News Tidbits

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright,
Who are you sleeping with tonight?
So far, you have your choice of ten,
But, one of them won't be Elin.

Well, I'm shocked, shocked, I say! O.K. I lied. I'm not shocked at all. No wonder he tried so hard to keep his private life private. But, to no avail. Every morning brings a new bimbo eruption. Wonder what it's all going to cost him, and we're still waiting with bated breath to see if there are any little Tiger cubs running around with little toy golf clubs.

-----

Sarah Palin has been in the area in the past week. She was in Springfield, MO, Branson, MO and Fayetteville, AR. I haven't read her book, and I don't plan to. If I want to know anything about it, I can just read the blog of Margaret and Helen. Helen is reviewing the book.

I continue to be amazed at how many people are taken in by Former Governor Palin's lies. She flies in to an area on a borrowed corporate jet, gets off and boards a bus, which she rides a few miles into the town and pulls up at the bookstore or mall where she signs books for two hours. If you want an autographed picture, you'll have to pay for it. She does nothing for free these days. And, people follow just like sheep, believing everything she says.

-----

Do you remember, a few years ago, when there was a rash of break-ins at Buckingham Palace, and the Queen woke up a few mornings to find a stranger in her boudoir - or at least close to it? We got such a big kick out of that. Ho, ho, ha, ha, ha, all that security, and one of her faithful subjects decides to have morning tea with Her Majesty. How could that happen. Ha, ha, ha, ha.

It isn't so funny when people manage to waltz into a State Dinner uninvited in this country, is it?

-----

The members of the Senate want to have it both ways on Healthcare Reform, it seems. They want to pass a bill, but they don't want to give up the million$ of dollar$ they get from the insurance, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. That's why it's taking so long. So, we'll probably see a bill that's cobbled together with half-measures and that leaves out several million Americans.

Then, it goes back to the House of Representatives, where it is merged, somehow, with their bill and what we finally get will be a fine mess, but it'll be a start. Hope springs eternal.

Stay tuned.

Que Sera, Sarah

Sarah Palin quit her post as Governor of Alaska today because she didn't want to be a "lame duck". Apparently, she was afraid she wouldn't be effective as governor for the remainder of her term, because, you know, she has been so very effective in the post for the last year.

She made her usual Republican talking points and flag-waving speech, taking a minute or two out to take a swing at the media, "Stop making things up!" and Hollywood, "The starlets are coming to take your guns", or some such blather.

Unfortunately, we can't look forward to her disappearance into oblivion. Like the farmers who can't be expected to stay down on the farm after they've seen Paree, she's had a taste of the good life. Politics being more fruitful than she ever dreamed possible, she will not go quietly into this good night. We'll have to pry that microphone out of her cold dead hand, because she is now free to embark on her speaking career.

Expect her to pop up at tea parties all over America, and picnics, county fairs, goat ropin's and any and all gatherings of wingnuts. And, CNN and MSNBC and Fox News will all be there to memorialize on tape every golden word she utters. You betcha!

John McCain, you have a lot to answer for, because you created this monster.

Stay tuned.

I Can't Look. Is She Still There?

Sarah Palin's announcement that she is resigning as Governor of Alaska appeared to have been hastily put together. It almost seemed as though it was a spur of the moment decision. And she would have benefited from a good speech writer.

She rambled along, giving her reasons for leaving office, peppering her sentences with basketball phrases, but never offering anything specific. She characterized herself as a victim of the media, bloggers and other groups. She's been called a quitter and speculation is flying about her future plans.

I haven't made any secret of my dislike of her. I felt she was unsuited to the Vice Presidency, and I came to believe that, deep down, she knew it. She was like an American Idol contestant who tries out even though she can't carry a tune in a bucket. She has to know.

So, it might surprise many people to hear me say that I'm feeling a bit sorry for her right now. My lack of respect for her stems from my deep-seated feminism. During the campaign, I felt the same way about her that I always feel about beauty pageant contestants and women who don't think or stand up for themselves. She, whether unknowingly or knowingly, allowed herself to be exploited by a bunch of unscrupulous politicians who didn't have her best interests at heart.

