructive with his time.

Amusing Ballots

It's been over two weeks since the election and there are some races still to be decided. The U.S. Senate race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken in Minnesota is in a dead heat. There are many ballots that are being challenged by both parties.

Let's have a look at some of them, shall we?

I vote to reject this one since Minnesota state law states that "If a ballot is marked by distinguishing characteristics in a manner making it evident that the voter intended to identify the ballot, the entire ballot is defective."

This ballot clearly indicates that the voter intended to vote for Al Franken. I'll give this one to Franken.

This one goes to Norm Coleman. I don't care what anyone says. Those marks are nowhere near Al Franken's bubble.

I'll give this one to Coleman. The write-in isn't too legible. Who is Birdman? Or is it Bachmen?

Isn't this one interesting? It seems the voter started to vote for Franken and then later decided that Coleman would be a better choice. Is it clear as to who the person wants to vote for? I think not. Reject.

This one here is being challenged because the thumb print could be used to identify the voter and therefor should be automatically rejected. I'd let this one slide. I mean really, a thumb print?

This one clearly shows that the voter has no clue who he/she wants to vote for. Reject.


This voter says NO to Coleman but marks his bubble anyway. I vote to reject this one. It is not clear as to who this person wanted to vote for. I wonder what the IQ of this person is?

Isn't this fun?

This ballot shows a clear vote for Franken, but a preference for Lizard People. Who are the Lizard people? I'd give this one to Franken, wouldn't you?

Hmm, don't people know how to read instructions? Do they not see the bubbles beside the candidate's name? I didn't know that you had to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to fill out a ballot. As dumb as this person is, this does show a clear preference for Franken, so I will give it to him.

Coleman or Franken? Franken or Coleman? I don't know. Do you? I suppose the preference is for Coleman. Though I still think that if people can't follow the rules, their vote should not be counted, but in a close race like this each candidate needs every vote they can get. I'll go out on a limb here and give this to Coleman.

Why is this one even being contested? Because of one dot? Please. This one goes to Franken.

I don't know why this one is being contested either. The preference is surely for Barkley after considering Franken. This one goes to Barkley.

What was wrong with this person? How hard is it to select ONE name? It does show a preference for Barkley, but Barkley won't win anyway. Give it to Barkley.

Hmm. This one isn't too hard to figure out, is it? This person clearly doesn't want his/her vote to be counted. Reject.

I have to say, this was a lot of fun.

You can do this yourself by going here.

Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State

President-elect Barack Obama plans to name Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as his secretary of state shortly after Thanksgiving, two senior Obama aides said.

The officials said they expect her to accept. Clinton aides had no comment.

The choice unites the two rivals in the most protracted presidential primary in American history, giving Obama the "Team of Rivals" Cabinet he had promised.

Former President Bill Clinton authorized unprecedented disclosures about his finances to Obama's vetting team, and transition lawyers are satisfied, officials said.

Politico

Obama's really taking a gamble here. I hope it's the right decision.

Arizona Gov. Napolitano to become Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano will become the Obama administration's secretary of homeland security. I guess this will help John McCain in his reelection to the senate in 2010. The rumor going around was that Napolitano was going to try to capture McCain's senate seat when he completed his fourth term, and she completed her second and final term as governor. Early polls have predicted that Napolitano was favored to win in a Napolitano versus McCain race. A statewide poll taken in August of last year showed Napolitano leading McCain 47-36 percent. She's apparently more popular than McCain with an approval rating hovering about 60 percent, and in 2005 was named one of America's five best governors, calling her “A Mountaineer on the Political Rise.”

I bet McCain is breathing a little easier tonight.

'Pregnant man' expecting a second child

Have you heard this nonsense about a pregnant man?

I don't think I need to say this, but I will anyway: men can not get pregnant. This person had a sex change and is legally considered to be a man, who is now pregnant. Hmm, let's think about this for a moment. The so called "man" still has female parts. Right? You have to have working female parts to produce a child. So how does this make it a man? If you're a man, you have male parts, not female parts. This would make the person a Transsexual.

As far as I am concerned, the pregnant man is a pregnant transsexual woman. OK? And let's just leave it at that. Until there is a way for a man to get pregnant with his own parts, there is no such thing as a pregnant man.

On another note, I think we should be able to legally declare someone transsexual. It just might simplify matters like these.

