In Defense of Joe the Plumber

OK - I admit it - I'm here for Obama.

But I'd like to slam both candidates and the media this time. Poor ol' Joe the Plumber.
I think it's a testament to how out of touch both candidates and the media have gotten with the general public - the "average Joe", pun intended.

A fella should be able to ask a question, and not have his life pried into, people camped on his front lawn, and a bus tour named after him. Granted, I'm an extrovert from the school of David Lee Roth (frontman for Van Halen.) I'd love to have a bus tour named after me. But I really feel bad for Joe. I think he's being used as a pawn, and that's not too cool. Sure, he's being used as an illustration. But what has anyone ever asked the paint if it's OK with being used to color the picture?

I sense that Joe would prefer not to be paint, or the pawn that he now is.

So, in taking sides with the opposition, I'd like to say "I am Joe." And please don't ever use me as an illustration.

McCain and the politics of fear

Barack Obama pulls in a mountain of money, and John McCain says "ah, there must be scandal."

Hey, maybe there is. But it smacks strongly of someone saying "beginner's luck!"

Here's a video that I think sums up some of the things being said right now. I laugh every time I see this, and I think of this every time I hear the McCain campaign mention Bill Ayers.

Clarke and Dawe discuss the Politics of Fear

Palin and the rise of the anti-intellectual

I love townhouses - they're great for canvasing!

And as another Sunday draws to a close, I'm left with sore feet and a new puzzle in my brain.
Why is the current presidential contest running dangerously close to looking like a high school?


Let's take a step back, and review the situation.

- We've got a beauty queen.

- We've got a senior. (ha ha!)

- And we've got a competent, smart guy who's indirectly being called a geek...?!

It seems to me that any of the "NObama" crowd hold it against him that he's educated, articulate, and well-spoken. To borrow a high school phrase..."Like, oh my god, have you seen his ears? And gee wiz, everyone wants to hang out with him. Ewww."

This is sad! Ridiculous! Preposterous! It seems that Sarah Palin is framing the debate that educated professionals are not to be trusted, just as geeks from high school are not to be associtated with.

I really don't care how "cool" my lawyer, brain surgeon, insurance adjuster, or investment manager is. I want them to be competent, qualified, and smart. And these professionals are strictly concerning me - not an entire country.

I don't understand why it's suddenly not cool to be smart in politics. Why is an intellectual not a real american?

Perhaps because he doesn't come from a small town?

I don't get it. So I'm gonna keep knockin' on doors, doggone it!

John McCain and the Dallas Cowboys

Whew, ladies and gents!

It's getting very very close to the vote. And I'd like to relate it to football.

I'll admit, I'm a girly man when it comes to this American sport. I see folks driving around with their teams' flag proudly waving from the roof of their car. Hey, that's cool. They're into it, and they like it. Team pride.

However, let's compare partisan politics to football. Let's say we're invaded by an alien civilization. They threaten to annihilate us by melting our ice caps, driving our banks over the edge, stoke wars, and all in all, make us fairly miserable. The only way we can avoid this catastrophe is - by competing in, and winning, the intergalactic super bowl xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxvi (we've apparently missed this before somehow.)

So, the world leaders frantically convene, dial up the NFL, and start drafting a team to save the world.

All's going well, when suddenly somebody suggests Tony Romo for quarterback. A hush falls over the convention room in downtown Alexandria, VA. This is not Dallas country.

"I'm not voting for Romo! His name rhymes with an insult to the Gay and Lesbian community!" Screams an onlooker...

"But he's the man for the job!" a member of the Planetary Salvation By Intergalactic Competition Commission board patiently explains.

"He's from Dallas! I don't trust him. Isn't he really a communist? No Way, Jose!"

Once again, partisan politics has gotten in the way. It looks like the world is doomed because some Redskins fan got ticked.


The good news is: This is just a story. The bad news is: This hypothetical fan is one of the deciding factors of the watershed election facing our country.

I suggest that we put partisan politics on the shelf this time around. Let's look at what America really needs.

I just came back from a very interesting drive today. My route took me through northern and rural Virginia, including towns Staunton, Waynesboro, Luray, and Gainesville.

I spotted four abandoned gas stations in Gainesville in the bustling Rt. 29/I66 interchange district. They were busy when I rolled through last year.