It must have occurred to her at some point that she had been thrown to the wolves, while John McCain stayed cheerfully above the fray, well away from the mud slinging. That may be why, toward the end of the campaign she seemed to be "going rogue" and doing and saying things that were unscripted. But, by then, she was too far out on that limb all alone.

So, I do think she was victimized by many different groups. That said, she kept alowing it, and gave every appearance of someone clueless as to what is going on. Maybe the experience awakened a depth of ambition she hadn't realized was there. The outsome was a debacle for which there was plenty of blame to go around.

What happens next wil be entirely up to Sarah. Whatever she decides, I'm sure she's not going to go away.

As for yours truly, I'm just feling a bit mellow at the moment, but I'll get over it. You betcha!

Stay tuned.

OK, OK, Mea Culpa, Already

I have resolved a couple of times in the past to stop blogging about Sarah Palin, but I take it all back. She is the gift that keeps on giving - kinda like herpes.

Sarah finally harrangued a sincere apology out of David Letterman, which aired last night. She accepted, but it's not over, folks. She said, " Of course, I accept his apology", which is all she needed to say. Over. Done with. Move on. But, no, she went on (and on and on) to say that she "accepted for all young girls"..... and then made some weird, disjointed statement about Letterman's right to free speech...."He can say anything he wants, of course. This is what our brave troops are fighting to uphold", etc., etc., etc.

The fact that Sara Palin and her family accepted David Letterman's apology isn't and never will be enough for some, especially the newly formed website "Fire David Letterman dot com", to which I won't link because it would only encourage them.

This is a website dedicated to the ruination of one aging comic with a long history of telling tasteless jokes, as admittedly these were. And, yes, he was right to apologize. But, it seems to me that he also needs to apologize to Eliot Spitzer and Alex Rodriguez, by the way. They're too busy to demand an apology, I guess, but they may yet get around to it some time this week.

So, with the wingnuts in full cry, Sarah can afford to be gracious.

On the Republican front, where is all the outrage over the comment of a politician in South Carolina? Have you heard about it? Seems a gorilla escaped from a South Carolina zoo, and this jerk said "Not to worry. The gorilla's not dangerous. It's probably just one of Michelle's (Obama) relatives. " Ba-da-bum!

Talk about a tasteless joke. But, I suppose since he was making the joke at the expense of a grown-up, it's ok. But, wait. Let's take this joke to its logical extent. If he thinks the gorilla is a relative of Michelle's, then, it must also be related to Michelle's young daughters. Of course, it would.

So, since Michelle is busy elsewhere, I am picking up the torch of outrage on her behalf and on behalf of her daughters. Don't bother to apologize to me, dude. I won't accept it.

Stay tuned.

Little Bits

Breaking notnews. Chastity Bono is going to have a sex change operation. So?

-----
Palin baits Letterman.

Sarah Palin is trying to start a feud with David Letterman over a tasteless joke he made on his show the other night. Indeed, it was tasteless, but it was just a joke. He made a follow-up comment, but didn't apologize. He said he had made thousands of tasteless jokes over the years.

Now, Sarah says he owes an apology to all women. She'll do just about anything to stay in the national spotlight, I guess. She probably thinks her "feud" will get her an invitation to be on his show. I would advise against it. She's no match for Letterman.

And, besides, he'll always be able to have the last word.

-----

Hell-o? Hell No.

Sometimes, the stupid just burns. In Kingsville, Texas, the County Commisioners designated "Heaven-O" as their official greeting because "Hello" contains the word "Hell."

-----

Bonzai!! Again

Former President, George H.W. Bush celebrated his 85th birthday by making another parachute jump. This has become a habit that he is going to continue until he is 90.

When asked why he keeps on doing it, he said, "Because it feels good." And, it "Sends a message that just because you're an old guy doesn't mean you have to sit around, drooling in a corner.

Atta boy, George! But, it does seem that there would be a happy medium between jumping out of airplanes and drooling in a corner.

-----

Take that, Granny!