Hillary might reject State offer

I'm glad. I don't think Secretary of State is the job for her. A position in the Health and Human services might be more suited to her talents. Hillary's been fighting for National Health Care for about 17 years now, this could be her chance to finally achieve that goal. Though, it's highly unlikely we'll ever see Nationalized health care in this country, there is some sort of reform needed. Maybe with her help it'll finally get done.

As for Secretary of State, Bill Richardson is currently being eyed for the position. I don't know too much about Richardson, but if he's qualified for the job, I'd be fine with him filling the position.

Dems poised to let Lieberman keep title

I wish the Democrats would kick Lieberman to the curb. He divorced himself from the Democratic party when he supported Bush, the war in Iraq and McCain/Palin in this year's election.

Lieberman used to be a Democrat, got defeated as a Democrat, then ran as an Independent, and won, but then supports Republicans. He is STILL registered as a Democrat. What gives? You are either a Democrat, a Republican or an Independent. Which is it, Lieberman? Make up your mind.

I fear that the Democrat's agenda is so important to them that they will hold on to Lieberman just to help them override filibusters and Presidential vetoes. They're not going to get 60 seats. We know that now. They're pretty close, though, 56-57-58 seats, somewhere in there. That's enough power, in my opinion. They can afford to lose Lieberman, he is not on their side anyway. And who's to say the Democrats couldn't pick up a few, or more, Moderate Republicans?

I'm willing to bet that Lieberman will continue to side with Republicans, so he should register as such or register as an Independent. You can't have it all ways. Know what I mean?

I respect Lieberman's ability to think for himself, and not vote along partisan lines, but he's really sending mixed signals. I'm not saying he shouldn't have supported McCain/Palin, but he should have done so privately, considering he is a registered Democrat. If he were a registered Independent, it would be a different story.

Why are the Democrats putting up with this? I guess the Democrats really are wimps. If a Republican did the things that Lieberman did to the Democrats, the Republicans would have kicked him to the curb a long time ago.

Hilarious post about Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin is destined for greatness. She is the only girl-next-door politician I have known about during my nearly 71 years on earth. She is vibrant, intelligent, approachable, an experienced executive with a very high approval rating as governor, decisive, family oriented and probably many other attributes I will think about later. If she becomes a senator, that is OK with me but I look forward to her becoming our president. Now in her mid forties, she has many years remaining to become the Margaret Thatcher of our fine country if she wishes. And, if she wishes, she will succeed. She will not fail if she wants to become our president. She will be 60 years old in 2024, four presidential elections away. Whenever it happens, I hope I am still here and mentally healthy so I can enjoy the good times.

What are these Republicans smoking? I mean, really, can anyone honestly call Sarah Palin intelligent? She hasn't shown herself to be anything more than someone with average intelligence in interviews. Maybe I'm being too kind. I mean, who can't name a magazine or two that they read? What was so hard about answering that question? It was a SIMPLE question. She could NOT do it. Her answer? "Any of them, all of them that have been in front of me through all of these years." Wow.

Sarah Palin has reached her sell by date.

Its time that Palin goes back to Alaska and does her job as Governor. The Alaskans need a leader, and where is she? Parading around making a fool of herself in the continental United States. If this woman had any brains she'd be back in Alaska doing her job. All she is doing is hurting herself and taking the Republican party down with her.

Unhappy People Watch More TV

Unhappy people glue themselves to the television 30 percent more than happy people.

The finding, announced on Thursday, comes from a survey of nearly 30,000 American adults conducted between 1975 and 2006 as part of the General Social Survey.

While happy people reported watching an average of 19 hours of television per week, unhappy people reported 25 hours a week. The results held even after taking into account education, income, age and marital status.

In addition, happy individuals were more socially active, attended more religious services, voted more and read a newspaper more often than their less-chipper counterparts.

The researchers are not sure, though, whether unhappiness leads to more television-watching or more viewing leads to unhappiness.

In fact, people say they like watching television: Past research has shown that when people watch television they enjoy it. In these studies, participants reported that on a scale from 0 (dislike) to 10 (greatly enjoy), TV-watching was nearly an 8.

But perhaps the high from watching television doesn't last.

"These conflicting data suggest that TV may provide viewers with short-run pleasure, but at the expense of long-term malaise," said researcher John Robinson, a sociologist at the University of Maryland, College Park.

In this scenario, even the happiest campers could turn into Debbie-downers if they continue to stare at the boob-tube. The researchers suggest that over time, television-viewing could push out other activities that do have more lasting benefits. Exercise and sex come to mind, as do parties and other forms of socialization known to have psychological benefits.