Staunton and Waynesboro showed the first signs of desolation of the economic slowdown - and this is the fall tourist season. True, they did have their lovely Fall Foliage Festival, but things were starting to look a little less than prosperous. And it certainly wasn't the good folks of these township to blame! They had pride in their town, and put on a darn good festival. But - along the outskirts, things looked pretty darn empty.

Luray looked scenic as usual, but in talking to my friends at the local art gallery, business has been painfully slow.

The kicker was evident all along the Rt. 340 Corridor. The yards were choked with campaign signs bearing the message "Valley Voter for McCain - Palin."

They might has well have said "Another family for four more years of this." "I'm voting for another four years of failed economic policies." "I support someone who has stated he doesn't really understand the economy." "I'm raising my voice for a maverick who goes the way of the establishment ninety odd percent of the time." "I'd like more - McCain - Palin 2008"

Don't you think it's time we put our partisan politics aside, and vote for some change?

Obama might be from Dallas in the eyes of the Skins fans around here, but I think it's time we give him a look.

I'm casting my ballot for something different this year. I'm voting for Obama.

No comment

Man, I've been glued to this election. All the talking heads are running at full throttle, and everyone has something to say.

At the end of many of these articles and blogs one can find the reader comments. It's amazing - these folks skirmish, debate, and establish a plan for the world in this section, and after a while, the article is almost of secondary importance.

I say almost because the comments are useless. I've published some online articles on different subjects, and I'm tellin' you, folks go all out. Just bop on over to YouTube - you'll see they've invented new forms of profanity. It's quite amazing.

The phenomenon of anonymity in the age of the internet has created quite a market for armchair politicians and cowards who wouldn't dare talk like that in real life.

Of course, the concept of debating and besting your friends in a political discussion has certainly not gone away. Folks use this to "prove themselves." However, unless a.) you live in a swing state, and b.) your friend is a voter, it's a waste of energy to push 'em around. If they're engaging in verbal combat with you, they're going to vote their way anyway, perhaps just to spite you! Believe it or not, I hate talking politics with folks. I don't like debating. Maybe that's why I like to blog, and canvas.

I suggest that you redirect that time and energy to get out and hit the pavement for your cause. I was out canvasing yesterday, and I got to talking to a very nice fella who will probably vote for John McCain, and thinks that Sarah Palin can get on the job training. So we obviously weren't eye-to-eye on a lot of things. However, I encouraged him to get out to a McCain field office, pick up a packet, and start knocking on doors. I told him I consider it vital for everyone to be involved. It is our country, not Exxon's or Wachovia's.

Start a blog. Have a real conversation, not a debate, with undecided friends who want help choosing which candidate to vote for. Sign up to volunteer for a measly few hours at a local field office of your favorite candidate. Knock on doors. Make it happen!

Sarah Palin and Ozzy Osbourne

I was talking politics with my brother the other day, and he made the remark "if McCain wins, we're gonna have another really good calendar."

He's referring to the various daily calendars with George W. Bush quotes. I had one of those a few years ago, and man, that thing was funny! For example, Dubya used a pitbull analogy, too. "I am a pitbull on the pant leg of Opportunity."

Of course, looking past partisanship, if Obama wins, I'm sure Biden will provide us with plenty of fodder for printing purposes.

The politicians of the past few years certainly keep business booming for the quote-meisters, and that's "kinda weird, bro."

And here's the thing that worries me the most. Communication is vital for a world leader. If Sarah Palin can't string a sentence together coherently on the campaign trail, how would she in a high-pressure situation? While national television might be a bit unnerving, the worst that happens is you end your bid for the White House. But, a slip-up by a vice president, or president in negotiating say, oh, a war, could be catostrophic. But hey, at least Alaska will get it first! The Russians practically have a landing strip built there, right?


For some reason, Ms. Palin's performance during her interview with Ms. Couric reminds me strangely of Ozzy Osbourne, minus the bats and profanities.

Can't you just see this?

COURIC: Mr Osbourne, as Governor of Alaxka, You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

Osbourne: ****, Katie! That **** Alaska **** has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, uhhhhhh, and uhhhhhh.******* the land-- boundary that we have with-- ****Canada. It--***** it's funny that a comment like that was--***** kind of made to-- cari-*****- I don't know, you know? Reporters--****

Scary!

One more thing - what happened to the fact that presidents are supposed to act presidential? I was talking to a friend, and he was complaing that "everyone likes Obama, he speaks well, he acts well, he knows his stuff, he has a huge following..."

Yeah?

That's why I'm voting for him! Someone needs to repair America's reputation, and I don't think calendar sales will do that.