Did you see the video of that State Trooper tasing an 84 year old woman the other day? The media tried to get outraged over it, but the video clearly showed the trooper trying to keep her from wandering out into the traffic while she continually smacked and pushed him.

Clearly, the old gal deserved the jolt she got. Respecting your elders is one thing, but just how much abuse do you have to take before you zap her?

Stay tuned.

Cover Your Eyes, Granny!

Remember the man who got pregnant and had a baby for his wife, who couldn't? His name is Thomas Beatie, and he used to be a woman. But, when he changed sexes, he kept all his reproductive organs, and have they come in handy! He's pregnant, again. OK, I know he USED to be a woman, but NOW, he's a man, and it just seems wrong.

What will we tell the children?

(I have no idea what that caption "First Man" means, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't have anything to do with Adam. It was attached to the picture when I moved it to Photobucket.)

-----

Here's something we CAN tell the children. Tony Dow, who played the Beav's older brother, Wally, on Leave It To Beaver, has a sculpture on display at the Louvre. Gee, Wally, 'way to go!

-----

NOW, she gives interviews! Sara Palin has been all over the TV shows lately, giving interviews. It's as if she held her breath for the entire campaign, and now all those things she wanted to say are spilling out, not unlike the air from a punctured baloon. Waaaaa. Katy is mean, the media lies, nobody is loyal, blah, blah, blah, I'm only doing what God wants me to do.

Personally, I wish God would decided he wants her to shut up.

-----

Seems folks have been buying up guns in record numbers since the election. And, the gun sellers are gouging the heck out of them, which is just what they deserve. I have news for them. Gun ownership may be the most important thing in their lives, but I think President-elect Obama has a bit more pressing problems on his mind. So, they can relax. Nobody wants their hunting rifles - unless they are using Uzis for sport.

-----

The media morons have latched onto the story that Hillary Clinton is on the short list for Secretary of State. I don't know if this is true, but I do wonder why she would want the appointment. She can probably be Majority Leader in the Senate if she wants it. That would give her a lot of clout and help President-elect Obama pass a good healthcare bill, not to mention all the other ways in which she could be influential.

More later.

Just Shut Up

Evidently, we can add my name to the list of people from whom Sarah Palin won't take advice. The first thing she did upon her arrival in Alaska was to go to office and start talking to the media. And, talking, and talking, and talking, and she hasn't stopped.

She will give an interview to Matt Lauer of the Today Show, tomorrow, then it's Larry King Live Wednesday night, and undoubtedly Fox News will feature her as often as she is willing, starting with an interview with Greta Van Sustern.

-----

After a long and difficult presidential campaign, there is only one question left unanswered. What kind of puppy will Sasha and Malia get?

Since they need to find a hypoo-allergenic breen, might I suggest a PBGV (Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen)? This French breed (a scent hound) is still a bit rare in the United States. However, according to the American Kennel Club website, they have gained enough popularity that there are "rescue" PBGVs to be had.

I am allergic to most dogs and all cats, and have had no problem with Kell's PBGV. Cosette is energetic, curious, funny and loveable, if a bit stubborn. She is a small dog with a great big hound-like bark, which, unfortunately, makes people crack up, instead of being afraid of her.

Stay Tuned.

Deconstructing Sarah

Now, now. Don't go jumping to conclusions. I know I was pretty hard on Sarah Palin during the campaign, but I'm not here to gloat. You won't hear any more snarky remarks about her from me. That would be piling on. Besides, she has members of her own party who are all too willing to do that.

Why should they criticize John McCain or his advisors for running a less than stellar campaign, when they have a woman on whom they can lay all the blame. Better yet, one nobody ever heard from before she was chosen as McCain's running mate.

In fact, it has already started. You've probably heard the stories coming out of the defunct campaign, so I'm not going to repeat them. You'll hear plenty of "inside info" in the form of "now, we can tell it" gossip about how she brought McCain down. And, there are plenty of media types willing and eager to repeat all the gory details.

No, I won't be guilty of kicking her while she's down. But, I would like to offer her some advice.

Sarah, go back to Alaska as fast as you can. Go home, batten down the hatches and keep your head up and your mouth shut. Talking back will just prolong the agony. Just let the storm rage around you until it finally blows itself out.