Or, maybe television is simply a refuge for people who are already unhappy.

"TV is not judgmental nor difficult, so people with few social skills or resources for other activities can engage in it," Robinson and UM colleague Steven Martin write in the December issue of the journal Social Indicators Research.

They add, "Furthermore, chronic unhappiness can be socially and personally debilitating and can interfere with work and most social and personal activities, but even the unhappiest people can click a remote and be passively entertained by a TV."

The researchers say follow-up studies are needed to tease out the relationship between television and happiness.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081115/sc_livescience/unhappypeoplewatchlotsmoretv

People get a high from watching TV? I don't. I rarely watch TV. You know why? Commercials. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't mind a few commercials here and there, but the networks overdo it. They have half a dozen commercials every 10 minutes. It really gets sickening. And its always the same commercials. They just keep playing the same ones over and over again. I figure if you're gonna commercial us to death, you mine as well give us some different ones to watch.

If I was the person in charge of dedicating air time for these commercials, I'd allocate the time as follows:

A half hour show would be comprised of one set of commercials halfway, or 15 minutes into the program. The set would contain 2 minutes of commercials. A one hour show would have a commercial "break" every 20 minutes, with a 2 minute or so set of commercials. I think this allocation would be reasonable, wouldn't you say? It would be kind of like an intermission. Giving you enough time to go the rest room, or get a snack. I think it would be a great balance of showtime and commercial time. Just enough time for you to really enjoy the show, and a few minutes to get up and stretch your legs.

I think it would be much better than an annoying commercial every 10 minutes. Just think of all the things they could show on TV if they didn't have all these commercials. A one hour show is only 40 minutes, with 20 minutes of commercials. Ridiculous, isn't it?

Besides commercials, there just isn't much on TV to keep me entertained. There's all these dumb sitcoms with dumb names like "How I Met Your Mother." Ever watched it? I've watched it a few times. It boggles my mind as to how they came up with that title. How does anything that goes on in that show have to do with how someone met someone's mother?

Then there's the neverending reality shows. I fail to see how any of these shows are "reality" or pertain to anything realitve to my life or anyone else's. I find them more boring than my life, and its pretty boring. Now should these shows appeal to somebody, apparently they must because they've been on the air for the better part of this decade, if these shows are realistic and relative to somebody's life, then I ask you, what is the point in watching TV? Don't you watch TV to escape from reality? I think most people do. So why the hell would you want to watch a show that is relative to your life? I don't get it.

And we can't forget the Law and Order and the CSI trios. They flood the airwaves and are on several channels, if not dozens at all different times of the day. USA Network has Law and Order marathons all the time, as does TNT. What is the fascination with these shows? I'll agree they're better than the reality shit and most of the sitcoms, but I really don't get why they are so popular. They're all the same too. I figure if you've seen a dozen or so episodes of each show, you've seen them all. These shows are on the air too much. They should scale it back a bit and put something else on. I mean really, how much CSI and Law and Order can you watch?

The article states that unhappy people watch more TV. True? Probably. I know I'd be unhappy if all I did was watch TV all day. These people who watch TV all day are couch potatoes who have no lives. They have nothing to do, so of course they're unhappy. What else does a person who has nothing to do, do? They watch TV. What else could they do? God forbid should they pick up a book. Or go for a walk. Nah, can't do that. It might actually be good for them. And you know that people don't like to do things that are good for them.

Now I am not saying that all unhappy people have nothing to do. I'm just saying that people who watch a lot of TV tend not to be active in their daily lives. The article says the average, unhappy person watches about 3 hours of Television per day, that's a bit low, I think. I know people who watch TV all day. Then there are those who multi-task who watch or listen to TV while doing other things. Nothing wrong with that, I'm not criticising them. I just wish people would find other ways to entertain themselves instead of being glued to the television all day.

Isn't it a little too early...

I was on my way to the store today and while in the car I found myself listening to Christmas music. The radio stations were playing Christmas music in early November! When I arrived to the store, I was acquainted with the Christmas music again. The store was playing Christmas music on the intercom. There was even a Christmas tree, or as some would refer to call it a "Holiday Tree" in the front of the store. And not just a tree, but many, many Christmas decorations throughout the store. Did Christmas arrive and someone forget to tell me?

