Friday, October 31, 2008

The Final Push- Obama for President


For the most part, ok for the whole part, I lack the rhetoric and wit to write anything inspirational. But I wanted to share a couple of things I came across reading some articles these last few weeks.

I won't spend this time making fun of Palin. That's too easy, like shooting fish from a barrel. Or like chasing wolves with an airplane and gunning them down when they are too tired to run.

I am voting for Obama. I buy into his whole change thing. Sure, I have a few concerns, but I would with any candidate. I am not sure I want too much socialism injected into our country, though I point out McCain voted for the stupid bailout too. I don't think Obama is going to take away our hunting guns. Conversely, I don't think McCain could get Roe vs. Wade overturned. I think a lot of issues like that wash out for me. Here's the thing though, McCain is the same thing we've had. He is everything Washington stands for. Maverick? No.

Not too long ago I thought and told some of my friends that of the Republicans out there I thought McCain was one I really respected and could vote for. He seemed inspirational. He'd had it with dirty politics and negative campaigning. If we didn't stop our partisan bickering, he was going to turn this car around. Well, WHAT HAPPENED?

The last few months have brought about character assassination and political attacks like no other. If McCain had less time attacking Barack, I think he would have been better off. Remember the celeb ad? I loved this tidbit I read in GQ referencing it:

"As character assassination goes, the Celeb-ad was about as subtle as the old pretending-to-cough-while-actually-saying-the-word-asshole trick. But our real problem with it isn't the creepy subtext. It's that Britney and Paris are so politics-of-five-minutes-ago. McCain is fighting a firecrotch war in a topless-Miley Cyrus world. Like, whatevs."


Tell me fellow Wingnuts, why have you waited to release the story about how Obama likes to kick dogs and club baby seals?

One thing that comes up a lot is the tax issue. I don't really see how either candidate is going to not raise taxes to dig us out of this hole, but lets compare. McCain says Obama is going to raise taxes and spread the wealth like a socialist. Here's a great article in the New York Times this week, a study of the tax plans by an independent source, The Tax Policy Center. Below is the jist:


"Independent analyses of the presidential candidates’ tax proposals show that those who make less than $250,000 a year would not see their taxes raised under Senator Barack Obama’s plans. Further, Mr. Obama would generally cut taxes more than Senator John McCain would for households with incomes less than $100,000 a year. Mr. McCain would cut taxes generally on par with Mr. Obama for those making $100,000 to $250,000 a year, the analyses found, but those making $250,000 a year and above would typically pay less in taxes under Mr. McCain."


Ok, fewer than 3% of households make 250,000$. I just don't like the same old Republican ways of giving breaks to the rich. McCain wants to extend Bush's tax cuts for the rich. And big business? On paper their taxes may sound high, but loopholes often require them paying much less. (Here's where I like Ron Paul platform and flat taxes!)



I won't go on and rant and make this post any longer, I don't want you to tune out if you haven't already. But, I want to hear from you. I am calling a few of you out. Tyler, Terry, Mom, Dad, Tim, and a few others- What is McCain going to do for you? How is he going to be good for you? Bad for you? How is Obama going to be good and bad for you? I want to hear both sides, the good and bad or I'll have a hard time thinking you are being objective. I will post my good and bad for both in my comments too.


In the meantime, make sure you get out and vote. On Wednesday morning, I anticipate an Obama victory, but if not, it will be fun to watch McCain ride around on his Rascal. Just make sure someone tells Palin that he needs to have his adult diapers on before they have a tickle party to celebrate.



Sunday, October 26, 2008

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Big Sioux City Weekend

Saturday morning started out chilly. 36 degrees, here are Dr. Benzoni and I preparing to run the Sioux City Marathon. He has what I call real running genes. Different breed. He is 52 and can run me into the ground. His Marathon time was 3hrs and 20min, a 7:39 pace for 26.2 miles.
Forrest Gump. This guy has ran the marathon the last 3 years in full Forrest Gump gear. He registers as "Forrest Gump". No one has figured out who he is yet. There was an article in the paper about him. Oh, and he beat me too.
Coming into the finish line, I wanted to curl up and die for the last 6 miles, so I was feeling pretty good with 100yds to go.
Ahh, here I am crossing the finish line. Well, I finished. I ran the first half, (13.1 mi) in 1 hr 50 min, so I was on pace for a 3:40 marathon. Let's just say the second half got pretty painful. But, I toughed through it and finished. I am still paying 3 days later, hobbling around. But, did I mention I finished?

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I came home after the run and found my Hawkeyes whupping up on the Badgers. Shonne Greene was a total stud, tearing off 217 yds, 4 TD's including a whirling dervish of a 34 yd TD run the got him nominated for the All America Player of the Week.
That night was Olivia's 1st birthday party. Her actual birthday is Oct 31st, on Halloween, so we want to take her trick or treating that night. She had a cake with her best pal Daisy on it. There are lots of other great pics to share, but I'll let Nicole put them up on Olivia's site. Check there in a day or so and they'll be there.

DAD'S VERY PROUD MOMENT
My daughter likes Vampires.
Ok, so last year I picked up this vampire Halloween decoration. A couple of weeks ago I got it out of storage and as soon as she saw it she picked it up and gave it a hug. I was sitting there laughing to myself with no one else around to appreciate it. (And really, only those out there who know who Count Strahd von Zarovich is would really understand my delight of Olivia hugging a Vampire.) Anyway, at the party Saturday, someone got out the vampire and all the kids were afraid of it, except one. While the other little kids cringed at the creepy little rubber Vampire, Olivia just grabbed it and gave it a hug in front of everyone. I'm not sure what this means, but I think it's because she was born on Halloween. And maybe something to do with the fog that Cory and I had to get rid of by shooting a shotgun over our shoulder while looking into a mirror.