Then, resume your life, do your gubernatorial duties and enjoy your family. Who knows what will happen in the next four years. If you play your cards right, you might be the only one of the bunch left standing.

Another Disjointed Rant

I stole this from Hrrmph! I think it about sums it up.



Looks as though the McCain folks are trying very, very hard to dump Sarah Palin. She may be more difficult to throw under the bus than they at first thought.

However, before they do, there is one thing I would very much like to know. Why is it that it has been 9 days since she told Brian Williams that she would release her medical records, and she is still stonewalling? I believe I predicted that this would happen. The woman is hiding something, and it's something that would be devastating for the campaign. You heard it here.

-----

Here's something scary for Hallowe'en. At a rally today, John McCain promised (threatened?) to take Joe the (not) Plumber to Washington when he wins. As what? The mind boggles.

-----

Seems the Center for Media and Public Affairs did a study, and reported that the media newscasts in the past 2 months have reflected positively on Obama. And, they also report that the first half of Fox News Channel's "Special Report" with Brit Hume showed more balance than any of the network broadcasters.

Read that last sentence and see if you can figure out which way the Center leans.

-----

Did you see Al Gore's speech in Florida? One of his comments really resonated with me. He said, " The Stone Age didn't end because we were running out of stones." He said, among other things, that it ended because change happened. And, the "Oil Age" won't end because we run out of oil. It will end because we will find ways to stop depending so heavily on it. But, change won't happen in a McCain Administration.

Every time I see Al Gore I think how different things could be today, and would have been for the past eight years if he had been President.

-----

Chris Matthews was talking about the "Undecided" voters, if any there be. He asked, "What do they want, breakfast in bed?" I don't always agree with him, but I do agree with that question. This late in the campaign, I tend to think that people probably aren't really undecided. They just don't want to state their preferences. That's good enough for me.

-----

The media people want to keep the suspense alive by talking about how close the race is becoming in many areas, but Obama is still polling way ahead in the number of electoral votes he has amassed, unless everybody is lying. I hope the polls are accurate.

Here's what I want to happen. Whether John McCain wins or loses, I want him to just shut up about his unfortunate incarceration in the Hanoi Hilton. He seems to think that he's the only person in the world who suffered in Vietnam. And, he thinks that it entitles him to be the President. He has dined out on that particular period in his life for his entire career. Has he done ANYTHING else noteworthy in his life?

He scoffs and calls Obama a Socialist and worse, while his whole life has been spent living off of the Government. Has he ever held down a real, honest job in the private sector? Does he have any idea what it's like to work at a job he hates but can't leave because he needs Health Insurance? Of course not. He has had free health insurance all of his life.

But, I am getting carried away, so I'd better do what I advised him to do - shut up.

There is one more thing I want, though. I want Obama to win with a large enough margin to amount to a complete repudiation of George W. Bush, John McCain, Sarah Palin, George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan and all their advisors who keep espousing the "Trickle Down" theory.
It doesn't work. Never has. Never will.

More later.

I Voted, Have You?

This early voting stuff is the bomb. There was a fairly decent crowd at our alternate early voting place, across from the courthouse, which is not very handicapped/elderly-friendly. The new place is much easier to get in and out of. We were there at about 1:30 p.m. yesterday and at that hour, all the voting machines were in use, with three or four people ahead of us in line and a few more coming in behind us. I think it is safe to assume that there were only two of us voting for Obama.

I thought that once I had voted, I would just relax and let the chips fall where they may, but the minute I got home, on went the TV so I could see if anything startling had happened while I was out. Whew! I'll be glad when next Wednesday gets here so I can either celebrate or mourn the results. I have a feeling that there will be lawsuits, once again, because the polls may very well be misleading, and the loser, whoever it may be, and his followers, will be convinced that the election was stolen.

There are a few things that bother me about Obama's campaign, I must admit. The amount of money he has collected and spent should have him much farther ahead if it is true that elections can be bought. And, if they can't, then the obscene amount is a waste, and I can't think of a better advertisement for public funding, such as that taken by McCain. I realize that Obama had to campaign all over the country because he didn't have the necessary name recognition, and public financing wouldn't have come close to paying the bills. But, it makes me wonder about our political system.