Can I just ask one question? Isn't it a little too early to celebrate Christmas? I mean, we haven't even had Turkey yet and all of a sudden we're into the holiday season. I always thought that the Holiday season began just after Thanksgiving. Am I right in this assumption? The day after Thanksgiving was supposed to be the biggest shopping day of the year. But now, it seems that the holiday season begins just before Halloween.

Christmas isn't the only holiday the stores seemed to have gone nutso about. It's Halloween, Valentines Day, etc. All of the stuff pertaining to these holidays is out on display way too early. Why the rush? Is it to remind the customers that the holiday is coming and its best that they start their shopping early? I guess they don't want their customers to forget to spend their money in their store.

It seems you can't go from one holiday to the other without a break. There's always something, or someone reminding you that the next one is on its way. Doesn't anyone want a break? I know I do. I'd like at least some breathing room between holidays. Everyone, please, can we try to put this stuff out within reasonable time before the holidays? Christmas is on the 25th of December. I don't think you need two months to prepare for it. I'd say Nov 20th or so would be about the right time to bring the Christmas stuff out. Any earlier than that is just too early.

Sarah Palin needs to go home/Future of the GOP

Is anyone else getting tired of hearing about Sarah Palin? All I hear is Palin this, Palin that. Why is she giving interview after interview? I heard that she is still giving her stump speech in interviews. Doesn't she know that she lost the election? Is she trying to make up for the lost opportunities during the campaign? She said she wished she gave more interviews during the campaign. Then why the hell didn't she?

Doesn't Palin still have a job in Alaska to attend to? Last I checked she was still Governor of Alaska. Why the hell isn't she doing her job? I wonder what her approval rating in Alaska is right now. Who is running the state, anyway? It's no surprise that the residents are wearing pins that say "Where's Sarah?"

I am tired of hearing this nonsense about the Republicans nominating Palin for President in 2012. Are the Republicans seriously considering this? One of the main reasons why McCain lost was because of Sarah Palin. Didn't they get the memo? As many as 60% of voters said that they thought Palin wasn't qualified to be President. Is it possible she'll be considered Presidential material in four years? Maybe. She's probably trying to redeem herself with all these interviews. But people aren't going to forget the blunders she made during the 2008 campaign.

Why are we even talking about this, anyway? Has anyone heard from Geraldine Ferraro lately? I didn't think so. What about John Edwards? Oh yeah, him. He ran in 2004, and lost, tried again in 2008 and what? You guessed it. He lost. Sure, let Palin run in 2012. If Palin is all the Republicans have to offer, then that's fine with me. It will seal President Obama's second term.

Would someone please tell Sarah that the people in Alaska want their Governor in Lipstick back? And tell her to forget about a Presidential run in 2012, it would be a waste of her and the Republican's time.

The Republicans should go with Bobby Jindal. He looks like a promising candidate for the future of the GOP. But I think they should probably hold him until 2016, because more than likely, Obama will win his second term. I mean, if we couldn't get rid of Bush in 2004, what makes you think we'll get rid of Obama in four years? 2016 is the year the Republicans just might have a chance at reclaiming the Presidency. They should run Jindal then. For 2012, I guess they could stick Tim Pawlenty in there for laughs.

One week since that historic night

It's been one week since that historic night when Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. The first black, bi-racial president. I still can't believe that Obama won. It's just so surreal. I feel like it was a dream and I have yet to wake up. When will reality finally settle in? I'm guessing it won't seem real until Obama is sitting in that Oval Office.



What an amazing night. I remember getting chills when they projected that Obama would win Ohio. I knew at that moment that it was all over. Obama won.



McCain was very gracious in his concession speech. He looked like the man I used to admire. He went out with dignity and class. Halfway through the speech I was all choked up. Not just because Obama won, but because McCain lost. I felt sorry for him. Because I know, had he ran a better campaign, and as the Maverick, moderate Republican that he once was, the results of this election could have been different. It was his last chance to become President and he blew it.

McCain definitely earned back some of my respect from this speech. It was one of the best he ever gave, if not the best. I commend McCain for telling his brute supporters to stop the immature booing. This was one of the better McCain moments in the past two years.

I wish McCain the best. I've always liked McCain and respected his service to our country, but that doesn't make him the man to lead our country for the next four years. McCain's time to lead was 8 years ago, and sadly, was stolen from him by George Bush. I can't help but think that if McCain had secured his party's nomination in 2000, we all would have been better off today.

