The Definition of Insanity

voting for the same party

and expecting a different result.

- BP

Sarah Palin: Ahmadinejad in Heels

President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Sarah Palin.  One’s a naive, oil-obsessed, holy war-calling, religious extremist, and the other is an Iranian.  Here’s the Lovesick Billy take on this dynamic duo:

Ahmadinejad: Thinks the Holocaust is a myth.

Palin: Thinks evolution is a myth.

Ahmadinejad & Palin: Were not widely known when they entered their presidential election campaigns, although they had already made their marks for rolling back earlier reforms.

What’s Dumb About the Smart Car

I’ve wanted a Smart car ever since I saw one in Europe, eight years ago (where it’s a Mercedes-Benz), so when Smart debuted in the US with their $99 reservation program, I signed up right away.  After a year of anticipation I learned that with Smart, the road to Passion fortwo doesn’t always end in ecstasy.

It’s easy to love the Smart.  It’s beautifully designed, looks like fun, parks anywhere, preempts backseat drivers, comes beautifully equipped for $15K.  We wanted it because of the  real 37 mpg.  We all love that.  Here’s what you won’t like about it and the path to getting into it.

Jay Smooth on the RNC, Hating and Community Organizers

Jay Smooth of illdoctrine.com posted this response to the RNC, which, in contrast to the inspiring, positive DNC, was a hypernationalist, fearmongering pep rally.  So what else is new?  Jay Smooth and Ill Doctrine.  I can’t get enough of it.  Check it out.

Palin Comparison to Lynne Spears

Last December, People reported Lynne Spears’ book on parenting was indefinitely delayed when her 16-year old, unwed daughter, Jamie-Lynn became pregnant.  The world called them trailer trash.  The implied cry: what’s she doing writing a book on parenting when she can’t keep her teenage daughter intact through high school?  (Say nothing of Britney.)  Hey, at least Lynne called it what it was.  Almost a year later, instead of a book that may have accompanied Dr. Spock, she publishes Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World.

Now that we have a recklessly chosen VP candidate in the same situation as Lynne Spears, (say nothing of the Troopergate scandal [where she pretty clearly dogs her former brother-in-law, expending considerable personal and state resources over a personal vendetta] and the ensuing legal defense), what will be said of her? 

Sarah Palin and the McCain / McMILF 2008 Ticket

It’s official.  John McCain’s taste in beautiful women is impeccable.

John McCain has chosen MILF Sarah Palin to share the GOP ticket.

Who?

A neo-con, short-term governor of Alaska, who I think appeared in ZZ Top’s “Legs” video in the 80s.  I didn’t think it made sense until I dug in about the voting records of other possible Rep women: the incredibly capable Elizabeth Dole would seem a good, seasoned choice, but being just as old as McCain, might not instill us with much confidence.  Lisa Murkowski, also GOP and Alaskan, has served on committees for energy, parks, education, and foreign relations and is candid about her eagerness to drill for oil, but she’s too moderate on abortion.  Ditto Kay Hutchison on abortion.  Ditto Susan Collins on abortion.  Olympia Snowe reaches across the aisle too much, working with Dems to minimize Bush’s tax cuts, and disagreeing here and there about Iraq.  Elizabeth Joyce is too busy answering hate mail and being courted for her vote.  So that leaves right-wing MILF, Sarah Palin.

I’m not sure when the GOP became the Dukes of Hazzard, but nonetheless, here’s the nutshell read on the schizophrenic nature of this NRA gun-toting beauty queen and VP candidate.

Election 2008: The Pots Calling the Kettle ‘Uppity’

Sam and I were listening to NPR this weekend when we heard a woman say, “I am sick and tired that every black man with an education is called ‘uppity,’” or something pretty close to that.

We guffawed in total agreement. Show me a white Ivy Leaguer who has been labeled as such. It may be my upbringing in the south, but uppity has always been understood as a code word; always the adjective that precedes a very specific epithet. If I know this, then you know the McCain camp does.

Online Etymology Dictionary:

uppity
1880, from up; originally used by blacks of other blacks felt to be too self-assertive (first recorded use is in “Uncle Remus”). The parallel British variant uppish (1678) originally meant “lavish;” the sense of “conceited, arrogant” being first recorded 1734.

Git ‘er Done: Chute Dogging in the L.A. Rodeo

It’s 110 degrees and I’m in a chute which is about 3′ x 8′, next to a steer that weighs around 600 lbs. I’ve been standing there for about five minutes, watching Sam in the previous chute. I’m calming the animal, and positioning his rump to the back corner of the chute while I calmly ask myself, “What the hell am I doing here?” I wonder how I got myself into this, kind of replaying the whole thing: the mechanical bull, Sonny, Sam, Rodeo School in Phoenix, Palm Springs, and now Los Angeles, and I still can’t believe it. It’s not until the chute attendant tells me, “The arena is ready,” that I reach down and take hold of the animal and become keenly aware that I’m being watched by my competitors – a lot of great cowboys and cowgirls. My safety (Sonny) talks me through my prep and keeps me focused and calm. The chute attendant asks me how I’ll tell him (or her) to open the chute. Some cowboys nod, some say ‘go’, some do both. I say ‘go’ and he opens the chute.

L.A. Rodeo Roundup 2: More Photos

Photos keep rolling in from friends we made at the rodeo.  Mad love to Michael Whisner for some great shots.

L.A. Rodeo Roundup 1: Not Beginner’s Luck

It was just after I dogged my first-go steer this weekend that I realized another reason I love rodeo: it’s an exercise in being present. In fact, it’s a marathon of being present, and I only participated in three events: goat dressing, chute dogging, and steer deco. I can’t imagine how it must be for Wade Earp, who competes in almost all, if not all, of the events. Sam pointed it out. We weren’t thinking about anything else, all day. Who knew we had to compete in rough stock events to feel like we’d really been on vacation?

I dogged my steers, but the highlight this weekend, by far, was Saturday, watching Sam get in the chute for the very first time, and dog his steer. I was almost as excited and proud as he was. We went one right after the other, both days. Sonny looked after me and Sam got coaching from Sam (Van Helden), both really talented cowboys. We’re grateful to have had them on our chutes.