Another thing that bothers me is that I can't shake the notion that when push comes to shove, many people who have said they were going to vote for Obama will get in front of those voting machines and say to themselves, "Nope. I just can't do it." and will vote for McCain strictly on the color of his skin. This feeling has stayed with me throughout the campaign, and I hope I'm wrong. If I am, I'll say so on my first blog after election day. But, I have to say, even though I supported Obama and voted for him, deep down, I still think that Hillary would have been the best choice, with all her baggage and Bill and his baggage.

There are many things I don't like about the McCain campaign, but the main ones are John McCain and Sarah Palin, and the overall tone of their message. I think they are both the wrong choices for their offices. The John McCain of today has been unrecognizable compared to the John McCain of a few years ago. Many of his longtime friends and colleagues have commented on it, so it's not just me. He has been all over the map with his "secret plans", the idiotic Joe the Plumber farce and his choice of running mate was simply irresponsible. He is living in a dream world if he thinks he's immortal, and look what we're left with if something happens to him.

I'm going to try not to watch as much TV until the weekend, but I can already tell you I'll fail miserably. Why should I stop obsessing just because I voted early?

More rambling later.

Random Thoughts For A Monday

It's really funny the way John McCain and Sarah Palin keep calling Obama a Socialist. Especially in the face of the gigantic bailout of the banks and mortgage companies that Bush and the Congress and Senate have foisted off on the taxpayers.

-----

Now, the auto industry wants $15 Billion more, on top of the $25 Billion that has already been allocated for them. Might I be so bold as to suggest that the auto industry got itself into this shape because they moved all the jobs out of the country years ago, thanks to Nafta, as did many other industries? Why shoud they expect a country that they sold out to step up and save their bacon with bailouts that will ultimately be paid for by many of the very taxpayers that they laid off in their run for the border?

I say no bailouts until they start bringing jobs back into the country.

-----

Furthermore, it's very obvious to me that the prescription drug program, known as Medicare Part D has many, many flaws and could stand some reform of its own. I have a feeling that if we manage to get a large majority in the House and Senate this year, they had better do something about this blatant giveaway to the Insurance Companies, or we aren't going to be too particular about which party gets voted out next time, just the individuals who try to perpetuate this program as it is. They can start showing their good faith by getting rid of that idiotic donut hole, and make the insurance companies cover everyone ALL YEAR, instead of just up to a point, whereby they gleefully continue to collect premiums during the months they don't have to cover anyone.

-----

Here's something to ponder: If we can spend trillions bailing out the fat cats, who's to say we couldn't bail out Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid if they start to go under? Or, would that be too beneficial for ordinary citizens?

-----

Oh, I'm so glad Sarah is wearing her own clothes again. I'm sure she is much more comfortable. And I'm glad she and Elisabeth Hasselbeck are keeping the story alive day after day.

Methinks McCain has created a monster.

-----

By the way, if you think racism hasn't reared its ugly head in the campaign, you should be reading my e-mail. Some of the stuff people are sending me just make me sick. But then, I live in one of the most racist areas of a basically racist state. Maybe it's not as bad elsewhere?

McCain vs Women

Here's a quote from John McCain that I read yesterday. "Sarah Palin is a direct counterpoint to the liberal feminist agenda for America. She's the best thing that could have happened to my campaign and to America."



Hear that, unhappy Hillary supporters? NOW go and vote for McCain.

When Will They Ever Learn?

When I was a senior at Little Rock Central High School back in 1958, I was exposed, for the first time in my young life, to the ugly faces of hatred and bigotry. I looked at those faces every morning and afternoon outside the school, where, inside, we were trying to keep nine frightened black students safe from the crowds that had been bused in to keep the federally mandated integration from going forward.

Then, throughout the '60s, I saw those same hateful expressions on faces in the news and watched in horror as President Kennedy, his brother, Bobby, and Rev. Martin Luther King all were assassinated.