Well, enough of the what if's and the what could have been. Let's put the past behind us and look toward the future. I wish both candidates luck, and I hope that they can work together to serve and unite this nation so we can get this country back on track.

Keith Olbermann nails it.

Olbermann: Gay marriage is a question of love

Everyone deserves the same chance at permanence and happiness

By Keith Olbermann

Anchor, 'Countdown'

msnbc.com

updated 7:13 p.m. MT, Mon., Nov. 10, 2008

Finally tonight as promised, a Special Comment on the passage, last week, of Proposition Eight in California, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, and tilted the balance on this issue, from coast to coast.

Some parameters, as preface. This isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics, and this isn't really just about Prop-8. And I don't have a personal investment in this: I'm not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.

And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics. This is about the human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.

If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want—a chance to be a little less alone in the world.

Only now you are saying to them—no. You can't have it on these terms. Maybe something similar. If they behave. If they don't cause too much trouble. You'll even give them all the same legal rights—even as you're taking away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them, still anchored in love and marriage, and you are saying, no, you can't marry. What if somebody passed a law that said you couldn't marry?

I keep hearing this term "re-defining" marriage. If this country hadn't re-defined marriage, black people still couldn't marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal in 1967. 1967.

The parents of the President-Elect of the United States couldn't have married in nearly one third of the states of the country their son grew up to lead. But it's worse than that. If this country had not "re-defined" marriage, some black people still couldn't marry black people. It is one of the most overlooked and cruelest parts of our sad story of slavery. Marriages were not legally recognized, if the people were slaves. Since slaves were property, they could not legally be husband and wife, or mother and child. Their marriage vows were different: not "Until Death, Do You Part," but "Until Death or Distance, Do You Part." Marriages among slaves were not legally recognized.

You know, just like marriages today in California are not legally recognized, if the people are gay.

And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing, centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children, all because we said a man couldn't marry another man, or a woman couldn't marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage.

How many marriages like that have there been and how on earth do they increase the "sanctity" of marriage rather than render the term, meaningless?

What is this, to you? Nobody is asking you to embrace their expression of love. But don't you, as human beings, have to embrace... that love? The world is barren enough.

It is stacked against love, and against hope, and against those very few and precious emotions that enable us to go forward. Your marriage only stands a 50-50 chance of lasting, no matter how much you feel and how hard you work.

And here are people overjoyed at the prospect of just that chance, and that work, just for the hope of having that feeling. With so much hate in the world, with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against people for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadnesses, this is what your conscience tells you to do?

With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate... this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness—this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness—share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate.

You don't have to help it, you don't have it applaud it, you don't have to fight for it. Just don't put it out. Just don't extinguish it. Because while it may at first look like that love is between two people you don't know and you don't understand and maybe you don't even want to know. It is, in fact, the ember of your love, for your fellow person just because this is the only world we have. And the other guy counts, too.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27650743/

Obama's approval rating

Rasmussen is taking approval polls of President-elect Obama? This is ridiculous. He hasn't even been sworn in yet and they're already taking Presidential approval polls. I guess they need to do something now that the election is over.

According to the poll, 54 percent approve of his job as President-elect and 41 percent disapprove. If only 54 percent approve of him now, I'd hate to see what his approval rating will be a year from now.

41% of voters nationwide Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is handling his new role as President-elect. Twenty-nine percent (29%) Strongly Disapprove. (see trends ). Overall, 54% of voters somewhat or strongly approve of Obama’s performance so far while 41% disapprove.

Forty-seven percent (47%) say Obama will do a good or an excellent job on national security issues.

Among Democrats, Obama’s ratings are +64 (74% Strongly Approve, 10% Strongly Disapprove).

Among Republicans, Obama receives a -41 (9% Strongly Approve, 50% Strongly Disapprove).

Unaffiliated voters are much closer to the center—33% Strongly Approve and 31% Strongly Disapprove for a Presidential Approval Index rating of +2.

Obama's got my luck. He's going to need it. He's got a big mess to clean up. I hope he does a good job and comes through on some of his promises. I'm not expecting him to come through on all of them, as I don't care for all of them. Most politicians say whatever to get elected anyway. If Obama makes due on 20 percent of his promises, I'll be surprised.

Look at what Bush promised us. The only thing he delivered on was lower taxes. That's what, one percent of his promises? Though look how terrible that worked out for us. Our economy isn't any better than it was when he stepped in office, now is it? What happened to the great economic growth we were supposed to get from the tax cuts? You dunno? I dunno either.

