Back in the fall when the presidential races began heating up, Gert and I had a discussion. She asked about who was doing what, etc. Then she asked, “Who will be running next year?” It seemed like it was ease to separate the wheat from the chaff at that point. “Clinton v. Guiliani,” I responded.
How wrong I was!
I finally had a horse in the race, except he didn’t leave the starting gate well. Guiliani had a horrible strategy that cost him. Clinton felt entitled to the nomination and fell asleep. Sure, she woke up and fought back, but it wasn’t enough.
McCain was carrying his own luggage when Gert and I had this conversation.
I am not much for handicapping races, it appears. Despite the hoopla over Obama, I keep feeling that reason will prevail and America will elect John McCain. As for me, I’ll be sitting this election out unless I find an appealing third party candidate. Or perhaps I’ll write in Fred,just for the practice. Obama and McCain are unsuitable for me. This year, it is not a matter of degree; both are wrong on too much for me to cast my ballot.
Michael Arrington decries Yahoo’s demise. It’s a good read . . . This was e-mailed to me today. It’s an old one, but the addition of New Jersey in the last spot added a level of humor/gut-wrenching bile that is not there otherwise . . . Twitter has been returning an Over Capacity message quite a bit recently . . . Is it any wonder that FriendFeed has captured my attention . . . I am surprised this thread continues over at Groundspeak. It seems to break all the guidelines. Of course, pot shots at conservatives is considered fair game by so many . . . $77 to fill the gas-guzzler. Sigh . . . My girl Stephanie won this week on Top Chef. Best of luck in Puerto Rico . . . Here’s the first test: former state senator Nick Asselta is now on the state BPU. The gas companies are demanding rate increases of 20%. Will Asselta take a conservative approach to this or will he rubber stamp it? . . . Blue Jersey’s response to NJ Senate President Dick Codey’s comment highlights a fundamental difference between liberals and conservatives: asking the Turnpike Authority to tighten its belt is not de-funding, it is requesting for efficiency . . . good actors leave the audience wanting more. Harvey Korman and Sydney Pollack are two who did that this week . . . another actor, however, makes us wish she had packed it in already. It’s unfortunate too as I always liked Susan Sarandon, despite her liberal tendencies . . . Obama left Trinity United Church. What took him so long? Evidence that he will do whatever to get himself elected. This doesn’t help him . . . Beetle pointed to a picture of poison and asked what it was. Unsatisfied with the answer she declared it was pirate milk . . . We were at Target tonight and walked by the lingerie. There was a thing that was about my daughter’s size. Okay, it was a bit larger, but not designed for anyone who should be wearing a thong. And who should be wearing thongs? I think the simple answer is if one is not having sex, she has no need for a thong. Anyone who could have squeezed into this thing is too young for sex . . .
Why does a march against gangs happen on Father’s Day? How about honoring Dad instead? . . . TwitterLocal is pretty kewl. Here is the feed for Millville and 20 miles out . . . I am getting old. My students had physical education today. Whilst picking them up, I took a couple swings with the “Nerf” covered bat. I swung so hard on the second pitch I hurt my wrist. Even so, the ball slammed off the far wall. My students were impressed. I’ll pay for this for a few days, I am sure . . . Haven’t been watching The Factor much recently. The more air time Dick Morris gets, the less I am inclined to tune in. He’s been wrong with his analysis throughout the campaign. Why does this john still get a platform? . . . Not that I am following this at all, but the headline caught my attention. “Because of this case, I have been financially crippled,” McGreevey told the judge. Oh please. The divorce hasn’t harmed you, your corrupt nature has affected your earning power. I am fine him not paying his wife millions. She seems to want servants, helicopters, and the like. But “the Gay American” should be forced to pay a certain percentage of his income, just in case he is not playing it straight in the trial. History says it’s a fair bet he isn’t . . . Hey, Sen. Obama, I understand your use of sweetie. I use sweetheart several times a day. Of course, I say it to nine- and ten-year old students . . . Just in case anyone thought government does not overstep its purview, check out what New Jersey is pushing through the legislature. Citizens apparently no longer have the right to not purchase health insurance . . . Oh, I can’t believe suing is going to help Carla Katz with the union . . . I have to say I agree that the NJ DOE should seek to recoup squandered tax dollars from school districts who misused the funds . . . FWIW, playoff hockey is exciting . . . Forget closing the state parks. I just found $143 million to cut from NJ’s budget. This money comes with no strings attached. I thought Corzine got rid of the Christmas tree fund. I guess not. Really, Garden State voters: how long are you going to vote for corruption? . . .
This past week my students and I read the book A Very Important Day that chronicles many New York City families’ trip downtown in a snow storm for their citizenship ceremony. We learned that to become a citizen of the United States that petitioners need to have lived here for five years (legally), speak English (so they don’t run us over on the road), take a test, and pledge an oath of loyalty.
We also spoke how most of us are what a supplemental book we read called Auto-Americans because we were born here or born to American citizens. As such, we do not need to jump through the hoops of learning about the United States. It is assumed we know these things. Perhaps that is an assumption we should not make.
For instance, if one wants to be President of the United States, shouldn’t he be able to pass the test that naturalized citizens are expected to pass? I think that is fair for a basic level litmus test. If the president cannot answer these questions, I think it is fair to say he is deficient in the requisite knowledge to lead the country.
Check out question #97. It states:
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
The answer is, of course, any of the following:
because there is one star for each state
because each star represents a state
because there are 50 states
Contrast those acceptable answers with the answer the presumptive Democrat candidate gave yesterday:
This is the advertisement running in North Carolina that is getting all the attention the last couple days? As far as I am concerned, it is much ado about nothing. I don’t think it is particularly effective, but I have no issue with it.
I’ll pay for this for a few days, I am sure . . . Haven’t been watching The Factor much recently. The more air time Dick Morris gets, the less I am inclined to tune in. He’s been wrong with his analysis throughout the campaign. Why does this