In the past few days, those same twisted, angry faces have surfaced once again, encouraged by Senator John McCain and his running-mate Governor Sarah Palin. In their latest political rallies, Sarah Palin has suggested that Senator Barack Obama "pals around with domestic terrorists", and John McCain has told people in his crowds that Obama is a liar, and doesn't have the judgment or integrity to be President, and they have allowed people in their rallies to scream such imprecations as, "kill him! " "treason!" and "bomb Obama!". Both candidates have just smiled and nodded when these things have occurred.

What McCain and Palin are doing was, at one time, labeled "inciting to riot", and I believe it used to be against the law. Whether it is criminal or not, it has certainly lowered the level of discourse, and without doubt, placed Obama and possibly his family and the family of Joe Biden in mortal danger.

In his defense, John McCain finally, FINALLY, took the microphone away from one of his backers when, in all ignorance, she said she was afraid of Obama because he is an Arab. McCain tried to correct her, very gently, and called for his backers to disagree with Obama, but with respect. In this and other rallies yesterday and today, he has tried to tamp down some of the vitriol, and has been booed for his efforts. Too little, too late? Perhaps. Apparently, Sarah Palin didn't get the hint, because she was still spewing her mean-spirited message at her rallies.

History has shown us that once the forces of hatred are unleashed, it is all but impossible to rein them in. It may be too late, now, but I hope not. If John McCain and Sarah Palin are not able or willing to change their rhetoric, we all need to cross our fingers and hope and pray that nothing unthinkable happens. In the meantime, we can only hope that the Secret Service protection will be beefed up around Barack Obama and Joe Biden and their families.

And, if the worst should happen, well, we'll at least know where to point the finger of blame.

He'll Take The High Road

And, let Sarah take the low road.

So, now we know what desperation looks like, and it's pretty ugly to behold. John McCain has abandoned whatever sense of decency he may have once had and is hiding behind a woman's skirts. He knows that Sarah Palin is lying about Obama, claiming he is "palling around with terrorists", yet he allows her to go on saying them, or, maybe he even encourages her. And, there's more to come.

If there's anything I detest about politics, it's the way candidates tend to sell their souls when it begins to look as though they are losing ground. I first noticed this when George H.W. Bush abandoned all of the core beliefs that he had held throughout his entire career. He went from a moderate Republican to a Reagan idealogue, in exchange for Reagan's promise to back him when the time came for him to run for President.

After Bush's first term, when it appeared he was in real trouble against that upstart, Bill Clinton, he kicked over all the traces and unleashed the religious right at his convention, and they have been running rampant over the Republican Party ever since.

Then, George W. Bush got religion and the zealots embraced him, he won, and we all know how that worked out.

John McCain tried to follow that lead, and it didn't work for him, because the idealogues are uncomfortable around mavericks. Too hard to control, they think. Hence, Sarah Palin. McCain is hoping she can deliver the extremist wing of the party that has heretofore been coolish to him. It seems he has now turned her loose to do what she does best - trash the opposition. Like others of her ilk, she's not much troubled by the truth. "Any means to an end" is their mantra, because "God is on our side". She is as transparent as a pane of glass and she doesn't care who realizes it.

The McCain people have no doubt promised her their backing when she runs for President in her own right. Yeah, right. Like the Republicans are actually going to elect a woman as their candidate. When pigs fly, with or without lipstick.

John McCain has had a long and distinguished career. Once revered as a genuine war hero, he was his own man. Now, he's just a pathetic old man, desperate to fight Vietnam all over again, and relive the glory days when he was young and had the world by the tail.

The sad part of it is whether he wins or loses, he'll have to live out the rest of his life with the knowledge that he has diminished himself by allowing naked ambition to replace dignity, honor and integrity.

Maverick no more. Hero no more.

False Outrage

Apparently, the McCain/Palin folks are going to be outraged and insulted about something on a daily basis, in order to keep from talking about the real issues in this Presidential race. They are focused on parsing every word spoken by Barack Obama. Right now, they are busy being offended by his statement, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig." According to the McCain camp, this is a statement meant to demean Sarah Palin. Well, THEY made that connection, not Obama.