People of color?

I hate it when people refer to black people as "people of color." What color? Black? Black is not a color. It's a shade. If anyone is colored, it's white people. They turn all kinds of colors. And they're not that white, either.

Nor is white a color. It's a shade. I guess you could refer to blacks and whites as "people of shades."

I don't particularly like it when blacks are referred to as African Americans. That would only be true if they immigrated from Africa. They are black Americans, plain and simple. Native Americans isn't really accurate, either. Aren't we all native Americans if we were born here?

So let's just refer to black people as such.

Proposition 8 passes in California

I'm really disappointed that Californians failed to defeat Prop 8. It really is surprising that gay marriage was banned in one of the most liberal states in the country. Isn't it sad, that in a nation based on liberty, one can not marry the one they love?

America is behind the ball on this one. Canada legalized gay marriage, so what is the problem in this country? Why the homophobia? The ignorance and narrow-mindedness really is repugnant. So much for being the greatest country in the world, eh? Land of the free? Yeah, right.

You know, I think we should ban marriage completely. Make all marriages between males and females illegal. Let them feel how it is to not be able to marry the one they love. Let them feel how it is to have their rights taken away. Let them feel how it is to have their legal bond with someone declared illegal. I don't think they would like that, do you? I bet they'd approve gay marriage then. You think?

Well, I certainly hope that California, and the rest of the states will legalize gay marriage soon, or at least civil unions, which to me are the same thing.

Election Results

If you haven't heard by now, Barack Obama has defeated John McCain to become the 44th President of the United States. The first bi-racial President. I don't think many Americans could say that they didn't see this coming. Obama has held significant leads over John McCain in electoral and popular polls for the past six weeks or so.

It was a short election night. The first votes were counted around 7pm, giving Obama an early victory in Vermont, while McCain won the uncontested state of Kentucky. It wasn't long before Pennsylvania was put in the blue column, and McCain's chance of victory began to look slim. They started counting the votes in Indiana, with Obama and McCain neck and neck. Obama held a commanding lead as the votes began to be counted in Florida. When they called Ohio for Obama at around 10pm eastern time, I knew the race was over. Obama would be the next President of the United States.

Obama won in an electoral landslide: 364 electoral votes to McCain's 163, twenty six states and one tie - Missouri. McCain just might win Missouri, as he has a small lead there and the votes are still being counted. The Show Me didn't live up to it's repuation of voting for the winner. Ohio prevailed, though. Next time, Missouri, next time.

For the first time in 40 years, Virginia voted for a Democrat, 22 years for North Carolina, and 44 years for Indiana. Colorado went blue, the first time in 16 years. Obama defeated McCain by landslide margins in both Nevada and New Mexico, 56-42 and 57-42 respectively. The Hispanic vote really helped him there. McCain won by a weak 9 percent in his home state of Arizona. I'm disappointed that Arizonans didn't send him a message. Oh well. Rumor has it Janet Napolitano is going to run for congress when her gubernatorial term is up in 2010. She will probably take McCain's senate seat if he decides against running for reelection. If he does, she'll probably defeat him.

It is likely, that for the first time in the state's history, Nebraska will split its electoral votes. Obama will be awarded one, bringing his electoral vote total to 365.

Obama won the popular vote, 53 to 46 percent, garnering 64, nearly 65 million votes to McCain's 57 million. Obama outperformed Kerry among virtually all demographics. He lead strongly among women, independents, Hispanics and people under 64.

Democrats increased their majority in the house and gained 5 seats in the senate, and a few of them are still being contested.

I bet the Republicans are fuming. They were hoping so much for a Bradley effect. Much to their chagrin, Obama performed as expected, and even outperformed the polls in several states. Obama won Pennsylvania by 11 points, 55-44 - stronger than Gore AND Kerry's wins, 51-46 and 51-49 respectively. For the most part, the polls were right on the money. Who said polls don't mean anything?

Unfortunately, my predictions were off quite a bit. Although, I nailed the popular vote, the senate seat and house projections were off by one, though there are still some seats undecided. Nate Silver at FiveThirtyEight.com correctly predicted the popular vote and incorrectly projected the winners of Missouri and Indiana. The site pretty much lives up to its slogan, Election Projections. Done Right. Dissapointedly Obama didn't win Georgia. The voter turnout wasn't as high as many expected. I expected 180 million people to turnout, only 130 or so million people did so. Silly me. How many registered voters are there in the country anyway? They said a lot of Republicans stayed home. I guess they were disgusted. Do you blame them? I don't. They got their asses whooped.

