One way I've started trying to avoid politics is, it's brilliant really, by watching TV online instead. Because that's much more important in the end, right? Specifically, I've been watching the free HD versions of Lost on ABC.com. They look great, and all seasons are free. Free! In HD! It's like some insane gift from the gods. (Granted with the connection I've got at home it's slightly less than HD, but who cares? It looks great and no one is looking that gift horse in the mouth.) Figuring it can't last long I'm trying to suck them down as quickly as possible, which of course for a working full time parent who's also attempting to do something constructive with his off time is not really that quickly at all. (Although somehow I have managed to put away four episodes this week.)
I've been kind of studying it while I watch it. Trying to figure out the keys are to its impossibly addictive nature. I'm too tired to lay out all the theories here but one of the brilliant things they did was setting up the formula with the stories in the past. Also, just deciding to go there with the implausibilities and then running beyond. And when I'm a little more awake sometime I want to talk about why... but it's been a long hard day.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Politics
I realize I've been avoiding writing about politics really. That doesn't mean I've kicked the habit, though I wish I could. I wish I could limit it to: I'm going to vote in November, I know who I'm going to vote for, full stop, move on. But I just can't help myself. I have to read the news obsessively and political blogs obsessively even though I know it has very little to do with me and very little to do with life in general frankly.
One thing I've noticed that makes it easier this year is just simply knowing that George W. Bush is not going to be running again. My respect for McCain has taken some serious hits in the last eight years but he comes nowhere near the level of distaste that I've always felt towards Bush, and frankly I doubt he ever could. (Well never say never.) But I have a very good feeling about Democratic prospects this year, Obama's proven himself a formidable candidate, and probably most importantly versus McCain an exceedingly cool and calm one (which at some point is guaranteed to unnerve a man notorious for his temper).
Clinton meanwhile seems to want to burn down her entire reputation on the way out, which is just sad more than anything. I just can't get my mind around that "working Americans, hardworking Americans, white Americans" statement. It would be one thing if she were stating the fact that she does better than Obama among whites, sure, I mean it's a fact. But to phrase it like that, oh my God, stupid and offensive and just frankly impolitic at its core.... Do we even somewhat conceivably want that kind of potential "misspeaking" going on in the White House? Also the "obliterate Iran" comment. And the "sniper" comment. And the whole thing with undermining her opponents credentials and putting the Republican nominee on a higher pedestal. It's just, as she put it, "a pattern emerging". And it's a pattern that frankly is going to be a stain on her future political career.
But like I said, I'm trying to emotionally divest myself of politics... trying, failing yes, but trying... at least trying to be conscious about it's lack of actual importance to me. Or at least it's relatively low degrees of actual importance.
But man I do love Obama.
One thing I've noticed that makes it easier this year is just simply knowing that George W. Bush is not going to be running again. My respect for McCain has taken some serious hits in the last eight years but he comes nowhere near the level of distaste that I've always felt towards Bush, and frankly I doubt he ever could. (Well never say never.) But I have a very good feeling about Democratic prospects this year, Obama's proven himself a formidable candidate, and probably most importantly versus McCain an exceedingly cool and calm one (which at some point is guaranteed to unnerve a man notorious for his temper).
Clinton meanwhile seems to want to burn down her entire reputation on the way out, which is just sad more than anything. I just can't get my mind around that "working Americans, hardworking Americans, white Americans" statement. It would be one thing if she were stating the fact that she does better than Obama among whites, sure, I mean it's a fact. But to phrase it like that, oh my God, stupid and offensive and just frankly impolitic at its core.... Do we even somewhat conceivably want that kind of potential "misspeaking" going on in the White House? Also the "obliterate Iran" comment. And the "sniper" comment. And the whole thing with undermining her opponents credentials and putting the Republican nominee on a higher pedestal. It's just, as she put it, "a pattern emerging". And it's a pattern that frankly is going to be a stain on her future political career.
But like I said, I'm trying to emotionally divest myself of politics... trying, failing yes, but trying... at least trying to be conscious about it's lack of actual importance to me. Or at least it's relatively low degrees of actual importance.
But man I do love Obama.
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