Do we really have such a short collective memory that we have forgotten Ann Richards, in her speech at the Democratic Convention in 1992, quoting yet another Texas politician as saying, "You can put lipstick on a pig and call it Monique, but it's still a pig." She was referring to the policies of George H.W. Bush. Obama borrowed and edited the statement. He was referring to the policies of John McCain. Not everything has to be about Sarah Palin. If he had intended to insult Palin, he could have made the implication much clearer by leaving the feminine name in it. Duh.

If the Obama campaign needs some zingers for Sarah Palin, I'd be happy to suggest a few. Try these on for size: (I know, I know, I said I wouldn't, but I just can't help myself.)

If Sarah Palin leans any farther to the right, she'll fall off the flat earth she apparently believes in.

Sarah Palin is so far to the right, she makes James Dobson and Pat Robertson look like "Backslidin' Methodists".

Sarah Palin is so far to the right, she makes Obama's Rev. Wright look sane.

Here's another one:

After a week of campaigning with John McCain, Sarah Palin is heading back to Alaska to memorize a new speech.

Ba-Da-Bing!

She will also wave a proud but tearful good-bye (for the cameras, no doubt) to her son, who is being deployed to Iraq this weekend. And, isn't it interesting that three out of our four top candidates have sons who will soon be going to Iraq? Wonder how long it will take for Sara and the Geezer to suggest that their sons are somehow better patriots than Biden's.

How long is it going to take before John McCain realizes that his V.P. choice has overshadowed him? She makes a much better speech than he does, she 's decades younger than he is and certainly much prettier. And, what is with this "Beauty Queen" fetish that McCain seems to have? Maybe he needs to remember that Sarah likes to shoot "wolves" from airplanes.

Well, I guess until the McCain bunch lets Sarah out to answer questions from the entire media, I'll just have to keep on using her as damn good blog-fodder. She's more fun than McCain.

More later.

OK, Fun's Over

This is the last time I'm going to blog about Sarah Palin, unless something really ugly happens that I feel the urge to make fun of. Otherwise, she isn't worth any more of my time. After tonight, I intend to concentrate on the ancient maverick himself, Sen. John McCain.

Apparently, Gov. Palin's speech was excellent, if a bit smug and sarcastic, in parts. I wouldn't know. I didn't watch it.

I DID, however, get a bit of a scolding from my daughter, who is much more soft-hearted than I am and who was not particularly amused at the last two photos on my blog. I probably deserved it. As Paul Anonymous pointed out in "comments" yesterday, I'm not perfect.

My daughter seemed to think I didn't suspect that the photos were fakes. For the record, I thought that they probably WERE fakes, but I just didn't give a rat's ass. My feeling is if Sarah Palin is going to be offended by my little old blog, she's way too sensitive, because she can find those photos all over the internets. I remain supremely unapologetic. Those photos are no worse than some of the photoshopped photos going around in blogs and on e-mails, and even on the fronts of magazines, about Barack and Michelle Obama.

One day, I found in my e-mail, sent by a group of "good Republicans" a photo of an ape, and right beside it, a photo of Michell Obama. The implication was crystal clear. Just today, I received an e-mail from that same group containing a cartoon of a rickety old pickup truck piled high with Muslims, and the cutline identified them as "Obama's family". It occurred to me that they were probably taking a swipe at illegal aliens, also, a Republican twofer. And, I expect things will get much, much worse.

For all I know, Sarah Palin may very well be a thoroughly nice woman, even though I don't agree with much she believes in. What pisses me off about her is the way she is letting herself be cynically used and exploited by John McCain and the rest of the party. And, I'm pissed off by the way she seems to believe that it is all right to use and exploit her seventeen year old daughter and soon-to-be-son-in-law, and her other children. I'll leave her husband to fend for himself. Her baby was held by no fewer than seven people while she was speaking, according to the media, passed from one to the other, no doubt followed by the television cameras. If she had wanted to protect him and not exploit him, she would have left him backstage with the rest of the family, and brought him out with them after she finished her speech.

And, that's all I have to say about that.

Stay tuned.