The First Nerd

This is a fantastically funny speech by John Hodgman, one of my favorite Daily Show correspondents and the PC Guy on Apple commercials, at the Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner. Since I'm blogging about this speech, I guess I'm a nerd, but I'm sure you already figured that one out.

Tyranny or Democracy?

Yesterday, one of my co-workers asked me if I was going to a tea party on April 15. Of course, he said this over the cube panel and not to my face. If he did, he would have seen the look of astonishment on my face. I shouldn't have been surprised. He's a Republican, like the half of our staff - there are only eight of us. Although, I'm not 100% sure if we actually have a fourth liberal in our midst. Anyway, my tea-throwing co-worker has never been a fan of Barack Obama and usually insists on trying to drag me into a political discussion. I refuse to succumb to his challenges. I'm a firm believer that politics should not be a dominant part of the workplace. It's a touchy subject, just like religion. Most people are passionate about both subjects, so I really really try to avoid them. I admit that I have talked about religion at work. No one is perfect.

So, back to the question at hand: tyranny or democracy? I really think that Jon Stewart expresses it best in the following clip. Do we really live in a society where if you degree with the person in power that you go the the extreme of calling him/her a creating a Fascist world or for being tyrannical? That's how I see the talking heads on Fox News - extremists. The part that scares me is that people watch that drivel and believe it and feed on the rage and unpleasantness.

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The Inauguration - impressions of the day

It's been 11 days since the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th president. I was there. After I came back from the trip, I thought about doing a play-by-play of the day. Now that I've had time to think about it, I'll just give my impressions of the day.

--COLD: I will never complain about being cold ever again. Standing in 15 degree weather for over six hours can really change your perspective.

--JOY: Despite the long lines and sometimes scary crowd situations, everyone was happy. No one was fighting and thank God no one was arrested. I was there for five days and I never encountered a disgruntled person. It was truly amazing that one man could inspire so many people with good will and happiness. I hope that we can keep the momentum on the euphoria.

--GRATITUDE: I'm very grateful to my friend Laura who put me on a list some time in November or December to get tickets to the swearing-in ceremony. I'm also grateful that she offered to let me buy her two inauguration ball tickets from her. She only slightly groused when I traded them for four other ball tickets. My friends Ray and Shannon also get a big high-five for graciously hosting me at their lovely townhouse in McLean, Virginia. It was like staying in a hotel. I had my own bathroom and toiletries under the sink. =)

Solid...solid as Barack

Here is a compilation of the best SNL political skits from the 2008 season, courtesy of Countdown with Keith Olberman.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Obama's First "Radio" Address

The President-Elect certainly isn't resting on his laurels. The Administration's new website also lays out the Agenda.

UPDATE: It seems that our most technologically-advanced President-Elect won't have access to his Blackberry. To put it mildly, that sucks. As someone who has recently become addicted to her smartphone (I have a Palm Centro), I can't imagine not being able to use it. Find out more information on this story in the NY Times article.

Just a taste...

After I've had a little time to process my short involvement in the campaign, I'll write a longer blog post. For now, I'll leave you with this clip.



Look closely. I think Stephen Colbert is tearing up.

True.

For more about this video, go to the posting on The Caucus.

Fired Up!

I am so proud of our fair city of St. Louis. I was at the Obama rally today and I knew it was a special place to be. I had heard the reports that about 100,000 people gathered at the Arch grounds to hear Barack Obama speak. But, tonight was the first time that I saw a picture. Here is a picture from my vantage point.


And, earlier this evening I was at a birthday party for a friend of my parents. One of the Thai couples at the party, Dr. S. and Dr. S., were so excited that I went to the rally and wanted to hear all about it. This was a special moment for me. Most of my parents' friends are Republicans, mostly for financial reasons. They came to this country with very little and were able to achieve a lot and make a very healthy living. Anyway, this couple, who I have known for over 20 years, really surprised me. They completely understand why Barack Obama is our best hope for a better future for America and the world. They both said that they are voting for Barack Obama, not for themselves, but for their children and grandchildren. I was so happy to hear them express this message. I can only hope that they will convince the rest of the Thai community too.

Check out more photos at The Page by Mark Halperin of Time Magazine. Halperin also has the full text of Senator Obama's speech on his site.

Now a question from William Murray

McCain, the backpeddler

After a rough couple weeks of attacks by McCain and his camp against Barack Obama, the senator from Arizona finally decides to back off. But, is it too little, too late? All of the negative ads and smear tactics have incited the party's base and they are angry at Obama. Now, McCain wants to say that this campaign has to be respectful. REALLY?! The McCain campaign says that their voters are not outraged, but frustrated by Obama's plan to raise taxes. Are you kidding me? There are people out there who are saying that they are scared if Barack Obama becomes the president. There is a very big difference between being scared and being worried. I would be worried if John McCain is elected as our next president, but not scared.

McCain is stirring up people's emotions and not in a good way. Instead of talking about the issues and thinking through problems and developing solutions, McCain is encouraging people to vote with their gut. How often has your gut gotten you into trouble? Aren't some gut reactions based on your preconceived notions about people or issues? David Brooks, conservative columnist for The New York Times, explains this Republican strategy far better than I could.

At the beginning of this last round of the campaign, I wished that both sides would provide the voters with well-thought educated answers and plans to our country's and our world's problems. I'll admit that the Obama camp is not perfect, but at least slander and libel are not part of their campaign strategy. These last 24 days will be tough and I'm not sure if I can stomach any more crap.

UPDATE: Are McCain and Palin on the outs? Check out this article from The Times (London).

That One

So, could the good old Senator from Arizona be any more demeaning? Check out this story on how a loyal Obama supporter is fighting back. And, some post-debate wrap-up by some regular Joe Sixpacks.

Homer goes the polls.

Thanks, Pam.

Temper, Temper

Do you want the next President of the United States to be serious and thoughtful, or a mean-spirited hothead? I think we've already experienced eight years of one hothead, so I certainly don't want another four. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke discusses the temperament of the two Presidential candidates, based on the first debate, in this column on The Huffington Post (yes, it's another liberal rag).

Obama makes the grade.

According to Mark Halperin, from Time Magazine, Obama scored higher on the debate than McCain.

Sarah Silverman wants your grandparents...

...in Florida to vote for Barack Obama.

Professor Obama

Check out this article about Barack Obama's former students at the University of Chicago's Law School.

Dig Deeper

In order to combat the opposition, you need to know what they stand for. So, I checked out the McCain-Palin website and looked up their plan for health care. I found an average-length web page with a series of bullet points. The only additional link is to the McCain-Palin position on autism.

Moving over to Obama-Biden website, the health care web page also has bullet points, although in a smaller font. At the bottom of the page, you can download the full 15-page PDF of the Obama-Biden health care plan, as well as additional information on HIV/AIDS and cancer.

If you continue to compare both sites, the results will be the same. Even if you don't agree with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, at least you will know where they stand.

Please educate yourself on the issues before you vote on November 4.

Obama Waffles

I'm so mad, I can't write about this issue. Check out the story at Christianity Today about a vendor at the Values Voter Summit selling Obama Waffle Mix.

Just to be clear, this is not about free speech or satire. It's racism.

A little hope goes a long way.

Thanks, Hillary.

I admit that I had doubts about Hillary Clinton's headlining speech at the Dem Convention tonight. I have always supported Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate for President because I believe in him and his principles. Tonight is the first time that I believed in what Hillary Clinton has said. I finally believe that she fully and genuinely supports Barack Obama.

Thanks, Hillary.