Here's the electoral results (map provided by Electoral-Vote):


Won't it feel good to have a President that can inspire us? One with great orotorical skills. One we actually care to listen to and who makes you listen? With McCain, it would have been Bush all over again. I'm glad America made the right choice this time. It was a clear mandate. America has spoken. The country is screaming for change. And as Obama said in his victory speech, change has come.

Obama Defeats McCain

Congratulations Barack Obama!!

My prediction for the election

Here's my predictions for Election Day:

Obama will win the popular vote 52-46 and the electoral vote 396-142.

Democrats will have 57 seats in the senate and 249 in the house.

Here's the map:

Much to McCain's chagrin, he will not carry Pennsylvania and will not win the Presidency.

Obama will win Florida 49-45, an unexpected upset in Georgia, a victory by 2 points, North Carlina 2 points, Virginia 5 points, Pennsylvania 7 points, Ohio 5 points, Indiana 2 points, Missouri 2 points, Colorado by 5 points, Nevada 4 points, New Mexico 9 points, and somewhat predicted upsets in Montana and North Dakota by a few points. Oh, and I forgot New Hampshire, I am sure Obama will win there by about 7 points.

Around 8pm they will call Virginia for Obama, along with Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida. They will announce Obama the winner by 9pm.

Voter turnout will be historic, 180 million Americans will have voted in this election.

McCain will concede around midnight.

Happy voting everyone.

Nudists Fight For Their Right To Vote Naked

A nudist resort in Florida is hoping to set up a clothing-optional polling booth for Tuesday's US election. Residents of Caliente Resorts, the largest nudist colony in the US, are hoping to create a polling place where residents can vote in the buff if they so choose. More than 350 potential voters live at the nudist resort as well as 200 employees. Currently, residents have to vote in a neighboring subdivision that is not clothing optional.

Source

Isn't this fucking ridiculous? Can't they put clothes on for just a few hours? I mean, wearing clothes is not that uncomfortable, is it? I wear them all the time, as do most other "normal" people. I don't have a problem wearing clothes, I prefer clothes. And even if I didn't like clothes, I'd have to wear them to go the store, to work, and wherever else. I sure as hell wouldn't have a problem dressing up to go vote.

I don't know what it is that makes these nudists think they are so special. My message to them: put on some fucking clothes and go to the polling place. If you can't put on clothes for a few hours, the country doesn't need your vote. It's as simple as that.

I guess there is no limit to the laziness and stupidity of people. I guess they figure, they have the right to vote, it also gives them a right to be stupid. This particular incident calls for the usage of a term called Freedumb. You're given freedom, but don't let it make you dumb.

NO on Prop 8

I'm hoping that Californians defeat Proposition 8 which declares gay marriage illegal. I was under the impression that gay marriage was already legal in California. Why did they have to put it back on the November ballot? One ruling wasn't good enough?

I voted against a similar proposition here in Arizona. Prop 102 declares marriage between a man and a woman. I consider marriage a commitment between two adults. I don't believe that anyone should be discriminated against because of who they love. Be it a male and a female, two males or two females. To me, marriage is a piece of paper legalizing a bond between two people.

The opponents of gay marriage want to protect marriage. What does that mean? They want to reserve marriage just for a man and a woman? Save marriage? I don't understand. If two homosexuals want to get married, why does it bother you? Don't you believe that everyone should have equal rights? I think they should. How does gay marriage hurt a marriage between a man and a woman? It's the same thing. Right?

I often hear people say, "oh let people keep their sex life in the bedroom." I'm sorry, but, the pursuit of gay marriage is not just about sex. A marriage is necessary for legal issues like insurance. You know, I find it repulsive that hospitals will not let a homosexual visit his or her partner in the hospital. Why won't a hospital not allow a homosexual to visit their partner in the hospital? What is this bullshit about family only? A loving partner is considered family in my book.

Please, America. Let's end this discrimination of homosexuals. The only difference between heterosexuals and homosexuals is the people they love. Love is something that is lacking in this world, don't ya think? To hate someone because of who they love is narrow mindedness. All homosexuals want is the same rights that heterosexuals have: the right to marry the person they love. Give them equality, vote no on proposition 8 and any other discriminatory bills that come along in the future. Make gay marriage legal.